The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Genesee County covering today and tomorrow.

There is a wind advisory in effect until 2 a.m.

There is a flash flood watch in effect from 2 p.m. through Wednesday morning.

There is a 60-percent chance of rain showers on Halloween.

Today's winds are expected to remain 20 to 30 mph, from the west, with gusts up to 50 mph.

As for precipitation, the NWS is predicting heavy lake effect rainfall, though it much of it is likely to fall west of Genesee County. Runoff could create flash-flood conditions in low-lying areas. Gutters and drains clogged with leaves could increase the risk of street flooding.

Press release:

The City of Batavia will celebrate Halloween on Tuesday, Oct. 31 only. Trick-or-treating activities will take place from 5 to 9 p.m.

Drivers and walkers are asked to be especially cautious during this time. Have fun and be safe.

Press release:

The No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team is heading back again to the National Junior Athletic Association D-III National Tournament after blanking Cayuga Community College 3-0 Oct. 29 in the Region III District A Championship game.

The region's top-seeded Cougars have now outscored their opponents 53-1 during their current eight-game winning streak. The win also extended the team's unbeaten streak to 17 games.

Current NJCAA D-III Goalie of the Week David Ormiston recorded five saves in the win and was named the tournament's most valuable player in leading the team to its seventh-consecutive shutout and 12th of the season.

Ross White got the game winner almost 30 minutes into the contest and Ben Wattis extended the Cougars' lead to 2-0 about 10 minutes later to round out the first-half scoring.

Charlie Livesey had the lone goal of the second half about 25 minutes into the session to add some insurance to the Cougars' lead.

Cayuga outshot Genesee 11-8 in total shots and shots on net 5-3. Each team had a half dozen corner kicks and the physical game produced eight yellow cards collectively.

Also selected to the all-tournament team from Genesee were Livesey, Wattis, and Glenn Holmes, with the latter assisting on Wattis' goal. Cayuga's Mikel Abando and Santiago Ortega were also selected.

Genesee heads to the NJCAA National Tournament as one of eight teams Nov. 9-12 at Wehrum Stadium. The men's soccer D-III nationals are hosted by Herkimer College, who will join the Cougars from Region III after defeating Onondaga Community College 4-0 in the last regional title game of the night that followed the Cougars' win.

Photo: Curtis Kreutter / GCC Athletics

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday, Oct. 30, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area north of Main Street and east of Bank Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.

These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

Update -- 7 p.m.

City Manager Jason Molino’s recommendations for the allocation of $541,000 in unassigned funds to committed and restricted fund balances highlight the agenda of tonight's City Council meeting.

His recommendations are as follows:

-- $50,000 into the DPW equipment reserve, based on the current plan to replace a loader and single axle dump truck with plow over the next three years, and an expectation that close to $600,000 in equipment will need to be replaced by 2021.

-- $25,000 into the sidewalk reserve, based on plans to replace about 15 percent of the sidewalk within the City limits at a cost of $2.35 million. Sidewalk replacement targets for 2018 are Tracy and Washington avenues and Liberty Street and for 2019 are State and Bank streets and Washington and Richmond avenues. Federal grants will cover the majority of the cost.

-- $300,000 into the administrative services equipment and software reserve, which is deemed necessary to upgrade the City’s information technology software and management operation.

-- $20,000 in Bond Anticipation Note financing for capital projects, specifically to cover preparatory costs for a $2.55 million project to resurface several streets in 2018, first reported in The Batavian. Those streets include Union, Clinton, Vine, Liberty and South Liberty streets, and East Avenue. Eighty percent of the cost will be covered through federal transportation funds.

-- $146,000 for Ellicott Trail, the 4-mile pedestrian trail with off-road segments for pedestrians and bicyclists running through the Town and City of Batavia. These funds will go toward the City’s local match ($170,000) of the $1.3 million project.

Also, City Council will be asked to approve “Christmas in the City,” a four-hour yuletide celebration coordinated by the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District. The event is set for 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1, with a parade from Jefferson Avenue to Summit Street set for 8 p.m.

• Environmental Advocates of New York
• Equality New York
• New York State AFL-CIO
• New York State Alliance for Retired Americans
• New York State Professional Fire Fighters
• New York State Rifle and Pistol Association
• Strong Economy for All Coalition
• Working Families Party
• NYSUT
• NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF)
• Western New York Area Labor Federation
• New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU)
• Buffalo AFL-CIO

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming vote please call Dolce Panepinto at 585-815-9003. We are here to fight for workers’ rights.

The 21st annual John Gardner Society gathering at the Pok-A-Dot to remember Batavia's most famous novelist at his favorite local restaurant brought people in from some distance this year. There were two people who drove in from Pennsylvania, two from Indiana, and one of Gardner's best friends, who drove up from Binghamton (playwright Jan Quackenbush). Among the travelers, a former student and a former dorm mate of Gardner's. First-timers to the reading also included a couple from Buffalo.

Reading in the top photo, Beth Buechler, who was one of Gardner's students in Binghamton and traveled to Batavia from Indiana.

Tracy Ford

Bill Kauffman

Terry Abrams, of Basom, reading, as he does every year, from "On Becoming a Novelist."

Norm Morford, a dormmate's of Gardner's while in college.

Helen Maier

Other readers included Byron Hoot, from Pennsylvania, Lucine Kauffman, Steve Lewandowski, JoNelle Toriseva, and John Maier.

Dan Eberly and his wife, Sarah, hosted a carnival in their backyard yesterday for the children living on and around Thorpe Street in Batavia.

"This is a busy neighborhood and there are lots of kids and we just wanted to get to know them," Dan Eberly said.

The carnival had various games that allowed the children to earn tickets that could be redeemed for prizes. There were also hotdogs, snacks and drinks.

It was all free.

Most of the year Eberly, who is originally from Baltimore, works overseas but with an extended stay at his home in Batavia, he thought it was a good time to do something for the neighborhood kids.

"I had carnivals in my neighborhood when I was growing up and they were the highlight of my fall," he said.

The Eberlys also host Nerf gun games every Wednesday evening in their backyard. If kids show up and don't have their own Nerf guns, the Eberlys supply them.

Eberly is also mindful that Thorpe has a reputation for being a troubled neighborhood.

"We had the shooting — it was literally out my front window -- a couple of weeks ago, and we just figure this would be a good way to start changing the community by getting to know everybody," Eberly said.

Jenn Boyki will move into her new home on Bloomingdale Road in Basom with a new sense of opportunity and freedom thanks to Habitat for Humanity.

Volunteers started working on the house, built in 1900, before a potential Habitat owner had been identified, so by the time Boyki applied and was approved, there wasn't much time for her to complete the required 300 hours of "sweat equity" to qualify for the purchase of the property.

But she got it done, all while raising two young children and working as a supervisor at Tim Horton's in Batavia.

"This speaks to her dedication and determination to provide a safe and stable home for her family," said Lauren Casey, CEO of Habitat in Genesee County.

The work was worth it, Boyki said.

"I loved it," she said. "I absolutely loved it. It gives you more enjoyment of being a homeowner versus just moving into a house."

With a piece of property out of the city she thinks she and her kids will have more freedom for themselves.

'It's an opportunity," she said. "The kids love animals, so we will be able to own some animals. I don't have to worry about a landlord and if something breaks, them fixing it on their own time."

Mary Case presented Boyki with a quilt she made to add comfort to the new home during the dedication ceremony.

Marie Scofield presented a symbolic loaf of bread.

Alexander used its crushing defense and elusive running backs Saturday to knock off Red Jacket in a Class D Section V semifinal game 42-14.

Both Indian touchdowns came in the fourth quarter after the Trojans already led 35-0.

Chris McClinic carried the ball 17 times for 255 yards and three TDs. He also had three receptions for 47 yards. Terrez Smith added another 42 yards and two touchdowns to the ground attack on 10 carries.

Dylan Busch was 10 for 18 passing for 158 yards and a TD.

Job Smith had two catches for 42 yards and Ty Woods, two catches for 29 yards and a TD.

Next up for the 9-0 Trojans in the Class D championship game is Clyde-Savannah. Alexander is seeking both its second sectional title in program history and second in a row. Clyde is the #1 ranked Class D team in the state. The game is at 6 p.m. at a location to be announced.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Le Roy dominated archrival Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen in Saturday's Class C semifinal except in the one stat that mattered: Final score.

Despite holding onto the ball longer, for more plays and more yards total offense, the Oatkan Knights ended their season with a 16-7.

Cal-Mum/BB advances to the championship game against East Rochester/Gananda next Saturday at 3 p.m.

Kyler LaCarte wrapped up his season with 27 carries for 112 yards and a TD. Jake Hill was 8-18 passing for 111 yards. Reece Tresco had three catches for 63 yards. Cole Biggins, three catches for 42 yards. T.Y. Williams led the defense with five tackles.

Photos by George Henry. Top photo, Luke Stella.

Section V Girls Championships were held yesterday Rochester Institute of Technology college. The Batavia cheerleading team won the Division 2, Small A school sectional title, which ended the nine-year drought since back in 2008.  

"We had a rough start," said Co-Coach Stacy Squire. "We had to change everything the day before homecoming when unveiling the new routine. Placed second in our first two competitions but kept improving our scores and working hard.

"These kids worked so hard this season and wanted this more than anything. Justine and I couldn't be more proud and happy for them!"

Senior Elisa Swinehart, pictured below with both coaches, was chosen for the Nancy Saxton Leadership Award, which is given to a senior on the championship team. 

Coach Squires spoke of how Elisa was chosen for this award. She is the definition of dedication to her team. Cheerleading is her passion, it shows in practice and performance times. She is first to be ready to start practice and the last to make sure the mats are rolled every day. She inspires her team to push themselves and get what her coaches ask of her done.

Pictured above, from left, in front row: Kelsey Verton, Natalie Clark, Bethany Ruffino, Felicity Anderson, Lydia Wahr, Taylor Smith​.

Back row, from left: Coach Stacy Squire, Elisa Swinehart, Morgan Olverd, Karleigh Amthor, Julie Wetsell, Kendra Cook and Coach Justine Briggs.

Not pictured: Kristen Corp.

Story and photos submitted by Stacy Squire and Sherri Buchholz Wahr​.

The 4^th ranked Batavia Blue Devils took on the number 2 ranked Hornell Red Raiders on a rain soaked gridiron for the Sec V Class B semi-final.

As they normally do, the Blue Devils set the tone of the first half by scoring first on an across field drive.

A couple of possessions later the Red Raiders answered with a touchdown of their own and tied the game 7 to 7.

Good defensive plays and the rain ruled the rest first half. Neither offense could capitalize on good field position and passing was all but nonexistent because of the rain. At then end of the half, the score remained tied.

At the opening of the second half Hornell scored quickly changing the momentum of the game. Batavia played catch up for the entire second half. The Red Raiders consistently had better drives and good defense forcing a couple of turnovers to stop the Blue Devils.

Ray Leach only touched the ball once in the second half due to a leg injury. Perhaps the same leg injury that stopped the game last week so he could be helped off the field.

Hornell scored another touchdown and again failed to convert on the extra point.

The final score was Batavia 7 Hornell 26.

Congratulations Batavia Blue Devils on yet another winning season!

More than 100 people stopped by the prescription drug drop off location at Batavia PD today, filling up five large boxes with prescription medications that will be safely destroyed by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The annual program invites residents to drop by designation locations -- today at Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, and Pembroke Town Hall (where deputies collected medications).

There are also permanent, year-round drop-off boxes at Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, the Sheriff's Office on Park Road and the State Police Barracks on West Saile Drive.

Properly disposing of unneeded medications helps keep them out of the waste streams, waterways, or from being abused.

The children who were winners in the fire prevention poster contest sponsored by City of Batavia firefighters were invited to the station today for a pizza party and a tour of the fire hall.

For a list of winners, click here.

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at the intersection of routes 19 and 63. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: A first responder at the scene reports one patient, a pregnant female, who suffered a bump on the head and has lower back pain. Her vehicle was rear-ended.

UPDATE: The patient was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw.

A motorcycle accident is reported at 3246 Galloway Road, Batavia. "It appears the motorcyclist spun out, lost control, went off the roadway." Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The motorcyclist is down. The location is east of Downey Road. Law enforcement is on scene. Mercy Flight is called to the scene; weather being checked to determine availability.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: Mercy Flight will be able to go to the accident; then will only be able to fly eastward to Rochester due to weather.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: The helicopter will be landing in an uncut hay field adjacent to the scene.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 is airborne and heading to Rochester.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: The Galloway Road assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: The motorcyclist was a female whose bike hit a wet, slick spot in the pavement, sending the bike fishtailing out of control. She suffered a leg injury and possibly other non-life-threatening injuries. She will be further evaluated at Strong Memorial Hospital. The witness to the accident was her husband, who was following her in his truck.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra performs tonight at Perry High School and again tomorrow at Genesee Community College.

Mia Fasanello, a winner of the Young Artist Competition, on oboe, is one of the featured performers in a show titled "Festivals, Techno, and Fate!"

The program includes "Academic Festival Overture" by Brahms, "The B-Sides," "Five Pieces for Orchestra and Electronica" by Bates, and "Symphony no. 5 in C Minor" by Beethoven.

During Friday's rehearsal, young music students were invited to sit next to orchestra musicians and experience the music from within the orchestra.

This evening's Perry performance starts at 7 p.m. and Sunday's GCC performance is at 4 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door or through GSO's website.

Photo: Andrew Young Jr., center, tries out one of the challenges at an Inventor's Fair at Alexander High School on Friday night as part of a rally to support Andrew's entry into Frito-Lay Dreamvention contest.

Andrew, 14, is one of five finalists in the nationwide contest. His invention is a toaster that shoots out the toast onto a plate. The winner of the contest will receive $250,000.

The fair Friday night featured various activity stations for students to try out their skills at various challenges and included a rally to encourage everybody to vote in the contest and support Andrew's quest to have his invention recognized at the best of the bunch.

To learn more about Andrew's invention, visit AndrewsInvention.com. To vote, click here (you can vote every day).

(The Batavian has added a link to the voting page on the left side of our home page, just above the login box on the left side of the page. You can vote every day.)