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Several vehicles, possibly a motorcycle, reportedly involved in accident in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A multi-vehicle accident, including possibly a motorcycle, is reported in the area of 699 Main Road, Pembroke.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire dispatched.

Mercy Flight 9 out of Springville is on in-air standby.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: Only two vehicles involved. Five occupants in one, all under age 18, and one occupant in the other vehicle. No injuries reported. Additional ambulances requested to the scene to evaluate patients.

Car into trees on Bloomingdale Road

By Howard B. Owens

A pickup truck has gone off the roadway into the trees in the area of 791 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

Unknown injuries.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: No injuries. Mercy EMS can go back in service.

Photos: Attica Rodeo

By Howard B. Owens

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Shots from yesterday's afternoon show of the Attica Rodeo.

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Foxprowl reopens at location on Ellicott Street

By Howard B. Owens

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The collectibles store Foxprowl is back at its original location, 440 Ellicott St., Batavia, after a couple of years of trying a location at Main and Jackson and pop-up stores and online sales.

After a barbershop that had moved into the location closed, owners Bill and Joy Hume saw it as an opportunity to get back to their roots.

"It’s a familiar spot," Bill Hume said. "I like the building and the location and I like the landlord so it was kind of obvious. It worked out good. It just happened to become available and I jumped on it. My gut instinct told me, go back home."

Added bonus, his stock of T-shirts with the 440 Ellicott St. address on them is back in style.

Yesterday, the Chamber of Commerce was on hand for a ribbon cutting with help from Batman's Penguin, Wolverine, Spider-Man & Velma from Scooby-Doo, all from WNY Superheroes and Cosplayers.

The grand-reopening yesterday also included appearances by Brenden Gillard, artist, voice actor, costume designer, and author. Anthony Zicari, comic writer and editor, was also on hand.

Bill Hume said he will bring in more celebrity guests and he's also looking to bring back Foxprowl Con, perhaps in the coming year, with some new ideas.

Tompkins Insurance to face Skyworks in men's softball championship

By Howard B. Owens

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The Batavia Men's League Softball championship comes down to Tomkins Insurance vs. Skyworks this coming week.

On Thursday, in the semifinals, Tompkins beat T.F. Brown's Beers N Bombs 15-7. In the nightcap, Skyworks beat USPS 14-1.

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Charges filed against Batavia HS three-sport athlete following stabbing of teammate on Ross Street

By Howard B. Owens

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One of Batavia High School's star athletes is in the Genesee County Jail today, accused of stabbing a teammate during a disagreement yesterday afternoon at 153 Ross St., Batavia.

Antwan Odom is charged with attempted assault, 1st, a Class C felony, and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, a Class A misdemeanor.

Odom is accused of stabbing neighbor, friend, classmate and teammate Ray Leach, a star running back for the Blue Devils and a teammate of Odom's during the football and basketball seasons. Odom is one of the basketball team's top scorers and also a standout in baseball.

Leach's injuries are not life-threatening. According to his sister Whitney Leach, Ray Leach was stabbed four times in the back, twice in his abdomen, once in each leg, and also has a couple of other superficial cuts.

Leach was discharged from UMMC last night after being treated for his wounds.

In a press release, Batavia PD said Odom allegedly attacked Leach after Leach accused him of stealing personal property.

By the time police arrived on the scene at about 3 p.m., Odom had fled. He was identified as the suspect by witnesses and police learned he had returned to his residence, also on Ross Street.

Police said multiple young children and other family members were in the house and "all occupants were safely evacuated." Odom was taken into custody without incident.

Odom was transported to UMMC for medical treatment then arraigned in City Court. He was then confined to the Genesee County Jail.  

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information in reference to this case may contact Officer Cowen or the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

Previously:

Blue Devils star football player injured in stabbing on Ross Street

By Howard B. Owens

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Ray Leach, Batavia High School's star running back, was the victim of a stabbing today 153 Ross St., Batavia.

His sister Whitney Leach said her brother was stabbed four times in the back, twice in his abdomen, once in each leg, and also has a couple of other superficial cuts.

He was discharged from the hospital this evening following treatment and is expected to recover.

According to social media posts, the suspect is a teammate and also one of Batavia's top athletes. Both are heading into their senior years. Batavia PD has yet to release the name of the suspect.

Leach helped the Blue Devils win sectional titles in 2015 and 2016 and helped lead them to the cusp of a fourth straight title in 2017. He has also been a standout on defense.

Shortly after the incident today, Whitney Leach asked for the prayers of friends and family.  Once she learned more about his condition, she said, "Pray that he will have a great recovery and we can get him back on the Batavia field (that's all he cares about, being able to play football)."

She said the first thing he did after arriving at the hospital was ask to see Head Coach Brennan Briggs and Briggs did visit him in the hospital.

He was treated at UMMC.

Chief Shawn Heubusch said Batavia PD will have a press release tonight about the incident.

Person stabbed on Ross Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A stabbing is reported at 153 Ross St. in the city. The scene is not yet secure. Police are responding. Mercy medics and city fire are asked to stage in the area. Communications are now secure; no further transmissions.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: The ambulance is told to come to the aid of one victim inside 153 Ross St.; an officer is there, too. Police are at 145 Ross St. Scene command calls for Ross Street to be shut down at Ellsworth Avenue and at North Street.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: A person with a hand laceration is reported in 145 Ross St.; Mercy medics are told to proceed there in non-emergency mode. The roadway can be reopened. Scene is secure. County deputies en route are told they can stand down.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: The victim is now at the Police Station and BLS medics are told to go there instead.

UPDATE 3:31 p.m.: An 18-year-old male is being transported to UMMC with a hand laceration.

Photos: Blackjack Billy at The Ridge

By Howard B. Owens

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Nashville-based Blackjack Billy made its third appearance in five years at The Ridge in Le Roy, waiting out the rain with their fans and then rewarding them with another rockin' show.

The band's new single is "Straight Line Sober" (video embedded below).

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Photos: The Big Latch On sponsored by UMMC

By Howard B. Owens

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Alicia Forti with her daughter, 12-week-old Paisley during the Big Latch On, a celebration of breastfeeding moms sponsored by the Healthy Living Team at UMMC, at Cary Hall on Friday.

About 40 mothers participated in the event, which included an opportunity to learn about various programs that may assist mothers, as well as fun activities such as a selfie station. Parents could also have firefighters check the installation of their child car seats.

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Thomas Greenwald encourages daughter Lilly, 5, to make an angry face with a mask in the selfie station.

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Jessica Thomas-Heizyk with Klara completing paperwork at the child safety seat check.

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Chris Bobo, City Fire, checking the base of a car seat.

Speed possible factor in accident on Fargo Road on Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Speed may have been a factor in an accident at 2:08 p.m. Thursday, on Fargo Road, Bethany, according to an accident report released by the Sheriff's Office.

Ronald J. Maniace Jr., 24, the driver, suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC for evaluation.

No citations have been issued. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

According to the report, Maniace was driving a 2007 Chevy sedan southbound on Fargo Road. He was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway, perhaps due to speed, and the sedan went off the west shoulder. Maniace apparently overcorrected and steered into the northbound lane. As he attempted to move back into the southbound lane he lost control of the vehicle and he went off the south shoulder and struck a tree.

The accident report was prepared by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Photos: GLOW Corporate Cup 2018

By Howard B. Owens

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More than 860 runners and walkers -- a new event best -- participated in the GLOW Corporate Cup 5K on Thursday.

Batavia Downs was the top corporate team led by race winner Collin Mulcahy with a time of 16:43.

Kimberly Vona, also representing Batavia Downs, was the top female with a time of 18:25.

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Collin Mulchay

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Kimberly Vona

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Batavia Downs

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Upstate Toyota

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Tompkins Financial/Bank of Castile

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UMMC

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City of Batavia

Muckdogs big six-run inning extends winning streak to four

By Steve Ognibene

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The Muckdogs beat first-place Mahoning Valley at home Friday night 8-2 for the team's fourth consecutive win.

Alberto Guerrero pitched five solid innings but gave up two runs and the team was down 2-0 when he left the game.

Batavia rallied for six runs in the sixth and Tanner Andrews, who replaced Guerrero and tossed two scoreless innings, picked up the win.

Michael Donadio had three hits, two RBIs, and scored twice. Albert Guaimaro had two hits. Brayan Hernandez hit his second homer of the season in the seventh inning.

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Charges filed in Friday's police chase that ended on Kelsey Road

By Howard B. Owens

The driver suspected of leading State Police on a chase down the I-90 into Batavia yesterday has been accused of assaulting a police officer and ordered jailed without bail.

Adeb Said, 49, of Port Richey, Fla., was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on additional charges of: reckless endangerment, 1st; aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon; criminal mischief, 2nd; and criminal mischief, 3rd.

The woman who was reportedly a passenger in Said's 1997 Mercedes Benz, Tara A. Hackrott, 35, of Williamsville, was turned over to the Cheektowaga Police Department on an outstanding warrant.

Said's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Said is accused of leading police on a chase from Henrietta to Kelsey Road in Batavia after being suspected of shoplifting. When the Mercedes exited the Thruway, the vehicle allegedly spun out and was surrounded by law enforcement vehicles. Said then allegedly drove aggressively toward a State trooper who fired his service weapon at the vehicle. The Mercedes continued on Park Road and was chased to Kelsey where Said and Hackrott reportedly tried to flee on foot before quickly being captured.

Previously:

Photos: Three Dog Night at Batavia Downs

By Steve Ognibene

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Three Dog Night packed Batavia Downs' summer concert series last evening in front of a few thousand people. The band formed in L.A. in  1968 and scored a succession of 21 hit singles, including 11 Top Tens, and 12 consecutive gold albums from 1969 to 1975.

Batavia fans were dancing and grooving to the band's multiple favorite tunes, crowd-pleasers that entertained at the most packed concert yet of this summer series.

(The band's name comes from an Australian expression describing low nocturnal temperatures in the Outback (the colder the night, the more dogs needed to keep warm while sleeping.))

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Teen powerlifter from Darien shatters records at regional meet, heading to nationals

By Howard B. Owens

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Lucas Birkby, a 17-year-old from Darien powerlifter recently won a USAPL regional event at Riverworks in Buffalo, where he broke state records and qualified for the nationals in October where he will be ranked #1 in his class.

A student at Genesee Community College, Lucas has been training on his own at home in his garage and he lifted more than any adult at the meet in Buffalo. 

His bench press was 420 pounds, with a squat of 620 pounds and a deadlift of 600 pounds. The previous records for 16- and 17-year-olds were 276 in the bench, 403 in the squat, and 375 for the deadlift. His totals even eclipsed the "equipped" category state records, which were set in 1969.

The USAPL is a drug-free lifting organization. 

By winning the regional event, Lucas now has a coach, Carley Skarupinski of Mustache Fitness and Barbell, who will help prepare Lucas for the national meet. Skarupinski was director of the Riverworks event.

Photos and info submitted by Scott Birkby.

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Graham employees 'stuff the bus' to support local backpack program

By Howard B. Owens

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Graham Corporation employees took on a special cause this past week -- donating backpacks and other school supplies to be distributed to local schoolchildren through the Salvation Army.

Student Transportation of America agreed to park a school bus on the Graham property so the 250 local employees could have a convenient place to drop off their donations.

Julie Roloson, human resources director, said the Graham community wanted to take on a new challenge to support the local community.

"Graham takes great pride in how many events and donations we can make locally and this happened to be one that we tried for the first time and we hope it will be very successful year after year," Roloson said. "We’re extremely proud to participate."

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Idea of integrating Senior Center with new Healthy Living Center floated at legislative meeting

By Howard B. Owens

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As the YMCA and UMMC have developed their plans for a new Healthy Living Center at Main and Bank streets they've found they could have available as much as 7,000 square feet to accommodate new space for the Genesee County Senior Center and the Office of the Aging.

County staff, led by County Manager Jay Gsell are working with the Y and UMMC on determining if such a merger of operations would be feasible.

Rob Walker (top photo), director of the Genesee Area YMCA in Batavia, and Dan Ireland, CEO of UMMC, brought the plan to members of the Legislature during the Human Services Committee meeting on Monday as part of a review of the progress on the Healthy Living Center plans.

"What we want to do is have a meaningful discussion with Jay and the team about what option does that present," Walker said. "How can that space be filled? How can it integrate with the community living area?"

The facility will be 85,000 square feet and contain community space, exercise space, a pool, a gym, meeting rooms and an interior walking/running track.

There will also be what Walker and Ireland called a "community living room" in the middle of the building with access from Main Street that will be open to all members of the community, without requiring a Y membership or the services of UMMC. The community living room will be a hub to access services at the facility or just meet with other community members.

The UMMC portion of the building will provide primary care, Ireland said, as well as a residency teaching program, behavioral health and crisis intervention, telemedicine, cancer prevention outreach services such as breast and colon cancer screenings, diabetes, cardiac conditions, dietary education, education services for team members and community.

The goal, Ireland said, is to increase the integration of services across the spectrum of needs for community members, and partnering with the Office of the Aging will help enhance that integration.

"A fully integrated network doesn’t just mean us getting other doctors or other specialists," Ireland said. "It means integrating services within the community. It’s integration with the YMCA and sharing resources and services to touch the community. It means integrating with the Senior Center and the Office of Aging."

Construction on the new YMCA portion should begin in 2019 and once the new Y portion of the building is open, the existing Y can be torn down and the UMMC portion of the building can be added.

If the county decides to integrate its senior, and perhaps its youth, programs, with the Healthy Living Center, it would be up to the county to decide what to do with the existing Senior Center building on Bank Street. Walker acknowledged it is a county asset.

Walker addressed the future of the building while answering questions about access to the new building for seniors using county services.

"Does the current building need to exist?" Walker said. "If it does, it does. But if it doesn't, that helps the flow of access."

The legislature is not being asked to take any action at this time and members were comfortable with letting Gsell and staff continue the discussions.

Top Items on Batavia's List

HUGE sale thousands of items something for everyone lots of new stuff games toys housewares clothes collectibles kitchen items ect ect ect and much more rain or shine everything covered every Saturday June 1st -October 26 9-5 3657 galloway rd batavia
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