SEASONED ENTREPRENEUR TO BE YOUR KITCHEN GUIDE - Proceeds benefit Batavia CTE Center Culinary Arts Club. 
The Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is hosting the freshLAB Foodie Challenge competition on Saturday, Sept. 23 beginning at 8 a.m. Competitor registration fee of $25 will cover all-day kitchen access and chef mentoring by Chef Tracy Burgio. Chef Burgio is a French Culinary Institute graduate, successful bakery entrepreneur and now the certified Culinary Arts Instructor at the Batavia CTE Center. Proceeds from this challenge will benefit the Batavia CTE Center Culinary Arts Club.

The Batavia CTE Center added Chef Burgio to its teaching staff in 2016. Now, this upcoming community collaboration enables Chef Burgio to share her education, skills and storied travels with freshLAB Foodie Challenge participants. Upon decades of managing some of Rochester’s finest restaurants, Chef Tracy pursued a Pastry Arts degree from New York City’s French Culinary Institute. Upon graduation, Chef Tracy landed in Chicago to work at the famed Bleeding Heart Bakery but soon after followed her heart to Italy. Chef Tracy was selected for an internship to learn from the esteemed Chef Malu Simoes da Cunha.

"My career has taken me all around the world where I have studied with culinary masters. I'm so pleased to be able to share my knowledge with my students at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. The freshLAB Foodie Challenge is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is a budding culinary artist who wishes to experience the world of food service,” said Chef Burgio. “I look forward to hosting the challenge and encourage people to enter this contest." 

Leaning on Chef Tracy’s expertise, Batavia is hosting its first creative cook challenge. This one-day contest is open to seasoned cooks to homemakers and is limited to 25 participants. Each contestant will navigate the Batavia CTE Center teaching kitchen with chef leadership and student porter assistance for the Foodie Challenge.

“Tracy is certainly vivacious. We are fortunate to have her leading this challenge,” said Mary Valle, Batavia Development Corporation Board member and freshLAB volunteer. “It’s worth $25 just to spend a day in the kitchen with her!”

Space is limited. Register online at www.freshLABBatavia.com. The deadline to enter is Sept. 9.

The run which the Batavia Football team has put together throughout the past three seasons has been nothing short of historic. After years of dormancy, the Blue Devils are now coming off of three-straight Section V Class B Titles, and are the favorite to win their fourth in a row in 2017.

Season Outlook

In an attempt to ramp-up their regular season schedule, Batavia has gone outside of the box and scheduled teams which they hope will provide them with a steeper challenge than their 2016 slate -- in order to better prepare themselves for the postseason, where they've fallen just short of the State Final Four in each of their three Championship seasons.

However, upon researching each of their 2017 opponents, it seems as if the Blue Devils effort to do so may be all for naught - as they are likely to be favored to win many, if not all 7 of their regular season games. 

Although they come into this year sporting a new quarterback under center, the experience which they possess at almost every other position on the field will help ease any growing pains their signal caller may experience. In addition, Batavia head coach Brennan Briggs has proven himself to be one of the top-coaches throughout Section V, and his ability to game plan, and make halftime adjustments has been what has put his team over the edge since his first year at the helm. 

When it's all said and done, I truly believe we will see Batavia win their fourth-straight Sectional Title. They remain as the best team in their classification, and from my perspective, it will take a miracle of sorts to knock them off as Champion. However, the real question is -- can this team get to the Carrier Dome for the State Final Four?

Time will tell.  

Key Matchups

Week 2 -- Aquinas 

Aquinas isn't necessarily the team who is a favorite to win a State Title every year, and enter 2017 under new leadership. With that being said, I expect the Lil' Irish to be one of the stronger teams on Batavia's schedule this year - and could push the Blue Devils to the brink of defeat. 

Week 5 -- Bishop Kearney

Also entering the season under a new head coach, the Kings lost a bunch from their 2016 Class C Championship squad. However, they do have an experienced quarterback under center and the new HC which they have brought in has a reputation for success. 

Week 6 -- Wilson

Wilson has given Batavia the most trouble of any of their opponents in recent seasons  - most recently pushing them in what finished as a 12-6 victory for the Blue Devils last season. This year, I expect they will give the Devils another tough game. 

Key Players

Ray Leach (RB/LB)

Ray finished as a first-team All-State selection last season and may be the best player in Section V this season. He will be tough for any opponent to stop this season. 

Butch Ray (OL/DL)

Butch was also a first-team All-State selection in 2016 and is the definition of an unstoppable force on the line of scrimmage. He, like Leach, is one of the top-players in Section V this season. 

Chandler Baker (QB)

Chandler comes equipped with elite arm strength and could provide the Devils' passing game with a boost this season. In addition, his athleticism is top-tier which makes him a dual threat in this offense. 

Coach's Quote

"We have a very young team this season," began Batavia HC Brennan Briggs upon our preseason discussion. "We should get better as the season progresses and the younger members become more comfortable with their role."

"It is always tough to replace your QB as well as other key members of a football team," continued Briggs. "But the 2017 football team is looking to put their stamp on the Batavia Football program. We have a lot of guys in new positions, but they are coming along. The goal is to go 1-0, and get better every day. We have some very difficult games along the journey, but our hope is it will prepare us for a solid post-season run."

Alex Brasky is Editor and Publisher of Batavia's Best.

A 10-year-old child from China who was struck by a car last night on Route 77 by the Flying-J is listed in critical condition at Women and Children's Hospital, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The child, whose name has not been released, remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

The accident was reported at 8:17 p.m. after the child reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

No charges were filed against the driver whose car struck the child.

The second annual Trevor Mathiesen Vendor Blender will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at The Dibble Family Center in the City of Batavia. It is located at 4120 W. Main St.

Cost is $30 per vendor table.

Trevor was a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly Oct. 22 at Strong Memorial Hospital. He loved to play hockey and was a member of the Buffalo Stars. He enjoyed four-wheeling, riding dirt bikes and he spent many hours fishing at Godfrey's Pond in Bergen. Trevor loved the outdoors and all animals.

All proceeds from the Vendor Blender will go to Trevor's parents, Amy and John Mathiesen, to be donated to the organization of their choice. Last year, proceeds went to purchase two boats and a kayak for use at Godfrey's Pond.

Anyone who would like to donate a basket, gift card or an item, please contact Kellie Wade and she will come and pick it up.

If you are interested in being a vendor, please print the following information and mail it to Kellie Wade, 7250 Ivison Road, Byron, NY 14422.

For additional information, call Kellie at (585) 201-3489.

• Name
• Business
• Type of Merchandise
• Address
• City
• State
• Zip Code
• Telephone Number
• Email address

In photo above, Grand Master Showman -- Adam King, Reserve Master Showman -- Emily Mikel.

Submitted photos and press release:

Emily Mikel, representing the Genesee Co. 4-H Dairy Club, took home the title of 2017 Reserve Master Showman in the Youth Dairy Show.  

In photo above, Judge -- Evan Snyder, Overall Master Showman -- Benjamin Kron.

Benjamin Kron, representing the Genesee Co. 4-H Sheep Club, took home the title of Overall Master Showman in the Youth Sheep Show.

A two-car accident is reported at East Main and North streets, Le Roy.

Unknown injuries.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

A chief on scene says to hold the assignment to one engine.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: Intersection cleared. Le Roy fire back in service.

Hofford Lindsay Ian, 53, of Bluff Trail, Nobleton, Ontario, Canada, is charged with: DWI; unauthorized use of a vehicle; leaving scene of an accident; refusal to take breath test; and moving from lane unsafely. Ian allegedly drove a golf cart without the owner's permission while at Darien Lake. While operating the golf car, Ian allegedly struck another vehicle and left the scene of the accident. He was jailed on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. 

Melissa R. Reinard, 24, of Pine Ridge Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Reinard was stopped for allegedly driving 53 in a 35-mph zone in Corfu by Officer Richard Retzlaff.

Galen Bena Sundown, 24, of Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .18 or greater; unreasonable speed; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle; and driving on public highway while using a mobile phone. Sundown was reportedly involved in a personal-injury accident at 2:34 a.m. Sunday on Council House Road, Alabama. The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Wilson and Deputy Howard Carlson.

Sandra J. Kessler, 45, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by drugs. Kessler was arrested following an investigation of a reported suspicious condition on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Wilson, at 11:12 p.m. on Friday.

Anthony Professor Blackwell, 39, of George Urban Boulevard, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Blackwell turned himself in on a warrant. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

A 10-year-old boy from Kunming, China, was seriously injured last night after being hit by a car on Route 77 in front of the Flying J Travel Plaza in Pembroke.

Investigators say the child tried crossing the road without yielding the right of way to cross traffic at 8:17 p.m.

He was hit by 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Kenneth R. Paulter, 62, of Lancaster.

The boy was taken by Mercy Flight to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

Paulter was not injured and no charges have been filed as a result of the accident.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Rachel Diehl and members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Assisting at the scene were the Pembroke Fire Department, Indian Falls Fire Department, Corfu Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

(Initial Post)

Press release:

Ruby, a 3-year-old dachshund making her first lifetime start, defeated nine other wiener dogs on Sunday (Aug. 27) en route to winning the 2017 Batavia Downs Dachshund Dash, sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia.

History has shown that a dog racing for the first time normally doesn’t perform as well as dogs that have raced in previous years. But that wasn’t the case on Sunday when Ruby, who is owned by Patrick Gorman, of Buffalo, served notice with an electrifying heat victory believed to be the fastest win ever at Batavia.

In the final she took the lead soon after the start and cruised to victory.

“She stays fit by swimming,” said her owner Gorman. “She loves to fetch so that’s why we entered her.”

For her efforts her owner takes home $135 in Batavia Downs Gaming Free Play and two clubhouse buffet tickets.

Finishing second was Maximus for owner Carrie Marseglia while Martin for owner Christine Baker was third.

Getting the biggest roar of the crowd was former champion, also named Rudy. Now a 14-year-old, the legendary Dachshund who was unbeatable in 2005 and 2006 made the final but was unplaced.

“It was a remarkable afternoon,” Director of Marketing Ryan Hasenauer said. “Every year Family Fun day gets bigger and better and we look forward to doing it all again next year.”

With New York Sire Stakes, Family fun Day and the Wiener dog races, local racing fans and families came out in force on a perfect summer afternoon. Track officials estimated the live crowd to be 3,500.

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported on Route 77 in front of the Flying J Travel Plaza, Pembroke. 

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire along with Mercy EMS are responding. 

Mercy Flight also dispatched. 

Corfu fire requested to shutdown all northbound traffic at Route 5.

UPDATE 8:26 p.m.: Southbound traffic shutdown at the interchange. 

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: ETA for Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia is six to eight minutes. Landing zone at the Town Hall. 

UPDATE 8:36 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground. 

UPDATE 8:58 p.m.: Mercy Flight in the air. Flying to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo. Road reopened. Pembroke and Indian Falls back in service. 

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Green Day Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday:

Dustin R. Waldmiller, 23 of Harding Road, Williamsville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Thomas J. Pilarz, 27, of Appletree Courts, Cheektowaga, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the venue parking lot.

Dairy Challenge Team (from left): Jillian Brewer, Renee Uberty, Maggie Winsper, Amelia Brewer.

Submitted photos and press release:

Several youth from the Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club competed at two dairy events held at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.

The Dairy Challenge contest was held on Aug. 23 and is a contest in which youth are quizzed at stations on different dairy topics such as: nutrition, anatomy, physiology, and product/equipment knowledge.

Genesee County 4-H Junior Team participants were: Amelia Brewer, Jillian Brewer, Maggie Winspear and Renee Uberty.

The Dairy Judging Contest was held on Aug. 24 and allowed youth to be the judge; scoring animals on dairy character and functionality and structural correctness of the animals.

The following youth represented Genesee County 4-H:

Novice Teams 

Genesee Team 1: Caroline Luft, Maggie Winspear, Bing Zuber -- Second Place

Genesee Team 2: Adison Norton, Renee Uberty -- Fifth Place

Novice Individuals

Bing Zuber -- Fourth Place

Adison Norton -- Sixth Place

Caroline Luft -- Seventh Place

Maggie Winspear – 12th Place

Renee Uberty – 14th Place

Junior Team

Amelia Brewer, Georgia Luft, Mason Werth, Claire Mathes, Jillian Brewer) – Eighth Place

Junior Individuals

Amelia Brewer -- 21st Place

Georgia Luft -- 24th Place

Mason Werth -- 34th Place

Claire Mathes -- 41st Place

Jillian Brewer -- 49th Place

Senior Individual

Mary Sweeney -- Sixth Place -- Individual and Fourth Place -- Reasons.

Mary will return with the top 25 contestants, for a second round of the contest on Sept. 1. She will be competing for a spot on the New York State 4-H Dairy Judging team to represent New York at a National Competition in Madison, Wis., World Dairy Expo.

We are very proud of all the our youth for competing at the state level and look forward to going back for next year’s competition. Thank you to our 4-H Dairy Club Volunteers who helped make this opportunity possible.

Dairy Judging Team -- back row: Amelia Brewer, Maggie Winspear, Renee Uberty, Jillian Brewer, Mason Werth, Adison Norton; Front row -- Georgia Luft, Bing Zuber, Caroline Luft.

A 19-year-old Batavia man has been charged with arson and petit larceny after allegedly setting a box on fire that contained Apple ear buds in an attempt to steal them.

The suspect then disposed of the burnt box under a metal display rack and attempted to leave the store before being intercepted by store security officers.

Arrested was John Rai Delara, 19, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia. He was charged with petit larceny, fifth-degree arson, and criminal mischief, 4th.

He was released on an appearance ticket.

Batavia High School cheerleaders have been conducting a car wash today on West Main Street, at Ziebert's next to Beverly's Florist. The car wash continues until 3 p.m.

Reader submitted photo and info.

Punk rock band Green Day, along with special guest Catfish and the Bottlemen, performed last evening at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in front of a nearly sold-out, jumping crowd. The band is on their Revolution Radio Tour opening with "Know Your Enemy," during which they asked a fan to join them on stage.

Billy Joe Armstrong and his head-spinning members have not lost the beat of their multi-decade followers, who continued to shake the venue to new levels. The explosive pyrotechnics of white and orange sparks heated up the zoo of many faces to be entertained.

The crowd was outspoken for singing lyrics of songs like "Welcome to Paradise," "American Idiot," "21 Guns" and "Good Riddance." The two-plus hours fueled an energetic night for all who attended.

Austin Park was filled with praise and worship this weekend for the Here and Now Festival, featuring several Christian music acts and pastors along with dozens of vendors and activities for families.

More than 3,000 people turned out for last night's music and the festival continues today through 10 p.m.

Today is National Dog Day and so it was DoggieDay at Dave's Ice Cream on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

Dogs got free ice cream. It was also a fundraiser for Volunteers for Animals with hot dogs and soda.

Some readers may remember "Pachuco," who was our "Pets columnist" back when we first started and ran an adopt-a-pet column. When we first moved to Batavia in 2009, that first summer, we took Pachuco to Dave's on Doggie Day. Pachuco is nearly 10 years old, which is elderly for a dog his size. This is probably his last Doggie Day.

In the background, Rocky, who is doing very well.

There's good news for 8-month-old Halani Rolle and her family. Doctor's say she's in remission for acute myeloid leukemia, but her treatments are far from over. (Previously: Infant in Batavia fighting the battle of her life)

She will have a bone-marrow transplant. Her sister Harlem is the donor.

There is a fundraiser for Halani and her family at the VFW on Sept. 2.

More information from her mother:

She has undergone three rounds of chemo and is currently in remission set to have a bone marrow transplant on Sept. 13th. Her sister Harlem is her match and will be her donor.

She is so appreciative to be helping her sister. Harlem says, "Mom, Halani is going to be just like me now because she's going to have my blood."

Halani is home for the time being and has been since Aug. 13 after spending three months in at Women and Children's in Buffalo. Halani will be readmitted to Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester on Sept. 5 to begin another round of chemo to bottom her out before transplant.

We are so blessed to have her home for her benefit, which is why we want to invite the public.

Halani has received so much support from the community and from people who have never met her. We want to give back by inviting everyone. It will be held at the VFW in Batavia near the sand wash on Sept. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 until Sunday. They include a meal, which consists of a chicken BBQ, mac salad, and salt patatoes, also a roll and one drink. It will also include a sheet of raffle tickets. There is cash bar and Macy Paradise will be the DJ. There will also be face painting for the kids. Brian Kemp of T-shirts Etc. is designing her shirts, which will be sold for $10 each.