(Betting Exchange with reinsman Jason Bartlett. Photo courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

There was no doubt who the best New York bred 3-year-old colt competing at Batavia Downs was on Sunday (Aug. 30) after Betting Exchange (Bettor’s Delight-Cheeky Hanover) tied the track record of 1:51.2 for sex and gait in winning his division of the $120,400 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS).

After taking an easy lead from post one, Betting Exchange (Jason Bartlett) extended his advantage to two lengths over The Spy (John Cummings Jr.) at the quarter as post time favorite Artistic Major (Jim Morrill Jr.) got away poorly and was gapped a distant third. The leader was cruising along untested until Morrill rushed Artistic Major up by half-time and alongside Betting Exchange into the turn.

The challenge continued up the backside and to three-quarters in 1:24 but it was there the race was decided. Bartlett gave Betting Exchange his head and he simply paced away from the field. At the wire he was 10 lengths the best in 1:51.2, pacing the back half in a dazzling :55 flat.

The winning time tied the track record for 3-year-old pacing colts set by All Bets Off in 2014 and was also just one-fifth off the all-time track record of 1:51.1 set by Aracache Hanover in 2011.

After the race, Jason Bartlett commented “He raced super. I let him roll on the turn and he opened up. He's really a nice one.”

It was the second win in 14 starts for Betting Exchange ($4.50) and it pushed his 2015 earnings to $318,475 for owners Howard Taylor, Susan Kajfasz and Tom Fanning, who also does the training.

(Rockin In Heaven in the forefront with reinsman Trevor Henry. Photo courtesy of Paul White.)

In the first division, Rockin In Heaven (Rock N Roll Heaven-Tropic’s Beachgirl) overcame a fast battle for the lead and two subsequent challenges to hold on for an impressive victory.

Off the wings, no one played nice when Americanprimetime (Jason Bartlett), K-Rock (Matt Kakaley) and Rockin In Heaven (Trevor Henry) went three-abreast to argue for the lead. The trio motored up the backstretch and eventually seated with Rockin In Heaven taking the lead in a speedy :26.3. Positions remained unchanged to the half when Americanprimetime pulled first over from third to go after the leader.

With Americanprimetime outside prompting Rockin In Heaven past three-quarters in 1:24.1, K-Rock was sitting the perfect trip behind the pair waiting for his chance. When they hit the head of the lane it was obvious Rockin In Heaven had put away Americanprimetime but then had to fight off K-Rock who made his way into the passing lane. This was accomplished with a strong finishing kick as Rockin In Heaven won in 1:53 by a half-length.

“I wanted to get him out of the starting gate and to the lead. He dug in well when I called upon him” said Trevor Henry in the winner’s circle.

It was the eighth win in 15 starts for Rockin In Heaven ($2.60) and it boosted his earnings to $310,565 for 2015. The colt is owned by Douglas Polley, Francois Lecomte, Gordon McComb and Dr. Ian Moore, who also trains the horse.

There were two divisions of the NYSS Excelsior Series “A” also on the card that went for a combined $30,000.

The first event was won by the heavily favored Masterson (Bettor’s Delight-Tug River Princess) in 1:54 and it was the fourth straight win for the gelding owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock. Masterson ($3.20) was driven by Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Tracy Brainard.

In the second split, Pop Icon (Bettor’s Delight-Pop Queen) overcame a slow start and breaking horses to win in 1:56.3. It was the second Excel “A” win this year for Pop Icon ($11.80) who is owned by Ken Weckstein, Richard Rubin and Gary Messenger, who also trains the horse. Jim Morrill Jr. did the driving.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 2) with post time set at 6:35 p.m.

It's been a few years since the Pembroke Dragons have been a force in Genesee Region football, and nobody is predicting a championship title for the team in green, but coaches in the league are all saying pretty much the same thing: Don't take Pembroke for granted.

Legendary Head Coach Dick Diminuco is heading into his second full season leading the Dragons and that in itself is enough to tell other coaches that Pembroke will come in to each week's game ready to play, but GR coaches have also seen the Dragons in summer seven-on-sevens and combines. The Dragons have some talent, but most impressively, they have some size on the line, a fact Diminuco was eager to show off when a photographer showed up to a recent practice.

"We're not a great team yet," Diminuco said. "We're not going to win the state championship or anything like that, but we're going to be better. We're going to compete. Thank God, hopefully, we don't have any injuries because we're thin. We've got 25 kids."

The Dragons will be a mix of veterans and the inexperienced. There are seven returners starting on offense. There are also five sophomores who will be starting on offense or defense. With exception of tight end, all of the skill positions, including QB, will be staffed by young players.

Even the offensive/defensive line is a mix of veterans and neophytes. The largest player on the squad, Dan Prichett, who is well over 6 foot tall and looks strong enough to flip Toyota Corollas, is inexperienced. The junior transfer never played football before.

"He's a wonderful boy, just raw," Diminuco said.

A year ago in pre-season camp, Diminuco clearly had his hands full. His frustration was palpable. This year, the energy is completely different. Diminuco and the players were loose and having fun and lessons were being learned.

Last season, Diminuco, was plagued by discipline issues. So far, everybody is showing up to every practice this year.

"These kids are good kids," Diminuco said. "They come here every day. They work hard. They're really a pleasure to work with, this group. I think they're getting used to me. Last year, we had some ups and downs, some battles, discipline, but this year, they've bought in. They've been good."

So what's Diminuco's prediction for 2015?

"Predictions? We're going to get better," Diminuco said. "We're going to be better. How's that for a prediction?"

A one-vehicle rollover accident, unknown injuries, is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 381.4. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding along with Mercy medics. Mercy Flight is put on ground standby.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is heading to the scene.

UPDATE 3:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled by medics.

The GLOW Ducks youth football program opens its 2015 season today at Notre Dame's football field, and for the first time, it fielded a team of 5-,6- and 7-year-olds, who needed quite a bit instruction as the game progressed.

A Stafford resident who was charged with the care of a 2-year-old child in the Village of Le Roy has been accused of intentionally breaking that child's bones and then not seeking proper medical treatment for the child.

Le Roy PD began investigating the allegations in February after it was discovered the child had suffered multiple fractures to a leg and arm and had significant, "highly suspicious" bruises on its body.

Arrested was Christina Pahura, 28, of Main Road, Stafford. She's been charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The assault charge carries an enhancement because Pahura is over 18 years old and allegedly intentionally harmed a child under age 7.

Investigators allege that while a resident on School Street, Le Roy, Pahura intentionally caused physical injury to the child and then allowed the child to remain in a residential situation during a time when several additional bruises developed and a limp developed. Pahura was advised -- by whom is unstated -- to seek medical treatment for the child, but did not, which resulted in further bruising and an untreated leg fracture.

Pahura was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. 

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Rascal Flatts concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.  

Morgan Jensen, 20, of Gleason Circle, East Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Emily M. Campbell, 20, of Birch Run, Orchard Park, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Calin C. Hotelling-Defrance, 22, of Durant Place, Fairport, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching CSC security officer.

Jacob M. Robinson, 18, of Dolores Drive, Greece, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

The other night the neighborhood around Ganson and Maple in Batavia was hit by a series of thefts. This sign appeared on a tree on Ganson.

There was a birthday party at the Genesee County Park & Forest today. The park is now 100 years old.

The first series of pictures are of lumberjacks engaging in a competition to start a fire and generate enough heat to boil water. They are Mike Koers, originally from Alexander, John Dailey, Tim Benedict and Connor Slate. The group put on lumberjack competition demonstrations throughout the day.

The daylong event included guided hikes, information booths and crafts and games for children.

Hope Speechley stands among the hundreds of pieces of quality clothing available to anybody who needs it in the Pavilion Clothing Closet at Pavilion First Baptist Church, 10956 Lake Road (Route 19), Pavilion.

The closet, long run by Pavilion High School, moved starting today to the church.

Speechley said the closet will open at least monthly and people should watch local media outlets for announcements about openings, but Pavilion residents are also welcome to visit the closet by appointment. Speechley can be reached at (585) 483-1858.

The clothes are all donated by Pavilion residents and more donations of quality clothing items are welcome.

A 28-year-old Batavia resident has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2nd degree in the death of her newborn infant.

The female infant had apparently been dead for three months when police responded to a call at 11:20 p.m. of a suspicious condition at 208 Liberty St.

A third party reportedly discovered the dead infant's body and called police, and when police arrived they confirmed the discovery of the body.

Being held in jail without bail is Christina M. Colantonio. She is scheduled to appear in court again at 1:30 p.m., Monday.  

Police are not releasing the cause of death because of the ongoing nature the investigation. Investigators believe the infant was killed a short time after birth, which police believe took place at Colantonio's residence, but are not saying if death was immediate, within hours or days.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said murder in the second degree means the accused is suspected of intentionally causing the death of another person, but he would not disclose what evidence exists to convince his office that Colantonio should be prosecuted on a murder 2nd charge.

"We have enough to come to the conclusion that the death was intentionally caused, but because of the fact that we do not have a final autopsy report and because the investigation is ongoing, we won't be indicating anything further at this time," Friedman said.

After the press conference, we spoke with a neighbor, who didn't want to disclose his name, and he said he was outside two nights ago when police and the coroner were at Colantonio's residence. He saw authorities bring a 48-quart ice chest out to the street, remove a small body and place it in a body bag.

Authorities have not disclosed where the infant's body's was in the house at the time of its discovery.

Another neighbor, David Zanghi, said Contantonio worked at Sport of Kings restaurant and described her as a quiet woman who kept to herself and never was involved in any kind of disturbance.  

"She seemed like a pretty nice girl," he said.

Contontonio lived in the apartment by herself, police said. She has two other children.

Authorities are not disclosing anything about the father of the baby.

Det. Todd Crosett and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The Batavia Police Department has scheduled a press conference for 5:30 p.m. to announce an arrest in the investigation into an infant death.

No further details have been released.

The Batavian will provide updates as soon as information is available.

UPDATE: The time of the press conference has been changed to 6:30 p.m. 

Officials in Elba -- the town, the village and the fire department -- think they've come up with a plan that would save taxpayer money and help all three agencies address some pressing needs, but at a meeting Thursday night at Elba Central School's auditorium, there was a good deal of negative feedback.

A frequent refrain, "this is just to benefit the fire department."

Officials are proposing a plan that would move town offices to the building currently occupied by village government offices and the fire department, creating a shared facility for both the village and town.

The current town hall would be converted into a new fire hall.

The town and village courts would continue with their plans to move to the new facility being built in Oakfield.

The total cost of the project, an estimated $900,000.

An alternative scenario is to leave the town and village governments in their current buildings, renovate those and build a brand-new fire hall. That plan would cost at least $2 million.

"The key point here is something needs to be done with the buildings for the town, the village and the fire department," said Village Mayor Scott Schular after the meeting. "We are trying to address those problems at a reasonable cost instead of getting buried in trying to do one thing at a time and then another and then another so we can keep the tax rate at a reasonable rate."

Jason Foote, an engineer with architectural firm Clark Patterson Lee, went through a slideshow presentation that laid out the needs, the plan and the alternatives.

The biggest deficiencies with the current building arrangement concern the fire hall. It was built at a time when fire trucks were smaller and more compact. Today's engines, which often must be built to meet state guidelines, are taller and longer. The current doorways on the truck bays are too small for a modern, unmodified truck. The bays are not deep enough for these trucks.

As a result, if Elba wants to buy a new truck, it has to be custom built at a cost of close to $200,000 or more per truck.

Also, when the Elba crews are out on a call, mutual aid companies are reluctant to fill in at Elba's hall, especially in winter, because their trucks won't fit in the bays.

The current hall also doesn't meet OSHA safety requirements, isn't compliant with ADA accessibilities rules, lacks adequate storage and has only a small meeting and training room.

The village hall lacks office space, a meeting room and a place for record storage. The bathrooms are not ADA compliant and lack storage for DPW equipment.

The town hall also has ADA issues and only offers access through the town clerk's office.

All of the buildings need basic repair and maintenance.

The plan officials would like to see the public support is not exactly perfect, they admit, but at least it addresses all of the issues in a cost-effective manner.

"Maybe (the proposal) doen't give everybody what they want, but it meets the needs for all three entities for next 30 years at a pretty cost-effective rate," said Town Supervisor A.J. Wormuth.

Building a new fire hall would require financing with a total estimated expense for principal and interest of $2.6 million and would take 30 years to pay off.

The cost of the consolidated plan broken down into its two main components:

• Fire hall, total capital costs of $217,650, with an annual debt of $18,979 for 15 years;
• Town/Village hall renovations, total capital cost of $232,350, with an annual debt payment of $20,090 per year for 15 years

The net cost to the village, $24,620 per year, with a projected increase of the tax rate by 99 cents per thousand of assessed value. A new fire hall would cost village residents at least $3.50 in additional taxes per thousand of assessed value.

The net cost for the town would be $24,308 per year, which would require a property tax rate increase of 23 cents per thousand, or an additional $23 a year on a $100,000 home.

Foote said the consolidation plan translates into costs that are two or three times lower than doing each project separately.

There was a lot of questioning of the plan primarily from two sectors, a couple of town highway employees and a homeowner with property adjacent to the town hall.

None quite came out and said they opposed the plan, but the tone was negative with an oft-repeated, "this sounds like a done deal."

One resident suggested officials should instead do something to build a senior housing complex in Elba. There were concerns raised about seniors on fixed incomes paying for anything, that young people aren't moving to Elba, and really, what officials should be doing is attracting a new big business to town.

One man said, "I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, but I'm concerned about what it's going to cost me."

There appeared to be objections among town highway employees because they would be displaced. While they would get a new cold storage building (where equipment is stored -- "cold storage" because the building is unheated in winter and not cooled in summer), it might be smaller than what they have now.

Foote wasn't surprised by the objections to the proposal.

"We've kind of heard rumors that there was maybe going to be a small contingent who are generally against it, but I think the overall idea was, 'we're looking to try and accomplish these tasks, renovate the village hall, the town hall and the fire department and be sensitive to taxpayer money,' " Foote said, adding, "Some don't want to spend any money and obviously that's a possibility. That can happen, but, again, that's not going to address any of the deficiencies at any of the buildings."

Both Schular and  Wormuth both said the town and village boards will need to consider the feedback so far and look at their options, whether to proceed with the plan, devise an alternative plan or drop the idea. Nothing is cast in stone, they said.

Though Wormuth acknowledged that what he heard at Thursday's meeting doesn't necessarily reflect the views of the wider Elba public, especially once the idea is fully explained.

 "When you talk with people out in the public one-on-one and explain it to them and give them the numbers, a lot of them say it makes a lot of sense because we're trying to be very cognizant in this project of our tax rates," Wormuth said.

Schular said he came away from the meeting feeling like there were a lot of mixed feelings expressed.

"There are a few people who understand and a few who don't understand," Schular said. "I guess we need to do a better job of trying to help those people who don't understand understand."

Schular said he realizes the proposal is a big step away from how business has always been done.

"I realize that the town has always been the town and the village has been the village and the fire department, the fire department, and it's been that way for years," Schular said. "Now the town and the village and the fire department are all talking and we're trying to come to a conclusion that will benefit everybody."

For a long time, I wanted to take a picture of this barn, but for years, there was a yellow delivery truck parked in front of it that kind of didn't fit the ambiance. This summer, it was gone and the setting today seemed pretty nice.

A driver may have suffered a seizure before plowing into a house at routes 63 and 19. Injuries are reported in the motor-vehicle accident. Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: The house's gas meter has been shut off. RG&E has been notified.

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: Command requests a crew from Le Roy Fire Department to stand by in their own quarters.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: This could have been a major accident, instead no one -- including the driver -- was seriously hurt, according to a firefighter at the scene. After getting gas at Pavilion Farms gas station, a man in a white pickup truck had a seizure and his truck shot full-throttle out of the gas station, across Route 19, and was headed straight toward Paparoni's pizza parlor, which was crowded with lunchtime customers. There were students milling around in the parking lot, too. But the truck struck a Hanson Aggregates truck in its path and that impact careened the white pickup into the house next to the pizza parlor. A woman was home at the time and the truck missed her by only a couple of feet, said the firefighter. RG&E is on scene.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Pavilion Fire Chief Chad Freeman at the scene said they received a call about 12:45 of a vehicle into a house and arrived to find a pickup truck partially inside the house. They believed the driver had a medical issue. He was northbound on Route 19 and came through the intersection of Route 63 and "ended up in the house." He drove through a busy parking lot. "It could have been a lot worse. Everybody got away with minor injuries." Asked if the Hanson truck diverted the pickup from striking the pizzeria and the packed parking lot, the chief said they are not "100-percent sure" if he would have continued down 19 a ways or not.

There was at least one car break-in in the Maple Street area of Batavia overnight, and among the items stolen was this backpack owned by Gunner Rapone.

Rapone was a standout in football and track and field with Batavia High School and starts college at SUNY Brockport this fall, where he'll compete in track and field.

This backpack has high sentimental value to Rapone. He received it for qualifying for the National High School Track Championship. The bag says "#ThatGuy" just above the zipper.

Rapone can be reached at guy.rapone@gmail.com.

The state will provide Genesee County with another $3 million to help improve its year-old $11 million emergency radio communications system, built and provisioned by RF Harris, of Rochester.

The grant will be used to fund a seventh microwave tower for the county, most likely somewhere in Le Roy, which reportedly has had some of the biggest communications black holes since the new radio system was put online.

The grant will also be used to complete interoperability connections with Monroe and Orleans counties, said County Manager Jay Gsell.

Interoperability is one of the primary goals of the Department of Homeland Security in pushing local jurisdictions to go to all-digital, Phase II, systems. With all local jurisdictions on the same radio systems, it's expected that agencies will be able to more efficiently and effectively communicate with each other in mutual aid emergencies.

It's also hoped that the upgrade will provide better local communications in a system that has been plagued by emergency responder complaints since its inception, though tweaks and incremental improvements over the past year seems to have resulted in fewer complaints.

The bulk of the $11 million spent on the system so far came from state, federal and communication industry grants, with a municipal bond covering nearly half of the expense.

"This is part of helping us complete the process of putting the best radio system out there for all of our emergency radio system users, whether it's police departments, fire departments, state patrol, highway departments, anybody who is on our radio system," Gsell said. "We're trying to make sure that almost anywhere they go in the county, they're going to have very good, strong consistent communications with our 800-MHz radios."

The $3 million is part of $50 million being awarded to local jurisdictions for emergency communications. Both Monroe and Livingston counties are receiving $3.5 million. Erie County is getting $1.2 million. There was no grant money announced for Wyoming County.

Our news partner WBTA AM/FM conducted the interview with Jay Gsell.

A driver who said she fell asleep, leading to an accident Thursday afternoon on Assemblyman R. Steven Hawley Drive, Batavia, was cited for crossing the center line in a no-passing zone by Deputy Joseph Graff, who investigated the collision.

A. R. Jeering, 55, address redacted from report, was among three people injured in the three-car crash. She was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS with a complaint of pain.

She was driving a 2011 Chevrolet sedan.

Also injured were Kaeleigh S. Disalvo, 21, no address provided, driving a 2008 Buick sedan, and Eric J. Merritt, 26, address redacted, driving a 2008 Ford sedan. Both were transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS with complaints of pain.

Merritt's passenger, 29-year-old Gregory A. Merritt, was not transported to a hospital.

Jeering was driving up the hill on Hawley Drive, westbound, when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck the vehicle driven by Disalvo and then the one driven by Merritt.

(Initial Report)

Visit Batavia's List and post your ad today!

Also: Sign up for our new daily e-mail newsletter. Get the day's headlines plus the latest marketplace posts delivered to your inbox every day at 5 p.m.

And: Like Batavia's List on Facebook.

A two-car accident with injuries and possible entrapment is reported at R. Stephen Hawley Drive and 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: Stafford Fire Police requested to the scene for traffic control. They are going to shut down R. Stephen Hawley Drive at Batavia Stafford Townline Road.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: A responder on scene reports a patient who is trapped will probably not need to be extricated. Their efforts to free the victim seem to be working.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: This was a three-car collision. There are four patients and all are being transported to UMMC via ground ambulances. A female driver of a sedan told responders she fell asleep at the wheel while she was traveling uphill, then she swerved and hit two oncoming cars.