There is reportedly a magazine sales company working in the area and residents in Batavia and Oakfield (I think Oakfield) have called to complain about sales rep activity.

Reps from the same company were in town last week and were told to get a permit from the City of Batavia. Batavia, as well as some other jurisdictions in Genesee County, require door-to-door sales reps to have permits.

This morning, a dispatcher checked with the city and there is allegedly no permit on file.

Sales reps can reportedly earn a trip to Rome if they do well with their sales.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: There was an inquiry as to whether the individuals could be charged for soliciting without a permit and a dispatcher replied, "I know you're going to find hard to believe, but their team leader isn't picking them up." Officer: "I'm shocked." The rep that was out with the officer says he just wants to return the money from the sales and their receipts and call it a day.

Jason D. Lang, 28, of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Lang is accused of calling 9-1-1 at 12:13 a.m., Saturday, to report hearing gunshots at a local hotel. Lang allegedly made the call twice. Batavia PD determined there were no gunshots at the hotel. Lang allegedly made several more calls to 9-1-1 "for no legitimate purpose." Lang was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Jamie E. Andrews, 28, of 15 School St., Batavia, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and assault, 3rd. Andrews is accused of driving on Swan Street and deliberately striking an acquaintance with her car. The alleged victim was treated and released at UMMC with a minor injury.  Andrews was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Philip A. Dodson, 21, of 662 N. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dodson was arrested in Monroe County and turned over to Batavia PD. Dodson was arraigned in city court and released.

Tara L. Hall, 33, of 32 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Hall is accused of threatening a neighbor during an argument.

Chad M. Johnston, 26, of 111 Liberty St., Batavia, is charged with criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument. Johnston is accused of possessing a hypodermic instrument inside his residence.

Luke W. Ritzenhaler, 29, of 67 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Ritzenhaler is accused of being in a fight at a location on Oak Street where he allegedly picked up another person and also threw an object at that person. He also allegedly damaged molding around a doorway.

Bruce V. Wiseley, 64, of 30 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Wiseley is accused of becoming unruly while at a business on West Main Street and shouting obscenities at employees.

Lyle Robert Henderson, 29, of Lakeview Avenue, Syracuse, is accused of a family court violation. Henderson was arrested in Oneida County and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Following arraignment, Henderson was jailed on $4,000 bail.

A man who suffered an apparent head injury in an accident early Sunday morning on Route 33 and was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital is being accused of driving drunk and trying to flee the scene of a personal injury accident.

Lawrence D. Boggs, 23, of West Main Street, Batavia, reportedly was helped out of his overturned vehicle at 12:19 a.m. and then tried to run down Wortendyke Road.

He was grabbed and detained by the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident.

Boggs is charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign and unlicensed operator.

He is listed in stable condition at Strong.

The other driver, whose name was not released by the Sheriff's Office, was transported to UMMC with a minor injury, treated and released.

Boggs was driving a 1999 Dodge van southbound on Wortendyke Road when he allegedly failed to stop for a stop sign and stuck a 2008 Hummer eastbound on Route 33.

The van traveled off the roadway into a ditch and overturned.

The driver of the Hummer and other witnesses helped Boggs get out of the van.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Assisting at the scene were other deputies, State Troopers, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight and the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department.

(Initial Report)

A two-car, minor injury accident is reported 1643 Main Road, between Boyce and Cleveland roads. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: A car is blocking the westbound lane. A tow truck is called.

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

A fight in progress is reported at Austin Park in the city. Police just arrived.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: "You better swing down. It's a pretty large gathering," says an officer on scene to another. The incident had migrated toward Jefferson, then to Washington and Bank, verbal at that point. "It looks like now they're dispersing."

UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: There were estimated to be 30 or 40 people involved. "Now they're at Summit, looks like a fight is going on there."

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: Now the group, or what's left of it, is moving back to Austin Park and an officer is remaining on scene to monitor the situation.

On my way back to Batavia, after being in Darien this morning, and before being rerouted by Billie out to Alabama for the cornfield fire, I stopped along Ellinwood Road, Corfu, to take pictures of this field of yellow flowers.

Before that, I took pictures of trains at the Colby Road crossing.

A cornfield is reportedly on fire at 1534 Lewiston Road, near Church Street, in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is en route.

UPDATE 12:26 p.m.: Fire police and an engine from Oakfield are requested. Smoke is blowing across the roadway.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: A tanker from Oakfield is called to the scene. Some firefighters are working at the back of the property to protect a barn. There's a brush fire nearby. Although the fire is not approaching the structure, there are strong winds blowing.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: Alabama command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: The fire is out. The Alabama assignment is back in service.

The following arrests were made by the Sheriff's Office on Saturday night in connection with the Rascal Flatts concert at Darien Lake.

Anna V. Brucket, 18, of  2nd Street, Geneseo, is charged with trespass for allegedly reentering the concert venue after she was previously ejected from the concert.

Justin R. Edder, 30, of Shirley Road, North Collins, is charged with trespass for allegedly reentering the concert venue after he was previously ejected from the concert.

Robert A. Pelusio, 22, of Frostholm Drive, Rochester is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Sheriff's deputies issued tickets to 59 people for alleged possession of alcohol underage 21. The names of the individuals were not released.

A 20-year-old resident of Mumford died this morning from injuries sustained in an accident on Sumner Road, Darien, last night.

Investigators said that at 9:05 p.m. Casey J. Parnell stepped from the south shoulder of Sumner Road into the roadway for no apparent reason.

He was struck by a 2009 Kia minivan driven by Amanda Cline, 39, of Homer.

The accident was reported at 1516 Sumner Road, at the base of an area known as "The Hill" or "Cherry Hill," and is reportedly a privately owned parking lot favored by many young people going to concerts at Darien Lake.

Parnell's action was described as "sudden."

While the accident remains under investigation, no charges are anticipated.

Parnell, who was flown to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight, succumbed to his injuries at 5:23 a.m.

None of the occupants of the minivan were injured.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office at the scene were State Police, Darien Volunteer Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

(Initial Report)

UPDATED 11:40 a.m.: Added photos from the accident scene this morning of Deputy Ron Meides and Sgt. John Szumigala taking measurements to aid in the investigation.

A rollover accident with multiple injuries is reported at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are dispatched.

UPDATE 12:30 a.m.: Not sure if this is related, but a dispatcher informs a deputy that another deputy "has the subject detained on Wortendyke."

UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: Mercy Flight on ground standby.

UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 on the ground.

UPDATE 1:02 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 in route to Strong.

UPDATE 1:08 a.m.: One patient being transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC with a minor leg injury.

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: East Pembroke back in service. Mercy Flight is on the ground at Strong.

A dryer fire is reported at a mobile home on Lake Street, Le Roy.

A Le Roy PD officer reports smoke in the residence.

The occupants are out of the home.

Le Roy Fire Department is responding with mutual aid from Bergen.

UPDATE 12:26 a.m.: Pavilion firefighters are asked to stand by at Le Roy's hall.  The fire is knocked down. Fans requested.

UPDATE 12:35 a.m.: Fire contained to the dryer. No extension. The fire is out.

UPDATE 12:48 a.m.: Bergen back in service.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: Pavilion back in service.

A caller on Pekin Road, Elba, reports that a man is shooting at her house.

The man is described as wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. He has a ponytail.

The caller says she may know the subject and that he appears to have a long gun and a pistol in his possession.

He is approximately 150 yards from the house.

Law enforcement is responding.

A car has reportedly hit a pedestrian at an area known at "The Hill" on Sumner Road in Darien.

The location is across from Darien Lake Theme Park and is used for parking by people going to concerts at the performing arts center.

A deputy on scene requested Mercy Flight.

Darien Fire Department and an ambulance being dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 9:12 p.m. Mercy Flight #7 out of Buffalo in route. Traffic being shut down at Sumner and Route 77, and Colby and Sumner. The street address for the location is 1516 Sumner Road.

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: The Darien chief wants access to the scene blocked for all non-emergency personnel. "I don't want nobody down here. Nobody," he said.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: An investigator at scene requests another investigator to respond with a camera. Also, Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: A reporter has shown up. No access to the scene for the media.

UPDATE 9:46 p.m.: Patient being loaded into Mercy Flight #7 now.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: Mercy Flight is in route to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Sumner Road is open and Darien fire is back in service.

View Larger Map

A 29-percent graduation rate may not sound impressive, but that rate makes GCC one of the very best community colleges in New York State.

Data complied by Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) shows GCC is ahead of neighborhing schools in Erie, Niagara and Monroe counties for gradutation rate.

CNN reported last week that GCC is among the top 100 community colleges in the nation for either graduating students or helping them get into a four-year school.

According to CNN, 54 percent of GCC's full-time students obtained either a degree or a transfer, tying the school with Herkimer Community College for best student success rate in New York.

“The IPEDS data and follow-up report validate what we are most proud of at GCC — that we are a student-centered institution and we understand that students come to our doors with all kinds of interests, needs and capabilities,” said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC’s associate director of marketing communications. “At every level of this institution, student success is our primary motivator and it is reassuring to see this culture play out in nationwide statistics and reports.”

Like all community colleges, GCC accepts students from all walks of life with a variety of backgrounds and educational needs. Many of the students are not necessarily focused on either a degree nor moving onto a four-year school.

For those who are, the available data seems to indicate that GCC is among the best schools students can pick, which was the point of the CNN article titled, "Community college: How to avoid 'dropout factories'."

With tuition at four-year colleges skyrocketing, a growing number of high school seniors are looking to community colleges as a low-cost option.

But figuring out which community college will give you the best chance of transferring to your dream school can be difficult. There's very little standardized information out there that students can use to compare community colleges. As a result, many students end up enrolling in the community college that is closest to them, not realizing that a school just a few miles away might be a much better option.

The CNN report is based on data besides IPEDS, but the IPEDS reports support the underlining message of CNN's story.

Here's a chart using the latest available IPEDS data showing how GCC ranks compared to neighboring community colleges:

Sutherland said GCC ranks highest, as well, among its peer-group of 30 schools, which are medium-sized, rural community colleges.

"More and more the cat's getting out of bag that GCC does a pretty good job at accomplishing our mission," Sutherland said. "They’re always challenges and we always want to improve. Just as Stuart Steiner always challenged us to improve, President Jim Sunser is following the same path. The culture at GCC is pretty good. We remain focused on the students."

While not all students come to GCC with the intention of graduating or moving onto a four-year school, many who do are not as prepared as they should be for the rigors of a college education, which is another challenge for GCC to overcome.

According to data provided by GCC, 70 percent of GCC’s first-year students require remedial assistance in math comprehension and 36 percent require remedial reading.

Even so, it's not just IPEDS data that shows GCC is outpacing most other community colleges in student success rates.

In April, GCC was one of the top 120 colleges recognized by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and invited to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

GCC was selected for the prestigious competition based on data reflecting rates of graduation, transfer, retention, performance improvement and equity in completion outcomes.

The college submitted the follow-up application in late May. The 10 finalists for the Aspen prize will be announced in September. The prize will be awarded next spring.

The other recent honor for GCC was being chosen for the Voluntary Framework of Accountability.

GCC is just one of 40 community colleges in the nation chosen and the only one in New York.

The VFA selection is based on longer-term outcomes and an improved set of indicators to more accurately measure performance in the areas of community college readiness, student progress and completion, job preparation and employment. The VFA is a collaborative effort with the American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community College Trustees and the college board with a grant from the Gates and Lumina Foundation.

“IPEDS, Aspen and the VFA -- these are all great indicators that GCC is a great place to get ahead," Sutherland said. "So, while summer may be a good time to relax, it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about the future. We encourage anyone who has ever considered college to visit one of our seven campus locations and consider enrolling this fall.”

A 73-year-old motorcycle rider suffered only very minor injuries Friday after losing control of his bike on a road in Le Roy that had recently been resurfaced.

William J. Smith, of Le Roy, was northbound on Route 19 and turned onto Parmalee Road when he lost control of his bike.

Smith's bike went off the west shoulder and Smith went to the ground with the bike.

He did not require transport to a hospital.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Three people suffered minor injuries leaving the Eric Church concert Thursday night after the car they were in rear-ended two other vehicles.

All three patients were transport by Mercy EMS to UMMC.

Kayrene S. Demster, 56, of 29th Street, Niagara Falls, was northbound on Route 77 near Sumner Road, Darien, at 12:25 a.m. in stop-and-go traffic when she reportedly struck a car driven by Amber Nicole Mathies, 19, of Barker, pushing it off the roadway, and then striking from behind a car driven by Daniel J. Kremer, 47, of North Canal Road, Lockport.

There were four passengers in the vehicles driven by Mathies and Kremer and neither Mathies and Kremer nor their passengers were injured.

Demster suffered a minor injury as did her passengers Elaine C. Mahowish, 60, and Greta L. Maines, 23. The third passenger, Marnie C. Mahowish, 33, was not injured.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

A man who is a passenger on a Trailways passenger bus on Park Road in Batavia is reportedly threatening to shoot people once the bus arrives at its destination in Rochester. The bus driver is in a store asking that the man be removed from the bus. The suspect is described as 6 feet tall, wearing a yellow shirt and is said to be sitting in the seat right behind the driver. Multiple law enforcement units are responding.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: A Mercy ambulance is dispatched to the deli at 8204 Park Road to transport the man who allegedly made the threats to a mental health facility for evaluation.

People of all ages were entertained in Jackson Square on Friday night as Penny Whiskey kicked off the 2012 season of Concerts in the Square.

The calendar of upcoming shows is posted here.

A transformer fire is reported at 1145 Main Road, Pembroke.

The location is right in front of the Pembroke Highway Department.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched.

The fire appears to have burned itself out.

UPDATE 8:49 a.m.: A fire responder says the fire is out. The pole is a little charred.

UPDATE 9:36 a.m.: Power is out for fewer than five customers. National Grid expects repairs to be completed by 12:15 p.m.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: The traffic lights at Route 77 and Route 5 will be out for an hour during transformer repairs. A deputy is being dispatched to direct traffic.

View Larger Map