Nicholas J. Adkins, 22, of 111 Liberty St., Apt. A, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, reckless endangerment property, unlawful possession of marijuana and assault, 2nd, with intent to cause physical injury to an officer. Batavia PD reportedly attempted to assist in the arrest of Adkins on State Street at 6:25 p.m., Tuesday, on a NYS Parole warrant and Adkins allegedly fled on foot.

Carolyn Marie Peachay, 30, of Main Road, Stafford, was arrested on a City Drug Court warrant related to a prior DWI case. Peachay was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Jerome W. Brown, of 65, of Lockport, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Brown was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 10:56 a.m., July 3, in the Town of Pembroke. No further details were released.

(Name redacted upon request), 35, of Buffalo, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher. xxxx was stopped at 11:27 p.m. Tuesday on Colby Road, Darien, by State Police.

D&C: Upstate leaders warn: 'We don't want to be Detroit'

Washington Towers is hosting an Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 26th. We will be hosting an Open House to show our beautiful building to the community! Take a tour of an apartment, ASK questions of our staff, MEET other residents, see the amenities we have to offer, LISTEN to music and HEAR a live broadcast by WBTA personalities. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

This event will take place rain or shine, inside or out. We will be here to show you the benefits of living at "the very best senior facility in Genesee County!"

We offer:

• Security
• One bedroom/two bedroom units (no studios)
• Well maintained inside & out
• Great location
• Friendly & helpful staff

Event Highlights:

• Music by Gridder & Pitch -- 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Food by Louie & Stella’s Café and Pasta Bowl
• Live broadcast with WBTA personalities! 10a.m. - Noon

For more information on Washington Towers, please call (585) 344-0200.

HUD Section 8 Housing for Elderly & Disabled (with impaired mobility).
Displays provided by: Wortzman's Furniture Floral Fantasies.

The YMCA has a new best friend -- the Batavia Office of Merrill Lynch. The investment banking and wealth management company donated $5,000 toward the inaugural GLOW Corporate Challenge -- a 5K team race that's intended to connect the community and give back to it.

Proceeds will benefit the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming (GLOW) YMCA (similar to the Chase Corporate Challenge that takes place in bigger cities).

The goal is for local businesses to form racing teams, compete in a fun atmosphere, and crown a winner of the GLOW Corporate Cup. Following the race is the region's largest “office party,” where Batavia’s own, the OHMS Band, will perform. Companies are encouraged to set up tents, bring refreshments and prepare to have a good time at this major networking function.

Steven Tufts from the Batavia Office of Merrill Lynch is thrilled with the level of participation.

“We have 14 sponsors and expect more than 400 participants," Tufts said. "The money from the sponsors, after expenses, will go directly to the GLOW area YMCA. Judging from this year’s response, next year should be even bigger.”

The local Merrill Lynch office worked with city officials about location and logistics and set the event for 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, starting -- and ending -- at Centennial Park. Check-in is at 4:30. In the event of inclement weather, the race and concert afterward will still go on.

Registration is $25 per person and you must be 18 or older to participate.

The route has been certified as a USA Track and Field Course and there will be EMS by the finish line for any runner/walker who may need assistance.

Ellicott Avenue will be closed from Washington to Richmond from noon to 10 p.m. the day of the race. Street parking is available, along with parking at the Batavia City Centre on Main Street and the Jerome Center on Bank Street.

You can register online at www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1247322 or call 585-344-1664.

The way Dan Burling sees it, the cards are stacked against the small business owner these days, especially for independent drug store owners.

Reimbursements from big insurance companies for customers' prescriptions have shrunk dramatically in recent years, Burling said. In his view, big mail-order firms engage in anti-competitive practices designed to cripple local pharmacies. And the coming implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act is just going to make matters worse.

So the former State Assemblyman did the only thing he thought he could do: Close.

Yesterday was the last day of business for Burling Drugs in Corfu.

"When I came here 21 yeas ago, there was no pharmacy here," Burling said. "It was shut down. I opened the store up. I put a lot of my heart and my soul into it."

There's no way an independent shop can survive, he said, on what insurance companies are willing to pay these days.

"It looks to me like the insurance companies are ratcheting down their reimbursement to match what the large chains can pay," Burling said. "I have no quarrel with the large chains, Rite-Aid or anything, but our margins just weren’t enough to sustain our business."

To survive recently, Burling had to borrow money and that's something he is no longer willing to do.

"I wasn't taking much out of the business," Burling said. "I did everything I could possibly do to try and stay profitable, but the profits just weren't there."

Big mail-order houses also put the squeeze on independent pharmacies, he said.

As a member of the Legislature, Burling sponsored a bill that made it illegal to force patients to buy prescriptions by mail order. The big firms just ignore the law, Burling said.

"They constantly badger my customers," Burling said. "They get the data and they call them and they market their mail-order business directly to them."

And the crony capitalists in Washington continue to work against the survival of the little guy.

"Medco and Express Scripts merged, and as far as I'm concerned, that never should have been allowed," Burling said. "Being in politics as long as I was, I know how it works. Big money goes to the politicians in Washington and they ignore the little guy and get paid off."

Obamacare -- the Affordable Health Care Act -- Burling said is going to put the squeeze on all sorts of small businesses in medicine. The law will force even smaller reimbursements and the mandated cost cuts that small business owners won't be able to manage. You'll see a lot of health-care providers go out of business when that happens, Burling said.

He understands some people are upset by his store's sudden closure, but his co-op contract with Rite-Aid gave him an out now and he decided to exercise it.

Over the 21 years he's run the store in Corfu, Burling said not only has he provided a pharmacy to the community, he's also brought in doctor offices -- doctors who have since relocated to their own practices.

"These are contributions that I made to the community that I think were significant," Burling said, "but there comes a time in your life, you know, when you're at my age, that this is the only way I'm going to be able to retire, the only way I'm going to be able to enjoy life."

City firefighters have returned to quarters after responding to a fire alarm at the YWCA on North Street. After it sounded, the alarm company called to say it was set off by a fog machine that is being used at the Y. Fog machines are sometimes found at big wild parties, as was the case here.

Bonnie at the Y said there's a dance party going on for 5- to 12-year olds.

The kids are having a blast and the fog, of course, only adds to the fun.

We didn't ask if there's a mirrored disco ball spinning.

Sometime between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., thieves made off with this custom Suzuki motorcycle valued at $16,000 from a garage at a residence on Pratt Road.

The perpetrators forced entry and pushed the bike to the road.

Two weeks ago, the bike was listed on Buffalo Craigslist.

Anybody with information about the theft or whereabouts of the bike can call Investigator Roger Stone at the Sheriff's Office, (585) 345-3000, ext. 3570.

Hiram Kasten, who appeared in numerous television shows, such as "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," during his acting career in Hollywood, throws out the first pitch prior to today's Batavia Muckdog's game, which started at 11:05 a.m. Kasten's wife, Diana, is a Batavia native and the Kastens now live in Batavia while Hiram pursues roles on Broadway.

Carlos Lopez, who caught the first pitch, and Hiram Kasten.

Sandra Lynn Cortright, 54, of Gorton Road, Basom, is charged with driving a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. Cortright was arrested Monday following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 6:34 a.m., May 13, on Gorton Road, Alabama. The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Kenneth M. Gray Jr., 21, of 77 Myrtle St., Le Roy, was arrested by Batavia PD on a warrant out of City Court on an alleged harassment, 2nd, charge. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Trista Nichole Leann Winchell, 28, of Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, following too closely and inadequate brakes. Winchell was allegedly driving in heavy post-concert traffic on Route 77 at 9:57 p.m., Tuesday, when her vehicle struck another car. The accident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Matthew Ray Helf, 23, of Woodstream Drive, Grand Island, is charged with criminal tampering, 3rd ,and harassment, 2nd. Helf allegedly grabbed his girlfriend and then threw her phone some distance while in the grass parking lot at Darien Lake Theme Park during a concert. The phone could not be located after the alleged incident.

Joseph Mattew Mullholland, 26, of Lincoln Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Mullholland allegedly punched the rear corner panel of a car while at the Stafford Carnival at 1:30 a.m., June 15.

Danielle Marie Balbick, 32, of Covington Street, Perry, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, controlled substance not in original container, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession of marijuana. Balbick was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 5:11 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. 

Jonathan Lee Olsen, 29, of Water Street, Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and obstructed view. Olsen's vehicle was stopped at 5:11 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy after dispatchers received a report of a vehicle being driven erratically.

Brandy Lynn Miller, 39, of Lewiston Road, Basom, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Miller is accused of making harassing and threatening calls to another person.

John Chester Miller, 41, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Miller allegedly sent harassing text messages to a person after being told to have no further contact with that person.

Nahum O. Marshall, 30, of Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct (obstructing traffic). Marshall was arrested by State Police following an alleged incident at 11:30 p.m., Thursday, on Route 77 in the Town of Darien. No further details released.

Rachel P. Luker, 28, of Cement City, Mich., is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of 08 or greater. Luker was stopped at 3:20 p.m., Monday, on Ledge Road, Alabama, by State Police.

Kaileigh M. White, 21, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to obey traffic device. White was stopped at 12:04 a.m., Monday, on Route 77, Darien, by State Police.

The following arrests were made during the Bon Jovi concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.

Joan M. Schrier, 36, of Howard Avenue, Lockport, charged with harassment, 2nd, after she allegedly shoved another concert patron in the neck causing small abrasions to her neck. 

Zachary A. Webber, 20, of Route 39, Arcade, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and issued a citation for possessing alcohol being under, 21 after allegedly being found in possession of alcohol and marijuana. 

The following people were issued citations for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Ashton W. Laird, 20, of Cheeseman Hill Road, Delevan
Kyle W. Meerboth, 19, of Genesee Road, Sardinia
Paige N. Billingsley, 18, of Prospect Avenue, Salamanca

Sports Illustrated: Report: Alex Rodriguez could face lifetime ban

The rain didn't come soon enough for Batavia pitchers Max Garner and Brian Ellington who surrendered all seven runs over four innings the Jamestown Jammers would need to secure a victory Tuesday night.

The legendary Jim Perry, 1970 Cy Young Award winner, threw out the first pitch following an autograph session with fans, but it was Jamestown's Chad Kuhl who turned in the masterful pitching performance. Kuhl went five innings and didn't give up a run and only three hits.

Yefri Perez, Justin Bohn, Avery Romero, Austin Dean and Coco Johnson each had a hit for Batavia.

Garner took the loss, giving up six hits and four runs (three earned) in two and a third innings. He walked one. Ellington lasted three and two thirds and gave up two hits and three runs, all earned. He walked two and struck out four.

Garner had been pretty dominating in four of his previous five starts. His ERA jumped by a full run, rising to 1.93. He's yet to secure a win and took the loss Tuesday night.

The game was called because of rain after seven innings, giving Jamestown a 7-0 victory.

Game time for Wednesday's game is 11 a.m. Hiram Kasten, formerly of Hollywood, with roles in hit TV shows such as "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," and now of Batavia, will throw out the first pitch.

Taco.

Alexander fire is being dispatched to an unknown type fire in a field behind 2831 Broadway Road, possibly near a gas well.

UPDATE 9:55 p.m.: Chief on scene confirms controlled burn.

View Larger Map

A strong thunderstorm that has moved into the area has brought a halt to Bon Jovi's show at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Heavy rain, lightening and thunder hit the Darien area in the middle of Bon Jovi's performance, according to Tweets from fans at the show.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning that the storm has the potential to become severe.

Localized flooding is possible.

UPDATE 9:41 p.m.: The concert is restarting in five minutes.

The vision is a bike and walking path that stretches from east to west across Genesee County and the means of funding it could come from a state grant, the City Council learned Monday night.

City Manager Jason Molino told council members that the city is working with officials in the Town of Batavia and Pembroke to help clear the way for funding of the project.

“Part of our planning with the BOA (Batavia Opportunity Area Plan) was to develop more pedestrian-friendly improvements to multi-modal aspects of pedestrian and bicycle traffic," Molino said. "What we’re talking about is a recreational bicycle path that hopefully in the long run will connect the east and west sides of the county together, so you can ride or walk continuously from the Erie County line to the Livingston County line.”

The Transportation Enhancement Program or TEP is offering grants of $200,000 to $2.5 million.

The first stage would be a path starting in East Pembroke, going through the city and ending at the soon-to-be-built 76-unit housing development off Seven Springs Road.

A TEP grant, if approved, would cover 80 percent of the funding.

Molino has high hopes for its impact on downtown Batavia.

“What this does for the downtown is it creates the opportunity for more activity and traffic in our downtown which is our primary commerce area," he said. "It connects the economic centers and creates more activity for our downtown businesses and our downtown in general.”

Molino says the three municipalities are working with National Grid as well as private businesses and property owners to develop a route for the trail. More details, including how much money the program would require, will be determined in the “next several weeks.”

In 2006 the City received $500,000 of TEP funding to complete the Ellicott Streetscape Project which cost a total of $750,000.

(via The Batavian's official news partner, WBTA)

A 24-year-old Batavia resident has been arrested on suspicion of robbing the Dollar General Store on Nov. 27.

Curtis R. Bailey, of 318 Jackon St., lower, Batavia, is accused of entering the store at 412 E. Main St., Batavia, and presenting a demand note. He allegedly threatened a store employee and demanded cash.

The suspect did not display a weapon during the robbery and no weapon was recovered during the investigation.

The perpetrator got away with a small amount of cash.

Bailey is suspected of taking the money and fleeing from the store during the nighttime robbery. Batavia PD and State Police searched the area immediately after the robbery but a suspect was not located.

Bailey was taken into custody without incident following the months-long investigation by Batavia PD.

Previously:

• Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia just robbed
• Batavia PD seeks assistance in identifying Dollar General robbery suspect

A Warsaw man who was accused in May of slamming his son to the floor while shopping in Walmart has been arrested again, this time accused of driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Christopher Paul Cummings, 28, was stopped at 11:45 p.m., Monday, on Lewiston Road, Town of Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona for allegedly running a red light.

Corona arrested Cummings on a DWAI (combined influence of drugs and alcohol) charge following an interview after the traffic stop.

Cummings was also cited for failure to stop for steady red signal and driving while on a mobile phone.

In late May, Cummings was arrested after his picture was posted on The Batavian as a possible suspect in an incident at Walmart where a witness said a man slammed a boy on the floor of the store. Readers responded immediately with tips to his identity.

That case is still pending.

OPEN HOUSE FOR CNC MACHINISTS
Location: Genesee Community College, Main Campus in Batavia, NY.
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Superior Group assisting Greatbatch Medical of Clarence, NY, with their search for MULTIPLE CNC MACHINISTS for DIRECT HIRE positions. EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. CNC Swiss Turning, vertical mill and/or two-axis turning experience & set up experience required.

Pay rage: $18-20+/HR DOE. Shift: 2nd & 3rd shifts. 

Job Location: Clarence, NY. 

**Competitive wages including a 10% shift differential for 2nd & 3rd shifts, 401K with employer match, profit sharing, up to 4 weeks PTO within the 1st year of employment and much more!**

If you cannot attend open house, please call Jamie @ 716-937-5225 or e-mail me at kempskij@superiorgroup.com!

Go Beyond. www.superiorjobs.com. EOE M/F/D/V

A disturbance is reported in Le Roy at 58 Myrtle St. where a female is outside allegedly "threatening to beat somebody up." Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The officer says "I'm out with the lady" -- speaking with her about the situation.

Genesee County unemployment rate held steady in the month of June at 6.2 percent, matching May's rate and lower than the 7.4-percent rate a year ago, according to figures released today by NYS Department of Labor.

Genesee County continues to maintain the lowest rate in the GLOW region, with Orleans at 8.4 percent, Livingston at 7 percent and Wyoming at 7.1 percent.

The Rochester-area rate is 7.0 and the Buffalo-area rate is at 7.4 percent.

The state's rate is 7.6 percent and the U.S. rate is 7.8 percent.