A small group of Corfu residents gathered in the Pembroke Town Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss what's been happening in the village recently, and more specifically, what to do about Mayor Ralph Peterson.

The consensus of those who attended is that the mayor is not acting in the best interest of village residents.

Pam Ware, who said she paid the $25 fee to rent the space for the meeting, acted as facilitator for the meeting, which started at 5:30 p.m.

"I thought we could come together and discuss what we can do to address the situation and not be tied up in that meeting (a regular village trustee meeting) with all that anger and all those issues going on," said Ware, a 25-year resident of the village.

Two lines of thought emerged -- protests (favored by Charlie Flagg) and gathering documentation and presenting a complaint to the Genesee County Ethics Commission.

The state doesn't allow recall elections and removing an elected official from a local public office is exceptionally difficult in New York.

Flagg thought public pressure -- from 3 a.m. protests at Peterson's house, to posting videos of Peterson at trustee meetings to YouTube -- could force Peterson, who only has a year left on his term, to resign.

"We just keep after him," Flagg said. "There's nothing he can do to stop us."

Ware favored a more measured approach -- using the Freedom of Information Law to gather documents and write a detailed report for the ethics commission.

Any finding by the commission against Peterson, however, would be non-binding and not necessarily lead to his ouster from office.

The list of complaints against Peterson include: harassing village staff; seeking questionable access to village computers and filing cabinets; hiring police officers without authorization; failure to support recovering funds allegedly missing from the village court; interfering with the employment of a former trustee with a village contractor; and lying to the trustees about various issues.

"I think we've seen enough so far that this should go before the board of ethics," Ware said.

Trustee Ken Lauer, who attended the meeting, warned that any thought of getting Peterson to resign is probably fanciful.

"I asked him to resign and he wouldn't," Lauer said. "That's the problem. This guy is not going to leave voluntarily."

Former trustee Al Graham responded, "You keep shedding light on him."

Former mayor Todd Skeet, who lost by two votes to Peterson last November, also attended the meeting.

Skeet noted that he appointed Peterson to a seat on the board of trustees originally.

"He was a decent guy and then things got really ugly," Skeet said.

Things went bad, he said, after a comptroller's report found about $10,000 was missing from the village court. Peterson and former justice Robert Alexander are reportedly friends.

The committee has tentatively scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., July 23, at the Pembroke Town Hall, if the space is available.

Last night's attendees hope that a Saturday morning meeting will be more convenient for people to attend.

Martha D. Duke, 63, of Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Duke was allegedly observed by witnesses driving westbound in the eastbound lane of the I-490. She was also allegedly observed driving on the shoulder of Route 33, westbound toward Batavia, at 25 mph. Deputy Chris Parker stopped her vehicle in the City of Batavia. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible in Genesee and Monroe counties.

Dennis A. Edson, 49, of 17 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment (physical contact due to race/religion). Edson is accused threatened a passing male using racial slurs. The alleged incident was reported at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Gloria S. Moretti, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Moretti was arrested by State Police in the Town of Pembroke. No further details released.

Chase M. Knight, 23, of Tonawanda, is charged DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Knight was stopped by State Police in the Town of Pembroke at 11:57 p.m. Sunday.

Dalton King, of East Bethany, sings a country tune during the annual talent show on the first day of the Genesee County Fair.

The fair runs through Saturday.

Here's a list of tomorrow's featured events:

• 4 to 8 p.m. --  Mr. Scribbles and various children events
• 5 to 10 p.m. -- Rides by Mainevent Amusements
• 5 p.m. -- Classic car show
• 6:30 p.m. -- Grand Parade in the fairgrounds
• 7 p.m. -- Karaoke
• 8 to 11 p.m. -- Barnstorm Band

The Masons have a booth set up to provide parents with child IDs. Here, Ellie gets her fingerprints with the help of her father, Noah Summers, of Attica.

A non-injury accident at Routes 5 and 19 in Le Roy is blocking traffic, and at the request of state troopers, Le Roy fire police are called to shut down traffic at Lake and Bacon streets and at Clay and Myrtle streets.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Andre J. Carmel Jr.

We've been tracking this year's onion crop and we checked in on the mucklands today, and from the road, the fields looked pretty good, but looks can be deceiving, said Paul Mortellaro, of G Mortellaro And Sons in Elba.

From the air, Mortellaro said, you can see a lot of open patches and thin spots.

"You'll probably see averages of 500 to 600 bags (50-pound bags) per acre," Mortellaro said. "Some less, some maybe 1,000. That's pretty disappointing."

Right now onions are trading at $13 per bag, but with transportation costs for Elba onions, that brings the crop yield down to about $6 per bag.

"At $6 per bag, you cannot make a living like that, not in Elba," Mortellaro said. "You can do that out west, but you can't do it here."

He said he and his brother are in no hurry to harvest their onions -- but will do so at the end of the month -- unlike last year when onions were going for $20 per bag.

The onions that were transplants -- such as the one pictured above from a Torrey field -- are developing bulbs and some have already been harvested, Mortellaro said. Those fields are generally in better shape than those planted with seeds, which have not yet started to bulb.

The problem this year: too much rain and not enough warm, dry days between storms.

Two people were killed and three seriously injured in Wheatland today when the SUV they were in collided with a tractor-trailer at North Road and Riga Mumford Road.

The five people were returning home in a 1995 Jeep Wrangler after working as volunteers at a camp in Batavia for children with special needs.

The two people who died are identified by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office as Taylor Binnert, 21, and Christopher Peterson, 20.

The three rear seat passengers were seriously injured and transported to Strong. They are Emily Peterson, 17, Michaela Murphy, 17, and Joanne Krutchen, 20.

For more on this developing story, visit WHAM13.com.

CORRECTION: The information provided by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office was incorrect in one regard. The individuals involved were volunteers at a BOCES summer school program, not a camp.

Three golf carts at Meadow Brook Golf Course, 4022 S. Main Street Road, Batavia, along with a portion of the golf course were damaged sometime around 3 a.m., July 10 and the Sheriff's Office is looking for leads that might help identify the culprits.

Two golf carts were driven into ponds and one was overturned on the course.

There was damage caused to the course by the reckless operation of the carts.

If you have information to share about the incident, contact John Dehm at the Sheriff's Office, 345-3000, ext. 3575.

Photo and infomration submitted by Jim Fazio:

The Batavia 16-year-old Sr. League baseball team defeated Dansville in a double-header by scores of 10-5 and 10-0 to capture the District 3 championship and will face the District 2 champion this Saturday in Cuba , NY, at 3 p.m. The winner of this round will advance to Long Island the following weekend.

Team members include front row: James Fazio, Luke McComb, Tommy Demmer, Tyler Hale, Cameron Slaven, and Manager Jim Fazio.

Second row: Coach Dan McComb, Zeke Lynn, Joe Saraceni, Frank Bellucci, and Ryan Mullen. Back row Coach Dave Demmer, Zach Gayton, and Jacob Hale. Missing from photo is Nate Cornell.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday 7/16

• 9am - 4-H Swine Show
• 12 pm -  4-H Goat Show
• 2:30 pm - 4-H Sheep Show
• 6 pm - 4-H Beef Show
• 6:30 pm - "Genesee's Got Talent" -Talent Show

• 4 - 8pm -  Mr. Scribbles and various children events
• 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
• 5 pm - Classic car show
• 6:30 pm - Grand Parade in the fairgrounds
• 7 pm - Karaoke
• 8 - 11pm - Barnstorm Band

• 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
• 6 pm - Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing
• 7 pm - 4-H Livestock Auction
• 8 pm - Patrick Johnson - Elvis impersonator
• 8 pm - Karaoke Finals

• 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
• 7 pm - Genesee County Fair Queen and Princess Pageant
• 7 pm - Demolition Derby
• 8 pm - Julie Dunlap Band

• 11 am - Farm Stock Tractor Pull - Bring your tractor
• 1 pm - 10pm Rides by Mainevent Amusements
• 4 pm - WNY Garden Tractor Pull
• 6 pm - WNY Pro Farm Tractor and Truck Pull
• 8 pm - Monster Johnson Band

For more information, please visit us online at: http://gcfair.com

About 20 minutes ago, an elderly female driving a black sedan was reported to be headed eastbound on westbound I-490 around the time she passed the Bergen exit. Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center notified Monroe County law enforcement. Then it was reported that she turned around and starting heading in the correct direction, exited and got on Route 33.

A caller reported that this car was going slow -- 25 mph -- and was partially driving on the shoulder and was otherwise "all over the roadway." Sheriff's deputies located her and are speaking with her now.

Avery Romero added two more notches to his league-leading RBI total Monday night, but it wasn't enough to overcome some erratic pitching as the Muckdogs dropped to 13-14 with a 8-4 loss to the Tri-City Wildcats.

Romero is the best hitting player in the league so far, with a .361 average, 35 hits, 18 RBI, 10 doubles and 51 total bases (all league-leading stats), but the Wildcats are so far the best team in the NYPL with a record of 20-9.

Drafted in the third round of last year's amatuer draft, Romero is considered one of the Marlin's top 15 prospects.

After falling behind 3-0 in the second inning on back-to-back home runs by on Jon Kemmer and Thomas Lindauer, the eight and nine hitters in the line up, Batavia battled back in the fourth on consecutive doubles by Austin Dean, Felix Munoz and Romero followed by a single driving in Romero by Coco Johnson.

The rally was snuffed when Johnson tried to stretch his single into a double (top photo) and was called out on a close play at second by umpire Joe George. George's raised thumb brought manager Angel Espada charging over from the third base coaching, yelling a string of expletives. The call didn't change, but Espada was out of the game.

The Muckdogs took a 4-3 lead in the fifth, but Casey McCarthy (2-2) couldn't hold the lead and was charged with a blown save and took the loss, giving up three runs in the 7th to move his ERA to 6.00.

The starter for Batavia was Jarlin Garcia, who gave up three runs in five innings of work.

The attendance was 1,100. Next home game is at 7:05 p.m. June 23 against the Jamestown Jammers.

It was Mormon Night and former Cy Young winner Vern Law threw out the first pitch, a Mormon choir sang the National Anthemn, a Native American dancer was featured and white-shirted missionaries tossed prizes to the crowd.

Willie J. Thomas, 37, of 5 Raymond Ave., Batavia, and Maurice G. Leach, 37, of 212 State St., Batavia, are charged with unnecessary/unreasonable noise under the Batavia Municipal Code, Section 120-3(1). Thomas and Leach were allegedly disturbing the neighborhood on State Street at 10:20 p.m. Saturday by yelling.

Kenneth M. Gray Jr., 21, of 77 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Gray was arrested at 2:22 p.m. Sunday at 112 W. Main St., Batavia, by Sgt. Jason Davis. No further details released.

Brian R. Orbaker, 40, of 14 Oak St., #2, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Orbaker is accused of punching another person in the face while they passed each other on bicycles in the area of 1 W. Main St., Batavia, at 10:05 p.m. Friday.

Miguel Angel Dejesus, 66, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dejesus is accused of hitting a woman in the face with a trash can lid and threatening her with a machete.

Yahoo! News: Snowden submits request for asylum in Russia

A suspected shoplifter at Tops Market in Le Roy is being sought by police after allegedly leaving the store with a cart chock full of stuff. He is described as a skinny white male about 6-feet tall with bad teeth wearing blue shorts and a blue shirt. A witness at the store said he saw the man flee on foot down a trail by the store.

Police are looking for a man that allegedly left the scene of an accident on Harris Road in Le Roy. He is walking and described as a heavy-set white male, 6-feet tall, wearing a striped shirt and shorts.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: The roadway had been closed, but is now reopened. Law enforcement is waiting for National Grid because wires were torn down.

A trailer stacked with hay is reportedly on fire at 7328 Seldon Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: Bergen fire is requested to stand by in its hall.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: Bergen is called to the scene.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: The fire is out.

Get your City of Batavia Republican Committee Shop Batavia Basket Raffle ticket at the Yngodess Today! Over $600 in donated gift certificates and items from Batavia businesses.

Tickets are available at the Yngodess, for a limited time, hurry in today!
Ticket prices are: 3 tickets/$2 or 10 tickets for $5.

Drawing to be held: Sept. 12, at the City Republican Committee's Annual Cocktail Party.

Basket Prize Listing:

• Batavia Downs -- $50 Free play, $50 dining gift certificate, and more goodies -- Donated by the Batavia Downs Casino;
• Clor's Meat Market gift certificate -- Donated by Clor's Meat Market;
• Mark's Pizzeria -- 7 Free pizza coupons -- Donated by Mark's Pizzeria;
• The Enchanted Florist gift certificate -- Donated by The Enchanted Florist;
• Larry's Steakhouse gift certificate -- Donated by Larry's Steakhouse;
• Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe gift certificate -- Donated by Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe;
• Salvania's Restaurant gift certificate -- Donated by Salvania's Restaurant;
• Charles Men's Shop gift certificate -- Donated by Charles Men's Shop;
• Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles gift certificate -- Donated by Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles;
• Batavia Tailors & Cleaners gift certificate -- Donated by Laura Landers;
• City Slickers Restaurant gift certificate -- Donated by City Slickers Bar & Grill;
• Batavia Showtime Movies gift certificate -- Donated by Batavia Showtime Movies;
• Coffee Culture gift certificate -- Donated by Laura Landers;
• Pair of Calvin Klein sunglasses -- Donated by Optique;
• Pair of sterling silver earrings -- Donated by Valle Jewelers.
• Mommy & Me Cookie Co. gift certificate -- Donated by Mommy & Me Cookie Co.;
• 2 Bottles of Wine, exclusive to The Yngodess -- Donated by the Yngodess;
• Cash gift card -- Donated by Gaines Kriner Elliott, LLP;
• Gerace's Hair Care gift certificate & 2 bottles of shampoo -- Donated by Joe Gerace;
• Wine wlass and bottle of wine -- Donated by the B.I.D.;
• 3lb. can of coffee -- Donated by Tim Horton's.

Previously, we published a press release from GCEDC that announced an expansion for Premiere Credit. Here is a press release from Premiere Credit with more information.

Premiere Credit of North America, LLC, a leading national accounts receivable management company headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., announced today the addition of 50 jobs to its Batavia call center operation on Mill Street.

Premiere Credit will be hiring managers and collection cpecialists. Interested applicants can apply online at www.premierecredit.com and click on the Employment tab. These are solid jobs with good benefits and great earning potential for top performers.

“Premiere Credit opened an office in Batavia 17 months ago and we have been so impressed with the workforce in this location. We are excited to have the opportunity to expand our business here,” said President and CEO Rob Meck. “I am also proud to be part of a team that so willingly gives of their time and resources to this community through their involvement in local charities.”

“Premiere Credit’s expansion of its Batavia office is a testament to a high quality, productive and home-grown workforce,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. “This announcement builds on the positive economic development continuing to gain traction in Batavia and throughout the county.”

The Mill Street location started with 50 employees in March 2012 and will employ nearly 200 people after this expansion is complete.

Press release:

From as far away as Connecticut and as close as Monroe County, Genesee Community College welcomes a class of new administrators and directors to its main campus in Batavia. These leaders bring fresh ideas and extensive experience to help GCC continue to meet the needs of students and the community.

Kathleen (Kate) Schiefen, Ph.D., joined the College July 1 as provost/executive vice president for Academic Affairs. Schiefen will oversee all academic programs. She has more than 20 years experience in higher education and comes to GCC from Monroe Community College in Rochester where she served as dean of Academic Services at the Damon City Campus for the past four years. Previously, she was a department chair, tenured teaching faculty member and adjunct instructor at MCC and dean at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. She earned an A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology from Trocaire College, a bachelor of science degree in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College, a master's in Adult Education from the University at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University.

GCC is pleased to welcome back to campus Kristen Clark Schuth, who became director of Athletics May 1. Schuth was head softball coach at GCC from 2005-2010. She returns to Batavia after serving as assistant director of Athletics at Finger Lakes Community College. A native of Hilton, Schuth starred in basketball and softball at SUNY Brockport where she was named female athlete of the year and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She earned a master's in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Spencerport with husband, David, and sons, Gavynn and Austynn.

Michelle Slawiak joined the GCC family July 8 as the new director of the Campaign for the Genesee Community College Foundation. Slawiak, of Buffalo, comes to GCC from the Botanical Gardens of Buffalo and Erie County where she served as an event and wedding coordinator. She previously served as the annual giving director for the Buffalo Niagara YMCA and as a development associate for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Canisius College.

Reid Smalley began his position as executive director of Workforce Development in The BEST (Business Employee Skills Training) Center April 15. Prior to GCC, he served as dean of Workforce Development, Continuing Education and Community Services at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, Conn. He has also worked at community colleges in Harrisburg, Pa. and Johnstown, NY. He holds a bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Resources from Michigan State University and a M.Ed. in Training and Development from Penn State University.

A graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, Stephen Wise took over as director of Public Safety at GCC May 1. Wise served as director of Safety and Security for the Churchville-Chili Central School District for the last three years. He retired in 2009 from the Greece police department. A resident of Rochester, Wise holds a bachelor's degree, from SUNY Brockport and a master's degree from Keuka College.

Finally, the new Dean of Distributed Learning, Craig Lamb joins the College Aug. 12 from SUNY Empire State College's Center for Distance Learning (CDL) in Saratoga Springs. Lamb has worked as an assessment specialist in CDL's Office of Academic Review and, for the past six years, as director of Academic Support Services. He will continue to build the dynamic online learning program at GCC, where online enrollment now accounts for 15 percent of total enrollment. Lamb is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. He holds a bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University, master's from SUNY Plattsburgh and is completing a Ph.D. from SUNY Albany.