Eli Fish hosted its fourth annual Oktoberfest Saturday at Jackson Square in Batavia. As promised by organizer Adam Burnett, the event was overflowing with attendees, as the ever-popular German band The Frankfurters played traditional songs, accompanied by the band's dance troupe. Attendees joined in with the dancing, and quenched their appetites with German-themed brews and food from Eli Fish Brewing Company.

Joanne Beck contributed to this article. Photos by Howard Owens.

A mobile phone left on a bed charging is the suspected cause, at least at the preliminary stage of the investigation, of a fire at 6979 Big Tree Road, Pavilion, this evening.

The fire was called in at 7:03 p.m., according to Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator.

It appears to have started in a second-floor bedroom and residents told investigators that a phone was left on the bed plugged into a charger. A 13-year-old resident smelled the smoke and found the fire.  He alerted his father and they shoved the mattress out the window but the fire spread quickly anyway.

"How the fire progressed inside the building, we don't know yet because we still need to investigate and then go from there," Yaeger said. "It's kind of early yet."

All residents of the two-unit apartment building escaped safely.  There were no injuries reported.

There were one adult and two children residing in each of the apartments.  

It was unclear earlier this evening if the structure is a total loss, but it was heavily damaged on both floors with obvious heavy flame damage in the front of the second floor.

Pavilion, Le Roy, and Stafford were dispatched on the first alarm.  The second alarm included the City of Batavia FAST Team, but that crew was soon pressed into firefighting duties so Alexander's FAST Team was dispatched.

FAST stands for Firefighter Assist and Search Team.

"They're there to be the rescue team for firefighters," Yaeger said. "So if a firefighter gets trapped, disoriented, runs out of air, something happens to either a firefighter or a team of firefighters, that's what that team is there for."

Also responding to the fire, Bethany, Caledonia, Perry Center, Wyoming, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, along with Emergency Management. 

A large response was needed, Yaeger said, because of a shortage of manpower.

To volunteer with your local fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Photos by Howard Owens.

A caller reports everybody is out of the two residences.

The second floor is reportedly involved.

Pavilion, Le Roy, and Stafford dispatched on the first alarm.  A second alarm is called with City Fire's Fast Team, Bethany, and Mercy EMS.

A barn and house on Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

Photo by Howard Owens.

A homemade fox crossing sign spotted on Paradise Road in Bethany.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Campers at Lei Ti Campground in Bethany held their annual auction fundraiser on Sept. 3 in support of One Soldier at a Time, and on Saturday presented a check for $9,200 to Lauren Coe.

Coe said One Soldier at a time runs three primary programs.  One provides gifts for wives and mothers of military members deployed overseas for Christmas, Valentine's and Mother's Day.  Another provides care packages for soldiers on deployment.  And the third, that this donation will benefit, assists veterans who are homeless, impoverished, in PTSD housing or in similar hardships with care products to take care of them from head to toe, from hair-care products to socks and shirts and ties, and for veterans who have passed, suits "so they can be buried with dignity." 

Top photo: Sandra Sekuterski, Val Roshart, Lauren Coe, Sheila Hollwedel, and Gerald Sekuterski.  Below, Coe presented the campground with a plaque recognizing the contributions.

Photos by Howard Owens

More than two dozen volunteers placed 2,977 in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attack victims outside the VA Hospital in Batavia.

Organizations represented by the volunteers included VA employees, the VA police force, National Fuel, and the American Legion.

Photos by Howard Owens

The Byron-Bergen Bees beat the Batavia Blue Devils at Van Detta Stadium in boys soccer on Saturday, 4-2.

Goals for Byron-Bergen: 

• Gianni Ferrara to Jack Farner
• Colin Martin
• Jack Farner to Colin Martin
• Colin Martin to Jack Farner

Goals for Batavia: 

• Owen Halpin assisted by Quintin Cummings
• Matt Wittmeyer

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Photos by Philip Casper

Oakfield-Alabama High School hosted its annual Dash in the Dark on Friday evening.

Photos by Laura Luft.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame dispensed of South Seneca pretty easily on Saturday, securing a 56-0 win.

James Fanara was 8-10 passing for 140 yards and two TDs. Fanara added another 25 yards rushing on six carries.

Hayden Groff gained 85 yards on 13 carries and Gabe Castro picked up 40 on 10 carries. Groff scored twice.  Castro scored on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Bryceton Berry returned the second-half kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a pick-six in the third quarter.   

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Game report by Head Coach Tim Sawyer.

Alexander used a dominant first half to grab this victory against a tough Clyde-Savannah team that never quit trying. 

The Trojans won 34-0.

Alexander scored on its first four offensive possessions and then scored a pick-six defensive TD. 

Placekicker Dalton Selapak was 4 for 4 on the PATs.

The scoring opened on a nice drive by the Trojan offense that culminated with a 3-yard TD pass from QB Trent Woods to Flanker Mason Bump from 3 yards out.

On the 2nd drive, RB Ricky Townley scored on a 9-yard run.  He also scored the Trojans' third TD of the game a few minutes later on a 28-yard gallop. 

Townley ended his night with 5 carries for 66 yards.

On the fourth drive of the game, Fullback Kaden Lyons used his speed and toughness to break away for a 22-yard touchdown run.  He ended the night with 4 carries for 35 yards.

The final TD for the Trojans was a 70-yard interception return by Trenton Woods from his free safety spot.

First-year senior RB Brice Feldman had a good night running the ball with 4 carries for 36 yards.

Defensively, the Trojans picked up their first shutout of the season.  Led by Townley from Strong Safety with a whopping 12 tackles.  Christian Kissell had a QB sack. 

The Trojans have a bye in week 3. 

Photos by Philip Casper.

Top photo: Alexander’s Defensive line putting in work stopping the run.

RB Ricky Townley #5, Senior

QB Trent Woods #2, Junior, scrambling 

WR Christian Kissell #1, Senior

WR Christian Kissell #1, Senior

Pembroke lost to Canisteo-Greenwood on Friday in eight-man football 28-14.

No stats were submitted for the game.

Photos by Elizabeth Gabby.

The Oatkan Knights pulled out a close win in Bath over Bath-Haverling to open their season on Friday night, with placekicker Katelynn Everett providing the margin of victory.

She was 5-5 in point-after-attempts in the 35-32 win for Le Roy.

Both teams scored five touchdowns with Bath-Haverling unable to convert one PAT because of a blocked kick and failing to convert twice on two-point plays.

Tony Piazza rushed for 136 yards and scored twice on 15 attempts.  Tommy Condidorio gained 90 years and scored twice on 14 attempts. 

Jackson Fix scored a touchdown on 11 carries for 54 yards.

On defense, Jack Tonzi had 6.5 tackles and a sack.  Tony Piazza had 5.5 tackles and Xavien Walker had five.

Photos by Ed Henry. 

Top photo: LeRoy’s Bryce Lathan (42) and Jack Tonzi (no helmet) engulf the Bath RB.

Tony Piazza (22) leads the sweep for LR QB Tommy Condidorio.

LeRoy WR Cal Koukides snags a 30-yard reception from QB Condidorio.

Tony Piazza runs hard through the Bath defense.

LeRoy place kicker Katelyn Everett splits the uprights.

LeRoy place kicker Katelynn Everett was a perfect 5 of 5 on PATs for the Knights.

LeRoy linemen Ayden Riggi (67) and Will Eschberger (65) celebrate the team win. 

The final score was lopsided but it didn't necessarily look like it was going that way early in the game said OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter following the Aggies 70-6 win over the Geneseo Blue Devils.

"Contrary to the final score, we faced a little bit of adversity early in the game," Winters said. "It was good to see this group respond the way they did.  After our opening score, Geneseo came right back down the field and answered with a score of their own.  We needed to see if we could take one on the chin and not waver.  I'm proud of our guys for keeping their composure and keeping the pedal down for the remainder of the game."

Noah Currier helped lead the way with 132 yards rushing on 11 carries. He scored four touchdowns and also had an interception on defense.

QB Bodie Hyde tossed a 10-yard TD pass and gained 138 yards and scored two touchdowns on seven carries.

Conor Scott scored a touchdown and gained 49 yards on four caries. He had five tackles on defense.

Avery Watterson scored a touchdown on an 11-yard run.

On defense, Austin Pangrazio had seven tackles and a sack.  Brayden Smith had seven tackles as did T.J. Andrews.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more photos, click here.

Batavia dominated long-time rival Livonia in their home opener at Van Detta Stadium on Friday night, beating the Bulldogs 42-6.

The Blue Devils are now 2-0 in the young season.

Batavia scored midway through the first quarter on Javin McFollins' quarterback sneak.

The score was 14-0 at the end of the opening quarter after Carter McFollins snagged a touchdown pass tossed by Javin McFollins  

Just before the half, Livonia made it 14-6 on a Kyle Wetterings run (the two-point conversion attempt failed).

After the kickoff by Livonia to start the second half, Carter McFollins took the ball on the first play from scrimmage and dashed 65 yards to score the Blue Devils third touchdown.

Minutes later, Javin McFoolins hits Cole Grazioplene for a 31-yard TD.  The half ends 28-6  

Late in the third quarter Mehki Fortes made an interception to give the ball back to Batavia with three minutes left in the quarter.  Cam McCliniic scored on a 9-yard run to increase the lead 35-6.

on a 4-yard run, Aavion Bethel scores Batavia’s sixth touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Julia Petry was 6 for 6 on extra point coversions.

Javin McFollins was 5-6 passing for 118 yards and two TDS  Cam McClinic rushed for 62 yards and a TD on seven Carrie's   Carter NcFollins gained 73 yards and scored on three carries. He also had 63 yards and a TD on two receptions.    Aiden Anderson gained 72 yards on five carries.

in addition to the interception, Mekhi Fortes had seven tackles.

Batavia's next game is home against Monroe next Thursday night at VanDetta, with kickoff 6 p.m.  

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Armor Security staff members made their debut at Friday's home football game between Batavia and Livonia high schools. Spectators were wand-checked at the gate, and security guards were on site to ensure that the only commotion was on the field at Van Detta Stadium. Perhaps there was also some excitement in the stands as the Blue Devils blew away the competition by 42-6.

The security company has a contract through the end of this year, and members of Batavia Police Department were also on hand to check for illegal parking and related un-gamely behaviors. Superintendent Jason Smith has been adamant -- via a letter to parents and recommending the extra security -- that home football games will be safe and without unwanted disruptions from spectators. 

Friday's game included a moment of recognition during a dedication to honor all police and fire department and armed forces members.

Earlier in the day Smith issued his superintendent's update to the district, sharing that he is "personally thrilled to begin my first full school year as our Superintendent of Schools, and I look forward to experiencing all the fun and joys associated with being a Batavia Blue Devil!" Certainly, players, staff and fans experienced one of those well-deserved joys with Friday night's win.

District leaders were "out and about" during the first day of school on Wednesday, he said, and they are focused on three key teaching principles: effective teaching, literacy (reading and writing) across all content areas, and providing an engaging and consistent curriculum. Smith gave some advice that is well-suited for anyone: work hard and be kind.

To read the entire update, go HERE  

Go here for prior Robert Morris story, and district security.

Top Photo: Spectators are wand-checked as they enter Van Detta Stadium Friday evening; members of police, fire and armed forces were given a dedication to honor their service to the community. Photos by Steve Ognibene. File Photo: Superintendent Jason Smith takes board members on a tour of the revamped Robert Morris building before the first day of pre-school and UPK classes on Wednesday. Photo by Joanne Beck. Children arrive for the first day at Robert Morris. Photos from Batavia City Schools.