After years of cramped quarters in their office on Washington Avenue, Batavia, Creamy Creations cut the ribbon today on their new space in Masse Gateway.

The company now has 7,000 square feet for its laboratory, storage and offices to serve customers throughout the Western Hemisphere.

"We’re definitely optimistic about the future," said Barbara Van Hoorn, VP of the Americas for Creamy Creations. "There’s room to grow and we anticipate hiring more people in the future."

Creamy Creations is a subsidiary of FrieslandCampina, which is based in the Netherlands. Three FrieslandCampina executives were in Batavia for the ribbon cutting, including Roelof Josten, COO of FrieslandCampina (above, Van Hoorn and Josten perform the ribbon cutting).

Currently, Creamy Creations employs nine people in Batavia, with a 10th person starting next week and immediate plans to hire another sales person.

The company creates emulsified beverages, both containing alcohol and nutritional drinks. Many of its drinks are created for and in cooperation with O-AT-KA.

Van Hoorn said the company was created after Bailey's introduced Irish Cream in 1974 in response to customer requests to develop similar products. The company moved from Wisconsin to Batavia in 1993, in part to be closer to O-AT-KA. It now services beverage companies from Chili to Canada.

Creamy Creations is Masse's first official tenant. Merrill Lynch is expected to open an office in the redevelopment project by the end of the summer. Owner and manager Tom Mancuso said Mancuso Development Group is in active negotiations to fill the remaining 48,000 square feet.

Steven Alexander, from the Netherlands, is managing director of Creamy Creations.

Tom Mancuso

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported on Route 77 between Ledge and Marble roads. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with medics.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: The accident involves a car and a tractor-trailer.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested, out of Oakfield. The tractor-trailer's fuel tank is intact.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: One patient is being transported to the hospital in Warsaw.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: A second patient is being taken to the Warsaw hospital.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: Alabama is back in the hall, in service.

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Singer Aaron Tippin comes to Frost Ridge Campround on Saturday, June 9.

This hitmaker is more than that. He's also a pilot, farmer, winemaker, outdoorsman, competitive body builder and devoted family man. "Hillbilly Hercules" hails from South Carolina and came into the country music spotlight in 1990 with such hits as "You've got to Stand for Something" and "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio."

His latest album, his 13th, is called "In Overdrive" and it's full of fresh takes on truck drivin' classics like "Six Days on the Road," "Prisoner of the Highway," and "East Bound and Down."

Before "The Hardest Working Man in Country Music" takes the stage, some of the best local bands will perform. Mayberry After Midnight, Bush Hogs, Double Cross and Closing Time will get the crowd moving and ready for Aaron Tippin.

If you want to camp with the bands or meet Aaron in person reserve early or get your VIP Tickets with a private meet-and-greet before they're all gone. Tickets start at $15 and this fundraising event will support the Veterans Administration in Batavia as well as a drop box for Toys For Tots (one of Aaron Tippin's charities). The Toys For Tots drop box will be manned by our Marine(s) whether folks stay for the concert or not.

Purchasing tickets with the PROMO CODE "TBVA" will provide a donation to the Batavia VA, give the purchaser the pre-sale discount price for tickets and enter
them in a drawing for a free upgrade to VIP passes for two.

Try out Frost Ridge's new professional dance floor and see the stage expansion that has even the artists talking. Only tent, overflow and offsite dry camping available remain for this jam. These, too, will sell out, so reserve before they're gone.

The campground and concert venue is located at 8101 Conlon Road in Le Roy. Phone is 768-4883. Email is info@frostridge.com

Two teenagers from Oakfield were arrested today following an investigation into a report of a missing child and accused of smoking marijuana with a 12-year-old.

Charged with endangering the welfare of a child were Emily Joan Walker, 19, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, and Mark Anthony McNutt, 17, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield.

One incident was reported at 33 Sunset Parkway, allegedly involving Walker, and one incident, allegedly involving McNutt, was reported at 20 South Pearl St., Oakfield. The first alleged incident was reported at 2 a.m., the second at 3:30 a.m.

Both Walker and McNutt were issued appearance tickets.

Deputies Jason Saile and Kevin McCarthy handled the investigation.

Kate Elizabeth Brozic, 29, of Lake Road South, Brockport, is charged with two counts of bail jumping, 3rd.  Brozic allegedly missed two court appearances after being bailed out of jail. She was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Amanda Jane Richardson, 27, of Hillside Terrance, Silver Springs, is charged with a violation of probation. Richardson turned herself in on a bench warrant out of Genesee County Court. Richardson was jailed pending arraignment.

Michael James McCarthy, 24, of Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. McCarthy is accused of violating an order of protection by contacting the protected party.

Gavin David Laben, 18, of Darien, is charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd. Laben allegedly resisted arrest while an Erie County deputy tried to take him into custody on an accusation of criminal mischief in Erie County.

Jodee Marie Henderson, 27, of no permenant address, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Henderson, along with two other individuals, is accused of stealing merchandise from Stan's Harley Davidson on West Saile Drive, Batavia. The suspects allegedly stole $214 in merchandise. Henderson was jailed on $500 bail. Also arrested on the same charges and released were Leaha Rae Anne Wimmer, 19, of Darien, and Nicholas Adam Antonucci, 25, of Alexander.

Nicholas Christian Doell, 21, of Darien, is charged with trespass, operating an unregistered ATV and unlawful operating an ATV on a highway. Doell was arrested after allegedly failing to comply with the instructions of a police officer while allegedly operating an ATV on Norfolk Southern Railroad property in Darien.

Seth Ryan Doster, 20, of Darien, is charged with trespass and disorderly conduct. Doster was allegedly involved in a verbal dispute with a neighbor while on private property. Also arrested on the same charges in connection with the same incident was a 17-year-old resident of Darien.

The issue of overnight parking downtown was put in reverse by the Batavia City Council on Monday, when by unanimous consent members sent it back to where the controversy started -- the BID Parking Committee.

The council was following the recommendation of City Manager Jason Molino, who suggested the parking committee -- which according to him, initially asked for parking restrictions to be enforced -- come up with a compromise plan.

"We want to try and do what’s best for everyone," Molino said. "Sometimes you can’t satisfy everyone, but we’re going to try to. I think the best thing is have the BID parking committee review the issue further and come back with recommendations."

Molino said the situation is a balancing act of various interests. Parking lot clean-up and plowing requires overnight parking be limited and ideally confined to a defined area, and downtown business owners are worried about employees and customers who need to use the parking lot between 2 and 6 a.m. getting tickets.

About a dozen local business owners attended Monday's meeting, along with BID Director Don Burkel.

Burkel informed the council that the BID board met earlier in the day and agreed that overnight parking fees should not be increased.

"In light of trying to promote downtown for residential use, as well as for shopping and restaurants and other various businesses, the board is in favor of avoiding any increases so as not to shortchange (downtown) in any way," Burkel said.

Louis Kingsbury, an employee of Ken Mistler and Jerry Condello, spoke as a representative of local businesses.

Kingsbury listed off a number of concerns: Where are employees supposed to park whose shift ends after 2 a.m. or starts before 6 a.m.? Who's liable when a plow hits a parked car?

"I'm just trying to figure out a solution to the whole scenario so it's feasible for everybody," Kingsbury said.

Condello delivered pages of signatures on petitions of people opposing overnight downtown parking restrictions.

Council members had a variety of initial reactions. John Canale wondered why people pay for parking when they've already paid for the parking lot through their taxes. Jim Russell said some sort of order and structure is necessary to the parking situation.

And if bar patrons decide not to drive home and still wind up getting a ticket, well that's a small price to pay compared to a DWI, Russell said.

Bar owners argue that customers won't necessarily look at it that way, but Molino said there is an application process in place for anybody who gets a ticket under extenuating circumstances.

The fee for the overnight parking permit is necessary, City Attorney George Van Nest said, because there are court cases that prevent government agencies from giving away taxpayer-owned property. A parking spot is a piece of real estate and if you're going to give a person special permission to use the property when others can't, there needs to be a fair-market price attached to that use.

Molino established the overnight parking fee -- which he can set under local law -- at the same rate as a garbage Dumpster fee, under the premise that the fee establishes market value for that much space being used by a private party.

So far, a total of nine overnight parking passes have been purchased by downtown residents. Tickets and fees account for only about $1,000 in city revenue, Molino said.

William Henry Foote, 57, of Myers Road, Oswego, is charged with felony driving while ability impaired by combined drugs and alcohol, felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and felony driving while ability impaired by drugs. Foote was arrested after deputies responded at 3:35 p.m., Monday, to a report of a person who said he had burned himself by spilling coffee on his chest. Foote was evaluated by ambulance medics, but refused further treatment. Further investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff and Deputy Howard Carlson led to Foote's arrest.

Russell Hosahi Blumer, 39, of Gillate Road, Alexander, is charged with assault, 3rd, resisting arrest, aggravated DWI and DWI. Blumer was allegedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Gillate Road, Alexander, at 4:23 p.m., Monday. Blumer was later located operating a Kubota tractor and was allegedly intoxicated. Blumer was allegedly verbally combative and physically resisting arrest, causing a hand/finger injury to a deputy. The deputy was treated at UMMC and released.

A 17-year-old resident of River Street, Batavia, and a 16-year-old resident of South Main Street, Batavia, are charged unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. The youths were allegedly found in possession of beer at 11:42 p.m., Saturday, at a location on Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Deidre Roshelle Scott, 25, of an undisclosed address, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and inadequate headlights. Scott is accused of giving a false identification following a traffic stop at 2:03 p.m., March 15. Scott's alleged deception was discovered after Scott reportedly failed to appear in court and the person whose identity she allegedly used was issued a summons for failure to appear.

James Thomas Kusmierczak, 27, of Chestnut Street, Medina, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Kusmierczak was stopped for allegedly consuming beer in a motor vehicle. During the stop, Kusmierczak was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Jeffery Scott, 29, of Keeney Road, Le Roy, and Adrian James, 32, of East Main Street Road, Le Roy, are charged with trespass and petit larceny. The two men were arrested following a report of people removing property from a local business. When approached, Scott was immediately taken into custody. James was captured after initially fleeing on foot.

Melissa G. Betances, 31, of 180 1/2 Pearl St., Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Betances was stopped Monday on Pearl Street by Officer Darryle Streeter.

Josanne Alysse Schultz, 23, of Wolcottsville Road, Akron, is charged with petit larceny. Schultz is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Brett Douglas Perfitt, 17, of Bennett Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, speed not reasonable and moved from lane unsafely. Perfitt was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 2:10 a.m., Monday, on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama.  Perfitt allegedly failed to reduce speed when approaching a curve and traveled off the roadway into the woods. Perfitt said he was not injured in the accident and declined medical treatment. The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

A 64-year-old Wyoming Steuben County resident whose pickup truck struck a tree in Pavilion is in satisfactory condition at Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was taken by Mercy Flight following the accident at 4:19 p.m., Sunday.

Kentin P. Dana, of Veterans Avenue, Bath, apparently suffered a medical condition, which led to the accident.

Dana was southbound on Route 63 when his 2000 Ford pickup went off the road and struck a tree.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responded and found Dana semiconscious in his vehicle.

The accident was invested by Deputy Cory Mower.

(Initial Report)

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the extreme southeastern portion of Genesee County by the National Weather Service in Buffalo. It's in effect until 1:15 p.m.

Doppler radar initially spotted the storm 18 miles south of Batavia at 12:16 p.m. and moving east at 35 mph.

The storm is capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. The National Weather Service warns: you should move indoors immediately -- if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning, one of nature's number-one killers.

Later this afternoon, there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Breezy, with a west wind between 18 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Press release:

Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center received the Economic Developer of the Year award by the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) at the organization’s annual meeting on May 24th in Cooperstown. Hyde also was named vice-chair of the NYSEDC’s board of directors.

“Steve has shown strong, creative leadership in leading the ongoing transformation of Genesee County into one of the state’s most promising regions for growth,” said Brian McMahon, executive director of NYSEDC.  “Steve’s colleagues in New York’s development community especially admire his balanced approach to development. He has built a broad portfolio of success that includes high-tech development, agri-business related growth and life sciences based opportunity, and development of housing and livability-related initiatives.”

In presenting the award to Hyde the NYSEDC cited that since 2003 more than 300 economic development projects have come to Genesee County generating more than $610 million worth of capital investment and the creation of approximately 3,149 jobs.

“While I am humbled by this award and recognition, it would not have been possible without the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in Genesee County and the dedication and hard work of my staff,” Hyde said. “I want to especially recognize the leadership of our board and our board Chairman John Andrews and Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock as well as all of the elected officials who represent Genesee County.”

The GCEDC also was the recipient of certificates of excellence for the organization’s electronic newsletter and Web site, and received an honorable mention for its marketing and promotional materials.

Photo: The Batavian file photo.

When Dee dee Hintz got a phone call from someone saying that her 7-year-old granddaughter, Angelique "Angel" Heick (pictured), had been recommended by an anonymous source for the National American Miss pageant, she was a little leery.

At first, she thought this was like the controversial TV reality series "Toddlers & Tiaras" or a similar type of dolled up pre-teen fashion shows. But it turned out to be exactly the opposite.

"The first thing that got me was the no-makeup rule," Hintz said. "(The contestants) aren't allowed to wear makeup or hairpieces. It's not about how they look or how they're dressed -- it's about who they are."

National American Miss is an annual contest designed to develop confidence, independence, poise and community involvement in young girls. It is open to girls ages 4 to 18 and is divided into five different pageants, each for a specific age group.

Heick -- a top-performing second-grader at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, a three-year Girl Scout and a four-year soccer player with Gillam-Grant -- will take part in the New York Junior Pre-Teen pageant from Aug. 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester. She will be competing with girls from all over Western and Central New York for the title of Miss New York.

Among other things, the requirements for her age group include writing an essay, submitting report cards (Hintz said the grades don't officially count, but are taken into consideration) and writing a résumé.

As part of an optional talent portion, Heick is also going to perform in a commercial for the young girls clothing retailer "Justice."

Once on stage, the girls will introduce themselves to a large crowd of people and be interviewed by the pageant judges, answering questions such as what they want to be when they grow up, why they want to represent their state in this pageant, etc.

Contestants are judged in four categories:

• Formal Wear (30%)
• Personal Introduction (30%)
• Interview (30%)
• Community Involvement (10%)

For the "community involvement" component, Heick is donating 12 toys for each month of the year to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Each set of 12 toys will go to six boys and six girls.

She said she is buying these toys with the money she earns by "doing jobs" around the house.

If she wins the title, she will be given a paid trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., where she will compete in the nationals. In the meantime, she will also have the opportunity to meet Governor Andrew Cuomo, be an honored speaker at the state fair, and crown her successor at next year's pageant.

More importantly, she wants to use the influence she will have as Miss New York for the good of others.

"If I win the title, I want to educate parents and children about the dangers of bullying," Heick said.

That goal is consistent with Heick's compassionate character, which her grandmother had a lot to say about.

Hintz and her husband are raising Heick and her three siblings in Bergen. She said that compassion is Heick's top quality.

As an example, she mentioned the fact that Heick found a wounded frog in January and brought it home, where the family took care of it and fed it until it got better. In March, they let it go free.

"She's also a great big sister," Hintz said, pointing out that she reacts with patience whenever her younger sister steals her things (which is all the time).

She also feels very deeply for the victims of bullying and violence, even if she only knows about them from the media.

With her positive, upbeat attitude and personal strength, Heick has also been recognized as a leader among her peers.

"Every day she teaches me so much," Hintz said. "I want her to get where she wants to go. She has goals, works at them, and somehow accomplishes them."

Heick said her ultimate career goal is to become a cardiac neonatal surgeon.

"I want to help little babies and work on their hearts, "she said.

With three months to go, Heick still needs local sponsors.

So far, she has been sponsored by Genesee Patrons Cooperative Insurance Company, Computer and Phone Repair, Marchese Computer Products, Urban Preschool, and Intelligent Choice of WNY (Hintz's business). She needs to raise $220 more in sponsorship fees, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Heick is also participating in an advertising contest. If she gets eight pages of advertising for the pageant program, she will win a $1,500 scholarship for college.

Anyone interested in sponsoring and/or advertising with Heick should email angel@angeliqueheick.com.

For more information, visit Heick's Web site: www.angeliqueheick.com. For more details on National American Miss, go to the FAQs page on the program's Web site.

There was no mistaking the telltale markings. Even at a distance the wing span, white heads and white tail patches indicated we were looking at a pair of bald eagles in flight. While the pair of eagles soared above the Genesee River, Le Royan Jerry Fitzsimmons and his grandson, Ryan Fitzsimmons, of Caledonia, were gliding past the right bank in a tandem kayak. Riding the current, Jerry maneuvered quietly, hoping to get close enough for photos. Finally, one of the eagles alit on the remains of a weathered log, enabling Jerry to get a few pics before it once again took flight.   

It was day three and the final leg of a canoe trip that included, in addition to Jerry and Ryan, Andrew and Kathleen Hulme, of Pavilion, Christine Hayes, a Pavilion currently residing in Brockport, Batavians Jeremy and Amy Fitzsimmons, and myself.

Our river run began late on a Friday in the Allegeny town of Caneadea. A short paddle on the Rushford Lake overflow took us onto the Genesee River. That first day on the river found us still paddling as the sun drew near the horizon and Jeremy opted for a suitable gravel bar to set up our tents. Our campsite wasn't really lined with gravel, but rocks of all sizes that had been washed and shaped by the river for ages.

Camping on a gravel bar has its perks -- with no woodland canopy to contend with, we had an unobstructed view of the night sky. And what a view it was. There, nestled between the hills of the Southern Tier and shielded from even the faintest light from nearby towns, the river bottom was dark. The temperature dropped into the 40s that night with the air crisp and cool. When I woke during the wee hours the sight overhead was nothing short of spectacular. I never bothered with the camera -- combined with the surrounding darkness and the still of the night, a photo would never have done justice to the nocturnal panorama overhead.

I was still half asleep when a turkey began to gobble somewhere in woods along the river. Judging from the frequency of his calls, the tom was intent on finding a hen. Once the sun climbed above the horizon grosbeaks began to sing while Jerry prepared a hearty breakfast of sausage, potatoes, eggs and hot coffee. After scalding my lips on the coffee, it was time to break camp and load the canoes for day two on the river.

Because each craft was laden with gear, each day prior to setting out Jerry loaded the canoes, maintaing a proper balance. Because the Genesee is, as Jeremy described it, a "pool and drop" river, Jerry's expertise proved invaluable, particularly encountering the fast water found wherever the river dropped in elevation and did so at a sharp bend.

Jerry first paddled a canoe at the age of 9. His favorite haunt in those early years was an area of Oatka Creek known as Bailey's Mills near the Le Roy-Pavilion border. He and son Jeremy have been running rivers for decades, both as licensed NYS guides and recreational paddlers. Experienced and accommodating on the river, they not only served as our guides but also our outfitters and camp cooks as well. All they asked of us was to enjoy the trip...no problem! 

At noon of our second day we stopped for lunch on a gravel bar where the river flows past Fillmore. Another two hours of paddling took us to Rossburg where the Wiscoy Creek spills into the Genesee. That's where we made camp for our second night and it's also where we spotted one of two beavers we saw along the route. This one was busy making repairs to its home.

We saw several mergansers on the river and early that evening, not far from camp, Jerry spotted a fox kit and shortly thereafter located a den. When Jerry returned with his camera the young fox was nowhere to be seen, but he did find some turkey remains, including an entire wing, quills still intact. Evidently the mother fox had been teaching her kits the finer points in stalking North America's wiliest game bird.  

I'm not sure what Jerry's pointing at here. Could have been a heron, hawk, deer or beaver.

Cliff swallows were active wherever the river bank afforded them a place to live. The bluff pictured above contained a sizeable colony, literally dozens of small caves where the species make their homes.

While the entire trip proved to be a relatively comfortable paddle, our last morning on the river provided a few more stretches of white water along with a few obstacles. At times we had to contend with submerged boulders that came into view at the last second or bony tree limbs sticking out of the water. When the potential trouble spots were located in a bend and the current suddenly picks up speed, it required some hard paddling and oftentimes a quick change of direction, kind of like negotiating a "river chicane." Such maneuvers were exhilarating and challenging and a great way to end the trip. Our trip came to an end at Portageville after covering an estimated 30 miles on the river.

A hearty thanks to my fellow paddlers for a fun experience and for sharing photos!

To be eligible to win, you must Like Bontrager's page on Facebook (no other Like qualifies) and register for the contest. To enter the contest, click here.

On the way back from the accident on Swamp Road today, I headed down Route 262 and passed these old military vehicles flying four flags.

There were several Memorial Day observances throughout Genesee County today.  Here are photos from the Genesee County Park, Williams Park, the VA Center, the Bergen parade, the Batavia parade and the St. Jerome's ceremony.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

An unknown type fire is reported in the area of the Darien Transfer Station, 2299 Attica Road, Darien.

Darien Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE 8:57 p.m.: Darien back in service.

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A 4-year-old child suffered possible whiplash in a two-car accident at routes 33 and 77, in Corfu.

Corfu Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 9:07 p.m.: Corfu back in service.

A serious injury accident is reported at Swamp Road, east of Hessenthaler Road. There are reportedly two people unconscious in the vehicle. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. A responder on scene has spotted the vehicle in the middle of a field. Mercy Flight is put on standby.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: They are asking that extraction equipment be brought in.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Fire police from Bergen are requested to shut down Swamp Road at Pocock Road.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight is heading to the scene.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.: One male required extrication and was boarded on Mercy Flight, which is now airborne.

UPDATE 5:59 p.m.: The man is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.