Press release:

Yesterday on ABC News, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said if Democrats regain control of the House, the House Judiciary Committee would have to investigate Brett Kavanaugh if he's confirmed to the Supreme Court.

"We are looking forward to seeing where our self-admitted progressive opponent Nate McMurray stands on this issue," said Collins campaign spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre. "Both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the FBI have done everything in their power to investigate these allegations, and so far both have come up with nothing.

"Now, Nancy Pelosi and her radical cohorts are desperately attempting to hijack this seat. The voters of NY-27 deserve to know if Nate McMurray agrees with the far-left cries to impeach Brett Kavanaugh."

Rep. Nadler, who would likely chair the House Judiciary Committee if Democrats regain control, said lawmakers "would have to investigate any credible allegations ... of perjury and other things that haven't been properly looked into before." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has even floated the idea of impeaching Kavanaugh if he is confirmed.

"If the FBI doesn't find any corroborating evidence against Brett Kavanaugh, the vast majority of Americans agree that he should be confirmed to the Supreme Court," Baldassarre added. "At the very least, Nate McMurray should let the voters of NY-27 know if he plans to stand in the way of that happening."

Press release:

On Sunday, Sept. 30, at about 4 p.m., a shop lifting took place at Tops supermarket. The suspect attempted to steal 12 cases of Tide Pods. The suspect was confronted by staff, and then fled the scene on foot.

It was believed the suspect may have fled to the Tonawanda Creek bank. Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Erion and K9 Destro were requested to assist in the search. The search was unsuccessful. Attached is the best picture available at this time.

The City of Batavia is asking for the community’s help in identifying the suspect. If anyone has information please contact Officer Lawrence at (585) 345-6350.

(Initial Post)

A manhunt is underway in the city for a would-be shoplifter who fled Tops Friendly Market within the last half hour, abandoning a cart with items he allegedly intended to steal.

Customers followed him and city police joined the pursuit, which had been by South Lyons Street and wound up in the vicinity of the old sewer plant off South Main Street. 

State troopers and Sheriff's Deputy Chris Erion and canine Destro (in photo above) are also searching the area. 

The only description of the suspect at this point is that he's a white male wearing a black plaid shirt and possibly eyeglasses.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The suspect is described as being in his mid-40s, balding, and also wearing jeans and white sneakers.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: The manhunt continues with Destro and his handler, Deputy Erion, focusing on the north side of the Tonawanda Creek.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: The manhunts continues, with a BOLO that's updated to say the suspect has on a red hoodie over a long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and "bright shoes."

Registration fees for this event, offered in conjunction with Volunteers for Animals, will be donated to the Genesee County Animal Shelter and the SPCA of Erie County.

The flier says there will be plenty of "pup-arazzi photo opportunities." 

Plenty of pet vendors will be there, too.

Time is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration/check-in begins at 11; paw-rade starts at noon; costume contest is at 1 o'clock.

All humans and canines welcome. All dogs MUST have proof of vaccination for rabies and distemper.

Price is $15 at the door. The theme park is located at 9993 Alleghany Road (Route 77) in Darien Center.

Participants will get free admission to the park for the dog and owner -- plus one free return admission for Fright Fest. There's also a free "wag bag" for participants. 

Additional tickets for family members and friends will be available for $20 each. 

• Most Creative
• Cutest
• Funniest

Don't be shy! Dress to the nines and strut your stuff with your furry bestie!

A downloadable registration form is available at the website above, which can be printed, completed and brought with you to facilitate registration at the door.

Here are the rules and restrictions:

• Do NOT leave dog(s) in vehicles;
• You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog;
• Dogs cannot be tied up or left alone at anytime;
• Dogs must be on a leash at all times;
• All dogs must be out of the park by 2 p.m.

A portion of the ceiling fell down inside the TA Travel Center. No smoke or flames, but the electricity is live and there was some sparking. The area inside where this occurred was not specified. No injuries reported. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 12:12 p.m.: A code enforcement officer from the Town of Darien is responding.

A motorcycle accident with serious injuries is reported in Byron at 6153 Searls Road. The location is between Cook Road and North Byron Road. Mercy Flight is on ground standby. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

A fight was reported outside at Hutchins Place and Lewis Place in the city. A caller to dispatch says the fight broke out after a dog was shot with a BB gun. A black male and female and a white male were involved; they subsequently went into a gray house. City police are on scene at 22 Hutchins Place.

Van Detta Stadium -- home for football, track and field, soccer and other sporting events -- has shared many memories in the last 90 years in Batavia.

The Batavia Blue Devils won their first game against Medina 31-0 on this day in 1928. Batavia faced Attica last night for its Homecoming game and won 49-6. The stadium, field, and track will get a complete makeover starting in the next couple weeks as construction will begin and be completed by August 2019. 

Batavia game highlights: Ray Leach scored four touchdowns on 13 carries for 280 yards. Ethan Biscaro was seven for eight, passing 137 yards.  Taiyo Iburi-Bethel had three catches for 79 yards. Josh Barber had 11 tackles.

Homecoming classes were announced at halftime. The 2019 Senior Class won Spirit Week with back-to-back consecutive Homecoming year wins. Senior Kristin Gloskowski was named Queen and Griffin Dellapenna was named King. Moments after being announced, Griffin then passed his crown hat to classmate Thomas Ognibene during the royalty announcements. 

The Batavia Varsity cheerleaders performed their routine followed by the pep band; then fans and alumni took to Woodward Field to honor its legacy. Carlyle M Johnson, 91, played football for Batavia High School and is pictured below with alumni.

Some history was read by announcer Paul Spiotta: “In 1927, the site of this field was given to Batavia City School District by Ernest L. Woodward and his wife, founder of Jell-O in Le Roy, through a friendship of Andrew J. McWaine, of Batavia. who was the publisher and owner of the Batavia Daily News.

"On Sept. 29 1928, the first Batavia football game was played and Batavia defeated Medina 31-1. In 1938, the current stadium was built. In 1974, the current stadium was named in honor of a special man, teacher, patriot, coach and friend, for the complete development of young people, a humanitarian who has left his mark on many men, Daniel A. Van Detta."

To view or purchase photos go here: https://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p403809773

Pictured (left to right, back to front): Erin Parnapy, Caleb Calhoun, Jacey Donahue, Sydney Brown, Jason Hoehn, Hope Hersom, Hannah Van Skiver, Kelly Ireland, Stephanie Buell, and Justine Bloom.

Submitted photo and press release:

Congratulations to the 10 Byron-Bergen students chosen to participate in the prestigious Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Chorus.

These students will join other top vocal performers from school districts across eight local counties to perform with the world famous Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Grammy-winning conductor Jeff Tzich.

"It's my last year," said senior Stephanie Buell. "I'm ready to go out with a bang with a great group of singers."

The students were selected via diverse criteria, including NYSSMA solo scores, experience singing in choirs, teacher recommendation, and overall musicality. Three of the selected singers also participated last year.

The students chosen to perform are sopranos Jacey Donahue, Hope Hersom, Kelly Ireland, Erin Parnapy, and Hannah Van Skiver, altos Justine Bloom, Sydney Brown, and Stephanie Buell, and basses Caleb Calhoun and Jason Hoehn.

"It's a tremendous honor," said Byron-Bergen music teacher and choirmaster Laurence Tallman.

All of the participating students study voice with Tallman and are members of the school's select chorus, the Singing Silhouettes. Despite the concert being almost three months away, the students are excited to get started. As sophomore Kelly Ireland put it, "We're pumped!"

The performances are: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20; 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22; and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is located at 108 East Ave. in Downtown Rochester. Tickets are on sale at the RPO website here, or by calling the box office at 454-7311.

The Alexander Trojans, now 5-0, kept their perfect season going Friday night with a 36-14 win over Bishop Timon on Homecoming night.

Dylan Busch was 3-5, 68 yards passing with two TDs. Chris McClinic ran for 202 yards on 17 carries and two TDs. He also had three receptions for 68 yards and two TDs. Terrez Smith had eight carries for 84 yards and a TD. Tyrone Woods had five tackles and an interception.

Also Friday night:

• York/Pavilion beat Cuba-Rushford 44-14
• Letchworth/Warsaw beat Le Roy 35-7
• Caledonia Mumford/Byron-Bergen beat Avon 20-14

Photos by Rick Franclemont. Click here for more photos from the game.

A two-car accident with injuries, in which one vehicle rolled over, is reported at 5380 Fotch Road, Stafford.

The location is between Byron Road and Byron -- Stafford Townline Road.

Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:18 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is called mutual aid to respond to the Stafford accident.

Press release:

On Thursday, Sept. 27, at Jackson Primary School, a first-grade student left the building and started walking home. School officials immediately instituted their Emergency Procedures and contacted the police.

The child was located shortly thereafter and was returned safely to school.

The District immediately reviewed its procedures to determine how this incident occurred and have made the necessary changes. Student safety is the top priority in The Batavia City School District and will always take the appropriate measures to protect them.

Press release:

Nate McMurray, the Democratic and Working Families Party Candidate for New York’s 27th Congressional District, today applauded the House of Representatives for unanimously approving legislation that would rename the Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act after the bill’s champion, the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. The bill outlawed insider trading in Congress.

“Here in New York’s 27th Congressional District, we know the consequences of a member of Congress who takes their constituents for granted and decides that enriching themselves is their top priority. It took the FBI arresting Mr. Collins for many to see what Congresswoman Slaughter had been saying for months.

“On the campaign trail, I often tell the story of the time I met Louise Slaughter. I tell them that when I decided to challenge Congressman Collins a lot of people told me to go home, a lot of people in Washington told me not to bother. But then I met Louise. In her legendary Kentucky accent, she told me ‘if you do it, fight like hell,’ and since then we’ve made that the motto of our campaign.

“Louise told me to fight like hell and she showed us what it looks like to fight for what’s right. I’m proud that the House of Representatives honored her once again by recognizing her integrity, tenacity and the simple idea that a representative’s duty is to the constituents they serve, not their own financial interests.”

This week, Real Clear Politics labeled Nate’s race a toss-up.

A bicyclist was struck and injured by a vehicle at 20 Main St. in Le Roy -- in front of the U.S. Post Office. The bicyclist and driver are now in the parking lot of the old Bank of America building nearby. Le Roy Ambulance Service is on scene. Le Roy Fire Department is called to respond.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: A 19-year-old male is being transported with minor injuries to UMMC. He is conscious and alert and has a small cut on his ear and shoulder abrasions.

Update: Contacted this afternoon, Brian Benedict, VP of Sales, said that while the plant has been open all week, the employees who were laid off did not work due to the shutting down of the Goodyear Welt line. He said that "normal operations" will resume on Monday with 40 employees on the job. He added that there were no other plans, at this time, for expanded production opportunities.

Press release:

P.W. Minor LLC, a Batavia footwear manufacturer, is undergoing a business operation restructuring and has idled their Goodyear Welt manufacturing line.

This decision resulted in the layoff of 45 full-time employees. The P.W. Minor plant in Batavia will stay open and will continue to manufacture orthopedic and diabetic footwear.

The decision to idle allows P.W. Minor to focus its attention to its existing American Made orthopedic and diabetic product line as the market for this type of footwear is growing in the United States and around the globe.

These products will continue to be manufactured in Batavia.

“Our focus through this entire process has been on our employee’s well-being. We want to thank them for their dedication, loyalty and hard work.” said P.W. Minor CEO Hundley Elliotte.

“We would also like to thank the NYS Department of Labor, the Genesee County Workforce Development Board and the local business community for their responsiveness and offers to help get our affected employees back to work as soon as possible. When the time is appropriate in our business cycle, we will re-engage our Goodyear Welt manufacturing capabilities.”

-------------

The move does not affect the Batavia Bootery retail store at 210 E.Main St., a multi-line store featuring quality brands including P.W. Minor footwear, said owner Dave Howe this morning.

"We have nothing to do with P.W. Minor as far as ownership is concerned," Howe said. "We're a completely separate entity ... and we are moving forward."

About P.W. Minor

P.W. Minor, founded in 1867 and located in Batavia, New York, is the second-oldest footwear manufacturer in the United States and the maker of orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.

Matt Grover from Troop 6006 of the First United Presbyterian Church presented his Eagle Project to Greg Post of the Town of Batavia this past Wednesday evening at Kiwanis Park in Batavia in front of friends, family and contributors to the project.

The project started last winter with a constructed sheet metal form from scrap to pour six concrete bench legs along with wood and other materials to make three benches. They were installed on Labor Day weekend by friends, family and with the help of his scout troop.

Various area businesses in Western New York include Marlin Salmon, DDS, from Salmon Orthodontists in Batavia was a huge contributor to this project. Other contributors were Brad Veley Masonry from Varysburg, Joe's Pro Shop and Trophy’s Batavia, Unidex machine shop from Warsaw, Paul from T R Goldsmith & Son Inc. in Tonawanda, and Don Anderson from the troop. 

"The project was an amazing learning experience and had endless challenges, problem solving involved but at points proved very difficult and I often had no clue how I was going to solve a specific issue, but with the help of my personal engineer and father it turned out better than I could ever imagine," Matt said, adding that "the skills I have learned in this will help me in endeavors in college, the military and the workforce."

Matt presents Batavia orthodonist Marlin Salmon with a plaque.

Town of Batavia Supervisor Greg Post congratulates Matt.