An elderly Canadian man died shortly before noon in the two-car collision at Route 63 (Lewiston Road) and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road. He was traveling northbound on Route 63 when his car crossed the center line for reasons unknown, striking a southbound car head on.

The struck vehicle was occupied by a couple from Williamsville and they were transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Names will be forthcoming.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The name of the Williamsville couple is Michael and Diane Zakes, former funeral directors in Oakfield. It will be some time before investigators determine the cause of the accident, if they ever do. Sgt. Kurt Schmitt requests that any witnesses who haven't been interviewed to please call State Police. Schmitt said, "(The elderly driver) was well into the left lane. We don't know why he crossed. That's part of our investigation." He added later, "There are clear indications that tell us he crossed into the left lane. There are indications in the roadway."

A working vehicle fire is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 389.5. Fire units from the Town of Batavia are called to the scene. State Troopers are handling traffic control.

Multiple emergency calls to dispatch are prompting requests for all available manpower to help with emergency coverage, including traffic control at Veteran's Memorial Drive and Route 63. The latter is needed due to the two-car accident at Route 63 and Batavia-Oakfield TL Road.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The fire is under control.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.: The fire is out. The burned vehicle is a mini-van.

UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: All Town of Batavia fire units back in service.

A two-car accident with injuries has been reported at Route 63 (Lewiston Road) and Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m.: Law enforcement on scene, "expediate EMS." Extraction required. A second ambulance requested by first Mercy medic on scene.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: All northbound traffic is closed at Galloway Road and Route 63.

UPDATE 11:59 a.m.: More manpower is needed. Town of Batavia Fire Department is called as mutual aid to Oakfield. Traffic is to be shut down at Veteran's Memorial Drive and Lewiston.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: A coroner is requested to the scene.

UPDATE12:09 p.m.: A man and a woman are transported to UMMC with minor injuries. Both were wearing seat belts and air bags were deployed. He has some bruising where the seat belt was and she has wrist pain. Now there is a van on fire on the Thruway, mile marker 389.5 eastbound, and so deputies are going to handle traffic control at Veteran's Drive and Route 63. State Troopers are going to the Thruway along with fire units.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Department is back in service.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The name of the Williamsville couple is Michael and Diane Zakes, former funeral directors in Oakfield. It will be some time before investigators determine the cause of the accident, if they ever do. Sgt. Kurt Schmitt requests that any witnesses who haven't been interviewed to please call State Police. Schmitt said, "(The elderly driver) was well into the left lane. We don't know why he crossed. That's part of our investigation." He added later, "There are clear indications that tell us he crossed into the left lane. There are indications in the roadway."

The 2011 Challenger Baseball season is in full swing at MacArthur Park, Batavia.

The annual program sponsored by Genesee ARC and the YMCA gives local children with special needs a chance to play baseball on Sunday evenings for a few weeks each summer.

Area youth volunteer to help with the games.

More pictures after the jump:

A lawn mower is apparently on fire, reportedly on the back of a truck or trailer, in the area of 3542 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE 11:17 a.m.: A National Grid truck happened by and the driver used his fire extinguisher to put out the blaze. An East Pembroke chief is on scene investigating.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: All East Pembroke units held in quarters.

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A contractor has reportedly struck a natural gas line at 8470 Violet Lane, Batavia, and there is gas leaking.

Town of Batavia Fire Department being dispatched. National Fuel has been notified. No ETA.

UPDATE 10:37 a.m.: Low-pressure line, very small hole. Town assignment held to Engine 24, non-emergency response.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: National Fuel on scene.

UPDATE 10:55 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire back in service.

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More than 750 people turned out for a traditional Hindu wedding celebration in Batavia over the weekend.

Sunday's ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the groom's family and friends walking (and dancing) from the Best Western Hotel on Park Road to the Clarion Hotel on Park Road. The wedding service took place inside the Clarion followed by a traditional Indian meal for lunch.

Married where Urvi, daughter of Kalpana Harish Patel and Harish Nathubhai Patel, and Sanjiv, son of Jyotiben Bimalbhai Avichal and Bimalbhai Bhukhandas Avichal

Urvi is a U.S. Army officer.

Thank you to the Patel and Avichal families as well as Clarion owner Chan Patel for allowing me to photograph the wedding. Everybody I met today was warm, kind and accommodating.

More pictures after the jump:

Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze is asking that any readers who might be able to recognize the person in this photo to contact him at jmdefreze@batavianewyork.com or to contact the Batavia PD. DeFreze did not specify the nature of the investigation, just that the photo is associated with an incident at a local bank.

The following arrests were made by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Tim McGraw concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

Jordan M. Kuhn, 24, of Salzburg Village, Palmyra, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. Kuhn allegedly struck a Darien Lake security officer in the face and then fought with security. He was also allegedly found to be in possession of a stolen sign belonging to Darien Lake. Kuhn was jailed on $1,000 bail. 

Crystal M. Norris, 26 of Salzburg Village, Palmyra, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Norris is accused of pushing a Darien Lake security guard during the arrest of Kuhn.

Mark P. Scally, 27, of Norhill Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Scally was allegedly found in possession of drugs and an expandable billy club.

Stephen J. Csapo, 20, of Commerce Drive, Avon, is charged with trespass. Csapo allegedly reentered the facility after being ejected and told not to return.

Thomas J. Metacale, 21, of Main Street, Hornell, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being ejected. 

Joseph M. Cicero, 21, of Carter Road, Fairport, is charged with trespass. Cicero was ejected from the concert venue and then allegedly tried to reenter by jumping a fence.

Maureen K. Freeman, 20 of North Avenue, Avon, is charged with trespass. Freeman allegedly returned to the concert venue after being ejected.

Joshua D. Caples, 20, of Oswego Road, Phoenix, is charged with disorderly conduct. Caples is accused of urinating on other people in the lawn area of the concert venue.

Robert P. Coots, 34, of West Transit Church Road, Albion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Coots allegedly drove from the concert venue in an intoxicated condition.

The following citations were issued for allegedly possession of alcohol under 21 years of age:

Katrina L. Schmieder, 19, of Route 98, Attica
William Ruiz III, 18, of Maryland Street, Buffalo
Mitchell P. Hamilton, 19, of Route 36, Jasper
Tyler S. Odell, 20, of Route 36, Canisteo
Kristin K. Pierce, 20, of East Avenue, Arkport
Cody J. McCormick, 20, of 4th Street, Canisteo
A 17-year-old of Captain’s Cove Lane, Webster
A 16-year-old of Bay Meadow Drive, Webster

A car has reportedly struck a pole in the area of 7444 Reuben Road, Basom, the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

The driver is reportedly unconscious.

Pole and wires are down. Emergency responders advised to use caution upon approach.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight not required. A second ambulance requested to the scene. Two people are injured.

UDPATE 5:14 p.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: A Mercy medic requests Mercy Flight to the scene. A landing zone is being set up at Ledge and Reuben roads.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, headed to Erie County Medical Center.

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State Troopers are looking for a tan (or gold) 1996 Buick Le Sabre sedan heading eastbound (toward the city) on Route 5 after it was seen leaving a park where the driver is suspected of exposing himself.

The incident reportedly happened moments ago at the Kiwanis Park on West Main Street in the Town of Batavia.

The car is registered to a Buffalo resident.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: Two calls were received on this. The man allegedly acted in a lewd manner and then tried to "cover it up" by pretending to urinate. "You never see many gold Buicks until you're looking for one. I've got five in the area all with different plates (than the one being sought)," says an officer.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: The man is described as "older" and possibly wearing a blue shirt. So far, officers have found about 10 similar Buicks, most of which are unoccupied and parked in parking lots. None of the vehicles have plates close to the one being sought.

We used to have a series of tutorial videos, but they became outdated. For some time, I've wanted to remake them and this weekend got a chance to start on that project.

Since we have so many questions on how to post a video in a comment, I thought that ought to be the first topic to cover.

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley: 

The passage of a property tax cap is the culmination of years of hard work from both New York taxpayers and the Assembly Minority Conference who have never wavered in their support of protecting this state’s families and businesses. No longer will Western New Yorkers, facing some of the highest property taxes in the nation, be prevented from obtaining the American Dream of owning their own home.

No longer will upstate businesses be forced out of our community, which has led to massive job loss and unemployment. Today is a new day in New York – a day that we finally say to our family and businesses, “You are welcome here.”

However, the victory in our long battle for this tax cap must also highlight the need to expand mandate relief. Our homeowners and businesses are not the only ones that suffer from Albany’s spending addiction, our local governments and school districts are struggling to cope with these issues as well. The measures we have taken to reduce the crushing burden on localities is not the end of a journey, but rather a first step toward the true, sweeping reforms it will take to repeal the onerous cost drivers that Albany has passed onto local governments.

We have opened the door for real, substantive mandate relief, but we haven’t done enough. I pledge to continue working tirelessly to ease the burden on local governments and school districts so that they can provide the vital services that our communities rely on without increasing costs to the taxpayer. I am confident that the accomplishments made today will serve as a springboard for even more success in the future.

From Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer:

“The State Senate passed historic legislation last night to make New York the 44th state to cap property taxes.  A cap will stop property taxes from spiraling out of control and prevent homeowners from being taxed out of their homes. But in order for the cap to work, mandate relief will be needed.”

“That is why the State Senate also took the first steps to begin to provide $127 million in much needed mandate relief for school districts and municipalities. The act also sets up a Mandate Relief Council to establish a procedure to repeal unfunded mandates.”

“There is still much work to be done on mandate relief, including relieving counties of burdensome Medicaid and pension payments and school districts of onerous and duplicative audits.  As the year progresses, I will work with the Governor, and my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly, to not just take first steps, but to make giant leaps towards achieving additional mandate relief.”

The United Way of Genesee County announced this week that it surpassed its goal for the 2011 campaign by 6 percent. The annual campaign, which ended May 15, raised $414,702. 

“We are so grateful to the people of Genesee County for their support and generosity," Executive Director Jamie Rada said. “We will be able to invest these resources into programs that do the most good to help our community.”

United Way annually supports 15 community agencies that provide emergency services and programs that are vital to the quality of life for Genesee County residents. A United Way donation ensures that the best resources remain available to those who are in of assistance.

In addition, the United Way sponsors the annual Day of Caring that draws more than 260 volunteers who help with projects that assist local not-for-profit agencies. The United Way also initiated and funds the successful backpack program in the City of Batavia schools.

United Way officials announced that the 2012 campaign chaircouple will be Jay and Ann Marie Gsell.

Claudia Germuga, a Batavia High School senior, has won a $5,000 Student of Integrity Scholarship from the Upstate New York Better Business Bureau.

She is a very accomplished dancer and art student who has received lots of recognition from her school. She is described as a student with strong convictions who is determined to set a good example for her peers.

Here's a press release from Holiday Hollow in Pembroke.

After 20 years of family oriented Halloween entertainment and three years of Christmas and "tea tasting" shows, the George Walker family at Holiday Hollow in Pembroke has added dinner theater to their repertoire.

On Saturday, July 16, they will premiere "13 Memento Mori Lane," a comedy/mystery/farce, at their new theater, Yorkshire Hall.

Author/director Zachary Walker says that "the show begins the moment you enter the door, as the villain greets you...as you sit down do a delicious dinner, mind your belongings, and get ready for poison brandy, tangled tangos, crashing chandeliers -- and broccoli. What murder would be complete without broccoli?"

Yorkshire Hall shows are usually limited to group bookings and tour buses.

"This is a chance for the general public to get to see our elegant new hall and have a great dinner and show as well," said George Walker, senior member of the family.

But he says that this presentation is unique and future "general public" presentations will depend on response.

"We receive many requests to open our shows to local residents, and this will be a chance to see if there's enough community interest to make future offerings possible," Walker said.

The July 16 "world premiere" of "13 Memento Mori Manor" is scheduled for just one performance at this time, but will feature a "super discount price" of $19.95, which includes dinner, the show, and gratuity.

Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 762-8160. Additional information is available at www.Yorkshire-Hall.com.

The deadline is fast approaching for people interested in enrolling in the Advanced Manufacturing and Nano-Technology Certificate Training Program.

Applications will continue to be accepted until July 15, and after that people will be placed on a waiting list. The program is FREE of charge and will run for 11 weeks, beginning in September.

Applications for the program are available through the Genesee County Career Center, 587 E. Main St., Suite 100, East Town Plaza, Batavia. Updates regarding the program will be posted on the Genesee County Economic Development Center's website at www.gcedc.com

The GCEDC -- in conjunction with Genesee Community College (GCC) and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) -- developed the program to help bridge the gap between employers and prospective employees.

Funded by a grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal, the training program is designed to prepare participants for entry-level manufacturing positions by introducing them to the skill sets necessary to succeed in a high-tech and advanced-manufacturing environment.

“We currently have a tremendous pool of applicants for the certificate program, but will continue accepting applications for the program to ensure that any community member who would like to participate is given an equal opportunity,” said John Jakubowski, education consultant for the GDEDC.

Preparation for employment is crucial in any industry.

“The more prepared students become in advanced manufacturing, the more successful they will be in future endeavors and valuable to employers,” Jakubowski said.

Successful participants will earn a certificate in Advanced Manufacturing and Nano-Technology and have an opportunity to meet with local employers at the end of the program.

Many people who are unemployed have to make a conscious effort to learn a new trade, or go back to school because there are limited opportunities in their desired field.

“When I speak to employers they continually tell me that they need workers," Jakubowski said. "When I speak to the unemployed they want to get back to work. The disconnect occurs between what types of jobs are available and what types of employment is sought; expectations on both sides must be managed."

The summer concert series in Jackson Square, Downtown Batavia, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, kicked off this evening with a show by 78 RPM.

It's just about time once again for Batavia's premier music and arts festival -- Ramble.

This year's Ramble is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. next Saturday, July 2.

More than 30 music acts will perform on two stages (Jackson Square and T.F. Brown's), plus there will be the arts, crafts and fun for the kids.

Admission is free to this family friendly event.

Pictured above are local musicians Bill Pitcher, Kay McMahon, Jim Catino, Brian Garz, Charlie DelPlato, Bill McDonald and Tim Pitcher.