A westbound tractor-trailer is disabled on Main Street in front of the Holland Land Office Museum in the city and traffic is reduced to one lane, causing congestion. 

Fire from a stove (possibly in a wall behind it) reportedly started a working structure fire at an apartment complex at 4112 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. It's originating from unit B9. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. A first responder on scene reports smoke showing. The fire has gone to a second alarm. Alexander's Fast Team is called for mutual aid along with Darien, Elba and East Pembroke. Stafford is called to stand by at Batavia's station #2.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: This is the Batavia Meadows apartment complex.

UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: National Grid was called in and has a one-minute ETA. Command requests law enforcement to the scene to help evacuate the complex. He says they are having difficulty evacuating it and several apartments are "charged with smoke."

UPDATE 9:37 a.m.: Elba is asked to stand by at Batavia's station #1.

UPDATE 9:39 a.m.: An engine from the city is requested to the scene. Elba is now requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:42 a.m.: The city's third platoon is called to headquarters on Evans Street.

UPDATE 9:47 a.m. A Town of Batavia code enforcement officer is called to the scene. Firefighters are asked to go in apartments and open doors and checks walls for heat/fire. The fire was first called in as a fire in a wall, then a stove fire, now they are reporting it stems from an electrical problem in a wall.

UPDATE 9:54 a.m.: A woman's small dog is hiding under a bed and refuses to come out, and there are a couple of stubborn cats in other apartments, but command says there's not enough smoke wafting in the air to put them in jeopardy so they are letting them stay put for now. A rep from the American Red Cross is called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:11 a.m.: Byron firefighters were called to stand by in their own quarters.

UPDATE 10:23 a.m.: Firefighters are ventilating the structure. Stafford is returning to service.

Paige’s Bounce Houses, a family owned party rental business for Western New York, recently custom built a trackless train, “The Peyton Express,” for customers to rent.

Kevin Sikorski, the owner, said the new trackless train is a “fully loaded Cadillac.”

The trackless train has one engine and four cars, with each car holding six kids or four adults, or a combination. It includes LED headlights, tail lights, LED underglow, a stereo system, public address system, a 10-inch chrome bell and an authentic train whistle.

“We started Paige’s Bounce Houses six years ago and we keep expanding every year,” Sikorski said. “As far as I know, there is only one other (trackless) train in all of Western New York.”

Sikorski said the train can run on any hard, flat surface, such as grass, dirt and blacktop.

While Paige’s Bounce Houses is named after Sikorski’s oldest daughter, Paige, the new trackless train is named after his youngest daughter, Peyton.

Sikorski said the trackless train is perfect for birthday parties, church events, corporate events, festivals, fairs and parades.

“Whatever you think you can use it for, you can rent it by the hour,” Sikorski said.

The train will also come with a staff engineer, so those who rent don’t have to worry about running the train, Sikorski said.

The trackless train will be transporting the grand marshal of the Attica Founders Day Parade on June 3, then will be giving rides at the Attica Memorial Park.

Pricing for renting the train and more information can be found by clicking here.

Yesterday, Le Roy's tennis team beat Mynderse 3-2 to claim the 2017 Section V Class CC Championship.

This is the team's second sectional title and first since 2001.

Jim Farnholz ends his 31-year coaching career with a sectional title. His daughter Sophie is a senior on the team playing 1st singles.

The team finished with a 12-2 record, and Le Roy's 4th team sectional title. Previously, the volleyball, winter cheerleading, and baseball teams claimed titles.

Photos and info submitted by Tim McArdle. 

Press release:

John Kennedy Intermediate School has received a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant to purchase "Math and Movement" materials for The JK STEAM Program.

“We had the Math and Movement day with Suzy Koontz in April and can now purchase mats of our own to have here at John Kennedy thanks to Lowes,” said Melissa Calandra, who spearheaded John Kennedy’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Program for fourth-graders this year and will take charge of the STEAM lab for all JK students, grades 2-4, next year.

During the Math and Movement day, students moved to the mathematics lessons – emphasizing patterns, stepping out calculations, and working out concepts on large mats. They were able to practice addition, subtraction, telling time, multiplication, division, fractions, place value, and geometry – and with physical movement incorporated into the brain work, the information was a lot of fun – and better retained.

Lowe’s, which seeks to approve grants that improve learning communities, noted that, “These materials will allow for a kinesthetic, multisensory approach to teaching math that incorporates physical exercise, stretching, and cross-body movements. Using the mats, students are ‘moving to the numbers.’ ” The mats will be ordered by the end of this school year to arrive in time for use next year in the STEAM lab. 

All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible for the Toolbox for Education program.  More information is available at www.ToolboxforEducation.com.

Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, located in Stafford, debuted its new state-of-the-art catering trailer on May 31 at the Le Roy Fine Arts Festival.

Owners Steven Foster and Timothy Adams designed the trailer in three days in Tennessee. Foster said they created it based off of the kitchenette at the restaurant.

“We got the idea of a catering trailer and we just thought of going small, but we decided if we’re going to do it, we’re going to go big,” Foster said. “So, we went big.”

Foster said the can serve anything on their restaurant menu from the catering trailer. Each event they cater can choose specifically what will be served for that event.

“This is unlike any food truck in the country,” Foster said. “It is the only one of its kind in the country.”

Adams said they hope to go in the direction of catering private parties, corporate parties, graduation parties and events. Foster said they can serve anything from prime rib sandwiches to prime rib and lobster tails.

Matthew Chiverton is an alumnus from Le Roy Junior/Senior High School, returning five years later as the head chef on board.

Foster said the truck was made to run off of electricity, propane and/or a generator.

“It is absolutely mobile,” Foster said. “We can go out into the middle of nowhere and run this thing.”

Wendy Frongetta, a chef on board, said she is excited about the truck and the opportunities it gives.

“The possibilities are endless with what we can do,” Frongetta said.

The catering trailer will be at the American Warrior Concert on June 2 and 3 at The Ridge in Le Roy, and at the Genesee County Fair from July 17 to 22.

NOTE: The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford is not affiliated with Red Osier in Rochester.

The fifth-grade students at Batavia Middle School presented their human rights projects today in the school auditorium, including Tiara Banks and Jayden Dersham, above, who portrayed Madam C.J. Walker.

Born in 1867, Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) was the first child in her family born into freedom. She eventually found a cosmetic and hair-care product company, making her the first self-made female African-American millionaire in the nation and the prominent female entrepreneurs of her era. She was also a philanthropist. 

Below, Cruise Rapone and Brendon Peterson, both as Milton Hershey, founder of the chocolate company and founder of charitable foundations.

The students also made portraits of the historical figures they studied. They also recorded their presentations (bottom photo, a recording of a student as Helen Keller on an iPad). The recordings were made in front of a green screen so historical photos could be used as a backdrop.

The projects work in several Common Core requirements for fifth-graders, including making a public presentation.

Several parents attended today's presentations.

• Camper's name
• Grade camper is entering
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• T-shirt size (register by June 30th to guarantee correct size) 

Kerri Richardson, Agri-Business Academy Instructor, left, congratulates Melissa Keller, right, Agri-Business Academy student, at a recent Board of Education ceremony.

Submitted photo and press release:

Thirteen Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center students represented the Western Region at the New York State FFA Convention in Leadership Development Events in May at the State University of New York at Morrisville.

Melissa Keller (Pembroke) placed second in the Employment Skills event and will represent New York State at the Big E Fair next fall in Massachusetts. This event is the Eastern States Exposition Fair where students from throughout the Northeastern United States come to compete.

Kerri Richardson is the Agri-Business Academy instructor and FFA co-advisor. She explained how well Melissa fared in this event.

“This is one of the most competitive competitions at the convention. Melissa had to prepare a resume, cover letter and job application along with a phone and in-person interview,” Richardson said.

Melissa earned a $1,500 national FFA scholarship called the America’s Farms Grow Ag Leaders/Monsanto Fund.

The team of Melissa Keller, Cole Hudson (Notre Dame) and Cherie Glosser (Warsaw), placed third in the Marketing Plan event. Four students, Rebecca Semmel (Warsaw), Stella Glosser (Warsaw), Sarah Lippert (Attica), and Elizabeth Jurs (Elba), competed as the Food Science team and placed ninth out of 27 teams.

Allison Pajda (Attica) placed sixth in the People in Agriculture event.

The Batavia CTE Center FFA program focuses on leadership, personal growth and career success. The co-advisors are Richardson and Holly Partridge, Animal Science instructor.

If you know of a current junior or underclassman who is interested in business or agriculture, or is unsure of a career path, applications are now being accepted for the Agri-Business Academy at the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Agri-Business Academy is a one-year partnership program between the Partnership and Genesee Community College. This college prep program is geared toward highly motivated high school seniors interested in investigating careers in the agribusiness field.

Through the Agri-Business Academy, students explore the many career opportunities available to them — locally, internationally or often it is a dynamic blend of both. Students can also earn 15 college credits through the ACE program at Genesee Community College.

Applications are available at http://www.genesee.edu/home/ace/career-pathways/agri-business-academy/. Any questions can be directed to Richardson at (585) 344-7783 or kirchardson3@gvboces.org.

The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

Submitted photo and press release:

Longtime Batavia High School Baseball Coach, Pep Johnson is being inducted into the Section V Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 25.

The ceremony will take place prior to the Rochester Red Wings game that begins at 1:35 p.m.. The on-field ceremony will take place at 1:10.

Pep is a 1959 graduate of BHS and was inducted into the Batavia Blue Devil Hall of Fame in 2004.

Pep Johnson  ---Coaching statistics -----Batavia High School

• Coached baseball from 1966 to 1998 (32 years, 26 years at the Varsity level)
• Complied 364 wins in those 26 seasons
• Received the Tri County Umpires Bob Flick Sportsmanship Award in 1986
• 1973 – League Champs
• 1975 -- League Champs and County Champs (Only year there was an East – West Playoff)
• 1979 -- League Champs
• 1980 -- League and Sectional Champs
• 1983 – Sectional Finals
• 1987 -- League Champs
• 1988 -- Sectional Finals
• 1991 -- Sectional Champs
• 1994 -- Sectional Champs
• 1998 -- Sectional Champs

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Chance the Rapper concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday:

Brandon T. Sanzo, 20, of Favara Circle, East Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly climbing on top of a concert venue building.

(Name redacted), 16, of Harwood Avenue, Hamburg, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

(Name redacted), 16, of Chatham Woods, Pittsford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Adam N. Dudek, 18, of Helmsford Way, Penfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Daniel V. Avetisyan, 19, of Simone Terrace, Webster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Sophia I. Ricco, 20, of Westminster Circle, New Hartford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

David M. Koeppel, 21, of Flohr Avenue, West Seneca, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Drake A. Franciosa, 19, of Cooper Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Johnathan R. Kyte, 19, of Spencer Road, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Joseph R. P. Aronson, 32, of Starboard Lane, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

(Name redacted), 18, of East Park Road, Pittsford, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly jumping a fence into the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return, and being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

(Name redacted), 17, of Hollingson Road, Clarence, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal impersonation, 2nd, after allegedly being found inside the backstage area of the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return and then provided another person’s identity.

(Name redacted), 17, of Heise Road, Clarence, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal Impersonation, 2nd, after allegedly being found inside the backstage area of the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return and then provided another person’s identity.

Kevin M. OBrien, 20, of Valais Court, Fairport, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly jumping over a fence to enter the concert venue.

Anthony T. Sanzo, 22, of Lauren Court, Webster, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd (two counts), after allegedly being found inside the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return, and he also allegedly punched and kicked two Live Nation employees.

(Name redacted), 19, of Pinegrove Avenue, Irondequoit, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd, after allegedly stealing a wallet and damaging another person’s property after elbowing them in the face.

Robert M. Helbringer, 18, of Clarence Center Road, Clarence, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to re-enter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Maria M. Mankowski, 19, of Sunset Drive, Grand Island, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to re-enter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

The Apple Maps camera car has been in Batavia for at least two days. The Apple website says Genesee County is part of Apple's mapping project through June 4. Apple says the project will help the company improve the quality of its maps worldwide. It's possible that Apple is in the process of creating a feature for its maps similar to Street View available with Google Maps.

The Le Roy Junior/Senior High School hosted its annual fine arts festival on Wednesday, showcasing students' artwork inside and holding a musical performance outside.

Senior Kearyn Sczudlo displayed her art and said each piece took her anywhere from one week to four months to complete. She will study Art at Alfred University this fall. 

The American Warrior Concert, a music festival with more than 60 acts performing, opens tomorrow at noon tomorrow at The Ridge in Le Roy.

The festival is a celebration of our troops, veterans, and the American way of life, according to event organizers. There is one main stage, plus a side stage, an acoustic stage, VIP tent, music lesson tent, open jam tent, camping, craft beer, BBQ, and vendor booths. Proceeds benefit Warrior House of WNY Inc. 

Sponsors include Red Osier Landmark Restaurant.

For the past four years the event was held in Southern California, but going into its fifth year Strength In Numbers Entertainment owner Dan Clor insisted on going back to his roots and producing the festival in his hometown.​

The American Warrior Concert headliner is Weapon-X, frontman Dan Clor's military-inspired heavy band. Other acts scheduled to date include D-ZL, Audibull, Diana Zinni, James D Jackson, Jason Wallace, Ryan Whyman, Black Valentine, Invictra, Kenny Drury, Johnny Bauer, The Dirty Bourbon Blues Band, Delano Steele, 1916, Danny B, Le Roy High Marching Band/Chorus, Dave Riccione Blues Trio, Shawn T, Greg Chako Jazz Trio, Woody Dodge, Ball Cheeze Psychotics and Justin Williams. 

To purchase concert tickets click here.

To rent a campsite click here.

Press release:

Great Tabernacle Ministries announces the second annual “Here and Now Festival” to be held Aug. 25-26 at Austin Park in Downtown Batavia.

This year has grown to include more than 55 vendors and 12 food trucks from the surrounding region, and more than 14 artists and activities for children including face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, Kona ice, and more!

Music genres vary from '70s rock and folk to rap and hard rock. Friday night features Elevation Worship with an expected draw of people from as far as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Ontario, Calif. There could be up to 4,ooo people visiting Batavia from all around because of this event.

Saturday will start at 11 a.m. running all day till 10 p.m. with a number of artist and speakers, ending with runner-up from last year’s hit TV show “The Voice,” Christian Cuevas.

Great Tabernacle Ministries would like to thank the Genesee area Businesses, churches, and ministries for all of their support in sponsoring this great event! Without you this event wouldn’t be possible and FREE to our community! That’s right admission is free so mark your calendars now.

For a full list of Artists, vendors and food trucks etc., please visit www.greattabernacle.org. If you would like to sponsor this event and advertise your business with us please call 585-297-3155 

Photo: File photo. For more photos from last year's event, click here.

City police are responding to the parking lot of Oliver's Candies after dispatch received a report of two males on top of "the horse," the big, colorfully painted statue of a horse that is on permanent display there.

Press release:

In his ongoing fight to update the state’s charitable gaming laws which have prohibited events such as the Stafford Fire Department’s annual car raffle, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has introduced legislation to allow charitable organizations to accept credits cards as a form of payment for Internet sales of games of chance.

Hawley was successful in working with Gov. Cuomo to update several facets of the state’s gaming laws in this year’s budget, including expanding the definition of an “authorized organization” to include volunteer ambulance workers and organizations that have been in existence for one year, allowing television and Internet advertising of raffles and allowing personal checks to be acceptable payments for games of chance.

“While many of the state’s archaic gaming laws were updated in this year’s budget, there is still much more work to be done to protect the livelihood of our thousands of charitable organizations, churches, fire departments and non-profits across the state,” Hawley said.

“This bill would allow these groups to accept credit cards as a form of payment for raffles, resulting in higher revenues raised for these great organizations and the ability for them to sell tickets outside of the region in which the raffle is taking place. I am hopeful that we can get this passed by the end of session and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Assembly to make that a reality moving forward.”