Three people were injured at 7:13 p.m., Sunday, when a pickup truck backed into oncoming traffic on Harper Road in Darien.

All three people were taken to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight following the accident.

Shannon C. Bates, 29, of Broadway Road, Darien, reportedly backed a 2003 Dodge pickup onto the roadway in the area of 9796 Harper Road. She was issued a traffic citation.

Paul Dennis Barth Jr., 21, of Cohocton Road, Corfu, was northbound on Harper Road in a 1997 Dodge pickup.

Barth was cited for allegedly speeding.

Bates and Barth, along with a passenger in Bate's truck, Alexander J. Bates, 25, were conscious and alert when flown to ECMC.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chad Mower.

Assisting at the scene were Darien Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

(Initial report)

Press release:

Officials at Western Regional Off-Track (WROTB), owner of Batavia Downs Casino, announced today record handle on the 2012 Kentucky Derby and at the casino.

Through its 32 branches and 18 EZ-Bet locations, WROTB handled $1,913,108 on the Run for the Roses, a 16-percent increase over 2011, which was a record year. In addition, WROTB paid out $1.6 million in winning wagers, its most ever.

“We are very pleased with the results of the derby,” said William White, vice president of administration said. “We look forward to serving our customers' needs for the Preakness.”

“We are thrilled with the turnout for the derby,” said Todd Haight, OTB’s handicapper and the GM of Batavia Downs Racetrack. “It seems that the people of Western New York did their handicapping homework, too, as we paid out more winners than ever before.

"At the downs, people enjoyed meeting and greeting our Ambassador Thurman Thomas inside Grandstands Bar and Grille.”

Batavia Downs Casino recorded its biggest week ever with record revenues. New York State Lottery and the state education fund benefited by receiving over $520,000 when more than $12 Million in credits played were wagered through 640 slot machines.

Western OTB expects the excitement to continue with the Preakness Stakes on May 19 when "I’ll Have Another" tries to etch his name in the record books in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. All OTB branches will open at 10 a.m. on Preakness Day.

Batavia Downs in owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Municipalities that own Batavia Downs Casino include: the cities of Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester, and these counties: Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Wyoming.

The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring more than 600 video slot machines. Batavia Downs Casino is located less than one mile from Thruway Exit 48 and is open daily from 8 to 4 a.m.

The Sheriff's Office is looking for help in locating Veshaun D. "Shortie" Thompson.

Thompson is wanted on a warrant related to a pair of petit larceny charges.

Anybody with information on the whereabouts of Thompson is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 343-0911.

A rollover accident is reported in the Village of Oakfield in the area of the M&T Bank with possible entrapment.

Oakfield Fire Department and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.: The person is out. No entrapment. Mercy EMS response is cancelled.

Batavian Jeff Gillard paid me a visit a week ago, telling me about a red fox den nearby his home. Hoping to get photos of kits Jeff had been seeing, that same evening Claudia and I set up in said location during the last hour of daylight as Jeff had suggested but saw only one of the adults.

The next evening proved futile as nothing entered the meadow. Jeff then came to the rescue, providing the photos seen here. Above is one of the adults with a kit at her side while far to the right and somewhat difficult to see is another one of her young.

One of the adults appears to be investigating a kill.  

A quick scan of its surroundings prior to digging in.

Time to chow down.

Despite the undergrowth, Jeff caught one of the young near the den entrance.

It pauses to scratch an itch...

...before moving onward.

Whitetail doe still in her winter coat.

It won't be too long before they'll be sporting their "summer reds." Good job, Jeff, and thanks very much for sharing these photos with us!

In an afternoon-long celebration, highlighted by the raising of flags of 20 nations, the Peace Garden in Batavia was dedicated today.

A car accident is reported at Harper and Richley roads in Darien. The car is on fire. There is entrapment. Injuries are reported. Mercy Flight is called. The helicopter is now in Buffalo and refueling. Darien Fire Department is responding along with Mercy EMS. The bird will land at the scene. It has a seven-minute ETA. One patient will be transported via Mercy Flight, two others via ambulance.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight has a three-minute ETA and will land in a "wide open field" west of the roadway. Harper Road is shut down.

UPDATE 7:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 7:47 p.m.: One patient has been transported to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m.: All patients are being taken to ECMC.

UPDATE 9:31: Darien is just now back in service and the roadway is being reopened.

Doug Yeomans took these pictures last night during the "supermoon." As Doug notes, the moon should be pretty spectacular again this evening.

Below, Doug caught a reflection of the moon off the roof of a couple of barns.

A controlled burn is apparently out of control at 873 Johnson Road in Bergen.

Bergen Fire Department is responding.

Mutual aid requested from South Byron, Le Roy and Churchville.

Approximately one-half acre is burning.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Grass truck from Chili requested to the scene. A chief says the fire is going pretty good, but current response should be sufficient.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Chili response cancelled.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Stafford requested to standby in the Stafford Hall as a fill-in for Le Roy while Le Roy is on scene in Bergen.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Stafford back in service. Le Roy returning shortly.

UPDATE: Bergen was back in service at 1:06 p.m.

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Multiple callers report to dispatch that a car has hit a deer on Route 20 in Pavilion and a person is injured.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: The deer apparently went through a side window. The patient was not breathing, but is now breathing with difficulty. The patient suffered facial injuries. Mercy Flight put on in-air standby.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: Mercy Flight will not be needed at the scene.

UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: Patient being transported to Strong.

UPDATE 11:52 a.m.: Pavilion back in service.

Batavia baseball fans may have been denied a chance to see Andy Pettitte pitch in Dwyer Stadium, but on Saturday, two other pitchers with major league experience graced the mound.

Nelson Figueroa, 38 years old, with nine seasons of MLB experience and a career record of 20-35 to go along with his 4.55 ERA, was the Empire Yankees starter.

Figueroa, whose nine seasons were spent with seven different teams, surrendered seven earned runs over 3 2/3 innings, which made the Red Sox fans at the game happy.

Boston's farm club from Pawtucket won the game 9-3 behind the pitching of Brandon Duckworth, a 34-year-old right-hander who has been out of the majors since 2008.

To Duckworth's credit, his 2012 record is now 4-0 to go with a 3.34 ERA.

Attendance for the game was 1,838.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation held its annual Kentucky Derby Party at Terry Hills on Saturday afternoon.

The party is a major fundraiser and supports research for curing childhood cancer and provides assistance to victms' families.

A big tradition with the Kentucky Derby is women wearing fancy hats, and that's also part of the tradition of the foundation's party.

Above, Christen Napoleone, Andrea Suttell and Ashley Napoleone.

Jennifer Houseknecht and Lori Reinhardt

Jody McCulley

Peggy Sacheli

Trish Pero and Peg Pietzykowski-Gorecki (Peg created both hats)

If the moon seemed especially big and bright Saturday night -- that's because it was.

The moon was at the point on its elliptical path called perigee, the point where passes closest to Earth. At this point, it is 31,000 miles to closer than the opposite side of its orbit, or apogee.

While the full moon appears largest just after it rises, it officially reached its closest point to Earth at 11:34 pm. Exactly one minute later, the moon, Earth and sun line up and this allows the moon to achieve its full brilliance -- 30-percent brighter and 14-percent larger than any other full moon this year. 

Here framed by spruce boughs, the brilliance of the full moon will have drowned out all but the brightest fireballs of the Aquarid meteor shower, also on tap Saturday night, according to NASA.

Officially, this year's supermoon was "eclipsed" by the supermoon of March 2011, which passed by Earth some 250 miles closer than this year's.

There is reportedly a fight among three or four people at 15 Center St., the City Church Youth Center. Law enforcement is responding as are medics. One person was stabbed.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: A male, age 22 or 23, is being taken to UMMC with a cut on his left cheek that is "longer than it is deep." Also, police call for firefighters to respond to wash away blood on the sidewalk. City Engine 12 is responding.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m.: Engine 12 has accomplished its mission and is back in service.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m. (by Howard): Officer Dan Coffey, tonight's shift commander, said at about 9:30 p.m. that officers were still conducting interviews and "sorting things out." No arrests, and there's no description of a suspect available.

Today was the inauguration of Genesee Community College's fourth president, James M. Sunser, Ed.D. He replaces Stuart Steiner, who recently retired after serving as the college's president for 37 years.

Sunser is pictured up front and center in the above photo, along with the distinguished guests -- including GCC officials, members of the Genesee and Orleans county legislatures, officials from the SUNY system, private colleges and some representatives from the state government.

The fact that GCC has only had four presidents in the nearly 45 years of its existence made this a particularly significant event. Mary Pat Hancock, chair of the Genesee County Legislature and the third speaker at the ceremony, lauded the college's thorough and careful selection process during this "crucial transition."

In his speech, Sunser expressed his enthusiasm for the job.

"It is my honor and privilege to stand before you to reflect on this significant and special day," he said. "I am humbled and honored by the confidence you have shown in me, and I assure you that I will aspire toward the highest standard of excellence, for which this college is known."

He also said that he was proud to be part of a college with such a legacy of "resourcefulness, dedication and faith in the future," pointing out the ordinary citizens who "banded together against conventional wisdom and the community's expectations" to found GCC 45 years ago.

Sunser believes that not only meeting, but exceeding expectations is the challenge of education and anyone who wants to make a lasting difference in the world.

As examples of people who have done this, he talked about key historical figures like Albert Einstein (who grew up with a speech impediment) and Rosa Parks, as well as the aforementioned citizens who pushed for GCC's foundation and the pioneers who first came to this region 200 years ago, "pushing beyond expectations."

"I promise to meet and exceed your expectations at GCC," he said. "I believe there is no more powerful, no more enduring gift than education. (At GCC), we will develop programs and curricula that will bring the best to our work force and help shape the vibrant economic prosperity of the region."

Toward the end of his speech, Sunser also encouraged his partners in the community and ordinary citizens to make a difference.

"Each of us can help change our community," he said. "Let us leave a legacy that makes those who follow us proud."

Sunser is an alumnus of Onondaga Community College (OCC), Syracuse University, SUNY Brockport and the University of Rochester. Before coming to GCC, he worked at OCC for 22 years -- first as bursar, then as vice president of finance, and finally as vice president for continuing and extended learning.

OCC president Debbie L. Sydow, who was one of the greeters at today's ceremony, spoke of Sunser's passion for education and dedication to the service of others.

"He always puts the students' interests first (at OCC)," Sydow said.

She described Sunser as "no-nonsense yet good-natured, smart yet down-to-earth."

For more information on President Sunser, see his biographical page on GCC's website.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Carlson.

State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer doesn't want his staff members showing public support for either of the two men running for the GOP nomination in the 27th Congressional District, and so he apparently fired one staff member this week for supporting David Bellavia.

The Buffalo News reports Michelle McCulloch, 45, was fired after introducing Bellavia at a campaign event outside of Ranzenhofer's district.

While she had previously been warned about her connection to Bellavia, McCulloch said she felt she was complying with Ranzenhofer's directive by reporting the campaign appearance to him the next day.

Nick Langworthy, Erie County GOP chairman and ally of Chris Collins, the candidate Bellavia would like to defeat, was at the campaign event in Attica. CORRECTION:  Langworthy contacted The Batavian and said, "Bob McCarthy reported falsely that I attended the GOP event Attica. I did not attend that event."

Langworthy denies he was involved in McCulloch's dismissal.

While McCulloch said she was given no official reason for her termination, she believes it's a logical conclusion.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, the City of Batavia Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with the Landmark Society of Genesee County and The New York Landmarks Conservancy, will host free guided walking tours of some of Batavia's historic architecture.

May is National Preservation Month. The guided tour will bring guests to various locations that will highlight the historic significance of the “hidden gems” as well as explain the history behind some buildings that are now “lost treasures.”

The sites include GO ART!, the Masonic Temple, City Church, the Cary Mansion location, the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, a couple of houses on East Main Street, St. James Episcopal Church, the Richmond Mansion location, the Richmond Memorial Library, and the Ross Street Historic District.

The First Presbyterian Church, locally designated as historic, and St. James church, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their participation in the event is part of The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Second Annual Sacred Sites Open House weekend.

The Cary Mansion location will be receiving an historic marker through the help and research of City Historian Larry Barnes, made possible by a grant from the Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse.

Guests will also get to enjoy refreshments as well as a special organ performance by Charles Bradley. However, you MUST reserve your space for the FREE guided tour. Call Marcia Gann at 343-8218 to reserve your space.

To close off the event, The Landmark Society of Genesee County will host its 39th Annual Preservation Awards & Dinner that evening at 6 p.m. at St. James. The dinner will honor property owners for the thoughtful care and/or restoration work they have done.

The cost is $15/person. Anyone interested in attending the dinner must call Lucine Kauffman at 757-2455 or Laurie Oltramari at 343-1457 by Saturday, May 12th.

A two-car accident involving multiple injuries and possible entrapment is reported at 714 Harlow Road near Broadway Road. Mercy Flight is on in-air standby. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: A responder on scene reports there is no entrapment.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: Law enforcement in on scene. An ambulance from Alden is also called to the scene. A responder reports that one vehicle has a 17-year-old driver and three passengers -- all under the age of 2. The driver of the other car has minor scratches. One of the vehicles is a Jeep.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: One patient is being taken to Erie County Medical Center via the Alden ambulance. One patient is being transported to UMMC by Mercy medics.

UPDATE 12:31 p.m.: Mercy is taking one patient to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: An adult female patient is being taken to ECMC, but it is not clear if this is a new transport or if the rig that was going to go to Buffalo was re-routed.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: Darien is back in service.

A tree in a field of dandelions on Wortendyke Road, Batavia.