Three people were arrested yesterday following an investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into the transportation and sale of cocaine in Batavia.

All three face charges related to the sale of a controlled substance.

Members of the drug task force, along with Batavia police officers and Sheriff's Office deputies, executed a search warrant at 335 Bank St., Apt. B3, yesterday evening and allegedly found a quantity of cocaine with an estimated value of more than $1,500. 

Also seized was $750 in cash, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

Arrested were:

Julia B. Wescott, 29, of Batavia. Wescott was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal nuisance, 1st, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd.

Thomas L. Hill, 22, of Rochester. Hill was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jade Cierra Wims, 18, of Rocheter. Wims was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Wescott is accused of allowing Hill and Wims to deal cocaine from her apartment on Bank Street, which is the basis of the "criminal nuisance" charge.

All three were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail.

Photos: Top, Wescott, Hill and Wims.

Elba/Byron-Bergen shutout Oakfield-Alabama 49-0. Zack Dubois ran the ball 18 times for 146 yards and two TDs. Zac Gillard completed eight of nine passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ramsey had three receptions for 105 yards and two TDs. Cody Naylor had a three-yard TD run. Tommy Manzella completed 12 for 128 yards for the Hornets. Ben Langdon had five receptions for 44 yards.

Several players had big games for the Lancers (5-1), including Gabe Stempin who had a 48-yard return on an interception. Andy Boyce had seven tackles, half a sack and a fumble recovery. Brandon Naylor had six tackles and twice was involved in sacks. Alex Jasinski had five tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Emiliano Acosta had five tackles, a sack, and half of another. O-A is 0-6 on the season.

Batavia HS lost to Wellsville on homecoming night 38-6. No stats are available for the game.

Le Roy fell to 3-3 with a loss to Letchworth, 42-7. Tommy McQuillen rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries, scoring the Oatkan Knights lone TD.

Genesee Region League leader Barker moved to 6-0 with a 36-14 win over Attica.

Alexander picked up its first win of the season over Holley by a score of 39-7. No stats are available for this game.

In a game in which Pembroke went into the second quarter with a lead and a chance to beat the always tough Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the Dragons ended up 24 points off the mark.

The Irish dominated on offense and defense from midway through the second quarter, scoring three TDs in the second quarter and a TD and field goal in the third.

Brothers McCulley, Tim and Doane, led the Notre Dame (5-1) offense with Tim tossing four touchdowns and completing six passes for 187 yards. Doane had two TD receptions and gained a total of 101 yards.

Nate Woods also scored twice, once on a passing play and once on a running play. Woods had 75 total yards.

Andrew Mullen came up big on offense and defense. On offense, he scored on a 35-yard pass play, his only reception of the day, and on defense had 10 tackles. Nick Taylor, Nick Conklin and Doane McCulley each had eight tackles with Taylor adding a QB sack.

For Pembroke (2-4), QB Cody Bedard carried the weight of the offense after running back Wyatt Chittenden was injured early in the game.

Bedard ran the ball 33 times for 120 yards, including one TD run. He completed five passes for 51 yards and had one interception.

Luke Thomas and Steve Weaver had five tackes each for the Dragons and Zack Franclemont had the team's lone sack.

Pembroke's other TD was scored by Trevor Gray, who carried the ball twice for four yards.

Notre Dame had 309 yards total offense, to Pembroke's 227.

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

The St. Padre Pio Parish in Oakfield held its fourth annual Oktoberfest on Saturday.

The daylong event featured BBQ pig, a beer tent, live music, a Halloween costume contest for the kids and a chance auction.

More than 750 people were expected to attend.

Miranda Fix was at Coffee Culture on Saturday signing copies of her new novel -- her sixth -- "Calling all Angels."

Fix, a registered nurse with 30 years experience, describes her new book this way:  “It’s about my story and my experiences as a nurse surviving in a profession that is full of illusions, disenchantments and despair. But deep inside that sadness is a rainbow of color and these shades of blues, yellows greens and reds are the true colors of our angels. They are there for us, they guide us, empower us, pray for us and keep us safe. They are there when you call upon them…you just need to ask them for help. 

"Calling All Angels is a novel about true life and the amazing strength in the patients I have met along the way. Stories that will make you laugh and cry, but they are full of hope and wonder. I wish you love and happiness as in the ways of the angels…and remember to believe.”

The mother of two children, and grandmother to three, Fix lives in Corfu.

A caller reports to dispatch that his neighbor on Lake Street in Le Roy shot his dog with a BB gun. Le Roy police are responding. No information about injuries to the dog.

The UMMC Foundation is holding its annual Fall Auction at the Clarion Hotel tonight.

Director Lorie Stupp said the foundation expects to raise $30,000 from the event.  More than 260 tickets were sold.

The evening opened with snacks, drinks and a chance auction, followed by dinner and a live auction hosted by Bontrager's. 

There was also a sumptuous dessert table.

Teachers, teachers' aides, administration, staff and community members gathered in each of the city shool districts schools this afternoon for further education on anti-bullying initiatives.

From 12:30 to 3 p.m., with students on a half-day schedule, each school hosted a seminar on how to recognize and deal with bullying in schools, from pre-K up through 12th grade.

Shawn Clark led the discussion at Jackson Elementary School and said the turnout was strong and participation high.

"It links community members, businesses and the schools," Clark said. "What we're looking at is a communitywide impact here."

He said the programs were a year in planning and the district intends to conduct annual seminars to stop bullying.

A two-car accident is reported in Elba at the intersection of Ford Road and Old Ford Road. One vehicle rolled over. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Injuries are believed to be minor. One vehicle is blocking traffic. Two flatbed tow trucks are requested.

UPDATE 2:16: Mercy Flight is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne with a patient and heading to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting one patient via ambulance to Strong.

According to a press release issued earlier this week by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Department, Elba resident Adam McGill, 33, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, both class B felonies.

McGill allegedly sold a narcotic drug to an undercover officer with the Wyoming County Drug Task Force on two occasions in the Village of Attica.

He was arrested Sept. 30 along with Shelby resident Diane Gallagher, 42, who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Gallagher allegedly sold a narcotic drug to an undercover officer in the Town of Orangeville.

McGill is being held in Wyoming County Jail without bail and Gallagher is also being held there in lieu of $15,000 cash bail.

Members of the Attica Police Department assisted the other agencies in making the arrests.

To report possible illegal drug activity in Wyoming County, call 786-8965.

The 36th annual Salvation Army Fall Festival is under way now at the Salvation Army HQ, 529 E. Main St., Batavia.

Besides a rummage sale and bake sale, at 6 p.m. the Spud Fest begins -- baked potatoes with all the fixin's along with a drink and desserts for $10.

An accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 384.9. The driver of one vehicle was unconscious but is now alert. Mercy Flight is called. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service are responding.

UPDATE 11:55 p.m.: The mile marker is actually 384.8 on the eastbound Thruway. State Police are on scene. Mercy Flight is on location.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight will not be used and the helicopter is heading back to its base in Batavia.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: Le Roy fire units are back in service.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Le Roy medics transported a patient to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Byron-based Oxbo is merging with a Dutch company to help both companies better reach a burgeoning international market, but not much will change locally, according to a story in the Democrat & Chronicle.

Oxbo, which manufactures harvesting equipment, will continue to sell its own products under its own brand and employ at least the same number of people locally.

The Dutch firm, Netherlands-based Ploeger, also manufactures harvesting equipment.

The new firm will be headed by Oxbo President Gary Stich, VP of Sales Andy Talbott and two Ploeger executives.

Oxbo has facilities in Byron, Wisconsin and Washington, employing 500 people, and currently about 75 percent of its sales is in the United States.

Three people were charged today in connection with an alleged altercation following the Blink 182 Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Aug. 11.

The three individuals are accused of getting into an altercation in the parking lot while guests were leaving the venue.

The three individuals allegedly damaged the pickup truck of a man from Lancaster.

Arrested and released on appearance tickets were Timothy Patrick Donnelly, 22, of Ridgecrest Road, Rochester, Marie Dana Smith, 18, and Lorraine Deanna Smith, 20, both of Crossroads Lane, Rochester.

Donnelly was charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Marie Smith was charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd. She allegedly had physical contact with the Lancaster man during the altercation.

Lorraine Smith was charged with criminal mischief, 3rd.

Investigator William Ferrando handled the case.

My earliest memory of this place dates back to the mid-fifties. I was Joshua's age when I saw my first red fox, a vixen with her young in this same locale. Because it was so close to home, only once did he have the opportunity to ask, "Are we almost there?" Once out of the car, he was like the proverbial kid in a candy store.

Everywhere he looked there was so much to see, much of it new to him.

This yellow and black argiope spider has set up its web in an ideal spot at the edge of a small stream. It had three dragonflies in its web, each encased in individual homespun "cocoons"  and enjoying the fruits of its labor. Joshua wasn't too happy about this -- he likes dragonflies!

This is the same spider, different angle. 

Walking along the stream, something has gotten Joshua's attention...

A bullfrog, floating on the water, a big green frog, doin' what he oughta! The frog just didn't plan on a curious 5-year-old walking into its domain. 

Realizing the water was well over his boots, he looked for another spot to cross...he really wanted that frog.

Fortunately for the frog, Joshua wasn't able to find a spot shallow enough to cross and he looks slightly dejected as he grudgingly admits defeat.

An uninvited grasshopper flies in to cheer up the youngster...oops! Where'd he go?

Got 'im!!!

There were plenty of sights Joshua easily understood...

And others which he did not...what was the snail doing three feet off the ground?

He learned that some critters are best left alone...

while others afford a good chase.

See what I mean?

Joshua hardly did more than glance at the butterflies...

and he paid no attention to the asters whatsoever...

All things considered, it was a great outing, both for a young man and his grandfather!

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has for some time been concerned with rising medical insurance premium costs and the impact they have on the small business community. In order to better serve members that provide employee benefits, the chamber is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Tompkins Insurance Agencies to provide health insurance programs for its members.

Tompkins Insurance will now be the health insurance provider for the chamber, a move that will immediately reduce health insurance costs for most members by eliminating service fees. This partnership also adds flexibility in making premium payments, as well as offering a wider variety of policies from which to choose.

“Tompkins Insurance is honored to have been chosen by the chamber to help it provide its valued members with quality, cost-effective benefits for their employees, especially in these unsettled economic times,” said David Boyce, president and CEO of Tompkins Insurance.

The licensed professionals at Tompkins Insurance will work with the chamber to identify different options in health insurance and other employee benefit programs. The goal will be to customize programs to meet the varied needs of members’ businesses in the most economical way.

“This arrangement is being put in place to address the issue of continually rising health insurance premiums in challenging economic times. The chamber is confident this partnership will help control costs and offer savings opportunities, flexibility and more options to our members,” said chamber President Lynn Freeman.

Jeff Boshart, board chair of the chamber said, “We feel this alliance with Tompkins Insurance is especially significant in that it not only provides our members with top-notch insurance programs and services, but that they will be provided to chamber members, by a chamber member.”

Today, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County announced the results of the third annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-in. It was held Oct. 1 at J&L Feed & Farm Supply in Corfu.

Anna Dorman, of Batavia, grew the largest orange orb -- a Dill’s Atlantic giant pumpkin, which topped the scales at a whopping 120 pounds.

Other participants were Steven and George Underhill, who grew 90-pound pumpkins, and Andrew Underhill who weighed in with a 60-pounder.

The contest also included tiny Jack-Be-Little pumpkins.

The Tarbell family, of Corfu, (Alexandria, Colton, and Quinton) are the lightweight winners with a 40-gram pumpkin.

Anna Dorman came in close with a 42-gram entry. The Tarbells also grew 53-gram and 75-gram pumpkins. Melissa Keller entered a 108-gram Jack-Be-Little.

The pumpkin-growing contest is an annual, educational event and one of many that Genesee County youth participate in as part of the 4-H program.

Youth ages 5-19 who are interested in becoming a member of 4-H, may contact Amy at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 343-3040, ext. 101.

A chimney fire is reported at 2638 Pearl St. Road in East Pembroke. The house is said to be filling with smoke.

East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Corfu.

The location is east of Read Road, on the south side.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: "I think it's pretty much in the chimney, it's just pushing smoke into the house," says the chief on scene. They are going to employ the thermal imaging camera and a fan to blow the smoke from the residence.

A two-car accident with a minor injury is reported at Park Road and Veterans Memorial Drive. It is not blocking traffic. Mercy medics are responding, non-emergency mode. One person is complaining of back pain.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department also responded to the scene and is now back in service.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: One woman with a history of back problems is transported to UMMC via ambulance.