International superstar band Chicago headlined last evening at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Chicago, which started in the city of the same name in 1967, initially as Chicago Transit Authority, is one of the longest-running and most successful rock groups ever, and one of the world's best-selling groups of all time, with more than 100 million records sold.

Chicago started their set with "Make Me Smile."

REO Speedwagon -- fellow Illinoisans, out of the City of Champaign 135 miles south of "Chi-Town" -- opened the show with "Don't Let Him Go." (The group's biggest selling album was 1980's "Hi Infidelity," with four Top 10 hits and more than 10 million albums sold.)

The enthusiastic crowd was rockin' to classic songs and the bands jammed for hours. 

Next concert at Darien will be Jason Aldean this Friday at 7 p.m.

REO Speedwagon photos below

Press release:

Democrat Nate McMurray today said that the arrest of Republican Congressman Chris Collins on insider trading charges underscores the reasons he’s challenging Collins in 27th Congressional District.

“This is why I got in this race because I understand that the man who claims to represent this community doesn’t actually represent it,” McMurray said. “Chris Collins has openly admitted that he serves only wealthy donors and that his proudest accomplishment is making millions for his friends here in Western New York and in Washington. That’s not what Congress is for and not what our democracy is about.

“Today’s allegations by the U.S. attorney were shocking and sad, but not surprising – this has been unfolding, piece by piece, for many months. Anyone who’s been paying attention knows what’s going on. And now the jig is up because no matter how this is spun, it’s clear that the swamp is alive and well in Washington, D.C.”

McMurray said that in his frequent travels across the 27th, people from all across the political spectrum are united in their common needs for health care, better wages, and opportunities for their children.

“What will I use the people’s House for? The work of the people, period,” McMurray said. “I don’t want anyone choosing between their healthcare and their house payments, or worrying about losing their Social Security, or being burdened with trillions of dollars in new debt because of tax cuts for those who don’t need them.

“The American Dream needs to live again, and we need a representative worthy of this district and the people who call it home.”

McMurray said his personal background growing up in a family of seven children supported by a single mother has made him acutely aware of the daily challenges hard-working families face.

“I’ve also learned that regardless of our many different beliefs and political backgrounds that we are all brothers and sisters, and that we have to unite in order to secure a better future for our community and our nation. That will be my sole goal when I reach the House of Representatives in January.”

This investigation must go forward and all those involved must be held accountable so that we can restore integrity and trust to public life.

Le Roy Fire is requested to the viaduct on West Main Street near Royal Drive for a report of flooding.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: Westbound traffic is blocked at Gilbert Street.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: A vehicle got stuck in the water. The occupant is out of the vehicle. Gilbert Street is flooded. There is also flooding at the fire hall.

UPDATE 11:51 a.m.: The flooding has cleared on West Main Street.

A two-car, minor injury accident is reported on Lake Street Road at Griswold Circle, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 10:37 a.m.: A chief on scene has said to keep the response to himself and an ambulance.

Rep. Chris Collins is facing federal charges related to alleged insider trading, according to a breaking news report from CNBC.

The report says Collins has been arrested on the charges and his co-defendants include his son Cameron Collins, and the father of his fiancee, Stephen Zarsky.

The defendants are accused of securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, and making false statements, all related to publicly traded stocks of an Australian biotechnology company, Innate Immunotherapeutics. 

Collins is on the board of directors for the company.

According to the CNBC report, the indictment accuses Collins of passing nonpublic information about the company's drug trials to his son to help him "make timely trades in Innate stock" and that his son allegedly passed information to Zarsky who is accused of passing that information to unnamed co-conspirators.

Collins reportedly surrendered to federal agents in Manhattan this morning and was taken into custody. He is scheduled to appear in Federal court later today.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m.: Attorneys for Collins issued the following statement:

"We will answer the charges filed against Congressman Collins in Court and will mount a vigorous defense to clear his good name. It is notable that even the government does not allege that Congressman Collins traded a single share of Innate Therapeutics stock. We are confident he will be completely vindicated and exonerated.

Congressman Collins will have more to say on this issue later today."

Photo: File photo.

The Town of Batavia Planning Board has set a public hearing for Sept. 18 in consideration of a special use permit request by the owner of Dan's Tire & Auto Service Center in Batavia to erect a self-storage building on the west side of Route 98, about a couple hundred feet south of Rose Road.

Dan DiLaura and his towing manager, Steve Grice, outlined their proposal at the planning board's meeting tonight at Batavia Town Hall on West Main Street Road. The committee unanimously scheduled the public hearing, which is necessary because vehicles will be parked on the stone-covered grounds.

"Having a towing business, we must store vehicles from time to time due to an accident, DWI or abandoment, and the city says we need to have something fenced in," said Grice, adding that most of the cars are stored no more than a week, but on occasion a vehicle would be kept there longer due to an ongoing police investigation.

Grice said the building would measure 50-by-100-by-16 feet with two overhead doors, and would have two entrances and exits to make it easy for trucks to pull in and out. It also would have all utilities, a few outside lights, fully fenced and gated.

He said DiLaura would use the building for "personal storage" of race cars, towing equipment, tools, tires, etc., but it would not be used for any commercial repairs.

Currently, DiLaura is renting space behind the former Mazur's Auto repair shop on East Main Street in the city for this purpose. If the new building is approved, he no longer would use the Batavia location.

DiLaura said he would like to complete the project, which he estimated at $130,000, before winter.

The site plan is subject to review by the Genesee County Planning Board and approval by the Town Planning Board. Additionally, it must meet standards set by the Department of Environmental Conservation (concerning wetlands) and ensure proper stormwater drainage (depending upon the size of the build-out).

Grice said that BDK Construction of Basom, owned by Brian Kotarski, has been hired to construct the building.

Downstairs features one bedroom or office good size formal dining room and full living room -- great space for entertaining. Upstairs has two good size bedrooms and a full bath. Basement is dry, fully usable, space it even has cool man cave/office and a small area for workspace for extra hobbies.

There have been lots of upgrades but the large, private, fully fenced back yard with awesome huge deck is definitely a bonus for the City! Large extra wide driveway and fully reinforced garage for all your "toys" plus a nice storage area below is a nice extra. Neutrally painted and new carpet throughout makes it a move in and live!

Easy to see! Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Real Estate, 585-344-HOME or click here for more information on this new listing!

2176 Judge Road, Alabama -- Solid home for the money! Opportunity is here for someone looking to do a little work to get their reward! Roof, furnace, hot water tank, and vinyl siding updated since 2000+ 200 amp electrical system and newly installed public water!

Rooms are decent sized with first-floor bedroom if needed – mudroom/ first-floor laundry a bonus! Garage is usable and back yard is deep.

Easy to check out anytime! Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Real Estate, 585-344-HOME or click here for more information on this new listing!

Arc of Genesee Orleans will hold its 14th annual Friends & Family 5K & Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 15 in Elba.

There will be food, fun and music, plus kids' activities, including face painting.

Cost is $20 for the 5K and $15 for the one-and-a-half-mile Fun Walk; but both rates will increase by $5 on race day for those not preregistered. For nonparticipants wishing to attend the post-event party, cost is $5.

There is a small processing fee for online race/walk registrations.

Participants can register for the 5K and Fun Walk online here.

The race will be timed by PCR Timing Service of East Rochester.

Money raised will benefit education through the organization's Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship Fund, and programs and services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities served by Arc, and their families.

Sign up today for sponsorships, which range from $100 to $1,000. Aug. 15 is the cut-off date to put sponsor's names on T-shirts.

On race day, check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. The 5K starts at 10 o'clock, with the Fun Walk immediately following. The starting line is at the Arc Day Habilitation Center main entrance at 4603 Barrville Road, Elba.

For more information, call Race Director Sandy Konfederath at 343-4203, ext. 223, or email her at:  skonfederath@geneseearc.org

A tractor-trailer rollover accident, believed to be with no injuries, is reported in the area of mile marker 383 in the westbound lane of the Thruway.

Le Roy Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: A Le Roy chief has canceled the Le Roy assignment. "The trooper doesn't want us out here."  He also wanted dispatch to document the trooper refusing fire department assistance.

When Kathy Hochul campaigned for reelection in 2012 to the NY-27 congressional seat, which she eventually lost to Chris Collins, Hochul sought and obtained the support of the National Rifle Association.

The NRA PAC donated $7,000 to Hochul's campaign and only $1,000 to Collins.

Times have changed. In 2018, Hochul, now lieutenant governor in New York, seems to be rooting for the NRA's demise.

On Friday, using her personal Twitter account, Hochul retweeted a statement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was also using his personal account, celebrating New York's apparent success in driving the NRA to the brink of financial ruin. Hochul's response? "good riddance!"

Asked about the tweet, Hochul released this statement:

“The NRA actively worked against my last campaign in 2014, because I’ve been a consistent supporter of common sense gun laws, including Governor Cuomo’s SAFE Act, some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. Simply put, the NRA’s extremist and unlawful actions are promoting violence and threatening the lives of people in New York and across the country. The Governor and I continue to fight for common sense gun safety measures to prevent violence and save lives.”

Campaigning in Genesee County in 2012, Hochul told SCOPE members, "When a bill comes up that affects your Second Amendment rights, I’m on your side."

Shortly after the meeting, Hochul, based on a year in Congress, received an A rating from the NRA.

"Some of you may say I have a 'D' after my name and I can't vote for you," Hochul said that night during the meeting at Calvary Baptist Church on Galloway Road in the Town of Batavia. "Well, fine, but I still represent you. I am independent and I look at each and every issue as what's best for the people of Western New York. Sometimes the Democrats are right and sometimes they're really wrong. Sometimes the Republicans are right and sometimes they are really wrong."

After receiving Hochul's statement, The Batavian emailed her staff and asked for clarification since her statement referenced the 2014 campaign and she was endorsed by the NRA in the 2012 campaign.

A spokesman called The Batavian and said he wasn't authorized to speak for Hochul for attribution but stressed Hochul still supports Second Amendment rights but that her views of the NRA have changed. He said it wouldn't be appropriate for him to try to speak for her to explain why. She wasn't available for further comment.

A lot has changed in the world of gun politics since 2012. In December of that year, 20 children were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. There have been several other mass shootings, including in San Bernardino, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Parkland in the years since.  The nation is perhaps more deeply divided over gun laws than ever before.

Since then, the NRA has opposed banning bump stocks, raising the age on gun purchases, and has sent mixed signals about its position on so-called "red flag" laws, while NRA members and representatives have belittled survivors of Parkland, threatened other gun control supporters, and even advocated violence against journalists.

Bill Fox, president of Genesee County SCOPE, remembers the night Hochul spoke to local gun owners. She was passionate about her advocacy for gun rights. Now, he says, "she's not a friend of the Second Amendment."

Where Hochul called for "common sense" gun laws, Fox said he doesn't even know what that means.

"What is common sense?" Fox said. "There are thousands of gun control laws on the books already. What does common sense mean? If you're a criminal, you're still going to get a gun."

Fox said he's also a proud NRA member and he's disappointed in Hochul's support of the SAFE Act.

"She stood there and told us how her family hunts and how she supports gun rights and now she supports the SAFE Act," Fox said.

Fox thinks Cuomo's true aim isn't gun control but gun removal.

The financial difficulties faced by the NRA stem from efforts by New York to stop the NRA from selling insurance to conceal carry permit holders called "Carry Guard." 

New York officials contend the insurance is illegal because it provides financial assistance to people who engaged in "intentional wrongdoing." 

The bottom tier insurance plan provides $250,000 in civil liability coverage to a person who discharges a firearm and $50,000 for criminal defense, but according to the NRA website, the policy will only pay out a defense claim if the policyholder is acquitted. There is no coverage if a person fires a gun, is arrested, and is convicted of a crime.

Some gun control advocates support requiring mandatory insurance policies for gun owners.

New York's efforts to stymie the insurance program seem to have far-ranging effects, causing financial difficulties for the NRA with insurance carriers and financial institutions. The NRA has warned in a lawsuit filed against New York that it is facing insolvency because of the state's regulatory actions.

Hochul is engaged in a tough primary campaign to retain her lieutenant governor post against a Downstate progressive challenger Jumaane Williams. Hochul has a slim lead, according to a recent poll.

A caller reports smoke in the residence, but no flames, with lights flickering, at 895 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

Alabama is already out on a call for a motor-vehicle accident on Route 63.

Pembroke and Indian Falls dispatched to Bloomingdale Road.

UPDATE 11:58 a.m.: It appears to be a sump pump malfunction. All units, except Alabama Engine 1, can go back in service.

A semi-truck and dump truck have reportedly collided head on at Route 63 and Macomber Road, Alabama.

Unknown injuries.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Oakfield also being requested to the scene.

Dispatchers are checking the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: One minor injury. Both drivers out of the vehicles and ambulatory.  

UPDATE 11:39 a.m.: A diesel fuel leak is reported. Another ambulance, emergency response, requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:42  a.m.: Fire police requested to shut down traffic. No hazardous materials.

Electric lines are arcing, causing a possible fire in a dairy cow barn at 8427 Gully Road in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Bergen, Stafford, Pavilion, Caledonia and a Fast Team and tanker from Mumford, plus the City of Batavia and Mercy medics. A first responder on scene says "nothing showing, investigating."

UPDATE 5:16 a.m.: Electricity has been cut to the barn. Responders on scene are searching the barn. All mutual aid responders are told to hold the assignment in their quarters, but the city is continuing in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 5:18 a.m.: The city's third platoon is requested to the fire station.

UPDATE 5:21 a.m.: The city's engine 11 is back in service. The Gully Road location is between Conlon and Hebbard roads. Mutual aid responders are told to go back in service, per Le Roy's fire chief.

UPDATE 5:36 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

A rekindle is reported at 7230 Telephone Road, Pavilion, the residence destroyed earlier today by a fire.

Pavilion fire and Le Roy fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:19 p.m.: A caller reported driving by on her way home from work and saw flames. Le Roy can stand by in quarters while a Pavilion chief investigates.

UPDATE 11:23 p.m.: Le Roy and Caledonia can stand down.