Friday night at the Genesee County Fair means Demolition Derby.

To purchase prints of photos from the Demolition Derby, click here.

Rain has delayed -- and reduced the number of contestants for -- the farm stock tractor pull this morning at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

The WNY Pro Farm Tractor and Truck Pull is expected to take place as scheduled at 6 p.m.

The WNY Garden Tractor Pull is expected to take place at its scheduled time, 4 p.m.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: John Duyssen says the track looks great and the farm tractors are starting their pulls, so come on out.

Four black males in a 1999 Plymouth van with Maryland plates were reportedly involved in an altercation in the parking lot of the Best Western Crown Inn & Suites on Park Road in Batavia. Soon thereafter, the same people in the same van were reportedly involved in another altercation outside the Kwik Fill at the corner of Jackson and Ellicott streets in the city.

The van and its occupants have left the scene and law enforcement is trying to locate them.

A fallen tree is blocking traffic at 6198 Oak Orchard Road, near Watson, in Elba. The southbound lane is completely blocked and the northbound lane is partially blocked, though traffic can manuever around it. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene and a road crew is notified of the situation.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: The deputy and a Good Samaritan used a chainsaw to cut up the tree trunk and remove it from the roadway. Although there is still lots of debris, the roadway is clear enough for traffic to pass.

Here are the final, official Le Roy Duck Derby results, sponsored by Chapter 193 of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

1. Miley Stalica – Bergen, $500
2. Paul Senger -- $100
3. Nicole Kochmanski -- $50
4. Bob Dash – Byron, 2 raft rides on the Salmon River, Pulaski from Adventure Calls Outfitters, Le Roy
5. Pete Lang – Le Roy, 1 family membership to Seneca Park Zoo
6. R. Puleo – Batavia, 2 complimentary visits to Le Roy Chiropractic
7. Devon Sczudlo – LeRoy, 1 free detail service from Castilone Chrysler/Dodge/ Jeep in Batavia
8. David Zinni – Batavia, $50 gift card from “Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant,” Rochester
9. Colin Graham – Le Roy, 2 complimentary day passes to Darien Lake
10. Ken Sovocool – Batavia, 1 Family Fun Pack to the Rochester Museum & Science Center
11. Dan Murphy – Henrietta, 2 rounds of golf at “The Club on Silver Lake”
12. Korey Wallace – Stafford, 2 rounds of miniature golf at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia
13. Mary Humphry – Le Roy, 2 rounds of miniature golf at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia
14. Laura Carli – Le Roy, 2 rounds of miniature golf at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia
15. Hunter Russell – Le Roy, 2 rounds of miniature golf at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia
16. Ray Mancuso – Le Roy, 2 complimentary tickets for 2 adults on the steamship “The Maid of the Mist" in Niagara Falls
17. Jamie Carli – Le Roy, 1 family pass for 2 adults and 3 children at the N.Y. Museum of Transportation
18. Giacovelli – 2 courtesy day passes at the Genesee Country Museum
19. Tom Boss – Warsaw, 1 Buffalo/Sabres Yearbook Autographed by #21 Drew Stafford
20. Chad Corant – Le Roy, laser signed photos of Buffalo Bills # 28 C.J.
    Spiller and #99 Marcell Darius
21. Rick Scott – Le Roy, autographed photo of Kyle Gibson of the Rochester Red Wings
22. Bryan Osborne – Le Roy, $20 gift card for City Slickers Bar & Grill in Batavia
23. Jim Murphy – Le Roy, $15 gift certificate for the POK-A-DOT restaurant in Batavia
24. Molly O’Geen – Le Roy, 1 medium pizza, chesse and 1 topping at Big Paulie's Pizza in Batavia
25. Dave Tyler – Le Roy, 1 medium pizza, cheese and 1 topping at Big Paulie's Pizza in Batavia
26. Dave Watson – 2 paperback books from Present Tense books and gifts in Batavia
27. Sawyer McNish – Le Roy, for the last place duck, a $10 gift certificate for Applebee's restaurant and $10 cash

Jeff Ficher, the new assistant director at the Holland Land Office Museum, leads children participating in HLOM's Summer Heroes program in singing a Civil War Era song.

The eight-day program is just wrapping up its first week with a focus on the Underground Railroad.

The program is being led by Anne Marie Starowitz.

It was a lot of work, says Sue Conklin, county historian, for facilities management staff to move all of the county's archives and historical documents from the old firehouse on West Main Street to County Building #2.

The staff moved:

• 1,690 archival items in 575 boxes
• The research collection of 3,082 books and 666 notebooks
• 519 bound volumes of newspapers
• 7 large wall maps, 19 pen and ink drawings, 19 watercolors and 30 framed photographs
• 39 filing cabinets and 3 map cases

Plus staff had to disassemble and reassemble 21 bookcases, 23-foot-long newspaper shelving and all of the shelving for the county archives.

The whole move took more than two weeks.

"Now that the relocation has been completed the county historian is happy to report that all items made the move, nothing was damaged or lost," Conklin said. "Somehow facilities management managed to move on sunny, dry days, too. It was a great effort and the result is one the county will benefit from for generations."

The move gives the history department a little more space and gets irreplaceable documents out of the flood plane.

The department is responsible for storing all of the county's critical documents, from court cases to financial documents, with state-mandated document retention policies -- depending on the document -- from seven to 80 years.

At the rate documents come in, Conklin anticipates running out of space in about seven years.

The new layout -- in space once ocupied by the BOCES nursing program -- allows for easier access and better display of the county's archival records than the old location. The research library has more space and makes it easier for researchers -- including those in wheelchairs -- to move around.

Corfu Mayor Ralph Peterson is reportedly going to publicly criticize village office staff in his column in a newsletter being sent to village residents today.

Trustee Ken Lauer, who shared a copy of the mayor's column with The Batavian, called Peterson's words unprofessional and said trustees tried to dissuade him from publicly criticizing employees.

In the column, Peteson portrays himself as a reformer who is trying to bring more cordial communication and greater efficiency to village government, but that office staff is refusing to cooperate.

Peterson writes:

Attempts are being made to work with the all of the Village staff. We have been successful with the Maintenance, Court, and Police however we are struggling with the Office Staff. For us to improve we must communicate and understand the authority of the Mayor.

Peterson said he has been consulting with the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and that he's been told that as mayor he has a right to access all files and data owned by the village, but his efforts to exercise his lawful authority as mayor is being undermined by staff and trustees.

The lack of understanding of the lawful authority of the Mayor by employees and Trustees has made my first three-month as Mayor interesting. I want to insure the people who are responsible for me becoming the Mayor of Corfu I remain steadfast.

In April, Peterson allegedly fired Sandra Thomas and Denise Beal, but when the women refused to work after a confrontation with Peterson, the village office was left without any staff. The trustees did not support Peterson's actions and Lauer negotiated the return to work of Thomas and Beal.

The column characterizes a village in disarray and not up to "2013 standards." Peterson vows to fix these issues.

My goals as Mayor have not changed I trying change the tone from of communication from confrontational to teamwork. This has truly been a struggle. I realized my comments will not set well with some employees, trustees and residents. However, I must be truthful in my evaluation of the Village business at this time to the residents. I will remain focused on the goals I promised.

Press release:

Excitement. Anticipation. Optimism. Those three words are probably the best to describe the upcoming 2013 harness racing season at Batavia Downs, beginning on Monday (July 22) with a 6:30 p.m. post.

The 72-day harness schedule will be highlighted once again by popular promotions, a new addition in the betting format and some new faces in the trainer and driver colony.

And that's just on the racing side.              

The much anticipated opening of the new video lottery terminal area in the old Paddock Room is expected Aug. 30 and it will bring an added electric atmosphere to the half-mile oval throughout the summer and fall months.

"It might be a little tough at first but the end product will look great," said Todd Haight, general manager of Live Racing, when speaking about the renovations going on at Batavia Downs Gaming and Race Track. "We've lost some space on the racing side. But we are really excited about it all and what the end result will be. With the new gaming floor, new concession stand, sports bar and restaurant, we are very optimistic for the future."

At the start of the season, fans wanting to get to the apron of the track will enter the gate by the paddock (left-hand side of the facility) while those wanting to go to the video lottery terminal area, the clubhouse or enclosed grandstand will still enter where they normally would at the main entrance. Haight noted that one can reach the rail on the apron by walking down the stairs in the grandstands.

Haight is extremely pleased that "Batavia Downs Live" will return to Time-Warner Cable, digital channel 98, which serves Rochester and surrounding counties.

"This could be huge for us. We did not have a consistent schedule in the past but now we do. We will be on cable TV Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights through at least the end of October."

Besides using Western Regional Off-Track Betting’s Dial-A-Bet system, racing fans will be able to watch and wager on the races via Batavia Bets, WROTB’s online wagering platform.

"Batavia Bets offers an easy rewards program for wagers made on us," Haight said. "The online site is user friendly and you don't have to wait for an operator to take your call. We thought it made sense to bring back the TV show now that we offer online wagering.”

Ashley Holliday will serve as a co-host along with track announcer Joe Zambito.

"Ashley is very knowledgeable and has basically done it all in the horse business,” Haight said. "She will give her insight and perspective on the races. She'll also explain to fans about different pieces of equipment. I think our fans will find it very interesting.”

While there are several ways to wager without going to the track, Haight says getting people out to the Downs is imperative.

"We showed huge growth on our export handle last season, but we must continue to do our best to get people to come out to the racetrack. Like in previous seasons we've got a lot of good promotions that hopefully will do just that.”

Some of this year’s promotions include several dollar days (or nights), two free handicapping contests, the wiener dogs races that began in 2005 and remain more popular than ever, the driver's bike races that began in the early 1980s and the season ending Pick-6 contest.

A kickoff booklet will be distributed on Saturday night (July 27), which features free wagers for Pick-4s, daily doubles and racing programs. All live racing programs will contain a $5 free play coupon for the video games.

Haight stated that the driver's bike race, normally held on Labor Day, will be held on Columbus Day instead.

"With the New York Sires Stakes here on Labor Day we decided to move the bike race to Columbus Day.”

The very popular all-you-can-eat shrimp, prime rib and crab leg buffet will return every Friday and Saturday night in the clubhouse. New this year, Player's Extra members are entitled to receive $3 off their buffet.

Another added feature this season in the clubhouse is mutuel clerks that will be taking bets tableside.

“Customers won't have to leave their table to make a wager," Haight said. "This isn’t really new, but it’s new to us. Many customers had a hard time going up and down the stairs to make a wager. I’m confident our clubhouse patrons will really enjoy this feature.”

The annual college scholarship race is slated for Saturday (Sept. 14). Five more high school seniors will compete for their share of $7,500 in college scholarship money.

The 11th annual $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace is scheduled for Saturday (Oct. 5). This race usually attracts some top, hard-hitting pacers from all over the country. Previous winners include Foiled Again, the richest pacer in harness racing history.

Exciting New York Sires Stakes action begins on Aug. 16. The Caledonia Fair races have been rescheduled to be held at the Downs on Aug. 1. Also this season, the Downs will host the New York County Fair finals on Aug. 28.

New trainer/drivers in town include Jacques Beaudoin, Gaston Lareau, Mario Dessureault and former Downs regular Fred Cohen, the last three making the move up from Pompano Park in Florida.

Speaking of drivers, the track will also print in the nightly program the driver's choice in a race.

"When a driver is initially listed to drive several horses in a race, he gets to choose who he wants to drive," Haight said. "We will now print their choices in the bottom of each program page. It could be a great handicapping tool."

As far as the wagering format goes, Batavia Downs has added a second Pick-3 to its menu along with a new Pick-5 ($2 minimum). The Pick-5 replaces the Pick-6. To win the Pick-5, the customer must select all five winners in the Pick-5 sequence or the entire pool carries over.

Batavia Downs will also be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program, beginning Aug. 7, when the Pick-4 pool will be guaranteed at $3,000.

Racing will be held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights in July with a 6:30 p.m. post time. Then in August, racing switches to a Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday format with posts remaining at 6:30 p.m., with the exception of Sundays, which get under way at 1:15 p.m. The season ends on Saturday (Dec. 7).

Marcianna Szczepanski, 21, of Abbot Road, Bufallo, and Yvonne A. Frye, 23, of Abbot Road, Buffalo, are charged with petit larceny. Szczepanski and Frye are accused of filling a shopping cart with merchandise and walking out the store without paying for any of the items. The total value of the merchandise is $898.21.

Isaiah James Munroe, 23, of School Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. The charges stem from an alleged domestic incident.

The following arrests were made during the Bob Dylan/Wilco/My Morning Jacket concert at Darien Lake on Thursday.

Conor B. Stebbins, 17, of Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a switchblade knife and a small amount of marijuana.

Emily E. Chadwick, 19, of Zittel Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana and Alprazolam.

The following people were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

24 names were redacted in June 2020.

The following people are accused of unlawful possession of marijuana and possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Six names were redacted in June 2020

The following people were cited for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Eight names were redacted in June 2020

The heat index is expected to reach 100 degrees again this afternoon, but there's also wind coming, and a possible thunderstorm, though the chance of severe whether is considered slight.

Heat and wind advisories are in effect from noon to 8 p.m.

Wind speeds are expected of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

After the wind, expect cooler temperatures.

A Pomeranian is reportedly tied outside to its doghouse on Brookville Road in Alexander and has no water, which is a dangerous condition in this hot weather -- 82 degrees wth a heat index of 87. An officer will be responding to check on its welfare.

UPDATE 11:09 a.m.: An animal control officer reports the dog is not outside at this time and it does have water.

After hamming it up with Tom Mazerbo during his performance Thursday at the Genesee County Fair, Elvis impersonator Patrick Johnson said, "I better not see that on the front page of the paper."

OK, it's not on the front page of the paper.

Mazerbo was quiet happy with the scarf he got from Elvis.

Auction night at the Genesee County Fair is a big night for 4H members. It's the night members find out whether a year of hard work raising lambs, hogs and steers is going to pay off, both in terms of ribbons and cash.

Bidders are a mix of local farmers, business leaders and vendors to farms who often pay higher than market prices to help reward the perhaps future farmers for their efforts.

The auction was conducted by William Kent, Inc.

Here is a collection of pictures from Thursday evening's auction.

Lauren Young prepares her steer for auction.

Taylor Ross with his prize-winning lamb.

Lukas Johnson

Moving cattle to and from the auction ring can get a little crowded.

Bidders are provided with a list of animals coming up for auction.

Winning bidders receive a blue ribbon and a photo of the animal they won with the 4H member who raised it. Winning bidders have the option of taking the animal or letting it go to commercial auction and paying only the difference between it's market value and what they actually bid.

A winning bidder.

Dylan Weber and his second-place hog.

Hudson Weber brings his hog to the auction ring.

A hog in line to enter the auction ring.

Two hogs resting after their turn in the auction ring.

Julian Duyssen waiting for his turn to enter the auction ring with his hog.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here. More photos from the auction in the slide show.

The state's commission on judicial conduct has ordered that all cases assigned to Town of Pembroke Justice Alexander be reassigned to Justice David O'Connor.

Alexander, the former justice for the Village of Corfu, was indicted yesterday on three misdemeanor crimes, including coercion and official misconduct.

An e-mail was sent to officials in Corfu and Pembroke today informing them of the order.

The e-mail reads:

For your information, kindly find the attached administrative order AO/201/2013 signed by the Hon. A. Gail Prudenti reassigning all judicial matters currently pending before the Hon. Robert E. Alexander, Town Justice, Pembroke Town Court, to the Hon. David M. O'Connor, Town Justice, Pembroke Town Court, effective immediately, and direct that no further judicial matters be assigned to Justice Alexander until further order of the Chief Administrative Judge.

Thank you.

Kate Breen
Court Analyst
Deputy Chief Administrative Judge's Office
for Courts Outside New York City

The Batavian has not yet obtained the attachment cited in the e-mail.

Alexander is the father of Brandi Watts, the former court clerk in Corfu who is accused of stealing more than $10,000 in court funds and filing false documents.  Alexander was charged with crimes related to his alleged attempts to disprove there were missing court funds.

O'Connor is a justice in the Town of Pembroke Court and the Village of Corfu Court.

UPDATE: The attachment, the actual order, is short and to the point:

Pursuant to the authority vested in me, I hereby reassign all judicial matters currently
pending before the Hon. Robert E. Alexander, Town Justice, Pembroke Town Court, to the Hon. David M, O’Connor, Town Justice, Pembroke Town Court, effective immediately, and direct that no further judicial matters be assigned to Justice Alexander until further order of the Chief Administrative Judge.

It's signed by Judge A. Gail Prudenti.

It's not often you see cactus growing in somebody's front yard in Western New York, but Ellicott Street resident Frank Belluuci has two potted beaver-tail cactus plants that are in bloom with gorgeous yellow flowers. 

The variety, he said, is known as "Yellow Rose of Texas." 

While Frank's cactus are potted and can be stored indoors during the winter -- I have seen, and he's seen, the same variety of cactus growing outside in WNY.

The flowers should produce an edible fruit, but the growing season here isn't long enough.

This sign is in the door of the former Salsa & Curry location on Jackson Street, Batavia.

The owners are not ready to discuss their plans, but as you can see, they're getting ready to open a frozen yogurt bar, hopefully by the end of the month. Workers were busy today installing the counter. 

You can follow the progress on the new shop's Facebook page.

One of Batavia's most accomplished boxers from the 1930s passed away last week -- Salvatore V. “Sam” Cintorino, who won five Golden Glove titles as a lightweight fighting as Sammy Devine.

Cintorino was the brother of Joseph Cintorino, who fought as Mickey Devine when he turned professional and became one of the biggest names in boxing to come out of Batavia.

The brothers were part of a vibrant boxing scene in Batavia in the 1930s when some 40 to 60 young men trained locally and fought all over WNY, even nationwide.

The 96-year-old Sam Cintorino was born Nov. 8, 1916 in Brooklyn to parents who immigrated from Italy. Soon after, the family moved to Batavia.

As Sammy Devine, Cintorino is a member of the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame.

For his full obituary, click here.