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Mark your calendar: 12th annual Fur Ball is Oct. 24 at the Days Inn, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Mark your calendar: the 12th annual Fur Ball to benefit the Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program will be held starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Days Inn in Batavia, located at 200 Oak St.

Expect great food, lots of fun, quality auction items and some surprises, too!

Tickets are $25 each, but $50 if purchased the day of the event. Children 12 and under pay $15. A table of 10 seats is $250. Only 200 tickets are available.

Make checks payable to the Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

The volunteers and event coordinators are accepting NEW items for the auction. You can drop them off at the animal shelter on West Main Street Road during adoption hours, or drop them an e-mail if you need them picked up. (www.vol4animals.com)

Adoption hours are:

  • Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday -- 1 to 3 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Closed Thursday

Smoke reported coming from residence on West Main Street, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Smoking is reportedly coming from the roof of a residence at 27 W. Main St., Le Roy, between Craigie and Clay streets. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with a ladder truck from Bergen.

UPDATE 4:53 p.m.: A crew from Pavilion is requested to stage in its hall.

UPDATE 5:24 p.m.: Fire Police are requested to shut down traffic at westbound Route 5 at Route 19.

City Fire Department announces third annual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department is sponsoring the third Annual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest. This poster contest is open to students from grades one through five.

The 2015 Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10) theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.”

“Our hope is to get the children to discuss fire safety with their teachers and fellow students, as well as parents and guardians,” said City of Batavia Fire Department Lt. Greg Ireland.

This poster contest can be a take home project, individual class project or an art class project. Information has been distributed to City schools, but we wanted to include any City area home schooled children as well.

“Our first year doing the contest was met with a great response," Ireland said. "Last year was even better! We are hoping this will be the biggest year yet. We hope that both kids and adults get exposure to fire safety and safe practices, helping to reduce injury and death; maybe even changing some habits along the way. We encourage all eligible students to participate.”

Did you know that some homes don’t even have smoke alarms, and those that do don’t test their smoke alarms as often as they should? When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

The students' posters should highlight the importance of having and testing smoke detectors in their homes and bedrooms. Ideas and more information can be found at the Fire Prevention Week Web site www.FPW.org

Any posters to be entered in the contest need to be at the Fire Station located at 18 Evans St. in Batavia no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8. Schools/groups/families may contact us via phone or e-mail to arrange in school pick up of posters.

Posters are to be drawn horizontally on white paper, 8 ½” x 11”. The back of the poster must contain the student's name and phone number, school and grade, and teacher’s name.

Judging of the posters will take place between Oct. 9th – 11th.

The winner of each group will receive a ride to school on a City fire engine, and be invited to a special awards luncheon with their family held at the fire station in late October. Second- and third-place finishers in each group will also be invited to the fire station awards luncheon.

The best of luck to the students! Full rules are available at the City of Batavia Fire Department on Evans Street or by contacting us via e-mail.

Law and Order: Bergen woman accused of stealing $3.5K from Bergen employer

By Billie Owens

Rachael A. Glavin, 36, of Rochester Street, Bergen, is charged with third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. She was arrested at 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 and arraigned in Bergen Town Court, then released under supervision of the Probation Department. She is to be in court again on Oct. 14. She is accused of stealing $3,500 in cash from a business in Bergen where she was employed. She allegedly stole money on numerous occasions during her employment over a six-month period from January through June. The case was handled by Sheriff's Investigator Kristopher A. Kautz and Deputy Jason Saile.

Cody Daniel Edward Mayer, 23, of South Lake Street, Bergen, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument, unlawful possession of marijuana, and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. On Sept. 14, he was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 237, Byron. It is alleged that Mayer possessed a hypodermic needle unlawfully along with marijuana and that he was operating a motor vehicle on a public highway while his driver's license with suspended a total of 10 times on six separate dates. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Byron Town Court Oct. 26. The case of investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

Three GC projects recommended for $3M in state funding

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Monday, Sept. 14, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council (FLREDC) approved its 2015 Progress Report, which includes the Council’s list of priority projects it is recommending for funding in Round V of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative.

The Progress Report, which provides an annual update for the nine-county region (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties), will now be finalized and submitted to New York State by the Sept. 21st deadline.

Following the Progress Report vote, the FLREDC also held a special public forum on its draft Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) plan, at which it proposed approximately two dozen initiatives to be highlighted within the URI plan as example projects for possible funding – should the Finger Lakes be selected as a URI winner. These initiatives focus on four main URI goals identified by the FLREDC: job growth, increasing regional wealth, attracting private investment and reducing poverty.

In a written statement FLREDC Co-chairs, University of Rochester President Joel Seligman and Wegmans Food Markets CEO Danny Wegman, said: “This year, Governor Cuomo has presented Upstate communities with unprecedented opportunities to leverage public funding for projects that can help transform our regional economy. By providing these priority projects and initiatives for public review we seek to ensure they embody the strategic and diversified approach necessary to grow our region.”

Included below is a summary of the highlighted initiatives proposed for the URI plan and the full list of endorsed Priority Projects being recommended for capital grant funding from Empire State Development (ESD) this year in Round V of the REDC awards. Note that while the Priority Project list herein does not include projects seeking CFA awards from State agencies other than ESD, those projects still have the opportunity to receive funding.

URI Highlighted Initiatives

The FLREDC released the following proposed initiatives to be included in the URI plan. These initiatives are highlighted in the plan to serve as example opportunities for possible public and private investment in key strategic areas identified by the plan, but are not specific funding recommendations:

  • Agriculture & Food Production – Support of FLX Food, an initiative focused on organics and the future of the food ecosystem; an Eco-Brewing District created by North American Breweries around their facility downtown Rochester at High Falls; and a new initiative to cultivate sustainable food production, capitalizing on expertise already at Rochester Institute of Technology and Cornell University.
  • Next-Generation Manufacturing & Technology – Several projects highlighted in all three key hub locations, including: (1) Eastman Business Park (EBP) – Sweetwater’s biorefinery project; improvement of technology assets at EBP specifically addressing capacity to grow companies in energy storage, materials and nanotechnology; establishment of an AIM Photonics Manufacturing Center at EBP; (2) Downtown Innovation Zone – Rochester Regional Fund to invest in key downtown assets; redevelopment of the Inner Loop, which will include 17 acres of new developable parcels; (3) Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) – Project Eagle to bring a solar manufacturing facility as the park’s first tenant; confidential nanoscale manufacturing project considering STAMP as a site.
  • Pathways to Prosperity – Monroe Community College’s Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center (FWD Center) at EBP; support for the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) based around the creation of a coordinated system for those in need; expansion of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection; and programs to help ex-offenders and the working poor receive job training and placement.
  • Entrepreneurship & Development – Creation of a Finger Lakes Venture Fund to provide critically necessary capital to startups; buildout an urban development ecosystem for business efforts in the urban core; SUNY Geneseo’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development, which will provide a new central location for expanded business services.
  • Higher Education & Research – UR’s Goergen Institute for Data Science to meet the growing need for data scientists; RIT’s Center for Advanced Technology in Additive Manufacturing and Multifunctional Printing for 3D printing commercialization and product development; UR’s Neurorestoration Institute to expand the areas preeminence in this growing field.

2015 FLREDC Priority Project Recommendations for CFA Round V -- Genesee County

  • Town of Alabama    Water Project to Support STAMP     $1,500,000
  • Genesee County IDA    Le Roy Food and Technology Park    $1,000,000
  • Genesee County IDA (Gateway LDC)    Ag Park Infrastructure    $500,000

This year, the 10 Regional Councils will once again compete for awards from up to $750 million in state economic development resources through Round V of the REDC competition. Additionally, through the new Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI), seven regions – Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital District, and Mid-Hudson – are eligible to compete for three $500 million awards, disbursed at a rate of $100 million per year for five years.

The three Upstate winners of the URI will receive approximately $130 million each this year ($100 million in URI funding, and an estimated $30 million from Round V of the REDC competition). Aside from those regions, three regions will earn “Top Performer” distinction in the REDC competition and will receive approximately $105 million each. Finally, the remaining four regions will receive approximately $90 million each through the REDC competition – which is more than the average amount awarded to the top place finisher in prior years. This approach ensures that no region is a “loser,” while also maintaining the competitive nature that has worked so well to bring local business, academic, and community leaders together to develop long term, impressive economic visions for their regions.

Show Your Support for the FLREDC URI Plan
The FLREDC today also launched a new website where anyone can sign up in support of the draft URI plan: www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/flredc-uri-support-form
Detailed comments for the URI plan will continue to be accepted until September 18th on the website: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/flredc-uri-public-response-form

About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. After four rounds of the REDC process, nearly $3 billion has been awarded to more than 3,100 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, supporting the creation or retention of more than 150,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

About the Upstate Revitalization Initiative
In January of this year, Governor Cuomo announced the Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) and the partnership between the Regional Economic Development Councils to invest $1.5 billion in Upstate New York. The URI is an opportunity for communities to address the economic challenges of their regions and work together in bringing jobs back Upstate. The URI is a separate competition and deadline from the REDC process. The URI includes up to $500 million for three regions to implement over a five-year period. The following regions may submit one revitalization plan by Oct. 5, 2015: Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital District and Mid-Hudson.

GC Legislator Shelley Stein to be honored for completing County Government studies

By Billie Owens

Rochelle (Shelly) Stein, Genesee County Legislator, will be honored next week by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) for graduating from the NYSAC Pelletier County Government Institute. The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the 2015 NYSAC Fall Seminar in Lake Placid.

The NYSAC County Government Institute is an educational program established in conjunction with Cornell University. The Institute provides an educational program for county elected and appointed officials, to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of county officials. For more information, visit www.nysac.org.

Stein has served two terms as a Genesee County legislator, representing the Town and Village of Le Roy. She serves on the Human Services Committee and is highly engaged in the business of agriculture in the county and region. She seeks innovative ways to reduce the cost of government to local residents through collaboration and cooperation in all levels of government.

“The Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the increasing demands of local government leadership in 2015 and beyond,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

Anthony Picente, president of NYSAC and Oneida County executive, agrees. “The County Government Institute equips county officials with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to address the challenges and opportunities of leadership, and to engage in civil dialogue with constituents as well as fellow leaders.”

The County Government Institute's comprehensive curriculum includes extensive course work on government ethics, building consensus in a political environment, principles of county budget and finance, and public sector labor/management relations. The courses are supplemented with electives, training sessions, and continuing education courses designed to support county leaders in serving their constituents.

“The Pelletier Institute gave me the opportunity to build on my previous local government experience, learning other styles of government and finding a path toward reducing conflict while providing necessary services at an affordable cost,” Stein said.

The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving the counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for Member Counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.

Freshman fillies close out NYSS series at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

The eighth and final division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) will visit Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 16) when 15 2-year-old pacing fillies congregate to vie for their share of the $109,000 in purses up for grabs.

This will be the last time this class will compete before the $900,000 NYSS Night of Champions for 2-year-olds at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (Sept. 26) and for some, the outcome of their performance here will dictate whether or not they make the cut in the point standings. The top six point-getters are solid to make the final, but the last two slots are definitely up for grabs.

The first $54,500 division (carded as race three) has four horses on the verge of making the final, but the morning-line favorite is making her first start in a NYSS event this year.

Upside Surprise (Art Major-Latte Lady) got a late start to her career after being scratched sick in her first race back on July 10 at the Meadowlands. She did not return to the track until August 18 when she broke her maiden in a big way, winning by 10-lengths at Pocono Downs in 1:53.4.

Her next engagement was the Shes A Great Lady Stake at Mohawk Raceway where she was second in her elimination before finishing sixth in the $341,250 final behind L A Delight in 1:51.2 on Sept. 5.

Upside Surprise (2-1) will leave from post 4 with Jordan Stratton at the lines for trainer Tony O’Sullivan.

The next four horses by odds are all looking to capture those last two spots in the final and they all need a win to have a shot. But that is something three of them have not done all year.

North American leading trainer, Ron Burke, has three horses in the race: Art Critic (Art Major-Snippet Hanover) and the coupled entry of Encore Deo (Rock N Roll Heaven-Docdor Cameo) and Rockin Date (Art Major- Rockin Beauty).

Art Critic (3-1) has not won at all this year but also has not missed a check in NYSS action either. Her best race time was 1:54.3 at Vernon Downs just two starts ago and she put out a good performance at Yonkers last week as well.

Art Critic will have Jim Morrill Jr. aboard and leave from post 2.

Encore Deo (7-2) does have one NYSS victory at Buffalo Raceway back on July 1 in a career best 1:57.3. She was race timed at Vernon in 1:53 flat two starts ago and moves back inside after drawing post six at Yonkers last week.

Encore Deo gets the driving services of Matt Kakaley and will leave from post three.

Rockin Date (7-2) is also winless this year but also never seems to get beat by much. Unfortunately for her, after drawing post one and two four times in her last five starts, she moves out to post seven for tonight and that will be difficult to overcome.

Local driving leader Kevin Cummings picks up the lines for the contest.

In the second $54,500 split (carded as race four) six of the top seven point-getters are competing in the absence of the overall point-leader, Soft Idea. With a lot of early speed behind the gate, Sassa Hanover’s track record of 1:54.2 could be in jeopardy.

Dime A Dance (Roll With Joe-Hat Dance Hanover) comes into this event red-hot. She has won her last two outings including a lifetime best, 1:52.2 at Vernon Downs before coming right back in 1:55.4 at Yonkers. She is currently fifth in the standings but could move up considerably with a win here. This filly likes to come off the pace and with the all the leavers entered, this race could set up just right for her.

Dime A Dance (3-1) is another student of Ron Burke and will start from post three with Matt Kakaley in the bike.

No Clouds Bluechip (Roll With Joe-B J’s Sunshine) currently sits second in points with 224 as well as NYSS earnings of $101,999. She strung three-straight wins in NYSS action in July and August and hasn’t finished worse than third in the series all year.

Pegged as the second choice at 7-2, No Clouds Bluechip gets the services of Kevin Cummings as chosen by trainer John Berger.

American Ivy (American Ideal-Haunted) is seven for seven in the money this year and finished second to Soft Idea in her last two outings. Last week at Yonkers she was beaten a narrow neck in 1:53.4 off a perfect trip, but that was the fastest of the divisions that night.

Joe Holloway trains American Ivy (9-2) and has assigned Mark Macdonald to steer from post 5.

City firefighters will flush hydrants Wednesday and Thursday around Main, Bank and State streets

By Billie Owens

Press release from Batavia Fire Capt. Robert L. Fix II:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.on Wednesday, Sept. 16th, and Thursday, Sept. 17th in the general area of Main Street, Bank Street and State Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.

These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

The Arc of Orleans and Genesee ARC vote to unify

By Billie Owens

Press release:

With unanimous votes by The Arc of Orleans and Genesee ARC boards of directors, plans are moving ahead to unify the two agencies that are chapters of NYSARC, Inc., the largest disability service provider of its kind in the nation.

Donna Saskowski, longtime executive director of the Genesee Chapter, has also been overseeing the Orleans Chapter since April.

“For months we have been meeting to discuss how we can collaborate and share services,” Saskowski said. “This was the next logical step."

Orleans President John Huber calls this a progressive move noting unification will expand opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in both counties.

”Our new dream is to adapt to the changing horizon while providing expanded services to the people we serve,” Huber said.

Genesee Chapter President Candie Pocock echoed Huber’s comments, “What’s important for families, staff and individuals in both Chapters to understand, is that programs and services will continue in each county, and now have the opportunity to grow.”

Each board recognizes the similarities between their respective counties.

“We are rural, neighboring, agricultural communities, roughly the same size in area and among New York’s smallest in terms of population,” Saskowski said. “Looking ahead, we feel our similar cultures will allow for a smooth transition."

In a joint statement the chapters’ executive boards addressed finances as they had been asked if the unification was being pursued due to current financial needs. According to the statement, “We are choosing to unify in order to effectively address the financial challenges resulting from current NYS Medicaid transformational reform initiatives."

NYSARC, Inc., the nonprofit organization that oversees the Genesee and Orleans chapters, will monitor and guide the voluntary unification process, which should be completed in 2016.

Genesee ARC was founded in 1966 and will be marking its 50th Anniversary next year. The Arc of Orleans was founded in 1970 and is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Combined, the agencies serve more than 1,200 individuals with developmental or other intellectual disabilities and their families.

Of the Boards’ decision to unify Saskowski said, “This is a strong statement in support of the people we serve and all of our staff. The Orleans and Genesee chapters have nearly 100 years of experience serving people with disabilities in our two counties; this vast experience will position us well going forward."

Questions? Please feel free to contact Sandy Konfederath, coordinator of Community Relations for Genesee ARC, at (585) 343-4203 or e-mail at skonfederath@geneseearc.org or Darlene Golson at DGolson@ArcOfOrleans.org.

Crossroads House now able to help Wyoming County residents with ambulance transfer costs to the Batavia comfort care facility

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Crossroads House has created a project to financially supplement Ambulance Transfer Services of Wyoming County residents who will be coming to Crossroads House for their end of life care.

This project is funded by a $1,000 grant from the Wyoming Foundation Council a division of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. 

Crossroads House is a two-bed comfort care home located at 11 Liberty St. in Batavia. It provides 24-hour, 7-days-a-week care FREE of charge for individuals over the age of 18 years old from Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been given a medical prognosis of three months or less to live. 

This project was established to ensure an individual from Wyoming County who would like to finish their earthly journey at Crossroads House would not be hindered from coming here due to lack of resources for ambulance transfer costs.

Any Wyoming County resident who is admitted to Crossroads House who incurs costs associated with ambulance transfer services can submit documentation of these costs and receive payment up to $300. 

This Ambulance Reimbursement project funded by the Community Foundation is another way Crossroads House can provide emotional support to a family facing an end of life situation. This project will ensure that a family’s financial limitations for ambulance transfer are not a determining factor in keeping them from comfort care at Crossroads House.

Crossroads House is an incorporated not-for-profit comfort care home that has been serving the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties that have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life (three (3) months or less) free of charge since 1998.

Comfort care is founded upon the belief in the importance of honoring the well-being of every individual and respecting the sacred dignity of human life. The Crossroads House staff and volunteers are committed to provide personalized care attending to the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of our residents and their families while affirming a dignified quality of life in a caring home-like environment. Admission is based solely on need, regardless of religion, age, sex, race, creed, economic status, or other distinctions.

FYI...Settler's Restaurant, located at 353 W. Main St., Batavia, is having a benefit today Tuesday, Sept. 15, for Crossroads House. "Supper at Settler's" -- From 4 to 9 p.m., 20 percent of pre-tax receipts will be donated to Crossroads House.

Batavia Silver Stars to demo Western square dancing at Darien Lake Theme Park twice this month

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Silver Stars along with the Chili-based Cloverleaf Squares are Western square dance clubs and they will be performing at Darien Lake Theme Park twice this month.

They will have a demo dance from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. For more information about WNY square dance clubs visit squaredancingrochester.org

Did you know that square dancing is the national folk dance of the United States? It is a great form of exercise, too. You form lasting friendships and once you learn the basic steps you can dance anywhere in the world. Western square dancing involves taking lessons for eight to nine months. You do not need a partner to take lessons and square dancing attire is optional. All ages are welcome from 10 years and older.

The Batavia Silver Stars dance at the VA Medical Center (patio entrance, building #4) every Monday night. FREE Open Houses are Oct. 5 and 12 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Classes begin on Oct. 19. Class fees are $4/dancer or $10/family.

For more information contact Jan Bencic @ 585-762-8591 -- or stop by and watch us twirl and promenade some Monday night.

Batavia Downs cancels Saturday night card

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations:

Batavia Downs cancelled their live races on Saturday (Sept. 12) before they got under way due to unsafe track conditions. Western New York was inundated with heavy rain all day and as a result, the track surface became very slippery despite efforts to grade it and clear the water.

The main concern was traction for the starting car. It was deemed that the car could not properly grab the track and accelerate away enough to break from the field to provide a fair and safe start. With both the horsemen and track management concerned, it was decided for the best interests of all involved that the card be cancelled.

Todd Haight, general manager/director of Live Racing, said “Our main concern is always for the safety of our horses and horsemen and the track did not lend itself to providing that condition tonight. Once we determined we could not proceed in a manner that we felt comfortable with, we decided to cancel the races.”

Racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Sept. 15) with a special twilight post time of 4:30 p.m.

Milk tanker and vehicle collide at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A tanker and another vehicle collided at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion. Unknown injuries. The tanker is on its side and heavily leaking fuel, according to the dispatcher. An emergency crew is called to handle the spill and Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding. Le Roy's rescue unit is also called to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:25: The tanker is about 40 feet off the road. It was hauling 31,000 pounds of milk.

BZ Glide was smooth in Batavia Downs feature trot

By Billie Owens

(Photo of BZ Glide and driver Mike Caprio courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

After coming off two subpar performances and no wins since July, BZ Glide put on the performance of his life in winning the $10,000 Open trot feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 11)

Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) took an immediate lead at the start of the race while BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) left just enough from post five to tuck in third. Monti took the field through a soft :58.2 half until Caprio swung out at that station to start his assault.

BZ Glide advanced with machine-like precision up the backside while trotting a :28.2 third panel. His momentum continued around the far turn as his margin of dominance widened. He trotted down the lane without a challenge from the field or encouragement from his driver and in victory, set a new lifetime mark of 1:56.3.

It was the fifth win in 13 starts this year for BZ Glide ($4.90) and the effort increased his earnings to $37,445 for 2015. The 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding is owned by the Caprio Stable, LLC, and trained by Alana Caprio.

Drivers Mike Caprio, Jim McNeight and Dave McNeight III all scored driving doubles on the card.

One of the biggest win mutuels in recent memory occurred in the sixth race when Stirling Cadillac (Mike Caprio) overcame post 8 to win at 77-1 and return $156. The exorbitant payoff triggered some lofty exotics as well. The 8-3 exacta paid $3,428 and the 8-3-all trifecta returned $4,169.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on tonight night (Sept. 12) with the first post set at 6:35.

Brush fire reported on Pekin Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported in Elba at 7560 Pekin Road. Elba firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: Alabama, as mutual aid, is working the brush fire in Elba's fire district and Oakfield is requested to assemble a crew in the Oakfield hall.

UPDATE 6: 44 p.m.: A crew from Byron is requested to fill in at Elba's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Elba command reports fire is under control.

Law and Order: Oakfield man charged with forcible touching

By Billie Owens

Scott Edwin McKenzie, 29, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with forcible touching. He was arrested Sept. 6 on Sunset Parkway Road in Oakfield after he allegedly touched the intimate parts of an acquaintance without permission. He was subsequently issued an appearance ticket and will return to Oakfield Town Court on Sept. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion, assisted by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Austin M. Bartz, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with third-degree attempted assault. On July 27 at 12:45 a.m. on Harvester Avenue, Bartz was arrested following a verbal altercation. Bartz, aided by another person, allegedly punched and/or kicked another person. He was issued an appearance ticker and is to appear in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Kyle L. Michaels, 17, of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 9:19 p.m. on Sept. 7 following a domestic incident wherein he allegedly damaged a vehicle and struck a person. He was transported to BPD where he was processed and released on an appearance ticker. He is scheduled to appear in City Court on Sept. 22. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp.

Kevin J. Cummings, 38, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, and aggravated DWI, per se for having a BAC of .18 or more, with no priors. Cummings was arrested Sept. 5 following an investigation into a 9-1-1 open line hang up. He was released from custody and directed to appear in Batavia City Court on Sept. 23. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Darryle Street.

Robert Ernest Saari, 33, of Meiser Road, Corfu, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on Aug. 9 after he was released from GC Jail on an unrelated matter. He had an arrest warrant for failing to appear at Batavia City Court to answer a charge of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He is scheduled to be in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

William B. Coley, 45, of Platt Street, Albion, failed to answer a petit larceny charge at Batavia City Court back in February. The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On Sept. 8, Coley was located by the NY State Police and turned over of Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack. He was put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.

Reginald C. Sampson, 49, of 1/2 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt of court. He allegedly intentionally refused to obey a Grand Jury subpoena that was properly served directing him to appear in Batavia City Court at noon on Aug. 18. He was arrested on Sept. 9 and arraigned before Judge Balbick in City Court then released on his own recognizance. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Frank Klimjack.

Juan Antonio Claudio, 47, of Mill Street, Akron, is charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation stemming from an incident on East Main Street in Corfu on April 14. He was arrested on Sept. 10 on a warrant out of the Town of Pembroke and put in jail on $500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in Pembroke Town Court at a later date. The case was invetigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale.

Fall Story Times announced for Richmond library in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

These are the days/times for Fall Story Times at Richmond Memorial Library, located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia. Please come in or call to register beginning Oct. 5th.

Toddler Story Times (walkers to 3 years old)

Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Times (3 to 5 years old)
Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m.

PJ Story Time (open to children of all ages)
Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m.

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