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Flash flood watch issued for this afternoon and evening

By Howard B. Owens

A flash flood watch has been issued for Genesee County through this evening.

During the afternoon, showers and thunderstorms will develop, according to the National Weather Service, in a warm and humid airmass. These storms will have the potential to produce torrential downpours, with rates of one to two inches per hour.

Minor injury accident reported on Clinton Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A motor vehicle accident with three minor injuries is reported at 5038 Clinton Street Road near Stringham Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Law enforcement is on location.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: At least one patient was transported to UMMC. Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

Motorcyclist who struck deer still listed in critical condition at ECMC

By Howard B. Owens

The motorcycle driver who hit a deer on Pearl Street Road early Monday morning remains in critical condition at ECMC.

Brandon L. Scott, 23, of Darien, was westbound when a deer entered the roadway ahead of him and the front wheel of his bike struck the hindquarter of the deer.

Scott was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

He was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC. 

Scott was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Andrew Hale, Deputy Frank Bordonaro and Sgt. Eric Seppala. Assisting at the scene were members of the East Pembroke Fire Department and the Town of Batavia Fire Department along with Mercy EMS.

Burglar breaks into downtown business, makes off with cash from register

By Howard B. Owens

A downtown business was burglarized overnight and the thief got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The break-in was discovered at 10 a.m. when the owner of the Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, arrived at work to open the shop for the day.

Det. Rich Schauf said it appears the burglar used a rock to smash a window pane in the back door and went straight for the cash register.

It doesn't appear at this time that anything else was taken.

Batavia's rich baseball history recalled in new book by Bill Dougherty

By Howard B. Owens

Spend a little time with Bill Dougherty, you're likely to hear a baseball story. He's full of them.

After years of telling friends these stories, one friend with a bit of experience in writing books suggested he collect his stories about Batavia baseball into a single soft cover collection.

"Bill Kauffman kept saying, 'you've got a book, oh this is a book'," Dougherty said. "He kept after me to put a book together. So I did."

This month, Dougherty's book, "A View from the Bleachers: Batavia Baseball," hit a few local store shelves.

Now that the book is out, Kauffman, an Elba resident and himself the author of 10 books and a screenplay, is eager to promote the new book. He sent over this endorsement:

Irish names festoon the history of baseball in Batavia: Dwyer, Callahan, Doody, Gerrety, Ryan. Add to that illustrious list Bill Dougherty, whose Batavia Baseball: A View from the Bleachers is a deeply researched, often surprising, and thoroughly entertaining account of baseball as it has been played, watched, and argued over in Genesee County from the 19th Century until today. Every baseball fan in the Mother of Counties should own a copy!

A worthy endorsement for a worthy book.

It's more than a collection of stories, or a mere recitation of baseball glories past in Batavia. It's also a history of Batavia and Genesee County as well as a personal remembrance of a man who made baseball his life's passion.

Dougherty spent countless hours going through historical archives, particularly the dusty, printed pages of 120-year-old editions of the Batavia Daily News.

He also draws on his own recollections from a his youngest days playing sandlot ball and in the park leagues of Batavia.

There was baseball in Batavia in the 19th Century, with a short-lived professional team setting up camp in town in 1897, but it would be in the following decade that the game began to flourish locally.

Every town had a team and rivalries were fierce, especially between Batavia and Le Roy. Dougherty covers some of the scraps between these teams.

In 1939, the Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League was founded in Batavia, with one of the original franchises set up in a new ballpark at MacArthur Park (the present site of Dwyer Stadium). 

Even with the arrival of a professional team affiliated with a major league club, and into the 1960s, semi-pro teams flourished throughout Genesee County.

Dougherty talks about more than just the teams and the games. He gets into the personalities and biographies of some the players who were from here or just passed through.

Among them, Joe Dailey, whom Dougherty admits becoming obsessed with.

"As you start picking out stuff, you can't wait to see where they lived, who they knew, where they died," Dougherty said, but Dailey was a particularly perplexing subject.

He died at age 37, and even though he came from a prominent local family, the Daily News gave his death notice a scant four lines. Dougherty had a heck of a time finding out more about him.

"It seemed like somebody was out there hiding everything," Dougherty said. "Then when I find something, I'm like, 'wow.' He led a short life, but it certainly was interesting."

Dailey was born in Batavia in 1876. He played on the 1897 professional team and when the team relocated mid-season to Geneva, he initially went with the team, but then didn't finish the season and returned home. He went to work in the family's furniture store and funeral parlor until his death from acute nephritis in 1914.

Dougherty covers quite a bit of the family's history, which is also a part of Batavia's history. An example of how this is more than a baseball book.

We also learn about Maud Nelson, who wasn't from Batavia, but played a bit of ball here. Billed as "champion lady pitcher of the world" at the turn of the century, Nelson barnstormed around the country, playing whatever semi-pro teams were up for the challenge.

In those early days, a bit of important baseball history had a Batavia angle. In 1912, after Ty Cobb was suspended for fighting with a fan, the rest of the Detroit team decided to go on strike.  Replacement players were brought in for one game. Among them was a kid from Batavia who played shortstop, Vincent Maney.

For decades, box scores credited Pat Meany as the shortstop that day, but Dougherty -- who is a member of the Society of American Baseball Research -- was able to gather enough convincing evidence that Maney is now correctly credited as the shortstop in that game.

A resident of Stafford, Dougherty made a career in heating and air conditioning (retiring in 2000), but he's made a lifetime of baseball. He's been secretary/director of the Genesee County Baseball Club (owners of the Muckdogs), is a member of the Rochester Baseball Historical Society and SABR.

Assisting in production of the book were Dougherty's son, Brian, (the publisher), his grandson Christopher (graphic design), Kathy Frank, typesetting, and Kauffman, editor.

The book also covers every big name baseball player who ever came through town, from Warran Spann, who pitched three times against Batavia when he was first starting his career, to Wade Boggs and Robin Young, who each played a few games at MacArthur Park.

In the book you can learn about Gene Baker (the first black manager with a major league-affiliated club) along with local sensations Walter Loos, Dick Kokos, Eddie Howard, Dick Raymond and Jackie Kelley.

In the late 1940s, when Dougherty was a teen, he became part of a serious sandlot ball team, the A.C. Shafters. The team played other sandlot clubs throughout the region and Dougherty devotes a chapter to the team.

There was a time locally when every park had a ball field and every field had a team and fields rarely were without a game.

Kibbe Park once had a ballpark with stands and dugouts. Today, there's just a softball field with a couple of benches. When Dougherty was out at the field Monday, mounds of dirt were piled on the infield. Dougherty just shook his head. "There was a time when that would never happen," he said. "There would be kids out here playing games all day."

Are there ever any games at Kibbe now?

Things started to change in the 1950s. The sandlot teams began to die off. The semi-pro teams started to disappear, too. From the early 1900s until the 1950s, nearly every city or village of any size in Western New York had a minor league baseball team, and as leagues folded, so did the teams.

Dougherty thinks kids today miss something with fewer teams around.

"I made lifelong friends from every step I played," Dougherty said. "Not every kid on every team. Not all nine or 12 or 15, but some guys I played with are still good friends."

The book is available in the front office of the Batavia Muckdogs, the Holland Land Office Museum and at Dougherty Heating on School Street, Batavia.

Nationwide auto auction chain to purchase 30 acres for new facility in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A company that specializes in auctioning off "total loss" vehicles is planning to move its Rochester location to Bergen.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board on Monday approved the sale of 30 acres in Appletree Acres Corporate Park to Insurance Auto Auctions, which has more than 160 locations nationwide.

IAA runs salvage auto auctions, selling cars that insurance companies have declared totaled, either because of accident, weather damage or theft. 

The company says on its Web site that more than 3.5 million vehicles in the U.S. are declared a total loss each year.

Some of the vehicles can be repaired and resold; others are good only for scap or parts.

By state law, only dealers can purchase cars that have been declared salvage.

The company will pay $600,000 for the property and plans to invest $3.5 million and $4 million on the new facility.

Between IAA and vendors, the location will employ 10 to 15 people.

Information on any tax abatements IAA may receive is not yet available.

Steve Tibble, IAA's director of real estate and development, said the company will next apply to the Town of Bergen for all the site and plan approvals.

"We plan on being open as fast as we can," Tibble said.

Schedule announced for Picnic in the Park

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) presents the 36th annual “Picnic in the Park” this Independence Day. The festivities run from noon until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 4th, in historic Centennial Park on Richmond Avenue in Batavia. As is tradition, this year’s “Picnic in the Park” is a free, family-friendly event that will once again include all-day live musical entertainment, an arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more!

Introduced just last year to great response, the event will be preceded by a “Kiddie Parade” kicking off the day. Harkening back to earlier times, families with children ages 12 and under are invited to bring their bikes, scooters or strollers to the northwest corner of Centennial Park – between the Main Stage and Richmond Avenue -- at 11 a.m. to decorate them for an old time “Kiddie Parade.” Decorations will be provided, and the parade will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Ellicott and Park avenues.

Live entertainment is presented on two separate stages, the Main Stage and “Stage 2,” which has traditionally featured performances that engage kids and families. MAIN STAGE entertainment commences at noon with the “Picnic” staple Batavia Concert Band playing its traditional mix of Sousa-style marches and Big Band numbers.

Founded in 1924, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during World War II. The Concert Band itself consists of 40 - 50 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from advanced high school musicians to 50-year veterans. Many have professional performance experience; the rest are advanced amateurs. All love to play. The Band's musical repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, style and period, and includes marches, Broadway show tunes, favorites from hit musicals and movies, pop, jazz and even rock numbers arranged for band. Join the Band for weekly concerts during the summer on Wednesday evenings in Centennial Park.

A wide variety of bands featuring local and traditional music will follow on the Main Stage throughout the rest of the afternoon:

1 p.m. -- Stephanie Pietrzak, “America’s Polka Sweetheart,” takes the stage with her “Honky Polka Band” to perform their lively Polish polka music. Having played for more than 45 years in the polka industry, the much-heralded Pietrzak was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 2010. She began her polka music career at age 7 on the accordion but soon switched to the Polish concertina, a larger, square-shaped type of accordion with a distinctive sound, loved by Polka musicians. For more than 25 years she performed as a duo with her mother, Wanda, and the two were dubbed “America’s Polka Sweethearts.” They toured extensively across the United States and Canada and performed on numerous radio and television broadcasts, and with other well-known Polka musicians such as The Versatones, Marion Lush and Li’l Wally. Sietrzak continues to perform with her own band and has recorded several albums, including her own compositions. She developed her own radio show celebrating the music she loves at Polkasonline.com and continues to win awards for her work as a concertina player, vocalist and songwriter.

2:30 p.m. – “Trilogy” is a four piece classic rock and roll band that has been playing family-oriented music in the Western New York area for the past 26 years. The band features Dana Hurlburt on lead guitar and vocals; Guy Macaluso on bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals; Eric Kelly on guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Tom Kwiecien on drums. Be prepared to sing along and have fun!

4 p.m. -- Gan Ainm (pron.: gahn ahn'-um) performs Irish and Irish American traditional music, led by John Ryan. Meaning “without a name,” Gan Ainm recognizes the innumerable tunes that are passed on from one musician to the next, known as a "reel," "jig," "polka," or "hornpipe" that may be nameless, or ascribed to a person or event that fits the moment. The group includes players who have grown up in the active Irish music and dance community of the Rochester area, performing on button accordion, concertina, fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, bodhran, as well as vocals. They will invite you into the high energy dance tunes, soulful ballads, and easy camaraderie of an Irish session.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY in Centennial Park, other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides by Hartland Carriages, pony rides and petting zoo by North Forty Pony Express and the Wildlife Educators Coalition returning with its wide assortment of animals. Geoffrey Clough offers his popular interactive program of children’s songs called “Cookie Songwriting,” and of course juggling and other roving entertainment in the park. The GLOW Area YMCA will have its bounce house and inflatable obstacle course on site, and the Explore Art! Tent invites kids and families to do their own hands-on art activity, all materials provided, and free face painting will be available at the tent. Also, Stage II, the “family stage,” features interactive programs for kids and families, including family entertainer Janice Spagnola’s “The Extra Fun Balloon Show,” magic and puppet entertainment with a twist…a balloon twist that is! Balloon puppets will come to life along with amazing balloon magic. And finally, a surprise performance written and performed by the audience itself in a classic “choose your own adventure” style finale.

Along the Richmond Avenue side of Centennial Park, artists and crafters representing an amazing diversity of arts and crafts are featured in an ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW AND SALE. An amazing variety of arts and crafts are represented, such as gemstone jewelry, photography, seasonal indoor/outdoor woodcrafts, puppets, hand-woven textiles, glass jewelry, clay creations, nautically inspired furniture, and much more. Additional attractions consist of booths by community nonprofit organizations, including Genesee County ARC information & recycling education, Genesee County Historians Association, Batavia Assembly of God dunk tank and sand art, Batavia Players pizza & show info, ACORNS Genesee County Park info, GO ART!’s Picnic in the Park prize giveaway and many others. “Picnic” always offers up tantalizing food by a variety of vendors, such as Abbott’s cones, sundaes, milkshakes and root beer floats, Lonsberry fresh-squeezed lemonade and soft pretzels, Kernel Cravin’ Kettle Corn, and, of course, the Batavia Jaycees famous "dog and burger stand" in its traditional location.

The event is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Program with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Picnic sponsors include the County of Genesee, LocalEdge and Rotary Club of Batavia. Table sponsors: Batavia Area Jaycees, CY Farms/Batavia Turf, Roger & JoAnn Triftshauser, and Turnbull Heating & Air. Contributor: Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. Flag Sponsors: Bouchard Financial Services, Bob and Linda Knipe, McGinnis Excavation & Plumbing, and Tonawanda Valley FCU. Friends include Max & Jane Mason and Paula R. Schumann. Additional support provided by City of Batavia DPW, Genesee County Chamber and the Porter Family.

Admission is free to the “Picnic in the Park.” Please call GO ART! at 585-343-9313, e-mail info@goart.org or visit www.goart.org for more information.

Law and Order: Duo accused of stealing nearly $3K in goods from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Brenden Robert Jones, 29, of Oakbrier Court, Penfield, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Jones is accused of stealing more than $2,800 in merchandise from Walmart. Jones alleged had a crack pipe in his possession at the time of his arrest. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. Jones was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also arrested and charged with grand larceny was Matthew David Marvin, 26, of Old Country Lane, Fairport. Marvin was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Witness Smith, 45, of Laurel Drive, Attica, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Smith allegedly left a child who was under his supervision unattended in a motor vehicle at 12:22 p.m, June 16, on Jackson Street, Batavia.

Gordon M. Yohe, 71, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with felony DWI, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and refusal to take breath test. Yohe was arrested following a report at 2:38 p.m., June 10, of a suspicious person at a business on East Main Street, Batavia. Yohe was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Tyler J. Aina, 22, of Waterport Carlton Road, Albion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Aina posted bail and was released.

Jeremy J. Smith, 19, of Loyalist Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith allegedly violated an order of protection by contacting a family he was ordered not to contact. Smith was jailed on $500 bail.

Kewa R. Buckman, 43, of Otis Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged parking on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Buckman was being held in the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated traffic charges. He was transferred to Batavia PD custody, posted cash bail and was released.

Pauline J. Hensel, 61, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant and jailed on $750 bail.

Robert Mitchell Andersen, 44, of Sand Hill Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, suspended registration and driving without a license. Andersen was stopped at 5:06 p.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Beniluis Ruiz, 38, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal sexual act, 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful dealing with a child. Ruiz allegedly sexually assaulted a person under age 17. He also allegedly provided alcohol to people under age 21.

Scott Macumber Castle, 52, of Vallance Road Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Castle allegedly trespassed at Byron-Bergen Central School. Castle was allegedly advised previously by school officials to stay off school grounds.

Fire Helmet Raffle to benefit program that provides kids with warm winter coats

By Billie Owens

On July 10 the City of Batavia Firefighters Local 896 will hold its first Helmet Raffle benefiting "Firefighters for Operation Warm." The raffle will be at Tully's restaurant on East Main Street at about 9 p.m.

Local 896 is raffling off a brand-new N6A Sam Houston structural fire helmet (winner picks color, style and custom leather front).

The 2nd place prize is a $75 gift certificate to "The Fire Store" and 3rd-place prize is $50 to "The Fire Store."

Tickets are a $10 donation with all proceeds benefiting "Firefighters for Operation Warm," which provides brand-new 100-percent American-made winter coats to children in the City of Batavia. This is the second year City firefighters are partnering with Operation Warm to provide the gift of warmth to children in our community.

In addition to the raffle, Tully's is donating 10 percent of its receipts on July 10 to the coat charity (only at the Batavia location), provided that the customer presents a special coupon at the time of check out.

For raffle tickets and Tully's special coupons, contact Adam Palumbo at apalumbo@batavianewyork.com. Visit <http://www.operationwarm.org/Batavia> for more information and to donate.

Field fire reported behind mobile home park in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A field fire is reported at 5610 Route 5, behind the Golden Mobile Home Park, Stafford.

Stafford fire responding.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: A chief on scene reports a controlled burn. Engine 93 responding non-emergency.

Man who dragged deputy with car given seven years in prison

By Howard B. Owens
Scott Kopper

A Batavia resident who dragged a deputy with his car, putting the deputy's life in danger, will serve seven years in state prison, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled this morning.

"It's never easy to impose a harsh sentence on somebody, but it is easier when I feel like I'm fulfilling my duty to separate somebody from society for as long as possible," Noonan said.

Scott Kopper, 37, entered a guilty plea May 22 to assault in the second degree. As a second felony offender, the maximum sentence that could be imposed was seven years.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl said it was personally difficult to be the person handling the prosecution of Kopper because Zickl knew him years before he started getting into trouble.

He knew him, he said, as an EMT working the sidelines at youth football games.

"To be in this position today is difficult because I have to ask the court to impose the maximum sentence on Scott," Zickl said. "He is a threat to society and eventually he's going to seriously hurt or kill somebody."

Assistant Public Defender William Tedford asked Noonan to impose a four year sentence, giving Kopper the best opportunity to return to the life he once knew -- college educated, volunteer firefighter, EMT and hazmat trained, a family man.

That all fell apart, Tedford said, after Kopper's father died and Kopper started using drugs and developed mental health issues.

Zickl told Noonan that Kopper could have killed Deputy Brian Thompson on Jan. 7 when Thompson's arm became lodged in the window of Kopper's car as he tried to flee from Thompson, who was attempting to arrest him for a parole violation.  

It was the day after a blizzard and the roads were still icy. If not, Zickl said, Thompson certainly would have been killed in the incident.

"His tires were spinning as fast as they would go," Zickl said. "On a dry surface he would have been up to 70 or 80 mph immediately."

Tedford said evidence showed Kopper was over medicated that day and probably intended harm to himself, but not to Thompson.

"He has a great deal of remorse for what he did that day," Tedford said. "I have the utmost respect for Deputy Thompson. He has the utmost respect for Deputy Thompson. He's truly sorry. I submit to you that when my client is properly medicated, he has no propensity for violent behavior."

Noonan said the only way Kopper could get proper supervision and mental health treatment in today's society is in prison. There simply isn't the available resources to provide him with the kind of constant supervision he needs if he were at liberty.

Thompson also addressed the court, asking Kopper to turn to Jesus Christ for his salvation and telling Kopper that he forgave him even though he hadn't asked for his forgiveness.

Thompson quoted from the Book of Roman: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse; Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn; Live in harmony with one another; ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

In conclusion, Thompson said, "Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on my life over this past six months."

Dressed in Genesee County Jail orange, Kopper turned his chair a bit toward the dias where Thompson stood and spoke and watched him throughout his statement.

After Tedford spoke, Kopper made a brief statement.

"I'd like to apologize for my actions that day, but more importantly, I want to apologize to Deputy Thompson," Kopper said. "I'm very sorry."

Motorcyclist down on Pearl Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcyclist is down in the roadway in the area of 3120 Pearl Street Road. A first responder reports possible serious injury.

East Pembroke and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight is dispatched. Three minute ETA.

UPDATE 5 a.m.: We didn't hear why, but Mercy Flight out of Olean is dispatched. Twenty-five minute ETA.

UPDATE: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 5:40 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne. Didn't hear its destination. The assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 6 a.m.: A motorcyclist was apparently westbound when it struck a deer. The point of impact was the deer's hindquarter. The front end of the Harley-Davidson was damaged. The rider's helmet showed signs of skidding. He was in and out of consciousness while being treated on scene. He was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. Mercy Flight out of Batavia was not available this morning. The name of the rider has not yet been released. An eastbound motorist found the bike and the rider in the middle of the road and called emergency dispatchers.

Deadline is June 30 to register for History Heroes Summer Program at HLOM

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 2014 History Heroes Summer Program at the Holland Land Office Museum is going to be our best year yet! For just $25 per day ($22 for Museum members), your child will be immersed in local and national history through group activities, arts, crafts, music, field trips, guest speakers, and more, culminating in a theatrical performance and picnic celebration!

The theme for the 2014 History Heroes Summer Program is “Railroads and Immigration.” The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for two weeks,Tuesday through Friday, from July 8-11 and from July 15-18.

To provide necessary attention and instruction to each child, and ensure that your child can experience our History Heroes Summer Program, please register by June 30. You may choose what days you would like to attend.

Our expert staff includes retired elementary teacher and program coordinator Anne Marie Starowitz along with Museum Director Jeffrey Donahue, Assistant Director Jeffrey Fischer, and art teacher Cathy Loria.

Highlights of this year’s program include:

  • Designing “passports” and experiencing life as an immigrant coming into Ellis Island;
  • A performance of the musical “We Come From Everywhere,” in which children will act, sing, wear costumes, and build and paint set;
  • A field trip to the Attica & Arcade Railroad to ride an authentic steam engine;
  • Healthy snacks and water are provided daily for participants. Full lunches will be provided on Tuesday July 9th, Thursday July 17th, and Friday July 18th.
  • A day of weaving and knitting;
  • Walking field trips;
  • Historical crafts, and more!

Any questions, please call the museum, 343-4727. They will help you with your questions and tell you how to register your child.

Car vs. pedestrian accident on West Main Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A car / pedestrian accident is reported at 214 W. Main St. and city firefighters and Mercy medics are on scene. The pedestrian has a minor injury.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: City fire is back in service and the pedestrian is being taken to UMMC.

Muckdogs run young season record to 7-2 with run-scoring offense

By Howard B. Owens

The 2014 edition of the Batavia Muckdogs, at least so far, isn't a team with a lot of pop, but they've shown they can put runs on the board.

In nine games this season, the Muckdogs have scored at least five runs six times. At 7-2, they have the best record in the Pinckney Division and are tied with Brooklyn for the best record in the NYPL.

In nine games, only reserve shortstop Brian Anderson has any home runs, with two in eight at bats, but five starters are hitting over .300.

The Muckdogs lead the league in hitting with a .245 team batting average.

The hitting has made up for a subpar contribution from the hurlers so far. The staff ERA is near the bottom of the league at 3.22.

Saturday night, Batavia had its biggest offensive game yet, scoring 10 runs on 14 hits for a 10-6 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (3-6). Jorgan Cavanerio tossed six innings, giving up four runs, to notch his first win of the season.

The offensive was led by catcher Brad Haynal, a San Diego State product making his professional debut. Taken by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round of the 2014 draft, Haynal was 2-4 with a double and three RBI.

With three hits apiece were DH Carlos Duran and 2B Mason Davis. Duran, a Dominican in his fourth professional season who is hitting .320, had two RBI. Davis, the leadoff hitter, from Georgia, had a triple and his hitting .321 on the season. 

Outfielder Kevin Grove, who went to high school in Los Angeles and college in New York City (St. John's), also had two hits, with a double and RBI. An undrafted free agent, Grove is hitting .324 in his first professional season through eight starts. 

Ryan Aper, a centerfielder from Lincoln, Ill., taken in the sixth round by the Marlins in 2013, had two hits and scored two runs. Aaron Blanton, from Texas, a ninth-round pick in 2013, also had two hits. Blanton is the starting shortstop.

The Muckdogs are home again this evening against State College. Game time is 5:05 p.m. It's Irish Night, sponsored by O'Lacys. Also, the first 100 seniors 60 and over will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda/coffee and snack item. The Muckdogs and State College meet again at 7:05 p.m., Monday.

Photos: Classic cars at Stan's

By Howard B. Owens

Stan's Harley-Davidson hosted its annual classic car and classic bike drive-in today.

Nathan and Abby Lake, of Batavia.

Hugh and Mary Ann Steves, of Strykersville.

Don McDonald, of Stafford.

Photos: Mercy Flight open house at Home Depot

By Howard B. Owens

Mercy Flight/Mercy EMS, with the help of local volunteer fire departments, the Sheriff's Office and State Police, hosted an open house today in the parking lot of Home Depot. The highlight might have been the flyover of Mercy Flight #5, piloted by Brian Smith.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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Seasonal cook at Stafford Country Club. Immediate start, great work environment, competitive pay! Please send resumes to: HR@Staffordcc.com
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For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
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