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In a short ceremony at City Hall, Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia received the Key to the City from Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski.

Following the ceremony, Bellavia met and spoke with every single person who came to the ceremony and stayed for the chance to meet him, shake his hand, take a selfie, and even hold his Medal of Honor.

Following the event, Bellavia participated in a short press conference inside City Hall. That video is below.

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Press release:

As a senior at the Air Force Academy in 2018, Nic Ready won the NCAA Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., when he hit a record 55 home runs in three rounds for the title.

During his senior season, he hit .341 with 20 home runs.

A 23rd-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year, Ready hit his first home run in Batavia (his second on the season) as the Batavia Muckdogs defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 4-1 on Monday.

Batavia (23-14) is in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Ready, who is now hitting .293, had a 3-for-4 day with two runs and his home run gave Batavia a 1-0 lead in the seventh.

With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth with two outs, Troy Johnston a 17th-round pick of the Marlins this year, ripped a 2-RBI double off the right-center wall to give Batavia the lead for good.

“I thought it was gone, I did, it was an awesome feeling, you love when you get a ball like that in a situation like that,” Johnston said. "Milton (Smith II) starting it off with a hit (in the eighth), Nic Ready squeaking one through and Andrew Turner got us an insurance run. Hitting is contagious especially with two outs.”

A crowd of 1,139 saw the Muckdogs win on Kids Day.

"The kids were awesome, they were loud, they got after it, I loved it. It was a great atmosphere here in Batavia,” Johnston said.

Batavia has the two top hitters in the NYPL and they both contributed, as J.D. Orr (.368) had a hit and Smith (.352) had a hit and a run. Orr was a 10th-round draft pick this year and Smith went in the 22nd round last year to Miami.

Andrew Turner, a 39th-round pick in 2018, continued his recent hot streak as he is hitting .329 in his last 10 games and .299 on the season. He had two hits including an RBI double.

On the mound, Evan Brabrand continued his dominating season.

Brabrand, a ninth-round pick this year out of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., is now 2-0 with seven saves in nine mound appearances. He has struck out 14 in 9.2 innings and given up one run for a 0.93 ERA. on Monday, he had one strikeout in 1.1 innings, one hit allowed and no runs.

Starter Easton Lucas had a shutout for the three innings he pitched, struck out four and did not walk a batter. Lucas, a lefty, is a 14th-round Marlins draft pick this year out of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and he has a 1.69 ERA.

Lefty Dakota Bennett went 4.2 innings, struck out two, gave up two hits and no earned runs.

The pitching is phenomenal, I am just glad I’m on the other side,” Johnston said.

Right after the game, the Muckdogs left for West Virginia for three games with the Black Bears. The Muckdogs are home Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with Williamsport and Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

The game Saturday is sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile and free general admission tickets are available at the box office while they last.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Whiz Khalifa Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday:

Arthur J. Meaney IV, 19, of West River Road, Grand Island, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, after allegedly being found in possession of a fictitious license and then refusing to be placed under arrest by struggling with deputies. Meaney was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $2500 bail.

Elijah R. Giles, 24, of East State Street, Albion, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the medical treatment area at Darien Lake and then interfering with the process of his arrest. 

Ryan A. Diana, 21, of Britany Lane, Pittsford, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the medical treatment area at Darien Lake and then interfering with the process of his arrest. 

Matthew D. Pantera, 25, of Homecrest Drive, Amherst, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Michelle M. Seneca, 42, of Cosad Road, Seneca Falls, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the Darien Lake Hotel.

Emily C. Kornack, 18, of Landmark Lane, Pittsford, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Jaycee V. Jones Jr., 18, of Clarence Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching another person in the eye.

Joseph M. Folvarick, 42, of Wheeler Street, Tonawanda, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly having physical contact with another person. 

Darius A. Hamilton, 30, of Kehr Street, Buffalo, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being told to leave several times and then interfering with the process of his arrest.

Dominic G. Santamaria, 22, of Overbrook Avenue, Tonawanda, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly pushing a Live Nation security officer. 

Brennan K. Callen, 18, of Flynn Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Nicholas G. Curre, 21, of Corral Drive, Penfield, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue and then entering the concert venue after having been ejected and arrested and told not to return. 

Connor T. O’Keefe, 20, of Autumn Lane, Lewiston, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return. 

A 17-year-old of Rumsey Road, Buffalo, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue and then entering the concert venue after having been ejected and arrested and told not to return. 

Timothy J. Lloyd, 19, of South Grosvenor Avenue, Brighton, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue and then entering the concert venue after having been ejected and arrested and told not to return. 

Matthew E. Dickerson, 21, of Timberwood Drive, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Brianna L. Stiegler, 19, of Graystone Lane, Orchard Park, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal Impersonation, 2nd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return and then identifying herself as her sister. 

(name redacted upon request), 20, of Misty Meadow Way, Fairport, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue and then entering the concert venue after having been ejected and arrested and told not to return. 

Devin M. O’Dell, 19, of Smith Road, Canandaigua, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance at the concert venue exit. 

Gray H. Benhal, 20, of Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return. 

Austin J. Allen, 19 of Clovermeadow Lane, Farmington, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Christopher A. Rasbin, 21, of West Avenue, Newark, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue and then entering the concert venue after having been ejected and arrested and told not to return.

A 17-year-old of Proximity Lane, Victor, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Jacob G. Damelio, 19, of Angels Path, Webster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

A 17-year-old of Edendery Circle, Fairport, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Abbey L. Heist, 20, of Chesapeake Lane, West Henrietta, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Kaylee A. Horn, 20, of Elaine Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

A 17-year-old of Wheat Road, Clifton Springs, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Derrick C. Jones, 18, of South Street, Clifton Springs, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Thomas J. Miller Jr., 18, of Edgemere Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Sonia D. Vasquez, 20, of Underwood Avenue, Hilton, arrested for criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, after allegedly being found in possession of a stun gun while entering the Darien Lake parking lot. 

Jacob L. Masterson, 18, of County Road 15, Filmore, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana. 

Thomas C. Emerson, 18, of Skyline Drive, Corning, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Thomas Rhett concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on July 19:

John K. Turton, 38 of Coburn Road, Ulysses, Pa., is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Turton also entered the concessions area in an attempt to avoid arrest. John was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.

Zachary A. Bellin, 21, of Livingston Avenue, Syracuse, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to enter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. 

Gina M. Quattrone, 21, of Clearview Drive, Spencerport, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. 

Abbey J. Gardner, 18, of Kemp Drive, Macedon, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Remy M. Cummings, 18, of Cornwall Drive, Macedon, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Joshua E. Boozer, 33, of Park Avenue, Warren, Pa., is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly threatening to strike a Live Nation security guard with a chair inside the venue. 

Emily R. Boozer, 26, of Park Avenue, Warren, Pa., is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly grabbing a Live Nation security guard by the neck scratching him with her nails.

Keri A. Ramsey, 24, of Old Buffalo Road, Attica, is charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with over .08-percent BAC after allegedly being involved in an accident on the Darien Lake Employee Road.

Press release:

Even when the Batavia Muckdogs lose, they find a way to keep the crowd excited to the last out.

The Muckdogs ended a 3-game win streak with a 5-4 loss to Mahoning Valley on Sunday.

The Muckdogs play at home at 11:05 a.m. on Monday as part of Kids Day and a special for fans age 55 and over. Tickets for anyone 55 and older is just $2 and there will be food and drink specials as well.

On Sunday, Mahoning Valley jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the sixth and held off a Batavia rally to win.

Batavia remains in first place in the New York-Penn Pinckney Division with a 22-14 record and Mahoning Valley is 18-18.

J.D. Orr had another strong game going 2-for4 with two runs and is now hitting .369 on the season, jumping just ahead of teammate Milton Smith III (.356) for the top average in the NYPL.

Dalvy Rosario (two runs), Nic Ready and Ronal Reynoso all had hits while Jack Strunc and Andrew Turner had RBI's.

Starting pitcher Edgar Martinez went four innings and struck out three, Jonaiker Villalobos, who took the loss, struck out one in .2 innings.

Jeremy Galindez went 2.1 innings giving up two hits and struck out one.

Edison Suriel lowered his ER to 1.69 throwing two scoreless innings one one-hit ball with four strikeouts to keep the Muckdogs in the game.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photos by Jim Burns

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.77, down 2 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.84. The New York State average is $2.89 – no change from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.  AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.84 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.85 (down a penny since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.83 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.83 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.85 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.79 (down a penny since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.81 (no change since last week)

Pump prices are stabilizing signaling that supply and demand are likely in sync so motorists are seeing prices level out.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased by 33 cents to settle at $55.63.

Crude prices mostly declined last week after the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that it does not expect oil prices to rise significantly because demand is slowing and there is a glut in global crude markets.

The IEA is reducing its 2019 oil demand growth forecast to 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.2 million bpd due to a slowing global economy amid the continuing U.S.-China trade dispute.

Concerns over the current excess of oil in the crude market overshadowed concerns of increasing tension in the Middle East last week though tensions in the Middle East spiked at the end of last week, so analysts will continue to monitor issues there.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 19-6 held a fundraiser Saturday at VFW Veness Strollo Post 1602 in Batavia.

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Subscribe to The Batavian's YouTube channel.

A five-vehicle accident is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 385.9 in the westbound lane.

Minor injuries are reported but traffic is blocked.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A car has reportedly hit a child on a bike in the area of M&T Bank, 9133 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

Unknown injuries.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:17 a.m.: Elba chief on scene says all responding units can stand by in quarters. 

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: A reader conducted us to say a child was not involved but she was not a witness. We called Elba Chief Mike Heale who responded to the call. He said a passerby called dispatch. He said he was at the scene within seconds of the dispatch and there was nobody -- no patient, no vehicle -- at the scene, so the call was canceled.   

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Subscribe to The Batavian's YouTube channel.

A porch fire with flames showing is reported at 6145 Quaker Hill Road, Elba.

Elba fire dispatched.

UPDATE 2:42 a.m.: An engine from Town of Batavia and a tanker from Oakfield requested to the scene.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Barre had been dispatched but Elba command has said Barre can stand down.

UPDATE 3:42 p.m.: Fire is out. It was contained to the front porch. No extensions. Elba assignment back in service.

Today is the final day of the 180th Genesee County Fair so it's also your last day to have fun on the Midway. The midway opens at noon.

David Bellavia, who received the Medal of Honor on June 25, will receive the Key to the City of Batavia in a homecoming program at 2 p.m., Tuesday.

Bellavia will be honored by city and county officials and will be asked to make a few remarks in a short program in front of City Hall.

Since receiving the Medal of Honor, Bellavia has been on the road almost constantly, traveling to New York City and Los Angeles to make public and media appearances on behalf of the Army.

President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Bellavia during a ceremony at the White House last month. Bellavia is the first living combat veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation's highest military honor.

The award was presented for his heroic actions, saving the lives of his entire platoon, during the Second Battle of Fallujah on Nov. 10, 2004, which also happened to be his birthday. Bellavia distinguished himself by taking on a stronghold of insurgents single-handedly, killing four and seriously wounding a fifth.

A brass band is expected to play during the program and local veterans will be attendance to honor Bellavia, a Batavia resident.

The public is invited to the event.

In the event of rain, the program will be moved to the interior of City Centre, just inside the doors of City Hall.

City offices will close temporarily at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Jefferson Avenue will be closed during the program.

Previously:

• 'Extraordinary service': Batavia's SSgt. Bellavia first living Iraq vet awarded Medal of Honor
• Video: David Bellavia inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon
• Photos: David Bellavia tours the Lincoln Memorial
• Coverage: David Bellavia Medal of Honor press conference

A post on Facebook by a woman who is apparently a former employee of Mooney's Bar and Grill complaining that the Le Roy restaurant is rat-infested has gotten the attention of thousands of local residents.

In response, the Genesee County Health Department released the following statement.

The Genesee County Health Department is aware of the public’s concerns regarding vermin at Mooney’s Sports Bar and Grill located in Le Roy.

Public Health sanitarians have been working diligently with the restaurant manager and a licensed exterminator. An inspection by the department was conducted this morning, July 19, and no public health threats were identified.

The facility remains open and we will continue increased inspection frequency.

In the original post by Kayla Gangarossa, she writes, in part:

I’ve wanted to say something for so long but because I’m a mother of three and need an income I’ve kept my mouth shut! But due to recent events the public and all my regulars there have a right to know what’s going on!!! I’m sorry to all my fellow coworkers this may affect but it had to be done! Mooneys sports bar and grill in Leroy ny 65 lake st of Leroy to be exact has RATS!!! Hey we had them for MONTHS!!

Gangarossa included eight pictures she claimed to have been taken at the restaurant Wednesday night. The pictures showed what appeared to be at least one dead rat, another dead animal that may have been a mouse, some mousetraps and a whole in a door or wall.

She concluded her post with the statement, "Do NOT eat at Mooney’s ..."

The post has been shared nearly 2,000 times and has more than 1,500 comments.