The city fire department is being dispatched to UMMC to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

Mercy Flight has a 15 minute ETA.

No further information available at this time.

If you're an artist, even if you get your degree in graphic arts, there aren't many opportunities to do what you love.

Especially in a small town.

Mark Fanara got his degree from SUNY Brockport, just a few years after he got his first tattoo.

It didn't take him long to figure that maybe body art was a way he could avoid being a penniless artist or getting tied down by a suit and a tie.

He made a career decision -- to open his own tattoo parlor in his hometown, Batavia.

The start of the 21st Century turned out to be a good time to open up a tattoo business. People like Dennis Rodman and Brian Setzer helped make tattoos into a mainstream symbol of individuality.

"There a lot of people who have tattoos that you would never know they have them," Fanara said.

From soccer moms to police sergeants, tattoos aren't just something only drunken sailors get in San Diego or Honolulu or bikers use to advertise their outlaw aspirations. They are no longer just dancing hula girls, red hearts dedicated to mom or anchors emblazoned with "USN." A good tattoo is a complex work of art.

There are whole magazines now devoted to covering the latest trends in skin art.

And Fanara and his staff can give anybody the kind of tattoo they want -- from a simple rose on the back of a shoulder, to a complex and detailed eagle with wings spanning a chest.

High Voltage Tattoo opened Ellicott Street in 2006 and about a year ago Fanara moved his shop to 110 West Main St., Batavia, giving him a high-profile location and a completely remodeled and modern parlor.

A week ago, The Batavian hung out at High Voltage while 36-year-old Fanara applied an ornate zombie face to the back of an arm of one of his apprentices, 18-year-old Ashli Hill, of York.

Hill, who does body piercing for High Voltage and is learning how to tattoo, said she's always loved art and was attracted to tattoos because her dad had them.

"I just remember my dad having this crappy looking panther and I just thought it was the coolest thing," Hill said.

The zombie face was a drawing Hill found online and decided it was a theme she would like to develop in her own body art.

"I love scary movies," Hill said. "I love zombie movies. I decided that's a theme I would like to build on."

She also said she likes tattoos on her arms because, "it makes me feel like Popeye."

Fanara said he gets all kinds of people coming through his door, from the accountant looking for just a little something only his friends on weekends will see, to hardcore tattoo addicts who are looking to add a new work of art to their bodies.

"The classics never go out of style," said Fanara. "The heart with 'mom' will never go out of style."

Of course, many of his clients are repeat customers.

"It's one of those things where once you get one (tattoo), you just want more," Fanara said.

"It's really a mainstream art now," he added. "It's a way to personalize your skin and it's a way to express your personality."

Safety

While we talked, Fanara brought out a surprising issue: Genesee County is one of the few county's in the state that doesn't regulate tattoo parlors. NYS has some regulations, but in most counties, the health department conducts monthly inspections of tattoo parlors, and Fanara thinks in the interest of public safety, Genesee County should do the same.

Fanara said he follows all of the safety and cleaning recommendations common in the industry, from sterilizing his autoclave to using disposable needles, but he believes the public should be assured that all tattoos are applied with the same safety standards.

One danger he warned against is the tattoo applied by the hobbyist at the kitchen table.

"They just know nothing about safety," he said.

Licensing and inspections might help reduce the number of tattoos that aren't applied in a safe environment.

"It would be a good idea," Fanara said. "It would make it safer for everyone. I don't want to pay another fee or pay for a license, but it would just make getting a tattoo safer."

There was a time when a child who was victimized would have to go through a gauntlet of police and medical exams while a case was built against the perpetrator.

And at the end of the process, the child and his or her family was left alone to figure out how to deal with trauma and its aftermath.

Then a group of leaders in the local criminal justice system got together and created Justice for Children and the Child Advocacy Center.

Today, when a child is sexually or physically abused, the child is no longer brought to an intimidating police station for an interview, then driven up to Strong Memorial Hospital for a physical and forensic exam, and then perhaps put through interviews with another investigator or two.

Rather, at the CAC on Bank Street, the child is welcomed into a kid-friendly environment where the investigators, medical examiners and other specialists are brought in to simplify the process for the child.

The CAC also provides ongoing counciling, support and even clothing and school supplies to families that need the assistance.

"I can't imagine going back to the way that it was before," District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said. "It's just a great place."

Friedman is also president this year of the Batavia Kiwanis Club. As a national organization, Kiwanis has a mission of engaging in charitable and civic work on behalf of children. The Batavia Kiwanis adopted the CAC as its long-term project.

The first order of business is to raise $150,000 to buy a new building to house the CAC. The club's goal is to raise $100,000 itself and is asking other Kiwanis clubs to contribute a combined $50,000.

"It's hard for me to imagine a more worthwhile long-term project for our club," Friedman said. 

Currently, the CAC pays $1,300 a month in rent -- down from $1,500 when the landlord provided lawn care that is now performed by volunteers -- mostly Kiwanis members. 

Friedman said that $1,300 a month that could be used to benefit children directly, and it's also a big expense in an age when state and federal grants are being reduced.

According to Genesee Justice Director Tiffany Szymanek, the CAC receives money from three primary grants -- National Children's Alliance, NYS Office of Child and Family Services and NYS Office of Victims' Services.

A new formula for state grants has more funds going to CACs in larger cities and cuts to smaller cities, Szymanek said.

Cuts have forced CAC to reduce staffing from two full-time employees to one and a half, with the hours of Grace Flannery, a child advocate (pictured) having her hours cut in half.

Flannery's job is to help guide a child and family through the process, from the day the child first walks into the toy filled waiting room through the criminal investigation, the court proceedings and any counseling.

The waiting room, Flannery said, "at least makes them feel a little more comfortable."

It's a symbol of what the CAC tries to accomplish -- avoid victimizing children again by putting through the trauma of reliving their experiences in sterile, adult environments.

"If they are escorted from service to service, they are just re-victimized and re-victimized," Szymanek said.

In a tour, Flannery showed off the CAC's child-friendly exam rooms, the clothes closet, the school supplies stacked in the employee break room and a boardroom filling up quickly with donations for an upcoming fundraiser. She said many times she thinks the community needs to know about the work the CAC does to help victimized children.

"The CAC is a marvelous resource that the community should know about," Flannery said. "Anything you can do to help get the word out, we really appreciate."

The Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a "Bidding on a Brighter Future" Gala and Auction at 6 p.m., Sept. 17 at Batavia Downs. Donations of items for the auction are still being accepted. Tickets for the gala are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Checks can be mailed to: Justice for Children GLOW Foundation, Inc., 108 Bank St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Disclosure: As of Thursday, Howard Owens is a member of the Batavia Kiwanis Club.

A car has struck a tree near the junction of Cochram and Transit roads in Byron. Byron and South Byron fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

Law enforcement is also en route. The driver is alert but combative.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: The accident is actually in Elba's fire district. Responders request Elba's fire police to the scene.

UPDATE 6:16: Extrication is required.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called and a landing zone is being set up.

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: The landing zone is going to be on Cochram Road, just south of Transit.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: Patient being transported to Strong. Byron and South Byron and Elba fire police are about to clear the scene.

The Blue Devils erased a 14-0 fourth-quarter deficit only to see a shot at victory slip past them. With less than 30 second to go in the game, Bath's Matt Nevius connected with Dan Leonard on a 47-yard TD pass.

In the season opener, Batavia's John DiFante connected with Brett Scheurline on a 65-yard pass to put the Blue Devils on the board.

In their next offensive series, the Blue Devils converted on fourth down to keep the drive alive and then scored on another fourth-down play, a three-yard run by Alex Ianita. Batavia's conversion attempt was a run by Codee Gangarossa, who managed to just get the ball across the goal line to tie up the game.

On Bath's next drive, the Blue Devil's defense looked like it might have a chance to stop Bath, but Leonard managed to sneak past a defender. Once he secured the pass from Nevius, there was nothing between him and the goal line.

The Blue Devils are at home again, 7:30 p.m., Friday, against Bishop Timon-St. Jude HS.

In other Genesee County football action on Friday: Way-Co beat Le Roy 28-8; Notre Dame beat Attica 27-7; Pembroke beat Alexander 21-14.

NOTE: About the video -- I shot the first half with the same video camera I've used each of the past two seasons, but it wouldn't stay in focus for some reason.  At the half, I decided to switch to my DSLR and use its video function. I decided not to even bother processing the first-half video, so the video above is only from half-time on. Ironically, during one of the key plays of the game, the tripod slipped, causing the camera to lose focus, but I included it in the video anyway.

A Sheriff's Deputy bagged an unusual find late this morning -- a large black and green snake.

Seems a caller reported the slithering reptile sunning itself in the middle of State Street Road, by the Thruway, in the Town of Batavia.

"Once we have him in the bag, then what to we do with him?" the deputy wondered.

The status of the snake, described as roughly 4 inches in diameter and lengthy, at this point is unknown.

Touch base with the Sheriff's Office if your pet snake is missing.

UPDATE Sept. 7: A photo of the snake obtained after this initial report clearly shows the snake is black and gold -- not black and green.

Notre Dame scored 20 first-quarter points in route to a 27-14 victory over Attica in the opening week of high school football.

Quarterback Tim McCully tossed two TD passes to his brother Doane. Doane had four catches on the night for 90 yards. Doane also had a kick return for a touchdown.

Nick Conklin scored on a 10-yard run for the Fighting Irish in the first quarter and in the fourth quarter, Tim MCully connected with Nick Taylor on a 24-yard TD pass.

Photos submitted by Bare Antolos. His web site is bareantolos.com

The family of 86-year-old Thomas L. Dufford is concerned about his whereabouts.

Dufford was last seen leaving the residence of one of his daughters on Pratt Road at noon, Friday.

He has not been heard from since, according to another daughter, Bonnie Dufford.

Dufford drives a white Lincoln Continental

"We are worried," Bonnie said. "This is not like him and he needs his heart medication."

She's hoping a reader may have some information to share.

According to Sgt. Greg Walker, law enforcement agencies throughout the state have been notified to be on the look out for Dufford's car, a white Lincoln Continental, model year 1996, with New York registration EDW 3680.

Dufford resides in the northeast part of Town of Alexander.

Walker said the Sheriff's Office has no specific leads on where to look for him since nobody knows where he might have decided to go after leaving Pratt Road.

If you have information to share, call the Emergency Dispatch Center at (585) 343-5000.

UPDATE 1:01 a.m.: Thomas Dufford was been located. He is safe. Dufford was stopped by a Sheriff's unit in Ontario County. His family is in route to Ontario County now to pick up him. He had apparently become disoriented and lost, according to Walker.

A two-car accident, blocking traffic, is reported at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and Lewiston Road. There are minor injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:14 p.m.: There are three patients, one of whom has chest pain and the other two are diabetic.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: The actual location is Lewiston and Park roads.

UPDATE 8:28 p.m.: So far, two patients are being transported to UMMC in separate ambulances, one for chest pain, the other for low blood sugar. The Town of Batavia fire assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: The last patient is transported to UMMC.

This is the Remembering 9/11 display set up at City Centre by the NYS Museum, one of several 9/11 artifact displays set up in various municipalities throughout New York.  The car is an unmarked NYC Port Authority sedan that was found under the rubble of the Twin Towers. The display is outside the mall-side entrance to Batavia City Hall.

Scaffolding was erected this week around the tower of the St. Jame's Episcopal Church on East Main Street, Batavia. St. Jame's is undergoing renovation and restoration work to help preserve the church.

Sorry for the lack of posts today -- it's been such a busy week I haven't had time to do the things that, you know, actually get money into our bank account.

At one point, I did pop down Evans Street and saw city firefighters spraying a little water on the ice arena parking lot.

I doubt this was an attempt to cool down. It was probably part of the training course for our two newest firefighters.

The newly formed Pembroke Boys Varsity Soccer Team started its season at the Holly soccer tournament Thursday night. Playing in their very first game together, the boys played with great heart against the very powerful Holly Hawks team. Despite losing to the host team by a 5-0 score, coach Aaron Burch was very happy with the boys' effort. Go here to see more photos of the game.

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Batavia High School JV cheerleaders are washing cars today to raise money for new warm-up uniforms. They've set up their hoses and buckets on West Main Street, Batavia, in between Beverly's Flowers & Gifts and IR Systems/DirecTV.

A city Department of Public Works employee operating a street sweeper thinks he may have hit a car at Ellicott and Liberty streets. But he's not sure.

The worker told a police officer over the radio that "I was swinging out and he made a turn right in front of me. I think I hit him, but I'm not sure. He drove off."

A city police officer is responding to investigate.

An all-terrain vehicle accident with a female with spinal injuries is reported in Elba. The subject was able to be brought up to the railroad bed "so you should have access to the patient." Mercy Flight is on in-air standby. The accident is reportedly near the old railroad bed just west of Transit Road, north of Route 262.

Mercy Flight was on in-air standby and then cancelled.

The Barker Brothers, jailed in June on drug charges, are accused of using their time behind bars to plot murder.

The brothers, Derick, at left, and Justin, allegedly arranged for a friend from Georgia to travel to New York and snuff out an unidentified target. But when the would-be killer couldn't make the trip, the brothers allegedly asked another person to do the deed.

According to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, money changed hands and an agreement was reached.

The potential target, who was notified by law enforcement about the plot, was never in danger of harm, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Derick W. Barker, 26, of Tera Boulevard, Jonesboro, Ga., and Justin Z. Barker, 22, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, where both charged with one count of conspiracy in the second degree.

The investigation into the alleged conspiracy began two months ago, according to the news release.

Separate from the conspiracy investigation, Justin Barker is also charged with 303 counts of aggravated harassment, 2nd, and one count of criminal contempt, 1st.

Justin is accused of contacting a person protected by court order 303 times by telephone and U.S. Mail between June 1 and Aug. 31.

The order of protection was issued by Justice Thomas Graham in Oakfield Town Court.

Justin is also charged with three counts of forgery and three counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st.

Justin and Derick were arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail.

The Barker Brothers made news in June when police were called to a local hotel where a trio of young men were accused of not paying their bill and refusing to leave a hotel room.

Derick reportedly fled the hotel and was eventually flushed out of a farm field on the opposite side of the Thruway.

The drug charges that put them in the Genesee County Jail in the first place, along with other charges, stemmed from the June 1 incident.

A possible vehicle fire is reported on the westbound Thruway near mile marker 384.0. Le Roy Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The vehicle reportedly went off the roadway and then began to smell like something was burning inside.

Dispatch advises that the accident happened awhile ago and now the driver is complaining of pain.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The Le Roy chief put his units back in service, since apparently there was no fire.

UPDATE 7:52 p.m.: Mercy medics are headed to UMMC with the driver.

On Tuesday, Jim DiSalvo invited me to his house on Fargo Road, Stafford, to meet his son, Jason, and Jason's racing team. I thought I'd get a picture and share a little bit about the great season Jason is having.

I set up a shot with a couple of bikes in the background and just as we were getting ready to make a photograph, Jason asked, "When will your picture run?" I told him, "probably tonight."

Well, that would never do. See that Triumph in the background -- the racing world didn't yet know that Jason would be running it this week at the final race of the season in New Jersey.

I agreed to hold the picture until the bike change was officially announced, and I also redesigned the shot to better include the bike in the picture.

This evening, the DiSalvo team officially announced that for the last race as well as next season, Jason will race a Triumph 675 Triple in Daytona Sportbike class races.

Jason said the team felt they would get great support from Triumph and he was excited about the switch.

Race 1 on Saturday will start at 2 p.m., and Sunday's race starts at 2:15 p.m.  Live timing for both events can be viewed at www.amaproracing.com.

Speed TV will air the races at 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Jason is currently third this season in points standing with three wins and four pole positions.

Pictured with Jason are Jordan Fielder, left, Bubba Evoy, Chase McFarland and Ronnie Saner.