Press release:

Your votes mean $50,000 for Batavia! St. Paul Lutheran School at 31 Washington Ave. is in the running for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to add a library and media center to the school.

The school's project is online at www.refresheverything.com/stpaul. Votes may be cast online and by texting 109949 to Pepsi (73774). Each person can submit three votes per day now through Nov. 30. The school is currently ranked #28 and needs to be in the top 10 to be funded.

St. Paul educates children of all faiths from 3-year-old preschoolers through 5th grade and currently serves 54 children. Adding a library and media center is part of Phase Two of St. Paul's building campaign. For Phase Two, the current porch area will be enclosed to house the library and media center. The total cost of Phase Two is estimated at $100,000.

The St. Paul congregation has already raised $30,000 for the library and media center. The Pepsi Refresh grant would cover half the cost of the project and allow the library and media center to open for the 2012-13 school year.

Officials have yet to locate a pair of ATV riders whom a deputy tried to stop for questioning on Sunday in the area of Seven Springs Road, Batavia.

One of the riders reportedly tried to run down Deputy Brian Thompson.

Thompson said this afternoon that he was on Prole Road Extension investigating a reported larceny when he saw the two individuals on the four-wheel ATVs.  

When he tried to approach them, the riders started to leave. One ATV headed in his direction and started to slow as if he was going to stop and then gunned the engine and headed straight at Thompson.

Thompson had to jump out of the way.

He described the rider as a young white male wearing a black or dark blue Carhartt jacket. The ATV he was on was all or mostly black (perhaps some white or silver trim). It was a racing-style ATV, Thompson said, with flared back fenders.

The second ATV was green.

The NYS plates on both ATVs were obstructed.

"At this point I just want to talk to them," Thompson said.

He thinks they were headed to either Elba or Byron after leaving the scene.

Thompson is hoping that the description of the subjects might lead to somebody calling in a tip that will help the Sheriff's Office locate the riders.

To pass along any tips, call (585) 343-5000.

Two men from Batavia who are accused of stealing 10 windows with casings and a screen door from a residence on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, on July 26 entered not guilty pleas in county court on Monday morning.

Jamie Scott Scholonski, 39, of Vine Street, and Joseph Allen Hogan, 42, of Bank Street, appeared separately before Judge Robert C. Noonan.

Both men were indicted by the Grand Jury last week on counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal mischief in the third degree.

Following motions, both are scheduled to reappear in court in mid-January.

Previously: Police Beat: Two Batavia men accused of overnight burglary in Bergen

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here is the response from Jackie Whiting, candidate for county legislature, District 5.

As the legislator from Le Roy, one of the issues I'd like to focus on is the I-90/490 interchange. This is one of only two Thruway exits in the state of New York that doesn't have any business development. This has been a point of concern for Le Royans since the Genesee Economic Development Corp. purchased the property years ago.

For all these years, promises have been made to my friends and neighbors in Le Roy about bringing business to that land, but nothing has been done. The main stumbling block to getting that property developed is the lack of essential utility services and I am ready and willing to work with anyone who can prepare that property for business development. I'd like to be a part of helping the GCEDC make this a successful project.

I would also like to serve on the legislature's Human Services Committee, which oversees the county departments that deal with our seniors. I have a long history of senior advocacy having served as program coordinator at both the Genesee County Office for the Aging and The Greens of Le Roy. The continued viability of the Genesee County Nursing Home, one of our most important safety nets and assets, is an issue that lies close to my heart. Our seniors have spent a lifetime paying the taxes that created and supported our nursing home and it is the responsibility of the legislature to do what they can to ensure its continued existence.

I would ask the residents of Le Roy to vote for me because I am a person who gets things done. They know I understand and care for the people of Le Roy and they know I am going to work extremely hard for them. I've spent my entire adult life working to make the great community of Le Roy even better. I serve on the school board, I was president of Le Roy Youth Football and Le Roy Knights, Inc. I am a member of the Le Roy Business Council so I understand the challenges small businesses face. I spend my days and nights promoting our kids, our businesses and our community.

I want to take that experience and dedication to the Genesee County Legislature where I can continue to advocate for our senior citizens, our youth and our business community. I feel I am prepared to do that and I am the only candidate who has been attending legislation subcommittee meetings for the past several months. I will bring knowledge and insight of current county issues right from the start, so I ask for the support of Le Roy residents with their vote on November 8th.

Sincerely, Jackie Whiting

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

I am running for election to the Genesee County Legislature for District 8, which includes Wards 2 and 3 in the City of Batavia. I am asking the citizens of Batavia to support my candidacy because I am committed to being a strong advocate for the city at the county level. My experience on city council, and especially my time as council president, has given me insight into the issues that affect the people of Batavia.  

During my time on council, I have advocated for conservative budgeting and an increase in government efficiency. We have planned for the future by establishing reserve funds as well as focusing on infrastructure improvements. I will continue to advocate for those priorities at the county level. I will also work with the members of the legislature to lobby for fair policies that do not place undue burdens on municipalities. We must fight for mandate relief.

A key issue that I will address is that of economic development. I was appointed this year to the governor’s Economic Development Council for the Finger Lakes Region. The city council was also successful in establishing a partnership with the EDC to secure an economic development coordinator for the City of Batavia. I support a cooperative effort to bring the resources of the GCEDC together with that of the city economic development coordinator to develop projects which broaden the county’s tax base and create jobs inside the City of Batavia.

I am excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Genesee County Legislature. I promise to continue to work hard and to thoughtfully consider each decision with the people of Batavia in mind. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Your vote is important. Please vote on Election Day!

A lifelong Batavia resident, who was at a house on Central Avenue in March when a search by law enforcement allegedly found a quantity of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, entered a guilty plea to a drug charge Monday morning.

Eric P. Williams was among three people arrested at 29 Central Ave., Batavia, on March 12.

The 45-year-old Williams, who was born in Batavia, admitted to attempted possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, telling Noonan that he knew he illegally possessed cocaine with an aggregate weight of 1.5 ounces or more.

He faces a sentence of two to eight years in state prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Jan. 3.

Williams is currently in custody at the Genesee County Jail.

Arrested with Williams were Derek Leach, 31, of 29 Central Ave. and Randy G. Leach II, 24, of 58 S. Main St. The status of their cases is not immediately available.

A Corfu resident who admitted last month to possessing cocaine will spend five years on probation, even though Judge Robert C. Noonan said he was reluctant to give that sentence to 29-year-old Brandon R. Brade.

Noonan told Brade that reading pre-sentence reports is often like reading a novel, and before he gets to the end he can anticipate the outcome.

In this case, Noonan said, Brade's story said, "he's going off to prison," but the twist in this story was that the probation department was recommending probation for Brade. The recommendation was based on Brade's recent success, and "only his recent success," said Noonan, in substance abuse treatment.

But Noonan counseled Brade that if Brade continues in some of his behavior, and especially some of his attitudes, the story wouldn't turn out well for the Corfu resident.

"If you display your defiance of authority and the world's rules as you have seemed to do in the past, that’s not going to work for you," Noonan said.

Brade admitted to possession of cocaine Aug. 18. He originally faced several drug-related charges, including the sale of cocaine.

While Brade had some minor scrapes with the law prior to 2005, his attorney said, this is Brade's first felony conviction.

An Oakfield resident accused of multiple burglaries and other crimes in several Genesee County jurisdictions was ordered held in jail without bail by Judge Robert C. Noonan on Monday morning.

Benjamin W. Muntz appeared in county court to be arraigned on charges of burglary, 3rd, possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini asked that Muntz, who was already in jail, continue to be held without bail because he faces possible felony and misdemeanor charges out of Oakfield, Elba, Alabama and Bergen.

Thomas Burns, the attorney assigned Muntz, asked for a bail review once all of the other cases are brought before Noonan.

Muntz pled not guilty this morning.

In the current indictment, Muntz is accused of breaking into a garage on Judge Road, Alabama on Aug. 26 and stealing a Honda dirt bike.

Wyatt J. Becker, 21, of Sumner Road, in Darian, is a wanted man.

Judge Robert C. Noonan issued a warrant for his arrest Monday morning after Becker failed to appear for an arraignment on DWI and a felony charge of vehicular assault, 2nd.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell hasn't seen Becker since an appearance in Alexander Town Court where Becker, during his arraignment there, asked to use the restroom and never came back.

Becker was reportedly involved in an accident Aug. 3 in which his passenger was seriously injured.

It was a weekend of wins and records for student athletes in Genesee County, with Le Roy Girls Volleyball and three cross-country runners picking up sectional titles.

In volleyball, Le Roy girls won their second straight Section V title with a 3-0 win over Williamson Central. Kaitlyn Tyler had 16 kills and Montana Vestovi added 24 assists for Le Roy (15-4). Le Roy will face Waterloo Tuesday in the Class C regional qualifier at Cal-Mum.

With a time of 16:02 Jeffrey Antolos of Notre Dame claimed a Class D cross-country title. Anna Warner took a girls Class DD title with a time of 19:47. Pavilion's  Liz Valento took a Class D title with a time of 19:02.

Notre Dame won the Class DD team championship with 71 points.

Other top finishers in their classes include: Pembroke’s Randi Rudnik (17:47) in ninth; Andrew Fischer, Notre Dame, fifth (17:12); Oakfield-Alabama's Connor George (17:16), sixth; and teammate Gabe Bender, seventh (17:18).

In swimming, Batavia's Catherine McAllister, Sarah DiBacco, Helen Zickl and Alayna Mlodozeniec set a Batavia school record in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:47.30, which placed them in fifth in their sectional meet.

In other sectional action, Pavilion Girls Volleyball lost to Cal-Mum in a Class CC final match. BHS Girls Volleyball dropped a Class B final to Wayne Central, 4-1. Notre Dame's girls dropped a qualifer match to Harley-Allendale-Columbia, 3-2.

Photos submitted by Bare Antolos. Top photo: Coach Eric Geitner displays the Section V Class DD Coach of the Year award along with his own champions, junior Jeffrey Antolos and freshman Anna Warner. The two of them will be joined at the XC State Championships next Saturday at Verona High School, with senior Andrew Fischer who is holding the ND Boys Section V Class DD Championship trophy.

In a game played Saturday at the Medina Veterans Park, the Pembroke Youth Association Dragons defeated the Akron Tigers 32-0 for the Niagara Orleans Football Association JV championship title.

Coach Jerry Cox's team went 12-0 for the season. The Akron Tigers only losses during the season were to the Dragons.

More pictures of the game can be seen here.

A vehicle has hit a guard rail in the area of mile marker 396 in the westbound lane of the Thruway.

Unknown injuries.

The location is near Slusser Road.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:31 a.m.: No injuries.

Six weeks since opening, Krista Maniscalco, left, says business is good at her new deli on Oak Street, even without much promotion.

Gigi's is in the former location of Salome's and features subs, hot sandwiches and pizza, all made from fresh ingredients and cooked to order.

Maniscalco, pictured with her mother Linda Sprung, said opening in Batavia -- her husband, Charles, owns Scooter's in Le Roy -- means she has to emphasize quality.

"Here you have competition everywhere, so you've got to be a cut above," Maniscalco said.

She then added, "faith and family is a big part of what we do."

New York Times: Preaching Virtue of Spanking, Even as Deaths Fuel Debate

UPDATED 7:25 p.m.

A 42-year-old Niagara County resident died while hunting today in Alabama off Sour Springs Road.

Charles E. Sossong, of Lockport-Olcott Road, Newfane, was not wearing a safety restraint while in a tree stand that was 35 feet off the ground, according to Sheriff's Office investigators.

Sossong was pronounced dead at 3:11 p.m. by Genesee County Coroner Christine Flanagan.

His body was first found by a friend at the base of the tree.

An investigation revealed the tree stand was still affixed to the tree.

Emergency dispatchers received a call from Niagara County dispatchers at about 1 p.m. today reporting that a caller had parked a blue truck somewhere on Sour Springs Road and gone to a location in the woods where he had found his friend fallen to the ground from a tree stand.

The caller was performing CPR and could not immediately be reached by phone to better determine his location.

Volunteers from the Alabama Fire Department as well as Shelby and Akron were called to the scene.

Mercy Flight was dispatched immediately and assisted in the search for the victim.  

It took rescuers 30 minutes to locate the hunter and his friend who had made the call.

Once the victim was located, Mercy Flight was put back in service and Sheriff's investigators and the coroner were summoned to the scene.

Alabama fire personnel were on scene for about three hours.

A brush fire is reported in the woods behind a house at 7405 Reuben Road. Town of Alabama Fire Department is called to the scene. Oakfield Fire Department is called to standby in its quarters.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: Indian Falls and Pembroke are called in to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: Corfu requested mutual aid. Corfu's engine with its "deluge gun" requested to the scene. Firefighters are having a hard time reaching the fire through the woods.  A chief says, "the only way we're going to get back there is with a deluge gun."

UPDATE 3:42 p.m.: Fire is out. Chief says, "we're just wetting things down."

UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: All units back in service.

A brush fire is reported at 9103 Wilkinson Road in East Pembroke. The East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: A brush truck from the Town of Batavia is requested for mutual aid but a firefighter familiar with the terrain says the blaze is in a swampy area and the truck won't be able to get through. They are working to find a solution. "You gotta lot of smoke showin'" ..."I don't know how we're going to get to it. It's going toward a house."

UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: They've "got to upgrade" to an engine from the Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Some responders have to wait for a train to pass before they can tackle the fire.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: A Sheriff's deputy is requested to the scene. The fire is believed to have started when someone lit some brush too close to a hedgerow and "it took off." This is "an illegal burn."

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: Fire police from Corfu are called to shut down the roadway.

A brush fire behind a house in Bergen is burning a path to the woods. A large column of black smoke can reportedly be seen from the location, which is 7338 North Bergen Road. Bergen Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The fire is far from the roadway and will not be easy to reach. Brush trucks from Byron and Brockport are called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: The homeowner says he is burning six to eight rows of hay. He says the location is remote. The mutual aid trucks from Byron and Brockport are cancelled. The fire chief is talking with the homeowner and the fire does not appear to be moving toward the woods.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Firefighters are at the scene working to extinguish what remains of the controlled burn.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: The responders are back in service.

A caller has reported finding his friend fallen from a tree stand in an area off Sour Springs Road, Alabama.

There is a truck parked beside the road. The caller is no longer on the phone and is reportedly performing CPR on his friend.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched. Mutual aid requested from Akron and Shelby.

Mercy Flight being dispatched.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: The caller called his mother in Lockport, who called 9-1-1. The information was relayed to Gensee County Emergency Dispatch by Niagara County dispatchers.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: Medina ambulance in route. Mercy Flight may be needed to help spot the location of the victim from the air.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: The truck has been located. It's in the area of Onondaga Nature Trail.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Patient not located, but the caller has a visual on Mercy Flight 5 overhead. Chief states, "I believe we're in the right area." (At some point, dispatch got the original caller on the line and patched the caller through to a chief on scene.)

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: The caller said they were more than a mile off the road. A chief is cutting a chain off a gate. Contact with the caller has been lost.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: Responders have reached the end of the trail. "We're going to have to backtrack. We're unable to locate anybody."

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: The caller has been found and is walking responders back to the patient's location.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Manpower needed to carry the patient out. The trail is not accessible by vehicle.  

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Medina put back in service. If Shelby has manpower on the south side of the bridge, they are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Patient located. 

View Larger Map