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Contractors began milling Ellicott Street this morning in preparation for repaving next week.

Over the next three days, the milling tractors -- which cost $750,000 each -- will remove 750,000 tons of top asphalt.

The milling begins down the center of Ellicott today, with traffic being diverted to the outside lanes from Main to Cedar. Once the center of the roadway is milled, traffic will be routed to the center and workers will mill to the curbs.

A test strip of paving will be laid on Wednesday, with actual paving scheduled to begin on Friday.

Two bus loads of area residents departed from the Batavia Downs parking lot this morning for "Patriot Trip III," the annual trek to Washington, D.C., organized by Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

The trip includes tours of the WWII, Vietnam, Korean and FDR Memorials as well as the Nation’s Capitol, Arlington Cemetery, and Udvar Hazy Aerospace
Museum. Each traveler paid $325 to join the group and they will stay at Fort Belvior Army Base in Virginia.

For many of the people joining the tour this year, it is their third time making the trip to D.C., and some first-timers said they were excited to be going in this year.

David Timothy Neuhaus, 23, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Neuhaus is accused of stealing property from another person in Bergen. The time of the alleged incident was 5:20 a.m., Tuesday.

Randy Lawrence Sanfratello, 40, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Sanfratello allegedly remained on the property of another person whom he was ordered not to be near.

William J. Christner, 55, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI. Christner was stopped by State Police at 9:07 p.m., Tuesday, on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia.

A fire is reported at an apartment building at 42 Spencer Court in the City of Batavia. The possible structure fire is reported to be in an end building and there is some traffic congestion due to people trying to leave the scene or move their cars.

Firefighters on scene report smoke showing.

UPDATE (9:58 p.m.): The smoke is said to be coming from a BBQ grill and fire units are back in service.

Batavia Police are on scene of an accident at Park and Richmond. No word on injuries.

A second accident at Park and Oak has just been called in. It's reportedly a rear-end accident. No word on injuries.

A one-car accident with injuries has been reported in the area of 3126 Stegman Road, Batavia.

A third advanced life-support ambulance is requested.

East Pembroke Fire is on scene.

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A power line has been reported down on Cedar Street.

It has reportedly fallen on an occupied car.

City Fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

There is a report that power is out in the area of Ross and East Main streets. 

The power outage may only go as far as Washington on the north, Ellicott on the South.

UPDATE: It sounds like power is out on the south side of East Main all the way down to Cedar Street.

UPDATE 6:58 a.m.: National Grid is showing sporadic power outages south down Ellicott as far as Little Canada.

UPDATE 7:13 a.m.: According to National Grid, more than 1,200 customers are without power. One section of power loss covers the wedge from Ross to Cedar between East main and Ellicott, with some outages on the north side of East Main. Another section of outages are at Old Creek Road, north of Ellicott almost to Route 5, to just past Transit Road on the east, and down to the south to West Bethany and Brookville, and on the west side to Dorman and Cookson roads.

UPDATE 8:37 a.m.: National Grid reports that power is back on for the two outage areas mentioned above, however there is now a power outage for about 900 customers in Pavilion and down into Wyoming County.

Although the Red Wings have not firmly committed to having community baseball remain in Batavia next year, they will maintain a financial interest in ownership of the Muckdogs and in providing the team with an affiliate in the NY Penn League -- the St. Louis Cardinals.

"The chances of there being baseball in Batavia in 2011 are extremely strong," said Maomi Silver, president and CEO of Red Wings Management, LLC, the company which has managed the Muckdogs since 2008.

She commented on the issue at Dwyer Stadium this afternoon, when it was announced that the Muckdogs and St. Louis Cardinals will extend their working relationship through the 2012 season.

The existing Muckdogs-Cardinals Player-Development Contract expires Sept. 30.

Silver made it clear that the Red Wings are not going to abandon the Muckdogs and that if it takes longer than this off-season to find a buyer, so be it. The search for a buyer continues and there has been interest shown, but no deal is imminent, she said.

A joint announcment about the continued affiliation between the Muckdogs and St. Louis Cardinals was made by Cardinals Assistant Manager John Abbamondi, Cardinals Director of Minor League Operations John Vuch, and Brian Paris, president of Genesee County Community Baseball, the nonprofit that owns the Batavia Muckdogs franchise.

Paris said: "The Genesee County Baseball Club is pleased to announce that will we be extending our working relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals for two more years. This is a great day for the Batavia community as we continue our partnership with one of the greatest teams in the history of Batavia baseball, including the unforgettable 2008 New York-Penn League Championship season.

"They've been a first-class organization to work with and we're fortunate to have them at our affiliate in Batavia."

Silver said: "We're very pleased to see the working relationship between Batavia and the St. Louis Cardinals extended. The Cardinals have done everything a Minor League franchise could hope for in an affiliation.

"They also understand how important small town Minor League Baseball is to the Batavia Community and they deserve a lot of credit for providing the baseball fans of Batavia with extremely talented young players."

Abbamondi said: "We have had a good experience working with the ownership and management team in Batavia and I want to thank Naomi Silver, Gary Larder and Brian Paris for their support.

"We reached the playoffs this season and won the Championship in 2008 and we look forward to building on this recent success."

In four seasons as a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate (2007 to present), the Batavia Muckdogs have made the New York-Penn League playoffs twice, with the Muckdogs winning their first New York-Penn League Championship in 45 years in 2008.

"The St. Louis Cardinals are a first-class organization and we couldn't ask for more," Silver added.

A young man who by many accounts is a good kid from a good family, but who got caught up in, by his own admission, extensive drug dealing, is going to prison.

Dyllon E. Soccio, 20, of 134 Tracy Ave., received a two-and-a-half year sentence from Judge Robert Noonan this morning. Under terms of what is known as "shock camp." Soccio would be eligible for parole in six months if he stays out of trouble.

On Aug. 3, Soccio pled guilty to a charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance. He had previously pled guilty to criminal possession of marijuana.

Soccio was caught dealing drugs July 17, and was found to have drugs in his Tracy Avenue home following a raid June 23.

In an interview with probation, Soccio revealed more details of his drug dealing, according to Noonan.

If I were to make a list of 10 things not to say in a probation interview, you probably said five of them," Noonan said. "You almost gloat about your drug dealing and say, 'Don't give me probation because I don't want to have that kind of supervision for that long.'"

Soccio's attorney from the Public Defender's Office, William Tedford, argued that contrary to those statements, Soccio did want probation and would be a good candidate for probation, given his strong ties to the community, his complete cooperation with the court and successful participation in drug treatment.

Noonan also said that the letters of support submitted to the court included ones that came from, "people I respect."

"They're saying you are able to turn your life around," Noonan added, "and, you have the unusual recommendation from the Drug Task Force that you need shock camp."

With his parents and other members of his family in the courtroom, Soccio made only a short statement saying he took full responsibility for his actions and that he feels he's made progress in his treatment.

"Given the chance, I'd like to continue what I'm doing," Soccio said.

Soccio was also forced to forfeit more than $2,000 seized during the drug raid.

Previously:

• Police Beat: Drug Task Force raids two homes in county on Wednesday
• Batavia resident accused of dealing cocaine
• Batavia man admits to dealing drugs and now faces prison term

Raymond E. Joseph III, 34, of 8683 Hopkins Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Joseph allegedly had contact with a protected person at 5:15 p.m., Sept. 15. The incident was reported Monday. Joseph was located and arrested. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

A person reportedly tried to steal money from the cash register at the Subway on East Main Street by reaching into the drive-thru window.

An employee confronted the suspect and they began to fight.

The suspect then fled in the direction of Masse Place.

The suspect is described as a white male in early 20s wearing a blue shirt.

An employee chased the suspect and lost him in the area of the three houses on Masse Place, unsure if he went into a house or disappeared in the area.

UPDATE: Additional description: 6'0", 200 lbs, short blond hair, mustache, wearing blue jeans and red boxers.

UPDATE: There's some thought the suspect may have entered the construction area and then headed toward Swan Street. Readers on Swan Street (I know we have a few) should be alert.

Crews are completing roadwork at the intersection of Lewiston and Park roads, creating a good deal of congestion in the area.

Richard J. Kubis, 30, of 25 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Kubis is accused of supplying cigarettes to two youths, ages 12 and 13.

Darlene McComb, 51, of 110 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McComb was arrested on a warrant for an alleged Aug. 27 incident. McComb is accused of kicking UMMC emergency room staff.

Lawrence D. Williams, 50, of 15 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams is accused of shoving a woman. Bail was set at $200.

Clinton J. Reese, 46, of 106 Ellsworth Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Reese is accused of threatening to kill another person.

Chelsie R. Dibble, 25, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI. Dibble was stopped by State Police at 2:26 a.m., Sunday, on Akron Road in Corfu.

Carl F. Jenkins, 18, of Clarence Center, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Jenkins was stopped by State Police at 1:47 a.m., Saturday, on Route 238 near Route 20 in Darien.

Edmund Rogalski, 51, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Rogalski was stopped by State Police at 1:38 a.m., Thursday, on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Mike Pratt and the Fighting Irish dominated the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets from Notre Dame's opening drive, when Pratt carried the ball on each snap resulting in a touchdown.

In all, Pratt had 234 yards on 18 carries and scored three times.

Notre Dame won 36-0 in the Saturday afternoon match-up.

It was also a big game for Nick Taylor, who had 16 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

In all, Notre Dame rushed for 433 yards on 50 attempts.

On defense, Taylor also had six tackles.

The Hornets drop to 0-3 and Notre Dame moves to 2-1.

In other Genesee County football action Friday and Saturday:

Alexander (0-3) fell to Barker (1-2), 20-17. Jared Quinn threw two touchdown passes to John Winiecki for Alexander.

Pembroke (3-0) defeated Elba/Byron-Bergen (2-1) 6-3. For Pembroke, Caine Cole had 155 yards on 32 attempts, while Dylan Bordonaro had 85 yards on 13 rushes for Elba/Byron-Bergen.

After two shutout wins to open the season, Holley (2-1) lost to Attica (2-1), 26-23. For Attica, Brad Clark rushed for 247 yards on 32 carries. He scored twice, including the winning touchdown. 

Le Roy (2-1) dominated Perry (1-2), 56-20. Tommy McQuillen rushed for 186 yards on 10 touches and scored four touchdowns. Defensively, Brad Morgan forced a fumble and had nine tackles. Austin Steinbrenner added six tackles to go with two interceptions.

In a Saturday night game at Van Detta Stadium, the Batavia Blue Devils were 0-3 after losing to St. Mary's (2-1), 21-14.

More pictures from OA at ND after the jump:

A caller reported smelling smoke and seeing ash falling in the Batavia Downs parking lot.

City Fire and Town of Batavia Fire were dispatched.

A Town of Batavia chief reports seeing a haze in front of Kmart.

Another responder reports smelling smoke in the area of Redfield and Richmond.

A security guard from Batavia Downs reported smelling smoke, too.

Firefighters are checking the grandstand area.

Another responder reporting seeing a plum of smoke in the area of BJs.

UPDATE 11:53 p.m.: The source has been located. It's behind BJs. It's apparently some sort of controlled burn. City units put back in service. Only Town of Batavia's Engine 24 is going to the scene. A deputy is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:14 a.m.: Fire extinguished. Town of Batavia units back in service.

For the literary-minded of Genesee County, Present Tense Books and Gifts at 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, has become an important community hub.

Owner Erica Caldwell opened the shop five years ago, on Sept. 17, 2005, because she thought Batavia needed a bookstore.

Today, the store officially celebrated its fifth anniversary and Caldwell said its success has exceeded her expectations.

"I’m thrilled that we made it five years," Caldwell said. "That’s a great milestone and I’m thrilled that we’ve gotten so much support from the community."

In an era of mega-chains, and now e-readers, there's plenty of competitive threats, but Caldwell said Present Tense has done well filling a quite little niche for the customer who prefers the bookstore experience and doesn't want to drive to Buffalo or Rochester to get it.

"You have no idea of the number of people who came in and thank us for saving them a trip," Caldwell said.

While it's a small shop, so there isn't the massive selection you might find in one of the mega-chains, there isn't anything Caldwell said she can't get for customers, often the next day and without any shipping costs.

For Caldwell, running the store isn't just about business success. She said one of the greatest joys is getting to know her customers.

"I enjoy talking with people about books," Caldwell said. "It's great to see all the people who love to read. People come in and I know what they’re reading and they know what I’m reading."

Michael Dorobilala, a student at Robert Morris, thought his time in a plane flying over Genesee County today was "awesome."

The best part?

"Going down because it gives you a swoosh of excitement and you’re like tingly."

Michael was one of 60 kids to show up at the Genesee County Airport today to get a first-hand experience flying a small airplane. The Young Eagles event was sponsored by Experimental Aircraft Association chapters out of Buffalo and Rochester.

The EAA has been running the Young Eagles worldwide since 1992, when the idea was launched with the goal of getting one million children at the throttles of a small plane by the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight. To date, more than 1.6 million kids from 90 countries have been through the program.

Rochester Chapter President Norm Isler said the EAA wants to not only expose kids to aviation, but to show them a practical use for math and science.

Pilot Mary "Willie" Mattocks said, to her, being able to fly is a privilege, so a program like Young Eagles is a chance to give back.

The flight is more than a tag-along ride. The children actually are given a chance to fly the plane.

"It's a fantastic event for children," said Mattocks, who owns her own Piper Cherokee and has been flying for 20 years. "It gives them an introduction to flying and I think it stays with them for the rest of their lives. They get just such a lot of pleasure out of it."

As for Mattock's assessment of Michael, she wrote in his log book, "Michael will be an awesome pilot. Keep going with the math and science. Straight and level at 2,500 feet. Executed turn at Darien Lake."