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Morrill, Clouser, Emmons take both Batavia features

By Billie Owens

Photo: McSpidey with driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the forefront.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Driver Jim Morrill Jr., trainer Jim Clouser Jr. and owner William Emmons teamed up to win both feature paces at Batavia Downs on a snowy and sloppy Saturday night (Dec. 5). 

In the $8,500 Open I Handicap pace, McSpidey coasted behind Tullow N (Dave McNeight III) through quarters of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.2 before leaving the pocket off the last turn and outpacing him to the wire in a quick :28.4 last quarter to win by 3/4 of a length in 1:56.2. 

It was the third straight win for McSpidey ($3.20) and his first Open I victory at Batavia Downs this year.

Then in the $7,500 Open II Handicap pace, Long Train Runnin left, took command and never looked back. After getting to the half in a tepid :58.2, Morrill hit the gas and opened up a three-length lead at three-quarters and extended it to five at the top of the stretch. From there he was wrapped up heading for home the easiest of winners in an identical time of 1:56.2. 

It was the second win in the last three starts and sixth win of the year for Long Train Runnin ($2.50) who has only missed one check in his last 10 starts. 

Morrill also won two more races on the card giving him a Grand Slam for the evening. Morrill is the meet’s leading dash win driver, currently with 97 wins. 

Another Grand Slam winner was trainer Gerry Sarama who scored four with Big Pocket Teen 1:59.1, $89.50), (Beachy Dream (1:58, $3.90), Sir Richie N (1:58.1, $3.00) and Love The Dragon (1:58.1, $5.60). Sarama has 60 wins this meet to lead all other trainers by a minimum of 30 wins. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Dec. 9) and will kick off the final week of the meet. Wednesday will feature a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages will be available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites on Monday. 

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Dec. 12) program.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 5 p.m.

Accident with possible entrapment reported in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident is reported in Alabama at Ledge and Maple roads. There's possible entrapment in one of the vehicles. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The accident is blocking traffic in the southbound lane of Maple Road, according to a first responder.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: There is no entrapment. A second ambulance is called and both can proceed in non-emergency mode. An occupant in each vehicle complains of pain in their lower extremities.

UPDATE: GSO flute trio concert at HLOM, YouTube livestream only -- no live audience at museum

By Billie Owens

UPDATED Dec. 18: The Holland Land Office Museum will host a flute trio of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra via livestream on its YouTube Channel tonight at 7 o'clock.

This is Wonderland of Trees celebration sponsored in part by Tompkins Bank of Castile.

Plans to allow a small audience of 12 people were cancelled due to heightened coronavirus precaution.

Paul Figlow of Figlow Productions is livestreaming the performance on the museum's YouTube channel. Here's the link.

Event Date and Time

GSO Music Director & Conductor S. Shade Zajac and his wife, Nicole, perform as a duet at HLOM

By Billie Owens

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce that members of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra will be performing small concerts at the museum during its Wonderland of Trees celebration sponsored in part by Tompkins Bank of Castile.

On Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. GSO Music Director and Conductor S. Shade Zajac and his wife, Nicole, will be performing as a duet.

On Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. the GSO will also be performing with a small group of their musicians. There will be a small audience available to listen in person, however, it will be limited to 12 people.

Event Date and Time

Accident on the westbound Thruway, female with head injury

By Billie Owens

An accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 374.8. A female has a head injury. Mercy medics are leaving the scene of the accident on Route 490 and heading to I-90. Le Roy fire is also responding.

UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: Neither Le Roy nor Henrietta, which was also called, could find an accident at that mile marker. Le Roy responders say they're going back to where a Trooper was roadside with a vehicle to see if the injured person is there.

Pile-up on westbound Route 490

By Billie Owens

A multiple vehicle accident is reported on westbound Route 490 at mile marker 2.0. A car fire erupted and it was knocked down quickly with a fire extinguisher, but now it's smoking again, and an SUV is engulfed in flames. No one is trapped. One male is complaining of chest pain.

A first responder says "it's a mess out here," with multiple cars off both sides of the roadway. Le Roy and Bergen are both called along with Le Roy ambulance and law enforcement. A Mercy rig is called, too. Two people appear to have minor injuries; at least five people will need to be evaluated altogether.

Now there's another crash on the Maltby Road Bridge reported, and yet another a half mile from that.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: There are another five vehicles off the road on the eastbound 490.

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: First responders say the roadway is slick and icy and it's snowing.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Stafford is called stand by in quarters for Bergen.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Bergen's assignment to the westbound 490 is back in service.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: Stafford is released and back in service.

CANCELLED: GSO Flute Quartet performs at HLOM for Wonderland of Trees, RSVP to attend in person, also to be livestreamed

By Billie Owens

Don't forget that tomorrow night a flute quartet from the Genesee Symphony Orchestra will be at the Holland Land Office Museum to help celebrate Wonderland of Trees.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will be two 20 minute sessions. We are having a limited audience available to attend, which will be limited to 12 people. If you would like to attend please call the museum at (585) 343-4727 to register. There are still some spots available.

The museum is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Three arrests for impaired driving, one for criminal mischief, one for petit larceny

By Billie Owens

Matthew Michael Maniace, 38, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs, with a prior conviction within the last 10 years; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree; and moving from lane unsafely. He was arrested Dec. 2 on the charges that stem from an accident that occurred at 11:37 p.m. on Sept. 8 on Prole Road Extension, Stafford. After an investigation and toxicology results, it is alleged that Maniace drove a vehicle while his ability to do so was impaired by drugs, resulting in a motor-vehicle accident. It is also alleged that he possessed drugs at the time and attempted to flee from deputies on foot. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Michael Jeffrey Vogt, 40, of Albert Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more; no front license place; and failure to keep right. Vogt was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Nov. 26 on Main Road in Pembroke. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Pembroke Town Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Jordan Alejandro.

Victor H. Montanez, 48, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with four violations: driving while intoxicated; driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; and speed exceeding 55 mph. He was arrested at 1:48 a.m. on Nov. 28 on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Le Roy Police Officer Steven Cappotelli.

Preston Scott Daigler, 22, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. At 3:49 a.m. on Nov. 26, Daigler was arrested on the charge after allegedly punching out a back window of a vehicle in the driveway on South Pearl Street in Oakfield. He was arraigned virtually in Oakfield Town Court and is due in Genesee County Court on Jan. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Matthew Michael Maniace, 38, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. On Dec. 2 Maniace was arrested. It is alleged that on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. on Fargo Road in Bethany the defendant agreed to repair parts of the victim's truck. While in possession of the truck, he allegedly took the keys and a tow hitch from the truck and never returned the items to the victim. Maniace was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and issued an appearance ticket to return on Dec. 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Il Mago, HP Sissy take Batavia Downs' featured Opens

By Billie Owens

Photo: Il Mago with driver Billy Davis Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

A field of Open trotters and Open filly and mare pacers went postward, each for $8,500 on Wednesday evening (Dec. 2) at Batavia Downs and two local favorites notched additional wins to their already impressive resumes. 

On the trot, Il Mago (Billy Davis Jr.) continued to dominate the diagonal-gaited gang after grabbing a quick lead and opening up a 2-1/2 length lead going to the quarter in :28.3. He then extended that lead to four lengths at the half and five at three-quarters. Turning for home, Il Mago was already wrapped-up and trotted unabated with 6-1/4 in hand stopping the clock in 1:56.4, which was only one-fifth of a second off his seasonal mark.

It was the 55th career win, ninth win of the season and fourth win in a row for Il Mago ($4.60) who is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama.

(Above, Il Mago with driver Billy Davis Jr.)

The top distaff pacers saw the return of Il Mago (Billy Davis Jr.) after a seven week sabbatical and “Sissy” came to play on Wednesday. After taking command right off the gate, she tripped the timer in :28.1, :58.4 and 1:27.1 before a credible threat presented itself in the name of Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings), who got close to the leader heading into the last turn. But close would be as far as it went as HP Sissy turned for home and held sway to the line where she won by 1/2 length in 1:56.3.

It was the seventh win of the year for HP Sissy ($6.50) and owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable. Jim McNeight trains the winner.

Bill Davis Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. both had driving hat tricks on Wednesday while trainers Ryan Swift and Sabrina Shaw each registered two wins. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 5) with post time at 5 p.m.

Genesee Chorale invites you to virtual holiday performance: 'And on Earth, Peace'

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Chorale invites you to join them for a unique Holiday virtual performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19th.

The performance, titled "And on Earth, Peace" is meant to evoke a sense of calm, hope and peace; in this time of uncertainty and fear, our music is meant to be a welcome balm to our community, glad tidings and heartfelt goodwill from Batavia's own Genesee Chorale.

Event Date and Time
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Big rig and car collide on Cedar Street in the city, no injuries

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer vs. car accident is reported in front of the DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia. No injuries; driver of vehicle is out, conscious and alert. There was air bag deployment and fluids are leaking. City fire and Mercy medics are responding along with police.

M&T Bank thanks community of Elba

By Billie Owens

M&T Bank expressed their appreciation to the Elba community by providing it with two new pieces of play apparatus, mulch and two trees for the Village Park in addition to a Little Free Library in front of the Village Office.

Installation of the play apparatus and mulch was a project completed as part of the 2019 United Way Day of Caring.

The recognition ceremony and plaque presentation were delayed this year due to COVID-19.

Village officials thanked Bank representatives through the presentation of a plaque, which will be hung in the ATM vestibule located at the former M&T Bank on Route 98. The former bank is being retrofitted by the Town of Elba for the relocation of their offices.

Pictured from left are: Tom Stempin, Elba trustee; Denis Rohan, of Elba Public Works; Norman Itjen, Elba mayor; Reita Fletcher, of M & T Bank, and Erik Fix, M & T Bank.

Information and photos from Norman Itjen.

Guaranteed $3,000 Pick-5 pool this afternoon at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced there will be a guaranteed pool of $3,000 for the Pick-5 wager today (Dec. 2).

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages for races one through five are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the Batavia Downs and USTA websites or by clicking here.

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, any carryover pool will be moved to the Pick-5 wager on the Saturday (Dec. 5) program.

Post time for the first race today is 5 p.m. 

Batavia Downs to raise purses 20 percent in the final week

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that it will be increasing all purses by 20 percent for the final week of racing of the 2020 meet. That would raise the top purse for all Opens from $8,500 to $10,200 all the way down to the bottom purse from $3,200 to $3,800. 

“It has been a very difficult season for everyone in this business and we are pleased to be raising the purses during the final days of racing to help the horsemen get a jump on their expenses heading into the downtime between meets.” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing.

“Despite all the challenges this year, we have been able to complete our meet without interruption and that is do to everyone involved working safely and carrying out all our safety guidelines. Hopefully the increased purses will help make the holidays a little better for all.”    

The final week of racing consists of Wednesday (Dec. 9) and Saturday (Dec. 12) with post time for both days at 5 p.m.

Homemade Christmas cookie sale at Batavia First United Methodist Church, order by Dec. 10

By Billie Owens

There will be assorted fresh-baked Christmas Cookies boxed and ready for pick up at the Batavia First United Methodist Church on Dec. 19.

This fundraiser offers 16-20 cookies in a one-pound box for $10.

Please order in advance by phoning the church office at (585) 343-4708. Orders must be received by Thursday, Dec. 10.

Drive-thru pick up will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Additional cookies may be available on the 19th until sold out.

Accident with injuries reported on Route 77 in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in Alabama on Route 77 north of Judge Road. It is partially blocking traffic. A female has an ankle injury and another person has abdominal pain.

Mercy medics and Alabama Fire Department are responding. A second ambulance from Medina is called for mutual aid. 

Fire police are asked to divert southbound traffic to the west at Judge Road and northbound traffic to the east at Ham Road for now.

(Responders are advised that a second accident is in the area -- at 7006 Alleghany Road, just south of Judge Road. There is one patient with a minor injury in that accident.)

UPDATE 7:21 a.m.: One of the patients is a sign-off. Two flatbed tows are called.

UPDATE 7:59 a.m. (by Howard): All units back in service. The road is reopened.

Chimney fire reported on Harrold Square in the city

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 6 Harrold Square in the City of Batavia. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: A first responder says this is a one-story wood-frame house with embers coming out of the chimney.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: The occupants have exited the structure.

Tree blocking traffic on South Lake Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

On South Lake Road near Genesee Street in Darien a tree is completely down in the roadway, blocking traffic, according to a dispatcher. County Highway Department is being notified and a deputy is responding.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: A deputy reports someone has come along and cut up the tree and removed most of it from the roadway, although there some debris remains. County Highway's response is cancelled.

Who keeps knocking down the sign about God's love in front of Batavia First Presbyterian Church?

By Billie Owens

The people who attend Batavia First Presbyterian Church would like your help to nab the person (or persons) who keeps knocking down their lawn sign during the night that bears the benign message: "GOD LOVES EVERYONE NO EXCEPTIONS." Or at least help the congregants keep the sign upright.

Perhaps it is the rainbow colors used for the word EVERYONE that irks them, or maybe it's just the overall magnanimity communicated that the vandal(s) can't abide, even though this is the national Holiday Season.

At any rate, Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Ph.D., would like this to stop.

"We keep putting it back up," Alkhouri says. "We called the police and they are patrolling in the evenings. We are hoping that people who are driving or walking by could help us to keep the sign up. Michael Vacanti was fortifying the sign today (above photo). We are praying for whoever feels so threatened by this sign to know God’s love."

The church is located at 300 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Photo courtesy of Rev. Roula Alkhouri.

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