Mark your calendars for the Dig Pink Game on Oct. 6 when Oakfield-Alabama and Elba high school volleyball players compete again Wheatland-Chili to benefit The Side-Out Foundation.

The JV matchup starts at 5 p.m. and the varsity game begins at 6:30. They will take place inside the Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School Gymnasium, located at 7001 Lewiston Road in Oakfield.

There will be 50/50 raffles, refreshments, raffles items and a serving contest.

This is the sixth year of the Dig Pink Game and to date more than $7,000 has been raised locally for the nonprofit foundation, whose mission is to enhance breast cancer research and awareness.

A 400 Towers resident admitted in County Court yesterday that he placed a live cat in his apartment's oven and baked it to death.

If the case had gone to trial 42-year-old Darren Annovi could have faced a maximum sentence of two years in county jail, but with the plea deal his sentence will be capped at five years probation and six months in jail.

He will be sentenced Nov. 29.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said he believed there was strong evidence against Annovi and that is presumably why he agreed to plead guilty, but he wouldn't discuss any possible statements Annovi may have made and didn't know why Annovi killed the cat.

"I don't think there is any rational explanation for why (he did it)," Friedman said.

Wendy Castleman, with Volunteers for Animals, who assisted in the investigation by paying for the cat's autopsy, said outside of court that she thought Annovi should be barred from ever owning pets again.

Friedman said he recommended to her that she contact the probation department prior to Annovi's sentencing and suggest that as a sentencing option, but that any such prohibition of pet ownership could not extend beyond the term of Annovi's probation.

Typically, county jail sentences can't be longer than a year; otherwise. inmates are sent to a state prison, but the Ag and Market Law this case was prosecuted under allows for a two-year maximum county sentence.

Annovi is out on bail of $5,000 bail.

Our news partner, WBTA, provided information for this story.

A Bergen resident has been arrested on suspicion of operating an unlawful marijuana growing operation out of his home, according to the Sheriff's Office.

David M. Campuzano, 24, of South Lake Road, was jailed on $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond following his arrest and arraignment.

He is charged with criminal possession in the second degree, a Class D felony, unlicensed growing of cannabis, a Class A misdemeanor, and violation of a restricted driver's license.

Campuzano was arrested by members of the Local Drug Task Force following the execution of a search warrant on his home and car.

He was allegedly found in possession of a pound of marijuana, equipment used to grow marijuana and paraphernalia. He is also suspected of driving outside of restrictions on his license. 

The District Attorney's Office and uniformed deputies assisted in the investigation and arrest.

I didn't get a chance to post this before I left, but I'm in Chicago through Saturday.

I'll miss the Wine Walk, but we've got coverage lined up of various things while I'm gone. 

I'm attending a two-day conference for programmers working for news organizations and then I'll be at the annual conference for Local Independent Online News Publishers. I'll be speaking at that conference on Saturday.

The identity of the victim in a Sept. 22 motorcycle accident on the westbound Thruway during rush hour was just released by State Police.

Judith A. Drook, 76, of Marion, Ind., succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident after she was transported by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center.

The driver of the motorcycle is identified as Lance C. Warner, 74, of Sandusky, Ohio. He was transported to ECMC by Mercy Medics in an ambulance.

The investigator said this morning the accident is still under investigation. He said Warner applied the brakes, then lost control of the motorcycle for unknown reasons.

The accident occurred around 5 p.m. Thursday in the area of mile marker 394.9 and traffic on the Thruway was shut down to land the helicopter. East Pembroke Fire Department responded along with Mercy EMS. Town of Batavia Fire Department set up the landing zone.

Submitted photo: Several Alexander JV and varsity volleyball players and parents attended the recent Great Strides Walk at Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County to show their support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and promote the Alexander Volleyball Booster Club’s upcoming fundraiser.

Press release:

The Alexander Volleyball Booster Club will be hosting its 5th annual fundraiser volleyball game Oct. 6 in a match against the Pembroke Dragons. This year’s event at Alexander Central School, located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander, benefits the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

According to event co-chairs Laura Marzolf and Colette Yax, choosing to support CFF hits close to home.

“One of the varsity volleyball players and her family recently lost a loved one to this disorder,” Yax said.

“There is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis – yet,” Marzolf said. “We hope our fundraiser helps make a difference and creates a greater awareness surrounding Cystic Fibrosis and the lifelong struggles that people with CF and their families endure."

The fundraiser includes a basket auction, 50/50 drawing, bake sale and a serving contest with a chance to win prizes from local merchants. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with the JV game, followed by the varsity game at 6:30.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine. Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections.CF affects about one out of every 3,000 newborns.

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure Cystic Fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care.

Community members wishing to donate to the Alexander Volleyball Booster Club event may contact Laura Marzolf at 585-322-3748 or Colette Yax at 716-400-3628.

Dylan L. Snyder, 18, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested on Sept. 26 following an investigation into a physical altercation which occurred at 5:20 p.m. Aug. 28 on Trumbull Parkway, Batavia. Snyder allegedly punched another individual. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 4 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Cheryl M. Lyons, 50, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second degree harassment -- physical contact. At 4:45 a.m. on Sept. 24 she was arrested after allegedly shoving another family member during a domestic incident. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance and was due in court on Sept. 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Jorge Rodriquez Martinez, 33, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. He was arrested at 1:32 a.m. on Sept. 20 after allegedly stealing a 30-pack of beer from a convenience store on East Main Street, Batavia. This allegedly occurred after he had been told he was not allowed on the property. Martinez was issued an appearance ticket this afternoon in City Court. He was subsequently transported and turned over to Gates PD on an outstanding warrant in their jurisdiction. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Darryle Streeter, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Stephen John Turkasz, 26, of Brookhaven Lane, Lancaster, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 8 p.m. on Sept. 23 after a domestic incident in which he allegedly kicked and damaged a small fence. He was taken to jail for prints and photographs and then issued a computer-generated appearance ticket for City Court on Oct. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Patrick T. Vanbortle, 22, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear after an appearance ticket was issued. He was found hiding in his basement and arrested at 12:35 a.m. on Sept. 24 on a Batavia City Court arrest warrant for failure to appear after an appearance ticket was served upon him for a separate charge on Sept. 11. He was released on an appearance ticket per Judge Balbick via a phone call at 1:25 a.m. on Sept. 24. Vanbortle is scheduled to be in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels.

Richard E. Stafford, 75, of Orange Grove Drive, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested at 1:29 p.m. on Sept 23 on a bench warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was released on his own recognizance and is due in City Court on Oct. 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

To help expand and extend what Batavia City schools can offer students, a group of community supporters have come together to form the Batavia City School District Foundation, a nonprofit that will raise money within the community to assist with scholarships, grants for innovative classroom initiatives, sports and recognition awards for those who help city schools.

The foundation held its kickoff event last night at Carter's Restaurant.

"In the Batavia City School District, we do a very good job with the budget and the funds we have," said Leslie Johnson, foundation chair. "The tax base is slightly sluggish, but does that impede our progress? Fortunately, no, but it limits where we can go with that as far as what is required and a few steps beyond. We would like to go further."

During opening remarks, Superintendent Chris Dailey said among the opportunities he envisions is the ability for teachers to come up with innovative ideas or discover pieces of equipment that might be useful in the classroom and then, outside of the normal budget cycle, apply for grants to try out those ideas. If they work, then perhaps they can be incorporated into the next budget.

"We want to be on the cutting edge, not the bleeding edge when it comes to innovation," Dailey said. 

With a 95-percent graduation rate and many creative programs and demonstrated success in academics, arts, and athletics, the district is already among the best in the region, Daily said. The foundation and community support can help make it one of the best in the nation, he said.

The foundation will also provide scholarships for students who want to further their education and provide recognition awards for those who provide exceptional aid to the district in fulfilling its mission.

The idea for the foundation started with School Board Chairman Pat Burk many years ago, and he suggested Johnson to Dailey as a champion of the idea. Johnson, Dailey said, turned out to be the perfect choice because she had the vision and the ability to see it through. Dailey said staff member Bobbi Norton was also instrumental in organizing the foundation.

Jim Owen, Batavia's most popular substitute teacher, pictured above with Johnson, was also recognized as one of the honorary chairs because of his early financial support of the foundation.

Johnson said the desire to create a philanthropic foundation for the school district has little to do with constraints on revenue by the property tax cap or any sense of revenue shortage, but a real desire to help fund the gap between how good the district is and how good it can be, and just offer more opportunities for students to grow, learn and achieve.

"We hope to appeal to people who are already spending money philanthropic dollars elsewhere, and we're saying, 'keep it at home where it can really make a difference for these kids,' " Johnson said.

There have been two loud explosive sounds in the area of Jackson Street, with reports putting it near Central Avenue or more to the south.

Dispatchers have received several calls with a dispatcher noting, "several callers said it didn't sound like gunshots, but they weren't sure what it was."

The calls are coming in from multiple streets in that area.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: It was fireworks. One of our neighbors actually saw the fireworks over some houses in the Central Avenue area.

Press release:

Located at 20 Main St., in the Village of Le Roy, this two story former bank building at the corner of Main and Bacon streets, will be auctioned online only, bidding closes on Thursday, Oct. 6^th at 2 p.m.  ET.

The brick and masonry building is 5,352+/- square feet with two drive-through lanes and basement. The building was built in 1929 with additions in 1969 and occupies .4 +/- acres and is zoned C-2 Commercial.

There will be a property inspection at noon on Monday, Oct. 3. This is an absolute auction, the property will sell to the highest bidder, regardless of price.

Auction Management Corp. conducts this auction in conjunction and cooperation with local affiliate William David Kent, NY Broker Lic. #31KE0298344.

http://www.amc.bid/auctions/detail/

Press release:

Please support the next fund-raising efforts of the Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club by joining us for our Oct. 15 Basket & Live Auction and Dinner. It's being held at the Ascension Parish Hall on Sumner Street in Batavia. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6. Tickets are on sale now for $20 each or two for $35 and include appetizer, dinner, dessert and a sheet of basket raffle tickets. 

This is sure to be a FUN event! Theme:  Mexican Fiesta. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We encourage both men and women  to attend. We have had some amazing donations to date with more coming in each day. 

To purchase tickets or if you cannot attend and would like to donate a basket, gift card or other item(s) to the auction, please contact Michelle at 585-297-0779 or send an email to bataviabpw@gmail.com. Tickets are pre-sale only.

Statement from the BBPW:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club (BBPW) has been an active part of the community now for 95 years. The group works together to help improve the lives of others. Throughout the year its members raise money through various activities to provide scholarships for local high school seniors, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students and adult GCC students as well as provide Service Award donations to several local charitable organizations. 

The BBPW chose five high school students to each receive a $750 check to support their educational and career goals, one Genesee Community College (GCC) adult student received a $500 scholarship award and two Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students each received a $250 scholarship award.

Additionally, BBPW club members voted at their May meeting on the Service Awards to be distributed and this year. Four $300 checks were awarded. The awards were given to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Crossroads House, Operation Injured Soldiers and Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.   

Somebody is stealing batteries from large trucks, buses, and heavy equipment and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office is looking for the public's help in identifying the culprit.

These are known as Type 31 batteries. They retail for as much as $300 and have resale and recycling value.

Investigators say the series of thefts seem confined to Genesee County, particularly in Elba, Oakfield, Batavia, Byron, Alabama and Alexander.

The Sheriff's Office has received more than a dozen complaints of such thefts, which occur overnight.

Anyone with information that may pertain to the case can call (585) 343-5000.

Press release:

The ninth Annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament was held on Aug. 13th at Terry Hills Golf Course with 204 golfers participating.  The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Group received $10,600 through funds raised from this year’s event.  The funds were raised with the support of businesses and individuals and have already been put to use as a down payment for a new vehicle for transporting disabled veterans to and from medical appointments.  

Next year’s event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12. If anyone has any questions regarding the tournament or would like to recommend a deserving charity for next year please contact Norm Hubbard, tournament director 585-343-3140, ext. 3018, or email  nhubbard@chapinmfg.com, or contact Laurie Shepland, VP Human Resources 585-3140, ext. 3082 or email lshepland@chapinmfg.com.

Statement from DAV:

DAV Chapter 166 is absolutely thankful to Chapin International for being chosen as the recipient of proceeds from the ninth Annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament. Special thanks go to Jim Campbell, Chapin CEO, Laurie Shepland, Chapin VP Human Resources, and to Norm Hubbard, as tournament director. Norm's tireless efforts made the tournament an absolute success. 

The DAV, comprised of volunteers, transports veterans from their homes in Genesee and Wyoming counties, to medical appointments at the VA facilities in Batavia and Buffalo. DAV Chapter 166 is totally responsible for obtaining donated funds, which in turn are used to purchase their vehicles for veteran transport.

Without our volunteer service, hundreds of veterans would be unable to get to their medical appointments.  The veterans we transport range in age from the mid-20s (Iraq and Afghanistan) to 96 years old (WWII). We at DAV Chapter 166 are so proud of our veterans, and to the service that they gave to our country.

Any questions and/or donations for the DAV Chapter 166 Van Fund can be directed to Doug Titus, Hospital Service coordinator, 222 Richmond Ave., Batavia NY 14020, or call at (585) 297-1170.

Several hundred people were at Batavia Downs on Saturday night for the Batavia Rotary Club's annual Octoberfest.

C.G. Finney/Northstar 36 Notre Dame of Batavia 7

Pembroke edged out Holley 34-26. (Photos by Rick Franclemont -- more here)

Alexander moved to 4-0 with a 46-0 win over Oakfield-Alabama/Elba. QB P.J. Brennan was 5-10 passing for 116 yards and three TDs. He had two carries for 20 yards and two TDs. Jacob Bykowski, 12 carries for 51 yards and one TD. Chris McClinic, six carries for 47 yards and one TD reception. Dustin Schmeider, two catches, 26 yards and one TD, and three carries for 53 yards and a TD. Derrick Busch, two receptions for 85 yards and a TD. Dan Heberlein, nine carries for 52 yards. On defense, Heberlein had one interception an three tackles. Job Smith, six tackles and a fumble recovery.

Notre Dame lost to C.G. Finney, 36-7.

A caller complains to dispatch that two pickup trucks -- a white one and a red one -- are doing donuts in the parking lot and ball fields at Batavia High School and, subsequently, at a nearby elementary school. City Police are responding.

When Thelma Starr Hettrick was born Sept. 28, 1906, telegrams were still the primary form of long-distance communication and you needed thorough training in chemistry to take a photograph. The only way to get the latest news, often a day old, was ink on paper.

She's survived to live in a world where your phone can take a newsworthy picture and have it seen by people all over the world within seconds.

At the Genesee County Nursing Home, members of her family gathered a few days before her actual birthday on Wednesday to celebrate Hettrick's long life. 

Hettrick, who first made news when she turned 100 at the Nursing Home, isn't communicative these days and tires easily, so beyond acknowledging some members of her family, she didn't talk about living to 110.

She will be, however, the fifth person alive in New York to reach the age of 110.

Hettrick was born and raised in Pavilion and, except for some college in New York City, has never lived outside of Genesee County.

Her grandfather was Noah Starr, one of the earliest farmers in the county, who bought his farmland from the Holland Land Office. The property was where Thelma was born and raised, in a farmhouse built by her father in 1890. Today, Randy and Cindy Starr farm that land (Randy and Cindy were planning on arriving at the birthday celebration a little later, so they weren't there for our pictures (see our previous story about the Starr farm)).

At least 500 people turned out today for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's in Batavia.

Above, youth cheerleaders from Le Roy encourage walkers in front of Batavia Middle School on Ross Street.