Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia/Genesee Police and Fire Ice Hockey Team will be skating this weekend in the annual Police and Fire Hockey Tournament at Harbor Center in Buffalo.

The team, comprised of first responders from the City of Batavia Police Department, City of Batavia Fire Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and Town of Batavia Fire Department, has participated each year since the inception of the tournament.

Teams from the United States and Canada participate, with a strong showing from the Western New York area.

This year’s team is sponsored again by Kenny Mistler, owner of Ken’s Charcoal Pits (and wood-fired brick oven pizza). Mistler has sponsored the team for the past several years, and his continuing support for our local first responders is greatly appreciated.

For those who wish to go and support the team, the schedule is as follows: Friday, April 19^th at 2 p.m. and again at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m., with playoffs starting at 2:45 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating an accident on Route 98 yesterday that may have begun as a rolling domestic argument and sent both the driver and his passenger to the hospital after the 2014 Chevy Cruze they were in struck a vacant house at 7889 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.

Possible charges are pending.

Injured were Rodney J. Harmon Jr., of Elba, and Josette M. Harmon, also from Elba.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Harmon was driving the Cruze southbound on Route 98 at 3:16 p.m. when the car suddenly crossed the center line, crossed over the northbound lane, over the shoulder and into the yard of the vacant house before slamming into the structure.

The structure is owned by Offhaus Farms.

The Cruze sustained heavy front-end damage.

Rodney Harmon was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS. Josette Harmon was taken first to UMMC by Mercy EMS and later transferred to Strong due to the nature of her injuries.

A conclusion on the cause of the crash is considered undetermined pending further investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by Sgt. Andrew Hale, Sgt. James Diehl, Deputy Travis DeMuth, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, and Deputy James Stack. Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Emergency Management, and Dan's Tire and Auto Service.

(Initial Report)

Reader Submitted Photos.

League bowling is winding down in the Genesee Region, but Brockport’s Chris Bardol shows no signs of tapering off.

The high-scoring right-hander continued his super season with an 809 series in the G&W Vending League earlier this week at Rose Garden Bowl.

His high game for the night was 279.

In other action, Jason Quilliam of Batavia was "on his game" in the Mancuso Real Estate/No Finer Diner league at Mancuso Bowling Center to the tune of a 268 game and 746 series.

Also at Mancuso's, Gary Kuchler, Genesee Region USBC president, posted a 702 series in the Antique World Tuesday Coed league, and at Legion Lanes in Le Roy, Matt Balduf closed the season with a 707 series in the Le Roy Moose league.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Mike Pettinella's Pin Points column is scheduled to appear this Thursday.

From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

On April 15, former Genesee County Correctional Officer Justin M. Gugel was arrested on two charges: petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Both are Class A misdemeanors.

It is alleged that on Jan. 19 while employed at the GC Jail, Gugel stole a controlled substance from medication which had been prescribed and alloted for an inmate.

An investigation was opened after pills were reported missing following a routine medication count in the jail.

Gugel was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on May 7. The case was investigated by GC Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Loftus.

Darien Lakes State Park 2019 Concert Schedule

All concerts are on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Shelter #2 and they are free to attend. Day area admission to the park is free after 5 p.m.

Darien Lakes State Park is located at 10475 Harlow Road, Darien Center. Phone is 547-9242.

Please remember that Darien Lakes State Park is a “Carry in/Carry out” park.

Please help support park events by supporting the Natural Heritage Trust. Donations to the Natural Heritage Trust for Darien Lakes State Park can be made at the park or online at www.nysparks.com.

June 25 -- Corfu/Pembroke Community Band

Come and kick off the beginning of the 2019 concert series with the hometown sounds from the Corfu/Pembroke Community Band. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the classic concert band ensemble.

July 2 -- NY Rockin’ Revue Gone Country

It’s all country tonight. They will be bringing out the banjo, fiddle and pedal steel guitar. It’s Patsy Cline, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Sr. and many more.

July 9 -- Ghost Riders

The Ghost Riders will lift your spirit with drivin’ “hardcore country” music with a twang that makes listeners of all ages want to get out and dance and have fun.

July 16 -- The Swooners

Enjoy the music of every decade, from the Roaring '20s thru the Big '80s and beyond. They will make you want to dance, sing, laugh -- and cry.

July 23 -- Auslanders

German night is back with the sounds of the Auslanders! This popular Buffalo band has been entertaining for years, as one of the area's most enjoyed Oktoberfest bands. Authentic German selections and a polka here or there will keep your feet stomping and spirits high!

July 30 -- Old Hippies

The music of the Old Hippies is acoustic and a varied brand, be it their own creative songs or recognizable covers from a golden musical era: the '50s,'60s, '70s and on and on...nostalgic to those who lived it and romantic to those who didn’t.

Aug. 6 -- The Batavia Swing Band

Listen and dance to Batavia’s premier swing band as they play the most popular swing, jazz, and Big Band music from over the years.

Aug. 13 -- The Band Anastazja

Armed with a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass, spoons, eight kids, Mom, Dad and Gramma. The Band Anastazja travels here, there and everywhere to entertain folks with their unique style of music and their genuineness in real life stories that they tell and the songs to accompany them.

Aug. 20 -- In The House

Their repertoire includes dance hits and classics from the '40s to present. Their music includes R&B, blues, disco, country, gospel and classic rock.

Aug. 27 -- The Boomers

The Boomers have a vast repertoire of classic songs, which includes favorites from the '40s thru the '90s.

Sept. 1 -- NY Rockin' Revue  ***Fireworks Afterward***

Whether it’s classic rock, country or old-time favorites, NY Rockin’ Revue provides it all. Enjoy a night of great music and dancing, along with a firework show following.

Photo: The 2019 Batavia Career and Technical Education Center’s National Technical Honor Society inductees.

Submitted photo and press release:

On March 29, the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Chapters inducted 58 Career and Technical students from Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. Evening candlelight ceremonies took place at Elba High School.

These students met the rigorous criteria set forth by this national organization. The minimum grade-point average for acceptance is a 3.0. Students are also selected based upon credit hours completed, attendance, volunteer service, and membership in other student organizations.

The inductees are noted below.

The 2019 Batavia Career and Technical Education Center NTHS Inductees

Animal Science

• Tequira McFollins (Batavia CS) 
• Sara Menke (Caledonia-Mumford CS)

Auto Technology

• Lucas Doran (Alexander CS) CS)
• John McCarthy (Alexander CS)

Building Trades

• Matthew Beach Jr. (Batavia CS)
• Alex Biehl (Attica CS)
• Frank Bisceglie (Attica CS)
• Colby Cerasani (Pembroke)
• Casey Felski (Pembroke)
• Phillip Georgeiv (Caledonia-Mumford CS)
• Sean Murphy (Caledonia-Mumford CS)
• Dylan Pehrson (Batavia CS)
• Eric Peters (Attica CS)
• Deven Rehberg (Caledonia-Mumford CS)
• Riley Schrader (Batavia CS)

Conservation

• Andrew Clark (Batavia CS)
• Chad Green (Byron-Bergen)
• Breanna Mest (Attica CS)
• Adam Offen (Caledonia-Mumford CS)
• Donald Strang III (Alexander CS)
• Timothy Zipfel (Pavilion)

Cosmetology

• GuoHao Liang (Batavia CS)
• Jade Stone (Attica CS)
• Brandon Warren (Batavia CS)

Criminal Justice

• Devin Czworka (Attica CS)
• Mason Green (Attica CS)
• Paola Perez (Oakfield-Alabama CS)

Culinary Arts

• Meghan Carpenter (Caledonia-Mumford CS)
• Jason Lowe (Alexander CS)
• Jose Vanegas (Alexander CS)
• Melissa Voltura (Oakfield-Alabama CS)

Electronics

• Ethan Bernacki (Attica CS)
• Matthew Henning (Le Roy CS)
• Douglas Irwin (Le Roy CS)
• Matthew Schroeder (Oakfield-Alabama CS)

Graphic Arts

• Abigail Field (Attica CS)
• Hailey Johnson (Pembroke)
• Gabrielle Lawrence (Batavia CS)
• Collin Perl (Attica CS)
• Nina Pemesky-Crosby (Byron-Bergen CS)
• Kiera Russo (Oakfield-Alabama CS)
• Garrett Swinter (Byron-Bergen CS)

Health Careers Academy

• Zachary Cocking (Notre Dame)
• Madison Dedman (Batavia CS)
• Abigail Fisher (Oakfield-Alabama CS)
• Madysen Henault (Notre Dame)
• Emma Lawrence (Le Roy CS)
• Meghan Stella (Notre Dame)
• Kiara Tillotson (Pavilion CS)
• Vianna Tran (Batavia CS)
• Sydney Vanderhoof (Le Roy CS)
• Cristyn Williams (Pavilion)

Health Dimensions

• Holleyann Winder (Byron-Bergen CS)

Metal Trades

• Evan Bartz (Batavia CS)
• Benjamin LaBombard (Le Roy CS)
• Bailey Logsdon (Le Roy CS)
• Arden Schadt (Attica CS)
• Chalmers Wolcott (Pavilion)

About the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center

It is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported in Bergen at Clinton Street Road and South Lake Road (routes 33 and 19). Bergen Fire Department is responding along with an ambulance.

UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: Units responding can come in non-emergency mode.

A car crashed into a house at 7889 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, and the driver is unconscious and smoke is pouring from the vehicle. Two Mercy rigs are dispatched and Town of Batavia Fire Department.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: This is being investigated as a possible "rolling domestic incident." A witness to the accident said they saw a southbound sedan suddenly jerk to the left, veer off the road, then strike a house (that is vacant and slated for demolition). A witness said that when they got to the crash site, a man, who appeared to be in his 40s, was the driver and he was arguing with a female passenger. No one was unconscious at any point. One of the vehicle's occupants was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital via ambulance and the other to UMMC. One person had a minor head injury; the other had an arm injury. The investigation continues. It has not been determined whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the accident.

Jerrol P. Newell, 49, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with: driving with a BAC of more than .18 percent; driving while intoxicated; following too closely; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; and unlicensed operation. Newell was allegedly driving on Route 33 when his pickup truck struck another car in the area of Wortendyke Road. The defendant did not stop and continued traveling west on Route 33. The operator whose vehicle was struck followed the pickup and called 9-1-1. Newell was arrested following an investigation then released on appearance tickets. Newell is due in Batavia Town Court on May 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Meides, assisted by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Frank L. Morrison, 37, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Morrison was arrested for allegedly spitting on his neighbor following a verbal argument at 2:38 p.m. on April 13 on Bank Street in Batavia. He is to be arraigned in Batavia City Court on April 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Eric Scott Dawson, 29, of 4 N. Spruce St., upper unit, Batavia, is a convicted Level 2 sex offender who is charged with four counts of failure to register a change -- first offense. He is on parole and was being held in Genesee County Jail on a parole violation at the time of his arrest on April 11. Following his arraignment, he was put back in jail on $2,500 bail and is due in Batavia City Court on May 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill.

Leanne Marie Tucker, 47, of Shawnee Road, North Tonawanda, is charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. At 6:15 p.m. on April 9, Tucker allegedly stole merchandise from a department store on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia while in the presence of a person under the age of 17. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on May 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Kara B. Sass, 24, of Coward Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Sass was arrested on April 10 at 7:51 p.m. on an arrest warrant out of Batavia City Court. She was arraigned, then released under supervision of Genesee Justice. She was due back in court on April 11. The original charge stems from a shoplifting complaint at Tops Market in Batavia at 12:53 a.m. on March 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Amanda Lyle Mcewan, 25, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle without stop lamps, and operating a motor vehicle without a proper license. At 11:45 p.m. on April 13, Mcewan was arrested on Clinton Street in Batavia following a traffic stop during which a quantity of THC oil was allegedly found in her possession. She is due to return to Batavia City Court on April 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Sgt. John Baiocco.

Ryan James Monnell, 31, of East Oneida Street, Baldwinsville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a muffler violation. At 1:39 p.m. on April 9, Monnell was stopped on South Lake Road in the Town of Bergen following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. It is alleged that Monnell possessed a quantity of marijuana at the time. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Bergen Court on May 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in the area of 8331 Alleghany Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: No injuries.

On display now at GO ART! is an exhibit of model sailing ships built by Batavia resident Joe Vernon. Many of the ships were built from scratch, with no model kit. They are all based on historic sailing ships, many from the era of the War of 1812. 

There will be an artist reception Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.83, up 9 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.71. The New York State average is $2.83 – up 7 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.82. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.78 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.77 (up 8 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.80 (up 7 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.80 (up 5 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.80 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.78 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.83 (up 5 cents since last week)

Easter: With Easter travel upon us, demand is putting pressure on already rising gas prices. Rochester and Syracuse schools are closed this week, which means many families are already traveling for Easter break -- new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that demand skyrocketed last week as families filled up their tanks for Easter getaways. With Buffalo area schools out next week, demand is expected to continue to increase.

Summer Blend: Spring gas prices continue to climb as the switchover to summer blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce, becomes more prevalent. Unexpected and planned continued maintenance and demand increases across the nation have also contributed to the uptick.

Record Demand: At this point, current demand estimates signal that 2019 could bring the highest gasoline demand rates ever recorded by EIA — potentially as early as this summer. Shrinking supplies amid high demand will likely contribute to increased pump prices.

Oil Prices: Oil prices also climbed last week as a weaker dollar has boosted crude prices. OPEC and its partners continue to reduce crude production and OPEC is not expected to meet again until June.

One hundred people, mostly teenagers, were at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Hall in East Pembroke on Saturday for a Rubik's Cube competition.

This is the second year Eli Fox and his parents hosted the competition in Genesee County.  Families came from Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and of course from throughout Western New York to participate in the competition, which is the only one like it in the region.