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With a doubleheader sweep on Thursday -- and a loss by Utica -- the Batavia Muckdogs tightened their hold on first place in the Western Division of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

The 22-10 Muckdogs are now 1.5 games ahead of Utica (22-13).

Batavia beat Geneva 8-1 and 7-4 while Utica lost to Watertown 6-4.

In the first game, Nolan Sparks, a junior at the University of Rochester, picked up his fifth win of the season, becoming the first Muckdog with that distinction. His .027 ERA leads the league.

Brian Fry, of Medina, continued his torrid hitting (.394 on the season) going 2-3 and scoring twice. Daniel Burroway also had two hits and scored a run and knocked in a run. Trey Bacon matched that stat line and Kyle Corso smacked a triple, driving in three runs.

In the nightcap, Batavia's Tyler Prospero improved to 4-1 with an ERA of 3.85 giving up only two runs over six innings of work. 

Josh Leadem picked up three hits and scored twice.  Fry once again got two hits. Bacon and Corso each had two hits.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road.

Indian Falls Fire, Pembroke Fire, and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:32 a.m.: Minor injuries.

UPDATE 10:35 a.m.: T-bone accident, one vehicle off the road.  At least one patient will be a sign-off.

A motorcycle operator sustained life-threatening injuries, according to Genesee County Sheriff's Office, when his bike collided with a van making a left-hand turn Thursday evening on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

The rider has been identified as Gilberto N. Natal, 34, of Batavia.

He was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Bruce P. Chilson, 80, the driver of the van, and his passenger, Mary Chilson, 80, both of Spring Hill, Florida, were treated at the scene by Mercy medics and transported to UMMC for evaluation of minor injuries.

The force of collision between the van and the motorcycle caused the 2019 Ford Transit to overturn and come to rest on its side.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident.

The location was 3872 West Main Street Road, Batavia, in front of Dave's Ice Cream. Chilson was making a left-hand turn into the ice cream shop's parking lot when it collided with the motorcycle.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Mason Schultz, Deputy Nicholas Chamound, Deputy Alex Hadsall, Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, Investigator Chad Minuto, and Crash Management Deputy Richard Schildwaster. State Police assisted at the scene, along with Town of Batavia Fire, East Pembroke Fire, Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight.

Previously: Motorcycle accident reported on West Main Street Road, Batavia

Photos by Howard Owens

A motorcyclist is reportedly down in the roadway, not alert, in the area of 9583 Summit Street Road, just north of Black Street Road, in Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

The caller reports the rider is conscious and breathing but not really alert.

Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is available.

UPDATE 9:05 p.m.: The driver is up and walking around according to a Le Roy responder on scene.  Mercy Flight not required. Le Roy Ambulance to handle the call. The Mercy EMS unit is back in service.

A car and motorcycle accident is reported in the area of 3872 West Main Street Road, Batavia, with possible serious injuries.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Mercy Flight #6 out of Olean is available if needed. Town of Batavia's chief has requested an in-air standby.

There are multiple calls.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: A first responder reports one vehicle on its side.  East Pembroke Fire asked to close eastbound traffic at Kelsey Road. Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: The preliminary investigation indicates, said Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, that a motorcyclist was eastbound on West Main Street Road, possibly exceeding the speed limit, and struck the side of a van that had been westbound and was turning left into the parking lot of Dave's Ice Cream.  The motorcycle driver was ejected from the bike and into the van through a window. He sustained very serious injuries and was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. The force of the impact caused the van to flip on its side. The van was occupied by a husband and wife from Florida, both 80 years old. Neither sustained serious injuries.  Sanfratello said that while the investigation is early, it's possible both drivers will be cited, one for failing to yield and the other for speeding.

Photos by Howard Owens (we will have more photos from the scene once the names of those involved are released by the Sheriff's Office).

With a 5-3 win over Elmira on Wednesday, Batavia Muckdogs moved into first place, by percentage points, in the Western Division of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

At 20-10, the Muckdogs' winning percentage is .667. Utica is 22-12 for a percentage of .643.

In the win, tall Texan Daniel Burroway hit his first home run of the season. He had two RBIs. Medina's Brian Fry was 2-4, raising his season average to .379. Tyler Cannoe, hitting .330 on the year, was 1-3. Columbia University sophomore Kyle Corso, hitting .291, was 2-4. 

Jack Nielsen went five innings and gave up seven hits and three runs. Aidan Cooney allowed five base runners, three hits and two walks, but no runs to pick up the win. Julian Pichardo pitched two scoreless innings to get the win.

Five Muckdogs were named to the PGCBL All-Star team for the Western Division.

• Catcher – Levis Aguila
• Infield – Tyler Cannoe
• Infield – Brian Fry
• Pitcher – Josh Milleville
• Pitcher – Nolan Sparks

The league will not play an All-Star game this season.

Top photo: File photo of Muckdog's all-star Brian Fry.

A wheat field fire was reported at 2:12 p.m. at 2281 Brown Road, East Pembroke, in a back field.

East Pembroke Fire responded. 

The chief requested Elba's utility transport vehicle and Alexander's UTV, because they have pumps on them, to the scene.  Alexander Fire, Indian Falls, Alabama, and Darien Fire also dispatched. Alden Fire, which was on scene at the Darien accident, volunteered to bring their UTV to the fire and was dispatched.  Crittenden Fire was also dispatched.

Town of Batavia Fire was placed on standby in quarters.  A Mercy EMS basic life support unit was requested to the scene.

The fire was reported out at about 3:10 p.m.

An SUV and semi-truck have reportedly collided in the area of 254 Broadway Road, Darien.

The location is between Countyline Road and Harlow Road.

Possible serious injury with entrapment.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby. 

Darien Fire, mutual aid from Corfu, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: When a first responder arrived on scene shortly after the accident was reported, the semi was off the road and the roadway was not blocked. The driver of the SUV was out of the vehicle and walking. The driver of the tractor-trailer was conscious and alert but trapped because the cab was up against a tree.  Alden was requested to respond to assist with extrication but then the scene commander said the driver could be extricated with just a ladder. Alden's ambulance requested to the scene. Mercy Flight not required.  The SUV driver is likely a signoff. The right saddle tank on the truck was ruptured, about 75 gallons. DEC arrived on scene at 3:19 p.m.

A proposal to build a 650-foot turbine off Dry Bridge Road in Alexander is just dust in the wind after Alexander's Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to deny Borrego Energy the necessary variances to construct such a massive structure.

The primary variance was to allow the turbine to stand taller than the 500-foot limit for windmills in the town.  The ZBA also turned down variance requests for changes to property setback requirements.

At the ZBA meeting in June, Borrego representative David Strong said the height of the wind turbine was driven primarily by changes in technology and the standards of the industry. It's just no longer possible to build 500-foot tall -- the standard when the Town approved its zoning code -- windmills.

Given that limitation, it's unlikely Borrego will pursue a smaller windmill on the property but, Strong said his company hasn't made any decisions about its options.

"We won't make any decisions at this point," Strong said. "I'm certainly disappointed that the benefits to the town and to the landowner and to the community with 10 percent (reduced cost for electricity) at least won't be realized."

The proposed 4.5-megawatt windmill would have been the only wind turbine on the 147-acre parcel as part of a community-based renewable energy project.

The 650-foot tall turbine is the only real option, Strong had told the ZBA during its meeting in June and, he reiterated that point on Tuesday evening after the project was rejected by the ZBA.

"What was clearly presented to the zoning board were reasons why you can't get turbines that are shorter than 500 feet today, commercially available in the market," Strong said. "That's the challenge today for a viable community wind project that really does give benefits to the local residents. Pilot agreements, host community grants -- these projects can only work with wind turbines around the size that we presented to the board."

William R. Humphrey, 38, of Le Roy, and Maxwell J. Reigelsperger, 20, of Atlanta, NY, are charged with criminal mischief 2nd, grand larceny 4th, and conspiracy 5th. Humphrey and Reigelsperger are accused of removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle without the owner's permission. They were arraigned in Pavilion Town Court and released on their own recognizance.  Deputy Nicholas Chamoun and Investigator Kevin Forsyth investigated the incident.

Aaron J. Gaylord, 44, of Hart Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gaylord is accused of switching price tag stickers from C-clamps to two sets of Husky tools and then using self-checkout to scan the items with the incorrect bar codes before leaving the store. Gaylord was arrested by Deputy Blankenbert, processed at the Genesee County Jail, and released on an appearance ticket.

John Mark Stevens, 61, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with disorderly conduct.  Stevens is accused of creating a hazard or offensive condition at 10:58 p.m., July 8, at a location on Lake Street, Le Roy. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Mathew W. Ianiro, 27, of Elm Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd and criminal mischief. Ianiro was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 4 p.m., July 8. on Elm Street, Le Roy. Ianiro was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and an order of protection was issued.

Jessy Lynn Miller, 35, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with menacing 3rd and harassment 2nd.  Miller was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 10 p.m., July 11, at a location Mill Street, Le Roy. Miller was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and an order of protection was issued.

A tractor in the sun on Rose Road, Batavia, with storm clouds approaching.

Submitted by Cara Winkstern.

A farm truck has reportedly pulled down electrical wires in the area of 7850 Tesnow Road, Alabama.

A fire has started in an adjoining field.

The driver is trapped in the truck.

Alabama Fire dispatched along with mutual aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls.

Fire police requested to close traffic at Wright Road and Akron Road.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: National Grid arrived on scene about 15 minutes ago.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: According to a fire chief, there were no injuries to the driver and no damage to the truck or trailer. 

Photo submitted by Chris Crocker.

If you just like to hang out and check out hot rods, or own one you want to show off, the Village of Corfu, around Dadios at Route 33 and Route 77, is the place to be at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Jim Reinhardt said everyone is welcome to the hot rod night that serves no other purpose than to look at some classic machines.

Submitted photo.

The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual tractor pulls on Saturday.

Red Creek provided the evening's musical entertainment.

Photos by Philip Casper.

A building at 245 Liberty Street was demolished today.

According to county tax records, the 2,590-square-foot commercial structure was built in 1950 and was acquired by Batavia City Schools in 2017.

School officials were not available today to answer questions about the property.

UPDATE: See previous coverage about this building HERE. The property was donated to the school district and the land will provide additional parking for Jackson School.

Top photo by Howard Owens.

County tax records photo of the structure.

Most recent Google Streetview photo of the building.
 

Kelly L. Fossum, 60, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Fossum is accused of shoplifting several packages of meat from a grocery store on Ellicott Street, Batavia.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jonathan Will Dodson, 36, of Chugg Road, Holley,  is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and speeding. Dodson was stopped at 10:11 p.m., July 8, on South Main Street, Elba, by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.  He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets.

Arthur L. Golden, 64, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Golden was allegedly found in possession of a crack pipe during an incident on East Main Street, Batavia at 6:28 p.m., June 3. Police say an analysis of the pipe confirmed the presence of cocaine residue. Golden was issued an appearance ticket.

Sharon A. Williams, 54, of Batavia. is charged with harassment 2nd. Williams is accused of harassing somebody during an altercation reported at 8:13 p.m., June 28, at a location on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

James D. Hooten, 33, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Hooten is accused of conspiracy 6th and petit larceny. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Ryan M. Douglas, 22, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI.  Douglas was stopped by State Police in the Town of Elba at 12:39 a.m., July 10. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Galen B. Sundown, 29, of Basom, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Sundown was stopped by State Police in the Town of Alabama at 1:42 p.m., July 10.  He was released to a third party.

James C. Malone, 25, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief 4th, criminal contempt 1st, and endangering the welfare of a child. Malone was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 1:53 p.m., July 8, in the Village of Oakfield. He was released on his own recognizance. No further details released.

Ronald M. Clark, 55, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny and grand larceny 4th. Clark is accused of a theft in the Town of Le Roy at 2:09 p.m., July 4. The grand larceny charge stems from an accusation that one of the items stolen was a credit card. He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

A motorcyclist reportedly struck a deer in the area of 4943 Paradise Road, Bethany, and sustained a possible broken leg.

Bethany Fire and ambulance responding.

The patient is conscious and alert with leg pain.

The roadway is not blocked.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: One patient transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS.  Bethany Fire back in service.

A 30-year-old Batavia woman is charged with injuring an animal after a veterinarian treated a French Bulldog three times for an overdose of cocaine or "some other narcotic."

Cassandra L. Elmore faces three counts of injuring an animal.

The dog was treated on May 15, May 25, and June 21 for the apparent overdoses.

Elmore is also accused of owning an unlicensed dog.

According to a Batavia Police Department release, officers believe the dog "got into" the narcotic but don't specify how the dog came into contact with the narcotic.  

Police believe Elmore owns the Bulldog.

The current status of the dog is not reported in the release.

Elmore was issued an appearance ticket.