A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 6412 East Bethany -- Le Roy Road. The vehicle landed in a ditch and is on fire. Stafford Fire Department, deputies and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:15 a.m.: The driver is out of a pickup truck that is well off the roadway, according to a first responder on scene. He is walking around; minor injuries. Smoke is coming from the pickup.

UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: A deputy says the truck is on its side, 50 feet off the roadway, down a 10-foot embankment. A flatbed tow is called.

Jackson School in Batavia hosted two promotion ceremonies today. This video is from the 9 a.m. session.

A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on the conclusion of the 2019 Legislative Session:

“While it is fair to say that radical left-wing forces used this year’s Legislature in favor of seemingly everyone but the law-abiding middle-class, end of session negotiations yielding a $100 million relief package for Lake Ontario flood victims, an expansion of the State and Municipal Facilities program to aid local governments, such as shoreline communities, and a reinstatement of our Extreme Winter Recovery Funds – used to repave and revamp damaged roads and highways.

“We fought diligently to expose the malfeasance behind the agenda of dDownstate politicians this year who pushed driver’s licenses for illegals, easing of marijuana laws and a slew of protections for criminals and those accused of crimes. 

“Despite these challenges, I am honored to have led the fight to protect our Gold Star families and ensure spouses and dependents of deceased military heroes receive the benefits they deserve. 

“I look forward to attending countless community events, meetings and functions this summer and fall – talking and listening to constituents and building a better understanding of their needs and desires to start 2020 off better than ever.”

Batavia Society of Artists is hosting photographer Sue Meier on Tuesday, July 9th, at Kiwanis Park in Batavia with a picnic at 6 p.m. and a demonstration afterward.

This event is FREE but you need to register by July 7th to reserve a spot. Please call Teresa Tamfer at 585-506-2465 or e-mail bsa.bataviasocietyofartists@gmail.com.

Meier is the owner and photographer of Photography by Susan Meier. Her home-based boutique photography studio is located in East Pembroke.

She has always be interested in photography since she was a teenager when she won her first camera in a coloring contest. Some genres that Meier has photographed are: weddings, high school seniors, families, kids, professional headshot, boudoir, babies and pets.

She enjoys putting her spin on her creative concept photography and images. She has created images with theme ideas such as; “Little Red Riding Hood,” feather, little bird, bird in nest, Venus, mermaids, flowers, Elizabethan, ultra-violet light, crazy, dinosaurs, “Harry Potter,” butterfly, mountain man, spider/web, dragon slayer and more!

Many of Meier’s images have been displayed, sold and even published in a book. Galleries and settings include: Todmorden Mills Gallery (Toronto), GO ART!, Image City (Rochester), Moon Java Cafe (Batavia), Richmond Memorial Library (Batavia), Genesee County Fair (Batavia), and Gallery 96 (Pittsford), and the Senior Center (Batavia).

She has been a member of the Batavia Photography Club for many years and has hosted and mentored the club members in many aspects of photography. The photo club invited her to show pictures from her recent trip to Hawaii.

Meier has competed in many club photo competitions and regional club competitions and is an award winning photographer. Sue has also taught classes in camera knowledge and photoshop. In her spare time, Sue photographs birds, bugs, flowers and landscapes.

She looks forward to meeting you and helping you learn more about photography!

The sound of lawn mowers and the smell of freshly cut grass are signs of summertime in Genesee County.

However, those familiar noises and scents can far too often mean motorcycle accidents if homeowners do not properly remove road hazards like grass clippings, leaves and gravel.

“The people most to suffer from these things when it comes to motor vehicles is the motorcyclist, specifically, in a corner,” said Jon DelVecchio, riding coach at Street Skills LLC motorcycling school in Rochester and author of "Cornering Confidence: The Formula for 100% Control in Curves."

“Motorcyclists and car drivers alike, we want nothing between our tire surface and the road surface," DelVecchio said. "That’s how we’re going to get the best traction really in any condition.”

Grass clippings in summer months are reportedly as slippery as winter ice on road surfaces. Yard waste that blows onto road pavement presents safety hazards to motorcyclists whose two-wheeled vehicles speed over the slick grass clippings.

Clearing grass clippings from roadways is not a choice; it is mandated by state and local law.

NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1219 prohibits any substance that is likely to cause injury from being placed on highways. If grass clippings from a lawn mower are either accidentally blown or intentionally deposited onto the pavement, homeowners are legally obligated to remove them immediately.

Also, City of Batavia Municipal Code 113-2 states “No person shall sweep, throw or deposit or cause to be swept, thrown or deposited any ashes, dirt, stone, brick, leaves, grass, weeds or any other debris … into any public place or upon any private property without the owner's permission within the city.” A violator of this law can be fined $250, face imprisonment up to 15 days or be sued civilly if their grass clippings cause a motorcycle accident.

Jesse Underwood is a motorcyclist from Holley who has been riding motorcycles for 40 years. He was shopping at Stan's Harley-Davidson dealership in Batavia on Thursday when asked about encounters with grass clippings while tooling around.

He said it is important enough to him that, if he sees a problem, he stops his motorcycle and informs homeowners of the dangers of grass clippings during his rides with other motorcyclists.

"Every time we go on a big ride, every time we see people blowing grass in the road, we stop and give them a brochure on the dangers of it," Underwood said.

When homeowners receive the information, they are often surprised.

"A lot of them didn't even realize what they were doing is wrong," Underwood said. "I explain to them that wet grass clippings in the road — it's like ice to a motorcycle.

"If you come up and you're on wet grass ... or you're coming into a blind curve, even if you're doing the speed limit and you hit the wet grass, you're going down."

Underwood said that there are already enough dangers, such as texting and driving, that threaten the safety of motorcyclists, so grass clippings just add to the road hazards.

To effectively dispose of yard waste, homeowners are encouraged to leave their grass clippings on their lawns. This solution benefits the environment because clippings act as a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer and decrease the amount of store-bought fertilizer homeowners purchase. This option also saves time because grass clippings do not need to be bagged after each mowing.

“I would advise homeowners, as a person who rides a motorcycle, to just simply be aware that their grass clippings could cause real trouble for people who ride motorcycles,” DelVecchio said.

DelVecchio encourages homeowners to take preventative measures to clear the roads near their property. He also advises motorcyclists to receive both basic and advanced riding instruction through videos, books or training courses so they can navigate grass-covered roads.

Lost control of motorcycles can lead to injury and death among motorcyclists who cannot regain their traction on grass-covered streets. It only takes a few moments to clean up grass clippings if they blow into the road in order to keep motorcyclists safe.

A six-vehicle pileup is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 389.7. Traffic is snarled.

Three ambulanes are on scene.

Town of Batavia Fire Department is there, too.

Brandon Fogg agreed to a plea deal this afternoon in Genesee County Court after being charged with placing an individual at risk of serious injury or death -- in this case a Batavia police officer -- by displaying a BB gun on June 5.

The 32-year-old Batavia resident entered a guilty plea to first-degree menacing and faces one-and-a-third to four years in prison.

Batavia police officers first encountered Fogg after he trespassed at a location on Ellicott Street. Due to an illegal tire on Fogg’s vehicle as he drove away from the location, officers initiated a traffic stop.

According to police, Fogg attempted to flee the vehicle, but he was taken to the ground by Officer Darryle Streeter. Fogg then removed from his pocket what appeared to be a handgun during the struggle between himself and Streeter.  

A local citizen then came to the aid of Streeter by stepping on Fogg’s wrist, which caused him to drop the BB gun from his grasp. Streeter took Fogg into custody shortly afterward.

Judge Charles Zambito scheduled sentencing for 3:15 p.m. Aug. 1 at Genesee County Court.

Jeff Musial from Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics was at Jackson School on Thursday morning showing off some of the exotic live animals he keeps for educational purposes.

Super solid and spacious 3 bedroom 2 and one half bath home in a super peaceful pretty location -- you will want to pull up a chair and enjoy the views:) There is nothing to do-everything is updated and meticulously maintained.

Public water quite literally installed as of the day of listing! Roof was a tear off in 2018 -- interior freshly neutrally painted-carpets look like they haven’t been stepped on!

Basement is full and huge -- great workshop space -- 2-car attached garage -- large deck overlooking peaceful wooded backyard and a great 24 x 32 barn for all the extras or the hobbyist. Just a really nice home! Click here for more information on this listing. List with us, call Reliant Real Estate today.

Click here for more information on 59 Pearl Street Road. 
Click here for more information on 7773 Macomber Road.

Renee Chapell with the RaSPy poster. Photo by Alexandria Tarbell, 4-H ACES Club Photographer.

By Renee Chapell – Genesee County 4H ACES Club:

Submitted photo and press release:

The New York State American Legion Boys State program will be held June 27^th to July 2nd at Morrisville State College, Morrisville.

The American Legion Boys State is a unique summertime educational program for boys entering their senior year of high school.

The program focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of state government while providing training in practical citizenship, leadership and character through a non-partisan lens. 

The American Legion Boys State program consists of classroom work, lectures and hands-on activities that promote learning by doing. Each participant is known as a “citizen” and becomes an integral part of the process assuming specific responsibilities as an elected or appointed official.

The American Legion Posts, local businesses, or other civic organizations pay the delegates' enrollment fees. 

The Genesee County American Legion Committee is proud to be sponsoring the following 2019 Boys State delegates:

• Zachary Anderson -- Batavia High School
• Zeshan Armstrong -- Batavia High School
• Aiden Cornelius -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Grantham Gilligan -- Le Roy High School
• Zachary Hannon -- Byron Bergen High School
• Jake Hill -- Le Roy High School
• Ryan Manges -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Alexander Pratz -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Dylan Rykert -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Gavin Schmidt -- Batavia High School
• Cameron Smith -- Le Roy High School
• Keith Szczepanski -- Notre Dame High School
• Charles Urbanczyk -- Pavilion High School

About The American Legion 

The American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization with nearly 2 million members in 12,875 posts in communities across America. Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

Katie Kesler accepting the award with BU Sargent College Dean Chris Moore. Photo by Katherine Taylor for Boston University Photography.

Katie Kesler, of Batavia, received the Twiness Award from Boston University (BU) College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College at the annual Senior Awards Reception on May 17.

The Twiness Award is presented to graduating seniors who exemplify the ideals of service, loyalty, thoughtfulness, and excellence of scholarship.

An alumna of Batavia High School, Kesler graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in behavior and health on May 19.

“Student leadership taught me how to utilize my passion for disability advocacy to start meaningful dialogues surrounding perception of disability,” Kesler said. “I am a proud sibling of an individual with Down syndrome, and I am a vocal advocate for inclusion and the destigmatization of intellectual disability.”

While at BU, Kesler served as vice president of BU Student Volunteers for Special Needs, a Camp PALS counselor, and a peer mentor for Partners for Youth with Disabilities.

She was a member of the Navigators Christian Fellowship leadership team at BU, a member of the BU Student Occupational Therapy Association, a Sargent College peer mentor, and an assistant teacher at the BU Children’s Center.

Kesler was a Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarship recipient, awarded for academic and extracurricular excellence as well as demonstrated promise in future fields. She was also inducted into the Sargent College Honor Society and received the Pamela Posen Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

“Katie is empathic and insightful and looks out for fellow students -- she is bright, dedicated, and hardworking,” said Clinical Assistant Professor Anne Sullivan-Soydan.

“Most importantly, Katie is, quite simply, a good person, with high moral character and personal integrity. I believe she has excellent potential to make significant contributions in her chosen field; indeed, I believe she will be a leader.”

After graduation, Kesler will pursue her doctor of occupational therapy degree at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

About Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Sargent College:

It is an institution of higher education which fosters critical and innovative thinking to best serve the health care needs of society through academics, research, and clinical practice. As reported by U.S. News and World Report, its graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Physical Therapy rank in the top 6% of programs while Occupational Therapy is #1 in the nation.

The College has more than 25 on-campus research facilities and clinical centers and offers degree programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, language and hearing sciences, health science, athletic training, human physiology, behavior and health, and nutrition. For more information, visit bu.edu/sargent.

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 33,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges, along with a number of multidisciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University’s research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“This session was full of missed opportunities and misplaced priorities. From the convening of the session in January, through yesterday, we saw bill after bill filled with items that voters did not want and that hurt Western New York.

“The budget, filled with billions of dollars in new taxes for this year alone, is set to increase taxes by $4.5 billion next year. To make matters worse, Democrats gave less funding to our Western New York roads and bridges. Our schools also saw less aid proportionally.

“We saw, just this week alone, numerous times when Downstate members negatively spoke about Upstate residents. Despite the calls to be one unified state and the promise that Upstate would not be overlooked, this session had a disproportionately negative affect on Upstate’s economy and way of life.

"Late term abortion, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, billions in new taxes and mandates on farmers are just some of the examples. Instead of passing the 'Victims’ Justice Agenda', the Majority was focused on delivering for criminals, with the 'Criminals’ Bill of Rights'. All of this while our taxpayers were left behind.”

This will be the first post on The Batavian where comments are powered by code from Facebook and tied to Facebook's registration system. To comment, you will need a Facebook account.

Starting with this post, the website will display the Facebook commenting system. Older posts have the old commenting system and will retain the old comments.

Why the change? 

Because Facebook has better moderation tools than are available through our old commenting system. Also, practically the whole universe has a Facebook account now and sites that use Facebook comments get more comments on stories.

Why not? Because it feels a little like giving into the Borg. "You will be assimilated."  

I think it's the right move now but we'll see.

Facebook has other projects in the works to help local publishers like me, mostly through the trade association I helped create, Local Independent Online News Publishers, that makes me a little less wary of Facebook.

So, we'll see. In business, if you're not trying new things, you're dying. So we try new things.

Three ambulances have been dispatched to a two-vehicle accident at South Lake Road and Clinton Street Road, Bergen.

There is entrapment in at least one vehicle. There are possible head injuries. No word on how serious the injuries might be.

Bergen fire and Bergen ambulance are on scene.

The road is blocked.

Le Roy fire is also requested to the scene.

From Senator Michael Ranzenhofer:

The New York State Senate passed the “Farm Workers Bill.” State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst) voted against it.

Senator Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“Today’s passage of the Farm Workers Bill is devastating to our local farms. It does not take into consideration the economic and practical realities of farming. I have heard from and met with both farmers and farm workers who have shared the crippling impact this legislation would have on them.

“This is just another example of Downstate legislators who do not understand the Upstate economy. This will impose hundreds of millions of dollars in mandates onto farms who are already struggling. Simply put, it is going to eliminate jobs and put farms out of business.

“Furthermore, I am disappointed that such a critical bill would be introduced at the last minute and not ever be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee or reviewed by the public.”

From Senator Rob Ortt, ranking minority member of the Senate Agriculture Committee:

“Tonight’s passage of the Farmworker Labor Act is disappointing and further displays the disconnect between state Democrats and Western New Yorkers. For months, I toured farms across western New York and spoke about this legislation with hundreds of workers, employees and community residents.

Employers and employees alike pleaded that this bill would destroy small family farms. With New York State farm closure rates already triple the national average, this legislation will grow the closure rate and devastate the number one economic driver in New York.

My chief concern when Democrats took over the entirety of state government was that Upstate would be ignored. Incredibly, it has gone further than that and Upstate is now being attacked by radical New York City regressives. Their willing accomplices include Democrats from the rest of the state, the Business Council, and the State Farm Bureau, who – sadly – should have all known better.

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

"My administration has proudly fought for working men and women across the board, from raising the minimum wage to strengthening worker protections in nail salons and the home healthcare industry. We believe all workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect -- period.

"Over the weekend, I issued a reformed farm workers bill of rights, which guarantees farm workers will finally be granted basic rights to protect them from abusive and exploitive working conditions.

"With the passage of this legislation, we will help ensure every farm worker receives the overtime pay and fair working conditions they deserve. The constitutional principles of equality, fairness and due process should apply to all of us. I am proud that, with the help of my daughters' years-long advocacy on this critical issue, we got it done."

From Grow NY Farms:

For months, New York’s agriculture community worked with a purpose to meet a fundamental goal of developing farm labor legislation that would protect the combined interests of farms and farm workers. We negotiated in good faith with many majority lawmakers who were interested in hearing from those who would be directly impacted by the legislation.

Political realities meant we had to come to find a middle ground that was mutually beneficial.

We thought we had achieved that goal with a bill that while posing significant challenges for a struggling Industry, it was a vast improvement than where we started. Unfortunately, there were some flaws thrown into the legislation in the final days of this legislative session that made the bill unacceptable. Despite the passage of this flawed legislation (S.6578/A.8419), we have not given up on finding a way to fix those flaws.

These flaws include:

1.       A requirement that wages paid on the seventh consecutive day of work – are based on an overtime rate -- if a farmworker waives their right to a day of rest.

2.       The definition of family fails to recognize the role of close relatives such as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins – and would make their participation in farm activities subject to the new statute.

3.       The creation of a wage board lacks New York’s key agency expert on agricultural issues – the State Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

4.       Elections involving the ability to form a union lack the integrity of a secret ballot.

At this time, we believe it is in the interest of all parties to continue working together to address these flaws and move forward with legislation that farmers, farm workers and the labor community can mutually embrace and reflect the spirit of the dialogue and discussion that has taken place in recent months.

It is also important to note the significant role played by all the farmers, farm workers and lawmakers who worked to build consensus on this issue.

Grow NY Farms represents a coalition of more than 50 New York farms, organizations, and local businesses. To learn more, visit www.GrowNYFarms.com.

A three-car accident with minor injuries is reported in front of the McDonald's in Le Roy.

Le Roy Ambulance requested to the scene by Le Roy PD for evaluation of patients.

UPDATE 7:12 p.m.: Le Roy fire also responding.

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: Le Roy fire is back in service.

Noah Toal submitted this photo today of a piebald deer in Oakfield, across from The Oak Grill and Cafe.

A Darien Center man today entered a guilty plea in Federal Court to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Alexander Seegar, 29, faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and up to a $250,000 fine following his guilty plea.

Seegar was accused of sexting -- sending or receiving sexual text messages -- to girls from 10 to 12 years old who were students in Niagara County while posing as a 16 or 17 year old boy.

According to prosecutor Stephanie Lamarque, Seegar used the Instagram profile “davidlissachi” to communicate with the girls and asked them for sexually explicit photos. Seegar also communicated with other minors between the ages of 10 and 15 and asked them to send him sexually explicit photos in exchange for pictures of male genitalia that he sent them.

The defendant was found in possession of numerous photos containing child pornography.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Lewiston Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Previte.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Frank Paul Geraci Jr.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) introduced legislation which provides a financial solution for uninsured Americans seeking medical procedures by hospitals.

The Protect the Uninsured Act of 2019 would amend Title XI of the Social Security Act to require hospitals and critical access hospitals to offer the uninsured individual access to the lowest negotiated price for any service or procedure.

“Hospitals are supposed to take care of everyone, the uninsured are often saddled with debt far beyond what they can pay while others are receiving steep discounts for the same procedures,” Collins said. “People are putting their health at risk by avoiding important procedures due to inflated costs while hospitals are writing off uncollected debts as charity work."

Hospitals negotiate discounts with insurance companies to determine costs of procedures or services they are willing to accept. This negotiated discount is subtracted from an inflated total cost of a procedure or service, the individual then pays a copay while the insurance company covers the remaining expenses.

Under current law, an uninsured patient is forced to cover the full cost of the procedure with no discounts, leading to uninsured patients mounting debt or avoiding necessary care.

This legislation will provide financial relief to those who are uninsured by allowing the individual to receive the lowest discount negotiated with an insurance company for a procedure or service by a hospital.