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Reform candidate for NY-27 thinks he should get GOP nod now that Collins is out of the race

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Now that Chris Collins has withdrawn in the NY 27th District race, Larry Piegza is demanding to be considered for the Republican, Independent and Conservative Party endorsements. He has already earned the endorsement of the Reform Party in the June primary and is now looking to secure the other nominations as well.

“I’ve been trying to get support from the Republican Committees in this district since November and they won’t return my call. Even now that Chris Collins has been arrested they still won’t give me an interview. This is just another example of the corrupt, pay-for-play Republican committees not caring about their district.

“The District’s GOP establishment failed to admit that Collins was a criminal in the first place. Then also tried their failed election scam of getting the fake Green Party candidate Michael Zak on the ballot. I think it’s time that we voters demand an open process for choosing Collins’ replacement instead of letting the corrupt establishment tell us which crony we have to vote for next.

"I am only one of two candidates chosen by the fair election process and have already stated that I am willing to give up my entire congressional salary if I get elected. Instead of endorsing me, they are jumping through legal hoops to try to get their next establishment crony on the ballot. The voters don’t want a rigged election. If we are going to Make America Great Again, we have got to really drain the swamp at the district level as well," Piegza said.

Hearing provides new details in fight between Batavia athletes

By Howard B. Owens

In a hearing to determine whether there is reasonable cause to charge Antwan Odom with attempted assault in the first degree for cutting his teammate, classmate and neighbor Ray Leach during a fight over stolen property Aug. 4 in Batavia, Leach said their disagreement was over $60.

Court documents indicate the 18-year-old Odom said Leach accused him of stealing marijuana.

Both teenagers agreed to fight, Leach testified in the preliminary hearing, also called a felony hearing. Things got out of hand, according to his version of the story, when Odom pulled out a small, yellow pocket knife and stabbed Leach 10 times.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said, “It was a fairly involved situation he explained for the judge. He was the only witness.”

Odom's attorney Frank Housh said no weapon was found on his client. He said that Odom is the victim in the case. 

“It was some remarkable testimony,” Housh said. “He testified that a few days before he went over to my client’s house, demanding he come out and fight him, he had sent a Facebook post telling him that he was going to end him."

City Court Judge Robert Balbick ruled there is reasonable cause to conclude that Odom committed attempted assault, 1st. The case will now be referred to the grand jury to consider an indictment.

Leach has not been cleared to play football. His stitches will be removed Monday but the Blue Devils' star running back could have nerve damage to his upper leg.

Odom, like Leach, was expected to start his senior year next month and once again be one of the key players on Batavia's football team. At the close of yesterday's hearing, his bail, set last week by Balbick at $50,000/$100,000 was reduced to $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

Story based on reporting by 13WHAM, The Batavian's news partner.

Teen killed by hit-and-run driver in Darien planned to become an Upstate, rural doctor

By Howard B. Owens

All across America, there is a shortage of rural doctors. That problem is expected to only get worse as doctors born during the Baby Boom retire with greater frequency in the coming years.

New York isn't immune. A recent survey of the state's hospitals by Healthcare Association of New York found that Upstate needs 615 more doctors.

Connor Lynskey, the 18-year-old resident of Hinckley, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Darien on Saturday, was well aware of Upstate's doctor shortage, which is why he decided to attend medical school and become a rural doctor.

He had already been accepted into Upstate Medical University, according to Don Lynskey, his brother-in-law. Connor Lynskey was planning to attend Siena in the fall as part of a dual-admissions program to undergrad study and medical school for students committed to becoming rural doctors. His brother, Don said, is in the third year of the same program.

In his admissions essay about his plans, Lynskey said the difficulty his sister had in getting a correct diagnosis for Type I Diabetes in Utica inspired his career choice.

"Her struggle to find a local treatment center motivates me to become a rural physician," Lynskey wrote. "Pursuing this goal, I began a shadowing program at Rome Hospital to achieve insight regarding my future job. I was able to shadow the Emergency Room, Radiology Unit, Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatrics. Each day, I attempted to absorb the knowledge presented while becoming increasingly involved in the care of patients. With my newfound knowledge, I now prepare to conquer the obstacles that await me on the road to becoming a physician."

Friday evening Lynskey attended the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center with friends and family. After the concert, the group walked back to their campsite at Darien Lakes State Park, taking Sumner Road. At some point, Lynskey decided to run ahead to catch up with his friend.

On the dark, hilly road, nobody in the group saw what happened next. Lynskey was hit by a car whose driver didn't stop to help or call police. When the group reached their campsite and Lynskey wasn't there, they contacted the State Park Police who notified the Sheriff's Office. Officers patrolled the area, including Sumner Road but nobody saw Lynskey or any scene of a problem.

Perhaps 30 minutes later, a woman, Jennifer L. Serrano, 48, of Charles Street, Irving, was driving on Route 77 in Darien and her car nearly struck a marked patrol car. A deputy stopped her and wound up charging her with DWI.

The next morning, Deputy Richard Schildwaster, checking Sumner Road, found debris in the roadway and when he got out of his vehicle and looked around, he found Lynskey's body in a ditch.

Serrano, who had been released on bail on the DWI charge, was identified as the suspect and was arrested in Amherst, her vehicle was seized, and she has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. She is being held on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

The Batavian's news partner, 13WHAM contributed to this story.

Softball promoter seeks use of Williams Park baseball field; Watson Street residents call for stop sign

By Mike Pettinella

Mike Jamil wants a lighted field for his softball league.

Kenneth Wolter and Aaron Alwardt want a stop sign on Watson Street.

Batavia City Council heard from these three people on Monday night prior its Conference and Business Meetings at City Centre Council Chambers.

“I need lights,” said Jamil, director of the Batavia Softball League, that he says will field 17 teams for his fall league that starts next week and runs until November. “We can only get four games in at Kibbe (Park). I have facilities looking right at me; there’s a public park over there (Williams Park on Pearl Street).”

Jamil said he asked city officials about the possibility of using the lighted baseball field at Williams Park for his softball league, but was turned away.

“No discussion. It’s a baseball field, for baseball” was the response, Jamil said.

He said that his group would take responsibility for the condition of the field, and noted the only modifications would be that the pitcher would toss the ball 10 feet in front of the baseball pitcher’s mound, and that the bases would be 65-70 feet instead of the 90-feet distance for baseball.

Jamil has at least two council members in his corner at this point.

“I don’t understand why the league can’t use Williams Park when no one else is using that field,” John Canale said.

“If no one is using it, why can’t they use it?” Paul Viele asked.

Council, after being advised by Attorney George Van Nest that the different layout could create “potential ramifications,” said it would look into Jamil’s request in a timely fashion.

Jamil said he ran three leagues in the spring/summer with a total of 27 teams, using Kibbe Park and the unlit softball diamond at Williams Park.

Wolter and Alwardt spoke of issues stemming from the amount of traffic and rates of speed in the vicinity of Watson and Thorpe streets and called for the placement of a stop sign on the Watson Street side.

“Traffic goes by way too fast in my eyes,” Wolter said, noting that there are many children in the neighborhood and they run out in the street for a ball at times. “Why is it a big issue for a stop sign? Could someone tell me why we don’t need a stop sign?”

Both Watson Street residents also mentioned the need for increased police patrol, citing recent disturbances and drug dealing.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said that a traffic study was done, but “did not call for a stop sign at that time” and Maintenance Superintendent Ray Tourt added that a stop sign can’t be used for speed control.

City Council President Eugene Jankowski said the solution could be “something else as traffic could be confusing at that intersection.”

“We need to address something over there,” he said.

Council Member Kathleen Briggs said that she and city officials have been contacting landlords, and both Jankowski and Briggs suggested calling Child Protective Services in cases of children not being supervised.

Alwardt agreed.

“The problem is the parents; there is no supervision,” he said.

Name-calling mars City Council's vote to hire its new manager

By Mike Pettinella

Discussion about the selection of Martin Moore as the new manager of the City of Batavia turned a bit nasty tonight when City Council Member Rose Mary Christian made disparaging remarks about the in-house committee in charge of the vetting process and the consulting firm that was hired to steer the governing body in the right direction.

After Council President Eugene Jankowski and councilpersons-at-Large Adam Tabelski and Robert Bialkowski spoke about the process -- outlining their extensive interviewing, background checks and objectivity, Christian jumped in, first criticizing the Novak Consulting Group and then her three colleagues.

“I thought the Novak Consulting Group did a lousy, lousy job,” she said. “I had asked how many resumes came in and I was told 20 to 25. And from that five were chosen, one was sick, the other had personal problems, and the third person picked another municipality.  All we had was two people to interview.”

Christian also said that there were travel and training expenses as a result of the contract with Novak that she wasn’t aware of and added that she had hoped a current city employee (“an assistant”) would have applied for the job because “the salary ($110,000) was a big challenge for me.”

“I told you guys that I wasn’t going to vote for it. It won’t be unanimous; you’ll have eight yesses and my no.”

All three members of the steering committee responded to Christian’s comments.

“Everyone is entitled to a vote, but to insinuate that Novak was not truthful to us … is very misleading. Novak did a good job,” Tabelski said.

“We received three dozen, not 20, applications and eight to 10 candidates made it to the initial vetting. We then whittled the list down. It’s not the quantity of applicants, but the quality, and we have that.”

Bialkowski agreed, stating that Novak did a “stellar job.”

“They gave us the 10 best and we went from there,” he said.

Jankowski addressed the contract with Novak, noting that “it was all there in the open and you should read the whole packet before you vote on it.”

He then called out Christian (but not by name) for leaving an interview session early.

“I would think you would stay for the whole meeting and not leave for your other job," Jankowski said. "You wouldn’t say 'I don’t have time for this; I have to go to work.' This is one of the most important things that we do.”

Christian took the floor again, saying that she was told there were 20 to 25 applicants and clarifying to say she meant just travel expenses, not training.

It was then she called Jankowski, Tabelski and Bialkowski “the Three Stooges and Frick, Frack and Frank,” or something close to that.

Council Member Al McGinnis defended the trio – “You three did an outstanding job” – and Bialkowski responded, “You don’t resort to name-calling. That’s about as childish as you can get.”

After that, Council voted 9-0 to move the measure to a vote. The decision in favor of Moore was 8-1, with Christian casting the lone “no” vote.

Following the meeting, Jankowski explained why Moore, city manager of Eunice, N.M., for the past seven years, was the last man standing.

“We looked at many applicants and Dr. Moore rose to the top based on his educational level, his experience level, his personality and his experience in his present job,” he said. “He did really well in the interview. Most of Council really found him very favorable, and he just really rose to the top very quickly.”

Jankowski said although Moore is coming from a smaller community, he does have a “lot of education and a lot of background, and he has experience in other communities in his earlier career.

“He went through some really tough times in Eunice, N.M., where they had a serious income (problem) based on the oil industry. Some things dropped off from underneath them, their budget was cut dramatically. He was able to work through that, which I thought, with some very innovative ideas.

“It minimized any loss of jobs, and they were able to keep services continuing even though they took a big hit on their community income. That was very impressive. I liked that thought process and how he was able to handle that.”

Jankowski said that experience gave Moore “a good education” and made him a good fit for Batavia.

“We (Batavia) kind of went through something similar ourselves … and he knew all about that. He had done some research on us as well. I think he found other projects that are going on presently as a very big challenge, and he likes that challenge. And I think he’s going to do very well here.”

As far as Christian’s remarks are concerned, Jankowski said he found it “kind of odd, the combative nature of that whole exchange, and I agree with Councilman Bialkowski when he said that we really shouldn’t (resort to) name-calling.”

In a related matter, Jankowski suggested that the City continue to provide a stipend through the end of the year to the handful of city employees who have been doing extra work since Molino’s departure, including Interim City Manager Matt Worth.

Moore begins his tenure as the City’s manager on Oct. 15.

Eunice, N.M., loses a city manager, Batavia gains one with hiring of Martin Moore

By Mike Pettinella

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Updated at 8:55 p.m.

City Council voted by an 8-1 margin to hire Martin Moore, Ph.D., as the City's new manager, replacing Jason Molino who left for an administrative position in Tompkins County in January. A story about the voting at a special business meeting at City Centre Council Chambers will follow.

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The Batavia City Council is expected to approve the hiring tonight of Martin Moore, Ph.D., city manager of Eunice, N.M., since 2011, as the city's new top executive.

Moore has accepted a three-year contract, which must be approved by the council tonight, to fill the vacant city manager position in Batavia.

Moore will begin his duties in Batavia on Oct. 15.

City Council President Eugene Jankowski said Moore could not attend tonight’s meeting due to a family wedding but will be available via video conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

Jankowski had nothing but words of praise for Moore, who was voted “City Manager of the Year” in 2015 by the New Mexico Municipal League for his “handling of the city’s finances and progress of the community and how it operates.”

“He is articulate and personable,” Jankowski said, “and all of us have been very impressed by him.”

Moore also won praise from Councilman Art McGinnis.

"He was mature, gave great answers and has incredible experience," McGinnis said. "We really won out on this one. Big time. I'm very happy."

Jankowski said Moore’s wife has family in North Tonawanda and that they have been looking at relocating to Western New York.

Eunice is a city of about 3,000 people, located just west of the Texas border in the southeast corner of New Mexico.

It operates under the guidance of a nine-member City Council, including Mayor Billy Hobbs. According to the city’s website, it is in a “period of sudden growth,” with the oil field (its main employer) in a boom period, due to the price of oil.

“All companies are in need of employees with unemployment for Lea County running at 0 percent.

"Also, the National Enrichment Facility has received their license and will be building a $1.7 billion project five miles out of town.

"They will employ approximately 250 permanent employees and have up to 1,000 construction workers on site in two years. The total project will take seven to 10 years to build.”

Additionally, the website reports that its schools are “top-notch with prekindergarten through 12th grade. The community is very involved with all levels of sports and has many state championships in all.” The Eunice High School baseball has produced 17 state championships, which is fifth-most in the nation.

Moore’s contract, as reported first on The Batavian, calls for a starting salary of $110,000, with increases of $2,000 annually. He also will receive retirement benefits, paid family medical insurance, three weeks’ vacation, life insurance, and relocation reimbursement up to $10,000.

His previous executive management experience includes a four-year stint as a consultant, census 2010 crew leader and general manager in Timberon, N.M.; county manager for Otero County, N.M.; executive director of Eastern Arizona Counties, and director of development and community services for Apache County, Ariz.

An Eagle Scout, he was a member of several professional associatons and president of the Rotary Club of Eunice, N.M.

Moore replaces former manager Jason Molino, who left in January for a similar position for Tompkins County. Public Works Director Matt Worth has been handling the city manager responsibilities on an interim basis since Molino’s departure.

Manslaughter suspect in Darien nearly hit patrol vehicle at another location after alleged hit-and-run

By Howard B. Owens

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The driver in an alleged fatal hit-and-run accident on Sumner Road in Darien just after midnight Saturday was later arrested for DWI after her car nearly hit a marked Sheriff's patrol vehicle at 1 a.m. on Route 77.

It's estimated that the hit-and-run victim, 18-year-old Connor Lynskey, of Hinckley, was struck at about 12:30 a.m.

Jennifer L. Serrano, 48, of Charles Street, Irving, was identified as a suspect based on a tip received by the Sheriff's Office after news of Lynskey's death was reported.

Serrano is charged with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. She is being held on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

Lynskey attended the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday evening with family and friends. The group was camping at Darien Lakes State Park. After the concert, some members of the group started to walk back to the state park together and at some point, Lynskey reportedly decided to run ahead and catch up with a friend.

Upon returning to the park, the group realized Lynskey had not returned to the campsite so State Park Police were contacted.

State Park Police officers and Sheriff's deputies commenced a search of the area but did not locate Lynskey. The Sheriff's office reports deputies continued to patrol the area throughout the night, keeping an eye out for Lynskey.

The next morning, members of the group reported to State Park Police that perhaps they had heard a crash on the Sumner Road, which has a couple of dips and hills along the way, while walking back to the park in the dark of the night.

At 11:51 a.m., Saturday, Deputy Richard Schildwaster found vehicle debris in the roadway on Sumner Road and upon further investigation found Lynskey's body in a ditch along the roadway.

Investigators were able to determine the type of vehicle involved based on the debris.

Following her arrest on DWI in connection with the Alleghany Road incident at 1 a.m., about 30 minutes after the estimated time Lynskey was struck on Sumner Road, Serrano was arraigned in Darien Town Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. A few hours later, she posted bail.

Through information developed during the investigation, the Sheriff's Office determined that Serrano was at a relative's residence in Amherst and obtained a search warrant for her vehicle. Her vehicle was seized and she was taken into custody.

Batavia Boys Basketball Program Golf Tournament is Saturday -- sign up, sponsor a hole, donate a prize

By Billie Owens

The second annual Batavia Boys Basketball Program Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, at Batavia Country Club. Cost is $70 per golfer and all proceeds benefit Batavia basketball.

Price includes 18 holes of golf -- four-man scramble, cart, lunch and dinner.

Registration starts at 2 p.m.; tee off is at 3 p.m.

The country club is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia.

If interested, please contact Varsity Head Coach Buddy Brasky -- 356-4050; Bryan Falitico -- 201-1075; or Dave Hall -- 703-5063.

Prizes will be awarded to: first-place team; second-place team; third-place team; longest drive; closest to the pin.

There will be a Chinese auction and raffle prizes.

Businesses are wanted to help with $50 hole sponsorships and prizes. To do so, please contact Brasky or Falitico at the numbers above.

Checks should be made out to Batavia Boys Basketball Boosters.

Portion of East Avenue to be milled Tuesday through Thursday

By Billie Owens

From the city's Bureau of Maintenance:

East Avenue from Ross Street to Clinton Street will have construction delays and lane reductions for the cold milling of the pavement from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, through Aug. 16.

All residents on East Avenue are asked not to park on the roadway during the day and either park in their driveways or neighboring streets. All area motorists are asked to avoid East Avenue if possible.

Portions of this work are weather dependent and delays may occur.

Please, plan accordingly and contact the D&H Excavating at 716-492-4956 if special accommodations are needed.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Four arrests at Rob Zombie concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Rob Zombie concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday:

Scott E. Staubitz, 36, of Union Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, after allegedly being found in possession of Suboxone and LSD. Staubitz was arraigned in Darien Town Court and released. Staubitz was turned over to Cheektowaga Police on an outstanding warrant in Cheektowaga.

Brock A. Hathaway, 26, of Davidge Street, Coudersport, Pa., is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Hathaway was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $150 bail.

Christopher C. Crum, 52 of Maple Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Ashley M. Whittaker, 26 of Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with false personation after allegedly providing a false name to police officers.

Law and Order: Driver charged with DWI after accident on Lewiston Road

By Howard B. Owens

Antonio Diego Dames, 42, of Knowlesville Road, Oakfield, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .18 or greater; aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st; driving without an interlock device; and moving from lane unsafely. Dames was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Travis DeMuth into a one-car accident reported at 4:28 p.m. Thursday on Lewiston Road in Alabama.

Yahaira Ann-Marie Brown-Diaz, 19, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, and speeding. Brown-Diaz was stopped at 8:28 a.m. Friday on Maple Avenue, Bergen, by Deputy Ryan DeLong. Brown-Diaz was transported to the Sheriff's Office where she was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert.

Genna Lynn Miller, 33, of Center Street, East Aurora, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to comply with traffic control officer, and failure to keep right. Miller was stopped at 12:16 a.m. Saturday on Alleghany Road, Darien, by Deputy Patrick Reeves after her vehicle's mirror allegedly struck a traffic control officer in the arm.

Matthew Paul Sunseri, 33, of Harlem Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Sunseri was charged following an investigation by Deputy Mathew Clor into a disturbance reported at 10:50 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park.

A 17-year-old resident of Buffalo is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana by State Police in the Village of Corfu at 11:05 a.m. on Aug. 5.

Walter B. Hale, 65, of Oakfield, is charged with: felony DWI; felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; failure to keep right; and moving from lane unsafely. Hale was stopped by State Police at 1:40 a.m. Sunday on Route 98 in Elba.

Casandra E. Holloway, 25, of Newfane, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; no headlights; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Holloway was stopped by State Police at 11:01 p.m. Friday on Colby Road, Darien.

Scott P. Rammacher, 42, of Lockport, is charged with DWI and impeding traffic. Rammacher was stopped by State Police at 6:35 p.m. Thursday on Route 77, Darien, for allegedly driving too slow.

Christian A. Dangelo, 28, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Dangelo was stopped by State Police at 9:44 p.m. Thursday on Route 33, Bergen.

Kyle J. Howard, 29, of Basom, is charged with criminal trespass. Howard was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 1:30 p.m., Aug. 6.  No further details released.

Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run following Aldean concert in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

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The Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in a fatal hit-and-run accident on Sumner Road, Darien, on Friday night after the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Jennifer L. Serrano, 48, of Charles Street, Irving, is charged with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

The Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant early this morning in Amherst and seized the vehicle they believe Serrano was driving when it struck Connor Lynskey, 18, of Hinckley.

Lynskey was camping with a group of people who attended the Aldean concert and they were walking back to Darien Lakes State Park on Sumner Road when he decided to run ahead and catch up with a friend.

None of the group apparently saw what happened. 

When they got back to the state park, they contact State Park Police because Lynskey had not returned. Park Police and deputies search the area but did not locate Lynskey.

At 11:51 a.m., Saturday, during another search of Sumner Road, Deputy Richard Schildwaster found Lynskey's body in a ditch at the side of the road.

Serrano was jailed on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

Christopher Parker was the lead investigator on the case.

Shawn Gray wins seven and 4,000th of career at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Shawn Gray had the night of his life on Saturday (Aug. 11) as he won seven of the 12 races he drove at Batavia Downs and during that run, garnered his 4,000th career driving win.

Gray came into the night needing four wins to reach that plateau and once “The Maine Event” got rolling, there was seemingly no stopping him from getting to the winner’s circle. Besides his seven wins (which included the last five straight races of the night), Gray also had a second and two thirds giving him a stellar universal driver rating (UDR) of .685 for the night.

A native of Waterville, Maine, the 44-year-old Gray has been driving since 1993 when he got his first pari-mutuel win with Timer Choice at Presque Isle, Maine. He has been a regular on the New England circuit for his entire life, but in 2012 he came to western New York and made an instant impact on the racing scene here, taking the driving title at Batavia Downs that year.

Gray has also been a regular at Saratoga Raceway and Plainridge Park in recent years and enjoys the same success at those tracks as he does everywhere else.

In 19,230 starts, Gray has now won 4,003, has been second 3,098 times and third 2,709 more times making him more than 50 percent in the money for his career. That high percentage performance has earned him $15,114,821 in purses over that time.

Gray’s best career year was 2012 when he captured 356 victories and earned $1.859 million in purses. A habitual high percentage driver, Gray posted a personal best .440 UDR in 2011 but consistently ends the year in the high .300 range. Gray is currently second in North America in 2018 for UDR with a .404.

There was another horseman making history at Batavia Downs. Trainer James Clouser Jr. won a track record seven races on the card and posted an unbelievable universal training rating (UTR) of .917 in the process.

Clouser won with Freak On A Leash (1:55.2, $7.10), Whosurpapa (1:54.2, $3.20), Lenny Mac (1:57.3, $7.90), Upfront Countryboy (1:53.2, $4.20), Tyler (1:54.4, $2.90), Zipnthruthehall (1:54.3, $3.40) and Autobiographical (1:54.3, $2.60).

Gray drove six of Clouser’s seven winners.

The top Open pacing and trotting features were also contested on Saturday night.

Validus Deo, below, ($4.40) won the $10,500 Open Handicap pace in 1:54.3 for driver Kevin Cummings who also trains and co-owns the winner with Matthew Rosiek and Robert Johnson.

And BZ Glide, bottom photo, $29.60) upset in the $10,500 Open Handicap trot in 1:56.2 for driver Mike Caprio. Alana Caprio trains the winner for owner the Caprio Stable.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Down on Wednesday (Aug. 15) with post time set at 5 p.m.

Crash with injuries reported on Genesee Street, Darien

By Billie Owens

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A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 602 Genesee Street in Darien. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:41 p.m.: All patients were sign-offs.

Sponsored Post: Genesee Symphony Orchestra's Summer Serenade is August 19, get your ticket today

By Lisa Ace

The third annual Summer Serenade is a combined fund-raising event for the United Way's Backpack Program and the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.
 
The Garden Party will be held Sunday, Aug. 19th, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Mercy Grove Event Center, 7758 E. Main Road (Route 5) in Le Roy.
 
During the three-hour Garden Party, guests can enjoy hors-d'oeuvres, grazing stations, beer, wine, and a cash bar, all catered by the Le Roy Country Club. 
 
The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will play a concert from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. under a large white tent, which is set up off the back patio of Mercy Grove. The stately mansion was built by Donald Woodward in 1927 and sets amid beautifully landscaped grounds with expansive views.
 
Le Roy Historian Lynne Belluscio will conduct mansion tours during the Garden Party.
 
Bright-colored, garden-party attire recommended.
 
The orchestra will feature "Summer Songs" with their Concertmaster. Kiran Rajamani is the featured violin soloist. Some other musical surprises will also be played.
 
Theresa DeMars, an account manager with Lawley Insurance, chairs the event for United Way.
 
Tickets to support this combined fundraiser are $75 per person; $40 of that ticket cost may be claimed as a donation to these two nonprofit organizations.  
 
Tickets may be purchased at the door or as follows:
  1. Le Roy Country Club
  2. Roxy's Music Store
  3. United Way or GSO Board Members
  4. Online at: www.uwrochester.org/summer serenade
  5. www.geneseesymphony.com
We hope to see all of our wonderful United Way and GSO supporters at Summer Serenade lll next Sunday!

Photos: Sunday morning in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

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It was a beautiful morning in Genesee County on my drive back from the fire in Le Roy.

The field and mist above is off of Circular Hill Road near the fire scene, and below a horse on a property off of Transit Road in Stafford, next door to where I stopped for a barn sale.

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Working structure fire reported on Wilcox Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

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A structure fire is reported at 8010 Wilcox Road, Le Roy. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pavilion, Bergen, Stafford and the City of Batavia. National Grid is called to the scene, as well as an ambulance from Caledonia. The location is off of Circular Hill Road.

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.: An engine and Fast Team from Mumford are also called in.

UPDATE 6:40 a.m.: A tanker from York is responding.

UPDATE 6:43 a.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to stand by in its hall for Stafford Fire Department.

UPDATE 6:54 a.m.: Fire is knocked down; checking for extensions. York told to continue non-emergency.

UPDATE 7 a.m.: Le Roy's auxiliary is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:06 a.m.: One engine from Avon is requested to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:07 a.m.: A Le Roy engine at the scene is being rerouted to the Dunkin' Donuts shop on West Main Street, Le Roy, for the odor of something electrical burning inside a refrigeration unit there.

UPDATE 7:13 a.m.: An electrical problem in a bathroom is thought to have caused the fire on Wilcox Road, which damaged the bathroom. There is smoke and water damage in the house.

UPDATE 7:19 a.m.: The fill in for Le Roy from Avon is canceled; York at the scene will be the fill-in instead.

UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: The Dunkin' Donuts refrigeration unit is deemed to have a faulty motor, which has been disconnected. Le Roy's engine is returning to the Wilcox Road incident, and most of the mutual aid responders are put back in service.

UPDATE 7:42 a.m.: Command says Red Cross assistance will be needed for one adult and two dogs who lived in the home.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
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