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Jim Kelly cuts ribbon on new Terry Hills 14th green bridge

By Howard B. Owens

When Terry Hills Golf Course built the 14th hold more than 30 years ago, the green, on one of the course's signature holes, was mostly surrounded by water. To provide a bridge to the green, two telephone polls were placed across the water.

In the three decades that passed, the weather did its work on the wood, so last summer the bridge was removed.

This year a new bridge was installed, and with Jim Kelly on hand to cut the ribbon, it was officially opened.

Top photo: Mary Brown, Casey Brown, Danielle Rotondo, Jessica Ecock-Rotondo, Ellen Simkulet and Nick Rotondo.

Below, two photos provided by Terry Hills. First, Tom Brown walking across the telephone polls when first placed over the water. Second, Casey Brown walking across the first beam placed for the new bridge.

'Poetry in Batavia' -- poet Stephen Lewandowski reads at GO ART! June 14 and so can you

By Billie Owens

GO ART! and local poetry lovers will have a special event featuring poet Stephen Lewandowski at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, at historic Seymour Place in Downtown Batavia. It is free and open to the public.

At "Poetry in Batavia," Lewandowski will read poems and this will be followed by an open reading -- an opportunity for people to read their own work or that of a favorite poet.

Lewandowski has published 13 books of poetry, and his poems and essays have appeared in regional and national environmental and literary journals and anthologies.

He was a student of poet Howard Nemerov, a graduate assistant to philosophical essayist William Gass and later studied with folklorist Louis Jones.

His two most recent books are "Under Foot" from May Apple Press in Woodstock (2014) and "Last Settler in the Finger Lakes" from Foothills Publishing in Avoca (2015).

He is working on "Local Life, a Natural History of the Finger Lakes."

GO ART!, in the Seymour Place building, is located at 201 E. Main St. The bar will be open for those wishing to purchase beer or wine.

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing money from lost wallet

By Howard B. Owens

Matthew J. Hyland, 38, of Canandaigua, is charged with petit larceny. Hyland was arrested following an investigation by a trooper into the theft of $103 from a wallet that had been accidentally left on a counter by a customer at the TA Travel Center in Pembroke. The customer reported returning for the wallet and finding $103 had been removed from the wallet. The trooper used video surveillance to help identify Hyland as a suspect. According to State Police, Hyland admitted to the larceny and stated he wanted to return the money to the owner. Hyland turned himself in to State Police at the Batavia Barracks.

      Adam Arsenault

Adam J. Arsenault, 32, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing a police officer, resisting arrest, and criminal possession of a weapon. Arsenault allegedly brandished a knife at police officers who were attempting to arrest him on a warrant. He was jailed without bail.

Scott David Beswick, 44, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Beswick is accused of consuming alcohol at his residence in violation of a court order of protection.

Nathan Robert Arnold, 26, of Terry Street, Byron, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Arnold allegedly obstructed the breathing of another man while engaged in a fight at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday at a location on Terry Street, Bryon.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 21, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with court-ordered programs as part of his sentencing on a conviction. He jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Latiqua S. Jackson, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, and conspiracy, 6th. Jackson was arrested on a warrant. Jackson is accused of pawning, trading or selling stolen property and that she was aided by at least one other person. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Luis Alberto Ramos-Mercado, 33, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Ramos-Mercado is accused of entering another person's dwelling through a window without that person's knowledge or permission.

Edward R. Loper, 30, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Loper was arrested on a warrant while incarcerated in the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges.

Nathen Edward-Donald Brege, 25, of Alleghany Road, Basom, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for sentencing on a resisting arrest charge. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Matthew J. Florian, 29, of Slusser Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and following too closely. Florian was stopped at 11:18 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Rollover accident reported on Route 98, Elba, with possible minor injuries

By Howard B. Owens

A rollover accident is reported in the area of 7578 Oak Orchard Road, Elba, which is just north of Daws Corners.

Minor injuries reported but extrication needed.

A first responder says the vehicle is on its tires.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 7:33 a.m.: Patient extricated.

Motorcycle accident reported on Route 237, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at 8525 Route 237, Stafford.

No word on whether other vehicles were involved.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:15 a.m.: The patient will be transported to Strong.

Accident at West Main and River Street reported

By Howard B. Owens

A minor injury accident with fluids leaking is reported on West Main Street at River Street, Batavia.

A neck injury is reported.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Photos: American Warrior Concert at The Ridge

By Howard B. Owens

The American Warrior Concert at The Ridge NY in Le Roy is a two-day festival celebrating and honoring veterans that includes music, activities, and access to services for veterans.

The first few photos are of the band Ball Cheeze Psychotics, as a picture of Tetelestai and of Zach Burgess. In all, more than two dozen musical acts played on the two stages set up for the event.

Photos: Pony competition at County Fairgrounds

By Howard B. Owens

Pony riders from age 5 to age 17 were at the Genesee County Fairgrounds today for a regional competition hosted by the Western New York Pony Club.

The competition is a series of games, relay races, that test the riders' skills for placing, picking up, and handing off objects while on horseback.

The children age 5 to 9 compete in five races and the older competitors race through 10 relays.  

The rulebook contains 46 possible games that organizers can choose and teams only learn a month before the competition which games will be played.

The winning teams will have an opportunity to compete at the national championship in North Carolina later this year.

There were 36 competitors in Batavia today from throughout Western, Central, and a portion of Northern New York.

Photos: Cross County 1K fun run at Centennial Park

By Howard B. Owens

EIghth-grader Cody Harloff was the first to cross the finish line in a 1K fun run at Centennial Park this morning held to promote the Batavia High School Cross-country Team.

The run was promoted to Batavia Middle School students.

Below, Coach Rich Boyce explains to the rules of the race to the runners.

First-place awards were given to the winners at each grade level participating.

Accident with injuries reported in front of Jan's Smoke Shop in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in front of Jan's Smoke Shop at 383 Bloomingdale Road, Alabama. One person is injured, according to a firefighter at the scene. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:47 a.m.: A first responder at the scene says two vehicles are involved and they are blocking traffic.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: Alabama command says the ambulance can continue in non-emergency mode for evaluation of two patients, possibly sign-offs.

Photos: Muddy fun for mothers and sons at John Kennedy

By Howard B. Owens

A heavy rainstorm delayed the start of the annual mother and sons Mud Run at John Kennedy School today, but once the clouds cleared, the race was on.

Jennifer Desautels, covered in mud, gives a mock hug to her uniformed father, Firefighter Tom Douglas.

Sponsored Post: Active assailant awareness for the concealed carrier - June 10

By Lisa Ace


Shots fired near my location. Should I go toward them? Can I get there? What is the aftermath if I do? Register today for M&S Tactical Solutions Active Assailant Awareness for the Concealed Carrier!

This course will focus on what you can do as a concealed carrier to protect yourself and your loved ones during an active shooting, as well as the moral, ethical and legal aspects. There will also be a hands-on, scenario-based component covering emergency first aid and tourniquet application, taught by a current NYS Tactical Paramedic.

Seats are limited -- Call 585-219-4248 or visit www.mandstactical.com today!

Crash with injuries reported at Lewiston and Park roads, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Lewiston and Park roads in front of Town of Batavia Fire Station. Four vehicles were involved. "All the vehicles are clear; there's just a lot of debris in the roadway."

Injuries are reported; one victim is a 12-year-old child. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested for a victim with a knee injury.

Darien Lake's Tantrum expected to give thrill seekers what they want

By Howard B. Owens

One of the best parts of Chris Thorpe's job, which he readily admits, is getting to preview the rides before they're open to the public.

He's already been on the theme park's newest ride, Tantrum, a dozen times, and he said it really delivers for thrill seekers.

"My favorite part of the ride, as people ask me, is when I rode it for the first time with my daughters, was the look of astonishment on their faces when it was finished," Thorpe said. "The ride is just dynamic and fun."

Tantrum is nearly a $5 million addition to the park's entertainment assets and its seventh coaster overall. The ride includes a beyond-vertical drop that hasn't been available on previous rides at the park.

Tantrum, the first coaster of its kind in New York State and Ontario, Canada, takes riders on a 98-foot vertical lift at a 90-degree angle – straight up the coaster’s first hill. In a matter of seconds, upon reaching its apex, the train plummets into a 97-degree drop and pretzel inversion, reaching speeds of 52 mph as the coaster snakes through the structure over a bunny hop.

The ride is designed to keep riders guessing which way is up or down over a minute and two-seconds through multiple twists, turns and inversions.

Thorpe said Genesee County residents should definitely come out to the park this summer and give the ride a try.

"Darien Lake is going to deliver the best family experience and make memories that will last a lifetime," Thorpe said. "Come on out, give Tantrum a ride. If you’re a thrill seeker, you will see this ride will really deliver."

Ribbon-cutting photo below: Linda Taylor, former marketing director for Darien Lake, cut the ribbon. Taylor was on hand in 1982 for the ribbon cutting for Viper, the park's first roller coaster. Today was her last day with the park before retiring.

Motorcyclists collide with deer in Darien, injuries reported

By Billie Owens

Two motorcyclists struck a deer and injuries are reported in the area of 1162 Broadway Road (Route 20), Darien.

Darien fire and Mercy EMS are responding along with law enforcement.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: Two people are injured. The location is between Route 77 and Warner Road.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: Law enforcement on scene reports the motorcycle and a trailer attached to it are well off the roadway. The two victims have arm injuries. The motorcycle license plate is from Arkansas.

Summer goings-on at the Holland Land Office Museum

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
We are gearing up for summer here at the museum and are very excited to bring in new speakers and events for you!
 
Thursday, June 7th, the museum will be welcoming Joyce Thompson-Hovey. She will be speaking on "Civil War Music." This program begins at 7 p.m. and is $3 per person and $2 for museum members.
 
Wednesday, June 13th, the museum is having Kathy Woika speak on "Kitchen Gardens of the Past Surviving in the Present." Program begins at 7 p.m. and are asking for a $3 donation.
 
Thursday, June 14th, is our History Family and Team Challenge Night! Come on out and test your knowledge of seemingly trivial facts against family and friends. $3 per person, $2 for museum members and please call for team pricing. Snack and Drink concessions will be available, however, not included in the price of admission. 
 
Tuesday, June 19th, the Genesee Area Genealogists will be hosting Pamela Vittorio here at the museum. Vittorio will be presenting on "Dating and Identifying Family in Old Photographs" and "A Connecticut Yankee in the King's Rangers." This event will begin at 7 p.m.
 
Thursday, June 28th, will be another installment of Java with Joe E. This month Richard Beatty from the Darwin Martin House will be speaking on the house and its history. Coffee and pastries are from 9-10:30 a.m. 
 
Keep an eye out for our History Heroes Summer Program, led by Anne Marie Starowitz. This year the program will be July 17-20 and 24-27 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Check out the museum's website or contact us for more information.
 
As always, if you have any questions, please call the museum at 585-343-4727 or email. Check out our website for more updates and exciting events.
 
Have a wonderful day!
The Holland Land Office Museum

BHS Coach Jim Fazio to host summer camps for basketball, tennis and softball

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Girls Varsity Tennis and Softball Coach Jim Fazio will be hosting instructional camps this summer for basketball, tennis, and softball.

The Softball Camp will be open to girls ages 9-16 on July 9-11, from 9 a.m. to noon, with rain dates on the 12th and 13th, at the Batavia High School Varsity softball field. Cost is $50; multiple children from the same family pay $40 each.

The Tennis Camp will run July 16-18, from 1 to 4 p.m. with rain dates on the 19th and 20th at the Batavia High School tennis courts for boys and girls entering grades 3-9. Cost is $50; multiple children from the same family pay $40 each.

The Basketball Camp will run Aug. 13-17 at John Kennedy School from 9 a.m. to noon for boys and girls entering grades 3-8. Cost is $65; multiple children from the same family pay $55 each.

All camps will focus on the fundamentals of each sport, sportsmanship, safety, and fair play. Drills and contests will be held daily.

Each participant will receive a free T-shirt.

For more information, and to get applications and the required waivers, please contact Coach Fazio at 585-356-0901 or at jfazio@gvboces.org

Top Items on Batavia's List

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