Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for three weeks of yoga, three classes, a $30 value, for $15.

South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. Decorate your home or office for spring or summer. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

SOLD OUT 

Note: if you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Rather than pass a law banning smoking in city parks, the Batavia City Council is considering a resolution that will say, in essence, "please don't smoke."

If passed, signs will be posted in city parks saying the parks are no smoking areas, but police will not have the power to arrest a person who refuses to stop smoking.

"If it’s just a resolution, we’re probably going to ask for voluntary compliance," said Chief of Police Randy Baker. 

He also explained, "The police department acts as an agent of the community and we ask people to comply with what the community cannot tolerate. It's up to their (the council's) discretion to provide us the direction they want us to take."

The resolution proposal was discussed at Monday's council meeting as part of a comprehensive approach to cutting down on substance abuse in city parks.

The city will get tougher with alcohol consumption in parks by voting in July on a fast-track ordinance change that would ban alcohol consumption in parks without a permit.

The current law prohibits drinking beer and other adult beverages in the park, but allows drinking in certain designated areas, such as pavilions.

A one-word change in the ordinance would make it illegal to have an open container in the pavilions.

Councilwoman Patti Pacino, for one, welcome the proposed change.

"I do a summer program for kids," Pacino "We serve lunch. And every single day we see the same people sitting in the same pavilions drinking beer. There is nothing I can do about it."

People who want to have picnics and parties in the pavilions can apply for a $25 permit and then serve alcohol, but once the law is amended, police will be able to deal with residents who reportedly gather in the pavilions on a routine basis and just sit and drink day-after-day.

As for the smoking resolution, only Councilwoman Rosemary Christian raised concerns about about a blanket restriction on smoking in parks.

She said she wants to see designated areas for smokers.

Smokers pay for parks, too, she said, and she finds it ironic that one of the community groups pushing to end smoking in parks is GCASA.

"Go down there (to the East Main GCASA location)," Christian said. "It’s all in front of the property, city property, there are butts all over. And these are the people that want us to stop? I don’t think so."

A Chestnut Street resident is facing a petit larceny charge all because he reportedly didn't want to see some woodchucks that had been living in his yard taken away.

To Dale Edward Banfield, 50, of Batavia, the woodchucks were like pets.

To his landlord, they were pests who were destroying his property.

So the landlord hired a nuisance wildlife company to set traps and capture the little critters.

After they were captured and removed Saturday, Banfield drove out to the company's location in Corfu and asked for the woodchucks back.

The owner declined to return the woodchucks, so before leaving, Banfield allegedly grabbed the traps containing the woodchucks and left.

The traps were recovered, according to the Sheriff's Office, but the woodchucks are presumably off some where chucking wood.

No word on where the woodchucks might be, nor how many were trapped.

Banfield was charged with petit larceny and must appear in Town of Pembroke Court on July 12.

Deputy Ron Meides investigated the case of the woodchuck caper.

Late this evening, spotted this sign -- "Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant" -- on the old Ponderosa building on Ellicott Street. So, I guess we're free to speculate that a new Mexican restaurant is coming to Batavia.

When Deputy John Duyssen isn't on patrol, investigating accidents or otherwise helping to keep fellow Geneseeans safe, he's doing what he loves -- growing things.

And one he hopes sometime soon will become a full-time business.

For the past seven years, along with his wife Jessica, and children Jonah, 14, Colton, 13, and Julian, 9, he runs a fruit farm on Bater Road in Le Roy.

The Duyssen's specialize in strawberries, but have added blackberries and raspberries in recent years.

The farm also now includes 22 beehives and John said the plan is to start selling honey.

Strawberry season is just about over -- if you want to pick your own, there's only a day or two left and what's left is best suited for preserves -- but John, Jessica and the boys have plenty to keep them busy.

The growing life for a strawberry plant is three years. The plants that are two years old this season will get mowed to the ground so they can regenerate, the three-year-old plants will get plowed under and something else will be planted in their place for crop-rotation purposes, and there is the blackberry and raspberry plants and bees to take care of.

The family is also adding hoop houses to protect young strawberry and other fruit plants from the elements.

"It's a growing business," said John, with no sense of "pun intended."  

He said two or three weeks ago during the height of the strawberry season, people were flocking to the farm to pick their own strawberries. John took four weeks off from the Sheriff's Office to help with the chores and the customers.

This year, Jonah said the person from the furthest away he met was Florida, but the all-time record was set last year, he said, when a group of nuns from Africa stopped by the farm.

Their first question, "Where are the strawberry trees?"

Jonah had to politely point them to the small green plants close to the ground.

Typically, John, said, he grows three to four thousand strawberries, and could grow more if he had the time.

"I can't grow fruit full time and be a full-time deputy," he said.

He's eligible for retirement in a year in a half, but he isn't sure the farm will generate enough revenue to provide both family income and family health insurance.

But if you see John out on patrol some evening and ask him about strawberries or bees, it's clear, this is what he loves to do.

Farming is in his blood.

His father and brother own a farm just down the road where they grow dry beans, corn, soybeans, hay, wheat and oats. The current Duyssen fruit farm was owned by John's grandparents.

"We have pictures of what the old farm looked like and it's fun to think we're doing what they used to do," John said.

Pictured in the top photo are Chris DeFelice, 16, who has been helping the Duyssens for seven years, Jonah, Colton, Julian, John and Jessica.

An elderly Canadian man died shortly before noon in the two-car collision at Route 63 (Lewiston Road) and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road. He was traveling northbound on Route 63 when his car crossed the center line for reasons unknown, striking a southbound car head on.

The struck vehicle was occupied by a couple from Williamsville and they were transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Names will be forthcoming.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The name of the Williamsville couple is Michael and Diane Zakes, former funeral directors in Oakfield. It will be some time before investigators determine the cause of the accident, if they ever do. Sgt. Kurt Schmitt requests that any witnesses who haven't been interviewed to please call State Police. Schmitt said, "(The elderly driver) was well into the left lane. We don't know why he crossed. That's part of our investigation." He added later, "There are clear indications that tell us he crossed into the left lane. There are indications in the roadway."

A working vehicle fire is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 389.5. Fire units from the Town of Batavia are called to the scene. State Troopers are handling traffic control.

Multiple emergency calls to dispatch are prompting requests for all available manpower to help with emergency coverage, including traffic control at Veteran's Memorial Drive and Route 63. The latter is needed due to the two-car accident at Route 63 and Batavia-Oakfield TL Road.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The fire is under control.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.: The fire is out. The burned vehicle is a mini-van.

UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: All Town of Batavia fire units back in service.

A two-car accident with injuries has been reported at Route 63 (Lewiston Road) and Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m.: Law enforcement on scene, "expediate EMS." Extraction required. A second ambulance requested by first Mercy medic on scene.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: All northbound traffic is closed at Galloway Road and Route 63.

UPDATE 11:59 a.m.: More manpower is needed. Town of Batavia Fire Department is called as mutual aid to Oakfield. Traffic is to be shut down at Veteran's Memorial Drive and Lewiston.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: A coroner is requested to the scene.

UPDATE12:09 p.m.: A man and a woman are transported to UMMC with minor injuries. Both were wearing seat belts and air bags were deployed. He has some bruising where the seat belt was and she has wrist pain. Now there is a van on fire on the Thruway, mile marker 389.5 eastbound, and so deputies are going to handle traffic control at Veteran's Drive and Route 63. State Troopers are going to the Thruway along with fire units.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Department is back in service.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The name of the Williamsville couple is Michael and Diane Zakes, former funeral directors in Oakfield. It will be some time before investigators determine the cause of the accident, if they ever do. Sgt. Kurt Schmitt requests that any witnesses who haven't been interviewed to please call State Police. Schmitt said, "(The elderly driver) was well into the left lane. We don't know why he crossed. That's part of our investigation." He added later, "There are clear indications that tell us he crossed into the left lane. There are indications in the roadway."

The 2011 Challenger Baseball season is in full swing at MacArthur Park, Batavia.

The annual program sponsored by Genesee ARC and the YMCA gives local children with special needs a chance to play baseball on Sunday evenings for a few weeks each summer.

Area youth volunteer to help with the games.

More pictures after the jump:

A lawn mower is apparently on fire, reportedly on the back of a truck or trailer, in the area of 3542 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE 11:17 a.m.: A National Grid truck happened by and the driver used his fire extinguisher to put out the blaze. An East Pembroke chief is on scene investigating.

UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: All East Pembroke units held in quarters.

View Larger Map

A contractor has reportedly struck a natural gas line at 8470 Violet Lane, Batavia, and there is gas leaking.

Town of Batavia Fire Department being dispatched. National Fuel has been notified. No ETA.

UPDATE 10:37 a.m.: Low-pressure line, very small hole. Town assignment held to Engine 24, non-emergency response.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: National Fuel on scene.

UPDATE 10:55 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire back in service.

View Larger Map

More than 750 people turned out for a traditional Hindu wedding celebration in Batavia over the weekend.

Sunday's ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the groom's family and friends walking (and dancing) from the Best Western Hotel on Park Road to the Clarion Hotel on Park Road. The wedding service took place inside the Clarion followed by a traditional Indian meal for lunch.

Married where Urvi, daughter of Kalpana Harish Patel and Harish Nathubhai Patel, and Sanjiv, son of Jyotiben Bimalbhai Avichal and Bimalbhai Bhukhandas Avichal

Urvi is a U.S. Army officer.

Thank you to the Patel and Avichal families as well as Clarion owner Chan Patel for allowing me to photograph the wedding. Everybody I met today was warm, kind and accommodating.

More pictures after the jump:

Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze is asking that any readers who might be able to recognize the person in this photo to contact him at jmdefreze@batavianewyork.com or to contact the Batavia PD. DeFreze did not specify the nature of the investigation, just that the photo is associated with an incident at a local bank.

The following arrests were made by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Tim McGraw concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

Jordan M. Kuhn, 24, of Salzburg Village, Palmyra, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. Kuhn allegedly struck a Darien Lake security officer in the face and then fought with security. He was also allegedly found to be in possession of a stolen sign belonging to Darien Lake. Kuhn was jailed on $1,000 bail. 

Crystal M. Norris, 26 of Salzburg Village, Palmyra, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Norris is accused of pushing a Darien Lake security guard during the arrest of Kuhn.

Mark P. Scally, 27, of Norhill Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Scally was allegedly found in possession of drugs and an expandable billy club.

Stephen J. Csapo, 20, of Commerce Drive, Avon, is charged with trespass. Csapo allegedly reentered the facility after being ejected and told not to return.

Thomas J. Metacale, 21, of Main Street, Hornell, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being ejected. 

Joseph M. Cicero, 21, of Carter Road, Fairport, is charged with trespass. Cicero was ejected from the concert venue and then allegedly tried to reenter by jumping a fence.

Maureen K. Freeman, 20 of North Avenue, Avon, is charged with trespass. Freeman allegedly returned to the concert venue after being ejected.

Joshua D. Caples, 20, of Oswego Road, Phoenix, is charged with disorderly conduct. Caples is accused of urinating on other people in the lawn area of the concert venue.

Robert P. Coots, 34, of West Transit Church Road, Albion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Coots allegedly drove from the concert venue in an intoxicated condition.

The following citations were issued for allegedly possession of alcohol under 21 years of age:

Katrina L. Schmieder, 19, of Route 98, Attica
William Ruiz III, 18, of Maryland Street, Buffalo
Mitchell P. Hamilton, 19, of Route 36, Jasper
Tyler S. Odell, 20, of Route 36, Canisteo
Kristin K. Pierce, 20, of East Avenue, Arkport
Cody J. McCormick, 20, of 4th Street, Canisteo
A 17-year-old of Captain’s Cove Lane, Webster
A 16-year-old of Bay Meadow Drive, Webster

A car has reportedly struck a pole in the area of 7444 Reuben Road, Basom, the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

The driver is reportedly unconscious.

Pole and wires are down. Emergency responders advised to use caution upon approach.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight not required. A second ambulance requested to the scene. Two people are injured.

UDPATE 5:14 p.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: A Mercy medic requests Mercy Flight to the scene. A landing zone is being set up at Ledge and Reuben roads.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, headed to Erie County Medical Center.

View Larger Map

State Troopers are looking for a tan (or gold) 1996 Buick Le Sabre sedan heading eastbound (toward the city) on Route 5 after it was seen leaving a park where the driver is suspected of exposing himself.

The incident reportedly happened moments ago at the Kiwanis Park on West Main Street in the Town of Batavia.

The car is registered to a Buffalo resident.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: Two calls were received on this. The man allegedly acted in a lewd manner and then tried to "cover it up" by pretending to urinate. "You never see many gold Buicks until you're looking for one. I've got five in the area all with different plates (than the one being sought)," says an officer.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: The man is described as "older" and possibly wearing a blue shirt. So far, officers have found about 10 similar Buicks, most of which are unoccupied and parked in parking lots. None of the vehicles have plates close to the one being sought.

We used to have a series of tutorial videos, but they became outdated. For some time, I've wanted to remake them and this weekend got a chance to start on that project.

Since we have so many questions on how to post a video in a comment, I thought that ought to be the first topic to cover.

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley: 

The passage of a property tax cap is the culmination of years of hard work from both New York taxpayers and the Assembly Minority Conference who have never wavered in their support of protecting this state’s families and businesses. No longer will Western New Yorkers, facing some of the highest property taxes in the nation, be prevented from obtaining the American Dream of owning their own home.

No longer will upstate businesses be forced out of our community, which has led to massive job loss and unemployment. Today is a new day in New York – a day that we finally say to our family and businesses, “You are welcome here.”

However, the victory in our long battle for this tax cap must also highlight the need to expand mandate relief. Our homeowners and businesses are not the only ones that suffer from Albany’s spending addiction, our local governments and school districts are struggling to cope with these issues as well. The measures we have taken to reduce the crushing burden on localities is not the end of a journey, but rather a first step toward the true, sweeping reforms it will take to repeal the onerous cost drivers that Albany has passed onto local governments.

We have opened the door for real, substantive mandate relief, but we haven’t done enough. I pledge to continue working tirelessly to ease the burden on local governments and school districts so that they can provide the vital services that our communities rely on without increasing costs to the taxpayer. I am confident that the accomplishments made today will serve as a springboard for even more success in the future.

From Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer:

“The State Senate passed historic legislation last night to make New York the 44th state to cap property taxes.  A cap will stop property taxes from spiraling out of control and prevent homeowners from being taxed out of their homes. But in order for the cap to work, mandate relief will be needed.”

“That is why the State Senate also took the first steps to begin to provide $127 million in much needed mandate relief for school districts and municipalities. The act also sets up a Mandate Relief Council to establish a procedure to repeal unfunded mandates.”

“There is still much work to be done on mandate relief, including relieving counties of burdensome Medicaid and pension payments and school districts of onerous and duplicative audits.  As the year progresses, I will work with the Governor, and my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly, to not just take first steps, but to make giant leaps towards achieving additional mandate relief.”