Late yesterday afternoon, I took a drive out through Elba, Oakfield and the Town of Batavia. Here's four photos from the drive.

Above, a horse at Macomber and Townline roads, Batavia.

A tree on Pekin Road, Elba.

I suspect this is an old outhouse, but I'm not sure. On Pekin Road, Elba.

Flowers by a pond on Slusser Road, Batavia.

The Empire Cup and College Showcase is under way at Genesee Community College this weekend.

The event brings together more than 50 colleges and universities from throughout Upstate New York for nonstop soccer.

From what I saw from my brief time at GCC today, soccer fans might enjoy attending Sunday. It's a pretty high level of competition.

The event was moved to GCC from the Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road because those fields remain heavily saturated from recent rains.

Today's pictures can be purchased by clicking here.

More pictures after the jump:

A car has reportedly struck a small metal can on Route 19 just south of Sackett Road causing a fuel spill.

The can is lodged under the vehicle.

It's believed to be a small spill.

Bergen Fire Department is responding.

A chief reports there is a second incident further down the road involving another can.

UPDATE 9:38 p.m.: The southbound lane is closed.

UPDATE 10:32 p.m.: Traffic being allowed through "real slow."

UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: Bergen's engine returning, but fire police staying on scene until the DOT arrives on scene.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: Jane Corwin's answers are now added to the original post.  Click here.

It's been three days since the answers were due on the set of trade and agriculture questions we sent to the four candidates in the NY-26 special election to fill the seat vacated by Shirtless Chris Lee, and still no reply from Jane Corwin.

We've been promised the answers, but have not yet received them.

It would be interesting to know Corwin's answers because on one hand, the head of her party in the House of Representatives, Speaker John Boehner promised the passage of three free-trade agreements if the GOP won a house majority.

On the other hand, when she announced her candidacy, Corwin promised to be an independent voice in Washington and not beholden to the House leadership.

So we don't really know where Corwin stands on what may be one of the most important votes likely to come up during her first few months in office, should she win.

Is Corwin authentically in support of free trade agreements or will she oppose such deals? We still don't know.

With most Democrats and some Republicans opposing the deal, whomever wins the NY-26's race could wind up casting a crucial vote.

Kathy Hochul, Jack Davis and Ian Murphy all told The Batavian they oppose the South Korean trade deal and would vote no on ratifying the treaty if elected.

There are also pending free trade deals with Colombia and Panama, which Boehner has promised to get passed.

About 200 Le Roy High School students witnessed one of their classmates being carried away in a body bag by four volunteer firefighters on Friday.

The student wasn't dead, just an actor in a multi-agency demonstration for the youths about what happens when people drink and drive and get into serious auto accidents.

The event was put together by Tim Hogel and Christina Marinaccio of the Le Roy Fire Department. Also participating were the Stafford Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance (who's members also assisted to planning and setting up the drill), Mercy Flight, Le Roy Police, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Emergency Services and Coroner Bob Yungfleisch.

"We wanted them to know, to have a firsthand experience," said Le Roy Chief Mike Sheflin. "We can read statistics to them all day long, but we wanted them to really see what happens, to have a friend being put under an orange blanket and in a body bag."

The scene set up in the parking lot of the high school involved two cars, four student actors and two mannequins. The demonstration, lasting more than an hour, showed students what happens when first responders arrive on scene -- from providing immediate medical treatment to extricating people trapped in cars.

The re-enactment portrayed a double fatality accident with one person being trapped in a car and the other being thrown from a vehicle. Yungfleisch pronounced both victims dead at the scene and went through all the steps he normally would in documenting the deaths.

Two other students were "transported" by ground ambulance and a third student was transported in a Mercy Flight helicopter. (He described the ride as "bumpy.")

At least three students --Lindsay Snyder, Ashley Russo, Shelby Joshlin -- said the demonstration had a real impact on them.

"It’s traumatizing for everyone," Lindsay said. "Even if you don’t know them, it still impacts you. Even in just acting, it kind of makes you stop and think, what if that happened to me?"

Ashley said the demonstration really showed her that driving while intoxicated is really bad and Shelby added that she would do everything she could to keep people from drinking and driving.

"If somebody needs a ride, even if I’m not friends with them, they can give me a call and I’ll come and give them a ride," Shelby said. "I don’t want to see this happen to anybody I know."

Hogel said he's known five young people over the past five years involved in fatal DWI accidents, which was part of the reason he wanted to put this demonstration together.

"If we can influence just one person not to drink and drive then I’m happy with it," Hogel said.

Of course, just about every volunteer firefighter, police officer and EMS responder has dealt with a fatal accident. Often people they know are involved, so how these accidents effect their own families is never far from their minds.

The 17-year-old daughter of Scott Kibler, 1st Assistent for Stafford Fire, was in the audience, and Kibler said he's warned his daughter many times about drinking and driving.

"Of course, she's only 17 and shouldn't be drinking at all, but I can't be with her twenty-four-seven," Kibler said.

“I’ve told her I’ve seen what happens firsthand at fatal accidents involving alcohol," Kibler said. "As a parent, the last thing I want to do is get woken up in the middle of the night to go to a fatal where she’s involved, whether she’s involved injured or uninjured."

UPDATE: Here's the names of the students who participated. Ben Eadie road in the bird, Chelsie Hixenbaugh had the broken leg, Emily Hogle had an arm injury, Gino Forte was the drunken driver, Chris Merica played the role of DOA.

More pictures after the jump:

A car on the Thruway has apparently lost its fuel tank and spilled fuel "all over" the roadway.

The spill is in the eastbound lane in the area of mile marker 388.6.

Town of Batavia firefighters dispatched.

A report of an allegedly intoxicated man with a child at Walmart at 9:43 p.m., Friday, led to a traffic stop and the arrest of Cody A. Bush, of Bank Street, Batavia.

Bush, 25, was charged with felony driving while ability impaired by drugs, felony aggravated DWI with a child in the car (Leandra's Law), felony aggravated unlicensed operation, four counts criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The child allegedly in the car is 2 years old.

He was allegedly in possession of four different types of controlled substances.

Bush was also charged with driving left of pavement markings, unsafe tires, uninspected motor vehicle and unlicensed operation.

Following arraignment before Justice Thomas Williams, Town of Batavia Court, Bush was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Just after midnight, a Kentucky man allegedly punched somebody in the face while on Main Street, Batavia, and took his wallet.

Officer Frank Klimjack was on patrol on Main Street when the incident occurred and immediately apprehended the suspect before the crime was even reported to the dispatch center.

Charged with robbery, 2nd, and assault, 2nd, was Patrick J. Ettleman, 43, of 1218 West Oak St., Louisville, Ky.

Ettleman was jailed without bail.

City firefighters dispatched to 16 Harvester Ave. for smoke in the residence.

No fire seen.

UPDATE 8:26 a.m.: Second alarm, second and fourth platoons requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: Fire located in the ceiling on the first floor on the A side.

UPDATE 8:41 a.m.: Fire under control.

UPDATE 9:21 a.m.: Red Cross being notified for four adults and three children.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: All fire units put back in service.

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A tree is reportedly on fire in the area of 218 Skye Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Alabama Fire dispatched.

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We didn't receive a press release announcing Jack Davis's new TV commercial, but I heard the audio all day on WBTA and then saw it tonight on CBS Evening News.

While looking for the ad on YouTube, I found the video of a stump speech Jack Davis gave recently.

This information comes from Genesee Community College.

A new challenge grant program to aid SUNY's four research centers will also create facilities and programs that strengthen the business climate and boost private sector job creation, according to Genesee Community College President Stuart Steiner.

NYSUNY 2020, a new economic development initiative announced earlier this week by SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, aims to spur economic recovery in New York State and create jobs.

The program will rely on a mix of public and private funding, including financing from the Empire State Development Corporation and SUNY Construction Fund.

"We have opportunities right here in Western New York to build thriving industries in such emerging fields as biotechnology, high-tech agribusiness, information technology and many others," Steiner said. "The new SUNY strategic plan commits our university system to help restore an entrepreneurial spirit in New York State. We look forward to NYSUNY 2020 becoming a vital part of this effort.

"Each of our four SUNY university centers -- located in Buffalo, Albany, Binghamton and Stony Brook -- already possesses world-class research and development capabilities. NYSUNY 2020 can help bolster the scientific and technological expertise of these research institutions, and result in business and job creation in their surrounding communities. NYSUNY 2020 is good for SUNY and good for New York.

"Through The BEST Center and through our partnerships with such organizations as chambers of commerce and the Genesee County Economic Development Center, we at Genesee Community College are already working to boost the economic climate of our Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming region. We look forward to the work our great research centers will be able to do through NYSUNY 2020, especially The University at Buffalo, and to be partnering with UB on projects that create businesses and jobs in our local communities."

Jane Corwin, candidate for the NY-26 special election race, stopped by the Genesee County GOP dinner last night at Bohn's Restaurant.

When I first heard she would make an appearance, I thought I would try to catch up with her there and ask questions in person. Then I heard from her Communications Director Matthew Harakal, who apologized for not sending in the answers for the questions on trade and agriculture, which the other candidates have provided (now including Ian Murphy). Harakal promised them today.

It's 6:33 p.m., and I still don't have the answers. I wish I had asked the questions at Bohn's.

But I did ask Corwin for her thoughts on Ian Murphy being excluded from the WGRZ candidates' debate.

She said it's up to WGRZ to decide whom to include, but "I"m happy to talk about any issue with anybody at any time." 

She said she had no objection to Murphy being included in the debate.

So now Jack Davis, Kathy Hochul and Jane Corwin all say they either favor or have no objection to Murphy being included in the debate.

As for the county GOP's business, here's the endorsed slate of candidates:

Genesee County Legislature

District #1, Towns of Alabama and Oakfield
Raymond F. Cianfrini
District #2, Towns of Elba, Byron and Bergen
Robert J. Bausch
District #3, Towns of Darien and Pembroke
Annie Lawrence
District #4, Towns of Batavia and Stafford
Mary Pat Hancock
District #5, Town of Le Roy
Shelley Stein
District #6, Towns of Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion
Esther Leadley
District #7, City of Batavia, Wards 1 and 6
Marianne Clattenberg
District #8, City of Batavia, Wards 2 and 3
Frank C. Ferrando

Genesee County Coroner - Barry Miller

New York State Republican Committee, Assembly District #139
Gertrude Penepent and John Rizzo
New York State Republican Committee, Assembly District #147
Barbara Eddy and Neil Kingdon

Eighth Judicial District Convention, Assembly District #139
Don M. Read and Charles Zambito, Delegates
David Saleh and Michael Cianfrini, Alternates
Eighth Judicial District Convention, Assembly District #147
Nelson Green, Delegate, Kenneth Alfes, Alternate

One last note: Ian Murphy did answer the questions on trade and ag. His answers are now posted.

Luz J. Castro, 27, of 679 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with theft of services. Castro was arrested following a complaint by Time Warner Cable.

Rebecca S. Hensel, 28, of 8311 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Hensel was stopped at 1:03 a.m. on West Main Street in the area of Bogue Avenue for allegedly going 50 mph by Officer Darryle Streeter.

Robert C. Paris, 21, of 3469 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Paris is accused of harassing an acquaintance.

A 17-year-old resident of 41 S. Pearl St., Apt. 1, Oakfield, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd. The youth is accused of contacting the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on April 13 saying she was a victim of a crime. The reported incident allegedly did not occur.

A level 3 sex offender is in jail after being accused of sending indecent text messages to a minor and of not properly reporting a change of address.

Held on $50,000 bail is Marlek E. Holmes, 37, of 103 W. Main St., Batavia.

Holmes is charged with disseminating indecent material to a minor, endangering the welfare of a child and sex offender failure to notify change of address within 10 days.

The text messages were reported to Batavia Police on Feb. 19. That case was investigated by Det. Todd Crossett.

Det. Charles Dudek conducted the investigation into Holmes' residency.

Le Roy Police assisted in the investigations.

Statement from the Davis campaign:

The same day Roll Call reported phone calls being made from the Republican National Committee's headquarters in Washington D.C., the Jack Davis office was inundated with calls from voters complaining of late night phone calls, re-calls and number of other disturbing incidents.

In response, Campaign Manager Curtis Ellis sent a message to the campaign's entire email list alerting them about the harassing phone calls.

The e-mail is reproduced below.

Dear ______,

I’m writing to you because voters in Western New York have been receiving irritating phone calls pretending to be from the Jack Davis campaign. These calls are not from our campaign.

The calls begin by saying that they have information on Jack Davis. If a voter hangs up, the callers call back again.

The calls are being made by the Republican National Committee in Washington DC. While these type of dirty tricks are par for the course for Washington DC insiders, the Jack Davis campaign won’t stoop to this level to win an election. This type of behavior is inappropriate and wrong. Our campaign would never make calls like this and would like to reassure voters about our volunteer callers:

We always begin by explaining we are calling on behalf of Jack Davis.

We never repeat rumor or false statement about another candidate.

We never call after 8:30 p.m. at night.

This is an important election for our future. I hope that you will consider supporting Jack Davis. If you would like to volunteer for our phone bank or canvass operation, please click here.

Sincerely,

Curtis Ellis
Campaign Manager, Jack Davis for Congress

Press Release:

WILLIAMSVILLE – As the unemployment numbers released today show the economy continues to struggle, a new survey released this week showed job creators ranked New York as the second-worst state in the country to do business. Citing high taxes as one of the most significant barriers to job creation, more than 550 CEOs surveyed <http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=187482> by a business journal offer more evidence that the tax-and-spend economic policies pushed by career politicians like Kathy Hochul are having a devastating effect on New York’s economy.

Hochul has repeatedly said she would raise taxes on small businesses making more than $500,000, which includes a significant number of Western New York’s small businesses. 

“Only a career politician like Kathy Hochul – whose only time in the private sector was spent as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. – would think that raising taxes on job creators will create jobs,” said Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress. “Despite a rise in unemployment numbers and job creators saying what they need to create jobs, Kathy Hochul still says she knows best and wants to raise taxes on small businesses.”

Having helped run a business and create hundreds of jobs right here in Western New York, Jane Corwin understands the conditions needed for small business to grow and create jobs. If honored to serve as Western New York’s next Representative for New York’s 26th Congressional District, Corwin would fight to lower taxes, cut spending and strengthen our economy to create jobs here in Western New York.

Sorry for the lack of posts today.  

This morning after covering something in Le Roy (will post tonight or tomorrow), I realized that if I went back to the office and started posting I'd get stuck in the office all day. I had very important business matters to attend to today, so I decided I just had to make that a priority and make sure that work was done.

Now, I'll start posting.

This daily poll is a little different. It's actually four polls in one post. Be sure to vote in all four polls.