A motorcycle accident is reported between Pratt and Killian roads in East Pembroke.

A hand hip laceration is reported. Mercy EMS and East Pembroke fire are responding.

UPDATE (3:58 p.m.): Mercy Flight is requested. More manpower is requested to set up a landing zone in a hayfield located west of Killian and south of Slusher roads.

UPDATE (4:23 p.m.): Due to weather conditions, Mercy Flight is taking the patient to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

In order to make the City of Batavia's Citizen Survey viable, at least 1,200 more residents need to log onto its home page and take eight minutes to answer eight questions.

For all those Batavians with a bone to pick, two cents worth, a word of praise or some pointed recommendations, here's a quick, easy opportunity to get it on the record for the city council to consider.

Simply put, more people need to weigh in in order for the data to be useful for planning purposes.

The website is <http://www.batavianewyork.com>.

City residents and those who work in the city are asked to provide input in order to gauge how citizens perceive the quality of several city services.

The survey also inquires as to whether citizens plan to remain in Batavia in five years and provides an area for general comments. The data received from the survey can be broken down by ward, age group and/or gender.

The survey was developed by city administration and is being administered free of charge through the use of software owned by Genesee Community College’s BEST Center.

While the city has contracted with the BEST Center to help it develop a strategic plan, the administration of the survey is being offered at no cost to the city.

“We are grateful to the BEST Center for allowing us to utilize its existing resources,” said City Manager Jason Molino. “This is our first time to administer an electronic survey, and we need more citizen involvement.

"We chose electronic means because it is environmentally responsible, provides efficiency with data interpretation and was offered to us free."

According to Molino, data from the surveys can be organized and reported out with the use of various filters within a matter of minutes.

“Efficiency and environmental consciousness aside; we need enough citizens to complete the survey in order to have quality usable data for our planning process,”  Molino said.

“We are strongly encouraging all residents to log on to the website and spend a few minutes to give us the feedback we need to make citizen-involved decisions during our planning process.”

For individuals without computer access, the Richmond Memorial Library encourages Batavia residents to use its free Internet service to take the survey. The library offers several computer terminals from which the survey can be taken. The service is free; however individuals must sign up to become a library member.

Membership to the Richmond Memorial Library is free and simply requires a few minutes to provide some basic information. Summer library hours are:  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The library is located at 19 Ross St.

If there are any questions, please contact:

Office of the City Manager
One Batavia City Centre
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone:   (585) 345-6330
Fax:        (585) 343-8182
E-mail:   jmolino@batavianewyork.com

The following arrests and citations were reported in conjunction with the Goo Goo Dolls concert Friday night at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Robert M. Pekarski, 22, of Getzville, is charged with assault, 3rd. Pekarski allegedly punched another concertgoer in the mouth, causing a cut.

Officials were unable to determine the identity and age of one reportedly highly intoxicated person. He was charged with disorderly conduct and jailed on $350 bail.

The following people were cited for allegedly possessing alcohol under 21 years of age.

Alex J. Greco, 19, of Whitestone Lane, Lancaster
Matthew M. Deboth, 18, of Mapleview Road, Cheektowaga
A 17-year-old, of Old Farm Circle, Williamsville
Michelle L. Hecht, 19, of Red Oak Drive, Williamsville
Laura E. Lenk, 18, of Robin Hill Drive, Williamsville
A 17-year-old, of Sand Stone Court, Clarence
A 17-year-old, of Richmond Avenue, Buffalo
A 17-year-old, of Wrench Trail, Williamsville
Luke S. Klee, 18, of Cherry Tree Lane, Orchard Park
A 17-year-old, of Lakeridge South, Orchard Park
Kevin M. Prise II, of Henning Drive, Orchard Park
Matthew P. McLaughlin, 18, of  Poplar Avenue, Orchard Park
Justin M. Moracci, 18, of 71 E. Abbott Grove, Orchard Park
Douglas H. Henning, 19, of  S. Lincoln Avenue, Orchard Park

One person was taken to a hospital following an overnight accident on Route 77 near Reynolds Road in Darien.

One of the drivers, Bennett L. Goldstein, 19, of 257 Pennsylvania St., Buffalo, was cited for allegedly following too close, which Deputy Kevin McCarthy says is what caused the accident.

Transported to UMMC was Clayton B. Hoyt, 18, a passenger in Goldstein's 2003 Dodge SUV.

Also reportedly injured, but not transported, was Courtney A. Anthony, 21, of 216 Hampton Road, Syracuse. Anthony was the driver of the second vehicle.

The accident was reported shortly after midnight.

A 20-year-old Akron man is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in a Village of Corfu parking lot.

The alleged incident occurred in June 2009.

Randy A. Reiss Jr., of 23 Danita Drive, Akron, is accused of serving the girl several wine coolers and then having forcible sexual intercourse with her in a parked car on West Main Street, Corfu.

Reiss is charged with rape, 1st, rape, 2nd and unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st.

The defendant was arraigned in Corfu and is scheduled to appear in the Corfu Village Court again at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3.

The year-long investigation was conducted by Investigator Timothy Weis, Deputy Loni Nati and Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A car has hit a house at 1522 Ledge Road, Basom.

The driver is reportedly disoriented.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

No other vehicles are involved.

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In the other bird matter on the Batavia City Court docket this morning, Oak Street resident Ron Graziaplena appeared before Judge Robert Balbick to answer to charges that his duck pond is in violation of a variance permit.

Graziaplena is also accused of various other code violations.

After entering a not guilty plea, Graziaplena was informed that he was entitled to an attorney to represent him in the matter.

Graziaplena asked for a continuance of his case to Aug. 20 so that he get an attorney.

"I don't know who I'm going to get," Graziaplena.

He said he couldn't afford an attorney, but Balbick said that because these alleged violations are not under penal law, Balbick couldn't offer a court-appointed attorney.

Previously: Dispute over ducks, other complaints, has Oak Street man headed to court.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for portions of Genesee County, including Batavia

The watch is in effect until 8 p.m.

A fully involved farm tractor fire is reported at 5552 Cochran Cockram Road in Byron. It is in the middle of a field with no structures surrounding it.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are called to respond.

UPDATE (1:28 p.m.): The tractor fire is about a hundred yards from a house. The address is between Transit and Bank Street roads.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.): The fire is knocked out but the fire units are requested to continue.

UPDATE (1:35 p.m.): A fireman reports that the fire has rekindled itself.

UPDATE (1:51 p.m.): The fire is reported to be completely out and the firefighters are leaving the scene.

Pictured: two Boy Scout troupes from the Iroquois Trail Council (ITS), which covers Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Orleans and Niagara counties.

This band of 36 youths -- ages 13 to 17 -- are going to Fort A.P. Hill, Va., for the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree, which takes place from July 26 until Aug. 4. Fort (Ambrose Powell) Hill, named after a Confederate general, is an active-duty Army installation near the town of Bowling Green.

The Jamboree normally takes place every four years; this time, however, there was a five-year interim so it would coincide with the 100th anniversary celebration of Boy Scouts of America.

The boys will be accompanied by two adult Scoutmasters -- Guye Smith, of Lima, and Jim Yencer, of Avon, and two youth assistant Scoutmasters (one of whom is from Alexander), making a total of 40 area scouts attending this national event.

Planning for this trip started about two years ago, according to Smith. Since then, the boys have worked very hard to raise money in order to cover the cost.

"Some of them raised every penny (that they needed to pay their individual fares)," Smith said. "That's part of the scout way -- to pay your own way."

The ITS scouts raised money by doing two bike-a-thons, one in July 2009 and the other in October 2009.

The boys biked all the way from Lockport to Brockport -- with an overnight stay in Albion for the first one -- and then from Holley to Macedon all in one day for the second.

The troupes are leaving by bus today. Yencer said they will spend Saturday in Philadelphia, then take the U.S.S. New Jersey (a retired navy vessel) to Aberdeen, Md., to visit the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum on Sunday morning. From there, they proceed to Fort A.P. Hill.

While attending the Jamboree, the boys will be treated to a wide variety of activities such as air-rifle shooting, scuba diving, canoeing, archery and a 5K run; there will also be a musical group performing at the "arena show" (which will be broadcast online) on Saturday, July 31, and if tradition is kept, they may also get a visit from President Barack Obama.

Not only is this Jamboree historic because it is being held during the scouts' centennial, it is also the last one to be held in Fort A.P. Hill (where it has taken place since 1981).

For more information on the Jamboree, please visit www.bsajamboree.org.

For more information on the ITC, visit www.itcbsa.org/Joomla/index.php.

Photo courtesy of Jim Yencer

Tom Lewin is a wanted man.

Lewin, representative of LKLWL Properties, did not appear in Batavia City Court this morning on the matter of alleged code violations at the former Latina's Market property and Judge Robert Balbick issued a warrant for his arrest.

Meanwhile, attorneys for IPTV-B-C-45, LLC, the current mortgage holder on the property at 45 Ellicott St., did appear in court.

Franklin Hiller, attorney for the mortgage company, said that IPTV, not LKLWL as previously indicted by Lewin, hired PestRX to evaluate the gull issue at Latina's and come up with a plan for deal with the issue.

To implement that plan, which was turned over to the court by the attorney for IPTV, will cost IPTV $16,600. It will involve cleaning bird debris off the 41,580-square-foot roof, power washing the sides of the building, cleaning drains and putting in new drain covers, and implementing an "exclusion" procedure to deter the gulls from coming back.

The exclusion method was not specified.

"We intend to put forward our best effort and resolve this issue and put it right with the city," Hiller said.

As mortgage holder -- having only recently been assigned the mortgage, Hiller said --  IPTV has the right to protect its financial interest in the property and insure the building is well maintained.

Without IPTV stepping in now to try and resolve the issue, IPTV could ultimately face a bigger bill down the road.

"The cost of any fines or penalties or the cost of the city's remediation would ultimately come out of the mortgage holder's pockets," Hiller said.

One potential stumbling block is that before PestRX will begin work, Lewin must sign a liability waiver.

Outside of court, another attorney for IPTV, Mary Redmond, said that one way or another, IPTV will handle the issue.

As for Lewin, Judge Balbick wants to see him in court.

"The defendant will answer in my court independent of what you (Hiller) do," BaIbick said. "It’s imperative that this man appear in city court."

City Manager Jason Molino said the city will actively pursue the warrant against Lewin to ensure he appears before Balbick to answer the code violation charges.

Photo: Franklin Hiller, courtesy Geoff Redick, WBTA.

Lucas David Trzecieski, 18, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and petit larceny. Trzecieski is accused of being on Alexander School property without permission and of stealing latex gloves. A 17-year-old from Attica was also charged.

Jason L. Adams, 66, of Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Adams was arrested by State Police at 5:17 p.m., Wednesday. No further details were released.

After 29 years of driving Western Regional Off-Track Betting, Martin Basinait is stepping down as CEO.

Basinait announced his retirement to the OTB board in a letter yesterday.

His legacy will be the revival of Batavia Downs. It was Basinait who convinced OTB to buy the vacility and bring back horseracing.

Dick Seibert said it was also Basinait who championed the addition of video lottery terminals.

"Horseracing is a declining industry and there's nothing you can do about it," Seibert told WBTA. "Without the VLTs, we would be facing a dismal future. We have a bright future now."

Basinait's resignation is effective in February 2011. The board will now begin the search for a new CEO.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kraving's offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

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.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

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.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate 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.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts,lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out. We have $10 gift certificates for $5 each.

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

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

A Batavia-based drug dealer admitted in U.S. Federal Court today that he was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

Kenneth Munnings, 44, faces a maximum federal penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million after telling U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa that he was guilty of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, illicit drugs, and to distributing them.

The charges stemmed from a joint federal, state and local wiretap investigation that revealed Munnings was responsible for obtaining significant quantities of meth, cocaine and marijuana from a drug-trafficking network in Rochester, according to U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey. Harvey said Munnings then redistributed the drugs in Genesee County.

The investigation uncovered Munnings dealings from 2006 through October 2008.

Munnings will be sentenced at 4 p.m., Nov. 1, in Rochester.

A car fire was reported on the Thruway -- the car was being towed by an RV.

The RV driver was reportedly initially unaware of the fire.  He under did eventually pull over at the Batavia off-ramp.

An assistant chief from the Le Roy Fire Department was in the area and heard Town of Batavia Fire being dispatched. He responded and knocked down the fire, which was reportedly under the car.

The motorhome was reportedly traveling along the Thruway for some time with the driver apparently unaware of the car fire.

There is a reported extension of the fire into the console. The vehicle has been disconnected from the motorhome.

Middle-schoolers from all over the county came to Batavia Middle School on Tuesday for the "MST Explorer Camp" (see June 19 article for more information). The camp involved students in hands-on learning activities using math, science and technology.

A 13-year-old race car driver and Batavia Middle School student Val Stephens -- pictured center -- helps with a demonstration designed to give the kids a lesson in aerodynamics:

Kevin Raymond, a teacher in the Keshequa School District and a hot-air balloon enthusiast, talks to the kids about the type of energy that powers hot-air balloons. He shows them how they work, using an ultra-light balloon as an example (keep in mind that about 10 of these could fit into one of the larger ones):

(Inside the balloon)

Batavia Middle School technology teacher Frank Panepento shows them how to go about designing CO2 cars. 

The students designed their own cars, put them in a wind tunnel (in order to determine how much speed they could handle), weighed them and, when they finally had all the necessary data, raced them. The students whose cars fared poorly in the race were simply asked to modify their designs and see what effect their modifications had on the cars' efficiency. 

The Muckdogs return home this Sunday, July 25, for a two-game series with the Williamsport Crosscutters, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Game time is 5:05 p.m., with gates opening at 4.

With every Sunday, we’ll once again have Bob Evans Restaurant’s Post Run the Bases with Homer. All kids have the opportunity to run the bases with Homer after the game! Every child who runs the bases will receive a free kid’s meal coupon courtesy of Bob Evans Restaurant.

Monday, July 26, the Muckdogs will once more face the opposing Crosscutters. Game time begins at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6.

Monday offers a Bike Raffle courtesy of the Lion’s Club of Batavia. The Lions Club will be giving away a bike to one lucky boy and one lucky girl. It will also be Muckdog Monday presented by The Daily News, where fans receive a $1 off a general admission ticket with coupon in the Saturday edition of The Daily News.

Monday is also a Knot Hole Gang game courtesy of Turnbull Heating & Air. At every Knot Hole Gang game, members can get a general admission ticket for just $2 and their parents/guardians also receive a $1 off their ticket.

To find out more information on the Knot Hole Gang, check out muckdogs.com.

For tickets, call the Muckdogs Box Office at 343-5454, ext. 1005.