If you've ever used Google Maps, then you probably know what "Street View" is.  For those who don't or haven't noticed Street View before, it's a service of Google Maps that allows you to "navigate" along a street on the map, seeing what buildings are on the street.  The theory, supposedly, is that if you ever travel to that street, you'll see better the landmarks and such to help you find what you're looking for.

Much of Batavia was already mapped by the Google "Street View Car" -- seen above -- but the car is apparently back in town today.

I spotted it on Court Street this morning (link for Street View example). Andy Pedro sent in this picture of the car Violet Lane.

A security guard charged with protecting the assets of a Le Roy-based company has been charged with grand larceny in the third degree.

Tony Randall Smith, 52, of Clifton Street, Rochester, is accused of stealing material worth more than $3,000 from PCORE Electric, 135 Gilbert St., Le Roy.

Smith was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment in Le Roy Town Court.

A 54-year-old Oakfield man is being accused of sexually abusing a child and has been jailed on $15,000 bail.

Anthony Leslie Nicosia Jr., of Albion Road, Oakfield, was arrested following an investigation into sexual abuse that began June 1.

Nicosia is charged with criminal sex act, 3rd, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.

The age of the child was not released.

The alleged abuse reportedly took place at his residence.

A wrecking crew is tearing down the Batavia Elks Lodge building today.

The property was purchased by United Memorial Medical Center in December to make way for "future growth." It will become a vacant lot with grass and plants in the meantime.

Richard W. Rumble Jr., 26, of 9229 County Line Road, Akron, is charged with with aggravated DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unsafe backing and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Rumble allegedly backed into a car at a restaurant on West Main Street, Batavia, and then left the scene. Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice stopped Rumble's car a short time later. The alleged incident was reported at 11:04 p.m., Saturday. 

Darik Robert Michael Orbaker, 19, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 1st. Orbaker allegedly violated an order of protection by being in the presence of the protected person.

John Thomas Harley, 32, of Gordon Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and operating with a suspended license. Harley was stopped at 5:10 p.m., Sunday, on Route 77 at Darien Lake by Deputy Chris Parker. Harley was then turned over to law enforcement out of Erie County on a family court warrant.

Gary Robert Murray, 55, of Gorton Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Murray is accused of recklessly damaging the car of another person during a confrontation with that person.

Timothy Philip Maher, 20, of John Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Maher was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

Jason Louis Buoni, 21, of Barton Street, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Buoni was allegedly found at Darien Lake Theme Park Campgrounds at 6:50 p.m., Aug. 6, trespassing from site to site.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department during the Def Leppard Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday:

Robert B. Milefski, 23, of Kauga Street, Richford, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating in the amusement park, and then when approached he allegedly struck a security guard in the face. Milefski then allegedly entered a fenced-in restricted area of the park while attempting to flee. He was arraigned and remanded to jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Anthony J. Derkas, 32, of Davis Avenue, Homestead, Pa., is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal possession, of a forged Instrument, 3rd, after allegedly using a forged stage-crew pass to enter the concert venue. Derkas was released on $250 bail.

Chad E. Ferguson, 23, of Robinson Road, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the backstage area without permission.

Cory L. Hyde, 29, of Stenwick Drive, Churchville, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance by consistently swearing while being ejected from the concert.

Terry R. Messmer, 41, of Main Street, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert after being ejected.

Bryson J. Ludden, 18, of Gleason Street, Belfast, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with security while being ejected from the venue.

Jillian A. Tomlinson, 23, of South Main Street, Belfast, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating in the lawn area of the concert venue.

Gary F. Mueller, 53, of Kokomo Street, Depew, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance inside the venue.

The following people received citations for alleged underage drinking:

A 17-year-old of Alsace Place, Blasdell
Nolan J. Guilford, 18, of Merton Avenue, Belfast
Carlene A. Derkovitz, 20, of Hawro Place, Depew
Daniel P. Thomann, 19, of Autumnwood Drive, Cheektowaga
Rachel M. Toporczyk, 18, of Creekview Drive, Cheektowaga
Steven L. Schmid, 20, of Penora Street, Depew
Brian R. Gorski, 19, of Harvard Avenue, Depew
Justin A. Michalak, 20, of Houston Street, Buffalo
A 17-year-old of Hawro Place, Depew

Batavia was visited by a pretty spectacular rainbow this evening. Here's two pictures. If you took pictures of the rainbow, mail them to howard (at) the batavian (one word) dot com. We'll add them to this post.

Reader submissions:

No name attached with this submission.

Submitted anonymously.

Submitted by Diane Cox.

Submitted by Janet Richardson.

Submitted by Brett English. He said, "This was taken off my Dad's porch in Darien while we were parking cars for the concert."

Submitted by Nate Fix. Taken at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Submitted by Lusanne Simard.

Submitted by Ashlie Hackett.

Submitted by Walt Kershenski, Stafford Town Clerk.

Apparently, Nate Fix got his hands on some magic zucchini beans seeds this spring.

It's not like he has Beanstalks reaching up to the clouds above, but Sicilian zucchini typically grows to about 10 inches in length. What Nate is harvesting this summer are zucchinis that exceed 3 1/2 feet in length.

Nate and his wife Kayte plant a garden every year, but they've never had zucchini grow taller than daughter Hannah, who is 3 1/2.

Nate said they used organic fertilizer and did nothing out of the ordinary. He said perhaps a reader knows why this year's zucchini grew so massive.

Photos courtesy Nate Fix.

Even rain couldn't stop the annual Darien Community Day in the Town of Darien today. At least a couple of hundred people still turned out for arts, crafts, games, a car show, food and music.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the southwestern portion of Genesee County until 1 p.m. It's said to be capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds of up to 60 MPH. It's now moving in an easterly direction from Hamburg at a rate of 35 MPH.

The weather service says: "This is a dangerous storm. If you are in the path, prepare immediately for damaging winds, destructive hail, and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter, preferably inside a strong building but away from windows."

Summer in the City 2011 had it all -- sun, classic cars, a big crowd, a competitive 5K, food, dunk tanks, face painting and other fun along with some great entertainment.

Slide show of more than 70 photos below (be sure to click the button on the lower right to view in full frame).

To purchase photos from this event, click here.

A motorcycle accident, possibly with injuries, isreported on Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive, Batavia, just west of Batavia-Stafford Townline Road.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched. 

UPDATE 9:38 p.m.: Batavia fire back in service. No fluid leaks, not blocking traffic.

A stove fire has been reported in an apartment on Gilbert Street, Le Roy.

The first is reportedly is at 82 Gilbert St., building 12, apartment 14, of the Royal Apartments.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 8:37 p.m.: The assignment is being held to Engine 63.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Fire is out. A crew will check the kitchen with a termal camera. Le Roy ambulance back in service.

UPDATE 8:46 p.m.: Le Roy fire back in service.

View Larger Map

New investors and an ambitious growth plan have been announced by the management of Lapp Insulators, based in Le Roy, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

With 125 employees in Le Roy and more than 1,000 worldwide, the management team of Lapp presented a growth plan to the company's ownership group, Andlinger & Co., which saw potential in the plan but felt the management group should seek outside funding to execute the plan.

German-based equity investors Quadriga Capital bought out Andlinger.

Officials say the plan could lead to increased employment in Le Roy.

The Genesee County manufacturer sees growth opportunities in the United States and particularly in fast-growing international markets.

Lapp's annual sales are close to $180 million and, with Quadriga's financial backing, the hope is for revenue to climb to $250 million to $300 million by the middle of this decade. Lapp was No. 10 in the most recent Rochester Top 100 ranking of the region's fastest-growing private companies.

Summer in the City is under way. It's a beautful day. Come on down.

Thanks to Ken Mistler for roof access to the WBTA building at Main and Center, and to Louie Kingsbury for taking me up there.

A three-car accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile market 386.6. Uknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: A Mercy medic on scene reports there are no injuries.

This morning was the 2nd annual Elba 5K sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Elba.

The men's winner was Michael Richenberg, 21, with a time of 17:34. That's a new course record. Richenberg has run 21 5Ks this season and won seven of them.

The women's winner was Stephanie Schmidt, 18, with a time of 20:14.

Tom Rivers, Daily News staff writer and author of the book "Farm Hands"

Stephanie Schmidt

Michael Richenberg

Batavia has a new cheerleader. Her name is Julie Pacatte and she believes Batavia has a bright future and she's ready to help.

"We have to believe in ourselves," Pacatte said. "Statistics show Batavia is not a bedroom community. It's not dependent on Buffalo or Rochester. It has an opportunity to be self sufficient and take care of its own."

Pacatte has eight years experience working in community development in Upstate New York and understands the cynicism of many who think Western New York, if not the entire northeast, is doomed.

Pacatte, who started her new job Thursday as economic development coordinator for Batavia Development Corporation, believes Batavia has a lot going for it. It's centrally located, is supported by a strong agricultural sector, has a vibrant local business community and is a beautiful place to live and work.

Part of her job, she said, will be to help local business owners, if they need it, become re-energized about growing their businesses.

"There is hope for the future," Pacatte said. "There are resources available. There are resources for people to be creative in this city, to work hard and try new things. There's support for that in this city and that's what I would define as the small business owner."

The new position is funded through a partnership between the BDC and the City of Batavia. The $90,000 annual budget for the position -- Pacatte's salary is $60,000 a year -- is being funded through a fund withdrawal from the BDC's revolving loan program and a $10,000 contribution from the city. 

Part of Pacatte's job is to make the position self-sustaining within two years by bringing in grants and aid for development projects in the city.

It's not a task that Pacatte finds particularly daunting.

"I'm all for a challenge," she said.

While Pacatte and her husband have made a commitment to stay in Clarence while their daughter, just entering ninth grade, finishes high school, Pacatte said she's fully committed to helping Batavia grow.

"Batavia is at the crossroads of Western New York," Pacatte added. "I really, really believe there is an opportunity here, and there is an opportunity to inspire the independent thinkers, those who want to see progress."