Batavia High School's Class of 1976 is having a casual gathering to reunite with friends and socialize on Friday, July 1 at the Smoke House restaurant on Center Street.

The 35th Reunion will be from 6 to 11 p.m. on the second floor. Attire is casual, so is attitude. There will be a cash bar and food available.

The organizers ask that you inform any and all contacts from the Class of '76 and advise them to reply as to whether or not they will be attending at <Bataviahs1976@gmail.com>

"Thanks and we look forward to seeing all of you there!"

Caitlin Zipfel alerted us to this video of her young cousin and her friends, all from Elba, whom she said are excited to be going to the Taylor Swift concert in Buffalo tomorrow. Caitlin said they call themselves the "Taylor Tots."

Submitted by Pamela Fry:

For the past six days, a ferret has been living in our backyard. It is a very friendly critter which leads me to believe that it's a pet of somebody's. My neighbor next door has been kind enough to keep the ferret safe in her garage with food and water for the time being.

If you have lost your ferret, or, if you are interested in keeping this ferret as your own pet, please let me know so we can get this ferret a safe home.

UPDATE: A home has been found for the ferret.

Unemployment in Genesee County fell to 7.1 percent for May 2011, down from April's figure of 8.0, and lower than a year ago when unemployment was 7.6.

Total non-farm jobs increased from April to May by 1,300 positions, going from 22,500 jobs in Genesee County to 23,800.

The May figure is the same as it was in May 2010.

Private-sector jobs increased month-over-month from 16,300 to 17,600, which also represents a year-over-year increase for May of 100 jobs.

Government jobs remained unchanged month-to-month, and down by 100 jobs year-over-year, going from 16,300 to 16,200. 

Leisure and hospitality jobs, such as those jobs counted at Darien Lake Theme Park, were up 45 percent from April to May, going from 2,400 to 3,500. In May 2010, the category had 3,400 jobs.

Nationally, the unemployment rate for May was 8.7 percent and for New York was 7.7 percent.

I was out at Area 51 yesterday to watch the races and take some photos. I had a great time and figured I would share a few. If you have never been there, you are really missing out on one of the great attractions in Genesee County! 

A young rider waves to the camera, making it look easy! He's in the 7-11 age group!

Four more photos after the jump:

Two riders battle for the lead during the final lap!

Photos by Destin Danser

Anthony Devon Alexander, 37, Wast Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Alexander is accused of slapping a 13-year-old boy on the face leaving welts and bruising. The alleged incident occurred at noon, Sunday (Father's Day).

Stephanie Rae LaVoice, 26, of Brown Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of the pavement markings in a no-passing zone and driving left at railroad crossing. LaVoice was stopped at 1:17 a.m., Saturday, on Brown Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan M. Palmer, 29, of 10 Birchwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Palmer is accused of shoving a female acquaintance.

Paul B. Heale, 58, of 29 Linwood Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest. Heale was arrested following an alleged domestic incident at 6 p.m., Saturday.

Shawn William Shanahan, 40, of Bonnie Brae Drive, Darien, is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Shanahan was stopped at 2:16 a.m., Sunday, on Route 20, Darien, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Rene Corez-Marrero, 28, of East Utica Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and dark window tint. Corez-Marrero was stopped at 7:54 p.m., Saturday, on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Corez-Marrero is also charged with coercion, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Corez-Marrero was reportedly involved at an incident at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, at Darien Lake Theme Park where Corez-Marrero allegedly did not allow a woman to contact police and took her personal property.

Dean Wilkins, 47, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. Wilkins is accused of depositing a forged check into an account at the Le Roy Federal Credit Union. Wilkins was jailed without bail.

Heidi L. Thomas, 27, and Denise R. Queen, no age given, both of 20 1/2 Dellinger Ave., Batavia, are charged with attempted petit larceny. Thomas and Queen allegedly tried to steal merchandise from Dollar General on June 17.

Hannah E. Dibble, 18, and a 16-year-old, both of Akron Road, Corfu, and a 17-year-old of Longs Lane, Corfu, are all charged with petit larceny. The trio is accused of shoplifting at 10:08 p.m., June 14, from Walmart.

Douglas Turner, Buffalo News: Single-payer coverage eyed in New York State

A motor-vehicle accident, with unknown injuries, is reported at 871 Gabbey Road in Pembroke. The vehicle is on its roof.

The location is "by the bend" at Wyman and Marble roads.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 1:20 a.m.: The driver and a passenger said to be his girlfriend are not in the vehicle. State Troopers went to a house not far away on Route 5, where it was thought they might be, but they weren't there. Now troopers are going to a house on South Lake Road. At least one of the vehicle's occupants is believed to be injured. Firefighters are proceeding to stage in the area of South Lake and Gabbey roads, not far from the accident scene. Mercy medics are continuing non-emergency mode. A hook tow truck is en route to the vehicle, a red Corvette.

UPDATE 1:40 a.m.: Law enforcement tells dispatch that the two parties involved purportedly suffered only cuts and bruises and that they they were taken by a third party to their respective residences. Next, the pair was thought to be indeed at the South Lake Road residence -- based on what a responder reportedly saw -- despite what the homeowner contended. This sparked comments on the scanner about "honesty issues." Now, the Corvette's occupants are thought to be, or are returning to, the home on Route 5. Pembroke and Indian Falls are put back in service, along with Mercy medics. A fire hyrdrant was sheared off as a result of the accident, but is not spouting water. The water authority has been notified.

A driver involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident late Saturday afternoon died as a result of his injuries, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Lavern L. Williams, 57, of Black Street Road, Pavilion, was transported to UMMC by ground ambulance following the 6:23 p.m. accident where he was pronounced dead.

Williams was driving a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on Linwood Road when his vehicle went off the west side of the road, striking a utility pole then a pile of brush, which caused the Jeep to overturn. The Cherokee came to rest on its wheels. 

Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments were called to the scene and Williams was extricated from the vehicle. 

Mercy Flight was called to the scene, but Mercy EMS transported Williams to UMMC.

The accident is being investigated by Deputy Chad Mower, Sgt. Greg Walker and Deputy Eric Seppala of the Crash Management Team.

(initial report)

A 23-year-old Oakfield man is accused of choking his girlfriend early Saturday morning to the point where she blacked out.

Arrested on one count of strangulation in the second degree is Keven Michael Waleski, of 63 S. Pearl St., Oakfield.

The incident allegedly occurred at 3:56 a.m., Saturday.

As a result of the alleged strangulation, the woman reportedly became dizzy and lost consciousness. 

Waleski was jailed on $10,000 bail.

In Pavilion, a serious car accident at 9673 Linwood Road with entrapment has been reported. The car has hit a pole and there are wires down. One person in the back seat is unconscious and has serious injury. 

Mercy Flight 6 out of Buffalo is on the way to the scene along with Mercy Medic 2, and Pavilion Fire Department. Extrication is needed. Mercy Flight has a 14-minute ETA. Le Roy fire assisting with landing zone.

Update: Person has been extricated and Mercy Flight has a 7-minute ETA. National Grid called to the scene. No ETA given.

Update: National Grid to the scene in 25 minutes.

A trailer being pulled by a pickup truck is on fire on the Thruway. Town of Batavia Fire Department is headed to mile post 386 westbound. There is also a grassfire at this location.

Update: Troopers on location at 387.7 westbound with Town of Batavia fire.

Update: Fire is reported to be out.

Update: Mercy Medic 3 to scene for subject with burns to hands and arms.

Bergen Fire Department along with Byron and Mercy Medic 3 have been called to 7111 N. Bergen Road for a possible electrical fire in a ceiling. 

Caller reporting a ceiling light fell to the floor exposing burning wires.

Update: Bergen fire on location, nothing showing.

Update: Fire is reported out.

Update: Bergen fire back in service at 5:16 p.m.

A man has been bucked from his horse at 8719 Route. 237. Calling for Stafford Fire Department and Mercy Medic 2 to respond. Possible head and neck injuries. He is alert.

Update: Stafford fire on scene requesting to cancel Mercy Medic 2. The man's wife would like him checked out. They are located in a field next to the house.

Update: South Byron back in service at Stafford's hall.

Five people were injured early this morning when one car allegedly failed to yield to another at the intersection of routes 33 and 237 in Stafford.

All five people were taken to area hospitals.

Accused of failing to yield is Joseph Robert Hale, 30, of Marr Drive, Pittsford.

Hale was reportedly southbound on Route 237. When he reached the intersection, according ot the investigation, he stopped and then proceeded to attempt a left turn onto Route 33.

Hale's 2009 Volkswagen sedan was struck by a 2004 Jeep SUV driven by Jonathan B. Smith, 50, of Porter Avenue, Batavia.

Smith's Jeep overturned.

Hale, who was transported to UMMC, had no passengers.

In Smith's vehicle were Selena M. Smith, 51, Kala Smith, 14. (Note, the fourth passenger is also listed as Selena M. Smith, 51; we'll need to seek clarification on this from the Sheriff's Office).

The Smiths were all taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.

None of the injuries are reported as life threatening.

Smith was cited for allegedly driving without a license.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl.

A GCC nursing graduate who once worked at the Batavia Nursing Home and had a couple of brushes with the law while in Batavia is a "person of interest" in the death of a young woman in Auburn, the Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

The murder victim, of Katie Socci, 29 of Auburn, had a child with Donald F. McNamara. She was reported missing earlier this week and a day later her body was found in a shallow grave.

McNamara's ties to the case have police looking at him as a possible suspect.

The Post-Standard reports that McNamara was accused in 2006 of reckless endangerment, a charge he later entered a guilty plea on, for firing a military-style rifle within Batavia city limits.

In February 2007, his license was suspended for a time after admitting to withdrawing narcotics for personal use.

In 2008, while employed at the Batavia Nursing Home, he was accused of criminal mischief. He was accused of altering the labels on medications.

For the full Post-Standard story, click here.

A two-car accident is reported at routes 33 and 237.

Stafford Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched. A third ambulance is requested from Byron since no additional Mercy rigs are available. A fourth ambulance is requested from Bethany.

Traffic control is requested at the west and east ends of the intersection. One lane will be closed and two-way traffic directed by traffic police.

No Mercy Flight helicopters are available. Buffalo is grounded due to weather.

Two people were entrapped, but are now out.

A bar fight, perhaps involving several people, has been reported at Dadio's on Main Street in Corfu.

An ambulance is being dispatched to 44 Allegany Road, Corfu, for the victim of an assault. It may be related. A man is down, conscious and alert with facial and head injuries.

Multiple law enforcement units are responding.

Mercy EMS dispatched to Allegany Road.

Auburn pitching held the Batavia Muckdogs to only five hits at Dwyer Stadium on Friday night, taking the NYPL season opener 6-1.

Ryan Demmin (1-0) went five innings for Auburn to get the win and Batavia starter Hector J. Hernandez (0-1), a second-year pro from Carolina, Puerto Rico, went only four innings, despite giving up only one earned run, to take the loss.

First-year catcher Kevin Moscatel had the only extra base hit for the Muckdogs, smacking a double in the second inning.

The Muckdogs travel to Auburn for their Saturday game and return home Sunday, Father's Day, for another match with the Doubledays. Game time is 1 p.m.

Tonight's attendance was 1,709.

My parents are flying into Buffalo tonight and will be spending Saturday and Sunday in Batavia. Much of our weekend, then, will be taken up with showing them the beauty and wonders of Genesee County. We'll do some sightseeing on Saturday, and on Sunday, Billie and my mom are going shopping and I'm taking my dad to the Batavia Muckdogs game.

Alecia Kaus, a local freelance journalist (she shoots a lot of news video for Buffalo and Rochester TV stations) will monitor the scanner for us and report anything that needs to be reported. If something big breaks, well, we'll figure out how to handle that if it happens.

Of course, I'll still be around and check in on the site from time to time.

It should be a beautiful Saturday and we're hoping it doesn't rain on Sunday. Have a nice weekend, and to all the dads, Happy Father's Day.

The photos are from a short little drive I took this afternoon. Top, a cloud disperses the sun's rays over West Main Street Road, and below, a duel stand of trees on South Main Road (which, as many times as I've driven down this street, I've never noticed before).