UPDATED 11:01 p.m.

Thirty-five years ago, William Scheg built himself a dream home -- doing most of the work himself.

Out among the flat farm fields and game-rich woods of rural eastern Genesee County, Scheg build a log-cabin construction home where he would eventually open a business -- Genesee Valley Taxidermy & Shooting Supplies.

Late Saturday afternoon, Scheg was in the woods near his York Road home when a fire started in the garage.

"I heard some shots and I thought it was the neighbors target practicing," Scheg said. "Then I heard more shots and the whole woods filled up with smoke. I kind of got this empty feeling in me and thought what might be happening. I got the road and saw the inevitable. It was all on fire."

By that time, firefighters from several companies were on scene and the house was fully engulfed.

The fire was initially reported at 4:50 p.m. by Frank Capuano, a retired city firefighter who was driving down York Road and spotted smoke coming from the garage of 9616 York Road, Le Roy. Upon further investigation, he confirmed the fire and called 9-1-1.

Just five minutes earlier another man on his way to work as a clerk at a gas station on Route 5 drove by the same house -- which he knows because he's known Scheg since the clerk was a little boy -- and he didn't see a thing.

The fire was well advanced by the time crews from Le Roy Fire arrived on scene and it spread quickly as crews struggled to get a reliable source of water to fight the fire.

Tanker trucks were sent to the nearest fire hydrant, at Route 5 and York Road, two miles to the north, where they could fill up and shuttle water to the scene. Water was also drawn from the pond on the property.

Assistant Fire Chief Thomas "Woody" Woods said water supply was the biggest problem firefighters faced in battling the blaze.

There was some concern about the ammo in the gun shop when crews first arrived.

"You could hear the popping from the ammo going off, so we kept back," Woods said.

According to property tax records, the home was valued at $168,900, and was 2,070 square feet on 1.22 acres.

Scheg lived in the home with his wife Margaret. She was also out of the house at the time of the fire. Their dogs were able to get out of the house before the fire trapped them and were taken in by a neighbor. The Schegs also had some pet birds who perished in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

As of 11 p.m., some fire crews were still on scene, though some crews were back in service.

Responding to the fire were Le Roy, Pavilion, Caledonia, York, Stafford, Bergen, and Le Roy Ambulance, Genesee County Emergency Management and the Sheriff's Office. The Town of Batavia Fire Department filled in at Le Roy's fire hall.

More pictures after the jump:

Here are two photos submitted by readers on the fire on York Road. We'll have more photos and full coverage later tonight.

UPDATE: More photos after the jump, submitted by retired city firefighter Frank Capuano, initially reported the fire after seeing smoke coming from the garage.

A fully involved structure fire is reported at 9616 York Road in Le Roy.

The property includes a house, garage and workshop.

Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford, Bergen and York fire departments are called to respond.

There is said to be a lot of animals in the vicinity. A nearby natural pond may be used to help put out the flames.

Fire police have shut down traffic at Harris and York roads.

UPDATE (6:03 p.m.): A fire chief at the scene says "the family is staging at Kelly Harold's. If anyone's trying to reach the family, they will be there."

A one-car rollover accident was reported about 10 minutes ago on Route 77 in Corfu, just north of the village.

It knocked down an electrical power line, and possibly damaged a transformer. National Grid has been notified and is expected to arrive on scene in about 20-25 minutes ago.

Apparently there were no injuries. The medic is back in service. Corfu Fire responded.

A forklift is reportedly on fire inside a building at 8741 Lake Road in Le Roy. It is at a business behind a mobile home park.

A ladder truck from Bergen and Le Roy Fire and Ambulance are responding.

UPDATE (5:28 p.m.): The fire is out.

UPDATE (6:17 p.m.): Although the fire was put out some time ago, the firefighters have continued working to vent the smoke from the building.

The Genesee County Bar Association recognized four local organizations today for their commitment to improving the lives of those in need in Genesee County.

Each group received a donation from the bar association:

• CASA for Children (Court Appointed Special Advocates — providing volunteers to advocate for the needs of neglected and abused children in the county): $1,250

• Genesee County Youth Court (Provides a peer-review system for local troubled youth as an alternative to our adult justice system.): $500

• “People Realizing Potential” (A campaign of the Genesee ARC to assist local people with special needs.): $1,000

• Genesee County Child Advocacy Center (Provides services for local children in need.): $1,250

Pictured, from left, front, are: Donna Feary, Justice for Children/GLOW Foundation; Shelley Faltico, Genesee ARC; Deborah Kerr-Rosenbeck, Youth Court; Tara Pariso, CASA; Attorney Charles Graney (back left), Durin Roger, president-elect of the bar association; District Attorney Lawrence Friedman; Colleen Marvel, Coordinated Justice for Children; David Saleh, bar president; and, Thomas Burggman, CASA.

An East Main Street resident with a record of stealing from local businesses admitted in Genesee County Court this morning that in late October he broke into a shop on Harvester Avenue and stole and then forged two checks.

The three felony counts -- burglary and two counts of possessing a forged instrument -- will send Michael J. Piasta to state prison for at least two years and perhaps as many as seven.

Piasta admitted to breaking into the building and then trying to cash two checks made out to himself, each in the amount of $1,762, at two separate branches of a local bank.

He was unsuccessful in both attempts to cash the checks.

Because the burglary and the two check-cashing attempts constitute three separate crimes, Piasta could have been facing consecutive sentences, but in a plea bargain, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman agreed to a concurrent sentence on all three counts.

His sentence also won't be enhanced by his prior felony convictions for burglary, 3rd, in 2006 and attempted assault, 2nd, in 2002.

Piasta previously admitted to burglary and petit larceny charges in Batavia City Court related to his arrests for stealing from Pandora's Boxx and Wilson Farms.

He will be sentenced in city court on those charges Dec. 2.

Previously: Man with previous thievery charges accused of burglary on Harvester Avenue

A two-car, rear-end accident is reported at West Main Street and Lyon streets, Batavia.

There are no reported injuries, but a mother is requesting that EMS evaluate her child who was in an child safety seat.

Batavia police and fire and Mercy EMS responding.

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A man who lives 143 miles from Genesee County has been nabbed in connection with a series of timber thefts from local property owners.

Donnie Eugene Hendrickson, 49, of County Route 17, Bernhards Bay, is facing two charges of grand larceny and one for petit larceny for the alleged lefts in early 2010.

Bernhards Bay is northeast of Syracuse, on the north side of Oneida Lake.

Hendrickson is accused of stealing more than $21,000 in timber.

The first alleged theft occurred Jan. 9. Hendrickson allegedly removed $1,800 in timber from Stein Farms property. He's been charged with grand larceny, 4th, for that alleged crime.

In mid-February, $19,000 in timber was reported missing from Hy Hope Farms in Stafford. Hendrickson is being charged with grand larceny, 3rd.

The petit larceny charge stems from an alleged $450 theft of timber in February from Englereth Farms, Stafford.

The cases were investigated by Deputy John Duyssen.

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Richmond Avenue and Oak Street, Batavia.

One car is blocking the flow of traffic.

Batavia PD, fire and Mercy EMS responding.

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Walter C. Blatt, 52, of 3768 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Police officers responded to a report of a disturbance at 9:53 p.m., Wednesday, at 319 E. Main St., Batavia. Blatt allegedly verbally and physically threatened officers.

Darren D. Jones, 45, of 168 Parkside, Syracuse, is charged with DWI. Jones was picked up in Syracuse on a warrant out of Batavia City Court for alleged failure to appear on a previous DWI charge. Jones was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Tiffany Monea Gaulden, 19, of Taft Avenue, Rochester, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Gaulden is accused of refusing to leave College Village after being told to do so. She allegedly struck a village security officer. The alleged incident occurred at 11:23 p.m., Thursday.

Lotoya Tamika Vialva, 19, of East 19th Street, Brooklyn, is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana. Vialva was originally being taken into custody for allegedly yelling profanities in a public parking lot at College Village.  She then allegedly resisted arrest. The incident occurred at 11:40 p.m., Thursday.

Reminder -- just in time to order Christmas presents, The Batavian is offering deep discounts all of the photos we published from our 2010 high school football coverage -- in most cases our sale price is 75 percent off suggested retail price.

To browse the game coverage albums and order photos, click here.

Sadie is a 5-year-old chocolate lab and not only a well-trained retriever, but a prime example of the classic relationship between gunner and gun dog. During the past couple autumns, I've been privileged to spend a few mornings with Sadie and her owner, Doug Harloff. Each outing has been invigorating, being able witness firsthand a good wingshot and his loyal sidekick at work.

A short wait in the dark was followed by a pre-sunrise calm.

Low light as Doug & Sadie both wait for the morning's first flight.

Decoys are in place.

The onset of a retrieve.

The return trip - mission accomplished.

Time for a little TLC.

Checking the northwestern sky - no ducks sneaking in the backdoor.

Doug explains to Sadie that the ducks have stopped flying.

Look at Sadie's facial expression: "Whaddya mean we're leaving?"

Happily for Sadie, on the way home there was a bit of pheasant action. She's equally good at locating ringnecks. 

Having spent time with Doug and Sadie both in the cattails and afield, I come away with the impression these two are not simply an owner and his dog - they're good friends.  

All of the rumors you heard on Facebook are true -- a man in Oakfield bought a $1 million scratch-off ticket at Wilson's Farms.

Randy Bennett, 64, plans a trip to Alaska and some new landscaping in his back yard, but he will also take care of the people he said helped him in tough times.

He's also going to keep working at Mizkan's in Lyndonville. He said he loves his job and the people he works with.

"I'm used to working 10 hours a day, six days a week," he said. "I plan to continue working, but my retirement date just moved up a few years."

Bennett seems to be the lucky one with scratchers. Previously he's won $5,000 and $25,000.

There's no secret to his success, he said.

"When I'm feeling lucky and I stop and buy some tickets with the money in pocket," Bennett said. "If I win, I play with that."

He said playing scratches is just something fun to do.

The scratcher he played this time was a $20 ticket for the "$500,000,000 Extravaganza" game.

His pay out will be $33,015, after taxes, per year for the next 20 years.

Although tonight is the opening night for the Batavia Rotary's 62nd annual musical production, Director Patrick Burk is no stranger to this year's beloved selection.

"I was in 'Oliver' when I was very young, and I've directed it before," Burk says. "It's great for families and it's a classic story by Charles Dickens. A lot of people with young families will be able to connect to it, and that's the audience that we want to appeal to."

Burk, who lives in Batavia, is also accustomed to working with children, as he annually directs the GoArt! Summer Youth Theater productions, which have had as many as 80-plus children in their casts. However, this show is unique in its mix of young and old actors alike.

"Working with a combination of young kids and older adults is amazing," he says. "The way that the older people pick things up from the younger people, and vice versa, is very interesting to me."

One of the younger people is Jordan McNees, who has the title role of Oliver Twist. The 11-year-old from Brockport, who has previously appeared as Ralphie in Geva Theatre's production of "A Christmas Story," says that he has enjoyed working with the other kids.

"It's a lot of fun. They're all really nice, and they're all great influences on me," he says. "They give me tips and advice."

One thing that he needed no advice on was his British accent, which he picked up with little difficulty.

"I watched a lot of British movies, so it was actually pretty easy to get it," he says.

Burk says that vocal director Deanna Spiotta played a large role in helping the cast master their accents.

"Deanna is very good with accents and vocals," he says. "A lot of people ended up learning relatively quickly. The accents were especially important because the show has a lot of strong characters that call for strong vocalization."

Paul Spiotta, who has the role of Fagan, agrees that his daughter has done an impressive job.

"If I'm going to be completely honest, with all due respect to all the past vocal directors for Rotary shows I've been in, she's the best so far," he says. "She's really done a thorough job in preparing everyone."

The elder Spiotta says he has enjoyed getting into his villainous role.

"There are a couple of scenes where I have to be really mean, and I try to get better at those every night," he said.

The combination of young and old does not end on stage; there is a wide range of ages working behind the scenes as well. Jonathan Adams, who is around the age of many of the children in the show, is working as a stagehand while his brother and sister portray orphans.

"I basically help out and get props ready and make sure the actors aren't missing anything, and lift boxes and stuff," he explains. "I like helping so the actors won't have to do as much work, since they're already working a lot on stage. And so that Mr. Burk won't have to do as much."

No matter what age, everyone interviewed agrees that they are ready for opening night.

"I think it's going to be great," says McNees. "The cast has put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the show, and there's so many fun and exciting parts. It'll make you laugh and cry."

Performances are tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Batavia High School auditorium. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased in advance at www.bataviarotary.com or at the door.

A two-vehicle accident, blocking the roadway, is reported at West Main and Allegany Roads in Pembroke.

A car has slammed into a pole at 2023 Route 5. The elderly male driver is injured and reportedly incoherant. The caller stated the car was being driven erratically before leaving the roadway and hitting the tree. So this accident may be due to medical reasons.

The location is between Cleveland and Indian Falls roads. The pole is said to be sheared at the base but it remains upright and nothing is blocking the roadway.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

Story from the New York Times.

K-9 "Finn" has tracked his last criminal and is on the verge of becoming somebody's family pet.

The 6-year-old police dog suffered a parasite infection in his hip about a year ago and his muscles have yet to regain their full strength.

“He’s not going to ever fully recover to the point to be able to do the job of a K-9 police dog,” Sheriff Gary Maha told the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

Maha is asking the County Legislature to pass a resolution allowing the Sheriff's Department to donate "Finn" to a person in the community, and then accept -- as a gift from the Niagara Falls PD -- a K-9 about the same age.

Deputy Brian Thompson said he will be sorry to see "Finn" go, but with another police dog about to join his household, there just won't be room for "Finn."

"It's heartbreaking to me," Thompson said.

The new dog, whom Thompson already knows, will be the last K-9 Thompson will work with professionally. After 19 years, going back to his time in the Army, Thompson is stepping aside as a K-9 handler. The Sheriff's Office is already starting the process of finding a new handler.

The new handler will get a "green" dog, at a cost of $6,200 to $6,500, plus the cost of at least 16 weeks of training.

The Niagara Falls dog is available because its current handler was involved in a shooting and has had trouble returning to work. The dog will be donated to Genesee County.

Thompson said the expectation is that the dog will have two or three years of working life left before retirement. Thompson will continue on as a K-9 handler so long as that dog is able to work.

Meanwhile, Thompson continues to work with K-9 "Jay," whom Thompson said is "the best narcotics dog I've ever worked with." 

"Jay" is 13 years old, however, and is no longer physically able to handle chasing suspects or tracking criminals.

"Finn" was only on the job for six months when he was out on a detail assisting Niagara Regional Police Services in Canada.

Thompson had to take him into a wooded area, and it turned out the area was full of ticks. The ticks were treated and the dog seemed fine at first, but parasites apparently weakened the muscles in his hip.

Over the next couple of months, he developed muscle tears while working and training. On one job, it became apparent that "Finn" was in a good deal of pain. He's been out of service for nearly a year.

A friend of County Attorney Charles Zambito raises purebred German shepherds and is interested in taking in Finn, but first the woman needs to ensure "Finn" and her other dogs will get along.

If that person accepts "Finn," Zambito will need to draft a contract relieving the county of any liability.

Both Maha and Thompson, however, said "Finn" would make an excellent family pet.

"He’s not a violent dog," Maha said. "He’s a very friendly dog."

"Finn" just isn't aggressive at all, said Thompson.

"Even in his job, he doesn’t like the aggression part of it," Thompson said. "It’s just not in him. We tried putting it in him with different training and different work, but it’s just not part of his personality. He’s not the least bit interested in harming anybody."