Next week, look for a new feature on The Batavian: "Ask the Local Doctor."

This will be a new weekly feature on The Batavian sponsored by Insource Urgent Care.

Readers of The Batavian are invited to e-mail medical questions to askthedoc@thebatavian.com and the professional staff at Insource will review the questions and pick one each week to answer in the "Ask the Local Doctor" weekly column.

Insource is tied into a network of local providers as well as partnering with some of the leading clinics and specialists in Western New York such as the Dent Neurologic Institute, Excelsior Orthopedics, UB Neurosurgery and Dr. Ross Sherban, a spine surgeon with Simmons and Sherban Spine and Orthopedics.

The column will give readers access to this broad and deep wealth of local medical knowledge so that a range of medical issues can be addressed.

If a reader's question is selected, the reader will be eligible to receive a free flu shot from Insource.

Of course, questions will be published without the name of the reader who submitted the question.

The e-mail inbox is open. Submit your questions to askthedoc@thebatavian.com

If you're a Android smartphone owner, download The Batavian's new breaking news app from Google Play.

In the first two days since we released it, there have been 30 downloads, which I think is pretty darn good.

We've submitted the app to Apple for inclusion in the iTunes store. It could take two or three weeks for the app to be approved (knock on wood that it will be).

It's a very simple app. Right now, it's just a feed of what appears on our home page and the ability for us to send you push notifications.

And that's really the point of the app: Push notifications, or alerts. If you download the app, we will use push notifications to alert you to breaking news, important news, features and important sports stories. We won't do it for every minor scanner call and routine press releases. Some stories will be a judgment call, but the idea will be to alert you to things posted that we want to draw your attention to and hope you'll want to be sure and know about right away.

City firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, have been volunteering their time to help with the revitalization of a house on Harvester Avenue by Habitat for Humanity.

Joining in the tasks today were Dave Adams, Tim Stengel, Chuck Hammon, Mike Dorgan, Adam Palumbo, Nathan Kinne, Mark Mikolajczyk and Christina Marinaccio.

Top photo, Kinne and Palumbo. Bottom, Marinaccio and Stengel.

Press release:

In the mood to see ghosts, vampires, and zombies this weekend? Then stop by Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road for the third annual Soccerween Tournament sponsored by New York Premier Soccer. Games start at 8 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

Soccerween brings together soccer players ages 9 to 14 for a weekend of fun competition. Park coordinator Ted Hawley says, “The accent is on the fun in this tournament. It’s a great way to celebrate the end (for some) of the soccer season.”

Teams typically choose a theme and each player dresses accordingly.

“We’ve had teams of Smurfettes, Cat in the Hat, and The Hulk,” Hawley said. “The coaches even get into the spirit and can often be seen wearing costumes.”

Trophies are awarded for Most Creative Costume and Best Dressed Teams/Coaches.

New York Premier Soccer organizes this event for travel- and premier-level teams. Each team is guaranteed at least three 7v7 or 9v9 games in a one-day tournament format.

“Aside from fostering team camaraderie, Soccerween is a great way to celebrate the season in a fun, healthy atmosphere,” said Robin Apholz, event coordinator. “Dozens of teams participate each year in what is becoming one of our most popular tournaments.”

Soccerween is free and open to the public. Food will be available to purchase at the park. For more information contact Ted Hawley at 585.343.3329. For additional information on New York Premier Soccer contact rapholz@globalpremiersoccer.com

A Batavia man accused of robbing the 7-Eleven on East Main Street in Batavia was denied a chance at bail today after pleading not guilty to the two felony counts against him.

Michael C. Kraatz, 34, is accused of robbing the convenience store Oct. 6 and is indicted on counts of of robbery, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, and grand larceny, 2nd, a Class C felony.

Kraatz was originally indicted on lesser charges, but the grand jury elevated the robbery charge and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman sought an elevated grand larceny charge after reviewing the statute and the alleged facts of the case.

"That (the robbery charge) was elevated based on testimony at grand jury that the robbery victim has suffered physical injury," Friedman said.

As for the grand larceny charge, Friedman said Kraatz was appropriately charged with third-degree grand larceny when he was arrested, but in an unusual quirk of the penal code, the same set of circumstances also apply to the higher level charge.

"He was properly charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree based on coercion and threat to cause physical injury or serious physical injury or the threat of death in the future," Friedman said. "In examining the statute, I discovered that not only does that spell out grand larceny in the fourth degree, but it also spells out grand larceny in the second degree. It's somewhat of an unusual situation, but the same elements make up grand larceny in the second degree."

Kraatz entered not guilty pleas to both counts today.

When Kraatz was originally arraigned in City Court, because of his prior felony convictions, the lower court judge did not have the authority to set bail. County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan could have set bail today, but ordered Kraatz held without bail.

The next scheduled court appearance for Kraatz is Dec. 13, when attorneys are expected to argue any motions in the case.

Also in County Court today, Jon T. Magliocco, entered not guilty pleas to the 17-count indictment filed against him. Magliocco is accused of being 21 or older and having sexual relations with a person less than 17 years old. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

Jaime Lynn Killinger, 37, of West Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, driving while on a suspended or revoked license and improper left turn. Killinger is accused of driving a car into a ditch at 10:40 p.m., Oct. 18, on Route 5 in Le Roy, and then leaving the scene of the accident. The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Butler.

Jeanine Lynn Calica, 41, of South Spruce Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for an alleged violation of probation. Calica is accused of failing to appear in Town of Pavilion Court on a violation of probation charge.

Paul Michael Gelardo, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Gelardo is accused of not showing up for an original appearance in Batavia City Court on a CPCS charge. He was arrested by Batavia PD, turned over to the Sheriff's Office, arraigned in City Court and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Denise A. Kingsley, 30, of Silver Springs, is charged with petit larceny. Kingsley, who was arrested by State Police, is accused of stealing from Kmart.

This stretch of the Little Tonawanda was perhaps my favorite place in the world during my formative years. Here I stalked crayfish, hunted fossils, discovered water snakes and later, in my teen years, learned the place was teeming with creek chubs, suckers, shiners, and dace. Claudia was 16 years old the first time she helped me drag a 4' x 12' minnow seine through knee-deep water along this stretch of the creek! While taking this photo I couldn't help thinking, so much of our world has changed, but the riffles of the Little T still make the same sound they did in those early years.

These crab apples look as though they've been spit shined. Like every other apple tree, this year's crab apples were also laden with fruit.

I've seen abundant wildlife along the power line clear-cut over the years....even the critters like to travel the path of least resistance.

Maple leaves in tints of yellow, red and orange.....photo taken along the Little T where it flows past the old Judge Kone place, a favorite among pike fishermen in the '50s and '60s.

Day fades into night.....dusk along the power lines - diurnal creatures have foraged and retired; the nocturnal denizens are just beginning their watch. 

Their pods burst, these milkweed seeds will become windborne, the leaves of the new plants  providing food for next year's monarch butterfly caterpillars.

City Republicans, Democrats and the Genesee County Libertarian Party couldn't agree on a debate format, but they have agreed to come together for a meet the candidates night prior to the Nov. 5 election.

The event is 7 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 1, in the Batavia High School Library.

Along with the nominees for the three at-large seats on the Batavia City Counci from the three parties, independent candidate Rose Mary Christian will be participating.

Voters are invited to come and chat with the candidates. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Former Batavia PD officer Eugene Jankowski had another successful showing at a gun competition, finishing in the top 25 percent out of 202 competitors and winning 1st Place in the senior tactical optics division.

The competition, the 2013 Blue Ridge Mountain Three-Gun Championship, was held last week  at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City, Ky.

Competitors shot nine stages of fire in natural terrain over three days.  

All stages required the use of a modern sporting rifle, semi-auto shotgun and semi-auto handgun.  The targets were required to be engaged from awkward shooting locations and positions. Targets ranged from 3 to 425 yards for the rifle, 3-70 yards for the pistol and 10-75 yards for the shotgun.

Jankowski is sponsored by Metal Spinning Targets in Le Roy, CMC Triggers in Fort Worth, Texas, Wolf Gunsprings and Offhaus Farms in Batavia.

ESPN: Football's black swan event is here

GCC's fashion students were thrilled today to meet Anya Ayoung-Chee, winner of Project Runway Season 9.

So excited, many of them shared their eagerness on Twitter while waiting for the Project Runway Season 9 winner to arrive on campus.

Malgosia Blaszczak: "Oh today is gonna be a blast! Anya Ayoung-chee is in @sunygcc can't wait to meet her!"

Kate Buduson: "So excited to meet @AnyadeRogue she's such an inspiration to all the fashion students here at @sunygcc !"

Ayoung-Chee, who represented Trinidad and Tobago in the Miss Universe pageant, shared the experiences she went through before entering Project Runway that helped her win on the reality series.

GCC has a highly regarded fashion business program that includes study options in fashion merchandising management, fashion design, event planning, and e-commerce.

"Our solid reputation helps us attract people like Anya to talk to our students," said Professor Rick Dudkowski. "We're very excited to have her here, and we know our students will be inspired by her."

UPDATE: Jackie Vetrano created a Storify page covering Ayoung-Chee appearance at GCC.

The U.S. Marshall's Fugitive Task Force apprehended a man in Albion today who was wanted in Batavia for alleged sexual abuse of a child less than 11 years old.

Terrell Goodson, 25, was taken into custody on a felony warrant for alleged aggravated sexual abuse 2nd and sexual abuse 1st.

The Task Force assisted in locating Goodson.

The investigation into Goodson's alleged crime was handled by Det. Kevin Czora.

Goodson was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Don't miss the 54th annual Popcorn Ball starting at 6 p.m. this weekend at St. Joseph's School. Tickets will be available at the door. $60/couple.

It's not just an Internet rumor -- Dunkin' Donuts is indeed going to open a location in Le Roy.

Reached at home this evening, Le Roy's code enforcement officer Jeff Steinbrenner confirmed that a representative of the new location brought plans before the Town Planning Board Oct. 15.

He said the shop should be open by spring.

The location is between Pizzaland and Townsend Energy on West Main Street, in the Village.

The lot has been vacant for probably 30 years, said Mayor Greg Rogers. Longtime residents will remember it as the spot of the old Grove Motel.

No further information is available at this time.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) expressed pleasure today at the news that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation creating a 2-percent agricultural assessment cap into law. Hawley, a cosponsor of this cap, sees this as crucial to ensuring our farming families can afford to maintain their operations for generations to come.

“Our local farms have felt the squeeze from constantly escalating taxes in recent years,” Hawley said. “The agricultural assessment will be crucial in giving our farming families some financial breathing room, allowing them to stay on their land for generations to come and continue doing what they do best: producing the locally grown, healthy products our state relies on.”

A dog allegedly chased a neighbor's child. Now the father of the chased child is reportedly outside of the dog owner's residence with a long gun, threatening to shoot that person and that dog. Not sure of the location, possibly Byron.

So a cab driver's fare decides to drink a beer in the back seat on his way to wherever and the cabbie says get out. The guy refuses. The driver calls the cops, who are about to roll up on the taxi, which is roadside with its four-ways on. Didn't hear the location.

The World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals will have a very familiar feel for Batavia Muckdogs fans when it gets under way tonight in Boston.

Nine Cardinals players, including three starters, and one member of the Red Sox passed through Batavia at some point in their young careers.

Matt Carpenter, who played nine games in Batavia in 2009 and hit .469 in 32 at bats, will see the first pitch of the 2013 series as the Cardinals' lead-off hitter.

Somewhere in the middle of the line up, perhaps hitting clean up, will be Matt Adams, who really put himself on the map in the Cardinals organization in Batavia.

Adams was the 699th player taken over all in the 2009 draft and wasn't on anybody's list of elite prospects coming out of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He distinguished himself as a Muckdog, hitting .346 while drawing 11 walks and slugging four monster home runs in 31 games.

Lance Lynn, on the other hand, was signed with nearly a $1 million bonus in 2008 before starting his pro career in Batavia, where he quickly demonstrated to fans why he was so highly regarded by the Cardinal scouts. In six games with the Muckdogs, he posted a 0.96 ERA, striking out 22 in 18 2/3 innings before being promoted to Quad Cities.

Also on the Cardinals' roster for the series are Daniel Descalso (2007), Pete Kozma (2007), Tony Cruz (2007), Joe Kelly (2009), Kevin Siegrist (2009, 2010) and Seth Maness (2011).

Quintin Berry (2006), plays for the Red Sox.

Interestingly, only one of the series-bound former Muckdogs (Lancy Lynn) spent any time on the 2008 team, which won the NYPL championship.

The Muckdogs have long promoted that one reason to come to games is to see the major league stars of tomorrow. With 10 former Muckdogs carrying two teams to the World Series, that pretty much proves the point.