Yes, it's May Day. And it's Law Day. You might also say, it's The Batavian Day.

The Batavian officially launched on May 1, 2008. In our first month, 2,756 people visited the site.

In May 2009, there were 25,553 visitors. The past two months, we've topped 40,000 unique visitors each month.

And, of course, we've gone from zero to 75 local businesses sponsoring the site.

In May 2008, I was an employee of GateHouse Media and launched The Batavian for my employer. Now, Billie and I own The Batavian, LLC and I no longer work for GateHouse and Billie and I live in Batavia.

A lot can change in two years, and Billie and I (and Pachuco) love how things have turned out.

Thank you all for your support.

P.S.: It would be fun to hear in comments how you first heard about The Batavian.

A car is reportedly in a ditch in the area of 8936 Lover's Lane Road, Corfu.

It's unknown if there are any injuries.

Corfu Fire and Mercy EMS have been dispatched.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: A chief reports that a tow is already in route. The driver has left the car and is reportedly walking north toward Main Road. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: The driver has been located and is being returned to the scene. His only injury appears to be a minor cut on his arm.

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A small gray car reportedly hit a Mercy EMS ambulance that was parked at 103 Ross St., Batavia. The driver reportedly fled the scene.

The car will be missing a side-view mirror, knocked off in the accident. It was last seen heading east on East Main Street East Avenue

No further description is available. No injuries were reported.

Police are responding to take a report and look for the car.

UPDATE 10:10 a.m.: The car is likely a Chevy Cavalier.

In the fall of 1962 Ron Grazioplena turned 14, making him old enough to hunt when accompanied by an adult. Back then, as it is now, the waterfowl season was split into two parts, the early and late season. Because his birthday occurred after the first split, Ron partook of the late season duck hunt. It wasn't until the following year - during the autumn of '63 - that he experienced his first goose hunt. 

Ron's entry into the world of the waterfowler took place in a different era, when hunters stood in line for days at the old permit station on Albion Road, hoping to draw one of the available blinds on the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area, where duck and goose hunters were limited to 15 shells and all hunting to cease at noon. But Ron and his buddies never had to stand in line. Rather than hunt the game management areas they scouted corn lots, winter wheat fields and the like. Gaining access courtesy of landowners was never a problem.

Ron's high school years at Notre Dame of Batavia limited his hunting to after school and weekends. In 1970 he graduated from St. Bernard College in Alabama with a degree in biology. Rather that apply for a job, he opted to spend the autumn outdoors and proceeded to hunt geese for 70 straight days. It was a regimen he adhered to for nearly two decades, spending every moment possible outdoors. In the process he accessed another form of education, one seldom found in a classroom.

Ron's hunting career began with the youthful anticipation of taking his first duck or goose, to seeking his first bag limit, to striving to take birds on every hunt. Before long he began to invest his time and money into purchasing the best equipment in order to help him attain his goals. Eventually, after years of waterfowling, the time came when he felt that taking his limit of ducks or geese was not nearly as important as the enjoyment of the hunt in all its different aspects. Said Ron, "The frosty chill that comes with first light, sunrise, the whistling of wings over the marsh and the beauty of the birds. Nature began to mean something."  

By 1991 Ron had reached a point where he pulled the trigger only on occassion, discovering he no longer wished to hunt the waterfowl he had enjoyed over the years. By now the family owned a 30 acre marsh and it was at this time when Ron decided he would do his part to help waterfowl thrive. Thus began the building and erecting of wood duck nesting boxes.  

While wood ducks readily took to the nesting boxes, so too did various predators help themselves to the contents of the boxes. One spring, while assisting Ron in the repair of the nesting boxes, we found several with raccoons sleeping inside. And these were boxes that had been placed in the middle of the marsh, far from shore. Still, it had not deterred the strong-swimming racoons. In addition to racoons, mink inhabit the marsh. While not a skilled climber like the raccoon, the mink is an aquatic predator which readily preys on  ducks and their eggs. Thats not too mention weasels, a hazard for shore nesters, then there are  were the winged predators: Great Horned Owls,Redtail  hawks and the like. 

 With so many predators having a taste for waterfowl, Ron developed a new type of nesting compartment, one made from plastic drums, both comfortable and roomy for nesting waterfowl. Made of hard plastic, the drums are secured to steel pipe, their width and and slick surface prevents raccoons and such from taking a firm grip and climbing up and in. In the above photo, the drum on the right has a goose sitting on a clutch of eggs.

"This style of nest has a bottom section which enables hen ducks to spend the night with their ducklings safely out of the water, yet out in the middle of the marsh and away from shore predators" said Ron. He refers to them as "duck motels."  

"Past experience has shown that mother ducks, particularly wood ducks, will utilize such a structure to protect their brood at night when they need to be out of the water and under their mother's wings for warmth and protection", he added.

Installing and maintaining the nests, as well as policing the marsh takes a lot of work. Here Matt Moscicki prepares to install nests. Additional help on the marsh includes Jeff Moscicki, Mary MacIntyre, Darla Luttrell and Ron's cousin and marsh owner, Kenny Grazioplene. 

This is Mary MacIntyre showing the location of active nests.

Mary removing debris from the spillway.

Here Matt prepares to set a pipe into the marsh bottom.

Here's Ron enjoying the fruits of their labor as depicted in the following photos. 

A pair of mallards dabbling

As the mallard on left comes up for air, note the water running off his head and down his bill.

The marsh is home to a variety of waterfowl. Sometimes the open water diving ducks show up, like this pair of buffleheads.

Buffleheads taking off. Both bufflehead photos courtesy of Mary MacIntyre.

Check out the pointed bill on this Red-breasted Merganser - he's a diving duck and a fish eater.

A winged predator with an ample wing span flies past...

While nesting waterfowl are protected.... thanks to Ron "Grazo" Grazioplena and his friends.

Vintage Reserve partners Tim Walton (left) and Rob Credi (right) are pictured with Elefunk Clothing founder Jeff Birge.

Rob Credi is not shy to owning and managing businesses in downtown Batavia and he is at it again. Credi recently teamed up with Tim Walton, to open Vintage Reserve retail clothing at 214 East Main Street, inside the building that houses TopLine Shirt Company, a screen printing and embroidery company that Walton owns.

Credi, who was the owner and founder of Main Street Coffee, and most recently the manager of The Daily Grind coffee shop owned by Ken Mistler, said "The timing worked out perfectly. Tim approached me and told me that he had space that he needed to fill and I always wanted to get into the screen printing and clothing business so it was perfect".

Vintage Reserve currently offers three full clothing lines and has styles for both men and women. The store's self named brand, Vintage Reserve, a line developed by Credi is a line that offers retro styled clothing that is themed on music and the rebirth of our culture. Walton developed Narrabeen Surf Co., a beach styled lined that represents the surfer and beach theme. The last line is an urban styled line, Elefunk Clothing Co., that was originally established in 2002, by founder Jeff Birge and Tim Torrey.

"We want to be the clothing store where you want to go when it's time for clothes shopping. We hope people give us a look before traveling to the mall to buy their outfits." Walton said. "Our prices are competitive and our styles are ones that people want to wear".

Currently the store offers a variety of shirts and has plans to expand to pants, hoodies, bags and other clothing accessories.

Credi and Walton celebrated their official grand opening of Vintage Reserve on April 10 and have had an overwhelming response from the local community. They recently launched their online webstore, www.vintagereserveonline.com, and have been able to expand their customer base to as far as California and Montreal.

Photo courtesy of Nate Oaksford/ NMO Photography

This evening at the carnival, I thought I should get a picture of the midway from a rooftop, and when I saw Steve Valle in front of Valle Jewelers, I asked him if I could borrow his rooftop. We got up there just in time to see the entire flock of gulls on the Latina's roof take flight (unfortunately, none of those shots really turned out). Steve allowed me to hang out a bit longer as the sun set, and eventually, I got this shot.

Friday was a beautiful evening to spend at a carnival, and plenty of people turned out for the second night of the Downtown Batavia Spring Carnival.

The carnival continues Saturday and Sunday.

More pictures after the jump:

The Pembroke Lady Dragons JV softball team defeated the visiting Kendall Eagles 8-6 tonight in a fairly close game. Julia Baker went the distance on the mound for the Dragons striking out 9 batters, and allowing 4 hits and 7 walks. Baker also went 2 for 4 at bat. Ashlee Gilchrist went 2 for 3 with a double, and Breanna Johnson went 3 for 4, also getting a double. Kellie Mroz went 2 for 3 with a clutch 2 run single in the 6th inning to help secure the win. Kayla Streit and Randi DellaPenta also had hits. Both teams played a great game!!

More pictures after the jump:

Above: Julia Baker Delivers another great pitch

A Kendall player hits a line drive

A Pembroke player up to bat

Sliding home. She was safe

Sliding into 3rd base. Once again, she was safe

Believe it or not, she was safe!!

Great Job Ladies!!!

A Batavia man with at least five arrests for various alleged crimes in the past two years now faces a burglary, 2nd, charge for allegedly participating in a home-invasion burglary March 18.

Brandon C. Dodd, 23, who police say does not now list a permanent address, is accused of forcing his way into the home on Vine Street, wearing a bandanna to cover his face, with an accomplice.

Police at the time said the residents of the home fought back, and investigators did not believe the home was selected at random.

Dodd was arraigned and jailed today on $25,000 bail.

His alleged accomplice, Robert D. Wright, 18, of 149 Ross St., was arrested March 26 and charged with burglary, 2nd. At the time of his arrest, he was jailed without bail. His current status is not immediately available.

Dodd's previously reported arrests:

• Aug. 27, 2008: Alleged DWI.
• Feb. 10, 2008: Alleged promoting prison contraband.
• Dec. 23, 2009: Accused of stealing video games from a roommate.
• April 19, 2010: Accused of going to a woman's house and threatening her.
• March 5, 2010: Accused of hitting another man on the side of his head.

Rather than hire a new county employee to replace John Demske, who retires May 14 as director of the Genesee County Nursing Home, a county committee is recommending the Legislature approve a contract with a consultant to provide nursing-home supervision.

The Legislature is being asked to vote on a contract with Insource Healthcare Solutions, out of Buffalo, at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday.

The contract would authorize the county to pay Insource $11,000 per month -- the same cost as a full-time county employee being placed in the position, according County Manager Jay Gsell.

"We felt this was a very good way for us to get new administration in place," Gsell said.

By state law, a licensed administrator who has been approved by the state Department of Health must supervise the nursing home every single day its doors are open, so the county must have Demske's replacement in place on May 15.

Gsell said there never really was a search for a full-time county employee to replace Demske. With the county currently studying its options for the future of the financially troubled nursing home, it made more sense, Gsell said, to have an administration firm handle those duties for now.

"Because we're in the process of studying what our options are, for us to go through the process of hiring another employee and all the things that involves, that right now, getting a licensed administrator ... is a good way for us to have a fairly seamless transition," Gsell said.

The actual administrator Charles Rice, is an employee of Insource currently working at a private facility in Jamestown.

If the Legislature approves the contract with Insource on Wednesday, Rice's credentials would be submitted to the state for approval. Gsell said that process takes about a week.

By law, the initial term of the contract cannot be longer than the term of the current Legislature, so the contract with Insource is for 18 months. Gsell said it will contain language allowing for renewals on an annual basis for another three or four years.

This year, like previous years, parents are braving a long line to buy tickets to the Suzanne's School of Dance dance recital. The first person in line arrived before 8 a.m.

It was a day for hanging out in the sun at Glass Roots on Center Street today. Jen Fountain of Batavia was having fun with a hula-hoop. She said, "I just learned today and now I can't stop."

On Wednesday, elementary students at Elba Central School got to visit with acclaimed children's author Mary Amato. She resides in Silver Springs, Maryland, and is the award-winning author of nine books for young people, as well as numerous plays, poems and articles for publications such as Muse, Cicada, The Washington Post, Parenting, and Mothering.

Elba school librarian Christine Ferris says she likes to have a different author come speak to the students every year. 

"I got interested in [Mary Amato's] books when I read The Word Eater," says Ferris. "She writes very funny books."

The visit was arranged through the BOCES "Visiting Authors" program. The program sends suggestions to schools of various authors, and makes all of the traveling and "touring" arrangements. Amato will be visiting several other area schools as well during her visit.

During the presentation at Elba, Amato spoke to the children about her career, her life, and, foremost, her experiences with writing when she was their age.

"I tell them that I was afraid of writing," says Amato. "I thought I had no ideas, no imagination. Imagination is like a muscle. The more I wrote, the better I got. It's like sports. You wouldn't expect an olympic athlete to get a triple lutz the first time. You have to keep working on it."

She says that the turning point in her writer's block was when she was 7, when her mother gave her a journal (which she is holding in the photo above).

"My mother gave me a notebook and told me to record a trip to California. I liked the fact that I could go back and relive the moments through records of it. That's when I got hooked on writing."

She suggests that aspiring young writers do the same.

"Get a little notebook and write in it. You don't have to write in it every day, just write down some of your feelings and ideas."

More information about Mary Amato and how to contact her can be found on her website, www.maryamato.com.  The website contains information about Mary, her books and how to contact her, as well as a new video blog documenting her writing process.

The Batavia Business Improvement District held its annual meeting and awards luncheon today at the Homestead Events Center in Batavia City Centre.

Top photo, Rick Mancuso, co-owner (with his brother Ben) of T.F. Brown's accepts proclamations from Sen. Mike Ranzenofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Also pictured, Don Burkel, executive director of the BID, and BID President Victor Gautieri.

Bottom photo, William Parker, winner of "Spirit of Downtown Community Volunteer Award," Mary Valle, "Spirit of Downtown BID Volunteer Award," and Rick Mancuso, "Spirit of Downtown Business Award."

Not able to attend, Ken Mistler, owner of Next Level Fitness & The Daily Grind, winner of "Spirit of Downtown Business Award" for a newly established business.

Top Photo, from left: Miller, Camp, Dibble, Harmon.

Four local cops were honored Thursday night by the Genesee County Bar Association and the Batavia Kiwanis Club for their dedication and good work during the past year.

Recognized in the annual awards ceremony at Bohn's Restaurant were:

• Officer Eric Miller, Village of Le Roy Police Department;
• Patrolman Christopher Camp, the Batavia Police Department;
• Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, Genesee County Sherriff's Office;
• Sgt. Cory Harmon, New York State Police.

Also honored during the annual Law Day celebration was Daniel A. Rybak, who was named Attorney of the Year.

The mock trial team of Batavia High School received the Charles L. Mancuso Award. The team won the 2010 GLOW region Mock Trial Tournament.

William J. Hochul Jr., United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, served as the keynote speaker. 

The WNY native was promoted to his current post about a month ago. Previously, he served as a counter-terrorism attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Hochul spoke about the role that all members of the legal community -- law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys -- play in helping the United States fight terrorism, especially within our borders.

"Each of us in this room – men, women, children, high school students -- have a critical role to ensure that the American legal system remains as a tool to us to fight terrorism," Hochul said.

Hochul said local law enforcement plays is the first-line of defense against domestic terrorism.

"The federal government can’t be everywhere domestic terrorists might be living," Hochul said. "Nationwide, worldwide, really, there’s only 10,000 or so FBI agents."

Without local law enforcement, he said, "we wouldn’t be able to even see the domestic terrorism threat, much less address it.”

Because maintaining the rule of law is vital to keeping our justice system working, Hochul said, defense attorneys who challenge prosecutions' theories and assertions help keep the necessary balance to the system.

"My message to you all is let’s follow the rule of law," Hochul said. "Let’s use the system we have, and where appropriate, my office, the Western New York Office of United States Attorney, stands ready to help."

Inset, Hochul. Above, members of the Batavia High mock trial team.

After the jump are pictures and information on each of the award winners:

Photo: Chief Randy Baker and Officer Camp.

Patrolman Christopher Camp, City of Batavia Police Department
Patrolman Christopher Camp has been a member of the City of Batavia Police Department for four years. He is a 2002 graduate of Attica High School and attended Genesee Community College.

Officer Camp is assigned to road patrol and is a member of the Emergency Response Team. He is a certified scuba diver and has received training in CPR and First Aid. Officer Camp also serves as a Field Training Officer and has volunteered to serve as an honor guard member. During this past year, Officer Camp has demonstrated his professionalism, dedication and service to the community with regard to several incidents he has handled.

During May 2009, Officer Camp, along with other officers, was successful in taking into custody, without injury, an individual who was displaying mental issues who drove a large piece of agricultural equipment into the City of Batavia and damaged several vehicles.

During August 2009, Officer Camp and another officer were able to take into custody a woman who had threatened suicide and cut her wrists with a large knife, and during November 2009, Officer Camp was confronted and attacked by a distraught individual who was subsequently taken into custody without serious injury.

During February 2010, Officer Camp responded to the scene of a house fire and at great risk to his own personal safety attempted to enter the house to save a citizen.

Officer Camp has assisted with coaching the Batavia Youth Soccer team and resides with his family in Attica, New York. He was nominated for this award by his commanding officer, Chief Randy Baker.

Photo: Sheriff Gary Maha with Dibble

Chief Deputy Gordon L. Dibble, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Deputy Gordon L. Dibble is a 35-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Dibble oversees the operations of the Road Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office and is a member of the Sheriff’s Administration staff.

Chief Dibble is a lifelong resident of Genesee County and a graduate of Pembroke High School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Corrections from Aurora College in Illinois in 1974.

He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1975 and was assigned to Corrections. In 1977, he was transferred to the Criminal Division and worked as a road patrol officer until 1980, when he was appointed a Youth Officer. He became the agency’s first certified D.A.R.E instructor and gained the trust and respect of school administrators, students and educators.

As Youth Officer, Chief Dibble instituted several youth-safety programs including the use of a small robot car named “Shadow," which was purchased by the Kiwanis Club of Batavia in 1989. Chief Dibble spends an enormous amount of time helping employees and citizens of Genesee County in his day-to-day duties as supervisor of the Road Patrol Division.

He is a professional, dedicated officer who is committed to the law enforcement profession and is willing to assist whenever and wherever needed. Chief Dibble oversees traffic details during the concert season at Darien Lake and has worked tirelessly with Darien Lake officials and other stakeholders to improve traffic safety in that area.

Chief Dibble is the recipient of two Commendations, three Meritorious Service Awards and was named Officer of the Year in 1984. He has been recognized by the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for his efforts in combating DWI and in 2009, was awarded the New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s Carl Draxler Award for Meritorious Service. Chief Dibble and his wife, Peggy, reside in the Town of Pembroke and have three boys: Eric - age 29, Russell - age 24 and Jeffrey - age 19. Chief Dibble was nominated for this award by his commanding officer, Sheriff Gary T. Maha.

Photo: Le Roy Chief Chris Hayward with Miller.

Police Officer Eric H. Miller, Village of LeRoy Police Department Police
Officer Eric H. Miller is a 14-year veteran with the Village of LeRoy Police Department. For the past seven years, Officer Miller has been serving as a School Resource Officer for the LeRoy School District.

Officer Miller has built relationships and trusts to make the school district a safe and comfortable atmosphere for the children of the district and has always been at ease with school-age children and the respect they have for him is evident in his day-to-day contact with them.

High School Principal Joseph Englebert wrote: “Eric works very closely with the youth in our community as a School Resource Officer. He works throughout the school district with administration to keep our students and staff safe. He develops relationships with students that assist the administration in being proactive when dealing with discipline issues, instead of being reactive.

He goes into the classroom to educate students on safety and legal issues and he is present at school events, adding an extra layer of security, so that community members can feel safe and enjoy themselves. He is a liaison to other law enforcement organizations and the LeRoy safety networks. His presence throughout the district makes a difference on a daily basis.”

Officer Miller was nominated for this award by his commanding officer, Chief Christopher Hayward.

Photo: Major Christopher Cummings with Harmon.

Sergeant Corey S. Harmon, New York State Police
Sergeant Corey S. Harmon has been a member of the New York State Police for 11 years.

Sergeant Harmon is a Station Commander and supervises the State Police Batavia road patrols and is responsible for coordinating DWI, Aggressive Driving and Traffic Corridor details.

During this past year, Sergeant Harmon has distinguished himself in many ways. In June 2009, Sergeant Harmon was instrumental in the capture of three armed bank robbers stemming from the robbery of the M&T Bank in Elba, NY. His quick response allowed him to identify the suspect vehicle as it fled the scene, and his assistance in coordinating the large scale search detail resulted in the successful apprehension of the three suspects involved. His actions earned him a State Police Superintendent’s Letter of Commendation.

Additionally, Sergeant Harmon is credited with having supervised and motivated a number of State Police members, instilling in them the goals of promoting justice and goodwill to those they serve. His leadership led to a marked increase across all enforcement categories.

Sergeant Harmon’s exceptional ability to plan and schedule was also highlighted during this last year with regard to the Darien Lake Concert season. Traffic-related initiatives include DWI checkpoints and multi-agency Under Age Drinking details.

Sergeant Harmon oversaw the 2009 Genesee County Traffic Corridor, which targeted erratic operation occurring along State Route 63 in a quest to reduce motor vehicle accidents. In doing so, he managed both the resources and overtime associated with the 48 traffic details that were responsible for issuing 499 traffic tickets over a six-month period, creating a safer environment.

Sergeant Harmon was the 2009 Troop “A” Zone One recipient of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Special Recognition Award. Sergeant Harmon resides in the Town of Wilson, Niagara County, with his wife, Allison, and their 1-year-old son, Max.

Sergeant Harmon was nominated for this award by his commanding officers, Major Christopher Cummings and Captain Craig Hanesworth.

CHARLES L. MANCUSO AWARD
During the dinner, the Genesee County Bar Association presented the fourth annual “Charles L. Mancuso Award” to Batavia High School, the 2010 winner of the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming) District Competition in the New York State Mock Trial Tournament. The award reads, “Dedicated to the Memory of an Outstanding Attorney-Citizen."  Mr. Mancuso, a Batavia lawyer, served as Coordinator of the local competition until his untimely death four years ago. The BHS team members honored at the dinner included: Patrick Flynn, Tim Redband, Adi Marino, Kaitlyn Logsdon, McKenzie Stevens, Jenna Bauer, Maura Chmielowiec, Sahil Jain, C.J. Shultz, Will Ely, Kristen Klein, Chad Luce, and Evan Sutherland. The team, coached by Social Studies Teacher Tim Stevens, has competed in, and won, the local tournament for each of the past eight years.

2010 ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Genesee County Bar Association presented their “2010 Attorney of the Year Award” to Daniel A. Rybak, a Batavia attorney.

Mr. Rybak graduated from Notre Dame as an undergraduate in 1967 and Notre Dame Law School in 1970. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in February 1971. Mr. Rybak was hired as an associate with Stakel, Suttell and Found, and a few years later he became a partner – Stakel, Suttell, Found and Rybak.

The practice is now Rybak, Metzler and Grasso. Mr. Rybak has been very involved in the community including serving as past president of the board for the Batavia Area YMCA; past board member of the St. Jerome Hospital Foundation; Notre Dame high school board of trustees; member of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Diocese of Buffalo; member of the Genesee County Bar Association Grievance Committee; member of the Grievance Committee, 4th Department, 8th Judicial District; and member for several years of the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association, representing attorneys from all of New York State.

Mr. Rybak is a native of Perry and now resides with his wife, Lorraine, in the City of Batavia.

Additional pictures from the evening below:

Last photo: Camp with Lt. Henning.

The odor of smoke inside the building has been reported at 12 Myrtle St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance have been dispached.

UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: Chief on scene reports visible smoke coming from the building. Additional manpower requested.

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This drake wood duck photo, submitted by Ron Grazioplena of Batavia, was also touched up a bit around the eye in order to better display the likeness of an old friend of Ron's. 

In the mid-nineties Ron was doing his best to enhance the lives of wood ducks and other waterfowl inhabiting a 30 acre marsh, a family-owned piece of property. With help from his father, the late Mario Grazioplena, Ron erected a series of wood duck nesting boxes. It was during this time period that the little wood duck with the peculiar white markings on its face became a regular visitor to the marsh. The first time he saw the duck, Ron immediately noticed the unique markings around its eyes. The markings, in the form of white piping entirely circling the eye, were were common for hen wood ducks, not males.    

Each day, when Ron tossed dry feed to the feathered inhabitants of the marsh, the "woodie" was on hand to enjoy the handout. Ron became fond of the little wood duck with the strange markings, even giving him a name. Ron called him "Blaze."  For several weeks Blaze was a regular visitor to the marsh. Then, one day, just like that the little duck failed to show up. Next day same thing. When a week passed and still no sign of Blaze, Ron figured his little buddy had either migrated south or shot by a hunter

Weeks passed, the first half of the split duck season closed, Thanksgiving had come and gone and Ron had all but forgotten about the little wood duck. The morning of December 25th found Ron standing along the southwest corner of the marsh, giving the ducks a  Christmas morning handout. He was tossing cracked corn to the marsh inhabitants when a wood duck with strange but familiar markings swam toward him. It was Blaze!

Ron's little buddy had returned. Not surprisingly, the unexpected Christmas morning visit provided a moving moment. And while there is no way of knowing for certain, perhaps Blaze had been hatched right there on the family's marsh - in one of the wood duck nesting boxes erected by Ron and his father.

To fully appreciate the above-mentioned account, one  needs to go back in time, to the fall of 1962, Ron's first hunting season. Stay tuned for Full Circle Waterfowling....Pt. II  

The driver of a semi-truck temporarily got his rig hung up on a railroad crossing on Church Street in Le Roy. It is no longer blocking the tracks, where it completely tore off the crossing arm, which is now dangling from telephone wires above.

The big rig, out of Omaha, Nebraska, left the Southern Railroad extension with "very little left that is usable," according to the Le Roy police officer on the scene. The railroad has been notified and a rep is en route, with an ETA of about 20 minutes.

It's unknown whether a train will be traveling through there or not in the meanwhile.

No one was injured and no other vehicles were involved.

(UPDATE: 11:45 a.m.): Southern Railroad has issued a "stop and protect order" for the demolished crossing. Trains will be required to stop. Road flares are in place to alert people to the danger.

David J. Balonek, Jr., 34, of 209 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, harassment, 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Balonek is accused of getting in a fight with a family member while a child was nearby.

James Edward Brown, 29, of Oakfield, is charged with failure to obey court order, coercion, 2nd and petit larceny. Brown is accused of stealing a mobile phone as part of a domestic incident at 2 a.m., Thursday. He also allegedly violated an order of protection.

Robert R. Richmond, 46, of 250 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Richmond is accused of stealing money from the cafeteria at UMMC.

Mykeal Bryan Myers, 20, of Alexander, is charged with criminal trespass, criminal mischief and petit larceny. Myers is accused of stealing fuel from the U.S. Gypsum facility at 2754 Pike Road, Alexander.

Daryl Duane Scott, 29, of Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt and aggravated harassment. Scott is accused of calling and texting an ex-girlfriend, violating an order of protection.

Eric D. Johnston, 31, of Batavia, is charged with conspiracy, 6th, and petit larceny; Matthew J. Long, 20, of Le Roy, is charged with conspiracy, 6th, petit larceny and violation of probation. Johnston and Long were arrested by State Police earlier this week in connection from an unspecified incident on March 9. No further details are available.

Jillian A. Schmidt, 19, of Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. Schmidt was arrested by State Police for an incident on March 12. No further details are available.

Sherry L. Lewis, 25, of Alabama, is charged with conspiracy, 6th, petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child; Shannon L. Amidon, 30, of Akron, is charged with conspiracy, 6th, petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. Lewis and Amidon were arrested at 5:40 p.m., Wednesday, on Veterans Memorial Drive. No further details available.