Today, I spotted this old well in front of a barn on Dodgeson Road, Alexander.

Tracy L. Smith, is charged with 12 counts resulting from an alleged scheme to steal money from the Bank of Castile in Le Roy.

The counts:

• Grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly stealing $20,000 from a Brinks delivery some time between Sept. 13, 2005 and June 12, 2008.
• Forgery, 2nd, for allegedly altering a savings withdrawal slip of a bank customer on Nov. 16, 2009.
• Grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly stealing $7,000 from the same bank customer.
• Forgery, 2nd, for allegedly altering a check written by a bank customer on Nov. 19, 2009.
• Grand larceny, 4th, for allegedly stealing $3,000 from the same bank customer.
• Forgery, 2nd, for allegedly altering a check written by a bank customer on Nov. 19.
• Forgery, 2nd, for allegedly altering a deposit slip written by the same bank customer on Nov. 19.
• Falsifying business records, 1st, for allegedly making a false entry in the daily night deposit log on Nov. 30, 2009.
• Grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly stealing $10,000 on Dec. 16, 2009.
• Falsifying business records, 1st, for allegedly using a bank instrument illegally on Dec. 16, 2009 to withdraw $10,000.
• Falsifying business records, 1st, for allegedly making a false vault inventory log on Dec. 16, 2009.
• Grand larceny, 3rd, for allegedly stealing $5,000 some time between Sept. 14 and Dec. 22, 2009.

For previous coverage, click here.

Stuart P. Newbould, is indicated on a felony count of DWI and with  a felony count of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Newbould is accused of driving drunk on Jan. 8, 2010, on South Holley Road, Byron.

Darryl J. Lippert is indicated on felony count of DWI and a felony count of driving with a BAC. of .08 or greater. Lippert is accused of driving drunk on Jan. 2, 2010 on Route 20 in Alexander.

Genesee County will get its first urgent care clinic on July 1 when UMMC opens the new service at a location in Le Roy.

Currently, there is no urgent care clinic in Batavia or the surrounding towns and villages.

The facility is intended to provide services to residents in Le Roy and that part of the county, said UMMC spokeswoman Colleen Flynn, but any resident -- and anybody in the UMMC system -- can seek treatment at the Le Roy clinic.

No appointment will be necessary for patients seeking treatment for a range of non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.

"Urgent care fills a unique need in a community beyond what you can normally get at your doctor's office by having to make an appointment and then wait for that appointment if you're ill, or going to the emergency room with something that isn't really a life-threatening condition and having to wait long periods of time to be seen," Flynn told WBTA this morning.

UMMC officials say the clinic, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, will provide patients with a cost effective and convenient way to seek treatment.

For those covered by insurance, co-pays for urgent care treatment tend to be less than emergency room treatment, officials.

The new clinic will be located where UMMC currently operates the LeRoy Diagnostic Center and Tountas Family Care Clinic, at 3 Tountas Ave., next door to LeRoy Ambulance.

Flynn said the Le Roy clinic has been in the planning stages for months. As for a similar clinic opening in Batavia, Flynn said that remains a possibility.

Two men recently indicted by the Grand Jury of alleged property crimes entered not guilty pleas today.

Bryan M. Hargrave is charged with three counts of burglary, 3rd, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

Hargrave is accused of breaking into businesses in Pavilion and the Town of Batavia on Sept. 23.

Carl Rivers, is accused of stealing a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado on March 19, 2009, in Oakfield. He is charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd.

Hargrave is out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice. 

Rivers is in jail without bail, but will have a bail review on Thursday. He has prior felony convictions, according to his attorney, Gary Horton. 

Hargrave and Rivers are accused of completely unrelated crimes. Their cases happened to be on the docket back-to-back today.

Lisa Rene Richmond, 22, of 3181 Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Richmond is accused of maintaining squalid living conditions with her 2-year-old son living at the house. Department of Social Services and Child Protective Services are following up on the case.

Lynda Rae Morrill, 44, of 3181 Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Morrill is accused of allowing her 2-year-old grandson to live in squalor.

Leslie G. Cannon, 46, of 9022 Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd. Cannon is accused of borrowing a car and then refusing to return it at the agreed upon time.

Shannon Victoria Albano, 25,  of 1523 Friedman Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and improper right turn. Albano was stopped at 1:03 a.m., Monday, on Griswold Road in Darien by Deputy Jason Saile.

Javonie E. McKinney, 36, of 705 Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, improper lane change and leaving the scene of an accident. McKinney was driving on Bank Street in Batavia at 12:40 a.m., Saturday, when he allegedly struck a utility pole. He then allegedly drove from the scene and was located later at Bank and North streets.

Brandon C. Dodd, 23, of 41 Maple St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, Dodd is accused of going to the house of a woman and threatening to hurt her. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Summer Marie Morley, 26, of 36 Exchange St., Apt. C, Attica, is accused of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Morley was stopped at 12:45 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Jason Saile on Route 238 in Darien.

Tiffany M. Miller, 20, of Rochester, is charged of petit larceny. Miller was arrested by State Police at 2:11 p.m., Friday, at Kmart.

A 17-year-old from Batavia is charged with criminal mischief and criminal contempt. The youth was arrested in Batavia by State Police at 6:50 p.m., Friday.

Brandon M. Culliton, 23, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and DWI. Culliton was stopped by State Police at 9:10 p.m., Thursday, on Route 262 and Bank Street Road, Byron.

David R. Elliott, 20, of Wyoming, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and possession alcohol by a person under 21. Elliott was arrested by Le Roy Patrolman Daryl Robb following an accident in which a car reportedly driven by Elliott struck a utility pole on South Street.

Two cars are reportedly on fire at 6005 Bartof Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire is responding.

UPDATE 9:19 p.m.: Both car fires are out.

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A five-car accident with no injuries is reported in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church at 15 Sumner St. in Batavia. Fire and/or police are responding.

UPDATE (6:55 p.m.): "She didn't know which pedal did what," said Batavia Police Officer Matthew Baldwin at the scene of mild mayhem in the church parking lot.

They were all there for Bingo Nite when, according to Baldwin, a woman offered to help a disabled lady by moving her car for her, making it easier for her to get in. But the Good Samaritan was unfamilar with the vehicle controls, made for the disabled, and she accelerated too fast, couldn't stop and hit two parked cars. One of those vehicles smashed two other cars, and the driver, still in reverse, then hit a truck.

Nobody was hurt in the accident.

(Isn't five in a row Bingo?)

UPDATE: Photos by Howard Owens.

The magnolia tree outside the Holland Land Office Museum is in full bloom.

Faculty and students of John Kennedy School were at Clor's in Batavia this afternoon selling BBQ chicken meals to help raise money to fund field trips for students to such places as Cooperstown.

Don Carroll, below, was also on hand selling raffle tickets in support of his annual Christmas toy drive. And the cook in the bottom photo wanted his picture on The Batavian.

A caller has reported smoke coming from the basement at a residence at 7875 Fotch Road, Byron.

The residence was reported still occupied at the time of the dispatch.

Stafford and Town of Batavia Fire have been dispatched.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: Residence is evacuated. Asst. chief on scene reports, "nothing showing."

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: Chief reports light smoke. He's requested a thermal-imaging camera to check the structure in the basement.

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Dave and Sandra Wheeler enjoy the wide open spaces and life on the farm. On Molasses Hill, in the northeast corner of Attica, the husband and wife team raise American Quarterhorses, Paints, Herefords and Angus. Here, amid the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, the Wheeler's horses and cattle graze and gambol about in spacious pastures with the lake plain as a backdrop, On a clear day the view is exceptional.   

This photo is taken from the top of Molasses Hill Rd. looking north. The Wheeler farm is a couple hundred yards to the west. Using the zoom lens......

the water tower at the Batavia Vet's Hospital comes into view, to the right are four silos located north of the thruway. The cylindrical shape to the right of the silos is the Elba water tank.

This cavorting Paint certainly seems happy with the location....

while a pair of angus watch the camera.

Casting a wary eye in my direction....

A pair of Paints grazing.........I'll get back to the livestock in a moment, first a couple more scenic shots.

Zooming in from the Wheeler's east pasture, that's the Rochester skyline off in the distance...Xerox Tower, Lincoln Tower, etc.

The plume of smoke on the horizon is spewing from the Somerset smokestack on the shore of Lake Ontario in Niagara County.

As this Paint parades past, just inside the woods are a few bovines that decided to play "hooky".

Chow time in the cattle barn....

Munching away....

It was time to say so long, and hopefully I'll see these horses barrel racing at the Attica Rodeo this summer.

Today was EcoFest at GCC, with local residents driving through the parking lot and dropping off old computers, TVs and other home electronics for recycling. Inside the college, there were also a number of environment-related information booths, activities for children and exotic animals.

More pictures after the jump:

One of the complaints of landlords in Batavia is that when there is a problem with a property, the city rarely issues a violation notice against the tenant.

It's usually the landlord that gets hauled into court.

It doesn't have to be that way, according to City Court Judge Robert Balbick.

Balbick spoke with members of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee on Thursday afternoon.

"Under city code they are both responsible," Balbick said. "I don’t choose who the defendant is. That's the choice of the city."

Council members Sam Barone, Rose Mary Christian and Bob Bialkowski were on hand for the meeting.

Balbick told them they could amend city code to require tenants to be included in any enforcement action.

Batavia landlord Terry Platt is on the committee, and he said he would certainly like to see Batavia become known as a place where, if you're a tenant and you cause a code violation, you're going to be held responsible.

“If we could work toward the tenant area and let the tenants in this city know that they are going to be held responsible, then over a five- to 10-year period this city could be just like Stafford -- Judge Muskopf set a precedence there," Platt said. "When you drive through Stafford today, you still slow down. He set a precedence. (Tenants will learn) 'Hey, don’t do that because you’ll get nailed in this city.'"

Balbick also suggested that landlords could call police for some enforcement actions against tenants.

“I’ve looked at pictures and the things that happened in apartments and it borders on being criminal," Balbick said. "Some of the damage isn’t just wear-and-tear on carpets. Some of the damage is holes in the walls and broken windows. You have your civil remedy but people may consider other remedies, such as going to the police. And have the police department address it as criminal mischief."

Platt said he's tried that route and the response from the police is always, "it's a civil matter."

Platt said 10 years ago, he and his crew were in an apartment doing work and they found a pound of marijuana. He said he told police and the police didn't want to take action, since Platt hadn't seen it actually being carried into the apartment.

So, Platt said he went to the tenant and told him he had two choices -- stay and he was calling the cops or move out.

“I knew the cops wouldn’t do anything, but I knew he’d get out if I said that, and he did," Platt said. "I wanted him off my property because I didn’t want that on my property.”

A good portion of Balbick's conversation was directed at explaining how court works for code-enforcement matters.

Disclosure: Terry Platt is my residential landlord.

The phrase "tea party" has taken on a new meaning these days, but this morning a group of pre-school girls were on hand at the Richmond Memorial Library to reclaim the term for things more frivolous than worrying about government and taxes.

It was the "Fancy Nancy Tea Party," named after a series of popular children books.

About a dozen girls were on hand with their mothers, dressing up, decorating their own cups and plates and then sitting down to a real tea party.

Above are Mia, 3, and her friend Jadyn, 4.

Kaitlin, 2.

Violet, 3.

The women organizing and supervising the event were also all dressed up for the occassion. Above is June Lee.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out. We have $10 gift certificates for $5 each.

Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY. Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

SOLD OUT

Batavia's Steve Hawley may not yet have a Democrat opponent -- if he ever has one -- in this year's 139th Assembly District election, but it's clear who he's running against.

Hawley, first elected to the Assembly in 2006, did something Thursday -- Tax Day -- he's never done before: Held a rally announcing his candidacy for re-election.

In announcing, Hawley made it clear, downstate interests, Albany Democrats and their leader Sheldon Silver, and legislative members who put party ahead of constituents' interests are his primary opponents.

"I’m going to be traveling as our conference program committee chairman to talk with the media across the state of New York about what it is that we stand for," Hawley said.  "I’m hoping as we tell them what we stand for, that they will read that, listen to that, hear that, and then check to see who their representative is, and whether they’re voting with Sheldon Silver or whether they’re voting for their constituents."

Hawley told the four dozen or so people gathered in the court yard of the Old County Courthouse that the Assembly Republicans have a plan to cut $4 billion to $6 billion in state spending. The plan relies heavily on eliminating fraud in social services payments.

Hawley said it's time that New York become known as a place that creates economic opportunity rather than as a magnet for welfare cases.

"We need people coming to New York for jobs," Hawley said. "We need people coming to New York for their families. We don’t need people coming to New York because of the programs that we offer for those who are not working or don’t want to work. We need to reward competence and hard work, not people who are full of lethargy."

Hawley is a Republican from a Republican district in a blue state. Even so, he said after his speech, that he remains optimistic that he and like-minded individuals can turn New York around.

In a post-speech interview, Hawley spoke more about the need for change in Albany and how he and fellow Republicans are going to try to get a message of change out to the whole state, not just Republican districts.

"We're going to travel across the state, whether it's Democrats or conservatives, incumbent or not, we're going to try and take our message to people across the state," Hawley said. "We're in a fiscal morass here. We're in a horrific position we've never been in before. A $9.2 billion deficit and the inability to say no and cut back.

"Cut backs and no are negative and they are very, very difficult and when people depend upon an elected position as their occupation they'll pretty much have a harder time saying no to somebody than those who do not. In the beginning, elected representation was supposed to be, step away from your full-time job, look at it as an avocation, go to your state capitol, do what your neighbors want you to do and then come back to your job. We've gotten away from that and we have to return to that."

Hawley said the goal isn't necessarily to get Republicans elected, but to change Albany.

"I think it's going to take Democrats, Republicans, independents, tea party members to take the state back," Hawley said. "Make it as central for the people who are going to Albany from their neighborhoods to be able to look at the entire state, as well in Manhattan and the three or four blocks they represent, or in the Adirondacks where it could take five hours to get from one end of the district to the other. Take a look at the 120,000 people you represent and then look at the state as a whole and figure we need to make changes for the state.

"It's not just a district job. It's a state job. If there are members of other parties who have different ideas, say in Manhattan, in Queens, in the Bronx, then they need to challenge an incumbent in a primary. It doesn't matter whether it's a Democrat or a Republican. If it's a Republican, fine. If it's a Democrat, fine. We need new blood. We need people who are not beholden. We need people who can open up the blinders on the sides of their eyes."

In his answer, Hawley mentioned the tea party movement and during his speech, a supporter behind him held up the "Don't Tread On Me" flag, which has become one of the symbols of the tea party movement. We asked Hawley were he stood in relation to the tea party movement.

"I think any group of people who want to participate in the democratic process and their government ought to be encouraged, as long as they're doing it in a way that is respectful of others, in a way that takes others' feelings into mind, and in a way that is non-adversarial in terms of violence," Hawley said. "There has been some indication of brick throwing and everything else -- most of the people I've talked to, and I was with a large group in Albany the other day, tea party people, a big rally, are not those kinds of people.

"They want to take their government back. They want to have a strict interpretation of the Constitution and they want to take government encroachment on everyday lives out of it. These are good people. These are people who want to participate. And this is America and they ought to be able to."

During his speech, Hawley made reference to medical marijuana and he's previously opposed bills attempting to make marijuana use for medicinal purposes legal, so we asked him if he would change his position if a scientific poll showed a majority in his district supported it.

"I represent the constituents viewpoints regardless of my personal belief and I know that overwhelmingly the people of the 139th Assembly District do not support medicinal use of marijuana," Hawley said. "I will represent their interest and vote no."

When asked how he knew that was the position of the people of the district, Hawley said he travels around the district extensively and talks with people about a range of issues.

"I can tell you as a guy who hangs out a little bit, I know how people think around here," Hawley said. "It's never 100 percent, of course. You just hope you're getting 51 percent at least."

Asked if he anticipated a Democratic opponent this election, Hawley said, "I would hope as always that there would be opposition. That's what America is all about and people deserve a choice."

AUDIO: Listen to Hawley's full speech (mp3).

This trio of sycamores is situated in a pasture along the bank of Little Tonawanda Creek, barely visible behind the trees. I doubt I ever drive past without being reminded of my days as a bait fisherman. In the 60's and early 70's, while wading the stream with a 4x12 foot net attached to broom handles, I paid little attention to the sycamores. Baitfish flourished in the Little T in those years, and walking slowly against the current provided optimum results. Without fail our haul always included shiners, so many after one pass in fact, if the sun was shining, their silver scales created a minor glare. Catching minnows with a drag seine was like eating potato chips - it was fun and impossible to stop after just one pass.

While the bulk of the catch consisted of shiners in the 3-5 inch range, Creek chubs, suckers and horned dace often turned up in the net. These fish were put into a larger bait bucket and later, at a favored pike haunt, they would be swimming below a slip-bobber rig with an English hook sewn into their back. Seeing your float bob up and down once or twice before quickly disappearing below the surface, then waiting for what you felt was sufficient time for the pike to swallow such a large bait, was exciting stuff. 

Seining minnows was every bit of a good time as the actual fishing and we never knew what to expect when we lifted the net clear of the water. Sunfish, fingerling smallmouth bass, crayfish and the like were no surprise. I once had a water snake bounce off my leg, and on numerous occassions after walking ashore found leeches attached to my ankles....this is was to be expected when your attire consists of cut-offs and old sneakers. I think the leeches may have had something to do with the purchase of my first pair of hip boots.

Wii bowling was introduced to the residents of 400 Towers a month ago.  It only took a month and one day for Dennis Meyers to post the first 300 game at 12:10am today 4/16).

Dennis, an avid bowler (and pool player) was reluctant to start Wii bowling while he was still competing in league bowling two nights a week.  After watching for a few nights, he decided he would try it.  He was hooked.

Meyers has become a coach for those just learning.  One of his success stories is MaryAnn Harkness, who bowls from a wheel chair.  MaryAnn, a left handed bowler, had the distinction of having a bowling technique named after her.  The slow moving, and often ineffective attempt, was lovingly named the "MaryAnn ball".  That term may fade into history after working with Dennis..  So much so, that on April 15, MaryAnn not only bowled two 200+ games, but beat her mentor's score in one of the games. 

There are over 40 residents now playing the Wii Bowling.  Plans are underway to have a Friday night handicap summer league. 

Residents can check out the system from the towers' Snack Shop to play at a time convenient for them.  There are scheduled times for open bowling on Sunday evenings and Thursday mornings.  Open bowling is also available most evenings after 9pm.

The system was purchased by the 400 Towers' Resident Council.

A 7-year-old child was struck by an ATV in Pavilion at 4:18 p.m., Wednesday, and taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The condition of the child is unknown. The Sheriff's Office withheld her name from a report on the incident released late Thursday night.

The accident occurred on Walker Road in Pavilion.

The ATV was registered to Carolyn Manning. The driver was identified as a 12-year-old boy.

The report by Deputy Cory Mower says the youth spotted the child and tried to stop, but was unable to stop in time.