A motorcycle rider from Saegertown, Pa., succumbed over the weekend to injuries he sustained in an accident on Route 20 in Alexander on Saturday.

According to State Police, Frank L. Eckart, 65, was eastbound on Broadway Road and was slowing for the intersection with Route 98 when he lost control of his bike.

Eckart was ejected from his 2005 Harley-Davidson along with a 61-year-old passenger, whose name wasn't released.  

Mercy Flight transported Eckart to Erie County Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The accident was investigated by State Police. 

Alexander fire assisted at the scene.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.57, down 2 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.83. The New York State average is $2.77 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.99.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.76 (down a penny since last week)
• Buffalo - $2.74 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca - $2.68 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Rochester - $2.73 (down2 cents since last week)
• Rome - $2.76 (down a penny since last week)
• Syracuse - $2.63 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Watertown - $2.72 (down 2 cents since last week)

Despite increased demand with Labor Day weekend travel, pump prices continue to drop as refineries switch over to winter-blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce than the summer blend.

With hurricane season underway, storm damage to a refinery is a threat that could push prices up, along with international tensions. Otherwise, motorists should enjoy cheaper gas prices this fall.

Four people were arrested on drug-related charges, including one suspected drug dealer, following a raid at a residence on Pearl Street in Batavia on Thursday night.

Members of the Local Drug Task Force, assisted by the Batavia Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant following an investigation into possible narcotic trafficking at 9:30 p.m.

Taken into custody were: Edwin Peart Jr., 36, of Brookridge Drive, Rochester; Marc C. Cook Sr., 29, of Pearl Street, Batavia; Aamaje Z. Bell, 18, of Brooklyn Street, Batavia; and Matthew C. Olcot, 40, of Woodstock Gardens, Batavia.

Peart is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, promoting prison contraband, 1st, and obstructing governmental administration. He was ordered held without bail.

Cook is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and unlawful possession of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Bell was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Bell was issued an appearance ticket.

Olcott was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ryan Matthew Sharlow, 49, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree assault, second-degree menacing with a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal mischief. At 10:42 p.m. on Aug. 28, deputies were dispatched to a residence on School Road in the Town of Stafford for a reported disturbance. Sharlow allegedly struck a victim with a blunt object, which caused physical injury, and he allegedly threatened another victim. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court and jailed in lieu of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. He is due in Stafford Town Court at 1 p.m. on Sept. 10. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Shannon Gene Draper, 45, of Transit Road, Pavilion, was arrested after allegedly damaging another person's property following a domestic incident at 10 p.m. on Aug. 29 on Transit Road, Pavilion. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court and released on his own recognizance after temporary orders of protection were issued for the victims. He is due in Pavilion Town Court at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 3). The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Michael E. George, 56, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child under age 16 as passenger -- with a prior conviction within 10 years; DWI with previous convictions; and moving from lane unsafely. At 12:03 a.m. on Sept. 1, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore conducted a traffic stop on Route 63 in the Town of Batavia. George was subsequently arrested, arraigned in Town of Batavia Court, and jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash or $2,500 bond. He is due in Town of Batavia Court at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23.

Jordan Lee Hull, 25, of Alpine Lane, Caledonia, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; moving from lane unsafely; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle; and unsafe tire. He was arrested following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 10:03 p.m. Aug. 31 on Circular Hill Road in Le Roy. He is due in Town of Le Roy Court on Sept. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Jenna Lynn Josephite, 30, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree and promoting prison contraband in the second degree. At 8:35 a.m. on Aug. 29, Genesee County correctional officers were processing Josephite after her arrest in the City of Batavia for petit larceny. It is alleged that she knowingly and unlawfully entered the Genesee County Jail while in possession of contraband -- drug paraphernalia. This was a metal smoking pipe commonly used for narcotics. She is currently under supervision of NYS Parole for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. Parole was notified and a parole detainer was issued. Josephite was transported to Batavia City Court and arraigned, then jailed in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Correctional Officer D. Stone and Correctional Officer Philip Mangefrida.

Jeremiah D. Welchruth, 18, of Lockport, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; driving while intoxicated; and speeding. At 11:08 p.m. on Aug. 29, Welchruth was arrested on Main Road in Pembroke following a traffic stop. He was issued an appearance ticket for Sept. 19 in Pembroke Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Christine Marie Hulme, 53, of Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; driving left of pavement markings; and operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile phone. Hulme was arrested at 10:18 p.m. on Aug. 30 on Sumner Road in Darien. She was issued an appearance ticket for Sept. 17 in Darien Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor.

Bobby James Mulder, 40, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more, and driving while intoxicated. He was arrested at 3:48 a.m. on Aug. 31 on Lake Street in Le Roy after an investigation into a complaint of an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Mulder was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Le Roy Town Court on Sept. 12. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department during the Brantley Gilbert concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday:

Jacob D. Dobrick, 22, of Treehaven Road, West Seneca, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Jestus P. Hoffman, 21, of Boston State Road, Hamburg,  is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Charles P. Mitchell, 39, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave Darien Lake property after being told to leave numerous times.

Amber L. Haynes, 28, of Pioneer Lane, Delevan, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly striking a Live Nation security guard in the face.

Encompass Genesee is a Corfu-based, nonprofit organization whose mission it is to provide social activities and employment training for people with developmental disabilities.

They will hold their debut get-together event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Kiwanis Park in the Town of Batavia. Food will be provided!

All are invited to come out and enjoy an evening of fun making new friends.

Attendees will get a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card!

Kiwanis Park is located at 3808 W. Main Street Road.

A workshop for individuals in recovery and their friends, family and allies -- based on the book "Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening" by Robert J. Meyers and Brenda L. Wolfe -- will be held Wednesday (Sept. 4) at Northgate Free Methodist Church.

Time is 6 to 8 p.m. Address is 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia (North Campus). Presenter is Pastor Vern Saile.

About the Book

Historically there have been few options available for individuals seeking help for treatment-resistant loved ones suffering from substance abuse. Coauthor Dr. Robert eyers spent 10 years developing a treatment program that helps concerned significant others improve the quality of their lives and learn how to make treatment an attractive option for their partners who are substance abusers.

"Get Your Loved One Sober" describes this multifaceted program that uses supportive, nonconfrontational methods to engage substance abusers into treatment.

Called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), the program uses scientifically validated behavioral principles to reduce the loved one's substance use and to encourage him or her to seek treatment. Equally important, CRAFT also helps loved ones reduce personal stress and introduce meaningful, new sources of satisfaction into their life. 

For more information or to register, please text/call Sue Gagne at 585-815-5248 or via email at sgagne@gcasa.org

Presented by RECOVERY WOW (WithOut Walls), providing safe, sober health and wellness activities geared toward individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder and their families. ("You are not alone in this." Peer recovery advocates are here for you 24/7: (585) 815-1800.)

Submitted photo and press release:

It was a wild Sunday in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division as the first-place Batavia Muckdogs fell to Auburn, 3-1 and West Virginia, which is tied with Batavia for first, lost to Mahoning Valley, 11-1.

As a result the teams are tied with 40-35 records. Batavia is at Auburn on Labor Day at 1:05 p.m. and West Virginia is at Mahoning Valley at the same time.

Auburn took a 3-0 as Pedro Gonzalez tossed five innings of no-hit ball with six strikeouts.

Batavia scored as Dalvy Rosario doubled and scored on a J.D. Orr RBI.

But that was all the Muckdogs could muster. The pitching staff was solid as Jackson Rose took the hard-luck loss, going 4.2 innings with five strikeouts, no walks and a hit.

Josh Simpson went 2.1 innings with a strikeout and Jonakier Villalobos went two innings with a strikeout.

Orr stole two bases to give him 29 on the season while Milton Smith II stole his 20th base.

If the Muckdogs make the playoffs as the division winner or the wild card champion, playoff tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Call 585-483-3647 for information on 2020 season tickets.

Photo: Batavia's Sean Reynolds used his 6-foot-8 frame to leap, snag this ball over his head then reach bag to tag Landerson Pena of Auburn.

A 28-year-old driver from Rochester is suspected of running a stop sign on eastbound Lockport Road where it intersects with Route 98 in Elba, causing a two-car crash that led to serious injuries for his female passenger.

Nikitha Ganeshmurthy, 27, of Edison, N.J., is listed in stable condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after being transported there by Mercy Flight following the crash, reported at 6:17 p.m.

Tickets were issued to the driver of the car she was in, a 2017 Subaru WRX, Ashwin Mallikarjunaswamy, 28. Mallikarjunaswamy was cited for alleged failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield right of way.  

The couple was in route to Niagara Falls, according to Sgt. Andrew Hale.

The intersection is a frequent accident location with westbound cars often missing the stop sign at Lockport Road.

"It tends to be people from out of town who tend to miss that stop," Hale said.

Mallikarjunaswamy's sedan was struck on the passenger side by a 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Edward M. Buczek, 65, of Elba.

Buczek suffered minor injuries and self-extricated from his pickup truck.

Investigators do not believe either driver was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Mallikarjunaswamy suffered minor injuries as well. 

The crash investigation is being handled by Sgt. Andrew Hale, Sgt. James Deihl, Investigator Christopher Parker, Deputy Kyle Krzemien, Deputy Mathew Clor, Deputy Erik Andre, Deputy Brock Cummins, and Deputy Jordan Alejandro. Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Elba Fire Department, Barre Fire Department and personnel from Mercy EMS and National Grid.

(Initial Post)

As part of Oakfield's annual "Labor Daze," Crazy Cheap Cars hosted a classic car show on Saturday.

A two-car motor vehicle accident, with a one-vehicle rollover, is reported at Lockport Road and Quaker Hill Road, Elba.

One person is reportedly trapped in a vehicle.

Unknown injuries.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: A person in a pickup truck has self-extricated.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: A landing zone is being set up for Mercy Flight.

Submitted photo and press release:

A fan will win a $500 airline voucher today for Allegiant Airlines at the Batavia Muckdogs game at Dwyer Stadium.

Gates are at 4:05 pm. and first pitch is at 5:05 p.m.

Batavia General Manager Brendan Kelly announced other specials as well today including $2 Sahlen's Hot Dogs, $3 for all 16 ounce beers and $4 for the Eli Fish craft beer selection.

There are also new autographed items in the team store and the 2019 trading cards are going fast.

Fans have a chance to hold their current seat or reserve your favorite seat for the 2020 season for only $50! That will hold your seat until April 1. To get the low early-bird pricing, pay in full by Oct. 15.

The ticket office is open or call 585-483-3647.

Submitted photo and press release:

The wild 2019 New York-Penn League season will come down to the last day for division winners and the wild card as seven teams fighting for two spots are separated by one game.

Batavia and West Virginia each have a 40-34 record in the Pinckney Division while Hudson Valley, Aberdeen, Brooklyn and Staten Island are in the mix as well.

Batavia lost, 12-5 to Auburn on Saturday night, while West Virginia swept Mahoning Valley.

A crowd of 2,133 packed Dwyer Stadium Saturday for Fan Appreciation Night as the Muckdogs attendance has reached 42,101 (average of 1,169) for the season with today's game left at 5:05 p.m. In 2018, 29,005 fans attended games in Batavia.

Nic Ready hit his 30th double of the season for Batavia while Troy Johnston singled and drove in his 33rd run of the year. Jack Strunc (RBI, his 17th), Albert Guaimaro (RBI, his 16th), J.D. Orr and Dalvy Rosario had hits. Harrison Dinicola drove in his 12th run of the season.

Edison Suriel tossed a perfect inning with a strikeout and newest Muckdog, lefty Andrew Nardi threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Nerd was a 16th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year out of Arizona. The 21-year-old is from West Hills, Calif. The Muckdogs also added the second round pick of the draft by the Marlins, Nasim Nunez to the roster. Nunez,19, was drafted out of Collins Hill High in Georgia. He is a switch-hitter.

The gates open at 4:05 p.m. today and there will be autograph alley. There will be autographed team helmets and other items for sale. It is the final home game of the regular season. The Muckdogs end the season at 1 p.m. on Labor Day in Auburn.

The box office will be open at noon today.

M.D. Johnson delivers a pitch to the plate with Jack Strunc playing second. Johnson struck out two in 1.2 innings.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs want to see a big crowd for tonight's 7:05 game against the Auburn Doubledays; it's Fan Appreciation Night with a post-game Disney-themed fireworks show presented by Ferrellgas.

The Muckdogs are in the midst of a heated playoff race and look to PACK THE PARK with great ticket and food and beverage specials!

To celebrate Fan Appreciation Night, all general admission tickets will be only $5.

Food and beverage specials will include $2 hot dogs, $2 peanuts, $1 chips and $3 craft beer cans.

The Batavia High School 2019 Section V championship team will be honored as well.

In addition, the team will host a post-game launch a ball contest with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Willie Bee Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase six tennis balls for $5 for the chance to win round-trip airfare on Allegiant Air and other great prizes.

Tickets are available now online at Muckdogs.com or can be purchased at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office until the seventh inning on today.

About the Willie Bee Foundation

The Willie Bee Foundation is a not for profit charitable organization that benefits local families that have a child facing life threatening ailments by proving monetary, medical and social support services.

About the Muckdogs

Recognized as the birthplace of the New-York Penn League and one of it’s founding franchises, 2019 marks the 80th season of professional baseball in Batavia. Operated by Batavia Muckdogs Inc., the Muckdogs are the Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Miami Marlins and the only professional sports franchise in Genesee County.

Submitted photo of BHS 2019 varsity baseball team and coaches -- Section V champions -- first published June 1.

Submitted photo and press release:

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- Nic Ready has been called the best Major League Baseball prospect on the Batavia Muckdogs roster this season. He has been called a five-tool player.

Friday night, he was called Mr. Clutch.

In the eighth inning, the Muckdogs were tied, 1-1 with West Virginia and Ready was up with two strikes and two outs and the bases loaded. He delivered a bases-clearing double down the left field line for the 4-1 lead which would hold up for the win.

Batavia (40-33) is ahead of West Virginia (38-34) by 1.5 games as Batavia has three games left with Auburn and West Virginia has four with Mahoning Valley.

West Virginia plays a doubleheader tonight. If they lose both and Batavia wins at home (first pitch 7:05 p.m. at Dwyer) on Fan Appreciation Night, the Muckdogs make the New York-Penn League Playoffs as Pinckney Division champions.

Ready, a 23rd-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins out of the Air Force Academy, is still active in the armed forces and very active with the Muckdogs, as he went 3-for-4 to increase his average to .267 and the three RBIs. The double was his 29th of the season and belted his second triple of the year. Ready has nine home runs including an inside-the-park HR.

Batavia catcher Michael Hernandez blasted his third home run of the year for the only other Batavia hit. J.D. Orr, Troy Johnston and Andrew Turner scored on Ready's double. Sean Reynolds stole his fourth base of the season.

Pitching was the story of the game for both teams.

Andrew Miller threw a no-hitter for four innings. The lefty was a 40th-round draft pick out of Kentucky by the Marlins and struck out three with no runs.

Eli Villalobos went 2.1 innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts then Brock Love picked up his first win to improve to 1-0 as he there 2.2 innings of perfect baseball, striking out three. Love, a 2019 34th round draft pick out of Alabama now has a 2.45 ERA and earned his first save of the season this past week.

Batavia is home tonight and home Sunday at 5:05 p.m. before ending the season at Auburn on Monday.

Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night and fireworks. The Batavia High School 2019 Section V championship team will be honored as well.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photo: Andrew Miller, Batavia's lefty ace, threw a no-hitter in his four innings on the mound Friday night in West Virginia. Batavia won, 4-1 thanks to a Nic Ready triple to inch closer to the playoffs.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on Friday released the results of his 2019 Legislative Survey, which contained more than 2,200 responses from residents of all ages and party affiliations across Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties.

The survey, conducted earlier this summer, covered topics such as gun control, dividing New York into two separate states, single-payer health care, abortion, farm worker unionization and plastic bag bans, among other topics. 

To take the survey, go to bit.ly/HawleySurvey. 

“Listening to our constituents’ concerns and questions is the prime responsibility we have as lawmakers and this survey proves, above all else, that most Western New Yorkers in my district are not supportive of the radical progressive policies coming out of Albany,” Hawley said.

“Things like giving pay raises to incarcerated felons and enacting a state takeover of healthcare are so far removed from the needs of millions of New Yorkers it continues to baffle me how they are considered top priorities by many downstate lawmakers.

"I look forward to continue traveling my district this fall and sharing these survey results with my neighbors as we gear up for next year’s session and lawmakers begin to formulate their legislative platforms.”

Highlights of Assemblyman Hawley’s Legislative Survey:

Do you support Assemblyman Hawley's "Two New Yorks" proposal (A.1687-a) that would create a non-binding ballot question of "Should New York be divided into two states?" (2,145 responses)

• YES    80.2%
• NO      19.8%

What do you think is the best way to grow New York's economy? (2,090 responses)

• Cut taxes on small businesses                                                           62.6%
• Lucrative tax breaks for out of state companies                                 3.3%
• Have government take over certain sectors like health care              4.1%
• Investment in infrastructure                                                                30%

Recreational marijuana is legal in 10 states and is being considered in New York. Do you support legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana? (2,169 responses)

• YES    29.6%
• NO      70.4%

Should immigrants who have not become citizens be allowed to obtain a New York State driver's license? (2,170 responses)

• YES    13%
• NO      87%

Should taxpayers fund an increase to the minimum wage for inmates in state prisons? (2,172 responses)

• YES    6.6%
• NO      93.4%

Do you support Assemblyman Hawley's call for an armed 'School Resource Officer' in every school in New York State? (2,140 responses)

• YES    76.2%
• NO      23.8%

Do you support a repeal of the NY-Safe Act? (2,085 responses)

• YES    75.8%
• NO      24.2%

Do you support allowing farm workers to unionize? (2,067 responses)

• YES    33.5%
• NO      66.5%

City of Batavia Fire responded to a call of a house fire on 18 East Avenue early Saturday morning. The fire started the up stairs unit bathroom.

A smoke detector alerted the couple living up there that there was a fire. They called 9-1-1 and woke the tenant on the first floor alerting her to the fire. All evacuated safely and are currently being give aid by he neighbors. Two cats remain in the building.

The fire is knocked down. Building is being ventilated.

East Avenue is currently closed between Ross and Vine streets.

UPDATE 4:10 a.m.: One cat made it out on its own, the second cat was rescued by Batavia fire and is being given oxygen. There was also an infant in the upstairs apartment who was evacuated safely and appears to be fine but is being evaluated by EMS.

Initial investigation indicates the fire was ignited by faulty electrical in the upstairs bathroom.