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At the Pentagon yesterday, walking down the hall toward the auditorium where the ceremony was held to induct David Bellavia into the Hall of Heroes, I noticed several Civil War displays, so I immediately started looking for anything related to Gen. Emory Upton. I spotted this small placard.

As I was trying to line up a shot, a Pentagon official walked up behind me and said, "Sir, photography is not authorized in this area of the Pentagon." I said, "But this is Emery Upton -- he's from our hometown; there's a big monument to him ..." the official said, "OK, hurry up."

Batavia is now permanently represented in the Pentagon by Upton, Charles F. Rand, and David Bellavia.

Durin Rogers, running to move up from part-time City Court judge to full-time, won the Republican primary vote Tuesday, beating attorney Ben Bonarigo, 644 votes to 396 votes.

Rogers also won on the primary lines for Conservative and Independence by 43-16 and 48-34, respectively.

Though Bonarigo was unable to win the Republican line for the general election in November, he will still appear on the ballot on the Democratic line.  

Bonarigo faced no challenge for the Democratic line.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 1 College Road, in front of Genesee Coummunity College.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m.: Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: Two flatbed tow trucks are called in.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will soon begin an ongoing Autism Support Group for adults age 18 or older with a disability on the autism spectrum, who are able to participate independently in a group.

Autism is an '"umbrella term" that includes a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders found statistically in 1 of 59 children, that affect socialization and communication.

FREE for the attendees, the Autism Support Group will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on alternative Tuesdays, starting July 16 at ILGR’s office in the Crickler Executive Center, 319 W. Main St., Batavia.

The agendas for the gatherings will be determined by the participants and could include social activities like board games or bowling, getting training or professional development, or other pursuits they feel would be beneficial.

Participants must pre-register to attend; to sign up or get more information, please call David Dodge at (585) 815-8501, ext. 414, or email him at ddodge@wnyil.org.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

This evening, David Bellavia, with his wife and family at his side, was honored in a reception attended by top Army leaders, previous Medal of Honor winners, and many of the men he served with in Iraq.

For the combat veterans in Washington to witness Bellavia receiving the Medal of Honor, it is the first time they've been together as a group since Iraq. The greetings were those of brothers, with great warmth.

Top photo: David Bellavia speaking with Leroy Petry, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan in 2008 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Also pictured on the right, Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch, who is from Rochester.

David Bellavia receives a pin from Sherwood Goldberg, a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army.

David Bellavia and former CNN correspondent Michael Ware. While a CNN journalist, Ware was embedded with Bellavia's unit in Fallujah and witnessed Bellavia's actions on Nov. 10, 2004.

Colin Fitts, a retired sergeant first class, says he is alive because of David Bellavia, the Batavia resident who will receive the Medal of Honor tomorrow in a ceremony at the White House.

On Nov. 10, 2004, Fitts and Bellavia and their men walked into an ambush in a house in Fallujah. Five insurgents had barricaded themselves in the house and didn't reveal their positions until after the platoon had entered. The platoon couldn't exit the house without exposing themselves to hostile fire. Bellavia commenced suppression fire allowing the men to escape.

Later, Bellavia reentered the house to try and finish the job because his men were still exposed to hostile fire from the insurgents in the house while they were on the street and single-handedly killed all of the insurgents in the house.

David Bellavia

Col. Douglas R. Walter, who was a company commander in Iraq and nominated Bellavia for the Medal of Honor in 2005, along with Maj. Joaquin Meno, who was a lieutenant in Bellavia's unit in Iraq, and Bellavia.

Michael Ware, a journalist embedded Bellavia's unit, discusses what he witnessed Nov. 10, 2004. Ware entered the house with Bellavia and attempted to film the ensuing battle. Because he didn't have night vision goggles, he lost contact with David and when the house fell silent, Ware exited and said he had lost contact with "Sgt. Bell." Men from Bellavia's unit entered the house and by the time they located Bellavia he had already killed all of the insurgents in the house.

We'll have video from the press conference, along with interviews wiht Walter, Meno, and Fitts later.

A disturbance is reported on Holland Avenue in Batavia. The caller says she can see sticks being used. City police are responding.

At his arraignment, his attorney Marshall Kelly said his client pleads not to: criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony; and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, a Class B misdemeanor.

On March 27, law enforcement allegedly found 56 bags of crack cocaine at a house on Liberty Street, Batavia. Wilcox was one of five individuals arrested as a result a joint investigation a result of a joint investigation by the Probation Department, Child Protective Services, and the Local Drug Task Force.

Wilcox’s $20,000 bail bond was also continued by Judge Charles Zambito.

Oral arguments for Wilcox's case will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Genesee County Courthouse.

From Tap Batavia Chair Erin Worbs:

The third annual Tap Batavia is set for 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, in Downtown Batavia, hosted by the Batavia Area Jaycees.

Tickets are $35 and the deadline to buy them is June 30.

Each ticket includes a Tap Batavia T-shirt, one beer ticket each at: Bourbon & Burger Co.; Center Street Smokehouse; Eli Fish Brewing Co., T.F. Brown's Restaurant; O'Lacy's Irish Pub. The price also includes pizza and wings donated by T.F. Brown's and Center Street Smokehouse.

Designated driver tickets are $10, and everything is included but the beer tickets.

A portion of the proceeds benefits Crossroads House.

Tickets can be purchased by cash or check given to any current member of the Batavia Area Jaycees, or by paying through Venom to @Erin-Worbs.

The Facebook event page for it can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/431218950791694/

Contact tapbatavia@gmail.com with any questions, or to set up a time to meet to pay for tickets with cash or check.

More than 170 fourth-grade students from John Kennedy Intermediate School celebrated Moving Up Day as they will enter in the Middle School this coming school year in September.

Principal Amanda Cook presented along with teachers for various academics, merit, arts, physical education and school based awards to students. Many parents, educators, family and friends celebrated today's ceremony.

A big bull-mastiff-type dog named "Giovanni" is missing. He became lost this afternoon in the vicinity of Liberty and South Jackson streets in the City of Batavia.

The owner, devoted reader Bernie Thompson, emplores citizens -- "DO NOT CHASE." We're guessing that to do so with this large, hunky charcoal-brindle-coated canine would be to risk possible injury, if not, daresay, worse.

He is most assuredly male, neutered, and microchipped. Giovanni was last seen wearing a robin's-egg-blue collar and leash.

If found, or if you have information about him, call 813-3087.

His left front paw, curiously, has two middle toes that have white tips. And he has a small white patch on his stout chest.

UPDATE June 24: This morning owner Bernie Thompson reported Giovanni is home safe and sound!

Batavia High School's 137th commencement occurred this afternoon at Genesee Community College in the Richard C. Call Arena.

Valedictorian Julia Spiotta (pictured below) encouraged members of the Class of 2019 to “fall forward” into their future endeavors in the face of both adversity and success.

She left this message with her class:

“Whatever we did over these years, we did it together knowing that the Class of 2019 was united, which is something I believe is very special about us.

“I’d like to thank you, members of the Class of 2019, for making high school so memorable. Today — June 23, 2019 — has been a day that we have all eagerly anticipated. Now that it is finally here, it is a very bittersweet day.”

During her speech, Salutatorian Tracy Lin remarked:

“Although we physically will no longer be in BHS, I have no doubt that each one of us will always carry in their memories the laughs, achievements, classes, sporting events and the homecomings we’ve experienced as a class."

Commencement speaker Mark Warren, a mathematics teacher at BHS, said: “A life of service is not always easy, which is why it must be a conscious decision. You have to be the person that decides to live your life in the service of others … It’s time to commence your life of service."

Loud applause filled the arena as graduate Antwan Odom, who was approved to attend commencement alongside his classmates, received his diploma.

Presentation of awards and diplomas was given by Paul Kesler, principal of BHS; Patrick Burk, president of the Board of Education; and Christopher Dailey, superintendent of schools. Sunday’s commencement was Dailey’s last BHS graduation prior to departing for his new superintendent position at Gates Chili Central School District.

To view or purchase photos go to steveognibenephotography.com or click here.

Below, Salutatorian Tracy Lin.

A three-vehicle collision is reported in the area of 5141 Clinton Street Road. It is blocking traffic and there is a lot of debris in the roadway. Minor injuries. The location is between Collegeview Drive and Shady Lane.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Crystal Lynn Kiebzak, 37, of Main Street, Wyoming, is charged with second-degree reckless endangerment. On June 22 at a campground on Francis Road in Bethany, Kiebzak was arrested at 7:35 p.m. following the investigation of a child who was resuscitated after drowning in a pool. She was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and issued an appearance ticket for 7 p.m. July 16 in Bethany Town Court. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

David George Morgan, 65, of Roanoke Road, Stafford, is charged with second-degree menacing. He was arrested at 6:56  p.m. on June 20 on Roanoke Road in Stafford. It is alleged that he intentionally placed an individual in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by displaying a dangerous instrument -- a screwdriver. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court and released under supervision. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Duane Kenneth Miller, 54, of Linwood Avenue, Warsaw, is charged with illegal use of toxic vapors. Following an investigation into a subject allegedly huffing in the Walmart parking lot in Batavia, Miller was arrested at 12:45 p.m. on June 21. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on July 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.