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A Batavia couple who lives on Walnut Street in the city is facing multiple charges relating to animal cruelty, according to a press release this afternoon from Batavia PD.

Brandon M. Maldonado, 26, of 52 Walnut St., is charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal and offering a false written statement.

His live-in girlfirend, 36-year-old Melissa A. Broadbent, is charged with: "overdriving, torturing and injuring" an animal; endangering the welfare of a child; first-degree coercion; offering a false written statement; intimidating a witness or victim in the third degree; and owning/harboring an unlicensed dog.

Both were arraigned in front of City Court Judge Durin Rogers and put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

On Aug. 3, Batavia Police Officer Flanagan and Animal Control Officer Sheflin received a report that Maldonado poured scalding water on a young pit bull named "Rocky" sometime between July 20-21 at his residence. This resulted in second-degree burns on the dog's shoulders and rib cage, causing considerable pain.

Through the officers' investigation, it was determined that Broadbent lied to the police and instructed her children to do the same thing -- pour scalding water on the dog -- in an attempt to prevent Maldonado from being arrested.

The couple was subsequently arrested. Rocky was taken to a vet where he was treated for his injuries and is now in the care and custody of the GC Animal Shelter.

Press release:

Back-to-School season is here! It’s time for parents to gather school supplies and backpacks. Whether it’s a baby starting at a new daycare, a toddler heading to preschool, a student going back to elementary, middle or high school – or even a college freshman – parents should also check their child’s vaccine records. 

“These settings are highly susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases,” said Dr. Gregory Collins, Wyoming County Health commissioner. “Children can easily transmit illnesses to one another due to poor hand washing, uncovered coughs, dense populations and other factors.”

To emphasize the importance of immunizations for people of all ages – and make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need – the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming county health departments are joining partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. 

“Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC’s immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure a healthy future for their children,” said Paul Pettit, Genesee & Orleans Public Health director. "If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check with your doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs.”

Vaccines protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.  When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.

Talk to your child’s doctor to find out which vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school.

For more information about the recommended vaccines for each age group visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Information on NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance:

https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/schools/updated_school_imm_requirements.htm

For more information about Health Department services, use the contact information below.

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5000, or visit its Web site at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html.  Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter at GeneseeCoHealthDept.

Press release:

The HomeCare & Hospice Foundation has launched its 2015 Annual Appeal to increase support and awareness for its hospice care services in Genesee and Wyoming counties.

“Thanks to generous donations we receive every year, we are able to provide compassionate and quality care to patients in a way that enables them to make the most of their final days with friends and family close by,” said Kathleen Neeson, HomeCare & Hospice development manager.

As the need for hospice services continues to grow throughout rural Western New York, community support becomes increasingly important to HomeCare & Hospice.

To make a donation to HomeCare & Hospice, visit www.HomeCare-Hospice.org/appeal or call Neeson at 1-800-719-7129.

Contributions made to the agency help provide patients with necessary medications and medical equipment, the expertise of physicians, skilled nurses and aides, and the emotional support of social workers and spiritual care professionals.

“We at HomeCare & Hospice often proudly voice our mission of ‘Today, make a difference,’” said Carol L. Mahoney, HomeCare & Hospice CEO. “We are able to make meaningful differences in many lives because of the wonderful generosity of our community members.”

Gifts to the HomeCare & Hospice Foundation are tax deductible.

The body of an as-yet-unidentified white male was retrieved from Tonawanda Creek this afternoon, but police officials have little other information to provide the public at this point.

Around 2:30 p.m., authorities received a call about a possible body in the creek near Kibbe Park. City police and fire, Sheriff's deputies, a rep from the District Attorney's Office, and a county Coroner, converged at the scene, described as the embankment near where the creek curves by the park.

They confirmed a dead body, dressed in shorts, a T-shirt, no shoes. There was no canoe, boat, kayak or other vessel around, "but nothing's off the table at this point," said Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill.

"I couldn't even tell you an age," Hill said. "Looks like he may have been in there awhile, but we don't have an exact time on how long it was. ... We won't know until the autopsy comes back officially. ... We'll probably have more information on that tomorrow or Monday, depending on when the autopsy takes place -- possibly who he is or what the cause of death is."

The 79th Annual Elba Fire Department Onion Festival starts this afternoon! Grounds open at 5 o'clock. The Firemen's Parade begins at 7.

There will be roast beef on weck available from the Ladies Auxiliary inside the Rec Hall at  6 p.m. and Buffalo Amusements will be providing rides from 7 to 11.

At 9 o'clock the band Blood Money performs inside the Beer Tent.

Take advantage of the chance to win a 2015 Ford Mustang or $20,000 cash, courtesy of Orleans Ford.

On Saturday, the fun continues will the Kiddie Parade, starting at noon in front of Dan's Pizza. Afterward, there will be a Kids' Tractor Pull at the Memorial Statue, and more beef on weck available from the Ladies' Auxiliary.

Also Saturday:

• 1 to 5 p.m. -- Ride Specials
• 4 p.m. -- Chicken BBQ inside the Rec Hall
• 6 to 10 p.m. -- Ride Specials
• 6 p.m. -- Mac & Company perform in the Beer Tent
• 7 p.m. -- ***CROWNING OF THE ONION QUEEN*** -- by the Memorial Statue in front
• 9 p.m. -- Savage Cabbage performs in the Beer Tent
• 11 p.m. -- Grand Prize winner announced -- choice of 2015 Ford Mustang or $20,000 cash

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12 and 13, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area north of East Main Street and east of Bank Street.

Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your home or business by running all water faucets for a minute or two.
Thank you-
Lieutenant Greg Ireland

An ATV is reportedly on fire at Bank and Vine street. City firefighters are en route.

A structure fire is reported at 8062 Harris Road. Le Roy and Pavilion fire departments are responding. The location is said to be a metal-working shop behind a residence. It's by Linwood and Asbury roads.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: "It's going to be a stove fire, knocked down in that shop," says a dispatcher.

Press release:

Foxprowl Collectables is celebrating being open five years at 440 Ellicott St. in the City of Batavia, this Saturday Aug. 8. Former Heavyweight Champion TNA Wrestler ERIC YOUNG will be at the store doing autographs and taking pictures with fans from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.!

Foxprowl Collectables opened against the odds during the recession and the state's Ellicott Street lane reduction project. But it has since created local jobs and grown into a
Batavia attraction for many out-of-town and out-of-state consumers.

The event "Foxprowl-Con" promises to bring high-profile attention to the city and the store, continuing the rapid growth of Foxprowl Collectables.

Saturday's event will include free hot dogs and sodas, giveaways and more. See you there!

Press release:

Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., is seeking volunteers to be leaders and side-walkers for our Therapeutic Horsemanship Fall lesson session, beginning
Friday, Sept. 11, until Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.

Purple Pony, located at the Double G Ranch in Bergen, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that provides equine opportunities to people with disabilities
or diverse needs. 

We offer our lessons from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. We will hold a training session on Tuesday, Aug. 25th at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Gail Ehmann, volunteer coordinator, at gail.ehmann@gmail.com or 585-721-9080.

Further information can be found at our Web site purplepony.org under the Volunteer tab.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alabama and Shelby, will be accepting applications for the refuge’s reserved waterfowl hunt days beginning Aug. 15. Reservations are required for opening day of the New York State regular waterfowl season on Saturday, Oct. 24 and the following Saturday, Oct. 31.

These dates are tentative pending approval of the recommended waterfowl hunting season.

Interested hunters must complete the Waterfowl Lottery Application Form and return it to the refuge office at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013. Applications will be accepted no earlier than Aug. 15 and due by the deadline of 4 p.m., Sept. 15. Application forms can be requested by mail, by phone, in person, or by email at iroquois@fws.gov

A PDF version of the form may also be downloaded and printed by following a link on the refuge Web site http://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois/.

Hunters will be selected by a lottery and notified by mail. The number of permits issued will be dependent on water levels in the hunt area. Reservations are non-transferable.

Those selected must be at the Waterfowl Permit Station, located on Route 77, between 4:30 and 5 a.m. on their appointed day to select their hunt stand and obtain their permit. Consult the refuge’s Waterfowl Hunting Fact Sheet for addition information.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact refuge staff at 585-948-5445 or through the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339. Iroquois NWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For further information contact: Iroquois NWR, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013, or call Madeline Prush at 585-948-5445.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Lake Plains Waterfowl Association, will host its 42nd Annual Young Waterfowlers Program. The program will include an orientation class at the refuge headquarters and a youth-only hunt day on Saturday, Oct. 3.

This date is tentative pending approval of the recommended New York State youth waterfowl hunting dates. The Young Waterfowlers Program will be open to junior hunters between 12-15 years of age. There is no charge but space is limited with preference given to first time participants. Pre-registration does not guarantee participation. Those selected will be notified by mail.

To pre-register, complete the Waterfowl Lottery Application Form and return it to the refuge headquarters at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 by the deadline of 4 p.m., Sept. 8.

Application forms can be requested by mail, by phone, in person, or email at iroquois@fws.gov. A PDF version of the form may also be downloaded and printed from the refuge Web site http://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois.

The orientation class date will be announced at later date. The morning session of the orientation class will consist of a New York State sanctioned Waterfowl Identification Certification class from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The afternoon session from 12:30 – 3 p.m. will cover decoys and calls, ballistics, clothing and equipment, hunter ethics and safety, an overview of the refuge waterfowl program as well as a retriever demo and trap shoot. The afternoon session is mandatory in order to participate in the hunt, except for those who have been through the program at least twice before.

All junior hunters will be required to have a guide with them on the day of the hunt. We strongly recommend each junior hunter secure their own guide prior to orientation in accordance with DEC Junior Hunting License Regulations. We have a limited number of guides who can volunteer; therefore we cannot guarantee a guide for each junior hunter.

For additional information about the program, please contact Madeline Prush at 585.948.5445. Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact refuge staff at 585.948.5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1.800.877.8339.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located midway between Rochester and Buffalo and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Press release:

Darien Lake and Live Nation have teamed up to offer concert-goers free park admission for the Rascal Flatts show on Saturday, Aug. 29. Tickets for this show are on sale now at www.livenation.com

Anyone who purchases a ticket to this concert at the Performing Arts Center will have full access to Darien Lake on the day of that show, Aug. 29, free of charge. To take advantage of this end-of-summer deal, guests can simply show their concert ticket at the park’s main gate window.

Parking at the theme park is also included with proof of concert ticket purchase. The concert itself starts at 7:30 p.m. The theme park is located at 9993 Alleghany Road in Darien Center.