Creek Road Bridge will be reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 14th to both lanes of traffic.
For the past two weeks, there was a single lane closure on Creek Road at the intersection of Cook Road in Bethany for painting the bridge over the Little Tonawanda Creek.
County Highway Department
From Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, 61st Senate District:
A recent report confirmed what far too many Western New York families already know; New York State is one of the most expensive states for childcare in the nation. According to the report, childcare costs the average family in New York State over $14,000 annually for a single child.
Unfortunately, childcare is only one example of New York’s affordability crisis. In addition to childcare, NY is one of the most expensive states to retire in and has some of the highest property taxes, income tax rates, and energy costs.
Equally troubling is that despite paying tremendous costs, our services and infrastructure regularly scores in the middle or bottom of the pack nationally.
Regrettably, the 2019 legislative session only made matters worse.
New and higher taxes, cuts to cost-saving programs and new mandates that will increase food and energy prices will not help Western New York families. If you own a home, have a child, are retired, use electricity, or eat, it will now be more expensive to live in New York.
Making New York State more affordable is one of my top priorities and now more than ever we need to embrace my Affordability Agenda.
The Affordability Agenda lowers taxes for the middle class, cuts energy taxes, and provides for real mandate and regulatory reforms to ensure that these measures are sustainable.
In addition, I am sponsoring legislation to make child care more affordable (S4458) and to cap property taxes for seniors (S4579). Seniors should not be forced out of the homes they own due to annual property tax increases. It is critical to accomplish this by reforming our government, not simply shifting the tax burden.
I will continue to do all I can to support policies that help hard working Western New Yorkers. We will never reach our full economic potential if we continue to have some of the highest taxes and most burdensome regulations in the nation.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants In the areas south of Main Street and west of Jackson Street on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 14 and 15, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 16, from approximately 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.
This 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 do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Batavia Downs will host the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 14) when the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) return for their fifth of nine 2019 stops and the two divisions that will compete for a combined $107,000 in purses look to be very competitive races.
The first leg (carded as race four) goes for $53,000 and has Cash Roll (Roll With Joe-Rockonomics) installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
Cash Roll has won three of five starts this year, two of which were in NYSS action, and currently sits second in points and fourth in earnings. She took her lifetime mark of 1:56 last month at Yonkers in a gate to wire, 4-¼ length romp in the mud. She has outstanding gate speed and loves to cut the mile and after drawing post one for this race, must have her driver Scott Zeron feeling really good about their chances.
Merga Hanover (American Ideal-Magic Starlight) has a similar career path to Cash Roll. She also has three wins to her credit, two in the NYSS, is third in earnings and fourth in points and also likes to be on or near the lead. The only variant to her schedule this week is she picks up Matt Kakaley to drive and he knows the Batavia oval very well. Kakaley and Merga Hanover will leave from post six.
If the front end pace between those two gets hectic, The Fun Marshall (So Surreal-Hallmark Hanover) will be close to pick up the pieces. The Fun Marshall didn’t get her year off to as fast a start of her opponents, but she certainly made a statement on July 11. After sitting a garden spot trip, she closed sharply down the lane to score a lifetime best victory of 1:55.4 at Yonkers over a sloppy track. The Fun Marshall starts from post two with Billy Davis Jr. in tow.
In the second $54,000 division, Racine Bell (So Surreal-Ty’s Artist) brings a stellar resume to post and has been recognized as the favorite by the track handicapper at 5-2 as a result.
Racine Bell is the top money earner among her peers and is also tied for the top in points. She has three wins in six starts, hasn’t missed the board all year and comes into this race off a career best tying 1:56.1 win at Yonkers. Her regular driver Jason Bartlett will be in town to drive once again and they will start from post seven for this event.
Turnthefrownaround (Roll WIth Joe-Knockout Pout) is the second choice at 3-1 but appears to be a real wild card. Although she has the fastest win time of this group this year from a 1:53.3 victory over the 5/8th’s mile track at Tioga Downs, she has also made two breaks at Monticello and Yonkers which are both half-milers. She will be on a half Wednesday at Batavia and will have to mind her manners to succeed. Matt Kakaley has been assigned the drive and he start that task from post five.
Major Battle (Art Major-Savhorsrideacowboy) makes her first NYSS start but recent form shows her potential. Although she has exhibited gate speed in her first lifetime start, her last start shows her strong closing ability after she got away eighth by 15-lengths at Mohawk and paced the final five-eighths of a mile parked-out and closing to finish second in 1:53.3. Jim Morrill Jr. picks up the drive and the pair will start from post four.
There are also three $15,000 divisions of the Excel “A” series on the card. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.
Press release:
The Batavia Muckdogs are pleased to announce that the Thursday, Aug. 15th, game vs. the West Virginia Black Bears will be First Responders Night at Dwyer Stadium.
In appreciation of area first responders, the Muckdogs will be offering two complementary General Admission tickets to the game for all active police, fire, and emergency services personnel.
First responders can receive their tickets by showing proper identification at the Dwyer Stadium box office during normal business hours (weekdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) leading up to the game or on game night up until the seventh inning.
In addition, first responders will have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets beyond the two complementary at the group rate of $5 per ticket.
The Muckdogs currently have a three-game lead over West Virginia for first place in a hotly contested playoff race.
First pitch Thursday is set for 7:05 p.m. and it’s also Thirsty Thursday, presented by Labatt. All fans 21 and over can enjoy $2 16-ounce cans of Blue and Blue Light until the seventh inning.
A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the Village of Oakfield at 95 N. Main St.
Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
A first responder reports the car is on its roof, on fire. Minor injuries. The road will be shut down.
The location is between Cary Avenue and Bennett Avenue.
UPDATE 5:29 a.m.: The fire has been extinguished with a fire extinguisher. All occupants are out.
UPDATE 5:41 a.m.: Apparently two vehicles are involved since a dispatcher said "Ron and Newt's (towing) will be in route for both."
Photos by Alex Feig/WBTA.
Press release:
The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 6.
The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands on experience. Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.
The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 9, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month.
The program dates are: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 11, April 8, and May 13.
Youth that complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.
The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.
The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.
Applications for the program can be found here. Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585)344-3960 or at youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.
A deck is on fire at 99 Myrtle St. in the Village of Le Roy. It is attached to the house. Le Roy fire is responding along with an engine from the city and mutual aid from Bergen. The landlord is on scene. Flames and smoke are showing. Le Roy police and medics are on scene. The location is between Craigie and Gilbert streets.
The road is being shut down at Myrtle and Craigie, and at Myrtle and Gilbert.
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: The fire was put out about 20 minutes ago. The roads are reopened.
UPDATE 3:09 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment was put back in service a minute ago, but a unit will remain on scene "until the homeowner arrives."
A Rising Stars Music Concert will be performed at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia, starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Join us as local artists and rising stars Ross Chua and Madison Hoerbelt perform some popular as well as original piece of music for this Richmond Memorial Library concert.
For more information, call the library at 343-9550 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.
Leah Zicari performs the songs of Joni Mitchell at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia, starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
The impact of music in our lives plays a huge role in the book "Southernmost," the 2019 Richmond Reads Community One Book. One character in particular finds solace in the music of Joni Mitchell, which is reflected throughout the novel.
For more information, call the library at 343-9550 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.
Press release:
MIDDLETOWN -- Following his momentous first ever NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) win at Eldora Speedway, Stewart Friesen will continue on the trail of his scheduled Northeast dirt racing events in the Halmar no. 44 Big Block Modified. One planned stop for the NGOTS number 3 in points driver is Orange County Fair Speedway's Centennial Race Weekend, the unprecedented 100-year-anniversary event that pays $100,000 to win.
Friesen's no. 52 Chevy Silverado has actually been sporting OCFS on the hood to promote the event that may shape up to be dirt track racing's biggest ever.
When Friesen rolls into Middletown NY for the big $100K show, he'll be hauling in more than just his no. 44 modified, as Orange Motorsports & Entertainment (OME) has just revealed that Friesen and Eldora runner up, NGOTS driver Sheldon Creed, will run at Middletown's Legendary "House of Power" in a special 10-Lap exhibition.
Their trucks and haulers will be on display starting Friday, Aug. 16th, to all Centennial Race Weekend attendees, then on Saturday the 17th (before the big $100K race) Sheldon Creed will get his rematch with Stewart Friesen, 10-laps to make it happen. This will be the first time ever that NASCAR Truck Series trucks have been at Middletown.
Sheldon Creed is 21 years old and comes from El Cajon, Calif. He's an X-Games Gold-Medalist and two-time Stadium Super Trucks Series champion. Creed is known for his diversity to drive anything with four wheels, competing in the Stadium Super Trucks (SST) Series where he has accumulated six wins in only 12 starts.
In 2017 Creed competed in the Trans-Am Series, ARCA, K&N, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, totaling 28 different races with eight different teams. Sheldon won the 2018 ARCA Racing Series Championship and competes full time in 2019 with GMS Racing in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.
Friesen’s opportunities in the NASCAR Truck Series have come largely from his ability to develop a complete driver’s skillset while racing 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds in the Northeast, where for the last few years he has been absolutely dominant. Can Creed’s adaptability outpace Friesen’s dirt modified experience when the two face off competitively in the 160-Lap, $100,000 to win big finale at the Centennial Race Weekend that follows their NGOTS exhibition? That’s right, Sheldon Creed will strap into a Dirt Modified for a real shot at redemption against Friesen (and MANY more talented drivers), on the DIRT!
In addition to this unprecedented, NASCAR approved exhibition, Orange Motorsports & Entertainment (OME) has jam packed the three-day Centennial Race Weekend with fun activities, attractions, live music and historical tributes.
With a newly resurfaced track, upgraded facilities and more new seating recently added, OCFS is poised to become the Northeast's premiere racetrack. While the Centennial Race Weekend will be a tribute to the Speedway's rich history, it will also set the precedent for what is to come in this grassroots raceway's future.
It is alleged that in the month of July, while in the Village of Le Roy, that Frisby subjected a female to sexual contact by forcible compulsion. Frisby was arraigned before the court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
Jeremy D. Lyons (inset photo, below right), 34, of Perry Road, Le Roy, is charged with one count each of the misdemeanors of third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. A violent domestic/assault led to the arrest of Lyons, a parolee, in the Village of Le Roy on Aug. 6.
Afterward, Lyons ran off. Lyons was located later that day by police after a small search, in which Lyons was discovered hiding in the weeds in the area of the Little League Field between East Main Street and St. Marks Street. Following his arrest, Lyons was arraigned and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $750 bail. A parole violation warrant was also issued due to this incident.
Darrell D. Smith, 52, of Highland Parkway, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. He was arrested after a domestic incident at midnight on Aug. 8 on Prune Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due in city court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.
Carlos E. Flores, 27, of Rand Street, Rochester, is charged with second-degree harassment. Flores was arrested after an incident at 8:35 p.m. Aug. 11 on Bank Street in Batavia. He allegedly threatened a person using gestures with his hands during a verbal dispute that caused the victim to be in fear. He was issued an appearance ticket and released and is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.
Darius Lamar Jones, 27, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance; unlawful possession of marijuana; speed violation -- exceeding 55 mph; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. At 9:02 p.m. on Aug. 7 on Route 33 in Byron, Jones was arrested after a traffic stop. It is alleged that "criminal indicators were observed," leading to a search of Jones and his vehicle. The search allegedly yielded marijuana, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. He was issued appearance tickets for Sept. 9 in Byron Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy James Stack.
Linda Marie Clemens, 58, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and DWI. At 11:23 p.m. on Aug. 7, deputies responded to the parking lot of Batavia Downs on Park Road for a reported motor-vehicle accident. When they arrived they located Clemens in her vehicle. It is alleged that Clemens struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot. She was released on appearance tickets for Aug. 26 in Batavia Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brock Cummins, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.
(name redacted upon request), of Farwell Drive, Batavia, is charged with unreasonable noise. He was arrested following a loud music complaint at 11 a.m. on Aug. 9 on Farwell Drive. He was released on an appearance ticket for Aug. 20 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Jason Ivison.
Carrie A. Stewart, 39, of Church Road, Darien, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested after an investigation of a larceny that occurred at 11:47 a.m. on Aug. 10 on East Main Street in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 20.
Christine Wark, 34, of School Street, Le Roy was arrested by the Le Roy Police Department on July 22 and charged with one count of petit larceny after a complaint from a local business that Wark was allegedly seen shoplifting inside the store. Upon arrival of the Le Roy Police, Wark was arrested and released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Le Roy Court at a later date.
Cody N. Proefrock, 26, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested after allegedly shoplifting from a local store at 5:20 p.m. on Aug. 6. He turned himself in. He was issued appearance tickets and released and is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 20. The case handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.
Tony J. Aguglia, 39, of Main Street, Clarence, is charged with failure to appear. He responded to Batavia Police station at 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 and turned himself in on an arrest warrant. He is due in Batavia City Court on Aug. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.
Dispatch received a complaint that a female placed a turtle on her front porch and has not been caring for it. It has been on the porch for about a week. The call came from a neighbor. Didn't catch the location. An animal control officer is responding.
An unoccupied SUV in the grocery pickup section of the Walmart parking lot reportedly has a dog locked inside. The caller waited by the vehicle 15 minutes to see if the owner would return before calling dispatch. An animal control officer and a deputy are en route.
UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: The deputy is on site and speaking with the dog owner. The deputy advises the animal control officer can disregard the dispatch.
Photo: Joey Pro with driver Jim Morrill Jr.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Trainer John Hallett left the friendly confines of Tioga Downs with Joey Pro this week in lieu of a visit to Batavia Downs on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 11) but despite the change in venue, they came away with the same result. Joey Pro scored another win, but this time in the top-class $12,500 Open Handicap trotting feature at the oldest lighted harness track in North America.
Joey Pro (Jim Morrill Jr.) made it quick and simple; he left, took the lead and outlasted the competition. Morrill set quarters of :29, :58.1 and 1:27 with the field pretty much single-file behind him. Going into the last turn, Wheels A Turning (Dave McNeight III) was moving up the outside first-over, two-lengths behind the leader. But he was also trotting up a storm. When the race straightened out down the lane, Wheels A Turning had drawn almost even with Joey Pro and appeared poised to motor right on by, but Joey Pro swelled up and held him off at the wire to win by a nose in 1:56.2 for his third straight victory.
Well on his way to beating his career year of 2018, Joey Pro ($10.80) has now registered eight wins in 2019 and pocketed $41,780 in purses for owner Mark Wamp.
The $11,000 Open II Handicap trot also went to an outsider after Saratoga Raceway regular Rose Run Speedster (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled past the half, took control of the race before the three-quarter pole and rebuffed a late bid by Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) to win handily by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.4.
Rose Run Speedster ($4.40) is owned by Simzer and Derue and trained by Brett Derue.
Jim Morrill Jr., Shawn Gray and Billy Davis Jr. all had driving triple on the card; Davis scoring the natural hat trick in the final three races of the day. Trainers Brett Derue, JD Perrin and Steve Kiblin all had two wins apiece.
Live racing resumes Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 14) and the New York Sire Stake 2-year-old pacing fillies will be in town to compete for $107,000 in purses. Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.
Submitted photo and press release:
The Batavia Muckdogs start an important six-game home stand late this afternoon at Dwyer Stadium with a two-game lead over West Virginia in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.
The Muckdogs take on Mahoning Valley today at 5:05 p.m. as well as Monday and Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
The second-place West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates) are at Dwyer Stadium Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, all games at 7:05 p.m.
On Saturday night, Batavia needed extra innings to fight off Pennsylvania's third-place State College, 3-2.
State College had a 2-1 lead in the ninth, but Batavia Manager Tom Lawless went to work with a series of moves to tie the game.
After Harrison Dinicola singled, Ronal Reynoso pinch ran and Julian Infante singled him to second. Lawless then called on Brayan Hernandez to lay down a bunt which sent Reynoso to third. Jack Strunc then hit a ball to the right side scoring Hernandez to tie the game.
In the 10th, the minor league rules start a runner on second. Lawless put the speedy Kobie Taylor on the bases and he scored on a fielders choice by Troy Johnston.
In the bottom of the 10th, Lawless turned to closer Evan Brabrand, who got one out on a bunt, moving the tying run to third. He struck out a batter and got a groundout to Dalvy Rosario for the win.
Brabrand, a ninth-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year out of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., is 3-1 on the season with 11 saves in 15 appearances with a 1.84 ERA.
Eli Villalobos, a 14th-round pick out of Southern California's Long Beach State in 2018, had a strong start, going five innings with six strikeouts, did not allow a run and walked just one scattering three hits. Brock Love struck out three in two innings and Josh Simpson struck out two in 1.2 innings without a walk or run, lowering his ERA to 0,63.
At the plate, J.D. Orr, the NYPL's leading hitter went 2-for-5 with his 23rd stolen base as Johnston, Nic Ready (Double) , Dinicola, Infante, Strunc and Mikey Hernandez (RBI double) all had hits.
Sean Reynolds walked and stole his second base of the season.
Kids run the bases today after the game and MuckPup Kids Club members get in free. There will be autograph sessions and a chance for photos and selfies with your favorite players starting at 4:20 p.m. near the concession stand.
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.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Saratoga Raceway regular Saulsbrook Deputy shipped into Western New York on Saturday night (Aug. 10) for the first time and immediately laid down the law after winning the $12,500 Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs
Driver John Cummings Jr. took his time placing Saulsbrook Deputy on the lead but cleared by the quarter and opened up a two-length advantage at the point. The pair then proceeded to the half in a pedestrian :58.2 split before Lucan Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) rolled up on the outside with Iammrbrightside N (Ray Fisher Jr.) on his back to apply some pressure for the second circuit.
The top three horses maintained their positions to the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and then around the last turn where Saulsbrook Deputy was still two-lengths clear. But Iammrbrightside N tipped three-deep around the stalled Lucan Hanover and was barreling down the middle of the track and closing with every stride. Cummings was urging his horse all the way down the lane and Saulsbrook Deputy responded and stayed game to win in 1:55.1.
Saulsbrook Deputy ($5.70) scored his fifth win of the year for owner Kevin Quinn and brought his 2019 earnings to $49,491. Paul Zabielski trains the winner.
In the undercard $11,000 Open II pace, Drunkonaplane (Billy Davis Jr.) scored his second straight win at Batavia Downs after a very strong performance.
Drunkonaplane had the lead four-steps off the gate and relinquished that spot only momentarily before the quarter when he let Manceiver (Jim Morrill Jr.) clear. But he immediately retook the front and closed out the deal. Davis cut quarters of :56.3 and 1:24.4 before turning for home and holding off 51-1 shot Tullow N (Ray Fisher Jr.).
Drunkonaplane ($4), who now has six wins this year, is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice is the trainer.
Several horsemen and one horsewoman had very productive nights at Batavia on Saturday. Billy Davis Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. both had four winners on the card while trainers Jackie Greene, Paul Zabielski and Maria Rice all sent two winners to the winner’s enclosure.
Live racing resumes Batavia Downs on today (Aug. 11) Post time for the first race is 1:15 p.m.
A two-car accident with injuries is reported on the Citgo Gas Station property at 8204 Park Road. NYS Troopers are on scene. Mercy medics are called for reports of generalized pain. Town of Batavia Fire Department is also responding.
UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: One vehicle is blocking traffic.
UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: A first responder on scene says injuries are minor. There is a lot of debris in the roadway.
UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: The town assignment is back in service.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
