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Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Office would like to congratulate all of the 4-H members who exhibited animals at the 2018 Genesee County Fair.

Special thanks to our club leaders, volunteers, family members and friends who volunteered their time; the 4-H program would not be possible without your help!

Below are some highlights from the 2018 Genesee County Fair Livestock Shows.

4-H Beef Cattle Show

Novice Showmanship – Audrey Dorman

Junior Showmanship – Cody Carlson

Senior Showmanship – Caleb Carlson 

Master Showman – Caleb Carlson

Supreme Champion Female – Shianne Foss

Grand Champion Beef Steer – Shianne Foss

Grand Champion Dairy Steer – Cody Ehrmentraut

4-H Dairy Cattle Show

Novice Showmanship – Chloe Lamb

Junior Showmanship – Mason Werth

Intermediate Showmanship – Georgia Luft

Senior Showmanship – Mary Sweeney 

Master Showman – Mary Sweeney

Reserve Master Showman – Emily Mikel

Master Fitter – Emily Mikel

Reserve Master Fitter – Amelia Brewer

Grand Champion Ayrshire – Justin Deleo

Grand Champion Lineback – Jillian Brewer

Grand Champion Guernsey – Colton Slattery

Grand Champion Holstein – Emily Mikel

Grand Champion Brown Swiss – Emily Mikel

Grand Champion Jersey – Caroline Luft

Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn – Mary Sweeney

Supreme Champion – Mary Sweeney

Reserve Supreme Champion – Emily Mikel

4-H Dairy Goat Show

Novice Showmanship – Gabe Winn

Junior Showmanship – Jade Winn

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Best in Show Doe – Melissa Keller

4-H Meat Goat Show

Novice Showmanship – Brooke Frega

Junior Showmanship – John Riley

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – John Riley

Best in Show Doe – John Riley

4-H Sheep Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Maisy Ross

Reserve Master Showman – Ashley Ehrmentraut

Champion Halter Showman – Mya Grant

Supreme Champion Ram – Becky Kron

Supreme Champion Ewe – Brendan Pimm

Champion Market Lamb – Becky Kron

4-H Hog Show

Novice Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Junior Showmanship – Cody Carlson

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Supreme Gilt – Melissa Keller

Champion Market Hog – Alianna Baris

4-H Market Animal Auction Goat Show

Junior Showmanship – Lily Haacke

Senior Showmanship – Melissa Keller

Master Showman – Melissa Keller

Grand Champion Market Goat – Melissa Keller

Reserve Champion Market Goat – Tyler Jirovec

4-H Market Animal Auction Hog Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Ben Kron

Master Showman – Ben Kron

Grand Champion Market Hog – Melissa Keller

Reserve Champion Market Hog – Camden Baris

4-H Market Animal Auction Dairy Steer Show

Senior Showmanship – Carolyn Sybertz

Master Showman – Carolyn Sybertz

Grand Champion Dairy Steer – Carolyn Sybertz

Reserve Champion Dairy Steer – Cody Ehrmentraut

4-H Market Animal Auction Beef Steer Show

Junior Showmanship – Kaidan Hofheins

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Becky Kron

Grand Champion Beef Steer – Caleb Carlson

Reserve Champion Beef Steer – Cole Carlson

4-H Market Animal Auction Lamb Show

Junior Showmanship – Brendan Pimm

Senior Showmanship – Becky Kron

Master Showman – Brendan Pimm

Grand Champion Market Lamb – Becky Kron

Reserve Champion Market Lamb – Melissa Keller

4-H Market Animal Auction Poultry Show

Junior Showmanship – Georgia Luft

Senior Showmanship – Clare Mathes

Master Showman – Clare Mathes

Grand Champion Pen of Market Chickens – Jillian Brewer

Reserve Champion Pen of Market Chickens – Jillian Brewer

4-H Market Animal Master Showmanship Contest

Overall Master Showman – Shianne Foss

City police just arrived at 2 Olin Ave. after a caller reported yelling and a fight in front of that address. In addition, one subject reportedly has a knife. That suspect fled on foot, headed toward Holland Avenue. He has a basball cap on backwards and is wearing jeans. The police are with him now in the Speedway parking lot.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: The address of 4 Olin Ave. was added to the job.

(File photos.)

Foxprowl Collectables has come full circle. This Saturday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m., the toy and collectibles shop will host a Grand Opening in their former location -- 440 Ellicott St. in the City of Batavia.

Until then, they are open for a few hours each day there while getting things set up for regular business.

At the Grand Opening, there will be:

• Brenden Gillard, an artist, voice actor, costume designer and "Barnes & Nobles best-selling author";
• Anthony Zicari, comic writer and editor, whose worked on Dark Horse, Antarctic Press, London Night Studios, Narwain Publishing, Marvel Comics, Legendary Press, and INKWERK Studios;
• A Genesee County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at noon;
• Meet-and-greet pics with Batman's Penguin, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Scooby-Doo;
• Giveaways and more!

Bill and Joy Hume, married business partners, opened their business at 440 Ellicott St. in 2010. It had begun the year before as an eBay operation.

On Sept. 1, 2016, having outgrown the Ellicott Street storefront, they moved into roomier, swankier quarters at the southeast corner of Main and Jackson streets. In early 2017, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce named Foxprowl the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year for 2016.

A few months later, in June 2017, the Humes announced they would shutter their store altogether to concentrate on online sales, supplemented by "pop-up" or temporary store dates at the Falleti Ice Arena, and the ever-popular annual Foxprowl-Con at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

We can only guess that customers clamored for their brick-and-mortar return, enabling them to "geek out," as Bill Hume likes to say, on a regular ongoing basis when the mood strikes.

Press release:

Genesee Community College has published its 2016-2017 Annual Report -- available for the first-time ever completely online!

In addition, the College adopted an agricultural theme for the report highlighting the surrounding community.

GCC's 2016-2017 Annual Report was published on a special website, http://annualreport.genesee.edu/ to support the College's sustainable business practices as well as to maximize accessibility to the information contained within the report. From the welcoming message on the report's homepage to the photos recounting the past year's dynamic stories, GCC demonstrates its commitment to the theme "Plant. Water. Harvest. Repeat."

"At its core, GCC plants seeds of knowledge, waters and cultivates the learning experience, recognizes and celebrates the harvest of contributions, and continuously refines and repeats the process to ensure our future," President James M. Sunser, Ed.D., said in the report's opening message. "We hope we have captured how our efforts echo the hard-work, innovation and dedication of the farming families and agribusinesses that have long made our community a strong and vibrant place to work, live and grow."

A multitude of stories with accompanying photographs are celebrated in the report representing innovative programs that "Plant" seeds for student success. Events such as the Annual Tech Wars hosted by the Accelerated College Enrollment program, lectures by Multicultural Communications Club, volunteers working with Habitat for Humanity and many other stories reflect GCC "We plant" initiatives.

The report's "Water" chapter includes images from a plethora of community events such as Veterans Day, the Harvest Festival and the popular Cougar Crawl weekend. Perhaps, and most appropriately, the "Harvest" chapter of the report is the longest, highlighting all the ways students, faculty and staff contribute to the community through GCC's Center for the Arts productions, the Scholars Symposium, the annual Fashion Show, commencement and so many meaningful efforts.

It is through the annual repetition of GCC's efforts that our communities continue to grow and succeed -- which are highlighted in the report's "Repeat" chapter. Finally, the "Supporters" tab of the report pays tribute by listing those whose donations to the College have helped ensure long-term success.

Everyone is encouraged to view the annual report at http://annualreport.genesee.edu/ and join in the celebration of the accomplishments of the past academic year.

File photo (submitted) of Daisy Klein, Lee Johnson, Barbara Easton, George Squires, George Wood, Jennifer Wood and Sharon McWethy.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, the memorial created in May 2017 to honor the late Dennis Wood, an artist, professor and longtime ACORNS volunteer, will be dedicated.

ACORNS is a nonprofit "friends of the park" group that enhances the public’s experience at the Genesee County parks and fosters environmental stewardship and education.

His widow, Jenny Wood, announced that the ceremony will take place at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Center. It is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

Everyone is welcome; feel free to bring picnic goodies and stay for brunch or lunch!

Dennis Wood was known to be very generous and good friend of the Genesee County Parks in many ways.

He gave his time by participating in ACORNS meetings and field trips, and attending many educational programs. Dennis donated some of his own collections to the Interpretive Nature Center and funded the purchase of children’s field binoculars for use during kids' programs at the park.

Dennis was a very talented artist, and he provided beautiful note-cards for the ACORNS to sell as a fundraiser. The cards feature some of his landscapes and wildlife paintings, and are available for purchase at the Interpretive Center.

Dennis loved to share the joys of art as a professor at GCC, and taught a beginner drawing class to the ACORNS as a volunteer training day. Dennis was a delightful person to be around and is remembered for his quiet way of making people smile and laugh.

His memorial is a fully functional artist's easel that was paid for with funding from ACORNS and a donation from Jenny Wood. It is located in the ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center at Genesee County Park & Forest.

The easel's design was created by Paul Osborn, parks supervisor, and Kurt Schwab, Genesee County Highway Department sign maintenance mechanic. It was then laser cut by Oxbo International. Genesee County Highway welder Rob Barone adapted the donated easel to install the newly created art platform, which was then painted by DJ Desjardins in the paint shop.

Press release from the City of Batavia Police Department:

Thursday, Aug. 2, the sixth annual GLOW Corporate Challenge will be starting out at 6 p.m. on Richmond Avenue in front of the NYS School for the Blind.

Starting at approximately 5:30 p.m., until approximately 6:15 p.m.,, Richmond Avenue will be closed from Prospect Avenue to Bank Street for the start of the GLOW Corporate Cup.

The race is expected to have a large group of runners and walkers in the area. The run will take place in the North-East sector of the City.

Vehicles traveling in the area should expect extended delays while runners and walkers are in the area. Please plan accordingly or make alternative travel routes to avoid the area.

Anyone with information in reference to any suspicious activity are encouraged to contact the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or online here.

Press release:

Batavia’s premier consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), in cooperation with the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC), is hosting a public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 14, to gather consumers' input on how to direct the use of Federal Independent Living funding to provide full access for people with disabilities in their community.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at ILGR's main office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia.

NYSILC representatives will collect participants' experiences, comments, critiques, and ideas to formulate New York's 3-Year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for 2020 to 2022.

NYSILC is committed to providing full access for people with disabilities. Like the other SPIL comment Public Meetings being held across the State, it is open to the entire community, with materials provided in alternative formats.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) for Deaf participants, and Assistive Listening Devices for hard-of hearing attendees will be provided. To be friendly to those with allergies, it is a "smoke-free" and "fragrance/scent-free" gathering. Questions about the hearing can be directed to Brad Williams of NYSILC at 518-427-1060.

The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is designed to improve Independent Living (IL) services for individuals with disabilities in New York State. The IL State Plan also helps to identify the needs and priorities of consumers, providers, and other stakeholders involved in the Center for Independent Living (CIL) network to highlight and identify common strategies to direct the use of Federal IL funding.

For those unable to attend, written comments must be submitted to NYSILC before 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. Comments can be sent via mail to NYSILC, 111 Washington Ave., Suite 101, Albany, NY 12210, faxed to (518) 427-1139, or emailed to bradw@nysilc.org.

Comments can also be sent by visiting the NYSILC website at www.nysilc.org. Click and follow the menu options provided on the home page for "SPIL Comments."

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.

A Pearl Street Road resident accused of neglecting her 3-year-old female dog appeared briefly in Town of Batavia Court this afternoon.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Becky L. Frens approached the bench of Judge Michael Cleveland flanked by her attorney Michael Ranzenhofer.

The senator with 38 years of legal expertise is a partner in the law firm Friedman & Ranzenhofer PC, with eight offices in Western New York, including one on Main Street in Batavia.

Ranzenhofer cited unspecified "complications" and asked for a delay in the case. The people, represented by Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl, told the judge they are ready to proceed in the matter.

Cleveland granted Ranzenhofer's request for a delay and the next court appearance for 56-year-old Frens is set for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27.

Today, Frens looked a lot different than the photo taken July 10 following her arrest by troopers from the Batavia Barracks of the State Police after she went to the Genesee County Animal Shelter to retrieve her dog.

She is charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring an animal; and failure to provide proper sustenance under the state Agriculture & Markets law, Article 26, Section 353, which is a Class A misdemeanor. (Find the section in Ag & Markets law here.)

If found guilty, a defendant faces jail time of more than 15 days but not greater than one year. In addition, a fine of up to $1,000 can be imposed.

Frens was dressed in a solid blue, A-line knit top, three-quarter-sleeved with lacy cut-outs, mid-calf black capris, and delicately embossed, pale blue slides. Her medium brown tresses looked freshly curled and hung well past her shoulders. She wore eyeglasses.

Looking only slightly better today was Frens' former pet, a Labrador retriever mixed breed named Maya, which happens to be Sanskrit for "create."

The dog still has a long road ahead.

Volunteers walked her out for a visitor at the Animal Shelter at about 2 o'clock.

Animal Control Officer Ann Marie Brade said when Maya was brought in "she was able to walk, but the length of her nails was so long, that she was not able to walk on concrete or tiles, which is what we have at the shelter, until her nails were cut. With the long nails and the shape of her pads, it was painful.

"She has some genetic issues and some splayed tendons. She doesn't have much muscle mass; she can't stand the heat. When she first came here, she couldn't exercise for any length of time. 

"She was very thin and she is still gaunt. Very underweight, you can see her hips. Since she's been getting treatment, she's put on a few pounds. But we don't want her to put on a lot of weight yet, so it's a constant battle of weighing her, adjusting her feed. The Volunteers for Animals help monitor her and give her special feed. They take her to the vet and pay for the vet bills. 

"She has open sores on her body, bacterial infections, fungal infections. She has several infections we are getting under control. She has demodectic mange, which is in everyone's system, but when the immune system becomes compromised, it goes haywire."

On top of all that, she is nearly 90 percent deaf now because of chronic, heretofore untreated infections in both ears. There is a lot of scar tissue in her ears as a result. She can hear a whistle, but not much else. 

Maya's eyesight was also impaired. She could not see a hand held out with a treat in front of her face -- at least not at first -- she kept missing it with her muzzle. But after three weeks of some decent nutrition and medical control of her infections, she can find the hand in front of her nose.

She's not as stinky. She can manage to jump onto the seated lap of a volunteer these days; a feat that she could not do only a couple of weeks ago.

And despite everything, "she's always happy to see us," said volunteer Lynette Celedonia.

Maya belongs to the shelter and it will hold onto her until she is healthy enough to find a home -- food, water, walkies, treats, mercy, humaneness, decency.

The woman who initially found Maya is seriously considering adopting her, although, with the interest in Maya's story, Christina Homer-Roviso is sure there will be many contenders.

Homer-Roviso said she never had a clue the neighbors across from her sister-in-law's house had a dog. Then came the day earlier this month when Maya was standing across the road looking pathetic.

Homer-Roviso coaxed her across the asphalt in order to help her and she said "watching her try to walk was hard." 

"Oh, my gosh, that dog was starving," said the sister-in-law, Lynne D. Homer. "We gave her two bowls of cat food, some baloney, and sausage; she drank three bottles of water."

"She was missing patches of fur, was (in) really, really bad (condition). ... Someone like (Frens) should not have a freakin' animal and to live in a house like that," said a visibly shaken Homer-Roviso, fighting back tears.

Frens lives in a 3,236-square-foot Colonial built in 2002. The four-bedroom, two-bath custom-built home also has two outbuildings and sits on 11.7 acres. The assessed value is $283,400.

"I own five dogs, horses, goats, chickens, and cats. I tell my kids 'You can go get food and water. These animals can't. You have to do that for them.' "

For previous coverage, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.

The YMCA is sponsoring a Kickball Tournament on Aug. 11 at the Batavia High School athletic fields to benefit the Healthy Children and Families Coalition.

Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 12.

Funds raised will assist the coalition in providing local families with the Y's Get Fit Program at no cost. 

There will be Family Teams of all ages playing, as well as Adult Teams for ages 16 and older.

Entry fee is $100 per team of eight to 10 players.

Deadline to register is Aug. 1.

Register by stopping by the YMCA at 209 E. Main St. in Batavia or by calling 344-1664.

On the day of the tournament, registration sign-in begins at 9 a.m. and kickoff is at 10. Batavia HS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

Chicken BBQ will be available for $10, tickets presale or day of tournament. Buy presale tickets at the Batavia Youth Bureau, 12 MacArthur Drive, Batavia (Phone is 345-6470.).

Press release:

The Alzheimer’s Association® Western New York Chapter is offering a number of programs and services across Genesee County in August. These programs are free and open to the public.

Haxton Memorial Library at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield will host "Know the Ten Warning Signs: Early Detection Matters" at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 29.

This program will focus on recognizing potential warning signs of memory problems because early diagnosis is critical to ensure that families can plan for the future together, take advantage of available resources and take part in social engagement programs where they can interact and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Additionally, the Chapter trains facilitators to lead several monthly caregiver support groups across the county, which allow caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges and hear advice for overcoming them:

Batavia:

• 3^rd  Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. – Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St.
• 3^rd Thursday at 1 p.m. – Genesee County Office for the Aging, 12 Bank St.

Le Roy:

• 2^nd Monday at 2 p.m. – The Greens of Le Roy, 1 West Ave.

Telephone Support Group:

• 2^nd Wednesday from 12:10-12:55 p.m. – For more information, call the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611

A community social program, or respite, is also available every month in Corfu. This program provides relief to those who care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia and offers them some time to refresh and recharge, while their loved one is engaged in social activities in a safe environment.

Indian Falls United Methodist Church at 7908 Allegany Road offers a respite service on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month. For more information, call Celinda McQuiston at (585) 762-9105.

To learn more about other Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, contact the WNY Chapter office at 1.800.272.3900.

Pictured from left are: Ellen Bachorski, Carol Grosso, Millie Tomidy-Pepper, and Barb Toal.

Submitted photo and press release:

On Tuesday, July 23^rd, officers of the Friends of Batavia Peace Garden presented Millie Tomidy-Pepper, director of the YWCA, with a donation in the amount of $400.

The gift came as a result of a hot dog sale fundraiser hosted by the Peace Garden committee on Saturday, July 7^th.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to this outstanding organization that does so much for our community," said Barb Toal, co-president of the Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden. "When the going gets tough we need to stick together. Our community needs the services of the YWCA. We want to support that and do our part.”

Tomidy-Pepper was delighted to receive such a generous donation and stressed that “the mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism and empower women. We will strive to keep this mission alive and going."

The Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden gained nonprofit status in 2013. They continue to partner with other community organizations including Domestic Violence Against Children, Holland Land Office Museum, United Way and Crossroads House.

"Although the Garden is a thing of beauty it also symbolizes a sense of pride for this community and all who dwell here," Toal said. "It takes a lot of effort to maintain it. Volunteers are needed. If you enjoy gardening we have just the right spot for you. An hour or two of your time once a week can make a big difference.”

Visit www.bataviapeacegarden.com or text 585-300-9252.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk.”

Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. Bring your lunch to the CCE office at 420 E. Main St, Batavia and join us.

This free series is open to the public. Registration is not required.

On Aug. 7 check out “Autumn Awesomeness.” Fall is a great time to garden after so many of summer's challenges are past.

If you'd like a garden filled with Autumn Awesomeness, we have a few ideas to get you started right away. Late interest plants are important, but there's more, and that "more" will make your garden sing year round.

Sept. 4 drop in for “Tips on Ticks.” Learn about which ticks you may find in your backyard or farther afield. With tick encounters on the rise learn how to identify a tick, what diseases they may carry and how to protect yourself and your family from being bitten by a tick.

Oct. 2 finds us exploring “A Witch's Garden.” Witches were once considered wise women and healers.

They used plants they grew or found in their environment to cure ills as well as cast spells. You, too, may have your very own witch's garden...come explore the folklore and plants of the witch.

On Nov. 6 we will wrap up the Garden Talk year with a demonstration on how to make an outdoor greens display for the winter. Get ideas for a creating a container that can take you past the holidays and look good all winter.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website here. Contact 343-3040, ext. 101, for more information about this or other CCE programs.

From a press release and other sources:

Tetelestai, an alternative metal band with members from Genesee County and Buffalo, will be performing at next week's Kingdom Bound festival at Darien Lake Amusement Park.

Founded in 2015 as a worship project, the band consists of: Ronnie Shrock, from Buffalo -- vocals; Andrew Perkins, from Stafford -- rhythm guitar; Paul Mitro, from Buffalo -- lead guitar; Marci Jonathan, from Batavia -- bass; and Nate Jonathan, from Elba -- drums.

Tetelestai will be playing on the Awaken stage inside the park at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 30^th.

The band's name derives from the Greek for “It is finished,” which is found only twice in the New Testament: In the Gospel of John (19:28 and 19:30) and nowhere else in the New Testament. According to John's Gospel, those were the last words spoken by Jesus of Nazareth, uttered before his death by crucifixion at Golgotha.

The band spreads a message of hope and love through their music and works to tear down the stigmas associated with mental illnesses.

Their music features heavy guitar riffs, breakdowns, double bass, and the occasional scream, although at heart there's the stillness of the worshipper. Their message of forgiveness, self-worth, love and hope is relayed with high energy and remarkable brashness that would be hard to forget.

Their sophomore album “Anxiety,” which is set to release this fall, delves into issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and of course, anxiety. The first single release from that album, "Good for the Soul," is out now.

Their music, including the new single "Good for the Soul," can be found on any music streaming platform or through their website at www.tetelestaiband.com

The Christian music festival at Darien Lake, which runs from July 29 to Aug. 1, will also feature top national Christian artists Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Mandisa, Danny Gokey and for King & Country -- a total of more than 40 artists and speakers. Organizers expect the largest crowd in over half a decade to attend, bringing people in from across the United States and Canada, not only for the music but also lots of family-friendly activities.

About Kingdom Bound: 

Kingdom Bound Ministries Inc. exists to present the Gospel through a variety of art forms including concerts, outreaches and an annual performing arts festival; to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage believers in their walk with God.

To purchase tickets or find out more information about the festival go to www.kingdombound.org/festival

Press release:

No, readers, your eyes do not deceive you. This photo is of a missing Siamese cat -- the very one and the same Siamese cat we alerted you to on Monday, July 23.

Little Mr. Smarty Britches -- actually his name is Kia, which is pronounced K-eye with a long i -- escaped his habitat again and is missing for the second time this week.

He is about 4 years old and is described as having "blue eyes, light brown body, black face."

He has been summering on Elmwood Avenue in the city at his owner's mother's house, in other words, at his grandma's place. His usual digs are in Spencerport, which goes a long way in explaining his wanderlust while in Batavia.

Spencerport is a village along the Erie Canal in the Town of Ogden. It is not a U.S. Top 10 micropolitan City like Batavia, with its enviable small-worldliness. So much to see and do! Whew!

At any rate, his grandma fetched him from his brief stint in the clink, otherwise known as the Genesee County Animal Shelter (a very fine place as far as shelters go). You'll recall he was put there by Batavia's finest, who intuited that this well-cared-for feline must belong to somebody.

But his return was shortlived. No doubt he spent the bulk of his time behind bars scheming on his next moves. And sure enough, the warm "welcome back home" had barely worn off, when he took the first opportunity to slip out the door -- and with dazzling speed, faster than you can say "lighting bug."

This reporter called his owner today, Shawn Bowman, and told him: "I see a pattern here."

"A pattern?" he replied.

"Yes, this is the second time in a week..."

Bowman was advised, that if his mother's neighbors succeed in spotting Kia and he gets back into the household's good graces, he should go to the Hogs for Paws event at Stan's Harley-Davidson on Aug. 11. At the benefit for the local shelter animals, he can get Kia microchipped and get a pet ID tag. He can buy a break-away collar from Genesee Feeds, which isn't far away, or maybe at Hogs for Paws, and voila! the Siamese mystery becomes less mysterious in the event of a three-peat.

Meanwhile, let's keep our eyes peeled. Even the mailman has been asked to keep a scout's eye out for Little Mr. Smarty Britches.

If you see the missing-found-missing-again cat from the Elmwood Avenue area, please call Shawn Bowman at 356-3680 or email him at sbowman8@frontier.com

(Photo of Kia, courtesy of Shawn Bowman.)