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Press release:

Representatives from Batavia Downs have announced that Michele Ladd, the founder of National Veteran Resources, will be bringing their 32-foot wrapped RV to the Tanya Tucker Concert this Friday, Aug. 2nd, at Batavia Downs.

The National Veteran Resources website aims to help veterans and first responders get resources for PTSD, suicide prevention, and addiction.

"I wanted to do something for our veterans and first responders that make the ultimate sacrifice for us, so I decided to get 'Boots on The Ground' and try to save lives," Ladd said. "I call this 'Operation 22 to ZERO' based on the fact that 22 veterans a day are dying by suicide."

Ladd said her motivation is her two sons, who are veterans. She has their pictures, along with other military men and women printed on her RV.

During her stops, Ladd meets different veterans and first responders and interviews them on camera. She then posts the videos online, hoping it can help someone else. Ladd also visits organizations across the country to add them to the website for resources.

"It’s real, I don’t edit, it’s raw, we laugh, we cry," Ladd said. "Just in three weeks, I’ve had over 100 family members, widows, veterans, reaching out to me, sharing their stories."

Ladd said she has traveled more than 35,000 miles to raise awareness and will continue her travels as long as the good Lord allows her.

"We are pleased to welcome Michelle to be present at Friday’s concert," said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO at Batavia Downs Gaming. "As a veteran myself, I appreciate people who take the time to reach out and help those who have served our country.”

Doors for the Tanya Tucker concert are at 4:30 p.m., with live music, starting at 5.  All VIP and Premium tickets are sold out, but $10 General Admission tickets are available at BataviaConcerts.com or in person at the Lucky Treasures gift shop.

Richard D. Hanes was found guilty by a jury this afternoon of second-degree murder for the killing July 24, 2018, of Ray Morgan at 111 Liberty St., Batavia.

Murder in the second degree is a Class A-1 felony and carries a possible term of life in prison.

Hanes will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m., Aug. 28.

MORE T/K

Press release:

The Le Roy Police Department is requesting assistance in determining the owner of the items depicted in the attached photographs. These items were recovered during the investigation of a rash of larcenies from vehicles, which were entered during the overnight hours in the Village of Le Roy.

If you recognize any of these recovered items, please contact Detective John Condidorio of the Le Roy Police Department at 585-768-2527, ext. 2219.

Proof of ownership may be requested before the property can be released.

In the six months since Kim Albanese learned of her mother's and brother's death in an accident on a snow-covered road on Route 98 in Elba, it hasn't stopped hurting, she said today during a stop at the accident scene where she placed some flowers in memory of Teresa M. Norton.

Norton would have turned 54 today.

In the six months since the accident, Albanese has given birth to a daughter. She also suffered the loss of her stepfather, who was the intensive care unit at Strong Memorial Hospital when he learned that his wife of 30 years and son had died.

"It still feels like a nightmare like still trying to put the pieces back together," Albanese said. "It's so hard. It feels like yesterday that they died. I still pick up my phone and go to call her or receive a phone call from her."

Norton and her son Thomas, 22, were northbound on Oak Orchard Road when she lost control of her 2008 Suzuki on a stretch of roadway that was heavily covered by drifting snow. Her Suzuki was broadsided by a pickup truck driven by Jeffrey S. Toussaint, 59, of Albion.

"That accident destroyed three families not just ours, but the guy that hit her," Albanese said. "We feel horrible because he was an innocent party in the whole thing. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We don't blame him at all."

Given the conditions of the road and the lack of information forthcoming from the Department of Transporation about road conditions at that time, Albanese has retained an attorney, Jon Wilson, of Buffalo.

Wilson confirmed a lawsuit has been filed.

"The State answered and served various discovery demands and we are in the process of responding to those demands," Wilson said.

Albanese said telling her stepfather of his wife's and son's deaths was one of the hardest things she's ever had to do.

The whole process has been difficult.

"You watch it on the news and you're like, 'Oh that stinks for their family. I feel bad. My heart goes out.' But when it happens to your own family -- I lost my whole family in that instant, in that split second -- and I think the hardest part is I got stuck in the detour," Albanese said. "I was just at that light and I could see the tow trucks lights.

"But it was up on the hill, just right where I couldn't see my mom's truck. And I was like 'well, that's good maybe.' People tell me it was a good thing you didn't because I didn't go into labor because I could've had my daughter at 29 weeks pregnant."

Her fiancé, Cory Vanameron, said Albanese is a strong woman to go through what she's gone through. He said he's a bit older, more experience at life, he's been through the death of loved ones before but she doesn't see how she carries on.

"I couldn't do it," he said.

"I had my daughter two months after the accident," Albanese said. "(My mom) never once got to hold her. She never once got to see her. She was so excited to have a granddaughter and now just to look at my daughter, knowing she would never experience my mom, it's heartbreaking."

Previously:

• Mother and adult son killed in crash on snow-covered Route 98 in Elba
• Witness recalls scene of double fatal accident in Elba on Saturday
• State DOT declines to address road conditions at site of double fatal accident in Elba
• Vigil held in Elba for Teresa Norton and Thomas Norton, who died in collision on Route 98

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider approving incentives for Graham Manufacturing and accepting an application for incentives from Wendt Propane at the board’s Aug. 1 meeting.

Graham Manufacturing plans to invest $1.67 million on three projects at its City of Batavia campus, including expanding the company’s welding school, repurposing an existing 4,000-square-foot structure and construction of a new 8,875-square-foot warehouse. The company is seeking sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions of approximately $210,000.

Wendt Propane, based in Sanborn in Niagara County, has submitted an application for incentives to build a new 9,600-square-foot facility in the Town of Le Roy. The $1.3 million project would create four new jobs. The company is seeking sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions of approximately $125,000.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at its offices on 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1. The meeting is open to the public.

Press release:

Buffalo — She’s spent a career as a champion for families. Now, Beth Parlato is a candidate for Congress. Conservative activist Beth Parlato announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination in New York’s 27th Congressional District today.

The family law attorney and former judge promised to be a new, conservative voice in Congress.

“I’m concerned about the direction of our country," Parlato said. "Even as we see the evidence of a booming economy that continues to lift up every American, the loudest voices on the left are pushing socialist policies that will destroy jobs and devastate families. Now is not the time to go backwards.”

Beth Parlato has decades of experience. As a family law attorney and Judge, Beth has seen up close the struggles that families are dealing with.

“I’ve seen so many difficult situations,” Parlato said. “Families are in crisis and it’s taken a toll on our country; when our families are hurting, so is our nation.”

Parlato is also a recognized leader in the conservative movement. She is a regular contributor on Fox News and her leadership roles in Moms for America and Concerned Women for America have given her a large national voice to fight for conservative values.

“Christian and traditional values are mocked and the loudest voices on the left seem to have a disdain for America. We need a conservative alternative to what they call ‘the squad.’ In Congress, I’ll be that new voice.”

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.74, down 3 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.86. The New York State average is $2.87 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.01. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.83 (down a penny since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.83 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.81 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.82 (down a penny since last week)
• Rome -- $2.84 (down a penny since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.78 (down a penny since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.80 (down a penny since last week)

Despite summer travel, lower than usual demand has helped to push pump prices down. According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report for the weekend ending on July 19, domestic demand hit 9.67 million barrels per day. Although it grew from the previous week’s 9.2 million level, demand is slightly lower than last year’s usage rate.

With OPEC continuing to reduce crude production, tighter domestic crude supplies could cause prices to continue to increase if demand tightens.

Unresolved tension in the Middle East could also push prices up. After Iran captured the U.K.-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, the British Royal Navy announced that it will escort U.K.-flagged vessels in the region to protect against future attacks. If tension continues to mount, crude prices will likely continue their ascent.

Alabama fire responded about 5:30 p.m. yesterday to a car fire on Route 77 and Ledge Road.

Photo submitted by Yalonda Samanka.

Gillian Romano, right, with Mary Wilson, played in the Ralph Wilson Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament this weekend, and on the 13th hole at Diamond Hawk in Cheektowaga Romano shot her first hole-in-one.

Bottom photo, Romano with Russ, Nick Rotondo, Ellen Simkulet and Will Fowler.

Photos and info submitted by Norm Itjen.

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries at Route 77 and Sumner Road, Darien.

Darien fire and Darien's ambulance dispatched.

Airbag deployment reported.

New York Craft Malt in Batavia hosted a malt sensory seminar on Friday where brewers could learn about a relatively new way to test and compare malts for flavor profiles.

Press release:

Troopers from SP Warsaw responded to a cornfield off Soper Road in the Town of Perry for a skydiving accident today. Further investigation revealed that Richard S. Cordaro, 68, of Bergen, flew out of Perry/Warsaw airport with three others. All four individuals jumped from the plane. The other three landed safely.

Cordaro had more than 45 years of skydiving experience. Cordaro's parachute opened normally but then became tangled. Troopers attempted life-saving measures. Cordaro was pronounced at the scene. Rochester Skydivers was the company involved in this incident.

UPDATE: The State Police issued a correction on the spelling of the victim's last name. The press release above has been corrected accordingly. 

A multiple-vehicle accident is reported on the westbound Thruway in the area of mile marker 388.8.

That's near the Bank Street Bridge.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11 a.m.: A first responder near the scene says the accident involves a tractor-trailer that hit a Miller trailer. "Everyone appears to be out and walking around." The right lane of traffic is blocked.

UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Scene commander says the accident involved a tractor-trailer, a truck pulling a trailer, and an SUV. They are set with medics on scene; no need for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

Press release:

“I am pleased to announce that the second Teen Academy was another great success," said Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron. "This academy was made possible with the support of Genesee County STOP DWI and the Genesee County Legislators.

"The students were provided with the opportunity to experience the various roles of law enforcement in our community, and they eagerly embraced all aspects of the curriculum.

"I want to thank the students for their hard work and dedication and to all those that provided instruction throughout this weeklong program. A special thank you to the Academy Director, Deputy Matthew R. Butler, and deputies/school resource officers Chad P. Cummings, Richard S. Schildwaster, Eric J. Meyer, Patrick J. Reeves, Howard O. Wilson, and Jeremy M. McClellan along with Investigator Chad J. Minuto for their assistance and efforts in coordinating such a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for the students.

"We look forward to continuing this annual event for students throughout Genesee County for many more years to come."

The following participants are graduates of the second annual Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Teen Academy:

        Class Captains:      Paola Perez-Matos

                                             Drew Edwards

Alden Belknap                      Nicholas Burdick                    Jayden Doyle

Shawn Morabito                    Jack Falls                                Alexander Hunt

Aaron Spring                         Regan McPhee                        Gianni Vallese

Photos by Howard Owens.

Spotted in Byron.

More than 100 young soccer players turned out today for the annual clinic at the Batavia Sports Park hosted by Ricky Palermo and the Ricky Palermo Foundation.

The final day of the Crossroads House Garage Sale is tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to noon.

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David Bellavia visited the Holland Land Office Museum on Wednesday at the request of The Batavian for an exclusive interview to discuss his experience in Washington the week he received the Medal of Honor on June 25 in a ceremony at the White House and was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon.

In the interview, we discuss not only his Medal of Honor, but the Medal of Honor received by Charles F. Rand, a Batavia resident often credited with being the first to enlist in the Army as a volunteer at the start of the Civil War. We discussed the "bubble" Bellavia was in during his time in Washington; the time he spent with the men he went to war with in Iraq;the men who didn't come home, most notably Capt. Sean Sims; what it was like on stage in the East Room during the Medal of Honor ceremony; the rush of people around him during the reception after the ceremony; what it means to represent the Army as a Medal of Honor recipient; and why he wanted to be sure to include in the events his friends from Western New York, especially the GLOW counties. Now that he's personally met President Donald Trump, we also asked for his measure of the man. And finally, we discussed his childrens' reaction, especially his sons, to the award.

NOTE AND POSSIBLE CORRECTION:  We have been referring to David Bellavia and Charles Rand, including in this video, as the only two Batavia residents to receive the Medal of Honor. We knew about James E. Cross but the history on Cross, as passed along to us, has been that he was born in Darien and enlisted in Batavia. County Clerk Michael Cianfrini wrote yesterday to suggest that Cross was a resident of Batavia. This morning I did a quick search on ancestry.com and it appears Cross was a resident of Batavia during the 1860 and 1870 censuses. It appears that he enlisted in Elmira. He was discharged with a disability in 1862 and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1898. We'll see if we can find out more.

Press release:

The race for first-place in the Pinckey Division of the New York-Penn League got interesting on Thursday night as West Virginia scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to down the Batavia Muckdogs, 4-3.

Batavia is now in first place at 24-16 and West Virginia is 21-17, taking 2-of-3 from the Muckdogs.

Batavia returns home for three games Friday, Saturday and Sunday against Williamsport.

A bright spot for the Muckdogs was the pitching of Julio Frias, who pitched six strong innings, striking out six, five of them in the first three innings. He gave up four hits, one run and walked two.

Frias, 21, was signed out of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, by the Miami Marlins. The Marlins were patient with the young 6-foot-2 lefty, giving him two years with the Dominican Summer League Marlins and two years with the Gulf Coast League Marlins.

During that time, Frias, who started his career at 16, went 3-15 with an ERA close to five.

However, this season with Batavia, Frias is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA and he has struck out 50 in 41.2 innings with 12 walks and 25 hits.

Batavia took a 1-0 lead in the second when Milton Smith II scored on a mild pitch with two outs, then West Virginia tied the game at 1-1 in the third.

In the top of the fifth, Nic Ready, crushed his 21st double of the season to left scoring J.D. Orr then Smith II then singled to left scoring Ready for a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, a sacrifice fly tied the game and a single by Nick Patten to score Matthew Fraizer won the game for West Virginia.

Orr forced two balks of West Virginia pitchers while he was on the bases with his unique leading style. He had the hit and walked three times and it now hitting .375 on the season. He also stole his 20th base of the season

Smith II had two hits a RBI (his 15th) and a run. Ready's RBI was his 23rd on the season.

Andrew Turner had two hits for the Muckdogs while Dalvy Roasario and Jack Strunc also had hits.

M.D. Johnson had his fourth hold on the season, going 0.2 innings and Geremy Galindez had his first hold pitching 1.1 innings of perfect baseball with one strikeout. Evan Brabrand took the loss, he is now 2-1 on the season.

Tonight the Muckdogs host Williamsport; it is Flash Back Friday, there will be Crafty Hour as Eli Fish craft beers are $3 for an hour before the game. Fans can get a bag of tennis balls after the game and take the chance on throwing one into a hula hoop to win two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of Allegiant Air. There are other hoops to win other prizes.

On Saturday (also a 7:05 p.m. start), the Muckdogs not only have fireworks after the game, but Tompkins Bank of Castile bought all the general admission seats and are giving them away to fans. There are still a few available at the box office.

Sunday is a 5:05 p.m. start and it's O'Lacy's Irish Day. O'Lacy's has specials and tickets, you can visit the restaurant or follow them on Facebook.

It is also free admission for MuckPups and kids can run the bases. Before the game, next to the souvenir stand, it is Autograph Alley as eight players will sign autographs, pose for photos and selfies with fans.

Submitted photo: The patience the Miami Marlins have shown with lefty Julio Frias is paying off. He threw six strong innings Thursday and left with his team ahead, 3-1. The Muckdogs fell, 4-3. Batavia Muckdogs remain in first place despite last-inning victory by West Virginia.