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A two-vehicle accident is reported at Route 98 (Quaker Hill Road) and Lockport Road, Elba, with possible serious injuries.

One vehicle rolled over. Two people are entrapped.

Mercy Flight requested to the scene. Town of Batavia fire requested to the Elba rec hall to set up a landing zone.

Elba fire and three ambulances dispatched.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 3:13 p.m.: An ambulance from Byron is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: One person is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital via Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: Preliminary details indicate a pickup truck and a sedan collided at the intersection after one of the vehicles failed to yield the right of way. Two people were in each vehicle. In addition to the person airlifted to Strong, two others were transported there by Mercy medics. All three suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The fourth person involved was a sign-off. The Byron ambulance was called in for evaluation and rehab for firefighters. No firefighters were injured.

UPDATE 4:36 p.m. (By Howard): The roads are being reopened. A trooper on scene State Police will release more information tomorrow.

Photo: Paul Draper and Stephen Kowalcyk, co-directors of the 2018 Batavia Ramble Music and Arts Festival.

Press release:

The 2018 Batavia Ramble Music & Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, July 7th, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year we will have two main stages that will feature live performances from 34 local bands & artists.

The "Eli Fish" stage will be located in Jackson Square and the "Center Street" stage will be located in the parking lot across from Center Street Smoke House.

Along with musical performances, we will also have local artists, craft vendors and food trucks lined up all along Center Street.

As always, The Batavia Ramble is free to the public so bring a chair and a few friends and come and check out the biggest show in Batavia! For additional information, please email Paul Draper III at TheBataviaRamble@gmail.com

The 2018 music lineup:

 Eli Fish Stage:

• Ghost Riders
• Me & Red
• Koko & The Moon Crickets
• Justin Williams Band
• Shotgun Pauly
• Trolls 2.0
• Genesee Ted
• Driven
• Zero
• Old Hippies
• Sierra
• Noahs Reign
• Bluesway Band
• Warren Skye & Friends
• Eagle Creek
• Justin Crossett Band
• Audibull

Center Street Stage:

• J. Hopkins
• Grizzwoode
• PD3
• Dave Holnbeck
• Steve Kruppner
• Kruppner Brothers
• Jenny & Michelle
• Beethovan's Dream Group Again
• The Live Bait Band
• The Pedestrians
• Lonesome Road
• Rock Soulgers
• Gretchen & The Girls
• Blues Daddios
• Mercury Express
• Conspiracy Theory
• We are Groot

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Logic Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Tuesday:

Devon R. Westerfield, 18, of Franklin Street, Penn Yann, arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a baggie of marijuana while in the venue parking lot. 

A 17-year-old resident of Grove Street, Buffalo, arrested for harassment, 2nd, after allegedly shoving a Live Nation employee inside the venue.

Steven L. Pufpaff, 18, of Windham Court, Grand Island, arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a bag containing marijuana while in the venue parking lot.

Krista R. Smith, 27, of Cronk Road, Wallkill, arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana while entering the concert venue.

A 17-year-old resident of Ferndale Road, Williamsville, arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the concert parking lot after the concert ended.

Sabrina T. Ramsey, 46, of Mt. Vernon Road, Snyder, arrested for trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Amanda G. Wolfe, 25, of Burke Park, Buffalo, arrested for criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, after allegedly being found in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana. 

Michael P. Stutzman, 27, of Lakewood Avenue, Hamburg, arrested for DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more after allegedly being involved in an accident in the concert parking lot.

K-9 "Destro" flushed out three suspected teenage criminals from Buffalo yesterday afternoon after they got caught allegedly trying to steal a pair of ATVs from a residence at 1888 Broadway Road, Darien.

Multiple deputies and troopers responded to the area at 1:31 p.m. after a caller reported catching three people trying to leave with his house with the ATVs. 

The apparent thieves abandoned the ATVs and fled west on Broadway, through a cemetery, and into a cornfield.

Officers surrounded the area while another kept an eye on an abandoned vehicle parked near the farm field that had apparently been stolen from a location in Lackawanna.

Deputy Chris Erion and Destro were among the officers who responded.

Erion said one subject surrendered as soon as he heard Destro become vocal at the start of the search. The other two were located by Destro about 10 minutes later hunkered down in the corn.

Destro also located a backpack that appeared to contain stolen items, Erion said.

David C. Edwards, 19, of Buffalo, attempted grand larceny, 3rd, and criminal possession of stolen property.

The other two suspects are 17 years old. One was charged with attempted grand larceny, 3rd, criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 2nd. The other was charged with criminal mischief, 2nd.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Others responding to the incident included deputies Kevin McCarthy, Corey Mower, Ryan Delong, Rich Schildwaster, Patrick Reeves, and investigators Howard Carlson, Chad Minuto, Joe Loftus, and Chris Parker, and Sgt. Brad Mazur and Chief Deputy Joseph Graff. The State Police, Corfu PD, and Environmental Conservation officers also assisted.

(Initial Post)

Eight years ago voters turned down a proposal to shift the years served in a single term for a county legislator from two years to four but the idea has resurfaced again and the county is scheduling a public hearing on the proposal for 5:30 p.m., Aug. 8, in the Old Courthouse.

The proposed change in the local law would take effect with the 2019 election and have four current members of the legislature run for four-year terms and five would run for two-year terms; then in 2021, those five final two-year term seats would become four-year terms in that election. Thus, the terms of legislators would be staggered instead of all nine members running at once.

That, said Marianne Clattenburg, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, raises the possibility that at some point in the future a majority of the legislature could consist of all new members with few experienced members.

"There's a lot to learn in this job," Clattenburg said.

Members on Monday shared a common experience: Voters surprised that somebody they seemingly just voted for coming around and asking for petition signatures for office.

"I know," Clattenberg said, "I’ll be passing out petitions and they’ll say, ‘what are you doing?’ and I’ll say, ‘I have to run again.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Well, it’s only two years.’ ‘It is?’ They just sometimes automatically assume we’re like the City Council."

Clattenberg said the County Legislature is the last elected body in the county with two-year terms.

Legislator Shelly Stein agreed.

"Whenever I’m at people’s doors with petitions they say, ‘why are you here again?’ " Stein said. "It really is the fact that they expect our terms to mirror everybody else’s in the county.”

It's up to voters to change the local law that governs the length of terms for legislators, Legislator Andrew Young noted, and said, "I think it just makes sense."

At the public hearing in 2010, two people spoke in favor of the change and two against, including former Legislator John Sackett.

"I believe that you cannot have representative government by having longer terms of office," Sackett said.

The proposal failed among voters, however, despite getting popular support in The Batavian's admittedly unscientific online polls. The Batavian ran three polls about the topic (one, two, three).

It's not exactly a facelift Gen. Emery Upton will get on the Soldier's Monument at the corner of Ellicott and Main streets in the City of Batavia, but when his bronze sculpture turns 100 next year, you should be able to see it better at night.

Lighting Design Innovations, a Batavia-based company, is planning to install new lighting on the monument next month thanks to $1,500 in donations the company has received for the project.

The county's Ways and Means Committee is recommending the Legislature accept the donation.

Assistant County Manager Matt Landers said company officials describe the current lighting as "flood lights" and their designers will come up with a plan to appropriately light the monument with more modern fixtures to make it more attractive when viewed at night.

LDI, which donated the rotating color lighting for the cupola of the Old Courthouse last year, is also trying to secure $6,500 in donations to pay for colored lighting on two of the pillars of the Old Courthouse.

"They are obviously very passionate about lighting," Landers said.

The offer was well received by the members of the Legislature.

"I think it’s very generous of them," said Marianne Clattenburg, who is chair of Ways and Means.

The Soldier's Monument was first conceived by local citizens in 1882 as a way to pay tribute to those from the area who died in the Civil War. A committee was formed to champion the idea but fundraising, apparently, didn't start until 1903. The first donation came from Albert Knapp.

By the end of the year, the fund reached $1,713.66.

In 1904, voters approved a $10,000 expenditure for the monument. The city agreed to pay another $15,000.

In 1907, there was a move to put Lincoln's bust atop the monument.

The next year, there was an effort to locate the monument in what is now Centennial Park (then called State Park) instead of its present -- and originally proposed -- location.

In 1911, the Genesee County Soldier's Monument Association was formed.

In 1917, the Board of Supervisors viewed a wooden model of the proposed monument and appropriated $10,000 for the project.

The city, at that point, was willing to chip in $5,000.

The granite structure was constructed in Barre, Vt., in 1918. C.A. Worden, a New Yorker, was the designer.

The base was placed in August 1918.

By October 1918, crews were ready to affix the eagle at the top, with a 3-foot, 10-inch tail, and an eight-foot wingspan. The bronze figure of Gen. Emory Upton was paid for by his sister, Sarah Edwards. Another sister, Sara Upton Evans, also made a contribution.

Supervisors accepted monument in January 1919.

As of February 1919, the City had not yet paid for its share of the monument. The county threatened to sue the city and after the county paid the $5,000 due from its contingency fund, the City Council approved paying its $5,000 share In April 1919.

The monument was dedicated Aug. 6, 1919. 

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

More than 1,000 constituents have signed an online petition demanding that Chris Collins debate his Democratic challenger Nate McMurray. A further 150 signatures have been collected in person at events across the district.

The McMurray campaign reached out to Chris Collins' office with a formal request for debate but received no response.

Western New York hasn't had a debate between their candidates for the House since Chris Collins challenged Kathy Hochul in 2012. American democracy is a marketplace of ideas. Debates between candidates running for elected office are crucial to a functioning democracy.

Nate McMurray does not believe that elected officials get to hide from the people they serve.

McMurray said, "I hope one of the local news stations will host a debate between us. The people of the district want this debate. We hear it at every event we go to.

"We see it from how quickly the petition broke 1,000 signatures. It's the right thing to do and it's the only way for the voters of NY-27 to make an informed decision in November."

Jacob John Sponaugle, 19, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon,4th. Sponaugle allegedly pointed a shotgun at another person during a road rage incident reported at 2:52 p.m. Friday at Main and Bank streets in Downtown Batavia.

Jeremiah Lamar Gregory Burt, 23, of Victoria Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Burt was stopped at 6:45 p.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Jacob Lee Jasinski, 20, of Akron Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely, and unsafe tires. Jasinski was reportedly involved in a one-car accident at 3:55 a.m. Sunday on Main Road, Pembroke. A utility pole was broken in the accident. The accident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Young.

Stephen Michael Milroy, 23, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Milroy was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $500 bail or $2,000 bond.

Matthew Richard Jackson, 27, of Vernon Avenue, of Batavia, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; driving left of pavement markings; and moving from lane unsafely. Jackson was stopped at 3:14 p.m. Sunday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Mathew Clor.

John Kelly, 27, of Parkway, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, and harassment, 2nd. Kelly was charged following an investigation into an incident reported at 10 p.m. June 17 at a residence on Bethany Le Roy Road, Stafford, by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Cherie M. Oddo, 57, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Oddo is accused of stealing $7.69 worth of merchandise from Tops Friendly Market.

Joseph Thomas Burr, 24, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 3rd, two counts of grand larceny, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Burr is accused of stealing another person's wallet during an argument reported at 3:30 p.m., Friday.

Danny D. Williams, 29, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal mischief, 4th. Williams was allegedly involved in an incident on Central Avenue reported at 8:45 p.m. June 11. Williams was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting at Tops Friendly Market on June 17. He was also arrested on a warrant out of City Court.

John A. Snook, 30, of Oak Orchard Road, Albion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with a court-ordered program. 

Joseph W. Freeman, 34, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, was arrested on a warrant and ordered held on $1,000 bail. No further details about the charges released.

Christine Marie Wagner, 37, of East Main Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wagner was charged following an investigation into possible employee theft at a local business. Also charged with petit larceny, Irisa M. Hill, 22, of Wood Street, Batavia. 

John D. Radley, 57, of Route 20A, Warsaw, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by alcohol. At 4:37 p.m. on June 22, police were alerted to a person reportedly drinking alcohol in a running motor vehicle in the parking lot of Tops Friendly Market. Upon arrival, police allegedly found Radley slumped over the wheel, asleep.

A 16-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property. 

Joshua P. Fields, 21, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unsafe backing. Fields was arrested on a warrant. He posted bail and was released.

Thomas Andrew Woldford, 42, of Ringquist Street, Las Vegas, is charged with DWI and failure to dim headlights. Woldford was stopped at 1:19 a.m. Monday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan after Woldford allegedly failed to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic.

Brittany A. Young, 23, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operation, 3rd, and speeding. Young was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Darien at 3:45 p.m. on June 25. While interviewing the driver, troopers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Young was allegedly found to be driving on a suspended license and was also found to be in possession of marijuana and a controlled substance. Young posted $500 bail and was released from jail pending her next court appearance in Darien Town Court.

Vikki L. Sullivan, 32, of Norfolk, Va., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. State Police came into contact with Sullivan at 2:39 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location in the Town of Darien.

Shawn R. Bowick, 32, of Leicester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a license plate violation. Bowick was stopped by State Police at 6:15 p.m. Friday on Route 63, Batavia.

Rahiim J. Collazo, 40, of Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding, obstructed vision, license plate violation, and no license. Tiffany M. Santos, 35, of Rochester, is charged with permitting unlicensed operation and facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation. Callazo was stopped by State Police at 7:40 p.m. Friday on Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia.

A 17-year-old resident of Attica was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana by State Police during a traffic stop on Route 98 in Alexander at 1:54 a.m. on Sunday.

Press release:

Due to high energy demand caused by this week’s extreme heat and humidity, National Grid is asking Upstate New York customers to reduce unnecessary electricity usage for the remainder of the week. Electricity supply to the area is adequate, but continued heavy demand and high temperatures could pose a threat to network reliability.

The company recommends a few simple customer actions to help reduce demand on utility equipment and maintain system reliability. These small actions, combined with those of your neighbors, can make a big difference -- and they can help you better manage your energy bill.

  Draw blinds, shades, drapes to prevent the sun from making your home too hot.

  Slightly increase air conditioner settings, change the filter, use fans – The lower your air conditioner temperature, the more costly it is to operate. For example, a 75-degree setting will cost about 18 percent more than a 78-degree setting. Set the thermostat as high as comfort will permit. In addition, check your window air conditioner filter and replace or clean it if necessary. If your home has central air conditioning, check the condition of the furnace filter and replace it if dirty. Using fans instead of air conditioning also reduces energy usage.

  Consider a programmable thermostat – You could save up to $180 annually by adjusting cooling temperatures when rooms are unoccupied.

  Turn off lights when they are not needed.

  Delay the use of hot water appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.

  Unplug electronics – Even though your electronics, like televisions and computers, are turned off they may still draw electricity. Unplug any unnecessary electronics and chargers. In addition, using an advanced power strip on your entertainment system reduces phantom load energy use and can save you up to $60 annually.

  Turn off your pool pump – Pool pumps are one of the largest consumers of household energy—second only to the air conditioning unit.

Reminder to Remain Diligent Regarding Heat Stress

National Grid also reminds customers that prolonged temperatures of 90°F or higher can lead to heat-related illnesses, especially for the elderly, young children and those with chronic illnesses. More information on heat stress can be found here.

A deputy and a trooper are responding to Broadway Road, west of Route 238, Darien, for an attempted theft of an ATV from a residence.

The suspects fled on foot heading into the cemetery after ditching the ATV. They are described as black males and one white male.

UPDATE 12:01 p.m.: The caller is in the cemetery and has found what appears to be a long gun wrapped in tent material. The caller did not see any vehicles in the area. There are several barns in the area. One suspect is described is described as wearing a gray T-shirt with a Buffalo Sabres logo and blue shorts.

UPDATE 12:04 p.m.: The subjects are spotted by an officer in a cornfield running east. The corn is tall enough that the officer is having a hard time keeping an eye on them. 

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: All units requested to communicate on LE secure.

The Batavia Muckdogs struck first in their match against West Virginia on Monday night, scoring a run in the first on a double by first baseman Sean Reynolds but couldn't hold the lead and lost in nine to Black Bears 3-1.

The home team fell to 7-9 on the season.

Alberto Guerrero (2-1, 3.99) took the loss, giving up all three WV runs in the fourth inning. 

Demetrius Sims had two hits.

The Muckdogs face off against the Black Bears again tonight. Game time is 7:05. Since there is no home game tomorrow, July 4th fireworks will immediately follow tonight's game. Reserved seating is $9 per adult and general admission is $7 per adult and $5 for children and seniors.

Photo: The pink sky over Dwyer last night by Melanie Case.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Chris Stapleton Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday:

Nicholas A. Gallo, 27, of Ridge Road, Spencerport, was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a baggie of marijuana while entering the concert venue.

Joseph J. Proia, 40, of West Creek Drive, Spencerport, arrested criminal trespass, 3rd, and harassment, 2nd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return and grabbing a Live Nation employee by the hand and wrist while being ejected.

Dominic M. Brunette, 19, of Little Briggins Circle, Fairport, was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana while entering the concert venue.

City fire is on scene of an attic fire at 19 S. Lyon St., Batavia.

The First Platoon was requested to standby at headquarters.

Mercy EMS requested non-emergency as a precaution.

National Grid is requested to the scene. 

UPDATE 12:24 a.m.: Extensive overhaul required. First Platoon requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:29 a.m.: Fire under control. National Grid on scene.

UPDATE 12:33 a.m.: Code enforcement requested to the scene.

At least one person was injured following a single-car rollover accident on the westbound Thruway onramp in Batavia.

Mercy Flight transported a patient to ECMC following the accident at about 1 p.m.

A state trooper on scene would not provide further information.

Bottom two photos submitted by Jason Smith.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle celebrated 100 years in business Saturday with games, prizes and $1 tacos. Proceeds benefitted Don R. Carroll Toys for Kids.

Previously: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle celebrates a century in business

A two-car accident, unknown injuries, is reported at Lewiston and Galloway roads, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Injuries are reported.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Four patients, appears to be less-than-serious injuries. 

A fire is reported at a dump at 5955 Transit Road, Byron.

Byron fire, along with Byron's ambulance, South Byron, Elba, Bergen all dispatched.

The Ladies Auxilary is also dispatched.

After receiving word in April that the Buffalo Diocese was cutting financial aid for Notre Dame High School, Principal Wade Bianco, his staff, and the board of trustees got busy figuring out a way to reduce spending by $125,000 in a way that wouldn't hurt students or the families that depend on paychecks from the school.

"It’s an opportunity to stand alone and then get it done," Bianco said in an interview with WBTA.

There will be no layoffs, no classes cut, and no sports or other extracurricular activities cut, Bianco said.

He rattled off a series of small cuts that get the school pretty close to meeting its budget for 2018-19.

• With the retirement of the guidance counselor, that position will be merged with another administrative job, which will not only save money but mean a guidance counselor is on campus five days a week rather than just three.
• One employee is voluntarily shifting off of group health care coverage to Medicare.
• One business class, with only two students, is being shifted to online learning through Genesee Community College.
• The hockey booster club will help pay for ice time.
• The receptionist hours are being cut by 2.5 hours per week.

"It all adds up," Bianco said. "We’re just about to the number we need and we have increased participation in our annual fund from alumni because we have new strategies to do that. If we add students, compete, continue to be very responsive in how we navigate the operational side to the budget we should continue to meet cash flow for a long time."

He said he strategized with Mike Rapone and Tom Rapone on a plan that would "least affect kids, least affects families that work here, and least affects the excellent reputation of the school."

The reduction from the Diocese is a part of those made at Catholic schools and other Catholic institutions because of decreased revenue.

There may be other opportunities for savings, Bianco said. For example, the school is exploring a merger of the swimming program with another school.

"The public schools are doing that all the time," Bianco said. "So we're getting creative without losing opportunities for kids because we're a small school with big school opportunities. We offer 17 sports teams, a  great music and arts program, a fantastic theater program. We're doing that for $1.4 million. That's just $9,000 per student. It costs the public almost $21,000 per student (in public schools)."