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Sponsored Post: Meet the Buffalo Bills tonight at City Slickers

By Howard B. Owens

Tonight Sports Q TV will be at City Slickers filming their sports-center-style show! It's your chance to meet your favorite Buffalo Bills players and as many as 30 players could be there. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. and includes two djs -- DJ Macy Paradise and DJ Konda. The event is for ages 18+ to party, 21+ to drink and sponsored by Mancuso Limo and The Batavian.

Bills gear is encouraged and the restaurant will be open at 4 p.m. for dinner. Due to contractual agreements, player names can't be announced, however several rookies and starters are expected to be in attendance. 

City Slickers has also posted a flier on www.facebook.com/cityslickersbar, which can be printed out and for every flier turned in during the event, $2 will be donated to the Sheldon family in Bergen. Derek Sheldon was killed in Le Roy yesterday in a motorcycle accident.

Young man from Bergen killed in motorcycle accident in Le Roy, passenger seriously injured

By Howard B. Owens

A 19-year-old resident of Bergen died today, and his 19-year-old friend was seriously injured when the motorcycle they were on slammed into a seden at the intersection of West Bergen Road and Selden Road, Le Roy.

Derek K. Sheldon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ashley M. Stillwell was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Sheldon was driving his 2005 Suzuki motorcycle north on West Bergen Road when a 2011 Chevorlet Cruze apparently made a left turn onto Selden Road from West Bergen Road.

The motorcycle hit the car on the passenger side and both Sheldon and Stillwell were ejected from the motor bike.

State Police said both Sheldon and Stillwell sustained multiple injuries.

The driver of the Cruze is identified as Marilyn A. Brassie, 50, of Bergen. She was uninjured but clearly distraught following the accident.

No further details about the crash have been released, which remains under investigation. No charges have been filed pending completion of the investigation.

Sheldon's Facebook page quickly filled with messages from grieving friends this afternoon. According to the page, Sheldon worked for MY T Acres and Triple P Farms.

The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the accident.

The Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Fire andLe Roy Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Mother seeks help in finding her missing son

By Howard B. Owens

A 15-year-old resident of Attica with close ties to Batavia is missing and his mother is seeking the public's help in locating him.

She believes her son has run away. He left home about 1 a.m.

Timothy A. Vail Jr., is required to take medication daily and his mother doesn't believe he has his medication with him.

Timothy is 5' 4", 145 pounds with very short dirty-blond hair and greenish/hazel eyes, very black eyebrows and his lower lip is pierced. He was last seen riding a white bike wearing gray shorts and red tank top and carrying a gray and black backpack.

He is known to sometimes hide in the woods near Kibbe Park and near the Rite Aid at Clinton and Main.

Lesly Vail Trebian says she can be reached (585) 708-5005 by text at (585) 409-6148.

A missing person report was filed with Attica PD.

Photo is from a year ago when he previously went missing.

DEC will rescue baby possums after mother killed by car on Stegman Road

By Howard B. Owens

A mother possum was hit by a car this morning on Stegman Road, Town of Batavia, and when Deputy Chris Parker found the the dead mother by the side of the road, he also found four baby possums still clinging to it.

Parker said the babies are days old, if that.

Dispatchers contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation and the DEC is sending a "rehabilitator" from Oakfield to pick up the babies.

Young ATV rider in critical condition following accident in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A 16-year-old Pembroke resident is in critical condition this morning at Erie County Medical Center following an ATV accident in the Village of Corfu last night.

Benjamin L. Falker was riding a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 on West Main Street when he attempted to enter the sidewalk south of Prospect Street. He lost control and struck a row of bushes and the four-wheeler flipped over and he was ejected. 

The ATV struck a utility pole and came to rest in an upright position. 

Benjamin, the sole occupant of the ATV, sustained a head injury and was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

The investigation is continuing and charges may be pending.

Investigating the accident are Deputy Jason Saile, Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team, Investigator Timothy Weis, Sgt. Brian Frieday and Officer Rich Retzlaf of the Corfu PD.

Assisting at the scene was the Corfu Fire Department and Mercy EMS.

(Initial Report)

Batavia man arrested following report of burglary in progress in State Street Road area

By Howard B. Owens

A suspected burglar was allegedly caught in the act Saturday after a man was seen entering the home of an off-duty police officer in the Town of Batavia.

When the man was ordered to surrender, he allegedly fled from troopers and headed toward a cornfield on State Street Road.

He was subsequently captured by troopers and deputies on scene without further incident. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly carring items taken from the residence and stolen credit cards from a residence in the City of Batavia.

Charged with second-degree burglary is Aaron W. Clark, 24, of Clinton Street, Batavia.

Clark is currently on parole for robbery, 2nd. He was also charged with parole violation, criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and obstructing governmental administration.

Investigators believe Clark approached other homes in the area and if a resident answered the door, he left or claimed to need gas for his vehicle so he could get back to Rochester.

It's possible other homes in the area were burglarized. Any person with further information that may assist in the investigation can contact State Police at (585) 344-6200.

ATV accident reported in the Village of Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A four-wheeler has hit a utility pole in the area of 29 W. Main St., Corfu, near the corner of Prospect Street.

A person is injured. Mercy Flight requested to the scene. A landing scene will be set up at the Corfu Fire Hall.

UPDATE 11:20 p.m.: The patient is seriously injured.

UPDATE 11:24 p.m.: The landing zone is being switched to the area behind the primary school.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE Midnight: Patient transported to ECMC.

Photos: Foot patrol on Maple Street

By Howard B. Owens

Det. Todd Crossett, working patrol today, takes a shot with a basketball while on foot patrol this evening on Maple Street.

Batavia PD officers have been doing a few neighborhood foot patrols this summer.

With Crossett are Jzon Richardson, left, and Santiago Deluna.

Stafford's big yellow barn collapses on a mildly windy day

By Howard B. Owens

One of Genesee County's grandest of the old barns collapsed today.

A good portion of the yellow barn next to the Stafford Fire Hall on Main Road, Stafford, simply gave way about 1:45 p.m.

Stafford Fire Chief Bill Plaisted said residents heard a lot of creaking coming from the old barn -- probably built in the 1830s -- all this morning.

Firefighters used a thermal-imaging camera to ensure nobody was trapped in the structure.

Plaisted said the barn was likely headed for demolition soon anyway. The owner wanted to donate it to the department for a controlled burn for firefighting practice, but Plaisted said before that could happen, workers would have been required to remove the shingles from the roof.

"Looking at it now, that wouldn't have been safe," Plaisted said.

He also recalled a local resident telling him how years ago there was a basketball court on the second floor. From the second floor to the ceiling, it was so high, he said, that nobody could throw a ball from the floor up into the rafters. That's how big the barn was.

In April 2010, I took a photo of the barn (bottom photo in this post) that proved pretty popular. UMMC purchased a large canvas print of the photograph to hang in its new surgical wing (the print has since been moved to another part of the hospital). To view a larger online version (or to purchase a print of the picture, click here).

Photos: Elba Boosters build new concession stand

By Howard B. Owens

Volunteers with the Elba Boosters began construction today on a new concession stand adjacent the Lancers' football field.

Above, John McCulley and Kevin Bezon working on a portion of the back wall.

Jeff Singer

John McCulley

Sports show taping at City Slickers on Monday with up to 30 Buffalo Bills players attending

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Monday night, City Slickers will be the place to be. Several Buffalo Bills players will be in Batavia at the restaurant for a live filming for Sports Q Television, a Buffalo-based company. The event which starts at 9:30 p.m. will feature two DJs, and up to 30 Buffalo Bills players that will be arriving shortly after in a limousine, courtesy of Mancuso Limousine (sponsor). The filming will take place on the stage and will be open to the public to enjoy and watch, and will be followed up with an after party.

The names of the players can't be released because of contractual arrangments.

"There will be even more guys coming out. Some of them we can't announce until they show up, others we are just waiting on confirmation," said event coordinator Tim Walton. "We have invited the whole team, so anyone can show."

City Slickers is no stranger to hosting the Buffalo Bills. Walton has recently put on events that included Buffalo Bills players Stevie Johnson, Aaron Williams, Kelvin Sheppard, TJ Heath and Crezdon Butler. The Bills will be traveling from St. John Fisher College, where they have been staying for training camp. They have Tuesday off due to the PGA Tour.

This event is 18+ with proper ID and will run from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear Buffalo Bills gear and to come out for dinner before.

The restaurant, which is not usually open on Mondays will be opening at 4 p.m. and offering a full dinner menu. 

For more info you can visit the event at Facebook.com/CitySlickersBar   (https://www.facebook.com/events/185226108319418/)

ATV rider remains hospitalized after spending eight hours in ditch with broken legs

By Howard B. Owens

An ATV rider with two broken legs who spent at least eight hours lying in a ditch by the side of Meadville Road, Basom, before being found by another person remains hospitalized.

Arlyn L. Jonathan, 34, of Shanks Road, Alabama, was reportedly driving an ATV on Meadeville Road at 1 a.m., Thursday, when he lost control and went off the roadway.

As the ATV flipped over, Jonathan was ejected and struck a tree. His ATV struck another tree.

He apparently had no means of communication and wasn't found until about 8 a.m.

Alabama Fire Department respond to the scene and Jonathan was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

A hospital staff member said Jonathan remains hospitalized but his condition is not listed on his records.

Deputy Lonnie Nati investigated the accident and reported the cause as "unsafe speed." He did not report any citations being issued.

Law and Order: Three petit larceny arrests reported

By Howard B. Owens

Christopher Paul Hoffman, 28, of Route 78, Java Center, is charged with petit larceny. Hoffman allegedly stole $34.93 in merchandise from Kmart.

Rachelle K. Mandigo, 42, of Holley, is charged with petit larceny. Mandigo was arrested by State Police on Wednesday for an alleged incident reported July 26 in the Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Michael C. Hill, 22, of Pike, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hill was arrested Wednesday for an alleged incident at a location on Veterans Memorial Drive. No further details released.

Jessica Mae Pfenninger, 31, of Jackson Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine on a reckless endangerment, 2nd, charge.

DiSalvo racing in Round #6 of the AMA GoPro Daytona Sportbike Series

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Jason DiSalvo of Stafford, New York and Trussville, Alabama will be racing in Round #6 of the AMA GoPro Daytona Sportbike Series at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah August 2nd – 4th.  Currently he is in 8th position in standings having experienced the typical problems in developing the new Triumph 675R.  In the early stages these development issues have hounded the rider and the team.  With one podium and six top ten finishes Jason looks to improve his standings.

Jason and the team have a very positive attitude preparing for Miller where Jason podiumed last year and is looking for the same results.

The CBS Sports Network coverage of the AMA GoPro Daytona Sportbike Races at Miller along with the Laguna Seca race will be shown this weekend. 

Sat Aug 3rd         1:00 pm             Laguna Seca Round #5

Sat Aug 3rd         6:00 pm             Miller Round #6 – Race 1

Sun Aug 4th        2:30 am             Miller Round #6 – Race 1

                        8:00 am             Miller Round #6 – Race 1

                        3:00 pm             Miller Round #6 – Race 2

                        9:00 pm             Miller Round #6 – Race 2

 

Photos: First GLOW Corporate Cup 5K race

By Howard B. Owens

Some 500 people participated in the first ever GLOW Corporate Cup 5K race, which started and ended in Centennial Park this evening.

Brandon Reaert, of Oakfield, won the race with a time of 17:43.

Runners signed up in teams from companies throughout the GLOW region.

Once the race was over, participates hung out in Centennial Park for After GLOW, the "largest office party" ever, at least locally. Companies were encouraged to set up their own tents and tables and enjoy live music.

Photos: Grand Opening of Insource Urgent Care

By Howard B. Owens

Insource Urgent Care, the revolutionary health care provider that chose Batavia for the first location for its new chain of clinics, held its official grand opening today.

The celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Insource President Mark Celmer, center, Dr. Magdi Credi and VP of Operations Melissa Marsocci.

Local company demonstrates field drainage system to help farmers grow more corn

By Howard B. Owens

The high price of corn the past few years has local farmers trying to figure out how to increase their yields, according to Drew Klotzbach, owner of Alleghany Farm Services, and one way is to improve the drainage of the field.

The better the draining, especially in wet years such as this one, the more corn that will grow.

One of the specialties of Klotzbach's company is installing drainage tiles and he said he's seen an increase in demand locally in recent years.

"It's just a way to improve production," Klotzbach said. "They've got to improve the land. They're not making more land, so ..."

Klotzbach hosted an open house today for interested parties on a farm field next to his business lot on Route 77 in Alabama. Along with his son and employees, he demonstrated his GPS-guided trenching and tile-laying machines.

"It's all about getting the water off the ground faster," Klotzbach said.

The tiles -- more like hoses these days -- are perforated and collect water and drain it off into retention ponds.

"In dry years, it will even help bring up water from the bottom," Klotzbach said.

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