Stories from

Dozens of flags in a "Field of Thanks," honoring those who served our community during the pandemic as well as military veterans, has been installed in front of the St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia.

On Sunday, there was an opening ceremony for the field of flags, which will be on display and open to self-guided tours until June 13 at 5 p.m., when there will be a closing ceremony.

Each flag is accompanied by a plaque depicting the story of an essential worker, law enforcement officer, other first responders, and armed forces members.

Visitors during those hours will also be able to stop by a staffed information table where a map will help them find familiar names of locals from World War I through the present. 

Net proceeds will be divided between two nonprofits: WNY Heroes and Meals on Wheels.

A camper fire is reported at the Timberline Lake RV Park at 8150 Vallance Road, Le Roy.

It's at Lot 32B.

Le Roy fire responding.

UPDATE 1:07 a.m.: Auxilary requested to the scene for refreshments.

The Batavia Players cut the ribbon on Sunday night on the company's new dance studio in City Centre.

Director Pat Burk called it a state-of-the-art facility. 

Cutting the ribbon is dance student Lucy LeFevre along with instructor Briana Blair Kelly while students Jocelyn Coburn and Samantha Balbi hold the ribbon.

Batavia's graduating seniors were feted with a parade, led by City fire, through the city on Saturday.

Photos by Eileen Ognibene.

Major Stash Cigar, on Liberty Street in Batavia, teamed up with the American Warrior Festival to honor veterans on Saturday with a cigar night featuring acoustic music from The Remediators and Joel Russlett.

Photo: Dan Clor, director of the American Warrior Festival, and Doug Palmer, owner of Major Stash Cigar.

A reader spotted this young couple dancing in the parking lot of Towne Center at Batavia off Veterans Memorial Drive shortly after 9 p.m., Saturday.

He said, "It was a cool moment. Most of the plaza was closed and they were just out there by themselves. You could hear the music from the car radio. Right after I snapped that picture, the guy spun her around. I wish I had waited a split second more. Made me smile."

City fire is on scene of a small porch fire at 202 S. Swan St., Batavia.

No information is available at this time on the cause of the fire.

An accident involving a motorcycle is reported in the area of 7218 South Lake Road.

Mercy Flight is on a ground standby.

Bergen Fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Mercy Flight won't be required. A Mercy ambulance that was also responding has been put back in service.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: Bergen ambulance is transporting a patient to Strong.

UPDATE 5:36 p.m.: Bergen assignment back in service.

New era of Batavia Muckdogs baseball opens at Dwyer Stadium

Photos below by Jim Burns. For more photos, click here.

A van is reportedly on fire in the parking lot of D&R Depot in Le Roy.

It's believed the van is unoccupied.

Le Roy fire responding.

Lake Street Road is being shut down at Mill Street.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: Fire is out.

A two-car accident is reported at Richmond Avenue and Bogue Avenue, Batavia.

One person is complaining of neck pain.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Without any prior publicity, the Genesee Country Farmers' Market opened for the season today.

The public market is now located over by the former JC Penney building off of Alva Place. 

We have no information on hours of operation this year.

This afternoon, Corfu held a Memorial Day Parade.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Elba Central School along with the Elba Betterment Committee held a Memorial Day Ceremony today at Maple Lawn Cemetery.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Here are photos from the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the Veterans Hospital, the NYS Vets Home, the Upton Monument, and the War Memorial at Jerome Center.

Councilman Bob Bialkowski shared this Memorial Day photo of the front of his house. Bialkowski has organized today's Memorial Day Parade in Batavia, which starts in Eastown Plaza at 9:45 a.m.

Other events in the county today: 

• Alexander: Ceremony in the Alexander Village Cemetery at 11 a.m.
• Bergen: Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in Hickory Park.
• Byron: Ceremony in the Byron Cemetery at 11 a.m.
• Corfu: Parade at noon from the Corfu Fire Hall to the Intermediate School. Ceremony to follow.
• Elba: Ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m.  
• Le Roy: Parade at 10:30 a.m. starting at the American Legion Hall and ending at Trigon Park with a ceremony to follow.
• Memorial services at the VA Center at 8:30 a.m., the NYS Vets Home at 8:45 a.m., Harvester Avenue at 9:30 a.m., Upton Monument at 10 a.m., the War Memorial at Jerome Center at 10:30  a.m., Glenn S. Loomis Grave, Elmwood Cemetery, 11:30 a.m., Hanson Brothers Grave, Grandview, at noon.

A caller reports that somebody stole four birdhouses from her residence on Vallance Road in Le Roy.

Her husband is following the suspect vehicle, perhaps a red pickup truck.

Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: The suspect vehicle was last seen on North Road, apparently heading into Monroe County.  Monroe County deputies being alerted and the husband is returning home.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: A person in the vehicle threw the birdhouses into the roadway.

Bryan Bartholomew submitted this photo of sunset over Lehigh Avenue, Batavia.

JoAnne Meiser submitted this photo of sunset in Indian Falls.

A "large" grass fire is reported in the area of Clinton Street Road and Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, near the roadway.

Stafford fire is responding.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: The fire is an attended controlled burn. Stafford is standing down.