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Two arrests reported at Brad Paisley concert at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

The following arrests were made during the Brad Paisley concert at Darien Lake Theme Park on Friday night:

Timothy Meade, 20, of 7326 Lakeshore Road, Derby, is charged with trespassing for allegedly re-entering the concert after being ejected.

Garrett Lang, 23, of 7195 Fish Hatchery Road, Bath, is charged with trespass after allegedly climbing a fence and going for a swim in the Grizzly Run Ride.

Scotts Rolls Royce Upsets in Batavia feature

By Howard B. Owens

Press release

Batavia, NY --- Scotts Roll Royce has been one of the best horses in Western New York this season and on Saturday night (Aug-15) at Batavia Downs Casino racing fans got to see why.

Stepping up from the claiming ranks, Scotts Rolls Royce unleashed a powerful burst of speed around the final turn to win going away in the featured $9,000 Open Handicap. The final time of 1:54.4 was the fastest pace so far during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet.  Jimmy Whisman was at the controls for owner- trainer Greg Luther of Ohio. The win was the 12th of the season for Scotts Rolls Royce ($18.40) and raised his 2009 earnings to over $53,000.

Triple Bars (Robert Verney), first-over in the mile finished a game second while Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight), who led for most of the mile, wound up third.

Kevin Cummings continued with his hot hand (and bruised arm) guiding home four more winners to increase his lead in the drivers standings. Jimmy Whisman scored a hat-trick while Jim McNeight and Robert Verney had driving doubles.

Racing resumes on Monday night at America’s Oldest Light Harness track, post time is 7:05 p.m. Mondays in August are Seniors Night, Beginning at 5:30 p.m., all seniors 55 and over that swipe their Players Club card receive a free racing program and a $2.00 discount at the Paddock Room concession stand.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo by Paul White

Dale and Mary Jacobs of Darien weave and grow locally

By Howard B. Owens

Today, Billie and I drove around Genesee County a bit just to look around.  After lunch at the Darien Cafe, we spotted a roadside fruit stand, and upon looking more closely, Billie saw a woman in the barn just behind it sitting and weaving, so we stopped.

Dale and Mary Jacobs sell their handcrafted blankets, towels, shoestrings and place mats from their barn -- all the items are handmade from locally grown material.

They also sell vegetables from their garden -- everything organically grown.

"I was a weaver already and Dale was a gardener, so when we retired, we just expanded on what we already did," Mary said.

Dale, is, in fact, a master gardener through the Cornell Extension.

They've had their business about 10 years.

Crooked Creek Farm is located at 1438 Broadway Road in Darien Center.

Knotted old tree at Kutter's in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Billie and I stopped by Kutter's Cheese in Pembroke today, and while I waited in the car with our dog, I started looking at this old tree and decided to snap a few pictures. It wasn't until after I got home and opened this shot in PhotoShop that I notice what looks like the face of an angry old man in the knotted bark.  Can you see it?

Tom Wiate wins Batavia Handicapping Contest

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia, NY --- Handicapper Tom Wiate of Niagara Falls defeated over 300 contestants to win the first $1,000 Handicapping contest of the season at Batavia Downs Casino. He wins $500. 

Wiate and Tom Kelley of Batavia both finished with 44 points but Wiate was victorious via the tiebreaker. The total mutuel prices of the winners he selected was $52.00. Kelley’s winners equaled $34.40. He wins $250.

Warren Ristine of Hamburg finished with 43 points and pockets $125.

Jean Leddell of Rochester had 41 points and takes home $75.

Francine Monteleone of Batavia rounded out the top five and cashed for $50, after finishing with 40 points. A tiebreaker was also needed to determine the fifth spot.

All prize money can be picked up on Saturday night (Aug-15) beginning at
5:30 p.m. at Players Club.

The next $1,000 contest will be Friday night, September 18. Contest forms can be picked up on the day of the contest starting at 5:30 p.m. at Players Club.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino
 

It's a day for the dogs at Festival of Fur

By Howard B. Owens

The Amazing Kayden grabs a tennis ball after leaping through hurdles at top speed.  He was part of the fun at the Festival of Fur today on West Main Street Road in Batavia.

The event was co-sponsored by Genesee Feeds, Dave's Ice Cream and Volunteers for Animals. 

Dogs could enjoy the day with some ice cream and making new friends, as well receive a microchip for more reliable identification if lost or stolen.

Free car washes offered by SADD at Center of Attention

By Howard B. Owens

Larry Dewitt and Lauren Paluta give a car a free car wash at Center of Attention Auto Spa on Park Road (next to Alex's Place).

Owner Dan Kemp opened up his shop today to members of SADD so they could offer free car washes to anybody who brings a vehicle by. A donation, of course, is requested, either in cash or in school supplies.

The car wash is on until 2 p.m. today.

Dancing Derrick is also there.

Australian Stock cruises at Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY -- The saying you can’t keep a good man down certainly applied to Batavia Downs Casino dash leading driver Kevin Cummings on Friday night (Aug-14). Back in the bike after a nasty spill on Monday night, Cummings won the featured $9,000 Open Handicap Trot with Australian Stock and the $7,200 co-featured Open II trot with Ima a Cricket Also. Both horses are conditioned by D. J. Millner.

“My hip still hurts and I’m all bandaged up (his arm and elbow) but I’m happy to be back,” Cummings said in the paddock before the start of the races.

Leaving from post-seven in the weekly trotting feature Cummings had Australian Stock quickly on the lead after an eighth of a mile but yielded the front to last weeks open trot winner, Jack Sparrow, and Jim McNeight. Not content with second, Cummings  moved Australian Stock back to the front at the three-eighths and trotted home strongly to the wire to score in 1:58.4. Jack Sparrow was a 1-1/2 lengths back in second and Manfromnantucket (Jack Flanigen) finished farther back in third.

“He’s razor sharp right now, once I got him back on the lead I didn’t think they would beat him, DJ’s done a nice job with him,” Cummings said in the Winners Circle.

The victory was the seventh of the season for Australian Stock, a 5-year-old son of Angus Hall. He raised his 2009 earnings to over $45,000 for owner David Slyman of Ohio.

Ima a Cricket Also, parlayed a perfect trip into a 10-1 upset score in the co-feature. Firing out of the gate from post-eight, Cummings was able to drop in the two-hole as the field entered the Clubhouse turn. Sitting in the garden spot until the final turn, Cummings pulled the 7-year-old daughter of Armbro Laser to the outside and was up to challenge pace-setter Joe Page (Tom Agosti) at the top of the stretch. Down the lane, Ima a Cricket Also, powered away to a 1-1/2 length score over a closing Cade Callihan (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 1:59.3. Joe Page finished third.

“Batavia Downs Live”, the 3 ½ hour live television broadcast debuted Friday night in the Buffalo market on the Universal Sports network channel 114. The races are also available on Verizon Fios channel 460 and off-air with a digital converter on channel 2-2. The broadcast begins at 7:00.

The Batavia races also available in the Rochester market and surrounding counties on Time Warner channel 98. Please be advised the races will not be aired on Saturday night (Aug-15), on channel 98, the show returns on Monday night.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia man's body found by side of Route 98 in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man was found dead at 7:57 p.m. Friday along Route 98 in Alexander.

The body of Michael J. Falk, 55, a resident on East Main Street, was found about six feet down an embankment by a passing motorist, who initially spotted a bicycle leaning against a guard rail.

The motorist called 9-1-1 and the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call. County Coroner Donald Coleman pronounced Falk dead at the scene.

Foul play is not suspected.

The investigation is ongoing. It is being conducted by Deputy Joseph Graff, Sgt. Greg Walker, Sgt. Steve Mullen, Investigator William Ferrando and the Genesee County Coroner's Office.

Drunken driving suspected in Darien accident that kills Dansville girl

By Howard B. Owens

An 18-year-old Dansville girl died last night in a three-car crash on Route 20 in Darien, and the 24-year-old driver who allegedly caused the crash has been charged with manslaughter.

He was allegedly driving drunk.

Katie M. Stanley, of 8956 McNair Road, Dansville, suffered head and chest injuries in the 11:08 p.m. accident.

Stanley was a passenger in a car that struck a truck making an allegedly illegal left-hand turn.

She was initially transported to UMMC and later transferred to Strong. Her time of death has not been reported.

According to a Sheriff's Office press release, a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup operated by Ronald Wendt II, 24, of 10448 Brookville Road, Alexander, was heading westbound on Route 20, just east of Harper Road. Wendt reportedly tried to make a left-hand turn into a parking area and allegedly failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Wendt's truck was struck by a 1993 Toyota Camery driven by Rachel L. Enderle, 27, of 10281 Jacobs Road, Dansville. Wendt's truck then struck an unoccupied 2002 pickup truck.

The two other passengers in the Toyota were Timothy L. Enderle, 20, of 49 N. Meandowbrook , North Chili, and Gabrielle E. Mahus, 18, of 11493 Mendoleine Road, Dansville.

Mahus and Rachel Enderle were transported to Erie County Medical Center. It's unknown at this time what injuries Mahus sustained. Rachel suffer a lower leg/foot injury. Timothy Enderle was transported to UMMC with a hip injury. He was later transferred to Strong.

No injuries were reported for Wendt. Besides being charged with manslaughter, Wendt faces charges for allegedly driving with a BAC .08 or greater, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninspected vehicle and failing to yield the right of way. His truck also allegedly did not have a front license plate. Additional charges may be pending.

Wendt was  arraigned in Darien Town Court and placed in the Genesee County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Assisting at the scene were the Darien Volunteer Fire Department, the Alexander Fire Department, Mercy Flight, the City of Batavia Ambulance Service and the Attica Police Department.

UPDATE Aug. 16, 8:51 a.m.: The Sheriff's office provided an amended report giving the age of Rachel L. Enderle as 27, not 17 as originally reported.

City firefighters got their boots filled for MDA

By Howard B. Owens

Lori Ann Santini took these pictures today. She reports that it appears today's "Fill the Boot" campaign put on by the firefighters union was successful. The union raised money today for MDA.

Above is firefighter Jeff Stevens. 

Union president Greg Ireland and Captain Jay Steinbrenner.

Firefighter Tim Stengal.

UPDATE: Greg Ireland reports the fundraiser brought in $4,500.

"It's a bit shy of last year's total but it will still go a long way to help the kids. Local 896 wants to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped and donated to this great cause."

New vehicle storage facility in Elba among items reviewed by county planning board

By Howard B. Owens

A special-use permit for a new RV, boat and auto storage facility in Elba were among several items approved last night by the Genesee County Planning Board.

The 37,000-square-foot facility will, be located on Drake Street Road at the former location of Drake Street Motors. The lot is adjacent business owner's home.

If final approval is granted by Elba's planning commission, the facility will be required to only store operational vehicles -- no parts or junk.

Other business included:

  • A resident at 8846 Kenney Road in Le Roy is seeking permission to kennel up to seven rescued dogs on that property. If approved by the Le Roy Planning Commission, the owner will not be allowed to operate a commercial kennel without seeking a new special-use permit. Some board members expressed concern about barking dogs, but Jim Duval, director of planning, said that issue is really the responsibility of the local planning board. "In her application, she assures everybody they're quiet dogs," Duval said.
  • A site plan review for Jeffries Ag Services, 6905 Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, for construction of a new loading area, conversion of a former tank area to dry fertilizer storage and conversion of the front storage area into office space. On the recommendation of Mel Wentland, board president, the board added a provision that the DEC be contacted to review the dike capacity and ensure it is sufficient to protect Oatka Creek from any spills.
  • A sign-variance approval for Coffee Culture, going in at 6 Court St., for signs on the three public-facing sides of the building.
  • Both Bergen and Stafford are proposing changes to their zoning laws.

Helicopter over Batavia yesterday: NYSP looking for marijuana growing

By Howard B. Owens

A few people had a question for us yesterday: Why was a State Police helicopter circling over the City of Batavia?

Answer: Marijuana eradication.

Rebecca Gibbons, spokeswoman for the State Police, just provided the answer.

"This is the time of year that it is very visible," Gibbons said.

The helicopter is in the air again today, but Gibbon's doesn't have information what areas it would be covering during its marijuana eradication mission.

Today's Deals: Valle Jewelers, Alex's Place, Delavan's, Center Street, T.F. Brown's, O'Lacy's

By Howard B. Owens

Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: Does your ring need a good cleaning, re-sizing or the prongs fixed? Your gift certificate from The Batavian can be used for jewelry repair services, too. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, N.Y.: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a 50 gift certificate for $25.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, N.Y.: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, N.Y.: Ribs, brisket, steak, prime rib -- Center Street is a meat lover's paradise. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. When you need to book your next party, think T.F. Brown's. See the ad on the right side of the page for contact information. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, N.Y.: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's.  Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

 

A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10. The fee is 50 cents on items below $10.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. Only one gift certificate per-merchant per-person every six months. Gift certificates cannot be combined with other offers without prior approval of the merchant. Gift certificates bought separately cannot be combined for a single purchase. Individuals buying gift certificates must use their own personal PayPal account for the purchase.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Unless other arrangements are made immediately after purchase, the gift certificate will mailed to the winner at his or her PayPal-provided postal address within two or three days of purchase.

Valle Jewelers

Alex's Place

SOLD

Center Streak Smoke House

SOLD

Delavan's

SOLD

O'Lacy's

sold

T.F. Brown's

SOLD

Police checkpoints in Genesee County lead to 14 arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Checkpoints were set up in Genesee County yesterday by the Batavia Police Department and the New York State Police, leading to the arrests of 14 people.

The checkpoints were at Clinton Street, as well as in the Town of Darien and on Colby Road in Pembroke.

Sally C. Dixon, 39, of 5801 Byron-Holley Road, Byron, is charged with DWI. Dixon was stopped on Clinton Street by Batavia police.

The following arrests were made by State Police:

Robert Davis, 24, of N. Tonawanda, NY,  charged with DWI, allegedly driving with a BAC of .10 percent.

John Blackmore, 36, of Ewing, N.J., charged with three counts of criminal possession controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Michael Hirsch, 26, of Tonawanda, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .14 percent.

Richard Gentilozzi, 25, of Fairfield, Conn., charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Ryan Rich, 23, of Norwalk, Conn., charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Lawrence Taylor, 36, of Depew, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 percent.

Bret Cimerman, 27, of Buffalo, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Hunter Ciliberti, 20, of Redwood, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC .13 percent.

Adam Drexler, 30, of Rochester, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .10 percent.

Thomas Lalomia, 26, of Getzville, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .16 percent.

Gregory Martin, 31, of Niagara Falls, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .09 percent.

Michael Sargent, 29, of Rochester, charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Eleven arrests reported at Phish concert at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

The following arrests were made last night in conjunction with the Phish concert at Darien Lake Theme Park:

Matthew Maziarz, 26, of 216 Spaulding St., North Tonawanda, charged with criminal possession of marijuana.

Ryan P. Flannery, 20, 52 Lookout View Road, Fairport, allegedly found with LSD and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Ramon Ratiniskiy, 18, of 1048 N. French Road, Amherst, and a 16-year-old companion where charged with petit larceny for allegedly pushing a Darien Lake water cart through the crowd allowing patrons to take water for free.

Nhut D. Frawley, 41, 2 Brookside Drive, Catawissa, Pa., was allegedly found in possession of LSD and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Michael R. Sunley, 26, of 3893 Foleys Trail, Lexington, Ky., was charged with selling a noxious material. Sunley was allegedly selling balloons containing nitrous oxide. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Michael E. Mugridge, 24, of 47 Coldwater St., Hillsdale, was charged with disorderly conduct. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Justin D. Ritchie, 27, of 19 Chestnut St., Waretown, N.J., was allegedly found in possession of psilocybin (hallucinogenic) mushrooms. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Ritchie was jailed on $500 bail.

Robert J. Krueger, 37, of 38 Kenneth Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly trying to break into vehicles in the parking lot. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Richard W. Tweedy, 24, of 6011 Fallough St., Taylor, Mich., was charged with selling a noxious material. Tweedy was allegedly selling balloons containing nitrous oxide. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Dianna M. Quinn, 36, of 65 Ashwood Lane, Phoenixville, Pa., was charged with selling a noxious material. Tweedy was allegedly selling balloons containing nitrous oxide. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Tonight's Deals: T.F. Brown's, Settler's, Sport of Kings, Jackson St., Enchanted Florist

By Howard B. Owens

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. When you need to book your next party, think T.F. Brown's. See the ad on the right side of the page for contact information. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Settler's has a 25-year history in Batavia of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sport of Kings Family Restaurant, 419 W Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: A favorite locally owned family restaurant that is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. We have a $15 gift card for $7.50.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, N.Y.: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Brighten up your home or office with flowers!  We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10. The fee is 50 cents on items below $10.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. Only one gift certificate per-merchant per-person every six months. Gift certificates cannot be combined with other offers without prior approval of the merchant. Gift certificates bought separately cannot be combined for a single purchase. Individuals buying gift certificates must use their own personal PayPal account for the purchase.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Unless other arrangements are made immediately after purchase, the gift certificate will mailed to the winner at his or her PayPal-provided postal address within two or three days of purchase.

T.F. Brown's

SOLD

Sport of Kings

SOLD

Settler's

SOLD

Jackson St. Grill

SOLD

The Enchanted Florist

SOLD

County legislature approves raft of resolutions

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee County Legislature plowed through a 39-item agenda last night, taking vote after vote on a series of resolutions with little discussion of the items.

(The legislature confines most of its discussion and fact finding on proposed resolutions to its committee meetings.)

Among the items approved:

  • Authorization for the Sheriff's Office to accept a $23,000 grant to buy Tasers.
  • Approved $59,100 allocation (part of the funds coming from a Homeland Security grant) for a rapid-response vehicle for the Sheriff's Office. The vehicle will be used in SWAT actions.
  • In order to facilitate the merger of the Le Roy dispatch center with the Genesee County dispatch center, purchase of a $7,200 upgrade to the New World Systems software that powers the dispatch center.
  • Appointed Cheryl Pfund of Batavia to the Mental Health Community Service Board.
  • Authorization of communication tower construction by ITT at the Genesee County Airport. The tower will be a 46-foot high monopole and require .015 acres of land. The FAA is requiring installation of Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast technology at the airport.
  • Renewed the county's extra 1-percent sales tax for another two years. The tax generates about $8 million annually for the county.

PDF: Download copies of all resolutions passed.

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