Stories from

Sunday was a day of sun and smiles for Muriel Austin and her daughters. A Habitat for Humanity home at 2 McKinley Ave., Batavia, is now their home.

After a brief welcome by Habitat CEO Jessica Maguire-Tomidy, and the gift of a mirror from Lauren Casey, president of the Habitat board, Austin played a recording of a song taken from a verse of the Quran that means "protection."

Austin has five children and four of them live with her (the oldest is an adult). They are LaMonika, Brooklyn, Antoinette and Khadija.

She thanked all the volunteers who helped her with her new home, noting how hard they worked, the expertise and skill many of them brought to the job and the support they offered throughout the process.

"I realized what Habitat is about," Austin said. "It's not about religion. It's not about color. It's not about anything like that. It's about family, community and making a difference, not only making a difference, but also getting people to push in a (better) direction."

Press release:

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) announced today that wagering at WROTB on Saturday’s Belmont Stakes totaled $1,168,559.  American Pharoah captured the first Triple Crown in 37 years. This was down just 6.2 percent from last year’s handle of $1,246,239 while nationwide; handle was down 10.5 percent versus last year. The 2014 race featured three more horses, which increased wagering. Batavia Bets.com, WROTB’s online wagering platform, had handle of over $110,000 for the day, up 28 percent from last year.

“It was great to see a Triple Crown winner. Those watching at Batavia Downs and our Branches were witness to a great horse fulfilling his destiny," said Batavia Downs and WROTB Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer. "I have no doubt that if this race had more horses, we would have beaten last year’s numbers.”

“Kudos to the connections of American Pharoah, they did a great job with the colt,” said GM of Live Racing and OTB Handicapper Todd Haight. “Hopefully we’ll get to see him race a few more times this year before he heads to the breeding shed to begin his next career. In any event, we can all look forward to seeing his offspring run.”   

TV viewing ratings topped a 12.3 rating with a 27 share. It was the first time in back to back years that the Belmont had higher than a 12 rating.​

Thursday, Batavia Kiwanis honored the top students at Notre Dame High School.

Top photo: The Top 10 -- Emily McCracken, Olivia Marchese, Janelle Fancher, Lindsey Bender, Lucas Hull, Dennis Bleier, Abigail Bleier [Valedictorian], Anna Spring, Natalie Moulton [Salutatorian], and Emily Vandenbosch.

Photos and info provided by Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D.

Theresa Kehl, ND Vocal, Instrumental and Drama Society director, with Anna Spring ’15, who earned the Instrumental Award, Lydia Moens ’15, who earned the Vocal Award, and Anna Warner ’15, who earned the Citizenship Award, and Kiwanis President Theresa Asmus.

A 17-year-old resident of Buffalo is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth's arrest started with a report of a jar being stolen from a residence on Allegheny Road, Village of Corfu, that is used to collect money from campfire wood sales. The jar was empty at the time the youth allegedly swiped it. The youth was seen running into a wooded area and Corfu Officer Micheal Petritz began a search of the area, with assistance from Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 "Destro" and Deputy Kevin McCarthy. State Park police also assisted. The youth was located at the entrance of Darien Lake Theme Park. The owner of the jar declined to press charges but the youth was found to allegedly possess a quantity of marijuana. (Initial Report)

A 16-year-old resident of Brighton was arrested on a warrant. The youth was spotted by Le Roy PD on Lake Street. When the youth saw that an officer spotted him, he reportedly fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later with the assistance of Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 "Destro" along with other deputies and troopers. The youth, whose name was withheld by Le Roy PD, was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.

Andrew Wolf, 22, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Wolf allegedly entered an establishment in the Village of Le Roy at 2:25 a.m. Sunday, after previously being advised he was no longer welcome at the establishment.

Ryan N. Jordan, 29, of Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Jordan was arrested following a report of an erratic driver in the Village of Le Roy at 6:30 p.m., Friday.

Marie Arcarisi, 51, of Le Manz Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Arcarisi was stopped in the Village of Le Roy at 12:48 a.m., Saturday, by Le Roy PD.

Michelle A. Curtin, 23, of East Shelby Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Curtin was stopped at 1:32 a.m. Saturday on Route 33, Batavia, for alleged failure to dim headlights by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

A 16-year-old resident of Casey Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and failure to keep right. The youth was reportedly involved in a one-vehicle rollover accident at 6:50 a.m. Sunday on Albion Road, Oakfield. There were no injuries reported. The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Kevin Matthew Mazgaj, 26, of Bedell Road, Grand Island, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. Mazgaj was allegedly on the grounds of Darien Lake Theme Park at 2:14 a.m. Sunday while the park was closed.

Carrie Ann Capostagno, 40, of Caswell Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test, speeding and driving left of pavement markers. Capostagno was stopped at 3:17 a.m. Saturday on Byron Holley Road, Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Hanna Jorose Beveridge, 24, of Gillett Road, Spencerport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Beveridge was stopped at 8:20 p.m. Friday on Route 63, Oakfield, by Deputy Jason Saile. Also charged, Anthony Shane Mykins, 19, of Lyell Road, Rochester.

Jessica Mae Pfenninger, 32, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Pfenninger allegedly stole a purse and other merchandise from Walmart and then abandoned the property in a drainage ditch behind another nearby business.

Dawn M. Morford, 54, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Morford allegedly sold zolpidem to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. Morford was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jenna J. Condoluci, 24, of Groth Road, Holly, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. Condoluci was allegedly found in possession of a hypodermic instrument by members of the Local Drug Task Force.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 11:30 a.m.

The storm reportedly is capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. At the time of the warning, the storm was 10 miles south of Hamburg and moving northeast at 50 mph.

UPDATE 10:38 a.m.: A tornado warning has been issued for portions of Wyoming County, including Warsaw.

State Police in Batavia are looking to identify this man. Call State Police Batavia 344-6200 with any information.

A defibrillator was donated by the Armbrewster family Saturday for use at the Oakfield Little League fields and in the fall for the Oakfield-Elba Titans football program. The donation was made in the memory of Chad Armbrewster, who passed away last year from a heart attack. Participating in the ceremony were Sonya Armbrewster and sons Gage and Gavin, along with Matthew Durham, president of the Little League, and coaches Jeff Hyde, Mike Cusmano and Tim Westcott.

The Alabama American Legion hosted a Hogs and Heroes ride and pig roast Saturday, which include a ride to Medina, then Stan's Harley-Davidson, then to Attica's American Legion Hall, and back to Alabama for a pig roast.

Photos submitted by Timothy Burch.

Genesee ARC was well represented Saturday at the Color Me Rad 5K at Darien Lake Theme Park.

See also: Photos: Color Me Rad 5K 2015 at Darien Lake

Submitted photos.

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets 12U Girls Softball Team took First Place at the Alan Bailey Tournament hosted in Avon at the Driving Park on Saturday. 

The Hornets beat Livonia 19-5 in the first game.

They beat Webster 7-6 for the championship. 

Jenna Gilbert pitched a half inning shy of two complete games for the Hornets. She was named MVP for the Hornets team. Kodi Beehler and Jordyn Tobolski were recognized as Tournament All-stars.

Photo and info submitted by Marc Johnson.

To purchase prints, click here.

A resident on Alleghany Road in Corfu reported a "robbery" to a 9-1-1 dispatcher, and then hung up, but the first police officer responding said it wasn't a robbery, it was a larceny.

"No money was taken," the officer said.

What was taken was an empty can. It's normally a money receptacle for money people buying campfire wood from the residence.

The suspect, wanted for attempted larceny, ran into the woods.

A possible description is a late teens to age 25 white male, 5' 6" to 5' 9". He has on a ball cap and backpack. The backpack is military green. He was also wearing a green shirt and shorts (no color provided on the shorts).

UPDATE (By Billie) 8:15 p.m.: An officer reports the suspect may be at the entrance to Darien Lake Theme Park.

St. James Episcopal Church celebrated 200 years in Batavia today with a special service highlighted by musical performances and officiated by Bishop William Franklin of the Western New York Diocese and former interim pastor Allen Farabbe.

A six-piece brass ensemble and percussion section, led by Dave Porter, performed “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “Crown Him With Many Crowns,” “Lift High the Cross” and “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.”

The Genesee Chorale, conducted by Ric Jones, also performed, with accompaniment by pianist Doug Henson.

Pudgie's Garden Center hosted a butterfly clinic today taught by Ardell Olin. Visitors could learn about what plants attract butterflies and the type of habitats they prefer. (For example, they like rocks to land on to dry their wings.)

Above, Tracy Dean, of Alexander, with her son Keith prepare to leave with a couple of plant purchases after talking with Olin.

The names of five more veterans were added to a walkway of honor at the VA's PTSD Clinic in Batavia this afternoon. There are 45 names on the walkway. Each year, the names of those who have been through the PTSD program but passed in the previous year are added to the walkway.

The first runner rounds the corner on Bank Street this morning to start a 5K race benefiting All Babies Cherished.

Five-year-old Ryan is all business as he waits for the start of this morning's youth fishing derby at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. It's the 24th year for the event. This year, as of 8:10 a.m., 30 children had signed up.

Ryan is with is dad, Dave, and brother, David, 7. The family lives in Alabama.