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Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone rocked the Downs on Friday along with supporting acts the Grass Roots and the All-Star Band.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

The Batavia Muckdogs close out the regular season at Dwyer Stadium tonight with a chance to repeat as Western Division champions on the line.

Trailing the Elmira Pioneers by mere percentage points, the Muckdogs need a win against Niagara Power after a doubleheader split on Friday against Newark.

Batavia won the first game 2-0 behind the pitching of Rijnaldo Euson and Garrett Beaver.

Euson tossed six innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits and fanning eight. Euson finishes the regular season with a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 2.48. He amassed 35 strikeouts.

Beaver picked up his second save in 12 relief appearances. He's 3-0 with a 1.22 ERA.

Lucas Lopez reached base three times, twice on a walk and once with a hit in three plate appearances.

Newark took the second game 4-2.

For Batavia, Lopez was 2 for 3 and Kyle Hetherington went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Muckdogs are 26-16 and Elmira is 27-16.

A stalwart of the Le Roy, and Genesee County, community for more than 50 years, Robert L. Boyce, has passed away at age 88.

Boyce, a native of Hamburg and an Army veteran, moved to Le Roy in 1968 after graduation from the University at Buffalo to go to work for an insurance company that eventually became Tompkins Insurance.

He quickly became involved in the community, joining Jaycees and Rotary, eventually becoming a Paul Harris fellow.

He served the Le Roy Ambulance Service for 27 years, including 13 years as president.

His honors and awards include the Genesee County Health and Humanitarian award (2014), Botts-Fiorito Post #576 LeRoyan of the Year (2018), Boys Scouts Distinguished Service award (2019), and the Alpha Medal of Service award at GCC Foundation (2020).

Boyce is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beth, and daughters Ann (Alan) Nordyke and Tracey (Jim) Carter, and son David (Irena) Boyce. His 8 grandchildren, Laura Nordyke Boland, Andrew Nordyke, Megan Boyce, Ryan Boyce, Emily Carter, Madelyn Carter, Gil Katz, Ella Katz and 2 great-grandchildren

For his full obituary, click here.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Sitting in the entertainment tent at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Thursday evening, if you closed your eyes, you could be forgiven if you thought you really hearing Don Felder, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner

The musicianship was that precise, and the harmonies that tight as a group of veteran Buffalo-area musicians, now performing at the Eaglez Tribute Band, ran through 28 hits of the Eagles over three hours of music.

The Eaglez are, in reality:

• Randy Barnard, Lead Guitar/Keyboard
• Dennis Makowski,  Guitar/Vocals
• Bob Brummitt, Bass Guitar/Vocals
• John White, Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
• Mike Nierenberg,  Vocals/Percussion
• Micky Judware / Rich Keigley, Drums
• Paul Vanacore, Sax/Keyboard

Note: Sadly, and unknown at show time, Randy Meisner passed away on Thursday. An original member of the Eagles, he was 77. Glenn Frey, another founding member, passed away in 2016.

Previously: The Eaglez highlights GC Fair's five nights of live music that spans genres and eras

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Two young men and a teenager from Batavia were taken into custody early Thursday morning following a report of shots fired in the area of Washington Avenue and Willow Street in the city, followed by the sound of gunshots on Dellinger Avenue.

The initial call of shots fired was received by emergency dispatchers at 11:22 p.m. on Wednesday.  

Police officers responded to Washington Avenue and Willow Street and found evidence at the intersection consistent, according to Batavia PD, with a weapon being discharged.

The nature of the evidence was not disclosed.

While officers were canvassing the area, multiple shots were heard coming from the area of Dellinger Avenue, and officers immediately responded.

At that location, officers again discovered evidence, police said, consistent with a weapon being discharged.

As the investigation continued, police reviewed footage from pole cameras, which helped them develop a vehicle description.

Information about the shooting and the suspect vehicle was shared with surrounding law enforcement agencies for their assistance in locating the vehicle and potential suspects. 

After the scene had been secured, the City Fire responded to the Willow Street scene to provide ground ladders for officers to assist officers in their search of the scene. 

At 1:11 a.m., four males were located walking in the area of Chase Park and North Spruce Streets. 

The males were transported to a business parking lot on East Main Street, where a vehicle apparently matching the vehicle viewed on the surveillance video was located. 

Officers at that scene located evidence consistent with a weapon or weapons being discharged, and all four males were taken into custody at that time. 

After interviews, one male was released, and the other three were arrested. 

Tmario H. Ayala, 20, Bryson R. Gentile, 18, and a 17-year-old male, all of Batavia, were taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C felony, and reckless endangerment in the first degree, a Class D felony. 

Police did not say whether a weapon was recovered, nor did they reveal who or what may have been targeted, or if there was a target, by the alleged shooter or shooters.

They did not say which individual, or if it's multiple individuals, may have discharged a weapon.

The investigation did conclude, police said, that a residence had been struck by gunfire on Dellinger Avenue. 

No injuries were reported.

Ayala and Gentile were arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or $300,000 partially secured bond. 

The 17-year-old male was arraigned in Youth Part Court and was held on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or a $100,000 partially secured bond. 

Batavia PD was assisted by City Fire, the Sheriff's Office, and Emergency Dispatch. Citizens also assisted by providing information that aided the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and Batavia PD asks that any members of the public with information that may be relevant to the incident to contact the detective bureau at 585-345-6444.

The Karaoke Contest, Genesee County Fair's version of American Idol or The Voice, held its finals of a two-night competition on Wednesday evening.

Here are the winners for 17 and under:

• 1st: Carly
• 2nd: Hannah
• 3rd: Jesse 

And, 18 and over:

• 1st: Melissa
• 2nd: Laura
• 3rd: Jim

Photos by Howard Owens.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

The best part of teaching golf to a bunch of kids is seeing how much fun they had, said local Pro Tom Tucker.

About a dozen years ago, Tucker founded the Batavia Country Club Junior Golf Camp.

"I like seeing the kids have fun, and every once in a while, we have somebody who really has some golf DNA in them, and it's fun watching them progress as golfers," Tucker said. "And I like being with the kids. It helps keep me young."

Tucker has been a United States Golf Teachers Federation certified instructor since 2005. He's been listed as a Top 100 teaching pro by the World Golf Teaching Federation since 2010.

The annual summer camp is broken into two groups.  This week the camp is filled to capacity -- 25 students -- with 7 to 10-year-olds.  Next week, the 12 to 15-year-old group arrives at Batavia Country Club.

Each group gets a week of instruction, practice and competition, with a tournament on Friday.

For the younger students, the focus is more on ensuring the kids learn to enjoy the game of golf while older students are given a bit more instruction.  Both groups compete in chipping, pitching, lag putting, accuracy putting, and drives. The winners of each competition receive a medal. 

"We've produced a lot of good golfers," Tucker said.  Some students have gone on to play for their high school teams, Tucker said.

Tucker, this year is assisted by Roxanne Noth and Dominic NiCastro.

For more information on the golf camp and photos from past years, visit TomTuckerGolf.com.

Photos by Howard Owens

Graham Manufacturing is currently looking for welders, and Justin Deleo might be a good candidate for one of those openings if he was just a little bit older.

The Byron-Bergen sophomore won a welding competition at the Genesee County Fair under the supervision of William Muoio from Graham.

Justin loves welding, but perhaps, unfortunately for Graham, he also loves farming.

He's thought about welding as a career, "but I really would just like to learn how to weld and then use that in running my own farm," Justin said.

He got his start welding by helping out his grandfather on his farm, Forest Lawn, at the bottom of the hill by Genesee Community College.

"I like building things," Justin said. "I have worked on my grandpa's farm, and I helped him weld hay wagons, and ever since then, I've been interested in welding."

For first prize, Justin had his choice between a set of torches and a mask or an auto shade helmet, and he picked the helmet, said Todd Hofheins, Future Farmers of America advisor.

Hofheins said the welding competition and a tractor skills competition are organized by FFA and 4-H and supported by sponsors who provided more than $3,000 in prize money and prizes.

In welding, second place went to Michael Jewart, a student at Pioneer, and third place went to Cooper Harkins, from Pavilion.

In the tractor competition for junior category:

• Cooper Harkins
• Evan Winspear
• Justin Deleo

In the senior competition:

• Carson Warner
• Ian Keberle
• Michael Jewart
• Colton Yasses

Photos by Howard Owens

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

There was a lot of fun and excitement on Wednesday in the Exhibit Hall at the Genesee County Fair with the annual Small Fry Tractor Pull.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

A rain-shorted game the Batavia Muckdogs thought they still had a chance to win cost the team possession of first place in the Western Division of the PGCBL.

The Muckdogs, at 25-25, trail the Elmira Pioneers, 26-15, by mere percentage points with three games left in the season.

Wednesday's game against Niagara Power ended in the fifth inning, with both teams expecting the game to continue at a later time but league officials ruled the game over, giving Power (21-17) a 3-2 win.

Michael Pedraza, who pitched all 4 1/3 innings of the game and gave up three runs and eight hits while striking out seven, took the loss.

Offensively for the Muckdogs:

• Chad Falcon went 1-2
• Levis Aguila Jr. went 1-2
• Matt DeStefano went 1-2
• Caleb Rodriguez went 1-2 with 1 Run

The Muckdogs, who have clinched a playoff spot, have three games left in the regular season. 

All three games are against the Newark Pilots, who are 12 games out of first and 12-26 on the season.  All three games will be played at Dwyer Stadium, with two today (Thursday) and one on Saturday. The first game tonight is at 5 p.m. and the second is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Things did not go the Muckdogs way against Niagara Power on Tuesday, but Batavia managed to retain a slender lead in the Western Division of the PGCBL.

Batavia lost 9-2, giving up 16 hits and committing two errors.

Ty Woods was down 3-0 when he was lifted after three innings, having given up two earned runs on nine hits and two walks. 

Ben Weber was tagged for six runs and seven hits.

Thomas Blaydes stopped the bleeding with three hitless innings to close out the game.

The Muckdogs, with four games left in the season, are 25-14 with a half-game lead over Elmira (25-15).

Batavia has clinched a playoff spot for the post-season.

The Muckdogs travel to Niagara tonight. The team hosts Newark on Thursday at Dwyer Stadium at 5 p.m.

The Marshall Tucker Band, along with openers Alyssa Trajan and JB Aaron, rocked the Downs this past Friday night.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

A motor vehicle accident is reported in the area of 5068 Ellicott Street Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: Not blocking and minor injuries.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Photographer Laura Luft shared with us some shots of 4-H activities at the Genesee County Fair.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

A 53-year-old Rochester resident on parole for a prior robbery conviction has been charged in Monday's Key Bank branch robbery in Batavia.

Stacy R. Moss is charged with robbery in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree. 

Moss is accused of entering the Key Bank branch at 69 Main St. shortly before 9:36 a.m. and handed a teller a note demanding money.

Police said the suspect did not display a weapon or threaten use of a weapon.

The suspect then left on a bicycle with an unspecified amount of money. 

Officers from Batavia PD, along with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, checked the area and were initially unable to locate the suspect. 

Batavia PD detectives worked quickly to obtain an identification of the individual involved using the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center's facial recognition software. 

Batavia shared the suspect's photos from the robbery scene with local media, and officers checked the last known addresses of the person they believed was identified in the photos.

While gathering further information, investigators received information that the suspect was hiding inside a residence on South Spruce Street.

Moss was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators determined that the suspect acted alone

Moss was released on parole in January after serving seven years on a 2016 convict for three counts of robbery in the third degree, grand larceny.

He also has prior convictions for robbery in the first degree in 2004, robbery in the second degree in 1989, and burglary in the third degree in 1987.

Following his arrest, Moss was arraigned and ordered held pending his next court appearance.

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