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P.S.: I'm not adopting any of the dogs Volunteers for Animals brought to the parade today. Promise.

It likely will be days before we know how a man whose body was found partially submerged in the lake at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia died.

A fisherman first noticed the body some time after 6 a.m., which is when the Cedar Street park opened, and he notified a member of the park maintenance staff.

Batavia PD was notified at 8:54 a.m.

Officer Marc Lawrence, who briefed media earlier this afternoon at DeWitt, said he couldn't speculate on why there was a delay between the body being spotted and police being contacted.

Lawrence said there is no information available indicating the age or race of the deceased.

The body was found at the far end of the lake from the main entrance, in the northeast corner, on the other side of the land bridge that has been exposed by the drought.

As of early this afternoon, a scuba-diving team was still searching the lake for any potential evidence that might be connected to the incident.

At this time, the investigation is being handled as a criminal investigation, pending new information that might indicate otherwise.

There have been two recent missing person reports in the area, but there's no information at this time connecting those reports to this incident, Lawrence said.

A three-vehicle accident is reported at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 20, Pavilion.

Injuries are reported.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: Callers have not indicated extent of injuries. A chief in route has requested Mercy Flight on a ground standby.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Fire Police requested to the scene.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: A second ambulance requested to the scene, non-emergency.

A motor vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 117 East Main St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: Fire Police requested for traffic control.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Patient extricated.

(Submitted photo: "Winter Morning," painting by Don Grieger of The All Weather Gang, a group whose works are now on display at Elzay Gallery at Ohio Northern University's Wilson Fine Art Building through Oct. 5.)

Press release:

The All Weather Gang is a group of diverse individuals (think aerospace engineer and English teacher to graphic designer and owner of a construction company) from Western New York, including Batavia and Le Roy, who have met almost every Saturday for decades to go outdoors and paint in weather that at times would give even the U.S. Postal Service reason to reconsider.

They gather to paint the world around them and by doing so to draw attention to the scenes that "every one looks at, but no one sees." For the first time, the group's artwork is on display in Ohio.

The new exhibition, which opened Aug. 29 runs through Oct. 5, brings together paintings from summer, fall, winter and spring that are painted en plein air (outdoors) and on site.

The show is at the Elzay Gallery located at Ohio Northern University's Wilson Fine Art Building at 515 S. Gilbert St. in Ada. The gallery is open daily 1 to 4:30 pm. Sponsored by Ohio Northern University Art & Design Department and CASE (Committee on the Arts and Special Events).

City of Batavia police, with assistance from State Police, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies and City of Batavia Fire Rescue personnel, are investigating the discovery of a body found early this morning at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street.

"The body was found by a fisherman shortly after 6 a.m. in the sandwash -- actually in the water," said City Police Officer Marc Lawrence, who arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. and advised that the park would be closed to the public at 10:40 a.m.

"We do not know the sex or race of the individual or the situation that led up to it at this time."

Lawrence said that fire rescue workers will assist law enforcement with the retrieval of the body and removal to the medical examiner's office in Erie County. He added that he anticipates another press briefing will take place around noon.

Reports indicate that the body was found in the southeast portion of the park a short time after a park maintenance employee opened the gates at 6 a.m. 

The Batavian will publish more details as they are released by authorities.

Photo -- By Carlet Cleare, 13WHAM.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:20 a.m.: No injuries. Police believe the driver of the sedan, heading west on Richmond, ran a red light.

A male in his 40s is injured following an ATV accident at 3725 Maltby Road in Oakfield, well off the main roadway. He reportedly has a head injury, was briefly unconscious, and is bleeding due to a "severe laceration of his right ear." Mercy Flight is on ground standby. Oakfield fire and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Weatherwax and Fisher roads.

City police are responding to Union Street for a complaint of "large kids playing football in the street."

The day in the life of a police officer isn't always just about seeing bad people do bad things, they also see good people doing good things. And the folks at Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe on Jackson Street wanted to provide a way for Batavia PD officers to reward the people they come across who do the little things to help make the community better. They made up "Random Act of Cupcake" cards for police officers to hand out to people they come across doing good things.

The cards read, "You've been caught doing good! Enjoy a free cupcake or cookie."

Pictured Lyndsey, from Sweet Pea's, and Officer Mitchell Cowen, who helped coordinate the effort with Batavia PD.

The man who shot and killed an Alexander High School graduate last year entered a guilty plea and will serve at least 45 years in prison.

Zachary Ludwig was sentenced in West Chester, Pa., on Friday.

Ludwig admitted to buying an unregistered shotgun, cutting its barrel down to 12 inches and then luring Nichols Mruczek out of his apartment and firing the gun at point-blank range.

Ludwig was angry because Mruczek was in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

Reporter Michael P. Rellahan was in court Friday for the hearing and published a detailed account of the proceedings for the Phoenix Reporter. 

Mruczek's parents and brother spoke in court about the devastating loss their family suffered.

“He was one in a million,” said his mother, Dawn Werner, who had traveled from New York to attend the hearing, as had the others. “He had a smile that would light up a room, and he learned at a young age that if he flashed that smile he could melt your heart."

The prosecution consulted the family prior to the plea deal and Nick's brother Justin acknowledged that it would be impossible to fashion a deal that would bring his brother back.

“I wish I could honestly say and think that justice has been served but there is no amount of jail time that can bring back such a beautiful, fun-loving life like my brother’s," Justin said.

Nick's father, Pat Mruczek, recalled how he spoke to his son daily and his mobile phone has become a difficult reminder of what he's lost.

“My cell phone only reminds me of the death of my son," Pat Mruczek said. "How I hate my phone. If it was not for all the pictures (of Mruczek) I have on it I would have thrown it away long ago.

“A big part of my life is gone and I will never get that back,” he added.

Ludwig said he deeply regrets his crime.

“Every day I wish I could bring Mruczek back," Ludwig said. "I can never forgive myself for what I’ve done. I cannot apologize enough.

“I understand if you think I am a monster,” Ludwig added. “I’d have to agree with you.”

Ludwig, who could have received a life prison sentence if convicted by a jury, admitted to third-degree murder, which carried a maximum penalty of 20 to 40 years in prison. However, he was given a 45-90 year sentence because he also entered guilty pleas to attempted burglary, terroristic threats, prohibited offensive weapons, recklessly endangering another person and possession of instruments of a crime.

The 23-year-old Ludwig was offered the plea deal, and the chance to some day get out of prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei, because of his contrition, lack of prior criminal record and relatively young age.

Laurie Oltramari, executive director of the Batavia Improvement District, turned in her letter of resignation this week.

BID president Victor Gautieri confirmed the resignation and said the board would meet in the coming week to decide what to do next. 

Oltramari led the organization for a year. 

Gautieri declined further comment.

The Batavia Blue Devils, 2016 edition, quietly took apart Greece Olympia/Odyssey on Woodward Field on Friday night to the point that the Spartans seems to have lost their fight by the third quarter.

It's as if the team that has won two consecutive Section V titles hasn't missed a beat. In fact, the win was the 20th straight for the program against a Section V opponent.

The final score was 39-0.

"I'm very pleased because going into the game I wasn't sure what we had," said Head Coach Brennan Briggs. "I wasn't sure how we would respond to things and how we were going to go when we got hit in the mouth. But these guys came out and proved that they bought in and they’re a tough group of kids and we’ve got some playmakers out there. I’m very excited for what they can do from here."

This edition slots Jerry Reinhart and QB1 and, Ray Leach and Codie Dioguardi in the backfield, Chandler Baker, Andrew Mruczek and Eric Davis at wideouts and a defense that includes Baker, Mruczek, Taiyo Iburi-Bethel, Anthony Ray and Jzon Richardson.

Those are not names that popped up in many headlines over the past two championship seasons, but they're all players poised to make an impact, if one game is any indication, in 2016.

Reinhart certainly has a lot of confidence in his teammates.

"Everybody asked me, they all asked me, 'how are you guys going to be this year?' and I was like, 'come to the first game and find out,' " Reinhart said. "I was very positive about our team. In the off-season, I thought we were going do great."

Briggs is impressed with the quiet leadership Reinhart has brought to the team, replacing Andrew Mruczek's older brother, Greg, at quarterback.

"Greg was more rah-rah and everything and great about it," Briggs said. "Jerry is more reserved, but he goes out there and gets the job done. He's a leader. He's a great leader. You saw, he made some big plays. He's not afraid to tuck it and run and he kept us together. I'm proud of him. He did a great job."

Friday was also a chance for Andrew to move out from under the shadow of his older brother, and in a big way, and significantly with a key interception in the first quarter.

"I think the biggest turning point in that game was Andrew Mruczek's interception," Briggs said. "They had a drive going, I think 10-plus plays, and we always say a nine-plus play drive is devastating for a defense and we were starting to feel it and all the sudden, number 21 comes in and makes a huge play for us. I’m happy for him because he’s been a trooper and he’s been working his butt off and he’s just silently been doing it."

Mruczek exemplifies the quiet confidence that characterizes the team.

"I think people are going to realize, Batavia football is here to stay and we're going to keep working hard every day," Mruczek said.

The offense was good, the defense was good, but special teams really stepped it up Friday night.

Richardson, a linebacker on defense, handles kickoffs, extra points and field goals. On kickoffs Friday, he consistently put the ball past the 10-yard line, and with defenders hustling down the field, the Spartans were routinely starting drives with their backs to the wall.

"That is so big for our team," Briggs said. "From the standpoint of having just great energy and momentum, they did a fantastic job for us and special teams cannot be overlooked because field position is huge in football games."

Briggs praised the work of special teams coach Ben Buchholz in motivating the players and getting each to do their part to plug holes and cut lanes, and John Garlock has been applying those lessons well, Briggs said.

"Johnny Garlock has been doing it for us for three years and he goes down like a missile," Briggs said. "He’s long snapper on punts and the first guy down there and on kickoff coverage, he makes the plays."

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A residential structure fire is reported downstairs at 136 Pearl St. in Batavia. A person is reportedly burned. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Fire command on scene confirms a fire at a two and a half story building. A child has second-degree burns on the left shoulder area.

UPDATE 11:09 p.m.: The fire was small in nature -- in a stairwell -- and is reported to be out. Streets are closed at Pearl and Roosevelt and Pearl and Brooklyn. A second ambulance is called for a subject suffering from smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: Fire Capt. Bob Fix said the fire appears to be accidental in nature and was out when firefighters arrived. A boy about 6 or 7 years old has a shoulder burn and is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. A police investigator will interview people about the fire. "It was a little spot fire right inside the door, in the stairwell, about three steps up."

Peter S. Hawkins, 49, of A Street, Cayuga Village, Niagara Falls, is charged with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. He was arrested at 12:05 a.m. on Sept. 1 after he allegedly got into a physical altercation with a male nurse and then barricaded himself in an exam room inside the Emergency Room at UMMC. He subsequently allegedly attempted to fight Batavia police officers who responded to the scene. He was issued two appearance tickets and released. He is due in City Court at 1 p.m. on Sept. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Darryle Streeter, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Faith L. Finnin, 22, of State Street Road, Batavia, is charged with tattooing a child less than 18 years of age. Finnin was arrested at noon on Aug. 23 following an investigation into an allegation that a child less than 18 was tattooed by Finnin on Raymond Avenue in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in City Court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Santiago J. Qumane, 18, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 11:21 a.m. on Sept. 2 following a home visit from Genesee County Probation during which he was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in City Court on Sept. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

A 31-year-old Oakfield resident has been accused of smuggling suboxone and heroin into the Genesee County Jail and delivering them to her husband, who is an inmate.

Serena L. Snyder is accused of bringing the narcotics to Cody E. Snyder, 25.

Serena Snyder was allegedly found possession of heroin while at the jail on a visitation to her husband.

The Local Drug Task Force handled the investigation. Agents concluded Serena Snyder had allegedly delivered drugs to her husband on two prior occasions.

Task Force members, along with Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro searched Serena Snyder's car and allegedly found heroin and crack cocaine. 

Serena Snyder was charged with attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, conspiracy, 4th, promoting prison contraband, 1st, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Cody Snyder was charged with conspiracy, 4th.

Serena Snyder was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

We just received this message:

There are 7 white sheep wandering around lost in the Bethany area after escaping through an open gate. Last sighted on a trail cam near Cackner Rd. and Bethany Center Rd. Please contact Barbara Hollands 585-734-2236 if you see them. They are a bit shy of people but like grain and will come to someone shaking a bucket of grain.

UPDATE Friday, 10:23 a.m.: Thanks to the help of neighbor Pat Pietrzykowski, all seven sheep have been located, rounded up and returned home, where they are safe and sound.

This cat is named Ferdy. Ferdy is missing. He is visiting relatives on Brookville Road in Alexander, in the Old Creek Road area, while his mommy is in the hospital.

As you can see, he is a very large, long-haired orange and white male. Would you believe at times, as depicted here, he is not particularly motivated?

But, then again, freedom can be a powerful motivator.

Perhaps we'll never know if he had been hatching plans to leave captivity and for how long.

What it known is that, according to his temporary nanny Elizabeth Crittenden, "he popped the screen out of the window and escaped," in the predawn hours -- between 2 and 6 a.m. -- Wednesday.

Stealthily, in the dead of night, when all were sleeping soundly. This one is clever. Either that, or Ferdy clumsily fell to earth while lolling around on the window sill. He left, but since this is not his regular stomping grounds, he may not be familiar with the lay of the land and how to return, says a worried Crittenden.

The timing is suspect; the feline may have festive plans afoot for Labor Day Weekend. (An anonymous source told The Batavian he has a reputation as a bit of a bon vivant.) 

Crittenden and her kin are hoping you'll report him without hestitation if you should spot him in your environs. This would foil Ferdy's fun, but he and his family and caretakers will be the better for it.

Crittenden's number is 585-590-2657.

UPDATE Sept. 2: At about 10:30 last night, Crittenden says "He just showed up on the back deck as casual as ever!" No fanfare, no "Burning Man" blowout for Labor Day, no tearjerker rescue story. Just chillin' in Alexander and wondering why all the fuss...

A reader submitted this photo of a tractor-trailer that went off the around 4:20 p.m. on Bergen Road. No injuries reported.

Press release:

As summer winds down and we head into fall, there are still three more “Garden Talk” programs this year!

Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held once a month, during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Sept. 6 will be a follow up to our May herb program. After growing your herbs all summer, what can you do with them now? We’ll give you some ideas of things you can use your herbs for.

On Oct. 4, get ready to feed your backyard birds as we’ll offer tips and answer questions about Winter Bird Feeding.

Nov. 1 will be a demonstration on how to make a beautiful holiday swag to decorate your home.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ and also on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.