If a sellout isn't enough measure of success for the inaugural Taste of Fall Wine Walk in downtown Batavia, the obvious fun all the guests and business owners were having Saturday evening, certainly sealed the deal.
More pictures after the jump (you won't see a frown or a scowl in the bunch!):
Elba/Byron-Bergen's strong defensive line was able to bottle up the middle of the field against Fighting Irish on Saturday, containing Notre Dame's powerful running game and limiting the home team to 190 total yards.
Notre Dame's only score came at the end of the first half, when the Lancers botched a field goal attempt and senior Mike Pratt scooped up the loose ball and raced 75 yards for the touchdown.
The Lancers moved to 3-2 with the 19-7 win. The Irish are now also 3-2.
Dylan Bordonaro continued to set the pace for the Lancers, rushing for 162 yards on 25 carries and being a force on defense.
Bordonaro scored for the Lancers on runs of 16 and 27 yards. Elba/BB's other touchdown came on a six-yard pass from Eric Kowalik to Cameron Fonda.
Nate Jonathan had seven tackles for the lancers, plus two sacks and a forced fumble. Brandon Shuknecht notched 12 tackles and made a fumble recovery.
In other Genesee County football action Friday and Saturday:
With Holley's win over Baker, three teams in the Genesee Region, including Pembroke and Attica, now have identical 4-1 records.
This coming Friday and Saturday's games: Batavia will be at home at 7 p.m., Friday, for seniors night against Bishop Kearney; Cal-Mum brings a 4-1 record into Le Roy at 7 p.m., Friday, for what is traditionally an exciting game against two big rivals; also on Friday at 7 is Notre Dame at Pembroke and Holley at Alexander. On Saturday, Oakfield-Alabama is at Elba/Byron-Bergen.
More pictures from Elba/BB vs. ND after the jump:
Reminder: If you've purchased a particular gift certificate in the past six months, you're not eligible to purchase the same gift certificate today.
Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Professional portraits mean business. Or preserve lasting memories of those special occasions. We have a $100 gift card for $50 (+$2 PayPal Service fee).
Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Everything for autumn, lots of bulbs, seasonal decor, too, all beautiful and reasonably priced. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: 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 $20 gift certificate for $10.
Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY. Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kraving's offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.
Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: 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 $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $20 gift card for $10.
NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.
Carlson's Studio
Jim Nigro didn't set out to be a writer. In fact, when he was a kid, he didn't even really like stringing words together.
But with his love of nature and a life path that put him in a position to try some new things, Nigro just sort of fell into telling stories about hunting, fishing and observing what he found around him out in the wild. As for writing, it turns out, he really loves it.
The Batavian's outdoor columnist, in fact, has just published his second book -- a novel called "Tapestry: A Life Walk Among Friends."
The story revolves around two friends growing up in a small town much like Batavia, starting in the 1950s and going through the 1970s.
Nigro said though it's fiction and most characters are at best composites, about 90 percent of events in the book are drawn from his experiences or those of friends.
"Anybody who grew up here in the '50s, '60s or '70s will recognize their hometown," Nigro said.
Nigro's love of nature began when he was a small child visiting his aunt and uncle's house on Old Creek Road.
"I was knee-deep in mother nature at a very early age," Nigro said.
That love of nature and the friendships that grow from enjoying the outdoors together is the backdrop for Nigro's story.
Regular readers are aware of Nigro's outdoor adventures, which has taken him to various parts of the United States, including Alaska and such exotic locales as the Bahamas and the Sea of Abaco.
Along the way, the 60-year-old Nigro said, he's made some good friends and like anyone in life, had some rough patches.
In 1968, Nigro was about to embark on a military career -- all he needed to do was sign the contract -- but one afternoon, just after he had bought a sausage at the St. Joe's Lawn Fete, Nigro spotted a young woman walking by. Nigro dropped the sandwich right in the trash and walked home. He told his mother he was abandoning his military plans and going back to school.
That young lady was Claudia. They married in 1971 and have been together ever since.
After getting married, Jim got a chance to get a good-paying job in construction, so he wound up in that trade for about 20 years. Then he was offered a job -- through a connection of his father's -- at the Meadowlands, so he moved his family to New Jersey.
While Jim said he made some good friends there, it wasn't necessarily a good time.
"Ten years of staring at the New York City skyline, I grew to appreciate where I came from," Nigro said. "I was really homesick. I missed the little simple things like a ride from here to Elba or from here to Oakfield and all of those wide-open spaces."
The Nigros came home and Jim went to work at the Trojan factory and was there until it was sold to foreign investors and closed.
After that, Nigro decided to take advantage of a government program for retraining and returned to Genesee Community College to get a degree in commercial art.
After graduating, he had some scholarship offers, but not enough to pay for him to get a higher degree, so he had to go back to work and wound up in the landscape business, which he really enjoyed for about eight years.
Nigro started his writing career almost by accident. During his first year at Trojan, the Batavia Daily News was advertising for a part-time sportswriter and Jim applied. He didn't get the job because he didn't yet have a degree. The sports editor at the time figured maybe the job should go to somebody with a degree who didn't have a job.
A couple of years later, that editor was in JC Penney buying an engagement ring and Claudia mentioned that he knew her husband. They struck up a conversation and that led to Jim and the editor getting back in touch.
The editor wanted somebody to write a series of five outdoors articles.
That series became eight years of outdoors writing for the Daily. It also became fodder for Nigro's first book, "Dear Sam: Remembrances for My Grandson," a collection of true outdoor adventures and lessons Nigro wanted to share with his first grandson.
Ater the eight-year writing stint, Nigro and the Daily parted company and he came to really miss writing those columns. When The Batavian came along, Claudia contacted the online-only news site to see if there would be space for an outdoor column. Of course there would.
About this time, Jim decided that he really needed to write this novel, but he couldn't get it done while working full time. He and Claudia talked it over and decided they could get by if he quit his landscaping job to write.
"We decided to trust God," Nigro said, who with Claudia had by this time raised a son and a daughter (they now have four grandchildren).
And it's worked out fine, Jim said. And he got his book done.
Besides writing the book, Jim also drew many of the illustrations (there's also two photographs and one drawing by Claudia).
The book release party will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, at GoArt!, located at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. The first copies of the book will be available and Jim will be there to sign personalized copies.
In our pursuit of covering a wide variety of local high school sports, we took in a Batavia High girls volleyball game on Friday.
The Blue Devils (3-6) dropped the match to Brighton 25-23, 25-22, 25-23.
More photos after the jump:
A possible barn fire has been reported in the area of 602 Cohocton Road, Corfu.
Pembroke and Indian Falls fire have been dispatched.
UPDATE 10:20 a.m.: An assistant chief on scene says it was a small fire and appears to be out. Units told to come in non-emergency.
The Pembroke Dragons destroyed Oakfield-Alabama's homecoming hopes last night in a one-sided game that was nearly a shutout. The final score was 33 to 6.
Pembroke scored early in the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by Caine Cole and never slowed down.
They scored twice in the second quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Cody Bedard to Jamie Scherer and a 1-yard touchdown run by Caine Cole.
Pembroke scored again early in the third quarter on a 32-yard touchdown run by Jamie Scherer, however, Caleb Lang's extra point attempt was blocked.
Late in the 3rd quarter, Jamie Scherer ran 17 yards for another Pembroke touchdown.
Oakfield finally scored for the first time in the game midway through the 4th quarter, but their extra point attempt went wide left.
A motorcycle accident with injuries is reported at the intersection of Council House Road and Meadville Road.
Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS being dispatched.
UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: Apparently there's been only one call about the accident. It doesn't appear any other vehicles are involved. The rider is reportedly still on the ground.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: Victim is conscious and breathing, but some heavy bleeding. Mercy Flight requested to the scene.
UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight on its way, about a seven minute ETA.
UPDATE 5:04 p.m.: Mercy Flight is at the scene.
UPDATE: Several minutes ago, Mercy Flight left the scene and all Alabama units are back in service.
An individual was arrested on Main Street a few minutes ago. He was apparently wanted on a warrant out of Wyoming County. There is no further information available at this time, and Officer Eric Hill said the department does not usually put out press releases on out-of-county arrest warrants, so there may be no further information available.
Adam W. McGill, 32, of Medina, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia (scales), 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. McGill was arrested by State Police in the Town of Batavia at 10 p.m., Wednesday. Arrested at the same time and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), 5th, was Dianne M. Gallegher, 41, of Shelby.
Ann K. Pokornowski, 50, of 520 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Lauren K. Pellegrino, 28, of 129 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Pokornowski and Pellegrino are suspected of becoming involved in a dispute over a mobile phone. Pokornowski allegedly damaged Pellegrino's phone and Pellegrino allegedly pushed Pokornowski.
Donald F. Stillwagon II, 25, of 142 Pearl St., Batavia, is charged with felony assault, 2nd, obstructing governmental administration and harassment, 2nd. This list of charges is a correction issued by Batavia PD on a report from yesterday.
David W. Wells, 21, of Bergen, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, moving from lane unsafely, failure to stay in designated lane, speed in excess of conditions, violation of a conditional license. Wells was arrested by State Police at Strong Memorial Hospital for the alleged violations that reportedly occurred at 2:26 a.m., Sept. 17, in the Town of Byron. No further details were released.
Care-A-Van Ministries held their annual Back to School cookout for the GCC students.
The Care-A-Van band provided music, Pastor Dale Gooch from the Emmanuel Baptist church was on hand to give a great message and the Young Adult group from New Hope was on hand to give out goodie bags and notebooks to the students. Care-A-Van will be visiting the dorms once a month to take treats, prayers and encouragment to the students this upcoming school year.
I recently went to DMV/Batavia to apply for a non-driver enhanced ID. This option is available even if you have a drivers license. Being over 62, this option is cheaper than the Enhanced Drivers License.
I presented all the proofs required. Drivers license, SS card, birth certificate along with an electric bill and property tax bill for proof of residence.
The electric bill and property tax bill were rejected as proof of residence. Both these documents have my home address listed on them, but they were mailed to my PO box.
There are 36 types of documentation listed on DMV/ID-44EDL which can be used as proof of residence; but have to be MAILED TO YOUR RESIDENCE. No PO boxes.
Therefore, I was rejected and the only option I was given was to cancel my PO box and install a mail box at my home address.
Upon returning home, I called the DMV helpline. I spoke to a very pleasant young lady explaining my situation. No help. I then spoke with her supervisor who also could not help with my situation. He did state though that "apparently the politicians didn't think this through completely". (Nothing new there)
Bottom line; if you receive ALL your mail at a PO box, you are not eligible to receive an Enhanced Drivers License/ID. (I can't be the only person in the state with this problem.)
I'll be going to Sen. Ranzenhofer's mobile office at Pembroke Town Hall tomorrow; perhaps I can obtain a more logical explanation. (I won't hold my breath, but will report on what transpires.)
Vic Marchese has achieved something few small business owners ever get to claim -- in just five-and-a-half years after opening Main St. Pizza Company, he now owns the building.
"I'm just shocked by how much business we're doing," Marchese said. "It's good. It really is. I'm thankful. I'm thankful to the guy upstairs, I guess."
The success has meant, however, that the original Main St. Pizza space at 206 E. Main St., Batavia, has gotten crowded. Marchese said he needs to expand. He certainly needs to expand the kitchen, he said, but he would also like more seating area.
"It's crazy, but on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, I'll have 20 or 30 people standing out there," Marchese said.
Marchese has thought about putting in a dining room upstairs, but said it would be more cost effective to open up a dining area in the basement. He would also like to acquire space in front of the building from the city and put in a deck or patio for diners.
Marchese didn't make the building purchase on his own. His nephew, Paul Marchese, owner of Marchese Computers on Ellicott Street, is co-owner of the building.
The acquisition comes just in time for Vic to celebrate National Pizza Month in October, a promotion he's getting fully behind, with one lucky customer becoming eligible to win a big screen TV.
Marchese said he loves food, pizza, especially the pizza business. He's been at it for more than 35 years. He worked 20 years in somebody else's pizza shop, then ran Vic's Doghouse on Park Road for nine years, and now Main St. Pizza.
"I really love what I do," Vic said.
Ken Mistler, whose downtown building ownership dropped from 10 properties to nine with the sale, said it was Vic's idea and he supported it because he believes Marchese will be a responsible downtown landlord. Mistler noted that if a poor owner got a hold of a building such as the one Vic bought, it could bring down his own property values.
"I was glad to sell it to him because I'm sure he's going to take care of the building," Mistler said. "He will be an asset as a landlord downtown."
When 25-year-old Ronald J. Wendt, convicted Monday of aggravated vehicular homicide and 10 other charges, is sentenced Nov. 15, Genesee County Judge Robert C. Noonan will have a range of sentencing options.
Under statute, each felony and misdemeanor carries its own sentencing guidelines, but all of the sentences will likely be served concurrently.
Here are the charges and sentencing options:
On a count like aggravated vehicular manslaughter, Noonan could pick the one to three range, and it would mean Wendt would be eligible for parole after one year. If Noonan gave Wendt the maximum under that charge, Wendt would be eligible for parole after eight-and-one-third years. He couldn't serve more than 25 years.
Noonan could also set a range within the minimum and maximum.
Given that Count #8 and Count #10 carry minimum two year sentences, Wendt would have to serve at least two years in prison, even if Noonan picked a lower range on the higher class felonies.
Some key cases that have come before Noonan for sentencing in the past year:
UPDATED: 2:43 p.m.
Shortly before 2 p.m., Batavia police descended upon South Beach restaurant downtown after receiving a call that a patron suspected of attempting to steal food had trashed the lunch buffet.
Suzanne Corona, 41, the woman who made headlines a few months ago for having sexual conduct with a man at a local park, leading to a rare charge of adultery, was allegedly observed filling baggies in her purse with food items from the lunch buffet.
Louie Kingsbury, an employee of South Beach owner Ken Mistler, was summoned to the restaurant and he confronted Corona.
He said at first Corona denied taking anything and started showing him empty pockets in her purse, but then food allegedly fell out of the main compartment.
"At that point, I gave her two choices," Kingsbury said. "Either you can pay extra for the food, or I'm calling the cops. She got unruly, so I said I was calling the cops."
Then, Kingsbury said, Corona allegedly started to dump the baggies full of food back into the buffet, so he had to try to restrain her.
In the tussle, according to Kingsbury, Corona fell over a chair.
Mistler had to have all of the food in the buffet dumped out. Police asked for a retail estimate of the food's value.
Corona reportedly came into the restaurant with another woman and they sat at a booth, but did not order any food before Corona approach the buffet. The other woman is not believed to have been involved.
Officer Ed Mileham said Corona has not yet been arrested, but charges are pending.
Mercy EMS was called to the scene. Corona reportedly complained of back pain. She was seen holding the back of her head and neck. She was transported to UMMC.
Howard Owens contributed to this story.
Four outstanding grads of Oakfield-Alabama High School are being honored this week through induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The honorees include a military hero, a wildlife biologist, a fingerprint expert and an infant cardiology specialist.
The Alumni Association will host a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Caryville Inn in Oakfield. The honorees will also be recognized Friday night during O-A's Homecoming football game against Pembroke.
More information about the honorees after the jump:
Oakfield-Alabama Alumni Hall of Fame 2010
Colonel Ernest B. Shepard, 1934
Ernest B. Shepard was born in Presque Isle, Maine, but moved to the Town of Alabama at an early age. He graduated from Oakfield High School in 1934. After graduating from college and a short teaching career, Ernest decided to serve his country and enlisted in the Air Force where he served in active duty from Nov. 3, 1941 until his retirement on Aug. 1, 1968.
Shortly after his enlistment, the United States entered World War II where Ernest served with distinction as a fighter pilot with the 316th Fighter Squadron. As WWII progressed, Ernest was attached to the 384th Fighter Squadron. Here he served as a fighter pilot and fighter squadron leader on 35 combat missions. Because of his leadership skills, Captain Shepard was selected to serve as squadron operations officer and was promoted to the rank of Major by February 1945.
Col. Shepard went on to become a P-51 Mustang pilot and squadron operation officer, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross "for extraordinary achievement while on bomber escort missions over Germany and German-occupied countries from September 9, 1944 to January 3, 1945." He was recognized for demonstrating an unfailing initiative and exemplary devotion to duty. Ernest B. Shepard served with distinction as lead pilot of a fighter group and fighter squadron on 14 missions. His outstanding leadership and outstanding airmanship resulted in the successful completion of these operations without loss of personel.
During his career, Ernest also received the: Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters; Distinguished Unit Citation; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with seven Bronze Stars: Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star; Viet Nam Service Medal; and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
David Odell, 1965
David Odell is a retired NYS Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist. Early in his life, David decided he would devote his career and energy to protecting our natural resources. His love of the outdoors began with his earliest childhood experiences exploring the fields and forests around the Town of Alabama, studying and collecting everything from fossils to live animals.
David received his B.A. in Zoology from Houghton College in 1969 and then went on to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, where his major was Zoology. He received his Master of Science, with an emphasis in Wildlife Management, in 1974.
After high school and college, some interesting employment opportunities came his way, but David was convinced that he could make the greatest difference in the field of natural resource conservation. When offered a job with the DEC, David gladly accepted and became a career employee.
As project coordinator of the Montezuma Wetlands, David played a significant role in the expansion of land protection, restoration, enhancement and management of the Montezuma Wetland Complex. In his role as program director of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, David has worked with a variety of partners, including Ducks Unlimited, DEC, The Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Friends of Montezuma, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others. His lifelong commitment to and passion for waterfowl conservation has made a difference for all New Yorkers who enjoy wildlife.
In addition to his work with the DEC, David has also served as an assistant professor (adjunct) with the Houghton College Department of Biology. In this role, he taught courses including Wildlife Biology, Field Ornithology, Ecology of Alaska (two trips) and Animal Ecology Lab. David has also authored numerous conservation-related materials. Outside the workplace, Dave is active in his church, and (together with his wife) has taken part in two short-term missions trips to Honduras. Dave is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, having served as local club president and literacy chairman.
Valerie Palone McDonald, 1974
After graduating from OA with the Class of '74 Valerie Palone went to work for GTE Sylvania where she remained until August 1978. During that time, she attended night classes at Genesee Community College where she studied Business Administration and Accounting. A move to Washington, D.C., later that year would prove to be a major turning point in her life; she has several decades of experience with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, and Federal Bureau of Prisons since that time.
Val began her career in Washington as a fingerprint examiner with the FBI. By February 1981, she was an FBI Space Management Specialist managing over 300 FBI offices located west of the Mississippi, including Hawaii and Alaska. In May 1986, she was assigned as a facilities planning specialist for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In 1987 Valerie was selected as the first female construction project administrator for the Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Facilities and Administrative Services Staff.
Beginning in July 1992, Val served as a facilities management officer at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. One of her responsibilities in that capacity was to direct the development and implementation of a nationwide Long Range Master Plan to address federal prison facilities' physical plants and infrastructure of older institutions.
In 1999, Val was promoted to the chief of Facilities Programs, becoming the first female ever to hold this high position. One national program that she managed was the energy and water conservation program. In May 2006, Val was selected as the chief of Facilities Management for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In this position she was responsible for acquisition, design, construction and operation of 379 DEA domestic offices nationwide. On Dec. 6, 2009, Val was again promoted and selected as the first female ever to serve in her current capacity as DEA Chief Facilities Operations Section, for DEA Real Property worldwide, including DEA presence in 86 countries. Over the course of her federal career, Valerie has written many policies, manuals, reports, budgets and project papers. From February 2005 to October 2005, Val authored the FBOP Real Property Assessment Plan to comply with a Presidential Executive order. This Asset Management Plan became the model for the Department of Justice and was ultimately submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget, Congress and the President.
Dr. Gul Dadlani, 1990
After graduating from OACS, Gul went on to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1994. Four years later, Dr. Dadlani received his medical degree from the University of Buffalo. From 1998 to 2001, he completed a residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Buffalo, where he received the Resident Teaching Award for three consecutive years as well as the University of Buffalo Medical School Siegal Teaching Award in Pediatrics.
Between 2001 and 2004, Dr. Dadlani completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and twice received a Fellow Teaching Award from Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.
Dr. Dadlani is board certified in pediatric cardiology. His special interests include heart failure, cardiomyopathies, pulmonary hypertension, fetal echocardiography and Kawasaki disease.
Dr. Dadlani is the medical director of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiology Echocardiography laboratory director at All Children's Hospital located in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Safebeat Initiative, a current research project directed by Dr. Dadlani, involves All Children's Hospital community outreach program partnering with the Cardiac Arrhythmias Syndromes Foundation. The initiative provides cardiovascular education and free screening EKG's to high school students along the west coast of Florida with the goal of preventing sudden cardiac death.
Since February 2005, Dr. Dadlani has been the clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of South Florida. He has also presented numerous lectures relating to infant cardiology, authored a chapter in a medical textbook, and is credited as author of several medical publications.
A popular Batavia Downs driver is expected to return to action in about a week after getting thrown from his seat in the clubhouse turn during a race last night and suffering a concussion.
Veteran Jack Flanigen, who missed the entire 2008 season because of an injury, came into the season with 188 career wins.
Driving Anabelle Jo, the 44-year-old reinsman said he wasn't really sure what happened.
“I sent her out of there and she just collapsed and we went down.”
Flanigen was transported to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia where he received stitches for a facial cut.
Full press release after the jump:
Batavia, NY --- Jack Flanigen, currently the dash leading driver at Batavia Downs this season, suffered a concussion on Wednesday (Sept. 29) when the horse he was sitting behind, Annabelle Jo, went down heading into the clubhouse turn, throwing Flanigen to the ground.
“I’m not really sure what happened,” the 44-year-old reinsman said. “I sent her out of there and she just collapsed and we went down.”
Flanigen was transported to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia where he received stitches for a facial cut.
Flanigen missed the entire 2008 Batavia racing season when he suffered a concussion on the second to last night of racing at Buffalo Raceway.
Early reports have Flanigen being sidelined for at least a week.
“We wish Jack well,” Mike Kane, vice president of live racing commented. “Not only is he a top driver but he’s also a great guy.”
Joseph Cicatello’s Nora Lee was an up in time winner in the featured $9,000 Mares Open on Wednesday night.
Getting away fourth in the weekly feature for distaffers, Nora Lee, with Jamie Dunlap in the bike, followed second over cover, tipped three deep at the top of the lane and went on to her third win of the Downs' summer-fall meet (and eighth of the season) in 1:56.1.
Mike Delano trains the 4-year-old daughter of Modern Art whose 2010 earning are just shy of $44,000.
Racing resumes on Friday night (Oct. 1). The first of 12 gets under way at 6:40.
A woman was taken to Erie County Medical Center last night after a rear tire came off her Ford Explorer causing the vehicle to flip while she was heading westbound on the Thruway.
The SUV's front wheel then got caught in the rumble strip on the shoulder, shearing it off and causing the car to rollover again.
The 54-year-old woman's Explorer came to rest on its wheels and Batavia Fire needed to extricate her before she was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC.
The woman was identified by Trooper Dan Golinski as Kathy Weich, of Sprakers.
The accident occurred at 9:41 p.m. at mile marker 389.3, which is between the Thruway entrance and the Bank Street Road bridge.
Weich is listed in stable condition at ECMC.
I just noticed that after years of the Latina's signs staying up on the vacant Ellicott Street market, the signs are now gone.
While in some cases, the city could cite a property owner for old business signs, City Manager Jason Molino said he doesn't think the signs came down because of any city action. So perhaps Latina's, after a summer of bad publicity over seagulls on the building, finally asked that the signs be taken down.
Meanwhile, owner Tom Lewin appeared in City Court last week. Given that the building is now cleaned up, the charges against Lewin could be dismissed in six months if there are no more violations. (via WIVB)
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