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A driver of a liquid transport truck was cited for alleged failure to properly position his truck in his lane of travel for a right-hand turn Friday morning in connection with a truck vs. car accident on Route 77 in front of the Flying-J.

Cedric T. Hamilton, 45, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was cited following an investigation of the accident by Sgt. Ron Meides.

According to the accident report, Hamilton exited the Flying-J parking lot and was heading north on Route 77 in the center left-turn-only lane. Hamilton then allegedly initiated a right-hand turn into the driveway of the Econo Lodge truck parking lot. 

The truck struck the driver's front corner of a 2010 Infinity SUV driven by Jason Stanton, 39, of Lockport.

Neither Stanton nor Hamilton were injured as a result of the accident.

(Initial Report)

A car has reportedly struck a deer on the Thruway in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 384.5. 

There was airbag deployment. 

Minor injuries reported. 

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched. 

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 10911 Molasses Hill Road, Bethany.

One person may have suffered a head injury.

Bethany fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE: Photos of the vehicle after it was towed submitted by a reader. No further updates available at this time.

Invictra, comprised of four young men from Le Roy, is the Battle of the Bands champion in the annual summer-long contest sponsored by Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew.

Invictra and The Travis Prinzi Band battled in the finals last night in a tent outside the tavern in Le Roy and the judges and audience picked the heavy metal quartet as the winner.

Invictra is Josh Zalar, vocals and guitar, Alex Dunn, guitar, Dylan Thompson, drums, and Steve Stephany, bass.

The band released a single in July, "A Cardinal Sin."  

The band was the first entry to perform this summer and the growth of the band from June to October was apparent in last night's performance. There's a real polish to their performance now. They are tighter, more confident, more polished and perform with greater energy.

In addition to the championship title and a chalice, the band received a $1,000 cash prize.

The Battle of the Bands raised $3,000 for Golisano Children's Hospital.

The Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the stabbing of a man behind businesses on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, on Friday night.

Jeffrey L. Barr, 18, no permanent address, was located by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay at State Street and Washington Avenue, Batavia, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Barr is charged with attempted murder in the second degree, a Class B felony. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia and jailed without bail.

Barr is accused of stabbing a man from Buffalo multiple times, including in the neck and chest, at 9:30 p.m., Friday, behind the mall at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, the location of Jagged Edges, Pawn King, Yume Asian Bistro and Peebles.

The victim stumbled to the parking lot of Batavia Downs where he was located by a good Samaritan who called 9-1-1. Deputies arrived on scene and provided first aid until Mercy medics arrived.

Barr was identified as the suspect early on and deputies and members of the Local Drug Task Force, working closely with Batavia PD, spent most of Saturday trying to locate him, based on tips that indicated he was in the Batavia area.

The name of the victim and his current medical condition has not been released.

An apartment fire is reported at 404 Ellicott St.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 11:57 p.m.: Burnt food. 

A man out in front of his own house with a pellet gun atttempting to shoot squirrels raised suspicions late this morning in the Village of Elba. Several of his neighbors called the dispatch center to report that a man armed with a rifle was acting suspiciously.

Sheriff's deputies went to the house on Main Street, across from the St. Padre Pio Catholic Church (which is located at 65 S. Main St.).

Accordingly to Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Meides, "Once he saw us, he didn't deviate. He stood by the tree with the rifle. We attempted to shut traffic down and approached, and took him into custody and learned he was just squirrel hunting because some squirrels were destroying his home, and he did have one squirrel there, and luckily it was only a pellet rifle."

Meides said no laws were broken; he noted that technically the pellet rifle is not a firearm. The man was allowed to shoot the squirrels because they were damaging his house.

He was released from custody. The road was reopened.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred about 9:30 p.m., Friday, behind a shopping mall on Veterans Memorial Drive.

A male victim was stabbed in the throat.

A good Samaritan found the victim in the parking lot of Batavia Downs and called for help. Deputies arrived on scene first and administered first aid until medics arrived.

The stabbing is believed to have occurred behind 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, the location of Jagged Edges, Pawn King, Yume Asian Bistro and Peebles.

The victim was transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC for treatment of serious injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Batavia PD, State Police, Mercy EMS, and security staff from Batavia Downs.

After 100 years, the St. Jerome’s Guild is thriving and continuing its mission of being an organization of women who work together to benefit the community.

Helen Batchellor, has been a member of the nonprofit guild since 1949, back when they held many dinner dances, and parties for newly born babies.

The group is celebrating its Centennial at the Jerome Center by holding a public reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 14), enjoying an afternoon with No Blarney’s Rich Conroy, who will provide Irish songs for the party. It is located at 16 Bank St. in the City of Batavia.

“It’s a get-together time for everybody,” Batchellor said. “I spoke to a couple doctors that worked at St. Jerome’s a few years ago and they said they’re looking forward to coming. It’s a nice thought.”

Batchellor said the Jerome Sisters, who started the guild, bought the property on Bank Street in 1917, where the guild still resides today.

“At that time there was an epidemic of influenza,” Batchellor. “The little hospital that we had, wasn’t big enough.”

The group of nuns who formed St. Jerome’s Guild were originally from Ireland.

“They were very active in taking care of the sick,” Batchellor said.

When the Jerome Sisters purchased the land on Bank Street, there were wooden houses at the time.

Judy Stiles, a research assistant at the Genesee County History Department, assisted Batchellor in filling in the dates from the guild’s history that she could not remember.

“Everyone at the Genesee County History Department has been a big help with the history,” Batchellor said.

Batchellor said the guild has advanced in their technology use since she first joined.

“We’re trying to evolve with modern technology,” Batchellor said.

While they don’t hold dinner dances, or other events as fundraisers anymore, Batchellor said they depend on their gift shop.

“It is located in the Jerome Center now,” Batchellor said. “It has been very successful.”

The gift shop has unique giftware items that artisans from coast to coast have designed, including jewelry, purses, and country aprons.

The guild donates funds yearly to the hospital for new equipment, and has a scholarship for students pursuing higher education for a career healthcare.

Batchellor said times have changed a lot since 1917 during World War I, and the flu epidemic.

“Things change, people change, and I guess we have to change with it.”

GO ART! invites you to chalk the "Walk of Hope" on Saturday, Oct. 14 along the sidewalk at the Liberty Square Plaza.

For a $20 donation you can secure your spot along the sidewalk near Ficarella's Pizzeria's parking lot.

Artists can arrive at 7:30 a.m. and judging will happen at 2:30 p.m. You must bring your own chalk art supplies.

This is part of the (hurricane) "Harvey Festival," which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes -- sponsored by Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, Pollyanna & Dot/The Hidden Door, Charles Men's Shop, Batavia Bootery, Main St. Pizza Company and The YNGodess Shop -- will be awarded for the best design in the following age groups:

• 10 and below
• 11 to 14
• 15 to 17
• 18 and up

All proceeds of the event will go toward aid for the victims of the summer's devastating hurricanes.

For more information, contact Jodi Fisher at   jfisher@goart.org or phone 343-9313.

Customers who order a large pizza during the month of October will have it delivered in a pink pizza box and a portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Pictured are Main St. employees Brandi Heidenreich and Canssa Visalli.

Batavia Middle School held its first-ever pep rally this afternoon, celebrating the participation of students in sports and clubs. Teachers and students also participated in some fun competitions.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today wrote to Gov. Cuomo and New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Matthew Driscoll asking for increased funding to repair and secure dozens of local bridges that have been deemed structurally deficient by a recent report from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office.

“Securing infrastructure funding at the local level is like pulling teeth every year in Albany,” Hawley said. “Just because we are a more rural community compared to New York City doesn’t mean our local roads, bridges and highways take any less punishment.

"If anything, our bridges wear down more easily because many more residents drive and our agriculture and small business vehicles are constantly shipping more goods across the state.”

Statewide estimates to make all the necessary repairs are $27 billion, with 23 percent of Genesee County bridges and 16.2 percent of Orleans County bridges categorized as structurally deficient.

“This is about giving peace of mind to our bus drivers as they bring our children to school, our parents making the morning commute to put food on the table and  our small-business owners working hard to transport their goods to market,” Hawley said.

“Government’s top priority should be the safety of its residents, and that starts with roads and bridges in which we have confidence, allowing residents and tourists to travel safely. Securing funding to make this a reality is a must, and I will fight in the coming weeks and months to make that happen.”

Press release:

Turn 27 Blue believes that the breaking news about Rep. Chris Collins' serious ethics issues makes it absolutely clear that the voters of New York's 27th District deserve better from their member of Congress.

The coalition of grassroots leadership and the eight-county Democratic chairs who make up Turn 27 Blue call on Mr. Collins to leave all corporate boards on which he serves and divest himself of all investments that create potential conflicts of interest and begin immediately to do the job he was elected to do: serve as our congressman and actually represent us rather than his portfolio.

"It has never been more obvious that the term 'Representative' is misapplied when it comes to Chris Collins, and the decision released today by the House Ethics Committee to continue its investigation of him reinforces that," said Judith Hunter, the Livingston County Democratic chair. "His actions prove that his priorities are his own bottom line and those of his cronies', not the interests of the hard-working voters of New York 27."

Jeremy Zellner, the Erie County Democratic chair, pointed out that, "Just because an investment goes bust doesn't mean you didn't try to use your public office for personal gain. Failing doesn't make it all OK. And Collins continues to this day to pad his own pockets but not deliver for Western New York."

"I wish I were in a position to make laws for my own personal benefit, but I'm not. Chris Collins shouldn't be, either. And he shouldn't be trying to 'make millionaires' out of his buddies," said Amber Hainey, of GLOW Progressives. "He should be focused on the ordinary people of this district, not just the rich and powerful he sees as his constituency."

Jeanne Crane, Democratic Chair of Orleans County, noted that Collins' statements about his ethics troubles have all focused on Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's role in bringing the original complaint, even though ordinary citizens also filed their own complaints.

"My part of Orleans County used to be represented by Congresswoman Slaughter, and I know how hard and how long she worked to get the STOCK Act against insider trading by members of the House and Senate passed," Crane said. "No wonder she is furious that a neighboring member of Congress would so recklessly violate the spirit of that law.

"You know, just shrieking the words 'witch hunt' over and over again doesn't change the fact that the Office of Congressional Ethics felt the evidence was serious enough to warrant a full investigation of Mr. Collins, and today the House Ethics Committee agreed."

Press release:

The Batavia Ramparts Peewee III Hockey Team and Frank Lord -- psychic, clairvoyant, medium and spiritual advisor -- are teaming up for a two-night fund-raiser event.

• 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16^th at the Polish Falcons in Batavia (123 S. Swan St.)
• 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19^th at the American Legion in Le Roy (21 Lake St.)

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance or at the door on the night of the events.

This is a Group Psychic Reading. If you've been to one of these events before, you know how amazing the connections can be. If you've never been, don't be afraid to check it out. Help support a local hockey team! 

Frank Lord is New York State’s youngest and most accurate registered psychic, clairvoyant, medium and spiritual advisor who grew up in Batavia. His spiritual guidance emphasizes mainly on what the past, present, and future hold for the individual who seeks the answers they need. Frank also works in an array of the metaphysical realm, specializing in areas such as astrology, dream interpretation, and spiritual investigation.

He has worked professionally since the age of 12. Frank has read more than 9,500 individuals and continues to read on a daily basis. Frank has worked in areas such as New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and New Jersey.

Featured on the Sci-Fi Channel at age 18, Frank has worked with such individuals such as Raymond Buckland, former Genesee County Historian Sue Conklin, The Boo Brothers, and The Ghost Hunters. He enjoys all areas of work in the aspect of spiritualism and ensures guidance that will help with an individual's situation at hand.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Millennium Computers, 156 Washington Ave., Batavia; or contact Michelle Johnson at 409-9299; Alicia Cook at 815-3478; or Holly by email at   hollyesch@yahoo.com; or from any Peewee III Hockey parent.

The students at Pembroke Elementary School in East Pembroke learned about fire services and fire prevention today.

The participating agencies included East Pembroke fire, Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, Corfu fire, Town of Batavia fire, Mercy Flight, and Emergency Services.

Reader submitted photos.

Information provided by Batavia City School District:

Residents of the Batavia City School District are invited to become Budget Ambassadors and make recommendations regarding the school budget.

The district and its administration and the Board of Education welcome your assistance during the 2018-19 budget process.

No experience is necessary. Ambassadors will be expected to attend three sessions, all from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in District Administration Conference Room #49 (located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia).

The session dates are:

• Monday, Jan. 29
• Monday, Feb. 5
• Monday, Feb. 12

If interested, please notify the district in writing via postal mail or email by Thursday, Jan. 4.

Mail letter of interest to:

Christopher J. Dailey

Superintendent

260 State St.

Batavia, NY 14020

OR 

Email:   CJDailey@bataviacsd.org

For questions or additional information, please contact the District Office at 343-2480, ext. 1000, or email Superintendent Dailey at the email address above.

There's brick-oven pizza in Batavia now, handmade by Ken Mistler.

You might know Mistler's restaurant as City Slickers but that's changed, too. The entire restaurant, not just the front, fast-food counter, is now Ken's Charcoal Pits (new signs have been ordered for the building, but haven't yet been installed).

Mistler added the brick oven to the enclosed (during winter) patio on the west side of the restaurant and started serving pizza two weeks ago.

He makes it himself. He described the pizza as artisanal, Neapolitan-style and wood-fired. The oven cooks the pizza at 750 to 800 degrees, so each pizza cooks in about 90 seconds. It comes out hot, with a crisp crust and a bit of that wood-fired flavor.

There are seven pizza options on the menu and he also offers a vegetarian pizza and all pizzas can be made with gluten-free dough.

The pizza oven is fired up from 5 p.m. 'til closing time on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Ken's Charcoal Pits is located at 59 W. Main St., Batavia.

Tyler Wood was promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout at the Old Courthouse last night.

His Eagle Project was the renovation of the restrooms at the Akron Free Methodist Church. He is a member of Troop 64 in East Pembroke. Pictured with him are his Scoutmaster Bryan Schiefer and his parents, Charles and Heather Wood.

Photo and info submitted by Heather Wood.

Derek Meister, of The Meister Consultant's Group Inc., and trainer for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, spoke in Stafford on Thursday night for the town's committee studying the impact of potential solar farms.

Meister provided details on the implementation of the Unified Solar Law. The law is a template for local jurisdictions who wish to approve regulations for large-scale industrial solar plants on farmland.

This was the third in a series of talks sponsored by the solar committee. The committee is gathering all the information it can on solar farms, including community, environmental and economic impacts.

The town is halfway through a six-month moratorium on new industrial solar installations in Stafford, giving the committee time to complete its work.