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It was on a Saturday in September 10 years ago that I first drove into Batavia.

I returned to that event today to sort of mark the anniversary.

It was through a calendar item in the Gardener's Journal 10 years ago that I saw something about a Master Gardeners' Gala at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in a placed called Batavia.

"Batavia can't be too far of a drive," I thought, while sitting in my hotel room in Fairport.  

I made the drive, and it was a bit more of a drive than I expected, but eventually, I found Batavia, and I found it charming.

I came out here looking for information on growing roses in Western New York (we were getting ready to move from Bakersfield, Calif.) and left charmed by this little city.

Little did I know then, that within two years, I would be starting an online news site for Genesee County and eventually moving here myself. But Billie and I are quite happy with that turn of events.

Thank you all for supporting our experiment in online-only news and embracing and accepting us as you have.

And yes, I've found it possible to quite successfully grow roses in Western New York.

Eric Boyce had the best time for the men.

Kim Mills had the best time for the women (she also had the best women's time in the GLOW Corporate Cup).

A tree has fallen onto a house at 37 Columbia Ave. City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: The house is bieng evacuated.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: A large limb broke off a tree on property on Manhattan Avenue, which runs parallel to Columbia Avenue. The broken branch spans the entire length of the Columbia Avenue house.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: The city's fourth platoon is called into headquarters.

Press release:

There are still opportunities to enroll in fall classes at Genesee Community College! The late-start, 12-week session begins Monday, Sept. 19, and courses are offered at most of GCC's seven campus locations, as well as online.

Principles of Fly-Fishing (PED 193) is one of the more unique, new courses available. It is being offered at GCC's Medina Campus Center at 11470 Maple Ridge Road. The new two-credit course runs on Tuesday nights and begins this Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. under instructor Patrick Seidel.

"This 12-week course is perfect for anyone interested in fly-fishing – from the beginner or novice, to those who have some experience but want to refine their skills," Seidel, an adjunct instructor said. "Tom Brokaw once said, 'If fishing is a religion, fly -ishing is high church.' We intend to make this new course a fun, educational opportunity that welcomes the whole 'congregation' of fly-fishing enthusiasts."

Seidel has been teaching at GCC since the fall of 2015 and has 15 years of fly-fishing experience to his credit. He is also a fly-fishing instructor for the Lockport High School and a Wilderness First Aid instructor, American Red Cross instructor, and New York State First Aid instructor. For a short video of fly-fishing, check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCsqAsPfTXM&feature=youtu.be.

Classes in the 12-week session are easily accessible and run mornings, afternoons and evenings, during the week as well as on Saturdays, on campus or online. Busy students can pick the right time, day or place that meets their needs and their schedules.

The fall 12-week session boasts more than 35 courses in a variety of dynamic subjects including American Sign Language, Principles of Business, Healthful Living, Introduction to Computers, Human Relations and Interpersonal Communication to name a few. Late start classes are offered at most of GCC's seven campus locations:

• Albion, 456 West Ave. / 585-589-4936

• Arcade, 25 Edward St. / 585-492-5265

• Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800

• Dansville, 31 Clara Barton St. / 585-335-7820

• Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226

• Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688

• Warsaw, 115 Linwood Ave. / 585-786-3010

Additionally, GCC also offers the final segment of late start eight-week courses beginning on Monday, Oct. 17. For all the class options at GCC visit www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule.

To apply online for classes at any Genesee Community College campus location, new students should go to: http://www.genesee.edu/Admissions or call the Admissions office at 585-345-6800.

Through three quarters of football, Pembroke battled Notre Dame to a draw, but when Jake Weatherwax dashed into the end zone from six yards out with five minutes left in the game, the Dragons were unable to answer and fell to 1-2 on the season, 34-27.

It was Notre Dame's first win of the season.

The Dragons and Irish were pretty evenly matched throughout the contest, with each team averaging 5.8 yards per play on offense and only being a minute apart on time of possession for the game.

Weatherwax finished with 187 yards rushing on 29 attempts (he scored four times) and Pembroke's Zach von Kramer had 187 yards on the ground on 27 attempts, and he had two TDs. 

Pembroke's Reid Miano had 13 completions on 29 attempts for 209 yards and two TDs.

Notre Dame's Brendan Klotzbach was 8-19 in the air for 126 yards. He was intercepted once.

"Pembroke’s a great team," said Notre Dame Head Coach Rick Mancuso. "They’re very well coached and they have a couple of great athletes on that team. We knew we would have our hands full. Their quarterback threw the ball fantastic and Von Kramer is just a phenomenal running back. We had our hands full. There’s no doubt."

Von Kramer also caught a TD pass and gained 74 yards on three receptions.

Mancuso thought it was a great win for his team, which struggled a bit through the first two games of the season.

"I think we're getting better each week," Mancuso said. "We're not there yet, obviously, but I think the kids had a great week of practice."

Mancuso was impressed with the game Weatherwax had.

"Jake did a fantastic job," Mancuso said. "He's a gritty, hard runner. He makes great cuts. He reads the blocks. I thought he did a terrific job."

Defensively, Notre Dame played tough, but the team still has some holes to plug.

"Defensively, we brought it," Mancuso said. "We really worked hard this week on staying diligent to our plan and working hard and I thought the kids stuck with it. I thought they did a very nice job of executing."

Caleb Wolcott had 10 tackles and a sack. Brad Misiak had 10 tackles.

"We’ve got a lot to work on," Mancuso said. "I mean, they put up 27 points. I’m not ecstatic about that, but those are things we need to clean up and each week we’ll get better."

For the Dragons on defense, von Kramer had 12 tackles.

Four Notre Dame receivers had two catches each -- Ryan Moffatt, Nico Zambito, Misiak and Jordon Weatherwax. Moffatt gained 45 yards and Zambito gained 42.

To purchase prints, click here.

John Kennedy School hosted its annual Community Night on Friday evening.

Press release:

YWCA of Genesee County has decided to step things up with its annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk by offering a USATF (Track & Field) certified 5K for runners and walkers alike.

Described as a mostly flat and fast course, this race will also include family activities, Limited Edition purple baseball caps, a few words from Notre Dame High School Principal Wade Bianco and a purple powder finish line celebration. Bianco recently earned an honored spot in the Coaches category for the Section V Football Hall of Fame.

The event is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at YWCA, 301 North St.

“We don’t ever want to lose sight of why we started the walk in the first place: to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence,” Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. “But we are also aware that people love 5Ks! Three miles is just far enough for serious runners to feel competitive and not too far for walkers to enjoy as well. We strongly encourage people of all ages to wear some purple and help us to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

A professional timing company will be on site with an inflatable arch and results will be available to participants during and after the event. Prizes will go to overall fastest male and female finishers and to the top two male and female finishers in each age category: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69 and 70-plus.

Perhaps the most notable aspect will be the haze of purple powder as participants engage in friendly interaction of tossing the clothing-safe powder on one another and in the air. Purple is the signature color of domestic violence awareness and will play a key role in coloring the day, organizers said.

For those that may work up an appetite, the YW’s traditional Harvest Supper will also be served that day from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Takeouts will be available. The supper is a way to highlight the area’s agricultural industry with hearty soups, stew, crusty breads, fresh fruit desserts and many other items that highlight ingredients provided by local farms and ag producers.

Cost is $25 for the 5K, $8 for the supper, or $30 for both events. Kids 10 and under may walk for free and Limited Edition 5K baseball caps will go to the first 150 paid registrants. For more information, go to https://results.score-this.com/RegisterThis.php?raceid=20161006STIL or call (585) 343-5808.

Press release:

At this time next year -- in 2017 -- Genesee Community College will formerly introduce the "plus-minus" grading system replacing the old structure that has relied solely on A, B, C, D and F, the College's Board of Trustees learned at its monthly meeting on Monday night.

The broader grading range will include A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F, and "will provide a more accurate reflection of student achievement," according to GCC President James M. Sunser.

The process to convert the grading structure has been a multi-year effort that began in 2015. In her report to the Trustees, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Kathleen M. Schiefen explained that GCC is now among the very few educational institutions nationwide that uses the five-letter grading scale. In May 2015, the College's Academic Senate approved the proposal to add the plus and minus letter grades to the College's student evaluation system, and began the multiyear process to change the grading structure.

Expanding the grading system reinforces the College's number one priority which is student success and completion. Next fall, the grading system will break down into the following letter grade to grade point averages: A = 4.0; A- = 3.67; B+ = 3.33; B = 3.0; B- = 2.67; C+ = 2.33; C = 2.0; C- = 1.67; D+ = 1.33; D = 1.0; D- = .67; F = failure.

"Using the plus–minus grading scale encourages students to do better by giving an added incentive to keep working," Dr. Schiefen explained. As an example, a student with a 70 average and another student with a 79 average will both receive a C. However, as students realize that by working a little harder they might receive a C+ they will be inspired to work hard through to the final assignments or examinations.

Plus-minus grading also helps the admissions selection process distinguish between the various levels of student achievement. Programs such as nursing that have strict admission criteria can better determine the students who are most apt to succeed in the more rigorous academic settings.

But introducing the new grading system is a rigorous task in itself and warranted a careful, two-year plan to ensure all departments change over their systems appropriately. From each academic division to the Records and Business Offices, all full-time and adjunct faculty members, as well as every page of the College's website, the Student and Faculty Handbook, College Catalog, the Banner database system and each and every course syllabus are being carefully culled to ensure a comprehensive conversion to the plus-minus structure.

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

• Heard Richard Ensman, executive director of the Genesee Community College Foundation report on College Village, which has owned and operated the student residential community adjacent to the College's Batavia Campus for 16 years. With occupancy at more than 80 percent this semester, College Village continues to expand and improve the facility by increasing and improving its scope of services. College Village has introduced the "coaching model" through a combination of active engagement and proactive programming to increase student retention and graduation rate. Five college courses, as well as seminars, tutoring and referrals are available at College Village, many in the new "Root" which is located in the basement level of the Hemlock Building. In addition, College Village has expanded public transportation opportunities into the City of Batavia to further engage the student residents in the life of the local community with service now running on Friday nights from College Village to various points in the City.

• Heard Garth Swanson, GCC professor of History, report GCC's Academic Senate, where he has recently assumed the role of president. As a governing body with broad, college-wide representation, the Senate is the primary voice for faculty and staff and operates under four standing committees: Curriculum, Academic Innovation, Academic Standards and Student Success and Retention. The fifth ad hoc committee Emerging Initiatives, addresses the many issues facing community colleges overall, and could likely become a permanent part of the organization under Swanson's leadership. Among the Senate's 2016-2017 priorities are strengthening campus-wide communication; creating an integrated strategy for rapid responses to the changing academic environment; broadening the faculty's role in academic innovation; and supporting GCC's accreditation process with Middle States Commission for Higher Education. The Senate meets every fourth Tuesday of the month, and Senate committees meet every second Tuesday of the month, both at 12:45 p.m. Prof. Swanson welcomed the Board of Trustees to attend.

• Heard Virginia Taylor, Ph.D., vice president for Student and Enrollment Services, report that 133 international students are enrolled at GCC this year representing Japan (58), Netherland Antilles / Carousel Islands (24); United Kingdom (14); Korea (five); Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Nigeria (all four each); Bangladesh (three); China, Timor Leste, Ukraine (each two), and one student is enrolled at GCC from each of the following countries: France, Ivory Coast, Jamica, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.

• Approved the following donations: Bridal gowns and social occasion dresses of assorted sizes valued at more than $12,000 to be used and potentially repurposed by the College's Fashion Program; and a pulmonary function testing machine valued at $6,000 for the College's Respiratory Care Program.

• Welcomed Jenna Curcio as the 2016-2017 student trustee. Curcio, from Rochester, is a pursuing a Fashion Business degree with aspirations of transferring to Fashion Institute of Technology.

• Heard of the appointment of Eric Edwards as a new temporary, grant-funded student support services technical specialist. Coming from Hilbert College with eight years of experience as an admissions counselor, she has extensive knowledge in the transfer process, financial aid, career counseling and academic advising. She is a GCC alumna with a Human Services, AS; and also earned a BS from Hilbert and an MS from St. Bonaventure.

• Welcomed the following new GCC employees who attended the post-meeting reception: Shelitha Williams, Ph.D., associate vice president for Student Success; Dr. Laurel Sanger, director of Nursing; Jennifer Wakefield, program director of The BEST Center; and Maureen Spindler, visual communication specialist in the Marketing Communications Office.

Matthew Arthur Harder, 19, of Geddes Street, Holley, is charged with fourth degree criminal mischief. Harder was arrested following an investigation into damaged property in the parking lot of Genesee Community College at 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 9. He was arraigned on Sept. 15 in Town of Batavia Court and is to appear there at a later date. He was also issued an Order of Protection to stay away from the victim whose property was damaged. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Richard Todd Harter, 40, of Townline Road, Byron, is charged with second-degree harassment. On Sept. 15, Harter was arrested on a bench warrant for the charge, out of Holley, and turned over to Holley PD. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Julie L. Dutton was indicted Sept. 14 for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. She is accused of stealing U.S. currency having a value in excess of $1,000 on April 21. 

Campbell Anderson, a senior at Batavia High School, pictured with Principal Scott Wilson, has qualified as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. As far as Wilson knows, he's the only semifinalist in the region and one of only 99 in Western New York.

Anderson is a candidate for West Point and the Air Force Academy. He's also a standout in track and cross-country. Wilson said one of Anderson's unique accomplishments was completing all of the match courses offered by the high school, including advanced placement calculus, by the end of his sophomore year. The school has arranged his senior schedule so he can also take classes at Genesee Community College. He remains at the top of his class.

Photo and info provided by Scott Wilson.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $1,411,200 in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Genesee County Airport, located in Batavia. The grant will assist the Genesee County Airport in funding the final phase of its airport construction project. The airport is building an aircraft-parking apron, a taxiway extension, and removing of a number of runway obstructions.

“Using federal funds to support local infrastructure projects will help establish an environment that promotes future economic development and employment opportunities,” Congressman Collins said. “This $1,411,200 grant will provide Genesee County with the funding it needs to complete the final phase of its project. Grants like these allow for more efficient and effective airport operations that will benefit our region for years to come.”

“This crucial FAA grant will allow Genesee County to complete Phase 3 of our Airport project, which includes the removal of the old terminal building and hangar,” said Raymond Cianfrini, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature. “We appreciate our partnership with Congressman Collins and look forward to giving him and our community a tour of the completed project.”

The Congressman’s office remains available to assist any local government pursuing a federal grant.

As part of the GLOW Corporate Challenge last month, organizers put together a T-shirt design contest and this year, based on volunteer votes, Freed Maxick came up with the winning design. The prize was a $500 donation to the charity of their choice, and staff chose the UMMC Foundation and the Justice for Children Foundation.

Photo: Sam Schafer, Carmela Piazza, Liz Renz, Lori Aratari, Steve Tufts, Jason Armbrewster, Kim Mills (who also had the fastest women's time), Olivia Engel and Tim Moag. Aratari is with UMMC, Ambrewster with Justice for Children, Tufts and Piazza are with Merrill Lynch representing GLOW Cup, and the others are with Freed Maxick. Each charity received $250 and the balance of the proceeds from the event benefit the YMCA.

Somebody knows who was driving this vehicle at 10:40 a.m., Saturday, when it T-boned a car with two small children in it at the intersection of North Byron Road and Transit Road, Elba.

The driver fled the scene and the vehicle was found in a wooded area the next day off of Spoil Bank Road, in the mucklands.

The car had Ohio plates that didn't match the VIN number. There were receipts for Verizon calling plans in the vehicle.

Peggy Zambito, the grandmother of the two children, said her family is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.

It's a miracle and only through the grace of God, she said, that she, her daughter, Mercy Caparco, and her two grandchildren, Maggie, 5, and Molly, 2, were uninjured in the accident.

The Ford Explorer Caparco was driving rolled over multiple times and narrowly missed hitting a fire hydrant and a tree.

The other driver, Zambito said, was speeding and though they saw him coming, couldn't avoid getting hit.

"I knew he was going so fast he wouldn’t have been able to stop if he tried," Zambito said.

Zambito said the safety features of the vehicle -- strong seatbelts and side airbags -- helped keep them all safe.

"I will always be haunted by the face of my daughter looking, craning her neck as we're rolling over to look (at her children)," Zambito said. "She said, 'Mom, I don't see blood. I don't see blood.' That will haunt me to my dying day."

She was able to find her mobile phone and call 9-1-1 as soon as the car stopped rolling over.

"I'm a retired nurse," she said. "I tend to stay calm in an emergency and then fall apart later."

The rear axle with a tire attached snapped off and landed 30 feet from the vehicle.

"It's a miracle we were able to just get out of that vehicle," she said.

Incredibly, the insurance company originally said it wouldn't total the car, but only pay for repairs, but then later today, Zambito said, she got word the decision was being reconsidered by another department.

Zambito realizes the red SUV that struck them may have been driven by a migrant worker, perhaps undocumented, which is why he fled, but she also realizes, she said, most migrant workers are decent, hard-working and family oriented. Perhaps if this story makes the rounds or a worker sees the posters the family plans to post at the Yellow Goose in Elba, somebody will come forward and identify the driver.

Apparently, one person did tell a deputy who he thinks usually drives the vehicle, but that person has witnesses who say he was at work at the time of the accident, Zambito said.

The newly constructed terminal and hangar at the Genesee County Airport received the Phil Brito Airport Project of the Year award last night from the Aviation Management Association.

File photo.

Alan J. Hargrave, of Pavilion, died this morning about 20 minutes after arriving at UMMC following an accident reported at 9:47 a.m. on Angling Road, Corfu.

Hargrave and his brother, John S. Hargrave, had just dropped off a load of scrap at Ed Arnold Scrap Processors and were heading south when Alan suffered some sort of medical issue that caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

The truck, which was hauling an empty flatbed trailer, struck a tree.

Alan Hargrave was unconscious and not breathing when Deputy Lonnie Nati first arrived on scene.

Nati and Don Newton, chief of the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, extricated Hargrave from the vehicle and began CPR and deployed a defibrillator and Alan Hargrave began breathing.

He was placed in a Mercy EMS ambulance for further emergency treatment before being transported to UMMC.

Coroner Karen Lang was requested to respond to UMMC, where she pronounced that Alan Hargrave had died.

John Hargrave, who suffered cuts and abrasions in the accident, was transported to ECMC for evaluation.

The accident is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office. Corfu fire and East Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire assisted at the scene.

Elizabeth Michelle Grattan, 26, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and unsafe backing. Grattan was arrested on a warrant after being located at a residence in the City of Batavia by Genesee County Probation. An arrest warrant was issued by the Town of Alabama Court to answer the charges stemming from an incident at 1 a.m. on Aug. 1 on Judge Road. She was arraigned  Sept. 14 in Town of Oakfield Court and put in jail on $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will host its annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at Terry Hills Restaurant, 5122 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

The meeting is free and open to the public but venue space is limited. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Oct. 11 to Samantha Stryker at sls428@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 123.

Michael J. Eula, Ph.D., Genesee County historian, will be giving a talk entitled "Emory Upton and the Formation of Modern America" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21st.

It will take place at the Le Roy United Methodist Church, 10 Trigon Park, in Le Roy. It is sponsored by the Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable.

A three-car accident with injuries is reported at Ellicott and Evans streets. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:01 p.m.: The only injury may be to a child who was shaken up by the collision and is being evaluated by medics.