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The County Legislature took its show on the road on Wednesay, holding its regular full body meeting at the Oakfield Community and Government Center.

It was a chance for the Town of Oakfield to show off its expanded and remodeled Town Hall.

Barry Flansburg, town accessor, said town officials wanted the new facility to be more than just a town hall, instead one could host multiple agencies and services as well as community groups and serve as an emergency command center if needed.

That's why it's called, now, officially, the Community and Government Center.

"This is the ultimate shared facility," Flansburg said.

As an example for the planned flexibility, Flansburg noted, the panel seating area has 10 chairs, not just the five necessary for the town board. This gives the Legislature room to meet there, and it also allows all town officials a seat at the table, so to speak, for town meetings, which Flansburg said helps foster better communication and collaboration.

The new courts facility not only hosts the Town of Oakfield Town Court but the Town of Elba's, as well. The facility is certificated to a standard that it could host the County Court if ever required to do so.

The board just approved on Tuesday night a request by the court of the Town of Alabama to hold a jury trial in the courtroom next month, since Alabama's court isn't really well suited to jury trials.

There is also a small kitchen (and break room for staff) that will be available to community and civic groups that want to use the community/meeting room for events or meetings.

The highway department also has expanded space and motion-controlled LED lights have been installed in the bays.

Flansburg said that when visitors come into the town offices, they notice that all of the officials have offices and desk space no bigger than what they had before and are surprised.

"This wasn't about giving us bigger offices," Flansburg said. "This is a community space and we wanted it to be for the whole community."

The offices did receive new carpet, wallpaper, paint and fixtures. There's also improved security in the foyer.

The project cost $3.1 million. The town planned it for eight years, saved money to help fund it, and are able to pay the bonds through existing cash flow and the rent the Town of Elba pays for the courtroom. There is no new tax burden on Town residents to pay for the facility, Flansburg said.

City police are responding to an apartment in the 100 block of South Main Street for the larceny "... of cigarettes."

A serious injury accident is reported in the area of 2164 Angling Road, Corfu.

A victim is trapped in the vehicle.

Corfu fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

The accident is reported as car vs. tree.

UPDATE(S) 9:56 a.m. (By Billie): Mercy Flight is called to the scene and a landing zone is to be set up just east of the location, possibly in the roadway.

UPDATE 10 a.m.: Traffic is to be shut down at Route 33 and Angling Road.

UPDATE 10:01 a.m.: The helicopter will land on property next to a barn, off the roadway.

UPDATE 10:02 a.m.: Mercy Flight has an 8 minute ETA.

UPDATE 10:06 a.m.: The address given now is 2176 Angling Road. A second Mercy ambulance is called in non-emergency mode for a subject with lacerations.

UPDATE 10:21 a.m.: Mercy Flight was canceled. A 56-year-old male will be taken by ambulance to UMMC after suffering a heart attack. Another is being treated at the scene for cuts and abrasions. A source at the scene says two brothers had just finished taking a load of scrap metal to a processing company when the driver seemed to suffer some sort of medical condition and appeared to faint, which caused the truck to veer into a tree head on.

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: The ambulance, in which medics have been treating the patient, is now leaving the scene for UMMC.

In the photo above, senior Maggie Cecere is kicking in her second goal of the afternoon at Batavia High School, breaking a girls and boys soccer school record that was held since 1996 by Julie Redband Varland with 37 goals in a high school career.

Her 38th goal was recorded in the second half of the game with 14 minutes left and assisted by Junior Sophia Dinehart. Batavia won 2-0 over Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Maggie tied the school record scoring 20 minutes into the first half off a pass from senior Ali Moore. Shots on goal after the half were 9-1 Batavia.

Batavia came out a little sluggish in the second half but their defense held tough. Second-half shots were 7-5 Batavia.

Maggie's father, Assistant Coach Peter Cecere, embraced his daughter at the completion of the game along with teammates who celebrated their first home win; their record increases to 5-1. Batavia Head Coach Roger Hume is very proud of his team starting off strong and hope it continues into their next game -- away vs. Eastridge, Friday night at 7.

To view more photos and to purchase prints click here.

(Submitted photo.)

A reader, whose mother lives on Fordham Drive in Batavia, wrote to say this orange and white kitten wandered into her mother's garage yesterday and is desperately trying to go in her house. The feline has a very sweet, albeit persistent, disposition.

Anyone with information -- maybe it's your cat or your friend's cat or you'd like to have this cat or a relative wants a cat-- please call 344-1034. 

Press release:

For the next 50 days, students in the GCC Veterinary Technology Club will be challenged to take a total of 5,000 pictures in an effort to raise money for two spring experiential learning trips planned for March.

Beginning on Sunday, Sept.11, and continuing until Sunday, Oct. 30, Vet Tech students will take pictures that have both a veterinary technician and an animal in them, posting their candid's to the GCC Vet Tech Facebook page for the public to view and follow along. All pictures must be taken and posted to the Facebook page within the 50-day period in order to count toward the fundraising effort.

Students will solicit and collect pledges much like you would do for a walk-a-thon or bike-a-thon, but the pledge will be per picture with a maximum of 5,000 pictures. For example, a one cent per photo pledge would equal a $50 donation, or a half-cent per photo pledge, would equal a $25 donation. Those who pledge will support the GCC Vet Tech Club as a whole, and all of the posted pictures have the intrinsic value of showing GCC's Vet Tech students doing what they love -- working and being with animals.

"The fun idea benefits students in a multitude of ways," Carrie Caccamise, director of GCC's Veterinary Technology Program, said. "We will continue to accept pledges through the 50-day period, but are starting to solicit pledges now. All pledges will be collected at the end of the Photo-thon. We hope everyone enjoys following along on our Facebook page and will consider pledging!"

Funds raised through the photo-thon effort will support Vet Tech students in one of two trips currently in the planning stages for the College's spring break in March. Both trips will provide important experience in veterinary medicine in a different setting than is not currently available at the College or the surrounding field visits in Western New York.

The first possible destination is the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Fla., where seniors in the Vet Tech program visited this past spring for the first time. While at the Zoo, the students observed exams and treatments on many exotic animals including a penguin, a two-toed sloth, a spur fowl, white and black rhinos, a pig, tortoises, a screech owl and elephants, as well as armadillos, tortoises and pythons.

The exams involved anesthesia, radiographs, ultrasound exams and blood draws. Since these animals are not as friendly as most dogs and cats, the students were able to observe the different techniques for handling and administration of anesthesia during the examinations. The other Vet Tech student trip being explored for spring break is to an Indian reservation in Arizona that does not offer regular veterinary care.

Anyone wishing to pledge or follow along for the 50-day photo-thon can visit the GCC Vet Tech Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GCCVetTechGO/ for more information. Those wishing to pledge by check can make checks payable to GCC Vet Tech Club and send them to: GCC Vet Tech Program – D309, Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting a presentation and review of Genesee Community College – The first 50 Years given by co-author Larry D. Barnes. 

This event will be held at the Holland Land Office Museum at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. There will be a book signing after the program. There is no cost and everyone is welcome. The museum is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

The book, written by Barnes and Ruth E. Andes, both faculty members 1968 – 2014, is a history story of a dynamic achievement through innovative programs, workforce development and community involvement. It follows the College from a converted department store with 367 students to more than 7,000 students studying in more than 60 different programs.

Press release:

As Genesee Community College celebrates a monumental milestone in 2016-2017, the College invites visitors to explore the past and present, and look forward to the future using the recently launched 50th Anniversary website, http://sunygcc50.genesee.edu.

The Anniversary website is the central online meeting place for Anniversary news, calendar of events and a collection of memorabilia recognizing the College's True-Blue Past and Golden Future. Designed to highlight GCC's many accomplishments over the past 50 years, the new site gives users a visual and informative review of the College's first half century. 

Included within the website are "Points of Pride" -- 50 interactive, visual moments to illustrate events, faculty and staff, and key College achievements and distinctions. With the click of a button, visitors can learn many significant aspects of GCC from The BEST Center to online courses and degrees, campus growth to athletic achievements, and much more. The "Online Scrapbook" feature allows users to upload their own photos and recollections of the College to share their memories and join the celebration. 

"We wanted a website that was visually appealing, interactive and easy to navigate," Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications, and a member of the Anniversary Steering Committee said.

"The new website is a great way to look back at GCC's many achievements and see some of the amazing things our students and alumni have been doing for five decades. It's also a fun way to prepare for the exciting future. Keep an eye on the Calendar since we will be posting new opportunities throughout the coming year." 

The Timeline takes visitors back to the founding of Genesee Community College when the group of local Jaycees formed a Citizens Committee to help forge community support to pass the public referendum. It also recognizes important leaders such as past GCC presidents, Alfred O'Connell, Ph.D., Cornelius Robbins, Ph.D., and Stuart Steiner, Ph.D., as well as current president James Sunser, Ph.D.

With more than 80 photos featured on the overall site and the opportunity for all to contribute more memorabilia to the Online Scrapbook, the website reflects GCC's 50th Anniversary theme which is "Our True-Blue Past – Your Golden Future."

GCC's 50th Anniversary celebrations continue with the following upcoming events:

-- Futurist Jack Uldrich will give the keynote address at the Wolcott Jay Humphrey III Symposium for Leadership and Community Life at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22;

-- Fall-Fest Cougar Weekend schedule continues Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 – 24, offers plenty of opportunities for the whole community including the second annual Cougar Crawl on Friday evening. All-day festivities on Saturday include: the Rods and Rock Car Cruise; several student and alumni athletic competitions; the Craft and Vendor Fair; and the Award Ceremony for the Men's Lacrosse Team who won the NJCAA National Championship this past spring, and the unveiling of "Genesee Community College – The First 50 Years" by co-authors and faculty emeriti Larry D. Barnes and Ruth E. Andes at 3 p.m. in T102 of the Conable Technology Building. 

The new website is easily accessible from the College's main homepage, www.genesee.edu, by clicking on the 50th Anniversary logo on the lower right portion of the page.

The turnout was low, lower than expected, in a pair of primary elections held yesterday that if not for some prior planning from the county's election commissioners could have cost county taxpayers $17,000.

Four people voted in the Reform Party primary for the 61st State Senate District, and all four votes went to incumbent Michael Ranzenhofer, who apparently was facing a write-in challenger, but there were no write-in votes in Genesee County.

In the Working Families primary for the same race, the Democrat's nominee Tom Loughran defeated Andrea Liszka 1-0.

All of the voting was carried out at the Elections Office in County Building #1. If Commissioners Dick Siebert and Lorie Longhany hadn't devised a new policy for small elections, the balloting would have been held at locations in each of the county's towns. By setting up one polling location, the county was able to hold the primaries at essentially no cost.

In explaining the plan a week ago to county legislators, Siebert said the turnout was expected to be only 15 to 16 voters.

"That might be a high estimate," Longhany said.

Thomas Wood, 1st assistant chief for Le Roy Fire Department, a former chief and longtime volunteer with the company, can't remember a time when his department was called on to respond to back-to-back fires.

It didn't help that it was a fairly hot day and the second fire was fought from atop a metal roof.

His brother, Bill Wood, also a former chief, described the rooftop as "unbearably hot."

"That's why we called in Brockport and Avon and used the City's Fast Team as a regular fire unit," Wood said. "Most of our guys had already fought one fire. We were calling in extra units. Our guys were dropping from the heat."

The first fire was reported on Starr Road, Pavilion, at about 1:50 p.m. It involved a six-unit apartment complex and a quick response by Pavilion and Le Roy firefighters helped contain the fire to a single apartment.

The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area, according to Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger. The cause remains under investigation.

Nobody was home at the time the fire was reported and residents in two other units were evacuated, including one who was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom and awoken by Deputy Chris Parker.

A dog may have perished in the fire, though several other pets were rescued.

The second fire, at a plastics factory on Lent Avenue, Le Roy, was reported about 3:10 p.m.

Most of Le Roy's equipment hadn't even cleared the Pavilion scene yet.

The Lent Avenue fire was sparked by a welder making repairs to the roof of the factory.

The fire burned about 40 feet down, Wood said. It produced quite a bit of smoke, but little flame.

"It's just an odd to have two, like hit that quick, and have to use so many people," Wood said.

There's no damage estimate available yet for either fire.

Bergen, Stafford and Caledonia also responded to the Lent Avenue fire.

The response to Pavilion also included Stafford, Bethany and Alexander along with the Office of Emergency Management.

Town of Batavia was asked to stand in at Stafford's fire hall.

Previously: 

• Smoke coming from roof of Le Roy Plastics on Lent Avenue
• Apartment complex ablaze on Starr Road in Pavilion

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The third annual Ride to Remember and Basket Raffle, presented by the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network Inc., will take place Saturday, Sept. 17, starting at the Oakfield Alabama Baptist Church.

The church is located at 2210 Judge Road in Oakfield.

Ticket sales for the Basket Raffle will take place from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and the raffle starts at 12:30.

All proceeds will benefit the network and the "Remembering Love in a Heartbeat" Project.

Here is the story of Jennifer and Bruce Pritchett -- bereaved parents of Helen Lois (Jan. 4-13, 2012):

Five years ago, we were expecting our second child when we found out that our daughter, Helen, had a terminal condition. Through a series of counselors, we were given the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network’s (WNYPBN) contact information. This organization provided our family with much support. One of the most treasured items we have of our daughter is a recorded heartbeat from our sonogram appointment. The WNYPBN provided us with the recordable sound box that we took to our appointment & we were able to record her heartbeat. We then made a stuffed animal with the heartbeat device inside. 

The purpose of this ride is to support the programs of the WNYPBN, especially the new program, “Remembering Love in a Heartbeat.” This program will provide families facing a similar situation the opportunity to have their baby’s heartbeat recorded and placed in a bear or bunny so they will always be able to hear their precious baby’s heart beat...another beautiful memory.

The Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network Inc. (WNYPBN) is an organization comprised of bereaved parents and healthcare professionals who promote standards of bereavement intervention through educational support, community programs and referral services for bereaved parents. The Network serves all eight counties of WNY and is run completely on donations and volunteers. The Mission is to assist the community in meeting the needs of people facing perinatal death:  the death of a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or early infant death.

For more information visit: www.wnypbn.org

Smoke is coming from the roof of a structure at 15 Lent Ave., the site of Le Roy Plastics, in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire Department is called along with Bergen and the city's Fast Team. The city's first platoon is called to fire headquarters. Sparks from welding are said to be the cause of the smoke, or possible fire.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: A Mercy ambulance is requested to the scene in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: Firefighters say the metal roof is unbearably hot. The city's Fast Team has been on scene about 15 minutes and will now be deployed to relieve the volunteer firefighters for a respite.

Press release:

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, house plants and local field grown mums. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as they will have several months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a Chance Basket Auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from Master Gardeners.

There will be a “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11 o'clock. Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by Master Gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10. No early birds please. Due to the drought, the number of plants we have to offer this fall may be limited. The Chance Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our new CCE website http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Andrew C. Webster, 23, of Martin Road, Akron, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment. Webster was arrested at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, after allegedly punching and pushing a female acquaintance and damaging her property. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on his own recognizance. The judge issued an order of protection and Webster is to have no contact with the alleged victim. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster, assisted by Deputy Christopher Erion.

Brittanee Justine Hooten, 27, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested following the investigation into a domestic incident that occurred on Gibson Street in the Village of Oakfield at 10:13 p.m. on Sept. 9. Hooten allegedly pushed another subject during the incident. She was arraigned in Village of Oakfield Court and was released on her own recognizance. She is due in Oakfield Town Court on Oct. 3. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Steven R. Colombo, 30, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested following a domestic incident at 2:09 a.m. today (Sept. 13) wherein he allegedly violated an order of protection. He was jailed without bail and is due back in court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Patrick Thomas Vanbortle, 22, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal nuisance. He was arrested at 12:17 a.m. on Sept. 11 following an investigation into a large party that occurred on South Swan Street a short time earlier. He was processed and issued an appearance ticket. He is due in City Court on Sept. 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Benjamin D. Tyson, 19, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs -- first offense, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Tyson was arrested following the investigation into a civilian complaint of the erratic operation of a motor vehicle on Union Street in the City. Tyson was located in a deli parking lot and was issued three traffic tickets and one appearance ticket. He is due in City Court on Sept. 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Tiffany D. Norton, 41, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, was arrested Sept. 11 on a bench warrant after she failed to appear and pay a fine associated with a conviction for aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. She was located by State Police while driving in the Village of Bergen and then turned over to BPD. She was put in jail on $250 bail and is due back in court Sept. 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.

Nathan Samuel Love, 23, of South Main Street Road, Batavia, was arrested Sept. 11 on an outstanding bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. It stems from an incident on Feb. 27 on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was taken to BPD Headquarters and processed and arraigned in City Court, then jailed on $100 bail. He was due to return to City Court on Sept. 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Richard E. Stafford, 75, of Orange Grove Drive, Batavia, turned himself in on an active bench warrant for failure to appear in Batavia City Court on a vehicle and traffic summons issued May 9 on East Main Street in Batavia. Stafford posted $500 cash bail and was ordered to return to City Court on Sept. 14 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack.

A six-unit apartment complex is reportedly on fire at 10980 Starr Road, Pavilion. Unknown if any occupants are inside. Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: An additional Le Roy engine and its ambulance service are requested to the working structure fire along with equipment from Stafford and Bethany.

UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: Stafford is asked to fill in at Pavilion's fire hall.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: All occupants are said to be out of the structure.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The pets are all accounted for except a small white dog, according to a resident on scene. It is unknown if the dog escaped.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: An official at the scene said the fire started in Apt. #6 but no one was home at the time. Two occupants in other units escaped. Sheriff's Deputy Chris Parker checked the building and found a person sleeping in an upstairs apartment and that person got out safely. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Bergen Fire Department is asked to standby in Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to stand by for Stafford.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Le Roy 1st Assistant Fire Chief Tom Wood was the first chief on scene and took command. He said he saw one of the apartments fully involved and a lot of smoke. Sheriff's deputies were on scene when he arrived and helping to evacuate the building. Wood said Pavilion crews did a phenomenally fast job of knocking down the blaze, containing the fire damage to one unit. With all the smoke showing, it "could've taken the whole structure." Three other units were water damaged. Wood said no one, including firefigehters, suffered ill effects. He said five or six people were in the complex at the time the fire broke out, although no one was inside the unit where it began for as-yet-undetermined reasons.

A collision between a bus and a motor vehicle is reported at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue. A first responder on scene confirms minor injuries. The bus was occupied by a driver and one passenger. The vehicle had two one occupants. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: The driver of a red car is being evaluated by medics following the collision. Law enforcement says it appears the driver rear-ended the bus, whose driver and single passenger were uninjured. The car driver is being cited for driving while intoxicated.

When I left Batavia High School, where the Genesee Symphony Orchestra was rehearsing last evening, I spotted Ladder 15 over at Dwyer Stadium, so I drove over and found firefighters there doing some training.

It was the first official rehearsal Monday night for S. Shade Zajac as the new conductor and musical director for the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

The season opens Oct. 16 with a concert at St. James Episcopal Church, Batavia. The concert will also feature winners from the GSO young artists competition, Jackie Hager, cello, and Jarod Yap, piano. The program includes: "Shortcut Home," Dana Willson; Concerto in D Minor, Lalo; Concerto in A Minor, Schumann; and "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsako.

Tickets are on sale now through GeneseeSymphony.com. 

UPDATED 8:50 a.m.

The 25-year-old man from South Korea whose body was found in the lake at DeWitt Recreation Area on Labor Day went by the name locally of Kevin.

His maiden name was Kim.

According to Det. Todd Crossett, Kyeongseop Woodhams lived in Genesee County and his only family in the United States was his husband. He has not been identified.

His husband reported him as missing to the State Police sometime Saturday, according to Det. Todd Crossett.

The cause of death has not been determined. Investigators are waiting on the results of toxicology tests, which could take a couple of months.

Woodhams was identified first by a person at the scene when his body was found shortly before 9 a.m., Sept. 5. His identity was confirmed with his visa, according to Crossett.

There were items found at the scene, including fishing gear, but Crossett did not specify what other items might have been found. (CORRECTION: We missed the word "not" in the e-mail message from Crossett. We apologize for the error).

Crossett said Woodhams was last seen late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Crossett at (585) 345-6353.