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Jessica Held, left, and Tracy Martorana are the owners of Holistic Hub, whcih offers a variety of wellness programs at 58 Main St. in Le Roy.

One chance meeting — and many shared interests — revealed a new path for two area women.

It led to the Holistic Hub, which is now open at 58 Main St. in Le Roy. 

On Wednesday, Tracy Martorana and Jessica “Jessie” Held hosted a Meet and Greet at the business, which offers a variety of services including meditation, yoga, holistic wellness and creativity workshops, and more.

Martorana is a nutrition and wellness consultant. Held is a yoga instructor with an interest in the arts.

They met this past winter during a wellness fair in Bergen. They discovered not only shared interests, but that both happen to live in Le Roy.

Held followed up with an email, suggesting they explore starting a local wellness center.

“So we got together and talked it through and realized we both really do like the same things,” Martorana said. “And we had the same vision of what we’d like to offer the community.”

“We both have different niches,” Held added. “I’m more artistic and creative, where she’s more into health and nutrition and meditation, which really goes nicely together.”

Martorana is the co-owner of Holistic Wellness, which is based in the home she shares with her husband Andrew. She is also an herbalist, meditation instructor and leads workshops on a variety of wellness topics.

Held and her husband, Mark, moved to Le Roy from Scottsville in 2014. (They’re expecting their first child in October.) A trained yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, she also offers artistic and inspirational workshops.

Their business partnership became official in January. They settled on a location more quickly than they expected.

Held had been teaching yoga at 58 on Main, which was the home of Baristas coffee shop as well as Jim DeLooze’s photography studio and gallery.

After Baristas closed in May, DeLooze asked Martorana and Held if they’d be interested in the location. Now, Holistic Hub shares the space with 58 on Main Photography.

Holistic Hub is described as “a place to better ourselves and our community.” That mission is reflected in the circular “hub” logo designed by Held, in which stylized arrows aim both toward and away from the center.

“We explain the arrows going in, as working on ourselves,” Held explained. “But this is also a place to better the community, which is the arrows going out.”

For more information about Holistic Hub, visit www.holistichubleroy.com; email holistichubleroy@gmail.com; or find Holistic Hub Le Roy NY on Facebook.

The fourth annual Pig Roast and Craft Show will be held at Elba Village Park from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. Admission is free.

"We're expanding off of the Onion Festival to bring community closer," said Carrie Mudrzynski, member of the Elba Betterment Committee, which is hosting the event.

More than 50 local vendors and businesses will be there, along with live music. The Mud Pit is cooking the meat. Plates are $10 and you can choose from pulled pork or hamburgers, and more. The Elba Betterment Committee is providing additional food.

Musicians include:

• Front Porch Pickers
• Mac and Company
• Bobby and the Pedestrians

Although the beloved Onion Festival is history, after it began nearly 80 years ago, an Onion Queen will still reign. The Elba Volunteer Fire Department is holding the contest, so the tradition will continue.

The Onion Queen Parade will start at 3:45 p.m. Eight girls will be in it, riding on convertibles, and waving, of course. At 4:30, they will crown the Onion Queen.

Beforehand, at noon, there will be a Kiddie Parade.

Elba sports boosters will have a dunk tank. 

There will also be four bounce houses, costing $5 for unlimited use, and various games provided by Extended Sound from Wyoming. (Prices to be determined.)

Antique tractors from local farms will also be on display.

"Our biggest objective is to make this family affordable,” said Joanna Soules, president of the Elba Betterment Committee.

On-site parking is provided along with traffic control by Elba Volunteer Fire Department.

"While there are many donations, this event is funded by the Betterment Committee using monies from previous fund raisers," says Elba resident Pauline Miano.

This event is rain or shine; there is shelter available in case of rain. 

If you are a vendor and want to be included you can email the Elba Betterment Committee at:   vendors@elbabetterment.com

Editor's note: The story has been corrected to reflect information provided by Pauline Miano and "Kim."

The Batavia City School District remains committed to providing students and staff the best technology to advance the district's educational goals, said Superintendent Chris Dailey, even though Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office decided to bypass the district technology grants as part of the governor's Smart Schools Bond Act.

The state is funding school districts throughout the state -- including Oakfield-Alabama, locally -- with a $2 billion bond for technology upgrades and Batavia did not receive funding in May.

The state just announced the release of another $43 million in funding for June, but BCSD did not apply, Dailey said, after being overlooked in May, deciding instead to use current available funds and make its purchases through BOCES to help reduce costs.

"Technology impacts all aspects of education and life," Dailey said. "We want our students to have the same access to the world as any of the more affluent NYS communities have. They will have access to the world and information like never before in Batavia. Technology will enhance the excellent education our staff provide our students. Our students will be better prepared to go into the world of work or college based on the commitment we are making."

Last month, the governor's office announced that O-A would receive $664,680 for its districtwide upgrades.

The school districts are planning increased Wi-Fi coverage at school facilities, laptops or tablet computers for all students, 3D printers, touchscreen monitors for classrooms and lesson materials.

No Genesee County school district was part of the June funding announcement. Another announcement of fund distribution is expected in July.

Previously:

• City Schools preparing for a technology-based future
• Oakfield-Alabama embraces the tech future with new instructional tools

Tera M. Williams, 43, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 8:32 p.m. on June 17 following an altercation on South Main Street in which she allegedly struck another female in the face. Williams was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on June 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Clay Austin Fisher, 18, of Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with attempted assault in the second degree. At 11:10 a.m. on June 21, the defendant was arrested after allegedly attempting to strike the victim with a dangerous instrument during a domestic dispute. He was arraigned in Pavilion Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due in Pavilion Town Court on July 5. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Robert Henning, assisted by Deputy Bradley Mazur.

Christina M. Strang, 41, was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated and operator leaving the scene of a property damage accident after she allegedly hit a parked car on Garibaldi Avenue in Oakfield, moving it approximately 15 feet from its location. Strang failed the SFSTs administered to her after Troopers detected the odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from her. Strang was transported to SP Batavia where she registered a .19 percent BAC, over twice the legal limit. Strang is scheduled to appear in the Town of Oakfield Court on June 27.

Christopher W. Muhs, 20, was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to notify of address change after he was stopped on State Route 19 in the Town of Pavilion. Troopers detected the odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. Muhs failed the SFSTs and was placed under arrest. He was transported to SP Batavia where he registered a BAC of .32 percent, four times the legal limit. Muhs was issued an appearance ticket and uniform traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Pavilion Court on June 28.

Jennifer R. Murray, of 2178 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester, was cited for following too closely following a rear-end accident at 7:21 a.m. today at 7988 Route 19 in Le Roy. According to the police accident report, a 2008 Honda pickup truck was stopped on Route 19 in order to make a left turn onto North Road, when another vehicle that was directly behind it, went around the pickup on the west shoulder. Murray, who was southbound in a 2002 Subaru, did not see the stopped vehicle in time and rear-ended it, according to a witness. The accident report was made by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) on Tuesday released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed by unanimous consent legislation to rename the currently unnamed Post Office located at 15 Rochester St., Bergen, as the “Barry G. Miller Post Office.”

“Barry Miller was a pillar of the Bergen community,” Congressman Collins said. “The passage of today’s legislation to rename the Bergen post office will memorialize Mr. Miller’s life of selfless community service. I am honored to have introduced this legislation, and look forward to this bill being signed into law by President Obama."

“Barry enjoyed nothing more than serving his community and he dedicated his life to helping the people of Bergen,” stated Tracy and Loretta Miller, Barry’s parents. “This is a fitting tribute to his service, and we look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Collins to make this a reality.”

Barry Miller was a lifelong Bergen resident, graduating from Byron-Bergen High in 1983 and serving as a member of the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years including 10 as assistant EMS Chief before he was tragically killed in the line of duty. In addition to working at the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department, Barry was a Genesee County coroner, a member of the Bergen Town Board, and owner of Miller's Millworks in Bergen and the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks.

Full text of the legislation, H.R. 4372, can be read here.

Press release from the City's Bureau of Maintenance:

Please be aware that all motorists using South Main Street within the City of Batavia from Oak Street Extension west to the City Line will experience road closures on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Roadwork involving the paving of the roadway will begin on the east end and progress west to River Street. Upon completion of this segment, the portion of South Main Street between River Street and west city line will follow. It is anticipated it will take two days to complete this work.

While work is being performed in these areas, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/ property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the day.

This is weather dependent work.  If work is postponed it shall progress next work day.

Please, plan accordingly and contact the Bureau of Maintenance with any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

The Batavia Blue Devils Youth Football Camp will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday, July 18 and 19, behind Batavia High School, located at 260 State St. in Batavia.

The camp is for children entering grade two through grade eight. All school districts are welcome.

It is hosted by Head Coach Brennan Briggs and the Batavia High School football coaching staff. Plus current BHS football players and members of the two-time Section V Championship teams will speak to, and work with, the campers.

Cost is $40. Deadline to register is July 8.

Bring shorts, T-shirt, cleats, and a bottle of water.

Campers will get a T-shirt and pizza after Tuesday's camp.

The camp will feature offensive and defensive position work.

There will be speed challenges; flag football games at the end of each day.

What they'll work on (All drills will be modified for age group):

Quarterbacks -- Hand placement, 3-step, 5-step, footwork drills, throwing mechanics, ball handling drills;

Wide Receivers -- Stance, start, footwork drills, hand drills, route running;

Running Backs -- Stance, start, footwork drills, run blocking, pass blocking;

Offensive Line -- Stance, start, run blocking drills, pass blocking drills;

Linebackers -- Stance, start, footwork drills, tackling form drills, run stopping, pass defending;

Defensive Backs -- Stance, start, footwork drills, man coverage, zone coverage, pass defending;

Defensive Line -- Stance, start, 1 v. 1 drills, speed and quickness off the ball.

Make checks ($40) payable to:

Blue Devils Touchdown Club, 306 S. Jackson St., Batavia, NY 14020

Mail check with a piece of paper that includes:

• Name of camper
• Grade the camper will enter this fall
• Emergency contact and phone number
• Offensive Position
• Defensive Position
• T-shirt size

Batavia has a rich baseball history, and Bill Kauffman and Bill Dougherty, each in their own way, have written about that history. Last year, Dougherty released "A View from the Bleachers: Batavia Baseball," and Kauffman, whose latest book is "Poetry Night at the Ballpark," has used Batavia baseball in his books and essays to frame his love for a life lived at human scale where neighbors rub shoulders and crack wise between pitches.

In anticipation of at least one more Batavia Muckdogs baseball season, we sat down in the stands at Dwyer Stadium with Bill and Bill to talk baseball, writing and life in Batavia.  

Baseball in Batavia, at least professional baseball, is listed on the endangered species list, soon to join the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon on the list of treasures lost to history. We know we have the 2016 season, and we are pretty sure there will be a 2017 season, but beyond that, the profiteers in the commissioner's office of Ben J. Hayes can't wait to yank the franchise away from the league's ancestral home. 

It's a myth that the Muckdogs lack sufficient local fan support. While Batavia ranks dead last in total attendance, it's actually one of the more stoutly supported teams in the league, ranking eighth in per-capita attendance, drawing a healthy 6 percent of the city's population on an average game night.

"Baseball is one of the things that gives Batavia its character, its flavor, its savor," Kauffman said. "It keeps us from drifting into the great American nothingness that has consumed so much of this country. This is the birthplace of the New York-Penn League, and the league, unfortunately, is on this crazy madcap expansion where it stretches now from Burlington, Vermont to Morgantown, West Virginia. It’s insane. It's driven transportation and lodging costs way up and makes it very hard for small market teams to survive. If Batavia lost its franchise, I think the league would lose its heart and soul."

It's debatable, of course, whether the league still has any heart or soul, having some time ago crassly moved its headquarters out of New York to St. Petersburg, Fla.

Writers love baseball for the same reason some sports fans have drifted to faster-paced contests. It's the lulls between pitches, between hitters and between innings, that give baseball its grace, making it a game for fans with active minds and a gift for gab.

"There’s a lot of room in between things in baseball and the things that fill up that room are to me what make it a real special experience," Kauffman said.

Minor league baseball is its own special treat, says Dougherty, especially at this level, short-season Single A, where even the most experienced player hasn't even played 100 games yet of professional ball and many, when they first walk onto Dwyer's lush infield, haven't seen their first professional pitch.

"They come here, and they're not too polished, but as the season goes on you notice a definite improvement in overall play," Dougherty said. "They know what to do and some of the plays you would actually say, ‘that’s a major league play.’ I appreciate the ambiance and seeing the players develop right before your eyes.”

The name of Kauffman's book comes from a somewhat historical, or perhaps, ignominious night in Batavia baseball lore, the night and when he and Club President Brian Paris decided that rather than playing canned music -- which they both hate -- between innings, they and a few others would read poems about baseball.

"You can already tell, this was a horrible idea," Kauffman said.

After the few innings, Paris asked the fans, music or poetry? The cry of the fans -- decidedly not fans of Charles Bukowski and Marianne Moore -- filled the air, "music."

They read more poetry.

"The fact that it didn’t go over well, it was a Batavia thing," Kauffman said. "If it was San Francisco, people would go, ‘oh, that’s cool,’ but Batavia is unselfconscious and I like that."

The Batavia Muckdogs open their home schedule tonight at Dwyer Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.

Jay is missing Ginger in the Village of Le Roy. Jay is offering a reward for Ginger's safe return. Ginger was last seen on Saturday. If you find Ginger, call Jay at (585) 820-7818.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in Le Roy at 7988 Lake Street Road, near North Road. There is entrapment and the accident is blocking both lanes of travel. One patient is said to have leg injuries but is conscious. Le Roy fire and ambulance service are responding.

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: A first responder on scene reports a patient complains of ankle pain. "There's quite a bit of traffic." Fire police are requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATE 7:41 a.m.: The entrapped patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:49 a.m.: A patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: One lane is open now and the other will be soon.

A 36-year-old Hutchins Street resident with a long history local of drug-related arrests, most notoriously in 2012 when he got caught up in synthetic drug use, leading to bizarre behavior, has been arrested in two counties for allegedly selling heroin.

Bradley J. Broadbent is accused of selling heroin to a fellow inmate in the Genesee County Jail and of selling heroin to an agent of the Wyoming County Local Drug Task Force in Perry.

In Genesee County, Broadbent is facing charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and promoting prison contraband, 1st.

In Wyoming County, he is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 4th and 5th degrees and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 4th and 5th degrees.

Also arrested with Broadbent in Batavia, following an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force, was Ryan M. Bobzin, 27, of West Bergen Road, Bergen. Bobzin is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. 

The transaction allegedly took place April 24 after both Broadbent and Bobzin were incarcerated on unrelated charges. Broadbent is accused of smuggling the heroin into the jail.

Both men were arraigned in City Court and Broadbent was ordered held on no bail and Bobzin was released on his own recognizance.

Broadbent was ordered held on $100,000 in Wyoming County, where he is currently incarcerated. 

In 2012, during the summer of bath salts in Batavia, Broadbent made the news for climbing on the roofs of houses on Hutchins Street after rampaging through a commercial building on Liberty Street.

Prior to his March 6, 2013 sentencing on convictions stemming from those events, Broadbent approached a reporter in the courtroom and talked about how he wanted to turn his life around and he apologized to the community for his behavior.

Later, during sentencing, he told Judge Robert C. Noonan, "I'm never going to be behind this table again, your honor."

He also told Noonan, "I've been in jail almost my whole life. I know with my record, saying I'm sincerely sorry is hard to take seriously, but I am sorry. This is the last time I'm ever going to be at this table, your honor, regardless of what you sentence me to."

Broadbent was convicted in a jury trial of misdemeanors and Noonan sentenced him to two one-year sentences to be served consecutively.

Noonan told Broadbent at the sentencing that he hoped he could turn his life around.

"You're a poster child for why bath salts had to be banned," Noonan said. "The evidence of your behavior in this trial was nothing short of bizarre, and not only in terms of what you did, but what you were able to do with almost superhuman feats while under the influence of those substances."

Press release:

Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha announced today that 25 children from the county will be attending the New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute's 2016 Summer Camp.

The Sheriffs' Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This will mark the 39th year of the camp's operation.

The Sheriffs' Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs' Association Institute's Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues.

This year the camp will accommodate more than 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State.

"This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Genesee County residents for donating and making this possible," Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha said.

In discussing the objectives and goals of the camp, Maha said: "The Sheriffs' Summer Camp Program is designed to provide a child who ordinarily would not have the chance, an opportunity to go away during the summer. The primary objective is to create positive interaction between the kids attending the camp and the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who participate in the camp programs.

"We have found from experiences during the first 38 summer camps that kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce laws. The deputies become their friends and, in some cases, substitute parents for a week."

Throughout the week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by the Sheriffs' Offices from across the state. Included in these presentations are D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education -- "DARE to Resist Drugs and Violence") presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show just for fun.

Upon completion of the stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of "Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies."

Stacey Ziminski is continuing on with the Batavia citywide yard sale that started last year with the help of the now-defunct community booster group Vibrant Batavia.

Vibrant Batavia supplied Ziminski with a map of around 80 yard sale participants and some advertising.

Ziminski plans to run the yard sale as an annual event that will take place the last Saturday and Sunday of June starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. each day.

"I'm scrabbling around to throw it together...I'm looking to get as much help as I can...," Ziminski said.

​She doesn't have a dedicated website for the yard sale yet, but she does have a Facebook page, which boasts more than 800 likes; she plans to use it to list addresses of all the yard sales in Batavia this weekend. 

To register your yard sale in the Batavia citywide yard sale, go to their Facebook page and submit your address and yard sale.

The weather should be nice and hot.

Press release:

Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Public Health Advisory

Keeping Wild Animals – Unsafe, Illegal and Inhumane! 

RABIES ALERT! STOP! and THINK! Do NOT touch! It can kill! Any mammal is able to get rabies, it is very important to get your pets vaccinated and not to touch or handle any stray or wild animals including baby animals and bats.

“The Health Department has had several cases where people have taken in wild animals (babies) and / or played with stray cats and dogs which have led to unnecessary post exposure treatments and/or having to put the animals down (euthanize) them to be tested," stated Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

"Because rabies is in New York State ALL wild and stray animals that come in direct contact (bitten or scratched with broken skin and saliva exchange in open wounds or mucous membranes – eyes, nose, and mouth) with humans and domesticated animals are assumed to have rabies...even if they don’t.

"The only way to know is by testing the animal, which means it has to be euthanized. Whether the animal has rabies or does not, it is dead. Not only are you putting your family and friends at risk of a deadly disease, those who think they are ‘helping’ an animal could be giving it a death sentence."

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Infected mammals can spread rabies virus to humans and other mammals through the saliva and spinal fluids. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Pettit notes, “It is illegal to possess any wild animal that naturally lives in the state. Not only do these animals have the potential to spread rabies, but they often carry parasites, or may carry diseases that can be spread from animal to human.

"It is important to leave wild animals alone! More times than not baby animals are not orphaned but are kept hidden while the parents can hunt for food or stay away to protect them from predators. Nature will take care of nature. Wild animals have had to be put down because humans have interfered in their lives.”

The best way to keep pets safe from rabies is to vaccinate them and keep their shots up-to-date.

By avoiding contact with stray or wild animals, saving the bat / animal that may have had contact with humans / domestic animals, and reporting an incident to your local Health Department, we may be able to avoid unnecessary medical treatment that averages over $3,000 per person.

Take note of the upcoming FREE anti-rabies immunization clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. The animal must be three months of age or older. Additional clinics can be found by checking the web sites or calling your local Health Department. Check your county web site for pre-registration instructions. Each dog, cat, and ferret must be accompanied by someone who can control it:

• Genesee County: Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5031 E. Main St., Batavia. The clinic runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Dog, cat and ferret vaccinations are free for Genesee County residents. A $5 voluntary donation per dog, cat, or ferret, is appreciated to offset clinic expenses. Non-county residents must pay a mandatory $5 fee for each dog, cat, and ferret immunized. Speed up the registration process during the clinic by registering your pets ahead of time! To pre-register your pets visit: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/click_here_to_pre-register.html
• Wyoming County: Wednesday, July 20, at the Attica Town Highway Department, Route 98, Attica. The clinic runs from 6 to 8 p.m. (Registrations until 7:45 p.m.) This is a FREE clinic to Wyoming County residents ~ Donations are gratefully accepted! Out of county residents will be charged $10 per animal.
• Orleans County: Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Shelby Highway Department, 4062 Shelby Basin Road, Medina. The clinic runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. You must arrive no later than 11:30 to ensure that you will be served. Clinic staff reserves the right to decline service to late (after 11:30) arrivals. To pre-register go to https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/ this site will have an Orleans County button/link before the scheduled clinics.

• For information on Health Department services contact,

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-258,0 ext. 5545 or visit their website at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html. Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter at GeneseeCoHealthDept.

•  Wyoming County Health Department at: 786-8890 or visit their web site at   www.wyomingco.net/health/main.html. 

•  Orleans County Health Department at: 589-3278 or check out our website at: www.orleansny.com/publichealth.

            Visit Facebook and Twitter: the user name for both is OrleansCoHealth.

A 17-year-old female and a 17-year-old male were arrested at 5:26 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, at Kibbe Park in Batavia and charged with public lewdness. They were allegedly engaged in a sexual act with each other while in a vehicle in a public park. They were each issued appearance tickets and are due in City Court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Michael J. Difalco, 28, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and criminal obstruction of breathing. It is alleged that at 12:10 a.m. on June 18, Difalco was involved in a domestic incident with a female in the City of Batavia and that he harassed the victim physically and obstructed her breathing by applying pressure to her neck. He is scheduled to be in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

James D. Liotta, 33, of 551 Brooktondale Road, Brooktondale, is charged with felony unlicensed operation, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, and driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more, also a misdemeanor. He was arrested at 8:18 a.m. on June 18 on Route 77 in the Village of Corfu. He was stopped for driving a motor vehicle while using a cell phone without free hands. He was allegedly found to be intoxicated with a BAC of .16 percent and it was found that his operating privileges were revoked for two prior DWI arrests. Liotta was also found to be wanted out of Orleans County. He was jailed without bail and a detainer from Orleans County was forwarded to the GC Jail for the suspect. The case has handled by Village of Corfu Police Officer Gene Nati, assisted by GC Sheriff's Deputy Lonnie Nati.

David T. Latterell, 27, of Norris Drive, Rochester, is charged with passing a red light, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and operating a motor vehicle without an interlock device. At 8:21 p.m. on June 14, Latterell was arrested on these charges on West Main Street after he allegedly ran a red light while traveling eastbound on Main Street at Ellicott Street. He allegedly knew his NY driver's license was revoked and that he was supposed to have an interlock ignition device on any vehicle he operated, which he did not have. He is due in court on June 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Bryan H. Fetterly, 30, of Route 350, Macedon, was taken into custody by Batavia BD on June 14 after he was picked up by Ontario County Sheriff's deputies on a bench warrant issued by Batavia City Court for failure to comply. He was jailed on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond and is due in City Court on Wednesday. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Timothy M. Ridgway, 34, of Elm Street, North Valley, is charged with violation of probation. He was arrested by GC Probation and turned over to Batavia PD. He was jailed on $5,000 bail and was due in court June 14. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Malachi M. Chenault, 19, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol, with intent to consume, by a person under age 21. Chenault was arrested at 1:49 a.m. on June 11 and is to be in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Brandon P. Armstrong Sr., 27, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Armstrong turned himself in on a bench warrant on June 9, which was issued after he failed to appear in City Court on traffic violations. He was released and is due in court on July 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis.

Lots of twisted metal, but only a minor injury in an accident on Route 77 in Darien on Father's Day.

The driver of an empty milk truck was cited for allegedly following too closely.

That driver, Harold T. Scheg, 51, of Clarence, had a complaint of pain in his hand and arm, but was not taken to a hospital.

The other driver, James Tischendorf, was not injured.

According to an accident report prepared by Deputy Chris Parker, Scheg was northbound on Route 77 near O'Connor Road, following a truck and trailer driven by Tischendorf. Scheg initiated a passing maneuver because, according to the report, Tischendorf's vehicle was "moving slow." At that point, Tishendorf started a left turn into a driveway.

Scheg said he didn't see a turn signal. Tishendorf said he signaled. 

The accident was reported at 2:07 p.m.

Submitted photos.

Dancer and choreographer Shoulin Young has traveled the world, working and performing with the likes of Brittany Spears, Chris Brown, Jason Darulo and Justin Beiber. Monday, he was in Batavia, conducting classes with students at Kristen's Performing Arts Center on East Main Street.

"I love what she (Kristen) has going on here, especially for a small town like Batavia," said Young, who is originally from Rochester, but now lives in Tampa, Fla. "Any chance I get to come here and work with these kids, I love to do it. The kids always have great energy. I love every second of it."

Owner Kristen Drilling opened the studio 10 months ago and offers a wide range of classes in performing arts, including all styles of dance, theater, music and pageant training. Each summer, she tries to bring in an accomplished and well-known instructor to conduct classes for a day.

Students from the studio have won competitions in Niagara Falls and Rochester, which has drawn attention from choreographers such as Young, she said.

"They see a lot of talent through our girls," Drilling said. "They see we're from a small town, so when we have really talented girls go out and win first place over all these big cities, we get a lot of choreographers in our studio to see what our girls have."

Young said he sees the talent, but more importantly, he sees an enthusiasm for hip-hop that a lot of people might not expect from a small town.

"When you think of Batavia or smaller towns in Upstate New York, you don’t really think hip-hop, but the hip-hop talent specifically here is very, very impressive," Young said. "There are lots of kids who are very hungry for it and dance in general is something that younger kids really want and the style of hip-hop is just a music that they all love.  I’m very impressed with the dancers I see here."

Photos and info provided by Rob Radley.

To help offset the cancellation of the Stafford Carnival, an annual fundraiser for the Stafford Fire Department, local musician Bill Pitcher, organized a jamboree Sunday at the Stafford Fire Hall. Several bands played, the firefighters prepared a chicken BBQ, while the exempts prepared hamburgers and hot dogs.

Pictured are members of The Sky Cats. 

Press release from the City of Batavia Bureau of Maintenance:

Cherry Street, Pringle Avenue and Central Avenue will be closed between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, June 23 and 24, for milling operations. The work will begin on Cherry Street first.

Residents and businesses are not to park on the roadway during milling operations.

These streets will be closed to through traffic. Residents and businesses of these streets will have limited access to their properties and should expect delays when paving operations are ongoing. All other traffic is asked to avoid this area and seek alternative routes.

If work is postponed by weather, work will be rescheduled for the next calendar day.