Skip to main content

Stories from

Free Business Plan Basics workshop to be held Thursday at GCC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Do you have a passion you'd like to turn into a business? Ready to start writing a business plan? Join us at Genesee Community College for a FREE Business Plan Basics workshop to get you started!

Great entrepreneurs of our time have great business plans! On Thursday, March 22, GCC will host a special workshop that teaches the basic components of a good business plan led by Sam Campanella of the Small Business Development Center. 

Business Plan Basics will take place on from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in room T121 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Campanella will also lead a workshop on Idea Pitch Preparation on Thursday, April 12, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to help you prepare to pitch your business idea.

This workshop is free and open to the public; you do NOT have to be participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition to attend these workshops. To sign up for a workshop, please contact Amy Conley at avconley@genesee.edu.

Ready to test out your business idea? Consider participating in a Business Idea Pitch Competition! You could even earn a cash prize!

The first-ever local Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 19, in the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The deadline for competitors to register is Friday, March 30.

Business Idea Pitch Competition details are available at https://www.genesee.edu/home/events/businesspitch/. To register for the Pitch Competition, please contact Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., at lmlamattina@genesee.edu or (585) 343-0055, ext.6319.

Downtown Batavia Public Market to open for season June 8, new vendors wanted

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market* opens for the season on Friday, June 8th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 8th, through Friday, Oct. 26th.

"This year marks the third year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)", says Market Manager Mike Bakos, "The Market, presently in this year's planning stages, is accepting new vendor applications."

Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal or Day Vendor may obtain application forms by contacting Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

The market also offers a FREE market stall to qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market. Contact the market for more information.

* Providing "Locally Grown" Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Items to the Greater Batavia and Genesee County Area for 44 Years.

Zonta Club at BHS will sponsor 5K run/walk April 29 to help educate girls in Madagascar

By Billie Owens

From the Zonta Club at Batavia High School:

Let Us Learn Madagascar 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Batavia High School’s Zonta Club, will be held on Sunday, April 29.

Z-Club members are excited to invite you to participate in this charity run/walk that benefits educating girls in Madagascar.

Registration at 1 p.m., race begins at 2. The race starts and ends on Denio Street, near the Muckdogs' baseball field.

Race Entry: $15 for individuals (prior to April 29); $20 race day registration; $50 for a team registration of five runners/walkers. *Teams need to combine and submit registration forms.

If you have any questions feel free to contact:

  • mlholsopple@bataviacsd.org
  • jcorbelli@bataviacsd.org
  • ldisanto@bataviacsd.org

Local sleep medicine practice expands services, relocates

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Sleep Insights, an established, local sleep medicine practice, recently expanded and moved to 47A Batavia City Centre in Downtown Batavia.

For people who struggle to regularly get a good night’s sleep, Sleep Insights provides a welcoming approach to help people sleep better: as an integrated practice, they diagnose and treat over 80 types of sleep disorders, provide physician appointments (ages 5+), offer home sleep apnea testing, overnight sleep testing and CPAP services—all at one site.

“This is the same clinical model we use at our Rochester site,” noted Dr. Jacob Dominik, Sleep Insights’ medical director, who sees patients at the Batavia site.

“It’s really a game changer when it comes to providing continuity of care, since we manage patients from start to finish. I personally meet with patients to determine the cause of their sleep problems as well as the appropriate next steps, which we can also provide.

“If people have problems sleeping or staying awake, testing isn’t always needed. So that definitely shouldn’t deter people from seeking help.”

Patients are seen at Sleep Insights for a variety of sleep disorders affecting their sleep quality and ability to function. Some of the most common conditions impacting sleep include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, restless legs syndrome, shift work disorder, narcolepsy and parasomnias (abnormal behavior during sleep).

“Sleep is critical to emotional and physical health,” Dr. Dominik added. “We’re here to help anyone who isn’t regularly waking up and feeling refreshed. Our focus is on helping each patient as soon as we can, the best we can.”

In January, Sleep Insights moved from 653 E. Main St., Batavia, to 47A Batavia City Centre, Batavia. Their new location provides a soothing, upscale environment with expanded room for CPAP supplies and support from a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

In addition, three bedrooms for overnight testing are slated to be added by late spring. Their phone number remains the same: 585.219.4330. New patient appointments are available and no healthcare provider referral is needed.

About Sleep Insights

Founded in 2005 by Kenneth E. Plotkin, MD, and currently owned by Jacob Dominik, MD, Sleep Insights is a regional, comprehensive sleep medicine practice offering consultative, diagnostic testing and sleep therapy services. Sleep Insights is an independent sleep center, not owned by or affiliated with a hospital. The company’s main site is in Rochester, with eight locations throughout Central and Western New York.

Tulip Painting Class for adults at Richmond library, registration required, $10 for supplies

By Billie Owens

Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia presents a Tulip Painting Class for adults at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10.

Learn how to paint tulips taught by decorative painter Krystyna Stefanik. Registration is required and $10 for supplies is due at the time of registration.

More information is available in the library, by calling 585-343-9550 and online at www.batavialibrary.org

Event Date and Time

New recycling procedures announced for Bethany Transfer Station users

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Town of Bethany:

Beginning Saturday, April 7, all recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, glass, tin cans and aluminum cans are to be bagged and disposed of the dumpster designated for recyclables. These items may be bagged together. There will be a charge of $4 per bag.

If a container can be easily flattened, please do so. This will take up less space in the dumpster resulting in fewer hauls.

All items must be rinsed; labels do not have to be removed. 

More information is available at the Town Hall or at the Transfer Station.

Carl Hyde Jr., Bethany Town Supervisor

'Downward Dog for a Cause' at Blue Pearl Yoga Friday night to benefit Volunteers for Animals

By Billie Owens

From the Volunteers for Animals:

"Downward Dog for a Cause" is a donation-based yoga class that will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 23, to benefit the Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. It will take place at Blue Pearl Yoga, located on the third floor of the Masonic Temple Building at the corner of Main and Center streets in Downtown Batavia.

Come and join us for a playful Vinyasa flow class, open to all levels of experience.

All donations are welcome -- even pet supplies!

If you do not own a yoga mat, extra mats are available to borrow at the class. Parking available in the muncipal lot off Center and School streets.

Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club calls for applications for scholarship and service awards

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club announces its annual scholarship and Community Service Awards and calls for applications.

Scholarships are open to all Genesee County High School Seniors (male or female). The students need to have maintained an 85-percent average, must complete the one-page application and attach a letter of recommendation from a school staff member.

The students will also need to submit a personal essay discussing their achievements and future goals as well as an essay from a parent. The application and details can be found and printed at the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Website here.

All schools in Genesee County have been emailed packages on this program, which included the eligibility requirements, guidelines and applications. Parents and students are advised to seek out their school’s guidance counselor/department to receive the needed information and application.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has established a scholarship for a returning student from Genesee Community College also. The recipient is chosen by a college representative and the award is applied to their account in the fall.

Recognition is also given to two outstanding students from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership in a form of cash awards for their outstanding scholarship performance.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has given scholarships since 1961. The number and amount of scholarships given are dependent on the club’s annual fundraiser. 

In addition, the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club will offer monetary awards for Service Groups in June. Any Service Group in the county may apply for this by sending a letter of request on the organization’s letterhead.

Deadline for both the Scholarship Applications and the Service Awards Letters are to be postmarked by Saturday, April 14.

Batavia Business and Professional Womens’ Club

P.O. Box 1778

Batavia, NY 14021

Any questions contact Peggy Johnson through email at bratvfm@hotmail.com or 585-409-8769.

Paid summer internship available at Genesee County Park & Forest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

New York State’s First County Forest has an Environmental Education Assistant Internship position open for May – August of 2018.

The position is administered through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and is located at Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and be a U.S. citizen.

Environmental Education Assistants develop, organize, plan and lead environmental education programs to audiences of all ages in a wide variety of settings under the guidance of park staff. Environmental Education Assistants also coordinate the efforts of park volunteers.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

  • Assisting the Conservation Education Program Coordinator with programs for schools, senior groups, scouts and the general public

  • Providing customer service to park visitors and program participants

  • Planning volunteer and park events

  • Writing articles for the parks seasonal newsletter

  • Marketing of park events, programs and resources

  • Scheduling and coordinating volunteers to assist with park events and projects

  • Recruiting, orientation and training of volunteers

SCA interns earn a stipend of $125/week while serving and are eligible for an education award of $1,538 that can be used to repay student loans, tuition, classes or cover future college costs.

This position requires 12 weeks of 40 hour/week of service from May until August of 2018. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Flexibility is given in order to cover the prescheduled programs that are outside of the normal working hours within the 40-hour work week.

Application deadline is April 15th.

To apply: Send email or resume to Shannon Morley, Conservation Education Program coordinator, at:  Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us.

Online application is available here.

Additional benefits:

  • First Aid/AED/CPR training provided;

  • Experience and on-the-job training in Environmental Education and volunteer coordinating;

  • Deeper knowledge of natural history and ecology;

  • Job duties include volunteer outings (kayaking, hiking);

  • Networking with professionals in Environmental Science and Education.

Crime Victims Legal Network invites adult crime victims to focus group to help develop website

By Billie Owens

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

Have you ever been a victim of a crime -- such as burglary, identity theft, assault, discrimination, abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.? Do you work with crime victims? Are you over the age of 18 and speak English? We want to hear from you!

The Crime Victims Legal Network is a partnership of organizations working to create a website that will connect victims of crime with civil legal information and the assistance they need.

CVLN wants to make sure the website is easy to use, helpful, and appealing to the people who it is designed to serve, namely victims of crime and the professionals who work with them.

The network can use your help. Please come to a Focus Group from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, at the Oakfield Town Hall, 3219 Drake St., Oakfield.

RSVP to Susan Diesel, Ph.D.: sdietzel@albany.edu

Space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided.

Tompkins Financial Corporation honors long-time employees

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Tompkins Financial Corporation recently hosted a recognition luncheon to honor the significant career milestones reached by several of its employees across Tompkins Bank of Castile, Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and Tompkins Financial Advisors.

For 11 employees, 2017 marked milestones of 20 years or more working at Tompkins, including two who celebrated their 40-year anniversary with the company. 

40-Year Milestones

Frank Vitagliano, a senior vice president at Tompkins Insurance Agencies, began his insurance career in 1977 when he joined his family-owned insurance business. He operated the business for 18 years before combining it with Austin, Hardie, Wise. In 2001, the business became part of Tompkins Financial and a newly-formed entity: Tompkins Insurance Agencies. Vitagliano was an original board member of Tompkins Insurance Agencies, until his retirement in 2017. Among other roles, Vitagliano served as the chief operating officer of Tompkins Insurance Agencies for several years. During his career, he has been very active on numerous civic organizations, including serving as the vice president of the Wyoming County Community Health System Board of Managers and as a councilman for the Town of Castile. Vitagliano resides in Silver Lake and winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla.

Cathy LaDuca is an account manager for the Core Business Unit of Tompkins Insurance Agencies and began her career working in the Alden office as a personal lines and small commercial account manager. She worked in Alden for 25 years before transferring to the Attica branch. After two years in Attica, she moved to the Tompkins Insurance Agencies headquarters in Batavia and became the commercial lines marketing specialist. LaDuca resides in Alden.   

30-Year Milestones

Anthony Gugino is executive vice president and senior wealth advisor for Tompkins Financial Advisors, where he works with clients to identify financial strategies that address their specific needs. Gugino joined AM&M Financial Services in 1987 and became a shareholder of the firm, which was acquired by Tompkins Financial Corporation in January 2006. Gugino is committed to community service and helps fund a scholarship at St. John Fisher’s College. Gugino resides in Pittsford.

Janice Donovan is a wealth management assistant for Tompkins Financial Advisors. Her responsibilities include account administration, performance report preparation, client service, and providing support to wealth advisors.

As a Registered Paraplanner (RP®) and Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®), Donovan is certified by the College for Financial Planning. She resides in Brighton.

25-Year Milestones

Don Herman is the chief financial officer and treasurer for Tompkins Insurance Agencies and works in the Batavia office. Herman started his career in the field of public accounting, and in 1992 joined the Austin, Hardie, Wise agency in Attica as a controller. The firm was later acquired by Tompkins in 2001. He resides in Attica.

Lee Landowski-Rice is a commercial credit services associate for Tompkins Bank of Castile. Landowski-Rice’s current role at the bank includes working with customers, branch managers and staff on a daily basis. She started out as a teller in the Perry branch and has worked in collections, consumer direct and indirect lending. Landowski-Rice resides in Perry.

20-Year Milestones 

Additionally, four employees celebrated 20th anniversaries with the company in 2017: 

  • Lisa Townes, BSA/AML and security officer at Tompkins Bank of Castile;
  • Donna Hummel, commercial insurance account manager at Tompkins Insurance Agencies;
  • Joan Johnston, assistant branch manager, Tompkins Bank of Castile in Avon;
  • Anna Rumfola, senior teller, Tompkins Bank of Castile in Avon.

# # #

About Tompkins Financial Corporation

Tompkins Financial Corporation is a financial services company serving the Central, Western, and Hudson Valley regions of New York and the Southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Tompkins Financial operates in Western New York as Tompkins Bank of Castile, Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and Tompkins Financial Advisors. Further information is available at www.tompkinsfinancial.com

Tompkins Bank of Castile is a community bank with 16 offices in the five-county Western New York region. Services include complete lines of consumer deposit accounts and loans, business accounts and loans, and leasing. Further information about the bank is available on its website, www.bankofcastile.com.

Tompkins Insurance Agencies operates 17 offices in Western New York. It is an independent insurance agency offering personal and business insurance and employee benefits services through more than 50 of the nation’s leading insurance carriers. Further information is available at www.tompkinsins.com.

Tompkins Financial Advisors is the wealth management firm of Tompkins Financial Corporation. With more than a century of experience in helping clients to build, protect, and preserve wealth, Tompkins Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment management, trust services and estate administration. For more information, visit www.tompkinsfinancialadvisors.com.

Mark Your Calendar: Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performs Spring Concert April 29 at O-A Central Auditorium

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will perform its 2018 Spring Concert in the auditorium of Oakfield-Alabama Central School beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. The school is located at 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

Conductors are: Mark Flynn, guest conductor, high school band director at Akron Central School; Dan Klinczar, member conductor, elementary band director at Alexander Central School; and Philip J. Briatico, conductor and founder of the GVWE, Warsaw Central School.

Admission cost: Adults -- $10; Seniors (55+) & Veterans -- $8; Students (with ID) -- $5; Children age 5 and under -- FREE; Family Deal -- $25 -- for immediate family and children -- mother and/or father and up to four children.

These works will be featured:

  • "Arabesque" -- Samuel Hazo
  • "Flourish for Glorious John" -- Ralf Vaughan Williams
  • "Joy Revisited" -- Frank Tichelli
  • "The Chimes of Liberty" -- Edwin Franko Goldwin
  • "My Fair Lady" -- Lerner & Loewe
  • "Cherish" -- The Association
  • The Music of Carly Simon
  • "A Childhood Remembered" -- Rossano Galante
  • "Prelude, Siciliano & Rondo" -- Malcolm Arnold

This program is made possible in part by the Reach Grant program administered by GO ART!

The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to creat the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

Contact: geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com

Universal Pre-K registration is now underway in Elba Central School District

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The Elba Central School will once again have a Pre-Kindergarten class for the 2018-2019 school year. Children who reside in the Elba Central School District and who will be 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2018, are eligible to be registered for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.
 
The children attend half-day classes, five days a week, from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
 
If your child’s information has previously been provided to the school district, you should have already received the application packet.
 
If you would like an application or need more information, please contact the Elba Elementary Office at 757-9967, ext. 1600 -- ASAP.

Maple Weekend kicks off Saturday, runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on two consecutive weekends

By Billie Owens

Information provided by the Western New York Maple Producers Association.

This weekend and next weekend (March 17-18 & 24-25) is Maple Weekend as the sweet tradition continues. Two of the many maple producers in the region are in Genesee County and will be participating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. They are:

  • Randall's Maple Products, located at 10307 Smithley Road in Alexander;
  • Sweet Dream Maple Farm, located at 1116 Reynolds Road in Corfu.

According to the Maple Producers Association, maple syrup has become a powerhouse crop for New York State farmers. In the last decade, production of syrup has tripled, while the crop value has quadrupled.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NY Maple Producers manufactured 760,000 gallons of maple syrup last year, the highest production rate ever. It's an increase of 7.5 percent from the previous year.

The 2016 crop in New York was valued at $31.3 million, with an estimated economic impact of almost $141 million. The value for the 2017 crop will be released in June.

There's plenty of room to expand production because the U.S. Forestry Service data shows that more tappable maple trees are in New York than any other state in America.

The 22nd annual Maple Weekend is family friendly and free to the public. Take a tour and learn about tree tapping and boiling, see displays and best of all -- taste some of America's greatest maple syrup.

A complete list of participating sugarhouses, site maps and more information about Maple Weekend can be found here.

How Sap Becomes Syrup

Syrup is produced as the sugar maple holds starches in storage during the winter, which change to sugars as spring approaches. These sugars are released into the tree sap.

When a tree is tapped, a clear liquid runs out. When that liquid is boiled down, approximately 44 gallons of the sap produces a gallon of maple syrup.

Techniques vary from producer to producer -- some use state-of-the-art methods while others are traditionalists.

During Maple Weekend, many maple producers also offer additional activities including horse and wagon rides, snowshoeing, guided walks in the woods and kids' corners. And across Western New York, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts will abound over the next two consecutive weekends.

Did You Know?

Also, there's more to maple syrup than its delicious taste. University of Rhode Island researchers recently found 20 compounds in maple syrup that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to help fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses. Other established health benefits of pure maple syrup include its calcium and potassium content -- a quarter cup of maple syrup has more calcium that the same amount of milk and more potassium than a banana.

New York is the second-largest maple producing state in the nation, with 2.65 million taps, producing 760,000 gallons of syrup, and accounting for 18 percent of the maple syrup in the United States in 2017.

Besides pure maple syrup, products that contain maple syrup include: maple cream, maple sugar, maple candy, maple jelly, maple mustard, maple tea, maple coffee, maple cotton candy, maple oatmeal bread, maple apple butter, maple walnut fudge, maple suckers and maple butter.

Two juniors at Le Roy HS chosen as Empire Girls State reps by Botts Fiorito AL post

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The American Legion Auxiliary Botts Fiorito Post 576 in Le Roy announces Empire Girls State program representatives. The auxiliary is honored to have Ava Horgan, pictured left, representing Unit 576 and Samantha Call representing Genesee County.

American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State program will be held July 1- 7 at The College of Brockport in Brockport.

Empire Girls State is a hands-on weeklong educational workshop, focusing on Americanism and the political process, sponsored by the New York State American Legion Auxiliary. The goal of the program is to help students to better understand democratic ideals and the part individuals play in carrying out these ideals.

Ava is a member of Botts Fiorito Post 576 and a junior at Le Roy High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council vice president, also an attorney for the Mock Trial Team. She is the daughter of Dan and Sarah Horgan, of Le Roy.

Samantha is also a junior at Le Roy High School. She is a member of the Honor Society, French Club and enjoys playing hockey, dance, and musicials. "Sam" is the daughter of Stephanie and James Call, of Stafford.

Car strikes tree, two people injured, on Lewiston Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A car versus tree accident with two people injured is reported at 6742 Lewiston Road in Oakfield. Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: Traffic control is called to Macomber Road to stop traffic at Lewiston Road. A second ambulance is called to the scene. The accident location is between Macomber and Bliss roads.

Batavia man killed in Stafford collision with Mack truck this morning, he was 24

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

At about 6:24 a.m. today the Genesee County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a head-on motor-vehicle accident with serious physical injury in the area of Route 5 and Clipnock Road in the Town of Stafford. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck being driven by Thomas J. Manzella, 24, of Batavia, was traveling westbound on Route 5 when he lost control of the vehicle on snow-covered roads.

The pickup truck spun counterclockwise, sliding sideways as it crossed into the eastbound lane and into the path of a 2006 Mack roll-off container truck being operated by Curtiss L. Mallory, 32, of Buffalo.

Following the impact, both vehicles traveled off of the south shoulder of Route 5 where they came to rest. Mallory immediately called 9-1-1 prompting the response of Sheriff's Office patrols along with ambulances from Mercy Emergency Medical Services and responders from the Stafford Fire Department.

Manzella was extricated from the vehicle and transported via ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, where he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the crash.

Weather conditions including blowing snow and poor road conditions are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash.

A minor fuel spill from the Mack container truck was addressed at the scene by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Route 5 in the area of the accident remained closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated.

The accident investigation is being conducted by deputies Nati, Andre, Wilson, Erion, and investigators Diehl and Parker, and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office Crash Management Unit.

Assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS, the Stafford Fire Department, NY State DEC, and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.

Head-on collision reported at Main and Clipnock roads, Stafford, pickup truck driver unresponsive

By Billie Owens

truckaccidentstaffordmar162018_01.jpg

A serious injury accident is reported at the intersection of Main and Clipnock roads, Stafford. It was a head-on collision. There is entrapment. "One driver is OK, the other driver is not."

The male driver of a pickup truck is confirmed to be unresponsive; first responders will need assistance in getting the door open to get the victim out.

Diesel fuel is spilled in the field. The pickup is located just west of Clipnock. Stafford fire is responding along with Mercy EMS. Deputies are on scene. Mercy Flight was contacted but unable to fly due to weather.

UPDATE 6:46 a.m.: Traffic control will be set up at Sanders Road and Route 5; no traffic will be allowed through.

UPDATE 7:09 a.m.: The driver of the pickup is being transported to UMMC. The other driver is being evaluated by medics and is probably going to be a sign-off.

UPDATE 7:13 a.m.: The driver evaluated at the scene by medics declined medical treatment and Mercy medics are back in service.

UPDATE 9:22 a.m.: We'll post more photos from the scene and information, probably in a separate story, once the Sheriff's Office releases more information later today.

UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: The Sheriff's Department has confirmed that this was a fatal accident. The driver of the pickup truck succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. 

Working structure fire on Columbia Avenue

By Billie Owens

20columbiafire2018.jpg

A working structure fire is reported at 20 Columbia Ave., near Ellsworth Avenue, in the city. City of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Alexander's Fast team, Town of Batavia and Elba fire.

A second Town of Batavia crew is asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 4:58 a.m.: The Town of Batavia crew standing by in quarters is called to the scene, to join interior firefighters.

UPDATE 5:04 a.m.: There is heavy smoke pouring from the house, but few flames showing. The housing on the street is tightly constricted, and roadway narrow, making it difficult for fire equipment to maneuver at the scene. So those are among the challenges in fighting this fire.

UPDATE 5:09 a.m.: Apparently the occupants have several pets. A dog just came out of the building.

UPDATE 6:20 a.m.: The chief says the fire is under control.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: Among the five residents in the house was an infant. All occupants were out safely before firefighters arrived on  scene. It's unclear how many pets lived in the residence. One dog did emerge from the residence during the fire. The cause and origin of the fire is still under investigation but it may have begun with a portable electric heater in the basement.

20columbiafire2018-2.jpg

20columbiafire2018-3.jpg

20columbiafire2018-4.jpg

20columbiafire2018-5.jpg

20columbiafire2018-6.jpg

20columbiafire2018-7.jpg

20columbiafire2018-8.jpg

20columbiafire2018-9.jpg

Authentically Local