Stories from

Press release:

Children who reside in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District and who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1 are eligible to be registered for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2016-2017 school year.

Registration packets have been mailed. If you do not receive a packet by Jan. 22, please call the elementary office at 585-948-5211, ext. 3211, or e-mail kfisher2@oahornets.org to request one.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Galloway Road and Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is on scene. Fire police are requested to shut down eastbound traffic at Galloway and Kelsey roads.

Mercury leaking from a wall-mounted blood-pressure monitor cuff at a doctor's office on Summit Street in the city has prompted a portion of the building to be evacuated, and the air and heating system has been shut off.

The equipment breakage occurred within the past 45 minutes and city firefighters responded to medical suites at 229 Summit St.

Interim Fire Chief Dan Herberger said even a pea-size amount of exposed mercury creates an airborne hazard, which is why the air and heating system was shut off.

County Emergency Services is on scene and working to determine how to proceed with the situation.

A CO2 detector was activated at 22 Tracy Ave. in the city and ill affects are reported by occupants in the lower apartment. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District will host a Technology Night beginning at 6:30 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Batavia High School (260 State St.). Parents and the community are invited to see highlights of what students and staff are doing in the District with technology and to hear more about our plans for technology upgrades as they are developing in our Smart School Investment Plan.

Passage of New York State’s Smart School Bond Act in November 2014 provided the District with an opportunity to receive $2.1 million to invest in our students’ future. To take advantage of this opportunity, the District must develop and submit a Smart School Investment Plan (SSIP) for State approval. This plan for District-wide technology upgrades is being developed with input from staff, students, and the community.

Community members are encouraged to attend this meeting to hear about and review the emerging plans for the near future.

An apartment building at 17 Wood St. in the city was just evacuated due to the smell of natural gas. When city fire crews arrived they reportedly found a person on the front porch smoking a cigarette.

Two people are injured and trapped inside a vehicle that rolled over at Fargo and Sumner roads. Darien Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medic #3.

UPDATE 8:13 a.m.: Patients are out and not injured. Medics back in service. There was a family of four involved, mom and dad, and two toddlers. Two dogs were also in the vehicle and one of them took off following the accident. There was a second vehicle, too.

Press release:

Leadership Genesee will launch a new program in April called “Passport to Retirement.” The program is focused on retired or soon-to-retire community members who live, work or previously worked in Genesee County before retirement.

“This program is designed to help transition and enrich the lives of community retirees through continued lifelong learning, social networking and meaningful involvement,” said Leadership Genesee Director Peggy Marone.

Topics will include: Economic Realities, Healthy Retirement, Leisure Options and Lifelong Learning. A series of 6 sessions beginning April 7 will be offered one day every other week from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Program participants will meet in various locations around Genesee County.

Cost is $300 per person, which includes all costs associated with the program.

“The Passport to Retirement Program offers an effective vehicle for building the resiliency of our retiree population," Marone said. "The wealth of experience and knowledge they possess is needed in our society, we need to learn from the best."

An informational meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 at Terry Hills. Register by Feb. 5  by contacting Samantha Stryker at 585-343-3040, ext. 123, or sls428@cornell.edu.

Additional information and an application form may be found on the Leadership Genesee Web site: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee

Press release:

City Bureau of Maintenance crews have started picking up Christmas trees. They will continue to do so through Jan. 29.

City residents are asked to place their trees in the parkway without bags, stands, or decorations, as these can damage equipment. Please keep trees free of snow and ice so they are visible.

A possible rekindle of last night's house fire at 1137 Molasses Hill Road is reported. That's at the corner of Chaddock Road in Bethany. Bethany Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: A responder to the scene determined there was no rekindle. The assignment is back in service.

A fire is reported at an unoccupied house (People live there, but they aren't home.) at 1137 Molasses Hill Road at the corner of Chaddock Road. Flames are showing. It has gone to a second alarm. Alexander Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia, Town of Batavia's FAST Team, Bethany, Darien and Pavilion. Darien is also asked to fill in at Alexander's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m.: A first responder on scene reports the location is probably in Bethany's fire district.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: Attica is also called to respond. A propane tank is exposed to the fire.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: Stafford is asked to fill in at Bethany's fire hall. Command says the flames have gone through the second floor of the structure.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: All tankers responding are told to come to the scene via Silver Road. That's Silver Road to Chaddock.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: Fire is out. Overhauling. Wyoming Correctional Facility requested to provide inmates for assistance. Mercy medics on scene in case needed.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: The cause of the fire is under investigation.

To purchase prints, click here.

UPDATE: Two additional photos submitted by Glenn Adams.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 10764 East Road, Bethany. There are believed to be no injuries, but a person is trapped on the passenger side. Bethany fire and medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: The patient was a sign off. The assignment is back in service.

Darien Fire Department is called to respond to the possible rekindle of the trailer fire at 9590 Simonds Road, on the Miller dairy farm.

A two-car, head-on collision, is reported at Lewiston and Galloway roads. Injuries are minor. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. (This was originally dispatched as being at Lewiston and Fisher roads, Oakfield.)

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: The accident report has been released. Vehicle 1 was driving by James Carl Malone, 18, of Varysburg. Vehicle 2 was driving by Andrew K. Hollfelder, 18, of Oakfield. Malone was southbound and lost control of vehicle 1, a 2005 Chevy sedan, and spun in his lane of traffic. Vehicle 2, a 2011 chevy sedan, hit vehicle 1 head on. Both vehicles are owned by Malone. Stacy Hollfelder, 18, was injured in the crash and transported to UMMC. Malone was cited for alleged speed not reasonable and prudent. Andrew Hollfelder was cited for allegedly following too closely.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on Lockport Road just west of Route 98. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medic #3. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene.

A fully involved trailer fire that is next to a barn is reported at 9590 Simonds Road, Darien. That's the Miller farm. A person was injured jumping out of a window because of the fire. Darien Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Corfu and Alexander. Mercy medic #4 is called to the scene.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: A first responder on scene reports half the trailer is burned. Everyone is out of the structure, which is adjacent to a large barn. The patient has lacerations to his right hand and arm and is inside the residence at the farm.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: A crew from East Pembroke is requested to fill in at Corfu's fire hall.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: An employee at the dairy farm, Jamie Mitman, said an employee was sleeping inside the trailer and told her that "he woke up, smelled smoke, panicked and jumped out the window. ... Cut up his hand pretty good -- (to the extent) where he'd need stitches." Jeff Lucker, Darien's first assistant chief, said when he arrived the mobile home was 50-percent involved with flames showing in half the structure. The man who jumped out the window was not seriously injured, Lucker said, and he was transported by private vehicle to a hospital for treatment of cuts and abrasions to his arms, legs and hands. Alden Fire Department filled in at Darien's hall. Fighting this type of fire typically requires a low volume of water and is straightforward, which was the case here, Lucker said, adding that "It's probably fortunate that today is New Year's Eve so that a lot of people are at home and not at work and so we got a quick response."

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Fire is out. All units are clearing the scene.

UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: A Darien crew is asked to assemble to deal with a small rekindle of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“On behalf of my office and the New York State Assembly, I would like to wish my constituents and all New Yorkers a happy and safe New Year’s holiday. This holiday is distinct from others in that we have a chance to start over and rebrand our lives and actions for the better. It is a symbolic time to set new goals, aspirations and put failures and disappointment behind you.

"Embrace the New Year and what 2016 has to offer. Great times are ahead for us all. As you are enjoying time with family and friends, please take a moment to reflect on the members of the armed forces who are defending our freedom abroad and cannot celebrate this holiday with their families.

"Please enjoy New Year’s Eve responsibly and remember that many organizations offer free cab rides late into the night. But, most of all, have fun and let’s make 2016 even better than 2015!”

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at Brookville and Broadway roads. Unknown injuries. Alexander fire and ambulance responding. A first responder on scene reports the vehicle is off the roadway, on its roof.

UPDATE 7:09 p.m.: A patient is alert and oriented and being transported by Alexander medic #10 to UMMC. A stop sign was torn down as a result of the accident.

A box truck rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 390. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 8:39 a.m.: A medic reports to command that the box truck is not actually on the Thruway, but rather just west of the onramp to the eastbound Thruway.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: Command reports the cargo is food and that they are attempting to clear the debris out of the road.

UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: The town assignment is back in service.