A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at 6874 Jerico Road, Bergen. Bergen fire and Mercy medics responding. A responder on scene says a driver was backing a vehicle out of the driveway and accidentally struck a man, who is still down in the roadway. The vehicle is blocking traffic. The vehicle reportedly drove over both his legs, but the victim has no neck or back pain. The location is north of Town Line Road and south of Swamp Road.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: A Bergen Ambulance is en route to Strong Memorial Hospital with a Mercy medic onboard with the patient. The Bergen fire assignment is back in service.

The collapse of a proposed merger of Time Warner Cable and Comcast will have little impact on the city's efforts to negotiate new cable franchise agreements with cable providers, said City Manager Jason Molino.

The proposed merger spurred the city this summer to revive efforts to update a long-expired franchise agreement with Time Warner and form a cable advisory board to help with the process. 

In July, Molino told council members, "Time Warner is noncompliant with some franchise benefits. We haven't had negotiations since 1993. There are a number of improvements that need to be made."

This morning, Molino said the city is still negotiating with Time Warner, not with Comcast, so the fact that Comcast won't be taking over local service has no bearing on those negotiations, Molino said.

"It (the collapse of the deal) doesn't affect those negotiations and it doesn't affect the residents," Molino said.

At the same time, the city has been negotiating a franchise agreement with a new player in town, Empire Access.

Empire has already started delivery of a 100-megabit broadband service to local residents and businesses, but so far can't offer its TV package due to the lack of a franchise agreement with the city.

Asked how those negotiations were going, Molino simply replied, "We're in ongoing negotiations."

Asked now negotiations are going with Time Warner, Molino said, "We've been in negotiations the past few months. We are still trying to resolve some issues."

The old franchise agreement with Time Warner generates about $200,000 a year in revenue for the city.

Franchise agreements are non-exclusive, but are required for cable providers to deliver services to local residents.

"With both providers we're looking to capture the best franchise agreement that will provide the best service to the city and most success for residents," Molino said.

Notre Dame High School hosted its annual spring concert at the school Thursday night with jazz ensemble and concert choir performing such pieces as the "Overture of the Magic Flute," highlights from "Harry Potter," Disney movie tunes and a portion of Pachelbel's "Canon in D." Theresa Kehl is conductor of both the ensemble and the choir.

GCC students have been working hard all week to put the finishing touches on the 34th annual fashion show. When we stopped by the campus yesterday, we found three of the models rehearsing their runway presentation. Pictured are Kiatta Whipset, Halee Santiago and Brittney Malone. 

Here's a GCC press release about the fashion show:

Whether they're "Walking Among the Wildflowers," preparing for a "Battlefield," or turning desert beasts into beauties in a scene called "Transcendence," GCC fashion students are getting ready to wow crowds again this year at the 34th Annual Fashion Show, "Fata Morgana."

Advance tickets are highly recommended for the event on Saturday, April 25. Two complete shows are planned, at 3 and 7 p.m., in the William W. Stuart Forum on the GCC Batavia campus.

"Fata Morgana" is produced by GCC Fashion Merchandising and Design students under the guidance of GCC Business Professors Rick Dudkowski and Donna Ehrhart. This year's theme is inspired by the beauty of the desert and the show, like a fata morgana mirage, will feature rapidly changing views as desert colors bloom onstage.

Students have been busy rehearsing with the more than 140 models who will appear in the 12 scenes. A number of the scenes will feature original creations by Fashion Design students.

"Since we introduced the Fashion Design concentration, more and more of our students are creating their own designs for the fashion show," Ehrhart said. "Audiences love seeing these original pieces and there will be many of them in this year's show."

Fashion Merchandising students are also collaborating with both local and national vendors including Batavia's own Charles Men's Shop and denim jeans maker Buffalo David Bitton. The scenes planned for "Fata Morgana" include:

1. "Battlefield" -- Designed and Coordinated by Amber Coan;

2. "Among the Wildflowers" -- Coordinated by Taylor Bunch and Katie Strong with apparel by Lord & Taylor and Gymboree;

3. "Transcendence" -- Coordinated by Angelique Porey & Sara Elliott with apparel by Porey;

4. "Inevitable" -- Coordinated by DJ Simmons with apparel by LovelyWholesale;

5. "Bare" Coordinated -- by Jocelyn Eade & Eunice Goeun Park with apparel by Eade;

6. "Bri-Jhn" -- Coordinated by Brittany Breedlove with apparel by B.B.;

7. "Minuit Désert" -- By T. LaShaé; Coordinated by Tiffany Hill & Chiho Nakayama with apparel by T. LaShaé and jewelry by Na'kaylas Jewelry Box;

8. "Festival Haze" -- Coordinated by Ami Cornell and Kylie Dunn with apparel by Buffalo David Bitton and Lord & Taylor;

9. "Oasis" -- Coordinated and Designed by Abby Lee Wilcox with jewelry by Kana Tatsumi;

10. "Opulence" -- Coordinated and Designed by Catherine Morales;

11. "Veni Vidi Vici" -- Coordinated by Ariana Sneed with apparel by Candace Cooper;

12. "Sandar" -- Coordinated by Lekha Anderson with apparel by Charles Men's Shop and M.A. Carr Bridal;

Along with enjoying the fashions presented during the show, which is a capstone project for many GCC students, guests will have a chance to win a variety of door prizes from restaurant gift certificates to gift cards and baskets. They will also have an opportunity to meet the scene coordinators at the postshow after-party in the cafeteria.

Tourism and Hospitality Management students develop the exquisite after-party and assist with the decorating, Criminal Justice students provide security at the event, and GCC's Communications and Media arts students promote the event on WGCC.

"The way our students from various departments come together to make this annual Fashion Show a huge success always impresses me," Dudkowski said. "We're excited for people to see the students' hard work come to fruition at showtime."

Tickets for the shows are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling 585-345-6830 or e-mail cmyoung@genesee.edu. Advance tickets are strongly recommended and must be purchased by April 23.

You can read more about the creation of the scenes, the students and happenings in the fashion program at the GCC fashion blog http://gcccampusblog.wordpress.com/category/fashion/

D&C: Should the Bills take a swing at drafting a QB?

Four people remain hospitalized in satisfactory condition as a result of a head-on collision on Clinton Street Road, South Byron, on Monday.

Both drivers involved in the crash were cited by State Police.

Still hospitalized are: Malik Dietz, 20, of New York City, who was transported by ground ambulance with a complaint of pain in the lower leg; and Zemirah Huges, 18, of the Bronx, who had a complaint of back pain, according to Trooper Victor Morales. 

Cited, and still hospitalized, are: Gracien Ibambasi, 20, of Greece, who is charged with moving from lane unsafely and unlicensed operation; and Brittany Breedlove, 26, of Rochester, charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. 

According to the State Police investigation, Ibambasi was driving eastbound, crossed in the westbound lane, missing one vehicle then striking the car driven by Breedlove.

Also injured were: Alexis Thomas, 19, of Chili, who had facial bleeding; Macayla Brown,18, of Gates, who had minor facial bleeding; and Sade Brown, 18, who had a complaint of pain throughout her body.

All patients were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance.

A suspected drug dealer from Rochester was arrested Wednesday following a traffic stop on Route 33, Stafford, which led to the alleged discovery of 27 individual bags of crack cocaine.

Ronnie D. Edmunds, 24, of Alice Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd.

Following arraignment in Town of Stafford Court, Edmunds was jailed on $20,250 bail.

The investigation was led by the Local Drug Task Force with the assistance from the District Attorney's Office and uniformed Sheriff's deputies.

Girls on the Run, a group of students at Batavia Middle School, are holding a shoe drive as one of their charitable projects in the community. 

Teacher Sarah Gahagan, along with a friend, introduced Girls on the Run to the middle school and is looking to spread the word about the program. They're looking for a community project that the girls can take on.

"This is solely based on what the girls want to do in order for them to feel a sense of ownership and empowerment as they work toward their goal," Gahagan said.

The 12-week program culminates in a 5K in Buffalo.

"The girls set running goals every week in order to gear up for the final event," Gahagan said. "Each girl will cross the finish line with one of their coaches, a parent or a running buddy that they have asked to run with them from the school."

Gahagan described the program as a physical-activity-based youth-development program designed to inspire girls in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades to be joyful, healthy and confident.

In the photo, starting with the front row on the left: Sarah Gahagan, Breeann Wilcox, Juliana Branche, Tiffany Brown, Courtney Lougheed, Aliza Green, Riley Macdonough, Destiny Griffin, Andrea Merchant, Meghan Houseknect, Madison Dedman and Lindsey Mathis.

A three-car collision is reported at 8820 Park Road, in front of the Hershey's Ice Cream shop. Injuries are believed to be minor. One vehicle caught fire. It was doused but the vehicle is still smoking. In addition to Batavia fire, two Mercy rigs are responding.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: Howard, who is at the scene, was told that a minivan with two child passengers was making a left turn and hit an eastbound vehicle, causing both vehicles to careen into a car stopped at a stop sign. One of the children in the minivan suffered a bump on the head but was not transported for treatment. No one else was injured.

Combining environmental awareness with a photography assignment, Genesee Community College instructor Joe Ziolkowski asked his students to create sustainable still life photographs. From plastic cups to light bulbs, images about carpooling and recycling shoes, students responded in interesting and thought-provoking ways.

The community is invited to view the works as the exhibit, Sustainable Still Life, moves to the Genesee County Park and Forest. An opening reception is planned May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Park's Interpretive Nature Center, 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

Since he came to GCC, Ziolkowski has developed an excellent relationship with the staff at the Genesee County Park and Forest. This is the third exhibit of GCC student work that will be shown at the Park's Interpretive Nature Center. Previous displays have included "Around the Bend: The Shared Landscape" and "Environmental Portraits of Western New York."

"The exhibits have been very well received by the community and are an excellent opportunity for our students to show their work beyond the campus," Ziolkowski said. "This particular show is especially fitting for the Park setting as we think about preserving the Earth and reducing our carbon footprint."

The works have been on view in the Lobby Art Gallery of GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre and were a part of the College's annual ECO-Fest celebrating Earth Day. The pieces represent work by students in Ziolkowski's COM 118 (Introduction to Digital Photography) and COM 103 (Introduction to Black & White Photography) classes.

They will be on view in the Gallery at GCC through April 29. Ziolkowski will install them at the Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday, May 2. They will remain there through the summer. The exhibit will close on Friday, Sept. 11.

"We're excited to once again show student work at the Nature Center," Parks Supervisor Paul Osborn said. "We hope many people will join us for the Opening Reception on May 8th. It's a great way to celebrate a long-awaited Spring!"

Megan Ange / "Saving Water"
On a day-to-day basis, we use water for many things. We use water to wash our hands after using the bathroom, to wash dishes, brush our teeth and take a shower. We all forget to turn the water off from time to time when we are not using it, myself included. There could be a faucet leaking, and if that is the case then maybe you should check to see if you turned the knob of the faucet all the way so it is turned off instead of wasting the water. Everyone takes water for granted, but if you do the little things to save it, then you will be less likely to have a high water bill and not have to worry about problems that might happen if you leave it on. "Water is the driving force of all nature." - Leonardo da Vinci

Ellen Fridman / "Pin It"
REDUCE. Line-drying is back! Dryers are not going to go away any time soon but it seems like more people are returning to the use of the sun and wind to dry their clothing and linens. There are several benefits to clothesline drying. Hanging laundry out to dry instead of turning on the dryer lowers carbon emissions, reduces gas or electric bills, helps clothing and linens last longer, and establishes an excuse to get outside. Experts say that if all Americans line-dried for half a year, 3.3 percent of the country's total residential output of carbon dioxide would be saved. For those in colder climates, try using drying racks inside. Go Green!

Miguel Ortiz-Teed / "The Legend of Books"
As time progresses -- technology advances. This progression has lead from hand-held books where you can flip a page with your hands to tablets where you swipe to turn the page and have a massive library in the palm of your hands. This causes bookbinders to lose their jobs and technology takes their place. Eventually books will revert into a legend where only the wealthy will be able to afford them. This also produces a risk for all the knowledge that is stored within technology to be lost if an Electrical Magnetic Pulse were to hit either by a solar flare or warfare.

Paul Thater / "Light at the End of the Tunnel"
The photo was based off of the joke: "The government had to turn off the light at the end of the tunnel due to budget cuts." The light bulb has a black background to symbolize darkness in a tunnel with the light bulb off. This photo shows saving money by not using and saving electricity, which makes your bill smaller and gives you more money to spend on necessities.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today commented on the actions of Assembly Majority Codes Committee members, who killed two bills that would have repealed the unconstitutional SAFE Act. Despite an impressive showing from pro-Second Amendment sportsmen, members of the Assembly Majority killed two bills sponsored by Hawley, A.2651 and A.3350, that would have repealed the NY SAFE Act, which was passed controversially in 2013.

Hawley said the SAFE Act continues to violate New Yorkers’ Second Amendment rights and was irresponsibly jammed though the Legislature in the middle of the night as a political stunt by Gov. Cuomo.

“I have, and always will be, a supporter of the Second Amendment,” Hawley said. “Any legislation that takes away a law-abiding citizen’s ability to possess firearms is an unconstitutional act of government tyranny. I am from a rural district in Western New York and my experience with gun owners has been exemplary. Most gun owners are responsible hunters or firearm enthusiasts, and to prohibit them from adequately protecting themselves or their families is indefensible and governmentally oppressive.

"New Yorkers, in no way wanted this bill to become law, that is why it was rushed through the process in the middle of the night using a message of necessity. A truly fair and transparent government would allow this bill to come to the floor for a vote, but apparently that is not how New York functions.”

A pole and wires are down in the roadway in the area of 2495 Brown Road, Pembroke. The wires are sparking. East Pembroke fire and law enforcement are en route. The location is between Ridge and Halstead roads.

Austin Park is a long way from Florida, especially when just two weeks ago, when Cheri Pitcher was there, it was 90 degrees.

"I was surprised how cold it was this morning," Pitcher said while braving the cold and dusting of snow to take her dog for a walk.

It was 28 degrees this morning.

"We have a white male walking briskly down Summit (Street) wearing a hospital gown," says a dispatcher. Batavia police are responding.

It is 33 degrees and frosty outside.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: "They (police) are in service in the parking lot of Dan's Tire with the patient released," reports a dispatcher.

A tractor-trailer vs. school bus minivan accident is reported at 2300 Genesee St., Pembroke. One child is onboard the minivan. They are reporting no injuries, but the minivan is underneath the tractor-trailer and the occupants are pinned inside. The East Pembroke fire chief on scene says the tractor-trailer is blocking traffic. The location is between Angling and Read roads. Corfu Fire Police are called for traffic control at Route 33 and Angling Road. Eastbound traffic will be shut down.

UPDATE 7:32 a.m.: A family member, possibly the child's parent, is at the scene.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: Fire Police remain on scene but other responders are back in service. The road will be reopened shortly.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: The door of the minivan was jammed shut but firefighters got it unstuck quickly once they arrived, and the child was picked up by a family member.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m.: Photos added. The milk truck was backing into a dairy farm. The driver of the van reportedly told deputies he didn't see the truck. One or both drivers may be cited, pending conclusion of the investigation. There were no injuries.

Jason P. Andrews, 38, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Andrews is accused of selling an unspecified controlled substance in the form of pills to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. Andrews was arrested at his residence, arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Jonathon Grant Browne, 22, of Leighton Avenue, Rochester, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, speeding and driving a vehicle without stop lights. Browne was stopped at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday on Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

A 17-year-old youth, residence not specified, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. The youth was arrested in Alexander by State Police. No further details released.

Jenna L. Josephite, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and Dillon M. Brito, 23, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Josephite and Brito were arrested and charged by State Police at 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Route 5, Town of Batavia. No further details released.

Grand Jury Report:

Veronica Garcia is indicted on a count of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or higher, two counts of driving drunk with a child less than 15 years of age in the vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child. Garcia is accused of driving drunk Dec. 19 on Route 98, Alexander, with two children in the vehicle. She allegedly has a prior DWI conviction from February, 2011, in the City of Batavia.

Timothy Burch sent in this picture from this morning of a funeral procession in Oakfield for Alan H. Myers, who died at the age of 88.

According to his obituary, he led a heck of a life:

At age 11, he worked for adult wages on the Elba muck. He delivered newspapers by bicycle, set bowling pins, and in the winter, ran a muskrat trap line. He served during World War II with the Marine Corps and was awarded medals for marksmanship. He was stationed in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

After an honorable military discharge, he was employed by U.S. Gypsum for 11 years and survived severe injuries from a mine tunnel collapse. He farmed and ran a chicken egg business.

He was trained as a draftsman with the aid available from the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, eventually retiring from Eastman Kodak Co. as a master draftsman engineer in 1989.

Al Myers was an exceptional craftsman in home repair and antique restorations and a gifted landscaper. His land and home were his passion. An avid naturalist and protector of wildlife, Al was also a marble shooter, game player, chess player, hunter, lover of dogs, cats, and the comedy duo Laurel & Hardy. He was a renowned billiards player, friend of Native Americans, and a Civil War enthusiast. He helped found the 44th NY Volunteer Civil War Regiment and was instrumental in the development of the North South Skirmish Association, where he won many marksmanship medals in antique firearms competitions.

A power pole is on fire at 5338 Main Road, Stafford. Stafford fire is responding. National Grid is called but no ETA provided.

Hank is missing. Hank is 6 months old and escaped from home on Transit Road in Elba/Byron two days ago. If found, or with other helpful information, call (585) 297-0088 or (585) 490-3335. A reward is offered for Hank's return.

Genesee County's unemployment rate dropped from 6.7 to 6.0 percent from last March to this March, according to the latest data from the NYS Department of Labor.

At the same time, the total number of local residents who are employed, and the total number of local residents who are unemployed, both declined.

There are now 27,500 people with jobs in the county, according to the data, compared to 27,700 in March 2014.

There are 1,800 people listed as unemployed, compared to 2,000 a year ago.

The total number of non-farm jobs in the county rose from 22,000 to 22,100. 

The number of non-farm jobs in March 2015 increased from the previous month by 200.

The total number of manufacturing jobs has remained steady during the time period at 3,000. Goods-producing jobs have held steady at 3,800.

The national unemployment rate is 5.6 percent and the state's is 5.8.

In the Rochester area, the rate is 5.5 percent, and in Buffalo, 5.9.

The rate in Orleans County, 7.2, Livingston, 5.5, and Wyoming, 7.4.