DECK YOUR WALLS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH CUSTOM FRAMED CANVAS PRINTS AND FABRIC WALL GRAPHICS FROM VINYL STICKS!

Are You Looking for that Exceptional Gift for that “Hard to Shop For” Person? Let Vinyl Sticks Sign & Decal Company Help!

Don’t “Break the Bank” shopping online for removable wall graphics. Vinyl Sticks uses high quality fabric vinyl to create visually stunning wall graphics and art. Do you have a photo of your son or daughter making that big play at the game? Let us turn it into a one of a kind LIFESIZE wall graphic for their bedroom!

Need a gift for Grandma? How about a framed Custom Wall Canvas? This is the same high quality product you would receive from a professional photography studio; only ours is made in-house, right here in Batavia and it won’t leave your pockets empty. This holiday season, give a gift that your loved ones can cherish for years to come!

Call Adam or Joe at Vinyl Sticks today at 585-300-4307 and they will gladly provide you with an estimate and answer any questions you may have.

Please take a moment to check out the gallery at www.VinylSticks.com.

Since opening nearly a year ago, Vinyl Sticks has quickly become Batavia’s premier Sign and Decal Company. Vinyl Sticks uses a state-of-the-art wide-format printer and software to create stunning graphics, banners, vehicle graphics and much more. They have graphics that allow you to advertise on glass, while still being able to see out of the glass. These one-way window graphics make great gift ideas for business advertising and custom designs for the rear window of vehicles. 

Vinyl Sticks offers free estimates, free consultation, and of course design, production and installation services. Feel free to visit Vinyl Sticks, located at 23 Ganson Avenue in Batavia, NY. Off of Route 63, turn onto Evans Street; go past the Falleti Ice Arena, and at the stop sign go straight onto Ganson Avenue. Vinyl Sticks will be on your right.

Gift Certificates are available in any amount!

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and car is reported in front of the Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street. It is blocking traffic. Batavia fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.

An accident with minor injuries is reported at 352 Main Road in Pembroke. A tractor-trailer that was "bobtailing" allegedly sideswiped a car and the driver has facial lacerations from broken glass. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Also, Akron is called to provide a pumper, mutual aid.

CNN: Lady Bird and highway beautification

A two-car accident is reported at Summit and East Main streets, Batavia.

One person is reportedly injured.

Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:14 a.m.: The base of a traffic pole has been struck and damaged.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: Second ambulance requested to the scene for evaluation of a juvenile.

If you have an iPhone, you can now download The Batavian's mobile app from the app store. Click here for a link to the app. 

It's a very simple app: It's a feed of what is posted to the home page and we will send alerts of select stories we post to the home page. The cost is $1.99. At best, with fee, we hope to offset our costs in providing the app.

For the Droid version, click here.

You can get inked for charity from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Dec. 14, at High Voltage Tattoo and Piercing.

It's the third year the artists at High Voltage have donated their time to help raise money for worthy causes.

This year, the beneficiaries will be Don Carroll's Toys for Kids, Golisano Children’s Hospital and Crossroads House in Batavia.

You can choose from a select number (below) of tattoos for $30 each or receive a piercing for $15. All proceeds, along with all tips and purchases of aftercare products, will go to the three charities.

Last year, High Voltage raised more than $3,000 for the selected charities. Volunteers are sought to help with tasks around the shop during the event.

Pictured are the artists, Jeremy Fridman, Andrew London, Kenny McCarthy and owner Mark Farnara.

A water main break is reported on Center Street in front of the Center Street Smoke House Restaurant. "It's a geyser," says a dispatcher. Appropriate personnel are called to deal with the situation.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.: A responder says "it's no longer a geyser," but it's still leaking. A public works crew is on its way.

UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: A police officers says Center Street will be shut down between Main and School streets so the work crew can repair the ruptured line.

UPDATE: Notice from the city: "Water service on Center Street will be interrupted on Monday Dec. 2 in the morning to allow a contractor to make a repair on a private water service."

After leaving the accident scene in Stafford this morning, I stopped on Route 237 to take a picture of this line of trees along Britt Road.

Here's a great alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Shop locally.

There are any number of local businesses that help you meet your gift-giving needs -- even gift certificates from local restaurants can make a great stocking stuff, not to mention the great locally owned retail outlets in town.

When you shop local, more of your dollars stay locally to help boost the local economy and you're supporting businesses that do so much more than out-of-state-based chains to support local civic groups and schools.

On this page are ads for more than 130 local businesses. Check out what they have to offer. 

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles
Alabama Hotel
Alberty Drug Store
Alex's Place
Alli's Cones and Dogs
Baker's Frontier Kitchens
Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
Batavia Downs
Batavia Eats
Batavia Gold Rush
Batavia Tailors & Cleaners
Bill Fox and Son Construction & Remodeling
Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
Belhaven Kennels
Ben's Kitchens, Baths, & Appliances
Blue Pearl Yoga
Bohn's Restaurant
Bontrager's Real Estate
Bourbon & Burger Co.
Brighton Securities
B-Town Yellow Taxi
Bubba's Landscaping
Casa Del Taco
CB Beach Mortuary
Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
Center Street Smokehouse
Chesley's Auto
Clor's Meat Market, BBQ & Catering
The Color Salon
Continental School of Beauty
Council Opticians
Crazy Cheap Cars
D'Tangles
D&R Depot Restaurant
Dan's Tire
Daphne's Restaurant & Lounge
Darien Auto Parts
Deep Blue Pool & Spa
Derrick Monument Company
Detail Shop (Pellegrino's)
Empire Tractor
The Enchanted Florist
Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc.
Falleti Motors
Fastec Automotive
Ficarella's Pizzeria
Ficarella's Backflow Testing
Foxprowl Collectibles
Foxy Construction
Floral Fantasies
Frankly Design
Genesee County Emergency Services
Genesee Dental Group
Genesee Graphics
Genesee Orthopaedics
Gilmartin
Godfrey's Pond
Greens of LeRoy
Greg'ry's Bakery
H.E. Turner & Co.
Hair Studio 25
Hardcor Audio
Harrington's Produce
Haul-4-Less
High Voltage Tattoo
Hot Shots Caffe
Housing Council at Pathstone
Hot Heads
Humphrey's Electric & Security
Insource Urgent Care
I.R. Systems
The Insurance Center
J. Leonard McAndrew
Jagged Edges Salon
John's Service Station
Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors
Kelly's Mowing
Ken Barrett
KleenAll
Kreative Design Kitchen & Bath
L&L Transmission, Inc.
L.C. Mosman
Lamb Family Medicine
Lambert's Design Jewelers
Lathan Tree Service
LeRoy Counseling
Louis Andolora - Tax Advisor
Main St. Pizza Company
Making Memories of Travel
The Mane Attraction
The Manor House
Matteo & Mullen, CPA
Max Pies
Millennium Computer
Next Level Fitness
Oakfield Fitness
O'Lacy's Irish Pub
Oliver's Candies
Optique
Palm Island Indoor Waterpark
Pellegrino Auto Sales
Pembroke Family Medicine
Personalized By Santa
Picasso's Pizza
Precision Lawn Care
Pudgie's Lawn & Garden
R&D Outlet
RW Vapors
Sallome Heating & Cooling
Sammy Hill's
Santino's Pizza
Scooter's Restaurant (Le Roy)
S.C.O.P.E. of Genesee County
Select Collision
Settler's Restaurant
Sloat's Tire
Southside Deli
Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew
Spirits
Stan's Harley-Davidson
T.F. Brown's
The Finishing Line
Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel
Trash Away
Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
UB Neurosurgery
Upstate Chrysler Dodge Jeep
Valle Jewelers
Viking Valhalla/Rose Garden Bowl
Vinyl Sticks
West Main Wine & Spirits
Western Regional Off Track
William Kent, Inc.
WNY Fireplace Outlet
Woody's Deli
Yasses Construction
Yngodess Shop
YWCA
Zoom N Groom Dog Grooming

Seven Five people were injured, including two pedestrians, in a two-car crash at Oak and Richmond today.

With some Mercy EMS ambulances already tied up on other calls, ambulances from Le Roy and Darien were called to the scene and two Mercy Flight medics also assisted with the treatment of patients.

Five Three patients were taken to UMMC and two were transported to Strong.

All patients were in stable condition at the time of transport, said Officer Kevin DeFelice.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation though DeFelice said it appears one vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle on a left-hand turn.

Two of those injured were pedestrians, though DeFelice said it's unclear at this point whether they were on the crosswalk or sidewalk and whether they were struck by a vehicle or by debris.

DeFelice said a press release with more details will be issued this afternoon. This story will be updated with additional details as they become available.

UPDATE: Officials have issued a press release stating it was actually five people who were injured in the accident. Here's the press release:

Five people were injured in the accident at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue today. Three were taken to UMMC, Two were taken to Strong. Investigation reveals that a northbound black Acura being driven by the defendant was attempting to make a left turn onto Richmond Avenue from Oak Street. The defendant failed to yield the right of way to a southbound red GMC Jimmy. The vehicles collided sending the GMC Jimmy into 2 pedestrians that were standing on the sidewalk on the southwest corner of the intersection. The defendant was issued a UTT and released. Additional charges may be pending. Assisting at the scene were Batavia City Fire, Mercy EMS, Darien Fire and Leroy Ambulance.

The only person identified in the release was one of the drivers, Michael I. Sanders, 45, of 22 Columbia Ave., Apt. #1, Batavia. He was cited for alleged failure to yield right of way.

(Initial Report)

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue in the city. Two pedestrians are involved, one is bleeding. Three medic units, including mutual aid from Le Roy and Alexander, are responding along with city fire and police. There is at least one back injury and a chest injury. "We're going to need traffic control here. It's a mess," says a responder.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: A police investigator with a camera is called to the scene and has an ETA of about 10 minutes. The city's third fire platoon is called to headquarters on Evans Street.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: Another ambulance is called in; mutual aid from Darien.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: Due to mechanical issues, a second Le Roy ambulance will not be able to assist. But another Mercy unit is now available and is responding, emergency mode.

UPDATE 11:28 a.m.: Alexander fire is told to stand by in its hall. The pedestrians were assisted at Lyon Street and Richmond. A Mercy medic calls UMMC to say four patients will be transported there, all with minor injuries: a 59-year-old woman with a leg injury who was side struck by a car while walking in the sidewalk; a 45-year-old male driver with mid-back pain; a person with a nose injury; and a person with a laceration over the left eye. Le Roy's unit, still in route, is told to go to UMMC. Mercy Flight pilots are at the scene assisting, although no air transport is required.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m.: A Mercy rig is taking one victim to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 11:49 a.m.: A Darien ambulance is taking a victim to Strong.

UPDATE 11:51 a.m.: City command reports all patients have been transported for medical treatment. Alexander fire can stand down. The remaining responders are working to clean up the scene. Northbound traffic is moving. Southbound traffic will remain closed for awhile.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at the intersection of routes 237 and 33, Stafford. Stafford Fire Department is responding along with two Mercy medic units and law enforcement. Mercy Flight is available if needed.

UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: A responder reports one male has head injuries and another has chest injuries.

UPDATE 9:34 a.m.: A medic says Mercy Flight will not be needed.

UPDATE 9:51 a.m.: One patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Two flatbed tows are called in.

UPDATE 10:02 a.m.: The second patient is also being taken to Strong.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.: The Stafford assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m. (by Howard): The white Suburban was driven by Barry Taylor who was traveling south on Route 237. He approached the stop sign and stopped. The Toyota, operated by Kevin Huber, of Pembroke, was eastbound on Route 33, at which time Taylor reportedly entered the intersection, according to Deputy John Duyssen.

For the 13th straight year, City Church provided Thanksgiving meals to members of the community.

The annual event was first held at Miss Batavia restaurant when the church bought meals for everybody who wanted one between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Now the church owns a building on Center Street, the Generations Center, with a kitchen and serves the community meal there.

The purpose of the free meal, said Pastor Marty Macdonald, is to ensure nobody need feel left out of the holiday.

"I grew up in home where it was very dysfunctional, very disjointed," Macdonald said. "Holiday times were the hardest because we had lost a sister, my brother, my dad by the time I was 13, so when holidays came it was hard on everybody. My heart was on humanity. I didn't want anybody to be alone."

Most of the volunteers are members of the church, but other community members volunteer and there were volunteers there today from Arcade and Syracuse.

"I think the people who serve get more out of it than those who are served," Macdonald said.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

More than 100 runners and walkers turned out in 19-degree weather this morning for Oakfield's annual Turkey Trot 5K.

The winner was Gabriel Bender (bottom photo).

Barn on Lewiston Road at Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A ruptured natural gas line is reported at Junction and Covell roads. Pavilion Fire Department is responding and Fire Police are called to assist with traffic control. National Fuel workers are on scene.

Genesee County's jobs picture weakened slightly month-over-month for September to October, but is still better than a year ago.

The unemployment rate stands at 6.1 percent for October, compared to 6 percent for September and 7.2 percent for October 2012.

There were 29,400 non-farm jobs reported in the county for October, down from 29,200 in September, but still higher than the 29,100 jobs reported in October 2013.

The unemployment rate in Orleans County is 7.7 percent, and 6.4 in Livingston and 6.5 in Wyoming.

The state's rate is 7.5 percent and the nation's rate is 7 percent.

Ten counties around New York have reported unemployment rates of 6 percent or lower. Yates has the lowest rate in WNY at 5.2 percent. Rochester is 6.7 percent and Buffalo-Niagara is 7 percent.