A motor-vehicle accident is reported on Route 77 in front of the Flying-J.
Unknown injuries.
There is reportedly a post-accident verbal altercation in progress.
Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.
A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 3542 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding along with law enforcement. The location is between Kelsey Road and County Building #2.
UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: All lanes of traffic are blocked, according to a first responder on scene.
UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: "It looks like a car rear-ended a truck," says a first responder. "The lady in the truck is hyperventilating; no injuries in the car."
UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The roadway is clear. The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing / testing fire hydrants on Wednesday, Oct. 7th and Thursday, Oct. 8th from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Friday, Oct. 9th from approximately 9 a.m. to noon in the general area of south of Main Street and west of Jackson Street.
Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.
This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities Class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification, and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settle in the water lines. Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel knowledge of the hydrant locations.
If you have any questions, or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at (585) 345-6375.
John (last name withheld) is a 50-year-old long distance truck driver who has been out of work for some time due to a 20-year addiction to alcohol.
He’s also someone who has found renewed hope and strength toward living the remainder of his days in sobriety through his participation in recovery programs offered by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Originally from Corning and most recently a resident of Saratoga Springs, John has found himself in the Batavia area and, as a result, things are looking up for him for the first time in decades.
“I have had a problem with alcohol for my whole life,” he said while taking part in a special game day and potluck dinner recently at The Recovery Station, GCASA’s social gathering place on Clinton Street Road.
John said he was taking too much time off work “because all I really wanted to do was sit around and drink all day.”
He was able to gather the wherewithal to get into a 28-day program and was referred to a local residential facility to continue the recovery process.
He Hasn't Had a Drink in Six Months
“They referred me for a little bit of aftercare, and I’m glad that I did it,” he said. “It was the best thing that I did in my life because I haven’t had a drink in six months. That’s the longest that I’ve been without a drink in probably for 20 years.”
John said that the counselors at the residence, which houses several people in recovery, helped him tremendously.
“I’m the type of person that likes to isolate a lot and everybody over there is really open and they make me feel very comfortable. I feel that I can talk to them about any mood that I am in or anything that I am feeling throughout the day,” he explained.
He then mentioned the importance of The Recovery Station in his efforts to remain sober.
“This place has been a godsend,” he said. “You can come here and work out as they’ve invested in exercise equipment and they have many different activities throughout the week if you look at the calendar.”
John said the certified peer recovery advocates at The Recovery Station are “good listeners who have helped me considerably.”
Social Gathering Place Fills a Gap
“From what I hear because I’m not from here, this area needed a place like this, and I think that everything that GCASA is doing for this city as far as recovery goes is wonderful,” he said. “Really, I can’t give this place enough accolades.”
The Recovery Station is meeting the need for him to treat “mind, body and spirit,” John said.
“I had the mental support and counseling support, but I always wanted to have a place to come and play games and work out. It has made a huge difference thus far,” he said.
John’s downward spiral with alcohol started when he was 13 years old and hanging out with some older boys.
“It was peer pressure from the bigger kids. They said that if I would carry their beer to the campsite – we used to go camping in the woods – then they would let me drink with them,” he recalled. “That’s what got me started but what kept me drinking was that I always had a self-esteem problem. I got picked on a lot when I was a kid as I had buckteeth and was kind of skinny.”
He said that when he “found alcohol, it took that all away.”
“It takes the inhibitions away. It makes you fit in. You don’t really care what other people say about you. It just makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. That’s what kept me drunk my whole life,” he shared.
Alcohol Catches Up to You over Time
In time, the effect of alcoholism reared its ugly head.
“As you get older, your body starts to wear down and it can’t process (the alcohol) anymore and it starts to affect your health,” he said. “For me, when I start to drink in excess, it makes me very unmotivated. I’ve never been really fired from a job, but I always have quit because I didn’t want to go to work or I didn’t show up to work.”
John said he realized that he was traveling down the wrong road.
“At my last job, I knew that drinking and driving don’t mix but also I didn’t have any desire or energy to go to work because the alcohol takes all of your energy away and makes you not care about anything,” he said.
Divorced with a son, John said alcoholism didn’t cause the marital split, but admits it didn’t make things easier. Still, he is grateful for having a relationship with his son and says his self-esteem and health are improving since he stopped drinking.
However, he is aware that the battle to overcome the disease is far from over.
Support is a Key to Sobriety
“It’s a struggle if I don’t have support around me,” he said. “My whole life, and I don’t know if it’s a man thing or an ego thing, but I’ve always had a hard time accepting help from other people. I’ve always wanted to do everything on my own.”
John said he’s made a conscious effort to accept help from others and to get involved in social activities.
“That’s what has kept me from wanting to drink again,” he said.
He also spoke about how alcohol triggered the depression that has buffeted him.
“Depression is a side effect of alcoholism, for sure. A lot of people use alcohol to stop their depression, which helps for a little while,” he offered. “But then, as you get into the disease and you start to rely on it, it compounds the depression and makes it worse than it was before. It absolutely turns on you. Then the depression doubles and triples.”
John said he’s working through some issues and seeking to develop a support system and a sponsor – with the goal of being in a position to help others.
“I’m making good progress at that. I just don’t have a complete plan in place to be able to help somebody else right now but I can see that coming in the near future,” he said. “I’ve been doing a really good job about taking advice. People say the only way you can keep your sobriety is by giving it back to others and helping others. I do see that as being my long term solution to keeping my sobriety.”
Disclosure: Story by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.
Now that a police collaboration advisory group is ready to address policies and procedures of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, County Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein says she is confident of a successful response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203 on police reform.
Stein, speaking by telephone this afternoon, said the level of participation and the fact that the sheriff’s agency is an accredited law enforcement bureau in New York State put the county in excellent position to draft a plan and submit to director of the Division of the Budget by April 1.
“I am extremely pleased with the number of people that have indicated their interest in serving and their commitment to making sure that our process is full and robust,” Stein said. “I think that the fact that the State of New York has already reviewed and approved our policies and procedures in the sheriff’s department, gaining that accreditation puts us well ahead … in the process.
“New York State has already seen our policies and procedures, and have already said that they are all within good policing process. I am really grateful for that process – the accreditation that happened previously and the reaccreditation that just finished up in September.”
Last week, Sheriff William Sheron Jr. announced that his department completed the reaccreditation audit in compliance with a mandate that stipulates that an accredited law enforcement agency be reassessed every five years and must show that it has followed the 133 standards during that time period.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office received its initial accreditation in year 2000.
Stein and County Manager Matt Landers today released the list of members of their Genesee County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative:
Former Legislature Chair Robert Bausch will serve as the moderator.
Landers said he anticipates a resident of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation to join the group, which will include several persons of color.
Stein said all committee members are invited to attend a presentation by Sheron at a full meeting of the legislature at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Old County Courthouse. She said a “meet-and-greet” – likely via Zoom videoconferencing – will take place prior to Oct. 28 but the date and time have yet to be determined.
Stakeholder groups such as these are being formed by municipal law enforcement agencies throughout the state following Cuomo’s Executive Order issued on June 12. The governor’s mandate requires the chief executive to consult with local community stakeholders and develop a reform plan to address policing procedures. The City of Batavia and Le Roy police departments previously announced their groups, developments that have been reported on The Batavian.
Landers said that group members will convene to “openly discuss public safety needs in Genesee County, and policies will be developed that allow for police to protect the public while meeting our local needs.”
Other community members will be invited to join the panel as the process evolves, he said, and all meetings of the committee will be open to the public.
“We look forward to open and respectful dialogue among members,” Stein said, “and see this as an opportunity to collaborate and better understand others’ points of view resulting in updated and new policies that offer fair justice for all.”
This year as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, city firefighters are wearing pink ribbon pins on their lapels.
"It's a small way to show them that they are the real heroes," Chief Stephano Napolitano said. "Everyone calls firefighters the heroes but breast cancer survivors, those people who are fighting breast cancer, and those who lost the fight, they are the real heroes."
Napolitano's late mother survived breast cancer so this is a cause, he said, that is near and dear to his heart.
Submitted photos.
Press release:
“The Genesee County Health Department has received an additional positive COVID-19 test from an Elba High School student,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “The individual has been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they are fully recovered.”
The Genesee County Department of Health is conducting contact tracing that is in process. Students and/or staff will be notified and placed under quarantine if they were identified as a close contact.
"As mentioned earlier in the week, individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines," Pettit said.
“Students and staff who are symptomatic will be tested for COVID-19 in collaboration with the Genesee County Health Department,” said Ned Dale, superintendent of Elba Central School District. “The school will be conducting 100-percent remote learning through Monday, Oct. 12. In-person learning through the hybrid model is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
For information on school statistics, please visit the New York State COVID- 19 Report Card.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) supports the China Task Force Report released yesterday that outlines a comprehensive plan to counter the People’s Republic of China and hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for their destabilizing behavior.
“I commend the China Task Force for their hard work developing a comprehensive plan to address the economic, national security, and now health threats the Chinese Communist Party poses to the American people,” Jacobs said.
“The global pandemic has especially highlighted the clear threat the CCP presents and the serious need to secure our supply chains – especially those used in the production of critical medicines and medical supplies. We need to bring these supply chains back to our shores so we can invest in American jobs and protect American lives from malign foreign interference.”
The report developed by the China Task Force covers a wide range of issues involving the Chinese Communist Party, including: the forced labor and persecution of the Uyghur people; securing critical supply chains; providing resources to investigate and prosecute intellectual property theft; and securing production of advanced technologies such as AI, 5G, and autonomous vehicles.
“The Chinese Communist Party has a long record of human rights violations, stealing intellectual property, and manipulating critical information -- holding them accountable should and can be a bipartisan priority," Jacobs said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to implement recommendations in this report to address the critical challenges posed by China."
To read the full CTF report, click here:
Resurrection Parish held Confirmation on Thursday evening with Father Ivan Trujillo.
The confirmation service had been delayed from the spring.
The 2020-21 faith formation program begins Oct. 25 at Resurrection Parish and Jason Smith can be reached at resurrectionff14020@yahoo.com.
Smith is the teacher for confirmation and director of Religious Education at the parish.
Top photo: Sam Chmielowiec, Maxwell Tenney, Evan Preston and Elizabeth Kingston.
Photos and information submitted by Jason Smith.
Ariana deSae Frias is kneeling, anointed with holy chrism oil, signifying receiving the Holy Spirit.
Photo by JoAnne Meiser.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after voting against H.R. 925 – HEROES 2.0.
“I have repeatedly said I want a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package," Jacobs said. "This will only happen, however, if there is a compromise between the House, Senate and the administration.
"Tonight’s legislation was not a serious effort to bring more relief to struggling families, small businesses, and farmers – it was yet another attempt to use the COVID-19 crisis for political leverage. I urge the Speaker to immediately resume negotiations with Leader McConnell and the Trump Administration so we can vote on a relief package that will actually become law."
Sean Akin of Corfu landed this buck yesterday, the first day of bow hunting this season.
Press release:
Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is putting out the following statement in response to the President and First Lady testing positive for COVID-19:
“My thoughts are with the First Family, and I pray for a swift and full recovery for the President and First Lady,” -- Congressman Chris Jacobs.
Photographer Jim Burns submitted these photos.
Press release:
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved incentives for a $12.8 million renovation of an existing apartment complex in the City of Batavia at its Oct. 1 board meeting.
Batavia Senior Housing Preservation LLC’s project will invest approximately $21,400 per unit in hard construction costs, assuring the apartment complex at 1 State St. remains viable as a safe and affordable housing option for low-income seniors. Current residents will not be displaced during the renovation and construction.
The project has been approved for a private activity bond, sales and mortgage tax exemptions and a property tax abatement. The property tax abatement is limited to the increase in future value only. Project incentives are estimated at approximately $376,466.
Press release:
Three bedrooms, three full baths! Large Livingroom formal dining room and super cute newly refinished kitchen with peekaboo pass through to dining room! Off kitchen is cute morning room that has slider to large deck for morning coffee or there is a pantry/wine/bar nook your choice;) Basement has been partially finished with large play space for adult or child, full bath, and once upon a time there was a small kitchenette for those that like the extra cooking and canning space.
There is also utility/laundry area as well. Back yard has been fully fenced and super private -- extra large deck with a self made play/entertaining area with pergola -- can easily be turned back to full drive with one-car detached garage. This one is well worth the look! Click here for more information on this listing.
59 North Pearl Street Road, Oakfield: *20K PRICE DROP! Awesome price for tons of OPPORTUNITY! More than what meets the eye with this solid commercial building with a space for everyone!
Attractive large office space that has large private conference room, main office space, and front office. There are two huge bay garages with oversized overhead doors --one heated. Separate storage or equipment rooms if needed.
Upstairs features large, nicely finished, three rooms and small kitchenette could be extra office space or living quarters! This place will surprise you with how nicely done and the endless possibilities that it has to offer! Easy to see! Click here for more information on this listing.
A small airplane is reported down in the area of 9115 Boyce Road in Corfu. The call to dispatch was initially placed by the Buffalo Airport and subsequently a female caller told a dispatcher the crash was in the woods behind her house.
Buffalo authorities said the plane can hold up to six passengers, but it is unknown how many people are on board.
Corfu and East Pembroke fire departments are responding with a UTV and a hazmat team is called as a precautionary measure.
First responders near the scene say the smell of fuel is in the air.
Law enforcement says the plane is due west (about a half mile) of the Boyce Road address; behind "Mr. Fry's residence." A laneway is nearby but the site of the impact, with heavy damage apparent, is accessible only by foot.
UPDATE 12:08 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls fire police are asked to shut down Boyce Road at Route 33 and Route 5. "The impact hole is apparent but no bodies." "We're looking for victims."
UPDATE 12:11 p.m.: "I don't see anybody -- we're going to have to do a search of the woods," says a firefighter.
UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: A crew from Crittenden Fire Department in Erie County is asked to fill in at Corfu's hall.
UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Amherst Fire Department in Erie County is asked to stand by in their quarters.
UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight (top photo) was briefly assisting in the search. It is back in service and the State Police Helicopter is doing an air search. Newstead fire is standing by in quarters.
UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: The Buffalo-based plane was returning to Buffalo from Manchester, NH, at the time it crashed. According to its aircraft registration summary, it is a 2009 SOCATA, with seven seats and a single Turbo-prop engine with 850 horsepower, referred to in the aviation industry at a TBM-850.
UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: Below is an image of the model of aircraft that crashed from the manufacturer's website, courtesy of our news partner WBTA.
UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: The plane is registered to an address that is shared by that of the high-profile law firm of Cellino & Barnes.
UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: According to Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr., there were two people on board, a male and a female, but he declined to provide identification pending notification of family. There are no survivors. The Buffalo News has confirmed that attorney Stephen Barnes, a licensed pilot, was on board. The impact was severe and it created a large crater in the ground and a huge debris field. The plane nearly disintegrated; the largest part of the plane that could be found was a piece of a wing only 3 to 4 feet long. He said it will be quite some time before remains can be recovered and that will be difficult. Federal Aviation Administration personnel are on scene.
UPDATE Oct. 3, 2:09 p.m.: Below is the actual aircraft piloted by Stephen Barnes, registered as N965DM LLC. Technically it is a 2009 SOCATA 700N version, but aviators refer to it as an TBM-850, according to reader Jim Riner. He's a Byron native who now lives in Englewood, Colo., and works for Wetzel Aviation. Riner sent us this photo from the FlightAware website.
Local governments throughout New York State remain in a holding pattern as they wait for word from Albany on state aid levels and from Washington, D.C., on another federal stimulus bill.
“No update has been received by the Genesee County Manager’s Office regarding state reimbursements of mandated expenses,” County Manager Matt Landers said last night.
Municipalities were expecting to receive an update regarding state funding from Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sept. 30, one of the governor’s predetermined “benchmarks” to evaluate and inform localities of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon New York’s economy.
Until he hears something different, Landers said Genesee County is “still planning for 20-percent reductions in state reimbursements for both county fiscal years 2020 and 2021.”
The county, towns and fire districts have fiscal years that run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Villages’ fiscal years run from June 1 through May 31, except Alexander, which runs from April 1 through March 31. The City of Batavia’s fiscal year is also April 1 through March 31.
Landers and officials in other counties have been supported by repeated calls from the New York State Association of Counties for the White House and Congressional leaders to reach an agreement on a coronavirus stimulus package that would provide direct aid to local governments.
NYSAC’s latest plea to pass an updated HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act came on Thursday following its virtual Fall Seminar.
In its press release, NYSAC stated that an analysis of the modified $2.2 trillion HEROES Act -- which was moved by leaders in the House of Representatives this week and is still in the midst of negotiations – reveals that counties across the state would receive nearly $3 billion in federal stimulus.
“Every day that passes without a deal on direct aid to local governments, the deeper the economic hole that is being dug in our communities,” said NYSAC President John F. Marren. “Local governments stepped up and expended great resources to stop the spread of the virus and now, with state aid being withheld and revenue collection down, counties are being forced to cut services and lay off employees, which only depresses the economy further. It’s time for Washington to get behind a plan and get this done for the American people.”
The NYSAC report also indicated that through the Community Development Block Grant program, entitlement communities across New York State -- municipalities over 50,000 in population – would receive about $2.4 billion.
Other, smaller cities and localities, would receive $2.2 billion, and New York City, which has half of the state’s 19 million people, would receive $5.35 billion.
The House’s latest version of the HEROES Act is $1.2 trillion less than what Democrats proposed in May, and includes direct payments to individuals and families, and enhanced unemployment benefits.
The issue of sending funds to states and municipalities is one of the sticking points, but reportedly has the support of the Trump administration in the amount of $250 billion.
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