From the National Weather Service in Buffalo:

A winter weather advisory is in effect here from 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, through 5 a.m., Sunday, April 3.

The advisory is for snow and blowing snow, with accumulations three to six inches. The greatest snow totals will be across the hills south of Buffalo.

Winds -- northwest at 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Visibility under a half mile at times.

Snow will accumulate on roads and create slippery driving conditions.

A winter weather advisory is normally issued for a variety of winter weather conditions such as light snow, blowing snow, sleet, freezing rain and wind chills.

While the weather will be significant, the word advisory implies that severe weather is not anticipated.

Late this afternoon, vendors were busy putting together the final touches on their booths for the annual home show at Falleti Ice Arena.

The home show, brought to you by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, opens at 5 p.m. today and continues tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday.

There are about 70 exhibitors with goods and services designed to help you make home life better, beautiful or more efficient. For more information, visit the Chamber's Web site.

It’s been a long cold winter and now it’s time to “think spring.” And there’s no way better way to beat those long winter blues than by attending the second annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home Show. The Home Show will be held at Falleti Ice Arena in Batavia Friday through Sunday, April 1st - April 3rd.
 
Here’s your chance to talk face to face with more than 60 area businesses attending this year’s Home Show for help with your home ideas and projects. And while you’re there, make sure you register for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from the Home Show vendor business of your choice. The winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the Home Show and you do not need to be present to win.
 
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home Show will be open Friday, April 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. And if you’re hungry, the concessions are being run by Alex’s Place, so you know the food will be excellent!
 
Admission is only $3 per person and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is free at the Falleti Ice Arena. Coupons good for $1 off all admissions are available at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce office, 210 E. Main St., Batavia, or at any of the participating businesses. For a complete list of participating businesses go to www.geneseeny.com/homeshow. For more information, call the Chamber office at 343-7440.

Kendra Marie McGuire, 25, of Bryant Street, North Tonawanda, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. She was arrested and issued an appearance ticket for April 26 in Darien Town Court. It is alleged that she stole cash and coins valued at more than $1,000 from a residence on Richley Road in Darien in November of 2012. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto.

Daniel Joseph Kish, 44, of Payne Avenue, of North Tonawanda, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unsafe turn/failure to signal at noon on March 17. He was arrested on the charges March 31 after turning himself in on an arrest warrant out of the City of Batavia. Kish allegedly missed city court for prior alleged traffic violations. Bail was set at $250 and he did bail himself out at city court. He was released and is to reappear in city court on May 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Photo by Jim Burns.

A dead turkey on Ross Street this morning has been tying up traffic. No word if it's been removed yet.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported east of Transit Road at 6248 Main Road, Stafford. A person is said to have a minor neck injury. State Police are on scene. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Press release:

The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET officers, and the Le Roy Village Police Department, concluded an investigation into the sale of marijuana in the towns of Bergen and Byron.

Cody D. Mayer, 23, of Lake Avenue, Bergen, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal sale of marijuana, 3rd, a Class E felony, and one count of criminal sale of marijuana, 4th, a Class A misdemeanor.

On March 30, Mayer was arrested by a uniformed deputy of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at the County Jail, while he was incarcerated for a separate charge, on a Genesee County Grand Jury indictment warrant. It is alleged that Mayer sold a quantity of marijuana to an agent of the Drug Task Force while in the towns of Bergen and Byron.

Mayer was jailed without bail.

The District Attorney's Office and uniform members of the Sheriff's Office assisted the Task Force members with the investigation.

Press release:

The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of officers from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police NET officers, and the Le Roy Village Police, concluded an investigation into the sale of "crack" cocaine in the City of Batavia with the arrest of a City of Batavia woman Wedesnday afternoon.

Jennifer M. Moore, 30, of Tracy Avenue, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, also a Class D felony.

The defendant was arrested on Wednesday afternoon on a Genesee County Grand Jury indictment warrant by the Drug Task Force and uniform officers from the City of Batavia PD. She was jailed without bail. The investigation is continuing into the sales of illicit drugs from the defendant's residence with further charges and arrests pending.

Task Force members were also assisted in the investigation by the District Attorney's Office.

A tree fell, broke a utility pole and took down power lines at 9680 Beaver Road, Alexander. The location is between Dodgeson and Beaver roads. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: "We've got primary wires down," says a first responder on scene. "Be advised they are off the road. They're just laying across the driveway of a house." National Grid is being informed.

Genesee Symphony Orchestra presents: "American Made Concert" on Sunday, April 17. Bryan Eckenrode, conductor. Pre-Concert Talk: 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. Concert at 4 p.m. at the Elba Central School Auditorium. It is located at 57 S. Main St. in Elba.

Featuring participants of the 2016 GSO String Workshop. An All-American lineup of works composed or transcribed by American composers, including Batavians, Gary Call Hanley and Ross Chua.

Program:
Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera | Don Gillis
Rodeo -- Aaron Copland, Saturday Night Waltz, Corral Nocturne, Hoedown
Frankie & Johnny Overture | Maurice C. Whitney
Blues in 6/8 | Milton Weinstein
West Side Story | Leonard Bernstein; Arr. by Jack Mason
A Spectacle in Flight | Ross Chua
Plight of the Common Man | Gary Call Hanley
Paul Bunyan Suite | William Bergsma
Dance of the Blue Ox, Country Dance, Night
Variations on a Theme by Handel | Maurice Whitney
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban | John Williams; Arr. by Michael Story

For tickets, please visit: 
GO ART!, Roxy's Music Store, Batavia Senior Center, or in Le Roy at the Bank of Castile. Adults -- $15, Students -- $7, Senior -- $10, Family -- $35 (Parents and Children 12 & under).

Tickets are also available at www.geneseesymphony.com. The Genesee County Symphony is on FACEBOOK. Check out our page and “Friend” us!

This concert is made possible , in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New State Legislature.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs today announced the start of their reading program, designed to promote reading amongst the youth of the local communities. Along with the help of New York’s 529 College Savings Program, 2016 will mark the fourth year of the “HIT THE BOOKS with the Batavia Muckdogs” reading program.   

As part of this program, the Muckdogs have provided various schools and libraries across local counties with customized bookmarks. On the back of these bookmarks, children can have a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian initial each time they complete a book. When a child completes 10 books, they can redeem the bookmark at the Dwyer Stadium box office for a FREE TICKET to any Sunday-Thursday Batavia Muckdogs’ game!

In addition to the free ticket, the child will also receive a prize courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program. If a child reads 20 books, they will be entered into a drawing to win a backpack with school supplies, provided by New York’s 529 College Savings Program; along with the opportunity to throw out a first pitch at a Muckdogs game. 

In addition to the many participating schools, bookmarks will be made available to children at the following local libraries:

• Richmond Memorial Library (Batavia)
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library (Medina)
• Byron-Bergen Public Library
• Haxton Memorial Library (Oakfield)
• Hoag Library (Albion)
• Pavilion Public Library
• Woodward Memorial Library (Le Roy)
• Holley Community Free Library

Any questions about the reading program, bookmarks, or redeeming for tickets can be answered by Josh Swan, at 585-343-5454, ext. 1005.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today chastised entrenched Assembly leaders for blocking legislation he introduced that would establish several additional protections for our children from sex predators.

Hawley authored legislation to prevent Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders from obtaining employment in amusement parks, and another bill requiring certain sex offenders to report their employment addresses. Both were blocked from being voted on by the Assembly Majority.

“I am extremely disappointed that legislation to protect our children and improve public safety was met with such disregard by the Assembly Majority,” Hawley said. “There is absolutely no excuse for ignoring measures that would prevent sex offenders from striking again and provide safeguards for our children.

"This is yet another example of the futility of Albany politics. Ideas that would benefit us all often die because they aren’t top priorities of the speaker and his New York City cronies. Assembly Majority members should be ashamed of themselves.”

Ongoing -- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. --  Special Guests, “The Incredible Journey" game and Earth-Friendly Crafts!

A car vs. pole accident with minor injuries is reported on Lewiston Road. Alabama fire and Mercy medics are responding. The driver is out complaining of knee pain.

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Occupants are out. Wires are down. National Grid will be notified of the damaged pole.

Press release:

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has designated Le Roy Central School District as one of the 2016 Best Communities for Music Education.

This designation is awarded to district and school music education programs "for outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education par of the core curriculum."

Le Roy has been awarded this honor 10 times in the last 11 years. The Le Roy music program supports over 360 students in chorus and over 210 students in band district-wide.

According to Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director, the Best Communities designation brings "hard-won visibility to music classes, programs and departments that are keeping music education alive in our schools.

The school district congratulates the Le Roy Music Department -- Lindsay Buckel, Jessa Dechant, Dan DeLuca, Jackie McLean, Brad Meholick, Matt Nordhausen -- students, parents and school community on their hard work and dedication to music in Le Roy!

Timothy J. Wood Sr., 27, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested at 3:34 a.m. on March 28 as the result of an incident that occured at a residence on West Main Street on March 26. He was released on an appearance ticket and had a court date on March 29. The case was handled by Bataiva Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Michael S. Garrett, 25, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 percent of higher, and having an unregistered motor vehicle. The charges stem from a traffic stop condiucted at 1:56 p.m. on March 20 in the area of West Main Street and Dellinger Avenue. His vehicle registration was found to be expired and after field tests, he was arrested for DWI. Garrett was issued an appearance ticket and released to a sober party. He is due in city court on April 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Sgt. Daniel Coffey.

From our news partner WBTA:

Surgical equipment with an estimated value of nearly $300,000 has been stolen from United Memorial Medical Center and offered for sale on the popular Internet auction site eBay, WBTA and The Batavian have learned.

Batavia Police detectives are conducting a criminal investigation, the results of which are expected to be presented to the Genesee County Grand Jury in April.

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch declined  comment noting “it is an ongoing investigation.”

United Memorial Medical Center, now part of the Rochester Regional Health System, said through a spokeswoman, “UMMC is cooperating with the police.” The hospital declined further comment.

It has been learned that the prime suspect in the case is a former employee of UMMC.

Law enforcement and sources within the hospital say that the former employee, a woman, worked in the hospital's purchasing department. She resides in Livingston County.

A health care professional with knowledge of the surgical inventory, said one of the stolen items was a laparoscopic camera. A complete system consisting of the camera and related equipment, can sell for $20,000.

No arrest has been made. Law enforcement is waiting for the case to be presented to the grand jury.

A check of eBay reveals a huge market for surgical equipment. Under the category of medical and surgical equipment, there were 18,584 listings. A local doctor familiar with the market said, “you would be amazed to learn what kind of (surgical equipment) is available on eBay.”

The Web site also has a category for “used medical equipment” which contained 1,968 listings.

A fully involved barn fire is reported in Alexander at 9633 Old Creek Road. The road will be shut down by Fire Police. Alexander Fire Department is responding along with Bethany, Town of Batavia, Darien and East Pembroke. Bethany is also requested to fill in at Alexander's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:25 a.m.: Bethany is unable to secure a second crew for the fill-in detail at Alexander Fire Hall so one from East Pembroke is requested.

UPDATE 3:28 a.m.: Command cancels the request for a fill-in crew at its hall from East Pembroke.

UPDATE 3:33 a.m.: A crew from East Pembroke is requested to stand by in their own hall for fill-in on behalf of Town of Batavia's fire district.

A car versus pedestrian accident with injuries is reported at 8157 State Street Road, Batavia. There are two occupants in the vehicle. Law enforcement is on scene. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: The patient is being transported via ambulance to the Genesee County Airport hangar and will be flown to a hospital by Mercy Flight.