A possible commerical building fire is reported at 12 Center St. The smell of smoke is said to be in the building and smoke is reportedly visible in the office. City fire is responding. The location is an accounting office next to Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: A responder on scene says its possibly a wood-burning stove; no fire found. Continuing to investigate. 

After the injury to point guard Maddy McCully that put her out for the season, Batavia's Head Coach Marty Hein said the Lady Blue Devils would be a team in search of a new identity.

That thought was back on Hein's mind last night after Batavia narrowly escaped with its 13th win, 58-55, over Irondequoit.

Batavia surrendered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, allowing Irondequoit to put 25 points on the scoreboard and with less than a minute left, pulling within a point of the lead.

"(McCulley was) the floor general at any given point in time," Hein said. Ryann (Stefaniak) and Tiara (Filbert) are doing a super job, but when the chips seem to be falling a bit, there was always, 'OK, Maddy, you run the point now.' That was freeing up Tiara to do whatever. She doesn't have to bring the ball up. Now, it's kind of that little identity crisis of, OK, when things start going south, who is going to be that step-up person to take that role. We played a good 24 minutes of basketball, and then the last eight..."

Filbert scored 18. Taylor Stefaniak added 16, including dropping three buckets from behind the arc. Ryann scored 14 and Sam Cecere had seven.

For Irondequoit, Megan Dano scored 16, Kylee Kanealey, 12, and Quinn Melidona, 13.

To purchase prints, click here.

Last night, our database crashed. All of the posts from yesterday were lost.

Thankfully, Google has saved copies (called a cache) and I should be able to restore everything. I'm starting that work now. I'll time stamp everything to yesterday's time of publication, so this post will remain at the top of the page through that process.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Yesterday's posts are restored, but I couldn't get to comments, so the few comments left yesterday are lost. Sorry. Also, there was a non-injury rollover accident in Oakfield around 3 a.m. We weren't able to post about it because the site was down at that time.

The governor's recent executive order on how to deal with homeless people in local municipalities during cold weather won't have much impact on Genesee County, said Eileen Kirkpatrick, the county's director of Social Services.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order has been widely reported to mandate that local law enforcement require any homeless person found out and about in freezing weather to be taken off the streets and placed in an appropriate shelter.

That isn't exactly what the governor ordered, Kirkpatrick said.

"Neither law enforcement nor DSS has any legal authority to put anybody anyplace they don't want to go," Kirkpatrick said.

The order doesn't change anything for how lack-of-shelter situations have long been handled in Genesee County, she said.

All of the law enforcement agencies, along with the Mental Health department, have long worked well with DSS to help resolve lack-of-shelter situations.

When a cop finds a person who is seemingly without shelter during freezing weather, the officer tries to determine if the person is intoxicated or has a mental health issue that would inhibit the person from making a rational decision about his or her own safety.

If the person is intoxicated, the officer has the authority to seek medical treatment for the individual.

If there appears to be a mental health issue, mental health workers are contacted and the person is taken in, usually to Warsaw's hospital, where a mental health evaluation will be made to determine if the person is capable of making a rational decision about his or her shelter.

If a person is capable of making a rational decision, then the decision to stay on the street or not is up to that individual and, as Kirkpatrick said, neither law enforcement nor DSS has the authority to force that person into a shelter.

If the person, however, would like shelter, there are options.

When the warming shelter is open, as it is tonight, women and children can be taken to the shelter.

Males without children can be given a bus ticket to either Rochester or Buffalo and directions to a shelter that accepts men. If the busses are not running, an after-hours DSS worker can help arrange for a room at a local hotel or motel.

Adults judged to be competent to make their own decisions always have the choice to stay on the street, but when officials find children without shelter, Child Protective Services always has the authority to take the child to an appropriate shelter.

There doesn't seem to be the stereotypical homelessness issue in Batavia that might exist in larger cities, Kirkpatrick said. You don't expect to find people sleeping under bridges here.

However, there is an issue with people being "inadequately housed," she said. These might be people living nine to a two-bedroom trailer, or who stay with different people throughout the week or in another shelter-insecure situation.

Sometimes it's just a financial issue. There are also people who have such a bad reputation for destroying property among local landlords that they find it difficult to secure a rental.

In all cases, DSS has programs in place to help people who need assistance with shelter, she said. If there is somebody without shelter and they're competent to make that decision, then that is their decision. Typically, they've made that decision because they don't want to go along with the rules that go along with getting assistance from DSS.

"There are some people who are in a perpetual state of homelessness because that's their choice as an adult," Kirkpatrick said. "There is assistance available for anybody who wants to abide by the rules and what New York State dictates. These aren't Eileen Kirkpatrick's rules. These are the state rules."

Press release:

"Construction documents are almost complete and everything is on schedule," Kristin G. Schmitt, AIA, principal of JMZ Architects and Planners told Genesee Community College Board of Trustees at last week's monthly meeting. "It has been a smooth process, which is a testament to the College."

The construction bid packages with all the necessary documents for contractors to submit their cost estimates for the project are anticipated to be ready for review on Monday, Feb. 8. The proposed deadline for the College to receive the publicly opened bids is Tuesday, March 8. JMZ anticipates five different bid packages for Site Work, General Contracting, Electrical, Plumbing/Fire Protection, and Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC).

As stipulated by the Board of Trustees during the early planning process, JMZ is carefully crafting the bid packages to attract as many local contractors as possible. The two separate facilities, the 18,500-square-foot Student Success Center and the 56,000-square-foot College and Community Events Center, are being built on parallel construction schedules allowing contractors to bid on both projects or individual projects. 

"We anticipate good participation from the local construction community and will be reaching out to them," Schmitt said.

The project will also be announced in area media outlets and the Dodge Report. Once the bidding and project award process is complete, construction will begin in April with a formal ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

The College and Community Event Center located at the far west side of the Batavia campus near the turf field will begin first so as to not interrupt College's activities and spring semester traffic flow. The Student Success Center will begin after the Commencement ceremony on May 22. Project completion for both buildings is expected the following Summer in 2017. 

In addition to reviewing the construction schedule, Schmitt presented six different schematic presentation boards that illustrated both buildings employing state-of-the-art graphics that combine photographs of the existing facilities blended with the new architectural renderings. A dramatic Student Success Center is shown at night with the lights from the large glass foray reflecting out onto the Clock Tower Plaza. Viewers can also appreciate how the Student Success Center will connect with the Conable Technology Building through the second level bridge. Interior illustrations reveal an open lobby and lounge with two-story glass windows, an open staircase and a fireplace. 

"This will be the new front door to the whole campus," GCC President James Sunser, Ed.D. said. "The new facility is exciting, but more exciting is how it will allow us to reinvent how we support our students in being successful. Like a case manager, our new student success coaches will know what students need and proactively help them through the process." 

Interior and exterior renderings of the College and Community Events Center were also reviewed illustrating the dual facility. The sizable arena, which will be the largest open floor space in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties), is accented by a long, glassed-in arcade leading to the central entrance and lobby that connects the two buildings. The smaller building provides classrooms, locker rooms, coaches' offices, the fitness center, meeting rooms and a press box overlooking the existing turf field.

The large arena will not only accommodate an array of athletic competitions, but the open space will allow all kinds of civic, community, trade, industry as well as college events-from farm, boat and tractor shows to commencement ceremonies where a whole family can sit together. The new facility is expected to draw as many as 500,000 visitors to the campus each year. 

Both presentation boards included samples of different flooring, brickwork, ceiling and wall tiles, window mullions, paint, stair treads and countertops. Combined, the two projects will provide an additional 74,000 square feet of new indoor space at GCC, allowing the College to repurpose some of the existing space for labs and classrooms accommodating new academic programs such as Nanotechnology AAS. The overall building project follows GCC's Facilities Master Plan, which was approved by the Board and SUNY (State University of New York) more than two years ago.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) would like to announce the merger of the Downtown Batavia Public Market and the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market. The joint venture would consolidate the markets and their vendors into one large farmer’s market located Downtown at the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place.

The market would retain the name Downtown Batavia Public Market and would be run by the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market Board, in which Executive Director of the BID, Laurie Oltramari, was named as a board member.

With the City’s approval, the market would increase its operations to be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. After visiting surrounding businesses to get their feedback, the increase of operations was well-received by area businesses who enjoy using the market to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

The markets' merger addresses the City of Batavia’s “highly distressed” census tracts to have access to essential goods for healthy living. The public market is located with the City of Batavia’s BOA plan and with the City in its process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, which is focused on smart growth and sustainable practices, the merger was a well-timed collaboration.

The Downtown area has had a walkability audit to record the needs of both walkers and drivers. Within the immediate vicinity of the downtown public market is senior housing, healthcare facilities, the historic downtown core, and the bordering neighborhoods. With this mix, it lends itself to the greater success of the Downtown Batavia Public Market.

The BID envisions the market growing and it is excited to have the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market ready and able to take on the new venture. The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market enjoyed being at the Batavia Downs parking lot and thanks them for their support through the years, but the new move will reinforce the sustainable model for the farmers and tap into the trending desire to be located in downtowns.

If you would like more information regarding the merger of the markets or the BID in general, please contact Laurie Oltramari at (585) 344-0900 or e-mailLOltramari@DowntownBataviaNY.com. If you are interested in volunteering or being a vendor at the Downtown Batavia Public Market, please contact Bob Austen atRobertAusten@frontiernet.net.

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited the U.S. Gypsum Plant in Oakfield last week as part of his ongoing local business tours. Hawley, a small-business owner for over four decades, commended U.S. Gypsum on its unwavering commitment to safety and dedication to its employees, 30 percent of whom have worked at the plant for more than 25 years.

U.S. Gypsum has won numerous MSHA Sentinels of Safety Mining Awards and was named one of the safest companies in 2015 by EHS Today Magazine.

“I was impressed by the safety procedures and precautions in place at the Oakfield plant, and the large number of employees who have been there for over 25 years and are multi-generational employees of the company,” Hawley said. “This speaks to their presence in the local community and U.S. Gypsum’s devotion to its employees.

"It is important that young people remember that trade or factory work can open many doors for a fulfilling career, and companies such as U.S. Gypsum are always seeking employees who are looking to build a career in the skilled trades.

“As impressive as its safety measures is U.S. Gypsum’s ongoing effort to stay environmentally friendly. I was amazed to learn that the Oakfield plant is completely energy efficient, burning natural gas and selling off the excess. Furthermore, its products are made with 100-percent recycled paper. U.S. Gypsum is a shining example of a well-functioning company that cares about more than just its bottom line, and that is commendable.”

The Warming Center is open tonight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for women and children in need of shelter at the United Methodist Church, Lewiston Road, Batavia.

For assistance, call (585) 993-6371.

There will be pickups at both McDonald's locations in Batavia.

Light meals will be served.

They are hoping to sell a lot of spaghetti dinners and auction off a ton of pies on Saturday, Feb. 13, to boost the coffers of the Ambulance Fund for the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

Ambulances don't come cheap. These slick, state-of-the-art, life-saving rigs can easily cost $150,000 or more and Alexander's Ambulance Service will need a new one in the not too distant future, according to event organizer Lorrie Gammack. Plus, it costs about $5,000 a year to keep the ambulance service going so fundraisers like the one planned next month are critical, she said.

The fire department will be putting on a spaghetti dinner at the Fireman's Recreational Hall from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a pie auction hosted by the Alexander Methodist Church. The hall is located at 10505 Main St. in Alexander.

"Several businesses and individuals throughout the Alexander community have donated pies and other baked goods that will be auctioned," Gammack says. "The need of the fire department is great. ... We are hoping that on this night the community of Alexander will be able to come together and support our first responders."

The flier urges you to "Sweeten the Pot" in order to "Help Those Who Help Us!"

And for the gluten-averse or the allergic, a gluten-free option is available! Just call Lolly at 585-591-1761.

Pre-sale tickets are available by contacting Deb Spiers at 585-813-3319. Make checks payable to the Alexander Fire Department Ambulance Fund.

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is again offering Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) at its Batavia office. April 15 is the deadline to file taxes.

This program is designated to help those with low to moderate income with their tax preparation and filing.

Trained volunteers are in the Batavia office, located at 5073 Clinton Street Road, on Feb. 4 through April 14.

Please call 343-7798 to schedule your appointment. 

This is a volunteer program offered free of charge. FREE E-Filing available, too!

Tony Mancuso shared this photo from the 1940s of the semi-pro football team that used to call Batavia home. That's Tony's father in the front row with the bandage on his head. Can you identify anybody else in the picture?

Name redacted upon request 43, of South Wales, is charged with burglary, 2nd. xxxx is accused of entering a residence in Stafford and stealing a laptop, a German air pistol, a small pocketknife, three jars of coins, and a pillowcase valued at more than $600. xxx was identified through a note she left at the scene. Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, xxx was released on her own recognizance.

Michele Anne Stamp, 51, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or more, speed not reasonable and prudent, and moving from lane unsafely. Stamp was involved in a motor vehicle accident at 7:03 p.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Alabama. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail, where she submitted to a chemical test. She allegedly tested for a BAC of .21. She was arrested by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Nicholas S. Gillett, 25, of Italy Valley Road, Middlesex, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Gillett was arrested as the result of an investigation in the Town of Bergen. He was allegedly found in possession of a rifle in violation of probation as a result of a felony conviction.

Andrew K. Wright, 25, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wright allegedly pushed a woman and struck her several times with a broom during an argument. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Timothy C. Pabone, 42, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, menacing, 2nd and DWI. Pabone was reportedly involved in an argument at 12:38 p.m. Saturday at 220 W. Main St., Batavia, over where a vehicle was parked. Pabone allegedly brandished a knife and threatened another person. He then allegedly tried to flee the scene in a vehicle, driving through a back yard and over the parkway. He was also charged with unlicensed operator, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, failure to stop at stop sign, failure to keep right, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without insurance, switched plates, and improper registration sticker. Pabone was jailed without bail.

Nicholas Allen Clark, 26, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of hypodermic instrument. Clark was arrested following a complaint at 2:04 p.m. Saturday of a person injecting himself while driving a vehicle on Liberty Street.

Shawna M. Pursel, 38, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Pursel was allegedly found in possession of a glass pipe commonly used for smoking crack cocaine.

Joseph W. Gottstine, 26, of Beaver Meadow Road, of Java Center, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a traffic violation.

Raymond L. Morgan, 44, of State Route 31, Lyons, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Morgan was arrested on a warrant. He is currently incarcerated in Wayne County on an unrelated charge.

Victor D. Guy, 29, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a traffic violation.

Cheryl M. Lyons, 50, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a petit larceny charge. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Cheryl A. Kowalik, 55, of Alexander Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a charge of issuing a bad check.

Samuel Anthony Nigro, 64, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Nigro was allegedly found in possession of a billy club during a home visit by a probation officer. Nigro has a prior felony conviction. He was jailed without bail pending review by Superior Court. Upon review, he was released under supervision of the Probation Department.

Melissa M. Lesage, 36, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a traffic citation. She was released on $500 bail.

Terry E. Smith, 38, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with side window tint, no plate lamp, unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Smith was stopped at 2:04 a.m. Jan. 10 on McKinley Avenue by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Samantha L. Tate, 23, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, 6th. Tate was arrested on a warrant stemming from an alleged shoplifting incident at 415 E. Main St., Batavia.

Joey A. Evans, 25, of Maple Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly violating released under supervision conditions. Evans allegedly failed to appear for required meetings. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Loretta L. Baer, 44, of School Street, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Baer was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Frank J. Yanik, 39, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stop at stop sign. Yanik was stopped at 1:21 a.m. Saturday on Liberty Street by Officer Peter Flanagan.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on eastbound Route 490 at mile marker 3.4, near exit #2. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

A food truck has rolled over at 8715 Lake Street Road, Le Roy. The driver is out and complaining of minor injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

Gayno Star Standsblack, 44, of Wehrle Drive, Williamsville, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 1st, moving from lane unsafely, no seatbelt, and driving without an interlock device. Standsblack was arrested following a report of a suspicious vehicle off the road on Meadville Road, Alabama, at 2:07 a.m. Saturday by Deputy Jason Saile. Standsblack was jailed without bail.

Joseph Paul Capuano, 63, of Clarissa Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and speeding. Capuano was stopped at 5:38 p.m. Saturday on South Lake Road, Le Roy, by Deputy Andrew Hale.

A manager tells a deputy on scene that he's seen smoke from a possible fire in a wall at Walmart.

The alarm originally came in as a pull station activation.

A first responder reports the possible electrical fire may be out.

Town of Batavia fire was dispatched.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 1855 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

It's believed the injuries are minor.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: The address has been changed to 2300 Lewiston Road.

An accident is reported at 127 Jackson St., between Morton Avenue and Maple Street, and there is possible entrapment and perhaps injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m. (by Howard): Two vehicles involved. One person transported to UMMC. One vehicle received front-end damage and the other vehicle had a banged-in door on the passenger side. Firefighters needed to pry open the driver-side door and help the driver from the vehicle, who was then loaded onto a stretcher. Police had not yet determined the cause of the accident. Jackson Street has a dusting of snow covering a thin layer of ice.

The Corfu Volunteer Fire Department held its annual installation and awards dinner Saturday night at the fire hall.

Jim Hale, above, was named Firefighter of the Year and received the award from Chief Dean Eck, left.

Dave Saleh (third picture) and Cathy Skeet (fourth picture, with Karen Lang) both received Fire Service Person of the Year awards. Glenn Eck (fifth picture) was for honored for responding to the most calls and Bruce Fauth received a certificate from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (sixth picture) for his 45 years of service to the department.

Other years of service awards went to Brian Schollard, 35 years, Bernie Fix, 30, Cathy Skeet, 25, and Roger Smart, 5.

The executive officers for 2016 are: Steve Rodland, president; Ben Tranpani, VP; Paula Tranpani, secretary; Jen Eck, treasurer; Bernie Fix, Justin Rodland and Ed Fauth, trustees; Allan Starkweather, sargeant at arms; and Brad Lang, chaplain.

Firematic officers: Dean Eck, chief; Brian Schollard, deputy chief; Greg Lang, 2nd assistant; Brian McMartin, senior captain; Ben Trapani, captain; Brad Lang, captain; Mitch Bates, captain; Bernie Fix, fire police captain; Rachel Bozzer, lieutenant EMS; Glenn Eck, lieutenant; Steve Rodland, lieutenant; Dan Smith, lieutenant; and Brian McMartin, safety officer.

EMTs: Rachel Bozzer, Cathy Skeet, Kristen Gaik, Roger Smart and Karen Lang.

Corfu Fire District Officers: Bruce Fauth, chairman; Jim Mallory, deputy chairman; Jenny McMartin-Eck, commissioner; Jim Hale, commissioner; Mark Zimmerman, commissioner; Paula Trapani, secretary; and Michelle Sformo, treasurer.