Press release:

The Salvation Army’s 2014 Red Kettle Campaign came to an end on December 24th $3,500 short of its $69,000 goal. Major Robert Kurtz, Corps Commanding Officer, stated, “The people in Genesee County have been very generous with their time and money; individuals, groups, and organizations have donated over 5,000 volunteer hours this season. The campaign was impacted by a short fund-raising season plus the snowstorm in November. The snowstorm affected many families in a variety of ways.”

Red Kettle donations will be accepted until Dec. 30 at 4 p.m., at which time the campaign will close for the year. Monetary donations can be mailed to: The Salvation Army ATTN: KETTLE CAMPAIGN 529 E. Main St., Batavia, New York 14020. Please note in the check memo “Red Kettle Campaign."

Money raised during this campaign is used to support the year-round mission of The Salvation Army in meeting basic needs of food and shelter, crisis financial assistance, programs serving youth and seniors, and life-skill programs.

Press release:

With the continued increase in the number of influenza cases at the Hospital and in the community, United Memorial Medical Center will be strictly following established visitor guidelines and implementing restrictions in order to safeguard the health of our patients.

• Effective immediately, patients in our facility will be allowed only two (2) visitors at one time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., except where more specific hours are posted for the care unit.

• No visitors under the age of 14 years will be allowed.

• Maternity patients may have visits from their spouse/birthing partner, grandparents of the baby, and others with no more than two visitors at a time. Siblings of the infant, under the age of 14 will not be allowed to visit.

• Individuals with a sore throat, runny nose, fever, or other influenza-type symptoms should NOT visit patients.

• A visitor, who is coughing persistently or showing signs of infectious disease such as influenza, will be given a mask and asked to leave the facility.

As an organization we understand the importance of loved ones and friends in the healing process. Exceptions to the visitor policy must be approved by the unit manager or nursing supervisor prior to the visitor’s arrival at the hospital. These restrictions have been put into place to protect those with weakened or fragile immune systems, and those who care for them, from harm during the influenza outbreak.

Everyone should remember to use appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to prevent the spread of influenza. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough or nasal congestion. Individuals with fever over 100˚F and any of the symptoms listed are urged to stay home, seek medical advice as necessary and limit the number of people exposed. Individuals with influenza are contagious for 24 hours prior to exhibiting symptoms.

As they have done for who knows how many years -- the couple of guys I talked to didn't seem to know -- a group of friends met in Williams Park this morning for their annual Boxing Day street hockey match.

A reader sent in this picture of a wind-toppled silo on his property on Transit Road, Elba. He said it came down overnight.

Eric N. Ayers, 30, of Covington Street, Perry, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Ayers is accused of selling buprenorphine (suboxone) to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in October in the City of Batavia. Ayers was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Adam W. McGill, 36, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. McGill was stopped at 1:37 a.m. Saturday on Cedar Street, Batavia, by Officer Devon Pahuta. 

Tiffany A. Reed, 20, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Reed allegedly sent a threatening message to another person through Facebook.

Anthony P. Dibble is indicted on counts of reckless assault of a child and assault in the second degree. Dibble is accused of causing a serious physical injury to the brain of a child less than 5 years old by shaking the child or slamming or throwing the child so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface or object. He is accused of intending to cause physical injury to a person under 7 years of age and caused such an injury by biting the person. The alleged crimes were reported Aug. 11 in the Town of Bethany.

Carrie A. Stewart is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree, petit larceny and criminal contempt in the second degree. Stewart is accused of entering Walmart on Sept. 14 with the intent of committing a crime inside the building. Once inside Walmart, Stewart allegedly stole party supplies, books, dolls, toys, an Easy Bake Oven and a karaoke machine. She allegedly violated a court order that required her to stay away from a person at Walmart.

Robert J. Propst is indicted on counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. On Aug. 6, Propst allegedly use force to steal property from a victim on Pearl Street, Batavia, while wielding a knife. He's accused of stealing property from the person, including a Visa credit card.

Dylan Brew, of Schoen Productions, shared these photos he took of some feather-covered visitors he had today.

He identified them (though I'm not sure I'm posting them in the right order) as: Carolina wren, white-throated sparrow, tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker.

Batavia's Dominick Mogavero and Le Roy's Mike McMullen have both been named to the All-Greater Rochester Football Team for 2014.

McMullen was listed on the team as a quarterback and utility player. Mogavero, who played running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils, was named as a linebacker.

Greg Mruczek and Anthony Gallo, from Batavia, were named to the second team.

Honorable mentions went to:

This is the third year we've created a slide show of photos from 2014 of our firefighters as a way to honor those who serve our community in an often difficult, sometimes dangerous job, and many times an emotionally draining one, too. We thank them for their service to our community.

There are not as many opportunities to get photos of police officers on the job, but we also want to extend a thank you to the members of our local law enforcement community for all they do to protect and serve.

To find out how to become a volunteer firefighter, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

On a dreary Tuesday afternoon, a reporter and an off-duty deputy, both a little jaded and cynical after years on the job, run into each other in the Target parking lot and pause to visit.

The conversation soon turns to an old, gray school bus with a spray-painted sign hanging from one side. "Tire Needed," it reads.

"Scam," one tells the other.

"Certainly," the other replies.

"You see it all the time," one says. "They'll go from town-to-town with their story and try and take advantage of people."

"They're after all of those Christmas shoppers," says the other.

On Christmas even morn, Tig and Jesus have moved their bus to the Walmart parking lot and begin to worry they won't be leaving. 

Over the previous 24 hours, three people had stopped and said they had bus tires to spare. None returned.

One person stopped and gave them $10, which would prompt Tig to later remark, "If we're running a scam, we're not very good at it."

Jesus told Tig, "We're stuck."

Tig said, "no, it's Christmas Eve. We'll have a Christmas Eve miracle."

The deputy, working an afternoon shift on the day before Christmas, happened by the Walmart parking lot and saw the bus, with its sign and decided to stop and roust the occupants.

"What's the scam?" he asks.

"No scam," Tig tells him. He shows him the tire. They chat and the deputy peppers the men with questions.

"Wait here," he tells them, and he returns to his patrol vehicle and gets on his phone.

In a bit, he comes back and tells them help is on the way. He called a local repair shop, Parmenter Tire, and it turned out Parmenter had an extra, used bus tire and a staff member available to make the change.

Jim McDonald from Parmenter showed up an hour later and made the swap.

The tire is worth at least $300. The off-hour service call would typically be at least $300. Tig and Jesus (pronounced (hay-zeus) were asked to pay nothing.

"See," said Tig, "I told you there would be a miracle."

Long migratory flights have been put on hold in recent days. Here a drake and hen mallard take advantage of the open water on "celery brook" to do some dabbling.

Downstream from the River Street bridge, a pair of Canada geese appear to be feeling their oats.

Framed by phragmite plumes, these Canadas enjoy the open water of the "sandwash." 

The placid surface of a local pond creates a mirror image of this lone cormorant.

Even domesticated critters are taking advantage of the warm weather -- apparently in this case the grass is greener on the other side!

What are the chances strains of Silent Night will permeate this little valley in Middlebury tonight?

Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas!!!! 

A caller reports seeing a while male with a white beard walking on Fisher Road, Oakfield, carrying a sack.

A female appeared to be walking behind him, and then ducked behind a residence.

A deputy is dispatched to check it out.

Jeffrey L. Deats, the Batavia resident charged with the death of 6-month-old Chandler Zuchs, is showing no brain activity, according to a letter from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman asking that Deats be released from custody on his own recognizance.

The letter was filed with City Court this morning.

Friedman states that Bill Zipfel, superintendent of the Genesee County Jail, informed him that a doctor at ECMC contacted the jail following a CAT scan on Deats and found there is no brain activity in the patient.

Deats is not expected to survive.

"Zipfel also told me that guarding the defendant 24/7 is creating a terrible burden on his staff and he requested that they be relieved of their duty and the defendant be released on his own recognizance," Friedman wrote.

A felony hearing scheduled for this morning in City Court was cancelled.

Deats was arrested Wednesday following an investigation into the death the previous weekend of Baby Chandler.

Over the weekend, Deats was found hanging in his cell by bedsheets. CPR was performed and he was taken to UMMC and later transfered to ECMC.

For previous coverage of the case, click here.

Batavia's dominance of the Lion's Club Tournament at GCC came to a shocking end Tuesday night as the Blue Devils dropped an opening-round match to University Prep 59-55.

Head Coach Buddy Brasky was pretty blunt after the game. "We didn't execute our principles," he said.

U-Prep showed up with a team more skilled and more disciplined than seen in the tournament last year.

The team from the all-boys charter school in Rochester will face Notre Dame in Monday's final after the Fighting Irish crushed Albion, 74-60.

The Blue Devils win streak in the tournament goes back at least 10 years and has traditionally been the team to beat since its first tournament win 1989. The tournament was founded in 1982.

Batavia jumped to a quick lead to open the game and stayed just a step of ahead of the Griffins throughout much of the first half, only slipping until the final minute before the intermission to a point off the lead, 26-25.

The defensive game plan of Batavia is to hold teams to 13 or fewer points per quarter, and in the third, the Blue Devils did that, but only managed 12 points themselves.

In the final eight minutes, however, U-Prep scored 20 and Batavia's 18 wasn't enough of an answer.

"We didn't execute our principles, really, on either side of the ball as the game went on," Brasky said. "It was pretty disappointing. We had some good practices leading up to the game, but we didn't execute our fundamental principles."

Jeff Redband drained four threes and led the Blue Devils in scoring with 24 points. Jerrett Laskett and Greg Mruczek, who hit a trio of treys, including two in the closing minutes, each had 11.

For U-Prep, Jeenathan Williams scored 19 and Isaiah Brinkley and Cameron Myles had 12 apiece.

If the problem for Batavia (now 2-2) was a problem of execution, the opposite was true for Notre Dame in the nightcap.

Head Coach Mike Rapone said after the game that he's finally starting to see his team gel.

"You could see it a little bit in the second half at Attica," Rapone said. "I could see we were headed in the right direction. The first game we were OK. Oakfield, we were not good at all. With Attica I thought they are finally starting to understand.

"People don't understand it's all about understanding not only your role, but when to be in a spot and knowing that Josh is going to be here or Casey is going to be here and you've got to get there. It takes a while to get that belief. Tonight, I thought we had it."

Josh Johnson led the Irish with 27 points, all but five of those points coming in the first half when Johnson was clearly the dominant presence on the floor.

"He was getting to right spots and we were getting him the ball," Rapone said. "That's the whole combination right there. People have got to get to the spots and then we've got to find them."

Tyler Prospero came off the bench early in the game and scored 15 points, including hitting three shots from beyond the arc.

"He gave us a lift," Rapone said. "He's a good perimeter shooter.

"That's one of our strengths," he added, "our depth, our ability to run people into the game who can help us."

Looking ahead to Monday's final, Rapone knows U-Prep will present a tough challenge.

"We can't play at that frenetic pace," Rapone said. "If we play like that, it's going to be over early.  We're going to have to control the tempo, get some good shots and we've got to rebound a heck of a lot better than we did tonight."

The consolation game between Batavia and Albion is at 6:30 with the championship game to follow.

To purchase prints, click here.

Press release:

Since the NYS Department of Health Commissioner declared influenza (flu) prevalent in NYS on Dec. 11th, the number of confirmed cases in Genesee and Orleans counties is rising quickly. It is important for your health to know how to prevent from contracting the flu, as well as what precautions you should take if symptoms begin. Getting vaccinated against the flu is the best method of protection.

While some strains of the virus spreading this season are different from what is in the vaccine, getting a flu shot/nasal spray can still provide protection. It might also lessen the risk of severe outcomes, such as hospitalization and death.

Most people who get sick with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Symptoms of the flu include fever or feverish chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in children than adults.

“It is important to contact your primary care physician if you are concerned about your or your child’s flu symptoms,” said Paul Pettit, director, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Emergency Departments should be utilized for emergencies, and typically flu can be treated at home.”

If you have symptoms of flu and are very sick or worried about your illness, the health departments urge you to contact your health care provider (doctor, physician’s assistant, etc.) before you head to a hospital emergency room.

If you experience flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you do not have a primary care provider and feel you need to seek a medical evaluation, you can seek care at an urgent care center.
Certain people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications (including young children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with certain long-term medical conditions). If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it is best for you to contact your doctor. Remind them about your high risk status for flu.

To care for yourself or another with the flu, stay at home and rest. Avoid close contact with well people in your house so you will not make them sick. Remember to drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration). Treat fever and cough with medicines available over the counter. Follow the label instructions and be careful about mixing over the counter medications. If you are pregnant, talk with your provider before taking any medications.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the health departments recommend that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your arm. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

Both the Genesee and Orleans County health departments offer flu vaccine to individuals who qualify. For more information regarding flu vaccine qualification, clinic schedules, or additional services please contact your local department.

Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5000, or visit their Web site at www.co.genesee.ny.us/ departments/health/index.html Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter @GeneseeCoHealthDept.

New Batavia Volleyball League starting up. Seeking Intermediate Co-ed teams for the winter session starting Thursday nights January 22nd thru March 26th. Team sign-up packets available at T-Shirts Etc. 111 Main St. Batavia. Get your team in!! Contact Beth or Brian Kemp for more info: 345-1993.

The county's unemployment rate dropped eight-tenths of a precent since last year, even while the county's overall job numbers also dipped, according to the state Department of Labor.

For November, the local unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, down from 6.1 percent in November of last year. The number of reported unemployed dropped from 1,900 to 1,600.

Year over year for November, the total number of non-farm jobs in Genesee County went from 28,900 to 28,300.

The statewide unemployment rate fell a full percentage point from 6.8 percent to 5.8 percent.

In the rest of the GLOW region, Orleans County had one of the biggest unemployment rate drops in the state, with the rate falling from 8.3 to 6.8 percent. Wyoming County's rate fell from seven percent to 6.1 percent. Livingston County dropped from 6.3 to 5.6 percent.

It looks like we won't have a white Christmas, but we will have a windy one.

The National Weather Service has a high wind warning in place from 8 p.m., Wednesday until 4 p.m., Thursday.

Winds from the southwest of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are anticipated.

Impacts could include downed trees and power lines and scattered power outages. 

High profile vehicles will find travel difficult. 

Holiday decorations could be damaged if not tied down. 

No word from Santa on his travel plans.