A car has gone off the roadway and into the trees on the westbound side of the Thruway, in the area of mile marker 400.5.

Unknown injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:59 a.m.: The driver has called dispatch and said she is not hurt.

An accident with unknown injuries is reported on Route 63 at Mayne Road. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to respond along with Mercy medics. The call came through OnStar, the vehicle's emergency alerting system; no other calls received or other information available.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: Law enforcement at the scene reports being unable to locate the vehicle.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Medics are told to stage in the area of Little Canada Road while law enforcement combs the area for the purported accident victim.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: OnStar received an accident notifcation, but could not provide dispatch with a vehicle description or other information. Since the vehicle has not been found, Bethany and Stafford and the other responders are back in service.

A two-car rollover accident with minor injuries is reported at 7635 Telephone Road. The location is near South Street Road, Pavilion. Mercy medics on scene report "very, very minor injuries -- cuts and stratches." Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

Stacy Bolles, wife of Officer Eric Bolles, shared this picture of a group of wives of Batavia police officers showing their support of their husbands' work.

"We want everyone to know that we stand behind our husbands and support them in their duty to protect and serve, even though sometimes it means sacrificing our time with them," Stacy said. "Families of police miss having them at the holidays so they can protect other families. We share a sisterhood being police wives and we all care for and support each other."

The first Foxprowl-Con at the Clarion Hotel was packed with energy and some interesting characters Saturday.

The event continues today. For more information, visit foxprowlcon.com.

Photos from Friday's opening of the Wonderland of Trees for 2015 at the Holland Land Office Museum.

A two-car accident is reported at West Main and Thomas Avenue, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

There are believed to be minor injuries.

UPDATE 9:01 p.m.: City PD on scene, reporting no injuries.

A driver was trapped in his car after it went off the road in the area of 9186 Alexander Road, Batavia, just before 3 p.m.

Town of Batavia firefighters worked for an hour to extricate the driver, who was both trapped in the vehicle and trapped by limbs from a tree. He suffered only bumps and bruises and was transported to UMMC. 

The vehicle struck a mailbox and a blue spruce tree.

Info and photo provided by Mike Pullinzi.

A one-car accident with injuries is reported at 1428 Main Road in Corfu. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are requested to the scene for mutual aid to East Pembroke.

A green SUV is on its side in the front yard of a residence at 7862 Byron Road, Stafford. 

Nobody is in or around the vehicle, according to a deputy who was on scene soon after the accident was reported. 

The vehicle is registered to a 26-year-old Batavia resident. 

Stafford fire responding. 

Sarah Wilson, 31, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor following a joint investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. Wilson is charged with one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, one count of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, both of which are felonies, one count of petit larceny. The investigation started after a Social Welfare Examiner at Genesee County Social Services noticed several inconsistencies in a medical statement Wilson had submitted to the department, which Wilson claimed had been completed by a local doctor. The investigation that followed revealed the medical statement allegedly had not been completed or signed by the doctor. Wilson was arrested by Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Graff and jailed on $1,000 bail. She is scheduled to reappear in Batavia Town Court at 2 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Lee A. Baxter, 31, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, third-degree assault, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Baxter was arrested at 2:40 p.m. on Nov. 19 following a reported on a domestic incident which had allegedly become physical. Batavia police patrols arrived and allegedly observed a physical altercation between "Baxter and another female." Baxter was put in Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Cody A. Bush, 29, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class C felony. It is alleged that he sold a quantity of suboxone, which is a controlled substance, in and around the City of Batavia and the Town of Elba  to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. The DA's Office assisted in the investigation. The defendant was already in GC Jail on related charges when he was arrested Monday by Sheriff's deputies and arraigned in City Court on one count and then transferred to Elba Town Court where he was arraigned on the other count. He was taken back to jail.

Patrick Antonio Griffin, 46, of Saint Petersburg, Fla., is charged with: first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more, first offense; driving while intoxicated, first offense; unlawful possession of marijuana; operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver; and having non-transparent window tint. Griffin was arrested at 1:09 p.m. on Nov. 14 on Ledge Road in Alabama. He was put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

William David Conner, 64, of Harris Road, Le Roy, was arrested at 6:31 p.m. on Nov. 14 on Linwood Road in Le Roy and charged with: driving while ability impaired by alcohol, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle while on a public highway, failure to dim headlights, and having inadequate tail lamps. He is to reappear in Le Roy Town Court on Dec. 21. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

Michael William Godden, 38, of Edgemere Drive, Rochester, was arrested Nov. 18 at 11 p.m. after being stopped on Route 490 in West Bergen. He is charged with driving while intoxicated, first offense, refusal to take a breath test, and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

A 17-year-old male who resides in Batavia is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested Nov. 18 after allegedly breaking a window at his mother's residence and then proceeding to yell at her and call her names, in violation of an order of protection which had been issued on Oct. 29 and was valid until 10/29/16. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Frank F. Sposato III, 21, of Irwin Place, Huntington, was arrested today at 1:49 p.m. and charged with speeding and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was arrested following a traffic stop at 20 W. Main St. in Batavia and put in jail in lieu of $250 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels.

Kevin R. Larsen, 38, of Hall Street, Batavia, was arrested on Nov. 16 on a bench warrant, which was issued following an incident that occurred on Nov. 5 on Swan Street. He was put in jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Eric Hill.

City of Batavia firefighters, members of IAFF Local 896, made their annual trip to Jackson School this afternoon to hand out winter coats to students who needed them.

The children received brand new, 100-percent American-made winter coats. The donations are part of a national effort sponsored by the not-for-profit Operation Warm.

A possible tree fire is reported in Elmwood Cemetery on Harvester Avenue in Batavia. City firefighters are responding.

The Clarion Hotel in Batavia will be filled this weekend with superheroes, space aliens, monsters and robots, all gathering to partake in Foxprowl-Con, the first local comic and collectables convention.

Bill Hume, owner of Foxprowl Collectables on Ellicott Street, is the lead organizer of the event, which he said could draw from 2,000 to 4,000 guests from all over the region.

The convention will feature more than 100 vendors and several celebrities from the world of comics and sci-fi/horror entertainment, including Mark Dodson, from Star Wars and Gremlins, Kevin Duhaney and Jeff Parazzo, from Power Rangers, Adam Minarovich from the Walking Dead, Steve Cardenas, from Power Rangers, and Tyler Green and Rashaad Santiago, from FaceOff, among others.

These photos are from this afternoon while vendors were setting up. The convention opens this evening and continues Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit foxprowl-con.com.

Two Batavia Cheerleading Youth Camps will be offered next month and are open to ages 4 through 13. Cost is $25 if registration is before Dec. 4; otherwise it's $30.

You do not have to be in the Batavia School District to participate. All are welcome. Camp sessions will be held at the Batavia Middle School Gymnasium from 5:30 to 7:30 on Friday, Dec. 18, and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. Participants must attend both sessions.

Coaches and parent volunteers will be working the camps accompanied by basketball junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders. Both camps are mandatory. Participants will learn jumps, arm motions, cheers & chants, stunting, and a 45-second routine appropriate for each age level. They are: Level 1 -- ages 4-6; Level 2 -- ages 7-9; and Level 3 -- ages 10-13.

All cheerleaders will perform the routine learned at the camps with varsity cheerleaders at the Genesee Community College Christmas Tournament game on Monday Dec. 28. Game details and warm-up time TBA.

To register, make checks payable to Batavia Cheerleading Boosters and send cash or check to:

Batavia City Schools

Attention: Justine Briggs

260 State St.

Batavia, NY 14020

Include the registrant's name, age and T-shirt size. Also include an emergency contact name, emergency contact primary phone number, and emergency contact e-mail address.

For additional information or questions, e-mail Bataviacheerleading@gmail.com

Visit on Facebook at Batavia Cheer - Batavia Cheerleading

The Stafford Zoning Board of Appeals decision that denied James Pontillo a variance for a fence behind the former Odd Fellows Hall, was reversed in state Supreme Court on Friday.

The Hon. Mark J. Grisanti said the ZBA’s September decision was “arbitrary and capricious.”

Grisanti’s decision followed an hour-long hearing at the Genesee County Courthouse.

Pontillo’s attorney, Peter J. Sorgi, said he was gratified by the judge’s decision.

“But I’m incredibly frustrated that it has taken this much time and money,” Sorgi said. “The money he spent on this should have been put into that building.

“The town would have a really nice building instead of paying lawyers and doing all this nonsense,” he added.

The ruling apparently ends a two-year tussle over the fence.

Pontillo bought the historic building at 6177 Main Road in 2010. In 2013, he built a wood fence along the west property line behind the building.

The town issued a stop-work order, and the matter ended up in court. A town judge ordered the fence removed, and that decision was upheld on appeal by Superior Court Judge Robert C. Noonan.

Pontillo’s request for an area variance was denied by the town ZBA on Sept. 15.

On Friday, Grisanti said the ZBA considered the harm the fence would cause. But there is no evidence the board weighed that harm against the benefits to Pontillo, he said.

“(The decision) seems to be a violation, in a sense of their own procedure,” Grisanti said.

The town could appeal the decision. Sorgi said an appeal would cost “a minimum of $10,000” and take a year to reach a courtroom.

“If they want to throw more money away on this, they have that right,” Sorgi said.

Town Attorney Kevin Earl said he would not recommend an appeal.

“I believe this will end it,” Earl said. “It’s up to the judge to make a determination. He made it, and we have to live with it.”

Pontillo was joined in court by about a half-dozen friends and supporters. The group gathered afterward at Coffee Culture.

Pontillo wasn’t in a celebratory mood.

“In a way, they won,” he said.

The legal case has prevented him from finishing work on the fence, a job that will now not resume until the spring.

Also postponed, was work on the building’s exterior, lot paving and roof replacement.

“Because of this delay I really had no desire to do anything more with the building until I saw that I could prevail and move forward with the process,” Pontillo said.

Still, he said, he feels no regret about buying the building.

“I still believe there’s potential there,” Pontillo said. “And I still believe I get good support from the community.”

Press release:

Plans are under way for the 14th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the Alexander Fire Hall. This event is a celebration of Genesee County’s number one industry – Agriculture. The highlight is a delicious meal using locally produced foods prepared by Penna’s Catering. The dinner is open to the public.

Tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce (210 E. Main St., Batavia). Tickets are $30 each or a table of 10 can be purchased for $275. Only 400 tickets will be sold. Order your tickets now as the event always sells out. Tickets will not be available at the door. Sponsorships are also available, which help support agriculture educational events in Genesee County.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners:  Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and Genesee County Farm Bureau. Many local farms and businesses sponsor this event.

For more information contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 585-343-7440, ext. 27, or chamber@geneseeny.com

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that he has signed on as co-sponsor of the NY Cares Act-Sanctuary City Bill, legislation to strictly enforce federal immigration laws and prevent dangerous illegal immigrants from seeking sanctuary in our state and avoiding deportation.

During the past four years, 121 illegal aliens committed murders after they were released from deportation hearings, despite having prior criminal records. The bill, A.8552, is being carried in the Senate by Sen. Tom Croci (R-Long Island).

“I am sponsoring this legislation because I believe protection of the citizens of this state should be our top priority,” Hawley said. “ISIS operatives already have made it clear that they intend to infiltrate our state and do harm to our men, women and children. By more strictly enforcing federal immigration policy, we can prevent violent immigrants from gaining sanctuary in our communities and deport those who are actively supporting terrorism or are sympathetic to radical Islamic views.

"We cannot afford to continue turning a blind eye to illegal immigrants for the purpose of cheap labor, leaving our communities vulnerable to dangerous criminals. The global war on terrorism requires a heightened level of security and restriction on our immigration policy, and that is exactly what this bill intends to do.”