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Dry ice available from National Grid, while supplies last

By Howard B. Owens

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There is dry ice and water available at the fire hall on Evans Street.

The National Grid workers handing out the dry ice advise that you should bring a cooler with you. If you don't have a cooler, bring blankets to wrap the ice in. If you don't have a cooler, you need to be prepared to drive home with your windows open because of the CO2 the dry ice emits. When you get the block, you need good winter gloves to handle the ice.

The crew was also told they should expect to be back at the fire hall tomorrow, which sounds like a sign that National Grid expects a lot of people to still be without power through tonight.

Large parts of Genesee County still without power

By Howard B. Owens

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There are still nearly 100 locations in Genesee County with reported power outages affecting thousands of National Grid customers, but several outages should be repaired by this afternoon, including much of Stafford and Bethany and the west side of the Town of Batavia.

National Grid reports that power has been restored to the Village of Le Roy, though a couple of small outages remain in the area of the village.

The major outages in the City of Batavia, including Morton and Central avenues, and State Street as of yet have not ETA for repair.

There are still 615 outages reported in National Grid's service area in WNY, leaving 26,790 customers without power. Immediately after Wednesday's windstorm, there were nearly 100,000 customers without power.

To help residents without power, National Grid is supplying bottled water by the case and dry ice at City Fire on Evans Street. Dry ice was just delivered to the station, twice the amount delivered yesterday, which was all scooped by within an hour.

The dry ice at city station is available now (as of 10:50 a.m.)

Batavia High School's performance of "Hairspray" has been canceled for tonight. A 7:30 p.m. show has been added for Sunday.

Top photo: submitted by a reader. Bottom two photos, I took on State Street while out trying to find a National Grid repair crew working in the city (I didn't find one.)

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Closures and cancellations for Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Both Batavia City Schools and Le Roy Central Schools have announced they will be closed Friday due to weather-related issues.

Kindergarten registration for Batavia City School District begins Monday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia City School District’s Jackson Primary School staff looks forward to welcoming its new kindergarten students for 2017-2018!

Registration for children eligible to begin kindergarten in the 2017-2018 school year starts Monday, March 13.

Parents/guardians are asked to register their eligible child(ren) by May 25 in order to assure a screening appointment in early June and a placement letter by early August.

Children who will be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2017, are eligible.

Registration is at the District’s Business Office, located in the administration wing of Batavia High School (260 State St.), on school days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To register a child, parents must bring:

-- Proof of Residency as evidence of physical address, which must be two (2) of the following: (We will make copies for our records.)

  • Mortgage statement/lease
  • Electric or gas or bill
  • Water bill
  • Cable bill
  • Letter from attorney/realtor on their letterhead with confirmation of address and anticipated moving/closing date.
  • School tax bill
  • Current payroll check

--  the child’s birth certificate,

--  the child’s Social Security card, and

--  the child’s complete immunization records.

 Kindergarten screening appointments will be scheduled for June 6-8, and placement letters will be mailed the first week of August. In addition, parents/guardians will be notified of an evening orientation for themselves.

Parents of all new students to the District are also asked to register their child in the Business Office with the same documentation.

Current 2016-2017 UPK students will be provided with information to complete for registration into kindergarten by mail.

If you have questions, please call the Business Office at 343-2480, ext. 1002.

National Grid issues update on power restoration efforts

By Billie Owens
Press release from National Grid:
 
Update on Restoration Efforts

National Grid crews are continuing to repair damage, remove trees and restore power to customers impacted by Wednesday's devastating windstorm. Gusts in excess of 70 mph caused extensive tree and equipment damage and left over 164,000 customers without power across our region.

As crews restored power throughout the day, National Grid also completed a comprehensive damage assessment and is estimating that 90 percent of impacted upstate New York customers will have power restored by late Friday evening. Most of the remaining impacted customers in the hardest hit areas – particularly in portions of Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties - – will have power restored late Saturday evening due to the severity of the storm damage.

As of 4 p.m., service has been restored to nearly 71,000 homes and businesses throughout Western New York, with approximately 52,000 customers remaining without power due to the storm’s impact.

If you lose power or have not yet reported a power outage, please contact us at 1-800-867-5222. Customers can also report outages via the Outage Central section of our website.

National Grid will make dry ice and bottled water available to customers at the following locations  from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow:

  • Wrights Corners Fire Company
    4043 Lake Ave., Lockport, NY
     
  • City of Batavia Fire Department
    18 Evans Street, Batavia, NY
     
  • Village Fire Station
    80 Owens Rd., Brockport, NY

The dry ice will be cut for ease of handling, and can be used to protect food and other perishables.

For your safety, please remember these safety tips

  • Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electricity wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
  • Generator used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors. Before operating generators, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize your safety and the safety of our crews.
  • Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it’s an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
  • It’s a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. A radio is a good way to stay in touch, as National Grid provides news media with timely information regarding service restoration efforts.
  • National Grid also advises staying tuned to local media for important announcements from emergency officials about possible evacuations or other emergency procedures. In most areas, information on storm shelter locations is available by calling 2-1-1. Also, please check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance in a service outage. 

We appreciate your support and patience as we work to restore service.
 
National Grid
Here with you. Here for you.

Grand Jury: Man indicted for 2013 Pembroke burglary, two others accused of DWI

By Billie Owens

David J. Mylar IV is indicted for the crime of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 3, 2013, that Mylar knowingly entered or remained unlawfully inside a building on Main Road in the Town of Pembroke, with the intent to commit a crime.

Gregory J. Rodak is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 17 in the Town of Bergen that Rodak drove a 2007 Volkswagon on Townline Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time.

Beverly B. Meadows is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on Dec. 6 in the Village of Le Roy that Meadows drove a 2003 Chevrolet on North Street while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, she is accused of DWI, per se, as a misdemeanor, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, Meadows is accused of the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that at the time of the crimes alleged in counts one and two, that she knew or had reason to know that her driver's license was suspended or otherwise withdrawn by authorities.

County Emergency Services advises residents to call them for non-emergency storm-related needs, also shelters open

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services:

To address concerns regarding non-emergency storm needs, call the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services at 585-344-0078, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

At this time, there is no confirmed time for restoration of power to various areas. National Grid estimates 90 percent of restoration by midnight tomorrow (March 10) and 99 percent by midnight on Saturday.

An Emergency Shelter was established starting at 5 o'clock tonight at the Batavia Veterans Hospital, 222 Richmond Ave., Building #4, Batavia.

Two warming shelters will be open in Batavia at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday: the Salvation Army, located at 529 E. Main St.; and the Genesee County Office of the Aging, 2 Bank St.

VA to open shelter tonight

By Howard B. Owens

 

The Batavia VA, 222 Richmond Avenue, will open an emergency shelter for county residents for tonight starting at 5 p.m.

National Grid provides dry ice and water to area residents

By Howard B. Owens

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Dennis Schafer, with National Grid, carries a case of water for Carol Marriott, of Pembroke, to her car for her outside the City of Batavia Fire Hall this afternoon.

National Grid set up a station at the fire hall this afternoon to provide water and dry ice to residents. Schafer said the delivery of dry ice was late, but once it was there, they were out within an hour.

He said he expects a delivery of twice as much dry ice tomorrow. He hopes the dry ice is delivered by noon.

There's still plenty of water and National Grid will be at the station until 5 p.m.

For most of the county that is out of power, National Grid doesn't expect power to be restored before 10 p.m. tomorrow.

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House fire reported on Manhatten Avenue in the city

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 39 Manhatten Ave. in the city. Smoke is spewing from the attic. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: The smoke came from a pan burning on the stove. There's no fire, just heavy smoke. The residence is evacuated.

City opening yard waste station to help residents deal with debris from storm

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In response to citywide tree damage, the City of Batavia Yard Waste Recycling Station on Law Street will open its normal spring operations beginning tomorrow, March 10, and remain open until further notice. The station’s hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. 

Please be aware, only green matter is accepted at the station, (i.e., grass clippings, leaves, branches and twigs). Items cannot be left in containers such as bags or boxes, and all containers used to transport yard waste must be removed – please do not leave them at the waste station. 

No construction debris, fill or other refuse/garbage will be accepted. 

In addition, the City is asking all residents to move storm-related limbs and branches to the parkway in front of their property, being careful not to block storm water drains. City crews from the Bureau of Maintenance will pick up this material throughout next week. 

Please call the Bureau of Maintenance at (585) 345-6400 with questions.

Power outage update

By Howard B. Owens

National Grid appears to making progress on restoring power to its customers in WNY, but there are still more than 100 outages in Genesee County affecting more than 10,000 customers.

All of Le Roy and most of Stafford and Bethany are reportedly without power and there are 39 separate outages in the City of Batavia.

There are now more than 800 outages reported for National Grid in WNY, but the total number of customers affected has dropped to 68,000.

Le Roy High School has rescheduled tonight's musical, a performance of "Bye Bye Birdie." A performance has been added for 1 p.m., Saturday. Tickets purchased for tonight's show can be used for any remaining show -- 7 p.m. tomorrow, 1 p.m. Saturday and also at 7 p.m. Saturday.

RWC Bohn's on Clinton Street Road in Batavia is offering a series of discounted entrees this evening for residents without power (the restaurant was without power last night). The meals are $9.99 each and include strip steak, fish fry, broiled haddock, chicken parm, penne pasta with a bolognese sauce and fettuccine Alfredo.

UPDATE: The John Ferrara fundraiser at the American Legion in Le Roy tonight has been postponed.

Here are a couple of more pictures from readers of storm damage:

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From Bob Jarnot of a tree down in Stafford.

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Lilya Kotmel, a seventh-grader, sent in another picture from yesterday, this one on North Street.

Suspect in Central Avenue attack now wanted as sex offender who failed to register address change

By Howard B. Owens

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A second warrant has been issued for a Batavia resident whom police believe was involved in an attack on residents on Central Avenue in October.

The new warrant is for alleged failure to register a change of address as a registered sexual offender.

Oliver Thomas was convicted of rape in 2009 and required to register as a Level 2 sex offender when he was released from prison.

From the alleged attack on Central Avenue, Thomas is wanted on charges of burglary, 1st, and assault, 2nd. 

Tips on his whereabouts can be called into police at (585) 345-6350 or the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

Report of smoke in the residence in house on East Main Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

There's a report of smoke in the residence of 8286 E. Main Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire dispatched with mutual aid from Pavilion.

UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: There may be a problem with an electrical outlet. A thermal camera is requested in the house.

Reader Photos: Storm damage, part 3

By Howard B. Owens

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This is from Josh Gaylord. The pool his parents installed 30 years ago was destroyed.

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This picture and the one below, sent in by Jen Reichart, of McCormick Farms, show damage at the dairy farm in Alexander.

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From a reader in Oakfield.

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Sent in by a reader, bleachers hung up on a fence at Pavilion HS.

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This picture, and the two below from McKinley Avenue, were sent in by Tracy Cook.

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From a reader in Byron.

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From Lori Siedlecki on Madison Avenue.

Caller reports person in Centennial Park cutting wood

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, we reported on the number of downed trees in Centennial Park and we mentioned coming across a couple cutting one tree into logs for firewood.

As we said, City Manager Jason Molino basically said, while not encouraged, the wood would eventually be taken to the yard waste station anyway where residents could claim it as firewood.

Police have just been dispatched to Centennial Park for a "suspicious condition." A person with a rusted black pickup truck is cutting wood.

Genesee County still in grips of storm-related damage

By Howard B. Owens

There are still nearly 100 separate power outages affecting about 10,000 National Grid customers in Genesee County.

WBTA has a complete list of school closings for today.

UMMC just announced the following closures:

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation, 215 Summit St., Batavia
  • Genesee Orthopaedics Batavia, 33 Chandler Ave., Batavia
  • Internal Medicine, 229 Summit St., Batavia
  • Laboratory & Diagnostics Le Roy, 8745 Lake Street Road LeRoy
  • Laboratory Pembroke, 860 Main Road, Corfu,
  • Pain Care Center, 229 Summit St., Batavia
  • Surgical Associates, 229 Summit St., Batavia
  • Tountas Family Care, 3 Tountas Ave., LeRoy
  • Urgent Care LeRoy, 8745 Lake Street Road, LeRoy
  • Women’s Care Batavia (Prenatal visits will be seen at 127 North St.), 33 Chandler Ave., Batavia
  • Elective surgeries have been canceled  

The travel advisories for Genesee County and the City of Batavia were lifted at 11 p.m.

There are several roads in the county that are closed:

  • Fargo Road, between Sweetland and Route 5
  • Route 5 between Keeny Road and Bater Road
  • Transit Road between Bridge Road and North Byron Road
  • Warboys Road between Merrill Road and Sautell Road
  • Sanders Road between Bartoff Road and Route 5
  • Gilbert Street southbound from Route 5
  • Creek Road between Putnum Road and East Road
  • State Street between Denio Street and MacArthur Park
  • East Avenue at Naramore
  • Dodgeson Road between Day Road and Beaver Road

The Sheriff's Office cautions roads may have debris. Be alert and careful. Give working crews plenty of space and slow down. A traffic light that is dark is treated as a four-way stop. The Sheriff's Office (dispatchers) have no information on estimated time of power restoration for those affected.

UPDATE 11:04 a.m.: Darien Town Hall is open and residents are invited to using it as a warming center.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
Tags: Jobs offered
For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
Tags: Rentals

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