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Photos: Ice at O-A and Indian Falls

By Howard B. Owens

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Kris Kramer shared this picture from last night at Oakfield-Alabama High School of ice on the trees in the traffic circle after girls basketball last night.

Below, a picture from Chelsea DIbble of ice on a road sign in Indian Falls this morning.

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Photo: Icy branches at Upton Monument

By Howard B. Owens

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Icy covered trees throughout the region today, including behind the Upton Monument at Main and Ellicott in Batavia.

There's a weather advisory for tonight. Expect more ice through the morning.

Tree reportedly falls into a house on Hundredmark Road, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A tree has reportedly fallen into a house at 5057 Hundredmark Road, Elba.

No report at this time of injuries.

Elba fire responding. A chief reports a large tree in the roadway.

UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: Code enforcement requested to the scene.

Obituaries available for mother and son killed in collision in Elba on Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

Funeral arrangments are pending for Teresa M. Norton, 53, and Thomas M. Norton, 22, of Albion, who died Saturday afternoon in a traffic collision on a snow-covered section of Route 98 in Elba.

Teresa was born July 29, 1965, in Dansville, a daughter of Paul Dieter, of New Hampshire, and Sandra Demmer, of Batavia. 

According to her obituary, "she loved crafts of all kinds and really enjoyed making beautiful wreaths to give to family members."

To read her full obituary click here.

Thomas was born Feb. 27, 1996, in Olean, a son of Roger and Teresa Norton. 

He was a graduate of Albion High School.  

To read his full obituary, click here.

Teresa M. Norton

By Howard B. Owens

Teresa M. Norton, 53, died February 2, 2019 as a result of an auto accident.

Teresa was born July 29, 1965 in Dansville, NY a daughter of Paul Dieter of NH, and Sandra Demmer of Batavia.  Teresa loved crafts of all kinds and really enjoyed making beautiful wreaths to give to family members.  Teresa was an extremely hard worker that was dedicated to her family and could start a conversation with anyone.

She was predeceased by her son, Thomas M. Norton.

Teresa is survived by her husband, Roger; son, David (Jillian Goodenough) Robb; daughter, Kimberly (Corey VanAmeron) Albanese; grandchildren, Allen VanAmeron, Samuel Goodenough and 1 on the way, Elsie Clara Anne VanAmeron; father, Paul Dieter; mother, Sandra Demmer; sister, Angela (Bruce) Wright; brothers, Paul (Sherry) Dieter; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Teresa’s Life will be announced at a later date.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489 Albion, NY 14411.  Teresa’s arrangements have entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. 21 W. Avenue, Albion, NY 

To share a special memory of Teresa, please visit www.christophermitchell.com.

Thomas M. Norton

By Howard B. Owens

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Thomas M. Norton, 22, died February 2, 2019, as the result of an auto accident.  He was born February 27, 1996 in Olean, NY a son of Roger and the late Teresa (Dieter) Norton.  Thomas was a graduate of Albion High School.  Thomas enjoyed tinkering on anything, especially small engines.  He loved to walk and run as he had participated in several marathons. He also loved to fish and will be remembered as hard working, caring and humorous.

He was predeceased by his mother, Teresa and grandparents, Beverly and Leo Norton.

Thomas is survived by his father, Roger; brother, David (Jillian Goodenough) Robb, sister, Kimberly (Corey VanAmeron) Albanese; nephews, Allen VanAmeron, Samuel Goodenough and niece on the way, Elsie Clara Anne VanAmeron; Grandmother, Sandra Demmer; Grandfather, Paul Dieter; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Thomas’s Life will be announced at a later date.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion, NY 14411.

Thomas’s arrangements have been entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. 21 W. Avenue, Albion, NY

To share a special memory of Thomas, please visit www.christophermitchell.com.

City PD assists in delivering Meals on Wheels

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department assisted the Genesee County Office for the Aging with delivering meals to seniors who participate in the Meals on Wheels Program in the City of Batavia yesterday.

Officer Jason Davis, along with his wife, Office for the Aging employee Wendy Davis, delivered several meals to City residents.

The following info is from the Genesee County Office for the Aging website;

“Home Delivered Meals are available to any Genesee County resident 60 years of age or older who is incapacitated due to illness, surgery, physical handicap or advancing age, AND is unable to prepare their own meals, AND is without support of family, friends or neighbors for meal preparation. Services are available based on need without regard to income.

Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There is no delivery on holidays. Services may be discontinued at any time, or can be interrupted if needed for vacations or hospitalizations.

To see the monthly menu, go the County Office for the Aging website here and click on Menus on left side of the home page. To see the February menu, for example, click here.

Everyone that receives a meal has the opportunity to contribute. The suggested contribution is $3 per single meal and $4.50 for a double meal. No one is refused service for inability to contribute.

Referrals may be made to the Home Delivered Meals Intake worker by calling (585) 343-1611.

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Accident reported on Fargo Road, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

A car vs. pole accident is reported at 9864 Fargo Road, Darien.

An ambulance is requested to the scene for evaluation of the driver.

The pole is snapped and wires are down.

Darien fire and ambulance dispatched.

Collins praises Trump's State of the Union speech

By Howard B. Owens

Press release: 

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) tonight released the following statement regarding the State of the Union address.

“Tonight, President Trump called on all lawmakers to work together and to choose greatness. Under President Trump’s leadership, we have passed monumental tax and criminal justice reforms. Our economy is flourishing and American families have more money in their pockets, but we still have work to do.

While President Trump is fighting for fair trade and the American worker, it is time for Congress to come together to strengthen our borders and fix our broken immigration system. Together, we can accomplish a greater America.”

Visitor restrictions implemented at UMMC due to flu

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

To help reduce further transmission of influenza, Rochester Regional Health is instituting visitor restrictions for the following hospitals:

  • United Memorial Medical Center
  • Rochester General Hospital (Rochester) 
  • Unity Hospital (Greece)

Visitor restrictions:

  • Visitors will be limited to no more than two people per patient at a time;
  • All visitors must be at least 14 years old;
  • Please do not visit a patient if you feel you are ill, including sore throat, fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing or other flu-like symptoms - even if you have been vaccinated against the flu.

NOTE: The Batavian spoke briefly with Paul Pettit, county health director, and he said flu reports this season are above average -- about 40 cases -- but well below the 200 or so that were reported by this time last year.

Roads in the county getting slick from freezing rain, salt trucks being deployed

By Howard B. Owens

Reports are coming in of roads becoming slick and town and county salt trucks are being deployed throughout the county.

There is a weather advisory in effect for freezing rain with accumulations of four-tenths of an inch through the course of the day.

Power outages and tree damage from ice are possible. 

The National Weather Service warns travel could be difficult, especially during the evening commute.

UPDATE 10:20 a.m.: With some minor accidents reported earlier, a dispatcher reports there are multiple-accidents pending, including one on the Thruway (no injuries) with a car into the trees.

Minor injury rollover accident reported on Fargo Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A minor-injury rollover accident is reported on Fargo Road, between Roanoke Road and Clapsaddle Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire and Bethany fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:19 a.m.: The driver is out and walking around. Responding units can continue non-emergency.

National Grid planning power outage for about 500 Batavia customers to replace damaged equipment

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

As part of an upgrade that will improve reliability and resiliency for our western New York customers, National Grid is planning a brief power interruption in the City of Batavia, beginning at approximately 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8 and lasting until around 2 a.m. on Feb. 9.

The planned, temporary interruption will take place as the company replaces damaged equipment on a utility pole. This level of work cannot be completed while the electric system is energized. The interruption will impact approximately 500 commercial, industrial and residential customers in the City of Batavia on streets that intersect with Main Street. Customers who will be impacted include those in neighborhoods that stretch from Redfield Parkway to Ellicott Avenue throughout much of the city’s 3rd and 4th Wards.

National Grid is contacting all impacted customers via automated phone messages to ensure that they are aware of this planned, temporary power interruption.

In the event of inclement weather, National Grid will conduct additional outreach to customers, and alert them that the work will be rescheduled for Feb. 15 to Feb. 16. 

UPDATE, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.: National Grid will be making calls to residents at about 4 p.m. today.

Photos: Ice jam on Black Creek in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

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Nancy Clark shared these photos with us of an ice jam and ice overflow on Black Creek near Walkers Corner Road in Byron from this morning.

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Introducing video advertising on The Batavian

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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Over the weekend we started using a new custom-made video player for The Batavian's videos. Here is an example.

We have video sponsor positions open for local businesses. If you would like more information about becoming a video sponsor, contact Lisa Ace at lisa@thebatavian.com.

GCEDC board to consider application from Graham

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider accepting applications for incentives from Graham Manufacturing and Gateway GS, LLC at the agency’s Feb. 7 board meeting. 

Graham Manufacturing is seeking incentives for a $1.075 million capital investment for various properties at its campus in the City of Batavia. The investment would renovate 8,000 square feet of existing space for expanded workforce training and add 5,000 square feet of new space for the construction of a warehouse. The project would help retain 291 jobs.

Gateway GS, LLC is proposing to invest $450,000 to build out the interior of a spec building the company constructed in 2018 at the Gateway II Corporate Park in Batavia. The project would create five new jobs.

Since each project would receive benefits of more than $100,000 public hearings would be scheduled if the applications for incentives are accepted by the GCEDC Board.

All GCEDC Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings are at 4 p.m. unless noted otherwise and take place at 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia across from Genesee Community College.

Region's gas prices again lower for the week

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.26, no change from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.60. The New York State average is $2.49 – down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.77. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

Batavia -- $2.53 (down 2 cents since last week)
Buffalo -- $2.53 (down 2 cents since last week)
Ithaca -- $2.37 (down 1 cent since last week)
Rochester -- $2.44 (down 2 cents since last week)
Rome -- $2.47 (down 1 cent since last week)
Syracuse -- $2.38 (down 1 cent since last week)
Watertown -- $2.47 (down 2 cents since last week)

In its latest report, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that demand for gasoline hit 9.6 million barrels per day, which would be considered average during the busy summer driving season, but not typical during winter, which is a usually low demand season. Either the preliminary rate is off (EIA may revise it later this year when it releases final figures for the month) or the weather forced motorists to fuel up.

Given the weather conditions across much of the country over the past two weeks, motorists are likely driving less. If the estimate is not revised, one reason for the jump could be that the weather led motorists to fill up and stockpile ahead of storms. Despite the increase in demand, the country’s high level of gasoline stocks may keep average pump prices in check.

Prices are down across the region today. The increased stock level may help to stabilize prices, while feeding growing domestic gasoline demand.

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