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Batavia, which has seen very little snowfall so far this winter, got a light dusting Saturday morning.

The forecast calls for a 30-percent chance of snow from 5 to 7 p.m. and the 10-day forecast predicts a couple more days of light snow in the next week and a chance of rain and snow on Dec. 25.

Careful driving this morning: Untreated roads are slick.

Above, St. Mary's. Below, Austin Park.

A homeless man who was given permission to sleep on the back porch of a residence on State Street has been arrested and charged with arson in the fourth degree after a fire he started caused some damage to the house.

The fire was reported shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday and quickly extinguished by city firefighters, causing minimal damage to the porch and siding of the house at 107 State St., Batavia.

Reginald J. Hawker, 57, of no permanent address, was arrested Friday afternoon following an investigation by Det. Patrick Corona.

He was jailed without bail.

Hawker is accused of intentionally setting the fire. Corona said it's believed that Hawker started the fire on the porch in an attempt to cook and to have heat and light.

Previously: Fire at home on State Street possibly set by homeless person trying to keep warm

For the 23rd year, all are welcome at T.F. Brown's on Christmas Day for a free holiday dinner, and for the children, Christmas gifts.

Seating times at T.F. Brown's this year will be at noon and 1 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Maud at 343-2091.

T.F. Brown's is not officially open on Christmas and there will be no bar service that day.

The traditional Christmas Day fare will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, salad and dessert.

Photo: Ben Mancuso, Rick Mancuso, Joe Teresi, John Murray, president of the Batavia Lions Club, and Chuck Brenner, also of the Lions Club.

For the fourth year, Gilmartin Funeral Home has put on display a memorial Christmas tree in remembrance of people who have passed during the year. The tree features a bow and tag for each person remembered and the family is sent a tree ornament with the name of their loved one on it.

"It's a tough time of year because it brings up a lot of memories," T.J. Woodward said. "We hope this eases those memories and brings happier thoughts. It's nice for a family that somebody remembers. It helps with the healing process."

The tree is on display in Gilmartin's newly remodeled entry way.

This sign appeared in a shop window on Ellicott Street in the last day or so.  Nobody was around this morning, so no word on when the new deli might open.

It will be Ellicott Street's third deli. This summer, Molasses Hill moved from Alexander to a location near Harvester Ave., and, of course, on the corner of Liberty and Ellicott is Southside Deli. That location has been a deli or meat market for more than 100 years.

There's been a bit of a boomlet on Ellicott this past year, with four, now five, new shops opening for business.

A couple of readers have wanted to know this morning what's up with the Hess gas station at Oak and Main streets, Batavia, which has its driveways blocked. The station and convenience store are closed for remodeling. The manager said the station should reopen tomorrow.

Police are continuing an investigation this morning into a fire Thursday night at 107 State St. in Batavia.

Det. Pat Corona isn't calling it a criminal investigation, but police do want to know more about how and why the fire was set.

Corona said it appears a local homeless person had set up shelter -- with the home owner's permission -- on the back porch of a residence, then around 8:30 p.m., the man apparently tried to start a fire to keep himself warm.

"At least that's how it appears," Corona said. "We want to talk with him and find out more."

The man is known to police and was located last night by officers, but was uncooperative. Corona said detectives will try to interview him again.

The fire did minimal damage to the porch and the siding of the house, Corona said.

(Initial report)

Tonight we selected the winners in random drawings of three recent contests run on The Batavian.

The winner of the Hardcor Audio Facebook Like Contest is Diane Smith. Diane wins a $100 gift certificate from Hardcor Audio.

The winner of the VIP Salon Facebook Like Contest is Mary Cooley. Mary wins a gift basket from VIP Salon.

The winner of the Shop Batavia Facebook Like Contest is Terry Freeman. Terry wins a $200 gift certificate for Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles.

City Fire Department is dispatched to 107 State St. for report of smoke in the basement.

Engine 12 and Ladder 15 on scene, "nothing showing."

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: "Smoke in the house. Investigating."

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: Police requested to the scene for a possible investigation of arson. Firefighters apparently found something at the back of the house prompting them to request police to the scene.

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The owner of the Batavia Nursing Home was indicted today in federal court on charges of fraud and making false statements.

Five counts were filed against Marc Irwin Korn, 54, of East Amherst.

Korn is accused of engaging in two different schemes to obtain money.

He allegedly took more than $150,000 donated to the American Friends of Assaf Harofeh Medical Center while serving as an officer of the charity. 

He's also accused of causing more than $167,000 from leasing agreements for nursing home equipment to be deposited into a bank account of one of his businesses, Health Care Alliance, Inc.

The funds, according to the U.S. Attorney's office, were used for personal expenses, including salon visits, college tuition, clothing and antiques.

Korn is also accused of making false statements to investigating agents during a June 2010 interview. According to the indictment, Korn told agents the deposits into Health Care Alliance were commissions.  

The case is being prosecuted by Gretchen L. Wylegala, an assistant to U.S. Attorney for Western New York William Hochul.

A reader contacted us this afternoon and said Cedar Street was closed due to construction. He said traffic was being rerouted. However, about a half-hour later, traffic was passing through the construction zone one lane at a time. A worker said construction will hopefully wrap up in a few more days.

A high-lift is reportedly parked at Jerome Place and Prune Street blocking traffic.

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A woodpile near an outdoor furnace at 7641 Maple Ave., Bergen, is reportedly on fire.

Bergen Fire Department dispatched.

UPDATE 12:31 p.m.: Fire out.

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The son of our State Assembly representative and a former city council member are the two people recommended by the city GOP committee to fill two vacancies on the Batavia City Council.

The city's charter provides that vacated seats be filled by appointees from the party of former seat holders.

Awaiting council approval are Brooks Hawley, son of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and James Russell, a former council member.

They will replace, if approved, Frank Ferrando and Marianne Clattenburg, at-large members elected in November to seats on the Genesee County Legislature.

An alleged drug dealer appeared in Genesee County Court on Thursday morning and told Judge Robert C. Noonan that he would like a new attorney to handle his case.

Carlos A. Torres, who first made the news locally after being involved in a mysterious shooting, was scheduled today to either accept a plea offer or have his case set for trial.

"I don't feel he's doing anything on my behalf," Torres said.

He is represented by Public Defender Gary Horton.  

Horton explained to Noonan what appears to be a communication problem.

"I spent 45 minutes to an hour with Mr. Torres yesterday," Horton said. "I've explained to him what I expect to occur at trial, what my perception of the people's proof is...we've had that discussion multiple times.

"I understand his concern," Horton added. "He's facing serious charges. I understand he's anxious about going to trial, but he's always wanted to go to trial. The problem as I see it is that we keep having the same conversation over and over. It's starting to interfere."

Torres is facing three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. The possible sentence he faces is 12 years in prison.  

Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl said Torres has been offered an attempted criminal possesion of a controlled substance charge with a sentence cap of six years.

Members of the Local Drug Task Force arrested Torres April 2 and allegedly found him in possession of cocaine, crack and heroin with an estimated street value of more than $7,000.

Noonan said he didn't hear anything from either Torres or Horton that convinced him it was worth the taxpayer expense to change attorneys.

He asked repeatedly if another attorney could work any better with Torres than Horton has, noting that Horton has 40 years experience and has taken hundreds of cases to trial.

"I’m not sure another attorney or another personality would have a problem or not," Horton said.

Torres is scheduled to reappear Dec. 23, giving Horton a chance to see if another attorney in his office can take the case and review new evidence against Torres that the DA's office produced recently.

Michael Moran was the Week 15 winner of the Main St. Pizza Company NFL Challenge.

Robbie Gould kicked the longest field goal of the week. Gould booted one 57 yards. Moran's name was selected in a random drawing from among 15 entrants who correctly predicted Gould's feat.

Moran wins one large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize.

To enter this week's contest, click here.

Heather Lynn Moore, 30, of Sunnyside Street, West Seneca, is charged with possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, failure to dim headlights and unlicensed operation. Moore was stopped at 12:30 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.