Roger Saile, 90, the lone occupant of a residence at 8056 Oak Orchard Road, died as a result of a fire in his house this morning.

The fire was reported by a truck driver passing by the residence at about 5:25 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by State Police, Town of Batavia fire and Genesee County Emergency Services.

Firefighters from the town arrived on scene quickly after the fire was reported.

"We had a quick arrival and an initial attack of two engines, a ladder and a rescue," said Assistant Chief Dan Coffey. "We were able to get in their and get a good initial attack and search going."

Saile was deceased when he was found inside the residence.

After the fire was out, during what firefighters call "overhaul," one volunteer firefighter was under a ceiling when it collapsed. The firefighter was not seriously injured and was transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Crews were on scene from Town of Batavia, Elba, Oakfield, Stafford and the City of Batavia.

A neighbor described Saile as "a good man."

Michelle Gerold said sons Christian and Daniel would visit with him, and when he passed by their house he would toot his horn and wave and they often ran into him at one of his favorite restaurants, Sport of Kings. 

He was always full of stories about his life.

"We would hear about the old days when we would see him out at a restaurant," she said. "He was overall such a nice man. We're so sad. His stories of his house, his stories of his life and how it used to be when he was growing up on a farm; he would tell us about his old vehicles. His stories just made us know he was a good person, a good individual. I loved him, my sons loved him, my husband loved him. It just breaks our hearts that he's gone now."

Law enforcement is responding to Route 19 and Junction Road in Pavilion for two goats reported to be in the roadway.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: "Out with two goats," says an officer to dispatch.

A working fire is reported at 8056 Oak Orchard Road at an apartment building. Unknown if the structure is occupied, "it's possibly occupied." Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Alexander's Fast team.

UPDATE 5:35 a.m.: "This is an occupied structure." Fire police are called to assist with traffic control at Route 98 and the Thruway. "Flames are through the roof."

UPDATE 5:38 a.m.: A Mercy unit is responding. Stafford fire is asked to report to the Town of Batavia Station #2 and East Pembroke to Station #1.

UPDATE 5:42 a.m.: Elba Fire Police are called to control traffic at Route 98 and West Saile Drive.

UPDATE 5:54 a.m.: An Elba engine is called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:57 a.m.: Mercy medic #3 is the second ambulance into the scene.

UPDATE 5:59 a.m.: The natural gas line has been shut off to the residence. The rescue unit with a cascade system is called in from Elba instead of an engine.

UPDATE 6 a.m.: The city's fast team is also working to extinguish the fire. The city's third platoon is called to fire headquarters.

UPDATE 6:02 a.m.: National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 6:07 a.m.: Byron is requested to have one engine stand by in Elba Fire Hall.

UPDATE 6:05 a.m.: Elba Fire Police are also to control traffic at Route 98 and Park Road, and Route 63 and Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 6:25 a.m.: The fire scene is north of the Thruway, just north of Call Parkway. Le Roy is asked to stand by in Stafford's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:39 a.m.: Town command reports fire is under control; overhauling structure now. Power to the structure has been turned off.

UPDATE 6:41 a.m.: Instead of Le Roy, Bethany is asked to fill in at Stafford's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:15 a.m.: The Salvation Army is called to the scene.

UPDATE 7:22 a.m.: A third Mercy rig is called to come in non-emergency mode. Salvation Army has an ETA of about 45 minutes. An ambulance just arrived at UMMC with a patient who sustained a head injury at the fire scene.

UPDATE 7:32 a.m.: One person died in this fire. Some family notifications have been made. A code enforcement officer from Town of Batavia is called to the scene. 

UPDATE 8:54 a.m.: Route 98 has been reopened.

UPDATE 10:10 a.m.: State Police have confirmed that Roger Saile, 90, the lone resident of the house, died as a result of the fire.

A diesel fuel spill has been located along Route 63 that stretches across both sides of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

Oakfield fire is on scene and a Town of Batavia chief is responding.

The Oakfield chief is asking that traffic in the area be slowed by fire police because of the spill.

The sale of vinyl records has reached its highest level in 28 years and Batavia resident Richard Mistretta is betting that trend continues.

His own research and experience tells him vinyl, once considered a relic of history, has achieved its own kind of staying power.

"Last year, I first had a thought of opening a brick and mortar store," Mistretta said. "I wasn't sure what I'd be selling, but I started selling online and I noticed albums were selling well. I was selling a lot of vinyl, so with my online business, I switched over to exclusively selling vinyl and the sales numbers continued to go up."

Tomorrow he opens Vinyl Record Revival at 220 E. Main St., Batavia.

He's spent the past couple of weeks building bins for records, CDs, reel-to-reel, and he even has a couple of boxes of 8-track tapes, but vinyl is clearly where the action is. It attracts collectors of all ages these days.

"The big age group right now is young people, teenagers are getting into it," Mistretta said. "I've been hearing about it from a lot of people. They find it fascinating. They find it is something interesting to collect, and, also, the sound is different. That's the big thing, but, also, it's tangible. You can hold it, you can look at it, the artwork; it's easy to read. When something is digital, you don't get all that."

Clearly, vinyl records can't beat digital, especially in the age of cloud storage and streaming services, for convenience, but beside of the tactile and aesthetic appeal, most connoisseurs tip in favor of vinyl for the superior audio performance of analog, which doesn't suffer from the loss of dynamic range found in compressed sound files.

It might be surprising, but as Mistretta noted, when teenagers take an interest in The Beatles, they seek out vinyl, some becoming die-hard collectors.

That works out well for Mistretta, who is a lifelong fan of The Beatles and is stocking a full range of Beatles records, books and memorabilia. 

But the Beatles aren't the only hot seller from previous generations. There's also The Who, Queen, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and, Mistretta noted, even before he died, he couldn't keep Prince in stock. When he put Prince records up for sale online, they would often be gone within hours.

Record stores in WNY are now few and far between, so he's hoping to draw clientele from throughout the GLOW region as well as Rochester and Buffalo. One of his goals is to get to know his customers, know what they're looking for and work with his wholesalers to find it for them.

Mistretta is 60 and recently retired after 20 years at the University of Rochester. He lived in Rochester when he met his wife, Michelle, and fell in love with her and fell in love with her hometown, Batavia. He's lived here for three years.

When he decided vinyl would be the speciality of his retail store, he started buying boxes and boxes of records, including one large collection from a seller in Pennsylvania. He said he's found some real gems among these big collections.

"The poor UPS drivers," he said. "Those poor delivery people probably have sore backs from carrying in boxes."

He's found the type of customers range from young to old, from those looking for just specific artists, to those who buy everything in a genre and those who are more interested in album covers or just exploring.

He has set up several listening stations in the store so customers can sample before they buy.

Right now, the store is strictly used records, tapes and CDs, but with most top current recording artists releasing their albums on vinyl again, he is hoping to find the right distributor so he can carry new inventory as well.

He also sees a need to supply area audiophiles with turntables, receivers and speakers.

"Manufacturers are starting to get back into making a nice receiver, making a nice phonograph and the big speakers, because everything did switch over to something that was more portable," Mistretta said.

Store hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. He's not settled yet on what his Saturday hours will be, but he will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

City firefighters got a first look at their new ladder truck today as it stopped by the fire hall on its trip to Hamburg, where it will receive final setup before being ready to go into service.

After that setup and training for fire crews, it will go into service, about a month from now.

The truck is a dealer's demo built in early 2015 and cost the city $912,000.

Students at Alexander Central School tried to break three world records today, securing their own legacy in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The effort was the culmination of a class assignment from Miss Colleen McNamara for her fifth-grade class. The students researched potential world records and wrote essays on why their records should be attempted.

The records attempted were the most people doing sit-ups simultaneously, the longest pop-n-lock arm wave and the most high-fives in one minute.

These photos are from the sit-up attempt. We don't yet have the results of the attempts.

Sheriff Gary Maha was honored for his 49 years in local law enforcement at the annual Criminal Justice Awards dinners sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Batavia and held at Batavia Country Club.

For details on the awards, click here.

Batavia Police Officer James M. DeFreze, nominated by the YWCA (Director Jeanne Walton, who is also this year's president of the Kiwanis, in the background) for his work with victims of domestic violence.

State Police investigators Ronald Wilson and Michael Sims were honored for their work on a four-county burglary investigation. Also pictured, in the middle, Lt. Martin McKee, who presented the award.

Chaplain Allen A. Werk, was honored for his countless hours of volunteer service to local law enforcement and the families he is sometimes called on to serve through the Sheriff's Office.

Sarah Palermo received an Exceptional Service Award from GCASA for her volunteer work on the DWI Victims' Impact Panel.

David Saleh was honored for his years of volunteer coaching with mock trial teams.

The keynote speech was delivered by Thomas A. Belein, chairman of the NYS Commission of Corrections.

Attorney Ben Bonarigo, president of the Genesee County Bar Association, was emcee.

The Pembroke Mock Trial Team, which won this year's competition.

There was a record turnout last night for Joe Gerace's annual Spaghetti Dinner.

The dinner, which was held at Stafford Fire Hall, was a fundraiser for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

For the first time, Gerace wasn't able to make the sauce himself, since he's in cancer treatment himself.

Previously: 'I'm not the only guy who has cancer,' says Joe Gerace as he plans to attend his annual dinner to support others

Officials from throughout Genesee County were at Genesee Community College yesterday afternoon to join in a celebration of the college's continued growth -- groundbreaking for the Student Success Center and Event Center.

The Student Success Center will provide a sleek new entrance to the Campus and the Event Center will be the area’s largest indoor event arena with 25,000 square feet of open multipurpose floor space.

One man was instrumental in envisioning the expense and is being memorialized in the Event Center.

GCC’s President Jim Sunser unveiled the Event Center's official title, in honor of a man he was proud to call his friend, Richard C. Call.  

"The Board of Trustees has also given me the great privilege of announcing that at the boards May meeting the Trustees' intent to dedicate the Event Center to Dick Call and forever inscribe his name above the doors to this wonderful new building that's helping to create our future. The Richard C. Call Arena will be a tribute to the remarkable legacy of a man that has given so much to our college and community. And as we look ahead to the future the Richard C. Call Arena will symbolize the strength of our community and the power that we all have to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

Craig Yunker, chairman for the GCC Foundation "Creating Our Future Together" Campaign, tied the entire endeavor together with a childhood memory of GCC’s foundation.  

“Fifty years ago I was 15; I remember my parents talking about this at the dinner table and going out and joining some other people in trying to get this referendum passed, and some of those people are here tonight.”

The celebration was as much about the community’s collaboration as it was about the facilities themselves. The college was asked to match $5 million of State funds and with many generous donations by local supporters it surpassed that amount raising $5.4 million.

Work on both facilities is expected to be complete sometime around July of 2017.

Our news partner, WBTA contributed to this story.

GCC President Jim Sunser.

Retired, longtime GCC President Stuart Steiner in the middle, then Craig Yunker and GC Legislature Chairman Ray Cianfrini.

Diane D. Torcello, chair of the College's Board of Trustees.

Eunice A. Lewin, SUNY trustee.

Craig Yunker, chair of the GCC Foundation's Creating Our Future Together Campaign.

A dog that is part Labrador retriever and chow chow is missing from its East Pembroke home.

"Shadow" has not darkened the doorstep of his owner's home since Friday, April 22.

If you glimpse Shadow, please call 585-813-6491 with information.

UPDATED May 5: Robbie Reeb wrote us an e-mail to inform us Shadow is back home, wagging his tail. He wrote: "Our lost dog has been found! Thanks go out to Ivan in East Pembroke who found her while walking his dog. Thank you to everyone that responded that they may have seen her. Our mom is very happy to have her home again."

Press release:

Calling all eighth- though 11th-graders in Genesee County and any other individuals interested in Youth Court! On Tuesday, May 3, Genesee County Youth Court will be celebrating Law Day from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to show the community how our court operates.

Applications and brochures will be available along with program staff to answer questions for anyone who is interested in joining.

Youth Court is a voluntary alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement. Youth who are referred admit to the charge and appear before a court of their peers. There are three youth judges who listen to both sides of the issue and determine an appropriate disposition. The goal of youth court is to improve youth citizenship skills and decrease problematic behavior.

Youth Court members learn about the judicial process and law enforcement, group decision making and they get to develop their public speaking skills, participate in a great leadership opportunity, and learn and participate in all roles of the courtroom: judge, prosecution, defense, and bailiff. 

Eighth- though 11th-graders who are interested can attend Law Day on May 3 or go online to download an application from the Genesee County Web site www.co.genesee.ny.us, where you will find a link on the Youth Bureau page. Applications are due by July 29. Interviews of potential candidates will take place in August with the training to begin in October. 

For more information on the Genesee County Youth Court, please contact Chelsea Dillon at the Genesee County Youth Bureau, 344-3960.

From our news partner WBTA:

A bomb threat was e-mailed this morning to Independent Living of Genesee Region, according to Rae Frank, director of the Batavia location at 113 Main St. downtown.

It is not clear, Frank said, whether the threat was intended for the Buffalo office or the Batavia office, or both, but as a precaution staff was told within the past hour to leave for the day and Batavia PD was alerted.

The person who made the threat allegedly has a history of complaints with the nonprofit agency.

Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR) is a multicultural, grassroots, peer-directed, civil rights organization that provides a full range of assistance, programs and services to enhance the quality of life for all individuals with disabilities. "ILGR assists persons with disabilities to realize their life choices through information and referral, independent living skills, community and systems advocacy and peer counseling."

It provides: adaptive aids/equipment, advocacy, benefits advisement, counseling/support groups, health insurance information, information & referral, library of disabilities, independent living skills instruction, community disability education.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: David Boyce, CEO of the building's owner Tompkins Insurance Co., said the agency's staff on the second floor was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. He said police indicated they do not believe there is an imminent threat.

UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: The "indirect threat" was made by an employee recently let go from the Buffalo office of Independent Living and the person has no known ties to Genesee County, said Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis. "We've checked the (Batavia) building and we've found nothing," Davis said. Adjacent businesses were notified of the situation and any decision to evacuate staff was their option. A bomb-sniffing dog from State Police Troop A is en route to go through the building and if nothing is found, officers will give the all clear.

UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: State Police and their bombing-sniffing dog just completed a sweep of the building and found nothing. The building is clear and police are clearing the scene.

Steven Robert Tanner, 43, of Batavia Bethany Townline Road, Bethany, is charged with DWI with a BAC greater than .08, and DWI. He was arrested at 4:47 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, after an investigation into a traffic offense complaint in the Town of Stafford. He was allegedly found to be under the influence of alcohol while on Clinton Street Road in Satfford. Ater being processed at the jail, he was released for appearance tickets for Town of Stafford Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Kelly Marie Kabel, 38, of Royal Sunset Drive, Webster, charged with failure to pay fine imposed by court. She was arrested on Thursday, April 28, on a bench warrant out of the Town of Stafford for allegedly failing to pay a Stafford Court fine from last June. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is to be in Stafford Court on May 10. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

From a Batavia PD press release:

A registered sex offender who allegedly failed to register his address as required by law was the subject of a manhunt in the city on Thursday in the area of Walnut Street.

Marlek E. Holmes, 42, no permanent address, was arrested after he fled from officers who were attempting to arrest him on a bench warrant out of City Court for the violation.

After being located on Walnut Street, he fled from officers and a foot pursuit ensued. A perimeter was set up in the vicinity and the Sheriff's K-9 unit with "Destro" assisted Batavia PD in finding the suspect, who was hiding on a porch at a residence in the area. Holmes was jailed without bail. Additional charges are pending.

Submitted photos and press release:

Last week, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) honored four local high school sports teams for winning championships in their respective conferences. Hawley presented Assembly proclamations, the house’s highest honor, to the Batavia Notre Dame Hockey Team, Batavia Girls Basketball Team, Batavia Boys Basketball Team and Batavia Girls’ Indoor Track and Field Team.

Hawley spoke to the teams about the value of teamwork, perseverance and strength and offered his advice and good fortune to the teams for next year. 

“Batavia is my hometown and I appreciate the strong tradition in athletics that is perpetuated by these gifted athletes,” Hawley said. “Non-professional athletics is one of the purest forms of sport out there because athletes do not have hidden agendas or are distracted by salary requirements.

"Lessons learned in high school sports such as leadership, the strength to fight through adversity and mental fortitude will have profound impacts on these young men and women and help them succeed after high school. I wish these teams the best of luck for next season.”

Press release:

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is looking for a few good architects (we really need those!), historic district residents (and these!), historians, or volunteers who have significant interest in the commitment to historic preservation.

If this sounds like you, and you are a City resident, submit your application today.

The HPC works toward the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts in the City of Batavia. For about an hour a month you can help preserve our historic community.

Volunteer today to see the difference you can make! Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office or online at www.batavianewyork.com in the documents section.