Here's a photo I took returning from the fire yesterday, from Walker Road overlooking South Street Road, Pavilion.

Leon C. Bloom, 31, of 122 State St., Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, strangulation, 2nd, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bloom is accused of unlawfully entering a dwelling of a family member Sept. 22 and assaulting and strangling the victim while children were present.

David Lee Langdon, 27, of 219 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment. Langdon was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. No further details released. Langdon was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Trevor M. Rich, 32, of 13 Clay St., Le Roy, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Rich is accused of violating an order of protection.

Terry L. Ritchey, 41, of 8927 Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritchey was stopped at 11:50 p.m. Wednesdayon Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Davis.

Carla L. Spikes, 23, 39 S. Pearl St., Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Spikes is accused of being involved in a domestic incident with a city resident.

William Edward Atherton, 62, of Pearl Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged violation of probation. Atherton was arrested in Warsaw and arraigned in County Court then released to County Probation.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 33, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Henning allegedly stole $40.85 in merchandise from Walmart.

Devon L. Heveron, 21, of Medina, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Heveron was stopped at 2 p.m. Tuesday on Route 63, Town of Pavilion, by State Police.

Carrie A. Stewart, 33, of Attica, is charged with petit larceny, criminal trespass, 3rd, and false personation. Stewart was arrested by State Police Batavia at Target. No further details released.

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Ten adults living in rental property on Ellicott Street, Batavia, were displaced tonight after a sewage leak was discovered in the basement of their apartment building.

City fire was called to 665 Ellicott St., Batavia, at 7:45 p.m. for a pump detail, but when firefighters arrived what they discovered wasn't just water in the basement, but sewage as well.

The cause of the sewage leak wasn't determined, said fire Capt. Greg Shilvok, adding that many times such leaks can be minor and easy to repair, but until it is, the residents need to be evacuated.

The landlord will repair the leak in the morning.

In the meantime, the Red Cross assisted with relocating the residents to temporary shelter and the landlord was also able to provide overnight accommodations to some of his tenants, Shilvok said.

City fire cleared the scene at 10 p.m.

Jim Bearce said he always worried about fire. He and his brother kept several fire extinguishers around their house at 7635 Telephone Road, Pavilion, just in case.

The extinguishers proved inadequate today for a fire that swept through their home at 2:30 p.m. With smoke filling the house, they took their dogs to their cars and called 9-1-1. By the time firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

It's unclear even tonight what Bearce and his brother might have lost and what might have been saved, but he was worried most about decades worth of recordings made in their music studio, important papers and his tools.

Since Bearce couldn't afford a fire safe, his 1/4 inch and eight-track tapes, along with important papers, were stored in refrigerators.

One refrigerator, which did contain tape recordings, was recovered, said Pavilion Chief Paul Dougherty, but the other is still missing and presumed destroyed.

Bearce and his brother Ken -- both musicians who played in touring bands for most of their lives -- set up a recording studio in the house. After switching to digital years ago, they've only recorded themselves, but they used to bring in other musicians to record starting in the 1970s.

Both are originally from Pavilion.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined but it appears to have started in the basement, Dougherty said.

The house was built on the side of a hill and the basement was at ground level in the back of the house and contained a workshop.

Jim and Ken had been working in the backyard cutting firewood and had been in and out of the basement with chainsaws prior to the fire starting.

"One of the chainsaws wasn’t working well, so I took it into the basement to repair it," Ken said "I took part of it apart and I came back out to start putting logs on the trailer and I heard my fire alarm go off in the basement.

"I walked back in there and it was basically full of smoke, particularly over in the left-hand side," Ken added. "I grabbed my fire extinguisher and shot it in there and it didn’t seem to do too much good. At that point we thought we’d better get upstairs and save the dogs.

"Jim braved the smoke and grabbed the fire extinguisher that was in the living room but he couldn’t do anything with it, because he was choking when he came out. So we just gathered up the dogs and threw them in the car and called the fire department.”

Ken said he had stored a couple hundred rolls of music recordings in the refrigerators. He also had thousands of dollars of tools because he works as a mechanic and painter.

Asked by a fire chief if the house was insured, Jim said he wasn't sure and the chief looked at him rather quizzically. 

"Well, I pay the premimum every month," Bearce said.

Bearce said when he called the insurance company a few months ago about insuring his tools, an agent on the phone said what they would do is increase the policy to cover up to $60,000 for the contents of the house. 

“I hope it covers everything,” Ken said.

Years ago, the brothers sold their good analog recording machines and went digital. Since then they've just recorded their own songs together. Last night, Jim took the computers to Rochester to have them rebuilt, he said, so the digital files are presumed safe.

Since the house is a bit set back in a wooded area with only a single, tree-lined driveway up a hill, it was hard to get apparatus close to the house to fight the fire, Chief Dougherty said, but with the fire moving so fast, there was never much of a chance to fight the fire internally.

By early evening, crews were on scene to knock the house to the ground with a backhoe.

Assisting Pavilion were Le Roy, Bethany, Bergen, Town of Batavia, Stafford, Caledonia, Perry, Alexander and Churchville filling in for Le Roy. Inmates from the Wyoming Correctional Facility assisted with scene clean-up once the fire was out. The Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene as did the American Red Cross.

Ken Bearce talking with Bergen Chief Jeff Dodson, who was assisting with the fire investigation.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

A possible house fire is reported at 7635 Telephone Road. The homeowner called dispatch and said the house was full of smoke. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Le Roy. The location is between South Street Road and Asbury Road.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The first responder says "I've got a lot of smoke." A second platoon is called.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy medics are also called along with mutual aid from Stafford, which is sending a tanker to the scene and a fill-in crew at Pavilion Fire Hall. The occupants are out of the home. The first floor is fully involved.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Bethany is responding, too. National Grid is called. A power line is down and dangerously close to firefighters -- "about five feet away."

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Bergen is called as well as Town of Batavia. Caledonia, which is to fill in for Le Roy, will also be asked to help access or set up apparatus to aid the firefighters.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: National Grid is asked to expedite the response because "there are power lines down all over the place.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: National Grid has a 15-minute ETA. Firefighters can't access part of the structure until power is shut off. "There's a power line right in front of it, can't access the east side at all."

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Wyoming County dispatched Perry to the scene. The power is cut off.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Firefighters are told there is gunpowder inside the home along with guns and propane cylinders.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Alexander is on scene.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: The American Red Cross is called to provide emergency assistance to one adult. Churchville is called to fill in at Le Roy's Fire Hall.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m.: Inmates from the Wyoming Correctional Facility are being transported to the scene to help.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Brothers James Lawrence Bearce and Kenneth Vincent Bearce lived in the house, along with a couple of dogs, which they saved. Along with brother Jack, they were traveling musicians years ago and had a recording studio in the structure. Ken said he's not sure how much of their inventory of recording tapes are salvageable, ditto for tools that were kept in the basement.

It was a long sales process, but Kate Gonzalez is now officially the owner of Clor's Meat Market.

She's happy to finally get the deal done, even though she's already been working 15-hour days during the transition.

It's been worth it, she said, because Clor's is already experiencing business growth.

"We've added pizza and wings," Gonzalez said "Sometimes at night, it seems like we've become just a pizza and wing shop. The pizza and wing business has grown astronomically. Sometimes we can hardly keep up with it."

All the good stuff about Clor's -- the fresh meat, the chicken BBQ recipe -- all stay the same, she said.

Chuck Gugel, who acquired Clor's from Bud Clor in 1999, has moved to the Southwest with his wife, who needed to go to a drier climate for health reasons. His sons, Ryan, Aaron and Kyle, have stayed on with the business, as has Janis Lear as store manager.

Gonzalez has also hired a full-time baker and some of the store's counter space is now filled with fresh baked goods. The catering menu has also been expanded.

"I think the business is just going to keep growing and growing," Gonzalez said.

More than a year ago, Gonzalez acquired The Enchanted Florist on East Main Street, and her son Curtis Heatherman now runs it (and helps with Clor's). Kate's daughter Rachael Heatherman is helping to run Clor's.

Part of her motiviation for buying and expanding these businesses, Gonzalez said, is to create a legacy for her son and daughter and grandsons so they can benefit from successful local businesses someday. 

Pictured: Rachael Heatherman, Janis Lear, Curtis Heatherman, Michael Hyde Jr., and Kate Gonzalez.

Each June, one of the most stunning sights in Batavia came as you made a corner on West Main Street and were confronted with the sight of a giant Catalpa tree in full flower near Colonial Boulevard.

A blue sky and a shock of white flowers made for a beautiful scene, even amid cars, trucks and business signs.

The tree came down this morning to make way for retail development next to a planned new Tim Horton's between West Main and Lewiston Road.

I can't think of any place else in Genesee County that has a Catalpa tree in easy view of the public. There's apparently no tree museum around, either.

Previously: Photos: Tree on West Main Street, Batavia

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Slow news day. I had some business to conduct in Le Roy this morning, so naturally I took just about the longest route I could without leaving Genesee County. That took me through Bethany. In the afternoon, I was going to cover a story in Pavilion, but that didn't pan out, and as the late afternoon sun bent toward the West, I found myself again in Bethany.

Above, telephone poles on Brown Road.

Again, on Brown Road.

From Brown Road.

Jerico Road and East Road.

East Bethany Le Roy Road.

The Little Tonawanda off Mill Road, Linden.

I was fascinated by this large leaf I found on the ground next to the Little Tonawanda. I brought it home to Billie.

A little flower by the roadside of Mill Road.

A tourist from Holland who was injured and had his bike damaged by a hit-and-run driver Oct. 5 found out Sunday that despite the mishap there are good people in Genesee County who will lend a helping hand.

Rich Ohlson only knows the rider as Bert, but when Det. Todd Crossett, Batavia PD, called Olhson to tell him what he had learned about Bert, Ohlson was more than happy to help.

Bert was hospitalized with minor injuries, but his bicycle was damaged enough that he wouldn't be able to finish his journey through Upstate New York.

The trip began in Canada and would end in Toronto, where Bert would catch a flight back to Holland.

He was alone in a foreign country with no way of continuing as long as his bike was damaged.

"If I was in a jam like that on a Sunday with no bike shops open, I would hope somebody would help me," Ohlson said. "That's what our ministry is all about -- being a servant."

Ohlson heads up Ride to Recovery, an Oakfield-based ministry that uses bicycles as a way to lead people to Christ.

On Sunday, Ohlson went to the motel where Bert was staying after being released from UMMC and brought along his parts and tools trailer for bicycle repair -- Ohlson often tunes up bikes in Austin Park when Care-A-Van is there. It so happened, Ohlson had all the right spare parts, including a back wheel that fit and a luggage rack much like the one destroyed in the accident.

Bert wasn't too interested in Ohlson talking about salvation, so Ohlson said he just went about the business of repairing the bike, hoping that his deeds would speak louder than his words. He did give Bert a Bible to take with him.

"As a fellow bicyclist, he's doing what I would love to do," Ohlson said.

The car that hit Bert is believed to be a small red car with glass missing from the passenger-side mirror as a result of the accident. Anybody with information about the car or the driver can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 345-5000.

Press release:

This year's Fabulous Females Committee has decided that there are too many good women and young ladies in Genesee County to ignore. So the 2013 event will include an award each for females aged 12 to 17; 18 to 30; an overall 2013 recipient and someone chosen out of the pool of prior recipients for continuing her contributions to the community.

The awards lunch is set for noon Saturday, Nov. 16 at Genesee Community College, 1 College Road. Deadline for nominations is now Oct. 18. (It was moved up from Oct. 8).

All of the awards fit into this year's theme that is based on Chinese folklore about red thread. Invisible threads connect a newborn child's spirit to all of the people who will be important in the child's life. So it is with this community, and how each award recipient serves to pull all of the pieces together.

Hosted by YWCA of Genesee County, this event is to include a light-hearted afternoon of lunch, entertainment and awards. Based on the beauty of nature, awards range from the Seedling to Bouquet to capture each stage of development.

Recipients for all but one of the awards will be announced before the event. The Bouquet Award will be kept secret for a surprise unveiling that day.

"This event has evolved over the years, and we really hope to create a memorable day for not only the award recipients but those family, friends and colleagues in attendance," YW Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. "Much in the way a flower develops from a seedling into a full-blown blossom, these recipients have demonstrated their own unique beauty. And the legacy winner will be the celebration of a bouquet of accomplishments!"

Before any awards can be handed out, though, people need to submit their chosen candidates by Oct. 18. Here is the criteria for each category:

• The 2013 Fabulous Female Seedling Award will go to a young lady between 12 and 17 who has demonstrated perseverance and gumption through adversity and a willingness to help out the community. Her growth is evident despite her age. The ideal candidate is not your typical all-star athlete or honor society member, but someone who shines behind the scenes.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Petal Award is for a woman from 18 to 30 who has shown her spirit through volunteer, professional and personal efforts to improve the community in some way.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Blossom Award is for that special woman who has become an integral member of society in the way she works, serves, speaks and behaves.
• The 2013 Fabulous Female Bouquet Award is a nod to the legacy to be left by a former Fabulous Female for her continuing efforts and contributions to the community.

Nomination forms may be obtained online at www.ywcagenesee.org or at YWCA, 301 North St.

Tickets for the event are $25 each and may be purchased at YWCA or Bank of Castile. There are also opportunities to sponsor a table with special promotional perks.

For more information, call 343-5808.

A two-vehicle accident is reported at 9970 Fargo Road in Darien. It is blocking traffic. One person is complaining of neck pain. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene. Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Bell and Reynolds roads.

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Use the PayPal button below for your purchase. Limit one per household. Remember, the gift certificate must be redeemed during lunchtime -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and redeemed within 30 days, and one per table. There are a total of 10 gift certificates available sold on a first-click, first-sold basis. We're calling this a half-price lunch deal, but it should be obvious that only applies if your lunch costs $20. If you spend more, there's no additional discount.

SOLD OUT!

Four games this weekend, two going to Medina and two to Alexander. The rain held out, but a soggy field led to muddy jerseys and slippery runs up the middle.

Beginners:

Scoring for the beginners were:

Alexander - Tyler Marino (Extra point by Tyler Marino)

Medina - Kaedon Hangartner (Extra point by Kaedon Hangartner)

Alexander - Clayton Bezon (Extra point by Clayton Bezon)

Alexander - Tyler Marino (No extra point)

Medina - Sawyer Kingsbury (Two-point conversion caught by Kaedon Hangartner)

Mini:

Going into the game Medina was 6-0 and the Tri-town trojans were 4-2. Alexander threw everything they had at Medina and prevailed, breaking the Medina unbeaten streak.

Scoring for the mini division:

Medina - Aiden Pitts (Extra point by Aiden Pitts)

Medina - Joshua Wilson (No extra point)

Alexander - Nick Kramer (No extra point)

Alexander - Connor Scott (Extra point by Matthew Jasen)

Alexander - Connor Scott (No extra point)

JV

It was all Medina on offense and defense today.

Scoring for JV:

Medina - Brian Fry (Extra point Brian Fry)

Medina - Brian Fry (Two-point conversion throw from Zachary Blount to Carson Dusett)

Medina - Interception by Brian Fry returned for a touchdown (Two-point conversion from Zachary Blount to Aron Seefeldt Jr.)

Medina - Brian Fry (No extra point)

Medina - Fumble recovered by Emmanual Taylor, who ran for a touchdown (Extra point by Brian Fry)

Varsity:

Medina Varsity squad held Alexander scoreless for the entirety.

Scoring for the varsity squad:

Medina - Damon Bloom (Two-point conversion throw from Izaiah Rhim to Johnethan Salone)

Medina - Damon Bloom (Extra point by Damon Bloom)

Medina - Ronnie Koonce III (Two-point conversion throw from Izaiah Rhim to Trenton Jones)

Medina - Trenton Jones reception from Izaiah Rhim (No extra point)

Medina - Trenton Jones fumble recovery, ran in for a touchdown (No extra point)

Medina - Trenton Jones reception from Izaiah Rhim (Extra point by Vincent Montague)

More pictures from this weekend's games can be found here: NOFA Alexander - Medina

For the first time in a long time, Tom Turnbull experienced a "first day on the job" today.

Thirty-eight years after a "first day" with the Batavia Daily News, Turnbull was the new guy trying to figure out where the supply of pens and paper clips were stored in the offices of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Turnbull replaces Lynn Freeman, who retired, as chamber president.

"I've always had a deep love for the chamber and have always been involved," said Turnbull during his introduction mixer at Terry Hills.

The way Turnbull sees it, he's taking over a great organization that doesn't need an overhaul.

"Our chamber is one of the best run in the state and that one was of the things that excited me about taking this job," Turnbull said. "Lynn and the staff have done a great job. The way I look at it is I'm just going to take the baton and keep on running."

The chamber, he said, plays an important role in supporting the business community because a strong business community ensures a better quality of life for everybody.

The chamber's function includes training for small businesses, representing business to elected leaders and providing networking opportunities for business owners and employees.

"There's strength in numbers and I think that's what a group like the chamber does for the small guy," Turnbull said. "You have 600 members and there's strength in numbers for advocacy, working with government and getting your views out. Also we can bring a lot of seminars, a lot of training that small companies can't usually afford to do on their own."

Dispatchers informed Batavia patrols that at least three callers reported hearing three or four gunshots in the area of Jackson and Central.

A minute later, a Batavia officer reported pulling over a vehicle that had just "blown through" a stop sign at Sumner and Swan. There were three individuals in the vehicle. Two took off heading south and were reportedly wearing red.

A minute later, a caller reported more gunshots on Jackson Street.

Multiple Batavia PD units are responding to Jackson and Central as well as Swan and Sumner.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m.: A caller on South Swan reports two black males running through a back yard. One wearing a red sweatshirt and the other wearing a tan sweatshirt.

UPDATE 10:16 p.m.: An officer reports a .45 casing has been found on Jackson. A possible suspect vehicle is a white Jeep.

UPDATE 10:53 p. m.: Jackson Street is currently closed to all through traffic. 

UPDATE 11:45 p.m.: Jackson Street is clear.

Not only was Michael C. Kraatz hauled off to jail today in handcuffs, his car was impounded as well as part of a Batavia PD investigation into a Sunday morning strong-arm robbery of the 7-11 store on East Main Street.

Kraatz is charged with robbery, 3rd, grand larceny, 4th, and resisting arrest. He was jailed without bail pending his next court appearance.

The 34-year-old Batavia resident is accused of entering the 7-11 at 4:04 a.m., Sunday, grabbing a clerk and demanding money.

The suspect fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

When asked about the robbery this morning, Chief Shawn Heubusch characterized the case as "a very active investigation."

Three hours after Heubusch made that statement, police were knocking on the door of a residence on North Spruce Street.

Officers reported over the radio that the suspect was fleeing -- Kraatz allegedly jumped out of a rear window -- and minutes later an officer reported that he was "15" (code for making an arrest) with the suspect in the parking lot behind the apartments at 20 N. Spruce St.

As part of the investigation, police identified a late model Mercedes Benz as a suspect vehicle, which may have helped lead them to Kraatz. The vehicle was impounded shortly after Kraatz was taken into custody.

The Sheriff's Office and State Police, along with Genesee County Jail personnel, assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Kraatz.

Investigating the case from Batavia PD were: officers Arick Perkins and Matt Lutey; detectives Paul Caffo, Kevin Czora and Charles Dudek; Det. Sgt. Pat Corona, Todd Crossett and Sgt. Dan Coffey.

In New York, a person is guilty of fourth-degree grand larceny when the value of the property stolen exceeds $1,000.

CLARIFICATION and UPDATE: While one subdivision of grand larceny 4th states a theft of property worth $1,000 or more, there's also a subdivision that covers the alleged use of extortion and the threat of physical harm during the course of the theft.  That is why Kraatz was charged with grand larceny 4th.  However, it turns out, that the same set of circumstances can also lead to a charge of grand larceny 2nd and the charge against Kraatz are scheduled to be upgraded today to grand larceny 2nd.

Previously: Police nab suspect in robbery of 7-11

Press release:

Petty, party-line politics have halted business in Washington D.C., leaving many Americans with a distrust and disinterest in government at all levels. It is truly disheartening to see such issues casting a pall on the institution of public service, and it will take time to rebuild the trust that is eroding as we speak. There is an aspect of the federal government shutdown where no time can be wasted, however: the reopening of the monuments and memorials dedicated to the honorable men and women who have sacrificed for our country.

Over the last six years, I have had the honor of leading an annual Patriot Trip with local veterans to Washington, D.C., visiting the sites and venues dedicated to their service. Throughout the course of the trip, more than 650 veterans and family members have embarked on this emotional journey, which has featured many of the monuments and memorials currently shut down due to gridlock within the federal government. This year’s trip included veterans from the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War eras who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom and way of life. I cannot imagine showing up with my bus full of veterans and having to tell them their government would not allow them to experience the structures specifically meant to recognize their personal sacrifice.

The mere fact that open-air venues would be closed off to the public illustrates just how far the government has gone astray. While departments, employees and entities have been deemed “non-essential” and had their operations put on hold, it’s actually taking effort to keep veterans away from these destinations. Conversely, the groups of veterans who have broken through the barricades at the World War II memorial show the indomitable spirit of our servicemen and women. As always, these veterans have shown that strength in one’s convictions and a willingness to let actions speak louder than words will always win the day. This is a lesson from which many of the people responsible for the government shutdown could stand to learn.

As Ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, I understand that government must step up to the plate to recognize and honor the sacrifice made by our courageous heroes. If government can’t get that right, then I can’t blame the American public for being disheartened. I urge the National Park Service to right this wrong and reopen these monuments and memorials at once, not only to honor our veterans, but to show that government is capable of fulfilling its most basic and essential duties.