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. Get your application in before the end of January.

Some of the activity at our bird feeder this afternoon.

Volunteer firefighter David Beehler Jr., 37, was laid to rest today in Fairview Cemetery in Pavilion.

Beehler died Dec. 22 in an off-duty motor-vehicle accident on Fisher Road, Oakfield.

A former member of Pavilion Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a captain, Beehler was a member of the Elba Volunteer Fire Department at the time of his death.

Read his full obituary here.

University Prep and Batavia High School will vie for the Lions Tournament Championship on Wednesday following dominating victories in the opening round games Monday night at Genesee Community College.

U-Prep beat Notre Dame 80-36 behind Isaiah Brinkley's 20 points, with Joe McGrady adding 14 to go with 10 rebounds. For the Fighting Irish, Tyler Prospero had 13, Jordan Lyons had seven, and C.J. Suozzi, seven.

In the nightcap, the Blue Devils beat Albion 58-38. Off the bench, Tee Sean Ayala scored 15 points, all coming off of five three-pointers. Malachi Chenault scored 11, Adonis Davis, seven. For Albion, Tommy Mattison hit five three-pointers and scored 19 points.

Batavia is now 7-0 on the season.

U-Prep and Batavia will play at 8 p.m. Wednesday at GCC.

To purchase prints, click here.

We got a bit of snow in Batavia tonight, and it looks like it will keep falling until early morning. Then it's just cold and dreary for the next few days.

A rollover accident is reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 389.1

Unknown injuries. Not blocking.

Town of Batavia fire responding.

A chief responding reports the onramp is very slick.

UPDATE 10:21 p.m.: The rescue engine can remain in quarters.

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“On behalf of my office and the New York State Assembly, I would like to wish my constituents and all New Yorkers a happy and safe New Year’s holiday. This holiday is distinct from others in that we have a chance to start over and rebrand our lives and actions for the better. It is a symbolic time to set new goals, aspirations and put failures and disappointment behind you.

"Embrace the New Year and what 2016 has to offer. Great times are ahead for us all. As you are enjoying time with family and friends, please take a moment to reflect on the members of the armed forces who are defending our freedom abroad and cannot celebrate this holiday with their families.

"Please enjoy New Year’s Eve responsibly and remember that many organizations offer free cab rides late into the night. But, most of all, have fun and let’s make 2016 even better than 2015!”

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at Brookville and Broadway roads. Unknown injuries. Alexander fire and ambulance responding. A first responder on scene reports the vehicle is off the roadway, on its roof.

UPDATE 7:09 p.m.: A patient is alert and oriented and being transported by Alexander medic #10 to UMMC. A stop sign was torn down as a result of the accident.

With temperatures at or near freezing and the possibility of freezing rain or snow, the Genesee County Warming Shelter will be open tonight for women and children.

The shelter is located at the Methodist Church on Lewiston Road.

Batavia Cab Co. will be providing rides there from McDonald's on both East and West Main Street, from approximately 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Todd Allen Weigert, 20, of Helena Street, Perry, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro responded to the 7-Eleven in Bergen at 12:16 p.m. Thursday following a complaint of people possibly using narcotics in the parking lot. An investigation led to an accusation that Weigert possessed a quantity of a suspected narcotic and paraphernalia.

Scott W. Froebel, 47, of Colby Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate stop lights and open container. Froebel was stopped at 9:26 p.m. Dec. 19 on Prospect Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Joshua M. Pierce, 20, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Pierce allegedly failed to appear in City Court on a traffic violation and an unlawful possession of marijuana charge. 

Shane Zimblis, 44, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Zimblis was arrested upon his release from the Wyoming County Jail, where he was held on unrelated charges. Zimblis is accused of contacting a protected individual in violation of an order of protection. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Fargo Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was arrested following a search of his vehicle at 12:01 a.m. Thursday by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Joshua Richard Nanni, 21, of Broadway Street, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful dealing with a minor, 1st. Nanni was charged following an investigation into a loud noise complaint at his residence at 6:08 p.m., Tuesday. He is accused of providing alcohol to persons under age 21. Also charged was Dylan Ricky LaFramboise, 21, of Broadway Street, Oakfield.

Duty Everett Casell, 24, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, no helmet, uninsured ATV. Caswell was arrested following the completion of an investigation into an accident at 7:55 p.m. Oct. 31 on South Main Street, Oakfield, involving an ATV. Caswell's ATV reportedly hit the rear end of a parked car. Caswell and his passenger were ejected from the ATV. Caswell allegedly fled the scene and located a short distance away. He was transported by an ambulance to an area hospital for medical treatment 

A box truck rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 390. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 8:39 a.m.: A medic reports to command that the box truck is not actually on the Thruway, but rather just west of the onramp to the eastbound Thruway.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: Command reports the cargo is food and that they are attempting to clear the debris out of the road.

UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: The town assignment is back in service.

A white male has reportedly attempted a robbery at the Yellow Goose, 64 S. Main St., Elba.

The would-be robber "threatened with a gun," according to a dispatcher. He issued verbal threats only, the dispatcher said.

The suspect is described as a white male, brown hair, bangs straight across, wearing a dark blue jacket and a baseball cap.

It's unclear if the suspect received any cash or left empty-handed.

The suspect left on foot, unknown direction of travel.

Law enforcement responding.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: A deputy on scene reports, "no robbery here." He said a person told the clerk, "If somebody enters with a weapon, duck."

A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service out of Buffalo for tomorrow evening through Tuesday morning.

The forecast calls for sleet, freezing rain and perhaps snow, from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m..

Snow accumulations up to two inches are possible.

The combination of mixed winter precipitation will likely make untreated surfaces slippery and travel hazardous. Elevated surfaces, such as bridges and overpasses could freeze over.

An accident with injuries, possibly involving up to five vehicles, is reported at Batavia Elba Townline Road and Route 98. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding, along with Mercy medics #4 and #1.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: A first responder on scene confirms five vehicles involved and they are heavily damaged.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: This was two separate accidents in close proximity. The first accident, at the top of this post, involved a pickup truck which allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way and was struck by a Jeep. They are still trying to determine how a third vehicle got mixed up in this. One person with minor injuries is likely to be transported to UMMC; two others are sign-offs. North of the first accident another accident occurred involving two vehicles -- on Route 98 near Edgerton Road, Elba. No injuries reported.

Michele Martinez, right, is the new owner of Main Street Fitness in Le Roy. She bought the business from Fred Merica, left, who will continue to operate Le Roy Karate at 66 Main St. Martinez is joined by her fiance, Dan Saeva, whom she met at the gym.

Being a competitive weightlifter meant Michele Martinez was very serious about her workouts at Le Roy’s Main Street Fitness.

It also meant lots of advice for the gym’s proprietor.

“The truth is, Michele used to break my chops a lot,” Merica joked earlier this week. “ ‘You’ve gotta clean, you’ve gotta buy this, you’ve gotta buy that.’

“Finally I said, ‘Why don’t you just buy the place and do whatever you want with it!' ”

Which is pretty much what finally happened.

Martinez, who lives in Le Roy, took ownership this week. She’ll be leasing space from Merica, who owns 66 Main St. and will continue to own and operate Le Roy Karate.

Martinez is looking forward to meeting the public and sharing her plans for Main Street Fitness during an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Main Street Fitness grew out of the karate studio Merica, 54, established in 2005. He gradually added weightlifting equipment to diversify the business. Now, the gym also features a cross-training room; a cardio room equipped with treadmills, stair machine and Arc Trainer (sort of a cross between a treadmill and an elliptical machine); and, in the basement, a circuit-training room.

In short, something for every age, skill level and interest.

“Everyone thinks it’s just weights, and it’s not,” Merica said. “I think that’s what separates this gym from most gyms in the area.”

It’s also a 24-hour operation, with keyless entry available to members. Merica said he preferred to focus on karate, and needed to find someone who could give the gym the attention it demands.

He said Martinez is the ideal buyer. 

They met in 2012, when Martinez enrolled her daughter Skyler, now 11, in one of Merica’s karate classes. At the time, Martinez was in training — at different gym — for the Ms. Buffalo Bodybuilding Championships.

“We started talking, and he ended up letting me work out up front to supplement my training,” Martinez said.

She went on to win second place in the women’s heavyweight division in 2012. The following year, she claimed first place.

“That’s one of the reasons I thought Michele would be a perfect fit,” Merica said. “It adds another component to the gym, because she’s competed; she’s got that experience.”

But Martinez was reluctant to take on the responsibility. She already works full-time as a training manager for Sutherland Global Services in Rochester; is a part-time sign-language interpreter; and is also raising a second daughter, 9-year-old Kori.

Her outlook changed with her engagement earlier this year to Dan Saeva, whom she met at the gym. He’ll oversee day-to-day operations at Main Street Fitness, while Martinez focuses on the business side.

Martinez and Saeva, also of Le Roy, are planning an April 26 wedding in Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, Martinez doesn’t expect major changes at Main Street Fitness. She will rearrange existing equipment in a way that makes better sense for bodybuilders, add more powerlifting equipment, and do some remodeling. Her contacts in the fitness field may mean expanded services, including nutrition supplements, fitness beverages and benching competitions.

She’ll also have special offers, including discounted rates on group memberships.

“I’m excited,” Martinez said. “I’m overwhelmed; I’m anxious. I think this next month will be the real test for us.”

For his part, Merica said he’s grateful to longtime members for their support as he bows out of the gym business. But he’s also thankful to have less on his plate.

“I’ll be getting more sleep,” Merica said.

And Martinez?

“I’ll be getting less,” she said.

For more information about Main Street Fitness, visit www.fitness-karate.com.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with entrapment is reported in the area of 173 Main Road, Pembroke.

That's at the county line.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 10:27 p.m.: Wires may be down in the area.

UPDATE 10:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight is nearly on location. The patient is being extricated.

UPDATE 11:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight is about to go airborne to return to quarters.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: Reader submitted photos posted.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: A source shared that an 84-year-old driver is banged up but should be OK. The victim thinks he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

A two-car accident has been reported at the intersection of routes 33 and 237, Stafford.

Unknown injuries.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:01 p.m.: No injuries.

This slide show is a collection of some of the photos from 2015 of the fires, accidents, ceremonies and other events involving our first responders in 2015.

It was a year in which law enforcement responded to at least three incidents where officers' calm professionalism, despite the looming risk to their own safety, avoided rash action and prevented the situation from getting worse.

This year, we tragically lost a volunteer in the line of duty, and another had his life threatened, plus whether volunteers or paid personnel, these professionals have sacrificed time away from family, businesses and jobs to respond to both the routine and the difficult calls and they put in countless hours training.

We thank our first responders for keeping us safe and responding when we need them.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with unknown unjuries is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 404. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: The assignement is back in service.