A German shephard allegedly bit an 11-month-old child in the face in the 6900 block of West Bergen Road. The dog is said to be on the porch and calm at this time and the resident has been told to secure the animal inside. Bergen fire and Mercy medics are responding along with Sheriff's deputies.

UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: The baby is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m. (by Howard): According to State Police, the dog belonged to a family member who was visiting from out of state. The family was gathered in a room with the baby crawling around. The baby "made a beeline for the dog" and the dog, described as "elderly" and "14 years old," just reacted and nipped the child. The child was transported to Strong where the child received some stitches and was released. No charges are anticipated.

After a 30-year career representing people in Genesee County who don't have the ability to provide their own legal defense, Gary Horton is changing jobs.

He's leaving the Public Defender's Office and taking a position that will help public defenders provide better representation to veterans.

Though not a veteran himself, he's long been involved in the local veterans community, so it's no surprise Horton will work for the New York State Defenders Association, a private, nonprofit group. He will be developing and directing a program that will provide training and best practices for the defense of veterans who have been arrested.

Last night, friends and colleagues gathered at Center Street for a retirement party for Horton.

In 30 years with the office, he was the public defender for the past 20.

"I was very lucky that not only did I have a job I enjoyed and was challenging, I truly believe I had a career doing what I was meant to do," Horton said. "I was meant to be a public defender. I've always enjoyed it. I've always enjoyed working with clients. I've had terrific attorneys work with me. It was a pleasure."

The Batavia native will be able to stay in his hometown in his new job.

Asked why the public defender's job is an important one, Horton said, "often times our clients are poor. They don't have the resources or wherewithal to present themselves well. They come to us with other problems than their criminal case or family court case that they have to deal with. Often times they stand in the courtroom alone. There's no family there. There's nobody to support them. At the end of the day, win or lose, we're the only ones standing there with them."

Press release:

Since the initiation of the Boil Water Advisory (BWA) one week ago 31 private drinking water wells have been tested, with 15 confirmed to have bacteriological contamination of coliform bacteria and E. coli. Residents who have had their water tested and confirmed positive have been notified at this time.

These organisms can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants and people with compromised immune systems. Residents in this area who are experiencing these symptoms should contact their medical provider.

The Genesee County Health Department continues to assist the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with their investigation to determine the exact origin and extent of the contamination.

Residents near Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road east of Rt 63 and Lewiston Road south of Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road are urged to continue following the instructions below until their water can be confirmed safe to drink.

Instructions: Boil (rolling boil for one minute) tap water or use bottled water for drinking and cooking. If well water quality changes as noticed by color and/or smell, immediately stop using it for all household uses other than flushing toilets.

For additional information about a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) and how to stay safe during one, visit: http://www.readygenesee.com/BoilWaterAdvisory.pdf.

For additional information on coliform bacteria please visit:

http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/docs/coliform_bacteria.pdf

A one-vehicle rollover is reported at 9922 Alexander Road. The occupants are out. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:07 a.m.: A responder calls for Mercy medics to respond, non-emergency. Alexander fire is told to stand down.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m.: This assignment is back in service.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on Route 98 north of Federal Drive. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding and are advised that the roads are extremely icy. Law enforcement is on location. No word on injuries.

UPDATE 8 a.m.: Fire command is holding equipment in quarters. Medics are on scene along with state troopers.

UPDATE 8:18 a.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

The initial call came in as a chimney fire, but when East Pembroke Fire Chief Don Newton first got on scene he could see it was more than just the chimney on fire. Nearly the entire back wall of the barn at 2689 Brown Road, Corfu, was on fire.

He immediately called for a second alarm.

Firefighters were initially hampered by a lack of water, so Newton called on more tankers from neighboring departments.

But even facing these difficulties, the volunteer firefighters were able to save much of the structure and most of the contents, including a 40-foot yacht.

Besides East Pembroke, the departments responding were Corfu, Pembroke, Indian Falls, Town of Batavia, Alexander and Darien.

Mercy EMS also responded.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire.

(Initial Report)

This information is provided by Genesee Community College:

The Ninth Annual Cool Kids ECO-Fest happens at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. This fun-filled, educational event aims to increase awareness of important environmental issues while celebrating Earth Day.

It's free and open to the public. The first 250 attendees will receive free tree seedlings to plant. And more than 40 exhibitors will have booths including exotic wildlife, make-it take-it activities, and you get a chance to recycle items you often don't know what to do with.

Some favorite recycling initiatives from years past continue, including the collection of rubber sneakers to be made into running tracks, paperback books sent to American troops overseas and the worn American flags collected for proper disposal.

But just like Mother Earth, the Cool Kids ECO-Fest is ever-changing with new opportunities each year. Planners are excited to be welcoming Habitat for Humanity's call for non-fabric, wood or metal furniture including desks, bookcases, tables and dressers. In addition, old bicycles and reusable bike parts are being collected by Trailside Bikes of Orleans County.

For the first time, Cool Kids ECO-Fest at GCC will not be accepting any electronic waste (E-waste) such as computer CRTs, televisions, stereo equipment or microwave ovens.

Also new this year will be the Seeds of Change -- The Earth Charter and Human Potential Exhibit created by the Soka Gakkai International and The Earth Charter Initiative. The multi-panel display is seven feet tall, and with dynamic images and compelling messages viewers learn about community empowerment, water harvesting, the Green Belt and The Paulo Freire Institute and much more.

After ECO-Fest, GO ART! will screen the environmental film "Comfort Zone" in the Conable Technology Building.

Each recycled item from the list below earns a Cool Kids ECO-Raffle ticket increasing the chances to win great, green prizes including the grand prize of a brand-new bicycle from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

Recyclables being accepted are:

•    Non fabric, metal or wood furniture for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore

•    Old bicycles and reusable bike parts collected by Trailside Bike

•    Old rubber sneakers (no cleats, please)

•    Paperback books for American troops overseas

•    Worn American flags for proper disposal by Shepard, Maxwell and Hale

•    Old eyeglasses

•    Computer ink cartridges

"The small things we do as individuals have a big impact on our planet. That's the theme of Cool Kids ECO-Fest every year. Each one of us makes a difference," said Cool Kids' Steve Appleton. "The items people have brought to Cool Kids ECO-fest over the years have kept thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills. Let's keep it going. ... We can celebrate Earth Day every day as individuals, but on April 12th we come together and become Green Gangsters!"

To expand the festival to a broader audience, GCC is partnering with Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) to show the film "Comfort Zone." Essentially it asks, "How big is your carbon footprint?" This critical question is addressed by three Upstate New York filmmakers who explored the impact of climate change from a personal perspective. "Comfort Zone" takes an in-depth look at what happens when the issue comes to our backyards.

The screening is set for 3 p.m. in Room T102 of the Conable Technology Building. Following the film, one of the filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions. The event is a fundraiser for GO ART! and costs $10 for GO ART! members, $15 for non-members, and Cool Kids ECO-Fest volunteers can attend free with seat availability. For more information about the film, please visit http://comfortzoneproject.com.

Cool Kids ECO-Fest is co-sponsored by GCC's Student Activities Office, College Village, and Brockport-based Generation Cool.

There is reported smoke coming from the barn at 2689 Brown Road, Corfu.

East Pembroke fire and one engine from Corfu dispatched.

Mercy EMS also dispatched.

UPDATE 12:49 a.m.: A responding chief warns of slick roads in route to the scene. More manpower requested to East Pembroke's hall.

UPDATE 12:51 a.m.: Working chimney fire in the barn. Heavy smoke showing. East Pembroke chief requests a second alarm.

UPDATE 12:58 a.m.: Pembroke dispatched to the scene. Town of Batavia to stand by in East Pembroke's hall.

UPDATE 1:04 a.m.: Town of Batavia tanker requested to the scene.

UPDATE 1:08 a.m.: Indian Falls is responding.

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: Firefighters are having water supply issues. More tankers requested to the scene. Another pumper requested from Pembroke to set up a hydrant draw site. Fire now breaking through one of the walls.

UPDATE(S) by Billie 1:24 a.m.: The fire has broken through another side of the barn.

UPDATES 1:43 a.m.: Heavy smoke and flames are coming out of the east side of the barn. Alabama is requested to have an engine fill in at East Pembroke's hall.

UPDATE 1:52 a.m.: Initially, the property owner did try to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, but realized the effort was futile and he got out of the barn safely.

UPDATE 2:12 a.m.: A lot of white smoke is still coming from the back of the barn, but no flames are showing at this point.

UPDATE 3:02 a.m.: National Grid is called to the scene to cut power to the barn and to find out why there's no power at the house. It's unclear if power is out at other properties in the immediate vicinity.

UPDATE 3:10 a.m. (by Howard): Fire is out.

A rollover accident is reported in the area of 7714 Lewiston Road, Town of Batavia, and dispatchers believe there is one injury.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:51 p.m.: A responding chief warns responding units to proceed with caution. The roads are very icy, he said.

UPDATE 10:54 p.m.: The assignment is being held to Engine 23 and Engine 24.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service.

From the National Weather Service:

Areas of wet snow this evening have at least partially melted on road surfaces...and for those roadways that remain untreated...This will lead to some black ice as temperatures settle below freezing. At higher elevations...untreated roads will be snow or slush covered. This will especially be the case for the higher terrain south of Buffalo where several inches of snow has fallen since 4 p.m. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations and pedestrians should use extra caution if walking over untreated pavement.

The Sheriff's Office is working a property damage accident that is actually two accidents in one location, involving a pole with power lines. I don't have the location. A tow truck is delayed getting there because it's pulling a car out of a ditch in the Town of Batavia. There was also a property damage accident in the city (hit-and-run).

A motor-vehicle accident is reported on Route 98, just south of West Saile Drive. The driver struck a pole but is alert. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

GCC hosted a job fair this afternoon for those seeking careers or new jobs in the healthcare fields. About two dozen employers had information available and dozens of job candidates came through the forum during the fair.

GCC will host a job fair for general employment opportunities in the region April 10.

If you're in the market for a job or for employees, be sure to check out our new employment Web site for the region, GLOWJobs.net.

A motor-vehicle accident, with one person complaining of chest pain, is reported at 7360 Lewiston Road, just north of Fisher Road. Oakfield fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m.: The vehicle is in a field.

A possible chimney fire is reported at 6581 Alleghany Road. That's just south of Church Street, one the east side of the roadway. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

A resident is reporting light smoke on the first floor of a residence at 172 1/2 S. Main St. City fire is responding. Another resident says it may be cooking related.

The quarter finals of the GLOW-region mock trials were held Wednesday night in the Genesee County Courthouse.

The winners were:

• Batavia, 2-0 with 121 points
• Byron-Bergen, 2-0 with 108 points
• Attica, 1-1 with 112 points
• Pembroke, 1-1 with 104 points

The semi-finals are Monday in the Wyoming County Courthouse. The cases start at 5 p.m.

The case this year involves a lawsuit filed by a farmer over nearby hydrofracking.

To purchase prints, click here.

Press release:

Senator Mike Ranzenhofer today encouraged local student entries for the New York State Senate’s Earth Day Poster Contest, a statewide competition that raises student awareness of recycling and waste reduction.

“The New York State Senate takes this opportunity to celebrate the great strides New York has made in helping to improve our environment. By educating students about the importance of recycling, they can be a part of the many New Yorkers who are already helping to make a difference,” Ranzenhofer said.

The Earth Day Competition is for schoolchildren in grades K-6. Students are encouraged not only to be creative, but also to convey a real commitment to making the environment a better place. Entries should be photographed and submitted electronically, preferably in jpeg or pdf format, via Senator Ranzenhofer’s Web site, ranzenhofer.nysenate.gov. All submissions must be uploaded by April 11, 2014.

“The Earth Day competition encourages the exchange of ideas among schools, children and adults and inspires creative thinking about solutions to the environmental challenges we face in the 21st Century. Teaching children about the importance of recycling and waste reduction is critical, and I encourage children to submit their own poster,” Ranzenhofer said.

The theme of this year’s competition is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” The winning posters will be displayed at Senator Ranzenhofer’s Web site. All participants will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation.

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Since then, more than 20 million Americans have participated in the annual day, helping to improve the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. In addition, landmark legislation has been passed to help support this effort, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Tyquawn D. Bethel, 23, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal trespass, 2nd, and petit larceny. Officers were dispatched to an address on Prune Street for a report of an argument at 10:06 p.m. Tuesday. Bethal allegedly entered the residence uninvited and refused to leave. Bethal allegedly argued with a person at the residence. He allegedly grabbed money from the purse of the resident and then attempted to leave with the money. When patrols arrived, Bethal was allegedly combative with officers and refused to comply with verbal commands. Bethal allegedly initiated a fight with the officers. Children were allegedly present during the scuffle. He was subdued and taken into custody. Bethal was jailed on $2,500 bail. The investigation was handled by Officer Kevin DeFelice and Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Robert L. Peachey Jr., 30, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Peachey is accused of stealing a bottle of Jack Daniel's Honey from YNGodess on Feb. 28. (Previously)

Shaumyk Antonio Santiago, 21, of St. Paul Street, Rochester, is charged with burglary. Santiago is accused of forcing entry into a residence on Tinkham Drive, Darien, on or about Dec. 27, and stealing handguns, cash, jewelry and other property. Santiago was arraigned, released on his own recognizance and turned over to another police agency on unrelated criminal charges. A second arrest in the case is pending. The investigation was conducted by Investigator William Ferrando and Sgt. Ron Meides.

Christopher M. Colantonio, 34, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Colantonio was arrested on a bench warrant. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Elizabeth A. Denise, 33, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Denise turned herself in. She was released on $100 bail.

Kevin R. Baumgarte, 39, of Birchwood, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, passing a red light, leaving scene of a property damage accident and failure to keep right. Baumgarte was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident on South Main Street at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Batavia patrols subsequently located Baumgarte. The accident was investigated by Officer Eric Foels.

Micahel Samuel Yamonaco, 41, of Trumbull Street, Mount Morris, Kathleen Melissa Pritchard, 35, of Spartan Drive, Farmington, Aaron Michael Higgins, 34, of Genesee Street, Piffard, and Miranda Ariene Ralston, 27, of Genesee Street, Piffard, are all charged with grand larceny, 4th. The four suspects are accused of stealing a TV from the Batavia Walmart. They were arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and found with the allegedly stolen TV.