Skip to main content

Accident with minor injuries reported on Galloway Road

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at 2950 Galloway Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m.: The assignment can be held to Engine 24, non-emergency. The patient is complaining of arm and back pain.

UPDATE 10:53 a.m.: The patient is a 35-year-old male who is being taken to UMMC with complaints of lower back and right hand pain.


View Larger Map

Mother nature on the move prior to cold front's arrival

By JIM NIGRO

The sun was barely up Thursday morning when this bluebird and downy woodpecker showed up to sample the frost-covered sumac. Thanks to their "built in" barometers, bird and other wildlife movement often precedes an impending storm or inclement weather.

This female "downy" opted to try her luck on the apple tree. In her search for a meal, she'll look high and low.....

and probe every nook and cranny, leaving nothing to chance in her quest to locate insects. 

How many times a second do you think she can rat-a-tat-tat the tree trunk? ......go ahead.....count 'em!

Later in in the morning, long after the frost has melted away, the male downy is still giving the sumac drupes a thorough going over.

Mr. & Mrs. house finch take a respite in the upper branches of the apple tree.

High atop the cottonwood, some 80 feet up the air, a lone crow keeps tabs on the surroundings below.

Pair of wild tom's scouring a harvested grain field for kernels of corn. 

For the past couple of days there was a good deal of wildlife movement around our neck of the woods. But that has already ceased, even as I write this. Everything seems to be hunkered down, waiting for whatever it is that's coming our way to pass through.   

Rescuers put themselves at risk to save stranded hunter in Iroquois refuge

By Howard B. Owens

At 4:38 p.m., Bill Schutt, Alabama fire's assistant chief, is reminded the sun sets in three minutes.

"That's what I'm worried about," he says. "It's not just light. It gets colder."

His chief is out on an island in the midst of frigid water with a hunter who became stranded in the swamps of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on a day when temperatures dipped into the teens. One firefighter, who was with the chief, is at risk of frostbite after his boots filled with water while trying to reach the hunter.

It's too risky for the firefighters to walk out, even though they've located the hunter and he's in good health.

The hunter called for help at 2:30 in the afternoon. He started hunting at 12:30. He called for help, he said later, having spent an hour in the icy waters of the swamp tracking a deer he'd shot.

"At first the water wasn't too deep," said Colin Phillips, here from Vermont to hunt. "I was hopping from island to island out there and then it started getting deeper and deeper and I'm breaking through the ice. Finally, I reached an island and went about 50 yards and I couldn't go any further. I was exhausted."

His hands were freezing because he didn't have any gloves, but was otherwise appropriately dressed for the conditions. It was so cold that after his gun got wet it jammed with ice. He couldn't even fire a shot to alert rescuers to his location.

He was found with the help of a State Police helicopter and good tracking by Alabama Chief Gary Patnode.

As sunset neared, a hovercraft from Clarence Center returned from its crew's effort to reach the stranded hunter and the two firefighters. 

The sticks and logs popped nearly ever single floatation tube from around the boat. 

One of the crew members said that when they were about halfway to the location, the boat's stern took a nosedive into the water and that's when most of the damage was done.

The crew decided to be safe and make its way back to the shore.

"We realized, it's just a machine," he said. "It can be repaired."

As the sun's light wanes outside the command center, Jim Bouton, a coordinator with the Office of Emergency Management, learns that the weather had cleared enough for the State Police helicopter to return to the scene.

The helicopter isn't really equipped to hoist people from the ground, so the plan is for the chopper to hover right on top of the ice and pull one person at a time into the craft.

Bouton relays the plan to Schutt and looks skeptical.

"We need a plan C," he says.

A little later, scene commanders learn the helicopter from the Erie County Sheriff's Office will attempt the rescue. The two-man crew can deploy a hoist.

"I'm usually the type to remain calm and I was confident enough in our resources and our fire companies that I knew we were eventually going to get out," Patnode said after he returned safely to Casey Road. "We were already working on plans B, C and D."

When the rescue effort first started, Schutt noted, it seemed straightforward enough. Dispatchers were able to provide coordinates of the stranded hunter and he wasn't too difficult to find.

But getting him out safely proved to be harder than expected.

"The amount of water they had to go through, lightly frozen over, was the problem the hunter ran into in the first place," Schutt said. "Our firefighters could not have safely gotten back because they would have had to walk back through the water."

Alabama firefighters have all recently been through wilderness rescue training and Patnode had Thompson carrying a backpack equipped with what rescuers would need in a wilderness situation.

Except for a kit to start a fire.

"If I could have started a fire, I would have," Patnode said.

The idea of a nighttime rescue in the wilderness certainly carried an innate sense of risk.

"Any time you have a helicopter operating in the dark close to trees and people, it's definitely an elevated level of danger," said Andy Merkle, who worked the scene during most of the incident as operations manager.

His job was to keep an track of all the people and resources going in so they could be accounted for coming out.

"We want to make sure we don't come up with any more victims," Merkle said.

The first person rescued was Ryan Thompson, the firefighter with the cold feet. He was fine and was out walking around after a few minutes of rehab in an ambulance.

Thompson expressed nothing but confidence in his chief and his fellow firefighters. He said he never felt like it was a desperate situation.

"I knew it was our job and they would get us out some how," Thompson said.

Phillips was the next one brought back to the command post on Casey Road.

Upon his return, the demeanor of his brother and a friend who had been pacing the road for more than two hours went from fretful to joyous.

"You go from being absolutely terrified to utter rejoicing in the matter of two hours," said friend Matthew Laflair.

Laflair had some familiarity with the swamp area and knew what firefighters were up against.

"I know how tough it is to get back there, so to see the effort is good," Laflair said. "It's impressive to see a helicopter pulling some people out of here."

Patnode was the third person airlifted out of the swamp. He was also impressed by the effort of the Erie County pilot.

"I think he went above and beyond," Patnode said. "Maybe he went out of his comfort zone doing a night rescue like that, but he got the job done."

There were two other members of the Alabama team who got stranded in the woods. They were brought out by members of the Clarence Center Fire Department who were dressed in cold-water rescue suits.

In all, volunteers from fire departments in Genesee, Orleans, Erie and Niagara counties assisted in the rescue of Phillips.

"I owe them my life," Phillps said. "If they didn't come out and get me, I'd be dead tonight. I appreciate every second of it. They're great people."

Patnode, Thompson, Schutt, all said, "this is what we do."

So what can we say about that?

"I think you say 'Thank you,' " Schutt said. "I don't know what more you can say than that.

"These guys are out here, no paycheck," Schutt added. "They've been out here in the cold for hours, but it's something you do for your community. When you're part of a volunteer fire department, somebody calls for help, you go help. It's not something you complain about. None of these guys are going to complain about being out here cold and away from home for hours."

The initial post on this incident by Billie Owens contains a lot of details in chronological order of how the rescue went down. If you haven't read it, read it.

Bill Schutt, communicating with dispatchers early in the incident.

Patnode, center of the picture, after being airlifted from the swamp.

Top photo, Colin Phillips escorted to an ambulance after being rescued.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Crews working to restore power to 300 customers in Stafford following accident on Route 5

By Howard B. Owens

National Grid reports some 300 customers from Clinton Street Road on the west to Bater road on the East are without power and there is not yet an estimate of when power will be restored.

A small pickup hit a utility pole just before 6 p.m. at Route 5 and Clipnock Road, shearing it off at its base.

One of the main transmission lines for the area was strung to the top of the pole, a National Grid employee on scene explained later. He said when the truck struck the pole, it probably moved 10 feet, causing the line to snap out of insulators on poles up and down the line.

The plan, he said, was for crews to respond to multiple locations and isolate specific outage areas and restore power incrementally to the affected customers.

While the initial estimate for power restoration was eight to 10 hours, the worker said he'd like to keep it to under four hours.

The driver and the passenger of the truck were transported to UMMC with minor injuries. A deputy said the truck was eastbound when it crossed the center line and struck the pole on the north shoulder. He said the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Route 5 remains close to through traffic at this hour.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: The driver is identified in a Sheriff's Office accident report as Jason C. Penn, 35, of Mix Place, Batavia. His passenger was Blake C. Lind, age 7. The truck struck a fire hydrant and two utility poles. Debris from the accident struck another vehicle, causing the windshield to shatter. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, which is being conducted by Deputy Joseph Graff. No citations have been issued. A reader reports power restored at her Stafford residence at 5 a.m.

(Initial Report)

Emergency dispatchers know about the power outage, but don't know when power will be back on

By Billie Owens

Emergency dispatchers have received a number of calls from people calling about the power outage in Stafford and the eastern side of Batavia.

Yes, dispatchers know about the outage. No they don't know when power will be restored.

Calls about the outage should be directed to National Grid.

Power could be out for up to 10 hours, though workers are trying to restore it much more quickly than that.

If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Smoke in the basement reported on Coniber Road, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

Smoke in the basement is reported at 8309 Coniber Road. East Pembroke and Pembroke fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: Command on scene confirms light smoke in the basement.

UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: The smoke reportedly smells like fuel oil of some sort.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Fire command is speaking with the homeowner, although no one was home at the time of the call. The chimney may be the source of smoke.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: They are ventilating the structure.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m.: East Pembroke command says the source of the problem is a faulty furnace and the homeowner is going to take care of it. The assignment is back in service.

Car wreck on Route 5 at Clipnock Road, Stafford

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Route 5 and Clipnock Road, Stafford. Stafford fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6 p.m.: The driver is said to be in and out of consciousness. There are wires down over the vehicle.

UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: Fire police will be shutting down traffic at Route 5 and Sanders Road.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: Command asked for Mercy Flight to be put on ground standby if available. Dispatch says Mercy Flight needs to be rerouted and asks if they are needed at the scene. Command says to send a second ambulance. One victim is a minor with a leg abrasion.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: Command calls for Mercy Flight to stand by the scene. The ship out of Batavia is available. A landing zone is being established, in case.

UPDATE 6:16 p.m.: Town of Batavia fire police are heading to the scene to assist with traffic control.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m.: Medics have not yet determined if Mercy Flight will be needed.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: Mercy Flight is grounded due to weather. They are going to break down the landing zone.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: The driver who was said to be in and out of consciousness, has diabetes and is being transported by ambulance to UMMC. National Grid is on scene, and reps for cable and Verizon wireless are requested.

UPDATE 7:06 p.m.: Red Osier's management is acutely aware of the situation and it's impacting the evening's business at the restaurant. A National Grid rep says they are going to try and isolate the area west of Route 5 to get the power on, and go from there. Verizon says it will get someone out there tomorrow.

UPDATE 8:51 p.m.: Town of Batavia's assignment to Sanders Road back in service.

UDATE 8:55 p.m.: Verizon is in route. 2 1/2 hour ETA.

Car crash with injuries in Le Roy on East Main Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 7818 E. Main Road in Le Roy. It's between Asbury and Circular Hill roads. One person is complaining of back pain and is inside the vehicle. Le Roy Fire Department and Ambulance Service are responding.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: A pickup truck involved has wires and cable wrapped around it. The state DOT rep is called because of the snarl of wires involved -- telephone, cable, phone, electrical, plus a damaged pole and the need to remove a damaged fire hydrant. Monroe County Water Authority is notified of the latter necessity. People in the vicinity are without power.

Hunter needs to be rescued from Iroquois wildlife refuge swamp

By Billie Owens

A hunter is reportedly stranded in the middle of the swamp in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. He called dispatch on his mobile phone seeking help and they used GPS to track his position. "He's obviously cold," and not injured, but possibly has hypothermia. The man, whose vehicle has out-of-state license plates, shot a deer and tracked it well into the swamp. He has fallen down in the swamp several times and is now chest-deep in icy water. Rescuers are staging at 968 Casey Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, along with reps from the Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service. Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: The State Police helicopter is available if needed.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: The hunter has been tracked to "smack dab in the middle" of two large bodies of water between Casey and Feeder roads. An ATV is at the rescuers' disposal, too.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: "I have a group of guys going in there on foot," says the Alabama fire chief. A crew from Lyndonville is requested to fill in at Alabama Station #2.

UPDATE 2:48 p.m.: Command says "Do you still have phone contact with him? Ask him to fire off one round into the air so we've got a bearing." The dispatcher replies "I'll see if he's got a whistle. ... The firearm is frozen to the point that he can't even unload it."

UPDATE 2:55 p.m.: Command says "He tells dispatch he can hear something, so maybe you guys are close." They want dispatch to ask the victim "to ping his cell" -- and/or a crew member's 9-1-1 call -- so they can see if indeed they are getting close. The crew on foot has spotted fresh boot prints on the ground. The original ATV is out of commission but two more are headed to the scene. Alexander Fire Department is assembling in its hall for possible deployment of its Gator.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The State Police Helicopter has been deployed and rescuers "have a visual on it." It is hovering just west of command. The foot crew of four firefighters is northward, in the woods west of the area between two ponds where they can now see the victim. Also, a family member of the victim is on scene.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.: "We are about 80 yards away from him, we are working our way across the swamp toward him," says a member of the foot crew. Another responder asks "Is he conscious?" The reply is that he is upright. The State Police helicopter pilot says heavy lake effect show is moving in from the Northwest and he won't be able to stay in place for much longer. The visibility is very low and, besides, he could see no place to land. He provides rescuers with the exact geographic coordinates of the victim's position. A crew member reports there is solid ice around there, and they are slogging through three feet of water, and the Gator probably can't get back there. So the hovercraft from Clarence Center is called for and stand-by crews from Clarenden and Shelby.

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: Foot crew members are going to be sent back. The State Police helicopter has gone back to the hangar. Command says they have both the pilot's coordinates and compass coordinates, but it's difficult to discern where access paths may be. A crew member said they have so far gone 300 yards in knee-deep water and doubt that ATVs could be useful in that terrain. They await the hovercraft from Clarence Center.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: "Command, he's 100 yards in front of us. He's in four feet of water."

UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: It's sounding as though the foot crew members may be in jeopardy. "We're depending on the hovercraft at this point." The ATVs won't be useful. The crew members are in three feet of water and the path, and others, are not clearly discernable. They want to see if they can get the State Police helicopter back to try and better pinpoint their location at this time for rescuers to be able to find the foot crew. But command says the weather, which prompted the helicopter to leave, is likely to prevent it from responding to the scene a second time.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: The helicopter, with zero visibility, cannot fly. A foot crew member says "We're east of (the victim). We're trying to find higher ground. We're surrounded by water." A person says to look for a path to the east and the crew member responds "We followed the path to the east all the way here," and it apparently can no longer be clearly seen. The hovercraft and the Clarence Center crew are at the ready, preparing to enter the swamp. A rescuer says the victim "is trying to work his way to us," and they are going to set up a rehab area in the vicinity.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: "We're on an island in the middle of water," says a foot crew member. It is announced that a patch of landing space to the west may be a possibility if Mercy Flight is needed and is able to fly. It remains on standby.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: Command tells the now-stranded foot crew that the hovercraft crew of four, fully suited, is going to trek in and try to retrace the tracks and locate an access point for the hovercraft.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: The lost hunter and members of the foot crew have met up. The hunter "has cold hands" but otherwise seems OK. They are going to remain stationary and try to stay warm. Someone has hot packs now on his feet. One of the men is going to the edge of "the island" to try and get a visual on the rescuers looking for them.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: Dispatch says the Forest Service is on the way, with an ETA of two hours. A responder says "Could you repeat that? The hovercraft just went zipping by."

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: "The hovercraft is in the middle of the pond headed your way."

UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: There is some confusion. The hovercraft is said to be in the wrong pond. But someone says that its location is in sync with the coordinates provided.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: They have definately found a path to the stranded men. They just need "to make a plan" to get the hovercraft to them.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: "We're having some issues with the hovercraft. Is it possible to walk out?" "No, that's not possible. We walked through waist-deep water to get here." Several hunters are seen walking in the area, and someone asks if perhaps their location may provide an access point.

UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: It is determined that the Clarence Center hovercraft will not be able to do the job. "But we'll need a hovercraft of some kind." "Can a boat get in there?" "There's a land mass between two bodies of water."

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: Dispatchers are contacting Erie County and the State Police, again, for aerial aid.

UPDATE 4:36 p.m.: Meanwhile, they are going to try to re-deploy the hovercraft from Clarence Center and the men are asked to listen for it. All they can do is try to stay warm and wait.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: The hovercraft is not going to work. "We're going to have to go with another plan." A total of five men, including the victim, need to be rescued and they are in two separate locations.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m. Concern at the scene grows as it is nearly dark and the weather is expected to get colder. A plan involving a helicopter is under way.

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: "We're are going to send in a team for you two and then airlift the other three," command tells a stranded firefighter. "We'll sit tight," is the reply.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: A helicopter from Erie County is on the way with a 10-minute ETA.

UPDATE 5:14 p.m.: A water rescue team is going to attempt to extricate the pair of men in one of the locations. The helicopter and its crew will try to get the others. The pilot asks what the condition is at the scene. There's "a few flakes in the air," but otherwise it looks good.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: All available manpower from Alabama Fire Department is requested to the scene's command post at Lewiston and Casey roads.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: "Make sure a landing zone is clearly marked in case they have to land quickly."

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: "We're hovering above but there are so many lights shining, we can't see where the victims are," says the pilot. The responders on the ground are told to shut off all lights except in the two locations were the stranded parties are.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: The Erie County helicopter is hovering over the ice and "will lower the basket down for the victim." A firefighter who is with the victim has a dead radio and it's not known whether they can contact him via mobile phone to let him know about the basket drop.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Dispatch is in phone contact with the firefighter who is with the victim and will remain in contact with him until the victim has been extricated.

UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: Dispatch is communicating now with the State Police helicopter pilot who is appearantly going to be able to return to the incident. The pilot asks about the location and is told "same spot as before but now the rescuers need rescuing." Meanwhile, the other helicopter pilot is asked whether the victim's firearm can be put aboard the helicopter with him or "will it have to be walked out?" The answer is pending.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: One issue has been getting wetsuits (for protecting from hypothermia) for at least two individuals needing rescue, as well as those who will be trying to get the wetsuits to them.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: The men who were to be led out by the water rescue team are now being told they will be airlifted out. The process in either of the victims' locations is done one person at a time, thus multiple trips by the helicopter(s).

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: "OK we're coming out. Everyone's accounted for."

UPDATE 6:59 p.m.: "Alabama command -- all the men and equipment are accounted for. We're out."

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: All responders are back in service. The Alabama assignment is concluded.

Robbery reported at Days Inn, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Law local enforcement is currently searching the city for a person who robbed the Days Inn this morning.

No further details available at this time.

UPDATE 4:30 a.m.: A white male entered the Days Inn on Noonan Drive at 2:40 a.m. and pointed a shotgun at the clerk.

He got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, including a coin tray filled with coins.

The suspect left in a small sedan and headed east on Noonan into the residential neighborhood adjacent Noonan Drive.

Batavia PD and Sheriff's patrols began a search of the area as soon as the robbery was reported but have so far been unable to locate the vehicle.

The suspect is described as 5'7" and about 200 pounds, wearing a dark blue hoodie and wearing a bandana over his face.

The similarities between this robbery and two others in recent days at the Best Western in Batavia and the 7-Eleven in Oakfield are enough to suspect there is a single suspect in all three cases, said Sgt. Todd Crossett, Batavia PD.

The suspect in the previous two robberies was described as 5'2" to 5'7" and "small in stature," however given the times, the bandana and the fact guns were used in all three robberies (a handgun in the first two) suggest a possible link.

"He fits a simliar description, so the five-sevenish, I guess it really depends on the person looking at him and when you have a shotgun in your face things aren't as clear, but he is described as similar as the other ones," Crossett said.

Crossett said it's hard to say whether the suspect is a local person, but it's likely.

"It's been all in the last week, so if it wasn't somebody from the area, I don't think they would keep coming back," Crossett said. "That would probably be a good assumption."

Nobody was hurt in this morning's robbery.

People with information that could assist in the investigation can call Batavia PD at (585) 345-6035.

"If anyone has information, any friends, relatives acting suspiciously, or if you know of anything, please contact the Batavia Police Department or the Genesee County Sheriff's," Crossett said.

Christmas window displays starting to appear downtown

By Howard B. Owens

It's starting to look a bit like Christmas downtown as businesses begin installing their holiday window displays. The Business Improvement District sponsors an annual window display contest.

Yesterday and today, Brandi Bruggman has been painting a "White Christmas" mural at Steve Hawley's insurance office.

Dog abuse reported on Hutchins Place in the city

By Billie Owens

City police are responding to a residence on Hutchins Place after a caller reported to dispatch that a female allegedly picked a dog up by its collar and that prior to that a male allegedly "punched the dog."

Photos: HLOM hosts 2013 Wonderland of Trees Gala

By Howard B. Owens

Don Burkel and David Gann were among the revelers having a jolly time at the Holland Land Office Museum tonight for the annual Wonderland of Trees gala.

The fundraiser is an early chance for people in the community to see all of the trees decorated by local businesses and community groups.

Four-year-old Robert Worthington of Batavia was fascinated by the toy trains running around a stand of trees.

Elizabeth Carlson, 8.

Burkel purchasing 50-50 tickets from Amy Swanson.

Don Read

Sam and Anne Barone

Hungry tonight: Order ahead with Batavia Eats

By Howard B. Owens

We have more menus online ready to receive your meal orders from great local restaurants.

Here are the menus available now:

The developers have also added a new feature -- you can order your meals in advance. Let's say you're in Rochester at 4 p.m. and know you won't be back in Batavia until 6:15 p.m., you can specify 6:15 as your pick-up time.

Be sure to bookmark BataviaEats.com to keep up with new restaurants as we add them and for future online ordering from local restaurants.

Ask the Local Doctor: What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

By Howard B. Owens

This week's question: What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is either one reversible / curable?

In Diabetes Type 1, the body does not produce insulin. This occurs when a person's own body has destroyed the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This is where a person does not produce insulin which takes glucose into cells for growth and energy. In Type 1 diabetes, your own immune system destroys cells in your pancreas, so little if any insulin is made. This type of diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes. This type of diabetes is not preventable and not related to lifestyle. It makes no difference whether a person is fat, thin, fit or unfit in regards to a person developing Type 1 diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily, either injected or through an insulin pump. However, research is currently being undertaken to find a way to reverse Type 1 diabetes, and a vaccine is currently being developed which may help to reverse this disease. There is no way to reverse Type 1 diabetes at this time.

In Diabetes Type 2, the cells do not respond correctly to the insulin. People with Diabetes Type 2 have one of two problems, and sometimes both. Either not enough insulin is being produced, or the insulin is not working properly, which is known as insulin resistance. The vast majority of patients who develop Type 2, did so because they were overweight and unfit for some time. This type of diabetes tends to appear later on in life and often called adult onset diabetes. However, there have been more and more cases of people in their 20s developing Type 2, but it is still relatively uncommon. Approximately 85 percent of people who have diabetes have this type of diabetes. Lack of physical activity, being overweight, and some genetic factors make it much more likely that the cells build up insulin resistance more quickly. It is important to remember that insulin resistance is not the insulin responding properly, but the cells not responding properly to the insulin. With time and dedication, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed and the results can be very rewarding with less tiredness and better all-round health. Loss of body weight and exercise can be particularly beneficial in helping to reverse the progression of diabetes. In some cases, people may find they are able to come off medication, although blood sugar levels should be checked regularly as reversing progression of diabetes is not a cure.

If you have further concerns you should contact your doctor for more information regarding your condition.

Dr. Magdi Credi

Ask the Local Doctor is sponsored by Insource Urgent Care, 35 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, (585) 250-4201. To submit a question to Ask the Local Doctor, e-mail askthedoc@thebatavian.com. To submit your question anonymously, if you wish, you can use our online form.

Photo: Two companies join forces for donation of food items to Salvation Army

By Howard B. Owens

Muller Quaker Dairy and the local Edward Jones office came together Thursday to drop off seven baskets of canned and boxed food donated to the Salvation Army's annual holiday food drive. Pictured are Michael Marsh, with Edward Jones, and Julie Flynn, from Muller Quaker.

Information and photo submitted by Robin Ettinger.

Car crash with minor injuries reported on Liberty Street

By Billie Owens

A car accident with minor injuries is reported at Liberty Street just north of Ellicott Street. City police and fire are responding, along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: There were four vehicles involved, but a truck with dents on the right side and possibly the rear, left the scene and police are trying to locate it. The truck is described as a black Chevy, with an extended cab, possibly a 1500 made in 1995.

 

Weekend weather advisory issued, snow and wind expected

By Howard B. Owens

Wind and snow appear to be heading toward Genesee County.

A weather advisory has been issued from noon Saturday to 1 a.m., Sunday.

There is a risk of blowing snow with temperatures turning sharply downward Saturday night with lows of 15 to 20 degrees.

Storm totals of one to three inches are expected with winds from the northwest of 20 to 30 mph.

Visibility will be as low as a half mile at times.

An arctic cold front could bring a blast of snow Saturday afternoon with scattered showers Saturday night.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Town of Batavia - Lower 1 bedroom apartment for rent with all appliances and parking. Sun room with gas fireplace and patio. $1100/ Month; plus electric, includes heat and water. No pets and no smoking. Security and references required. Available June 15th. Call 585-344-3141 for appointment.
Tags: Rentals

Authentically Local