A power line is down and arcing in the front yard of 5815 E. Main Road, Stafford.

Stafford Fire Department is dispatched.

UPDATE: Below, reader submitted photo. National Grid was on scene and had power cut just before midnight and Stafford went back in service at that time.

Phil Ricci, upper right, leads a discussion at Coffee Culture among the more than 20 people who showed up to help form the Libertarian Party in Genesee County.

I was only there for a few minutes to get a picture. I'll let Phil, in comments, if he wishes, discuss what went on tonight and what progress was made.

Deputies are looking for two vehicles -- one dark in color and the other silver -- that may have been involved in a shot-fired incident in the Walmart parking lot.

The "victim" is reportedly in the silver vehicle.

A white male, believed to have a gun, in a dark hooded sweat shirt left in a dark vehicle, according to a witness.

UPDATE 9:21 p.m.: The possible victim is believed to be black, and he reportedly left the scene in a silver vehicle driven by a black male.

UPDATE 9:55 p.m.: State Police are handling investigation. No confirmation that there was actually a shot fired.

UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: Troopers have cleared the scene. A trooper has driven over to Batavia PD headquarters to "share information."  That's all we have on this incident at this time, unless law enforcement releases more information.

UPDATE Tuesday, 4 p.m.: State Police still have no further information to release on this incident. They're not confirming at this point that there was a shot fired, and are not saying there wasn't a shot fired.  There may be more information available in the morning. The case is under investigation.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) announced today that it will deliver a presentation at the Town of Bergen’s Public Meeting on January 22 to raise awareness about the organization’s activities and continue an ongoing dialogue with residents.

Mark Masse, GCEDC’s senior vice president of operations, and Rachael Tabelski, marketing and communications manager, will be discussing the role and purpose of GCEDC, the ways in which it assists companies and fosters business development in the region, and the recent projects in which GCEDC has participated – both in Bergen and throughout the county. GCEDC will also be taking questions from those in attendance.

The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22 at the Bergen Town Hall, located at 10 Hunter Street in the Town of Bergen. All residents are encouraged to attend.

Elijah Robert Coombs, 18, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest, criminal nuisance, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Coombs is accused of causing problems when deputies arrived at his residence to investigate a report of an underage drinking party at 11:43 p.m., Friday. When deputies attempted to arrest Coombs, he allegedly resisted arrest and struck a deputy. Deputies Matt Fleming and Patrick Reeves responded to the call.

Andrew Zimba Perdock, 25, of Bethany Center Road, Bethany, was arrested on a bench warrant, alleged failure to pay fine related to a petit larceny charge. Perdock was jailed on $100 bail.

Ronald James Tombari, 24, of Court Road, Pavilion, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and no seat belt. Tombari was stopped at 12:12 a.m. Sunday on Perry Road, Pavilion, by Deputy John Weis.

(name redacted), 19, and (name redacted upon request), 24, both of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, are charged with unlawful dealing with a child. xxx and xxx were arrested following an investigation into a report of a loud gathering. xxx and xxx were accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Christopher William Fowler, 24, of Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and parking on a roadway. Fowler was allegedly found in his vehicle at 10:13 p.m., Saturday, with it stopped on Stegman Road and Miller Road, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

A 17-year-old from Batavia has been charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was stopped at 3:28 p.m., Saturday, on Lewiston Road, Batavia, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Patrick Reeves. During the traffic stop, the youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Lori Ann Brightenfield, 53, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Deputy Jason Saile responded to a report of a citizen requesting assistance because her vehicle ran out of gas in the Town of Le Roy. Following an investigation, Brightenfield was arrested for alleged DWI.

Press release:

Please be advised that the Genesee County Highway Department will be hosting a public information meeting regarding the replacement of the bridge on Griswold Road in the Town of Stafford. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 at the Stafford Town Hall. All residents are invited to hear a presentation and comment on the design and schedule of the project by County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens and project engineer Wendell Buckman. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced next summer.

The Batavia High School varsity basketball cheerleading squad took second place at the Monroe County Tournament held at Victor HS on Saturday.

Five teams participated in their competition.

Kayla Corp, Jessica Derefinko, Codie Grazioplene and Whitney Athoe received 2nd Team All County nominations.

The team will compete for a Section V title Feb. 23 at RIT.

Information and photo submitted by a reader.

This video apparently produced by the City of Batavia features City Manager Jason Molino, with a cameo by his daughter, demonstrating how the new tote system for trash and recycling will work.

Billie and I returned to Batavia just a little while ago.

We want to thank Alecia Kaus for filling in for us while we were in California. She did a great job. We also appreciate the help from WBTA.

We enjoyed seeing our family and a few friends in California -- we visited Ventura, Bakersfield and San Diego (staying in El Cajon).

We're also glad to be back home and looking forward to getting back into covering local news.

Of course, I made quite a few photographs during our trip.

Inset photo is sunrise in Ventura, taken Saturday morning from the Ventura Pier. We lived in Ventura from 1996 to 2005. Below is the Ocean Beach Pier. I lived in OB from 1986 to 1989 and co-published the community newspaper there (The Beacon).

Peggy Grayson is recycling.

For 16 years she has been administrator of GLOW Solid Waste Management and was recognized by the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling last month in Cooperstown as Recycler of the Year. 

"They started to describe the Recycler of the Year, and it sounds like they are describing me," she says. "I talk a lot and I was speechless. I was honored. It's a pretty big award."

Grayson who is a Le Roy native and resident of Stafford says she has been to every annual conference.

"You pick up things and make contacts and find out new things you don't know." 

The State Association describes Grayson as "inspirational and always willing to go the extra mile on a shoestring budget."

Grayson is the only employee covering Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties. Orleans County dropped out nine years ago. 

Working out of County Building #2 on West Main Street, Grayson says GLOW is one of the largest surviving multiple county groups in New York State.

"It's a validation of the counties sticking together and working together. We have very low overhead."

The total county contibution is $72,000.

Her most successful venture has been the Household Hazardous Waste Collection each year. Using the County Highway Department, they have gone from 150 spots in 1996 to 600 spots last year.

"We get rid of a lot of stuff," Grayson says.    

She will continue to spread the recycling word to youngsters throughout the GLOW Region. She says she has fun going into the schools and presenting information about recycling and reuse. She says kids are always asking her what's new. She hopes they relay her message to their parents, too.

To contact Peggy Grayson for recycling, reduction and reuse questions you can e-mail her at glow@co.genesee.ny.us or call 585-344-2580, ext. 5463.

A cold front moving into Western New York is bringing high winds to Genesee County, with gusts up to 60 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, which is in effect until 4 p.m.

Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected.

There are at least five power outages in Genesee County right now, with the largest in Darien and Alexander, affecting 495 and 200 customers respectively. An outage in East Pembroke has 348 customers without power. There are two minor power outages reported in Batavia.

All of these outages should have power restored by 9 a.m.

Highs in the low teens are predicted for Monday through Wednesday with snow showers.

A working house fire has been reported on Bloomingdale Road near Ackerson Road.

Flames showing in second story. Second alarm.

All people accounted for in the house.

Alabama Fire Department responding.

On my way to the scene.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.: Bill Schutt, assistant fire chief for the Town of Alabama Fire Department, says when crews arrived on scene the homeowner was on the roof in his bare feet trying to push the chimney away from the house.  

The homeowner was later transported to an area hospital with burns to his legs. According to the homeowner's statements, the fire started in the chimney.

The fire then quickly spread to the second story and got out of control with help from the high winds. Fire crews also ran out of water at the scene several times. Tankers hauled in water from ponds that were quite a distance from the fire.

About 12 companies helped fight the fire. Several were called in from Erie and Orleans counties due to the amount of local departments already out on calls for trees and wires down.

The home is a total loss.Firefighters will be on scene for some time to get it under control.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: Red Cross has been called in to help the two adults that live in the home.

Mercy medic called non-emergency to the scene for a firefighter with a minor injury.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m. (by Howard): Photo below submitted by a reader.

Genesee County Sheriff's deputies are responding to an address in Bergen on Le Roy Street after a neighbor called in a possible burglary in progress.

There are three subjects about 14 or 15 years years old with a long gun in the backyard. The house may be abandoned. One subject was spotted inside, one in the garage.

Deputy on location. Out with four teens at the scene.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Deputy on location says the teens are using airsoft rifles.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Law enforcement clear of the scene.

City police and a Sheriff's deputy are responding to Liberty and Ellicott streets after a passing motorist dumped their McDonald's garbage on a front lawn at a residence on Ellicott Street Road.

The homeowner chased the motorist from his home on Ellicott Street Road to the city.

The parking lot at Alexander High School was packed with cars and people from all over the Genesee County community. Folks came out to give their support to an 18 year old 2012 Pembroke High School graduate who has been battling a rare juvenile cancer since last February.

The fundraiser for Austin Heineman during last night's Alexander Boys Basketball match-up with Lyndonville was organized by the Alexander Varsity Cheerleading squad.

"I wanted the girls to see what it's like to give back to the community," Varsity Cheerleading Coach Erin Coles said. "This is their chance to shine for a second, I just didn't expect this many people here." 

Admission was free. Donation buckets, 50/50 raffle, a half-court basketball shoot, a bake sale, and the sale of Austin's Army T-shirts and wristbands collected a total of $1,500 for the night. All proceeds will go toward Austin's medical expenses. 

Austin was scheduled to be at the fundraising event, but had to go to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo for stem cell replacement yesterday morning. 

Doctors want to boost his platelet count to prepare him for a bone marrow transplant next week at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md. 

According to Tricia Heineman, Austin's aunt, they have found two good candidates for the bone marrow transplant.

"He has the best attitude -- if there was one to make it through this, it would be him," Tricia Heineman said.

The Alexander Boys Basketball Team defeated Lyndonville 59-39 to make the night complete.

To keep updated about Austin's condition go to www.facebook.com/austinsarmy

There has been a report of a grass or rubbish fire at the rear of the transfer station on Circular Hill Road in the Town of Le Roy.

Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: LeRoy Fire is on location and keeping the assignment to what is on scene putting all others back in service.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: Le Roy has extinguished the fire and is back in service.

Jeff Allen sent us this information:

Attention political junkies:

I recently won two tickets to the January 21st Presidential Inauguration through Senator Chuck Schumer's office. I cannot attend and would like someone to be able to use them. They are reserved tickets in the Union Square. You will have to provide identification and pass through a security checkpoint. Details can be found at :

http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/

If you can commit to going and would like the tickets, e-mail me at jndallen1@yahoo.com with your contact information. First-come basis. I have the tickets in hand and can arrange to meet.

A car, pole accident with possible minor injury has been reported on Stegman Road between Slusser and Powers roads.

Mercy Medic 1 and East Pembroke fire responding.

One subject is out of the vehicle walking around, talking on the phone. Mercy medic will be responding non-emergency.

Damage to the pole is minimal and the driver is shaken up a bit.

UPDATE 9:33 p.m.: Mercy Medic 1 on scene.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: National Grid has been notified about the pole.

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Mercy Medic 1 transporting one to UMMC.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m.: National Grid has a 35-minute ETA.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: East Pembroke assignment back in service.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a number of daytime, residential burglaries that occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

The burglaries happened along Ridge Road and Lockport Road in Elba, Ham Road in Alabama, and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road in Batavia. All residences were broken into by forcing open locked rear or side doors. Property stolen consisted of jewelry and electronic devices.

The Sheriff's Office would like residents in Genesee County to be extra vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious such as someone knocking on your door asking for directions, any vehicle being operated in an unusual manner, or if you witness any vehicles or individuals that appear suspicious.

Also, keep an eye on your neighbors' residence and report anything that appears to be suspicious or out of place.  

Contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000 to report any such incidents.