From Undersheriff William Sheron:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has issued a travel advisory for all of Genesee County effective at 10 a.m. today and continuing until further notice. While travel in the county is not banned at this time, unnecessary travel is discouraged. Heavy, blowing and drifting snow is making roads slippery and limiting visibility. With the forecast calling for the weather to continue to deteriorate as we move into the afternoon and evening, travel conditions will only get worse.

Here's four photos of what things looked like in Batavia around 9 a.m. Looking at the weather radar map, it looks like the worst of the storm won't hit us until 1:30 p.m. Currently, there is no travel advisory from the Sheriff's Office, but Chief Gordon Dibble said one may come later today. County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens has recommended residents stay home today.

If you have weather photos to share today, e-mail them to howard@thebatavian.com. In focus, properly exposed, no camera shake, please.

City plow and salt truck on Porter Avenue.

Centennial Park

On East Main Street

Phillip Daniel Burrs, 32, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Burrs is accused of stealing a can of beer from the Hess Express at Main and Oak streets, Batavia. Burrs was arraigned in City Court and jailed on $500 bail. (Burrs was charged with DWI following an alleged bank robbery by a passenger in his vehicle in Batavia on Jan. 18.)

Philip J. Grazioplene, 44, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and passing a red light. Grazioplene was stopped at 3:07 a.m., on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Darenisha M. Thomas, 18, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. Thomas is accused of attacking a fellow student at Batavia High School.

The National Weather Service said it: "Do not let the benign weather conditions this morning lull you into a false sense of security."

Here's the prediction:

Snow will rapidly overspread Western New York by 9 to 11 a.m. and become heavy. Snowfall rates may reach two inches per hour during the peak of the storm this afternoon. Temperatures will plummet through the 20s and into the teens with rapidly increasing northeast winds producing widespread blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions from midday through the evening.

County Superintendent Tim Hens had this to say:

With forecasted snow rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, snow may accumulate up to 6 to 8 inches deep in roadways today before plows can return on a standard plow route. The morning driving conditions will entice people to head out, but conditions will deteriorate rapidly through the day and evening driving conditions will be treacherous. I would recommend staying put today. It will be a quick storm and road conditions should be back to normal tomorrow. I can't emphasize this enough.

The Weather Service concluded in its press release:

Travel will become extremely hazardous or even nearly impossible at times due to the combination of very heavy snow and blowing snow. Those who venture out this morning in the good weather may have a difficult time returning home later today as conditions worsen.

UPDATE 8:23 a.m.: Spoke with City Manager Jason Molino. He's also recommending people stay home if at all possible today. He also asked that people not park their cars on the streets so plow trucks can operate more freely. "When we're getting into several inches per hour, it's going to be a constant battle to keep the roads clear," Molino said. The priority will be on the major thoroughfares such as Main Street and Ellicott Street, Molino said.

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We'll add closings to this list as we receive them. E-mail closings to howard@thebatavian.com.

• Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. This closing includes all afterschool and evening activities.
• Le Roy Central Schools has announced closures for Wednesday.
• Pavilion schools are closed.
• St. Joseph School will be closed.
• P.W. Minor will be closed.
• MedEx Billing, Inc., in Le Roy will be closed.
• Notre Dame is closed.
• Batavia City Schools
• Byron-Bergen school
• The Town of Darien business offices and Transfer Station operations are closed today.
• All programs are cancelled at Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County.
• Batavia Supercuts
• Chassix/Automotive Corp. – closed for 2nd & 3rd shifts
• Hair Studio B
• Wyoming County has issued a travel advisory.
• Empire Tractor is still planning to hold its annual open house. iPad giveway at 1 p.m.
• All Wyoming County offices are closed.
• GCEDC and Upstate MedTech Center Building closing at 11 a.m.
• GCASA’s Batavia and Albion locations are closing at noon.
• All locations of Pembroke Family Medicine closed.
• Batavia Youth Center
• Genesee Couinty Animal Shelter will be closed for adoption hours this evening.
• Town of Pembroke Regular Board Meeting and Public Hearings scheduled for this evening have been postponed until tomorrow, Thursday March 13th at 6 p.m.
• Pembroke Town Hall will be closed.
• Due to severe weather conditions, all Courts in Genesee County will be closing at 11 a.m. This includes Genesee County and Supreme Courts, Genesee County Family Court and Batavia City Court.
• Bergen Town Hall and Byron-Bergen Public Library
• Pediatric Associates
• Due to Blizzard conditions the Town of Pembroke Regular Board Meeting and Public Hearings scheduled for this evening have been postponed until tomorrow, Thursday March 13th at 6 p.m. Pembroke Town Hall will be closed this afternoon.
• Due to the inclement weather the GCFC Board meeting scheduled for today March 12, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. is CANCELLED.
• Hot Heads Salon, Le Roy
• United Memorial will close all outpatient services and physician practices at 11 a.m. The Urgent Care Centers in Batavia and LeRoy will not open today. The emergency department at 127 North St., Batavia will remain open.
• LeRoy Federal Credit Union will be closing at 1 p.m.
• LeRoy Physical Therapy and Village Fitness will be closing at 3:00pm
• The County Legislature meeting for tonight is cancelled and that it is rescheduled for Friday at 5:30.
• Tompkins Bank of Castile, Tompkins Insurance Agencies and Tompkins
  Financial Advisors will be closing all WNY locations at 12 today due to the
  weather.
• Village of LeRoy Board of Trustees meeting tonight has be cancelled.
• Classic Optical
• CPR (Computer and Phone Repair)
• Tech Wars tomorrow at GCC is cancelled.
• Delivery of the Daily News today may be delayed because of weather.
• Bontrager's Wednesday March 12th Auction postponed until March 19th
• Alli’s Cones & Dogs closed at 3 p.m.

For more closings, check WBTA's Web site.

A blizzard warning is now in effect from 2 a.m. Wednesday through 2 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.       

The warning is for "the Niagara Frontier," and predicts snowfall will begin overnight tonight and continue through Wednesday night. However, the highest threat for blizzard conditions will exist from late morning on Wednesday through Wednesday evening.

Hazards include heavy snow and blowing snow resulting in periods of whiteout conditions along with signficant blowing and drifting snow.

Accumulations of an inch or less overnight are expected, then six to 11 inches much of Wednesday, and three to six inches Wednesday night. Storms totals are predicted to be nine to 17 inches.

Winds are estimated to be northeasterly at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph at times.

Visibility is predicted to be near zero at times from late Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening.

Conditions will rapidly deteriorate Wednesday morning, with relatively light snow becoming heavy by late morning. The combination of heavy show and blowing snow will make travel extremely difficult to nearly impossible Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening.

Visibility will be reduced to near zero at times with deep snow cover on roadways during the peak of the storm, along with significant blowing and drifting snow.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibility are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you absolutely must travel, have a winter survival kit with you and if you get stranded STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE.

If you lose power and plan on running a generator, make sure that the generator is located outdoors and is properly ventilated and used only if operating properly. Also, be sure snow does not block exhausts and fresh-air intakes for high efficiency furnaces and water heaters.

Stay turned to NOAA Weather Radio or your choice of weather information for updates. Get additional details at www.weather.gov/buffalo

For the second year in a row, students at Batavia High School are putting on a Mr. Batavia contest aimed at building relationships between the high school and the community, particularly local nonprofits.

There are 10 contestants this year representing 10 different charities. Money raised will go to the winner's charity.

"We weren't sure how it was going to go last year and we raised $1,700, so we're hoping to exceed that this year," said Lisa Robinson, one of the faculty advisers for student government.

Along with the 10 boys competing, 15 girls are putting together the show (not everybody participating was available for a picture late this afternoon).

The contestants begin the show with a group dance, followed by a lip-sync contest, a talent contest, a swimsuit portion and then the boys come out in tuxedos donated by Charle's Mens Shop for a question-and-answer period.

Nine of the 10 charities have committed to having displays set up in the cafeteria for the evening.

The show starts at 7 p.m., Friday, March 21. Tickets are $7, $5 for students.

Press release:

This year marks the 175^th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair! It takes place at the county fairgrounds July 15-19. There are many changes and exciting events planned.

We hope to make 2014 a memorable year and we would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer and or a sponsor of the fair. Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the week before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work! Becoming a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers who live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to the fair’s Web site gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact information.

Among the changes will be a new midway. Midway Rides of Utica will provide fairgoers with quality rides, games and food to enhance your fair experience. The rides will be open Tuesday through Saturday.

Also note:

Tuesday

The Grand Parade is moving to Tuesday and the Monster Truck & Thrill Show is on Tuesday evening.

Greece Alley Paint Clowns will stroll the fairgrounds, bringing smiles to faces of all ages making balloon animals and creating works of art on your face.

The two-day Fair Queen Pageant begins on Tuesday with the talent portion.

Karaoke at night!

Wednesday

It's Children's Day and rides will be operating during the day.

There will be a draft horse show in the horse ring all day.

Again, the Greece Alley Paint Clowns will stroll the fairgrounds, bringing smiles to faces of all ages making balloon animals and creating works of art on your face.

The Fair Queen Pageant concludes with the crowning.

 "Genesee's Got Talent" Talent Show.

Thursday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

Thursday includes special Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing.

Step right up for the 4-H meat animal auction.

We are pleased to welcome back by popular demand Barnstorm on Thursday night.

Friday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

The Grand Demolition Derby will take place.

Paul Cummings & Friends will be performing at night.

Saturday

Magic John will be ambling around on stilts -- juggling, making balloon animals and entertaining fairgoers all day long!

There will be ESP Tractor Pulls.

Savage Cabbage will take the stage and keep you rockin’ all night long!

As always, there will be bands under our redesigned beer tent!

Don’t forget to check out the 4-H animal exhibits, the air sculpture experience and Kid’s Corner taking place all day every day of the fair!

*All Times/Dates/Events are Subject to Change*

Once again this year, admission to the fair is only $5 per carload. For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit gcfair.com

Destro will do just about anything to get permission for a minute or two of play time while on the job -- sit and stay, chase a bad guy, search for a human scent, bark at a cornered criminal, find some dope.

If he were in the wild, it would be like any dog catching a rabbit and having a bit of fun with it before it became a snack. That's what dogs do, Deputy Chris Erion explained to a group of seventh- and eighth-grade students during a seminar on law enforcement at the 26th annual Genesee County Youth Conference at GCC.

Erion put Destro through his paces demonstrating common dog tricks such as sit, down and stay, and then had Destro chase after him a few feet and then bark at him as if he were a fleeing criminal suspect. Destro then found a marijuana sample hidden in the room.

After each task, Destro got to play with a tug with a small rubber ball attached, or he got to chew on his favorite toy -- an old piece of fire hose.

Erion recounted one of Destro's greatest law enforcement feats yet, finding a post-it note that had been used in an alleged armed robbery. The job well done really demonstrates Destro's ability to pick up human scents, Erion told the students.

After the demonstration, Erion shared information about a new Facebook page set up by the children of Deputy Brian Thompson to help raise funds to support the K-9 program.

"The care and maintenance for a police K-9 is above what it typically is for a household pet," Erion said. "Their teeth have to be regularly maintained. Often they break teeth -- he's broken a couple of teeth already that had to be fixed -- care, feeding, all those sorts of things go into the K-9 fund to support the dog."

There isn't a specific budget amount the K-9 fund is trying to raise. The goal is to maintain an ongoing source of revenue to help take care of Destro and Pharoah, who retires in October, when Thompson retires, though Erion believes it would be a good idea to maintain a fund balance of $5,000 to $10,000.

"Then, if something were to happen, we could handle that immediately," Erion said. "We could put a new dog and handler into the field immediately."

The Facebook page was set up by Thompson's daughters Olivia and Sophia. They also came up with the idea of an envelope fundraiser. People can send a message through Facebook requesting an available envelope -- once a numbered envelope is taken and returned, it's counted as "filled," so you'll need to pick a different number -- and they will receive the requested envelope to fill with a donation and return.

The goal is to raise $10,000. According to the page, $2,000 has already been raised.

"If you think about it, the only life (Thompson's) children have known is life with a police K-9," Erion said. "He's worked K-9 his entire career with the Sheriff's Office and before that. It's part of their life, just having a police K-9 in the house, and they came up with an idea for a fundraiser. I just think it speaks volumes about their character and Brian's character to have that thought to do that."

Since becoming a K-9 officer, Erion said he's really learned a lot about the generosity of the Genesee County community.

"This assignment has opened my eyes to a lot of good things in our community," Erion said. "There's a school right now (where) the whole school is working on a K-9 fundraiser and I've had other people approach me to find out how to go about raising funds."

Visit the Facebook page Genesee County NY K-9 Support and click "Like"

Above, Kyle Mott gets a chance to pet Destro.

Click the graphic or click here to enter. Must complete registration form to be eligible for prize.

A one-vehicle rollover, unknown injuries, is reported at 7213 Quinlan Road. Le Roy Fire Department and Ambulance Service responding.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Village living conditions were of the greatest concern to residents at a candidates' forum in Le Roy on Monday night.

Property upkeep by landlords and homeowners, vacant and abandoned properties, the care for the village demonstrated by downtown business owners, and the condition of streets and sidewalks were all touched on by residents at some point.

Meanwhile, the candidates talked of their love for Le Roy and desire to make the village a place where people want to live and raise families.

"We choose to live here," said Jennifer Keys. "We're not lifelong residents. We're here because it's a great community. You can walk down the street after dark and be safe. I love the architecture. The community. These are things we can sell to get other people to come here."

Keys, who won her first term on the village council four years ago, is seeking reelection along with incumbent Robert Taylor. There are two four-year terms up for election and joining the fray in the March 18 election are John Mangefrida and William Kettle.

Keys opened the forum in the dining room of the Greens of Le Roy by talking about her first bid for election four years ago. She campaigned on the pool, the comprehensive plan, working better with the town, and the matter of blighted houses. She said she was able to work with others to help get the pool reopened, which now serves record numbers of patrons, communications with the town have improved, and the council is still working on the comprehensive plan. Blighted houses, she said, remain an issue.

Kettle noted his dedication to the village as a Main Street property and business owner.

"If you're going to be in the game, you've got to be able to step up to the plate and I'm willing to do that," Kettle said. "I'm committed to Le Roy. I'm invested. I'm vested. I love Le Roy, as everybody here on the board does."

Mangefrida, whose been a trustee before, said he decided to run again because he loves the village. He recalled that during his military duty he knew he could count on the people of the community to help watch over and care for his family.

"It isn't about policies," Mangefrida said. "It's about maintaining the quality of life in Le Roy. We need to take care of our infrastructure and take care of the things that have gotten us here. If elected, I'm going to listen to everyone and make informed decisions and represent the people of Le Roy."

Taylor noted that except for the years he was away in college, he's lived his entire 72 years in Le Roy.

"We do this because we all love the community, and that's the only reason," Taylor said. "Without a good foundation, nothing lasts forever, and we've lasted a long time because Le Roy has a good foundation."

When the Q&A started, much of the discussion focused on vacant and abandoned housing. It's a vexing problem because these are typically properties that the banks refuse to foreclose on because it's cheaper just to pay the taxes and any fines related to lack of upkeep.

There's also a problem with property owners -- both landlords and homeowners -- who let their property fall into disrepair to the point of them being a nuisance to neighbors and other residents.

 "We all have a right to live in a village that is kept up and if it takes a sharp stick, then we need code enforcement that does it," Kettle said.

These are tough problems, Taylor said.

"The amount of problems we have are not going to be fixed in 10 minutes, but they are being addressed," Taylor said.

One resident called for a full-time code enforcement officer.

Mangefrida took a realist tact to the question and said the money to pay for a full-time officer, rather than a shared part-time officer with the town, would have to come from somewhere.

"Do we hire a full-time code enforcement officer?" Mangefrida asked. "If we hire a full-time code enforcement officer with the current budget are we willing do without one of our part-time police officers? Because that's what it's coming down to in running a village in the State of New York."

Another residents probed candidates on how much they know about the comprehensive plan, which he suggested needed to be revised to meet changing times.

Keys said the plan was last revised in 2007 and has been under review during her time in office.

John Mangefrida

William Kettle

Robert Taylor

Jennifer Keys

The chance for city firefighters to train and practice in an actual structure in the city is invaluable to the department, Chief Jim Maxwell said today while discussing an opportunity to use to houses on West Main Street this week.

Since the houses are slated for demolition, firefighters can cut, chop and smoke up the place ("cold smoke," as it's called, since it's not heat generated).

"From the new firefighter to the 20-year veteran, it's very valuable," Maxwell said. "It's a controlled situation, but they get to go in and practice what they would do in a normal fire."

The houses are being provided to the department for training by the owners of Castilone Chrysler, Steve Castilone and Greg Strauss, and are located at 310 and 312 W. Main St., Batavia.

Castilone and Strauss are expanding their dealership (rather than move it out of the city) and they acquired the neighboring properties for that purpose.

Maxwell said having structures in the city for training really cuts down on overtime. Rather than requiring firefighters to come in during typical off-duty hours and train at the Fire Training Center on Bank Street Road, on-duty firefighters can train in the city so they're still available for calls as needed.

"We're able to get all of the platoons through without getting into an overtime situation, so it's very valuable to use," Maxwell said.

Training includes ventilation (cutting holes in the roofs), search and rescue (artificial smoke is generated). There will be more training over the next few days, weather permitting, and it will be squeezed in with hazmat training taking place this week at the fire station.

There won't, however, be any live fire training at the two houses, Maxwell said. It's just too risky to do in the city.

Photos submitted by Frank Capuano

A vehicle is on fire at 8419 Indian Falls Road. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: East Pembroke commands reports the fire is under control.

A bountiful basket raffle is under way to benefit Independent Living of Genesee Region, which provides services to people with mental and physical disabilities. The nonprofit organization helps them continue, or begin, living on their own instead of having to go into assisted living or another type of facility.

The baskets are on display now at 113 Main St., #5, in the City of Batavia. Tickets are $1 each, or three for $2, or 15 for $5. The drawing will be held on March 27.

Contact Donna Baker for information or donations at 815-8501, ext. 411.

Baskets and raffle options include:

• Spring Basket -- Ceramic tea light holder, Subway gift certificate
• Pizza Basket -- Gift certificates for: Big Pauly's, Batavia's Original, Main Street, Mark's, Ficarella's
• Pamper Yourself -- Two bottles of wine, Steve's Styles gift certificate and products, Bourbon & Burger Co. gift certificate
• Lunch Bunch -- Gift certificates for City Slickers, Southside Deli, Subway, T.F. Brown's
• Down Time -- Scarf, bottle of wine, Mane Attraction gift certificate, Family Video gift certificate
• Guys' Basket -- Charles Men's Shop gift certificate, Valu Home Center gift certificate, Family Video gift certificate, T-shirt, wooden car
• Ladies' Basket -- Maurice's coupons and goodies, T-shirt, Family Video coupons, scarf
• Handmade Bowl
• Wine & Dine -- Scarf, two bottles of wine, Larry's Steakhouse gift certificate
• Easter Basket
• Indulge
• Family Night -- Gift certificates for Big Pauly's, Denny's, Family Video, Walmart
• Shop & Wear -- Two T-shirts, Family Video, Kmart, Target
• Random -- Two T-shirts, gift certificates for Alberty's Drug Store, Mark's Pizzeria, Southside Deli

A car and pedestrian accident is reported at 1 Center St. in the city, and a second accident also has occurred at that same location, according to dispatch. City fire and Mercy medics responding along with police.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: This was at Center and Main. The pedestrian involved was a man in a motorized wheelchair. Howard, who is at the scene, says the man was not injured (he's a "sign-off") and his wheelchair does not appear to be damaged. The vehicles involved in the second accident have pulled into the parking lot of the Masonic Temple.

Depending on who you ask, the winter has been judged somewhat lengthy and at times harsh. While Old Man Winter threw us a curve ball or two, the aftermath was sometimes asthetically pleasing to the eye. And nowhere was this more evident than at the Genesee County Park & Forest.

A trail into the hardwoods. Claudia and I logged several hours at the park this winter, trying to cover every bit of the more than 12 miles of trail.

The hike was always exhilarating, even if the air was frigid at times. Even on the coldest of days, we ran into hikers, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and even two or three hearty souls who were jogging.

Of course we met a good number of people out exercising their dogs, like Batavians Dan and Debbie Barone pictured above.

A cross country skier glides along one of the well-maintained trails.  

Gotta love the Boy Scouts. The park is in great shape thanks to many volunteers.

Snow-covered spruce trees as seen from the Turtle Pond trail.

Surrounded by needled giants, this tiny spruce sees limited sunlight.

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Batavia officially became a city on Jan. 1, 1915, after having been an incorporated village since 1823. The transition involved a progression through several steps during 1914. I will be acknowledging each of these events 100 years after their occurrence in 1914.

Last month, I reported on how the Village of Batavia Aldermen, the equivalent of today’s City Council, had become unhappy with the work of a Charter Revision Commission appointed several years earlier. As a result, the Aldermen wrote a competing proposal and presented it to the community on Feb. 4, 1914. Then the Aldermen announced that their proposal would be submitted to a straw vote in order to gauge community support. The ballot simply read, “Shall the charter as prepared by the Aldermen be sent to Albany?” When voters cast 488 “yes” votes versus 451 “no” votes, the Aldermen chose to see the results as a ringing endorsement of their proposal and sent it off to the State Senate and Assembly.

It was 100 years ago, March 10, 1914, that a joint committee from the Assembly and Senate met to hear the competing charter proposals. Edward Russell, chair of the Charter Revision Commission, spoke to the gathering. He asserted that: the straw vote on the Aldermen’s proposal had not been taken in a proper or legal manner; that ballots were pre-marked and passed out on the street to any who might wish to go in and vote; that the total vote was a small proportion of the eligible voters; and that persons had voted who were not eligible to do so. Furthermore, Russell said, the Aldermen had used misrepresentation and deceit to persuade “liquor interests” to pay for lobbyists to speak against the proposal of the Charter Revision Commission.

At this point, Batavia’s mayor, Louis Wiard, rose to speak against these charges. But before he could do so, Senator Thomas Cullen, who was chairing the hearing, expressed disbelief that a community like Batavia would conduct an irregular vote and gaveled the session to a close.

In two weeks, I’ll let you know what happened when the Senators and Assemblymen eventually voted on the two charter proposals.