A car struck a pole at 7115 W. Main Road in Le Roy. There are reportedly no injuries, but a pole and wires are down. Le Roy Fire Department is responding. Law enforcement is on scene and National Grid is called to respond as well.

UPDATE 6:22 p.m.: The location is in front of Upstate Farms Cooperative, Inc. Fire command requests Le Roy ambulance to respond, non-emergency, to evaluate the male driver.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Kim Antinore.

Village of Le Roy resident Ryan Crossett sent in these pictures on this information on the Machpelah Chapel in the Machpelah Cemetery on North Street, and it's pretty interesting.

The chapel was designed by architect Robert Fayfield of Buffalo and was built in 1910-11 of local stone by masons Charles Sherman and Ray Peck. The total cost was $5,126.75

It was renovated in 1950 through a gift from Helen Woodward Rivas.

Further renovations were made in 1953 through a gift by Rev. Raymond Calkins in memory of his wife’s family, the Lathrops. A stained-glass window was installed in the west wall at that time

The present stained-glass window was installed in 1959 by Rev. Calkins because he was displeased with the previous window. This window was crafted by the Willet Stained Glass Studio in Philadelphia, and is known as the “Lathop Window.”

The theme of the window is taken from the Gospel of Matthew 28:1-6, and the description is as follows:

“It represents Christ’s victory over death, bearing aloft the banner of the Church Triumphant. His tri-radiant nimbus signifies His Divinity, and the rayed vesica His glory. The two guards are turned away in wonder and awe at the miracle.”

The Chapel seats 60 and is available for religious ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

The Chapel is maintained by a bequest from Rev. Raymond Calkins. Recent projects have included: painting of window frames and doors; repairs to the slate roof; painting of masonry walls and parts of the foundation; replacement of the ceiling fan; repairs to the chimney; replacement of the north roof soffit; and replacement of the front door frame.

The City of Batavia has denied The Batavian's request for the incident reports and possible video related to an unintended discharge of a weapon by a Batavia police officer last month.

From City Clerk Heidi Parker, the city's Freedom of Information Law Officer:

Your request for the incident report, witness statements and video, if any, has been denied after discussion with Bob Freeman from the Committee on Open Government based on NYS Civil Rights Law section 50-a since the incident in question is part of the officer’s training and evaluation process to continue employment with the City. The incident report specifically is denied based on unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

The Batavian has taken the next step in the process for demanding disclosure of public documents and filed an appeal with City Manager Jason Molino.

To say that routine incident reports are used in officer evaluation would essentially make all police documents related to incidents confidential. Even routine arrests would be hidden from the public. That's clearly not the intent of the legislature.

Numerous sources have provided information to The Batavian indicating that there is more to this incident than Chief Shawn Heubusch is disclosing. 

UPDATE Friday, 4:50 p.m.: We received a letter from Jason Molino informing The Batavian that he is partially granting our appeal.  The incident report will be released after personal information has been redacted. Up to five business days. He's denying the request for "Special Reports" and "Police Training Reports" (we didn't specifically request those documents, because we didn't know the names of the documents, but they could be generally construed as covered by our request).  Molino said those documents are expect from disclosure under Civil Service Law 50-a.  He provided copies of the complete redacted reports, with only the memo heads remaining.  Since these reports appear to have been generated in conjunction with an internal investigation, it's likely these documents would be considered "used to evaluate performance toward continued employment or promotion." 

Previously: Accidental weapon discharge leads to internal police investigation

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center and the Genesee County War Memorial Committee will hold a special dedication ceremony for the Genesee County Veterans’ Memorial at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Jerome Center, 16 Bank St., Batavia.

In the early 1950’s Genesee Memorial Hospital was designated as the Genesee County War Memorial for wars fought in the 20^th Century. A monument was placed near the entrance of hospital at 127 North St. that listed all the names of the men and women from Genesee County who died in service to their country during the two World Wars. Plaques for the Korean and Vietnam Wars were subsequently added to the monument.

The expansion and renovation of the hospital at North Street from 2009-2010, required moving the original 1950’s monument to a new location on the campus. The monument was disassembled and the white metal and aluminum plaques were carefully stored. The stone, made of a composite material, could not be salvaged due to extensive damage from the elements.

Hospital administrators met with representatives from Genesee County Veterans groups to discuss the condition of the monument and where to place it following the completion of construction. During this time, observances for Memorial and Veterans’ Days were moved to the Bank Street Campus. Centrally located Downtown, and out of the way of traffic and construction, attendance at the services on Bank Street increased substantially.

The War Memorial Committee, made up of veterans, requested that the new monument be placed at the Bank Street campus. United Memorial, honored to serve as the Genesee County War Memorial, agreed to the new location at the corner of Bank and Main streets. The Hospital also pledged to give funds, originally allocated for moving the monument during the construction project, to the committee to be used toward the new monument.

In November 2011, the veterans held a special ceremony to inter the original plaques in a vault below where the new monument was to be constructed. There is an engraved granite marker identifying its location at the site. To raise the additional funds necessary for the monument, the veterans solicited for donations and sold granite pavers that could be engraved with any veteran’s name, rank and military branch. The pavers will be permanently placed near the monument when the site work and landscaping are completed following the dedication. This will mark the culmination of a nearly five-year-long project to replace the original monument.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the dedication ceremony on May 17^th. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception with light refreshments.

County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens sent over this picture from a roadway in Montgomery County (near Utica), saying, "it could have been worse" -- a comparison to the dramatic sinkhole incident in Byron last month.

The state's county highway superintendents are concerned about these issues and are lobbying Albany for funding to deal with aging roadways and infrastructure. Hens is currently president of the NYS County Highway Superintendents Association.

Hens also said the culvert on Byron Road has been replaced, backfilling is nearly complete and if there's dry weather tomorrow the road could reopen by the afternoon.

UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: More from Tim Hens:

Reader Patti Williams sent in this picture of an owl that her son, Andrew Williams, took while he was out turkey hunting. She says her son, who lives in Byron, saw the owl several times, then was able to get close enough to take this photo.

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A three-car accident with one person suffering minor facial and leg injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 383.3. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding along with mutual aid from Mercy Medics.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: Le Roy medics are en route to Strong Memorial Hospital. A second patient complained of back and neck pain and was also transported to a hospital. The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Press release:

This Saturday, May 10, the Genesee County 4H Swine Club will be holding its 2nd Annual Pulled Pork Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and walk-ins are welcome. It is eat in or take out. The dinner includes pulled pork, potatoes, cole slaw, baked beans, dessert and beverage. It is at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, in the Kennedy Building.

Tim Adams and Heather Weber are heading up this fundraising effort. With Tim being named Genesean of the Year, the Genesee County 4H has recieved great publicity this year, which was well needed and we hope to continue that. Last year, this was the biggest fundraiser in Genesee County 4H history.

This is truly a great fundraiser for these kids. It teaches them team work, accountability, responsibility and most importantly it gets them involved with the community. Our business community has been great to us to for this event as well. More than 20 local businesses donated various items for this event.

They include: Java Farm Supply; Lawley Genesee Insurance; Empire Tractor; D.J. Custom Meat Cutting; Red Osier Landmark Restaurant; Adams Welding and Fabrication; Scott Adams Trucking; Save-a-Lot; Batavia Restaurant Supply; Target; Eastown Beverage; S.J. Starowitz Farm; Oak Ridge Farm; Josh and Heather Weber; Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Cafe; Sweet Endings Bakery; Sweet Ecstasy Bakery & Bistro; Agri-Fab; Bimbo Bakery Outlet; Farm Credit East; H.L.W. Acres; and many more individuals and businesses.

Without the help and support of these businesses and our community, great organizations like 4H would not be as successful as they are.

Press release:

Single-game tickets for all 2014 Muckdogs’ home games at Dwyer Stadium go on sale Monday, May 12 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office or over the phone by calling (585) 343-5454. Normal box office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The same great, affordable ticket prices are back again in 2014. Tickets range from $7.50 for box seats to just $6.50 for adult General Admission tickets and $5.50 for kids and senior General Admission tickets.

During the season, the ticket office opens on game days at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday and closes at the end of the fifth inning. On Saturday and Sunday, the ticket office will open at 10 a.m. and close after the fifth inning.

Season tickets, coupon books, ticket packages, and group tickets are on sale now.

For more information, visit Muckdogs.com or call (585)343-5454 and press zero, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Muckdogs open their 2014 home schedule on Saturday, June 14 vs. the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 p.m. The annual Independence Day celebration is on July 3rd this year.

In addition to their Pinckney Division rivals, the Muckdogs will welcome the New York Yankees (Staten Island), Boston Red Sox (Lowell), New York Mets (Brooklyn) and the Detroit Tigers (Connecticut) farm teams to Dwyer Stadium in 2014.

A demolition crew spent the morning tearing down the second house on West Main Street next to Castilone Chyrstler Dodge to make room for the dealership's expansion. Rather than move out of the city, the owners Steve Castilone and Greg Strauss decided to remodel their existing showroom and expand on West Main.

Joseph A. Saraceni, 17, of Linwood Avenue, Batavia, is charged with first-degree rape, a Class B felony. Saraceni was arrested by Batavia PD following an investigation by Det. Charles Dudek and Det. Thad Mart in an alleged incident reported Nov. 11 on School Street, Batavia. No further details released.

Lance Mercado, 23, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs. Mercardo was arrested after Batavia PD received a reported of a possible intoxicated driver in the parking lot of McDonald's at 1:18 a.m., Tuesday. Mercardo was arrested by Officer Matthew Lutey.

Eric J. Davis, 36, of Corfu, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Davis was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 6:52 p.m. Tuesday on Drake Street, Oakfield. No further details released.

Timothy M. Gardiner, 38, and Maria A. Gardiner, 48, both of Scottsville, are charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd. Timothy and Maria were arrested by State Police in connection with an alleged incident reported at 9:39 a.m. Feb. 16 in the Town of Bergen. No further details released.

Heidi H. Stumbo, 48, of Lima, is charged with petit larceny. Stumbo was arrested by the State Police on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The alleged theft was reported at 1:04 p.m., Monday. No further details released.

A tractor-trailer has reportedly rolled over in the westbound Thruway in the area of mile marker 380.8 in an accident that also involved a car.

Minor injuries are reported.

The trailer is reportedly a flatbed hauling some sort of equipment. No leaks or fire reported.

A first responder reports a truck on its side and a car off the road.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responding.

UPDATE 6:34 a.m.: Mercy EMS requested to the scene. Multiple people reportedly injured. Three people were in the car. The injuries are reportedly minor.

UPDATE 7:05 a.m.: An ambulance is transporting to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Press release:

Rae Frank was named director of Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR). She brings 15 years of experience in human services management, including leadership roles with nonprofit agencies in Buffalo, Warsaw, and Perry.

Frank has an MFA degree in Electronic Communications from SUNY at Brockport and a BA degree in Media Studies from SUNY at Buffalo.

She resides in Gainesville with her husband and three children.

Frank becomes the second director of ILGR, a part of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc., family of agencies. For more than four years, the agency has offered individuals of the Genesee Region (Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties) four core services including information and referral, peer counseling, independent living skills training, and individual and community advocacy, through empowerment, education and equality for all, regardless of disability.

Town of Oakfield officials today broke ground on a new public water project that will get 60 parcels of land (about 50 residents) off well water. Water District #3 calls for 16,350 feet of water line on Maltby, Fisher and Fox roads and a portion Drake Road. The total cost is $1.129 million, with $750,000 funded by a USDA grant. The rest is packaged in a loan from the USDA. Landowners within the district will see $974 per parcel added to their annual tax bill. Supervisor Carol Glor said the push for public water in the town comes from residents. She said officials have received a lot of requests from residents who want to get off of well water.

Pictured, from left, Supervisor Carol Glor, Alan Dennis, public works administrator, Barry Flansburg, assessor, Mark Mikolajczyk, zoning officer, Cory Neefus, from Clark Patterson Lee, Melissa Haacke, town clerk, James Veazey, deputy supervisor and Jeremy DeLyser, from Clark Patterson Lee.

It's spring and local farmers are getting their fields ready for planting. Photo taken from Lewiston Road of field owned by MY-T Acres.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced that the Genesee County Youth Bureau has received nearly $130,000 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).  

This grant will put 34 AmeriCorps members on the ground to work with the Youth Bureau and several nonprofit and government agencies to provide fitness, nutrition and environmental education programs in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The Genesee County Youth Bureau has been operating an AmeriCorps program since 2004.

“Congratulations go out to the Genesee County Youth Bureau for receiving this competitive grant and continuing to provide children and teens in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties with critical programs,” Congressman Collins said. “I also want to thank AmeriCorps members for answering the call to serve. AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for nonprofits, communities, and the individuals they serve. Citizen service is an essential part of the solutions to many of the challenges our communities face.”

The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive. The 2014 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, and disaster services.

AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps program. Since 1994, more than 830,000 Americans have provided more than 1 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the school dropout crisis.

A company with roots in New York, but currently based in Connecticut, is looking to build a plant at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park that would convert food industry waste into heat and electricity.

"We make green power out of organic waste," said Paul Toretta, CEO of CH4 Biogas, while presenting his company's plans to the Town of Batavia Planning Board. "Once the digester does its thing, it captures methane and powers an engine that makes green power and puts it on the grid. The engine produces heat that can be used to heat Quaker Muller and Alpina, helping them cut their heating bill."

The cost of the plant is $15 million and CH4 has already secured a $2 million Cleaner and Greener grant from NYSERDA to help fund the project, but is looking to the state for more help.

Toretta said state officials recommended the company present its proposal to the town planning board because the state wouldn't get behind the idea unless it has community support. The state backing would help the company secure bank loans to completely finance the project.

"We're in a holding pattern while looking for help with funding," Toretta said when asked about the timetable for the project.

Once funding is in place, the plant would take nine months to build. The design is already completed because it's the same design used by the company for plants in Wyoming County and Ohio (for Campbell's Soup).

"We only build one plant," Toretta said. "It's the same plant over and over again."

CH4 would use local contractors to build and maintain the plant, which would eventually employ eight people full time, Toretta said.

"When you put that much concrete and steel in the ground there will be a number of people employed," Toretta said.

The plant would be expected to last at least 30 years.

"The project is upfront capital intensive," said Toretta, who is originally from Potsdam. "It takes 15 years to return the money invested to do this. It's a slow, steady project. You borrow money and it takes 15 years to make any return."

CH4 already processes whey and other waste from the Alpina and Quaker Muller (no whey comes out of the Muller plant) in Wyoming County.

A plant in the ag park would reduce transportation cost and the impact on the environment to truck it more than 20 miles away.

The plant would also help the Genesee County Economic Development Center attract more food processors to the ag park, Toretta said.

Chris Suozzi, GCEDC's VP for business development, agreed.

"It would complement what we're already doing," Suozzi said. "It would definately help with the marketing when you have a green ag park. What better way to market the park and bring in more companies?"

The plant would be set up so it could take any sort of organic food waste, including waste from products that were already packaged but were found to be defective in some way so couldn't be shipped to customers. Toretta said the plant could separate the food waste from the packaging and then recycle the plastic or metal containers.

The plant would produce very little waste itself, but what it did produce would go into the local sewer system, but with much less biological chemicals and suspended salts than could otherwise go into the waste stream.

The plant would also produce little in the way of odor, which is important to Alpina and Quaker Muller because the plant would be upwind from those facilities.

"If there was any type of odor, as you can imagine, Campbell Soup would not allow us to operate our plant there," Toretta said.