The snowy weather, predictably, is causing slick road conditions and the result is lots of accidents countywide. Most of them are vehicles that have skidded off the roadway.

Dispatchers, law enforcement, fire units and tow companies are swamped handling one accident after another. When we have information on them we'll update this post accordingly.

• There's a semi-truck off the roadway, no injuries, on Route 5 near Kutter's Cheese Factory. State police and a rep from the Department of Transportation are on scene. It's a full-size rig with an extended cab carrying more than 40,000 pounds of goods. The truck is in the ditch, the cargo carrier is still on the roadway.
• A car crashed into a tree at 215 Bloomingdale Road and one person is injured. Alabama fire is responding, but there is difficulty accessing the scene because a previous accident at 944 Bloomingdale Road is blocking the roadway.
• There's a property damage accident at 7618 Sand Hill Road.
• A burgundy-colored van is in a ditch, east of Gordon Road, unknown if people are still inside.
• A pickup truck and car have collided at 670 Broadway in Darien. No injuries.
• A silver Chrysler sedan is off on the east shoulder at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.:

• Stafford fire is responding to a one-vehicle rollover accident at 6170 Clinton St. Road. No injuries reported. UPDATE (11:38 a.m.): It appears this was not a rollover, just that the vehicle was off the roadway. Stafford is standing down.
  

UPDATE 11:32 a.m.:

• An accident is reported at Bank and North streets in the City of Batavia.
• Accident at 6888 Alleghany Road.
• Accident at 7797 Lewiston Road in the Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.:

• There's a two-vehicle accident on Route 98 at the Orleans and Genesee countyline.

UPDATE 11:45 a.m.:

• There are two separate accidents on Lake Road in Le Roy. One is at Lake and 19 Vallance Road in which a car slid off the roadway. The other is at Lake and Parmelee Road for a car that struck a guardrail.

UPDATE 12:08 p.m.:

• A motor-vehicle accident, no injuries, is reported at Lewiston and Lockport roads. A utility pole is down, blocking, and people are urged to use caution. Alabama fire is responding.
• A tractor-trailer is stuck in the "S curve" of the roadway behind Wendy's by the Tonawonda Valley Federal Credit Union. City fire is responding and the incident was clogging traffic.
• A head-on collision of two vehicles has resulted in two minor head injuries at 5680 Main Road in Stafford. Stafford fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.:

• Dispatch says "People are off the road left and right. We've got a lot of pendings." An official responds that at this point, they're just going to have to divvy up the responses based on whether there are injuries or dangers present. Thus, the unfortunates who've simply slid off the road may have to wait longer for help to arrive.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.:

• There's a motor-vehicle accident with injuries, blocking the roadway, at 7350 Byron Road near "the Oxbow." Bryon and South Byron fire are responding. There are said to be no Mercy EMS units to handle the call.
• There's a three-car collision at Veterans Memorial Drive and Lewiston Road. They are by the Auto Zone store.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.:

• A rollover accident with injuries, with a persons(s) still trapped inside on 10129 Seward Road, in Alexander, between Stannard and Spring roads. (UPDATE 1:12 p.m.): This is a one-vehicle accident. The driver is out now and may have an ankle injury. Law enforcement is en route, along with a fire unit and an ambulance.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.:

• Wyoming County requests that Darien Fire Department shut down all southbound traffic at routes 77 and 20. Apparently this stems from a road blockage at Route 77 and Church Road where a tractor-trailer is stuck and "can't make it up the hill."

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.:

• Peaviner Road in Alexander is closed due to flooding.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.:

• Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to 1118 Akron Road, Pembroke, for a report of wires down in the roadway. The type of wires is unknown. (UPDATE 3:06 p.m.) The fire units are back in service. It was a cable wire and it has been removed from the roadway.

A car has reportedly struck a guardrail and came to rest in the median in the area of mile marker 396.2.

Unknown injuries.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Also, there's a two-car, no-injury accident on Route 77 near Indian Falls.

A car is reportedly on its side following a one-car accident on Batavia-Elba Townline Road near Hutton Road, Oakfield.

Reported minor injuries.

A  deputy warns other responders, "Be careful, the roads are icing over."

Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

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Basilio Martinez, 47, of Route 33, Bergen, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th, criminal possession of a weapon 4th and petit larceny. Martinez was arrested following an investigation into stolen firewood from a residence on Parmelee Road, Le Roy, at 5:30 p.m., Sunday. The homeowner confronted the suspect and was able to obtain a partial plate number of the suspect's vehicle. Martinez was located in Bergen and allegedly found in possession of stolen firewood and a shotgun that was reported stolen out of Livingston County in 2000. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Bradley Mazur.

Glenn Howard Wright, 40, of of 5400 Broadway Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 4th.  Wright was arrested following a police response to his residence on a check-the-welfare call at 10:16 a.m., Tuesday. Wright, reportedly a convicted felon, was allegedly found in possession of a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun.

Sharon Lee Awall, 43, of Dodson Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of grand larceny 4th. Awal is accused of stealing a wallet with credit cards, debit cards and jewelery worth more than $1,000.

A 16-year-old Le Roy youth is charged with criminal impersonation 2nd and identity theft 3rd. The youth is accused of tyring to use a false identity to purchase alcohol at a local gas station. He was allegedly in possession of an out-of-state identification belonging to another person.

Story: Opinion piece on Yahoo! News

An electrical fire has been reported at 1806 Indian Falls Road, Corfu.

The fire is reportedly in the wall of the residence.

Indian Falls and East Pembroke Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: When the East Pembroke chief responded, he had Indian Falls standby in quarters. He requested from his own crew a thermal camera. He just released Indian Falls back in service.

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The Batavia Police Department released information today on seven individuals who are wanted on warrants related to various alleged crimes.

Below are the mug shots and available information on each individual.

Citizens are asked to call Batavia PD at 345-6350 (the county emergency dispatch number). Citizens are warned not to try and apprehend these individuals on their own.

Robert J. Eppolito: born 8/14/1982; 5' 8", 160 lbs; last known address -- 28 Washington Ave. Warrant: Menacing, 2nd - Weapon.

Dashawn A. Butler: born 10/19/1979; 6' 1", 180 lbs; last known address -- 120 State St. Warrant: Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 3rd, Menacing, 2nd.

Amanda A. Maben: born 05/30/1978; 5' 3", 115 lbs; last known address -- 7740 Lewiston Road. Warrant: Possession of a Forged Instrument, 3rd.

Larry R. Brewer: born 02/18/1966; 6', 190 lbs; last known address -- 3 Maple St., lower.
Warrants: Aggravated Harassment x 3, Criminal Contempt, 1st x 3.

Jamie C. Wilmet: born 12/20/1984; 5' 9", 145 lbs; last known address -- 20 N. Spruce St. Warrant: Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 3rd.

Brian A. Merritt: born: 6/21/1974; 6' 2", 185 lbs.; last known address -- 10571 Main St., Alexander. Warrant: Criminal Contempt, 1st.

Jeremiah D. Williams: born 4/06/1991; 5' 10", 135 lbs.; last known address -- 9 Raymond Ave. Warrant: Level 3 Sex Offender - Failure to Verify Address.

Changes are afoot for Genesee County's Americorps program, Kathy Frank told the Human Services Committee on Monday.

First, all new applicants will need to go through an FBI background check, not just the state criminal background check required in previous years, and the federal government is looking for local programs to better align with six primary areas of focus.

"The signs are pretty clear that if we're going to compete for funding, we need to be more aligned with these national performance measures," Frank said.

Frank is in charge of the local Americorps programs.

Americorps members provide services and help to local agencies, including youth programs, community outreach, library work and other social programs. Members are paid and can also earn credits to pay for education, or pay down student loans. The program is open to anybody 17 and up and members who are 55 or older can transfer college grants to children or grandchildren.

The county program runs on about a $300,000 annual budget, with more than $186,000 being paid by federal grants, Frank said, and the rest is covered by contributions from the agencies that use Americorps members.

There are current 46 members.

The new national priorities for Americorps focuses on education, a healthy future, financial opportunities, the environment, veterans and disaster preparedness.

Frank said anybody who would like to join Americorps should call 344-3960.

After some number crunching yesterday, members of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council concluded that eliminating Genesee Justice will save the county less than $100,000.

Most of Genesee Justice's budget is covered by state and federal grants, but in recent years the county's portion of the operations expense has climbed to $237,000.

To help come up with expense savings to protect Genesee Justice, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman -- who's a member of CJAC -- $80,000 in possible cuts have been identified by the Sheriff's Office and Genesee Justice.

That includes a voluntary 6-percent pay cut from the Genesee Justice staff.

"We thought we made a good case (for Genesee Justice at the budget hearing)," Friedman said. "We'd still like to believe (its elimination) is not going to happen."

Thirty years ago, the concepts that built Genesee Justice -- restorative justice and offender accountability -- were novel and not universally embraced by the law enforcement and thenlegal community. Now local criminal justice experts are solidly behind saving Genesee Justice.

"As we've said, this would be like a 30-year step back in history," Friedman said.

He said CJAC members are waiting for the release, sometime today or tomorrow, of County Manager Jay Gsell's revised budget proposal to see just what the cost differential will be.

The costs of moving Genesee Justice functions to probation go beyond just adding three more staff members to the Probation Department, though solid numbers are not immediately available.

Also, it's completely unclear, Friedman said, whether the grants now used to help fund Genesee Justice will follow the programs to probation.

"There were a lot of people at the meeting (Monday)," Friedman said. "Everybody reiterated what they said at the hearing -- that this is a bad idea."

The Legislature will be in conference on the proposed budget at the Old Courthouse at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A 15-percent reduction in the Holland Land Office Museum budget could mean a serious cut in programs or hours of operations, Board President Bob Turk told the county's Human Services Committee on Monday.

"A 15-percent cut would make it really hard to keep the museum going," Turk said.

The proposed budget provides about $39,000 for operations at HLOM.

Currently, the museum is staffed by one full-time director -- currently, Interim Director Jeff Donahue -- and a part-time staff member.

The loss of more than $6,000 in funding will mean the museum will likely need to cut its part-time employee, who provides essential support, both in terms of hours of operation and fundraising programs, that help keep the museum going, Turk said.

A 7.5- to 8.5-percent budget cut would be less damaging, he said.

Legislature Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock, who sat in on the meeting, suggested that the museum board tap into its reserves.

"I understand you have a fund reserve," Hancock said, adding that the county has sometimes had to use its reserve funds, too.

Legislature Hollis Upson, who sits on the HLOM board, said the board has generally not considered the fund balance as something to use for operational expenses, but if it could be construed as a one-time measure, perhaps they would.

"It should be considered a survival tactic in extraordinary times," said Hancock.

Turk said he wants to find ways to keep the museum open more often, including starting a lecture series and other special events.

"I feel that the museum belongs to the community and I want to draw as many people into the building as possible because it's their building," Turk said.

There was no apparent support from legislators at the Human Services meeting for decreasing HLOM's budget cut.

The county budget must be approved by Dec. 8.

Lake effect snow is forecast for at least parts of Genesee County on Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday.

Where snowfall is the heaviest, there could be up to a foot of accumulation.

The National Weather Service said the current pattern indicates lake effect snow hitting southern Genesee County, and possibly Batavia, but a slight change in wind direction could push the storm further north with Batavia getting the heaviest accumulation. Then again, a wind direction change could push the storm further south.

The Genesee County Legislature will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the 2011 budget for the final time, with decisions before them that will have consequences for the local economy and civic environment for years to come.

Top on the agenda is what becomes of Genesee Justice.

County Manager Jay Gsell's preliminary budget called for eliminating seven Genesee Justice jobs and creating three new staff positions in the Probation Department, with probation taking over most of the pioneering restorative justice program's functions.

All of the county's top justice system experts -- including District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Sheriff Gary Maha and Public Defender Gary Horton (inset picture) -- have lobbied to save Genesee Justice.

The experts say Genesee Justice has saved the county millions of dollars because many people who might otherwise be incarcerated are carefully supervised by Genesee Justice. The loss of Genesee Justice could mean that in a few years Genesee County will need to build a new jail at a cost of up to $30 million.

County officials, however, say these are dire economic times and costs need to be cut and taxes can't be raised. The county needs to trim about $7.5 million from its initial spending plan for 2011.

For years, Genesee Justice was funded entirely by grants, but over the years some those grants have dried up and local taxpayers must pick up about $237,000 of the operational costs of Genesee Justice.

Gsell plans to save that money, figuring that probation can assume the key functions of Genesee Justice.

"We know what services Genesee Justice delivers and we know how it is delivered," Gsell said for a previous story. "What we're looking at is how can we deliver that same level of service to the community through the Probation Department."

Julie Smith, probation director, said her department can assume the services and still help keep down the population level of the jail.

For example, Smith said, probation handled the release-under-supervision program for 26 years before handing it off to Genesee Justice in 2006.

Maha warned, however, that in neighboring counties, where there are no programs like Genesee Justice, the counties struggle with their jail populations.

"If the jail population increases, the State Commission of Correction will come down and tell us to do something about our increased population -- like build a new jail or put on an addition," Maha said. "We'll be like our neighbors to our south who had to build a jail addition to address their jail population."

Besides Genesee Justice, the legislature needs to decide what to do with the Soil and Water Conservation District, which is facing a 15-percent expense cut.

The cut, local farm leaders say, could end many vital services Soil and Water provides to farmers, helping keep them in business in a tough economic and regulatory environment.

"(The cut) would be a real detriment to the agriculture industry in Genesee County," said Brad Rodgers, chairman of the Soil and Water board of directors. "Even level funding would hurt us."

Scott Page, president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau, believes keeping Soil and Water is critical to protecting Genesee County's economic base.

"If we hurt ag, we miss an opportunity to move forward," said Page. "The more we build off our agricultural base, the better the local economy will do."

The conference meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday will not include a public comment period, but the session at the Old Courthouse is open to the public.

Following the conference meeting, the Ways and Means Committee will convene. Final budget amendments will be voted at that time, which are recommendations for the full legislature to consider. The full legislature will vote on the final 2011 county budget Dec. 8.

A Batavia woman faces a Leandra's Law felony drunken driving charge following a reported hit-and-run accident on Farnsworth Street in Oakfield last night.

Tonya Marie Weber, 26, a School Street resident, was allegedly driving a 1992 Dodge Shadow on Farnsworth when she struck at least one parked car.

The front license plate reportedly fell off the car at the scene and the car reportedly suffered heavy front-end damage.

Within 10 minutes of the 6:44 p.m. accident, Weber's car was reportedly found at another residence in the Village of Oakfield.

Upon investigation, Deputy Joseph Graff concluded that Weber was allegedly driving the vehicle in an intoxicated condition at the time of the accident and a child under 15 years old was in the car.

Weber is charged under Leandra's Law and with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, endangering the welfare of a child, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and moving from lane unsafely.

An arraignment date was set for Dec. 20.

(Initial Report)

Batavia Police have been alerted to look for a 1992 Dodge Shadow that was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident in the area of 20 Farnsworth St., Oakfield.

The small sedan reportedly lost its front license plate after striking at least one car at that address.

The maroon vehicle is registered to a Batavia resident and reportedly has heavy front-end damage.

Sheriff's deputies are responding to the scene in Oakfield.

UPDATE 7:02 p.m.: Car may have been located in Oakfield.

UPDATE 7:38 p.m.: It sounds like there has been arrest.

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A two-car head-on collision is reported at Route 63 just south of Boyd Road. Three minor injuries are reported.

Fire units from the Town of Pavilion are responding along with Mercy EMS.

Traffic police are requested at the intersection and at Route 246.

The site is located in Covington but is in Pavilion's fire district.

UPDATE: There's possible entrapment in one of the vehicles. Fire chief on scene says there are two minor injuries.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: Road is reopened.

This information was provided by the GCEDC:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced the launch of www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org -- a website to help residents and businesses conserve energy and lower utility bills.

It provides connections to rebates and incentives, educational resources, tips to manage energy consumption and find local contractors, plus it features helpful interactive tools.

A monthly newsletter with this information will also be available to residents who wish to provide their e-mail addresses on the website.

www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org will highlight local energy efficient initiatives and county news and events related to energy conservation. This includes a study on the feasibility and challenges of developing wind-power projects on six GCEDC parcels.

“Genesee County has been active in its efforts to improve its environmental performance and energy efficiency, said Christopher Suozzi of the GDEDC. "Green Genesee County supports this approach by giving our community easy access to a website, e-newsletter, and 'Ask the Expert' resources to help residents, businesses and not-for-profit organizations save money on their utility bills."

The website was developed through a partnership with Blue Springs Energy, a company that assists organizations, local governments and individuals to access clean and renewable energy grants, incentives and credits and find local green services and products.

“Blue Springs Energy is proud to support Genesee County’s efforts to help its community save money on their energy bills and help the environment,” said Larry Simpson, president of Blue Springs Energy.

“There are numerous clean energy grants and incentives available from federal, state, and utility sources, but most are difficult to find and access. The Green Genesee County website and newsletter provides useful information so that residents and businesses can take action."

Liberty Pumps, Inc., has been named among the nation's fastest-growing, privately held companies for the fourth-straight year by "Inc. Magazine."

The manufacturing firm is located at 7000 Appletree Ave. in Bergen.

The publication released its "5,000 list" earlier this month. Businesses are rated based on total sales growth over the last three calendar years.

Liberty Pumps grew 23 percent during that time, to an annual revenue of $33 million, according to the magazine.

The company's management is modest about its performance.

Says its President Charlie Cook:

"Our formula for success is not exotic or complicated, but its execution is critical and strenuous. There are four elements to the formula: creation of products with unique, innovative features that are not available from competitors; maintaining a level of responsiveness and customer service that is unmatched in our industry; benchmark-level sales and marketing presence in terms of attention to customers and quality of materials for advertising and display; and great, dedicated people throughout the organization who are committed to excel in these elements."

He also noted that the formula is reflected in an annual strategic plan, which is created by a consensus of all department managers after a thorough review of a considerable amount of data.

"It is extremely gratifying to observe people at every level in every department so committed to giving customers the best products, service and support possible," said Cook in a news release.

David S. Hare, 38, of 5236 Cotton Road, Silver Springs, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Hare was charged following a report of a man entering a residence at 2:12 a.m. today in the area of Route 63 and Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, Batavia. The suspect reportedly broke the door to gain entrance to the house. He then reportedly drove from the scene. Hare was  found by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello a short distance from the house where his car had driven off the road. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeffrey L. Upchurch, 46, of Butler Drive, Bristol, Tenn., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and unsafe lane change. Upchurch was arrested following a report of a truck driver and a companion leaving Red Osier on Route 5 in Stafford at 7 p.m., Friday, after being refused service. Upchurch reportedly got into a semi-truck that didn't have a trailer. His truck reportedly hit a tree as he pulled from the parking lot. Upchurch was reportedly found driving his truck on Route 5 just west of the city line by Deputy Matt Butler. Upchurch was jailed on $2,000 bail. (Initial Report)

Jon D. Smith, 28, and Sylvia L. Smith, 25, of 5 Prune St., Batavia, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The Smiths were allegedly found on Thursday by officer Kevin DeFelice to be keeping their children living in substandard conditions.

Philip R. Ayala, 25, of 732 W. Bridges Ave., Auburndare, Fla., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ayala was charged following a traffic stop on Bank Street on Thursday by Office Marc Lawrence.

Carrie L. Jackson, 32, of 3 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Jackson is accused of sending threatening text messages to a male acquaintance.

Frankie Lee Brumsted, 19, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Brumsted is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at a residence on Batavia-Bethany Townline Road.

Michael S. Colombo, 30, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Colombo was stopped by State Police at 8:26 p.m., Saturday, on Route 33 in Stafford.

Eric J. Flowers, 25, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Flowers was arrested by State Police at 4:13 p.m., Thursday. No further details provided.