Skip to main content

Photos: Christmas lights for Dec. 22

By Howard B. Owens

In my drive around this evening looking for Batavia's interesting Christmas lights, I found this handsomely decorated tractor on Roosevelt.

And below, a brightly lit house (the back yard is also decorated) on Ellicott Place.

More pictures after the jump:

South Main Street

South Lyon Street

Redfield Drive's Christmas trees in nearly every yard.

Belvedere Drive

Weather: Warning issued for slick roads

By Howard B. Owens

The National Weather Service has issued a weather advisory warning that freezing rain and iced-over roads can be expected in Genesee County until 5 a.m.

NWS warns that roadways that appear to be just wet can in fact be covered in slick ice.

Some light snow is also expected.

Accumulation will be trace to a few hundredths of an inch.

Accident that pinned man under Jeep still under investigation

By Howard B. Owens

Speed is being considered a factor in an accident this morning on Creek Road that led to a resident of the area being taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center.

Robert G. Woodhouse, Jr., 51, of Creek Road, was partially pinned under his 2007 Jeep Wrangler after it rolled over, down an embankment at 8943 Creek Road.

The accident was reported at 10:07 a.m.

There is evidence at the scene that Woodhouse was involved in two property damage accidents just prior to his Jeep rolling down the embankment and ejecting him from the vehicle.

He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Sheriff's Office.

A utility pole was knocked down and a mailbox was damaged.

It's not clear why his vehicle left the roadway and the investigation is ongoing.

Charges are pending.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy John Baiocco, Deputy Lonnie Nati and Sgt. William Scott of the Genesee County Crash Management Team.

Assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS, Town of Batavia Fire, City of Batavia Fire, Mercy Flight, Batavia Police and Bethany Fire Police.

(Initial Report)

Roads getting slick

By Howard B. Owens

A deputy reports that Galloway and Kelsey roads are "just sheets of ice."

So, be careful out there.

After recent gun theft, HLOM installs security cameras

By Howard B. Owens

Security cameras have been installed at the Holland Land Office Museum.

The upgrade in security comes after a Dec. 10 alleged theft of a historic gun by an Alden man.

"In light of recent events, cameras are a welcome measure to provide security not only to the museum collection, but to the staff, volunteers and guests at the museum," said director Jeffrey Donahue in a statement.

In the statement, Donahue and Board President Bob Turk thanked Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislator Hollis Upson for contributions to help get the cameras installed.

Motor-vehicle accident in Town of Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported in Le Roy at East Bethany-Le Roy and Munson roads.

There are injuries. Mercy EMS and Le Roy fire are responding.

Traffic accident by Oatka Milk Products location

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle traffic accident with minor injuries is reported at 165 Cedar St., at Oatka Milk Products. City fire and Mercy EMS are responding, although it is outside the city. There was no unit from the town available, but now one apparently is.

The accident is on the Ellicott Street portion of the business.

A fire official says a little bit of radiator fluid is leaking and there are two minor injuries that need to be checked out. Both victims are out and walking around.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: In this accident, the city was called by dispatch first. Once on scene, city notified dispatch that the location was actually just outside the city, and the town was called. Both city and town cooperated.

Minor-injury accident on West Main Street Road

By Billie Owens

A minor-injury accident is reported in front of the Mark Trail Motel in the Town of Batavia. It also involves a tractor-trailer, which is blocking the roadway.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy BLS are responding.

The motel is located at 4036 W. Main St. Road.

Person possibly pinned under car after rollover accident on Creek Road

By Howard B. Owens

A person may be pinned under a car following a rollover accident in the area of 8943 Creek Road, Town of Batavia, between Lehigh and Dorman roads.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m. (Billie): Lehigh Avenue is being shut down completely, starting at Ellicott Street. Mercy Flight is called with a 10-minute ETA. A landing zone is being set up on Lehigh Avenue, in one of the few places not crisscrossed by wires. The victim is stilled pinned under the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m. (Billie): The victim has been extricated. Mercy Flight is now four minutes away. Traffic police are shutting down Creek and Dorman roads.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m. (Billie): There's a utility pole down at 8937 Creek Road and National Grid will be on scene in roughly 10 minutes.

UPDATE 10:37 a.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight is on the ground. National Grid is there now, but they are blocking the space needed for Mercy Flight to handle the accident.

UPDATE 11 a.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight went to Erie County Medical Center. The Town of Batavia fire crews, as well as City units, which assisted, are back in service. Sheriff's deputies remain to handle traffic control.


View Larger Map

Pembroke students skip gift exchange, raise money for charity

By Howard B. Owens

Children in the Pembroke Primary classes have been raising money for Wings Flights for Hope this month rather than exchanging Christmas gifts. So far, they've raised more than $200. The classes raising money are taught by Mrs. Altmann and Mrs. Parada. Mrs. Altmann, a volunteer firefighter in Williamsville, has promised to match what the amount the kids raise by Dec. 23.

Submitted by Kimberly Schiefer.

Photos: Christmas at 400 Towers

By Robin Walters

On their second night out of celebrating Christmas, Care-A-Van Ministries stopped by the 400 Towers to have a celebration with the residents there.

Photo: Winter solstice moon

By Howard B. Owens

Did you see the spectacular, low-hanging moon this evening? I did, and headed out to Griswold Road in Stafford to get a shot of it behind one of my favorite barns.

Photos: Christmas lights for Dec. 21

By Howard B. Owens

For Christmas photos tonight, I managed to get around a bit on the north side of town.

Above, Joe Gerace has his place on Vine Street quite lit up.

More pictures after the jump:

Vine Street

Trumbull Parkway

Elm Street

Fordham Drive

Tracy Avenue

Summitt Street

Open House for the Genessee County Mental Health Association

By Akari Iburi

The welcoming ambiance of cookies and coffee warmly greeted those who attended the Genessee County Mental Health Association's (MHA) open house between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The open house was especially unique in that it marked the re-opening of a new and much improved clothing store.

Pictured above, Sueann Schramm (far left), Lee Albert (back right), and Kathy Hanley (front right), are three of the five voluneers who helped revamp the old clothing store into one that offers many options. It took the members seven weeks to completely improve the area, two of the seven dedicated to the meticulous organization of the clothes.

"It's been a lot of work but we got it done," proudly stated Sueann who was working behind the register as Kathy cheerfully welcomed those entering the clothing shop section of the MHA establishment. Donated clothing is thoroughly washed, organized and hung according to size and item. All profits made from the clothing is recirculated into the purchase of alternative items available such as various hygenic products. The clothing shop is open three days a week, Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and all donations are welcomed and much appreciated.

The open house offered papers describing their services, including a book of poetry and CD of music (sponsored by Go Art!)  created by members of their Social Club. The purpose of the MHA society is to advocate wellness and support those in need in a safe and friendly environment. Some of their programs include Trauma Services, Survivors of Suicide support group, and The Warm Line.  The Warm Line is a non-crisis phone service that is accessible  after the designated hours of typical help lines.

With his door open and willingness to talk during the hours of the open house, Charley DelPlato, pictured above, is the passionate Warm Line Coordinator. "We offer support and encouragement," he exclaimed while describing the wholesome efforts made by the Warm Line.  Not only does the Warm Line provide phone services after hours of typicial help lines, they additionally participate in "outreach" programs through visits at hospitals, sending out cards, and taking individuals out for coffee or shopping.

The MHA provides an excellent service to the community of Genessee County and has continuously done so for the past sixteen years. A warm thank you to Sue Gagne, Assistant Executive Director, and all members of the MHA staff for their willingness to provide the Batavian with such valuable information.

For more information on the MHA or of their clothing store, visit their website at gcmha.org or contact them through phone at (585)-344-2611.

Christmas in the schools, part 3

By Daniel Crofts

The third and final "Christmas in the Schools" video features students from Holy Family School (Le Roy), Batavia Middle School and St. Joseph School (I was going to go to Oakfield Elementary, but the weather prevented me -- St. Joe's was having the official holiday concert at the same time that evening, so I figured this would give me the chance to film those St. Joe's students who weren't caroling at the City Centre).

I have to warn you, the video quality is not quite as good as the other two installments.  I was having some unexpected camera troubles -- some of this was my fault, some of it the fault of circumstances. But I hope that the quality of the students' performances will make up for this.

Finally, I just need to correct a quick error in the first video: "Santa's Playlist" was written by John Jacobson and Roger (not Robert) Emerson; you will notice that these two wrote one of the songs appearing in this video.

Thank you to all of the schools for allowing me to see and showcase the students' hard work and talent, and congratulations to the kids on a job well done.

Car strikes parked vehicle on Summit Street

By Billie Owens

It is reported that a car has possibly struck a parked vehicle at 160 Summit St. Unknown injuries.

Batavia City fire and a medic are on scene.

Photos: The Christmas Light Truck

By Howard B. Owens

James Dwyer spends most of his year driving coast-to-coast as a long-haul trucker, but for two weeks around Christmas, he gets to stay home, so he parks his truck and drapes strands of more than 400 feet of Christmas lights over it.

The 48-foot-long flatbed trailer is decorated by his wife with various animated characters.

He's been decorating his truck every Christmas for about eight years and he says each year it seems to grow in popularity, with more and more people driving by his Knowlesville Road home to check it out. To get there, take Lewiston Road/Lockport Road in Alabama and head north on Knowlesville.

Photos: Notre Dame 'Grotto'

By Howard B. Owens

This is the "Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes," or "The Grotto," on the campus of Notre Dame High School, just off Richmond Avenue.

The photos are from last night.

Top Items on Batavia's List

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST CITY OF BATAVIA 4-5 bedroom Duplex apartment with 1 Bedroom, Living room, laundry room, dining room, bathroom, and small kitchen on first floor. 4 bedrooms 2nd floor. Newly painted. Some new carpet. Basement storage. 1/2 garage use for storage/ not parking. Large yard. $1,100/month includes trash pickup, Refrigerator, Gas Stove. You pay gas, electric, water. No dogs. Good references required with background check. Pathstone approved. Near ARC. Mike 585-993-4002
Tags: Rentals

Authentically Local