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Photos: Cooling off at the Spray Park on a hot day

By Howard B. Owens

Aiden, at 22 months, enjoyed his first visit to the Spray Park in Austin Park today while his family, from Clarendon, was visiting Batavia.

More shots from the Spray Park in today's 90-degree weather below.

The weather prediction for Sunday remains strong thunderstorms.

Photos: Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills

By Howard B. Owens

Joe Maiorano (top) and Charlie Hamilton (bottom) tie off during the annual Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills today. Maiorano came from Danbury, Conn., and Hamilton from Tampa, Fla., for the tournament.

Photos: World Harmony Run passes through Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

The World Harmony Run passed through Batavia today.

The effort is a relay-run involving dozens of runners who have already traveled 8,500 miles on a 10,000-mile journey through all 48 continental states.

There are also running participants in 100 other countries around the globe.

Salil Wilson said the effort is intended to send a message that "peace and harmony starts with each person."

"It demonstrates," he said, "that there is far more that unites us as one human family than divides us."

The group, which includes runners from Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Belarus, and, of course, the United States, stopped for refreshments at the Peace Garden before heading east.

Click here for a map of the route the group has traveled.

Top photo and photo below, Laszlo Szente, of Hungary.

Oakfield resident looking for help in locating stolen scooter

By Howard B. Owens

If you see anybody with a scooter that looks like this, Oakfield resident Lois Sutton is hoping you will contact the Sheriff's Office.

Sutton said this morning somebody stole her from Motofino scooter from her back yard. She thinks the look of the scooter is unique enough, and there are no local dealers, that it will stand out.

The Sheriff's Office can be contacted at 585-345-3000.

Diabetic female at top of Indian Falls prompts rescue efforts

By Billie Owens

A 60-year-old female with diabetic problems is in need of rescue at the top of the falls behind the Log Cabin Restaurant -- on the opposite side.

"She is at the top of the falls ... she's approximately 30 feet down," says a responder.

The county Rope Rescue Team is on standby in case needed. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responded and gave her some insulin and medical aid.

The woman came to the attention of others because she "was not responding appropriately."

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: A fireman on scene says her blood insulin level at this point is 43. "We will have to take her up manually unless we can get her blood sugar up higher." Medics are on their way.

UPDATE 8:37 p.m.: For those who don't know, the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant is located at 1227 Gilmore Road in Corfu.

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: The rescuers are going to employ a rope and a basket to bring up the woman. Her blood sugar is now reported to be 51. "We'll probably be taking her out of here -- unless it gets better real quick," says a responder. Other responders headed to the scene are requested to continue in full emergency mode.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Rescuers are directed to the north side of the creek to assist with efforts under way.

UPDATE 8:47 p.m.: More rope is demanded "for those coming up and down to hold onto something." Assurance is given that it is on the way.

UPDATE 9:04 p.m.: At this point, "Everybody's topside." In other words, the woman has been brought to the top of the falls, as well as her rescuers, and is ready to be transported to the hospital via ambulance.

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: Mercy Flight, which was on standby, is back in service and responders from Pembroke and Indian Falls are breaking down their light towers and equipment and returning to service. The patient is being taken to UMMC.

Bicyclist involved in accident in Village of Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car and bicycle accident is reported at the intersection of Clay Street and West Main Street, Village of Le Roy.

There is an injury.

The bike rider is out of the roadway.

Le Roy fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: The car will need to be towed. "The window is just demolished and it's not driveable," an officer tells dispatch. 

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: Route 19 is reopened. Le Roy fire back in service.

Woman who admitted to welfare fraud must repay $11K

By Howard B. Owens

A Maple Street resident who admitted to welfare fraud will serve five years probation and must repay $11,341.18 after being sentenced in Genesee County Court.

Kerry Ackley, 39, admitted in May to a felony count of attempted grand larceny, 3rd.

She received benefits after failing to report her receipt of worker's compensation. She was originally charged with four counts of offering a false instrument for filing and the grand larceny charge.

Ackley is also barred from receiving food stamps.

Man admits in federal court to robbing Batavia bank in 2007

By Howard B. Owens

A man who robbed a bank in Batavia in November 2007 entered a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, admitting to a total of five bank robberies in Western New York and Pennsylvania.

Michael Makolinski, 31, of Buffalo, faces up to 25 years in jail, a $1 million fine or both after pleading guilty to bank robbery.

“In his greed to steal the money of others, this serial bank robber thought he could prey upon banks located is some of our smaller communities, as well as in Buffalo,” said U.S. Attorney William Hochul. “As today’s convictions prove, the defendant’s belief was wrong.”

Besides the robbery of the Bank of America branch in Batavia, Makolinski, who appeared to display a gun in each robbery, hit banks in Erie, Pa., Irondequoit, Lewiston and Buffalo.

All of the robberies occurred between October 2007 and December 2007.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 13.

Weather Service warns of hot, muggy conditions today, predicts strong storms tomorrow

By Howard B. Owens

Temperatures are expected to hit the low to mid 90s today, with humidity driving the heat index into the high 90s.

The heat, the National Weather Service warns, has the potential of increasing the risk for heat-related illness.

The NWS recommends limiting exposure to heat outside if possible and drinking plenty of fluids.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is scattered thunderstorms in the morning, becoming more widespread with possible severe storms in the afternoon.

The storms, which could extend into the night, may produce large hail and strong winds.

Possible minor injury accident reported on Clinton Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident with possible minor injuries is reported on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, in front of Terry Hills Golf Course.

The accident is blocking.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:21 a.m.: One lane blocked. Debris in roadway. One person complaining of neck pain.

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.: One patient being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire back in service.

Car-into-pole accident in Bergen results in four minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with four people suffering minor injuries is reported at 7615 Clinton St. Road, just west of Jericho Road. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. All of the victims are out. The vehicle reportedly smashed into a pole.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Because young children are involved in this minor-injury accident, a second Mercy ambulance is called to the scene. 

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: Responders are asked to stop east of the incident and leave only one lane of traffic open, westbound.

UPDATE 9:37 p.m.: One patient is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 9:39 p.m.: Two patients are being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Pavilion resident accused of possessing mushrooms and marijuana

By Howard B. Owens

During the execution of a search warrant Tuesday at a residence on Junction Road, Pavilion, investigators allegedly found a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms, a quantity of mushrooms and some drug paraphernalia.

The resident, Richard T. Bairton, 52, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree.

The execution of the search warrant was handled by uniformed members of the Sheriff's Office and assisted by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Bairton was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Reader photos: Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly

By Howard B. Owens

Speaking of butterflies, Brian Schollard sent in these two pictures of an Eastern tiger swallowtail from his garden. He said "My wife and I planted two butterfly bushes last fall. They were, I thought, killed off this spring, but happily they came back and are working nicely!"

City kicks off strategic planning with resident survey

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

City residents and those who work in the city are asked to provide input to the Batavia City Council through a Citizen Survey posted on the city’s Web site at www.batavianewyork.com.

Two years ago the city conducted a citizen survey to gauge how citizens perceive the quality of several city services. The survey also inquired as to whether citizens plan to remain in Batavia in five years and provided an area for general comments.

The data received from the survey was used to develop the city’s Strategic and Business Plan. Last year was an overwhelming success for our first year of implementation as the city achieved or exceeded nearly all of its identified performance measurements and key intended outcomes.

The results of the 2012 survey will again provide the city with information for its strategic planning process 2013 – 2015.

“This past year has been an enormous success for our city,” said City Manager Jason Molino. “It is important that we continue this planning process moving forward, and getting input from our citizens and workforce is vital to the planning success.”

The online survey can be viewed using any computer with Internet access. To find the survey, an individual will need to go to www.batavianewyork.com and click on the link labeled, “Citizen Survey.”

This link will take you directly to the survey which can be filled out online and submitted by the click of a button upon completion. All residents and those working in the city can take the survey, and the survey can be accessed more than once by eligible members of the same household.

For individuals without computer access, the Richmond Memorial Library is encouraging Batavia residents to utilize its free Internet service to take the survey. The library offers several computer terminals from which the survey can be taken. The service is free, however individuals must sign up to become a library member.

Membership to the Richmond Memorial Library is free and requires only a few minutes to provide some basic information. Summer library hours are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Residents can also pick up and submit a hard copy of the survey from the city clerk’s office at city hall.

Program will help identify accident victims with medical conditions

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In an effort to better serve and protect the citizens of Genesee County, Sheriff Gary T. Maha in conjunction with more than 30 county sheriffs and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association are offering the Yellow Dot Program.

Yellow Dot is a free program available to individuals of all ages that was designed to help first responders provide lifesaving medical attention during the first “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency.

The program has launched in 30 counties across the state.

“When you can’t speak for yourself, Yellow Dot can speak for you,” said Peter Kehoe, executive director of the sheriffs’ association.

The Yellow Dot kit contains a medical information card and a Yellow Dot decal. Participants complete the card, attach a recent photo, place it in the glove compartment of their vehicle, and place the Yellow Dot decal on the rear driver’s side window.

First responders arriving at the scene of an emergency will be alerted by the Yellow Dot decal to look for the medical information card in the glove compartment.  

To obtain a Yellow Dot kit, contact Carolyn Della Penna at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 345-3000, ext. 3510, or visit www.nysheriffs.org/yellowdot.

Yellow Dot materials will also be available at Genesee County fire departments.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation, formed in 1934, for the purpose of assisting sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of sheriffs’ services to the public. It comprises all of the elected and appointed sheriffs of New York State.

Yellow Dot was started in Connecticut in 2002 by People’s United Bank. Originally developed for senior citizens, the program can be used by anyone of any age.

Attica duo accused of possessing loaded, sawed-off shotgun in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Deputies investigating suspicious activity last night reportedly found a pair of Attica men in possession of a loaded, sawed-off shotgun at a residence in Pembroke.

Both men reportedly have prior criminal convictions.

Charged with criminal possession of a weapon were Benjamin Lambert, 36, and Kayla Tyoe, 23.

Lambert and Tyoe were jailed pending further proceedings.

Motorcyclist down, has shoulder injury at Route 5 and Boyce Road

By Billie Owens

A motorcyclist "dumped his bike and has a shoulder injury" and he's sitting roadside at Route 5 and Boyce Road in Pembroke. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The roadway is clear.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: He has a lot of road rash on his shoulder. There were no other vehicles involved.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: This accident involved a bicycle, not a motorcycle.

Deputies pursuing driver who won't stop

By Billie Owens

A motorist is failing to stop for law enforcement, which has been trying to get him to pull over for several miles on different roadways. The speed is slow. He's northbound on Swamp Road. The car the guy's driving has a stolen plate.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: The older-model Ford truck has a red and silver tailgate. The driver is a white male with a baseball cap worn backward. There's no front license plate and one of the front tires "looks like it's gonna blow." Monroe County authorities have been notified.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Now the pursuit is eastbound on Reed Road. State Troopers are also responding.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: The truck drove onto a laneway east of Root Road and the subject is now in custody.

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