A weather advisory has been issued for tonight, starting at 9 p.m. through 11 a.m. Monday, with a freezing drizzle potentially making travel difficult.
Accumulations of up to a 10th of an inch are expected.
Any untreated roadways could mean hazardous driving conditions.
More than 150 people have already downloaded our new iPhone app.
Today, a problem that was preventing news alert notifications from going out was fixed, so now those users will actually get the alerts we send out.
To download the iPhone version, click here.
To download the Droid version, click here.
The annual community Christmas tree display is set up in Oakfield.
Donna Bartolf with the tree from her community group, Oakfield Community Jolly Seniors.
NOTE: I would have made the tree lighting in Elba tonight if not for the fire in Le Roy.
For the first time, Le Roy residents gathered at the former site of the Wiss Hotel for a Christmas tree lighting. The tree was donated by Andrew Lathan, owner of Lathan Tree Service and was decorated with ornaments from members of the community.
A working house fire is reported at 8261 Gully Road in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire Department and Ambulance Service are responding, along with mutual aid from Bergen, Stafford and Pavilion. The location is at the curve, between Oatka Trail and Hebbard Road. The house has been evacuated.
UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The city's Fast Team is called to the scene. Command says the interior fire is pretty much knocked down except the second story.
UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: Oakfield is called to stand by in the city's fire hall. The Town of Batavia Fire Department is called to stand by in its own quarters. An extension ladder is needed at the scene to access the second story at the rear of the structure.
UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: Stafford "will be the standby crew for the district." National Grid is called in.
UPDATE 6:55 p.m.: They will be working to open up the roof line. South Byron is asked to stand by in its own quarters, at the request of Stafford.
UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: Fire Police will be providing traffic control at Route 19 and North Road.
UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: Howard is at the scene and says it's not a big blaze. A small portion of the roof caught fire due to overheated wood around the stovepipe at the roofline.
UPDATE 9:10 p.m. (by Howard): Firefighters with a thermal imaging camera have checked the roof line and report no more hot spots.
Twelve-year-old Max McKenzie, a student at Le Roy Middle School, bested a field of 225 participants to win the Le Roy Winterfest 5K today.
The Batavia Boys basketball team beat Williamsville South today in a game scheduled as part of the Niagara Falls Cataract City Classic, an invitational tournament for the top prep teams in WNY.
Jeff Redband led the Blue Devils to a 58-46 win with 18 points. Justice Fagan contributed 13 and Malachi Chenault added 11.
Batavia jumped out to an early 34-18 lead, but the game tightened in the 4th period with Williamsville closing in at 40-35. From there, Batavia pretty much controlled the game and put Williamsville away.
Mendon has always presented a challenge for the Batavia High School girls basketball team, often over the years snatching double-digit victories over the Lady Devils, which was why Head Coach Marty Hein put the Vikings on the schedule early in the season.
It was a chance for Hein to see where his team stood.
The verdict? Not really different from what he said about his team in the pre-season: The Lady Devils lack bench depth and until the younger players step up their game, Batavia will struggle against teams that can rotate seven or eight players.
"Some of the girls will understand that we've got to work hard and work our way to having a deep bench like Mendon does," Hein said. "Hopefully, we'll be there by mid-season."
To start the game, the Lady Devils looked like the dominate team and held a lead until just about a minute left in the second period, and even through most of the third period, Batavia kept the game within a basket or two.
Then the wheels came off. The plays didn't run as smoothly, the passes weren't as crisp, if not higher risk, and the steals came easier for the Vikings.
"Todd's (Todd Julien) a very smart coach," Hein said. "He didn't use any time-outs (in) quarters one, two and three because he didn't give any opportunity for my girls to get a rest. He knew the longer I kept my starters on the floor, the sooner they were going to wear out."
The final score: Mendon 43, Batavia 36.
Sam Cecere led Batavia in scoring with 14 points. Mendon's Darby Kreienberg presented a challenge for the Lady Devils. She scored 26 points.
Maddie McCulley, who hit a clutch three late in the second period just when it looked like the Vikings might be poised to pull away, suffered what appeared to be an ankle or foot injury early in the third period. She returned to the game a few minutes later and Hein said she'll be fine.
"When we play one-three-one she's down at the bottom with some giants so she takes a beating sometimes," Hein said.
Top photo: Essence Williams drives for a successful layup.
Maddie McCulley
McCulley and Alley Phillips scramble for a loose ball.
To purchase prints of photos, click here.
An accident involving a pickup and another vehicle is reported at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road. There are injuries and it is blocking traffic. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with two Mercy rigs. Mercy Flight is called to the scene.
UPDATE 11:21 a.m.: Extrication is needed as soon as possible. A landing zone will be set up in a nearby yard.
UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: There's heavy traffic congestion in the area.
UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed. The patient to be airlifted is conscious and alert. Extrication of victim(s) will "easily be five to 10 more minutes."
UPDATE 11:39 a.m.: A third ambulance is requested to the scene.
UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: Extrication has been completed. One person is being transported to UMMC; another is being taken to UMMC Erie County Medical Center. Mercy Flight is airborne.
UPDATE 11:58 a.m.: Mercy Flight is going to ECMC.
UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.
UPDATE 1 p.m. (by Howard): Trooper Steven Brady said the initial investigation indicates that the sedan was eastbound on Route 33. The truck was westbound. The sedan driver didn't see the oncoming truck before executing a left-hand turn onto Wortendyke. The sedan was T-boned. There were circumstances at the time of the accident that would have prevented the driver from seeing the truck, Brady said. "He simply didn't see it." There was another car making a right-hand turn, which may have distracted the sedan driver for a moment. East Pembroke Chief Don Newton was the first emergency responder on scene. He said he requested Mercy Flight primarily as a precaution for the patient in the passenger seat because of the heavy impact on that side of the car. There's no indication at this time that the injuries are serious. The driver of the sedan and the truck were transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC with minor injuries.
Rick Fleming will conduct the Genesee Symphony Orchestra in a holiday concert Sunday at St. Mary's.
The program features compositions by Leroy Anderson, Mozart, Bach and David Rose as well as a performance by the Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School Chorus, directed by Danielle Mileham.
The concert begins at 4 p.m.
Fleming is an associate professor of music and director of bands at Buffalo State. He is founding conductor of the Erie County Chamber Winds and conductor of the Buffalo Silver Brass Band.
These photos were taken at the orchestra's Friday night rehearsal.
Friday night was the first night of Taste of the Holidays. The festivities included a chance for visitors to the tent on Jackson Street to sample food from area restaurants and visit with other vendors. Bus rides to the Holland Land Museum Office to see the Wonderland of Trees were also part of the event.
The event continues today from noon to 3 p.m. and will include carriage rides and a scavenger hunt.
Children can also visit Santa today in City Centre.
The beds of two pickups were filled with donated toys today for Santa to deliver to local boys and girls who might not otherwise get many presents under their trees, no matter how good they've been. The annual toy drive is sponsored by WBTA, Ken Barrett Chevy, the Salvation Army, the Batavia Fire Department and numerous local businesses.
Pictured are Tim Stengel, Art Smith, Corinne, Sarah, Colleen, James, Joan Stevens and Lt. Jeff Whitcombe.
Batavia High School opens its performance of "The Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon: Not your Disney fairy tales" at 7:30 tonight in the high school auditorium.
Tickets are $10 at the door ($8 for students).
There is a second performance at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
(submitted photos)
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) helped present Judge Gary Graber of Darien Center with the Century Council’s Kevin E. Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety. The Century Council recognized Judge Graber for being a longtime advocate for improving and strengthening underage drinking and drunk driving laws in New York State. Graber was honored today along with nine others award recipients at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
(submitted photo)
Four men accused of burglaries in Albion, Medina and Lockport are also potential suspects in a series of burglaries in Oakfield in September and October.
The Orleans County District Attorney's Office announced the arrests today, according to Orleans Hub.
None of the suspects have been charged yet in Genesee County.
Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster congratulated the job done by law enforcement in Orleans County, but said the local cases are under review by Genesee County District Attorney's Office. Local charges may yet be filed.
From Orleans Hub:
Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said the four were persons of interest in the crimes before their arrests. Police from Albion, Medina Lockport and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department were in daily communication, sharing information and gathering evidence.
“Criminals don’t follow jurisdictional lines and neither do we,” Nenni said at a news conference at the Village Hall. “We became one big sheriff’s department or police department.”
The arrestees are:
A vehicle that was the subject of an erratic driver report has apparently crashed in the area of 1669 Main Road, Corfu.
As dispatchers were relaying description and direction information to a responding deputy, the caller informed a dispatcher that the car went off the roadway.
The car reportedly crossed to the north side of Main Road and took out a utility pole, according to a first responder, then crossed back to the south side and struck a tree and rolled over.
The driver is out of the vehicle and appears to have suffered only minor injuries.
Twin Cities ambulance medics were passing by at the time of the accident and are evaluating the patient.
East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.
Route 5 is being shutdown at Route 77 with Indian Falls responding for traffic control.
Wires are reported down in the roadway. National Grid is notified, but no ETA.
Customers signing up for an MVP health insurance plan through the new government-run exchange might find they can't get treatment from doctors in Genesee County.
A local healthcare provider was alerted to the potential hole in coverage and he said he's confirmed it with MVP representatives.
The lack of local coverage arose after UMMC declined to sign a reimbursement agreement with MVP.
The situation affects only customers who sign up for individual plans through the exchange. People who get any type of group coverage through MVP or who get MVP health insurance directly from the company (rather than through the exchange) are not affected.
An MVP spokesman has not responded to a request for an interview.
Jeff Baldick, at Genesee Orthopedic, alerted The Batavian to the hole in coverage and said he has spoken directly with MVP about the situation and confirmed with the insurance provider that his patients who purchased insurance from MVP through the exchange will not be covered.
He said MVP told him that it is not providing coverage for any patient in Genesee County who purchased insurance through the exchange.
According to Bob Chiavetta, CFO for UMMC, the hospital was presented with a take-it-or-leave-it reimbursement plan by MVP some months ago for patients covered by insurance through the exchange.
The hospital rejected the reimbursement agreement because the health care reimbursements are significantly lower than those of other insurance providers, even lower than what MVP reimburses for group coverage and Medicaid.
So while the hospital continues -- as it alway has -- to accept patients covered by these other MVP products, it has no agreement with MVP for reimbursements of patients who purchased MVP insurance through the exchange.
"We communicated to them that those rates were not adequate," Chiavetta said. "They told us they were trying to work on their network and would get back to us, but we never heard anything back from them. We never received a letter or any written communication that we were being excluded. Then a week and a half to two weeks ago, we started hearing from patients that we were not listed as a network provider. When we heard that, we spoke with them and we're trying to work through something."
Chiavetta is hopeful an agreement can be reached soon with MVP to provide adequate reimbursements for patients who purchase MVP insurance through the exchange.
MVP is the only insurance provider, Chiavetta said, who significantly lowered reimbursements for patients coming through the exchange. All of the other insurers, he said, provide reimbursements to the hospital that are consistent with policies obtained outside the exchange.
It was Chiavetta's understanding that MVP was providing coverage on the exchange product to patients in Genesee County up to the point the patient might get referred to UMMC, but Baldick said MVP told him explicitly that no Genesee County patients would be covered because any doctor's office visit could potentially result in a referral to the local hospital.
Across the board, Chiavetta said, the Affordable Health Care Act, is leading to lower reimbursement rates for the hospital, but that won't affect the quality of care at UMMC.
He's more concerned, he said, about the higher out-of-pocket expenses some patients might encounter if they purchase health insurance through the exchange.
The lower premium plans have deductibles as high as $6,500 annually.
He said people planning to purchase health insurance through the exchange should look very closely at those plans and ensure they are adequate to meet their needs. Just because a monthly premium is as low as $200 doesn't mean it's the right plan for an individual.
"I can see where it's attractive to them," Chiavetta said. "The only thing I would say is for people who are actively looking for insurance on the exchange is be very aware of what the cost is going to be. A lot of people are gravitating toward the lower premium plans, but that's a risk. It doesn't take much of an illness to cost a lot of money.
"A product for $200 a month might work great for some, but they might be better off paying more if they picked a higher plan. You've got to take your own health care needs into account."
The hospital has three people going through training next week on how to help people navigate the exchange.
"As patients come to us who are uninsured, just as we do now, we will help them understand financial assistance, Medicaid, and we will add to that help in getting through the exchange and selecting a health care product that is out there that is appropriate for them," Chiavetta said.
Anyone with questions now are welcome to call Sue Brown, director of patient financial services, at (585) 344-5428.
Andrew Lucas Kosiorek, 41, no address provided, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass, 3rd, and obstruction of governmental administration. Kosiorek was arrested after being allegedly located in a garage on South Main Street at 12:30 a.m., Nov. 28. Kosiorek allegedly tried to flee from police at the time of his arrest. Upon being taken into custody he was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. He was jailed on $2,500 bail. Also charged with criminal trespass was Damien R. Graham, 41, no residence.
Norman S. Malkimos-Gonzalez Jr., is charged with menacing, 3rd. Malkimos-Gonzalez is accused of threatening to shoot another person while in the area of 85 Main St., Batavia, at 4:10 p.m. on Nov. 22. Malkimos-Gonzalez was later located in the area of Ellicott and Jackson and taken into custody. No weapon was found.
Morgan L. Cox Jr., 21, of 119 State St., #4m Batavia, is charged with criminal intent to damage property and harassment, 2nd. Cox was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident at 12:59 p.m., Nov. 28.
A 16-year-old resident of West Main Street Road, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing $85.07 in merchandise from Tops.
Thomas W. Morey Jr., 38, of 10631 Main St., Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Morey was allegedly found in possession of two firearms during a traffic stop at 6:26 p.m. Nov. 25 on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer James DeFreze. Morey reportedly has a prior felony conviction.
Christina S. Baudanza, 37, of 154 Jackson St., Batavia, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Baudanza was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident.
Matthew A. Beccue, 44, of 4 Elm St., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a public highway. Beccue was stopped at 8:32 p.m. Nov. 22 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.
Taraleen T. Tundo, 29, 10901 Marsh Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Tundo was allegedly found in possession of suboxone without a prescription during a traffic stop at 12:40 p.m. Nov. 21 on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Officer John Kirbis.
Antonio Lester James, 22, of Avenue A, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant. He is accused of failure to appear in County Court on a grand larceny, 4th, charge. James was being held in Monroe County Jail and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. James was arraigned in County Court and sentenced by Judge Robert Noonan to a state prison term.
George A. Booth, 50, of Rural Route 1, Hinton, W. Va., was arrested on a warrant stemming from a criminal possession of a forged instrument charge. Booth was arrested in West Virginia and extradited to New York. He was arraigned in Town of Alexander Court and jailed on $5,000 cash bail.
Timothy R. Benbynek, 48 of Corfu, is charged with trespass. Benbynek was arrested at 816 Gabbey Road, Pembroke. No further details released.
William H. Englert, 47, of Caledonia, is charged with DWI. Englert was stopped at 9:55 p.m. Dec. 1 on Bernd Road, Le Roy, by State Police.
Allissa A. Fodge, 23, of Bergen, and Megan C. Marchese, 26, of Bergen, are both charged with grand larceny, 3rd. The alleged incident was reported Oct. 18. Fodge and Marchese were arrested by State Police. No further details released.
A driver reportedly over corrected after her passenger side tires left the roadway on Route 63 on Wednesday, leading to an accident that injured two people.
The accident was reported at 2:23 p.m. Wednesday in the area of 5647 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.
Isabel E.Cicero, 86, of Main Street, Leicester, was driving a 2011 Mercury sedan east on Route 63 when her vehicle left the roadway.
Aaron M. Titus, 40, of Wyoming Road, Wyoming, was behind another vehicle in the eastbound lane.
The first vehicle was able to pull to the shoulder and avoid a collision with Cicero, but Titus apparently could not.
Neither Cicero nor Titus were seriously injured.
Cicero was issued a citation for alleged failure to move safely from lane.
The accident was investigated by Deputy Andrew Hale.
A car has reportedly hit a truck in the area of 7887 Townline Road, Bergen.
Injuries are reported.
Bergen fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 9:36 a.m.: Another ambulance requested to the scene. Three people are injured.
UPDATE 9:41 a.m.: Additional ambulance cancelled. Current response on scene is sufficient.
UPDATE 10:47 a.m. (by Billie): One of victims suffered a head injury and was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. The road is reopened and the assignment is back in service.
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