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People reportedly ripping up newly planted flowers in the Batavia Peace Garden

By Billie Owens

Criminal mischief is reported at the newly established Peace Garden, adjacent to the Holland Land Office Museum on Main Street in the City of Batavia. They are reportedly ripping up the flowers. City police are responding.

UPDATE 8:36 p.m. (by Howard): After getting back from Le Roy, I swung by the Peace Garden and didn't see any plants pulled out of the ground.

Officer being attacked in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

An officer is apparently being attacked by people at 21 Maple Ave., Le Roy.

Multiple law enforcement units are responding. The location is between North and Church streets in the Village of Le Roy.

UPDATE 5:19 p.m. (by Billie): A female in front of the house is armed with a knife. A man has been pinned down by police. An officer on scene says "Keep sending all units. Multiple people are going to be arrested."

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: At least three arrests will be made. Manpower called to this point is sufficient.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: Law enforcement has the scene under control.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Sheriff's deputies from Wyoming and Orleans counties are staged at the county line just in case they are needed. But an officer says things have calmed down. Suspects are in custody.

UPDATE 5:59 p.m.: One patient is being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. (Info. from Howard at the scene): The incident allegedly began when a Sheriff's deputy arrived at 21 Maple Ave. to serve an arrest warrant on a male, who allegedly became uncooperative. Then the suspect's father allegedly interjected himself into the matter and the suspect's mother allegedly grabbed a knife and threatened the deputy with it. One of the individuals was taken to UMMC for a health complaint not directly related to the incident on Maple Avenue. When feasible, that individual will be transported to county jail. The two other people involved are already in custody.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: The individual taken to UMMC is the father.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.


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Head-on collision at Route 20 and Roanoke Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A two-car head-on collision with at least one injury, unknown severity, is reported at Route 20 and Roanoke Road. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding. They are checking the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is put on ground standby.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: A female is injured and will require extrication. She is alert. Le Roy fire is also called. Mercy Flight is launching.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on in-air standby.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: The driver of the second vehicle is alert. No word on injuries. Mercy Flight is called to the scene and will land in a freshly cut hay field south of the incident.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The accident is not blocking traffic, but the roadway is shut down to handle the emergency. A State Trooper is on scene. Two flatbed tows are called.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: The patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, heading to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Pavilion and Mercy EMS are back in service.

Photos: Batavia Motor Sports bringing in bigger races for extreme dirt track action

By Howard B. Owens

Extreme dirt track racing is getting bigger in Batavia. The WNY EDT committee brought in a regional race Saturday that attracted racers from as far away as New Jersey, and on Aug. 11, a national professional race will hit the track.

Amy McNutt said there's been ATV racing at the track -- which is about 50 years old -- for the past six or seven years, but a reconstituted race committee has been working hard to grow the sport locally.

"We're trying to grow the sport and let people in Batavia know the track is here so we get more spectators," McNutt said.

Batavia Motor Sports is located on Harloff Road next to Polar Wave.

The next closest track that runs extreme dirt track ATV races is in Geneva, McNutt said.

The race in August will bring racers from as far away as Oklahoma and South Dakota and points will count toward a national championship.

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

Person reported with a cut on her shoulder in front of Tim Horton's

By Howard B. Owens

An ambulance has been dispatched to Main Street, in front of Tim Horton's, for a person with a shoulder laceration.

Batavia PD is on scene.

Earlier, there was a report of a group of people who may have been preparing for a fight on Washington Avenue.

One person was reported to leave the scene, heading toward Main Street, who was shirtless and carrying a knife.

Some 30 minutes before that, there was a group of people were reported fighting on State Street. When police arrived, the group had dispersed.

It's unknown if these events are related.

UPDATE 1:38 a.m.: One female being transported to UMMC with multiple minor cuts. Batavia PD clear of Tim Horton's but staying in the area until "this all breaks up."  Meanwhile, in Le Roy, an ambulance is requested to Pizzaland in Le Roy for the victim of an assault who suffered facial injuries. At the same time, police requested to the Stafford Fire Hall for a person who wants to make a complaint about a group of people harassing her.

Ducks in a drain in front of Holland Land Office Museum

By Billie Owens

Ducks are in a drain in front of the Holland Land Office Museum at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. City fire Engine 12 is responding to attempt to rescue the waterfowl.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: Engine 12 is back in service. Didn't hear whether they accomplished the mission.

UPDATE 9:26 p.m.: The ducklings were rescued and placed back into the Tonawanda Creek.

Photos: Stafford parade and carnival

By Howard B. Owens

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual parade Saturday, part of its annual Father's Day weekend celebration, which includes a carnival and Corvette raffle.

As usual, there was a big turnout, both for parade participants and onlookers.

If you have trouble viewing the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Man reportedly going door-to-door in Batavia demanding cash to start a business

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reports a man in his 20s is in the area of Union Square (off Union Street), Batavia, going door-to-door asking for cash to start a business.

When he is refused, he demands to know why.

The man was reportedly just in the area and was also there earlier today.

Batavia PD and a State Trooper are in the area looking for the subject.

Jeep with blazing brakes on Boyce Road

By Billie Owens

A red Jeep with its brakes on fire is reported off Boyce Road, near Route 5. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: The fire is out.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: East Pembroke is back in service. A tow truck is en route.

Little kid locks self in bathroom, city firefighters come to the rescue

By Billie Owens

A 4-year-old child has locked himself (or herself) in the bathroom of a residence at 9 Cherry St. in the City of Batavia and the mother has called for help to get her child out. Engine 12 is on location, which is between Jackson and Liberty streets.

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: Presumably, the tyke has been sprung from the bathroom. Engine 12 is back in service.

Photos: Testing a Bresnan distributor

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia City Fire Department tested the oldest piece of equipment the department owns today -- a Bresnan distributor.

The device is designed to be lowered into a basement that is on fire, but too hot for firefighters to enter. 

Though, as one firefighter explained, if the fire is burning that hot, you wouldn't want firefighters standing on the floor above and making the hole necessary for the hose and nozzle.

It could also be inserted from below into an attic.

However, one firefighter said in the 25 years he's spent with the department, he's not aware of the nozzle ever being used.

The brass nozzle is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 years old. It was manufactured by Grether Fire Equipment Co., of Dayton Ohio. As near as I can tell from Google searches, the company was in business from the turn of the early 20th Century until 1930, though maybe through at least 1974. The company made a variety of small firefighting devices, such as nozzles and lanterns.

In case it ever is needed, firefighters today wanted to see if it still works and what its water distribution pattern was like.

UPDATE 3:33 p.m.(by Billie): I searched on Google for "Bresnan distributor" and found this from a retired firefighter named Bill Bresnan who is now an artist. The inventor of the device for firefighting in hard-to-reach places was his great-grandpa. Here's what he says:

"My great grandfather, Battalion Chief John J. Bresnan was a truly dedicated man who served in the New York City Fire Department in the 1800s. He was an inventor and among his many inventions was the Bresnan distributor, the hose roller and a harness for the horses that was designed to facilitate faster response times during those days.

He was passionate about making improvements to the fire service and enhancing safety for the citizens.

Sadly, he was killed in a building collapse at a warehouse fire in Manhattan on a freezing cold night in late December of 1894, leaving behind three young children and an entire city who mourned his loss. Little did he know that generations after him would serve the department and the city he loved. My grandfather, father, uncle, brother and two cousins all proudly served in the F.D.N.Y.

It certainly was a privilege to be part of the New York City Fire Department. This is a special brotherhood. I met great men, real heroes who carried themselves in a humble way. I also met great leaders, knowledgeable and aggressive officers of all ranks. Despite all the tragedy I have seen over the years, I am grateful to have witnessed humanity at its best."

Possible grass fire in woods off westbound Route 490

By Billie Owens

A possible grass fire in two spots is reported in the woods off westbound Route 490 in the area of mile marker 0.9. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are called to investigate.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Firefighters found five or six large controlled burns. The farmer had notified the Emergency Dispatch Center beforehand about the planned burns. However, authorities decided because of their location, they should be looked at for safety reasons. The responders are back in service. And the property owner, who is actually on Lake Street Road, is "highly agitated" with the situation.

Town of Batavia GOP picks candidate to run for vacant board seat

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Town of Batavia Republican Committee has endorsed two candidates to run in November. Incumbent Town Justice and local attorney Tom Williams has been endorsed and former councilman Chad Zambito has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the town board.

Zambito, a town resident for 12 years, also serves on the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has served on an advisory board for Genesee Community College’s BEST Center and the GLOW Region’s Workforce Investment Board. The seat was left open after John Gerace resigned in May. Both Zambito and Gerace were first elected in 2003.

“We are fortunate to have two good candidates and are happy that there was significant interest in the open town board seat,” said Town Republican Chairman Andrew Young. “I think it shows we have a great board and support staff that many are interested in working with.”

The committee will hold its annual picnic June 22 at Kiwanis Park. Senator Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley are both expected to attend and longtime Republican supporter Sharon White will be honored for her service. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member.

Note: The board vacancy was created when John Gerace resigned abruptly and without explanation in April.

Photo: Town of Pembroke honors two new Eagle Scouts

By Howard B. Owens

Jacob M. Finkney and Gabriel L. Frey were honored Wednesday by the Town of Pembroke Board with a proclamation recognizing their achievement in attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Supervisor Ed Mileham presented the proclamations.

Photo courtesy of Town Clerk Nicole M. Begin.

Child reported in the road at Route 98 and Peaviner, Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

A 4-year-old is reportedly in the road at Route 98 and Peaviner Road, Alexander.

Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 9:44 a.m.: The caller has the child safely off the road. A deputy is in route.

UPDATE 9:52 a.m.: Child has been reunited with his mother.

Law and Order: Woman accused of stealing trash stickers

By Howard B. Owens

Doris L. Mayl, 59, of 2 Manhattan Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mayl is accused of taking bulk trash stickers from items on South Main Street. The stickers are purchased from the city to put on large items that need trash pick up.

Andrea M. Whitbeck, 23, of 196 Henderson Drive, Penfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Whitbeck was stopped at 3:20 a.m. Thursday on Church Street, Le Roy, by Le Roy PD.

Police interrupt alleged burglary in progress at business on Ellicott Street

By Howard B. Owens

A Porter Avenue resident was arrested Thursday morning, accused of being a lookout for a burglary at a new head shop on Ellicott Street, Batavia.

Police responded at 4:20 a.m. to a report of a burglary in progress at 400 Ellicott St. and arrested Edward R. Loper, 24, of 19 Porter Ave.

A second suspect, the person believed to have been inside the business, remains at large.

An alert neighbor reported suspicious activity after hearing the sound of glass breaking at the business.

Police determined entry was made by the suspects throwing large rocks through a window.

A quantity of disposable pipes were taken out of the business. The merchandise was recovered by police after the suspect discarded the items as he fled the scene.

Investigators are working on identifying and locating the second suspect.

Loper was charged with burglary in the third degree and was jailed on $15,000 bail.

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