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GC hosts last tour of China in October, info meeting about it is Wednesday, June 5

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Oct. 23-31 trip to China will be the last the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting.

This is the last opportunity to take advantage of the exceptional value this trip offers. Walking across the Great Wall, standing in Tian Am Men Square, and viewing the gardens where the leaning Yanyan Pagoda that pre-dates the leaning tower of Pisa are just a few of the stops on the tour.

There is also an opportunity to see “up close and personal” the terracotta army in Xian. Dating from the third century B.C., the terracotta warriors were discovered in 1974 and are still being unearthed today.

Similar to the successful yearly trips since 2007, the Chamber is offering the community the unique opportunity to travel to China for the low price of $2,299. Price includes air fare (from JFK), bus to/from JFK, 4-5 star hotels, three meals a day, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots, and airport taxes throughout the trip.

Of professional interest, this trip will present opportunities to learn a great deal about how the Chinese business system operates.

An information meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 5 at the Chamber Office in Downtown Batavia. To sign up or for more details call Melissa at the Chamber at (585) 343-7440, ext. 27.
Details on the trip can also be found at www.geneseeny.com/trips

Gasser Racing Series with antique & vintage cars begins at Empire Dragway, Leicester

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Gasser Racing Series begins at 1 p.m. Satruday, May 18, at Empire Dragway, 2011 New Road in Leicester. This is a fantastic group of adults, many senior citizens, who race antique and vintage cars from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Event Date and Time
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Corfu student inducted into Golden Key International Honour Society

By Billie Owens

SUNY Geneseo student Alaina Chapman, from Corfu, was recently inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society during an induction ceremony on campus. Juniors or seniors with a grade-point average that places them in the top 15 percent of their class are eligible for membership.

Golden Key International Honour Society provides academic recognition to top-performing college and university students as well as scholarships and awards, career and internship opportunities, networking, service and leadership development opportunities. The society has more than 400 chapters at colleges and universities around the world.

On the Web: http://readabout.me/achievements/SUNY-Geneseo-Student-Alaina-Chapman-from-Corfu-Named-to-Golden-Key-International-Honour-Society/6124906.

Scout Sundae Sunday at Elba museum, plus free horse and buggy rides

By Billie Owens

The Historical Society of Elba will host the Scout Sundae Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 26, on the Museum grounds on Maple Avenue Extenstion.

All Boy/Girl/Cub Scouts and any Elba school-age children are invited. Have a hot dog, drink and enjoy the fun of seeing and eating ice cream made the old-fashioned way.  Even help turn the crank on the ice cream churn!

Earl Roth will provide FREE horse and buggy rides. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Event Date and Time
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Truck rollover accident with injuries on Broadway Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported at 5491 Broadway Road. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver has "head and neck pain." The pickup truck's fuel spilled. One lane of traffic is blocked. The accident occurred "on the east side of the hill," near a "dip in the road where the viaduct is." Pavilion Fire Police are also called. A responder says it may be possible to have the other lane remain open.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: The vehicle involved is a four-wheel drive Ford F-250 with ag plates.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: They are alternating the traffic flow. A flatbed tow is called.

UPDATE 8:52 a.m.: Bethany assignment back in service.

Car crash at Route 20 and Linwood Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A car accident is reported at Route 20 and Linwood Road. An 81-year-old female is said to have a minor head injury and arm pain. State Police are on scene and Mercy medics and Pavilion Fire Department are responding.

Car wreck on Richmond Avenue in the city

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 21 Richmond Ave. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding. There are believed to be only minor injuries.

Wires down on Lewiston Road, traffic to be shut down

By Billie Owens

Wires are arcing and smoking at 1966 Lewiston Road. A tree has fallen or is leaning on some wires. A secondary line is down and completely blocking the roadway. Alabama Fire Department is on scene. Alabama Fire Police are shutting down Lewiston Road between Knowlesville and Alleghany. Oakfield Fire Police are shutting down Lewiston at Lockport Road.

UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: Alabama commands says that only tractor-trailers will not be allowed through. Personal vehicles will be handled by fire police. Oakfield has opted to shut down Lewiston at Judge Road. A tree crew from the power company is at the scene.

UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: Roads are reopened. Alabama and Oakfield are back in service.

Structure fire reported on Oak Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 109 Oak Street, Batavia. Fire and smoke are reportedly coming from an electrical power outlet. City fire is en route.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: City Engine 11 and Ladder 15 are there and the chief reports no smoke or fire. Investigating further.

UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: City assignment is back in service.

Clinton at East Main Street to close to traffic due to wires down

By Billie Owens

Law enforcement will be closing Clinton Street at East Main Street to traffic until wires and tree branches in the roadway by Grandview Cemetery can be safely removed.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The traffic lights are out at that intersection, too.

Wires, tree down on Main Road, Pembroke, truck traffic stopped at routes 5 and 77

By Billie Owens

Three primary power lines / poles are down in the roadway in the area of 1428 Main Road in Pembroke, just past Boyce Road. The wires were arcing and smoking. Cables lines are also hanging low across the roadway, and a fallen tree is laying on them. Tractor-trailers will be stopped by fire police at routes 5 and 77.

Pembroke, East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid and the cable company have been notified.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: National Grid and Time Warner reps are on scene. Once the low-hanging cables wires are disconnected, tractor-trailers will be allowed through.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: All traffic can proceed; roadways reopened.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls are back in service.

Two cars crash in Darien, one strikes a construction site flagman

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident, also involving a pedestrian, is reported at 10271 Alleghany Road, between Sumner and Broadway. One person is said to have a minor head laceration. There was air bag deployment. A Sheriff's deputy on scene says one of the vehicles struck a flagman helping control traffic at a construction site. He was taken directly to the hospital by the construction company's personnel and there's no word about his condition. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The Corfu Fire Department is called to the scene.

Old Glory flown over Main Street to honor young Marine laid to rest this morning

By Billie Owens

This giant American flag was flown on Main Street in Batavia this morning, made possible by fire truck ladders, in honor of 20-year-old Kailee Bridges, a local Marine who died last week of cancer.

Her funeral procession -- including 4-month-old daughter, Lilly, and Marine husband, Justin -- went under the flag to Grandview Cemetery on Clinton Street Road.

Photos submitted by a reader.

Genesee Symphony Orchestra's annual meeting / dinner will be at Bohn's

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. on June 12 at Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton Street Road, Batavia. Dinner will be pre-selected options from Bohn's menu.

All patrons, board members, orchestra members and season subscribers are welcome. If you are interested, contact Ken Pike at Kennethrpike@gmail.com

Event Date and Time
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Fundraiser Saturday at Batavia YWCA for local Anna's Wish Foundation, Chinese auction donations needed

By Billie Owens

There's a fundraiser this Saturday, May 18, at the Batavia YWCA from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters and other vendors will have a variety of nice items to sell to benefit the Anna's Wish Foundation, named after the daughter of the Batavia High School vice principal.

Anyone willing to donate to a Chinese auction, please contact kellie wade @ kelliew9@yahoo.com!
 

Event Date and Time
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Car crash with injuries on eastbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 382.1. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service is responding.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Due to the lack of available ambulances, Bergen's ambulance is requested to the scene. An ambulance from Caledonia is also called. A person at the scene reports three people are injured.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: The availability of Mercy Flight is checked. Also, an ambulance from Henrietta is called in.

UPDATE 3:07 p.m.: A responder reports there are six patients. A second ambulance out of Henrietta is requested. Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is available.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Apparently Byron was also called, because Byron is requesting Clarendon is asked to stand by in Byron's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: A Mercy rig has become available and it is asked to stage at the Thruway entrance.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: Bergen is taking a patient to Rochester General Hospital. Stafford is asked to stand by in its own quarters.

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: Bethany's ambulance is requested. A crew from Darien is asked to assemble in quarters.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: A patient is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 3:34 p.m.: A chief on scene reports five patients have been removed from a vehicle. Henrietta is taking a patient to Strong.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Caledonia is taking a victim to Strong.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Stafford is told to stand down from its standby in quarters.

UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: Le Roy fire is packing up and preparing to return to service and the State Troopers are in charge of the scene.

Car/deer accident on westbound thruway, unknown injuries

By Billie Owens

A car / deer accident is reported on the westbound thruway at mile marker 403. Unknown injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: A chief on scene says fire and medics can stand down. Only law enforcement is needed at the scene (to dispatch the deer).

Grand Jury indicts man for alleged sexual conduct with a child under 13

By Billie Owens

Sean M. Vickers is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of a course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, a Class B felony. He is an adult accused of engaging in two or more acts of sexual conduct, which allegedly included at least one act of deviate sexual intercourse with a child less than 13 years old. The alleged incidents occurred between Nov. 2, 2001 and April 16, 2002.

Joseph E. Marr is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor, and for allegedly driving a motor vehicle on Dec. 14 on Route 5 and/or Keeney Road in Le Roy while under the influence of alcohol. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of having a BAC of .08 or more at the time of the alleged incident. In count three, he is accused of knowingly and unlawfully introducing dangerous contraband into a detention facility or, being a person in jail, knowingly and unlawfully made, obtained or possessed dangerous contraband. In count four, he is accused of driving while impaired by drugs, as a misdemeanor, for allegedly driving a 2001 GMC on Jan. 1 on Route 5 in the Town of Pembroke while impaired by drugs. In counts five and six, respectively, Marr is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, Class D felonies, for allegedly possessing a "black large capacity ammunition feeding device" as well as another such device that was clear/gray, also on Jan. 1 in the Town of Pembroke.

Carrie A. Stewart is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of tampering with evidence, a Class E felony, on Nov. 15 in the Town of Alexander. It is alleged that Stewart "believing that certain evidence was about to be produced or used in an official proceeding or a propective official proceeding and intending to prevent such production or use, suppressed it by any act of concealment, alteration or destruction, or by employing force, intimidation or deception against any person." This count stems from Stewart allegedly stealing merchandise from Dollar General and then when confronted by management, "threw the merchandise in the Tonawanda Creek where it was carried away by the current." In count two, the defendant is accused of petit larceny for allegedly stealing five pairs of underwear, a hat, socks, gloves, a wallet, and thermal underwear.

Shannon G. Cook is indicted by the Grand Jury and accused of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, for allegedly driving a 2002 Dodge pickup on Jan. 20 on Route 262 while under the influence of alcohol. In count two of the indictment, Cook is accused of having a BAC of .08 or greater at the time of the alleged incident.

Military vehicle in a convoy rolls over on eastbound Thruway, unknown injuries

By Billie Owens

A military vehicle, no further description, rolled over on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 387. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. It was hauling a trailer but it's not known if there's other cargo. It was part of a convoy.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: Mercy medics are taking two females to UMMC. One is a 39-year-old complaining of minor leg pain. The other is 21 and has some neck pain. Some fluids from the vehicle spilled and absorbants will be used to clean it up. Law enforcement is slowing traffic down at the scene, but the roadway is open.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: The town assignment is back in service. The mile marker at the accident scene was determined to be 387.8.

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