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Large fight reported near Batavia Youth Center

By Billie Owens

A large fight is reported near the Batavia Youth Center, located at 12 MacArthur Drive. City police responded promptly but found the parties had left the scene.

Manhunt under way for Park Avenue burglar

By Billie Owens

A manhunt is under way in the city for a black male suspect in a burglary which took place on Park Avenue about a half hour ago. Several police units are scouring that area.

A second suspect, also a black male, is now custody. He was carrying a handgun.

The perimeter of the manhunt is approximately Park Avenue on the north, Washington Avenue on the south, and Lincoln Avenue and Lewis Avenue.

UPDATE 12:16 p.m.: Police say the suspect at large may have just gone through yards on Ellicott Avenue.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: The suspect has been apprended on Ellicott Avenue. He is described as a light-skinned black male wearing black jeans and a black hoodie. The State Police helicopter and the new K-9 were used in the search and are now back in service.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m. (by Howard): Photos added. As you can see, the suspect is wearing a red hoodie, not black. That's often the nature of hasty eyewitness accounts. Batavia PD plans on releasing more information on the case later this afternoon.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: The 22-year-old subject of the manhunt is being taken to UMMC "in handcuffs and shackled" after complaining of right knee and ankle pain.

Park Avenue during the search.

Car wreck with injuries at West Main Street Road and Kelsey Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at West Main Street Road and Kelsey Road in the Town of Batavia. East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding, with two ambulances. One person has a back injury and three others have minor injuries, according to a medic at the scene. The vehicles are blocking traffic.

UPDATE 10:39 a.m.: A third ambulance is requested.

UPDATE 10:58 a.m.: Three patients are being taken to UMMC. They are an 81-year-old male who was a back seat passenger and he has a four-inch cut on the back of his head, a 65-year-old female with unspecified injuries, and an 82-year-old female with chest pain.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: The East Pembroke assignment is back in service.

Gusty winds and brief heavy downpour expected within the hour

By Billie Owens

Gusty winds and a quick downpour are expected late this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

A cold front pushing across far Western New York late this afternoon will be accompanied with a heavy 10-minute downpour.

This squall will push across Erie and Niagara counties, and any moment down will push across Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties -- 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.
 

Car crash at Main and Bank streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Main and Bank streets. A 79-year-old female complains of chest pain and trouble breathing. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: Main at Ellicott will briefly be closed to eastbound traffic until a tow truck removes the vehicle.

Art show at Richmond Library of Western New York plein air painters runs until Jan. 25

By Billie Owens

The All Weather Gang, a group of plein air (outdoor) painters who wander the back roads of Western New York, has a show at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia, through Jan. 25. The official opening of the show is from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, and all are welcome.

Beginning in the late 20th Century, the gang (currently seven members) meets for
breakfast every Saturday morning. They then travel in caravan formation in search of the day’s painting location. Should you see them, feel free to stop and say hello. The group includes Batavians Don Grieger and Kevin Feary, Gilbert Jordan, of Wyoming, and artists from the Rochester area.

Car shears off pole on Bank Street Road, Batavia, injuries reported

By Billie Owens

A car struck a pole at 7705 Bank Street Road. There are injuries and the pole is sheared off. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:29 p.m.: An elderly male driver appears disoriented. A tractor driver has purposely blocked off the road, which is made hazardous by the downed pole. The wires appear to be phone or cable, not electrical.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: The driver is an 87-year-old male with a cut on his face.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: The wires have been cut and the pole will be removed from the roadway shortly.

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.: The roadway is reopened. The vehicle will be towed. Town of Batavia returning to service.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: The patient is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

House fire on East Shelby Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 2884 E. Shelby Road, between Burns and Crane roads. Fire is "in the wall with flames seen." Oakfield Fire Department is responding, along with mutual aid from Alabama, Town of Batavia and Elba.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Upon arriving, the fire chief reports no fire seen.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The chief is holding everything to equipment already in route. Cancelling Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Alabama and Elba units returning, in service.

Flood watch issued for Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon

By Billie Owens

A flood watch for the area has been issued by the National Weather Service. It's in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.

There's expected to be a significant warm up, climbing to near 50 degrees, with some rain on Saturday. The flood watch includes a portion of Western New York, including these counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming.

A period of steady rain along with significant snow melt from notably warmer weather will present the risk for ice jam flooding. Ice jams are already apparent on many area rivers and creeks. Once runoff increases on Saturday, the potential for flooding near these ice jams will increase.

The alert explains:

"High pressure over the lower Great Lakes will drift off the New England Coast tonight and Friday. The return flow around the departing fair weather system will circulate much warmer air northward from the Ohio Valley. The southerly flow will become enhanced Friday night and Saturday when a deepening storm will lift from the Southern Plains across the Upper Great Lakes. The very mild southerly flow will also include plenty of moisture. A cold front associated with the Great Lakes storm will sweep across New York State and interact with the enriched moisture supply to produce a period of steady rain.

"The combination of the steady rain along with temperatures that are forecast to climb to near 50 should result in significant runnoff with significant rises likely on area tributaries. Plenty of ice is also in place in the creeks...and the primary risk for flodding will be from ice jams. A flood watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon."

Corfu / Pembroke Winter Fest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

CORFU / PEMBROKE WINTER FEST 2014 is Saturday, Jan. 25 from noon – 8 p.m.

This is Western Genesee County’s premier winter celebration. It's in the Village of Corfu, 116 E. Main St., Corfu. Sponsored by GO ART! and NYSA.

(See * for new this year)

Vendors / artists / crafts

Event Date and Time
-

Corfu / Pembroke Winter Fest set for Jan. 25

By Billie Owens

Press release:

CORFU / PEMBROKE WINTER FEST 2014 is Saturday, Jan. 25 from noon – 8 p.m.

This is Western Genesee County’s premier winter celebration. It's in the Village of Corfu, 116 E. Main St., Corfu. Sponsored by GO ART! and NYSA.

(See * for new this year)

Vendors / artists / crafts

  1. Keating Metal Spinning*
  2. Sweet Dream Maple Farm*
  3. The Artisans at North Street*
  4. Country Treasures*
  5. Garbecks Creek*
  6. Harper Hill Farm*
  7. Heaven’s Gate Floral & Gifts*
  8. Wishful Thinking*
  9. Kozy Kabin*
  10. Kitty Krazed Kat Treats*
  11. Pembroke Wood Turners*
  12. Terkel Photography*        

Youth Groups

  1. Boy Scout Troop 6066
  2. Boy Scout Pack 6066
  3. Dollars for Scholars
  4. PHS Class of 2015
  5. National Honor Society 
  6. PHS Class of 2014
  7. Girl Scouts 42110
  8. PYA Cheerleaders
  9. PHS Cheerleaders
  10. Pembroke Youth Association

Non-Profits / Government

  1. Corfu Free Library
  2. VFW 9000
  3. Community Information: Gen Co. Office for the Aging & Gen Co. Citizens Corps Council* / ARC* / Gen Co. DMV & Clerk * / Gen Co. Health Dept.* / SAGE* / NYS Public Service Commission* / Ready.Gov* Donations for PSD-area Food Pantries get door prize drawing tickets
  4. Volunteers for Animals* -- donors of dog & cat food get door prize drawing tickets for the Emergency First Aid Kit for Pets* and other goodies
  5. Indian Falls Methodist Church
  6. Cost of Freedom Tribute  VFW #626*
  7. Kiwanis of Corfu-Pembroke-Darien

Activities & Displays

  1. Skyhunters Birds of Prey*
  2. Ice Rink  -- outside
  3. Corfu Fire Department
  4. Historian Al Starkweather “Recreation in Pembroke Throughout the Years”*
  5. Community Band – Noon to 2 p.m. in the tent
  6. Larry Kohorst – Magic show 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the tent
  7. Dance Inferno – 5 to 8 p.m. in the tent
  8. Genesee Co. – our new Sheriff's K-9 "Destro" and Deputy Christopher Erion – outside 3:30 p.m.
  9. Genesee Co. Sheriff -- Safe Child ID – noon to 3 p.m.
  10. NYS Troopers
  11. DJs & sound systems: Biggs Sound & Entertainment and Dan Beal

And more to come!

No tickets left for Annual Agriculture Dinner - sold out

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 12th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner, set for March 22, is a celebration of the number one industry in Genesee County – Agriculture.
 
Tickets to the dinner are currently sold out!
 
Thank you to the following farms and businesses that are sponsoring this year’s event:

Lamb Farms, Inc., William Kent, Inc., Stein Farms, Farm Credit East, Windy Acres Farm, Five Star Bank, Clark Patterson Lee, Z&M Ag and Turf, United Memorial Medical Center, Torrey Farms, Inc., Muller Quaker Dairy, Arctic Refrigeration Co., Baskin Livestock, Carolina Eastern Crocker, LLC, Freed Maxick & Battaglia, National Grid, The Southcott Agency Inc., The Bank of Castile/Tompkins Insurance, Porter Agency - Farm Family Insurance, Del Mar Farms, Java Farm Supply and Geer Farm Services.
 
Proceeds from the dinner help support agriculture educational events in Genesee County.
 
The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners: Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and Genesee County Farm Bureau.

Portion of Route 5 in Stafford closed because of low-hanging wires

By Billie Owens

Route 5 will be shut down at Transit and Clipnock roads due to low-hanging wires in the roadway. Stafford Fire Police are responding, along with law enforcement. National Grid is in route. "We have a ton of cars up here we're trying to get turned around along with at least three tractor-trailers."

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: The line is either cable or phone, but National Grid has agreed to snip it so it can be removed from the roadway. The appropriate company will be notified of the action.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: Stafford Fire Police are back in service.

House fire on Robbins Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 9284 Robbins Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with a Le Roy ambulance and a ladder truck from Bergen.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.:  A responder reports it's a kitchen stove fire.

UPDATE 8:18 p.m. (by Howard): A chief requests a thermal camera. "It may have gotten up into the ceiling," he says. The City of Batavia's Fast Team is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m. (by Howard): Pavilion responding. Stafford requested to Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 8:24 p.m.: Interior firefighter reports the fire is knocked down. Checking for extensions.


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Car strikes tree on Batavia Elba Town Line Road, head injury reported

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with possible serious injuries is reported at 4167 Batavia Elba Town Line Road, west of Route 98. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics and Town of Batavia fire. Mercy Flight is on standby. Two ambulances are needed. "Car into tree, head injury," says responder on scene.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: It's determined to be in the Town of Batavia's fire district. Extrication will be needed. Traffic police are asked to shut down traffic at Pekin Road. State troopers and deputies are also on scene.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The road will also be closed at Route 98.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: Command calls for the helicopter in Buffalo to start flying to the Batavia hangar.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Two helicopters -- one in Batavia and the other coming from Buffalo -- are both called to the scene.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: One patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 has landed. The second patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight #7 has landed.

UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: Mercy Flight #7 is airborne and also going to Strong.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Howard at the scene was told the passanger vehicle was westbound on Batavia Elba Town Line Road when it hit a snow drift and the driver lost control of the car and it struck a tree. Authorities urge drivers to be aware that snow drifts are causing dangerous driving conditions on roads throughout the county and they should use extreme caution when driving.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: The injuries sustained by both patients are not considered to be life-threatening.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Town of Batavia command is putting the assignment back in service and Elba Fire Police are opening the road.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: The driver of the vehicle was a 16-year-old female from Batavia (State Police are not releasing her name). The passenger was Ronald Filbert, 43, of Lockport. Both were taken to strong with non-life-threatening injuries. Both were conscious and alert at the time they were transported.

One-car rollover on Day Road, Alexander

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 1013 Day Road, north of Sprague Road. The vehicle is on its side and the female driver is unable to get out. Alexander Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver is on the phone with dispatch and says she has minor injuries, she just can't get out of her car.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The vehicle is off the roadway in a ditch.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: The patient is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Medical treatment is not necessary. Mercy is back in service. A tow is called. The guard rail is mangled.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: A water pipe was damaged in the accident and Monroe County Water Authority was notified and will send someone out there when able to do so. Meanwhile, water is leaking in the ditch.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Alexander ambulance is taking the woman to UMMC. Athough she has no complaints of pain, the medic says "she's shaken up."

One-vehicle rollover on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover, unknown injuries, is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 386.6. Mercy medics and Town of Batavia firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: There are two occupants. Both are sign-offs.

Car wreck on the eastbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A vehicle is reported to be on its side on the eastbound Thruway near mile marker 399. Unknown injuries. East Pembroke Fire Department, Mercy medics and law enforcement are responding.

UPDATE 7:08 a.m.: Both occupants are out of the vehicle. Medics will evaluate them.

Fire at the Sunset Motel on West Main Street Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A working structure fire is reported at 4054 W. Main Steet Road, the Sunset Motel, Room #12. All available manpower is requested out of the Town of Batavia Fire Department. The motel has been evacuated.

UPDATE 2:53 a.m.: A crew from Oakfield is requested to fill in at Batavia's Station #1.

UPDATE 3:02 a.m.: "We've got to get ahold of this room," says a firefighter as the crews work to contain the fire to Room 12. "...We've got to vent this roof. I don't know how far it's got across these eaves." Smoke is showing from the north gable end.

UPDATE 3:07 a.m.: An engine and manpower from East Pembroke is called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:12 a.m.: There's no evidence of eastward extension of the blaze. They've vented the roof.

UPDATE 3:14 a.m.: National Grid is called in.

UPDATE 3:21 a.m.: Town code enforcement officer Dan Lang is called in, along with the American Red Cross to assist the motel dwellers. "The (motel) owner has no idea where the electrical shut off is," says a firefighter. No ETA for National Grid. A second ambulance is requested, a male with difficulty breathing will likely need to be transported to a hospital.

UPDATE 3:23 a.m.: Command reports fire is out. "Code enforcement Gerald is responding."

UPDATE 3:27 a.m.: They broke a lock to access the electrical circuit panel, which is located at the rear of the motel's west end. There is still smoke in the crawl space.

UPDATE 3:28 a.m.: The smoke in the crawl space is getting heavier. A thermal camera will be used to try and locate its source.

UPDATE 3:44 a.m. (by Howard): The building will need to be vacated for the night. Lodging is needed for the residents of at least four rooms.

UPDATE 4:12 a.m. (by Howard): Some units being put back in service.

UPDATE 4:43 a.m.: Town of Batavia is back in service. Firefighters contained the fire to a single room. Two tenants need to be relocated.

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