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Grass fire on Bloomingdale Road

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reported at 510 Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:12 a.m.: "We've got it knocked down pretty good. We're all set." The assignment is being held to Engine One.

UPDATE 11:48 p.m.: The fire is out. Alabama fire is back in service.

Is that really a doggone dog on the roof?

By Billie Owens

City police are being sent to the parking lot of the old market on the corner of Ellicott and Jackson to talk to a person in a beige car about an animal complaint. The person wants to report seeing a black and white "terrier-style" dog walking on the roof.

The site has been for the birds for quite some time. Has it now gone to the dogs, too?

Today's Deals: Alex's Place, Salsa & Curry, Pudgie's Lawn & Garden, Larry's Steakhouse, and more!

By Billie Owens

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Fall is here and Pudgie’s has everything you need, from bird baths and flowers of every variety, to mulch and fertilizer. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Rancho Viejo, 12 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Traditional Mexican cuisine, from tacos and burritos to pollo norteno, Rancho Viejo brings a bit of "south of the border" to Batavia's restaurant scene. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar & Grille, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY: A full menu, salad bar and drinks in one of the region's most popular entertainment venues. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50. (Must be new or current Players Club member to redeem.)

Jagged Edges Salon, 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, NY: Jagged Edges Salon is a walk-in and appointment salon for men, women and children. It is a fun, welcoming salon that offers all hair care services including cuts, color, highlights, lowlights, perms, styling/updos, treatments, and facial waxing. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Bourbon & Burger Co., 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest burger joint offers more than two dozen different types of tasty hamburgers. Our menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and an extensive beer list, plus a full bar. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Delavan's, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

Salsa & Curry, 13 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: An authentic Mexican restaurant, offering all of your favorite dishes from enchiladas and burritos to tacos and fajitas, as well as daily Indian food specials. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

T.F. Brown's, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Rose Garden Bowl21 Buffalo Road, Bergen, NY: Open for lunch Monday through Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner favorites are our succulent prime rib and Friday fish fries! We are always happy to help plan your special occasion -- wedding, shower, rehearsal dinner, stag party, graduation, company function, banquet, family or class reunion. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia, NY: Fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Lunch and dinner, steak, prime rib and seafood. Ask about Bohn's catering services and banquet facility. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

SOLD OUT

Barn fire on Dorman Road, Town of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A barn fire is reported at 9262 Dorman Road in the Town of Batavia. It was possibly ignited when a motorhome caught fire. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with a tanker from Alexander.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: All units back in service.

Strong-armed robbery of purse in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A strong-armed robbery of a purse is reported in Oakfield. No address provided. A Sheriff's deputy is responding.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: A woman was assaulted after leaving Wilson Farms Market and heading for home on foot. Her assailant is described as a thin, white male, wearing glasses and a tan-colored jacket.

Grease fire in kitchen on Liberty Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A grease fire in the kitchen of an upper apartment is reported at 134 Liberty St. City of Batavia firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: Responder on scene reports nothing showing. "No fire at this time."

Small fire in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A "small, smouldering" fire is reported north of property at 2533 Brown Road in Pembroke. East Pembroke Fire Department is reponding.

ATV rider injured on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

An ATV rider is reportedly injured and on the ground at mile marker 376.1 on the westbound Thruway. The rider is conscious but injuries, if any, are not yet known. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service are responding. The caller told dispatch that there were two ATVs traveling and they somehow collided. The other driver "took off" -- possibly to get help. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 4:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on an in-air standby.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 5:06 p.m.: Le Roy Ambulance left a few minutes ago, headed to Strong Memorial Hospital with one patient. All other units back in service.

House fire on Harvester Avenue in the city

By Billie Owens

A house fire is reported at 23 Harvester Ave. in the City of Batavia. Everyone has been evacuated. A State Trooper on scene reports smoke and flames are showing. City Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: Everyone who was inside has been accounted for. The second and fourth platoons are called in. The fire began in the back bedroom of the wood-framed house. City firefighters have a convenient water hydrant nearby.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: There is "heavy fire" inside the structure says the chief.

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: A responder (but not the chief) asks dispatch if a police officer can come to the scene and he's told that two are already there. But they're handling traffic, he says, and he needs someone to talk with the family. The family has information that "this is arson." An officer is responding to speak with the family.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: National Grid is called to the scene. No ETA given. Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze. The American Red Cross is being contacted and will need to provide assistance to two adults and six children who have been rendered homeless by the fire.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The Red Cross estimates it will be at the scene in about a half hour.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: National Grid is on location.

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: The home is a total loss, according to a statement made by city fire Chief James Maxwell to WTBA's Dan Fischer, who was at the scene. Although the investigation is continuing, the initial indication is that the fire was started in a rear bedroom by a child playing with a lighter, Maxwell told Fischer.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: City firefighters are back in service.

UPDATE 4:55 p.m.: Harvester Avenue is open to traffic now.

Photos by Dan Fischer, WBTA.

Auto repair shop in Batavia part of effort to feed local families

By Billie Owens

Grease Lightning & Castrol Premium Lube have created a food drive called “Give To Live” to feed families this November.

The Grease Lightning/Castrol Premium Lube auto repair shop in Batavia is one of sites which will be asking customers to donate non-perishable food items and/or money to benefit a local food bank/soup kitchen.

Starting Nov. 1 through the 30th, customers can bring food items to 50 Liberty Street and 4003 West Main Street Road in Batavia to put in collection bins and/or also have a portion of the proceeds from an oil change donated to feed local families in need.

Good oil change -- $5 donation

Better oil change -- $10 donation

Best oil change -- $15 donation

High mileage oil change -- $10 donation

The company's Director of Marketing Jimi Jamm is no stranger to events of this kind.

“During my previous career in the broadcast industry, I participated or directed numerous events aimed at feeding the less fortunate in our community," Jamm said. "Hunger is a year round concern, not just during the holidays and the ones most affected are the children of families who can't provide the basic nutrition they need.

"The best thing about our launch of this new initiative is that the donated food and money will stay locally in each market.”

To view a two minute music video on the promotion: http://youtu.be/0C7e94FCtI4
For questions and further information, you can contact Jimi Jamm at 631-704-9711 or
jimi@premiumlube.net.

Annual Fall Nursing Job Fair at GCC

By Billie Owens

From noon until 2 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 3, there will be the annual Fall Nursing Job Fair at Genesee Community College. It will be held in the Forum, 1 College Road, Batavia.

More than 30 of the area's top health-care employers and four-year universities will attend to help people explore educational and career opportunities. This event is designed to introduce potential new employees to employers, and also provides health-care businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community.

Event Date and Time
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Annual Fall Nursing Job Fair at GCC on Thursday

By Billie Owens

From noon until 2 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 3, there will be the annual Fall Nursing Job Fair at Genesee Community College. It will be held in the Forum, 1 College Road, Batavia.

More than 30 of the area's top health-care employers and four-year universities will attend to help people explore educational and career opportunities. This event is designed to introduce potential new employees to employers, and also provides health-care businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community. This event is free and open to all community members.

Participants include:

•    Catholic Health System, Buffalo

•    NYS Veterans Home at Batavia, Batavia

•    Daemen College, Amherst

•    PSA Health Care, Williamsville

•    Eastern Niagara Health System, Lockport

•    Roberts Wesleyan College, School of Nursing, Rochester

•    Erie County Medical Center Corp, Buffalo

•    Rochester General Health System, Rochester

•    HCR Home Care, Rochester

•    St. Ann's Community, Rochester

•    Highland Hospital, Rochester -- *unable to attend but information available

•    St. John Fisher College – Wegman's School of Nursing, Rochester

•    HomeCare & Hospice – Warsaw

•    SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs

•    Hurlbut Care Communities, various locations in Western New York

•    The College at Brockport (SUNY) – Army ROTC – Nursing Program

•    Jewish Home of Rochester, Rochester

•    Trocaire College, Buffalo

•    Kaleida Health – Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Williamsville

•    United Memorial Medical Center, Batavia

•    Keuka College - Accelerated Studies for Adults Program, Penn Yan

•    Unity Health System, Rochester

•    Lakeside Health System, Brockport

•    University of Rochester, School of Nursing, Rochester

•    Lifetime Care, Rochester

•    UPMC Hamot (Hamot Medical Center), Erie, PA- *unable to attend but information available

•    Med-Scribe, Inc., Fairport

•    Visiting Nursing Service of Rochester & Monroe County

•    Monroe Community Hospital, Rochester

•    Wyoming County Community Health System- *unable to attend but information available

•    NY Army National Guard, Geneseo

Any organization interested in attending the Job Fair should call (585) 345-6888 to register immediately.

Pedestrian struck by car on Richmond Avenue

By Billie Owens

A pedestrian has reportedly been struck by a car at the intersection of Prospect and Richmond avenues in the City of Batavia. Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

A 7-year-old child is being transported to UMMC for evaluation as a precaution. She was riding her bicycle, collided with the car, and she fell to the ground but there was no loss of consiousness and no complaint of pain, according to the medic.

Batavia firefighters are back in service.

House fire on West Main Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 7180 7167 W. Main St. Road just outside the Village of Le Roy. A Sheriff's deputy on scene said "It's going pretty good." All traffic is to be shut down. A neighbor tells an officer that a person may still be inside. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pavilion, Stafford, Bergen and the Town of Batavia Fast Team.

UPDATE 8:41 a.m.: Caledonia is en route with five firefighters and they are directed to the scene.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: There is confirmation that no one is still inside the structure.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: The home, which is completely destroyed, is owned by Chuck Lathan. Seven cats perished inside. A wood stove is believed to have started the fire. A state trooper who was one of the first on scene said smoke was pouring from the chimney before the structure caught fire.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: The Le Roy fire chief reports the blaze is out and now crews are overhauling the scene.

UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: Video submitted by Charlie Maniscaclo, owner of Scooter's in Le Roy.

Salvation Army store evacuated, possible fire reported

By Billie Owens

The Salvation Army thrift store at 19 Jackson St. in Batavia reportedly smells like smoke and it is being evacuated. The city fire department is on scene and reports nothing showing, but it is investigating.

Boot Camp workout to benefit battle against breast cancer

By Billie Owens

On Saturday morning, Oct. 29, Rochester Boot Camp will be holding a Breast Cancer Benefit at Next Level Fitness in Downtown Batavia.

Participants will run through a 35 minute Boot-Camp-style workout at the fitness center and
when finished recieve FREE T-shirt ( sponsored by T-shirts Etc.) along with some healthy snacks and beverage.

This event is open to anyone 18 and older. All fitness levels are welcomed. Donations are $30 per
participant and participants can start anywhere from 7:15 a.m. until 10:45 am. Please come join us for a fun and challenging workout and help the American Cancer Society in the fight against Breast Cancer.

For more information and to register go to http://www.rochesterbootcamp.com/fundraiser-registration. All participants must register by Wednesday, Oct. 26. Donors who choose not to participate in the workout will still recieve a T-shirt.

Veterans sought to visit other veterans

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Today, the Genesee County Office for the Aging announced the need for veterans to serve as volunteer home visitors to other veterans.

According to Mary Alexander, director of the Home Visitation Program at Catholic Charities, “We are seeing an increasing number of requests from veterans of the Korean and Vietnam era who are now homebound. The simple act of a weekly visit from another veteran can make a real difference in reducing another’s sense of isolation and loneliness.”

Dorian Ely, director of the RSVP Volunteer Placement Program at the Office for the Aging, reports that RSVP has veterans serving veterans at the New York State Veterans Home and the VA of Western New York Healthcare System.

“We are excited about this new opportunity to place volunteer veterans in assignments where they can make such a positive impact on the lives of other veterans," Ely said.

The Home Visitation Program is a free service to individuals in Genesee County, 60 years of age and older, with a limited ability to get out of their homes and who would enjoy a friendly visitor offering socialization and companionship. Individuals may request services themselves or be referred by an agency or faith-based community.

The program is made possible by the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging. For information on the program or to volunteer, contact Mary Alexander, Catholic Charities, at 343-0614 or Dorian Ely, RSVP Volunteer Placement Program at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, at 343-1611.

Le Roy Business Council hosts candidates forum tonight

By Billie Owens

The Le Roy Business Council is sponsoring a "Meet the Candidates Forum" tonight at 7 at The Greens of Le Roy. The retirement community is located at 1 West Ave. in Le Roy.

The candidates and their party affiliations are:

County Legislature: William Hogan (C) / Jackie Whiting (D) / Shelley Stein (R)

Supervisor: Steve Barbeau (C)(R) / Lew Schmidt (D)

Event Date and Time
-

New nursing director named at UMMC

By Billie Owens

United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that Marilyn Almeter, RN BSN, was named director of Nursing and she assumed this new role on Oct. 4.

Marilyn has served as the director of Professional Practice since May 2006. Her duties focused on Joint Commission preparation and compliance, clinical practice management and facilitation of the
nursing governance model.

As the director of Nursing, Marilyn’s scope of responsibility will expand to include operational oversight of inpatient acute care units and nursing supervision. She will report to the vice president of Nursing. This structure will improve staff access to nursing administration and provide additional support to nursing unit based leadership.

A native of Attica, she graduated from Genesee Community College School of Nursing and Keuka College.

Elks offer scholarships to high school seniors, deadline is Dec. 2

By Billie Owens

This year, the Elks National Foundation will fund $3.6 million in college scholarships through its scholarship programs.

The Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student (MVS) scholarship is available to all high school seniors who are United States citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of
the Elks. Male and female applicants compete separately, and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need.

Completed applications must be turned in to the applicant’s nearest Elks Lodge no later than Dec. 2.

Applications for the 2012 contest are available at Elks Lodges, local high schools, and for download on the Elks National Foundation website. For complete Most Valuable Student scholarship contest details, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.

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