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A tree worker fell approximately 30 feet to the ground, but is conscious, at 8100 Creamery Road in Bergen. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: Mercy Flight is called and a landing zone will be set up at Bergen's fire hall.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Mercy Flight landed a couple of minutes ago.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne. We didn't catch its destination. Bergen responders are back in service.

A car has struck a pole at 9513 Beaver Road in Alexander and the driver is complaining of an arm injury. Alexander Fire Department and medics are responding. The location is between Pike and Dodgeson roads.

UPDATE 3:13 p.m.: A person at the scene says a tree was struck, not a pole.

UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: An ambulance from Alexander is taking one patient to UMMC.

Geoff Redick of WBTA is the source of this post.

Accused child molester Ronald Smith heard his alleged 7-year-old victim testify against him in Genesee County Court this morning. In a surpising move, Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini called this primary witness first.

The child, who lives in the City of Batavia, told the jury that "Ronny" is the father of her 1-year-old sister and that the alleged molestation began last fall after he started coming over to the house to visit the baby.

According to the girl, Smith touched her "private parts" on three different occasions when she was left alone with him while her mother visited a neighbor across the street. Each time, she said she told him "to stop it." He told her not to tell anyone or else she'd be grounded.

Before she took the stand, Judge Robert Noonan asked if she knew the difference between a lie and the truth. She said she did and when prompted to explain the difference, she said "If you don't tell the truth, you go to jail."

Smith faces up to seven twenty-one years in prison if convicted at trial on all three sexual abuse counts he faces. The prosecution characterized him as someone who took advantage when the opportunity presented itself and did so purposely for his own sexual gratification.

Cianfrini told the jurors that they would hear Smith's previously recorded testimony, saying that he and the victim were alone at times between October 2010 and January and that he touched her inappropriately.

But Assistant Public Defender William Harper maintained that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that nothing has been proven in this case.

“If the people cannot dispel reasonable doubt, then they have failed in their burden, and you must find him not guilty," Harper said.

The alledged victim seemed confused when Public Defender Gary Horton asked on cross-examination if she was touched on her clothes or on her bare skin. She said that neither she nor Smith took her clothes off. Cianfrini brought up the point later, and the child revealed that Smith had “reached” inside her clothes.

"Are you nervous to be here today?” Cianfrini asked.

“Yes,” the girl replied.

"Is it difficult for you to answer these questions in front of the court?” Cianfrini asked.

Once again, she replied quietly, “Yes.”

The neighbor across the street was the only other witness called this morning. Her testimony confirmed that the girl’s mother had come over several times between October 2010 and January, leaving the 7-year-old alone at home with Smith.

In court today, Smith wore a white button-down and dress slacks. He paid close attention to the proceedings and took notes.

Proceedings are expected to wrap up late this afternoon, with summations and jury deliberation tomorrow.

CLARIFICATION:

Smith faces up to 7 years imprisonment on each charge of Sexual Abuse 1st. He faces three of those charges. Thus, he faces a maximum of 21 years in prison IF found guilty on all three counts.

My original information was remiss in not making that clear.

--Geoff Redick, WBTA News

A pedestrian has been struck by a car and is unconscious in front of 10 Seneca Ave. City police, fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: One person is being transported to UMMC for injuries. City fire personnel returning, in service.

A three-car accident, believed to be with minor injuries, is reported in the eastbound lanes of the Thruway at mile marker 392. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: Traffic is backed up. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is heading to the scene. A second Town of Batavia crew is called to set up a landing zone.

UPDATE 9:02 p.m.: All patients are out of the vehicles. A landing zone for Mercy Flight still needs to be established. They need to get traffic shut down first. Oakfield ambulance is also on scene.

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 9:20 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne.

UPDATE 9:22 a.m.: Mercy Flight has one patient on board and is going to Erie County Medical Center. Two patients are being transported to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo via Oakfield ambulance.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m.: Troopers are tied up at the accident scene. Some drivers are making illegal U-turns to get out of the traffic snarl, thereby creating a safety hazard. Several motorists have called dispatch complaining about this. The Thruway accident scene is nearest to Lewiston Road.

UPDATE 9:31 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire crews are back in service.

A controlled trash burn reported earlier this evening may have gotten out of control, according to a caller to dispatch. The location is in the area of 12 Trumbull Parkway in the City of Batavia.

City firefighters are responding.

Apparently, there was nothing of consequence found at the site of the reported controlled burn. City firefighters are back in service.

This information was provided by firefighter/paramedic Chuck Hammon, who is coordinator of the Child Passenger Safety Program for the City of Batavia Fire Department.

Today is the beginning of National Child Passenger Safety Week. This education and awareness program is designed to protect local youth by increasing the safety of children riding around in our community.

The City of Batavia Fire Department began participating in the program this summer after being approached by the city police department, which has been involved with Child Passenger Safety for a few years.

Fire Chief Jim Maxwell thought it was a great idea and is familiar with the program since it is provided to residents by many fire departments in Monroe County, where he used to work.

Locally, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and State Troopers also have programs but do not have the availability to provide daily inspection/instruction.

Three Firefighters (Mark Sacheli, Frank D’Angelo and Chuck Hammon) attended a National Child Passenger Safety Technician course offered in Geneseo. Upon completion of this course we restructured the program around the availability of firefighters/technicians and the two certified police officers: Dan Coffey and Thad Mart.

Detective Rich Schauf currently oversees the grant portion of the program and I have taken the position of program coordinator for the operational oversight. We hope to send four to eight more firefighters to the training course next spring to increase the size of the program.

So far this year, we have held two events. The first was a “soft” opening at National Night Out at Birchwood Village and the second event was a part of "Summer in the City."

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 1st, we will be holding our third car seat inspection event at the firehouse during the annual Open House.

The majority of our inspections/educational sessions are done by appointment at the firehouse. Since the fire department took the lead on the program, we have completed 31 inspections. We have issued/replaced 10 car seats, free of charge, to those parents.

Not every inspection results in a new car seat. This program is designed around educating parents and if the car seat supplied is recalled or defective, it is then replaced. We have a supply of car seats available at the firehouse but they are issued depending on supply and demand.

This program is funded by the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. An annual grant is awarded to each agency participating in this program, which includes supplies and car seats. The overall cost of the program is free as the inspections/educational sessions are done by the on-duty technicians.

The city fire department is located at 18 Evans St. Program coordinator Hammon's office phone number is 345-6375.

This information was submitted by Becky LeFevre.

A new music school is in full swing in Batavia, located at the Homestead Event Center (formerly the site of Roxy's Music) in the Genesee Country Mall. The Genesee Community School of Music is the result of collaboration between Winnicki Music Studio, Rose Caccamise of Roxy's Music, and local parents.

The school began its first session of classes at the end of August, offering general music for elementary students, chorus, and small group instrument lessons. The first six-week session culminates with a performance at the Batavia Nursing Home on Sept. 27.

The Genesee Community School of Music began primarily as a resource for homeschooled students and grew out of a need for quality and affordable music education. Budget cuts that effect public education have filtered down to the homeschooling community. Music opportunities -- such as instrument lessons -- that used to be available through public schools to students being educated at home have been largely eliminated.

Classes at the GCSM are lively and upbeat. Younger students learn about melody, pitch and rhythm through creative songs and games. Older students develop advanced skills through instrument lessons or in chorus, where they sing in parts and learn vocal technique and conducting.

The Genesee Community School of Music puts a huge emphasis on community.

"Every six weeks, the kids will perform in the community -- at the nursing home, the VA, etcetera, says Jodi Coburn, who has three students attending the music school. "We want them to not only learn about music and experience performing in front of a crowd, but to learn about the way music brings people together and to use music as a vehicle to interact with individuals that we wouldn't meet under everyday circumstances."

Just a month after it opened its doors, the GCSM is experiencing success.

"When you start up something like this, the concern is always (whether) you're going to be able to afford to keep the program running," said Becky LeFevre, whose kindergartener participates in the general music class. "We started this school through word of mouth, and just hoped and prayed that we'd end up with enough students to keep it running and to pay the instructors.

"So far, we've been blessed. This program is phenomenal, and I think people are realizing that and word is beginning to spread.

Word is spreading, not just about the GSCM, but about homeschooling in general. In recent years, the number of families who have chosen to educate their children at home is increasing. Yet the GSCM's long-term goal isn't just to serve the homeschooling community. As budget cuts continue to force music and the arts out of public schools, the GCSM hopes to fill the void.

In the future, they hope to begin a strings program, something many local schools are unable to offer. They also plan to schedule additional classes at times that will be convenient for students who attend traditional schools.

Teacher Diana Winnicki adds "Cooperative music education like this, that is valued in the community, ensures the continuation of the arts regardless of the economic condition of our state.

The second session of classes begins on Oct. 4, followed by a special five-week Christmas session with an emphasis on holiday music from around the world and the formation of a children's bell choir.

For questions about the GSCM, or if you are interested in teaching a course or registering for classes, contact Jodi at 813-4658 or GeneseeCSM-owner@yahoogroups.com.

Batavia Police are on scene at a reported fight involving five adults and several youths in the roadway at Lewis Place and State Street.

A motorcyclist is lying in the roadway with injuries after striking a deer or trying to avoid doing so. The location is 9968 South St. Road in Pavilion, between Black Street and Telephone Road. He is conscious. He apparently "laid the bike down" in an effort to avoid the deer.

Mercy medics are responding along with Pavilion Fire Department. State Troopers are on scene.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne from Buffalo and the landing zone will be just north of the accident scene on a knoll.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: This is a Batavia-based helicopter than was already in the air and homeward bound when this call came in. It has an ETA of less than 10 minutes to the accident scene.

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight is headed to a hospital, didn't catch which one. The road is reopened. All units back in service.

A caller reports to dispatch that two vehicles in the parking lot of UMMC have their gasoline flaps open and have had fuel siphoned out of them. City of Batavia police are investigating.

Press release:

Genesee Community College has hired Andrew Crofts as its new sports information coordinator. He will serve as the first staff member dedicated exclusively to the position covering all aspects of the college's robust athletic teams. He brings a wide range of experience in the sports communication field, as well as a local appreciation for Genesee Community College and its athletic program.

Crofts has covered sports for WBSU-FM in Brockport and as an intern at 13WHAM Television in Rochester. His experience includes reporting on the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Rochester Red Wings, as well as many local college and high school teams. Andrew also served as a play-by-play announcer for WBSU Radio, calling Brockport College football, basketball and baseball. He was twice named a national finalist for "Best Sports Play by Play," presented by Collegiate Broadcasters, Inc. He was also ranked in the top ten of collegiate sportscasters according to Sportscasters Talent Agency of America in 2009.

A native of Batavia, Andrew attended Batavia City Schools from kindergarten to high school, where he graduated in June of 2005. While in high school, Andrew was a member of the football and baseball teams. He currently resides in Batavia.

Crofts' education includes a year of undergraduate work at Genesee Community College starting in the fall of 2005. He then moved on to The College at Brockport in the fall of 2006, and earned a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting Communications in the spring of 2009, graduating in the communications studies National Honor Society.

Andrew is an avid sports fan. He enjoys both playing and watching all sports. His favorite teams are the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Sabres and the Syracuse Orange. He has also coached baseball at the Little League level. When he is not watching or playing sports, Andrew enjoys relaxing and watching movies.

Margaret (Peggy) Sisson, athletics director, explained why Crofts is an important addition to the communications team at GCC.

"Athletics at Genesee Community College are thriving," Sisson said, "Last year, our women's soccer team went to the national championship game, men's lacrosse and men's golf were ranked fourth in the nation, women's basketball and women's volleyball advanced to the national championships in Illinois and Wisconsin, and men and women's swimming and diving advanced to the national championships in Buffalo, New York.

"In total, seven teams advanced to the national championships. Having Andrew on our team will help us bring the latest Cougar news and the accomplishments of student athletes to the community better than ever before."