Skip to main content

Stories from

Garbage fire reported in Darien

By Billie Owens

A garbage fire is reported on Broadway near Tinkham Road in Darien. Darien Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: The fire is said to be very small and not likely to "go anywhere." But Darien is responding to investigate.

Motorcycle accident with minor injuries on Oatka Trail

By Billie Owens

A motorcycle accident with minor injuries is reported somewhere along the Oatka Trail. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance is responding and dispatch is working to track the location.

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: A deputy headed eastbound on the trail, and a now a mile and a half into Monroe County, has not found the accident. Le Roy responders are continuing but Monroe County authorities are being notified since it's probably in Mumford's fire district.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Le Roy is returning to service. The accident involves one victim with minor injuries and it is confirmed to be in Mumford's district.

Power line down and burning on Alleghany Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A high-tension power line has fallen down and is burning at 6888 Alleghany Road in Alabama. The location is north of the Judge Road intersection. Town of Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: The high-tension wires are the responsibility of the New York Power Authority, which is being notified. About 300 yards of grass around the wires is on fire.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The power authority has been informed and there's a representative en route. But he's coming from Lewiston so it will take time to get there. The Department of Environmental Conservation is being notified.

UPDATE 7:47 p.m.: Little can be done until the power is shut down. Firefighters on scene are ensuring the blaze does not spread to structures. No structures are threatened at this time. State forestry workers are available if needed since land under the power lines belongs to New York.

UPDATE 8 p.m.: A grass truck out of Akron and tankers from Pembroke and Indian Falls are requested as mutual aid to Alabama. The grass fire is described as large. It's behind the White Memorial State Game Farm.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: After researching the location, the state power authority says the power lines belong to National Grid. The state has contacted National Grid and a rep is being sent, but no ETA given.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: Oakfield is to fill in at Alabama's hall. Another unit out of Niagara County is called in.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: The high-tension lines are fully powered. A National Grid rep is in the area and still needs to figure out how to shut down power there. A supervisor is en route. Once they figure it out, one of them will coordinate duties with the fire officials. The shifting wind is proving to be somewhat problematic.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: A fire truck out of Shelby is requested.

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: A grass truck out of East Pembroke is called.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: A tanker from Oakfield is called and so are fire police from East Pembroke to help with traffic control.

UPDATE 9:03 p.m.: National Grid has a 30-minute ETA. Tankers are filling up at Parkers Pond at Gordon and Judge roads.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The chief says the fire has been extinguished on the northwest side of the site. They are heading up on the hill to concentrate their efforts on the other side. Grass under the power lines continues to burn because the electrictity has yet to be shut down by National Grid.

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is contained and the remainder consists of a 50-foot swath of land underneath the power lines. National Grid has not yet arrived.

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: National Grid is on scene. The fire is under control and the scene is being turned over to them to handle.

Large cloud of black smoke on Sky Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A large cloud of black smoke is reported in the area of 13762 Sky Road in Alabama. It's off the road and in the woods. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Alabama reports it is a large controlled burn on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The firefighters are returning to service.

Car fire put out with passerby's extinguisher

By Billie Owens

A car was on fire in the parking lot of Sport of Kings restaurant, 419 W. Main St. in Batavia. The city fire department was responding but the flames were knocked down by a passerby with a fire extinguisher. The fire truck is back in service. Police are on scene.

Pole fire reported at campsite in Alexander

By Billie Owens

A pole fire is reported at the Skyline Resort at 10933 Darien-Alexander Townline Road in Alexander. The pole on fire is F59.

Attica firefighters are called since Alexander is responding to the barn fire in the Town of Batavia. Bethany is called to fill in at Alexander's hall.

UPDATE 4:38: The fire is out.

Barn fire on Batavia-Elba TL Road

By Billie Owens

A barn fire is reported by the homeowner at 4103 Batavia-Elba Town Line Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

Smoke is showing and a second alarm is called.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: Units are also called from Elba, Oakfield, East Pembroke, Alabama and Corfu, which is standing in at Town of Batavia's hall.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: The location is just west of Pekin Road.

UPDATE 4:23 p.m.: This is a working fire, fully involved. "If you got somebody, roll," says the chief. National Grid is called in.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Fire police are called to shut down the roadway.

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: The site is determined to be in Elba's fire district and Elba is in charge of command.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: A tanker from South Byron is called in.

UPDATE 4:44 p.m.: Tankers requested from Bergen, Stafford and Bethany.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: The Elba Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary is called to provide cold refreshments for the responders. A pumper tanker and all available manpower out of Barre is requested. There's no ETA for National Grid. A tanker from Clarendon is called in.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: A second ambulance is called in.

UPDATE 4:59 p.m.: "The firefighters are going to need more water on the back of the building or they're going to lose the milking parlor."

UPDATE 5 p.m.: "The platform is shutting down." The chief asks for a list of all tankers at the scene.

UPDATE 5:02 p.m.: Tankers are requested from Darien, Pavilion and Corfu. A tanker out of York is called to stand by in Pavilion. It's the Post barn.

UPDATE 5:07: Every tanker is Genesee County is at the scene, with the exception of tankers from Darien, Pembroke and Indian Falls. Now those three are called in, too.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: A grass truck from Byron is called in. Indian Falls was already on scene. A unit from East Shelby in Orleans County is going to stand in at the Oakfield hall. Any available tanker in Livingston and Wyoming counties is requested.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: It is confirmed that all electrical power to the barn has been cut.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: The chief wants Elba Highway Department contacted to bring a load of stone to the scene.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: The barn is owned by Jeff Post, who is the fourth-generation family member to own it. The barn was built at the turn of the 20th Century by Leo Post. It is on a dairy farm. The barn was built around 1850. Stewart Post acquired the farm around 1890.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: Rescue manpower from Bergen and Albion requested to the scene.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: There are two barns on the property. Both are total losses.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Food and beverage for 75 to 100 firefighters are requested.

UPDATE 5:42 p.m.: A third ambulance is called in, non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: Inmates from Wyoming Correctional Facility are being assembled for transport to the scene to help out. The Salvation Army is expected to the scene in about 40 minutes, presumably to help the auxiliary provide food and beverages.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Some Town of Batavia units returning. All out-of-county tankers released. In-county tankers to remain on scene.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Elba command breaking down.

UPDATE 10:05 p.m.: Somebody just stole a pickup truck belonging to a fire police volunteer who was stationed at Pekin and Batavia-Elba Town Line Road. The truck, which has fire police lights on it, was last seen heading east on Batavia-Elba.

UPDATE 10:13 p.m.: The truck has been returned. "The guy thought it was his brother's truck."

UPDATE 10:26 p.m.: All units back in service.

Three local students named to SUNY Cortland Deans' List

By Billie Owens

Three local residents were named to the Deans' List at SUNY Cortland for the Spring 2011 semester:

Amanda Mignano <http://readabout.me/Amanda-Mignano/BL8V>, a junior Art major from Stafford.

Michael Humphrey <http://readabout.me/Michael-Humphrey/BL1S>, a junior Physical Education major from Le Roy.

Meghan Olsowski <http://readabout.me/Meghan-Olsowski/9D4>, a senior Sociology major from Le Roy.

Honorees must earn a grade point average of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale, while completing 12 or more credit hours of classes during the semester.

SUNY Cortland was ranked by Kiplinger's among its Top 100 Best Value Colleges and Universities in the United States for a fifth consecutive year. SUNY Cortland is also home to the largest undergraduate teacher education program in the Northeast.

Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group to meet

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group (B-MAA) will hold an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the GOArt! building (corner of Bank and Main streets in Downtown Batavia.

For this meeting, RSVPs are encouraged for seating purposes.

All parents of children involved in music and art in the Batavia City School District are encouraged to attend.

Event Date and Time
-

Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group to meet

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group (B-MAA) will hold an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the GOArt! building (corner of Bank and Main streets in Downtown Batavia.

For this meeting, RSVPs are encouraged for seating purposes.

All parents of children involved in music and art in the Batavia City School District are encouraged to attend.

Our mission is to increase community awareness of the importance of the arts as core education as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, and to motivate and guide local efforts to
maintain and improve music and art education in the Batavia City Schools.

For more information, to RSVP, and to get involved, please e-mail: artsadvocacy14020@yahoo.com or call Cheri Kolb (344-1735) or Lauren Hoerbelt (343-1842).

YMCA of Genesee County names executive director

By Billie Owens

The Board of Directors of the YWCA of Genesee County has announced the appointment of Jeanne M. Walton to the position of executive director. The board along with the Selection Committee was very impressed with her enthusiasm and sincere dedication to the
mission of the YWCA.

She is a graduate of the University of Rochester and brings more than 20 years of small business management expertise to the facility. Walton has a broad-spectrum background that yields a complete understanding of the needs of the community and how to implement processes and programs to serve the community in a new and progressive fashion

Walton says she's excited to use new and innovative means to enhance the image of the YWCA while creating programs that are designed to serve women, children and businesses in the region.

“The YWCA of Genesee County has the potential to be a premier facility in this area," Walton said.  "I will work hand-in-hand with the staff, volunteers and board of directors to accomplish this in a new and fresh way.”

Walton resides in the Town of Batavia with her two children.

For more information on the YWCA of Genesee County, its mission, and community involvement opportunities, please contact the YWCA at 343-5808; email us at ywca@rochester.rr.com or visit our website www.ywcagenesee.org

'Held over performance' at Yorkshire Hall

By Billie Owens

After a sold-out world premiere of its dinner show,"13 Memento Mori Lane," Yorkshire Hall in Pembroke has announced a "held over" performance at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The original "comedy/mystery/farce," is accompanied by a formal dinner. A special introductory ticket price of $22.95 includes the dinner, show and gratuity. Tickets are limited to advance sales only, and can be ordered by calling (585) 762-8160 or (716) 474-4300.

Event Date and Time
-

Due to popular demand, Yorkshire Hall announces another show

By Billie Owens

After a sold-out world premiere of its dinner show,"13 Memento Mori Lane," Yorkshire Hall in Pembroke has announced a "held over" performance at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The original "comedy/mystery/farce," is accompanied by a formal dinner. A special introductory ticket price of $22.95 includes the dinner, show and gratuity. Tickets are limited to advance sales only, and can be ordered by calling (585) 762-8160 or (716) 474-4300.

Yorkshire Hall is operated by the Walker family, owners of Holiday Hollow, and is located in the newly built theater on the Holiday Hollow property at 1410 Main Road (Route 5) in Pembroke. More information about the show is available at www.Yorkshire-Hall.com.

BEST Center announces first grads of Building Leadership Excellence

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the first class of Building Leadership Excellence students have completed their 12-week leadership course.

Building Leadership Excellence is an intensive, hands-on program designed to develop the proven skills needed to manage, influence, create, inspire and lead organizations. Participants learn to think and act strategically, resulting in enhanced management performance and improved organizational skills in decision making, coaching, innovative problem solving and conflict resolution.

The program is designed for managers, supervisors, team leaders and future leaders. Each session is filled with real-life examples and practical techniques for achieving results. Topics covered include communicating effectively, understanding personal styles, mentoring, creative problem solving, building strong teams and several other key management issues.

"Building Leadership Excellence is a great opportunity for managers from all walks of life and industries to come together and work in an engaging and dynamic team environment," said Lina LaMattina, director at The BEST Center. "Today's organizations are looking for innovative leadership and this program offers that knowledge and skills set to the participants."

Congratulations to our first graduating class! We know these leaders are doing great things in their organizations:

Joyce Kingdom, Genesee ARC, Batavia

Paul Saskowski, Genesee ARC, Batavia

Joanna Barefoot, GCC

Laura Keenan, GCC

Judy Welch, Livingston/Wyoming ARC

Mary Pat Hancock, Genesee County Legislature

Matt Slezak, Texas Brine

Joseph Demmer Jr., Willow Group

June Redden, Willow Group

Robyn Brookhart, Liberty Pumps

Dave Williams, Liberty Pumps

Erica Southwood, Livingston/Wyoming ARC

The next Building Leadership Excellence program will begin in August with a full-day kick off session from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 11. Participants will attend 10 half-day sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 and 25, Sept. 8, 15 and 22, Oct. 6, 13 and 20, and Nov. 3 and 10.

A graduation celebration, that includes final project presentations to participants' supervisors, will take place in a full-day session on Nov. 17. This intensive, skill-building program also incorporates 10 hours of one-on-one coaching for each participant in an effort to enhance his or her ability to apply new skills in the workplace.

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (focused on Business and Employee Skills Training) is a local provider of business consulting, community training and workshops for companies of all sizes and in all industries.

It offers a variety of tailored programs on-location at businesses across the GLOW region, or at any of Genesee Community College's seven campus locations (Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw).

For further information on The BEST Center, please contact Lina LaMattina, director, at 343-0055, ext. 6299, or visit The BEST Center online at www.bestcenter.org

Le Roy student named to Deans' List at Buffalo State

By Billie Owens

Sarah Plath, of Le Roy, has been named to the Spring 2011 School of Arts and Humanities Deans' List at Buffalo State College. She is the daughter of Al and Deborah Plath.

To qualify, students must earn a minimum term GPA of 3.5 and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Founded in 1871, Buffalo State is the largest comprehensive college in the SUNY system.

Genesee ARC needs votes to win Tops Charity Car Giveaway

By Billie Owens

From Genesee ARC:

Genesee ARC is in the final round of the Tops Charity Car Giveaway

During the first few days they have managed to stay right around number six (out of 10) in voting. The contest continues through 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 26.

Please vote and ask your friends and family to vote, too. If Genesee ARC is going to move higher in the ranking they need your help. That means INCREASING the NUMBER of people who are voting. They are up against some very large WNY nonprofit agencies, hoping to win this contest.

Together we can show them the wonderful community support of Genesee ARC. The Tops website is www.topsmarkets.com.

UMMC Foundation's annual Autumn Auction

By Billie Owens

The UMMC Foundation will be holding its annual Autumn Auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. The event will have silent and live auctions, basket raffles, TV raffle, Duck Pluck and Dessert Dash.

Event Date and Time
-

College instructors and staff learn and teach in Sao Paulo, Brazil

By Billie Owens

Six Genesee Community College instructors and staff members embarked on an English language collaboration program in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 5. They went to the South American country to teach English to students at FATEC Americana, a state-run technology-based institution.

The travelers abroad included Charley Boyd, professor English; Connie Boyd, director of the Human Services program; Karen Taylor, associate dean of Records; Barb Shine, associate professor of Business and Entrepreneurship; Dennis Shine, associate professor of Drafting; and Donna Ehrhart, professor of Fashion Business and Computer Information Systems.

Accompanying them were Don Brown, vice president of Charles Men Shop; Chris Davis, student at the University of Buffalo; Lew Scialdone, instructor of English for Speakers of Other Languages at BOCES; Dolores Quiles, associate professor of English at SUNY Ulster; and Darryl Blumel, director of Studies at Southbank Institute of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

The trip was a two-week exchange of language as well as information about culture, history and geography. Brazilian students and American teachers benefitted from a dialogue about differences and similarities between the two cultures.

Teachers focused on topics that contrasted the two cultures' holidays, climates, history, current events, politics, job seeking as well as cultural elements such as music and cooking. New this year was the discipline-specific collaborations that included culture, textiles and entrepreneurship.

This was the second trip for Connie and Charley Boyd, who traveled last summer to FATEC.

"We are so excited to return to Brazil," Connie Boyd said before leaving. "This language and cultural collaboration has been so eye opening and enjoyable. We are anxious to return to FATEC Americana to work with new students, as well as some of the same students that we met last summer."

The group documented their travels on Genesee's Study Abroad blog. Their blog posts can be viewed at <http://www.gccblogs.wordpress.com>.

For more information please contact James Goodwin, director of Curriculum Development at 343-0055, ext. 6322.

Woman allegedly runs over man in domestic dispute

By Billie Owens

A man has allegedly been struck by a Toyota in a domestic dispute and he has a leg injury and a couple of broken ribs. The location is 11130 Bowen Road, between Buffalo Street Road and Broadway in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department and medics are en route.

The female driver is at the Attica Police station and wants to tell her side of the story.

UPDATE 2:06 p.m.: Two State Troopers are now at the scene.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Alexander Ambulance is transporting the victim to UMMC.

Hochul announces opening of satellite offices

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul announced she will be opening the first phase of 26th District satellite offices early next month to provide residents with convenient and direct access to Congressional staff for assistance resolving problems.

“I promised direct access for constituents and I am very pleased to begin these operations in the first week in August,” Congresswoman Hochul said. “We will be expanding our outreach in the weeks and months ahead, as well as adding a permanent office in Monroe County, where we hope to serve even more constituents.”

The first four satellite operations will be located in Batavia (Genesee County), Lancaster (Erie County), Lockport (Niagara County), and Warsaw (Wyoming County). Thereafter, the Monroe County office will staff upcoming outreach in Livingston and Orleans Counties as well.

Batavia (Genesee County)
One Batavia City Centre
Conference Room
Batavia, New York 14020
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting Aug. 2.

Lancaster (Erie County)
Lancaster Municipal Building
5423 Broadway
Library/Conference Room
Lancaster, NY 14086
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting Aug. 3.

Lockport (Niagara County)
Lockport Municipal Building
6560 Dysinger Road
Snyder Room
Lockport, NY 14094
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 4:30 p.m., starting Aug. 3.
 
Warsaw (Wyoming County)
Wyoming County Building
143 N. Main St.
Room 202, 2nd Floor
Warsaw, NY  14569
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2 to 4:30 p.m., starting Aug. 2.
 
Residents are encouraged to visit the offices during open hours to speak with a representative from Congresswoman Hochul’s office. All residents can still continue to receive assistance from the Williamsville office any day by calling (716) 634-2324 or by visiting the office at 325 Essjay Road, Suite #405, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Authentically Local