An accident involving two or three vehicles is blocking traffic at East Main and Liberty streets in the City of Batavia. There are believed to be minor injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are responding along with police.

UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: Two flatbed tow trucks are called to the scene.

A single-vehicle rollover accident with minor injuries is reported 7689 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98), south of Daws Corners. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. The only occupant, the driver, is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: A responder says the State Police are on scene. The vehicle is 50 feet off the roadway, on its roof.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The Mercy ambulance is told to continue non-emergency to check the driver. A tow truck is en route.

UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: The town assignment is back in service.

Is this your cat? Lori Vosburgh is trying to help find the feline's rightful owner. Here's what she says about it:

Jacob Bukowski was driving on the Thruway Jan. 31st, when he saw this cat laying down in the median between the Pembroke and Depew exits on the Thruway, right before the South Newstead RD overpass and 4 miles east of the Clarence Travel Plaza (Tim Horton's service area).

She was thin, cold, hungry and the hair around her neck was matted. He took her home and then to the vet the next morning. She is a young female, not micro-chipped, declawed and spayed. Instead of leaving the hair matted they shaved a little of it off. She was clearly an indoor cat and very friendly. She smelled like a farm and for obvious reasons was very dirty.

We think she may have been outside for at least a month, as another woman tried to rescue her the first of January but was unable to due to safety concerns with traffic. She reported it with the police but they must not have been able to rescue her.

She's a beautiful sweet cat and I'd like nothing more than to find her owners, or someone that would be willing to take her in. It's amazing that she made it through the bitter temperatures and snowy conditions!

If it's your cat or you can help find the owner, call Brittany  at (585) 297-0297.

Le Roy track and field standout Ruben Owens, front row center, signed a national letter of intent yesterday to attend the University of Arkansas on a full scholarship.

Owens has won Section V titles in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. In all, for both winter and spring seasons, Owens holds 11 Section V titles.

He holds the school records in the high, long and triple jump.

Information and photo submitted by Tim McArdle.

The T.F. Brown's Batavia Ramparts Squirt III Hockey Team is participating in the Empire State Winter Games, being held Feb. 6 through 9 in Lake Placid. The team posed for a picture prior to lining up for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Center. They will play four games with a chance to win gold, silver or bronze medals. The Ramparts are the Western Region representative in this invitational tournament.

Information and photo submitted by Robert Grimm.

Automatic alarms of fire and water flow are sounding at both Petco and Bed, Bath & Beyond on Veterans Memorial Drive. The Town of Batavia Fire Department command is on scene. A responder says it appears "the pump is not running" at BBB.

They have entered both stores and silenced the alarms at BBB, where there is no water flow or "obvious signs of fire." At Petco, same situation, but the burglar alarm went off, they noted probably because of their entry.

Engine 21 just arrived. All other equipment is told to remain in quarters.

UPDATE 4:01 a.m.: Reps for both businesses are responding in about 30 to 40 minutes.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: Everything checks out. One door or something which was supposed to be locked up was "found unsecured." Command says they are leaving it like they found it. Corps command will remain on scene until the reps arrive. The others are leaving the scene and the town's assignment is back in service. Petco reopened yesterday after some fire-related rehab due to the recent blaze in the bedding department of the store next door, BBB, which remains closed for now.

Press release:

Mercy Flight and Batavia Downs Gaming will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Batavia Downs Gaming facility. Our first Big Hearts for Helicopters fundraiser will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The event will have a Valentine's Day-themed buffet dinner featuring roasted top sirloin beef with Merlot mushroom sauce, chicken Marsala, pasta primavera, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, desserts, coffee and soda. Dinner will be available from 6:30 tp 9 p.m. and there will also be a cash bar throughout the event.

There will be a Chinese and silent auction and the classic rock band Karma will play downstairs during the evening at Rush 34.

We are looking for auction items and gift baskets. If your business or organization would like to participate, please call Outreach Coordinator Lynn O'Donnell at (716) 864-5060 or (716) 626-4100.

FAX is (585) 343-3623.

Tickets are $40 per person and include dinner and $15 free play at the casino. They can be purchased at all Mercy Flight air bases, A & N Automotive, and at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce on East Main Street in the City of Batavia.

Tickets are PRESALE ONLY so please reserve your spot by Feb. 13.

All proceeds will go to help Mercy Flight continue its mission of being a Beacon of Hope for the community when minutes matter.

Bring your sweetie out for a fine evening of great food, music and entertainment for a good cause.

From WBTA:

WBTA is experiencing a transmission failure and has lost the over-the-air signal.

WBTA can still be heard on the stream on the homepage at WBTAi.com or on our iPhone app which is available free at the iTunes store.

Repairs are under way and we hope to have service restored as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

UPDATE 6:51 p.m.: As of at least an hour ago, WBTA is back on the air. Problems fixed.

Got cat food? The folks at Petco want you to know the store on Veterans Memorial Drive has reopened. It was partially damaged in the Bed Bath & Beyond fire.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) released the following statement regarding today’s report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that determines ObamaCare will reduce the number of full-time workers by approximately 2.3 million people through 2021.

“This report confirms what I have long believed, that ObamaCare is a flawed law and a drag on our economy. Americans have already begun to experience the devastating economic impact of ObamaCare. In New York’s 27th Congressional District constituents have shared with me stories of reduced hours and small business owners have told me they are afraid to grow and expand because of the uncertainty ObamaCare brings.

Already faced with increased premiums and higher deductibles, this report shows that ObamaCare is doing nothing to help our nation’s already struggling middle class. We cannot allow ObamaCare to slow economic growth and cost 2.3 million American jobs, as the Congressional Budget Office report predicts. This report makes it clear that our nation must address ObamaCare, and place a priority on reining in federal spending, so that we can empower our middle class and get Americans back to work.”

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will hold its annual meeting on Friday, March 7, at Genesee Community College to unveil the organization’s 2013 annual report to the community.

The attendees at the annual meeting will include Congressman Chris Collins, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and Genesee County Legislature Chairman Raymond Cianfrini.  

“Because of the strategic leadership of the public and private sectors in 2013, the economy of Genesee County remains strong and the business climate continues to remain positive,” said Charlie Cook, GCEDC chairman. “We will discuss at this meeting our plans to continue making business attraction and expansion a priority for 2014.”

Among the economic development highlights for the region as outlined in the 2013 annual report include:

** Recognition of Genesee County as one of the to five fastest-growing food processing regions in the country by Business Facilities magazine;

** Recognition of Genesee County by Site Selection magazine as one of the top fastest-growing micropolitans in the United States due to continued growth and business attraction;

** Economic growth as a result of projects like Muller Quaker Dairy LLC, a yogurt manufacturing facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business (GVAB) Park located on Route 5 in Batavia; and

** An unemployment rate of 5.8 percent during the summer of 2013 according to the New York State Department of Labor, one of the lowest unemployment rates of the 62 counties in the state.

In addition to the GCEDC’s annual report highlights, the recipient of this year’s Economic Development Partner of the Year Award will be unveiled.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the annual meeting, please visit www.gcedc.com. Tickets for the event cannot be purchased at the door and seating is limited.

We received this statement today from Jessica Joyce, a spokeswoman for Bed, Bath & Beyond:

We are working with the landlord and insurance professionals to reopen as soon as possible. Yes, we did offer reassignments to all of our associates.

The store was closed following a fire in the bedding department Jan. 27 and all of the merchandise, shelving and fixtures have been removed from the store.

A former Niagara Falls police officer who admitted she was intoxicated when she assaulted and injured a woman during a Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake in August of 2012 was sentenced this morning in Genesee County Court.

Kelly L. Alcorn, 48, of Grand Island, was sentenced to a one year conditional discharge and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.

Alcorn paid full restitution in the amount of $2,128.74 before she left court today.

Judge Robert Noonan also issued five orders of protection for five years.

Alcorn, who was a 20-year veteran police officer with the Niagara Falls Police Department, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless assault, 3rd, a misdemeanor, on Oct. 16, 2013.

Alcorn admitted she was intoxicated and that she wrestled the woman to the floor and hit her causing injury.

Alcorn had faced a second-degree felony assault charge before her plea.

She was initially charged with harassment, 2nd, but after the female victim contacted Buffalo media and described the attack and the extent of her injuries, the Genesee County District Attorney upgraded the charge to assault, 2nd.

Alcorn's Attorney, Norman Effman, told the court this morning, "My client had one moment of poor judgement that has embarrassed her and disrupted her life. Otherwise she has had a wonderful career serving six years in the military and 20 years in law enforcement."

Judge Robert Noonan agreed with Effman.

"You have suffered a major setback in your life and you were singled out because of your career in law enforcement, but the complainant was injured and deserves to be compensated," Noonan said.

Alcorn could have been sentenced up to one year in jail or three years probation.

In September of 2013, Alcorn left the Niagara Falls Police Department voluntarily after being placed on administrative leave after the incident occurred in 2012.

She retired with her pension.

A one-vehicle rollover accident, with minor if any injuries, is reported on the westbound Route 490 at mile marker 2.5, between the Bergen and Le Roy exits. However, the occupants are unable to get out of the vehicle. Le Roy fire and and an ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 8:22 a.m.: The occupant(s) is out of the vehicle and unharmed. The ambulance is cancelled. There is another accident not far from this one in which a car is off the road, but no one is injured. A Mercy medic who was headed to that scene before being cancelled, said the road is covered with black ice. Both the Le Roy and Bergen assignments are back in service. The DOT is to be notified that the road conditions on the 490 "are just terrible."

Leon Clayton Bloom, 31, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and coercion, 2nd. Bloom is accused of violating an order of protection by sending a letter to the protected person. He's further accused of trying to coerce her into doing things she has a right not to do. Bloom is currently in custody on another matter.

Rodney Lowell McKenzie, 49, of Weaver Street, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. McKenzie is accused of shoplifting at Walmart. He was jailed on $500 bail.

An accident, possiblly with injuries, is reported in the area of 25 Pringle Ave., Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: City fire is back in service.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is looking for assistance in locating the owners of some recovered property.

The items may have been in storage and stolen within the last year.

The fishing equipment recovered appears to be for deep water fishing and there were also more than 10 porcelain dolls found.

Deputy Bradley Mazur says investigators are also looking for help in recovering a 3-foot tall mechanical horse which makes horse sounds and has a head that moves up and down.The horse is tan in color and may have been purchased at a yard sale over the summer on North Street or Ellicott Street in the City of Batavia.

Anyone who can assist in the investigation or has purchased the mechanical horse from the two yard sales mentioned can contact Deputy Bradley Mazur at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 585-343-5000.

Aqua-Vu underwater viewing system, which includes a monitor and underwater camera.

Tundra fishing pole

More than 10 porcelain dolls were recovered. Here are two of them. They have tags that say porcelain collector series.

Redfield Parkway about 11:30 this morning. The winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Another 3-6 inches of new snow is possible tonight.

Washington Avenue bus stop. At 3 p.m. heavy snow made driving a little difficult.

Redfield Parkway resident Bob Johnson uses the snowblower to keep up with the heavy snowfall.

Guillermo Leon did not seem to mind shoveling his sidewalk on Richmond Avenue.

He says he likes winter.

Karen Baker clears off her car after picking up her two sons Michael and Justin from school.

City Plow making the rounds.