The sixth-grade Batavia Blue Devils won the Community Youth Basketball Tournament in Rochester this past weekend.

Game summaries by Bryan Falitico:

Game 1: Starting off against the hometown team CYP in our first
game we came out sleepwalking. Strong efforts from our bigs inside on both
ends of the court we were able to fight our way back from being down 11
points. Alex Rood had six points, Andy Clark three, and Jake Humes four, with all
three having monster rebounding games we came up short in the end, losing
33-30.

Game 2 -- vs. Brighton: Building off the fire we started to play with in
the second half of the first game, we came out strong and pounded the ball
inside. Jake Humes led with 10 points, and Andy Clark had eight. The real
key to our win vs. Brighton was behind the leadership of our point guards,
who not only chipped in point wise, but also great ball protection and
finding the open man in transition. Max Rapone had four points, Bryce Reigle had six
and Luke Grammatico had four. Final score BHS 43, Brighton 34.

Game 3 -- HFL: Day 2 we were without one of our bigs inside so in order for
us to be successful other key guys needed to step up in the absence. Andy
Clark had eight points, and the White brothers, Cam and Caeden, came to play.
Cam had six points and Caeden had five, including a game-changing basket drive
that resulted in a (point) and one opportunity. He sealed the deal with the free throw.
Matt Beach and Alex Rood both came up big on the boards in Jake's absence to
help us get the win 35-30.

Game 4 -- vs. Eastside: All around contributions helped us seal the win. Big
game again from Caeden White with 11 points. Cam pitched in five points of
his own, and again Andy Clark, Alex Rood, and Matt Beach controlled the
boards, helping set up our guards to push the ball for some easy baskets. Luke
Grammatico had two points, Josh Weis had four, Bryce Reigle and Max Rapone
both had a number of great passes inside that set up our bigs for easy
baskets. Final score 37-25, tournament champions.

A State Police helicopter is involved in a missing person search off Fargo Road, Darien.

The person was reported missing yesterday. For a time yesterday, the Darien Volunteer Fire Company was involved in the search. At this point, only the State Police are involved in the search. There are multiple patrols in the area and officers on foot involved in the search.

The only description provided is a male subject.

A neighboring resident reported a little while ago seeing person running in the woods, seemingly trying to evade officers.

It's possible there may be no more information forthcoming on this case.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m. (by Billie): All available manpower from Darien Fire Department is asked to assemble in its hall at 1 p.m. to search for the missing man. In addition, a crew from Alexander fire is asked to assemble at the Darien hall to aid in the search. Alexander will also bring its Gator. All are told to dress warmly, of course.

Chief Dale Breitwieser, right, briefing volunteers on the search.

Alexander firefighters in the department's Gator.

"Destro" likes people. He likes the snow. His favorite toy is a piece of old fire hose. But don't let the puppy disposition of the 2-year-old German shepherd fool you. He's a trained police dog, capable on command of doing all the things police dogs do.

If you meet Destro, you're likely to make a new friend, but let him approach you. Just to be safe.

"He's good," said his new handler and partner in crime-fighting Deputy Chris Erion. "He gets on my nerves once in awhile and I get on his, but we're a good match. He works very well."

Yesterday was the first day on the job for the new K-9 team after Erion and Destro completed 15 weeks of K-9 police dog academy.

"We start with a brand new dog who has almost zero training and we start right from the beginning," Erion said. "That way we know how he's trained, how he learns certain things. If problems come up, we know how to correct them, so it's a lot of long classes."

The 15-week course covered training in the areas of building and open area searches, obedience, tracking, drug detection, and handler protection.

The hardest part of the training, Erion said was "just sticking to it and getting up every morning."

"I got up at 4:30 every morning to get to Canada by 7:30 and I didn't get up home (until) 6:30, 7 o'clock at night and then my kids and wife needed attention, too, so balancing all of that was a challenge."

Destro gets along well with Erion's four children, the deputy said. "And he's kind of brought new life to my old German shepherd. They run around outside and play. They get along very well."

Erion and Destro start their new career together just as the K-9 handling career of Deputy Brian Thompson comes to a close. Thompson and "Pharoah" still are available to handle calls and help with the new team's training, but in about 10 months "Pharoah" will be retired from active duty.

Erion said he's grateful to the community support to help keep the Sheriff's Office K-9 program going.

"This program is completely funded by the community and we're certainly grateful for that," Erion said. "I'm personally grateful for that. There's an expense that goes into training and maintaining the dog, and that comes from donations. Without that we wouldn't be able to support the program."

When pine trees bend with heavy snow...and trails are hard to find...the warm glow from the fireplace...brings memories to mind.                                           

I first came across this piece of verse more than forty years ago in a Leanin' Tree Christmas card. Those vintage Leanin' Tree cards beckoned to kindred spirits, especially those whose favorite haunts tended to be somewhere off the beaten path.

Some of those old cards depicted homesteads of yesteryear where kinfolk gathered to celebrate Christ's humble birth and enjoy one another's company. The artists renditions also included a variety of settings, be it a pastoral landscape or wildlife, including but not limited to, songbirds, deer, and waterfowl. There were also those which featured man's best friend, be it hunkered down in a duck blind or flushing pheasants from a swale.

Those cards captured many wilderness moments, compelling its reader to take time to see the wonder of nature and the signature handiwork of an awesome Creator.   

It can be seen in graceful symmetry...

or in beauty sublime.

It can be seen in the love of friend for friend...

Its displayed in vivid, resplendant hues...

and in the amber halo in the eyes of a faithful companion.

The outdoors and the inhabitants of the wild beckoned to the hearts of the writers and wildlife artists who created those Christmas cards of yesteryear. Perhaps they found truth in nature, a natural world in tune with its Maker, a loving God who two thousand years ago sent us a Savior.

To Howard and Billie, the staff of The Batavian and all of its readers, may the joy and wonder of Christmas be yours this holiday season!

Light smoke is reportedly coming from the basement of a home at 11 Kingsbury Ave. in the city. Batavia Fire Department is has arrived on scene and reports nothing showing from the outside, investigating.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: The source of the smoke is found to be a cigarette burning inside a plastic container in the basement. It is extinguished. Ladder 15 is told to continue to the scene, non-emergency mode.

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Richmond Avenue and Union Street. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. Police are on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: One patient was transported to UMMC.

Walnut Street/Route 98 has reopened.

A car fire is reported at 14 S. Main St., Batavia.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: City fire on scene. Fire appears to be out.

A woman reportedly fell in the parking lot of 226 Ellicott St., Batavia, and then a car rolled over her.

The woman has since stood up.

Batavia fire and Le Roy ambulance are responding (all Mercy EMS ambulances are tied up).

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: The woman was not struck by the vehicle. City fire reports, "she more or less fell under the car." The responding ambulance (which may be Mercy EMS now) can come in non-emergency.

A car has struck a pole on Clinton Street Road in Bergen.

Injuries are reported.

Bergen fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 9:46 a.m.: The car is cold. This accident apparently happened some time ago and nobody is around. Bergen fire back in service.

Press release:

The City of Batavia is pleased to announce the completion of its new Web site for City residents, businesses and visitors. As part of the City’s Strategic Plan to improve public communications and access to public information, the City has developed a Web site that includes interactive ways to communicate with residents, businesses and visitors. 

New features of the Web site include online service requests designed to reduce response time by encouraging users to e-mail requests directly to the managing City department and e-news subscriptions allowing users to register to receive e-mail notifications when specific information of their interest is posted to the Web site. In addition, the public can also sign up to receive text alerts when urgent alerts, such as water line breaks or emergencies, are posted on the Web site. 

The City's new Web site provides comprehensive community information and helps the user gain an appreciation for the many positive things the City of Batavia community has to offer in a user-friendly way. The newly added Business, Residents & Visitors sections provide access to an abundance of community information and resources, while the Web site calendar allows users to view community events by department, event, public meetings or notices.

Sixth Ward Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian said, “The Batavia site is more than I expected -- it’s outstanding! Residents are now able to search the site from weather to demographics to printing the STAR exemptions and reading meeting agendas and minutes. Everything anyone needs can be found on the new site, job well done.”

Councilman-at-Large Brooks Hawley added “I'm proud of being part of a City that puts out such a modern and professional looking Web site. It is easy to navigate for residents, businesses and visitors. The pictures and information on the Web site are a great way to highlight the many wonderful aspects of the City. I encourage all residents to check out the Web site and give us feedback with the online survey."

The City's Web site address is still www.batavianewyork.com. All users are encouraged to explore the site, take the Web site survey and provide feedback. Suggestions and comments will be used to continue to improve the Web experience for all users.

A car has reportedly struck a guard rail on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 394.

Dispatchers have received multiple calls. One caller reports the car struck the guard rail head-on.

No word on possible injuries.

East Pembroke fire is responding.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: Mercy ambulance on scene, confirming minor injuries. The location is mile marker 394.6.

UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: East Pembroke back in service.

A two-car accident is reported at Oak Orchard and North Byron roads.

Traffic is being shut down on Route 98.

Initially, the accident was reported as minor injury, but the Mercy EMS response has been canceled by the chief on scene.

Elba fire is responding.

A year ago today, two volunteer firefighters responding to a fire in Webster were ambushed, shot and killed. It was an unspeakable tragedy that resonated throughout the communities of Western New York.

Our firefighters face enough risks and challenges without being senselessly targeted.

Last year, we published a slideshow of the year's worth of photos of Genesee County's heroes, and to keep the tradition going, here are some of the photos from 2013 of both career and volunteer firefighters working, training and serving our community.

To learn how you can become a local hero by becoming a volunteer with a local fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

When Colin Phillips returned to his Vermont home, he thought about how well his Muck Boots performed while he was stranded in the middle of a frozen swamp on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

He thought about one of the firefighters who helped rescue him. That firefighter didn't have Muck Boots. His boots leaked. They filled with water. He was in danger of frostbite. That firefighter was airlifted out of the swamp before Phillips. The rescuer was rescued first.

So Phillips sent a letter to the Muck Boot Company and suggested maybe they could send a pair of Muck Boots, perhaps for free, to this firefighter.

Last night, that firefighter, Ryan Thompson, along with every other member of the Alabama Volunteer Fire Department, received a free pair of Muck Boots, courtesy the Muck Boot Company.

Phillips drove in from Vermont to help hand out the boots.

"I wanted to show my appreciation," Phillips said. "A lot of people, get rescued and you never hear from them again. I wanted these guys to know I appreciate the small town kind of life and how people are out here."

Alabama Chief Gary Patnode said the media recognition and the gift are a great morale boost for members of his department. It's nice, he said, to have their volunteer efforts recognized.

"Typically, since we're a non-transporting agency, we load somebody in the back of an ambulance and that's the last time we see them," Patnode said. "Unless (the patient) is related to one of the members, we don't get any kind of follow-up.

"This is a good thanks for what we do," Patnode said.

Previously:

• Rescuers put themselves at risk to save stranded hunter in Iroquois refuge
• Hunter needs to be rescued from Iroquois wildlife refuge swamp

Thompson and Phillips

As soon as Thompson got his new boots, he put them on. "I'm sleeping in them," he said.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 7736 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.

There's one occupant and he's saying he's not injured.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Responders are told to proceed with caution. Several vehicles reportedly off the road in the area.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: Another no-injury rollover accident reported in Batavia, at 3427 Batavia Elba Townline Road.

The Town of Batavia Planning Board will hold a public hearing Jan. 7 to consider an application for a subdivision of property in Batavia Towne Center.

The subdivision would make it possible for Kohl's Department Store to own its own property inside the shopping center, much like Target does now.

Kohl's would be purchasing the parcel from COR Development.

In June, the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board approved $1.8 million in new tax abatements for COR (on top of the $4.6 million in tax breaks COR received from GCEDC in 2006), ostensibly to attract new businesses that provide goods or services not readily available in Genesee County.

Kohl's is a department store chain that sells furniture, clothing, bed and bath items and other general merchandise.

The store will be located where Lowe's once had its garden center, just south of the new Dick's Sporting Goods.

To the north of Dick's will be a Five Below and possibly Marshall's; both are discount retailers.

In order for Kohl's to own its own parcel, the property currently owned by COR must be subdivided.

All subdivisions must go through a public hearing, which is a chance for the public to learn the facts of the project relevant to the subdivision and comment on the issue.

The same process was used to subdivide Batavia Towne Center for Target. A portion of the tax breaks secured by COR in 2006 are now applied to the Target property.

While it's possible for Kohl's to apply to transfer tax abatements received by COR to the new parcel, Rachael Tabelski, director of marketing and communications for GCEDC, said the agency has yet to receive an application for the tax abatements from Kohl's.

The hearing will be held at Batavia Town Hall, 3833 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7. Written comments will be accepted prior to that date.

Dylan Brew sent in this picture he took of some of the Christmas lights on display at the DiSalvo residence on Fargo Road, Stafford.