Batavia was hit with a full blast of winter today with cold, wind and snow, but life went on.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory for this evening indicating we can expect more of the same overnight and travel conditions could be difficult.

Above, Shaun Coburn, a carrier for the Batavia Daily News, delivers papers on Lincoln Avenue.

Tim Kemp, on Lewis Avenue.

Postal carrier Donna Buckenmeyer delivers mail on Lewis Avenue.

Rick Adams on Ellsworth Avenue.

Press release:

The New York State Police along with UNYTS are giving the gift of life by hosting a blood and registry drive Jan. 3 at the State Police barracks at 4525 W. Saile Drive, Batavia.

“The New York State Police family is well aware of the importance of giving blood or by donating or receiving organs as we have seen both sides. Members and members' families have given or have benefitted from the gift of life,” said Trooper Victor Morales Troop A, public information officer.

The drive is being held during the most critical time of year for blood and is in conjunction with the UNYTS Holiday Heroes Drive, which began on Dec. 20.

“Donating blood during the Holiday Heroes campaign is an easy way to support and to give back to our communities. This blood drive in Batavia is one of three locations that we are holding drives, the first was in Clarence and the next will be at the Lockport barracks on January 8th,” said Major Michael Cerretto.

The blood drive runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include Donate Life Registry drive as well, where they’ll be encouraging the public to sign up to become organ donors on the NY State Donate Life Registry.

While walk-ins are welcome appointments can be made by contacting UNYTS at 716-512-7940 or www.unyts.org (Sponsor Code: 1983-Batavia or 1985-Lockport)

Rob and Carol Magoffin took delivery of 9-month-old beefers Monday and as soon as the cattle arrived, they got spooked, ran and broke through a fence.

The calves haven't been seen since.

"I've been looking for them for four days," Rob said.

He bought them to raise as meat for his own household. He and Carol also have a few goats and chickens.

Their hobby farm is located in the area of Colby and Sumner roads, Darien.

One calf is all black and the other is brown with a brown and white face.

Since Rob had just taken delivery of the calves, there are no identifying tags or markings on them.

If you know of their whereabouts or see them, contact Rob or Carol at (585) 813-3881 or (585) 813-2769.

A two-car accident, with one person complaining of head and neck back pain, is reported at East Main Street and Masse Place in the city. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: The patient is being taken to UMMC.

The weather can only be described as nasty. It's 10 degrees, about four or five inches of snow is falling and it's still coming. The breeze is strong enough to add a pretty strong bite to the already low temperature.

And more is on the way. The winter storm warning remains in effect through tomorrow.

Press release:

Due to the Wind Chill Advisory in our area for the next two days, the Batavia Youth Center will be closed today and tomorrow (Jan. 2, 3). It is not safe for the children to be out and exposed to these cold temperatures. The Youth Bureau and Youth Center will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 6, 2014. 

UPDATES:

• Red Osier in Stafford is closing tonight due to weather.
• The county's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for this evening has been postponed and will take place Tuesday.

A 28 year old Le Roy man accused of stealing high voltage wire didn't appear for his sentencing today reportedly because he's been hospitalized at Strong.

Meanwhile, Judge Robert C. Noonan said that he's been notified Michael A. Nicometo, of 45 North St., hasn't reported to Genesee Justice per the terms of his release under supervision since Oct. 30.

In November, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Nicometo's attorney, Brian Degnan, was given until close of business tomorrow to produce documentation that his client is indeed hospitalized.

"I have no problem picking a date (for Nicometo's next appearance), but if he's at liberty and located, he will be brought in," Noonan said.

Nicometo entered a guilty plea Sept. 20 to one count of third-degree burglary on an Alford basis. An Alford plea means the defendant is not admitting to the crime, just that the evidence, if presented to a jury, would likely lead to his conviction.

He was indicted by a Genesee County grand jury in early September on two counts of burglary, 3rd, and one count of grand larceny, 3rd.

Police arrested Nicometo in March following an investigation into the theft of high voltage wire from industrial complexes in the Le Roy area. He and an alleged accomplice were later accused of doing $32,000 in damage to the Dolomite facility in Le Roy.

The new scheduled sentencing date for Nicometo is 9 a.m., Jan. 17.

The National Weather Service has revised its estimate for our weather over the next 24 hours, raising its alert from an advisory to a winter storm warning.

Heavy snow with a bit of wind is expected now through 6 a.m., Friday. From 4 to 8 inches of snow could fall today and another 2 to 4 inches tonight.

There's a wind chill advisory in effect from 4 p.m. until noon, Friday, with wind chill of 15 to 20 degrees below zero.

Winds will be 10 to 20 mph creating, at times, visibility under a half mile.

Travel will be difficult at times, the weather service warns. Use caution.

Reason Magazine: On Congressional inactivity

In 2013, The Batavian was visited 5,909,231 times and we served 9,794,627 page views. That's up from 2012 when there were 3.8 million visits and 5.4 million page views.

Here are the most viewed stories for 2013:

• Le Roy Legion hosting event to honor WWII vets
• Police looking for public's help in finding boy allegedly slammed to floor of Walmart by adult male
• Young man from Bergen killed in motorcycle accident in Le Roy, passenger seriously injured
• Oakfield teen's first deer bow hunting is an albino
• Armed robbery at Tops in Le Roy, by Billie Owens
• An evening with Phil Robertson: a glimpse into the life of the Duck Dynasty patriarch, by Jim Nigro
• Molasses Hill closed, seized by state
• Mother seeks help in finding her missing son
• 'Everybody was lucky' that nobody was seriously hurt when SUV slams into house on Akron Road
• Town of Le Roy supervisor arrested following alleged incident with neighbor

It's been four months since I posted the monthly top 10 most viewed stories, so below are the top posts for December, November, October and September.

December:

• Fatal accident on Route 63 near Shepard Road
• Missing Darien man found dead in woods near home
• Local woman accused of falsely reporting robbery at gentlemen's club in Florida
• Information sought on Basom woman missing since Monday morning
• Individuals who buy MVP health plans through new exchange reportedly not covered in Genesee County
• Vehicle rolls over into water, passenger trapped, on Route 63 just south of Orleans County, by Billie Owens
• Services set for Stafford resident who died following accident on Route 63
• Dashawn Butler released from jail
• More than 2,100 residents east of Batavia without power
• Law and Order: Man accused of hitting refrigerator

November:

• Oakfield teen's first deer bow hunting is an albino
• Major fire causes severe damage to one of Genesee County's largest ag businesses
• Tot found wandering along Main Street allegedly without supervision, by Billie Owens
• Person trying to fell a tree using a tow rope and pickup on Pringle Avenue, by Billie Owens
• Hunter needs to be rescued from Iroquois wildlife refuge swamp, by Billie Owens
• BREAKING: Arrest made in recent robberies
• Man who admitted to multiple burglaries in 2008 given chance to avoid prison term
• Active shooter reported on Bloomingdale Road
• Suspect says 'out of control' addiction to crack cocaine led to robberies
• Male claims he was chased down Jackson Street by trio, by Billie Owens

October:

• Armed robbery at Tops in Le Roy, by Billie Owens
• Multiple reports of gunshots in the area of Jackson and Central
• 'Everybody was lucky' that nobody was seriously hurt when SUV slams into house on Akron Road
• Winning drug-free posters from local students
• Man who was listed as a director at GCASA accused of driving while impaired by drugs
• Local tattoo artist opens own shop on West Main Street, Batavia
• Dog chases child, dad shows up with long gun threatening to shoot dog and owner, by Billie Owens
• Three Rochester men accused of brazen attempt to steal $1,900 in merchandise from Walmart
• Police announce arrest of suspect in alleged robbery of 7-11 in Batavia
• Young black, male Labrador retriever, 'extremely well behaved', found on Marsh Road, by Billie Owens

September

• Man seriously injured in altercation unconscious at State Street and Hutchins Place, by Billie Owens
• Big brawl in vicinity of State Street and Lewis Place, by Billie Owens
• Jason Jewett remembered with love, honor and respect
• Local businessman killed in skid loader accident at his home in Corfu
• Jason Jewett's love of cars honored by car club attending calling hours at Gilmartin
• Corfu girl flown to Strong following two-vehicle accident in Oakfield
• White, blond woman wearing blue sparkly shirt sought by the law for possible Walmart larceny, by Billie Owens
• A forgotten wallet helps police locate suspected copper thief
• Darien man accused of making sexual advance to teenage boy in Le Roy
• Smell of natural gas at Byron-Bergen Central School, students evacuated, by Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 7231 Lyman Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire is responding with mutual from Le Roy.

The first chief on scene reports smoke coming from the structure.

At the same time as this call, Le Roy has a call in the village for medical assistance. Pavilion is being dispatched mutual aid.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.

UPDATE 7:14 p.m.: Bergen is back in service.

To purchase prints click here. If you click that link, you can also view a version of the slide show that includes captions.

A fire is reported at Oak Orchard Road and West Saile Drive.

A person reportedly ran into a business and said there was a fire and a person from the business called 9-1-1.

Town of Batavia fire responding.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: A chief on scene reports it's a controlled burn at Offhaus Farm. Batavia back in service.

Cold, wind and snow are in the forecast for this evening, though snowfall will be no more than four inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The wind chill factor will make it feel like it's 15 to 20 degrees below zero.

Winds of 15 to 25 mph will create blowing snow and add to possible white-out conditions. Visibility could be down to a half a mile at times.

Use caution when traveling and dress warmly.

A possible chimney fire is reported at 6842 Fisher Road, Oakfield. Flames were seen shooting from the chimney, but no flames or smoke are showing now, says a firefighter. The residence has been evacuated. Oakfield fire is on scene. Mutual aid response was cancelled but units are asked to stand by in their quarters from Alabama, Elba and East Pembroke.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: Oakfield fire back in service.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center and MVP Health Care® are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement which will allow United Memorial to be included as a network facility for MVP health insurance products purchased through the New York State of Health Exchange. The agreement was reached today, December 31st and will go into effect tomorrow, January 1, 2014.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, people who do not have health insurance through their job, or cannot afford the plan offered by their employer, now can use the “Healthcare Exchange” or “Marketplace” to compare plans and sign up. In New York State, residents are provided a list of insurance companies and plans to select from, based on their county of residence.

“We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of our community as we are working to address the sweeping changes brought on by healthcare reform,” stated United Memorial’s CEO Mark C. Schoell. “I am pleased that we were able to bring the negotiation with MVP Health Care to a successful conclusion.”

Matthew MacKinnon, vice president, Network Operations, MVP Health Care said, “We are happy that United Memorial Medical Center is a participating provider for MVP products in Genesee County, including new Exchange coverage, and we look forward to continuing to serve residents of the Batavia area.”

Jason Berne, manager of Parmenter Tire near the airport, sent in this picture of a snowy owl that he said a researcher brought into the shop for he and his staff to see.

"They are beautiful," Berne said.

TV news crews have been out to the airport today. Jay Terkel, in comments on our story from yesterday, said there are so many cars driving slowly around the airport "it's like Lion Country Safari" out there.

Photo by Jay Terkel.

Photo by Dylan Brew.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Herkimer and Alleghany roads. A woman has a back injury but was able to exit the vehicle. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The location is determined to be one mile south of Herkimer.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: The address is 10971 Alleghany Road. Darien command reports the driver is an elderly female who is still seat-belted inside the vehicle, but is not entrapped.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: The patient is a sign-off. Responders will be back in service shortly.

There's no ball drop in Batavia, but it should still be noted that if you're celebrating New Year's Eve outside tonight, dress warmly.

The National Weather Service says an Arctic air mass moved across the lower Great Lakes last night and will remain in place for the next couple of days.

The cold air combined with gusty winds this afternoon and evening will making it feel bitterly, bitterly cold.

The wind chill factor will bring temperatures down to low single digits and as cold as -5 in some areas.

The NWS advises anybody outside during this time to dress in layers of clothing, which help trap body heat better than a single layer.

You should also wear a hat because significant body head can be lost through your head.

Many coaches will say that the key to winning is defense, and that’s exactly what propelled Batavia to their eighth consecutive Lions Club Tournament championship, 46-36.

The game featured two of the top players in the area -- Batavia junior Jeff Redband and Notre Dame senior Tim McCulley, and both squads dug deep into their bag of tricks to stop them.

The Blue Devils guarded McCulley tight all night, making it a point of emphasis to deny him an easy catch on a pass and forcing other players to make plays.

“Our defense was very solid,” said Batavia Head Coach Buddy Brasky. “I thought we did a really good job on McCulley for most of the game, so I was happy with our defense.”

Batavia’s defense enabled them to jump out to a 17-6 lead after the first quarter, helped out by 10 points from Redband.

Notre Dame would then switch from a 2-3 zone to a box-and-one to attempt to slow down Redband’s scoring prowess.

“We weren’t finding [Redband] in the zone like we had practiced,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Rapone. “So we switched and I think it worked pretty well for the most part.”

The Irish managed to hold the Blue Devils to just 27 points in the first half, but they were unable to find their own shooting touch and trailed 15 at the break.

“Our defense wasn’t the problem,” Rapone said. “When you hold a team to 46 points, you should probably win the game.”

The Blue Devils began to show some fatigue late in the fourth quarter, and Notre Dame got two big baskets from McCulley and Covel to cut the lead to 11, but Batavia found a way to put points on the board.

The Blue Devils got a three-pointer from Jerrett Laskett and tournament MVP Justice Fagan scored two of his 12 points to push the lead back to 16 at the end of the frame.

“Justice [Fagan] and Jeff [Redband] are our two best players and we depend on them for a lot of things,” Brasky said. “They don’t come out of the game very often, and that shows late in games. I can’t take Justice or Jeff out and fatigue sets in.”

Redband finished the game with a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who improve to 5-2, and have won four straight.

Despite the strong defensive effort from Batavia, McCulley still had a strong outing, scoring 18 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking four shots.

“Tim is a very good player and he worked hard for every single one of his points,” Rapone said. “Covel and [Josh] Johnson started to hit some shots in the second half, but we need other guys to step up.”

Covel pitched in nine points and five rebounds, while Johnson scored eight points and played well defensively while shadowing Redband all night.

Notre Dame falls to 5-2 on the season.

Top photo: Jeff Redband drives for a layup trailed by Tim McCulley.

Malachi Chenault scores for Batavia during first period.

Josh Johnson

McCulley blocks a shot.

Lions club member Bill Hayes hands out the game's MVP trophy to Justice Fagan. Members said the Lions Club is grateful to Bill Hayes and his company, Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning, for being a major sponsor of the tournament.

Cousins Josh Johnson and Justice Fagan played against each other for the first and last time of their high school basketball careers. Fagan was the tournament's MVP.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens