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A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Main and Bank streets, Batavia, believed to be with injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:15 a.m.: No injuries. 

A car has reportedly rolled over after striking a deer in the area of 653 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

It's believed injuries are minor.

A chief reports on scene one vehicle on its side in a ditch.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:21 p.m.: Alabama command reports no injuries at this time.

Country Max, the pet and garden supply store at 610 E. Main St., is closing with the last day of business planned for Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

None of the regional chain's other 15 stores are closing.

Owner Don Payne said employees of the Batavia store are being offered jobs in either Geneseo or Brockport.

"We had entered that location more than seven years ago with a great deal of optimism but it has just not worked out," Payne said.
"We just have not been able to bring the stores business along far enough to make it even cover the costs."

The decision to close the store, he said, wasn't easy.

"We certainly leave the area with a heavy heart and wish to thank all of the people that have shopped at our store over the years," Payne said.

The planning committee for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative will ask project leaders from seven project applications to make a presentation about their project at a future committee meeting, committee members decided during a meeting at City Hall this morning.

The projects are: 

• Carr's Reborn
• Ellicott Place
• Theater 56
• Healthy Living Corridor
• Healthy Living Center
• BID marketing/branding
• Public Market
• GO Art!

The committee is either looking for more information, to clarify other funding sources, to ask if the amount of DRI funding for the project could be reduced, or just to better understand the projects.

The DRI is a $10 million prize received by the City of Batavia from the state to help fund a variety of downtown projects intended to increase traffic and business in the city's primary business and cultural center.

Several other projects, the committee felt, were complete applications already and no additional information is required, such as Ellicott Station, Newberry Place, Jackson Square, renovations to the second floor of 206 E. Main St., and the Masonic Temple Building.

Six other projects were selected for a group submission; however, the applicants will need to go through a process similar to the state's Main Street Program, which provides funding at 75 percent of the project's total cost. Those projects include building renovation to 39-43 Ellicott St., Borrell Gym, facade work for 214 and 216 E. Main St., and Batavia Showtime.

This morning's conversation included some concern about some of the projects under consideration. 

Committee Co-Chairman Eugene Jankowski said he's hearing objections from local residents to using DRI prize money for the Healthy Living Center, which is a nonprofit, tax-exempt project. He said people felt the project backers, UMMC and the YMCA, being nonprofits, have other funding avenues not open to local business owners competing for DRI money. City Church Pastor Marty Macdonald shared the same concern and it was his perception that the project was well underway before the DRI award was made to the city.

Co-Chairman Steve Hyde said he was part of the project in its early stages -- he resigned after being selected for the DRI committee -- and he said organizers knew the city was applying for the DRI prize and that the potential of the grant was always part of the potential financing plan for the center.

There is also concern that the project is seeking $5 million, or half of the $10 million pie.  

Similar concerns were raised about the $3 million for the mall and $5 million for renovations to Ellicott Street (a median, plus pedestrian and bike paths).

Committee member John Riter expressed concern that both of these projects aren't far enough along and aren't able to provide the committee with enough information.

Hyde said the Genesee County Economic Development Center is taking a lead role in the revitalization of the mall and suggested that perhaps the mall should be included with a $1 million request to provide some start-up funds for the potential $30 million project. He said there is a developer interested but there needs to be some preliminary work done.

The committee appeared willing to consider that request.

The committee will present a list of projects totaling $15 million in requested funding and state officials will select the final winning projects for a total prize of $10 million. The current list is at $16,187,000.

At $197 per user per year, the price Village of Alexander residents would be asked to pay for a new water system seemed quite a bargain to at least one person who attended an information session at the Alexander Fire Hall on Thursday night.

"When I compare this to my cable bill, and water is an essential of life and cable isn't, this is cheaper than my cable bill," said Dawn Townsend at the end of the hour-long meeting.

Consultants Steve Mountain and Jeff Smith laid out for the residents the engineering and financing of the project and then answered questions.

The goal of the project is to replace an aging and break-prone water system that is also susceptible to spreading contaminated water, with all new water lines from the water source in Attica to and around the Village.

In all, 30,000 feet of water main would be replaced with new eight-inch and 12-inch PVC pipe. The Village would also receive new fire hydrants, a new pump station, and new water meters at each residence.

As a result, asbestos would be eliminated from the system and the potential for lead contamination would be eliminated. Water quality would likely improve and residents -- and fire hydrants -- would receive increased water pressure.

The total cost of the project is an estimated at $3.97 million. While that's an estimate contingent on final plans being drawn up, Mountain said he feels comfortable with the estimate based on what he's observed with the Village of Elba recently undertaking a similar project.

Village officials have identified a water infrastructure grant that would cover $2,382,000 -- or 60 percent -- of the cost.

The Village would borrow $1,588,000 through a program that would reduce the interest rate by a third, making it approximately 2.26 percent over the 30-year life of the loan.

The annual debt service per water customer then would be $197 each.

Without the grant and without the low-interest loan, the cost would have been $568 per user per year.

While the Health Department has put the Village on notice about low levels of contamination, particularly for haloacetic acids (HAA), a byproduct of the water cleaning process, concentrations are low enough that there is no health threat.

The new pipes wouldn't trap HAA the way metal pipes do currently, thereby reducing the amount of the chemical in the water system.

The other benefit for residents is that the new system and new hydrants should help improve the insurance service rating, which should mean lower insurance premiums for homeowners.

"We're going to make sure everything we do increases this rating as high as we can," Mountain said.

Smith said Village officials will continue to pursue grants that may come available to help reduce the per-user cost further.

There was a water main break in the Village awhile back that cost $200,000 to repair. In that case, an emergency grant helped cover the repair cost, but Smith said Village residents can't always count on those kinds of funds being available to cover future breaks.

The new system should have a practical useful life of 80 to 100 years.

Jacqueline M. Saeli, 52, of North Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with two counts of third-degree arson and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. Saeli is accused of starting a fire at 5:33 a.m. Jan. 6 at 8455 North Lake Road, Pembroke. The fire destroyed a shed and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Investigators say the shed and motorcycle were the property of her ex-boyfriend. The incident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Young, Investigator Christopher Parker, with assistance from the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department and the Emergency Management Office. Saeli was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Darcia Marie Golda, 46, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Golda is accused of stealing more than $31,000 from her employer, Rite Aid, at 4155 W. Main St., Batavia, between October 2016 and September 2017.

David Allen Gurgir, 56, of Hulberton Road, Holley, is charged with two counts of conspiracy, 4th, and four counts of conspiracy, 5th. Gurgir is accused of working with two accomplices to purchase a truck and complete all of the associated paperwork under false pretenses.

Daniel L. Schmiegel, 32, of Basom, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Schmiegel is accused of possession of an assault rifle and an ammo clip. Schmiegel was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Maurice G. Leach, 41, of Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, endangering the welfare of a child, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, using a vehicle without an interlock device, reckless driving. Leach was arrested by State Police in relation to an incident reported at 8:42 p.m. Thursday. No further details released.

It is once again cold enough to open the outdoor skate rink at DeWitt Recreation Area.

County Parks Director Paul Osborn said the rink will be open all day until 7:30 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia is hosting the evening skate and will serve free hot cocoa this evening.

Genesee Community College drama students participated in a workshop today with members of Polite Ink, a sketch and improv troupe from Rochester that will perform this Saturday at the Stuart Steiner Theater.

Polite Ink is a co-ed comedy team that writes and performs its own original sketches and improv games live on stage with the help of the audience.

Saturday's performance is at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+) and GCC faculty/staff. Students and children are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.

To reserve seats, contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu(link sends e-mail) or (585) 345-6814.

A 37-year-old Batavia woman was caught smashing into a car window and stealing a purse, using credit cards from the purse, and later accused of using stolen checks, made a factual admission today to her crimes in Genesee County Court.

Brandi Marie Smith, of North Bennett Heights, entered a guilty plea to the Class E felony of grand larceny in the fourth degree.  

The plea satisfies all the charges against her and gives her a chance to avoid a prison term.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said if Smith abides by the court's orders while awaiting sentencing May 4, she will likely be given five years probation.

She is currently out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Smith was arrested in October and accused of smashing out the car window of a vehicle parked at a business, stealing the purse containing credit cards, debit cards and checks, and then using the items to make purchases at local stores.

She was charged with four counts of first-degree identify theft, four counts of forgery, three counts of second-degree identify theft, three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Later the same month, she was arrested again and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd. 

As part of her plea, Smith is required to pay restitution.

The Asteria String Quartet's "First Viennese Valentine's" performance scheduled for this Saturday at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia has been canceled.

One of the quartet's members had an unforeseen circumstance arise and will not be able to perform. It was not possible for the quartet to find a replacement musician on such short notice.

The performance was sponsored by the Genesee Symphony Orchester and Musical Director Shade Zajac, and quartet member, shares his deepest regrets for the canceling.

The GSO will refund all ticket purchases. For a refund, call Roxie Choate at (585) 356-9635 and she will mail a refund to you if you purchased tickets.

Shannon L. Klinkbell-Hayday, 41, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and falsifying business records. Klinkbell-Hayday allegedly made fraudulent return refunds at a business where she was working and then kept the return money.

Devin P. Hofert, 22, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Police came into contact with Hofert during an investigation into a domestic incident. He was also allegedly found with a hypodermic instrument. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

John A. Snook, 29, of Oak Orchard, Albion, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. Snook allegedly violated a stay away order of protection by going to the home of the protected person. He was jailed without bail.

Freddie L. Cunningham Jr., 56, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cunningham allegedly threatened harm to another person during an incident reported at 3:14 p.m. Tuesday.

Christopher Lynn Allison, 23, of Gaines Waterport Road, Albion, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Allison was arrested after Deputy Ryan Delong responded to a report at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 7-Eleven in Oakfield of a male unconscious in a vehicle.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported in the area of 1074 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

The driver is out and appears uninjured. The road is blocked.

The product the truck is carrying is "all over the road." The product is alcohol.

Alabama fire responding.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 12:47 p.m.: The semi-truck was caught by a gust of wind and the passenger side wheels went off the roadway. The driver over-corrected, causing the rig to flip on its side. The roof then came off, spilling the cargo of $60,000 worth of liquor and wine. No injuries. More pictures will be posted later.

UPDATE 3:31 p.m.: The roadway is clear. All Alabama units are back in service.

Press release:

“New York state’s paradigm of pampering those who break the law or are here illegally never ceases to amaze me. The average middle-class taxpayer must scrape and save to afford a luxury such as a computer tablet, and now the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is allowing them to be given out like candy to hardened criminals.

“If it’s this easy to encourage vendors to provide free tablets to inmates, why aren’t they being provided to our students in disadvantaged school districts or to libraries across the state as a community resource? I suppose crime does pay, especially if you live in New York.”

Mason McFollins and Antwan Odom scored 19 points each to lead Batavia High School to a 73-55 victory at home Wednesday night over Charter School for Applied Technologies, a Section VI team.

Steve Gilebarto scored 16 points and Jonathan Liciaga scored 11.

McFollins hit five three-point shots.

For C-SAT, Jayden Galleage scored 24 points.

Reason Magazine: Trump Promotes 'Right to Try' Experimental Treatments for Terminally Ill Patients in SOTU Address

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a pair of attempted break-ins to residences in Bergen, one in the Village and one in the Town, that occurred the night of Jan. 23.

In both cases, the would-be intruder or intruders failed to make entry into the homes.

One was an apartment on Gibson Place, the other a house on Creamery Road.

Investigator Andrew Hale said he believes the two attempted break-ins are related.

They happened within hours of each other.

There's little evidence at this point to identify a suspect.

What stopped the possible burglary on Gibson was a security chain on the kitchen door of the apartment. Whoever tried to break in got the door open but couldn't open it further because of the chain, Hale said. 

On Creamery Road, several windows were tried but none successfully opened.

Residents in the area are reminded to lock their doors and windows and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

Anybody with information that may assist the investigation may call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 353-5000 and ask for extension 3570.

Three dozen volunteers turned out Tuesday night for a meeting at the Masonic Hall in Le Roy to learn about a new organization being formed by the Le Roy Rotary Club to help provide nutritious meals to members of the community.

Since Grace's Kitchen shut down in the Fall fo 2016, those with the financial or social need for free community meals haven't had a place to go, and Rotary members realized if there was going to be another community kitchen, they might need to be the ones to step up and make it happen.

"We felt there was a need in the community and that's what we do," said Tracy Ford. "Our motto is service above self."

Grace's Kitchen closed after Selby Davis left town. Davis operated Grace's Kitchen with oversight by the Le Roy Christian Community Project (LCCP). From 2011 to 2016, Grace's Kitchen served 100 to 125 people meals regularly, and 70 percent of those individual helped were elderly.

Meanwhile, there has been an increase in students participating in the LCCP's Backpack Club, which provides students with food bags to help them not go hungry between the time school gets out on Friday and begins again on Monday. About 35 percent of the students at Le Roy CSD are enrolled in the school's free or reduced-price meal program.

All of this, Ford said, points to an ongoing need for a meal program in the community.

To start, the Rotary Club, assisted by Foodlink, the Masons, local churches, the Boy Scouts, and other community groups, will serve a meal every other week at the Masonic Hall on Bank Street.

The first meal is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27.

To facilitate the sustainability of the program, the Rotary members formed a nonprofit corporation.

The directors are: Christine Gephart, president; James Ellison, VP; Tracy Ford, secretary; Benjamin Dragon, treasurer; and board members Samantha Vagg Lawrence Boylan, Joan Ellison, Lynda Lowe and Collen O'Connor.

Much of the food will be provided by Foodlink. Ford said local restaurants said they will assist with meals.  

Ford said there should be plenty of food donated to help keep the program going so the main thing the organization needs from community members who want to help is to show up and offer helping hands.

"Manpower is the one big need," she said.

Randy J. Heslor, 24 of 3991 Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Heslor is accused of eating a deli sandwich in a store on West Main Street, Le Roy, and leaving without paying for it.

Robert T. Hoffman, 38, 45 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Hoffman allegedly pushed another person and stopped that person from calling police. He was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail. 

Aaron Maurice Jackson Jr., 27, of Andrews Avenue, Binghamton, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and speeding. Jackson was stopped at 1:14 a.m. Monday on Boardway Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Grand Jury Report: 

Foster M. Brandt is indicted on counts of felony DWI. Brandt was stopped Sept. 23 on Route 5 in the Town of Le Roy. He was convicted in 2013 on a charge of driving while ability impaired by drugs.