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Photos: HLOM Wonderland of Trees

By Howard B. Owens

It's tinsel and baubles time at the Holland Land Office Museum.

Dozens of sponsors -- more than ever before -- are in the process of setting up their Christmas trees for the museum's popular, annual Wonderland of Trees.

It's the 10th year for the event, which is a major fundraiser for HLOM.

The opening gala is 7 to 10:30 p.m., Nov. 18. It will include entertainment, hors d'ouevres and a raffle. Cost is $5 per person.

The children's gala is from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 17. Cost is $5 per family.

The trees will be on public display from Nov. 18 through Jan. 3, with admission prices of $3 for adults, $1 for children, and free for children 5 and under.

Possible head injuries reported after car cuts off school bus

By Billie Owens

Possibly three minor head injuries, and/or other types of injuries, are reported after a car cut off a school bus transporting children.

The accident occured at about 11:50 a.m. when a dark blue or black Pontiac Grand Prix exited the parking lot of the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union and went onto Jefferson Avenue.

The bus driver slammed on the brakes, they locked up, jolting everyone inside. There was no impact with the other vehicle, which is possibly registered to a Bergen driver, who continued on and left the area.

The bus driver also drove away, but then some children complained of pain and so he pulled into the parking lot of the Salvation Army on Jackson Street. Two Mercy ambulances are requested to the scene to evaluate the passengers.

UPDATE: A 6-year-old girl and one other child were taken to UMMC with minor injuries, complaints of pain. Police are continuing to look for the other vehicle.

Today's Deals: Alli's, Center St., Ficarella's, Present Tense, and more!

By Lisa Ace

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

Jagged Edges Salon, 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, NY: Jagged Edges Salon is a walk-in and appointment salon for men, women and children. It is a fun, welcoming salon that offers all hair care services including cuts, color, highlights, lowlights, perms, styling/updos, treatments, and facial waxing. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kravings offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Present Tense Books and Gifts, 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, NY: Whether your taste runs to local authors, the finest in fiction or nonfiction or you're looking for a unique and special gift, this charming store in a cozy Victorian house on the edge of downtown is a great place to stop and shop. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Fall is here and Pudgie’s has everything you need, from mums to mulch and fertilizer. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Rancho Viejo, 12 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Traditional Mexican cuisine, from tacos and burritos to pollo norteno, Rancho Viejo brings a bit of "south of the border" to Batavia's restaurant scene. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Salsa & Curry, 13 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: An authentic Mexican restaurant, offering all of your favorite dishes from enchiladas and burritos to tacos and fajitas, as well as daily Indian food specials. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

South Main Country Gifts, 3356 S. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, jams, soups, home furnishings & more -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. Decorate your home or office for the upcoming holiday season. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

T.F. Brown's, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Rose Garden Bowl21 Buffalo Road, Bergen, NY: Open for lunch Monday through Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner favorites are our succulent prime rib and Friday fish fries! We are always happy to help plan your special occasion -- wedding, shower, rehearsal dinner, stag party, graduation, company function, banquet, family or class reunion. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never purchased Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Main St. Pizza Company Week 10 NFL Challenge

By Howard B. Owens

Our Week 9 winner was Debbie Cooley, who was among nine people to correctly pick San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers as the QB (from among the choices) to throw four TDs. Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay, who played against the Chargers in Week 9, also tossed four TDs, but Rodgers was not among the 10 choices in the contest. Debbie was picked as the winner in a random drawing.

Debbie wins one large sub and one order of wings from Main St. Pizza Company. She has one week to claim her prize.

Town of Elba closing its transfer station at the end of the year

By Howard B. Owens

Announcement from the Town of Elba:

At the September meeting, the Elba Town Board voted unanimously to discontinue refuse and recycling collection service at the town transfer station at the end of the year. 

For more than a decade, the town transfer station has operated at an annual deficit. Revenues have not offset the operating expenses.    

Over the past few years, the town board has made attempts to decrease the expenses (decreasing the hours and negotiating to reduce the Dumpster service costs) and increase the revenues (increasing the fee per garbage bag and charging for “dump day”) to narrow the deficit gap, but the town budget can no longer afford to subsidize this service. 

Fewer than 100 Town of Elba households purchase garbage bag “punch-cards” every year. To help these town residents choose a refuse disposal service, we have obtained information from three area refuse collection businesses. 

Curbside pick-up:
• PSI: phone 585-599-3255
• Waste Management: phone 800-333-6590

Private Transfer Station:
• Scofield Transfer and Recycling in Stafford: phone 585-343-7373

More detailed information about the services each business offers is available on the “refuse disposal” page on the town’s website www.elbanewyork.com; the town clerk’s office Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed between 12-1 p.m.); and the town transfer station Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Additional information:

The last Saturday that the Town of Elba transfer station will be open for refuse collection is Dec. 17.

For your convenience, the transfer station will be open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26.

GCC Men's Soccer opens national tournament as #1 ranked team

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College Men's Soccer Team has arrived in Utica, where players will begin their bid for an NJCAA National Championship.

GCC (14-1-2) enters the national tournament as the #1 team in the country and will play Manchester Community College (Conn.) tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 on the campus of SUNY IT.

Herkimer County Community College will host the eight-team tournament, which also includes Bergen Community College (N.J.), Anoka-Ramsey Community College (Minn.), Nassau Community College (N.Y.), Union County College (N.J.), Howard Community College (Md.) and Herkimer County Community College.

The full 2011 NJCAA DIII Men’s Soccer Championship Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 10

Game 1 – Howard vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 11 a.m. at SUNY IT in Utica
Game 2 – Genesee vs. Manchester, 1:30 p.m. at SUNY IT
Game 3 – Herkimer County vs. Bergen CC, 11 a.m. at Herkimer 
Game 4 – Nassau vs. Union, 1:30 p.m. at Herkimer

Friday, Nov. 11
Game 5 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 11 a.m. at SUNY IT
Game 6 – Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 1:30 p.m. at SUNY IT
Game 7 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (National Semifinal), 11 a.m. at Herkimer 
Game 8 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 (National Semifinal), 1:30 p.m. at Herkimer

Sunday, Nov. 13
Game 9 – National Championship – Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 9, 12 PM at Herkimer

*Live video-streaming is available at www.njcaatv.ihigh.com

Car vs. pedestrian accident in the city

By Billie Owens

A car has struck a pedestrian at North Lyon and West Main streets in the City of Batavia. The pedestrian is still on the ground, but alert.

City Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

County clerk warns of two scams hitting the area

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Genesee County Clerk Don M. Read is advising the public of two scams that have been spreading across the state and have recently surfaced here in mailboxes and on computers. The first involves a letter offering to provide a copy of your deed and related property information and the second is an email that suggests you have an unanswered motor vehicle ticket.

Property owners may receive by mail or email a solicitation offering to do the research and secure a certified copy of the deed to your real estate for a fee of $87. Several years ago this approach made its way through the state with a price tag of $50. Before that the offer was for $35. You can very easily obtain either a plain photocopy of your deed for $2 or a certified copy for approximately $5 from the Genesee County Clerk’s Office. The actual cost could vary by $2 to 3, depending upon the length of your deed. If you would like a copy of your deed, you can write, call or stop by the County Clerk’s Office. It only takes a few minutes to obtain a copy. 

The company offering the so-called service on the letter which a local resident brought to our office is Record Retrieval Services of Albany, New York. They offer to provide you with a copy of the deed and a “Property Profile” for $87 if you respond by a specified date. The information in the supposed “Property Profile” (Tax Map Number, purchase date, sale amount, etc.) is readily available online. To access the information call the County Real Property Tax Office @ 585-344-2550, ext. 2225, or visit the website for real property data @ www.oarsystem.com/ny/geneseecounty/ 

There is no charge for this information.

A second scam that has surfaced recently involves an email supposedly from the N.Y. State Department of Motor Vehicles or the New York State Police. Individuals will receive an email suggesting that they have an unpaid ticket for a motor vehicle violation, with the subject line indicating “Uniform Traffic Ticket.” Generally, the ticket is from a small community somewhere in New York State. In order to avoid suspension of your license you will need to open an attachment, enter a plea on a ticket form and return it to the town court that is identified.

Opening the attachment may very well expose your computer to a virus. The address of the town court is bogus and usually a post office box. Neither the Department of Motor Vehicles nor the New York State Police send out notifications of this sort by email. Your best course of action is to delete the email without even opening it, and certainly do not open the attachment. The State Police and DMV have requested that you not send the email to them.

Accident in Pembroke on Tuesday blamed on driving following too closely

By Howard B. Owens

A Corfu resident allegedly was following another vehicle too closely at 6:03 p.m., Tuesday, when his car rear-ended another vehicle that had slowed because a truck had stopped to turn.

The vehicles were both westbound on Route 33 near Boyce Road, Pembroke.

Three people were treated at UMMC for injuries sustained in the two-car accident.

Raymond E. Judd, 83, of Phelps Road, Corfu, was allegedly following to closely a car driven by Diane M. Weaton, of Blood Road, Cowsville.

Also injured in the crash was Judd's passenger, Rosa Laurentina, 62.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Law and Order: Worker accused of stealing CO detector from home where he was employed

By Howard B. Owens

William Lee Lantz, 25, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny. Lantz is accused of stealing a CO detector from a residence in Stafford where he had been working.

Albert Ackerman, 47, of 930 George St., Mumford, is charged with DWI, driving on a suspended registration, driving on a suspended driver's license and operating with an open container. Ackerman was stopped by a Le Roy police officer at 11:50 a.m., Sunday, for an alleged traffic violation at Main and Mill streets. Ackerman was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Angel Gregory Andujar, 26, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana. Andujar was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles and a small baggie of marijuana while walking on Perry Road. Andujar was reportedly walking away from a domestic incident involving family members.

Thomas Ralph, Gianvecchio, 60, of Mountain Ash Drive, Greece, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Gianvecchio is accused of writing letters to his estranged wife in violation of a protection order out of Monroe County Family Court.

Jason W. Killion, 30, of 5155 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Killion was stopped at an unspecified time Tuesday on Ellicott Street at Swan Street by Lt. James Henning.

Nathan Michael Haag, 20, of Steel Circle, Niagara Falls, is charged with petit larceny. Haag is accused of stealing two bottles of 5 Hour Energy Drink from Kmart on Monday.

Justin R. Martin, 28, of 232 Henrietta St., Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and passing a red light. Martin was stopped at 2:27 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street at Oak Street, Batavia, by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Mathew J. Pentycote, 23, of 22 Spencer Court, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal of breath test and moving from lane unsafely. Pentycote was stopped at 1:16 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street, by Officer Matthew Fleming.

A 17-year-old resident of 5270 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. The youth's car, while parked on school property, was allegedly found to contain alcoholic beverages.

Jason L. Cramer, 27, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, improper right turn and failure to keep right. Cramer was stopped at 1:02 a.m., Sunday, on Elm Street, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Gloria Susan Moretti, 34, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, a felony, and harassment, 2nd. Moretti was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute at 2:10 a.m., Oct. 29, at an address on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, in which Moretti allegedly bit the victim twice and caused heavy damage to the victim's parked vehicle.

Devontre Levar Harvey, 27, of Garfield Street, Rochester, is charged with illegal possession of untaxed cigarettes. Harvey's car was stopped on Route 77 at 2:46 p.m., Nov. 5, after Genesee County dispatchers received a tip from a caller that a car occupied by two males were in possession of a large amount of untaxed cigarettes. Also charged was Holsey Wedlow, 59, of South Avenue, Rochester.

Scott Howard Baker, 49, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Baker was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 3:08 a.m., Nov. 5, at an address on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Gregory James Baker, 31, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Baker was allegedly found in possession of more than a dozen hypodermic needles and other paraphernalia while at his mother's residence.

James Anthony Dean, 54, of Brown Road, East Bethany, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater with one or more prior convictions), leaving the scene of a property damage accident, changing lanes when hazardous markings are in place and failure to keep right. Dean was arrested following an accident at 8:41 a.m., Nov. 2, on Herkimer Road, Darien.

Tractor-trailer pulls down pole and cable wires in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is believed to have snagged cable wires and snapped the pole they were attached to at the intersection of Griswold and Caswell roads in Stafford. Dispatchers have notified the cable company.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: A deputy at the scene has ordered that no tractor-trailers be allowed to travel on Caswell Road for the time being. South Byron fire police are handling situation. They were deployed to provide mutual aid to Stafford, which was busy with a nearby traffic accident.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: They want to detour truck traffic to Route 237.

Train delayed after suicide threat

By Billie Owens

A train heading through Batavia was purposely stopped near Cedar Street and the Sand Wash after a man was seen on the tracks threatening suicide.

Law enforcement located the man, who is unharmed, and is helping him. Mercy EMS is at the scene.

Car wreck with injuries on Route 33, Stafford

By Billie Owens

UPDATE 3:59 p.m.: This information is courtesy of WBTA's Geoff Redick. The motorist was 26-year-old Joshua Arnold, who sustained minor injuries after he fell asleep at the wheel of his 2000 Isuzu, according to State Police.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 5631 Clinton St. Road (Route 33) in Stafford. One person is said to be unconscious. The car is well off the road, about 40 feet. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy EMS are en route.

A utility pole was snapped in half and there are live wires in the roadway. National Grid has been notified.

Assistance is requested from South Byron Fire Department. Mercy Flight is available if needed.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: The fire chief asks that fire police shut down Route 33 at Prole Road and at Caswell Road and detour traffic.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: This accident involved only one vehicle. It is an SUV-type vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. Witnesses said the driver just drifted off the road. State Police said they do not know how the accident happened but they are investigating. The victim is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital via Mercy EMS. The wires in the roadway were determined to be telephone wires and Verizon has been notified.

Accused drug dealer gets a chance to turn his life around

By Howard B. Owens

A 33-year-old Batavia resident with a lengthy criminal record who is accused of selling cocaine to an undercover agent is getting his life turned around, he told Judge Robert C. Noonan in County Court on Wednesday morning.

Juan Roman wants to continue on that path and was hoping Noonan wouldn't send him away for any length of time.

"I’m glad that it happened (getting arrested), because it made me a better person," Roman said. "I thank the court system because it saved my life."

Noonan said the progress Roman has made in drug treatment over the past 90 days counts significantly in his favor. But the judge said he couldn't overlook his prior felony convictions, his multiple stints in state prison and previous probation violations.

"You come here with a horrible criminal record," Noonan said.

One of Noonan's options, besides straight prison time, might have been local probation with intermittent incarceration at the Genesee County Jail.

When Roman entered his guilty plea to attempted possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, he agreed to a possible sentence of up to four years in prison.

Since his guilty plea, Roman has been through Hope Haven and other programs of his own choosing. He's also been working on getting back his asbestos removal license. He has only one more week of classes before he can test again.

"I know my record is not a good record," Roman said. "I just want to get my license back to help me further myself and my family and my future."

Roman said he has four children.

He said he accepted full responsibility for the position he found himself in.

Noonan took all that in, but said Roman needed to go away for 90 days to the Willard Drug Treatment Center.

"There are components of Willard that you are not going through right now," Noonan said. "I hope you benefit from them as much as you have from the drug treatment you have been through.

"If you play it right," Noonan added, "you won't be gone long. You will be able to get out and get back on track. I'm hopeful this sentence will continue your positive course."

If Roman doesn't say on the positive course, he will be required to serve four years in state prison.

If he completes Willard successfully, he will be on parole for the term of his sentence plus another three years of post-release supervision.

Elba firefighters assisting Barre to battle barn blaze

By Billie Owens

Elba firefighters are at the scene of a barn fire in Barre, providing mutual aid to extinguish the blaze. The location is off of White City Road Extension, at 15146 Jakaub Road.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: Elba is back in service.

GOP celebrating a 'clean sweep' in key Genesee County elections

By Howard B. Owens

Republican Party members are at South Beach Restaurant tonight celebrating what they believe is a "clean sweep" of key Genesee County elections.

Based on polling data gathered by volunteers at each polling station, the GOP believes Frank Ferrando and Shelley Stein both won seats on the county legislature.

Their unofficial internal numbers also show Kris Doeringer, John Canale and Bob Bialkowski winning city council races.

According to the GOP numbers, Ferrando beats John Deleo 420 to 330.

GOP County Committee Treasurer Matt Landers said while they don't have the exact numbers, the information the GOP gathered at South Beach regarding Le Roy is that Stein has defeated Jackie Whiting and William Hogan.

In Batavia, Doeringer unofficially has 267 votes to 210 for Bill Cox. Canale has 173 votes compared to 134 for Katie Balbick Bellamy and 15 for Dan Jones. Bialkowski has 202 to 200 for Pierluigi Cipollone.

UPDATE 10:39 p.m.: The county has posted its election tally.

UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: The tally released by the county is confirming the GOP's numbers. In Le Roy, Stein won with 964 votes to 601 for Whiting and 218 for Hogan.

UPDATE 10:44 p.m.: WBTA is in the process of updating its table of election results, which is easier to read than the county's spreadsheet. Click here for total from races throughout the county.

UPDATE 11:43 p.m.: Photos added. Top four photos at South Beach while Republicans were still gathering data. Bottom pictures at Larry's Steakhouse, where the Democrats gathered before results were in.

Top Items on Batavia's List

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