A tractor-trailer rear-ended one vehicle, rolled and slammed into another today on Route 19 in Le Roy, seriously injuring one driver.

The truck was driven by 44-year-old Howard Mcintyre, of Vestal, and was hauling a gravel product from Dolomite Aggregates in Le Roy. Mcintyre was northbound, going over the I-90 overpass, when a red 2008 Mazda driven by 22-year-old Gregory Wodzicki slowed in front of him.

Mcintyre was unable to stop his truck and rammed the Mazda, forcing it off the roadway. Then as he tried to correct, his wheels caught a deep culvert on the west side of Route 19. The truck flipped and landed on its side, skidding long-side-first down the roadway.

That's when 55-year-old Patricia Ireland, southbound in a 2006 Chevrolet Impala was struck. Ireland's car took the brunt impact of the flying stone product and the swinging trailer. Her vehicle's front end was destroyed and the car pushed back about 150 feet.

Ireland became entrapped in her mangled vehicle and had to be extricated. Le Roy Fire Chief Mike Sheflin estimates the extrication took roughly 12 minutes from responders' time of arrival. Ireland was Mercy Flighted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with serious injuries. 

Meanwhile, the truck partially left the roadway and burst into flames. Mcintyre was able to escape the flaming wreckage, but suffered internal injuries. He was taken to Strong via ground ambulance.

The driver of the Mazda, Wodzicki, and his passenger, 23-year-old Jason Hightower, both of Rush, suffered minor injuries and were transported via ambulance to Strong.

No charges have been filed. The investigation continues this afternoon. Route 19 was closed for about four hours, but has been re-opened.

CLICK HERE for video coverage from WBTA News.

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A serious motor-vehicle accident with multiple injuries is reported at 7863 Griswold Road in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service and Bergen Fire Department are responding. One person required extrication. Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is called in. A second Mercy Flight helicopter is requested. Multiple Mercy EMS units are called to the scene. Pavilion Fire Department is called to standby in Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 9:12 a.m.: During the period that our site was down: Second Mercy Flight is cancelled. Bergen stands down. Caledonia Fire dispatched to the scene.

A car was reportedly heading eastbound on the westbound lanes of Route 490 and is now into Monroe County. Monroe County tells Genesee dispatch it has received numerous calls about the wrong-way driver.

The list of consolidation options  for the Batavia City School District briefly got a bit shorter Wednesday, when officials announced the elimination of Option 3, which would have stuffed too many kids in too few classrooms.

Now the number of proposals is bigger than it's ever been.

After unveiling Options 5a and 5b in a news release Wednesday, officials introduced a tentative "Option 6" (above) at their meeting Wednesday night at Batavia High School. The as-yet unofficial plan would build an addition (highlighted in blue) at John Kennedy Elementary school, allowing that building to accomodate all of the district's elementary students. John Kennedy would then become the only elementary school in the district.

Including sub-options 2a, 5a and 5b, there have now been eight announced ideas on how to realign the district and get rid of the Washington Avenue administration building.

"Financially, we're not the only ones in this situation. It's school districts around the country," said Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Jim Jacobs today. "Looking at many different options and seeing what fits best...is a big decision."

Jacobs presented "Option 6" Wednesday night, and further explained it today.

"If we were to create Option 6: if (John Kennedy) was (to be) a K-4 school, we'd need to add 20 classrooms. If it was a K-5, we'd need to add something like 30 classrooms," he said.

Jacobs' rough rendering (above) shows what the project could look like.

"Amazingly, the site can support it," he said.

The addition would be a capital project, meaning it would need voter approval. Jacobs calls the plan viable, but won't yet say if he personally supports it.

"We would have to sit down with the architect, and go over program and space needs, and administrative needs," he said. "Those details need to be worked out, to actually put a dollar amount on what the addition could cost us.

"This option takes us away from our neighborhood concept, and it puts us in one location," which are both downsides to the plan, Jacobs said.

It's unclear when or if "Option 6" will become an official consolidation option.

Meanwhile, options 5a and 5b, released Wednesday, were constructed entirely from parent suggestions at recent public meetings. Option 5a would move half of Batavia's K-4 into Jackson School, and the other half into John Kennedy School, along with pre-K. Administrators would move into Robert Morris School, and fifth-graders would move into the middle school.

Under Option 5b, administrators would move into Jackson, and K-4 students would go to Robert Morris. All other facets remain the same as 5a.

Both 5a and 5b preserve the idea of neighborhood schools, though each plan eliminates one of the current elementary schools.

The final public meeting on the consolidation process will be held at 6 p.m. next Tuesday night, Oct. 4, inside Jackson Elementary School.

Two drivers from Holley, Orleans County, collided on Oak Orchard Road/Route 98 in Batavia this afternoon.

Doris Lusk, 78, was operating her Subaru Forester northbound on Route 98 when she slowed to allow another driver to make a left-hand turn into a driveway. Robert Blosenhauer, 63, was also northbound in a Jeep Wrangler and failed to stop. He rammed into the rear of Lusk's vehicle.

Both were able to exit the roadway safely. No serious injuries were reported.

Blosenhauer was charged with failure to yield following too closely.

Trooper Mark Catenzaro responded along with Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS.

City School Superintendent Margaret Puzio confirms this afternoon that a short lockdown occurred at Batavia High School today, as a female student was subdued by police.

The student, age and grade unknown, became "upset" according to Puzio. She was deemed "a danger to herself."

All other students were confined to their classrooms as the girl was apprehended. Puzio estimates the actual lockdown period was only about five minutes.

The identity of the girl and any disciplinary action she faces from the district will be kept confidential.

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants out today until 3 p.m. in the general area south of East Main Street and east of Jackson Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. The rain date for testing is Friday, Sept. 30 from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.

A near head-on collision Wednesday night in Batavia resulted in both drivers being transported to UMMC for treatment.

According to Batavia Police Lt. Eugene Jankowski, a 1994 Dodge driven by 17-year-old Mariah Gaudy, of Batavia, was westbound on East Main Street at about 8:34 p.m. Gaudy apparently attempted a left-hand turn onto Harvester Avenue, but turned into the path of an eastbound 2006 Chevrolet, driven by 30-year-old Katrina Flint, of Le Roy.

The two vehicles collided. Gaudy suffered an arm injury and was taken to UMMC by a friend. Flint had a complaint of pain and was transported by ambulance to UMMC.

Flint's three children were with her in the car. A 9-year-old girl complained of a minor back injury but was not taken for treatment. Two boys, ages 7 and 11, were not injured.

Gaudy was charged for failing to yield the right-of-way.

A two-car accident is reported at the junction of Jericho and Town Line roads in Bergen. One person is said to have a head laceration. Mercy medics and Bergen Fire Department are responding.

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Anthony Nicosia Jr., of Oakfield, agreed to a plea deal in Genesee County Court today, admitting that he twice had sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy last spring in the Town of Oakfield.

The 55-year old Nicosia pleaded guilty to two felony counts of third-degree Criminal Sexual Act. Under terms of the deal, two counts of Forcible Touching and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child were dropped.

Nicosia has no prior felony convictions affecting this sentence. He faces up to eight years in prison on consecutive four-year sentences stemming from the charges, up to 10 years probation and must register as a sex offender.

An order of protection was logged for the 16-year-old victim. Nicosia remains imprisoned until his Nov. 23 sentencing. Bail is $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

UPDATE: I spoke with Judge Robert Noonan to get a definitive answer on the sex offender registration issue. Noonan says he almost always imposes fees -- like sex offender registry fees or DNA Databank fees -- at sentencing, in case the legal organizations that follow sentencing need to administer or re-administer those services.

For example, if a defendant has already contributed to the DNA Databank due to a prior conviction, that defendant will not need to go through the DNA Databank process again. The State Department of Corrections is later authorized to waive the DNA Databank fee imposed at sentencing.

So, Judge Noonan told Nicosia yesterday that he may impose the Sex Offender Registration fee at sentencing. Noonan says the fee may be required to reclassify sex offenders to a higher level. However (upon closer examination), Nicosia is a Level 3 Sex Offender, the highest level possible. Therefore, he cannot be reclassified to any higher level. So, even if the judge imposes the registration fee at sentencing, it would likely be waived later by the Department of Corrections.

Forty-two-year-old Paul F. Atkinson, of LeRoy, appeared in court today, noticeably limping as he entered courtroom. Atkinson entered a plea of "not guilty" to the charge of felony second-degree Arson.

Atkinson was originally arrested in June, following a destructive fire at his father's Orchard Drive home. Atkinson allegedly admitted to police at the time that he had torched the house after a late-night argument with his father. Atkinson had also written on his Facebook page that night: "Everyone can go to hell, tired of this life."

Public Defender Gary Horton today did not issue any appeal to Atkinson's high bail count. He remains in jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Atkinson will return to court on Nov. 14.

Kayla M. Tyoe, 22, of Market Street, Attica, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, parking on pavement/roadway and no seat belt. Deputy Ron Meides was dispatched at 8:35 a.m., Monday, to a complaint of a car parked in the middle of Colby Road, Darien. Upon arrival, Meides reportedly found Tyoe sleeping in the driver's seat. A male was sleeping in the passenger seat, according to Meides. It was determined, Meides said, that Tyoe was "driving under the influence of some type of drug."

Benjamin Wiliam Muntz, 22, of Knowlesville Road, Alabama, is charged with attempted petit larceny and trespass. Muntz is accused of being on property in Byron without permission and attempting to steal items from the property.

Michael Abdullah Jamil, 27, of School Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jamil is accused of violating an order of protection by allowing his girlfriend and son to stay at his residence. Jamil was jailed on $500 bail.

Randy K. Wilmet, 34, of 75 Franklin St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Wilmet is accused of damaging property inside the apartment of another person. Wilmet was arraigned in Batavia City Court, where he allegedly refused to comply with police officers' orders and had to be physically removed from the court and restrained. Wilmet was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Martin F. Jones, 40, no permanent address, is charged with four counts of petit larceny. Jones was arrested on a warrant. He is accused of stealing beer from an Ellicott Street business on four separate occasions. Each incident was reportedly recorded by surveillance cameras. Jones was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Batavia PD is looking for information on three individuals suspected of being involved in a theft and an attempted fraud locally.

The three individuals may also be suspects in similar thefts at hospitals and colleges from Geneva to Buffalo.

In the local case, a male subject wearing a white T-shirt and a necklace went into UMMC at 11:30 a.m., Sept. 11, and stole a wallet from a purse belonging to an employee.

The suspect was driven to the hospital in a maroon four-door sedan (possibly a Ford Fusion).

The male suspect and two female suspects allegedly used the victim's credit cards at a local business.

The three suspects are described as African-American and in their early 20s.

Anybody with information that may assist in the investigation can call the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

The week 3 winner was Joseph Duganier. While Duganier's pick, Carolina, had only the fourth-best defensive stats in Week 3, Carolina was #1 among the 10 teams available for picking in the contest. Duganier wins for four free large subs.

Two suspects have been taken into custody in connection with a pair overnight burglaries on Williams and Swan streets, according to Batavia PD.

Police are investigating whether the pair were involved in other recent residential burglaries.

On Tuesday, the alleged burglars entered occupied residences on Williams Street and Swan Street in the early morning hours.

Take into custody shortly after the first reported burglary, at 2:09 a.m., on Swan Street, was Kurt H. Hawkins Jr., 18, who has no permanent address. Hawkins was charged with burglary, 2nd.

Hawkins was located in the area of Williams and Ellicott streets shortly after a homeowner reportedly observed the suspect in his residence. Hawkins reportedly initially tried to flee from police and was taken into custody after a foot chase.

While police were investigating the Williams Street burglary, police received a report of a residential burglary in progress on Swan Street.

The alleged burglar fled the residence and could not be immediately located. Investigators indicate that evidence led them to Michael J. Hilton, 20, no permanent address.

Both Hawkins and Hilton were jailed without bail.

Both Hawkins and Hilton are suspected in other recent residential burglaries and additional charges may be pending.

Top photo, Hawkins; bottom photo, Hilton.

The final games of another great season of Tri-Town Youth Athletics soccer were held on Monday night.

The Tri-Town Youth Athletics program was rejuvenated this year with the induction of new President Wade Smith and Vice President Lisa Lyons. The snack bar was always open, and fundraising helped offset rising costs allowing more families to participate than ever.

Capping off what was mostly a rain-free and fun-filled season was the traditional pizza party, this year sponsored by Breton Construction.

For further information on the Tri-Town Youth Athletics Association and upcoming basketball sign-ups, please contact Wade Smith at 585-345-0665 or 585-201-1357.

More pictures from the year can be found at Francletography.com

Press release:

County delegates from across the state recently elected the Chair of the Genesee County Legislature Mary Pat Hancock to serve as president of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) during their annual meeting.

“Chairwoman Hancock has proven to be a wise voice on the NYSAC board and a committed advocate for counties. We are pleased our members have elected her to serve in this leadership capacity,” said NYSAC Immediate Past President William Ryan, a Westchester County legislator.

“I am honored to serve as president and to continue the work which is necessary to address the serious challenges we face,” said the Honorable Hancock. “Implementing an effective property tax cap, redesigning Medicaid and improving the process for State reimbursement to counties for delivering state services locally will be our top priorities.”

Hancock has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Reform, and is a 2002 recipient of the New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award. She currently serves on the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and is chair of the Genesee Transportation Council.

“New York county leaders are facing unprecedented challenges in governing and we are fortunate to have Mary Pat Hancock of Genesee County to dedicate her talent, passion and commitment in a leadership position,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario.

The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State, including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.