A car has hit a pole in the area of 6123 Main Road, Stafford.

No injuries are reported, but there are apparently wires down in the road. Stafford Fire Police requested to the scene for traffic control.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.:  The lines hanging low over Route 5 are power lines. National Grid has been notified. No traffic can go through.

UPDATE 11:05 p.m.: National Grid has a 15-minute ETA.

The 90 or so employees of the Lowe's store in Batavia were called in for a mandatory meeting Sunday night and told that the store will be closing.

While employees after the meeting said the closing date is set for Jan. 13, store Manager Ray Robare said there is "no sure, hard date" for the closing.

Starting tomorrow, every item in the store will be 10-percent off, Robare said, and the store will start operating on reduced hours. Tomorrow it will open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

The employees we spoke with said there is a severance package available, perhaps as long as three-months pay, but the clock starts ticking on it tomorrow, even for those employees who finish out the final weeks of the store.

Robare said, however, that those details are still being worked out and, "it's something that tomorrow we'll start discussing with employees."

As for whether some employees, especially managers, might have job opportunities at other Lowe's locations, Robare said that's something that is still being worked out.

Robare said he couldn't discuss the reason for closing that corporate leaders might have shared with managers.

One employee said, "If I told you the real story, I might get in trouble."

The Lowe's location is leased and sits directly across Veterans Memorial Drive from The Home Depot.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m., Monday: Lowe's issued the following press release this morning:

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW), announced today the company is closing 20 underperforming stores in 15 states. Ten locations closed at the end of business Sunday, Oct. 16. The remaining 10 locations will close within approximately one month, following an inventory sell-through.

In addition, after completing a comprehensive review of its pipeline of proposed new stores, the company announced it has discontinued a number of planned new store projects. Lowe's now expects to open 10 to 15 stores per year in North America from 2012 forward, compared to a prior assumption of approximately 30 stores per year. The company is on track to open approximately 25 stores in 2011, as planned.

The expected financial impact of today's announcements of $0.17 to $0.20 per diluted share was not contemplated in the business outlook for fiscal 2011 which the company provided on Aug. 15 when it released its second-quarter earnings. Additional details regarding the impact of the store closings will be provided in the next quarterly earnings release on Nov. 14.

"Closing stores is never easy, given the impact on hard-working employees and local communities," said Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president and CEO. "However, we have an obligation to make tough decisions when necessary to improve profitability and strengthen our financial position.

"Lowe's remains committed to making strategic investments and focusing resources in a manner that will generate the greatest shareholder value, enhance the customer shopping experience and create sustained customer loyalty over the long term," added Niblock.

Approximately 1,950 employees will be affected by these closings. Employees will receive pay and benefits for 60-90 days. In addition, Lowe's will be working with local government agencies to help employees with outplacement assistance.

The stores affected by today's announcement are located in:

Los Banos, CA        Biddeford, ME        Old Bridge, NJ 
Westminster, CA    Ellsworth, ME    Batavia, NY 
Denver, CO    Ionia, MI    N. Kingstown, RI 
Aurora, IL    Rogers, MN    Emporia, VA 
Oswego, IL    Claremont, NH    S. Tacoma, WA 
Chalmette, LA    Hooksett, NH    Brown Deer, WI 
Haverhill, MA    Manchester, NH

St. Joe's hosted its 52nd annual Popcorn Ball on Saturday night, with the music of Rochester-based Up 2 Somethin’, featuring local bass player Rickey Ellis.

There were 500 tickets sold for the 2011 Wine Walk in Downtown Batavia, and despite some strong winds, a bit of a chill and a little rain, attendance for the second annual event was still high.

And everybody had a good time.

This year, 20 downtown merchants participated -- up from 13 last year.

UPDATE: Carlson's Studio had their photo booth set up for wine walk guests, and Kevin Carlson was also shooting group photos on the studio couch. Below are two of the shots from the evening.

A pedestrian appears to not be seriously injured after being hit by a car outside the M&T Bank, 54 Main St., Oakfield.

The victim is conscious and alert and walking.

Oakfield fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m.: Units responding non-emergency mode. Confirmed, minor injuries.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.: Mercy Medic 2 put back in service. Victim will be transported to the hospital by private vehicle.

The Lancers had four chances to punch the ball in from the four-yard line for a game winning score, but the Attica Blue Devil's defense held firm and preserved the team's fifth victory of the season.

Attica won 14-8.

Attica, Elba/Byron-Bergen and Notre Dame all finish the regular season with 5-2 records and a three-way tie for second in the Genesee Region League.  Barker/Roy Hart (7-0), with its win Friday over Notre Dame, secured the league championship.

In Saturday's only local football game, the Lancers fell behind 7-0 in the second quarter when Zach Kozma picked off a pass from Elba's Zac Gillard and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

Elba pulled ahead in the third quarter on a block punt that Alex Jasinski carried 22 yards into the end zone. Zach Dubois ran the ball in on a two-yard conversion.

Attica's winning score came on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter by Brad Ruzewski.

Given an opportunity to tie the score (and pull ahead on a conversion), Elba had the ball on the four-yard line with 1:30 remaining in the game, but four run attempts failed. Attica's David Clark, who had 16 tackles on the day, came up big in the stand, making two key tackles.

On the day, DuBois had 86 yards on 23 carries. With those 83 yards, Dubois went over the 1,000-yard mark for his HS career.

Gillard completed four passes for 50 yards and Dan Ramsey had three catches for 47 yards.

On defense, Emeliano Acosta had two blocked punts. Tom Fowler had nine tackles.

For Attica, Earl Howard had 76 yards on 23 carries.

A fire in a basement has been reported at 40 48 North St., Le Roy.

The caller believes the fire is out.

Le Roy Fire Department along with a ladder truck from Bergen dispatched, along with Le Roy Ambulance.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: Chief on scene. One engine from Le Roy requested, non-emergency. Bergen response is cancelled.

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The following indictments were issued last week by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Rodney A. Barber is charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on March 17 to possess the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it. The location was 3967 W. Main St. in the Town of Batavia. He is also charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled subtance, 4th, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing cocaine which had an aggregate weight of an eighth of an ounce or more.

Mark C. Gregori is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on Nov. 3, 2010 in the Town of Elba in possession of the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it.

Michael B. Pfaff is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2008 Suburu on Myrtle Street in Le Roy on April 17 while intoxicated. He is also charged with one count of driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E felony.

Thomas J. Torres is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2004 Chevrolet on Route 237 in Stafford while intoxicated on April 23. He is also charged with one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class D felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or greater.

Jamie L. Broadbent is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony, for allegedly knowingly possessing stolen property with the intention of benefitting herself or a person other than the owner. She was allegedly found in possession of a public benefit card belonging to someone else while in the City of Batavia on May 9.

Chester L. Sherman II is charged with one count of driving a 1998 Chevy pickup truck while intoxicated and one count of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. The charges stem from his arrest April 20 on Route 262 in Byron.

Jonathan J. Langenfeld is charged with one count of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, after he allegedly entered private property on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion on April 17 with the intent to cause, then actually causing, physical injury to a person who was not a participant in the crime. He is also charged with burglary, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly entering private property with the intent to commit a crime. And he is charged with assault, 2nd, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly intending to seriously injure a person and then causing serious injury to that person.

Barker/Roy Hart finished out a season in which it mostly dominated the Genesee Region League with another big win over Notre Dame on Friday.

The win cemented an undefeated season for Barker (7-0) and locked up the league championship.

The Fighting Irish, with the 44-14 loss, finish the season 5-2.

Notre Dame scored first on a 15-yard run by Nick Taylor, but Barker struck right back and took an 8-7 lead after a six-yard run by Austin Blackley.

Blackley led Barker's offense with 204 yards on the ground on 17 carries. He scored four TDs.

Notre Dame's only other score came in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Tim McCulley.

McCulley completed nine passes for 52 yards and had two interceptions.

On the ground, Notre Dame was led by Taylor (19 carries, 108 yards) and Andrew Mullen (nine carries, 73 yards).

On defense, Kyle Morse had 10 solo tackles.

Barker had 411 total yards offense, while Notre Dame had 269. Time of possession for ND was 32:18 minutes. Barker had the ball for 15:42.

Depending on the outcome of today's game between Attica (4-2) and Elba/Byron Bergen (5-1), the Genesee Region League could wind up with a three-way tie for second place, or with a win over Attica, Elba could claim second for itself. Game time is 1:30 p.m. in Elba.

In other Friday night action:

A dominating ground game helped Batavia (3-4) beat Bishop-Kearney (2-5) at BK.

The Blue Devils had a total of 326 yards on the ground, with C.C. Martinez leading the charge. Martinez carried the ball 34 times for 254 yards and four TDs.

James Soggs scored the Blue Devil's other TD on a 20-yard run in the 4th quarter.

On defense, Dameon Reeves and Soggs had a sack, Nick Canzoneri had a fumble recovery and Cody Gangarrossa added an interception.

Le Roy dropped to 3-4 with a 35-13 loss to Cal-Mum in Caledonia.

Tommy McQuillen rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

Alexander picked up its second win of the season, 22-6 over Oakfield-Alabama (0-7).

Alexander scored on a 47-yard run by Lucas Phillips in the first quarter and on seven-and one-yard runs by Mark Farnsworth in the second and third quarters.

O-A scored in the third quarter on a five-yard run by Curtis Dunlap.

For O-A, Tommy Manzella completed 26 for 214 yards. Dunlap had four receptions for 83 yards.

We don't currently have any information on the Pembroke vs. Holley game. Besides Attica at Elba, there are no other games scheduled today.

Sectionals begin next weekend.

Barry L. Posey, 19, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Posey was arrested following a traffic stop on a bench warrant out of the Town of Batavia Court. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Gina Lynn Schmidt, 22, of Forest Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with disorderly conduct. During an investigation into an unrelated matter it was discovered that there was an active bench warrant in place for the arrest of Schmidt. She was held on $175 bail.

This morning with some splinters of blue sky among the clouds, I thought I'd take a short drive and see if I could find any worthwhile fall pictures.

I wound up at the Springvale Cemetery on Edgerton Road in Elba.

While there, a reader called and mentioned there was a rollover accident on Ford Road, which wasn't far from where I was, so I headed to the accident and wound up with some spot news coverage and a barn photo.

The driver of this Ford pickup truck walked away from this accident with hardly a scratch.

According to a State Trooper on scene, the driver was eastbound on Ford Road in Elba when he apparently fell asleep. He woke up, the trooper said, and over corrected, sending the truck into a ditch on the south side of the road.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS responded to the scene. The call came in shortly after 9:30 a.m.

No further details available at this time.

City fire is on scene at North Street and Chandler Avenue, the site of a natural gas leak.

The call originally came in from UMMC as a report of a natural gas smell in the hospital, but the strongest concentration of the odor turned out to be at Chandler and North, where construction is taking place.

A two-inch line was struck, but workers didn't want to shut off the gas because many of the older homes in the area have pilot light systems that would cause the houses to fill with gas.

The leaked gas was apparently being picked up by the hospital's HVAC system, so the hospital has switched to recirculated air until the problem is mitigated.

National Fuel is on scene.

An accident with at least one person injured has been reported at routes 98 and 262, Elba.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

Members of the Town of Batavia Fire Department stopped by Grandma's Luv'n Care on Clinton Street Road on Thursday afternoon to help educate the children there about how they save lives and prevent fires.

Oct. 9 through 15 is Fire Prevention Week and departments throughout the county are taking part in similar education and outreach programs.

At the child-care center today, Assistant Chief Nate Fix (top photo, right) and firefighter David Tran (bottom photo) showed the children what firefighting gear is and Tran suited up so the children can learn that a firefighter in their house during an emergency isn't a scary monster, but a friend there to help them.

Earlier in the day, the volunteers were at GCC's child-care center. They've made similar presentations at BOCES and will be at Lucky Duck Day Care next week.

A pickup truck attempting to make a left turn from Route 20 onto Route 63 was struck head-on by a semi-truck heading southeast on Route 20 last night.

The 8:20 p.m. accident sent a woman to the hospital.

Pavilion Fire Department responded to the scene at 8:50 p.m. and extricated the female driver from the pickup truck. She complained of feeling dizzy and said she might have blacked out.

Brenda D. Baker, 48, of Nunda, was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Baker was driving a 1997 Ford pickup.

Her truck was struck by a semi owned by Pavilion Drainage and being driven by Nathaniel D. Coral, 35, of Dodson Road, Wyoming.

The accident report does not list any citations.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Butler.

(Initial Report)

There's something for everyone in the Genesee Community College Forum Players' evening of "One Acts: Fast, Funny & Fabulous," which opens tonight at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"I wanted to give the students the widest variety of experiences I could," says GCC Fine Arts Director Maryanne Arena. "We have everything from a satire on Hamlet to a very farcical comedy to something very touching, and I like them all for different reasons. 'Naomi in the Living Room' is very slapstick, physical comedy. 'Blind Date' is the best written and the most poignant. 'Second Beam' is about actresses auditioning for a role, and I certainly haven't forgotten what that was like."

The aforementioned "Naomi in the Living Room" stars Peggy Marone as an insane, "child-like" woman who is visited by her son and his wife. Marone says the show was a step outside her usual comfort zone.

"At work sometimes I multitask and feel psychotic," Marone laughs. "But I don't know if I've ever been this psychotic." 

Tyler Eldred also faced challenges with character development, but for a different reason: Tyler is featured in three of the one acts -- "The Philadelphia", "15-Minute Hamlet", and "Foreplay or the Art of the Fugue" -- and plays four different characters within those shows. Although the third-year theater and theater tech student has been involved with shows offstage more often than on, he says he enjoys acting more than technical work.

"It's probably because I'm a sadist, and being onstage involves so much more work," he jokes. "It's also an opportunity for me to step outside my comfort zone."

Emily Jones, a sophomore theater arts major, also has her acting hands full.  She is in four of the one acts, and performs with a singing and dancing quartet in between each show. 

"It's so hard," she says of getting into character for each performance. "With a regular show you have the whole show to work up to it, but with this you only have a few minutes for each show. It's probably the hardest thing I've done in 10  years."

Fellow sophomore theater major Patrick Dodge is just as busy as Jones, with involvement in five of the shows. His amount of stage time, he says, is approximately the equivalent of having a role in a full-length production.

His favorite show out of the five is "Blind Date" -- a Horton Foote comedy about a seemingly sullen teenage girl who is set up on a blind date by her aunt, a former beauty queen. 

"I get to play kind of a nerdy guy," he explains. "And secretly I'm very clumsy and nerdy."

Playing opposite Dodge in the role of the sullen teenage girl is Sarah Lawson, a sophomore education major. Lawson also enjoys portraying her "Blind Date" character, but for different reasons.

"It's been really interesting finding out who (my character) is," she says. "At first she seems like an unpleasant person, but she's really just lonely and not very skilled socially. And she loves Rudy Vallee."

Three of the shows--"The Philadelphia", "15-Minute Hamlet", and "The Second Beam" -- are directed by Norm Gayford, an English professor at the college who has been extremely involved with the Forum Players for the past five years. 

"It's very challenging because you have to keep changing moods, and it's hard getting everybody focused," he says about the evening's fast pace. "It's like reading multiple short stories rather than reading a novel."

The showtimes are as follows:

Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for high school students, GCC faculty and staff, and senior citizens (55+), and $3 for GCC students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or advance by calling 345-6814. The Stuart Steiner Theatre is located at 1 College Road in Batavia.

Joshua Gerald Bachorsk, 26, of South Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with three counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and petit larceny. Bachorsk is accused of possessing a Pembroke woman's credit card without her consent and using it on three separate dates to purchase gift cards at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive. Bachorsk also allegedly removed a washer and dryer set from the basement of the same woman's home and sold them without her consent. Bachorsk was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Aaron Walter Pahuta, 19, of Route 20A, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Pahuta is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Matthew Scott Williams, 23, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Williams is accused of sending threatening text messages to another person.

Matthew S. Williams, 23, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Williams is accused of stealing his father's RG Industries .22 caliber revolver from their residence. Williams was jailed on $10,000 bail.

William Heany, 75, of 400 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. Heany is accused of touching the intimate parts of a woman by force.

name redacted, 25, of Tracy Avenue, is charged with petit larceny. redacted is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Kelly M. Stalker, 33, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Stalker allegedly broke into a locked storage area in a trailer on Indian Falls Road and removed prescription medication and money belonging to somebody else. Stalker was jailed on $5,000 bail.