Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District has awarded two more façade improvement grants to downtown businesses. The recipients were Francis Marchese, owner of 238 Ellicott St., and Brian and Beth Kemp, owners of T-Shirts Etc., 111 Main St.  

Both businesses received matching grants for improvements to their facades. Marchese received $1,550 for installing new windows and frames at his Ellicott Street property. The Kemps were awarded $447.66 for signage that brings back some nostalgia by mimicking the old J.J. Newberry-type letters. These funds were awarded based upon the Business Improvement District’s design guidelines  

The B.I.D. Design Committee has now awarded 78 matching grants totaling over $319,933 in funds to revitalize businesses within the district.  Currently, there are two more projects that have been approved and should be completed within the next two months.

The Business Improvement District façade improvement program was established in 1998 to provide economic assistance to property owners and tenants for exterior improvements to their buildings. It has contributed to the renewed vitality of downtown by providing economic assistance and preserving the character of its structures. 

According to Don Burkel, B.I.D. downtown manager, these improvements demonstrate a long-term commitment by these business owners to downtown and  positive steps for its future.  When you consider that 78 businesses have reinvested in total project costs of over $2,626,600 in the district, that’s pretty impressive.

Find out more about why it would benefit you to set up shop in Downtown Batavia. Contact Don Burkel, B.I.D. downtown manager, at (585) 344-0900 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com.

A brush fire was reported at 3692 Maltby Road in Oakfield. But now it's contained to a willow tree. Oakfield firefighters are on scene. The location is in between Fisher and Weatherwax roads. Responders are proceeding in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: The fire is out. Oakfield is back in service.

Jason William Wolf, 36, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unlicensed operator and aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Deputy Kevin McCarthy was reportedly on routine patrol in the Village of Corfu at 3:51 a.m. Sunday when he observed a vehicle pulling randomly into driveways. Wolf was arrested following further investigation.

Jessica M. Miller, 18, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Miller is accused of hitting another person during a dispute.

Evan Ryan Anderson, 30, of 2832 Pearl St. Road, Batavia, is charged with operating while ability impaired by drugs. Officer Darryle Streeter responded to a report at 3:43 a.m. Saturday of a person passed out behind the wheel of a car with its engine running at 419 W. Main St. Anderson was allegedly found at the wheel of the car.

Daniel Jeffrey McGiveron, 26, Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. During an unrelated investigation at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in Oakfield, McGiveron was allegedly found in possession of suboxone. Deputy Brian Thompson was assisted by K-9 "Pharoah."

Jessie Lee Jackson, 27, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Jackson was reportedly involved in a domestic incident in which he allegedly struck a vehicle with a skateboard and hit a person in the side of the head with his hand. Jackson was jailed on $800 bail.

Alexandra R. Wood, 21, of 8193 McCall Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, unsafe start and failing to yield the right of way. Wood was stopped at 2:14 a.m. Friday on Myrtle Street by Sgt. Michael Hare. Wood allegedly refused to submit to a breath test.

A caller reports seeing flames and smoke in the area of 8993 Asbury Road.

A chief already on seen reports a possible large controlled burn at a property on East Main Road.

Le Roy firefighters will respond and put out the fire.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: A homeowner on East Main Road was advised of the open burn law and the fire department will put out the fire.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: The hydrant used at this incident now won't shut off. Monroe County Water notified. A chief reports it's cause a bit of a traffic problem on Route 5.

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In one of the first-of-its-kind "enhanced" DWI check points in the state Saturday night, only two people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Local law enforcement is considering that a success, according to Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble.

"The fact that people know we're out there helps," Dibble said. "A lot of people say, 'why put out a press release and let people know what you're doing,' but the whole idea is to cut down on drinking and driving."

The program was funded by a grant from the governor's office and was designed to make it harder for people to avoid the checkpoints.

The checkpoints were set up in three different locations -- all in the City of Batavia -- during the course of Saturday night, and extra patrols were in the area looking for people who might be trying to avoid the checkpoint.

When the checkpoints were moved, the patrols involved would engage in a period of saturation patrols looking for drunken drivers before the next checkpoint was set up.

Le Roy PD participated Saturday with extra DWI patrols in the village.

"Only 1 percent of DWI arrests come at checkpoints," Dibble said. "But what they do is raise public awareness as much as anything else."

The vast majority of people, Dibble said (as well as officers on scene Saturday night) were cooperative and even thanked officers for the extra effort to get drunken drivers off the road.

One misconception about the enhanced checkpoints that Dibble clarified is what conduct will lead an officer to stop a car.

Merely turning down a street prior to a checkpoint is not necessarily enough reason to stop somebody.

Dibble said there is case law dealing with the these kinds of stops. In one case, a car turned into a parking lot of a closed business prior to a checkpoint. That stop was upheld by the courts. In another case, a car turned down a street prior to a checkpoint and that case was thrown out.

"It makes a lot of sense to me," Dibble said. "What we tell our patrols is we want probable cause to pull somebody over anyways. Turning may warrant a closer look to see how they're driving, but we're going to look for how you are driving, how you're making a turn and do you appear like you should be on a highway."

During the course of Saturday night, the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD set up roadblocks on Clinton and Oak streets, and Ellicott Street just west of Cedar Street.

Arrested on Saturday were Dale R. Maxwell, 51, of Hamilton Street, Albion, and Aaron R. Rodger, 23, of Ellicott Road, Caledonia.

Maxwell was charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or more and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Rodger was charged with driving under the influence.

Additionally, 26 citations were issued, including citations for operating while registration suspended, unlicensed operation, expired inspection, consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured operation, uninspected motor vehicle, inadequate headlights, tinted windows, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and failure to yield right of way.

The governor's grant covers three more enhanced checkpoints this summer.

Dibble said the Sheriff's Office considers them a good idea and will continue to run them on high profile weekends when they can do the most good.

"It's all about keeping our highways safe for the people," Dibble said. "We want people to have a good time and to get home safely. That can easily be done with a little forethought and a little planning ahead."

Cheering, chanting, hugs and tears of joy were all part of a big celebration in Elba last night as the Lady Lancers brought home their Class D State Champions trophy.

"It’s amazing," said Meg Stucko. "It’s like  the best day of my life. I never thought the whole community would come together like this. It’s really awesome."

The whole community could celebrate together because the community won together.

Head Coach Tom Nowak praised dozens of volunteers, from scorekeepers to parents who traveled the state to videotape potential opponents in tournament games, along with all the fans who turned out to support the girls.

“They say it takes a whole community to raise a child,” Nowak said. “It takes a whole community to raise a state champion.”

The celebration in the gym followed a lights and sirens escort by the Elba Volunteer Fire Department through the village.

MacKenzie Bezon, who was Most Valuable Player of the title game, was amazed by the public's response.

"I can’t believe our community did this," Bezon said. "It’s not like just we won the championship. It’s the whole town. I just can’t believe it happened. We’ve been working so hard. I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a dream."

Nowak said he was exceptionally proud that the Lady Lancers, who knew what to do, executed the game plan and their plays, and stayed in control.

"This is the most composed group of young ladies I've ever been associated with," Nowak said. "I was able to relax because I knew what they could do on the court."

After explaining the story because somebody told him recently "Coach, nobody is perfect," Nowak ended his remarks to thunderous applause when he said, "Right now and forever, these girls are a perfect 25-0."

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase photos, click here.

This pileated woodpecker is hard at work high atop one of the utility poles of   National Grid's power line.  

I was raking our back yard when I heard its telltale and raucous cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk. That was followed by the sound of it hammering away at what I thought was a tree in my neighbor's woodlot.   

Still thinking it was in the woods, every few minutes I'd stop raking and look into the trees. The pileated had been at it for quite awhile before I spotted him, so I had no reason to think it wouldn't stay a bit longer. With that, I went inside to get the camera.

Quite often we see red-tail hawks perched atop the utility poles but this is the first time I've seen a pileated woodpecker have a go at them. And he didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave -- he was still there when I finished raking.      

For the second time tonight, a caller is reporting smoke in the area of Jackson Avenue, between South Jackson Street and Oakland Avenue in the city.

Earlier, the cause of the smoke was apparently a small controlled burn of grass and leaves at a location on Creek Road.

City fire's Engine 12 is responding non-emergency.

UPDATE 11:32 p.m.: City command believes it's smoke lingering from the earlier incident. City fire back in service.

A caller reports smelling smoke in the area of Jackson Avenue, Batavia.

The smoke reportedly smells like grass burning.

City Fire Department is responding and the first unit on scene reports smoke in the area. Engine 12 is heading further down South Jackson Avenue, "It appears heavier down that way."

The wind is out of the southwest at two mph.

UPDATE 9:36 p.m.: A unit is going to head down Lehigh Avenue and see if anything is coming from the other side of the creek.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: The source appears to be out on Creek Road, Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: A small grass and leaf fire with a circumference of 10 feet has been located. City fire is putting it out with a can. The Town of Batavia chief is being notified that city firefighters are putting out a fire in the town's district. Engine 12 is back in service.

UPDATE 9:55 p.m.: Ladder 15 back in service.

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A car has crashed into the guard rail on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 391. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:23 p.m.: A female driver says her car was forced into the guard rail by another vehicle. She is not injured and was found near mile marker 398. Mercy medics are continuing to the scene in non-emergency mode. Town of Batavia is back in service. State Troopers are on scene.

UPDATE 6:27 p.m.: No injuries found. Mercy medics are back in service.

A 17-year-old male lost consciousness and reportedly suffered a back injury following a dirt-bike accident at Area 51. He is now alert. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The motocross track is located at 3323 Harloff Road in the Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: Medics on scene have requested Mercy Flight. Dispatch says Mercy Flight is checking the weather, supposedly there are storms approaching, to determine if a helicopter can fly in. The patient will be transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is going to launch. Indications are there may be weather issues flying to Buffalo. That's still being determined, but "they can fly the other way if necessary." East Pembroke is to establish at landing zone at Area 51.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 has landed.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne. The destination is still not certain, but the plan is to go to ECMC.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight has the green light to go to ECMC in Buffalo.

GoArt! hosted its first GoArt! Members Exhibition on Friday, along with its first Digital Art Exhibit. Both are intended to become annual events.

The above ink-on-canvas painting is called "Fiscal Policy" and was painted by Kevin Hammon, who lives just north of Le Roy. It was on sale for $350.

Here is Hammon with another of his canvas works, "Moon Light Drive-In" ($125).

Below are some of the other paintings on display at Seymour Place.

Oil painting: "Wolf Creek at Letchworth" by Rick Ellingham ($275).

Oil painting: "Route 5" by Joseph Deni ($400).

Kevin Feary, of Batavia, stands beside his oil-on-muslin painting, "Short Order Cook" ($580).

Artist (and City Councilwoman) Rose Mary Christian stands next to her untitled acrylic (not for sale) with Linda Sforno (left) and Roelene Christian.

"Country Cottage Needlepoint" by Joan E. Rotondo ($238).

Watercolor: "Sinking Ponds" by Rita M. Hammond ($50).

Pencil: "Silent Communication" by Judy Wenrich ($175).

Glass art: "Dragonfly Wide Bowl" by Heather Whitney ($100).

Glass art: "Peacock Bowl" by Heather Whitney ($120).

Acrylic and paper: "Night Out" by Kimberly A. Argenta ($100).

Acrylic: "National Geographic: Stampede" by Carole LaValley ($225).

Oil on muslin: "Upton Monument" by Kevin Feary ($580).

Oil: "Rusted & Weathered" by Rick Ellingham ($200).

Connie Mosher, of Albion, stands next to her Arizona-inspired oil painting, "Rugs on a Railing Near Sedona, AZ" ($500).

Pastel: "Alzheimer's--the Ultimate Identity Theft," by Sharon Jahnke Long (not for sale).

Earthenware, slips, glaze: "Cityscape II" by Moi Dugan ($425).

Pastel: "Twoo Wuv" by Sharon Jahnke Long (not for sale).

Woodcut: "Angus" by Rita Hammond ($50).

Clay: "Covered Jar with Wheat" by Jean Grinnell (SOLD).

Long Stitch: "Tiger Walk" by Joan E. Rotondo ($238).

To find out which of these--and other--photos are still for sale, contact Robin Upson, administrative assistant at GoArt!, at 343-9313, or email info@goart.org.

As this was going on, a reception for non-members' digital art was held next door at GoArt!'s satellite gallery in the Batavia Senior Center.

"Study in Perspective" by Natalie Buczek ($10).

"Katie" by Byron-Bergen ninth-grader Katelyn Simmons (not for sale).

"Guitar Rock" by Susan Meier ($45).

"Let It Be" by Daniel Cherry ($40).

Cherry displays his work, "Broken Treaties," with his sons, Jimmy and Daniel.

The digital artwork will be on display until April 27 at the senior center, at 2 Bank St. in Batavia. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For information, contact Joe Langen at jlangen@goart.org.

The Elba Lady Lancers finish out 2012 with a perfect 25-0 season and a state championship after a win at Hudson Valley Community College today.

Elba beat Argyle High School 48--34 to take the team's first-ever state title.

Yesterday, Elba beat #1 seed South Kortright in the Class D semi-final to move on to today's final game.

McKenzie Bezon was named MVP and Meg Stucko was named to the All-Star Team. Kelsey Bezon won the Sportsmanship Award.

Two youths are reportedly shooting geese in Oatka Creek with a pellet gun from the creek bank off Munson Street in Le Roy. Some birds have been killed or injured and are floating downstream. Le Roy police are responding.

Downtown Batavia was hoppin' on Saturday night with hundreds of local residents out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We stopped by Delavan's, T.F. Brown's, Bourbon & Burger, Center Street Smoke House and, of course, O'Lacy's.

If you can't view the slide show below, cick here. To purchase prints of any of these photos, click here.

A caller to dispatch has reported a "suspicious condition" in Le Roy -- two people taking random pictures of the village.

The caller said the two people have been in the village since at least 11 a.m. taking pictures all over the village of things such as buildings and street signs.

Apparently, the caller spoke with the two people and they said they were reporters from France.

That seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back and prompted the call.

A Le Roy police officer confirmed seeing people take pictures of a statue in the village and wanted to know if the photographers had been seen on private property.

No report of trespassing.

The officer will attempt to make contact, but didn't sound confident of finding criminal activity.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: The officer made contact. The photographers are from Pennsylvania and are taking pictures to post to Facebook. "Nothing suspicious," the officer reports.

A grass fire is burning out of control and approaching a structure at 8959 S. Lake Road in Pembroke. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. The location is between Scribner and Cohocton roads.

UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: The fire is now under control.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: The fire is out. All fire units are back in service.

A fairly dry winter and an apparently early spring does increase the wild fire danger, and local residents should be especially mindful of the state's open burn regulations from now through May 14, said Tim Yaeger, coordinator for Genesee County Emergency Services.

This time of year, you can't burn leaves, you can't burn brush, you can't burn twigs and branches, you can't burn any other kind of organic material (and you can never burn non-organic material).

The only outdoor fire allowed right now is a small cooking fire that is closely monitored and maintained.

If a fire is spotted, emergency dispatch will be called, a fire company will respond and you could be fined.

"Law enforcement can be called and the fee is significant for those who burn illegally," Yaeger said.

Fires that get out of control -- which is easy in these conditions -- put property and lives at risk.

"During the burn ban time, our goal is to save lives and property," Yaeger said. "That's our biggest concern, that we don't have any property that's not intended to burn, burn, and we don't put any of the public or the firefighters at risk when these fires are preventable."

Leaves, especially, should not be burned, Yaeger said. The embers from such a fire can blow well beyond the fire area and ignite brush and wooded areas, creating potentially fast moving fires.

"We encourage people to compost their leaves," Yaeger said.

Once May 15 passes, organic matter can be burned in the rural parts of the county, and people can once again have small campfires (three feet high and four feet in width or diameter) and ceremonial or celebratory bonfires, but all fires must be attended and monitored.

Certain agricultural waste fires -- organic material -- are also permitted.

At no time can people burn inorganic material.

Last week Yaeger was at a meeting with the state's emergency coordinator and Yeager said the message was that "unsettled weather patterns" create a number of dangers for state residents.

Wind-whipped fire is one matter, but significant storms, even tornadoes are not out of the question.

"There's been some odd weather patterns in the Midwest," Yaeger said. "We hope nothing will occur, but with the weather patterns we're seeing, we must be concerned that we might get some unsettled weather this season."

If you spot a fire, the number to call is (585) 343-5000 or if an emergency situation call 9-1-1.