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Limo fire on West Main Street Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A limo is reported to be on fire at Mancuso Limosines, located at 3959 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. The limo is at the shop behind the residence. A responder on scene initially reported "nothing showing." But then a limo was found to be on fire inside a structure. "The occupant thinks he's got most of it." He's using a garden hose. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: The fire is out. Units are continuing to the scene is non-emergency mode and they are going to check "to be sure there is no extension (of the fire) in the vehicle."

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: A thermal-imaging camera is called for.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is back in service.

Car wreck with injuries on Ledge Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at the sharp curve in the area of 1013 Ledge Road in Alabama. There are injuries. The location is west of Route 77, on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: A responder on scene says there is one vehicle involved and it is off the roadway and in the woods.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: The vehicle is a 1994 green Ford Explorer. The driver and a passenger are from Rochester.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department is back in service. Didn't hear an update on the occupants. Presumably they are OK.

Possible chimney fire on Myrtle Street, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A possible chimney fire is reported at 87 Myrtle St. in the Village of Le Roy. A neighbor who called it in says there's a lot of smoke showing in the area. Le Roy Fire Department along with Bergen's are responding.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: The chief on scene calls for units to continue in. "It appears he did have a small fire going. He's got the bottom shut off now," says the chief, adding they will still need to take a look inside to determine the status.

UPDATE 12:52 p.m.: No signs of heat are found in the basement using a thermal-imaging camera. Ditto for the walls and floors of the residence. Now they will get on the roof and look into the chimney using the camera to check for heat.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: A firefighter reports there is no heat to the touch on the outside of the chimney up to the roofline. There is light smoke still coming from the chimney.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: A code enforcement officer is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: "Fire is out. Units are picking up and they'll be going shortly."

Ranzenhofer requests $18 millon funding over two years for STAMP project

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has written to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, requesting his continued support in the form of a $9 million investment in the STAMP project for each of the next two years to bring the project to Shovel-Ready-Lite status.

“Support is now needed in the form of a funding commitment to complete the process needed to bring this site to Shovel-Ready-Lite status. Over the next several years, this is anticipated to require funding of $20 million. The 2011-12 SFY Budget has already committed $2 million to this project,” Senator Ranzenhofer said.

“A commitment for an additional $9 million per year over the next two fiscal years to assure timely Shovel-Ready-Lite status will allow immediate marketing of the STAMP site to national and international tech companies to expedite the successful build out of this project.”

The STAMP project has the potential to create up to 10,000 high-paying jobs at full development, in addition to jobs created during construction and development of the site, and up to $2.5 billion in private investment. In the letter to Governor Cuomo, Senator Ranzenhofer also noted the possible economic benefits to residents beyond the Buffalo and Rochester regions.

“This project, with its offer of advanced manufacturing, is the only one of its kind in Western New York. In fact, we believe that it is the only remaining available Mega-site in New York State. It provides the legitimate promise of a significant private investment and thousands of desperately needed high-paying jobs for the residents of the Buffalo and Rochester areas as well as all the residents of the region including Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston and Wyoming counties.”

Senator Ranzenhofer forwarded copies of the letter to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver, Genesee County Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock, Empire State Development Corporation President and CEO Kenneth Adams and Genesee County Economic Development Center President and CEO Steve Hyde.

The Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) is a 1,243 acre mega-site modeled after the Albany area’s Luther Forest development. Located in the Town of Alabama, the site is strategically ideal due to its access to three high-level electric transmission circuits, close proximity to the Empire pipeline – a 24-inch natural gas line– and only five miles distance from the New York State Thruway.

Sgt. Scott named state's Court Officer of the Year

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Sergeant William C. Scott of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has been selected by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute to receive its Court Officer of the Year award. The award was presented to Sergeant Scott during the 78th New York State Sheriffs' Association Winter Training Conference in Albany on Jan. 25. Sergeant Scott was nominated for this award by Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha.

This award is given to an employee assigned to the Sheriff’s Court Security Division whose exceptional career achievements and conscientious devotion to duty have demonstrated a spirit of selfless public service.

Sheriff Maha said “Sergeant Scott has not only demonstrated exceptional career achievements over his tenure with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, but he continues to demonstrate a strong and conscientious devotion to duty as supervisor of the Court Security Detail.” 

Sergeant Scott is a lifelong resident of Genesee County and was hired by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on May 23, 1977, as a dispatcher.  On March 27, 1979, Sergeant Scott was appointed a Deputy Sheriff and assigned to the Genesee County Jail.

He worked in corrections until June 14, 1983, when he transferred to Deputy Sheriff (road patrol). Sergeant Scott received his basic police training at the Monroe Community College Regional Criminal Justice Training Center. On Nov. 6, 1995, then-Deputy Scott was assigned to Court Security Detail. On Jan. 13, 1996, he was promoted to sergeant and worked road patrol until 1997 when Genesee County built a new, consolidated courts facility and Sergeant Scott was assigned as supervisor of Court Security Detail, a position he still holds today. 

As supervisor of the Court Security Detail, which consists of five deputy sheriffs and himself, Sergeant Scott is responsible for the daily safety and security of all the judges, courts facility building and visitors to the complex. He works very closely with all courts and departments within the courts facility, which includes the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate Court, and City Court.

A total of 66,176 persons were screened in 2010 and 21,471 items were scanned by our Courts Facility Security Detail. A total of 368 items were secured, which included knives, scissors, firearms, razors, mace and drug paraphernalia.

Sergeant Scott has received four Meritorious Service Awards, was named Officer of the Year in 1986, and is the recipient of numerous letters and memorandums of appreciation. He has almost 35 years of service with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office; 14 of which are with the Court Security Detail.

“Sergeant Scott is a great asset to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and to law enforcement in general. He is most deserving of this award,” Sheriff Maha said.

Photos: A drive down Gulf Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

This afternoon, I took a drive down Gulf Road in Le Roy. As usual, the old quarry visible from the road was interesting to see.

I also stopped by the entrance to the Lehigh Valley Railway derailment site. When I arrived, an employee of the company hired by the EPA to manage the site was standing roadside chatting with a reporter from New York City and an independent researcher. The employee couldn't talk, but gave me a phone number of somebody who might talk. Hopefully, in a day or two -- depending who calls me back and when -- I'll have a follow up on the situation at the site.

There is a new sign on the entrance gate at the site. It was posted today. The new sign says, "No Trespassing." (photo below)

Hochul responds to question about situation in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

The following statement was shared with The Batavian by the office of Rep. Kathy Hochul. Hochul issued the statement initially in response to a request for a statement from CNN.

The last several months have been challenging for the community of Le Roy. While we are all are anxious for answers, it’s important that we allow medical and environmental experts to collect the facts and accurately identify the source of this unusual and unfortunate situation.

Our top priority must be to protect the health and safety of the community of Le Roy and to this end, my office has been in contact with various federal agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.

As a Representative of this community, I’m committed to ensuring that the residents of Le Roy have access to the resources needed to fully understand this situation.

Statement released by the Le Roy Central School District

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Kim Cox, the superintendent of the Le Roy Central School District, is referring media inquiries on medical and environmental questions to the experts from the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. They are best equipped to answer your technical questions, as they have ours. 

As has been communicated, the District has been working closely for months with numerous medical professionals, the State Department of Health, the State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. All of these agencies and dozens of professionals from these agencies have assured the District that the school is safe.

There is no evidence of an environmental situation or infectious cause. In addition, to help assist the District with assessing all aspects of this situation, it hired its own independent environmental expert to conduct a review of the findings and offer alternative approaches, if needed. This was done not because the District questioned the state medical professionals or federal agencies, but to help reassure the community.

There are also some who are attempting to marry the 1970 derailment to the school when in fact the plume has been shown as moving in the opposite direction some three miles away.   

The Le Roy community should take assurance that the Department of Health concluded extensive reviews of both the epidemiology and the clinical evaluations and found no evidence of environmental or infection as the cause of the students’ illness. An environmental exposure would affect many people.

The treating physicians ruled out PANDAS. The school was tested for Volatile Organic Compounds (including TCE) by an independent firm. The school is served by a public water system. The Gardasil vaccine was ruled out because many of the girls did not receive the vaccine. The Department of Environmental Conservation reaffirmed the evaluation that there is no evidence of environmental factors.

The District will certainly welcome input from outside experts if they choose to offer it in a professional and constructive manner. It will rely on its own expert as well as counsel from the Department of Health, DEC and EPA as to whether any further testing is deemed appropriate.  However, in the event that it is recommended, it will be done with a specific plan based upon all available information and accepted scientific protocols.

The District wants to be clear that it has confidence with respect to the conclusions of the Department of Health based upon its comprehensive review of this situation as well as the assessment of the physicians at the DENT Neurologic Institute. 

The Le Roy Central School District and the Le Roy community want what is best for the children in the schools. Unfortunately, the endless speculation without factual basis is creating an extreme level of anxiety and concern. Students are unable to focus on learning. The constant attention has had a negative impact on the recovery of some of the students who are directly affected, many who were improving and whose symptoms have now become exacerbated.

The District knows this has been an emotionally hard situation on the community and everyone hopes for the speedy recovery of its students.

Sponsored Post: Locally owned DirecTV dealership offers Sabres games and great customer service

By Press Release

(Shown from left are: Owner Tim Tucker, project manager Jimi Soccio, administrative assistant Leanne Moore, sales rep Mike Kelly, sales manager Chris Ball, and head technician Geoff Harloff.)

The dispute between Time-Warner Cable and the Buffalo Sabres has left many local hockey fans out in the cold, but it's not like Sabres fans are without an option to watch their favorite team.

According to Tim Tucker, owner of IR Systems, a local DirecTV distributor, Sabres fans have been calling DirecTV in droves in order to switch service.

That's great, Tucker said, but because many of these customers are calling DirecTV directly, they're spending more than the would if they called the locally owned and operated IR Systems.

"We can help local customers save money," Tucker said. "We also have 12 dedicated local employees whom customers tell me all the time provide great, personal customer service."

Among the advantages IR System offers:

  • Lower monthly prices;
  • Face-to-face customer service;
  • Flexibility to offer lower monthly price plans with in-house service plans and a lifetime warranty on equipment;
  • Experienced professional installation team;
  • Free in-home analysis of your best entertainment system set up;
  • Installation service within 48 hours, sometimes within 24 hours.

"Most DirecTV customers love the service, but when I've come across customers who've had a bad experience, it's either because of billing issues or a faulty installation," Tucker said. "With our face-to-face customer service and guaranteed, lifetime warranty on our installation, these issues cease to be a problem."

IR System's superior customer service record has enabled the locally owned company to earn a "Preferred Partner" designation from DirecTV.

The DirecTV service provided by IR Systems is the full package of programming from the nation's #1 satellite company, including all of the sports channels (Sabres and the full lineup of available NHL games, NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB baseball, NBA and college basketball, college football, national and international soccer, among other sports offerings), as well as all the movie, news and information channels that come with DirecTV service, along with premimum services and pay-per-view (various fee options exist for the different packages available).

"We're really eager to show local customers what we provide," Tucker said. "Wind, rain or snow won't stop us from giving customers the best possible service."

To contact IR Systems, call (800) 319-2129.

NOTE: This is a Sponsored Post, paid for by IR Systems.

Big rig, pickup collide at routes 19 and 20, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and pickup truck is reported at routes 19 and 20 in Pavilion. There are no injuries, but it is blocking the roadway. Pavilion Fire Department is responding and traffic police are called to the scene.

UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: The crippled tractor-trailer has finally been removed from the roadway and is awaiting a tow truck.

Le Roy resident pleads guilty to assault charge

By Howard B. Owens

Robert J. Eppolito, 29, of 61 Church St., Apt. #2, Le Roy, admitted in Genesee County Court today that he punched and kicked another person during a confrontation in Le Roy last September.

By pleading guilty to assault in the second degree, Eppolito faces a possible prison term of up to five years, with time being served concurrently on his sentence from a guilty plea for violation of probation.

As a second felony offender, Eppolito will serve at least three years in prison.

Sentencing was set for 9 a.m., April 23.

Eppolito admitted in court that he kicked the victim and broke the victim's nose and bruised his left eye.

While awaiting sentencing, Eppolito will be released under supervision of the probation department.

Possible accident with injuries reported on Route 63, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A third-party caller has reported a motor-vehicle accident at Route 63 and Roanoke Road, Pavilion.

There are reportedly injuries.

Dispatch has received no other calls.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS are being dispatched.

UPDATE 6:28 a.m.: Fire police dispatched to the scene for traffic control. A deputy on scene reports dangerous road conditions.

UPDATE 6:48 a.m.: We missed any further transmission about the nature of injuries, if any.  The Pavilion assignment is back in service and the roadway is reopened.

Slippery road blamed for rollover accident on Route 5

By Howard B. Owens

A slippery highway is to blame for a one-car accident at 6:53 p.m., Saturday, that sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries.

Adam F. Helmer, 28, of Chestnut Ridge, Middleport, was reportedly driving west on Route 5 in the area of the former Batavia Party House, Stafford, when he lost control of a 2005 Ford pickup truck.

The truck slid off the south shoulder of Route 5 and into a ditch, turning onto its passenger side.

Helmer's passenger, 27-year-old Cheryl Cary, of Chestnut Ridge, Middleport, who owns the truck, was transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS.

The infant with Helmer and Cary was not injured.

No citations were issued.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Greg Walker.

(Initial report)

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
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Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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