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The Batavian is heading out to find out more information on a reported mobile home fire on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany. We will post additional info as it becomes available.

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Updated: 2:17pm... We arrived on scene a little under a quarter of an hour ago. No flames could be scene inside or outside the mobile home, which is situated on a plot of land just past East Road on Ellicott Street Road. Fire crews are on scene, and they seem to have everything under control. Some thin wisps of smoke are still blowing out the back of the home. No real damage to the front of the structure. No further information is available at this time. We will bring you updates as they become available.

No cause has yet been determined in the fire that tore through several barns at My T Acres on Lewiston Road in Batavia last week. Tim Yaeger, Genesee County Emergency Management coordinator, told us that he was still working to determine what led to the blaze, along with members of the fire department and several provate investigators.

"We haven't yet ruled anything out," said Yaeger. "It doesn't look suspicious. It was an accidental fire. But we don't have anything yet. We continue to work at it."

The following photos were submitted by Molly Riner, a member of the family that co-owns the farm. The first shows the view inside the main barn shortly after the fire broke out. Below that is the interior of the "gym" that sustained some damage in the blaze. Lastly, we see the main barn after it had become completely engulfed.

We received a press release this morning from the town of Batavia Fire Department with further details on yesterday's massive barn fire at My T Acres on Lewiston Road in Batavia. The Batavia crew reports that the fire, which started in the main barn of a three-barn complex, completely destroyed "the main barn and numerous pieces of farm equipment," which were stored inside. Both of the additional attached barns "received substantial heat, smoke and water damage."

We reported yesterday that only one firefighter sustained a minor injury, but he did not seek medical assistance. No livestock or other animals were housed in the farm complex. No one else was injured as a result of the fire.

Investigators are already on scene today looking to establish a cause and origin of the fire. No estimated dollar value of loss has yet been determined. The Batavian left a message this morning with the property owner, Nate Call, who was on scene with the insurance representative.

Mutual-aid fire departments were requested from the City of Batavia, Alexander, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and East Pembroke Fire Departments. Additional Fire units from Stafford, Albion, Attica, Indian Falls, Alabama, Barre and Corfu fire departments provided stand-by assistance.

The Town of Batavia Fire Department was also assisted at the scene by the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Genesee County Health Department, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and the Wyoming County Correctional Facility.

The following photographs of the wreckage were submitted by Steve Ognibene.

A fire broke out in a second floor bedroom at 66 Oak Street in Batavia around 9:30pm last night, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. Two people were home at the time, but both escaped without injury. A preliminary investigation has termed the cause accidental, and damage to the home has been estimated at around $15,000.

Fischer picked up a choice piece of audio from our state Assemblyman, Steve Hawley, who spoke of the wastefulness of yesterday's special session of the state Legislature and called for more productive meetings to cut spending in the future. Hawley called the episode "politics as usual," a phrase which—not to knock Hawley at all—was surely used by countless grandstanding state politicians yesterday, all of whom, in the end, are themselves the practitioners of the usual. Are any of these representatives, in truth, practicing the unusual: in other words, getting things done, not shrinking in fear from the collective threats of special interest lobbyists, not wasting time and (our) money on circus shows that masquerade as fruitful discourse? Fischer tells us that yesterday's special session cost the taxpayers in excess of $100,000. Listening in on another news report last night, I heard that the costs were related mostly to overtime and travel expenses for the legislators! How's that for politics as usual. Or irony. Call it what you will.

City police and fire crews responded less than an hour ago to a two-car collision at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Bank Street. An SUV and a sedan collided, and the SUV was flipped up onto its side on Washington Avenue. We don't have all the details yet. Crews on the scene were still working them out when we left the scene. But it appeared that there were only minor injuries. We will get you the details as they become available. WBTA's Dan Fischer was also on the scene, so we'll check in later to see if he got any more information.

As you should be able to see in this photo, emergency crews had to cut out the windshield in order to extricate one of the vehicle's passengers. She appeared unharmed.

This photo and video footage of last night's fire in Pavilion, at an apartment above the Post Office, was submitted by Kevin Clary.

No one was injured in the blaze. Check out our earlier post for the details.

Folks from Corfu and Pembroke showed up to last night's meeting of the City Council to complain about the subsidies the city is charging their municipalities to maintain ambulance service, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. Batavia runs the county-wide ambulance through the fire department. City taxpayers have been making up the money lost by the ambulance service for some years now. Councilman Frank Ferrando said that the city should "get out of the business" of running the ambulance.

Fire crews will be flushing hydrants today and tomorrow. Residents of South Main, West Main, Roosevelt and South Lyon streets and those in the vicinity of these should watch for discoloration in their water.

Jennifer L. Bobzin, 37, of Byron, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester yesterday afternoon following a crash in Byron, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. She remains there this morning in guarded condition.

Bobzin was driving on Byron Road when an 18-wheel tractor trailer failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Walkers Corner Road. Bobzin's car passed underneath the tanker, shearing part of the roof as it struck the tanker and striking a few tires on its way out the other side.

Emergency crews took Bobzin to the hospital for a head injury. The driver of the truck, Ronald L. Sprague, 51, of Pavilion, does not face any charges at this time. State police did not find any "operating deficincies" on the truck. Investigation of the crash is ongoing.

An announcement on the Web site for the Le Roy Fire Department claims that the fire crews will install a smoke detector in your home for free. All you have to do is follow the link on the site to send them an e-mail to request yours.

There is no indication on the site of who is eleigible for the free smoke detectors—only folks in Le Roy or across the county, we don't know. We've put in a call to the department to find out more info. We'll get it up as soon as it comes to us.

WBTA's Dan Fischer tells us that eligible Genesee County homeowners should expect to soon see a check from the state. The Middle Class STAR rebate checks start going out this week, and the county is at the top of the list. Rebate amounts should average about $445 for those whose household income is less than $90,000. Follow the link to find out more, to see if you should be expecting a check and find out when it's coming.

In other news, a 30-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman driving separately on Route 290 in Tonawanda were killed when their cars collided early Sunday morning. No cause of the crash has yet been determined. Tonawanda News reports that no names have been released by the police, but autopsies are scheduled for today and the police investigation into the crash continues.

The fire broke out approx 8:30 am this morning after the couple left their home for work.  I spoke with Wendy Frongetta one of the owners of the home at 6323 East Main St. South Byron.  Wendy spoke of the loss of her Dog "Frank" he was the sweetest 7yr. old pit-bull that they loved who did not escape the fire.  Heavy fire damage claimed about 80 percent of the home.  No other injuries were reported and cause is yet to be determined pending investigation.  Many fire crews were on the scene putting out the blaze.

Genesee County sheriff's deputies reported a two-car crash yesterday in Alexander that sent two women to the hospital. Eighteen-year-old Jonnie L. Ficarella, of Attica, swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid colliding with a stopped car waiting to turn in her own lane. She struck the vehicle of 24-year-old Tori M. Bentley, of Varysburg. WBTA's Dan Fischer reports that Ficarella was taken to United Memorial Medical Center for treatment. Bentley had suffered more serious injuries and had to be taken to Erie County Medical Center. We phoned both hospitals this morning to find the condition of the women, which was not available through WBTA. Bentley is listed in fair condition as of 8:00am. Ficarella had already been released.

State police are investigating a crash that claimed the life of a Depew man yesterday. Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas Delong was riding on his motorcycle along Bloomingdale Road in the town of Alabama when he lost control of the bike on a curve and crossed into the path of an oncoming vehicle, driven by Donald Jelonek, of Cheektowaga. Delong fell from his bike and was struck by the vehicle in the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Genesee County Coroner Robert Yungfleisch. Jelonek was not injured and faces no charges.

Angela K. Williamson, 36, of 106 Ellsworth Ave., Batavia, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and promoting prison contraband Sunday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Williamson was allegedly found with a bag of marijuana in her purse while she was being processed for a previous charge by the Batavia city police.

All above reports were issued in published releases from the various departments.

A deer darted out onto Transit Road in Clarence last night, striking a motorcyclist and knocking him from the bike, state police said. James H. Huntz, 59, of Lockport, was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle when the deer ran out and into the side of the bike. Huntz lost control and crashed. He was treated at the scene by East Amherst Fire Department, then taken to the Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.

Eleven fire crews were needed to battle a blaze that ripped through a house in Byron yesterday evening. Homeowners Ronald and Theodora Schramm were inside with eight children and one other adult when they smelled smoke and heard the flames. Ronald rushed everyone out of the house, opened the garage door and tried to fight back the flames with a garden hose while someone else dialed 911. The fire was far too tough, however, and Ronald was beat back by the heat. No one was injured.

The home at 6999 Bank Street Road was too far from any hydrant to hook up the fire hoses, so crews had to truck in tankfuls of water, said Tim Yager, coordinator of Genesee County Emergency Management Services. That made for a "labor intensive" fight that raged for more than two hours. Yager said there was a lot of "chasing the fire" around to get it completely extinguished.

Although the front part of the home escaped the complete damage that ravaged the rear of the structure, Yaeger thinks it will be a total loss. The home is insured.

No cause has yet been determined, said Yaeger. Crews have ruled out an electrical cause, but there was a shop area in the garage where the fire originated and some tools were plugged in to outlets there.

"At this point we're calling it accidental and undetermined," he said. That may never change.

The Daily News reports that the Schramms "have been foster parents for the county Department of Social Services for years," and "Theodora "Teddie" Schramm was honored for outstanding contribution to the department's Children's Services Division."

Breaking news... Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a home in Byron right now. Genesee County sheriff's deputies have confirmed that the residence is at 6999 Bank Street Road in the town of Byron. We will update with more information as it becomes available.

UPDATED (Thursday at 7 a.m. by Howard): WHAM reports:

A family that provides foster care for children escaped from a house fire Wednesday afternoon on Bank Road in Byron, Genesee County.

Firefighters said 10 children and 3 adults got out safely from the 100-year-old home.

You've likely already read our coverage of last night's City Council meeting, when we posted it last night, so we won't bother with a recap of Joanne Beck's articles about the meeting in today's Daily News. Instead, we'll jump right to the local section...

Reporter Paul Mrozek tells us that the fire Friday at Willow Specialties caused more than $100,000 in damage—but it could have been much worse. Willow CEO Jeff Daggs said: "Ninety percent of our product is not damaged. That's what we believe right now."

Matt Surtel put together a nice tribute piece about Jenny Snow, the news director at WCJW, Warsaw's AM radio station, who died unexpectedly at her home Saturday at the age of 53.

The Genesee County Legislature will meet Wednesday in a special session to vote on the proposed consolidation of dispatch services that was approved last night by Batavia's City Council. City police dispatchers will make the move to the sheriff's office on Park Road complete by Monday. That meeting will be at 7:00pm at the Old County Courthouse.

Roger Muehlig was in Le Roy Monday when Republican Congressional candidate Christopher Lee stopped by Stein Farms to chat with area farmers about labor issues. Muehlig writes: "Lee, a political newcomer, said he didn't have all the answers, but one of the reasons he was successful in business was that he listens to everyone." That's well and good. But there are already plenty of politicians in Albany who are good at listening. Anyone can listen. We don't need more people to listen. We need people to act.

For these and other stories, pick up a copy of the Daily News at local newsstands. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Mostly optimistic talk about Batavia's financial upswing at tonight's council meeting took on some shades of gray when the topic turned to the fate of the city's ambulance corps.

City Manager Jason Molino warned council that "we have to get a financially stable point" before the city looks forward to reacquiring services that have been cut down to keep a sinking ship from going under altogether.

"We talked about a surplus," he said, "but when you look at the cash perspective, there is no surplus. ... We're going to have to take another month to look at this [amublance service] and decide if you want to continue to supply this service or not. It's extremely expensive, and we cannot maintain it."

Little specifics were given—we will fill in more details tomorrow—but it was understood that the council would get together sometime in the coming weeks to consider whether to continue paying for its ambulance service.

Council President Charlie Mallow said that the city received a letter from the fire and ambulance union about the poor state of its emergency vehicles. We will get that letter.

"The ambulances are in disrepair," said Mallow. "There has been a lot of pressure to abandon this."

Austin Spray Park is closed for the season—two weeks early, according to the Daily News. A waterline break that damaged "some electrical components" is cited as the cause of the early closure. It would have taken more than two weeks to fix the problem, and since the park was scheduled to closed on September 2 anyway, officials decided to just call it quits for the season.

In other news:

• Canandaiguan Erin Fairben will take over as superintendent of the New York State School for the Blind. She comes to Batavia from the Geneva City School District. She starts September 2.
• Wyoming and Orleans counties have joined in the statewide NY-Alert system that provides emergency alert information such as road closings and severe weather warnings. Genesee County is "implementing the service."
• Assemblyman Steve Hawley will lead youth in a pledge to be drug-free at 6:30pm at the Muckdogs game this Friday.
• Victorian Manor will host a get-together "for people in any type of business to get acquainted" with the staff and amenities of the refurbished apartment building. Show up at 427 East Main St. from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Pick up your own copy of the Daily News at local newsstands. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

The intersection of Randall and Buckley roads in Stafford was the scene of a devastating car crash Monday afternoon. Three Mercy Flight helicopters were needed to transport the injured. One woman, a mother from Le Roy, remained in guarded condition this morning with a serious head injury.

Two families were involved in the collision that sent one vehicle onto its side and the other into a tree, and emergency personnel attended to seven injured, one seriously. Rachel L. Heywood, 34, of Warsaw, was traveling with her three children, Madison, 4; Andrew, 12; and Haley, 10. Heywood suffered a broken ankle and other minor injuries. Her children, too, reported minor injuries. 45-year-old Deborah S. Hughes, of Le Roy, did not fare so well. She and her two children, James, 12, and Kathryn, 15, were taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. James and Kathryn were both reported to being treated for non life-threatening injuries. Deborah Hughes was in serious condition with a head injury. She was still in guarded condition at the hospital this morning.

Genesee County sheriff's deputies report that an SUV traveling on Buckley Road failed to stop for a stop sign and collided broadside with a car on Randall Road. The SUV then skidded off the road and flipped onto its side, while the car continued head on into a nearby tree. Fire departments from Stafford, Byron, Le Roy and Batavia assisted at the scene. State police were also on hand to assist.

Rachel Heywood was ticketed with failure to yield the right of way at a stop sign.