A motor-vehicle accident is reported in the area of 5698 Byron Elba Road, Byron.
One person with a possible back injury is still in a vehicle.
Byron fire and South Byron fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 9:17 p.m.: Fire police from Elba requested to assist with traffic control.
UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: A Byron responding unit can return to quarters.
A lot has changed in the furniture business in the past 50 years. Shag carpet is out and twists and berbers are in, and good luck finding an avocado green loveseat.
But one thing hasn't changed at Max Pies. Phil Pies is still there every day to greet customers with a smile and a quip.
"What do I love about the job?" Pies said during a celebration today of his 50 years in the business. "Meeting people. The people are the business."
Phil Pies is the third generation of Pies in the furniture business. Sticking around for 50 years, though, wasn't really something he expected when he started selling furniture.
"When I first came here, I didn't think I would actually stay here and here I am," Pies said. "I got involved in the business and I couldn't stop."
While hunting with her dad yesterday, Novalee Pocock, 14, from Bergen, had a close encounter of the raccoon kind. While in a wooded area, a raccoon came up to her and jumped in her lap.
According to her mother, the raccoon cuddled right up to her to stay warm.
"She will never forget this encounter with the wildlife while hunting for deer with her dad," she said.
Submitted photo and information.
H.E. Turner & Co., Bohm-Calarco-Smith, and Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes proudly present their 25th Annual Service of Prayer & Remembrance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Due to COVID-19, the service will be livestreamed to ensure your safety.
“We hear from families how the service helps them through their grief, especially during this time of year," said Joshua Smith, of H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home. "For some of these families it will be their first year participating in the service, which means it is their first Christmas without their loved one, and for others, they come back year after year.”
A candle in memory of your loved ones will be lit prior to the start of the service and remain that way throughout.
As always, one candle will be provided per deceased loved one and can be picked up at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St., Batavia on the following dates:
Call (585) 344-4295 to reserve your candle by Friday, Dec. 4. There is no cost for a candle and all who experienced the pain of loss are welcome to participate regardless of who took care of your loved one and arranged their funeral service.
The ecumenical service will combine music, prayer, Scripture reading, reading of the names of your loved ones and tolling of the bell in remembrance, and a message of hope by Reverend Roula Alkhouri, Ph.D., of Batavia First Presbyterian Church.
To register the name or names for your candle please call H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home at (585) 344-4295 or register online at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com by Dec. 4.
Press release:
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, both Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26th & 27th. We will not be updating the websites or the maps on these days and over the weekend. Our next update will be Monday afternoon to include data from today after 2 p.m. until Monday afternoon.
Many of our staff will be working to handle investigations and quarantine related issues. We hope you have a safe, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving.
Over this weekend, we can’t stress enough the importance to limit time with non-household members. Continue to do your best to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the flu by frequently washing/sanitizing your hands, wear a mask/face-covering over your mouth and nose when out in public and keep at least 6 feet from non-household members.
If you are not feeling well, please stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance.
New Positives – As of 2 p.m.
Two of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
Health Alert
The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive COVID-19 test from an individual who was at Kelly’s Holland Inn in Batavia (25 Evans St.) on:
Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive case.
We advise all individuals who were at Kelly’s Holland Inn on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days.
If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 5488 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany. The location is between Main Road and Clapsaddle Road. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are also responding.
UPDATE 4:23 p.m.: Fire police are responding for traffic control.
UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: Injuries do not appear to be serious according to a first responder.
UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: A sedan was pulling out of a driveway onto northbound Route 63 and it pulled into the path of a southbound Chevrolet. No one in the sedan was injured. The two occupants of the Chevrolet were sitting up and talking with medics and were going to be transported to a hospital for evaluation. The investigation is ongoing. It is unknown at this time whether citatations will be issued.
Press release:
The Old Courthouse in Downtown Batavia will be lit with orange lights tonight through Dec. 10 in honor of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and a global epidemic. It knows no national or cultural barriers; it takes place at home, in the workplace and in open spaces, and affects millions of women and girls in peacetime and conflict.
It includes psychological, physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting, child marriage and human trafficking.
Violence against women and girls threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and their families.
Zonta International’s ongoing service efforts are demonstrated through numerous local projects and programs and through partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies.
Our ongoing advocacy efforts are built around the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign. Launched in 2012, the campaign has raised awareness of the global pandemic of women’s rights violations and has united Zonta clubs worldwide in conducting impactful advocacy actions to fight violence against women and gender inequality.
During the 16 Days of Activism, Nov. 25 – Dec. 10, all Zonta clubs and districts are encouraged to take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign and the Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County is proud to be part of this effort.
The Club can be reached at: Batavia@zontadistrict4.org -- or by visiting our Facebook page.
A chimney fire that is possibly extending into the house is reported at 6821 Cole Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Bergen, Byron and the city's FAST team.
Le Roy ambulance is also responding.
A first responder says the residence is evacuated and there's heavy smoke inside the residence. It's gone to a second alarm.
The location is between Sweetland Road and East Bethany Le Roy Road.
UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Engines from Stafford and Pavilion called to the scene. Town of Batavia is to fill in for Le Roy. The city's first platoon is called to city fire headquarters.
UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: Caledonia is asked to stand by with Batavia at Le Roy's fire hall. Thermal cameras are deployed at the scene.
UPDATE 4:29 p.m.: City FAST team went back in service at least 15 minutes ago. And Caledonia was released from service as well.
UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Pavilion is put back in service.
UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: Stafford is back in service.
UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: Bergen is back in service.
State troopers have been dispatched to Pavilion Center Road in Pavilion, at the railroad crossing, for a report of a hunter standing on the railroad tracks shooting in the direction of vehicle traffic.
Alonzo C. Williams, 44, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, also a Class B felony. He was arrested after an investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of officers from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia Police Department and Le Roy Village Police Department. It is alleged that Williams sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the drug task force. Williams, who had an active arrest warrant, was located driving on North Street in the City of Batavia and he was taken into custody. Williams was arraigned in Genesee County Court, then released on his own recognizance. The drug task force was assisted by uniformed deputies, Batavia police and the District Attorney's Office.
Michael Eugene Weichman, 25, Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault, and criminal obstruction of breathing. On Nov. 22, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office received a report of a domestic incident that occurred at 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 on Pratt Road. Weichman was identified as the suspect, then arrested and arraigned virtually at Genesee County Jail. A NYS parole detainer was put in place for Weichman and he remains in jail. The case was handled by Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Howard Wilson. Sgt. Andrew Hale also assisted in the case.
Shawn Phillip Wolcott, 38, of South Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree. Following a complaint of a violation of a court order, Wolcott was arrested at 4:49 p.m. on Nov. 22 on South Main Street Road. During his arrest he allegedly obstructed deputies by barricading himself in his home. Wolcott was released with an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Dec. 10. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Jacob Gauthier.
Richard David Trykowski III, 39, Tinkham Road, Darien, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree; aggravated driving while intoxicated -- BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI -- first offense; moving from lane unsafely; unreasonable speed; and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Trykowski was arrested after an investigation of a one-car accident that occurred at 10:07 p.m. on Nov. 22 on South Lake Road in Pembroke. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Pembroke Town Court on Jan. 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Jacob Gauthier.
A car vs. bicyclist accident is reported in the city at West Main Street and Montclair Avenue. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 2 p.m.: The bicyclist was standing up next to the bicycle when first responders arrived. The person has minor injuries and was taken to UMMC for evaluation. A female driver was southbound on Montclair Avenue and went to make a right-hand turn into West Main Street when the accident occurred. She says she looked both ways and it was clear, then the bicyclist suddenly appeared in front of her. The driver was not injured.
Due to the rise of coronavirus cases, there is an increasing demand for tests. Many of our health centers including Albion, Brockport and Hornell provide testing for people with and without symptoms.
At the Corfu, Batavia and Alexander locations we are testing people with symptoms who meet the criteria. To keep everyone safe, all testing is by appointment only.
COVID-19 swab tests are available at our health centers outdoors to ensure safety for patients and staff, however, if you have symptoms, please call in advance for arrival instructions. Test results are typically back in three to five days but in some cases can take up to seven business days.
“We want the community to know that Oak Orchard Health is here for them should they need a COVID-19 test. We have several testing locations and options including a free LetsGetChecked Self-Collection Kit,” said Dr. Mary Obear, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer, Oak Orchard Health (inset photo left).
Regarding payment, Oak Orchard starts by billing the insurance companies (co-pays may apply), and should it not be covered, we also offer a sliding fee scale discount based on family size and annual income. For questions or more information, please call (585) 637-3905, ext. 221.
The LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Self Collection Kits were purchased by Oak Orchard but are being given out free to our patients 18 years of age or older. They can be used at home but are in limited supply.
The kits can be used when appropriate based on current testing guidelines. The test kit comes with a UPS next day air return shipping label to send your sample back to the lab. They aim to deliver your results within 24-72 hours of your sample being received in their laboratory.
Take a moment look at the COVID-19 testing options available at Oak Orchard Health. For more information, visit our website at or call (585) 637-3905.
It’s safe to say that Andrew Maguire, director of economic development for the Batavia Development Corporation, is thankful that several City of Batavia projects are progressing smoothly with the November holiday just one day away.
Maguire, at this morning’s BDC meeting via Zoom videoconferencing, updated the organization’s directors on the project tracking of four Building Improvement Fund ventures as well as three projects identified through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative program.
Building Improvement Fund
The project is receiving $137,600 of the $600,000 in Building Improvement Funds that the BDC was awarded via the DRI.
“Hopefully, we get some really good bids back next month or in January so Matt (Gray) can get started,” he said.
“After that, we will run it through code and zoning to make sure there are no major issues. I’m hoping that can go out to bid in December sometime,” he said.
This project, which calls for two second-floor apartments in its initial phase, also qualified for $137,600 in Building Improvement Funds and another $75,000 through the New York Main Street grant program.
The project was awarded $27,200 in NYMS funds.
“SBI (Single Burning Item) testing results came back – they were negative, as in positive, which is a good thing,” he said. “We wanted that to be negative so (the owner) doesn’t have any more hoops to jump through with ventilation systems and things of that nature. We will be working with the state to get plans finalized and get it out to bid.”
Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Maguire informed directors that the City Planning & Development Committee approved a redesign of the elevator shaft of the Ellicott Place (Save-A-Lot) project, design engineers are meeting frequently to finalize plans for the Healthy Living Campus (YMCA) and City Council expects to approve a design firm for the Jackson Square project next month.
Interview with Dan Ireland, CEO of UMMC. Scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
Press release:
Notre Dame High School is having a virtual fundraiser, Ca$h for Christmas Reverse Raffle, with a chance to win up to $10,000! NYS mandates and restrictions on attendance numbers, due to COVID-19, prevent the school from holding in-person fundraising events.
The Advancement Committee was challenged with getting creative to find ways to raise mone. A reverse raffle is held as part of the annual Trip Night event and is a lot of fun and always sells out, so they decided to put together a virtual reverse raffle on a bigger scale.
Notre Dame Events coordinator Kathy Antinore says “ticket sales are going well as everyone could use $10,000 right before Christmas.”
The Notre Dame Foundation raises funds to use for financial aid and scholarships for students. Those needs are greater now than ever, yet the important fundraising events can’t be held. The object of a “Reverse” raffle is to be the last number drawn.
That lucky person wins $10,000. Between the immense need and the great cash prize, the school is hoping to sell 1,000 tickets.
Tickets are $25 each and there is 20 chances to win at least your money back. Any tickets not winning a cash prize go into a second chance drawing for gift cards and other prizes.
The drawing for the last 50 numbers and all second chance winners will be “Live” on the Notre Dame Facebook page and YouTube page on Thursday, Dec. 3rd. More information can be found on the school’s Facebook page.
Interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Notre Dame at (585) 343-2783 or email events coordinator Kathy Antinore at: kathy.antinore@ndhsbatavia.com
Notre Dame High School, located at 73 Union St. in Batavia, is a private co-educational Jr/Sr high school. Recognized for the sixteenth consecutive year as the number one secondary school in Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties by Buffalo Business First. Notre Dame is a diverse learning community dedicated to academic excellence and rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition. For more information, please visit www.ndhsbatavia.com.
Health Alert
The Genesee County Health Department is alerting the public to possible COVID-19 exposures at the Le Roy Moose Lodge and the Flying J Travel Center in Pembroke. Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases.
Le Roy Moose Lodge:
Flying J Travel Center:
We advise all individuals who were at the Le Roy Moose Lodge or the Flying J Travel Center on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days.
If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Press release:
The Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Batavia Police Department will participate in the statewide enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Nov. 25 and will end on Nov. 29.
Thanksgiving is historically one of the busiest travel times of the year, and unfortunately more people on the roadways means the potential for more vehicle crashes. In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads.
Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
You can help to make a difference by having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp
Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
The spirit of Thanksgiving filled the Council Board Room at the City Centre on Monday night when two City of Batavia firefighters were honored upon their retirement and the department received “invaluable” parting gifts from one of them in return.
Council members Robert Bialkowski and Kathleen Briggs read proclamations recognizing the work of Tom Douglas and Tim Stengel, who served the city for 22 and 20 years, respectively.
After each of the men had a chance to briefly express their feelings, Douglas presented – to a standing ovation -- the department with 10 personal thermal imaging cameras for each crew member to have when confronting a fire.
“We’ve always both believed that when you’re done with something, you should give something back,” Douglas said, looking at his wife, Debbie, who stood by his side.
He said he brought his idea to fellow employees, Adam Palumbo (the union president) and to Chief Stefano Napolitano and “we all came to an agreement.”
Douglas said the cameras will help keep firefighters safe.
“If we get a big incident, we’re covering a large warehouse or something, trying to find something, we’ve got two or three cameras,” he said. “Now, each one of the guys on the crew will have a personal camera that can go in to either help them find what they need or else to help them get out or locate a body and things like that.”
Napolitano, acknowledging the generous gift, said that “unless you’re in our line of work, you don’t really realize what an invaluable tool this is.”
“The ability of each firefighter to carry their own personal imaging camera while they’re inside of a structure doing an initial size-up is invaluable. This is an example of Tom and Tim as senior firefighters, even in retirement, they’re still giving and still mentoring.”
The chief said losing their experience hurts the department, but he is proud to know that the younger firefighters have “learned from two of the best.”
“The result is they learned how to become a senior firefighter because they’re going to do things better, they’re going to do things more smartly,” he said. “These 10 tools are going to enhance getting them to where you two guys are.”
Douglas started as part of the city’s ambulance crew before being promoted to firefighter in September 2000. He was respected as the driving force behind the department’s Emergency Medical Services program, being certified in several areas. He retired on Oct. 15.
Stengel, who retired on May 26, was recognized for being a mentor to new employees by sharing his knowledge and his professionalism.
Both expressed their love for the community and thanked city leaders, coworkers and family for their support.
Top photo: City Council Member Robert Bialkowski and retired firefighter Tom Douglas; bottom photo, City Council Member Kathleen Briggs and retired firefighter Tim Stengel. Photos by Mike Pettinella.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
