Not surprising for Western New York in the middle of February, the cold and snow keeps coming.

Tonight, there will be some lake effect snow east of Batavia, but Batavia itself may get only minor dusting.

There will be a little snow tomorrow and Tuesday night with 100 percent chance of snow on Wednesday, but it doesn't sound like it will be much of a storm.

Highs will be in the mid 20s with some, but not much, wind.

Picture: A very large icicle is forming from the waterspout off Strong Forge on School Street.

The Grand Jury has issued a two-count indictment against Lekisha M. Avant. Avant is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 8, 2005, Avant, while at the Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia, did knowingly and unlawfully possess a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it.  The indictment further alleges that on Dec. 29, 2009, Avant was again at the Days Inn and knowingly and unlawfully possess one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug (cocaine) having an aggregate weight of one-eighth an ounce or more. (For initial arrest report, click here.)

The Grand Jury issued a two-count indictment against Charles Brown. Brown is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd.  The indictment accuses Brown of driving on Aug. 20, 2009, on the Thruway through Le Roy when he knew, or had reason to know that his license was suspended. Brown allegedly was operating with 10 or more suspensions imposed on at least 10 separate dates. The alleged suspensions date back to Feb. 6, 2003.

An accident with either minor or no injuries has been reported in the area of 9718 Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

A vehicle reportedly struck a utility poll and rolled over.

There are electrical wires down in the roadway and Fire Police have been called in to shut down the road until repairs can made.

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Corey J. Hemmer, 23, of 91 S. Main Apt. B, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Hemmer reportedly tried to return an empty box to Walmart at 6:41 p.m. Friday in exchange for a gift card. Hemmer reportedly received a gift card and after he left the customer service counter, employees reportedly discovered the box had no merchandise inside. Hemmer was located at a cash register attempting to purchase merchandise from the store.  When confronted by a loss prevention officer from the store, Hemmer allegedly ran from the store. When he was caught outside, Hemmer allegedly resisted detention. The loss prevention officer also reportedly spotted merchandise inside of Hemmer's jacket. Hemmer was eventually found hiding behind trees off Route 63.

Alice E. Coover, 34, of 112 Lake St., Apt. 1, Le Roy, is charged with three counts of unlawful dealing with a child 1st. Coover was arrested by Sgt. Michael J. Hare of the Le Roy Police Department for allegedly providing alcohol to three teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Amy E. Loranty, 27, of 215 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Loranty is accused of being in Target at 12:15 p.m. yesterday with her boyfriend and her two children when she allegedly stole articles of clothing.

Thomas C. Couse, 45, of 2728 Buffalo Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Couse was allegedly involved in a car accident at 3:20 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 33 and 33A, Bergen. Couse allegedly left the scene of the accident and then was identified when he returned to the scene. The accident was investigated by Deputy John Weis.

Jason Norman Haacke, 32, of 47 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Haacke was stopped by at 8:59 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Jason Saile in Oakfield for allegedly speeding. He was then arrested on the alleged DWI charges.

Robert Alan Steavens, 41, of 3478 Spring Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper right turn, failure to dim headlights.  Steavens was stopped at 2:13 a.m. Friday in Darien by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 21, of Bergen, is charged with harassment 2nd. Bobzin was arrested by State Police at 11:17 p.m. Sunday. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

2:37 p.m., Feb. 6, Judge Road, Alabama, two vehicles; Driver 1: Wendi L. Kavenagh, 34, of Le Roy; Driver 1: Daniel J. Davis, 43, of Middleport. No injuries reported.

Two types of attic water damage are common in cold climates: ice dams and condensation of water vapor on cold surfaces in the attic.

Ice Dams

Ice dams sometimes occur on sloping roofs in climates with freezing temperatures. When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, it causes snow on the roof to melt and run down the sloping roof. When the snowmelt runs down the roof and hits the colder eaves, it refreezes.

Mercy Flight is being dispatched for an unknown medical situation on Drake Street Road in Elba.

Elba Fire has been called in to set up a landing zone in a field off of the intersection of Pekin Road and Drake.

In response to reports that the State Lottery is threatening to remove Batavia Downs video lottery terminals,  Joseph Gallo, chairman of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, has issued the following statement:

Western Regional Off-Track Betting pledges to work with the New York State Lottery over concerns regarding the performance of Batavia Downs Casino. As part of our formal response, a special meeting of the Western Regional OTB Board of Directors has been called for Thursday, February 11, 2010. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11 o'clock AM inside conference facilities located at Batavia Downs Casino. At that time, the Board will discuss elements of a comprehensive management improvement plan being requested by State regulators.

Jeff here, a nice guy with few demands. I'm an adult stray, neutered-male fox hound. "I'm good with other dogs and good on a leash. Give me wholesome food, fresh water, a warm bed and a loving, human pal, and I'm good to go." Kennel 22.

I'm Gerry, found in a snowbank, brought to the Genesee County Animal Shelter by a Sheriff's Deputy. I was malnlourished and dehydrated. I got checked out by a vet and sent to a loving foster home to get some vittles, put on some pounds and get healthy.

Although my ears show some frostbite, I'm doing great and gaining weight. I'm an orange tiger domestic shorthair cat, an adult neutured male. I'm sweet and loving. My favorite things to do include watching birds outside the window and curling up in laps. I'm available for adoption at Petco in Batavia.
 
Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY   14020
(585)343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter

Here are the most viewed posts for January, 2010.

• County nursing home isn't up for sale, but the option is part of a proposed study
• Teller accused of stealing $45,000 from Bank of Castile in Le Roy
• Batavia Council votes against extra level of life-saving service for city residents
• Batavia mother accused of hurting baby
• Not raising taxes might be tough, council learns in first budget session
• Bus driver from Kid Rock tour pleads not guilty to DWI charges
• Attorney in fatal accident case seeks mobile phone records from other car
• Today's Poll: Should corporations have same political free speech rights as individuals?
• Co-owner of Latina Market location says group actively trying to sell property
• Hawley asks governor not to touch snowmobile fund

Also, we set a record for most visits to the site in January, hitting 155,782. That broke the December record, which broke the August record. August is still the biggest month for unique visitors and page views.

Kenneth J. Barons, formerly of Bergen, (May 23, 1915 - April 2, 2008) pictured on his horse while serving in the New York National Guard, Headquarters Troop, 121st Cavalry Rochester, New York, 1935.  Mr. Barons resided in Bergen from 1944 until 2006 when he entered the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.  He was a lifetime member of the Hesperus Lodge 837 and volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America Tr 31 in Bergen and Iroquois Trail Council as well as a member of the Bergen Rod & Gun Club.  

Cold enough for you today?  When I arrived at the scene of the Merrill Road fire this morning, my truck thermometer told me it was 13 degrees. It was so cold that even normally stoic firefighters made comments about it.

Well, it should be a little warmer tomorrow -- all the way up to 20 degrees.

There's a 50-percent chance of more snow tonight and a 40 percent chance of light snow tomorrow afternoon.

By Monday, we get into some "partly sunny" weather with a high of 23 degrees.

The next real prediction for snow comes on Thursday, and a high of 27 that day.

Stay warm. Only six more weeks of winter.

Above, a picture from this morning of the vacant Sunny Brook Acres building on Drake Avenue in Oakfield.

There’s a good story behind many of the lures in my old tackle box. Such is the case with the wobbling spoon pictured above. Called a Red-eyed Wiggler, it was at one time manufactured by the Hofschneider Tackle Co. in Rochester, N.Y. I was twelve years old on the day I made a mental note to purchase one. And I doubt I ever clipped it to my line without thinking of two former Batavians who, back in the day, were virtually inseparable. You see, they were the reason I went out and bought a “wiggler”. Before I tell you about them, I first need to fast forward a few years.

I was an up and coming northern pike fisherman on the day I walked into Barrett’s Batavia Marine to see the late Paul Levins. I wanted Paul to show me how to make a slip-bobber rig for catching northerns. I was strolling between used gun rack and the counter when I heard Paul’s voice from the back of the store.  “That’s a nice pike,” he said.

It was a nice pike, big as any I’d seen up to that time. Having seen the fish, I walked right into the mix, immediately asking “Where’d ya catch it?” The proud angler was from the east end of town, I had seen him around, but didn’t know him personally. “Under the Jackson Street Bridge,” he replied.  It wasn’t long before I learned the pike in question wasn’t caught at said locale. As is common practice among anglers, I don’t blame him for trying to keep his hotspot a secret.

What’s more, at the time the fibber’s account made perfect sense to me. The reason being, it had only been a few years earlier that I was standing atop the old Lehigh Railroad Bridge – which was adjacent the South Jackson St. Bridge - when I saw a rowboat passing below. In it were the aforementioned pals who grew up on Batavia’s southside. Pat Pullinzi was doing the rowing while Mike Lovria tended to his fishing gear.

A two-vehicle accident with two people injured has been reported at the intersection of Main and Oak, Batavia.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: One of the drivers is being arrested. She allegedly has "a bunch of suspensions." The arresting officer said, "We'll be getting some bail on her."

A car in a driveway at 31 Buffalo St., Bergen, is on fire.  It is reportedly close to a structure.

First responder from Bergen Fire is on scene. He describes it as "a working car fire."

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: The fire is being held to the response of one Bergen engine.

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Harley sure seemed to enjoy being the center of attention today at Carlson's Studio, where he was one of several dozen pets today who posed for a professional portrait by Ameka Cooper.

The Kilner family brought in 15-month-old Harley and then helped get him posed for his shots. He was a little too excited at times to cooperate. And when a flash went off, he was sure it was something he needed to chase.

Above, Jaylene and Shay try to get Harley to settle down long enough to pose for Ameka.

Below, Dan takes on the role of calming influence on Harley.

Proceeds from today's pet portraits will benefit Volunteers for Animals.

If you had your pet portrait taken, don't forget to submit your pet to our Pet of the Week contest by sending a picture to (pets  (at)  the batavian dot com) (reassemble the e-mail address, of course).

It's ready to go and a club member told me this morning that Sno-Packers are feeling pretty confident that the Town of Alabama Board is going to approve the agreement with Genesee County this week that will enable the club to reinstall its bridge on Sour Springs Road.

Members of Genesee ARC's Challenger program had a chance to ride snowmobiles and all-terrain winter vehicles today, courtesy the Genesee Sno-Packers snowmobile club.  The annual event was held at the Sno-Packers facility on Pearl Street Road in Oakfield.

More pictures after the jump:

A barking dog alerted a 13-year-old boy and his sister to a fire in his home late this morning in Byron, allowing them both to get out of the house safely before the entire structure burst into flames.

Byron Fire Chief John Durand said the house was already fully involved and a total loss before the first fire truck arrived.

"It had a big head start on us," Durand said.

The house is located at 6137 Merrill Road and is owned by William R. Causyn. His daughter, Heidi, and son, Tyler Walls, were in the house when the fire started.

"They heard the dog bark and then saw fire and smoke inside the laundry room," Durand said. "They called 911 and got out of the house."

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

About dozen fire companies from Genesee, Monroe, Orleans and Livingston counties responded to the scene. The large response was necessary in part because the house is not on a street with a hydrant system, so tanker trucks were needed to shuttle water to the fire.

Upon arriving at the scene, Bergen's Deputy Chief Paul Cummings (pictured, right) acted quickly to disconnect the house's propane tank and roll it away safely from the residence.

Cummings works for Suburban Propane.

"I wouldn't just have anybody do it, but I knew he knew what he was doing," Durand said.

As for Cummings' bit of heroics, Genesee County Emergency Coordinator Tim Yaeger said, "That's what we do."

No firefighters were injured during the incident. 

Red Cross is on scene to assist the family.

Durand acknowledged the situation could have been a lot worse if the fire had erupted in the middle of the night.

"They were already up and about," Durand said. "It's not like if it was three o'clock in the morning and they had to get up and get dressed. There were able to get out as soon as somebody yelled 'fire.' At three o'clock in the morning, it's always possible it's a far different outcome."

UPDATE: We've added five pictures submitted by Ralf Kurzowski.

More pictures after the jump:

A fully involved structure fire is occurring at 6137 Merrill Road in Byron. It is located between Warboys and North Bergen roads.

The call has gone to second alarm and heavy smoke is reported.

Fire trucks from South Byron, Byron, Bergen, North Bergen and Elba are responding. Tankers from Byron and Bergen are responding and a fast team from the Town of Batavia. Stafford is on standby so is Churchville. Mercy EMS has also been called.

Monroe County aid has been requested.

UPDATE (11:33 a.m.): Two more tankers have been requested, including one specifically from Churchville.

UPDATE (11:38): Le Roy Fire Department is on scene.

(UPDATE: 11:42) Elba is called for more manpower and tanker. National Grid has been notified.

(UPDATE: 11:45 a.m.) "They lost their draft, we've got no water," a firefighter yells, apparently about one of the pumpers. Another tanker is almost there. An aerial unit is requested. Law enforcement is called to Merrill and North Bergen roads, because "people are going past fire police, they refuse to stop."

(UPDATE: 11:51) Bergen is on scene with a full tanker. A tanker driver is requested.

(UPDATE: 12:01 p.m.) A code-enforcement officer is requested to the scene.

(UPDATE: 12:02 p.m.) American Red Cross is requested to the scene. Per Byron command, some firefighters are leaving to fill tankers and others called to take their places.

(UPDATE: 12:06 p.m.) An Oakfield engine has been requested to standby at the Elba fire hall.

(UPDATE: 12:09 p.m.) Supertanker 87 is nearing scene. Byron command tells the driver: "Radio traffic is heavy and I not gonna be able to yell at you, so I'll hold flags up (to give directions). The tankers are going in and out of here." Law enforcement is called to Route 237 -- "There's a lot of traffic, it's getting dangerous."

(UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.) National Grid on scene.

(UPDATE: 12:44 p.m.) Update is requested on availability of helicopter. Answer: Unable to respond due to weather.

(UPDATE: 1:04 p.m.) Byron Town Supervisor Bob Crnkovich is requested to the scene.

(UPDATE: 1:07 p.m.) Heard on the scanner: "Joe, do you want a cup of coffee?" Reply, with a note of enthusiasm "Ab-sol-utely!" Also, Red Cross is almost on scene.