A dispatcher said a caller reported seeing 'two subjects in clown costumes' about 10 minutes ago on the overpass bridge on Route 33 near Horseshoe Lake Road.

They were on the north side of the bridge.

Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 5:41 a.m.: An officer states he's in the area, then asks the dispatcher "Did the clowns do anything or were they just there?" The reply is that the clowns were sitting on the railing, then began walking in separate directions. ... Only one call (on this 'issue')."

UPDATE 5:54 a.m.: Law enforcement is clearing the scene; no clowns found.

A motorcycle has reportedly struck a deer in the area of 2178 Broadway Road, Darien.

That's just west of Smithley Road.

The rider is reportedly conscious and alert.

Darien fire and Darien ambulance responding.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after reports found that premiums for Obamacare’s benchmark plans are set to increase by an average of 25 percent. Additionally, consumers' coverage choices will be drastically reduced in many areas.

“The implosion of this failed law was to be expected,” Collins said. “Congressional Democrats and President Obama forced this program into law, despite knowing full and well that the initial rates were artificially low and unsustainable for insurers. Families must now either find 25 percent more income to pay for these increased premiums or opt for significantly reduced health coverage for their loved ones.

“Unfortunately, this latest price increase is another slap in the face to hardworking New Yorkers that Obamacare has failed time and again. Last year, more than 200,000 New Yorkers were kicked off their health care plans after Health Republic overpromised benefits to its consumers, and left New York taxpayers with the double whammy of having to pay for the its $265 million in losses.”

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, premiums and deductibles have increased substantially, the largest private health insurers in the nation have attempted to merge due to crippling losses, and more Americans are on taxpayer-funded Medicaid than ever before, according to Collins.

The collapse of CO-OPs across a variety of states has cost taxpayers more than $1.2 billion. Congressional Republicans have repeatedly proposed and voted to keep certain safeguards of the Affordable Care Act, while increasing plan flexibility and making insurance more affordable and accessible for all Americans.

Congressman Collins has been an outspoken advocate against this failed healthcare program since being elected to Congress. He currently serves on the Health Subcommittee for the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over many aspects of Obamacare and has continuously worked to replace this flawed law.

It's been 22 years since a woman who grew up in Oakfield disappeared, but yesterday, State Police investigators took a fresh look at the case with a search of a pond on property once owned by her husband.

There's been no update on the search, but several troopers participated in the search, according to our news partner, 13WHAM.

Sandra Sollie, formerly Sandra Cervone, was nearly seven months pregnant when she disappeared after last being seen at a shopping mall in Macedon.

Sollie was a resident of Macedon and Ralph Sollie's former property on Weidrick Road, Macedon, is the subject of the search. The property has been searched several times over the years, according to 13WHAM's report.

Sandra still has family living in Genesee County.

Genesee Cancer Assistance has opened up an office inside United Memorial Medical Center, next to the Lipson Cancer Center, to help the agency better serve its clients. 

"We offer financial assistance for medical co-pays, reimbursement of travel expenses and any medical-related expenses not covered by insurance," said Sue Underwood, executive director. "The patients can use the money for whatever they may need related to their treatment."

Via our news partner, WBTA.

Are you looking to try something new? Why not take an art class? Life can be hectic at times – slow it down a little by exploring some creative pursuits. The benefits of taking an art class are numerous: self-expression, relaxation, slowing down, awakening other parts of your mind and discovering new talents are just a few.

His proposed county budget for 2017 is bare-bones and no-frills, County Manager Jay Gsell told Legislators in his annual budget message, delivered as his office wraps up putting together a tax and expense plan that meets the county's obligation to continue state-mandated programs, keeps local services in place and doesn't call on officials to raise taxes above tax cap levels.

Increasing state-manded funding obligations continue to burden local taxpayers, with no relief in sight, Gsell said.

"The continued disregard of New York State's culpability in the county tax rate increases over the past 40 years is something we have learned to live with, but to be additionally mocked by Albany for not being able to control our expenses or tax rates, and blaming us for 'living with these unfunded mandates' is disingenuous at best and necessitate county governments cutting non-mandated, quality-of-life programs, reducing funding for vital community agency programs and depleting our fund balance in lieu of 10- to 30-percent property tax levy increases, neither option of which is sustainable nor logical in tax-happy New York State," Gsell wrote.

Examples of mandated expenses without concurrent state aid is Medicaid, an expenditure equivalent to 80 percent of the county's tax levy. The county is also being forced to pick up more of the cost of legal defense for suspects unable to pay for their own attorney. Unreimbursed legal services costs now exceeds $1.2 million. The state is also mandating an increase in District Attorney pay from $152,500 to $183,350. 

Gsell's budget once again dips into the county's reserve funds, to the tune of $1 million, and transfers $1.1 million in anticipated sales tax revenue from future projects, such as road and bridges, to spend the money in 2017. It also cuts 10 percent of the funding requests for several local agencies, including Genesee County Economic Development Center, libraries, the Holland Land Office Museum, and the Soil & Water Conservation District.

Shuffling the deck chairs enables Gsell to present a balanced budget that keeps the tax levy under the tax cap level.

The proposed tax rate is $9.76 per thousand of assessed value for a total levy of $27,844,499.

Any drastic changes in Gsell's proposed budget, such as raising the tax rate above tax cap levels, or cuts to essential services, what Gsell previously called "the nuclear option," are policy decisions best left to members of the County Legislature, Gsell said.

The legislature meets at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the conference room of the Old Courthouse to discuss the proposed budget.

As mandated expenses continue to grow and the county facing potentially large bills for infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and possibly a new jail, Gsell warns in his budget message that the county may have to consider in 2018 pulling back the 50/50 share of sales tax revenue with towns and the city. The county isn't required to share sales tax revenue and expenses for local roads and bridges falls almost entirely on county government.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider finalizing an application for assistance from Mega Properties. The agency also will consider accepting an application for assistance from TJ Sheehan, a Massachusetts-based wholesaler at the agency’s Oct. 27 meeting.

Mega Properties is once again expanding its distribution operations in the Town of Batavia on behalf of Brantford, Ontario, Canada-based Koolatron Corporation. Mega Properties is seeking incentives for a build out of 25,000 square feet at its current warehouse at Gateway I. The expansion would increase the building to 70,000 square feet on three acres and would create six new jobs.

The GCEDC Board also will vote on whether to accept an application from Massachusetts-based wholesaler TJ Sheehan in which the company proposes converting a former 37,500-square-foot Cargill facility in Alexander to a refrigerated beverage distribution center. If the board votes to accept the application, there will be a public hearing since the incentives total more than $100,000.

The GCEDC board meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. The meeting will be at the MedTech Center, across from Genesee Community College, on the first floor at the Innovation Center, Suite 107. All board meetings are open to the public.

Extending a sales tax allocation agreement with Genesee County, a pact that is set to expire in February 2018, would be in the "best interest of the city and residents of the county," City Manager Jason Molino said to City Council at the governing body's Conference Meeting Monday night (Oct. 24).

Council is being asked -- via a resolution that will be considered at its next Business meeting on Nov. 14 -- to notify the county of its intent to extend the agreement without modification by Dec. 1, per terms of the contract.

The Genesee County Legislature, however, may not be so eager to continue the agreement as currently written, Molino said, and some legislators already have expressed a desire to delete this "notification clause" going forward.

"I would want to see that kept in as it serves a definite purpose -- what is your intent?" Molino said.

Molino gave a brief history of the sales tax allocation agreement, stating it originated in 1999 "in tandem" with the water treatment plant and water treatment facilities agreements and addresses the Genesee County public water supply system program, economic development and water demands in the county. 

The current terms of the sales tax agreement provide the city with 16 percent of the sales tax generated in Genesee County, with the towns and villages splitting 34 percent (based on assessed valuation) and the county receiving 50 percent. 

Molino said the city's 16-percent share is more than it would receive if the sales tax/water treatment contracts weren't in place.

He explained that the city pays the county a surcharge of 60 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used and in return the county leases the water treatment plant from the city and reimburses the city for operational costs.

Additionally, the city buys water from the county (at a discounted rate) and the county sells water outside of the city. The revenue from the sale of water goes to pay for the infrastructure needed to distribute water to the towns.

"It's a comprehensive rural approach where everybody is sharing the resources," Molino said.

Negotiations between city and county leaders are ongoing, Molino said, adding that if a "regional solution isn't obtained by July 1, 2017, that City Council may be requested to extend all three agreements for a one-year term, ending Feb. 8, 2019, to provide sufficient time to finalize and execute new agreements."

He said this would give the Office of the State Comptroller time to review, approve and process the amendment to the sales tax allocation agreement as required by state law.

Molino said that since all three agreements are "intertwined and dependent upon each other," any future accord must continue the existing relationship.

Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. and Council Member Kathleen Briggs are representing the city in talks with the county. Jankowski said that County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg, whose district is in the City of Batavia, also is involved in the negotiations and is "protecting our interests."

In other action, Council moved to its Business meeting, resolutions to:

-- Accept a $1,500 state grant for a child safety seat program; a $3,394 grant from Genesee County STOP-DWI for road checks, saturation patrols and impaired driving crackdowns on eight specific dates starting on Halloween and ending on Labor Day 2017; and an $11,400 state grant to participate in the statewide Police Traffic Services Program. The goal of the program is to increase seat belt use and reduce dangerous driving behaviors.

-- Develop an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan. The document is a regulatory requirement, said Public Works Director Matt Worth, that identifies "noncompliance in pedestrian accessible routes and facilities in the cilty's right-of-way, and outlines a plan and schedule for corrective action."

-- Transfer $83,050 from the construction line to the right-of-way acquisition line for the Healthy Schools Corridor sidewalk project set for next year. Worth said this became necessary after it was discovered that there were three properties in which the new sidewalk would encroach on private lands requiring either a permanent easement or property taking.

Press release:

The fourth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held at the Le Roy High School Gym Saturday, Nov. 5th, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Self Defense, and MMA Grappling.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy, Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 35 years.

John Ferrar from Bedroc MMA in Rochester will be sponsoring the MMA Grappling portion of the tournament.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2016 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

•     Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy 
•     Chapin Manufacturers / Batavia
•     Ben’s Appliances / Batavia
•     Joe Spadaro / S&S Limo / Le Roy 
•     Sport of Kings Restaurant / Batavia
•     Cameron Construction / Le Roy
•     Scofield Rolloff Services / Stafford
•     Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center / Le Roy
•     Borrell’s Karate Academy / Batavia
•     Livonia Tatsu Do Karate / Livonia

Independent Living of the Genesee Region, along with other community-minded partners, will be hosting an Employment for People with Disabilities Event, including a panel discussion of consumers who have found work, a Job Fair of potential employers, and a FREE breakfast!

This is made possible by Restoration Society Inc.’s ACE Employment Services, the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties, and the Genesee County One-Stop Career Center, with funding by a Grant from the Local Business Advisory Council. 

Genesee County: It will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday Nov. 15th at Terry Hills Golf Course, Restaurant and Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton Street Road, in Batavia.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by breakfast at 8:30; the 9:15 a.m. Consumer Employment Panel includes: David Dodge, Todd Vaarwerk, Veronica Frost and Gail McKee.

They will discuss issues such as the Americans with Disabilities Act barring disability-based discrimination in hiring, and the expectation that employers should make “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities, as long as they are not an “undue burden."

Employment seekers should bring their résumés, be “dressed for success” and ready to talk to hiring managers at the Job Fair, starting at 10:30 a.m. We will be recruiting employers to participate in the Fair up to the day of the event.  

For more specifics and to register to attend, contact Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411, or by email at dbecker@wnyil.org. A limited amount of transportation may be available; if you need it, inquire when you register. Pre-registration is required for you to attend, so arrangements can be made.

Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County Public Health Column:

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is this week, Oct. 23-29. The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County Health Departments encourage you to learn about lead, lead poisoning, and the importance of preventative testing in order to make our community a healthier one.

Lead is a metal found in the earth and it is a poison. For years, lead was used in paint, gas, plumbing and many other items. Since the late 1970s, lead paint was banned in the United States, however other countries may not have regulations regarding the use of lead products. Lead can be found in the soil, deteriorated paint, household dust, contaminated drinking water from old plumbing, lead-glazed pottery, some metal jewelry, and at some jobsites (typically construction, manufacturing and mining).

Lead poisoning is preventable but when ingested, even a small amount can cause severe and lasting harm. Exposure to lead can happen from breathing air or dust, eating contaminated foods, or drinking contaminated water. All houses built prior to 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust.

Lead dust, fumes and paint chips can cause serious health problems. Too much lead in the human body can cause serious damage to the brain, nervous system and red blood cells. Everyone, young and old, can be affected if exposed, but children and pregnant women are considered at highest risk. Young children between 6 months and 6 years old are more likely to suffer health problems from lead exposure. Lead poisoning can slow a child’s physical growth and mental development and may cause behavior problems, intellectual disability, kidney and liver damage, blindness and even death.

“New York State Department of Health requires health care providers to obtain a blood lead test for all children at age 1 and again at age 2,” said Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Up to age 6, your doctor or nurse should ask you about ways your child may have had contact with lead.

"Pregnant women are at high risk because lead can pass from mother to her unborn baby, as well as be responsible for high blood pressure and miscarriage. Also, be concerned if you or someone in your home has a hobby or job that brings them in contact with lead."

Prevention is the key! Protect yourself and your family from possible lead exposure by talking to your Primary Care Provider about lead testing. There are also many precautions that can be taken to protect yourself and your family; here are a few. Prior to consuming food, make sure hands are washed, clean your home weekly, do not allow your child to chew on something that is dirty, avoid wearing shoes in the house, and hire a qualified professional if you suspect there is lead in your home that you want removed.

For information about this topic or Health Department services contact,

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website

at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html. Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter at GeneseeCoHealthDept.

• Orleans County Health Department at: 589-3278 or check out our website at: www.orleansny.com/publichealth. Visit Facebook and Twitter: the user name for both is OrleansCoHealth.
• Wyoming County Health Department at: 786-8890 or visit their web site at www.wyomingco.net/health/main.html

The former Batavia mother who is accused of leaving her two young children home alone before a fire broke out, killing both little boys, made her first court appearance today on charges of endangering the welfare of a child; she entered a not guilty plea.

Public Defender Jerry Ader told Justice Micheal Cleveland that he had not yet been able to meet with his client and asked that her case be continued to 10:30 a.m., Nov. 21.

Ace made no statement during the short proceeding.

Investigators have not said where they believe Ace went the night of May 20, allegedly leaving her 2-year-old twins, Micah and Michael Gard, unsupervised at 8157 State Street Road, Batavia.

The children were inside their bedroom at the residence at the time. The investigation determined that the fire originated either inside of, or in close proximity to, the children's bedroom. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Ace, out of jail on her own recognizance, was given revised release orders. Cleveland ordered her to report for supervision to Genesee Justice.

ADA Melissa Cianfrini asked Cleveland to order Ace undergo alcohol evaluation, but Cleveland's order specified only that she not consume alcohol or non-prescription drugs while the case is pending.

Ace appeared in court accompanied by several friends and family members.

An attempted burglary has been reported -- didn't catch the address -- and there is damage to a door. The suspects were last seen fleeing west on Route 5 -- in a golf cart. Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: Law enforcement is out with the golf cart, a Yamaha. No word on arrests.

Press release:

Citywide leaf collection will begin Monday, Oct. 31 and continue through Friday, Dec. 2.

Residents of the following streets can rake to the parkway, but do not place in the street:

• Clinton Street
• Oak Street
• Main Street (including East and West Main Street)
• Pearl Street
• South Main Street (between Oak Street and Walnut Street)
• Walnut Street
• Richmond Ave (between Oak Street and Prospect Avenue.

If your street has a route number (i.e. Route 5, Route 33, Route 63 and Route 98), then please keep leaves out of the roadway.

All other streets are asked to rake leaves to the curb line, taking care not to block storm drainage structures/ catch basins.

Leaf operations typically have one crew on the Southside beginning on River Street, moving East in areas South of Main Street; and second crew on the Northside will work from Grandview Terrace moving west, north of Main Street. A third crew will work using a vacuum along main roads and numbered routes. It takes about two weeks to go through the entire city.

Any resident with leaves can also bring them to the Yard Waste Station on Law Street until it closes for the season on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Beginning Nov. 7^th, the hours of the Yard Waste Station operation will be adjusted to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF COLLECTION

• Leaf piles must be clear of sticks and other debris;
• Grass clippings, flower potting material, branches, pumpkins and gourds cannot be picked up and residents are encouraged to bring those items to the Yard Waste Station;
• Leaves should not block traffic;
• Leaves should not be piled near intersection corners; this causes sight issues for motorist/ bicyclists/ pedestrians;
• Keep leaf piles clear of drainage ways and catch basins; blocked drainage leads to localized flooding;
• Leaves should not be piled around mailboxes, power poles, fences, fire hydrants or other obstacles; 
• Do not park on leaf piles; the heat from a vehicle exhaust system could start a fire.

Bryan D. Bates, 37, of West Main Street, is charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree coercion, second-degree harassment, obstruction of government administration, and resisting arrest. Bates was arrested at 6:35 a.m. on Oct 20 on Liberty Street, Batavia, following a domestic dispute. Bates allegedly unlawfully entered the victim's residence with the intent to commit a crime. He then allegedly became involved in a physical disturbance with the victim. When confronted by police, Bates fled until he was captured by poluce, at which time he allegedly resisted arrest. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail. He is due in court Oct. 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Paris J. McCrimmon, 24, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with first-degree coercion, second-degree menacing, endangering the welfare of a child, and obstruction of governmental administration. McCrimmon was arrested at 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 21 on South Swan Street following a domestic dispute. The defendant was  arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail. The defendant is due in City Court this afternoon. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Samantha Tando, 36, of Penfield Road, Penfield, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested and processed on location at 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 following a physical domestic incident at Batavia Downs where it was alleged that she struck a male across the head. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in City Court on Oct. 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Tyrone A. Brooks, 24, of Tibbits Road, Medina, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 8:42 p.m. on Oct. 16, Batavia Police responded to the Genesee County Nursing Home on Bank Street for the report of a male refusing to leave. While entering the elevator, Brooks allegedly pushed an employee with his shoulder. He was subsequently arrested and arraigned in City Court. He was jailed on $500 bail and was due in City Court on Oct. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Trey G. Henderson, 24, of Jackson Street, Batavia, was arrested at 12:55 a.m. on Oct. 22 as the result of an investigation into an incident that occurred a short time earlier at T.F. Brown's restaurant in Batavia. He is charged with second-degree harassment. He was processed, then released with an appearance ticket returnable to City Court on Oct. 25. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Jamie J. Corrieri, 52, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, speeding, refusal to take a breath test and driving in the center lane. Corrieri was arrested at 1:39 a.m. on Oct. 21 as the result of a traffic stop on Ellicott Street a short time earlier. The defendant was arraigned at 6:30 a.m. in City Court, then jailed on $1,000 cash or bond. Corrieri was due in City Court to answer the charges on Oct. 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Eric Foels, assisted by Officer Eric Bolles.

Christopher Lambert, 36, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. At 10:40 p.m. on Jackson Street, Lambert was allegedly found in possession of a hypodermic needle and heroin. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 25 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Dakota Ryan Lee White, 18, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. The defendant was arrested at noon on Sept. 29 on Buffalo Road in Bergen after an investigation revealed he allegedly took merchandise from a business in the Town of Bergen during the course of his employment. He was issued an appearance ticket for Bergen Town Court on Nov. 2. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Adrienne F. Yocina, 35, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Yocina was arrested at 4:29 p.m. on Oct. 18 after an investigation at a place of business on Ellicott Street in Batavia. Yocina allegedly stole money from the business over the period of a month by making false returns. Yocina was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 25 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole Salamone, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Frank Edward Finnin, 50, of Raymond Avenue, Batavia, was arrested at noon on Oct. 12 on a warrant issued by Genesee County Court for alleged violation of felony probation. He was transported to Genesee County Jail by the Probation Department and was due in County Court this monring. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Ivan Nicolivich Molodkin, 33, of Wellington Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant  after failing to appear at Batavia City Court. He was transported to City Court, arraigned and released on his own recognizance. He was due in court on April 27 in regard to an unspecified incident which occurred on July 2, 2015, on Main Street in Batavia. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Richard E. Stafford, 76, of Orange Grove Drive, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear in City Court on a ticket for aggravated unlicensed operation. He was issued an appearance ticket for this afternoon in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

There is a power outage in Batavia that covers an area north of East Main Street, from about Bank Street to just east of Clinton Street stretching north in a triangle with the tip on Bank Street Road in East Elba.

About 2,400 National Grid customers are affected.

The cause of the outage is not available at this time and emergency dispatchers are not aware of the cause.

National Grid is giving an estimated time of power restoration of 12:45 p.m.

UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: Steve Brady, spokesman for National Grid, said the cause it not known at this time. A crew is at the substation.  He will provide more information when it's available.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: From Steve Brady: "All customers were restored at 12:54 through some switching, but root cause of the outage is still unclear.  There may have been a fuse problem in the station, but crews are still looking at it."

UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: Batavia High School Principal Scott Wilson sent parents/guardians a voice message this afternoon about the power outage. He said power was reported out at 10:55 a.m. and it was restored at 12:30 p.m. and that school officials were in contact with National Grid. The high school remained open throughout the power outage. Backup generators were used and lighting was in place for bathrooms, and the students were provided a hot lunch. They took advantage of natural lighting and students were directed to sit in the atrium and gymnasium. Having Chrome book computers during a power outage was noted as a "new benefit" of the devices, enabling instruction to continue with a minimum of disruption. Wilson said afternoon instruction for BOCES students has been cancelled; students were directed to the library and could be dismissed from there with parental consent. Anyone with questions is asked to call 343-2480, ext. 2000.

A car in the area of 5117 N. Byron Road, Elba, has rolled over after reportedly striking a deer, but the caller reports no injuries.

Elba fire dispatched, and as a precaution, Mercy EMS dispatched.

Several years ago, dispatcher James Tripp and then Batavia PD Lt. Jim Henning got to talking one day about how cool it would be to have replicas of Batavia patrol vehicles made, and Tripp, being a bit of a collector of fire and police memorabilia, he started researching how to get it done.

Employed by both the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD, Tripp began with the idea of getting replica patrol vehicles for both agencies. 

For that batch, he found a company in California that could make them.

About five years later, both agencies had replaced most of their old vehicles and members of both agencies were interested in updated models. He and Henning discussed the options and Henning suggested VSP graphics in Buffalo; the company, at the time, did the decals for Batavia's patrol vehicles. 

That set of vehicles was created in 2010. 

VSP was unable to handle the workload this year, so Tripp turned to Vinyl Sticks, with an office in Batavia, and Vinyl Sticks was willing to take on the job in between their larger jobs. 

Trip ordered the blank 1/24 scale of the SUV used by both departments and the first batch was recently completed.

"These replicas as I indicated are not mass produced and each car's decals are manually applied, which can be a time-consuming task," Tripp said.  

The cars are sold to members of both agencies looking for a keepsake and conversation piece. They can be customized with the officer's badge number on the top of the roof and license plate number. 

Tripp said these cars are not sold at a profit. 

"One other footnote is the City of Batavia replicas (and most common folk would not even notice) have the City of Batavia Police Department special 100-year century of service sticker on the back door of the model, just like the real patrol vehicles, which makes them even more unique," Tripp said.

"I would just add it is one of those things likes arts and crafts I guess that you're either into it or not," Tripp said. "My feelings are, for me anyway, it is a sense of pride for me to display and be proud of what I have done and who I have worked for most of my adult life. Serving and working with emergency services to me has been a blessing for me and I am honored that I have had that opportuinty to do just that in this community. While I am semi-retired, I still enjoy walking in the door of both agencies to represent both agencies to the best of my ability. This project for me is part of that pride."

A 61-year-old man was injured this morning while shooting a shotgun on Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen.

The man's finger was reportedly injured by the shot.

Emergency dispatchers received a call about the incident at 9:17 a.m.

The man, whose name was not released, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Bergen fire and ambulance responded.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.