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Photo: A cold Downtown Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Yes, it's cold, and getting colder.

The overnight low is expected to be two or three degrees below zero with wind chill dropping it down to -24, then in the morning, the temperature will fall even more.

And it will snow. A couple of more inches tonight and another an inch or two tomorrow.

The winter storm warning is effect until 6 p.m., Sunday.

Photos: Ice Devils top Fighting Irish 2-1 in hockey

By Howard B. Owens

In their third matchup of the season today at Falleti Ice Arena, Batavia and Notre Dame battled for three periods in a physical, fast-paced game that ended 2-1 with the Ice Devils on top.

Notre Dame's Trip Night won't be stopped by weather

By Howard B. Owens

Forget the cold, the snow, the wind, just show up at Batavia Downs for Notre Dame's annual Trip Night, say organizers.

There's no weather cancellation here.

Festivities start at 6 and go to 10 p.m.

Photo submitted by Anita Strollo.

After six months under new ownership, p.w. minor is a company transformed

By Howard B. Owens

When Pete Zeliff and Andrew Young first walked onto the factory floor of the p.w. minor building on Treadeasy Avenue, they knew nothing about the shoe industry.

"We could tie our own shoes," Young said with a wry smile Friday morning following a tour of the production line with Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

In the six months since Zeliff and Young rescued the 150-year-old shoe factory from closure, the two local businessmen have not only proven quick studies of the shoe business, they've pulled the firm from the brink of an abyss and placed it on the precipice of success.

After his walking tour, Hawley was impressed with what he saw and heard.

"With Pete and Andrew's investment here, and their hard work, the possibility of success in their eyes, their demeanor, and the people I've seen here working today with their smiles, you can see it," Hawley said. "It's great for the local economy, it's great for Western New York, to see people take a chance and that's what these two gentlemen have done. The State of New York ought to use them and p.w. minor as an example of how to be successful."

As neophytes in the shoe business, when Zeliff and Young first sat in their new offices, they wondered, why do shoes that feel good on your feet need to look dowdy and unimaginative?

The p.w. minor speciality are shoes designed and constructed for people with orthopedic needs, but why should orthopedic shoes be frumpy?

"We've been able to, with some stitching and some designs and some beautiful leathers that we're using, to upgrade those shoes," Young said. "The same lasts (forms used to make shoes), same fit, same feel, but it looks way more 'today,' I guess would be the word."

p.w. minor has long had some great-looking shoes in its line -- one shoe was bought as a prop for the former HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," after all -- and there are high-end brands that turn to p.w. minor to shod voguish-minded Wall Street bankers and urban hipsters.

But the persistent image of p.w. minor is for shoes that favor comfort over fad, In recent years, much of the shoe line had the look of something a doctor might prescribe to dowagers or retired postmen.

"When we got here, we were wondering why people who had to wear shoes that they needed for their feet, but they couldn't also look good," Young said.

One of the first of their new hires was a shoe designer out of Michigan who had experience with shoe company turnarounds.

Every shoe the company sells is getting a makeover. The first samples of the new line will make their industry debut at a trade show in Las Vegas.

"This is a company that designed about three shoes in the previous decade and we're going to a show next week where we're going to introduce three dozen shoes," Young said.

Of course, nobody is going to buy shoes if there are no feet on the street selling the revamped shoe lines to retailers and distributors.

The old p.w. minor got rid of the last of its sales staff years ago, Young said. He and Zeliff have hired five new sales reps so far and plan to hire as many as five more.

"That's already paying dividends," Young said. "We need to get our name out there. I think most of the marketplace thought we were basically dead, and there was good reason for that because we sort of were. I think they're starting to see, and they will really see it at this show next week, that we're definitely back."

The total new hires for Zeliff and Young is 16 so far, and Young says there's more to come. Part of the reason to let the media tag along on Friday's tour was to get the word out locally that p.w. minor is truly a new company. It's a place people should want to work, Young said, and Young wants to attract the best local employees.

p.w. minor was also a company that needed to do a better job of meeting the needs of existing customers. To that end, back orders have been cut tremendously. The company has gone from making 80 pair of shoes a day to 160. It used to take 25 to 26 days for a pair of shoes to wind through the production line. On Wednesday, the crew completed a line of shoes in 4.8 days.

That's a lot of change not just for the marketplace to absorb, but it's even been an adjustment for p.w. minor's employees.

There have certainly been some bumps along the way, Young indicated.

"I always say if I had a nickel for every time somebody says that's not the way we used to do things, I wouldn't need to sell any shoes," Young said. "This company was on a trajectory down, steeply down, and we want it to be on a trajectory steeply up. The change is sometimes hard for us to get through and hard to understand and accept. We're making great progress in that regard, but I like to say it's a big ship to turn. It's turning, but it takes some time."

Top photo: From a fit and feel perspective, the two shoes are essentially the same. They're made with the same fasts, but the one of the left uses more attractive leather and an updated design.

Hawley, Zeliff and Young in the leather room at p.w. minor.

Hawley holds another example of a p.w. minor shoe transformed by design and the material used to make it.

A pair of newly designed fashion boots near the end of production.

Soles waiting to become shoes.

A worker making a shoe.

Hawley with Young and Zeliff.

Glue on shoes.

Cork spread on the bottom of a shoe before the sole is attached. The cork helps ensure the comfort of the shoe's wearer.

This all-weather sole is on a shoe made for another company that sells it under its own brand name. Young said he and Zeliff love the sole, but it's only made in England, and p.w. minor's own shoes will be 100-percent made-in-America.

Nearly finished boots on the factory floor.

Zeliff, Hawley and Young with an employee near the end of the production line.

The slide show below is of pictures sent over by Young of some of the shoes that will be making their industry debut in Las Vegas next week.

Agency gets $400K from state for affordable housing rehab in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A Livingston County-based agency has received a $400,000 state grant for rehabilitation of 15 affordable housing units in the City of Batavia, the governor's office announced.

The agency, Genesee Valley Rural Preservation Corporation, will use the funding to rehab 15 owner-occupied homes over the next 18 months, said GVRPC President Jill Alcorn.

GVRPC provides assistance with for such things as energy reduction measures, handicap accessibility and other improvements for the health and safety of the residents, Alcorn said.

The agency has previously worked with low-income housing stock in Batavia, providing $3.8 in public/private investment assistance over the past 16 years.

Cuomo's office announced that the state has made $7.3 million in investment in low-income housing in 2014 across the state with a $1 billion commitment by 2018.

“Everybody should be able to afford to live in New York – and we’re making record progress today,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Ensuring a safe and decent home for all New Yorkers is paramount to enhancing opportunities for community success and economic growth. By keeping affordable housing a priority of our administration, more New Yorkers have the resources they need to capture this opportunity and for our communities to remain vibrant for generations to come.”

Since 2011, the Cuomo's office said, New York has:

  • Created 13,458 units;
  • Preserved 13,326 units;
  • Returned more than 37,000 units to rent regulation.

There is $486 million in the 2015-16 budget earmarked for affordable housing.

GVRPC will be able to begin this new round of work in Batavia once the contract with the state is signed, Alcorn said.

Photos: Washington Towers honors residents who have quit smoking

By Howard B. Owens

Jeanne Graber and Margaret Hughes are quitters, and we mean in a good way. Graber and Hughes were among a group of Washington Tower residents who were recognized Friday for successfully quitting the cigarette habit. Some of the quitters have stopped within the past year, and others haven't smoked in up to 60 years.

Stafford's proposed ban on fracking and oil drilling gets county planners' approval

By Howard B. Owens

The residents of Stafford are a step closer to banning all natural gas hydrofracking as well as other types of oil and gas exploration, drilling and processing.

The Genesee County Planning Board recommended approval Thursday night of a new local law for the Town of Stafford that would ban such activities within the town borders.

Next step is passage by the Town Board, then it becomes law for Stafford.

According to the proposed law, the purpose of the ban is to: promote the health and safety of Stafford residents; protect and preserve the quality of the town's air, water and other natural resources; and to protect the town's priceless and unique character.

Also recommended for approval by the board:

  • A sign permit for RW Vapors, Ellicott Street, Batavia;
  • With modifications for patient access, a proposed new cancer center at UMMC;
  • A sign for Kay Jewelers in Batavia Towne Center;
  • A windmill on Brown Road in Bethany;
  • A new barn on Zuber Farms, Byron;
  • A new waterslide at Darien Lake Theme Park;
  • A site plan review for expansion of animal waste storage on a farm on Batavia Elba Townline Road.

DWI charge in fatal Thruway accident in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens
Jermaine Vann

One person is dead and a Rochester resident is being charged with DWI after the car he was driving early this morning slammed into the back of a Thruway Authority snowplow near mile marker 404 in the eastbound lane.

The accident was reported at 3:44 a.m.

Killed in the crash was Milagro Lopez-Cruz, 33, of Rochester, who was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Jermaine A. Vann, 34, of Rochester.

Vann's small car was eastbound behind the snow plow when his car rear-ended the plow.

He was charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operator, 3rd, following too closely and speed not reasonable nor prudent for conditions.

He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released at ECMC. 

(Initial Report)

Task force learns there are no ideal locations for new Batavia PD headquarters

By Howard B. Owens

The third of five meetings for the Police Facilities Task Force had members looking at drawings and maps and thinking about traffic patterns, parking and floodplains.

The committee reviewed the proposed sites for a new police station, looked at the options for remodeling the current location -- the old Brisbane Mansion -- and asked why a variety other locations in the city weren't considered.

The task of the task force is to come up with a recommendation for the City Council by July 1.

They meet next on March 10 to look at financing options.

Their virtual tour of potential locations started at 56 Ellicott St., the former Santy Tires location.

Advantages include access to Ellicott Street and Evans Street (a driveway would extend along the north side of the Salvation Army building), high visibility Downtown and the opportunity for all new construction.

The downsides include being in the floodplain (though, by a slight margin, the highest of the sites in floodplains), some level of environmental remediation because of the former auto repair shop and gas stations, and proximity to the Della Penna property.

The Della Penna property itself has been taken off the list because the lot size is slightly too small and it will require significant environmental remediation.

Next up was the Salvation Army building on Jackson Street.

The location is not as visible as 56 Ellicott, but not entirely hidden either. It's also in the floodplain, but would offer a good configuration for the actual building as providing separate parking for police and civilians with separate access points.

The current building is not suitable for retrofitting to meet the needs of a modern police headquarters, so would need to be torn down and a new building constructed.

Another location for a new building is 165 Evans St.

The location would offer a lot of space, but it also creates a lot of problems. It would eliminate the current parking for Falleti Ice Arena, forcing new parking behind the building and perhaps changing the primary entrance for the rink to the back of the building or the north side.

"We've identified that there was a parking issue with the ice rink and that we would need to reconfigure it, but we didn't come up with a solution," City Manager Jason Molino said.

There's a seven-acre lot behind that location and Molino said the city is getting some serious interest in redeveloping that land.

Also under consideration is co-locating with the Sheriff's Office on Park Road.

This is not the clear win advocates of shared services might think. One of the big cost drivers (making it a very expensive option) is that the new building would require new mechanicals. If the two buildings had been constructed as one facility or built at the same time, then they could share heating and air and such; but they weren't, so they can't.

"If it's not that much cheaper, why are we discussing it?" Molino said. "Because, for 25 years, people have been suggesting it, so it at least deserves a good evaluation or people will always be asking the question and saying, 'well, you didn't look at this site.' "

The biggest challenge, Molino said, would be for the city and county to come up with an operating agreement -- how costs would be allocated, what would be shared, what would remain separate, and similar operations issues.

The location, being well outside the heart of the city, would also require a satellite office for the department somewhere Downtown.

For the current facility, which is more than 150 years old, there are two options: Tear down the 1963 addition to the facility (the entire back of the building) and build new or remodel the existing wing.

Neither option offers significant cost savings over building an entirely new building at another location. It doesn't solve the parking and access issues currently faced by the department and no new floor plan could be fashioned that meets the needs of a small city police department in 2014.

But officers could have an indoor firing range in the basement.

Another option Molino presented to the task force was maintain the status quo.

Such an option wouldn't improve the layout of the building, because no substantial changes could be made.

The current building isn't compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, so any design changes beyond just the cosmetic would force the city to make the entire building conform to ADA rules. The cost thing skyrockets back up to the range of a complete remodel. 

Enlarging the bathrooms and adding air conditioning to the parts of the building that don't have it are both examples of pressing needs with the current building that would kick in ADA rules.

Chief Shawn Heubusch offered that early on, officials looked at the mall as a possible location, but there's no good solution to some of the access issues it would create.

Any location on Main Street would present access and parking problems.

The city at one time looked at the old armory on State Street, locations around Alva Place and on Bank Street and the Harvester Avenue area and found significant deficiencies in access and traffic patterns with each.

The bottom line: There is no easy answer to the question of where Batavia should house its police force.

Top photo: John S. Brice, architect, Geddis Architects, who facilitated the discussion. Bottom photo: City Manager Jason Molino.

County highway superintendent warns of treacherous conditions tomorrow

By Howard B. Owens

Message from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

The National Weather Service is not catching this yet, but I expect that driving conditions from tomorrow afternoon through Sunday morning will be treacherous. Forecast is for wind gusts up to 37 mph and lake effect snow off and on for and additional 3-5 inches. Most of the County has between 20 and 36 inches of snow on the ground. The snow and wind combined with the high snowbanks is going to create whiteout conditions in open areas. All of this will create blizzard-like conditions.
 
The National Weather Service is covering the dangerous cold and wind chill, but have not yet highlighted the problems with blowing snow. 
 
I am expecting driving conditions to deteriorate rapidly tomorrow afternoon. I suspect there will be plenty of people attempting to travel out for Valentine's Day dinner and other activities. At this point, I recommending extreme caution. Anyone caught in a whiteout or off the road could have serious problems if they are not equipped to handle the extreme wind chills we will be experiencing - -currently projecting -35°F.

Serious injury accident reported on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with possible serious injuries is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 404. 

The call came from a tollbooth operator. 

A Thruway vehicle is involved; the injury is in the second vehicle. 

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire along with Mercy EMS responding. 

UPDATE 3:58 a.m.: Mercy Flight out of Batavia is only available for eastbound flights at this time. Dispatch on availability of Mercy Flight out of Buffalo. 

UPDATE 4:09 a.m.: All eastbound traffic being blocked. CPR in progress. 

UPDATE 4:18 a.m.: Mercy Flight can stand down. 

UPDATE 5:50 a.m.: We have no further information at this time. The accident is under investigation, according to State Police.

Closures and cancellations for Friday, Feb. 13

By Howard B. Owens

Closures and cancellations announced so far for Friday, Feb. 13, due to weather:

  • Batavia City Schools
  • Pavilion Central Schools (not closed: two-hour delay)
  • Notre Dame
  • St. Joe's
  • Bingo tonight at St. Mary's is cancelled

E-mail closures and cancellations to howard@thebatavian.com

Teen accused of selling drugs on school grounds in Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

A 17-year-old has been charged with three felonies after being observed allegedly selling narcotics on school grounds in Alexander.

Nicholas David Frayne, of Chick Road, Darien, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance on school grounds, criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of controlled substance as a Class A misdemeanor. 

The alleged sale was reported at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Alexander Central School.

Officials did not say who observed the alleged sale.

The case was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves and Sgt. Greg Walker.

Frayne was arraigned in Town of Alexander Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Darien Lake rolls out two new rides for 2015

By Howard B. Owens

Darien Lake Theme Park draws thousands upon thousands of visitors from all over Western New York each summer, but General Manager Chris Thorpe says Genesee County residents are going to be especially pleased with what they find at the park this season.

Two new massive rides are going to add a lot more value for season-pass holders, he said, and local season-pass holders are an important customer base.

"We are excited to present these two new attractions this year," Thorpe said. "We think it cements us as the best entertainment value in Western New York, particularly from a local perspective. For Batavia residents, local Genesee County residents, our season pass will offer so much more this year. We're excited to give them the opportunity to come out and visit the park frequently, over and over, to see what a great value we are."

The new rides are called Brain Drain and Rolling Thunder.

Brain Drain is a massive, seven-story waterslide that offers twin free-fall drops through tubes that loop and cross, with riders zooming through at 38 feet per second until they're blasted into a pool of water at the base.

Riders start in an enclosed launch capsule, with both riders dropping into the tube simultaneously when the floor beneath them gives way.

Roling Thunder is a compact steel loop that stands 73 feet at its apex and propels 24 riders at time through a closed loop on a high-speed train. The ride hangs passengers upside down and rockets back and forth through the loop.

Construction will begin soon and the rides are expected to be ready for opening day, May 9.

The expansion gives the park 47 rides for visitors to choose from, with enough variety to please all guests, Thorpe said.

"There's so much to do, but what's even better, is there's something for everybody in the family here," said Thorpe, who is originally from Buffalo and first started working at Darien Lake in 1995, rising to the level of general manager, transferring to other theme parks for the past couple of years and now returns home.

Noting how important Darien Lake is to the local economy in the jobs it creates and the tourism dollars it attracts, Chamber President Tom Turnbull said it was great to see the theme park adding rides.

"One of the things I've learned from our friends at Darien Lake -- they've kind of schooled me on the amusement park business -- is how important attractions are in driving attendance," Turnbull said. "To have not just one new attraction, but two new attractions means, I think, we can expect a banner year at Darien Lake."

Adding rides is a departure from last year's strategy to draw visitors to the park, using entertainment, such as the Harlem Globetrotters, a Latin music festival, and, of course, Nik Wallenda to draw in crowds.

To be sure, Wallenda brought guests to the park, but he's moving on to other venues this season and Thrope said the new rides are a good fit for what the park already offers.

"We'll still have our traditional entertainment in place, the magic shows and things like that, but last year's focus was Nik Wallenda, which was a very strong attraction," Thorpe said. "This year, we're going more with a hardware focus and looking at attractions that will peak people's interest."

The park will still work to maintain its identity as a destination with strong Western New York roots, Thorpe said, a branding effort begun by park management two seasons ago.

"It's important for us to be woven into the cultural fabric of Western New York and those things like the Anchor Bar and Tim Horton's and all the local vendors we work with are critically important to our success," Thorpe said.

Chris Thorpe explaining Rolling Thunder.

Tom Turnbull

Law and Order: Man in trouble for pictures posted to social media site

By Howard B. Owens

Stephen J. Turkasz, 24, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Turkasz is accused of posting photos of people who are the subject of a protective order on a social media Web site, in alleged violation of the order of protection.

Malcolm A. Kea, 27, Porter Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to a charge of operating while registration suspended or revoked. Kea was arrested at his residence for alleged failure to appear.

Curt Thomas Randall, 27, of Swamp Road, Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Randall was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday on Byron Holley Road, Bryon, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Benjamin G. Evans, 26, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of stealing from Tops Market, Batavia. Evans was arrested by State Police.

Weather Report: Wind chill warning issued for this evening through Friday

By Howard B. Owens

A little bit of snow fell on Batavia overnight and this morning, but that isn't the worst weather news you're going to get today.

It's going to get cold. Very cold.

A wind chill warning is in effect from 6 p.m. until noon Friday.

With winds of 10 to 20 mph, the wind chill value will be 20 to 30 degrees below zero.

The National Weather Service warns of the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia.

Stay warm.

Snow squall coming through area in next hour, could affect driving visibility

By Howard B. Owens

A band of lake effect snow is passing through Western New York and could come into Genesee County, affecting visibility for those on the roadways within the next hour.

There could also be unexpected slick spots on roads.

The Thruway area affected is between exits 48 and 60.

Caution is advised while driving.

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