A person in a blue pickup truck was seen on Jericho Road, Bergen, smashing mailboxes.

The caller attempted to follow the truck, but it took off at a high rate of speed and the caller was not going to attempt to keep up with it.

It was last seen on Creamery Road.

The state law meant to curtail tax breaks by IDAs for retail developments should be defined as narrowly as possible, according to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

If IDAs broadly interpret the law and push through subsidies for projects that should be outside its scope, then reforms may be necessary, DiNapoli said.

"They should certainly interpret it as narrowly as possible," DiNapoli said. "Having not been a Legislator at the time, I can't overly interpret on their behalf the intent. But what I think we'll do with IDAs that are too broadly interpreting that exception is, we'll make recommendations and work with legislators to tighten up that definition, if that seems necessary to curtail the use of IDA incentives for retail."

DiNapoli was in Batavia this afternoon for a meet-and-greet fundraiser hosted by the Genesee County Democrats at Larry's Steakhouse.

Throughout a six-minute conversation with The Batavian, DiNapoli made it clear he doesn't believe IDAs should be, as a general rule, handing out tax incentives to retail projects.

Asked whether retail chains really wouldn't come to a community unless they get tax breaks, DiNapoli said "that probably varies from community to community," but went on to explain the problem, as he sees it, with such IDA incentives.

"The kind of retail projects we've seen in recent years are the kind of projects that in the long term do not promote the kind of job creation and economic development that would really make a lasting difference in a community," DiNapoli said.

"I continue to have very healthy skepticism of the value of such incentives. As we always point out, there is a cost to the communities that isn't fully realized, so it underscores that the kinds of economic development (undertaken) should be of greater significance, more long lasting, have a transformational impact, and retail doesn't really provide that."

In early May, the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board approved $1.8 million in tax incentives for COR Development to remodel the vacant space at Batavia Towne Center formerly occupied by Lowe's Home Improvement.

The package includes a reduction in property taxes and forgiveness of state and local sales taxes on building material and store fixtures.

The state law prohibits IDAs from giving away state sales tax money unless certain findings are made (there is no law that prohibits other tax breaks for retail projects). The potential findings are that the project is in a highly distressed area, is a tourist destination or will provide goods and services not readily available to area residents.

It was on the last exception that the GCEDC board based its decision on. There was no evidence presented at any public meeting to substantiate the finding.

The only known tenant at the time of the vote was Dick's Sporting Goods.

Genesee County has five small retail outlets that sell sporting goods, four of which are locally owned.

Among the arguments put forward by GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde in support of tax breaks for COR is that he needs that Lowe's space filled in order to attract major corporations to projects such as WNY Stamp and the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

"I'm not sure I buy that argument," DiNapoli said. "I'm not in a position to judge that, but that argument is a stretch."

DiNapoli acknowledged that interpretation of the law is largely left up to the local IDAs.

"Even the report we put out every year (on IDAs in NYS), even that is limited by the fact that it's self-reported information," DiNapoli said. "As people have pointed out, IDAs, as well as other authorities in New York, tend to operate with a level of autonomy that I think doesn't provide a maximum opportunity for accountability.

"As you point out," he added, "there are certain exceptions and there certainly there isn't any easy way to clamp down on an IDA that might be too generous in interpreting that exception."

A tree limb down on North Lyon has knocked out power for a section of the city and town, including three traffic lights and police have asked that drivers be reminded to treat the intersections as four-way stops.

The limb down was reported at 12:30 p.m.

According to Sgt. Jason Davis, Batavia PD, National Grid has asked that rather than using city workers to cut up the tree that a National Grid crew do it. The company's tree-cutting crew is not on yet on scene and there's no ETA for its arrival.

Once the tree is out of the way, work crews will need to replace up to three utility polls.

According to National Grid, power should be restored by 6 p.m.

Nearly 440 customers in Batavia are without power.

The vehicle and traffic code requires drivers to treat an intersection with its traffic lights out as a four-way stop.

Davis wants to remind drivers to use caution at and approaching the affected intersections, which are on West Main Street and West Main Street Road (Town of Batavia) at River Street, Tops Plaza and Lewiston Road.

Time-Warner customers in the area are also without phone and Internet service.

UPDATE 7:03 p.m.: New ETA for power restoration is 10:30 p.m.

UPDATE: Power restored about 10 p.m.

A tree near the roadway is reported to be on fire at 8173 State Street Road, at the dead end. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: The chief reports that a portion of the tree fell into power lines.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: The chief says there's nothing the fire department can do there and the town's assignment is back in service. National Grid is notified. Part of the tree is dangling on a primary power line and the homeowner is advised to remain clear of it.

Two Buffalo Bills players were at City Slickers on Saturday night to mark the restaurant's first anniversary.

Pictured are Shaun Vaccaro, of Fullblast Productions, Patrick Kelly, of Fullblast, Bills defensive back Crezdon Butler, Bills defensive back T.J. Heath and Fullblast owner Tim Walton.

Didn't catch the address, but a caller to dispatch reports that two very large Newfoundland dogs, "Newfies," are sleeping on her porch. They are nice and friendly but she has never seen them before and has no idea who their owner is.

An animal control officer is responding.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: We believe the Darien address is 1402 Erie Road.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: The officer has picked up the pooches and is taking them to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Strong winds have brought down utility poles, live wires and a large tree, which is across the roadway and completely blocking traffic at 44 N. Lyons St. in the city. The fire department is responding. National Grid has been advised.

Also, a transformer reportedly blew up or is on fire at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue, creating a power outage in the area.

The traffic signals at West Main Street and Lewiston Road are out as a result of the power outage.

A severe thunderstorm is moving into the area and the National Weather Service has issued a special weather alert until 6:45 p.m. The storm is capable of producing quarter-size hail, strong, gusty winds and very heavy rain. The storm was located near Oakfield and is heading in a northeasterly direction.

Join The Batavian Club today and receive a free vinyl print of a photograph by Howard Owens of Genesee County. See the slide show below for available choices.

The prints will be made by Vinylsticks, a Batavia business that creates all manner of signs, prints, decals and stickers. 

Use the PayPal buttons below. After you complete your order, please e-mail howard@thebatavian.com with name of the picture you want (mouse over the photo in the slide show to see the name).

Or, you can phone in your credit card number and details to (585) 250-4118 during normal business hours, Monday thru Thursday.

To join by mail and pay by check or credit card, download this form and mail it to us. Be sure to specify on the form which picture you want. Titles are in the upper left.

To learn about the club, visit the club's new Web site.

Annual membership, no recurring payment, $60

Annual membership with automatic recurring payment of $50 per year

The Artisan Market at Harvester opened today with more than a dozen artisans participating.

The goal is to create a space that attracts artists and customers for their creations from throughout the region.

"When people come in they're going to know this is not commercial, it's not buy-sell, it's not a craft show, it's not a flee market. It's an artisan market," said Lucie Griffis, the market's manager. "We want bring a little of the artistic life from other areas to right here."

The market is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will host two-day events on first Fridays and Saturdays later this year. 

There is an area with tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy entertainment acts, from jugglers to musicians. Local charities are welcome to use the space for their food-sales fundraisers (chicken BBQs, pulled pork, hot dogs and hamburgers, etc.) for free.

Top photo: Sharon Jahnke Long works on a portrait of Julliette Yates.

Author and weaver Bridgette ni Brian.

Dave Watson with his guitars.

David Houseknecht, of Scottville, with his sister Sherry Bateman, of Elba, with his van, which is covered with red, white and blue political magnets of his own design with messages such as "Stand with Rand," "America Needs Another Ronald Reagan" and "Obama and Holder, Fast and Furious Bros." 

All the signs were made for him by Batavia Sign Company, he said.

The van was parked outside Settler's Restaurant this morning.

"America's at a crossroads," Houseknecht said. "We need freedom more than ever. We need to speak about it. We need to talk about it. We need to live it. I ain't socialist and I ain't politically correct, either."

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported in the area of 260 State St., Batavia.

One person is requesting evaluation.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Genesee Cancer Assistance hosted a 5K race this morning that started and ended at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street. The event is combined with a chicken BBQ, chance auction and balloon release.

We'll post race results after we receive them.

A thief threw a rock through a window door at the Sherwin-Williams store on Liberty Street, Batavia, some time overnight and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash from a safe in the office.

The store is open today.

Batavia PD is not releasing any further information at this time.

Genesee ARC crews were out and about this morning picking up garbage. It's the last day of a 28-year run for ARC as the contracted trash collector for the City of Batavia. From now on, residents are required to arrange for their own garbage collection with a private hauler. ARC is going into competition with five other companies that will provide trash service.

An investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into alleged marijuana cultivation in Le Roy has led to the arrest of a woman following a raid of a home on East Main Street near North Street.

Officers from multiple agencies participated in the raid and as a precaution, administrators of Wolcott School were asked to have students shelter in place.

Taken into custody and issued an appearance ticket was Sara Schimley, 23, of East Main Street, Le Roy

Schimley is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending.

Participating in execution of the search warrant were uniformed officers from Le Roy, the Sheriff's Office and State Police.

The search allegedly uncovered a quantity of marijuana and equipment used to grow marijuana.

A Pavilion resident already in custody for allegedly for possessing a stolen truck was charged today with burglary following an investigation by Le Roy PD.

The initial arrest of Bryan M. Hargrave, 26, of 7273 Morrow Road, Pavilion, came Saturday by the Sheriff's Office.

Earlier that day, a box-style work truck was reported stolen from a West Main Street, Le Roy, location. A deputy located the truck in Bethany and Hargrave was arrested.

On the morning the truck was reported stolen, Le Roy PD received a report at 12:30 a.m. of a forced-entry burglary in progress at a business on Lake Street.

Investigators developed a suspect, but the man could not be located at that time. 

With Hargrave in custody on the stolen property charge, Le Roy PD continued to investigate the Lake Street burglary.

Today, Hargrave was charged with third-degree burglary and a first-time DWI misdemeanor.

Alexander Elementary School hosted a community "Picnic in the Outdoor Classroom" this afternoon, which featured a chance for parents and children to explore the park together.

The state police also provided a bycicle helmet fitting booth for children. Above, Trooper John Szymkowiak fits 4-year-old Anna, of Darien, with a helmet.

A tractor-trailer is reportedly on fire, headed westbound on the Thruway toward the Ontario Service Center. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with Le Roy Ambulance Service.

UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: A responder says he has the semi pulled over at mile marker 378.2.

UPDATE 7:59 p.m.: Le Roy fire and ambulance are told to go back in service.

Press release:

For the next two weeks, the lower suite of the building at 8745 Lake Street Road, Le Roy, which houses United Memorial’s Urgent Care and Diagnostic Services, will be undergoing extensive and disruptive repairs to its plumbing systems. After several discussions with the building’s owner, United Memorial feels that it is in the best interest and safety of our patients to temporarily close during this period.

During this time, patients are encouraged to utilize Urgent Care and Diagnostic Lab and Imaging Services at the Jerome Center at 16 Bank St., Batavia. Staffing at the Jerome Center will be enhanced to accommodate the expected increase in patient volumes.

United Memorial’s integrated computer system will allow any patient with standing orders for diagnostic laboratory or medical imaging, usually seen in Le Roy, to be seen at the Jerome Center without having to have orders resent from physician offices.

The Jerome Center is located in the center of Downtown Batavia. From Le Roy, take Route 5 (Main Street) to Batavia. Turn right onto Bank Street. The Jerome Center will be located on the right. Hours for Urgent Care are 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends. Laboratory and Medical Imaging services are available 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

We apologize for any inconvenience and expect to reopen the Le Roy site on Monday, June 17.