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It's national Famers Market Week and to help commerate the event, Rep. Kathy Hochul stopped by the Genesee County Farmers Market in the Batavia Downs parking lot this morning.

Above, Hochul buys flowers from Kathryn Schneider, as mother Dana looks on. Dana Schneider is owner of Stonehouse Acres. Hochul told Kathryn that she worked in her mother's flower shop as a child as did her daughter. "See, you can learn a lot selling flowers," Hochul told Kathryn.

Below, Hochul is greeted by another constitutent and a couple of pictures of flowers and corn for sale today at the market.

Todd Allan Betts, 35, of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child, menacing, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Betts was charged following the report of a domestic incident. Betts allegedly grabbed a woman by the throat and threw her to the ground. He allegedly pointed a shotgun in the direction of the woman and a child. Betts was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Tametha A. Wentland, 40, of Harlow Road, Darien, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wentland is accused of physically contacting a victim. The incident was reported at 11:59 p.m., Saturday. Wentland was arrested by State Police.

Levi Winnie, 26, of 590 Council House Road, Basom, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The alleged incident was reported at 4:15 a.m., Saturday. Winnie was arrested by State Police on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. No further details were released.

Friends and family have come through for Paul Konieczny, at least when it comes to the work of repairing the shattered foundation on his home at 144 Harvester Ave., Batavia, which collapsed in a storm July 31.

The work is getting done thanks to the volunteer effort of long-time friends, Konieczny teen-age children and other family members, but Konieczny said he still might not have enough money to meet all of the financial needs that go with making the repairs.

The materials for the new foundation alone costs more than $1,000.

"We're just day-by-day," said Konieczny.

And day-by-day met a bit of a set back yesterday when nearly an inch of rainfall in an hour caused more of the damaged foundation to collapse.

Don Johnson, a friend of Konieczny for 30 years, and a contractor, is working as fast as he can during his off hours to get the new foundation wall in place, knowing that any more rain before the work is done could mean more damage.

"He's willing to fight because he knows I don't want to leave," said Konieczny, who previously said he isn't going to leave the house that's been in his family for 130 years.

Johnson (top photo) said is effort is "just what friends do." He said, "We help as best we can at the things we can do."

Konieczny said he would welcome any financial assistance anybody might be able to provide.

"I'm grasping for hope," Konieczny said. "I pray to God we can get this done."

Bottom photos: Ron Gibble, another long-time friend of Konieczny's, pitches in with the help of Konieczny's son Andy. Daughter Kayla was also helping today. Gibble said he will do the plumbing work once the project gets to that point. The very bottom photo, one of Paul's sunflowers. Kayla said they used to have a neighbor who grew sunflowers and the neighbor and Paul would compete every year over who could grow the tallest sunflower.

A suspect in a series of burglaries in Le Roy and Batavia who was taken into custody during an alleged break-in a week ago has been charged with one count of burglary.

Russell P. Cessna, 24, of 18 Pleasant St., Le Roy, was arrested after being allegedly caught in the act on Summit Street, Batavia.

Investigators say Cessna made forcible entry into the residence and stole jewelry, cash and coins.

Following a series of similar burglaries in Le Roy, Batavia and other parts of Genesee County, the Le Roy PD, Batavia PD and Sheriff's Office cooperated on an investigation and set up a surveillance detail, which led to Cessna's arrest.

Cessna was taken into custody and held in jail on a warrant for alleged violation of parole.

Additional burglary charges are pending. He will be arraigned in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m., Tuesday.

An 88-year-old Le Roy resident, Marie Costa, died this morning in a single-car  accident in the Village of Le Roy.

Costa's vehicle reportedly jumped the curb in front of McDonald's Restaurant and traveled along the south sidewalk of Main Street and collided with the former Pontillo's Restaurant building.

The accident was reported at 7:46 a.m.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the accident and Costa's death.

Le Roy fire, Le Roy ambulance, Le Roy DPW and the Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team assisted Le Roy PD at the scene.

Photo: Reader submitted photo.

Wortyndyke Road in the Town of Batavia is closed temporarily for repaving. There are barricades up at routes 33 and 5. No vehicles, including emergency vehicles, will be allowed.

A serious injury accident is reported at 67 49 Main St. in the Village of Le Roy. A car reportedly struck a pole and the front of the McDonald's restaurant a building. The vehicle is smoking. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: A Le Roy police officer on scene says the driver is an elderly female who is not trapped in the vehicle, but needs help to be extricated.

UPDATE 7:54 a.m.: There is structural damage to the building and a code enforcement officer is called to the scene. (The car struck the former Pontillo's building at 49 Main St.)

UPDATE 7:59 a.m.: An officer inquires about the availability of a member of law enforcement's Crash Management Team to respond.

UPDATE 8:04 a.m.: "We've exhausted all our resources in contacting code enforcement and the building owner," says a dispatcher, but they are continuing to try and make contact. A code officer from Stafford is en route instead.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: "We are forcing entry into the building and making sure everything is shut off. Le Roy PD has been advised," says the fire chief on scene. The driver is being transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 10:33 a.m.: We confirmed with dispatch the building struck was the former Pontillo's location.

Brad C. Doward, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the first degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment, 2nd. The 22-year-old was involved in a domestic incident Aug. 3 on Prune Street wherein he allegedly pushed a female acquaintance in the presence of a 10-year-old child. There's an order of protection in place directing the defendant to refrain himself from harassment against this female. He turned himself into the Batavia PD on Aug. 5, was arraigned and put in jail without bail pending his court appearance today at 1:30 p.m. The investigating officers were Frank Klimjack and Jason Ivison.

I'll be out of service most of the morning, at a minimum, for routine medical reasons.

Billie will post some items later.

Of course, Billie will monitor the scanner, as usual.

New York Times: To Increase Learning Time, Some Schools Add Days to Academic Year

Press release:

Genesee ARC and the City Youth Bureau Parks program teamed up this summer to offer educational tours at ARC’s new Trash & Recycling facility, 3785 W. Main St. Road.

Children from all five city parks program sites signed up to learn about the city’s recycling efforts and how items are reduced, reused and recycled.  ARC Trash & Recycling Coordinator Mike Smith shared information about recycling seven different types of plastic, as well as tin cans, paper and the number one product recycled at the new facility, cardboard.

A new initiative called e-recycling was showcased during the tour, explaining the NYS law requiring recycling of electronics such as a computers, televisions, cell phones and electronic games.

(Photo: Mike Smith and a group from the Williams Park recreation program in front of piles of baled tin cans).

A one-car rollover accident with four occupants still inside is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 393.7. Unknown injuries. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: The vehicle landed on its roof and it's actually on the shoulder of Harloff Road. One person remains trapped inside. There are multiple cars pulled over near the accident scene.

UPDATE 7:36 p.m.: Two adults and two infants were in the car, with one adult still inside. A second ambulance is called along with traffic control.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: The driver is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 8:01 p.m.: The babies are being transported to Women's & Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

Elba crowned its 2012 Onion Queen on Saturday evening and she is Jamie Marshall (blue dress). First runner-up is Makenzie Bezon, left, and second runner-up is Paige Pangrazio.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Amy Swanson, assistant director for Crossroads House, sent along a couple of pictures from yesterday's Run the Roads for Crossroads House 5K. She said it was a "wonderful day" for a run. A total of 211 people turned out for the event. Collin Mulcahy finished first to win the Overall Male with a time of 17:19; Liz Valento was the Overall Female winner with a time of 20:35.

The complete results can be found at www.crossroadshouse5k.com.

Swanson wrote:

All proceeds raised today help support the mission of Crossroads House in providing comfort care to the dying. Individuals with three months or less to live can stay at Crossroads House completely for free where our volunteers and nurses take care of physical, emotional and medical needs.

We accept residents from not only Genesee County, but also Wyoming county as well. All of our funding comes from in-kind donations, memorials and community support like we experienced today! Along with the runners and walkers who turned out today, more than 50 area business sponsored this event!

The National Weather Service issued this weather alert:

AT 1 PM A LARGE AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WAS ADVANCING INTO THE REGION FROM THE WEST. NORTHERN ERIE AND NIAGARA COUNTIES WILL SEE THE ACTIVITY BEGINNING THERE BY 130 PM, WITH AREAS FARTHER EAST BY 230 PM. MANY OF THESE STORMS WILL CONTAIN WIND GUSTS OF 40 MPH, SMALL HAIL, FREQUENT LIGHTNING, AND TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS CAPABLE OF CREATING PONDING OF WATER ON ROADS AND LOW LYING AREAS. ANY OF THESE STORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME SEVERE DURING THE AFTERNOON.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: Dispatcher: "We've got a report that the viaduct may be flooding."

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.: Route 5 through Le Roy is closed becuase the viaduct is flooded.

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Le Roy fire requesting all available manpower to the fire hall for standby.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Cedar Street underpass is flooding.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Our newly installed rain gauge has measured just over a half inch of rain in the past hour. What's your's showing? If you have weather related photos to share: Send them to howard at the batavian dot com (properly format the email address, of course). Flooding is reported at Maltby and Route 63. A basement is flooded at 38 Myrtle St., Le Roy. It may be a foundation problem, so pumping it out may not be an option. A roadblock is requested on Gilbert Street, Le Roy.

UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: About 138 National Grid customers are without power in the area of Randall Road, Stafford. ETA for power restoration is 5 p.m. City fire has received a general fire alarm at the Dollar Tree store. 

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Four inches of water is reported on Pratt Road. The Dollar Tree has a flooding problem, which probably set off the fire alarm. Also, the NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm warning:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN GENESEE COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK NORTH CENTRAL LIVINGSTON COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK NORTHEASTERN WYOMING COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK

* UNTIL 3:00 PM EDT

* AT 2:24 PM EDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PAVILION... OR 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BATAVIA... AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE... WYOMING... PAVILION... YORK... AVON... GENESEO...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00 PM EDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Ellicott Street is flooded and a vehicle is disabled, though the occupant is out of the vehcile. Ross Street between North and Ellsworth is covered in water. A pool is flooding into a basement on Ellicott Street.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: City fire assignment on Ellicott Street for basement flooding is back in service.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Ellicott Street is reopened.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Route 5 in Le Roy should be reopened within 10 minutes. A reader sent over this picture of what I think is Ellicott Street.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Le Roy is clear from Myrtle Street. All Le Roy assignments are back in service.

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: Le Roy crew needed for cellar pump detail. A chief requests that future requests for such details go directly to the fire hall from dispatch. Crews are standing by. Below is a view of Ganson Avenue submitted by Ron and Diane Burroughs. Cedar Street is open. Rick Franclemont reports about an inch and a half of rain at his place in Corfu.

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.: Ron Burroughs "fishing" on Ganson Avenue.

If planning an outdoor activity for this afternoon, the National Weather Services warns "be prepared for rapidly changing and potentially hazardous weather."

By this afternoon -- probably around 3 p.m. -- Genesee County is expected to be hit by strong thunderstorms.

The storm will pick up strength as it moves east.

It may produce strong winds and large hail. Gusts may exceed 60 mph.

Today was the Antique Truck, Farm & Construction Show at the Stafford Fire Hall sponsored by Empire State Antique Truck Association.

If you like trucks and tractors, it was the place to be today.

The event will continue Sunday, depending on the weather.

Aiden, at 22 months, enjoyed his first visit to the Spray Park in Austin Park today while his family, from Clarendon, was visiting Batavia.

More shots from the Spray Park in today's 90-degree weather below.

The weather prediction for Sunday remains strong thunderstorms.

Joe Maiorano (top) and Charlie Hamilton (bottom) tie off during the annual Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills today. Maiorano came from Danbury, Conn., and Hamilton from Tampa, Fla., for the tournament.