A driver allegedly failed to yield the right of way at the intersection Brookville Road and Route 20, leading to an accident at 1:19 p.m., Saturday, that sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.

Cited was Cortney A. Spiotta, 19, of Bartz Road, Alexander. Spiotta was injured in the accident.

The other driver, William A. Congdon, 47, of Meadowlark Drive, Avon, was also injured. His passenger, Edward J. Howard, 50, was not injured.

Spiotta was reportedly pulling her 2004 Ford SUV from Brookville Road onto Route 20 when Congdon's 2005 Ford sedan struck her vehicle.

Investigator Deputy Chris Parker wrote in his report that Spiotta said she was creeping into the intersection to see if the coast was clear. She said she did not see Congdon's vehicle.

Congdon told Parker that he saw Spiotta's vehicle slow at the intersection and then proceed onto Route 20.

Kathryn Hughes Whipple, 34, of North Main Street, Lyndonville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, failure to keep right and unlawful use of a mobile phone. Whipple was stopped at 1:50 a.m., Saturday, on Lewiston Road in Oakfield by Deputy Jason Saile.

William C. Leyden, 30, of 23 Parkhurst Drive, Hudson, N.H., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Leyden was allegedly found in possession of cocaine while at 3 Ross St., Batavia. NYS Parole assisted in the investigation. Leyden was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Jeremiah Thomas Altrogge, 28, of Cedar Street, Akron, was arrested on a bench warrant. The warrant was issued out of Alabama Town Court. Altrogge allegedly failed to pay a fine on an incident in August 2011. Altrogge was jailed on $1,000 bail.

James John Bachorski, 43, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bachorski was allegedly found to be in possession of a marijuana pipe during an investigation into an alleged domestic dispute on Batavia Oakfield Townline Road. Bachorski's vehicle was stopped on South Pearl Street, Oakfield.

Daihnath Grady Geiogamah, 36, of Route 438, Irving, is charged with disorderly conduct. Geiogamah is accused of being involved in a domestic incident at 11:10 p.m., Saturday, at a location on Route 63, Town of Batavia, in which she allegedly threatened to fight family members and Sheriff's deputies. Geiogamah was jailed on $500 bail.

A car has rolled over on Route 98 just north of West Saile Drive.

The driver is believed to be out of the car.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Vehicle is on its side in the front yard of the residence. Driver out walking around, not injured. A responder warns caution for others approaching the scene, "98 is just a sheet of ice from Elba all the way to the city."

UPDATE 9:23 a.m.: Female driver being transported to UMMC for evaluation.

UPDATE 9:40 a.m.: Deputies still on scene discussed the traffic situation. Cars and trucks were struggling to get up a hill on Route 98. State DOT salted the road about five minutes prior. The scene is now clear.

The storm that was predicted to drop from four to 10 inches of snow ended up bringing very little snow to the area and the storm warning, originally going to noon, was cancelled early this morning.

However, more snow may be on the way. Weather.com forecasts from one to three inches falling this afternoon with 100-percent chance of precipitation between 2 and 3 p.m. There's at least an 80-percent chance of precipitation going late into the night.

A car has reportedly run into a house at 60 Drake St., Oakfield.

The reported operator of the vehicle is a 6-year-old girl.

No injuries are reported. The girl is reported to be walking back to her father's house.

UPDATE 11:43 p.m.: No citations. No arrests. No injuries. Minimal damage. The 6-year-old apparently found her father's keys, sneaked out of the house, got in the car and left with the intention of going to her mother's house. She headed south down Irving Parkway and failed to negotiate a turn at Drake Street, heading straight into the yard of the house on the south side of the street. Her father's sedan knocked over a mailbox. A trooper on scene said, "Thank God there was no east or west traffic (on Drake Street) or we would have had a much worse situation." He said there wasn't any indication that the father was negligent in order to support a charge such as "endangering the welfare of a child."

View Larger Map

Genesee County Emergency Dispatchers are having a busy night dealing with multiple calls of trees down, hanging wires and sparking transformers, not to mention the usual domestics, medical and mental health issues.

A high wind warning is in effect until 4 a.m.  The lake effect snow warning remains in place until noon, Monday, with six to 10 inches of accumulated snow predicted.

Weather.com's radar map shows snowstorms hitting Batavia about 10:15 p.m. and a second, larger front after midnight.

The weather-related reports we've been able to catch over the past hour or so include:

• A transformer sparking near 1 Holland Ave., Batavia.
• Cable wires down and a tree down on Slusser Road, Batavia.
• Wires down and blocking somewhere in Le Roy.
• Trees down on Tower Hill and Byron roads, Bergen.
• Tree in the roadway blocking traffic on Scribner Road.
• Tree down near 10604 Broadway.
• Tree down on Fisher Road near Lockport Road.
• Transformer arcing at Daws Corners.
• Cable wire down on Broadlawn Road, Batavia.
• Tree on fire and wires arcing near on Main Road between Cleveland and Boyce roads, Batavia. East Pembroke Fire Department responding (call at 7:45 p.m.)

There are about 10 power outages in the county effecting about 200 National Grid customers. The two largest are along Route 63 from East Road to near Cook Road, and from Pavilion well into Wyoming County's Town of Covington.

Assuming additional calls along these lines, we will continue to update this post as needed.

UPDATE 7:58 p.m.: Tree down blocking on Route 20 near Countyline Road, Darien.

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: Tree down on Swamp Road, Bergen, blocking.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: Power restored to Route 63, including the intersection of routes 63 and 20.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Power is out at County Building #3 on West Main Street Road, Batavia. A transform in the area is arcing.

UPDATE  8:48 p.m.: Power is out again at Route 20 and Route 63. City fire is clearing Holland Avenue. Power is back on and National Grid has driven by a couple of times, but hasn't stopped.

UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: No arcing at Building #3. "For the power company, behind the building, it appears that the power has been tripped," reports a responder.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: The lake effect storm warning remains in effect until noon, Monday. There are currently six power outages reported in Genesee County.  The three biggest are: East Pembroke along Main Road, 51 customers, with an estimated power restoration of 1 a.m.; Galloway Road, Batavia, 34 customers with an estimated power restoration of 4 a.m.; Elba, Bridge Road area, 21 customers, with an estimated restoration time of 1 a.m.

A 21-year-old driver who reportedly slammed his van through a guard rail and into the Tonawanda Creek off Walnut Street early Sunday morning has been charged with DWI.

Zachary D. Leitten, of 9351 Shepard Road, Batavia, was transported to UMMC after the accident and treated for injuries.

Beside facing a DWI charge, Leitten was cited for alleged speed not reasonable and prudent, moving from lane unsafely and driving on a sidewalk.

Officer Jason Ivison investigated the accident.

It's a New Year, time to get a fresh start, make some resolutions, set some goals for 2012.  Shop Batavia is here to help:

• Learn to play a musical instrument with the help of Roxy's Music.
• Get in shape, improve your health, enroll in fun fitness classes at Next Level Fitness.
• Learn fencing at En Garde.
• Achieve tranquility with classes at Exhale Yoga.
• Improve your mind at Genesee Community College.
• Turn your body into a canvas for art at High Voltage Tattoo.
• Visit the Magic Kingdom with the help of Making Memories Travel of WNY.
• Learn to create using glass at the Oakta School of Glass.
• Help make your community stronger by shopping locally more often, starting with Shop Batavia.
• Give your home the make over it deserves with Suzanne Interiors.

Don't forget about our contest: Leave a five-star review for a local business on Shop Batavia for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from that business.

More than 3.3 million times people visited The Batavian in 2011 to find out what's going on in Genesee County.

That's up from 2.5 million visits in 2010, when the site served up 4.3 million page views. In 2011, The Batavian served 5.6 million page views.

Here are the most viewed posts of 2011:

• Brad Paisley fans get themselves arrested in droves during Darien Lake concert
• Teenage Bergen bow hunter takes down 17-point buck*
• Suzanne Corona accused of shoplifting from Batavia florist*
• Walmart greeter, age 70, seriously injured after allegedly being punched by 26-year-old woman*
• Today's Poll: Should the U.S. arm Libyan rebels?
• Woman who reportedly jumped in front of a car on East Main takes her own life*
• Two-car, head-on collision with serious injuries on Indian Falls Road*
• Employees of Batavia Lowe's told store closing, layoffs coming*
• Witnesses describe combative situation after Walmart employee asked to see receipt*

Stories denoted with (*) were reported first, and in some cases, exclusively, on The Batavian.

Below are the most viewed posts for December, November and October. Again, stories you read first on The Batavian are denoted with an (*).

December:

• Walmart greeter, age 70, seriously injured after allegedly being punched by 26-year-old woman*
• Witnesses describe combative situation after Walmart employee asked to see receipt*
• Fight reported in Walmart*
• Horse rescue owner diagnosed with cancer, 18 horses need new homes immediately*
• 'Significant year' justifies GCEDC bonuses, board member says
• Young woman's arm caught in grain auger in Elba by Billie Owens*
• Suspicious photography on Route 98*
• Consultants lay out three-year plan to help reshape future of Batavia
• Law and Order: Driver accused of transporting 15,650 untaxed cigarettes
• Corfu resident among four corrections officers accused of assaulting Attica inmate

November:

• Elba woman killed when car strikes tree on North Byron Road
• School district's 10-year-old policy on religious observance suddenly new(s)*
• Street fight on State Street, by Billie Owens*
• Possible hunting accident on or near Iroquois Wildlife Refuge*
• House in foreclosure, dog left behind, by Billie Owens*
• Likely buyer for 'Project Wave' plant is PepsiCo*
• Final approvals in place for 'Project Wave' to begin construction*
• Today's Poll: Should aggressive anti-illegal immigration laws be passed, even if ... ?
• Strong-armed robbery of purse in Oakfield, by Billie Owens*
• 'Project Wave' could break ground in ag park in 10 days*

October:

• Teenage Bergen bow hunter takes down 17-point buck*
• Employees of Batavia Lowe's told store closing, layoffs coming*
• Driver in early morning crash in Elba faces possible DWI charge
• Photo: 'I stole art from Glass Roots'*
• State considering $1.8 million roundabout for Route 20 at Suicide Corners*
• City schools’ Board of Education says no to hockey team tournament trip, by Geoff Redick
• Winning drug-free posters from local students*
• Fences, and more, divide business neighbors in Stafford*
• Possible hazmat issue on West Main between Hopkins and Powers roads*
• Consultants: Negative attitudes hurting city more than actual problems

Happy New Year from The Batavian!

A 21-year-old man was able to get himself out of his van early this morning after he drove it through a barrier on Walnut Street and into the Tonawanda Creek.

A witness said the van appeared to have crashed through the barrier at a high rate of speed and a police source said he may have been drinking.

No official police report is available this morning.

The accident occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. at the turn of Walnut Street into South Main.

Cassandra Costner, who lives with her husband and children right at the intersection, said her family was sleeping when they heard a large boom. She looked out the window and saw the barrier down and called 9-1-1.

When she came outside, she said she and her husband were surprised by what they found.

"We saw the car in the creek and were like, 'Oh, wow, crazy,'" she said.

Costner said the driver came up the bank of the creek saying, "I'm OK. I'm OK. It's not as bad as it looks."

The driver was reportedly transported to UMMC by Mercy EMS, but no information has been released on his injuries, if any.

While at least one witness said he saw somebody running from the scene, Costner said she didn't see anybody at the scene other than the driver.

The van went through a wooden, reinforced barrier, a chain-link fence, over a boulder and down about 10 feet of embankment before landing in the water.

"We've lived here six years and never seen a car go in the creek," Costner said. "It's just crazy that somebody was going that fast, but people go flying down this road. It's gotten better since they put in the roundabout, but people just haul ass down this road."

The first significant snowstorm of the season is on its way to Genesee County, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a severe storm warning for the area.

The lake effect snow warning takes effect from 7 p.m., Sunday, through noon, Monday.

Storm totals over night are expected to be from three to five inches, with another one to three inches Monday for a storm total of four to eight inches.

Winds will be 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

White-out conditions are expected and visibility will be reduced at times to less than a quarter of a mile.

Temperatures will be in the 30s.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: The storm total has been revised to 6-10 inches of snow.

Statement from Bruce Fauth, outgoing treasurer of the Corfu Fire Department:

It is very unfortunate that there are certain people in town that because of their own actions find it necessary to try to tear down all the good that your fire dept. has done for the people they protect. The latest is the unfair reporting on the recent audit of the fire dept. 

The first statement of the results of the audit reads; “We found that the Trustees provide adequate oversight of the Department’s financial activities and the Treasurer maintained suitable records to account for the financial activity."

The auditor stated verbally to us that we are doing a very good job with our funds. Further, the state will always find ways to better the controls of the finances. The claims not included on the lists approved by the trustees were items brought up at meetings and were indeed voted on and approved by the membership. Some bills were paid that didn’t have supporting statements attached but I want you to know that they were all legitimate fire dept. approved expenditures backed by our recorded minutes.

I feel we had a very good audit report, but it’s too bad that certain people have an axe to grind, again because of their own actions. They find it necessary to try and destroy a vital asset of the community and I urge citizens to not put up with this.   

Previously: State audit nicks Corfu Fire Department for undocumented expenditures

Last week, several NFL backs eligible for picking in the contest had two receptions, but none had three.

In a random drawing of the entrants who picked one of the back that had at least two receptions, James Demmer came out the winner.

Demmer wins a large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize at Main St. Pizza Company.

To enter this week's contest, click here.

A vehicle has gone down an embankment on the westbound side of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 391 or 391.

Dispatchers have received several calls and they believe the car was eastbound and crossed over the median and across the westbound lanes.

Unknown injuries.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:23 p.m.: The vehicle came to rest in the front yard of a residence on Cheryl Lane. Two people are out of the car and apparently uninjured. 

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: All Town of Batavia units back in service.

View Larger Map

Now it's the Corfu Fire Department's turn for a little financial scrutiny.

In August, the NYS Comptroller's Office released a report on the Corfu Fire District that eventually led to the one-year suspension of two department members over alleged irregularities involving district credit cards.

This week the comptroller's office released audit finding on the fire department (the district and department are intertwined, but separate agencies) and while declaring there were no "material discrepancies," the audit states there are at least $7,000 in insufficiently documented expenses over a 20 month period.

Auditors said the checked 115 paid claims totaling $30,398 from January 2010 through August 2011 and 26 payments totaling $4,779 were not supported by any documentation. Additionally, 14 claims totaling $3,096 were not included on the list of approved bills prepared by the trustees.

"As a result, Trustees were unable to verify that these payments were for legitimate Department purposes and that the correct amounts were approved for payment," auditors said.

The audit also found that the department's treasurer did not reconcile the bank account in 2010, and though the account was reconciled monthly in 2011, the trustees did not review and approve the reconciliations.

The department meets Jan. 9 and will likely discuss the audit.

The department was first incorporated in 1882 as “Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. #1.” It currently has 35 members and an annual budget of $20,600.

Department revenue is generated through various fundraisers and donations. 

The fire district, which helps fund firefighting in Corfu, is taxpayer supported.

Previously:

• Comptroller's office finds alleged improprieties in Corfu Fire District finances
• Corfu Fire District appoints ethics panel to investigate credit card use
• Corfu Fire District trustees vote to discipline three members for alleged misuse of credit cards
• Corfu Fire District commissioner objects to media reports that he was 'disciplined'

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Alabama Hotel, 1353 Lewiston Road, Basom, NY: A historic and legendary tavern and restaurant. The Alabama Hotel is famous for its fish fries, but also serves a variety of top-quality entrees, featuring Certified Angus Beef. Now with expanded hours. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Greg'ry's Bakery, 13 North Lake Road, Bergen, NY: The bakery offers a variety of the finest cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes, breads, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and so much more. Each treat is made the same as it has been for decades and baked right here. Come in and sample some for yourself! We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kravings offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Rancho Viejo, 12 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Traditional Mexican cuisine, from tacos and burritos to pollo norteno, Rancho Viejo brings a bit of "south of the border" to Batavia's restaurant scene. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Salsa & Curry, 13 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: An authentic Mexican restaurant, offering all of your favorite dishes from enchiladas and burritos to tacos and fajitas, as well as daily Indian food specials. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. Come try one of our many delicious burgers that we have to offer, as well as our HUGE Bomber Sandwich, homemade chicken fingers made to order, and the all-time favorite Dumpster Plate with many choices. We deliver. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia, NY: Fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Lunch and dinner, steak, prime rib and seafood. Ask about Bohn's catering services and banquet facility. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Bourbon & Burger Co., 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest burger joint offers more than two dozen different types of tasty hamburgers. Our menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and an extensive beer list, plus a full bar. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar and Grille, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY: A full menu, salad bar and drinks in one of the region's most popular entertainment venues. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50. (Must be new or current Players Club member to redeem.)

SOLD OUT

UPDATED 10:08 a.m.; UPDATED 10:19 a.m.

Two men from Rochester were arrested Thursday morning in Batavia after a possible burglary was reported on Maple Street.

A Maple Street resident called Emergency Dispatch at 4:30 a.m. to report observing two men removing items from a neighbor's residence and loading items into a vehicle.

Batavia BP and Sheriff's deputies responded and the vehicle was located on Oak Street.

The vehicle allegedly contained items taken from the Maple Street residence.

Taken into custody were Eric P. Doleman, 41, no permanent address, and Frederick H. Robidoux Jr., 49, no permanent address.

The suspects appear to have targeted the apartment at 10 Maple St., Batavia, because they knew the resident, Edward R. Freida, is being held in Genesee County jail without bail on drug and weapon charges.

Both men where charged with burglary, 2nd.

Doleman was also arrested Dec. 23 following a report of a car being broken into an items being stolen in the Kmart parking lot. Deputies and city PD responded to the call and reportedly stopped Doleman's car on Park Road. He was issued an appearance ticket for misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and petit larceny.

There was another smash-and-grab on a car in the Tops parking lot that day, and there have been similar crimes committed in the parking lots of area hotels. There is some suspicion that Doleman may have been involved in those cases, too, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster, though no charges have been filed.

While police list Doleman as having no permenant address, he does appear to have ties to Batavia and was a resident, according to a source, of Thorpe Street a year ago before being evicted "because of excessive police calls," the source said.

Doleman may also yet be charged with criminal possession of a weapon, Brewster said.

Doleman and Robidoux were jailed without bail.

Photos: Doleman, top; Robidoux, bottom.

Elected officials countywide -- some returning to office, some entering office for the first time -- gathered in Genesee County Courthouse on Thursday night for a swearing-in ceremony hosted by the County Clerk's Office.

The ceremony met the state's oath of office requirements and the oaths were administered by county court Judge Robert C. Noonan and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Hawley performed an honorary swearing in of his son Brooks Hawley (bottom picture), who has been selected by the city GOP committee to fill one of the two vacancies left by the election of Marianne Clattenburg and Frank Ferrando to the County Legislature (Ferrando is pictured above and in first picture below). Brooks Hawley can't be sworn in officially until the Batavia City Council approves his appointment.

;

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here.

We'll post a link later today to purchase prints of these pictures.

Valjean Charles Burns, 65, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with forcible touching. Burns is accused of forcibly touching the intimate parts of a female Dec. 8.  An order of protection was issued.

Jesse Sumner Repass, 25, of Pine Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Repass is accused of stealing aluminum from Allen Foods, Inc., on Stevens Street, Oakfield.

Rosemary R. Waters, 25, of 139 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Waters is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on East Main, Batavia.

Charlene Olivia Leubner, 34, of Bradnell Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Leubner was allegedly found sitting in a car talking with a person protected by court order from contact by Leubner.

You know there are local businesses that you just love -- tell us about them on Shop Batavia and you could win a $100 gift certificate from one of your favorite businesses.

Here's how it works: Register as a user on Shop Batavia then find the listing for your favorite business(es) and leave a five-star review.

On Jan. 7, we'll randomly select one of the reviews left on The Batavian and if you're the person who left the review, we'll buy you a $100 gift certificate to that business. (If that business doesn't offer gift certificates, we'll buy a gift certificate to another favorite business you reviewed).

So, head over to Shop Batavia, now and start leaving reviews.