A pickup has hit a pole near Akron Road on Route 77, Indian Falls, and power lines are reportedly down and arcing.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments dispatched.

Route 77 is being closed.

UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: It sounds like the driver ran down Phelps Road toward the trailer park.

UPDATE 9:30 p.m.:  A witness reports that somebody said there were two people in the vehicle and one of them is lying in the weeds. Because of the live wires, firefighters are unable to approach the vehicle. National Grid will be on scene soon to shut down power and responders can investigate.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: National Grid on scene. The immediate area of Indian Falls is about to lose all power.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: Power in the area has been cut. Emergency responders checking around the houses and in the tall weeds. A resident on Akron Road reported seeing a person with bare feet apparently fleeing the scene.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: As soon as National Grid moves the lines out of the road, Route 77 will be reopened.

UPDATE 9:48 p.m.: National Grid's website says power will be out until 11:30 p.m. State Department of Transportion requested to the scene. Chief reports, "We've got some pretty nasty holes down here."

UPDATE 9:51 p.m.: A DOT rep not expected on scene for at least an hour. He will check the roadway damage and determine whether repairs can wait until the morning.

UPDATE 10 p.m.; Indian Falls and Pembroke about to go back in service. No word on either subject reportedly in the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Mercy EMS put back in service.

Whoever first said "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" never met Morgan Harrington.

For Morgan, life is about butterflies.

The Elba 9-year-old has taken the lead in a family project to find and catalogue as many types of caterpillars at the Harrington Greenhouses as possible.

There are 72 different species of butterflies and moths in Genesee County, and the Harringtons would like to find all 72.

"Now that we started this, we find that when we go through the nursery, we find them everywhere," said Morgan's dad, Aaron. "We're going to learn what we can about each of them."

Morgan -- who is assisted by her  8-year-old sister Madison -- uses field books to identify each kind of caterpillar, butterfly and moth she comes across. She keeps a log of each discovery, from the date of the find up through each stage of life for the insect -- from larva to caterpillar to winged creature.

"I really like it because I started doing it after one of my pets died," Morgan said.

Her simple explanation belies her obvious enthusiasm for the project. She can teach you more about butterflies in 30 minutes than you could learn in a high school biology class. Morgan can talk intelligently about each stage in the life cycle and identify on sight a dozen or more species, including what they eat and where they live.

"We decided to do this because we didn't want our kids growing up not understanding how things work in life," said Aaron, who runs the greenhouse business with his wife, Danielle.

The business in its current incarnation is 25 years old and was started by his father, though there was a greenhouse business on the same North Byron Road location years before that.

The Harrington's raise a variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, bushes and trees, as much as possible without pesticides (though with non-native species of insects, pesticides are about the only option), and the butterfly project has made Madison and Morgan more aware of the insect species around them.

"It's good for them to learn the different types of beneficial and non-beneficial types of animals," Aaron said.

Even some caterpillars -- such as the rose saw fly -- are far too destructive to host plants, Aaron noted, but of course, monarch butterflies are beautiful and help spread pollen.

The girls have found a couple dozen monarch caterpillars, a few of which are already curled up in cocoons. When the butterflies emerge, Morgan said, she will take them to a nearby milkweed patch and release them (monarchs eat milkweed because the plant's sap produces a toxin in the caterpillars that birds avoid).

All of the caterpillars live in a shared aquarium where they can munch on preferred clippings of milkweed, walnut or willow leaves.

The shared housing has led to another lesson -- one variety of caterpillar will eat its siblings if given a chance.

"I always say I don't want my kids growing up to think fish comes square and already breaded," Aaron said. "I want them to see an animal's life cycle from beginning to end learn about it."

Shannon Harder moved her business earlier this month from Alexander to Batavia in search of a bigger customer base.

She figured her bulk-food store and deli would see an increase in business, but she never expected the kind of reception she's received.

"We've been very busy," Harder said. "It's exceed all of my expectations. I knew we would do better, but I never expected this response."

On just about any given afternoon, the parking lot of Molasses Hill Bulk Foods, 466 Ellicott St., is full.

The store carries a variety of spices, speciality flours and other baking ingredients along with a full-service deli counter.

And the deli will start serving homemade soups soon, Harder said.

Pictured with Harder is her 5-year-old daughter Teagan.

A two-car accident with air-bag deployment and injuries is reported at 8975 Wortendyke Road in front of Bontrager's Auction Center in the Town of Batavia.

East Pembroke rescue and Sheriff's deputies are en route. A person on scene says injuries are minor, but the vehicles are blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting one patient to UMMC and the other person involved in the accident signed off for treatment and therefore will not receive any.

A bicyclist hit by a semi-truck on Route 33 near Terry Hills earlier today may have been under the influence of drugs, according to a Sheriff's Office accident report.

Gregory Seppe, 53, of Prestige Crossing, Batavia, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance with an apparent head injury and in a semi-conscious state.

Witnesses told Deputy Chris Parker that Seppe appeared under the influence of drugs prior to the accident.

The truck driver, Brandan P. Smith, 27, of Munger Street, Bergen, said he saw the bike swerving into his westbound lane prior to his truck getting to Seppe's location. Then the bike returned to its own lane. Smith said he moved partially into the eastbound lane to try and avoid the bicyclist.

As the truck passed, Seppe apparently swerved into the westbound traffic lane again and was struck by the trailer on Smith's truck.

Seppe's son told Parker that Seppe had just left his residence and appeared to be highly impaired by drugs.

The son's neighbor told Parker that he saw Seppe fall down three times prior to leaving on the bike.

No citations were issued.

(Initial report)

The Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming (GLOW) YMCA announced today that it has ratified the selection Scott Taylor to be its new CEO. He is passionate about the mission of the YMCA and brings 18 years of experience to his new role, which he begins on Oct. 17.

He says he is excited about the opportunity to serve the community and make a difference in people's lives.

The search committee, chaired by John Riter, looked nationwide for a successor to Wess Audsley, who is now the vice president of Association Resources with the YMCA of the USA.

“We are very pleased to have completed the selection process and identified a leader of Scott’s caliber," said Mary Ann Moore, president of the GLOW YMCA Corporate Board of Directors. "Scott’s broad range of skills and training, as well as his 18 years of experience in various senior level positions at YMCAs, have prepared him well to meet the challenges of our association.

"He will be a great asset to the volunteer leadership, staff and members of our GLOW YMCA. We look forward to working with Scott as we move forward in advancing the mission of the Y in our communities.”

Taylor began his YMCA career in 1986 as the physical director at the Tiffin YMCA in Ohio. In 1989, he became a branch executive director in the YMCA of Greater Toledo association. In 1992, he accepted the position as associate executive director for the Butler YMCA in Butler, Pa., when he became very passionate for the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

In 1996, he left the YMCA to become the executive director of the Mahoning Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Girard, Ohio. In 2003, Taylor came back to the YMCA as the executive director of the Firestone Branch YMCA of Akron.

Over the past eight years, he has held many leadership roles within the Akron, Ohio, area YMCA, where he was known for providing visionary leadership and outstanding management for one of the Y’s largest branches.

Taylor holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Education/Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and a master's degree in Human Services, Organizational Leadership and Development from Springfield College.

He and his wife, Sarah, have two children and will be making their home in the GLOW service area.

A semi-truck versus bike accident with injuries is reported in front of Terry Hills Golf Course, 5122 Clinton St. Road in the Town of Batavia. The bicycist is conscious and complaining of a head injury. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: The bicyclist is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Town of Batavia Fire Department is back in service.

The public is invited to a celebration marking the one-year anniversary of UMMC's Summit Physical and Occupational Therapy Center from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26.

The center is located at the MedTech Park, 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia.

There will be tours, giveaways and demonstrations of the new aquatic therapy pools, and birthday cake, too!

Clor's Meat Market will offer full chicken BBQ dinners for $5. For dinner tickets, call 344-5278.

You can enter for a chance to win a 40-inch flat-screen TV. No purchase necessary and you need NOT be present to win.

Bohn's, 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.

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Weddings, new babies, grads, family portraits, pet portraits and group events -- preserve those memories with professional photographs. We have a $100 gift card for $50 (+$2 PayPal Service fee).

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

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.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

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.

T.F. Brown's, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift certificate 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. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Democrat & Chronicle: Pharmacists, mail-order companies argue over prescription drug bill

A Batavia woman who allegedly tried to prevent law enforcement officers from finding and arresting her boyfriend today was charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd.

Arrested and released on an appearance ticket was Landrea D. Ames, 39, of East Main Street, Batavia.

Her boyfriend was located and taken into custody on a warrant for an alleged parole violation.

Arrested was Darrell J. Holloway, 42, of East Main Street, Batavia.

Members the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force secured a warrant to search residence of Ames for Holloway.

Batavia PD and Sheriff's deputies assisted in the arrests.

Holloway most recently served time at the Mohawk Correction Facility for attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He had previous convictions, according to DOCs, for attempted burglary, 2nd, grand larceny, 4th, and burglary, 2nd.

The city and the Town of Batavia along with the GCEDC have come to terms on an agreement to provide sewer service to the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

The agreement calls for GCEDC to construct the new sewer system and for the city and town to own and maintain one pump station each.

The city won't be asked to pay for a dime of the construction, according to GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde, but will be responsible for the maintenance of its pump station.

"In the long term, the revenue from the sewer system will be very, very significant," Hyde said. "The revenue will be into the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually as we build out the ag park. The revenue will far outweigh the cost of maintaining the infrastructure."

The plan calls for two new pump stations, one within city limits serving the park and O-AT-KA Milk, and the other within the town boundaries and serving the ag park.

The Batavia City Council will be asked to approve the agreement, which must be in place before the groundbreaking for the new Alpina Products plant, at a special meeting Thursday.

The majority of the funding for construction of the pump stations and sewer lines will come from grants received by GCEDC for the ag park project. O-AT-KA Milk will also pay a portion of the construction costs. The exact costs and expense split has not yet been released.

The citys' pump station will be built near Cedar and Ellicott streets with a sewer line running north to Main Street.

The town's station will be built near Main Street Road within the ag park and connect with the main sewer line under Main Street.

O-AT-KA Milk is planning a significant expansion and needs the additional sewer capacity. Even now, according to a city memo, O-AT-KA's sewer outflow occasionally exceeds the capacity of the Ellicott Street gravity sewer line.

WBTA contributed to this report.

Former Batavia resident Jeff "The Buddha" Van Buren has purchased the Gambler Pro Tour and is on the road following the pool-players circuit in order to visit billiard rooms and sign up players.

“The Gambler Pro Tour is positioned to elevate the sport of billiards to the next level," says Van Buren, in his press release.

The GPT has an ambitious plan for events to take place in Western New York, Northern Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

He says the tour will attract seasoned veterans and amateurs, as well as, reach out to those who are new to billiard competition. Coverage of the events will be taped and edited for local cable broadcasting.

The Gambler Pro Tour was formed last year by Dan Dennis. Two events were held in Florida and Georgia. Ten more were planned with 10K each in added money. In May of this year, Van Buren, with expansion on his mind, struck a deal with Dennis to purchase the tour. The transfer took place with Catherine Jenkins, of the Mt. Dora, Fla.,Chamber of Commerce, recording the transaction.

Room owners will not be required to add money for semi-pro events. Many events will have no added money. This will take the lure away for seasoned players and give amateurs a chance at cashing in on events.

According to Van Buren, Gambler Pro Tour is not seeking to compete with established pool tours and does its best not to enter markets where there is already a popular tour in place like the Lone Star Tour in Texas, Great Southern Billiards Tour, Joss Tour, Tiger SE Tour, and the newly formed Action Pool Tour.

Van Buren, who now resides in Fort Myers, Fla., is the commissioner of the Pool Hustler Series, and founder of the Shooters Tour that covered Upstate New York. In addition to owning a pool room, he operated the Shooters Tour for 10 years. It grew to 1,000 players holding 30 to 40 events per year with all sponsorships coming from outside of the industry. He was well-known for holding charity events, his favorite being the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

To find out more, phone Van Buren at 239-822-5255, email him at poolhustlerseries@yahoo.com, visit online at www.GamblerProTour.com

We've received reports from three readers who felt a small earthquake in Batavia.

It's possibly related to a 5.9 shaker that struck Virginia within the past 15 or 20 minutes.

A possible structure fire is reported at 7554 Pekin Road in Elba. Elba Fire Department is on scene and the chief says nothing is showing. The fan over the stove reportedly caught fire and was unplugged but is still smoking.

The Lions Club of Batavia gave out more than 100 tickets to kids attending the Muckdogs game Monday night for a bike raffle and giveaway. Two bikes were given away, one to a girl and one to a boy.

Lions Club President John Murray throws out the first pitch at Monday night's second game of the Muckdogs double-header.

Lions Club President John Murray with drawing winners, 11-year-old Joe Biaselli, of Lyndonville, and 8-year-old Olivia Costley, of Batavia.

Press release from the Lions:

On Monday, Aug. 22, members of the Batavia Lions Club gathered at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia for its 36th annual Lions Night at the Ballpark as the hometown Muckdogs played the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

The evening featured several highlights including a free raffle for two brand-new bikes to two lucky local kids holding the winning tickets and an opportunity for several seniors and veterans to attend the game and be treated to hotdogs and refreshments -- all free of charge and paid for by the Batavia Lions Club.

The Lions Club invited several senior citizens from local area nursing homes, which included the federal and New York state veterans facilities located in Batavia. Each attendee was treated to a hot dog or hamburger, fries and a soda. They also had the special treat of watching a double-header on a beautiful summer evening.

Lion Gerry Maley was again responsible for all arrangements with the ball club and, along with Lions Dave Cutitta and Dom Lovria, for the bike raffle. Lion Dr. Ross Fanara and his wife, Shirley, made all arrangements with the five nursing homes/veterans’ facilities to bring more than 50 seniors to the ballpark.

The Batavia Lions Club would like to thank all of the Muckdog staff, especially General Manager Travis Sick and Ticket Manager Mike Ewing along with the activities directors from the Batavia VA Medical Center, New York State VA Nursing Home, Genesee County Nursing Home, Batavia Nursing Home, and the Le Roy Village Green Nursing Home for helping make this a very enjoyable evening for all. 

See you next year at the ballpark!

A car attached to a motorhome on Route 77, Alabama, became unhitched, and it careened into a tree and then a house.

The accident is in the area of 7781 Alleghany Road.

There are no injuries reported.

Alabama Fire Department dispatched.

Photo submitted by Caitlyn Klotzbach

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Police have yet to determine how a 17-month-old toddler fell from a second story window at 18 East Ave., Batavia, at around 7:47 p.m., Monday.

The toddler, who fell onto asphalt below the window, sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to a statement released by Batavia Chief of Police Randy Baker.

The child was transported by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

The toddler was in a second-story room with a 4-year-old at the time of the fall. The mother, who was at the residence, was not in the room.

There were no witnesses to the fall.

(initial report)

A toddler reportedly fell from the second-story window of a residence on East Avenue earlier this evening.

The condition of the child is not available at this time.

The child was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC.

The exact circumstances of the fall are not available at this time.