A brush fire is reported on Alleghany Road near Ledge Road in Alabama. It is said to be less than a foot away from a trailer. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: There's a large pile of brush on fire near an outbuilding on Ledge Road. It is west of Alleghany Road.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m.: The fire is not near a structure. One unit from Alabama will remain on scene. The others are returning to quarters.

UPDATE 6:51 p.m.: The homeowner was advised about new open burning regulations. There is no danger present now. Alabama is back in service.

A third windmill went up on the Partridge Farm on Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, today.

Don and Pat Partridge, who acquired the farm from the White family in 1980, installed their first two windmills four years ago.

Those power plants have supplied about 50 percent of the farm's electricity and with the new windmill, Don hopes to reach 100 percent, or close to it.

"The new windmill is about 30 percent more productive," Partridge said.

The list price on the windmill is close to $75,000, but Partridge received a state grant and won a competitive USDA grant.

He expects to break even on his investment within 12 years (as he will with the first two windmills).

The windmills have an expected useful life of 25 years.

"It's the last half of their life where I'll enjoy them the most," Partridge said.

Partridge, who now works at Cummings & Bricker on Lehigh Street, quit full-time farming in 1999 for "a paying job," but he still raises some corn and hay and has a few head of cattle. The rest of the acreage is run by another dairy farmer.

"We're in a very wind-productive area," Partridge said. "It's Class C wind, which is productive wind. I think we have more wind power than solar."

With all that wind, Partridge said he doesn't understand the resistance to wind power.

"We would like to see more people get involved in solar and wind," Partridge said. "I just don’t understand all of the resistance to the big ones. I wish I had some big-wind ones up here. If the town put four big ones up here, the town residents could get credit for their electric bills. I would think that would be worth doing."

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series prepared on behalf of the tourism agency of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. The new tourism guide was recently published and is available at the chamber's office and will soon be available at other tourism locations. The official tourism site for Genesee County is VisitGeneseeNY.com.

Some people leave their mark on the land by building highways and shopping centers.

Paul Osborn is leaving his mark by making Genesee County's parks more accessible and inviting to visitors.

Osborn started his parks career 12 years ago after getting a degree in landscape architecture, but he thinks he made the right choice when he decided to apply to the county for a parks job.

"It was an opportunity to be part of creating something that will be there forever," Osborn said. "It my chance to create a legacy, to leave my stamp on things."

When Osborn took over as parks supervisor, the Genesee County Park in Bethany was in pretty bad shape, he said, and Dewitt Recreational Area was less than two years old and needed a lot of improvements.

"It was an opportunity to show what I could do for the community," said Osborn, a native of Oakfield who still lives in Genesee County with his wife of 12 years, Melinda, and their two children.

The vast Genesee County Park, covering 430 acres, was beset by disrepair when Osborn started. The bridges were getting old, the pavilions needed fixing, the playgrounds weren't up to standards and the facilities management structure was just a hut with a dirt floor.

Slowly, Osborn was able to rehabilitate the park infrastructure, and improve access for people with disabilities.

Today, the park is one of the gems to attract people to Genesee County.

With more than 150,000 trees, which were planted between 1885 and 1935, the park was the first county forest established in New York’s history.

Its four acres of wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl. There are also five ponds, a few of which are good fishing spots.

Visitors can enjoy five picnic areas and four playgrounds. There are pavilions equipped with grills and restrooms at each area. Hikers, walkers, runners and long-distance skiers can enjoy more than 10 miles of marked and mapped trails.

There's also a baseball and football field, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and a sledding hill.

Dewitt Recreational Area, on Cedar Street in Batavia, is where Osborn has been able to exercise some of his creative energy.

While there was a master plan in place for Dewitt when he took over, it doesn't specify every detail of development. This allowed Osborne to choose the design of pavilions, select picnic tables and playground equipment and decide the best placement for them all.

And the park is still a work in progress.

Currently, it offers a state-of-the-art playground in easy view of either of its pavilions, plus a quarter-mile track, all on the edge of a large pond. The water is stocked each spring with brown trout, providing a lure to young anglers right in the city.

Since Osborn took over the parks, the Nature Center at Genesee County Park has also undergone its own kind of upgrades (the center is off Bethany Center Road, the last left before crossing the county line).

With the help of Judy Spring, environmental education specialist, programs have been added, displays made more interactive and marketing has been improved so local residents can stay apprised of what's going on at the center.

The 3,000-square-foot center was built in 1998. It offers a laboratory, a classroom, several display areas and a conference room. From the back porch, visitors are often able to view wildlife hanging out in their natural setting. The center is open year-round Thursday through Sunday, with hours varying according to the season. 

"The nice thing about our parks is that there’s something for everyone when they come,” Osborn said.

While Osborn is no naturalist -- he considers himself a facilitator for the parks, and finds the right experts to help with forestry and wetlands management -- he does think the parks play an important role in a healthy community.

He frets about childhood obesity and that too many children today do not get enough opportunities to play in the dirt.

"Last year we had a small girl from Batavia who had never been outside in the woods," Osborn said. "She needed a leader to hold her hand because she had never been in the woods before.

"Here we are living in a rural community and there is a little girl who has never been in the woods. That's just shameful for society. We need the chance for natural experiences."

Photos by Howard Owens

I took a drive out to Bethany and back this morning -- came away with two photos: Above, a barn on Cook Road (taken from Creek Road) and below, the Little Tonawanda as it winds along the side of Mill Road.

A house is filling with smoke and a possible chimney fire is reported at 1500 Erie St. in Darien. Darien Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Alexander. The occupants of the home have evacuated. Attica has also been dispatched.

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: Darien command has put the two units responding from Attica back in service.

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: The fire is out.

View Larger Map

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the 14th Annual Arts Awareness Month this month in both Genesee and Orleans counties -- a celebration of arts and culture in this region.

Throughout March, local cultural organizations, artists, schools and businesses are presenting more than 50 programs and exhibits. GO ART! is highlighting these events in celebration of Arts Awareness Month with calendars that are available in local libraries, at GO ART!, and in galleries in both counties and online at www.artsawarenessmonth.com.

In addition, GO ART! is hosting: its annual Decentralization Regrant Awards Ceremony on March 9th; the kick-off for its 2012 Salon Series on March 31st; the first annual GO ART! Members Exhibition; first annual Digital Art Show; and numerous special exhibits by local artists in area libraries.

Contact GO ART! at 343-9313, email info@goart.org or visit www.artsawarenessmonth.com.

Arts Awareness Month was started in 1999 by GO ART! in an effort to raise community awareness of the scope and diversity of arts and cultural programs taking place in our communities.

The original concept was to highlight the various events and exhibits already being held – such as school concerts, exhibits and plays, and now the annual culmination of “A Tale for Three Counties” – during a time period that is traditionally not perceived as having many cultural happenings.

The effort has evolved over the years in response to changing community cultural needs and offerings, and has developed into an anticipated annual project that continues to assist in promoting the diverse talent and programs available in our own backyard.

Arts Awareness Month is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Genesee and Orleans county legislatures.

Genesee County’s annual “State of the County” address is planned for 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 14 in the chambers of the Old Court House in the City of Batavia.

Chair of the County Legislature Mary Pat Hancock will deliver the brief address to be followed by refreshments prior to the regularly scheduled legislature meeting. The speech will include key accomplishments of individual departments during 2011, as submitted by those departments.

It will also point out some of the unique challenges that face the county this year, along with strategies to maximize the impact of a proactive, positive county response.

The public is cordially invited to attend.

Eric Charles Zglinicki, 49, of Alleghany Road, Darien Center, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Zglinicki was allegedly found in possession of three shotguns following an investigation and search of his residence by the Genesee County Probation Department and the Sheriff's Office. Zglinicki has a prior felony conviction.

Samantha Mary Williams, 31, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant out of the Hamburg Town Court to appear on charges of resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Williams was turned over to the Hamburg Police Department.

Allen Skye Dockstader, 29, of Council House Road, Alabama, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Genesee County Court on a charge of violating probation following an investigation into a criminal mischief complaint.

Cody L. Osborn, 24, of 3265 State St., Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate head lights, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and unlawful possession of marijuana. Osborn was stopped in the early hours Saturday by Le Roy Police. He was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Shawn Richard McGiveron, 23, East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. McGiveron is accused of violating an order of protection by calling and sending text messages to a protected person.

More than 650 spring bouquets were sold in Genesee and Wyoming counties during the pre-sale period for 18th annual event, which benefits the HomeCare & Hospice Foundation, according to Linda Cummings, development director (top photo).

Volunteers from Notre Dame and Pembroke high schools and Batavia Kiwanis were at the First Presbyterian Church in Batavia today to help get the arrangements in buckets and boxes and properly marked for deliver on Monday.

If you didn't get your order in on time, there's still plenty of opportunity to make a purchase.

On-site sales will take place:

• Noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Batavia Downs
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, UMMC
• Noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, and noon to 5 p.m., Thursday, at the Bank of Castile
• Noon to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday at First Niagara Bank.

Traditional bouquets are $8 and the Bouquet of Hope is $16.

Once upon a time in a small town and in a small school in Le Roy, a beautiful girl and a stately prince find true love...

The timeless story of love and romance and the triumph of a girl least likely to win the heart of a prince, comes to the stage at Le Roy Junior Senior High School.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" story will touch the hearts of young and old in this enchanting production reminding today's audience that dreams still come true.

The Le Roy musical will present the classic fairytale in a fresh and exciting way. This isn't just another Cinderella story, but a family friendly event that has surprises around every corner.

Shows are at 7 p.m., March 15, 16 and 17.

The magic wand will be waved and the audience will be dazzled by special effects, a transformation scene, fog and special lighting, and professional costumes rented or borrowed from various theaters.

In addition, the show will trickle into the audience from the stage to create an interactive element as actors and audience blend.

There will be a special gift at the door for all children, birth to third grade, who come to the musical dressed in costumes consistent with the theme of the play.

Almost 100 students make up the cast, crew and pit orchestra being directed by Jacqueline McLean. Stuart McLean is the show's vocal director. Bradley Meholick is the pit orchestra director, and Jessa Dechant is in charge of publicity and public relations.

"Even though this is a small community and small school, the talent is extremely great," McLean said. "These students have put in a lot of hard work and time and they have a fire in their bellies to present."

Senior Grace Kovach plays Cinderella. Grace's younger sister, Margaret Kovach, is the Fairy Godmother and Jayce Seely plays the Prince. Other lead roles, the King and Queen, are played by Tyler Murtha and Miranda Graham.

Sisters Grace and Margaret are excited about their experience acting together on stage.

"Grace and I are sisters, so we can take it the extra step," Margaret said. "This has made us 10 times more close than we already are."

"This is one of the greatest memories I will have of high school," said Grace, who will be graduating this year.

Jayce agrees.

"This production will be memorable because of time spent with new and old friends and the experiences we have had that don't happen everday," Jayce said.

As in any romance story, true love must be sealed with a kiss.

"My mom teases me a bit, but it's fine," Jayce said.

"After all it is just a show," Grace said.

Tickets can be purchased now and you are strongly encourage to buy them ahead of time.

• On the school's website at www.leroycsd.org
• By calling the main office at 768-8131
• At the door while available

Le Roy Junior Senior High School is at 9300 South St. Road.

Press release:

MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES! This year, the Batavia Business Improvement District is excited to begin the planning for the Batavia Downtown Public Market that runs from June 21 to Sept 27. We are looking for farms, wineries, artists and craftsmen to participate.

Conveniently located in the downtown, visit our market before you do your regular shopping to be sure your food is the freshest and that your dollars remain local. Now entering its seventh year, the public market has grown and changed to become a staple of the downtown.

Although public markets have now become quite the trend, the goal is the same. People want the tradition of heading to the market to buy fresh, quality foods and wine and unique crafts from local farms and craftspersons. There is a desire to feel connected to their community.

Batavia has a unique geographic advantage because it bridges two major sales markets, Rochester and Buffalo. It also has four major routes that converge within the city – Routes 5, 33, 63 and 98.

Unlike some public markets which are tucked in a small lot or out of public view, the Batavia Downtown Public Market is located at the corner of Ellicott Street (Route 63) and Center Street, right in the center of the downtown. According to the Department of Transportation, over 15,000 cars drive past the market daily. Public parking is plentiful and easy to find.

The Business Improvement District, otherwise known as the BID, is a nonprofit organization made up of downtown property owners and tenants dedicated to economic and cultural revitalization that is above and beyond what the municipality can do.

A public market that is in the center of town creates a sense of place and belonging. Going back to our roots, farmer’s markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing for small farms, wineries and other businesses.

Farms, large or small, wineries, or artists/craftsmen that would like to sell their homemade crafts are welcome to participate.

If you would like to know more about the BID in general or how to participate in the Downtown Public Market or the autumn Wine Walk, please contact Laurie Oltramari at the BID at 585-344-0900 or email LOltramari@downtownbataviany.com.

Visit your downtown FARMACY for local food, fun and familiar faces!

Press release:

For the eighth consecutive year Site Selection Magazine has recognized Batavia/Genesee County as one of the top micropolitans in the United States, including the number-one ranking in the Northeast. The criteria for receiving the recognition includes capital investment and job creation. Through the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), approximately $51.3 million in new capital investments were made in the county creating approximately 172 new jobs in 2011.

“Through the collaboration of the Genesee County Legislature, the City and Town of Batavia, and many others in our community, we had another successful year in our economic development efforts,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. "With the recent announcement of Premiere Credit and Java Equipment projects, 2012 is off to a tremendous start.”

In 2011 the GCEDC was able to participate in 30 project “wins," including four major projects that have significant employment impacts for the region. Alpina Foods, one of the most recognized dairy companies in the world, and a leading dairy producing company in Colombia and South America, will open its first specialty yogurt manufacturing plant in the United States and will be the first occupant of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. Alpina will create 50 jobs and invest more than $15 million in the construction and occupation of its new manufacturing plant.

The expansion at Graham Corporation will create 26 new jobs while a green technology firm, Vegetal I.D., which creates green roofs, will be adding 20 jobs over the next three years. In the Gateway I park, a new Holiday Inn Express is under construction that will create 19 jobs. The new hotel will be attached to an existing banquet hall.

“Congratulations are in order and Genesee County should be very proud of the achievements of our GCEDC,” said Mary Pat Hancock, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature. “The recent groundbreaking by Alpina in our newly opened agricultural park, and the recent activity at the park promises a substantial investment in the economic health of our area.

"There were additional achievements, new cooperative workforce-training programs, businesses expanding, jobs retained; do not think that all this would have happened without the inspired and dedicated work of the GCEDC and their team. Their success is our success."

The City of Batavia, in partnership with Mancuso Business Development Group, was able to complete the Masse Gateway Redevelopment Project which included the demolition of 40,000 square feet of vacant industrial space in the Batavia Industrial Center, and the renovation of approximately 120,000 square feet for commercial, residential and light industrial use. In December 2011, the first new business in the Masse Gateway Redevelopment project was secured and in January 2012 the second business was secured. Both expect to be open by Spring/Summer 2012.

“We appreciate the recognition and will continue to build upon our rich entrepreneurial history and facilitate collaborative partnerships that support and enhance opportunities for all community residents,” said Batavia City Manager Jason Molino.

Upstate New York’s City of Batavia, the hub of the Batavia Micropolitan region, continues to reinvent itself in the wake of the national Site Selection recognition. An empowered Batavia Development Corporation -- the city’s strategic alliance and economic development agency -- invested in personnel, small business development and infrastructure initiatives to support the continued growth and success of the area in 2011.

“New staff was hired, more small business loans were distributed and a newly defined action plan for adaptive re-use was adopted,” said Ray Chaya, president of the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC). “The BDC has seen confidence return to the community."

The city's Business Improvement District completed six façade improvement projects totaling more than $17,000 in reinvestment in downtown properties, with another six projects that are expected to be completed by the end of this month. The BID is also pleased to announce that it paid off early the $250,000 bond for the Ellicott Street streetscape project, which was done in conjunction with the City of Batavia.

“The Batavia Business Improvement District is extremely proud of having four new downtown businesses, which includes a Save-A-Lot Food Store. This means approximately another 35 individuals being employed within the district,” said Don Burkle, executive director of the BID.

“I can only express my deepest appreciation for the all of the partners, municipalities, and employees who continue to collaborate and are dedicated to the strategic vision of growth for our community,” said Greg Post, supervisor of the Town of Batavia. “This success is because of the partnerships that have been fostered over the last 10 years and the willingness of everyone to work together as a team to achieve a common goal for economic success."

“The chamber congratulates all of the economic development partners in Genesee County on receiving this award. It is always gratifying to be recognized for a job well done — particularly when the hard work is often done ‘behind the scenes’,” said Lynn Freeman, director of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

“The investment being made in our community, as a result of our economic development groups and the chamber, is bringing more and better paying jobs to Genesee County that will in turn improve the quality of life for all of us."

Press release:

Following the announcement that Holy Family School in Le Roy had exceeded the first of three benchmarks required to keep the school open, Dr. Rosemary Henry, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Buffalo, issued this statement:

“I wish to congratulate the entire Holy Family School community for responding to last November’s call to action. By meeting their first goal, they have shown a commitment to sustaining and growing Catholic education in Genesee County.

“But much work remains to be done in order for Holy Family School to remain open beyond June. In the coming weeks, we need to see greater engagement on the part of supporters of Catholic education to ensure each individual benchmark is met,” Dr. Henry said.

As of March 2, the school had registered 70 students for the 2012-13 school year and raised $47,000, surpassing the March 1 benchmark of 40 paid registrants and $40,000 raised.

After a series of meetings last year, it appeared that Holy Family School would merge with St. Joseph School in Batavia, but upon hearing from members of the Holy Family community and local leadership, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, agreed to give the community time to rally around the school in an effort to keep it open.

Two additional benchmarks must now be met:

April 15, 2012: a total of 80 paid registrants with nonrefundable deposits and an additional $40,000 on deposit. June 1, 2012:  a total of 120 paid registrants with nonrefundable deposits and an additional $45,000 on deposit.

According to a plan agreed upon and presented to the Holy Family School leadership and the local community, as well as a letter sent by Father Michael Rock, OdeM, canonical administrator of the school, to the Holy Family community on Dec. 2, 2011, meeting the benchmarks will allow Holy Family School to remain open.

“Parishioners, school supporters and alumni are encouraged to continue this impressive momentum to ensure Catholic elementary education is maintained in Le Roy,” Dr. Henry said.

A driver says she served to avoid a deer leading to an accident that sent herself and two passengers to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Shaunta M. Jackson, 23, of Batavia, was driving north on Slusser Road in Pembroke at 4:54 p.m., Saturday, when she lost control of her car.

After swerving to avoid the deer, she said her 2000 Ford SUV left the east shoulder of the road. She over-corrected, the vehicle went off the west shoulder and she turned the wheel to avoid hitting a tree, at which point the vehicle overturned.

Also injured were Nikayla C. Jackson, 19, and Kyle J. Jackson, 18. 

All three people were transported by Mercy EMS to an area hospital.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.

(Initial report)

A person reportedly kicked his way into the Discovery Chapel, 315 W. Main St., Batavia, overnight and left barefooted sometime later.

The break-in was reported at 8:15 a.m.

A door to a storage shed was forced open as well as a door into the church itself.

Found in the seating area of the church was a jacket, shoes and socks.  Investigators believe these items were left by the perpetrator.

Police found the impressions of bare feet in the snow outside the church. The footprints indicate the person walked east on the south side of Main Street, and in the area of Main and Court, the person turned toward the roadway and may have gotten into a car.

The suspect appears to have suffered a cut on his right foot.

So far, no items are reported missing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350 or by calling the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370.

For the third time in three meetings in 2012, Notre Dame beat Elba in boys basketball, but this time the game determined the Class D1 Section V champion.

It's the first sectional win for Notre Dame since 2001.

"They all laugh at me because I always say, 'you gotta dance with the girl you brought,' " said Coach Mike Rapone. "That's an old-timers saying, but we're not going to change anything. We're going to do what got us here."

After two previous meetings, both teams had to make adjustments, Rapone said.

"I give Elba a lot of credit," Rapone said. "They knew what we wanted to do and took a lot away from us."

Notre Dame (20-1) took a lead early, and though Elba (18-3) was often nipping at their lead, it wasn't until 3:42 left in the game that the Lancers held a 40-39 lead.

But after Doane McCulley hit a lay up and Zach Hotze sunk a three-pointer, Notre Dame didn't look back, holding on for a 50-45 point victory.

Zach Hotze and Tim McCulley had 16 points each for the Fighting Irish. Jared Thornton added 12 points.

"We're fortunate we hit our big shots when we had to," Rapone said.

One of the goals of the Irish, Rapone said, was to take the three-point play away from Dan Ramsey, whom Rapone said is one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the section.

Dan Ramsey was held to eight points for the game.

For the Lancers, Matt Ramsey had 14 points, Mike Ramsey nine. Mike Ramsey added nine rebounds.

The historic back-to-back championship match-ups between Elba and Notre Dame, with the Elba girls defeating the Notre Dame girls Friday night, was big for both schools.

"I don’t think it gets any better in small-school basketball than Notre Dame and Elba," Rapone said.

It's been a fun season at Notre Dame, according to Rapone, between the two basketball teams and the hockey team winning its Section V championship last week (the Irish skaters lost a regional playoff game Saturday night).

"We have a lot of school spirit and it’s been the most amazing winter ever," Rapone said. "I mean, the girls play for a championship, the boys make that miraculous run in hockey, everybody’s on cloud nine."

The Irish will face DeSales in a regional playoff game on Tuesday night.

If you have trouble viewing the slide show, click here.

To purchase prints of the photos, click here.

A rollover accident with injuries is reported at Route 63 and Boyd Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 7:22 a.m.: Minor injuries, if any.

UPDATE 7:42 a.m.: Pavilion back in service.

As we reported last night, Elba girls beat Notre Dame on Friday night, 44-33, to take the Section V title.

Photos in this post submitted by Bare Antolos.

Tonight, Notre Dame beat Elba for the boys Section V title. We'll have pictures and a story in the morning.

In hockey, Notre Dame lost their regional game tonight.