The County Highway Department announced that Peaviner, Old Creek and Cookson roads in Alexander are closed due to high water from the storm.

Sandy Mullen sent in this picture of the large willow that fell in her back yard on Ross Street, Batavia.

A tree has reportedly fallen into power lines on Clinton Street, Batavia.

City fire responding.

National Grid notified.

UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: The homeowner said he contacted National Grid some three hours before calling the fire department. He only called fire after one of the power lines started sparking. Fire officials assessed the situation and advised the homeowner to wait for National Grid. City fire is back in service.

Not all the trees lost their fall leaves over night. This is a tree on South Main Street. The picture was taken from behind Billy Goats on West Main Street, Batavia.

A woman accused of breaking into the home of a person she knew in Le Roy and trashing the residence entered a guilty plea this morning to burglary in the third degree.

As part of her plea deal, Karen L. Stone, 45, of Elm Street, Le Roy, faces from four to six months of intermittent jail time and five years probation.

Stone reportedly caused significant damage inside the home while the resident was away.

She was originally charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny.

Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m., Jan. 14.

A car hit a tree on Evans Street, Batavia, just before 10 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Robert Scott DeSmit, 47, of 14280 Gillette Road, Barre, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. DeSmit is accused of violating a complete stay away order issued in Family Court by sending an e-mail message attempting to arrange a meeting to the protected party Oct. 23. DeSmit allegedly followed up with a text message sent from his e-mail address to the protected party's mobile phone that read, “I got the order. I’m sorry. I sent you an e-mail.” DeSmit was arrested Oct. 24 by Batavia PD.

Ranelle E. Reuben, 30, of Basom, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, refusal of breath test, stopping/standing on public highway, drinking alcohol while operating a motor vehicle and driving without a license. Reuben was arrested by State Police at 2:40 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke.

Brandon Charles Smart, 35, no permanent address, is charged with trespass. Smart turned himself in on a warrant pending in Le Roy Town Court. Smart is accused of trespassing at Buttermilk Falls on June 14.

A person has fallen 15 feet from a residential rooftop on Clinton Street, Bergen.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A medical first responder reports Mercy Flight will not be needed.

The call is the second report this morning of a person falling from a roof. The first was on Pearl Street Road in East Pembroke's district.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.: Patient being transported to Strong.

A caller is out with an injured Labrador retriever on Bridge Road, just south of Norton Road, Elba.

The dog appears to have been hit by a car.

Law enforcement is responding.

Electrical wires rubbing against a tree limb early this morning sparked a small fire at Washington and Ross streets, which led to a power outage for the area and the closure of all Batavia City Schools.

The location is directly in front of Batavia Middle School.

The school district posted this statement on its Web site this morning: "All of the schools in the Batavia City School District are closed today, October 30, due to a power line malfunction."

The fire and school closure were perhaps the most significant overnight event as a result of what was left of Superstorm Sandy passing over Genesee County.

There were only a few trees down, some power loss -- at one point, more than 1,800 National Grid customers were without power -- and a couple of utility poles fell.

The current city outage effects 178 customers. There is also an outage is South Byron for 49 customers and another in East Bethany for 23 customers.

National Grid crews are also working in Darien this morning to restore power to fewer than five homes.

As Sandy winds down, the forecast for Genesee County over the next six hours is for cloudy and windy conditions with scattered rain showers. Winds will blow east-northeast at 20 to 25 mph.

A flood watch remains in effect until noon.

The other storm damage early this morning in the city was a window was blown out on the front of Falcone Electric Supply Co., on West Main Street.

So far, the front edge of Hurricane Sandy (now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone) has produced little weather-related activity in Genesee County.

At 1788 Roberts Road a tree is reportedly hitting a power line causing sparking. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

There is one small power outage in the county, in Byron, affecting fewer than five customers. Power restoration is expected by 9:30 p.m. The outage was initially reported at 7:01 p.m.

UPDATE 8:29 p.m.: Alabama reports a little sparking that they won't be able to do anything about, so back in service.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: There is a power outage on Roberts Road. Fewer than five customers without power. Power restoration estimated for 10:15 p.m. 

An ambulance has been requested to 3340 W. Main St. Road to check on a driver complaining of chest pain from an airbag deployment. The car reportedly hit a tree. It was originally reported as a non-injury accident.

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: A second ambulance requested to the accident.

UPDATE 8:47 p.m.: Forecast for the next six hours: "Light rain. Cloudy with strong and gusty winds. Temperatures steady near the upper 40s. Winds from the north at 30 to 35 mph. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch."

UPDATE 8:59 p.m.: On the accident, four people transported. Minor injuries.

UPDATE 9:16 p.m.: Two more small power outages reported. One on Pearl Street in the city, fewer than five customers, and another small one off Kelsey Road, Batavia.

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: Elba Fire Department requested to Ford Road and Norton Road for a power line arcing and sparking.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m.: The power outage on Roberts Road has expanded to affect 27 homes. There's an outage of five or fewer homes on Lockport Road, east of Route 77.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: Report on Ford and Norton, Elba, appears to be unfounded.

UPDATE 10:02 p.m.: Clarification, there is an issue with a wire. National Grid requested to the scene. Elba back in service.

UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: Because of school closings, Le Roy's Section C Sectional Championship game has been rescheduled to noon, Sunday. The game was originally scheduled for Friday evening. The game will still be played in Rochester.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.: There's a report of a tree and pole down across the road just west of 3967 Rose Road, Batavia. Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:33 p.m.: Branch and wire down reported on Buell Street. City fire responding.

UPDATE 10:40 p.m.: Wire on Buell is a telephone line. City fire cutting it and getting it out of the street.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: Rose Road, tree completely blocking. National Grid on scene.

UPDATE 11:03 p.m.: A pole has fallen on a car at 8286 Byron Holley Road, Stafford. The car is unoccupied. Unknown if the wires are live. Stafford fire responding.

UPDATE 11:11 p.m.: Rose Road is clear.

UPDATE 11:14 p.m.: Pole on Byron Holly is an old, unused utility pole with no wires attached. It was heavily rotted. Law enforcement requested to the scene to take report on property damage. Stafford back in service.

UPDATE 11:39 p.m.: A tree has reportedly fallen onto a house  at 5719 Ellicott St. Road, Bethany. Bethany fire dispatched.

UPDATE 12:06 a.m.: A reader reports power is out on Chapel Street, Elba. National Grid has not yet reported this outage. On Ellicott Street Road, the homeowner will take care of the tree with a tree service in the morning. Bethany is back in service.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: Missed the initial call, but Oakfield responded to a tree branched tangled with a utility line. Oakfield is back in service.

UPDATE 12:22 a.m.: Within the past couple of minutes, National Grid has posted 19 new power outages in Genesee County. Total number of customers affected, more than 1,800. Some locations have two or four outages reported in very close proximity. The outages are in Elba, Byron, Bergen, Stafford and Batavia.

UPDATE 12:31 a.m.: A utility pole with wires and a transformer is reportedly down at 6937 Lyman Road, Byron. Byron and South Byron dispatched.

UPDATE 12:42 a.m.: The yard waste sign outside the yard waste lot on Law Street blew down and partially into the roadway. A Batavia PD officer responded, and by the time he arrived, a DPW crew was already on scene. They retrieved the sign to take back to their shop.

UPDATE 12:47 a.m.: Winds currently 33 mph, blowing north-northeast, with gusts of 50 mph. On Lyman Road, one Byron/South Byron unit returned to hall.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Report of tree down and blocking on Lake Road.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: This Lake Road, I think, is the Lake Road in Pembroke. The cross is Maple Road. The tree trunk is apparently leaning against a non-power line. The roadway is completely blocked.

UPDATE 1:25 a.m.: Wires reportedly down and arcing in the area of 9394 Snippery Road. Corfu fire dispatched.

UPDATE  1:30 a.m.: Corfu chief on location reports electric wire going to a house is burning.

UPDATE 1:42 a.m.: A tree is on a house on Summit Street. Law enforcement is responding to assess the situation.

UPDATE 2:08 a.m.: We've heard no further transmissions regarding the house on Summit -- not even sure if it's Le Roy or Batavia. Winds in Batavia have dropped  to 30 mph. We'll keep the scanners on, but I'm going to bed.

The case of Justin C. Smith is an example, Judge Robert C. Noonan said in county court today, of what can happen when a "basically good person has drugs take control of his life."

On Nov. 18, Smith broke into the residence of a friend on Porter Avenue and stole an item and pawned it.

In July, Smith admitted to attempted burglary, 2nd.

Because Smith has a prior non-violent felony conviction, from 2007, the minimum sentence available to Noonan was three years. Smith will spend three years in prison.

"There are a lot of different kinds of entries into somebody's house and your's violated the trust of a friend," Noonan said. "You accessed the property of somebody you knew and, unfortunately for you, that is classified as a violent felony with a mandatory determinate sentence."

A friend of Smith's sat in the gallery and wept as Noonan pronounced sentence.

One his term is completed, Smith will be on post-release supervision for five years.

He must also pay restitution to Pawn King for $105.

We encourage readers to send us information about closures, cancelations and postponements or rescheduling of events, roads, activities, businesses, services, etc., as we all hunker down in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. I'll add them ASAP.

E-mail them to:

billie@thebatavian.com

or

howard@thebatavian.com

*********************

Phone:

Billie (585) 905-5581

Howard (585) 260-6970

• Canceled: Tuesday night Bingo at the Elba Fire Hall is cancelled.
• Postponed: Muller Quaker Dairy meet-and-greet Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Genesee Community College.
• Canceled: All afternoon and evening activities today in the Oakfield-Alabama school district.
• Canceled: The 4-H Volunteer Training scheduled for tonight at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Building.
• Canceled: All activities scheduled after 5 p.m. today in the Elba Central School District.
• Canceled: All after-school activities in the Byron-Bergen school district.
• Canceled: This evening's classes of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Education.
• Canceled: All activities scheduled after 5 p.m. today in the Pavilion Central School District.
• Temporary closure of GCC campuses as of 4 p.m. today: To help ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, and encourage everyone to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary pedestrian and vehicle travel during this time, Genesee Community College will close today effective at 4 p.m. This closing includes all Campus Centers in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, as well as the Batavia Campus. If you have any questions concerning closing and class cancellation procedures, please refer to http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/closing/.
  Classes are expected to resume on a normal schedule Tuesday, Oct. 30. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to check the local news channels and the college's Web site before leaving for campus Tuesday morning.
• Canceled: Tonight's 7 o'clock Bible Study with Just Joy! Ministries at the YWCA.

Press release about Hurricane Sandy from National Grid:

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, National Grid is urging customers to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. We have been preparing for Hurricane Sandy for several days and our employees are ready to respond to our customers' needs. We remind you to be prepared and follow safety precautions.

Please check to make sure you have bottled water, working flashlights, a battery operated radio and extra batteries in your home. If you plan to use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to only operate it outdoors.

To prevent a safety issue, before operating generators, be sure to turn off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. If you see a downed power line, do not go near it or drive over it, always assume it's live. For more safety tips visit us at www.nationalgrid.com/HurricaneSandy.

In case you lose power, National Grid provides you with multiple ways to receive up-to-date information on things like restoration details, more safety tips, important phone numbers and more.

Sign up for National Grid state-level broadcast text* alerts by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743). You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by texting the word STOP to NGRID (64743).

You can now get safety and outage information on your mobile phone via our new mobile web browser at www.nationalgrid.com.

We also keep customers informed on Facebook and Twitter. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for up-to-date information.

Power outages can be reported online or by calling 1-800-867-5222 in New York.

For more information and to report an outage visit www.nationalgrid.com/HurricaneSandy.

Sign up for major storm alerts.

Text STORM to NGRID (64743)

Press release to farmers regarding storm from Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Cornell Cooperative Extension urges all farmers to prepare ahead of time for power outages, structural or crop damage, insurance claims and damage that could accompany Hurricane Sandy, also dubbed “Frankenstorm” and the “Perfect Storm.”

The New York State Office of Emergency Management is already warning citizens of Sandy’s approach, and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets urges farmers to pay close attention to those warnings.

Long-range preparations can include purchasing or making rental agreements for special equipment, making adjustments to property and reviewing business arrangements. Short-range preparations should focus on immediate concerns such as turning off propane, moving livestock or equipment to safe places or updating phone numbers for emergency assistance.

Equipment needs may include a generator, fuel, a hand fuel pump, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, a flashlight and batteries, NOAA weather radio and batteries, stored water and feed for humans and livestock and a camera to document damage.

Photos of agricultural losses are very helpful to the USDA, especially with their livestock indemnity programs.

Tobacco farms or nursery operations with greenhouses, dairies, and hog and poultry operations are especially vulnerable if power remains out for a lengthy period. Those farmers may want to purchase a generator, and the sooner the better. Farmers who cannot purchase a generator should consider leasing or negotiating a rental arrangement for a back-up generator in advance. Be aware that some rental contracts are only for eight hours use per day.

Property preparations can include clearing debris from drainage ditches so water can run freely, checking power lines for clearance and pruning or removing trees that could fall on lines, surveying buildings for limbs or trees close to buildings and pounding in extra nails or tightening hurricane straps to prevent wind damage.

Other precautions include clearing away all debris that could blow in high winds, securing farm signs and photographing valuable items and storing the pictures off site.

Farmers and home owners alike should store all business records above flood level, which is generally at least two feet off the floor.

A final long-range preventive measure is reviewing business affairs, including insurance policies, debt level and finances. Farmers need to ensure they have adequate insurance coverage for homes, vehicles, farm buildings and structures, crops and flood damage.

Finally, farmers should develop an emergency plan for their families and their farm workers and should establish a meeting place where everyone can gather after a disaster. They also need to assign and prioritize preparation and recovery duties.

Short-range preparations are those things to do now, even though Sandy’s path is still somewhat uncertain.

These include:

• Monitoring local weather reports for up-to-the-minute information on the storm.
• Charging batteries on cell phones and cameras.
• Determining check-in points for family members and workers.
• Storing or securing items or equipment that may blow away or blow into structures, including lawn furniture and ornaments.
• Checking generators to be sure they are in good working order and purchasing sufficient amounts of fuel to operate them.
• Checking feed inventory and ordering extra if needed.
• Moving poultry and livestock to higher ground if possible and sheltering them in securely battened barns, houses or tightly-fenced areas.
• Planning for the possibility of evacuation and identifying horse facilities in nearby vicinities that are willing to take horses in an emergency.
• Find out what their requirements are for vaccinations or tests such as the Coggins Test.
• Have a system for permanently identifying each horse with its name, your name and a phone number.
• Turning off the propane supply at tanks and securing tanks in the event of flooding to prevent them from floating away.
• Moving equipment to the highest, open ground possible away from trees or buildings.
• Pumping and storing adequate supplies of drinking water for humans and animals in the case of power outages. Recommendations are for a minimum 36-hour reserve.
• Topping off all gas, propane and other fuel tanks, including the family vehicles.
• Marking animals with an identifier so they can be returned to you if lost. This can include ear tags with name of farm and/or phone numbers, brands, paint markings on hooves or coat or clipped initials in the hair.
• Moving feed to higher ground or to a more accessible place in case of flooding or transportation problems.
• Checking the security of roofing materials, siding and windows and doors in barns and poultry houses to make sure they will not blow off or blow open in strong winds.
• Coordinating with neighbors beforehand to discuss what resources can be shared in the event of power outages or flooding.
• Making a list of important phone numbers ahead of time in order to make calls following a storm. Potential numbers to include are the local emergency management office, county extension agent, insurance agent, county Farm Service Agency and private veterinarian.

For local emergency offices, contact http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/contact

Smoke, "a light haze," is reported at Lot 3 of the Caesar's Palace Mobile Home Park. It's located at 8486 W. Bergen Road. Bergen and Le Roy fire departments are responding to the scene. Pavilion Fire Department is asked to stand by in their quarters.

The homeowner told responders he has no idea what may be causing the smoke. The structure has been evacuated.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: The smoke has been cleared. We think the source was a clothes dryer. No actual fire was present. The walls were checked with a thermal imaging camera. Pavilion is standing down. The other responders are picking up their equipment and preparing to leave.

Press release:

In preparation for the upcoming storm the National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning from 5 p.m. today until 2 p.m. Tuesday. North or northeast winds are expected from 30-45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. In addition, due to the unusual direction of the wind and saturated ground, tree uprooting is of particular concern.

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 2.5 inches are forecast from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, though there will be localized areas that receive more rain.

All residents are advised to move leaves or debris from the roadway to the parkway between the sidewalk and curb, in addition to keeping all storm water catch basins clean and clear of debris.  Keeping the roadways, gutters and catch basins clear of leaves and debris may assist in mitigating localized flooding concerns. Also, residents are encouraged to check sump pumps to ensure they are functioning properly.

All residents are advised that garbage and recycling collection is CANCELLED for Tuesday pickup and will presume on Wednesday. Residents are advised not to put out garbage and recycling containers for collection Monday evening or Tuesday morning for Tuesday pickup. All collection days will be pushed back one day, and Friday pickup will be on Saturday. 

High Wind Safety Information

High winds can cause downed trees and power lines, flying debris and building collapses, which may lead to power outages, transportation disruptions, damage to buildings and vehicles, and injury or death. Please stay inside when a Wind Advisory or Wind Warning has been issued.

All residents are encouraged to conduct a home safety search to look for items that can move, fall, or break in windy conditions. In addition, move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations (Halloween), trash cans, hanging plants, and anything that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

The safest place during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.

• Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.
• Take cover next to a building or under a shelter. Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing.
• Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away.
• Do not touch anyone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line. You may become a second victim. Get medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 9-1-1.
• When driving, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down. Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
• Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.
• Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.
• If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Ask someone to call the police. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.

The city encourages all residents to take the necessary precautions to prevent injury to themselves and others. Should any resident need the assistance of an emergency responder please call 9-1-1.

If there are any questions, please contact:

Office of the City Manager

One Batavia City Centre

Batavia, New York 14020

Phone: (585) 345-6330

Fax: (585) 343-8182

E-mail:  jmolino@batavianewyork.com

A Canandaigua man will serve a 90-day intermittent sentence in jail and five years on probation for claiming fraudulent unemployment benefits in Genesee County.

He faces similar charges in Ontario County.

Nicholas A. Caliese must repay the county $12,829.50.

Caliese entered a guilty plea to grand larceny, 3rd, in Genesee County Court on July 6.

His sentence was based on a plea deal struck over the summer.

Currently, Caliese is working two jobs, one is full-time, and going to school.

"A probation sentence is appropriate, giving him the opportunity to continue forward with the positive steps that he’s just made recently," said Billy Tedford, his attorney.

City residents, if you've piled your leaves in the street, please move them into the parkway -- between the curb and the sidewalk -- this morning.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city's leaf removal program started a week ago, but there's still a lot of leaves on the ground, and even though in a press release last week the city asked residents not to pile leaves in the street, some have.

"They're a hazard to cars, but in a situation like this, they clog storm drains and prevent storm water runoff," Molino said.

Residents should especially take action to prevent any piles of leaves from blocking catch basins and storm drains.

City crews -- both DPW and fire -- have been ensuring all equipment -- from pumping equipment to chainsaws and all vehicles are in good working order, fueled and ready to go.

There will be a full compliment of DPW workers available today and this evening, Molino said.

The city will have more information about storm preparedness later this morning.