The City of Batavia could reconstruct both Cedar Street and Summit Street at no direct cost to local taxpayers, the City Council was told tonight.

By combining annual federal infrastructure funds the city already gets with an 80-percent funding grant, the city could complete $5.7 million projects by 2012 and not a dime would come from city coffers.

The 80-percent grant is Federal money that is administered by the state.

The city must apply for the grant.

Reconstruction would rebuild the streets rather than just repave them, which was recently done to Oak Street.

Summit will cost an estimated $2.2 million and Cedar, $3.5 million.

The city plans to move ahead with design work that will put it in a position to receive the grants, using funding already available from the feds.

You never know who might make it to the big leagues from the minors! We have a special place in minor league baseball with the Batavia Muckdogs! There are players starring in the Majors today that played for Batavia in the last ten years! Who might be next? Come on out to Dwyer and see our Muckdogs! Get a foul ball and get it signed by the next Ryan Howard.....hey you never know! Congratulations to Xavier Scruggs who spent last season in Batavia with our Championship team and started the season back in Batavia rehabing an injured elbow. He left last week and was named the Midwest League Player of the week!!! Congrats "X" and thanks for all the great memories!!! Hope to see him in a Cardinal uniform in a few seasons!!!! Here is what MILB.COM wrote about our former Muckdog:

Midwest League
Xavier Scruggs, Quad Cities
.556 (15-27), 6 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1 SB, 1.185 SLG
Scruggs was moved up from the New York-Penn League on Monday, and he immediately made it clear to the St. Louis brass he could handle the transition. He homered twice and collected four RBIs in his first Midwest League game, and, after doubling and singling on Tuesday, rocketed another longball in a five-RBI game on Wednesday. He plated one run in each of his three games, and on Sunday went yard again during a 5-for-6, four-RBI showing.

Batavia Little League is planning a series of upgrades to the ball field at MacArthur Park. The plans include construction of new, larger dugouts, a remodeled concession stand and a new, second batting cage.

The Little League will build the improvements and pay for it through its own fundraising and then donate the improvements to the city. The donation of the completed project to the city is required by law.

On the motion of City Councilman Sam Barone, the Batavia City Council tonight put off a vote on forming a commission to create a new charter for a consolidated Batavia.

At the 7 p.m. business meeting, the council had been scheduled to vote on a resolution scheduling a public hearing in order to form a new charter commission.

The commission would have four members appointed by the city along with four appointed by the town.

There was no discussion of Barone's motion to table the vote for now. His motion passed 5-4.

UPDATE: After the meeting, Barone said he thought the current city charter review process should be completed before the city embarks on a new charter process for the proposed consolidation.

Nancy Crane of Williamsville was the lucky winner of this year's Elba Volunteer Fire Department's annual Mustang raffle. Crane chose the $18,000 cash prize over the car. 

Approximately $8,000 was raised in ticket sales, with all profit going to the fire department.

Emergency crews are responding to a possible serious-injury accident at Route 20 and Perry Road east of Pavilion Center.

Two cars are reportedly on their roofs and "multiple injuries" are reported.  Mercy Flight is being dispatched.

UPDATE 5:00 p.m.: On scene. One Mercy Flight helicopter has left and at least one more, possibly two, on their way. A maroon minivan is on its side while a black compact car is now upright. Emergency crews are treating patients. There may be as many as five patients involved.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: There were six victims, all adults. Two in a sedan, and four in a minivan. Two were taken by Mercy Flight to area hospitals -- at least one to Strong, so the other probably to ECMC. Four other victims were taken by ground ambulance to Strong (possibily).  Investigators on scene as of an hour ago had no idea how the accident occurred. They were just getting started with examining the scene. I'll post a couple of pictures after I get to tonight's City Council meeting.  As for video, my camera is busted.  It probably recorded fine, but now playback isn't working.  Somebody is bringing me another camera tonight, but I probably won't be able to get any video up from the scene before the morning.

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This comes from a voice I think I recognize as a DPW worker: "They must be pretty hard up if they stole a shovel and a broom. Wow."

New Today: Amelia's Antiques and Collectibles, 5213 E. Main St. (Rte 5), Batavia, N.Y.  A unique collection of old and new at Amelia's. Antiques, country primitives, candles, collectibles and more. Click Here to download an entry form for a drawing to win $75 in merchandise from Amelia's. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: Brighten up your home or office with flowers!  We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sport of Kings Family Restaurant, 419 W Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: A favorite locally owned family restaurant that is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. We have a $15 gift card for $7.50.

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

A $1 PayPal service fee applies on items more than $10. The fee is 50 cents on items below $10.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value. Only one gift certificate per-merchant per-person every six months. Gift certificates cannot be combined with other offers without prior approval of the merchant. Gift certificates bought separately cannot be combined for a single purchase. Individuals buying gift certificates must use their own personal PayPal account for the purchase.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Unless other arrangements are made immediately after purchase, the gift certificate will mailed to the winner at his or her PayPal-provided postal address within two or three days of purchase.

Amelia's

SOLD

Sport of Kings

SOLD

Settler's

SOLD

The Mane Attraction

sold

The Enchanted Florist

The following arrests were made related to the Creed concert at Darien Lake Theme Park over the weekend:

Adam R. Murray, 22, of 6173 Knickerbecker Road, Ontario, charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with security officers.

Alan R. Harris, 20, of 9783 State Road, Glenwood, allegedly possessed alcohol under the age of 21.

Michael A. Hill, 19, of 12670 West Schutt, Sardinia, allegedly possessed alcohol under the age of 21.

A 17-year-old from Delevan faces the same charge.

Yesterday, Sunday, I rode with Batavia native, Elba resident, nationally known author, Bill Kauffman and WNED reporter and Darien resident Jay Moran down to Alfred to hear Bill deliver a speech on localism to a Green Party gathering at the university there. The video is broken into three parts because of YouTube's upload limits. The total runtime is less than 20 minutes.

Next two parts after the jump:

Railroad Road in the Village of Alexander is closed due to flooding.

A gas leak on Walnut Street in Batavia has not been shut off and the Fire Department is now requesting that southbound Walnut be closed to vehicle traffic.

National Fuel is on scene trying to find the shut off valve.

Heavy rain showers and thunderstorms could develop over Genesee County this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The rain, after the big storm of last night, could lead to flash floods in low-lying areas as well as creeks and streams.

The flash flood watch is in effect until late tonight.

Should the danger of flash flood be detected, people should seek higher ground.

Apparently the message isn't getting through.  The police are once again asking local media to get the message out: Lock your cars.

A thief or thieves continue to prey on people who leave valuables in unlocked vehicles.

The latest spate of break ins occurred recently on East Avenue, Vine Street, Summit Street and Farwell Drive.

Among the items stolen recently were an iPod and a computer along with small change.

Anybody with information that might lead to the arrest of the thieves are encouraged to call 345-6350. If you see a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

Police detectives are investigating a case of possible arson stemming from a Jan. 25 fire at 12 Elm St. in Batavia.

Confirming a reader tip, Det. Chuck Dudek said this morning that the investigation is ongoing.

The initial Fire Department press release from that fire:

The first alarm came in for 12 Elm Street with report of a possible explosion and flames showing. Within three minutes, city firefighters arrived on scene and quickly extinguished a fire that was found in the side stairwell of the three-story apartment house. Four residents were alerted by smoke detectors and were safely outside the structure when the firefighters arrived.

Last night. Allison Watson said in the midst of a wind, rain and lightning storm she heard a boom and then the front of her house filled with brown smoke.  When she walked to the side of her house, she wasn't surprised at what she found.

Part of a giant tree in her neighbor's yard had fallen into her home at 14 Warren St.

"I called it," Watson said. "I knew it was going to fall on my house. It was only a matter of time."

Watson said she believes the tree was diseased.

Watson, a 15-year-resident of Warren Street, said it's the second time a branch fell on her property. The first time was a couple of years ago during an ice storm and the branch destroyed her garage.

This time, her car was damaged, but she doesn't know how extensively.

Work crews were on their way this morning to remove the debris.

There were no injuries, Watson said, not even to her pet bird, whose feathers were a little ruffled when its cage was damaged, but is otherwise OK.

Eric C. Smith, 21, of 15 Edwards St., Batavia, is charged with three counts of harassment and one count of disorderly conduct. Smith was allegedly involved in a fight in which he allegedly pushed and punched three individuals. Further, Smith is accused of urinating on the floor and walls at police headquarters while being processed. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Kevin Q. Thomas, Jr., 20, of 193 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with harassment. Thomas was allegedly involved in the same fight as Smith, above, and allegedly pushed another person. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Thomas K. Lee, 14 Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Lee allegedly stole items from the Kwik-Fill store in Batavia. He was jailed on $250 bail.

James S. Gibbs, 33, of 34 Vernon Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Gibbs allegedly sent numerous text messages to a woman he was barred from contacting. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

David J. Alvarado, 27, of 2103 S. 9th St., Lafayette, Ind., is charged with DWI. Officer Dan Coffey suspected Alvarado of driving drunk after a traffic stop for allegedly driving without headlights. He is also accused of having a BAC of .08 or greater.

Robert Michael Browne, 48, of 282 Route 20 Road, Room #3, Darien, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt. Browne allegedly violated a court order by going to a residence in the Town of Darien which he had been ordered to avoid.

Charles J. Fetterman, 37, of Lockport, is charged with DWI. Fetterman was stopped by a state trooper after allegedly failing to keep right on Route 20 in Darien. He is accused of driving with a BAC of .10 percent.

Bryan P. Falictico, 20, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Falictico allegedly failed to keep right on Route 5 in Batavia, which led to a traffic stop by a state trooper. Falictico allegedly registered a BAC of .16 pecent.

William V. Mattucci, 53, of 414 Schenk St., North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and driving left of pavement markings. Mattucci was arrested in Corfu by village police.

Cynthia L. Carlo, 44, of 10 Gaslite Lane, Batavia, is charged with DWI, with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely. Carlo was stopped on Route 98 by Deputy H.J. Carlson early Sunday morning.

Jeffrey J. Klar, 29, 7178 Lovers Lane Road, Cattaraugus, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 or greater, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Klar allegedly drove his car off a grass parking area on Sumner Road in Darien when he reportedly hit another car. He was stopped by a Sheriff's deputy on Sumner Road after allegedly trying to leave the scene.

Victor Trejo, 21, of 4238 West Ave., Elba, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Trejo was stopped for allegedly speeding on Bank Street Road in Elba.

Luke W. Ritzenthaler, 26, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritzenthaler was allegedly found in possession of a pipe containing marijuana residue. He is also charged with operation a motor vehicle on a revoked license.

Patrick J. Lamendola, 48, of Rochester is charged with DWI. Lamendola was stopped by a state trooper for allegedly driving down the shoulder of Route 19 in Pavilion. Lamendola's BAC was reportedly .09 percent.

At this hour, National Grid reported about 410 homes are without power in Genesee County.

The areas most widely struck:

• Town of Batavia: 260
• Town of Bergen: 25
• Town of Pavilion: 53
• Town of Stafford: 56

There is no ETA  listed for power to be restored in those locations.

UPDATE: Most of this power -- all except Bergen -- has been restored.

Today is supposed to be one of the warmest days of the summer (not a difficult claim to make).   I guess if we hang in there, the weekend is supposed to be clear, rain free and in the 80s.