Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter: The best time to get ready for winter is before the first storm of the season. Some items to check and talk to your mechanic about include:

• Test the battery strength.
• Inspect the exhaust system and the air, fuel, and emission filters.
• Check the cooling system, windshield wiper and antifreeze fluid levels, and change the oil.
• Make sure hoses and fan belts and all components are working properly.
• Consider changing the spark plugs.
• Check the tire pressure, tread life and consider installing winter tires.
• Locate the spare tire, jack, and ice scrapper.
• Inspect your wiper blades to make sure they're functional and in good condition.

Some Simple Winter Driving Tips: Winter driving has its own set of challenges from the moment you start your vehicle. Here are some useful winter driving suggestions:

• Never warm up your vehicle in a closed garage. This could lead to carbon monoxide problems.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent gas line freeze-up.
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud or snow.
• Don't use cruise control on icy roads.
• Allow more time for braking when visibility is poor.
• Stay calm if you start to skid.

Commercial vehicle drivers should exhibit caution when driving in winter conditions. If your vehicle is large, like a truck, it needs more time to stop in ideal conditions, so snow and icy conditions magnify the challenge. Take care to continue safe practices when sharing the road in winter conditions.

Carry a Winter Driving Kit: Winter weather could leave you stuck in the snow, but the following items in your winter driving kit might help you get back on the road and on your way:

• Small folding shovel
• Tow and tire chains
• Basic tool kit
• Bag of road salt or cat litter
• Flares, battery powered flashlights and extra batteries
• Extra windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze
• Jumper cables to start your car if your battery dies

Pack a Winter Survival Kit: In case you're marooned in your car, truck or SUV, you might want to keep a small winter survival kit on hand. Some useful items include:

• A first-aid kit
• Cell phone charger
• Ice scraper and brush
• Blankets, warm clothing and other cold weather gear to protect against hypothermia
• Drinking water, and high-energy, nonperishable foods

Snow Safety Tips if You Become Stranded in the Winter: Few people like driving through a snow storm, and most heed warnings to stay off the roads when a storm is bearing down. But even the best-prepared and expert drivers can get stuck. If it happens to you, here are some important reminders:
Be prepared. While the best first step is prevention, some storms come on quickly. If you do get stranded, keeping a few essentials, noted above, in your car can help keep you comfortable while you wait.
Stay inside. If possible, pull off the highway and turn your hazard lights on or tie something bright to your car’s antenna to signal that you need help. Then wait inside your car until help arrives to avoid exposure to frostbite and prevent hypothermia.
Call 9-1-1. If you have a charged phone and reception, call for help and describe your location as best you can.
Clear the tailpipe. Make sure there’s no snow covering your tailpipe in order to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the car. Check the tailpipe periodically to ensure that fresh snow isn’t blocking it, always watching for oncoming traffic before exiting your vehicle.
Keep moving. Staying active inside your car will help you keep warm. Clap your hands and tap your toes to keep your circulation moving and prevent frostbite but avoid overexertion and sweating.
Drink fluids. Dehydration can make you more susceptible to the effects of cold. If there’s no drinking water inside your car, melt some snow inside a bag or other makeshift cup to stay hydrated.
Conserve your vehicle's battery. Use lights, heat, and radio sparingly.
Run your engine. Provided you have enough gas in your tank, run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to keep the car warm. Turn on interior lights when your engine is on so you can be seen inside your car. Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don’t overexert yourself. Cold weather puts your heart under added stress. If you’re not used to exercise, shoveling snow or pushing a car could put you at risk of a heart attack. 
Stay safe and warm this winter by learning more about preparation for and recovery from winter storms with State Farm®

A tractor-trailer fire is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 390.6.

The truck is fully involved and a trooper on scene reports the fire is starting to get into the trailer.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched. Mutual aid requested from Le Roy, Elba, and Oakfield.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: The westbound lanes of the Thruway are being shut down.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: Thruway assignment back in service.

A conscientious reporter, he exceled at community coverage for the Batavia Daily News.

Muehlig was born in Buffalo and served in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and to his family, a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, caring son, brother and devoted friend to all who knew him.

For his full obituary, click here.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation and Gilda's Club of Rochester hosted a new fundraiser Sunday evening at Eli Fish called "Hops for Hope."

Proceeds from the event benefited both organizations, both of which assist children with cancer.

Danielle Rotondo, Donna Kabel, members of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation board of directors, Laurie Napoleone, cofounder, and Mark Parsons, with Gilda's Club of Rochester.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced that the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) will receive the Economic Development Partner of the Year award at the agency’s annual business meeting, which takes place March 8 at Batavia Downs.

GVEP serves more than 24,000 students in 22 school districts in  Genesee, Livingston, Steuben and Wyoming counties. The Partnership offers a wide range of programs and services including career and technical education, special education, alternative education, instructional and technical support services, and management services.

“The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership has been instrumental in advancing workforce development initiatives in Genesee County and across the GLOW region,” said President and CEO of GCEDC Steve Hyde. “We look forward to celebrating the Partnership’s tremendous achievements as we continue to invest in the youth of Genesee County.”

GVEP played an instrumental role in bringing a new program called Edge Factor into Genesee County schools. Edge Factor provides a high-tech Web platform and creates high-end videos for students, parents, teachers, counselors and businesses that help introduce the stakeholders across the county to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) career pathways that align with the type of jobs currently in demand across the region.

“The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (the Partnership) is honored to be selected as the Genesee County Economic Development Center’s 2019 Partner of the Year,” said District Superintendent for The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Kevin MacDonald.

“We truly appreciate our partnership with the GCEDC as we create and develop new programs and services that are aligned to meet the needs of our communities, businesses and workforce. We are pleased to support the introduction of Edge Factor as a local resource for students to explore regional career prospects.”

The theme of this year’s annual meeting is “Investing in Our Strongest Assets.” The event will emphasize the GCEDC’s workforce talent development and shovel-ready site development achievements, and thank the partners involved in those efforts.

A mild but persistent snowstorm passed through the area overnight and into this morning. Snowfall is expected to taper off as we head into the afternoon. 

If you're viewing this on The Batavian app, click here to view the video on thebatavian.com.

One of the five bowlers in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday Night League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia who had a shot at perfection this week made it to the promised land and, not surprisingly, that one was Batavia left-hander Rich Wagner.

Wagner continued his spectacular season with 269-300-235--804, raising his average to 248.7 with six weeks left. The current Genesee Region USBC record for a season is 242, shared by Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls and Curtis Foss of Medina.

The other four who came close -- Vin Pontillo, 278--733; Jim Pursel, 279--725; Geoff Harloff, 277--724, and Alex Morris, 278--700. Jason Gallo, Wagner's teammate, posted a 217 triplicate.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Foss nearly had a monster triplicate, firing 279-279-276--834 in the Friday Night Mixers League.

And at Medina Lanes, Mike "Pook" Bielak notched his first 800 series -- 290-289-243--822 -- in the Thursday Firefighters League while Foss had another 300 game, his fifth of the season.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page. Mike Pettinella's next Pin Points column is scheduled for this Thursday.

A one-vehicle rollover accident, believed to be with injuries, is reported in the area of 9224 Alexander Road, Alexander.

A caller says it appears an occupant or occupants are beginning to crawl out of the vehicle.

Alexander fire and ambulance dispatched. Mercy EMS is also responding.

UPDATE 9:48 a.m.: Both occupants are out of the car.

UPDATE 9:53 a.m.: Mercy EMS can disregard. Alexander's ambulance will handle sign-offs.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.32, up 4 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.53. The New York State average is $2.47 – the same as last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.74. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.44 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.50 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.36 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.41 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.44 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.36 (no change since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.43 (no change since last week)

The modest increase in the national average is likely due to supply concerns as refineries begin maintenance season. Overall, however, frigid weather has played a critical role in keeping pump prices low this winter, due to less demand for gasoline. For two weeks, demand numbers have decreased. The drop in demand helped total gas stocks across the country increase slightly by 400,000 bbl to 258.3 million bbl.

Moving into this week, milder weather could increase demand, pulling pump prices alongside it.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased $1.18 to settle at $55.59. Crude prices have continued their ascent due to growing belief that global supply is tightening. As crude prices increase, motorists can expect pump prices to follow suit, since approximately 50 percent of the cost consumers pay at the pump is due to the cost per barrel of crude oil.

Girls indoor track teams from Le Roy and Batavia, and the boys team from Batavia came away with sectional titles after competing at meets at RIT on Friday and Saturday.

Le Roy garnered 78 points, far outpacing second-place Warsaw at 38 points in Class D.

In Class C, the Batavia girls team also finished well head of the next closest team with 132 points to 47.5 points for Palmyra-Macedon.

For the boys, they notched first with a dominating 152 points to 56 points for Wayne Central.

First-place showings for Le Roy:

• McKenna Cone in the 55 Meter Hurdles with a time of 9.03.
• McKenna Cone in the Long Jump with a distance of 6-07.25

The Le Roy Boys Track Team finished second to East Rochester with 43 points to 53 points.

First-place finishes for Batavia girls:

• Arianna Brown in the High Jump with a height of 4-08.00
• Emily Caccamise in the 1500 Meter Race Walk with a time of 9:04.69

First-place finishes for Batavia boys:

• Zakariah Jantzi in the 1000 Meter Run with a time of 2:40.24
• Garrick Havens in the 1600 Meter Run with a time of 4:46.34
• Garrick Havens in the 3200 Meter Run with a time of 10:25.96
• Batavia won the 400 Meter Relay with a time of 9:03.44
• Daemon Konieczny in the High Jump with a height of 6-01.00
• Alex Rood in the Shot Put with a distance of 53-10.00
• Matt Grover in the Weight Throw with a distance of 51-02.25

Batavia Coach Nick Burk also sent along this meet report:

The Batavia Indoor track and field team competed in Sectionals last night at RIT and came away with the double championship (boys and girls) for the third year in a row. The boys team won their eighth overall Sectional Championship and seventh title since 2008. The girls' team won their 15th Sectional Championship in 17 years with this being their sixth consecutive title. Both teams came into the meet very confident and excited to continue the high level of excellence that our program has developed.

For the boys' meet, our dominance in the throws continued with Alex Rood winning the Shot Put (53-10), while Jaheim Smith (48-7.25) and Evan Bartz (44-4.5) took second and fourth, respectively. Not to be outdone, our boys' Weight Throwers were even more impressive taking the top four places with Matt Grove (51-2.25) winning the event, followed by Evan Bartz (50-0.75), Alex Rood (49-11.25), and Cody Eisenberger (48-6.75).

Batavia's distance crew certainly shined in this meet, particularly Garrick Havens who won the 3200m (10:25.96), the 1600m (4:46.34), and was part of the winning 4x800 Relay (9:03.44) with Zak Jantzi, John Bruggman, and Mario Rosales. Zak Jantzi also won the 1000m (2:40.24) and Mario Rosales took second in the 1000m (2:43.32) and fourth in the 1600m (4:57.67). John Bruggman finished in fourth in the 600m (1:28.77).

Daemon Konieczny had a phenomenal meet as well winning the High Jump (6-1), placing third in the Pole Vault (12-0), and fourth in 55 Hurdles (8.52). Also in the Pole Vault, Andrew Lin placed fifth (11-0) and Matt Adams placed sixth (11-0).

Senior Taiyo Iburi-Bethel had a very impressive meet with a fourth-place finish in the 55m (6.76) and second-place finish in Long Jump (20-11). Other scorers for Batavia were Joey Gefell finishing fifth for Triple Jump (38-9), Terrez Smith finished fifth in the 55m (6.78), Troy Helsdon finished fifth in the 3200m (11:12.23), Brock Every finished sixth in the 600m (1:31.89) and the 4x400 Relay with Joey Gefell, Colton Martin, Leo Liang, and Zack Anderson finishing fifth (3:49.80).

Batavia's boys finished first out of 17 scoring teams with 152 points, followed by UPrep with 71 points and Wayne with 56 points.

The Batavia girls' indoor track team had a truly gritty performance last night led by a group of seniors that have been a part of our success for a long time. Liz Cohen had an incredible meet placing second in the 55 Hurdles (9.20), second in the Pole Vault (9-0) and third in Triple Jump (33-3.5). Emily Caccamise earned a repeat championship in the 1500m Racewalk (9:04.69), Jalesa Smith placed second in the High Jump (4-6), second in Long Jump (16-4), and fourth in the Weight Throw (32-8.75), and Caitlin Kingston placed fourth in the 600m (1:45.96) These four athletes finish their indoor track careers having never lost a Sectional meet and contributing 56 points toward last night's team championship.

Arianna Brown earned a Sectional Championsip in the High Jump (4-8) while also running on the 4x200 Relay with Sarah Adams, Jadin Vasciannie, and Caitlin Kingston, which placed third (1:56.04). Sarah Adams also place second in the Triple Jump (34-0.5). The girls' 4x400 Relay of Caitlin Kingston, Noelia Ventura, Aurelia Colby, and Piper Harloff finished third (4:30.43), and the 4x800 Relay of Sadie Loria, Maddie Taggart, Sam Davis, and Makayla Andolora finished sixth (11:14.87).

The girls' Throwers also had a tremendous meet! Along with Jalesa Smith's fourth-place finish in Weight Throw, Maggie Andersen finished in second (41-7.5) and Rebekah Daniszewski finished sixth (32-2.25). Rebekah also earned a second-place finish in the Shot Put (32-2).

Other scorers for the Blue Devils last night were: Melanie Quinones-Santiago, who finished fifth in the 3000m (12:05.91) and fourth in the 1500m (5:40.03); Sydney Konieczny, who finished fourth in the 1000m (3:20.56); Elizabeth Kingston, who finished fourth in the 1500m Racewalk (9:22.23); Gavin Konieczny, who finished third in Pole Vault (8-6); and Camryn Buck, who finished third in High Jump (4-6).

Batavia's girls finished first out of 19 scoring teams with 132 points followed by Wayne with 72 points and Pal-Mac with 47.5 points.

This performance really demonstrates the tremendous effort by our Blue Devil athletes and also the guidance from our incredible coaching staff. Dan Geiger (Throws), Rich Boyce (High Jump/Distance), William Buckenmeyer (Hurdles/Distance), Eric Allen (Jumps), Alex Veltz (Sprints), Wayne Wadams (Pole Vault), and Brandon Stevenson (Sprints) provide our athletes with the essential skills and motivation necessary to continue our very successful tradition of track and field at Batavia High School.

Between indoor and outdoor track, we've been blessed with so many great athletes and great individual performances, which have directly led to 33 Sectional Championships (Indoors and Outdoors) for our program since 2003. Batavia's Indoor Track Team rose to the occasion once again to represent our community and our school as a tough and dedicated team! Go Blue Devils!

Submitted photos.

The passenger of a van that struck a manure spreader Friday night on North Bergen Road in Byron remains in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Guarded condition at Strong means the patient is in the intensive care unit.

Paul W. Tuttle, of Bergen, was a passenger in a 2015 Dodge Pro Master van driven by Richard J. White, of Brockport, when it struck a Kuhn-Knight manure spreader attached to a John Deere tractor driven by Kip A. Keller, of Byron.

Keller was eastbound on North Bergen Road at 7:07 p.m. when the van struck the manure spreader, causing the manure spreader to separate from the tractor. 

Byron Chief Chief Robert Mruczek said after the accident that the manure spreader had placards and lights on.

As a result of the crash, the van suffered heavy front-end damage. Tuttle was transported to Strong by Mercy Flight.

Drivers White and Keller suffered minor injuries and were taken to Strong and UMMC by ground ambulance. 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The collision is being investigated by Chief Joseph Graff, Sgt. Andrew Hale, Investigator James Diehl, of the Crash Management Team. Deputy Travis DeMuth and Deputy Michael Lute assisted at the scene, as did members of the fire departments from Byron, South Byron, and Elba, along with Mercy EMS and Byron Auto Repair.

Photo by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

In almost blizzard-like conditions Genesee County Republicans came together at the Old Courthouse in Batavia to hold their endorsement meeting for the local November elections.

The committee members considered candidates for nine legislative districts, a county coroner seat and the county clerk.

Here is a list of the GOP endorsements for those offices:

1. Genesee County Coroner – Jeffrey McIntire (incumbent) 4-year term
2. Genesee County Clerk – Michael Cianfrini (incumbent) 4-year term
3. County Legistlator District 1, Towns of Alabama & Oakfield – John Hilchey (incumbent) 2-year term
4. County Legislator District 2, Towns of Bergen, Byron & Elba – Christian Yunker (replacing retiring 10-year Legislator Robert Bausch) 4-year term
5. County Legislator District 3, Towns of Darien & Pembroke – Gordon Dibble (incumbent) 2-year term
6. County Legislator District 4, Towns of Batavia and Stafford – Andrew Young (incumbent) 4-year term
7. County Legislator District 5, Town of Le Roy – Rochelle Stein (incumbent) 2-year term
8. County Legislator District 6, Towns of Alexander, Bethany & Pavilion – Gregg Torrey (incumbent) 4-year term
9. County Legislator District 7, City of Batavia, Wards 1 & 6 – John Deleo (incumbent) 2-year term
10. County Legislator District 8, City of Batavia, Wards 2 & 3 – Marianne Clattenburg (incumbent) 4-year term
11. County Legislator District 9, City of Batavia, Wards 4 & 5 – Gary Maha (incumbent) 2-year term

This past November, voters in Genesee County approved four-year staggered terms for county legislators. This election will begin the process of staggering the terms.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced the application period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program FY18.

Administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the SAFER Grant Program is designed to help local fire departments and Emergency Management Service (EMS) providers to increase or maintain the number of trained, “frontline” firefighters available in their communities.

“The SAFER Grant Program provides funding assistance to our local fire departments and EMS providers in order to help recruit new members and ensure that current members are up to date on their training,” Congressman Collins said. “I encourage all NY-27 fire departments and EMS providers to apply for this program.”

FEMA will accept applications from eligible departments now through 5 p.m. Friday, March 22.

Interested applicants with further questions or those seeking letters of support from Congressman Chris Collins are asked to call his Geneseo District Office at (585)-519-4002.

A one-vehicle accident is reported in the area of 7446 Macomber Road, Alabama.

Three people are reportedly injured and in a residence at that location.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:55 a.m.: Four people with injuries, second ambulance requested to the scene.

A motor-vehicle accident with entrapment but a minor injury, a hand injury, is reported at 5116 Broadway Road, Bethany.

The vehicle rolled over.

A park police officer was first on scene and managed to extricate the victim from the vehicle. The patient is now in a residence in that location.

A pole is down. Wires were sparking but the sparking has reportedly stopped.

Bethany fire and ambulance responding. 

UPDATE 12:37 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

For three years, Genesee County SCOPE has held a rally in Batavia to call attention to the erosion of personal rights in New York and this year in front of City Hall they held their rally, called the "Life, Liberty and Freedom" rally.

They invited those concerned about a broad range of rights being eroded in New York, if not the rest of America, including the right to life, gun-possession rights, as well as high taxes, freedom of religion and freedom of the press.

There will be a fundraiser to help cancer patient Joe Trigilio at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.

Joe was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is currently undergoing treatment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo.

During this time, his medical expenses have grown exponentially and he could use the community's help.

Please come out and support Joe and the Trigilio Family during this very challenging time in their lives.

Each attendee's $30 donation at this benefit will include: food, draft beer, live music, and $20 in Free Play at the casino.

There will also be a Chinese auction, silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

To donate or for more information, contact: Angela at (585) 343-1129; or Mary Ellen at (716) 512-5242; or Tammy at (585) 813-4455; or Fred at (585) 356-2448.

First built in 1828 the Union Hotel in Corfu has certainly seen better days.

The hotel was a stagecoach stop for weary travelers passing through Western New York in the 19th century.

Decades ago, it ceased operation as a hotel and became a restaurant and bar with a bowling alley added on.

About six months ago, Tom and Mary Dix, owners of Jay Potter Lumber in Corfu, closed on a purchase offer for the property. Tom has been talking with perspective restaurant operators but has yet to reach an agreement with a tenant.

In the meantime, he has been making repairs, most notably fixing a leak in the roof, with the goal of doing the restoration work necessary to make it an attractive place for a restaurateur. 

"The plan right now is just to get it to not fall apart anymore," Dix said. "I would like to have a restaurant and a bar. There needs to be one in this area.

"If you live here, you have to go to Batavia or you have to go out of the town or the county to go to a restaurant. In this area there really isn't one that does dinner and that does late night activity for the younger crowd."

If you're using The Batavian's app, click here to view the video on thebatavian.com.

Batavia PD officers report that traffic lights are out at West Main and River Street and Main and Oak streets.

National Grid is conducting a planned power outage affecting about 500 customers along West Main Street until about 2 a.m.

The outage was originally scheduled for last weekend but was postponed a week because of winter weather.

The outage is necessary, according to a National Grid spokesman, because the utility must replace a damaged piece of equipment.