Alabama

A high-tension power line has fallen down and is burning at 6888 Alleghany Road in Alabama. The location is north of the Judge Road intersection. Town of Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: The high-tension wires are the responsibility of the New York Power Authority, which is being notified. About 300 yards of grass around the wires is on fire.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: The power authority has been informed and there's a representative en route. But he's coming from Lewiston so it will take time to get there. The Department of Environmental Conservation is being notified.

UPDATE 7:47 p.m.: Little can be done until the power is shut down. Firefighters on scene are ensuring the blaze does not spread to structures. No structures are threatened at this time. State forestry workers are available if needed since land under the power lines belongs to New York.

UPDATE 8 p.m.: A grass truck out of Akron and tankers from Pembroke and Indian Falls are requested as mutual aid to Alabama. The grass fire is described as large. It's behind the White Memorial State Game Farm.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: After researching the location, the state power authority says the power lines belong to National Grid. The state has contacted National Grid and a rep is being sent, but no ETA given.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: Oakfield is to fill in at Alabama's hall. Another unit out of Niagara County is called in.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: The high-tension lines are fully powered. A National Grid rep is in the area and still needs to figure out how to shut down power there. A supervisor is en route. Once they figure it out, one of them will coordinate duties with the fire officials. The shifting wind is proving to be somewhat problematic.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: A fire truck out of Shelby is requested.

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: A grass truck out of East Pembroke is called.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: A tanker from Oakfield is called and so are fire police from East Pembroke to help with traffic control.

UPDATE 9:03 p.m.: National Grid has a 30-minute ETA. Tankers are filling up at Parkers Pond at Gordon and Judge roads.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The chief says the fire has been extinguished on the northwest side of the site. They are heading up on the hill to concentrate their efforts on the other side. Grass under the power lines continues to burn because the electrictity has yet to be shut down by National Grid.

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is contained and the remainder consists of a 50-foot swath of land underneath the power lines. National Grid has not yet arrived.

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: National Grid is on scene. The fire is under control and the scene is being turned over to them to handle.

A large cloud of black smoke is reported in the area of 13762 Sky Road in Alabama. It's off the road and in the woods. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Alabama reports it is a large controlled burn on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The firefighters are returning to service.

A bear was spotted in the area of Ham and Knowlesville roads, Alabama, this afternoon.

The reader who saw it didn't have a camera at the moment, but is keeping an eye out in case a photo opportunity presents itself.

A one-car accident with injuries is reported at 7586 Reuben Road in Alabama. The car crashed into a tree at the curve on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Alabama Fire Department is responding. Vehicle occupants are out and walking around.

A fully involved car fire was reported at the Arrowhawk Gas Mart, located 852 Bloomingdale Road in Basom. Alabama Fire Department is on scene. The fire is now out. A person has suffered smoke inhalation and Mercy medics are en route.

A controlled burn that may have spread is reported at 1046 Bloomingdale Road in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

A live wire that is arcing is also reported there. National Grid has been notified. No ETA given.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: The fire chief says the situation is under control. National Grid is expected any minute now.

Distracted driving was the cause of a one-car accident at 3:33 p.m. Friday on Lewiston Road, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

According to Deputy Chad Minuto, Christina Mae King, 19, of Chestnut Ridge Road, Gasport, said she reached for something in the car that had fallen when her 1996 Chevy SUV drifted onto the shoulder. King swerved to the left, overcorrecting and going into the oncoming lane. She then overcorrected again, which is when she lost control of the car.

King was westbound in the area of 395 Lewiston, near Salt Road, in Alabama, at the time of the accident.

Both King and her passenger, T.L. King, 20, were taken to Medina Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

King was cited for allegedly driving without a license and moving from lane unsafely.

I received a text message this morning from I'm not sure who that read: "Must. Have. More. Photos."

Fortunately, I had already been out yesterday evening on a photo expedition.

Above, the power lines going through the state reserve on Judge Road, Alabama. Below, tall grass off Short Street, Indian Falls, and a lily near the Slusser Road bridge over the Tonawanda Creek, Pembroke.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at the intersection of Lewiston and Salt Works roads in Alabama. A medic at the scene reports minor injuries.

Alabama Fire Department and medics responding.

A car has reportedly struck a pole in the area of 7444 Reuben Road, Basom, the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

The driver is reportedly unconscious.

Pole and wires are down. Emergency responders advised to use caution upon approach.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight not required. A second ambulance requested to the scene. Two people are injured.

UDPATE 5:14 p.m.: National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 5:26 p.m.: A Mercy medic requests Mercy Flight to the scene. A landing zone is being set up at Ledge and Reuben roads.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, headed to Erie County Medical Center.

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Sam Ferris of Judge Road in South Alabama called me this morning and said there were a pair of large butterflies hanging out in his yard and he thought it might make an interesting picture.

A butterfly with a six-inch wing span? Sounds pretty interesting and I had a little time this morning, so I drove out there.

After getting a picture, I drove out to the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park to cover an event there. When talking with volunteers there, I mentioned the large butterfly and pulled the picture up on my camera.

A volunteer said, "That's not a butterfly. That's a moth."

It turns out it's a Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora Cecropia). I learned that the moth has no digestive system. Tonight, it will probably fly off, find a mate and then die. Typically, once they molt, they live about three days.

A car fire has been reported in front of the residence at 379 Martin Road, Akron.

Alabama Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:22 p.m.: Akron Fire was dispatched mutual aid, but told they can now stand down. Fire is knocked down.

UPDATE 11 p.m.: Alabama Fire back in service.

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Daniel Roger Sumeriski, 25, of State Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, harassment, 2nd, and criminal tampering, 3rd. The charges against Sumeriski stem from an alleged domestic incident on May 18 when Sumeriski allegedly took the victim's cell phone and urinated on the interior of her car. Sumeriski was put in the Genesee County Jail where he is being held on a parole warrant.

Robert David Cummings III, 24, of Akron Road, Corfu, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana and no seatbelt. Cummings was stopped at 1:34 p.m. Thursday on Bloomingdale Road, Basom, for an alleged seat belt violation. Drug paraphernalia and marijuana were allegedly found in his car. He was jailed on $100 bail. The stop was made by Deputy Chris Parker, who was assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati and Deputy Brian Thompson with K-9 Pharaoh.

Stephen Vance Recco, 20, of Hemlock Ridge Road, Medina, is charged with criminal impersonation, improper use of a mobile phone and unlicensed operation. Recco was stopped at 4:09 p.m. on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Chris Parker for allegedly driving while talking on a mobile phone. Recco allegedly gave a false name and date of birth during the traffic stop.

Jason Howard Freeman, 29, of Bush Gardens, Marilla, is accused of promoting prison contraband. Freeman was allegedly found in possession of a lighter and tobacco while housed as an inmate at the Genesee County Jail.

Thomas Jesse Mullen, 45, of Thorncliff Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Mullen was stopped at 11:57 p.m. Friday on North Byron Road, Elba, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Kate Elizabeth Brozic, 28, of Trimmer Road, Spencerport, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a DWI charge. Brozic was picked up by Spencerport Police and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a warrant out of Stafford Town Court. She was jailed on $500 bail.

The Swallow Hollow Nature Trail has suffered $15,000 in damage after vandals struck recently, according to WIVB.

Ten interpretive panels were removed. The vandals also overtuned a bench, toppled a port-a-john and removed other signs.

There's a $500 reward being offered by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the people involved.

Wallace Eugene Urf, 33, Pavilion Center Road, Pavilion, is charged with a felony count of DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Urf was taken into custody at 6:05 p.m. Monday on Broadway, Darien, following a complaint of a domestic incident. Urf was allegedly found driving a car on a suspended license while intoxicated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Corfu Police assisted in the apprehension.

David Lawrence Popielinski, 22, of Schad Road, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. At 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a car off the road on Harlow Road, Darien. Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated and arrested Popielinski.

Grant Arnold Sundown, 46, of Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Sundown is accused of having contact with a protected person.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with no injuries has been reported in the area of 986 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

The driver is reportedly out of the vehicle and walking around.

Alabama Fire Department dispatched.

UPDATE 7:43 a.m.: An assistant chief on scene reports that "he didn't roll it, he just went off the side of the road." No injuries. Alabama equipment held in the hall.

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A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 665 Bloomingdale Road in Alabama.

Alabama fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: About 10 minutes ago, they called for two flatbed tow trucks.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.: One medic is transporting to UMMC, another to Suburban Hospital in Buffalo. Alabama fire units back in service. No word on the number of victims or their injuries.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Allegany and Ledge roads. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding along with Sheriff's deputies.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are requested to stand by in their halls.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: A responder on scene reports there is one injury. Two flatbed tow trucks are requested.

UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: Pembroke and Indians Falls are back in service.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting the victim to UMMC.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.