batavia

Batavia Middle School is in lock-down. No one is being allowed to leave or enter the buildings but law enforcement is not giving a reason just yet.

Law enforcement told WBTA's Dan Fischer that "there's nothing to be concerned about at this time."

The incident began within the last hour and four city police cars and a State Police K-9 unit responded to the Ross Street school.

UPDATE 2:27 p.m.: The students are safely inside the school. Howard is now on scene.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The lock-down is over. According to Superintendent Chris Dailey, there was a verbal threat made and authorities investigated it and determined it to be unfounded. Responders are back in service.

UPDATE 2:59 p.m.: Superintendent Dailey made this statement to the media: "We contacted the police. They came in, did an assesement and we were given the all clear. Now we’re out of the lock-down. And they are following up on the verbal threat as we speak."

The lock-down lasted about 45 minutes.

"There was a verbal threat against the school. We'll have more to say when they are done with the investigation."

Asked if the tragic bombing Monday at the Boston Marathon made people all the more edgy today, he said it did.

"We're all on edge, absolutely, and looking to make sure everyone is safe, which is our number one priority. That's why we went through all the policies and procedures and made sure we followed through on everything and made sure the students were safe."

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Here's a press release from Police Chief Shawn Heubusch:

"At approximately 1325 hrs. the Batavia Police Deparetment responded to a 'bomb threat' at the Batavia Middle School. The threat was called into the school by an unknown person.

"Upon arrival Asst. Chief Yaeger and Sgt. Camp directed patrols to perform a cursory search of the interior and exterior of building with the assistance of Middle School staff, looking for anything suspcious. Nothing was located. The Bomb Disposal unit from the New York State Police was requested to the scene. Trooper Jackson responded and performed a more detailed search utilizing a K-9 trained in explosive detection. No device was located and the school returned to normal activity.

The Batavia Police Department is currently investigating the matter and has developed leads from the investigation.

The Batavia School District should be commended for its quick response and action taken during this event."

In addition to Yaeger and Camp and Trooper Jackson, the investigating officers are: officers Davis, Lawrence, Richards and Hill.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: Below is a copy of a letter that is being sent to middle school parents.

Dear Middle School Parent/Guardian,

Today the Middle School received a verbal threat to the school via the telephone. Law enforcement officials were notified immediately and the building was placed in a low level shelter in place situation until we were cleared by the authorities.

Although we cannot plan for every type of emergency that might occur, we want you to know that we have increased our surveillance, including locking the outside door of the attendance office.  Please feel free to call an administrator if you have any questions about this or about our Emergency Management Plan.  The safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance to us all.

Sincerely,

Sandra C. Griffin
Principal
 

Robert Thomas Seager, 43, of East Main Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop at stop sign, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and refusal to take breath test. Seager was arrested following the investigation into a property damage accident reported at 9:51 p.m. Tuesday at Putnam and Creek roads, Bethany. (Initial Report)

Autumn Marie Sierra, 19, of 77nd Street, Brooklyn, is charged with criminal nuisance, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Sierra is suspected of covering the smoke detector in her room at College Village making it inoperable. Upon investigation, Sierra was also allegedly found to possess marijuana. Also charged was Mona'e Kristin Damon, 18, of Thompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, as well as Oumou Sy, 18, of East 102nd Street, New York City.

Christopher Leo Stone, 30, of Willow Pond Way, Penfield, is charged ith DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Stone was stopped at 1:09 a.m. April 13 on Route 33, Byron, by Sgt. Greg Walker, for allegedly driving 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Rodeny Ira Dean, 45, of Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with felony DWI, moved from lane unsafely, refusal to submit to pre-screen device, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Dean was reportedly involved in a single-car accident at 8:18 p.m., Monday, on Akron Road, Pembroke. Dean's vehicle struck the guy wire of a utility pole, shearing the pole and knocking electrical wires to the ground. Dean suffered minor injuries and was transported to ECMC for evaluation. Additional charges may be pending. The accident was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Michael Lewis, 42, most recently a Batavia resident, was found guilty Tuesday of sexually assaulting two girls under age 14 in East Bloomfield over an 18-month period in 2010 and 2011.

Lewis was originally indicted on 335 counts by an Ontario County Grand Jury. It took a jury more than four hours to reach a guilty verdict on 38 counts.

According to an Ontario County District Attorney's press release, "Under the law, in indictments of this magnitude, a judge is authorized to submit representative counts of the indictment to the jury. In this case, Hon. Frederick G. Reed submitted 8 counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, 4 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 26 counts of Rape in the first, second and third degrees. The jury convicted Lewis of every single submitted count."

Lewis faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is set for June 26.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Ritts.

The press release praises the work of Ritts and the four girls who testified:

ADA Ritts did a masterful job of preparing the case and presenting it to the jury, making the huge number of crimes manageable and understandable. And real credit goes to the four young girls who testified in this case — two victims and two other witnesses. Each of them was able to summon the courage to describe to the jury, while sitting mere feet from the defendant, the sordid acts they endured or witnessed.

The main concerns of residents who live near a proposed housing development off Route 5 and Seven Springs Road are traffic and the proximity of duplexes to their own homes.

The project was the subject of a public hearing before the Town of Batavia Planning Board on Tuesday night.

Peter Zeliff, the lone investor in the development, said the plans he's presenting at this point are preliminary.

The location of streets in and out of the 120-unit development are subject to change and the configuration of where homes are placed isn't written in stone, he said.

A Batavia native, Zeliff made his money building power plants and eventually sold his company.  While he's built houses before, this is his first housing development.

Asked why was doing it, he said, "I like seeing Genesee County, Batavia grow. I saw a need for this and it seemed like a good project."

Zeliff doesn't own the 100-acres of farmland he would like to development. He has a purchase agreement in place contingent on the project being approved.

The homes Zeliff is planning are more patio homes than townhomes, he said. The price range for the houses will range from $150,000 to $300,000.

Some of the houses and duplexes will be be pre-built and sold as completed homes, while other lots will be filled with custom homes.

Everything will be built according to a design standard and there will be a homeowners' association that approves new development.

The current site map shows multi-family units on the east side of the property, closest to the current homes on Seven Springs Road.

A couple of area residents asked if the site plan could be flipped so the single family homes were closer to Seven Springs Road and Zeliff suggested he was open to such changes, but geology and topography may prevent a different configuration, said Keith Ewald, project planner from Barton & Loguidice.

Ewald said people who buy single-family homes are likely to want basements and to ensure proper soil compaction, the single-family homes would need to be on the west half of the property.

The current plan has three streets going into the development -- one on Route 5 and two on Seven Springs Road. These are subject to change based on upcoming traffic studies.

The main entrance will be on Route 5.

Zeliff has already purchased the former location of Zigrossi Buick. The property will serve partially as an entrance into the housing project and Zeliff plans some sort of commercial development on the rest of the property.

Development of the parcel will begin at that entrance because that's where the development will connect with water, sewer and electrical.

If the approval process goes as planned, Zeliff hopes to break ground in August with the first houses being built during the winter or next spring.

Zeliff figures and hopes it will take three to five years to complete the development, but that will depend on how quickly the homes sell.

With anticipated growth at the Genesee Valley Ag Park and the proposed STAMP project, Zeliff (who joined the GCLDC board less than a year ago) thinks there is going to be more demand for housing locally).

"This area is going to boom," Zeliff aid. "It's about time Western New York booms."

A motor-vehicle accident is reported Putnam and Creek roads. The vehicle is in some water in a ditch; wires are down and arcing. The male driver reportedly fled on foot. No one else is in the car. Power is said to be out on Ellicott Street Road. National Grid is notified. Bethany Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: The driver is said to be tall and white. The wires are no longer arcing, but power is out. The car is a red Ford.

UPDATE 10:05 p.m.: The suspect is wearing blue jeans, sneakers and a light-colored ball cap.

UPDATE 10:40 p.m.: A flatbed tow truck requested to the scene. The vehicle is in four feet of water about 50 feet off the road. 

UPDATE 11:06 p.m.: Bethany back in service.

This item was submitted by Byron Hoot, from Wexford, Pa., who has made a couple of trips to Batavia in the past year in connection with his appreciation of John Gardner, including this past Saturday's John Gardner Conference at GCC.

“The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” So began the first presenter for the 15th Annual John Gardner Conference hosted by Genesee Community College organized by Tracey Ford and Charley Boyd of GCC, coordinated by Sandy Hortdahl of Northeast State, Tennessee. 

It was “the spirit (that) giveth life” throughout the conference. The spirit of Gardner was alive and well among the conference attendees, who came from across New York state, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. 

Presenters spoke on a wide range of topics, from Paul Johnston’s “Taggart Hodge, Antinomian” to John and Helen Maier’s reading of “The Miller’s Tale” in Chaucer’s Middle English, to Denise Divins’ probing look at the archetypical world of Grendel. In addition, there was Bette Smith’s excellent performance of Gardner’s one-act play, Days of Vengeance, and Jennifer Duncan’s talk of Gardner’s influence on her own writing. 

Attendees had a chance to examine some of the original Gardner materials housed at GCC and overseen by librarian Phyllis Andrews. Finally, as a visual coda, there was a screening of "The Sunlight Man," a documentary made by Gardner’s son, Joel. As important as the ideas and insights, the presence of Gardner’s brother Jim and his wife, Wanda, added the personal touch of stories from family members who loved and love Gardner still.

A pilgrimage to the Pok-a-Dot for lunch gave conference attendees added time to socialize. A hidden gem, Genesee Community College deserves much credit for keeping alive the spirit of an important American writer. This is a pilgrimage well worth making.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) announced today that the public hearing on the COR Development project application, originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 23rd at 4 p.m., has been rescheduled to April 30th at 7 p.m. to accommodate requests for the meeting to be conducted outside of normal business/working hours.

“The GCEDC strives to be a transparent and accommodating agency so when we get these types of requests we do everything we can to honor them,” said Charlie Cook, GCEDC board chairman. “It’s evident that this project has generated quite a bit of interest so we want to make sure that the community has the opportunity to learn more about the project and have their voices heard.” 

At the meeting, the GCEDC will provide a comprehensive overview of the project – including the benefits COR Development is applying for to develop the vacant Lowe's building – as well as a full disclosure of the fiscal and economic impacts the Batavia Towne Center has had on the surrounding community since it came to fruition. Following the presentation, the hearing will be open for public comment; the GCEDC also will read any written comments received by the agency prior to the public hearing.

Written comments can be sent to the GCEDC’s Marketing and Communications Director, Rachael Tabelski at Genesee County Economic Development Center, 99 MedTech Drive, Suite 106, Batavia, NY 14020.  Written comments must contain the individual’s contact information, including address and phone number, and should indicate if he or she would like the comment read at the hearing. All comments and public hearing testimony will be reviewed by the GCEDC board prior to a vote on the COR Development application for support.

City fire is being dispatched to Pizza Hut, 412 E. Main St., Batavia, for an "unknown type fire on the ground."

It might be a mulch or hedge fire next to the building.

UPDATE 8:33  a.m.: Engine 11 on scene. Nothing showing. Investigating.

UPDATE 8:37 a.m.: Somebody was burning some weeds off using gasoline. City fire is back in service.

Tom Hallock thought the weather good enough today -- the sun was out this morning -- to pull his '30 Ford roadster replica out of storage and take it for a drive. He stopped at the Pok-A-Dot for lunch. The car, originally from 1978, is built with an engine and interior out of a 1978 Ford Granada.

Speaking of the Dot, the famed diner's 60th Anniversary celebration is set for June 22, starting at 5 p.m. with live music.

An investigation by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into alleged trafficking of marijuana in Batavia has led to the arrest of Vincent M. Eschenlauer, 22, of Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Agents allegedly found more than a pound of marijuana and $3,500 in cash at his residence.

Eschenlauer is charged with one count of criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd, a Class D felony.

Following arraignment, Eschenlauer was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Joshua Tyler Gilbert, 20, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct.  Gilbert was stopped at 8:20 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Darien, by Deputy Joseph Corona for allegedly speeding. During the traffic stop, a warrant for Gilbert's arrest was discovered and he was taken into custody. Bail was set at $100.

Joseph Carl Jeffords, 22, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd. Jeffords was reportedly the driver of a vehicle stopped at 11:24 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Jeffords allegedly gave Deputy Patrick Reeves a false name during the traffic stop. Jeffords allegedly was driving without a valid NYS drivers license and has three suspensions. Jeffords was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Patrick Daniel Moore, 35, of Stouts Road, Elba, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 2nd. Moore allegedly possessed tobacco while confined at the Genesee County Jail.

Alexander Phillip Browne, 28, of Lake to Lake Road, Stanley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and refused pre-screen device. Browne was stopped at 12:46 a.m. Sunday on Route 5, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Richard Thomas Cooke, 44, of Hedley Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Cooke is accused of stealing scrap from a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The property owner reportedly confronted Cooke. The suspect allegedly fled the scene in his pickup truck. Cooke was located later at his residence in Medina and taken into custody.

Two 17-year-old Batavia residents are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The two teens were located in a vehicle behind a shopping plaza on West Main Street, Batavia, by members of the Local Drug Task Force. A quantity of marijuana was allegedly spotted in the lap of one of the teens. Upon further investigation more marijuana was allegedly located in the vehicle.

Lisa Marie Harlach, 44, of Kelsey Road, lower, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Harlach was arrested on a warrant for allegedly making verbal threats to kill or harm another person by use of a firearm.

Michael J. Penvose, 33, of 27 E. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Penvose is accused of shoplifting from a business on West Avenue, Le Roy.

A Maple Street resident heard noises, became suspicious and wound up in a scuffle with a pair of apparent burglars overnight and Batavia PD is looking for information that might lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The call of a disturbance on Maple came in about 3 a.m.

The neighbor knew an apartment should have been unoccupied at the time and upon investigating found two people trying to flee from the residence. He confronted them and became involved in a physical altercation with at least one of the suspects.

The suspect is likely to have a facial injury, according to BPD.

Both suspects are white males. One was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt. The other was described as approximately 5’8” in height, with black hair and wearing a dark blue hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans.

Reportedly stolen was a gray personal safe containing a quantity of cash and medications.

BPD can be reached at (585) 345-6350 and the confidential tip line is (585) 345-6370.

This is one of a series of articles highlighting the winners of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce awards for 2012. The awards gala is Saturday evening at the Clarion Hotel.

Whether it's the salty, sweet perfection of Cashew Glaze, colorful Christmas Ribbon Candy or the unique regional favorite Sponge Candy, Oliver's offers treats that are handmade, high quality and tasty.

For 81 years now, the Batavia landmark has built a loyal following that, aided by a robust online presence, today includes customers everywhere from Irondequoit to Korea, France to Corfu. Oliver's Candies, LLC, is the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business of the Year.

Located at 211 W. Main St., the Swiss-chalet-style building is where founder Joe Oliver lived and operated his candy shop. It had add-ons built in the '50s, '70s and major upgrades a couple of years after John and Sheila Quincey bought it in 1998. Sheila's son, Jeremy Liles, came on board in 2001 and is general manager.

"It's exciting being named Business of the Year and we appreciate the recognition of other business people," Liles said.

He credits his parents and staff, past and present, with Oliver's continued success.

"I didn't build this business to where it is today," Liles said. "My parents took a business that was doing OK in the '90s -- it was surviving -- but they just made it boom. They put their own money into it. They said this is something that can really grow and do a lot."

In 2000, the candy-making facility was completely revamped. The size of the retail store was tripled -- now it's about 3,000-square-feet -- and the size of the kitchen was doubled. There are no ovens. All the candy is made using commercial-grade, air-induction stoves and giant copper kettles. In 2002, "a full-blown ice cream parlor" was cranking out cones of ice cream blended especially for Oliver's.

Making candy isn't like running a restaurant. Although goods are being made fresh all the time, the process is more like manufacturing and can be done in shifts. And there's a shelf life, unlike what comes to a cafe table hot on a dinner plate.

But as with restaurants, running a successful candy operation requires "a lot of devotion." And the toil and talent of a capable staff.

"Those guys in the kitchen make it happen," said Liles, who is 38 and the father of three. "They're the backbone of the business."

A number of employees have spent a good chunk of their lives working at Oliver's.

Bob Pacer, with about 34 years of service, and Bonnie Battaglia, with about 33, both retired earlier this year. Their knowledge of candy and customers and their skills are no doubt sorely missed.

Then there's retail manager Diana Cuttita, with 20-plus years, and Beth Diegelman, 33-plus years.

"Beth can hand-temper chocolate," said Liles, with a little awe in his voice. "I can't do that, a machine can. But her hands are just cold enough to be able to get just the right consistency by hand."

It takes years to learn that kind of stuff. In fact, it takes about 10 years to become a master candy maker and it's typically learned through apprenticeship.

Ron Drock, who worked at Oliver's for 51 years, learned from his predesessor and he taught current master candy maker and longtime employee Doug Pastecki. Adam Horton is the assistant candy maker learning all he can from Doug.

There are currently about 15 full-time staff people and 15 part-timers, including seasonal workers, high school and college students, and crews for nights, weekends and summer.

"Thank God for them," Liles says, noting that they get to hone some practical math skills like counting back change, converting ounces to pounds or the fact that there's three teaspoons in one tablespoon.

As for increasing sales, Liles says two factors are key (A) consistent store hours and (B) having a successful online shopping site.

"We're open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and we're only closed on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. If you're not open, how can you sell?"

Their online sales have soared. Online is a great way to expand sales without going the brick-and-mortar route.

In addition, they are selling favorites like Merry Mints, French Creams, Sponge Candy and Cashew Glaze wholesale to national catalog order companies, something which has "become huge" for them.

In terms of challenges, besides small business depressors like high taxes and  minimum wage increases, commodity fluctuations can have an impact on them. Higher prices for sugar and cocoa, for instance, are somewhat offset by product-line diversity -- no-added sugar products, savory snack mixes, and candies that don't require chocolate.

"If something happens on the Ivory Coast because of politics, it can affect us because that's where our cocoa is coming from. Normally it's not a problem because the United States imports so much of it; we can get our hands on it. But we're not as big as Hershey's. They have their own plantations. We depend on small growers.

"So if our costs shoot up, we're not like the gas station across the street -- we can't raise and lower our prices all the time. We (small business candy makers) have set a standard -- we're the same price as anybody else in Western New York."

"Some people don't understand that and they go in Oliver's and say 'This is expensive. I can get this cheaper at Walmart.' But it's really a different ball game altogether. We're dealing with really high quality products, no preservatives, fresh made. There's a huge difference. I think people realize that and that is why our customer base is what it is and growing.

"I think people are acquiring the taste for finer chocolates, finer wines, whatever, and (the trend of) Shop Local."

And Oliver's does shop local whenever possible, whether it's buying dairy products from Oatka, kitchen wares from Batavia Restaurant Supply, or seasonal produce from Harrington's and farmer's markets.

Liles is encouraged by Batavia's potential and what lies on the horizon and says the future looks sweet. Things already are at Oliver's.

This is one of a series of articles highlighting the winners of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce awards for 2012. The awards gala is Saturday evening at the Clarion Hotel.

In Tim Call's mind, there's little separation between the success of Empire Tractor and the hard work and dedication of the company's employees.

Whether it's sales or customer service, the conversation with Call either starts or ends with praise for Empire's 112 employees at six Central and Western New York locations.

"We have some of the most friendly and knowledgeable people in the industry," Call said.

Eighteen years ago, Call acquired a company on East Main Street Road, Batavia, then known at Tri-State Tractor. Through growth and partnerships, Tri-State became Empire and is one of the most successful farm equipment companies in the region.

Customers of Empire range from people with just an acre of land to farmers with 10,000 acres of land, Call said. The company doesn't handle push mowers or weed eaters, but the guy with just an acre of lawn to mow can get a nice zero-turn rider while the largest grain farmer in the area can buy the biggest tractor you can imagine.

In May, 2011, Empire moved to a bigger facility on East Main Road that gave Empire more room and paved surfaces that makes the whole business look more attractive.

"Everything is clean and everything just displays so well," Call said. "It's given us a whole different image and it's helped us increase our sales."

The entire service operation is now under one roof, Call said, which helps improve efficiency.

Even with the better facility, it's the people at Empire who make the sales process work, Call said.

"We want a sales process that is easy and fun and not too hard," Call said. "People buy from people and we try to remember that. When a farmer comes in, however much money he's spending, that's a lot of money to him to spend and we want him to feel happy and comfortable and satisfied that he got a reasonable deal."

Some employees have been with the company for more than 30 years, and that's saying something, Call said, especially for those who deal with farmers who had a piece of equipment break down.

When a farmer has to come into the shop because of a broken tractor or broken combine, it means he or she is not out in the field plowing or harvesting or herding. It means work that must get done isn't getting done.

"It's the employees who take care of customers every day," Call said. "A farmer comes in because he's broke down and he's not happy. There's a lot of thankless chores and when you're dealing with a guy who's beating on you and you're trying to be happy and upbeat, well, our guys are pretty darn good at that."

Good employees and a pleasant experience are so key to success in the competitive farm equipment business, Call said.

"Most of our business is referral, and if a customer has a bad experience, he's not going to come back and he's going to tell his friends," Call said. "We've done everything we can to try and make it easy for people to do business with us."

A public hearing has been set for COR Development's request to receive financial assistance to renovate the former Lowe's location in Batavia Towne Center.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: The hearing has been rescheduled. It is now at 4 p.m. April 23 at Batavia Town Hall. (It was previously set for April 22.)

COR is seeking nearly $1 million in tax incentives for the project.

Genesee Community College's second-highest ranking administrator, the interim VP for Academic Affairs, Michael Stoll, was reportedly arrested on Good Friday in Rochester for alleged public lewdness.

The 66-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Bergen, allegedly exposed himself to an undercover police officer at 11 a.m. while in a Rochester municipal park.

Our news partner WBTA learned of the arrest from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The charge against Stoll is a Class B misdemeanor.

Stoll posted $250 bail the same day.

The senior administrator began his career at GCC 42 years ago when the college first opened.

GCC spokesman Richard Ensman told WBTA that the college was not aware of Stoll’s arrest. Ensman said GCC is investigating.

The 2013 Regional Mock Trial Tournament will be held Saturday, April 20, in the Genesee County Courthouse with four teams competing for the regional title.

The first trials are at 9 a.m., are free and open to the public.

Round one will pit Frewsburg vs. Clarence and Batavia vs. Pittsford Mendon. In the second round, Batavia will go against Clarence and Pittsford Mendon will square off with Frewsburg.

The top two teams will advance to the final round, which will start at 1 p.m.

Judges will be Eugene F. Pigott Jr., who sits on the NYS Court of Appeals (the highest court in the state), Genesee County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan and Family Court Judge Eric R. Adams.

A down wire(s) requires the closure of Bethany Center at Batavia-Bethany Townline roads. The pole is across from 4986 Batavia-Bethany Townline Road.

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: National Grid is notified. No ETA given.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: The Town of Batavia fire responded and removed a broken pole from the roadway. Their assignment is back in service.

Press release:

The City Yard Waste Station will open for the season on Friday, April 12. The station will be open from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

City residents are requested to bring all yard waste material (grass, leaves and limbs) to the Law Street Yard Waste Station as there is no spring curbside pickup of these materials.

No building materials or other debris will be accepted. Please use Law Street to enter and exit the City Yard Waste Station.