batavia

Somebody reportedly threw a cat from a moving vehicle in the area of Sport of Kings on West Main Street.

Police are looking for a gray Ford utility truck with a ladder rack on it.

A unit is being dispatched to the Sport of Kings area to see if he can find the cat and check on its welfare.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m. (Billie): The truck was last spotted eastbound on Route 5. So far, the cat has not been located.

A 1978 Ford sedan is reportedly somewhere in the city being driven erratically.

There have been calls on it, but so far it's evaded law enforcement attempts to locate it.

Officially it's "dark colored," but one description of it said it looked like an old-school black and white police car.

Perhaps dispatch should put a call out for "1-Adam-12" and see if either Malloy or Reed answer.

Robert David Cassatt, 23, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving at a speed that is not reasonable or prudent. Cassatt was charged following a vehicle accident at 1:20 a.m. in the area of 7733 Oak Orchard Road, Elba. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Collin M. Camp, 19, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unsafe speed for conditions and uninspected motor vehicle. Camp was charged following a traffic accident at 12:20 p.m., Dec. 5, on Byron Road, Stafford. Three people, including Camp, were injured in the accident.

Mandy Jean Fogarty, 21, of North State Road, Nunda, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Fogarty was charged following a vehicle accident at 11:30 p.m., Dec. 14, on Route 63 in Pavilion after Deputy Brian Thompson reported smelling the odor of marijuana coming from her car. Also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana was Amie Lynn Fogarty, 23, of North State Road, Nunda.

Mark Laney, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding (49 mph in a 30 mph zone) and unlawful possession of marijuana. Laney was stopped at 11:50 p.m., Dec. 12, by Deputy Brian Thompson on Route 262 in Elba.

A driver apparently took his car into the car wash on Liberty Street, got his car washed, then tried to leave, but the door won't open.

There's an emergency button inside to open the door, but the door won't stay open long enough for the driver to get his car out.

Police are responding to check on the situation. Dispatchers are trying to locate a phone number for the owner.

UPDATE 7:26 a.m.: With police on scene, the emergency button finally worked, the door stayed open, and the driver left.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: Owner arrived and spoke with police. Apparently, if you're in the car wash too long -- say, for example, you sit in their talking on your mobile phone instead of leaving -- the car wash will need to go through another cycle before the door will open.

A roll over accident with injury has been reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 395 in the eastbound lane.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:27 p.m.: In the same area of the roll over, several other vehicles off the roadway have been reported.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: It sounds like one person injured, minor injury.

In my drive around this evening looking for Batavia's interesting Christmas lights, I found this handsomely decorated tractor on Roosevelt.

And below, a brightly lit house (the back yard is also decorated) on Ellicott Place.

More pictures after the jump:

South Main Street

South Lyon Street

Redfield Drive's Christmas trees in nearly every yard.

Belvedere Drive

Speed is being considered a factor in an accident this morning on Creek Road that led to a resident of the area being taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center.

Robert G. Woodhouse, Jr., 51, of Creek Road, was partially pinned under his 2007 Jeep Wrangler after it rolled over, down an embankment at 8943 Creek Road.

The accident was reported at 10:07 a.m.

There is evidence at the scene that Woodhouse was involved in two property damage accidents just prior to his Jeep rolling down the embankment and ejecting him from the vehicle.

He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Sheriff's Office.

A utility pole was knocked down and a mailbox was damaged.

It's not clear why his vehicle left the roadway and the investigation is ongoing.

Charges are pending.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy John Baiocco, Deputy Lonnie Nati and Sgt. William Scott of the Genesee County Crash Management Team.

Assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS, Town of Batavia Fire, City of Batavia Fire, Mercy Flight, Batavia Police and Bethany Fire Police.

(Initial Report)

Security cameras have been installed at the Holland Land Office Museum.

The upgrade in security comes after a Dec. 10 alleged theft of a historic gun by an Alden man.

"In light of recent events, cameras are a welcome measure to provide security not only to the museum collection, but to the staff, volunteers and guests at the museum," said director Jeffrey Donahue in a statement.

In the statement, Donahue and Board President Bob Turk thanked Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislator Hollis Upson for contributions to help get the cameras installed.

A two-vehicle traffic accident with minor injuries is reported at 165 Cedar St., at Oatka Milk Products. City fire and Mercy EMS are responding, although it is outside the city. There was no unit from the town available, but now one apparently is.

The accident is on the Ellicott Street portion of the business.

A fire official says a little bit of radiator fluid is leaking and there are two minor injuries that need to be checked out. Both victims are out and walking around.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: In this accident, the city was called by dispatch first. Once on scene, city notified dispatch that the location was actually just outside the city, and the town was called. Both city and town cooperated.

A minor-injury accident is reported in front of the Mark Trail Motel in the Town of Batavia. It also involves a tractor-trailer, which is blocking the roadway.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy BLS are responding.

The motel is located at 4036 W. Main St. Road.

A person may be pinned under a car following a rollover accident in the area of 8943 Creek Road, Town of Batavia, between Lehigh and Dorman roads.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m. (Billie): Lehigh Avenue is being shut down completely, starting at Ellicott Street. Mercy Flight is called with a 10-minute ETA. A landing zone is being set up on Lehigh Avenue, in one of the few places not crisscrossed by wires. The victim is stilled pinned under the vehicle.

UPDATE 10:29 a.m. (Billie): The victim has been extricated. Mercy Flight is now four minutes away. Traffic police are shutting down Creek and Dorman roads.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m. (Billie): There's a utility pole down at 8937 Creek Road and National Grid will be on scene in roughly 10 minutes.

UPDATE 10:37 a.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight is on the ground. National Grid is there now, but they are blocking the space needed for Mercy Flight to handle the accident.

UPDATE 11 a.m. (Billie): Mercy Flight went to Erie County Medical Center. The Town of Batavia fire crews, as well as City units, which assisted, are back in service. Sheriff's deputies remain to handle traffic control.

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On their second night out of celebrating Christmas, Care-A-Van Ministries stopped by the 400 Towers to have a celebration with the residents there.

For Christmas photos tonight, I managed to get around a bit on the north side of town.

Above, Joe Gerace has his place on Vine Street quite lit up.

More pictures after the jump:

Vine Street

Trumbull Parkway

Elm Street

Fordham Drive

Tracy Avenue

Summitt Street

The welcoming ambiance of cookies and coffee warmly greeted those who attended the Genessee County Mental Health Association's (MHA) open house between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The open house was especially unique in that it marked the re-opening of a new and much improved clothing store.

Pictured above, Sueann Schramm (far left), Lee Albert (back right), and Kathy Hanley (front right), are three of the five voluneers who helped revamp the old clothing store into one that offers many options. It took the members seven weeks to completely improve the area, two of the seven dedicated to the meticulous organization of the clothes.

"It's been a lot of work but we got it done," proudly stated Sueann who was working behind the register as Kathy cheerfully welcomed those entering the clothing shop section of the MHA establishment. Donated clothing is thoroughly washed, organized and hung according to size and item. All profits made from the clothing is recirculated into the purchase of alternative items available such as various hygenic products. The clothing shop is open three days a week, Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and all donations are welcomed and much appreciated.

The open house offered papers describing their services, including a book of poetry and CD of music (sponsored by Go Art!)  created by members of their Social Club. The purpose of the MHA society is to advocate wellness and support those in need in a safe and friendly environment. Some of their programs include Trauma Services, Survivors of Suicide support group, and The Warm Line.  The Warm Line is a non-crisis phone service that is accessible  after the designated hours of typical help lines.

With his door open and willingness to talk during the hours of the open house, Charley DelPlato, pictured above, is the passionate Warm Line Coordinator. "We offer support and encouragement," he exclaimed while describing the wholesome efforts made by the Warm Line.  Not only does the Warm Line provide phone services after hours of typicial help lines, they additionally participate in "outreach" programs through visits at hospitals, sending out cards, and taking individuals out for coffee or shopping.

The MHA provides an excellent service to the community of Genessee County and has continuously done so for the past sixteen years. A warm thank you to Sue Gagne, Assistant Executive Director, and all members of the MHA staff for their willingness to provide the Batavian with such valuable information.

For more information on the MHA or of their clothing store, visit their website at gcmha.org or contact them through phone at (585)-344-2611.

It is reported that a car has possibly struck a parked vehicle at 160 Summit St. Unknown injuries.

Batavia City fire and a medic are on scene.

This is the "Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes," or "The Grotto," on the campus of Notre Dame High School, just off Richmond Avenue.

The photos are from last night.

Because of a conflict of interest with the judges in Le Roy, where the case originated, Judge Robert C. Noonan this morning assigned the case of Chris Charvella to Town of Batavia Court.

Charvella is charged with harassment, 2nd, for allegedly placing a phone call to the home of Legislator Jay Grasso.

It will be up to the court in Batavia to set a time for Charvella's next appearance, and whether that appearance will be in front of Justice Tom Williams or Justice Mike Cleveland.

After the hearing this morning, Charvella said he couldn't comment on the case, but added, "When all is said and done, I'm confident I'll be completely vindicated."

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Fennell said there's been no discussion in the DA's office about whether or not to proceed with the case, but indicated that Charvella was arrested so he would be prosecuted.

He said he doesn't see this as a First Amendment issue.

"It's not the political aspect of the case that's been at issue," Finnell said. "It's the phone call to his home for no apparent legitimate purpose."

New York's harassment law bars phone calls for "no purpose of legitimate communication."

At the time of the call, according to Charvella's blog entries, Charvella believed Grasso was responsible for placing a Mike Ranzenhofer campaign sign on Charvella's front lawn. Charvella said he called Grasso's house to thank him for reading his blog, where he had previously written about a Ranzenhofer signs showing up in front of the family business, where he works.

Charvella, a frequent contributor to The Batavian, is active in local Democratic politics and ran in 2009 for county legislator against Grasso's colleague Hollis Upson, losing to the GOP incumbent.

Besides sitting on the legislature, Grasso is a part-time aide to Ranzenhofer, now in his second term representing Genesee County in the state Senate.