Stories from

A person is reportedly trapped in a hay baler at 10850 Alexander Road. Alexander fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: A farm worker died in this accident. According to investigators at the scene a farmer and his crew were using a tractor with an attached hay baler and they noticed the baler was not releasing. The farmer and workers attempted to correct the problem and a male became caught in the baler as they were attempting to fix it. It was a newer model baler, investigators said. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and more information is expected to be released later. (Report courtesy Alecia Kaus/Video News Service).

UPDATE 3:36 a.m.: The victim is identified as Scott R. Booth Jr., 23, of 34 Market St., Attica.

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee will hold a free "Poverty Simulation" the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 3 at the Batavia First United Methodist Church, located at 8221 Lewiston Road (Route 63) in Batavia. It will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Space is limited. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 24, by contacting Nathan Varland, director of Housing and Support Services at 589-5605 or e-mail:   nvarland@caoginc.org

Citizens, decision makers and leaders are urged to attend.

(This is a separate event from the organization's Poverty Awareness Dinner at Batavia Downs, also on Oct. 3, in the evening.)

How would you face a month in poverty? Could you survive?

Well over 44 million Americans, 15 million of whom are children under the age of 18, live in poverty every day. In Genesee and Orleans counties alone, more than 12,700 people (including more than 4,000 children) live below the poverty line.

There are many more who have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough to qualify for programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid. Since the economic downturn, full-time employment is harder to find and the use of emergency food pantries has increased.

It is difficult for those of us who have enough to truly understand the situations that families living in poverty experience every day – the decisions they have to make, and the fears and frustrations they feel.

We are eager to enhance our community conversation about poverty as we begin our 50th year. We are inviting you to "walk a mile" in the shoes of those facing poverty by participating in a Community Action Poverty Simulation.

The Simulation provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget. The experience is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each representing one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home.

As one participant commented, "This poverty simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive from day to day. It quickly dispels the myth that people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job!"

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee invites the public to a Poverty Awareness Event to mark its 50th year of community service. It will be held Friday evening, Oct. 3, at Batavia Downs.

Reservations are requested by Sept. 24.

There will be a reception, cash bar and basket raffle beginning at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 featuring chicken, pulled pork and more. Then at 7 there will be a presentation about Community Action's impact on helping people and changing lives, including stories about living in poverty.

At 8 p.m., it's Community Action at the Races!

Tickets are $25 each. (If you can't attend, please consider making a donation.)

If paying with a check, make it out to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. MasterCard, Visa, or Discover can also be used. 

***If paying by credit card, you may RSVP by e-mail:    info@caoginc.org

Or by phoning 589-5605.

Press release:

Drum and bugle corps legends come together to perform and hear their very own Kenny Peterson starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 27 at The City Church.

The Musical Memories show will feature some of the most exciting performers and performances that you are ever going to experience. These musical greats along with their supporting cast of more than 100 musicians are here to entertain you and your families, and hear the legendary Kenny “Ace” Peterson himself.

The show is being held to raise money for Crossroads House, a comfort home for the
terminally ill.

Tickets are $5 for general admission and $10 for preferred seating.

Performing will be:
Kenny Peterson -- St. Joe’s of Batavia Brass Ensemble
David Martin — Rochester Hitmen
Steve Cooley -- Hamburg Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps
Jeff Gibbens & Prime Time Brass

*** Very Special Guest Appearance by Joey Pero, an original member of Genesee Quest and Batavia High grad now home preparing for his New York City Broadway show.

"His toe is trapped in a bicycle chain," says a dispatcher about a call for aid. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Smoke is reported in the basement at 2462 Pratt Road. It smells as if something electrical is burning. Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

A woman is reportedly unconscious inside a vehicle at 83 S. Lake Road, near Appletree Avenue. Bergen fire is responding along with Mercy medics.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident with minor injuries is reported at 7524 Selden Road. The driver is out and walking around. The vehicle is loaded with hay. Le Roy fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: The vehicle is partially in the road.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: Selden Road will be shut down.

A person fell to the ground and has hip and leg injuries in front of St. Mary's Church, Pavilion. Mercy medics and Pavilion fire are responding. The church is located at 11097 St. Mary's St. and the person is lying in the middle of the road.

A possible house fire is reported at 9091 Creek Road. Town of Batavia fire is responding along with an engine from the city. The location is between Dorman Road and Lehigh Avenue.

UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: A call from the resident says the smoke came from a cooking fire and they believe they have it out. A firefighter on scene reports light smoke and the odor of burnt food in the area.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: All units are told to hold in quarters.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

A four-car accident with three people injured is reported by the Thruway and Mercy and Le Roy medics are responding along with Le Roy Fire Department. Law enforcement on location says it's on the westbound on-ramp.

UPDATE 8:57 a.m.: Le Roy medics on scene say Mercy medics can go back in service. Two children will need to be evaluated. Le Roy fire is on scene for traffic control. State Police are also going there.

UPDATE 9:20 a.m.: Three people were evaluated by medics; all were sign-offs.

A tractor-trailer rollover accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 397.2 Unknown injuries. East Pembroke fire and Mercy Medic #1 are responding.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: The Thruway Authority reports the driver is out of the vehicle and has minor injuries.