Stories from

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported at 7824 Lake Road, at the I-490 ramp at Route 19 -- near or at the truck stop. Le Roy fire and ambulance are called to respond.

A barn fire is reported at 5664 Little Canada Road, Bethany. It was called in by the homeowner. It has already gone to the second alarm. Bethany Fire Department is responding. Howard, en route but still in the city, says "I can see it from here." Alexander is called to the scene and to fill in at Bethany's Fire Hall. The city's Fast Team is called along with the Town of Batavia, Le Roy, Stafford and Pavilion.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: Command reports the burning structure is a metal pole barn and the fire will likely be contained to that structure.

UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: The first platoon is called to city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The third platoon is called to stand by in city headquarters.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: The location is between Fargo and Torrey roads.

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: The fire still has small flames in a few areas and hot spots but appears to be under control, according to Howard at the scene. The area is still very smoky. The pole barn contained no equipment. It was used to store cattle feed and bedding. The operation there raises beef cattle and replacement heifers, plus corn, soybeans and some hay. A crew from Wyoming Correctional Facility will be arriving sometime in the next hour or so to help out.

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: Howard interviewed the farmer, Michael Adams, who runs the operation along with his wife, Noreen, and their children. They've owned the property since 1978. It's a little over 500 acres on what was once all corn fields. Of this afternoon's blaze, which totaled the barn built in 1979, Michael said:

“We were fixing a hose in the shop and came out, just got done with it, sent the neighbor back home with it, our tenant actually, back home with the hose. Came around the corner and looked and seen black smoke coming out the one corner of the barn there and that’s when I called 9-1-1 and tried to get down there and see if there was anything I could do but I couldn’t even get near it. It was already hotter than hot, you know."

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UPDATE 7:49 p.m.: The Bethany assignment is back in service.

Roadwork is scheduled during the week of July 14 for Union, South Jackson and Otis streets in the city.

Here are the details of street closings provided by the city Bureau of Maintenance:

UNION STREET

• From West Main Street to Richmond Avenue will be closed to all traffic on Monday July 14 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for roadway milling.
• The same section of roadway will be closed to all traffic on Thursday July 17 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for paving.
• Residents should not park on the roadway and are asked to park on neighboring streets during the closure. All motorists need to seek alternate routes.

OTIS STREET

• From Ellicott Street to South Jackson Street will be closed to all traffic on Tuesday July 15 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for roadway milling.
• The same section of roadway will be closed on Friday July 18th between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for roadway paving.
• Residents should not park on the roadway and are asked to park on neighboring streets during the closure. All motorists need to seek alternate routes.

SOUTH JACKSON STREET

• From Chestnut / Jackson Street to Otis Street motorists will experience lane reductions and traffic delays on Monday July 14 and Tuesday July 15 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. due to roadway milling.
• Along the same section of roadway motorists will experience lane reductions and traffic delays on Thursday July 17 and Friday July 18 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for roadway paving.
• Residents should not park on the roadway and are asked to park on neighboring streets during the closure. All motorists need to seek alternate routes.

***For all roadwork weather delay dates will be the next available business day.

For questions, call Raymond Tourt, superindendant of the Bureau of Maintenance, Department of Public Works, City of Batavia:

Phone:  345-6400, option #1

FAX: 343-6199

e-mail:  tourt@batavianewyork.com

Press release:

The United Way of Genesee County is happy to announce that Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Tom Turnbull will chair the 2015 United Way Campaign. Tom is a lifelong Genesee County resident and former publisher of The Daily News. Tom has been a member of the United Way Board of Directors for a dozen years and has been a longtime advocate for the United Way.

“We are extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to chair our 2015 Campaign. His passion for United Way and our community is second to none. His leadership will be valuable as we continue to grow our impact in Genesee County,” said United Way Director Erik Fix.

The 2014 United Way Campaign raised more than $364,000. The organization is in the process of strategically redefining its funding structure to better meet the needs of the community. Currently the United Way funds 15 dynamic nonprofit agencies in Genesee County. In addition, it operates the Genesee County Backpack Program and recently completed its 7^th Annual Day of Caring.

Turnbull credits the direction of the agency as a reason for volunteering.

“The past success of the United Way coupled with our exciting future is what led to my decision to chair this year’s campaign," he said. "I am excited about the direction the organization is heading and look forward to helping make this year’s campaign a huge success.”

If you would like more information about the United Way or are interested in giving, volunteering or advocating for the agency, contact Regional Director Erik Fix at 585-343-8141 or go to www.uwgeneseecounty.org.

Christine Lamkin lost her pet tortoise last night in the area of Brooklyn Avenue and South Main Street.

"His name is Nikko," says Christine. "He has a girlfriend that looks just like him and her name is Shelby. They were getting ready to mate. For the last five years, we've put them out on our deck to get some exercise in the summer months. We are confident that he slipped off the deck and wandered away. He has such a huge personality...we are truly heartbroken."

The tortoise is about 8 inches long and 6 inches wide. The shell is black with yellow spots. Head and limbs have faint orange areas.

Christine says "the tortoise needs special and precise care in order to survive as it is a tropical tortoise." Offering reward for safe return.

If found, please call Christine at 585.409.0909 or e-mail her at <cplamkin@msn.com>

UPDATE: Christine says: "WE HAVE NIKKO BACK! A neighbor across the street spotted him in her back yard (Friday) walking around about 5:20 p.m. and immediately called me. Thank goodness in looking for him all last night we put the word out to neighbors on our street. Boy are we lucky! ...Thanks...BIG LESSON LEARNED!"

(We bet Shelby is pleased as well...)

A two-car accident is reported on East Main Street and the vehicles involved are now in the west parking lot of Oliver's Candies. A 12-year-old reportedly has a head injury. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: This was a fender-bender. No one was transported. Responders clearing the scene. One person complained of pain, but waived medical treatment.

The Genesee County AmeriCorps Program, in collaboration with the Genesee County and Batavia youth bureaus, is planning the annual Safe Summer Children’s Carnival open to the public to take place on Thursday, July 31.

It will be from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Falleti Ice Arena, 22 Evans St. in the City Batavia. One dollar buys a ticket to play 10 games, and children can win “funny money” to redeem for prizes.

Entertainment by “Charlie and Checkers” is scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and the games will run from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. There will also be several community agency booths.

The grand prize for this event is sponsored by the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, which are Beats by Dre Solo Headphones that can be won by visiting the booths.

For more information on the carnival please contact Chelsea at the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960.

Chelsea Dillon Program Assistant
Youth Court Coordinator
Genesee-Orleans County Youth Bureau
2 Bank St.
Batavia NY 14020
Phone: 585-344-3960
Fax: 585-345-3063

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 903 Broadway Road. Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Warner and Harlow roads.

UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: A responder reports injuries are very minor and advises medics to continue non-emergency.

A tree and wires are down, partially blocking the roadway, at 1469 Lewiston Road. No sparking or arcing at this time. Alabama fire is responding. The location is just east of Church Street.

A two-car accident is reported at 78 S. Pearl St. in Oakfield. The vehicles are partially blocking. The occupants are likely sign-off and Mercy medics are responding non-emergency for evaluation. Oakfield Fire Police are called to handle traffic.

Bill and Lisa Scott, who live on Morton Avenue in the City of Batavia, hosted its premiere block party this afternoon, sponsored by Vibrant Batavia. It was a nice get-together. The sponsor provided hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments and cold pop and water. Those with odd-numbered addresses brought sides dishes and those with even numbers brought desserts.

The street was closed off. No music but lots of conversation and kids running around, playing in the sprinklers. Water balloons were tossed and exploded accordingly and there was also Ping-Pong, AKA table tennis, and basketball and a couple of other games. A police officer showed up to greet the neighbors, as did a bunch of city firefighters with their ladder truck.

Above is Howard Owens, who was surreptitiously yet eagerly photographed by Bill Scott. Howard is giving his giant dog Pachuco prompts to do tricks and the rewards are pieces of a hot dog. Bill cooked them and noted they were available "burned, half-burned, or not burned." Not sure which one Pachuco got, but he's not choosy.

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Michael L. Sanders is indicted for the crime of driving while ability impaired by drugs, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 29 in the City of Batavia, he caused serious physical injury to another person while operating a 2013 Acura on Oak Street with his abilities impaired by drugs. In count two, he is accused of vehicular assault, 1st, a Class D felony, for allegedly causing serious injury to another person while driving the same vehicle with his ability to do so impaired by drug use, thereby seriously injuring more than one person. In counts three, four, five, six and seven, respectively, Sanders is accused of the same thing, specifically seriously injuring five different named individuals.

Kevin J. O'Connell Jr. and Samantha L. Hicks are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 24 at 62 S. Main St., Batavia, they knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. In count two, the defendants are accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug, heroin, with the intent to sell it. In count three, they are accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, a Class C felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing a narcotic drug, cocaine, with an aggregate weight of one-eighth ounce or more.

A NYS Citizen Preparedness Training Program will be offered on Monday, June 30, at The BEST Center. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Batavia City Council President Brooks Hawley invites citizens to attend this free program that provides the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies and disasters, to respond accordingly, and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions.

Each family that attends will receive a NYS Disaster preparedness Kit that contains items to assist people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The state training and kits will help New Yorkers be the most-trained and best-prepared citizens in the country.

The BEST Center is located at One College Road, Room T102, at Genesee Community College.

To register for the training program go online to:

http://prepare.ny.gov/training-events

A Letter to the Readers of The Batavian:

This letter is to thank everyone who battled the massive fire that destroyed an iconic landmark in the Town of Pavilion on June 1st. Although a major part of our town's history lays in ruin, another historic landmark only eight feet from the structure that burned, still stands. No words can fully express our gratitude, but we will try...

To the firemen and women of the three counties and 14 departments who responded, we will always remember you are the reason our building is still standing, virtually untouched by the raging flames only feet away. With all that is wrong in this world, you showed us everything that is right. Your dedication to service, commitment to your community, teamwork and camaraderie were outstanding. Your gift to humanity is grace beyond measure. You gave us everything you had that fateful day, yet asked for nothing in return.

To the families of the firefighters and volunteers:

Thank you for your sacrifice on that beautiful sunny Sunday. We can only imagine the plans and projects that were put on hold while your loved one battled this blaze for hours and hours on end. How proud you must be of their service. These amazing men and women are appreciated and needed. They are an inspiring example to all. Look up and honor these brave and dedicated men and women.

To all the volunteers: Salvation Army, Red Cross, Town of Pavilion employees and residents who supplied water and food, your presence was comforting and nothing less than epic.

To those who donate to these organizations, a special thank you and a prayer that you may never need their services.

To the countless people that prayed that our building be saved, God listened!

To the three families that lost everything, we watched helplessly as your worldly processions went up in flames. Your calmness, strength, and faith is an inspiration that will forever be etched in our minds and hearts.

A special thank you and acknowledgement to the Town of Pavilion officials, highway department, and County Fire Coordinators office.

To Townsend Energy and Griffith Energy who donated supplied and delivered 275.2 gallons of diesel fuel to the fire trucks we salute your commitment to the community.

Lastly we want to thank God for His grace, watching over those that protect and serve. No humans or pets were lost.

Sincerely,

David and Ann D'Angelo, owners of 11114 and 11116 W. Park St., Pavilion
Catherine Carlsen from Country Hill
Teresa Tracy and Melissa Coral from Jazzy Creations
Ann D'Angelo from Remission Café
Pat Wolcott
Veronica Branch
McKenzie D'Angelo

(Photo provided by McKenzie R. D'Angelo)