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A fire is reported in apartment #11 at 337 Bank St. in the city. Engine 11 is on scene and command says it looks like a fire burned itself out. Nothing was showing when they got there. The whereabouts of the occupant of the apartment is not known at this point. A firefighter says the first floor is clear and they are checking the second floor and ventilating the apartment. The second platoon was called to the scene and the fourth platoon was told to stage in the fire hall.

UPDATE 9:58 p.m.: The complex is called the Walden Estates. The fire is confirmed to be out and firefighters are overhauling the apartment. Apparently, no one is home.

UPDATE, Sunday (by Howard): The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage, according to city fire. There was heat and smoke damage to the entire two-story apartment. Nobody was home at the time of the fire. The fire was reported by a neighbor who heard the smoke detectors sounding. City fire was assisted at the scene by Batavia PD, Mercy EMS and National Grid. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

There's a power outage at Walmart in Batavia and the store is being evacuated. There is reportedly a patron who is refusing to leave. Law enforcement is on scene to deal with that individual as well as assist personnel with clearing the store of shoppers.

UPDATE 4:08 p.m.: Officers say they've walked the aisles and believe all the customers are out of the building.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: Town of Batavia fire is at the store after the smell of something burning was reported. No signs of fire. Investigating.

UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: Firefighters have tracked the problem to a National Grid transformer across the street, which will have to be repaired or replaced. The store will be closed while that is happening "at least four or five hours, if all goes well."

UPDATE 7:07 p.m.: The Town of Batavia Fire Department's assignment at Walmart is back in service.

A person on State Street called dispatch to report a neighbor struck her with a snowball. City police are responding.

A two-car accident is reported at East Main and Ross streets. One person is complaining of abdominal pain. One of the cars is on the sidewalk. City fire, police and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 12:03 p.m.: A 26-year-old male complaining of abdominal pain and left side pain was transported to UMMC. Engine 11 left the scene and is back in service.

City firefighters are on scene at 14 W. Main St., Genesee Justice, after the smell of smoke was reported coming from the attic. Command says it is electrical in nature and that they "will be here awhile" investigating.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: The smoke is coming from a burned out motor of some kind in the attic. Maintenance personnel will handle it. City fire is leaving the scene. Assignment back in service.

Now about six males are reportedly hanging out behind Batavia's Original Pizzeria, "suspicious activity." City police are responding to the location, 500 E. Main St.

UPDATE 7:31 p.m.: Police have cleared the scene.

A leaking propane tank at 7556 Bank Street Road has prompted the response of Elba fire, which is in command, along with mutual aid from Corfu and Byron. The location is just north of Batavia Elba Town Line Road.

The homeowners have contacted the fuel company and a rep is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m.: Elba has requested a tanker from Barre to stand by in Elba's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: The fuel company rep is on scene. Barre is now in Elba's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: Byron is leaving the scene, returning to service.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m.: The roadway, which had been closed by Fire Police, is being reopened. The assignment is back in service or will be shortly. Barre is released from standby.

It's easy to spot customers who have never been in Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle. They tend to point at things and ooh and aah -- a lot. That's because the inventory is comprised of an amazing array of classic toys and amusements not usually found in one place, certainly not in Big Box stores.

Spinning tops, a stuffed menagerie that can include bats, otters, zebras, squirrels, not just bears and bunnies, and models, kites, puzzles, bikes, trikes, and metal cars of the future as envisioned in the Atomic Age. Games anyone? Remember Mystery Date? Stratego? Or SNL's beleaguered Mr. Bill? Cap guns, authentic Silly Putty?

But more important than retro toys that don't require batteries or electricity is the sublime customer service and personal attention that is more or less lost in the nexus of retail commerce today.

Reason enough, perhaps, that this 96-year-old institution on Center Street in Downtown Batavia is the 2013 Retail Business of the Year, so designated by members of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

"I think it's cool," said owner John Roche of the unexpected accolade. "I guess being nominated by a friend of ours (attorney Michael Rivers) and getting people to vote for us -- it's a task and can't be the easiest thing to do. But I think it's cool. It's a good thing."

So is the toy biz in general, he says, because "It's not a real job. I guess it's one of those jobs where you go to work and it's not work. You have fun and you never work a day in your life."

He and his wife, Cathy, bought the business in 2002.

The enterprise began as a "wheel goods store" in 1918 owned by Walter J. Davis. The building was constructed at 8 Center St. in 1929. Back then, people went to places for specific services; no one-stop-shops existed. There was, say, the baker, the blacksmith, the dry goods merchant, the green grocer, and a place where items with wheels were purchased and repaired. Davis also sold a few toys and tobacco products. He sharpened ice skates, lawn mower blades, and even strung tennis rackets to keep the business running.

In 1946, Adam F. Miller bought the Davis Wheel Goods store, which became Adam Miller Wheel Goods. In the mid-'50s, he put up the distinctive neon sign hanging out front. The business expanded in the 1960s to include toys and hobbies "for kids of all ages" and a year-round full-service repair shop.

Adam retired in the '70s and handed the business over to his children, Joyce Masse and Gary Miller, who ran it for 25 years during which time it garnered the reputation of being "The Neatest Store in Town."

The neon sign was restored in 1990. Long gone was the antiquated term "Wheel Goods" (although the legal corporate name remains Davis Wheel Goods).

Adam continued to visit regularly to make sure all was running smoothly. He died in 2000 at age 90. Subsequently, his children decided to retire themselves and the business was sold to the Roches, of Corfu. The families had known each other for years and were associates in the bicycle industry.

The tradition of quality customer service continued seamlessly.

Moreover, "You don't have to deal with someone who can't make change if the register goes down."

They gladly do special orders, offer free gift wrapping, free layaway, and help with selecting the right gift or choosing the best bicycle.

"Ninety percent of our customers are loyal, repeat customers. They tell their friends, tell everybody about us. That's who I have to thank are these customers for keeping us around so long."

And he doesn't mean just his customers, but also those who've been patrons for 30 or 40 years.

"They bring their kids and grandkids and show them what a real toy store is."

Being available to chat and help select something special results in practically zero returns. They had two after last Christmas.

"I like to tell people, if you buy something and they don't like it -- keep it for yourself, and they often do."

The challenge in bringing in new customers is overcoming the assumption by some that because Adam Miller is a small, family-owned business it's therefore pricey.

"Once they come in here they get it. They can see that's not the case. It's just getting them in the door. We don't have a million dollar advertising budget, so for us, it's definitely by word of mouth that you get people in."

And when they walk through the door, the fun begins.

"You see the smiles on their faces, or the memories that come back to them that make them smile and have good thoughts."

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A fight involving about 12 subjects was reported at Batavia's Original Pizzeria at 500 E. Main St. A caller to dispatch said a baseball bat was involved and one person was struck in the head. The group subsequently left and went to Harvester Avenue. Multiple city police units are on scene and Mercy medics are staging in the area.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: So far no victim has been found, although now police are going to check inside the restaurant.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: No word on a dozen subjects; police are having I.D. checks done for four people at the scene.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: A victim with a laceration to the head was found inside the restaurant and medics are given the go-ahead to enter and treat the person.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: At least two people will be taken into custody.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The victim declined transport to the hospital. Police are taking subjects to police headquarters to speak with them further.

A tractor-trailer versus car accident is reported at the intersection of routes 33 and 77. A female is complaining of lower back pain. Law enforcement is on scene and Mercy medics and Corfu fire are responding.

UPDATE 3:38 a.m.: The patient is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 3:43 a.m.: Corfu is back in service.

In addition to the flood watch for Genesee County issued by the National Weather Service, a high wind warning has been issued along with a hazardous weather outlook.

The flood watch is for 6 p.m. through Friday afternoon.

The high wind warning is in effect from 2 a.m. through 10 p.m. Friday.

The hazardous weather outlook starts tonight, potentially lasting until Wednesday.

As a cold front crosses the area Friday morning, there is the potential for the development of a squall like that could producd damaging winds and heavy rain. Strong winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, are predicted. Additional strong winds with gusts from 45 to 50 mph are possible for Saturday.

"Winds of this magnitude will bring down some trees and power lines. Travel will be difficult in high profile vehicles, especially along the Thruway."

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at 192 Sumner Road in Darien. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: The accident is in Crittenden. Erie County and Alden are handling. The patient is a sign-off. Darien and Mercy medics are back in service.

A car slammed into a pole at 201 Liberty St. and injuries are reported. Fluids are leaking. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: National Grid is notified about the damaged pole. No ETA given.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The assignment is back in service.

A possible electrical fire in the wall is reported at the McDonald's restaurant on West Main Street. City fire is responding. An employee told dispatch that the business was not being closed.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: Small electrical problem in the office. The breaker has been tripped. Maintenance will be responding to fix it. City fire is back in service.

A tractor-trailer struck a house in Bethany at 1051 10515 East Road, at the intersection of Route 20. No injuries are reported. "Unknown circumstances." Bethany Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:44 a.m.: Firefighters are on scene. Command confirms the big rig struck the house and now is in the yard "well off the roadway." Road conditions at Suicide Corners are described has having a lot of drifting snow. "We're going to need a plow out here. We've got a large amount of snow covering the whole roadway." The Department of Transportation is notified about the need for plowing. A heavy wrecker is called to pull out the truck and, most likely, tow it away. The house that was hit is the 200-year-old home owned by the Douglas family. Last year, the DOT proposed putting a roundabout at the intesection to reduce the high number of accidents there. It would have required tearing down the house. Ultimately, residents' opposition convinced the DOT to drop the roundabout plans. In DOT studies going back to the 1990s, there have been 36 crashes at the intersection and three fatal accidents.

UPDATE: Last night, a responder estimated the damaged area on the structure to be about 10'X10'.

A three-car accident with injuries is reported near the intersection of Route 98 and Federal Drive. It is blocking traffic. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding along with law enforcement.

UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: The northbound lane(s) is blocked.

UPDATE 6:08 p.m.: To accommodate traffic flow, they are going to alternate southbound and northbound using the southbound lane. Another ambulance is called. There appears to be no fluids leaking from the vehicles.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: Two patients will need evaluation, but no transportation is likely.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: A female is being transported to UMMC with complaints of neck and lower back pain. This was rear-end accident involving four cars.

A possible shed fire is reported on Porter Avenue. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: A firefighter on scene reports it's "a charcoal grill just getting started." The city is back in service.

An accident involving two or three vehicles is reported at 24 Ross St. and it's blocking traffic. Unknown injuries. City police are responding. Arguments are reported. "It's that time of day," says the dispatcher.