Skip to main content

Stories from

Car wreck at East Main and Masse Place in the city

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident, with one person complaining of head and neck back pain, is reported at East Main Street and Masse Place in the city. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: The patient is being taken to UMMC.

Possible chimney fire on Fisher Road, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A possible chimney fire is reported at 6842 Fisher Road, Oakfield. Flames were seen shooting from the chimney, but no flames or smoke are showing now, says a firefighter. The residence has been evacuated. Oakfield fire is on scene. Mutual aid response was cancelled but units are asked to stand by in their quarters from Alabama, Elba and East Pembroke.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: Oakfield fire back in service.

Car crash at Herkimer and Alleghany roads, Darien

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Herkimer and Alleghany roads. A woman has a back injury but was able to exit the vehicle. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The location is determined to be one mile south of Herkimer.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m.: The address is 10971 Alleghany Road. Darien command reports the driver is an elderly female who is still seat-belted inside the vehicle, but is not entrapped.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: The patient is a sign-off. Responders will be back in service shortly.

Lake effect snow advisory issued, hazardous weather outlook

By Billie Owens

A lake effect snow advisory for Genesee County had been issued by the National Weather Service from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Three to five inches of snow are possible, with a quick burst of lake effect snow expected Tuesday morning, and winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph out of the Southwest. Visibility may be as low as a half mile at times.

The weather service says travel conditions will quickly deteriorate with snow-covered roads and poor visibility in snow and blowing snow.

With lake effect snow, the weather can vary from locally heavy snow in narrow bands to clear skies just a few miles away. If traveling across the region, be prepared for rapid changes in road and visibility conditions.

The hazardous weather advisory says:

"An area of low pressure moving from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic and Southern New England will bring widespread accumulating snow to the region Wednesday night through Friday. Very cold weather will persist much of the week from Tuesday night through Friday. Wind chills will occasionally become very cold -- especially toward the end of the week."

Propane truck rolls over on Route 19, Pavilion fire is responding.

By Billie Owens

A six-wheel truck hauling propane rolled over on Route 19, south of Route 20. The truck is on its side. The driver is said to be confused and has a head injury with a couple of lacerations. The truck is leaking fuel. Pavilion Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. Le Roy fire is asked to stand by in Pavilion's hall. Winds are 11 mph out of the Northwest. Traffic will be stopped at Pavilion Center Road.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: Route 19 will be shut down at Route 20.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: The driver's employer, Griffith, was contacted and a rep has arrived on scene. The truck had 50 gallons of propane remaining in its tank at the time of the rollover. County emergency management team members will be responding and are staging at the fire training center. "All those civilian people -- I want them far back behind the line. I don't want them hanging around there,"  says the Pavilion chief.

UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Pavilion command cancels the county emergency unit's response.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: The driver was taken by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital. Firefighters are cleaning debris from the roadway.

Steamy laundry room prompts volunteer firefighters to respond to College Village alarm

By Billie Owens

Town of Batavia volunteer firefighters are back in service after responding to College Village when a fire alarm sounded in the laundry room.

Crew members:

"They left the window open again?"

"Yep."

"They just don't get it."

In addition to heating soup and zapping microwave popcorn, laundromats are posing yet another challenge for some villagers.

Grand Jury indicts alleged burglars and order-of-protection violators

By Billie Owens

The following indictments have been issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

James P. Garcia, Anthony F. Bovenzi-Ortiz, Michael A. Olivio and Larry E. Fitoria are accused of third-degree burglary for allegedly knowingly entering, or remaining unlawfully, in a store on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia with the intent of committing a crime on June 17. In count two, they are accused of third-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing property worth more than $3,000. In this case, cell phones and electronic merchandise valued at $9,824.09.

Danny J. Torok Jr. is accused of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling on Maple Street in the City of Batavia on May 16. In count two, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony, for allegedly violating an order of protection by physical menace which intentionally placed, or attempted to place, the protected party in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death. In count three, he is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure on a person's throat or neck.

Anthony L. Holohan is accused of criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class D felony, for allegedly intending to damage property on Gilmore Road in the Town of Pembroke on July 11. Two windows were damaged, which had a value of $2,260.

Sharnice S. Gibson is accused of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony, for allegedly intentionally violating an order of protection in the City of Batavia, which required her to stay away from the protected party.

Daniel J. Duryea is accused of allegedly driving while intoxicated on Sept. 1 in the Town of Alexander. He was allegedly driving a 2012 Dodge pickup truck on Route 238 at the time of the incident. In count two of the indictment, he was accused of DWI, per se, also a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08.

Robert G. Woodhouse Jr. is accused of allegedly driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony, on Aug. 16 in the Town of Batavia. He was allegedly driving a 2007 Hummer on Route 5 at the time of the incident.

Barbara J. Schade

By Billie Owens

Barbara J. Schade, 92, of Venice, Florida, formerly of Batavia, New York died December 14, 2013. She was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nurses Corp stationed in Pawling, New York. Burial with graveside military services were held Friday, December 20, 2013 at Mt. Albion Cemetery in Albion, New York. Ewing Funeral Home Venice, Florida handled the arrangements.

Car strikes tree on Ellicott Street, injuries reported

By Billie Owens

A car vs. tree accident, with injuries, is reported in the area of 47 Ellicott St. City fire and Mercy medics are responding or are on scene.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: One person was transported to UMMC.

UPDATED: Vehicle rolls over into water, passenger trapped, on Route 63 just south of Orleans County

By Billie Owens

A car reportedly rolled over and careened into water, of undetermined depth, just south of the Orleans County line on Route 63. Unknown injuries, but a witness reported one person trapped on the passenger side. Alabama fire and Mercy medics are responding along with mutual aid from Shelby, whose crew will be wearing water rescue gear. Mercy Flight is unavailable due to weather.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: About five people at the scene have been attempting to extricate two victims, who told them they had been in the water for two hours. A tow truck will try and pull the vehicle out, which is "completely upside down, only the back wheels sticking out of the water right now." Route 63 at Roberts Road will be shut down to southbound traffic.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: The incident is so close to the county line, but it's deemed to be just over the line in Orleans. Mercy medics from Genesee County have arrived along with Alabama fire.

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Both victims have been extricated and are inside the ambulance.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: At least one of the patients is being taken to the hospital in Medina.

UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: Dispatch is informed that Orleans County is in command of the accident scene and Alabama is assisting.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m. (by Howard): One person is dead as a result of this accident, the Orleans County Sheriff's Office has confirmed. The names of the victims have not yet been released, but the male occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at Medina Memorial Hospital. The female occupant is being treated at the hospital.

According to the OCSO, the vehicle was southbound on Route 63 at 11:35 a.m. when the driver apparently lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line and left the roadway on the east side of Route 63 and overturned, coming to rest in flooded swampland.

A Shelby Fire Department pumper pulled the vehicle out of the water and onto the roadway. Both occupants were extricated and transported by ground ambulance to Medina. 

The male occupant was pronounced dead at 12:31 p.m.

Deputy J.W. Halstead, OCSO, responded to the incident. He was assisted by sergeants D.W. Covis and G.T. Gunkler, and Investigator C.L. Black. State Troopers stationed at both Albion and Batavia also assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

UPDATE 6:01 p.m.: The Orleans County Sheriff's Office has released the identities of the two people involved in the crash in the Town of Shelby. The driver of the 1998 Pontiac sedan is David M. Russo, 43, of Stafford, who died at Medina Memorial Hospital at 12:31 p.m. His female passenger was Lisa A. Stanley, 40, of Le Roy, who was treated at MMH, then transferred to Highland Hospital in Rochester. The press release from Orleans County Undersheriff Steven D. Smith concludes "While the incident remains under investigation, it’s apparent that weather and slippery road conditions were contributing factors."

Smoke in basement of home on Kingsbury Avenue, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Light smoke is reportedly coming from the basement of a home at 11 Kingsbury Ave. in the city. Batavia Fire Department is has arrived on scene and reports nothing showing from the outside, investigating.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: The source of the smoke is found to be a cigarette burning inside a plastic container in the basement. It is extinguished. Ladder 15 is told to continue to the scene, non-emergency mode.

Car wreck at Richmond Avenue and Union Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Richmond Avenue and Union Street. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. Police are on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: One patient was transported to UMMC.

Woman trapped in stalled vehicle at Law and Walnut streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A woman is trapped inside her stalled vehicle near the flooded intersection of Law and Walnut streets. City fire is responding along with a public works crew.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: City fire reports the woman is out of her vehicle and inside the fire truck. The vehicle will be left there until the floodwaters recede and it can be towed away.

Collision with possible serious injuries reported on eastbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident with possible serious injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway near mile marker 388.2, by the college. There is "serious entrapment" and at least two people are injured. Town of Batavia, with all available manpower, and two Mercy medic rigs are responding.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight is put "in air." Eastbound traffic is heavy and the lanes are blocked and backing up. A third ambulance is requested. Le Roy rescue is also called in.

UPDATE 6:42 p.m.: Oakfield fire is requested to stand by in Town of Batavia fire station number 1.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.: The entrapment is characterized as "extreme" by a responder, involving the dashboard. Traffic is heavily backed up. "We'll be trying to land this bird on the Thruway when it's time."

UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: In conjuction with the state Thruway Authority, the eastbound Thruway is shut down and traffic will be required to exit in Batavia. Mercy Flight is circling over the scene, preparing to land.

UPDATE 6:55 p.m.: The Mercy Flight crew is told that their patient is a male, about 30 years old, in need of "significant extrication" efforts. He is said to have moderate injuries, and an altered mental status. His complaints include chest pain and difficulty breathing. A heavy wrecker will be needed to tow a semi truck. The second vehicle involved is possibly a pickup truck.

UPDATE 7:08 p.m.: Patient(s) extricated.

UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: The patient requiring Mercy Flight transport is loaded on the helicopter, which will soon be airborne.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service. The three Mercy units are clearing the Thruway scene. The eastbound Thruway will be opened to a single lane. Town of Batavia is picking up and preparing to go back in service. State Police are on scene. Two flatbed tow trucks are en route.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: The Town of Batavia assignment is back in service, along with Oakfield which provided standby assistance, and the eastbound Thruway is reopened.

This photo, submitted by a reader.

Oh, to be kayaking...on Ganson Avenue

By Billie Owens

A public works crew member is heard on the scanner saying "They're kayaking on Ganson." His coworker responds "I guess they're making the best of a bad situation."

College hosts month-long baseball camp for students in grades 1 through 12

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College is hosting a four-week baseball camp starting Jan.19. Genesee Head Coach Skip Sherman will direct the program in conjunction with U.S. Baseball Academy.

Classes are available for players in grades 1-12 and are limited to six players per coach. Sessions are offered in advanced hitting, pitching, catching, fielding and base running.

Proceeds from the program benefit amateur baseball in Batavia. Space is limited. Registration is now under way. For more information, visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com, or call toll-free 866-622-4487.

College board invites nominations for honorary associate degrees

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Board of Trustees is inviting faculty, staff, students and community residents to nominate individuals for honorary Genesee Community College associate degrees, Trustee Laurie J. Miller said at Monday evening's board meeting.

Nominees must be individuals who have an association with Genesee Community College, and who have made extraordinary contributions to the life and growth of the College; or who are notable leaders in academic disciplines taught by the College; or individuals who have earned business, professional, civic or scholarly accomplishments. Honorary degrees will be awarded during the May 2014 commencement ceremonies, Miller said.

Nomination forms are available on the College's Web site at:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/GCCHonoraryAssociateDegreeNomination2014.pdf

New York State law was amended six years ago to permit community colleges to award honorary degrees. Past honorary degree recipients at Genesee Community College include founding president Alfred C. O'Connell (2007); former Genesee County Board of Supervisors Chair William W. Stuart (posthumously in 2007); founding trustee and college advocate Neil T. Burns (2007); founding and longtime trustee Anthony T. Zambito (posthumously in 2008); Genesee's first staff member, Eva L. Bohn (2011).

In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:

  • Heard Diane D. Torcello, Finance Committee chair, report that Lumsden and McCormick, LLC, the College's auditing firm, completed the fiscal audit for the 2012-2013 year, and issued a "clear, clean" audit without deficiencies. Torcello also said that first quarter operations were consistent with budget projections.
  • Heard President James Sunser report that 340 students are currently finishing their coursework in the fall semester and upon successful completion they will be candidates for graduation in January. Specifically, there are 145 A.S. degree (Associate in Science); 165 A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science; 6 A.A. (Associate in Arts); and 24 Certificate graduation candidates from GCC in January 2014.
  • Heard Virginia M. Taylor, Ed.D, vice president for Student and Enrollment Services, report that the College's "Winterim" session has enrolled 114 students, up from the 35 students enrolled from Winterim last year. Winterim offers online credit courses between the fall and spring semesters.
  • Heard President Sunser report on the appointment of two new staff members. Doreen Bortle will serve as technical assistant in the Math/Science and Career Education office as a testing associate. She has taught GCC's First Year Experience course as an adjunct faculty member for the past three years. Bortle received her B.S. degree from SUNY Brockport and resides in Batavia. After numerous years serving as an advisor in GCC's Student Support Services area, Theresa Gorecki is now the technical specialist in the College's Career Services office. The position is funded through a Perkins Grant as a temporary appointment. Gorecki earned her M.S. in Elementary Education from Medaille College and her B.S. in English from SUNY Empire State College. She resides in Batavia. "Both of these employees have been working at Genesee for some time in a part-time capacity," President Sunser said. "After conducting a full open search, it was nice that the best candidates were right here already serving the College. I know they bring a lot of institutional understanding to their new roles."

Genesee Community College's Spring 2014 semester opens Jan. 13. To register for courses stop by any campus location or go to: www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/.

Academic and financial aid advisors will be available Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. In addition, the offices will be opening at 8 a.m. Jan. 6 - 9, 2014. These hours extend to all seven campus locations:

•    Albion, 456 West Avenue / 585-589-4936

•    Arcade, 25 Edward St. / 585-492-5265

•    Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800

•    Dansville, 31 Clara Barton St. / 585-335-7820

•    Lima, 7285 Gale Road / 585-582-1226

•    Medina, 11470 Maple Ridge Road / 585-798-1688

•    Warsaw, 115 Linwood Ave. / 585-786-3010

Batavia Youth Center announces holiday hours

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Youth Bureau/Youth Center is pleased to announce this year’s Winter Recess schedule. To accommodate both parents and youth our regular program hours have been adjusted to the following. For the week of Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 the center will be opened from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Special activities as well as a snack will be offered each day. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, Dec. 23rd – Trivia Game Show

Tuesday, Dec. 24th – Closed!

Wednesday, Dec. 25th – Closed!

Thursday, Dec. 26th – Movie Day – Breakfast foods for snack today!

Friday, Dec. 27th – Tournament Triathlon

Monday, Dec. 30th – The Minecraft Games

Tuesday, December 31st – Cookie Decorating

Wednesday, Jan. 1st – Closed!

Thursday, Jan. 2nd – Board Game Olympics

Friday, Jan. 3rd – Crafts and Science Experiments

The Batavia Youth Center is located at 12 MacArthur Drive, right next door to Batavia High School and is open to youth from the ages of 10-19. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Batavia Youth Bureau at (585) 345-6420.

Free snowmobile safety course offered in Darien

By Billie Owens

NYS Snowmobile Safety course will be taught at Darien Fire Dept. Hall from 7 to 10 p.m. on Jan. 7 and Part 2 will be given from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 11. The Fire Hall is located on Route 77 in Darien.

The course is free to children from 10 to 18 years of age. New York State’s Snowmobile Law requires that youngsters ages 10-18 acquire a safety certificate before they may lawfully operate a snowmobile. Youngsters may qualify for their safety certificates by taking a safety course and passing the examination given at the end of the course. The course and all materials are furnished free. The course is also open to adults.

The instructors for snowmobile Safety Course are certified by NYS.

You must sign up for the course and attend both classes where you register. All materials for the Snowmobile Safety Course will be furnished. Those that pass the written exam will be issued a patch, certificate, and a license.

If your child is interested in taking the course and would like to lawfully drive a snowmobile, pre-register by calling 585-599-6431 or 585-937-9536 after 5:30 pm.

The class is sponsored by the Millgrove Sportsmen Club, Genesee Sno-Packers Snowmobile Club and CoPeDa Snowmobile Club. Snowmobile trails officially opened on Dec. 18.

Kitchen fire at the Flying J in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A kitchen fire is reported at the Flying J Travel Center on Route 77 in Pembroke. Nothing is showing, according to a responder, but the restaurant is being evacuated. He also says there are no flames and that the fire is probably electrical in nature and is in the ceiling.

Pembroke, Indian Falls and Alabama fire departments responding, along with a ladder truck from Akron.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: They are going to open up the ceiling tiles. The gas and electricity are shut off. A light tower will be put up so firefighters can see the roof. A rep from National Grid is requested. A thermal imaging camera is requested.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Fire is out. Checking for extensions.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: "The roof is cleared." The public health department will be notified of the incident as required. A crew from Newstead is asked to stand by in Pembroke Fire Hall.

UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Town of Pembroke Code Enforcement will be notified of the incident as required.

UPDATE 7:21 p.m. (by Howard): The Alabama assignment is back in service, but the restaurant remains close pending code enforcement clearance.

Authentically Local