Stories from

A wheat field is reportedly on fire at 9802 Simmons Road. Darien Fire Department is responding. The location is between Bennett and Richley roads.

UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: The Gator from Alexander is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Fire command reports that fire they are getting a handle on the fire, believed to have started by the heat from the catalytic converter on the owner's pickup truck, when the engine was running. The chief ordered the engine shut off of the Sheriff's patrol car on scene, so the fire would not reignite.

Corfu Fire Department is also on scene.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: They are dousing hot spots. Bennington Fire Department, which was called to provide mutual aid, is put back in service.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: All responders are back in service.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is offering a second round of applications for its Food Processing Training Program. The program provides individuals with a certification to work in the food-processing industry, including the yogurt companies in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 1.

Up to 25 individuals will be accepted for the class. Members from first graduating class are already working at local companies.

Applications can be picked up at the Genesee County Career Center at 587 E. Main St., Suite 100, Eastown Plaza in Batavia. The application also is available at the GCEDC Web site <http://www.gcedc.com>. Applicants also will need to complete a Customer Registration Form as well as submit an up-to-date resume with their application.

“We want to build off the success of the first graduating class and get as many applications submitted as possible in order to enhance the talent pool of individuals with the skills to work and be successful in the food processing industry,” said GCEDC Chairman Charlie Cook.

The training program is being funded by an Area Development grant obtained by the GCEDC from the National Fuel Gas Corporation with additional financial support from the Finger Lakes Food Cluster Initiative — funded by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration in the amount of $38,000 or 28 percent of the program.

In addition to receiving a non-credit certificate and certificates in Team Building and OSHA Safety in a Manufacturing Environment from Genesee Community College, participants will receive certificates in Lean Systems Six Sigma Yellow Belt (Rochester Institute of Technology) and Basic Dairy Science & Sanitation Certificate (Cornell University).

“Our goal is to increase the 78 applications we received for the first class and we were encouraged that we received so many applications from outside of Genesee County,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “It shows that the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park is a regional economic asset and that people are willing to travel for good jobs.”

An officer from the Sheriff's Department was dispatched to a residence on Maple Avenue in Bergen in an effort to resolve a problem with a belligerent woodchuck.

It attacked the family dog and has taken up residence in a sandbox on the property.

For now, the critter has moved along. But it likes the sandbox and may return.

A barn fire was reported at 9697 Harper Road in Darien, at Lamb Farms, but now "most of the hay is pushed out of the barn" and the fire appears to be out. Darien Fire Department is responding.

"It's the rear old barn to the west," according to a Sheriff's deputy on scene.

Cows are out of the barn but have been mostly "pushed into a field," though they are making sure they are all accounted for.

UPDATE 10:42 a.m.: Fire command cancels mutual aid from Alexander and holds the Darien assignment to the single unit at the scene.

UPDATE 10:53 a.m.: The fire is confirmed to be out. Darien is back in service.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will hold a telephone town hall event on Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free of charge.

The forum allows constituents to dial into a conference call, ask the assemblyman questions and hear from their neighbors on the most important issues regarding state government in our community.

“In order to best serve our community, I am always working to find new ways to connect with local families and businesses so that I can make our voices heard at the Capitol,” said Hawley. “In addition to weekly town hall meetings and mobile office hours I hold across the district, this telephone town hall event will provide a great opportunity to discuss our local priorities.

"I look forward to hearing from many friends and neighbors during this productive discussion.”

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, residents can call 877-228-2184 and enter the pin number 111837. Participants can dial *3 to ask a question, at which time you will be entered into a queue and be informed when it is time to pose your question.

Police were called to an address on Harvester Avenue to check on a resident's complaint that the neighbor was burning garbage outside.

"They're having a backyard cookout," said the responding officer before leaving.

A wheat field is reported to be on fire at near Sanders and Bartoff roads. Stafford Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: The fire is out and Stafford units are clear.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A person is believed to have a fractured leg and is not able to get out of the vehicle. It is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Another ambulance is requested along with aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire. There are two additional patients, one with a head injury, and the other with a spine and neck injury.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The landing zone will be an adjacent strawberry field.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The helicopter landed a couple of minutes ago.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, bound for Strong Memorial Hospital. A Mercy medic ambulance is taking one patient to Unity Hospital in Rochester, formerly named Park Ridge Hospital.

A motorcycle wreck is reported at 58 Lake St. in Le Roy. The rider has a broken ankle, according to a responder on scene. An ambulance from Caledonia is requested. The roadway is not blocked. Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Le Roy fire is told to hold all equipment in quarters.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Caledonia is being cancelled. The injured person will be transported to a hospital by personal vehicle.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is in service.

Two suspects were taken into custody early this morning on assault and robbery charges stemming from an alleged incident on Columbia Avenue at 10 p.m. July 7.

Mark D. Callan, 26, of 189 S. Main St., and John P. Wittkopp, 29, of 24 Columbia Ave., both of Batavia, are each charged with third-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury and second-degree robbery, aided by another.

Callan was arraigned before Judge DelPlato in City Court, jailed without bail, and was scheduled to appear in court again at 11 this morning. No further information was provided about Wittkopp.

The investigation and arrests were made by officers Matt Lutey and Kirbis.

City firefighters have returned to quarters after responding to a fire alarm at the YWCA on North Street. After it sounded, the alarm company called to say it was set off by a fog machine that is being used at the Y. Fog machines are sometimes found at big wild parties, as was the case here.

Bonnie at the Y said there's a dance party going on for 5- to 12-year olds.

The kids are having a blast and the fog, of course, only adds to the fun.

We didn't ask if there's a mirrored disco ball spinning.

A disturbance is reported in Le Roy at 58 Myrtle St. where a female is outside allegedly "threatening to beat somebody up." Law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: The officer says "I'm out with the lady" -- speaking with her about the situation.

Press release:

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive at United Memorial Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 29. The mobile unit will be in front of the hospital at 127 North St., Batavia.

There is an urgent need for blood donors to offset shortages incurred in summer months and for type O negative donors. Donations in June were down by over 50,000 nationally.

All presenting donors at the blood drive on July 29^th will receive a free gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. Appointments may be made by calling (585) 344-4474. Walk-ins are welcome.

Generally to be eligible to donate, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds. On the day of the donation, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounce glass of water before and after the donation. They also suggest eating a healthy meal, avoiding high fat foods, before donating.

For the appointment (walk-ins are welcome) bring a driver’s license or two other forms of identification and a list of any current medications. After registration, presenting donors will have their blood pressure, temperature, pulse and hemoglobin measured. They will also be asked for a brief health history and asked about their travels to foreign countries.

The donation process itself usually lasts 8-10 minutes, but can be longer based on the donation. After donating, refreshments are provided. The entire process usually takes less than an hour to complete.

People can donate multiple times but must wait eight weeks/56 days between donations of whole blood.

A car struck a bicyclist at West Main Street and Holland Avenue in Batavia. City police and Mercy medics are responding along with city fire.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: A female is being taken to UMMC with some cuts and abrasions on her feet and shins.

A possible pickup truck accident is reported on Route 33 near Maple Avenue in Bergen. A truck is reportedly in the woods and "people are out wandering around." Law enforcement is en route.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: An officer in the area reports finding nothing. Dispatch says the location is east of West Bergen Road.

Press release:

A public meeting to discuss concepts and findings of the Batavia Opportunity Area (BOA) project will be held at the Board Room at City Hall, One Batavia City Centre, at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29.

The purpose of the Batavia Opportunity Area project is to advance the redevelopment of underutilized, vacant, abandoned or contaminated commercial and industrial sites within the City.

The Batavia Opportunity Area Steering Committee focused on five strategic sites that, if redeveloped, will be catalysts for area wide redevelopment including:

• The Batavia City Centre site and adjacent Bank Street medical campus;
• The Harvester Center;
• The Della Penna site near Evans and Ellicott streets along with adjacent sites;
• Tonawanda Creekside redevelopment near downtown; and
• The Carr’s Warehouse Building (progress already under way)

In June, City Council approved the sale of the Carr’s Warehouse Building to the Batavia Development Corporation for disposal and redevelopment. Local developer Thompson Builds, Inc., is currently in the process of finalizing design and is expected to begin construction by the end of the summer, adding four new apartments to the second and third floors, and commercial/flex space to the first floor.

The steering committee has developed potential redevelopment scenarios for each of the other sites including plans and 3D visualizations that will be available at the meeting. Redevelopment scenarios proposed are based on an economic and market analysis prepared as part of the project. The committee also evaluated conditions of neighborhoods adjacent to the strategic sites.

Findings and concepts from the project will be used to facilitate future redevelopment at the sites and support requests for grants and financial assistance.

The steering committee members include: Edward Jones, City Planning Board, Jill Babinski, Genesee County Planning Dept., Lynn Freeman, Genesee County Chamber, Don Burkel, Business Improvement District, Julie Pacatte, Batavia Development Corporation and Jason Molino, City Manager.

For more information on the Batavia Opportunity Area project, visit the City’s website at www.batavianewyork.com.