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Press release:

The annual Honorary Membership drive of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute is under way in Genesee County, according to Sheriff Gary T. Maha.

The Institute was established in 1979. It is a not-for-profit corporation, tax exempt organization, and contributions to the Institute are tax deductible.

While the Sheriff’s Office is a unit of county government, many of the concerns of Sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies are best addressed on a statewide level. The Sheriffs’ Institute provides centralized training programs and services for all Sheriffs’ Offices, where those programs and services would be unavailable or impractical on a single-county basis.

The flagship program of the Sheriffs’ Institute is the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp for economically challenged children. The Sheriffs’ Camp, in its 37th year of operation, is located on Keuka Lake and 840 children from across New York State attend each summer. The Sheriffs’ Institute pays the entire cost of the camp stay and transportation. Most children attending wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity for vacation travel or a summer camp experience.

The Sheriffs’ Camp program combines summer recreation with activities designed to teach an understanding of, and respect for, our laws and the men and women who enforce them. The strong camper-to-counselor ratio allows for individual attention with an emphasis on the development of self-esteem.

“In these difficult economic times we cannot forget our youth who will not have the opportunity for a summer camp experience or a summer vacation,” Sheriff Maha said. “By becoming an honorary member, you are supporting the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp for economically disadvantaged children.”

In addition, the Sheriffs’ Institute operates a scholarship program that provides one scholarship to each of New York State’s Community College’s Criminal Justice Programs. This program is designed to help attract the best and the brightest to the criminal justice vocation.

For more information about the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp and other Sheriffs’ Institute programs, visit our Web site, www.sheriffsinstitute.org or simply Google “Sheriffs’ Institute kids” and it will be your first option.

Financial support for many of the Sheriffs’ Institute programs comes from Honorary Membership dues. Invitations for Honorary Membership are extended on a nonpartisan basis, and the invitees are selected at random. Any persons interested in supporting the efforts of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute by becoming an Honorary Member should contact the Sheriff if they do not receive an invitation in the mail, or visit our Web site at: www.sheriffsinstitute.org to download an application.

All donations made to the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute are tax deductible. In addition, Sheriffs’ Institute is registered with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau.

One vehicle reportedly rolled over and crashed into water on the north side of the Indian reservation "where the bridge is out." The driver is out of the car and is headed to a residence at 6392 Meadville Road, south of Owen Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy Medic #3 are responding.

UPDATE 8:51 p.m.: The lone victim is now at the house on Meadville Road.

UPDATE 8:54 p.m.: The unoccupied vehicle is upside down in a ditch in the vicinity of Klossen and Feeder roads.

All area students and teachers are invited to compete in a talent show to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. Deadline for entries is March 4.

Go to this Web site for more info. and to download an entry form: <http://www.makesomenoisetalentshow.weebly.com>

It can be e-mailed to: makesomenoise2013@gmail.com

The Make Some Noise Talent Show is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at the Notre Dame High School gym in Batavia. It's located at 73 Union St.

There are no entry fees and donations will be accepted at the door.

The First Place prize is $150 and there will be other awards presented to the top talent.

All monies raised will be donated to a new local chapter of the Make Some Noise Foundation, which raises money and awareness to defeat pediatric cancer.

For more information, contact Sharon Korzelius of Notre Dame High School at: sharon.korzelius@ndhsbatavia.com

Press release:

The HomeCare & Hospice Guild’s 19th Annual Spring Bouquet Sale is set for March 5-7.

“The Spring Bouquet Sale really demonstrates the power of a flower. By purchasing a Traditional Bouquet for $8 or a Bouquet of Hope for $16, you can make a difference and know that your dollars go towards care for HomeCare & Hospice patients in your community,” said Linda Cummings of HomeCare & Hospice.

Traditional bouquets, consisting of nine vibrant floral stems, cost $8 each. The larger Bouquet of Hope, consisting of 18 floral stems, costs $16.

Bouquets will be sold at HomeCare & Hospice offices in Batavia and Warsaw, as well as the following locations:

• Batavia Downs, 8215 Park Road – 3 to 6 p.m. (March 5 only)
• United Memorial Medical Center North Campus, 127 North St. -- 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Batavia office is at 550 E. Main St. Phone is 343-7596.

Proceeds from the annual sale benefit terminally ill patients and their families in Genesee, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties. HomeCare & Hospice is the only Medicare-certified Hospice provider in those counties.

Proceeds will also support services for the frail elderly, disabled and those recovering from advanced illness. Contact  Linda Cummings at 343-7596 or visit <http://www.homecare-hospice.org> for additional information.

HomeCare & Hospice, a United Way Member Agency, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

A barn fire is reported at 1880 Sharrick Road in Darien. The location is between Harper and Colby roads. Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding, along with mutual aid from Corfu fire.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: First responders report heavy smoke is showing.

UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: This is a confirmed working structure fire.

UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: A tanker from Alden is responding.

UPDATE 4:19 p.m.: "Fire knocked down. Checking for extentions."

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at routes 5 and 19. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: Responders not yet on the road are told to remain in quarters. Injuries, if any, are minor. The vehicles are able to be moved to the side of the road.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m.: The assignment is back in service.

A tractor-trailer and sedan have collided at 7695 Big Tree Road, Town of Covington. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. It's not yet known if the accident is blocking traffic. Mercy Flight's availability is being checked.

UPDATE 9:26 p.m.: Mercy Flight out of Batavia and Buffalo is not available due to weather conditions.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: The roadway is iced over heavily and it does not look like the state DOT has cleared the roads. Emergency responders are told to use extreme caution. A responder on scene reports one minor injury. The accident is partially blocking traffic. A second ambulance is called in.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: Southbound traffic will be stopped at routes 63 and 246. The semi-truck driver will need to be checked out. The personal vehicle had driver's side impact and the driver will need to be evaluated.

UPDATE 9:38 p.m.: The accident is deemed to be completely blocking northbound traffic.The site is near the Agrifab & Repair facility.

UPDATE 9:58 p.m.: The semi-truck driver is declining medical treatment. The second ambulance is cancelled. The driver of the sedan is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: The driver of the sedan, an 18-year-old female, is being taken to UMMC with a complaint of lip pain.

UPDATE 12:40 a.m. Pavilion back in service.

A broken utility pole with wires down is causing snarled traffic at routes 246 and 63, the county line between Genesee and Wyoming. Pavilion Fire Department is on scene. Wyoming will shut down northbound traffic, and further up Route 63 -- didn't catch the juncture -- traffic will be diverted. National Grid is responding, or already on scene.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: The wires have been removed and the roadways are reopened. Pavilion assignment is back in service.

A two-car accident is reported at Quaker Hill and Lockport roads in Elba. Minor injuries. It is partially blocking traffic and fire police are requested to the scene. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.: The Elba assignment is back in service. Two patients refused medical attention. The roadway is reopened.

A car struck a utility pole in the area of 4 Law St. about 10 minutes ago, causing a power outage in some parts of the city. The pole has high-tension wires and it's snapped in half. Traffic will be rerouted at Jackson and Chestnut streets and Law and Walnut streets. Unknown injuries. National Grid is notified, no ETA given. In some places, power went out and within, say, two minutes came back on again.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 7:31 p.m.: There were no injuries. The driver was a sign-off.