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Car accident on Drake Street Road in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 3725 Drake St. Road in Oakfield (Route 262). The location is in between Pekin and Fisher roads. Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding. Law enforcement is on scene. A power pole is sheared off at the bottom but is not in the roadway. The driver appears to be uninjured.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: Traffic will be shut down on Drake Street Road at Pekin and also at Fisher. The pole is leaning and could take down some wires, so it is hazardous.

UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: Oakfield is back in service. The roadway is reopened. National Grid has been notified.

Possible house fire on Perry Road in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A possible house fire is reported in Pavilion. A neighbor who lives at 10099 Perry Road says she can see a glow and what appears to be fire coming from her neighbor's home two doors down to the south. That would be 10246 Perry Road, according to dispatch, which is quite some distance from the caller's home.

Pavilion Fire Department is responding. The location is between Heffer and Junction roads.

The intersection at Perry and Junction roads will be closed.

UPDATE 8:10 p.m.: A firefighter in the area reports seeing nothing.

UPDATE 8:12 p.m.: Firefighters on scene say they are with the homeowner who is trying to put out a rubbish fire in his back yard. The homeowner is "going to bury this with a pile of stones." Responders are told to come in non-emergency. "This is the big new log house on top of the hill." It's the same location where, a couple of months ago, a car was driven into a pond accidently.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: The homeowner has extinguished the rubbish fire. The Pavilion assignment is back in service.

Apartment fire reported on Park Road in the city

By Billie Owens

An apartment fire is reported at 145 Park Road. The location is the Genesee Park Place Apartments. City fire is on scene but says there's nothing showing.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: A firefighter inside reports there is white smoke in an apartment on the second floor.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: There is no fire. A teapot was left on the stove and was smoking. The place is being ventilated.

UPDATE 5:36 p.m.: Traffic is being shut down at Park Road and Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: A fire official reports that there was approximately $250 in damage to the contents of the apartment, but no damage to the structure. City firefighters on this assignment are back in service.

Car accident with injuries at Oak Street and Park Road in the city

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Oak Street and Park Road in Batavia. It is blocking traffic.

City firefighters and Mercy EMS are responding. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: Extrication is needed. A second ambulance from Oakfield is requested.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: The ambulance out of Oakfield is cancelled. A power pole is damaged.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: Law enforcement is shutting down traffic at Park Road and Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: A 45-year-old female driver is being transported to UMMC with complaints of ankle pain.

UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: City fire is back in service.

Woolly Book Worms discuss "The Capture" at Richmond library

By Billie Owens

The Woolly Book Worms -- a book discussion group for students in grades three through five and their favorite adult -- will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at Richmond Memorial Library in the Children's Room.

The discuss will be about "The Capture" by Kathryn Lasky. Feel free to bring a knitting, crocheting or another project to work on while we discuss this month's book. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register online, in-person or over the phone. Discussion titles are available at the Children’s Room desk.

Event Date and Time
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GCC's Civil War happenings: lectures continue, high-school essay contest, two new blogs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College's four-part lecture series commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War continues from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, in room T102 at the Batavia campus.

Kevin Levin, a noted Civil War expert and author, will carefully recount the Battle of Crater, which is the topic of his latest book.

The Battle of the Crater was a botched attempt by the Union Army to punch a hole in the Confederate line outside of Petersburg, Va. After tunneling under the Confederate position, Union soldiers packed the tunnel with TNT and then ignited the fuse. While the explosion was spectacular, the Union attack was poorly orchestrated and resulted in more than 5,000 casualties – many of them African-American soldiers who led the charge.

Levin is an instructor and the chair of the History Department at St. Anne's Belfield School in Charlottesville, Va. His book entitled "Remembering The Battle of the Crater: War as Murder" will be available in June.

GCC's Civil War Lecture Series is free and open to the public. To register for any of the Civil War lectures, contact GCC's BEST Center at 345-6868 or email bestcenter@genesee.edu.

Other upcoming lectures include:

Tuesday, April 3

"From Bondage to Freedom" by Kevin Cottrell, founder of Motherland Connextions, will discuss the Underground Railroad as it pertains to Western New York and Southern Ontario. Motherland Connextions is one of the first multicultural humanitarian efforts helping to spotlight the many effects diversity had in sustaining freedom, and instilling courage and hope in our communities nationwide.

Tuesday, May 1

"The Longstreet Family in War and Peace" by Terrianne Schulte, Ph.D., of D'Youville College. This talk explores the impact of the war and its aftermath with the well-known and controversial southern family, the Longstreets. Schulte will focus on Confederate General James Longstreet, his second wife, Helen Dortch Longstreet, and his uncle, Judge Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, the author of "Georgia Scenes."

Also featured this spring is a Civil War Essay Contest open to all students between grades nine and 12 with the topic, "War Takes a Nasty Turn: The Changing Nature of the War of 1862."

The first-place essay winner will receive a color Nook electronic reader. The essay should be a minimum of three pages formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font and double-spaced. All citations must be in written in Chicago Style (www.chicagomanualofstyle.org). All essays must be received electronically by Friday April 13 to ddmaxfield@genesee.edu. Winners will be announced before the final Civil War lecture at 7 p.m. on May 1.

"It is a real honor to be hosting a lecture by Kevin Levin, who is a well-known authority on the Civil War," Derek Maxfield, GCC's resident Civil War historian and history instructor said. "We are also very excited to share the developing details about GCC's Civil War Encampment that is scheduled in late April at our Lima Campus Center."

Genesee Community College has also developed two blogs -- the GCC GLOW Region History Co-Op Blog – which seeks to help promote partnerships with GLOW region historical organizations -- and the Civil War Blog, which is a part of the Civil War initiative. The war blog promotes upcoming events at the college and will feature posts about history instructor Maxfield's work.

The blogs can be found at www.glowhistory.wordpress.com and www.civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com.

Oakfield student named to Deans' List at Buffalo State College

By Billie Owens

Stephanie Esten, of Oakfield, was named to the School of the Professions' Fall 2011 Deans' List at Buffalo State College.

She is the daughter of Doug Esten and Lynette Skelton, and a graduate of Oakfield Alabama High School.

To qualify for the Deans' List, students must earn a minimum term GPA of 3.5 and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Founded in 1871, Buffalo State is the largest comprehensive college in the SUNY system. Buffalo State offers more than 165 undergraduate and 62 graduate programs in the arts, sciences, professions, and education. Each year nearly 12,000 students choose Buffalo State for its superb academic programs, applied learning opportunities, affordable tuition, and metropolitan location.

College offers Sunday 'hybrid' courses for busy adults

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College's Sunday courses, second session, start mid-March and are ideal for adults juggling work and family obligations. For some, Sunday is the only day of the week free of work schedules, family commitments and other activities -- allowing time to focus on college courses.

GCC continues its successful Sunday hybrid course schedule through the Spring 2012 semester with a second eight-week session starting March 19. There is still time to register.

Hybrid courses are taught partially online and partially in the classroom and include coursework in the arts and humanities, English, history, science, math and business. The hybrid courses meet regularly in a lab or classroom for instruction, assessments or laboratories, and students also work online each week.

There are three Sunday time slots (9 to 11:45 a.m., 12 to 2:45 p.m., and 3 to 5:45 p.m.) providing an opportunity to complete several courses per semester in the Sunday-hybrid format.

Sunday courses being offered at GCC/Batavia beginning on March 19 include:

•    BUS110: Personal Money Management

•    SPA101: Elementary Spanish 1

•    MAT102: Algebra 2

•    ART 103: Western Art History 1

•    ENG102: Composition in the Natural and Social Sciences

•    HIS102: World Civilizations 2

New students can apply for free online by going to: www.genesee.edu/admissions.

For a comprehensive listing of all GCC's class and scheduling options visit: www.genesee.edu/Options.

For further information about Sunday courses or online learning, please contact Judith Littlejohn at 343-0055, ext. 6158, or JMLittlejohn@genesee.edu.

Pavilion High School presents 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'

By Billie Owens

Pavilion High School presents: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

Though considered a "good man" by his friends, Charlie Brown has never been able to keep a kite in the air, never successfully kicked a football and can't seem to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired Girl.

As the "Peanuts" gang makes its way through the day, Charlie wonders what it takes to be a good man as he sees Schroeder’s passion for Beethoven, Lucy’s crush on Schroeder, Linus’ complex about his blanket, Sally’s new philosophy and Snoopy’s ace flying ability.

Event Date and Time
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Pavilion High School presents 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'

By Billie Owens

Pavilion High School presents: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

Though considered a "good man" by his friends, Charlie Brown has never been able to keep a kite in the air, never successfully kicked a football and can't seem to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired Girl.

As the "Peanuts" gang makes its way through the day, Charlie wonders what it takes to be a good man as he sees Schroeder’s passion for Beethoven, Lucy’s crush on Schroeder, Linus’ complex about his blanket, Sally’s new philosophy and Snoopy’s ace flying ability.

Event Date and Time
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Batavia fencing school offers new classes for homeschoolers

By Billie Owens

En Garde Batavia, an Olympic Sport Fencing Center, will begin a new program March 7 for homeschoolers. This class is open to students 6-19* years old.

The Home School Fencing Class will be held at the club on 56 Harvester Ave. in the City of Batavia and classes are available in three sections:

  • Mondays, 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.
  • Fridays, 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

The first hour will be just the older students and the second hour will be the younger and older students. Parent or guardian supervision is required for both hours with students under 10 years old.

The class comes at an introductory rate of $20 per month for the first child, $15 per month for the second child, and $10 for additional children in the same household.

If you would like to register please email owner/instructor Colin Dentino at : Colin@EnGardeBatavia.com.

Classes are capped at 10 students for the best experience and are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. You register for one day and time slot.
 
Participants should wear workout clothes and bring a water bottle. Legs should be covered with either pants or long socks.

(*To ask about age exceptions contact Colin Dentino.)
 
For questions or more information contact Colin Dentino at 409-3993 or  colin@engardebatavia.com  
 
Visit on the web at http://engardebatavia.com

Check for tournaments this weekend!

Licensed massage / rehab medicine therapists offer six-week workshop on core development

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Bill Greene (BS LMT) and Diana Radley (BS LMT) will be presenting a six-week educational workshop designed to strengthen the body, mind and soul through core development.

This employs yoga, Pilates, weight training and other techniques to strengthen the body's internal landscape.

Cost is $300.  

Sessions will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and at 2:30 p.m. Saturdays beginning Saturday, March 3, and continuing through April 11. They will be held at Massage by Diana, located at 154 Pearl St. in Batavia above the offices of chiropractor Michael DeAngelo.

Greene and Radley combined have more than 34 years of experience in massage therapy and rehab medicine.

Limited spots are available. Call Diana at 993-5368 to register or leave a message on Massage by Diana on Facebook.

"Get Core...Get Strong."

Muckdogs announce ticket sales for seven games with Yankees' Triple-A affiliate team

By Billie Owens

Individual game tickets for the seven Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees games will go on sale for the first time on Monday, March 5, when the Dwyer Stadium Box Office opens at 9 a.m.

These seven Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees games will be the first time Dwyer Stadium will host Triple-A baseball.  
 
The Yankees will play at Dwyer Stadium on the following dates and game times:

Friday, April 20, vs. Norfolk (Baltimore Orioles Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 21, vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 22, vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.

Monday, April 23, vs. Norfolk at 12:05 p.m.

Saturday, May 5, vs. Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, May 6, vs. Pawtucket at 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, June 12, vs. Louisville (Cincinnati Reds Affiliate) at 11:05 a.m.

Individual game ticket prices for those games will be as follows:

Box Seats -- $9
General Admission (Adult) -- $8
General Admission (JR/SR) -- $7

The Muckdogs are also offering a ticket package that will allow fans to see all seven Yankees games at Dwyer Stadium this coming season. Those prices are as follows:

Yankees Ticket Package Box Seats -- $50
General Admission Package Seats -- $43

Currently, box seats for the Yankees are becoming very limited so fans are encouraged to call or stop into the box office as early as possible.

Season tickets, coupon books, and ticket packages for Muckdogs games are also on sale. Muckdogs coupon books will not be redeemable for the seven Yankees games at Dwyer Stadium.

All packages are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 343-5454, or in person at Dwyer Stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Glass making demo at Oatka School of Glass in Batavia

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Society of Artists is having its first demo of the year from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, at the Oatka School of Glass, 56 Harvester Ave.

This is inside the Harvester Industrial Center. Use the main entrance, then take elevator or stairs to 2nd floor.

Amanda and Lance Taylor will instruct in the art of glass making and demonstrate the glass bead making process with hands on pendant and 2" x 3" hanging glass art pieces.

Event Date and Time
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Info meeting at St. Joe's for parents of kindergarteners

By Billie Owens

St. Joseph's School in Batavia will hold an informational meeting for the parents of students who will attend kindergarten in the fall. It begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at the school, located at 2 Summit St. Free child care will be provided.

Event Date and Time
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State police search Genesee River for two Batavia brothers missing for 10 days

By Billie Owens

State Troopers are scouring the Genesee River for two brothers from Batavia who have been missing since Feb. 19. David King, 54, and his 46-year-old brother, Michael, were last seen on I-390 in Monroe County.

Today, Trooper Mark O'Donnell told WBTA that so far the search has turned up nothing criminal.

Police say the brothers were reported missing Feb. 21. But it was not until a few days ago that law enforcement learned from another brother, Daniel, that they were last seen on I-390 near Rochester and the Genesee River. The media wasn't involved sooner because, for undisclosed reasons, Daniel was not able to provide police with that information.

According to police, David and Michael were in a minor car accident on Feb. 19 on I-390 and were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation. Afterward, Daniel picked them up.

He dropped them off on the opposite side of the highway from their damaged vehicle at about 9 p.m. Daniel says they hopped over the median to get to the car. According to O'Donnell, there's about a 12- to 15-foot gap between the northbound and southbound lanes at that location and the Genesee River lies 100 feet below.

No one has had contact with David and Michael since then, but police are not ruling out that they could be found safe. Authorities have not been able to pick up any mobile phone signals from the brothers' phones.

A scuba team and airboat are being used today in the search and, over the weekend, a helicopter was used. But O'Donnell does not characterize the efforts as a "search for bodies."

Anyone with information should call State Police at 398-4100.

In addition to WBTA, information used in this post came from TV's WHAM 13.

FREE health screenings offered for uninsured county residents

By Billie Owens

United Memorial Medical Center will offer FREE important health screenings to uninsured Genesee County residents between the ages of 40 and 64 next week.

The screenings will take place from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at the Jerome Center, 16 Bank St., Batavia.

Please call United Memorial’s Healthy Living Department to schedule an appointment at  344-5331.

Services will include blood-sugar testing, total cholesterol and take-home colorectal cancer screening kits. Healthcare providers will also give free mammograms, pap smears and clinical breast exams for women and prostate screening exams for men.

Light refreshments, health information and free giveaways will also be available.

This event is planned by the Cancer Services Partnership of Genesee and Orleans Counties, and made possible by a state grant administered by United Memorial.

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