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Bank robbery reported in Corfu

By Billie Owens

A white male reportedly robbed the M&T Bank in Corfu. He displayed no weapon, but took a bunch of cash. He hand-carried the money. He fled on foot. No word on any vehicle involved.

He was wearing a black scarf over his mouth, a light gray hooded sweatshirt -- with the hood up. One teller said he was about 5'10" tall.

The bank is located at 1 E. Main St. The robbery was reported at 2:01 p.m.

Authorities have ordered Corfu School shut down as a precaution.

Sheriff's deputies are en route and scouring the area.

The Thruway Authority is being notified to be on alert.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: The man is believed to be light haired and without facial hair. They guess his age is late 20s, early 30s. Possibly his hoodie has the word "Pepsi" on the front, but that's not certain.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: The authorities are sifting through tips now. A person reports that he saw a man in the "Four Corners" area in a four-door silver sedan, possibly a Pontiac made in the '90s. (But one person says the vehicle is "more slopey in front than the boxy '90s model." When the man got out of the car, he was wearing a gray sweatshirt and he put the hood up. There are tracks to where the car was last seen. Sheriff's deputies are calling in a canine unit and they are reviewing available video tapes.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: Authorities have allowed the school is be unlocked.

Another two-car accident on West Main Street

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported in front of Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St., in Batavia.

There are no injuries. It is partially blocking the roadway.

Batavia fire is responding.

Two-car accident on West Main Street

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at 230 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

One person is complaining of leg pain.

City fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

Two-car accident with injuries in Alexander

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported in Alexander at 3678 Broadway Road (Route 20) at Brookville Road.

There are minor injuries.

Alexander Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

Car lands upside down in icy water

By Billie Owens

A rollover car accident is reported at Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road and Macomber Road.

The vehicle landed upside down in icy water. The driver is out but cold and being cared for. Oakfield fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE (by Howard): The Sheriff's Office just released the accident report on this incident. John J. Smalley, 48, of South Main Street, Oakfield, was driving his 1997 Chevy SUV westbound on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road. Deputy Chris Parker reports that Smalley was driving too fast for conditions and lost control of his vehicle. Smalley was cited. Smalley reportedly complained of back pain, possibly related to a previous injury, and was transported to UMMC.

Accident with injuries on Byron Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported on Byron Road, on the curve at Byron-Holley and Tower Hill roads. There are injuries and an ambulance is called.

Byron Fire Department is responding.

Trailer fire in Elba

By Billie Owens

A trailer fire is reported in the area of Oak Orchard and Hundredmark roads. Elba Fire Department is called -- all manpower and equipment to the scene. Medics are also responding

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Injuries are minor.

Two-vehicle accident on West Main Street Road

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident occurred at 4155 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia.

Three people are complaining of neck injuries. The vehicles are now in the parking lot of Rite Aid.

An engine from the Town of Batavia Fire Department is at the scene and Mercy EMS. A Mercy BLS unit is also called to respond.

Car into pole accident on Route 5

By Billie Owens

A car has struck a pole and the driver is still inside on Route 5, east of Route 77.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: No injuries, according to a Sheriff's Deputy who is at the scene. All responding units told to go back in service.

Down to the wire: Robert Morris School needs votes!

By Billie Owens

The parents, students, teachers, friends, administrators and neighbors of Robert Morris Elementary School in Batavia need your vote now more than ever in order to win a $50,000 grant from Pepsi.

They want to build a new playground. They are in 14th place and need to get into the Top 10 by Jan. 2 in order to win.

You can text a vote to Pepsi (73774) and in the message put 104607.

Rollover accident at Darien-Alexander TL Road

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover accident, unknown injuries, is reported at 11233 Darien-Alexander Townline Road close to the Genesee County line.

Alexander Fire Department has been dispatched.

UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: The fireman at the scene advises that the tow truck called should bring water gear because the vehicle is stuck in a creek. They also should be prepared to winch it out. The driver is stuck inside.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: All units are back in service. "Bennington handled the transport," says a firefighter." Presumably, the driver got out and is okay and/or was taken care of.


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Rollover car accident on Transit Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A rollover accident is reported on Transit Road, near Watson Road. Unknown injuries.

Byron and South Byron fire and fire EMS are responding.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: All Byron, South Byron units are told to remain in quarters. A responder reports that there is no one in the vehicle. It apparently is not blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: A responder says "We believe (the occupants) went to a labor camp. We are going to have personnel check it out." Meanwhile, a driver and an EMS crew remain on standby in the Byron fire hall.

UPDATE 5:52 p.m.: Now Byron command is calling personnel to the scene of the accident.

UPDATE 5:57 p.m.: The exact location is reported to be 6063 Transit Road.

UPDATE 6:04 p.m.: The commander says "The location has changed, meet us here at Transit and North Byron roads."

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: About a half hour ago, responders at the scene reported they knocked on the door of a trailer. Apparently, it was someplace near the accident scene, possibly with victims inside. At 6:32, South Byron left the scene. Shortly afterward, two ambulances were reported heading to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: Byron fire is back in quarters.

Batavia man wins Batavia Lions Club raffle

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Lions Club "Bryant Generator Raffle" winner was Batavia resident Ed Leising. He decided to take the $2,000 rather than the generator since he already has one.

The Batavia Lions Club would like to thank all who purchased tickets for the raffle.

The club also thanks Bill Hayes at Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for providing the generator.

All profits from the raffle will be used by the Lions Club to fund their many local activities. 

For example, at the annual Christmas Day Dinner T. F. Brown's -- provided in conjunction with Ben, Rick and Mark Mancuso, and Joe Teresi -- the club helped pay for hundreds of turkey dinners that were served to local individuals and families who could use a helping hand during this busy time of year. Along with the meal, each child attending received a beautiful new Christmas toy.

The Batavia Lions would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

Two car wrecks in Alexander

By Billie Owens

Two car accidents are reported at 9922 Alexander Road, near Peaviner Road, in Alexander.

One is a rollover with no injuries, involving a single vehicle. The other consists of two cars that went into a ditch.

Alexander fire is responding.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: Neither accident involves injuries. The roadway is not blocked. The accidents occurred about a quarter mile apart. An ambulance is called to evaluate the driver of the car which landed on its roof, although the driver seems to be uninjured. The other accident scene just requires a tow truck to get the cars out of the ditch.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: Now a fireman says that there are "three victims in the second accident, all underage." They have called their parents. A second ambulance is requested to the scene, although there is no indication of injuries.

Volunteers age 10 and up wanted for MLK Jr. Day project

By Billie Owens

RSVP of Genesee County and the Genesee County AmeriCorps program are looking for volunteers for a service project they will be holding to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Volunteers will be making -- no sewing required -- blankets that will be given to the Agri-Business Child Development Center. Volunteers can also help to create cards for the military.

The activities are suitable for ages 10 and up. The project will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17 at the Senior Center, located at 2 Bank St., Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Volunteers age 10 and up wanted for MLK Jr. Day service project

By Billie Owens

RSVP of Genesee County and the Genesee County AmeriCorps program are looking for volunteers for a service project they will be holding to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Volunteers will be making -- no sewing required -- blankets that will be given to the Agri-Business Child Development Center. Volunteers can also help to create cards for the military.

The activities are suitable for ages 10 and up. The project will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17 at the Senior Center, located at 2 Bank St., Batavia.

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 for information, or to sign up.

College seeks nominees for Alumni Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Community College Foundation is once again seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by Tuesday, Feb. 1 will be considered by the Selection Committee.

The foundation will induct its fifth group of honorees in a ceremony on March 30 at the Batavia campus.

The criteria for nominating an individual to the College Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's alumni website (www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/  <http://www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/> ) and emailed or sent to the Genesee Community College Alumni Office.

New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

For further details please contact Jackie Christenson, alumni coordinator at 585-343-0055, ext. 6265, or <http://alumni@genesee.edu>.

 

College offers new, fully online real estate courses

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (Business and Employee Skills Training) now offers a new menu of fully online real estate education and training courses. It is made possible through a partnership with Career WebSchool.

The BEST Center provides a variety of real estate courses that prepare individuals to become licensed real estate agents and brokers or acquire continuing education credentials all while studying online in the comfort of their home.

These courses include:

Real Estate Sales Pre-license -- Prior to becoming a certified real estate agent in New York, individuals must pass multiple requirements. With the 75-hour Salesperson qualifying course, the educational portion will be satisfied and help to prepare for the New York State licensing examination.

Remedial -- Bridge the 30-hour gap for the new qualifying course requirements for a real estate license in New York with this course.

Broker Pre-license -- Everything needed to prepare and pass the New York Real Estate Broker License Exam. This 75-hour Broker Package consists of the 45-hour NY Broker qualifying course and the 30-hour NY remedial qualifying course. Already have the 30-hour remedial course completed? Then choose the 45-hour NY Broker qualifying package.

Exam Prep -- Choose from NY Salesperson or NY Broker online exam review.

Continuing Education -- Renew a NY real estate license by completing this 22.5-hour course.

Appraisal courses offered online:

Continuing Education – This New York Appraisal Continuing Education Course has everything required to satisfy the 14-hour-per-year appraisal continuing education requirement.

Exam Prep -- Study for the New York real estate appraisal course exam.

Mortgage courses offered online:

Exam Prep -- Designed specifically to prepare for the national S.A.F.E. Mortgage Loan Originator Exam.

Our local residents now have the option to change their career path all with a click of a button," says Lauren Cummings, business training specialist at The BEST Center. "These real estate courses are approved by the New York Department of State and can be completed at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home."

Genesee Community College's BEST Center (focused on Business and Employee Skills Training) is a local provider of business consulting, community training and workshops for companies of all sizes and in all industries.

It offers a variety of tailored programs on-location at businesses across the GLOW region, or at any of Genesee Community College's seven campus locations (Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw).

For further information on The BEST Center, please contact Lauren Cummings, at 343-0055, ext. 6602, or visit the center online at <http://www.bestcenter.org>.

Car accident in Stafford

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle accident is reported at 9013 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, off Main. Injuries, if any, are unknown.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: Drivers who were around when the accident occurred are helping the female driver out of her car. She told dispatch she was shaken, but unsure if she had injuries.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: There are no injuries and the vehicle is in a snowbank, but not damaged. A tow driver has been called.

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