Two-car motor vehicle accident at Ellicott and Swan
A two-car accident is reported at Swan and Ellicott streets in the City of Batavia. One person is said to have a minor neck injury.
City fire and Mercy EMS are responding.
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Barn built in 1880s on fire in Le Roy
A barn built in the 1880s is reportedly on fire at 8283 North Road in the Town of Le Roy.
It is believed to have started by an electrical wire.
Le Roy Fire Department is called, along with mutual aid from Bergen and two tankers from Caledonia.
UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Now they say fire is out. Calls for mutual aid to Caledonia and Mumford have been cancelled. "Everything's under control," says a chief.
UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: A Bergen ladder truck is asked to continue in nonemergency mode, but its tanker is told to return to quarters. National Grid has been notified but no estimated arrival time given. North Road was to be shut down by fire police, not sure if that's still the case. They are going to look at the structure with a thermal imaging camera.
UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: There are no electrical wires hanging anywhere as far as anyone can tell. The thermal imaging camera shows no hot spots.
UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Le Roy and Bergen are returning to quarters.
Woman from Dansville stuck in the city
Didn't catch the address, but a woman who lives in Dansville is stuck in the snow in the City of Batavia.
But there are no tows available and "she has five dollars to her name." She claims to have AAA but has no card to prove membership. Besides, tows in Genesee County are "backed up by hours."
Le Roy and OA schools cancel after-school activities today
The school districts in Le Roy and Oakfield-Alabama have announced that all after-school activities are canceled today due to weather conditions.
Weather conditions causing havoc on the roads
The snowy weather, predictably, is causing slick road conditions and the result is lots of accidents countywide. Most of them are vehicles that have skidded off the roadway.
Dispatchers, law enforcement, fire units and tow companies are swamped handling one accident after another. When we have information on them we'll update this post accordingly.
- There's a semi-truck off the roadway, no injuries, on Route 5 near Kutter's Cheese Factory. State police and a rep from the Department of Transportation are on scene. It's a full-size rig with an extended cab carrying more than 40,000 pounds of goods. The truck is in the ditch, the cargo carrier is still on the roadway.
- A car crashed into a tree at 215 Bloomingdale Road and one person is injured. Alabama fire is responding, but there is difficulty accessing the scene because a previous accident at 944 Bloomingdale Road is blocking the roadway.
- There's a property damage accident at 7618 Sand Hill Road.
- A burgundy-colored van is in a ditch, east of Gordon Road, unknown if people are still inside.
- A pickup truck and car have collided at 670 Broadway in Darien. No injuries.
- A silver Chrysler sedan is off on the east shoulder at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road.
UPDATE 11:25 a.m.:
- Stafford fire is responding to a one-vehicle rollover accident at 6170 Clinton St. Road. No injuries reported. UPDATE (11:38 a.m.): It appears this was not a rollover, just that the vehicle was off the roadway. Stafford is standing down.
UPDATE 11:32 a.m.:
- An accident is reported at Bank and North streets in the City of Batavia.
- Accident at 6888 Alleghany Road.
- Accident at 7797 Lewiston Road in the Town of Batavia.
UPDATE 11:40 a.m.:
- There's a two-vehicle accident on Route 98 at the Orleans and Genesee countyline.
UPDATE 11:45 a.m.:
- There are two separate accidents on Lake Road in Le Roy. One is at Lake and 19 Vallance Road in which a car slid off the roadway. The other is at Lake and Parmelee Road for a car that struck a guardrail.
UPDATE 12:08 p.m.:
- A motor-vehicle accident, no injuries, is reported at Lewiston and Lockport roads. A utility pole is down, blocking, and people are urged to use caution. Alabama fire is responding.
- A tractor-trailer is stuck in the "S curve" of the roadway behind Wendy's by the Tonawonda Valley Federal Credit Union. City fire is responding and the incident was clogging traffic.
- A head-on collision of two vehicles has resulted in two minor head injuries at 5680 Main Road in Stafford. Stafford fire and Mercy EMS are responding.
UPDATE 12:20 p.m.:
- Dispatch says "People are off the road left and right. We've got a lot of pendings." An official responds that at this point, they're just going to have to divvy up the responses based on whether there are injuries or dangers present. Thus, the unfortunates who've simply slid off the road may have to wait longer for help to arrive.
UPDATE 12:32 p.m.:
- There's a motor-vehicle accident with injuries, blocking the roadway, at 7350 Byron Road near "the Oxbow." Bryon and South Byron fire are responding. There are said to be no Mercy EMS units to handle the call.
- There's a three-car collision at Veterans Memorial Drive and Lewiston Road. They are by the Auto Zone store.
UPDATE 1:06 p.m.:
- A rollover accident with injuries, with a persons(s) still trapped inside on 10129 Seward Road, in Alexander, between Stannard and Spring roads. (UPDATE 1:12 p.m.): This is a one-vehicle accident. The driver is out now and may have an ankle injury. Law enforcement is en route, along with a fire unit and an ambulance.
UPDATE 1:45 p.m.:
- Wyoming County requests that Darien Fire Department shut down all southbound traffic at routes 77 and 20. Apparently this stems from a road blockage at Route 77 and Church Road where a tractor-trailer is stuck and "can't make it up the hill."
UPDATE 2:28 p.m.:
- Peaviner Road in Alexander is closed due to flooding.
UPDATE 3:02 p.m.:
- Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to 1118 Akron Road, Pembroke, for a report of wires down in the roadway. The type of wires is unknown. (UPDATE 3:06 p.m.) The fire units are back in service. It was a cable wire and it has been removed from the roadway.
Two-car crash with three minor injuries on Route 63
A two-car head-on collision is reported at Route 63 just south of Boyd Road. Three minor injuries are reported.
Fire units from the Town of Pavilion are responding along with Mercy EMS.
Traffic police are requested at the intersection and at Route 246.
The site is located in Covington but is in Pavilion's fire district.
UPDATE: There's possible entrapment in one of the vehicles. Fire chief on scene says there are two minor injuries.
UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: Road is reopened.
GCEDC launches website on energy conservation
This information was provided by the GCEDC:
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced the launch of www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org -- a website to help residents and businesses conserve energy and lower utility bills.
It provides connections to rebates and incentives, educational resources, tips to manage energy consumption and find local contractors, plus it features helpful interactive tools.
A monthly newsletter with this information will also be available to residents who wish to provide their e-mail addresses on the website.
www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org will highlight local energy efficient initiatives and county news and events related to energy conservation. This includes a study on the feasibility and challenges of developing wind-power projects on six GCEDC parcels.
“Genesee County has been active in its efforts to improve its environmental performance and energy efficiency, said Christopher Suozzi of the GDEDC. "Green Genesee County supports this approach by giving our community easy access to a website, e-newsletter, and 'Ask the Expert' resources to help residents, businesses and not-for-profit organizations save money on their utility bills."
The website was developed through a partnership with Blue Springs Energy, a company that assists organizations, local governments and individuals to access clean and renewable energy grants, incentives and credits and find local green services and products.
“Blue Springs Energy is proud to support Genesee County’s efforts to help its community save money on their energy bills and help the environment,” said Larry Simpson, president of Blue Springs Energy.
“There are numerous clean energy grants and incentives available from federal, state, and utility sources, but most are difficult to find and access. The Green Genesee County website and newsletter provides useful information so that residents and businesses can take action."
Dann Bilardello returns for second season as Muckdogs' manager
Here's a news release from Travis Sick, general manager of the Batavia Muckdogs.
Dann Bilardello will return in 2011 for his second season as manager of the Batavia Muckdogs. The 51-year-old Bilardello had a record of 45-29 and led the Muckdogs to the Pinckney Division title in his first season as the Muckdogs' skipper.
Prior to managing the Muckdogs, Bilardello was the St. Louis Cardinals' Minor League catching coordinator for three seasons. The former Major League catcher also has four years of Minor League managing experience in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations.
Bilardello managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the Carolina League during the 2005 season. Before that, he spent three years managing for the Dodgers in Great Falls of the Pioneer League starting in 2002 and then the following two years with Columbus in the South Atlantic League. He led Great Falls to a Pioneer League Championship in 2002 with a record of 47-28 and 4-1 in the playoffs.
The Vero Beach, Fla., resident played all or part of eight Major League seasons as a catcher with Cincinnati (1983-85), Montreal (1986), Pittsburgh (1989-90) and San Diego (1991-92). He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being chosen in the first round of the secondary phase of the 1978 amateur draft. In 382 Major League games, he batted .204 with 18 home runs and 91 RBI.
Joining Bilardello in the dugout will be Pitching Coach Arthur “Ace” Adams and Hitting Coach Roger LaFrancois.
Ace Adams, 58, will return for his second season as the Muckdogs' pitching coach and his fourth year in the Cardinals organization. His previous two seasons were spent serving as the pitching coach of Quad Cities.
Adams entered the professional coaching ranks in 1997 with the Montreal Expos organization after 13 years as a college coach at Dartmouth (1984), Harvard (1985), Brandeis (1986-89) and the University of Michigan (1989-96). The Wellesley, Mass., native was a traveling batting-practice pitcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1984-85.
Roger LaFrancois, 54, will begin his second season as the Muckdogs' hitting coach and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He has coached or managed at all levels of the Minor Leagues with several different Major League organizations.
A catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization, LaFrancois spent eight years with the Sox, and saw action in the Major Leagues during the 1982 season. The Old Saybrook, Conn., resident has been a partner and director of the World Baseball Coaches Convention since 2003.
Mike Petrarca will serve as the trainer for the 2010 season, his first with the Muckdogs. Petrarca will be entering his fourth season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Liberty Pumps in Bergen named a fastest-growing company four years in a row
Liberty Pumps, Inc., has been named among the nation's fastest-growing, privately held companies for the fourth-straight year by "Inc. Magazine."
The manufacturing firm is located at 7000 Appletree Ave. in Bergen.
The publication released its "5,000 list" earlier this month. Businesses are rated based on total sales growth over the last three calendar years.
Liberty Pumps grew 23 percent during that time, to an annual revenue of $33 million, according to the magazine.
The company's management is modest about its performance.
Says its President Charlie Cook:
"Our formula for success is not exotic or complicated, but its execution is critical and strenuous. There are four elements to the formula: creation of products with unique, innovative features that are not available from competitors; maintaining a level of responsiveness and customer service that is unmatched in our industry; benchmark-level sales and marketing presence in terms of attention to customers and quality of materials for advertising and display; and great, dedicated people throughout the organization who are committed to excel in these elements."
He also noted that the formula is reflected in an annual strategic plan, which is created by a consensus of all department managers after a thorough review of a considerable amount of data.
"It is extremely gratifying to observe people at every level in every department so committed to giving customers the best products, service and support possible," said Cook in a news release.
Corfu man earns Army National Guard promotion
A Corfu man who is a New York Army National Guard Soldier has been promoted -- given a new rank and responsibilities.
Brandon Burgess, serving with the Company A, 2-108th Infantry, is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.
Major General Patrick A. Murphy, The Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.
Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential. These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber citizen soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.
For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.state.us or www1800goguard.com.
Trainer-driver Fred Haslip to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Batavia Downs
The Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association has announced that longtime trainer-driver Fred Haslip will receive its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award.
It will be presented to him in the Winner’s Circle during the Upstate Harness Writers' Association's “Night of Distinction,” which will be held at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday, Dec. 4. The ceremony is after the fifth race, at approximately 7:50 p.m.
Event Date and Time
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Fred Haslip to receive lifetime achievement award at Batavia Downs
This information comes from a news release written by Tim Bojarski, for the Western New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers' Association.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association has announced that longtime trainer-driver Fred Haslip will receive its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award.
It will be presented to him in the Winner’s Circle during the Upstate Harness Writers' Association's “Night of Distinction,” which will be held at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Haslip was one of the most sought after catch-drivers in Western New York during the 1970s and '80s, and was responsible for teaming some of the best horses to race on that circuit during that time.
The lifelong resident of Basom started driving at fairs in 1959 and scored his first pari-mutuel win in 1960.
During his 51-year career he posted 2,585 lifetime driving wins and banked $6 million dollars in purse money -- doing it the hard way, mostly in overnight events in an era where purses were not what they are today.
The list of horses that Haslip has teamed over the years is long and includes names such as: Diamond Sparkler, p, 9, Q1:56.3 ($328,737); Happy Sparkler, p, 9, 1:58.2h ($156,756); Handsome Boy, 5, 2:00.2h ($142,048); Keystone Astro, p, 7, 2:01.1h ($136,204); and Kay El, Jack the Baron, Coaltown Smoke, Flawless Sparkler, Little Commish, Princess Dee Dee, Tarvon, Red Almond, BBQ, Paige Man and Cheryl Grattan.
But Haslip is probably most noted for developing the former double-gaited record holder, Excalibur.
Excalibur, who was purchased as a 4-year-old for the paltry sum of $3,500, in 1972, would go on to bank just under $200,000 in his career. In 1977, Excalibur set the North American record for a double-gaited gelding when he trotted a mile in 2:03.3. That time equaled his pacing record, set in 1974, and those times combined were 4:07.1, which broke a record set in 1939.
Excalibur raced until he was 14, retiring in 1982. In 169 lifetime starts, on both gaits combined, he posted 50 wins -- 12 on the trot and 38 on the pace. The horse was such a versatile athlete that from 1975 to 1977 Haslip raced him on both gaits, switching him back and forth during the year.
The 68-year-old Haslip cut back on his drives substantially in the mid 1990s and for the last 10 years has started less than 50 times a year. He still trains a four-horse stable of his own on his farm, but elects to appoint catch-drivers to do the teaming.
Drug-Free Communities Coalition Board meets at Terry Hills
There will be a Drug-Free Communities Coalition Board meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant from 8:45 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Please RSVP by Dec. 10 by contacting Carol Nicometo at 815-1873 or via e-mail at <cnicometo@gcasa.org>.
The restaurant is located at 5122 Clinton St. Road in Batavia.
GCC workshop on adults in career transition
Genesee Community College along with the Genesee County Career Center will host a workshop titled "Adults in Career Transition: Are You a Purple Squirrel?" on Thursday, Dec. 2. It will be held at the Batavia Campus from 5 to 7 p.m. in T119. This event is free and open to the public.
"Purple Squirrel" is a human resource term for the elusive candidate, with exactly the right qualifications and experience, to match an employer's need. The term is synonymous with "ideal candidate."
Event Date and Time
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GCC holds workshop on adults in career transition
Genesee Community College along with the Genesee County Career Center will host a workshop titled "Adults in Career Transition: Are You a Purple Squirrel?" on Thursday, Dec. 2. It will be held at the Batavia Campus from 5 to 7 p.m. in T119. This event is free and open to the public.
"Purple Squirrel" is a human resource term for the elusive candidate, with exactly the right qualifications and experience, to match an employer's need. The term is synonymous with "ideal candidate."
The Adults in Career Transition workshop will focus on introducing transition skills and career opportunities for adults returning to the workforce or attending college. Guest speakers include John McGowan, Career Services coordinator at Genesee Community College and Veronica Frost, senior employment and training counselor at the Genesee County Career Center.
"We want to encourage adults of all ages and skill sets to come to this workshop," McGowan said. "Employers are now looking for the ideal candidate and we want to inform adults transitioning back in to the workplace on how they can be that 'purple squirrel.'"
Interested participants should RSVP to the Adults in Career Transition workshop by calling the GCC Career Services Office at 345-6888, by e-mailing slburns@genesee.edu or registering online at <http://www.genesee.edu/career/events >.
Holliday Barn takes five at Batavia Downs
News release from Batavia Downs:
The dynamic duo of driver Ken and trainer Sherri Holliday had a huge Saturday night at Batavia Downs Casino when they made five winner circle appearances, including winning the featured $9,000 Open with the rages to riches pacer Sand Forever.
Just a $2500 claimer at Running Aces Park earlier this season, Sand Forever made the transition to the Open ranks a winning one when he flew down the stretch to nail the front running Most Happy Rider (Kevin Cummings) by a head in 1:57.3 in the weekly pacing feature. Zackor (Ron Beback, Jr.) checked in third.
The win was Sand Forever’s 15th of the 2010 campaign and 25th of his career in 80 lifetime starts. He’s a 5-year-old Stand Forever gelding. He returned $5.80 win, being sent off as the lukewarm favorite.
The Holliday’s other winners were Scudder ($10.00), Bruener ($5.50 - - now three for three in Western New York), Masteroftheclass ($2.60) and Nifty Prescott ($18.60).
Last year’s Downs leading conditioner Sherri Holliday began the evening in a tie with Ron Beback, Jr. in the race for top trainer honors. With only two more nights left in the 2010 season her five win lead would now seem insurmountable.
Dave McNeight III, a 20-year-old provisional reinsman, had a night he soon won’t forget when he scored the first hat trick of his career. In 24 lifetime drives he’s won six of them and definitely looks like a young man with a bright future.
Another provisional reinsman, Denny Bucceri, had a big weekend going two for two. He’s now won five times in 29 starts this year.
Kevin Cummings heads into closing weekend with a five win cushion over Jack Flanigen in his bid to defend his dash driving title. Both were winless on the Saturday program.
Racing fans are reminded there will be no live racing next Wednesday; the final two nights of the 2010 season will be Friday and Saturday. Post time is 6:40 pm.
Old-timer Fifty Two Finn trots to another win
News release from Batavia Downs:
Owner-trainer Ronald Stebbins Fifty Two Finn solidified his stock for being named Batavia Downs Casino trotter of the year when he went wire-to wire to notch his 6th win of the summer-fall meet, in the featured $8,880 Open trot, on Friday night (Nov.26).
John Cummings, Jr., who had four wins on the program, guided the classy 10-year-old Movie Mogul gelding to his 46th lifetime win, holding off a closing Justine Colleen (Jack Flanigen) by a head in 2:00.4, over a racetrack covered in snow.
Fifty Two Finn, who made his most recent start at Vernon Downs, was claimed for $15,000 back on September 10 at Tioga Downs. He’s over $60,000 in seasonal earnings and his lifetime bankroll is more than $440,000. He returned $4.90 to win going off as the public choice.
Artistry in Rhythm wins Mare Open
Betty Taubers Artistry in Rhythm ($6.40) held off The Grey Filly (Ron Beback, Jr.) in deep stretch to win the co-featured $8,500 Filly and Mares Open pace by a neck in 1:59.2.
The 8-year-old Real Desire mare won for the 11th time this season and raised her 2010 earnings to more than $82,000. Ken Holliday was in the bike for his wife Sherri.
Trainer Title to Close to Call
After 69 racing programs the battle for the 2010 Downs training title couldn’t be any closer. Sherri Holliday, last years Downs leading conditioner, doubled up on the Friday evening program to tie Ron Beback, Jr. with 57 wins each. In fact there win percentages are identical at 23%.
With only three more racing night left in the 2010 campaign, Kevin Cummings maintains a five win lead over Jack Flanigen in the race for dash driving honors. Cummings last years Downs top driver and Flanigen, recently named Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association Western New York Driver of the Year, each drove a pair of winners on Friday program.
Two-car accident with injuries reported on Thruway
A two-car accident with injuries is reported on the Thruway in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 378.4.
Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.
Traffic is getting backed up.
UPDATE (11:35 a.m.): One person is being transported to Strong hospital in Rochester. Another person is being transported to Lakeside hospital in Brockport.
Rollover accident, no injuries, on Route 5 in Pembroke
A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on Route 5, west of Indian Falls Road, in Pembroke. There are no injuries, but a medic is called to evaluate in an infant who was in the vehicle.
East Pembroke fire is responding.
Car off the road on Vallance Road, Le Roy
A car is reported off the road at 8237 Vallance Road in Le Roy. There are injuries. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.
UPDATE (2:36 p.m.): The injuries were deemed minor. No transport needed. Units back in service.
