Stories from

Ashley Bedard is a graduate of Pembroke Central School and she is battling leukemia. To help Ashley, and her mother, JoAnne McInerney, while Ashley undergoes treatment for the disease, there's going to be a fundraiser this Saturday.

"Bash for Ash" will offer a steak dinner, Chinese auction and music, all for $10 per person. It will be held at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall on West Avenue in East Pembroke from 4 to 11 p.m., with dinner served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Donation for the event can be sent or dropped off to Sue Winkelman or Hope Wood at Tompkins Insurance Agencies, 90 Main St., in Downtown Batavia.

Monetary donations can be made payable to: "In Trust for Ashley Bedard"and mailed to: Bank of Castile; Attn -- Sue Winkelman, 90 Main St., Batavia.

For more information call Sue or Hope at 585-344-0833 or email:
<swinkelman@tompkinsins.com> or <hwood@tompkinsins.com>

(Portrait photo by Carlson's Studio)

A car has struck a utility pole at 3260 Maltby Road in Oakfield. Wires are at the side of the road. The car is still stuck in the pole.

Oakfield Fire Department responded. Fire police are going to block off Maltby Road at North Pearl Street and Fox Road.

UPDATE (8:39 p.m.): The pole is cracked and leaning and National Grid has been informed. Law enforcement is called to the scene.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in downtown Batavia at Main and Center streets.

Batavia fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

One person has refused medical attention. One woman is being transported to UMMC complaining of neck, upper back and left shoulder pain.

UPDATE: Reader submitted photo.

A motocross rider is unconscious after crashing his bike at Area 51, located at 3500 Harloff Road in Batavia. The accident "is way up on top of the hill."

The availability of Mercy Flight is being checked.

Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE (5:05 p.m.): Mercy Flight out of Batavia is in the air.

UPDATE (5:12 p.m.): Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE (5:43 p.m.): Mercy Flight is airborne, headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

A two-car accident is reported at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road. It is blocking the roadway. There are minor injuries and there was airbag deployment.

East Pembroke and Mercy EMS are responding.

A three-car accident is reported at 7926 Alleghany Road, with unknown injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS. It is at the intersection with Meiser Road and cars are blocking the roadway.

UPDATE (1:47 p.m.): The injuries are minor. The roadway is now open.

Mary Ellen Ames, of Elba, won the "Best Traditional Quilt" award at the 24th annual Northeast Quilts Unlimited competition held at the Arts Center in Old Forge, NY.

Her quilt is entitled "Harvest Song," and along with the others in the competition, it will be on display there until Nov. 11. The quilt display is a favorite yearly event that transforms the gallery into "a pleasant plethora of pattern and patchwork."

Handmade artisan quilts from across the nation are hung gallery style for everyone to see in their full glory. The competition features both traditional and eclectic quilts as well as wall hangings

For more information, click here.

A four-car accident is reported on Indian Falls Road, with the road blocked.

The injuries are not believed to be serious.

Indian Falls, Pembroke and Mercy EMS are responding. The area is at the junction of Route 77.

A fire with flames showing is reported at 214 East Main St. in the City of Batavia. It's at the rear of Topline Shirt Co. and an owner reports it's an oven fire. City fire and Mercy EMS are on site.

UPDATE (6:40 p.m.): City fire command reports fire is out.

A car into bicycle accident is reported on East Main Street and Trumbull Parkway. A woman is lying on the ground, conscious. City fire, police and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE (11:34 a.m.): The patient refused medical treatment. The driver of the car was not injured. Authorities are clearing, or have cleared the scene, and are filing a report.

A one-car accident with minor injuries is reported at 747 Main Road, between the Thruway and Lake Road, in Pembroke. There are two people involved and there was airbag deployment.

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

UPDATE (2:30 p.m.) The vehicle struck a telephone wire and tractor-trailers are striking it as they drive by. Verizon is being contacted. The occupants are being transported to UMMC for evaluation.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported on Warboys Road. The location is between Route 237 and Merrill Road.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS. The victim is out of the vehicle and the car is on its roof.

A petite foreign exchange student is reported missing and authorities are searching in and around Bowen Road in the Town of Alexander.

Didn't catch the host's address.

The person is described as 4' 7", 85 pounds, small frame.

Authorities are told to look in a nearby meadow also.

UPDATE (6:58 p.m.): Four searchers on ATVs are scouring the meadow near the residence in search of the person.

UPDATE (7:19 p.m.): Searchers planned on focusing on a trail running north/northwest of the meadow. They are bringing in a dog. However, now there's a report of a young, small female, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a gray sweatshirt, spotted running on Route 238 (Attica Road) toward Attica. A caller said it appeared she had been running for some time. Also, she's reportedly adept at climbing trees, a skill which might prove handy if she was running away from danger.

UPDATE (7:36 p.m.) The female foreign exchange student has been located and she is safe.

A dog is reportedly stuck in a shallow well on property at 4213 Cookson Road in the Town of Alexander.

A woman who resides there called dispatch about the matter, saying the well is about five-feet deep. Not sure if it's the family pet.

Alexander Fire Department, presumably, is responding.

UPDATE (6:37 p.m.): Alexander Engine 107 is on scene.

UPDATE (6:42 p.m.): Alexander reports the rescue was successfully completed and the unit is back in service.

Fire crews and medics are busy this evening. So many calls, not always enough manpower.

Additional fire crews are asked to assemble in their quarters for Bethany, Alexander, the Village of Attica and Darien to be ready in case they are needed. Their other crews are all out on calls.