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Genesee County is set to make new vehicle purchases for the Highway Department and Sheriff's Office after the Public Service Committee recommended approval Tuesday of the proposals.

At its next full meeting, the County Legislature is expected to approve purchase of:

• An asphalt paver from Ilton CAT, 4610 E. Saile Drive, Batavia, for a total amount not to exceed $169,900;
• A 2017 Model GU713 Mack cab and chassis, in conformance to Onondaga County bid specifications, from Beam Mack Sales, Rochester, in a amount not to exceed $156,743.37;
• Five 2016 SUV law enforcement vehicles from Van Bortel Ford, for a total purchase price of $113,955, including trade-in on four 2013 Ford sedan interceptors and a 2009 Chevy Impala.

The committee also recommend approval of five vehicles being declared surplus and sold at auction. The vehicles are a 2009 Ford Focus, a 2008 Jeep and three 2009 Chevy Impalas.

At least a foot of snow has fallen in parts of Genesee County, and in some places more, according to various weather reports. And it's still coming down. Slow and persistant.

Above, Steve Ognibene clears his driveway.

Kibbe Park.

The tracks along the side of the Harvester Center.

William Morgan, Batavia Cemetery.

Harvester Avenue.

Landon Coles and Rebecca Salvaterra clearing snow on East Avenue.

As predicted, heavy wet snow hit Genesee County this morning, making for a tricky commute.

We've received notification of closings for GCASA and BOCES.

Above, the westbound Thruway from State Street Road.

UPDATE:

• Grace's Kitchen in Le Roy tonight is cancelled.
• The UMMC Urgent Care in Le Roy is closed.
• Bergen Town Hall is closing at noon.
• The Section V boys basketball playoff game in Pembroke tonight has been rescheduled. Pembroke will play Gananda tomorrow at 5 p.m. The Lady Dragons will play Avon tomorrow at  7 p.m., as originally scheduled. The cost is $4 per person per game.

Main and Oak.

Main and Court.

Looking east down Main Street, Downtown.

City Firefighter Christine Marinaccio shoveling in front of the Fire Station.

Press release:

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly awarded more than $190,000 in grants to area charities at his foundation’s annual grant luncheon two weeks ago. Among the 34 organizations to receive funding from the Kelly for Kids Foundation were two Batavia-area charities: Genesee ARC and Community Action of Orleans/Genesee.

The Kelly for Kids Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which aims to distribute grant money to WNY charities to assist children in need. More than $5 million has been distributed to disadvantaged and disabled youth since the foundation began in 1987. Their largest fundraiser throughout the years has been the Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Classic, held at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility in Batavia. This celebrity tournament brings in thousands of charity dollars which are later distributed to deserving organizations.

Both Genesee ARC and Community Action of Orleans/Genesee were nominated by Terry Hills to receive grants at the Jan. 19^th luncheon due to their important work with Genesee County youth. Genesee ARC assists children with special needs through various programs, including a therapeutic horseback riding service. Community Action provides educational, emotional and financial support to disadvantaged families.

The Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Classic is scheduled to celebrate its 30^th anniversary on Monday June 6^th at Terry Hills Golf Course.

Megan C. Westbrook, 35, of Elmview Avenue, Lackawanna, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, passing a red light and moving from lane unsafely. Westbrook was stopped at 12:13 a.m. Feb. 4 on Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Eric Foels.

Bradley W. Howard, 25, of Academy Street, Mayville, is charged with violation of probation. Howard was placed on probation for a DWI conviction. He allegedly absconded from probation immediately and failed to notify probation of a change of address. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Joseph William Freeman, 31, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Freeman allegedly stole two cases of beer from Tops.

Jason C. Lusk, 35, of Collegeview Drive, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Lusk turned himself in to Batavia PD.

Beaky S. Kamagy, 29, of Fowlerville Road, Piffard, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Kamagy was stopped at 1:23 a.m. Feb. 6 on Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Davis Alexandre Prince, 20, of Ullswater Cresent, London, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass. Prince was allegedly trespassing on College Village property at 8:52 p.m. on Friday.

Jennifer Margaret Shaffer, 33, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Shaffer was allegedly caught shoplifting from Walmart.

Sharon Denise Rawleigh, 45, of Benedict Street, Perry, is charged with petit larceny. Rawleigh was allegedly caught shoplifting from Walmart.

Caroline Marie Burgess, 47, of Benedict Street, Perry, is charged with petit larceny. Burgess was allegedly caught shoplifting from Walmart.

The National Weather Service is predicting from 4 to 8 inches of snow tonight and has issued a winter storm warning for a 24-hour period starting at 7 p.m.

The storm total could hit 15 inches.

Heavy, wet snow is expected from this storm, which could make travel hazardous and lead to power outages.

The most difficult travel conditions could hit during Tuesday morning's commute hours.

Carmen Del Plato shared this with us, a song for Valentine's Day written by John Del Plato and performed by Anthony Del Plato.

We're less than a week away from the annual Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove Dinner hosted by the  Genesee County Baseball Club.

Above, Travis Sick, general manager, with Diane Hawn and Russ Salway, hold a few of the items that will be up for auction at the dinner.

The dinner is from 4:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at the Sacred Heart Church Hall, 17 Sumner St., Batavia.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed by a buffet dinner at 5:30. 

The night also features live and chance auctions of baseball-related memorabilia (including signed bats and balls), work by local artists, and gift certificates from a variety of local businesses.

Tickets may be purchased in Batavia at Dwyer Stadium, Gerace’s Hair Care, the Williams Law Firm and the office of Dr. Alan Barcomb.

It's minus 12 degrees outside and there are reportedly five or six people fighting, and three trying to break it up, in the traffic circle, South Main and Oak streets, Batavia.

Batavia PD is responding.

UPDATE 4:49 a.m.: A dispatcher tells a responding officer that the caller is not very cooperative, that she won't come outside and that "everything is calm now."

A car has reportedly driven into a shed at 9540 Halstead Road, Alexander.

The driver is said to be stuck in the vehicle, but not injured.

Alexander fire dispatched.

UPDATE 4:52 a.m.: A chief on scene reports that a family member there; the driver is out of the vehicle and in the family member's car, so Alexander's engine does not need to respond. However, the ambulance is requested to the scene for a sign-off.

A water pipe has reportedly burst at an apartment complex at 8542 W. Bergen Road, Le Roy.

A dispatcher was trying to talk a person through how to shut off the water while Le Roy fire was being dispatched. The person may have gotten it shut off.

Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 4:34 a.m.: The water is shut off and Le Roy fire is back in service.

Notre Dame beat Batavia 6-3 in a regular-season hockey game today at Falleti Ice Arena.

The hometown rivals will face off again next weekend in a first-round sectional playoff game.

About 20 young musicians joined the Genesee Symphony Orchestra today to sit next to the members of the orchestra playing the instrument of their choice during a rehearsal for tomorrow's concert at Genesee Community College.

Tomorrow's concert is called "Flutes and Flourishes" and will be conducted by Nicholas DelBello, one of the four finalists for a permanent appointment as conductor.

Guest artist is Christine Baily Davis on flute, with performances by the Buffalo Brass Choir and Miranda DelBello.

Concertgoers are invited to arrive at GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre at 3 p.m. for Meet the Orchestra. The concert begins at 4 p.m.

The show includes pieces by Mozart, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Franz Doppler and Ottorino Resphighi.

Tickets are available at the door, or purchase online. Click here.

To purchase prints, click here.

Pretty amazing weather graphic from our news partner, 13WHAM. For more weather coverage for 13WHAM, click here.

Crossroads House opened its 20th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out for Crossroads" bowling tournament Friday night at Mancuso Bowling Center, 214 E. Main St., Batavia.

The tournament continues tonight at 6 o'clock and on Sunday runs at 3 and 6 p.m.. The team fee is $100.

For additional information call: Cindy (585) 993-0584 or Tara (585) 409-0136.

UPDATE/CORRECTION: The tournament also continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend -- Feb. 19-21. Friday start time 6 p.m.; Saturday is 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.; and Sunday is 1 p.m.

Students and staff of Batavia High School along with officers of the Batavia Police Department participated in a volleyball tournament at the high school Thursday night.

The idea for the tournament started with Officer Pete Flanagan who contacted Lisa Robinson at the school. Robinson "took the idea and ran with it," Flanagan said, doing most of the work to get the event organized.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will help with education costs for a student or students interested in a career in law enforcement.

Flanagan said he was really pleased with the turnout for a first-year event.

"Especially now days, with everything the way it is, we want to build a good relationship with the community and we wanted a chance to give back," Flanagan said.

Anya R. Rambuski, 45, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated DWI, refusal to take breath test and turn signal violation. Rambuski was stopped on Route 5 by State Police. A trooper reported immediately smelling alcohol on Rambuski's breath and there was further investigation. Rambuski was transported to the Batavia Barracks where she allegedly refused a breath test.

Joshua David Watkins, 24, of West Bank Street, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Watkins is accused of shoplifting from Target.

If you play basketball or baseball, you hope to get a write-up in Sports Illustrated, a musician, Rolling Stone, a chef, Cook's Illustrated.

If you're a mechanic, a three-page spread in Transmission Digest puts you at the top of your game.

The folks at L&L Transmission were elated yesterday when the latest edition arrived and there they were on page four.

"It's pretty exciting for us to be featured in a nationwide magazine," said Danyell Selapack.

The article begins where Leon Selapack began, at 14, working in an automotive shop in Williamsville.

In 1978, he returned home to Batavia and opened a single-bay shop on the Southside. In 1998, he moved the business to its present location on Route 98.

The article also covers his inventions, including a two-piece plastic gear for Ford three-speed transmissions. It was a replacement part for a Ford-built part that often broke. The repair involved removing the entire transmission and tearing it down. With the new invention, the transmission could remain on the car and the new part easily slipped in.

Ford eventually fixed the problem.

"If I had invented it five years earlier, I would still be in Tahiti," Leon said.

To read the full story, click here.

Pictured, Danyell, Leon and Cameron Selapack.

That snowstorm that may be heading our way, the National Weather Service isn't backing down on the prediction, but they did push back the estimated time of its arrival.

And they added a wind chill watch.

The storm is now expected between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m., tomorrow.

It may bring accumulations of 7 to 14 inches.

The wind chill watch is for late tonight through Sunday morning.

Winds from the west at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph late Friday and Friday night.

Visibility less than a quarter of a mile at times.

Temperatures could drop to zero at times with a wind chill value of 30 below.

Travel conditions could be hazardous. 

The forecast confidence remains at medium.

Press release:

Today, Darien Lake, Western New York’s largest theme park, announced a $1.5 million capital investment that will be used to build a new extreme water ride – the RipCurl Racer. Upon the approval of an incentive package from the Genesee County Economic Development Center and building permit completion, the park will begin construction on the new water ride, with plans to be fully operational for the water park’s 2016 opening on May 21.

The RipCurl Racer Experience:

42 feet above the pool, six mat-riding competitors launch themselves headfirst into side-by-side tunnels and rocket through the twisting tunnels before accelerating into separate racing lanes.

Riders drop and slide down the home stretch, enjoying speed, compression and zero-gravity moments as they blast into a high-velocity finish.

“Bringing in RipCurl Racer, the third new thrill ride to join the park’s lineup over the past year, is really exciting for us,” said Chris Thorpe, general manager at Darien Lake. “The continued growth and expansion at Darien Lake is a testament to our dedication to providing guests with the best entertainment value in the region.”

“As one of the premier tourism destinations in Western New York, Darien Lake once again is investing in Genesee County,” said Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Tom Turnbull. “It’s been proven in the past that adding new ride attractions increases the number of visitors to the park and we’re expecting the new RipCurl Racer will do the same. And that’s good not only for Darien Lake but for Genesee County as a whole.”

Paying for itself in just two visits, Darien Lake’s 2016 season pass is a greater value than ever before!

The park is open May 7 to Sept. 25 and welcomes overnight guests in a wide range of accommodations – from a full-service hotel and modern cabins to rental RVs and campsites. For more information or to order season passes, visit www.DarienLake.com.