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Photos: Birds munch seeds on snow-covered bird feeders

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia got its first real snow accumulation of the season yesterday and last night but the birds still showed up this morning in our backyard feeders for their morning meal.

There's more snow on the way. A winter storm watch is in effect for tonight starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until Wednesday afternoon. Heavy, blowing snow is possible. The National Weather Service warns that travel may be difficult with more than 10 inches of snowfall possible.

Winds could gust up to 45 mph.

The forecast is for little precipitation today but a low-pressure system crosses the region bringing periods of widespread accumulation. Several weak systems cross the area in the following days with an additional chance of snow.

Law and Order: Oak Street resident charged with robbery

By Howard B. Owens

James J. Spivey, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd. Spivey is accused of forcefully taking property from another person at 2:25 p.m., Oct. 25, while on Park Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed without bail.

William G. Schultz, 43, of Evans Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Schultz was allegedly found in possession of stolen property -- the property is not specified -- while at 1 W. Main St., Batavia. The original incident was reported at 11:46 p.m. Oct. 6 at a residence on Union Street, Batavia. Schultz was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Cameron Robert Lochren, 23, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged while driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving without headlines, and driver's view obstructed. Lochren was stopped at 12:58 a.m. Friday on Railroad Street, Alexander, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Lochren was jailed on $1,250 bail or $2,500 bond.

Robert David Cummings III, 31, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Cummings is accused of damaging the property of another person at 3 p.m. Friday at a location on Phelps Road, Pembroke. 

Amie Lin Santiago, 31, of Hindsburg Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Santiago was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 1:47 a.m. Saturday on Roberts Road, Alabama, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Alex A. Applegate, 21, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Applegate was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident Saturday on Route 237 in Byron. The accident was investigated by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Gerald Jacob Farrell, 24, of Nunda-Byersville Road, Nunda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or more, and failure to keep right. Farrell was stopped at 12:28 a.m. Sunday on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan. 

Car strikes pole on West Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car has struck a pole in the area of the CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street, Batavia.

No word on injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:48 p.m.: Three occupants. Mercy EMS requested to the scene for patient evaluation. 

Rollover accident reported on Route 19, Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A rollover accident, a car into the trees, is reported on Route 19 and Bissell Road in Bergen.

Bergen fire and ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: A Bergen chief on scene. One vehicle on its side. Investigating.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: One person entrapped in the vehicle. Conscious. Appears to be minor injuries.

Car hits tree at Lehigh and Creek, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A driver is complaining of back pain after his car struck a tree at Lehigh Avenue and Creek Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:01 p.m.: One patient transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Route 77 in Darien blocked by tractor-trailer that jackknifed

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer has been reported on Route 77 in Darien, just south of the Darien Fire Hall.

No injuries are reported, but the roadway is blocked.

UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Darien's fire police requested to Route 77 and Route 20 to shut down northbound traffic.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: Corfu requested to shut down southbound traffic at Route 33 and Route 77.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: A responder reports, "you've got tractor-trailers lined up Route 77." The initial caller left the scene. It's possible the original jackknifed truck was assisted by passersby. It should like slick road conditions are causing problems for other trucks.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: A responder reports, "what we have here is a car hauler stuck on the road. It remains to be seen if he can get out of here." Traffic is being shut down to give the Highway Department a "chance to catch up." It appears to be just the one car hauler stuck at this time.

A hunter reported lost in Tonawanda Management Wildlife Area

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATED 12:37 p.m.

A hunter in the Tonawanda Management Wildlife Area called for assistance this morning after finding himself waist deep in water, tired and unsure what direction to go.

Alabama fire and Sheriff's deputies responded about 10:30 a.m. and were able to locate the hunter within 45 minutes and help him out of the swamp.

Scene commander Bill Schutt said the hunter was evaluated at the scene by Mercy EMS personnel and refused further treatment.

"He was just wet and tired," Schutt said.

Schutt said the hunter had entered his hunting area off of Owen Road, which crosses with Meadville Road, and shot a deer and was tracking it when he found himself in water too deep to wade through. He decided that he would be better off changing direction than going back the direction he came, but a short time later, called 9-1-1 for assistance.

Dispatchers stayed on the line with him throughout the search.

One deputy, with two other hunters, who knew the lost hunter, went down Owen Road and another deputy drove his vehicle down a trail off of Meadville Road. That deputy was able to locate the hunter, entered the water to assist the hunter. The hunter and the deputy walked back to the deputy's patrol vehicle.

The deputies assisting were Kevin McCarthy and Corey Mower.

Also assisting at the scene were Shelby Fire and Wolcottville Fire along with Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight, which assisted with an aerial search.

Original post below:

Alabama fire is in the Meadville Road area along with Sheriff's deputies searching for a hunter who is lost, waist deep in water and having difficulty breathing.

Other hunters in the area are assisting in the search and Mercy Flight is in route to assist.

A least one searcher is within 180 yards of the hunter.

He is on the phone with dispatchers.

A deputy is honking his horn and the hunter can apparently hear him.

UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: It appears the hunter has been located.

UPDATE 11:12 a.m.: It sounds like a deputy is with the hunter. He said he will be bringing him out to the road.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:21 a.m.: The patient is with EMS personnel now. Those who responded to help locate the hunter are told they can pack up.

UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: All Alabama units are back in service.

Photos: Santa at Adam Miller

By Howard B. Owens

Carter McClellan, 15 months old, wasn't too happy during his first visit with Santa today at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

Santa visited Adam Miller so the store could provide a free visit and a chance to get pictures with Santa for customers who came in the store today.

Penelope Ortiz, 18 months, below, was also a little unsure of the Santa thing, but didn't cry.

Chase McClellan, 7, was quite ready to let Santa know what tops his Christmas wish list.

Photo: Five boys outside Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

These four Rampart players and their friend wanted to get their picture posted on The Batavian today, so we're accommodating their request.

They are Maggio Bucholz, Champ Buchholz, Sheldon Siverling, Domenic Viele, and Preston Viele.

Photo: Foxprowl 'pop up store' at Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

Bill Hume popped up in Falleti Ice Arena today with a "pop up store" for Foxprowl.

It's the second time he's set up a retail location in Falleti and he said later this month he will do what he's calling a "flash store" inside Record Revival on East Main Street.

Earlier this year, Hume shut down his permanent retail store at Jackson and Main, Batavia, but sees the trend for "pop up stores," which are common in metropolitan areas, as something he would like to see catch on Batavia.

Photos: GSO to perform holiday concert Sunday

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra performs its annual Christmas concert tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Batavia.

The program includes "Dance of the Tumblers" from Snow Maiden by Rimsky-Korsakov, Canadian Brass Christmas, "The Snowman," by Howard Blake and narrated by Laurence Tallman,  (top photo), Holiday Favorites with a special guest vocalist: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "(There’s no place like) Home for the Holidays," "White Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Sleigh Ride," and "Christmas Festival."

Tickets will be available at the door.

Photos: Shop with a Cop at Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Fifty children from Genesee County got a chance to buy presents for other family members today during "Shop with a Cop" at Walmart in Batavia.

Officers from Batavia PD, the Sheriff's Office, and State Police participated.

A grant from Walmart paid for $100 gift cards for 30 children and donations from the City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, City of Batavia CSEA members, the City’s “Jeans for Friday” program, Department of Public Works (AFSCME) Union, and H.E. Turner & Co. Inc. Funeral Home of Batavia & Bergen raised additional funds so another 20 children could participate. 

Once children completed their shopping, members of Batavia PD's Explorer program wrapped presents and the children got a chance to visit with Santa.

Possible fire at new construction site on Veterans Memorial Drive

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reports seeing flames at the construction site at 4187 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: First responder: "Confirmed. Looks like a small fire."

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Fire must be out. Town assignment back in service.

UPDATE 9:45 p.m.: Another fire reported at the same location.

UPDATE 9:53 p.m.: Town of Batavia assignment back in service.

Accident reported on West Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be with injuries, is reported on West Main Street Road, in front of Taco Bell.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:09 p.m.: Police believe the Nissan, which was eastbound, started a left-hand turn into the Tops parking lot and then the driver changed his or her mind but failed to negotiate fully back into its own lane of traffic. The Nissan struck a car, front left fender to front left fender, that was stopped to make a left-hand turn into the shopping center on the south side of West Main. The Nissan then careened into a third vehicle. Two people were transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Two people killed in accident on Route 98, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

STORY UPDATED AT 5:32 p.m.

A semi-truck hauling potatoes and a passenger vehicle collided at about 1:15 p.m. today at the intersection of Lockport Road and Route 98 in Elba and as a result of the accident two people died.

The victims are Franca C. Monachino, 45, of Hilton, and Jerry E. Tuttle, 29, of Kingley, Pa.

State Police investigators believe Monachnio was driving a 2013 Honda Civic westbound on Lockport Road and failed to yield at the intersection of Route 98. Tuttle, in a 2004 Peterbilt hauling potatoes, was northbound.  

Both vehicles went off the west shoulder of Route 98 and became entangled in high-voltage electrical lines. Firefighters were unable to check on the victims until National Grid arrived on the scene, about 30 minutes after the accident, and shut off power to the lines.

The operators were deceased at the scene and there were no other victims.

Troopers were assisted by Elba fire, Mercy EMS, Sheriff's Office, National Grid, Genesee County coroner, NYSP Commercial Enforcement Unit, NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The investigation is continuing.

Tractor-trailer accident reported on Route 98, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer rollover accident with possible multiple vehicles involved is reported on Route 98 and Lockport Road in Elba.

The roadway is closed.

One possible injury.

Power lines may be down.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 1:56 p.m.: Route 98 is closed at Old Oak Orchard Road and Lockport Road is closed in both directions. There is a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle involved and they are entangled in power lines. The roadways will be closed for an extended period of time.

Accident reported at Ledge and 77

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Ledge Road and Route 77, Alabama.

It might be with injury, but a dispatcher says there is a language barrier with the caller.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Notre Dame comes from behind to beat Elba in overtime, 74-72

By Howard B. Owens

Fans of the Notre Dame, Elba rivalry got their money's worth Friday night as the boys' basketball teams battled into overtime Friday night before the Fighting Irish came out on top 74-72.

The Lancers went into the final 15 seconds of regulation with a four-point lead but a three-point bucket by Andrew Moore (top photo) narrowed the lead to one. Elba failed to score on its possession and the Irish got the ball back with a little more than five seconds on the clock. Notre Dame's Gabe Macdonald was fouled as he drove in the lane toward the basket as time expired. He was also injured, so Zachary Cocking was called on to shoot his free throws. Cocking made the first to tie the score but missed the second (second from bottom photo) to send the game into overtime.

"They showed they have a lot of heart," said Head Coach Mike Rapone after the game. "They have a lot of courage. They didn’t give up. We not only played without (Ryan) Moffett (due to injury), but Nico (Zambito) had fouled out so the kids just circled the wagons and just keep battling. They hit some big shots and they never gave up."

Zambito was the game's top scorer with 26 points. He hit six three-pointers. Spencer Misiti had 14 points, with four three-pointers. Keith Szczepanski, Notre Dame's 6'7", 305-pound sophomore forward, scored 13 points, including four points in overtime.

For Elba, Colton Dillon scored 23 points. He hit five shots outside the arch. Collin O'Halloran scored 15, including a pair of threes. Grayson Huntington scored 11, including two threes. Jonathan Boyce added 10 points.

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