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The kids will be alright, according to Debbie Kerr-Rosenbeck, youth bureau director for Genesee County.

If a proposed shared-services agreement is approved by both the city and county elected bodies, Kerr-Rosenbeck doesn't anticipate any loss of programs currently offered to the youngsters of Batavia.

"If anything, I think (services) will expand and increase, not be less," Kerr-Rosenbeck said after a meeting of the county's Human Services Committee, where she briefed legislators on the proposal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kerr-Rosenbeck would become director of the city's program as well as maintain her position with the county.

The city hopes to save at least $15,000 by eliminating its director position -- which with salary and benefits cost the city more than $80,000 per year -- and adding a coordinator position.

As part of the agreement, the city would reimburse the county $21,000, covering part of Kerr-Rosenbeck's current salary (but not increasing her salary) and five hours of clerical time per week.

"What the children see will not change significantly," Kerr-Rosenbeck said. "They may see some new faces when staffing is short. I'll put my staff there to help out evenings and weekends, but they won't see any changes in the programs at all."

Kerr-Rosenbeck said she's already started working on the transition and anticipates putting in more than the weekly eight-hours called for in the agreement in the beginning to help ensure the transition goes smoothly.

Both the Legislature and the City Council are expected to vote on the proposed shared-services agreement in December, so Kerr-Rosenbeck can officially take over the city's program in January.

The city has been without a youth director since the previous director retired about six months ago.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries has been reported on the Thruway, eastbound lane between mile markers 402 and 404.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire  with Mercy EMS being dispatched.

The Pembroke chief warns that responders should be aware that the Route 77 bridge over the Thruway is very slick.

On scene, the chief reports three vehicles involved. No word yet on injuries.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: Everybody is out of the cars and walking around. One person may have an eye injury.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

The New York Times has a picture of Carl Paladino in Batavia, at the old courthouse yesterday. Nobody notified us of his appearance.

A garage fire was called in several minutes ago at a residence on Route 19 near Cole Road in the Pavilion/Le Roy area.

It sounds like both Pavilion and Le Roy fire departments have responded.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: Le Roy Fire back in service.

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In an effort to close a significant budget gap, the Genesee County Legislature will be asked to look at eliminating Genesee Justice and moving its services to the County Probation Department.

Genesee Justice provides a variety of services, including supervising accused criminals released from jail, as well as some convicted drunken drivers, and assisting victims of crime.

County Manager Jay Gsell said in the 17 years he's been with the county, Genesee Justice has gone from a program funded entirely by state grants to one that now has $237,000 in unfunded expenses.

The county is a looking for a way to cut that expense in an effort to trim $7.5 million from the proposed 2011 budget.

"We know what services Genesee Justice delivers and we know how it is delivered," Gsell said. "What we're looking at is how can we deliver that same level of service to the community through the probation department."

Ed Minardo, director of Genesee Justice has some concerns about whether the same level of services can be maintained.

He said he's working on an information campaign to help decision-makers understand all that Genesee Justice does and exactly what's involved in delivering the current level of services.

"I'm concerned," Minardo said. "We've been here 30 years. I want to ensure that this is a carefully deliberated decision."

Under the proposal -- which Gsell says is very preliminary -- about seven-and-half positions in Genesee Justice would be eliminated and three positions created in probation.

The Children's Advocacy Center, which employs two people, would remain under the supervision of the Sheriff's Office, which currently oversees Genesee Justice.

Gsell said the change could eliminate administration and overhead costs, but it still needs further study.

Minardo said that in 2009, Genesee Justice supervised 419 people assigned to community service; and 518 people in Genesee Jail were screened for possible release under supervision; and 245 accused criminals were released and supervised by Genesee Justice. 

The number of victims helped by Genesee Justice is not immediately available.

The county budget hearing is at 6 p.m., Nov. 17 in the county courts facility.

Multiple law enforcement units are responding to Route 77 north of Route 5 following the report of a possible child abduction by a parent.

The report came in through OnStar.

The suspect car is a 2010 silver Chevy Malibu.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: The search is now located in the area of Flying J.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: A deputy has the vehicle stopped in the Flying J's parking lot. Brighton PD is being notified. The car is registered to a woman in Spencerport.

UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Deputy: "The child is fine. (The driver) was heading to the rez for cigarettes." Now it appears that Ogden PD is lead agency.

The Batavian doesn't do endorsements, but no reason who you can't.

Who are you voting for (with maybe a short explanation why)?

Of particular interest, what is your position on changing the terms of Genesee County legislators?

Latoya D. Jackson, 25, no permanent address, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Jackson was arrested after police responded to T.F. Brown's restaurant at 12:35 a.m., where she was reportedly causing a disturbance after being denied entry due to her apparent intoxication. Jackson allegedly yelled obscenities on Liberty Street and began to struggle with officer Darryl Streeter following her arrest. Jackson was jailed on $2,500 bail. For previous reports on Jackson, click here.

Manuel Larry Valdez, 32, of Shane Drive, North Syracuse, is charged with criminal mischief, petit larceny, harassment and disorderly conduct. Valdez was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile into an alleged incident at 9:55 p.m., Friday, on Veterans Memorial Drive. Valdez is accused of yelling profanity in a public parking lot, allegedly pulling the hair of another person, biting her arm and punching her in the face.  Valdez also allegedly damaged the victim's car keys so she couldn't start her car. Valdez also allegedly stole merchandise from a store. He was jailed on $10,000 cash bail.

Mark R. Mack, 48, of 5 Chapel St., Mt. Morris, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Mack was reportedly found at 3:34 a.m., Friday, in his car with the motor running by Sgt. Michael J. Hare of the Le Roy Police Department, in a parking lot on Main Street, Le Roy.

Andrew Russell Desmond, 27, of Seaford Terrace, Hamburg, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Desmond was stopped at 8:20 p.m., Friday, for allegedly driving 100 mph on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reported he found Desmond allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Armekcl Devonte Austin, 19, of Terrace Park, Rochester, is charged with trespass. Austin allegedly trespassed on College Village property after being evicted and told to stay away.

Carla L. Spikes, 20, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation and speeding. Spikes was stopped at 3:13 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Patrick Anthony Martone, 48, of Benedict Drive, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Martone was stopped by Deputy Brian Thompson at 10:45 p.m., Oct. 24, for allegedly running a red light on West Main Street, Batavia. Thompson reportedly could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car.

John Richard Schumacher, 19, of Colonial Woods Drive, Alden, is charged with trespass. Schumacher was reportedly on College Village property after being banned from the property several months ago.

Gregory P. Drake, 20, of Phillips Road, Holley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC. 08, driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone, consumption of alcohol in vehicle and failure to dim headlights. Drake was stopped at 12:32 a.m., Sunday, on Route 237, Byron, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ronald A. Bialy II, 20, of 337 Bank St., Apt. 37, Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Bialy was stopped at 2:33 a.m., Sunday, by Officer Eric Bolles.

Paul E. Bishop, 44, of Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bishop is accused of striking the 13-year-old child of an acquaintance.

A 16-year-old resident of Killian Road, Pembroke, is charged with trespass. The youth is accused of being on private property after being advised not to.

Marie Nicole Wenzel, 19, of Melville Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wenzel was stopped by at 2:46 p.m., Sunday, on Route 33 in Stafford, by Deputy Brian Thompson for allegedly tinted windows and illegal license plate cover. Wenzel was reportedly found in possession of a marijuana pipe with marijuana in it.

UPDATE 11 a.m.

A 61-year-old Rochester man was hit by a car at about 8 a.m. on Center Street, Batavia.

The driver of the car said he was looking further up the road and just didn't see the man until it was too late.

The man was walking diagonally across Center Street with his back to the northbound car.

"The driver just didn't see the pedestrian," said Sgt. Robert Yaeger, who added that visibility was a little lower at the time of the accident. "It's just one of those things. It's an unfortunate accident."

No citations were issued, though the accident remains under investigation.

Injured was Paul H. Wypych, of Rockingham Drive, Rochester. The driver is identified as Dennis A. Weibel, of Route 38, Castile.

Wypych was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where at 11 a.m. he was still being evaluated.

Photo: Dan Fischer, WBTA

Batavia's trick and treaters were out and about Sunday and several of them stopped by the haunted house on Watson Avenue.

The Lancers' offense never quite got untracked and the defense was a bit too porous at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester on Saturday as Elba/Byron-Bergen dropped a Section V semi-final playoff game to first seed Holley, 0-29.

Holley out gained Elba/BB 259 to 141 yards, including 169 on the ground compared to 80 rushing yards for the Lancers.

Elba/BB coach Michael Cintorino said Holley simply got the job done.

"There were probably a couple of missed opportunities, but Holley has a great team," said Cintorino. "They’re very disciplined and strong and they’re very well coached. Today they did their job. I’m not saying we didn’t do ours, but they just did a better job."

Even so, Cintorino said, he told his players they could be proud of their season.

They had a great season," he said. "There were a lot of people who doubted they could get this far. They had a great year. Obviously, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but they have nothing to be ashamed of."

Zack DuBois (pictured above) led the Elba/BB offense with 52 yards on 14 attempts, while Dylan Bordanaro was held to 22 yards on 11 carries.

QB Eric Kowalik was 7 for 18 with two interceptions, tossing the ball for a total of 68 yards.

The Lancers never advanced the ball into the red zone.

To purchase pictures from this game, click here.

More pictures after the jump:

One of Genesee County's great Halloween traditions returns this year -- Julie Allein and her daughter Kelsey have decorated their yard and barn with enough fright to scare the white off a ghost.

Julie Allein has been carving pumpkins and tricking out her barn at 8894 Boyce Road, Corfu, since 1997.

Saturday evening, Kelsey gave me a tour of her favorite haunts.

More pictures after the jump:

This is the sunset I found on West Main Street Road, Batavia, on Saturday evening.

Carter Wasilewski, 7, was trying to help his dad Saturday afternoon by doing some fall leaf raking at their Redfield Drive home. Sister Paige, 10, was ready to help if he put down the rake.

Thelma and Rick Hall love the holidays. They decorate their home on Watson Avenue to suit the season, but for Halloween tomorrow, they've made an effort that goes beyond even last year -- new ghouls and goblins and a "chop house" where the kiddies will need to enter if they want any tricks or treats.

The whole haunted yard will be populated by Thelma Hall, left, Rick Hall, Daniel Brian, Toni Stoller, Lou Stoller, Ashley and Mike Meyers (newlyweds).

Daniel Brian and Toni will marry in 2011 on Halloween at the haunted house on Watson Avenue.

While driving around town Saturday evening, I came across a group of boys playing hockey on Kibbe Avenue. Here's a few pictures from their good time.

To purchase pictures, click here.

More pictures after the jump:

At this point, most of the trees in our neck of the woods have lost their leaves. Some, though, retain their splendor, including one tree on the north side of Austin Park (Washington Avenue, across from the school district offices). It's a beautiful tree with a fascinating trunk. I took this picture late Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, the Batavia Fire Department held an open house, which included a chance for the kids to shoot a fire hose at traffic cones, a chance to get a close-up view of the fire trucks, information on fire safety, a child seat safety check (with the help of Batavia Police) and a demonstration of how the fire department can get trapped people out of a car.

The dismantling of a car was pretty fascinating and are a good portion of the pictures after the jump.

To purchase pictures from the event, click here.