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More than 1.3 million times in 2009, people logged onto The Batavian to find out what was going on in Genesee County.

Here's the Top 10 most viewed posts in 2009:

• Manhunt in progress near Townline and 63
• South Beach owner "was forced to close" restaurant, says sister-in-law, by Philip Anselmo
• Tractor pushes car sideways down Main Street into the city
• Blink 182 show at Darien Lake leads to 16 arrests
• Driver of Kid Rock crew busted for alleged DWI
• Member of County Legislature posting on The Batavian under assumed name
• Former Democrat releases potentially damaging Christian e-mail because 'It's personal'
• City Council officially gets out of the ambulance business, by Philip Anselmo
• Batavia's South Beach restaurant closed abruptly and without warning, by Philip Anselmo

And while we're at it, here at the Top 10 posts for December:

• Unnamed tipster leads investigators to suspected meth lab in Le Roy
• Chain restaurant in Batavia bites the dust
• GCASA director suggests marijuana should be legalized
• Today's Poll: What is your view on Global Warming?
• Bail set at $75K each for five busted at suspected meth house
• Three Batavia stores sold alcohol to a minor, according to Batavia Police
• High-speed chase passes through Batavia this morning
• City exploring program to fund home improvements for lower-income home owners
• DiNapoli predicts hefty property tax increase to support schools
• Hawley votes against so-called deficit reduction plan

People logged into The Batavian in December more than 149,000 times to find out what's going on in Genesee County.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When it's time for a great hamburger, Jackson St. Grill will serve you among the best around. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Men, enjoy a $5 haircut again with this offer exclusive to The Batavian. (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

A tractor trailer reportedly pulled off the Pembroke exit of the Thruway while on fire.

Indian Falls Fire is being dispatched.

Thomas S. Hallett, 31, of 383 Bloomingdale, Apt. 2, Akron, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Hallett was allegedly involved in a disturbance at the Log Cabin, which lead to his ejection from the restaurant. Upon leaving, Hallett reportedly got into his car, backed up quickly, struck another car and then drove away quickly, spinning his wheels as he left. Deputy Kevin McCarthy contacted Hallett at his home and determined, based on the interview, that Hallett was allegedly driving drunk.

Ashley S. Houck, 21, of 397 Magee Ave., Rochester, is charged with parking in a handicap space. Houck was picked up on a bench warrant at 2:20 p.m. yesterday stemming from a conviction in July. Houck was jailed on $120 bail.

Timothy W. Walton, 26, of 33 Washington Ave., Attica, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Walton allegedly sent a text message to an ex-girlfriend he was barred from contacting.

Deborah R. Vogel, 55, of Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd. Vogel was arrested by State Police at 11:11 a.m. yesterday in Pavilion. Not further details were released.

The Canandian woman who earlier this week was charged with a series of crimes in Genesee County stemming from a high-speed chase on Dec. 19 faced justice in Orleans County yesterday.

The Buffalo News reports that Crystal Pinnock appeared in Albion Town Court to answer to charges in Albion, Barre and Gaines. She also appeared later in Carlton. 

She was charged with reckless driving, speeding and failure to yield to a police vehicle, among other charges.

Albion Justice Kevin J. Howard committed her to jail without bail.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When it's time for a great hamburger, Jackson St. Grill will serve you among the best around. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

For the sixth straight year, the Batavia High Blue Devils won the annual Batavia Lions Club Basketball Tournament, this time beating Notre Dame 66-33.

Josh Budlong had 14 rebounds as Batavia moved to 6-1. Andrew Hoy scored 12 points. Tom Rapone scored 10 points for Notre Dame. Gianni Zambito added 9 more.  Co Co Irvin was the tournament's MVP. He scored 15 points in the final.

AUDIO:  Post game chat with tournament MVP Co Co Irvin (mp3).

There are 46 more photos from tonight's final game after the jump:

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I missed the details of the start of this call, but Le Roy Fire is responding to a fire alarm (first responder reports "nothing showing"), but the main twist on this call is that a train is stopped and blocking Route 19, so responders must take an alternate route.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: This is apparently a power-related issue. National Grid is being dispatched. Also, we learn that there was a power outage in the Village at 5 p.m. We still don't have a location for this call.

Chances are, either your home or the home of someone you know, has a fuse box. Fuses function the same way breakers do -- to cut off power if an electrical circuit is overloaded. Both fuses and breakers can be very effective in protecting your home against an electrical fire.

However, one problem that can arise with fuses occurs when someone inserts a fuse of higher amperage than the circuit is designed for. 

For example, a homeowner tires of replacing blown fuses and inserts a 30-amp fuse where a 20-amp fuse should go, the 30-amp fuse allows more current into the circuit than the circuit was designed to accommodate. 

The fuse "blows" indicating that the circuits are overloaded. These must be replaced as the fuse element burns up. 

A fire can result.

If you have a fuse box, it's a great idea to have an electrician inspect it and check the wire size to install the proper fuse bases. Type S fuses should be used in aging fuse panels to prevent over fusing. Type S fuses are the only type allowed by the National Electrical Code in new fuse box installations.

Whether you have a fuse box or a breaker box, have your electrician tell you the size of your electrical service to make sure it is sufficient. Years ago, 60-amp or 100-amp service wasn't uncommon; but most families today have electrical appliances that demand more service. It's smart to get an electrician's opinion on whether an update is needed since modern homes are typically wired for minimum 200-amp service.

Electrical fires are all too common, and many homes in the U.S. need electrical updates.  Please take whatever action necessary to update the electrical service in your home.

A bridge at Sour Springs Road built by local snowmobilers and later removed by the county could be back in place within a month, County Manager Jay Gsell told WBTA.

The County and the Town of Alabama have reached an agreement to let the bridge be reinstalled and now Gsell said the insurance companies need to approve it.

"The engineer has already looked at the drawings and their sufficient as far as the structure and how they're going to reposition the bridge," Gsell said (mp3). "Winter started, what, Dec. 22? We've got a long season ahead of us. So my sense is that bridge will probably be in place by the end of January if not sooner."

Sno-packers club leaders have previous said putting the bridge back in place won't be difficult.

Michelle M. Kasper, 20, of 4591 Kams Road, Albion, is charged with DWI (as a felony under Leandra's Law), endangering the welfare of a child (three counts), and unlawful possession of marijuana. Kasper was stopped on Judge Road in Alabama by Deputy Tim Wescott at 9:30 p.m. yesterday who responded to a report of a car off the roadway. This is the second arrest of a WNY resident in the past week under terms of the recently enacted Leandra's Law.

Honour Haley Myers, 21, of 6392 Hamm Road, Lockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Myers was arrested following the investigation of a reported domestic incident in Stafford.

Deputy Brad Mazur apparently makes for a convincing pizza delivery driver.

On Nov. 15, Mazur showed up at the home of a Byron woman with a fresh pizza from Fullerino's Pizza and asked her to sign the credit card slip.  The woman signed, just as she reportedly has before for orders from Fullerino's.

Mazur's ruse worked.

The credit card number used by the woman was allegedly stolen.

After Mazur identified himself he asked the lady a few questions. The interview led to the discovery of several such allegedly fraudulent transactions that began with the woman reportedly stealing credit card numbers while employed at Batavia Citgo.

Mazur delivered his pizza to Alisha A. Ballard, 21, of 7174 Byron Road.

Ballard faces several charges, including petit larceny, forgery 2nd, unlawful possession of a  personal ID, identify theft 2nd and falsifying business records 1st.

After being arraigned in Batavia City Court, Ballard was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

The investigation began Oct. 30 after a local resident complained that his credit card number had been used without his authorization to order food from Fullerino's. Mazur and Deputy John Duyssen conducted the investigation.

The alleged credit card thefts date back to Aug. 18.

Patti Pacino, most recently an alumni coordinator for GCC, has been selected to fill the Ward 2 Batavia City Council seat by Ward 2 Republicans.

Pacino will replace Marianne Clattenburg, who was elected to an at-large seat in November.

Pacino was born in Batavia and has a long history of community involvement, including membership in Kiwanis and Zonta International. She has been a teacher and worked for both Genesee Community College and Batavia High School, where she was a career center coordinator.

She has also served as on the board of directors for the Genesee county YWCA and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

In 2004 she was named Geneseean of the Year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

She's married to James R. Pacino.

In a statement, Ward 2 GOP Chairman Chad Bachorski said, "The committee feels with experience and obvious dedication to her work, Patti will be an excellent fit in representing the citizens of the second ward on City Council."

If approved by the Council, Pacino will be sworn in Monday.

UPDATE: I did a video interview with Patti this afternoon.  Assuming no glitches or interruptions, I'll have it posted by this evening.

On Sunday, drivers who choose to travel on the Thruway will pay 5 percent more, and those who use EZPass will be getting less of a discount.

The toll charge change is part of a Thruway Authority effort to raise money to pay for $2.1 billion in improvements to the Thruway's roads and bridges, according to the D&C.

Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman David Gantt, D-Rochester, said the toll increases have pushed more motorists off the Thruway and to local roads, limiting the amount of revenue raised by the toll increases.

"There's no reason for them to be raising tolls on the Thruway," Gantt said. "It runs people off, they still don't meet their goals, so what benefit is it to them?"

The Canadian woman who allegedly led local law enforcement on a high speed chase through Genesee County and into Orleans County on Dec. 19 has been charged with a series of vehicle infractions and a misdemeanor steaming from the incident.

Crystal Pinnock was arraigned today in Stafford Town Court before being released to Orleans County for arraignment on charges in that county.

Pinnock was charged with:

• Town of Le Roy, speed over 55 mph and unsafe passing.
• Town of Stafford, unlawful fleeing of a police officer (a misdemeanor), speed over 55, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, driving left of pavement markings and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
• Town of Batavia, speed in zone, driving left of pavement markings.
• City of Batavia, speed in zone, reckless driving (misdemeanor) and three counts of passed red light.

State Police will also press charges for alleged infractions in Elba.

Previously:

• Woman who reportedly crashed through border crossing chased through Genesee County
• Border Patrol says it notified local law enforcement of alleged illegal border crossing

Elected officials from just about every jurisdiction in Genesee County gathered in the County Courthouse this evening for a mass swearing in ceremony administered by County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan and Family Court Judge Eric R. Adams.

Every official who was elected or re-elected this past November was invited to attend and be sworn in for his or her new term.

Above, Gregory H. Post is sworn in as Town of Batavia supervisor by Judge Noonan.

After the jump, more pictures. 

NOTES: I didn't get everybody. I missed all of the County Legislature because I was late and then I had camera problems.  Second, I'll do by best to ID each official correctly, but will correct as people provide me with any corrections.

Marianne Clattenburg is sworn in as council member at large for the City of Batavia.

Paticia A. Buczek, Town of Alabama Justice.

Janet I. Sage, councilwoman, Alabama.

William J. Cleveland, Alabam, councilman.

Teressa M. Morasco, Town of Batavia, town clerk.

Daniel G. Underhill, Town of Batavia, councilman.

Patti A. Michalak, councilwoman, Town of Batavia.

Deborah A. Bell, councilwoman, Town of Elba.

Kermit Arrington, Town of Le Roy, town justice.

Kelly J. Lathan, councilwoman, Town of Le Roy.

Thomas A. Graham, Town of Oakfield, justice.

Dennis R. Beedham, Town of Oakfield, justice.

Ronald O. Zarbo, Town of Pavilion, councilman.

Donald L. Mullen, Town of Stafford, councilman.

County Legislature, Robert J. Radley.

An electrical box is reportedly smoking at 70 Main St., in Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire has been dispatched and mutual aid has been requested from Bergen.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: A police officer who entered the building reportedly told dispatch that there is no fire, but fuses keep popping.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: Firefighter on scene and says no smoke, no fire and the thermal camera shows no heat.  Another firefighter, "it looks like the only problem is we've got a burnt fuse."

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