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Photo: Tree of Route 33, Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

On my way back from Rochester this evening, I stopped along Route 33 in Bergen and took this picture.

One car rollover accident reported on the Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A one vehicle rollover accident has been reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 392.

The driver is not injured, but unable to get out of her car.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:43 a.m.: A fire chief reports roads are slick and icy. Also, the driver has gotten herself out of the vehicle. She's seems to be injured.

Photos: Jaycee's Christmas lights winners

By Howard B. Owens

Joseph Richmond of the Batavia Area Jaycees submitted this pictures of the group's annual Christmas lights contest winners.

Above, Most Colorful - 8485 Stringham Drive.

More pictures after the jump:

Friend of the Lighting Company - 16 Vine

Honorable Mention - 16 and 18 Tracey

Honorable Mention - All of Redfield Parkway

Most Commercial - 21 Union.JPG

Most Patriotic - 24 Roosevelt

Most Traditional - 12 Vernon Avenue

Overall - 2 Lincoln.

SimpleAndElegant - 14 Union Street

Police Beat: A DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Clinton James Laporte, 22, of Prole Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop and insufficient tail lamps. Laporte was stopped at 2:52 a.m. on South Lake Street, Bergen, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Today's Deals: Red Osier, Delavan's, Settler's, Alex's, Larry's and more

By Howard B. Owens

Red Osier, Route 5, Stafford, NY: Truly, one of the landmark restaurants of the area. Red Osier features prime rib carved table side. We have $25 gift certificates for $12.50.

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.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

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.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

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.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar & Grille, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY: A full menu, salad bar and drinks in one of the region's most popular entertainment venues. We have $25 gift certificates for $12.50. (Must be new or current Players Club member to redeem.)

The Daily Grind, 85 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: For Batavia's finest coffee, smoothies, as well as fast and convenient breakfasts and lunches, stop into The Daily Grind. We have a $10 gift card for $5.

Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; new all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kraving's offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates 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

Work begins to form Genesee Justice Foundation

By Howard B. Owens

With a $2,000 donation from an unnamed local attorney, the Genesee Justice Foundation has been born.

At a meeting on Dec. 17, according to a press release, nine community members gathered to start the process of forming a nonprofit corporation in order to raise money to pay for a fully functional restorative justice program in Genesee County.

The pioneering program was threatened with elimination earlier because of the county's' budget crunch. The program was saved, at least temporarily, when director Ed Minardo offered to accept a layoff and current Genesee Justice staff members agreed to reduced hours.

The cuts eliminated approximately $100,000 in expenses, giving Genesee Justice at least a one-year reprieve.

The initial donation will help cover start-up costs for the foundation.

Anyone interested in joining the effort to save Genesee Justice, or to donate, can contact Jane Schmider, (585) 738-8292.

For previous coverage, click here.

Byron-based drug dealer given two years in federal prison

By Howard B. Owens

A Genesee County man will spend 24 months in federal prison for drug dealing, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo announced today.

Kenneth E. Munnings, 45, of Byron, was convicted in July in Federal Court of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

The charges stemmed from a join federal, state and local wiretap investigation, which revealed the defendant was responsible for obtaining significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from a drug trafficking network in Rochester and then distributing the drugs in Genesee County.

Prosecutors say Munnings dealt drugs from some time in 2006 until October 2008.

Woman admits in federal court to forging employer's checks

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia woman faces up to 10 years in federal prison after admitting in a Buffalo court today that she forged more than 100 business checks, pocketing more than $85,000.

Deborah Dutton, 55, entered a guilty plea to a charge of check forgery.

Dutton was accused in October of making out checks to herself and others for her benefit, drawn on her employer's business account.

Sentencing is set for 9 a.m., April 11, in Buffalo.

Police looking for truck after somebody reportedly threw a cat out the window

By Howard B. Owens

Somebody reportedly threw a cat from a moving vehicle in the area of Sport of Kings on West Main Street.

Police are looking for a gray Ford utility truck with a ladder rack on it.

A unit is being dispatched to the Sport of Kings area to see if he can find the cat and check on its welfare.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m. (Billie): The truck was last spotted eastbound on Route 5. So far, the cat has not been located.

Police looking for old Ford reportedly driving erratically in the city

By Howard B. Owens

A 1978 Ford sedan is reportedly somewhere in the city being driven erratically.

There have been calls on it, but so far it's evaded law enforcement attempts to locate it.

Officially it's "dark colored," but one description of it said it looked like an old-school black and white police car.

Perhaps dispatch should put a call out for "1-Adam-12" and see if either Malloy or Reed answer.

Police Beat: Driver charged with DWI following accident in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Robert David Cassatt, 23, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving at a speed that is not reasonable or prudent. Cassatt was charged following a vehicle accident at 1:20 a.m. in the area of 7733 Oak Orchard Road, Elba. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Collin M. Camp, 19, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unsafe speed for conditions and uninspected motor vehicle. Camp was charged following a traffic accident at 12:20 p.m., Dec. 5, on Byron Road, Stafford. Three people, including Camp, were injured in the accident.

Mandy Jean Fogarty, 21, of North State Road, Nunda, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Fogarty was charged following a vehicle accident at 11:30 p.m., Dec. 14, on Route 63 in Pavilion after Deputy Brian Thompson reported smelling the odor of marijuana coming from her car. Also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana was Amie Lynn Fogarty, 23, of North State Road, Nunda.

Mark Laney, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding (49 mph in a 30 mph zone) and unlawful possession of marijuana. Laney was stopped at 11:50 p.m., Dec. 12, by Deputy Brian Thompson on Route 262 in Elba.

Batavia Area Jaycees announce Christmas lights winners

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Area Jaycees have announced the winners of their annual Christmas Light Contest, with awards in six categories this year, plus some honorable mentions.

Judging took place the evening of Dec. 18.

The winners are:

  • Most Traditional: 12 Vernon Ave.
  • Simple & Elegant: 14 Union St.
  • Most Colorful: 8485 Stringham Drive
  • Most Commercial: 21 Union Ave.
  • Overall Winner: 2 Lincoln Ave.
  • Friends of the Lighting Company: 16 Vine St.

An unannounced category for the Most Patriotic Theme was given to 24 Roosevelt Ave.

Honorable Mentions: All of Redfield Parkway; 16 and 18 Tracy Ave. (The Jaycees liked the wreath connecting the houses, which fits with a part of the Jaycee's Creed,  "The Brotherhood of Man..."); and 120 Elm St., for its hand-painted sign.

Person can't get car out of car wash on Liberty Street

By Howard B. Owens

A driver apparently took his car into the car wash on Liberty Street, got his car washed, then tried to leave, but the door won't open.

There's an emergency button inside to open the door, but the door won't stay open long enough for the driver to get his car out.

Police are responding to check on the situation. Dispatchers are trying to locate a phone number for the owner.

UPDATE 7:26 a.m.: With police on scene, the emergency button finally worked, the door stayed open, and the driver left.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: Owner arrived and spoke with police. Apparently, if you're in the car wash too long -- say, for example, you sit in their talking on your mobile phone instead of leaving -- the car wash will need to go through another cycle before the door will open.

Roll over accident with injury reported on Thruway

By Howard B. Owens

A roll over accident with injury has been reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 395 in the eastbound lane.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:27 p.m.: In the same area of the roll over, several other vehicles off the roadway have been reported.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: It sounds like one person injured, minor injury.

Photos: Christmas lights for Dec. 22

By Howard B. Owens

In my drive around this evening looking for Batavia's interesting Christmas lights, I found this handsomely decorated tractor on Roosevelt.

And below, a brightly lit house (the back yard is also decorated) on Ellicott Place.

More pictures after the jump:

South Main Street

South Lyon Street

Redfield Drive's Christmas trees in nearly every yard.

Belvedere Drive

Weather: Warning issued for slick roads

By Howard B. Owens

The National Weather Service has issued a weather advisory warning that freezing rain and iced-over roads can be expected in Genesee County until 5 a.m.

NWS warns that roadways that appear to be just wet can in fact be covered in slick ice.

Some light snow is also expected.

Accumulation will be trace to a few hundredths of an inch.

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