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Jade Wolff works with her father, Leigh Wolff, late this morning on her first snowman of the winter (maybe her first ever -- I forgot to ask) just before all the snow melts away.  The Wolff's were in the front yard of their south-side Batavia home.

New York taxpayers could be spared as much as $760 million in unnecessary expenses by sharing services, according to Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“Tax dollars are tight and families are struggling,” said DiNapoli. “Now more than ever we need to find ways to cut costs and lower property taxes. A good number of local governments are already saving millions in tax dollars by pooling their resources and eliminating duplication. But there are 3,175 local governments in New York State. All of these counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and fire districts should use this report as a road map to save tax dollars without hurting the quality of services they deliver.”

In other state economic news:

• Gov. Paterson ended talks with legislators in frustration that elected officials are unwilling to make unpopular decisions to close the state's budget shortfall. He ordered reductions in scheduled state payments to local school districts.
• DiNapoli said in another statement that the state needs to stop relying on gimmicks to handle its financial situation and enact meaningful, long-term reforms.
• While the national economic recovery moves forward slowly, Wall Street is apparently in full recovery mode and is on track to record record profits in 2009.

The South Byron Volunteer Fire Department has a new tanker that it hopes to have in service by January.

To meet that deadline, there will be intensive driver and operator training, according to Scott Blossom, who supplied the picture and information.

Tanker 87 was received by the department on Sunday. It was built by Crimson Fire, Inc. in Brandon, South Dakota. It's a 2009 Kenworth T370 Chassis with a five-man commercial cab.

It can pump 1,250 gallons per minute and has a 2,750-gallon water tank with a remote controlled tail pump. It will have 1,000 feet of 4-inch supply hose, one 3/4-inch attack hand line and two 1/2-inch heavy attack lines. 

The truck is capable of being a front-line engine.

It replaces a 1984 Ford tanker with a 500-gallon per-minute pump and 2,000 gallon tank.  That tanker is now up for sale.

UPDATE: I sent a follow up e-mail to Scott and asked about the price of the tanker.  Below is his response, which also clarifies some of the terminology.

Around $265,000

A few boo boos in the posting, I should have been clearer with firefighting terms. It is a tail dump, that is to say where the water dumps out of the truck into a portable tank for engines to suck water out of to fight fires. Used in areas without fire hydrants. The tankers bring water to the scene from ponds, streams, or the nearest hydrant.

The sizes of the attack lines are 1.75 inches and 2.5 inches, as we write them 1 3/4 and 2 1/2.

No biggee, my fault for not being clear.  When your used to talking a certain way, you forget to adjust your terms for those who are not in you line of work.

A Le Roy man who was riding his ATV on abandoned railroad tracks was hurt Sunday when his ATV hit a rock and became airborne, landing on his foot.

Jeffery L. Bowker, 45, was riding along a half-mile of unused track north of Route 5 in Stafford at 4:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.

Bowker was taken to UMMC. The accident remains under investigation.

Billie and I got back from California just in time for the first snow. 

I'm getting a late start this morning -- taking the red eye back last night really messed up my sleep schedule. 

WBTA reports there were some weather-related accidents this morning, including some roll overs, but no serious injuries. 

The snow is likely to melt off today with temperatures in the low 40s and into the 50s tomorrow. Still, be careful out there.

UPDATE: William Buckley did road condition updates for us live this morning. If you missed it, it will give you some idea of what things were like earlier.

It's about time we place our order for The Batavian sweatshirts. If you want one, order now. Please click the button below to order, or send a check to The Batavian, 200 E. Main St., #5, Batavia, NY 14020. Please before to specify size. The price is $19.95, plus $1 for shipping.

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).

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.

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Time to visit Pudgie's and buy your Christmas tree. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

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.

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.

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.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

SOLD OUT

Billie and I arrived home just before noon today. Pretty much, our normal work routine begins tomorrow.

A woman who was shot in her arm during an alleged domestic dispute in Le Roy on Wednesday has been charged with a pair of crimes stemming from the incident.

Michelle L. Baumgart reportedly grabbed a hand gun belonging to Robert M. Jackson during the reported argument and in the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged.

Baumgart was arrested last night at 10:28 and charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon.

She was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice following her arraignment.

At the time of the alleged incident, there were reportedly two children in the home at 8800 Keeney Road, Le Roy.

Michael P. Murphy, 24, of 38 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with assault in the third degree and harassment. Murphy is accused of entering his brother's residence and pulling him out of bed and punching him in the back of the head. He allegedly pulled his arm in such a way as to injure his brother. Murphy's brother was treated at UMMC and released. Murphy was held on $2,500 bail.

David R. Gross, 19, of 7421 Seldon Road, Le Roy and two teen-agers also from Le Roy have been charged with petit larceny and possession of alcohol under 21. The trio allegedly stole alcohol from Tops.

Susan M. Shell, 28, of 2226 12th Place, Washington, D.C., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and improper tail light. Shell was reportedly stopped on East Main Street by Officer Dan Coffey on Saturday at 12:53 a.m. for the alleged broken tail-light.

John W. Szabo, 54, of 9233 Main St., Lot 50, Clarence, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to notify DMV of a change of address. Deputy James Diehl responded to a "check the welfare" for a car parked on Route 77 in Alabama. Diehl reportedly found Szabo in his car allegedly intoxicated and with an open container.

John D. Baudhuin, 28, of 92 Marks Place, Apt. 3E, Staten Island, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Baudhuin was stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 33 in Pembroke for an alleged traffic violation and found to allegedly be driving drunk.

Joseph Isadore Brenon, 58, of 349 Wright Road, Alabama, is charged with menacing in the third degree. Brenon allegedly verbally threatened a person.

Jacquelyn M. Siverling, 28, of 3747 S. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, a speed-zone violation and failure to keep right. Siverling was reportedly spotted driving 51 mph on West Main Street by Officer Darryle Streeter on Wednesday. Her vehicle was pulled over in the parking lot of Billy Goats.

Brian A. Merritt, 35, of Alexander, has been arrested by State Police and charged with unlawful imprisonment and criminal contempt. The alleged incident was reported at 12:10 a.m. Sunday. No further details were released.

The new coffee shop/juice bar at the corner of Main and Jackson opens at 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Owner Ken Mistler said he will be on hand throughout the day to provide tours of the adjacent gym, which should open in a few weeks.

One of the unique features of the new shop is that a number of the drinks are named after people and businesses downtown. For example, you can stop in and order The Batavian, which is a strawberry smoothie with banana chucks mixed in and dark chocolate shavings on top.

A Sheriff's deputy was injured in a two-vehicle accident on MacComber Road this evening.

Deputy Kevin McCarthy suffered minor cuts and a possible concussion in the accident which occurred at 5:26 p.m..

McCarthy's patrol car struck a 1999 Ford pickup truck that three people pushed out onto MacComber Road a mile north of Townline Road in Alabama.

The three people managed to jump clear of the truck before the collision. A 17-year-old, Chase E. Winkstern, of 8344 Powers Road, was reportedly behind the while of the disabled pickup truck. He was not injured.

The disabled pickup truck was being pushed out from the front lawn of 7286 MacComber Road. A second pickup truck was parked facing north in the northbound lane with its headlights on. It was not struck.

Both trucks are reportedly owned by Del-Mar Farms, 3111 Pratt Road, Batavia.

McCarthy was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC where he was treated and released.

The accident remains under investigation. The Sheriff's Office press release listed no possible charges and didn't say whether charges are being considered.

After a fall from a second-story window, a two-year-old girl has been taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight.

The unidentified girl fell at 8:50 a.m. from the window of a residence at 45 Central Avenue.

(Via WBTA)

Jason John Reed, 33, of 33 Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and endangering the welfare of a child. Reed was stopped at 2:06 a.m. Thursday near 18 Coe Ave. in Oakfield by Deputy Jason Saile.

Tersa M. Kabel, 36, of Batavia was stopped by State Police on Route 33 in Bergen, Thursday at 11:29 a.m. and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Daniel P. Callahan, 25, of Batavia, is charged by State Police with unlawful possession of marijuana. Callahan was arrested this morning at 12:10 in Batavia.

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).

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.

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

Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

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.

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate 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.

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.

Present Tense Books and Gifts, 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, NY: Whether your taste runs to local authors, the finest in fiction or nonfiction or you're looking for a unique and special gift, this charming store in a cozy Victorian house on the edge of downtown is a great place to stop and shop. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

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 $15 gift card for $7.50.

The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Family photos are more than just photographs. When you need photos for that special occasion, Carlson's is a great choice in Genesee County. We have a $50 gift card for $25.

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.

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.

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.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Total Image - Dawn Williams, 226 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Dawn offers clipper cuts for men, women and children, as well as coloring, highlights, perms and waxing. We have a $22 gift certificate for $11.

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Black Friday shopping at Walmart was disrupted this morning by a small fire in the back of the store, according to County Legislator Jay Grasso, who was there shopping.

The entire store was evacuated, he said, with people leaving behind shopping carts of merchandise.

"It was orderly, but people were not happy," he said.

We have no further information available at this time.