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Woman struck by hit-and-run driver on Council House Road

By Howard B. Owens

A 46-year-old woman was taken by Mercy Flight this morning to ECMC after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Sherri L. Abrams, a Skye Road resident, was walking eastbound when she was struck by an eastbound car driven by a person who fled the scene at 5:26 a.m.

No vehicle description was released.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Deputy reminds us to be safe on the roads

By Howard B. Owens

Deputy Brian Thompson e-mailed this reminder for drivers to slow down and be mindful of road conditions:

Please remember to drive with headlights on in inclement weather. Especially fog and rain. Conditions for black ice and hydroplaning are peaked right now. Please slow down and don't use cell phones or text message. Keep eyes on the road, reduce speeds and increase following distances. The life you save may be your own. Thanks! NY State VTL 375 2a1 is applicable.

The vehicle and traffic law mentioned by Deputy Thompson refers to having two working headlights.

Headlights are required a half-hour before sunset (today, at about 4 p.m.) through a half-hour after sunrise (tomorrow, that will be about 8 a.m.), and any time conditions require windshield wipers.

Big wreck at Alleghany and Indian Falls roads

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Alleghany and Indian Falls roads. Mercy Flight is called but unavailable. Alleghany Road (Route 77) is blocked north and south. Traffic is also to be shut down at Little Falls, Gabbey Road and the Thruway exit.

Responders include Pembroke, East Pembroke, Indian Falls and Oakfield fire departments and Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: so far, on victim has been transported to UMMC and another to ECMC.

UPDATE 12:01 p.m. (by Howard):  Roads back open, fire departments back in service.

Parked truck's headlights prevented driver from seeing pedestrians on Roberts Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver said the headlights from a DEC truck parked on Roberts Road, Basom, prevented him from clearly seeing a group of people standing along the roadside about an hour after sunset yesterday leading to an accident that injured six men.

All six men were standing along the road. One of them was a Department of Environmental Conservation officer who was checking on hunting licenses.

Injured where:

  • Gary D. Olson, 52, of Avon. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight.
  • David Swooper, 39, of Youngstown. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight.
  • Shawn C. Bailey, 22, of Lockport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Charles R. Smith, 72, of Gasport. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Stephan C. Olay, 39, of Ransomville. He was transported to ECMC.
  • Patrick N. Green, 21, of Youngstown. He was transported to ECMC.

The driver, Erik Olsen, 55, of Roberts Road, Basom, was not injured.

Olsen was westbound on Roberts Road at 5:49 p.m. The DEC truck was parked facing east, in the westbound lane.

No citations were issued, according to the Sheriff's Office accident report, prepared by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Alabama Fire, Oakfield Ambulance, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management assisted at the scene.

(Initial Report)

Multible ambulances, Mercy Flight respond to motor-vehicle accident on Roberts Road, Basom

By Howard B. Owens

Three ambulances have been requested to the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 1910 Roberts Road, Basom.

Mercy EMS and Oakfield's ambulance have been requested to the scene.

Mercy Flight is responding from Buffalo and Batavia.

Alabama Fire responding.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: First Mercy Flight ETA is four minutes. All victims are out of the vehicles. No extrication is required.

UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: One Mercy Flight is on the ground. The pilot of that of the first Mercy Flight has said a second landing zone needs to be established because Mercy Flight 7 sits closer to the ground and cannot land in the cornfield used for the first landing zone.

UPDATE 6:27 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 on the ground.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mercy Flight 7 in the air. If the first Mercy Flight has left the scene, we missed the call.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: One flight headed to ECMC, the other to Strong.


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Suspect held without bail after allegedly trying to steal gun from HLOM

By Howard B. Owens

An Alden man is being held in jail without bail after being accused of trying to steal a historic long gun yesterday from the Holland Land Office Museum, 131 West Main St., Batavia.

An observant witness spotted a person leaving the museum with the long gun hidden under a trench coat and followed the suspect's car, phoning the dispatch center with a license plate number, description and direction of travel.

Taken into custody at the intersection of West Main and Oak streets shortly after 1:30 p.m. was Frank J. Bieniek, 55, of 962 Virginia Drive, Alden.

The gun is valued at more than $3,000.

Bieniek is charged with grand larceny 3rd and criminal possession of stolen property 3rd.

The case was investigated by Officer Matt Flemming and detectives Kevin Czora and Todd Crossett.

Bieniek will be arraigned and receive a bail review in City Court at 11 a.m., Monday.

(initial report)

Weather: Winter weather advisory issued for Friday night

By Howard B. Owens

Freezing rain and icy roads are being predicted for Genesee County by the National Weather Service.

The winter weather advisory goes into effect at 6 p.m.

While the weather service describes the amount of freezing rain as "spotty" and accumulation as only "trace," it does warn of slick roads and walkways.

Photos: Christmas lights on Thursday evening

By Howard B. Owens

Last evening, I took pictures of Christmas lights of several homes on the south side of Batavia. Above a home on Ganson Avenue.

More pictures after the jump:

Osterhout Street

Highland Street

Jackson Street

Hutchins Street

Tonight is Kids' Night Out at GCC: four hours of supervised fun and food

By Billie Owens

This evening from 6 to 10 is Kids' Night Out, a wildly popular four hours of well-supervised fun, food and activities at Genesee Community College. Cost is $10 per child.

This (Friday, Dec. 10) event is for students in second through eighth grades.

Age groups are separated.

Got some shopping to do? Want a quiet dinner out?

Whatever you've got on your to-do, or want-to-do, list can be made just a bit easier perhaps knowing your children are having a blast -- playing games, enjoying sports, doing board games, swimming, making crafts, eating pizza and more!

Certified lifeguards will be on duty along with adult supervisors. If planning to swim, bring a towel, bathing suit and a plastic bag.

NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED!

Register at the main campus building, just inside the main entrance; ditto for checkout. Kids can be picked up early if need be.

Or you may pre-register by e-mailing the child's name, grade, emergency contact number and contact person to: ssherman@genesee.edu

Questions? Call 343-0055, ext. 6454.

(By the way, to date, more than 4,000 youngsters have attended a Kids' Night Out.)

Police Beat: Car found in ditch off Route 77, driver arrested

By Howard B. Owens

John Micheal Parker, 58, of Phelps Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater), speed not reasonable for conditions. At 12:41 a.m., Dec. 4, the Sheriff's Office received a call of a car in a ditch on Route 77 in Pembroke. Deputy Kevin McCarthy responded and found a car in a ditch, partially blocking the roadway. Parker was allegedly found to be intoxicated.

Charles M. Blatt, 48, of 319 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Police responded to a reported domestic incident at 6:25 p.m., Thursday. Blatt was allegedly found in violation of an order of protection that barred him from being intoxicated in the presence of the protected party. Blatt was jailed on $1,000 bail.

William A. Andrews, 31, of 54 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Andrews allegedly violated an order of protection by making repeated threats of violence against the protected person. Andrews was jailed without bail.

Gordy Abiola Akinpelu, 18, of Lincoln Street, Brooklyn, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. Akinpelu is accused of entering a room at Oak Hall in College Village without permission.

Historical gun reportedly taken from Holland Land Office Musuem

By Howard B. Owens

Police are in pursuit of a black Intrepid that is reportedly heading southbound on Oak Street from Richmond.

The suspect reportedly stole a historical gun from the Holland Land Office Museum.

It may have just been stopped on Oak Street and Main.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: The vehicle was stopped. The property has been identified.

Alleged failure to yield blamed for accident on Lewiston Road

By Howard B. Owens

A car attempting to cross from the Rite Aid parking lot across Lewiston Road to the Tops parking lot was stuck by an other car in a minor-injury accident at 1:42 p.m., Thursday.

Cited for alleged failure to yield was Nancy L. Alfes, 64, of Darien-Alexander Townline Road, Darien Center.

Alfes was also reportedly injured, but not transported to a hospital.

The other driver, Helen W. Laird, 88, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, was not injured.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

(initial report)

Walton buys out graphic design firm; will merge with TopLine Shirt Co.

By Scott Grefrath

He started his first business when he was 16 and just a day before his 21st birthday, Tim Walton has bought out his first company.

Walton, who is the owner and founder of TopLine Shirt Company, has agreed to terms with Marc Tillery, owner of MT Graphixs, to buy out and merge the two companies into one. This will allow Walton to add a wide variety of graphic design services including advertisement design and consulting.

"Marc is a great designer and his company has really proven itself and was something that I wanted to get involved with," Walton said.

MT Graphixs is a design and advertising firm that has clientele based throughout the United States and has done design work for high-end clients including the Grammy Award winning group Boys II Men, R&B group New Edition and John Neilson of Rebel Spirit Clothing -- a line that is often worn by the stars of the MTV hit show "Jersey Shore."

"It's a great opportuniy for both of us," says Walton. "MT (Graphixs) has a long list of clients and it's great to be able to add them to my portfolio and should result in a revenue increase for both of us."

Tillery has a variety of experience in design and advertising.

"We can help you with a plan to get your ads to reach customers, we can design fliers, logos, business cards, T-shirts or whatever else you may need designed," he said.

As part of the deal, Tillery will now be operating full-time out of TopLine's current location at 214 E. Main St. in Batavia.

"I felt like this was the right move for both of us. It gives me an opportunity to be able to work with Tim and offer the customers I have even more services," Tillery said.

The terms of the deal are not being released.

"This addition isn't just going to add more design services," says Walton. "This allows us to become more of an advertising company as a whole and will allow for us to continue to expand into numerous other markets that otherwise would not have been possible."

(Photos - Top, Tim Walton, left, and Marc Tillery; lower, Marc Tillery, left, and Tim Walton.)

Today's Deals: Matty's, Clor's, Settler's, Kraving's, Oliver's and more

By Howard B. Owens

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's, a great place for pizza, wings, subs -- eat in, take out or delivery. We have a $20 gift certificate 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card 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.

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.

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.

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