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A robbery has been reported at the Key Bank location at 69 Main St., next to City Slickers Bar & Grill in Batavia.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 10:58 a.m.: The suspect is still at large and fled the bank on foot. The suspect is a white male, about 5' 5" tall and has no facial hair. He was wearing a gray hoodie and camouflage-print pants, and possibly a blue and white shirt. No weapon was displayed.

UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: Batavia Police Detective Sgt. Todd Crossett said the suspect is described is 5' 6" tall and that he wore camo pants, a blue coat over a gray hoodie and had on a black knit hat. Crossett said he approached the teller and demanded money and fled with an undetermined amount of cash. He left westbound toward the DMV, at that point "we don't know if he got into a car or continued on foot." If anyone in the area saw a man fitting the description who was running or "moving at a very fast pace," Crossett asks that you call him at 345-6353, the police confidential tip line at 345-6370, or 9-1-1. The robbery occurred at 10:18 a.m. and a few customers were inside the bank. Police will be contacting downtown businesses with security cameras and reviewing bank camera footage and they expect to release a photo or photos of the suspect later.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: Photo of suspect released.

A resident of Oakfield found these dogs in her yard this afternoon. She lives just outside of Oakfield near Z&M on Route 63. Both dogs have collars. One has tags. The phone number rings at the Town Hall. Both are white/cream color.

Both dogs are being picked up by animal control and will be available at the shelter.

Today, we look back on 2016 to celebrate the accomplishments of the young people in our community in three of the most important aspects of life: Academics, the Arts and Athletics.

To purchase prints of any of these photos, click here.

Tom Scott, background, didn't have to go into work yesterday, but he did. A manager at Batavia's Original, he made pizza and then he and Marc Tillery, foreground, delivered it for lunch to people whose community health-and-safety jobs required them to work on Christmas Day. They stopped by the hospital, Troopers' barracks, and Batavia PD and FD.

"We tried to help and thank who we could in uniform," Tillery said.

 Submitted photos and info.

A second alarm is called for a possible dryer fire at Le Roy Manor, located at 8678 Lake Street Road. Le Roy Fire Department is responding and mutual aid is requested from the city's Fast Team, Bergen and Stafford.

Here are the services for tonight we were notified about:

• The barn service originally scheduled for tonight at the Partridge Farm has been moved to the United Methodist Church at 8221 Lewiston Road. 
• There is a candlelight service with carols and the Christmas Story at 7 p.m. at the East Bethany Presbyterian Chruch, 5735 Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany.
• The Yunker family continues a 36-year tradition hosting a barn service for the Presbyterian Church in Elba. The service begins at 7 p.m. on the Yunker Farm on Transit Road, Elba. Lighted candles will lead cars along the road to the barn. Rev. Barbara Tipton will renew the Christmas message. Traditional Christmas hymns will be sung, accompanied by Fran Woodworth on flute. Barn STAIRS will lead to the service benches. Members and visitors are welcome.
• City Church holds two services this evening, at 6 p.m. at the City Church on East Main Street, Batavia, and at 8 p.m. at St. Anthony's on Liberty Street.

Steve Foster and Tim Adams, owners of the Red Osier restaurant, dedicated the month of November to charity for the local community.

The restaurant has always been closed on Thanksgiving, but this year, they opened for business, with many staff members donating their time to work; all the proceeds from meals served that day were donated to local charities.

During the month, the restaurant also raised $7,965 for Genesee Cancer Assistance. Foster and Adams added their own money to the pot and today turned over a $10,000 check.

Red Osier also donated two truckloads of food to the Le Roy Food Pantry.

Above, Red Osier staff members with some of the clothing items, including socks and underwear, collected for local donation.

Submitted photo.

Students, along with teachers and staff, from Batavia Middle School, made their annual field trip today, visiting some of the local organizations and businesses that supported the school over the past year.

The students handed out gift bags with presents that they made.

The photo above is from their visit to Batavia PD, and below, at WBTA with Jerry Warner.

Thomas Eugene Nudo Jr., 37, of Edgemont Circle, Panama, Fla., is charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief, 4th. Nudo allegedly stole cologne from Kohl's Department Store. He also is accused of damaging the packaging. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Brian David Draper, 27, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to register Internet account. 

Jamall George Mikel O'Neil, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. O'Neil was stopped for an alleged traffic violation in the City of Batavia by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Randall Arthur Bennett, 70, of Bennett Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bennett was arrested following a report of a driving complaint in the Village of Oakfield at 9:02 p.m., Monday. He was stopped on Bennett Avenue by Deputy Matthew Clor.

Peter Robert Brounscheidei, 23, of Henskee Road, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, failure to stop and moving from lane unsafely. Brounscheidei was stopped at 3:18 a.m. Monday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Ryan Young.

An Alexander man is facing numerous drug dealing charges after being arrested on a sealed indictment, obtained following an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force.

Michael C. Schulz, 34, of Buffalo Street, allegedly sold cocaine to an agent working for the task force.

He was arrested after being observed driving on North Lyon Street by members of the task force and Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Schulz allegedly committed several traffic violations and was found driving on a suspended driver's license.

He is charged with six counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd.

At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of cocaine.

The discovery led to two more counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Schulz was jailed pending arraignment in County Court.

The Orleans County Major Felony Unit assisted in the investigation along with the Genesee County District Attorney's Office.

Dozens of families turned out to the YWCA on Thursday evening to receive a Christmas tote bag filled with everything they need, along with a turkey, to create a full holiday meal. The children also got a visit with Santa.

The participating families were identified with the help of Batavia City Schools.

The event was organized by the Kiwanis Club of Batavia.

Also, participating was the Richmond Memorial Library with its GRO program, which takes donated children's books and distributes through 17 partner locations.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, a member of Kiwanis and past president of the Batavia Club, carries out a tote for a family.

Batavia City School District’s Jackson Primary School teacher, Melissa Mattice, was presented with an Outstanding Employee Award by Board of Education President Patrick Burk at the Dec. 20 Board meeting.

She was nominated by Jackson Principal Diane Bonarigo, who wrote, “Mrs. Mattice is a kindergarten teacher at Jackson School. She is a teacher leader and serves Jackson Primary School in many different ways year after year. She has volunteered her time on the School Improvement Team, PARP (Parents as Reading Partners) Committee, Parent Home School events and works closely with administration and staff to promote a positive and collaborative culture in the building as well as on the APPR District committee.

"Mrs. Mattice sets high academic standards and builds strong relationships with her students. She has earned a great deal of respect in the community as evidenced by the number of parent requests we receive each year, asking for Mrs. Mattice to be their child’s teacher.”

Batavia City School District’s Jackson Primary School teacher, Marie Bigsby, was presented with an Outstanding Employee Award by Board of Education President Patrick Burk at the Dec. 20 Board meeting.

She was nominated by Jackson Principal Diane Bonarigo, who wrote, “Mrs. Bigsby continues to serve the students and families of Jackson Primary with great enthusiasm and dedication. Mrs. Bigsby is a standing volunteer member on many Jackson committees. Over the past several years, however, she has also dedicated a great deal of her time as a Jackson Teacher Representative and meets monthly with our parent group volunteers and the Parent Co-Presidents to support the school with evening and weekend events.

"You can always find Mrs. Bigsby volunteering to get the school ready for Fall Carnival, Breakfast with Santa, and Family Learning Nights. She works closely with staff to create a strong partnership with our families and is able to initiate great school support throughout the year. We appreciate her hard work and am thankful for her continued contribution to Jackson School.”

Photos and info submitted by Kathy Scott, Batavia City Schools.

Press release:

Genesee County Deputy Sheriff Andrew B. Hale was honored by the Western New York Chapter of American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International at its Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon held on Dec. 1 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.   

Sheriff Gary Maha nominated Deputy Hale for his heroism, dedication, valor, and for performing “above and beyond” the call of duty. Deputy Hale was hired on June 17, 2013, and has since been involved in two very notable incidents where he demonstrated great courage and leadership. He utilized exceptional self-restraint and judgment in order to resolve the situations without harm to himself, fellow officers or the public.

“Deputy Hale is an outstanding police officer and is most deserving of this recognition,” Sheriff Maha said.

Standing with Deputy Hale, from left, are Sheriff-elect William A. Sheron Jr. and Sheriff Maha.

A dog fell through the ice and is in the freezing water of the creek at Indian Falls. East Pembroke Fire Departmen's water rescue unit is called to the scene and all of its available manpower is called to the fire hall. The address is 1663 Indian Falls Road.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: The dog was successfully rescued.

UPDATE: Reader-submitted photos added. A bystander praised the caring and professionalism and efficiency of the volunteers in their response and actions.

A car fire has become a garage fire at 2093 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Alabama fire and an engine from Oakfield fire, along with Mercy EMS, requested to the scene.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 1:37 p.m.: This is a two-car garage. A person has third-degree burns on the right hand.

UPDATE 10:10 p.m.: Alabama Fire dispatched for a rekindle. 

UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: Chief on scene, nothing showing. Engine can respond non-emergency. 

Press release:

On Wednesday afternoon of this week, Josh and Justin Smith from H.E. Turner & Co, Bohm-Calarco-Smith, Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes along with their kids -- Gabriella, Brendan, Noah, Nicolas and Caleb -- stopped by the Sheriff’s Office to deliver platters of submarine sandwiches for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office to say thank you for all the service provided to the community throughout the year. Pictured with the kids are Deputy Howard Wilson, Investigator James Diehl and Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

This morning, students from Batavia Middle School stopped by the Sheriff’s Office with gifts of hot chocolate for the deputies to say thank you for all they do.

The Sheriff’s Office employees would like to express their sincere appreciation for these thoughtful gestures.

The process of replacing the crumbling Bethany Center Road bridge over Route 20 will begin soon, according to Lori Maher, spokeswoman for the NYS Department of Transportation.

The project has long been on the DOT's capital program list but it wasn't scheduled to begin until October, however when asked about a report that the DOT was moving the project up, Maher said, "yes."

Maher said in an email, "Our engineering team will be advancing the contract plans and will be implementing a public outreach component to keep the community informed of the project."

While the original completion date was fall of 2018, the new completion date isn't available yet.

Previously:

• Photos: The decaying state of the Bethany Center Road bridge
• Photos: Bethany Center Bridge suffers more visible damage over the winter
• Statements from officials on the status of the Bethany Center Road bridge
• Ranzenhofer asks DOT for faster action on deteriorating Bethany Center Road bridge

Photo: FIle photo.

The Town of Alabama is looking for applicants for positions on the planning board (the chairman position is open) and zoning board (including chairman).

Interested town residents should send a letter to the Town Board, 2218 Judge Road, Oakfield, NY 14125; or drop them off at the Town Clerk’s Office. All letters must be received no later than Jan. 5.

Lawley Genesee staff members Sherri Wahr, Beth George, Lori Crandall and Lisa Barie deliver a bounty of gifts to YWCA of Genesee County as a yearly effort to add some joy to a family affected by domestic violence that served by YWCA. The nonprofit has served more than 680 new domestic violence victims so far this year and is extremely thankful for the generosity of Lawley Genesee to brighten the lives of those impacted by domestic abuse, Executive Director Jeanne Walton says.

Photo and info submitted by Joanne Beck, YWCA.

As students at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary left school yesterday, they were given a "High-Five Goodbye" from six NYS Troopers and K-9 "Paris."

Photo and info submitted by Lynn Gehlert.