At 2:36 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, Grand Island Fire Co. rescue personnel responded to a third-party caller's report of "persons in distress" at 20 River Oaks Drive.

Firefighters/medics made repeated attempts to gain access when they arrived on location six minutes later, and were finally admitted by a disoriented occupant. Surya Yadavilli, 36 years of age, 29-year-old Chanda and a 13-month-old child were immediately evacuated from the residence and given life support treatment for exposure to "dangerously high" levels of carbon monoxide, which reached 300 parts per million, according to GIFC Capt. Shawn Kephart. They were then transported to Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center for oxygen deprivation treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, according to GIFC medic Jon Cinelli.

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Reality Café brightens Valentine's Day

Youth patrons of Reality Café at Nike Base Park on Whitehaven Road are holding another Valentine Get Crafty Night project on Friday, Feb. 3, to make St. Valentine's Day cards for seniors. Their handiwork, pictured at right, will brighten the tables and rooms for Grand Island Golden Agers and residents of the Riverwood at Elderwood Nursing Home.

Reality Cafe is looking for donations of arts and crafts, a disco ball, board and card games, and costumes. Donation nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

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Legislature majority, Gaughan oppose 63rd Senate seat

Erie County Legislature Chairperson Betty Jean Grant led the County Legislature Democratic majority and sponsoring a resolution strongly opposing the addition of a 63rd Senate seat to the New York State Senate at the Legislature's session on Thursday, Jan. 26.

The legislature Democrats cosponsored the resolution opposing creating a new seat in the New York State Senate.

"Recent media reports have drawn attention to a New York State Senate Republican proposal to add a 63rd Senate seat. Republicans defend this proposal due to a 500,000-person increase in the state's population since district lines were redrawn in 2002," Grant said.

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Mmmm! Rotary chili!

Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, the Grand Island Rotary Club has returned to a favorite fundraiser: a chili sale.

Students in Grand Island High School's Interact club, an adjunct of the Rotary, will make chili in the high school kitchen on Feb. 1 for pick-up Saturday, Feb. 4, between 8 a.m. and noon in the GIHS senior cafeteria, 1100 Ransom Road.

Chili presale is under way.  Tickets can be bought at the Dispatch office, 1859 Whitehaven Road, or from any Rotarian. Delivery can be made for purchase of five or more quarts by contacting Rotarian Angelo Grande, liaison to Interact, at 432-1860.

Proceeds support Interact.