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Chamber of Commerce 2017 honorees announced, awards event is March 3

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Today recipients of the 46th annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce awards for 2017 were announced.

The event to honor them will be held Saturday, March 3, at the Quality Inn & Suites on Park Road in Batavia.

This is the county's premier event honoring businesses and individuals for their achievement in business, community service and volunteerism.

Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres, entree tables and a cash bar. (No formal sit-down dinner is served.)

The Award Program starts at 7 o'clock, at which time coffee and dessert will be served.

The 2017 honorees are:

  • Business of the Year -- Baltz Concrete Construction, Pavilion
  • Innovative Enterprise of the Year -- Firing Pin, Bergen
  • Agricultural Organization of the Year -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Batavia
  • Special Service Recognition of the Year -- Batavia Cross Training, Batavia
  • Geneseeans of the Year -- The Family of William Kent Inc., Stafford

Call Kelly J. Bermingham at 343-7440, ext. 1026, to make your reservations.

Elba Hall of Fame dinner is Saturday, concludes weeklong celebration

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Elba Hall of Fame Foundation is very excited to induct our newest members on Saturday, Jan. 20, at dinner at Batavia Downs. They are: Earl Roth - '62; Charlie O’Geen, teacher in the Elba School District for 32 years and longtime coach; and Nicholas Conley -- '01.

A weeklong celebration of Elba Lancers is being held this entire week for students and staff. Students will be having dress-up days to show their Elba Lancer school spirit with a school-wide pep assembly on Friday. Mr. Roth, Mr. O'Geen and Mr. Conley will all be at the school on Friday for a luncheon with some student followed by a tour of the school.

The Hall of Fame Foundation inductees will also take part in the pep assembly, too, by sharing with students how the Elba School District made a difference in their lives. 

Friday afternoon the Elba Lancers will welcome the Byron-Bergen Boys Basketball teams to their gym. Games start at 5:30. The new inductees will also be in attendance at the games and introduced to fans. There will be a quick halftime game between Elba alumni and the current Elba staff.

The Hall of Fame Foundation, along with the Elba Student councils, BEST and Elba Sports Boosters have all come together to make this a true weeklong event of celebrating our Elba Lancers' success both past and present. The community is welcome to join us at the game on Friday night as well to celebrate.

Roth is a self employed CPA and has served as Elba's Town Supervisor, Town Councilman, Town Justice, Board of Education Member and is an active member of the Elba Historial Society and Our Lady of Fatima church. Roth was nominated by his son Alan for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

O’Geen is an honorary member for contributing to the Elba School District as a teacher for 32 year and best known as a coach in both football and softball, winning several sectional titles and a State Championship in softball twice. O'Geen was nominated by Mike Cintorino for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

Conley currently works for the State Department as a Senior Intelligence Analyst for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Headquarters for the Department of State where he specializes in Iraq, Syria and other Middle East countries. Conley was nominated by his aunt Paulette Bird for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

Earl Roth

Charlie O’Geen

Nicholas Conley

Batavia PD asks citizens and business owners with security cameras to help them fight crime

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is asking citizens and business owners with surveillance cameras to partner with us in the fight against crime!

The Batavia SafeCam Registration Program allows citizens / businesses to register their camera systems with the police department to aid in crime prevention strategies and investigations which may occur in the proximity of their camera systems.

The registration process is very easy and free.

Simply go to http://www.batavianewyork.com/police-department/webforms/batavia-safecam-program and fill out the form. Registration forms can also be picked up at Batavia Police Headquarters located at 10 W. Main St., Batavia.

Surveillance cameras have been an integral part of fighting crime in Batavia. Privately owned camera footage has helped solve a variety of serious offenses in Batavia over the years, including various burglaries, a fatal hit-and-run accident, and even a homicide.

Working together, we can keep Batavia a safe place to live and work.

Please note that the police department will not have the ability to freely or remotely access your cameras, claim ownership, or dictate the camera systems functions. This is simply a database that will allow the Batavia Police Department to see who might have captured footage related to a particular crime.

Thank you for signing up and joining us in the fight to keep our city safe!

Jessica Cornwell of East Bethany named to SUNY Canton dean's list

By Billie Owens

SUNY Canton's deans recognize Jessica A. Cornwell, of East Bethany, for outstanding academic achievement during the fall 2017 semester. Cornwell is a SUNY Canton Management major. 

Dean's list recognizes full-time students who have earned a GPA between 3.25 and 3.74. It serves as a mark of distinction and recognition of achievement. A complete list of academic honors for the semester will be available on www.canton.edu. 

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service and recently received number one rankings in library resources, library services and tutoring services in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey. The college's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 13 online degree programs. The college's 15 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level and are joining the North Atlantic Conference beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. For more information, visit www.canton.edu.

Students from Byron and Stafford named to President's List at SUNY Canton

By Billie Owens

SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran recognizes students for high academic achievement during the fall 2017 semester.

"I'm so very proud of all of the students who earned the right to be named to the SUNY Canton President's List," Szafran said. "They've demonstrated a commitment to their academic studies and I look forward to their continued success here at the college and in their future careers."

President's List recognizes full-time students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or greater. A complete list of academic honors for the semester will be listed on www.canton.edu.

Among those who made the President's List at SUNY Canton are:

  • Kyley Pascarella, a SUNY Canton Management major from Byron
  • Amanda M. Rumble, a SUNY Canton Legal Studies major from Stafford

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service and recently received number one rankings in library resources, library services and tutoring services in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey. The college's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 13 online degree programs. The college's 15 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level and are joining the North Atlantic Conference beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. For more information, visit www.canton.edu.

Students from Byron and Stafford named to President's List at SUNY Canton

By Billie Owens

SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran recognizes students for high academic achievement during the fall 2017 semester.

"I'm so very proud of all of the students who earned the right to be named to the SUNY Canton President's List," Szafran said. "They've demonstrated a commitment to their academic studies and I look forward to their continued success here at the college and in their future careers."

President's List recognizes full-time students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or greater. A complete list of academic honors for the semester will be listed on www.canton.edu.

Among those who made the President's List at SUNY Canton are:

  • Kyley Pascarella, a SUNY Canton Management major from Byron
  • Amanda M. Rumble, a SUNY Canton Legal Studies major from Stafford

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service and recently received number one rankings in library resources, library services and tutoring services in the SUNY Student Opinion Survey. The college's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 13 online degree programs. The college's 15 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level and are joining the North Atlantic Conference beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. For more information, visit www.canton.edu.

Daniel Weaver of Le Roy named to dean's list at Lehigh University

By Billie Owens

Daniel Weaver, of Le Roy, was named to the dean's list at Lehigh University in the Fall 2017 semester.

Dean's list status is awarded to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses.

For more than 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. The institution is among the nation's most selective, highly ranked private research universities. Lehigh's four colleges - College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science - provide opportunities to 7,000 students to discover and grow in a learning community that promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.

Amy Lowe of Le Roy named to dean's list at Bucknell University

By Billie Owens

Amy Lowe, Class of 2020, from Le Roy, was named to the dean's list at Bucknell University during the fall semester of the 2017-18 academic year. A student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean's list recognition.

Located in Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is a highly selective private liberal arts university that offers majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and social and natural sciences, along with broad opportunities outside of class, to its 3,600 undergraduates. Graduate programs are available in select disciplines. Students benefit from a small student-faculty ratio of 9:1, personal attention from faculty, leadership opportunities, and excellent graduation rates and career outcomes.

Team New Era Baseball to hold tryouts for ages 8 and 9 on Jan. 21 in Depew

By Billie Owens

Team New Era Baseball will hold tryouts for its 8- and 9-year-old rookie elite travel baseball program at 2 p.m. on Sunday Jan. 21st at our Depew facility, 3950 Broadway.

Individual evaluations are also being scheduled for summer opportunities for players ages 10 thru 16.

For more information or to register for a tryout, visitwww.teamnewerabaseball.com.

For additional questions, contact Rich Wozniak at 716-681-3001 or tnemail@teamnewerabaseball.com.

Asteria String Quartet performs 'First Viennese Valentine's' in special recital Feb. 3 at Dibble Center

By Billie Owens

Asteria String Quartet presents "First Viennese Valentine's" with music from the First Viennese School -- Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven -- on Saturday Feb. 3 at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia.

The chamber recital starts at 7 p.m.

Beforehand, starting at 6 p.m., the quartet will serenade you as you enjoy special hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and also non-alcoholic beverages.

Musicians for the evening are: Kiran Rajamani -- violin; Leighann Howland -- violin; Evie Boughton -- viola; and Shade Zajac -- cello.

Tickets are: $20 per guest; $35 for two guests; $15 for senior citizens.

The Dibble Family Center is located at 4120 W. Main Street Road.

This event is sponsored by Roxy's Music Store, The YNGodess Shop, and the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (www.geneseesymphony.com).

CANCELLED: Asteria String Quartet performs 'First Viennese Valentine's' in special recital at Dibble Family Center

By Billie Owens

Asteria String Quartet presents "First Viennese Valentine's" with music from the First Viennese School -- Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven -- on Saturday Feb. 3 at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia.

The chamber recital starts at 7 p.m.

Beforehand, starting at 6 p.m., the quartet will serenade you as you enjoy special hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and also non-alcoholic beverages.

Musicians for the evening are: Kiran Rajamani -- violin; Leighann Howland -- violin; Evie Boughton -- viola; and Shade Zajac -- cello.

Event Date and Time
-

Free Community Health and Wellness Fair at Alexander HS Cafeteria evening of Jan. 25

By Billie Owens

The Alexander United Teachers Union will be hosting a Community Health and Wellness Fair, open to the public, on Thursday, Jan. 25.

It will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Alexander Central School’s High School Cafeteria, located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

There will be sensory tables, gross motor challenges, food samples, face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses, giveaways and more. All ages are welcomed and there is no admission fee.  

This is the third biannual Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the Teacher’s Union.

There will be representatives from:

  • Balanced Fitness
  • Body Sense
  • GCASA
  • RRH UMMC
  • Pampered Chef
  • Cross roads
  • Independent Living
  • Rainbow Preschool
  • YWCA
  • GLOW
  • Young Living
  • Paige’s Bounce Houses
  • Sheriff’s Department
  • Genesee County Health Department
  • Mental Health
  • Fidelis Care
  • Gateway Home
  • Alexander Volunteer Fire Department
  • Batavia Cross Training
  • Pure Haven Essentials
  • NYS Troopers
  • Genesee County Parks and Forest
  • Sweet-n-Fit
  • Wegmans
  • Tops
  • Uncle Bud
  • The Spa at Artemis
  • Pembroke Family Medicine
  • UNITS
  • PTA
  • Refuse 2 Lose Martial Arts
  • Alexander teachers

Meghan Ripstein, AUT vice president

Free Community Health and Wellness Fair at Alexander HS Cafeteria evening of Jan. 25

By Billie Owens

On Jan. 25 from 6-8 p.m. the Alexander United Teachers Union will be hosting a Community Health and Wellness Fair, open to the public, at the Alexander Central School’s High School Cafeteria.

It is located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

There will be sensory tables, gross motor challenges, food samples, face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses, giveaways and more. All ages are welcomed and there is no admission fee.  

This is the third biannual Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the Teacher’s Union.

There will be representatives from:

  • Balanced Fitness
  • Body Sense
  • GCASA
  • RRH UMMC
  • Pampered Chef
  • Cross roads
  • Independent Living
  • Rainbow Preschool
  • YWCA
  • GLOW
  • Young Living
  • Paige’s Bounce Houses
  • Sheriff’s Department
  • Genesee County Health Department
  • Mental Health
  • Fidelis Care
  • Gateway Home
  • Alexander Volunteer Fire Department
  • Batavia Cross Training
  • Pure Haven Essentials
  • NYS Troopers
  • Genesee County Parks and Forest
  • Sweet-n-Fit
  • Wegmans
  • Tops
  • Uncle Bud
  • The Spa at Artemis
  • Pembroke Family Medicine
  • UNITS
  • PTA
  • Refuse 2 Lose Martial Arts
  • Alexander teachers

Meghan Ripstein, AUT vice president

585.770.4863

Free Community Health and Wellness Fair at Alexander HS Cafeteria

By Billie Owens

On Jan. 25 from 6-8 p.m. the Alexander United Teachers Union will be hosting a Community Health and Wellness Fair, open to the public, at the Alexander Central School’s High School Cafeteria.

This is the third biannual Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the Teacher’s Union.

Event Date and Time
-

Man knocked unconscious in parking lot of Sacred Heart church after altercation

By Billie Owens

A man is unconcious in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church after being struck in the face during an altercation. The assailant left the scene. City police and Mercy medics are en route. The church is on Sumner Street.

UPDATE 3:03 p.m.: Police and medics are on scene. An officer reports to dispatchers that somebody picked up the unconsious man and took him away in a vehicle. "No discription of where he went; I'll be checking the area."

Alexander Volunteer Fire Department hosts All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast in its Rec Hall on Jan. 28, with indoor bounce house

By Billie Owens

The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department will host an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast in its Rec Hall from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Jan. 28.

The Rec Hall is located at 10708 Alexander Road (Route 98), Attica.

Cost is: adults -- $10; children 5-12 --  $5; under age 4 -- free.

Also, there will be an indoor bounce house.

Proceeds help support the Alexander Fire District.

For more information contact Barbara Eddy at 507-9930.

(FYI: On March 25 there will be another breakfast, same details, and the Easter Bunny will visit!)

Alexander Fire Department's All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Rec Hall, with kids' indoor bounce house

By Billie Owens

The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department will host an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast in its Rec Hall from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Jan. 28.

The Rec Hall is located at 10708 Alexander Road (Route 98), Attica.

Cost is: adults -- $10; children 5-12 --  $5; under age 4 -- free.

Also, there will be an indoor bounce house.

(FYI: On March 25 there will be another breakfast, same details, and the Easter Bunny will visit!)

For more information contact Barbara Eddy at 507-9930.

Proceeds help support the Alexander Fire District.

Event Date and Time
-

Two local students named to President's List at SUNY Potsdam

By Billie Owens

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 882 students to the President's List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Fall 2017 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by President Kristin G. Esterberg.

The students included:

  • Lily Hamill, of Batavia, whose major is Literature / Writing
  • Hannah Rosicka, of Le Roy, whose major is Politics

To achieve the honor of being on the President's List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges-and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

Two local students earn dean's list honors at SUNY Oneonta

By Billie Owens

A total of 1,534 SUNY Oneonta students earned dean's list honors for the fall 2017 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

Dean's list honorees include:

Ciera Baker, of Oakfield (14125)

Jacquelyn Carson, of Le Roy (14482)

Located in the hills of Central New York, SUNY Oneonta is a midsize, public, liberal arts and sciences college with a pre-professional focus. The college enrolls approximately 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs and a number of graduate certificates and degrees.

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