The nearly 80-year-old Onion Festival held in Elba every summer is already just a memory.

Proceeds from it helped pay for Elba's fire equipment and supplies. Now what?

"We are going to look at other money-making options," said Elba Fire Department President Ken Miller this morning. "But without rides, without a car raffle, can you call it the Onion Festival? We haven't decided 100 percent what we're going to do, what we can do. But the festival is done."

What, if anything, will take place there in mid-August has yet to be decided. Miller said the board of directors for the all-volunteer fire company will meet and discuss the situation in a couple of weeks.

More and more, ride operators are skipping the small-town events that last a couple days, like the one in Elba, and sticking with bigger venues where they can turn a profit after they pay for insurance, wages and others costs of doing business. The result for places like Elba is fewer attendees -- not enough to buy tickets, only sold locally, to raffle off a new car.

Other little fire companies are facing similar circumstances.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley has introduced legislation to allow charitable organizations holding raffles to accept checks and credit cards and to allow them to advertise raffle tickets online, thereby boosting sales and reaching more people. Hawley is also going to introduce a constitutional amendment to allow nonprofit organizations more fundraising flexibility.

A car struck a pole and minor injuries are reported at 7238 Alleghany Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

A Flu Alert has been issued by the Genesee County Health Department:

ALERT: Over the last few weeks, flu cases are on the rise locally and throughout New York! The flu virus tends to spread from October to May, with most cases occurring in January or February.

“It is important to note that vaccinations can be given at any time during the flu season," said Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. "Even getting a vaccination later in the season (December through March) can still help protect you from influenza."

For information on positive influenza laboratory results reported to the New York State Department of Health by season, click on the link below:

http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2015-2016/flu_report_current_week.pdf

It is important to call your doctor, pharmacist or health department to make sure they have a supply of flu vaccine in stock before going.           

Everyone six months and older should be vaccinated against the flu. The vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu, and it can help protect the ones you love.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you get the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available to you, even if you got vaccinated last season.

There are two main reasons for getting the flu vaccine every year. The flu viruses constantly change, so vaccines are often updated from one season to the next to protect against the most recent and the most common viruses going around. The other reason is, the protection a person gets from receiving a flu vaccination declines over time. For example, if you are vaccinated in November, 10 months down the road your protection against that year’s flu is not as strong as it was when you originally were vaccinated.

Anyone, even healthy people, can get sick from the flu. This illness can be very serious, and can lead to hospitalizations and even death. According to the CDC, each year in the United States a range of 3,000 to 49,000 people die from the flu or flu-associated illnesses.  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm

“Being vaccinated every flu season is especially important for those at high risk for serious flu-related complications. It is also as important for those who live with or care for people who are at high risk,” said Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

People with higher risks for flu-related complications are:

• Pregnant women (can only receive flu shots, not the nasal-spray flu vaccine) to provide protection for themselves and their babies;
• Children younger than five, but especially children younger than 2 years old;
• Adults age 65 and older;
• Individuals with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, HIV, etc.;
• Residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• People who life with or care for those at high risk of complications from the flu, including health care personnel, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months (these children are too young to be vaccinated), and caregivers of infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Flu-related complications can result in hospitalization and occasionally result in death. Complications include pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus or ear infections. The flu also can make chronic health problems worse. For example, those who have asthma, often experience more asthma attacks when they are ill with the flu.

It is also important to know there are some people who should not be vaccinated. They include:

• Children younger than 6 months;
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past;
• People who have developed Guillain- Barré syndrome within six weeks of getting a flu vaccination;
• If you have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, you can get the flu shot, but you will need to be supervised by a health care provider for at least 30 minutes after vaccination;
• People who are sick with fever.

More information about the flu is available at the State Health Department Web Site at: www.health.ny.gov/immunization.

For information about influenza or health department services contact:

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit its Web site at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html. Visit Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter at GeneseeCoHealthDept.

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has been appointed to serve as a member of the Joint Budget Subcommittee for Education.

Over the next several weeks, Senator Ranzenhofer will work with members of the Senate and Assembly to finalize the education portion of the 2016-17 State Budget.

“One of my priorities is getting rid of the GEA budget cuts. As a member of this committee, I will be pushing to eliminate the GEA once and for all,” Ranzenhofer said. “Abolishing the GEA in this year’s budget will finally restore millions of dollars to our schools and build a better future for our children.”

Nearly $434 million in Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) cuts remain for schools in 2016-17. The Senate’s one-house budget resolution, passed earlier this week, ends the GEA this year.  Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a phase-out of the GEA over two years.

The GEA was first imposed in 2010 by former Governor David Paterson and the Democrats who controlled the Senate and Assembly. Senator Ranzenhofer voted against the GEA because it made severe cuts to the bottom lines of school districts in Western New York.

Since it was first approved, Senator Ranzenhofer has been leading the charge to eradicate the GEA and deliver major funding increases to help mitigate its devastating impact on education. In the past five years, the GEA cuts have been reduced by approximately 85 percent. Last year alone, Senator Ranzenhofer successfully pushed for an additional $603 million to help schools overcome the GEA challenge.

Morgan Lee Cox, 48, of Scribner Road, Pembroke, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. On March 19, Cox was arrested following an investigation of a domestic incident at 11 p.m. on March 18. It is alleged that Cox violated a court order of protection. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings, assisted by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Kenneth James Henning, 24, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to stop at a stop sign. He was arrested as the result of a traffic stop at 8:20 p.m. on March 18 on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was released on an appearance tickets for Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

The second production of Shakespeare’s "As You Like It" finishes up the last show tonight at 7:30 at Harvester 56 Theater, located at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia. The show is directed by Michele Stamp who has directed two shows there.

It’s one of Shakespeare’s comedies, placed in the Forest of Arden. A mother was a duchess who had a sister whose younger sister had usurped the kingdom and banished the older sister. Her daughter remains in court because she is best friends with the usurping duchess's daughter. 

Another story line is where a father has died and his three sons are left to their estate and the oldest son is supposed to be taking care of the younger sons, but he is only taking care of the youngest so he is banished.  All of these people end up in the Forest of Arden. 

The next production at Harvester 56 will be "On Broadway VII" with five musical hits running for two weekends in April. The dates are on April 1-2, with a special dinner theater at Terry Hills Restaurant on April 3, then again at Harvester 56 on April 7-9.

Tickets for tonight’s final show of "As You Like It" can be purchased at the door; $13 adults $10 students/senior citizens or online at Showtix4u, search Batavia Players. Also go to: Batavia Players for more info.

For more photos go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

A person is stuck in an elevator at 430 E. Main St. in Batavia due to a power outage. City fire is responding. The location is GCASA.

Running until 8 tonight and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the Batavia Antique Sale and Show in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs. Admission is $5 dollars per person with proceeds going to the HLOM Museum. Free entry Saturday with proof of Friday admission.

Howard's microsurgery to fix the detached retina in his right eye was performed Monday and the results are excellent. He saw the eye surgeon today and was told he won't be able to return to work until April 1. Until then, he can't read -- not e-mails, or books, or anything on the computer.

That's a week longer than we expected, but we'll get through this.

It will be possible because of the loyalty of our readers, the dedication and hard work of staff, especially our marketing coordinator Lisa Ace, and sales rep Lucie Griffis, Wyoming County Free Press Community Editor Julia Ferrini, and the aid of terrific freelancers like Jim Burns and Steve Ognibene. Our news partner WBTA has helped a lot, too.

Thanks all, and have a great weekend!

Two white teenaged males reportedly just ran through Richmond Memorial Library wearing masks and screaming they were going to rob the place.

They then left and were seen runnning westbound on East Main Street. One is wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt, the other is wearing blue jeans, black T-shirt and a red bandanna.

City police are responding. "The names are in the job," a dispatcher told officers.

The library is located at 19 Ross St.

2165 Main Road, Pembroke, NY. This new Pembroke listing is a MUST SEE! Super solid well maintained home in Pembroke School system and conveniently located, just minutes from thruway, schools and shopping! This 3 bedroom home has a great layout and possibility of large downstairs bedroom and another bath for those looking for 1st floor everything!! Many updates including roof, windows, furnace, H2O tank, and flooring and carpeting within last 10 years approx.! Interior features sunken living room, knotty pine and also cathedral ceilings. There is public water and a well for gardening, and prettily landscaped on a 1.5 acre yard with an additional large shed for puttering!! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today 585-344-HOME or click here to view the complete listing!

Joshua David Macdonald, 24, of West Bank Road, Albion, is charged with criminal impersonation in the second degree. He was arrested March 17 on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. He allegedly committed the offense of criminal impersonation during an alleged larceny at Target on Feb. 11. He was released on his own recognizance at 2:15 p.m. and is to be in Town of Batavia Court for this case on April 5. In addition, Macdonald is charged with second-degree forgery. At 3:30 p.m., March 17, he was arrested on the forgery charge after allegedly signing a false name on a public record in the City of Batavia and offering the document to a public servant. He was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail and is to appear on this charge March 18 in City of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Robert Dean Cook, 36, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Today, Cook was arrested for allegedly contacting a protected third party via e-mail on March 17. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Lean times may lie ahead for the Elba Fire Department. It's biggest fundraiser of the year -- the Elba Onion Festival -- will not feature rides this year, nor will there be a raffle for a shiny new Ford Mustang.

Whatever other money-making options might be employed for the all-volunteer fire company will be discussed at its next meeting in two weeks. But the Onion Festival will still take place in mid-August, just as it has for the past 79 years. 

The decision not to have rides is actually the result of not being able to secure a company to provide them, said Elba Fire Department President Ken Miller.

"It comes down to money," he said. "The ride companies don't want to go to small-town events. Ours is just Friday and Saturday. After they get insurance and pay wages, there's not enough money in it for them."

Miller said the trend is hurting fundraising efforts for small, volunteer fire companies -- two or three in Monroe County have cancelled fundraisers featuring rides this year.

For at least the last 50 years, Elba has raffled off a car at the Onion Festival. They only sell tickets in Genesee County.

Elba not having a Mustang raffle in 2016 is the result of a trickle-down effect: No rides, fewer people, not enough money to buy the car.

It has nothing to do with Stafford Volunteer Fire Company, which had this year's Corvette raffle suspended by the State Gaming Commission because it had online raffle tickets ads posted last year in violation of the rules. (Refunds are being issued to Stafford raffle ticket buyers.)

Proceeds from the Onion Festival help pay for Elba's fire equipment and supplies.

"It hurts," Miller said. "It's a huge community deal. People come from all over. It's like a big family picnic. But things change."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Steve Hawley is co-sponsoring two bills which would allow charitable organizations holding raffles to accept checks and credit cards and to allow them to advertise raffle tickets online, thereby boosting sales and reaching more people. Hawley said he will also be introducing a constitutional amendment to allow nonprofit organizations more latitude in their fundraising efforts.

A small earthquake occurred about two miles from Attica this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 1.7-magnitude quake happened at 5:45 this morning.

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 1 and 3 on the Richter Scale are usually not felt, except by a few people under “especially favorable conditions,” according to the agency.

There are approximately 900,000 earthquakes of that size every year.

Press release:

This spring, the Polysomnographic Technology (PSG) program at Genesee Community College will graduate its fifth class of students. In preparation for the group to take its national board exams, GCC will once again host a seminar reviewing Polysomnographic principles.

The seminar, presented by K & M Medical will be held April 15 and 16 in room T102 on the Batavia campus.

"The review seminar is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the essential principles of Polysomnographic Technology. The series of lectures and practice exams are designed to prepare our PSG students and others in the sleep community to successfully pass the Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT) exam," said Marshann Thomas, director of the college's Polysomnographic Technology Program.

Space is limited for the two-day review. Those interested can register here, or visit the K & M Web site for more information at http://www.kmmed.com/seminars.html. The review offers continuing education credits from the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

GCC's two-year sleep studies program was the first of its kind in Western New York and the Finger Lakes. It has been endorsed by a peer review and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and was recognized by the New York State Office of Professional Education as a license qualifying PSG Program. As a result, GCC's PSG graduates will be qualified to receive their license upon the successful completion of our PSG program and will be able to practice PSG in New York State.

Students enrolled in the PSG program will take courses in anatomy, psychology, physiology, environmental chemistry, sleep disorders and sleep study implementation. They also complete two clinical practice courses in a local sleep clinic where they can apply what they've learned in a real world setting.

The field of sleep study continues to grow, offering a variety of career options for graduates -- from helping physicians diagnose sleep-related problems, to counseling patients on things they can do to improve resting hours.

"Our goal is to equip these students with the skills they need to provide quality, compassionate care to patients and families," said Thomas, who is a registered Respiratory Care practitioner.

Information is also available by visiting GCC's Web site: http://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/health/sleep/

For a recent press release about the curriculum changes to GCC's Polysomnographic Technology program go to: http://www.genesee.edu/news/articles/dspArticle/5028/

For more information, contact Polysomnographic Technology Program Director, Marshann Thomas at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6188 or at mythomas@genesee.edu

A wood-frame, fully involved house fire, with smoke and flames shooting through the second story, is reported at 6324 Knowlesville Road, Alabama, near Roberts Road. The structure has been evacuated. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:15 p.m..: Oakfield Fire Department is also called to respond, mutual aid. Fire Police are called to shut down Knowlesville Road at Roberts Road. The emergency West Battalion Fire Chanel has been secured for Alabama and Oakfield.

UPDATE 11:26 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are asked to stand by in Alabama's hall.

UPDATE March 18: from our news partner, WBTA: The house was extensively damaged and declared uninhabitable. Two adults and three dogs all made it out safely – one dog, did not. The family is staying with relatives. Firefighters from Alabama, Oakfield and Shelby battled the blaze.

The ninth annual GLOW Region (Genesee Livingston Orleans Wyoming counties) Tech Wars Competition was held today at Genesee Community College. Eighteen school districts participated in this year's four-hour event that incorporated technology, skills and competitiveness.

Hundreds of students from both middle and high schools competed in 20 different events. Pictured above is the CO2 cars lined up to be checked in.  

Top three schools that won the overall most awards: Alexander Central School, First Place; Dansville, Second Place; and Warsaw, Third Place.

As you may well know, today is the day when everyone is Irish; it is St. Patrick's Day. Few better places to be than your favorite pub for a celebration. O'Lacy's Irish Pub is first to come to mind on this day for many. As the size of the crowd at the pub proved, this is the place to be in Genesee County. (Divine Reuben sandwiches, if we may say so.)

Plenty of good times to be had at Center Street Smoke House right around the corner, too. Dancers from McMahon School of Irish Dance will be doing some jigs at 6 p.m. and then there's an encore performance at 7. There will be live Irish music provided by The Heenan Brothers, corned beef & cabbage dinners, special on Miller Lite -- 20 ozs. for 5 bucks.

Enjoy St. Pat's Day, but don't drink and drive!

Orlando McDonald, 32, of Eagle Street, Medina, is charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. McDonald was stopped on Alleghany Road in Pembroke at 6:33 p.m. on March 16 for allegedly having inadequate headlamps. After an investigation, it was determined that he was driving with a revoked license. He was jailed in lieu of $2,500 bail.

Jessie L. Tabor, 20, of Catherine Street, Medina, turned himself in at Medina Police Department on an outstanding warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court. He is charged with petit larceny stemming from an incident on West Main Street Road in Batavia on Feb. 29. He was jailed in lieu of $200 bail.

Submitted photos and press release:

Each year, in celebration of National Agriculture Week, volunteers throughout the state read a book with an agricultural theme to second-graders. Students benefit from hands-on lessons and follow up activities. 

Today, second-graders at Alexander Elementary School participated. Barb Sturm and Molly Grimes were presenters from Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County.

The selected book for 2016 is "The Apple Orchard Riddle" by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. This story shares the journey of Mr. Tiffin’s class on a field trip to an apple orchard. The students learn about every aspect of the farm from how apples are harvested, the process of making cider, and the many different varieties of apples.

This year’s focus on apple production is exciting because of the importance of the apple industry in New York State, as we are ranked second nationally in production.