Josiah C. Yantz, 16, of North Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree rape. Yantz is accused of non-consensual sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on two separate occasions. Yantz was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Gregory P. Hamm-Johnson, 25, of Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with felony driving while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, uninspected motor vehicle, broken windshield and no driver headlamp. Hamm-Johnson was stopped at 4:12 p.m. Jan. 15 on Water Street, Village of Attica, by Officers James Prusak Jr. and Brian Marsceill. Hamm-Johnson was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Tonya Houseknecht, 33, of East Yates Center Road, Lyndonville, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Houseknecht allegedly sold a quantity of lisedexamfetamine dimesylate to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on two separate occasions. 

Christina M. Sakran, 32, of Kenilworth Terrace, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, ticket. Sakran was turned over to Batavia PD by the Orleans County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $300 police bail.

Gregory S. Yark, 51, no permanent address, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, charge. Yark was released on his own recognizance. He also faces charges of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Michael P. Murphy, 31, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine on an overnight parking ticket. Murphy posted cash bail and was released.

Jeffrey M. Anauo, 28, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, three counts of driving drunk with a child in the car, aggravated unlicensed operation and following too closely. Anauo was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 8:05 p.m. Sunday on Walnut Street, Batavia. Anauo was jailed without bail. The accident was investigated by officers Christopher Lindsay and Stephen Cronmiller.

Darryl Robinson, 52, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Robinson allegedly punched another person.

Eric M. Smith, 30, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and petit larceny. Smith was arrested on a pair of warrants. Smith was jailed on an unspecified bail.

Jessica Lauren Ford, 24, of Perry Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, a felony. During a traffic stop, Ford was allegedly found with a person in the car she was barred from contact with by court order. She was jailed on $5,000 bail.

The owner of a former vapor shop in Batavia was sentenced in Federal Court yesterday to two years probation and six months home detention for selling counterfeit goods at his store.

Scott Scaccia, 34, of Rochester, owned A Plus Vapes & Deals on Ellicott Street until it was raided by federal authorities in April.

Investigators found that Scaccia was selling counterfeit tobacco vaporizers that were manufactured and distributed from China. Authorities said Scaccia obtained the merchandise from his brother in California and through a Chinese Web site.

Authorities seized 90 counterfeit vaporizers.

Photo: File photo.

Press release:

At a Special Meeting of the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) early January, President Ray Chaya thanked fellow Board Member Gregg Torrey for serving eight years as a director of the City’s economic development agency. The BDC instituted term limits during Torrey’s tenure. He has represented City business development efforts since June 2007 and served many years as an officer of the organization.

The BDC also elected three new members:

· Mary Valle, second generation Valle Jewelers business owner, active Vibrant Batavia volunteer and former Business Improvement District director;

· Steve Pies, fourth generation Max Pies Furniture business owner and past Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board president;

· Pier Cipollone, former City Councilman and past BDC Board president.

Fellow Board members include Ray Chaya, Susie Boyce, Peter Casey, Kathy Ferrara, Jay Sackett, Barb Shine and ex-officio member, City Manager Jason Molino. The Board meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in City Hall.

The VA Medical Center in Batavia is hosting a public meeting tonight to share information and solicit feedback on the planned veterans cemetery in Pembroke.

The meeting is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Building #4.

Speakers will include Joshua M. de Leon, National Cemetery Administration, Glenn Madderom, Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetary Development and Improvement Service, and Mark Tillotson, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction and Facilities Management.

Officials will provide an update on the project and seek feedback on the master plan and design process.

The proposed 132-acre parcel will serve the burial needs of more than 96,000 veterans and eligible dependents for at least 70 years. The initial phase of construction will develop about 70 acres and provide for 10 years worth of interments.

The VA purchased the property at 1232 Indian Falls Road for $625,000 in May 2014.

A car vs. tractor-trailer (or maybe a tow truck) accident is reported in the area of 200 S. Swan St., Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Unknown injuries.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: An SUV hit a parked tow truck. The vehicle's passenger side was peeled open bow to stern like a sardine can, but there were no injuries. The accident is under investigation and it's yet to be determined if there will be any charges. What caused the vehicle to hit the truck, whether the driver didn't see it, or the driver swerved for some reason, is unknown at this time.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center and 1366 Technologies have developed an online intake form for local companies interested in pursuing potential supply chain/operational opportunities. The 1366 Technologies solar wafer manufacturing facility will be constructed in the town of Alabama and is scheduled to open in 2017.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent and skill in the Genesee County area. We’re excited to begin the process of identifying those companies across the region that will contribute to the success of our project and our operations in Alabama,” said Brian Eller, COO, 1366 Technologies.

The form can be accessed atwww.1366tech.com or www.wnystamp.com.

“The exciting thing about economic development is not only the direct jobs created by companies like 1366 Technologies, but the indirect jobs that are created through supply chain opportunities,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde.

informANALYTICS, an economic development software tool, calculated that approximately 1,600 indirect jobs will be created. The overall economic impact of the direct, indirect and induced jobs is expected to be in the range of $1.5 billion.

One of the ways in which 1366 Technologies will conduct outreach to the supply chain network is through the marketing and business networking assistance of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) and Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), both of which played a key role in attracting the company.

“Because of the highly skilled and talented workforce in the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions, 1366 Technologies is not going to have any problems finding the right partners to make their operations in New York State a tremendous success,” said Mark S. Peterson, president and CEO of GRE.

“The launch of the 1366 Technologies intake form provides great opportunities for Western New York companies and their employees to capitalize on this exciting high tech industry,” said BNE President and CEO Thomas A. Kucharski. “It also reinforces the longer term value of our economic development efforts by reminding us that 1366 Technologies’ economic impact extends well beyond their initial investment and job creation. That benefit will continue to grow with the success of this great company in our region.”

Press release:

Four students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center recently competed in the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA) Ron Smith Memorial AutoTech Competition. This event was held on Jan. 16 at Erie Community College.

Santiago Deluna, from Batavia CS, and Tyler Weaver, from Pavilion CS, both juniors, competed in the tire rodeo. This timed event tested the students’ speed and accuracy as they demonstrated their expertise on the Hunter TC3700 tire changer. Both students were required to take an exam about tire theory. This team placed second. Tyler took first place for the highest test score and won a Best Buy gift card.

Seniors Dylan Binnert, from Caledonia-Mumford CS, and Dan Cone, from Pavilion CS, participated in a three-part competition. The first section of the competition was comprised of workstations that included front-end alignment, wheel balance, brake systems, electrical repair, precision measurement, and noise and vibration diagnosis. The second phase of the competition included debugging a 2016 Ford F150 Truck. The competition concluded with a mock employment interview.

Dylan and Dan, the senior team, earned first place and will advance to the national competition in New York City at the end of March. This trip is an all expenses paid trip funded by the Niagara Frontier Automotive Dealer Association. Dunn Tire, LLC, sponsored the competition.

All four young men are students in the Auto Technology Program at the Batavia CTE. Bob Yates is the instructor.

Photo: Scott Bieler, president of West Herr Ford; Dylan Binnert; Dan Cone; and Bob Yates, celebrate the team’s first-place win in the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA) Ron Smith Memorial AutoTech Competition.

     Aleesha Johnson

Batavia PD is seeking the pubic's assistance in locating Aleesha D. Johnson, 15, of Batavia, who is a missing teen and possible runaway.

She was last seen in the City of Batavia on Jan. 7.

She may be in Batavia or Rochester.

She has communicated with others via an untraceable phone number stating she is in Rochester. 

Batavia warns that anybody who knowingly impedes the return of a missing child is committing a crime. 

Batavia PD has been sharing information with Rochester PD.

Aleesha is 5'5" and 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She is African-American.

Anybody with information are asked to call Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350.

UPDATE: Aleesha was located in Rochester and is safe.

Press release:

GCC students and faculty accomplish great things throughout the year. In an effort to recognize the great work and bright minds that the College has to offer, the Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee invites the entire college community to the first Scholars' Symposium – a celebration of inquiry and scholarship – on Tuesday, March 29.

Students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, some from afar, will be sharing and demonstrating scholarly achievements in all disciplines through presentations, poster exhibits and performances.

"The Scholars Symposium is the opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage the collective brain power of Genesee Community College for all to enjoy and to appreciate," said JoNelle Toriseva, director of GCC's English, Communications and Media Arts, who is organizing the first-ever event.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit proposals to present their original work at the Scholars Symposium to the CURCA committee. The Scholar' Symposium Web site provides complete details along with an online submission opportunity. Go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/.

Areas of presentation include the following 12 different options:

• Research - 15 minute oral presentation; 30 minute oral presentation

• Research Poster - Presenters prepare a 2-3 minute talk about their topic to share with interested parties. Presenters must stand/sit near poster for 60 minute session.

• Panel Discussion - 30 or 60 minutes

• Presentation of Experiential Education, Internships, Field Work, Travel - 15 minute descriptive oral presentation includes Q&A; or a poster/portfolio presentation

• Reading of Creative Work - 15 minute reading of poetry, prose, fiction or hybrid work

• Work in Progress Reading of Creative Work - 5 minute reading

• Studio/Visual Art - 15 minute oral presentation or poster

• Theatrical Performance

• Music Composition - 20 minute performance

• Dance Choreography - 20 minute performance

• Film Production/Theatrical Script - 20 minute performance

• PechaKucha - 7 minute oral presentation (20 PowerPoint slides for 20 seconds each)

All students must have a faculty or staff mentor, but sponsors are not required to co-present. All abstracts describing students' scholarly and/or creative projects must be submitted by Feb. 1. The Committee will review submissions Feb. 1 – March 7 and the schedule of presentations will be released on March 8.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Columbia University professor, and historian Eric Foner, Ph.D, will deliver the event's keynote address. Regarded as the leading contemporary historian of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, Foner is the recipient of many awards for history writing, and has written more than 20 books on the topic, including his newest "Gateway to Freedom, The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad."

This premiere Scholarship Symposium at GCC, which is to be held annually, is sponsored, in part, by a President's Innovation Award (PIA) which provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of the College, stimulate student and community pride, or help establish pilot programs and initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact.

"We are excited that this initiative touches on all parts of the PIA program, and we believe the Scholar's Symposium will become a dynamic, sought-after and vibrant component to the College's annual academic activities," Toriseva said.

For specific information about the Scholars' Symposium contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. Her e-mail address is: jrtoriseva@genesee.edu, and her telephone: 585-343-0055, ext. 6627.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) celebrates planks of the Women’s Equality Agenda that became law on Tuesday.

“I am honored to announce that historic measures to protect New York’s women from things like domestic violence and workplace discrimination have become law today,” Hawley said in a statement released yesterday. “My colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference worked tirelessly to ensure that these individual bills came to the floor for a vote. While members of the Assembly Majority used this issue as campaign rhetoric, we continued our unwavering support and never lost sight of the importance to our state’s women. I am proud to be part of this memorable day and will continue to lead the fight on women’s rights.”

Press release:

With the deadline to file federal taxes quickly approaching, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has announced a series of workshops coming to his district that will help constituents learn how to electronically file their taxes. The workshops will take place in Batavia and Corfu at the public library. 

“Filing taxes electronically saves residents time and money and also yields a considerably quicker refund,” Hawley said. “Furthermore, the error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than for paper returns and your refund can be directly deposited right into your bank account. I am excited to announce these upcoming workshops that run from January 25 to April 12 and encourage all of my constituents to attend to learn how to prepare and file your taxes for free.”

Ninety-two percent of New Yorkers file their taxes electronically and if your combined income for 2015 did not exceed $62,000, you can e-file for no charge. To learn more about e-filing, please visit www.tax.ny.gov.

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia (19 Ross St.):

2 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays

Jan. 25

Feb. 1

Feb. 8

Feb. 22

Feb. 29

March 7

March 14

March 21

March 28

April 4

April 11

12 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays

Jan. 27

Feb. 3

Feb. 10

Feb. 17

Feb. 24

March 2

March 9

March 16

March 23

March 30

April 6

April 13

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays

Jan. 30

Feb. 6

Feb. 13

Feb. 20

Feb. 27

March 5

March 12

March 19

April 2

April 9

***These are the times, days and dates of worskhops at the Corfu Free Library (7 Maple Ave., Corfu):

2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays

Jan. 26

Feb. 2

Feb. 9

Feb. 16

Feb. 23

March 1

March 8

March 15

March 22

March 29

April 5

April 12

A possible commerical building fire is reported at 12 Center St. The smell of smoke is said to be in the building and smoke is reportedly visible in the office. City fire is responding. The location is an accounting office next to Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: A responder on scene says its possibly a wood-burning stove; no fire found. Continuing to investigate. 

After the injury to point guard Maddy McCully that put her out for the season, Batavia's Head Coach Marty Hein said the Lady Blue Devils would be a team in search of a new identity.

That thought was back on Hein's mind last night after Batavia narrowly escaped with its 13th win, 58-55, over Irondequoit.

Batavia surrendered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, allowing Irondequoit to put 25 points on the scoreboard and with less than a minute left, pulling within a point of the lead.

"(McCulley was) the floor general at any given point in time," Hein said. Ryann (Stefaniak) and Tiara (Filbert) are doing a super job, but when the chips seem to be falling a bit, there was always, 'OK, Maddy, you run the point now.' That was freeing up Tiara to do whatever. She doesn't have to bring the ball up. Now, it's kind of that little identity crisis of, OK, when things start going south, who is going to be that step-up person to take that role. We played a good 24 minutes of basketball, and then the last eight..."

Filbert scored 18. Taylor Stefaniak added 16, including dropping three buckets from behind the arc. Ryann scored 14 and Sam Cecere had seven.

For Irondequoit, Megan Dano scored 16, Kylee Kanealey, 12, and Quinn Melidona, 13.

To purchase prints, click here.

Last night, our database crashed. All of the posts from yesterday were lost.

Thankfully, Google has saved copies (called a cache) and I should be able to restore everything. I'm starting that work now. I'll time stamp everything to yesterday's time of publication, so this post will remain at the top of the page through that process.

UPDATE 9 a.m.: Yesterday's posts are restored, but I couldn't get to comments, so the few comments left yesterday are lost. Sorry. Also, there was a non-injury rollover accident in Oakfield around 3 a.m. We weren't able to post about it because the site was down at that time.

The governor's recent executive order on how to deal with homeless people in local municipalities during cold weather won't have much impact on Genesee County, said Eileen Kirkpatrick, the county's director of Social Services.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order has been widely reported to mandate that local law enforcement require any homeless person found out and about in freezing weather to be taken off the streets and placed in an appropriate shelter.

That isn't exactly what the governor ordered, Kirkpatrick said.

"Neither law enforcement nor DSS has any legal authority to put anybody anyplace they don't want to go," Kirkpatrick said.

The order doesn't change anything for how lack-of-shelter situations have long been handled in Genesee County, she said.

All of the law enforcement agencies, along with the Mental Health department, have long worked well with DSS to help resolve lack-of-shelter situations.

When a cop finds a person who is seemingly without shelter during freezing weather, the officer tries to determine if the person is intoxicated or has a mental health issue that would inhibit the person from making a rational decision about his or her own safety.

If the person is intoxicated, the officer has the authority to seek medical treatment for the individual.

If there appears to be a mental health issue, mental health workers are contacted and the person is taken in, usually to Warsaw's hospital, where a mental health evaluation will be made to determine if the person is capable of making a rational decision about his or her shelter.

If a person is capable of making a rational decision, then the decision to stay on the street or not is up to that individual and, as Kirkpatrick said, neither law enforcement nor DSS has the authority to force that person into a shelter.

If the person, however, would like shelter, there are options.

When the warming shelter is open, as it is tonight, women and children can be taken to the shelter.

Males without children can be given a bus ticket to either Rochester or Buffalo and directions to a shelter that accepts men. If the busses are not running, an after-hours DSS worker can help arrange for a room at a local hotel or motel.

Adults judged to be competent to make their own decisions always have the choice to stay on the street, but when officials find children without shelter, Child Protective Services always has the authority to take the child to an appropriate shelter.

There doesn't seem to be the stereotypical homelessness issue in Batavia that might exist in larger cities, Kirkpatrick said. You don't expect to find people sleeping under bridges here.

However, there is an issue with people being "inadequately housed," she said. These might be people living nine to a two-bedroom trailer, or who stay with different people throughout the week or in another shelter-insecure situation.

Sometimes it's just a financial issue. There are also people who have such a bad reputation for destroying property among local landlords that they find it difficult to secure a rental.

In all cases, DSS has programs in place to help people who need assistance with shelter, she said. If there is somebody without shelter and they're competent to make that decision, then that is their decision. Typically, they've made that decision because they don't want to go along with the rules that go along with getting assistance from DSS.

"There are some people who are in a perpetual state of homelessness because that's their choice as an adult," Kirkpatrick said. "There is assistance available for anybody who wants to abide by the rules and what New York State dictates. These aren't Eileen Kirkpatrick's rules. These are the state rules."

Press release:

"Construction documents are almost complete and everything is on schedule," Kristin G. Schmitt, AIA, principal of JMZ Architects and Planners told Genesee Community College Board of Trustees at last week's monthly meeting. "It has been a smooth process, which is a testament to the College."

The construction bid packages with all the necessary documents for contractors to submit their cost estimates for the project are anticipated to be ready for review on Monday, Feb. 8. The proposed deadline for the College to receive the publicly opened bids is Tuesday, March 8. JMZ anticipates five different bid packages for Site Work, General Contracting, Electrical, Plumbing/Fire Protection, and Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC).

As stipulated by the Board of Trustees during the early planning process, JMZ is carefully crafting the bid packages to attract as many local contractors as possible. The two separate facilities, the 18,500-square-foot Student Success Center and the 56,000-square-foot College and Community Events Center, are being built on parallel construction schedules allowing contractors to bid on both projects or individual projects. 

"We anticipate good participation from the local construction community and will be reaching out to them," Schmitt said.

The project will also be announced in area media outlets and the Dodge Report. Once the bidding and project award process is complete, construction will begin in April with a formal ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

The College and Community Event Center located at the far west side of the Batavia campus near the turf field will begin first so as to not interrupt College's activities and spring semester traffic flow. The Student Success Center will begin after the Commencement ceremony on May 22. Project completion for both buildings is expected the following Summer in 2017. 

In addition to reviewing the construction schedule, Schmitt presented six different schematic presentation boards that illustrated both buildings employing state-of-the-art graphics that combine photographs of the existing facilities blended with the new architectural renderings. A dramatic Student Success Center is shown at night with the lights from the large glass foray reflecting out onto the Clock Tower Plaza. Viewers can also appreciate how the Student Success Center will connect with the Conable Technology Building through the second level bridge. Interior illustrations reveal an open lobby and lounge with two-story glass windows, an open staircase and a fireplace. 

"This will be the new front door to the whole campus," GCC President James Sunser, Ed.D. said. "The new facility is exciting, but more exciting is how it will allow us to reinvent how we support our students in being successful. Like a case manager, our new student success coaches will know what students need and proactively help them through the process." 

Interior and exterior renderings of the College and Community Events Center were also reviewed illustrating the dual facility. The sizable arena, which will be the largest open floor space in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties), is accented by a long, glassed-in arcade leading to the central entrance and lobby that connects the two buildings. The smaller building provides classrooms, locker rooms, coaches' offices, the fitness center, meeting rooms and a press box overlooking the existing turf field.

The large arena will not only accommodate an array of athletic competitions, but the open space will allow all kinds of civic, community, trade, industry as well as college events-from farm, boat and tractor shows to commencement ceremonies where a whole family can sit together. The new facility is expected to draw as many as 500,000 visitors to the campus each year. 

Both presentation boards included samples of different flooring, brickwork, ceiling and wall tiles, window mullions, paint, stair treads and countertops. Combined, the two projects will provide an additional 74,000 square feet of new indoor space at GCC, allowing the College to repurpose some of the existing space for labs and classrooms accommodating new academic programs such as Nanotechnology AAS. The overall building project follows GCC's Facilities Master Plan, which was approved by the Board and SUNY (State University of New York) more than two years ago.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) would like to announce the merger of the Downtown Batavia Public Market and the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market. The joint venture would consolidate the markets and their vendors into one large farmer’s market located Downtown at the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place.

The market would retain the name Downtown Batavia Public Market and would be run by the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market Board, in which Executive Director of the BID, Laurie Oltramari, was named as a board member.

With the City’s approval, the market would increase its operations to be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. After visiting surrounding businesses to get their feedback, the increase of operations was well-received by area businesses who enjoy using the market to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

The markets' merger addresses the City of Batavia’s “highly distressed” census tracts to have access to essential goods for healthy living. The public market is located with the City of Batavia’s BOA plan and with the City in its process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, which is focused on smart growth and sustainable practices, the merger was a well-timed collaboration.

The Downtown area has had a walkability audit to record the needs of both walkers and drivers. Within the immediate vicinity of the downtown public market is senior housing, healthcare facilities, the historic downtown core, and the bordering neighborhoods. With this mix, it lends itself to the greater success of the Downtown Batavia Public Market.

The BID envisions the market growing and it is excited to have the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market ready and able to take on the new venture. The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market enjoyed being at the Batavia Downs parking lot and thanks them for their support through the years, but the new move will reinforce the sustainable model for the farmers and tap into the trending desire to be located in downtowns.

If you would like more information regarding the merger of the markets or the BID in general, please contact Laurie Oltramari at (585) 344-0900 or e-mailLOltramari@DowntownBataviaNY.com. If you are interested in volunteering or being a vendor at the Downtown Batavia Public Market, please contact Bob Austen atRobertAusten@frontiernet.net.

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited the U.S. Gypsum Plant in Oakfield last week as part of his ongoing local business tours. Hawley, a small-business owner for over four decades, commended U.S. Gypsum on its unwavering commitment to safety and dedication to its employees, 30 percent of whom have worked at the plant for more than 25 years.

U.S. Gypsum has won numerous MSHA Sentinels of Safety Mining Awards and was named one of the safest companies in 2015 by EHS Today Magazine.

“I was impressed by the safety procedures and precautions in place at the Oakfield plant, and the large number of employees who have been there for over 25 years and are multi-generational employees of the company,” Hawley said. “This speaks to their presence in the local community and U.S. Gypsum’s devotion to its employees.

"It is important that young people remember that trade or factory work can open many doors for a fulfilling career, and companies such as U.S. Gypsum are always seeking employees who are looking to build a career in the skilled trades.

“As impressive as its safety measures is U.S. Gypsum’s ongoing effort to stay environmentally friendly. I was amazed to learn that the Oakfield plant is completely energy efficient, burning natural gas and selling off the excess. Furthermore, its products are made with 100-percent recycled paper. U.S. Gypsum is a shining example of a well-functioning company that cares about more than just its bottom line, and that is commendable.”

The Warming Center is open tonight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for women and children in need of shelter at the United Methodist Church, Lewiston Road, Batavia.

For assistance, call (585) 993-6371.

There will be pickups at both McDonald's locations in Batavia.

Light meals will be served.

They are hoping to sell a lot of spaghetti dinners and auction off a ton of pies on Saturday, Feb. 13, to boost the coffers of the Ambulance Fund for the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

Ambulances don't come cheap. These slick, state-of-the-art, life-saving rigs can easily cost $150,000 or more and Alexander's Ambulance Service will need a new one in the not too distant future, according to event organizer Lorrie Gammack. Plus, it costs about $5,000 a year to keep the ambulance service going so fundraisers like the one planned next month are critical, she said.

The fire department will be putting on a spaghetti dinner at the Fireman's Recreational Hall from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a pie auction hosted by the Alexander Methodist Church. The hall is located at 10505 Main St. in Alexander.

"Several businesses and individuals throughout the Alexander community have donated pies and other baked goods that will be auctioned," Gammack says. "The need of the fire department is great. ... We are hoping that on this night the community of Alexander will be able to come together and support our first responders."

The flier urges you to "Sweeten the Pot" in order to "Help Those Who Help Us!"

And for the gluten-averse or the allergic, a gluten-free option is available! Just call Lolly at 585-591-1761.

Pre-sale tickets are available by contacting Deb Spiers at 585-813-3319. Make checks payable to the Alexander Fire Department Ambulance Fund.