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Now is a great time to become a 4-H volunteer or start a local 4-H Club

By Press Release

Press release:

Now is a great time to become a 4-H volunteer or start a local 4-H Club with the Genesee County 4-H Program.

The 4-H Program is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18. 4-H connects youth to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society.

The Genesee County 4-H Program would not be possible without the time and talents of its volunteers.

Volunteers are essential to the program and allow you to share your knowledge and hobbies with interested youth.  4-H volunteer opportunities range from coordinating monthly club meetings to leading a one-time gardening project. Whatever you have to offer, 4-H has a place for you! 

Genesee County 4-H Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Lead a 4-H project in an area that excites you, such as cooking, woodworking, sewing, or animal science;
  • Coordinate a 4-H Club by planning monthly meetings and projects with club families;
  • Judge 4-H public speaking presentations;
  • Lead a 4-H livestock event or contest;
  • Coordinate a 4-H activity at the county fair;
  • Help with fundraising;
  • Become a certified Shooting Sports Instructor.

For more information about joining the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131. Enrollment forms are also available on our website.

Public Health Column: August is National Immunization Awareness Month

By Press Release

From the Genesee County Health Department:

August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Today’s vaccines protect againstserious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as polio, pneumonia, and cancers caused by HPV.

Because of advances in medical science, your children and family can be protected against more diseases than ever before.

As schools and colleges begin to reopen, parents and guardians should make sure their children are up-to-date on their vaccines.

“Consulting with your child’s doctor before school starts is a fantastic way to get information about vaccine schedules while making sure your family is best prepared to start the school year,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans counties.

With the school guidance set forth by New York State, many safeguards are put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the academic setting. However, it is still important to remember and protect against vaccine preventable diseases.

During these challenging times, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend every child continues to receive routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Well-child visits and vaccinations are essential services and help make sure children are protected. Children who are not protected by vaccines may be more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough,” said Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans counties.

“As communities are opening up, it’s important for parents to work with their children’s health care team to make sure their children stay up to date on routine vaccines.”

With flu season right around the corner, it’s important that you schedule time for you and your family to receiveyour annual flu vaccine. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is more important than ever. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.

Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources. CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination in September or October but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can help protect you.

Whether you are a parent, expecting a child, or an adult, you have the power to keep yourself and your family healthy against harmful diseases. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses to help safely develop protection from diseases.

During NIAM, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages you to talk to your primary care physician to ensure that you and your family are up to date on recommended vaccines.

We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your child’s life. Adults can use the CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.

For information about Health Department services contact:

  • Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website.

Legislature's proclamation raises awareness of suicide, substance use, mental health issues

By Mike Pettinella

proc_8_26_20_a.jpg

The Genesee County Legislature today sent a timely and vital message of “hope and healing” as it issued a proclamation in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week (Sept. 6-12), World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) and National Recovery Month (September).

Legislator Gary Maha, reading from the decree that also shined a light on mental health awareness, said that “in these challenging times, messages of hope and healing are needed more than ever” as representatives of the County Mental Health Department, Genesee Justice and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse looked on at the Old County Courthouse.

“Where millions of people around the world join their voices to share messages of hope and healing … these observances are united to raising awareness that prevention is possible, treatment is effective and people do recover … in these challenging times messages of hope and healing are more needed than ever,” Maha read.

The proclamation went on to state that county residents have “access to high-quality prevention support, rehabilitation and treatment services that lead to recovery and a healthy lifestyle … and that every day in Genesee County, people begin treatment at behavioral health services and community supports to begin the road to wellness and recovery.”

Maha read that that the “benefits of preventing and overcoming mental health challenges, suicide attempts and loss, and substance abuse are significant and valuable to individuals, families and our community at large … (and) it is essential that we educate residents about suicide, mental health and substance abuse and the ways they affect all the people in the community.”

Lynda Battaglia, director of mental health and community services at the Genesee County Mental Health Department, said it was “wonderful” that the legislature was acknowledging these issues and spoke of the “incredible collaboration” across agencies – calling it “a shared mission” to provide help and hope.

She said that every day, on average, 132 people die by suicide.

“Every number is a person … a loved one,” she said.

Battaglia encouraged those contemplating suicide or having serious mental health or substance use issues to reach out because they “are not alone.”

“There are people who want to help you and care for you,” she said. “We are your lifeline.”

Photo, from left, Shannon Ford, GCASA services director of Communications, Development and Prevention; Sue Gagne, Genesee County Suicide Prevention Coalition coordinator and GCASA recovery center coordinator; Maha; Catherine Uhly, director of Genesee Justice; Legislator Gordon Dibble; Battaglia. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Video: Outdoor Tai Chi at DeWitt Recreation Area

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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Nancy Wee's Tai Chi class at DeWitt Recreation Area. The classes are at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and Sunday. They are free and open to everybody. Masks and social distancing required.

Gym, fitness center owners urged to make appointments for state-mandated inspections

By Mike Pettinella

As permitted by the governor’s office, many gyms and fitness centers in Genesee County reopened on Monday, but there remains a great deal of confusion as to what the owners of these facilities need to do to keep their doors open.

That’s the word from County Manager Matt Landers, who addressed the legislature this afternoon at its monthly meeting at the Old County Courthouse.

Landers said the county health department reached out to about 25 businesses and “less than half of them understood the process going forward.”

“And that’s only a snapshot of what’s out there,” he added.

According to state guidelines, these varied facilities (gyms and fitness centers, yoga and Pilates studies, boxing centers, boot camps, and dance and martial arts studios, etc.) are subject to a county health inspection within two weeks of their opening to ensure proper protocols are in place and adhere to State guidelines to protect customers and staff.

“A lot of these facilities are opening and didn’t have follow-up guidelines or make appointments with the health department,” Landers said. “It seems that they were excited and opened without reading the second part of the information that came out.”

Landers said the county health department is currently performing these inspections, but city, town and village code enforcement officers may be called upon to assist.

“You don’t have to be a nurse … to certify that the HVAC system and safety plan is in place,” he said

He also mentioned the possibility of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce setting up a Zoom information session for owners of these types of businesses.

Reopening requirements include:

  • Developing a business safety plan;
  • Having a heating, ventilation and air condition inspection by an approved professional;
  • Completing an affirmation that the state guidelines are understood and will be implemented.

Once the business safety plan and air handling inspection are complete and an attestation form is submitted, Genesee and Orleans Counties will begin the process of scheduling inspections. These steps must be completed prior to scheduling an inspection. For Genesee County call (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555, and for Orleans County call (585) 589-3278.

In other developments, legislators:

-- Accepted $258,726 in funding from the state Department of Health to be used by the Genesee County Public Health Department for COVID-19 contact tracing, overtime and supplies, with expenses over that amount to be partially offset by state aid.

-- Re-appointed Kathryn Ribbeck and Janet Olivieri to the GLOW Workforce Development Board through 2022. Ribbeck is the human resources manager at O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Inc., Batavia, and Olivieri is human resources manager at Lapp Insulators LLC, Le Roy.

-- Approved a contract with Empire Access to provide an independent internet circuit for the Board of Elections’ two locations at County Building II on West Main Street Road. The contract will run for 36 months at a cost of $285 per month.

-- Created a full-time position of epidemiologist or community health nurse, effective Aug. 31, 2020, with the salary and fringe benefits allocated for in the 2020 health department budget. The position is fully covered by COVID-19 funding until June 30, 2022.

-- Accepted a $250 donation from Linda Keister in memory of Batavian Kathy Owen to go toward an environmental program for Genesee County youth at Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Nature Center in Bethany.

Congressman Jacobs calls for greater flexibility in USDA's Child Nutrition Program

By Press Release

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs has sent United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a letter, with 24 Republican members, calling for the review and swift implementation of flexibilities within the Child Nutrition Program. 

“As we head into the 2020-2021 school year, we need to be sure schools can accommodate the needs of children, many who may be observing hybrid or fully online classes this fall,” Jacobs said.

“As someone who has consistently advocated for quality education, I know that during this time when parents are stressed about children completing classwork, they shouldn’t have the extra burden of worrying about school meal services for their child.”

Originally, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA utilized flexibilities within the Child Nutrition Program to allow schools to provide meals to children as they were learning from home. As it stands now, these flexibilities, though within the legal bounds of the program, have not been authorized for the 2020-2021 school year.

“With the variety of plans different districts are implementing, it is critical that schools have the appropriate tools and flexibility to ensure they can carry out quality meal service and delivery for all students who need it,” Jacobs said.

Ranzenhofer encourages farmworkers, farm owners to submit testimony to NYS Labor Board about overtime pay

By Press Release

Press release:

As part of the 2019 Farm Labor Bill, the Commissioner of Labor is required to convene a wage board to hold hearings to solicit input on the impact of the new law and make recommendations for overtime work.

Under the 2019 Farm Labor Bill, farm workers became eligible for overtime compensation starting in 2020, for any work over 60 hours per week.

Senator Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“I would encourage all farmers and farmworkers to submit their testimony to the Board. It is so important that our Upstate farmers be heard and respected. Last year, when I hosted a farm roundtable, tour and community meeting with the bill’s sponsor, Senator Ramos, we heard many concerns from both farmworkers and farm owners.

“I know this bill was detrimental to our local farms and Upstate economy and I fervently hope that our farmers and farmworkers take the time to express their concerns with the wage board. Agriculture is a huge part of the economy of New York State and Upstate. These concerns need to be heard.”

To submit your testimonial, email wageboard@labor.ny.gov. You can also find the links to Zoom virtual meetings of the hearings on the State Labor website here.

CORRECTED: No new positive cases in Genesee County

By Press Release

CORRECTION: The Health Department accidentally issued yesterday's press release again today. Here is today's correct press release.

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m.

  • Genesee County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • Eleven new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
    • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
       
  • Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • Five new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Rochester man sentenced to 20 years in prison for three bank robberies, including one in Elba in 2016

By Press Release

Press release:

ROCHESTER -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that Terrance Rainey, 35, of Rochester, who was convicted of bank robbery by use of a dangerous weapon, was sentenced to serve 240 months -- or 20 years -- in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

The defendant was also ordered to pay $30,208 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the case, stated that on May 25, 2016, Rainey and codefendant Latrell Parson robbed the First Niagara Bank on Winton Road in Henrietta.

The two men entered the bank, and Parson approached the teller, pointed an air pistol that appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun at her, handed her a bag and ordered her to fill it with money.

At the same time, Rainey held the other bank employees at gunpoint with an air pistol that appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun. The teller complied with Parson’s demand, and Parson and the defendant then exited the bank and drove away in a vehicle.

They then set fire to that car in the back parking lot of a bowling alley on Jefferson Road in Rochester.

On July 14, Rainey and Parson robbed the Chase Bank on State Route 31 in Macedon. The defendant and Parson entered the bank wearing hooded sweatshirts, masks, and gloves, each brandishing a semiautomatic pistol, and ordered bank employees to get on the floor.

Parson handed a bag to a teller and demanded that money be placed in the bag. The teller complied and Parson and the defendant then fled the bank in a SUV. Parson and Rainey then abandoned that vehicle behind a plaza adjacent to the bank.

On Oct. 18, 2016, Rainey and Parson robbed the M&T Bank located on Oak Orchard Road in Elba. The two men entered the bank wearing hooded sweatshirts with face coverings and gloves, and pointed handguns at the employees.

Parson threw a bag to one of the bank employees, ordering her to fill it with cash. The teller complied, and Parson and the defendant took the money and fled the bank, got into a car, and drove away. They then pulled into a vacant lot, switched vehicles, and left the area.

Latrell Parson was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 141 months in prison, or 11 years and nine months.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State police, under the direction of Acting Major Barry Chase; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr.; the Macedon Police Department, under the direction of Chief John P. Colella; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

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By Lisa Ace


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Mark Your Calendar: Volunteers for Animals hold basket raffle bonanza at Pudgie's Lawn and Garden on Oct. 3

By Billie Owens

Volunteers for Animals will hold a jumbo, super-duper basket raffle at Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center in Batavia from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

All proceeds will benefit the homeless pets at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

The VFA baskets will be in a separate room. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. You need not be present to win.

More than 100 baskets, covering a wide range of themes, will be up for grabs!

Themes include: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, pampering spa, kitchen/cooking stuff and, of course, baskets for your BFFs -- your pets!

VFA will have merchandise for sale such as T-shirts and sweatshirts.

Pudgie's will have a 10-percent off sale on all pet-safe houseplants.

The volunteers ask that you please practice social distancing and wear a face mask while attending this event.

Pudgie's is located at 3646 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

Monday's GLOW YMCA Golf Outing raises more than $10,000 for families to enjoy Y programs and services

By Press Release

Submitted photo and press release:

The GLOW YMCA Golf Outing was held Monday, Aug. 24th at the Terry Hill’s Golf Club in Batavia.

The event was a tremendous success in raising more than $10,000 to go toward financial aid scholarships for families in the GLOW Region who wish to participate in YMCA programs or services.

The winning foursome, from the Rochester-based architecture, engineering and planning firm of Clark Patterson Lee, was: Rick Henry, Steve Tanner, John Riter and John Harrower -- shooting a 13 under par 59 in the scramble event.

This years’ sponsors were Clark Patterson Lee, Five Star Bank, Freed Maxick, LaBella, Marchese Computers, Ciurzynski Consulting, Manning Squires Hennig, Bank of Castile Tompkins Insurance, Rochester Regional Hospital UMMC, Precor Fitness, Crickler Vending, Barclay & Damon, Kiwanis Club of Warsaw, Merrill Lynch, Tracy Ford, Genesee Patrons, Wendt Propane and Oil, and Turnbull Heating and Cooling.

Special thanks to all these vendors and supporters of the GLOW YMCA as well the golfers and Terry Hill’s staff.

Ranzenhofer bill would make COVID-19-related projects eligible for Smart School grants and speed up process

By Press Release

Press release:

New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has introduced a bill (S.8935) that will create a new category of projects eligible for funding under the Smart Schools program and shorten application time to help protect students and teachers from the threat of COVID-19.

“Our schools need our support during this trying time," said Senator Mike Ranzenhofer. "Making Smart School grant funding available for schools, in a timelier way, while they work to safely welcome back students, either in person or virtually, is extremely important.

"This funding can help with social distancing measures, distance learning or any other needs that arise. We must do all we can to protect our children."

“I applaud Senator Ranzenhofer’s bill to add flexibility and efficiency to the Smart Schools Bond Act process," said Pavilion Superintendent Kenneth Ellison. "The current Smart Schools funding process, while well intentioned, has been extraordinarily slow in application. The technology needs created by COVID related closures are many.

"Enhanced flexibility in securing these funds for technology purchases, in a timely way, will be very beneficial to educators and students during these difficult times."

The “Smart Schools” grant program was funded by bonds and created in 2014. In the past, the application process has been lengthy, taking up to a year for approval.

This bill will provide a fast-tracked way to allow schools to use this funding to find safe ways to fight COVID-19 and safely welcome students back to school. Schools across New York are working on their reopening plans with the safety of our students at the center of everything they do. Whether going back virtually, in person or a hybrid model, this funding will help alleviate some of the financial burdens school districts are facing.

The bill was introduced on Aug. 21st and is in the Senate Committee on Rules for consideration.

Leagues can use two lanes with 'appropriate barriers'; bowlers upset over face coverings rule

By Mike Pettinella

League bowlers who have been objecting to the one-lane rule received some good news on Tuesday, but the same can’t be said for those who are protesting having to wear a face covering while delivering the ball.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office ruled that leagues can be conducted as normal – switching each frame between two lanes over the course of a game – as long as “appropriate physical barriers” are put up between lanes.

Bowling proprietors throughout the state have been buying plastic sheeting, shower curtains and plexiglass, and are in the process of using those materials to separate bowlers in the seating area and at the ball return.

According to an email blast from the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association, the latest guidelines include the answer to two questions:

Q. Leagues typically use a pair of lanes when they are bowling. Is it permissible for teams to swap lanes (team bowls on the left lane, next time they bowl on the right lane) with the barrier still in place between the lanes and they stay seated on one side at all times?

A. Yes, if they don’t interact and otherwise maintain social distancing when switching.

Q. With regards to the number of players to any event (other than a regular league) at the facility being restricted to 50 or fewer, can that group bowl on consecutive lanes without barriers? For example, if a family of 10 comes in to bowl together they would normally bowl on two lanes next to each other. Do they need to have a barrier between their lanes even though they are together? This would be similar to a family out dining together.

A. No barrier needed here if part of the same group.

While league members will be pleased to know that two lanes can be used during competition, the rule stating that face coverings must be worn at all times for patrons/players is “the biggest issue” right now, said Mike Sputore, manager of Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Sputore said the reaction at league meetings this week has been decidedly against the directive that masks have to be worn while actually rolling the ball.

“Our numbers are going to be way down if this isn’t changed, but I am optimistic that it will be,” Sputore said, noting that the number of bowlers in a few leagues that have met thus far has declined as much as 50 percent from last season. “The mask rule should be the same as with the restaurant – when you’re seated a table you can remove your mask. If a bowler is social distanced on the lane, why does he or she need to wear the mask then?”

He also said people are concerned about being able to breathe properly and those with glasses have problems with their glasses fogging up while wearing a face covering.

Other guidelines still in place for bowling are as follows:

  • Restrict facility capacity to no more than 50 percent of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of employees and patrons/players;
  • Strictly enforce social distancing of at least six feet between parties of patrons/players, including during play by closing adjacent bowling lanes or enacting appropriate physical barriers between lanes;
  •  Ensure patrons/players interact only with their party at their assigned lane (i.e., no comingling of parties);
  • Rigorously clean and disinfect any rented or shared equipment (e.g., bowling balls, bowling shoes) between each patron’s/player’s or party’s use;
  • Limit the number of patrons/players to any event at the facility to no more than the current social gathering restrictions that are in effect for the region as a part of the State’s phased reopening (i.e., 50 or fewer people in Phase 4 regions, as of Aug. 15, 2020); and Adhere to the Department of Health's “Interim Guidance for Food Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” and all other applicable state-issued guidance (e.g., State Liquor Authority) for food and beverage service on the premise of the facility; provided, however, that indoor food and beverage service remains prohibited in New York City until further notice, as of Aug. 15, 2020.

Further, responsible parties of bowling centers and alleys may consider these additional public health and safety measures:

  • Encourage patron/player visits be made in advance by reservation only, where practicable;
  • Consider measures to reduce interpersonal contact and congregation, such as: “blocking off” operating times to allow for enhanced cleaning and disinfection; implementing “sign-up” policies, so patrons/players only play during their allotted time; and/or offering “equipment valets” where employees retrieve equipment for patrons/players (e.g., employees retrieve bowling balls from rack for use);
  • Post signage and issue audio reminders for patrons/players to clean and disinfect equipment before and after use;
  • Impose reasonable limits on rentals of facility owned equipment (e.g., a single individual may only use one bowling ball for the duration of the patron’s/player’s play); and/or
  • Encourage patrons/players to bring and use their own equipment (e.g., bowling balls).

Also, billiards are not allowed to be open at this time.

One new COVID-19 case reported in Genesee County, person in their 30s residing in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received one new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Pavilion.
    • The positive individual is in their 30s.
    • The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • One new individual is on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
    • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
       
  • Orleans County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Shelby.
    • The positive individual is in their 60s.
    • The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • One of the previous positive individuals has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Fourteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Daughter of city bicyclist injured in hit-and-run accident Aug. 13 pleads for public's help

By Billie Owens

Sue Reed, a 70-year-old resident of the City of Batavia (inset photo, right), continues to suffer physically and mentally after a pickup truck hit her while she was riding her bicycle eastbound on East Main Street the morning of Thursday, Aug. 13.

The suspect remains at large and no tips have been received to help Batavia police solve the hit-and-run case.

Sue's daugther, Corfu resident Kimberly Reed, is hoping that changes because as things stand, she is disgusted.

Disgusted that the driver well knew he hit somebody on a bike, bothered to get out of his truck and walk over and see the blood and injuries, yet he got back into his pickup and continued on his way.

"What happened was an accident," Kimberly said. "What happened afterward was not an accident. It's disgusting. He stopped, got out of his truck and went over to her and looked at her, and looked horrified when he saw the blood. He said something to her, which she couldn't understand because she had a concussion. Then he got back in his truck and continued down Vine."

The accident occurred between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Sue, who had recently taken up bicycling for exercise, was riding her small black 10-speed on the sidewalk and when she got to Vine, Kimberly says her mother told her she stopped at the light and waited for it to turn green to proceed.

When she was in the middle of the crosswalk, the mystery pickup truck, also eastbound, made a left turn onto Vine Street heading north and struck the bicyclist.

Sue, who lived most of her life in Oakfield before moving to Batavia, says doesn't recall the color of the truck, just that it was big and had bigger than average wheels and a chrome grill.

The driver is described as very tall, very skinny, smooth-shaven and blond, under age 40. Sue cannot recall any details about his clothing.

The driver left his truck, approached her, and she heard him say something to her. He headed immediately back to his vehicle, and she assumed he was going to call 9-1-1. Instead, incredulously, she watched him drive off and leave her there.

The bicycle was relatively undamaged. But Sue was hurt and can't recall how she managed to get the bike and herself out of the roadway.

She called her boyfriend, who was at a diner in Elba, and sat waiting for him on the side of the road, bleeding and moving to three different spots as she waited for help to arrive.

No one stopped to ask about her or offer aid.

"You could have wrung the blood out of her clothes, that's how badly she was injured," Kimberly said.

After about 20 minutes or so her boyfriend arrived from Elba and took her to the emergency room at UMMC.

In addition to the concussion, Sue's right arm was broken by the impact of the truck's chrome grill. Her left arm was slashed from elbow to wrist and "could not be stitched; she'll have to go to a plastic surgeon." The left side of Sue's face is badly bruised and her teeth pierced through her mouth and her bottom lip had to be stitched together.

Two days later she had to return to the ER after an air pocket was found in her lungs from the impact. Results from a CAT* scan are pending and are expected to reveal the severity of the air pocket and whether it has grown or moved.

"This has really tore her up," Kimberly said of her mother, and the mental anguish only adds to the pain. "We've had like five hit-and-runs in Genesee County recently. It's getting worse; I guess people think they can get away with it.

"It's sickening. ... to get out and look at her, then get back in the truck and leave?! It's just not right."

Her mother would never think of doing that to someone. Not a woman who has spent the last seven years volunteering for Crossroads House, the local nonprofit hospice for the dying. Sue Reed would just do the right thing -- no explanation given, no excuses offered.

If you have information about this case, please contact Batavia Police Officer Peter Post at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370, or online here.

*CAT: computerized axial tomography

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Reed.

Previously: BPD looking for anyone with info on pickup truck that struck bicyclist this morning

Blue Jays flying high in Buffalo with signage installed by Le Roy company

By Howard B. Owens

img_0284unitech.jpg

When it came time for the Toronto Blue Jays to build a new nest for the 2020 season, a local company was called on to make Sahlen Field in Buffalo look like home.

Unitech Applications opened in Le Roy in 1989 and owner Guy Laesser focused on the bigging on landing big-business clients. The company specializing in large-scale vinyl design applications, like car wraps but on large vehicles -- trucks, buses -- and buildings.

The effort paid off in a big way in 1996 when he was hired to wrap all buses for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Since then, Unitech has been Laesser's full-time occupation.

He calls himself a perfectionist and that has helped the company grow. Other clients include the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy, Ice Road Truckers, the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, and Scooby-Doo's "The Mystery Machine" movie tour.

It's no wonder, then, when the Blue Jays called 3M looking for a company to work within the Buffalo region to get Sahlen MLB-ready, 3M recommended Unitech.

"Our job is to provide whatever the client needs," Laesser said.

When the Blue Jays wanted a wrap on the scoreboard, Laesser, who doesn't like getting up higher than 12 feet himself, had a friend who did just that kind of work, so he called him to complete that part of the project all in the name of taking care of the client.

For the Blue Jays, Unitech provided signage and wraps for the concourse, the dugouts, the stands, and the outfield walls. The company even used vinyl to tint the windows on the tents being used as the visiting team's locker room.

That wasn't as big of a frosted vinyl project as Unitech did for a company in NYC, which involved wrapping a 40,000-square-foot building.

Not every project Laesser and his lone full-time employee Fred Crimes take on is all that big. The company also wraps the covers of medical equipment used to treat children going through cancer treatment.

Unitech also supports the charity Special Spaces, which provides unique and specially designed bedrooms for children going through cancer treatment.

"That (the vinyl wall covering) was the biggest bill they had, it cost the most, so when we got involved, we volunteered all of the time and material so it didn't cost them anything and they could put their money elsewhere," Laesser said.

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Sponsored Post: Great homes from Reliant Real Estate! Call us today

By Lisa Ace


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Health Department seeks public's help in locating owner of terrier who bit someone on Ellicott Trail

By Press Release

From the Genesee County Health Department:

On Friday, Aug. 21, between 3 and 3:30 p.m., an individual was bitten by an unfamiliar dog that was with its assumed owner. The incident occurred on the Ellicott Trail in front of the Batavia Gardens Apartment complex located on 679 E. Main Street, Batavia.

The assumed owner of the dog is described as a slender white male in his 40s with short brown hair. The dog that bit the individual was a Jack Russell Terrier mix with a red and brindle white coat. The dog was wearing a black collar with a blue leash.

The individual who was bitten did not obtain any information from the man with the dog and has not seen the man since the incident.

“The purpose in locating the owner of the dog is to make sure the dog is up-to-date on its anti-rabies vaccine,” said Sarah Balduf, Environmental Health director of Genesee and Orleans counties. “If the owner cannot be located, the individual will have to go through unnecessary treatment.”

Anyone with information on the dog and/or dog owner is asked to contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555.

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Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
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Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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