Public Health Column from the Genesee County Health Department:

A new and improved shingles vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Shingrix" is now available to adults 50 years and older in protecting against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, one of the most serious complications associated with shingles.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that adults who receive two doses of the Shingrix vaccine are more likely to prevent the virus from occurring compared to adults who received Zostavax.

Shingles is a painful rash that can be described as an extreme burning sensation. The CDC has estimated that one out of every three adults will experience shingles in their lifetime.

Shingles primarily appears on one side of the body around the face and/or torso. Before an individual develops shingles, they may experience a tingling or burning sensation under the skin in the region where the rash will appear.

The rash consists of fluid-filled blisters that scab over in 7 to 10 days. An individual can expect the redness to linger for about 2 to 4 weeks after the initial onset of the rash. Additional symptoms present with shingles may include: fatigue, fever, chills, upset stomach, and muscle weakness.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nervous system for many years before reactivating as shingles.

It is unclear what stimulates the varicella zoster virus to reactivate in the form of shingles, but certain risk factors contribute to the virus reappearing such as age and weakened immunity.

Shingles can cause debilitating health complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), loss of vision, loss of hearing, skin disorders, and in rare cases, neurological problems.

Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans counties, explained that “postherpetic neuralgia can occur if nerve fibers were damaged during an outbreak of shingles. Messages sent from the skin to the brain no longer work properly, resulting in excruciating pain in the localized area where the rash was initially present. The pain can last for months, and sometimes years.”

PHN is one of the most serious complications individuals may experience with shingles. The CDC estimates that approximately every one in five adults who experience shingles will suffer with PHN. The older the individual is who develops shingles, the more likely they are to develop PHN.

Adults who are 50 years and older can protect themselves from developing shingles and PHN by receiving the new and improved shingles vaccine, Shingrix. The CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older receive two doses of the new shingles vaccine separated by 2 to 6 months for the most effective protection.

Bedard mentioned that folks who already experienced shingles or received the old, single dose, vaccine (Zostavax) should highly consider getting vaccinated with Shingrix.

Bedard states, “Although adults may have already received a shingles vaccine, they should consider getting vaccinated with Shingrix to increase their protection against the virus and the complications associated with it.”

Receiving two doses of Shingrix reduces the risk of shingles and PHN by more than 90 perceny in people 50 years and older.

Bedard continues, “Individuals who have already experiences an episode of shingles should receive this vaccine to prevent future outbreaks of the virus that could appear more serious. Since your risk of shingles and PHN increases as you get older, it is important to have strong protection against shingles in your older years.”

Anyone who experiences the initial onset and/or symptoms of shingles should contact their doctor right away. Anti-viral medications can be prescribed to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Although the symptoms might be managed, the risk for developing complications is still a major concern.

Receiving the Shingrix vaccine will provide superior protection against shingles. The two-dose vaccine is the recommended choice by the CDC in preventing shingles in adults 50 years and older. Talk to your local pharmacy or health care provider to receive more information on the vaccine.

To find doctor’s offices or pharmacies near you that offer the vaccine, visit HealthMap Vaccine Finder. For information about Health Department services contact:

• Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html
• Orleans County Health Department at: 589-3278 or check out our website at: www.orleansny.com/publichealth
• Wyoming County Health Department at: 786-8890 or visit their web site at www.wyomingco.net/health/main.html

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is seeking public-spirited citizens to spend a couple hours assembling bundles of materials that can be used to create artworks, to go to artists with disabilities.

The “Second Annual ARTcovz® Packaging Party” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 31, at the ILGR office, 113 Main St. (near Center Street), Suite 5, in Batavia.

The Agency offers participants a light breakfast and the opportunity to make new friends, as they assemble: clay art packages; card boards, colored pencils and paint for drawing and painting; folding paper for origami projects; glue and binding materials for creating books, etc.

This is made possible thanks to the generosity of the North-Buffalo-based University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the arts.

UHAA has stocked an ARTcovz® self-serve kiosk of art supplies in the ILGR lobby since March 2016, which has included: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/ drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and art-oriented audio books on CD.

Having placed many ARTcovz® booths in public areas around Western New York, UHAA has partnered with ILGR to expand their outreach to people with disabilities.

While not mandatory to participate, those who plan to attend are encouraged to preregister, so there will be enough food on hand. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Bridget Mosman at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400.  

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce another exciting Job Fair with more than 50 companies expected from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

Genesee's Career Services Center continues to solicit businesses from all types of industries to join the popular, two-hour event that introduces potential new employees to employers, and also provides businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community.

The event is free to employers and attendees.

Employers must register; job seekers are not required to register prior to the event but must sign-in upon arrival. Potential new employees are encouraged to dress for success, and bring their current resume.

As of today, March 19, the following employers are scheduled to be in attendance:

• ARC of Genesee County
• Baker Victory Services
• Barnes & Noble College
• Batavia Police Department
• Carolina Eastern -- Crocker, LLC
• City of Rochester
• Conesus Lake Nursing Home
• Episcopal Senior Life Communities
• ESL Federal Credit Union
• Frito-Lay
• Genesee County Human Resources
• Heritage Christian Services
• Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
• HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care
• Independent Living of the Genesee Region
• Iroquois Job Corps Center
• Jewish Senior Life
• Lifetime Assistant Inc.
• Living Opportunities of DePaul
• Livingston County DSS
• Manpower
• Medical Staffing Network
• Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties
• Monroe County Sheriff's Office
• Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
• NYS Department of Corrections & Community Services
• NYS Department of Labor
• NYS Park Police
• People Inc.
• People Ready Inc.
• Pioneer Credit Recovery
• Premier Designs Inc.
• ProAction of Steuben and Yates Inc.
• Real Agency Pro LLC
• Remedy Staffing
• Rochester City Police Department / City of Rochester
• Rochester Psychiatric Center
• Select Custom Door
• Southern Tier Security & Event Management
• Sterling Tents
• Sutherland Global Services
• Tahoe Pines Custom Sewing & Design
• Tender Loving Family Care Inc.
• TL Cannon Applebee's
• The Student Conservation Association
• United Healthcare Community Plan
• United Memorial Medical Center
• U.S. Air Force Recruiters
• U.S. Army
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Vetco Clinics
• WBTA AM & FM
• Weed Man Lawn Care
• Wright Beverage

For more information, visit:  http://www.genesee.edu/career/events/. For a detailed listing of job opportunities by employer, please email a request for the list to career@genesee.edu

Press release:

Do you have a passion you'd like to turn into a business? Ready to start writing a business plan? Join us at Genesee Community College for a FREE Business Plan Basics workshop to get you started!

Great entrepreneurs of our time have great business plans! On Thursday, March 22, GCC will host a special workshop that teaches the basic components of a good business plan led by Sam Campanella of the Small Business Development Center. 

Business Plan Basics will take place on from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in room T121 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Campanella will also lead a workshop on Idea Pitch Preparation on Thursday, April 12, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to help you prepare to pitch your business idea.

This workshop is free and open to the public; you do NOT have to be participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition to attend these workshops. To sign up for a workshop, please contact Amy Conley at avconley@genesee.edu.

Ready to test out your business idea? Consider participating in a Business Idea Pitch Competition! You could even earn a cash prize!

The first-ever local Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 19, in the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The deadline for competitors to register is Friday, March 30.

Business Idea Pitch Competition details are available at https://www.genesee.edu/home/events/businesspitch/. To register for the Pitch Competition, please contact Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., at lmlamattina@genesee.edu or (585) 343-0055, ext.6319.

A priest assigned to St. Mary's in Batavia for 12 years starting in 1991 has denied allegations that he sexually molested three people during his time with the Buffalo Diocese.

The Buffalo News has reported that three men have claimed that they were molested by Rev. Donald Becker, including one who said he was paid a settlement by the church.

While the News did not report Becker's connection to St. Mary's, a spokesman for the diocese said he was assigned as pastor there for a six-year term in March 1991 and reappointed pastor in March 1997. His second term ended in March 2003.

The News reports that Becker served nine parishes in the diocese from 1968 through 2002, including: St. Mark's in Rushford; St. Mary's of the Assumption in Lancaster; St. Bonaventure in West Seneca; SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg; Nativity of Our Lord in Orchard Park; St. Stephen's on Grand Island; and St. Agatha's in Buffalo.

Becker, who now lives in Florida, told the News that he retired for medical reasons. He suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Two of the men who spoke to the News, but were not named in the story, said they were teens when they encountered Becker. The other said he was 9 years old.

The accusations against Becker has apparently increased pressure for the diocese to be more transparent about priests accused of sexual abuse.

Det. Eric Hill said there have been no criminal complaints against Becker in the City of Batavia and there is no current investigation since there have been no complaints.

Press release:

The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market* opens for the season on Friday, June 8th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 8th, through Friday, Oct. 26th.

"This year marks the third year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)", says Market Manager Mike Bakos, "The Market, presently in this year's planning stages, is accepting new vendor applications."

Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal or Day Vendor may obtain application forms by contacting Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.

The market also offers a FREE market stall to qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market. Contact the market for more information.

* Providing "Locally Grown" Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Items to the Greater Batavia and Genesee County Area for 44 Years.

From the Zonta Club at Batavia High School:

Let Us Learn Madagascar 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Batavia High School’s Zonta Club, will be held on Sunday, April 29.

Z-Club members are excited to invite you to participate in this charity run/walk that benefits educating girls in Madagascar.

Registration at 1 p.m., race begins at 2. The race starts and ends on Denio Street, near the Muckdogs' baseball field.

Race Entry: $15 for individuals (prior to April 29); $20 race day registration; $50 for a team registration of five runners/walkers. *Teams need to combine and submit registration forms.

If you have any questions feel free to contact:

• mlholsopple@bataviacsd.org
• jcorbelli@bataviacsd.org
• ldisanto@bataviacsd.org

Tariffs on steel and aluminum announced by the Trump Administration last week could put a squeeze on profits for local manufacturers, according to the executives at Graham Corp., Chapin Industries, and Liberty Pumps.

"Yes, we are adversely impacted by higher costs from imported carbon steel and stainless steel," said Jeff Glajch, chief financial officer for Graham. "We are also seeing significant increases in costs from our domestic suppliers. Making the situation more challenging is that our foreign competitors are not impacted, and if they import finished product, it is not affected by the tariffs."

While details of the tariff plan have not been released, the administration has said it plans to impose in just a few days a 25-percent tariff on steel and 10-percent tariff on aluminum. This would be a tax on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States from other countries. 

The tariff was announced under rules that allow a nation to impose a tariff for national security purposes in order to protect an industry considered vital to a nation's defense.

Even though the tariffs have not taken effect yet, manufacturers around the country are reporting that prices on steel and aluminum have been rising and are getting a bump by the anticipated tariff and are expected to rise further. Those price increases get passed on to consumers or profits must be cut.

"In steel, we use many many tons," said Jim Campell, CEO of Chapin. "Over the last 12 month, steel prices have already increased significantly. We have absorbed and offset these cost, however, we have not raised prices to our customers.

"If and when steel manufacturers raise prices again, it will impact our bottom line," Campell added. "Depending on the amount of the increase, we may be forced to raise prices, which in the end will truncate our sales and hurt our bottom line. As you know tariffs are a two-edge sword, helps some, hurts others (mostly the consumer)."

At Liberty Pumps, price increases so far have not had a big impact.

"I just had a conversation yesterday with Purchasing," said CEO Charlie Cook. "Yes, prices are going up. It has been widespread but so far just moderate percentages. When blended into the total cost of products including overheads, etc., it’s not something we’re going to react to yet. We really can’t anyway since we just imposed a price increase in January.

"Have to say," he added, "it will be good to see some U.S. furnaces cooking again."

The tariffs, however, come at a time when the steel industry in the United States is healthy. The sector is coming off of 22 consecutive profitable quarters, according to the latest report from the Department of Commerce (pdf), with net income (profits) of $869 million in the final quarter of 2017. 

In the final month of 2017, domestic steel production increased by more than 2 percent, from 6.6 million metric tons in November to 6.8 million metric tons in December while prices went up 6.7 percent. 

The tariffs are ostensibly aimed at China, which has become the world's largest steel producer, producing more steel than the United States, Mexico, Canada, the EU, and Russia combined, but China accounts for only 2 percent of the steel used in the United States. Seventeen percent of imported steel comes from Canada, 14 percent from Brazil, 10 percent from South Korea, and 9 percent from Mexico.

Even with all those imports, U.S. producers still control 70 percent of the domestic market, according to Scott Lincicome, an international trade attorney associated with the Cato Institute.

Many economists are predicting higher prices for consumers as a result of the tariffs. When President Barack Obama imposed a tariff on tire imports from China, it may have saved 1,700 U.S. jobs but at a cost to U.S. consumers of $900,000 per job saved.

Many economists have predicted that the new tariffs will unleash a trade war, but since the tariffs are being implemented under national security rules, the United States can make exceptions for countries considered allies. These include its foremost trading partners, allowing trade negotiators to zero in on China, leading Harvard economist Martin Feldstein to speculate that the real target of the tariffs is China's continued insistence on obtaining U.S. technology from companies trying to do business there. The tariffs, Feldstein speculates, could be used as leverage in trade negotiations over the issue.

The situation for aluminum is very different than steel for the United States, which imports 90 percent of its aluminum used in everything from beer cans to jet fighters, and imports are rising, according to The Washington Post. That said, higher prices for aluminum will mean higher prices for beer and soda pop.

None of the Genesee County companies anticipating higher prices on steel and lower profits anticipate layoffs as a result of the changing financial picture, even though some economists have predicted from 140,000 to 170,000 jobs lost across the country as a result of the tariffs.

Campell at Chapin said there will be no local layoffs. 

"We have not had a production layoff in the last decade," Campbell said. "We go to great lengths to keep our workforce intact. It may, however, slow some of our growth."

Glajch, at Graham, said even with the increased production costs, the business is growing.

"We are not anticipating layoffs," Glajch said. "On the contrary, we are hiring. Our core markets have shown early signs of some improvement and our Navy business is doing quite well. We are hiring for direct labor and certain engineering and sales roles."

Press release:

Sleep Insights, an established, local sleep medicine practice, recently expanded and moved to 47A Batavia City Centre in Downtown Batavia.

For people who struggle to regularly get a good night’s sleep, Sleep Insights provides a welcoming approach to help people sleep better: as an integrated practice, they diagnose and treat over 80 types of sleep disorders, provide physician appointments (ages 5+), offer home sleep apnea testing, overnight sleep testing and CPAP services—all at one site.

“This is the same clinical model we use at our Rochester site,” noted Dr. Jacob Dominik, Sleep Insights’ medical director, who sees patients at the Batavia site.

“It’s really a game changer when it comes to providing continuity of care, since we manage patients from start to finish. I personally meet with patients to determine the cause of their sleep problems as well as the appropriate next steps, which we can also provide.

“If people have problems sleeping or staying awake, testing isn’t always needed. So that definitely shouldn’t deter people from seeking help.”

Patients are seen at Sleep Insights for a variety of sleep disorders affecting their sleep quality and ability to function. Some of the most common conditions impacting sleep include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, restless legs syndrome, shift work disorder, narcolepsy and parasomnias (abnormal behavior during sleep).

“Sleep is critical to emotional and physical health,” Dr. Dominik added. “We’re here to help anyone who isn’t regularly waking up and feeling refreshed. Our focus is on helping each patient as soon as we can, the best we can.”

In January, Sleep Insights moved from 653 E. Main St., Batavia, to 47A Batavia City Centre, Batavia. Their new location provides a soothing, upscale environment with expanded room for CPAP supplies and support from a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

In addition, three bedrooms for overnight testing are slated to be added by late spring. Their phone number remains the same: 585.219.4330. New patient appointments are available and no healthcare provider referral is needed.

About Sleep Insights

Founded in 2005 by Kenneth E. Plotkin, MD, and currently owned by Jacob Dominik, MD, Sleep Insights is a regional, comprehensive sleep medicine practice offering consultative, diagnostic testing and sleep therapy services. Sleep Insights is an independent sleep center, not owned by or affiliated with a hospital. The company’s main site is in Rochester, with eight locations throughout Central and Western New York.

Press release from the Town of Bethany:

Beginning Saturday, April 7, all recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, glass, tin cans and aluminum cans are to be bagged and disposed of the dumpster designated for recyclables. These items may be bagged together. There will be a charge of $4 per bag.

If a container can be easily flattened, please do so. This will take up less space in the dumpster resulting in fewer hauls.

All items must be rinsed; labels do not have to be removed. 

More information is available at the Town Hall or at the Transfer Station.

Carl Hyde Jr., Bethany Town Supervisor

From the Volunteers for Animals:

"Downward Dog for a Cause" is a donation-based yoga class that will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 23, to benefit the Volunteers for Animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. It will take place at Blue Pearl Yoga, located on the third floor of the Masonic Temple Building at the corner of Main and Center streets in Downtown Batavia.

Come and join us for a playful Vinyasa flow class, open to all levels of experience.

All donations are welcome -- even pet supplies!

If you do not own a yoga mat, extra mats are available to borrow at the class. Parking available in the muncipal lot off Center and School streets.

Press release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club announces its annual scholarship and Community Service Awards and calls for applications.

Scholarships are open to all Genesee County High School Seniors (male or female). The students need to have maintained an 85-percent average, must complete the one-page application and attach a letter of recommendation from a school staff member.

The students will also need to submit a personal essay discussing their achievements and future goals as well as an essay from a parent. The application and details can be found and printed at the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Website here.

All schools in Genesee County have been emailed packages on this program, which included the eligibility requirements, guidelines and applications. Parents and students are advised to seek out their school’s guidance counselor/department to receive the needed information and application.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has established a scholarship for a returning student from Genesee Community College also. The recipient is chosen by a college representative and the award is applied to their account in the fall.

Recognition is also given to two outstanding students from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership in a form of cash awards for their outstanding scholarship performance.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has given scholarships since 1961. The number and amount of scholarships given are dependent on the club’s annual fundraiser. 

In addition, the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club will offer monetary awards for Service Groups in June. Any Service Group in the county may apply for this by sending a letter of request on the organization’s letterhead.

Deadline for both the Scholarship Applications and the Service Awards Letters are to be postmarked by Saturday, April 14.

Batavia Business and Professional Womens’ Club

P.O. Box 1778

Batavia, NY 14021

Any questions contact Peggy Johnson through email at bratvfm@hotmail.com or 585-409-8769.

Teams representing Mancuso Bowling Center and Mount Morris Lanes are in first place in the Open and Women's Team divisions, respectively, after the first of two weekends of the 12th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament at Mount Morris Lanes (Team event) and Livingston Lanes in Geneseo (Doubles & Singles events).

Go to www.bowlgr.com for for unofficial standings through Sunday, March 18.

Competition resumes on Friday and there are plenty of openings for both Team and Doubles/Singles events. To enter, contact Mike Pettinella, GRUSBC association manager, at 585-861-0404 or at mikep@bowlgr.com.

In the Open Team event, Barber's Five (Mancuso's) leads the way with 3,336, followed by Medina Lanes at 3,204. Gerry Barber paced his team with 673 scratch while Aaron Verheyn posted 731 and Ray Neuman 712 for the Medina squad.

In the Women's Team event, King & Her Court is in first place with 2,444 (four person team) and Hawks (Medina Lanes) are in second at 2,408. Karen Henry's 548 series led the King & Her Court team, captained by Jan King.

Other event leaders:

Open Doubles -- Mike Cunningham and Chris Huntz (Perry Bowling Center), 1,343; John Wolff and Ron Lawrence (Mancuso's), 1,335.
Women's Doubles -- Cathi Fournier and Karen Henry (Mount Morris Lanes), 1,251.
Open Singles - John Wolff, 744; Chuck Bobo (Mancuso's), 678.
Women's Singles -- Cathi Fournier, 628.
Open All-Events -- Gregg Wolff (Mancuso's), 1,943; Casey Palmer Sr., 1,935.
Women's All-Events -- Cathi Fournier, 1,996.

Competition will take place in three divisions -- Open (men and women), Women and Scratch (men and women). In the Open and Scratch divisions, teams are comprised of five players; in the Women's division, teams consist of four players.

Handicap is set at 90 percent of 215 in the Open and 90 percent of 200 in the Women's.

Entry fees are $25 per person per event and $10 for optional All-Events.

David T. Neauaus, 31, of Fisher Park, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal trespass. He was jailed on $5,000 bail. He was also arrested on charges of assault, 3rd, and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. The alleged incidents occurred March 10. Bail on these charges was set at $10,000.

Rebecca V. Flanagan, 41, of Sliker Hill Road, Conesus, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Flanagan was stopped at 4:48 p.m. Wednesday on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Officer Cowen Mitchell.

Elliot Lee Lyons, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Lyons was charged after surveillance video revealed he allegedly damaged a wall inside a residential facility on State Street.

Paula G. Pierce, 26, of Lewis Place, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with a court-ordered program as part of a previous sentence on a criminal conviction. Pierce was released on her own recognizance.

Katty L. Jackson, 22, of Summer Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jackson was arrested after police were dispatched to Central Avenue, Batavia, at 8:21 p.m. Tuesday to investigate an incident and located Jackson, who was allegedly violating an order of protection.

Johnny Dinh, 40, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. Dinh is accused of touching another person inappropriately without consent or invitation at a location on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, on Feb. 28.

Brett Nelson Magoffin, 42, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Magoffin was arrested following an investigation at 11:16 p.m. Thursday into a physical altercation at a location on Simonds Road, Darien, by Deputy Andrew Mullen and Deputy Ryan Young.

Jonathan Christopher Elleman, 26, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driver's view obstructed. At 2:40 a.m., dispatchers received a report of an erratic driver in the Town of Darien. Deputies Ryan Young and Eric Meyer responded and located a vehicle matching the description of the one reported by a caller parked on the side of Sharrick Road. Upon further investigation, Elleman was charged.

Lou Ann Lindsley, 62, of Medina, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Lindsley was stopped at 8:50 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Alabama, by State Police.

Jacob J. Szumigala, 24, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Szumigala was stopped at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on Lockport Road, Alabama, by State Police.

Washington Post: After his family died, he threatened to kill himself. So the police took his guns.

A residence at 9 Orleans Ave., Batavia, is reportedly filling with smoke.

The residents have been told to evacuate.

The building may be a duplex.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 4:21 p.m.: "Nothing showing. Investigating."

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: Food in the stove. Ventilating.

For St. Patrick's Day, we stopped by Center Street Smokehouse, O'Lacy's, Eli Fish Brewing, Ken's Pits, Bourbon & Burger Co., and T.F. Browns.

To purchase prints of pictures, click here.