Press release:

The countdown is on for several exciting happenings that will help to launch Domestic Violence Awareness Month at YWCA of Genesee County.

A motorcycle ride, 5K, Harvest Supper and disco party are events that begin this weekend and move through October.

“We’re thrilled to be able to highlight the heavy topic of domestic violence with some upbeat, family-friendly events that help to pull the community together for a great cause,” YWCA Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

“We never want to lose sight of those affected by domestic violence, and these events complement the programs and services that we offer year-round.”

There are only four days until bikers of all kinds take to the road for a 90-mile Kickstands Up for Domestic Violence Awareness trip through Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties.

Riders pay $20 for the map and a chicken barbecue, and passengers pay just $5 more, meal included. There will be a silent auction with everything from a basket of edible treats and salon gift certificates to motorcycle-related goods.

Kickstands are up at 1 p.m. Saturday at YWCA, 301 North St., Batavia, for the start of this event.

In seven days, runners and walkers will take to the streets for the second annual Stiletto & Sneaker 5K. The USA Track and Field certified race will be followed with awards by age category, a purple celebration with a powder toss, lantern release, cotton candy and snow cones, a balloon artist and a brief message in support of victims and survivors of domestic violence.

The 5K takes off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at YWCA. Registration is $30 for individuals and $40 for teams of up to 10 middle and high school students.

Meanwhile, for those looking for a hearty meal of local produce, the Harvest Supper will serve up an array of succulent dishes from 4 to 7 p.m. that same evening. Culled from local farms and agricultural producers, the menu includes bean and kale soup, beef stew, zucchini bread, roasted potatoes, sausage with peppers and onions, roast chicken, pumpkin bars, apple crisp with fresh whipped cream and hot mulled cider.

The United Way of Genesee County has set a fundraising goal for the next year of $388,000 to help support 25 programs run by 20 local agencies.

Director Eric Fix also announced this morning at the kickoff breakfast at the Dibble Family Center an ambitious plan to build "Teen City," a new center to provide activities for teens from throughout Genesee County.

Plans are still being developed, including finding a location for the center in the City of Batavia, but Fix said the goal is to open the doors by fall of 2018.

He's working with Jeff Townsend of the YMCA to develop the center.

"One of the things we've both been told throughout our careers is teen centers don't work," Fix said. "You can't do teens. It just won't work. I personally feel with funding from United Way and other sources, with our community support, and all the great people at the table at the same time coming up with this concept it definitely will work."

Fix also celebrated the events and accomplishments of the past year, which included raising $385,000 in last year's campaign, which was headed by Bill Fritts, who is directing the fundraising effort again this year.

The 10th Annual Day of Caring attracted more than 400 volunteers who worked at 35 sites.

"If you missed it, it's the highlight event Genesee County of all last year," Fix said. "Out of anything that happens in the whole entire county, it was hands down the best event. I think I've seen tie-dyed shirts in my sleep but it was the signature event of the year."

The backpack program starts back up next week and Fix said he's personally excited to get involved in that again, working with clients of ARC at the Salvation Army to fill backpacks with food to help children from needy families get through the weekends each week. There will be 180 to 200 backpacks packed each weekend.

There are two events left in the United Way's 5K series, the Acorn Run this weekend in the Genesee County Park & Forest, and the Stiletto & Sneaker 5K at the YWCA on Thursday.

Fix said all the agencies supported through the annual fundraising drive are making a big difference in our community.

"It's not easy," Fix said. "They can tell you that. I can tell you that from talking to them and working with them. And it's our United Way effort that helps support their organizations and helps them do the work that they do.

"I can't say that they wouldn't exist without it, but I know that their lives would be a heck of a lot harder if they didn't have that money. So we appreciate everybody who gives to the campaign."

Call Mike Sisson, Mancuso Real Estate 585-409-4172 for more information or click here to view the full listing.

A semi-truck has left the roadway and traveled into the trees on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 392 in the westbound lane.

The driver has been ejected and is unconscious.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: Bergen requested to stand by in quarters with one engine.

UPDATE 12:29 p.m.: Bergen requested to fill in one engine at Le Roy Fire Hall.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Statement from Troop T, State Police:

On Thursday, September 28, 2017, at approximately 12:14 p.m., State Police were dispatched to investigate a serious injury tractor-trailer accident on I-90, westbound near exits 47 & 48, in the Town of Stafford. The investigation is still ongoing, more information will be released as it becomes available. Expect traffic delays in the area.

When the skies opened up around 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Batavia High School junior varsity girls soccer game, this rainbow appeared shortly thereafter. The teams kept playing, the rain eventually stopped and Batavia came away with a 3-0 victory over Greece Odyssey.

Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Throughout the last month, two sisters from Oakfield have been planning, renovating and putting together a hair salon in Batavia.

Platinum Salon opened its doors at 6 S. Lyon St. on Tuesday for a soft opening.

“We are doing it together,” said Nicole Toal, the business manager.  

Toal and her sister, Alicia Desjardins, grew up in Oakfield. Toal still lives in Oakfield, while Desjardins resides in Batavia.

Desjardins has been in the cosmetology business for more than 20 years and has always wanted to open up her own salon.

“She finally went ahead and took that leap,” Toal said. “I’m more of the business side. I’m on board to help her get things going.”

Platinum Salon offers a variety of services, including haircuts for each member of the family, coloring, microblading, and eyelash extensions.

“She does a lot of the beauty trends that are out there now that a lot of other places don’t offer,” Toal said. “Those are the big things that a lot of people have to go to the city to get, but now they can stay local and get those treatments done.”

Before opening the salon, Toal was a graphic designer, and Desjardins worked at another salon.

“It was sad to let it go,” Toal said. “But I’m excited to do this together. We’re sisters. We’ve been best friends since we were kids, so it’ll be a lot of fun.”

A month ago, Desjardins began putting her dream into plans and found a location for the salon.

“As soon as she started to look, she found this place a few days later and we jumped right in, doing it as quick as we could.”

The previous renters also owned a salon, Toal said.

“She closed her doors for whatever reason, and the space sat empty for a couple years,” Toal said. “We came in, remodeled the place, cleaned it up, fixed it up and put our own little touch on it.”

Their father and Toal's husband did the renovations that were needed for the space.

“They’re both carpenters, so they’re real handy with that stuff,” Toal said. “It’s definitely a family kind of thing that’s being going on.”

Toal said they are planning on doing a grand opening on Saturday.

The salon is currently open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Those interested can book appointments through their website, located here.

Submitted photos.

The 16th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner is this Saturday at Terry Hills.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person.

ROC archive has obtained film shot by Harold W. Trott, who lived in the Livonia area, that may contain images of Amelia Earhart at the opening of the airport in Le Roy. It's definitely Earhart in the film, but whether it was shot at Le Roy isn't for certain.

Earhart is seen to speak briefly at a mic that is flagged WFBL. WFBL is a Syracuse radio station, but our local radio expert and broadcast history buff Dan Fischer, co-owner of WBTA, said it is possible, back in the era of fewer radio stations, that WFBL was in Le Roy for such a historic event.

The video also contains pictures of Charles Lindbergh at Sikorsky Airport Bridgeport, CT where he kept his “Spirit of St. Louis.”

Above, we've cued the video to start at the point were Earhart enters the film.

Press Release:

The Batavia First United Methodist Church at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia will be having a "Terrific Treasures Sale" this week on Friday Sept. 29, and Saturday Sept.30th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

There will be a bag sale on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and lots of various items to choose from -- dishes, small appliances, toys, baby items, clothing, furniture, books and baked goods.  

This fundraiser will help benefit the church and promote programs and lunch will be available!

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) released the following statement in support of the U.S. House of Representatives Republican framework on tax reform that was released today:

“Updating our nation’s tax code will be one of the most important accomplishments we will see under President Trump. The House Republican framework is what will truly make America Great Again by making our country more competitive around the world and allowing families to keep more of what they earn.

"Lower corporate tax rates and repatriation of dollars that are overseas will directly stimulate investment and job growth in Western New York and around our country. It’s time for Congress to follow President Trump’s lead and fix the broken, outdated tax system that has burdened hard-working individuals and has crushed our economy."

For more information on the House Republican tax reform framework, click here.

Press release:

Students from Genesee County’s Reality Check program have noticed a big problem of littered cigarettes scattered all across county parks. So they’ve decided to do something about it.

This Saturday, Sept. 30, with plastic bags in hand, the students will go through DeWitt Recreation Area and pick up all the cigarette butts littering the park. The event will kick off at 10 a.m.

Reality Check is New York State’s youth-led movement aimed at exposing the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry and supporting a tobacco-free generation for their peers.

Shelly Wolanske, youth engagement coordinator at Tobacco-Free GLOW, said the students got the idea when they were working out in the park this summer and noticed all the smokers and the butts they were leaving behind. The group wants their generation to be tobacco-free, and all citizens of Genesee County to breathe cleaner air when they are enjoying a picnic, bike ride or play time.

“I have trouble breathing when people around me are smoking,” said Ben Streeter, a freshman at Notre Dame High School. “Plus, we see so many cigarette butts near the playground where little kids play.”

To prevent children in the community from feeling those same effects due to secondhand smoke, Streeter and his fellow Reality Check advocates decided to rally for smoking bans in all the parks in Genesee County. Their Cigarette Butt Pickup on Saturday is the first event they are sponsoring to raise awareness for a smoking ban.

Wolanske said she and the students will take the plastic bags of cigarette butts collected with them to meetings with Genesee County elected officials to discuss a possible ban in the future. If Genesee County declares its parks tobacco-free, they would be following the lead of the City of Batavia, as well as other counties in New York State, including nearby Erie County.

Alexander High School Volleyball players (junior varsity and varsity) are looking forward to an Oct. 5th fundraiser game to benefit Gateway Home of Attica.

Submitted photo and press release:

Gateway Home of Attica is the beneficiary of this year's charity fundraising volleyball game scheduled Oct. 5th at the Alexander Central School Gymnasium.

The Lady Trojans will face the Lady Blue Devils of Attica with the junior varsity game at 5 p.m., followed by varsity play at 6:30.

Event co-chairs Colette Yax and Laura Marzolf invite the community to come support the Alexander Volleyball Booster Club benefit.

“This is our sixth annual fundraiser and we are so excited funds raised will help an organization so close to home,” Yax
said.

Gateway Home is gearing up for a 2018 opening of its historic location at 91 Main St., Attica, as a comfort care home for individuals who are at the final stages of their lives.

Gateway volunteer Jeff Clark said the home is undergoing renovations including electrical and plumbing work and the structure is going to need a new roof.

“We’ve had extraordinary financial and volunteer support,” Clark said. “Community involvement and community support is the key to our success."

Marzolf said: “We are rallying Alexander, Attica and surrounding communities to help us make this our most successful benefit to date. All of Gateway Home’s funding is through donations and fundraisers. We have a friendly rivalry between Alexander and Attica schools and we are hoping this pays off for Gateway Home."

The Alexander Volleyball Booster Club fundraiser includes a basket auction, bake sale and a serving contest with a chance to win prizes from local merchants. Alexander Central School is located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

Community members wishing to donate to the Alexander event may contact Colette Yax at 716-400-3628 or Laura Marzolf at 585-322-3748.

Rep. Chris Collins is one of six new members of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.

From a press release:

Co-chaired by Representatives Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Ted Deutch (FL-22), the Caucus is now comprised of 58 Members of Congress, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, representing diverse districts from across the country.

“The real-world implications of sea level rise have been on display for all to see in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean following hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria,” Curbelo said. “I’m grateful these members are willing to step up and turn their concern into action by joining the Climate Solutions Caucus. This growing bipartisan coalition will be critical to ensuring Congress makes finding solutions to this issue a priority.”

“These new Members are joining the Caucus amid a devastating hurricane season, where major storms are gaining strength from the warmer waters in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico,” Deutch said. “We are witnessing the serious impacts of climate change right in front of our eyes. More and more members of Congress believe we need to respond to climate change right now, and I’m thrilled that they turn to the Climate Solutions Caucus as a forum for open and constructive dialogue.”

The release contains this statement by Collins:

“I am happy to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus with my fellow New Yorker Nydia Velazquez,” Collins said. “As an Eagle Scout, I believe in preserving our national parks and recreational sites for future generations. I look forward to discussing solutions that truly improve our environment while balancing the needs of our economic sector.”

The Landmark Society of Genesee County has selected seven properties and their owners for recognition for their preservation efforts.

The awards will be present Oct. 7 at the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with awards presented at approximately 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Reservations are due by Sept. 30 by calling (585) 757-2714.

Each year the awards committee tries to choose a group of structures that is varied in styles of architecture, geographic locations, building materials, and type of building such as churches, residences, commercial, and public facilities. 

"We are recognizing three historic churches all celebrating 200 year anniversaries this year," said Cleo Mullins. "The three homeowners owners being honored to have all put a lot of love and sweat into their homes. The business owners spent a decade working on their building to ensure that their results were the perfect blend of preservation with modern technology, comforts, and conveniences." 

The winners:

• Tender Loving Care --  East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany 
• Tender Loving Care -- Corfu United Presbyterian Church, 63 Allegheny Road, Corfu
• Tender Loving Care -- St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 E. Main St., Le Roy
• Tender Loving Care -- Dean and Jennifer, Eck 64, E. Main St., Corfu
• Restoration -- Dave and Noreen Tillotson, 11129 River St., Pavilion 
• Renovation -- Dave and Ashley Bateman, 27 Summit St., Batavia 
• Renovation -- Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn, 1 Main St., Le Roy

A 39-year-old Batavia woman accused of distributing cocaine is likely to avoid a trial and prison time, though some time in jail is still a possibility.

Denielle Mancuso, of West Main Street Road, appeared in County Court this morning on her plea-cut-off day (the last day a defendant has to accept a plea deal before the case goes to trial).

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell said the plea offer of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree with a "shock-cap" probation (which means six months in jail or four months of intermittent incarceration followed by five years of probation). 

Her attorney asked that she be evaluated for judicial diversion, which Judge Charles Zambito granted. That means she will be evaluated for the program and if accepted would be instructed in conduct and procedures she would have to follow for a set period of time.

Mancuso was arrested in June following an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force and charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminal nuisance, 1st. 

She is accused of providing cocaine (not necessarily a sale) to an agent of the task force.

She's next due in court Oct. 16. If the judicial division program isn't approved and she doesn't accept the plea offer, a trial is set for Dec. 4.

Jeri Carlton Lobur, 51, of Hoag Avenue, Akron, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and petit larceny. Lobur is accused of using another person's vehicle in Pembroke without permission and then selling power tools that were stored in the vehicle without the owner's permission.  

Dominic Daniel Czerniak, 18, of Wyvil Avenue, Scottsville, is charged with criminal possession of a marijuana, 4th, and speeding. Czerniak was stopped at 6:18 p.m., Monday, on Main Street, Corfu, for an alleged traffic violation by Officer Richard Retzlaff. Czerniak was allegedly found in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana.

Aaron D. Swimline, 31, of Alabama, is charged with felony DWI, speeding and unlawful possession of marijuana. Swimline was stopped at 10:44 p.m. Sunday on Route 63 in the Town of Shelby by State Police.

A car vs. semi-truck accident is reported at Oak and Richmond, Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

The roadway is blocked.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: A male ran from the accident heading west on Richmond Avenue. No description available.

UPDATE 10:33 p.m.: The person who fled is described as a white male with dark hair and dark clothing in his mid to late 20s.

UPDATE 11:16 p.m.: Police believe the sedan was westbound on Richmond Avenue and that it failed to yield for a red light. It struck the cab of the truck and spun so that the rear of the car struck the trailer. Sgt. Chris Camp said the driver is adamant that he was alone in the car. Witnesses told police he was the driver, but that somebody did run from the car. The driver was evaluated at the scene. He was not seriously hurt. The roadway was reopened at about 11 p.m.

A car vs. "herd of deer" accident is reported on Pike Road in Batavia. The caller is roadside in a black Toyota Tundra. Law enforcement is responding. No word on injuries, if any.