An accident with possible injuries is blocking traffic on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 401.1 in Pembroke.

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

Antoine T. Clark (AKA "Mike") is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on June 29 in the Town of Batavia that Clark knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with intent to sell it. In count two, Clark is accused of the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, also a Class B felony. It is alleged that on June 29 in the Town of Batavia that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sold a narcotic drug, cocaine.

Russ Marchese took this cat to the Animal Shelter after finding it near the railroad tracks on Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

About 50 students from Batavia High School, Batavia Middle School, Byron-Bergen Central School, Albion Central School and Medina Central School took part in a recreational field trip this afternoon (Thursday) at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. They participated in the Liberty Partnership Program, which is coordinated by Genesee Community College in conjunction with the NYS Department of Education.

Mary Ann Bowman, program director, said the outing provided an opportunity to "keep the students connected" while school is in recess. The students bowled two or three games and enjoyed pizza and pop during their time at the East Main Street facility.

The Liberty Partnership Program, in its 28th year, provides service to students in public and non-public schools grades five through 12 in an effort to maximize high school graduation and to encourage them to pursue higher education or post-secondary vocational training.

The Program promotes collaboration between colleges and universities, community based organizations, school districts, parents, volunteers, businesses and industry in providing comprehensive services for students to enter the workforce prepared with the necessary skills to be successful.

Liberty Partnership provides the following services: Academic/Personal Advisement, Homework Assistance, Career Awareness, Cultural and Enrichment Activities, Family Casework, Mentoring, Home Visits, Parental Involvement, Service Learning Projects/Civic Duty, Preparedness and College Tours and Summer Programming.

Photos -- From the top: Batavia High School students; Novalee Pocock, B-B fifth-grader; Batavia Middle School students with caseworker Kristen Calarco-Gomez; Jayden Doyle, B-B eighth-grader. 

A house fire was reported at 7506 Lewiston Road, Oakfield about 15 minutes ago. 

There were flames showing and heavy smoke.

Oakfield fire along with Elba, East Pembroke, Town of Batavia and Alabama responding.

UPDATE (By Billie) 2:26 p.m.: A man at home alone heard the smoke detector alarm and discovered fire in the master bedroom. He got out safely along with a pet cat. The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated A quick response by volunteer firefighters is credited with keeping the blaze contained to one room before it was extinguished.

With his family all around and many lifelong friends in attendance, William Sheron, after 21 years as undersheriff, became Genesee County's top cop Wednesday evening during an oath-of-office event at the Old Courthouse.

Administering the oath for Sheron was Thomas Graham, town justice in Oakfield, who was Sheron's first trainer when Sheron first joined the Sheriff's Office, walking into dispatch one day in 1977 and meeting Graham as a fresh-faced 18-year-old who "had no clue as to what I was doing, no clue at all." Graham had just been promoted to deputy and said, "sit down and start learning. The sooner I get you trained, the sooner I get to move on to being a deputy."

"He was at the start of a career that has been just phenomenal and the best part about it has been the people," Sheron said. "You’re not going to find nicer people. Every time I’ve progressed, people have stepped up and said they would help me out, ‘whatever you need, Bill.’ This is just the culmination of many, many years and I’m extremely proud to become Sheriff."

Greg Walker was sworn in as undersheriff.

Don Coleman, county coroner. 

Scott German, county treasurer.

Kevin Andrews, deputy county treasurer.

Shirley A. Gorman, assistant district attorney.

Karen Lang, county coroner.

Randy Baker, town justice, Oakfield.

To purchase prints, click here.

Investigators have been attempting to locate Armstrong since the shooting, which sent a man to the hospital reportedly with a chest and shoulder wound.  

Det. Todd Crossett said this morning that Armstrong's whereabouts are still unknown and there is no new information available in the case.

Armstrong is described as a light-skinned male black about 5’10”- 6’ with a thin build. He has a deformity to his right ear and also to one of his hands.

Police say, if seen, do not confront Armstrong, but call 9-1-1 immediately. Information can also be supplied to Batavia PD through the confidential tip line at 345-6370, or Det. Sgt. Crossett at 345-6353.

Also, regarding the Key Bank robbery two days ago, Crossett said police have received hundreds of tips and are currently working through the leads.

A brief burst of heavy snow is heading toward Genesee County, according to the National Weather Service.

The snow is expected midmorning.

Snow accumulation could be about an inch, falling within about a 45 minute time period.

Expect slippery roadways and fast accumulation on recently cleared surfaces.

"Motorists should slow down and allow some extra time to reach their destination through mid morning," the weather service advises.

Press release:

In sports, it's the MVP or most valuable player. In journalism and the arts, it's a Pulitzer Prize. Film has its Oscars and Academy Awards, and television has the Emmy Awards. But in the serious business of higher education, standards of excellence and adherence to quality are gauged by the Commission on Higher Education, a voluntary, non-government, regional membership association that assures institutional accountability, improvement and innovation through a rigorous application of standards within a peer reviewed process.

James M. Sunser, Ed.D., president of Genesee Community College, was recently appointed as one of 26 commissioners (board members) of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which oversees 530 colleges and universities within New York State, as well as Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He was selected from 85 nominations for just three open seats, and he is one of the few community college presidents to serve as commissioner.

MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to accredit degree-granting institutions which offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year. Sunser joins the team of academic leaders who help define, maintain and promote educational excellence across many institutions with diverse missions, student populations and resources. Prior to his appointment as a commissioner, he served as a chairman or a member of an evaluation team within the peer-review process on more than a dozen occasions over the past 20 years.

To earn and retain accreditation through MSCHE, each institution of higher education undergoes a multi-stage accreditation review process every 10 years that begins with an intensive self study. The institution appoints a steering committee and working groups, and organizes campus-wide discussions to prepare a comprehensive Self-Study Report focused on specific accreditation standards. The Report also helps frame the three-day site visit by an assigned evaluation team made up of members from peer institutions.

After careful review of the Self-Study Report and numerous on-campus interviews, the evaluation team chair compiles an Evaluation Report summarizing the team's overall findings. In the end, the commissioners of MSCHE can affirm accreditation, require follow-up action, or remove accreditation.

Ironically, Genesee Community College is currently undergoing its decennial evaluation and is in the final stages of completing its 150+ page Self-Study Report with its MSCHE site visit scheduled April 2-5. (To avoid all conflicts of interest, the commissioners recuse themselves from all discussions involving their own institutions of employment.)

President Sunser is a native of Syracuse and has spent the majority of his professional career in higher education. He is a graduate of Onondaga Community College, earned his BS degree from Syracuse University, an MS from SUNY College at Brockport, and a Certificate of Advanced Study and his Ed.D. Degree from the University of Rochester. He came to GCC in 2011, after working at Onondaga Community College in several capacities including as the bursar and vice president for finance, and vice president for continuing and extended learning.

"I am truly honored to be a part of such an important organization within higher education," President Sunser said of his new appointment. "Accreditation is the lynch pin that holds higher education together. From setting policy to the self-assessments, team reviews during on-site visits, Middle States has imparted leadership in higher ed throughout its nearly 100-year history."

A portion of $8 million being set aside for low-income home ownership will wind up in Genesee County, according to the governor's office.

In a program administered by the  Rural Housing Opportunities Corporation, based in Rochester, qualifying low-income residents will be able to get assistance with repairs and upgrades related to health and safety concerns, code violations, energy conservation and other environmentally friendly improvements.

RHOC, part of Pathstone, is receiving $440,000, which will be divided among applicants in Genesee, Monroe, Orleans, Ontario, Seneca and Wayne counties.

The funding is the latest round of nearly $170 million set aside by the governor over the past several years for such projects. 

The program targets households at or below 80 percent of the area median income, with a maximum AHC allowable income limit of 112 percent of HUD’s low-income limits, adjusted for family size.

Homeowners who qualify can apply for up to $40,000 per dwelling.

Press release from Notre Dame High School:

“After considering the information presented to the Section V Executive Committee at the administrative hearing held on Dec. 19, the Executive Committee has ruled that there has been no violation of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (“NYSPHSAA”) sport standard #24 -- RECRUITMENT AND UNDUE INFLUENCE by Notre Dame of Batavia High School.”

Notre Dame is relieved for these three students, their families, and our hockey coach, Mr. Marc Staley.

It was unfortunate that our students, families, and staff, had to face these unfounded allegations of wrongdoing. Whether in the classroom, on the ice, or through community service, Notre Dame remains committed to instilling in our students the faith, knowledge, and confidence they will need to succeed in an ever-changing world. We are thankful for the thoughtful deliberation and time the Section V Executive Committee gave Notre Dame in making this decision.   

In his legal career, Charles Zambito has been a clerk for a county court judge, a defense attorney, a prosecuting attorney, an attorney in private practice and a county attorney, and last night he took the oath office for what he said may be the most significant role an attorney can play in a democratic society: a County Court judge.

Elected without opposition in November, the lifelong Genesee County resident who resides in Elba took the oath administered by Wyoming County Court Judge Michael Mohun while surrounded by his family.

After being sworn in, Zambito delivered a few remarks.

Judges, he said, play a vital role in protecting the freedoms we all enjoy. Yes, the court is indispensable in protecting law-abiding citizens from those who break the law and providing for victim's rights, but judges must also safeguard the Constitutional rights of those accused of crimes, as well, in order to ensure the rights of us all are protected. 

"It’s just as important if not more important for a judge to be aware of that," Zambito said. "Without an independent judiciary, you wouldn’t have that. It’s really the foundation of a democratic society."

When discussions about his swearing-in ceremony came up, Zambito said his first impulse was not to make much of it, but his friends, including Mohun, who will serve as his mentor, impressed upon him the idea that the job isn't just about him.

"It’s about the position that a county court judge has in the community and the importance and significance that has, not only in this community but in all communities across the state and the country," Zambito said.

Attorney Ben Bonarigo, outgoing president of the Genesee County Bar Association, delivered a few opening remarks in praise of Zambito's service to the community.

Batavia and Notre Dame will meeting in the Lions Tournament final on Thursday at Genesee Community College after the Fighting Irish knocked of Roy-Hart 47-41 and the Blue Devils topped Albion 60-43.

For the Irish, Nico Zambito scored 14, including a pair of threes, Ryan Moffat had 13 points, including three triples, and Anthony Gugino hit a pair of threes for six total points.

In the nightcap, Tee Sean Ayala dropped seven three-point shots for 21 points on the night and Antwan Odom added 16 points.  

For Albion, Lamar Chambers had 19 points.

How many local businesses do you love? Share why they're your favorites on ShopLocal.TheBatavian.com and you become eligible to win a $50 gift certificate for Alex's Place (two winners). Go to ShopLocal.TheBatavian.com and post as many recommendations as you want. Every recommendation posted before Jan. 4, 2017, increases your chance of winning.

The winners of the Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle gift certificates were Steven Pagano, of Spencerport, and Pamela Morris, of Batavia.

A motor-vehicle accident with ejection is reported in the area of 5631 Clinton Street Road, near Mill Road, in Stafford.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 11:22 p.m.: This is a two-vehicle collision with injuries. Extrication is required. The county Highway Department is notified that the roadway is extremely icy. Route 33 at Prole Road will be shut down. Mutual aid is requested from South Byron fire police to shut down Route 33 at Route 237.

UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: This was a head-on collision involving two vans. No one is believed to be seriously injured, although one person was unconscious at the time first responders arrived. A total of four people were involved; three of them were taken to area hospitals, primarily for evaluation. There was an ejection, but no entrapment.The accident occurred about 25 yards northeast of the Thruway overpass on Clinton Street Road (Route 33). The roadway there is described as being like "nothing but a thin sheet of ice."

UPDATE 12:38 a.m.: Stafford assignment back in service.

Several bowlers cracked the 700 mark at area bowling centers during the week of Dec. 19.

To see who was hot on the lanes, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Dolce Panepinto is proud to announce the hiring of Attorney Kristin Allen and the grand opening of our new Batavia office located directly above the New York State Workers' Compensation Board in the at 83 Main St., Suite 220, Batavia, NY 14020. Kristin has been practicing Workers’ Compensation law for the past 16 years and has been handling Workers’ Compensation claims on behalf of injured workers in Batavia for the past 10 years. Her vast knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation system combined with her remarkable work ethic and friendly personality make her an ideal fit for our legal team.

“It had long been a dream of my late partner Frank Dolce to have a Workers’ Compensation Department at Dolce Panepinto and we were able to make that dream a reality in 2013 with the hiring of Holly Schoenborn and Colleen Malchow,” explained Senior Partner Marc Panepinto. “The addition of Kristin Allen and the Batavia office are an extension of that dream. Kristin is a very intelligent attorney and an extremely hard worker. I know Frank would be proud to have her.”

Kristin joins attorneys Holly Schoenborn and Colleen Malchow in our dedicated Workers’ Compensation Department which works hand in hand with the rest of the Dolce Panepinto team. We take the team approach to practicing in the areas of Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and all injury-related matters, which means that all of our clients' cases are evaluated by several attorneys to devise the proper legal strategy for each matter. You and your family may have the ability to file several types of claims relating to the same incident. We handle those claims simultaneously as a team, working hand in hand to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.

When asked about her new position with Dolce Panepinto, Allen said, “I am thrilled to be joining a firm comprised of Western New York’s brightest and hardest working attorneys. Working in a true team environment is a dream come true and I am excited for the results we will provide for my clients.”

All three of our Workers’ Compensation attorneys are available to speak to the leadership and/or membership of your union or volunteer fire department about Workers’ Compensation basics and the ways in which the law applies to your specific field. If you would like to find out more, or to schedule a presentation, please contact Carlos Torres at our Buffalo office at 716-852-1888.

Once again, our Batavia office is located directly above the Workers’ Compensation Board office at 83 Main St., Suite 220, Batavia, NY 14020. There is free parking in the rear and an elevator is available to reach the second floor. If you or anybody in your family has been injured and are in need of legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact Kristin today at 585-815-9003 for a free case evaluation.