No injuries are reported in an accident in the area of 5588 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, but extrication is needed.
Bethany fire, Stafford fire, and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Manpower needed. The person who needs to be extricated is in a wheelchair. she is not insured. A first responder said it will be difficult to get her out but that she is probably just going to be a sign-off.
Area wildlife photographers were shocked and saddened Friday to find a dead snowy owl Friday afternoon atop a utility pole near the Genesee County Airport.
The DEC confirmed today that it was notified of a dead snowy owl that had been banded at that location.
National Grid, after being contacted by the DEC on Friday, assisted in recovering the animal from atop the utility pole (see video below).
Local photographer Jim Burns (who freelances for The Batavian) is a wildlife photographer and a frequent visitor to the airport, which attracts both numerous snowy owls and photographers. He said such deaths as this animal's are not uncommon. The owls fall victim to electrocution (the possible cause in this case), being hit by cars and poisoning.
Poisoning is perhaps the most preventable cause of death of snowy owls. The owls feast on rodents and if the rodents were poisoned before becoming an owl's meal, the owl is poisoned as well.
"That's the main message to get out there," Burns said. "People should put out traps instead of poison."
Though still rare, the birds have been showing up in WNY in recent years, probably, because their northern hunting grounds are becoming crowded. It's generally the younger birds who migrate south. Burns estimated the deceased owl was no more than 2 years old.
The birds are banded by Operation SNOWstorm, which tracks snowy owls to assist in their preservation.
The Department of Environmental Conservation asks that if you find a dead banded bird, report it on the website www.reportband.gov.
Photo by Margy Meath.Video by Oded Kalir.
Michael S. Ryan is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 25 at the Premier Genesee Nursing Home on Bank Street in Batavia, he knowingly possessed stolen property -- a credit or debit card belonging to a client of the Le Roy Federal Credit Union.
Kevin G. Viehdeffer is indicted for the crime of bail jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that he did not personally appear in Genesee County Court on the required date of March 27, or voluntarily within 30 days thereafter. It is alleged in the indictment that Viehdeffer was released from custody or allowed to remain at liberty upon the condition that he would subsequently appear in Genesee County Court.
Ryan P. Isham is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 10 in the Town of Elba that Isham drove a 2011 Chevrolet on Route 262 in Elba while intoxicated. In count two, the defendant is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that he had a BAC of .08 or more. In Special Information filed with the indictment by the District Attorney, Isham is accused of having been convicted of DWI as a misdemeanor on Nov. 15, 2015, in Cambria, Niagara County. That conviction is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.
Danielle N. Webster is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 6 in the Town of Alabama that Webster drove a 2005 Chevrolet on Bloomingdale Road while knowing, or having reason to know, that her driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle was suspended in New York on Aug. 25 pending prosecution. It is further alleged that she was under the influence of alcohol or a drug at a time. In count two, the defendant is accused of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. In count three, she is accused of failure to keep right. In count four, the defendant is accused of moving from lane unsafely. In count five, Webster is accused of moving across hazard lines on the roadway. In count six, the defendant is accused of consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.
Jason Bell sent us this picture of a bald eagle he spotted in Pembroke yesterday.
Jaequele M. Tomlin, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Tomlin was charged as part of the ongoing investigation into a Craigslist scam. Tomlin was allegedly in possession of a blunt-force weapon with the intent to use it against another person. The weapon was not used against any person, according to police. Tomlin, already held on prior charges, was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on this charge on a bail of $10,000 or bond of $20,000.
Ryan Nicholas Bartholomew, 23, of Adams Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Bartholomew is accused of causing $471.57 in damage to an isolation cell door in the Genesee County Jail by kicking it.
Stephanie Marie Wentworth, 32, of Augusta Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure appear. Wentworth was arraigned and held on bail.
Olivia Alisa Ellis, 19, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ellis was charged stemming from an incident reported Jan. 3.
A 16-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with menacing, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. The youth was allegedly involved in a fight on Jan. 21 at an unidentified location in Batavia. He allegedly threatened another person with a knife.
Rajea Shaiek Thomas, 29, of Sutorius Drive, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant. Thomas turned himself in after learning of the warrant. No further details released.
Matthew J. Bean, 50, of Countryside Lane, Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, refusal to take a breath test, and driving left of pavement markings. Bean was stopped at 5:09 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Robert Henning.
Kirk Anthony Breemes, 29, of Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, harassment, 2nd, and criminal mischief. Breemes allegedly violated an order of protection and fought with another person and also damaged walls and doors during the altercation.
Xavier Malik Hand, 21, of Garibaldi Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Hand allegedly left voicemail messages on another person's phone in violation of a court order.
Richard H. Wahl Jr., 51, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and no seat belt. Wahl was stopped at 8:42 p.m. Jan. 21 on West Main Street, Corfu, by Officer Richard Retzlaff.
Louis Warren, 64, of West Broad Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and speeding. Warran was stopped at 2:14 p.m., Jan. 19, on Alleghany Road, Village of Corfu, by Officer Jacob Gauthier.
Daniel L. Schmiegel, 32, of Basom, is charged with menacing, 3rd, unlawful imprisonment, coercion, grand larceny, 4th, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and harassment, 2nd. Schmiegel was arrested by State Police following a reported incident at 7:58 p.m., Saturday. He was ordered held on bail. No further details released.
Matthew C. Strobele, 39, of Oakfield, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, criminal possession of marijuana, 4th, driving a vehicle without an inspection sticker, failure to keep right, driving left of pavement marking and speeding. Strobele was stopped at 10:55 p.m. Friday by State Police in the Town of Ridgeway.
Amanda E. Dalrymple, 27, of Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Dalrymple is accused of stealing at a location in the Town of Batavia. No further details released.
Jessica L. Stranc, 21, of Darien, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Stranc was stopped by State Police at 12:17 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Darien.
Scott Allis of Medina rolled an 806 series and Dave Emler of Rochester posted a 300 game -- his second this month -- to highlight last week's league bowling action in the Genesee Region.
Allis had games of 259-270-277 for his eighth USBC-certified 800 series over the past 17 years in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes.
Emler's perfect game came in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, where he previously shot 300 on Jan. 2.
In the County Line Stone League at Scopano's Lanes, Paul Spiotta of Batavia registered a 290 game.
For a list of high series and games for the week of Jan. 22, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.
Mike Pettinella's next Pin Points column will be posted on Thursday.
Firefighter Kevin McCrary was named Firefighter of the Year for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department by Chief Tim Hogle at the department's annual dinner on Saturday night.
McCrary was honored for his work ethic and dedication to the department, Hogle said.
Hogle said the department responded 419 calls in 2017. Tom Wood, first assistant chief, was the top responder for the year, responding to 303 calls.
During March and April, the department responded to 75 calls during power outages in the Village of Le Roy. All of the volunteers who responded to those calls were honored with the Chief's Award.
They are: Thomas Wood, Christina Marrinaccio, Dave Ehrhart Sr., Joe Orlando, Jerry Diskin, Anthony DeFelice, Rick Bater, Bill Wood, Kenneth Davis, Craig Johnson, Dale Ehrhart, John Johnson, Brandon Connolly, Michael Green, Burt Manley, John Hurd, Terry Kanaley, Stephany McVicker, Wendy Johnson, Josh Pfendler, Melisa Suriidge, Jeff Freeman, David Ehrhart Jr., Jared Chick, Scott Newman, Kevin McCrary, Justin Connolly, Elijah Flansburg, Pete Loftus, Mike Miller, Leeanne Miller, Christie Main-Miller, Donna Kanaley, Laurie Bater, Kathy Wood, Elise Lauricella.
A Special Commendation went to DEC Officer Fay Fuerch, Le Roy Police Officer Greg Kellogg, and Firefighter Rob Radley. Fuerch, Kellogg and Radley were first on scene for a cardiac arrest in Le Roy at the Save-A-Lot. The responders provided first aid and attempted to save the woman's life. Their efforts helped keep the woman alive long enough for her only remaining son to arrive home and say goodbye to his mother.
The firematic officer for 2018 are Tim Hogle, chief, Tom Wood, first assistant chief, Craig Johnson, 2nd assistant chief, Mike Green, captain, Christina Marinaccio, captain, and Anthony DeFelice, lieutenant.
Photos by Rob Radley.
An equipment fire, with smoke and flames showing, is reported at the McDonald's in Le Roy, 57 Main St.
Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.
UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Caledonia's ladder truck was dispatched. A chief on scene says it can stage in quarters.
UPDATE 11:16 a.m.: Fire is out. Caledonia can go back in service. Health Department and code enforcement requested to the scene.
To open a public meeting hosted by Ward 4 and Ward 5 city council members Al McGinnis (left) and Kathy Briggs (right), World War II veteran Ken Dehm was honored with a plaque. Presenting the plaque, above, is Legislator Gary Maha, and joining in the presentation, Councilman Bob Bialkowski.
Dehm served in the Atlantic Theater in the Navy aboard a seaplane tender. The seaplanes hunted German U-boats.
Following the presentation, the floor was open to the dozen or so Ward 4 and Ward 5 residents who turned out for the meeting and they asked questions of McGinnis, Briggs, Bialkowski, Maha, and Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.
John Roach ran the meeting and made a few comments himself along the way. Capt. Bob Fix, City fire, also made a short presentation on fire safety and burn pits in the city.
The first topic raised was the anticipated methadone clinic at GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Inc.)
Heubusch addressed the issue and as the city's top cop said he has no concerns about the clinic and said he believes it will benefit opiate addicts living in our community.
He said such clinics are proven to reduce crime in communities where they are established and that currently any person going through methadone treatment must travel to Rochester or Buffalo for their maintenance dosage.
The new clinic will allow them to get help closer home and make treatment available to more local addicts. The new clinic will not mean addicts will travel here from outside Genesee, Wyoming or Orleans counties because all of the other surrounding counties have clinics.
"Historically speaking, this is a known and proven program that has been around since the 1970s that will help people addicted to opiates," Heubusch said. "I can’t speak in detail about the scientific accuracy of that. All I can tell you is it works. It’s been proven to work."
The next issue raised was the possibility of restoring and saving the stone pillars at the entrance to Redfield Parkway.
Redfield resident Jim Owen is an advocate for the project and argued the pillars are of aesthetic and historic significance to the entire community. Other residents at the meeting disagreed and said they didn't want tax dollars spent on the project.
The City Council has authorized a $4,000 study by an engineering firm to find out what is needed to save the pillars.
"It's a complicated issue and we can't go any further without more information and cost estimates," McGinnis said.
Former Legislator Ed Dejaneiro asked if any of the $17 million the county will have in the bank from the sale of the County Nursing Home will go to infrastructure needs in the City of Batavia.
Legislator John Deleo, who had taken a seat in the audience a few minutes earlier, was invited at that point to take a seat at the front table.
He said the Legislature will triage the county's infrastructure needs and prioritize how the $17 million will be spent. That could include city projects if they rise to the top of the priority list.
Maha raised the issue of the South Lyon Street Bridge and read a letter he had received from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens about replacement of the bridge.
The abutments for the bridge were built in 1950 and the current bridge was installed on top of those abutments in 1982. It's the abutments that are deteriorating. Hens said the bridge is safe. The county has been applying for federal funds to replace the bridge for several years. The cost is an estimated $3 million.
Complications with bridge replacement include the fact that the south abutment is actually under South Main Street. There is also an area that was likely a burial ground during the War of 1812 for victims of either a cholera or typhoid epidemic. Hens said he didn't think any bodies will be found, but archeological work will be required.
The new bridge will likely need to be two lanes, which will mean purchasing at least one house (perhaps through eminent domain) on the north side of the Tonawanda Creek.
An audience member advocated for going to a strong mayor form of government. Bialkowski said right now the city must abide by the city charter, which mandates a city manager, so the Council will seek to hire a new city manager.
If residents would rather have a mayor, Bialkowski said, it will take a petition drive and a charter committee made up of local residents.
“That's up to you the citizens to decide," Bialkowski said. "It’s not up to us.”
Another topic was the proposed apartment complex on East Main Street with one resident complaining there are too many apartments in Batavia.
Roach jumped in on that one and noted that when the project was going through the planning process, nobody showed up to oppose it.
He delivered a long statement about the need to get involved, otherwise, you may not get what you want out of the city.
"If you don’t show up then I would say shut up," Roach said. "Be there. Show up. Speak up. Say something. A half year later doesn’t count."
Chief Shawn Heubusch
Councilman Al McGinnis standing and Councilwoman Kathy Briggs seated.
Councilman Bob Bialkowski
Ed Dejaneiro and Kathy Owen
The Workers’ Compensation Board recently adopted new guidelines for the assessment of permanent impairments. These new guidelines apply only to the assessment of permanency related to extremity injuries, not head, neck or back injuries.
They direct doctors how to determine the schedule loss of use percentage, or award, that an injured worker is due for a permanent injury to an extremity.
The Board was tasked with the job of updating these guidelines by the NYS legislature in early 2017. The intention was for the guidelines to be updated to reflect medical advances since the guidelines were first written, decades ago.
Unfortunately, the Board’s first revision to the guidelines went well beyond what anyone expected, or what could be justified simply based upon medical advancements. The Board’s proposal significantly slashed awards and changed how doctors were directed to evaluate schedule loss of use with little to no justification for these changes.
For these reasons, Dolce, Panepinto and other concerned parties, started a campaign to resist these changes. Among other things, we instituted a mass postcard campaign to let the Board know that injured workers would not stand for these changes.
Due to the support of many of you, we were successful in putting a stop to the Board’s first proposed revision to the guidelines. The new guidelines, that were recently adopted by the Board, are vastly different from the first rewrite.
While the newly adopted guidelines may result in some changes to how doctors assess schedule loss of use, they will not result in the across the board substantial reductions in permanency awards that the first revision intended.
We want to thank our clients, family and friends who assisted us in the post card campaign and in other ways. This amazing result could not have been achieved without your help.
Press release:
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Thursday called on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to complete final acquisitions for two 60-acre and 77-acre parcels in Pembroke and then swiftly act to begin construction of the New Western New York National Veterans Cemetery.
Currently, the VA parcel is 132 acres devoted to a veterans' cemetery. The acquisitions of the two new parcels would effectively double the size of the cemetery and would clear the way for construction of a new veterans’ cemetery in Genesee County, which will be the first and only of its kind in the Buffalo-Rochester area and will save thousands of military families from having to travel upward of 100 miles to visit their loved ones at what is now the closest vet cemetery in Bath, NY.
Schumer said it is vital the VA complete these acquisitions and commit to begin the cemetery’s construction this year.
“The acquisition of these two land parcels clears the way for the construction of the newest veterans’ cemetery in Pembroke. Making this cemetery a reality has been and remains one of my top priorities, and I will keep fighting to ensure that this project comes to fruition,” Senator Schumer said.
“It is now time for the VA to do its part to clear these final roadblocks so we can move to the construction phase ASAP; this cemetery's construction guarantees Western New York’s military veterans will have the proper burial, at a site close to the homes, families, and the very communities they dedicated their lives to defend and serve.”
Schumer explained the new cemetery design calls for the main entrance to be built through this 60-acre parcel of land so that veterans, their families, and cemetery visitors can access the cemetery from Indian Falls Road, rather than via the busy State Route 77 corridor. Schumer said both parcels are located adjacent to the existing 132-acre cemetery site were purchased by the VA in 2014.
The VA had advised last year that before the VA’s could acquire these two parcels needed to begin the cemetery’s construction, a buried gas line that traversed the 60- and 77-acre parcels needed to be plugged and then relocated. With this gas line work completed in December 2017, Schumer said it is time for the VA to finalize these acquisitions so that cemetery construction can begin this year.
Schumer added the 60- and 77-acre parcel will greatly expand the cemetery’s operational life and enable the VA to construct a cemetery more aligned with the Department’s initial vision for a 200-acre site. Per the timeline provided by the VA to Schumer’s office in June 2017, the VA aimed to begin construction approximately six months after purchase of the parcels, followed by the opening of the early turnover area for burials a year later in 2019.
Schumer has long fought to make this project a reality. In 2016, Schumer announced that following his push that $36 million in federal funding for the construction phase of the cemetery in Western New York had been included in the final continuing resolution (CR) package.
In December 2015, Schumer launched his push to get the VA to include this critical funding in the VA’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request, to safeguard against needless delays between phases. In February 2016, Schumer announced the inclusion of this funding in the previous President’s Budget Request was a good sign for Rochester, Buffalo and all of Western New York. Schumer vowed to continue pushing for this critical federal funding to be included in the final appropriations bill. In April 2016, Schumer announced that, following his push, the $36 million in federal funding had been included in the final Senate Military Construction Appropriations Bill for the construction phase of the cemetery.
Schumer said the establishment of the nation’s newest Veterans’ Cemetery in Western New York is a long-sought and well-deserved opportunity to honor the more than 96,000 veterans and family members in this region who will have a proper military burial at a site close to their homes, families, and communities they served and defended.
This veterans’ cemetery will be the first and only of its kind in the Buffalo-Rochester area and will save thousands of military families from having to travel more than 100 miles in some cases to visit their loved ones at what is now the closest veterans' cemetery in Bath, NY. Schumer said the initial difficulties in acquiring this Western New York property took an unusually long four years and, that the final acquisitions will be needed for construction to begin.
According to guidance provided by the VA on cemetery development timelines, it can typically take up to 24 months to complete the cemetery master planning and design process. Following the completion of that phase, the construction phase typically requires 24-30 months to compete, with early-use burial areas made available approximately 12 months after the start of construction.
A list of Schumer’s actions appears below:
· In February 2016, Schumer announced that the just-released President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 included $36 million in funding for the construction phase of the newest National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke.
· In December 2015, Schumer launched his push to secure federal funding for the construction phase of the cemetery.
· In May 2014, Schumer announced that the VA had selected a site for the long-awaited Western New York Veterans’ Cemetery on a 132-acre parcel at 1232 Indian Falls Road in the Town of Pembroke, Genesee County.
· This was the culmination of years of work beginning in 2009 when Schumer, together with various veterans' groups, led the charge to bring a much-needed veterans’ cemetery to Western New York arguing that a lack of a national veterans’ cemetery within a 75-mile radius of Buffalo and Rochester meant that it was long-past time for the 96,000 underserved veterans and family members living in Western New York to have a fitting burial option closer to home.
· In 2010, the VA responded and announced it would establish a new veteran’s cemetery in Western New York. An updated VA policy dictated the construction of a national cemetery in areas where there are at least 80,000 veterans that reside at least 75-miles from an existing cemetery. In Western New York, there are 96,000 who live up to 100 miles away from the closest National Veterans Cemetery in Bath, NY.
· In March 2012, after the VA failed to find suitable land to purchase following two separate solicitation attempts, Schumer wrote to then-VA Secretary Shinseki to urge that the VA put forth a clear timeline and path forward to avoid another protracted process that could come up empty. In response, the VA dispatched personnel to Western New York to conduct site visits at several sites in WNY, issued a final solicitation for sites, and developed several candidate sites for evaluation, of which one was the 132-acre site in Pembroke that the VA subsequently acquired.
· In April 2013, Schumer organized a meeting at Daemen College with local veterans and VA officials to update Veterans on the VA’s timeline and in order for veterans to provide input to the VA.
· In Sept 2013, Schumer wrote to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (SHPO) to urge the agency to complete an archeological cultural-resource study required in order for the VA to complete the required approvals needed to close on the purchase of the preferred Indian Falls Road site in Pembroke.
· In May 2014, Schumer announced that the results of the archeological cultural-resource study determined a finding of “no significant impacts,” thus allowing the VA to move forward on the purchase of the preferred site on Indiana Falls Road later that month.
· In July 2014, Schumer called on the VA to move forward on plans to acquire the adjoining 60-acre parcel that abuts the current 132-acre site. This would immediately make the cemetery nearly 50-percent larger, increase capacity, and provide better access to the cemetery for veterans’ funeral processions and visitors.
The 132-acre site on Indian Falls Road in Pembroke is located approximately 30 miles from Buffalo and 48 miles from Rochester. The cemetery will provide a fitting burial option to approximately 96,000 currently underserved veterans and family members living in Western New York. Veterans with a qualifying discharge, their spouses, and eligible dependent children may be buried in a VA national cemetery.
Also eligible are military personnel who die on active duty, their spouses and eligible dependents. Burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker.
Schumer said more than 96,000 veterans and their families across Western New York from Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region to Buffalo deserve to have this cemetery constructed as soon as possible and without further impediments or unnecessary delays. Schumer said the VA must do its part to overcome the final impediments to this process for the benefit of veterans and their families who call Western New York home.
A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary appears below:
Dear VA Secretary Shulkin,
I write to request that the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) work to overcome a last remaining impediment to construction of the new Western New York National Veterans Cemetery. Namely, I urge you to complete the acquisition of the 60 acre and the 77 acre parcels in Pembroke, NY that are located adjacent to the existing 132 acre cemetery site purchased by the Department in 2014 and then swiftly act to begin construction this year. As you know, buried gas line work was requisite to VA’s acquisition of these parcels. I understand that this work was completed in December 2017, and I urge you to finalize these acquisitions and commit to begin the cemetery’s construction this year.
The cemetery design calls for the main entrance of the new cemetery to be built through this 60 acre parcel of land so that veterans, their families, and cemetery visitors can access the cemetery from Indian Falls Road, rather than via the busy State Route 77 corridor. Additionally, the 60 acre parcel and 77 acre parcel will greatly expand the cemetery’s operational life and enable the VA to construct a cemetery which more aligned with the Department’s initial vision for a 200-acre site. According to a timeline the Department provided to my office in June 2017, the VA aimed to begin construction approximately six months after purchase of the 60 and 77 acre parcels, followed by the opening of the early turnover area for burials a year later in 2019.
More than 96,000 veterans and their families across Western New York from Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region to Buffalo deserve to have this cemetery constructed as soon as possible without unnecessary delay. I urge you to immediately overcome the final impediments to this process for the benefit of veterans across the region. I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and appreciate your consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator
Press release:
The Batavia Police Department announced on Thursday that it has joined the SafeTrade initiative for safer completion of online transactions.
SafeTrade is a simple program for police and sheriff’s departments to encourage transactions at their facilities; for classified sites to strengthen their safety and security initiatives, and for users to insist on “SafeTrade” by conducting their transactions only at a local police or sheriff’s office.
The Batavia Police Department is excited to partner with SafeTrade to provide a safe location for the residents of Batavia when conducting online transactions. Our goal is to make Batavia a safe community, and to provide unique services to attain that goal. Partnering with SafeTrade is one of those programs.
The SafeTrade logo can be used (without charge) on any ads posted; by classified websites, newspapers and publications to promote safety and security, and by police departments to indicate they are hosting SafeTrade online transactions.
In the past few months, a number of U.S. police departments have offered to host online transactions, most of them referring to Craigslist as the reason. Participating police departments can now post banners or use logos referring to their facilities as SafeTrade Stations.
Additional information is available at www.safetradestations.com.
This season running the Muckdogs will be the 41st in baseball for Chase. His career includes stints with six minor league baseball teams, work in a baseball broadcast booth, a term as commissioner of the Prospect League, 14 years as director of the Minor League Baseball Museum, and 17 years as publisher of Baseball America.
"I've done just about everything in baseball," Chase said. "I've taken on teams that were just starting out and those going through internal changes, so when I heard the New York Penn League was taking over the franchise in Batavia, I reached out to Ben Hayes (president of the NYPL) in early December and told him if he needed somebody to come and unlock the gates every couple of days, I'd be happy to do that."
Chase said he's been hired to do more than just unlock the gates. When asked about the NYPL's commitment to Batavia, he noted the team could have been moved this season or the league could have hired an inexperienced manager to come and unlock the gates on game days.
"My marching orders from Ben Hayes is to make sure we present a solid fan experience and a solid experience for the Marlins players," Chase said. "That could have happened in other places. That could have happened in other places in 2018. But Batavia is where the NYPL wants to be."
Chase steps in to run a team that has had the executioner's ax hanging over it for more than a decade, with every mid-June opening game bringing fans to the ballpark wondering if this could be the final year for professional baseball in Batavia.
In a short conversation, Chase didn't talk like a man coming in to be a caretaker for a final season in Batavia. Though neither did he pretend he could speak for Hayes and the league's directors.
"My primary focus is to take care of the Miami Marlins players and make sure they have a quality experience in Batavia," Chase said. "It's also my job to re-establish the team in the mind of the fans."
For the past 10 season the Rochester Red Wings have operated the Muckdogs but in October, the league declined a request by the Red Wings and the Genesee Genesee County Baseball Club to continue that arrangement.
In December, the Club announced it transfered control of the franchise to the league. If the team is ever sold, 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the Red Wings (which gained a 5-percent share of the sale price during its 10 years of operation of the team), with the league getting 10 percent, and the Club will receive the remainder of the proceeds. The Club retains ownership of the team name and logos.
Chase hasn't visited Batavia yet -- he arrives Sunday and will hold a press conference Monday -- and asked if this was a turnaround effort, he said it was partly that but also partly like running a startup business.
He said it is his understanding that "there's not much left in Batavia."
He noted that there are apparently needs at the ballpark to be addressed, citing specifically the playing field and clubhouses.
He said the team's loyal fans can expect him to work to deliver a quality ballpark experience.
"I met my wife in Durham (N.C.), so I understand the power of the ballpark," Chase said. "Baseball is not like any other sport. It's all about community. It's about bringing the community together. There are not many cities in the country like Batavia and the team has been there for a very long time, since 1939. We want to make sure the Batavia fans understand this is their team. We want to honor that tradition."
Investigator Pete Welker, a longtime member of the Local Drug Task Force, was named Officer of the Year by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office during an awards ceremony and luncheon today.
Senior Corrections Officer Kevin D. Wolff received the Distinguished Service Award.
Press release:
Officer of the Year Award – Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker
Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker has distinguished himself in the performance of service to the citizens of Genesee County during 2017. His professional skill and devotion to duty has been epitomized in his unfailing dedication to detect and arrest those responsible for drug dealing; his ability to cooperatively work with other agencies, particularly the City of Batavia Police Department; his fundamental orientation to public service and his willingness to teach others.Investigator Welker’s efforts have made a significant contribution to the overall success of the Genesee County Drug Task Force which, in 2017, has had its most successful year in terms of defendants arrested. During this year, Investigator Welker’s daily performance has been a major contribution to the effectiveness, success and esteem of the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigator Ronald “Pete” Welker has reflected great credit upon himself and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and most deserves to be named Officer of the Year.
Distinguished Service Award – Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff
Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff has distinguished himself as a member of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Senior Correction Officer Wolff has been a positive force within the jail division. He has taken the lead in training new officers and monitoring the JTO program for the last four years. He has been instrumental in working with New York State Commission of Corrections staff during cycle evaluations and, thereby, helping to obtain and maintain good reviews and good rapport with them.Kevin has, for the past three years, been working with the New York State Police within their Field Intelligence Officer Program and has provided excellent information both to them and to the department through that venue. Senior Correction Officer Wolff has also recently taken the lead in working with auditors from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association in accomplishing Accreditation of the Jail Division later this coming year.
Senior Correction Officer Wolff’s knowledge and attention to detail have proven to be a great asset to the Department, and through his work, he has distinguished himself and brought great credit upon himself and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Ryan Young received a Commendation.
Among the dispatchers receiving commendations were Communications Coordinator Russell L. Lang Sr., Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael T. Sheflin, Emergency Services Dispatcher Nathan L. Fix, and Services Dispatcher Andrew Merkel.
Meritorious Service awards went to deputies Eric Meyer, Kevin Forsyth, Michael Lute, Ryan DeLong.
Meritorious service awards were given to several dispatchers Jason Holman, Steve Robinson, Jenna Bauer and Kelly Smith.
Members of the Local Drug Task Force were honored for their work in 2017, which set a record for arrests. Present were Emily McNamara, from Le Roy PD, Investigator Pete Welker and Sgt. Brad Mazur.
Senior Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff, center, with his family, Jail Superintendent William Zipfel, Sheriff William Sheron, and Undersheriff Gregory Walker.
Pete Welker with his family and Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster, Sheriff William Sheron, and Undersheriff Gregory Walker.
Longevity awards were given to:
Certificates of Appreciation:
Commendations:
Meritorious Awards:
When Toni Funke was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, the Pembroke High School girls basketball team, coached by her husband Ron Funke, was inspired to try and raise money to help fight cancer.
Shooting for a Cure! has been an annual event since and each year it gets bigger and bigger.
This year was no exception with the event raising a record $26,000, bringing the total raised since over the past six years to $87,000.
The team traveled to Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo today to deliver the donations.
In the game, Oakfield-Alabama beat Pembroke 51-31.
Top photo: Serene Calderon presents Toni Funke with a rose, a halftime ceremony held each year where team members present flowers to community members who have battled cancer or are currently in treatment.
Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Feb. 2nd and will end on Feb. 5th. The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event and Super Bowl Weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving.
New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths.
You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp. Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, designate a responsible driver before the game begins. We want fans to remember that it’s a choice. So root for your favorite team; enjoy your friends and family and remember “DON’T DRIVE, GET A RIDE!
The STOP-DWI Super Bowl Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the STOP-DWI Foundation courtesy of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.
Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
Alexander Central School hosted a Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday night sponsored by Alexander United Teachers.
Meghan Ripstein said the organization was looking for a way to give back to the community and she hoped families and vendors would find something at the fair that they could get involved in or find something missing from their lives.
She said the response was beyond expectations.
"We have a great turnout," she said. "We have so many incredible vendors here and so many people have given so much. I’m very impressed and overwhelmed by the support that we’ve gotten."
More than 25 years ago, artist Michael Price started on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the great painters of the Renaissance, starting with how they used stones and crystals -- called pigments -- to create the colors they brush onto canvas.
In the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries there were no tubes of paint.
As Price suggests, painters were the better for it.
No tube of paint can match the luster of ultramarine derived from lapis lazuli, nor the luminance of gray created by grinding stones into the powder and mixing the powder with oil, Price said during a lecture Thursday afternoon in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at Genesee Community College.
Through the middle of next month, a collection paintings by Price, in a show called "The Chromatic Nude," display what Price has done using Renaissance techniques applied to more contemporary subjects.
Price's work isn't just a matter of using pigment-based paint for his work. He's also studied the geometry of Renaissance arts and applies the Golden Rectangle and Golden Proportions to his own work.
He's written a two-volume book, as well, on these subjects, called "Renaissance Mysteries."
Price, a resident of New York City, is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, England, and he attended the London Central School of Art and Design and Stoke-on-Trent College of Art. He has exhibited worldwide, including solo shows in the Post Gallery in Houston, Texas, Galerie Poller in Frankfurt, Germany, and David Findlay Galleries in New York City.
The YouTube video below covers the same material as Price presented in his lecture at GCC.
Chromatic Improvisation #9: Echo Discovers Her Echo
Chromatic Improvisation #7: Remembrance of Things Past
This is an example of pigments and tools that would have been used by a Renaissance artist -- or more precisely, the apprentice of the artist -- to make paints. From the website of Michael Price.
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