The Annual Turkey Dinner at Byron Presbyterian Church will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

It is located at 6293 Main St. in Byron.

Food is served family style. Take-outs available.

Handicap accessible.

Cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children; kids 5 and under eat free.

Also, crafts and cookbooks will be for sale.

From the National Weather Service in Buffalo:

The National Weather Service office in Buffalo is looking for a volunteer weather observer, to take over the observing station in or within about four miles of Pavilion.

This observing station would be a part of the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Network or Coop Network. The Coop Network comprises nearly 10,000 volunteer weather observers nationwide who report high/low temperatures, rainfall, snowfall and snow depth to the National Weather Service on a daily basis. The data from Coop Observers helps scientists to define the long-term climate of the United States.

Observers would take daily measurements of a 24-hour high/low temperatures, precipitation, snowfall and snow depth, each morning around 7 a.m. These measurements would be relayed daily to the National Weather Service, either via the Internet or a toll-free phone number. These weather observations will be archived and use by future climate and research studies.

The Observer will be provided with an electronic thermometer, a rain gauge and a snow measuring stick.

These observations will assist the National Weather Service in its forecast and warning efforts, is vital to climatologists who are defining the climate of the United States and will help to predict drought conditions, agricultural planning and assessment, and more.

If you are interested in helping us out, or have any questions about the duties of a Coop Observer, please contact us at the address below, or you may call us at 716-565-0204, or send an email to Dan.Kelly@noaa.gov.

National Weather Service

Buffalo Office
587 Aero Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Press release:

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Monday urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve the Empire Pipeline Inc.’s revised and extended PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreement with Genesee County in order to keep an important water infrastructure project on track.

Schumer said that with the agreement now up for renewal, it is essential that FERC approve the extended agreement to finance new water infrastructure at Genesee County’s Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Business Park (STAMP), bringing good paying jobs to the Rochester Finger Lakes region and investing in New York State’s critical infrastructure.

“Genesee County’s PILOT agreement is vital to keep water infrastructure construction at STAMP on schedule and put new jobs in the pipeline,” Senator Schumer said. “FERC must act quickly and approve this petition to ensure that the timely construction of new water infrastructure is not held up by bureaucratic red tape.

"This agreement is a win-win for job creation and the hard working people of Genesee County, allowing the Genesee County Economic Development Center to proceed with vital upgrades to the STAMP business park.”

Schumer explained that the original PILOT agreement between Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and Empire Pipeline was approved by FERC and implemented in 2007 as part of Empire Pipeline’s investment to construct a new gas compression station in the Town of Oakfield in Genesee County. This agreement is now up for renewal through 2032.

This request does not include any new construction, but is solely an amendment and extension of the original PILOT agreement.

This renewal agreement was approved by Genesee County and Empire Pipeline in 2016 and is currently awaiting final approval by FERC. Funding provided to Genesee County by Empire Pipeline under this PILOT agreement is required by Genesee County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) to finance Phase 2 construction of new water lines to serve STAMP and timely action by FERC is needed to ensure the construction timeline is not delayed.

A copy of Schumer’s letter appears below:

Dear FERC Chairman Chatterjee:

I write to request that you take swift action on the Petition (Docket CP06-5, Sub Docket 013) filed by Empire Pipeline Inc. to approve its revised and extended PILOT (Payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with Genesee County, NY, which is necessary to finance new job-creating water infrastructure at Genesee County’s STAMP (Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Business Park) business park. 

The original PILOT agreement between Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and Empire Pipeline was approved by FERC and implemented in 2007 as part of Empire Pipeline’s investment to construct a new gas compression station in the Town of Oakfield in Genesee County. This agreement is now up for renewal through 2032. This request does not include any new construction, but is solely an amendment and extension of the original PILOT agreement. This renewal agreement was approved by Genesee County and Empire Pipeline in 2016 and is currently awaiting final approval by FERC. 

Timely approval of this agreement is necessary to ensure that the construction of new water infrastructure, which is crucial to economic development in the region, can proceed on schedule. The $4 million in proceeds paid by Empire Pipeline to Genesee County under this renewal agreement are set to be used to finance new job-creating water line investment in Genesee County. Specifically this funding is required to complete the financing of the Phase 2 construction of new water lines to serve the forthcoming STAMP business park, a 1,250-acre site that Genesee County is transforming into a shovel-ready business park to attract new manufacturing business and jobs. As the Phase 1 water construction is now underway, I request FERC expeditiously schedule this Petition for action in order to enable the Genesee County Economic Development Center to proceed on its Phase 2 schedule without delay. 

Thank you for your attention to this request. 

Sincerely, 

Charles E. Schumer

Press release:

In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Genesee Community College (GCC) and Delta College have collaborated to offer a free webinar focusing on the career opportunities in the ever-expanding cyber security industry from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of growth for jobs in information security analysts is projected at 18 percent through 2022 -- which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.

The webinar will feature a three-person panel discussing trends, opportunities and challenges facing those in cyber security careers. Panelist Joshua George is the instructor of Criminal Justice at Delta College. George has more than 12 years in federal law enforcement with focus on computer forensics and digital evidence. Panelist Mike Tarcan, currently serves as the information security manager at Ellucian. Tarcan focuses on security incident and threat management for a global cloud company. Panelist Kristopher Howery is an associate professor of Computer Science and Info Tech at Delta College. Howery founded the Cyber Defense Club that provides students with hands-on network defense experience. Howery also designed a multipurpose lab to teach security and network classes such as Cisco CCNA Security, Check Point, CCSA firewall, incident response and wireless security, to name a few. Additionally, he works in forensics under the networking track. Each panelist will share how they got started in the field, discuss what their security roles entail and answer questions from participants. 

Both GCC students and community members are encouraged to attend the webinar which will be broadcast at the GCC Batavia campus in room T102 on Thursday, Oct. 12 in the Conable Technoloy Building. Delta College students and guests are invited to view the webinar at Delta College's Main Campus in N007, located near the Redbrix Area. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 12:50 p.m. to ensure seating. Remote access to the webinar is available on a limited basis.

When the Oakfield Fire Department signed up eight new members a couple of years ago and then came to the village with a request for $18,500 to buy gear for the volunteers, Mayor Jason Armbrewster started to rethink how fire services are funded in Oakfield.

"Eight new members, that should be great news," Armbrewster said. "But to us as a board, we’re like, 'How are we going to come up with $18,500?' That’s when I was like, 'Why should we be controlling that destiny? Why should new members be a hindrance to our fire department?' ”

The village held a public hearing last night -- more of a fact-finding and public feedback process -- to explore the idea of getting the village out of the fire department business and forming either a fire district or a fire protection district.

One village resident wanted to know if this idea would save residents money.

"It’s not about saving money," Armbrewster said. "It’s about providing a better service."

Trustee David Boyle pointed out the idea could help provide both better fire protection and better services through the village for residents. He said the village has already had to cut other services just to keep the fire department going.

Currently, the fire department is part of the village and the Town of Oakfield contracts with the department for fire protection outside the village, paying for it with its own fire district. The fire district is a separate tax for town residents. The town accounts for more than 50 percent of the fire department's budget.

If the village decided to go ahead with the idea, it would need to decide whether to set up a fire district, which would need to happen jointly with the town, because it would cover both the town and the village, or a fire protection district, which would cover only the village. Then both the town and the village would contract with the Oakfield Fire Department (or conceivably, some other department) for emergency services.

The struggles for the department now include replacing aging fire apparatus, maintaining the fire hall at a cost of $18,000 a year, and recruiting volunteers.

Ambrewster said in his talks with other departments where recruiting isn't as difficult, good equipment and recruiting seem to go hand-in-hand.

Dan Luker, a longtime member of the Oakfield department, said he had one simple question: Why?

He said his mind wasn't made up on the proposal, but he was skeptical of the need.

"I don’t see where changing the structure of raising taxes is going to change people wanting to volunteer," Luker said.

Trustee John Igoe said he is also on the fire department board and he isn't sure the fire department will survive under the current arrangement.

Igoe, who said he will abstain on any vote on the proposal, said insolvency in a couple of years is a real possibility. 

"It comes to the point that maybe we have to look at shutting the doors because we don’t have any more money to keep the light and heat on because what we receive as a department isn't enough," Igoe said.

No decisions were reached at the meeting, but after two years of kicking the idea around, Armbrewster said a decision needs to be made soon.

"I either want to move ahead or say we’re not going to do this," Armbrewster said.

Photo: John Igoe and Jason Armbrewster.

UPDATE Sept. 26 5:15 p.m.: John Igoe's name was corrected in the story; it is not John Igor. The Batavian regrets the error.

Batavia High School’s annual Open House is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28th. Parents of BHS students are encouraged to attend this informative evening and can pick up their child’s schedule in the Main Lobby.

Our Open House will consist of an “open classroom drop-in” structure allowing for a more flexible personal connection between teachers and parents. In the Atrium, parents will have an opportunity to visit some outside organization stations that are important in the lives of our high school students. Senior parents are also encouraged to stop by the Counseling Center during the evening to discuss the college application process.

Please join us at Open House and be a part of your child’s high school experience. The school is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

An accident with possible injuries is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 403.

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

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: A Mercy medic on scene has requested Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: Mercy Flight has a three-minute ETA.

UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, destination not specified. Assignment back in service.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) met with United States Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today to discuss expanding the H-2A Agricultural Visa program. This program allows agriculture employers to hire workers on a temporary basis to fill seasonal jobs. 

Under the current program, America’s agricultural employers that require year-round workers are met with challenges as it relates to finding a legal, experienced workforce. The H-2A visa program does not currently provide a category for year-round livestock workers, including dairy. Both crop and livestock farmers depend on affordable labor, yet an oversight in the H-2A program has put the latter at a disadvantage when it comes to obtaining workers.

“I’ve talked with hard-working farmers across Western New York who are struggling because they are unable to retain year-round workers,” Collins said. “Our dairy farmers especially are burdened with an H-2A program that does not allow them to hire the individuals they need to milk cows, feed livestock, and maintain the herd.” 

The agriculture industry is vital to the Western New York economy. Collins’ Congressional District includes almost 5,000 farms, which produce more than $1 billion of products sold each year.

Collins said one area of the H-2A program that needs improvement includes changing eligibility to include year-round agricultural operations such as dairy, nursery, and fresh-cut operations. The meeting with Secretary Acosta was based on the fact that the Department of Labor (USDOL) has the ability to make rule changes that would immediately amend program guidelines.  

“I urged Secretary Acosta to take action on this issue now. Western New York’s and America’s farmers can’t continue to be burdened by these ineffective rules and regulations while waiting for Congress to act,” Collins added.

Collins was joined by Members of Congress from across the United States who also discussed streamlining the H-2A application process. Recommendations presented would reduce redundancies and improve operating efficiencies.  

“I am committed to working with President Trump, Secretary Acosta and my colleagues in Congress to make the necessary reforms that are good for our agriculture industry, and in turn, good for our economy.”

A friend of the family of Lorne Brudz has set up a fundraising page to assist them following the death last week of the Batavia High School senior.

Ken Schady said his intention is "help the family with expenses, as no one plans to bury their own children and therefore have no funds put aside for such an event."

He set the fundraising page on Free Funder.

"I chose Free Funder because Go Fund Me takes 5 percent of the proceeds and I wanted to get as much money as possible to the family," he said.

The funds are designated for Lorne's mother, Colleen Brudz.

Lorne's funeral services are today.

To get to the fundraising page, click here.

Dougherty was Batavia's baseball historian, digging deep into the lore and stats of how the game was played locally over the past 150 years or so. Much of his work can be found in his book, "A View from the Bleachers: Batavia Baseball."

Dougherty passed away Sunday.

"Bill Dougherty was the kind of person every community should have, a dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable, local historian," said Bill Kauffman, a friend of Dougherty's and himself a historian. "His primary interest was baseball, so his work was also responsible for Major League Baseball rewriting its record book and including the name of Vince Maney, who was the only Batavian to ever appear in a Major League Baseball game."

In 1912, Ty Cobb was suspended and the players on his Detroit Tigers team decided to go on strike. The commissioner ordered the game played so the Tigers had to hire replacement players. The shortstop that day for a game in Philadelphia was listed as Pat Meany. Dougherty was able to find the evidence and prove that Pat Meany was really Vince Maney.

Dougherty was a member of the Notre Dame Sports Boosters, Society of American Baseball Research, Board of Directors of the Genesee County Baseball Club and a life member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department. He was a graduate of Batavia High School and Alfred State College.

"He was a great guy," Kauffman said. "He was full of energy and enthusiasm and wit and mischief and we’re really going to miss him."

Previously: 

• Batavia's rich baseball history recalled in new book by Bill Dougherty
• Kauffman and Dougherty share a few words about Baseball in Batavia

Marcos Cacho-Velaz, 37, of Depew Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, unlicensed operation, 3rd, refusal to take breath test, failure to dim headlights, and drinking alcohol in motor vehicle. Cacho-Velaz was stopped at 10:28 p.m. Saturday on Alexander Road, Alexander, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Rachel Lynn Crawford, 32, of North Winton Road, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Crawford was arrested on a warrant for allegedly driving without a license on March 7. She was arraigned in City Court, paid a fine, and was released.

An apparent domestic dispute led to two motor-vehicle accidents in Batavia yesterday afternoon and resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old city resident on assault charges for allegedly trying to run over a man in the parking lot of a business on East Main Street.

Lakara D. Johnson, of Highland Park, was charged with attempted assault, 1st, unlawful imprisonment, 1st, and reckless endangerment, 1st.

The incident started when police were called to Main and Center for a two-car accident. By the time police arrived, one of the vehicles had left the scene. Officers then received a report of a second motor-vehicle involving the suspect vehicle. The driver allegedly tried to hit a male who had managed to get out of the vehicle and instead struck a picnic table at the business.

The vehicle again fled the scene and was located on Howard Street.

Johnson was located on Colorado Avenue and taken into custody.

She was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice pending further court proceedings.

Press release:

On Thursday, Sept. 28, one of the businesses in industrial park will be conducting a fire pump test. This work may result in a period of discolored water in the general area of Pearl Street, South Main Street and River Street. Residents should check to make sure water clarity has returned before resuming activities such as laundry which may be impacted.

The adoption of a revised Comprehensive Plan for the City of Batavia, adding the term “Gateway District” to define zoning on East Main Street near the city line, is moving closer to reality as a result of action by City Council on Monday night.

“We’re talking about making it a little more Commercial (zone)-based, or having different options than just Industrial,” said City Manager Jason Molino after Council agreed to send the 2017 Comprehensive Plan draft to its Oct. 10 Business Meeting.

Molino said the plan update, led by a steering committee, has been in the works for a year and a half. Several internal and public meetings have taken place and the update has been reviewed and approved by the Genesee County Planning Board.

Responding to questions from Council members last month about the proper zoning for East Main Street, the committee changed the area from the proposed “Neighborhood Commercial” rezone to “Gateway District.”

Molino explained that Batavia is unique in that it has four major highways – Routes 5, 63, 98 and 33 – leading into the city. By creating a “Gateway District,” it promotes “good optics and good development plans,” he said.

“It’s a more guided zoning code … one with consistency,” he said. “There has been a lot of focus on gateways over the past decade.”

Following discussion about the plan’s timetable, homes in the floodplain, redevelopment of the C.L. Carr’s building on Main Street, keeping electric car charging stations out of the plan, form-based codes and cleaning up the document’s grammatical errors, Council moved the issue forward. Jankowski noted that he was pleased by the fact that Council would be able to vote on individual proposals in the plan, rather than the entire document.

The steering committee recommended incorporating form-based codes into the Future Land Use plan. Form-based codes focus on matching development with the environment and this approach aligns with the City’s vision statement, according to a committee report.

An electric car charging station in Batavia’s downtown area may be a worthwhile venture, but it’s not in the best interests of the City of Batavia to oversee its operation and maintenance.

That’s the viewpoint of five of City Council’s nine members, who on Monday night voted against a proposal to partner with Genesee Region Clean Communities and the Genesee Transportation Council to put up an EV charging station in Batavia.

Council members Rose Mary Christian, Paul Viele, Robert Bialkowski, Al McGinnis and Kathleen Briggs voted against moving the measure to the board’s next Business Meeting for more discussion and a possible up-down vote, overriding “yes” votes by Council President Eugene Jankowski, Patti Pacino, Adam Tabelski and John Canale.

“It looks like a good idea, but it’s for a private enterprise,” McGinnis said. “I would think there are enough entrepreneurs that would knock each other down to get this. I don’t think we need to get involved.”

McGinnis asked how many electric cars were in Batavia, to which Tabelski replied (reading from a proposal packet) that there were 1,061 EVs that require charging in the Genesee Region as of 2015.

Tabelski voiced his approval of the EV charging station at the new Dunkin' Donuts at 405 W. Main St., adding that while a "private location downtown would be more feasible, I think it's (a city-run EV station) worth considering at least."

Jankowski said he could “see the benefit of it” but didn’t like the idea of government getting involved in running a business.

“We’ve seen what happens,” he said, apparently referring to the City’s ill-fated connection to the City Centre (formerly Genesee Country) Mall.

Canale put forth the argument that the charging station, which would have been placed in the northeastern corner of the Austin Park parking lot next to the Post Office, could be an attractive option for travelers on the Thruway and from the two big cities east and west of Batavia.

“It takes a considerable amount of time (to charge electric cars) and people won’t stay with their cars, they would go to a restaurant … spend some money,” he said. “An advantage to having it in the downtown area could attract people off the Thruway (to stop in Batavia).”

The proposal presented by City Manager Jason Molino was based a Genesee Regional EV Charging Station Plan indicating that the City of Batavia is a location where EV charging stations are needed.

He said the City would be obligated to a free, three-year ChargePoint network subscription. However, the City (as a host city) would not have to pay for the station – a $7,500 expense – but only the cost of installing a conduit from a utility pole to the charging station unit (estimated at $1,500).

As far as the cost of electric is concerned, Molino said the City could set and manage the pricing (if the City chose to charge for electric), could charge the consumer an hourly rate on a per kilowatt hour basis, with optional peak and off-peak rates, and could track consumption and related details of the station’s usage.

“After three years, the City could continue to subscribe to ChargePoint for an annual cost of $560 or drop the subscription and have the consumer continue to use the station via their app (on their mobile devices),” he said. “Also, the City (at that time) would have the option to remove the charging station.”

Afterward, Molino was asked whether he was disappointed by the proposal’s defeat.

“Well, we bring forward ideas and initiatives -- proposals to the Council because we think they promote certain elements and are progressive on certain matters,” he said. “The Council has the full right and authority to say that it’s consistent to what we think or not consistent of what we think, and we support those decisions both ways.”

“I totally understand their perspective on it, and right now we’re not going to move forward with that initiative. Should that change at a later date (however), I’m sure the Council would say, ‘Hey, we’re going to change it.’ ”

Asked if he thought that a private entity could step in, he said that it was possible, “just like what happened at Dunkin' Donuts.”

“It’s definitely a possibility that someone could do it on private property in the downtown area. Nothing’s prohibiting anybody from doing that.”

In the meeting’s public comments session, Jim Rosenbeck, of Lewis Avenue, also spoke against City involvement in an EV charging station, asking Council to “be cautious when this idea comes up.”

“It may sound good and feel good, but it costs the people money, and they’re not benefitting from this service,” he said.

Jankowski said he wished that the proposal went through to give the public an opportunity to weigh in on it.

“I just thought it would be nice to at least go to a vote and get two weeks for me to get some input,” he said.

“It’s not done, it just didn’t get put on the agenda, so if there’s public input on it and people want it, then it could be put back on a Conference meeting and re-voted at a future time. So, I’m going to wait until I receive any feedback and go from there.”

In other action, Council:

-- Moved to its Business Meeting a resolution approving the sale of five parcels that were auctioned to the highest bidders – 29 Brooklyn Ave., Louie Kingsbury, $4,000; 200 S. Swan St., Geib Corporation, $20,000; 1 Watson St., Justin and Yasmeen Calmes, $13,500; 46 Swan St., Justin and Yasmeen Calmes, $1,500; and 2 Willow St., Robert Fritschi, $19,000.

Christian expressed her dismay that the property at 46 Swan St. wasn’t sold to Ronald Viele, who had offered significantly more.

The City’s Municipal Code and Ethics Code, however, prohibit the purchase of real property to a City Council member or City employee, and it this case, Ronald Viele is the father of Council Member Paul Viele, who is involved in the family business. When Ronald Viele was informed of the restriction, he withdrew his offer.

-- Was advised of a letter sent to Bialkowski by Kathy Owen, of 2 Redfield Parkway, who is seeking the City’s help in restoring the pillars that act as a gateway to the street from West Main Street.

“The pillars are in a serious state of deterioration,” Bialkowski said, and urged Council to approve using some of the $52,000 earmarked for community development initiatives to fix them.

Molino said the City previously applied for grants for this project but was denied. He noted that two of the pillars are on private property and two are on city property, a situation that creates “some nuances” as far as repair work is concerned.

He said that the community development funds could be used as restoration of the pillars is considered a “neighborhood improvement” project. Cost to professionally repair the pillars was estimated at around $20,000.

-- Heard from Jonathan Bell, of Evans Street, who asked that the City put up a sign notifying drivers that there is an autistic child living on the street.

“I have five kids and one is severely autistic and runs in the street,” he said. “What’s a $100 sign when you are asking for $25,000 for rocks? My child’s life is worth more than a couple rocks (referring to the pillars on Redfield Parkway)."

Molino and Council members agreed to look into this, with Jankowski wondering aloud “what broke down in the process that this gentleman had to come to this meeting?" (instead of it being handled by city officials). Bell reportedly had called the City of Batavia office more than once but received no reply.

In photo at top, City Council Member Kathleen Briggs reads a proclamation designating Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week. She is joined by City firefighters, from left, Chief Stefano Napolitano, Christina Marinaccio, Tom Douglas, Jeff Stevens, Greg Ireland, Ryan Clair and Mike Morris. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Today, The Batavian is releasing its new mobile app for the iOS platform (iPhones and iPads). You can download it through this link from your iOS device.

This is a completely homegrown app. I decided two years ago I could no longer ignore mobile publishing.

My initial impulse was to try and raise money for development, but as that started looking really difficult, I weighed that difficulty (and spending a lot of time with an uncertain outcome) against just writing all the code myself. The actual code writing started 18 months ago. First I built all the backend (server stuff) to support the app (building the Deal of the Day program was a "getting my feet wet again in programming" exercise), then eight months ago I started building the actual app.

It was every bit as hard as I anticipated, which is why I had avoided the idea for years, especially going through two eye surgeries and now a dislocated knee.  

The future of news is mobile. It makes a lot of sense. People with smartphones and tablets always have the world with them, including their local community, and they like to check in frequently to find out what's going on. On the other hand, local news on mobile is still a specialty product, a niche. I think the website is going to be our dominant news and business promotion platform for several years yet, but I also don't want to lose out to mobile when it becomes a bigger part of how people access local news.

The people interested in mobile news, studies show, want fast, smooth access to check the latest headlines. The Batavian's new mobile app is designed to meet that need for those people looking for a fast and convenient mobile news experience. We've streamlined news delivery and what we ask in return is that those who use the app regularly pay just $2 a month for a subscription.

We also use the app to help promote local businesses. Our shoplocal.thebatavian.com local business directory is featured on the app. The directory is now only a framework for the long-term goal of creating a model for business-promotion-as-a-service for mobile and social networking, to bring local readers and local businesses together in a friendly, safe and mutually beneficial environment.

For those on Android: I don't expect to have the Android version of the app completed anytime soon. I'm guessing three months or a little longer. Most of the code that makes the iOS app is the same for Android as it is for iOS, but there are some significant differences to work through. I have some other business tasks to attend to while continuing to cover local news, so my available time for coding is limited.

Download the iOS app.

The Pembroke Dragons get a night off, get to skip a road game and they will pick up a win this Friday because Geneseo High School has forfeited its entire season over an apparent drug scandal.

This Friday's game was supposed to be Geneseo's homecoming game, too.

Geneseo Superintendent Tim Hays announced the district was scrubbing the team's season this afternoon.

"A number of players have been dismissed from the Geneseo High School Varsity Football Team," Hayes said in a statement. "These dismissals stem from serious violations of the District's Code of Conduct and Athletic Eligibility Standards.

"Due to the number of student-athletes involved and the serious nature of this incident, pursuant to our Athletic Code and New York State Public High School Athletic Association standards, the remainder of the varsity football season will be forfeited."

The Livingston County News reported today that police are investigating a report that a player brought OxyContin pills to Friday's game against Bolivar-Richburg. The player allegedly distributed the pills to teammates.

Geneseo won that game on the field 26-24 but that game will now revert to the loss column with the Geneseo Blue Devils giving up that win as well.

Pembroke moves to 5-1 on the season and next plays Attica on Oct. 6 at home.

"The Geneseo Central School District is committed to upholding the highest standards of excellence in all of our academic, extracurricular, and athletic programs," Hayes said. "We will continue to work with all of our student-athletes to ensure that their actions represent the expectations of the District and our community."

An accident with unknown injuries is reported at Alleghany Road and Lockport Road.

A pole may be down. 

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.