Several hundred youngsters participated in the annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday morning at Le Roy's Hartwood Park. In additiion to the candy-filled eggs — about 6,600 of them — the event featured free hot dogs, raffle prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

The event is supported by volunteers and local organizations, and coordinated by the Le Roy Business Council.

Business Council President Bob Bennett calls out winning raffle numbers. A ticket was given to each youngster who participated in the Easter Egg Hunt.

(Pictured above, from left, are Taylor Augello, Leah Bezon and Miah Werth.)

(Submitted photo and information from Drew Muelig.)

The Elba Helping Hands began in the Fall of 2014 to help those in need in the Elba Central School student body, faculty and staff.

There are over a dozen members who meet monthly to seek ways to raise funds in order to help those who suffer from a prolonged illness, are hospitalized or experiencing a hardship within our district or community.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30th, in the Elba School library there will be a Helping Hands meeting for community and parents within the district to establish a parent committee for the Helping Hands. All parents and community members are welcome to come and be part of this great committee that is changing lives!

Elba’s Helping Hands has used opportunities like the United Way Packpack Program to send home backpacks filled with food items for families in need within the district. They’ve also organized an annual craft sale, basket raffles and taken donations throughout the year to help give back to the Elba community.

On March 12th, the families of Taylor Augello, Leah Bezon and Miah Werth hosted a dance party for the seventh- and eighth-grade Elba classes to celebrate Taylor, Leah and Miah's 13th birthdays. 

In lieu of gifts, these young ladies asked guests to bring a donation to Elba Helping Hands. Along with all their friends and fellow students, the girls raised $700 in one night! 

The Helping Hands committee could not be any prouder of these young ladies and their student body for thinking of others and making a difference!

This information was provided by Sue Gagne, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties:

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 10-16. Communities nationwide, aided by the Office for Victims of Crime, will hold observances. This year's theme is "Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope" and the aim is to underscore the importance of early intervention and using victim services in establishing trust with victims in order to begin to restore their hope for healing and recovery.

In Genesee County, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15, there will be a Ceremoninal Walk and Reception at the Old County Courthouse (Downtown Batavia at the corner of routes 5 and 63). For more information, call Theresa at 344-2550, ext. 3920.

Prior to that date is Criminal Justice Day, Tuesday, April 12, and there will be a half-day event at Genesee Community College titled "The Opiate Epidemic: The Unintended Victims." It runs from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conable Technology Center, 1 College Road, Batavia.

Cost to attend is $10 per person; $5 for students. Seating is limited; first come, first served. Registration forms are due by April 4. Checks should be made payable to the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties. For more information, call 344-2611.

According to the event brochure, heroin use has increased across the United States among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels. Some of the greatest increases occured in deomgraphic groups with historically low rates of heroin use -- women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes.

Nor only are people using heroin more than ever, they are also abusing multiple other substances, especially cocaine and prescription opioid painkillers.

Law enforcement officials say history teaches that American society can't arrest its way out of the drug problems it faces. While effective enforcement is esstantial to protecting cities and neighborhoods, reducing drug use requires a broader, multidimensional approach.

Scientists say that it is clear that addiction is a progressive disease of the brain that can be prevented and treated and recovery is possible.

In addition to the college, the event on opioid addiction and its unintended victims is presented by these 2016 Criminal Justice Day partners:

• Batavia Police Department
• Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA)
• GC District Attorney's Office
• GC Sheriff's Office
• GC Youth Bureau
• Genesee Justice
• Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties
• RESTORE Sexual Assault Services
• YWCA of Genesee County 

Keynote speakers are Mike Covert, police chief of Cooperstown, and Alexis Pleus, a structural engineer and mother of three sons who lost her oldest son to a heroin overdose in 2014.

Under Covert's leadership, the police department made a "revolutionary change" in the way it responds to the opiate crisis. He implemented an initiative last Thanskgiving called PAARI -- Police Assisting Addicts Toward Recovery Initiative. It allows addicts to walk into the Cooperstown Police Station with drug paraphernalia or drugs to ask for help and not be charged with a crime. Instead, they are walked through the system toward detox and recovery with the assistance of an assigned "ANGEL" who guides them through the process -- not in hours or days but on the spot. Since its implementation, 45 people have enrolled in the program.

Pleus has used her experience with addiction and the stigma she faced to start an organization called Truth Pharm, which works to raise awareness, reduce the stigma, implement programs, and advocate for policies that have a profound impact on the opioid epidemic.

The day's agenda is as follows:

8:15 to 8:45  -- Registration

8:45 to 9  -- Flag Raising

9 to 9:15 -- Welcome and Introductions

9:15 to 10:15 -- Keynote Speakers

10:15 to 10:30 -- Break

10:30 to 11:45 -- Panel Discussion: Impact on the Community

11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Pharmacology of Opiates 

Closing

Adam D. Smart is indicted for the crime of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 6 in the City of Batavia, the defendant violated an Order of Protection which required him to stay away from the person on whose behalf the order was issued. In count two, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt for allegedly violating an Order of Protection on Nov. 6, which required him to stay away from another person in the City of Batavia who also had a protective order against him.

Gayno S. Standsblack is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class D felony. Standsblack is accused of driving a 2000 Dodge on Meadville Road in the Town of Alabama on Jan. 16 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for driving on that date allegedly under the influence of alcohol or a drug while knowing, or having reason to know, that his driver's license was suspended or revoked. In count three, he is accused of the crime of using a vehicle that did not have an ignition interlock device, a Class A misdemeanor.

John R. Benton is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Oct. 1, in the Town of Darien, it is alleged that he drove a 2006 Toyota on Tinkham Road while intoxicated. In count two, Benton is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time.

Alfonso G. Mayfield is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Nov. 8, in the Town of Pembroke, it is alleged that he drove a 2007 Jeep on I-90 while intoxicated.

She recently had open heart surgery and was facing serious health issues.

There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the hall of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.​

This morning at 9 o'clock sharp a couple hundred children set off to find 4,000 Easter eggs in Batavia's Centennial Park.

The Easter Bunny took time out from his busiest time of year to attend.

Mixed in with the thousands of eggs where three special Golden Prize eggs for each age group. Those get the winner a chocolate bunny from Oliver's Candies.

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

A Canadian proposal to reduce the amount of milk products imported from the United States, and to impose a tariff, could have perilous financial consequences for Western New York dairy farmers and cooperatives such as O-AT-KA in Batavia, which exports 20 percent of its goods to Canada annually.

At a press conference this morning in the plant's cafeteria off Cedar Street, Sen. Charles Schumer vowed to bring all his clout -- built over 18 years in the Senate -- to bear to stop the limitations being put forth by the nation's trade ministry in conjuction with its agriculture department under new government leadership.

Last year, U.S. dairies produced 200 billion pounds of milk; 85 percent of that was consumed by Americans and 15 percent was exported, said O-AT-KA CEO Bill Schreiber.

"Canada's trying to put in a new rule that would be devastating to O-AT-KA and Western New York," Schumer told the media, union employees, dairy farmers and local officials in attendance. "That ultra-filtered milk came in duty-free. Now they're trying to change that. ...  and the Province of Ontario wants to keep out (U.S.) dairy sales."

For O-AT-KA, the restrictions would amount to a loss of 180 million pounds of annual milk production -- which is 20 percent of $95 million in yearly sales, or $19 million, according to Schreiber. 

WIth more than 350 employees, the facility is one of the largest employers in the Genesee County. Upstate Niagara Cooperative, made up of nearly 400 dairies, is the majority owner of O-AT-KA.

WNY dairies are poised for growth, despite recent declines in milk pricing -- from $25 per hundredweight (the name of the commodity pricing unit) to $15 currently.

In 2012, O-AT-KA invested $16 million to build a new two-story addition to allow "ultra-filtration" capabilities in order to expand its product line and boost sales to other producers in the United States and abroad, especially Canada. Products include non-fat dry milk powder, buttermilk powder, whey powder, canned evaporated milk, butter, fluid condensed milk, iced coffee, nutritional beverages and other drinks. Ultra-filtered milk is used in cheese making.

Schumer said the recently proposed Canadian trade barriers could hinder plans for growth.

"We have good neighbors in Canada, but every so often something happens," the senator said. "This proposal would bring our mutual agreement to a screeching halt. It would put O-AT-KA and New York's dairy farmers in grave jeopardy. It would imperil the whole Upstate economy."

When asked "Is there really anything you can do?" if another nation, like Canada, implements a trade rule you don't like, Schumer replied: "Yes, a big leverage is tariffs. It's not a one-way street. It's not just exporting to Canada; we import from Canada, too."

It boils down to the fact that "we just have a stronger dairy industry and they're trying to build their's."

The rules, if implemented, would take effect in about six months.

"I'm here to go to bat for you," Schumer said. "I'm going to send a shot across the bough."

Schumer is calling on the U.S. Trade Representives and the USDA to work to protect U.S. dairy exports by ensuring that Canada doesn’t impose restrictive trade rules and honors its commitment to open borders to Upstate New York farmers.

The proposal to limit U.S. dairy imports comes on the heels of the "Trans-Pacific Partnership," referred to commonly as TPP, being signed in New Zealand last month after seven years of negotiations. Besides New Zealand, it is made up of Canada and 10 other Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Ratification is anticipated over the next two years.

According to the Toronto Sun (Feb. 4. 2016), the pact could impact many industries in Canada, including agriculture, and some opponents fear it could hurt the economy and result in layoffs in some sectors. As part of the deal, Canadian dairy farms are slated to get $4.3 billion in subsidies from their government over a span of 15 years to offset losses from an increase in dairy imports from TPP trading partners.

Schumer made it clear that he opposes big trade agreements like TPP, just as he opposed and voted against NAFTA during the Clinton Administration.

Here's a copy of Schumer’s letter to both the USTR and USDA:

Dear Ambassador Froman and Secretary Vilsack:

I write to you with strong concerns about reports that Canada is weighing policy and regulatory shifts that would undermine one of New York’s most important export markets. Just a few years ago, two dairy companies made investments worth tens of millions of dollars in Upstate New York to produce ultra-filtered milk specifically for export to the Canadian cheese market. These sales are possible as a result of the duty-free access for this specific product that Canada agreed to under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Recent reports indicate that Canada is considering administrative actions to limit Canadian companies’ capacity to use this product in further processing and that Ontario is advancing a new, targeted pricing policy designed to crowd out New York’s dairy sales. Further restraints on dairy trade are unacceptable, particularly coming on the heels of Canada’s recent pledge to expand access to its tightly restricted dairy market under TPP. 

New York has made sizable investments in exporting into Canada under specific rules laid out by the Canadian government. Those sales now help support dairy farmers and rural communities across the state. New Canadian barriers to market access would have an outsized impact on New York’s dairy sector. As the country’s third largest milk producing state, a significant impact on New York’s ability to tap into key foreign markets also will impact farmers in surrounding states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Moreover, this latest example of dairy market-access restrictions appears to represent a continuation of persistent Canadian regulatory and policy shifts aimed directly at impeding dairy trade. 

We must hold Canada to its commitments and ensure that our exporters do not encounter barriers to the products they are already shipping to Canada. I urge you to strongly reject this and similar efforts to impair the value of concessions the U.S. previously secured under NAFTA. Thank you for your attention to this important priority with one of this country’s largest trading partners.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

An accident with injuries was reported near McDonald's restaurant about 10 minutes ago. The address is 4129 W. Main Street Road. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics responded and now a third ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: Two patients are being transported to UMMC. They had no loss of consciousness and both got out of the vehicle(s) on their own.

Press release:

Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, presented a summary of the audit process undertaken, the scope of their engagement and audit results to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) Board at the March 24 meeting.    

The GGLDC Board engaged the certified public accounting firm to perform an independent audit of 2015 financial statements. The independent audit was designed to issue an opinion on the financial statements of the GGLDC for the year ending Dec. 31; a management letter to the Board of Directors management; and, a report about internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.  

Included in the management letter is a statement from Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, affirming that no material deficiencies in internal controls were identified during the audit. The firm also affirmed that, in their opinion, the audited financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the GGLDC as of Dec. 31,  in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“I am pleased with the continued positive audit results, and it speaks to the professionalism and transparency of the organization,” said Thomas Felton, president and chairman of the GGLDC.  

In 2015, the GGLDC, including Genesee Agri-Business, LLC (GABLLC) activity, received $1.2 million in grant revenues.

These grants included a NYS Homes and Community Renewal grant that supported infrastructure development at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (GVAB) and the LeRoy/ Bergen America’s Best Communities grant, as well as an Empire State Development grant to support the development and marketing of the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).  

The GGLDC also recognized grant revenue from National Grid, which supported Buffalo East Technology Park (BTEP) infrastructure, an annual Community Benefit Agreement payment with CNL Income (Darien Lake) to support infrastructure in Western Genesee County, and an annual PILOT Increment Financing payment from Genesee County that supports a bond payment for infrastructure at the GVAB Park.

Currently, there is $6.9 million of land held for sale and development under the agencies control including 57 acres at the Gateway II Corporate Park, 67 acres at the BETP, 250 acres at the GVAB Park, 34 acres at Med Tech Park, and the Upstate MedTech Centre Building including an Innovation Zone for entrepreneurial businesses.

Pictured above from left are Norm Hubbard, Golf Tournament Committee chair, Chapter 166 Commander Paul Gaylord, and Doug Titus, hospital service coordinator.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 166 of Batavia is the charitable organization chosen by Chapin International, Inc., host of the upcoming ninth annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday Aug. 13^th, at Terry Hills Golf Course, 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia.

This particular group was chosen because they have no outside sources for funding, said Norm Hubbard, golf tournament chair. They only get contributions from the local American Legion, and VFW, to name a couple.

"If we let other people know about this organization and the services they provide, maybe this can provide a foundation for them for the future and get more people to contribute to them," Hubbard said. "Last year we raised $8,500 for the Girl Scouts of Western New York. This year our goal is $10,000. My personal goal is $12,000.

The organization of the Disabled American Veterans DAV organization is raising funds for this tournament specifically for the Van Fund to order to transport all the vets to their appointments.

"We have six vans -- two of which have over 100,000 miles that are in need of replacing," Hubbard said. 

"Currently 13 drivers carry 183 veterans and 79 others not on their roster to appointments daily, which is quite the juggle," said coordinator Doug Titus. "We are trying to raise more awareness for the need in Genesee County at our local chapter needs assistance to provide help for our veterans."

Commander Paul Gaylord said "We get the donations to the chapter, in turn Doug buys the van, gets registered and the government takes over to make repairs, (pay) costs for fuel, but vehicles need to be purchased and to do this we need help from outside sources.

"Some vans have to be modified to make it handicapped accessible for carrying veterans. The modification costs can be as much as $18,000 or more to do this, which brings the total up to $35,000 to $40,000."

Right now only the wheelchair-bound veterans have a van that does this.

The local chapter has no Web site or funding for one online.

The office location is at: VA Western NY Healthcare System, 222 Richmond Ave., Batavia NY 14020. The contact there is Doug Titus, hospital service coordinator, 585-297-1170.

The tournament starts at 1 p.m. shotgun start at Terry Hills Golf Course. Cost is $70 per person, which includes dinner, lunch starting at 11 a.m., with registration starting at that time also. Everyone will walk away with prizes in this tournament, Hubbard said. When you register online, you get a year subscription to "Golf Digest" magazine for free, too.

For last year's golf tournament benefitting Girl Scouts of Western New York, there were 168 participants.

"This year we anticipate a 90-percent return ration and getting 200-plus participants," Hubbard said.

This year’s special events are:

• Hole-in-One, Win a car! Each set of nine holes have a par three at #7, #12, #25 hole, where you have a chance to win, courtesy of our three hole-in-one sponsors: Castilone Chrysler Dodge and Jeep, Ken Barrett Chevrolet Cadillac and Toyota of Batavia.
• Closest to the Pin
• Longest Drive
• Closest to the Line

(A male and female winner will be named for each designated hole.)

• Putting Contest starting after registering anyone who sinks a put will have a chance to win a chair from Max Pies Furniture store.
• Mulligans and Skins -- $20 per team

Questions regarding the registration contact Norm Hubbard at nhubbard@chapinmfg.com or 585-343-3140, ext. 3018, by cell phone 585-409-7575

To register your team, sponsor or donate go to: www.chapincharitygolf.com

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Alumni Hall of Fame welcomed three new members Wednesday when its 2016 class became enshrined as the ninth group to receive the special honor.

The new honorees -- Robert "Bob" P. McJury, Barry G. Miller (posthumously), and Uletha M. Jones -- were recognized at an induction ceremony in the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus and a reception followed.

Robert P. McJury (above, center) was a member of the GCC Class of 1978 and graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduating from the College, “Bob” was hired by Moore Business Forms, where he worked for the next 18 years, ascending the ranks from an account executive to national account sales manager and earning multiple President’s Club and Sales Achievement honors.

Highly successful at his profession, McJury was pursued for some time by TLF Graphics in Rochester, a company he eventually joined. Shortly after starting with TLF, Bob and two business partners took a risk and purchased the company, putting everything they had on the line. Since the acquisition, TLF has seen a constant trajectory of growth, both in sales and job creation in the Rochester region. TLF Graphics is now a multimillion dollar company with more than 100 highly satisfied employees and has been named to the Rochester “Top 100” Company list on multiple occasions.

Aside from his great success in the business world, what sets Bob apart is his quiet and humble support of his community. Generous donations, fundraiser and business support are just some of the ways that he gives back to the Fairport area, where he now resides. A property owner of two sizeable barns, McJury regularly provides storage space at no cost for various community organizations, including the local Boy Scouts. He also works with The Advent House, a local hospice center, to store donations for its annual garage sale which generates more than $30,000.

The local community has come to rely on the generosity of McJury, especially during tough times. Recent tragedies including the deaths of local students have been aided by Bob, who provided donations of ribbons to help raise money for scholarship funds in memory of those that were lost. Bob is also a tremendous supporter of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR), providing services and support to those who have been diagnosed and are battling and recovering from the disease.

Starting with his humble beginnings, Bob has become an invaluable asset to hundreds, if not thousands of others.

(Above, Barry Miller's sister, Pam (Miller) McCarthy, center, accepts her late brother's award.)

Barry G. Miller was recognized posthumously and remembered as a community-minded individual who dedicated his life to helping others. A lifelong resident of Bergen, Miller lived to give back to his hometown, tragically dying while on duty with the Bergen Fire Department last year.

Barry graduated from Byron-Bergen High School in 1983 and attended GCC thereafter, earning an associate degree in Computer Repair Technology in 1986. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Organizational Management.

Miller served his community through the Bergen Fire Department and as a member of the town board. He joined the fire department shortly after his high school graduation and remained a member, eventually becoming chief of Emergency Medical Services, until his line-of-duty death in 2015. Barry started the BFD Explorer Program where he mentored members and provided the needed training for becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT).

He also served on the town council for several years and was appointed the deputy supervisor under Don Cunningham. Miller is remembered as an integral part of the Bergen community by organizing and participating in numerous Genesee County events.

After working as a computer repair technician and advancing his career to vice president of Business Methods, Inc., in the 1990s, Barry started Miller Millworks, Inc.; his own company that provided cabinet and finish carpentry in Bergen since 1996. As owner and CEO, Barry was a contractor and cabinet maker of lecterns, podiums, decks and media centers. He also owned the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks, a 125-year-old hotel located in the Hamlet of Beaver River Station.

Barry will always be remembered as a highly supportive resident of the Bergen community and someone who was proud to help. Revered as an extremely generous man, one of his favorite ways to demonstrate his love and support of others was by supporting battered women and serving the people of Bergen and Genesee County. Beginning years before his death, Miller served as one of the Genesee County coroners. He was killed on Sept. 23, 2015 while responding to an emergency call when the ambulance he was riding in was involved in a motor-vehicle accident.

Uletha M. Jones (above, center) began her highly successful career in nursing by obtaining an associate degree in Business Administration from GCC in 1989. She continued on to earn a B.S.N from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a M.S.H from the University of Phoenix and a D.N.P from Duquesne University School of Nursing.

Currently serving as a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, Jones performed two tours of active duty including deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 where she served as a trauma and intensive care nurse. While performing and fulfilling her military duties, Uletha has also taught nursing at Pensacola State College (Florida) and worked per diem at several hospitals including Strong Memorial Hospital, the National Naval Medical Center (Maryland) and the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton in California. She currently works at Finger Lakes Community College as an assistant professor of Nursing, in addition to working as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Highland Hospital in Rochester and as member of the nursing faculty at Kaplan Test Prep, Inc., in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Jones is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau and the National League of Nursing. She continues to help others through her work and proudly serves her country. Uletha currently resides in Batavia.

The GCC Hall of Fame is located in the Conable Technology Building of the Batavia campus on the second floor corridor, and features photos of alumni who have distinguished themselves through business and personal achievement, as well as service to the community.

(Photos by Steve Ognibene.) (Above, 6-year-old Lilian Gary paints a clay mushroom.)

During the school Spring Break, some families go out of town and some stay local to enjoy with friends and family from out of town. Parents are still working during the day and looking for an opportunity for learning something new.

This week GO ART! offered its first Creative Arts Camp in the Seymour Place buildingin Downtown Batavia and hopes many others will follow.

The camp sold out. All this week, 28 students in grades two to six participated in many different activities like: drumming, Colombian dance, steel drums, photography class, drawing and theater.

Director Jennifer Gray said they wanted to give kids a small snippet of a little bit of everything in the creative world and include different tastes of performing arts, music, dance and visual arts as part of it. If parents are not aware coming from an arts background, this camp offers what they might not get in school and pique some future interests for the students.

(Above, Director Jennifer Gray giving a drawing lesson to 11-year-old Hunter Kelsey on a graphic abstract.)

GO ART! also plans to offer one-day drop-in camps during the summer and they are looking to offer a younger camp for toddler, pre-K to second-grade kids, and perhaps one for middle school students.

They want to thank generous sponsors for this event: Applied Business Systems -- ABS, T-Shirts Etc., Art Ah La Carte, Design by the Hour, and Glass Roots.

For more details on this event go to: http://www.goart.org/

Also Facebook page: GO ART!

Above, 10-year-old John Riley participating in a Performance Theater segment taught by Assisant Director Gregory Hallock.

Above, Director Gray teaching painting on model clay to elementary students.

A possible barn fire is reported at 9313 Alexander Road, Alexander. The location is between Pike and Dodgeson roads. A passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the roof. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: It's just steam from processing maple sap into maple syrup. No fire. Responders are back in service.

Press release:

On Saturday, March 19, the longtime owner of the Stafford Trading Post, and beloved nurse Shell Mouery, had a very serious heart attack, and she is fighting for her life after a very difficult surgery and subsequent challenges.

For nearly 20 years she has given every ounce of herself to the community and treated all of her patrons and coworkers as family. There's a good chance that almost everyone who reads The Batavian has had their life touched in some way by Shell.

In addition to the wonderful prayers of hundreds of people, the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department and SCOPE have generously decided to assist with a fundraiser on Sunday, April 3. Details are below. The money raised will help defray some of the costs of her medical treatments.

We thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, continued patronage at the Trading Post, and everything you, as the community continue to do.

If you have any questions ro would like to donate, please contact Bill Fox at 356-4992 or Stephanie Call at 356-1660.

WHAT:  Chicken BBQ & Chinese Auction Fundraiser

WHEN:  Sunday, April 3 -- Doors open at 10 a.m., chicken ready at 11:30 a.m., first come, fire served.

WHERE:   Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford

COST:   $10

(Submitted photo of Shell Mouery.)

UPDATED March 26: Shell Mouery passed away yesterday afternoon (March 25, 2016). There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.

18 Ellicott Place, Batavia. Don't let this one slip by! Everything done in this 4-bedroom home -- roof, windows, siding, central air, concrete driveway... And inside is open and super spacious! Hardwood floors and new carpeting throughout is the bonus, besides the open floor plan that you will fall in love with. The back yard is fully fenced with large forever deck and cute shed for all your extras! Super easy to see! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today 585-344-HOME or click here to view the complete listing!

Christopher Brian King, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested March 23 on an outstanding bench warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court on March 8. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Robin Lynn Holman, 53, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested on March 11 after allegedly stealing property on Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. She was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Town of Bergen Court on April 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Glendon Stephen Alexander, 19, of East 95th Street, Brooklyn, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on March 23 following an investigation of a complaint at College Village that the defendant allegedly unlawfully possessed marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket for April 21 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.CorfCorfu

Here's a photo taken in Genesee County this chilly spring morning and submitted by reader Jason Smith. 

Convicted pedophile David Vickers has been sentenced to life in prison.

At least two of Vickers victims had been placed in his home by Genesee County Family Court.

Vickers, now 51 and a former truck driver originally from Ontario County, was sentenced in Federal Court in Buffalo yesterday for abusing six underage boys. All of his victims are now adults.

Prosecutors described Vickers as, “an opportunistic, serial pedophile who will never stop.”

The case against Vickers goes as far back as 1989.

Vickers took some of his victims on overnight trucking trips, prosecutors said.

In 2003, before Vickers abuse was discovered, he asked the Genesee County Family Court to place one of his victims in his home and the court approved. Two years later, the same court allowed another child to be placed with Vickers who was also abused.

Vickers brother, Sean, was also involved. He is serving a sentence of 107 years.

Vickers declined comment during his sentencing but did express concern for his own safety. He told U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, “I don’t care where you put me, as long as I am safe.”

Le Roy police officers chased a speeding vehicle northbound, then eastbound, winding up off Route 383 at an apartment complex on Robert Quigley Drive in Scottsville, Monroe County. 

The scofflaw driver drove through the complex and exited at a driveway off North Road. After talking with Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, Le Roy officers are turning to the Village of Le Roy.

The driver remains at large. "Monroe County is going to fish around" for the suspect. Authorities have the license plate number of the four-door silver Saturn SUV sedan and the name of the registered owner, a white male who lives in Batavia.

The officer told a dispatcher the car windows are tinted and it was difficult to see the operator, but it was possibly a black male.

Speeds reached nearly 90 mph at one point. Traffic was reportedly light on the pursuit route. The driver was said to have ran at least one red light during the pursuit.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: They thought the suspect vehicle was located at the registered owner's residence on Bank Street. But an officer says: "There's no way they had time to get back to Batavia. I'm wondering if they took a plate off?" Reply: "Both plates (on vehicle); cold to the touch." They are running plates in the system on a couple of vehicles. Investigation continues.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: A registered owner they had been seeking to question just pulled up at the residence. No mention made of the vehicle he is in.