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Youth cheerleading camp announced for Dec. 16

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia cheerleading will be hosting its annual youth cheerleading camp Friday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Batavia Middle School gymnasium.

The cost is $25 and each participant will learn cheers, a dance, jumps and stunts. Each cheerleader will also receive a camp T-shirt. All participants are invited to perform at the Christmas tournament held at Genesee Community College on Tuesday, Dec. 27, for the halftime show. 

Registrations will be taken at the door, but it is best to send registrations in ahead of time. Please submit name, age, T-shirt size, emergency contact name and phone number and email address. Please send cash or check (payable to Batavia Cheerleading Boosters) to Batavia City Schools Attention: Cheerleading 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020

Please email Bataviacheerleading@gmail.com for any additional questions.

Visit our page on Facebook: Batavia Cheerleading

Law and Order: Elma resident charged with felony DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Stacey Dawn Mancuso, 46, of Jamison Road, Elma, is charged with two counts of felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and no right and no left turn signal. Mancuso was stopped at 2:22 p.m. Sunday on Pratt Road, Batavia, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster. A passenger in the vehicle was reportedly 5 years old, leading to a charge under Leandra's Law. She also allegedly had a prior DWI conviction within the past 10 years. She was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Daniel John Moore, 36, of Asbury Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Moore was arrested after deputies responded to a report of a domestic incident in Pavilion at 8:10 a.m., Nov. 30. Moore allegedly had physical contact during the argument with a person who had called 9-1-1 and Moore allegedly terminated the 9-1-1 call. He reportedly left the scene before deputies arrived and was later located that night and arrested.

Dylan Michael Cobernus, 20, of Maxon Street, Brockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Cobernus was stopped at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday on Route 98, Elba, by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Devan Dashaun Hazel, 22, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with trespassing. Hazel is accused of trespassing on College Village property at 5:43 a.m. Sunday.

A 17-year-old resident of Harris Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal impersonation, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Micheal Lute into an incident reported at 11:30 p.m. Dec. 5 on Route 77 in Pembroke. The youth was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Taheed Mical Moffett, 31, of Arnet Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana. Moffett was arrested after deputies were dispatched at 12:11 a.m. to the Econo Lodge on Route 77, Pembroke, to check the welfare of an individual.

Family of Margaret Morasco on hand for dedication of nurses station at Crossroads House

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

On November 20th, the family of Margaret Morasco attended a dedication of Crossroads House new Nurses Station named in honor of Margaret.  Margaret was a resident at Crossroads House in the fall of 2015.  She was also a nurse who started her profession at the VA Hospital in Batavia during the need created by WWII.

During her time at Crossroads House, Margaret’s family expressed a desire to invest in a need that the house had at the time.  As fate would have it, the medication room at that time, which was basically a closet, could no longer efficiently meet the need.  The gift enabled Crossroads House to move the medication room into a larger setting now aptly known as “The Margaret Morasco Nurses Station”.

Bob Terol volunteered as project supervisor and arranged numerous donations, discounts, and labor cost savings to stretch the gift further.  The new medication room features increased security, private phone and intercom and a computer along with the added space and efficiency.  With the cost savings, Bob was able to remodel the old medication room into a laundry room.  The Morasco family gift funded both projects.

Crossroads House would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Morasco and Roblee families for their loving support of our mission.

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Pat Roblee (Margaret’s daughter), Jim Morasco (son), Mike Morasco (son).  Pat is holding a photograph of Margaret.

Tompkins promotes Batavia resident to assistant VP

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release: 

Kimberly Isaac has been promoted to assistant vice president, branch manager of Tompkins Bank of Castile Caledonia office.

“Kim is a great asset to Tompkins Bank of Castile, and she had done a fantastic job leading our Caledonia office,” said Diane Torcello, community banking manager. "This promotion is well earned."

Isaac is a member of the Batavia Rotary Club, the Genesee Country Village & Museum Fall Fundraising Committee, Livingston County Habitat for Humanity Family Services Board, Big Springs Historical Museum Board, United Way, the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, a Leadership of Livingston County graduate and a Junior Achievement volunteer at Caledonia-Mumford School. She is very active in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she serves as a lay Eucharistic visitor, Jr. Warden and Vestry member. She has also received the Rotary Paul Harris award.

She resides in Batavia with her husband, Jim. They have two grown sons, Brian and Christian.

Tompkins Bank of Castile is a community bank with 16 offices in the five-county western New York region. Services include complete lines of consumer deposit accounts and loans, business accounts and loans, and leasing.  In addition, insurance is offered through an affiliate company, Tompkins Insurance

Agencies, Wealth management, trust and investment services are provided through Tompkins Financial Advisors.  Further information about the bank is available on its website, www.bankofcastile.com

Photos: A reading of A Christmas Carol at the Corfu Free Library

By Howard B. Owens

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These pictures are a few days old. Glenn Adams just sent them in and they're too good not to share.

They are from Thursday. This is Mike Randall playing the part of Charles Dickens as he re-enacts a reading of "A Christmas Carol" at the Corfu Free Library.

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St. Joe's students participate in X-STREAM games

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

This past Sunday, St. Joseph students in grades 4, 5 and 6 participated in the Third Annual X-STREAM Games and Expo at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute in Buffalo. Their fifth-grade team participated in the Science Scrimmage Competition, which consisted of building bridges and catapults. Their sixth-grade teams participated in the Shark Tank Competition. Their inventions were The “Crutch Carrier 2000” and The “Crazy Cone.” Their fourth-grade team won the “Love is in the Baking” Kitchen Chemistry Cook-off Competition! Congratulations to all these students and their teachers for the time and hard work that was put into preparing for this day!

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Time to sign up for 4-H tractor safety course

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program will be offering the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program to local youth ages 14 to 18. This course will qualify youth to be certified to operate farm equipment for hire. The course is scheduled to run Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, beginning in January and running through March.

The training program encompasses 32 hours of hands-on instruction. Upon the completion of the training, each student will be required to take a 50-question knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70 percent. Students who successfully pass the knowledge test will be permitted to take the Skills and Driving tests. After passing both the written test and driving tests, students ages 14 and 15 will receive their formal certification from U.S. Department of Labor, all others will receive a certificate of completion.  

The fee for the course is $25; youth are also required to be current enrolled 4-H members.

To request a registration packet or more information please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 343-3040, ext. 101, or email: genesee4h@cornell.edu.

Humphrey joins Whiting Law Firm

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Whiting Law Firm and Robert F. Humphrey, Esq., are pleased to announce that Mr. Humphrey will become “of counsel” to the Whiting Law Firm effective January 1, 2017.

Mr. Humphrey will continue to practice at 3 Main Street, LeRoy, NY - where he and his staff have been serving clients for the past 42 years - until July 1, 2017.  Thereafter, his office and practice will be located at 31 West Main Street, LeRoy, NY.

The Whiting Law Firm has its main office at the 31 West Main Street, LeRoy, NY location, where Reid Whiting and his two sons, Jake and John, will continue to provide a broad range of quality legal services.  The Whiting law Firm also maintains an office at 104 Bank Street, Batavia, NY, where conferences are held by appointment.

Mr. Humphrey is a general practitioner who has been limiting his practice to commercial and residential real estate, estate planning and administration and small business matters.  The Whiting Law Firm offers a broader range of services including the foregoing, as well as family law matters, divorces and other matrimonial issues, personal injury, and general litigation.

Law and Order: Former Batavia resident accused of receiving unlawful food stamp payments

By Howard B. Owens

Patricia Guy, 68, of Yonkers, is charged with five counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of grand larceny. The former Batavia resident is accused of claiming more people living in her residence than were actually living there, allowing her to collect more in food stamps than she was eligible to receive. The alleged falsified forms were filed between July 2012 and January 2015. She is accused of receiving benefits she wasn't entitled to of $1,474.47. She was arrested by Deputy James Diehl following an investigation by Michael Kowalczyk, principal fraud investigator for DSS.

A 16-year-old resident of Ridge Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate exhaust. The youth was stopped on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, at 7:41 p.m. Friday by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Former JCPenney employee admits to stealing nearly $5K

By Howard B. Owens

A former JCPenney employee admitted in County Court today to stealing nearly $5,000 from the company's local department store earlier this year but can avoid prison time if she stays out of trouble for a year.

Danielle S. Cervone, 20, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, made full restitution to the store, $4,705, as a condition of accepting the plea offer from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

She entered a guilty plea to grand larceny, 3rd.

Cervone, out of jail on her own recognizance since her arrest, will be sentenced Jan. 31. According to the plea deal, she will be on interim supervision for one year. If she abides by the terms and conditions of probation, she will be able to withdraw her plea to the Class D felony and plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny with no agreement on sentencing.

Batavia Downs first Winterfest a big hit with local families

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia Downs hosted its first ever Winterfest on Sunday and more than 2,000 people turned out.

Attractions included pictures with Santa, mini-golf, a ride on a horse-drawn carriage and a holiday movie.

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Genesee ARC wins Tompkins 'Minute Challenge' competition

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

Members of the Arc of Genesee Orleans Board of Directors, a nonprofit that is a resource of choice for people with disabilities and their families for both Genesee and Orleans counties, accept a $2,500 check as winner of Tompkins Bank of Castile’s second Community Minute Challenge.

Through the social media contest, the public voted for select not-for-profits in Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Monroe and Wyoming counties.

From the left are: John McKenna, president & CEO of Tompkins Bank of Castile; Kevin Graham, CFO of Arc; Shelly Kordish, director of Education Services; Carolyn Dawson, director of Administrative Services; Jill Pegelow, director of Community Services; Patricia Kepner, director of Quality/Compliance; Donna Saskowski, executive director.

We would like to thank the organizations that participated in this round and who continue to do great work in our community: ARC of Genesee and Orleans County, Arts Council of Wyoming County, Big Springs Historical Society, Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing, GCASA, and Mercy Flight Central.  A third round of this contest will launch in early 2017 with details posted to Tompkins Bank of Castile’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TompkinsBankofCastile).

Photo: Firefighters collecting Toys for Tots

By Howard B. Owens

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City firefighters are continuing to collect Toys for Tots at the Fire Hall on Evans Street, Batavia. 

Photo: via City of Batavia Firefighters - IAFF Local 896

Police release more information about shooting on Jackson Street

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On 12/02/2016 at about 4 p.m. a male victim arrived at UMMC ED with apparent gunshot wounds. He was treated and then transferred to ECMC. During the investigation it was learned that the victim had a verbal altercation, with a person whom he knew, in the area of 107 Jackson St. During this altercation the suspect, described as a light-skinned male black about 5’10” to 6' tall, used a handgun to shoot the victim. If anyone has information on this incident you are asked to call Det. Sgt. Crossett at 345-6353.

Police investigating possible shooting in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A man was reportedly shot late this afternoon in the City of Batavia according to sources.

Chief Shawn Heubusch said the police will release a statement later. 

No other confirmed details yet available. 

UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: Statement released by police:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating a possible shooting on Jackson Street between Ellicott Street and Cherry Street. It is an ongoing investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Crossett at (585) 345-6353. 

Corrections officer accused of sexual relations with female inmate

By Howard B. Owens

A corrections officer working at the Genesee County Jail is being accused of having consensual sex with a female inmate, leading to his arrest and firing by the Sheriff.

Michael E. Glow, 36, of Batavia, is charged with rape in the third degree.

Though the sexual act was deemed consensual, under New York law, a person in custody is deemed incapable of giving consent when the partner is an employee of the corrections facility.

The incident allegedly occurred while Glow was supervising a work detail at a location in the City of Batavia on April 17.

The Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation recently after learning of the alleged sexual contact.

Glow, who worked at the jail for five years, was terminated by Sheriff Gary Maha when he was charged with the Class E felony.

Following arraignment in City Court, Glow was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Local children deliver candy to deputies to thank local law enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The Starowitz family visited the Genesee County Sheriff's Office yesterday bringing with them 100 bags of candy to show their appreciation and support for law enforcement and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Emma, James, Elizabeth and Collin (ages 10 to 5) have aunts and uncles who are officers in Virginia, and they made bags for them during a recent visit.

"The children decided they wanted to also let their local law enforcement know how much they appreciate what they do and for keeping them safe," said their mother, Sherry.

Each bag was put together by the children and a creative thank you note was attached.

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City Schools seeks budget ambassadors for 2017-18

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Work on constructing next year's school budget has begun and volunteers are being sought for the Budget Ambassador Program, initiated in 1996 as a way to increase communication with the community about the District's financial plan.

Ambassadors are residents of the Batavia City School District (BCSD) who volunteer and commit to serve on a committee, which meets with Superintendent Christopher Dailey and Business Administrator Scott Rozanski for three (3) two-and-a-half (2.5) hour evening sessions on Feb. 1, 8 and 15, with an alternate “snow date” scheduled for March 1.

Ambassadors review the preliminary 2017-2018 budget as developed by the administration within the parameters established by the Board of Education, and recommend to the Board any modifications they would like to see. The recommendations, while highly valued, are advisory rather than binding as the Board develops the Proposed Budget to be brought to voters. Ambassadors also agree to explain their work to any interested community member.

Persons interested in serving must notify the District in writing by Jan. 5. The letter of interest should include name, address, email address and daytime phone number and be addressed to BCSD Superintendent Christopher Dailey and the BCSD Board of Education at the District Administration Offices, 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020.

The letters will be reviewed, with official appointments scheduled to be made at the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 10.

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