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Previously, we published a press release from GCEDC that announced an expansion for Premiere Credit. Here is a press release from Premiere Credit with more information.

Premiere Credit of North America, LLC, a leading national accounts receivable management company headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., announced today the addition of 50 jobs to its Batavia call center operation on Mill Street.

Premiere Credit will be hiring managers and collection cpecialists. Interested applicants can apply online at www.premierecredit.com and click on the Employment tab. These are solid jobs with good benefits and great earning potential for top performers.

“Premiere Credit opened an office in Batavia 17 months ago and we have been so impressed with the workforce in this location. We are excited to have the opportunity to expand our business here,” said President and CEO Rob Meck. “I am also proud to be part of a team that so willingly gives of their time and resources to this community through their involvement in local charities.”

“Premiere Credit’s expansion of its Batavia office is a testament to a high quality, productive and home-grown workforce,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. “This announcement builds on the positive economic development continuing to gain traction in Batavia and throughout the county.”

The Mill Street location started with 50 employees in March 2012 and will employ nearly 200 people after this expansion is complete.

Press release:

From as far away as Connecticut and as close as Monroe County, Genesee Community College welcomes a class of new administrators and directors to its main campus in Batavia. These leaders bring fresh ideas and extensive experience to help GCC continue to meet the needs of students and the community.

Kathleen (Kate) Schiefen, Ph.D., joined the College July 1 as provost/executive vice president for Academic Affairs. Schiefen will oversee all academic programs. She has more than 20 years experience in higher education and comes to GCC from Monroe Community College in Rochester where she served as dean of Academic Services at the Damon City Campus for the past four years. Previously, she was a department chair, tenured teaching faculty member and adjunct instructor at MCC and dean at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. She earned an A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology from Trocaire College, a bachelor of science degree in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan College, a master's in Adult Education from the University at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University.

GCC is pleased to welcome back to campus Kristen Clark Schuth, who became director of Athletics May 1. Schuth was head softball coach at GCC from 2005-2010. She returns to Batavia after serving as assistant director of Athletics at Finger Lakes Community College. A native of Hilton, Schuth starred in basketball and softball at SUNY Brockport where she was named female athlete of the year and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She earned a master's in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Spencerport with husband, David, and sons, Gavynn and Austynn.

Michelle Slawiak joined the GCC family July 8 as the new director of the Campaign for the Genesee Community College Foundation. Slawiak, of Buffalo, comes to GCC from the Botanical Gardens of Buffalo and Erie County where she served as an event and wedding coordinator. She previously served as the annual giving director for the Buffalo Niagara YMCA and as a development associate for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Canisius College.

Reid Smalley began his position as executive director of Workforce Development in The BEST (Business Employee Skills Training) Center April 15. Prior to GCC, he served as dean of Workforce Development, Continuing Education and Community Services at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, Conn. He has also worked at community colleges in Harrisburg, Pa. and Johnstown, NY. He holds a bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Resources from Michigan State University and a M.Ed. in Training and Development from Penn State University.

A graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, Stephen Wise took over as director of Public Safety at GCC May 1. Wise served as director of Safety and Security for the Churchville-Chili Central School District for the last three years. He retired in 2009 from the Greece police department. A resident of Rochester, Wise holds a bachelor's degree, from SUNY Brockport and a master's degree from Keuka College.

Finally, the new Dean of Distributed Learning, Craig Lamb joins the College Aug. 12 from SUNY Empire State College's Center for Distance Learning (CDL) in Saratoga Springs. Lamb has worked as an assessment specialist in CDL's Office of Academic Review and, for the past six years, as director of Academic Support Services. He will continue to build the dynamic online learning program at GCC, where online enrollment now accounts for 15 percent of total enrollment. Lamb is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. He holds a bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University, master's from SUNY Plattsburgh and is completing a Ph.D. from SUNY Albany.

During the Oatka Festival, we had a booth set up and were signing up new members for The Batavian Club. Thanks to all who joined. It's a big help.

Six people told us they wanted to join, but didn't have money or a credit card with them and a couple of people said explicitly they would rather join through PayPal. This post, as much as anything, is for them.

To be clear about why we're doing The Batavian Club. This isn't about selling discounts to businesses, though we do that, it's about reaching out to the people who read The Batavian every day and appreciate what we do, to make a small contribution to help us build a sustainable business. Advertising alone is not enough. We need reader support. Think of this as a voluntary subscription for all the great news you get online from The Batavian.

So, please use the options below and join today.

TO JOIN: Use PayPal buttons below, or to pay by check (annual only) or credit card, click here to download form. Or call (585) 250-4118 to pay by credit card.

We've set up four membership tiers -- Subscribe to the club monthly as one person or as a household, or annually at either of those levels. 

Members receive a membership card, bumper sticker and a package of gift certificates to local businesses. 

It's important to note, this isn't a subscription to read the site. Our stories remain free to read. This is a voluntary subscription with benefits (and we'll add benefits as it grows).

Join via PayPal below, or for annual and one-time memberships paid by check, click here to download this form (monthly, recurring payment memberships must be via PayPal or credit card.) To pay by credit card, use the form, or call (585) 250-4118.

Monthly Single Membership - $5 per month
Includes membership card and bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Monthly Household Membership - $10 per month
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual Single Membership - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual Household Membership - $100 per year
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Annual membership, one payment of $60
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual household membership, one payment of $120
Includes two membership cards, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

 

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) reviewed and approved four items at the organization’s July 11 board meeting. The projects would create approximately 60 new jobs, including 50 new jobs at Premiere Credit in downtown Batavia while retaining approximately 50 jobs at Leroy Plastics.

The board also approved the sale of 10 acres of land to Alpina for a future use as yet not unveiled by the company. Alpina has already surpassed its commitment to create 50 new jobs to receive benefits from the GCEDC as 55 new jobs have already been created.

Le Roy Plastics received approval for a $100,000 loan fund from the GCEDC in order to purchase a building at 59 Lake St. in Le Roy. The company is seeking to consolidate its processes from current facilities located at 15 Lent Ave. and 7835 E. Main St. The loan would have a term of seven years.

Premiere Credit, which opened operations in the city of Batavia in 2012, received a sales tax exemption of approximately $26,000 in return for an investment of $325,000 to expand the footprint of the company’s existing call center at 1 Mill St. The expansion will create an additional 50 new employees for a total workforce of 135.

Imagination Industries is constructing a 7,015-square-foot facility at 8240 Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. The multiuse facility will house an indoor firing range, training center, gunsmith services and a laser engraving business. The company is investing nearly $400,000 and will create 10 new jobs. 

Since this is a retail business, a public hearing was conducted on July 9 for community feedback to the project as part of the passage of new state legislation to determine if the project makes available services which would not be, but for the project, reasonably accessible to residents of the municipality where the project is located. After it was determined that the project fulfilled the new criteria, Imagination Industries received approval for sales tax and mortgage tax exemptions and a property tax abatement.

“These are all very high-quality projects that we believe will have a positive economic impact in the region,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “While the main function of our organization is to create new jobs, it’s also important to remember that we are here to help existing companies such as Le Roy Plastics retain jobs and keep them here for the long term.”

An alleged burglar who was originally indicted just as a John Doe based on a DNA profile from a crime scene, has been charged with another residential theft.

Samual G. Malone, 28, of 36 Walnut St., Batavia, was taken into custody during his appearance in Genesee County Court on his prior charges.

Malone was first arrested in April after a DNA profile from a crime scene was reportedly matched with his DNA. A grand jury had previously indicted the DNA profile on a set of burglary charges because the suspect had not yet been identified but the statute of limitations to file charges was running out.

Today, Batavia PD detectives took Malone into custody on an accusation that on Aug. 27, 2008 Malone entered an occupied dwelling by a side window and stole pieces of a drum set, including the bass drum, a snare and five cymbals.

Following processing on the new charge of burglary, 2nd, Malone was released from custody under the terms of his prior bail arrangment.

Jack Mayer, of Le Roy, gets his hand waxed by Lisa McCombs, owner of Wax Hands by Unique Creations, during the second day of the Oatka Festival on Sunday.

Tom McQuaig creates an airbrushed T-shirt.

Preparation for the annual Duck Derby across Oatka Creek. 

Duck racing fans.

The winner selected. We don't have information yet on who won.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

A man on a stolen motorcycle that led local law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the City of Batavia and the Village of Le Roy yesterday got away.

A witness in Avon apparently saw the rider get off the red Honda bike and get into a green car and leave.

"The odd thing is, he took the time to put the kick stand down," said Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble, Sheriff's Office.

Dibble said it's likely the rider phoned a friend to pick him up in Avon.

There's no description available of the suspect, other than he's allegedly a black male.

The chase started on Route 5 at Kelsey Road, on the west side of Batavia, where a deputy was positioned on routine traffic patrol when the bike sped past, Dibble said.

City PD joined the pursuit when it came down Main Street.

Dibble said officers were aware the Oatka Festival was taking place in Le Roy and backed off as they approached the village.

The chase came through Le Roy about 5:45 p.m. and the crowd was dispersing from the Duck Derby, which had just ended. The derby had gotten a late start because of technical difficulties.

Witnesses praised the work of Le Roy PD patrolman Daryl Robb, who was handling traffic control at the intersection of Wolcott and Main streets.

Robb cleared the intersection of pedestrians and kept everybody away from the street as the motorcycle sped through village.

"We saw the kid crest the hill in an instant and fly down Main Street at a conservative 95 an hour," said Le Roy resident Bud Prevost. "Several City of Batavia police cars and two Sheriff's cars were in hot in pursuit. It was a very dangerous situation when you had several hundred people milling around that intersection.

"Kudos to this young man," Prevost added. "He took control, as a good officer should, and made a lasting impression on me."

When the plate of the motorcycle was first called it, the dispatch centered received a teletype indicating the bike had been connected to felony crime. That information turned out to be inaccurate, but the motorcycle had been reported stolen out of Rochester.

"This wasn't a situation like we typically get where a motorcycle is involved in a high-speed chase and then the owner calls later and reports it stolen," Dibble said. "It was reported stolen before the chase."

Brandon Michael Maldonado, 24, of Strennma Road, Largo, Fla., was arrested on bench warrants for criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Maldonado was arrested at a relative's residence in Florida and returned to Genesee County. Maldonado was sentenced on his prior convictions in County Court and sent to state prison.

Rodney Blackshear, 53, of 2 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct (obscene language/gestures). Blackshear was allegedly using obscene language and gestures during an incident at 6:54 p.m. Wednesday on Lewis Place, Batavia, in front of children and adults.

Wayne D. Potter, 29, no address, is charged with assault, 3rd, unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem form an alleged domestic incident on June 24. Potter was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Joel Hernandez-Zempoaltecati, 30, of Washington Street, Albion, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without interlock device and failure to keep right. Hernandez-Zempoaltecati was stopped at 3:16 a.m. Sunday on Oak Street, Batavia, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Lori L. Mullen, 46, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mullen is accused of shoplifting at Kmart. Upon exiting the store, Mullen reportedly tried to elude security officers on motorized wheelchair and discarded the allegedly stolen items in the parking lot.

Joshua D. Ricter, 32, of Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls, is charged with criminal mischief. Richter allegedly damaged a laser radar unit while in Kmart.

Nicholas Calvin Klippel, 29, of Walden Creek, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to keep right. Deputy Chad Minuto responded to a report at 3:17 a.m. Saturday on North Road, Le Roy, of a suspicious vehicle in the area. Upon investigation, he found an abandoned vehicle in an area of thick brush a short distance off the road. Klippel was located a short time later in the parking lot of his residence in Batavia by Batavia PD. Upon investigation, it's believed Klippel was driving the vehicle at the time he went off the roadway in Le Roy.

Katie Lee Winnie, 19, of Exchange Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Winnie allegedly stole $188.31 in merchandise from Walmart.

Tate Nicholas Westmeier, 21, of Church Road, Darien Center, is charged with petit larceny. Westmeier allegedly stole $188.31 in merchandise from Walmart.

Arginia Elizabeth Jones, 19, of Whitney Place, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to stop for stop sign. Jones was stopped at 2:19 a.m. Saturday on Alleghany Road, Darien, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Benjamin J. Townsend, 25, of Clarence, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Townsend was stopped by State Police at 10:30 p.m. Friday on Colby Road, Darien.

The following people were arrested during the Rockstar Engery Mayhem Festival at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday.

Matthew J. Greif, 42 of Ranchview Avenue, North Olmsted, Ohio, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Greif was jailed on $500 bail.

Christopher Matusak, 30 of North Avenue, Avon, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with concert security inside the venue. Matusak was jailed on $300 bail.

Christopher M. Hund, 36, of North 12th Street, Olean, is charged with forcible touching after allegedly grabbing the buttocks of a 17-year-old girl.

Christopher M. Fasso, 16 of Point Peter Road, Gowanda, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of another’s license after allegedly being found in possession of another person's NYS driver's license and marijuana.

Stephen R. Kenney, 20 of Thurston Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of another’s driver's license after allegedly being found in possession of another person's NYS driver's license and marijuana.

Nicholas G. Guido, 17 of Central Street, Moravia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and issued a citation for possession of alcohol after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana and alcohol being under 21.

Joshua B. Scott, 18 of Richardson Hill Road, Moravia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and issued a citation for possession of alcohol after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana and alcohol being under 21.

Caitlin C. Bernard, 20 of Hillview Avenue, Collins, is charged with criminal possession of a
controlled substance, 7th, after allegedly being found in possession of a controlled substance.

Jason M. O’Reilly, 26 of Jackson Road, Webster, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, after allegedly being found in possession of a dagger.

Anthony M. Basso, 22 of Parkhurst Boulevard, Tonawanda, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, after allegedly being found in possession of more than 25 grams of marijuana.

Jack C. Staples, 23 of Wheeler Road, Lockport, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the employee parking area after being ejected from the concert.

Patrick A. Garbutt, 24 of Penfield Road, Penfield, is charged with trespass after allegedly jumping onto the concert venue back fence in an attempt to reenter the venue after having been denied entry.

Austin M. Jorgensen, 16 of West Genesee Street, Auburn, issued a citation for possessing another’s license and possession of alcohol after allegedly being found in possession of another person's NYS driver's license and alcohol being under age 21.

The following people were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana:

Daniel R. Mentecky, 22, Harvest Avenue, Buffalo
Justin K. Berner, 18, Countryside Lane, Orchard Park
Damon C. Koscinski, 22, Moose River Road, Boonville
Rebecca M. Kaufman, 19, Hemlock Road, Forestport
Joshua A. Sudyn, 18, North Creek Road, Lakeview
Eric J. Lortz, 21, Violet Parkway, Eden
Timothy J. Nicholson, 19, State Route 414, Seneca Falls
Benjamin T. Cultrara, 18, Allens Creek Road, Pittsford
Corey A. Miller, 19, South Street, Lyndonville
Gregory P. Smith, 25, Jefferson Street, Dansville
Christopher J. Mouer, 30, Doran Street, Rochester
Joseph T. Adams, 26, North Greece Road, Hilton
Dwayne M. Conyne, 25, East Linden Avenue, Rochester
Jeremy D. Seiling, 20, East Park Road, Grand Island

The following people were issued citations for possession of alcohol with intent to consume under 21. 

Bryant J. Hough, 17, Lockegroton Road, Groton
Zachery J. O’Donnell, 20, West Quaker Street, Orchard Park
Andrew M. Kirsch, 20, Tuscarora Road, Chittenango
Devin J. Christpher, 20, West Hazeltine Avenue, Kenmore
Max Tyler J. Blueher, 19, Huckleberry Lane, Liverpool
Derek A. Markle, 19, Fireside Drive, Liverpool
Dolan G. Morton, 20, South Geneva Street, Ithaca
Dylan M. Jorgensen, 20, West Genesee Road, Auburn

Photos from Saturday's Oatka Festival Parade.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Tom Rivers, editor of the online-only site to the north of us, Orleans Hub, was in Batavia today for Dan Kennedy's appearance at Present Tense Books.

Kennedy is author of "The Wired City," a book about the future of journalism that includes a section about the news business in Batavia.

Rivers spoke with Kennedy and shares some of the things he learned.

Press release:

Fisher Sports has decided to close its doors. We have thought about the situation and have had many discussions over the last month and we feel with being a new business we just haven’t had enough time to build our business to where we could withstand a hit like the one the GCEDC gave us paying Dick's to come to town.

We would have liked to stay open through the end of the year but with my son Jonathan’s football season at Syracuse starting next month I will be doing a lot of traveling and thought this is as good a time as any to start the closing process. We are having a 50-percent off everything in the store sale to reduce our inventory so please come in and take advantage of the savings.

The following arrests were made during the Brad Paisley concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday.

For photos of the show, click here.

Travis J. Sheldraky, 19, Burke Road, Dunville, Ontario Canada, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance by pushing a security guard.  Sheldraky was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Anna K. Rauber, 18, County Route 46, Dansville, charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly being ejected from the concert venue and then being found within the venue after being told she could not reenter.

Ashley L. Shields, 24, Main Road, Akron, charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly striking another subject and throwing her into a vehicle fender.

Ian M. Emes, 20, Wayside Drive, Lewiston, charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and possession of another person's license. After allegedly being ejected from the concert venue Emes was   found within the venue after being told he could not reenter, and was found to have another person's NYS driver's license.

Kiersten M. Salanger, 20, Coventry Road, Syracuse, charged with possession of a fictitious license and possession of another person’s license after allegedly possessing a fake ID and another person's NYS driver's license.

Michael S. Rawdin, 18, Shimerville Road, Clarence, charged with possession of another person's license after allegedly being found in possession of another person's NYS driver's license.

Emily M. Simson, 20, Dorrance Avenue, Lackawana, charged with possession of another person's license after allegedly being found in possession, another person's NYS driver's license.

The following people were issued citations for allegedly consuming/possessing alcohol under age 21:

Michael W. Mctarnaghan, 18, Groveland Road, Geneseo
Gabrielle M. Kwaiatek, 17, Alleghany Road, Darien
David S. Phillips, 17, County Road 37, Bloomsfield
Kyle P. Juda, 20, Stevenson Court, North Tonawanda
Alexandra B. Hubert, 18, Amberwood Drive, Amherst
Lindsay R. Lippert, 17, Cornish Heights Parkway, Syracuse
Kerstyn L. Empey, 18, Ellsworth Place, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Zachary M. Tiepiechowiak, 18, Woodland Drive, West Seneca
Carmen J. O’Donnell, 18, Elmsford Drive, West Seneca
Katheryn M. Layer, 17, Candlewood Lane, Clarence Center
Blair E. Budzinski, 17, Clardon Drive, Williamsville
Magnum M. Kibler, 17, Randall Road, Le Roy
Hayden A. Lester, 18, Dickerson Street, Lyons
Elizabeth A. Daley, 16, Curtis Parkway, Buffalo
(name redacted upon request), 16, Casenovia Street, Buffalo
Jacob M. Zimmerman, 18, Stony Point Road, Grand Island
Christopher J. Spoto, 18, Falcon Crest Drive, Rochester
Adam B. Kalivoda, 19, West 28th Street, Erie, Pa.
Ryan C. Farrell, 18, Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda
Nicholas H. Bluff, 17, Woodland Drive, Tonawanda
Chelsea R. Masich, 17, Highland Avenue, Buffalo
Nicholas M. Troup, 20, Route 31, West Holley
Philip J. Sipp, 19, Gary Drive, Brockport
James P. Fallon III, 19, Trefoil Lane, Brockport
William F. Maddison, 18, Michael Drive, Welland, Ontario, Canada
Chad A. Moccia, 19, Thorold Road, Welland, Ontario, Canada
Stacey L. Roegner, 18, Lawton Road, Hilton
Kevin J. Spitzer, 20, Foxwood Lane, Williamsville
Nicholas R. Novak, 17, Derby Road, Derby
Kailey S. Maronski, 20, Queens Lane, Hamburg
Danielle L. Aragon, 17, Hart Place, Orchard Park
Larissa M. Weis, 19, Treehaven Road, West Seneca
Rachel M. Spencer, 17, Hardwood Road, West Seneca
Kevin J. Adgate, 17, Treehaven Road, West Seneca
Maggie E. Hale, 18, Oatka Road, Warsaw
Thomas D. Elling III, 18, Thorncliff Road, Kenmore
Michael A. Prentice, 18, Lisa Ann Lane, West Seneca
Tyler M. McTique, 18, Hilltop Courts, West Seneca
Daniel U. Danovskis, 19, Molnar Drive, West Seneca
Eric S. Lipa, 17, Heather Drive, Lockport
Samantha J. Welling, 20, Florida Avenue, Rochester
Courtney S. Coots, 19, East William Street, Bath
Arielle M. Tomb, 19, Howell Street, Bath
Andrea N. Aldrich, 20, Crittenden Road, Alden
Michael J. Cipolla, 18, Water Street, Perry
Bryan M. Geise, 18, Ridge Road, Lockport
Corbin H. Grassman, 18, Timber Creek Court, West Alexandria, Ohio
Brandon M. Hasfurter, 19, Theresa Court, West Seneca
Kathleen Mazur, 19, Keller Road, Clarence
Alissa N. Macpeek, 20, Lincoln Avenue Ext., Lockport
Andrew R. Reinwald, 20, Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer
Jordin M. Bernard, 18, Parkside Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Gina M. Ross-Detro, 18, Spring Street, Geneva
(name redacted upon request), 20, King Anthony Way, Getzville
Joshua J. Coffey, 20, Woodcrest Drive, Amherst
Brian W. Hayes, 20, Cayuga Street, Clyde
Christopher S. Briggs, 19, Nelson Road, Cassadaga
Gregory A. Snyder, 17, Barnum Road, Cassadaga
Derek J. Wise, 19, High Street, Cassadaga
Collin J. Ruge, 20, Nelson Road, Cassadaga
Jacob W. Kwoka, 19, Corinthia Street, Lockport
Laura C. Tait, 19, Carnegie Drive, Vestal
Ryan D. Dombrowski, 20, South Protection Road, Holland
Cody M. Slattery, 20, Olean Road, South Wales
Allie J. Whitehouse, 18, Maple Avenue, Wellsville
Alana M. Becker, 17, Whitestone Lane, Lancaster

The concert season at Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center continued Friday with country superstar Brad Paisley headlinging another one of his annual shows locally, with opening acts Lee Brice and Chris Young.

Brad Paisley.

Lee Brice.

Guitarist Travis Bettis with Lee Brice.

Chris Young.

Chris Young's bass player, Shane Chilton.

Tomorrow at 11 a.m., Dan Kennedy, author of "The Wired City," a book about the changes in journalism in the Digital Age, will be at Present Tense on Washington Avenue, Batavia.

Batavia's little corner of the media world is featured in the book and Kennedy will read a portion of the book and talk about what he's observed about media in Batavia.

Here's an interview from this morning on WBTA's Main and Center (mp3).

NOTE: I can't be there at 11 a.m. because I need to be at the Oatka Festival Parade, but I plan on stopping in the store about 12:15 p.m. or so.

Ten homes in Genesee County will be on this year's annual garden tour sponsored by the Landmark Society, among them for the first time, the home of Jason and Anna Molino on Vernon Street, Batavia.

The Molino's have been slowly improving on the yard since moving into the home a few years ago and Jason said after going on the tour last year, the he thought he and Anna should show off what they've been doing.

The city manager comes from a gardening background, he said. His mother was a gardener. Jason's father immigrated from Italy to Canada with his father, and Jason's grandfather had a landscaping business in Montreal.

The front of the house features one of Jason's favorite plants, hostas, and Anna adds pots and baskets.

"The perennials around the house are low maintenance and give some color," Jason said. "Anna does a lot of the flower baskets and flower pots with annuals so we have color in the front to add just a little bit of spunk to the house."

In the back yard is a garden plot with garlic, potatoes, peppers and cucumbers and dill for canning, as well as some perennial flowers being staged and matured in the plot for eventual transplanting to elsewhere in the yard.

The garden tour is Sunday and starts at noon. After it's over at 4 p.m., there will be a dessert reception at St. James Episcopal Church followed by a talk by landscape designer Tim Richley, of Darien, on “Underused Plants for Western New York.”

The cost is $20. If you don't have a ticket yet, you can get them starting at 11 a.m. at St. James. There will also be door prizes. All proceeds benefit the church's restoration project.

In the top photo are Jason and Anna and their children Sophia, a camera-shy Stella, and baby Charley (held by Jason).

Among the other nine homes on the tour, Jennifer and Richard Dunn's place on State Street, Batavia, above, and below, the garden of Georgia Childs and Paul Freeman on Vine Street, Batavia.

As soon as the early season corn that was planted this spring is picked in a couple of weeks, Peter Zeliff will be ready to begin construction of his planned 76-unit housing development off East Main Street Road and Seven Springs Road in the Town of Batavia.

Zeliff has acquired title to the property, according to his agent Tony Mancuso, and with one more final approval, expected Tuesday at the town's planning board meeting, the path will be clear for Zeliff to start grading the farmland.

Just as soon as that corn is harvested.

Thursday night, the county planning board recommended approval of the final approval of the 109 acre subdivision, which will be known as Oakwood Estates.

The project will include 44 townhomes (the maroon area in the photo above) and 33 single family homes.

It's the first major subdivision in Genesee County in a number of years and will be located near the fast-growing Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

Mancuso said the first house should be ready for occupancy next spring.

A $5,000 donation from Kid Rock is listed on the Web page set up at giveforward.com to raise funds for Jason McNeil, the former WNY resident who is in a coma after apparently being punched by another patron at the performer's concert at Darien Lake on July 6.

McNeil is still in a coma but making progress according to a Facebook page set up to keep people apprised of his condition.

The donation page says that so far 290 donations have been made totaling more than $30,000 with a goal of raising $20,000 more over the next 29 days.

The 43-year-old Alabama resident is originally from Alden, but reportedly is very involved in his community in Tuscaloosa and has lots of friends and supporters there. He is involved in several charities in the community and is a member of Kiwanis.

He's been in a coma since being taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC after allegedly being punched in the face by Craig Malcolm Lawson, 34, of Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario, Canada.

Lawson is charged with assault, 3rd, a misdemeanor, and is out of jail on $1,000 bail.

While the Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said his office will review the evidence as the case develops. It's possible Lawson could face a felony charge if there is sufficient evidence to sustain such a charge.

An upgraded assault charge would be assault in the second degree. In order to prove that charge, the prosecution would need to show that the defendant intended to cause serious injury.

Previously: Alleged assault case at Kid Rock concert grows more complicated with news of serious injuries

Press release:

Alpina Foods has confirmed its intent to purchase 10 acres of land adjacent its brand-new plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. The acquisition doubles the company’s footprint, and comes only nine months after the grand opening of its 40,000-square-foot, $20-million facility that specializes in Greek yogurt production.

Alpina selected the site to build its first-ever North American manufacturing facility in 2011, after researching locations throughout the country. Company leaders felt the highly skilled Western New York workforce, thriving local dairy industry, and convenient access to major U.S. markets made Batavia an optimal location. The site is Alpina’s 10th global manufacturing facility, following locations in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

“This purchase reinforces our commitment to Batavia,” said Gustavo Badino, general manager of Alpina Foods. “We intend to expand here, and maintain this operation as our primary U.S. manufacturing location.”

The company already employs 55 at the plant, exceeding the goal of 50 the company committed to hiring by 2014, and expects to bring in additional team members in the coming months as production continues to increase.

Alpina will lay out its plans for the land over the next 24 months. Company leaders have worked closely with the Genesee County Economic Development Center, as well as the State’s Excelsior Jobs Program and numerous other state and regional economic development organizations in establishing – and expanding – its presence in New York State.

Alpina Foods is committed to its presence in Batavia, and works with many community organizations to make a positive impact on the region. Through the company’s philosophy of “collective prosperity,” Alpina strives to deliver success beyond its business dealings and constantly improve the community in which it operates.

“We are committed to our success in Batavia and the U.S.,” Badino said. “It is our corporate practice to grow with our surroundings, hand-in-hand with our neighbors.”