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UPDATED 7:56 a.m.

A man house sitting for a hospitalized friend at a residence known to neighbors as "the old school house" at 11030 Sandpit Road, Alexander, died Sunday evening after a fire broke out near the front of the building.

The victim has been identified as Scott A. Cramer, 47, of 11000 Sandpit Road, Alexander.

Investigators have determined the likely cause of the fire was electrical.

Cramer was found about 15 feet inside the doorway, which was initially blocked by flames. Once the fire was knocked down and the safety of the crew assured, firefighters were able to enter the residence to look for Cramer.

The Sheriff's Office reports that Cramer was pronounced dead at UMMC.

The fire was reported by neighbors and a member of the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department, who spotted flames coming from the front of the house as he drove past.

Both the neighbor and the firefighter attempted to locate the man inside, but he did not respond to calls and the flames were already blocking the entrance.

"I was hollering," Grant Whitmore said. "I couldn't get anything from the front door, so I went to the back of the house. There was a screen there and I was hollering, but I didn't hear anything."

Whitmore said there was a fire extinguisher near the front entrance of the house, which he tried using, but it proved ineffective against the size of fire that had already developed.

Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator for Genesee County, said there was only one way in or out of the residence and that was the front door.

Firefighters first knocked down the flames, but then entry was delayed because the area above the entrance was used for storage. There was a TV and filing cabinet in the space and fire crews were concerned about the soundness of the structure at that point.

"They were concerned about their safety, being trapped in there, so they had to make sure it was safe," Yaeger said.

Once found, Cramer was immediately taken out and brought to a Mercy EMS ambulance and transported to UMMC. Medics attempted CPR on Cramer from the time he was brought out of the residence and during his transport to the hospital.

The man was house sitting, watching over the property and taking care of the pets, while the homeowner is hospitalized at UMMC, Whitmore and Yaeger said.

There's no word on the fate of the pets.

The property owner is listed on county records as Joseph Snyder. The structure was built in 1850. The front of the structure, a later add-on, was heavily damaged in the fire.

Whitmore said Cramer had been house sitting for a week, possibly two, and that he often attended church with Whitmore and another friend. 

Fire investigators were working late into the night trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Along with Alexander Fire, Bethany, Darien and Attica fire departments responded to the scene. Town of Batavia's ladder truck was dispatched, but stayed at Alexander's fire hall on standby.

The Sheriff's Office is assisting in the fire investigation.

NOTE: We'll update this story with more information once it's released by the Sheriff's Office.

Through 36 years in the league, the entire history of the league, Charlie O'Geen has never held the Batavia Men's Hockey League Championship Cup.

Today he did.

His son, Brian, a teammate, along with other teammates on the Genesee Orthopedic Blues, carried the cup to him after their 4-3 over the Max Pies Jets.

O'Geen is layed up in a hospital in Buffalo.

"I so wish he could be here," Brian said. "I was in tears last night  because I was afraid this was going to happen and he wasn’t going to be here."

The Blues jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The Jets fought back, but could never notch that final goal to tie it up.

"We got on them early," said Jeff Rauter, standing in for O'Geen as team captain. "We played a little physical. They like to play physical, so it makes the game go faster. They've got some good players on the team and we just contained them."

To purchase prints of the photos, click here.

The other basketball hero to come out of Genesee County Saturday was Laurie Call.

Call was given the job of guarding Sherman's Elle Reed, the top scorer Class D Section VI, who averaged 32 points a game coming the Far West Regional Championship game.

Reed was held to 19 points in the contest, and fouled out with more two minutes remaining in the game.

Notre Dame beat Sherman 70-32.

"This wasn't the team we scouted," Sherman's head coach, Mel Swanson, told the Jamestown Post-Standard.

By Swanson's estimation, the Notre Dame girls were much more proficient with three-point jumpers, which helped the Fighting Irish jump out to a quick 20-4 first quarter lead.

Melanie Taylor scored 24 points and Riley Norton added 14 and Emma Francis, 9.

Swanson also expressed some frustration with playing against a private school, which is something Setion VI teams don't face until they match up against Section V.

''It is tough. It's an inequality. Their players played hard and they were very good players and they did great things with the basketball. But when you're a small school like ours that graduates 30-something kids and you have to compete at that level It's just such a different field they get to draw from. .... "

Notre Dame enters the Final Four state championship round ranked #5 in the state and will square off against #2 ranked Fort Edward at 10:45 a.m., Saturday, at Hudson Valley Community College.

PHOTOS: By Bare Antolos. Click on the headline to see more photos after the jump.

With six-and-half seconds left in the game, down by two, who are you going to give the ball to? Jalen Smith? Justin Washington? Jamesson Etienne?

How about a lanky sophomore who spent most of the season on the JV squad?

According to Batavia Blue Devils Head Coach Buddy Brasky, Jeff Redband was always part of the plan.

"He's the second best shooter on the team," Brasky said. "I don't care what grade he's in."

For most of the night, the Far West Regional Championship game between Batavia, the #9 Class B seed in the state, against the #1 ranked Olean Huskies, was a prototypical seesaw.

Batavia took an early lead; Olean tied it up. Batavia jumped out in front again to lead at the half, and Olean looked like they were about to put the game out of reach in the third quarter, scoring 21 points against Batavia's 10.

The fourth quarter, though, the fourth quarter belonged to Batavia, who outscored the Huskies 20-12.

"It's all about defense," said junior guard Jake Brasky. "In the beginning of the fourth quarter, we came out, we made a statement. We shut them down."

Even with the Huskies' taking fewer shots and missing the chances they got, Batavia had to claw back from what at one point was a 12-point deficit.

That meant that with less then a minute to go, the game was notched at 60 apiece.

Wil Bathurst, Olean's leading scorer on the season, out maneuvered Redband on a lay-up to put the Huskies up by two.

As the Blue Devils hustled the ball down the court, a missed pass sent the ball bounding back toward Olean's goal.

Washington stumbled after the ball as he got tangled up with a Huskie. Redband sprinted down the court and managed to nab the ball before it went out of bounds.

Coach Brasky called a time out.

That's when he layed out the plan: Washington would bring the ball down the court and head for the basket. If he found a lane, he could go in for the shot, but if his path was blocked, he was told to pass it to Redband waiting in the near-side corner.

"I knew they would be all over Jalen," Brasky said. "They would not let Jalen get the last shot."

As Washington headed toward the basket, Olean's Patrick Scholla stepped in his way. Washington started to fall and he shoved the ball in the general direction of Redband, who was ready, right in the spot Brasky had told him to be.

"I put him there and told him on the bench, 'if it’s kicked to you, you’re going to nail the shot to win the game,' " Brasky said. "That's not exactly how we planned it, but we'll take it."

Redband, Washington, Smith and Jake Brasky were all pretty speechless after the game. It was a wild end to a hard-fought game.

"When Jeff hit that shot, I didn't even know what to say," Jake Brasky said. "I was shocked."

With a battery of television cameras in his face after the game, Redband struggled to find the words to express how we felt. We spoke later and he summed it up nicely.

"It's a blessing because to be on the team for eight games, six, seven or eight games now, and to get the game-winning shot to save all of our seniors' seasons and high school careers, it's the best feeling in the world," Redband said.

Smith said he wasn't surprised Redband came up big when the team needed it.

"I always knew he'd be on varsity eventually," Smith said. "He can shoot and he's a hard worker."

Etienne also came up big in the fourth quarter, scoring six of his 10 points on the night.

Again, Etienne stepping it up was by design, Brasky said.

"We thought we had an advantage high screen and roll because their big guy who was guarding Jamesson was hedging out on Jalen, so that left Jamesson rolling to the basket," Brasky said. "That’s one of our key sets and Jalen was the one who suggested (it). He came to me at half time and said I can hit Jamesson on the roll, so we kind of went to that at the beginning at fourth quarter."

All along, Brasky said he was worried about Olean's shooting guards, Nick Schmidt and Max Portlow.

"We knew it was going to be tough to hold them to 13 or under per quarter," Brasky said. "They have so many weapons. I said to my coaches before the game if their guards shot the ball well, it’s going to be tough for us to win. They’re guards shot the ball extremely well and we still won."

Schmidt scored all 12 of his points in the game on three-point jumpers. Portlow hit two three-point goals and Bathurst added two more.

Each three-pointer in the third quarter brought the Huskies' bench to life, and the whooping and hollering didn't go unnoticed by Washington.

"When the other team gets pumped and starts screaming, I don’t like it," Washington said. "It motivates me to play better."

Brasky told his players not to sweat the hot streak.

"When you live by the three, sometimes it’s fool's gold," Brasky said. "They have good shooters. Their guards are good shooters, but they’re hot and cold. They did get hot, but I kept telling the guys on the bench, they’re going to start missing. Weather the storm. We’re OK. Just get the rebounds when they miss."

And Batavia did get the rebounds, the most important from the likes of Etienne and Redband, who were able to convert rebounds under their own goal into scores.

In all, Redband ended the night with 11 points, including three three-point goals, and five rebounds.

Smith scored 24 points, hitting five three-pointers. Washington had 16 points and 10 rebounds, including nine big grabs on defense.

Bathurst led the Huskies in scoring with 18 points.

Even when his team was down by 12 in the third quarter, Smith said there was nobody on the team ready to throw in the towel.

"Our mentality is to fight to the end, to play to end and we talked about it during timeouts that we need to keep fighting and keep playing," Smith said. "When the fourth quarter started, we started to pick it up. They went on a little run, but our team sticks together and we play with confidence."

The Blue Devils trip to Glens Falls on Saturday is the first trip to the final four for Batavia since Washington was a freshman, when the team got knocked out in the first game. Washington, Smith and Jake Brasky said they're all feeling confident as they head into the state championship series.

With six-and-half seconds left and down 62-60, Batavia in-bounded the ball on the far end the court. Justin Washington brought the ball past half court to the top of the key, where he was met by two Olean players who blocked his path to the basket. As he was tripped up and started down, he flipped the ball toward sophomore forward Jeff Redband, who was waiting well outside the three-point line. Without hesitation, Redband grabbed the loose ball, and as the last second ticked off the clock, Redband flicked the ball toward the hoop. Swosh. All net.

The final score, Batavia 63 and the state's #1 rank Class B team, Olean, 62.

Batavia will move onto the final four of the state championships in Glens Falls on Saturday.

We'll have more photos and full coverage later tonight, or more likely tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame crushed Sherman 70-32 at Buffalo State in the girls Far West Regional Championship game. Bare Antolos will send some photos to us later.

UPDATE: Here's a video of the final play:

UPDATE:  Here's another video by Josh Stendts.

Reed Batavia Properties, LLC, 39 Washington Ave., Batavia, has been approved for $140,861 in tax incentives for upgrades to its building. Reed purchased the building from Batavia City Schools. The 13,452-square-foot building is the former administration building. Reed will renovate the building for medical/office use. Genesee County is currently designated a Health Professional Shortage Area. The assessed value is $475,000. The property was formerly tax exempted and will become taxable at the current assessed value. Reed will receive a tax abatement PILOT on the increase in assessed value over the current assessed value, which is an anticipated tax savings for Reed of $76,361. Reed will also receive sales tax exemption on construction materials, furniture and fixtures of $52,000 along with a mortgage tax exemption of $12,500. Reed is investing $1.5 million in the project and expected to create six new jobs.

Yancey's Fancy, Inc./D&Y Cheeses, Inc., 857 Main Road, Pembroke, is planning a $10.2 million expansion. GCEDC has approved $980,000 in incentives. The expansion will increase capacity and create new flavors and cheese types. All packaging will be performed at the facility. The company will also build new offices. The current facility is 29,000 square feet. The expansion is 65,000 square feet plus a 25,000-square foot expansion of the second floor. The sales tax exemption is $320,000 with a mortgage tax exemption of $112,500 and PILOT of $547,533. Yancey's Fancy has pledged 50 new jobs within three years.

Darien Lake Theme Park, is investing $5.2 million in new rides and upgrades to the park and accommodations. The company will receive a $328,939 incentive package through GCEDC. The project includes construction of new cabins, a new "launch ride," and a laser light attraction. The upgrades are expected to take three years to complete. GCEDC has approved a sales tax exemption of $181,600 and a PILOT of $147,339. Darien Lake provides more 400 full-time equivalent jobs, including 2,000 seasonal workers. The expansion is expected to create six new jobs and retain 422 FTEs.

Fontrick Door, Inc., 9 Apollo Drive, Batavia, is expanding through acquisition of the building at 1 Treadeasy Ave., Batavia. Frontrick Door is investing $500,000 to purchase the $31,919-square-foot building, where it plans to develop a window manufacturing location in 2014. GCEDC has authorized a mortgage tax exemption of $6,250. 

Bonduelle is planning to make a $3.2 million capital investment in its plants in Oakfield, Bergen and Brockport. This is mainly a retention project to upgrade facilities, according to GCEDC. The majority of the investment will be made at the Oakfield plant, where a lima bean line will be installed. Bonduelle has secured contracts with farmers for 2,500 acres of lima bean production. The upgrades are expected to lead to 12 new seasonal -- five months -- jobs in Oakfield. Bonduelle is receiving a $250,000 grant for the project. Jobs retained: 305.

Le Roy PD investigators think they have figured out who has been stealing high voltage wire -- with the lines still charged -- from industrial plants in the area.

Michael A. Nicometo, 28, of 45 North St., Le Roy, has been charged with burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, grand larceny in the second degree, a Class C felony, and criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class D felony.

The investigation started June 6 when a perpetrator stole high voltage wiring from a warehouse on Lake Street in the Village.

It was an unusual theft, investigators noted, because the wires were cut from between the transformer and the building while current was still flowing through the lines.

Between October and February, several other larcenies of high voltage lines occurred in the Town of Le Roy, the City of Rochester and another location in the village.

In all cases, the power was still surging through the lines at the time of the thefts.

Working with the Sheriff's Office and Rochester PD, Le Roy investigators developed a profile of the thief, with the belief that the suspect had knowledge of the area, was probably from Le Roy, was probably an electrician by trade and and very familiar with the workings of high voltage electrical installations.

After identifying Nicomento as a suspect, investigators searched Nicomento's property at 45 North St., Le Roy, and reportedly found several items of evidence connecting him to an alleged burglary and larceny in January of more than $50,000 in electrical wiring and components at a warehouse on Lake Street.

Nicomento was arrested on the three felony charges and jailed on $25,000 cash bail.

The investigation is ongoing to determine if further charges will be filed against Nicomento.

The Batavia Ramparts Squirt III hockey this week won the 2012-2013 Western New York amateur hockey league championship.

Photo submitted by Robert Grimm.

More than 200 people were at Genesee Community College this afternoon for the Genesee County Economic Development Center's annual meeting at which CEO Steve Hyde gave his annual report on the progress of the Industrial Development Agency.

Mary Pat Hancock (top photo), chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature, was among the speakers and praised the agency for its contributions to the local economy.

"This agency has initiated, planned and implemented much of the successful economic growth in this county over the last 15 to 20 years," Hancock said. "They put their money where their mouth is, by loaning and backing potential investors who are willing and able to do business in New York and Genesee County, with a little help. Their success has sometimes made them a target, but none can deny their role in making this area flourish during a time of economic stagnation in much of this Upstate area."

Below is a press release from GCEDC about the meeting:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) held its annual meeting at Genesee Community College to unveil the organization’s 2012 annual report to the community. During the meeting, National Grid was honored and recognized for its collaboration in the community as the company received the Economic Development Partner of the Year Award from the GCEDC.

Among the attendees at the annual meeting included U.S. Congressman Chris Collins, New York State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and Genesee County Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock as well as other local government and business officials. 

“We have the most progressive economic development agency in New York State and that is attributable to everyone here today,” said Charlie Cook, GCEDC Chairman. “Through the leadership of the public and private sectors we have built a solid foundation for success now and in the future and in fact, the GCEDC board has already approved five major projects for 2013.”

Among the economic development highlights for the region as outlined in the 2012 annual report include.

• The attraction of 12 new businesses;
• The ground breaking of the Muller Quaker Dairy facility at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, which helped exceed investment goals in 2012 by more than $205 million as well as a multiplier effect of $27 million of income across the region from direct, indirect, and induced wages annually and the creation of approximately 692 jobs across various support sector industries and construction wages of $10 million;
• The closing of 38 projects, with these companies contributing $225 million in capital investment and pledging the creation of more than 400 new jobs;
• Expansions and fulfillment of job creation at Alpina Foods LLC, which also is located in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park;
• Economic growth as a result of projects at O-AT-KA Milk Products, Yancey’s Fancy, Liberty Pumps, Perry Vet, and Darien Lake; and
• The unanimous vote by the Town of Alabama Board to rezone the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (WNY STAMP) site, which allows the GCEDC to proceed with land acquisition.

“It is imperative that we continue to maintain the momentum generated in 2012 for 2013 and as such among our goals this year is to bring the Buffalo East Technology Park to full shovel-ready status, bring $29 million of new capital investment to the County as well as finalize plans to bring a new middle-income housing development to the community,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC.

“Lastly, we will continue our efforts to make STAMP a reality as it has the potential to transform the Western New York and Finger Lakes region into a high-tech nano-manufacturing hub that over the next 20 years could create 30,000 jobs onsite and by supply chain companies,” Hyde concluded.

Rep. Chris Collins met with a group of more than 30 farmers from throughout the NY-27 today at Farm Credit East.

The farmers comprise an advisory panel for Collins, who sits on the House Agriculture Committee.

The group was set up to advise Collins on issues pertinent to the industry, such as immigration, the new five-year Farm Bill, and regulations affecting dairy, vegetable, fruit and grain farmers.

This afternoon, Collins will also attend the Genesee County Economic Development Center's annual meeting at Genesee Community College.

Should there be a moratorium on fracking natural gas wells in NYS?

Democrat & Chronicle: Senate Republican wants no vote on fracking moratorium

Over the next couple of days, we will start sending out membership cards and $323 in gift certificates from 34 local businesses to our first 125 members.

A few days ago Francis Collins (aka Jimi Jamm) and wife Margot Collins came in to pick up their membership cards and gift cards.

Jimi and Margot were excited to get their packages and Jimi said he joined to help support The Batavian.

The Collins' joined as household members, so they both got a membership card.

The Club is all about giving the readers who love the The Batavian a way to support local journalism directly. As a thanks for the support, we send out gift certificates to local businesses, so you're also helping to support the local business community.

The Batavian provides you with free local news, free classifieds and information about the top local businesses in the county. Your membership will help us improve what we do. Please 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.

Monthly Single Membership - $5 per month
Includes membership card and bumper sticker, 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, 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, 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.

 

Four youths are reportedly on the roof of a garage on Montclair Avenue and refusing to come down.

Batavia PD is responding.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: A police officer informs dispatch, "All youths returned to their residences. I spoke with their parents."

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Republican Committee elected Matt Landers as the new Chairman during their meeting on March 5. Matt replaces longtime Chairman Joseph Gerace. The Committee thanked Joe for his many dedicated years of service to City of Batavia Republicans and presented him with a plaque. Matt has been the Treasurer for the City Committee the last seven years, along with serving as the County Republican Committee Treasurer the last six years. In addition, Matt is currently the Treasurer for the Batavia Kiwanis Club. Matt resides in the City with his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Kaitlyn and Benjamin.

Anyone interested in joining the committee can e-mail Matt directly at lmlanders@yahoo.com. The City of Batavia Republican Committee welcomes any new members who would like to get involved in local politics and support the ideals of the Republican Party.

Press release:

Notre Dame High School, Batavia, is proud to announce that Class of 2013 Senior Jeffrey Antolos has committed to attend Canisius College in Buffalo. Jeffrey, the son of Bare and Sheri Antolos, of Warsaw, will be studying Accounting while continuing his running career on Canisius College’s NCAA Division 1 cross-country team.

Jeff’s senior year cross-country accomplishments are indeed noteworthy and eye-opening as he:

• Led Coach Eric Geitner’s Varsity Boys Cross Country team to a 16 -5 overall record and managed to break four course records (Genesee County Park #1, Pembroke Invitational, Dansville Central and Avon Central) in the process.
• Was undefeated in GR-LCAA meets in 2012, as well as finishing 1^st in the Pembroke and East Aurora Invitations and runner-up at McQuaid and West Seneca invitationals.
• Ran a sub 15 minute 3.1-mile race finishing 2nd in the seeded Varsity “A” race at the prestigious McQuaid Jesuit Invitational on September 29, 2012 where he tied for the fastest Section V time at this year’s meet!
• Surpassed ND grad Dan Bobo’s ’01 former ND school record for 3.1 miles by running a 14:55 minute race at the 2012 McQuaid Invitational.
• Became a two-time individual Section V Champion in 2012 while moving up a class from D to C at the Sectional meet at Genesee Community College on November 3, 2012.
• Became a two-time NYSPHSAA Champion in 2012 while moving up a class from D to C in the State meet at Elma Meadows on November 10, 2012 and became only the 5th runner (3rd boy) in Section V history to win two state championships!
• Received the NYSPHSAA Section V Class C Sportsmanship Award for 2012.
• Was named to the Genesee Region Cross Country All Star team for the 3rd consecutive year (2010, 2011, 2012).
• Repeated as a Democrat and Chronicle Fall All Greater Rochester (AGR) selection as a senior (2011, 2012).
• Repeated as a Section V All Star 1st Team selection as a senior. (2011-2012)
• Placed 11th overall in the Nike Cross Northeast Regional qualifying meet in Wappingers Falls on November 24, 2012 – 20 seconds behind the 2nd-place finisher and three places from qualifying for Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore.

Jeff is also a member of our Fighting Irish Ice Hockey and Track and Field programs.

Using an unnamed source, the Buffalo News is reporting that a site in Pembroke has been selected for a new veterans cemetery.

The location a 132-acre parcel at Route 77 and Indian Falls Road.

Purchase negotiations are in progress, the story says.

Robert F. Sargent, 50, of 416 East Center St., Medina, is charged with two counts harassment, 2nd. Sargent is accused of sending 67 text messages to one person and 27 text messages to another person over a period of weeks. The messages allegedly served no legitimate purpose and seriously annoyed the recipients. Sargent turned himself in to Batavia PD.

Samuel James Vernaccini, 19, of South Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Vernaccini was stopped at 5:32 p.m. Monday on East Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona for an alleged traffic violation.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently joined legislative colleagues and local highway officials to advocate for greater attention to road and bridge repair. Partnering with fellow state representatives as well as mayors, county executives and highway superintendents, Hawley highlighted the need to support the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), which provides the bulk of state aid to counties and towns for the maintenance and improvement of local roads and bridges.

“The quality of our roads and bridges has a great impact on our safety and our overall quality of life,” Hawley said. “Sound infrastructure helps facilitate the flow of goods and services that boost our economy, while repair and maintenance projects help create local jobs.

"CHIPs funding is a critical component in how the state partners with localities to make our communities great places to live, work and raise a family, and I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues to fight for the crucial projects CHIPs funding supports.”

The governor has included $363.1 million in CHIPs funding in his proposed 2013-14 State Budget, the same level as last year. The legislators and local highway superintendents are calling for a CHIPs funding increase of $100 million, from $363.1 million to $463.1 million.  They note that local roads and bridges account for 82 percent of the roads, 52 percent of the bridges, and 48 percent of the vehicle mileage logged in New York State.

A recent report from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, “Cracks in the Foundation,” called 32 percent of New York's local bridges deficient and 40 percent of local roads fair or poor, and getting worse.

Among those joining Hawley and his legislative colleagues at the event were officials from the NYS County Highway Superintendents Association (NYSCHSA), NYS Association of Town Superintendents of Highways (NYSAOTSOH), NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC), New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the Association of Towns of the State of New York.

Should the president be able to order the killing of U.S. citizens who are suspected terrorists?

Reason Magazine on the president's "targeted killing" program