The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Vans Warped Tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Thursday:

Jacob P. Hildreth, 18, of Bristol Street, Canandaigua, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a controlled substance and a quantity of marijuana.

Caleb T. Jenderseck, 19, of Lapham Road, East Aurora, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Aaron Michael Reid, 20, of Seneca Street, Buffalo, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Richard L.J. Reynolds, 19 of Village II Drive, Hilton, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) authorized a public hearing for Freightliner & Western Star of Batavia, LLC, at the agency’s July 14 board meeting. The hearing is required as the company is seeking incentives over $100,000.

Freightliner & Western Star of Batavia, LLC, plans to expand beyond its West Seneca location and build a second site on State Street Road in the Town of Batavia. The project will involve construction of a 30,000-square-foot warehouse and service center that will create 30 new full-time jobs. The new location will be built along the New York State thruway near the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership campus.

The company is seeking approval for $437,652 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions. The planned capital investment will total approximately $4.35 million.

“This is a significant investment being made in our community that will create new jobs and help continue the economic growth of our region,” said Paul Battaglia, chairman, GCEDC Board of Directors.

FRIDAY, JULY 15TH • Today's Events • Community Day & Thrill Night. Kids ride special - $5 wrist bands 1-4pm.

• All Day Matt Episcopo (Roving the Fairgrounds)
• 9am - ECYSS - Showmanship Clinic (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 10am - 4H Horse Show Western Classes  (Horse Ring)
• 11am - Exhibit Halls & Buildings Open
• 11am - 4H Beef Show (Show Ring)
• 12pm - 4H Livestock Skillathon (TBA)
• 12pm - ECYSS - Fitting Clinic (Old Draft Barn)
• 1pm  - Open Class Beef Show ( Show Ring)
• 1pm - 4H Sheep 7 Goat Obstacle Course Contest (TBA)
• 1-8pm - Mr. Scribbles (Entertainment Ring)
• 1-11pm - Midway Opens (Amusement Arena)
• 3pm - 4H Sheep Trimming & Blocking Contest (4H Sheep Barn)
• 4pm - ECYSS - Showmanship (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 5:30pm - 4H Tractor Driving Contest - Via Pre-Registration (Kennedy Building)
• 6pm - NIOGA Jr. Showmanship (Show Ring)
• 7pm - COUNTY FAIR GRAND DEMOLITION DERBY (GRANDSTAND)
• 7:30pm - ECYSS - Judging Clinic (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 7:30-11:30pm - Under the Gun - Band (Entertainment Tent)
• 10pm - Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.

Here are a few photos from Thursday at the Genesee County Fair. We'll have more photos and a story about the 4-H Livestock Auction sometime Friday afternoon.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center's proposal to create access roads to alleviate traffic on Town of Alabama roads in preparation for the arrival of 1366 Technologies was met with approval Thursday night by the Genesee County Planning Board.

County planners, at their monthly meeting at County Building 2, voted in favor of the construction of two access roads on the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in a single recommendation, ruling that the roads -- one running from Route 77 to Crosby Road and the other running from Crosby Road to the 1366 Technologies solar wafer manufacturing facility's property line -- pose no significant countywide or inter-community impact.

The board was concerned, however, about the possibility of traffic having to stop and lining up on Route 77, a major highway that runs to the NYS Thruway interchange in Pembroke.

Mark Masse, GCEDC's senior vice president of operations, said the plan to divert major construction traffic down these access roads, with turning lanes at the main entrance, is subject to approval by the state Department of Transportation. Masse noted that the DOT currently is reviewing a permit application from the GCEDC.

"We are looking to put in the two roads and reinforce and widen a section of Crosby Road," Masse said. "We're also proposing a left-hand turn off of Route 77 onto the STAMP site, but nothing can be done until DOT approves it."

The GCEDC proposal also must go before the Town of Alabama Planning Board.

The Massachusetts-based 1366 Technologies will be the first tenant at STAMP, taking up about 105 of the 1,250 acres available for development.

The county Planning Board welcomed a request from the entire Village of Oakfield to implement comprehensive plan updates, zoning text and map amendments in line with recommendations of the Green Genesee Smart Genesee project, and to write form-based codes for a portion of the village.

The board's approval came with wording that the village's plan represents "a large step forward for land use policy and regulations" and its form-based code governing future development will "respect the traditional character of the downtown and that of the surrounding residences."

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari went even further, stating that Oakfield's strategy is on the "cutting edge" and he wished that "everybody in Genesee County adopt something like this." He said Oakfield's model is not quite complete as officials "are tweaking it" to meet the village's specific needs.

In other action, the board:

-- Approved, with modifications, a request from Oakfield Hospitality, LLC, (the Patel family from Erie, Pa.) for variances for a freestanding sign area, number of signs and building height for a proposed Fairfield Inn & Suites to be built on Federal Drive in the Gateway I Corporate Park off Route 98 near the Thruway interchange.

The board voted to allow two signs on the four-story, 62-room hotel, not four as requested. After discussion, Sean Hopkins, a Williamsville attorney representing the Patels, revised the request to three signs, but the board opted to allow signs on the east and south sides only.

Planners did not object to a freestanding sign area of 147 square feet, which is more than the 100-square-foot maximum allowed, or to the 51-foot proposed height of the building, which is 11 feet higher than allowed. Since county planners can only recommend, the final decision on the number of signs is in the hands of the Town of Batavia Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

-- Approved an update to the Town of Bethany's comprehensive plan, which also is deemed to be "in harmony" with the County Smart Growth Plan and Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. The board wrote that Bethany's plan addresses timely issues, including renewable energy.

-- Approved exterior changes, specifically a patio, at City Slickers Bar & Grill at 59 Main St., Batavia; two wall signs at Restore, 230 Ellicott St., and a 3,000-square-foot additon to the Genesee ARC recycling center at 3785 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

-- Approved, with modifications, a sign permit fot a 126-square-foot window sign requested by Victor Marchese, owner of Main Street Pizza, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, stating that the window size is significantly more than the City's 25-percent maximum standard, which, in this case, would be 31.5 square feet.

Suzanne Corona was sentenced to one and a half years in state prison this afternoon and one year post-release supervision by Genesee County Court Acting Judge Michael F. Pietruszka.

The determinant sentence was given for her guilty plea last year to one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

She admitted selling one suboxone pill for $60 to an undercover drug agent.

Although Corona has a record of petty, albeit some sensational, crimes dating back to 2010, the suboxone sale was her first felony offense.

She could have avoided prison entirely had she been able to successfully complete probation, given in lieu of incarceration, in that case.

But in April she admitted lacing her coffee with the liqueur Amaretto. In exchange for her admission of the probation violation, Judge Pietruszka allowed her to continue probation without any additional penalty.

A week later, she tested postive for alcohol again and was sent to jail for the weekend. On April 25, she was back in court and the judge released her to the custody of an inpatient rehab facility for a month after signing a court order for the medical care. Upon release, she was in court for a bail review hearing and the judge determined that despite the stay in rehab, she was in violation of her probation and she was ordered back to jail.

Today, she smiled wanly at her husband in the gallery when she was led into the courtroom by a bailiff. Wearing navy blue scrubs and canvas slip-on shoes, chained at the waist and handcuffed, she stood with regal posture next to her attorney, Brian Degnan.

"Miss Corona has a lengthy criminal history -- both in this court and in local courts," said Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell (standing in for ADA William Zickl). "She has shown a lack of ability to comply with the conditions of her probation."

Attorney Degnan said his client successfully completed the month-long rehab program and that authorities recommend she be placed in a halfway house, a sober living facility, but she and her spouse cannot afford the $900-per-month cost of that option. He acknowleged her failure to comply with probation and said she intends to take classes to improve her mental health and well being.

"She has issues she needs to work on," Degnan said.

Degnan disputed Zickl's characterization of his client's criminal past, specifically the claim that she "has a lengthy criminal history in this court."

The judge asked Corona if she had anything to say on her own behalf. She did.

"I would like to apologize to you for not being able to complete my probation," she said clearly and sincerely, adding that she intends to take as many classes as she can to improve herself.

Then, choking back tears, she said "I apologize to my family for being so selfish and not realizing how much hurt I have caused them. My family has suffered and now they'll suffer because I won't be here."

With that, the matter was concluded. Her husband told her that he loved her; she waved awkwardly to him with one of her manacled hands and was led away.

The folks who arranged the creation of the Batavia Peace Garden have a request of Pokemon trainers congregating there in droves -- please do them one simple favor: Pick up after yourselves.

Carol Grasso called WBTA today to pass that message along.

She stopped by the garden and spoke to three people who had biked there from Hilton, and she thought it was great and hopes people who come to the garden are having a good time, but she wants everyone to enjoy it.

"I guess there are some rare Pokemon there," she told WBTA.

She said she was told there will be a "rally" there Saturday and she hopes people will respect the garden and keep it clean.

“We work very hard on the Peace Garden and it is a beautiful spot and we’re just trying to encourage anybody who is looking for these Pokemon to at least put their trash in the trash can," She said. "We do have trash cans in the garden and we will clean them out every day and try to make them empty so there shouldn’t be any trashing going on.” 

She concluded her interview by noting that she was driving by right at that moment and there were about 15 people there playing the game.

"I hope they enjoy the garden, but take your trash with you or put it in the garbage cans," she said. "Thanks everybody. Have fun with the Pokemon."

Previously: Even in Batavia, Pokemon are everywhere

Here's your chance to own one of the more unique homes with some interesting history on Batavia's Main Street! Talk about solid, this home isn't going anywhere. This home is stone sided with slate roofing and marble window sills, and that is just some of the interesting traits to this 2/3 bedroom home. The rooms are all very large with living room having unique rounded bump out and pretty fireplace to extra large and wide upstairs with 2 big bedrooms. The one large upper bedroom with rounded bumped out area with windows that give a great aerial view of Main St. This is a pretty cool home!! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today or click here to view the listing!

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) released the following statement after being announced as a speaker at the upcoming Republican National Convention.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to carry Western New York’s message on behalf of Donald Trump. We need a Chief Executive who will put America first, defend our nation's security, secure our borders and put an end to the devastating trade deals that have sent American jobs overseas for far too long. Now is the time for our party to unite and focus our efforts on defeating Hillary Clinton and making America great again for all Americans.”

Congressman Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump. He is Co-Chair of Donald Trump’s Congressional Leadership Committee, Honorary Co-Chair of Trump New York, and has made countless media appearances as a surrogate for Donald Trump.

Submitted photo and press release:

The City of Batavia Police along with the City of Batavia Fire Deptartment conducted a Bicycle Safety Program at Lambert Park on Wednesday. It is located at 100 Verona Ave.

Several children had their bikes inspected and licensed. Children were also instructed in the proper use of bikes on the roadway. Free helmets were supplied courtesy of the Batavia Lions Club and a New York State Grant supplied via the City of Batavia Fire Department.

Pictured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are, back from left: Mark Niederpruem, Warehouse manager; Dan Wolf, chairman of Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; Dave Nutting, VIP Structures; Front from left: Paul Battaglia, chairman of Genesee County Economic Development Center; Bill Schreiber, CEO; Michael Patterson, CFO; Larry Webster, CEO Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; and John Gould, chairman of O-AT-KA.

Submitted photos and press release:

O-AT-KA Milk Products is pleased to announce that it held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly expanded warehousing storage and material handling facility in Batavia on July 11.

In attendance were O-AT-KA’s and Upstate Niagara Cooperative’s Board of Directors; key vendors and contractors for the project; banking representatives; local business leaders and invited guests.

“Project Rubicon affords O-AT-KA the opportunity to address three key focus points of our business; namely, employee safety, product quality and operational efficiencies," said Michael Patterson, O-AT-KA’s chief financial officer. "The viability of the project was supported via our strong relationships with the community, the municipalities and our key vendors and stakeholders."

O-AT-KA’s commitment to innovation is demonstrated within the expansion which added over 235,000 square feet to its Batavia plant. A second phase of the project has been initiated to capture efficiencies and optimize material handling equipment and processes. The new facility and equipment phase of the project allows the company to meet increasing customer demand, improve global competitiveness and allow for future growth of production capabilities. The project will significantly improve upon O-AT-KA’s already high standards of safety and quality.

“The implementation of Rubicon will advance our ability to serve customers, significantly improve our competitive position and is testimony to the vision and commitment of our farmer owners,” said Chief Executive Officer Bill Schreiber.

Founded in 1959, O-AT-KA is a manufacturer and co-packer of dairy-based products and ready-to-drink shelf stable beverages and is one of Genesee County’s largest employers. It is located at the corner of Cedar and Ellicott streets.

Press release from the city Department of Public Works:

The City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a broken water main on Washington Avenue today. There will be a water service interruption for residents on Washington Avenue from Lewis Avenue to State Street and Willow Street. Other residents in the area may experience low water pressure or discolored water, which should return to normal once repairs are complete.

Floyd William Howell, 45, of Transit Road, Bethany, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. At 7:04 a.m. on July 12, Howell was arrested on Sparks Road in Pavilion for allegedly taking a vehicle and using it without the owner's consent. He was arraigned in Pavilion Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is to appear in Pavilion Town Court again on Sept. 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl, assisted by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Ward Edward Royse, 41, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. At 6 p.m. on July 12, Royse was arrested following the investigation into a pair of larcenies at Kmart. It is alleged that Royse stole several items from the store on June 26 and then again on July 4. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on July 18. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale.

Jakob Matthew Bishop, 18, of West Oak Orchard Street, Medina, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bishop was arrested on the charge following an investigation into a suspicious activity call at 8:45 p.m. on July 13. Bishop was in the midway of the Genesee County Fairgrounds at the time of his arrest. He was issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 4 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl.

Townsend Energy in Le Roy is in the process of burning off fuel in some propane tanks and will continue to do so for the next two days, reports an emergency dispatcher. Flames are visible from Main Street in the village and the dispatch center has received calls about it. There is no problem or cause for alarm as this is routine maintenance at the facility.

A car vs. bicycle accident with injuries is reported at 500 E. Main St., in front of the pizza restaurant. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:44 a.m.: The bicyclist was transported to UMMC with a complaint of arm pain. He will be issued a citation. A police officer at the scene said the bicyclist was riding eastbound on the sidewalk and proceeded to cross Harvester Avenue as a pickup truck, also eastbound on East Main Street, with the right-of-way was attempting to make a right turn onto East Main Street Harvester. The truck driver said he tried to stop in time to avoid striking the bicyclist but was unable to do so.

Thursday, July 14th • Today's Events • Veterans Day at the Fair

• All Day Matt Episcopo (Roving the Fairgrounds)
• 8:30am - Horse Show Ring Closed for Set Up
• 9am - 4H Dairy Show (Show Ring)
• 9am - Regional Tunis/Open Sheep Show (Old Draft Horse Barn)
• 9am - 4H Horses in Place 
• 10am - 4H Horse Show. English Classes (Horse Ring)
• 11am - Exhibit Halls & Buildings Open
• 2pm - 4H Goat & Sheep Bowl (Merton Building)
• 2-8pm - Mr. Scribbles (Entertainment Tent)
• 5-10pm - Midway Opens (Amusement Area)
• 5:30-7pm - 4H Market Animal Auction Buyers Dinner (Kennedy Bldg)
• 6:30pm - Genesee Speedway SPECIAL STOCK CAR RACES (Grandstand)
• 7pm - Genesee’s Got Talent Showcase (Entertainment Tent)
• Following Talent Show - Karaoke (Entertainment Tent)
• 7pm - 4H Market Animal Auction (Show Ring)
• 10pm - Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close.

This schedule is tentative and is subject to change at any time.

UPDATED 9:30 a.m., Thursday, July 14.

An adult male visiting Genesee County from Buffalo died this evening in a drowning accident at Indian Falls.

The victim has been identified as Bradley Augustin, 22.

State Police are handling the investigation and no foul play is suspected.

Witnesses and first-responding firefighters said there were about 30 people at the falls tonight swimming and jumping into the water, even though Genesee County's moderate drought conditions have left the Tonawanda Creek with low water levels.

Triniti Morris, from Hamburg, was among the swimmers. She said people were having a good time and then somebody mentioned somebody was missing, and other people were saying, "no, no, nobody's missing."

One of her friends then spoke to a young man who seemed to be having trouble swimming and he said he was OK.

About five minutes later, somebody noticed he was missing.

Another male dove into the water and located him and several people helped pull him onto the rocks, at which point another young woman began giving him CPR.

Morris said the woman performing CPR got the victim to throw up and she thought the victim had started breathing when paramedics, she said, instructed the woman providing CPR to turn the victim on his left side. At this point, Morris said, two State Troopers arrived and ordered everybody to leave the scene, including the woman performing CPR.

Morris was concerned that nobody continued CPR, but Pembroke Fire Chief Jamie Waff said typically, when certified CPR personnel arrive on scene, they take over from witnesses who first started CPR.

"It’s great to see bystanders starting CPR, but it’s very confusing when they're wrapped up in the situation and we don’t know if they’re actually certified," Waff said. "When we get on location, we’re actually certified in CPR with the defibrillator. If anyone told her to leave, that is probably the reason because there were certified personnel on location to take over at that point."

Adding to the difficulty of the situation at Indian Falls, Waff said, is the congregation of drunken patrons at the bar, who sometimes cause issues when firefighters are attempting to perform a rescue.  

"There’s always an issue when we come here because you’re usually dealing with intoxicated people who think you aren’t doing it fast enough," Waff said. "Our number one concern is firefighter safety. We have to make sure all of our guys are safe as they go down. It’s a law enforcement issue because you are dealing with a bar-type situation."

It was a tense situation at the scene and one neighbor of Indian Falls was upset enough to provide reporters with a profanity-laced commentary on what he perceives as inattention by the owner of the Log Cabin Restaurant, the Town of Pembroke and local law enforcement to the dangerous situation at Indian Falls.

Barry Guthrie doesn't think anybody is doing enough to keep swimmers and divers off the falls.

"We've been fighting this for 10 years," said Guthrie, who moved in 2002 into a house near the falls once owned by his grandparents. 

He said he's been to the town, but the town, he said, can't determine who holds title to what, and he said that even though the Log Cabin has posted signs all along its property that say "No Trespassing," he doesn't think the owner takes the situation seriously because he believes the falls are public property (Genesee County owns the Tonawanda Creek from the City of Batavia to the Tonawanda Indian Reservation).

Responding to the scene were Town of Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, Genesee County Emergency Services, the Rope Rescue Team, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, the Sheriff's Office and State Police.

Possible drownings are reported in the falls by the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are called to respond along with Mercy medics. The caller reports two possible victims are in the water at the falls and not coming up. The Alabama Volunteer Fire Department Chief is asked to contact the GC Emergency Dispatch Center.

UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: The command post is set up in the Log Cabin restaurant parking lot.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: The restaurant is located at 1227 Gilmore Road in Corfu. A trooper says one male subject who was found is not breathing. A Mercy Flight landing zone is being set up. "Looks like they're doing CPR." Onlookers at the scene are said to be a problem for first responders.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight has a five-minute ETA. A responder with a backboard "for CPR purposes" is requested at the edge of the falls.

UPDATE 7:26 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia has a three-minute ETA.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Medics on scene, including Mercy medics and Mercy Flight personnel "are aware that it's a recovery mode at this point."

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: Mercy Medic #3 is called to the scene for "firefighters with some abrasions."

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: The chief in command at the scene reports there is one fatality and that it will take about 30 minutes to bring the male victim up and out of the area. It's unknown how long the victim may have been under water. There are no other victims. About 30 people were in the water at the time of the incident, according to the scene commander and other witnesses.

The school board approved the appointment of Jennifer Dean to the position at its meeting Tuesday night.

Dean is a graduate of Cuba-Rushford, where she was a three-sport athlete. She majored in physical education at St. Bonaventure University and is certified in Physical Education by the NYS State Board of Education.

Most recently, Dean was with the Hamilton Central School District in Central New York, where she was a secondary Physical Education teacher as well as a coach for basketball, soccer, softball, track and field and field hockey.

In 2011, she was appointed to the AD's position and under her leadership the soccer team on a state champion and the school won four sectional titles as well as numerous individual track and field sectional and state titles. 

She was seeking a position closer to friends and family and is residing in Dale.

Dean replaces Jon Wilson, who is now the elementary school principal in Pavilion.