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Genesee County seniors treated to performances by little dancers, and cookies, too

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:
 
This spring, Suzanne's School of Dance and Tutu Tots have been celebrating a 35-year tradition of giving back to their community by dancing for the senior citizens of Genesee County.
 
Throughout the years, the children have visited various nursing homes and senior residences, delighting them with their performances and also spending some special time afterward to say hello, shake hands, enjoy cookies and punch. The seniors welcome the young performers and bask in their enthusiasm.

Five-car pileup reported on West Main Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A five-car pileup is reported at 41 W. Main St. in the city. That's in front of Napa Auto Parts. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m.: There were four vehicles involved. All occupants were sign-offs, no injuries. A police officer at the scene said traffic starting backing up and someone slammed on their brakes, causing a chain reaction of rear-end collisions.

Pembroke HS to host first ever Alumni Concert on Memorial Day Weekend

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Pembroke Music Department will be hosting the first ever Pembroke Music Alumni Concert on Memorial Day Weekend!

There is still time to register to perform if you haven’t already! The cost per performer is $35, and includes a shirt, folder, music, lanyard, and lunches for Friday and Saturday.

There are currently more than 40 people registered from the classes of 1960 - 2015, from Tennessee to Florida, and from Connecticut to Corfu!

The choral selections include: The National Anthem, Pembroke Alma Mater, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin, "O Sifuni Mungu," and "Rhythm of Life" from "Sweet Charity."

Rehearsals are:

Friday, May 27

9 a.m. to noon – Chorus Rehearsal

1 to 3 p.m. – Band Rehearsal

Saturday May 28

10 a.m. to noon – Band Rehearsal

1 to 3 p.m. – Chorus Rehearsal

The public concert is 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Pembroke High School, located at 2486 Main Road, Corfu. General Admission is a suggested donation of $10 at the door to help support the school's Music Department.

Please e-mail Dan Reisdorf for more information! dreisdorf@pembrokecsd.org

Author of book on Barn Quilt Trail to speak in Le Roy on Wednesday evening

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Suzi Parron, author of the newly released book “Following the Barn Quilt Trail” will speak at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at Le Roy House, located at 23 E. Main St., Le Roy.

Colorful barn quilts dot the landscape across the United States. Le Roy has one of New York’s largest barn quilt trails, with nearly 100 painted designs. For nearly seven years, Parron has been traveling the back roads of the country photographing and collecting the stories of the quilts, the barns and the people.  

She will be sharing those stories on when she visits Le Roy House. This program is free and open to the public. She will be selling and signing her newest book, recently published by Ohio University Press.

The barn quilt movement started in Southern Ohio in 2001. It was the idea of Donna Sue Groves, who wanted to acknowledge her agricultural heritage and her mother’s love for quilts. She envisioned a “clothesline of quilts” across the country. Since that time, thousands of painted barn quilts have appeared on barns, sheds, fences, and buildings in almost every state and a few provinces of Canada.

Parron, a former English teacher, quilter, backwoods traveler, avid kayaker and folk art collector began chronicling the barn quilt stories and published her first book, “Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement” in 2012. She first visited Le Roy in the summer of 2013, a year after Le Roy had dedicated its barn quilts to the 200th anniversary of the town.

Since that time, Parron, her husband Glen and their dog, Gracie, have traveled 13,000 miles in their converted bus, “Ruby” collecting stories for Parron's second book. Included in it is the story of Le Roy’s McPherson family quilt, which inspired the McPherson Orchard’s pink quilt, “Lady of the Lake.” And the story of the Stein Farm’s two quilts, taken from two family quilts – both included with photographs and the introduction to the quilts found in New York State.

For more information, call Lynne Belluscio, 585-768-7433 at the Le Roy Historical Society.

Assembly Minority Task Force on Protecting the Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities to hold forum in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C. continues to generate concerns from family members, caregivers, community organizations and individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the transition process into more integrated work settings.

As a result, the Assembly Minority Task Force on Protecting the Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities has been created to evaluate the effectiveness of current transition plans for those in sheltered workshops, developmental centers, and community homes and to ensure that the input and desires of people with developmental disabilities are being considered.

The task force will be hosting regional forums across the state in an effort to better address the current transition plans and other important issues facing individuals with disabilities and their families.

The ninth event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, at the Genesee Community College, Best Center Room T-119, 1 College Road, Batavia.

“Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers, and mental health professionals have expressed serious concerns with recent closures of sheltered workshops across the state. The feedback has highlighted the problem with the state’s ‘one-size fits all’ approach that has failed on many levels,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia).

“Listening to stakeholders’ experiences and stories at the forum will allow us as legislators to understand how we can better protect the rights of those with developmental disabilities.”

Representatives from non-profit organizations and facilities, community leaders and mental health experts have been invited to attend and provide testimony. The task force is also encouraging individuals with disabilities and their families to share their firsthand experiences as a result of the Olmstead Decision.

“A concerted, statewide effort to improve services for those with developmental disabilities is the only way to make certain every New Yorker is fairly represented,” said Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch (R-Bainbridge), task force chairman.

“No New Yorker should be marginalized, and it is our job to make sure that never happens. Together, we will address the concerns of those with developmental disabilities and aggressively tackle those concerns head on.”

For more information on the task force, please contact the Assembly Minority Office of Public Affairs at 518-455-5073.

Hearts & Flowers Fundraiser now through June 8 to support shelter animals

By Billie Owens

The Hearts & Flowers Fundraiser to help support the homeless animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter is under way now through June 8.

For $20 you can buy a beautiful 10-inch hanging flower basket with your choice of: begonia, lobelia, petunias, New Guinea impatiens, fuschia or geraniums.

Buy tickets at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, then pick up your basket of posies at Delre's Greenhouse & Garden Center, located nearby at 4062 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The animal shelter is open during these hours:

  • Monday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m. / and 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Thursday -- CLOSED
  • Friday -- 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sunday -- 1 to 3 p.m.

Correction officers from GC Sheriff's Office Jail Bureau graduate from Basic Corrections Academy

By Billie Owens

Pictured from left: Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha, Undersheriff William A. Sheron Jr., Correction Officer Corey J. Cieszki, Correction Officer Jason M. Buck, and Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office recently filled two vacant part-time Correction Officer positions with the hiring of Jason M. Buck and Corey J. Cieszki.

These Correction Officers graduated in a class of 15 on Monday, April 25 from the Livingston County Basic Corrections six-week Academy that was held at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

Correction Officer Buck was captain of the class and Correction Officer Cieszki received the top academic award. The speaker at the graduation was Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty.  Training at the academy included instruction in the care and custody of inmates, inmate supervision, defensive tactics, firearms training, and other topics pertaining to corrections.

Sheriff Gary T. Maha said “Correction Officers Buck and Cieszki represented our Office well by excelling at the Corrections Academy."

Law and Order: Bergen teen charged with five counts of sexual misconduct for allegedly having intercourse without consent

By Billie Owens

Dakota Scott Pocock, 19, of Townline Road, Bergen, is charged with five counts of sexual misconduct following an investigation in the Village of Oakfield. The defendant allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim without consent five times between August and December. He was issued an appearance ticket for Oakfield Town Court at 5 p.m. on May 16. The investigation was conducted by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth and Investigator Bradley Mazur.

Duty E. Caswell, 24, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, was arrested for having a vicious dog. The arrest stems from an incident on March 7 wherein his dog, according to police, attacked two people and another dog. Caswell was issued an appearance ticket and released and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court at 10:30 a.m. on May 13. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Devon Schulman, 20, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. It is alleged that at 6:52 p.m. on May 5 Schulman displayed a knife to a subject at an apartment on Liberty Street and made comments that led the victim to believe Schulman intended to use the knife against the victim. Schulman was jailed without bail and was to be in City Court on May 6. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Chad Richards.

Shawn C. Smith, 35, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, first, and speeding. Smith was arrested at 6:24 p.m. on April 30 following a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia, and following arraignment was jailed without bail. He was to be in court May 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Shane Michael Green, 28, of Trapping Brook Road, Wellsville, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. At 7:36 a.m. on May 6, Green was arrested on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, for allegedly driving while the ability to do so was impaired by drugs. The arrest was the result of a complaint for erratic operation of a motor vehicle. Green is to be in Town of Stafford Court on June 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

Ryan James Sundown, 35, of Meadville Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He allegedly violated a complete stay away order of protection at 6 p.m. on April 25 on Council House Road. He was arraigned on the charged on May 5 in Alabama Town Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputyt Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

A 17-year-old female who lives in Batavia was arrested at 4:06 p.m. on May 2 and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. She allegedly broke a window during an argument. She was issued an appearance ticket for May 17 in City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Arick Perkins.

Jany Girwath Jock, 20, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with identity theft, 3rd. The defendant was arrested following the investigation into the unlawful use of a credit card at 10:30 p.m. on May 3. Jock was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia City Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Mary Finnegan, 68, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was arrested on May 7 and charged with one count of criminal trespass in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Le Roy Village Police Department responded to a local apartment house after receiving a complaint of a subject on the property trespassing. Upon arrival Finnegan was allegedly located on the property after she had previously been advised she was no longer allowed on the property. Finnegan was taken into custody and charged accordingly. Finnegan is to appear in the Le Roy Town Court on May 19 to answer to the charge.

Saving baby ducks in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

This video is from Christopher Weicher at Batavia High School. He said each year the same mallard duck returns to the school to lay her eggs in the courtyard, where's sheltered from predators. The problem arises after the ducklings hatch and have no way on their own to get out of the courtyard for food and water, so staff gently nudges the family toward the doors and the great outdoors.

Saturday, Amy Scott sent in these pictures of city firefighters saving ducklings from a storm drain.

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Photos: Derby Day 2016

By Howard B. Owens

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The Michael Napoleone Foundation hosted its annual Derby Day Fundraiser at Terry Hills yesterday.

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To purchase prints, click here.

Batavia family requests help in locating stolen tractor mower

By Howard B. Owens

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The Johnsons, residents of Naramore Drive, Batavia, have reported to police the theft of their riding mower that looks like this one, a John Deere D100.

The mower was taken off its trailer and removed from a storage shed.

Those who have information to share should contact Batavia PD.

Sponsored Post: LeRoy Village Green to host a Wellness Fair on May 12th!

By Lisa Ace

Promote wellness in your community, attend the Wellness Fair on May 12th at the LeRoy Village Green, RHCF, located on 10 Munson St. in LeRoy from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This event is open & free to community!
 
Participating Vendors:

  • LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility
  • The Greens of LeRoy, Senior Independent Community
  • Selby Davis
  • LeRoy Physical Therapy & Village Fitness
  • LeRoy Athletic Club/ Kettle’s Gym
  • Alzheimer's Association of Western New York
  • United Memorial Medical Center
  • Main Street Fitness
  • University of Rochester, LeRoy Medical Associates
  • Catherine Rhoads, Licensed Massage Therapist
  • LeRoy Central School
  • GCASA
  • American Cancer Society
  • Ladies First Fitness
  • Durable Medical Supply
  • Cheryl Cowie, Norwex
  • Walgreens
  • Tracy’s Teas
  • LeRoy Police Department
  • Genesee County Office for the Aging

Photos: Rotary baseball tournament

By Howard B. Owens

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These photos are from game two of yesterday's Rotary Club Baseball Tournament, between Notre Dame and Attica.

Batavia beat Oakfield-Alabama in the first game, 6-2, then Attica beat ND 5-3.

Trevor Sherwood threw a no-hitter in the nightcap to give Batavia the championship with a 12-1 win over Attica.

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Photo: Opening day at Darien Lake Theme Park

By Howard B. Owens

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Yesterday was the first day of another new season of fun at Darien Lake Theme Park.

While we didn't get out to Darien for photos until the afternoon, after the clouds arrived, the morning blue skies helped encourage a great first-day attendance, park officials said.

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Accident with several minor injuries reported at Pembroke tollboth

By Howard B. Owens

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A motor-vehicle accident with multiple minor injuries is reported at the tollbooth for the Thruway in Pembroke.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responding.

Two Mercy EMS units responding.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: Law enforcement required at the scene to deal with an irate male.

UPDATE 11:11 a.m.: Units back in service. A 10-year-old transported with neck and back pain.

Reader-submitted photo.

Sponsored Post: The 2016 Summer Career Camps Announced! Register now!

By Lisa Ace

The Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA) is an organization whose mission is to foster a partnership between business and education, and to assist students in preparing for the world of work. Housed at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the BEA creates and implements programs that are designed to create a stronger workforce for businesses in Genesee County.

This Summer the BEA will host eight Career Exploration Camps for up to 220 students in grades six through nine. Registered campers will experience careers from Culinary Arts to Animal Science, to construction and medical careers. Each camp provides hands‐on training and amazing experiences for them in their selected career, and exposes them to the array of careers available right here in their own community. Parents can go to www.beaGenesee.com to learn more about the Summer Career Camps and to register.

These camps are subsidized through donations, sponsorships and volunteerism to keep them affordable for our students and their families. If your business would like to be a camp sponsor and promote our future workforce, please contact Beth Kemp at the Genesee County BEA at (585) 343‐7440 or bkemp@geneseeny.com.

Multi-vehicle accident with serious injuries reported on eastbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A multi-vehicle accident with possible serious injuries is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 396.7. Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia is going in the air. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Town of Batavia Fire Department is asked to assemble a crew in their hall in case they are called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:03 a.m.: The accident is east of the Slusser Road bridge.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 11:24 a.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, going to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: A state trooper at the scene said there was one victim, a male driver in his 20s who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Indications are he fell asleep at the wheel, the trooper said.

Timing of alleged crime protects robbery suspect from sentencing enhancement as second felony offender

By Howard B. Owens

A 21-year-old Batavia man was ordered held on $50,000 bail today during his arraignment on charges stemming from an alleged robbery in January, just eight days before he was scheduled to be sentenced on an assault conviction.

The timing of the crime and the fact he was not yet identified as the suspect means that if he's convicted on the 12-count Grand Jury indictment, he can't be sentenced as a second felony offender, nor does the robbery constitute a violation of probation since he wasn't on probation yet.

Terrence D. Johnson is facing a possible violation charge, but not because of the alleged robbery.

Johnson was indicted on one count of robbery and 11 counts of grand larceny, 4th.  

Each of the eleven grand larceny counts stems from each of the credit or debit cards carried by the victim.

The robbery occurred in the area of 2 School St., Downtown Batavia.

Beyond the usual not-guilty plea, Johnson's attorney, Public Defender Jerry Ader, said there is some question as to whether Johnson was even in the area of School Street at the time the robbery was reported.

After court, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, in answer to a question, said there is physical evidence linking Johnson to the crime.

Before the hearing, members of Johnson's family reached out to local media and said they would like to talk about Johnson, saying, "this is not who he really is," but after the hearing, Ader said he advised them not to grant interviews.

In November, Johnson entered a guilty plea to a gang assault charge for being part of a three-person assault on a person on Holland Avenue over the summer and was sentenced in January to six months in jail and five years probation.

The timing of the conviction, the second alleged crime without him being identified as a suspect, followed by his sentencing, means the original sentence stands and he can't be sentenced as a second felony offender. If he were considered a second felony offender, then the minimum range of a possible prison term would be longer. Either way, the maximum possible sentence is 25 years.

A violation of probation charge has not been brought against Johnson yet, but he allegedly left the county and violated curfew while on probation.

Batavia Downs to host annual Kentucky Derby bash in the Paddock Room on Saturday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Live racing doesn’t return to Batavia Downs until Monday July 25, but the grandstand will be filled with race fans this Saturday (May 7) as the track hosts its annual Kentucky Derby bash in the Paddock Room from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

The $10 “Kentucky Derby Meal Deal” deal includes your choice of five entrees, a $2.00 Kentucky Derby wager and $5.00 in free play on the gaming floor. Programs, live tellers and plenty of big screen TV’s will be available throughout the facility.

In Thurman Thomas’s 34 Rush Sports Bar, drink specials include $6 mint juleps served in the official Kentucky Derby commemorative glass along with $2 drafts. Both will be available from 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

“The Derby party has really developed since 2005 and we are expecting in excess of 400 people to attend this year,” said Todd Haight, general manager/director of Racing at Batavia Downs. “It’s amazing how popular it has become and how much it has grown."

All the Western Regional OTB branches in Western New York will open at 10 a.m. Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day) for advance wagering on the Derby and again at 10 a.m. on Derby day.

Last year, WROTB had its second best handle ever and paid out more than it took in for the first time, dating back to 1974.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
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Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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