It was Family Reading Night at Jackson School on Thursday night, with parents joining their children for events at the school, including community volunteers reading to students.

Above, City Schools Superintendent Chris Dailey reading to a class.

Barbara Holder, who retired many years ago from teaching, but still regularly volunteers at Jackson School, was the reader in another classroom.

Batavia Police Officer Pete Flanagan.

Shaley Johnson plays a puzzle game with Jesse Higgins.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved a final resolution for an application for assistance from Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, as well as an initial resolution for Mega Properties, Inc.’s Koolatron project, at its March 3 board meeting.

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort will add two new attractions in time for its 2016 operating season, including a six-flume water slide and a roller coaster train. The new attractions are part of the company’s 2016 Tourism Destination Project aimed to enhance visitor experience.

The company was approved for a sales tax exemption of $189,200 and the project’s planned capital investment will total an estimated $2.8 million.

“We are very pleased to have such tremendous support from the GCEDC in our efforts to offer guests the highest quality, most memorable visitor experiences,” said Chris Thorpe, general manager, Darien Lake. “GCEDC’s investment in our 2016 Tourism Destination Project will help us remain one of the Northeast’s most attractive tourist attractions.”

“As one of Genesee County’s largest employers, Darien Lake is one of the most powerful economic contributors to our local economy, providing over 400 full-time equivalent jobs and approximately 2,000 seasonal positions each year,” said Paul Battaglia, GCEDC Board chairman. “The GCEDC remains committed to investing in projects that will enhance the park and allow it to continue serving as one of our region’s most popular tourist destinations.”

In addition, the GCEDC board approved an initial resolution for Mega Properties, Inc., which provides distribution services to the United States for Koolatron Corporation, a Canadian-based manufacturer of consumer goods. Koolatron’s distribution center has operated in Batavia since 1979 and plans to add 25,000 square feet to its existing 45,000-square-foot facility in order to increase production and expand its global footprint.

The company was approved to receive a total of $172,096 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions. The capital investment for the project is approximately $750,000. Since the company is receiving incentives of more than $100,000 there will be a public hearing at a time, date and location to be determined.

Smoke is coming from a vehicle with heavy front-end damage following an accident at Route 98 and Lockport Road, Elba.

There's a possible minor injury.

Elba Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 8:56 a.m.: Lockport Road is completely blocked.

A woman was allegedly shoved out of a black Dodge pickup truck while it was moving, at Allegany and Sumner roads, Darien. The victim was also allegedly cut with a knife by the driver of the pickup during the incident. She is bleeding from the face and has a shoulder injury and possible broken arm and/or collarbone. Sheriff's deputies are pursuing the truck southbound on 77. State Police and Darien medics are at the scene with the victim. Darien Fire Department is also responding.

UPDATE 8:12 a.m.: The victim is being transported to UMMC. 

Guthrie Heli Arc, Inc., provides a one-stop shop to purchase sewer trucks, street sweepers, grapple loaders, refuse bodies, recycle trucks, and carpet tippers, both for municipalities and the private sector. They also offer welding repair and recertification of pressure vessels, such as those used for propane, fuel oil, and gasoline.

Guthrie Heli Arc is the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce 2015 Small Business of the Year.

(It is located at 6276 Clinton Street Road, Bergen. And although it has a Bergen address, it pays Town of Stafford taxes and for municipal permits and similiar issues, deals with Stafford government.)

Owners Matt and Meg Ryan purchased the company from Meg’s dad, Bill Guthrie, and became full owners approximately three years ago. Meg is president of the company and said "in a short time, we went from renters, to buying property, which quadrupled our space and currently have nine employees.”

They have also recently started to sell Primo grills, which are ceramic charcoal grill/smokers that are made in the USA.

Matt Ryan has a mechanical background from his experience in the Army and learned welding from Meg’s father and other workers. He is a certified welder and runs the shop.

Meg has a history of selling truck equipment. She originally worked with her father, then moved out of state where she gained sales experience.

Through the purchase of the business, they were able to retain some of Bill Guthrie’s core customers. They are members of the Genesee County Town Highway Superintendents Association and work with other municipalities. They are working hard, going door-to door, going out on the road, gaining more customer base and continuing to grow.

When asked what she is most proud of, Meg said “I am extremely happy Matt and I are able to do this together; happy to be in the Town of Stafford in a community that supports our business; and lucky to have good long-term employees."

Shelley Falitico, Genesee ARC's director of Development, speaks with pride as she discusses the GLOW YMCA Challenger Program, both how it all started and how far it has come since its beginning.

Back in 2006, parents wanted to start an adaptive sports program for children with disabilities in Genesee County because there were no such programs. In researching how to begin and where to start, they called on Joe Teresi of Tompkins Insurance in Batavia, to find out insurance costs for this type of program. The ARC had just completed a survey and discovered that parents were looking for more athletic activities for children with special needs.

These entities collaborated together to create the GLOW YMCA Challenger Sports Program of Genesee County, which is being honored Saturday with the Special Community Service Recognition of the Year Award.

The Challenger Program is housed at the YMCA and all events are run through a number of community volunteers. Challenger Baseball was the first program and it had approximately 75 participants.

"A huge thank you to Paul Sputore of Batavia Minor League for allowing use of the field, the concession stand, and even put in a handicapped bathroom to accommodate the children...whatever we needed, he helped us," Falitico said.

The Challenger program also partners with the Batavia Youth Bureau and now provides tennis, bowling, indoor soccer, dance, and basketball. The cost is $25 per child per sport and no one is denied. The YMCA and ARC provide scholarship funds to those in need. In addition, the Variety Club of Buffalo consistently donates money to help run the program. Though it is a Genesee County program, children from other counties also participate. Currently, the program serves approximately 250 children.

Children have varying levels of disabilities, which creates a need for a number of volunteers to assist the participants. Falitico offers a one-hour disability-awareness training session for volunteers and calls on high school students to provide community service and volunteer hours. To date, more than 400 volunteers have been trained.

"Volunteering in this program is changing the leaders of our future -- the students become more tolerant and accepting of people with special needs,” Falitico said, adding “After all this time, I still get emotional when the kids get their trophies."

Live Music Saturday March 12th, Cory Daniel's Band 9:30pm - 1:30am! Stop in and try our lunch specials starting at $5.99 on Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. -- 3 p.m. or our famous breakfast specials on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Join the Mooney’s Mobile VIP Club now and get $5 off your purchase of $25 or more. Text MBG3 to 51660. Plus stay tuned for more inside offers and updates. Mooney’s Sports Bar & Grill, 65 Lake St., LeRoy, NY. 585-768-4949. Click here to visit our Facebook page.

The Warming Center is open tonight and Friday night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for women and children in need of shelter at the United Methodist Church, Lewiston Road, Batavia.

For assistance, call (585) 993-6371.

There will be pickups at both McDonald's locations in Batavia.

Light meals will be served.

Press release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau will honor its AmeriCorps members during National AmeriCorps Week, March 5 – 12. All AmeriCorps programs are urged to use this opportunity to celebrate the great things that our members have accomplished, to encourage participation in national service and to thank our community partners for their support of the program.

AmeriCorps members, who must be at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen, agree to complete a specific number of service hours over a set time period.  Members receive a modest living allowance while serving and upon completion of their commitment qualify for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The education award can be used to pay for college or graduate school or to repay qualified student loans.

The Youth Bureau received a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish an AmeriCorps program beginning in October 2004. Since that time 357 members have been placed at more than 70 host site locations performing a combined total of 258,400 hours of service and earning over $711,000 in education awards.

Members serve at a variety of organizations in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Cattaraugus counties. Sites include schools, community centers, libraries, county government departments and other human services agencies. Assignments fall under the categories of healthy futures fitness and nutrition education, environmental stewardship and capacity building.

Members are celebrating AmeriCorps Week by writing articles about their experience, creating displays and coordinating service projects for youth volunteers.

Members have been able to explore career options, learn valuable skills, help finance their education and have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a positive contribution to their community. If you would like more information about serving in AmeriCorps or hosting a member at your agency, contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) sharply criticized Gov. Cuomo on Wednesday over his proposed plan to widen the disparity between Upstate and Downstate infrastructure funding in this year’s budget. Some say the New York City area could receive as much as $4 billion more than Upstate for things like airport reconstructions, the Tappan Zee Bridge and budget deficits at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

“What the governor and my legislative colleagues from Downstate do not understand is that the vast majority of Upstate residents use automobiles as their primary form of transportation,” Hawley said. “There is no such thing as a subway or readily available taxi in Western New York. Everyone from our children who ride the bus to school, to our parents who drive to work, to our farmers who transport produce to market uses local roads, bridges and highways. Deficient infrastructure puts families at risk every day and continues to cause expensive repairs to the suspensions and tires of automobiles. We are part of New York too and deserve our fair share!”

Hawley’s comments come after recent news articles surfaced illustrating how Downstate politicians are trying to secure more funding for pet projects during budget negotiations. A recent story regarding the Rochester area has brought to light the desperate state of its bridges.Local highway superintendents and other public officials have echoed Hawley’s calls for more adequate funding of Upstate infrastructure.

“The Town of Hamlin, like many small rural towns, desperately needs their fair share of infrastructure money,” said Town of Hamlin Highway Superintendent Steven Baase. “There is no mass transit here, so everything relies on the condition of roads and bridges. The price of rebuilding or maintaining roads is skyrocketing, but we still have to comply with the tax cap. We are falling farther behind in road repairs and something has to give. Please reinstate the infrastructure parity between Upstate and Downstate in the budget. It is imperative!”

A couple who met on Robbins Road, Le Roy, on Feb. 21 to discuss their relationship was subsequently arrested on felony charges after one was hospitalized and the other had her car seriously damaged.

Le Roy PD reports that Rebecca L. Rose, 23, of North Street, Le Roy, and Jeffrey W. Scott, of Walnut Street, Batavia, were in Rose's car discussing their relationship when things got heated. Scott allegedly became violent and caused $1,643.48 in damage to the interior of Rose's car.

Scott then reportedly got out of the vehicle and Rose allegedly backed over him and then, in pulling forward to leave, ran over him a second time.

Scott suffered pain and abrasions over several parts of his body. He was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released.

Scott was charged with one count of criminal mischief, 3rd, a Class E felony, and Rose was charged with one count of assault, 2nd, a Class D felony, and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Both were arraigned in Le Roy Town Court both were released on their own recognizance.

Clients of Independent Living of the Genesee Region in Batavia have a new option for getting involved in artistic creation thanks to a donation of an Artcovz by the University Heights Arts Association in Buffalo.

Lawrence Kinney, who founded the association with is wife, Mary, made the kiosk with a 100-year-old humidor as the foundation and was on hand Wednesday for the donation ceremony.

Mary Kinney explained that a primary goal of the association is to make art accessible to communities that are underserved in the arts, such as those with limited ability to get around or limited finances.

"Anybody who passes by is welcome to take a project," Mary said. "The projects are free they contain everything from drawing to small sculpture projects, garden art, adult color sheets, CD samples, lectures, and we change out the art frequently. Also we have little donation box at bottom to allow people to pay it forward. We do accept donations of paper, pencils and old craft supplies."

Lawrence Kinney said part of the inspiration for the idea comes from the Little Free Library movement, were people set up boxes that act as roadside lending libraries.

One of his specialities as an artist is reclaiming old furniture, especially pieces made from hardwoods, and turning the furniture into art projects.

The one at the Independent Living center at 113 Main St., Batavia, began as an old humidor and he built it up into a kiosk with space for a varity of art materials.

The association is interested in connecting with any location, including local businesses, that would like to host a kiosk.

"Western New York has a wonderful art communtiy, but a lot of the art organizations serve seasoned artists and we want to serve underserved populations, like people with disabilities, who might not otherwise access programs as easily," she said.

Press release:

U.S. Representatives Chris Collins (NY-27) and Paul Tonko (NY-20) today released the following statements after H.R. 3716, the Ensuring Removal of Terminated Providers from Medicaid and CHIP Act,was unanimously approved by the House. This legislation included H.R. 3821, the Medicaid Directory of Caregivers Act (Medicaid DOC Act), legislation Representatives Collins and Tonko introduced to improve access to doctors for Medicaid beneficiaries.

“Ensuring Medicaid beneficiaries can quickly and easily find out what doctors they can visit is a commonsense and simple fix,” Congressman Collins said. “This legislation will increase health care access and efficiency for the most vulnerable, while reducing emergency room care. It’s a win-win. I want to thank Congressman Tonko for his steadfast efforts in helping to pass this vital reform through the House and look forward to this legislation being signed into law.”

“Ensuring Medicaid beneficiaries have the all the information they need when seeking care is a commonsense safeguard in our system,” Congressman Tonko said. “This bill will make it easier for patients to know their options and find a doctor. I have enjoyed working with Congressman Collins on this legislation, and I thank him for his work to improve care for Medicaid patients.”

The Medicaid DOC Act makes it easier for Medicaid beneficiaries to find doctors that accept their coverage by requiring states that operate a fee-for-service or primary care case management program to include a directory of physicians who served Medicaid patients in the prior year on the Medicaid program’s Web site. The listing on the state’s Medicaid website will include the physician’s name, address, telephone number, and specialty. This will help Medicaid beneficiaries easily identify doctors who can serve them.

Politico: Neocons declare war on Trump

A1 Pittsford Sutherland hosted A2 Batavia at Gates Chili High School last night in the Far West Regional Qualifier playoff game.  

T Sean Alaya hit two three-point buckets and Malachi Chenault added field goals to lead the Devils 16-12 after the first period. Batavia's defensive play kept Pittsford Sutherland from scoring chances on the paint and the opponents had to change up their game.

Josh Mack scored six points and a steal with Jack Ward, both from Pittsford, to bring the game closer in the second period. However, Batavia's Ryan Hogan dropped a three-pointer and two buckets to keep the Devils lead to 25-22 at the half. Trevor Sherwood added a couple assists.

The third period was led by Batavia as they held Pittsford Sutherland to four points. Holding them to four points was a key to our success, said Head Coach Buddy Brasky. Batavia's Greg Mruczek and Jake Schrider added some defensive play to allow Batavia to increase their lead to nine points 35-26 to end the quarter.  

In the fourth quarter Pittsford Sutherland fouled nine times to bring Batavia to score 14 points. Each time Pittsford Sutherland got the ball they were sinking threes left and right. Kevin Davis and Robbie Doggett combined for five three-point buckets; Jack Ward added four points but the Blue Devils held on and never gave up the lead to win 57-53.

Batavia's top scorers were Chenault 17 points, Hogan 12 and Alaya with 10.

Pittsford Sutherland's top contributors were Doggett 17, Mack 16 and Ward with 14.

Batavia's record increases to 17-7 and will play Section VI Williamsville South with a record of 21-3 this Saturday at Buffalo State College at 7 p.m.

For more photos go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

A passerby reports a car crashed into a house at 7797 Oak Orchard Road, unknown injuries, but the male driver is said to be responsive. A natural gas line was struck and is leaking. A power line is also down across the roadway, which is not passable. Northbound traffic on Route 98 and Batavia-Elba Town Line Road (Daws Corners) will have to be shut down, according to first responders. Elba Fire Police are called for traffic control; Town of Batavia Fire Department personnel are on scene. Mercy medics are also responding. There's a strong smell of natural gas, but the gas line "has been secured." The residence has been evacuated. National Fuel and National Grid are contacted and are dispatching crews; no ETA. Responders are told to use caution upon approach because the road conditions are icy.

UPDATE 3:44 a.m.: The driver is allegedly intoxicated and will be transported to UMMC for evaluation. A code enforcement officer is called to the scene.

UPDATE 4:28 a.m.: Deputy on scene said the cause of the accident is under investigation. The vehicle was southbound and crossed the road, striking a pole on the residential property and then striking the porch of the house. There were reportedly icy conditions. The driver was in the vehicle when Town of Batavia fire arrived on scene, but self-extricated. State Police are assisting in the investigation.

UPDATE 4:53 a.m.: Route 98 is open in both directions. Town of Batavia fire and Elba Fire Police back in service.

UPDATE 9:16 a.m.: Joshua D. McGuire, 22, of Albion, is charged with DWI. Other charges are pending. The accident is being investigated by Deputy Joseph Loftus.