Press release:

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive at United Memorial Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 29. The mobile unit will be in front of the hospital at 127 North St., Batavia.

There is an urgent need for blood donors to offset shortages incurred in summer months and for type O negative donors. Donations in June were down by over 50,000 nationally.

All presenting donors at the blood drive on July 29^th will receive a free gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. Appointments may be made by calling (585) 344-4474. Walk-ins are welcome.

Generally to be eligible to donate, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds. On the day of the donation, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounce glass of water before and after the donation. They also suggest eating a healthy meal, avoiding high fat foods, before donating.

For the appointment (walk-ins are welcome) bring a driver’s license or two other forms of identification and a list of any current medications. After registration, presenting donors will have their blood pressure, temperature, pulse and hemoglobin measured. They will also be asked for a brief health history and asked about their travels to foreign countries.

The donation process itself usually lasts 8-10 minutes, but can be longer based on the donation. After donating, refreshments are provided. The entire process usually takes less than an hour to complete.

People can donate multiple times but must wait eight weeks/56 days between donations of whole blood.

Middle school students from throughout Genesee County are participating this week in the 4th Annual Math, Science and Technology Camp put on by the Business Education Alliance.

Today the students were at the Genesee County Airport where they learned about aviation, airplane mechanics, air traffic control, Mercy Flight and racecar driver Val Stevens brought her car out to talk to the students about the science behind race cars.

The week includes learning about robotics at Post Farms, GPS-guided farm equipment at Empire Monroe Tractor, and GPS mapping, among other technologies.

"We make it fun and hands on," said Eve Hens, program coordinator. "The kids get to touch things and do things, explore and learn about careers they might not otherwise know about."

The cost to students is only $40 for the week thanks to underwriting by sponsors Liberty Pumps, Turnbull Heating and Air, Boshart Enterprises, Time Warner Cable and Odyssey Controls.

The 67th year of racing at Batavia Downs Race Track and Casino kicked off Batavia Downs on Monday evening and in a season when some of the dominant drivers of recent years are out for one reason or another, the competition for top driver in 2013 is wide open.

Especially after an opening night that saw eight different drivers trot into the winners circle.

Track announcer Joe Zambito.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

After graduating from Pembroke High School in 2012, Caleb Lang signed on with Cairn University, located in Langhorne, Pa., joining the baseball team in his freshman year. Caleb plays third baseman and in the past made the Section V all star team.

In high school, Lang played first and short helping the Pembroke Dragons put together a record season in 2012.

Playing for the Cairn Highlanders in both the NCCAA II and NCAA III leagues, Caleb earned of Rookie of the Year honors and runner-up for player of the year playing in the CSAC. He was also named Cairn Highlander Player of the Year by his university and was Player of the Year in the NCCAA II East Division.

Playing in the NCCAA II division, Lang was one of 15 people to make the all-American team.

During the 2013 season, Lang had a batting average of .452 making him first in the CSAC and 7th in the NCAA III division. Caleb was also 12th in the NCCAA II division for slugging percentage with a .719 slugging percentage.

In his freshman year, Lang made the CSAC all-academic team and the dean's list at Cairn. He also made the university's dean's list both semesters of his senior year. 

Lang is going after a double major, business and Bible.

Lang chose Cairn university because "it just kinda seemed right" and that "it had the background I was looking for...

"I figure if you work as hard as you can and get as good as you can, you never know what can happen. So I figure I'll just play baseball, see where it takes me. But, definitely get my degree... No matter what happens, you'll always have your degree."

If you struggle with poverty, Foodlink invites you to SNAP out of it.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and it is available to Genesee County residents through SNAP E&T (Employment and Training).

Jerome Nathaniel, SNAP outreach and assistance coordinator, is offering outreach clinics to Genesee County families on the last Monday each month at a Foodlink partner agency.  The next one is Monday, July 29 from 9 until 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army, at 529 E. Main St. in Batavia.

According to Nathaniel, this is a change from how Foodlink -- which provides food and nutrition education to 450 agencies in 10 counties throughout Western and Central New York -- has done things in the past.

"We received a grant from the Walmart Foundation in January," he said. "Because of that grant, we have been able to add direct service as a major component (of our mission)."

Prior to this, Foodlink had been working with Genesee County through AmeriCorps Vista, which does not allow workers to engage in direct service. For the past two years, they have focused on providing training to partner agencies (shelters, soup kitchens, etc).

A press release from Foodlink described the SNAP outreach clinics as "a bridge between the Department of Social Services and those applying -- all in an effort to make it easier for all parties involved."

If you can't make it to the outreach clinic, don't panic.

"If you're from Batavia, you can actually just give me a call," Nathaniel said. "I've pre-screened most people more recently over the phone, as a matter of fact."

For able-bodied people between the ages of 16 and 59 who work less than 30 hours a week, the requirements of SNAP E&T are similar to those for receiving unemployment. Applicants must work at least 20 hours per week, and they must be able to provide proof that they are applying for jobs.

At this time, according to Foodlink's press release, 900,000 New Yorkers are eligible for SNAP services and don't even know it.

"A lot of people I've pre-screened have already applied for SNAP benefits in the past," Nathaniel said. "The problem is that the income guidelines are constantly changing. I pre-screened someone in Batavia who applied seven years ago, and this person was certainly eligible this time around."

But changing income guidelines are not the only factor behind the above statistic. Nathaniel points out that many people suffer from "circumstantial poverty as opposed to generational poverty."

"A lot of times," he said, "(there are) people who worked their whole lives and suddenly something changed. They used to have a certain income, and they were used to a type of lifestyle that required a certain level of income. And suddenly, someone in the household got laid off; or suddenly, they've retired and their retirement plan wasn't what they thought it was."

People in this type of situation, according to Nathaniel, would never imagine themselves as being eligible for a government program. But, in fact, they could be eligible for SNAP benefits.

In addition, there are a few misconceptions about the stated criteria. 

"A major mistake people make is that they don't understand what a household size is for SNAP purposes," Nathaniel said. "Ordinarily, you think of a household as meaning just whoever is under your roof -- so five people, for example. But when you're applying for SNAP, what they look at is whether or not those five people share the grocery expenses and share food. So you can have as many as five different SNAP applications in one household. That's five different SNAP households under one roof."

The gross monthly income requirement for SNAP E&T is $1,211 for an able-bodied adult under 59 and without disabilities, plus $429 for each additional person in the household.

For someone over 59 or disabled, the requirement is $1,852 plus $660 for each additional person. Medical expenses (including out-of-pocket premiums), utilities, rent and mortgage are also taken into account for this population.

For more information, call Nathaniel at 328-3380, ext. 150.

Top graphic courtesy of Kim Montinarello

Photos and info submitted by John Milroy.

During the Genesee County Fair, Tim Adams, leader of the 4-H Swine Club, showed off the club pig "Zeus."

Kristi Milroy also had the Grand Champion market goat. Kristi also had Best in Show dairy goat with her Alpine goat, "Nellie."

Five girls from Genesee County are part of a Genesee Valley Pride basketball program that recently took third place in a national tournament held in Florida.

The team is made up of Samantha Jurek and Hunter Jurek, from Alden, Abby Kamysz, Attica, Tiara Filbert, Batavia, Rebecca Grimaudo, Churchville-Chili, Kayla Heimlich, Le Roy, Niki Templeton and Logan Fugle, both of Livonia, and Pembroke’s Rylee Mosher, Breanna Johnson and Michaela Nati.

This was the inaugural season for GV Pride, which competed in six regional tournaments before traveling to Florida. For more on the program, visit the team's Web site.

A car struck a bicyclist at West Main Street and Holland Avenue in Batavia. City police and Mercy medics are responding along with city fire.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: A female is being taken to UMMC with some cuts and abrasions on her feet and shins.

Former Village of Corfu justice Robert Alexander said after his appearance in County Court this afternoon that he would never, ever, do anything to hurt the people of his lifelong hometown.

Alexander would not discuss the specifics of the case against him -- he's charged with coercion and official misconduct -- but reiterated in a short statement to media gathered outside the courthouse that he's a born-again Christian and that he wouldn't break the law.

"I had the privileged of serving in the Village of Corfu for 24 years," Alexander said. "I grew up there. I love that village, and when I see people or hear people in social media or on television or anything like that say anything about a case, I say, let a case run its course, number one, but number two, the wonderful people of Corfu shouldn’t have to be put through all those kinds of things where it’s played out in the media versus where it’s played out in a court."

Asked whether he would take the case against him to trial, Alexander said that's something for him and his attorney to discuss and otherwise declined to comment.

The changes stem from what may have been an alleged attempt by Alexander to clear the name of his daughter, Brandi Watts.

Watts worked for Alexander as his court clerk from 2009 to 2011.

After Watts was named in a NYS comptroller's audit that allegedly found the court was missing more than $10,000 in funds, Alexander reportedly asked his new court clerk, Pam Yasses, to audit the court books. Yasses reportedly completed the audit and found the court was missing funds.

According to Yasses, who spoke about the situation at an Oct. 8 meeting of village trustees, Alexander did not accept the results of the new audit and Yasses complained that Alexander was trying to intimidate her and get her to quit her job.

The allegations against Alexander reportedly stem from that incident.

Alexander denied breaking the law.

"I won’t say anything about the case, except I will only say I love the people of Corfu and never do anytihng, as a born-again Christian, as a man serving them, I would never even think of breaking the law in any way, shape or form, no less doing it," Alexander said. "I would certainly would never, ever, ever want to bring anything that would hurt those people that I served for 24 years. We'll let it play out in court."

Alexander also told reporters, "I’m a Christian, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in the end I will be vindicated."

Neither Watts nor Alexander entered a plea today and both are scheduled to reappear at 2:15 p.m., Aug. 12, in County Court.

David Bruce Brusie, 40, of Fancher Road, Holley, is charged with assaul,t 2nd. Brusie, an inmate at the Genesee County Jail, is accused of punching another inmate and breaking his nose.

Rosemary R. Waters, 27, of 4035 W. Main Street Road, lowrr, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Waters is accused of stealing makeup, valued at $6, from Dollar General. Waters was allegedly previously barred from the store for a prior shoplifting complaint.

Matthew W. Clark, 31, of 10 Washington Ave., Batavia, was arrested on a warrant from City Court for a traffic citation -- parking on a city street, 2 to 6 a.m.

Daniel P. Callahan, 29, of 8 Old Meadow Lane, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and driving without stoplights. Callahan was stopped on Main Street at 12:01 a.m., July 9, by Officer Chad Richards.

Lizbel D. Cramer, 35, of 8 Lewis Place, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant out of City Court for traffic citations for alleged failure to obey stop sign and parking violations.

Bryon Gilbert Keller, 18, of Sumner Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Keller is accused of allowing people under age 21 to consume alcohol while attending a party on his property.

Dariel Solivan Mendoza, 28, of Church Street, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Mendoza allegedly pushed a person to the ground during an argument.

Lance Joseph Seppe, 27, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and disorderly conduct. Seppe is accused of breaking items and issuing verbal threats while at a residence in Corfu at 7:39 p.m., Tuesday.

Charlotte Conable, the wife of the late Barber Conable, passed away yesterday in Sarasota, Fla., after a long battle with cancer. She was 83.

Conable was a graduate of Lafayette High School, Cornell University and George Washington University and wrote the books "Women at Cornell: The Myth of Equal Education."

Charlotte Williams was born in Buffalo. Her honors included being named a Woman of Distinction, an honorary doctorate from Genesee Community College, and being included in Feminists Who Changed America, 1963-1975.

She was a board member of the Women’s Hall of Fame, Seneca Falls and a trustee of Cornell University.

In 1952, Charlotte married Barber Conable, who would be elected to Congress, representing Batavia and parts of WNY, in 1964. He served 10 terms, earning the reputation as the "most respected member in Congress." In 1986, Ronald Reagan appointed him president of the World Bank.

Barber Conable died in 2003.

Charlotte Conable is survived by the couple's four children, Anne, of Bennington, Jane Schmieder, of East Bethany, Emily, of White Hall, Md., and Sam, Sarasota, Fla.

Services will be held in Alexander at a time to be determined.

(Full Obituary)

The following people were arrested by the Sheriff's Office during the Toby Keith concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sunday.

Jeremy M. Perez, 24, of Ayrault Drive, Amherst, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, after allegedly operating a pickup truck in the concert parking lot striking another car and leaving the scene. Perez allegedly had a revoked driver’s ID. Perez was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Joshua M. Perez, 21, of Ayrault Drive, Amherst, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the concert parking lot. Perez was jailed on $150 bail.

Angel L. Castro, 24, of Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert parking lot after being told to leave several times.

Judy L. McLaughlin, 44, of Park Lane South, East Aurora, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly pushing and punching security while being ejected from the concert venue.

Michael P. McLaughlin, 47, of Park Lane South, East Aurora, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance inside the concert venue.

Mark A. Ritchie, 29, of Warden Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. Ritchie was jailed on $500 bail.

James M. Sturnick, 21, of North Main Street, Honeoye Falls, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly striking a security guard in the face.

Zachary M. Dodd, 19, of Park Edge Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Erika L. Szymanski, 22,,of Elmwood Avenue, Depew, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

John A. Lally Jr., 19, of Thompsonwood Drive, Clarence Center, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and possession of a fictitious license after allegedly jumping a fence into the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. He also allegedly possessed a fictitious Maryland driver’s license.

Gina F. Picone, 20 of Marine Drive, Amherst, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Mitchell W. Smith, 20 of South Union Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

William J. Peel, 22, of Sandridge Road, Alden, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the concert venue.

(Name redacted upon request), 20, of William Street, Lancaster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol being under, 21 after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana and alcohol.

Rayelle S. Offhaus, 19, of Schwartz Road, Elma, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

The following people were issued citations for alleged possession of a fictitious license:

Karlee J. McCorry, 20, of Hawthorn Drive, Spencerport
Zachary J. Haun, 20, of Freedom Drive, West Seneca
Nicholas R. Bittner, 19, of Lilydale Street, Hamburg
Allison M. Stamp, 20, of P.O. Box, Montour Falls
Nicholas A. Gigante, 19, of Lein Road, West Seneca
Ashley M. Bishop, 20, of Wilman Drive, Lancaster
(name redacted upon request), 20, of Sheldon Road, Skaneateles
Brandon P. Frank, Sommerset Drive, Webster
Lisa M. McGuire, 19, of Everett Place, Tonawanda
Troy J. Crevier, 19, of Lake Road, Webster
Justin J. DiBernardo, 19, of Hidden Pines Trail, Webster
Alexander J. Woodard, 17, of Ransom Road, Lancaster

The Following were issued a citation for alleged possessing another person’s license:

Nicholas A. Tagliarino, 19, of October Lane, Amherst
Kelsea E. Flannery, 19, of Lewis Street, Endicott
Briana C. Estabrook, 19, of Curtain Road, Tully
Mitchell W. Smith, 20, of South Union Street, Rochester,
Edward J. Malo III, 20, of Piunnacle Road, Rochester
Matthew J. Graves, 19, of Telephone Road, Caledonia
Defrance C. C. Hotilling, 20, of Cross Over Road, Fairport
Spencer C. Byrne, 21, of Paddy Hill Drive, Rochester
Samantha A. Fischer, 18, of Roseview Avenue, Blasdell
Gina F. Picone, 20, of Marine Drive, Amherst

The following people were issued citations for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Michael J. Carroll, 17, of Vanderbilt Avenue, North Tonawanda
Daniel J. Gundlach, 18, of Tachi Drive, Newfane
Philip J. Brogan, 20, of Harvard Street, Rochester
Kelsey A. Peck, 18, of Meadowbrook Drive, Elma
Brenna C. Donnegan, 19, of Genesee Street, Avon
Kyle C. Betron, 19, of Carmichael Lane, Geneseo
Parker A. Hatfield, 20, of Lincoln Road, Ontario, Canada
Nicole A. Adams, 20, of Swamp Road, Bergen
Casey J. Erhardt, 18, of Renee Court, Marilla
Matthew J. Graves, 19, of Telephone Road, Caledonia
Lucas R. Logsdon, 18, of Dunkley Road, Leicester
Gabrielle R. Sacco, 16, of Downey Drive, Oswego
Erica J. Handley, 18, of Small Road, Syracuse
Candace M. Timberlake, 20, of Robert Drive, Syracuse
Patrick J. Kinderman, 17, of Homestead Road, Hamburg
Molly R. Hennessy, 17, of Manor Lane, Hamburg
Anthony J. Altieri, 20, of Main Street, Alden
Timothy J. Lewalski, 20, of Townline Road, Lancaster
Dane M. Wetzler, 19, of West Main, Alden
Brett A. Scheuerlein, 18, of Richmond Avenue, Batavia
Cody D. Swimline, 17, of Trumbull Pkwy, Batavia
Mitchell G. Wilkinson, 20, of Willow Woods, Alden
Caitlin A. Protas, 18, of Rondelay Drive, Cheektowaga
Andrea N. Smith, 20, of French Road, Cheektowaga
Cody M. Slattery, 20, of Olean Road, South Wales
Amanda L. Furlani, 20, of Hillside Pkwy, Lancaster
Sean T. Holtham, 19, of Juniper Street, Lockport
Trystin M. Plummer, 17, of Jefferson Street, Wellsville
Colton C. Beardsley, 17 of Niles Hill Road, Wellsville
Veronica J. Ebert, 18, of Scott Avenue, Wellsville
Stone T. Skeeter, 16, of Lee Place, Wellsville
Lisa A. McGuire, 19, of Everett Place, Tonawanda
Paige A. Zosh, 18, of Emerson Street, Alden
Peter P. Guido, 17, of West Wood Road, Lancaster
Christine A. Harling, 17, of Emerson Street, Alden
Nicholas J. Dieter, 16, of Kellogg Street, Alden
John M. Henderson Jr., 17, of Laurelwood Drive, Rochester
Justin J. DiBernardo, 19, of Hidden Pines Trail, Rochester
Brandon P. Frank, 19, of Sommerset Drive, Webster
Troy J. Crevier, 19, of Lake Road, Webster
Brooke A. Bull, 19, of Townline Road, Delevan
Samantha K. Raiber, 19, of Grove Street, Delevan
Clarissa M. Jones, 18, of Pine Street, Yorkshire
Jennifer L. Cicero, 20, of Pinetree Drive, Lancaster
Jaclyn M. Corsaro, 20, of Lenmart Drive, North Tonawanda
Matthew D. Peters, 17, of Spring Court, North Tonawanda
Ashley N. Ward, 17, of Lakewood Drive, North Tonawanda
Kaitlyn N. Mazierski, 17, of Stevenson Court, North Tonawanda
Samantha R. Gioeli, 19, of Windsor Avenue, Amherst
Rebecca L. Shoemaker, 20, Woodstock Avenue, Tonawanda
Elliott J. Russillio, 20, of William Street, Lancaster
Jacob C. Bene, 17, of Lyrae Drive, Gettzville
Devon M. Migaj, 19, of Sullivan Drive, Elma
Joseph W. Pici, 20, of Bullis Road, Elma
Eric F. Grzywna, 18, of Nanaite Drive, Elma
Benjamin S. F. Balderman, 19, of Leicester Road, Kenmore
Sarah M. Bidwell, 19, of Delaware Road, Buffalo
Andrew M. Hirsch, 18, of Butler Drive, Lancaster
Holly C. Kowalski, 18, of Cornell Drive, Depew
Stephanie L. Deuschle, 18, of Croydon Drive, Depew
Jesse J. Mikowski, 18, of West Wood Road, Lancaster
Aaron D. Wawrowski, 18, of Clark Street, Lancaster
Matthew B. Czechowski, 18, of Bentley Circle, Lancaster
Kyle P. Gallo, 20, of Street, Lawrence Drive, Street, Catherines, Ontario, Canada
Raeanne K. Fensom, 20, of Warner Road, Street, Davids, Ontario, Canada
Chelsea M. Len, 18, of Caprice Drive, Cheektowaga
Jillian N. Bennett, 16, of Broadway Street, Alden
James W. Rodgers, 19, of East Lake Street, Skaneateles
Megan E. Burdzy, 18, of Clermont Court, Lancaster
Carly D. Nevez, 20, of Sand Mateo Edmund, Okla.
Sean P. Bihrle, 20, of Calm Lake Circle, Rochester
Sarah M. Mador, 19, of Grosvenor Road, Kenmore
Elizabeth M. Pellegrino, 18, of Willow Breeze Road, Kenmore
Jessica M. Reeb, 20, of Signal Drive, Lancaster
Alissa M. Dibello, 20, of Belmont Avenue, Lancaster
Andrea J. Moore, 19, of Walnut Street, Baldwinsville
Shelby A. McNeilly, 18, of State Street, Skaneateles
Elizabeth E. Strods, 18, of State Street, Skaneateles
Sharon H. Adams, 19, of East Lake Road, Skaneatles
(name redacted upon request), 20, of Sheldon Road, Skaneateles
Brandon R. Murray, 18, of State Street, Skaneateles
Katelynn C. Bellnier, 20, of East Genesee Street, Auburn
Jesse J. Saniflippo, 20, of Chinaberry Crescent, Rochester
Edward J. Malo III, 20, of Pinnacle Road, Rochester
Dylan V. Davis, 19, of Route 245, Naples
Veronica E. S. Arnott, 19, of Ott Road, Stevensville, Ontario, Canada
Rachel J. Gombos, 19, of Abbott Road, Buffalo
Sarah R. Castilone, 18, of Gould Avenue, Depew
Alexander J. Woodard, 17, of Ransom Road, Lancaster
Brandon M. Barron, 20, of School Street, Skaneateles
Dalton A. Lemieux, 19, of Murphy Road, Lockport
Matthew K. Boyle, 17, of State Street, Road, Batavia
Robert G. Vanthoff, 19, of Havenwood Lane, Grand Island

A tractor-trailer attempting a U-turn on Bethany Center Road in Bethany Center hit a utility pole, snapping the pole.

Power lines and telephone lines are down.

One lane of Bethany Center is closed.

National Grid and Bethany fire requested to the scene.

Once the rain passed yesterday, the pullers came out in droves for the annual Genesee County Fair Tractor Pull.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

If you have been on twitter lately, chances are you have seen the abundance of tweets using the hashtag #RondoForCMstrong (RajonRondo for Cal-Mum Strong). The tweet, started in Cal-Mum to honor one of the recent victims of the tragic car accident, that killed three young adults and injured two others is trending in the Buffalo and Rochester area. 

Emily Peterson, 17, passed away yesterday at Strong Memorial and was the third victim of the crash. Peterson along with the other accident victims were returning home after volunteering for a summer school program at BOCES in Batavia.

Her friends and family took to twitter in an attempt to get her favorite athlete, Rajon Rondo, of the Boston Celtics, to tweet for her. Many have also reached out to ESPN, NBA and other athletes to help get the tweet trending nationwide.

To the friends and family it means alot, a friend said.

"We all thought that it could never happen and never would have but its just taken off to something so unbelievable." said Seth Meyers, a friend of Emily. "Rondo was Emily's favorite player. I can't even explain how many times she talked about him and supported him."

Since the tweets began, Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo, has not only seen the tweet, but dedicated a tweet to it as well. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, MTV and VH1 reality star Dustin Zito and many other residents and businesses throughout WNY have also joined in the trend.

A possible pickup truck accident is reported on Route 33 near Maple Avenue in Bergen. A truck is reportedly in the woods and "people are out wandering around." Law enforcement is en route.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: An officer in the area reports finding nothing. Dispatch says the location is east of West Bergen Road.

Press release:

A public meeting to discuss concepts and findings of the Batavia Opportunity Area (BOA) project will be held at the Board Room at City Hall, One Batavia City Centre, at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29.

The purpose of the Batavia Opportunity Area project is to advance the redevelopment of underutilized, vacant, abandoned or contaminated commercial and industrial sites within the City.

The Batavia Opportunity Area Steering Committee focused on five strategic sites that, if redeveloped, will be catalysts for area wide redevelopment including:

• The Batavia City Centre site and adjacent Bank Street medical campus;
• The Harvester Center;
• The Della Penna site near Evans and Ellicott streets along with adjacent sites;
• Tonawanda Creekside redevelopment near downtown; and
• The Carr’s Warehouse Building (progress already under way)

In June, City Council approved the sale of the Carr’s Warehouse Building to the Batavia Development Corporation for disposal and redevelopment. Local developer Thompson Builds, Inc., is currently in the process of finalizing design and is expected to begin construction by the end of the summer, adding four new apartments to the second and third floors, and commercial/flex space to the first floor.

The steering committee has developed potential redevelopment scenarios for each of the other sites including plans and 3D visualizations that will be available at the meeting. Redevelopment scenarios proposed are based on an economic and market analysis prepared as part of the project. The committee also evaluated conditions of neighborhoods adjacent to the strategic sites.

Findings and concepts from the project will be used to facilitate future redevelopment at the sites and support requests for grants and financial assistance.

The steering committee members include: Edward Jones, City Planning Board, Jill Babinski, Genesee County Planning Dept., Lynn Freeman, Genesee County Chamber, Don Burkel, Business Improvement District, Julie Pacatte, Batavia Development Corporation and Jason Molino, City Manager.

For more information on the Batavia Opportunity Area project, visit the City’s website at www.batavianewyork.com.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Summer Recreation Program is well under way and entering the third week of the six-week program. Each year the program sponsors a Community Service Day for all of the children to volunteer and give something back to their community.

This year’s Community Service Project is scheduled for July 23 at all of the parks. There will be a community-wide can/bottle drive to raise money for youth programs at the Genesee ARC.

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please feel free to deliver cans and bottles to any of the parks (Farrall, John Kennedy, Lambert, Williams, Woodward) on or before July 23 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Or you can take cans or bottles to the Batavia Youth Bureau located at 12 MacArthur Drive and program sponsors will make sure the donations are delivered to the parks.

Each park will also visit homes in their park’s neighborhoods on July 23 to solicit cans/bottles for the drive.

If you have any questions or would like to help in any way, please call the Youth Bureau at 345-6420. Thank you for your anticipated assistance and support!

Toni Funke

Program Coordinator

345-6421