Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.59, no change since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.47. The New York State average is $2.68 – no change from last week.

 A year ago, the NYS average was $2.78. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.66 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.62 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.62 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.59 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.66 (no change since last week)

Modest oil prices have helped to keep pump prices down through the busy holiday travel period. This year, more than 55 million people traveled 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving, according to AAA’s estimates. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline held steady through the holiday weekend.

Now, the focus will be on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners who will likely decide to extend their production reduction agreement through the middle of 2020 at OPEC’s upcoming meeting in Vienna on Dec. 5 and 6.

Price gains have been limited by continued market fear that the trade war between China and the United States – the world’s two largest crude consumers – will reduce crude demand moving into next year. Also, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that total domestic crude inventories are up and are higher than last year’s level at this time.

Except from Gas Buddy's press release:

"The nation's average gasoline price on Thanksgiving was slightly higher than expected at $2.58 per gallon, with a close to even split with roughly half the nation's states seeing average prices decline in the last week while the other saw upward moves on continued speculation on a possible U.S./China trade deal," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Moving into December, aside from a possible trade deal that has been elusive for nearly 16 months, gas prices typically trend lower during the month as refiners continue to increase throughput after maintenance season and as overall weather curbs gasoline demand, easing prices. While prices are now notably higher than a year ago, I'd place much of the 'blame' on a strong U.S. economy and continued optimism that some sort of U.S. and China trade tie-up will be wrapped up."

Press release:

"Learn a new skill or hobby." It's on the top five list of most common New Year's Resolutions, and there is a wide assortment of options available at Genesee Community College this coming semester. It's a great way to start the new decade.

Learn karate, how to write a screen play, sign language, or how about public speaking or digital photography? Courses in these topics and many more will be offered at GCC this semester starting Monday, Jan. 13. 

GCC's Beginning Karate (PED132) is being taught by the world's highest ranking black belt! Instructor Cynthia Jones (Hanshi*) recently received a 10th Degree Black Belt (Ju-Dani) from the Isshinryu World Karate Association making her the highest-ranking black belt in the world. Who better to teach Beginning Karate right here in Batavia?

Registration for this course is now open! Anyone can enroll for this eight-week course, no prerequisite courses are required and it does not have to be taken as part of a degree program. Beginning Karate runs on Monday, Jan. 13 through March 6 and meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3:40 till 5 p.m. at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Beginning Karate focuses on achieving the physical and mental conditioning and training required to execute a variety of basic martial arts techniques and forms (or kata) and engages in effective sparring and self-defense. In just eight weeks, the course will also cover:

• A brief overview of the historical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of the martial arts;
• The benefits of daily fitness activity specific to karate.

Any budding screen or stage writer will appreciate the small class size learning environment with instructor Shawn Adamson in his Writing for the Stage and Screen (CIN214). The 15-week course teaches the proper screenplay format and introduces the technique of storytelling though dialogue, action and characterization in a continuous workshop process. The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:50 - 4:10 p.m., starting Jan. 13.

American Sign Language 1 (ASL101) is offered five different times and at three different campus locations; Intro to Digital Photography (PHO118) is offered three different times and at two locations; and Public Speaking (SPE108) is offered 14 different times, at five campus locations and online. 

"Education really is the gift that keeps on giving," said Donna Rae Sutherland, director of Marketing Communications. "No matter your age or interests -- learning something new in 2020 is a rock solid way to kick off the new decade." 

Anyone interested in this course who is not a current GCC student, is encouraged to contact the College's Admissions team at (585) 345-6800 or via email at admissions@genesee.edu, or apply online to get started.

* A bestowed title in karate: Hanshi（範士) : eighth dan for more than two years, older than 60.

An Albion resident's first 800 series and a Batavian's eighth 300 game share the headlines this week in league bowling action across the Genesee Region.

On Monday, 31-year-old right-hander Brandon Gurnsey posted games of 276-279-257 for an 812 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

It is the first USBC-certified 800 series for Gurnsey, who eclipsed his previous high series of 789. A league bowler for the past nine years, the big effort on lanes 7-8 improved his average to 220.

Gurnsey, a bus mechanic for the Spencerport School District, registered 29 strikes for his Brooklyn Bombers team -- 10 in game one (with the front seven strikes), 11 in game two (with the front nine strikes before leaving a 4-pin) and eight in game three.

He said he wasn't sure if he still had a chance for the 800 late in the third game.

"I asked a teammate if I could still get it (800) since I'm not the greatest at keeping score while I'm bowling," Gurnsey said. "He said I needed a double in the 10th, which put a little more pressure on me."

Gurnsey struck on the first ball in the 10th and then finished with an eight count and spare.

"I was kind of upsest because I thought I missed it," he said.

His frustration quickly turned to joy when he learned that he, indeed, did hit 812, having received some incorrect information from his buddy.

While Gurnsey recorded an 800 series without the benefit of a 300 game (his high game is 290), Batavian Rob Stefani posted his eighth USBC-certified perfect game but just missed out on his first 800.

Bowling on lanes 5-6 in the G&W Vending League on Tuesday night at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, the 35-year-old righty opened with 12 straight strikes for the 300.

"I caught a break in the eighth frame with a Brooklyn strike, and then after the 11th strike, I saw (fellow bowler) Chris Bardol videotaping me, so that made it a little more nerve-wracking," Stefani said. "I never had one on video before."

He came through despite the distraction and went on to roll 227 and 259 for a 786 series -- six pins less than his all-time high of 792. He entered the night with a 219 average.

"Once I shot the 300, I started thinking about an 800," said Stefani, an employee of the Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. "But the second game hurt me."

Although he fell short of the 800, Stefani said he had a great week -- both indoors and outdoors.

"I bagged a 10-point buck on Wednesday while hunting in Alexander and thought, 'Now all I need to do is shoot a 300,' " he said.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Press release:

Le Roy’s Winterfest features shopping fun and special events down Main Street and through the town from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

There are many family-friendly activities to enjoy:

• Hope Family Center’s games and crafts for all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
• “Meet and Greet the Snow Queen” at 11 a.m. at Woodward Memorial Library with a hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating and crafts until 3 p.m.;
• Visit with Santa at the Moose Lodge at 1 p.m.;
• There is music at St. Mark’s Church at 2 p.m. with a nativity display inside the church all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Penuel Christian Fellowship will have Christmas caroling throughout the day;
• The Living Waters Church will show a popular animated Christmas movie at 3 p.m.;
• Cookie Decorating at the First Presbyterian Church takes place from 4:30-5:45 p.m.;
• The Christmas Tree Lighting at the corner of Main and Lake streets is at 6 p.m.;
• An Old-Time Radio Christmas Show will be at 7 p.m. at the Photography Co-Op.

For shoppers, this is a day to find special gifts and seasonal sales and discover new stores in Le Roy.

• The Divine Tree is offering tastings of various products and will have the Flute Quartet entertain at 1 p.m.;
• Mama Chavez’s Taqueria will have Mexican Bingo games at the top of every hour;
• The ART of Mandy will showcase the entries in the Greeting Card Contest;
• The Holistic Hub will serve an Anniversary Tea Time from 4:15-5:55 p.m.;
• In-store scavenger hunts will take place at Save-A-Lot and at the Hobby Horse.;
• Batavia Legal Printing has a drawing and refreshments;
• The Village of Le Roy Hardware Store is featuring its annual large giraffe drawing, with entries from any Melissa & Doug toy purchase.

Many craft and commercial vendors will be located at the Moose Lodge, the First Presbyterian Church, Ladies First Fitness, April’s Finds, Le Roy Hardware, and the Photography Co-Op.

The Le Roy United Methodist Church and the Le Roy Garden Club will have basket raffles at the First Presbyterian Church.

Explore new stores, including Le Roy Little Ones, Elmore Custom Leatherworks, Tracy B’s, Mama Chavez’s Taqueria, The ART of Mandy, and the Photography Co-Op.

There’s something for everyone in Le Roy on Dec. 7!

As predicted, travel conditions today are treacherous. There have been multiple minor accidents reported around the county this morning.

Batavia PD is advising local residents to avoid travel:

Wowzers! This icy stuff is really making city streets and sidewalks slippery! We encourage everyone to avoid unnecessary travel as there’s numerous accidents throughout the area. So here’s a short list of things you could do rather than go outside...
1. Put up your tree (it’s December now, so it’s allowed).
2. Watch all the NEW Hallmark movies (all new until 8 p.m.!).
3. Nap with the cat or dog on the couch.
4. Play board games with the kids.
5. Make a list of gifts you need to get from your local city businesses.

In all seriousness, it’s pretty nasty out. Let’s give our friends over at the DPW the room they need to make the streets safe.

Have a safe day everyone!

Freezing rain and rain are expected to continue through 3 p.m.

Accuweather is reporting that more snow is on the way tonight with possible snowfall continuing until tomorrow afternoon.

Graphic: Courtesy Accuweather.

A vehicle reportedly rolled over several times on eastbound Interstate 90, landing at mile marker 395. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: The occupant is out of the vehicle; up and walking.

For Small Business Saturday, Iris Bodine, 8, went shopping with her aunt Margie Everett at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

We didn't get a chance to visit local businesses until the afternoon, but several business owners said their shops were full in the morning and that it seems like more people seemed to be out shopping local on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving than previous years.

Dave Howe, Charles Men's Shop, said at least a half-dozen people mentioned the annual Shop Local promotion is what motivated them to visit local businesses today.  

Stephen Valle and Carrie Lawrence, Valle Jewelers. 

Chris Crocker and Leslie Moma, The Yngodess Shop.

Don Brown and Dave Howe, Charles Men's Shop.

Police officers from throughout the county -- Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, Corfu PD, State Police, DEC, and Probation -- rolled their cruisers up in front of retail stores in Batavia Towne Center today to collect toys and clothing donations for needy families in our community.

By early afternoon, every cruiser along with the van used by the Emergency Response Team was stuffed with gifts and more than $600 in cash and gift cards had been collected. The donations were then taken to City Church/St. Anthony's to be sorted and distributed to all of the school districts in the county.

A photo from late this afternoon of the Old Courthouse in Batavia decorated with wreaths hanging from the windows.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Genesee County starting at 4 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. Sunday with snow and ice expected.

Travel conditions could be treacherous, the National Weather Service advises. 

From one to three inches of snow accumulation and two-tenths of ice accumulation are predicted.

The NWS advises travelers to plan accordingly.

Graphic: Courtesy Accuweather.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! You have the right to a safe workplace. Federal laws state that your employer must provide a work area with no known health or safety hazards. You also have the right to: 

• Be protected from toxic chemicals;
• Request an OSHA inspection, and talk with the inspector;
• Be trained in a language you understand;
• Work on machines that meet safety regulations;
• See copies of the workplace injury and illness log;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Be provided required safety gear, including but not limited to: Hardhat, gloves and harness;
• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records If you or someone you know has been injured or fallen ill due to unsafe work conditions. 

Call Dolce Panepinto at 716-852-1888 immediately. We understand how life-altering a work injury can be, and we are here to help.

When Oakfield resident Erik Olsen founded the East Shelby Community Bible Church, barely a mile north of the Genesee County line, he couldn’t have imagined how it would grow or how popular their Old Tyme Day in July and Old Fashioned Christmas events would become.

(Correction) Old Fashioned Christmas Day is next Sunday (Dec. 8) at the church (5278 E. Shelby Road, Medina), beginning at noon and featuring a variety of old-fashioned holiday traditions. 

Ange Pillo, also of Oakfield, started the church’s Band of Renown, which will present a Christmas concert beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the historic miniature village of West Jackson Corners. The village, across from the church, takes it name from what East Shelby was called in the 1800s.

The annual event includes activities such as swag making, Dickens-style yuletide caroling, horse and buggy rides and enjoying hot chocolate and other Christmas treats. They have also been known to cook a goose over an open fire.

The church also welcomes guests to come in and see their giant Christmas tree in the sanctuary.

As always, the afternoon will conclude with a visit from Santa Claus.

New this year is a large parking lot to accommodate all of the guests, typically hundreds of people. This will allow visitors to park closer to all of the festivities. 

Submitted photos.Top: Lorna Klotzbach, of Pembroke, drives her team of horses, giving buggy rides at East Shelby Community Bible Church’s Old Fashioned Christmas. This year’s celebration is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

Below: Pastor Erik Olsen from Oakfield leads a group of carolers in singing Christmas carols during last year’s Old Fashioned Christmas at East Shelby Community Bible Church.

The third annual "Red Osier Landmark Restaurant Community Days --Winter Wonderland of Lights" will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on the next two consecutive Mondays -- Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. 

The public is invited to the restaurant grounds at 6492 Main Road in Stafford to stroll through the "Winter Wonderland of Lights" featuring more than 2.5 million lights.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there and families are welcome to take free photos with them.

There will also be free horse and carriage rides and a free Petting Zoo.

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department will be there with fire trucks and they'll help with traffic control.

The bar will be open for adult beverages and gift certificates are available to purchase.

The lunch trailer will be open for food to purchase, too. (The main restaurant, as always, is closed on Mondays.)

(Submitted photo of Quinn and James with Santa.)

The veritable visage of contentment depicted above -- paws tucked snugly in, eyes closed in blissful contemplation -- is a Tracy Avenue denizen of the city named Duster.

His owner, Melissa Barone, says her family thinks Duster busted out of his digs on Thanksgiving Night; his contentment, obviously having waned at some point. Whether this was due to curiousity about delectable aromas of food wafting from homes nearby, general holiday hubbub, or bald opportunism is unknowable.

"He is super friendly, so he most likely will go up to anyone," Barone writes in an email seeking the public's help to locate the missing pet.

In other words, he's not finicky about friends; he welcomes all genuine and genial overtures of bonhomie.

"We miss him lots," Barone writes plaintively.

If you espy Duster, please text Barone at (585) 813-3429.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Genesee County from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Mixed precipitation is expected, including total snow accumulations of one to two inches, and up to four inches across the northern Finger Lakes, with total ice accumulations of around 1/10th of an inch.

Plan on slippery road conditions. Periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will result in slippery roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.

Daniel John Wolfe, 46, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. It is alleged that on Nov. 25 while housed in Genesee County Jail, Wolfe made two phone calls to a protected party in violation of an order of protection. He was arrested on the charge on Nov. 28 and issued an appearance ticket. Wolfe is due in Batavia City Court at 1 p.m. on Dec. 10. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Sean Michael Crowe, 30, of Cook Road, Bergen, is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more with a previous conviction within 10 years; DWI with a previous conviction within 10 years; and having an uninspected motor vehicle. Crowe was arrested at 12:59 a.m. Nov. 28 on South Lake Avenue in Bergen following a traffic stop for an uninspected motor vehicle. Crowe is due in Bergen Town Court on Dec. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

The DelPlato family has provided us with a new Christmas song: "The Sounds of Christmas," written by Mary DelPlato, performed by Anthony DelPlato, and video submitted by Carmen DelPlato.