Here at The Yngodess Shop we are celebrating 1 1/2 years of business already! Thank you to all of our new friends and many old ones, too! Cheers!
The Yngodess is located at 73 Main St., in Batavia. 585-343-3170.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is encouraging local homeowners using the Basic STAR Exemption for property tax assistance to register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to continue their exemption for 2014 and beyond.

In compliance with new guidelines meant to prevent fraud and abuse of STAR benefits, participants must sign up by telephone or online by Dec. 31. The new guidelines do not affect homeowners age 65 or above enrolled in Enhanced STAR.

"Property taxes continue to be a primary source of financial stress for local homeowners, and the STAR exemption is a critical way to reduce the cost of living,” Hawley said. “It is essential that anyone who has relied on this program to combat the excessive cost of property taxes, signs up to ensure that they receive the help they deserve.”

To register, visit www.tax.ny.gov <http://www.tax.ny.gov/>  or call (518) 457-2036.

Press release:

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County health departments are encouraging residents to “Choose Health” -- taking small steps in our day-to-day living and making positive health choices will lead to healthier outcomes.  Learning something new every day is one of those small steps…

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. If you think you outgrew the need for vaccines when you graduated high school and/or moved out of your parents’ house -- think again. Every year, thousands of adults in the United States suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccinations.

Most people do not realize that adults need immunizations, too. While many know that a flu vaccine is recommended every year, few adults are aware of the need for other vaccines to help protect their health.

Protection from some childhood immunizations wears off over time, leaving you at risk to disease. For example, there has been a rise in cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in the last few years with more than 41,000 cases being reported in 2012. We have learned that protection from DTaP whooping cough vaccine given to children doesn’t last into adulthood, so all adults are now recommended to get one dose of Tdap whooping cough vaccine.

Adults may be recommended for certain vaccines due to their age, job, hobbies, travel, or health condition. Other vaccines may be recommended if they didn’t get certain vaccines as children.

Check your immunization records to be sure you have had the HPV vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and varicella (chicken pox) vaccine and are up to date on them, as some vaccines are administered less often than others.

Vaccines not only help protect you from disease, but they also help prevent you from spreading diseases to those who are most at risk of complications -- infants, older adults and those that have chronic health conditions, including asthma and diabetes.

For example, because older age increases the chance of getting shingles, CDC recommends that adults get the shingles vaccine once they turn 60 years old. People with diabetes, heart disease, COPD or asthma, even if well managed, are more likely than those without these conditions to have complications from the flu. To prevent possible difficulties like pneumonia, people with these chronic conditions should get the pneumonia vaccine along with their yearly flu vaccine.

Check with your doctor, local pharmacy, school health center, workplace, community health center or local health department for more information about vaccines and what is best for you.

For information about health department services:

• The Genesee County Health Department currently has FREE DTap and Tdap vaccine, simply call to learn if you are eligible! Contact us at 344-2580, ext. 5000, or visit our Web site at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html.  Find us on Facebook at Genesee County Health Department and Twitter @GeneseeCoHealthDept.
• Orleans County Health Department call: 589-3278 or check out our Web site at:  www.orleansny.com/publichealth. Visit Facebook and Twitter: the user name for both is OrleansCoHealth. 
• Wyoming County Health Department call: 786-8890 or visit their Web site at www.wyomingco.net/health/main.html.

Dana Bowen and his dog Jake were out for exercise on Bank Street this morning on another beautiful day in Batavia. The seven-day forecast indicates we should expect more of the same, though slightly warmer.

The YWCA is sponsoring a Stiletto Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the City of Batavia, and to help promote the event, some local community leaders showed up this morning at the Y for a photo.

Men need not wear high heels (though local photographers encourage it) for the walk. Women are encouraged to wear any kind of women's footwear, even pink tennis shoes.

The event is aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and costs $28 for the walk and supper afterward (or $20 just for the walk, or $8 just for the dinner).

To register visit ywcagenesee.org or call (585) 343-5808.

Pictured from left, David Boyce, Linsey Vallett, Det. Rich Schauf, Chief Shawn Heubusch, Sgt. Greg Walker, Jim Fulmer, Sgt. Dan Coffey and Cindy Earl.

Once again this week, polldaddy.com is off line, so no poll today.

A car versus motorcycle accident with serious injuries is reported in the area of 7959 North Road, near Conlon Road, in the Town of Le Roy. The motorcycle rider is unconscious in the middle of the roadway. Mercy Flight was heading to the scene and is now cancelled by Le Roy medics. Le Roy Fire Department is responding. Fire Police have shut down Route 19 at North Road. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 7:07 a.m.: Le Roy medics are leaving the scene; back in service.

UPDATE 7:10 a.m.: Pavilion fire is requested to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 7:57 a.m.: This is a fatal accident and the coroner is on scene.

UPDATE 8:54 a.m.: Here's a statement from Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble at the scene:

"Looks like the small blue car and the motorcycle were westbound on North Road. From what we understand, the driver of the small car wanted to turn around and go back the direction they were going. Looks like they slowed, maybe pulled off to the right some; motorcycle coming up behind them; looks like (the motorcyclist) saw (the car) slowing and pulling into the right; (the motorcycle was) slowing...to start to go around the vehicle.

"Small vehicle didn't see the motorcycle coming; did a U-turn and the collision took place somewhere in the center of the lane, maybe even some into the eastbound lane. Motorcycle driver, by the marks in road, looks like they started into their pass and then motorcycle layed down and motorcycle and driver slid into the side of the car -- to the left side of the car. That's about it."

The vehicle is described as possibly a tiny Smart car.

UPDATE 9:08 a.m.: Pavilion's standby is released and they are back in service.

UPDATE 9:22 a.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 9:57 a.m.: The family has been notified, but the name of the victim has not yet been released.

UPDATE Noon (by Howard): The motorcycle driver is identified as Joshua J. Lowery, 26, of Brockport. The Smart car was driven by Jeffrey J. Simek, 55, of New Smyrna, Fla. The preliminary investigation indicates that Simek slowed, moving to his right and then began to initiate a U-turn. Lowery's 1998 Suzuki struck the Smart car. Lowery was pronounced dead at the scene. Simek was not injured.

The accident was reported at 6:40 a.m. Le Roy Fire Department and Le Roy Ambulance Service responded. The investigation is being conduct by Deputy Brad Mazur, Investigator William Ferrando, Sgt. Jim Meier and Deputy Eric Seppala.

One additional comment Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble made at the scene was that when Simek made his turn, if he looked down North Road, he would have been looking east directly into the sun.

Earlier today, the motorcade of President Barack Obama passed through Genesee County. These photos, submitted by Jordan Difilippo, show the motorcade passing through Genesee County on the Thruway. The photos were taken from Keiffer Road in Pembroke.

A helicopter was first to pass by, followed by New York State Troopers, Genesee County Sheriffs, several law enforcement motorcycles, then more State Troopers, Secret Service SUVs, the President's bus, more Secret Service SUVs, two other buses, more State Troopers, more motorcycles and then more State Troopers in the back. 

As I was at the Pembroke Dragons football practice Air Force One flew overhead. 

Today I visited the Pembroke Dragons football practice and they are really motivated for the upcoming 2013 season. 

Pembroke seniors on the football team. 

A total of $450,000 from the state's NY Main Street Grant Program is starting to show results in Downtown Batavia.

The bulk of the funding -- $400,000 -- is being used to assist downtown property owners with interior and exterior renovations, including facades.

“You can see some of the facade renovations already being made to Alberty Drugs, YNGodess and Del Plato Law Firm and Williams Law Firm," Economic Development Coordinator Julie Pacatte said. "They are all part of the Main Street Grant Program, in which the owners of the three properties are spending about $160,000 and they’re receiving about $57,000 in grants for the renovations."

Some of the projects that have been done involve new apartments and building improvements.

Two apartments were recently completed on Jackson Street, as well as one above Valle Jewelers.

Four new apartments will be built at the former Carr’s Warehouse on Jackson Square. Owner Ken Mistler has also committed to developing two apartments at 97 Main St. The Batavia Development Corporation recently approved sprinklers and HVAC units for them.

Of the remaining $50,000, the dumpster project on Center Street was given half for streetscape improvements, which would include rebuilding the trash bin enclosures and repaving the parking lot.

But the City Council has not voted on whether to proceed with the dumpster project, and since $25,000 of the grant money is already earmarked for it, Public Works will have to find another way to move it forward.

The remaining $25,000 is committed to splitting the administration office space of Stuart Brown Associates and Batavia Development Corp.

The Village Board of Oakfield has proposed rezoning the Water Street area in an effort to provide more parking space and longtime resident David Boyle is a vocal opponent of it.

His Forest Avenue home is parallel to Water Street and the area would go from residential to commercial. He and at least a dozen neighbors are upset about it, he said.

“This affects 14 different properties,” Boyle said. “Who wants to buy a house in a commercial zone? Would a bank even give you a mortgage? There could be insurance issues and property values would fall as the homes are devalued.”

Mayor Jeremy Yasses said that there is a need for more parking space and the board is discussing it and performing due diligence.

Last week the board agreed to put out a request for proposals to get a parking lot study done. Yasses would not commit to any timeline, since the request was published.

“We’re going through the process and taking the necessary steps and there will eventually be a public hearing on the matter,” Yasses said.

Oakfield’s request for zoning amendments went to Genesee County's Planning Board. That application was to rezone the north side of Water Street from residential to commercial use. The county board took no action after the request, so the application will go back to the Village Board, which has the final vote.

Water Street has five homes on it across the street from Crazy Cheap Cars, a used vehicle dealership that operates in a commercial zone. There is a vacant lot in the middle of Water Street. While neither the dealership nor its owner, Mike Ognibene, own the vacant lot, the dealer's employees do park their own cars on the lot.

The lot is owned by Bonnie Ognibene.

Boyle believes that the village wants more parking spaces simply for Crazy Cheap Cars to park its vehicles.

“The car dealership is the only one who stands to gain anything,” Boyle said.

Three years ago, an attempt was made to get a zoning variance for the vacant lot and the request was denied.

This past April, the dealership asked Genesee County Planning Board for the right to use a vacant lot next to them to park unlicensed, unregistered vehicles until they are shipped out to auction and that permit was rejected. 

“Moving the entire area to a commercial zone with the ability to park cars would disturb the quality of life there,” Boyle said. “The bottom line is that residents are having the rug pulled out from under them in order to create parking that would devalue their homes and disrupt our quality of life – it’s just not right.”

UPDATE: The story was updated to clarify ownership of the vacant lot on Water Street.

The Turk's Cap is one of the most colorful and spectacular of the lily family.

While it lends color to the countryside, Spotted Knapweed, pictured above, is often considered an invasive and pesky plant, particularly when it shows up in a pasture.

Live Forever is a member of the sedum family, and derives its name from an ability to regenerate from the smallest fragment.

In recent decades purple loosestrife has inundated our wetlands.

Though highly colorful, loosestrife is also considered an invasive species that has taken over entire tracts of wetland, in the process crowding out more beneficial species.

Black-eyed Susans and Joe Pye weed along the bank of Tonawanda Creek.

As the legend goes, Joe Pye weed got its name from a legendary healer of the same name who lived up New England way in the 17th Century and used this colorful wildflower in the treatment of fevers.

Staghorn sumac seems to like the climate here in Western New York. 

Not to be confused with poison sumac, the drupes of staghorn sumac are utilized by man and nature alike. High in vitamin C, the drupes make a tasty tea or "sumacade." From mid to late July through early August is a good time to collect the drupes, soaking them in room temperature water for an hour or two before straining.

Here's a closeup of the drupe.....from December thru March, as available food sources are dwindling, wintering songbirds will utilize the drupes.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) organized a meeting on Aug. 20 between State Deputy Secretary for Education De’Shawn Wright and more than 20 local school superintendents and Board of Education members. The gathering provided local education leaders with an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions on the challenges facing schools and teachers in Western New York, as well as what the state must do to improve local education.

“The fact that the governor sent such a high-ranking education official to our community shows that our calls for fair aid allocation and greater control of our schools are being heard,” Hawley said. “Issues such as Common Core, mandate relief, special education programs, and eliminating the Triborough Amendment, Gap Elimination Adjustment and frivolous lawsuits were examined.

"The local education leaders in attendance did a terrific job of illustrating to Deputy Secretary Wright the need for equitable school aid regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status. The meeting helped make the point to the highest levels of the State Education Department that children in low-wealth school districts deserve the same opportunities as kids in wealthier areas.

"I thank Deputy Secretary Wright for taking the time to travel to our community as well as all of the local education leaders who did such a tremendous job showing how much Western New York cares for its students.”

The First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia, is hosting a community clothing and household item giveaway Sunday and Monday.

Donations are still be accepted today. Organizers are looking for clean, gently used clothing and household items such as towels, bedding, curtains, tablecloths and throw rugs.

There's always a need for donations of clothing for infants, boys and girls, and for men and women, shoes, sneakers, purses and hats, plus winter clothing for children and adults.

Donations can be brought to the church today from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.

Items that cannot be left include large items, furniture, appliances and similar items.

For those who need to receive such donations, the giveaway is from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday.

Washington Post: Untangling the fate of U.S. aid to Egypt

Press release:

Phase 1 of the Cedar Street road reconstruction will be starting on Monday Aug. 26. Cedar Street will be closed to traffic from Edward Street to the north side of the Genesee County Highway Dept. drive. A traffic detour will be in place directing traffic around the project via Harvester Avenue. This road closure will be in place for approximately five weeks.

NOTE: I spoke with Guy Clark at Cedar Street Sales and Rental. His shop will remain open and accessible throughout the reconstruction process. He also said, "look for some fun events" during the next five weeks.

Today, Billie and I celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Shortly, we'll hit the road. We're staying in Buffalo tonight and then tomorrow will go see, from the U.S. side, for the first time, Niagara Falls.

We've lined up some help for news coverage tomorrow, but for the next 24 hours there will be no scanner coverage.

I'm not, however, turning off my phone and many people know how to reach me via phone, text or Facebook, if needed. 

Our news partner, WBTA, is also available to help us with news coverage.

Tomorrow the president's motorcade is likely to pass down the Thruway. (There is the obvious and inevitable rumor that he'll come down Route 5, of course). If anybody happens to get a picture of that and can send it our way, that would be great.

Photo and information submitted by Tim Kingdon.

The first ever Elba Community Pig Roast is from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday, in the Veterans Memorial Park, Village of Elba.

The event includes music by Brent Presia from 2 to 4 p.m. and Mac from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event is free just to attend. A pig roast ticket is $10, which includes salt potatoes, mac salad and baked beans. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be sold.

Proceeds will be used for park maintenance and improvements.

Helping put the event together, from left, Fire Chief Mike Heale, Trustee Steve Hynes-Fisher, Chaps Elba Diner owners Doug and Sandy Chappius, DPW worker Phill Young and Kelly Wade, who put together the vender blender for the occasion.