A car accident is reported at 7428 Sand Hill Road. Injuries, if any, are unknown. The car is in a ditch. Alabama Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to the scene. The accident is "around the bend." Fire police are told to shut down Sand Hill Road at Bloomingdale Road.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: Traffic on Sand Hill Road is being completely shut down.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Erie County Medical Center.

The Sheriff's Office announced the following arrests in connection with the Drake concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday.

(redacted upon proof of charges being dismissed), 21, of Buffalo, is charged with resisting arrest, harassment, 2nd, and disorderly conduct after allegedly pushing a female to the ground and then physically refusing to be taken into custody. (Redacted) was arraigned  and jailed on $500 bail.

David Rivera, 22, of Bank Street, Bradford, Pa., is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave Darien Lake after being told to several times to leave. Rivera was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Matthew R. Gordon, 23, of Alcott Road, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly screaming obscenities that instigated two fights in the parking lot. Gordon was arraigned and jailed on $300 bail.

Wadsworth K. Sykes, 19, of Hopkins Road, Canandaigua, is charged with public lewdness, trespass and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly urinating in front of other patrons and refusing to leave the venue. Sykes was also found to be intoxicated. He was arraigned and jailed on $500 bail.

Darrin J. Lichy, 22, of Center Road, Salamanca, is charged with trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue. Lichy was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Chad J. Temperato, 20, of Karen Drive, Rochester, is charged with trespass and possession, of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly attempting to enter the concert venue after being told to leave and being intoxicated. Temperato was arraigned and jailed on $300 bail.

Jeffrey M. Civiletti, 24, of Beverly Heights, Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly refusing to leave the inside of the concert venue. Civiletti was arraigned  and jailed on $350 bail.

Victor S. Bamberry, 17, of Cayuga Road, Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert venue without a ticket. Victor was released on $80 bail.

Derick C. Whitlow, 24, of Fifth Line Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert venue without a ticket. Whitlow was released on $80 bail.

Alesia N. Abramson, 26, of Hickory Drive, Ft. Meyers, Fla., is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly striking another female in the face while in the concert parking lot after the concert ended. Abramsom was released on $100 bail

Jenney E. Mulrain, 24, of West State Street, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly grabbing another person by the hair and striking them numerous times in the face.

Patrick M. Kelly, 17, of North Beaver Street, Jordan, is charged with petit larceny after allegedly shoplifting from a gift shop inside the amusement park.

Chad A. Kenyon, 23, of Northgate Manor Rochester, is charged with false personation after allegedly giving false information about his identity.

Emily A. Argen, 20, of Villa Marie Road, West Seneca, is charged with false personation and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly providing false information about her identity and possessing alcohol.

Alexander S. Jakson, 16, of Beresford Court, Clarence, is charged with false personation and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly providing false information about his identity and possessing alcohol under age 21.

Patrick H. Maher, 20, of South Grafton Avenue, Blasdell, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly smoking marijuana in public and possessing alcohol being under age 21.

Caitlin Q. Bettinger, 19, of Winterway Lane, Hamburg, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, and possession of alcohol under age 21 after allegedly smoking marijuana in public and possessing alcohol under age 21.

Danielle J. Sequerth, 19, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert area after being told to leave several times.

Roland P. Parson, 21, of Bradley Street, Buffalo, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance while at the concert venue.

Alexsys J. Grishaber, 18, of Johnson Road, Greece, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Ryan J. Brennan, 20, of East West Road, West Seneca, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Ryan F. Nieuwesteeg, 18, of Mount Olive Crescent, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly fighting with security while being ejected from the venue.

Edward J. Vargas, 23, of Glen Oaks Drive, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly scratching a security guard while being ejected from the venue.

Matthew A. Anderson, 22, of Shelter Street, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly kicking another person while at the concert venue.

The following citations were issued for alleged underage drinking:

(name redacted upon request), 19, of Tracey Lane, Grand Island
Monique Wright, 19, of Park Lane, Grand Island
Rachel M. V. Watt, 18, of Forest Creek Lane, Grand Island
Wesley R. Haynie, 18, of Bedell Road, Grand Island
Cody J. Smith, 16, of Fix Road, Grand Island
Alec J. Metro, 17, of Greenway Road, Grand Island
Paul J. Mistretta, 18, of Tonawanda Creek Road, East Amherst
Ryan J. Winkler, 17, of Deer Ridge, Getzville
David M. Powers, 18, of Autumn Creek Court, East Amherst
Nicholas J. Perna, 18, of Rosewood Drive, Williamsville
Marissa T. J. Schaedel, 18, of Muir Field Lane, Lancaster
Robyn E. Babbitt, 18, of Tiburon Lane, East Amherst
Matthew D. Rygg, 19, of Misty Lane, Amherst
Alyssa J. Plummer, 19, of Stellane Drive, Angola
Kyleigh A. Kaczor, 16, of Old Lake Shore, Irving
Bradley T. Owens, 16, of Milestrip Road, Irving
Imre A. Ulici, 19, of Beaver Creek Drive, Webster
Eric W. Abrey Jr. , 16, of South Estate Drive, Webster
Paul A. Whittaker, 17, of Huntsman Way, Webster
Austin P. (?), 18, of Dysinger Road, Lockport
Mitchell A. Mix, 18, of Ashford Avenue, Tonawanda
Jeffrey T. Dumas, 20, of Princeton Lane, Buffalo
Matthew G. Battles, 20, of Durstein Street, Buffalo
Alysia M. Pirro, 18, of Marbeth Court, Buffalo
Virginia P. Morris, 19, of Seneca Street, Buffalo
Samantha L. Hendell, 17, of Hopkins Road, Getzville
Mollie A. Sadler, 18, of Birchwood Court, Williamsville
Javonte L. King, 19, of Everwild Lane, Greece
Meghan E. Crowley, 19, of Longbush Lane, Webster
Rachel C. Lemoine, 19, of Middlebury Road, Webster
Morgan E. Henry, 19, of Concord Drive, Webster
Andrew J. Belding, 18, of Grimble Road, Canandaigua
Lauren E. Bornheimer, 19, of Spruce Run, Palmyra (issued two tickets)
Kaylee A. Jerome, 19, of Andrews Road, Canandaigua
Daniel G. Medvin, 20, of Lynbrook Avenue, Tonawanda
Nicholas A. Balesteri, 20, of Springfield Avenue, Tonawanda
Abby L. Sitterley, 18, of County Road, Livonia
Zachary M. Lamacchia, 18, of Cary Road, Alden
Marsha A. Digregrio, 17, of Lafayette Road, Rochester
Natalie M. Persechino, 17, of Old Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda
Jacob M. L. Lopez, 19, of Abel Road, Hamburg
Jillian L. Piccirilli, 20, of Glenwillow Drive, Hamburg
Emily C. Kavanaugh, 20, of Hi-View Terrace, West Seneca
Carrie S. Fisher, 20, of Berg Road, Orchard Park
Jacob T. Coster, 19, of Downing Street, Buffalo
Stephanie Lebib, 20, of Hill Road, Rochester
Trevor W. Vanderbush, 20, of Lewis Road, Holland
Samantha A. Trabucco, 16, of Herr Road, Clarence Center
Mitchell S. Szabo, 17, of Clarence Center Road, Clarence Center
Kristen K. Skoney, 18, of Broadmoor Drive, Tonawanda
Daniel R. Keem, 18, of Greentree Road, Tonawanda
Zachary J. Misiak, 16, of Jamaica Square, North Tonawanda
Chelsie L. Ridd, 19, of Victor Lane, Hamlin
Aaron W. Polanski, 20, of South Creek Drive, Cheektowaga
Dominic M. Dicioccio, 19, of Parkpoint Drive, Rochester
Olivia M. Michaels, 20, of Perry Court, Lewiston
Mary K. Swanson, 20, of Oxbow Lane, Lewiston
Dallas P. Ross, 19, of Victor Lanem, Hamlin
(name redacted upon request), 18, of Boies Road, East Aurora
Alexandra L. Alessi, 18, of Girard Avenue, East Aurora
Anthony V. Iacono, 18, of Oak Dale Lane, Williamsville
Kevin Dagher, 19, of Via Marina, Williamsville
Connor J. Niel, 18, of Greiner Road, Williamsville
Daniel T. Wischerath, 16, of Winding Woods, Hamburg
Gabrielle R. Porto, 17, of Elm Street, Youngstown
Hailey M. Hibbard, 17, of Lake Road, Youngstown
Matthew X. Ferris, 20, of Shortsville Road, Shortsville
Brooke L. Toelsin, 18, of Lakeview Avenue, Orchard Park
Matthew J. Collins, 16, of Baraga Street, Buffalo
Christopher P. Schirching, 19, of Maple Ridge Road, Alden

A road rage incident and fight is reported in the Darien Lake parking lot, P2, north of the silos.

A deputy reports, "we have a large one." He requests for units to the scene.

At one point, he said, "they're going to roll it."

There was a concert at Darien Lake tonight and scanner traffic from Darien Lake has been heavy all evening.

There's an accident on Route 77 with minor injuries and Sumner Road is gridlocked.

UPDATE 12:46 a.m.: Dispatch is trying to get patrols to a report of a fight in the parking lot. An individual was having a fight with his girlfriend, allegedly breaking things in the car, and now he's reportedly out of the vehicle, yelling at other people and getting beer bottles thrown at him.

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Traffic is backed up on Route 77 all the way to Brick House corners.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: A deputy reports, here's part of the problem: There's only one toll taker at the Thruway entrance. BTW: The band concert tonight, Drake.

UPDATE 1:09 a.m.: A woman has reported that she was assaulted by four other females. She is in her car now and is reporting being surrounded by her assailants. A deputy is heading to her location.

Several people are reportedly involved in a fight at the Travelodge on Park Road, Batavia.

Deputies responding.

UPDATE 11:36 p.m.: The involved subjects have reportedly scattered. An injured person who was assaulted is in a car in a nearby parking lot. Mercy EMS being dispatched.

A caller on the Thruway reports seeing large flames in the area north of Pratt Road near Powers Road.

East Pembroke is being dispatched to investigate.

UPDATE: All equipment being held in quarters. The chief has received a call reporting a controlled burn.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: East Pembroke back in service.

A unknown type fire is reported at North and Vine, Batavia.

Flames are reportedly 10 feet in the air.

It could be a garbage fire.

City Fire is responding.

UPDATE: 12:06 a.m.: We didn't hear any further updates on this call.

A car has crashed into a guard rail on the eastbound Thruway. There are injuries. The site is at mile marker 397. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Tom Schneider.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 2337 W. Main Road (Route 5). East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Indian Falls Road and West Avenue.

UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: A responder on scene says injuries appear to be minor. State police are responding. Fire police are requested to control traffic.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested. The injuries are confirmed to be minor. There are two adults and two children involved.

UPDATE 4:01 p.m.: All units clear. Back in service. Mercy is transporting a 3-week-old girl to UMMC for evaluation. She does not have any apparent injuries. She was strapped in a rear-facing car seat at the time of the crash. The car she was riding in was stopped behind a school bus when it was struck from behind, speed unknown, but the car was not damaged. An elderly woman is also being taken to UMMC for evaluation, primarily due to her age.

Three-year-old Sam Stisser of Le Roy, enjoys a juicy, fresh strawberry just off the stem at Duyssen Family Farm in Le Roy. Sam was there to pick strawberries with his mother, Kari, who said she brings her three kids out to the farm a few times during the week during strawberry season.

Below, Carissa Graham, 4, was also out at the farm picking strawberries with her mother.

A dump truck has reportedly struck a utility pole and knocked down power lines at Route 33 and Ellinwood Road, Corfu.

The lines are blocking the road.

Corfu Fire Department is being dispatched.

No injuries are reported.

UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: The accident location is apparently further east than originally reported and may be in East Pembroke's district. A Corfu chief is continuing and will advise dispatch.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m.: East Pembroke being dispatched.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The road is completely blocked. Route 33 is being shut down at Angling Road by Corfu. Street address is 2308 Route 33. National Grid has been notified.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: East Pembroke fire police will shut the road down at Route 33 and Reed Road. National Grid has a 20 minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: The road is open.

UPDATE 2:55 p.m.: All units are back in service.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by a reader.

During my Friday morning drive, I took a turn down Oakta Trail Road and spotted somebody in the creek tying a fly to a leader. I introduced myself to Bill Westfall of Cheektowaga, who said, "Sure, go ahead and take some pictures." In the 15 minutes I hung around, his every cast hit his spot and he did land one small trout. 

I set out early this morning with the idea of taking a particular picture. That picture didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I did drive around a bit. Here are three pictures from that drive.

Above a tree in a field off Nilesville Road, Stafford (and, yes, it's the same tree as sunset picture from yesterday).

The bottom two photos are take from under the Munson Street bridge in Le Roy.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes United Memorial’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s advanced standards.

United Memorial underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in late January 2012. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated UMMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

"Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, demonstrates United Memorial’s commitment to the highest level of care for our patients," said Mark C. Schoell, CEO of United Memorial. "With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

The Joint Commission’s hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of hospitals. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.

United Memorial has received accreditation for three years, from January 28, 2012 to January 27, 2015.

This picture was taken from Nilesville Road, Stafford, looking west.

A Corfu police officer stopped a truck late this afternoon for having an obstructed license plate and found two alleged illegal immigrants inside.

The truck was impounded pending proof of ownership and the U.S. Border Patrol took the two suspected illegal immigrants into custody.

Officer Gene Nati said the truck's plate looked like it had been intentionally obstructed with black tar or a similar substance.

When Nati approached the truck immediately after he stopped it at 4:50 p.m., he found three male occupants. Two couldn't speak English and had foreign documents he didn't recognize, so he requested the Border Patrol to the scene for assistance.

The truck was hauling a storage shed purchased from a Batavia business by a Corfu resident, but the delivery originated with a company in North Carolina, Nati said.

"That company (from North Carolina) employed the illegal immigrants," Nati said.

The third man was in the country on a visa. He was taken to the Flying J and released.

The shed was also impounded and Nati said once the local company and the local resident who made the purchase produce proper documentation for the purchase, he will release the shed.

A head-on collision has been reported on Route 77 in front of the Pembroke Town Park, but the injuries are reportedly minor.

One person has elbow pain and the other person is refusing EMS.

A Corfu fire chief was on scene immediately and a Corfu unit is dispatched along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.:  The initial report to dispatch was wrong. This was not  a head-on accident. It is a rear-end accident.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: One patient taken to UMMC with complaint of back pain.

UPDATE 7:37 p.m.: Corfu back in service. Road reopened.

Last week, Rep. Kathy Hochul marked her first year in office, and it's been a busy year for the freshman Democrat who won a special election over Republican Jane Corwin.

Genesee County political observers estimate that Hochul has spent more time locally than her predecessors, Tom Reynolds and Chris Lee, combined.

"That's where the people are," Hochul said, explaining why she makes so many public appearances in the district. "That's where I can listen, find out their concerns. My title is U.S. Representative and the best way I can execute my duties is to listen to people.

"Every time I’m out out in the community I learn something new and I find another way I can serve my district," she added.

Upon taking office, Hochul said she found a backlog of constituent issues and immediately hired staff that would focus on constituent issues.

So far, she said, her staff has helped constituents garner $800,000 in benefits owed to them by the federal government for one reason or another but had been held up by red tape.

Listening to constituents, she said, is why she continues to oppose the Ryan budget plan and its cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Genesee County, already with a heavy Medicaid burden, would see it increase under the Ryan plan, Hochul said.

"The Ryan budget plan would convert Medicaid into a block grant program, and that's one of the many reasons I'm against it," Hochul said. "It would make for higher costs for county taxpayers and taxpayers across Western New York. It would limit how much counties get and the localities would have to pick up the cost."

But listening to constituents, she said, is also why she was one of only 24 Democrats, and the only one from New York, to support the balanced budget amendment.

Democrats in Washington, she said, haven't put pressure on her to conform with their agenda.

"My title is representative and I represent a Republican, conservative-leaning district," Hochul said. "I am free to look at every issue that comes before me and vote in the best way to represent my district."

In Washington, Hochul said, Republicans have shown a willingness to work with her. On the Homeland Security Committee, she was the only Democrat during the session to get unanimous bipartisan support for her amendments to bills. That included an amendment to ensure Transportation Security Administration uniforms are made in the United States and that unclaimed clothing from airport screenings are donated to homeless veterans.

Representing the people of WNY in Congress is an amazing honor, Hochul said.

"I come back to the district often because what occurs here is very much more meaningful and where the decisions we make effect lives directly," Hochul said.

Top Photo: File photo, Hochul at the parade in Bergen on Memorial Day this year.

The U.S. flag flying outside of St. Joe's School had gotten so tattered that teacher Marianne Clattenburg thought it needed replacing. She mentioned it to Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Hawley offered to deliver a new flag to the school.

Today, Hawley was joined by a group of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to raise the flag for the first time.

After talking with students a bit about the importance of the flag and sharing a little bit about state government, Hawley and the students hoisted the new flag high upon the pole.

When the students found out their picture was going to be on The Batavian, they were thrilled and some wanted to be sure their names were included, so here they are: Shawn, 3rd; Rachel, 3rd; Tegan, 4th; Jocelyn, 4th; Andres, 4th; Bella, 5th; Garrett, 4th; Gabby, 4th; Vincent, 5th; Marlea, 5th; Faith, 5th; Jace, 3rd; Benjamin, 3rd; Spencer, 5th; Tori, 5th; Megan, 4th. Their teacher today was Karen Green.

Dignitaries from throughout the county were at the Upstate Med-Tech Center today for the official announcement of $2 million in funding for the STAMP project in Alabama.

The project, if successful, is expected to produce thousands of jobs and the round of funding will help pay for grading and infrastructure improvements for a portion of 1,300 acres targeted for development.

"The investment we’re making today will make STAMP a shovel-ready, high-tech industrial megasite," said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (top photo), who traveled to Batavia today for the announcement. "Long Island, the Hudson Valley and Capitol Region communities are already attracting high-tech companies and high-paying jobs."

STAMP is intended to attract high-tech/clean-tech and nano-enabled manufacturing and Genesee Economic Development Center CEO Steve Hyde (top inset photo) projects an eventual 10,000 jobs at the site, with support and supply chain jobs from Buffalo to Rochester adding another 20,000 positions.

STAMP is most often compared to Luther Forest in Saratoga. According to GCEDC, Luther Forest, in the past five years, has seen $1.5 billion in private investment, and more than 2,000 jobs created.

"Once we bring that site to what we call ‘shovel-ready light’ we will be ready to market the project to some of the largest semi-conductor manufacturers in the world," Hyde said.

Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer (second inset photo) thanked Skelos for helping secure the funding for STAMP and said the project has the potential to transform the region.

"This is really critical funding that will keep the project going and keep it on track," Ranzenhofer said. "We’re a step closer today than we were previously to making sure we develop scientific and technological manufacturing jobs in the future here in Genesee County. I’d rather see them developed right here between Rochester and Buffalo than in another state or another country."

Following the announcement, Skelos and Ranzenhofer met with local and regional media and discussed a variety of issues.

On Cuomo's plan to decriminalize possession of personal use marijuana, both Skelos and Ranzenhofer are adamantly opposed to the measure.

"When you talk to lot of drug counselors, they tell you marijuana leads to a lot of other kinds of addictions with heavier drugs," Skelos said. 

He added, "I don’t believe in legalizing drugs that the federal government has said are destructive to lives."

Ranzenofer said he's following the lead of GCASA in opposing decriminalizing possession.

"They felt strongly that this type of thing is a gateway drug for the very kind of people they’re trying to treat in our communities," Ranzenhofer said. "The experts in our community don’t believe that it is proper legislation and I’ll certainly defer to the experts in our community."

Even though polls show most New Yorkers support losing marijuana laws, Skelos said "the voters in my district on Long Island are not knocking down the door saying legalize marijuana."

On the ethics complaint against Sen. Ranzenhofer: Skelos said he has not received a copy of the complaint filed by Michelle McCulloch, even though it was sent to his office by registered mail. Ranzenhofer said he also has not yet seen it. 

Skelos called the firing of McCulloch, a mother of four children, a "personnel change." He said, "We all make personnel changes in our lives. I’ve done it. We’ve all done it."

Asked about his statement to a Buffalo TV station that McCulloch "knows why she was fired," even though he's said he wouldn't discuss a personnel matter, Ranzenhofer wouldn't comment further, except to say, "It wasn't for political activity."

He also said he's never directed anybody to gather signatures or petitions for Chris Collins, who is running in the NY-27 GOP primary against David Bellavia.

"People have volunteered for the past 50 years," Ranzenhofer said. "I've never directed anybody to do that."

On mandate relief for counties, particularly Medicaid: Skelos said the state simply can't afford to pick up its share of Medicaid costs.

He said NYS has already provided relief to counties, first by capping annual increases at 3 percent, then by agreeing to phase out the local mandate increase.

Counties promised each time not to ask for more help with Medicaid, Skelos said.

"They should be reminded that just a couple of years ago they said, ‘we’re fine,’ we’ll never need to come back again," Skelos said.

Skelos said reporters should ask federal elected officials why some states get 80-percent reimbursement for Medicaid while New York gets only 50 percent.

The Batavian happened to already have an interview scheduled with Rep. Kathy Hochul for this afternoon and we asked Hochul that question.

Hochul said that as a former town board member and former county clerk, she certainly understands the need for mandate relief, but the reason New York doesn't get more help from the federal government is the state has instituted a number of services and programs within Medicaid that are not required. Those additional programs drive up the costs for both the state and counties.

On another unfunded mandate issue, Skelos did agree that if proposed creation of a youth court division in NY's counties goes through, the state should pay for the additional cost. Officials estimate the new court will cost more than $1 million in Genesee County.

On efforts to increase the state's minimum wage, Skelos said he remains opposed to the idea.

"My concern is that if we raise the minimum wage with the fragile economy we have, there would actually be a loss of jobs," Skelos said. "Fifty percent of the people earning minimum wage are young people, age 16 to 24, and the last time we raised the minimum wage, 22 percent of them lost their jobs."

Professor Mike Jackson, RIT, presented officials with framed, commemorative computer chips.