County health officials are visiting some local retail stores today to see if they are selling so-called synthetic marijuana, and if they are, notifying the owners that the substances are now banned in New York.

Earlier this week, the NYS health commissioner issued an order prohibiting products that fall under the umbrella heading of “synthetic cannabinoids” — products that are sold as “incense” and not for human consumption but are often smoked as a substitute for pot -- from being sold in the state.

There have been numerous reports throughout the state of health-related issues arising from use of these products.

The ban does not make sale or possession a criminal violation, but merchants can be fined by the state for the sale of products covered by the ban, even if they claim they’re not selling them for human consumption.

David Whitcroft, interim public health director, said if environmental health inspectors find a local business selling a banned substance — which includes from a previous state ban synthetic meth, known as bath salts — the owner will be served with the commissioner's order, given an affidavit of service and the merchant will be required to cease selling the products or face the possibility of fines.

If actual enforcement of the ban is necessary, it will be handled by state health officials, not the county department, Whitcroft said.

Any merchant served with an order has 15 days to challenge it and present proof that the products being sold are not a public health danger.

The state provided county health departments with a list of suggested retail outlets to check for sale of synthetic marijuana, including convenience stores, gas stations, "head shops" and tattoo parlors.

The department also welcomes tips from local residents about the sale and distribution in the county of synthetic marijuana and bath salts by calling 344-2580, ext. 5001.

Whitcroft said health inspectors will visit every possible location in the county where such products might be sold, except on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, which is under federal jurisdiction on this matter.

Four shops on the reservation were raided by local and federal law enforcement Feb. 23 and products such as K2 and Spice were reportedly seized, but no arrests have been announced by federal authorities.

There is legislation pending that would make the banned products illegal to sell or possess in New York.

Previously:

• Potentially dangerous synthetic drugs readily available in Genesee County
• Professionals who work with substance abusers share concerns about 'incense'
• Four smoke shops on reservation raid by feds -- cigarettes, fake pot, bath salts seized

Press release:

Civil payments for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office may now be made online with any major credit, debit or pre-paid debit card, or by phone, and in addition to in person at the Sheriff’s Office, 165 Park Road, Batavia, NY.

Individuals may make credit card payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.GovPayNow.com, or by phone at 888-604-7888. There is also a link for civil payments on the Sheriff’s Office home page, http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/sheriff/index.html, or Civil Bureau page.

Individuals must enter the Civil Payment Pay Location Code (PLC) #7403, or search by the agency’s name or payment type to access the payment screen.

A 3.5 percent processing fee ($3.50 minimum) will apply if the payment is made online, or in person, and a 5 percent processing fee ($5 minimum) if payment is made by phone.

Civil payments may still be made, in person at the Sheriff’s Office – Civil Bureau, 165 Park Road, Batavia, NY, with cash, check or money order; during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.), or by mail. Please make your check or money order payable to the Genesee County Sheriff.

Donna Saskowski, executive director of Genesee County ARC, told Jay Moran on WBFO that once people experience the Sprout Film Festival, "they'll never forget it."

The festival is Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Genesee ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

Moran produced a four-minute segment about the festival. Click here to listen.

A Batavia man already facing up to seven years in prison for a crime in Rochester is being accused of assaulting another man with a tire iron during a fight behind a restaurant in Caledonia.

Matthew Norstrand is being charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th.

A year ago, Norstrand was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Rochester and was out of jail pending sentencing.

Last week, Norstrand was allegedly involved in an altercation with Austin Costrino, 26, of Holley, behind Q's Restaurant in Caledonia.

Costrino allegedly pulled out a knife before getting into his car. He allegedly drove back to Norstrand's location and the two men continued to argue. Norstrand allegedly pulled out a tire hire and beat Costrino.

The investigation began after Costrino's father contacted police, reporting that his son was hospitalized with head injuries.

Costrino is charged with menacing, 2nd.

(Source: WHAM13)

Jeremy Yasses spent the night in his new home on North Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield last night.

That would be unremarkable, except that there has been a small controversy in Oakfield over the residency of the recently elected trustee.

NYS law requires village trustees to be residents of the village they represent.

According to Yasses, it wasn't an issue during the election, but after he beat out an incumbent for the position, at least one person raised the issue at Monday's village board meeting.

"I think everybody on the board expected him to move to the village," Mayor Richard Pastecki said. "I think some were saying they didn't know how the GOP could run somebody who wasn't a village resident, but we all knew he was moving."

Yasses has completely renovated a large Victorian farmhouse on North Pearl Street. The 2,520-square-foot home was built in 1880 and Yasses gutted it and totally redid the interior of the main house as well as made extensive repairs and changes to the barn on the property.

Escrow just closed on his former residence and his family is moving this week.

Yasses has been involved in village politics for some time. He's also a landlord there.

Pastecki said the question of Yasses's residency is pretty much a dead issue, unless some other village resident wants to fight it on their own dime.

"The board is not under any obligation to do anything about it," Pastecki said. "The law is so vague ... What I discovered (in researching it) is that anybody can bring a suit to contest an election, but that doesn't guarantee the election will be found invalid. ... we probably do not want to spend taxpayer money on it because there’s no clear outcome. "

It's not even a topic Yasses really wanted to talk about because he doesn't think the issue is really about him, just a little small-town political wrangling, and he's ready to get to work.

"I want it to be a smooth transition and to come in and do good things for the people of the village," Yasses said.

He's proud to have taken part in a village election where differing views were represented and that brought more people to the polls than usual.

"I think it's phenomenal," Yasses said. "That's the way America was built -- democracy, different views and opinions, and that's how it should be."

Yasses will be sworn in on Monday.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries has been reported at Gorton Road and Judge Road, Alabama.

Two cars are involved. One is blocking Gorton.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: One patient being transported to UMMC.

The move from San Diego to Le Roy has been a good one for David Luetticke and Greg Luetticke.

More than four years ago, they bought the Frost Ridge Campground and have been slowly making improvements, all the while, feeling they made the right choice in moving to Genesee County.

"I think it's beautiful," Greg said. "I like the people, the scenery, the change of seasons. It's everything I wanted."

While David and Greg have made changes in the campground -- upgrading infrastructure, adding an annual pumpkin patch and a summertime slippery slide on one of the hills, for example -- the biggest change has been booking more than a half-dozen big-name music acts into their outdoor amphitheater.

The summer concert season kicks off June 9 with one of the biggest names in country music, Aaron Tippin.

The line up (all shows and dates -- and tickets purchased -- can be found on frostridge.com) includes the Little River Band, Restless Heart, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blackberry Smoke, James Wesley and Connie Smith.

It's the third year of concerts -- one of the highlights last summer was Marty Stuart -- and besides the seven name acts coming to Frost Ridge, 45 bands from throughout Western New York will perform there is summer.

Greg admitted he never heard of Blackberry Smoke before (neither had I, videos embedded below), but he said it's been the fastest selling show so far and after selling out of VIP tickets, they pulled back the promo VIP tickets given to radio stations and have just six left to offer to the public.

The current arrangement of the amphitheater accommodates 5,000 people, but three's a high hill behind the seating area and maybe, just maybe, that offers some expansion room. The sound of the music on the hill is every bit as good as down lower, Greg and David agreed.

As Greg and David get settled into Le Roy, they're getting more involved in the community. For a couple of years now, Frost Ridge has hosted a fundraiser for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department.  This year, some of the proceeds of the Aaron Tippin concert will be donated to the VA facility in Batavia.

"We see it as good business when when you're involved in the community and everybody supports one another, and that's how we would like to live our lives," David said.

I'm looking forward to the The Dirt Band in August.

A car is reportedly on its side in a ditch on Old State Road between Perry and Silver Lake roads, Pavilion, with one person reportedly laying in the ditch.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

Dispatchers checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 10:02 p.m.: Mercy Flight on in-air standby. Old State Road is being closed to thru traffic.

UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Looks like only one victim.

UPDATE 10:07 p.m.: Car still running, caution on approach urged. The vehicle may have been pulling a trailer. Patient is about 50 feet from the vehicle. Mercy Flight will not be required.

UPDATE 11:35 p.m.: Female patient was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Pavilion fire is clearing the scene.

The wetlands in early spring have an allure all their own. Long before the first green buds or shoots begin to emerge, a cacophony of spring peepers permeates the air as nature begins her own seasonal celebration. In the above photo, a late afternoon sun casts a golden brown tint on last year's cattails. 

Here in the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area it's a good time to watch migrating waterfowl and an opportunity to see the diving ducks that will later congregate on the bigger bodies of water. 

This pair of honeymooning honkers is all set for the mating season. An incredible number of geese wintered in the region, many of which began nesting weeks ago.  

Redwing blackbirds have a penchant for teetering on cattails. Another harbinger of spring, as soon as the spring peepers begin their serenade, the redwings won't be far behind.   

Flooded timber is a wood duck magnet.

What a difference a week makes. Last week's unseasonably warm weather may be the reason for the algae blooms that sprung up in several marshes on the refuge.

A trio of painted turtles catching some sun atop a muskrat den. 

A flock consisting mainly of widgeons makes a migratory respite while a lone swan hugs the shoreline in the background. We saw no puddle ducks such as mallards and woodies, but there were a number of ringneck ducks and scaup on the marsh.

Already new shoots and buds are beginning to appear across the wetland and scenes such as the one above will change drastically as last year's cattails will soon be lost in this spring's greenery. 

Why pay a higher bill when you'll be outside enjoying the weather?

Rose Mary Christian thought she would be retired these days, but she can't quite get away from the restaurant business.

She admits, she loves it.

In 1956, her father -- with the help of Carl Dilcher and George Jacobs -- built a diner on Ellicott Street Road near Shepard and Christian. Along with her eight brothers and sisters, she worked there for much of her young life.

The diner closed in 1965, but Christian opened it again -- with her four children -- in 1983.

"We used to have good times and you hear people reminisce about the old days," Christian said. "Hot dogs were 25 cents when my dad started and milk shakes were 50 cents. Now what’s a hot dog and what’s a milk shake? There’s a big difference."

Christian closed the diner in 2003, and then new owners took it over for a time more than a year ago, but eight months ago, that diner closed.

On Monday, the diner opens again as "Rosie's."

"I hope people drive out and see the restaurant and taste what we have to offer," Christian said. "I hope they just have a good day and a good experience coming here. Like I said, this is where good people meet."

The diner's menu, among regular diner fare, will include Italian and Polish dishes and homemade soup.

“We’re going to have a quarter-pound hot dog, like they have in New York City, that I love," Christian said. "It’s going to have mustard and sauerkraut on it. It’s delicious. You’ll have to try it."

Christian noted there aren't many dining establishments on the southeast side of town, plus there will likely be a road connecting the new ag park to Cedar Street, making it easier for workers there to get onto Ellicott Street. That could be the opening in the market she needs to be successful.

Asked if not just her history in the restaurant business, but her career in city politics would help attract customers to Rosie's, Christian laughed.

"The politics part of it," she said, "no, not at all."

Michelle Tarin Crawford, 26, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Crawford was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 12:55 a.m., March 8, on Townline Road, Byron, in which Crawford was seriously injured. Crawford remains jailed on a violation of probation charge. (Previous stories, one, two and three).

Michael Octavio Tardy, 46, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Tardy was allegedly driving at 1:41 a.m. on Lewiston Raod, Oakfield, when his vehicle struck a curb.

In Le Roy this afternoon, the line of trees with their white flowers looked particularly nice against the backdrop of the buildings of the village business district.

Driving down Francis Road this afternoon, I spotted this stand of trees at the crest of the hill with the fluffy clouds blowing by in the background and thought it might make a nice shot.

Lei-Ti Campground on Francis Road, Bethany, was voted by users of the Woodall's Campground Directory, as one of the top 100 campgrounds in the United States.

There are 1,700 campgrounds in the U.S.

Woodall's is a popular and widely used campground directory, owned by Affinity Group, based in Ventura, Calif.

There were reportedly hundreds of thousands of votes cast over the 10-month long contest, according to Woodall's, which was also a sweepstakes for a chance to win a seven-day cruise to Hawaii.

Photo: John Hollwendel, owner of Lei-Ti.

In honor of March being Disabilities Awareness Month, the Batavia Development Corp. organized an event at Coffee Culture today recognizing people involved in the local disabilities work force.

Certificates were given to both workers and staff members at local agencies who supervise people with disabilities.

Receiving certificates were:

• Darren Annovi, store associate, Kmart, three years: Darren is an active member of Mental Health Association of Genesee County and works at Darien Lake in the summer.
• Greg Bruggman, laborer, ARC, six years: Greg is on the governing council of ILGR and strives to help others with disabilities through ILGR and political meetings.
• Vinnie Falcone, work center, Genco Industries, six years: Vinnie is active in his church, volunteers at the Social Club and en- joys watercolor painting.
• Philip Greene, crew member, Burger King, nine years: Philip has maintained employment for nine years and participates in his church regularly.
• George Hughes, work center, Genco Industries, 38 years: George has been recognized as “Employee of the Month,” volunteers at community events and he assists at Clor’s Meat Market.
• Dawn Kempf, housekeeper, Best Western, 20+ years: Dawn has been employed for more than two decades and she volunteers at MHA of Genesee County Warm Line.
• Richard Ruhlman, janitor, Batavia Downs, four years: Richard actively participates in high school sports events as timekeeper, statistical keeper and more.
• Leigh Skellon, associate, TOPS Market, 14 years: Leigh assists the shoppers when needed and is considered a dedicated and reliable employee.
• Ann Bird, instructor NYS School for the Blind, 28 years: Ann is an innovative classroom instructor. She has led instructional support staff, interacts with school districts across the state and provides professional development and support to those who are working with students who are blind and have multiple disabilities.
• Donna Ostrander, production assistant Genesee ARC, six years: Donna is an organized, efficient and supportive team member that is always willing to help. She treats all individuals with respect and compassion. Donna volunteers many hours at agency functions.
• Katherine Way, senior employment specialist Restoration Society Inc./Genesee ACE, four years: Katherine actively works with coworkers and customers to promote community involvement and she is an Angels in Action Advisory Council member. Katherine is also attending college part-time.

Julie Pacette indicated the BDC hopes to make this an annual event.

John Chrisley, 46, of Mechanic Street, South Byron, was arraigned in Town of Byron Court today on charges of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Chrisley is accused of sexual contact with a child under age 11.

The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 5 in Byron.

Chrisley was released under supervision of Genesee Justice, pending his next court appearance April 2.

The case was investigated by John Dehm.

Nearly two years after the alleged events, a Brockport man is being accused of stealing an SUV and some credit cards.

Frank Edward Finnin, 45, of Vindale Drive, Brockport, was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on Thursday on charges of grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

Finnin is accused of stealing a 2004 Ford Escape from a location on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, on June 20.

He is also accused of taking a purse containing credit cards from a vehicle that was parked in a residential driveway on East Main Road, Batavia, on the same date.

The Escape was recovered in Le Roy, not far from Finnin's residence at the time.

Following arraignment, Finnin was jailed on $10,000 bail.

The case was conducted by investigators William Ferrando and John Dehm.