Jane Corwin's campaign announced the release of this new commercial today attacking Kathy Hochul.

Regarding Hochul's record in Town of Hamburg, the clerk there tells me that there are board minutes going back to 2002, but they're not easy to find. I created this Google search link that at least pulls up some of the minutes. If the clerk there provides me with a better link, I'll post that.

Also, YNN has posted a video interview with Hochul:

Full press release from Corwin's campaign after the jump:

Jane Corwin Campaign Releases Second Television Ad
Spot Highlights Kathy Hochul’s Consistent and Troubling Record of Raising Taxes on Western New Yorkers

WILLIAMSVILLE – The campaign of Jane Corwin, successful businesswoman and unanimously endorsed Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party candidate for New York’s 26th Congressional District, began airing its second television advertisement today. The 30 second spot discusses career politician Kathy Hochul’s disturbing record of voting to raise property tax rates in 11 out of 12 budgets during her long tenure on the Hamburg Town Board.

Hochul, a resident of the town of Hamburg (which lies outside the 26th Congressional District she is seeking to represent), served on the Hamburg town board for 13 years before being appointed as Erie County Clerk.

“While hard-working Western New Yorkers have been struggling to do more with less, Kathy Hochul repeatedly and consistently voted to raise their property tax rates in 11 out of 12 budgets while on the Hamburg Town Board,” Corwin’s Communications Director Matthew Harakal said. “With a record like that she’ll fit right in with Washington Democrats, so it’s no wonder she was their hand-picked candidate. Western New Yorkers have a clear choice on May 24th – they can vote for career politician Kathy Hochul, who’s repeatedly voted to take more money out of their pockets to grow government, or they can vote for businesswoman Jane Corwin, who’s helped run a business and was part of a team that created hundreds of jobs right here in Western New York.”

The ad will air across Western New York in the Buffalo and Rochester media markets.

Kathy Hochul’s long record of raising Western New Yorkers’ taxes
In 1994, Hochul voted for a $29.5 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $6.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages.
In 1995, Hochul voted for a $26 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $6.76 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1996, Hochul voted for a $32 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.03 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1997, Hochul voted for a $33 million budget that included a decreased tax rate to $6.96 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1998, Hochul voted for a $33.8 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.12 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2000, Hochul voted for a $35.9 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2001, Hochul voted for a budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.41 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2002, Hochul voted for a $38.1 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.69 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2003, Hochul voted for a $39.6 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.92 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2004, Hochul voted for a budget that included an increased tax rate to $8.35 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2005, Hochul voted for a $42 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $8.63 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2006, Hochul voted for a $43 million budget that decreased the tax rate for residents living inside the villages to $4.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and increased the tax rate for residents living outside the villages to $9.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation


Kathy Hochul – Washington Democrat’s hand-picked candidate
Leading Democrat Candidate Who Has Washington Ties Interviewed By DCCC. “Hochul was interviewed this week by national party officials in town to determine the chances and the costs of winning in the district.” (WNED, 2/16/2011)
“[D]CCC Northeast Political Director Abby Curran Visited The District In The Days Immediately After Lee's Resignation.” (Roll Call, 2/17/2011)
An “Old DCCC Hand” Helped Hochul With Decision. “[A]n old DCCC hand with experience in special elections was advising Hochul as she pondered her decision.” (Buffalo News, 3/20/2011)
The ad can be viewed and embedded from Corwin’s YouTube page, www.youtube.com/user/janecorwin.

Well, it looks like the fake angry owls and streamers aren't doing much to keep the gulls from the roof of the former Latina's building.

Batavia and Notre Dame students went head-to-head this evening at the Genesee County Court House in a mock trial competition that brought in teams from throughout the region.

This mock trial was presided over by Judge Robert C. Noonan.

No word on results yet.

Previously: Students compete in mock trials at Genesee County Court House

These photos are available for purchase by clicking here.

Above, Jake Krajawski, BHS, is questioned by a defense attorney. Second photo, Matt Sausner and Eric Lomonoco of Notre Dame.

From left, Sausner, Lomonoco and Megan Zickl.

More pictures after the jump:

Maura Chmielowiec, BHS

Megan Zickl

Rosie Mortellaro

Evan Sutherland

Judge Robert C. Noonan

Matt Sausner

Maura Chmielowiec, Evan Sutherland and Patrick Flynn

Brittany Perzia

Eric Lomonoco

Maura Chmielowiec

Jake Krajawski

Era Reda-Kendrick

UPDATED 4:59 p.m.

After losing his home in a county tax-lien foreclosure, Paul Ray Hogle apparently decided he couldn't do without his kitchen cabinets.

Hogle is accused of stealing the cabinets from 103 Lake St., Le Roy, after Genesee County took possession of the house.

He's been charged with grand larceny, 4th.

According to County Treasurer Scott German, Hogle asked for permission to re-enter the house after the county took possession of the property to retrieve a few more personal items.

Personal items didn't include anything attached to the house, such as the cabinets, according to German.

The cabinets were discovered missing shortly after the auction, when the winning bidder, Jason Shue, went by the house and looked in the windows and noticed the cabinets missing.

The value of the cabinets, which have been recovered, was put at $1,600.

The house sold at auction for $49,000. It was assessed at $72,000 and nearly $13,000 in taxes were owed on it.

After the sale, the new owner discovered the cabinets missing and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation.

This ad was released today by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

It makes several undocumented claims:

Kathy Hochul voted to raise fees on all kinds of things, such as:

• Going to the beach…
• Getting in shape at the gym…
• Playing a round of golf…
• Ice skating...
• And owning that lovable four-legged friend.

As a matter of fact checking, I did a number of internet searches and searched the Buffalo News archives going back three years. I could find no documentation for any of these claims (if anybody can find documentation, please post in the comments).

On the flip side, when the Buffalo News endorsed Hochul for Erie County Clerk, they did so, they said, based on Hochul's record of saving taxpayers money.

It's unclear when the GOP claims Hochul voted on these things. As a clerk, and not a legislator, she doesn't vote on legislative matters. I've seen reference to her having served on a town board at one time, but can find no confirmation of that. Such service is not mentioned on her LinkedIn profile nor her Web site. So if she "voted" on these matters, it's hard to tell where.

As for being a Washington lobbyist at one time, that much is true. According to her LinkedIn profile: "Kathy also established her own practice in Washington, representing the computer industry on legislative issues."

She was a legislative aide prior to starting her own practice.

Again, further fact-checking or fact confirmation is welcome in the comments.

Robert Thigpen, 35, of Patriots Landing, Rochester, is charged with two counts of tampering with a witness, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Thigpen was picked up by Batavia Police on a bench warrant and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Thigpen was jailed pending a court appearance today. (For previous coverage of Thigpen, click here.)

Taylor Robert Benjamin, 18, of 139 Christina Drive, North Chili, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, a misdemeanor. Benjamin was arrested by Le Roy police following a complaint of youths gathering under the pedestrian footbridge between Church and Mill streets. As an officer approached, he reportedly observed Benjamin lighting a glass pipe and inhaling the smoke from it.

Ryan T. Daley, 28, of 57 Elizabeth Ave., Hamburg, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test and inadequate lights.  Daley was stopped at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street by Officer Thad Mart.

A 17-year-old resident of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing $42.81 in merchandise from Kmart on Saturday.

Justin Zane Baker, 22, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Baker allegedly pushed a woman several times during a domestic dispute at 6:25 a.m., Sunday.

A 16-year-old resident of Angling Road, East Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol while under 21 with intention to consume. The youth was arrested following a traffic stop at 7:48 p.m. Saturday on Angling Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Eric Thomas Wolford, 18, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child and failure to yield right of way. Wolford was stopped 7:46 p.m., Saturday, on Angling Road, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Craig Edward Blake, 59, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, unauthorized display of amber lights, refusal to take breath test. Blake was stopped at 12:23 a.m. Sunday on Park Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Douglas Westley Green, 54, of Woodlands Way, Brockport, is charged with petit larceny. An investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff into thefts over a period of time at Stan's Harley Davidson led to the identification of Green as a suspect.

Melissa M. Lesage, 31, of 31 Buffalo St., Bergen, is charged with failure to appear in court as directed. Lesage was taken into custody by Rochester Police and turned over to Batavia Police on a warrant from 2007 for failure to appear as directed on an alleged traffic violation. Bail was set at $300.

Lamar Randall, 25, of 266 E. Park St., Albion, is charged with failure to appear in court. Randall was arrested on a bench warrant. Bail was set at $350.

Justin E. Cratsley, 22, of 115 State St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Cratsley is accused of harassing a person he is barred from contacting at the YMCA on Saturday.

Sabrina Zinni, 36, of 219 North Spruce St., Batavia, is accused of showing up for a court ordered work detail under the influence of alcohol. She was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Andrew Z. Perdock, 24, unknown address, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is charged with petit larceny. Perdock was arrested by State Police at 12:53 p.m. Saturday and held on cash bail. No further details released.

Yolanda M. Skeet, 32, of 24 Allegheny Road, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI under Leandra's Law. Skeet was stopped for allegedly speeding on the Thruway by State Police. She allegedly had a 9-year-old child in her car and a BAC of .08 or greater. Skeet was jailed in Ontario County on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

A two-car accident with injuries has been reported on Route 63 at Starr Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:10 a.m.: A Pavilion firefighter on scene: "Slow everybody down, non-emergency. It's going to be a sign-off" (meaning very minor injuries, no ambulance transport).

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Connecticut got a chip shot 40 seconds into the championship game in Portland, Maine, this afternoon and the Batavia Ramparts spent nearly all of three periods chasing the lead.

The Ramparts lost 3-0.

Goal two for Connecticut was a rebound off the goalie, said coach John Zola.

Goal three came on an empty net play at the end of the game.

"Everyone played their heart out," Zola said. "Both teams played very, very hard."

The coach said he doesn't believe a Batavia team has ever advanced as far as the Ramparts did this season. At the age level of the Ramparts, the northeast regional championship would have been as far as they could have advanced.

Shawn Beachy and Ken Beachy led the Beachy Cabinet Maker Wild to a 3-1 championship win over Genesee Orthopedic Blues on Sunday morning.

Both Beachys scored goals, with Shawn picking up two assists and his father Ken getting one.

Ryan DiFilippo also scored for the wild.

The Wild's third goal came with less than a minute into the game when the Blues emptied their goal to put an extra offensive player on the ice.

Dave Holtz, with no assist, scored the Blues only goal.

Blues goalie Jason Molino faced 27 shots and Wild goalie Scott Fauth faced 32.

Molino was named the game's 3rd star, Fauth, 2nd star and Ken Beachy was named MVP.

In the consolation game, Batavia Legal Printing Sharks beat the
Kelly's Holland Inn Stars 7-5.

For the Sharks, Jeff Reuter and Dan Hudson each scored three goals  
and Andy Pfalzer had one.

For the Stars, Nick Bush, Dave Bogue, T.J. Peca, Nick Martell and Cal Rice scored one goal each.

Top photo, Ken Beachy hoists the championship trophy. Third photo, Wild goalie Scott Fauth snags a shot. Bottom photo, Ken and Shawn Beachy.

There are 21 photos with this post and an additional 40 or so available for purchase on our photo purchase page. BUY PHOTOS

More pictures after the jump:

The Byron Fire Department, incorporated in 1920, installed its new officers and honored its volunteers at a dinner in Byron on Saturday night.

Byron responded to 167 calls in 2010, with 131 of them for EMS, 11 car accidents, one working house fire, one small dump fire, one midsized dump fire, one large dump fire and one gas leak.

Howard Ivison was awarded a 60-year award and Lester Barnard was awarded a 67-year award.

Kevin McKenrick, Steve Lockner and John Durand were awarded their life memberships.

Zack Johnson and Eddie Sharp received the most training hours award.

Judy Yager was awarded a life membership in the Ladies Auxiliary.

Wayne Austin is the new chief. Former chief John Durand becomes 1st assistant chief. David Chup is president and Ken McKenrick Jr., is chairman of the board of directors. Tim McKenrick is president of the exempt officers and Laura Platt is president of the Ladies' Auxiliary.

More pictures after the jump:

After a big 6-0 win in their semifinal playoff game against the number one Massachusetts, the Batavia Ramparts will play for the northeast championship at 3:30 p.m.

The games are being played in Portland, Maine.

The Ramparts didn't score their first goal until the second period on a power play, with Cam Chamberlain making the shot with an assist from Richie Francis.

Mason Versage scored next on a power play with an assist from Chris Walker.

In the third period, Francis scored with assists from Kris Bank and John Sallome.

Point four came on a power-play goal by Joey Saraceni with assists from Versage and Francis.

Versage notched his second goal with assists from Francis and Bank.

The final goal was put in the net by Bank unassisted.

That was Bank's second goal of the year. Overall, Bank, a defensive player, was involved in three points in the game.

A Batavia resident is in custody tonight after agents of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force allegedly found him in possession of numerous packages of heroin, some marijuana, packaging for narcotics, a gravity knife and $4,000 in cash.

A search warrant was executed Saturday afternoon on the residence and the car of Jarrett James Locicero, 21, of West Main Street.

The warrant was a culmination of an investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin in the Batavia area.

Locicero was located in his car on Clinton Street, Batavia, and stopped by members of the task force and uniformed deputies.

Investigators then searched his residence.

Locicero is charged with possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and misdemeanor counts of criminally possessing drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a weapon as well as a violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Following arraignment in city court, Locicero was jailed without bail.

For the 38th time, the Batavia Jaycees are hosting its annual Home Show. This year, it is once again at Batavia Downs. 

The show is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A couple dozen vendors are on hand to help owners explore options for home improvement.

Howard and I both had a chance to stop over at Genesee Community College for Tech Wars 2011 on Thursday. Howard took some photos, I took some video.

Many thanks to the NXT Lego team members and their coaches for sharing their work with The Batavian.

Here is the video (with a scenic view of the space behind the college to close it out):

For previous coverage, see:

Float in Elba Onion Festival parade gives a 'FIRST' look at LEGO League

Elba students build robots one Lego at a time  

Elba's FIRST Lego League invites robot fans to a maze race at GCC

Photos by Howard Owens

The Batavia Ramparts won two games in Portland, Maine, today and will play a semi-final game Sunday in a northeast regional hockey tournament.

If the Ramparts can win Sunday morning, they will play a regional championship game in the afternoon.

The Ramparts beat the Massachusetts team 8-0 on Saturday morning and beat New Hampshire 2-1 in afternoon play.

In game one, Joey Saraceni scored twice as did Will VanAuken. VanAuken had two assists and Saraceni. 

Also scoring were Zack Laird, Richie Francis, Sean Olin, Jack Simpson. Olin, and goalie Tyler Stroud each had an assist.

The Ramparts out shot their opponents 28-18.

In game two, Mason Versage scored first with an assist from Francis, who also knocked in the game-winning goal with an assist from Zach Laird.

Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is the Democrats' pick to run in the NY-26 special election.

Hochul was the unanimous pick of seven county Democratic chairs after interviews in Geneseo this afternoon, according to Lorie Longhany, Genesee County chair.

Longhany said Hochul was impressive in the interviews.

"I can’t wait for Genesee County voters and the rest of the district to get a chance to know Kathy," Longhany said. "I think people will be very pleased with Kathy's record."

Longhany praised Hochul for streamlining Department of Motor Vehicle  processes in Erie County during her term as clerk, "saving taxpayers time and money."

"We all decided that she is the candidate who can get things done in Washington," Longhany said.

The Republican candidate is Jane Corwin. Both David Bellevia and Jack Davis are attempting to secure enough signatures to get their names on the ballot.

UPDATE: In the initial post, we included a press release from Corwin's campaign but didn't jump this post. We now have a press release from Hochul's campaign.  Both press releases appear verbatim after the jump.

Corwin's campaign immediately attacked Hochul, releasing the following statement minutes after Hochul was announced as the Democratic pick.

Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress, issued the following statement today after Kathy Hochul was selected as the Democrat candidate for Congress in New York's 26th District:

"It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District. It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she’s their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of."

Press release from Hochul's campaign:

ERIE COUNTY - The Democratic County Chairs of Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties have unanimously nominated Kathy Hochul as the Democratic nominee for the May 24th special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.
 
After interviewing potential nominees one last time on Saturday, the County Chairs announced Hochul as their nominee in Geneseo. 
 
“I am running for Congress because I can do in Washington what I’ve done in Erie County – cut waste, hold down taxes, and help Western New York businesses create jobs for working families,” said Hochul.  “I am looking forward to meeting residents throughout the district, and sharing my plan to get people back to work and get our economy back on track.”
 
“Kathy Hochul has been a proven leader in Erie County and will work to support Western New York’s hard working families,” said Judith Hunter, Chair of the Livingston County Democratic Committee.  “She understands the struggles that businesses face and will work hard to help them grow and create jobs right here where it matters.”
 
Among her many accomplishments, Kathy has:
§  Created innovative new programs to get residents to renew their licenses and registrations locally – keeping much needed revenues here in Western New York instead of sending it to Albany,

§  Stood up to her own party and successfully fought Albany’s ill-conceived plan to mandate license plates, saving $129 million for motorists across the State, and

§  Initiated the effort to permanently remove burdensome tolls from the NYS thruway near Buffalo, saving millions for businesses and residents across the region.

A fully involved car fire has been reported off the I-490 at the Route 33 off-ramp.

Bergen Fire Department is responding.

A brush fire in a field is reported at 398 Knapp Road in Indian Falls. It is not near any structures.

Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: It is estimated that about one acre is on fire.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The fire chief says "the fire is out. Now we're putting out the burn pile."