Batavia simply didn't work out for Coffee Culture, said Perry Ouzounis, VP of operations for the chain's corporate parent.

"There's no doubt about it, it's never an easy decision to close a store, but the market there wasn't very strong for us," Ouzounis said.

The Batavia closing was one of three Coffee Culture locations in WNY that closed last week, Ouzounis said, but other locations, including in Buffalo and Erie, Pa., as well as locations in Canada and Florida, continue to do well.

The closure of the Batavia store last week was big news, garnering a substantial number of page views to The Batavian's initial report of the signs being removed from the building. The coffee shop did seem popular, at least to some extent, in Batavia.

"Of course, I'm not prepared to share our P&L," Ouzounis said. "It just wasn't a viable location for us."

When the shop first opened, the company was actively seeking a franchisee to take over operations, but in two years, no potential owner stepped forward.

Ouzounis said it's tough letting their employees go, but they are receiving all pay due and other separation benefits.

"We are doing the right thing within state law," Ouzounis said.

Ouzounis said Coffee Culture is not finished growing and will look for new opportunties for new stores, but that, "unfortunately," Batavia wasn't meeting the company's goals for "long-term success."

Larry's Steakhouse has closed, but the Mullen family is far from done with serving up great meals at 60 Main St., Batavia.

Owner Steve Mullen is stepping aside and his son Brendon Mullen is planning a new restaurant at the same location, which will be called Carter's.

"I don't want to say a lot about it right now, but it's going to be something this town will be excited about," Brendon said. "It's going to be a culinary experience like nothing ever seen here."

While there is a chance the new restaurant could open within weeks, two or three months might be a more realistic time frame, Brendon said. It will take time to secure a new liquor license. 

Steve said he thanks all the patrons for their support of Larry's.

Any gift certificates for Larry's that have not yet been redeemed will be honored by Carter's once it opens.

Warren R. Skye Jr., 62, of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal of breath test, open container, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Skye is accused of driving drunk at the time his vehicle struck a parked tow truck on South Swan Street, Batavia at 11:03 p.m. Jan. 20. Skye allegedly fled the scene of the accident and once located and taken into custody, refused to take a breath test. He reportedly urinated in the holding room at Batavia PD. (Prior Report)

Randy G. Leach, 29, of Torrey Road, Stafford, and Isaiah J. Munroe, 25, of Buell Street, Batavia, were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Leach and Munroe were arrested following a traffic stop by Le Roy PD on Lake Street at Bacon Street.

Sara A. Howard, 21, of Bergen, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and petit larceny and Alexander E. Fostano, 28, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Howard allegedly stole a Sony Play Station valued at $300 after gaining entry to a family member's home on Jan. 8. Howard and Fostano allegedly gained entry to another family's home Thursday and stole a .50-caliber CVA muzzleloader and a 12-gauge Mossberg Maverick valued at $700. They were jailed on $10,000 bail each.

Nateeka M. Gibson, 26, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson allegedly removed a Mongoose bicycle from a shelf at Kmart and then attempted to return the item at customer service. When that didn't work, she allegedly left the store with the bicycle, valued at $199.99.

Ward E. Royse, 40, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a petit larceny charge. Royse turned himself in.

Adante L. Davis, 26, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Davis was allegedly involved in a fight while in the presence of a child less than 17 years old. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Danny D. Williams, 27, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Williams allegedly stole a bottle of wine from a liquor store in East Main Street, Batavia.

Lori A. Brightenfield, 56, of Maple Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. She was ordered held without bail.

Timothy A. Banks, 24, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Banks allegedly failed to obey conditions of his release under supervision of Genesee Justice. Banks was located and arrested following a panhandling complaint at McDonald's in Eastown Plaza. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Tyanna D. Green, 20, of Pearl Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for failure to comply with sentencing stemming from a conviction for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. 

Ryan A. Funke, 22, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and stop lamp equipment violation. Funke was stopped at 7:44 p.m. Saturday on North Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

David James Staba, 47, of Tinkham Road, Darien, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate headlight. Staba was stopped at 7:24 p.m. Sunday on Attica Road, Darien, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Nathan Everett Hinze, 22, of Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operator, refusal to take breath test and following too closely. Hinze was stopped at 11:30 p.m. Saturday on Law Street, Batavia, by Deputy Kevin Forsyth, following a citizen complaint of an erratic driver on Route 98, Alexander. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Katrina Marie Douglas, 26, of West Ridge Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and driving by an unlicensed driver. Douglas was arrested after Deputy Ryan Young stopped to check on a disabled vehicle at 11:15 a.m. Thursday on Lockport Road, Oakfield.

Lorin Alexandra Volk, 21, of Livingston Street, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Volk allegedly stole from Kmart.

Nathan Samuel Love, 22, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Love allegedly attempted to steal a vacuum cleaner from Kmart. Upon further investigation, he was identified as the suspect in a vacuum cleaner theft Jan. 12.

John Ronald Laude, 23, of Main Road, Akron, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Laude was allegedly found in possession of heroin while being processed for an arrest at the Genesee County Jail. He was arrested at 12:58 p.m. Thursday by Deputy Ryan Young and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. He was allegedly found in possession of heroin following a report of a disturbance at Walmart. Also arrested following the investigation into the alleged disturbance was Christopher Brian Smith, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Corfu, who was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Press release:

Genesee County Deputy Sheriff, Christopher Parker, age 47, will be seeking the position of Sheriff in this year’s election.

Prior to his law enforcement career, he worked in the Buffalo area supervising dozens of employees in day to day operations before coming to the Sheriff’s Office in 1997. Parker is currently assigned to the Road Patrol on the day shift but also served in the courthouse prior. He graduated from Elba Central School earning a Regents Diploma in Math & Science going on to get his degree from Genesee Community College. After being hired, Parker went on to graduate from Erie County Central Police Services Basic Police Officer Training Academy.

Parker has been an active member of the Office’s Honor Guard since its inception and had the privilege of traveling to and participating in ceremonies in 2015 during National Police Week to honor America’s fallen officers and one of Genesee County’s own.

Parker has been a recipient of a certificate of appreciation, commendation, meritorious service and also distinguished service awards. He was a member of the flight crew for the New York State Police aviation unit until their hanger was moved from Batavia to Rochester. Parker has also received a MADD award for vigorous enforcement of intoxicated and impaired drivers.

In his role as a field training officer, he is involved in the training of newly appointed deputies and recruit graduates. 

“Being able to help train future deputies has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my job," he said. "It’s great to see them develop into someone that represents us at the Sheriff’s Office and this county well. Someone that will be my backup or help a citizen in their time of need and bringing integrity to it."

Being a Drug Recognition Expert has been one of Parker’s proudest work accomplishments being one of only approximately 200 so qualified officers in the entire state. He also just underwent training in Albany to become an instructor.

Parker's experience has included training of educational professionals in several counties on drug impairments and also with the Safe School Initiative to keep our most precious resource, our children, safe. He is also a member of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School safety team.  Reenactment DWI drills in schools throughout the county for over a decade has also been a rewarding experience.

“If we can stop even just one tragedy, it will have been worth all the time and energy that the fire departments, EMS and we as law enforcement dedicate to empower your children to make the right decision not to drink and drive,” Parker said.

Along with training Sheriff’s Office personnel on standardized field sobriety testing, Parker has assisted at the Monroe County Basic Police Academy in training recruit officers on the proper implementation of the tests. He is also a Leadership Genesee 2016 class participant.

“As Sheriff, I hope to bring loyalty, honesty and integrity to the position and make this county we live in as safe as can be. As a lifelong resident in the county, I plan to be here with my family and work with the residents here to make all of our families safer.”

Jerry Diskin was named Le Roy Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year at the department's annual installation and awards dinner. Diskin, center, sets an example by his energy and commitment, said Chief Tim Hogle, left. Joining in the award presentation is 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood.

On Dec. 1, the fire department faced a situation that firefighters are typically not trained to deal with -- a person firing a gun at them as they roll up to a fire scene. The first four volunteers on scene were Joe Orlando, Bergen Chief Kevin Finucane, 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood and Chief Tim Hogle. Saturday night, each man received a Medal of Valor.

When the men arrived on scene and were fired on, they remained calm, returned to their vehicles and established a safety zone, informing other responders not to come to the scene. The Medal of Valor is awarded to public safety officers who have exhibited actions above and beyond the call of duty, who showed exceptional courage, decisiveness and a presence of mind or unusual purpose of action to effect the protection of human life.

Joe Orlando receiving the Chief's Award from Chief Tim Hogle.

Hogle, Orlando, Diskin and Wood.

Representatives from various agencies who assisted at the scene on Dec. 1 on Selden Road were recognized by the department, including Emergency Management, Bergen Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy PD and State Police (not all agencies are represented in this picture and the one below).

Installation of Officers.

The top 10 responders of 2015.

The department conducted 50 training sessions, resulting in 1,570 man-hours of total training for the volunteers. The volunteers also responded to 296 alarms, resulting in 1,273 man-hours on assignment.

There was still enough ice on the rink behind the Corfu Village Hall for a bit of hockey today during the annual Winterfest, despite the temperature hitting 50 degrees.

Nobody was complaining about the warm weather as they enjoyed food, vendors, music and a basket raffle.

Photo provided by Maxine (Palmer) Koberg taken early on the job in 1969 as a Civil Service clerical worker for Genesee Community College.

In October, 1969, Maxine Koberg (nee Palmer), was excited to start her new job as a clerical worker at the fledgling Genesee Community College.

The Batavia native had graduated from high school five years earlier and worked steadily since turning 18. When she found an opportunity to take a Civil Service test, she didn't hesitate and was subsequently delighted to learn she'd passed the clerical exam and was eligible for employment. After landing a job at the college, she said she liked it and was capable of performing the duties and she planned to stick with it.

And stick with it, she did, for more than 46 years.

"You don't think about it," Koberg said. "The years go by. You know you'll retire someday, but you don't really think about it. And now here I am."

It dawned on her recently that the familiar route commuting to and from the college and her home in Elba would no longer be part of her daily itinerary after Friday, which was her last day.

The original route was different in the beginning of her employment at GCC.

The campus at One College Road off Stephen R. Hawley Drive in the Town of Batavia did not yet exist.

The college was chartered in 1966 and its first digs were in 56,000 square feet of space in the "Valu Tech Center" on West Main Street in Batavia, which was home to the Valu department store. The first class of 378 full-time and 243 part-time students began their studies the following fall semester. 

"In the beginning, I was working with students," Koberg said. "You tried to be helpful and they were fun and polite and you got to stay with them a couple of years. There were plenty 'please' and 'thank-yous'."

Koberg recalled the library was in front and there were a couple of offices in the back. Her department consisted of two clerks, including herself, a secretary and a Librarian David Brewster. Things were not computerized then. Keeping track of orders, payments, inventory, book loans, etc., was done manually.

In 1972, The Big Move to the new campus came. Boxing up the books and hauling them to the new location and organizing them -- "It was quite a big job," Koberg said. Staff supervised college students in the work/study program who did the bulk of the heavy lifting.

"When we first went to the new building, I was at the circulation desk. That's where you signed out books, reserved materials for students, and supervised the work/study students. And you greet everybody."

There was a growing population of international students, who could sometimes be difficult to understand because of the language barrier, Koberg said, but throughout the years, the 'please' and 'thank-yous' were abundantly offered. Although, as always, she noted some students have better manners than others. A noticeable difference campus-wide, of course, is the proliferation of electronic gadgets that students appear glued to.

At some point, she was asked if she wanted to leave the front desk and the students, and work on library's clerical staff ordering books and doing related tasks. She decided to take the challenge, which eventually included learning daunting new computer skills and paying bills.

"There was never a time when I didn't like working with books. I knew my programs and how to get books ordered and get them on the shelf. As courses changed, books changed -- like for our Allied Health Program -- but it's all office work."

Which means paying attention to details.

"Be careful about what you're doing, get the right books ordered, received and processed. Get the bills paid, in the right amount. Live within your budget. We have a good system and we work together."

After more than four decades on the job, her coworkers were like a second family and the workplace, a sort of home away from home. She says her colleagues held down the fort while she took two maternity leaves, helped her through some rough patches on the road of life, and she has appreciated their supportiveness, assistance and the camaraderie along the way.

The staff meshed at the Alfred C. O'Connell Library, named after the college's first president.

"We did work well together."

As for her newly retired status, it'll take some getting used to. No big plans afoot. No vacation in the works.

"I'm just going to take it day by day and see how it goes," Koberg said.

Submitted photo: Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha (right) is sworn in as chairman of the Executive Committee of the NYS Sheriffs' Association by Herkimer County Judge John Brennan at the installation of officers at the Association's 82nd Annual Winter Training Conference at the Desmond in Albany this week.

Press release:

The New York State Sheriffs' Association elected its Executive Committee at the 82nd Annual Winter Training Conference this week at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.

Members elected Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha Chairman of the Executive Committee. Sheriff Maha will work with the newly elected President of the Association, Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber, and sheriffs around the state, to further the efforts of the Sheriffs' Association to enhance public safety in New York State through professional training and accreditation programs, public safety programs, and advocacy.

The New York State Sheriffs' Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation, formed in 1934, for the purpose of assisting sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public. It comprises all of the elected and appointed sheriffs of New York State.

Press release:

The Genesee County Baseball Club will hold its annual Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove Dinner and Auction from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20^th at the Sacred Heart Church Hall at 17 Sumner St. in Batavia. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed by a buffet dinner at 5:30. The Hot Stove Dinner is a time for good food, friendship and baseball talk. The night also features a live and Chinese auction of baseball-related memorabilia (including signed bats and balls), work by local artists, and gift certificates from a variety of local businesses.

Tickets may be purchased in Batavia at Dwyer Stadium, Gerace’s Hair Care, the Williams Law Firm and the office of Dr. Alan Barcomb.

In her basketball career at Notre Dame High School, Christina Volpe was a prolific scorer and a leader who helped her team to a state championship, but it was more than just her athletic success that left a lasting impact on the school, said Athletic Director Mike Rapone during a ceremony Friday to retire her number.

"She always had a quick smile, was always kind and found a great pleasure in helping others," Rapone said. "As special a basketball player as Christy was, she may have been a more special person. She will always be remembered fondly here at Notre Dame."

Volpe died of an apparent heart attack at age 34 in her home in South Carolina in October.

During her playing career at Notre Dame, Volpe scored 2,392 points, grabbed 1,365 rebounds and amassed an 83-consecutive game streak of double-doubles.  She was named to the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. With Volpe on the court, Notre Dame won three consecutive Class DD Section V championships, and in 1999, the team won both the state championship and the federation championship and Volpe was named MVP of both tournaments.

Bill Wade, who coached Volpe's team, said the Notre Dame team is the only girls basketball team in Section V history to win a federation championship.

Rapone said Volpe inaugurated a tradition of excellence in girls basketball at Notre Dame that continues to this day. She inspired the next generation of girls to take up the game and play hard and work hard, leading to a second state championship under Head Coach Dave Pero in 2013.

"Along with the talent, she had an amazing work ethic," Rapone said. "She had a burning desire to realize her potential. As talented as she was, she constantly worked to get better. She spent countless hours in the Notre Dame and St. Joe's gyms fine-tuning her game."

Volpe taught her teammates that hard work wasn't just something you brought to the game, you brought it to the gym for every practice, Wade said. She came early, stayed late and made every drill count.

"That's how she became our leader," Wade said. "She led our team to greatness."

Through her example, she not only made her team better, she made her teammates better, both in the game of basketball and in life.

"You compete to beat your own numbers," Wade said. "That's what made us better and that's what made us cherish Christina Volpe. She taught her teammates so much and made her teammates lives better. She made her coach and her coaches better because of the person she was. Christina Volpe is not just a legendary player, she was a treasure because she made all of our lives richer."

Bill Wade.

Joining Rapone and Wade next to the lectern were members of Volpe's family and her former Notre Dame teammates.

Prior to Notre Dame's game with Elba, the players wore T-shirts with Volpe's number and name.

This tribute to Volpe will be hung in the entry hall of Notre Dame.

Volpe's jersey will hang, framed, next to the scoreboard the rest of this season and next season.

The employees at Castilone Chrysler Dodge and Jeep took in these two handsome canines they found wandering and lost near the dealership.

"They are both very nice and want to go home," Sara Stockwell said.

She's hoping the owner will claim the dogs by 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: The owner has picked up the dogs.

A caller on Town Line Road, Bergen, reports that a white male came to his door offering to sell a picture of his house from the air for $349.

The subject is now apparently across the street from the house attempting to do the same.

There is a second person in a red Dodge Stratus.

A deputy is dispatched to check it out.

Le Roy PD reports a series of thefts from unlocked vehicles during the night and early morning hours in the area of Munson and Gilbert streets. The pattern began about Dec. 15 and has continued. Multiple cars have been entered and items stolen. Le Roy PD reminds people to lock their vehicles and call 9-1-1 immediately if a suspicious person is seen.

Andrea Harrington, 22, of Pleasant Street, Le Roy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Harrington was by a Le Roy police officer allegedly walking with an unsteady gate and apparently intoxicated at 4:44 p.m. Jan. 25 on Bacon Street while carrying a 2-year-old child.

Anytime we cover an entertainment event at Batavia High School, we wind up with a picture of Ross Chua performing. He's very talented and very motivated. This is a photo from a talent show in June.

Besides being a performer, Chua is also a songwriter and composer. On Monday, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra played one of his compositions so it could be recorded to include with his college auditions and interviews.

This may be the first time the GSO performed a composition by a local high school student.

Here's the video:

YMCA Waives half its joining fee to jump start your January! Are you ready to shed those extra holiday pounds? Looking for a fresh start in 2016? Has cabin fever already started setting in? Join the Y during our membership campaign and save! Between 1/11/16 and 1/31/16 we will waive HALF the joining fee on any membership category. Up to $37.50 in savings!

YMCA Membership entitles you and your loved ones the chance to become part of an organization that believes in and promotes active and healthy lifestyles, progressive skill development, fair play, family, and character development. The YMCA is not just another gym. When you join the Y, you join a family and what’s more you join a place where people are looking for changes to their overall health. The Genesee County YMCA offers a wide array of programs and services to meet the interests and needs of the entire family from memberships for youth, college students, families and seniors. From swimming lessons and sports, to childcare and summer camping, there is truly something for everyone at the Genesee County YMCA. 

If you feel like you cannot afford a YMCA membership, it is the policy of the YMCA that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Financial assistance for membership and programs is available through the annual Strong Communities Campaign. The application process is easy and confidential. Please call or visit our member service desk to obtain an application. For more information on membership or programs offered at the Genesee County YMCA, please call (585)344­-1664 or log on to our Web site at www.glowymca.org. 

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported on Batavia Elba Townline Road.

The driver is reportedly conscious and alert and standing up inside the vehicle.

The roadway is blocked

Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

For more information about this program, contact Chuck DiPasquale, director of Programs, at (585) 344-7552. Applications may be downloaded at http://www.gvboces.org/adulted.cfm?subpage=1216002 and are due by Feb. 24.  

###

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State. 

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently announced that he will host Operation Entrepreneurship, free business start-up training for veterans and military family members. The event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Genesee Community College in Room T119.

**To register, contact Greg Lindberg at 716-551-5670 or visit www.events.sba.gov**

“As a veteran and small-business owner, I know firsthand the challenges and dedication it takes to succeed in both of these fields,” Hawley said. “I built my business from the ground up and am constantly evolving, evaluating and challenging myself to succeed in New York’s lackluster and competitive business climate.

"I look forward to meeting and working with veterans and their families who have an interest in starting and owning their own business because the American dream is alive and well, and I want to help people realize it.”

The event is being sponsored by the Small Business Association (SBA) and topics covered will include introduction to business ownership, finding the right idea, introduction to business planning, understanding market research, choosing the correct legal entity and other issues. SBA Buffalo District Office Director, Franklin J. Sciortino, also praised the event’s merits.

“The SBA supports our veterans, service members and military families through a number of initiatives,” Sciortino said. “The Operation Entrepreneurship program creates an opportunity for our veterans to learn how to start up in a day, discover resources available to support their business success, and network with other like-minded entrepreneurs.”

WHAT:           Operation Entrepreneurship – Free entrepreneurship training for veterans and military family members

WHO:             Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia)                      

WHEN:           Thursday, Feb. 4

                        8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:        Genesee Community College 

                        Room T119, 

                        1 College Road

                        Batavia, NY 14020

Press release:

At this month's Board of Trustees meeting, Chair Diane Torcello opened the meeting by first welcoming Genesee Community College's new Genesee County Legislative Liaison, Marianne Clattenberg, who represents District 8 and Wards 1 and 6. 

Kathleen Schiefen, Ed.D., GCC provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, continued her ongoing reports to the Board of Trustees regarding the review and modifications of academic programs in alignment with the State University of New York's seamless transfer initiative. The latest programs to undergo careful review and subsequent minor program adjustments include: 

o Communications and Media Arts, AS 

o Computer Repair Technology Certificate

o Computer Support and Operations AAS

o Criminal Justice AAS and AS

o Help Desk Certificate 

o Musical Theatre Certificate

In other matters, the Board of Trustees: 

• Approved the renewal of continuing appointments for the following GCC employees: Shawn Adamson, assistant professor of English (Batavia); Meredith Altman, professor of Mathematics (Churchville); Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts (Le Roy); Vicky Aubert, technical assistant, Warsaw Campus Center (Warsaw); Valerie Bello, assistant professor of Communications and Media Arts (Lancaster); Christine Belongia, professor of Teacher Education (Oakfield); Marjorie Blondell, associate professor of Nursing (Buffalo); Charley Boyd, professor of English (Batavia); Bill Brewer, assistant professor of Economics (Castile); Jeannie Burdick, counselor (Corfu); Chris Caputi, associate professor / clinical education coordinator (Tonawanda); Jean Chenu, associate professor of Office Technology (Cheektowaga); Kris Dassinger, assistant professor of English (Batavia); Rick Dudkowski, professor of Fashion Merchandising Management (Williamsville); Cindy Francis, professor / collection development librarian (Batavia); Patti Furness, technical assistant, GCC at Albion (Kent); Barry Garigen, professor of Criminal Justice (LeRoy); Norm Gayford, professor of English (Warsaw); Kathy Gurak, associate professor of Health and Physical Education (Groveland); Jim Habermas, professor of Computer Information Systems (Rochester); Ed Hallborg, theater technician (Cowlesville); Tim Hinz, associate professor of Computer Information Systems (Batavia); Heather Jones, assistant professor of Art (Conesus); Josephine Kearney, assistant professor of Sociology / Human Services (Lockport); Mary Knappen, professor of Mathematics (Rochester); Amy Masters, technical specialist, Financial Aid (Batavia); Christie McGee-Ross, technical assistant, Women's Basketball / Intramural Programming (Cheektowaga) Kathy Palumbo, director of Nursing (Corfu); Susan Ryan, technical specialist, Admissions (Batavia); Amy Schnettler-Zak, assistant professor of Nursing (Alden); Charles Scruggs, associate professor of History / Political Science; Amy Slusser, professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management (Warsaw); Catherine Wall, assistant professor of Nursing (Hilton); Nina Warren, director of Library Services (Churchville) and Karen Wicka, assistant professor of Criminal Justice (Hamburg).

• Approved the initial continuing appointment of the following GCC employees: Lourdes Abaunza, technical specialist, Student Financial Services (Batavia); Debbie Allen, technical assistant, GCC at Dansville (Avon); Rachel Blecha, technical specialist for Enrollment Services (East Bethany); Michele Bokman, director of Operations, GCC at Albion and Medina (Medina); Debbie Dunlevy, director, Career Pathways (Batavia); Melissa Dussault, technical specialist, GCC at Lima (Lima); Josh Escudero, director of Respiratory Care / assistant professor (Victor); Maxine Fearrington, instructor of Nursing (Attica); Becky Green, technical specialist, Recruitment Publications (Stafford); Cindy Hagelberger, instructor / reference services librarian (Darien Center); Jessica Hibbard, technical specialist, GCC at Warsaw (Castile); Bruce Ingersoll, instructor of Veterinary Technology (Rochester); John McGowan, director of Business and Employee Skills Training (Batavia); Paul Schwartz, instructor of Chemistry / Mathematics (Webster); Robert Swinarski, instructor of Computer Systems / Network Technology (Batavia); Tim Tomczak, director of Social Sciences / professor and Joe Ziolkowski, instructor of Photography and Art (Batavia).

Press release:

A traditional Italian feast catered by Bing's Restaurant, of Amherst, will be available for a St. Joseph Table event at Ascension Parish beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 13.

Proceeds will aid ministry and outreach to area veterans, elderly and youth in the City of Batavia.

Space is limited to 250!

Cost is $25 per person if you buy tickets in advance at the Parish Office. Cash or check only. Make checks payable to Ascension Parish. If you pre-pay and buy online, there is a $1.75 service fee added to the price, so those tickets are $26.75 apiece. To buy tickets online, go to: https://ascensionrcc.weshareonline.org

There will be no sales the day of the event or at the door. 

The seven-course meal will be served family style in the parish's Slomba Hall, located at 17 Sumner St. in the City of Batavia.

The menu includes: antipasto, artichokes, frittata, lentil soup, caesar salad, lemon sorbet, pasta con sardi, pasta & peas, baked fish, greens, bread & butter, coffee/tea and homemade Italian desserts. Cash Bar and wine available for your table.

Music and entertainment by Steve Balestreri.

Theme baskets and 50/50 split will be offered for your enjoyment, too.