Press release:

Anyone with an artistic calling can enter the contest for a new logo for the Corfu Free Library. The Board of Directors will be accepting entries for a new logo for the library that goes along with the library’s slogan, “Rooted in our past, growing our future.” The contest is open to all ages.

The winner will be voted on by the community after the semi-finalists are chosen by the Board of Directors. The winning design will be unveiled at a future date and the winner awarded a $50 gift card.

“Since the library is on Maple Avenue and our slogan mentions roots, a logo that somehow incorporates a tree in its design is what we have in mind,” says Diana Reding, library director.

“The Corfu Free Library has been a part of the community for nearly a century, and now includes many of the new electronic services like electronic books, audio books, and e-magazines, but we still have books for all ages of readers,” she adds.

Tony Kutter, local resident and a member of the Board of Directors, thinks that the old gas lantern that has flickered for a century by the library would be a nice addition to a design, too.

“We are open to all ideas for our new logo that would illustrate our slogan,” says Kutter. “It will be exciting to see what entries we receive from our talented residents.”

Entries will be accepted until Jan. 10. Residents will then be invited to vote on their favorite. Once the new logo is chosen, there will be a special celebration in late January to unveil the new design, and all residents will be invited to attend.

Entry forms are available at the library, 7 Maple Ave. in Corfu, and on the library’s Web site at www.CorfuFreeLibrary.org. For more details, stop by the Corfu Free Library circulation desk or call (585) 599-3321.

A possible structure fire is reported at 8979 Wilkinson Road, East Pembroke. The house is said to be filled with smoke although no flames are visible. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, along with an engine from Town of Batavia, as mutual aid.

UPDATE 3:28 p.m.: All available manpower from East Pembroke Fire Department is called to respond to the confirmed, working structure fire. Also called to the scene are Darien, Oakfield and Alexander fire departments. Pembroke is asked to fill in at East Pembroke's fire hall.

UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Elba Fire Department is asked to fill in at Town of Batavia Fire Station #1.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: Fire is out.

Words come easily to those who knew the late Norman D. “Don” Ball.

He was a great and generous friend, they say.

A true family man.

The kind of person who’d give the shirt off his back to a stranger in need.

“Not just his shirt,” said Ron Townsend, 67, a cousin and lifelong friend. “He’d give you his shoes and walk around barefoot.

“The man had a heart as big as the world,” Townsend said. “He’d help anybody.”

The words are easy to find.

What is impossible, Townsend said, is finding any sense in the tragedy that unfolded on Tuesday. Ball, 69, was shot and killed early that morning while he slept at his home on Selden Road in Le Roy.

A neighbor, Kyle Johnson, was charged with murder after an hours-long armed standoff with police.

The suspect, Townsend said, is among the countless number of people indebted to Ball.

It was at least a decade ago, Townsend said, that he was renting a room at Ball’s home, while also working at his construction business.

Johnson, who was married at the time, had trees that needed cutting but no money to pay for the work.

Townsend said Ball called him one winter day, and asked him to help Johnson out.

“Donnie called and asked me to take a chainsaw and cut the trees down,” Townsend said. “We didn’t know what to do with all the wood, so we brought it back and cut it into firewood.

“Shortly after that we had a snowstorm, and Donnie sent me down to plow (Johnson’s) driveway,” Townsend continued. “He didn’t have any money at the time, so his wife made Christmas cookies and we brought them over to Don’s house.”

Townsend said he felt sickened on Tuesday, as he watched television coverage of events on Selden Road.

“I just couldn’t believe it was happening,” Townsend said. “I just don’t get it.”

Tuesday was also difficult for Richard Gross, who got to know Ball when he rented his Selden Road apartment about eight years ago.

“We became real good buddies, doing all kinds of things together,” Gross said. 

Gross, 52, rented from Ball for a couple of years and now lives in Wyoming. He said he’d visit Ball whenever he had a chance, most recently about a month ago.

“He was always making jokes, always smiling,” Gross said. “It took a whole lot to upset him.”

Ball was a businessman and an Air Force veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He also owned a mobile home park in the Town of Bergen.

“He was a true family man,” Gross said. “He really loved his family, I can tell you that.” 

And his friends.

Gross remembered wanting to buy a Ford diesel truck. He couldn’t afford one at the time.

“Donnie knew I didn’t have the cash right at the moment, but he knew I wanted the truck,” Gross said. “The next thing I know, he goes and buys it for me.

“Is that a friend or what?”

Gross eventually paid Ball for the truck. He’ll never forgot the gesture of kindness.

Which left him feeling at a loss this week.

“I can’t believe somebody would do something like that to Donnie,” Gross said. “The guy did nothing but good for people.

“He didn’t deserve this,” he said. “That’s for damn sure.”

Press release:

“Investing in America’s infrastructure will help grow our economy and improve the day-to-day lives of Western New Yorkers,” Congressman Chris Collins said. “This bipartisan legislation makes tremendous strides in modernizing America’s transportation policy, supports good-paying jobs, and implements vital reforms to jumpstart infrastructure projects in our region.”

Several key provisions of the legislation will benefit Western New York. The bill:

· Provides certainty to states and local governments by funding highway projects for five years;

· Exempts dairy trucks from certain federal trucking weight limits, allowing them to efficiently transport their products;

· Streamlines existing regulatory requirements for transportation projects, increasing efficiency and expediting the process;

· Funds the 5340 High Density States program, which guarantees New York’s mass transit agencies access to the funding they need;

· Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, protecting more than 3,700 jobs in Western New York and 25 exporting small businesses in New York’s 27th District; and

· Converts the current Surface Transportation Program (STP) to a block grant program, which will provide states and local governments more flexibility in their transportation spending. Fifty percent of the program’s funding is specifically targeted toward local governments and that grows by 5 percent over the five-year span of the bill.

Full text of the legislation can be read here.

Brunch with Santa - Sunday, December 6th • 10am-2pm
The area's best Sunday Brunch made even better with an appearance from this special North Pole guest! Enjoy your brunch favorites, such as a chef-attended omelet station, hand-carved meats, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, and seafood-stuffed cod, while celebrating the holidays with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Bring the entire family for this festive holiday treat!* 
$15.95/Adults, $9.95/Children 5-10, 4 & Under Free

Holiday Quick Lunch Buffets -- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

• Friday, December 11th
• Thursday, December 17th 
• Friday, December 18th 
• Tuesday, December 22nd
• Wednesday, December 23rd

Looking for a last minute way to celebrate the holidays with friends, family, or coworkers? Bring them on down to Terry Hills for a fantastic luncheon! Offering soup, salad, sandwiches, potatoes, vegetables, 2-3 hot entrees, seafood-stuffed cod & dessert -- plus coffee, soda, & tea all for only $10.95/person! *Reservations Required for all holiday events. Call 585-343-0642. 

Holiday Gift Card Sale - Purchase a $50 Restaurant or Golf Course Gift Card, and get a FREE $10 Restaurant Gift Card (limit 5 per person). Gift cards can be purchased online or in-house at:  Terry Hills, 5122 Clinton Street Road (Route 33), Batavia.

Wendy S. Pritchard, 39, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with false reporting an incident and providing a false written statement. Pritchard is accused of falsely reporting that a check written to her landlord was stolen and cashed without her permission.

Ajia R. Hasenauer, 22, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hasenauer was arrested by Le Roy police after a check by a probation officer of her residence allegedly uncovered a quantity of pregabalin, a controlled substance.

Brenda L. Babcock, 31, of West Ave, Brockport, was arrested on a warrant by Le Roy PD. Babcock was wanted in connection with a 2008 charge of issuing a bad check. 

Michael J. Elmore, 24, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Elmore was arrested following an investigation into a trespassing complaint at 6:06 a.m. Monday at an address on Summit Street, Batavia.

Ela Arana, 37, of Chapin Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Arana was allegedly observed by Batavia Downs video surveillance staff stealing a phone. Also charged with petit larceny, Luz E. Ramos, 54, of Chapin Street, Rochester.

Jae-Quele M. Tomlin, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Tomlin was arrested following a complaint of a disturbance at Billy Goats, 345 W. Main St., Batavia, at 11 p.m. Friday. Also arrested, Amber D. Blackshear, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, who was charged with assault, 3rd. Blackshear allegedly hit and injured a bouncer. Also arrested, Winston Ashton Lockhart, 20, no permanent address, who was charged with second-degree harassment and trespass.

Barbara Lynn Burns, 51, of Westwind Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Burns was arrested by Deputy James Diehl following a report of a property damage accident at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

Larson Zane Sundown, 18, of Meadville Road, Basom, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, moving from lane unsafely, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop for a red light on a right turn and driving left of pavement markings. Sundown as stopped by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello on Lewiston Road, Batavia, at 11:53 p.m. Nov. 25.

Most notably, perhaps, Glenn R. Morton was a Genesee County Judge, but in matters of public service, he was so much more than that.

Morton was a former county legislator, a former Genesee Community College trustee and a member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors, as well as a former supervisor in the Town of Batavia. He was also active in the Lions Club and on the board of the YMCA.

The 81-year-old Morton passed away Tuesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 8, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Co. is handling arrangements.

For Morton's full obituary, click here.

Pictured above is Batavia chiropractor Dr. Tom Mazurkiewicz and his secretary Brittany Moretti, who are continuing the legacy of Don Carroll.

Mazurkiewicz along with Beth and Brian Kemp from T-Shirts Etc. have joined together to host the annual Toy Drive for Kids at his office, Mazurkiewicz Family Chiropractic 184 Washington Ave., Batavia, this Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Tom has been involved for more than 25 years helping Don, who asked him to carry the tradition for him and keep it going in his memory. Mazurkiewicz said that anytime between now (during office hours) until the close of Monday, donors are welcome to bring in an unwrapped toys for ages 2 to 15.

If you come to the event this Saturday, he will offer a free chiropractic adjustment at no charge.

Local nurses from Batavia and Oakfield school districts have provided names of 52 children who will receive the gifts at a private party that is hosted by the Kemps.  

For questions, call (585) 343-9316.

Press release:

The year 2016 marks the 177th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair! 

The Genesee County Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that the 2016 Genesee County Fair will be held on July 12th – 16th. Please note that the Fair dates have changed by one week to allow the Agricultural Society to secure a top of the line midway and entertainment. This date change will enable the Fair to continue to grow into the future. 

Preparations have already begun in the planning of the 177th Genesee County Fair. The Agricultural Society welcomes the return of Midway Rides of Utica as the midway ride provider for 2016. This year, once again, admission to the Fair is only $5 per carload. Several of the popular Grandstand events will be returning this year, including the Demolition Derby, ESP Tractor Pulls & Stock Car Racing. Other returning events include the Genesee County Fair Talent Show, The Grand Parade, a classic/antique auto & farm equipment show, small fry tractor pull, 4-H livestock auction, 4-H animal exhibits and the Fair Queen Pageant.

For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com 

These are just some of the events happening during the 177th fair. With your help, the Agricultural Society hopes to make 2016 a memorable year for the fair by adding new and exciting events. The board of directors would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer, exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair. Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the weeks before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!

Becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers that live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year. If you are interested in volunteering, exhibiting or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to  HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com to download all of the forms and for contact information.

The Agricultural Society would like to make the 177th fair special. In order for this to happen, your help is needed! The Genesee County Agricultural Society would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Genesee County Fair over the years!

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is always receiving reports of scams that are attempted via the phone, mail or online. Scams can range from “you won the lottery” (that you didn’t even enter) to a call from someone claiming to be a relative who is in trouble with the law and needs bail (a favorite for elderly grandparents).

The common denominator for all of these scams is an eventual attempt to get the victim to send/wire money to the caller. If it’s an ID theft scam, the goal is to obtain personal information from you such as your date of birth, address, Social Security number, etc. Another commonality is the pressure to act now or loose the opportunity. This pressure can come in the form of a threat.

Today alone, we received no less than five reports of an IRS scam that is being perpetrated via phone. In this scam, the caller identifies him or herself as an IRS agent, tells the victim they owe the IRS a sum of unpaid taxes and threatens to have him/her arrested immediately if cash is not withdrawn from the bank and wired to an address the caller gives. The caller doesn’t allow any time for the victim to check the validity of the call and actually continues to verbally threaten the victim.

Today, a potential victim came to the Sheriff’s Office to report such a scam attempt. The victim had been convinced that the caller was with the IRS and that she was going to be arrested if she didn’t immediately comply. She went to her bank, withdrew over $5,000 and drove to a local retail store (as directed) where she was to wire out the money. Fortunately, she called a family member at the last minute, despite the threats not to delay, and was diverted to the Sheriff’s Office before the money was gone forever.

The IRS never attempts to collect legitimate debt over the phone or Internet. They never attempt to persuade you not to confirm the legitimacy of such a contact. While there may be a deadline involved, it is never so short as not to afford you time to check out the authenticity of the notification with the IRS using publicly listed contact numbers.

If you have doubt, if you are confused, if you feel threatened, call a trusted family member and/or the Sheriff’s Office. IRS scam attempts can be reported directly to the Treasury Inspector General for Taxation Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or via their Web site: www.tigta.gov

Services have been announced for Norman D. "Don" Ball, 69, who was shot and killed early Tuesday morning while he slept in his bed at his residence on Selden Road, Le Roy.

A neighbor, Kyle Johnson, has been charged with murder in the second degree.

The Falcone Funeral & Cremation Service in Le Roy is handling arrangments for the Ball family. Calling hours are from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, 8700 Lake Road, Le Roy. Funeral services are at noon, with interment to follow at Stafford Rural Cemetery.

Ball, a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Air Force, will receive military honors.

For the complete obituary, click here.

Previously:

• Selden Road victim sleeping in bed before being shot to death
• Arson, murder suspect in Le Roy reportedly taunted police before surrendering
• Person reportedly shot at residence in Town of Le Roy

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported in the parking lot at 16 Bank St. The patient is conscious and alert and states she has face and hand injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 5267 Clinton Street Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

The season opener for the Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team didn't exactly go the way Dave Pero Sr. would have liked, with a tough loss to Gates Chili, 42-33, but Pero couldn't have been prouder of his son.

Dave Perio Jr., was appointed the Gates Chili coach during the off-season, and after three years as an assistant to his father at Notre Dame, the younger Pero gets his first opportunity to run his own program.

"I've been happy for him since the day he got the job," said Pero Sr. "It's a great opportunity for him. It's his second win. He's 2-0. He's got a nice road ahead of him. Let's hope he keeps building and great things are going to happen."

Always intense on the sidelines, Pero Jr. was perhaps even a little more animated making his first appearance as a head coach in a gym where he played high school ball and helped the Lady Irish to a couple of championship seasons.

"Coming in here, seeing my brother on the other bench and my family here, and I've coached these girls on Notre Dame's team for three years, so I know every single one of them," Pero Jr. said. "I know they wanted to beat me as much as I wanted to win. I'm trying to build a program at Gates Chili, so a win at Gates is just as big for my program. I loved my time here, but unfortunately, I had to move on and I'm trying to do the best I can where I am now."

He said the win was bittersweet because he hates seeing his father lose, but he needed his girls to play winning basketball.

"My father is my mentor, one of my best friends," Pero Jr. said. "It was tough coaching against him."

Both coaches said the game was like watching twin teams battle on the hardwood.

"I teach the same things he does," Pero Jr. said. "Hard work, boxing out, diving on the floor for loose balls. Everything I know, I learned from him."

Both coaches are optimistic about their teams' prospects for 2015-16, even though they both have young teams. Pero Sr. said the loss was just a small setback. It doesn't derail the season.

"My expectations are high, even after a loss tonight," Pero Sr. said. 

One roster change that makes Notre Dame a bit younger than expected this season is the departure of Shea Norton, a 6' 2" senior who was one of the area's dominant girls basketball players last season, who decided she would rather be a cheerleader than a hoops star. It's a change of heart Pero Sr. didn't want to discuss other than to say, "We're moving on."

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is repairing a broken water main on South Swan Street. South Swan Street will be closed to traffic from Ellicott Street to Sumner Street until repairs are completed.  

There will be a water service interruption for residents from Ellicott Street to Sumner Street. Other residents in the area may experience low water pressure or discolored water, which should return to normal once repairs are complete.

The Batavia High School Drama Club will present a special adaptation of "Peter Pan" called "Peter and Wendy" this weekend on the stage -- a theater-in-the-round setting -- in the school's auditorium.

The adaptation, by writer Jeremy Bloom, explores some of the deeper themes of "Peter Pan," including the relevance of time.

There are 28 students in the cast and four more working as stage crew. The production is directed by Caryn Burk.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students.

Pictured are: Shannon Cervone, Eryn Dunn, and Elise Hoerbelt as Lost Boys; Alex Mott as Peter, Chelsea Jensen as Tiger Lily and Sarah Wetzel as Tinker Bell.

Le Roy’s Winterfest is Saturday, and fear not — one of the most anticipated guests is definitely on the way.

And it isn’t Santa Claus (although he’s coming to town, too).

We’re talking about the Community Christmas Tree, which has graced the former Wiss Hotel site at Main and Lake streets every season since Lathan Tree Service donated it in 2013.

The 30-foot-tall artificial tree will be in place by Thursday — Friday at the latest, said Carrie Lathan, whose husband Andrew owns the business.

“This year we’re kind of cutting it close,” Lathan said Monday. “But don’t worry, we’ll have it up on time.”

Winterfest will feature a host of activities and events for all ages beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Community Christmas Tree Lighting will conclude festivities at 6 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Le Roy Business Council, and numerous businesses and organizations will offer sales, specials and open houses.

A highlight is Santa himself, who will visit with children at the Moose Family Center, 21 Bank St., beginning at 1 p.m. 

A “Santa’s Cutest Elf” contest is slated for 12:30 p.m., also at the Moose Family Center.

Other scheduled events include:

— Face painting, coloring and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Hall, 48 Main St.; and an inflatable obstacle course from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fire Hall, 3 W. Main St.

— A “create a craft” station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 7 Clay St.

— Numerous activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Woodward Memorial Library, 7 Wolcott St. Crafts include paper snow globes, bowtie pasta wreaths, and wreath and candy-cane bead ornaments. Children may also decorate a sugar cookie and watch the holiday movie favorite “Elf,” which will play on a loop.

— A basket raffle and pie sale from 10 a.m. until sold out at United Methodist Church, 10 Trigon Park.

— The Community Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moose Family Center, 21 Bank St. Non-perishable items (including canned goods, toiletries, diapers, winter clothing and back-to-school supplies) are being collected for donation to the Le Roy Pantry & Help Fund, LCCP Backpack Program and the Back to School Supply Program.

— A chocolate candy sale by the Olive Branch Women from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 12 Bank St.

— A Boy Scout fresh wreath sale from 10 a.m. until sold out on Main Street near the Bank of Castile. 

— The “Jinglin All The Way” 5K/10K run/walk, which begins at 3 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Bank Street and follows a course through the village. Registration is $20 plus a new, unwrapped toy or $15 gift card. Proceeds benefit the Le Roy Food Pantry. Also, every donated canned good or nonperishable food item will earn a raffle ticket for a prize drawing. For more information and a list of needed items visit tritheoatka.com.

For more information and updates, visit Le Roy’s Annual Winterfest Page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/LRWinterfest/

———

Businesses and families are once again welcome to provide ornaments for the Community Christmas Tree. They should be at least 6 inches tall, and can be dropped off at Town Hall by Thursday.

“The only specification we give is that they’re durable, because they’ll be outside,” Lathan said.

Ornaments will be zip-tied to the tree, and will stay on the branches year-round. But anyone who would like their ornament returned at the end of the season, can call Lathan Tree Service at (585) 768-2278 to make arrangements.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s visit to Batavia on Tuesday included some hands-on education.

Hochul met for about a half hour with officials at Genesee Community College, who discussed the college’s workforce development initiatives and STEM — or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — career path training.

A subsequent campus tour included the third-floor science laboratories, where Assistant Professor Karen Huffman-Kelly was teaching a Cellular Biology class.

The lab is equipped with a luminometer, a hand-held swab unit that uses bioluminescence technology to test bacteria levels on food-processing equipment.

Hochul — under the guidance of Greg Sharpe, instructor for the college’s Food Processing Technology program, pictured above — used the device to test the cleanliness of a student’s cell phone.

“We’ll see whether I want to keep holding your cell phone,” Hochul told the student.

The verdict?

After a quick swab and a 15-second countdown, the device yielded a score of 136.

“Not too bad,” Sharpe said.

“Cell phones on average (score) around a 300,” he explained. “In the food industry, typically anything over a 30 we make them re-clean it.”

GCC launched its Food Processing Technology degree program last year. It was designed to meet the demand for skilled workers in the food manufacturing field.

The program already has an international reach, as Hochul learned by chance on Tuesday.

She was introduced to Arsenio Ferreira, 22, who is in his second year of the FPT program.

Ferreira hails from the southeast Asian island nation of Timor-Leste, which became independent in 2002. He told Hochul he will bring new skills back to Timor-Leste, to help with its economic and social development.

Hochul called New York’s community colleges the creative engines of the SUNY System, with the flexibility to meet changing economic needs.

“I think we’re very lucky because we have a strong reputation as far as the academic quality of this institution,” said GCC President James Sunser, Ph.D.

The Food Processing Technology program, he noted, was developed in cooperation with Cornell University.

“Their willingness to work with us — and to accept our students in transfer — is in large part because of our strong academic reputation.”

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, right, speaks Tuesday at Genesee Community College with Arsenio Ferreira, an international student from Timor-Leste who is studying Food Processing Technology.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at the intersection of Gilmore and Akron roads. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire department are dispatched along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 7:29 p.m.: Command reports there are no injuries and tells responding units to remain in quarters.