Press release:

Nine members of the Genesee County Emergency Support Unit/Hazardous Materials Response Team recently received Hazardous Material Technician certification.

The Hazardous Materials Technician program is offered regionally by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC). 

Certification requires successful completion of a five modular training program consisting of a total of 84 hours. The modules focused on:

• Modular 1:  Primary Skills for the Hazardous Materials Responder
• Modular 2:  Interpreting the Hazardous Material Environment
• Modular 3:  Managing the Hazardous Materials Incident
• Modular 4:  Advanced Skills for the Hazardous Materials Responder
• Modular 5:  Specialty Skills for the Hazardous Materials Responder

Hazardous materials are a vital component in a multitude of today’s industries. HazMat related incidents pose a threat not only to the community and the environment but to emergency responders as well.

Mitigation and response expertise is essential for an efficient and effective response, minimizing risk and threat. The Genesee County Emergency Support Unit responds to a multitude of incidents each year.   

Team members, having been trained in all categories of unknown industrial chemical hazards in liquid, aerosol, powder, solids and vapor/gas forms and who have received Hazardous Material Technician certification, are: 

• ALABAMA: Gary Patnode
• ALEXANDER: Tom Green, Lance Scharlau    
• TOWN OF BATAVIA: James W. Bouton, Patrick J. Spear
• BYRON: Mark S. Holley
• CORFU: Lori A. Santini, Brian D. Schollard
• DARIEN: Jeffrey D. Luker 

To find out more about volunteering in your local community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Press release:

A fall Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) program was held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center.  The 79-hour program began in August and concluded on Nov. 6. Twenty-four students completed the 79-hour program from nine county departments and three neighboring departments.

The BEFO program is an entry-level program for the volunteer fire service designed to prepare students to respond to emergencies as exterior firefighters.

Students are instructed in fire extinguishers, building construction, forcible entry, ladder deployment, incident command, drafting operations, and hazardous materials operations level.  In addition, students are trained in ropes and knots, and first aid/CPR.

The Genesee County participants were:

Town of Batavia -- Thomas Marlowe  

Bergen -- Brandon Cunningham

Bethany -- Rick J. Klunder III and Jose E. Torres

Corfu -- Jayden D. Eck, Casey L. Felski, Ethan J. Librock, Dylan L. Lang, Megan G. Stiler, Elizabeth S. Tebor

East Pembroke -- Samantha M. Cavalieri             

Elba -- Mark E. Anuo

Le Roy -- William M. Crandall, Adam G. Hamel and Chelsea M. Pierce

Oakfield -- Garrett M. Gibson and Noah R. Toal  

Stafford -- Megan E. Burton and Kenneth V. Collins

To find out more about volunteering in your local community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Celia Murillo-Rios, left, and Michael Cook, students at Batavia Middle School came out the big winners Thursday night at the school's annual Family Night when their names were drawn in a giveaway of two bicycles.

The girl's bike was donated by the school's Parent-Teacher Association and the boy's bike was donated by the Batavia Police Benevolent Association.

Also pictured, Maureen Notaro, 7th and 8th grade VP, and Brian Sutton, 5th and 6th grade VP.

Constantine D. Murrell is indicted for the crime of second-degree robbery, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 25 at the Kwik-Fill gas station/convenience store at the intersection of Ellicott and Jackson streets in the City of Batavia that Murrell forcibly stole a 2008 automobile. In count two, he is accused of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged in count two that during the commission or attempted commission of the aforementioned felony that he cause physical injury to a person. in count three, he is accused of reckless driving, a misdemeanor, for driving the 2008 vehicle in a manner that interfered with the free and proper use of the roadways and/or unreasonably endangered users of those roadways. In count four, Murrell is accused of unlawful lfeeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count four that he attempted to flee an officer, knowing that he had been directed to stop, and that his speeds equaled or exceeded 25 miles per hour above the speed limit or he engaged in reckless driving.

Dylan J. Perry is indicted for the crime of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. It is alleged that between Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 he knowingly entered and remained unlawfully in a building located on Broadway Road in the Town of Darien with intent to commit a crime. In count two, Perry is accused of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that Perry stole $300 in U.S. currency and a pair of work boots while inside the property on Broadway Road.

Antonio J. Goodson is indicted for the crime of criminal contempt in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 22 in the City of Batavia that he violated a duly served order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Goodson is accused of having been convicted of criminal contempt in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, on Jan. 19 in City of Rochester Court. That conviction was for a violation of a stay away family offense order of protection and was within five years of the crime alleged in the current indictment.

Thomas J. Claffey is indicted for the crime of driving while ability impaired by drugs, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on June 18 in the Town of Stafford that he drove a 2016 Chevrolet on Route 33 while his ability to do so was impaired by use of a drug. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney's Office, Claffey is accused of having been convicted for DWI, as a misdemeanor, on July 28, 2008, in Town of Irondequoit, and that conviction was within 10 years of the crime alleged in the current indictment.

Prizes:
First Place (highest combined scores) -- $150 / Second Place (combined scores) -- $50 / Highest-scoring word -- $35

BUFFALO – The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is now accepting applications for the 2019 Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds competitive grant process.

Grants will support the following areas of interest:

• Caregivers

• Community Assets*

• Design and Access

• Youth Sports

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located within the eight counties of Western New York, including: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.

For Caregivers and Design and Access grants, government agencies also may apply.

*For Community Assets grants, only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that reside in Erie County may apply.

Applications are due Jan. 7.

For more information about deadlines and eligibility, and to apply, please visit

www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/ralph-wilson-legacy/

###

About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, a 501 (C)(3) organization, was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. The Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For nearly 100 years, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to its care. For more information, visit www.cfgb.org.

About the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation to provide support to four areas that were important to Mr. Wilson: caregivers, community assets, design and access, and youth sports. Endowment funds, like these created to honor Mr. Wilson, are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes.

It wasn't a lot of snow that fell overnight but it was wet and heavy and that made it hard to shovel, said Bob Pappalardo, above, who was clearing a driveway on Summit Street this morning.

Paul Lamendala, below, said the snow wasn't much easier to clear with a snow blower on the sidewalks outside of City Church/St. Anthony's on Liberty Street.

The snow is tapering off through early afternoon and Saturday and Sunday are expected to be partly cloudy.

Law enforcement is responding to Mill Street in Le Roy for a report of four dogs left unattended for several weeks.

Multiple city police units are on scene and officers have guns drawn after a gun was thrown out of a car at 317 Washington Ave. No further information.

More T/K.

UPDATE 5:24 p.m.: According to Sheriff's Office Sgt. Andrew Hale, a suspect vehicle in a string of recent burglaries "all over" was spotted by a marked Sheriff's patrol car traveling on Washington Avenue with two occupants. Sheriff's Investigator Christopher Parker, working patrol, turned around and followed the vehicle, which turned into a driveway randomly in an attempt to elude the Sheriff's unit. (By coincidence, it happens to be the residence of County Manager Jay Gsell.) One of the occupants threw out a 22-caliber semi-automatic pistol in an attempt to ditch the weapon. It was never pointed at anyone and no threat was made. The occupants did not attempt to flee. Two brothers, one age 19 and the other age 14, were transported to the Sheriff's Office for questioning. If charges are brought, more information will be released by law enforcement, Hale said.