This is from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office.

National Grid USA is considering outsourcing much of its Northeast operations that would result in significant job losses across New York. Gillibrand is urging National Grid to reconsider its plans and keep jobs in New York.

The company is considering outsourcing much of its information-services work, including software programming, computer networking and other functions. One request for proposals (RFP) for outside vendors has already been issued, with possibly three more in the works. The plan could send as many as 1,200 jobs in New York and New England overseas.

Yet National Grid USA made nearly $1.5 billion in profits last year, due in large part to the quality American workforce it relies on.

In a letter to National Grid President Tom King, Gillibrand wrote:

“In this economic time, it is very disconcerting to hear that any company would consider outsourcing its jobs to overseas businesses when we have a competent and capable workforce here in the United States. A workforce that you have been utilizing since 2002.  It is even more upsetting to know that a company who made $1.43 billion in profits last year would look for ways to cut costs by reducing it employees.”

The senator is working with businesses in all sectors in all regions of the state to keep their workforces in New York, and she is working on new legislation that would encourage businesses to start hiring again – putting New Yorkers back to work.

Several weeks ago, I ran into local musician Bill McDonald in the parking lot at Tops, and as it usually does, our conversation ranged from music to all things local. He asked me if I had ever seen the paintings of old Downtown Batavia in the Genesee County Nursing Home. I didn't even know about them.

So yesterday, since I needed to stop by the nursing home anyway, I decided to make a special point of seeking out the paintings and taking a couple of pictures.

The paintings are truly stunning and great art. I'm sure they would be especially appreciated by anybody who remembers Batavia as it once was.

They are the work Patricia Burr, an artist from Elba.

I believe there are eight panels total (forgot to take an exact count). Above is a detail of one panel and two more panels below. 

I'm not sure how the staff at the home would feel about a bunch of people showing up to gaze at the paintings, but they are worth the trip.

The Genesee County Department of Social Services reports that a former Batavia resident, Alexis Oberlander, now residing in Buffalo, was sentenced in Genesee County Court on Monday on welfare fraud charges.

She bilked the Genesee County Department of Social Services out of $60,523.50 and was sentenced as a second-felony offender and will serve one-and-a-half to 3 years in prison.

The case has a long history.

Oberlander was originally arrested on March 23, 2006 and charged and convicted in December 2006 on 12 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree and one count of Grand Larceny in the 2nd Degree.

She filed an appeal and was given a stay on her sentence. In March 2009 the Appellate Division overturned 12 of the 13 counts and granted her a new trial on the remaining count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree.

After a jury trial, she was convicted last August of one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services at (585) 344-2580 ext 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.

Patti Pacino said she showed up to City Hall 10 minutes early this morning ... just to make sure.

Pacino, who said she thought last night's Council meeting was at the usual 7 p.m., missed the 6 p.m. meeting where she was slated to take the oath of office.

So Pacino was sworn in at 9 a.m. by Deputy Clerk Aimslee Cassidy.

The long-time community activist replaces Marianne Clattenburg, who was elected to an at-large seat in November.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

Both WeatherUnderground and Weather.com are predicting snow for the Batavia area today.

It seems that some level of snow showers -- with some possibility of lake effect snow -- are likely all day. Accumulations could be around 2 to 3 inches.

Temperatures will hover in the high teens with light winds.

Patti Pacino said a little while ago that she thought she was doing really well to get to City Hall a bit after 6:30 p.m.

"I'm normally running late, but tonight I was feeling so proud to show up early," Pacino said.

Problem was, the Batavia City Council meeting didn't start at its usual 7 p.m. time. It started at 6 p.m.  By the time Pacino arrived, almost everybody else had left.

Still, the council approved Pacino's appointment to the Ward 2 seat vacated by Marianne Clattenburg by a unanimous vote.

Pacino will be sworn in at 9 a.m. in the City Manager's office.

Meanwhile, Clattenburg, who won an at-large seat in the November election, assumed the role of City Council president.

"In moving forward, the city needs to focus more on planning," Clattenburg said in a speech after assuming the president's chair. "It will be my recommendation that this council works together to develop a strategic plan for the future. We must set our priorities and develop polices that address the most urgent needs of the city."

AUDIO: Full speech (mp3, courtesy WBTA)

The motion to appoint Clattenburg was made by Frank Ferrando. Democrats Rose Mary Christian and Kathy Briggs rushed to second the motion. Clattenburg was appointed to the chair unanimously.

At the end of the meeting, Clattenburg thanked outgoing Council President Charlie Mallow for his service and, on behalf of the council, presented him with a plaque.

A 21-year-old Batavia mother is accused of hurting her baby after the infant would not stop crying.

Nikki Stonebraker, of 25 Vine St., is charged with assault 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child.

She was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Stonebraker allegedly placed her hand over the 6-month-old infant's mouth and pushed down after the baby's cries awoke her around 11 a.m. on Dec. 21.

Batavia Police say the baby is doing fine now and has been placed with the father.

BATAVIA, NY -- Contrary to the perception that might be out there, there is no "for sale" sign hanging on the Genesee County Nursing Home.

That doesn't mean the county couldn't seek a buyer, but according to County Manager Jay Gsell, the only thing the county is doing right now is looking for a consultant to help it study options for dealing with escalating costs associated with the home.

One of those options is sale, which is what has former legislature candidate Chris Charvella so concerned.

Charvella has been drafted to organize and speak for a group of concerned citizens -- including some residents of the home -- seeking to block any possible sale, even before the option is fully studied.

"I realize it's not set in stone," Charvella said. "But our county government has a history of looking for sale as the first option rather than fully considering other options."

The local businessman is pretty convinced that given the option, the legislature would seek a buyer for the home pretty quickly.

"The County Legislature's first duty is to the taxpaying citizens and this is an essential service," Charvella said. "We have people who pay taxes here their entire lives and expect this safety-net option."

Human Services Committee Chairwoman Esther Leadley said that, of course, sale is an option. It has to be, she said, if the Legislature is to act responsibly in protecting the interests of taxpayers.

The county is in a difficult position, she said.

"This has been coming at us like a freight train and we're sitting on the tracks," Leadley said. "The taxpayers are sitting on the tracks and we can't let them stay there. This is something that we're not rah-rah to do. It is something that we've got to look at."

Last month, the county put out a request-for-proposal seeking bids from potential consultants. The RFP spells out clearly what the county is looking for:

"Genesee County, New York, a non-chartered county government located in western New York between Buffalo and Rochester is seeking a professional service/consultant to assist the County in evaluating its options for the operation, management and/or sale of its 160 bed Skilled Nursing Facility and adjoined 80 bed Public Adult Home which comprise a complete long term care facility located at 278 Banks Street, Batavia, NY 14020.  Said service/consultant will be asked to assist the County in outlining options for future public and/or private ownership/operation of the present 240 bed facility and to help the County develop a strategy and plan of action for going forward with said facility and residents."

The big-cost bullet the county is looking to dodge, according to Gsell, is escalating personnel costs, especially in regard to benefits.

"Public employees cost more than private-sector employees and that's the kind of thing we will factor in where this going," Gsell said.

Gsell said that he wouldn't expect any current employees to lose their jobs if the facility was sold or operation was turned over to a private company. Because of the skills and experience required for such a facility, any new provider would almost certainly need to keep the current staff.

He also said the level of service would unlikely change, because of all the state mandates on such a facility.

Charvella isn't convinced service wouldn't suffer.

"If the margins are so thin, then a private company is going to pay more attention to the bottom line rather than patient care," Charvella said.

If the county did sell or lease the facility, Gsell said the local government would still have a substantial cost burden associated with its ongoing operation. The county would still pay more than $1.6 million in social services, such as its share of Medicaid payments, to keep the facility open. The consultant will be asked what the ongoing costs to the county will be with any of the possible options.

An Alexander woman who reportedly fled after she got wind of deputies going to her residence to arrest her on a warrant, entered a guilty plea today to a probation violation.

Brittany L. Frey failed to appear at Genesee Justice on four occasions under terms of her probation, so Judge Robert Noonan issued an arrest warrant.

According to a Sheriff's Office release in November, Frey heard deputies were looking for her, so she parked her car on Attica Road and fled into the woods. She was later found at a Batavia apartment.

Paul Ryan Tenney, who admitted stealing more than $106,000 from Elcon, Inc., will spend at least a year and two-thirds in state prison and could be locked up for as long as five years.

Judge Robert Noonan imposed the sentence this morning after hearing a request by Public Defender Gary Horton and Tenney himself to allow Tenney to continue in a substance-abuse program.

Noonan said after reviewing Tenney's record and the number of probation violations, as well as Tenney's failure to comply with the terms of a supervised release after entering a guilty plea in September, that prison time was appropriate in this case.

"I have to measure past performance against any gleam of hope that you would complete conditions of a supervised release," Noonan said. "I came to the conclusion that what is right for you is to sentence you."

Before Noonan imposed his sentence, Tenney said he was sorry for what he did.

"I remember I would sit at the computer and I kept telling myself I can't do this, and I couldn't stop myself," Tenney said. "I never wanted to hurt anybody, especially Mr. Leising. ... I can't apologize enough."

The issue of restitution was delayed until next week, but Tenney said he intends to repay "every penny" he stole.

An Elba man is accused of hitting a Sheriff's deputy's car in Orleans County and is now in jail on $2,000 bail.

He and three passengers in the car are also facing an investigation by the Border Patrol of their immigration status.

Felix Ignacio-Castro, 19, is accused of DWI, aggravated DWI, resisting arrest and other traffic violations.

Ignacio-Castro was reportedly eastbound on Brown Schoolhouse Road in Clarendon when he crossed over the center line and struck a patrol car.

Deputy D.S. Foeller was driving the patrol car at the time.

After a brief foot chase, Ignacio-Castro was reportedly Tasered.

(via WBTA)

Michael V. Poleo, 26, of 3409 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to keep right. Poleo was reportedly stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia following the report of an erratic driver. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly found in possession of marijuana. Allegedly, upon arriving at the Genesee County Jail, Poleo became irate and kicked a holding cell door and cracked the window. The damage is estimated at more than $250.

Brittany L. Ellis, 20, of 15 Bostwic Place, Hornell, is charged with petit larceny. Ellis is accused of shoplifting from Famous Footware on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Batavia.

Zeke A. Gross, 38, 965 Avenue D St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and speeding. Gross was reportedly stopped for speeding by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in Pembroke. After the stop, it was found that Gross reportedly has 32 suspensions or revocations on his driver's license, including operating without insurance, failure to pay child support, dishonored check, failure to pay fines and failure to answer summons. Gross posted a $350 pre-arraignment bail and was released on an appearance ticket.

Martin F. Jones, 38, no permanent address, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Jones allegedly hit two different women at two different locations. One alleged incident was at 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the other was at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The alleged incidents are not related. Jones was jailed on $750 bail.

Jeffery J. Fisher II, 20, of 4940 Bigford Road, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Fisher is accused of shoplifting alcohol from Tops Market.

A 17-year-old from Bergen was arrested by State Police at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday and charged with harassment 2nd and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. No further details were released.

The lake effect snow warning has been lifted, but it is going to be cold today with ongoing light snow showers.

There could be as much as an inch accumulation.

Temperatures will remain in the 10- to 11-degree range.

Winds will be calm, less than 10 mph.

One forecast online suggests lake effect snow with an accumulation of 1 to 2 inches may return tonight.

A dryer fire that is now believed to be out has been reported at 5857 Byron-Holley Road.

Byron and South Byron fire departments have been dispatched.

Bergen and Elba are requested to stand by and Town of Batavia Fast Team is asked to stand by.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: South Bryon back in hall, back in service.

UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: Byron back in service.

View Larger Map

Blowing and drifting snow continues to make travel treacherous throughout Genesee County, according to a report on the scanner.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service says a lake effect storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m.

Snow fall could be heavy at times, with from 3 to 7 inches of additional accumulation today.

Winds will blow from the northwest at 15 to 30 mph.  The wind chill will be zero to 10 below.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: Lake effect snow warning has been extended until midnight.  The areas of heaviest snow fall continue to be just south of Lake Ontario.

UDATE 10:10 p.m.: The lake effect snow warning has been extended to 4 a.m. The National Weather Services says, "expect dangerous driving conditions."

I am such a believer in the spirit of Christmas, that even after Christmas is over, I still enjoy the afterglow. And so it is that I have chosen pets from two different households -- a total of three dogs -- as the Pet(s) of the Week.

They embody the kind of joie de vivre that ought to be evident more often throughout the year. So Happy New Year to these merrymakers!

My name is Winslow, and I live in LeRoy with my mom. I turned 1 year old on Dec. 17. I love the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills. We have been looking for a brother or sister for me, and often see animals at the animal shelter on The Batavian. However, when we call they have already been adopted. I agree with a previous Pet of the Week, Shadow, and if I win, I will also donate my winnings to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Thanks,
Winslow

Hello there! Our Mom and Dad dressed us like this to help spread holiday cheer and to make people smile and feel happy. Our Aunt says we just look so cute that she wanted you to see us and hope we make you feel good, too. We are Yorkie-Poms and our names are Brandy and Bailey Claus....yes that's right, the same last name as Santa. We are 10 and 11 years old and are brother and sister and even though it's cold like at the North Pole, we live right here in Batavia with our GREAT parents; Dawn and Tim Claus.

This is such a happy time of the year. We want to thank all our animals friends for leaving out a treat for us on Christmas Eve. We visited them all and wish them and their families a happy, healthy holiday season. Please remember to be kind to your companion and they will be kind to you! So "from our doghouse to yours, we wish you all a very Happy New Year!"
 
Love, Brandy and Bailey Claus........Arf...Arf...Arf....with love and licks!

Lake Effect snow coming off of Lake Ontario is going to start hitting Northern Genesee County shortly, according to the National Weather Service out of Buffalo.

Wind gusts of up to 25 mph combined with a snowfall rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour could create whiteout conditions and caution when traveling is advised.

South of the lake effect region, expect scattered snow showers with about an inches accumulation.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: The winter storm advisory for Batavia is canceled. We now have a lake effect storm warning in place until 6 p.m. tomorrow. Expect accumulations of 3 to 6 inches tonight. Travel conditions could be difficult.