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Two GC students earn recognition for 'remarkable contributions' at Cazenovia College

By Billie Owens

CAZENOVIA -- Cazenovia College's Annual Leaders Celebration recognized the remarkable contributions students, staff, and faculty made to enrich the Cazenovia College experience. Those honored play various roles and contribute in different ways to creating a positive campus-life environment.

Two honorees are from Genesee County: Maria Fontaine, of Darien Center, and Haley Boren, of Alexander.

Maria Fontaine received:

  • Leader Scholars Award -- The Leader Scholars Award recognizes students who serve in many roles, including Team Captains, Master Students, Resident Advisors, Peer Mentors, and Club Presidents. While serving, they have all also managed to achieve a minimum grade-point average of 3.70, demonstrating outstanding abilities to manage time, maintain priorities, and dedicate themselves in and outside the classroom.
  • Cazenovia Excellence in Leadership Award -- Students achieving excellence for 2019-2020 take on leadership and support roles with chapter functions in addition to serving as participants and role models for reflective, training, and service activities.
  • Shining Star Award -- The Shining Star Award is given to students who play different roles and their contributions are varied, but they all are critical to creating a spark in our campus life experience. These are the student whose presence, energy, and planning skills create bright and exciting places and spaces on the Caz College campus.

Haley Boren received:

  • Cazenovia Excellence in Leadership Award -- Students achieving excellence for 2019-2020 take on leadership and support roles with chapter functions in addition to serving as participants and role models for reflective, training, and service activities.

About Cazenovia College

It is an independent, co-educational college near Syracuse, offering graduate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies in an exceptional community environment, with academic and cocurricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their fields. Cazenovia has been named a "Best College" by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and has also been recognized by Money and Washington Monthly as a best value institution. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.

Law and Order: Pavilion man accused of striking nearby residence with bullet while target shooting

By Billie Owens

Benjamin J. Dills, 27, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with two misdemeanors: reckless endangerment in the second degree; and fourth-degree criminal mischief. At 3:40 p.m. on May 3, Dills was arrested in the 10000 block of West Bethany Road, Bethany, after a bullet struck a nearby residence when he was allegedly target shooting. The family was at home at the time. Dill was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Bethany Town Court on June 2. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen, Dpeuty Mathew Clor, Deputy Kyle Krzemien, and Environmental Conservation Officer Fay Fuerch.

Robert Edward Gerlach II, 45, of Broadway Road, Alexander, was arrested on April 30 on Broadway Road in Alexander after Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to a complaint of dogs running at large. At 7:14 p.m., deputies responded to an animal complaint and following an investigation, determined Gerlach owns three dogs and was allegedly allowing them to run at large on other people's properties. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Alexander Court on July 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

GWMEA names John Mikulski Scholarship winner

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander High School senior Lowell Chamberlain is John Mikulski Scholarship winner, presented by the Genesee Wyoming Music Educators Association.

His primary instrument is guitar. He also plays tenor sax, trombone and bass guitar.

Press release:

WHEN ASKED WHAT HIS GREATEST HS MUSICAL MEMORY IS, LOWELL RESPONDED:

"Being a part of the Alexander Jazz Experience was not only the most wholesome and fulfilling introduction to Jazz, but it also left me with a gratitude and sense of preparedness for performing in ensembles."

Lowell's goal is to work in the music industry as a composer/arranger, and songwriter. He currently enjoys spending time composing and producing using Abelton Live.

WHEN ASKED WHAT HIS FAVORITE PERFORMANCE AND VENUE WAS HE RESPONDED:

"The Riviera Theater in Buffalo in 2017 for the Music is Arts Festival with the Alexander Jazz Experience. We played a combination of jazz standards such as Cold Duck Time and St. Thomas as well as some Funk/Fusion jams such as Chameleon and Watermelon Man."

Lowell's main influences are: His teacher Dan Klinczar, Michael League of Snarky Puppy, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Stephen Sondheim.

Lowell will be attending SUNY Purchase in the fall where he will be studying Studio Composition! We wish him luck and are so proud of all of his accomplishments.

Photo: 'Spring is Here'

By Howard B. Owens

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Sarah Wessel, in Alexander, submitted this photo with a note that said, "Jasmine and Anabelle’s house. Spring is here."

Photos: Easter Bunny rides through the Village of Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

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It was a busy day for the Easter Bunny in Genesee County today, among the stops -- the Village of Alexander, where the Bunny was given a ride and escort by the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department for all the children to see.

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Big rig and small sedan collide in Alexander

By Billie Owens

An accident with unknown injuries involving a tractor-trailer and small sedan have collided at Bowen and Broadway roads in Alexander. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE: 9:36 a.m.: No injuries appear to have been reported as no Mercy rig was called. A tow is responding for the sedan.

Car vs. dump truck accident reported in Alexander

By Billie Owens

A dump truck vs. car accident with unknown injuries is reported in Alexander at 10088 Alexander Road (Route 98). Alexander Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between Goodman and Sprague roads.

Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner on April 18 is postponed indefinately

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 18th annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner originally scheduled for April 18 has been postponed indefinitely.

The dinner is a joint effort of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the Genesee County Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and Genesee County Soil and Water.  

It is hoped that the dinner, which is held at the Alexander Fire Hall and annually draws more than 300 people, can be rescheduled at a later date.

NYS Maple Producers Association cancels the two upcoming weekend events

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Maple Weekend Announcement

Out of an abundance of caution, the New York State Maple Producers Association has decided to cancel the 2020 NYS Maple Weekend.

In Genesee County, that includes participation by Randall’s Maple Products on Smithley Road in Alexander, which had planned to take part in the educational part of Maple Weekend.

This 25th anniversary festival was scheduled this weekend -- March 21-22 -- and the following weekend -- March 28-29 -- at 187 different locations statewide.

Individual sugarhouses will continue to produce, stock and market their excellent crop of maple products. Please contact them directly to order your favorite maple products.

NYS Maple Producers Association is already preparing for an alternative series of open houses later in the year to showcase both producer and product. Consult MapleWeekend.com for future events. If you have questions, contact us via email at:  mapleweekend@nysmaple.com

Grand Jury: man indicted for Alexander burglary, grand larceny and petit larceny

By Billie Owens

Gary W. Hensley is indicted for the crime of burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 7, Hensley knowingly entered, or remained unlawfully, in a building in the 4000 block of Gilhooly Road in Alexander with the intention of committing a crime. In count two, Hensley is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony, for allegedly stealing property consisting of one or more firearms, rifles or shotguns -- in this case a Charter Arms revolver. In count three, Hensley is charged with petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing property of the victim: a wooden jewelry box, loose change, a flashlight, a silver bracelet, a large commemorative penny, bedding and a Snapple box with miscellaneous property inside.

Law and Order: Alexander woman accused of striking man in face in front of kids

By Billie Owens

Deanna Lynn Yox, 34, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. At 9:27 p.m. on Feb. 25, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies responded to a residence on Broadway Road in the Town of Alexander for a physical altercation between a male and female. Following an investigation, Yox was arrested. She allegedly became involved in an altercation with an adult male and struck him multiple times in the face while in front of two children. Yox was issued appearance tickets and is due in Alexander Town Court at 4 p.m. on March 10. The case was handled by deputies Erik Andre and Brock Cummins.

Michael R. Lanze, 30, of Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. Lanze was arrested at 10:29 p.m. on Feb. 10. It is alleged Lanze punched another person in the head during a domestic dispute, while in the presence of two children. Lanze was arraigned in Batavia City Court on Feb. 11 and released. He is due back in court today (Feb. 27). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Shannon M. Armstead, 26, of Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with: second-degree criminal mischief; petit larceny, thrid-degree criminal tampering; and second-degree harassment. On Feb. 24, Armstead was arrested on a Batavia City Court warrant after being located by NYS Police. The warrant stems from an investigation into a disturbance at an address in the 4000 block of West Main Street Road in Batavia on Oct. 1. Armstead is accused of throwing paint on the victim's car. Following arraignment in city court, Armstead was released on recognizance and is due in city court on March 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Raymond C. Cook, 49, of Pleasant Street, Le Roy, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- with a prior conviction within the last 10 years; driving while intoxicated -- with a prior conviction with the last 10 years; failure to keep right on a two-lane road; failure to return license plates/registration after revocation; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor in the second degree -- with drugs/alcohol involved. Cook was arrested on Main Street in Batavia at 1:14 a.m. on Feb. 13. Batavia Police officers Austin Hedges and Nicole McGinnis conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Cook was driving and allegedly determined he was intoxicated. Cook was arrested, then released with an appearance ticket for March 4 in Batavia City Court.

Heather K. MacPherson, 30, of Gully Road, Le Roy, is charged with driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more, and DWI. MacPherson was arrested at 3:03 a.m. Feb. 23 on Jackson Street in Batavia after she was allegedly found sleeping behind the wheel of her vehicle in the parking lot of a local vehicle. She was issued tickets returnable to Batavia City Court on March 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Eric K. Ricks, 41, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident that occurred on Feb. 17 on Thomas Avenue in Batavia. Ricks was transported to Batavia Police headquarters and processed. He was then arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance He is due back in city court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Dan. M. Carter, 58, of Leopard Street, Rochester, is charged with identity theft. Carter was arrested on Feb. 24 after a disturbance complaint on West Main Street in Batavia. He is accused of identity theft stemming from an incident at 3:59 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2017 in the 100 block of Walnut Street in the City of Batavia. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court on Monday, he was released on his own recognizance and was due back in court today (Feb. 27). The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Adam D. Altobelli, 39, of Schell Place, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. At 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 22, Altobelli was arrested after he allegedly stole a Red Bull energy beverage from the Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest. He was issued appearance tickets for Batavia City Court and is due there March 3. The case was handled by Batavia Police OfficerJoshia Girven, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Jeremy M. Fairbanks, 42, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to comply with a court-ordered program. He was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court at 11:55 on Jan. 30 on a bench warrant. It was issued after he allegedly failed to comply with a court-ordered program on Jan. 22. He was released on an appearance ticket for city court Jan. 31 and was placed under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Alec Roberts, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Devon A. Wright, 18, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. Wright was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Feb. 12 on Law Street in Batavia after a traffic stop. Wright was released on an appearance ticket for Feb. 25 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Total of 28 GC students named to fall 2019 dean's list at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2019 Fall Semester:

Nicholas Kelly, of Byron (14422), who is in the software engineering program.

Celia Mercovich, of Bergen (14416), who is in the physics program.

Erik Scharlau, of Alexander (14005), who is in the physician assistant program.

Nicholas Johnson, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computing and information technologies program.

Ava Vescovi, of Le Roy (14482), who is in the business administration-marketing program.

Bethany Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the biomedical sciences program.

Sophia Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Tyler Henry, of Bergen (14416), who is in the illustration program.

Taylor Schofield, of Pavilion (14525), who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Lauren Burke, of Bergen (14416), who is in the physician assistant program.

Amelia Pestillo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the management information systems program.

Maddi Howard, of Elba (14058), who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

Jessie Abrams, of Corfu (14036), who is in the medical illustration program.

Triton Adamski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the game design and development program.

Lucas Kohorst, of East Pembroke (14056), who is in the web and mobile computing program.

Bria Brade, of Batavia (14020), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Sarah Nati, of Corfu (14036), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Jeremy Boyle, of Batavia (14020), who is in the supply chain management program.

Melissa Mountain, of Batavia (14020), who is in the interior design program.

Bailey Russo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the game design and development program.

Ryan Missel, of Corfu (14036), who is in the computer science program.

Jay Lewis, of Batavia (14020), who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Kiera Gross, of East Bethany (14054), who is in the computational mathematics program.

Katelyn Hersee, of Batavia (14020), who is in the business administration-accounting program.

Chase Roth, of Alexander (14005), who is in the mobile app development program.

Ethan Stone, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computer engineering program.

Michelle Miller, of East Bethany (14054), who is in the industrial design program.

Allen Snyder, of Darien Center (14040), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean's list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the United States.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in Business, Computing, Engineering, Imaging Science, Liberal Arts, Sustainability, and Fine and Applied Arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

15 local students named to dean's list at Canisius College

By Billie Owens

Canisius College congratulates more than 1,110 undergraduate students who were named to the fall 2019 dean's list.

To qualify for the dean's list students must have attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.

Canisus College is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York.

The following Genesee County students made the list:

Christina Barraco, from Batavia, an undecided major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2022.

Cora Ivison, from Byron, a Communications major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Alexis Hoerner, from Batavia, a Communications major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2021.

Luca Zambito, from Elba, a Finance major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Alexander Kunes, from Batavia, an Economics major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2021.

Bella March, from Batavia, a Animal Behavior Ecology and Conservation major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Thomas Kubiniec, from Batavia, a Biology major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Calvin Herrick, from Le Roy, a Biology major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Griffin Della Penna, from Batavia, a Journalism major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Ava Horgan, from Le Roy, a Political Science major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Trevor Maier, from Oakfield, a Sport Management major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Zachary Brown, from Linwood, an undecided major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Mary Warner, from Le Roy, a Mathematics major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

David Doan, from Batavia, a Finance major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

James Farmer, from Alexander, a Digital Media Arts major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Three local wrestlers advance to state championship in Albany

By Howard B. Owens

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Andrew Englerth remains undefeated on the season in wrestling with his 47th win, coming in as a 160-pound D2 state qualifier.

He will now wrestle for a state championship in Albany during the tournament Feb. 28 and 29.

Englerth beat Justin Smith, of Marcus Whitman/Penn Yan, in a major decision, 13-4.

Also picking up championship wins were Zach Hannan, Byron-Bergen, at 152 pounds, beating Kade Slayton of Hornel in a 2-0 decision, and Mitchell Gaiser, Alexander, beating William Tennity of Wayne in a fall at 4 minutes.

Photos submitted by Tim McArdle.

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Three local women named to dean's list at SUNY New Paltz

By Billie Owens

SUNY New Paltz announces its dean's list for the fall 2019 semester, a recognition for students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load.

The following New Paltz students made the dean's list in fall '19:

Olivia Carroll, of Oakfield

Lilly LeTourneau, of Alexander 

Eva Muir, of Corfu 

Visit SUNY New Paltz online to learn more about our students' academic excellence.

Located in the heart of a dynamic college town, ninety minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

One of the most well-regarded public colleges in the nation, New Paltz delivers an extraordinary number of majors in Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Fine & Performing Arts, and Education.

New Paltz embraces its culture as a community where talented and independent minded people from around the world create close personal links with real scholars and artists who love to teach.

Tickets available for annual Celebrate Ag Dinner April 18, a feast for locavores

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This spring come and celebrate Genesee County’s No. 1 industry -- agriculture!

Tickets are still available for the 18th annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner. It will take place Saturday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the Alexander Firemen's Recreation Hall, located at 10708 Alexander Road in Alexander.

The highlight of the night is a delicious meal using locally produced foods impeccably prepared by Penna’s Catering. The farm-to-fork feast is open to the public.

Tickets can be purchased at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce (8276 Park Road, Batavia) for $30 each or a table of 10 for $275.

Sponsorships are also available which help support agricultural educational events in Genesee County, such as Kinderfarmin’. Order your tickets now as they will not be available at the door.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners: Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Genesee County Farm Bureau. Many local farms and businesses sponsor or donate products to this event.

For ticket information contact the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 585-343-7440 or kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

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