Stories from

Press release:

Since 2007, nearly 30 outstanding graduates of Genesee Community College have been inducted into GCC's Alumni Hall of Fame. The College Foundation knows there are many more outstanding graduates who've made a lasting impact on their communities and invites nominations for the 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame. Submissions are due by Dec. 31.

Candidates nominated for the Alumni Hall of Fame should be individuals who've contributed significantly to their profession and have provided distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College. Nominees must have completed their GCC degree at least ten years prior to nomination. Past inductees have represented a wide variety of career fields, from law enforcement to economic development.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. Nomination forms can be downloaded from GCC's alumni Web site www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/ and emailed or sent to the College's Alumni office.

A selection committee will choose honorees. New inductees will be honored at a reception in March, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building. 

"The success of these graduates serves as an inspiration to all of us here at the College and the community at large," said Jackie Christenson, GCC Alumni coordinator. "We encourage those who know outstanding graduates to nominate them now."

Prior GCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees include:

• 2015: Dr. Roger J. Klatt '82; Renee A. Garrett '93

• 2014: Lawrence Saupe '89; Stephen Tarbell '78

• 2013: Jeffrey M. Newland '87; Shannon R. Sauro '93; Christopher J. Suozzi '84; Andrew J. Young '89

• 2012: John H. DeWitt '69; Cynthia M. Howe '84; Daniel P. Ireland '92

• 2011: Jacquelyn Dwyer '76; Benjamin J. Bonarigo Esq '79; Matthew B. Locker '88

• 2010: James David Fraser '73; Cecilia A. Stearns '80; Dorothy A. Wentland '91

• 2009: Wanda Frank '99; Ellen Ryan '76; Paula J. Miller Schaefer '79; George E. Schaefer III '79

• 2008: Ann Bell '88; Gary Maha '76; Steven Hyde '82

• 2007: Joseph Bell '79; Paula Savage '76; Monica Hale Dawson '72; Lori Stupp '89; Jerry Reinhart '71; Margaret (Peggy) Weissend '99 '01

For details about their community contribution, please go to GCC's alumni Web page: www.genesee.edu/Alumni/HallofFame.

For more information, contact Alumni coordinator Jackie Christenson at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6265 or jkchristenson@genesee.edu

A grass fire is reported in the area of North Lake and Creamery roads. Bergen Fire Department is responding.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s will hold four town hall meetings on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Genesee County. Here is the lineup:

Village of Alexander/Town of Alexander
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Alexander's Country Deli
10598 Main St.
Alexander, NY 14005

Town of Darien
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Johnny Bear's
1415 Broadway
Darien Center, NY 14040

Village of Corfu/Town of Pembroke
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Pembroke Town Hall
1145 Main Road
Corfu, NY 14036

Town of Alabama
12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
Alabama Town Hall
2218 Judge Road
Oakfield, NY 14125

A car vs. horse accident with injuries is reported at 6684 Main Road in Stafford. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The accident is blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: The female driver of a compact sedan suffered cuts and other minor injuries after striking a horse that ran into the roadway from the south shoulder as she was headed eastbound on Route 5. She said it was dark and she didn't see the animal and had little time to react. The horse was killed upon impact. The driver was transported to a hospital for evaluation.

The CO detector went off inside the residence at 5 Prospect Ave. in the city and the occupants have ill effects, described as "flu-like symptoms." City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

A two-car crash, with unknown injuries, is reported in the area of 2514 Main Road, East Pembroke. It is near Church Street and is blocking traffic. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

A motor-vehicle accident with a minor injury is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 392. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

A pedestrian has been struck by a vehicle and is injured at Ellicott and Jackson streets. City fire and Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: A car was turning left from Jackson Street onto Ellicott Street. The light was green and two pedestrians were crossing in the crosswalk, but the driver reported he did not see them and "bumped" into them. An adult female was transported to UMMC after being evaluated by a medic. She complained of hip pain. A child who was walking with her was not injured. The driver was cited by a police officer.

Marissa Anne Brennan, 22, of North Byron Road, Byron, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. She was arrested on Nov. 21 after allegedly stealing property in excess of $1,000 on Nov. 17 on North Byron Road, Byron. She was jailed and bail set at $2,500. The case was handled by Sheriff's deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation invites the community to enjoy the holiday season at Encore with the theme: "Nature's Bounty: Roots to Bloom."

The annual gala on Tuesday, Dec. 15, features seasonal music from the two-time Grammy Award winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Associate Conductor Stefan Sanders. Encore raises funds for GCC student scholarships and will be chaired this year by Robert ('74) and Lori Bennett of Le Roy. Robert currently serves on the GCC Foundation Board of Directors.

Reservations for Encore: Nature's Bounty: Roots to Bloom are requested by Nov. 30. Questions can be directed to the GCC Foundation at (585) 345-6809 or via e-mail foundation@genesee.edu.

Proceeds from Encore support the GCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Five Star Bank has again generously signed on to be the event's Benefactor Sponsor. Sponsorship support is available at the following levels:

•    Conductor's Circle - $1,000 entitles donor to six tickets for the event, including a prelude reception at 5 p.m. with BPO Associate Conductor Stefan Sanders;

•    Golden Baton Society - $600 and four tickets, including prelude reception;

•    Inner Circle - $300 and two tickets, including prelude reception;

•    Patron - $100 per ticket.

The event begins with a prelude sponsor reception at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Stuart Steiner Theatre. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Conductor Sanders, who is making his first appearance at Genesee Community College's Encore Gala, and also artist, curator and collector Gerald Mead.

Guests can explore Mead's exhibition on display in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery which is entitled, "Of Niagara: Works from The Gerald Mead Collection." The exhibit features the work of 62 artists from Niagara County covering all media including an early 20th Century watercolor by Raphael Beck, designer of the seal for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, and a 2014 digital photograph by Joe Ziolkowski, current instructor of Photography at GCC.

At 6 p.m., guests will move into the William W. Stuart Forum for a dinner reception with sensational food selections and a cash bar. After dinner, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra takes the Stuart Steiner Theatre stage for a holiday pops concert lead by Conductor Sanders beginning at 8 p.m. The evening concludes with an exquisite dessert nightcap at 9:30 to be held in the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union.

Sanders is an imaginative musician, devoted educator and ardent champion of many types of music. He holds the Montante Family Endowed Associate Conductor Chair with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, where he leads performances on the Classical and Popular series, as well as Education and Family concerts. In addition, Sanders is the new music director for the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra.

He has collaborated with an array of distinguished guest artists and orchestras including engagements with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Virginia Symphony, Symphoria (Syracuse), Naples (Fla.) Philharmonic, and four Texas companies -- San Antonio Symphony, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera, Corpus Christi Opera, as well as the Round Top International Festival Institute. Sanders makes his European debut with the Filharmonia Warminsko-Mazurska in Olsztyn, Poland, this season.

Prior to his conducting career, Sanders was an internationally renowned trombonist, performing as a soloist in North America, Asia and Europe, and was a member of the BPO's trombone section for seven seasons. He was invited by Sir Elton John to play in the orchestra for his Radio City Music Hall concerts in 2004, which was recorded for the Bravo Television Network.

He began his formal conducting studies at the University of Texas at Austin, studying as a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen under the tutelage of maestros Robert Spano, Larry Rachleff and Hugh Wolff. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the Juilliard School.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Racing fans may want to take a break from their holiday Black Friday shopping to check out tonight's Batavia Downs live racing program.

The 12-race card features very healthy carryover pools in both the Pick-5 and Pick-6 wagers.

The Pick-5 that runs from race five to race nine begins with a carryover pool of $864. And the elusive Pick-6, that starts with race seven and runs through race 12, has a carryover pool of $2,137.

First race post time is 6:15 tonight. Racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track continues three nights a week through Dec. 12.

Press release from Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a domestic incident which occured at about 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the Town of Pembroke.

The incident involved a forcible entrance of the female victim's residence and shots fired by the victim at the male suspect. The pair had previously been in a relationship. The victim suffered minor injuries during the incident.

Sheriff's patrols responded but did not locate the suspect, who fled the area in an unknown vehicle prior to their arrival.

The investigation continued overnight until informaiton was developed that the suspect was at a residence in the Village of Akron. At about 11:25 this morning, deputies assisted by troopers and an Akron Police officer entered the residence where they located the suspect. He had a gunshot wound to his leg. EMS was called and he was transported for medical treatment.

At this stage of the investigation, no names or additional details are being released. A more detailed release will follow.

A worker is preparing the foundation for a sundial so it can be permanently placed in the plaza in front of Batavia City Hall.

The Batavia Centennial Committee and its Legacy Sponsors are going to present the sundial as a gift to the city.

The sculpture, designed by local architect Ed Smart, is made of steel and teak, with stainless steel lettering, and is said to be virtually maintenance free. It costs $15,000 to $20,000 and is being paid for by the contributions several local businesses made to the Centennial Celebration as "Legacy Sponsors."

There's no expense to the city. The City Council has already approve placement of the sculpture on city property.

Michael A. Hahn is indicted for the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 25, 2014, in the Town of Darien, that Hahn knowingly and unlawfully sold a controlled substance, methamphetamine. In count two, Hahn is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, also a Class D felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell it.

Jequan D. Patterson is accused of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E Felony. It is alleged that on July 8 in Le Roy, Patterson drove a 2015 Kia on I-90 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, he accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony, for having a child age 15 or less as a passenger. In count four, Patterson is accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more while a child age 15 or less was a passenger. In count five, Patterson is accused of the crime of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly knowlingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than 17 years old. Also, Special Information is filed for this indictment by District Attorney. It accuses Patterson of having been convicted of the crime of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on Feb. 27, 2006, in City of Rochester Court and that was within 10 years of the commission of the crimes now alleged.

David M. Heschke is accused of the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 3 in the Town of Pavilion that Heschke drove a 2006 Nissan on Route 20 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony, for having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time. In count three, he is accused of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a Class E felony, for driving while allegedly knowing, or having reason to know, that his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities, and doing so while allegedly intoxicated. Also, Special Information is filed for this indictment by District Attorney. It accuses Heschke of having been convicted of the crime of DWI on Sept. 5, 2012, in Town of Batavia Court and that conviction forms the basis of the revocation referred to in count three of this indictment.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the Thruway near mile marker 397.5, eastbound. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Brad L. Ohlson, 38, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault. He was arrested on Nov. 20 after an incident occurred at 3:51 p.m. on Central Avenue. It is alleged that Ohlson struck another person, causing the person to fall and strike a door, causing physical injury to that person. Ohlson was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in City Court on Dec. 8. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Chad Minuto, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Christopher J. Simmons, 42, of Wayneport Road, Macedon, Leanna J. Williams, 25, of St. Paul Street, Rochester, and Anthony J. Stagnitto, 26, of West Ridge Road, Rochester, were arrested Nov. 21 after the trio was allegedly involved in shoplifting at Kohl's department store in Batavia. The vehicle used in the crime was stopped on Noonan Drive near the intersection of Oak Street by city Police officers. It is alleged that Simmons entered the store and removed items while Williams drove the getaway car, picking Simmons up by the front doors and speeding away. Stagnitto was a passenger and identified himself falsely as another person because he had a felony arrest warrant out of Monroe County for him. Stagnitto was turned over to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and is charged with criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor. Simmons was jailed without bail and is to reappear in Town of Batavia Court on Nov. 30. He is charged with a felony -- fourth-degree grand larceny, and he was also issued an appearance ticket for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, which is a misdemeanor, and is due in City Court on Dec. 14. Williams was issued an appearance ticket for fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Dec. 17. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl and Deputy John Baiocco, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker, and Batavia PD officers Marc Lawrence and Frank Klimjack.

James A. McCormick, 23, of Kendall Road, Churchville, is charged with moving from lane unsafely, driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent of higher at the time. He was arrested after a motor-vehicle accident at 12:43 a.m. on Nov. 22 on North Lake Road, Bergen. His vehicle went off the roadway and struck a utility pole. He was issued an appearance ticker for Town of Bergen Court at a later date and time. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale, assisted by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Armand M. Gioia, 28, of Hall Street, Batavia, is charged with driving without a license, driving while intoxicated -- first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more -- first offense, and unsafe backing of a vehicle. Gioia was stopped at 1:20 p.m. on Nov. 15 on East Main Street, Batavia, after he allegedly struck another vehicle in the parking lot of a local restaurant. He is to be in City Court on Dec. 2. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Marissa Anne Brennan, 22, of North Byron Road, Byron, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. She was arrested at 2 p.m. on Nov. 17 for allegedly stealing property in excess of $1,000 in value. She was put in jail on $2,500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Randy Dumbleton Jr., 32, of 3322 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. During a residence check on Nov. 21 at 7:26 a.m. by NYS Parole, the subject was allagedly found to possess a quantity what is suspected to be crack cocaine and marijuana. He was taken into custody and given no bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Lonnie Nati, assisted by Deputy Chad Minuto.

A 16-year-old who lives on Central Avenue in Batavia is charged with disorderly conduct for fighting. The teen was arrested on Nov. 19 at Batavia High School for fighting with another student in the hallway. The teen was issued an appearance ticket and released. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Marc Lawrence.

Frank Lynn Morrison, 34, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Arfter being arraigned in City Court, he was released and went to the City Clerk's Office and posted a fine of $135. He is scheduled to pay the remainder of his fines in increments. A return court date was not set. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer James DeFreze.

Joshua M. Pierce, 20, of Meadowbrook Terrance, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. On. Nov. 22, at 9:39 a.m. Pierce was stopped on Denio Street by Batavia PD for a speed violation. At that time, Pierce was allegedly found to possess marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket and in due in City Court on Dec. 8. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Arick Perkins.

Jeremy David Holmwood, 24, of Corinthia Street, Lockport, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. He was arrested on a bench warrant for allegedly failing to appear on previous charges on Nov. 4. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Chong Christian Nimora, 35, of Metropolitan Drive, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Town of Batavia Court for a charged on Nov. 7 of petit larceny. She was released on her own recognizance. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 19, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, was arrested after a bench warrant was issued through City Court for Culver's alleged failure to pay a fine in regards to owning/harboring an unlicensed dog. He posted bail and was released and is to return to court on Dec. 8. The case was handled by Batavia PD Officer Jamie Givens.

An accident with unknown injuries is reported on Route 63 at Mayne Road. Bethany and Stafford fire departments are called to respond along with Mercy medics. The call came through OnStar, the vehicle's emergency alerting system; no other calls received or other information available.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: Law enforcement at the scene reports being unable to locate the vehicle.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Medics are told to stage in the area of Little Canada Road while law enforcement combs the area for the purported accident victim.

UPDATE 7:35 a.m.: OnStar received an accident notifcation, but could not provide dispatch with a vehicle description or other information. Since the vehicle has not been found, Bethany and Stafford and the other responders are back in service.