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The County Legislature is poised to accept more than $2.5 million in federal grants to help pay for two bridge replacement projects, one in Pembroke and the other in Alabama.

In Pembroke, the current steel girder bridge with a steel grate deck over the Tonawanda Creek will be removed and replaced at a total cost of 2,033,050. A federal grant will pay for $1,651,100 of the replacement with state aid covering $389,200, and the county picking up the final $9,550 of the tab.

In Alabama, the county will replace the Judge Road Bridge over Whitney Creek. The cost is $1,183,000. Federal aid is $946,400, with state aid at $177,450 and a local share of $59,150, which will come from sale tax revenue.

In both cases, the federal aid is capped at 80 percent of the cost of the project.

The Pratt Road Bridge was built in 1971, the Judge Road Bridge in 1978.

Lu Engineers, in Rochester, will be retained as consultants on the Judge Road Bridge at a cost of $162,063.91.

The resolutions for these projects were approved unanimously by the Public Service Committee on Monday and will now go to the full Legislature for approval.

Also on Monday, the committee recommended the county accept a $200,000 grant from NYS Ag & Markets for improvements to the Animal Shelter, which is now 20 years old.

The committee also authorized the transfer, pending full Legislature approval, of $40,000 oil and stone funds to the salt fund. Deputy Highway Superintendent Dave Wozniak said the transfer is necessary to help replenish the road salt supply before the fall and that the transfer would have no significant impact on planned road resurfacing projects this summer. A couple of minor projects, including a parking lot at the County Park, would be delayed for a season.

Chief Deputy Brian Frieday

Press release:

Sergeant Brian M. Frieday -- promoted to Chief Deputy of Road Patrol, overseeing the operations of Road Patrol, Courts Security, and Animal Control.  Chief Deputy Frieday is a 23-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who began his career as a Deputy Sheriff-Road Patrol in 1996 and was promoted to Sergeant in May of 2005. Chief Deputy Frieday’s appointment was effective April 13.

Chief Deputy Joseph M. Graff has moved from overseeing the Road Patrol operations to Chief Deputy of the Criminal Investigative Division. Chief Deputy Graff is a 15-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who began his career as a Deputy Sheriff-Road Patrol, was promoted to Investigator in 2015, and to Chief Deputy – Road Patrol in 2017.  Chief Deputy Graff assumed his new duties on April 13.

Emergency Services Dispatcher Francis A. Riccobono -- promoted to the new position of Assistant Director of Emergency Communications/Operations where he will oversee the operations of the Genesee County’s 9-1-1 Emergency Services Dispatch Center.  Assistant Director Riccobono has more than 28 years of experience in emergency dispatching, having begun his dispatching career with the City of Batavia Police Department in 1991, and transitioning to the Genesee County consolidated dispatch center in 2008. Assistant Director Riccobono assumed his new duties on April 1.

Investigator James M. Diehl -- promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division. Sergeant Diehl began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a Deputy Sheriff – Road Patrol and was promoted to Investigator in 2016. Sergeant Diehl’s promotion was effective on March 30.

Deputy Sheriff Michael J. Lute has been promoted to Sergeant with the Road Patrol Division. Sergeant Lute joined the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in 2015 as Deputy Sheriff – Road Patrol, having previously served with the Village of Akron and Village of Corfu police departments. Sergeant Lute’s promotion was effective on April 13.

Chief Deputy Joseph Graff

Assistant Director of Emergency Communications/Operations Francis A. Riccobono

Sgt. James Diehl

Sgt. Michael Lute

Sheriff's deputies are investigating an accident on Route 98 yesterday that may have begun as a rolling domestic argument and sent both the driver and his passenger to the hospital after the 2014 Chevy Cruze they were in struck a vacant house at 7889 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.

Possible charges are pending.

Injured were Rodney J. Harmon Jr., of Elba, and Josette M. Harmon, also from Elba.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Harmon was driving the Cruze southbound on Route 98 at 3:16 p.m. when the car suddenly crossed the center line, crossed over the northbound lane, over the shoulder and into the yard of the vacant house before slamming into the structure.

The structure is owned by Offhaus Farms.

The Cruze sustained heavy front-end damage.

Rodney Harmon was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS. Josette Harmon was taken first to UMMC by Mercy EMS and later transferred to Strong due to the nature of her injuries.

A conclusion on the cause of the crash is considered undetermined pending further investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by Sgt. Andrew Hale, Sgt. James Diehl, Deputy Travis DeMuth, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, and Deputy James Stack. Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Emergency Management, and Dan's Tire and Auto Service.

(Initial Report)

Reader Submitted Photos.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in the area of 8331 Alleghany Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: No injuries.

On display now at GO ART! is an exhibit of model sailing ships built by Batavia resident Joe Vernon. Many of the ships were built from scratch, with no model kit. They are all based on historic sailing ships, many from the era of the War of 1812. 

There will be an artist reception Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.83, up 9 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.71. The New York State average is $2.83 – up 7 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.82. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.78 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.77 (up 8 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.80 (up 7 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.80 (up 5 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.80 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.78 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.83 (up 5 cents since last week)

Easter: With Easter travel upon us, demand is putting pressure on already rising gas prices. Rochester and Syracuse schools are closed this week, which means many families are already traveling for Easter break -- new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that demand skyrocketed last week as families filled up their tanks for Easter getaways. With Buffalo area schools out next week, demand is expected to continue to increase.

Summer Blend: Spring gas prices continue to climb as the switchover to summer blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce, becomes more prevalent. Unexpected and planned continued maintenance and demand increases across the nation have also contributed to the uptick.

Record Demand: At this point, current demand estimates signal that 2019 could bring the highest gasoline demand rates ever recorded by EIA — potentially as early as this summer. Shrinking supplies amid high demand will likely contribute to increased pump prices.

Oil Prices: Oil prices also climbed last week as a weaker dollar has boosted crude prices. OPEC and its partners continue to reduce crude production and OPEC is not expected to meet again until June.

One hundred people, mostly teenagers, were at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Hall in East Pembroke on Saturday for a Rubik's Cube competition.

This is the second year Eli Fox and his parents hosted the competition in Genesee County.  Families came from Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and of course from throughout Western New York to participate in the competition, which is the only one like it in the region.

Rep. Chris Collins presented awards Saturday at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at Genesee Community College to winners of the annual NY-27 Congressional Art Competition. The first-place picture will be hung in the capitol in Washington, D.C., for a year.

2019 Congressional Art Competition Winners:

• First Place, William Palmer, Batavia High School
• Second Place, Mya Showalter, Clarence High School
• Third Place. Haley Dalberth, Livonia High School 
• Honorable Mentions, Grace Rudolph, Batavia High School, and John Bruggman, Batavia High School 

The competition was judged by Roz Steiner Art Gallery Director Mary Jo Whitman and Associate Professor of Photography & Art Joe Ziolkowski.

The winning picture by William Palmer, Batavia HS.

An injured turkey was reported in the area of 8100 Lake Road, Le Roy, this morning.

A deputy was dispatched.

Dispatcher: "The caller reports this appears to be a fowl situation."

The deputy responded and reported negative contact with any turkeys.

NOTE: This call actually came in at about 7:45 a.m. but we couldn't post it because our site was offline. Our site was offline because Facebook went offline and a service that allows readers to share stories on Facebook caused our site to stop responding to requests.

Rep. Chris Collins, NY-27, has not made an announced public appearance in Genesee County since he was indicted on federal insider trading charges in August so we have not been given an opportunity to ask him about those charges. On the day he was arrested he called a press conference but then refused to take any questions.

Today we asked him about the charges. He declined to address the charges.

We also asked him about his plans for the 2020 campaign. He said his decision to run is contingent on the status of the federal case and will be made in consultation with his family.

Collins did deny, during the interview, that he hasn't made a public appearance in Genesee County since August but all of the examples he gave were of private events and gatherings.

Collins was in town for the annual Congressional Art Competition awards announcement at Genesee Community College. We will have further coverage of that event later (perhaps not until tomorrow since I had to go out and cover a fire and still haven't started putting production on that video).

An outbuilding, with a car nearby, is reported on fire at 6478 Freeman Road, Byron.

Byron fire, South Byron fire, and Stafford fire dispatched.

The vehicle has caught fire. 

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: A second alarm is requested. Mercy EMS for firefighter support also requested.

Press release:

On Tuesday, April 9, Byron-Bergen students in grades three through seven gathered for a surprise assembly at the Jr./Sr. High School. They were treated to a special performance and conversation with Rochester-based electro hip-hop violinist Svet Radoslavof, or Svet, as he is known professionally, demonstrated his considerable talents on his electric violin, shared some of his experiences including his performance on "America’s Got Talent," answered student questions, and gave out lots of high fives.

As the assembly commenced, Beethoven’s "Fur Elise" filled the room. Then, from behind the curtain, Svet emerged and performed a modern interpretation of the iconic piece. Next, he performed a medley of pop rock hits during which he jumped off the stage and danced through the audience to cheers and applause. After this performance, Svet shared his story with the students emphasizing the importance of education and hard work.

“You have to go to school,” said Svet, who chose to skip his initial opportunity to appear on "America’s Got Talent" to take a final exam. “Study hard because, one day, you guys are going to succeed. You guys are the leaders of tomorrow so school is the most important thing.”

Svet was not the only one performing on the stage that day. He was invited to be a judge along with Elementary Music teachers Bob Lancia and Karen Tischer in a Byron-Bergen’s Got Talent skit. Hosted by sixth-grade teacher Megan Wahl, several faculty members took to the stage to demonstrate their talents. Christopher Chapman, Lara Ezard, Taylor Haupt, Heather Painting, Ken Rogoyski, and Heather Young delivered comedic talent routines before making way for two very talented students. Genevieve and Solomon Smith performed a contemporary dance to Keala Settle’s "This is Me" from "The Greatest Showman" to uproarious applause from their peers.

For a finale, Svet performed an original composition accompanied by a group of Byron-Bergen faculty commonly referred to as the Byron-Bergen House Band or The Hives. The Hives consists of Christopher Chapman, Bob Lancia, and Karen Tischer with a special guest appearance from Jr./Sr. High School Band teacher Kevin Bleiler.

“The assembly generated lots of enthusiasm,” said Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High Assistant Principal Scott Bradley. “Svet is very engaging and delivered a good message to our students.”

“It was an amazing experience for everyone,” said Elementary Assistant Principal Betsy Brown. “I want to thank fourth-grade teacher Alyson Tardy for taking the initiative to reach out and invite Svet to share his music and story with our students. I’m so glad she did!”

Svet is a native of Bulgaria but immigrated to Rochester with his family at the age of 11. He began playing violin at 3 and continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music. He went on to study Economics at the University of Rochester.

Officer Frank Klimjack called out of service for the last time this afternoon, ending more than 20 years with Batavia PD and 28 and a half years total working in law enforcement in the state.

The Buffalo native served in the military before taking a job with the state parks police in New York City. From there he transferred to Long Island, then Western New York, and then decided Batavia was a good place in the middle of Western New York to settle in and call home.

"I've had a good long career and I'm leaving on a high note," Klimjack said. "I could have done a few more years but just the way things worked out, it’s a good time to go."

He's loved living and working in Batavia, he said.

"It’s a great place to work," Klimjack said. "It’s a great community. It’s got its up and downs just like any community but it’s a good solid community. A great place to raise kids."

Klimjack and his wife have bought a home in Tennessee and will relocate there soon and he told us with a smile, "I’ll be down in Tennessee spending my New York State pension and paying a lot less in taxes.”

Lynn McGrath, a Rochester-based classical guitarist who has performed on four continents and has upcoming solo performance dates in Los Angeles, Cleveland, Albuquerque, and Miami, performed Thursday night at the Richmond Memorial Library.

Eric Zwieg reads one of his poems during a poetry reading Thursday night at Moon Java Cafe on Harvester Avenue in Batavia.

The "Four Poets in Search of An Answer" reading also featured Jen Ashburn, Jason Irwin, and Scott W. Williams.

Jason Irwin

K-Kids at St. Joe's yesterday filled 4,000 plastic Easter eggs with candy and prizes for the annual Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park at 9 a.m., April 20.

Hundreds of children from the area are expected to scramble for Easter eggs during the hunt. 

From left, Ben Landers, Addison Yasses, Guinnevere Clark, Summer Campopiano, Maria Prattico, Eliana Therrien, and Logan Dryja.

Sen. Jessica Ramos, a first-term state legislator from Queens, and sponsor of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act visited Batavia and Elba yesterday to meet with farmers and farmworkers at the invitation of Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.

In the morning she and Ranzenhofer hosted a discussion with more than a dozen area farmers and some of their workers in the foyer of the Call Arena at Genesee Community College. That event was closed to the press and a reporter who showed up was asked to leave.

In the afternoon, Ramos visited the Torrey Farms Big-O onion packing facility in Elba and when The Batavian arrived, we were not asked to leave and were able to obtain exclusive coverage of the event. We were unable to interview Ramos at the event because of a scheduling conflict but expect to be able to talk with her soon.

At yesterday's event, we spoke with farmworkers and farmers and were told repeatedly that farmworkers do not favor the farmworkers bill because they fear it will mean fewer hours and less money.  

Farmworkers said they understand the weather-driven variability of farm work and they said that it is critical to their ability to making a living that they be able to pack in as many hours in a week as they can when the sun is shining. They depend on the income to take care of family members back home, their families here, to pay mortgages, send kids to college, and fund their own business-ownership dreams.

Farmers said that if the proposed overtime laws pass, they will be forced to reduce hours worked by their employees and that their migrant employees, who don't have ties to the area, will likely leave for nearby states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio, where they can work as many hours as they want.

UPDATE 11:20 a.m.: Sen. Ramos canceled our interview scheduled for this afternoon.

Quentin Marozzi, a resident of Caledonia, can't wait to defend his MMA title in the 135-pound weight class in the Throwdown at The Downs on June 15.

"I am pumped," Marozzi said. "I'm ecstatic. I'm ready to go. I'm so honored to be here to do what I do. It's what I live for."

Batavia Downs is once again teaming up with local mix martial arts promoter Richard Mitchell and Ground Force Fights.

"Oh man," Mitchell said, "obviously last year's show was big, big. This year is going to be bigger. We're going to have 15 to 20 flights again and a lot of exciting fighters. There will be at least five title fights, maybe more."

Local fighters on the card so far include Peter Flanagan, Kenny Hale and Steven Kleckler.

Heavyweight Jon Marconi returns from Canada to defend his title.

Shotzie Doran, from Rochester, is also fighting.

"Honestly, I just love fighting and I'm just humbled by the entire experience, so I'm happy to be here, happy to be a part of it," Doran said.

Marozzi said he's looking forward to taking on the challenge of a fighter who comes to MMA from wrestling.

"He's really tough," Marozzi said. "He's undefeated. I'm looking forward to really going out there with a wrestler. Most wrestlers I've fought have a really good jaw. So we're going to test his jaw and see how good it really is. He's a good guy. He's humble and he's respectable so he's going to be a good opponent. It's going to be a good time."

Marozzi said he's also pleased to be fighting again in one of Mitchell's events.

"He takes care of his fighters," Marozzi said. "He cares about the fighters in the ring and out of the ring, in their lives and at camps. He's not like a lot of promoters who really just care about the fighter to showing up. He actually cares about his fighters. He's the best promoter I've fought for and I've had like 15 fights."

“We are excited to have Ground Force Fights back at Batavia Downs,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president at Batavia Downs Gaming. “After the success of last year’s event, we began talks almost immediately on putting together another event here in June of 2019. We’re looking forward to another great night of fights that will entertain the passionate MMA fans of Western New York.”

Tickets are on sale now at bataviaconcerts.com. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 for General Admission and $55 for VIP seats closer to the cage. Lawn chairs (which are normally permitted for other Batavia Downs events) are NOT permitted for this event. There will be limited chairs and bleacher seating available.

Each concert ticket is also redeemable once at Player’s Club in the three days following the event for $15 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines.

Photo: Quentin Marozzi, Richard Mitchell and Shotzie Doran.