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Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), a former farmer and member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, has written a pair of letters to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon urging them to stop the implementation of a reduction in the farm labor overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours. 

Last Friday, the Farm Laborers Wage Board voted 2-1 to lower the threshold. Power now rests with Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Reardon to enact the overtime threshold reduction. 

“Farmers from all corners of our state have spoken about how dangerous this policy would be for them, for their families, and for their communities alike. The time has come for Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Reardon to decide whether they stand with farmers or the special interests who’ve worked behind the scenes to advance this proposal,” said Hawley. “As the consequences of this decision have clearly been laid out for them, I sincerely hope they’ll recognize how disastrous this decision would be for farming as we know it in New York and take action to prevent its implementation.”

Dispatchers have received at least two calls about a car striking a pedestrian, including a call from the driver of the car, in the area of 306 West Main St., Batavia.

The location is at Lyon Street.

City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: Sgt. Mitch Cowen said it appeared the pedestrian, a male, was not in a crosswalk and crossing "against traffic."  An eastbound vehicle apparently stopped him to cross blocking him from the view of another eastbound vehicle in the other lane.  The pedestrian sustained a non-life-threatening head injury and was conscious. He is being transported to UMMC for evaluation and treatment.

The Hornets continued their unbeaten ways -- now 14-0 on the season -- with a convincing win over Pavilion on Monday night, 87-31.

Scoring for Oakfield-Alabama:

• Gaige Armbrewster, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
• Kam Cusmano, 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
• Jordan Schlagenhauf, 10 points
• Cooper Colantonio, 9 points
• Kaden Cusmano, 8 points, 4 assists

Also in boys' basketball on Monday:

• Byron-Bergen beat Attica, 65-45
• Geneseo beat Alexander, 54-53
• Le Roy beat HAC 71-56

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Some sort of vehicle passing through Oakfield heading toward Batavia has taken down power lines across Main Street in Oakfield.

The roadway is being closed in the area of Dollar General.

Oakfield Fire is responding.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: A National Grid crew, apparently not the assigned crew, is on scene: "happened to be in the area and is going to check it out."

Oakfield Fire responded to Crazy Cheap Cars on Main Street for a report of smoke in the building.

The building was evacuated.  The involved building was apparently a storage area on Water Street.

The fire is believed to be out now.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m.: Oakfield assignment is back in service.

A car into s pole accident is reported in the area of  5380 Fotch Road, Stafford

There is reportedly airbag deployment. 

Stafford Fire and EMS dispatched. 

UPDATE 3:58 a.m.: Law enforcement has cleared the scene.  The vehicle gas been towed.  

Up to nine inches of snow are possible from a storm headed to the area that could hit sometime Wednesday evening through Friday afternoon.

A winter storm watch is in effect for all of western and north-central New York.

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," advises the National Weather Service. "The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening
commutes."

Matthew Zakrzewski, 42, of Batavia, is charged with arson 3rd and criminal mischief 3rd. Zakrzewski, already in custody on unrelated charges, was arrested on new charges stemming from an incident reported at 9:30 p.m., Jan 16, on Bank Street, Batavia. He was jailed on nominal bail. Previously: Batavia man accused of setting fire in Washington Towers, stealing a bike

Laura Lee Pacer, 36, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Pacer is accused of harassing a neighbor at 10 a.m., Jan. 24, on Jackson Street. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 25, is charged with harassment 2nd. Culver is accused of hitting another person in the face during a fight on Pringle Avenue at 5:31 p.m., Jan. 11. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Heather Nicole Holbrook, 36, of Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Holbrook is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia at 3:49 p.m., Jan. 28.  She was released on an appearance ticket.

Michael David Hazzard, 31, of Morgan Road, Scottsville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, driving with an open alcohol container. Hazzard was stopped at 4:11 a.m., Jan. 23, on Dublin Road, Bergen, following a complaint of a disturbance by Deputy Trevor Sherwood.

Joshua M. Bratcher, 31, of Pavilion, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs. Bratcher was stopped at 5:24 p.m., Jan. 30, by State Police in the Town of Bergen. He was issued an appearance ticket. No further information released.

Alonzo A. Dillard, 29, of Medina, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Dillard was stopped at 2:46 a.m., Jan. 30, by State Police in the Town of Alabama. He was issued an appearance ticket.  No further information released.

Jordan E. Brodie, 32, of Le Roy, is charged with possession of sexual performance of a child. Brodie was arrested in connection with an investigation that started on Jan. 13, 2020 by State Police. He was arrested on Jan. 29 and released on an appearance ticket.  No further details released.

Bobbi M. Bane, 45, of Batavia, is charged with welfare fraud 3rd and three counts of filing a false instrument 1st. Bane was arrested by State Police in connection with an investigation that began Jan. 25 in the Town of Albion.

John M. Toal, 46, of Oakfield, and Andrea L. Osborne, 37, of Oakfield, are charged with petit larceny.  Toal and Osborne were arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 4 p.m., Jan. 28, in Albion. They were issued appearance tickets. No further details released.

Kenneth Harris, 26, of Tonawanda, is charged with two counts of grand larceny 4th. Harris was arrested in Cheektowaga by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 10:24 a.m., Oct. 23 in the City of Batavia. No further details released.

Jordan R. Rose, 21, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt  1st. Rose was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 3:10 p.m., Jan. 25, in the Town of Royalton. He was ordered held. No further details released.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred at 3:05 a.m., Saturday, on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke.

Jordan E. Terkel, 32, of Corfu, was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Terkel's vehicle was reportedly southbound on Route 77 when it traveled off the south shoulder of the roadway and hit a utility pole. 

Coroner Karen Lang pronounced Terkel dead at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

The Sheriff's Crash Management Team is investigating the accident. 

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire assisted at the scene.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.37, up four cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.42. The New York State average is $3.55, up five cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.51. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.51 (up eight cents from last week)
• Buffalo - $3.49 (up four cents from last week)
• Ithaca - $3.54 (up five cents from last week)
• Rochester - $3.55 (up five cents from last week)
• Rome - $3.58 (up five cents from last week)
• Syracuse - $3.51 (up four cents from last week)
• Watertown - $3.54 (up two cents from last week)

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand is in a typical range for the winter driving season, equivalent to mid-January 2020. Continued growth in the price of crude oil has helped to keep pump prices elevated. If crude prices continue to climb, pump prices will likely follow suit. This morning, oil prices are in the high $80s to low $90s per barrel. Tension between Russia and Ukraine pushed crude prices up last week. Amid tight global supply, there are market concerns that a looming invasion could contribute to a volatile market, pushing prices higher.

From Gas Buddy:

“The price of oil pushed into territory unseen in over seven years as WTI crude hit $88 per barrel, which continues to drag gasoline prices higher. With continued concerns over geopolitical tensions and crude oil supply, the small yet noticeable increases are likely to continue," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "The only factor keeping gas prices from rising more substantially is that gasoline demand remains low as winter storms keep motorists closer to home. Once the weather starts to turn and warm gradually, we'll lose the only restraint to larger price increases."

A motor vehicle accident is reported at State Street and Fairmont Avenue, Batavia.

Injuries are reported.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.: Two cars, blocking.

UPDATE 9:20 p.m.: Two vehicles, no extrication required, three patients, two sign-offs.

Mercy Flight has been dispatched to the Stafford Fire Hall for a snowmobile accident that occurred at about 7:10 p.m. in the area of 5660 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS responded.  Le Roy Fire dispatched with that company's UTV.

The patient is about a half-mile off the roadway and was initially unconscious but breathing and is said to now be somewhat conscious.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

Pembroke beat Lyndonville in girls basketball on Friday, 64-63.  Izzy Breeden and Sydney Johnson each scored 14 points.  Breeden had four rebounds and Johnson, three, along with five assists. Karli Houseknecht had 12 points and five steals. Elle Peterson scored five points and had eight rebounds. "Pembroke jumped out to a big first lead," said Head Coach Jamie Johnson. "Lyndonville played tough and slowly got back into it and tied the game up with 1:01 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Ella Lewis. Sydney Johnson was fouled with no time left on the clock and made the first of 2 free throws to secure the win."

Also in girls basketball on Friday:

• Notre Dame beat Attica 49-35
• Warsaw beat Le Roy 36-33. Kailyn Tresco scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. Lindsey Steffenilla scored nine points and had seven rebounds. Corina Dunn had 10 rebounds.
• Elba beat Holley 49-19. Sydney Reilly scored 13 points.
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Byron-Bergen 55-37. Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored 16 points and had 14 rebounds. Caitlin Ryan scored 14 points and scored 10 points. MaKena Reding scored 13 points.

In boys basketball:

• Le Roy beat Warsaw 69-39
• Cal-Mum beat Pavilion 71-37
• Arcadia beat Batavia 55-40. Carter McFollins scored 11 points and Javin McFollins scored 10 points.

An Olympic Torch passed through Batavia today with a spot at the Ice Arena where members of the Ramparts passed it into the arena and then were given a chance to sake it around the ice rink.

Above, Levi Bennett during his turn to carry the torch.

A 24-year-old male has reportedly suffered a leg injury in a snowmobile accident in an area off Route 20 in Pavilion.

The location is near Texaco Town and the patient is said to be near the roadway.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

Oakfield-Alabama continued to run the table in the 2021-22 hoops season -- they're now a perfect 13-0 -- with a 69-51 win over Byron-Bergen at home on Thursday night.

Kam Cusmano scored 19 points for the Hornets, while Kyle Porter scored 18, and Gaige Armbrewster scored 13.

For the Bees, David Brumsted scored 13 and Colin Martin scored 12.

Also in boys basketball on Thursday,

• Elba beat Holley 50-29
• Notre Dame beat Attica 64-60
• Pembroke beat Lyndonville 69-33
• Pavilion fell to Mount Morris 53-44

There were no local girls'd basketball games on Thursday.

Jameson Arland Crocker, 35, of Godfreys Pond Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and unsafe backing of a vehicle.  Crocker is accused of being leaving the scene of a property damage accident at 12:22 a.m., Jan. 23. He was arrested by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell. He was issued an appearance ticket. 

Harold P. Gage, 78 of Le Roy, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Gage was arrested by a trooper out of SP Warsaw on South Road, Town of Covington at 7:36 p.m., Jan. 25. Gage allegedly failed a field sobriety test and recorded a BAC of .14.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael David Hazzard, 31, of Morgan Road, Scottsville, is charged with assault 3rd.  Hazzard allegedly hit a person 15 times in the face with a closed fist while at a location on Dublin Road, Bergen, at 2:30 a.m., Jan. 23. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Siavaija Treyevionna Lewis, 20, of Clifford Avenue, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Lewis is accused of stealing merchandise from the Target Store in Batavia at 5:11 p.m., Jan. 25. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jeryn Chanel Boggs, 28, of Clifford Avenue, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Boggs is accused of stealing merchandise from the Target Store in Batavia at 5 p.m., Jan. 25. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jerome Dwane Hightower, 22, of Princeton Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Hightower is accused of stealing merchandise from the Target Store in Batavia at 5:11 p.m., Jan. 25. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Todd Alan Brumber, 57, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent, and failure to keep right. Brumber was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 8:31 p.m., Jan. 23, at 9434 Alexander Road, Batavia. He was arrested by Deputy Trevor Sherwood.

While the overall number of Genesee County residents with jobs is lower than a year ago, the local unemployment rate hit its lowest percentage point in decades in December at 2.7 percent.

The labor force (the number of people with jobs or considered employable but unemployed) was 28,000 in December, down from 29,200 in December 2021.

The total number of employed residents was recorded as 27,200, down from 27,600 a year ago, with 800 residents unemployed, down from 1,600 a year ago.

The NYS Department of Labor statistics available online goes back to only 1990.  The unemployment rate has never dipped below 3.0 over those decades.

The GLOW-area unemployment rate is 2.8, also a record.

In Erie County rate is 3.3 percent, and Monroe County is 3.0.

The State rate is 5.0, down from 8.5 percent a year ago.  The national rate is 3.7 percent, down from 6.5 percent a year ago.

The board made the appointment last night.

Superintendent Merritt Holly said Patton "has an extensive background, success, and experience as a building-level administrator.  She has just completed an interim position at Bloomfield CSD assisting the district in covering for both the middle and high school principal."

In his announcement to district parents, he listed a sampling of her accomplishments: 

Rush-Henrietta Senior High School: (April 1998 to June 2019) 

• Instructional leader responsible for the academic success of 1250 students in grades 10-12. 
• Daily administrator of the building and supervision of 225 staff members. 
• Rush-Henrietta Senior High School was recognized by NYS Dept. of Education as a Reward School in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 for closing significant achievement gaps
• Rush-Henrietta Senior High School earned “Silver” distinction by US News & World Report’s Best High Schools in America in 2017, 2018, and 2019

She will begin her new position on Feb. 7.

Patton will serve while the district goes through the process of hiring a new principal with interviews expected in March and an anticipated start date of April 25.  The position opened following Tim McArdle's resignation last week to assume a new job at Caledonia-Mumford Jr./Sr. HS.

Previously: Le Roy's high school principal taking new position at Cal-Mum