The last text he sent, before hitting an Amish buggy with three children inside, was "I love you" to his wife. He's not even sure if he was looking at the road at the time of the accident. The next thing he knew, the windshield shattered and when he stopped, a person rolled off the roof of his van and onto the hood.

Debbie was struck by a teen who was texting while getting her mail from her roadside mailbox. She now has limited mobility, memory loss and other health issues. The accident left her entirely dependent on relatives. Debbie doesn't remember the accident at all. She went from being active to inactive in a just a second. 

“I made the choice that texting was more important to me than those two men were to their families,” said a young man. “That accident was preventable. I just had to put my phone away and drive.”

These stories and others were shown to Alexander and Warsaw high school students Friday during the Save a Life, Alcohol Awareness tour program at Alexander High School. The presentation, given by tour manager Clay Martin, is to put a spotlight on what drivers do in their cars -- it matters, even if there are no passengers.

“There's no message that would be worth picking up that phone,” Martin said. “Remember, many people may not get a chance to see these videos, but if you make it a point to remember, the avalanche of waiting until it's safe to write that text will propel and maybe it will start a chain of safer driving.”

The Save A Life Tour is a comprehensive high-impact, safe-driving awareness program that informs, educates and demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences resulting from poor choices and decisions made by a driver. The program specifically places emphasis on distracted and impaired driving, driver experience, improper driver behavior, and seat belt usage. The Department of Defense, as well as the Connecticut and Rhode Island departments of transportation, also use this program.

“All good driving begins with making simple habits,” Martin said. “Most people pick up their cell phone at a stop light, but most accidents occur at an intersection. You have to be prepared and pay attention. You have to be aware of not only your actions but those who are around you as well.”

Just a few seconds of distraction can take you the distance of a football field when driving at 55 mph. According to Martin, a drunk driver has driven 327 times before something happens. In 2012, a total of 3,326 people died in distracted-driving-related accidents and more than 421,000 people sustained injuries.

Alcohol has an amazing way of blurring the consequences, Martin told the teens. “Alcohol gets silly names like 'liquid courage' and 'beer muscles', but what it really does is put a barrier between you and a rational choice.

“There is a list of people in your phone that you can call for a ride,” Martin said. “I bet if you start in the As, by the time you reach the Cs you could have someone willing to pick you up on Christmas Day during a snowstorm.”

Not only did the students view a presentation, two simulators were set up for them to try to experience what it was like when the driver is distracted behind the wheel or has been drinking.

“It was hard to do,” said Alexander Middle/High School Principal Shannon Whitcomb. “It got more difficult as I kept going.”

“I think it has an impact. I don't know that we can determine how much, but you can tell by the attentiveness of our students that they were learning from the presentation and hopefully help them with choices in their future,” said Alexander School Superintendent Kathleen Maerten. “It’s providing education in a realistic manner. The experiential part is certainly important. The stories shared on the video have an impact as well. I think his point is that, even if you're not the driver and you're the passenger, you can advise the driver. The responsibility is not only in the hands of the driver it's the passengers as well.” 

Alexander High School senior Raven Quackenbush said “The scariest thing about it is something happening to my family. I’d rather it happen to me, than the ones I care about.”

“I have texted when I was driving and I swerved, but I don't do that anymore,” said Alexander senior Jessica Meyers. “I'm so aware of what I'm doing that it's not worth it. When you're driving with other people that are in your car, you're responsible for their lives. I appreciate it when parents trust me.”

Quackenbush said: “You have to ask yourself -- 'Is this more important than my life?' It's not too hard to say hey, can you check that for me. You can pull over for five seconds.” 

The Alexander Central School Parent Teacher Association sponsored the program as a way to remind students to make good decisions.

“It’s especially important because our prom is next weekend,” said Alexander Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) student President Hunter Doran. “We know that there will be those who decide to drink.”

“We just want them to be safe,” said SADD Advisor Shawnie Woeller. “You're not always going to hit them all. I've been doing this for so long that it use to bother me, but I have to take the stand that if we can affect one kid’s life, it does make a difference.”

“It resonates with me every time I watch this,” Doran said. “I don't ever want to have to deal with it, but the possibility is that I may have to. I want to educate myself as much as possible. 

I have no problem telling someone to stop. I see these people every day, I don't want them to end up in a hospital because of it (distracted/drunk driving).” 

“I want to be an example,” Woeller said. “I want to remind kids that there is a way to have fun, but you have to know when to stop."

According to Whitcomb, the kids can make the connection between the selfishness of taking their phone out to text while driving. Any way getting the word out works, different presentations affect different kids.

“I don't think we give kids enough credit,” Whitcomb said. “We just need to give them the information and trust the will make good choices.”

“Other families matter, too,” said Warsaw High School Junior Ashley Scott. “I wouldn’t get in a vehicle with anyone drinking, I would take their keys away.”

“I think it’s cool that they gave the stories and then let the kids use the simulators,” said Warsaw ELA teacher Jen Smith. “They way they set this up was perfect. Even though our prom is over with, the summer is starting and you have grad parties. It’s a good way to end the year as a reminder. 

“This should also be shown to adults. It would be a benefit. I don't think you can get enough of stuff like this,” Smith said. “I wonder if people even really think about it until it affects their community or family.”

According to SRO officer at Warsaw Central School Tim McGinnis, it’s a good barometer of what can happen if a driver decides to text or drink and drive. McGinnis agrees that it absolutely makes the kids see a reality of what can happen. While he said that it sometimes may take time for the information to really hit them and sink in, he’s hoping it is a deterrent to poor choices, which can have long-term effects on everyone.

“It helped me realize that it can impact more than just a driver,” said Warsaw junior Nate McGuire. “I felt sorry for them at first. It shows the impact of one very small moment and how it can impact the rest of their lives.”

“My favorite feedback I get is when the kids come back and tell me they had a conversation about this in another class,” Martin said. “That's what we want the kids to do, get talking about it. Those stories represent the people who are affected.”

“It’s not even tempting for me to drink if I’m going to drive,” Quackenbush said.

“I don’t care what people think if I don’t drink,” Meyers said.

Both girls said there is so much more to do with their time.

For more information about the program visit www.savealife.com

St. James Episcopal Church celebrated 200 years in Batavia today with a special service highlighted by musical performances and officiated by Bishop William Franklin of the Western New York Diocese and former interim pastor Allen Farabbe.

A six-piece brass ensemble and percussion section, led by Dave Porter, performed “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “Crown Him With Many Crowns,” “Lift High the Cross” and “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.”

The Genesee Chorale, conducted by Ric Jones, also performed, with accompaniment by pianist Doug Henson.

Pudgie's Garden Center hosted a butterfly clinic today taught by Ardell Olin. Visitors could learn about what plants attract butterflies and the type of habitats they prefer. (For example, they like rocks to land on to dry their wings.)

Above, Tracy Dean, of Alexander, with her son Keith prepare to leave with a couple of plant purchases after talking with Olin.

The names of five more veterans were added to a walkway of honor at the VA's PTSD Clinic in Batavia this afternoon. There are 45 names on the walkway. Each year, the names of those who have been through the PTSD program but passed in the previous year are added to the walkway.

The first runner rounds the corner on Bank Street this morning to start a 5K race benefiting All Babies Cherished.

Five-year-old Ryan is all business as he waits for the start of this morning's youth fishing derby at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. It's the 24th year for the event. This year, as of 8:10 a.m., 30 children had signed up.

Ryan is with is dad, Dave, and brother, David, 7. The family lives in Alabama.

Have you heard of Dirty Girl? How about Tough Mudder? Well, the second annual John Kennedy School “Sons and Mudders” event kicked off last night. More than 300 sons and moms participated in the half-mile obstacle course. Some of the course events consists of sprinklers, tug-of-war, slip-'n'-slide to name a few, but most of the entertainment happens when they go through the mud crawl, said Allision Chua who is co-chair of tonight’s event.

David Chua came up with the “Sons and Mudders” name last year when they had 225 participants.

“It’s to promote and improve fitness for all age levels and to have some fun with our sons," said Allision Chua. "We have our annual father-daughter dance in February and our JK parent group got together to come up with some ideas with Jennifer Houseknecht who co-chaired the event last year and thought this would be a big hit and tonight showed it."

Three different time slots were broken up by grades from second to fourth to accommodate everyone.

Allison said, "We could not do it without our sponsors."

Muller Quaker, donated the yogurt and Artic Refrigeration, the ice and water for after each group finished. 

T-Shirts Etc. printed the shirts and nearly 30 local businesses donated toward the costs of the event. 

Dave Fisher runs the “Mud Crawl” and if you don’t get mud on you, he makes sure you do. AD Call & Sons helped with the covering costs for the dirt used for the event.

For more photos and to purchase go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

The 59th annual Resurrection Parish Lawn Fete is under way.

Festivities continue tomorrow from 1 to 11 p.m., and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday outside the church, 2 Summit St.

The annual parade is tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

There are rides, raffles, live music, games and a beer tent to keep both the kiddies and adults entertained.

A caller to dispatch reports that her upstairs neighbor may have a key to her apartment and she is alleging this neighbor let herself in and stole a gallon of milk from the fridge. Law enforcement is responding.

A two-car accident, unknown injuries, is reported at the intersection of Hartshorn Road and Route 33. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Le Roy Jr./ Sr. High School held its third DWI drill to make students think twice before stepping behind the wheel drunk.

The drunken driving simulation emphasized the consequences of a two-vehicle accident that involved six high school students. In the simulation, the driver of a Chevy Suburban was intoxicated and responsible for crashing into a Chevy pickup truck. The student in the passenger side of the Suburban died from injuries sustained and one of the students in the back seat suffered critical injuries. The other three students involved in the crash had minor injuries. 

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Police Department, Le Roy Fire Department, Stafford Fire Department, Mercy Flight and the Genesee County Coroner participated in the simulation. Deputies from the Sheriff's Office and Le Roy police went through the process of administering sobriety tests. Le Roy firefighters demonstrated auto extrication to get the passengers out of both of the vehicles. Stafford firefighters set up an emergency landing zone in the parking lot for Mercy Flight so the passenger in critical condition could be flown out.

The drill takes place every two years at different high schools in Genesee County so all the juniors and seniors witness the simulation at least one time. 

Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Parker hopes today's simulation will influence students to question the offense and make good decisions.

"In the past, there have been crashes where kids have been killed on prom night in Elba and Oakfield," Parker said. "The worst part of my job is to notify a parent a child has died."

Detective John Condidorio, from the Le Roy Police Department, wants to make young adults aware of the consequences of drunk driving. Drunk drivers can face jail time, fines and probation. The consequences go beyond the charges as well.

"How is the driver going to deal with the fact that he kill his best friend or sister?" Condidorio asked. "The emotional toll is something that will long surpass jail time."

Jerry Diskin, past Le Roy fire chief, thought the simulation had a good turnout and educational presentation.

"It's important for kids to know the consequences of drunk driving and witness a crash because it's an important lesson you don't learn in school," Diskin said. "I hope it will stop accidents from happening in the near future."

Tim Hogle, assistant Le Roy fire chief, hopes the students realize the seriousness of drunk driving so he doesn't get called out for a crash for Le Roy's prom tomorrow night. To deter drunk driving, faculty will be randomly breathalyzing students at the prom.

Students participating were Tom Wood, Brian Hodges, Ashley Swartzenburg, Haley Steen, Emily McVicker and Karl Ehrhart.

Le Roy Ambulance service also participated.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, Genesee County’s only professional sports franchise and the Single-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, are excited to announce the release of their promotional schedule for the 2015 season. This year’s schedule will once again feature fireworks, giveaways, special events and daily promotions.

This year’s promotional schedule is jammed pack with more fun than ever. Throughout the 2015 season the Muckdogs will feature seven fireworks shows, eleven giveaway nights, a post-game catch on field with Dad for Father’s Day and the annual post-game helicopter candy drop. This year will also feature a “Turn Back the Clock” game where all tickets are just $5 and hot dogs and soda that night will cost just $1.

Highlights of the 2015 Promotional Schedule include:

• Opening Day/Fireworks/Magnet Schedule Giveaway, Friday, June 19th
• Muckdogs Note Pad Giveaway, Saturday, June 20th
• Father’s Day Post-Game Catch on the Field with Dad, Sunday, June 21st
• Kiwanis Club Bike Raffle, Tuesday, June 23rd
• Frisbee Giveaway, Wednesday, July 1st
• Independence Day Celebration Fireworks, Thursday, July 3rd
• Batavia Little League Night, Friday, July 10th
• Personal First Aid Kit Giveaway, Friday, July 24th
• 22-oz. Cup Giveaway, Saturday, July 25th
• Pre-Game Chicken Wing Eating Contest, Tuesday, Aug. 4th
• Irish Night, Sunday, Aug. 9th
• Lions Club Bike Raffle, Monday, Aug. 10th
• Turn Back the Clock Night – ALL Tickets $5, $1 Zweigle’s Hot Dogs and Sodas, Thursday, Aug. 12th
• Town of Le Roy Night, Friday, Aug. 14th
• Team Photo Giveaway, Saturday, Aug. 22nd
• Post-Game Helicopter Candy Drop, Sunday, Aug. 23rd
• Bark in the Park, Sunday, Aug. 30th

                                                                                   
Fireworks Nights will be as follows: June 19th, July 3rd, July 10th, July 24th, Aug. 14th, 21st and 28th.

The Muckdogs will once again offer fans a daily menu of money-saving promotions available throughout the season.

The Muckdogs daily promotions lineup is as follows:

Mondays: Muckdog Monday presented by The Daily News: With a coupon from the Saturday edition of The Daily News, fans can purchase buy one get one free General Admission tickets.
Tuesdays: Kids’ Tuesday Night Tickets courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program: The first 50 kids accompanied by an adult receive a free General Admission ticket.
Wednesdays: Family 4-Pack Night: Fans can purchase four General Admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12-oz. sodas and a 2015 program for just $32, a savings of $19.00.
Thursdays: Kids Eat Free courtesy of Bob Evans Restaurants: The first 100 kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda and snack item.
Fridays: Post-game fireworks will light up the sky after every Friday night game.
Saturdays: Dollar Draft Saturday presented by Eastown Beverage and Batavia Redemption Center: From 6 to 7 p.m., 12-oz. Bud Light and Genny Light drafts are just $1. Pre-Game Concert Series: Papa and Mama Root will perform oldies rock and roll in the concourse, courtesy of Tim Horton’s of Batavia, Cold Stone Creamery and New Buffalo Impact.
Sundays: Post-Game Run the Bases with Homer presented by Bob Evans Restaurant: Kids have the opportunity to run the bases with Homer after the game and receive a coupon from Bob Evans Restaurant in Batavia. Seniors Eat Free, courtesy of The Williams Law Firm: The first 100 seniors 60 and over receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda/coffee and a snack item.

For a complete promotional schedule, go to www.muckdogs.com or call the Muckdogs office at (585)343-5454.

The Muckdogs open their 2015 home schedule on Friday, June 19th vs. the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 p.m.

Muckdogs season tickets, coupon books, group tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Individual tickets are on sale now.

Press release:

Would you like to live with the next Ryan Howard or Chase Utley?

The Batavia Muckdogs are again seeking local families to assist in housing players during the 2015 baseball season.

Anyone can help provide lodging for this year's Muckdogs by either providing space or renting a room, apartment, or home. While many host families come back year after year, the team is always looking to add to their list of availabilities for the players.

Host Families play a crucial role in helping young players feel comfortable in a new environment. Many who have hosted players in the past have had incredibly wonderful experiences. However, with players coming and going throughout the season, we have constant needs as far as housing is concerned.

The 2015 season runs from June 19 until Sept. 7 and players typically range from 18-23 years of age.

Anyone in need of more information on becoming a Host Family is invited to contact the Muckdogs’ office at (585) 343-5454 or General Manager Travis Sick at  tsick@muckdogs.com. You can also call our housing coordinator Shirley Fanara directly at (585) 356-3411.

The Batavia Muckdogs are the short-season, Class A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and are the last remaining founding member of the New York-Penn League, dating back to 1939. The Batavia Muckdogs are operated by the neighboring Rochester Red Wings.
 
Location: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St., Batavia, NY 14020
Phone: 585-343-5454; Fax: 585-343-5620
Web site: www.muckdogs.com

Written and submitted by Kelly March, of Youth Services, for the Richmond Memorial Library.

The Batavia Richmond Memorial Library will be hosting actress, storyteller, playwright, author and illustrator Gretchen Murray Sepik, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, when she will be presenting, "Erie Canal Sal."

The program is a theatrical characterization of Sal McMurray, an Irish cook working on a packet boat traveling the Erie Canal in the year 1840.

The program combines Irish folk tales and facts about the canal that are true -- in a very broad sense. You'll laugh while you learn about one of the engineering wonders of the world.

The program will be followed by a book signing of Gretchen's book "Erie Canal Sal."

Gretchen was born in Mercer, Pa., and was raised in the country where she and her brother, Greg, would spend hours playing in the woods and fields that surrounded their home.

"I guess I'm the result of my father's storytelling and my mother's boundless imagination," says Gretchen.

Her father, Michael, worked in a mill and could tell the best stories about the Pennsylvania coal mines, railroads and horses. Her mother, Jinny, was a singer and encouraged her to sing songs, learn nursery rhymes and she always had a box of old clothes for Gretchen to dress up in.

"My mother was the greatest influence in my life and was responsible for guiding me toward my life's work. She was my best friend. Before I was old enough to go to school my mother would ask me each morning who I wanted to be for the day. I could be anybody."

Gretchen jokingly says that she never knew her real name until she started the first grade.

"I've always loved to play 'dress up' and by doing theatrical characterizations I can play 'dress up' for the rest of my life."

Gretchen says her husband, photographer and designer, Walter A. Jakubowski, is her source of strength as he has supported her in all of her crazy ideas; some successful and some not. He also suggests programs, which she should develop, including "Mary Jemison" and "Susan B. Anthony."

"Walt is always saying things that make me laugh. I tell him I'm going to write a book entitled, 'The World According to Walt', or 'How to Achieve a Waltered State of Consciousness.' He's my reservoir of ideas for material and programs."

Sepik majored in modern dance at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, where she also studied acting and writing.

She has performed with the Paddy Toon Modern Ensemble in Pittsburgh, with the Rochester Philharmonic's "Phil Revue" with mime troupe, Flash in the Pan. Gretchen studied with the Bottom of the Bucket, but, currently Garth Fagan Dance, and worked with them as a rookie.

"My storytelling started when a teacher's aide asked me to come into her school and do storytelling. I was too shy to tell stories as myself so I developed Naomi Brown from the Blue Ridge Mountains to tell the stories of Brer Rabbit for me. Storytelling helped me overcome my shyness."

Gretchen does her form of storytelling across New York State and into Pennsylvania and was the cofounder and director of the Flight of Fancy Experimental Theatre (F.O.F.) and is a performance artist working with Young Audiences of Rochester and Young Audiences of Western New York. She presents 200 to 300 programs a year. In 2004, she was honored by Young Audiences of Western New York for her work with students and her commitment to learning through the arts.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council awarded Gretchen a grant in 2009 to adapt her script of, “Erie Canal Sal," into a children’s book, which she also illustrated. The book is now available for sale.

Sepik lives in Albion with her husband, Walter, golden retriever/husky Bud, labradoodle Rigley and the cat, named Jinn Chin Lee, in an old 1830s cobblestone house full of antiques and curbside finds. The house is surrounded by flower, herb and organic vegetable gardens.

"I have a great love and respect for nature and I hope that through some of my storytelling I might be able to awaken that love in others."

Along with Naomi Brown and Sal McMurray, Gretchen also portrays Mary Jemison, a white woman who, as a young girl, was captured by the Shawnee Indians and given to the Seneca Indians. She lived the rest of her life among the Senecas and when offered her freedom chose to remain with her Seneca family and friends whom she loved. Mary is buried at Letchworth State Park, which is situated on land she once owned and a statue erected in her honor is located at the council grounds.

Gretchen does a characterization of 19th Century women's rights leader Susan B. Anthony who not only speaks of life in the 1800s, but also comments on current issues.

She also portrays much-loved children's author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, who narrates "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and "The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse" incorporating the audience into the story.

"I think storytelling is one of the most wonderfully creative art forms because it allows each person to be who they are and use what talents they have to tell a story. If a person can sing, let them sing, if a person can dance, let them dance, if a person can juggle, let them juggle; as each storyteller weaves a story, their own unique individuality adds to the tapestry of the tale they tell. When performing in schools my goal is to awaken children to the joy of learning, the joy of life and the joy of who they are.”

As one child so aptly put it, “someone finally got me to like history.”

Gretchen's new project is "Mother Nature" who will be dispelling the myths and misconceptions that have plagued humanity for centuries. This program will be done in a stand-up comedic style for adult audiences.

David A. Simpson, 34, of Pittsford, was charged with speeding, aggravated unlicensed operator, 2nd, and felony criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, on Route 77 in Corfu. Simpson is accused of having a butterfly knife after he was previously convicted of a crime. He was jailed on $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Dillon M. Brito, 23, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, a Class C felony. Brito was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine in the parking lot at Kibbe Park. He was jailed without bail.

Nicholas J. Elmore, 26, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, was charged and arraigned on a bench warrant for theft of services charge. Elmore allegedly committed the offense in the City of Batavia. He was held on a detainer from the City of Batavia Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash/bond.

Shane M. Nugent, 30, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after he was pulled over on Route 77 in Corfu for speeding, uninspected motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operator, 3rd.

Samantha A. Talmon, 26, of Main Road, Corfu, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and operation of an uninspected motor vehicle on Main Street in Oakfield.

Dustin R. Benham, 25, of Darien Center, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Benham was allegedly stopped on Route 77 in Corfu for not wearing a seat belt.

Scott D. Smith, 39, of Ridge Road, Brockport, was pulled over for allegedly possessing a small quantity of marijuana and speeding on Route 77 in Pembroke.

Coty A. Patrizi, 24, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with the unlawful possession of marijuana and operating a vehicle without brake lights on Main Street in Batavia. Patrizi allegedly possessed a marijuana grinder and some marijuana.

Larry D. Williams, 57, of Elba, was charged with violation of ENCON laws. Williams was accused of burning tires.

Stephen M. Tytler, 28, of Beahan Road, Rochester, voluntarily turned himself in to the Batavia Police Department after he allegedly failed to appear in court for an aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 3rd. The City of Batavia had issued an active bench warrant on him. 

Scott R. Krieger, 39, of Dumon Street, Rochester, is charged with having an unlicensed vehicle on his property on Law Street, Batavia. Krieger was arrested on a warrant issued by the Batavia City Court. He is accused of being in violation of the Batavia Municipal Code for an unlicensed vehicle on various dates in 2007. 

Megan J. Thomas, 33, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Thomas allegedly left two children unattended in a running vehicle at the Batavia City Centre.

Garrett C. Gildner, 40, of Andiron Lane, Rochester, was arrested on two Batavia City Court warrants for allegedly failing to pay a fine for municipal violations. Gildner was previously charged with Batavia Municipal Code violations for hedge height and corner visibility and a loose metal fence on West Main Street in Batavia. 

Alicia M. Warney, 29, of West Ridge Road, Brockport, was arrested for a bench warrant on West Main Street in Batavia. Warney allegedly failed to appear in jail for a violation. She was held on $1,000 bail.

Andrew J. Darling, 40, of Route 237, Stafford, was charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing a cell phone valued at $200. The incident happened on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

A Le Roy youth is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. He allegedly caused damage to a closet door. He was arraigned in the Le Roy Town Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $250 bail. An order of protection was also issued.

The way Ron Panek sees it, there's no way the city should build a police station at the Salvation Army location on Jackson Street.

Panek is Batavia's certified floodplain manager, trained by FEMA in Washington, D.C., on issues related to floodplains in municipal areas.

The Police Facilities Task Force, which had winnowed possible locations for a new police HQ down to three locations, including Jackson Street, heard from Panek and Assistant City Manager Gretch Difante during a meeting Thursday evening.

"As floodplain manager, I have to strongly discourage (the Jackson Street location)," Panek said. "I can't tell you, you know, you can't do this, but common sense should tell you that in a catastrophic event, we don't want our critical response facility in a floodplain."

Panek said he decided to bring his concerns to the assistant city manager and city manager after he saw Jackson Street was still under consideration by the committee after eliminating several other proposed locations.

The task force considered what Panek and Difante had to say and as a matter of consensus, agreed to drop the Salvation Army location from consideration.

It's not just the obvious problem of the facility becoming potentially unusable during a flood emergency that concerned task force members, it's also what such a building decision could do to the price of flood insurance for city residents.

There are two programs that impact local insurance rates and evaluators for both programs would take a dim view of the city building critical response facility in a floodplain.

Both Difante and Panek hedged on any sort of guarantee that rates would go up, but certainly left the impression that would be the expected outcome.

The issue is important to all residents of the city, Difante said.

"There are 1,050 properties in the special flood-hazard area," Difante said. "Without some kind of relief, these individuals can't sell their homes. Some have had to abandon properties, or they can't afford repairs or they wind up in a short sale for a loss. Do we really believe that if 1,050 properties suffer we don't all suffer? It affects the whole city."

There are residents, City Manager Jason Molino said, paying more than $1,000 a year in flood insurance, which is higher than their city taxes. He said taking two houses, one in a floodplain and one not, and doing a comparison on lot size, building size and year built, a house in the flood zone is assessed at about 15 percent less than a house in a flood area.

The city has been a part of the National Flood Insurance Program since 1977. The current city fire station and Falleti Ice Arena complex was build with federal grants prior to 1977. If the city was seeking similar funding today, there's no way the government would fund that facility in a floodplain.

The location of the fire hall in a floodplain is another reason, Molino said, that the city shouldn't also build a police station in a floodplain, even though a new building would be elevated, use other strategies to mitigate flood damage.

"If you have a catastrophic event, I'm sure the building would be good, but it would be surrounded by water," Molino said. "You wouldn't have access to it. You wouldn't have utilities. You wouldn't be able to use it."

Under the NFIP, FEMA could tack on a $20 surcharge on everybody's flood insurance policy if the city built a new police headquarters in a flood zone.

"We are obligated to follow FEMA's rules and regulations," Panek said. "If we do not follow all of the rules of FEMA, which highly discourages building critical response facilities in flood zones, we could be sanctioned by the NFIP."

One of Difante's tasks since starting her job last year has been to get the city into a federal program that, essentially, helps lower insurance rates for property owners. The city's flood readiness and mitigation efforts are rated, points are assessed; and the higher the point total, the lower the insurance rates.

Difante met with a federal auditor May 14 and that date is a significant demarcation on how the city is scored going forward. In other words, the location of the fire hall doesn't hurt the city's score, because it's pre-existing, but building a new critical response facility in a floodplain could potentially lower the city's score.

"(May 14) was Day 1," Difante said. "That day started the new rules. They're going to look at things differently. It's not a clean mathematical scale. There is so much human decision making that goes into it. It's subjective, so I don't want to say it will hurt our score, but they can take points off for that, yes. Does that mean rates go higher? I don't know if we can say that. There are also other ways we can make up points. It's a very multifacited, multilayered system."

The decision to drop Jackson Street leaves the task force looking at two final locations -- Alva Place and Bank Street, in the heart of Downtown Batavia, and at the former Wiard Plow Factory location on Swan Street.  The task force is inviting the public to a 6 p.m. meeting June 23 to hear a presentation on how the task force arrived at the two final locations and to solicit public feedback. The meeting will be in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Near the close of Thursday night's meeting, task force members raised the issue of what happens to the Brisbane Mansion if the police vacate the building for a new facility. A couple of task force members were worried some residents might raise that as a concern. Chairman Marc Staley said there is an easy answer to that question: The task force wasn't charged with deciding the fate of the Brisbane Mansion. That is beyond the purview of what it was asked to study.

A barn fire is reported in the area of the intersection of Conlon and North roads. Le Roy Fire Department and Ambulance Service are responding, along with mutual aid from Bergen, Mumford and Caledonia.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The call has gone to a second alarm. Pavilion, Stafford and the Town of Batavia Fast Team are called. A firefighter on scene reports seeing flames inside the structure.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A burner is being used at the barn, a firefighter confirms. No barn fire. Units are told to go back in service.