Area residents are coming together at 7 p.m. at St. James Church to hold a community prayer and vigil for the people of Haiti.
St. James is located at 405 E. Main St., Batavia.
This is a non-denominational service and the entire community is invited to attend.
Singers who wish to join the choir are asked to arrive by 6:30 p.m.
For more information call the church office at 343-6802.
Now that the five defendants in the Le Roy meth lab case are facing Federal charges, First Assistant District Attorney David Gann anticipates that the State charges filed against them will be dismissed.
The five defendants will be released to Federal supervision, and some of them will be released from county jail.
The first of the five to come up for potential release from county custody was Nathan D. Bernard, who appeared in County Court this morning.
Bernard is currently serving a 90-day sentence on a trespassing conviction. He is scheduled to be released March 6. At the request of Gann, Judge Robert C. Noonan released Bernard on his own recognices pending completion of his sentence.
Scheduled for appearances this afternoon are Kari L. Riggi and Joshua Miller. Riggi is currently in jail on $75,000. She is likely to be released this afternoon. Miller is already out of jail and under the supervision of Genesee County Justice. He is likely to be released to the supervision of Federal authorities.
Tomorrow, Koree R. Stephenson and Christopher J. Elmore are expected to appear in county court to begin the process of being released to Federal supervision, but in Elmore's case, he's also been charged with passing fake $10 bills.
Today, the State's case against Bernard was passed to the lower justice court, where the State charges can be dismissed. This is likely how the cases against the other five defendants will be handled.
Judge Noonan expressed an interest in having Bernard waive his right to have his case reviewed by a Grand Jury within six months of his arrest, but Gann didn't think that is necessary. If the Federal case is dismissed after that six month period, the DA's office won't be able to refile the State charges. After court, Gann said he is confident in the Federal case.
All five defendants arrested in connection with the suspected meth lab at 28 Clay St. in Le Roy were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree by the DA's office.
At the Federal level, all five where charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute or dispense 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Elmore faces the additional charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
It should be no surprise to anyone -- putting together Oakfield's annual Labor Daze celebration is a lot of work.
Too much work for only five people to handle, according Donna Dwyer, last year's co-chair for the event.
That's why there will be no Labor Daze in 2010.
"We considered lots of options and people suggested ideas, but we've been at this long enough to know it was going to be just too tough for a small group of people," Dwyer said.
The event has been a 25-year tradition in Oakfield and is an important part of the fundraising calendar for many local charities, but Dwyer said with some key people stepping away for either health reasons or other personal commitments and the lack of new volunteers stepping forward, putting on the event for 2010 just wasn't realistic.
The Oakfield Betterment Committee will continue to try and recruit volunteers for 2011, but even if several people stepped forward now, it's just too late for 2010, Dwyer said. There is just too much work that has not been completed yet that should be done by this point.
"We would already be behind the eight ball," Dwyer said. "For example, we have to have all of the entertainment booked by the beginning of February."
Mark Colopy, another organizer who oversees the food booths said he was out of town Monday when the committee met and made its decision, but that it makes sense. The group just needs more help.
"We're looking forward with optimism," Colopy said. "This is an important event for the community. It's an important fundraiser for a lot of non-profit groups in the community and it's a great time to get out and see your friends and neighbors. We just didn't have the necessary support to carry it through for 2010."
The howls of anger and indignation you heard last night echoing from the Bronx to Buffalo is the reaction from special interests throughout the state to Gov. David Paterson's proposed budget.
While raising taxes $1 billion, the plan also cuts spending $5.5 billion.
You don't cut spending that much without stepping on some toes.
Typical of the "cut everybody but us" reaction was captured by the Albany Times-Union:
"Gov. Paterson is to be commended for his leadership in making the tough choices necessary to address a significant budget gap for the upcoming state fiscal year," said Peter Baynes, executive director of the state Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials. " ... NYCOM, however, strongly objects to proposed cuts in AIM funding, as this program is a key element to controlling municipal property taxes."
Paterson has proposed a series of cuts to local governments, including a 2 to 5 percent cut in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities payments (AIM). Paterson wants to totally eliminate AIM for New York City.
Locally, Assemblyman Steve Hawley got into the act and spoke up for snowmobilers.
"I was pleased to hear the governor call for a moratorium on land acquisition," Hawley said in a statement. "Yet, raiding one million dollars from the snowmobile fund to balance the budget is an unacceptable infringement on upstate sportsmen. It was unacceptable last year when the governor proposed it, and it's unacceptable this year."
The Buffalo News reports that legislators, especially Democrats, are reacting harshly to the proposed budget, saying it's already dead.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who has been splitting more and more from fellow Democrat Paterson, rebuked the governor's cuts, saying they "go too far [and] make life more difficult" for New Yorkers, especially the "most vulnerable and least fortunate citizens."
...
"He's tried to politically pin everything that's wrong with government on us. I don't like it. I don't think any of my colleagues like it," said Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, D-Queens.
Besides local government and snowmobilers, the budget proposes cuts to education, health care and the environment.
Education spending would be cut from $21.6 billion to $20.5 billion. The Times-Union got this reaction:
"This budget proposes the largest cut to our children's schools in the history of the state, and yet again asks our children to bear the unbearable burden of balancing the state budget," said Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education.
Turn to any news site in New York this morning, and you will find unhappy people talking about protecting their own interests.
It will be interesting to see what alternative the Legislature puts forward.
T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happensin sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.
Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and flowers are a great way to show love. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.
Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for a seven-week session (one class per week), which is a $56 value, for $28.
Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
The Color Salon, 35 Center St., Batavia, NY: Susan Francis, the owner and stylist at The Color Salon reminds women, "your hair is your greatest accessory." Francis has more than 20 years of experience helping women get the best hair color. We have a $50 gift certificate for $25.
Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.
The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Now in stock: Of course, flowers are the perfect give for Valentine's Day. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.
NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.
It's that time of year again -- when the City of Batavia officials sit down to look reality in the face and try and figure out how to balance tougher-to-get revenue with ever increasing expenses.
Sales tax is expected to be down, some longtime employees are coming up on retirement, the city's infrastructure is aging and some key pieces of equipment haven't been replaced in decades.
So what about that proposed 3-percent increase in property taxes?
Councilman Frank Ferrando asked City Manager Jason Molino if there is any way to cut it back and Molino said that would be hard, especially if the city wants to start replacing old equipment and start planning for the future.
"Rather than my trying to take apart a budget that's pretty complicated, I look at it as best I can," Ferrando said. "You know the budget and the staff better than all of us. I would rather give you a charge and say, here's what I think our taxpayers would take and you make the adjustments as opposed to me telling you what you should and shouldn't be doing."
Molino explained that the city isn't looking at a tax increase just to raise revenue, but to put the city on a sounder financial footing.
"What we’re starting to look at is if we’re going to invest -- and I look at it as an investment -- you’re going to have to maintain certain levels of service," Molino said. "We're going to have to look at a marginal tax-rate increase. That’s what we’re starting to look at here. All right, if we’re going to have to increase the tax rate a marginal amount, what do we get in return?"
Council President Marianne Clattenburg, after noting how much more difficult the budget picture looks because of weaker-than-expected sales-tax projections, said making the cuts necessary to bring down the tax increase could be difficult.
"There’s always a possibility to cut things," Clattenburg said. "But this year we’re trying to bring back some equipment we’ve deferred and purchase things that we’re going to need if we’re going to fix the streets. We’ve really been budgeting conservatively for quite a number of years now, so when you get to the point we’re in now, with the economy the way it is and dropping revenues, it gets really tough to do."
About the only time the staff-council discussion became animated tonight was when Fire Chief Ralph Hyde tried to explain the need for his department to become ALS (Advanced Life Support) certified. It would allow firefighters to provide critical lifesaving care in those few instances when they are on scene before Mercy EMS. Fourteen firefighters are already trained as paramedics, in part because of current state firefighter hiring requirements.
"This will save a lot more lives than just fighting fires in a city this size," Hyde said, "because there are sometimes these four- and five- and six-minute gaps in response time."
The certification would allow trained and experienced paramedics on the Fire Department staff to provide lifesaving services that right now they cannot legally perform, even though they know how.
Some council members expressed concern about training costs and overtime, but Hyde and Molino said the process of getting and maintaining ALS certification can be cost neutral. That's because of state grants and how internal training programs can be set up -- using the City's on-staff trainer to train personnel from other fire companies.
The council also heard reports on the departments of finance, personnel, youth bureau, assessment, police, public works, and water and sewer.
The next budget workshop is at the Council's next regular Monday meeting.
Pictures: Top, Chief Hyde, left, and Molino. Middle, Police Chief Randy Baker with Molino. Bottom, full council at session.
In honor of the service-based philosophy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Genesee County AmeriCorps and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) held the "Be a Star - GO Volunteer Fair" on Monday at the Batavia Senior Center.
"AmeriCorps headquarters encourages us to do something on Martin Luther King Day in the spirit of Dr. King," said Kathy Frank, AmeriCorps program director for Genesee County.
Many businesses and organizations from Genesee and Orleans counties participated.
Notable examples included:
Genesee County AmeriCorps Frank provided information about the opportunities Genesee County AmeriCorps has for anyone age 17 and older. This organization is well known for matching applicants with local organizations based on the individual interests and organizational needs. Participants earn a stipend and are eligible for an education award that will help pay for college tuition or, in the case of college graduates, student loans. Frank said that legislation was passed in October allowing participants age 55 and older to use that education award to help pay for their children's or grandchildren's college. Anyone interested in learning more should contact Frank through the Genesee County Youth Bureau.
The Ministry of Concern's "Just Friends" Program Bill Hawthorne, who works for the Just Friends program through AmeriCorps Vista, offers information for people ages 18 and older who are interested in volunteering their time to building friendships with children and teens.
"We took over the Big Buddy program in August when the director retired," Hawthorne said. "We have people from all walks of life who devote time to making a difference in kids' lives."
Only eight hours a month are required for each volunteer, and activities can include simple things like playing catch, going for walks, cooking or even just talking. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Bill at vista@ministryofconcern.org.
CASA for Children Volunteer Linda Buzzell (left) and board member Ed Liesing represent CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children, part of a national volunteer association that seeks to help children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect. For more information, contact Tara Pariso at tpariso@co.genesee.ny.us.
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) Joe Langen, who works at Go Art! through AmeriCorps, provides information about volunteer opportunities for people of all ages in a variety of capacities (assitance at events, office work, ambassadorship, etc). Visit www.goart.org for more information.
The seven hour flight was nearly at an end, and only then did I bother to look out the window. Looking down I noticed the glare of the sun, reflected off the snow and ice-capped peaks of the Wrangell Mountains. It was 10:30 pm. I wouldn’t experience darkness again for a month.
The date was June 1, 1997, and the plane was minutes from touching down in Anchorage, Alaska. At the airport I would meet up with Attica native Tim Sawyer, then a phys-ed instructor and high school football coach in Palmer, Alaska. There were two days of classes remaining, after which Tim and I would spend the next month seeing a good deal of Alaska, gold prospecting, hiking, fishing, photography, etc. Our journey would cover more than 2500 miles of Alaskan wilderness with seven different camp sites. Our travels took us through the Alaskan Range, across the Yukon River and beyond, to the Arctic Circle and several stops in between.
The adventure began with a five hour drive north to Fairbanks, then traveling northeast on the Steese Highway, a two-lane gravel road, for one-hundred forty miles. At some point, Tim turned off the “highway,” following a graded secondary road for fourteen miles through the East Crazy Mountains. By traversing a series of rolling hills and valleys, we came to the north fork of Harrison Creek. There we would set up base camp for ten days before moving on to the Arctic Circle and another go at the gold and some mighty fine grayling fishing.
Four weeks later we would cap off our adventure by rafting a forty-seven mile section of the Little Susitna River, a two day excursion in a two-man Zodiac, a rubber raft with wooden floor boards. Through a series of posts over the next few days, I would like to revisit Alaska, and share the experience.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS are at the scene of a rollover accident on the Thruway near the Batavia exit.
Injuries are reportedly minor. One vehicle is on its roof.
A State Trooper has been requested to the scene.
A legislative roadblock could jeopardize New York’s ability to win a federal lottery of sorts – President Obama is ready to hand out $4.5 billion in education funding to select states that demonstrate a solid plan to improve education.
One of the criteria in Obama's "Race to the Top" competition is a commitment to increasing the number of a state's charter schools. That’s the biggest obstacle the New York Legislature faces in coming up with a winning application.
The state is heading toward a legislative package that increases the cap on charter schools from 200 to 400, but also makes it much harder to get a charter school approved. The Legislature refused to act last night on a compromise bill offered by Gov. David Paterson that would have made another 200 charter schools more likely.
Critics of the legislation – such as New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg – have blasted the Legislature for risking New York’s chance at hitting a $700 million jackpot.
Batavia City School District Superintendent Margaret Puzio is not among the critics.
First, she said, charter schools are just one of the criteria in the competition; second, charter schools are not necessarily a great thing for education.
“States may loose points (for not increasing the number of charter schools), but the bigger question is what has the state done in the past and what is it doing in the future to improve failing schools,” Puzio said. "If we have really effective public schools, we would have less need for 400 charter schools."
Charter schools, Puzio indicated, actually detract from the ability of public schools to improve.
“Charter schools are very controversial,” Puzio said. “People say that public schools are a monopoly, that they are controlled by the teachers' union, that they can’t be truly innovative. That’s just not true.”
There have been no attempts to start a charter school in Genesee County, at least as far as Puzio knows, and she's been in the area since 2002.
If there were such a school in the county, it might draw students from not only Batavia, but Elba, Pavilion, Corfu or any part of the county, and the federal dollars for each of those students would follow the students, Puzio said.
That puts public school districts at a disadvantage, Puzio said, because charter schools can be selective in their admission criteria while public schools must take all students.
“Unless they are held to the same standards, it seems unfair to take funds from public schools and give them to charter schools,” Puzio said.
The lack of interest in charter schools in Genesee County is one of the things that indicates local residents are largely satisfied with the quality of the area's public schools, Puzio said.
"My general takeaway is that what happens with school budget votes and what we see in surveys is that the people of Genesee County find our public schools are very responsive to their needs," Puzio said.
A former Le Roy Fire Department chief was sentenced this afternoon to 90 days in jail and five years probation for misappropriating public funds in 2006. He must also pay fees and fines totaling more than $2,500, plus adhere to a number of other stipulations.
Stephen C. Smith appeared in Genesee County Court wearing white sneakers, black slacks, a light gray sweater and shirt, with bandages on his right hand. He offered no comment when Judge Robert Noonan asked him if he had anything to say for himself.
Smith pled guilty in mid-October to forgery in the second degree.
He served as Le Roy's fire chief from 2004-08, and four more as an assistant chief.
"You certainly should be ashamed for what's brought you here today," Noonan told Smith, while acknowleging that part of Smith's punishment has already been self-inflicted.
"It's a blow to remove you from something you've long been associated with," Noonan said.
Genesee County Justice will supervise Smith's probation. He must provide a DNA sample and pay a $50 fee to be registered in the criminal DNA database. He can drink no alcohol and must submit to random testing. He must get a substance-abuse evaluation and write a letter of apology to those affected by his actions. He cannot associate with scofflaws and convicts.
Smith's Attorney Thomas Burns' asked that his client be allowed to pay his restitution at a rate of $50 a month, and Noonan agreed. The judge also agreed to a jail sentence of 90 days, instead of the six months sought by the Prosecutor Kevin Finnell.
Smith will serve the sentence at a rate of 48-hours weekly, from 10 a.m. Mondays until 10 a.m. Wednesdays.
An Alexander man who was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight yesterday following a motorcycle accident was treated and released, according to a patient information clerk at Strong.
Landen P. McCormick, 21, was northbound on Sandpit Road in Alexander when he reportedly failed to negotiate a curve and struck a guard rail, according to State Police.
McCormick was ejected from the motorcycle and according to reports yesterday, suffered a possible head injury.
No tickets were issued.
A Batavia woman awaiting trial in Erie County jail for allegedly trying to suffocate her baby tried to commit suicide, the Buffalo News reports.
Even though she was on suicide watch and reportedly under constant supervision, Marcia Mitchell, 29, somehow managed to swallow the entire contents of a bottle of aspirin.
The News reports Mitchell is in critical but stable condition at a hospital in the Buffalo area.
Mitchell is accused of trying to suffocate her baby in May 2008 while in a Buffalo-area hospital following a fire at her family's home.
Belladessa's Pizzeria/Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Here's a deal -- half off on a Family Meal Deal from Belladessa's, which is a large 1 topping pizza, 24 wings and 2-liter bottle of soda. It's a $25 value for $12.50.
Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.
The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.
NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.
The Mane Attraction
Expect slick roads this morning.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of Western New York.
A freezing drizzle over night is expect to continue and keep roads icy until 11 a.m.
The weather service advises caution on untreated roads and urges commuters to allow extra time to get to work.
WBTA has interviewed three of the winners of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce annual awards.
Listen to the MP3s:
A motorcycle accident has been reported at the intersection of Sandpit and Dry Bridge roads, Alexander.
The driver reportedly suffered a head injury.
Mercy Flight is being put in the air.
Alexander Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: Mercy Flight in the air. Four minute ETA
UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 in the air, transporting to Strong Memorial.
The distinction of Conservation Farm of the Year 2009 has been awarded to John and Shelley Reynolds of Reyncrest Farms.
The Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors made the selection and will present the award at the "Celebrate Agriculture" dinner on March 13 at the Alexander Fire Hall.
Reyncrest Farms is located on 9666 Alleghany Road in Corfu. It grows feed crops on 1,500 acres and has more than 600 dairy cows.
The longtime family business was chosen because of its environmentally friendly ways, including crop rotation, growing grass buffers along streams and ditches and installing an extensive and sophisticated drainage system.
The Reynolds family also tries to be a good neighbor when it comes to spreading manure -- they limit it to dry days and will postpone the chore if a neighbor has a party.
It's not the first time Reyncrest has received the Conservation Farm of the Year award. It also won it in 1982 when the farm was operated by John's father, the late Ed Reynolds.
Reyncrest Farms built a new barn in 2008 and a new milking structure in 1997. The big, old red barn -- plainly visible on Alleghany Road -- was spruced up last year thanks to about $5,000 from the Campbell's Soup Co. The barn was one of only five chosen nationwide for refurbishment as part of Campbell's "Help Grow Your Soup" campaign.
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