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Press release:

The New York State Senate has passed legislation (S1207) to make the property tax cap permanent. If enacted, this bill would secure $66 billion in taxpayer savings over the next ten years.

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer voted in favor of the legislation.

“The property tax cap has helped to end the days of sky-high annual increases in tax bills, and it has saved taxpayers $15.5 billion over the last five years. Simply put, it is working. That is why it is so important to enact this legislation into law,” said Ranzenhofer.

Between 2001 and 2011, growth in New York’s property taxes increased by 73 percent for school districts and 53 percent for counties.

The property tax cap was first enacted in 2011. The cap limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments and school districts to two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

The bill has been sent to the State Assembly.

Kyle R. Shea is indicted for the crime of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that in June or July of 2015, at a residence on South Main Street in the City of Batavia, that Shea engaged in "anal sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion."

In count two, Shea is indicted for the crime of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that, in the same time frame and place, Shea engaged in anal sexual conduct with another person without the person's consent, where such lack of consent was by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.

In count three, the defendant is indicted for the crime of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged in count three, in the same time frame and place, that Shea subjected another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Feb. 3^rd and will end on Feb. 5^th. The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event and Super Bowl Weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving. New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths.

You can help to make a difference by Having a Plan!  Download our new mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp. Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, designate a responsible driver before the game begins. We want fans to remember that it’s a choice. So root for your favorite team; enjoy your friends and family and remember “DON’T DRIVE, GET A RIDE!

The STOP-DWI Super Bowl Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the STOP-DWI Foundation courtesy of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

A weak Canadian dollar kept many tourists from the north out of New York and Genesee County, as a result, saw a decline of 3 percent in bed tax revenue, Tom Turnbull, president of the Chamber of Commerce, told county legislators yesterday.

Turnbull and tourism director Kelly Rapone provided a review of chamber and tourism activity at the Ways and Means Committee meeting.

"People were not traveling as much," Turnbull said. "But talking with our friends in Buffalo-Niagara, we did better than them. They were down 10 percent."

The weak exchange rate for Canadians didn't keep too many golfers away, though, Turnbull said. Because the prices at local golf courses are so competitive, the chamber was still able to sell a number of golf packages.

Turnbull thinks the county's bed tax revenue will return to a level of $420,000 or higher in 2017 in a large part because this will be the first full year of operation for the new hotel at Batavia Downs and this year a new hotel should open on the north side of the Thruway in Batavia, the Fairfield by Marriott.

Group sales have continued to do well, if not better, Turnbull said. Genesee County continues to be a popular location for soccer, lacrosse and baseball tournaments. 

"That brings people into the hotels and they spend money and that’s what we’re looking for," Turnbull said.

Rapone shared copies of the new tourism promotional material the chamber has available. She also debuted the totally redesigned tourism website visitgeneseeny.com. The modernized website will make it easier for tourists to find information about visiting Genesee County, she said, and it will also make it easier on both golfers and staff to handle bookings for golf packages.

During the meeting, Legislator Ray Cianfrini also floated the idea of creating an entertainment tax. He noted that when he's gone to venues in other counties he's noticed the ticket price includes an entertainment tax, so he's been researching it. The tax, if implemented, would likely apply only to venues over a certain size, say with seating of 2,500 or more, and colleges would be exempt.  

The only current venue where such a tax might apply is Darian Lake Performing Arts Center.

"It might be another source of revenue," Cianfrini said.

Mary Case talked about the positive impact the GLOW YMCA has had on her grandson during the kickoff of the 2017 fundraising campaign at Terry Hills last night.

The money raised will go to the Y's scholarship program. Scholarships allow people who need the support of the Y and access to its programs to be able to join at no cost.

The fundraising goal through the four counties is $91,000, but Executive Director Rob Walker (bottom photo) challenged the two dozen volunteers and staff members at last night's kickoff to reach for a goal of $100,000.

Case said her grandson has made lifelong friends through participation at the Y and going to Camp Hough, where he met a counselor from China who taught him a few phrases in Chinese that he still uses to this day.

"He knows that counselor had an impact on him," she said.

Directors from the Orleans County and Wyoming County YMCAs also shared stories about how scholarships are helping members in their community improve their lives through the services offered by the Y.

“The things that we do have an impact on our community and they happen every single day, but we don’t always get to see them or pause and realize that behind that moment there’s a family that’s impacted,” Walker said.

To find out how to make a contribution to the YMCA, visit the GLOW YMCA's website.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported at 5976 Clinton Street Road. Stafford fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: South Byron requested to the scene. There is entrapment.

Press release:

The Village of Le Roy Police Department is attempting to identify an individual who is a person of interest in a larceny that occurred on Jan. 31 at approximately 3:15 p.m. at the Walgreens on West Main Street. The subject was observed leaving in a dark four-door sedan.

Anyone with information is urged to call The Village of Le Roy Police Department at 585-345-6350; please reference CR# 17-0426.

County Manager Jay Gsell just announced that as of 7:56 a.m., Genesee County is out of the nursing home business. 

The sale of the Genesee County Nursing Home to Premier Healthcare Management, LLC is complete after state regulators cleared the way for transfer of title. 

The county has received payment in full in the $15.2 million transaction, Gsell said.

Press release:

The New York State Senate has passed legislation (S418) to amend the New York State Constitution to strip taxpayer-funded pensions from criminally convicted politicians. 

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, a cosponsor of the bill, voted in favor of it.

“Under existing law, some public officers are still able to collect a pension even after they are found guilty of a serious crime, and I have been working to end this practice. This reform measure will help to ensure that corrupt government officials face serious financial consequences for their misconduct,” Ranzenhofer said.

Under the measure, a pension may be reduced or revoked if a public officer is convicted of a felony related to their official duties. Public officers include elected officials, direct gubernatorial appointees, municipal managers, department heads, chief fiscal officers and policy makers.

“If state officials fail to be ethical and uphold the public’s trust, then they should be held accountable for their actions. This historic new Constitutional Amendment does just that,” Ranzenhofer said. “I am pleased to report that it is a step closer to reality.”

In order to amend the State Constitution, the legislation must pass both houses of the Legislature in two consecutive sessions. Both the Senate and Assembly passed the measure during the 2015-16 Legislative Session. Following its passage in both houses earlier this week, it will be presented to voters for approval later this year on Election Day.

A law enacted in 2011, known as the Public Integrity Reform Act, subjected any public official who joined the retirement system on or after Nov. 13, 2011 to pension forfeiture if convicted of certain felonies related to their public office. However, the new law could not apply to public officials who joined the retirement system before that date because of language contained in the State Constitution. The Constitution states that public pensions involve a contractual relationship that cannot be reduced, unless an amendment is made to the document.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department has installed two drop boxes, one for pharmaceuticals and one for sharps, in the rear vestibule at police headquarters for the public’s use.

Citizens may deposit unwanted pharmaceuticals, and sharps, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) in the drop boxes located at 10 W. Main St.

The drop boxes allow for the public to dispose of the following items in a safe, secure, anonymous way.

Acceptable items: Sharps, in a sharps container no larger than 2 liters, prescriptions, prescription patches, ointments, medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples, and medication for pets.

Non-acceptable items: Thermometers, aerosol sprays, inhalers, illicit drugs, hydrogen peroxide, perfume, cooking oil, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, detergents, and beauty supplies.

Small sharps containers will be available for free on top of the sharps drop box.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 34, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with: animal cruelty; second-degree harassment; third-degree robbery; fourth-degree criminal mischief; obstruction of governmental administration; and resisting arrest. Twardowski was reportedly involved in an incident at his residence on Bank Street at 12:15 a.m., Thursday. He allegedly strangled and punched a beagle, subjected a female at the location to physical contact, stealing and attempting to disable her mobile phone and then, upon police arrival, barricaded himself in a bedroom. When police gained access, he allegedly struggled with officers. He was jailed on $50,000 bail.

Salvatore M. Schwable, 19, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant. Schwable allegedly violated the terms of his release-under-supervision contract. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Ronald J. Murray Jr., 22, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Murray allegedly pushed another person during an argument, reported at 8:30 p.m., Thursday.

Alan P. Ellis, 36, of Lewis Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing, endangering the welfare of a child and cruelty to animals. During an argument reported at 5:15 a.m., Sunday, Ellis grabbed victims by their throats, with one being under age 17, and he allegedly threw and kicked a dog, causing it to limp.  

Charles J. Rodriguez Sr., 40, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Rodriguez was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court at Buffalo City Court when he appeared there on an unrelated matter. He was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Michael J. Antonucci, 34, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged criminal contempt, 2nd. Antonucci was arrested on a warrant for allegedly violating an order of protection.

Jeanna M. Hattaway, 29, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hattaway allegedly stole two pairs of sunglasses from the 7-Eleven at 505 E. Main St., Batavia.

Diane M. Fiorentino, 67, of Grandview Terrace, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Fiorentino was arrested Nov. 13 following the report of an incident at 5:30 p.m. that day at her residence. No further details released.

Nikayla C. Jackson, 19, no permanent address, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge.

Willie A. Saab, 42, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal contempt and two counts of aggravated family offense. Saab allegedly violated a pair of stay-away orders. He was jailed without bail.

Grayson Jordan Albert Finnin, 20, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, obstructing emergency medical services, and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21. Finnin was allegedly involved at a disturbance at a local hotel at 12:12 a.m., Tuesday. He was transported to UMMC and allegedly became combative with medical staff and police officers.

Gerardo Carrera-Sanchez, 31, Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, unlicensed operator and moving from lane unsafely. Carrera-Sanchez was arrested by Deputy Howard Wilson following the investigation into a motor-vehicle accident reported at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 22 on Shelt Road, Byron.

Timothy Michael Weinstein, 44, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Weinstein allegedly violated the terms of an order of protection.

Yahaira Ann Marie Brown Diaz, 18, of Old Telephone Road, Bethany, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Diaz was allegedly found in possession of marijuana while at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia, at 7:04 p.m., Sunday.

A garbage truck is reported to be on fire in the area of the country deli in Alexander.

Alexander fire responding.

UPDATE 10:12 a.m.: A tanker from Bethany requested to the scene.

UPDATE: Photos submitted by Heather Jackson.

A one-vehicle accident is reported in the area of 8557 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: No injuries. Town assignment back in service. 

Alexis Say, 22, has been missing in Miami since Monday when she was last seen at an area emergency room.

Say lived in Indian Falls when she was 10, but mother, Jennifer, and daughter have lived in other parts of the country in the intervening years for work before moving to Miami.

When Alexis went missing, her mother, who has moved back to Indian Falls, tried to file a missing persons report in Miami and ran into some difficulty, so she turned to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Chad Cummings took the report, according to Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble. Cummings then placed several phone calls to the Miami PD before finally successfully getting an investigation opened there.

Alexis Say is reportedly in poor health.  

Perhaps you know people in the Miami area or have other information that may assist in the investigation. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (585) 343-5000.

Here is a Facebook Page with more information.

A one-vehicle, minor injury rollover accident is reported in the area of 1940 Hickox Road, Alexander.

Alexander fire and ambulance responding.

A 18-year-old Oak Street resident has been arrested and accused of posting explicit pictures of a person under 17 years of age to social media.

Davon S. St. John, of 72 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, promoting sexual performance of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual misconduct.

Police allege that St. John posted the pictures on one of his social media accounts and then promoted them on another social media account.

He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Press release:

Children who reside in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District and who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2017 are eligible to be registered for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2017-2018 school year. Registration packets have been mailed.

If you do not receive a packet by Feb. 3, 2017, please call the elementary office at 585-948-5211, ext. 3211, or email kfisher2@oahornets.org to request one.

The Alfred C. O'Connell Library at Genesee Community College recently recognized and honored several published faculty and staff members of the College with its own local version of the popular READ posters, which are seen in libraries across the country and feature celebrities such as Seth Meyers, Rachel Maddow, Kelly Ripa and others. The library hosted a reception on Jan. 26 to celebrate GCC authors who participated in the library's second READ Poster Project, unveiling custom posters that will be prominently displayed on shelving units in the library's circulating book collection area.

This year's GCC authors honored were Maryanne Arena, Marie Iglesias-Cardinale, JoNelle Toriseva, Joe Ziolkowski and Christopher Montpetit.

Maryanne Arena is the director of Fine and Performing Arts at the College and is an assistant professor of Theatre Arts. She teaches theatre classes and supervises theatre practicums. She has contributed to the book, "What is Theatre?"

Marie Iglesias-Cardinale is a professor of English and is currently teaching several writing and literature courses. She has several published works, including the poem, "My Turn," which was published in the Afro-Hispanic Review; "To Crown a King," in Comstock Reviewand "Many Goodbyes," in Poetry Magazine.

JoNelle Toriseva is the director of English, Communications and Media Arts and is an assistant professor of English. She teaches writing and English courses and has published the books "Rodeo Day" and "Becoming Ballet," and has had many poems published in literary magazines throughout the country.

Joe Ziolkowski is an assistant professor of Photography and Art and author of books, "Walking the Line" and "Pressure."

Christopher Montpetit, who participated virtually, is the theatre/production manager at the University of Toledo, Department of Theatre and Film. He teaches online courses for GCC and is the author of the book, "What is Theatre?"

GCC reference services librarian and assistant professor Cynthia Hagelberger and systems and electronic services librarian and associate professor Michelle Eichelberger put out the call to all published faculty and staff authors in the college community last fall and welcomed the responding participants. The posters will be on display in the library so that the college community, including potential students touring the college, can see a visual celebration of GCC faculty and staff scholarship. The library is planning on continuing the READ Poster Project in the coming years and all published GCC faculty and staff authors are welcome to participate.

The project was initially funded by GCC's Academic Innovations Committee and the poster making software and supplies were funded by an Academic Innovations grant.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) proposed a measure on the Assembly floor on Monday that would require a two-thirds vote of the house for Messages of Necessity to be accepted when issued by the governor. Legislation is usually subject to an “aging” period of three days before it can be voted on, but Messages of Necessity are issued by the governor to forgo this process and rush a vote on important and/or controversial legislation, as was done with the SAFE Act.

“Messages of Necessity should only be used in extreme circumstances, and all legislation should be subject to proper vetting and examination instead of being irresponsibly rushed through the legislative process,” Hawley said. ”This tactic is often used to pass legislation before the public and media have time to criticize it, and that is cowardly. I am disappointed this proposal was voted down by the Assembly Majority but I will continue to beat the drum for ethics reform in Albany.”

The Assembly also took the next step toward stripping pension and retirement benefits from corrupt lawmakers today by passing a constitutional amendment which has been championed by the Assembly Minority for years.

“I was pleased that the Assembly passed our pension forfeiture bill today and took an important step toward breaking down Albany’s culture of corruption and malfeasance,” Hawley said. “Corrupt lawmakers should never be allowed to collect a taxpayer-funded pension after betraying the public trust, and I am proud to have voted for this measure.”

If the bill passes the Senate this year, it must be approved by voters as a statewide referendum before becoming law.