Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program will be offering the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program to local youth ages 14 to 18. This course will qualify youth to be certified to operate farm equipment for hire. The course is scheduled to run Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, beginning in January and running through March.

The training program encompasses 32 hours of hands-on instruction. Upon the completion of the training, each student will be required to take a 50-question knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70 percent. Students who successfully pass the knowledge test will be permitted to take the Skills and Driving tests. After passing both the written test and driving tests, students ages 14 and 15 will receive their formal certification from U.S. Department of Labor, all others will receive a certificate of completion.  

The fee for the course is $25; youth are also required to be current enrolled 4-H members.

To request a registration packet or more information please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 343-3040, ext. 101, or email: genesee4h@cornell.edu.

• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. An $89.99 V­­­alue (Not Alignment Check) 
• Tire Installation (Mount & Computer Balance) ONLY $20.00​
• No Charge for Valve Stems, excludes TPMS
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins. Stop in, call or email to get a quote and set up your appointment.

Dan’s Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or email: dan@danstire.com

Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes toe-in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

Patricia Guy, 68, of Yonkers, is charged with five counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of grand larceny. The former Batavia resident is accused of claiming more people living in her residence than were actually living there, allowing her to collect more in food stamps than she was eligible to receive. The alleged falsified forms were filed between July 2012 and January 2015. She is accused of receiving benefits she wasn't entitled to of $1,474.47. She was arrested by Deputy James Diehl following an investigation by Michael Kowalczyk, principal fraud investigator for DSS.

A 16-year-old resident of Ridge Road, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate exhaust. The youth was stopped on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, at 7:41 p.m. Friday by Deputy Eric Meyer.

A former JCPenney employee admitted in County Court today to stealing nearly $5,000 from the company's local department store earlier this year but can avoid prison time if she stays out of trouble for a year.

Danielle S. Cervone, 20, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, made full restitution to the store, $4,705, as a condition of accepting the plea offer from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

She entered a guilty plea to grand larceny, 3rd.

Cervone, out of jail on her own recognizance since her arrest, will be sentenced Jan. 31. According to the plea deal, she will be on interim supervision for one year. If she abides by the terms and conditions of probation, she will be able to withdraw her plea to the Class D felony and plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny with no agreement on sentencing.

Batavia Downs hosted its first ever Winterfest on Sunday and more than 2,000 people turned out.

Attractions included pictures with Santa, mini-golf, a ride on a horse-drawn carriage and a holiday movie.

Press release:

Members of the Arc of Genesee Orleans Board of Directors, a nonprofit that is a resource of choice for people with disabilities and their families for both Genesee and Orleans counties, accept a $2,500 check as winner of Tompkins Bank of Castile’s second Community Minute Challenge.

Through the social media contest, the public voted for select not-for-profits in Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Monroe and Wyoming counties.

From the left are: John McKenna, president & CEO of Tompkins Bank of Castile; Kevin Graham, CFO of Arc; Shelly Kordish, director of Education Services; Carolyn Dawson, director of Administrative Services; Jill Pegelow, director of Community Services; Patricia Kepner, director of Quality/Compliance; Donna Saskowski, executive director.

We would like to thank the organizations that participated in this round and who continue to do great work in our community: ARC of Genesee and Orleans County, Arts Council of Wyoming County, Big Springs Historical Society, Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing, GCASA, and Mercy Flight Central.  A third round of this contest will launch in early 2017 with details posted to Tompkins Bank of Castile’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TompkinsBankofCastile).

City firefighters are continuing to collect Toys for Tots at the Fire Hall on Evans Street, Batavia. 

Photo: via City of Batavia Firefighters - IAFF Local 896

A deputy is dispatched to the area of Sandpit Road, Alexander, to look for a gold, four-door sedan that may have hit a tree with a driver who may be in the car.

The caller may be in the car.

Press release:

On 12/02/2016 at about 4 p.m. a male victim arrived at UMMC ED with apparent gunshot wounds. He was treated and then transferred to ECMC. During the investigation it was learned that the victim had a verbal altercation, with a person whom he knew, in the area of 107 Jackson St. During this altercation the suspect, described as a light-skinned male black about 5’10” to 6' tall, used a handgun to shoot the victim. If anyone has information on this incident you are asked to call Det. Sgt. Crossett at 345-6353.

Hundreds of people lined Main Street in Downtown Batavia on Friday night for the Christmas parade that was the highlight of a successful Christmas in the City for 2016.

Many businesses opened their doors for activities and food to celebrate the annual event.

To view photos and purchase prints click here:  steveognibenephotography.com

One of the many floats in the annual parade.

Bradley Winslow, local musician.

10-year-old Ryan Cox getting his face painted sponsored by T-Shirts Etc.

Batavia Concert Band

Students and staff from Batavia City School District singing carols at the Holland Land Office Museum.

A man was reportedly shot late this afternoon in the City of Batavia according to sources.

Chief Shawn Heubusch said the police will release a statement later. 

No other confirmed details yet available. 

UPDATE 7:57 p.m.: Statement released by police:

A corrections officer working at the Genesee County Jail is being accused of having consensual sex with a female inmate, leading to his arrest and firing by the Sheriff.

Michael E. Glow, 36, of Batavia, is charged with rape in the third degree.

Though the sexual act was deemed consensual, under New York law, a person in custody is deemed incapable of giving consent when the partner is an employee of the corrections facility.

The incident allegedly occurred while Glow was supervising a work detail at a location in the City of Batavia on April 17.

The Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation recently after learning of the alleged sexual contact.

Glow, who worked at the jail for five years, was terminated by Sheriff Gary Maha when he was charged with the Class E felony.

Following arraignment in City Court, Glow was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Some scouts and Committee Chair Paul Marchese, from Troop 6006 from the First United Methodist Church in Batavia, are pictured above preparing for their fundraising drive this Sunday.  

The troop will be going door-to-door locally in Batavia this Sunday, Dec. 4th, in the afternoon between 1-4 p.m. collecting bottles and pop cans to help support their troop efforts to purchase new gear for future camping trips.

If you would like to make a donation of returnables, you can directly make a donation at Eastown Beverage during normal business hours under the Troop 6006 account or contact Steve Ognibene at 585-409-8358 to arrange a pickup in the city anytime.

Press release:

The Starowitz family visited the Genesee County Sheriff's Office yesterday bringing with them 100 bags of candy to show their appreciation and support for law enforcement and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Emma, James, Elizabeth and Collin (ages 10 to 5) have aunts and uncles who are officers in Virginia, and they made bags for them during a recent visit.

"The children decided they wanted to also let their local law enforcement know how much they appreciate what they do and for keeping them safe," said their mother, Sherry.

Each bag was put together by the children and a creative thank you note was attached.

Press release:

Work on constructing next year's school budget has begun and volunteers are being sought for the Budget Ambassador Program, initiated in 1996 as a way to increase communication with the community about the District's financial plan.

Ambassadors are residents of the Batavia City School District (BCSD) who volunteer and commit to serve on a committee, which meets with Superintendent Christopher Dailey and Business Administrator Scott Rozanski for three (3) two-and-a-half (2.5) hour evening sessions on Feb. 1, 8 and 15, with an alternate “snow date” scheduled for March 1.

Ambassadors review the preliminary 2017-2018 budget as developed by the administration within the parameters established by the Board of Education, and recommend to the Board any modifications they would like to see. The recommendations, while highly valued, are advisory rather than binding as the Board develops the Proposed Budget to be brought to voters. Ambassadors also agree to explain their work to any interested community member.

Persons interested in serving must notify the District in writing by Jan. 5. The letter of interest should include name, address, email address and daytime phone number and be addressed to BCSD Superintendent Christopher Dailey and the BCSD Board of Education at the District Administration Offices, 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020.

The letters will be reviewed, with official appointments scheduled to be made at the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 10.

Press release:

On Friday, Dec. 2, funeral directors Justin Calarco-Smith, Joshua Smith and Steven Johnson of the H.E. Turner & Co., Bohm-Calarco-Smith, and Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes were honored to present a check in the amount of $1,000 to Jim Neider and Tom Cecere of the Joint Veterans Honor Guard of Genesee County. 

This donation was made in the names of the 31 area veterans who the funeral home group was privileged to arrange funeral services for in the past year. 

The Joint Veterans Honor Guard is a dedicated group of volunteers comprised of veterans from across our county. They provide funeral honors to our fallen. The honors include a color guard, the playing of TAPS, and a firing squad. This year, they have rendered honors to more than 60 fallen veterans throughout Genesee County.

One of only a handful of such organizations statewide, Genesee County is extremely fortunate to have selfless volunteers who are at the ready in a moment’s notice.  They stand, without complaint, in the heat, cold, wind, snow and rain to pay final tribute to their comrades. 

“We are humbled by the members of our community who selflessly served this great nation. Additionally, we consider it a privilege to care for our veterans and their families when called upon,” said Funeral Director Justin Calarco-Smith, who along Joshua Smith, Randy McIntire, James Smith and Steven Johnson operate H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Homes in Batavia and Bergen, Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home in Batavia, and the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home in Oakfield.

“This donation will allow us to continue to honor and serve Genesee County’s veterans in the manner they deserve for a long time to come,” said Jim Neider, commander of the Honor Guard.

The funeral homes plan to honor the veterans they care for annually by making similar donations to a local veterans organization each year.

Photo: Steven Johnson, Tom Cecere, Joshua Smith, Jim Neider and Justin Calarco-Smith.

A public informational meeting on the Town of Batavia’s updated Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Wednesday (Dec. 7) at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road.

Residents, business owners and landowners are invited to attend the two-hour session, which will focus on the Town’s vision of a “regional, rural and resilient” community.

The Comprehensive Plan is a document meant to guide Town decisions over the next 15 to 20 years relating to land use and zoning, natural resource conservation, business and economic development, transportation and other infrastructure, agriculture and farmland, and community services.

The Comprehensive Plan will update the Town’s current plan, which was adopted in 2009. It incorporates key findings and recommendations from several plans and studies that have been completed over the past several years.

These include plans for agriculture and farmland, transportation, recreation and economic development. The Comprehensive Plan will also help to implement the goals and policies of Green Genesee/ Smart Genesee, which identified key natural assets and presents strategies to leverage these resources for conservation, recreation, economic development and quality of life.

In addition to maps, statistics and analysis of existing conditions and trends, the Plan includes a Land Use Plan that shows appropriate locations for agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, conservation, recreation and mixed-use development, and projected build-out over the next 15 years.

The Plan sets goals and recommends actions that the Town can take to:

-- encourage a balance of development types and mixed uses in appropriate areas;
-- conserve natural resources and limit flood damage;
-- retain high-quality farmland and support the agricultural economy;
-- enhance recreational opportunities for residents;
-- continue to grow the tax base with commercial and industrial development, while supporting existing businesses;
-- enhance residential quality of life and accommodate a mix of housing types to meet the needs of people who work in and near the Town, as well as seniors and families;
-- improve transportation connections and extend transportation facilities to meet community needs;
-- manage development and Town expenditures in a fiscally responsible manner.

Those interested can “drop in” any time to learn about the Plan and ask questions of Town representatives and consultants. The formal presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.