Press release:

The Genesee County & City of Batavia Youth Boards are looking for nominations for their annual Youth Recognition Banquet. There are three awards presented at the Youth Recognition Banquet:

• Youth Recognition Award — This award recognizes young people who have performed exceptional service to the community and/or have assumed extraordinary roles in their families. Typically, the best candidates for this award are high school students, but we also know there are 12-, 13-, and 14-year-olds who exemplify distinctive qualities of service. Several youth will be recognized; however the Youth Boards reserve the right to limit the number of recipients.
• Adult Volunteer — This award recognizes an adult who provides service as a volunteer to youth in Genesee County.
• Adult Youth Worker — This award recognizes a youth service professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.

Recipients will be honored at the Youth Recognition Banquet on March 28. Nominations are due by Friday, Feb. 15th.

For more information or to receive nomination forms, please call the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us. The forms are also on the Youth Bureau page of the Genesee County website, www.co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

Discover the wonders of winter with hikes at the Genesee County Park & Forest! Track the secret lives of wild animals and seek out the brave birds that spend winter in Western New York! Winter Wonderland Hikes are held on Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 19th: Animal Tracks & Signs (*Bad weather date: Saturday Jan. 26th)
• Saturday, Feb.16th: Winged Wildlife (*Bad weather date: Saturday Feb. 23rd)

Hikes will go, snow or no snow. Hikes begin at the Interpretive Nature Center and end with hot chocolate and snacks. Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed! Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family. Recommended for ages 3 and up! Pre-registration is required, call 585-344-1122! If cancelled due to weather, hikes will be rescheduled to bad weather dates as listed above.

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest on a full moon night! Naturalists lead you on a peaceful Moonlight Snowshoe and Winter Fun Hike on Saturday, Jan. 19th and Saturday, Feb. 16th from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at Pavilion B on Raymond Road. Hikes will go, snow or no snow. Hikes begin and conclude with refreshments by a warm fire in Pavilion B! For ages 18 and over.

Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed! Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family.

Make a memory this winter with your own Private Group Snowshoe Hike! A Naturalist guides your group through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows. Listen to winter’s quiet beauty and find signs of wildlife in this 431-acre park. Private hikes are available on Saturdays in January and February from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. by reservation only at the Interpretive Nature Center. No previous experience is needed; snowshoes provided or bring your own. Rental is included in the price, $5/person, minimum group fee is $75. Call 585-344-1122 to book your own adventure!

Snowshoe Rentals are available at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Center 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 12 – 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays December through March, weather permitting. Snowshoes must be used in the park. Fee is $5/pair and all proceeds go to ACORNS, the nonprofit organization that supports the parks!

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit the website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski atShannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. for freezing drizzle, which could create a glaze of ice accumulation on roadways and walkways.

The weather service warns of potentially hazardous conditions, especially on untreated roads, particularly during the evening commute.

• County Legislator District #6 (Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion)
• Town Supervisor
• Town Highway Superintendent
• Town Council -- two seats
• Town Clerk

• Also seeking registered party members for Town Republican Committee Member District #2 (east of Route 98).

Those interested please send letter of intent and resume by Jan. 31st to: Barbara Eddy, 11054 Alexander Road, Attica, NY 14011, or contact at 585-507-9930.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Republican Committee is seeking City Republicans interested in running for the positions of City Court Judge, City Council in wards 1-6 and County Legislators in districts 7-9.

Letters of interest can be mailed to City Republican Chairman David Saleh at 116 Naramore Drive, Batavia, NY 14020. Chairman Saleh can also be reached at 585-599-3540.

If you are interested in getting involved in making Batavia a better place to live and work then we want to hear from you!

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 47^th Annual Awards Ceremony which will be held on Saturday, March 2, at the Quality Inn & Suites, Park Road, Batavia.

This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 with hors d'oeuvres, entrée tables & cash bar (no formal sit-down dinner is to be served). The Award Program starts at 7 p.m. where dessert and coffee will be served. 

This year’s honorees are: 

• Business of the Year:    Genesee Lumber Company Inc.      
• Agricultural Organization of the Year:    Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc.   
• Special Service Recognition of the Year:   The Batavia Rotary Club
• Geneseean of the Year:   Bob Stocking, of Corfu

An evidentiary hearing that grew testy at times was held in Genesee County Court this afternoon in the case of Jennifer L. Serrano.

The 48-year-old who lives on Charles Street in Irving is charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Connor Lynskey and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. She remains in jail on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

It is alleged that in the early morning hours of Aug. 11 that an intoxicated Serrano struck and killed Lynskey, of Hinckley, on Sumner Road in Darien but didn't stop to help or call the police. Lynskey was reported missing that night after the Jason Aldean concert and officers patrolled the area, including Sumner Road, but nobody saw Lynskey or any evidence of an accident.

The next morning, Deputy Richard Schildwaster, checking Sumner Road, found debris in the roadway and when he got out of his vehicle and looked around, he found Lynskey's body in a ditch.

How Serrano first came to the attention of Sheriff's Deputy Robert Henning was part of the testimony given at what is known as a Huntley hearing to determine what will be admitted into evidence. It is believed that Henning encountered Serrano after the fatal hit-and-run had occurred.

Under questioning from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Henning said at 12:56 a.m. he was traveling northbound on Route 77 heading to the county jail with a male who had just been arraigned in Darien Town Court on a criminal mischief charge.

Henning said he noticed a white Jeep Wrangler backing out of a residential driveway and it was stationary on the eastside of the roadway. 

Under questioning from one of two defense lawyers present, Henning later noted that when he spotted the Jeep he was traveling 55 to 60 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone. Traffic was moderate that evening, he said, due to the concert ending at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center not long before.

If Serrano's vehicle had stayed on the shoulder, he said he would have driven past her. But suddenly the Jeep pulled onto northbound 77 right in front of the deputy's vehicle and Henning said he had no reason to anticipate the Jeep's action and did not slow down.

Instead, he slammed on his brakes to avoid a collision and swerved into the southbound lane of 77, where "fortunately, no cars were coming."

Defense Attorney Frank LoTiempo asked if the soon-to-be-inmate in the backseat of the patrol vehicle was injured in the violent slamming on of brakes and if injuries were reported. Henning said he recalls some part of the arrestee "moving forward and some contact was made" with the divider between the front and rear seats, but no injuries were sustained, thus none reported.

"Were there skid marks?" LoTiempo asked.

"I didn't look," Henning said.

Upon further questioning, Henning noted that he took no pictures at the scene and could not recall which driveway the Jeep had backed out of.

LoTiempo asked that the name of the male in Young's custody at the time be determined and provided to the defense in case they decide to interview him about what he saw or heard.

Next, Henning said he turned on his emergency lights and pulled behind the Jeep, which pulled over after a couple hundred feet and stopped.

He said he approached the driver, whom he identified in court as Serrano, who sat in beige pants and an orange hoodie, shackled, at the defense table, her dark hair up in a coarse braid, reading glasses propped on her head. Serrano smiled a couple of times at three family members in the gallery; she largely seemed dazed during the hearing.

Henning said she had trooper stickers on her windows and he asked her about them, and she replied that some members of her family were retired from law enforcement.

The reason she was pulled over -- pulling out suddenly into traffic -- would have been simply a traffic violation -- moving from lane unsafely -- until Henning suspected Serrano was impaired. He said Serrano told him she was returning from the Silver Lake area and he observed she had bloodshot, glassy eyes, slurred speach and he detected the strong odor of alcohol on her breath.

He asked her to exit the vehicle and when she did she "misjudged the depth of the ground" and got off balance, but used the door to steady herself and was able to "stagger" to the rear of the vehicle by using it to "keep from swaying back and forth" while he talked with her.

Henning testified that he activated his body camera when he approached Serrano and that footage would also show Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

LoTiempo asked the deputy if he had the body cam on the entire time during his shift. Henning replied that he always had it on his person just not always on, but that it may have been on while he was at Darien Lake.

"She seemed fidgety, uncomfortable and nervous," Henning told Friedman.

"Did you ask her if she had something to drink?" Friedman asked.

"She said she had earlier in the day, then she said she had none," Henning said.

Once Henning knew Serrano was not going to be getting back into the Jeep to drive, a half hour to 40 minutes after encountering the defendant, her Miranda rights (to have an attorney, to not answer questions, etc.) were not read, Henning testified under questioning from LoTiempo. Yet the defense attorney said one of two DVDs entered into evidence today will show that Serrano says she asserts her right to say nothing and still the deputy talks with her about a Breathalyzer test. 

LoTiempo said a "7-10-30" notice was filled out but nothing was noted about the deputy asking her about drinking.

Next up to testify was Deputy Ryan Young, who spoke about his assignment Aug. 12 -- to take two deputies to the Buffalo Airport so they could travel for training then go to 23 Opal Court in Amherst. That's where the defendant's sister Mary Brillhart lives. He was to make sure Serrano's Jeep, which was parked in the garage, stayed in the garage.

Young said he got there about 4:30 a.m. and waited three hours until Sheriff's Investigator Christopher Parker got there with a search warrant.

At about 7:25, Young, Investigator Parker and two officers from the Amherst Police Department converged at the property. Young said he approached the "man door" on the side of the garage, saw Serrano inside the garage and activated his body cam; he asked her to open the door, whereupon she opened the overhead garage door. Young said he saw that the damage to the Jeep was consistent with the damage specified in the hit-and-run report.

Parker, according to Young, asked Serrano if she knew why law enforcement was there.

"I imagine you found my (suicide) note at my house," Serrano replied.

After Serrano was arrested her Miranda rights were read to her.

Young testified that she subsequently asked him to retrieve reading glasses from the house for her and flip-flops from the Jeep, and when he got the latter, he found a bottle of clonazapam in plain view. Young drove her silently on a 40-minute ride to the Genesee County Jail. Once there, he asked her how many of the pills she had taken; "one" she said. "Not enough to overdose?" he asked. "No, that was the plan," Serrano replied.

Young told the court that he was concerned about what amount of the drug she had in her system because she was being processed into jail.

Sanchez asked if Serrano was asked questions after her Miranda rights were read.

Young testified that a few were, such as "How can I reach your sister?" "What is her (sister's) first name?" "Does she know what happened?" "Did you leave the note inside or outside your house?"

Sanchez raised issues about the "affirmative questions" Serrano had been asked while interacting with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office personnel. The DA objected and asked what "affirmative questions" were and said the questions speak for themselves and it is not for Deputy Young to classify them in a particular way because the defense asks him to. The judge sustained the objection.

Sanchez asked if Young's body cam was on the whole time that day.

"I recall that I turned the camera off when I went to use the bathroom," Young deadpanned.

The question of when the defense counsel "attaches" to Serrano was debated in this Huntley hearing. Was it at the time she retained attorney Michael Caffery for a misdemeanor DWI arraignment in Darien Town Court? Or was it after that DWI, or once the hit-and-run fatal were suspected of being connected to the arrest made by Henning when LoTiempo and Sanchez were hired?

The defense then called its sole witness, attorney Caffery, who testified he was retained for $500 and met with Serrano at the jail. After speaking with dispatch about damage to the Jeep, he thought there was more to the case than a misdemeanor DWI.

Caffery, Serrano and "a third party" -- a woman who had been a passenger in Serrano's vehicle -- subsequently met at the Tim Hortons in Derby (Erie County).

"What was said?" Friedman asked.

That prompted the defense to object because they specifically wanted to limit Caffery's testimony to the fact that he had been retained for the misdemeanor DWI and that there was property damage to the Jeep.

LoTiempo argued -- with hands on hips, then his right hand jabbing the air with the forefinger and pinkie sticking out belligerently -- that the conversation was covered by attorney-client privilege and therefore off limits for cross-examination.

Friedman rejected his assertion, saying that Caffery is a witness that he has the right to cross-examine and that the presence of a third party negates the attorney-client privilege argument.

Judge Zambito overruled the objection and called for the witness to answer the question. LoTiempo -- hanging his head toward the floor dejectedly as he sat sideways at the defense table, his fist in a knot -- reared up to renew his argument.

The heated scenario prompted the judge to call the lawyers into his chambers for a 10-minute recess.

It seemed to tax the victim's parents, who had sat throughout the proceedings with great poise along with three other adults in the front row.

The mother began to cry as she briefly exited the gallery, sobbing halfway down the aisle. She returned composed.

The issues of Caffery's attorney-client privilege and what was said at Tim Hortons were not revisited by Friedman after court resumed.

The case is next on the docket for 1:45 p.m. on March 13.

Previously:

• Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run following Aldean concert in Darien
• Manslaughter suspect in Darien nearly hit patrol vehicle at another location after alleged hit-and-run
• Teen killed by hit-and-run driver in Darien planned to become an Upstate, rural doctor
• Grand Jury: Woman indicted for vehicular manslaughter, man was killed on Sumner Road Aug. 11
• Zambito reaffirms high bail for woman charged in fatal hit-and-run, cites significant flight risk
• Driver accused in fatal hit-and-run reportedly tried to talk deputy into letting her go during earlier DWI stop
• Driver accused of killing teen in hit-and-run appears in court while attorneys file motions in legal case

Press release:

The Salvation Army brought the joy of the holiday season to many individuals in Genesee County in 2018. We would like to thank those Genesee County citizens, schools, organizations, club and business owners for their generosity this Holiday Season.

Here at The Salvation Army we are committed to “Doing the Most Good.” During our Red Kettle Campaign, we raised $88,600 through the kindness and generosity of people and businesses in Genesee County.

Not only has the community provided the necessary funds to keep our programs running by dropping money in our Red Kettle, they went above and beyond to ensure that families in need had a Merry Christmas by their participation in our other holiday programs.

Through our Angel Tree and Adopt a family programs, we put new clothes and toys under the tree for children who otherwise would have to go without Christmas gifts this season. Anonymous donors from our very own community adopt these little “angels” in an expanding Christmas tradition that makes the season brighter for both the donor and the child in need.

This year we provided assistance to 234 families, more than 400 hundred children and provided Christmas meal boxes that fed more than 780 individuals on Christmas Day. The Salvation Army ensures that low-income families, struggling seniors, and those without a home for the holidays have a glimmer of hope and the experience of joy during this Holiday Season.

When you give to The Salvation Army, you provide gifts of healing and hope for those who need it most throughout the year. Because need knows no season, we are extending our invitation for our 90 for 90 challenge. We have already received donations from 17 businesses and residents of Genesee County, who took on the challenge to give $1,000 to The Salvation Army.

In this new year we are still looking for individuals and businesses to take on the 90 for 90 challenge. Help us start 2019 by bringing hope and stability to those in need in Genesee County with your generous gift.

Press release:

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the traffic pattern on Thorpe Street between Maple Street and Watson Street will change from two-way to one-way southbound, in accordance with City Council Resolution #95-2018 and Traffic Order 1 of the year 2019.

On this date all motorist are to obey the new traffic law and signage once posted. Motorists shall enter Thorpe Street (portion between Watson Street and Maple Street from Watson Street and exit onto Maple Street. On-street parking shall be permitted as signed on the westside on the roadway.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Byron-Bergen fifth-grader Allison Rimmerman, above, is elementary school's first female Geography Bee Champion. Photo courtesy of Gretchen Spittler.

Photo below and information from Byron Bergen Central Schools:

On Jan. 8, Byron-Bergen fifth-grade student Allison Rimmerman became the Elementary School's first female National Geographic Geography Bee School Champion. Sixth-grader Jackson Lundfelt finished in the Second Place Runner-Up position. Both students performed exceptionally well during the competition.

In December, almost 250 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students took the Geography Bee Qualifying Test. Twenty students qualified. Eighteen students competed on Jan. 8 (photo above); two were absent that day, with five competitors continuing to the Final Round.

“Every year the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Champion and Runner-Up have been boys,” said Bee coordinator and fifth-grade teacher Ken Rogoyski. “The last time a girl won the National Championship was 26 year ago, in 1993.

"New York State has never had a female State Championship since the Bee started in 1989. Perhaps that will change this year. I’m very excited for Allison.” 

Both Allison and Junior High Bee Champion Elizabeth Piper will be taking the New York State Bee Qualifying Test. The 100 top School Champions will head to Albany for the competition in March.

The Elementary School Bee is moderated and judged by enthusiastic volunteers. Retired Elementary School come back every year to volunteer their time.

This year’s esteemed judges panel included the retirees Judy Boyle (reading teacher), Melissa Chamberlain (kindergarten teacher), and Paula Wade (first-grade teacher). The Bee host and moderator was retired sixth-grade teacher Liz Findlay.

Congratulations to all the participating students for their hard work.

Below are the names of the 20 students who qualified to compete in the Geography Bee:

Fourth Grade:
Brandon Schuck
Gavin Kinkelaar
Ellie Tanner
Xander Rodriguez
Theodore Schelemanow

Fifth Grade:
Allison Rimmerman (in photo above, third from left, standing in back row)
Liam Boyle
Colin Rea
Tobias Zastrocky
GJ Donofrio
Evan Williams
Cole DiQuattro

Sixth Grade:
Ryan Benstead
Craig DiQuattro
Alexander Raccuia
Martin MacConnell
Owen Cuba
Eli Kupfer
Jackson Lundfelt
Landon Kent

The Pembroke Girls' Basketball Team presented a check for $30,020.19 to Dr. Candace Johnson at Rosewell Park on Friday, proceeds from the "Shooting for A Cure" game the night before. The event Thursday brought the total raised over eight years from "Shooting for A Cure" to more than $119,000.

Press release from AAA of WNY:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.245, up less than 1 cent from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.53. The New York State average is $2.55 – down 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.68. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

Batavia -- $2.58 (down 10 cents since last week)
Buffalo -- $2.60 (down 4 cents since last week)
Ithaca -- $2.41 (down 1 cent since last week)
Rochester -- $2.52 (down 3 cents since last week)
Rome -- $2.53 (down 3 cents since last week)
Syracuse -- $2.43 (down 3 cents since last week)
Watertown -- $2.55 (down 8 cents since last week)

Low winter demand for gasoline has helped to push pump prices lower. Meanwhile, total gas stocks around the country are growing and are more than 10 million barrels higher than last year. If stocks continue to grow amid low demand and low oil prices, motorists could see pump prices continue their descent as the country settles into winter.

At the same time, oil prices rose last week. OPEC’s global pact with large non-OPEC crude producers (including Russia) to reduce crude production by 1.2 million barrels per day for at least the first six months of 2019 is now in effect so the global glut of crude is expected to decline, helping to push crude prices higher. If crude prices continue to climb, motorists could see gas prices increase.

Supporting an organization which provides food to Third World countries has been an amazing process and ministry of the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, said Pastor Karen Grinnell.

The pastor said she first learned about Rise Against Hunger at a United Methodist conference in Syracuse.

The church has various fundraisers each year and accepts donations for the meals. This is the third year the church has raised money to purchase food and solicited volunteers to pack more than 10,000 meals.

Each meal costs 31 cents, said Andrew Moser, who came from the Greater Pittsburgh Region, where Rise Against Hunger is headquartered.

Rise Against Hunger International, a nonprofit hunger relief organization, was founded by a Methodist minister from Virginia in 1998, and since that time, more than 450 million meals have been packaged and shipped, Moser said. Food is sent to orphanages, clinics and schools in 74 countries, he said.

“We try to create opportunities in places where opportunities don’t exist,” he said.

More than 50 volunteers on Saturday came from local churches, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the Oakfield-Alabama Girls’ Basketball Team.

All meals are identical and include rice, a vegetable mix, soy protein and a vitamin packet.

Kraft-Heinz is Rise Against Hunger’s biggest partner, Moser said. The company makes all the vitamin packages and donates them.

(Photos by Virginia Kropf.)

Top photo: Students from Oakfield-Alabama’s Girls’ Basketball Team were among more than 50 volunteers who packed 10,152 meals at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church on Saturday for Rise Against Hunger. Here, one cup of rice is measured and poured into a pouch to be packed with soy protein and a vitamin packet.

Andrew Moser, who runs Rise Against Hunger in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, explains the process for packing meals to dozens of volunteers Saturday at Indian Falls United Methodist Church. The church packed 10,152 meals, which will be sent to impoverished countries.

Pastor Karen Grinnell from Indian Falls United Methodist Church and Celinda McQuistion, who chairs the church’s participation in Meals Against Hunger, watch as volunteers get ready to pack more than 10,000 meals on Saturday morning.

The Women’s March which took place in Washington, D.C., in 2017 has created interest among women in Genesee County.

On Saturday, Erica O’Donnell, of Batavia, Kristie Miller of Darien and Dorothy Avery, of Bergen, have organized an event called “Women March,” featuring a march, speakers and informational booths by various nonprofit groups. The march will begin at 10 a.m. in Jackson Square, where music will be provided by the Women’s Resistance Choir from the GLOW region. 

The march is a family friendly event, Miller said, designed after the original march in Washington, D.C., and then was copied in cities like New York City, Seneca Falls, Buffalo and Rochester.

“A lot of people from the Batavia area traveled to the march in Seneca Falls,” Miller said.

“Last year, a mutual friend, Dorothy Avery, got a school bus to take women to Seneca Falls, and we said, ‘We can do this here,’ ” O’Donnell said. “You hear in the media about these events geared to the big cities, and we wanted to make one available for rural women.”

“We wanted an event which dealt with issues facing women in our community,” Miller said.

“Typically, if you live in the GLOW region, you have to travel to Buffalo or Rochester for a lot of things,” O’Donnell said. “But the experiences of people who live in those cities are different from the people who live in the GLOW region.”

After organizing in Jackson Square, the women will march down Center Street to Ellicott, then Liberty to Main and the City Centre, where speeches will continue and nonprofit organizations will have information available.

Participants will include Diana Kastenbaum; Members of Woke GCC; Lauren Jimerson of Fairport, project manager of Iroquois White Corn Project; Tamara Leigh with Out Alliance of Rochester; Carly Fox with Worker Justice Center of New York; Debora McDell-Hernandez with Planned Parenthood of Batavia; Michelle Schoneman of East Aurora, founder of Citizens Against Collins; ChaRon Sattler-Leblanc with Moms Demand Action from Rochester and the Genesee region; and Vanessa Glushefski, deputy comptroller for the City of Buffalo.

O’Donnell said she thinks the event will be good for the city. Other marches across the country have been huge, she said. When she went to the march in Seneca Falls, hotels were all booked and stores sold out of everything.

“This is going to be a year-round effort to empower and support women,” O’Donnell said. “We are an organization, not just a march.”

Sisters, daughters, mothers and friends are invited to join the march.

Photo: Erica O’Donnell, left, and Kristie Miller are co-leaders of a Women’s March on Saturday morning. The march will begin at 10 a.m. in Jackson Square and feature speakers, a march to the City Centre, and information from nonprofit groups.