Award recipients are nominated by their high school guidance counselors, teachers or administrators.

Each exemplifies the colleges' motto "To Be, To Know, To Do."

Award winners are guaranteed a minimum of $40,000 in scholarship during the four years of study at Russell Sage College or The Sage College of Albany in recognition of their academic achievements and community involvement.

Yesterday, we reported that State Police had opened an investigation into a pickup truck that had been stolen earlier in morning from MY-T Acres Farm in Batavia.

The truck was returned at 4:20 a.m. today. It was undamaged with all the property still in the vehicle.

The owner credits publication of the theft on The Batavian with the return of the vehicle.

For the first time since 2011, Marty Stuart was back at The Ridge tonight along with his band, The Superlatives.

The Superlatives are:

• Kenny Vaughan, lead guitar
• Chris Scruggs, bass
• Harry Stinson, drums

As part of Gay Pride Month, the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts is sponsoring a speaker series in courts in the state to help train judges and others in the courts system about gay rights and LGBTQ issues.

Today's speakers in the County Courthouse in Batavia were Brooke Barone, a plainteiff in a landmark case that expanded the rights of non-biological parents, and her attorney, Margaret Canby.

Marc Levine, executive director of the commission explained after the meeting (I had other business to finish and didn't make it on time for the speakers) what the commission is about and about the progress the LGBTQ community has made in the courts over the past 15 years.

"We went across the state doing things and it was beautiful to see the changes in the court system," Levine said.

Levine started a volunteer alliance in 2003 and the commission was formed at the start of this year and during that time, he said, he's seen more people in the court system come out and seen more judges, clerks, and administrators appointed to top positions.

Yesterday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo named the first openly gay man appointed to the Court of Appeals, Paul Feinman.

"This is something we thought was going to be so far off, we didn't even know if we'd live to see that happen," Levine said. 

There were judges from throughout the region at the event, including every full-time judge from Chautauqua County.

The turnout was both significant and important, Levine said.

"Sensitivity Training is a beautiful thing," Levine said. "It's one thing when you look at someone in a textbook; it's a completely different thing when you come and you see people and you listen to them and they become real and you get to see why it's important, and you care and you take that out into the courts with you and set a tone that the courts know that people need to be treated with respect. They are sensitive to the needs of the community."

Levine is clearly a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ. I asked him one question and he spoke uninterrupted for nearly 10 minutes. Here's the full audio (mp3).

Photo: Judge Edwina Mendelson, left, Margaret Canby, Brooke Barone, Marc Levine, Judge Paula Feroleto, Andrew Isenberg, district executive for the Eighth Judicial District.

Two motorcyclists were reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Route 5 in Pembroke and disregarded law enforcement attempts to pull them over. They "blew through the light at (Route) 77," one continued on and the other made a right turn to go southbound on 77. Law enforcement is continuing the pursuit.

To open the YWCA's Third Annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony at Genesee Community College yesterday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul shared how the issue of domestic violence and public service through the Y helped shape her life.

Hochul's grandmother was a victim of domestic violence, and Hochul's mother was an advocate for changing laws and changing attitudes around domestic violence, even testifying for the Legislature in Albany. She helped change the way police officers respond to domestic violence cases.

"She testified in hearings trying to get law enforcement to treat is as the crime it is," Hochul said. "At the time when someone would call for help, someone would call and the police would show up at the door and the husband responded and said, 'Oh, don't worry, we're OK here.' They had no obligation. They could leave. That went on for far too long." 

When her mother turned 70, she said she wanted to do something in her mother's name, so they established the Kathleen Mary House, a safe place for women who have been victimized.

Before Hochul ever ran for public office, she thought she might like to get involved in politics, perhaps as a campaign manager, so she took classes are her local YWCA to learn how to be a campaign manager. That, it turned out, inspired her to run for a seat on the Town of Hamburg Board.

Hochul noted that women are taking a bigger and bigger role in public life, but that there is more progress to be made.

"To the young women in the audience, have confidence in yourselves, know that you, too, have a role to play in changing the world," Hochul said. "There is no time like the present. You don't have to wait until middle age to be engaged. Step up. We need you. Your society needs you. Your country needs you. And your community here in Genesee County needs you."

The award recipients were:

• Rev. Roula Alkhouri, the Racial Justice Award
• WNY Tech Academy, the Economic Empowerment Award
• Dee Quinn Miller, the Military/Veteran Award
• Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County, the Peace Award
• Krysten Schmidt, owner of Ladies First, the Advocacy/Civic Engagement Award
• Lewis Tree Service, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award
• Georgann Corrubba, TenCar Inc., the Exceptional Entrepreneur Award

For more on the winners, click here.

Georgann Corrubba

Rev. Roula Alkhouri

Dee Quinn Miller

Gail Fenton and Ruth Riner, of Zonta Club.

Michlen Robinson, representing Lewis Tree Service.

She's also never been dismissed early.

She is a straight-A student, a member of the safety patrol and plays in two basketball leagues. She also plays in a year-around travel soccer team, is a member of the band, chorus, jazz choir, percussion ensemble and Solo-Fest band.

In softball this season, she struck out 128 batters over 47 innings pitched.

She also volunteers in the Byron-Bergen Public Library during the summer.

"As a teacher in a different school district, I feel this is a phenomenal accomplishment," Amy said. "I also happen to be very proud of her as I am her mom!"

Press release:

GO ART! presents an exhibit by Stacy Kirby “A Nice View “-- A Collection of En Plein Aire Paintings and Illustrations.”

After a couple decades of drawing, first in crayon then in pencil, Stacey Kirby picked up a paint brush, pursuing an education in illustration at Montserrat College of Art. After graduating she applied her illustration skills to mural painting, creating large scale art works for private homes, businesses, and public spaces.

Her passion is forming concept and idea into impactful paintings, whether the theme is historic, or of the natural world.

Kirby, a native of Albion, has been contributing murals to the Orleans and Monroe counties for a number of years.

"As a muralist, it's my goal to create artwork that is accessible to everyone, to encourage appreciation for art and the deeply rooted communities that we're a part of," Kirby said. "Public murals are a great opportunity to expose numbers of people to the arts, while sharing something important about that community with the world.”

In her free time she enjoys painting "en plein aire." She is working with “Traveling Towpath Troubadours" -- a music performance group whose summer concerts are part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the Erie Canal in Orleans County -- on a commemorative painting capturing the idea behind their 2017 endeavor.

"A Nice View" opens July 11 and runs through Sept. 10 at GO ART!, located inside historic Seymour Plac,e 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and on the second Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

There will be a closing reception, with light fare, on Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.,  featuring “Traveling Towpath Troubadours” as entertainment and the unveiling of the commemorative painting.

An accident is reported in the area of 9683 Route 19, Pavilion.

A person is injured and may be having a medical emergency.

The vehicle hit a pole. The pole is not down. It is broken. National Grid being notified.

There had been a prior complaint about an erratic driver in the area.

The location is just south of the Le Roy Town Line.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is pleased to announce passage of a bill which will authorize Orleans County and Genesee County residents to hunt big game from Nov. 15 till Dec. 7. The bill allows residents to hunt using pistols, shotguns, muzzle-loaded firearms, long bows, crossbows or rifles.

“Hunting is an important part of our history, it is how our forefathers survived and provided for their families,” Hawley said. “As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I am proud to announce that citizens of Orleans and Genesee counties will be able to continue this centuries-old tradition that is such a huge part of our Western New York culture.

"As a proud outdoorsman myself, I will continue to work tirelessly to protect our constitutional rights from special interests attempting to restrict them. The passage of this bill is a step in the right direction toward maintaining our freedom and right to own firearms.”

Angela Marie Bodekor, 30, of South Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated DWI -- a BAC of .18 percent or higher; DWI; refusal to take a prescreen breath test -- roadside; open container of alcohol in vehicle; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; and unreasonable speed. On June 15, following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 950 Sliker Road in the Town of Pembroke, Bodekor was arrested on the charges listed. She was issued an appearance ticket for Pembroke Town Court and is due there on Aug. 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

Amy L. Wolfe, 42, of Auburn Ave., Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic needle. She wass arrested on Federal Drive in Batavia at 7:28 a.m. on June 16 following a complaint at a local hotel. She was allegedly found to be in possession of several hypodermic needles and what appeared to be heroin. She was issued appearance tickets to appear in Town of Batavia Court on July 27. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Jason W. Whitehead Jr., 19, of Skyline Drive, Penn Yan, is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Whitehead was arrested on Thursday afternoon, June 15, by members of the Genesee County Drug Enforcement Task Force following an investigation in the area of 4 MacArthur Drive in the City of Batavia. He was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana and further investigation allegedly revealed that he provided marijuana to a person less than 17 years old. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket for June 27 in Batavia City Court.

The State Police are investigating the theft of a 2010 Ford F-150 from MY-T Acres Farms in Batavia at 5:20 a.m., today. It's a ClubCab, tan in color, with a license of 20128GL. 

The farm is located at 8127 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

The suspect vehicle appears to be a red Jeep.

Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation is asked to call the Batavia Barracks at (585) 344-2200.

This afternoon, County Manager Jay Gsell and two passersby along with the City's animal control officer, James Scheflin, tried to help a momma duck and her ducklings cross Ellicott Street by the Upton Monument so they could get to the Tonawanda Creek.

Momma would have none it, though, choosing to try and shelter in the plants at the time.   

Scheflin decided to leave her be for the time being and monitor the situation.

This well laid out ranch on an awesome lot in the heart of Darien Center is a must see! Close to all major routes for those who have to commute! This home has great space and super floor plan! All rooms are good sized with closets. At the heart of the home is open kitchen with dining area and large living room divided by awesome double sided stone fireplace which makes it elegant and cozy at the same time!! Off of the living room is large enclosed all-season sun porch, which adds so much extra living space and over looks a very deep back yard that backs up to Chestnut Hill Country Club for the golf lover or great scenery!! There is an attached garage, huge basement and nice shed in back yard for all the extras!! This is really a house worth looking at-make an easy to view appointment anytime! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today or click here to view the full listing!

Press release:

Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees Monday evening approved its first-ever application for participation in the Start-Up New York program, which permits eligible companies to operate tax-free on or near SUNY campuses for 10 years. Trustees approved Tencar Inc. for participation, a medical equipment manufacturing firm founded in 2011 by Georgann M. Carrubba, of Basom, a 2003 graduate of GCC's Nursing program.

Tencar will operate in the Genesee County Economic Development Center's Med Tech Park, located on the south side of Hawley Drive, across from the Batavia Campus. Genesee Community College designated the Med Tech Park as part of the Start-Up NY zone two years ago.

The Start-Up NY application will now be forwarded to the New York State Empire Development Corporation and State University of New York for review and final approval. Reid J. Smalley, executive director of Workforce Development, said that approval may come within the next 60 days, permitting Carrubba to begin operating in the Med Tech Park.

Carrubba, who serves as CEO of the company, developed and patented an innovative ostomy device that prevents awkward leakage and odor among patients with colostomies and related conditions. The product is expected to go to market later this year. Product components will be 100-percent made in the United States, and Carrubba has concluded an agreement with the 3M Company to use its products in the manufacturing of TenCar devices.

The Start-Up NY program is open to new or expanding businesses that align their operations or products with academic disciplines taught at SUNY campuses and some private college and university campuses. Genesee Community College students in the Nursing, Fashion Design and Business programs will have the opportunity to learn product design, customer service, business operations, and entrepreneurship principles from TenCar. The company hopes to make internships available to GCC students and hire GCC graduates in the future.

Prior to the Board's decision, the College's Start-Up NY Committee scrutinized the company's plans and operations, and determined that the company's presence in the GCC Start-Up NY Zone would benefit the College and its students.

President James M. Sunser said that he and the staff were proud of Carrubba, and believed that TenCar, a graduate-founded company, is an especially appropriate choice for Start-Up NY participation. Several trustees praised Carrubba and said they believe her company's innovative product will make a significant difference in the lives of ostomy patients.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk.” Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. (Please note: the July program will be held on July 11.)

Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

On July 11 learn about the different types of bulb lilies that can be grown in the garden such as Oriental and Trumpet. We will also discuss a relatively new invasive insect, the red lily leaf beetle, which can decimate your lilies. Learn some methods to combat this lily-munching pest.

Terrariums are easy-to-make, low-maintenance gardens that can last for years. On Aug. 1 we will demonstrate how to create a miniature world full of beautiful plants and interesting objects. Go home with a list of materials and directions so you can create your own sensational terrarium.

Have you ever thought about bringing some of your annuals inside for the winter but weren’t sure how to? Join us on Sept. 5 to learn some tips and tricks that you can use so you can continue to enjoy a bit of summer inside this winter. We will also show you how to get your houseplants ready to come back inside.

There are hundreds of tea plantations in the world, but only one in the United States. Join us Oct. 3 for a photo tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation located in South Carolina. The Charleston Tea Plantation is a true working tea farm and a living piece of American history.

“All about Amaryllis” will be our final program of the year on Nov. 7. Amaryllis are known for their stunning blooms. Many of us buy or receive an amaryllis bulb around the holidays. But what do you do with the bulb after it blooms? Learn how to take care of your bulb year round so that you can enjoy its blooms for many years.

Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Thomas Winters, left, has become the fourth generation of the Winters family to enter the feed business, joining his dad's business, Genesee Feeds, on West Main Street, after graduating from Alfred State. 

Lee opened Genesee Feeds in 1992, with his dad joining the business in 1995. Lee's grandfather operated his own feed business for a number of years.

Genesee Feeds got a big boost when a chain closed its local feed store in 1999 and the business has been going strong since, Lee said.

Thomas said he wanted to work with his dad because he's always enjoyed it and it's what he grew up doing.

In recent years, Lee has added U-Haul rentals and sheds to the business and he said Thomas will be able to help the business expand and further diversify.

"It's always been here, always been in the family, so it’s always been something I wanted to do," Thomas said.