Located in the Elba School system, this home is perfect for the people who want their piece of country. Surrounded by fields on a quiet road -- definitely one to take a ride for! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, 344-4663, to view this listing or click here for more information.

Ronald J. Barber is indicted for the crime of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 17 at a location of West Main Street Road in the Town of Le Roy that he intentionally damaged the property of another person and had no right to do so. Barber is accused of breaking tail lamps on several vehicles owned by a company in an amount exceeding $250.

Press release:

On Thursday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) praised the signing of legislation to extend property tax exemptions to eligible U.S. veterans to include school taxes. These exemptions would extend the veterans’ property tax exemption to include school taxes in New York State and will ease financial burdens faced by veterans as they transition back to civilian life.

“As Americans, we owe it all to the brave men and women who fought to defend our country,” Hawley said. “Extending tax exemptions to veterans is one small way we can positively impact their post-military lives. I applaud the signing of this legislation and I hope veterans across the state will benefit from these additional tax exemptions.”

At this time, state property tax laws provide partial property tax exemptions to qualified veterans of the U.S. military, but these exemptions didn’t include school taxes. In 2013 and 2016 the alternative veterans’ property tax exemption and Cold War property tax exemptions were revised to give school districts the option of allowing exemptions. With this signed legislation, all three veterans’ property tax exemptions would apply to school taxes.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the 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 today and will end on Wednesday, Nov. 1^st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving. When it comes to impaired driving Halloween can turn the roads into a horror fest. While we spend time trick or treating and hosting parties with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. Tragically, Halloween impaired-driving fatalities are on the rise. There were 55 deaths on Halloween night in 2015, up from 17 in 2011—and steadily increasing each year in between. If you plan to go out with the ghouls and goblins to enjoy an adult beverage, make sure you plan a safe ride home before you leave the house. Even if you “only have a couple,” you are in no shape to drive.

The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Thanksgiving and the national Holiday Season in December.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol- and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Let’s make memories, not nightmares! Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!

Press release:

City of Batavia firefighters are proud to announce the winners of their 5th Annual Fire Prevention Contest.

Information provided by Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble.

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will perform an Autumn Concert beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Alexander Central Auditorium. It is located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

Philip J. Briatico is the conductor.

These are the works to be featured:

• "Life Dances" -- William Himes -- featuring Guest ConductorJohn Maguda
• "Moorside March" -- Holst -- featuring Member Conductor Katherine Robinson
• Irish Tune from County Derry -- Percy Aldridge Grainger
• "Joy" -- Frank Tichelli
• "Emblem of Unity" -- J.J. Richards
• Highlights from "Fiddler on the Roof"
• A tribute to Stevie Wonder in concert
• "Climb to Glory" -- William Palange (Veterans Day)
• "March of the Trolls" -- Edvard Grieg, arr. Beck
• "Chester" -- William Schuman

Admission prices are:

• $10 -- Adult
• $8 -- Senior (55+) & Veteran
• $5 -- Student (with ID)
• Free -- Children 5 years old & under
• $25 -- Family Deal -- for immediate family and children as defined by mother and/or father and up to four (4) children.

The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar live music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to create the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble is based in Batavia.

This program is made possible, in part, by the Reach Grant program administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Contact: geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com

Press release:

The Genesee County Office of Emergency Management is pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Marinaccio as County Fire Instructor for Genesee County effective October 2017.

Marinaccio is an active member of the Le Roy Fire Department and the Genesee County Emergency Support Unit. She is currently employed as a City of Batavia firefighter.

Her responsibilities as County Fire Instructor include conducting fire training and instruction in fire prevention and control in accordance with the New York State Fire Training Program.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department will be participating in the DEA’s 2017 National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The event will be held in the rear parking lot of the Batavia Police Department (10 W. Main St.) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Citizens can turn in their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Two other disposal sites are in Genesee County, and these also have collection hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow.

• Sheriff's deputies will staff collection at Pembroke Town Highway Barns, routes 5 & 77, East Pembroke
• Le Roy Police at Village Hall, 3 W. Main St., Village of Le Roy (near routes 5 & 19)

(For previously posted press release on how this initiative helps the Great Lakes and New York waterways, click here.)

Press release:

The fifth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Le Roy High School Gym, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, and Self Defense.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell ( Borrell’s Karate Academy Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 40 years.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2017 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

    Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy

    Cameron Construction/ Le Roy

    Ben’s Appliances/ Batavia 

    Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy 

    Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia 

    Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) [left of sign] poses with Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) [right of sign] at Decker Farms in Staten Island.

Submitted photos and press release:

In a show of bipartisanship and in response to several Downstate legislators touring his district this past summer, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) departed Wednesday night to tour Staten Island with Democratic state lawmaker Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) and Long Island with Republican lawmaker Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown).

“Cooperation and benevolence between our political parties is so rare in today’s political climate, and that is why I am eager to tour some areas of the state with an open mind and focus on improving our state for all residents, because at the end of the day, we are all New Yorkers and our goal is to leave our children a better state than we found it,” Hawley said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed having my downstate colleagues visit my district and I think they gained some added perspective and insight, my goal is to accomplish the same this week.”

The group will visit Freshkills Park, one of the largest park developments in New York City, Decker Farms, Joe & Pat’s Pizza and Empire Outlets, a proposed shopping park in Staten Island featuring over 100 stores.

The group will also tour the district represented by Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown), including a tour of various types of agriculture on Long Island hosted by Rob Carpenter, President of the Long Island Farm Bureau. Carpenter will accompany them to the Green Harbor Craft Brewery and Sparkling Pointe Vineyard and Winery. They will visit the North Fork Potato Chip Factory as well. 

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, Orleans and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s official website.

Below Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) [left], Assemblyman Matt Titone (D-Staten Island)[center], and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) [right] grab lunch at Joe & Pat’s Pizza on Staten Island, a local staple. 

Both the total number of Genesee County residents with jobs and the total number looking for jobs declined in September compared to the year before, according to data released by the State Department of Labor.

There were 28,800 residents with jobs, according to the release, and 1,200 people designated as unemployed.

The total size of the labor force is 30,000 compared to 30,200 a year ago.

That makes the unemployment rate 4.1 percent, compared to 4.2 a year ago.

According to Scott Gage, director of the county's job bureau, there are more than 580 job openings being advertised in the county.

The 4.1 rate is the lowest for any month since May 2016 when it was 3.8 percent.

The GLOW area rate is 4.5 percent compared to 4.5 percent a year ago.

Rochester has dropped from 4.8 to 4.7 and Buffalo 4.9 from 5.1.

The state's rate is 4.7.

Nationally, the rate has fallen from 4.8 percent to 4.1 percent.

Agritourism is itself a growing industry in New York and with Genesee County being a major contributor to the state's agriculture industry, Genesee Community College hosted a free agritourism symposium yesterday.

The event was organized by Amy Slusser, professor of GCC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Program.

“Our region of New York State offers some of the best agritourism opportunities in the nation,” Slusser said. “From our dairies for cheese and yogurt, while not forgetting milk, butter and of course, ice cream, to the many acres of fruits and vegetables. And, New York wineries are now competing with great success against both European and Californian varietals. Now is the time for agritourism in the Upstate New York.”

Sophie Winter, Ph.D., was the keynote speaker with a theme of “Evolution, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agritourism.” A native of Southern France, Winter earned her master’s degree in Agricultural Business from Illinois State University and her Ph.D. in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Currently, she teaches agricultural marketing, sales, retail management and entrepreneurship at SUNY Cobleskill.

There was also a panel discussion with:

• Barbara Dominesey, general manager of Hidden Valley Animal Adventures in Varysburg;
• Chad Heeb, director of marketing of New York Chips and Marquart Farms in Gainesville; and
• Betty Burley, owner of East Hill Creamery in Perry.

Photos courtesy GCC.

Hélène Biandudi Hofer, journalist, documentary filmmaker and the host and producer of WXXI-TV’s newsmagazine show "Need to Know," spoke at Genesee Community College on Wednesday spoke to fashion students about her new project "The Empty Hanger." 

Hofer kick-started her own career at just 8 years old using a makeshift production studio in her childhood home to produce news stories and fashion shows. From there, Hofer grew her passion into an award-winning career.

"The Empty Hanger" is an original human-interest series revealing the untold and often overlooked stories of the people who design, manufacture, tailor, study, wear, talk about and claim to be forever changed by clothing.

Photos courtesy GCC.

Press release:

The New York State Association of Magistrates Court Clerks Inc. honors one of its members each year for his or her service and contributions not only to the State Association but to his or her County Association, community and colleagues by exhibiting leadership and assistance in all duties of our profession. 

The 2017 Court Clerk of the Year award was presented during the Awards Banquet of our Annual Conference held in Ellicottville on Sept. 24. It was a privilege to present this prestigious award to a local resident, Pamela Thurber. 

Pam has been a court clerk for seven years.  She has previously served as a court clerk in the Village of Corfu and the Town of Darien.  She currently holds the Court Clerk positions in the Village of Attica and Town of Alabama. 

Attending the award presentation were Pam’s family, significant other -- Michael Lute, sons -- Peyton and Colton, mother – Deb, sister - Terra, father --  Ron and stepmom Barb. Also in attendance were the Honorable John Tauscher, Town of Alabama, and the Honorable Julie Perry, Town and Village of Attica.

Judge Perry sent a heartwarming letter of recommendation stating why Pam was worthy of this great award. Judge Perry stated how efficient Pam was in her job, but what struck the award committee greatly, was that Judge Perry stated: “Every so often we meet people in our lives that leave an impact that cannot be described.” She hopes Pam will sit by her side on the bench for the remainder of her career.

Pam has a long list of involvements in our association as well as her community.  She serves as a county representative for Genesee County. She serves as a mentor for court clerks in her county, giving them a one on one training. Pam is an active member of the Genesee and Wyoming County Magistrate and Court Clerk Associations, and currently participating on a committee for centralized arraignments.

Pam is one of the “new kids” on the association’s board of directors. Last fall, she jumped in with both feet as soon as she was elected to the position of Director. She immediately volunteered to co-chair the publicity/media committee and was the lead in our website relaunch. Our NYSAMCC Web designer Ray sent me an email stating “I have to share with you that Pam has been a sport and a tremendous help. She has organized everything very well and made it as simple as can be for me to create this website from the start.”

Most recently, Pam has taken over the position of Editor in Chief for our association’s bi-annual magazine, "The Docket." Her first edition was recently released and was nothing short of spectacular! 

Nominations for Pam came from more than one clerk in her area, they all commented that Pam is smart, hardworking, detail oriented and very organized.  She is patient, understanding and kind and will step up to help anyone who asks. She is always willing to get involved to help her fellow clerks and will bend over backward to help educate the clerks in her county, district and all clerks of New York State. 

Pam’s journey as a court clerk has not always been the smoothest. She accepted a position in 2011 to replace a court clerk who was charged and convicted of stealing money from the court. She spent years cleaning up the mess that was left behind when the dust settled. Pam learned so much from that experience that last summer she co-authored a presentation for clerks called “Surviving an Audit.” She has been able to teach her fellow clerks real-life examples of what to expect during an audit, how clerks can be prepared for an audit, and best recordkeeping practices. 

“Pam is truly an example of what a court clerk should be. I am thankful to have her as a colleague and to have her serve on my team!” said Gillian Koerner, Town and Village of Arcade court clerk and president of the New York State Association of Magistrates Court Clerks Inc.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2018 at its board meeting on Oct. 26, with anticipated cash outflows of $2.5 million.

“The mission of the GGLDC is to foster local economic development by making real estate development investments that prepare sites in Genesee County for new corporate tenants,” said Tom Felton, chairman of the GGLDC. “The GGLDC also provides strategic investment funding to support the GCEDC’s ongoing economic development program.”

The anticipated 2018 expenditures of the GGLDC include operations and maintenance for the MedTech Centre building, site/corporate park maintenance, an economic development program support grant to the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), and professional services.

Other significant items include: an $890,000 pass through grant from the New York State Department of Transportation that furthers the ability of the tenants of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (Ag Park) to access rail; $655,000 is debt service payments supporting development at the Ag Park and the MedTech Center building; as well as $352,000 in expenses related to wastewater treatment facility upgrades in the Village of Corfu in partnership with the Town of Pembroke, supporting the Buffalo East Technology Park.

A major source of revenue is rent of $670,000 from the MedTech Centre facility. In addition, $205,000 will be received through the Empire Pipeline Community Benefit Agreement. Additional cash receipts will include $295,000 in principal and interest payments from several companies repaying loans made in previous years.

“The GGLDC will be working to actively market our shovel-ready parks in conjunction with the Genesee County Economic Development Center in 2018. We have been working with a few projects that we anticipate will come to fruition by the end of 2018,” Felton said.

A man suspected of the murder and rape of a toddler, whom authorities thought might head to Western New York, was arrested early this morning in Franklin Park, Pa., according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Yesterday, State Police and Sheriff's deputies conducted a search of an area along the north side of the Thruway in Batavia after callers reported seeing a man who matched the description of the suspect, 37-year-old Joshua Gurto. Two K-9s were unable to detect fresh human scent anywhere in the area and the search was called off after about an hour.

Franklin Park is a three-hour, 37-minute drive from Batavia.

It's unknown at this point, of course, if Gurto ever was in Batavia.

Fourteen-year-old Andrew Young Jr., from Alexander, is in the running for a $250,000 invention price for the device he dreamed up himself, a toaster that shoots the toast out onto a plate.

Andrew is one of five inventors from around the nation competing for the top prize with the winner picked solely on the votes of people who support their inventions.

A point to clarify: You are allowed to vote more than once. You can vote every day.  Voting ends Nov. 27. To help you cast your vote each day, we've added a link to the voting site to the left side of our homepage, above the login box.

Click here to vote.

Previously: Alexander resident invents 'toaster shooter,' becoming finalist in national competition

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia will host its 60th annual Pancake Days on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joseph School in Batavia.

Tickets are $6 for an adult and $4 for children and seniors.

This fundraiser helps the Kiwanis Club support local youth organizations and helps events such as the Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park, the Thanksgiving morning skate at Falleti Ice Arena and the Holiday Tote Project. 

Pictured: Ben Landers, bottom left, Riley Yunker, Summer Campopiano, Kaitlyn Landers, Sofia Falleti, Mary Case, Matt Landers, Jeannie Walton, Gary Maha and Susan Maha. The St. Joe's students are members of K-Kids.

The missing vulnerable adult from Leicester, Starrlita Smith, has been located, according to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

There was no information released about the condition of the 21-year-old woman nor the circumstances of her disappearance. 

Previously: Genesee County added to search area for missing vulnerable adult