BOWLING HALL OF FAMERS: From left, Bill Draper of Livonia, Dennis Englert of Nunda and Jan King of Dansville are the newest members of the Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame.

The Genesee Region USBC celebrated a successful 2017-18 bowling season on Saturday night by inducting three people into its Hall of Fame and recognizing association leaders, tournament champions and scholarship recipient.

More than 100 people gathered together at Batavia Downs Gaming for the local bowling association's awards banquet, an annual event that also saw GRUSBC President Tom Fluker hand the leadership baton to fellow Batavian Gary Kuchler.

Fluker had served on the GRUSBC board for nine years, the last six as president -- and was instrumental in expanding the association's youth, awards and scholarship programs.

Kuchler will begin his term as president on Aug. 1.

Three incumbent directors were re-elected to the board -- Patricia Fuller of Medina, Steve Krna of Alexander and Sharon Willet of Dalton.

Dennis Englert of Nunda and Jan King of Dansville were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Meritorious Service category while Bill Draper of Livonia was enshrined in the Achievement Veteran category.

Englert was a longtime bowling manager at Letchworth Pines and an avid bowler, who suffered a life-altering brain injury when pushed to the floor by an irate patron at Letchworth Pines in January 2015. At last night's dinner, he was surrounded by friends and family, including his wife, Eunice, who worked with him for many years at Letchworth Pines.

King's induction also was witnessed by several family members and friends, while Draper was accompanied by his wife, Gail, and longtime bowling buddy, Doug Johnston. 

"I'm truly humbled," Draper said. "When I was a little guy, I never thought that I would make it here. I'm very honored."

Sam Miller of Le Roy, a standout bowler in the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia and in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League, was selected to receive the Barbara Krieley Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 award for his scholastic and bowling accomplishments. He will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall.

Association leaders in league play this season were honored as well, including Curtis Foss of Medina, who tied a GRUSBC record by averaging 242 in a league at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Other 2017-18 adult leaders were Brian Cline of Williamsville, who set an association record with an 858 series; Jackie Jurinich of Medina, 298 game, and Caycee Landers of Brockport, 223 average and 782 series.

In youth bowling, Brody Brown of Medina, had the high game (289) and series (759) and Alex Allis of Medina had the high average (209) for the boys, while Haylee Thornley of Batavia had the high series (646) and Julia Menzie of Bergen had the high game (266) and average (176) for the girls.

The GRUSBC gave away $1,600 through its annual "grand prize drawing" of names of bowlers who earned entries into the drawing through their high scores in league play throughout the season.

Winners of $500 prizes were Janet McDonald of Corfu, Diane Hurlburt of Warsaw and Brian Green of Batavia. Four others won $25 each.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: GRUSBC President Tom Fluker congratulates Sam Miller of Le Roy as the association's scholarship recipient for 2017-18.

ASSOCIATION LEADERS: Curtis Foss of Medina posted the GRUSBC's high league average of 242 while Haylee Thornley of Batavia led all girl youth bowlers with a 646 series.

TRAVEL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Members of the Rose Garden Bowl team from Bergen, which won the Genesee Region Youth Travel League this season, are, from left, Madelynn Pimm, Brooke Jarkiewicz and Devon Zinter. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

There was more than just tea in some of the cups at the Mad Hatter Tea Party for adults this evening at GO ART! The party featured Vivian Darling -- Drag Queen Extraordinaire, from Rochester.

She's got her eye on the District 61 seat currently occupied by Michael Ranzenhofer.

"It is time that we (Democrats) get another vote in that Senate so we can have sensible laws and things that benefit our community," Seamans told a group of activist women gathered for a political workshop at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia.

"We have high taxes. It's a Republican problem and I'm going to tell you why. As long as we keep having corporate welfare and sending money downstate to luxury developers and not investing in our people we have a problem."

Seamans said she is one of nine children from her family and that they grew up poor. At 13, she had to start earning her own money to buy clothes for school. She has been in business for herself her whole life and has served in various political and civic groups.

The issues she raised today included early voting, the opioid epidemic, health care (she favors single payer), criminal justice reform, and bail reform.

She said New York needs sensible gun laws and criticized Ranzenhofer for voting against bipartisan legislation that would bar people convicted of domestic violence from possessing guns.

"This is is what sensible gun reform is," she said, "yet my opponent voted against this legislation. His no vote is obscene and demonstrates a voting record that is not only out of touch but it is anti-woman."

The biggest reform Albany must tackle, she said, is campaign finance, particularly the LLC loophole, which enables large donors to establish multiple limited liability corporations to make donations to political candidates at the $60,000 limit for each.

She said a "luxury developer" downstate has donated $100,000 to Ranzenhofer.

"That corporation has received hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks," she said, and then added, "This is why we need campaign finance reform, because we have corporations supporting candidates who give tax breaks to the wealthiest down state when we when we need those resources back here in Western New York."

The Auto Wash Car Wash on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia is holding a three-day grand opening celebration. Today, staff served hot dogs and hamburgers and offered half-price car washes. Tomorrow, Mother's Day, Auto Wash is offering mothers half-price on basic car washes from 10 to 2 p.m.

Top photo, manager Zach Letta and regional manager Greg Farkas.

There was a Mad Hatter Tea Party for kids today at GO ART! with sweet and savory snacks and, of course, tea. The children also got to play games, such as musical chairs.

An accident with injuries is reported at 353 W. Main St., Batavia, in front of Settler's Restaurant.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 11:28 a.m.: Fender bender. No injuries; The parties involved are sign-offs.

Bryon Hoot, a poet from Pennsylvania who visits Batavia often for literary events, reads some of his poetry at Moon Java this evening for the debut event for The Visual Truth Theater Ensemble, a literary group organized by Eric Zwieg.

Zwieg, Julian Tuast, and Cole Rogers also read from their work. Richard Beatty was the emcee for the reading.

Richard Beatty

Cole Rogers 

Hal Mitchell, a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Air Force, receives a certificate and service pin from Rep. Chris Collins in a ceremony at Batavia City Hall today.

Here's a press release about the event:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today hosted a Vietnam War Commemoration Event in Batavia honoring more than 50 Vietnam Era veterans and distributed commemorative lapel pins from The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. This event was part of a national effort to recognize and thank Vietnam Veterans during the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

“As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the memory is vivid in the minds of these outstanding individuals,” Collins said. “What our nation experienced during that time is unlike any other war, and we hold these Veterans in a very special regard.

"This was an extraordinarily humbling evening and these Veterans have my deepest gratitude for their selfless service.”

In addition to the Vietnam War Commemoration, President Donald Trump officially designated each March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day to honor and thank U.S. Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices.

Approximately 9 million Americans, 7 million living today, served in the military from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. More than 58,000 Americans died while serving during the Vietnam War era.

Collins added: “I was honored to meet so many remarkable men and women this evening and plan to host similar events around my district in the future.”

The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin is available to any veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

Veterans interested in attending future ceremonies should contact Congressman Collins district office at 716-634-2324 or visit chriscollins.house.gov.

Michael Jones

Alfred Rosemark

Robert Gerke

Gordon Crosby

Wayne Eisenhauer

Allen McFollins

Second graders in Ann Marie Starowitz's class at St. Joe's Elementary School threw a surprise Mother's Day party for their mothers today, which included reading short articles form their research projects, three songs, and presentation of gifts.

Stylianos “Steve” Spryopoulos, co-owner of Settler's Restaurant, was found unresponsive on the floor of his neighboring business, Billy Goats, at 7 a.m. today and was later pronounced dead at the age of 66.

Spryopoulos and his wife, Rula, owned and operated Settler's with his son John. He opened Settler's in 1984 and expanded it to seat 150 people in 1995. He opened Billy Goats, a bar and grill, in late 2000.

The Settler's location was originally a Red Barn franchise, opening in 1966 and operated by Mike Bohn until he sold the location to Spryopoulos and a partner.

The restaurant was closed today. It will reopen at 5 a.m., Saturday.

Photo: File photo from Steve's 60th birthday party at Billy Goats.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is hosting the 27^th annual Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 2, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The derby is held during National Fishing and Boating Week at Ringneck Marsh on Iroquois NWR. Planned activities will begin at 8 a.m. and include a casting contest, migration maze game, and a fish dissection demonstration. Rods and reels will be available for children to borrow if needed.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Inc. who will be providing door prizes and trophies for the anglers with the three biggest fish in each age group (7 and under, 8-12, and 13-17).

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, but no matter what Mother Nature delivers, it’s sure to be a fun fishy day! The fishing derby and all activities are free to the public.

Please contact Refuge staff at 948-5445, ext. 7037, or visit the website at here for further information.

Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY, and is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. To get to Ringneck Marsh, take Highway 63 and turn east onto Oak Orchard Ridge Road. In less than 0.5 miles, you may park in the Ringneck Marsh Overlook Parking Lot.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact the Refuge at 948-5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339.

Press release:

Like a crescendo of a year-long concerto, Genesee Community College is fine-tuning all the logistics of its 50th Commencement Ceremony scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in the new Richard C. Call Arena (RCCA), one of the last events of its multifaceted 50th Anniversary celebration.

More than 200 students are anticipated to walk across the stage after hearing Kristina M. Johnson, Ed.D., the new Chancellor of the State University of New York give the keynote address.

In addition to this being the College's 50th Commencement celebrated in a new facility, other unique aspects of this year's event are the 44 international students that will be graduating this year; 11 of those are from the island nation of Curacao.

GCC is also delighted that 10 students from area high schools will be completing their GCC degree requirements concurrently with their high school diplomas. These 10 graduates participated in the inaugural cohort of the College's STEM Program with the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office, which started back in 2012 when the students were in seventh grade.

Several other special opportunities are also going to be part of the event.

"Overall, this is a very exciting Commencement Ceremony for the College," GCC President James M. Sunser said. "So many wonderful opportunities are coming to fruition and all in the name and spirit of student success. This ceremony will be one to remember." 

The Commencement ceremony rehearsal will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18, in the RCCA to prepare soon-to-be graduates for the procession.

Prior to the rehearsal, representatives from Carlson's Studio will be set up in Room H103 of the Call Arena to take individual graduation photographs. Graduates should be in cap and gown, and have payment for their photo package.

Graduates are encouraged to contact Carlson's Studio in advance at (585) 786-2871 or via email at carlsons@rochester.rr.com to inquire about photo packages and pricing. Families can also pre-order flowers and gifts for their graduate through this website https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/Genesee/.

Each GCC graduate received five tickets for guests to attend the ceremony inside the RCCA Fieldhouse as part of their commencement package. There are no additional tickets available.

On Commencement Sunday, guests with tickets can enter the Fieldhouse starting at 12 p.m. for general admission seating. All guests, regardless of age, will require a ticket to enter the Fieldhouse.

Additional seating for guests without tickets is available on a first come, first served basis in the Stuart Steiner Theatre where the ceremony will be broadcast on the Theatre screen. The doors of the Theatre will also open at 12 p.m.

For distant family and friends scattered around the world and unable to enjoy the event in Batavia, the entire Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed with easy access from GCC's website or at this Web address: https://www.genesee.edu/home/event-streaming/.

Accessible seating accommodations are available in both the RCCA Fieldhouse for ticketed guests and non-ticketed guests in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. For details, please contact GCC's Office of Student Activities (585) 343-0055, ext. 6261, or via email at sa@genesee.edu before Friday, May 18, to make arrangements.

GCC's Child Care Center will be open for all graduates and guests for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age to allow family and friends to focus on the ceremony. However, guests wishing to bring children to the commencement are required to have a ticket for each child regardless of age.

To sign up for FREE child care services, please contact Student Activities or call (585) 343-0055, ext. 6261, before Friday, May 18. The Child Care Center will open at 12 p.m. on Commencement Day.

A white male wearing a blue sweatshirt and khaki shorts fled Target on foot on Veterans Memorial Drive after a larceny in progress was reported. He was said to be by the dumpster behind Five Guys burger shop.

Law enforcement responded and he's now in custody.

He allegedly left the store with a $400 vacuum cleaner but dropped it and ran.

Press release:

The 20th Annual Batavia Rotary Club High School Tournament will take place tomorrow at Dwyer Stadium.

Due to the threat of rain, there has been a change in the schedule of games.

Attica will play Notre Dame in the first game at 1 p.m followed by Oakfield-Alabama vs. Batavia at 4 p.m. with the championship game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. There will be no consolation game.

Admission is $5 for an adult all-day pass and $2 for a student all-day pass. All proceeds from the tournament will help benefit Batavia Rotary Club charities.

(name redacted upon request; defendant granted youthful offender status, 18, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminally using drug paraphernalia 2ndp and unlawful possession of marijuana. David C. Renteria, 18, of Bernd Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd. Eric J. Bratcher, 29, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminally using drug paraphernalia. On Wednesday, Batavia PD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Pringle Avenue. Members of the Local Drug Task Force participated in the traffic stop and found the occupants allegedly possessed crack cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. xxxx was also issued traffic citations.

Laura Ann Fronczak, 35, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, window tint violation, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Fronczak was stopped at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

New Price Alert: 147 Pearl St.! The sun shines brightly on 147 Pearl St.! This home is a MUST SEE! Superbly maintained 3 bedroom, bath and a half home with not one ounce of anything to do! This home is no flip -- completely gutted and remodeled within the last 5 years, beautifully done and tastefully decorated.

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Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) announced that a bill he authored with Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, passed the United States Senate. This bill unanimously passed the House on Sept. 12, 2017 and now has unanimously passed the Senate with one amendment offered by Lamar Alexander (R-TN) on May 10.

A 2015 study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters had a greater number of cancer diagnoses and related deaths than the general population.

This revealed an enormous gap in research, which led Collins and Pascrell to author the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, which will require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and maintain a registry to collect data regarding the incidence of cancer in firefighters.

“This is a huge win for firefighters across the United States, now that we are so close to getting this bill on President Trump’s desk,” Collins said. “When this bill becomes law, we will have a succinct and voluntary registry of cancer incidence in firefighters so we know what causes cancer in these individuals and how we can better prevent it.

"These brave men and women put their lives in danger to keep their communities and neighbors safe, and we have a commitment to do everything we can to keep them safe and healthy in return.”

“Passage of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act in the Senate moves us one step closer to implementing this critical legislation," said Rep. Pascrell, co-chair of the House Fire Services Caucus. "Improving the well-being of firefighters who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe is an important goal.

"Better understanding any connections between their work and an increased risk for cancer will help mitigate those risks to keep our firefighters healthy. I am hopeful that the House will act swiftly so that we can get a final bill to the White House as soon as possible and we can get the program started.”

When signed into law, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act would authorize federal funding to gather data about potential risk factors in order to better improve equipment and procedures.

Participation in the registry would be completely voluntary and data collected would include status of the firefighter (volunteer, paid-on-call, or career), number of years on the job, the number of incidents attended, and the type of incidence.

The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act is expected to be passed in the House as amended in the coming weeks before heading to President Trump’s desk.