Jessica Lauren Wildey, 19, of 14 Jamie Lynn Drive, Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. At 6:48 a.m. Monday, Deputy Frank Bordonaro was investigating an assault complaint at a location in Bergen when Wildey reportedly drove back to the scene (she had reportedly been involved in the initial disturbance). Upon further investigation, Deputy Bordonaro determined Wildey had allegedly been driving drunk.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

8:06 a.m. Feb 1., Galloway Road, Batavia, one vehicle; Driver 1: Jessica L. Worden, 22, of Penn Yan. No injuries, no citations reported.

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When it's time for a great hamburger, Jackson St. Grill will serve you among the best around. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.  We have $10 gift certificates for $5 each.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Now in stock: Of course, flowers are the perfect give for Valentine's Day. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for a seven-week  session (one class per week), which is a $56 value, for $28. (New sessions start March 1)

The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

Wanted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for an alleged violation of probation: Christopher A. Laird.

Laird was placed on probation following a charge of burglary 2nd. He has reportedly failed to comply with the terms of his probation.

Laird frequents the Village of LeRoy and the City of Batavia. 

Warrant Officer Eric Olson asks that people with information on the whereabouts of Laird call 911.

A motor vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported near the Thruway entrance at 8463 Alleghany Road. Mercy EMS is reponding. Law enforcement reported no need for Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments, which were notified, to respond.

Genesee County is a long way from Vietnam, both as a matter of time and geography, but for GCC graduate Philip Sacco, it was just the right location to shoot some of his first feature film, "When Soldiers Cry," which will be released on DVD in two weeks.

Sacco, who works professionally as Joe Black, has spent three years on the self-funded project. He said he fell in love with film making after taking a multimedia class at Genesee Community College.

Before that class, he was working on a degree in physical therapy.

"I loved photography and film so I wanted to give that a try," Black said. "Five minutes into the program I was hooked."

"Mr. Chow showed me the tools and how to use them, from there it was up to me to bring the tools to life," Black noted. "I think we both sat down one day and said something like, 'don't just take a picture, make one.' To me, that's all you need to start with. Mr. Chow pushed me in media by critiquing my work and projects. He's a tough teacher but also a good friend. He has been my mentor throughout this entire endeavor."

Black wrote the screenplay for "When Soldiers Cry." He also planned the filming, hired the cast, and did the primary shooting and editing.

The movie is based in1965 South Vietnam. Private David M. Church awakes from being rendered unconscious to find all of his squad killed by the Vietcong. During his lonesome journey to the Landing Zone for extraction, Church mistakenly shoots an American Tunnel Rat who is disguising himself as a Vietcong. Mentally broken, Church starts carrying the Tunnel Rat to save his life, fully knowing it may end his own. Trapped in the jungle surrounded by war, the only thing keeping them alive is the promise they made to their families to return home at any cost.

"Creating this film has been a tedious process," Black said. "I've learned so much. I've learned that nothing happens overnight, to be cautious each step of the way and that some people make films to make money and some make films to tell their story. I want to tell my story and hopefully the money will follow."

WBTA's Geoff Redick spoke with Black (mp3) who said his biggest goal was securing a good distribution deal.

"You need to go into Best Buy or Walmart so everybody can see it and say, 'this is a piece of crap,' or 'it's pretty good.'"

(Portions of this post rely on a press release from GCC)

Even as Gov. David Paterson plans on cutting $222,000 in funding for the Genesee County Nursing Home, the facility is likely to reap a $490,000 surplus over its projected 2010 budget.

The swing to the positive is the result of the federal government revising Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Thus, an increase of revenue totaling $714,566 will be transfered to the nursing home, according to Administrator John F. Demske.

Meanwhile, the county may also see an increase in IGT (Inter-Governmental Transfer) funding, which was anticipated to come in at $2.185 million.

"I expect that we'll get more than what we put in the budget for our IGT," Demske said. "I believe it may get up to almost $3 million."

That could be a problem for the county, because the county must match the federal IGT, providing about 30 percent of the overall IGT funds.

County Manager Jay Gsell told the committee that "it's a careful balance" to get the right amount of IGT funding and not put the whole county budget in the red.

After hearing the report during today's Human Services Committee meeting, County Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock said, "Good for you. Not terrific for us."

The county relies on IGT funds to meet the nursing home's operational expenses because revenue from patients -- both Medicaid funded and private patients -- tends to fall well short of the facility's needs.

In an e-mail conversation between The Batavian and Gsell recently, Gsell said the nursing home hasn't technically been profitable for years, relying as it does on IGT funding to close revenue gaps.

"In the true sense of an enterprise fund in municipal accounting, the Genesee County Nursing Home is not 'profitable.'" Gsell said. "It does not generate enough of its own revenue to meet all its expenses in any given budget year."

Demske said today the IGT funds are essential to operating the nursing home and were designed specifically to assist county-run nursing homes, which must deal with the high costs associated with a union labor force.

Late last year, county officials put out a bid proposal to explore options for dealing with rising costs of the nursing home, including the potential loss of IGT funding after 2012 and whether to sell the home to a private company or nonprofit corporation.

The county is now reviewing eight proposals from consultants and a committee will make a ranked recommendation to the Legislature, Gsell said.

Photo: John Demske gives his report today to the Human Services Committee on the state of the nursing home.

Thinking about this week's Pet of the Week, Myron, I am reminded of a TV commercial with Tony Danza, which was part of a public awareness campaign. "What do you call a person with a disability? A person." Anthony Salvatore Ladanza's Brooklyn accent, the shrug and pause before the commonsense punch line (he was once a pro boxer) made the ad memorable.

So, what do you call a cat with a disability? A cat. And what a terrific one Myron grew up to be. Here's his story:

"My name is Myron and I am now 2 years old. My family adopted me from Lollypop Farm when I was only 8 weeks old. After they brought me home, they noticed that I was not like other cats. I was a bit wobbly when I walked, would sometimes trip and fall down, had trouble jumping on the sofa and my head would shake a bit when I would get really excited. My family was a bit concerned, so they took me to the vet where they checked me out and diagnosed me with Cerebellar Hypoplasia. In other words, my motor skills aren't so hot.

"Even though I'm still wobbly and sometimes fall down, I don't get upset when I hear people who come to visit say "Is there something wrong with that cat?" I love to play and hang out with my two brothers, who don't judge my disabilities. I'm in no pain and require no special care, except maybe a hand getting up on the sofa once in awhile. I have a normal life expectancy, but since most people don't know about Cerebellar Hypoplasia, cats like me are needlessly destroyed. If you have a kitten with symptoms like mine, ask your vet for more information because my family says, if they are anything like me, they might just be one of the best cats you have ever owned."

Myron resides in the loving household of Brandie Schultz in Bergen.

Only in Western New York could people be excited about a warming trend that's going to lift the temperature to 30 degrees, but a "warming trend" starts Tuesday.

The high over the next four days is expected to range from 27 degrees to 31 degrees.

That's a big improvement over the minus-0 degrees we've had the past couple of days.

There is a chance of snow tomorrow afternoon and could be as much as one inch of accumulation Tuesday night and a chance of more snow on Wednesday.

But 30 degrees? Break out the short sleeve shirts!

Barn Picture: Route 33, near Bergen.

This domestic dog found a deer carcass along Route 33 near Maple Avenue this afternoon.

Got work? Here's a government press release about temporary jobs only offered every 10 years.

The U.S. Census Bureau is preparing to launch a major recruitment effort to fill hundreds of positions in Genesee County to work on the 2010 Decennial Census.

The newly opened Batavia office of the U.S. Census Bureau has a goal of screening approximately 3,000 applicants between now and April for jobs in suburban and rural Erie County, eastern Genesee and Wyoming counties, and all of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. 

Anyone interested in signing up for the 30-minute qualifying test can call 1-866-861-2010.

The majority of the jobs involve going door-to-door to interview residents who do not send in their 2010 census questionnaire. The starting salary for entry-level field positions is $13 per hour.

For more information regarding census jobs you can go to www.2010censusjobs.gov.

Delighted seniors and creative kids teamed up Friday at the senior center in Batavia to decorate small, terra cotta flowerpots. The little works of art were taken to Washington Towers to dry and will be delivered to seniors there at a later date.

The homeschooled children had fun painting all kinds of designs -- polka dots, colorful stripes, clouds, squiggles, checkerboard squares and more. They used fabric strings to adorn some of the pots with flowers.

The program bringing young and old together was coordinated by RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) in partnership with the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

More pictures after the jump:

Photos from the Washington Towers visit:

For more information about opportunities for intergenerational projects, please contact RSVP or the Youth Bureau. The contact information of both groups can be found on the Genesee County homepage.

In the first two photos RSVP volunteer Elisa DiPietro and Youth Bureau employee Angela Barbeau assist the kids with their projects at the Senior Center on Bank St.

Ralph A. Golding, 20, of Darien, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest, bail jumping and unlawful possession of marijuana. Golding was arrested at 10:28 a.m. Friday at 1891 Sumner Road by State Police. Also charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, Darlene D. Mutter, 45, of Corfu. No further information available.

Luis A. Altache, 40, of 4385 Lockport Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Altache was stopped at 2:31 a.m Sunday by Deputy Howard Carlson in the Village of Elba for allegedly speeding.

Cory C. Sheffer, 19, of Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sheffer was arrested at 2:40 a.m. Saturday at 6163 N. Lake Road, Bergen. A 17-year-old from Bergen was also arrested by State Police. No further information available.

A local team of volunteers arrived back home safely Sunday evening after spending a week-end in NY city taking part in the Annual Don't Walk by Campaign held by Rescue Alliance.  This is a mission to rescue the homeless.

Pictured above is Jon Andre', Pastor Mark Perkins, Elder Ron DeMena, Dave Holnbec k, Clint Schrider, Paul and Bridget Ohlson along with their team leaders Dave and Patty Rower from Street Light Missison of Elizabeth New Jersey.

250 volunteers particpated in training Saturday afternoon at the Trinity Baptist church.

Robin Walters, PR Director of Care-A-Van with Juan Galloway of NY City Relief Bus.

The section of NY city to be searched Sat evening was the East Side. Our team along with one other team was given Grand Central Station.

Many of you have seen the Care-A-Van bus rolling in the streets of Batavia, but here it is pulling into Grand Central Station. The bus was used as an anchor station where the homelss  could be kept warm until one of the vans would arrive to pick them up to take them back to Trinity Baptist  the anchor church. Here they would receive a hot meal, a place to have a warm bed, and many services and organizations were there to help them get a new start in life off of the streets including drug and alcohol rehab programs.

While part of the team stayed with the bus, others headed off to search the floors of Grand Central.

Here is Pastor Mark with Eddy, a homeless vet. Eddy took up the offer to go back and have a hot meal and to see what other services he could benefit from.

Here is another one of our new friends that got a ride back on one of the vans. Jon Andre' got to pray with this young man and give him hope. He has been struggling the past 9 months on the streets and wants a new life.

Many asked us if we were afraid. There were plenty of security guards and police around the station that welcomed us with open arms.

Dave Rower of Street Light Mission , our team leader leads a man out of the station to the waiting rescue van.

It was a heartbreaking night. Not all of the homeless encountered wanted to go back.

There were 250 volunteers scouring the east side. 206 people were engaged, 80 homeless went back to the anchor church and 25 got assessed for additional services.

I sat down with a 30 year old gal, who was sitting outside Grand Central with a paper cup, trying to get change. She just wanted enough money to get on the subway to go to a friends home. Prayers were offered to all.

Jon Andre' and Bridget kept busy outside offering cookies and blankets to those that did not want to go back to the anchor church.

I just could not imagine being homeless. There was a woman that came onto the bus who had sandals on with socks with holes in it, a skirt and a flimsy jacket. Patty Rower our team leader from Street Mission encountered her on the bottom floor of the station and encourged her to come for a hot meal.

When you first entered the station on the top floor where a bar and restaraunt is, all seemed business as usual. but as you went floor by floor , we found many homeless people in need. Our pockets were lined with granola bars, cookies and information cards given to us at training to give to the homeless.

At the end of the evening, Paul Ohlson founder of Care-A-Van Ministries drove the bus through the traffic, back to our destination of Elizabeth, NJ.  He sure can manuever that bus even in NY city!

All in all, it was an sucessful night, searching for the lost. Each team member sponsored their own way to be able to go. Care-A-Van provided the transportation for the team. Our bus broke down twice! But with the help of our Lord and Clint and Jon and an awesome auto place in Bath, we were able to get there and be a blessing to  many.

A special thanks to Austin Bonds, Director of Outreach for New York City Relief Bus for helping organizing our trip out and being our host and helping us to get to the city to participate in the Annual Don't Walk by Campaign. Rescue Alliance depends of many other organizations churches and volunteers to help with this event. It was held for 5 week-ends.

We also got the opportunity to see New York City Relief Bus in action Friday night on one of their missions out.

I must say after meeting my new friend Diamond pictured above, I truly know I am right where God wants me, helping giving hope to others and sharing the good news of the gospel and continuing to write and encourage others to get  involved in their community. Diamond is a woman, who calls a hallway in an apartment complex her home.  She has serious health needs and will be going for surgery this week.  We may not have alot of homeless people here in Batavia, but we sure do have alot of people with many needs and alot who need love and encouragement from others.

God bless you all  and Keep the Light On!

Robin

PS.. You can see here heading to the streets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCMTjt7oCkE

A teen-age driver was cited today for allegedly moving from lane unsafely following a single-vehicle rollover accident on Bloomingdale Road in Alabama.

Maria McCracken, 18, of Albion, was not seriously injured after her car turned on its side in a water-filled ditch.

The accident was reported at 11:17 a.m.

McCracken's 1999 Saturn reportedly struck a small sign post, damaging the sign.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker.

There are unknown injuries following a one vehicle rollover accident on the Thruway at mile marker 401.

The vehicle turned over at least twice, according to multiple callers.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire being dispatched as well as an ALS unit from Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: All victims out of the car. No or very minor injuries. No ambulance transport anticipated.

City Fire is responding to a report of smoke coming from a house at 124 Bank St., Batavia.

UPDATE 7:50 p.m.: May be exhaust from a furnace. 

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: Engine 12, Ladder 15, back in service.

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Do you know this man? He's wanted by the Batavia Police as a suspect in a larceny at Alberty Drug Store on East Main Street, Batavia.

The incident occurred Wednesday about 6:30 p.m The suspect was last seen on foot heading toward Jackson Street.

No word on what he is suspected of stealing.

Anyone with information can contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.