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Photos: Loose geese on Britt Road

By Howard B. Owens

When I turned onto Britt Road (Le Roy), I spotted two women wading through knee-deep water in a field seemingly herding three geese.

It turns out that Sid, Sally and Sandy had escaped their pen and decided to go for a swim. Shannon Yauchzee and daughter Kari had to go into the cold, swampy field and round up the wayward fowl.

GCEDC sets annual meeting for Friday at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee County Economic Development Center will host its annual meeting at Genesee Community College at noon on Friday.

There will be a performance review for fiscal year 2010 and the strategic goals for 2011 will be discussed.

The public is welcome. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer will be in attendance along with Tom Kucharski, president and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Mark Peterson, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, Mary Pat Hancock, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature, and Steve Hyde, president and CEO of GCEDC.

Lady Lancers end season in Letchworth

By Howard B. Owens

Scoring droughts in the second and fourth quarters proved the Lady Lancers' undoing Monday night in Letchworth as Elba dropped a western regional playoff game to Whitesville, 50-40.

Elba jumped out to an early lead and played with confidence in the first quarter, but by the half -- after scoring only one basket in the first half of the second quarter -- was down 17-29.

With a fast start in the third quarter, Elba managed to briefly tie the game and ended the third down by one, 34-35.

Using a combination of fast breaks and defensive control of the boards, Whiteville (20-3) dominated the fourth quarter, however, to end Elba's season at 19-4.

Jamie Marshall had 8 points, Meg Stucko 8, McKenzie Bezon 7, and Marissa Pangrazio 6.

More pictures after the jump. To purchase these pictures, click here.

Grand Jury Report: Woman faces 25 counts for using stolen gift cards

By Billie Owens

The following indictments were issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Deanna Leach is indicted on 25 counts. Of those, 19 are for forgery, 2nd, a class D felony. Five are for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. And one is for falsifying business records, 1st, a class E felony.

She is accused of illegally using gift/debit cards valued at $50 each at a store in the Village of Le Roy on or about Jan. 6, 15, 21, 26 and on about Feb. 7 and 21, all in 2010.

As for the petit larcenies, she is accused of stealing gift/debit cards from the same store on multiple occasions.

Lastly, she is accused of falsifying business records at the same store by not making "a true entry in the business record" that a gift/debit card had been activated.

David W. Wells is indicted on two counts, both class E felonies. He is accused of driving his Chevy Silverado while intoxicated on or about Sept. 17 on Byron Holley Road in the Town of Byron. He is also accused of aggrevated driving while intoxicated, with a BAC of .18. He was convicted of DWI in August in the Town Court of Bergen.

John T. Reagan is indicted on one count of driving while intoxicated, a class E felony. He is accused of driving his Audi while intoxicated on or about Aug. 27 on Sumner Road in the Town of Darien.

James Kosiorek is indicted for assault, 2nd, a class D felony, stemming from an incident on or about Oct. 13 in the Village of Le Roy. He is accused of intending to cause serious physical injury to another person and then causing serious injury to that person by means of a dangerous instrument (which in this case was his sneakers).

Peter S. Brigzna is indicted for driving while intoxicated, a class E felony. He is accused of driving his Ford Tempo on Bank Street Road in the Town of Byron while intoxicated on or about Nov. 12.

Schumer visits Batavia's American Legion to announce fast-track plans for new cemetery

By Howard B. Owens

After years of indecision, it's time to put the construction of a new veterans' cemetery in Western New York on the fast track and Genesee County is the perfect place to build it, said Sen. Charles Schumer today at a press conference inside Batavia's American Legion Hall.

Schumer called on Gen. Eric Shinseki, secretary of veterans affairs, to set a hard and fast deadline for construction to begin and to appoint a regional ombudsman to move the process along.

"The purpose is twofold -- to get it done quickly and to have local input from our veterans' groups," Schumer said.

There are 200,000 veterans in Western New York -- representing a proud tradition of service, said Schumer -- and they and their families deserve a cemetery closer than Bath, which is more than an hour from Batavia.

"Families shouldn't have to drive 75 miles to see a loved ones simply because you want to give them a proper burial in a veterans' cemetery," Schumer said.

"If you looked at all the veterans in Western New York and dropped pins on a map, and you had to find the middle, it would be here, in Genesee County."

In January, the Veterans Administration announced it had narrowed its range of possible locations to the Batavia area. The VA is looking for a suitable 200-acre location and a willing seller.

Schumer said the role of the ombudsman will be to act as a liaison between the local veterans' groups and the VA, enabling the groups to make one or two site selection recommendations to the VA and then moving the process along quickly.

The ombudsman should be someone all of the veterans' groups respect and can work with, Schumer said.

"I will bird-dog this until we make sure a veterans' cemetery is built."

Photos: Amish loggers on South Main Road

By Howard B. Owens

George and Barb Galliford of Batavia own some property on the banks of the Tonawanda Creek along South Main Road and are planning a new house there. It will be a BOCES project starting in September, but the timber needs to be cleared from the land. This morning, two Amish men from Fillmore were harvesting the trees using their horse-drawn carriage to haul the logs up the bank to the side of the road. (Thanks to an alert reader for letting us know.)

College search committee names four finalists for presidency

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release sent today from Genesee Community College.

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee today named four finalist candidates for the Genesee presidency.

They are:

(1) Brent E. Betit is currently executive vice president and provost of Landmark College in Vermont. He has held various positions at Landmark since 1995. He has also owned and managed his own businesses.

Betit has a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from Dartmouth and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif. He will visit campus on Monday, March 21.

(2) Ronald G. Cantor is currently sssociate vice president and dean at Mohawk Valley Community College in Central New York where he has been since 2004. Previously he was associate dean for Liberal Arts at Jefferson Community College. He has held other positions in various institutions.

Cantor has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, an M.Ed. from the University of Nebraska, and a Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Education/History from Syracuse University. He will visit campus on Thursday, March 24.

(3) Natalie J. Harder has been vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation in Virginia since 2006. Previously she was executive director of the Erie Community College Foundation and was associated with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

She has a bachelor's degree in Economics from SUNY Buffalo, an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. She will visit campus on Tuesday, March 22.

(4) James M. Sunser is vice president for Continuing and Extended Learning at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. Previously he was vice president of Finance at Onondaga where he has been since 1989.

He was associate bursar at Syracuse University from 1985 to 1989. Sunser has an A.A.S. from Onondaga Community College, a bachelor's degree in Communications from Syracuse University, an M.S. from SUNY Brockport, and an Ed.D. from the University of Rochester. He will visit campus on Friday, March 25.

These finalist selections mean that the search for Genesee's fourth president is nearing a close.

The new president will replace Stuart Steiner, Ed.D, who will retire at the close of the current academic year. He has served as Genesee Community College president since 1975. He arrived at Genesee prior to the opening of the college in 1967 as dean of students. He later served as dean of instruction/executive dean of the college. He is believed to be the second-longest serving community college president in the United States.

An 11-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee conducted a national search last fall that produced a roster of 42 prospective candidates for the position. After reviewing the qualifications and experience of the candidates, the committee identified 13 candidates for intensive review, including detailed reference checks. The committee then conducted confidential interviews with eight of the candidates, from which the four finalists emerged.

Members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee include: Diane D. Torcello, secretary of the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees and search committee chair; Michael A. Crittenden, professor of Physics; Norbert J. Fuest, human resources manager, Morton International, Inc.; Norman R. Gayford, professor of English; Ada K. Grabowski, retired superintendent of schools, Albion Central School District; Laurie J. Miller, trustee; Glenn R. Morton, trustee; Lori A. Mould, student trustee; Michael S. Stoll, associate vice president for Academic Affairs/dean of Math, Science and Career Education; Raymond J. Strzelecki, building maintenance supervisor; and Charles N. Zambito, Genesee County attorney.

Ex-officio (non-voting) members include Robert J. Bausch, Genesee County legislator and liaison to the board of trustees and Charles R. Ruffino, chair of the board of trustees. Aimee Bernstein and Denise Bukovan of the State University of New York assisted the search committee.

When the four finalists visit the college the week of March 21, each candidate spending a full day on campus, meeting faculty, staff, community residents and members of the board of trustees. The board of trustees hopes to name Genesee's fourth president shortly after the visits.

Search committee Chair Torcello said the committee was pleased by the number and quality of candidates for the position.

"We searched across the nation to identify candidates we believe will best embrace the traditions and values of Genesee Community College," she said. "We believe that our four finalists represent the top tier of emerging community college leaders in the United States, and we believe that each of these four candidates would be an outstanding president.

"We believe our next president will build on Dr. Steiner's extraordinary legacy, and lead Genesee Community College in meeting the new and exciting challenges of the decades ahead."

Police Beat: Driver accused of plowing through yards on Seven Springs Road

By Howard B. Owens

Wade D. Godlove, 47, of 5733 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and moving from lane unsafely. Godlove was allegedly observed by Deputy Howard Carlson at 1:44 a.m., Friday, driving through the front yards of houses on Seven Springs Road, knocking down mailboxes, a street sign and a fire hydrant. Godlove's car eventually returned to the roadway, according to Carlson's report, and continued on Seven Springs to Route 5. Godlove was stopped by Carlson on Route 5 near Fargo Road.

Bernard Lee  Evans, 40, of 12 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny. Evans is accused of stealing a car from a person he knew. The vehicle was recovered. Evans was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Jodi Mae Coe, 35, of Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Coe is accused of pawning stolen property at the Pawn King on Veterans Memorial Drive.

Javier Eduardo Ocana-Reyes, 30, no address listed, is charged with illegal entry. Ocana-Reyes was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Estaban Mata Martinez, 30, no address lsited, is charged with illegal entry. Martinez was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Theodore P. Boylan, 18, of 32 Elm St. Le Roy, is charged with criminal nuisance, 2nd. Boylan is accused of hosting an underage drinking party Saturday at his residence.

Photos: Town of Batavia Fire Department's 2011 awards and installation dinner

By Howard B. Owens

David Tran, center, was named Town of Batavia's Firefighter of the Year at the fire department's annual awards and officer installation banquet Saturday night at the fire hall on Lewiston Road.

Left is Robert Hunt, outgoing chief, and right is Randy McIntire, the new chief.

Colleen McIntire received the President's Award.

In 2010, the department responded to 289 alarms. The top five responders were Robert Mullen (208), Nate Fix (195), Dave Tran (191), Joe Avino (176) and Ben Fisher (158).

Published pictures are available for purchase by clicking here.

More pictures after the jump:

Steve Mullen, 20-year member of the department and sergeant in the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, was master of ceremonies.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley swore in the 2011 officers.

Charter Member Earl Dorman was honored for his 63 years of service and support of the department.

Robert Tripp receives a corporate award from VP Steve Coburn.

Weather: Snow slows, floods wane

By Howard B. Owens

Both the winter weather advisory and the flood warning for Genesee County have been canceled by the National Weather Service.

Above, portion of a barn with old farm implements on Main Road in Stafford.

Cars slides off road, strikes tree on eastbound 490

By Billie Owens

A car slid off the roadway and struck a tree on eastbound Route 490 near milemarker 2.0. There is reportedly a leg injury.

Bergen and Le Roy fire and ambulance are called to the scene. State Police are there now.

Chimney fire reported in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 9025 Alleghany Road, Corfu.

The fire appears to be contained just to the chimney with no extension into walls.

Corfu Fire Department is on scene.

The original dispatch included Darien, East Pembroke, Akron, Crittenden and Elba along with City of Batavia's Fast Team, but because of road conditions, Corfu's chief requested most mutual aid departments held in quarters.

Mercy EMS is responding nonemergency.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: All mutual aid units back in service. The fire is out.


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Possible barn fire reported at Lamb Farms in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A possible barn fire has been reported at Lamb Farms, 6880 Albion Road, Oakfield.

The caller was a passerby who said she could see smoke and flames from one of the back barns.

All Oakfield units dispatched, Alabama and Elba dispatched mutual aid. East Pembroke to standby in Oakfield's hall.

UPDATE 10:26 p.m.: Oakfield chief reports there is no fire. All units back in service.


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Taste of New York expected to be another big hit

By Brittany Baker

If the March 26 Taste of New York is anything like the previous Brew Fest, it should be certainly be a fun time.

“Last year there were people who were having so much fun they didn’t want to leave,” Sue Bobo said.

As part of the planning committee, she expects the night to be as popular as the first wine, beer and local food sampling fundraiser in 2010.

After the Brew Fest provided about 250 guests with an enjoyable evening of mingling with friends and tastings from a few local hot spots, planners at Holy Family School are excited to bring the event back.

“We hope for more this year, a lot of people were really excited to get their tickets," Bobo said. "If they came last year, they’re happy to do it again but there’s a lot of people who heard how much fun it was and would like to give it a try this year."

Tickets cost $20 each or $15 for designated drivers. With the admission ticket, beverage tickets are given to sample wine and beer. Based on sobriety, more beverage tickets will be available for purchase.

The night will start with tasting from 7-10 p.m. and there will be entertainment from 8-11 p.m. by the Le Royan band called Exit 47. Raffles and door prizes will be given throughout the evening.

All funds raised will go to support Holy Family School.

Arna Tygart helped plan the event last year because she has two children enrolled at Holy Family. She spoke highly of the staff at the small school.

“Everyone goes above and beyond for the students,” she said. “The school is wonderful. The principal, secretaries and teachers are all so welcoming. You could go in and eat lunch with your child and celebrate birthday parties and you feel like you’re walking in to family.”

Most businesses which participated will be returning because they liked being able to meet and greet local customers.

"It was a huge success," Tygart said. "We had so many good responses and so much great feedback. Someone even said it could be the best kept secret in Genesee County!"

Photos: Muckdogs Annual Hotstove Dinner

By Howard B. Owens

Baseball, believe it or not, is just around the corner, and right on schedule, the booster club for the Batavia Muckdogs hosted its annual hot stove dinner and auction at the Batavia Party House.

More than 200 people were on hand for dinner and both a silent auction and a live auction with auctioneer Todd Jantzi of Bontrager's (below).

The booster club presented a donation to the Michael Napoleone Foundation. Above, accepting the check from Shirley Fanara, right, are Laurie Napoleone, center, and Ann Marie Suttell, president of the foundation.

More pictures after the jump:

Travis Sick, Muckdogs general manager.

Brian Paris, president of the ownership group.

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