Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is the Democrats' pick to run in the NY-26 special election.

Hochul was the unanimous pick of seven county Democratic chairs after interviews in Geneseo this afternoon, according to Lorie Longhany, Genesee County chair.

Longhany said Hochul was impressive in the interviews.

"I can’t wait for Genesee County voters and the rest of the district to get a chance to know Kathy," Longhany said. "I think people will be very pleased with Kathy's record."

Longhany praised Hochul for streamlining Department of Motor Vehicle  processes in Erie County during her term as clerk, "saving taxpayers time and money."

"We all decided that she is the candidate who can get things done in Washington," Longhany said.

The Republican candidate is Jane Corwin. Both David Bellevia and Jack Davis are attempting to secure enough signatures to get their names on the ballot.

UPDATE: In the initial post, we included a press release from Corwin's campaign but didn't jump this post. We now have a press release from Hochul's campaign.  Both press releases appear verbatim after the jump.

Corwin's campaign immediately attacked Hochul, releasing the following statement minutes after Hochul was announced as the Democratic pick.

Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress, issued the following statement today after Kathy Hochul was selected as the Democrat candidate for Congress in New York's 26th District:

"It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District. It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she’s their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of."

Press release from Hochul's campaign:

ERIE COUNTY - The Democratic County Chairs of Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties have unanimously nominated Kathy Hochul as the Democratic nominee for the May 24th special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.
 
After interviewing potential nominees one last time on Saturday, the County Chairs announced Hochul as their nominee in Geneseo. 
 
“I am running for Congress because I can do in Washington what I’ve done in Erie County – cut waste, hold down taxes, and help Western New York businesses create jobs for working families,” said Hochul.  “I am looking forward to meeting residents throughout the district, and sharing my plan to get people back to work and get our economy back on track.”
 
“Kathy Hochul has been a proven leader in Erie County and will work to support Western New York’s hard working families,” said Judith Hunter, Chair of the Livingston County Democratic Committee.  “She understands the struggles that businesses face and will work hard to help them grow and create jobs right here where it matters.”
 
Among her many accomplishments, Kathy has:
§  Created innovative new programs to get residents to renew their licenses and registrations locally – keeping much needed revenues here in Western New York instead of sending it to Albany,

§  Stood up to her own party and successfully fought Albany’s ill-conceived plan to mandate license plates, saving $129 million for motorists across the State, and

§  Initiated the effort to permanently remove burdensome tolls from the NYS thruway near Buffalo, saving millions for businesses and residents across the region.

A fully involved car fire has been reported off the I-490 at the Route 33 off-ramp.

Bergen Fire Department is responding.

A brush fire in a field is reported at 398 Knapp Road in Indian Falls. It is not near any structures.

Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: It is estimated that about one acre is on fire.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The fire chief says "the fire is out. Now we're putting out the burn pile."

A two-car motor-vehicle accident is reported in front of 596 East Main St. in the City of Batavia. Injuries are believed to be minor. It is blocking traffic.

Traffic is being rerouted.

City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: One minor injury is reported. Medics told to respond non-emergency mode. The roadway is reopened and traffic is being directed.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries has been reported at Main and Clay streets in the Village of Le Roy.

No word on the seriousness of the injuries.

Le Roy Fire Department and law enforcement are on scene. Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 11:41 a.m: Accident has been cleared. Roadway reopened.

Also, Darien Fire Department is working a minor injury accident on Countyline Road.

A pair of men from Holley were jailed after allegedly menacing a woman in Elba using their trucks and a gun.

Charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, which is a felony, menacing, 2nd, and reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child were William E. Grathouse, 37, of Holley-Byron Road, Holley, and Edwin D. Roniger Jr., 37, of East Lee Road, Holley.

According Deputy Matt Butler, at 7:40 p.m. Thursday, on North Byron Road, Elba, Grathouse and Roniger used their pickup trucks to try and block a car driven by a woman from proceeding north on North Byron Road.

Grathouse then allegedly drove his truck into her car and forced it off the road.

Grathouse also allegedly pointed a pistol at the woman while she was in her car.

Both men were jailed on $10,000 bail.

I've driven down Munson Street in Le Roy a couple of times. Somehow, I never before noticed these falls right by the BOCES campus.

On Cole Road.

Route 5 near Nelesville Nilesville Road, Stafford.

Morganville Road, Stafford.

So I hear, a lot of people were slowing down and taking a second look at a house on Morganville Road in Stafford today, wondering why all of the homeowner's Christmas blow-up decorations were out. Apparently, it's an annual spring rite -- drying out the inflatable lawn ornaments.

The Batavia Ramparts won their first round game this afternoon against the host Maine Huskies in a championship tournament under way at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.

The Ramparts, who out shot the Huskies 30-9, won 4-2.

The Huskies scored a late goal, according to John Zola.

Richie Francis notched a hat trick and Joey Saraceni added another goal and had an assist. Will VanAuken had two assists.

Tomorrow, the Ramparts play two games -- one each against the teams for Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If they make it into the top two seeds of their bracket, they'll play a semi-final game Sunday morning. The championship game is Sunday afternoon.

Lights were dimming for the beginning of dress rehearsal when I took this picture -- it's of the poster for Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School's 2011 musical production, "Little Shop of Horrors."

Based on the Broadway rock musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, "Little Shop" is the story of a shy, nervous store clerk who dreams of finding a way out of the lousy job and circumstances he's stuck in, a young girl with low self-worth and an abusive boyfriend, and a plant that talks, sings and eats people.

This is the latest performance in a district known for its high standards for school musicals. Le Roy has been selected as one of the top 100 communities for music education in the country on multiple occasions, according to Bradley Meholick, director of music for the district.

He attributes this honor to the high level of dedication on the part of students, staff, administrators and parents, all working together in support of music in the schools.

Directed by Batavia High School graduate Jackie McLean, who teaches general music and chorus in the Le Roy schools, "Little Shop" stars students in grades nine through 12, with seventh- through 12th-graders in the crew and in the orchestra (aka "the pit").

Meholick, who is also the orchestra director for the show, describes it as witty and having a "soul feel to it (as far as the music goes)."

"The music is '50's style, but in this version it's freshened up a bit," he said. "The general style resembles '50's doo-wop, but there's a little bit of everything -- even some rock and R&B."

Senior Stephen Rudman, who plays Seymour, says this is a "real upbeat, great show."

"It has plenty of fun interaction between the characters that people of all ages will love," he said. "And the plants are just great."

The "plants" he referred to are part of a unique and innovative feature of this performance. Four puppets will be used to portray Seymour's man-eating plant, which grows with each person it eats. Meholick said that the puppets being used are of the same make and type as those used in the original Broadway performance.

The first and smallest of the "plant puppets" is pictured below. In the first picture, Seymour (Rudman) begs it to grow so that he can finally attract customers to the store in which he works; in the next two photos, the plant sprouts up and opens its mouth, in that order.

All four puppets are operated by puppeteer Kaleb Miller, a student at Le Roy Jr./Sr. High whom McLean describes as "very talented."

"We always try to give the audience something big to look forward to," Meholick said. "A couple years ago we did 'Beauty and the Beast' (which had scenes where the characters flew), and we hired a company to come in and fly the actors around the stage. Last year we did 'Curtains,' and we actually had one of the leads from the Broadway performance come and work with the kids."

Not only does "Little Shop" have yet another "something big" to give to its audience, it also presents some unique challenges and opportunities to the actors -- perhaps especially to Jake Bortle, who provides the voice of the plant.

Bortle, a senior, has been in Le Roy Jr./Sr. High musicals since seventh grade, and this is the first time he has done something like this.

"It's a complete change for me as an actor," Bortle said. "It's been a challenge having to act without using my body and to coordinate what I'm saying with what Kaleb is doing. But we work well together." 

In spite of the challenges, these young actors have been able to deliver what Meholick called "the cleanest performance to date."

"The kids have been prepared earlier than ever before, and they've been very motivated. And I think the result is going to be one of our finest productions."

McLean, who has been heavily involved in school and community theater for years, agreed totally with this assessment.

"The kids are awesome," she said. "With two weeks to develop their characters, they've been very professional -- more so than most young people with whom I've worked in the past. It's phenomenal."

"I'm hoping people in the audience forget it's kids putting on this show once it's over," Meholick said.

Senior Brogan O'Halloran, student conductor of the show's orchestra, echoed this sentiment.

"I think the community will be proud of its students and the hard work and talent they show," she said. "We're happy to be part of this musical."

Here are a couple more photos of the actors on stage:

PICS FROM THE PIT

Showtimes for "Little Shop" are tonight at 7:30 p.m., and tomorrow (March 19) at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. All performances are in the high school auditorium, at 9300 South St. Road in Le Roy. Tickets are $10 (flat fee) at the door and $8 presale.

For more information on tickets, click here.

Press Release:

WILLIAMSVILLE - Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy issued the following statement after learning that Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is running for Congress in New York’s 26th Congressional District: 

“Statewide Democrats aren’t the only ones concerned about Kathy Hochul running for Congress; Western New York taxpayers are too because she has spent her long political career raising taxes and fees. While Jane Corwin has spent 36 years in the private sector helping to create jobs, career politician Kathy Hochul has spent her life doing everything she can to advance her own political career.

“We welcome Kathy Hochul to the race and look forward to hearing her explain why she’s repeatedly voted to grow government and raise taxes and fees on hard working Western New Yorkers.”

Hochul has yet to declare her candidacy for the special election to replace Chris Lee, the married, former Republican representative who quit his seat after apparently being caught trolling Craigslist for dates.

The Democrats' county chairs from the NY-26 meet tomorrow in Geneseo to interview several potential candidates. The Democrats are expected to name their candidate within the following week.

Hochul, county clerk in Erie County, took out papers this week in order to legally accept campaign donations.

Recently, Hochul made headlines leading opposition to a proposed statewide license fee on bicycles. Eventually, Queens Assemblyman Michael DenDekker withdrew the proposal.

UPDATE: WGRZ is reporting that it's a done deal, that the seven Democratic County chairs will announce on Sunday their endorsement of Hochul and that Hochul will officially announce her candidacy on Monday.

Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy says the Democratic party has been playing a game with its nomination process, knowing all along that Hochul was going to be its candidate if she wanted to run for the seat.

Nick Langworthy: "This is a charade, it's a machination, they've known from the beginning that she's their candidate if she wants to run, but they're using this quirk in the law allowing her to take double the amount of special interest money that she normally would."

According to WGRZ, that by waiting until 12 days after the governor called the election, she will be able to accept as much as $5,000 (two separate maximum $2,500 donations) from the same individual.

A 26-year-old Le Roy resident is accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Rochester, the Democrat & Chronicle reports.

Matthew Norstrand is facing a felony charge charged of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor.

Norstrand is accused of striking and killing Richard Strapp, 41, of Rochester, at the intersection of Alexander and East Main streets at 10:45 p.m., Saturday.

Strapp, who was walking in a crosswalk, died at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Later that night, Norstrand allegedly flagged down a police officer outside Johnny's Pub on Culver Road and claimed his car was stolen.

The car was later found on Stunz Street.

Norstrand was jailed on $20,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Rochester City Court on March 23.

Veshuan Dequise Thomas, 33, of East Bethany-Le Roy Road in Bethany, was arrested at 12:43 a.m. this morning and charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief, 4th. He was arraigned in Bethany Town Court, where he is to appear at a later date, and jailed in lieu of $1,500 bail. The suspect was involved in a domestic incident wherein he allegedly choked and struck his girlfriend, then damaged a telephone when she tried to call 9-1-1 for help. A stay-away order to protect the girfriend was issued. The case was investigated by deputies Howard Carlson and Frank Bordonaro.

Three Erie County residents who worked at the Federal Detention Facility on Federal Drive in Batavia are being accused of selling anabolic steroids in violation of federal law.

It's not clear if the men were allegedly selling steroids at the facility or elsewhere.

UPDATE: The men are not accused of selling to prisoners.

Charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute anabolic steroids, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of anabolic steroids were Richard Eldridge, 35, of West Seneca, and Michael Trautmann, 48, of Cheektowaga.

Richard Lazzaro, 39, of Cheektowaga, is charged with possession with intent to distribute, and distribuiton of anabolic steroids.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine of $500,000 or both.

Eldridge and Trautmann allegedly engaged in the sales and distribution from Oct. 13 to Nov. 30, 2010.

According to the indictment, they are suspected of distributing nandrolone deconoate, oxymetholone and oxandrolone.

Lazzaro is accused of distributing testosterone enathate, boldenone undecylenate, testosterone propionate and methandrostanolone in January.

Eldridge is an immigration enforcement agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Trautmann and Lazzaro were detention officers working as federal contract employees.

The indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory Null.

Good times once again in Downtown Batavia for St. Patrick's Day. I stopped by Center Street Smoke House -- where McMahon Dance School students performed traditional Irish dances -- and O'Lacy's, and then one more quick stop at Center Street on the way back to the office.

Prints of these pictures available for purchase by clicking here.

More pictures after the jump:

A program to benefit Genesee County's military veterans is in the works. It will computerize discharge papers filed with the Clerk's Office. It will also provide money-saving opportunities for veterans at participating businesses when they show their photo ID card.

Dubbed "Return the FAVOR" (Find & Assist Vets of Record), it began about two years ago in Putnam County and since then has been implemented in about a dozen counties statewide.

Currently, Genesee County stores the record of discharge papers, called Form DD-214, on paper only. Veterans voluntarily submit their DD-214 to the clerk of record in their community as a safeguard procedure so it can be replaced if need be or replicated.

In a few months, the paper trail comes to a virtual end and the data goes online.

"Paper is fragile," said Clerk Don Read.

Not mention inefficient and cumbersome to keep up to date. The county probably has about 30,000 gun permits archived since 1934 when permits were first issued. But how many are active, valid permits is unknown.

Those who have implemented "Return the FAVOR" rave about what a good idea it is, Read said.

David Bellavia -- a highly decorated combat veteran petitioning to run as an independent for Congress in New York's 26th District -- issued a press release today thanking Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul for bringing "Return the FAVOR" to that county.

He praised her leadership in the program, which he termed "an appreciated salute to veterans," adding that it should be a statewide standard.

(His kind words are perhaps notable because Hochul is widely regarded as the likely Democrat canidate in the 26th District and will be a Bellavia opponent if he makes the ballot. Bellavia recently launched a petition drive to get on the ballot.)

Read said his office looked into providing "Return the FAVOR" here last year but the cost was prohibitive. The computer software and plastic ID cards, etc., was estimated to cost $30,000 and that money was not in the budget.

But last fall, the county negotiated with a computer company which was contracted to begin computerizing records of pistol permits on Jan. 1. They found out the company could also do the veterans record/ID card program using the same tools employed for pistol permits at, according to Read, no additional cost.

"The first thing is to perfect the pistol-permit program," Read said, adding that his office is looking at a launch date of May 1 and the veterans program would begin sometime afterward.

"We are contacting officials and asking how they would like the (new) pistol permit to be formatted," Read said.

County Judge Robert C. Noonan heads up the Handgun and Pistol Permit Program. District Attorney Lawrence Friedman is also being consulted along with law enforcement.

"This will benefit the Sheriff's Office because deputies will be able to access the database on our Web site," Read said. "When they are going to an address, they can find out who has a pistol permit and what kind of weapons they have before they get there."

Regarding "Return the FAVOR," Read said they are communicating with other counties to possibly extend the discount benefits across county lines. For example, a veteran with an ID card from Genesee County could get a dinner deal at a participating restaurant in Erie or Wyoming County.

The estimated cost to the veteran applicant at the Clerk's Office would be a one-time fee in the $5 to $10 range.

Read said his office plans to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans Service Agency to get businesses to support the discounts-for-veterans program.

But since the Veterans Service Agency lost a full-time worker due to budget cuts,  Read said he expects his office will have to do more of the "ground work."

The Sprout Film Festival will be held this Saturday, March 19, at Batavia High School. It showcases films by and about people with disabilities.

Anthony DiSalvo, the director of Sprout, from New York City, will be the host. It is sponsored by Genesee County ARC.

Showings are at 2:30 and again at 6 p.m. The event is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

There will also be raffles and Sprout merchandise for sale. Concessions will be available from Friends for the Future.

Also, at 2:25 p.m. Genesee County ARC will be recognized with a Spotlight Award for March from GO ART!

The high school is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

UPDATED: Here's the lineup of movies, and their time length, to be shown at the Sprout Film Festival.

Program One -- 2:30 p.m.

"Be My Brother" -- 7 mins.

"King of Camp" -- 42 mins.

"Hands Away" -- 3 mins.

"Sheri and Paul" -- 11 mins.

"Street Anthem" -- 3 mins.

"Rudely Interrupted" -- 9 mins.

"Close My Eyes" -- 2 1/2 mins.

"Dreams" -- 4 mins.

"How Do I Feel About That?" -- 2 mins.

Program Two -- 6 p.m.

"Beyond Brothers" -- 20 mins.

"Jimmy" -- 2 mins.

"The Other Child" -- 13 mins.

"Dancing with Downs" -- 8 mins.

"Cocktails with Ben" -- 11 mins.

"Fathers' Voices" -- 14 mins.

"How's Your News? On the Campaign Trail" -- 27 mins.

A man was stuck in a rented power lift about 75 feet in the air. He came down a few minutes ago. No problems now. Safe to say on this clear and sunny day, he had a dang good view of the countryside.

He called dispatch to tell them of his plight at 8701 Hartshorn Road in East Pembroke. We guess he was working on some wires. (Turns out, it was a tree.)

East Pembroke Fire Department was called along with Town of Batavia for mutual aid, but the problem with the rig apparently was fixed before crews could arrive. Law enforcement was there.

The rental company was called. The man told dispatch that the machine just shut down -- that maybe it needed a new switch. Of course, it's difficult to diagnose when you're several stories off the ground.

No word on how the machine became operable again.

A 25-year-old Batavia resident accused of biting a police sergeant will take his case to a jury.

Donald F. Stillwagon II, of 142 Pearl St., charged with a assault in the second degree, appeared in Genesee County Court today to either accept or reject a plea offer from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman.

The offer, six months "shock probation" -- a short time in jail followed by a term of probation. The alternative, if convicted by a jury, is a possible seven-year stint in state prison.

Judge Robert C. Noonan made it clear that after today there will be no chance for Stillwagon to accept a negotiated plea. Stillwagon said he understood that.

Stillwagon is accused of biting Sgt. John Peck, Batavia PD, in the arm after Peck arrived at his house in response to a domestic disturbance.

Reportedly, a male there was choking another person, which prompted the police response. The alleged incident occurred Oct. 1.

Peck sustained a minor injury and was treated and released at UMMC.

The trial date is April 18.

Joshua A. Harris, 21, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, criminal trespass, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, and two counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Harris was wanted on several accusations of criminal contempt for allegedly failing to obey an order of protection. Harris was taken into custody by Officer Chris Camp at 5:50 p.m., Wednesday. Harris was reportedly found hiding in a basement at a residence on Oak Street.

Christopher W. Cummings, 31, of 21 Old Meadow Lane, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cummings is accused of having physical contact with another person in a parking lot at 419 West Main St., at 12:35 p.m., Tuesday.