This information was provided by the GCEDC:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced the launch of www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org -- a website to help residents and businesses conserve energy and lower utility bills.

It provides connections to rebates and incentives, educational resources, tips to manage energy consumption and find local contractors, plus it features helpful interactive tools.

A monthly newsletter with this information will also be available to residents who wish to provide their e-mail addresses on the website.

www.GreenGeneseeCounty.org will highlight local energy efficient initiatives and county news and events related to energy conservation. This includes a study on the feasibility and challenges of developing wind-power projects on six GCEDC parcels.

“Genesee County has been active in its efforts to improve its environmental performance and energy efficiency, said Christopher Suozzi of the GDEDC. "Green Genesee County supports this approach by giving our community easy access to a website, e-newsletter, and 'Ask the Expert' resources to help residents, businesses and not-for-profit organizations save money on their utility bills."

The website was developed through a partnership with Blue Springs Energy, a company that assists organizations, local governments and individuals to access clean and renewable energy grants, incentives and credits and find local green services and products.

“Blue Springs Energy is proud to support Genesee County’s efforts to help its community save money on their energy bills and help the environment,” said Larry Simpson, president of Blue Springs Energy.

“There are numerous clean energy grants and incentives available from federal, state, and utility sources, but most are difficult to find and access. The Green Genesee County website and newsletter provides useful information so that residents and businesses can take action."

Liberty Pumps, Inc., has been named among the nation's fastest-growing, privately held companies for the fourth-straight year by "Inc. Magazine."

The manufacturing firm is located at 7000 Appletree Ave. in Bergen.

The publication released its "5,000 list" earlier this month. Businesses are rated based on total sales growth over the last three calendar years.

Liberty Pumps grew 23 percent during that time, to an annual revenue of $33 million, according to the magazine.

The company's management is modest about its performance.

Says its President Charlie Cook:

"Our formula for success is not exotic or complicated, but its execution is critical and strenuous. There are four elements to the formula: creation of products with unique, innovative features that are not available from competitors; maintaining a level of responsiveness and customer service that is unmatched in our industry; benchmark-level sales and marketing presence in terms of attention to customers and quality of materials for advertising and display; and great, dedicated people throughout the organization who are committed to excel in these elements."

He also noted that the formula is reflected in an annual strategic plan, which is created by a consensus of all department managers after a thorough review of a considerable amount of data.

"It is extremely gratifying to observe people at every level in every department so committed to giving customers the best products, service and support possible," said Cook in a news release.

David S. Hare, 38, of 5236 Cotton Road, Silver Springs, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Hare was charged following a report of a man entering a residence at 2:12 a.m. today in the area of Route 63 and Batavia-Stafford Townline Road, Batavia. The suspect reportedly broke the door to gain entrance to the house. He then reportedly drove from the scene. Hare was  found by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello a short distance from the house where his car had driven off the road. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeffrey L. Upchurch, 46, of Butler Drive, Bristol, Tenn., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and unsafe lane change. Upchurch was arrested following a report of a truck driver and a companion leaving Red Osier on Route 5 in Stafford at 7 p.m., Friday, after being refused service. Upchurch reportedly got into a semi-truck that didn't have a trailer. His truck reportedly hit a tree as he pulled from the parking lot. Upchurch was reportedly found driving his truck on Route 5 just west of the city line by Deputy Matt Butler. Upchurch was jailed on $2,000 bail. (Initial Report)

Jon D. Smith, 28, and Sylvia L. Smith, 25, of 5 Prune St., Batavia, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The Smiths were allegedly found on Thursday by officer Kevin DeFelice to be keeping their children living in substandard conditions.

Philip R. Ayala, 25, of 732 W. Bridges Ave., Auburndare, Fla., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ayala was charged following a traffic stop on Bank Street on Thursday by Office Marc Lawrence.

Carrie L. Jackson, 32, of 3 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Jackson is accused of sending threatening text messages to a male acquaintance.

Frankie Lee Brumsted, 19, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Brumsted is accused of hosting an underage drinking party at a residence on Batavia-Bethany Townline Road.

Michael S. Colombo, 30, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Colombo was stopped by State Police at 8:26 p.m., Saturday, on Route 33 in Stafford.

Eric J. Flowers, 25, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Flowers was arrested by State Police at 4:13 p.m., Thursday. No further details provided.

A two-car accident with minor injuries has been reported in the area of 622 Genesee St., Corfu.

Darien Fire and Ambulance dispatched.

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The Town of Oakfield held a Majestic Lights in the Park on Sunday with 42 families lighting trees in memory of loved ones who have passed.

A multi-car accident with one possible injury has been reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 390.1.

That's near the Batavia exit.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: The westbound passing lane is being shut down. Below is a map of traffic taken about 5:35 p.m. from Google Maps. Google gathers data from mobile phones with Google Maps GPS enabled to track traffic patterns. The accident is three cars with one apparent minor injury.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: Photo at the top from Thruway web cam.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries has been reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway in the area of mile marker 394.4.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: There's two accidents in the area, one involving two cars mentioned above, and a three-car pileup near 395.6 in the eastbound lane. No word on injuries.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: No injuries at the two-car accident. There is heavy traffic moving at 20 mph or less and crews are finding it slow going to reach the scenes.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: At least one injury, a neck injury, reported at the three-car accident.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: East Pembroke, back in service.

A car is off the road in the median on the Thruway near mile marker 398.

Unknown injuries.

East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:59 p.m.: No injuries. Traffic is heavily backed up in the westbound lanes. There also appears to be another car off the road in the area.

A car has struck a deer around mile marker 381 in the westbound lane of the Thruway.

The driver requests evaluation for windshield glass in the face.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance responding.

UPDATE: Chief puts the responding engine back in service. Only minor injuries. Ambulance on scene.

A dump truck and an SUV slid off Route 63 south of Galloway Road yesterday in separate accidents that were only moments apart.

One person in the SUV reported a minor injury, but did not require transport to a hospital.

The driver of the dump truck was not injured after it slid off the snow-covered, wind-blown roadway and flipped on its side on the embankment.

Both drivers were cited for alleged violations related to their tires.

The accidents were reported at 9 a.m.

The dump truck was driven by Kevin E. Andrews, 35, of Allegheny Road, Basom. It is owned by PSI Disposal of Corfu.

The SUV was driven by Rebecca M. Lang, 21, of Bartz Drive, Alexander. She was also cited for alleged unsafe speed for conditions.

Lang's passengers included an infant and 34-year-old Charles D. Bucci.

Lang's vehicle slid off the roadway and struck the back of Andrews' overturned dump truck.

The dump truck was fully loaded at the time. No word on how long it took crews to get it upright again.

(initial report)

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on the Thruway in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 378.4.

Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

Traffic is getting backed up.

UPDATE (11:35 a.m.): One person is being transported to Strong hospital in Rochester. Another person is being transported to Lakeside hospital in Brockport.

An Alexander couple were arrested today for allegedly engaging in a sex act in a public place.

The pair was reported to the Sheriff's Office by security personnel with a business on Veteran's Memorial Drive after they were allegedly witnessed engaged in sexual activity at 4:11 p.m.

Charged with public lewdness were Kelly Anne Brown, 34, and Karl James Hulshoff, 34, both of Broadway Road in Alexander.

Brown and Hulshoff were allegedly engaged in a sex act in a parked car in the vicinity of 4180 Veterans Memorial Drive.

They were arrested by Deputy James Diehl and released on an appearance ticket.

Here are three pictures from the a late afternoon drive through Le Roy/Bethany/Pavilion.

Above, Oakta Creek near Creek Road and Le Roy-Bethany Townline Road. Below, two barns on Le Roy-Bethany Townline Road.

Ed Minardo, director of Genesee Justice, sent along the following e-mail to help clarify Genesee Justice funding and the budget situation.

We submitted our initial 2011 budget to the County Manager which called for a total appropriation of $697,418.

This appropriation accounted for our salary and fringe benefits for employees, contractual obligations and other expenses for the operation of our offender services, victim services and the Justice for Children Advocacy Center (JFCAC).

Due to the nature of our grants, $41,890 of the appropriation included rent and utilities for our occupancy at 14 W. Main St., a County building. This is used to demonstrate the County’s share of its in-kind contribution to match grant funds, and is not an actual County expenditure.

In 2011, we are due to receive $318,119 in victim service grants through the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS), New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) and the National Children’s Alliance (NCA).

These funds exist to provide direct victim services to adults through our Comprehensive Victim Services and to the children and their families served through the JFCAC (281 total victims served). These grants have been consistently awarded to us because of the quality of service delivery to the above noted victims of crime in Genesee County.

We have excellent working relationships with the funding agencies and the dedicated professionals who work in those programs.

The receipt of these grants continues to minimize virtually all expenses to the County for these services. This includes the phenomenal work done by the JFCAC staff, contractual agents and members of the Multi-disciplinary Team to meet the needs of children who are physically and sexually abused in Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming and Orleans counties.

In 2011, we are due to receive $84,969 in offender services grants through the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) and the County STOP-DWI Program. The total number of offenders served through Community Service (419), DWI-CD Program (290) and RUS (245) was 954 in 2009. The above funding helps to offset some of our offender services, but ultimately results in the need for County funds.

For example, the Release Under Supervision Program (RUS) has been frequently recognized by Criminal Justice professionals as the critical component in keeping down our jail population. In 2009, we completed 518 bail evaluations for local Courts, which resulted in the placement of 245 defendants under our supervision in the RUS program.

This program is staffed by a full-time, exceptionally capable Case Manager, with back-up by the Assistant Director and Director of Genesee Justice. This is necessary because we provide bail evaluations within 24 hours of an offender’s placement in jail in order to expedite a review of their status for the Court.

The total grant funding for this program in 2009 was $7,700. This results in a County contribution of at least an additional $53,000, when salaries and program expenses are included. This is the reason that the Probation Department dropped this program in 2002. Probation was under no mandate to provide this service by NY State and the County was not recognizing their obligation to support the program, despite the obvious benefits to the County in reduced jail occupation. Here we are again!

To conclude, in 2011, we are scheduled to receive a total of $403,088 in grant funding for both victim and offender services. We had an initial anticipated County contribution of approximately $237,000. We have since made a considerable reduction of that amount; however, the County Manager is advising us that we must find a way to reduce our County share to ZERO for the next budget year.

We have scheduled a meeting of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) on Monday, Nov. 29, to determine if there may be any savings that can be derived from reducing, cutting or making more efficient use of criminal justice resources in order to provide us with the opportunity to remain in existence.

Batavia-based Christiano Cellular has been sold to a Marion, Ind.-based company, owner Roger Christiano announced today.

The new owner is Moorehead Communications, with 900 locations throughout the United States.

Christiano Cellular has locations in Batavia, Le Roy and Livingston County.

Christiano said with the sale, he's retiring.

A sale price was not announced.

The Christiano locations will be closed for a few days in early December while staff goes through orientation with the new company.

Full announcement after the jump:

Christiano Cellular, a local Verizon Authorized Wireless Retailer with locations in Genesee and Livingston counties, has been sold to Moorehead Communications, Inc., of Marion, Ind.

The announcement was made today by owner, Roger Christiano. Moorehead Communications' cellular division, known as The Cellular Connection, is the largest Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer in the Midwest with over 350 company-owned stores and over 550 owner-operated partners across the nation.

They are currently the fastest growing division in the wireless industry.

"After 20 years representing Verizon Wireless (formerly Frontier Cellular) in Batavia, LeRoy, Avon and Geneseo, I was looking for an opportunity to retire when this offer came along," Christiano said. "I appreciate being the first Rochester area agent to be approached by Moorehead Communications as they continue their expansion across New York State.

"My wife, Sharon, and I will end our career with Verizon Wireless with a feeling of accomplishment. We want to thank our employees for always going the extra mile for the customers of Verizon Wireless. And, of course, we want to thank our loyal customers for doing business with us over the years. We envision bigger and better things ahead when our existing sales staff joins forces with this dynamic new Premium Retailer."

Christiano Cellular stores will be closed for the first three or four days of December while the staff goes through orientation and training and the stores are converted to The Cellular Connection.

A 25-year-old Elba man is being charged with sexual abuse in the first degree following his arrest for allegedly having sexual contact with a child under 11 years old.

Rigoberto Aguilar, of Oak Orchard Road, was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Aguilar was taken into custody following a 9-1-1 call at 3 a.m., Friday.

A tree limb has fallen across electrical wires in the area of 6173 Quaker Hill Road.

The wires are arcing and sparking.