The following article was submitted by Beverly Mancuso, executive director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County, and Brad Rogers, chairman, Genesee County Soil and Water.

This is Food Check Out Week, a nationwide effort begun by Farm Bureau to raise awareness that we have a safe and affordable food supply readily available in the United States. Thank you to our farmers!

The focus is “Stretching Your Food Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food." Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County can work with everyone to help achieve this goal. Just give us a call at 343-3040.

Feb. 21-27 is the week when the average American earns enough disposable income to pay for his or her family’s food supply for an entire year. Thanks to the hard work of farmers, U.S. consumers spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food. Compare this to the fact that most Americans work into April to pay their taxes.

More and more people are realizing how important food is to our quality of life, in fact, to our daily survival. This is great news!  Several local people were recently recognized for their efforts in this arena by the New York State Ag Society at its 178th Annual Meeting & Agricultural Forum held in Syracuse Jan. 7.

Batavia Daily News journalists Tom Rivers and Sharon Larsen were awarded the “Cap” Creal Journalism Award for telling the story of New York Agriculture. Tom also won last year with his farm labor story. This year, he won for the story “Raising Pigs.” Sharon Larsen was recognized for her editorial "Farm ‘omnibust’ bill."

CY Farms, Batavia Turf, CY Heifer Farms received the Business of the Year Award, an award developed to promote the state’s food system and recognize the quality, leadership and innovation demonstrated by New York agribusinesses. Carl and Craig Yunker were present to receive this award.

Many organizations in Genesee County support and promote agriculture in our area. This is important to each of us because we all depend on agriculture for food, fuel, clothing and shelter. Agriculture is the number one economic driver in our community. Genesee County Farm Bureau, the Ag Committee of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Ag Farmland Protection, Genesee County Soil and Water and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County are just some of the many groups that continually reach out to our Community. The Genesee County Legislature is also very supportive of agriculture, and for that, we are all very appreciative.

Frankly, it’s easy to take agriculture for granted. Our food is readily accessible and safe. For this, we’re unbelievably fortunate. Before you know it, Farmer’s Market will be operating, and this represents just one opportunity to buy local. Visit this website for more information:
http://geneseebuylocal.shutterfly.com/agritourism

Covered by a giant tarp because business signs cannot appear on the outside of buildings that are for sale, according to city code, the neon-lit Pontillo's Pizzeria sign once again hangs proudly from the building at 500 E. Main St., Batavia.

Could it be a sign that Sam Pontillo is getting close to reopening the legendary restaurant? We still haven't heard from Sam or building owner Thomas Masachi about what's going on there, but crews continue to work inside the building.

The publication of a security camera photo on The Batavian led to a Batavia man admitting to petit larceny during his arraignment today in City Court.

Robert Douglas, 29, of 48 Buell St., was arrested today by Det. Kevin Czora, after several readers of The Batavian reportedly called police to identify Douglas.

Czora e-mailed us this message:

I arrested Robert Douglas, age 29, from Batavia, today for the theft at Alberty’s. In a bit of a surprise, Douglas pled guilty to the charge of petit larceny at arraignment. Douglas had cooperated once confronted with the fact that he was identified by numerous people after the photos were published. Please thank your viewers for their assistance.

Reginald Wilson may have a long criminal history, he may even have been caught driving an allegedly stolen vehicle, but that doesn't mean he did the crime this time.

Two of the other men who are accused of breaking into a State Street home in Batavia in early September have made sworn statements, according to Judge Robert Noonan, admitting to their participation in the burglary, but they say Wilson wasn't part of the crew.

One other suspect in the burglary has said the 37-year-old Wilson helped in the break-in.

Today, Wilson, who faces a possible life sentence because of multiple prior felony convictions, had to answer to a deadline on whether he would accept a plea offer or take his case to trial.

The offer: A felony count of possession of stolen property with no sentencing agreement.

Wilson turned down the offer.

His attorney, Public Defender Gary Horton, countered with a misdemeanor charge of possession, but that proposal, like District Attorney Lawrence Friedman's offer, faces a legal technicality. Because Wilson is charged with a Class C felony, he can't be offered a plea on a greatly reduced charge unless Friedman asks to have the original count dismissed. Friedman hasn't done that yet.

"I’m not interested in entertaining an illegal plea from either one of you, so thanks for turning it down, Mr. Wilson," Noonan said.

The two attorneys and Noonan agreed to extend the deadline for Wilson to accept a plea to 9 a.m., Monday.

Wilson, who was shackled and dressed in Genesee County Jail orange, was fairly animated during the proceeding, especially when conferring with his attorney. While Friedman and Horton were talking privately with Noonan, Wilson leaned over and tried to get First Asst. D.A. David Gann's attention to say, "hello, Mr. Gann."

After Noonan granted an extension on the plea deadline, Wilson said emphatically, "Thank you, Your Honor," before leaving the courtroom.

Prior to Wilson's hearing, Joseph D. Dash, 24, who was also arrested in connection with the State Street burglary, admitted to a prior attempted burglary in exchange for a dismissal of charges in the State Street crime as well as another burglary, which Dash hadn't been charged with yet, on Pringle Avenue.

Dash has a prior felony conviction -- attempted robbery, 2nd -- from March 2003. With that prior felony, Dash faces a 5- to 7-year sentence on the attempted burglary conviction.

The other two suspects in the State Street burglary are Quentin L. Gibson, 25, and Dillon M. Brito, 19. We don't have any information at this time on the status of their cases.

Photos: Top, Wilson; bottom, Dash.

Above, Bryce Hobson shovels snow off his family's home front sidewalk. This morning, a lot of Batavians were digging out from the overnight snowfall.

The winter storm warning that had been in effect until 1 p.m. was cancelled this morning. The forecast still includes snow for the rest of the day, but only a little accumulation.

Camdon King, 5, is building a snow fort in front of his grandfather's house.

Chance King, 2, plays in the snow in front of his grandfather's house.

Grandfather Larry Hale shovels his driveway.

From the New York Post:

Gov. David Paterson has decided not to seek election to a full term amid a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who'd reported domestic violence against one of his top aides, The Post has learned.

Read more.

Carylee A. Logan, 44, 7079 Meadville Road, Basom, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, leaving the scene of an accident, driving left of pavement marking, unreasonable speed for hazards, refusal to take breath test. Deputy Jason Saile was dispatched at 11:26 p.m., Wednesday, to the scene of a one-car accident on Sandhill Road, Town of Alabama. Upon arriving, he found the driver had left the scene. After further investigation, Saile concluded Logan was the alleged driver and that she allegedly drove drunk.

This young man Jesse Schrider, found a way to stay warm on this Winter storm warning here in Batavia. He came out and volunteered with Care-A-Van Ministries . Part of the team was out tonight helping a widow bring wood into her home and was kept busy stacking the pile outside.  The other part of team , PJ and Bridget headed over to Columbia Avenue wtih Cooperative Extension on board of the bus with hot soup for all

You could even find local Detective Rich Schauff out volunteering on this project.

The finished project!  A special thanks to Rich, Dave, Clint and Jesse for coming out  tonight to help! See you all at the Home Show this week-end!

O'Lacy's Irish Pub on School Street in Batavia celebrated its "Perfect Pour" award from Guinness this evening. Guinness representatives were on hand to add to the merriment, which include a free draught for Guinness fans as well as door prizes. The place was packed, even with the slightly bad weather.

More pictures after the jump:

A vehicle has gone down an embankment off the Thruway near mile marker 400.5.

It's unknown if there are injuries, but the caller reports nobody moving in the car.

Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire as well as Mercy EMS are being dispatched.

If needed, Mercy Flight is grounded due to weather.

UPDATE 11:25 p.m.: No injuries. This was not a roll over. Mercy EMS canceled. The driver just needs a winch out.

I'm Bugsy and it bugs me that I've been in this here shelter for so long. It seems like an eternity. I was turned in, probably because I have special needs. But I get around good, am great with the volunteers, and get along nicely with children and dogs. I'm also housebroken and well behaved on a leash.

But I have medical problems with my eyes and need continued medical care. I'm blind but no one knows why. I take medication to help heal infection and ease pain. I promise you I'm worth special treatment. I will repay you in many small, sweet ways. I'm a Siberian Husky/mix, adult female, Kennel 39.

If I look a little familiar, it might be because I was adopted and then returned to the shelter. I'm Star and it seems I didn't have enought patience for the young child in my former home. It's probably the Generation Gap.

Frankly, I'm a senior who needs a quiet home with a gentle family. This places is "stressing me out," as they say. I mean, I'm starting to pull my fur out! Please help me find a good place to relax and enjoy life again. I am known as "a sweet cat who adores attention and love." Don't pull my ears, yank my tail or pick me up by the neck and we'll get along swimmingly. I'm in the Kitty Kottage.
 
Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org <http://www.vol4animals.org>

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY   14020
(585)343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday - Friday 1 - 3 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 - 9 pm
Saturday 11 - 1 pm

Adopt a New Friend at the Genesee County Animal Shelter!

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, itching to see a robin, or the first flock of geese in migratory formation.  Whatever the reason, I thought it a good time to pass along these photos taken by Mark Stryker of Alexander.  With the exception of the Scrub Jay pictured above, these photos were taken last summer near his Alexander home.

House Finch, Goldfinch in left bottom corner

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Hummingbird Moth......on a butterfly bush no less!

Orb Weaver

White-crowned Sparrow

?????? Anyone...anyone?

American Goldfinch

I'd like to thank Mark for sharing these awesome photos with the Batavian

Le Roy Ambulance Service is responding to a report of "at least two victims" who were bitten by dogs on North Street in Le Roy.

Apparently, the dogs were each with their owners/handlers and the dogs started to fight. The people got bit trying to separate the fighting dogs.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance notified Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) earlier this month of a “cost-recovery tax" on revenues, included in the 2009-10 budget, to cover costs of state government services; even though the state statute required the notification by Nov. 1, 2009.

In regard to this, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“The most recent development in New York’s tax epic is to punish development agencies for helping businesses locate in our community and create jobs. The 'cost-recovery tax' is nothing but a tax on job creation, effectively hurting efforts of community business leaders to bring jobs to Western New York.

Revenues generated by IDAs are reinvested. The 'cost-recovery tax' steals economic development dollars from our community. Even worse, the tax is based on revenues for 2008, most of which have already been reinvested.

Local industrial development agencies already pay a Bond Issuance Charge to the state for government services. The 'cost-recovery tax' forces local agencies to pay double and this is excessive. After the Authority Budget Office collects the job-creation tax, its budget will increase by 300 percent.

Over the next few days and weeks, I plan to work with my colleagues in state government to defeat yet another job-killing tax.”

Even though the property has been listed for sale, ownership of the Batavia Elks Lodge building is apparently in dispute.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks listed the property at 213 E. Main St., Batavia, with Charles Mancuso and Son, according to agent Mike Sisson.

The deed, however, lists "Batavia Lodge #950, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Batavia" as the owner. It is dated Nov. 16, 1918, according to County Clerk Don Read. The property was conveyed by Louis and Sarah Waird to the local Elks for $6,000.

Former Lodge #950 Exalted Ruler Paul Weiss left a comment on The Batavian disputing the Grand Lodge's claim to ownership.

"The Elks Lodge building is not owned by the Grand Lodge. It is owned by a local Batavia Elks corporation," Weiss wrote.

Lodge Exalted Ruler Timothy Garlock agreed that the ownership is in dispute, but he's still hoping the disagreement that led to the Grand Lodge revoking the local charter on Feb. 12 can be resolved.

The charter was apparently pulled purely for administrative reasons.

"If the Grand Lodge wants to pull our charter and make us go away, that's their call," Garlock said. "If they want to give us another crack at the bat, well, we've got some members working on that."

Kenneth Perry, one of the trustees appointed by the Grand Lodge, and who has previously commented on this matter, could not be reached.

UPDATE: News of an other New York lodge being closed, this time in Norwich.

According to an executive order issued by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Grand Lodge, Elk’s Lodge #1222 has failed to make reports required by the laws of the order, and has not complied with the auditing and accounting manual.

Sound familiar.  And there's this:

Officers and members of the Norwich lodge, however, strongly disagree with the decision, and have called upon the higher courts of the order for an opportunity to refute the executive ruling.

“This has been a problem for nearly a decade,” said local Exalted Ruler Jeff Cola. “We’re now in the process of appealing the Grand Lodge’s decision, and we believe it was based on past issues.”

Jeffery M.  Rider, 31, of 8130 Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with resisting arrest. At 10:50 p.m., Tuesday, Deputy Bradley D. Mazur reportedly tried to execute an arrest warrant for Rider for alleged violation of probation. At the time of the attempted arrest, Rider allegedly resisted arrest. Rider was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Robert L. Vanburen, 48, of 370 W. Main St., lower, Batavia, is charged with throwing an injurious substance on the highway (littering), DWI and aggravated DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Vanburen was stopped by Officer Dan Coffey at 11:53 p.m., Wednesday, on West Main Street.

Robert F. Williams, 49, of 114 State St., Apt. #3, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams is accused of grabbing a woman and throwing her. She was not injured.

A 17-year-old from Bergen is charged with criminal contempt. The youth is accused of shoving another person. There was an order of protection barring such conduct.

Kimmie A. Welsh, 43, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Welsh was stopped by State Police at 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 77 in the Village of Corfu. No further details available.

Clarence L. Blackmon, 39, of Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Blackmon was arrested by State Police at noon, Tuesday. He is accused of stealing an item valued at less than $3,000. No further details are available.

Tanya L .Thyret, 31, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and an equipment violation. Thyret was stopped by State Police at 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, on Culver Road, Town of Bativia. No further details are available.

Accidents from the state police blotter:

4:59 p.m., Feb. 22, Thruway, Mile Marker 399 west, Pembroke, two vehicles; Driver 1: William Burton Lewis, 22, of East Amherst; Driver 2: Leonard E. Neal, 58, of Gravehurst, Ontario, Canada. One injury reported. No further details available.

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.

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY:  Spring is almost here, but you an make your home or office feel like spring now with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.

Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY. Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

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.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: The Batavian is able to offer a limited number of reduced-price haircuts for children under 12. Click Here for details of the offer and to purchase vouchers.

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

SOLD OUT

A large storm front that the National Weather Service says is dropping heavy, wet snow, is pushing across the heart of New York this morning.

A winter storm warning remains in effect through 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Genesee County is on the edge of the storm front and today's snow accumulation is expected to be about only one to three inches. Tonight, the area may get heavier snow accumulation, with the heaviest snowfall coming in the Finger Lakes area and Genesee Valley.

This storm may dump as much as eight inches of snow on Genesee County, while the Finger Lakes may get as much as 12 inches.

Below is a snapshot from the Thruway Cam at the Pembroke exit showing current conditions there.