Press release:

The Kiwanis Park Inclusive Playground, located on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia, will officially be open to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on June 18th at the park at 6:30 p.m.

The Inclusive Playground, which was built for individuals of all physical abilities, was constructed nearly entirely by private donations as a joint venture between the Town of Batavia, the Genesee ARC, and the Batavia Kiwanis Club. The effort was led by a group of volunteers including Town Board Members Patti Michalak and Chad Zambito, Shelley Falitico, director of Development for the Genesee ARC, Anita Strollo of Kiwanis, Amy Disalvo, Lynn Houseknecht, Sue Maha of Kiwanis, and Rotarian Rosalie Maguire.  Design team members included Joe Foresyth of Kiwanis, Lisa Ace and Ricky Palermo. Town of Batavia Highway Superintendent Tom Lichtenthal acted as the project manager. 

Twenty-two private donors contributed $73,000 to the effort, including major donations from Kiwanis Club, Bank of Castile, Down Syndrome Support Group, Oatka Milk and Batavia Rotary. County Line Stone of Batavia donated 850 tons of stone for the wheelchair friendly paths that bisect the park. 

The park was the signature project of the United Way’s Day of caring on May 8th. On that day, 75 volunteers contributed 450 man-hours to install a Wheel Chair Swing, Roller Table, Omni Spinner, Sway Fun, Sand Diggers, and Adult Molded Bucket Swing. Volunteers also painted the pavilion, spread 150 cubic yards of wood chips, planted seven trees and dozens of flowers. 

“It was amazing to see everyone come together to build something so unique for the area,” said Councilperson Michalak. “It was truly a community effort that will benefit everyone.”

The group believes the inclusive playground is the only one of its kind in Western New York, and perhaps all of Upstate New York. “We have not heard of a similar park located anywhere in the region,” added Councilperson Zambito. “Every time we presented the project, no one could believe that this type of facility didn’t already exist in our region and they were eager to help. Now children with disabilities can enjoy a full day at the park with family and friends. It is the single greatest project I have ever been involved in.”

The park, which is located directly across from the Town Hall on West Main Street Road, has already seen an increase in use since the installation of the new equipment. Earlier this year, a canoe launch was installed to access the Tonawanda Creek and as part of the latest improvements, a quarter-mile walking path was added along the creek. Town officials hope to expand that path in the future.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is open to the public. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the event.

Mayor Ralph Peterson informed village trustees through an e-mail that beginning immediately he is assuming supervision of village staff and the office.

He removed Trustee Ken Lauer from the position.

Peterson said he was assuming the position of department head through the powers vested in him as mayor and Corfu's executive officer.

From his e-mail:

It is my intent to evaluate with whatever resources and evaluation tools necessary, the entire working process as well as reporting, accounting, record management, as well as security of the Office and records that are presently in place. After this evaluation I will institute whatever changes necessary to insure that the Village Office and the staff are functioning at the highest levels of professionalism, efficiency and accountability.

Kermit Arrington, longtime town justice in Le Roy, an athlete, World War II veteran and one of the most respected men in Genesee County, has died.

The lifelong Le Roy resident was 86.

Arrington served as town justice for more than 20 years. For 34 years prior to becoming justice, he worked for the Le Roy Public Works Department, serving as supervisor for 20 years.

A graduate of Le Roy High School, where he was a standout in football, Arrington joined the military after graduating and during World War II served in the 758th 64th Tank Division.

In 1989, he was named Le Royan of the Year.

As an adult, Arrington continued to play sports, starring as the QB for the All Le Roy semi-pro football team. He also umpired and ref'd youth baseball and football.

He was a life member of Excelsior Hook and Ladder and volunteer with the Le Roy Fire Department.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service.  Further details pending.

Photo: via LeRoyFootball.com.

John E. Vauss, 51, of Kohlman Street, Rochester, is charged with public lewdness, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, unlawful possession of marijuana and no/improper child restraint for a child 4 years old or less. Vauss was allegedly seen by an employee of the Buffalo Federal Detention Center urinating from the Route 98 overpass onto the Thruway below. The employee followed Vauss to the facility where he was detained by Deputy Chris Parker for further investigation. During the investigation, Vauss was found to allegedly possess a bag of marijuana in his front pants pocket A black pipe that was weighted and studded with bolts was found in his vehicle. Vauss was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court on all four charges.

Robert C. Fochler III, 50, of 8 East Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Fochler is accused of stealing a 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko Fruit Punch malt liquor from the Hess station at the corner of Oak and Main, Batavia. Fochler was allegedly banned previously from entering the store.

David C. Truesdale Jr., 23, of 18 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Truesdale was allegedly in possession of marijuana when he was arrested on a City Court warrant related to an aggravated unlicensed operation charge.

Brandi-Lyn Heidenreich, 23, of Garibaldi Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Heidenreich is accused of stealing $97 in merchandise from Walmart.

Shelin Marie Herold, 20, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Herold is accused of punching and slapping another person during an argument.

Christopher Jason Koenig, 17, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Koenig is accused of stealing $159 in merchandise from Kmart.

Richard A. Demmer, 20, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Demmer was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported May 25 in Oakfield. No further details released.

USA Today: Labels sought for genetically modified food

Route 63 is closed in both directions near the county line in Pavilion for a motor-vehicle accident.

A person may have a neck injury.

Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS is on scene.

UPDATE 7:50 a.m.: One person transported to a hospital, another was a sign-off. Pavilion back in service.

Batavia PD, City Fire Department and Mercy EMS are on scene at State and Douglas streets where a person was found behind the wheel of a car apparently not breathing.

The car was stopped, but in drive.

Members of the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department are organizing a fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 30, to assist Trey.

The 5-year-old is the son of heather Gill Palandino and Donald Newton Jr. He is being treated for Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari), is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine causing many symptoms.

Newton is chief of the department and Julie Waldron said department members are ever grateful for all he does for the community.

"Donald and his family do a lot for our fire department and community and we would love to give back to them at this time," Waldron said. "We could never thank him enough for everything he has done for our department, and Heather and Trey, as well. They are all always there when we need them. We are one big family and we are helping our brother, our leader and his family."

The fundraiser includes a chance auction and a chicken BBQ. Pre-sale tickets for the BBQ are $9 and are available on Monday evenings at the department or from members.

Police are looking for a Ford-type SUV vehicle, silver and grey, that may be heading into the city on Route 33, following a report of the vehicle stopping and the driver getting out and hitting a child who had been in the vehicle.

The vehicle has out-of-state plates.

Several people are reported fighting at Sunrise Parkway in Oakfield.

Sheriff's deputies are responding.

A caller reports that a man who was standing on the Thruway bridge allegedly urinating on cars got into a maroon Ford Taurus car and drove to Federal Drive. He's outside the gate of the Federal Detention Center and a Sheriff's deputy is now out with him.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: He's in custody.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: The suspect lives on Kohlman Street in Rochester and is being charged with public lewdness and urinating in public.

A pickup truck crashed into a house. No one is injured. We didn't catch the address, but think it occurred in Stafford. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene. The house is not badly damaged. They are going to check the inside to make sure it's safe.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: Stafford Rescue also responded and is now leaving the scene.

It's Father's Day, which means the annual Rotary Fly-in Breakfast at the Genesee County Airport.

An electrical fire is reported at 513 Ellicott St., upper, Batavia.

The caller reports black smoke in the living room.

City Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:43 p.m.: City fire back in service.

About 30 people are fighting on Watson Street, according to a caller to dispatch. City police are now on scene "sorting things out."

On another call, there are a number of black males and females creating a disturbance on the adjoining Thorpe Street. It's unknown if the two incidents are related.

The prime suspect is at 5 Thorpe "and just tried to jump out the window."

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: A male suspect is running eastbound on the railroad tracks.

UPDATE 8:24 p.m.: "Two people just came out of the woods on the westside of the tracks," says an officer at the scene.

Here's photos from yesterday's Stafford parade and carnival. The carnival continues today and tomorrow.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Law enforcement is sending out an All Points Bulletin to be on the lookout for a missing 15-year-old boy from Stafford who has not been seen since late last night.

He is white with blond hair and was last seen on Main Street riding a neon green bicycle and wearing pants with a print of the cartoon character "Elmo" on them.

He's tall -- 6'6" -- and his weight is estimated to be around 190 pounds.

Officers are particularly checking in Batavia and Le Roy, where he has friends.

If you know of his whereabouts, contact the dispatch center at 343-5000 or the Sheriff's office.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: The teen has been found and is safe.

A man is "sunning himself" in the buff next to an SUV in the parking lot of Traco Manufacturing Co. at 4300 Commerce Drive in the Town of Batavia. After receiving a call from a concerned citizen, Sheriff's deputies are responding.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: A deputy is out with him and says now "he is clothed."

Sheriff's Deputies and State Troopers are on scene in the area of Hartshorn Road searching for a white male who has gone missing in the woods.

The individual is reportedly wearing gray pants, a T-shirt and sneakers.

A K-9 from SP Clarence is in route. A State Police helicopter is also requested to the scene.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: K-9 and helicopter cancelled. The subject has come out of the woods and is with law enforcement.

Press release:

After an interview process conducted by the Genesee County Democratic Committee three candidates were endorsed for the Genesee County Legislature.

Ed DeJaneiro is a five-term incumbent legislator representing District 9 in the City of Batavia and a former City Councilman. Ed works as a sales consultant for an area distributor. Bill Fava, an Iraq War veteran, Genesee Region Boy Scout leader and former City Councilman, is running in District 8 in the City of Batavia. Political newcomer, Earl Funderburk is the candidate endorsed in District 5 in Le Roy. Earl is an enterprise architect for Hewlett Packard and owns the historic Jell-O factory where he owns and operates a document management company called Upstate Document Management.

The committee is excited about the prospects of a successful campaign with three highly qualified candidates who bring a wealth of leadership in business, service to community and service to country. They look forward to engaging in the issues that effect Genesee County small businesses, working men and women, senior citizens and youth needs, infrastructure and job development as well as other key components of county government.

The committee also continues to accept candidate queries for the other districts in Genesee County. Please contact the Genesee County Committee at geneseedems@gmail.com as soon as possible as balloting time restraints are in place.