Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers has announced that Genesee County law enforcement agencies will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving from March 13-18 in conjunction with St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

The Sheriff’s Department, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department are all taking part in the crackdown.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force in this across the board effort to reduce the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths.

Genesee County Undersheriff William Sheron said: “We know the history of impaired driving on and around St. Patrick’s Day. With this in mind, we will have extra patrols on duty to help ensure the safety of our highways during this time.”

The STOP-DWI St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association and funded by local STOP-DWI programs as well as the STOP-DWI Foundation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. This partnership has allowed local programs to significantly increase their enforcement and public awareness efforts.

The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets Memorial Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.

You can help to make a difference by Having a Plan! Download our new mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

One of three men who has already admitted his role in a series of construction site burglaries in Genesee County will serve one to three years in prison, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled this morning.

Michael Correia, 58, of Syracuse, admitted to third-degree burglary on Dec. 16, and while his sentencing in County Court concludes his case, his alleged accomplices continue to maintain their innocence.

Noonan will hear motions in the cases against Syracuse residents William Kelly, 44, and Robert Kelly, 43, on April 30.

All three were charged with burglary after an alert deputy in Wayne County spotted what he thought might be stolen property in a vehicle during a traffic stop.

The three men are accused of breaking into a Kutter's Cheese building, and stealing items from a residential construction site on East Main Street, Batavia, sometime during the early morning of Aug. 27.

They were allegedly found with more than $3,000 in material, including brass plumbing components and copper wire.

Robin Zanderwers from the Buffalo Zoo shows off a turtle to students at Jackson School on Thursday evening during an event dubbed "Wild About Reading."  

A two-car accident is reported at Vine Street and Evergreen Drive. No injuries. City fire on scene. Mercy medics arrived, then cleared the scene.

UPDATE 12:03 p.m.: The driver of one of the vehicle is complaining of chest pains after leaving the accident scene. Mercy medics are en route to a location on Ross Street to assist him.

Public Notice:

TAKE NOTICE that there will be a Special Meeting of the Pembroke Town Board, to be held at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Road, Corfu, NY for the purpose of discussion of Village of Corfu Dissolution.

Press release:

“The Assembly’s one-house budget resolution all but ignores the needs of Upstate families,” Hawley said. “Unfortunately, a large portion of economic development funding was gutted from the budget proposal, funding that my district has used to upgrade its infrastructure, help struggling companies stay afloat, and expand and foster community projects. It includes a crippling minimum-wage hike, which will surely stifle business expansion, restrict the ability to hire new employees, and raise prices for groceries and other consumer items."

“I have been fighting tooth and nail to restore the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) education cuts that were unfairly taken from our school districts in 2010, and our House’s budget resolution repays $150 million less than it did last year toward restoration of these cuts. Furthermore, Assembly Majority members had yet another chance to pass meaningful ethics reform and adopt Gov. Cuomo’s proposals. They ignored many of the governor’s reforms and have left New York vulnerable to more abuses of power and taxpayer money. We can and should do better for Upstate families, and I will work with my legislative colleagues to make sure this does not stand.”

U.S. News & World Report: Raise Legal Smoking Age to 21, U.S. Expert Panel Says

Press release:

The New York State Senate has passed its one-house budget resolution. State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“Today, the New York State Senate took the next step in getting a budget done on time. The Senate budget restores $15 million for Roswell Park Cancer Institute after the Governor proposed cutting state funding for the Institute by 15 percent. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Western New York Delegation to ensure this funding restoration is included in the final budget. The one-house resolution also proposes the most property tax relief in state history, a $200 million small business package and elimination of the energy tax surcharge. It ends the notorious Gap Elimination Adjustment and its devastating impact on our local school districts. Overall, the Senate budget is a responsible fiscal plan that makes investments for a brighter future for Western New Yorkers.”

Click here to register online.

Press release:

The Town of Darien Republican Committee is accepting letters of intent for the following endorsements: Town Council, Town Supervisor, and Town Justice.

All interested parties should submit letters of interest no later than May 1st to:

Town of Darien Republican Committee

Jeffery F. Phelps, Chairman

PO Box 295, Alexander NY 14005

Press release:

"A Night of Irish Music" to benefit the Holland Land Office Museum will take place at St. James Episcopal Church on Main Street in the City of Batavia from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

Cost is $8 per person. Light refrehsments will be provided.

Irish music will be performed by the music duo No Blarney -- Don Bouchard and Rich Conroy.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Holland Land Office at 343-4727.

A "bulldawg" fighting for her life is a powerful opponent; a "bulldawg" with a team behind her is even more powerful.

Emma Harris, age 4, was diagnosed with leukemia on Jan. 17. Local cheerleaders have teamed up with the community to help Emma and her family with a cheer-a-thon dubbed "Team Emma -- We Got This."

During the afternoon cheer-a-thon this Saturday (3 to 6 p.m.), 47 girls ages 4 through 12 will learn stunts, jumps and a dance routine, which they will then perform for the public in the Batavia High School gym at 260 State St. in Batavia.

BHS cheerleaders and dancers from local studios will also perform in addition to the cheer-a-thon participants.

School doors will open at 6 p.m. The gymnasium will open at 6:30 and the performances begin at 7.

It is free and the public is invited. But of course there will be a donation table for anyone who would like to contribute to help the family with medical and travel expenses.

A Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle will be held, featuring a variety of items ranging from Sabres' tickets to food, toys, gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses, purses, framed pictures, cleaning products, etc.

A student in Jackson Primary School's pre-school program, Emma is an avid cheerleading fan and honorary mascot of the Batavia Bulldawgs, a youth football and cheerleading program. Cheer director Sherri Wahr said that while Emma was not old enough to be a cheerleader, she "put so much effort" into showing up at practices and cheering them on that they "put her in a uniform and let her be our mascot."

"She was there longer days than most of the girls that cheered," said Wahr's daughter, Alexis (15), a JV cheerleader and an assistant to her mother with the Bulldawgs.

"She knew all the cheers just as well as the older girls," Wahr said. "And if they did something wrong, she told them."

She also became very close with Wahr's two daughters, Alexis and Lydia (12), even going so far as to name two of her stuffed animals after them.

When they found out about Emma's condition, Wahr and her daughters were understandably affected.

"I got a phone call from Emma's aunt," Wahr said, "and she told me about the diagnosis. My thought initially was, 'What can I do for them?' Then I picked Alexis and Lydia up from their cheerleading practice and told them the bad news. The first thing they said to me was, 'Mom, what are we going to do?' So brainstorming in the car, all three of us came up with the idea of doing a cheer-a-thon."

On the way to visit Emma at the hospital, they bounced different ideas off each other for a team name, a theme, etc. But it wasn't until they arrived at the hospital that the right idea hit them.

"We brought Emma a megaphone for everyone to sign when they came to visit her," Wahr said. "We wrote 'Team Emma' on it. And then we thought, 'That's awesome.' "

Then Emma's mother came in and showed them a headband someone had sent to the family. Written into the headband were the words, "We got this."

Cheer-a-thon participants were able to raise money for Emma by either submitting a $25 participation fee or obtaining sponsors.

Some, according to Wahr, have done both.

"I know there's been a request for another sponsor sheet," she said, "so somebody's out there getting a lot of sponsors."

Prizes will be awarded to the top three cheerleaders who bring in the most donations.

Whether in the form of sponsoring the cheerleaders, donating items for the raffle and auction, or donating equipment for Saturday's event, Batavia businesses have really come through for Emma.

"It's absolutely amazing the outpouring of support that we've had," Wahr said. "I would say almost half of the businesses in town have donated to Emma in some way, shape or form."

For more information, call or text Wahr at 356-0639.

Photo courtesy of Sherri Wahr.

Gerald Jacob Farrell, 21, of Southeast 170th Street, Weirsdale, Fla., was arrested on a warrant stemming from a third-degree criminal mischief charge. Farrell turned himself in, was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Erica M. Raphael, 30, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a petit larceny charge. Raphael turned herself in and was released on her own recognizance.

Alex Patrick Brasky, 24, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Brasky was stopped at 5:01 p.m. Wednesday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Chad Minuto and allegedly found in possession of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe with marijuana residue.

Press release:

No one has yet claimed a wedding ring found amid money collected during the City of Batavia Fire Department fill the boot drive August 14, 2009 benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The ring, inscribed to "Robin," can be claimed by calling City fire headquarters at (585) 345-6375 or contacting Adam Palumbo at apalumbo@batavianewyork.com.

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has been named Deputy Majority Leader for Economic Development as part of the Senate Republican Majority’s Leadership Team. The new leadership position involves more responsibilities to develop economic development policies.

“As a member of the Senate Republican Conference, we have made some progress in strengthening our state’s financial health, and its economy, over the past few years. This new leadership position is an opportunity to advocate for creating more jobs and growing our economy, particularly in Upstate and Western New York,” Ranzenhofer said. “I look forward to working on policy issues, such as tax relief for businesses and repealing burdensome regulations, to attain these important goals.”

Senator Ranzenhofer also serves as Chairman of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee. He is a member of six Senate Standing Committees, including Agriculture, Education, Finance, Judiciary, Racing, Gaming & Wagering, and Transportation. Senator Ranzenhofer is a member of the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, as well as the Select Committee for Science, Technology, Incubation & Entrepreneurship. 

The 61st Senate District encompasses the towns of Amherst, Clarence and Newstead and the villages of Akron and Williamsville in Erie County; all of Genesee County; and the towns of Chili and Riga, the Village of Churchville and part of the City of Rochester in Monroe County.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he will sponsor a bill to provide tax credits against New York State Thruway tolls for farmers who travel the highway. Assembly Bill 2414 provides a tax credit of 75 percent of the Thruway tolls assumed by farmers in order to allow them more profits when selling their products across the state. Hawley said this is a vital piece of legislation that will help sustain the farms in his Western New York district and allow them to sell crops statewide. 

“Growing up on our family’s farm, I know firsthand the struggles our farmers face every year,” Hawley said. “Profits are not guaranteed and much of the business relies not only on the ability to produce a high yield of crops, but also the ability to transport those products across the state and sell them at a variety of outlets. Thruway tolls are continuing to rise, and large-box trucks and farm vehicles are not allowed on smaller highways. Because of this, farmers are losing a large amount of their profits in tolls. This bill would allow greater intrastate commerce while also financially supporting those who feed our state.”

The legislation is a bipartisan effort currently awaiting action in the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. Under the bill, to receive the tax credit, farm vehicles cannot exceed 26,000 pounds and must be controlled and operated by a farmer for the transport of agriculture products, farm supplies or farm machinery.

GCC is hosting the annual Tech Wars, an engineering competition for students from schools throughout the GLOW region.

The annual Mock Trial Competition is under way and a set of preliminary rounds were completed last night at the Genesee County Courthouse.

Scores last night: Attica over Elba, 49-44; Attica over Albion, 55-51; Pembroke over Alexander, 54-49; Batavia over Byron-Bergen, 59-56; Pembroke over Attica, 51-50; Attica over Alexander, 58-57; Batavia over Albion, 54-50; Byron-Bergen over Elba, 54-53

A preliminary round was held last week at the Wyoming County Courthouse, with another seven teams competing.

The standings after the two preliminary rounds (top eight teams move on to quarterfinals Monday and Wednesday at the Genesee County Courthouse and the Wyoming County Courthouse):

• Batavia, 4-0, 232 points
• Avon, 4-0, 209 points
• Notre Dame, 4-0, 202 points
• Pembroke, 4-0, 200 points
• Attica, 3-1, 212 points
• Perry, 2-2, 203 points
• Medina, 2-2, 190 points
• Dansville, 2-2, 183 points
• Alexander, 1-3, 208 points
• Byron-Bergen, 1-3, 202 points
• Elba, 1-3, 186 points
• Albion, 0-4, 197 points
• Oakfield-Alabama, 0-4, 174 points
• York, 0-4, 174 points

The semi-finals will be March 23 at the Orleans County Courthouse; the finals are March 25 at the Genesee County Courthouse.

Tonight at Byron-Bergen School faculty and staff played basketball against the New York State Troopers from Troop A for a benefit. All of the proceeds will go to the USO, to honor Byron-Bergen students who have served or are now serving in the military.

Many supporters from families of the school including law enforcement came out to support the event. The NY State Troopers were a bit too strong tonight and beat the faculty 52-39. However it was all for fun and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.