New York Times: As Low Rates Depress Savers, Governments Reap Benefits

Press Release:

United Memorial's Urgent Care and Diagnostic Services currently located at 3 Tountas Ave. in Le Roy will move on Tuesday, Sept. 11 to their new location at 8745 Lake Road, Le Roy.

Urgent Care and Le Roy Diagnostics will be closed on Sept. 11 for the move, and will reopen at their new location on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Patients who require laboratory, X-ray or urgent care services and usually visit the Tountas Avenue site will be welcomed at the Jerome Center at 16 Bank St. in Batavia.

United Memorial greatly appreciates the understanding of our valued patients during the moving process and looks forward to serving them again on Wednesday, when they will be greeted and cared for by the same dedicated staff members they have relied on for their diagnostic testing and urgent care services in the Le Roy community.

Care at the Le Roy Diagnostics Center and Urgent Care is provided on a walk-in basis to patients and appointments are not necessary. To reach the center by phone, please continue to call (585)768-4220. Le Roy Diagnostics will maintain the same hours of operation Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Urgent Care will be open Monday thought Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The new location will provide greater visibility in the Le Roy community and is conveniently located.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian spent some time the past few days fending off angry constituents, all under the impression that she rented one of her apartments to a Level 3 sex offender.

"All of the people in the neighborhood were alarmed with it and they have a right to be alarmed with it," Christian said. "But, this guy does not live, has not lived and will never live in any property I own."

"This guy" is James Chase, who was convicted in 1999 of sodomy in the first degree for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy.

It's unclear how it came about that a notification letter was sent out to residents in the area of 220 S. Swan St., Batavia, that Chase had moved into an apartment at that location.

The city's Web site still lists the 32-year-old Chase as a resident of 7 Mill St., Batavia.

A driver reportedly said she took a turn too fast causing her to lose control of the vehicle, hit a utility pole and overturn at 5:01 p.m. on Route 19 near Creamery Road.

Wendy S. Harrington, 52, of Clinton Street, Bergen, was entrapped in the vehicle but suffered only minor injuries. She was transported by Mercy EMS to Strong Memorial Hospital.

No citations are listed on the accident report.

Harrington was driving a 2003 Ford SUV.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Butler.

(Initial Report)

No children were injured this morning when the school bus they were on was hit by a car that had been rear-ended by another vehicle.

The driver who hit the stopped vehicle blamed sun glare for lack of visibility but was cited for allegedly following too closely.

The school bus was actively involved in loading a passenger, according to the accident report, and the driver, Jessica Ann Naas, 46, of Lockport Road, Oakfield, had not turned on the bus stop lights.

The bus was stopped at 3800 Batavia Elba Townline Road at 7:14 a.m.

Cited for allegedly tailgating was Alec Richmond Seppala, 18, of Drake Street, Oakfield.

Seppala's 2001 Pontiac sedan hit a 1998 Nissan sedan driven by Steven R. Koneski, 32, of Salt Works Road, Medina.

Koneski suffered a minor injury and was transported to UMMC.

There were 15 students on the bus, ages 13 to 17.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker.

Batavia DPW will be able to replace three aging trucks at well below anticipated costs thanks to some money-saving programs available to the city.

Currently, the city's sewer vac truck, bucket truck and dump truck with a snow plow are all more than 20 years old.

City officials originally budgeted $712,000 to replace them.

Because the city can now purchase such vehicles through federal and county bid contracts, Batavia can save $134,000 on the dump truck and the bucket truck. Additionally, because the city won't need to lease the dump truck, Batavia will save $100,000 in interest payments.

To help with the purchase, the city will use $58,000 of recently received video lottery terminal funds.

The city had already accumulated $450,500 in the equipment replacement fund.

That leaves the sewer vac, at a cost of $283,000, which is $57,000 less than anticipated, but it will still need to be leased.

City council approval of liquor licenses are generally routine matters, but this one is noteworthy: Daphne's Restaurant & Lounge at 341 S. Swan St., Batavia.

That's the former location of St. Nick's Social Club.

The building was recently purchased by Jeremy Yasses and after being unable to drum up interest in reestablishing St. Nick's or something similar, Yasses has leased the location to Daphne L. Cross, a former manager of Scooter's in Batavia.

The council voted unanimously tonight to support the liquor license request.

We've been unable so far to get in contact with Cross to find out more information about the new restaurant, but when we stopped by the location today, there was a good deal of remodeling taking place.

Press release:

The Le Roy American Legion Botts Fiorito Post 576 is honoring Regina Diskin as the 44th Le Royan of the Year.

Regina is the wife of Jerry Diskin, the mother of Michael, Daniel, Lisa and the grandmother of nine. She is a graduate of Holy Family School and Notre Dame High School.

Mrs. Diskin was employed at Le Roy High School for 17 years. She held clerical positions in the attendance and guidance departments, and was secretary to the vice-principal. In 1999 she gained employment at Genesee Community College, Preforming Arts Centers as secretary and held this position for six years. Regina was chosen GCC Employee of the Month, as a part-time employee.

As a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Regina is a greeter at Sunday Mass and a member of the Bereavement Committee volunteer. Earlier in their marriage, the Diskins were members of the Pre-Cana Council, and Regina served as a Bishop’s Committee member and rectory volunteer.

Mrs. Diskin was the Disaster Chairman of the Le Roy Red Cross in 1973. She chaired the lending of medical equipment to those in need in our community through the 1990s, and continues to take an active role as she learns of those in need within the community.

Currently, Regina is a board member and secretary of the Le Roy Panty and Help Fund. As secretary, she prepares lists for Christmas Distribution, as well as "thank you" notes, news releases, and gift wrapping for the past 10 years.

At present, you can find Regina at the American Legion volunteering her time. She is constant in encouraging others to taken an active part in helping the veterans.

Since joining the American Legion Auxiliary she has become president of the Le Roy Unit, Genesee County Auxiliary chaplain, and publicity chairman.  Regina makes sure that veterans are not only acknowledged on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other holidays, but throughout the year by assisting in rides for doctor appointments, or their other everyday needs.

Regina truly enjoys helping. With every endeavor she is quick and efficient in filling the need. She loves being part of this community in every aspect of life. Whether it’s sending a care package, either within the community, or to our troops overseas, or placing a flag on a veteran’s grave, her giving back is wholehearted.

Over the decade, Regina has also served as publicity coordinator for the Le Royan of the Year Committee, therefore is pleased to announce that this year’s award dinner will take place at the American Legion 53 W. Main St. Le Roy on Saturday Oct. 6. Cocktail hour will be at 6 o’clock and dinner at 6:45. Tickets are $17 and available at the legion, local banks and from any past Le Royan of the Year.

From Officer Eric Dibble:

Batavia Police are looking for assistance in locating the owner of a dog that bit a 9-year-old male on 09/10/12 around 7:30 a.m. on Vine Street near John Kennedy School. The dog owner is described as a white male with gray hair. The dog is described as medium-large, dark brown, possibly a pit bull, and possibly named "Riley." Police need to speak to the owner to verify vaccination records. The owner of this dog, or anyone with information is asked to contact Batavia Police at (585) 345-6350.

John H. O'Shea is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the third degree. O'Shea is accused of breaking into a residence on North Street in Le Roy and stealing items valued in excess of $3,000, including tools, brass fittings, copper wire, bronze manifolds, a galvanized garbage can, a tool bag and a camera.

Tammy M. Chojnacki is indicted on counts of felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Chojnacki is accused of driving drunk March 24 on Route 33 and Pike Road, Batavia. Chojnacki was previously convicted of DWI in Attica in October, 2007.

Jason W. Wolf is indicted on counts of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree. Wolf is accused of driving drunk on Route 77 on March 18. Wolf has a prior DWI conviction in Septermber, 2007.

Route 63/Judge Road in Oakfield, closed for three weeks after a sink hole developed, was reopened today by the Department of Transportation.

Lori Maher, spokeswoman for the DOT said officials determined that the sink hole was the result of minor settlement and probably exacerbated by dry weather, which lowered the water table.

The situation has been "remedied" Maher said and the detour removed.

PHOTO: Not previously published, taken a week ago.

A fire alarm has sounded in Spruce Hall at College Village. Town of Batavia firefighters are responding. The address is 8170 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road.

UPDATE 9:02 p.m.: Firefighters on scene report "nothing showing."

UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: The chief says a second unit should search the center of the building for burnt food. "Looks like they were fryin' food a little too hot," says a firefighter. They've checked Room 206 and found nothing, but then checked G105 and found evidence of smoke. "It seems to be coming from the heater, but the heater hasn't been turned on for several hours."

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: The alarm is deemed unfounded. Town of Batavia is back in service.

While we were off-line: At about 4:38 p.m., Bergen Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a one-vehicle rollover accident with entrapment. The car reportedly struck a pole before rolling over. Route 19 between Creamery and Peachy roads was closed for more than an hour. There were no serious injuries.

Some time before 1:30 p.m., the company that handles a good portion of routing Internet traffic was attacked.

Traffic reaches Web sites through what are known as Domain Name Servers. TheBatavian.com's traffic direction is handled by GoDaddy.com.

That site was targeted by an apparent denial-of-service attack (overwhelming servers with a bunch of meaningless data).

A person with a Twitter account of @AnonymousOwn3r claimed responsibility for the attack, though there is no confirmation that he or she engineered the attack. The attacker claims to be a leader in the cyber-anarchist group known as Anonymous, but several known members of Anonymous on Twitter have mocked his claim and denied any connection between Anonymous and the attack.

The good news is, since I'm able to post this, we are back online.

Millions of Web sites went off-line today because of the attack. A company of GoDaddy's size should really have stronger security than the success of, and duration of, this attack suggests.

A caller tells dispatch his girlfriend was "jumped" about 15 minutes ago by a man near Jackson Street and Dawson Place. The suspect then ran into some bushes. He is described as black, with a "salt and pepper goatee," wearing black shorts and a black sweatshirt. Police are searching for him now.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: The suspect was last seen headed eastbound on the railroad tracks. Mercy medics are responding to the scene for the victim's possible shoulder injury.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: The 24-year-old victim is very distressed and is being transported to UMMC complaining of shoulder pain and experiencing an anxiety attack.

Batavia's Blue Pearl Yoga and Exhale Yoga recently teamed up for a 200-hour training of future yoga instructors. Rebecca Cohen (second from left), of Exhale, and Karen Reisdorf, of Blue Pearl, presented certificates last weekend to their three graduates: June Martino, Tess Garland and Maura Gilsinan.

The training was done in increments of four days a week for eight weeks, six hours a day, followed by a week-long "final exam."

Included were formal study (180 hours of class time and 10 hours of homework) and a "practicum" component (about 10 hours) where candidates had to observe and teach classes.

"It is quite an achievement for these ladies," Cohen said.

Yoga may look easy to outsiders, but no one can learn how to teach it without getting to know its complexities.

"You are trying to get a group of people to all move together and breathe together," Cohen said, "(and to) improvise a series of yoga poses, while asking them to push their muscles and joints to their safe limits."

Altogether, according to Cohen, there are about 900 body poses in yoga "if you include the variations."

She described yoga as "a great low-impact form of exercise that works every muscle in your body, and really improves core strength."

"It improves coordination and balance," she said, "because it is practiced barefoot and the poses are performed on one side and then the other, bringing balance to both sides of the body."

Yoga also makes use of deep breathing exercises.

"Yoga can certainly be just a physical exercise," Cohen said, "or it can be a physical exercise to connect you with your spirituality. It depends on your intentions."

Cohen always begins and ends her lessons by asking everyone to take a moment to reflect on his/her intention.

"(This) gives us a chance to remind ourselves of what we are grateful for and an opportunity to remember that in order to achieve personal growth, we need to stay focused on that goal or intention every day."

For anyone interested in future yoga instructor training, the cost is about $2,000 -- $1,800 for the training itself, plus an additional $200 for books.

For more information, call Cohen at (716) 316-9869 or email 1rebeccacohen@gmail.com. You may also contact Reisdorf at 343-1257 or e-mail bluepearl.yoga@yahoo.com.

Photo taken by Karen Reisdorf

On Saturday, concurrent with the Zac Brown concert at Darien Lake, members of the State Police, Genesee County Sheriff's Office and Wyoming County Sheriff's Office conducted a joint DWI checkpoint on Route 77 at the county border.

The following arrests were made:

Timothy K. Toper, 26, of Newburn, NC, was charged with unlicensed operation, felony DWI and felony aggravated unlicensed operation. Toper allegedly tested for a .15 BAC. Toper allegedly tried to evade the checkpoint. He was arraigned in Darien Town Court and committed to the Genesee County Jail.

Elizabeth L. Gugino, 37, of Angelica, is charged with DWI. Gugino allegedly had a BAC of .11. Gugino was arraigned in Town of Bennington Court and released.

Paul S. Martinez, 33, of East Aurora, is charged with DWI and refusal of a breath test. Martinez was arraigned in Town of Bennington Court and released.

Press release:

The Batavia Town Board will hold its September meeting outside at Kiwanis Park on Wednesday, Sept. 12. While it is unclear if the board has ever held a meeting outdoors before, it certainly has not been done in recent memory.

“I've been with the town since 1994 and I don't remember a meeting that hasn't taken place at Town Hall,” said Town Clerk Teressa Morasco.

The meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will be followed by a dedication ceremony for the new canoe launch which was built with a $6,000 grant from the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District to promote recreational access to the Tonawanda creek.

The Town of Batavia Engineering Department designed the launch and completed all the permitting and the town Highway Department built the canoe launch. It is approximately 12 feet wide to accommodate multiple canoes and kayaks and provides a safe and easy access point to the Tonawanda Creek.

Also at the meeting, the board will recognize John O'Brian, who was a member of the planning board in 1975, when the park was first conceived. O'Brian later served as the group's chairman.

The park was built in 1976 and first included 12 picnic tables, three grills and a 25-foot flagpole. The stone pillars that still stand at the park's entrance were constructed by longtime highway superintendent Bob Smart, who personally collected the rocks used in the structures.

Following the meeting, Councilperson Patti Michalak, will make a special announcement regarding the park. A reception with refreshments will follow. The public is invited.

Press release:

Today, Representative Kathy Hochul, joined by Bill and Terry Zittel of Zittel Farms, renewed her call for a comprehensive five-year Farm Bill. In a letter to House leadership, Hochul urged passage on a five-year Farm Bill to ensure farmers in Western New York and across the country have the certainty and support they require.

“I have heard firsthand from farmers across Western New York about the crucial need for a comprehensive, five-year Farm Bill,” Rep. Hochul said. “It is critical that Washington stops playing politics with the future of American agriculture.

"Our region is the largest producer of agricultural goods in New York, and I will continue to fight to ensure farmers have the support and certainty they need.”

Rep. Hochul has sent two letters to House leadership urging a vote on a five-year Farm Bill – one letter in July, and another this week.

With nearly 3,500 farms and an annual output of more than $739 million in the region, agriculture is an essential part of Western New York’s economy and a key component of Hochul’s plan for economic development.

Andrew Zimba Perdock, 25, of 17 Holland Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused of shoplifting from Tops. He is also charged with menacing, 2nd, and attempted petit larceny. Perdock was observed allegedly putting merchandise in a backpack while inside Walmart. After Walmart were alerted to the situation, Perdock reportedly removed the items from the backpack. Perdock allegedly displayed a knife with the blade showing while in the presence of Walmart employees.

Brian J. Lambert, 30, of 1 Prune St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Alert Cedar Street residents spotted a suspicious vehicle pull behind Arctic Refrigeration and observed an individual allegedly stealing scrap metal. Lambert was later located at his residence and the allegedly stolen property was recovered and returned.

Alexis A. Czaja, 30, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Czaja is accused of shoplifting from Tops.

Kristine Szumigala, 38, of 260 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Szumigala is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General.

Samantha A. Bowles, 22, of 33 Williams St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Batavia PD officers received a report of loud noise coming from a residence on Williams Street. On call back, the person making the complaint reported a physical altercation. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Bowles, who was described as agitated and irate. Bowles reportedly pushed past officers during questioning. Bowles reportedly physically struggled with officers while being taken into custody.

Steven N. Utter, 26, of Route 96, Waterloo, and Cory A. Miles, 34, of County Line Road 13, Shortsville, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Utter and Miles were arrested following an investigation by Deputy Brad Mazur and Deputy Jason Saile into a suspicious vehicle at Wilson Farms on South Lake Road, Pavilion. Both men were jailed on $2,000 bail.

Joseph C. Wind, 42, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Wind is accused of stealing $4,000 cash while employed at The Home Depot.

Brandy R. Douglas, 33, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Douglas is accused of shoplifting $48 in merchandise from Target.

Patrick D. Moore, 34, of Strouts Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Moore is accused of shoplifting $29.99 in merchandise from Target.

Brett M. Doran, 21, of East Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Le Roy PD responded to a report of a disturbance where a female was heard screaming to stop choking her. Doran is accused of kicking the female in her face and choking her during an argument. Doran was jailed on $500 bail.

Kyle Andrew Bilby, 22, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, and Adam Andrew Dixson, 22, of Cary Avenue, Oakfield, are charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Bilby and Dixson were arrested after Deputy Patrick Reeves stopped to check on a suspicious condition at St. Cecillia Cemetery and allegedly found the defendants smoking, and in possession of, marijuana.

Darrel D. Smith, 56, residence not listed, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and DWAI. Smith was stopped by State Police at 3:16 a.m., Saturday, on Route 77, Darien.