Donna Saskowski, executive director of Genesee County ARC, told Jay Moran on WBFO that once people experience the Sprout Film Festival, "they'll never forget it."
The festival is Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Genesee ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.
Moran produced a four-minute segment about the festival. Click here to listen.
A Batavia man already facing up to seven years in prison for a crime in Rochester is being accused of assaulting another man with a tire iron during a fight behind a restaurant in Caledonia.
Matthew Norstrand is being charged with assault, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th.
A year ago, Norstrand was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Rochester and was out of jail pending sentencing.
Last week, Norstrand was allegedly involved in an altercation with Austin Costrino, 26, of Holley, behind Q's Restaurant in Caledonia.
Costrino allegedly pulled out a knife before getting into his car. He allegedly drove back to Norstrand's location and the two men continued to argue. Norstrand allegedly pulled out a tire hire and beat Costrino.
The investigation began after Costrino's father contacted police, reporting that his son was hospitalized with head injuries.
Costrino is charged with menacing, 2nd.
(Source: WHAM13)
Jeremy Yasses spent the night in his new home on North Pearl Street in the Village of Oakfield last night.
That would be unremarkable, except that there has been a small controversy in Oakfield over the residency of the recently elected trustee.
NYS law requires village trustees to be residents of the village they represent.
According to Yasses, it wasn't an issue during the election, but after he beat out an incumbent for the position, at least one person raised the issue at Monday's village board meeting.
"I think everybody on the board expected him to move to the village," Mayor Richard Pastecki said. "I think some were saying they didn't know how the GOP could run somebody who wasn't a village resident, but we all knew he was moving."
Yasses has completely renovated a large Victorian farmhouse on North Pearl Street. The 2,520-square-foot home was built in 1880 and Yasses gutted it and totally redid the interior of the main house as well as made extensive repairs and changes to the barn on the property.
Escrow just closed on his former residence and his family is moving this week.
Yasses has been involved in village politics for some time. He's also a landlord there.
Pastecki said the question of Yasses's residency is pretty much a dead issue, unless some other village resident wants to fight it on their own dime.
"The board is not under any obligation to do anything about it," Pastecki said. "The law is so vague ... What I discovered (in researching it) is that anybody can bring a suit to contest an election, but that doesn't guarantee the election will be found invalid. ... we probably do not want to spend taxpayer money on it because there’s no clear outcome. "
It's not even a topic Yasses really wanted to talk about because he doesn't think the issue is really about him, just a little small-town political wrangling, and he's ready to get to work.
"I want it to be a smooth transition and to come in and do good things for the people of the village," Yasses said.
He's proud to have taken part in a village election where differing views were represented and that brought more people to the polls than usual.
"I think it's phenomenal," Yasses said. "That's the way America was built -- democracy, different views and opinions, and that's how it should be."
Yasses will be sworn in on Monday.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries has been reported at Gorton Road and Judge Road, Alabama.
Two cars are involved. One is blocking Gorton.
Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: One patient being transported to UMMC.
The move from San Diego to Le Roy has been a good one for David Luetticke and Greg Luetticke.
More than four years ago, they bought the Frost Ridge Campground and have been slowly making improvements, all the while, feeling they made the right choice in moving to Genesee County.
"I think it's beautiful," Greg said. "I like the people, the scenery, the change of seasons. It's everything I wanted."
While David and Greg have made changes in the campground -- upgrading infrastructure, adding an annual pumpkin patch and a summertime slippery slide on one of the hills, for example -- the biggest change has been booking more than a half-dozen big-name music acts into their outdoor amphitheater.
The summer concert season kicks off June 9 with one of the biggest names in country music, Aaron Tippin.
The line up (all shows and dates -- and tickets purchased -- can be found on frostridge.com) includes the Little River Band, Restless Heart, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blackberry Smoke, James Wesley and Connie Smith.
It's the third year of concerts -- one of the highlights last summer was Marty Stuart -- and besides the seven name acts coming to Frost Ridge, 45 bands from throughout Western New York will perform there is summer.
Greg admitted he never heard of Blackberry Smoke before (neither had I, videos embedded below), but he said it's been the fastest selling show so far and after selling out of VIP tickets, they pulled back the promo VIP tickets given to radio stations and have just six left to offer to the public.
The current arrangement of the amphitheater accommodates 5,000 people, but three's a high hill behind the seating area and maybe, just maybe, that offers some expansion room. The sound of the music on the hill is every bit as good as down lower, Greg and David agreed.
As Greg and David get settled into Le Roy, they're getting more involved in the community. For a couple of years now, Frost Ridge has hosted a fundraiser for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department. This year, some of the proceeds of the Aaron Tippin concert will be donated to the VA facility in Batavia.
"We see it as good business when when you're involved in the community and everybody supports one another, and that's how we would like to live our lives," David said.
I'm looking forward to the The Dirt Band in August.
A car is reportedly on its side in a ditch on Old State Road between Perry and Silver Lake roads, Pavilion, with one person reportedly laying in the ditch.
Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.
Dispatchers checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.
UPDATE 10:02 p.m.: Mercy Flight on in-air standby. Old State Road is being closed to thru traffic.
UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Looks like only one victim.
UPDATE 10:07 p.m.: Car still running, caution on approach urged. The vehicle may have been pulling a trailer. Patient is about 50 feet from the vehicle. Mercy Flight will not be required.
UPDATE 11:35 p.m.: Female patient was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Pavilion fire is clearing the scene.
The wetlands in early spring have an allure all their own. Long before the first green buds or shoots begin to emerge, a cacophony of spring peepers permeates the air as nature begins her own seasonal celebration. In the above photo, a late afternoon sun casts a golden brown tint on last year's cattails.
Here in the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area it's a good time to watch migrating waterfowl and an opportunity to see the diving ducks that will later congregate on the bigger bodies of water.
This pair of honeymooning honkers is all set for the mating season. An incredible number of geese wintered in the region, many of which began nesting weeks ago.
Redwing blackbirds have a penchant for teetering on cattails. Another harbinger of spring, as soon as the spring peepers begin their serenade, the redwings won't be far behind.
Flooded timber is a wood duck magnet.
What a difference a week makes. Last week's unseasonably warm weather may be the reason for the algae blooms that sprung up in several marshes on the refuge.
A trio of painted turtles catching some sun atop a muskrat den.
A flock consisting mainly of widgeons makes a migratory respite while a lone swan hugs the shoreline in the background. We saw no puddle ducks such as mallards and woodies, but there were a number of ringneck ducks and scaup on the marsh.
Already new shoots and buds are beginning to appear across the wetland and scenes such as the one above will change drastically as last year's cattails will soon be lost in this spring's greenery.
Why pay a higher bill when you'll be outside enjoying the weather?
Rose Mary Christian thought she would be retired these days, but she can't quite get away from the restaurant business.
She admits, she loves it.
In 1956, her father -- with the help of Carl Dilcher and George Jacobs -- built a diner on Ellicott Street Road near Shepard and Christian. Along with her eight brothers and sisters, she worked there for much of her young life.
The diner closed in 1965, but Christian opened it again -- with her four children -- in 1983.
"We used to have good times and you hear people reminisce about the old days," Christian said. "Hot dogs were 25 cents when my dad started and milk shakes were 50 cents. Now what’s a hot dog and what’s a milk shake? There’s a big difference."
Christian closed the diner in 2003, and then new owners took it over for a time more than a year ago, but eight months ago, that diner closed.
On Monday, the diner opens again as "Rosie's."
"I hope people drive out and see the restaurant and taste what we have to offer," Christian said. "I hope they just have a good day and a good experience coming here. Like I said, this is where good people meet."
The diner's menu, among regular diner fare, will include Italian and Polish dishes and homemade soup.
“We’re going to have a quarter-pound hot dog, like they have in New York City, that I love," Christian said. "It’s going to have mustard and sauerkraut on it. It’s delicious. You’ll have to try it."
Christian noted there aren't many dining establishments on the southeast side of town, plus there will likely be a road connecting the new ag park to Cedar Street, making it easier for workers there to get onto Ellicott Street. That could be the opening in the market she needs to be successful.
Asked if not just her history in the restaurant business, but her career in city politics would help attract customers to Rosie's, Christian laughed.
"The politics part of it," she said, "no, not at all."
Michelle Tarin Crawford, 26, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and failure to keep right. Crawford was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident at 12:55 a.m., March 8, on Townline Road, Byron, in which Crawford was seriously injured. Crawford remains jailed on a violation of probation charge. (Previous stories, one, two and three).
Michael Octavio Tardy, 46, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Tardy was allegedly driving at 1:41 a.m. on Lewiston Raod, Oakfield, when his vehicle struck a curb.
In Le Roy this afternoon, the line of trees with their white flowers looked particularly nice against the backdrop of the buildings of the village business district.
Driving down Francis Road this afternoon, I spotted this stand of trees at the crest of the hill with the fluffy clouds blowing by in the background and thought it might make a nice shot.
Lei-Ti Campground on Francis Road, Bethany, was voted by users of the Woodall's Campground Directory, as one of the top 100 campgrounds in the United States.
There are 1,700 campgrounds in the U.S.
Woodall's is a popular and widely used campground directory, owned by Affinity Group, based in Ventura, Calif.
There were reportedly hundreds of thousands of votes cast over the 10-month long contest, according to Woodall's, which was also a sweepstakes for a chance to win a seven-day cruise to Hawaii.
Photo: John Hollwendel, owner of Lei-Ti.
In honor of March being Disabilities Awareness Month, the Batavia Development Corp. organized an event at Coffee Culture today recognizing people involved in the local disabilities work force.
Certificates were given to both workers and staff members at local agencies who supervise people with disabilities.
Receiving certificates were:
Julie Pacette indicated the BDC hopes to make this an annual event.
John Chrisley, 46, of Mechanic Street, South Byron, was arraigned in Town of Byron Court today on charges of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.
Chrisley is accused of sexual contact with a child under age 11.
The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 5 in Byron.
Chrisley was released under supervision of Genesee Justice, pending his next court appearance April 2.
The case was investigated by John Dehm.
Nearly two years after the alleged events, a Brockport man is being accused of stealing an SUV and some credit cards.
Frank Edward Finnin, 45, of Vindale Drive, Brockport, was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on Thursday on charges of grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.
Finnin is accused of stealing a 2004 Ford Escape from a location on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, on June 20.
He is also accused of taking a purse containing credit cards from a vehicle that was parked in a residential driveway on East Main Road, Batavia, on the same date.
The Escape was recovered in Le Roy, not far from Finnin's residence at the time.
Following arraignment, Finnin was jailed on $10,000 bail.
The case was conducted by investigators William Ferrando and John Dehm.
An inmate of the Genesee County Jail who was serving an intermittent sentence is being accused of trying to smuggle cocaine into the facility.
Charged with promoting prison contraband in the third degree is Jahmal Coletrane Kirkwood, 34, of Shelbourne Drive, Rochester.
Kirkwood is also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.
According to investigators, Kirkwood arrived for his two-day stint at the jail at 9 a.m., Jan. 3 and possessed a baggie of cocaine hidden inside a compartment of his backpack he carried into the jail.
Kirkwood was arraigned on he charge today in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) today sponsored Assembly Bill 1202, a budget amendment to repeal a crippling utility tax on local homeowners and businesses.
Other amendments brought to the Assembly Floor for a vote by the Minority Conference included a repeal of unfunded mandates and ban on future levies and a state spending cap to end the irresponsible use of tax dollars.
Hawley supported these measures as part of his ongoing fight to deliver real, tangible savings for taxpayers in Western New York.
“I sponsored and advanced the budget amendment to reduce utility taxes on homeowners and businesses because Western New Yorkers can no longer afford to foot the bill for state government’s irresponsible spending habits,” said Hawley.
“Utility taxes hurt our most vulnerable citizens, like seniors on fixed incomes, who need to heat their homes during the cold winter months. Coupled with the state spending cap and unfunded mandate relief that I voted in favor of today, the taxpayers of Western New York have made their voices heard loud and clear.”
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