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Two-car accident reported on Route 77, Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in the area of 8331 Alleghany Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: No injuries.

Video: Works by local model sailing ship builder on display at GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens

 

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On display now at GO ART! is an exhibit of model sailing ships built by Batavia resident Joe Vernon. Many of the ships were built from scratch, with no model kit. They are all based on historic sailing ships, many from the era of the War of 1812. 

There will be an artist reception Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Gas prices continue upward climb

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.83, up 9 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.71. The New York State average is $2.83 – up 7 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.82. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

  • Batavia -- $2.78 (up 6 cents since last week)
  • Buffalo -- $2.77 (up 8 cents since last week)
  • Ithaca -- $2.80 (up 7 cents since last week)
  • Rochester -- $2.80 (up 5 cents since last week)
  • Rome -- $2.80 (up 4 cents since last week)
  • Syracuse -- $2.78 (up 4 cents since last week)
  • Watertown -- $2.83 (up 5 cents since last week)

Easter: With Easter travel upon us, demand is putting pressure on already rising gas prices. Rochester and Syracuse schools are closed this week, which means many families are already traveling for Easter break -- new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that demand skyrocketed last week as families filled up their tanks for Easter getaways. With Buffalo area schools out next week, demand is expected to continue to increase.

Summer Blend: Spring gas prices continue to climb as the switchover to summer blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce, becomes more prevalent. Unexpected and planned continued maintenance and demand increases across the nation have also contributed to the uptick.

Record Demand: At this point, current demand estimates signal that 2019 could bring the highest gasoline demand rates ever recorded by EIA — potentially as early as this summer. Shrinking supplies amid high demand will likely contribute to increased pump prices.

Oil Prices: Oil prices also climbed last week as a weaker dollar has boosted crude prices. OPEC and its partners continue to reduce crude production and OPEC is not expected to meet again until June.

Video: Rubik's Cube competition in East Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens
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One hundred people, mostly teenagers, were at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Hall in East Pembroke on Saturday for a Rubik's Cube competition.

This is the second year Eli Fox and his parents hosted the competition in Genesee County.  Families came from Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and of course from throughout Western New York to participate in the competition, which is the only one like it in the region.

Three Batavia HS students among Congressional Art Show winners

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Rep. Chris Collins presented awards Saturday at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at Genesee Community College to winners of the annual NY-27 Congressional Art Competition. The first-place picture will be hung in the capitol in Washington, D.C., for a year.

2019 Congressional Art Competition Winners:

  • First Place, William Palmer, Batavia High School
  • Second Place, Mya Showalter, Clarence High School
  • Third Place. Haley Dalberth, Livonia High School 
  • Honorable Mentions, Grace Rudolph, Batavia High School, and John Bruggman, Batavia High School 

The competition was judged by Roz Steiner Art Gallery Director Mary Jo Whitman and Associate Professor of Photography & Art Joe Ziolkowski.

The winning picture by William Palmer, Batavia HS.

Injured turkey reported on Lake Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

An injured turkey was reported in the area of 8100 Lake Road, Le Roy, this morning.

A deputy was dispatched.

Dispatcher: "The caller reports this appears to be a fowl situation."

The deputy responded and reported negative contact with any turkeys.

NOTE: This call actually came in at about 7:45 a.m. but we couldn't post it because our site was offline. Our site was offline because Facebook went offline and a service that allows readers to share stories on Facebook caused our site to stop responding to requests.

Video: Interview with Rep. Chris Collins in first local public appearance since indictment

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Rep. Chris Collins, NY-27, has not made an announced public appearance in Genesee County since he was indicted on federal insider trading charges in August so we have not been given an opportunity to ask him about those charges. On the day he was arrested he called a press conference but then refused to take any questions.

Today we asked him about the charges. He declined to address the charges.

We also asked him about his plans for the 2020 campaign. He said his decision to run is contingent on the status of the federal case and will be made in consultation with his family.

Collins did deny, during the interview, that he hasn't made a public appearance in Genesee County since August but all of the examples he gave were of private events and gatherings.

Collins was in town for the annual Congressional Art Competition awards announcement at Genesee Community College. We will have further coverage of that event later (perhaps not until tomorrow since I had to go out and cover a fire and still haven't started putting production on that video).

Outbuilding reported on fire on Freeman Road, Byron

By Howard B. Owens

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An outbuilding, with a car nearby, is reported on fire at 6478 Freeman Road, Byron.

Byron fire, South Byron fire, and Stafford fire dispatched.

The vehicle has caught fire. 

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: A second alarm is requested. Mercy EMS for firefighter support also requested.

Oakfield museum open for the season on Sundays, new this year is a permanent U.S. Gypsum Co. display

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

On Saturday, April 6, Oakfield Historical Society held the 2019 Grand Opening of its Research Center & Museum. The theme this year is “Community Organizations."

New this year is a permanent display dedicated to U.S. Gypsum Company in Oakfield. There has been a steady stream of requests to see these artifacts and for information on the workers, many of whom were immigrants.

Throughout the years, the USG employed a great proportion of the town’s residents. It was an honor to have current USG Oakfield site Plant Manager Duane VanDuuren performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Current and past employees also attended the celebration.

The Oakfield Historical Society is located at 7 Maple Ave., Oakfield, and is open on Sundays 1-3 p.m. (excluding holiday weekends).

Rochester-based violinist Svet visits Byron-Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

 

 

Press release:

On Tuesday, April 9, Byron-Bergen students in grades three through seven gathered for a surprise assembly at the Jr./Sr. High School. They were treated to a special performance and conversation with Rochester-based electro hip-hop violinist Svet Radoslavof, or Svet, as he is known professionally, demonstrated his considerable talents on his electric violin, shared some of his experiences including his performance on "America’s Got Talent," answered student questions, and gave out lots of high fives.

As the assembly commenced, Beethoven’s "Fur Elise" filled the room. Then, from behind the curtain, Svet emerged and performed a modern interpretation of the iconic piece. Next, he performed a medley of pop rock hits during which he jumped off the stage and danced through the audience to cheers and applause. After this performance, Svet shared his story with the students emphasizing the importance of education and hard work.

“You have to go to school,” said Svet, who chose to skip his initial opportunity to appear on "America’s Got Talent" to take a final exam. “Study hard because, one day, you guys are going to succeed. You guys are the leaders of tomorrow so school is the most important thing.”

Svet was not the only one performing on the stage that day. He was invited to be a judge along with Elementary Music teachers Bob Lancia and Karen Tischer in a Byron-Bergen’s Got Talent skit. Hosted by sixth-grade teacher Megan Wahl, several faculty members took to the stage to demonstrate their talents. Christopher Chapman, Lara Ezard, Taylor Haupt, Heather Painting, Ken Rogoyski, and Heather Young delivered comedic talent routines before making way for two very talented students. Genevieve and Solomon Smith performed a contemporary dance to Keala Settle’s "This is Me" from "The Greatest Showman" to uproarious applause from their peers.

For a finale, Svet performed an original composition accompanied by a group of Byron-Bergen faculty commonly referred to as the Byron-Bergen House Band or The Hives. The Hives consists of Christopher Chapman, Bob Lancia, and Karen Tischer with a special guest appearance from Jr./Sr. High School Band teacher Kevin Bleiler.

“The assembly generated lots of enthusiasm,” said Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High Assistant Principal Scott Bradley. “Svet is very engaging and delivered a good message to our students.”

“It was an amazing experience for everyone,” said Elementary Assistant Principal Betsy Brown. “I want to thank fourth-grade teacher Alyson Tardy for taking the initiative to reach out and invite Svet to share his music and story with our students. I’m so glad she did!”

Svet is a native of Bulgaria but immigrated to Rochester with his family at the age of 11. He began playing violin at 3 and continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music. He went on to study Economics at the University of Rochester.

Batavia PD's Frank Klimjack retires after 28 years in law enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

Officer Frank Klimjack called out of service for the last time this afternoon, ending more than 20 years with Batavia PD and 28 and a half years total working in law enforcement in the state.

The Buffalo native served in the military before taking a job with the state parks police in New York City. From there he transferred to Long Island, then Western New York, and then decided Batavia was a good place in the middle of Western New York to settle in and call home.

"I've had a good long career and I'm leaving on a high note," Klimjack said. "I could have done a few more years but just the way things worked out, it’s a good time to go."

He's loved living and working in Batavia, he said.

"It’s a great place to work," Klimjack said. "It’s a great community. It’s got its up and downs just like any community but it’s a good solid community. A great place to raise kids."

Klimjack and his wife have bought a home in Tennessee and will relocate there soon and he told us with a smile, "I’ll be down in Tennessee spending my New York State pension and paying a lot less in taxes.”

Alexander United Methodist Church Kids Art Studio has debut exhibit now on display at GO ART!

By Billie Owens
Submitted photo and press release:
 
Alexander United Methodist Church (AUMC) Kids Art Studio presents their first exhibit on display now at GO ART! through May 4.
 
There will be an artist reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23.
 
The gallery is open:
 
Thursday & Friday -- 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday -- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 
GO ART! is located in the historic Seymour Place building in Downtown Batavia at 201 E. Main St.

Grand Jury: Man faces 10 felonies in Jackson Street domestic incident

By Billie Owens

Iszon C. Richardson is indicted for the crime of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 17 Richardson entered a dwelling unlawfully on Jackson Street in the City of Batavia with the intention of committing a crime. In counts two and three, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony, for allegedly intentionally violating a stay away order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party and subjecting them to physical contact or attempting or threatening to do so on Dec. 17. In count four, he is accused of attempted assault in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly striking the protected party in the face. In count five, he is accused of another count of second-degree burglary for allegedly entering the same dwelling on Dec. 20. In counts six and seven, he is accused of two more counts of first-degree criminal contempt for allegedly intentionally violating a stay away order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party on Dec. 20 and subjecting them to physical contact or attempting or threatening to do so. In count eight, Richardson is accused of second-degree unlawful imprisonment for allegedly restraining the protected party on Dec. 20. In count nine, the defendant is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, a Class A misdemeanor, by allegedly applying pressure on the victim's neck. In count 10, he is accused of second-degree burglary for allegedly entering the same dwelling on Dec. 20 on a second occasion. In counts 11 and 12, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt for allegedly intentionally violating a stay away order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party on Dec. 20 and on Dec. 16. In count 13, Richardson is accused of first-degree criminal contempt for allegedly intentionally violating a stay away order of protection by being in the presence of the protected party and subjecting them to physical contact or attempting or threatening to do so on Dec. 16.

Shane C. Anthony and Robert N. Pragle are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on some time between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 in the Town of Le Roy that the defendants knowlingly possessed stolen property with a value that exceeded $3,000. In count two, they are accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly possessing crack cocaine.

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