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Water main break reported on North Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A water main break, reportedly with significant flooding, is reported on North Street, in Le Roy.

A cellar pump detail is needed for 37 North St.

Le Roy Fire Department dispatched and the chief has requested all available manpower.

Monroe County Water Authority notified.

UPDATE 6:22 p.m.: Pavilion requested to fill in at Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: A Monroe County water crew is 30 minutes from the scene and is estimating a four- to six-hour repair window.

UPDATE 6:25 p.m.: Water flow alarms have been triggered at two businesses in the area.

Photo: Truck hits SUV at entrance to Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

At about 5:30 p.m. there was a truck vs. SUV accident at the parking lot entrance to Walmart.

The person who supplied the photo said it looked to him like the driver of the SUV tried to make a right turn on the right side of the truck, which had already initiated a right turn.

The witness said he didn't believe there were any injuries.

No further information is available at this time.

Photo submitted by a reader.

Musical parody 'Monty Python's Spamalot' opens tonight at Pembroke HS

By Billie Owens
 
Submitted photos and information.
 
Pembroke High School Theatre Arts Department presents the comedy musical spoof "Monty Python's Spamalot" tonight at 7:30, with two performances on Saturday as well, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
 
Come watch Monty Python's musical adapted from the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend.
 
The setting: England 932 A.D. -- A Kingdom divided. To the West the Anglo-Saxons, to the East the French. Above -- nothing but Celts and some people from Scotland. In Gwynned, Powys, and Dyfed -- the Plague. In the kingdoms of Wessex, Sussex, Essex and Kent -- you guessed it, more Plague. In Mercia and the two Anglias -- alas, Plague.
 
The plot: With a 50-percent chance of pestilence and famine coming out of the Northeast at 12 mph. Legend tells us of an extraordinary leader, who arose from the chaos, to unite a troubled kingdom. A man with a vision who gathered Knights together in a Holy Quest. This man was Arthur, King of the Britons. For this was England!
 
"Monty Python's Spamalot" (This show has a suggested rating of PG-13.) in the auditorium, 8750 Alleghany Road, Corfu:
  • Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.pembrokemusicals.com 
 
Presale tickets are $7 and $9.
Tickets at the door are $8 and $10.
 

High wind warning issued for Sunday in Genesee County, gusts up to 60 mph expected

By Billie Owens

A high wind warning will be in effect in Genesee County on Sunday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Winds are expected from the southwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

High winds of 58 mph or greater will make driving difficult and could result in property damage, including downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected. Homeowners should secure loose objects.

Law and Order: Lockport man charged with damaging ex-girlfriend's vehicle in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

Axel E. Antongiorgi-Colon, 32, of Prospect Street, Lockport, is charged with second-degree criminal mischief. On Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. on Main Road in Pembroke, the defendant allegedly damaged a vehicle in the parking lot of his ex-girlfriend's residence. He is due in Pembroke Town Court on March 21 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Christopher Parker, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Cynthia H. Owens, 43, of Rochester Street, Bergen, was arrested on March 4 on three separate outstanding bench warrants out of Batavia City Court. She was also charged with three separate counts of third-degree bail jumping. Owens was arraigned in city court then jailed with bail set at $5,000 cash or bond on each warrant. She was due back in city court on March 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Nicole M. Albrecht, 35, Pleasant Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested for allegedly stealing a television from Target at 1:27 p.m. on Feb. 8. She is due in Batavia Town Court at 1 p.m. on March 14 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Christopher Parker.

Douglas Mitchell Smith, 39, of Tara Drive, High Point, N.C., is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Smith was arrested on a bench warrant out of Town of Alabama Court after he failed to answer a summons to appear in court Jan. 31 for allegedly operating a motor vehicle while his privilege was suspended in New York. He was arraigned on March 7 and sentenced to time served. He is to reappear in Alabama Town Court on Oct. 3 to pay his fines and surcharges. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Lute.

Zachary G. Garigen-Johnstone, 22, or Birch Circle, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, running a red light, unregistered motor vehicle and uninspected motor vehicle. Garigen-Johnstone was stopped at 12:44 a.m. on East Main Street in Batavia for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, he was allegedly found to have a grinder containing marijuana and a marijuana pipe. He was processed roadside and issued three traffic tickets. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court to answer the unlawful marijuana charge on March 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Miah Stevens, assisted by Jason Davis.

Joshua Patrick Johnson, 21, of Redfield Parkway, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a window tint violation. He was arrested following a traffic stop at 9:42 p.m. March 2 on Lewiston Road in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket and in due in Town of Batavia Court on March 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Meyer, assisted by Deputy Michael Lute.

Portion of Ellicott Avenue to close Monday from 4 to 10 p.m. for National Grid work

By Billie Owens

Press release from the city's Bureau of Maintenance:

On Monday, March 11, between the hours of 4 and 10 p.m. Ellicott Avenue (between West Main Street and Mix Place) will be closed. National Grid will be replacing infrastructure so the road will be closed to all through traffic.

Residents of Ellicott Avenue are asked to access Ellicott Avenue during this work from either Mix Place, Washington Avenue, Park Avenue or Richmond Avenue. Residents of Ellicott Avenue south of Mix Place will be permitted to access their property by entering/ exiting from the north side of Ellicott Avenue.

National Grid anticipates three properties to experience an outage and they have already been notified. This work is weather dependent.

Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Three Le Roy families will get pool scholarships thanks to Women of the Moose 'Cake Walk'

By Billie Owens

The Le Roy Women of the Moose held their annual “Cake Walk” on Feb. 16. This fun and decidely carefree event consisted of dessert donations by Le Roy Moose members.

Participants entered for a chance to choose one of the toothsome desserts, enjoy the DJ and other raffles. A real fun time was had by all. The money -- $240 -- raised will give three Le Roy families a pool scholarship at the Town of Le Roy Recreation Center this summer.

Pictured from left are: Jennifer Swartz; Jackie Whiting with the Town of Le Roy Recreation Program; Martha Bailey, chairperson; Sharyll Hume, senior regent; and Cathy Campbell, club recorder.

If you would like to become a part of this vibrant and giving organization, ask any Le Roy Moose member for details.

(Submitted photo and press release.)

Admitted drug dealer tells judge time in prison will help him get his life back on track

By Howard B. Owens
      Quinton Spinks
      (2010 photo)

Quinton L. Spinks, 33, thanked Judge Charles Zambito in County Court today for the state prison time he was about to receive on a drug-dealing conviction.

"I would like to say first, I apologize to my family and to the community for my actions," Spinks said. "I would also like to thank you for this time because I was out there hurting myself and hurting my family. I appreciate the time to rehabilitate myself and get my life back on the right path and back to doing the right thing."

Under the terms of a plea agreement reached in April, when Spinks admitted selling drugs to agents of the Local Drug Task Force, his sentence was capped at two years in state prison. Zambito said he was bound by that agreement and handed down that sentence.

This will be the second stint for Spinks in state prison for selling drugs in Genesee County. He was arrested in 2010 and committed in 2012 to two years in prison on a criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, conviction.

Spinks also faces federal charges in Maine, where he is named in an indictment along with several other individuals. In the federal indictment, he is named in only count one of the indictments, for conspiracy to distribute a mixture of heroin and cocaine.

As part of his sentence, Spinks must make a $200 restitution payment to Genesee County for payments he received from an agent of the Local Drug Task Force.

BHS presents 'The Sound of Music' this weekend

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia High School Production Club presents the musical "The Sound of Music" in three performances starting tonight at 7 o'clock.

There are also shows at 7 p.m. tomorrow and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the high school's auditorium.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors.

Cast list:

  • Zofia Bailey, Gretl von Trapp
  • Michael Bartz, Friedrich von Trapp
  • Cameron Bontrager, Max Detweiler (Friday & Sunday)
  • Jack Bruggman, Herr Zeller, Ensemble
  • Macayla Burke, Louisa von Trapp
  • Emily Caccamise, Frau Schmidt, Nun
  • Pierce Corbelli, Captain Georg von Trapp
  • Cassidy Crawford, Brigitta von Trapp
  • Jocelyn Cryer, Nun, Ensemble
  • Lyndsay Debo, Baroness Elberfeld, Nun
  • Ariana Desa Frias, Mother Abbess, Ensemble
  • Colin Dunn, Kurt von Trapp
  • Eryn Dunn, Maria Rainer
  • Kathryn Fitzpatrick, Baroness Elsa Schrader
  • Abrianna Gabriel, Girl in Pale Pink Coat Dancer, Ensemble
  • Kristen Gloskowski, Sister Berthe
  • Elise Hoerbelt, Liesl von Trapp
  • Oline Jakobsgaard, Nun, Ensemble
  • Karissa Kesler, Sister Margaretta
  • Lilya Kotmel Nun, Trio of the Saengerbund of Herwegen, Ensemble, Admiral von Schrieber 
  • Leigh LeFevre, Marta von Trapp
  • Laura Lepkowski, Sister Sophia
  • Courtney Lougheed, Nun, Ensemble
  • Riley Macdonough, Cantor, Nun, Ensemble
  • Hayley Mercer, Nun, Fraulein Schweiger, Ensemble
  • Martin Moore, Franz, Soldier
  • Jordyn Mott Nun, Ensemble
  • Sam Rigerman, Rolf, Lonely Goatherd dancer, Ensemble
  • Max Sernoffsky, Soldier, Ensemble
  • Kayla Stone, Nun, Trio of the Saengerbund of Herwegen,  Ensemble
  • AT Thatcher, Admiral von Schrieber, Max Detweiler (Saturday)
  • Gavin Tucker, Baron Elberfeld, Bishop, Ensemble
  • Noelia Ventura, Nun, Trio of the Saengerbund of Herwegen, Ensemble
  • Lily Whiting, Nun, Ensemble 
  • Sydney Ziminski, Nun, Ensemble

GCEDC board approves incentives for two projects

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved incentives for two projects at the organization’s March 7 board meeting. 

Gateway GS LLC plans to invest $450,000 to build out the interior of an existing 27,000-square-foot spec building that the company constructed in 2018 at the Gateway II Corporate Park in the Town of Batavia. The project will create five new jobs.

Gateway GS LLC will receive sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions totaling approximately $206,000. For every dollar of public benefit, the company will invest approximately $12.60 into the local economy.

Gateway GS LLC intends to lease the space for various uses, including warehouse, distribution, light manufacturing, technology and commercial operations. The company has already lined up tenants for the improved facility, and plans to construct four additional buildings in the near future.

Tenney Coin Laundry, which is located on Ellicott Street in the City of Batavia, is purchasing $197,896 in new equipment and was approved for a sales tax abatement of approximately $15,832. For every dollar of public benefit, Tenney Coin Laundry is investing $56.70 into the local economy.

Tenney Coin Laundry also has submitted a grant request to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative's (DRI) building improvement fund for repairs to the facility's facade as well as structural improvements. Funding through the DRI is administered by the Batavia Development Corporation.

Two-car accident reported on Lewiston Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car accident is reported at 7615 Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

The accident is blocking but dispatchers are getting conflicting information on injuries.

Oakfield fire dispatched. Mercy EMS dispatched as a precaution.

UPDATE 9:21 a.m.: One patient complaining of chest pain. Two flatbed tows requested to the scene. 

UPDATE 9:24 a.m.: The driver of one vehicle is unable to get out of the driver's side door so extrication is needed.

UPDATE 9:26 a.m.: The driver managed to get out of the vehicle from the passenger side, no extrication needed. Town of Batavia Fire had been dispatched for help with extrication. Now they will help with traffic control.

Barniak Farms in Bethany named Conservation Farm of the Year

By Howard B. Owens

Barniak Farms has been selected by the Genesee County Soil and Water District as the 2018 Conservation Farm of the Year.

Brad Mudrzynski, with Soil and Water, said the farm was selected because of what it does to protect soil health and the watershed, such as planting cover crops, which helps prevent erosion, builds soil health, and prevents phosphorous from leaching into streams and creeks.

The farm on East Road in Bethany is 1,700 acres and milks about 700 cows.

Soil and Water, founded in Genesee County in 1944, handed out its first farm conservation award in 1959.

Photo: Ted Konieczka, Laura Bestehorn, Joseph Barniak, Barry Flansburg, Brad Mudrzynski, Molly Cassatt, Tim Welch and Kenneth Barniak.

Southbound Ellicott Street Road blocked by non-injury accident

By Howard B. Owens

Nobody was reported injured, but a two-car accident is blocking southbound Ellicott Street Road, Batavia.

City fire is on scene and requests two flatbed trucks to deal with the disabled vehicles.

"You better get them here quick," a trooper informs dispatch, because of the traffic tie-up.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: An ambulance now requested to the scene to examine a person for possible whiplash. Also, additional traffic control assistance requested.

UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire on scene to help with traffic control and handle fluid clean up.

Mark Your Calendar: American Warrior Festival Rock 'n' Roll Bowling Party is May 18

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
Strength In Numbers Entertainment announces the American Warrior Festival Rock 'n' Roll Bowling Party will be held Saturday, May 18th, at the Botts Fiorito American Legion Post 576 at 53 W. Main St. in the Village of Le Roy. It is free to attend and is for all ages.
 
It will benefit the Botts Fiorito post, which is celebrating its centennial this year. In addition to live music and bowling, there will be a military vehicle/aircraft display (vehicles being provided by the Rochester National Guard and private owners) and a Cornhole tournament and more. 

The event is brought to you by the premiere sponsor: The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant.
 
The 2018 event was a success and everyone is looking forward to making it bigger and better in 2019! The American Warrior Festival is known for serving as a tribute to honor our military's active and retired personnel. 
 
This event also donates to a nonprofit veterans' organization of its choice. This year's event beneficiary will be Le Roy's American Legion Post 576.
 
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.
 
It is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
 
American Warrior Festival Rock 'n' Roll Bowling Party will feature live music, a military aircraft and vehicle display, bowling, cornhole tournament, prizes, food, drinks, etc. 
 
American Warrior Festival Owner/Founder Dan Clor, who served in Iraq with the Marine Corps sums up the event: "A celebration of our troops, veterans, and American way of life." 
 
Additional local American Warrior Festival 2019 sponsors are: Oliver's Candies, JoshEDesigns.com, Le Roy Hardware, Batavia Legal Printing, Ken Barrett Chevrolet-Cadillac, Watson Guitars, Welding's Most Wanted, I Need Oils.
 
If you are a local business that would like to be involved with our American Warrior Festival as a sponsor or contributor please contact Dan Clor at:
(714) 742-0204 or email  DanClor@strengthinnumbersent.com
 
For more information visit www.StrengthInNumbersEnt.com 
 
To "Honor A Vet" on our Honor Wall please click here.

Batavia PD looking for person who used ATM on Saturday morning

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia PD is trying to identify this person who used a local ATM machine on Saturday morning.

No further information was released about the case.

If you're able to assist, you're asked to contact Officer Marc Lawrence at (585) 345-6350.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: The person in the photo has been identified. No further information has been released.

Sponsored Post: Stretch Your Soul This Lent

By Lisa Ace


Stretch your soul this Lent. If you are longing for the gift of inner peace, we invite you to experience the power of inner stillness through stretching the body and attending to the soul. Join us during the season of Lent for contemplative prayer through chair yoga and centering prayer. No previous experience necessary. The yoga will be very gentle, anyone with any level of ability can participate. Batavia First Presbyterian is located at 300 E. Main Street in Batavia.

Genesee Chorale presents 'Voices of the Earth' April 5 in Pavilion and April 7 in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Chorale sings a celebration of the planet with a concert called “Voices of the Earth” at 7 p.m., April 5, at Pavilion High School, 7014 Big Tree Road, Pavilion, and at 4 p.m., April 7, at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia.

The April 7 concert will also feature a display of area students’ art work with a recycling theme.

Come hear “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” “For the Beauty of the Earth” and other selections by the 70-member Chorale under direction of Ric Jones.

All tickets are $10 each and may be purchased via credit card or PayPal through Chorale’s website box office, www.GeneseeChorale.com. They are also available as “will call” or from Chorale members or at the door.

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