Above, file photo of inside LB Grand taken in March 2018.

Press release (inset photo below submitted):

Some History on the LB Grand

The LB Grand came to be in 1983 as a result of the extraordinary efforts of Ron and Dolly Piazza. In the subsequent decades, the Piazza family fed and served drinks to two generations of LeRoyans, Genesee County residents, friends, neighbors, and lovers of homemade Italian food. In 2017 the Piazzas “passed the torch” to the Farmer family.

Admittedly, when the Piazzas approached the Farmer family, the timing wasn’t ideal. With the restoration of Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn well underway, the thought of opening two restaurants simultaneously seemed challenging.

However, after touring the facility, Bill Farmer, proprietor, remarked, “We saw something” mentioning that the building had a sort of “mystique” that he was drawn to.  He added that his Italian heritage added a nostalgic pull as well.

Executive Chef Wolf said that he was all for the idea and that he saw the LB Grand as “the spot” for the community, noting that the size of the building and history associated with it made the LB Grand a real gem within the community that was worth maintaining.

After the purchase, the Farmer family decided to keep the name that the Piazza family had built and continued operations while working towards exposing the character of the building.

Bill noted that “Things that take longer often yield a better result,” and for the past two years has worked in conjunction with his team to fine tune the interior, exterior and overall operations. “As with any business, it’s still a work in process but we’re proud of where it’s come and are excited to celebrate with the community.”

Above, LPN Valedictorian 2019: Heidi Mix, director of Regional Medical Programs (left) with Class Valedictorian Jenna Staheli.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership recently celebrated the graduation of 23 students from its School of Practical Nursing program. Of these 23 students, 18 students graduated with high honors, a 90 percent or above.

Students took part in this 12-month, 1,200-clock-hour program that is certified by the New York State Education Department. It is designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN Examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

This course is offered in three different sites located in Batavia, Rochester Tech Park in Gates, and Mount Morris.

“As a nurse, you can truly make a difference in someone’s life; you could help save a life or help bring a new one into the world," said Heidi Mix, regional director of medical programs. "You can care for patients as they recover, and assist families through some of the most difficult times in their lives.

"A career in healthcare truly is rewarding. The need for nurses grows every day. Our School of Nursing Programs have a 100-percent placement rate.”

For more information about this program, contact the Adult Education/School of Practical Nursing at (585) 344-7788.

Below, LPN Perfect Attendance 2019: Heidi Mix, director of Regional Medical Programs, (left) congratulates LPN graduates Jenna Staheli, Amanda Booth and Denise Bagwell, for earning perfect attendance.

About the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership:

It offers a broad scope of adult education programs including a School of Practical Nursing and a Certified Nursing Assistant program, vocational training as well as classes for those seeking to broaden their skill sets. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York state.

The following people are wanted on warrants issued out of Batavia City Court. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these subjects, please contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

Do not make any attempt to apprehend these individuals on your own.

If you have an active warrant and want to avoid ending up on a WANTED list like this, the Batavia Police Department would be more than happy to assist you on resolving the warrant.

Brian J. Hawkins, age 39
Charge(s): prohibited sale of alcohol to a minor. Brittney E. Johnson (AKA Jones), age 31
Charge(s): aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 3rd degree John M. Gallt, age 31
Charge(s): driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

 

    Justin T. Gladney (AKA Frazier), age 29
Charge(s): criminal impersonation, 2nd degree, falsifying business records, three counts of petit larceny, and one count attempted petit larceny.    

Andrew J. Bilicki age 34, W/M 5’9” 200 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, LKA West Ave. Medina, NY

Bench warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court, DOW 6/20/18

Arrest warrant for bail jumping 3rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court DOW 8/17/18

Jesse D. Bowman age 26, W/M 6’1” 170 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, LKA Vine St. Batavia NY

Arrest warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) and conspiracy 6th PL 105.00 (Misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 2/4/19

Barbara E. Ferrando age 47, W/F 5’9” 180 lbs., brown hair brown eyes, LKA Summit St. Batavia, NY

Bench warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 2/4/19

 

Creagan T. Maclaren, age 20, W/M 5’10” 175 lbs., brown hair, green eyes, LKA Brower Rd. Spencerport, NY

Bench warrant for DWI VTL 1192-2 (misdemeanor) Darien Town Court DOW 8/4/18

Clint J. Reed, age 21, W/M 5’6” 180 lbs. black hair, brown eyes, LKA Barton St. Rochester, possibly in Ellicottville, NY area

Bench warrant for DWAI VTL 1192-1 (violation) Batavia Town Court DOW 7/30/18

Arrest warrant for bail jumping 3rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 9/17/18

Shawn M. Szczygiel age 41, W/M 5’8” 145 lbs., blond hair blue eyes, LKA  Tinkham Rd. Darien, NY

Bench Warrant for DWI VTL 1192-2 (misdemeanor) Darien Town Court DOW 11/28/17

 

If you are able to assist the Sheriff's Office in locating these people, the Sheriff's Office asks that you do not approach these people and that you call (585) 343-5000 with information that may assist in locating the suspects.

Brian Wilson, 30, no address noted, of Corfu, was arrested on two counts of reckless endangerment after deputies say he was driving in wintry conditions without his headlights on. Wayne County Sheriff's deputies said he drove without headlights in two separate incidents on Route 104 and Lake Avenue in Williamson early this morning in the predawn hours (March 4). Deputies allege he was driving at a high rate of speed on Lake Avenue. Both of those incidents, deputies say, took place before sunrise and during snowy weather conditions, with roads covered in snow. Wilson was put in Wayne County Jail on $250 cash or $500 bond.

Armando M. Teruel, 35, of Black Spruce Court, Amherst, is charged with second-degree contempt. He was arrested on Feb. 25 on a Batavia City Court warrant. He is accused of violating a stay away order of protection that was issued on May 13 by contacting the protected party. He was released on his own recognizance. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.

Spencer Alan Luthart, 22, of Mill Street, Middleport, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more; unlawful possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. Luthart was arrested at 1:32 a.m. on March 3 on Wolcott Street in Le Roy after he was stopped for alleged traffic and vehicle violations. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Le Roy Town Court on April 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

Aiken R. Ahdeosun, 20, of Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, was arrested March 1 by Batavia police after he was spotted walking on Thorpe Street. He had a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court for failure to appear on a charge of petit larceny that occurred at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the M&T Express Mart at 100 W. Main St. in Batavia. He was also charged with bail jumping back in September for failing to appear in court on another matter in August. After his arraignment, he was jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. He was due to return to city court today (March 4). The cases were handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Joseph W. Freeman, 34, no address provided, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 10:27 a.m. on Feb. 27 at Tops Market in Batavia after allegedly shoplifting. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and found to have a bench warrant issued Jan. 31 for failure to appear concerning an unspecified incident. After arraignment, he was jailed in lieu of bail and is due in city court on Tuesday (March 5). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

For the longest time, Batavian Ron Lawrence flew under the radar when it came to throwing honor scores. That's not the case anymore.

In November, the 61-year-old right-hander posted his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game at Mancuso Bowling Center and this past week, he recorded his first USBC-certified 800 series, also at Mancuso’s.

Lawrence's big series came in the Antique World Tuesday Coed League. His rolled 31 strikes, including the last 22 in a row in a 245, 268, 300 effort on lanes 19-20.

In other league action around the Genesee Region, Jeremy Vallance of Warsaw rolled a 300 game and 758 series and Nate Cordes of Batavia shot 290--748 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday Night League at Mancuso's.

For a list of high scores last week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page. 

Mike Pettinella's next Pin Points bowling column is scheduled for this Thursday.

Press release: 

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $40,000 in federal funding for the Genesee County Office for the Aging.

This grant was awarded through the Senior Corps RSVP from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a program that leverages the skills and experience of seniors from across the country to serve in a variety of volunteering activities.

The Senior Corps RSVP is one of the largest volunteering networks in the nation that engages Americans 55 or older in citizen service to address problems that our country faces. These services can range from fighting the opioid epidemic, connecting veterans to jobs and benefits, and ensuring seniors age dependently and with dignity.  

“ As we get older it is important we keep ourselves active,” Congressman Collins said. “The Senior Corps program is a great way to get involved in our community while helping others.”

The Genesee County Office for the Aging offers a variety of programs and services to all county residents who are the age of 60 and over. Their mission is to provide information, support, and advocacy to their residents while promoting independence to improve the quality of life.

The Senior Corps engages approximately 220,000 Americans at 25,000 locations across the nation through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and RSVP programs.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.43, up 3 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.53. The New York State average is $2.53 – up 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.71. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.47 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo - $2.50 (no change since last week)
• Ithaca - $2.48 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Rochester - $2.48 (no change since last week)
• Rome - $2.51 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse - $2.47 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Watertown - $2.51 (up 1 cent since last week)

Rising crude oil prices are pushing up gas prices at the pump. Refineries are also gearing up for spring gasoline production and maintenance season.

 

 

Deputy Howard Wilson started working as the school resource officer for Oakfield-Alabama Central School District at the end of January. The position was officially approved by the Genesee County County Legislature last week, and Friday we got a chance to talk with Wilson about his new job.

Here's a press release from the Sheriff's Office:

Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. is pleased to announce that as a result of the collaboration between the Genesee County Legislature, Oakfield-Alabama Central School Board and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the assignment of a School Resource Officer has been approved.

Deputy Howard O. Wilson V has been selected by the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District as its School Resource Officer. Deputy Wilson is a five-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. He was hired as a Correction Officer in 2014 and then appointed to Deputy Sheriff in 2016. During his tenure, he has earned three Commendations.

"The Oakfield-Alabama School District and Board are proud to have Deputy Sheriff Howard Wilson serve as our School Resource Officer," said Superintendent John Fisgus. "We look forward in creating a positive working relationship with him as he will serve to help and assist our students and community in many different facets.

"Thank you to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for this agreement.”

Sheriff Sheron indicated that his goal has always been to establish a School Resource Officer in all county schools to ensure the safety and protection of the students and faculty.

“With the assignment of Deputy Wilson in the Oakfield-Alabama Schools, we are that much closer to our goal," the sheriff said. "Although the cost associated with placing a School Resource Officer in the schools is significant, I believe the safety and security of our children should be of the utmost precedence.”

Superintendent John Fisgus, Undersheriff Brad Mazur, Sheriff William Sheron, Deputy Howard Wilson, and Legislator John Hilchey.

It was a celebratory evening at the Quality Inn and Suites on Saturday as the Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community. 

For more on each award winner, click on the story links below:

• Geneseean of the Year has a 'heart' for county residents in need
• Genesee County Chamber selects Genesee Lumber as 2018 Business of the Year
• Chamber awards 2018: Rotary Club of Batavia gets Special Service Recognition of the Year
• Chamber awards 2018: Upstate Niagara is Agricultural Organization of the Year

Dan Fischer, emcee.

Jay Gsell, emcee, with the "Genesee Is Great Already" (GIGA) hat that he introduced at the event and gave to each honoree.

Tom Turnbull, president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Stocking and Penny Arnold.

Larry Webster and Mike Davis representing Upstate Niagara Cooperative.

The Harrower family, Genesee Lumber.

Jim McMullen and Sue Schuler representing the Rotary Club of Batavia.

Videos, produced by Paul Figlow, were used to introduce each award winner.

Bob Stocking's hat.

County patrols have been told to be on the lookout for a 2007 blue Hyundai Sonata​ that was reported stolen at about 12:30 p.m. from the parking lot of Walmart.

The driver who left in the vehicle is described as a white male, late 40s or early 50s, wearing a white jacket.

The vehicle was last seen southbound on Route 63.

Defense helped Pembroke get passed #1 seed Marion on Thursday and on Saturday, the Lady Dragons again held their opponent in check to clinch the team's first-ever sectional title.

Pembroke, which came in seeded fourth, beat #3 seed Geneseo 43-38 in Class C2.

There are three Class C brackets this year in Section V and only one Class C team will represent Section V against Section VI in the Far West Regional championship game, so tomorrow Pembroke plays Avon, Class C1 champions, to see who will play Oakfield-Alabama, Class C3 champions, for a chance to represent Class C going forward.

Game time tomorrow is 7 p.m. tomorrow at Cal-Mum.

On Saturday, Casey Wertz scored 10 points, Dekari Moss, nine, Emily Peters, nine, Serene Calderon, eight, and MacKenna Johnson, seven.

For Geneseo, Heidi Phelps scored 11 points and Kaniya Jackson scored 10.

To view more photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

 

 

If a high school basketball team can play a perfect first half of a game, that's what the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets did Saturday morning on their way to an upset victory over #1 seed South Seneca in the Class C3 Section V championship match at Victor High School.

O-A won 43-39. 

"Offensively, we were knocking some shots down," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "Defensively, I thought we were incredibly good. One of the big things that hurt us in the quarter-final and the semifinal was rebounding. We got outrebounded in both games so for the last two days in practice we said, 'look it, we've got to rebound the ball' and I thought we did a really good job."

In the second half, South Seneca started knocking down shots and shaved the O-A lead significantly but the Hornets didn't break. They maintained their mental toughness, countered with their own points and stuck to their defensive game plan.

"You're right, any time they made a run, we had a big play," Schlagenhauf said. "Sometimes it's those little things. There was a couple of deflections that ended up going out of bounds that we got our hands on that changed the possession. Kelsey had a great tie-up on a rebound that gave us a possession. Those are little things that sometimes go unnoticed, but that's how we got back in the game the other night against Keshequa."

For O-A, Tori Mandel scored 14 points and tournament MVP Danica Porter scored 11 points. She also had seven rebounds and Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored six points and had eight rebounds. 

The leading scorer for the Hornets on the year, Brianna Smith, with a 15-points-per-game average and 364 points on the year, was held to six points. She also had seven rebounds.

Watch the video for more comments from Schlagenhauf, Mandel and Smith (with our apologies for not including Porter in the video but the cameraman messed up that interview).

An executive with Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. announced that it has signed a purchase agreement to buy the Alpina Foods plant in Batavia.

Larry Webster, chief executive officer of Upstate Niagara, broke the news at tonight's Genesee County Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

The Alpina plant is located in the Genesee Valley Agri-business park at 5140 Ag Park Drive West. The plant operated by the yogurt maker closed in January.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m. (by Howard): After tonight's Chamber awards, Webster said Upstate's immediate plans for the former Alpina plant aren't settled but that acquiring an ultramodern dairy-processing facility in a strong milk shed where Upstate has been looking to expand was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

"The way I termed it, it's the farm next door," Webster said. "When it came up for sale we were looking to expand and so it just kind all worked out well."

The plant represents a $60 million investment by Alpina, a Colombia-based company that attempted to crack the U.S. greek-yogurt market by opening the plant in the Genesee Valley Ag-Business Park five years ago. Webster said Upstate will pay somewhere in the neighborhood of the $20 million to $25 million asking price on the plant but said he wasn't ready to disclose the purchase price.

"We just knew that it was an opportunity to pick up a production-ready plant in our area and so we did," Webster said. "We're not 100-percent sure exactly what we're going to do there yet."

The plant will be filled, Webster said and he expects that the plant is ready to employ 40 to 60 people, and more if the plant expands. Part of what attracted Upstate to the property is that while the plant sits on a 10-acre parcel, there is a 10-acre parcel next to it that is vacant but is included with the purchase.

"That makes room for expansion, which we were interested in," Webster said. "It's in the right place at the right time and ready to go. We've got some customers that we think could fit in there quite well and we could utilize it fairly quickly."

Frequently, Upstate operates on a co-packing basis with clients who need a production facility for their dairy-product brands. Webster indicated he expects that's how the former Alpina plant will be used.

The purchase offer was signed Thursday and is contingent on a due-diligence process but Webster didn't expect any issues to arise before the acquisition is final.

The project will likely also be eligible for an incentive package from the Genesee County Economic Development Center, which also provided more than $700,000 to Alpina to build and expand the plant, according to a source who was at Saturday's dinner. The scope and nature of the incentive package has not yet been settled on. 

When Massachusetts-based HP Hood bought the former Muller Quaker plant, which is also in the ag park, it also negotiated an updated tax-abatement package with GCEDC.

Webster said he doesn't expect Upstate will follow the example of Dairy Farmers of America, which purchased the former Muller Quaker plant across the street and flipped it to HP Hood a year later without ever producing any product at the plant.

"That's not in our plans at all," Webster said. "We bought it for our use and our history is just that. We've been operating plants for quite awhile and didn't buy it because we thought it was cheap and we could turn around and resell it or anything like that. We felt we paid a fair price for it but it's for our use."

A three-car accident with injuries is reported at Ellicott and Liberty streets. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE: Photos by Frank Capuano. No further information available at this time.