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ARC hosts workforce recognition luncheon

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Genesee ARC saluted local business partners during a luncheon Thursday, celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The event is an opportunity to thank local businesses for believing in the abilities of the ARC workforce, both in the community and through Work Center subcontracts.

The theme of this year’s NDEAM awareness campaign is "Building an Inclusive Workforce" and focuses on recruiting, hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Scott Jones, Genesee ARC director of Vocational Services, thanked business partners and asked them to share their ARC experience with colleagues in the business community.

“We can help place, train and work alongside an individual to help them succeed at a job placement,” Jones said. “Our success rate is phenomenal and we have a team of enthusiastic workers, with a variety of skills."

One individual on the ARC workforce was singled out for recognition at the luncheon. Roxy Kio of Batavia is one of 59 Joslin Outstanding Performers recognized through NYSID’s annual people-centered awards program.

NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled) is a not-for-profit business which administers Preferred Source contracts for goods and services in support of state and local government procurement budgets, to achieve its mission of “Turning business opportunities into JOBS for New Yorkers with disabilities.”

Roxy joined the Genesee ARC workforce in February 2011. She learned about different types of contract work jobs and was initially trained on piecework tasks. She quickly mastered her new work skills and was open-minded to learning more about training and new assignments.

In March of last year, she began working with the janitorial crew and due to her thoroughness and attention to detail, she worked at 100-percent productivity rate. Over the summer, Roxy joined the Culinary Arts team at the Genesee ARC Community Center and has been assisting daily with the Meals on Wheels contract.

As a ‘Joslin Outstanding Performer’ Roxy received a certificate of achievement and cash award in a presentation by Assemblyman Steve Hawley. She will also be featured in NYSID’s annual yearbook.

Genesee ARC works with about 60 local business partners through individual employee placements, the trash & recycling center, work center and community contracts.

Businesses who want to learn about the benefits of building an inclusive workforce may contact Scott Jones at 343-1123 or scjones@rochester.rr.com.

Submitted photo: Scott Jones, ARC, Roxy Kio, award recipient, Margie Werder, NYSID, Donna Saskowski, ARC executive director, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

GCC to hold half-day information showcase on SUNY opportunities

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A half-day program aimed at showcasing the quality, diversity and opportunities available at all colleges within the State University of New York (SUNY) system will take place at the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

More than 100 guidance counselors from high schools in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties region are expected to take part in Operation Inform, or OpInform. The program is cosponsored by the College Admissions Professionals at SUNY and Office of Enrollment Services.

It's intended to make sure the high-school counseling community is fully aware of nature and scope of the SUNY system and to provide information on admissions practices, criteria, application processing and special programs.

Information about each SUNY campus will be available the Conable Technology Building of GCC from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a number of workshops will cover a full slate of topics covering the admissions process, including:

•    Eligibility and access

•    The changing face of the SUNY community

•    New programs such as Vet Tech, Golf Management and Fashion Business

•    Student transfer opportunities within the SUNY system

•    The financial-aid process

•    Application processing

Guidance counselors will also be able to network with college admissions officials from the various campuses and will leave the workshops with a better understanding of the value and quality offered by the SUNY system.

"We are delighted to host this annual event, which is critical to the enrollment process and is an excellent way to highlight the exceptional programs offered through the SUNY system," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC's director of admissions and assistant dean for enrollment services.

To register for the workshops, high school guidance counselors should contact Christie Thompson at 343-0055, ext. 6380, or via email: clthompson@genesee.edu.

Silver SUV strikes dog on Richmond Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

Police are being dispatched to the area of Park Road to look for a silver SUV that reportedly struck a dog on Richmond Avenue.

The caller who reported the incident is "quite upset" according to a dispatcher.

There is no further description available on the suspect vehicle.

New York law requires drivers to stop after hitting a dog or cat.

Law and Order: Police apprehend suspects in beer heist from Tops

By Howard B. Owens

James G. Cox II, 27, of 46 Holland Ave., Lancaster, is charged with petit larceny, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and permitting unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Cox was identified as a suspect of a heist of a 12-pack of beer from Tops Market at 11:29 p.m., Wednesday. His vehicle was located on School Street and Officer Frank Klimjack initiated a traffic stop.

Jamie A. Showler, 16, of 19 Manhattan Ave, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlicensed operation. Showler was allegedly driving the vehicle (see Cox, above) seen leaving the scene of an alleged beer theft from Tops Market.

(Name redacted upon request), 22, of River Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny and criminal tampering, 3rd. xxx was located in Target on Wednesday and identified as a suspect in the theft of the beverage Red Bull on Oct. 6. Besides allegedly stealing the Red Bull, Losh is accused of tampering with the security device on a Dyson vacuum.

Rena P. Argento, 53, of Chili, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Argento was stopped by State Police on Caswell Road, Stafford, at 2:36 a.m., Tuesday.

Photo: Educating children about preventing fire

By Howard B. Owens

It's Fire Prevention Week, and as it does annually, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, is visiting local pre-schools and schools to educate children about who firefighters are, what they do, and the role children can play in helping to prevent fires. Above, Nate Fix and Russel Borden with a child from Genesee Community College's daycare center.

Molino updates city council on projects first proposed six years ago

By Howard B. Owens

Six years ago, the City of Batavia laid out an ambitious checklist of projects and assigned teams of officials and citizens to figure out how to accomplish each task.

Though communication about the Community Action Team's work has been sparse, City Manager Jason Molino said Monday, there has been quite a bit of progress.

For example, a "keep downtown looking great" campaign was started, a municipal power authority was formed, and a confidential hotline for housing complaints was established.

There's still much to do -- some of it audaciously ambitious (such establishing a wind farm to generate electricity for the city -- and some of it mundane (such as create a city staff technology team).

"While a lot of communities are slowing down because of economic challenges, you've been able to achieve a lot during that time frame," Molino said.

There are projects -- even the wind farm -- that could be grant-funded in the future, and part of that process will flow from a $226,000 Brownfield Grant the city has already received.

It will allow the city to study, plan and apply for funds for such things as converting city buildings to geothermal heat and creating residential revitalization districts.

Other possible projects that could move forward under the Brownfield Grant are a boat launch (originally at Kibbe Park, but possibly behind the courthouse), extension of park and walk trails, installion of small electric turbines on the Tonawanda Creek and pursuit of a Tonawanda Creek Park plan.

Alleged drunken driver destroys Settler's Restaurant sign

By Howard B. Owens

The 28-year-old business sign for Settler's Restaurant was destroyed early this morning by an alleged drunken driver.

Martin F. Jones, 41, of 120 Jackson St., Batavia, allegedly hit the sign at 1:56 a.m.

After Jones reportedly hit the sign, witness reportedly found Jones apparently passed out over the wheel of his car. They pounded on the window of the vehicle and Jones reportedly woke up, put his car in reverse, and pulled out onto West Main Street.

He then allegedly drove to the Hess station at West Main and Oak streets where he allegedly ran into a parked vehicle.

Police say Jones then abandoned the vehicle and left on foot.

He was located a short time later by Deputy Frank Bordonaro and taken into custody.

Jones was charged with felony DWI, refusal to take breath test, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, unsafe backing, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, avoiding an intersection, speed not reasonable and prudent and driving on the sidewalk.

He also had two active arrest warrants for allegedly falsely reporting an incident and disorderly conduct.

Batavia PD reports that Jones had "several" previous DWI convictions and was driving on a revoked license as a result.

Following arraignment in city court, Jones was jailed without bail.

The case was investigated by Lt. Greg Steele, Sgt. Dan Coffey, Officer Eric Bolles and Officer Marc Lawrence.

Settler's co-owner John Spyropoulos said the sign, which has already been removed from the property, is damaged beyond repair and will need to be replaced.

Church burglar faces possible long prison term after accepting plea deal

By Howard B. Owens

Church burglar John A. Cabrera is facing a maximum possible sentence of 21 years in prison after admitting to three felonies in Genesee County Court this afternoon.

John Anthony Cabrera Jr., 22, entered guilty pleas to Class D felony counts of burglary and escape. Each of the three convictions carry a possible sentence of two-and-a-third to seven years, and each sentence could be served consecutively.

Sentencing for Cabrera was set for 9:15 a.m., Dec. 4.

The plea is in satisfaction of multiple charges against Cabrera, who was captured July 24 after breaking into St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia.

There may be additional charges against Cabrera, but this plea covers those charges as well. In order for any victims to recover restitution, Cabrera must be charged of those suspected crimes before he is sentenced on this plea.

So far, there are claims of restitution from St. Paul's and Genesee County totally nearly a $1,000 and District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said there willl be additional claims filed prior to Dec. 4.

In order for the plea deal to stand, Cabrera cannot dispute any restitution claims.

There was a spate of church burglaries in early summer prior to Cabrera's arrest, including at St. Mary's, Ascension West, First Baptist and St. James.

After he was arrested, Cabrera managed to escape from the Genesee County Jail, though he was captured before he could actually get out of the building.

For previous coverage, click here.

S.O.S. -- Stockpile of kitten kibble and kitty litter at shelter: ZERO

By Billie Owens

From the Volunteers for Animals:

We are currently out of dry kitten food and cat litter. We would appreciate any help from our supportive community. Donations can be dropped off during adoption hours or left under the patio at the front door.

Thank you!

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY   14021
www.vol4animals.org

Working in partnership with:
Genesee County Animal Shelter
3841 W. Main St. Road
Batavia, NY   14020
343-6410

Adoption Hours:
Sunday through Friday 1 -- 3 p.m. (closed on Thursdays)
Wednesday 7 -- 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 -- 1 p.m.

GC jail superintendent learns the latest in law enforcement at statewide conference

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Jail Superintendent Edward Minardo of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office was among the 79 jail administrators from across New York State recently attended the 14th annual training conference in Saratoga Springs.

Sponsored by the New York State Sheriffs' Association and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, it provides participants with training in the latest advances in law enforcement and a forum to discuss current corrections issues, receive updates on new legislation impacting corrections and law enforcement, and share best practices.

Representatives of several state agencies, such as the NYS Commission of Correction; the NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision, NYS Association of Incarcerated Education Programs, Inc., NYS DNA  Databank, and the NYS Department of Health, shared their perspectives on new laws and practices with the jail administrators.

Session topics at this year’s conference included: the prison rape elimination act; inmate intake; an overview of the NIC/Urban institute transition from jail to the community model; education for
incarcerated youth, jail accreditation, DNA: 2012 legislation and new responsibilities for jails; and offender workforce development specialist training.

Key speakers included Carrie Hill, former counsel to the Utah State Department of Corrections, and a nationally known lecturer and consultant on jail legal issues, and Thomas Beilein, chairman of the NYS Commission of Corrections, and former Sheriff of Niagara County.

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, said, “Sheriffs remain committed to providing education and training to advance the professionalism of all aspects of our Sheriffs’ Offices.”

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation, formed in 1934 to assist sheriffs in the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public. It comprises all of the elected and appointed sheriffs of New York State. Visit www.nysheriffs.org.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute, Inc. was established in 1979. The mission of the Institute is to assist the office of the sheriff in advancing education in the criminal justice
community, preventing juvenile delinquency, developing lawful and productive citizens, and supporting victims of crime and their families. Visit www.nysheriffsinstitute.org.

Reel Discussion at Richmond library: 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

By Billie Owens

Come view the movie and join us for a group discussion afterward. This month’s movie is “To Kill A Mockingbird."

Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic novel has been artfully and delicately translated to the big screen.

It stars the legendary Gregory Peck in his Academy Award-winning role of the courageous but understated hero Atticus Finch and features Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall in his screen debut plus an unforgettable performance by Mary Badham as Scout.

For more information, call the library at 343-9550 or log onto www.batavialibrary.org.

Event Date and Time
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Photos: Morning drive on Creek Road, Cookson Road

By Howard B. Owens

It's another beautiful fall day in Genesee County. This morning I left the house just before sunrise to see what pictures I might be able to make. I drove to Creek Road and circled back on Cookson Road.

Above, the pond at Baskin Livestock on Creek Road at sunrise.

Cookson Road

Cookson Road

Back on Creek Road

Law and Order: Alleged illegal immigrant accused of criminally possessing a shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

Edgar R. Perez-Gonzalez, 34, of North Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Perez-Gonzalez was allegedly found with a shotgun that was not legal for him to possess. He is also accused of being in the country illegally. He was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Monica Renee Lloyd, 26, of Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Lloyd was stopped at 8:31 p.m., Sunday, for allegedly driving 48 mph in a 30 mph zone on Lake Street, Bergen, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Christopher C. Say, 21, of 518 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Say is accused of violating a stay away court order.

Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stankwick is accused of violating a court order of protection.

Law and Order: Two men charged with disorderly conduct following alleged fight on Bank Street

By Howard B. Owens

Michael J. Elmore, 21, of 130 Bank St., Batavia, and Clifford F. Schultz, 46, of 26 Pearl St., Batavia, are charged with disorderly conduct. At 12:29 a.m., Sunday, Batavia PD responded to a disturbance call at 130 Bank St. and observed two men allegedly fighting. Schultz was reportedly seen throwing a punch and striking another person. Elmore allegedly held a baseball bat.

Scott T. Laird, 30, of 5711 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Laird was stopped at 11:43 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street by Officer Chris Camp.

Carrie A. Brown, 32, of First Street, Bolivar, and Dennis Eugene Hopkins, 41, of First Street, Bolivar, are charged with grand larceny, 4th. The couple is accused of stealing $2,000 in pennies from a church on Lewiston Road, Batavia. The money was being saved to buy a playground for children in a Third World country. Brown was jailed on $500 bail. Hopkins was held without bail.

Woodrow Clarence Horseman, 36, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Horseman is accused of shoplifting $103.72 in merchandise from Walmart.

Danielle E. Cummings, 34, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operation. Cummings is accused of entering a residence on Horsehoe Lake Road, Stafford, taking the keys to a vehicle and using the vehicle without permission.

Manuel Larry Valdez, 34, of Shane Drive, Syracuse, was taken into custody on a parole warrant.

Photo: Sporting breast cancer awareness T-shirts

By Howard B. Owens

The staff of Genesee Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing City of Batavia Fire Department breast cancer awareness T-shirts.

Donations of scrap metal wanted to supplement St. Joe's Super Mammoth Sale

By Billie Owens

To supplement funds for our SUPER MAMMOTH Sale next April, we will be providing an opportunity for people to donate any scrap metal they would like to dispose of (iron, tin, steel, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, etc). Ed Arnold Scrap Processors will assist us in receiving, collecting and sorting the metals and then pay us for its worth.

Where: St. Joseph School parking lot (at 2 Summit St. in Batavia) When: Saturday, Oct. 13 Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Batavia student graduates from Buffalo State with goal of teaching middle school

By Billie Owens

Alyssa Ostrowski, of Batavia, graduated from Buffalo State with a bachelor of science degree in childhood education and English, for grades seven through nine. Ostrowski is a graduate of Royalton-Hartland High School.

Buffalo State offers 166 undergraduate and 62 graduate programs. Because of its location in the heart of Buffalo's cultural corridor, students have unparalleled access to museums, cultural events, businesses, internships, service learning projects, shops, and green spaces.

On the Web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Alyssa-Ostrowski-Graduates-from-Buffalo-State/4984994.
 

Three basketball players and a volleyball coach named to GCC's Athletics Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The coach who took the women's volleyball team to conference championships and launched the men's volleyball program, two exceptional women's basketball players, and a hoops star who now coaches the Genesee Community College Cougars were inducted into the GCC Athletics Hall of Fame during the third annual Homecoming celebration.

The following outstanding athletes were inducted:

•    Volleyball Coach Ben Guiliano, a native of Spencerport, led GCC's women's volleyball squad from 1978-1987, amassing three conference championships and one regional title. He also launched the men's team and coached softball during his tenure at GCC. His coaching skills also helped build strong volleyball teams at Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Creighton University and Pfeiffer University. He currently guides the Keuka College Women's Volleyball Team, and over a 30-year career, Guiliano's teams have earned an overall record of 546 wins and 396 losses. He lives in Branchport.

•    Basketball standout Mary Loree, from Arkport, excelled for the GCC Lady Cougars in 1978-79 on several sports teams, notably as a two-year starter for the basketball, field hockey and softball teams. Loree was named to the1978 women's hoops squad at the Empire State Games, and helped lead her GCC teammates to the NJCAA National Tournament. She also served for 20 years in the Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2009. Her duties included providing worldwide communications for the White House during the administrations of presidents William Clinton and George W. Bush, which earned her the Presidential Service Badge. Loree now makes her home in Alexandria, Va.

•    Lynn (Jensen) Northup, Class of 1993, is an Attica native who excelled as a shooting guard for the GCC Lady Cougar's basketball program in the early 1990s. Her career highlights include five games during which she scored more than 30 points in a single game, and five three-point baskets in a single game. Northup attended Houghton College and is a physical therapist for the Avon Central School District. She resides in Churchville with her husband and three children.

•    Class of 2003 basketball star Terry George has come full-circle at GCC. The Batavia resident was a two-time All-American and Region III Player of the Year for the men's team, and was an integral member of the 2002-2003 squad inducted into the Genesee Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. He still holds the college record for career points, with 1,370 over his two-year playing career with the Cougars, and was on the first GCC squad to earn an NJCAA National Tournament berth. George continued playing hoops at the College of St. Rose, and returned to GCC in 2007 as assistant coach for the men's basketball team. In 2011, he was named interim head coach, and this year, took over the reins as permanent head coach.

To learn more about GCC's outstanding athletics programs, visit: http://www.genesee.edu/athletics/.

The Batavia Salvation Army launches online Red Kettle Campaign

By Billie Owens

Press release:

It’s beginning to look like Christmas at the Batavia Salvation Army. Preparations began weeks ago to organize the Red Kettle Campaign and holiday assistance programs.

During the holiday season The Salvation Army offers many opportunities to get involved and donate. This year we have expanded our kettle campaign to include online giving.

This year an online red kettle team has been created by Major Patty Kurtz. Major Patty has issued a challenge to raise money through her online kettle team to exceed the campaign goal set by her husband, Major Bob Kurtz.

All money raised through the online red kettle will be dedicated to meet the needs of local families and individuals in Genesee County.

Individuals interested in joining the team or making a donation can visit the team’s Web site: www.onlineredkettle.org/BeatBob

For more information contact: Major Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

St. Joe's 53rd annual Popcorn Ball is Oct. 13, theme is 'Taste of Genesee'

By Billie Owens

St. Joseph Catholic School will honor alumni Judge Robert Balbick and M&T Bank Regional President Dan Burns at its 53rd annual Popcorn Ball on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the school. Three volunteers will also be honored for their service. They are Jamee Logsdon, Michelle Cryer, and Maria Streeter.

The theme of this year’s event is “A Taste of Genesee” and will feature food from nine different restaurants and caterers.

This year’s Popcorn Ball will feature food from some of the area’s most popular restaurants along with prizes from Darien Lake and Palm Island Indoor Water Park. This year’s menu includes:

Seafood Bisque from Terry Hills
Fried Calamari from Alex's Place
Smoked Chicken Wings from Duke's Smokin' Bone
BBQ Ribs from Clor's
Pulled Pork Sandwiches from Center Street Smoke House
Mini Beef on Weck from T.F. Brown's
Mini Beef Wellington from Larry's Steak House
Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo from Bob Evans
Eggplant Parmesan & Pasta Primavera from Penna's Catering

Tickets are $60/couple and currently available at the school. You can also reserve a table of 10 by visiting www.sjsbatavia.org or calling 343-6154.

About the honorees...

Judge Robert Balbick graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1963, going on to earn a degree from Canisius College and his J.D. from Albany Law School. Judge Balbick was admitted to the bar in 1975 and became a Batavia City Court Judge in 1992. He was instrumental in creating Genesee County’s Drug Court, which gives those with substance-abuse problems a chance for recovery. Robert and his wife, Jane, have three children -- Kristen, who is a lawyer; Michael, who currently works in the banking industry, and Katie, who works for UMMC.

Dan Burns graduated from St Joseph Catholic School in 1978, going on to graduate from St. Bonaventure University and earn an MBA from Columbia. He was first hired by M&T in 1986 and currently services as a regional president while managing the M&T Charitable Foundation. Dan is past chair and current board member of Greater Rochester Enterprise and YMCA of Greater Rochester; he is vice chair at the Monroe Community College Foundation; he is a board member of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Flaum Eye Institute and St. John Fisher College. Dan currently lives in Rochester with his wife, Denise, and has two sons and a daughter.

Jamee Logsdon is part owner of Baltz Concrete of Pavilion and has spent countless hours supporting events like the Popcorn Ball and the Mammoth Sale and once waded into water that was ankle deep to fix a plumbing problem prior to a major event at the school. He has also served on several committees and supported numerous fundraisers. Jamee, along with his wife, Seana, their daughter, Kaitlin (SJS Class of 2009), and son Connor (SJS Class of 2013) live in Batavia.

Michelle Cryer and Maria Streeter are known as the “Dynamic Duo of Bingo” and have managed to turn Friday night bingo into a successful fundraiser for the school. Both have chaired the annual Popcorn Ball and have volunteered to do everything from painting to assisting with the construction of the school store. Michelle and her husband, Matt, live in Batavia with their three children, James (SJS Class of 2011), Jacob (SJS Class of 2013), and Jocelyn (SJS Class of 2016). Maria and her husband, Darryl, also live in Batavia with their two children, Julia (SJS Class of 2013) and Benjamin (SJS Class of 2017).

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