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Ithaca College congratulates students named to dean's list.

Kaitlin Logsdon, of Batavia, a communication, management and design major in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College was named to dean's list for the Fall 2014 semseter.

Maureen Edwards, of Corfu, a musical theater major in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Ithaca College was named to Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semseter.

Sarah Ehrmentraut, of Le Roy, has earned High Honors for the fall semester of the 2014-2015 academic year at the University of New Hampshire.

Students named to the dean's list at the University of New Hampshire have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance.

Highest Honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade-point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded High Honors and students whose grade-point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded Honors.
 

Press release:

Jeanne Graber, a Batavia resident, knows first-hand how hard it is to quit smoking. She stopped smoking three years ago after 55 years of being addicted to the deadly habit. She is now encouraging others, including her neighbors at Washington Towers where she lives, to quit with the help from their doctors.

Jeanne will be among four women at Washington Towers who will be recognized by the American Heart Association. They will receive an iconic red dress pin at a special event to support the GoRedforWoman campaign.

The other women to be recognized are Patricia Epple, Margaret Hughes and Jeanette Johnson.

The event will take place at Washington Towers from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13th. Management and residents also will celebrate the third anniversary of the adoption of the smoke-free policy at the apartment complex, located at 1 State St. in the City of Batavia. This policy benefits non-smokers and supports those who want to quit smoking.

"I know quitting has changed my life and made me appreciate my health more than ever," Graber said. "I'm the master of my ship now, not cigarettes. Unfortunately, before the building went smoke free, residents really could not avoid secondhand smoke because it came through the vents, outlets, windows and cracks. I want everyone who lives here to be able to breathe clean air and have healthy hearts. I'm so glad we made the decision to go smoke free."

"Smoke free policies and laws are an easy, affordable and cost effective way to prevent heart disease and help to create healthier communities," said Kevin Keenan, Community Engagement coordinator for Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. "Most renters, including smokers, want smoke-free housing as it supports their efforts to quit."

February is American Heart Month, an opportune time to remind New Yorkers that tobacco use and secondhand smoke are major causes of heart disease, America's number one killer. Frequent exposure to tobacco smoke has been found to nearly double the risk of having a heart attack and creates an unhealthy environment for children. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease, increases the risk of stroke and the severity of heart attacks when they occur.

New Yorkers can be protected from smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease by creating more smoke-free housing. In addition, smokers need resources to help them quit.

Valerie Tidwell, property manager at Washington Towers said, "More than 80 percent of our residents supported making the apartments smoke free. They now realize that this was a sensible policy since there's no fool-proof way of protecting residents from secondhand smoke unless you go completely smoke free inside. For management and tenants, it has worked out well."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year nearly 33 million nonsmokers in the U.S. may be exposed to secondhand smoke coming from other units and common areas. Each year secondhand smoke causes more than 3,000 deaths in nonsmoking adults in New York State, most from heart disease and lung cancer.

Tobacco-free apartment buildings save money in addition to many lives. According to the CDC, prohibiting smoking in subsidized housing alone would result in annual cost savings of nearly $125 million in New York State. Cost savings of $100 million would come from unneeded secondhand smoke-related healthcare.

"Smoking is one of the leading risk factors for coronary diseases and quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of coronary diseases," Keenan said. "I hope more people join Washington Towers' residents in loving their hearts by ending this deadly addiction."

Those looking for help quitting, should talk to their doctor and for additional support, call the New York Smokers' Quitline.  The Quitline provides free coaching, information and a free starter kit of nicotine patches to eligible New York residents. All callers to the Quitline in February will receive a red dress pin or bracelet. Wearing a red dress pin is a tangible reminder that better heart health begins with quitting smoking.

For more information about smoke-free properties, contact Kevin Keenan at 585-219-4064 or by e-mail at Kevin.Keenan@roswellpark.org

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at tobaccofreewny.

The Dean's List at Genesee Community College recognizes students enrolled either part-time or full-time who have earned a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74.

GCC proudly announces that students named below are among 366 who were earned recognition on the dean’s list for the Fall 2014 semester.

With the main campus in Batavia, New York and six campus centers located in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, Genesee Community College serves more than 7,000 students and provides convenient learning options, including 15 degrees that can be earned fully online. As part of the State University of New York (SUNY), GCC offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates including the all new Food Processing Technology degree. In addition, the College provides student housing at College Village, which is adjacent to the Batavia Campus. For further information about all of GCC's opportunities, go to www.genesee.edu.

GCC Fall 2014 dean's list honorees:

Mackenzie Marinaccio a full time student and resident of Alexander, NY (14005)

Brittany Over a full time student and resident of Alexander, NY (14005)

Branden Riggs a full time student and resident of Alexander, NY (14005)

Crystal Snyder a full time student and resident of Basom, NY (14013)

Emily Alvut a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Jared Bird a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Aleiah Brunner a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Whitney Case a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Marissa Colantonio a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Ariel Corcoran a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Lauren Fish a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Courtney Fisher a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14021)

Eva Hernandez a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Kimberly Kingsley a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Stephanie Mortimer a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Maryssa Peirick a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

William Rupp a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Jacob Sheets a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Ryan Shormann a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Eric Snell a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Victoria Snyder a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Valerie Stephens a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Erika Weis a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Bailee Welker a full time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Kristen Maggiulli a full time student and resident of Bergen, NY (14416)

Nathan Reiner a full time student and resident of Bergen, NY (14416)

Brian Stamp a full time student and resident of Bergen, NY (14416)

Marymagdalen Gabalski a full time student and resident of Byron, NY (14422)

Courtney Oderkirk a full time student and resident of Byron, NY (14422)

Austin Blaszak a full time student and resident of Corfu, NY (14036)

Tessa Busch a full time student and resident of Corfu, NY (14036)

Danielle Milbrand a full time student and resident of Corfu, NY (14036)

Sandra Buxton a full time student and resident of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Elisabeth Wagner a full time student and resident of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Amanda York a full time student and resident of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Jessica Cornwell a full time student and resident of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Emily Pelton a full time student and resident of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Amanda Littlejohn a full time student and resident of Elba, NY (14058)

Brian Reed a full time student and resident of Elba, NY (14058)

Ryan Vlack a full time student and resident of Elba, NY (14058)

Matthew Cray a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Aaron Falkowsky a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Skye Gregory a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Kathryn Krautwurst a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Rebekah Miller a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Kristi Miller a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Nicole Moody a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Brooke Ortiz a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Camille Parrish a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Kristen Stalnecker a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Jacob Sullivan a full time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Nicole DiSalvo a full time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Casey McVay a full time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Carrie Ohlson a full time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Katie Spence a full time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Mellisa Wells a full time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Karisa McKeown a full time student and resident of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Daniel Smith a full time student and resident of Stafford, NY (14143)

Matthew Bridger a part time student and resident of Basom, NY (14013)

Richard Biegasiewicz a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Joseph Mahler a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

LeeAnn McEwen a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Caitlin Mendola a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sheila Neth a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Erik Pokornowski a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Natasha Robinson a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Jaylene Smith-Kilner a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Walter Szczesny a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Gerald Watts a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Brian Wheeler a part time student and resident of Batavia, NY (14020)

Brittany Schmitt a part time student and resident of Bergen, NY (14416)

Margery Fitzsimmons a part time student and resident of Byron, NY (14422)

Dakota Longhini a part time student and resident of Byron, NY (14422)

Troy Burdick a part time student and resident of Corfu, NY (14036)

Lori Santini a part time student and resident of Corfu, NY (14036)

Kaleigh Hinkson a part time student and resident of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Audrey Dollinger a part time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Joshua Hotze a part time student and resident of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Aaron Bosse a part time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Trevor Dayka a part time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Austin Schroeder a part time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Haven Smart a part time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Arielle Thompson a part time student and resident of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Benjamin Werner a part time student and resident of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Put a spring in your step and hop on over to Genesee Community College to explore ways you can shape your future. All six GCC campus center locations are hosting a "Catch the Wave" educational opportunity providing enrollment and registration services to community members Tuesday through Thursday, March 31, April 1 and April 2 starting at 9 a.m. and continuing through the day as needed.

Student services including academic and financial advisement, application assistance, financial aid, course registration and other technical assistance will be provided. Potential students can take the placement test and register for summer and fall courses if they bring official transcripts from their high school. The staff at each campus center will be ready to assist students of all ages, all career interests and all walks of life.

Scholarship opportunities are among the dynamic opportunities for local residents to explore. The Genesee Promise Plus program offering summer scholarships for GLOW-area high school graduates and juniors, as well as adults who have never attended college before.

New students will be assisted in starting their online FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and are encouraged to bring photo ID, record of high school graduation or GED, and their most recent tax return.

For door-to-door driving directions to the campus centers go to: http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps.cfm

Press release:

A $2,500 grant that provides extracurricular activities for abused and neglected youngsters has been given to GC CASA for Children for the second year in a row.

The donation announcement was made this afternoon. The Kelly for Kids Foundation presented the check to CASA for Children Executive Director Ashley Hausfelder last month.

Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization that trains members of the community to become volunteers who advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children that come before the attention of family court.

“While advocating for these children’s most basic needs, CASA volunteers have quickly found that these children need so much more than that," Hausfelder said. "These children all lack self-esteem and a feeling of belonging. Some have not known where their next meal would be coming from and quickly had to learn how to be a parent to their younger siblings. Genesee County CASA would like to give these children a chance to be kids, a chance to feel like they belong in this world and a chance to feel pride."

Last year was a successful one for the children who received services from CASA because of the Kelly for Kids Foundation grant.

“In 2014, our program was able to provide family memberships to the YMCA, karate lessons, dance classes, soccer camp expenses, a trumpet for a child to play in his school band, as well as the purchase of swimming lessons, etc.," Hausfelder said. "Thankfully, in 2015, we will be able to do the same, if not more."

For more information about the Court Appointed Special Advocate program or to become a volunteer you can visit the Web site at www.geneseecountycasa.org <http://www.geneseecountycasa.org/> or contact Ashley Hausfelder, executive director, by phone at (585)-815-7809.

The Genesee Economic Development Center will hold its annual meeting and luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6. It will be in the Paddock Room at Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

To register, contact Rachael Tabelski, marketing and communications director, at 343-4866 or e-mail at  rtabelski@gcedc.com

Press release:

2014 has certainly been an exciting year from an economic development standpoint as unemployment was at a historic low of 4.8 percent in August, per capita income grew 6.16 percent, and businesses invested more than $50 million in our community. The food industry across the region, and especially in Genesee County, continues to flourish while investment and developments at the WNY STAMP project occur on a daily basis.

The GCEDC Annual Meeting is an opportunity for you to find out what has been achieved in Genesee County over the last year and to get a exclusive preview of what the economic landscape will look like for 2015. The Annual Meeting is also an excellent opportunity to network with economic and elected leaders from around the region. At the event the GCEDC will also unveil the "2015 Economic Development Partner of the Year Award."