At the Genesee County Fair, the local chapter of MOPS -- Mothers of Preschoolers -- has a tented booth at the far end of the bathroom that is a changing station.
Say the MOPS, "We offer a clean place to change the little ones and also a nice clean comfortable place to breastfeed.
"Stop by and get info about joining our MOPS family with your little one or just stop in, say 'Hi!' and use our facility.
A possible structure fire is reported at 27 E. Main St. in Le Roy, near Trigon Park. The caller reports the smell of smoke but nothing visible. Le Roy Fire and a medic are responding. A Bergen fire truck is also called.
UPDATE (1:45 p.m.): The Bergen truck is not needed. The residents of the apartment are not home, but firefighters checked the apartment and found nothing. However, a zoning officer is en route to inspect the premises.
UPDATE (2 p.m.): Le Roy medic is back in service. Le Roy Fire is also, having turned over the scene to the code enforcement officer and the property manager.
Batavia native Josh Earl has been nominated once again for another Emmy for his work on the popular TV reality show Deadliest Catch.
He is one of the series' film editors and has worked on more episodes than the production crew's other film editors. From 2006 to date, he has handled the editing of 21 episodes.
The Deadliest Catch documents the hazards, difficulties and obstacles faced by commercial fishing expeditions on the high seas.
The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees elected Trustee Charles R. Ruffino as board chair for the 2010-2011 year at its annual meeting Monday.
Ruffino has served as vice chair for the last two years. He is a resident of Batavia and a retired New York State Department of Education administrator.
Trustees elected Maureen T. Marshall as vice chair. She lives in Elba, and is owner and operator of Elba-based Torrey Farms.
Diane D. Torcello was named secretary. She resides in Pavilion and works as a Bank of Castile branch manager.
In other business, the board of trustees:
• Heard President Stuart Steiner report that State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher sent him a letter expressing her pleasure at serving as Genesee's 2010 commencement speaker in May.
• Heard Steiner report that Genesee will receive $417,424 in Perkins Vocational and Technical Education funding for the coming year. The grant will provide support for career-oriented programs at the college.
• Heard Steiner report that the New York State Education Department has given final approval for the college's new Veterinary Technology degree program and Polysomnographic Technology degree program. The college may now accept students for both programs.
Here's a news release sent today from Chris Barons, Democratic candidate for the 139th Assembly District.
Key to restoring New York State’s economic vitality is bolstering opportunities for local products and farm produce in local markets. My program to open up local markets to local producers involves a one-two punch.
The two-part program targets both consumers and retailers -- establishing recognition of locally grown foodstuffs and manufactured goods and providing an incentive for retailers to merchandize local-origin products.
Just as branding has defined merchandizing strategies for apparel, fast food and innumerable high-profile products, "Made in New York" and "Grown in New York" will become state-licensed trademarks.
Minimum criteria would be required to qualify for the brands: Made in New York and Grown in New York. Standards would include in-state labor, local source and origin of components and/or goods. Manufactured products and agricultural produce would have to meet such requirements to be labeled with a New York brand.
In 2002, New York retail sales amounted to $178,067,530,000. Overall, U.S. retailing accounts for 8.1 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). To encourage retail participation in marketing and the sale of local products, the flip-side of the plan is to institute a Local Enterprise Credit.
This business credit would be based on the ratio of floor space allotted to local-origin products and produce. To maximize opportunities for local producers, the credit would be graduated -- the more floor space allotted to local products, the larger the credit.
The Local Enterprise Credit incentive and New York branding strategies would boost most retail products and commodities.
New York branding would guide consumers toward selecting New York’s products and produce. Thus, the marketplace would connect New York’s consumers and producers in a mutually profitable alliance, restoring New York business to Main Street, New York.
Batavia Downs has announced a brand-new scholarship race to give away $7,500 for college-bound students. The event will feature students from area schools, accompanied by professional drivers, in a "dash for the cash" on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Batavia Downs has announced a brand-new scholarship race to give away $7,500 for college-bound students. The event will feature students from area schools, accompanied by professional drivers, in a "dash for the cash" on Saturday, Sept. 11.
“We are really pleased to be able to help support the education of students in our community in such a unique way,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Michael D. Kane. “We hope the students who participate not only walk away with scholarship funds, but also a greater understanding of the sport of harness racing.”
The students and their professional driving partners are: Emily Sallome, of Batavia High School, with Mike Pokornowski; Kaley Falkowski, of Batavia High, with Jim Mulcahy; Eric Harrower, of Batavia High, with Ron Beback, Jr.; Michael Norway, of Oakfield Alabama High School, with Mike Baumeister; and Tyler Pingrey, from Notre Dame High School, with Jim Graham.
This summer, the students will attend at least five training sessions at the track with their driver to learn the safety and skills needed to drive a horse. Then between the fourth and fifth live harness races on Sept. 11, they will line up behind the starting gate and compete for scholarships of $3,000, $2,000, $1,200, $800, and $500, depending on their finish.
“Five organizations came together to sponsor these scholarships as an investment in the youth of this community,” Kane said. “This scholarship event is sponsored by the horsemen, breeders, owners, and raceways of Western New York through the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs Casino.”
Harness Horse Breeders is partnering with other New York tracks this summer to offer scholarships to students across the state.
Batavia Downs, America’s oldest lighted harness track, opens its 64th racing season on Monday, July 26, for 72 racing dates. Racing will be at the new post time of 6:40 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be a special 1:15 p.m. post on Sunday, Aug. 29.
For more information, visit <http://www.batavia-downs.com/>.
This is an e-mail from Sandy Gillard, the longtime children's librarian at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, who recently retired.
I would like to thank Dan Crofts for the beautiful pictures and article about my retirement from the Richmond Memorial Library. I would also like to thank all of the people who sent cards, stopped in to see me, or expressed good wishes for my future.
It is so gratifying to know what a generous and thoughtful community we live in. I would like to share any recognition I have received with my family (especially my husband, Craig) and with the staff and board of the library both past and present.
As a group these people have worked hard to create one of the most outstanding libraries in the country. Lastly, it is important to remember the taxpayers who have supported our library and have made all of this possible.
As I look forward to the future, I plan to continue to live and volunteer in Batavia because it is a wonderful place to call home.
Sandy Gillard
Retired Children's Librarian of the Richmond Memorial Library
Here's a news release from Marc Coppola, state senate candidate for New York’s 61st District.
Senate candidate Marc Coppola is challenging his election opponent "not to associate with corrupt party leaders."
Coppola is calling on incumbent Michael Ranzenhofer, to decline the state’s Independence Party nomination.
“Accepting the support of Independence Party political boss Frank McKay and his upstate colleague, former Democratic Party Chairman Steve Pigeon, sends the wrong message to voters," Coppola said. "Both are under state and federal investigation for alleged money laundering and campaign finance violations.”
Several media outlets around the state have reported that McKay is under investigation by the New York City District Attorney’s office for possible money laundering in connection with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s re-election campaign. Media outlets have also reported that Pigeon is the focus of multiple investigations by state and federal authorities for similar violations in connection with other campaigns.
Board of Elections records show Senator Ranzenhofer filed an acceptance for the Independence Party nomination on July 12. To get the party’s nod, McKay himself must give the authorization.
Ranzenhofer’s acceptance of the Independence Party line, while knowing that Chairman McKay and Pigeon are both under investigation troubles Coppola.
“I can’t say that I am surprised that Senator Ranzenhofer is willing to work with corrupt party bosses for his own political gain,” Coppola said. “To secure the senate majority, Mr. Ranzenhofer voted to make State Senator Pedro Espada President of the Senate.
"It was a move that put Espada in line to potentially be the next governor. It came even after Espada had been fined by the State Board of Elections for campaign finance violations, and while Espada was under criminal investigation by state and federal authorities.
“It is clear that Senator Ranzenhofer is willing engage with corrupt politicians and party bosses if it benefits him politically. When I started this campaign, I called for an end to cross-endorsements and fusion voting for precisely this reason.
"Confidence in government and its leaders is at an all time low in New York State and the corruption of our political system is a major reason why. I choose to take the high road and not ally myself with party leaders who are under criminal investigation. I challenge my opponent, Mr. Ranzenhofer, to do the same.”
It should also be noted that Senator Ranzenhofer is pursuing the Independence Party line even after he called for Steve Pigeon to be investigated in 2008. It came when Pigeon and Rochester billionaire Tom Gollisano supported Ranzenhofer’s opponent Baby Joe Mesi in the last election.
A truck's gas tank has reportedly exploded and the truck is on fire at 7154 Pine St. in Oakfield. There are no structures nearby. Oakfield Fire is responding.
UPDATE (3:30 p.m.): The fire is knocked out, says a fire chief.
The Batavia Rotary Club has pledged $25,000 to the Genesee Community College Foundation over the next five years. The club's gift will be matched by the federal government.
The Endowment Challenge Fund of the U.S. Department of Education recently awarded the college a matching grant for its endowment fund -- up to $80,000 per year for the next five years. The money helps support, retain and aid deserving student facing financial hardships.
"As a long-time Rotarian and college employee, I was delighted the Rotary recognized the benefit of doubling the scholarship fund under the Endowment Challenge grant," said Ray Chaya, a long-term member of the Batavia Rotary and a former president.
Chaya has also been a member of the college's staff for more than 30 years.
"Year in and year out, we see how scholarships change students' lives – empowering them to become productive members of our community," Chaya said. "It is a win-win for everyone."
The Genesee Community College Foundation was formed in the mid-eighties as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service to and support of the college. Its 34-member board of directors is comprised of business and civic leaders. Last year, the foundation's philanthropic support provided 536 scholarships to Genesee students totaling $284,184.
Additional contributions to support for the foundation may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY, 14020. For more information contact the foundation at 345-6809 or <http://foundation@genesee.edu>.
A fender-bender with minor injuries is reported in front of City Church on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.
The roadway was blocked temporarily. City fire responded and an ambulance, non-emergency response.
UPDATE 5:09 p.m. (by Howard): It was a minor accident, but there was an arrest following it. I'll post pictures in a separate post shortly.
In a game, which on paper, should have been an easy win for Batavia’s 12-year-old Little League All Stars vs. Dansville, it turned out to be a very exciting comeback-from-behind victory.
Batavia started the game poorly, throwing 3 pitchers with a combined 80 pitches to get out of the first inning, as the scoreboard read, Dansville up 7-0.
Batavia bounced back with 4 runs to reduce the deficit. Dansville came back with 4 more runs, making it 11-4 after 3 innings in wet weather conditions. Batavia was flat, as Dansville had a commanding lead.
But CJ Suozzi provided the spark for Batavia’s comeback. Suozzi hit a laser over the left center field fence with Greg Mruczek and Dakota Swimline on base. The ball ended up
in the street lined outfield at Dansville’s LL Stadium.
This was Suozzi’s 3rd homer in the District Tournament. Batavia went on to score 3
more runs in the 4th inning making the score 11-10.
In the bottom of the 5th, Suozzi led off the inning with a double. The umpire stopped the game for a rain delay. After 30 minutes the game resumed as darkness was fast approaching.
Tyler Prospero walked. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position. Josh Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Suozzi and moving Prospero to third. A hot batting Trevor Sherwood (4 for 4), hit in Prospero for Batavia to take its first lead of the game!
Prospero came in relief in the 3rd inning and pitched masterfully (8 strikeouts) to get the win for Batavia, especially in the final inning when the playing conditions were wet and dark.
Batavia was led by great hitting from Sherwood, Suozzi, Nate Goodwin, Jarret Lasket and Mruczek.
Batavia now advances to the District 3 Championship game at Geneseo tomorrow at 6 p.m. (Thursday, July 15).
This information was submitted by a reader.
"Batavia Downs Live," a three-and-a-half hour television broadcast of the harness races from Batavia Downs, returns on July 26 -- opening night of the 2010 season -- at the historic track.
Up to 69 race cards will be televised in the Time-Warner Rochester region on Channel 98. Channel 98 is on Time-Warner's basic digital package. The coverage area extends from portions of eastward Niagara County and through all or most of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Steuben counties.
The broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m.,10 mintues before the Downs' new 6:40 p.m. first race post time.
Once again, racing analyst Todd Haight and track announcer Joe Zambito will anchor the broadcast.
“We are extremely pleased to be back on Time-Warner,” said Michael D. Kane, vice president of Live Racing and OTB branch operations. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Batavia Downs to once again showcase its live racing product to new customers and to provide our longtime racing fans with the nightly races in the comfort of their homes.”
Last year the races were also shown in Erie County and Buffalo.
“We continue discussions with Time-Warner in those areas, but as of right now we have no deal in place," Kane said. "Our racing fans should visit our website for any further updates.” <http://www.bataviadownscasino/>
Western Regional Off-Track betting, the owner of Batavia Downs, provides telephone betting through its Dial-A-Bet service. Patrons may phone 1-800-724-4000 to establish an account.
“Make a Splash, Read” -- the 2010 Children’s Summer Reading Program at the Richmond Memorial Library -- will hold family programs at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. Here's the upcoming lineup:
Other children’s activities will include Beach Blanket Bingo for all ages at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays; Tiki Storytime Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for young children; and Luau Lunch Book Club from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays for grades three to five.
Prizes and fun will abound throughout the summer. For more details or to register check out our website: <http://www.batavialibrary.org>.
Cargill Animal Nutrition and its employees in the Northeast Region helped to contribute more than $77,000 to United Way chapters in communities throughout New York and Vermont last year.
To be exact, employee donations and corporate matches raised $77,856.
Local United Way donations came from employees at Cargill facilities in Albany, Batavia, Gouverneur, Jamestown, Liverpool and Salem, NY; plus and Swanton, VT.
United Way works across the United States and in 45 countries worldwide on programs that support youth education, workforce training, increased access to health care, and more.
Cargill Animal Nutrition, Northeast Region employs 341 people at 14 facilities in New York and Vermont and surrounding areas.
Last year, Cargill Northeast Region gave a total of $105,381 in donations, from high school scholarship programs to contributions to nonprofit organizations.
Genesee Community College's Criminal Justice Program has added special concentrations within its Associate's in Applied Science curriculum.
Forensics as well as Homeland Security/Emergency Management join the traditional Policing, Corrections Counseling and the general concentrations already offered.
"Genesee's Criminal Justice Program has a strong history of excellence," said Barry Garigen, professor of Criminal Justice and program coordinator.
"The concentrations will enhance learning and allow students to focus on emerging areas within the field while still continuing to receive the traditional educational foundation necessary to become successful criminal justice professionals."
The Forensics Concentration includes two science electives and two specialized courses. They are taught by Criminal Justice faculty member Karen Wicka.
Introduction to Forensics (CRJ125) is a three-credit course that will familiarize students with the basic principles of CSI (crime scene investigation) and the scientific concepts and techniques used in a forensic laboratory.
Students participate in crime-scene analysis, evidence collection and evidence preservation. They also work in a number of forensic crime labs involving various branches of forensic science including fingerprinting, toxicology, serology (the study of blood serum) and impression evidence.
This fall, the class is offered from 12:20 to 1:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 12:25 to 2:25 p.m. on Fridays.
Forensic Anthropology, (CRJ118), also a three-credit course and it examines human skeletal remains in the context of medico-legal issues.
Students analyze the scientific evidence of skeletal or badly decomposed remains to establish circumstances of death, and identify the decedent by estimating age, gender, racial affinity, stature, pathologic conditions, and traumatic injury.
The course also introduces human osteology (the study of bones), and presents methods and techniques used in forensic anthropology. The course discusses case reports, contexts in which human remains are found, and methods of recovery.
Forensic Anthropology is taught by Kristi Krumine and will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Kristi has extensive experience in both the practice of and teaching of forensic anthropology and archaeology.
Another new and exciting concentration of Genesee's growing Criminal Justice program is Homeland Security /Emergency Management.
Introduction to Emergency Management (CRJ122) will be offered on Tuesday evenings this fall.
This course examines the need for, and principles of, emergency management in formulating and implementing effective responses to all hazards including natural and man-made disasters.
Students will review contingency planning, hazard and risk assessment, joint operations, law and ethics, mitigation, prevention, emergency response and recovery procedures. CRJ122 will be instructed by Brad Mazur, a member of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.
Homeland Security (CRJ119) will be offered during the spring semester and presents a comprehensive overview of homeland security from an all-hazards perspective.
Students examine threats to homeland security stemming from natural and technological disasters, domestic and international terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction. They also review the roles and responsibilities of governmental agencies, not-for-profit and private agencies, and individual citizens concerning homeland security operations.
Students can still enroll for fall in these or any other criminal justice courses.
For further information on Genesee's Criminal Justice program, please contact Barry Garigen, Criminal Justice professor and program coordinator at 343-0055, ext. 6307 or <http://bjgarigen@genesee.edu> or visit <http://www.genesee.edu/legal/crimjust>.
The Ghost Riders Flat Bed tour begins tonight at 6.
The gang will fuel up at O'lacy's at 6 and then entertain folks at the Vets Hospital, home and assisted living facility, state home and all community nursing homes and low-income housing areas 'til 9 o'clock.
At each stop, they all gather outside for a few minutes of music and laughs and maybe a good story.
EVERYONE is welcome to follow along...
Here's a news release from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County about this year's fair and the 4-H Club.
It’s summer. And it’s been awesome! Looking for something to do? Something that will support our community, and our youth, and our roots? Something that will be fun, relaxing, easy to do, and, if you aren’t careful, you might even learn something?
It’s the Genesee County Fair – July 20 through 24. Five bucks per carload to park, and then free admission. Where else are you going to get a deal like this?
The Genesee County Fair has been in existence for 170 years! That’s 170 years of countless volunteers working to entertain each of us, right here in Genesee County.
These numbers speak to the rich history of our community, its foundation, and the drive of countless residents collaborating to make our community stronger, involving youth in positive activities, and trying to give each of us something positive to experience and remember.
The fair is sponsored by the Genesee County Agriculture Society, a non-profit organization, made up of farmers, businesses, and concerned citizens, dedicated to preserving and promoting agriculture in an effort to enhance the quality of life in our community.
Why is this important? Well, if you like to eat, drive, wear clothes, use blankets, live in any kind of structure, agriculture should be important to you – since everything begins with agriculture.
The fair – it brings up all kinds of memories for each of us. The fair has certainly changed over time, but then, what hasn’t? Regardless of what you might think of the fair, I happen to know that there are many 4-H youths and their families and their leaders and their educators that work all year long for the opportunity to show everyone what they have been learning.
4-H is just one component of the fair. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, the home for the 4-H program in our county, is celebrating its 90th Anniversary - 90 years of educating youth in our community.
During the fair, 4-H members have the opportunity to showcase their projects. These hands-on experiences help youth improve skills, learn the importance of following rules carefully, gain confidence in interacting with judges and speaking with confidence about their project, all while handling the excitement and nerves that come from public presentations.
Please show your support for this event. The fair is an important staple in the 4-H program. Projects and animals are judged according to county standards with a select few being awarded the opportunity to be displayed at The New York State Fair in Syracuse.
In case you don’t know about 4-H, it is the world's largest, dynamic, informal educational program for young people and is based on democratic principles. Nearly 7 million youths, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H Youth Development experiences.
For more information, please contact Paul Webster at HYPERLINK "mailto:pvw7@cornell.edu" pvw7@cornell.edu, or 343-3040, ext. 117.
See you at the fair!
The Volunteers for Animals are in dire need of dry kitten kibble and canned cat food. The nonprofit helpers for the Genesee County Animal Shelter have about 50 kitties in foster care as well as at the animal shelter and Petco.
"They are the cutest eating machines and need their kitten food," say the volunteers.
The wet food is used to give the felines daily medications as needed and as a morning-time treat for all the cats.
If the shelter is closed when you drop off your donation, the food can be left at the front door, under the porch area out of the weather.
"We greatly appreciate your help and support," say the volunteers. "We could not do what we do without the generosity of the community!"
The animal shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Phone is 343-6410.
To contact Volunteers for Animals, the address is: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, NY, 14021. They are online at <http://www.vol4animals.org>.
UPDATE: The folks at Petco in Batavia contacted us to say they have a donation box set up inside the store specifically for Volunteers for Animals. So if you are buying pet food there, you can drop it in the box and it will be given to the shelter. They accept dog food, too.
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