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FYI: Current version of GED test expires at end next year

By Billie Owens

Press release:

GED Testing Service, based in Washington, D.C., announced the launch of its campaign, Your Future is Calling, to alert test-takers who need to finish the GED test by the end of 2013. The current version of the test—the 2002 Series GED Test—will expire at the end of 2013, along with incomplete test scores.

“More than a million adults have started but not finished the current GED test,” said Nicole Chestang, executive vice president of GED Testing Service. “As a nation, we cannot afford to let millions of working-aged adults miss this opportunity to complete and pass the GED test, opening doors to college, training, and better jobs.”

Those interested in joining the campaign can sign up online at GEDtestingservice.com/jointhecampaign.

On the campaign site you can find talking points, outreach strategies, and print materials to help inform test-takers of this deadline and opportunity. GED test-takers can find more information at finishtheGED.com, or by visiting one of their local adult education or GED testing centers.

The GED test contains five parts that can be taken separately, but must all be passed to receive a high-school credential. GED test-takers who have started the 2002 Series GED Test, but not finished and passed every section, have until the end of 2013 to do so. Otherwise, their scores will expire, and they will have to start over again with the new 2014 GED test.

The new test will be based on emerging national and state standards. It will offer dual performance levels where test-takers can earn the high-school equivalency credential as well as an additional endorsement that indicates career- and college-readiness. The test will be delivered solely on computer and offered only in official testing centers.

Last year, nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the only official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high-school diploma.

Currently, 24 states offer the GED test on computer at authorized testing centers. The GED test on computer is the same 2002 series GED test that is currently offered on paper and pencil. Test-takers must take the GED test – whether on paper or computer – in person at an official GED testing center. The GED test is never offered online.

Historic marker to be dedicated at site of former Trumbull Cary mansion

By Billie Owens

On Thursday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m., members of the public are invited to a dedication of an historic marker for the Trumbull Cary Mansion, formerly at 211 E. Main St.

Ceremonies will begin at Go-Art, 201 E. Main St.

Nicole Walter of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the organization that funded the marker, will speak briefly. Her remarks will be followed by those of Larry D. Barnes, Batavia city historian. Barnes will present a biographical sketch of Trumbull Cary and outline the history of the mansion.

Afterward, the event will move to 211 E. Main St. where Sallie Fogarty, a great-great-great granddaughter of Trumbull Cary will unveil the marker. The mansion was built in 1817 and torn down in 1964.

Car crash at Main and Bank streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A car accident is reported at East Main and Bank streets in Batavia. One person has chest pain as a result. Law enforcement is on scene and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: Two cars were involved, and one of them traveled to Center Street afterward where medics took the patient to UMMC. City fire also responded and is now back in quarters. A flatbed tow is called for the disabled vehicle at the initial crash site.

Starbux Eden beats the boys in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

By Brian Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

It was Ladies' Night Friday (Nov. 23) in the featured $8,200 Open I-II Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs as the lone mare in the field of seven, Starbux Eden, beat the boys by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.4.

Owned, trained and driven to victory by John Cummings Jr., of Williamsville, the favored Starbux Eden ($4.40) sat the pocket behind the pacesetting Perfect Man (Dave McNeiught Jr.) through quarters of :29.0, 1:00.2 and 1:30.1.

But just before the top of the stretch, instead of dropping down to the passing lane, Cummings Jr. tipped the 6-year-old Striking Sahbra mare to the outside and trotted home smartly in :30.3 on the blustery evening, easily beating Keystone Bernard (Shawn Gray). Partici Pator (Jim McNeight) finished third.

It was the 10th win of the season for Starbux Eden in 35 starts and increased her 2012 earnings to $60,005.

Reinsman Dan Noble, currently second in the Downs' standings, was the driving star of the evening winning six times on the 12-race card.

Taste of the Holidays downtown

By Billie Owens

Join in the holiday spirit at the second annual “Taste of the Holidays” on Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Holiday Tent in Jackson Street parking lot in festive Downtown Batavia.

New this year will be The Scavenger Hunt: The Twelve Days of Christmas. This should encourage more people to go into the stores, identify the day, and then look around for holiday gifts.

Another reason for coming downtown will be to see all the festive window displays.

Friday, Dec. 7 (5-9 p.m.):

Event Date and Time
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Taste of the Holidays downtown is Dec. 7-8

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join in the holiday spirit at the second annual “Taste of the Holidays” on Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Holiday Tent in Jackson Street parking lot in festive Downtown Batavia.

New this year will be The Scavenger Hunt: The Twelve Days of Christmas. This should encourage more people to go into the stores, identify the day, and then look around for holiday gifts. Another reason for coming downtown will be to see all the festive window displays.

The B.I.D. Taste of the Holidays Committee has put a lot of effort into this event and wants you to join in the celebration.

Friday, Dec. 7 (5-9 p.m.):

  • Lighting of the community Christmas tree and singing of carols. (Tree next to Bank of America on Main Street.)
  • Holiday Tent: several area restaurants will provide samples from their menu. Admission: $1/person.
  • Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Twelve Days of Christmas – in downtown stores with a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate.
  • Horse and carriage rides (6-9 p.m. -- Center Street parking lot across from Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles) Rides: $1 -- proceeds donated to: Don Carroll “Toys For Kids."

Saturday, Dec. 8 (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.):

  • Holiday Tent: Free children’s holiday activities (decorating ornaments, coloring, making Christmas cards and puppets, etc.)
  • Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Twelve Days of Christmas – downtown stores.
  • Entertainment: Bart Dentino & Kevin Huber (12-3 p.m.) and the McMahon Irish School of Dance.
  • Horse & Wagon Rides (12-3 p.m. - Center Street): Rides $1 (for “Toys for Kids”)

Hosted by: Batavia Business Improvement District
For more information visit:  www.downtownbataviany.com

(Don't confuse this event with Christmas in the City, which is inside City Centre on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.)

Two wrecks on the Thruway, one minor injury

By Billie Owens

There are two motor-vehicle accidents on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 401. There are no injuries reported for the one in the eastbound lane, which involves a red Jaguar. The one in the westbound lane resulted in a minor injury. Mercy medics are responding along with Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested and assistance for traffic control. The Jag has major front-end damage and is on the bridge over Route 77, which is said to be extremely slick and cars are traveling on it too fast. A third car has slid on the bridge.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: The state DOT has salt and maintenance trucks headed to the bridge.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Two patients are being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: The patients headed to UMMC have minor injuries. One is a 49-year-old female, the other is an 18-year-old male.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: Indian Falls is leaving the scene and so is the State Trooper.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Pembroke command calls for an ambulance at the top of the ramp of the Pembroke exit off the Thruway for an accident in which a person has neck and back pain.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: The person with neck and back pain is a 42-year-old male who is being taken to UMMC.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: The Pembroke assignment is back in service.

Car crash, minor injuries, in Darien

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Sumner and County Line roads. Darien Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: One car is blocking westbound traffic.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: Two people, including a small child, are being transported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Car vs. deer accident in Stafford, woman with head injury

By Billie Owens

A car struck a deer at 6372 Main Road in Stafford. A 26-year-old female sustained a head injury. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m.: An officer on scene says the deer's head smashed through the van's window and pushed the female driver into the rear of the vehicle, injuring her head.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: The woman is being taken to UMMC. She was a passenger in the back seat and the deer smashed through the side window. She is complaining of hip and back pain. Stafford firefighters are back in service.

Black Cat Friday Special at the animal shelter

By Billie Owens

Attention holiday shoppers, tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. there's a Black Cat Friday Special offered at the Genesee County Animal Shelter. You get 50-percent off of the cost of adoption, which is regularly $30.

The cat or kitten must be at least 50-percent black to qualify.

The black cat, le chat noir, the elegant Bombay, the parlor panther -- these are symbols of good luck in Great Britain, Ireland and Japan. The Egyptian goddess Bast (or Bastet) was known at the Cat Goddess. Sailors often put a black cat on board ship for luck on the treacherous high seas.

In Western and European cultures, the black cat gets a bad rap and it's the slowest to be adopted. Pshaw! Have a heart, forget that poppycock, and come on down! The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia.

A $35 deposit will still be required for any animal not spayed or neutered, and this is reimbursable with proof of sterilization. All the felines are current with their vaccines, tested for FeLV/FIV and many are already spayed and neutered.

Bring a carrier for your new friend to go home in.

Car vs. deer accident with injuries on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A car struck a deer on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 392.5. There are injuries. Mercy EMS and law enforcement are responding along with Town of Batavia firefighters.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: A responder at the scene says "Traffic is a mess out here." The vehicle is off the roadway about 15 feet.

UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: "We have a secondary accident about a half mile back." It's a two-car rear-ender with no visible injuries to the vehicles' occupants, including an infant. As a result of this secondary accident, law enforcement is "controlling the left passing lane."

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Mercy medics responded to the secondary accident to evaluate those involved. The location is at mile marker 391.2, westbound.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: An 18-month-old baby boy is being taken to UMMC for evaluation. He was strapped into his car seat when the accident occurred.

Archangel to be feted on Wednesday at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino will celebrate the accomplishments of world champion and trotting track record holder Archangel with a coffee mug giveaway on Wednesday night (Nov. 21). The locally owned trotter took Western New York by storm when he competed in the historic $1.5 million Hambletonian.

To receive a collector’s edition photo mug, patrons simply need to swipe their Player’s Club card beginning at 5 p.m. at Players Club to receive a ticket that can be redeemed in the Paddock Room after the seventh race for an Archangel mug. Supplies are limited.

Archangel, a son of Credit Winner-Michelle’s Angel, was purchased for $120,000 in 2010. Earlier this year he set a world record on a half-mile racetrack on July 7 at Yonkers Raceway when he won the Yonkers Trot, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown, in 1:54.1. Then on Sept. 9, he lowered the Batavia Downs trotting all-age and 3-year-old record when he cruised to victory in a New York Sires Stake event in 1:54.3. His final time was more than two seconds faster than the previous record of 1:56.4 set by Earl in 1993 in the Provenzano Trot.

In two years of racing Archangel earned $906,579, including $771,386 during his sophomore season. His lifetime best of 1:53.1 came at Vernon Downs and was equaled at Lexington, Ky. In addition to the giveaway, a special meet-and-greet session with owner/trainer Peter Arrigenna and co-owner Alan Hainsworth will be held in the track lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m. On display will be some of the trophies won during the 2012 campaign.

“We wanted to buy a top quality horse, one that could be dominant on the New York Sire Stakes and eventually become a Grand Circuit horse,” Hainsworth said. “He did that and more. He earned a lot of money for us and it’s really been an amazing ride. I got a chance to meet some great people along the way.”

Hainsworth and partners purchased another son of Credit Winner for $170,000 at the recently concluded Harrisburg Sale and are hopeful they have another champion.

“He’s extremely well bred and is a carbon copy of Arch,” Hainsworth added. “Not only do I have confidence in his breeding but in my trainer as well.”

The Downs is expecting a nice crowd on Wednesday night.

“Back in the day, the night before Thanksgiving used to be one of the biggest nights of the year,” said Todd Haight, track general manager said. “I’m confident we’ll have a nice crowd on hand, many thanks to Pete and Alan for making this happen.”

Christmas in City Centre

By Billie Owens

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

Visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

The Batavia Business Improvement District wants to remind you to "Shop Small and Local" for the holidays. For more information call 585-344-2518 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com

Event Date and Time
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Christmas in City Centre

By Billie Owens

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

On Friday, activities include entertainment by the Batavia Concert Band and a visit with Santa Claus. On Saturday, visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

Event Date and Time
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Christmas in City Centre set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join in the holiday spirit at the Annual Christmas in City Centre from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Downtown Batavia City Centre.

On Friday, activities include entertainment by the Batavia Concert Band and a visit with Santa Claus.

On Saturday, visit with Santa Claus, be entertained by Center Stage and see the various animals at the Zoo Mobile.

The Batavia Business Improvement District wants to remind you to "Shop Small and Local" for the holidays. Remember, this Saturday, Nov. 24, is Small Business Saturday.

For more information call 585-344-2518 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com

Car strikes fire hydrant, utility pole in Darien

By Billie Owens

A car struck a fire hydrant and broke a utility pole before leaving the scene at 10653 Alleghany Road. High tension wires were said to be hanging low to the ground, but Darien Fire Department, now on scene, says that's not the case.

The vehicle is now in the parking lot of the Darien Town Hall and law enforcement is out with it. The location of the accident is between Route 20 and Erie Road. The fire hydrant is dislodged but not leaking. The pole is upright, but sheared at the base, "somewhat attached to the ground" and will need immediate attention. The utility company has been notified and is sending out a crew right away.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: The driver is not injured and the vehicle is not leaking fluids. The officer who spoke with the driver is leaving the town hall parking lot and returning to the accident site.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: National Grid has a 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Steven Easton.

Field fire at North Pembroke and Galloway roads

By Billie Owens

A field fire is report in the area of North Pembroke and Galloway roads. Smoke is showing. "It's in the middle of a field. I'm not sure how we're going to get to it," says a responder on scene. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding and Alabama and Town of Batavia are providing mutual aid.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The property owner is on scene and says he's burning some brush from a hedgerow. Alabama and Town of Batavia are back in service. East Pembroke will handle the assignment as need be.

Car strikes tree on Warboys Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A car-into-tree accident, believed to be with no injuries, is reported at 6668 Warboys Road. There was air-bag deployment. Byron and South Byron fire is responding along with medics to evaluate the patient(s).

UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: There are no injuries. Responders are told to proceed in non-emergency mode.

Car crash with injuries on West Sweden Road, Bergen

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at 6571 W. Sweden Road. Bergen fire and Mercy medics are responding along with law enforcement. The location is between Swamp and Evans roads.

UPDATE 11:49 a.m.: A responder reports one vehicle is completely blocking traffic and fire police are called to shut down the roadway. A second vehicle involved is off the roadway.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: One patient was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

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