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Press release:

Genesee Community College now offers accelerated courses to 20 students in Vietnam who are enrolled in the American Pacific Unified International School. Trustees heard about this unique global education initiative at their regular board meeting Tuesday night.

The independent college preparatory high school is located in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). This effort is part of the college's Accelerated College Program (ACE) program, which has made courses available to juniors and seniors in area high schools for many years.

To date, students have participated in Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, French 201, French 202, and Principles of Business courses during their school day. They are using GCC curricula, and Genesee has certified their instructors as adjunct Genesee faculty members.

Credits earned by the Vietnamese students can be used toward Genesee degrees or transferred to most colleges and universities across the United States and even abroad. Most of the participating students would like to attend college in the United States, according to Edward J. Levinstein, associate dean of Accelerated College Enrollment Programs.

The new initiative reflects Genesee's emphasis on global outreach, and may be the first step in boosting enrollment from other new international sources, Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor told the board of trustees last evening.

Genesee has sponsored an extensive global education program for more than two decades, bringing lectures, demonstrations and other activities focused on cultures around the world to the college. More recently, the college has begun pilot international study programs, permitting local students to complete coursework in such locations as Australia, Ireland and the Netherlands. Last year, 130 students from two dozen different nations enrolled for classes at Genesee.

Some baccalaureate colleges and research universities offer academic coursework to students abroad, but Genesee is believed to be one of the first community colleges in the nation to begin an initiative such as this, Taylor said.

"We are very excited about the opportunities this new ACE initiative will offer students in Vietnam and hopefully other nations, as well as our own students," Taylor told trustees. "This could eventually mean greater international outreach, and many more international students traveling here to complete their degrees at Genesee."

On a related note, President James M. Sunser reported that he has been nominated for membership on the Global Education Skills Alliance Board of Directors. The alliance is a consortium of nine colleges and universities seeking to boost international study among students of the participating colleges. The alliance will recommend common curricula and transfer standards, as well as study abroad and exchange programs. Sunser would be one of two United States representatives on the board, which is expected to conduct meetings by teleconference.

Trustees endorsed Sunser's participation on the alliance board.

In other business at the meeting, trustees:

•    Heard Board Chair Maureen T. Marshall note the observance of Veterans Day. Marshall thanked all veterans for their service on behalf of the board.

•    Heard President Sunser report that Donna M. Grant has been appointed Career Services Specialist with the college's Perkins IV Grant program. She has served as an academic advisor at the Medina Campus Center since January 2011, and has served on the staff of Canisius College. She holds a B.A. degree from the University at Buffalo and a M.S. degree from Canisius College. She is a resident of Tonawanda.

•    Heard Sunser report that external reviewers completed the college's Periodic Review report, required for continuing accreditation of the college by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. He said the report was positive, and the college is awaiting the final draft from the Middle States Commission.

•    Approved revisions to the college's policies on nondiscrimination and tobacco use. Wording of the nondiscrimination policy is now consistent with wording often used throughout the SUNY system. The updated tobacco use policy prohibits all forms of tobacco use in campus facilities and within 50 feet of entrances.

•    Approved the deactivation of the college's Customer Relationship Management program. Although the degree will be discontinued in 2016 after six students complete their studies, customer relationship management coursework will continue to be fully offered as part of the college's business programs.

•    Heard Director of Computer Services Cindy M. Delmar report on Genesee's new Computer Technology Master Plan. Delmar noted that the last master plan completed more than three years ago resulted in numerous technological advances for the college. These included: a new "flexible registration" process enabling non-credit students to register and pay online; support for the college's new video and access control safety programs; and the installation of "smart" technology in virtually all Genesee Community College classrooms and labs.

The new master plan will: emphasize the college's participation in the SUNY-wide "Degree Works" initiatives, which will streamline degree planning and transfers throughout SUNY; make greater use of mobile technologies for both instruction and administration; provide more videoconferencing opportunities among the Batavia campus and six campus centers; and expand bandwidth to support the college's growing eLearning programs.

"Our priority is to continually make improvements to the technology, and our business processes," Delmar said. "This helps us maintain our reputation as a leader in technology."

The public is invited to attend the 11th annual Wonderland of Trees Gala at the Holland Land Office Museum from 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 16.

The theme is "Home for the Holidays." There will be entertainment by Jeff Fischer and Don Bouchard, a silent auction, and hors d'oeuvres prepared by D & R Depot.

Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple/family. Proceeds benefit the museum, which is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

The event presented by the president, directors and staff of the Holland Purchase Historical Society and HLOM.

Press release:

The 28^th annual Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Edward and Beverly Corcoran on Friday, Dec. 7, at an awards luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant.

The award presented by The Jerome Foundation and United Memorial Medical Center Foundation recognizes men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.

Nominations should reflect “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.”

In naming the Corcorans for this year’s award, the foundations will recognize their volunteer efforts at organizing and running Stephen’s Table, a soup kitchen that provides lunches six times a week, on average to 30 people a day. Donald Lewis, a volunteer at Stephen’s Table, nominated the Corcorans for the award, citing their dedication to serving the hungry.

“More than 20 years ago Ed and Beverly Corcoran recognized a need in the Batavia area to provide a meal to residents who had inadequate nutritious food. The Batavia Assembly of God Church provided the kitchen and dining room, and Ed and Beverly provided care and concern for those who might be hungry or in need of fellowship. Thus, Stephen’s Table was born.”

The Corcorans prepare the meal each day. A typical lunch is homemade soup, sandwich, fruit, dessert and beverage. Volunteers help serve the meal. However, that is only part of the job. Ed and Beverly spend hours each week visiting local businesses that donate food to Stephen’s Table. Mrs. Corcoran also has the job of completing reports and correspondence to individuals, organizations and church groups who donate food and personnel to help with the food kitchen. 

Mr. Lewis’ nomination included several articles about the growing problem of hunger in this area, and the challenge of feeding those in need. Foodlink, a regional food bank that provides 13 million pounds of food annually to a 10-county service area including Genesee County, has undergone state and federal cutbacks. The Corcorans depend on food from Foodlink, but with less food and more people to serve, the challenge can be daunting. 

Last year Mr. Corcoran volunteered 1,932 hours to serving the needy at Stephen’s Table. Mr. Lewis noted in his nomination letter, “It must be emphasized that Ed and Beverly receive no compensation; their service is totally voluntary. Besides their time, they also contribute their own funds for gas to obtain donations. Their love and concern for the less fortunate in the region has been the driving force behind Stephen’s Table for these past 20 years.”

The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public. Reservations can be made by contacting United Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 344-5300. Seating will be limited so early reservations are encouraged.

Press release:

Genesee County residents are invited to join Hillside Family of Agencies affiliate, Hillside Children’s Center for an adoption and foster care celebration on Thursday, Nov. 15. The free event is open to the community and those looking to learn about foster care and adoption and how the Adoption Resource Network at Hillside Children’s Center can aid in the process.

The goal of the event is to help promote adoption and foster care in the Batavia community and to celebrate those who have grown their families through adoption and foster care.

It will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 300 E. Main St., in the City of Batavia. To RSVP, contact Cecelia Spinelli at 350-2501 or cspinelli@hillside.com

The family-focused event will also feature:

• Guidance on getting started with the adoption/foster care process
• Spaghetti Dinner
• Panel presentation
• Arts & Crafts
• Music by Lisa Barrett
• Meet adoptive/foster parents and others considering their options
• Experts to provide information and personal answers to questions on adoption/foster care.

Hillside Children’s Center is a Hague Convention Adoption Service provider. It is an affiliate of Hillside Family of Agencies, is a provider of care for youth and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, or life circumstance challenges.

Hillside Children's Center offers therapeutic foster care, adoption, mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, safety net, and developmental disabilities services to children and families throughout Western and Central New York.

Celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2012, Hillside Family of Agencies is one of the oldest family and youth non-profit human services organizations in the United States. The organization provides child welfare, mental health, youth development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities services across central and western New York <http://www.hillside.com/Services/map.htm>  and in Prince George’s County, M.D. Last year, Hillside Family of Agencies provided services to 12,636 youth and families in need.
 
Hillside Family of Agencies is comprised of affiliates Crestwood Children's Center <http://www.hillside.com/Who/ccc.htm> , Hillside Children's Center <http://www.hillside.com/Who/hcc.htm> , Hillside Children's Foundation <http://www.hillside.com/Who/hcf.htm> , Hillside Shared Services, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection <http://www.hillside.com/Who/hwsc.htm> , and Snell Farm Children's Center <http://www.hillside.com/Who/sfcc.htm> . For more information, visit www.hillside.com <http://www.hillside.com/> .

A vehicle was stolen in the Town of Le Roy overnight and there were a series of thefts from several other cars there, too.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the incidents, which occurred between 11 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. this morning.

Suspects entered more than 20 vehicles on Linwood Road and along Route 5 in the Linwood Road area. All of the vehicles were apparently unlocked, according to the Sheriff's Office.

While not every entered vehicle had items taken; GPS, Ipods, clothing items and cash were among the items that were taken.

A Mercedes-Benz was stolen from a Route 5 Le Roy residence and was later located in Caledonia with several items missing from it. A KIA minivan was stolen from the Caledonia location where the Mercedes was located. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is investigation the minivan theft along with several thefts from parked vehicles in the Caledonia area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

A car-pedestrian accident is reported in the parking lot of the Stafford Trading Post on Main Road. Stafford fire and Mercy medics are responding. A pedestrian is said to have an injured leg but is alert.

A medical emergency requiring roadside attention is causing a hazardous traffic condition at the intersection of Bethany Center Road and Route 63. Law enforcement and fire police are responding to control traffic and Bethany rescue is on scene.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: The patient is being transported to UMMC.

A fight, now broken up, was reported on Maple Street near Jackson Street. Police are on scene.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: An ambulance is called to the scene for a person with a laceration.

A fire in the woods is reported off Pratt Road. East Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. A firefighter on scene says "It looks like it's going pretty good."

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: From as best as I can glean, this is a four-wheeler or some other piece of equipment which caught fire at the rear of a property in some grass, near a tree line. Firefighters will use fire extinguishers to put it out.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: The crews are back in service.

A few minutes ago, a law enforcement officer was asked to return to the jail to help a guy who'd locked himself out of his vehicle. The officer said brightly "Sure, I'd be glad to." It's the same person he'd just taken to jail for prints and photos, who was then subsequently released on his own recognizance.

An electrical fire is reported in a storage room in the back of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, located at 96 Jackson St. The fire is said to be inside an electrical panel box. City firefighters are on scene but report nothing showing.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: A fire chief says there is an odor of smoke coming from the panel box and he requests that National Grid be notified of the problem.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: The power company has been notified. No ETA given.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.: National Grid says a rep will be there in about 10 minutes.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: An electrician will need to be called in. The circuit breakers are completely burned, according to the chief. The power is shut down.

What appears to be a road-rage incident took place in the parking lot of the Bergen Town Hall. The driver of a vehicle told another "stop speeding on my road." It seems they both pulled into the parking lot and the angry driver knocked the other person to the ground, removed a wire of some sort from the engine compartment of the person's vehicle and then sped off in an unknown direction of travel.

Sheriff's deputies are responding. The vehicle that left the scene may have been a burgundy pickup truck. The Bergen Town Hall is located at 13 S. Lake Road 10 Hunter St.

UPDATE 4:14 p.m.: The stranded motorist declined EMS care.

An injury accident that is blocking traffic is reported at East Main and Liberty streets. One patient has a back injury. Mercy medics are on scene and city fire is responding.

Press release:

Batavia police are investigating a hit-and-run accident which occurred on Thursday, Oct. 25, between 2:15 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the YMCA at 209 E. Main St.

A white Chevrolet van, belonging to Next Generation Vending, was struck by another vehicle. The van had been parked along the sidewalk behind the building and was struck by a vehicle backing out of one of the 15-minute parking spaces.

The suspect vehicle is a newer black SUV which had a Web address written on the back hatch. The Web address was "(an unknown word) signs.com" and the driver of the suspect vehicle may have been an older male wearing a ball cap. It appears that he may not have been aware that he struck another vehicle.

Anybody with information is asked to call the Batavia PD at 345-6350.