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Rollover accident at Ford and Old Ford roads, Elba

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported in Elba at the intersection of Ford Road and Old Ford Road. One vehicle rolled over. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Injuries are believed to be minor. One vehicle is blocking traffic. Two flatbed tow trucks are requested.

UPDATE 2:16: Mercy Flight is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne with a patient and heading to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Mercy medics are transporting one patient via ambulance to Strong.

Elba man allegedly sold narcotics to undercover officer

By Billie Owens

According to a press release issued earlier this week by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Department, Elba resident Adam McGill, 33, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, both class B felonies.

McGill allegedly sold a narcotic drug to an undercover officer with the Wyoming County Drug Task Force on two occasions in the Village of Attica.

He was arrested Sept. 30 along with Shelby resident Diane Gallagher, 42, who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Gallagher allegedly sold a narcotic drug to an undercover officer in the Town of Orangeville.

McGill is being held in Wyoming County Jail without bail and Gallagher is also being held there in lieu of $15,000 cash bail.

Members of the Attica Police Department assisted the other agencies in making the arrests.

To report possible illegal drug activity in Wyoming County, call 786-8965.

Crash on eastbound Thruway near Le Roy

By Billie Owens

An accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 384.9. The driver of one vehicle was unconscious but is now alert. Mercy Flight is called. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service are responding.

UPDATE 11:55 p.m.: The mile marker is actually 384.8 on the eastbound Thruway. State Police are on scene. Mercy Flight is on location.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight will not be used and the helicopter is heading back to its base in Batavia.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: Le Roy fire units are back in service.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Le Roy medics transported a patient to Strong Memorial Hospital.

St. Joe's annual Popcorn Ball featuring local musician

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Oct. 15, St. Joseph’s School will hosting the 52nd Annual Popcorn Ball. This year’s event will feature dinner from D & R Depot of Le Roy.

Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m. Dinner will include sliced turkey, beef burgundy tips, a mashed potato bar, pasta and other great sides.

Event Date and Time
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St. Joe's annual Popcorn Ball will feature local musician

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Oct. 15, St. Joseph’s School will hosting the 52nd Annual Popcorn Ball. This year’s event will feature dinner from D & R Depot of Le Roy.

Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m. Dinner will include sliced turkey, beef burgundy tips, a mashed potato bar, pasta and other great sides.

Entertainment will be provided by the Rochester-based party band, Up 2 Somethin’, featuring local bass player Rickey Ellis. The group will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight playing old-school hits like "Mustang Sally" (The Commitments) and "Ladies Night" (Kool & the Gang) to Top 40 hits like "I Gotta Feeling" (Black Eyed Peas), "Break Even" (Script) and "Forget You" (Cee Lo Green).

Many of you know Rickey from the days of working at Pontillo’s making pizzas and whatever else Sam and Betty asked him to do. Others will remember him from Duke Jupiter and most recently from Me & the Boyz. Rickey has had a great following throughout the years and we are hoping that this local connection will bring some of you out.

Come have a night out with your friends, good food, and great entertainment!

Tickets for this year’s event are $35 per person and can be purchased by calling St. Joseph’s School at 343-6154.

www.Up2somethin.com

www.sjsbatavia.org

Enjoying backyard birds in winter is focus of class

By Billie Owens

Feeding the birds is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby in the midst of chilly winter weather. Join our expert birding Master Gardener on Oct. 12 as she shares backyard feeding tips and shows you the birds that may visit your yard this winter.

The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Cost is $10 class and includes handouts, coffee and dessert. Pre-registration is required, as class size is limited. Pre-register for the classes by stopping by the Extension Center or by contacting Amy at 343-3040, ext. 101.

Enjoying backyard birds in winter is focus of class

By Billie Owens

Feeding the birds is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby in the midst of chilly winter weather. Join our expert birding Master Gardener on Oct. 12 as she shares backyard feeding tips and shows you the birds that may visit your yard this winter.

The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Batavian wins Great Pumpkin Weigh-in with a 120-pounder

By Billie Owens

Today, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County announced the results of the third annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-in. It was held Oct. 1 at J&L Feed & Farm Supply in Corfu.

Anna Dorman, of Batavia, grew the largest orange orb -- a Dill’s Atlantic giant pumpkin, which topped the scales at a whopping 120 pounds.

Other participants were Steven and George Underhill, who grew 90-pound pumpkins, and Andrew Underhill who weighed in with a 60-pounder.

The contest also included tiny Jack-Be-Little pumpkins.

The Tarbell family, of Corfu, (Alexandria, Colton, and Quinton) are the lightweight winners with a 40-gram pumpkin.

Anna Dorman came in close with a 42-gram entry. The Tarbells also grew 53-gram and 75-gram pumpkins. Melissa Keller entered a 108-gram Jack-Be-Little.

The pumpkin-growing contest is an annual, educational event and one of many that Genesee County youth participate in as part of the 4-H program.

Youth ages 5-19 who are interested in becoming a member of 4-H, may contact Amy at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 343-3040, ext. 101.

Open house showcases careers in skilled trades

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Students in grades 7-12 and their parents are invited to discover career opportunities in the skilled trades from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Genesee Valley Career & Technical Center, 8250 State St. Road, Batavia.

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (a BOCES organization) are co-sponsoring the Skilled Trades Fair/Open House in collaboration with several area employers.

Event Date and Time
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Open house will showcase careers in skilled trades

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Students in grades 7-12 and their parents are invited to discover career opportunities in the skilled trades from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Genesee Valley Career & Technical Center, 8250 State St. Road, Batavia.

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance and the Genesee Valley Educational
Partnership (a BOCES organization) are co-sponsoring the Skilled Trades Fair/Open House in collaboration with several area employers.

Community businesses report a severe shortage of young people entering the skilled trades, according to BEA Director Eve Hens.

“We are co-hosting this event to bring the many career opportunities available in the skilled trades to the forefront, and to encourage our young people to pursue these careers,” Hens said.

Students and parents will be able to talk with both employers and teachers of the skilled trades programs offered at the GVEP Career & Tech Center about employment opportunities and ways to pursue these careers.

Approximately 50 businesses will be represented including Graham Corporation, U.S. Gypsum, Oxbo International, Batavia Garage Door Company, Innovative Energy Systems, Liberty Pumps, Milton CAT, Ben’s Appliance, and Turnbull Heating and Cooling.

The first 300 guests will receive free T-shirts. Door prizes will be awarded, including Darien Lake tickets, tools, gift certificates, clothing and more. Refreshments will be provided.

Stafford couple to co-chair college foundation's Encore 2011 holiday gala

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is pleased to announce Stafford residents Rick and Jane Scott have been named chairpersons of Encore 2011, the annual holiday celebration that supports student scholarships at Genesee Community College.

The Scotts would like to invite community residents to "A Winter Wonderland" at Encore 2011 on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The festivities begin with a gala reception and continue with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) performing in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the college's Batavia Campus.

Chairpersons Rick and Jane Scott are looking forward to this year's Encore gala.

"We have been attending Encore for many years, and it is hard to pinpoint what the best part of the evening is - the beautiful music, the food, the friends you see, the people you meet or knowing that it all benefits the scholarship programs for students at GCC," Rick said. "It is always a magical evening!"

Jane Scott is branch manager/assistant vice president of Five Star Bank in Batavia. She serves on the United Way Board as chairperson and co-chair of the United Way Day of Caring. She also serves on the United Memorial Medical Center's Gala Committee and the Chamber of Commerce Gala Committee, as well as on several committees for the Genesee County ARC. She has worked with GCC proudly serving on the Wolcott J. Humphrey Symposium Committee. She is a member of the Batavia Rotary and a 2004 graduate of Leadership Genesee. In 2011, she received the YWCA Fabulous Female Award.

Rick Scott has been a longtime farmer who worked hard for many years, and is now lucky enough to watch his nine grandchildren grow up, which keeps him very busy. Rick also enjoys building things and donating his time and energy to various charities. Together, Rick and Jane have four children and have been married 38 years.

Proceeds from Encore support the Genesee Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund. The foundation would like to thank Five Star Bank, the lead corporate benefactor, for its continued support of Encore.

For tickets, please call the foundation at 345-6809.

Sponsorship support is welcome at the following levels: Conductor's Circle provides six tickets for $1,000; Golden Baton Society provides four tickets for $600; and the Inner Circle provides two tickets for $300. Singular Platinum Patron tickets are $100 each. The evening is black tie optional.

Chimney fire at house on Pearl Street Road

By Billie Owens

A chimney fire is reported at 2638 Pearl St. Road in East Pembroke. The house is said to be filling with smoke.

East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Corfu.

The location is east of Read Road, on the south side.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: "I think it's pretty much in the chimney, it's just pushing smoke into the house," says the chief on scene. They are going to employ the thermal imaging camera and a fan to blow the smoke from the residence.

Corfu students earns scholarship from Elmira College

By Billie Owens

Brittany Schmidt ('15), of Corfu, earned the Founder Scholarship from Elmira College. She is the daughter of Tracey and Earl Schmidt.

Members of Elmira College's Glorious Class of 2015 were recognized during the college's Fall Academic Convocation for receiving Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Presidential, Trustee or Founder scholarships.

Presidential, Trustee, and Founder scholarships are awarded based on rank in secondary school class, overall academic achievement, and test scores.

The Founder Scholarship is valued at $48,000 over four years.

Elmira College awards in excess of $11,000,000 in Honors Scholarships each year.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Brittany-Schmidt-15-Recognized-at-Elmira-College/3030705.

Oakfield student at Elmira College earns scholarship

By Billie Owens

Jessica Pcionek ('15), of Oakfield, earned the Salutatorian Scholarship from Elmira College. She is the daughter of James and Joyce Pcionek.

Members of Elmira College's Glorious Class of 2015 were recognized during the college's Fall Academic Convocation for receiving Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Presidential, Trustee or Founder scholarships.

Students earn a Valedictorian or Salutatorian Scholarship for graduating first or second in their secondary school class. Valedictorian Scholarships are valued at full tuition for four years. Salutatorian Scholarships are 75 percent of the tuition for four years.

Elmira College awards in excess of $11,000,000 in Honors Scholarships each year.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Jessica-Pcionek-15-Recognized-at-Elmira-College/3029041.

Nurse and author signs copies of her book 'Calling All Angels'

By Billie Owens

Local author Miranda Fix will be signing copies of her book 'Calling All Angels' from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Coffee Culture in Batavia. It is located at the corner of Evans and Ellicott in the City of Batavia.

The book is a collection of inspirational stories and poetry in memory of family and the patients Fix took care of during her nursing career. A portion of all proceeds go to the Lupus Foundation of Genesee Valley.

Event Date and Time
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Barbershop singers 'Crossroads of Harmony' plans huge fall reunion

By Billie Owens

The Crossroads of Harmony, a women's barbershop singing group, is hosting a huge reunion of all women who have sung barbershop harmony and those who wished that they had sung with a barbershop group.

This free event is opened to all women who like to sing. It will be held at Genesee County Nursing Home on Chandler Avenue in Batavia beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17.

We will be renewing old friendships and are planning an evening of song and fun.

Please contact Joyce Marshek at 344-1990 or Peg Watkins at 591-1293 for information and reservations.

Elba freshman named at Edgar Fellow at SUNY Geneseo

By Billie Owens

Kelsey Scott, of Elba, who is a freshman this fall at the State University of New York at Geneseo, has been named an Edgar Fellow at the college, one of 30 new recipients of the honor.

The college's Honors Program is named after the its founder, William Edgar, distinguished teaching professor emeritus of philosophy.

Students must exhibit a high level of motivation and academic accomplishment to be admitted to the program, which entails honors courses, research opportunities and close work with honors advisers.

SUNY Geneseo is a public liberal arts college recognized nationally for excellence in undergraduate education and for its master's level programs. The college combines a rigorous curriculum and a rich co-curricular life to create a learning-centered environment.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Kelsey-Scott-Among-new-Edgar-Fellows-this-fall-at-SUNY-Geneseo/3026026.

Two-car accident at Park Road and Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with a minor injury is reported at Park Road and Veterans Memorial Drive. It is not blocking traffic. Mercy medics are responding, non-emergency mode. One person is complaining of back pain.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department also responded to the scene and is now back in service.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: One woman with a history of back problems is transported to UMMC via ambulance.

College foundation board surpasses annual funding goal, announces five new scholarship funds

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation has once again surpassed its $459,000 annual campaign goal. With the help of 119 local volunteers the campaign brought in $491,008 in funds to support local students as they achieve their dreams of earning a college degree.

"We've had an excellent core of volunteers that have made this campaign so successful," said Monica Hale Dawson ('72) secretary-treasurer of Shepard, Maxwell Hale Insurance Agency, and foundation board director and general chair of Genesee Foundation's 2010-2011 annual campaign.

"The diligence of our community is remarkable. Those that give to the campaign know they are investing in the human resources and the economic vitality of our region."

She added that there are nine divisions in the annual campaign. Each division chair is responsible for a portion of the overall $459,000 goal. Division chairs were:

•    Alumni Division: Robert Bennett, ('74) of Batavia, vice president, Bank of Castile, Batavia

•    Associates Division: Jane Scott, of Stafford, branch manager, Five Star Bank, Batavia

•    Faculty and Staff Division: Marirose Ethington, of Pavilion, professor of biology, GCC

•    Genesee Division: Peter Call, of Batavia, president, My-T Acres, Inc.

•    Heritage Division: Patrick Forsyth, of Batavia, CPA, and foundation board director

•    Leadership Division: Robert L. Boyce, of Le Roy, broker, Tompkins Insurance Agency and foundation board director

•    Livingston Division: co-chairs Les Cole, of Caledonia, president, Commodity Resource Corporation and foundation board director, and Robert C. Savage, of Avon, president, WYSL and foundation board director

•    Orleans Division: Wendy L. Hinkley, of Albion, branch manager, HSBC Bank, Albion office

•    Wyoming Division: Teresa Eddy, of Alexander, branch manager, Five Star Bank, Attica office

The campaign includes an Endowment Challenge Grant, a five year federal grant, from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant matches dollar for dollar funds raised for students in need up to $80,000 per year. For the second year, generous donors have met the Endowment Challenge goal.

The 2010-2011 campaign year also introduced five new named scholarship funds established by faculty, staff and caring and community-minded friends of the college:


•    Denniston K. Wood Art Scholarship, awarded to students interested in the arts.

•    Michael Stoll Scholarship, awarded to students in a health career degree program.

•    Richard J. and Maribell Scholl Reid Musical Theatre Scholarship, awarded to students with an interest in the field of musical theater.

•    Seymour Family Scholarship, awarded to second-year students demonstrating financial need.

•    William H. Collins Scholarship, awarded to students pursuing a degree in business or finance.

•    Stuart Steiner Leadership Fund, supports projects that foster leadership excellence at GCC.

Community organizations, businesses, service clubs, families and individuals are welcomed to establish named scholarship funds with the Genesee Community College Foundation. A donor can decide on basic information such as the name, purpose, criteria for making awards from the fund and when it will be established.

An agreement is then drawn up and signed, usually by the donor, club president or scholarship chair. The fund may be established with the intention to contribute $500 or more annually. Donors may also establish a fund with the intention to contribute a minimum of $10,000 to endow the fund and to use the income to fund the scholarship in perpetuity. Gifts to establish the endowment may be made over a period of one to five years.

More information on named funds can be found at http://www.genesee.edu/about/foundation/funds_special.cfm.

The Genesee Community College Foundation was formed in the mid-1980s as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service to and support of the college. Its 30-member board of directors is comprised of business and civic leaders, and last year, the foundation's philanthropic support provided 678 scholarships to Genesee students, as well as other grants, totaling $599,779.

Contributions for support for the college programs and students may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For more information contact the foundation (585) 345-6809 or foundation@genesee.edu.

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