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State police asking for help in finding Allegany County woman

By Billie Owens

The New York State Police in Allegany County are asking the public for assistance in locating the following person.

Name:  Diane C. Burdick
DOB:  09/08/58 – Age 50

Height:  5’3”
Weight:  100 lbs
Hair:  Red – shoulder length
Eyes:  Hazel

Last seen 10:00 PM on 07/08/09 at 3569 State Route 244
T/Ward, Allegany County

Anyone having contact with the subject is asked to contact the State Police in Amity at 585-268-9030.

Three local students earn national awards

By Billie Owens

Three Pembroke High School seniors from the Genesee Valley BOCES Information
Technology Academy
won top awards at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference last month in California.

Christopher Archer, Dillon Hale and Shane Hale all made the difficult decision to attend the national FBLA conference even though it meant missing their high school graduation ceremony.

The three students had qualified for the national competition by winning their events at the state level. The top 10 students in each national event were recognized at an awards ceremony on June 28.

IT Academy Instructor Lorrie Mazza and Counselor Jason Fitzsimmons chaperoned the trip.

"In my 11 years as an FBLA advisor, this is the first time any of our students has placed in the top 10 nationally," Mazza said. "To have three students in the top five this year alone is truly amazing. I am very proud."

Shane Hale competed in Desktop Application Programming and brought home the third-place trophy. Participants in this event had to design and demonstrate a program aimed at keeping club membership data current.

Dillon Hale competed in Internet Application Programming and won fourth place. This event focuses on systems used over the Internet or Intranet. Competitors had to create and demonstrate a Web application that would allow people to RSVP to a planned event.

Chris Archer competed in Computer Problem Solving and placed fifth.

Participants took an objective test based on competencies in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnostics, preventative maintenance and basic networking.

The students also attended leadership seminars and met students from all across the country. More than 7,800 students attended the conference.

Golf outing raises $3,000 for Batavia Mercy Flight

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Volunteer Firemen’s Golf Outing sponsored
by the Genesee County Mutual Aid Fire Advisory Board relies solely on the
support of area businesses and community members for its success.

More than $3,000 was donated to the mission of Batavia Mercy Flight from the proceeds of the 2009 golf outing held last month at the Batavia Country Club. Area businesses which donated include:

  • Arrow Mart
  • C.H. Wright Distributing Corp.
  • Churchville Fire Equipment
  • Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
  • First Due Fire Equipment
  • First Out Rescue Equipment
  • Five Star Bank
  • LeRoy Discount Liquor & Wine
  • Main Street Pizza Company
  • Mary Kay Cosmetics
  • Paulie's Pizzeria
  • Pepsi Bottling Co.
  • Ralph & Rosie's Deli & Pizzeria
  • S & S Limousines
  • Stan's Harley Davidson
  • Terry Hills Golf Course
  • United Uniform
  • Viking Valhalla Restaurant

Supporting businesses of the event included platinum sponsors:

  • Duval Safety,
  • Manning, Squires & Henning
  • Sheet Metal Workers International Association
  • Law Offices of Mark C. Butler, PLLC

Gold sponsors were:

  • Tri-County Emergency Training & Service
  • West Herr Chevrolet of Orchard Park

Silver sponsors were:

  • Select Collision
  • Bergen Fire Department
  • Bergmann Associates
  • Gui's Lumber
  • Potter Lumber
  • Kelley Construction
  • R & D Electronics
  • Shepard, Maxwell & Hale
  • Thompson and Dilcher, LLC

A total of 72 players participated in this year’s outing supporting quality emergency medical care and the emergency medical and transport services which Mercy Flight provides to all of Western New York during situations when every minute matters.

Local bank gives thousands of dollars to support scholarship

By Billie Owens

As part of this year's Genesee Community College annual scholarship campaign - "Our Best Investment" -- M&T Bank gave $21,000 to support the college's growing Honors Program.

"The recognition of our Honors Program by M&T Bank is greatly appreciated," said College President Stuart Steiner, PhD.. "The program encourages academic work of depth, originality and quality by students who demonstrate superior potential.

"Under the guidance of faculty advisors, students enrolled in the program select and develop independent themes to study, and they work on special, interdisciplinary projects focused on these themes throughout the academic year. Their contribution is valued both inside their classrooms, as well as across the campus."

M&T Bank representatives Joseph Brennan, Vice President, WNY Commercial Banking, and also a GCC graduate, Class of 1999, and Joshua Heim, Assistant Vice President, Government Banking presented a $21,000 gift on June 26, 2009 to Steiner, Richard Ensman, Executive Director of Genesee Community College Foundation and Roger Hungerford, GCC Foundation Board Member and President of SIGMA International General Medical Apparatus LLC, who was instrumental in securing the gift.

"The Honors Program reinforces the foundation goal of excellence," Ensman said. "Students successfully participating in it are eligible for a financial stipend to cover additional expense incurred during their independent study and additional academic endeavors."

The mission of the Genesee Community College Foundation is to enrich the programs and initiatives of Genesee Community College by providing human and financial resources. The foundation, which was formed in the mid-1980s to provide philanthropic support to the college, is a not-for-profit organization led by a 30-member board of directors comprised of business and civic leaders. It provides academic scholarships and need-based grants for students, and President's Innovation Awards to stimulate student, faculty and community involvement in the life of the college. Last year, the foundation awarded 464 scholarships and grants to Genesee students totaling $265,488. Gifts may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information, call (585) 345-6809, or email foundation@genesee.edu.

Students Against Destructive Decisions will wash cars to raise money

By Billie Owens

Genesee Countywide Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will be holding a fundraiser car wash on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. It will take place at Center of Attention Auto Spa, 8318 Park Road, next to Alex’s Place.

All the money from the car wash will go to benefit Countywide SADD. Alex’s Place will also be having a baby-back-ribs cookout,with part of the proceeds going to Countywide SADD.

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Cruise to the college to look at cool rides for free

By Billie Owens

A free evening of family fun is in store at the third annual Super Cruise Night at Genesee Community College.

There will be cool-looking "cruising" cars, motorcycles and trucks from across the region. It will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at the Batavia Campus, located at One College Road in Batavia.

Plus there will be music and entertainment by Hank Nevins. Dash plaques will be given away to the first 200 Cruisers courtesy of Visual Impact. Fabulous door prizes are also promised.

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Mega Blood Drive set for Aug. 6

By Billie Owens

It's time to roll up your sleeves once again for the Fouth Annual Genesee
Mega Blood Drive on Thursday, August 6 at the Batavia Holiday Inn.

Appointments can be made by calling Melissa at the Chamber of Commerce, 343-7440, ext. 27. Appointments are between 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.. You can just walk in, but appointments are encouraged.

It only takes a little over an hour of your time and it's for a great cause!

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Friday kicks off three-game series -- Muckdogs vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers

By Billie Owens

Muckdogs return home Friday for a three-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Game time is 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.

The Friday Night fireworks are back for another spectacular show, along with Launch-a-Ball presented by Hillside Family of Agencies.GCASA will also be hosting their annual “Drug Free Communities Night.” Fans will have the opportunity to win various prizes throughout the evening, including the chance to win a Nintendo Wii.
 
Round two of the series with the Scrappers is Saturday, July 11 at 7:05 p.m., gates opening at 6:00 p.m. That night will feature the first installment of the “Rock the Ballpark” pre-game concert series with Papa and Mama Root. This free concert features all your jukebox favorites from the '60s and '70s and is presented by Tim Horton’s of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact. There will also be a Knot Hole Kid’s Club Game presented by Turnbull Heating and Air.
 
The Muckdogs finish up their 3 game series with the Scrappers on Sunday, July 12 at 5:05 p.m., with gates opening at 4 p.m. Couples will have the chance to have their vows renewed by Pastor Sick on the field pre-game. Any couple interested in this very special opportunity should contact the Muckdogs office at 343-5454 to reserve your spot. Sunday is also another Knot Hole game, presented by Turnbull Heating and Air, and kids will have the opportunity to run the bases after the game with Homer.
 
For tickets, call the Muckdogs Box Office at 343-5454, extension 1005.

Batavia policemen honored for role in nabbing bank robbery suspect

By Billie Owens

Today members of the Batavia Police Department received a Certificate of Merit from New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

They were specially recognized for their part in swiftly apprehending an armed robbery suspect involved in the M&T Bank robbery on June 18 in Elba.

Officers pictured from the left are Lt. Jankowski, Sgt. Kleinbach, Officer Davis, Officer Mullen and Chief Baker.

Batavia police assisted the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, NYS Police and other law enforcement officials responding to the call.

Assemblyman Hawley also honored members of the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday and also plans to present Certificates of Merit to State Police next week.

Event for women who want to ride motorcycles - safely

By Billie Owens

The New York State Police, the Trooper Foundation and Allstate Insurance will sponsor the 2nd Annual “G.O. Ride - Girls Only Motorcycle Event” on Saturday, July 11.

The event is designed for women riders or women who want to learn more about motorcycle riding and motorcycle safety. It's free and will include a motorcycle instruction presentation given by a New York state police motorcycle safety officer.

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Event for women who want to ride motorcycles - safely

By Billie Owens

The New York State Police, the Trooper Foundation and Allstate Insurance will sponsor the 2nd Annual “G.O. Ride - Girls Only Motorcycle Event” on Saturday, July 11.

The event is designed for women riders or women who want to learn more about motorcycle riding and motorcycle safety. It's free and will include a motorcycle instruction presentation given by a New York state police motorcycle safety officer.

Local motorcycle vendors will be on site with motorcycles and equipment specifically designed for women. The event will also include an escorted motorcycle ride through the Niagara wine country followed by a picnic with music by a local band. 

It takes place at 9 a.m. at the Oppenheim Park 2713 Niagara Falls Blvd. in the Town of Wheatfield. Bring your friends and come and enjoy a great day of riding.

Route 98 resurfacing project begins Monday in Batavia

By Billie Owens

A $500,000 project to resurface state Route 98 (Oak Street) in the City of Batavia gets under way Monday, according to the New York Department of Transportation.
 
Keeler Construction of Albion, Orleans County, was awarded the construction contract. The project is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
 
“This resurfacing work is one of many DOT projects that will improve our transportation system and bring jobs to communities across the state,” Acting DOT Commissioner Stanley Gee said in a press release. “I thank Governor David Paterson for certifying this important infrastructure project and our congressional delegation for bringing critical economic-recovery funding to New York State.”
 
Of the $1.1 billion New York State received for highway and bridge projects under ARRA, a total investment of $74 million in economic-recovery funding is expected to be certified for Rochester-area communities.
 
The Route 98 (Oak Street) project stretches from Main Street to Noonan Drive, just south of theThruway. It's preventative maintenance, amied at providing a smooth riding surface and extend the life of the pavement. The work includes pavement joint repairs, pavement milling and overlay; drainage structure repairs; an upgraded traffic signal at the intersection of Rt. 98 and Richmond Avenue; installation of detectable warning surfaces at sidewalk ramps; and fresh pavement markings. 
 
The current four-lane road will be re-painted to provide one 14-foot travel lane in each direction and an eight-foot parking lane along both sides. Left turning lanes will be included at the intersection of Richmond Avenue.
 
A single lane of northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained throughout the construction phase. Street parking will be permitted along Route 98, except during a two-week period (approximately) from mid-July through the end of July. That's when milling and paving operations are scheduled to take place. Access to all driveways and side streets will be provided at all times.
 
Initial work includes spot pavement repairs and adjustment of manholes and drainage structures in the northbound curb lane. The project is expected to be finished before school starts in September, possibly sooner.

“The State Department of Transportation office serving the greater Rochester region has been able to double its preventative maintenance paving program this year because of the economic recovery funds provided to us,” Acting Regional Director Robert Traver said. “A strong preventative maintenance program is critical in keeping the state’s transportation system in a state of good repair for the thousands of citizens who use it.”
 
Traver noted the significant support of the congressional delegation, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer and Assembly member Steven Hawley in delivering this regional transportation project.
 
The economic-recovery funds coming to New York State for transportation projects must follow the same process required for distributing all federal transportation funds. The funds are allocated to projects that are selected by the 13 regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) across the state, which are comprised of local elected officials, local transit operators and NYSDOT representatives. MPOs vote unanimously on projects for their Transportation Improvement Program, and the projects are candidates for economic-recovery funds. The preventative maintenance project was approved by the Genesee Transportation Council to be eligible to receive ARRA funding.
 
Similarly, regions of New York State without MPOs are served by NYSDOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The department worked with local officials and the governor’s Economic Recovery Cabinet to identify shovel-ready projects eligible for recovery funds.

Two Churchville men charged with stealing scrap metal from LeRoy public works

By Billie Owens

Two Churchville men were arrested and charged in LeRoy with petit larceny by Sargeant Michael J. Hare at 1:39 a.m. today (July 3).

The arrests were made after police noticed a suspicious vehicle in LeRoy Village at the Department of Public Works on North Street.

Daniel J. Gray, 28, of 5839 Chili Riga Center Road and 25-year-old Nathaniel M. Dean of 5 Willowbrook Drive allegedly loaded their car with various kinds of scrap metal, sewer grates and new sign posts, all property of the DPW.

Both men were arraigned in Town Court by Justice Charles Dusen and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail. They were scheduled to appear again in court at 1 p.m. Aug. 3.

Troopers on alert for drunken drivers and illegal fireworks

By Billie Owens

The New York State Police has planned an Independence Day Traffic Safety Initiative to heighten the public’s awareness of the dangers posed by speeding, impaired driving and failure to properly use safety restraints.  Starting today and running through Monday, July 6, patrols will pay close attention to motorists who may be violating any of these traffic laws.

“We have a commitment to protect all who are traveling on the highways this holiday weekend," said Major Christopher L. Cummings, Troop “A” commander. “If you are caught drinking and driving you will be arrested. We will not tolerate irresponsible driving behavior that puts others in danger."

Throughout the holiday weekend motorists should expect sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols committed to DWI enforcement. 

“We are asking the public to use common sense, if you will be drinking plan on having a designated driver or use public transportation,” Cummings said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the Fourth of July holiday in 2007, there were a total of 200 traffic related fatalities. Of that number, 44 percent involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

In addition, troopers want people to be sensible and not use illegal fireworks in celebrating the Fourth of July. Their use often results in injury and disfigurement to the user, some of whom are children. 

The State Police encourage everyone to leave the fireworks to the professionals and attend a fireworks display instead.

New York State’s Fireworks Law Section 270 of the penal code governs the possession, sale and use of illegal fireworks. Here's some key information to keep in mind:

  • “Fireworks” include “any blank cartridge; blank cartridge pistol or toy cannon in which explosives are used, firecrackers, sparklers, or other combustible or explosive of like construction.”
  • “Dangerous Fireworks” include “any fireworks capable of causing serious physical injury and which are: firecrackers containing more than 50 milligrams of any explosive substance, torpedoes, skyrockets and rockets such as Roman candles, bombs, sparklers more than ten inches in length or one-fourth of an inch in diameter, or chasers including all devices which dart or travel about the surface of the ground during discharge.”
  • By law, fireworks do NOT include railroad or marine flares, or toy devices that use paper caps containing .25 grains or less of explosive compound. Such devices must be designed so that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for use.
  • A person who possesses, uses or explodes any fireworks or dangerous fireworks is guilty of a violation.
  • A person who offers, exposes for sale, sells or furnishes fireworks or dangerous fireworks to another person is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor; when the value of the fireworks is more than $500, the provider is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
  • A person who offers, exposes for sale, sells or furnishes fireworks or dangerous fireworks to a person under age 18 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
  • A person who has been convicted of a fireworks violation during the previous five years and who offers, sells or furnishes fireworks to a person under age 18 is guilty of a Class E felony.
  • Possession of fireworks or dangerous fireworks valued at $50 or more shall be a presumption that such fireworks were intended to be offered or exposed for sale.

GCC athletic fields to be upgraded

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees accepted $2,223,950 in bids to upgrade the outdoor athletic fields, the Anthony T. Zambito Gymnasium and locker rooms.

The project also includes construction of a new artificial turf field for soccer and lacrosse. Joy, McCoola and Zilch of Glens Falls is the project architect.

The board awarded four of the five recommended bids, subject to the acceptance of post-bid information by the architect and college. They are:

  • Facilities Equipment and Service, Inc., of Liverpool, $146,950, for gymnasium bleachers;
  • Kaplan-Schmidt Electric, Inc., of Rochester, $19,000, for electrical services;
  • Pooler Enterprises, Inc., of Fishers, $1,734,000, for site work;
  • Concord Electric Corporation, of Rochester, $324,000, for site work electrical services.

Bids came in well within the project budget, said Kevin Hamilton, Vice President for Finance and Operations. Work should be underway in early July, Mr. Hamilton told trustees, and targeted to be completed by mid-fall.

V.J. Gautieri Contractors, LLC, had the recommended low bid of $394,450 for general construction work in the gymnasium. However, two of the six trustees present abstained from voting because of possible conflict of interest. Six yes votes were necessary to approve these actions. The board will take action on this part of the bid package on or before the Board's next scheduled meeting in July when additional members are present.

The last part of the project, the renovation of the locker room areas, will be put out to bid within the next month.

The state has already approved funding for half of the $4.1 million project cost.

New digital directory available for housing assistance

By Billie Owens

A new, free, digital version of the Genesee County Housing Assistance & Information Directory is now available online.

Download it at www.co.genesee.ny.us/community.html

The Genesee Region Housing Initiatives Committee says the directory is intended to provide information to Genesee County residents desiring to improve their current housing situation.

It consists of a comprehensive list of agencies that provide housing assistance as well as apartment complexes, subsidized housing options for seniors and families, student housing, mobile home parks, utility providers, and much more.

The document lists contact information, location, number of units and rent prices.

In addition, for the first time, web addresses and email contact information is included where available. The information has been provided by the named agencies, landlords, and municipalities and assembled by the Genesee Region Housing Initiatives Committee with the help of the Genesee County Department of Planning.

Since going digital in 2005, the directory has regularly been listed in the top 10 most visited/downloaded pages of the Genesee County website.

Ramble Music & Art Fest

By Billie Owens

The Ramble Music & Art Fest will be held in Jackson Square in downtown Batavia from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11. More than 20 different groups and individuals will be performing. There will be chalk art on the streets, other activities and food and refreshments.

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