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A home-invasion robbery suspect in Stafford was reportedly shot by a homeowner tonight and airlifted by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call at about 9:08 p.m. of a possible shooting at 6731 Clinton Street Road in Stafford. Law enforcement was dispatched and Mercy medics were requested to stage in the area.

Subsequently, it was reported that a suspect, who appeared to possess a firearm, forced his way into the residence and demanded cash. Genesee County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Brad Mazur said the homeowner was able to retrieve a long gun and shoot the intruder.

The condition of the patient has not yet been released.

GCC's Foundation Director of Development Tammy Arneth, Vice President for Student Enrollment Services Shelitha Williams, Ph.D., and GCC President James M. Sunser, Ed.D.

Submitted photo and press release:

Last week, Genesee Community College received a $2,000 scholarship from strategic higher education consulting firm, CampusWorks.

In celebration of the company's 20th anniversary, CampusWorks launched a scholarship giveaway pledging to donate $2,000 scholarships to 20 different colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. In all a total of $40,000 in financial support is being donated to help students in need.

CampusWorks' vision is to improve society by making higher education accessible to everyone, and offering these scholarships is a big step toward making that vision a reality.

"After two decades working directly with community colleges, we see firsthand the challenges many students face," said CampusWorks CEO Liz Murphy. "We are thrilled that this scholarship will help students pursue their educational goals at Genesee Community College."

Year after year, education costs rise resulting in an increase in the number of students who need financial assistance.

"The team at GCC is delighted to be among those selected to help celebrate CampusWorks' 20th Anniversary and being able to offer an additional scholarship to our students is truly a gift beyond measure," said GCC President James M. Sunser, Ed.D.

"Last year alone, GCC's Foundation awarded over $145,000 in scholarships to GCC students in need and we anticipate a greater demand this year. It is reassuring to know firms like CampusWorks recognize this challenge for our students."

GCC is currently accepting student scholarship applications until Feb. 1.

Current or new students interested in any of GCC's scholarship opportunities are encouraged to visit www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/scholarships/ to view the available scholarships and to apply online. In addition, GCC offers expert advisement to help students and their families search for and complete scholarship applications.

Potential new students of all ages are invited to GCC's Academic Open House scheduled on Veteran's Day, Monday, Nov. 11, from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Batavia Campus. Register online at www.genesee.edu/home/offices/admissions/visit/. A financial aid session is included in the program.

Information from Batavia High School and Music Theatre International.

Batavia High School's Production Club will present "Shrek The Musical" in the auditorium Nov. 22-24.

Times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23; and a matinee at 2 o'clock on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Advance tickets are $9, available at showtix4u.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, "Shrek The Musical" is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline, or Change") and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

BHS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia. For more information, visit www.bataviacsd.org or phone (585) 343-2480, ext. 2000.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, Northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. In Genesee County, there are two Tops locations -- at 390 W. Main St. in Batavia, and at 128 W. Main St. in Le Roy.

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer.

“We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include: support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall; Honor Flight Missions; sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas; VA hospital visits; participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo’; and new this year, Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered U.S. Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia Development Corporation is pleased to announce Andrew Maguire as the new executive director of Economic Development.

Maguire, a lifelong resident of Batavia, has served the last five years as the clerk-treasurer for the Village of Oakfield.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from St. John Fisher College.

Maguire replaces Rachael Tabelski, who resigned and accepted the City of Batavia Assistant Manager position a couple months ago.

A recruitment search by the BDC Board of Directors brought in potential job candidates from throughout the region.

The board felt that Maguire’s experience with municipal processes, his experience with grant funding, and knowledge of budgets made him the top choice. 

Maguire is set to begin the position on Nov. 18^th.

Stacy J. Watson, 43, of Liberty Street, Batavia, and Jennifer A. Mcauley, 46, of Shelby Basin Road, Medina, were arrested on Oct. 29 on misdemeanor charges following a larceny complaint at the Home Depot on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. At 2:56 p.m. deputies responded to the store in the Town of Batavia for an investigation. Watson is charged with two counts of petit larceny and two counts of sixth-degree conspiracy. Mcauley is charged with two counts of petit larceny. It is alleged that Watson, a former Home Depot employee, conspired with Mcauley to steal merchandise from the store. Both subjects were issued appearance tickets and are due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.

Steven B. Nesbitt, 34, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and first degree criminal contempt. Nesbitt was arrested 2:22 p.m. on Oct. 24 after an incident that occurred at a residence on Holland Avenue. It is alleged that Nesbitt had physical contact with a person who had a "refrain from order of protection" against Nesbitt. He is due Batavia City Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Melissa A. Wetmore, 47, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more. Wetmore was arrested at 8:11 p.m. on Oct. 26 on North Lyon Street in Batavia after an accident investigation. She is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Tyler Lee Walls, 23, of Upper Holley Road, Clarendon, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; and operating a motor vehicle with no headlamps. At 4:49 p.m. on Nov. 1, Walls was arrested following a traffic stop on Lake Street (Route 19) in Le Roy. It is alleged Walls was driving a vehicle without headlights while having a suspended driver's license and suspended registration. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Brittany M. Smith, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested the morning of Nov. 2 on active bench warrants out of Batavia City Court for failing to appear in court and failing to comply with the court. She was arraigned at 9:50 a.m. and put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. She is due in Batavia City Court this afternoon (Nov. 4). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Submitted photo and press release:

The staff and supporters of the on-campus radio station 89.1 The Point at SUNY Brockport is grateful for the success of its Fall charity drive held at locations in Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties Oct. 18 and 19.

In Genesee County, new and gently used women's and children's clothing as well as personal care items, diapers, strollers and pet supplies were donated at the Batavia Walmart.

Altogether, more than 100 bags and boxes of items were donated for "Warming Hearts for Willow" -- a total of 1,500 articles of clothing and more than 2,500 other items. That qualifies as the radio station's largest and most successful community outreach event to date.

The donations will go to the Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Violence of Greater Rochester, which serves Genesee County residents, too.

What Willow can’t take will be donated to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and Dress for Success Rochester.

"Thank you to everyone in the community for coming out to support Warming Hearts for Willow, you have shown that there is love and compassion in the world and you have shown that there’s always hope!"

Press release from the Genesee County Democrats: 

“Yard signs, parade floats, and social media posts have ensured the names of local candidates are in the public eye as they geared up for the 2019 elections but none of that matters if we don’t vote,” said Erica O’Donnell, City of Batavia Democratic chair. 

While national elections take the spotlight, municipal elections have a bigger impact on residents' daily lives. Supervisor and council positions set policy, create and facilitate budgets, and make decisions on the enforcement of public safety.

"Local elections are important because these are the people that make decisions that directly affect how money is spent and how things are run where you live," said Michael Plitt, Genesee County Democratic chair. "Usually our turnout is low for municipal elections but we'd like to see a big turnout."

“We have an amazing group of candidates this year," O’Donnell added. "They are honest, hardworking, and dedicated to ethical and moral integrity. They are not in the pockets of any county heads or organizations.”

Voting will be at County Building 2, located at 3837 W. Main St., Batavia, on Sunday (Nov. 3) from noon 'til 5 p.m. for ALL Genesee County residents. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open at 6 a.m. at your usual voting locations.

Press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the “OneUSDA Internship” opportunity for Summer 2020. As part of the Federal Pathways Program, the OneUSDA Internship Program will provide students a way to explore serving their country through a career in government while gaining work experience in agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and other career fields.

“Our goal at USDA is to recruit the best and retain the best through our OneUSDA Internship Program offered nationwide,” said Secretary Perdue. “Today’s young people are the future of America and there are few things more American than agriculture. We’re aiming to find young talent, with a diverse background, across all 50 states, to begin their careers as interns with USDA.”

The OneUSDA Internship Program offers Federal opportunities to students currently enrolled in qualifying educational programs or institutions, with a comprehensive developmental program intended to provide students with experience in a dynamic work environment that will enhance their educational goals and shape their career choices.

An internship with USDA will involve various components of on-the-job experience, mentorship, and training tailored to the student’s education, experience, and interests.

During 2019, USDA was proud to host thousands of interns throughout the country, many of which were through the Federal Pathways Program. In the Summer of 2020, USDA will hire Pathways Interns in hundreds of locations in nearly every state in the country for the following occupational fields:

• Veterinary Science
• Biological Sciences (e.g., natural resources management forestry, wildlife biology, fish biology, ecology, botany, rangeland management, recreation)
• Engineering & Architecture
• Agribusiness, Contracting, Procurement, and Industry
• General Administration and Office Support
• Financial Management
• Information Technology

USDA is making sure the Summer 2020 OneUSDA internship job announcement is easier-than-ever for students to find and apply for. After choosing the geographic location of preference and the career path that best matches with student’s area of study and professional aspirations online, students simply follow the weblinks here to set up an account, then follow the prompts to apply to the internship.

When applying, students will also have an opportunity to indicate their preferred occupational area of interest and USDA Agency or office. The application window opens today (Nov. 1) and close on Nov. 15^th. Application review will begin immediately thereafter.

For more information, visit www.USDA.gov/Internships.

The Genesee County Office for the Aging is offering an exclusive bus trip for a lunch at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant in Depew, featuring the live show "A 'Sinatra' Christmas My Way" with Buffalo entertainer Gary Quatrani.

This special Sinatra-inspired holiday bash sells out every year. Must RSVP by Nov. 15.

Trip is Tuesday, Dec. 3 and costs $49 per person, including lunch and show ticket. Cash bar is available.

Quatrani brings to life the timeless classics of Frank Sinatra, one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. Quatrani includes Sinatra favorites as well as festive holiday songs.

Come and be entertained, reminisce and sing along with this uplifting tribute to Sinatra and fantastic holiday show.

(Here's a link to Quatrani's take on "That's Life" performed at Salvatore's in 2017.)

Upon reservation, you can select one of three entrees:

• Lemon-caper chicken;
• Bruschetta tilapia;
• or spiral ribbon vegetables served on bed of ancient grains with marinara sauce.

Departure from the Office of the Aging, located at 2 Bank St. in Downtown Batavia, is at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3.

Doors at the venue open at 11 a.m. There will be a basket auction with tickets available for purchase to benefit a local charity (to be announced). These tickets are nonrefundable.

Lunch is served at noon. Entertainment begins at 1:30. Prizes awarded at 2:45.

Departure for Batavia is at 3 p.m.

For booking or more information call the Office for the Aging at 343-1611.

The bus tour event is provided by Know How Tours.

Press release:

Genesee Feeds, a Purina^® Certified Expert Dealer, is announcing their 2019 Purina^® Check-R-Board^® Days, a customer appreciation event. Their event celebrates another year of serving the Batavia community as a Purina^® dealer. Purina^® is also celebrating with their 125^th anniversary.

Stop by Genesee Feeds, located at 3860 W. Main Street Road in Batavia, tomorrow (Nov. 2^nd) during regular Saturday store hours 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy savings, refreshments and prizes.

Customers will also have the opportunity to enter in the national 2019 Purina® Check-R-Board® Days Sweepstakes for their chance to win a 2019 Polaris® Ranger utility vehicle, a trip-for-two to the Purina® Animal Nutrition Center, or Orion® 65 Cooler.* (See store for official rules.)

“It is exciting to celebrate another year as a Purina® dealer,” says the staff of Genesee Feeds. “We thank our loyal customers and invite everyone to come celebrate our 2019 Purina® Check-R-Board® Days and Purina’s 125^th Anniversary with us!”

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC (www.purinamills.com) is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers throughout the United States. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is headquartered in Shoreview, Minn., and a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes Inc.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved incentives for two capital investment projects in the Town of Le Roy at the board’s Oct. 31^st meeting.

Wright Associates is investing approximately $9.5 million to purchase and build-out an existing 139,000-square-foot building on Wright Avenue in Le Roy, and in the process create 125 new full-time jobs in Genesee County.

The company will make significant renovations to the building and property, including the installation of a new roof, updates to the electrical system, improvements to drainage system, installation of fiber optic cable, updates to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and other enhancements.

The beverage distribution company, based in Rochester, requested approximately $854,452 in mortgage, sales and property tax exemptions. The project's property, local sales tax and payroll represent a $135.50 local impact for every $1 of benefits.

Wendt Propane Gas Service is investing $1.3 million to build a new 9,600-square-foot facility at the corner of Route 19 and North Road in the Town of Le Roy, creating four new full-time jobs.

The company will be expanding its propane service to local residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers.

The company sought approximately $120,000 in mortgage, sales and property tax exemptions. The project represents a $24.50 local impact for every $1 of benefits.

The GCEDC board also voted to accept an application for incentives from Fraser-Branche Property LLC which is seeking to purchase and renovate the YWCA building on North Street in the City of Batavia.

The company will renovate approximately 8,700 square feet of the 13,000-square-foot facility for an expansion of Three Little Birds Pediatrics, and is proposing to lease back the remainder of the facility to the YWCA and two other existing tenants.

The total project capital investment is $1.4 million. Fraser-Branche Property, LLC is seeking approximately $105,000 in mortgage, sales and property tax exemptions.

The project will be part of the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (BP2) program. Since the project is seeking more than$100,000 in incentives, the GCEDC will conduct a public hearing.

“These are three exciting projects for Genesee County, and especially the Town of Le Roy and City of Batavia,” said GCEDC Board Chair Paul Battaglia. “It’s great to see both the high level of capital investment being made and the number of jobs being created.”