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Press release:

The Genesee County Job Development Bureau would like to announce its Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program.

Young adults may receive funding for in-demand career training. The program offers opportunities to out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24 years, who face barriers to education, training and employment. The goal is to make it easier for youth to find a job and a career training path. 

The program is looking to help youth -- from the young mother or father who wants to return to school, to a recent graduate that is trying to enter the workforce with no experience; to the young man or woman who left high school and now wants to finish said, Teresa Van Son, director of the Genesee County Job Development Bureau.

"Everyone has their own story and things that have gotten in their way," she said. "We want to help remove some of those obstacles. Our program is here to assist by providing support and guidance that will allow them to participate successfully in education and training opportunities to reach their fullest potential."

Young adults have the chance to participate in training for certificate and degree programs, which will assist in obtaining marketable skills for employment in their desired field of study.

Unsure what career you want? You can explore careers through paid work experience or job shadowing with a local employer.

The benefits and services can include: career counseling and support, tuition, employment-readiness training, and paid work experience. We may also help with limited supportive services including course fees and supplies, mileage reimbursement, driver's training, work clothes or uniforms.

Individuals are eligible to participate if they are between 16-24 years old, meet eligibility guidelines and possess one or more of the following barriers to employment: pregnant or parenting (mother or father), a school drop-out, homeless, foster care and/or aged out, ex-offender, or an individual with a disability.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate is much higher than average for 16 – 24 year olds at 9.1 percent. The education a person receives affects their employment status.

In 2018, among youth (ages 16–24) not enrolled in school who did not graduate from high school, only 51 percent were employed, either full- or part-time. The employment rate goes up from there with each educational milestone a person reached according to Child Trends.

"We want to help our local youth reach those milestones," Van Son said.

For more information, please contact the Genesee County Career Center, at (585) 344-2042 and speak with the youth counselor Lisa Smith or by email at lisa.smith@co.genesee.ny.us

Submitted photos and press release:

What happens when you bring brilliant writing and wonderful actors together? This Nov. 8th and 9th at 7:30 p.m., the Batavia Players and the Harvester 56 Theater will be answering that question as they perform "Off Our Rockers," two one-act plays that are both insightful and hilarious in nature.

"Off Our Rockers" consists of the plays "Laundry & Bourbon" and "I’m Herbert." They were written as part of two separate collections and this is the first time that they will be presented together.

Starring in "I’m Herbert" is perennial actor and local internationally known artist Kevin Partridge (inset photo left) and longtime Players' actress Dorothy Gerhart (inset photo below, right). Both Gerhart and Partridge are recipients of the Performance of the Year Award at the Harvester 56 Theater and they are two of this area’s premier actors. They have appeared on stage in many memorable roles and are a consistent part of the Batavia Players acting troupe.

In "I’m Herbert" their characters are Muriel and Herbert, two octogenarians that recall their lives together and apart with hilarity. The short one-act play looks at the life of the fun-loving couple in their advanced years as they reflect on their former glory days.

Michele Stamp (inset photo below, left) Emily Crawford (inset photo bottom left) and Kathy Johns (inset photo bottom right), who have also been nominated for acting awards and have portrayed many of the theater's most memorable characters, will be bringing to life the one act play "Laundry & Bourbon."

This play also wraps itself around small trailer park life and the highs and lows of loves found, lost and forgotten.

Stamp has been memorable in her award- winning portrayal of Martha in "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe," while Johns is best remembered as Joanne in "Come Back to the Five & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean."

Crawford, who also works on many of the technical aspects of the show, played the mother Marmee March in the musical "Little Women." All have appeared on stage many times over the eight-year history of the Harvester 56 Theater.

“This is a very special cast with a tremendous amount of talent and stage presence,” said "Off Our Rockers" Director E. Jane Burk.

Both of these well-written plays have been perennial favorites of the short-play set.

This is the first time they have been presented by the Harvester 56 Theater and the Batavia Players. There are only two performances and tickets are available at the Box Office.

Press release:

The Batavia Players are entering the Holiday Season by presenting a truly wonderful Christmas story, "A Charles Dicken’s Christmas." This musical is a highly original take on "A Christmas Carol" that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the holiday classic.

The theater company will be looking for actors and singers between the ages of 8 to senior. Rehearsals are slated to begin the first full week of November.  Auditions will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1^st and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2^nd.

Those interested should check out the Batavia Players website at bataviaplayers.org. Information about auditioning is available on that website.

“This is a great musical for the whole family as well as a wonderful show for someone who may want to try being a part of live theater,” Director Patrick Burk said. “It allows for a wide array of talent, ages and characters as well as some traditional Victorian music and well know Christmas carols.

In the musical, Charles Dickens attempts to provide his publisher with a Christmas story that he promised to write but keeps coming up short. With the aid of his artistic muse, Dickens faces – and comes to terms with – his own troubled youth, learning the true meaning of Christmas and finding the inspiration for his immortal holiday classic.

This humorous and sentimental show is pure family entertainment. Each character in this small cast plays a large part in telling the alternate story of Charles Dickens.

Its rich musical score is sure to put the holiday cheer into every member of the audience. The show will also include a Victorian Christmas chorus as well as some dance and choreography elements. The cast will number approximately 25.

"A Charles Dickens Christmas" is written by Robert Owens Scott with music by Douglas J. Cohen and Tom Toce. It is presented by arrangement through Music Theater International (MTI).

Reader Marcy Ewell wrote us this morning about the adorable black kitten in Bethany and said:

"Found this morning by the side of the road near (Route) 20 and East Road (Suicide Corners). Has collar with bell. Checked with houses and farm near intersection -- no one claimed it was theirs. Very cuddly and was very hungry.

"Please text 585-813-1025 if you know or are the owner."

Riley B. Mayer, 21, of South Main Street, Batavia, (inset photo, left) is charged with first-degree gang assault -- causing serious physical injury. Mayer was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court on Oct. 8 and jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. The defendant was due back in city court Oct. 9. The incident allegedly occured at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 on Highland Parkway. The investigation is ongoing. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Shaqueita L. Irvin, 27, Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child -- acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years of age. Irvin was arrested at 3:02 a.m. on Oct. 15 for allegedly failing to provide adequate supervision for her 6-year-old daughter more than 30 times. Her daughter has been dismissed from school and sent home on the bus; upon her arrival at her residence, nobody was there to receive her. The girl has been returned to school for supervision. Irvin was issued an appearance ticket for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Batavia City Court. The case of handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.

Zachari R. Morgan, 23, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with second-degree menacing. At 4:24 p.m. on Oct. 17, Morgan was arrested after allegedly threatening to cause bodily harm to someone with a hammer in his possession. He was arrested at his residence and released on an appearance ticket. He is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Casey Daniel Nutting, 44, of Union Street, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; aggravated DWI -- a BAC of .18 percent or higher; and refusal to take a breath test. Nutting was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that law enforcement stopped for a suspicious condition. On Oct. 17 on Main Road in Stafford, Le Roy Police Sgt. Gregory Kellogg was following Nutting's vehicle and allegedly observed numerous traffic and vehicle violations before Nutting pulled into the Department of Transporation building on Route 5 in Stafford. Sgt. Kellogg stopped the vehicle to check Nutting's welfare. Genesee County Sheriff's deputies arrived and took over the investigation. It is alleged that they found Nutting to be intoxicated and he was arrested at 6:56 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Stafford Town Court on Nov. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Jay Blatchley, 46, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Following the investigation of contraband that was found in Genesee County Jail, Blatchley was arrested at 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 19 after allegedly bringing narcotics into the jail without permission. He was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail (cash or bond unspecified). Blatchley is due to be in Batavia City Court on Oct. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

John W. Walsh, 36, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with having an open container of alcohol. Walsh was arrested at 7:35 p.m. on Oct. 12 in front of the Speedway gas station and convenience store at 204 W. Main St. in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Sgt. Matthew Lutey.

Press release:

The Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates. 

On Saturday, Oct. 26th, the Genesee County Democratic Committee invites the community to celebrate early voting and meet their local candidates. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden. It is located at 117-123 W. Main St. in Batavia. 

“For the first time in history, voters in New York State have the opportunity to vote early, and it’s a really big deal,” said City of Batavia Democratic Chair, Erica Donnell. “Voting rights activists have been fighting for this for a very long time and now that we have a Democratic majority in Albany, we finally got the job done.

"The first day of early voting is October 26th so we felt that would be a great day for our candidates to get together with voters and celebrate this accomplishment.” 

For more information about early voting visit geneseedemocrats.net. 

Voters will also have the opportunity to meet some of the endorsed Democratic candidates running for office this year. 

Chair of the Genesee County Democrats and Darien Town Board Member Michael Plitt says, “National politics seem to suck all of the oxygen out of the room these days, but if you really want to participate in democracy, the local level is the place to do it.

"When I knock on doors I like talking to voters about the things in their community that matters to them and where their vote can really make a difference.”

Participating candidates include City Court Judge candidate Benjamin Bonarigo, Ward 3 City Council candidate Nick Russo, Ward 5 City Council candidate Sammy DiSalvo, Darien Town Board Member Plitt, and others. Light refreshments will be provided.

Press release:

The Christian Students United (CSU) Club at Genesee Community College invites the college and the community to a Free Movie Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the William W. Stuart Forum of the Batavia Campus, located at One College Road, Batavia.

"The Case for Christ" is a 2007 Pureflix movie based on the award-winning best-selling book, which portrays the real-life story of Chicago investigative journalist Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to Christianity.

The film stars Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway and Robert Forster.

For more information about the film, click here.

CSU will be selling inexpensive homemade baked goods and the proceeds will go to the student club's sponsored child from Haiti, 11-year old Fedson Hyppolite.

CSU's student mission is to edify and encourage one another to be the light of Christ at GCC. The club welcomes all students regardless of their religious affiliation, and the group meets on Thursdays, 12:30 - 2 p.m., in room T122.

Any questions can be referred to the CSU president, student Anna Sprout asprout@my.genesee.edu, or to the CSU advisor, Jim Simon jsimon@genesee.edu, 585-798-1688, ext. 4191.

Reader and photographer Frank Capuano sent us a picture he made this morning of the sky over Batavia.

The weather was beautiful today.

A three-car collision with injuries is reported at 8259 Lewiston Road. Town of Batavia Fire  Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: There is entrapment. The location is between Cheryl Lane and Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: Oakfield Fire Police are asked to shut down traffic at Route 63 and Galloway Road.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Ronald D. Meides said there were two vehicles involved in the accident, not three. Witnesses told officers that the red pickup truck was southbound on Lewiston Road when, for unknown reasons, it left its lane of travel and drifted into the opposite lane. A northbound blue sedan tried to veer onto the right shoulder to avoid a collision but could not as the truck continued on and struck the car. Meides said it was not a true head-on collision -- more of a "glancing front bumper to front bumper" crash. The sedan's female driver from Oakfield required extrication as did the male driver of the pickup truck. He had a male passenger; both men are from Lockport. All three were conscious and alert and able to answer questions when first responders arrived. The female was taken to ECMC; the men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. Meides said their injuries are serious but not life threatening. Drugs or alcohol are not factors, Meides said, adding that charges are pending.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is holding a free “Meet the Candidates” Day to enable local residents with disabilities -- or anyone from the community -- to hear and discuss issues with some on the ballot in the November General Election.

Our Chief Policy Officer Todd Vaarwerk points out that those who achieve local positions now may be the state and national leaders of tomorrow!  So, whatever your political views, this is your year to get involved!

The event takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, ILGR’s Main Office in the Crickler Executive Business Center, 319 W. Main St. in Batavia, in the Douglas J. Usiak Multipurpose Room.

To date, we have confirmations from Batavia City Court Judge candidates Durin B. Rogers (R, C, I) and Benjamin J. Bonarigo (D, WOR, GRE); and Batavia City Council Ward 3, Deborah Kerr Rosenbeck (LBT).

We have also invited those who are not running unopposed in the following positions, although not all will attend: Genesee County Legislators District 8; Batavia City Council wards 3 and 5; various local positions: Alexander Town Clerk; Bergen Town Clerk; Bethany Town Council; Byron Town Supervisor and Town Council; Darien Town Supervisor, Town Justice and Town Council; Pavilion Highway Superintendent; and Pembroke Town Justice.

They will address their constituents and take questions.

(The party abbreviations (in alphabetical order): C – Conservative, D – Democrat, GRE – Green, I – Independence, LIB - Libertarian, R – Republican, WOR – Working Families.)

If an attendee wishes to be familiar with the “hot” disability issues, sheets of suggested questions will be provided; but participants are encouraged to ask about public concerns that are close to them. The building is fully disability accessible.

To RSVP or get additional information call Donna at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

From the Genesee County Health Department:

Did you know there is a pill to prevent HIV? Pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, is a safe and effective daily pill that can greatly reduce your risk of HIV infection.

PrEP is prescribed for HIV-negative people who are at a higher risk for getting HIV, most commonly through sex, injection drug use, or sharing needles. A lot of people still don’t knowabout the benefits of using PrEP to protect against HIV.

That’s why the New York State Department of Health has declared Oct. 20 – 26 as PrEP Aware Week.

“If you are exposed to HIV, the medicines in PrEP stop the virus from spreading throughout your body, preventing anHIV infection” said Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans counties. “People at high risk for getting HIV should talk to their healthcare provider about starting this preventative treatment.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when taken daily, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent when taken daily. Among people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by at least 74 percent when taken daily. PrEP is much less effective if it is not taken consistently.

Before you start PrEP, your doctor will test you to make sure that you do not have HIV and that your kidneys and liver are healthy. While you are on PrEP, your doctor will test you every three months for HIV and at least every six months for other STIs.

Even though PrEP is one important tool for protecting yourself from HIV, you can further reduce your chance of getting HIV by using condoms during sex and by using new sterile (clean) needles if you inject drugs.

The CDC offers these guidelines on people who should consider taking PrEP:

• Anyone who is in an ongoing relationship with someone who is HIV-positive.

• Gay or bisexual men who have sex without a condom or have been diagnosed with an STI in the past six months.

• Heterosexual men or women who do not regularly use condoms with partners with an unknown HIV status who are at substantial risk for HIV infections (people who inject drugs).

• People who have injected drugs in the past 6 months and have shared injection equipment or have been in treatment for injection drug use in the past six months.

Many insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover PrEP. Assistance may also be available if you are uninsured or if your co-pay or deductible is too high. For additional information about PrEP, including a directory of medical providers who prescribe PrEP, and information about resources to pay for PrEP, please visit www.health.ny.gov/PrEP.

For more information about PrEP, please click here.

For information about Health Department services contact the Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website.

The Breast Cancer Coalition will present a talk on the long-term effects of radiation beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia.

This event is cosponsored by Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Senator Michael Ranzenhofer.

It is free and open to the public. No reservations necessary. The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Dr. Kevin J. Mudd, of the UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute, will be the speaker.

Radiation treatment for breast cancer is known to reduce recurrence and increase survival rates for the disease.

• But are there risks associated with this form of treatment?
• What long-term effects may be attributed to radiation therapy?
• Do the therapeutiv benefits outweigh the potential risks?
• Are there ways to prvent or minimizue long-term effects?
• What should a patient be aware of in the weeks, months and years following radiation treatment?

To contact the Breast Cancer Coalition, phone (585) 473-8177, email:   infor@bccr.org or visit their website.