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Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) [center] introduces several veterans of World War II on the Assembly Floor last Friday.

Submitted photo and press release:

Coinciding with the legislature’s celebration of Flag Day and the founding of the Army, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) had the honor of introducing many veterans of World War Two on the Assembly Floor on Friday.

“World War II veterans, ‘The Greatest Generation’ are an elite and special group and it is important to frequently recognize and cherish their role in defending America’s freedom,” Hawley said. “Many of these brave young men and women volunteered, sometimes lying about their age in order to answer the call of duty.

"Their courage and bravery helped shape and preserve American exceptionalism, and it was truly an honor to introduce and meet with them in Albany.”

Hawley, a veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, is the son of a World War II veteran himself, R. Stephen Hawley, who fought in Burma as part of Merrill’s Marauders.

Hawley also hosts an annual trip to Washington, D.C., each September, the Patriot Trip, joining local veterans and their families on a tour of our nation’s military and political monuments.

Press release:

On Monday, members of Batavia Downs management announced their commitment to expand their ticket giveaway programs, collectively known as “Suitestakes,” at their gaming facility.

Batavia Downs plans to enter into a three-year agreement with Pegula Sports Entertainment for a suite at the Buffalo Football Stadium for events as part of Batavia Downs’ Ticket Promotion Program.

Batavia Downs just finished the first year of a three-year agreement with Pegula Sports and Entertainment for a Suite at the Key Bank Center.

The “Suitestakes” promotion has been in place at Batavia Downs since 2014 and has expanded over the years. As part of Batavia Downs’ Marketing Plan, the purchase and use of all tickets is approved by the New York State Gaming Commission on an annual basis.

The program did receive Gaming Commission approval for the 2019 year.

The promotion was honored with the prestigious Diamond Romero Award by Raving Consulting for its success in generating revenue and enhancing patrons’ relationship with Batavia Downs. The award is judged by an independent group of Casino Marketing Professionals.

“Our Suitestakes program has and continues to help us achieve record results,” said Ryan Hasenauer, director of Marketing of WROTB/Batavia Downs. “We will be expanding the number of times and methods with which we distribute the tickets to ensure future success.

"Revenues from the facility are distributed to the shareholders of Western OTB including the 15 Western and Central New York counties and two cities of Buffalo and Rochester. Our success means more money is given to those municipalities.”

As a public benefit corporation Batavia Downs competes daily with privately run casinos to attract customers. The environment is competitive and Batavia Downs is committed to continuing programs so residents of member municipalities don’t miss out on critical community development revenue.

“Recently, there has been speculation about the propriety of our promotional activities that benefit our customers and whether tickets for sporting events and concerts have been used properly,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of WROTB/Batavia Downs. “After those reports, we invited the Gaming Commission to examine our records and interview WROTB officials regarding these allegations.

"Two Gaming inspectors accepted our invitation and we complied expeditiously. Following this review, the inspectors advised WROTB that they were pleased with our cooperation and fully satisfied that the records they reviewed and the interviews they conducted did not raise any issues of concern for the Gaming Commission.“

The board will consider the resolution pertaining to the Buffalo Stadium tickets at their meeting later this month.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Business & Professional Womens Club Inc. 2019 Scholarship Committee, has awarded scholarships to seven Genesee County high school students, two Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students, and one Genesee Community College student is pending.

The clubs Committee Co-chairpersons Peggy Johnson and Bobbi Norton presented the awards for the evening.

The High School Student recipients are as follows: Brianna Bromley (Batavia), Lindsey Coniber (Le Roy), Joshua Kelsey (Alexander), Mary Kochmanski (Alexander), Garrett Sinemus (Elba), Jadan Torcello (Batavia), Taya Townley (Alexander).

Each received a $1,000 check to support their educational and career goals.

These scholarships are open to Genesee County high schools seniors (male or female).

Each student maintained an 85 percent average or higher, completed a one-page application with a letter of recommendation from a school staff member and submitted a personal essay discussing their achievements and future goals as well as an essay from a parent.

The finalists were interviewed by the BBPWC Inc. Scholarship Committee in May and notified.

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) recipients are as follows: Emily Boldt (Pavilion) and Anna O’Geen (Warsaw). Each received a $500 scholarship award. These students were selected through the GVEP, Student Services Committee.

The Genesee Community College (GCC) adult student will receive a $500 scholarship award. The selection process for the GCC award is completed by the Genesee Community College Foundation and is pending selection of a candidate.

All of the award winners were invited to the Batavia Business & Professional Womens Inc. June Banquet, which was held June 6 at Dibble Family Center, Batavia.

Additionally, the BBPWC Inc. members voted at their May Meeting on the Service Awards to be distributed and this year. Six $500 checks were awarded.

To be considered for the service award a letter written on appropriate letterhead was sent to the BBPW requesting consideration.

The following service organizations received monetary awards at the banquet: All Babies Cherished, Bethany Fire Department, Care-A-Van Ministries, Crossroads House, The Warrior House and Habitat for Humanity.

To find out more about BBPW scholarships and service awards visit our webpage: https://bataviabpw.wordpress.com/.

The BBPWC Inc. also voted at their May meeting for Women of the Year. This year's recipient is Michelle Gillard, the club's treasurer who joined the organization in 2015. She was looking for a way to give back to her community and the group was a great fit for her. Gillard credits her ability to do what she does to all the wonderful members within the organization.

Please support our next fundraising event by joining us for our Meat Raffle on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Notre Dame High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and first spin will be at 6:45 p.m. All proceeds from this event benefit Genesee County scholarships and the service organizations.

Tickets will be available to purchase from any member beginning in August. Please contact Michelle at 585-297-0779 or send an email to bataviabpw@gmail.com.

Top photo -- scholarship recipients -- from left: Joshua Kelsey (Alexander), Brianna Bromley (Batavia), Mary Kochmanski (Alexander), Garrett Sinemus (Elba), Jadan Torcello (Batavia), Lindsey Coniber (Le Roy), Anna O’Geen (Warsaw), Taya Townley (Alexander).

Bottom photo -- service award winners -- from left: Sue Sherman -- All Babies Cherished; Nancy Ewert -- The Warrior House; Bridget Ohlson -- Care-A-Van Ministries; Mel Davis – Bethany Volunteer Fire Department; Marie Scofield -- Habitat for Humanity; Peg Patterson-Case – Crossroads House.

Press release:

Are you ready to change your financial future? Northgate Free Methodist Church is hosting its next semester of Financial Peace University, which will be held on Monday nights, starting on July 1st from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the North Campus.

It is located at 8160 Bank Street Road in Batavia.

For more than 25 years, Financial Peace University, created by Dave Ramsey, has helped thousands of people take control of their money.

Through this nine-week course, Ramsey’s proven money-management class will show you step-by-step how to create a budget, pay off your debt, make wise spending decisions, and save for the future.

Preregistration is required, so please visit www.northgatefmc.com and follow the Financial Peace link to sign up.

The cost is $109, scholarships are available.

If you have questions please email office@northgatefmc.com or call the church office at (585) 343-4011.

Genesee-Orleans OUT! will be hosting their first ever Pride Parade and Festival in Batavia from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, June 28th.

Lineup for the parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Austin Park in Batavia. The parade will conclude on Bank Street at the GO ART! building where there will be food and entertainment! It is located at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

For more information and to register for the Pride Parade please go to www.goart.org and click on the Program & Events tab or contact Gregory Hallock directly at (585) 343-9313 or ghallock@goart.org

From Sen. Michael H. Ranzenhofer:

The New York State Senate passed the “Green Light Bill.” State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst) voted against it. 

Senator Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“(Monday's) passage of the Green Light Bill is very troubling to me. I do not agree with granting driver’s licenses to those who enter the country illegally. This bill goes too far.

"It provides none of the protections or restrictions found in the 12 other states that issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. This is just another example of the misguided priorities of the Senate Majority.

“In my recent questionnaire, nearly 80 percent of residents opposed this radical bill. It is equally disturbing that Senate Democrats ignored concerns of the law enforcement community and local clerks.”

Press release:

Coinciding with the 244^th Anniversary of the United State Army, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) had the privilege of unanimously passing an Assembly Resolution Thursday in Albany honoring Staff Sergeant David Bellavia for receiving the Medal of Honor. The honor will be presented to him by President Trump on June 25.

Staff Sgt. Bellavia, who was born in Albion and lives in Batavia, will become the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the Medal of Honor after bravely rescuing his entire squad who had become trapped during the Battle of Fallujah. He then proceeded to engage the enemy, killing four and wounding a fifth, which ultimately led to the safety of three squads of the Third Platoon.

“Staff Sgt. David Bellavia is a true example of the American courage, bravery and heroics that have forged our great nation and he is beyond deserving of this tremendous honor,” Hawley said.

“His willingness to put the lives and protection of others above himself during the Iraq War’s most intense battle is a priceless act of selflessness to which we should all emulate and, for that, he is an American hero. I am honored to recognize Staff Sgt. Bellavia for his service to our nation and thank him for his sacrifices in protecting our country and its citizens.”

A motorcycle accident is reported on Route 33 in Stafford. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics responded. South Byron Fire Police are called to shut down Route 33 at Griswald Road and Route 33 at Route 237.

Mercy Flight is called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: A husband and wife were riding their respective motorcycles, he on a black bike, she on a red Honda, when he slowed down for unknown reasons. His wife, who was just behind him, slowed suddenly to avoid hitting him and she lost control of her bike and crashed. She had an open-face helmet on and suffered road rash on her face and extremities and complained of head, chest and abdomen pain. A trooper at the scene said she was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.The husband was not injured. No other vehicles were involved. 

Edward James Leddick, 23, of Cheektowaga, is charged with second-degree harassement. At 12:39 a.m. on June 17 Leddick was arrested following an argument on Fargo Road in the Town of Darien. It is alleged that during the arugment, Leddick struck a female in the nose and pushed her to the ground. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Darien Court on July 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Heberlein.

Eric Duda, 46, of Prestige Crossing, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. At 11:20 p.m. on June 14, deputies responded to Prestige Crossing in the Town of Batavia for a reported criminal mischief complaint. After an investigation Duda was arrested. He allegedly damaged property valued at $300 that belonged to another person. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on July 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Eril Andre, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen

Daniel Jon Lewis, 23, of Meadow Farm South, North Chili, is charged with second-degree assault. He was arrested on June 11 for an assault that allegedly occurred at 10:09 p.m. on June 10 while he was incaracerated in the Genesee County Jail. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor.

Kelly James Rhim, 40, of Coven Street, Rochester, is charged with second-degree assault. He was arrested on June 11 for an assault that allegedly occurred at 9:49 p.m. on June 10 while he was incarcerated in the Genesee County Jail. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor.

Le Roy police are responding to an apartment on Bacon Street after a caller to dispatch complained that a package intended for her was delivered to a neighbor and the neighbor is refusing to give it to her.

Press release:

Farmers Market Coupons will be distributed at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia, on the following dates:

• Wednesday            June 26         10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Wednesday            July 10           1 - 4 p.m.
• Tuesday                 July 16           10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Thursday                July 18           10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Also, the Genesee County Office for the Aging also plans to distribute coupons at the:

• Le Roy Farmer’s Market from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 6;
• Downtown Batavia Public Market from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 26.

Booklets are available to adults aged 60 years and older who are income-eligible. Proof of age identification must be provided.

Income guidelines are as follows: household of one $1,926 per month; household of two $2,607per month; and, household of three $3,289 per month.

Maureen Estabrooks, Office for the Aging’s coordinator for the program, noted, “Anyone 60 or older in a household may receive a coupon booklet as long as they are income eligible. This means that in a qualifying household, multiple individuals may receive booklets.

"This program is a wonderful way to help older adults with limited income purchase fresh produce from our local farmers.”

Questions may be directed to the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

From Young Audiences of WNY:

Arts Partners for Learning (APL) is pleased to announce that Western New York schools are eligible to apply for APL creative learning programs, which will occur between September and June 2020.

Programs include performances, workshops, residencies, and field trips with cultural organizations that make use of the arts as a text to achieve Common Core State Standard benchmarks at any grade level.

Eligible schools must be located in one of the eight counties of Western New York, including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.

Up to 90 percent of residency program costs will be covered for selected schools thanks to funding from Fund for the Arts.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to early applicants.

Applications can be found here.

To learn more about APL, click here.

Guillermo J. Torres-Acevedo is indicted for the crime of second-degree rape, a Class D violent felony. He is an adult accused of engaging is sexual intercourse with a person under 15 years old sometime during October at or near the County Meadows Manufactured Home Community in the Town of Batavia. In count two, he is accused of the same crime during September or October, on a different occasion. In count three, he is accused of the same crime in October while in the parking lot of a hotel in the Town of Batavia. In count four, he is accused of the same crime sometime between Nov. 25 and 26 in the Town of Batavia. In counts five, six and seven he is accused of criminal sexual act in the second degree, also a Class D violent felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with a person under age 15 sometime during October or November in the Town of Batavia on three different occasions. In count eight, Torres-Acevedo is accused of another count of criminal sexual act in the second degree, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with a person under age 15 sometime between Nov. 25 and 26 in the Town of Batavia. In count nine, the defendant is accused of second-degree kidnapping, a Class B violent felony, for allegedly abducting a person in the Town of Bergen on Nov. 29. In count 10, he is accused of second-degree criminal contempt, a Class A misdemeanor, for intentionally disobeying a court order of protection to stay away from the victim. In count 11, the defendant is indicted for endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, for acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of child less than 17. In count 12, Torres-Acevedo is indicted for the crime of first-degree custodial interference, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count 12 that on Nov. 29, the defendant unlawfully took a child from her lawful custodian and removed her from the state. In count 13, he is accused of unauthorized use of a vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly taking a 2012 Dodge Journey without the owner's consent.

Darius L. Jones is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 22 in the City of Batavia that Jones knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with the intent to sell it.

Marquise L. Lee and Derek E. Wilcox are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on March 27 in the City of Batavia that they knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with the intent to sell it.

Christopher L. Burns is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 16 in the Town of Le Roy that he drove a 2014 Fiat on Route 5 while intoxicated. In count two, burns is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Burns is accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on Sept. 24, 2012 in County of Monroe Court and that conviction is within 10 previous to the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Shah L. Zajic is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 27 in the Town of Le Roy that Zajic drove a 2012 Toyota on Route 19 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Zajic is accused of having been convicted of the crime of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on Feb. 14, 2017, in City of Batavia Court and that conviction is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

A two-vehicle accident in which one vehicle rolled over is reported at Sumner Road and County Line Road in Darien. A first responder reports minor injuries and two of the patients are children. Darien fire and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: A vehicle is in the middle of the intersection; traffic control will be needed.

Douglas Scott Sprague accepted a plea deal in Genesee County Court Friday afternoon on a charge of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony.

He admitted to intentionally violating a court order of protection on April 9 in Alabama. He was previously convicted of second-degree criminal contempt in October of 2014 in Town of Oakfield Court for violating an order of protection.

The 53-year-old native of McDonough, who finished the 11th grade of high school, is considered a second felony offender for sentencing purposes.

Judge Charles Zambito ordered a presentencing report and an order of protection for one year for the victim.

Bail is continued at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond for Sprague, who appeared in court with his head shaved, with a goatee, and wearing orange jail clothes to waive the indictment against him.

Sentencing is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, July 24.