Stories from

Due to inclement weather, all classes today -- Wednesday, Feb. 13 -- are cancelled at Blue Pearl Yoga. 

Classes will resume and the studio will reopen on Thursday, Feb. 14.

A two-vehicle collision with injuries is reported on Read Road in Pembroke, north of Genesee Street. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for Genesee County tonight and a wind advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. through 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says winds will be from the west at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 57 mph, making driving difficult and possibly resulting in minor property damage. Homeowners should secure personal property.

Mixed precipitation is forecast with additional snow and sleet accumulations of an inch or less. Expect snow and/or ice covered, slippery roads and reduced visibility.

Scott J. Hinze, 52, a registered sex offender who lives on West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with failure to report a change of address within 10 days -- a felony, and falsifying business records in the first degree, also a felony. On Feb. 11 at about 11:20 p.m. Hinze was arrested after an investigation. He allegedly failed to register his address change as a sex offender within 10 days to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Sex Offender Registry. Hinze also allegedly falsified a sex offender address change document at the Genesee County Jail in the City of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court and is due there March 4. On the charge of falsifying a business record document at the jail, he was issued an appearance ticket for March 5 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik B. Andre.

Aaron L. Heale, 37, of 25 N. Lake Ave., Bergen, was arrested on Feb. 11 by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with one count of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, a Class A misdemeanor. The charge comes after a complaint on Feb. 5 from a local car wash that Heale was allegedly slumped over at the wheel of his car in the wash bay. When the Le Roy police found Heale, who is on parole, he was allegedly slumped over at the wheel and awoken by the officers. During the investigation it was alleged that Heale unlawfully possessed the hypodermic syringe inside the vehicle. Heale, who is currently in Genesee County Jail on an alleged parole violation, was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Le Roy Town Court on March 14.

Jeffery J. Williams, 25, of 25 Ravine Ave., Rochester, was arrested on Feb. 10 by the Le Roy Police Department and charged with two counts of petit larceny and three counts of attempted petit larceny. The charges are based from an investigation which started on Nov. 11 when it was reported that numerous vehicles in the Bacon/Pleasant Street area were entered and items allegedly stolen. During the investigation, it was determined that Williams was visiting a person in Le Roy when he allegedly entered at least five different vehicles during the early morning hours, stealing items from two of the vehicles and ransacking three others looking for items to steal. Williams was issued an appearance ticket to be in Le Roy Town Court on March 5.

Pictured above is "Root Man," a painting by David F. Burke of Bergen.

Bergen artist David F. Burke and fellow artist Daniel Hogan, a friend he met at Genesee Community College in 1975, will both have their paintings on display at The Little Theatre Cafe in Rochester from Feb. 23 through March 23.

The exhibit is titled "Looking at Nature Through Imagery and Abstraction."

An opening reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24. The cafe is inside Little Theatre 2 & 3 back complex on Winthrop Street and there's additional parking just past Hart's Grocery.

Below is an untitled painting by the artist Daniel Hogan.

Press release:

Tops Family Markets and Dole Packaged Foods LLC are excited to launch the third annual Learning Garden contest granting two elementary schools in either Upstate New York, Vermont or Northern Pennsylvania a Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden. The contest will begin Sunday, Feb. 17 and will run until Saturday, March 16.

Tops shoppers can enter their school for a chance to win by visiting topsmarkets.comor https://captainplanetfoundation.org/contest/topsmarkets/and filling out the contest application. Two lucky schools will win a comprehensive Learning Garden complete with lesson kits filled with supplies, a schoolyard garden, fully equipped garden cooking cart, and strategies for summer garden maintenance.

The Learning Garden program provides a context for multidisciplinary learning, ranging from Nutrition and Science to Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts. Students benefit by expanding their palates, taste-testing healthy foods, and learning about food origins.

“Dole is very excited to be partnering with Tops Friendly Markets again to bring two lucky schools Learning Gardens. It is so important for children to learn about where their food comes from and develop healthy eating habits at an early age,” said Larry White, vice president -- Sales, Dole Packaged Foods. 

“So many subjects can be taught in the garden and hands-on garden learning is an excellent way to support student understanding of natural systems, food origins, and healthy eating,” said Leesa Carter, president & CEO of Captain Planet Foundation.

“Captain Planet Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that kids are armed with an understanding of the natural world in which they live, and we are thrilled to be partnering again with Tops and Dole Packaged Foods to provide two lucky schools in with Project Learning Garden.”

“Tops Friendly Markets is excited to partner with Dole and the Captain Planet Foundation for a third year. We are committed to supporting educational excellence and the hands-on garden and curriculum is an integral part of the conversation when teaching kids learn where their food comes from,” says Diane Colgan, senior VP of Marketing & Decision Support, Tops Friendly Markets. “We encourage every elementary school to consider entering for their chance at winning this great free resource.”

About Dole Packaged Foods

Dole Packaged Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Dole International Holdings, is a leader in growing, sourcing, distributing and marketing fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks throughout the world. Dole markets a full line of innovative packaged, frozen and dried fruit. The company focuses on four pillars of sustainability in all its operations: water management, carbon footprint, soil conservation and packaging. For more information, please visit dolesunshine.comor doleintlcsr.com.

About Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Markets LLC is headquartered in Williamsville and operates 159 full-service supermarkets with five additional by franchisees under the Tops banner. Tops employs over 14,000 associates and is a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.

About Captain Planet Foundation (CPF)

Based on the critically-acclaimed animated series "Captain Planet and the Planeteers," CPF was cofounded in 1991 by media mogul Ted Turner and producer Barbara Pyle. Since then, the Captain Planet Foundation has played a critical role in helping to ensure that the next generation of business leaders and policy makers are environmentally literate citizens who leverage technology and information to manage and protect the air, land, and water upon which all life depends. 

CPF is a grant-making foundation that has funded over 2,000 hands-on environmental education projects withschools and nonprofits that serve children in all 50 U.S. states and in 25 countries internationally. More than 1.4 million children have directly participated in and benefited from these educational projects. In addition to its Small Grants Program, the Captain Planet Foundation also operates the following programs: Project Learning Garden, Project Hero, Youth Voice, and the Institute. For more information:www.captainplanetfoundation.org.

Includes information from Genesee Community College:

The National Circus Project brings its exciting, fun-filled circus performance to Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theatre in Batavia at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. With juggling, plate spinning, devil stick AKA diabolo, as well as comedy, this performance will encourage audience participation and is full of surprises!

The day before the performance, on Thursday, Feb. 21, the experts from National Circus Project will hold six free workshops, which are also open to the public, at GCC. Please call GCC's box office at (585) 345-6814 for details about the workshop schedule.

Tickets for the family-friendly National Circus Project performance on Friday night are just $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.

To reserve seats, contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.

The Westbury-NY-based National Circus Project is an educational outreach program, an arts-in-education program, a physical education external program, and a cultural arts external program.

According to their website, "Kids love to watch circus, and are very motivated to try the skills we perform. Our workshops are challenging, without being overwhelming or frustrating. This gives students an opportunity to learn patience, self-discipline and good practice habits (while having fun!)."

They say learning circus skills has these benefits:

• It's noncompetitive
• It's cost effective
• It builds self-esteem
• It teaches cooperation

To find out more about the National Circus Project, click here.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

The following people are wanted on warrants issued out of Batavia City Court. If you have any information on the whereaboute of these subjects, please contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

Do not make any attempt to apprehend these individuals on your own.

If you have an active warrant and want to avoid ending up on a WANTED list like this, the Batavia Police Department would be more than happy to assist you on resolving the warrant.

Ahdeosun "Nunu" Aiken, 20

Charges(s): Second-degree criminal contempt.

Notes: Wanted for allegedly violating an order of protection. Additional pending charge of third-degree bail jumping.

Nicole Casey, 25

Charge(s): Petit larceny

Notes: Wanted for allegedly shoplifting.

Heyward Clark Jr., 54

Charge(s): Multiple counts of third-degree burglary.

Notes: Wanted for allegedly forcefully breaking into several properties and stealing property.

Aisha Culver, 20

Charge(s): Aggravated unlicensed operator
of a motor vehicle
in the third degree; operating with suspended registration; operating without inspection "and additional."

Carey Culverhouse, 59

Charge(s): First-degree assault

Notes: Wanted for allegedly stabbing another person.

Allen Jerome Davis, 37

Charge(s): Sex offender registry

Notes: Wanted for allegedly moving out of his registered address without notice and without providing a new address.

Submitted photo and press release:

BATAVIA -- Brittany Bozzer, Youth Engagement manager of Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GLOW), took Reality Check youth leaders from both St. Joseph School and Notre Dame High School to the state Capitol this week.

They went to Albany on Monday for the Annual Tobacco Control Legislative Day.

Their mission: to show lawmakers the success of the work they’ve done in their community to lower the smoking rate. They also told state leaders about the challenges they face in trying to reduce tobacco use, particularly among vulnerable groups in including fellow youth, the poor and people dealing with mental health issues. 

The facts they shared

Cigarette smoking among New York’s high school youth declined 82 percent between 2000 and 2018, but from 2016 to 2018 the rate increased slightly for the first time since 2000. Even more alarming, electronic cigarette use among the state’s middle and high schoolers continues to rise.

Between 2014 and 2018, the rate increased fully 160 percent, from 10.5 percent to 27.4 percent, and studies show e-cigarettes can be a precursor to cigarette smoking in youth, even those who were not likely to smoke cigarettes. 

Not only has the youth smoking rate in New York State increased for the first time since 2000, but data reveals that more than 1 in 4 of New York’s high-schoolers is using electronic nicotine devices,” Bozzer said.

“With more than half of teens falsely believing e-cigarettes are harmless, adolescent nicotine exposure can cause addiction, it can harm the developing adolescent brain and it can increase the risk of adolescents starting and continuing smoking combustible cigarettes.”

Successes and troubles

St. Joe’s eighth-graders Cayla Hansen and Katie Kratz, as well as Notre Dame sophomores Ben Streeter, Krysta Hansen and junior Maddie Payton, don’t like what they see the tobacco industry doing to hook their friend and family members.

So for this year’s Tobacco Control Legislative Education Day, they wanted to show and tell their elected officials what they see. They created an interactive, life-sized board game called “Tobacco Trouble,” bringing lawmakers on board with the game between legislative sessions to learn about the group’s recent tobacco control successes and the continued fight they’re in with Big Tobacco, an industry that has overfilled their community's retail stores with tobacco products.

More troubling facts in NYS:

• Adults with poor mental health, less than a high school education or annual income less than $25,000 smoke at much higher rates than the general adult population in the state;
• About 280,000 kids now under 18 will die prematurely from smoking;
• E-cigarette use amongst youth has almost tripled from 2014 to 2018;
• E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product by youth—more than cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah; 
• Studies show e-cigarettes can be a precursor to cigarette smoking in youth, even those who were not likely to smoke cigarettes;
• Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.

Reality Check empowers youth to become leaders in their communities in exposing what they see as the manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.

The organization’s members produce change in their communities through grassroots mobilization and education. Reality Check in this area is affiliated with Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GLOW), a program managed by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

To learn more about Reality Check, connect with Brittany Bozzer at 585-219-4064 or brittany.bozzer@roswellpark.org

Le Roy police are responding to a complaint of a dangerous condition at the Royal Apartments, Building #15, at 103 W. Main St. A male is riding around the building on a snowmobile.

Story courtesy of the Orleans Hub:

ELBA – A mother and her son who were killed in a car accident on Feb. 2 in Elba will be remembered with a vigil at the crash site on Sunday (Feb. 10).

The vigil will be at 5 p.m. for Teresa Norton, 53, and her son, Thomas Norton, 22.

Family friend Kamryn Nickel urges family and friends to attend the vigil and light a candle in their memory.

Nickel said she will bring the candles for the vigil.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser also has been established to assist the family during this difficult time. Karen Zok sent up the GoFundMe and said Teresa’s husband Roger was in intensive care at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for several weeks prior to the accident in Elba.

Teresa Norton was driving a 2008 Suzuki northbound with her son at about 1:30 p.m. last Saturday in Elba.

State Police say Norton lost control on the snow-covered roadway and slide sideways into the path of a 2011 Chevrolet pickup truck. The Chevrolet struck the passenger side of the Suzuki.

The Nortons were both declared deceased at the collision scene by Karen Lang, Genesee County coroner.

The accident happened on Route 98 between Edgerton Road and Batavia Elba Townline Road.

Judge Durin Rogers, Batavia City Court judge, has received the endorsement of the City of Batavia Republican Committee for the full-time Batavia City Court position up for election this fall as the result of Judge Robert Balbick having reached mandatory retirement age.

“I am truly humbled by the support and endorsement of the City Republican Committee for Batavia City Court Judge," Judge Rogers said following the City Republican Committee endorsement meeting held last night at the Old Courthouse Legislative Chambers. "Their endorsement today energizes me as we move forward.” 

Judge Rogers has dedicated his almost 25-year legal career to public service including volunteering for the public defender’s office, representing indigent defendants in criminal matters as an assigned counsel attorney, and having been a longtime prosecutor with the Genesee County Attorney’s office.

Judge Rogers is now serving in his fourth year on the bench as the City of Batavia part-time judge following his unanimous appointment by Batavia City Council in 2015 and has recently been qualified as an Accessible Magistrate for “Raise the Age” legislation. 

Following the City Republican Committee meeting, David J. Saleh, Esq., City of Batavia Republican Committee chairperson, said Judge Rogers received his party’s endorsement because he brings to the bench a unique combination of experience, commitment and character.

“Tonight, the City of Batavia Republican Party unanimously endorsed Judge Rogers for the full-time City Court Judgeship," Saleh said. "We can think of no other candidate who has the qualifications, judicial experience, and commitment to our community than Judge Rogers.

"Over the past four years, Judge Rogers has demonstrated a strong work ethic, knowledge of the law and temperament fitting of our City Court Judge. He has our full support."

Judge Rogers said “Beyond my experience, I have a strong respect and commitment to my fellow residents as they are my friends and neighbors. I have always strived to be honest, straightforward, and open-minded with everyone I come in contact with…I assure you that I will continue to bring each of these qualities to the bench.”

About Judge Durin Rogers —Judge Rogers lives with his wife, Paula Campbell-Rogers, and their four children in the City of Batavia. They are longtime residents and are proud to call Batavia home. You can frequently find Judge Rogers coaching or assisting with youth sports and volunteering in Batavia city schools.  

Judge Rogers assisted in bringing the Youth Court to Genesee County. He was a founding board member and former legal counsel for Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County; a Budget Ambassador for the City of Batavia School District; an appointed member of the Batavia City Youth Board; a member of the original Board of Ethics for the City of Batavia; and a member of the City of Batavia Police Facility Task Force.  

Other volunteer activities included attorney for the Surrogate’s Decision-Making Committee (SDMC), long time Mock Trial Judge; School Volunteer; and President of the Genesee County Bar Association (GCBA), during which time he collaborated with Genesee Community College to bring a new program to Genesee County known as the “People’s Law Series,” a biannual symposium designed to educate and guide the public in topical areas of law.  

Judge Rogers is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Law; and received his Juris Doctor legal degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Connect with the Committee to Elect Judge Rogers by visiting their Facebook page at @electjudgerogers (facebook.com/electjudgerogers) or by email at electjudgerogers@gmail.com

Inset photo of David J. Saleh, Esq., City of Batavia Republican Committee Chairperson, left, and Judge Durin Rogers, currently the part-time Batavia City Court judge.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is blasting a recent proposal by New York City politicians to pay convicted rapists, drug dealers and robbers as much as 30 times more for the work they perform in prison.

The move comes as Gov. Cuomo mulls eliminating middle-class tax cuts to cover his budget gap.

“When is the middle-class going to get a break in this state? First it was a taxpayer-funded college education for prisoners, then it was free computer tablets, voting rights for parolees – now it’s a pay raise,” Hawley said. “How about we start rewarding those of us who have actually contributed to society instead of abused its privileges?”

The proposal comes after Gov. Cuomo allowed prison inmates access to free computer tablets and conditional pardons in order to vote last year while still on parole for anything from rape to robbery to molesting children.

“Individuals don’t end up in prison for first-time minor offenses. These are serious offenders and they should face harsh consequences for their transgressions,” Hawley continued.

“The far-left, realizing their message no longer appeals to middle America, is now courting the votes of anyone who will listen, including criminals – this is the new New York.”

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139^thDistrict, which consists of Genesee and Orleans counties and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s Official Website.

Press release:

The Genesee County & City of Batavia Youth Boards continue to seek nominations for their annual Youth Recognition Banquet.

Nominations are due by Friday, Feb. 15th.

There are three awards presented at the Youth Recognition Banquet:

• Youth Recognition Award — This award recognizes young people who have performed exceptional service to the community and/or have assumed extraordinary roles in their families. Typically, the best candidates for this award are high school students, but we also know there are 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds who exemplify distinctive qualities of service. Several youths will be recognized; however the Youth Boards reserve the right to limit the number of recipients.
• Adult Volunteer Award — This award recognizes an adult who provides service as a volunteer to youth in Genesee County.
• Adult Youth Worker Award — This award recognizes a youth service professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.

Recipients will be honored at the Youth Recognition Banquet on Thursday, March 28.

For more information or to receive nomination forms, please call the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or email youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us

The forms are also on the Youth Bureau page of the Genesee County website here.