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Press release:

Come join The Salvation Army for the 35^th annual WBTA and Ken Barrett Chevrolet Toy Drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14^th.

This toy drive, held at the car dealership on West Main Street in Batavia, will enable us to help those less fortunate in our community.

Throughout the years, Ken Barrett and WBTA have partnered with us to make our Christmas efforts a success.

What a privilege it is to work side by side with these businesses to make Christmas dreams come true for the less fortunate in Genesee County. To date we have 375 youth registered in our program. Please donate the gift of hope for a child in need this season.

90 FOR 90 CHALLENGE -- The Salvation Army reaches midway point in Christmas Drive

The spirit of giving is alive and well in Genesee County. As people hurry to check items off their shopping list, decorate the tree and plan Christmas dinner menus, many may have overlooked the fact that today marks the halfway point of the Christmas shopping season.

Today also marks the midway point for The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraiser. The proceeds raised each year fund assistance programs for impoverished local residents.

“We rely on this funding to carry us through the year in order to help those who are in need. All of the money raised stays in our area, so when you make a donation this Christmas, you are really creating change for your neighbors,” say Lt. Brad and Capt. Rachel Moore, commanding officers of the The Salvation Army locally.

“We are very grateful for the four local residents who took on the 90 for 90 challenge who have given us donations and we thank them for their kindness. We are still in need of $60,000 to reach our goal this year."

In Upstate New York, the majority of The Salvation Army’s funds are raised in November and December.

To learn how to help with The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraising drive, please call (585) 343-6284.

To become a bell ringer, call us at 585-343-6284.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend this Holiday Season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a New Year the law enforcement community across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Dec. 13^thand will end on Jan. 1^st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

The STOP-DWI Holiday Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets the 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Super Bowl weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

You can help to make a difference by "Having a Sober Plan"! Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp

Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. We wish you and your family and friends a very safe and Happy Holiday season!

Press release:

The Justice for Children G.L.O.W. Foundation is pleased to announce that they are going to be embarking on a major renovation of the Justice for Children Advocacy Center in 2019.

Through collaboration with Genesee County, the Justice for Children G.L.O.W Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Batavia, the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia, and many individual and corporate donors, the Justice for Children Advocacy Center will have a home that fully meets the needs of all of the children and families that visit the Justice for Children Advocacy Center – today and well into the future!

Thanks to a generous offer of a long-term lease from the Church, the Foundation will be using the funds raised by the Kiwanis Club of Batavia and donations from the community to renovate the current location at 304 E. Main St.

The evolution of this plan truly was a community effort, and sends a valuable message to the children and families in our communities who have been impacted by abuse: You are not alone. Your community supports you. We are all willing to work to keep you happy, healthy and safe.

The community is welcome to attend an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 9^th  from 9 to 11 a.m. to learn about the plans for renovating the Justice for Children Advocacy Center.  

For more information about the Justice for Children G.L.O.W. Foundation, please visit their website at www.justiceforchildrenadvocacycenter.org

Press release:

The Millgrove Sportsmen Club, Alden Rod & Gun Club and the Genesee Sno-Packers Snowmobile Club are sponsoring a NYS Snowmobile Safety course to be taught at Alden Rod & Gun Club next month.

Part 1 will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Jan. 17 and Part 2 will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 19.

The Alden Rod & Gun Club is located on 12 County Line Road in Alden.

The course is free to children from 10 to 18 years of age.

New York State’s Snowmobile Law requires that youngsters ages 10-18 acquire a safety certificate before they may lawfully operate a snowmobile. Youngsters may qualify for their safety certificates by taking an eight-hour safety course and passing the examination given at the end of the course. The course and all materials are furnished free.

The course is also open to adults.

The instructors for snowmobile Safety Course are certified by NYS. 

You must sign up for the course and attend BOTH classes, where you register. All materials for the Snowmobile Safety Course will be furnished. Those who pass the written exam will be issued a patch, certificate and a license. 

If your child is interested in taking the course and would like to law-fully drive a snowmobile, pre-register by calling 716-481-2623 after 5:30 p.m.

A three-car accident, with possible minor injuries, is reported at Ellicott Street Road and Shepard Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics. A law enforcement officer is on scene.

Jeremy G. Ives, 43, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with: felony DWI -- two previous convictions; aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree; and following too closely. Ives was arrested at 6:23 p.m. on Dec. 8 on West Main Street in Batavia after a traffic stop. Ives was allegedly found to be operating his vehicle while intoxicated and he had a revoked driver's license. He was arraigned and jailed without bail and is due in Batavia City Court this afternoon (Dec. 10). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Quella SM Polk, 37, of Birchwood Drive, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Polk was arrested and issued an appearance ticket on the charge following a domestic incident in the gym at John Kennedy School at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8. Polk allegedly had unwanted physical contact with another person. Polk is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 18 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

James E. Baker, 56, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC greater than .08 percent, and driving with no headlights. He was arrested at 9:28 p.m. on Dec. 7 on Summit Street in Batavia after a traffic stop. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Elizabeth M. Grattan, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was allegedly observed shoplifting at JCPenney at 11:36 a.m. on Dec. 4. She was arrested and issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Darrell J. Holloway, 50, of Farnsworth Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested and issued an appearance ticket after a larceny at JCPenney at 1:36 p.m. on Dec. 4. He is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Jesus Francisco Macarlo Ixcolin, 26, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with second-degree strangulation. He was arraigned then jailed without bail on Dec. 6 for alleged actions at 6:15 a.m. on Sept. 17 on Horseshoe Lake Road. He is due in Stafford Town Court on Dec. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Maleak Hakeem Green, 25, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated criminal contempt, a Class D felony, and aggravated family offense, a Class E felony. He was arrested on Dec. 6 for an incident which took place at 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 26 on Main Street Road, Batavia. He has been convicted of first-degree criminal contempt in the preceding five years. It is alleged that Green was in the presence of a female who is the protected party in a Genesee County Court Order of Protection that was served on Green. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Benjamin G. Evans IV, 30, of Evans Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and third-degree burglary. On Dec. 7 following an investigation, Evans was arrested for an incident which occurred at 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Kohl's Department Store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando, assisted by Deputy Austin Heberlein.

Judd Allen Farewell Jr., 27, of West Avenue, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested on Dec. 6 for allegedly taking property from Kohl's Department Store at 3:07 p.m. that day. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Aaron Michael Draper, 28, of West Academy Street, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested following a larceny complaint at Kohl's Department Store. It is alleged that on Dec. 6 at 3:07 p.m. that Draper stole merchandise and walked past the point of sale at Kohl's. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

The Bionic Bees -- a team of third- through sixth-graders from the Gillam Grant Community Center -- won the Project Award at the Finger Lakes FIRST Lego League regional qualifier robotics competition.

On Saturday, Nov. 17 the Bionic Bees competed at The Integrated arts and Technology high school in Rochester against other area teams. This year’s theme for the competition was "Into Orbit." Teams had to think of a solution to a physical or emotional problem that astronauts face when in space for long periods of time.

The team’s solution was to use virtual reality to give astronauts pieces of home through sights, sounds and smells.

They designed Bionic Binoculars, which can give you the pleasant smells of their home. The motion-detecting gloves or controllers would set off a smell when placed near the accompanying visual. Astronauts could wear a vest with the binoculars that could adjust temperature depending on the setting like a fireplace for example. Through the viewer they could see and hear the familiar sights and sounds of home.

The team modeled their idea from the Oculus brand of virtual reality products.

FIRST LEGO League gives students the chance to develop, design, build and code LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to perform autonomous “missions” on a themed playing field and design innovative solutions to a real world problem inspired by the theme.

Along their journey, students develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges.

They also practice the Program’s Core Values, which emphasize discovery, teamwork and good sportsmanship. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.

Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

The Learning Center at Gillam Grant, a not-for-profit center located in Bergen. We provide tutoring, homework help and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrichment classes and clubs for K-12^thgrade students.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Department’s Early Intervention Program will be hosting a meeting of the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC). The meeting is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at 448 W. State St., Albion.

The LEICC is a group of community members, including parents, who are interested in what is happening locally regarding early intervention services for infants and toddlers, age birth to 3.

Early intervention has been going strong for more than 20 years. During this time, a vast amount of research has been done on brain development in children from birth through age 3. The research is showing how vital the early years are for development, as well as the importance of Early Intervention because these are the years that will affect a child’s later development.

The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers.

For more information, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, director of Children with Special Needs for Genesee and Orleans, at 585-344-2580, ext. 5572.

Please note, if Albion schools are closed for a snow day, the meeting will be rescheduled.

Press release:

In his continued effort to alleviate the stark difference in gasoline prices from county to county, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has called for action from current New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood and incoming Attorney General Letitia James in a letter sent last week.

Hawley is supporting several pieces of bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming the General Business Law regulating zone pricing to protect consumers against unfair gasoline pricing practices. He plans to make such initiatives a priority come the start of the 2019 Session. 

“I am fully aware that zone pricing is prohibited by General Business Law 399-ee but I also know that there are several flaws in the statute that precludes effective enforcement,” Hawley says in the letter.

“In most instances Genesee and Orleans county gas prices range much higher than the surrounding counties. I have seen firsthand the pricing at gas stations in these counties priced $.15-$.25 more per gallon than the various stations located in the surrounding contiguous counties: Erie and Monroe.”

Gasoline retailers locally remain $0.10 - $0.20 per gallon higher than their counterparts in the Rochester area with many stations in Genesee and Orleans counties, which Hawley represents, averaging around $3 per gallon compared to the statewide average of $2.76.

Hawley finished the letter by requesting an investigation by the Attorney General, “I would appreciate your timely review and full investigation of this matter as well as any action that may be taken to bring this issue to a resolution.”