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Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr. is pleased to announce that K9 Frankie has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and private citizen donors. The vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of GS-29”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,500 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ-certified protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age.New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination atwww.vik9s.orgor mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

Press release:

Genesee County 4-H youth are invited to register for "Bovine, Sheep and Swine -- How Divine!” -- Animal Crackers 2020, which will be held on Saturday, May 2, on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca.

Mark your calendars for one of the most exciting animal science programs of the year!

It is offered by the Cornell University Department of Animal Science and will highlight dairy, beef, swine and sheep topics for 4-H youth 9-12 years old, or those with beginner to intermediate knowledge of those species. Interesting, educational, hands-on activities are planned to make Animal Crackers a memorable learning event.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about dairy or livestock care, biology, and management while having fun participating in a variety of interactive activities with 4-H members from across New York State.

There is a $15 fee per youth to attend the program. Adult chaperones are free and each group must have at least one chaperone. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch.  

Additional information is available on the Animal Crackers website.

Registration for the event must be done through your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office and must be completed no later than April 24.

Youth must be enrolled in 4-H in order to participate. New 4-H members are always welcome to join the Genesee County 4-H Program. To register or receive more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

Photo and information from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

Step inside Doug Russo’s classroom at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center and you will see a plethora of computers, all outfitted with the latest graphic design software.

It is a point of pride for him after spending the last six years at his alma mater (Class of '88) revamping the Graphic Arts curriculum and upgrading the equipment.

Prior to that, his career path after high school graduation took him many places -- as owner of a printing company, and also a partner in a pizzeria where he was responsible for the marketing and advertising.

Russo also served on the Advisory Board for the Graphic Arts Program. When a colleague told with him that longtime Batavia CTE Center Graphic Arts instructor Joe Burnett was set to retire, Russo decided teaching was the next step to further his professional goals.

After he successfully went through the hiring process and landed the job, he got busy making improvements so juniors and seniors can learn cutting-edge skills for an ever-evolving workforce.

The two-year Graphic Arts Program, like the majority of those at CTE, is project-based.

“The framework of the Graphic Arts curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and foundational skills to continue their journey into higher education and explore, as well as, pursue career opportunities," Russo said.

Students also learn marketing and business principles in the class.

“My goals are for students to enter a safe environment, not only to obtain graphic art skills but also have the ability to gain self-confidence, problem-solve, be creative and innovative, and learn to collaborate with others,” Russo said.

“Ultimately, I want to guide students towards building a foundation for higher-order thinking, and my curriculum strives to promote lifelong learning of highly transferrable skills.”

Inspiring students is one of Russo’s strengths. Recently, two of his students were recognized as winners of logo contests.

“Chloe Schnitter won a logo contest for GLOW Woman Rise organization and Fanny Venegas's cover design was selected for the Rochester International Auto Show publication that will be held in Rochester...in March of this year,” Russo said. 

Russo is proud of his students’ successes; one student's success is particularly extraordinary.

“A few years back we had a student who had limited eyesight and was legally visually impaired," Russo said. "His name was Thomas Buboltz and he attended the New York State School for the Blind. Thomas came to class every day, worked hard, and did not let his disability defeat him.

"Due to his hard work and his accomplishments, Thomas was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. A great day for Thomas occurred when he was interviewed by Doug Emblidge, news anchor from WHAM TV13, about his successes in the Graphic Arts Program.”

Russo’s commitment to helping his students succeed is evident not just in the awards and recognition they receive, but in his promise to them.

“The most important thing I want students to learn, regardless of their background, is that education is an investment in their future and learning never stops,” he said. “Learning and hard work will pay dividends. It's a way to overcome those challenges they face and a way to accomplish their goals.”

In January, Russo was recognized at the Genesee Valley School Boards Association’s (GVSBA) annual Legislative Breakfast for his dedication and commitment to his students.

“This award was designed to highlight programs that are unique and beneficial for students that go above and beyond what is required and provide a service that is needed,” said Patrick Burk, GVSBA executive director.

Photo: Doug Russo, Batavia CTE Center Graphic Arts instructor (center) surrounded by his afternoon class.

About the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center

It is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

Press release:

BUFFALO – United States President Donald J. Trump endorsed Republican Chris Jacobs in his candidacy for the 27^th Congressional District of New York.

In a Twitter post President Trump said, “Chris Jacobs will be a great Congressman who will always fight for the people of New York. He supports our MAGA Agenda, will continue to Secure our Border, Loves our Military, Vets, and is Strong on the 2A. Chris has my complete endorsement for the Special Election on 4/28!”

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive President Trump’s endorsement," Jacobs said. "I appreciate his trust and stand to join him in the fight against socialism and to help him enact his America First Agenda to rebuild our military, grow the economy, and finally secure our borders."

Submitted photos and press release:

The Fashion Program Speaker Series at Genesee Community College is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in sewing, fashion and the garment industry that is being held on Wednesday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in two rooms of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus located at One College Road in Batavia.

With a long and rich history featuring a wide array of different professionals from the billion-dollar fashion industry, GCC's Fashion Speaker Series highlights many career opportunities in the industry for both students as well as community members.

GCC's fashion program faculty are excited to invite the public to attend this free event, and while it is not necessary to reserve a seat in advance, space will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in room T119, guests will be able to view concurrent demonstrations on four different sewing machines used in the fashion industry today. Specifically, a scan and cut machine, a serger machine, an embroidery machine, and a Sashiko embroidery machine will all be available. Each of these will be operated by members of the American Sewing Guild who will demonstrate popular techniques used around the world in garment production.

Then, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room T102, event attendees will hear from Kathy Healey (inset photo below left), creator and owner of Healey Wear, a custom window treatment design firm, and also Betsey Reigle (inset photo below right), owner of Seamless Designs. Both firms are located in Rochester.

These entrepreneurs will share their stories including how technology, industry changes, as well as passion and hard work have been the "interfacing" of their success.

She works closely with her clients to understand the nuances of their interests and likes to create and install window treatments that complete the look and feel of rooms in her clients' homes. In addition to windows, Healey Wear has expanded to cushions, pillows and quilts to accentuate home interiors.

Reigle has worked in the interior design field her entire professional career. Her mother taught her to sew at a young age and she fell in love with fabric.

With years of experience as well as a bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Mercyhurst College, Reigle opened her own business, Seamless Designs, a retail workroom for distinctive home furnishings.

Both speakers will be available for photo opportunities and flier signings in Genesee Community College's Rosalie Steiner Theatre at 1 p.m. for all participants.

For interested individuals unable to attend in Batavia, the presentations made by Healey and Reigle in room T102 will be live-streamed with a link from GCC's homepage (click on Live Stream button) or here.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook was issued this afternoon by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo for portions of Western New York, including Genesee County. This afternoon and tonight south winds may gust in the 35 to 45 mph range, especially along the Lake Erie shore and across higher terrain.

Press release:

Officials from Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced the week ending on Sunday, Feb. 16th, was the busiest week in its history. With more than $18.5 million in Credits Played for the week, Batavia Downs paid out over $17.3 million in Credits Won, including 740+ Jackpots.

Four jackpots in excess of $20,000 were won, including amounts of $28,543; $24,340; $21,131; and $20,106.

Saturday was the busiest day in the history of Batavia Downs Gaming with Credits Played topping $4.18 million credits, paying back $3.85 million credits to guests.

“We are excited to achieve these new benchmarks,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming. “While the Valentine’s holiday, ticket giveaways, cash and tech gadget drawings certainly attributed to our record numbers, the most prominent reason was the Legends and Stars Autograph and Sports Memorabilia Show.

"Our guests do love their sports as we’ve seen through the popularity of our suitestakes ticket giveaways. Given the chance to meet their heroes in person, Western New Yorkers showed up in droves.”

The Autograph and Memorabilia show ran Saturday and Sunday and had record number of attendees due to the appearance of high-profile former and current athletes, including Michael Irvin, Ricky Williams and Josh Allen.

The record week at Batavia Downs meant more monies would go back to State Education through the New York State Lottery, which Batavia Downs pays into daily.

“During our record week, the facility generated over $616,000 for New York State education though our New York State Lottery contribution,” said Jacquelyne Leach, chief financial officer for Batavia Downs.

“Through Sunday, Batavia Downs has contributed over $3.9 million to New York State education in 2020 alone.”

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates 17 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility.

Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $232 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

Press release:

The Department has received several requests for information related to traffic concerns in the City of Batavia, the following touches on the most common areas of concern.

The Department conducts regular traffic enforcement details that focus on these areas of concern as well as others.

SPEEDING

Speeding endangers everyone on the road: In 2018, speeding killed 9,378 people in the United States. Speed limits are put in place to protect all road users.

Consequences

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;

• Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;

• Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;

• Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;

• Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and

• Increased fuel consumption/cost.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

The practice of driving a motor vehicle while engaged in another activity, typically one that involves the use of a mobile phone or other electronic device.

Consequences

Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2017 alone, 3,166 people were killed in motor-vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

TRAFFIC SIGNS/LIGHTS

The Federal Highway Administration claims that roughly 45 percent of car collisions take place at a road intersection and the cause is usually related to running a stop sign or running a stop light. This means tens of thousands of car accidents occur because a driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign and collides with another motor vehicle in the United States every year. With more and more people driving, we are dependent on red lights to keep us safe, and it only takes one mistake to cause a serious injury or fatality.

Causes of Traffic Light Related Accidents

• The driver speeds up to “make the light” while the light is yellow. They end up entering the intersection while the light is red which is obviously a very dangerous situation. Cars that are turning or driving perpendicular to the driver running the red-light lead to a major collision.

• Many drivers realize that speeding up to make the light isn’t possible and slam on the brakes. This still causes the vehicle to enter the intersection because they weren’t able to stop in due time.

• A vehicle is simply distracted or reckless and doesn’t even notice the red light. The driver then gets in a crash with another vehicle that is simply going through a green light.

• A vehicle that is legally in the intersection make a left-hand turn after the traffic signal is red. Another driver (who is not aware the 1st car is turning left) speeds up on the green light and collides with the car making a legal left.

• Poor weather conditions making it difficult to see the traffic light clearly. This could include heavy rain, heavy snow, ice, fog, and a sun that is blinding.

Four-way Stop Accident Statistics

According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that traffic accidents that involved a stop sign violation accounted for 70 percent all motor-vehicle crashes. Approximately one-third of these collisions result in injuries to either a vehicle driver, passenger or pedestrian.

SEAT BELTS

The national use rate at 90.7 percent in 2019. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017.

Consequences

Of the 37,133 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, 47 percent were not wearing seat belts. In 2017 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts.

The consequences of not wearing, or improperly wearing, a seat belt are clear:

1. Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly.

2. Air bags are not enough to protect you; in fact, the force of an air bag can seriously injure or even kill you if you’re not buckled up.

3. Improperly wearing a seat belt, such as putting the strap below your arm, puts you and your children at risk in a crash.

The benefits of buckling up are equally clear:

1. If you buckle up in the front seat of a passenger car, you can reduce your risk of:

• Fatal injury by 45 percent (Kahane, 2015)
• Moderate to critical injury by 50 percent*

2. If you buckle up in a light truck, you can reduce your risk of:

• Fatal injury by 60 percent (Kahane, 2015)
• Moderate to critical injury by 65 percent (NHTSA, 1984**)

​*Editor's note: No source citation provided.

**National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Submitted photo and press release:

Ariana and Tom Sylvester (photo above) are the quintessential entrepreneurs: Creative; funny; hard working; authors; speakers; designers; open to change; jugglers of life encounters; self-employed; parents; husband and wife; college sweethearts; athletes; and maybe just a little crazy -- proudly so. They are also the perfect pair to kick off Genesee Community College's third annual Business Idea Pitch Competition.

They will make their presentation on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Batavia Campus in the Conable Technology Building room T102.

With a program entitled, "Becoming a Lifestyle Builder: Your Guide to Creating an Aligned and Amazing Life," Tom and Ariana will cover the first three sections of their successful book, "Life Builders, Build Your Business, Quit Your Job and Live Your Ideal Lifestyle."

In a one-hour program, they intend to cover the basics of their inspirational message, and give the flavor of chapter one -- "Planning with Purpose"; chapter two -- "Finding Your Freedom"; and chapter three -- "Concept to Cash."

Their program is free and open to the public. Limited seating is first-come, first-served and a book signing opportunity will follow their program.

The Sylvesters currently live in Gates and have two young children. They met at Oswego State College where they earned degrees in Computer Science and Zoology, respectively, and both played on the college's soccer teams.

They graduated in 2006, married in 2008, started their family in 2012, and have gone on to establish three different businesses all while still in their 30s.

Sylvester Enterprises is a residential and commercial real estate firm is based in Warsaw and Perry, and they owned a retail liquor store in Warsaw for approximately seven years.

Since 2015 however, they have been living their dream come true with Lifestyle Builders, a firm they founded to help others secure their dream careers by building upon individual passions while also balancing life's competing priorities. Their 285-page book also includes chapters on "Setup and Scale Your Systems," "Quit Your Cubicle" and "Stop Self Sabotage."

As self-described "family entrepreneurs," the couple has many speaking engagements, and a robust variety of podcasts available on their website, under seven different headings: Lifestyle; Start A Business; Grow A Business; Marketing; Sales; Operations; and Finance.

The diverse selection of podcast titles include: "Organic Marketing Before Paid Marketing"; "Automate Before You Delegate"; "The Hiccups with Hiring -- How to Build Your Team"; and the "FIRE Movement -- Financial Independence"; "Retire with Entrepreneurship:; and let's not overlook "The Danger of Mom-Guilt."

From their podcasts to their book, their website and their speaking engagements, Lifestyle Builders look beyond the financial details of starting a business by helping entrepreneurs consider and prepare their personal lives and goals as well.

"It rarely is a straight and narrow path," Ariana said. "And we wouldn't want it any other way."

Genesee Community College offers both degree and certificate programs in Entrepreneurship preparing emerging business owners and investors for success. The Sylvesters' presentation will help expand the learning opportunity and kick off GCC's third annual Business Idea Pitch Competition, which is cosponsored by Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

The Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held Thursday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (check-in starting at 8:15 a.m.) in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus.

To support participants' efforts and help prepare their first entrepreneurial steps, GCC is hosting the following preparation workshops all held in room T121:

• Tuesday, March 31, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Starting a Business" presented by Sam Campanella
• Tuesday, April 14, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Writing a Business Plan" presented by Sam Campanella
• Tuesday, April 21, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Developing Your Pitch" presented by Lina LaMattina, Ph.D.

The workshops are free and open to anyone participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition. To sign up for a workshop, please contact LaMattina at lmlamattina@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced today that he will join Assemblyman Jake Ashby local veterans and members of the Assembly Minority Conference tomorrow morning, Feb. 19, for the first of several events calling on Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders to restore proposed cuts to vital veterans’ programs in this year’s budget due on April 1.

The assemblymen are calling for the immediate restoration of Gov. Cuomo’s planned $5.68 million cut to veterans’ services in the 2020-21 Executive Budget.

The largest cut proposed is to the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Program. The governor’s budget eliminates more than $4 million from the counseling program that allows veterans to connect with other men and women who have served in the armed forces and are facing challenges similar to their own.

“Too many veterans come home after serving their country living with the horrors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and to cut these programs that are vital to protecting our nation’s heroes is an utter disgrace,” Hawley said. “Our veterans deserve to feel protected and cared for just as they have protected us from enemies foreign and domestic.

"In a budget that exceeds $170 billion eliminating vital programs for our veterans should be the last we are focusing on. I am hopeful we can call attention to the necessity of these programs and work with state leaders to see they are restored ahead of the budget deadline on April 1.”

Hawley, son of a World War II veteran and member of the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, will be joined by Assemblyman Jake Ashby who served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves and rose to the rank of Captain. Ashby is the Ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and Hawley is a longtime member and former ranker.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with entrapment is reported at 6698 Ellicott Street Road (Route 33), Pavilion. The location is between Cook and Sparks roads. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A deputy just arrived on scene.

UPDATE 5:51 p.m.: The lone occupant and driver of an eastbound silver SUV was traveling from Starr Road to Cook Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at Route 63. It struck the rear driver's side of a northbound silver sedan. The impact left the vehicles 30 to 40 feet off the roadway, with the sedan on its side. The driver and sole occupant of the sedan was extricated and taken by ambulance to ECMC for evaluation of minor injuries. The driver of the SUV was a sign-off (requiring no medical attention) who was still at the scene a few minutes ago waiting for his wife to pick him up. Both vehicles required towing.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District Foundation Inc. is excited to announce the debut Alumni Pep Rally on Sunday, March 29, from 12-6 pm. at Eli Fish Brewing Company (109 Main St., Batavia).

Tickets to this premiere event are $15 presale and $20 the day of the event (and include food). This event is for ages 21 and older.

There will be raffles, a cornhole tournament (with two-person teams), a DJ, and -- you guessed it --  pep-rally-style contests where a class could win a paver at the Daniel A. Van Detta Stadium and their class name on the Alumni Pep Rally Spirit Stick!

Eli Fish will be renaming one of their beers to “Foundation Beer” for the event with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the Foundation.

So, wear your blue and white, bring your friends, bring your school memories, and join us for the first ever multi-class reunion event!     

Tickets may be purchased online here. 

Please consider attending even if you are an alum of a neighboring district. All are welcome!   

This pep assembly fundraiser will support the BCSD Foundation Inc. in their various activities within the Batavia City School District.  

Questions may be directed to:   foundation@bataviacsd.org

A minor-injury accident is blocking traffic at Route 33 and Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia. East Pembroke fire is responding along with deputies and Mercy medics.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: Extrication equipment is required at the scene. A second Mercy rig is dispatched.

Press release:

As budget negotiations in Albany intensify, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has written to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie requesting that Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Aid be restored in this year’s Enacted Budget due April 1.

The City of Batavia is slated to lose $440,789; the Town of Batavia $160,388 and Genesee County $200,392 as proposed by Gov. Cuomo in this year’s Executive Budget. 

“The impact on these municipalities, along with others, will put a devastating financial hardship on our already overtaxed New York State citizens who continue to flee to other states,” Hawley wrote in the letter. 

“Local officials and constituents in my district have reached out to me with their concerns. This proposal will have a huge impact on fire companies, police officers and other essential personnel who provide safety for our communities. On behalf of all communities in jeopardy of losing this aid, I implore you to restore this funding."

A crash is blocking traffic at Ellicott and Court streets in the city. Two vehicles involved, no injuries. City fire and Batavia police are responding.

A two-car accident that's blocking traffic is reported at Alleghany and Bloomingdale roads, Basom. One person has a chest injury. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.