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Here's a press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) recently sponsored a bill, that has passed the Assembly, which will allow New York’s world-class wineries to become more competitive, both within the state and abroad.

Assembly bill 7828-A repeals a number of onerous mandates on winery owners and grape growers that will streamline the licensing process and encourage the growth of this booming industry.

“Wineries and grape-growing farms are cornerstones of New York’s agricultural industry,” Hawley said. “By reducing the red tape that owners of these businesses must sift through in order to become properly licensed, these establishments will save time, money and resources that will encourage existing operations to expand and new businesses to open.

"As a sponsor of this legislation and a member of the Committee on Agriculture, I commend my colleagues for helping me achieve these sorely needed, procedural reforms for our wine industry.”

The provisions of A.7828-A will:

• Allow the owner of a winery license to sell wine in bulk to wholesalers, retailers and other major distributors;
• Authorize a winery to manufacture, bottle and sell various fruit products on-premises;
• Allow wineries and farm wineries to charge event operators for the use of their premises; and
• Reduce the number of specialized licenses for wineries and farm wineries, providing a more efficient registration process.

“With places like Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Schwenk Wine Cellars located right here in Western New York, it is imperative that we encourage our agricultural job creators to set up shop in our communities,” Hawley said. “I am confident that this legislation will not only benefit our current grape growers and winery operators, but will draw even more business owners to our fertile soil and spacious landscapes in the future.”

A large plume of smoke is reported coming the woods at 951 Broadway Road. The type of fire is unknown. Darien Fire Department is dispatched.

The location is between Harlow and Warner roads.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: The chief says it's a small controlled burn.

UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: The fire stems from burning paper and wood. The homeowners have been advised of burn regulations. Darien is back in service.

A motor-vehicle accident was reported at 44 Maple St. in Elba about 45 minutes ago. The victim suffered a head injury.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS responded.

Mercy Flight was sent in and is now airborne.

Batavia resident Suzanne Corona, 43, is in the security office at Target, being held on suspicion of shoplifting.

Within the past half hour or so, Corona is alleged to have ran from the store, allegedly carrying merchandise some perfume, and yelling "Bruce, Bruce, I'm over here!" before ducking down and supposedly trying to hide among the parked vehicles, according to witness Brandon Maldonado.

After causing a commotion and exiting the store, she was apprehended by Sheriff's Deputy Brian Thompson, who was in the store at the time doing a K-9 demonstration with "Pharoah."

Dispatch was notified that "Ms. Corona" was being detained and an officer sent to take a statement.

Corona's past brushes with local law enforcement include allegations of shopping from a local florist, trashing a lunch buffet and engaging in a sexual encounter at a public park.

(The name of the perfume has not been disclosed.)

UPDATE 10:09 p.m.: It was not perfume as we were originally told, but Corona allegedly attempted to steal two pair of sunglasses, a hair band and a necklace.

A pickup has rolled over and crashed into a tree at 6478 Freeman Road in South Byron. It landed on its roof.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy EMS.

Bergen fire's rescue equipment is called to the scene.

The location is between Ivison Road and Route 237.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: The availability of Mercy Flight is requested.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: A landing zone is set up and Mercy Flight out of Batavia is called to the scene. The driver has been extricated. Bergen is told to stand down.

UPDATE 4:36 p.m.: Mercy Flight landed several minutes ago. National Grid is called because a pole with a transformer was hit during the accident, tilting it at a 45-degree angle.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne with the victim and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital. National Grid is expected at the crash site shortly.

A car traveled off the eastbound Thruway and into the woods. Severity of injuries is unknown. The location is mile marker 394.8.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are dispatched. State Police are on scene.

UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: A head injury is reported.

A man with a partially amputated finger is in and out of consciousness in East Pembroke, following an accident while he was doing roof work.

He was found in a silver pickup truck at 1705 Main Road, between Cleveland and Boyce roads.

East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are called after law enforcement contacted dispatch.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 8364 Oatka Trail. The victim is still trapped inside.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance are dispatched.

UPDATE 7:50 p.m. (by Howard). The vehicle "has uprighted itself" and left the scene. A first responder said, "I just passed it. It's all over the road." The vehicle was last seen on Circular Hill Road headed toward Route 5. The vehicle is a black and white Chevy S10 with three occupants. Le Roy unit responding to the scene of the original accident to deal with a small fuel spill. The other truck responding is back in service.

UPDATE 7:59 p.m. (by Howard): Le Roy fire back in service.

An electrical fire is reported coming from the panel box outside the residence at 10805 Sandpit Road in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department is on location and advises that National Grid be notified.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: National Grid notified, no ETA. The firefighters are checking out the rest of the home to make sure everything is OK.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Alexander Fire back in service.

An accident at Wyoming County International Speedway Pavilion Motocross Park in Perry Covington has Mercy Flight out of Batavia flying north of the racetrack and Pavilion Fire Department setting up a landing zone there.

A 36-year-old man has suffered bumps and bruises to his chest and has been unconscious for 10 minutes.

The location is Taylor and Perry roads.

A car has struck a pole at 39 East Main St. in the Village of Corfu. Wires are down and responders are told to use caution on approach.

Corfu Fire Department and Mercy medics are called.

A responder says a pole with transformer is down, completely blocking the roadway. A tow truck is called. Fire police are called. The intersection will be shut down.

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: National Grid has been advised, no ETA given. The patient is conscious, out of the vehicle and speaking with a medic now.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: National Grid is on scene. The male driver has been taken to UMMC.

A vehicle has struck a pole in front of 6184 Sweetland Road. There are believed to be injuries. The location is just east of Transit Road.

Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics responding.

The pole snapped in two, the transformer is in the roadway. The driver may have left the scene and is bleeding from the face.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: The driver is still at the scene and is bleeding from the face. A Sheriff's deputy on scene says there are wires down all over the place.

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: Additional manpower from Stafford is needed for traffic control at the accident scene. "This road will be closed for awhile." The pole is on top of a truck.

UPDATE 12:31 a.m.: Stafford units are back in service. The road is blocked off and National Grid will be on scene for awhile.

UPDATE 12:54 a.m.: The driver was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital at least a couple of hours ago.

A structure fire is reported at 11341 Wyoming Road, in Pavilion near Route 19. The caller states that her husband says the fire is out, but it's in a crawl space and she's concerned that it might not be out.

Pavilion Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: The caller called back and said now there's a natural gas leak. A firefighter says the fire is out and they are investigating further.

UPDATE 5:29 p.m.: A thermal imaging camera is requested at the scene.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: National Fuel has an ETA of about 30 minutes.

This information is from the GC Democratic Committee.

On Thursday, the Genesee County Democratic Committee met at the Batavia City Centre to endorse candidates for offices to be voted on in November.

Three candidates were endorsed for the county Legislature.

In District 5, which encompasses the Town of LeRoy, Jacalyn Whiting was endorsed unanimously. She is a lifelong Le Royan who has been involved in numerous community organizations including: Le Roy School Board member (past and present); Sports Boosters; Le Roy Youth Football, Le Roy Little League, Le Roy Business Council and many other organizations.

For District 7, the endorsement went to John Deleo. He has been active on the City Charter Commission and the City Planning Board. He is retired from the NYS Department of Corrections.

Ed DeJaneiro was also endorsed for another term in District 9.

The Democrats had a surprise visitor when Congresswoman Kathy Hochul stopped by to say hello and thank the committee for their hard work and dedication in the recent special election.

Hocul spoke to the group about her first week serving the people of the 26th District and her resolve to work tirelessly for the good of all the people in the district.

Here's a press release from the Sheriff's Office.

Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha announced today that he has appointed former Genesee Justice Director Edward Minardo as jail superintendent, taking the place of Ronald Greer who is retiring on June 28.

Sheriff Maha stated that a selection committee was formed and all qualified candidates who applied for the position were interviewed. The title of jail superintendent is a management, non-competitive position appointed by the Sheriff.

Sheriff Maha said Minardo has extensive experience in corrections and administration. Minardo worked for the New York State Department of Correctional Services as a corrections counselor and senior corrections counselor for approximately 18 years and was director of Genesee Justice for approximately 5 years.

He has served as an adjunct instructor for RIT and SUNY Brockport, teaching an upper-level, undergraduate course on Restorative Justice.

Minardo holds a master of science degree in Education and a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Brockport and also holds an associate in applied science degree in Criminal Justice / Police Science from Monroe Community College.

As jail superintendent, Minardo will oversee and administer the day-to-day operations of the Genesee County Jail.

Here's a press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently met with National Rifle Association (NRA) state liaison Darin Goens to discuss his organization’s legislative priorities in New York.

Goens recently became the NRA’s state liaison for the Northeast. The pair discussed the most vital issues facing Second Amendment rights here in New York.

Assemblyman Hawley has consistently advocated for logical firearms regulations that protect the right to bear arms for responsible gun owners, while keeping illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals.

Hawley is an active participant in the Assembly Minority’s annual Sportsmen Legislative Awareness Day.

He is also the sponsor of a number of bills seeking to end unreasonable firearm policies in New York. This includes Assembly bill 1131, which would eliminate the expensive and unsuccessful Combined Ballistic Identification System. It costs taxpayers $4 million annually, while failing to provide a single link to a gun crime.