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Demonstration of new voting machines

By Billie Owens

Attention voters! The Genesee County Board of Elections will demonstrate usage of the new voting machines that will be used in the 2010 elections. The next demonstration is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, July 13, at County Building No. 2 on West Main Street Road.

Event Date and Time
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Demonstrations of new voting machines scheduled

By Billie Owens

Attention voters! The Genesee County Board of Elections will be demonstrating the usage of the new election voting machines, which will be used in the 2010 elections. Here are the upcoming dates, times and places of the demonstrations.

June 18 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building #1

June 21 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building #1

June 23 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Le Roy Town Hall

June 25 -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Office of the Aging

June 29 -- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Alabama Town Hall

July 1 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Alabama Town Hall

July 7 -- 4 to 7 p.m. -- Bethany Town Hall

July 12 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Alexander Town Hall

July 13 -- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m. -- County Building No. 2

July 14 -- 4 to 7 p.m. -- Alexander Town Hall

July 16 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

July 17 -- 9 a.m. to noon -- Pavilion Highway Building

July 19 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

July 21 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 22 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 23 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 24 -- 4 to 9 p.m. -- County Fairgrounds

July 26 -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- County Office for the Aging

July 28 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Pembroke Town Hall

July 30 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- County Building No. 1

Four Genesee County high school students are regional finalists for GCC's Outstanding Scholar Awards

By Billie Owens

Four students from Genesee County were among 29 regional finalists for the Outstanding Scholar Awards in Genesee Community College's Advanced Studies program. The awardees were announced at a ceremony and reception June 2 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Keynote speaker for the evening was Joan Cole, superintendent of Elba Central School.

Advanced Studies is part of the College's ACE program, or Accelerated College Enrollment, and allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Genesee while attending class at their high school. High school teachers approved as Genesee adjunct faculty teach all Advanced Studies courses.

Some of the most enterprising young students earn enough transferable Advanced Studies credit to enter their first year of college as sophomores.

Finalists were selected from 66 semi-finalists in five subject areas: mathematics, science, social science, foreign language and English. As in years past, a committee of academic professionals from GCC selected the following local award winners, listed by subject area and high school:

  • English -- Carissa Hyde - Batavia
  • Foreign Language -- Shelby Cross - Byron-Bergen
  • Mathematics -- Kevin Beuler - Oakfield-Alabama
  • Science -- Kevin Beuler - Oakfield-Alabama
  • Social Science -- Jacob Griffin - Notre Dame

"This year we also took the opportunity to recognize and thank our ACE teachers who commit their time to teaching these courses," said Ed Levinstein, associate dean of ACE programs.

"We have many instructors who have been teaching Advanced Studies courses for over 10 years and we commend them for their dedication. Each of them has helped hundreds of students get a head start on their college educations, saving them both time and money."

For more information about the Advanced Studies program at Genesee Community College, call 345-6801 or go to www.genesee.edu/ACE.

Massive ammonia leak prompts evacuation in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

A massive ammonia leak at Allens, Inc., at 46 Stevens St. in Oakfield, is prompting fire officials to call for the immediate evacuation of employees and residents.

People in the area of Webber Avenue and Stevens Street are to be directed to Oakfield-Elba Townline Road, Route 262.

Responding are: Bergen, East Pembroke, Oakfield, Alabama and Elba fire departments, including units for fire police and standby.

Officials are trying to do a "reverse 9-1-1" call to all residents in the area to order their evacuation.

The command post is staging from the railroad tracks across the street from the Oakfield Hotel.

Allens is a frozen-food processing plant. The incident was called in by an employee who noticed the strong odor of ammonia. The private company, based in Shiloam, Ark., is reported to have up to 200 employees during peak season. There were 65 employees working at the time the leak occurred.

UPDATE (12:48 p.m.): A haz-mat team is setting up. The leak is in the main engine room at the processing plant. Mercy EMS units are responding also.

UPDATE (1:06 p.m.): Until the leak is secured, they are also evacuating a nearby Little League game. There's a slight ammonia odor at the ball field.

UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): Fire officials are notifying the Department of Environmental Conservation and are calling for additional haz-mat crews.

UPDATE (1:15 p.m.): East Shelby Fire Department is called in for standby. A "public relations officer" is requested.

UPDATE (1:20 p.m.): Fire official says "We are trying to coordinate people to get evacuated out of the park and they need to move, in an orderly fashion, no need to get excited." They are pretty inundated there. All fire police in the area are called in. There's only a slight odor at the Little League field and there's a good breeze in the area, so the firefighters aren't too worried.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.): The low points of the southern part of the Village of Oakfield have successfully been evacuated.

UPDATE (1:35 p.m.): A tanker is called to the north side of the building, apparently the hose/water hydrants were not effective. The Ladies' Auxiliary is asked to bring water and Gatorade to the scene for the crews. The Monroe County haz-mat team has been dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE (1:40 p.m.): Fire officials call for firefighters to be "packed up and ready to go in" to the building. Officials are notified that two ATV riders are on the railroad tracks heading eastbound to the area. Firefighters are asked to "roam around the village to see if any pockets (of ammonia) are out there."

UPDATE (1:45 p.m.): Callers are swamping the Oakfield Fire Hall and asking where they should go. The fire officials said all of Main Street in the Village of Oakfield is being shut down completely, including to pedestrians. People are asked to go the "parade route" just as it was for Memorial Day. They should go the Oakfield-Elba Townline Road, west to South Pearl Street, then turn right (north) to the command post on South Pearl Street. People can also go to Malby then Fisher roads. Any and every firefighter that has any availability is called to assist with putting up barricades and enforcing them along Main Street. Another "recon" team is called into the building. As for evacuees, "All I'm lettin' people do is go out of town east," says a fire policeman on scene. People in cars should keep the windows up. Entry to the village, primarily Route 63 south, is being banned.

UPDATE (1:55 p.m.): The ammonia odor is still heavy inside the building. They have made "no progress." The toxic fumes are still being put into the atmosphere via exhaust fans. Fire police are requested to Cole and Main streets and to Fisher and Route 63.

UPDATE (2:03 p.m.): They are running out, or are out, of spare batteries. Some firefighters are suffering from heat exhaustion and need to be taken to "rehab" for relief. Also, the ammonia odor is very strong at ground zero, Webber and Stevens, and the firefighters need to be relieved to get fresh air. Fire police are not on scene at Webber and Stevens, but are requested.

UPDATE (2:06 p.m.): Alabama Fire Department has spare batteries and they are going to provide them. People at the scene are working to provide the firefighters with water and Gatorade, but need more and they have no ice. No progress on the ammonia leak. "No results still."

UPDATE (2:10 p.m.): Progress at last! The main valves have been successfully shut down. A refrigeration company has been called to the scene to provide much needed water and provisions for the firefighters.

UPDATE (2:25 p.m.): A mother is arguing with fire police at North Pearl and Malby roads. She wants to go inside the blockade to retrieve her children, but the fire police are not letting her inside. A chief is on his way to straighten out the issue. No one knows just where her children are however. Media converged on the area are told to set up inside the Oakfield Fire Hall. The Monroe County haz-mat team has arrived and is going to the Allens building.

UPDATE (2:45 p.m.): The ammonia leak is shut down and the scene at Allens, Inc., is secure.

UPDATE (2:49 p.m.): Although the leak is shut down, fire crews at the scene are not being allowed to roll up their hoses and break down their operations as a precaution for the time being. It is not yet known when residents will be allowed back into the village.

UPDATE (3:01 p.m.): Allen's, Inc., employees have reported that the site of the leak, which has been shut off, has been isolated. A firefighter on scene is being taken to the hospital for dehydration.

UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): A second Haz Mat team from Monroe County has arrived and will be going around the village with monitoring devices to determine if any ammonia vapors remain.

UPDATE (3:10 p.m.): All roads have re-opened and all residents may return home. Apparently, that was not relayed to many of the fire police, some of whom were unsure what the directives were.

UPDATE (3:18 p.m.): The refrigeration truck called in at 2:10 p.m. has finally arrived so the firefighters can get some water, Gatorade, ice and food.

UPDATE (3:22 p.m.): A second person at the scene has succumbed to heat exhaustion and dehydration and is being transported to the hospital.

UPDATE (3:45 p.m.): Some units are going back in service and any remaining commotion at this point is probably from trying to get everything back to normal. There have been no reports of anyone seriously injured from the ammonia fumes.

Hotdog stand at WalMart Sunday to benefit animals

By Billie Owens

There will be a hotdog stand at the Batavia WalMart starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 13, to benefit animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Once again Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa is generously helping support this cause and will be offering grilled hotdogs, chips and pop with all proceeds going to Volunteers for Animals.

Everyone is invited to come out for a dog and pop to help this worthy cause.

Event Date and Time
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Multiple-vehicle accident on Oak Orchard Road

By Billie Owens

A three-, possibly four-vehicle, accident is at 7635 Oak Orchard Road. There's one minor injury reported and gas leakage from one or more of the vehicles.

Car crash at Sumner and Colby in Darien

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident is reported at Sumner and Colby roads in Darien. A teen driver has a head laceration and a baby was thrown from the car seat, but not ejected from the vehicle. No other information available.

Darien Fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

Farmers' Market at Batavia Downs Casino opens June 15

By Billie Owens

With summer less than two weeks away, farm-grown fruits and vegetables will soon be in plentiful supply at Batavia’s Genesee Country Farmers’ Market. The popular open-air market begins its 2010 season this Tuesday, June 15, in the parking lot at Batavia Downs Casino.

In addition to farm-fresh produce, the market will also feature home-baked goods like bread, rolls, pastries, pies and muffins.

Member wineries of the Niagara Wine Trail will once again offer a wide variety of local wines to taste and purchase. And a new addition this year is a lunch wagon serving sandwiches, drinks and desserts. About 20 vendors are expected to participate.

In making the announcement, Market Manager Paul Fenton said “We are looking forward to our third season at Batavia Downs Casino. It’s an easily accessible spot for all of our customers and is convenient for the many patrons of The Downs, too.

"We are proud of the fact that we are a grower’s market and everything we sell is grown by our vendors.”

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday through Oct. 29.

Elizabeth M. Brach

By Billie Owens

Elizabeth M. Brach, 86, departed on June 9, 2010. She was the beloved wife of the late John A. Brach; dearest mother of Dr. John (Darya), Jacob (Susan) and William (Nancy) Brach; loving grandmother of 7 grandchildren; sister of Mary Wolf, Margaret (Paul) Wild and Harold (Betty) Renaud.

She was born in Syracuse, NY, on April 28, 1924. She was a resident of Clarence Center, NY.

The family will be present from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 11, at Amherst Chapel, of Amigone Funeral Home, Inc. It is located at 5200 Sheridan Drive (corner of  Hopkins) in Amherst, NY.

That is also where funeral services will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, to be celebrated from St. Mary Church, Swormville, at 12:30 p.m. Friends are invited. She will be laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Flowers are  gratefully declined. If desired, memorials may be made to: The St. Lawrence Church Food Pantry, 1520 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, NY, 14215.

Share your condolences at www.AMIGONE.com.

Amigone Funeral Home, Inc., is handling the arrangements.

O-A casts nearly unanimous vote for Prom Queen with Down syndrome

By Billie Owens

Colleen Fisher just may be the most popular Prom Queen ever selected at Oakfield-Alabama High School.

In a landslide of ballot votes, the 18-year-old garnered all but about two votes to be crowned at the junior/senior prom held at Stafford Country Club.

She is a graduating senior, very well liked, who happens to have Down syndrome.

“She is a wonderful young girl,” said High School Principle Lynn Muscarella.

Colleen’s teacher says Colleen’s thrilled with the honor.

“She’s on Cloud 9,” teacher Adrienne Fuore told Muscarella. “Being named Prom Queen has made her whole year.”

And it has been a busy one. She studies basic life skills for a half-day, then takes vocational classes --called the West Program – at Boces.

In addition, she’s been active in Drama Club and this year she started learning how to play clarinet.

For the spring musical presention, the musicians all learned a song that Colleen could perform on her clarinet. It was the traditional standard “Hot Cross Buns.” She also played the final song with the group and the audience was delighted.

“I’ve never seen or heard of anyone with Down syndrome being named Prom Queen,” Muscarella said. “I am just so proud of my kids here. It tells you a lot about them.”

Colleen's mother, Dawn Fisher, said the event was the highlight of her daughter's senior year.

"She was excited about the prom in general, about life, and when she won she yelled 'I won!'" Dawn said. "It is awesome that the kids chose her. They recognized her. It was very selfless of them."

Prom royalty pictured on top, from left: Princess Randi Zakes, Prince Nathan Klos, Queen Colleen Fisher and King Kevin Beuler.

Inset above, the royal couple, King Kevin and Queen Colleen.

Motor vehicle accident at Ellicott and Cedar

By Billie Owens

A motor vehicle accident, in which one person suffered a wrist injury, is reported at the juncture of Ellicott and Cedar streets. City fire and BLS have responded.

Elba fifth-graders say 'Don't Drive InTEXTicated'

By Billie Owens

The hazards of texting while driving is something students at Elba Central School have been learning about this month.

On June 3, Awareness Day at the school, fifth-graders presented information to high-school and middle-school students and staff about the dangers of multitasking on the road.

The fifth-graders' "crack down" is part of Elba's Cell Phone Road Safety project. It included handed out fliers with their slogan "Don't Drive InTEXTicated," along with statistics the youngsters researched about the dangers of texting and driving.

They also promoted radio WGRZ's "Pledge 2 Hang Up" as part of the Awareness Day presentations.

They are students of Amy Thompson and Patricia Staebell.

The day's biggest accomplishment was being able to raise enough money to pay for a
billboard with a public service announcement about the dangers of texting
and driving.

Local businesses have helped the project by generously donating money for the cost of the billboard. The billboard will be on Route 5, visible to westbound traffic, near the Bushville Bridge.

Students also held a contest to design a poster with an antitexting an driving theme and the winning poster is going to be on the billboard. The winner of the contest was  AnnMarie Georgia. The poster will be up for two months, beginning June 21.

The fifth-graders hope this project has a big impact on the community and decrease the number of people who text while driving.

Masked man kicks in door, pushes woman down, flees

By Billie Owens

City police are hunting for a man who reportedly kicked in the door of a residence, entered and pushed a woman down, then fled the scene.

It happened in the area of Park and State streets. He left via the rear yard, toward Bank Street, possibly to a wooded area nearby.

The intruder is described as a white male wearing a dark mask, gray gloves, a black T-shirt and blue jeans. He's about 5'8'' to 5'10" tall.

Detectives have been called to the scene and a K-9 unit is also requested.

UPDATE (2:46 p.m.): The location of the incident is 142 State St. The suspect is believed to have fled to a heavily wooded area between State and Bank streets, where residents say old greenhouses used to be. There is a Mancuso properties for-sale sign in front of the property. Police are setting up a parameter to search within.

UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): The police are asking anyone who sees a person fitting the suspect's description to immediately call 9-1-1.

UPDATE (3:15 p.m.): The victim, Angela, told police she left to take her dog on a walk and when she returned, a man came running out of her house, apparently knocking her down in the process. He was carrying a duffle bag. When she entered her house, the only item she found missing was her X Box 360.

She also told police that she slept upstairs on the couch last night and had the curtains closed. She noticed when she came home from walking the dog that the curtains were open. She says she thinks this may indicate the intruder knew her and was looking out the window for her return.

Between state, city and Sheriff's personnel, there are at least a dozen law enforcement units on scene.

UPDATE (3:33 p.m.): Dispatchers say a suspect matching the description, and carrying a ski mask, has been spotted near Elsworth and Summit streets.

UPDATE (3:36 p.m.): The person spotted near Elsworth and Summit is apparently not the suspect. He was carrying a knit beanie cap, but not a duffle bag or anything else. The search continues.

UPDATE (4:28 p.m.): The search has been called off and law enforcement units are back in service. The suspect remains at large. Detectives are staying in the area to process the scene.

UPDATE (4:52 p.m.): A possible suspect is reportedly walking "soaking wet" at around 16 Bank St. He was spotted on Tracy, crossed Washington, now on Bank.

UPDATE (4:56 p.m.): False alarm -- the guy on Bank is not the suspect, according to police.


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