Batavia PD is trying to identify this person who used a local ATM machine on Saturday morning.
No further information was released about the case.
If you're able to assist, you're asked to contact Officer Marc Lawrence at (585) 345-6350.
UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: The person in the photo has been identified. No further information has been released.
Since 2004, the Genesee Economic Development Center has assisted companies in adding 12.6 million square feet in commercial space in Genesee County, GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde told the Ways and Means Committee during an annual department review Wednesday.
That's a 37-percent increase in commercial space in the county, Hyde said.
There are 30 companies operating in the seven industrial parks developed by GCEDC.
The big park with the biggest vacant area, of course, is the 1,200-acre Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park or STAMP project in Alabama.
The project lost a chance to land direct-wafer solar pioneer 1366 Technologies a year ago and has yet to land a new company for the park but Hyde said there is one big project pending that may yet sign and another in early-stage discussions.
The state has already invested about $10.9 in STAMP for initial infrastructure development. Those funds were approved in the 2014 state budget but released until 1366 signed on as the site's first tenant. The infrastructure work was started before 1366 withdrew from the project because of its inability to reach terms with the Department of Energy on a loan guarantee. Last week, 1366 announced the anticipated opening of its production facility in Malaysia.
At Wednesday's meeting, Hyde announced that the Empire State Development has just authorized another $8 million for major infrastructure -- sewer and water -- for STAMP. The upgrades in infrastructure plans are necessary, Hyde said, because the companies exploring the site now are going to need more infrastructure capacity.
The state is also providing another $2 million grant for the Corfu/Pembroke sewer project.
During Wednesday's meeting, Hyde expressed some concern about the future of the economy, with some economists warning that tariffs and the trade war with China is taking its toll on growth both here and aboard.
GCEDC is forecasting IDA-backed projects in 2019 will create only 90 new jobs. That's a conservative number because companies have become more conservative in their job creation estimates for incentive-backed expansions because of clawback provisions initiated in state law a couple of years ago.
A clawback is a requirement for a company to return some incentive money if they fail to meet job creation guarantees.
"Companies are unwilling to be as aggressive in forecasted jobs so they tend to under-promise and over deliver," Hyde said.
A clawback is at the local IDA's discretion and Hyde said the GCEDC's board is hesitant to initiate a clawback if there is a reason outside of a company's control for not reaching job projection numbers, such as a slowing economy.
"We don't like to kick a company when it's down," Hyde said.
He said the board has canceled incentives when companies have failed to perform but only when there is a sound reason to believe the company has failed at its obligations absent of external business cycle factors.
"That's not anything we're afraid to do," Hyde said.
Much of what Hyde presented will be part of GCEDC's annual meeting at 11:30 a.m., tomorrow, at Batavia Downs.
Downstate labor unions are pushing legislation that would require private-sector construction projects that receive even $1 of government assistance to pay "prevailing wage."
If this law goes into effect, it will kill economic development in Upstate, GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde told the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
"This is just over the top," Hyde said. "You can go back in history across the U.S. and see that when government tries to mandate wages and tries to tinker with the mechanisms of free market systems, you get bad results."
Prevailing wage is the amount of compensation, including benefits, the Department of Labor sets for workers employed by companies doing projects for government agencies.
Supporters of the proposed change in the law equate prevailing wage with market-rate wages but that's just factually incorrect, Hyde said. A prevailing wage requirement would drive up the cost of projects backed by an IDA (Industrial Development Agency) by 25 to 30 percent.
That will drive business out of the state, Hyde said.
For small companies looking to expand, it will make projects financially unfeasible and for companies looking to locate new plants to New York, it will make the state even less competitive.
The IDAs in Ulster County and Yonkers have previously tried imposing similar requirements on projects they helped finance and in both cases, the IDAs had to back off the prevailing wage requirement because economic development came to a grinding halt in those jurisdictions.
"This is really a 'turn the lights out' for economic development if this were to happen in New York State," Hyde said.
With less development, Hyde said, there will be fewer jobs and the fallout would hurt huge sectors of New York's economy, from construction to architects and engineers.
While the major push for the bill is coming from Downstate labor unions, Hyde said he hasn't heard what position, if any, labor unions in Western New York are taking. One of the bill's cosponsors is from Rochester, Assemblyman Harry Bronson.
A similar bill has previously passed the State Assembly but died in the then-Republican-controlled State Senate. Now that Democrats control the Senate, the bill's defeat is far less certain.
Hyde asked members of the Legislature to write to state representatives expressing their opposition to the bill in the hope that it could be defeated.
Photo: Jim Krencik, marketing and communications director for GCEDC, and Steve Hyde, CEO.
The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets beat the Avon Braves at Genesee Community College Wednesday night 46-25 to advance to the Far West Regional championship in Class C.
The Hornets will play Maple Grove at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Buffalo State.
Members of Human Services Committee expressed satisfaction with the job Gregory Hallock has done as director of GO ART! since being appointed to the job in July 2017.
Since Hallock was promoted, he's instituted a number of new and innovative programs, expanded gallery shows, acquired a liquor license for beer and wine sales at Seymore Place, instituted profitable fundraisers, and generally raised the profile of GO ART! in the community.
"We've had a new philosophy," Hallock said. "In the past, the philosophy was just to stay alive so they stopped doing some things to save money. Now we do things so people see us doing things and then they support what we're doing."
In each of the past year, GO ART! has taken in more money than it has spent but because of depreciation on Seymore Place, the organization officially lost money, at least until 2018, when GO ART! was in the black by $40,000.
All of the organization's debts, except for a mortgage on Seymore Place, taken out for building maintenance, have been paid off.
One of the most successful fundraisers for GO ART! over the past year was the celebrity bartender challenge. Various prominent community members competed as celebrity bartenders with tips going to GO ART! as donations. The series of nights with celebrity bartenders bought in $13,000.
Hallock said he wants to continue the concept by bringing in a celebrity bartender every Thursday. One of the benefits is the guest bartenders invite a bunch of their friends.
Nearly 40 percent of the people who attended these events last year had never been to GO ART! before, Hallock said, and the events also helped attract a younger audience, which has been hard for GO ART! to reach in recent years.
The director is continuing to pursue big plans. He wants to get an elevator installed in the building and wants to expand the art garden behind the building. He is seeking grants for both projects.
"You've done an excellent job to bring exposure to GO ART! and the building," said Andrew Young, chairman of the committee. "It's heads and shoulders above what we've seen in recent years. I see and hear about GO ART! activities everywhere and it seems to be paying dividends for you."
Hallock said the credit doesn't belong to just him alone.
"We have an awesome board and staff," Hallock said. "I'm the only one with a degree but everyone is passionate about it."
Elba dominated from beginning to end last night at Letchworth in a girls basketball contest to see which Class D Section V champion (Class D1 and Class D2) would move on to play in the Far West Regional championship this weekend.
Elba won easily 48-29.
Maddie Muehlig scored 17 points, hitting three three-point shots. She had three assists, three blocked shots, and two steals.
Leah Bezon scored 13 points, and Taylor Augello and Brynn Walczak scored eight each. Bezon, Walczak and Maddi Howard each had two steals. Howard also had four assists.
For Fillmore, Hannah Roeske scored 10 points.
Elba will play Section VI Class D champion Franklinville at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Buffalo State College.
Photos by Thomas Ognibene from Steve Ognibene Photography.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
Below, four additional photos by David Zuppelli.
New York's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes several public health policy changes that health officials support, Paul Pettit, director of Health Services for Genesee County, told the Human Services Committee during a department review Monday.
But the changes don't necessarily come with flexible or increased funding to help pay for the programs.
This could create new unfunded mandates for the county.
Providers for the Early Intervention Program haven't received a raise in 20 years and the governor's budget includes a 5-percent increase in the reimbursement rate but the burden for the additional expense will fall largely on the county.
"Providers have been loaded with additional administrative responsibility without additional resources and funding resulting in a continued exodus of providers, creating waiting lists, especially in rural areas like Genesee County," Pettit said.
The state is also looking at changes in residential lead monitoring programs. Currently, pediatricians able to conduct blood test for lead poisoning rates -- though not all pediatricians provide this service and not all parents take advantage of the service -- and those results are reported to a state database. County officials are then able to identify children with higher levels of lead in their system. A five-part level leads to a health worker contacting the family to provide education and information on best practices to avoid lead poisoning.
Action to remediate exposure to lead isn't required for the property owner -- whether the family is renting or owns the home -- unless a level of 15 mg/dL is detected.
The state is proposing lowering the rate -- thereby prompting more costly intervention -- to 5 mg/dL. This would mean an additional 50 to 60 inspections each year for the county with no additional funds from the state to cover the costs.
The Preschool Supportive Health Program remains the department's most expensive locally supported program, Pettit said. The state has been slow to provide mandate relief. There is a shortage of providers and reimbursement rates set by the state are not competitive.
"This shortage creates a waiting list for children who have been identified as needing our providers," Pettit said.
There needs to be changes in the program, Pettit said.
The state's county health directors continue to work with the governor's office on these and other issues, Pettit said, in an attempt to bridge the gap between mandates and funding.
For the first 10 minutes of Monday's crossover game between Pembroke and Avon at Cal-Mum, it looked like the Dragons might be on their way to continuing a great post-season run that on Saturday had given the school its first sectional title in girls basketball.
Then, things fell apart and Pembroke would eventually lose to Avon 57-49. A pair of whistles for traveling gave Avon the ball in their half of the court and Avon erased Pembroke's three-point lead on two easy baskets.
Next, Avon's Abby Decillis and Keni Read rained threes down on the Dragons. They hit five between them plus another pair of two-point buckets.
"We had a little bit of a run going," said Coach Ron Funke. "We had some momentum. The turnovers and then those daggers, those three-pointers were just, you know, they just killed us."
In the second quarter, Avon outscored the Dragons 26 to 12. Only once the rest of the way would Pembroke get as close as nine points of the lead.
On the night, Decillis hit three three-pointers and Read hit five. Decillis finished with 20 points, Read with 19, and Sarine Mcdowell with 17.
"We got some of the looks that we wanted, we just couldn't finish near the basket," Funke said. "And our free throws ... I just can't understand. We set a school record for free throws percentages this season."
On Monday, Pembroke shot only five for 15 from the line.
In the fourth quarter, down by 14 or 15 points, Pembroke got some life back with under five minutes to play. Playing with hustle and confidence, twice they pulled within nine points of the lead but time expired before they could close the gap.
"They never quit," Funke said. "That's for sure. They never have. And you know, those girls they never will."
For Pembroke, Serene Calderon scored 16 points. MacKenna Johnson scored 13. Dekari Moss scored nine. Casey Wurtz scored six.
At 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Genesee Community College, Avon plays Oakfield-Alabama to see which Class C team will represent Section V in the Far West Regional championship.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in front of Arby's on West Main Street, Batavia.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Two cars blocking westbound traffic.
A woman has been struck by a vehicle on Judge Road and police are in pursuit of the vehicle.
The pursuit apparently started in Orleans County before the woman was struck.
Alabama fire and Mercy EMS are responding to Judge Road.
The vehicle has reportedly returned to Orleans County. Genesee County units are not pursuing the vehicle into Orleans County but have advised patrols in Orleans County of its location.
No word on whether the woman struck suffered serious or non-serious injuries.
UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.
UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Orleans patrols lost sight of the vehicle.
UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: The vehicle has apparently been located. Genesee County units told they can stand down. Report from the accident scene, Mercy Flight can stand down.
UPDATE 12:47 a.m.: The vehicle was impounded by State Police and the woman was transported to ECMC.
Notre Dame High School kicked off Inclusion Month with an assembly this morning. In March, Notre Dame highlights diversity and acceptance of all people.
The following people are wanted on warrants issued out of Batavia City Court. If you have any information on the whereabouts 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.
Andrew J. Bilicki age 34, W/M 5’9” 200 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, LKA West Ave. Medina, NY
Bench warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court, DOW 6/20/18
Arrest warrant for bail jumping 3rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Alabama Town Court DOW 8/17/18
Jesse D. Bowman age 26, W/M 6’1” 170 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, LKA Vine St. Batavia NY
Arrest warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) and conspiracy 6th PL 105.00 (Misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 2/4/19
Barbara E. Ferrando age 47, W/F 5’9” 180 lbs., brown hair brown eyes, LKA Summit St. Batavia, NY
Bench warrant for petit larceny PL 155.25 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 2/4/19
Creagan T. Maclaren, age 20, W/M 5’10” 175 lbs., brown hair, green eyes, LKA Brower Rd. Spencerport, NY
Bench warrant for DWI VTL 1192-2 (misdemeanor) Darien Town Court DOW 8/4/18
Clint J. Reed, age 21, W/M 5’6” 180 lbs. black hair, brown eyes, LKA Barton St. Rochester, possibly in Ellicottville, NY area
Bench warrant for DWAI VTL 1192-1 (violation) Batavia Town Court DOW 7/30/18
Arrest warrant for bail jumping 3rd PL 215.55 (misdemeanor) Batavia Town Court DOW 9/17/18
Shawn M. Szczygiel age 41, W/M 5’8” 145 lbs., blond hair blue eyes, LKA Tinkham Rd. Darien, NY
Bench Warrant for DWI VTL 1192-2 (misdemeanor) Darien Town Court DOW 11/28/17
If you are able to assist the Sheriff's Office in locating these people, the Sheriff's Office asks that you do not approach these people and that you call (585) 343-5000 with information that may assist in locating the suspects.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $40,000 in federal funding for the Genesee County Office for the Aging.
This grant was awarded through the Senior Corps RSVP from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a program that leverages the skills and experience of seniors from across the country to serve in a variety of volunteering activities.
The Senior Corps RSVP is one of the largest volunteering networks in the nation that engages Americans 55 or older in citizen service to address problems that our country faces. These services can range from fighting the opioid epidemic, connecting veterans to jobs and benefits, and ensuring seniors age dependently and with dignity.
“ As we get older it is important we keep ourselves active,” Congressman Collins said. “The Senior Corps program is a great way to get involved in our community while helping others.”
The Genesee County Office for the Aging offers a variety of programs and services to all county residents who are the age of 60 and over. Their mission is to provide information, support, and advocacy to their residents while promoting independence to improve the quality of life.
The Senior Corps engages approximately 220,000 Americans at 25,000 locations across the nation through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and RSVP programs.
Press release from AAA:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.43, up 3 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.53. The New York State average is $2.53 – up 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.71. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia - $2.47 (no change since last week)
- Buffalo - $2.50 (no change since last week)
- Ithaca - $2.48 (up 2 cents since last week)
- Rochester - $2.48 (no change since last week)
- Rome - $2.51 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Syracuse - $2.47 (up 1 cent since last week)
- Watertown - $2.51 (up 1 cent since last week)
Rising crude oil prices are pushing up gas prices at the pump. Refineries are also gearing up for spring gasoline production and maintenance season.
Deputy Howard Wilson started working as the school resource officer for Oakfield-Alabama Central School District at the end of January. The position was officially approved by the Genesee County County Legislature last week, and Friday we got a chance to talk with Wilson about his new job.
Here's a press release from the Sheriff's Office:
Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. is pleased to announce that as a result of the collaboration between the Genesee County Legislature, Oakfield-Alabama Central School Board and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the assignment of a School Resource Officer has been approved.
Deputy Howard O. Wilson V has been selected by the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District as its School Resource Officer. Deputy Wilson is a five-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. He was hired as a Correction Officer in 2014 and then appointed to Deputy Sheriff in 2016. During his tenure, he has earned three Commendations.
"The Oakfield-Alabama School District and Board are proud to have Deputy Sheriff Howard Wilson serve as our School Resource Officer," said Superintendent John Fisgus. "We look forward in creating a positive working relationship with him as he will serve to help and assist our students and community in many different facets.
"Thank you to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for this agreement.”
Sheriff Sheron indicated that his goal has always been to establish a School Resource Officer in all county schools to ensure the safety and protection of the students and faculty.
“With the assignment of Deputy Wilson in the Oakfield-Alabama Schools, we are that much closer to our goal," the sheriff said. "Although the cost associated with placing a School Resource Officer in the schools is significant, I believe the safety and security of our children should be of the utmost precedence.”
Superintendent John Fisgus, Undersheriff Brad Mazur, Sheriff William Sheron, Deputy Howard Wilson, and Legislator John Hilchey.
It was a celebratory evening at the Quality Inn and Suites on Saturday as the Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community.
For more on each award winner, click on the story links below:
Dan Fischer, emcee.
Jay Gsell, emcee, with the "Genesee Is Great Already" (GIGA) hat that he introduced at the event and gave to each honoree.
Tom Turnbull, president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Bob Stocking and Penny Arnold.
Larry Webster and Mike Davis representing Upstate Niagara Cooperative.
The Harrower family, Genesee Lumber.
Jim McMullen and Sue Schuler representing the Rotary Club of Batavia.
Videos, produced by Paul Figlow, were used to introduce each award winner.
Bob Stocking's hat.
County patrols have been told to be on the lookout for a 2007 blue Hyundai Sonata that was reported stolen at about 12:30 p.m. from the parking lot of Walmart.
The driver who left in the vehicle is described as a white male, late 40s or early 50s, wearing a white jacket.
The vehicle was last seen southbound on Route 63.
Defense helped Pembroke get passed #1 seed Marion on Thursday and on Saturday, the Lady Dragons again held their opponent in check to clinch the team's first-ever sectional title.
Pembroke, which came in seeded fourth, beat #3 seed Geneseo 43-38 in Class C2.
There are three Class C brackets this year in Section V and only one Class C team will represent Section V against Section VI in the Far West Regional championship game, so tomorrow Pembroke plays Avon, Class C1 champions, to see who will play Oakfield-Alabama, Class C3 champions, for a chance to represent Class C going forward.
Game time tomorrow is 7 p.m. tomorrow at Cal-Mum.
On Saturday, Casey Wertz scored 10 points, Dekari Moss, nine, Emily Peters, nine, Serene Calderon, eight, and MacKenna Johnson, seven.
For Geneseo, Heidi Phelps scored 11 points and Kaniya Jackson scored 10.
To view more photos, click here.
Photos by Steve Ognibene.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
