Earlier this month, Batavia Bootery hosted "Boots & Bourbon," a special event where guests could taste-test various bourbons and shop for shoes and boots at the store.
The store donated $15 from every pair of boots and shoes sold to the Arc of Genesee Orleans, raising $635.
Yesterday, Don Brown presented the check to Shelley Falitico, director of Development & Community Relations for Arc.
Press release:
There have been several phone calls to my office regarding the pre-payment of 2018 Town/County property taxes to be paid to the Town Tax Collector before Dec. 31, 2017.
- The new Federal Income Tax Law will only affect an estimated 10-15 percent of the population in Genesee County as far as the SALT deduction. The law allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 a year in a combined New York State income tax and property taxes. So if your deduction of those taxes are less than the $10,000, it probably doesn’t make sense to pay your 2018 taxes early. For example, if your 2018 town/county, school and village taxes are $2,500 and your total New York State taxes paid will be $3,500 = $6,000. Total taxes paid are $6,000 which is less than the maximum $10,000 allowed; therefore your taxes would still be deductible on your 2018 tax return.
- It is unclear whether or not the IRS will allow a deduction of pre-payment of 2018 taxes on your 2017 tax return; please consult your tax accountant for clarification.
- The tax bills are effective for the county fiscal year of Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018. Payment for these taxes should be made Jan. 1 or after.
- This law has no effect on residents of the City of Batavia since city/county tax warrant isn’t until May.
Friedman announced his intention to step down after this term in a press release today about a swearing-in ceremony Thursday afternoon for himself and his staff.
At the ceremony, Melissa Cianfrini will be sworn in as first assistant district attorney. The position didn't exist for a couple of years before the County Legislature agreed to fund the position for 2018.
Besides Friedman and Cianfrini, also taking the oath will be assistants Robert Zickl, Kevin Finnell, and Shirley Gorman.
Friedman was reelected to his sixth four-year term in November.
Administering the oath will be County Clerk Michael Cianfrini, husband of Melissa Cianfrini.
The ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. in the County Courtroom.
Photo: File photo.
Bruce Doug Seelau, 69, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving scene of property damage accident, moving from lane unsafely, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Deputy Ryan Young responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident at 2:34 a.m. Saturday on South Lake Road, Pembroke, and found a vehicle on its side. Seelau was identified as the driver. Neither Seelau nor a passenger were injured.
Collin Ronald Wickings, 24, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with violation of a court order. Wickings allegedly had a third party contact two people he was ordered not to contact by court order.
David Joseph Michael Welninski, 23, of Ballard Road, Fillmore, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and failure to keep right. Welninski was charged following an investigation by Deputy Ryan DeLong into a single-vehicle accident reported at 9:23 p.m. July 15 on Lake Street Road, Le Roy.
Lee Carl Zimmerman, 47, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Zimmerman is accused of shoving another person during an incident reported at 12:25 a.m. Friday at a location on Lake Avenue, Bergen.
City firefighters, above, were among the firefighters, medical personnel, and police officers who received free pizza today from staff members of Batavia's Original, while they worked on Christmas Day.
This is the third year Tom Scott, one of the managers at Batavia's Original, with the support of owner Kathy Ferrara, led members of the staff in the donation of pizza to first responders on Christmas Day. Helping this year were Bailee Welker and Marc Tillery.
Pizzas were delivered to City Fire, Batavia PD, the Sheriff's Office, UMMC, and State Police.
Photos by Marc Tillery.
Today, as we've done for the past five years, we pay tribute to the first responders who put their lives at risk every day to help keep us all safe. Here is a slideshow of photos from throughout 2017 of first responders on the job, providing community service and in training.
A car has reportedly hit a tree near mile marker 393.7, off the eastbound lane of the Thruway.
There was airbag deployment.
Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Occupants are out of the vehicle. Ambulance can respond non-emergency for patient evaluation.
UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: Assignment back in service.
Harpoon Brewery in collaboration with Big Ditch Brewing is releasing a new beer this month, Rivalry IPA, to celebrate the long-standing rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. It was released just before today's game between the two teams.
One hundred of the malts used in the beer come from Batavia-based New York Craft Malts, the malting house of Ted and Patricia Hawley on Bank Street Road.
The IPA will be available in taprooms throughout WNY and New England just days before the big game.
Photo courtesy Ted Hawley.
Tonight I took a quick trip around the City of Batavia and took a few pictures of Christmas light displays.
Merry Christmas.
Above, 209 Bank St.
261 State St.
108 Ellsworth Ave.
105 Ellsworth Ave.
27 Manhatten Ave.
12 Washington Ave.
211 Richmond Ave.
17 Redfield Parkway
15 Redfield Parkway
30 Roosevelt Ave.
29 Roosevelt Ave.
South Pearl Street
16 Kibbe Ave.
201 Liberty St.
Batavia residents Bill and Kay McDonald want to share their new Christmas song with the community: "Find Your Joy."
A pedestrian has reportedly been hit on the Thruway in the eastbound lane near mile marker 387.
Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: It also sounds like a vehicle accident is also being reported near mile marker 386.
UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: All we could get from a trooper at the scene was one person injured. At least two vehicles were involved. The pictures are from mile marker 386.
A car is off the road and a caller reports the driver appears to be injured in the area of mile marker 386.6 on the Thruway in the Town of Batavia.
Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Perry beat Elba 62-45 in boys basketball Friday night.
For the Yellowjackets, Tyler Cowie scored 31 points. Micheal Hockey added 12 and Austin Croll, 10.
For the Lancers Jonathan Boyce scored 12 and Ben Pflaumer scored 10.
Both Hockey and Pflaumer hit a trio of three-point shots.
A vehicle is on its side after striking a fire hydrant in the area of 4524 Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia.
No injuries reported.
Town of Batavia Fire Department dispatched.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement offering his appreciation to elementary school students, businesses, and community organizations from around the 27th District for participating in his “Holiday Mail for Veterans” program. The office collected more than 1,500 holiday cards and delivered them to veterans at the Buffalo and Batavia VA facilities.
“I am proud of the tremendous support we received for our Holiday Mail for Veterans program from around the 27th District,” Congressman Collins said. “This program is a great opportunity for young students and other community organizations to say thank you and share some holiday cheer with the men and women who bravely served our country.
"I would like to thank everyone who participated and extend my very best to our veterans and active duty personnel and their families this holiday season.”
“We appreciate the support of our community for Veterans at VA Western New York Healthcare System,” said Paul Crews, interim Healthcare System director. “The cards with thoughtful messages brighten up their days knowing someone has taken the time to think about them at holiday time.”
Each year, Congressman Collins’ office reaches out to all NY-27 elementary schools to join together to show our appreciation during the holiday season. This is the first year cards were delivered to VA hospitals.
Below is a list of the 2017 “Holiday Mail for Veterans” participants:
Geneseo Elementary School – Geneseo
Livonia Elementary School – Livonia
York Central Elementary School – Retsof
Bloomfield Elementary School – East Bloomfield
Lewiston-Porter Primary Education Center – Lewiston-Porter
Charles A. Upson Elementary School – Lockport
North Park Junior High – Lockport
Hyde Park Elementary School – Niagara Falls
Colonial Village Elementary School – Niagara-Wheatfield
Blasdell Elementary – Blasdell
Clarence Center Elementary School – Clarence Center
Highland Elementary School – Derby
Parkdale Elementary – East Aurora
Wales Primary – East Aurora
Eden Elementary – Eden
GLP Primary School – Eden
Charlotte Avenue School – Hamburg
Union Pleasant Elementary – Hamburg
Harold O. Brumsted Elementary – Holland
Ellicott Elementary School – Orchard Park
Colden Elementary School – Springville-Griffith
Northwood Elementary School – West Seneca
Alexander Elementary School – Alexander
John Kennedy Intermediate School – Batavia
Byron-Bergen Elementary School – Bergen
Wolcott Street Elementary School – Le Roy
Dorothy B. Bunce Elementary School – Pavillion
Manor Intermediate School – Honeoye Falls
Monica B. Leary Elementary School – Rush
Perry Elementary School – Perry
Warsaw Elementary School – Warsaw
West Elementary School – West Seneca
Avon Primary School – Avon
Avon High School – Avon
Royalton-Hartland Elementary School – Gasport
Geraldine J. Mann Elementary – Niagara Falls
Marilla Primary School – Marilla
Camp Stella Maris School Age Program -- Livonia
Geneseo Girl Scouts – Geneseo
YMCA Preschool
4H Scottsburg Leaders – Scottsburg
Arbor Realty – Williamsville
Attica Elementary School – Attica
Kendall Elementary -- Kendall
Photos of cards, decorations, and letters from Jackson School, Byron-Bergen and Pavilion.
While many Americans are worried about higher broadband costs or diminished service following the repeal by the FCC of "Net Neutrality" rules, customers of Empire Access can continue to count on unmetered, unthrottled, unlimited data, Bob VanDelinder, director of marketing for the company, told The Batavian today.
"The changes in net neutrality, we don't feel, will affect Empire Access because we still plan to keep the Internet open for our customers," VanDelinder said. "We will continue to offer unlimited data without content blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization. The customers on Empire Access should not see any changes."
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission overturned a 2014 rule known as Title II that prohibited Internet service providers from having tiered pricing plans, so-called "net neutrality."
The change has caused customers of Empire Access to call the company and express concern that their service will be changed and VanDelinder said they're all assured that there will be no changes. Soon the company will embark on a social media campaign to help spread that message. Customers will also receive an assurance of the company's commitment to unmetered service with the bills that will be mailed Jan. 1.
Proponents of net neutrality say the repeal of the law will mean restricted, or slower, bandwidth for customers or content providers who don't pony up extra cash.
Opponents of net neutrality say that Title II inhibits innovation and is holding back companies from making the investments necessary to provide faster broadband to more customers.
The idea of ISPs trying to squeeze more money from content providers is not without precedent. Prior to the 2014 rules, Comcast sought fees from Netflix and tacked on an extra charge for customers who streamed more Netflix shows and movies.
Empire Access doesn't know what its competitors might do following the rule change, VanDelinder said, but as far as Empire Access is concerned, nothing has changed.
"It's somewhat early yet to know what is going to take place with our competitors but as far as our stance on the ruling, it's our feeling that our customers come first," VanDelinder said. "We will continue to provide open access to our customers."
Over the past several years, Empire Access has been expanding throughout the Southern Tier and Western New York. It's an expansion plan that started before Title II was enacted, continued through the Title II era, and will continue going forward, VanDelinder said. Whether there is net neutrality or not, it doesn't slow down Empire Access's plan for expansion and innovation.
"We're a family-owned company," VanDelinder said. "We're a local company. What is best for the customer is really what we're striving to achieve to provide the best services."
Being a family-owned business has its advantages over larger competitors, such as Comcast, VanDelinder noted.
While Comcast sought more money to stream Netflix, it wasn't taking the same approach with Hulu, which is owned in part by Comcast.
"Our business is providing Internet, phone, television, and security services," VanDelinder said. "We don't necessarily have these conflicts like some of our competitors do."
Since Empire Access came to Batavia and Le Roy, local customers are in a unique position of having options. Nearly 60 percent of households in America have only one company to call for broadband service.
"One of the great things about operating in the towns, villages, and cities where we provide service is that we create competition," VanDelinder said. "Competition is good for the consumers."
Three Batavia residents were taken into custody in Wyoming County for allegedly selling drugs in Warsaw and Attica following an investigation Drug Task Force as part of "Operation Frosty."
Richard Barber, 47, of Garfield Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling methamphetamine in August in the Town of Warsaw. He was jailed on $25,000 bail.
Derrick Washington, 45, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell. Washington is accused of selling crack cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Attica. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.
Louis Mercado, 29, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling crack cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Attica. Mercado was jailed on $10,000 bail.
Also arrested as part of "Operation Frosty" was Javier Alvarez, 38, of Hopkins Street, Mount Morris. He is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling heroin and a heroin-fentanyl mix in the Village of Perry.
Korin Leonard, 21, of Freedom Road, Freedom, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd and 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd and 5th. He is accused of selling methamphetamine and cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Arcade.
Ranen Houston, 24, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with 11 counts of perjury in the first degree for allegedly lying to the Wyoming County Grand Jury on a drug-related investigation in the Town of Warsaw.
“These arrests were pursuant Wyoming County Court arrest warrants following Indictments and the involvement of District Attorney Donald O’Geen’s Office," said Wyoming County Sheriff Greg Rudolph.
"The Wyoming County Drug Task Force is committed to doing our part in the midst of this drug epidemic, which includes a strong stance on enforcement and honing our investigations on the dealers who gain off of others' addictions.
"The various locations of these crimes are indicative of the scope of the problem here in Wyoming County. The Wyoming County Drug Task Force is additionally wrapping up investigations on several other drug dealers and more arrests are expected in January."
A winter weather advisory has been issued for today through 7 p.m., Saturday.
A wintry mix of precipitation is expected, with accumulations of two to four inches of snow and ice, making travel conditions difficult.
Snow will change to mixed percipitation this afternoon and evening and quickly change back to snow midday Saturday.
"The combination of freezing rain and snow will result in very slippery travel at times," the National Weather Service warns.
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