Stories from

To open the YWCA's Third Annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony at Genesee Community College yesterday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul shared how the issue of domestic violence and public service through the Y helped shape her life.

Hochul's grandmother was a victim of domestic violence, and Hochul's mother was an advocate for changing laws and changing attitudes around domestic violence, even testifying for the Legislature in Albany. She helped change the way police officers respond to domestic violence cases.

"She testified in hearings trying to get law enforcement to treat is as the crime it is," Hochul said. "At the time when someone would call for help, someone would call and the police would show up at the door and the husband responded and said, 'Oh, don't worry, we're OK here.' They had no obligation. They could leave. That went on for far too long." 

When her mother turned 70, she said she wanted to do something in her mother's name, so they established the Kathleen Mary House, a safe place for women who have been victimized.

Before Hochul ever ran for public office, she thought she might like to get involved in politics, perhaps as a campaign manager, so she took classes are her local YWCA to learn how to be a campaign manager. That, it turned out, inspired her to run for a seat on the Town of Hamburg Board.

Hochul noted that women are taking a bigger and bigger role in public life, but that there is more progress to be made.

"To the young women in the audience, have confidence in yourselves, know that you, too, have a role to play in changing the world," Hochul said. "There is no time like the present. You don't have to wait until middle age to be engaged. Step up. We need you. Your society needs you. Your country needs you. And your community here in Genesee County needs you."

The award recipients were:

• Rev. Roula Alkhouri, the Racial Justice Award
• WNY Tech Academy, the Economic Empowerment Award
• Dee Quinn Miller, the Military/Veteran Award
• Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County, the Peace Award
• Krysten Schmidt, owner of Ladies First, the Advocacy/Civic Engagement Award
• Lewis Tree Service, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award
• Georgann Corrubba, TenCar Inc., the Exceptional Entrepreneur Award

For more on the winners, click here.

Georgann Corrubba

Rev. Roula Alkhouri

Dee Quinn Miller

Gail Fenton and Ruth Riner, of Zonta Club.

Michlen Robinson, representing Lewis Tree Service.

Kendal Phillips, a sixth-grader at Byron-Bergen Elementary school has completed the first seven years of her public education with a perfect attendance record. She's never even been late for school, according to Amy Phillips.

She's also never been dismissed early.

She is a straight-A student, a member of the safety patrol and plays in two basketball leagues. She also plays in a year-around travel soccer team, is a member of the band, chorus, jazz choir, percussion ensemble and Solo-Fest band.

In softball this season, she struck out 128 batters over 47 innings pitched.

She also volunteers in the Byron-Bergen Public Library during the summer.

"As a teacher in a different school district, I feel this is a phenomenal accomplishment," Amy said. "I also happen to be very proud of her as I am her mom!"

Press release:

GO ART! presents an exhibit by Stacy Kirby “A Nice View “-- A Collection of En Plein Aire Paintings and Illustrations.”

After a couple decades of drawing, first in crayon then in pencil, Stacey Kirby picked up a paint brush, pursuing an education in illustration at Montserrat College of Art. After graduating she applied her illustration skills to mural painting, creating large scale art works for private homes, businesses, and public spaces.

Her passion is forming concept and idea into impactful paintings, whether the theme is historic, or of the natural world.

Kirby, a native of Albion, has been contributing murals to the Orleans and Monroe counties for a number of years.

"As a muralist, it's my goal to create artwork that is accessible to everyone, to encourage appreciation for art and the deeply rooted communities that we're a part of," Kirby said. "Public murals are a great opportunity to expose numbers of people to the arts, while sharing something important about that community with the world.”

In her free time she enjoys painting "en plein aire." She is working with “Traveling Towpath Troubadours" -- a music performance group whose summer concerts are part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the Erie Canal in Orleans County -- on a commemorative painting capturing the idea behind their 2017 endeavor.

"A Nice View" opens July 11 and runs through Sept. 10 at GO ART!, located inside historic Seymour Plac,e 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and on the second Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

There will be a closing reception, with light fare, on Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.,  featuring “Traveling Towpath Troubadours” as entertainment and the unveiling of the commemorative painting.

An accident is reported in the area of 9683 Route 19, Pavilion.

A person is injured and may be having a medical emergency.

The vehicle hit a pole. The pole is not down. It is broken. National Grid being notified.

There had been a prior complaint about an erratic driver in the area.

The location is just south of the Le Roy Town Line.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

The State Police are investigating the theft of a 2010 Ford F-150 from MY-T Acres Farms in Batavia at 5:20 a.m., today. It's a ClubCab, tan in color, with a license of 20128GL. 

The farm is located at 8127 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

The suspect vehicle appears to be a red Jeep.

Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation is asked to call the Batavia Barracks at (585) 344-2200.

This afternoon, County Manager Jay Gsell and two passersby along with the City's animal control officer, James Scheflin, tried to help a momma duck and her ducklings cross Ellicott Street by the Upton Monument so they could get to the Tonawanda Creek.

Momma would have none it, though, choosing to try and shelter in the plants at the time.   

Scheflin decided to leave her be for the time being and monitor the situation.

Press release:

Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees Monday evening approved its first-ever application for participation in the Start-Up New York program, which permits eligible companies to operate tax-free on or near SUNY campuses for 10 years. Trustees approved Tencar Inc. for participation, a medical equipment manufacturing firm founded in 2011 by Georgann M. Carrubba, of Basom, a 2003 graduate of GCC's Nursing program.

Tencar will operate in the Genesee County Economic Development Center's Med Tech Park, located on the south side of Hawley Drive, across from the Batavia Campus. Genesee Community College designated the Med Tech Park as part of the Start-Up NY zone two years ago.

The Start-Up NY application will now be forwarded to the New York State Empire Development Corporation and State University of New York for review and final approval. Reid J. Smalley, executive director of Workforce Development, said that approval may come within the next 60 days, permitting Carrubba to begin operating in the Med Tech Park.

Carrubba, who serves as CEO of the company, developed and patented an innovative ostomy device that prevents awkward leakage and odor among patients with colostomies and related conditions. The product is expected to go to market later this year. Product components will be 100-percent made in the United States, and Carrubba has concluded an agreement with the 3M Company to use its products in the manufacturing of TenCar devices.

The Start-Up NY program is open to new or expanding businesses that align their operations or products with academic disciplines taught at SUNY campuses and some private college and university campuses. Genesee Community College students in the Nursing, Fashion Design and Business programs will have the opportunity to learn product design, customer service, business operations, and entrepreneurship principles from TenCar. The company hopes to make internships available to GCC students and hire GCC graduates in the future.

Prior to the Board's decision, the College's Start-Up NY Committee scrutinized the company's plans and operations, and determined that the company's presence in the GCC Start-Up NY Zone would benefit the College and its students.

President James M. Sunser said that he and the staff were proud of Carrubba, and believed that TenCar, a graduate-founded company, is an especially appropriate choice for Start-Up NY participation. Several trustees praised Carrubba and said they believe her company's innovative product will make a significant difference in the lives of ostomy patients.

Thomas Winters, left, has become the fourth generation of the Winters family to enter the feed business, joining his dad's business, Genesee Feeds, on West Main Street, after graduating from Alfred State. 

Lee opened Genesee Feeds in 1992, with his dad joining the business in 1995. Lee's grandfather operated his own feed business for a number of years.

Genesee Feeds got a big boost when a chain closed its local feed store in 1999 and the business has been going strong since, Lee said.

Thomas said he wanted to work with his dad because he's always enjoyed it and it's what he grew up doing.

In recent years, Lee has added U-Haul rentals and sheds to the business and he said Thomas will be able to help the business expand and further diversify.

"It's always been here, always been in the family, so it’s always been something I wanted to do," Thomas said.

As part of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, the VA in Batavia hosted a speaker series today featuring three veterans who have been through the trials of PTSD and recovered.

Dr. Caryn Di Landro, head of the PTSD clinic at the Batavia VA, said the people who attended -- members of the community interested in PTSD journeys, veterans in general, veterans receiving service at the clinic and staff working with veterans with PTSD -- were there to learn more about the experiences of those who have suffered from the condition.

The three speakers were Dr. Jessica Goodell, a psychology intern at the clinic, Marine Corps veteran, and author of "Shade It Black: Death and After Iraq"; Nicholas Stefanovic, from the Rochester Treatment Court and Marine Corp veteran; and, Earl Granville, former Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman and veteran of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia.

Granville, in photos, told his own stories and the stories of others about the journey from trauma to finding a new purpose in helping others.

This is an annual event open to all members of the community.

Press release:

Genesee County wants to know your thoughts on housing and if local housing meets your needs. A survey has been launched to get input from County residents and is available online at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/geneseehousing

Paper copies will be available next week at the Richmond Memorial Library and the Genesee County Senior Center. The survey will help the County, its municipalities, housing developers and other housing providers identify unmet needs and demand for various types of housing throughout the County.

The survey is part of the Genesee County Housing Needs Assessment and Market Analysis project. It will document housing needs, analyze the housing market and identify feasible strategies to meet the future housing needs of Genesee County. Genesee County, its municipalities and local housing agencies can use the report's findings to support both rehabilitation and new construction of housing.

Whether you are happy with where you live now or are looking at new housing options for the future, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. The survey will be launched June 19th and responses will be accepted until July 7th.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs announced today that skydivers from Western New York Skydiving will deliver and throw the Ceremonial First Pitch on Opening Day, Monday, June 19th.

Prior to throwing out the first pitch, an elite group from Western New York Skydiving will perform an aerial show, including banners and smoke, before landing in centerfield. The jump and demonstration are weather dependent and Western New York Skydiving reserves the right to cancel the event if they feel conditions are unsafe for both the jumpers and spectators.

The game between the Muckdogs and Auburn Doubledays will begin at 7:05 p.m. with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Opening Day tickets, as well as all season tickets and ticket packages, are all on sale now at the Dwyer Stadium box office, on Muckdogs.com or by calling 585-343-5454.

Alexis Hoerner is the winner of the 2017 Paolo Busti Scholarship, which the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation awarded at its annual dinner last night at Terry Hills. Alexis, known as "Lexi," was among five finalists.

She is a student at Batavia High School. She holds an overall GPA of 95 and ranks 19th in a class of 175. Lexi is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Art Honor Society. She has received numerous honors and awards, including a commendation in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition NY 27th District, and the Bob Heischman Award for Excellence in Creativity in Drawing as well as various school awards for outstanding achievement in art, printmaking, portfolio, sculpture, and excellence and creativity in drawing.

Lexi is a member of the BHS varsity swim team and has volunteered with various local community organizations including the Lions Club, YWCA, Crossroads House, and Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She has also served as a BHS Link Leader and with the Art Department Stage Crew at Batavia High School.

Lexi plans to attend Canisius College in the fall where she will continue her studies in Studio Art.

Below, she is pictured with her parents Karen Cutitta and Michael Hoerner.

Today is stormy, but yesterday was a beautiful day and it came with a pretty gorgeous sunset. I stopped on South Main Street Road next to the Tonawanda Creek for this picture.

To kick off the third annual Battle of the Bands at the Smokin' Eagle BBQ and Brew in Le Roy last night, the owners and management presented a check for $2,600 to the Golisano Children's Hospital in honor the White Family.

The money was raised during last year's Battle of the Bands.

Trisha White, holding the check, credits Golisano's with saving the life of her daughter, Jamie, left, who was born at 25 1/2 weeks and weighed just one pound, seven ounces. Now 12 and doing well in middle school, she's holding a picture of herself at birth with her father's wedding band around her ankle.

"That's how tiny she was," Trisha said.

The Battle of the Bands runs all summer and into October with performances every Wednesday night at the Eagle. Last night, Invictra kicked off the series.

Press release:

Today, the City of Batavia submitted an application for Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), a statewide competition in which each region will select a winner. Batavia was a Finger Lakes Region finalist in 2016.

Agriculture and food production, next-generation manufacturing, entrepreneurship and pathways to prosperity pillars are shared priorities in Batavia that align with the priorities of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Batavia’s application highlights the progressive quality of life policies and further focuses on placemaking and innovation.

“The City Council has been actively engaging our residents over the last few years with planning around the Batavia Opportunity Area, the 2016 DRI process, the 2017 Comprehensive Planning process and other strategic initiatives that the city has completed,” said Eugene Jankowski Jr., City of Batavia, City Council president.

“This type of investment in Batavia will attract investment and boost the entrepreneurial climate, improve environmental quality and create ethnic diversity in order to enhance the City’s central business district.”

The City’s DRI application describes the current conditions of City and identifies the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) as the target area for DRI investment to grow jobs, increase regional wealth, drive private investment and reduce poverty. Local stakeholders defined market-based strategies that place emphasis on:

• Arts, Culture & Entertainment;
• Healthy Living & Wellness; and,
• Prosperity for All.

Batavia’s Downtown is a vibrant and robust area with approximately 2,000 people at work among 220 businesses. It is estimated that 12 million pass through the district on an annual basis. DRI investment will literally build around impending Downtown investments like Savarino Companies’ Ellicott Station. The application further identifies a range of projects that would be catalytic to reviving downtown.

The City of Batavia launched a community campaign earlier this year to cause $100 million additional public-private investment to enhance the City by 2022. Winning the $10 million DRI award would be catalytic and fully leveraged to achieve Batavia’s investment goal.  

Ray Cianfrini, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, said, “signing the BP2 agreement to redirect PILOT payments into an infrastructure fund for the City of Batavia was a critical policy that County leadership strongly supports. Now that BP2 is off the ground, Batavia is ready for $10 million to revitalize Downtown, attract more residents, businesses and entertainment to enhance the quality of life.”  

Pat Burk, Batavia City School Board president, said, “Our district is working hard to link students with careers in STEM, trades, agriculture and other industries that are growing in the Finger Lakes region, but unfortunately too many of our children are living in poverty and we all must work together to change that.”

Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, “The Governor’s DRI competition provides an amazing opportunity to revitalize the City’s economy. We need to create offerings in the arts, culture and entertainment to attract the creative class to live and work in our urban center.”

Pierluigi Cipollone, president of the Batavia Development Corporation, said, “A $10 million Downtown revitalization grant would drive the economic transformation already taking shape in the City to a new level. DRI also introduces a new approach to celebrate the City’s rich entrepreneurial traditions, cultural appreciation, and the possibility to create more vibrant places.”

Beth Kemp, director of the Downtown Batavia Improvement District, said, “Downtown revitalization impacts not only Downtown, but the community as a whole. Enriching the Downtown with arts and entertainment strengthens the whole community here, both economically and culturally. It's exciting to see all stakeholders see the value of investing strategically and collaboratively in Downtown."

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“Today’s celebration of Flag Day is a powerful reminder of both the downfalls and triumphs our country has gone through in the past to get to where we are today. It was made the official flag of the United States in 1777, and although the American Flag has undergone some changes, it has remained a constant symbol of pride, hope and inspiration for our country and will for many years to come.

“I don’t think there is any other country that is as proud of their flag and what it represents as the United States of America. I hope many of you will join me this year in honoring the American Flag by displaying one at your home to show your love and pride in our great nation.”

Two dogs are locked in a black Ford Explorer in Row 7 at Walmart with the windows rolled up.

A deputy has been dispatched.

More than a dozen members of local law enforcement carried the Special Olympics torch on a run from Elba to Batavia this morning, starting at the Arc of Genesee Orleans center in Elba to the facility on Walnut Street, with a stop at the Arc Community Center on Woodrow Road.

Press release:

A Family Court petition has been filed against a 15-year-old who was the alleged driver of the gold Ford Taurus which was involved in the motor vehicle / pedestrian accident on Allen Street in Batavia at approximately 3:16 p.m. on May 27. The juvenile will have to appear in Family Court sometime in July. The 32-year-old female victim was treated and released at a local hospital.

Previously: Woman saves son before car strikes her and two dogs

A police officer was able to clean up a bunch of nails found in the roadway of Ellicott Street and Ellicott Place, Batavia, a few minutes ago.

When the nails were first discovered, he requested a public works crew to the scene but canceled the call after getting the nails picked up.

This is the second incident today involving nails found in a road. There was a report about three hours ago of nails in the roadway at Bank Street Road and Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive.