This dog was found on Reed Road in Bergen this morning. It's only tag is a rabies tag from Texas. Stacy Stanton found the dog and said the dog is very sweet. She called Animal Control and was keeping the dog this morning until an officer picked up the dog.
UPDATE: Owner and dog have been reunited.
Batavia City School District:
Budget - $49,870,585 (increase of $5,504,146 or 12.41%: $0.00 increase in tax levy)
Yes - 374 (81.84%)
No - 83 (18.16%)
Establish $7.5 Million 10 Year Capital Reserve 2017 -
Yes - 370 (80.96%)
No - 87 (19.04%)
Board of Education positions (2):
Two terms from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020
Barbara Bowman, 293
Tanni Bromley, 279
Oakfield-Alabama Central School District
Proposition #1-Budget
Yes: 297
No: 53
Proposition #2-Buses
Yes: 290
No: 60
Proposition #3-Athletic Equipment
Yes: 258
No: 92
Proposition #4-Capital Reserve Fund
Yes: 288
No: 59
Board Members (Three Vacancies)
Chris Haacke, 208
Bonnie Woodward, 171
Jennifer Kirkum, 170
Tim Edgerton, 162
Andrew Merkel, 142
Bruce Pritchett 141
Elba Central School District
Proposition #1 Budget - $9,273,839
Yes: 136
No: 26
Proposition #2 – Authorization to establish the 2017 General Capital Reserve Fund
Yes: 132
No: 29
Proposition #3 – Authorization to appropriate and expend from Transportation Vehicle and Equipment Capital Reserve to purchase one (1) 65 passenger school bus
Yes: 134
No: 28
Two Board of Education seats with two candidates running:
Travis Torrey, 149
Michael Augello, 134
Byron-Bergen Central School District
Proposition 1, Budget
Yes: 327
No: 153
Proposition 2: Bus purchase
Yes: 340
No: 150
I actually shot this photo late Sunday afternoon off Route 262 in Byron but didn't get a chance to process it until tonight.
The day at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School was dedicated to leadership, with several classroom events built around themes from Stephen Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," such as "Think Win Win," "Be Proactive," Put 1st Things 1st," and "Begin with the End in Mind."
There were also musical performances from both middle school and high school students, and a talent show, along with a student-parent picnic in the gym.
Members of Troop A, State Police, based in Batavia, honored the men and women who have died in the line of duty while serving and protecting the people of Western New York in a service at the Batavia Barracks today.
Troop A Commander, Major Steven Nigrelli, said: "The Fallen Troopers did not wear capes, hit walk off homeruns are defend Earth from aliens, those are Hollywood Heroes; These Troopers are real American Heroes.
"They simply died doing what they swore an oath to do, the service and defend the public -- even in the face of peril and personal danger."
(In photo above, Trooper Dean Nolte and K9 "Weltz.")
To purchase prints, click here.
Plans continue to move forward for construction of the Ellicott Trail, a 4.6-mile, east-west pedestrian and bicycle path through the Town of Batavia and around and in the City, connecting parks and other points of interest.
Yesterday, the County's Public Service Committee recommended approval of an inter-municipal agreement between the Town and the County to construct the portion of the path through DeWitt Recreation Area, with a bridge over some wetlands.
The path will pass north of the lake and come out at Route 5 near the Tractor Supply store.
The bridge would be made of aluminum, said Highway Superintendent Tim Hens.
"We wanted to avoid pressure-treated timber because when it gets wet it gets slimy and slippery," Hens said.
The bridge cost is $85,000 plus $30,000 in in-kind county labor expense, which will assist the Town of Batavia in meeting matching funds requirements for grants.
The funds will come from capital reserves already set aside for improvements to the park.
"It's a pretty sharp bridge," Hens said.
The total Ellicott Trail project is expected to cost $1.7 million, and 80 percent of the cost will be covered by a state grant.
For prior coverage of the Ellicott Trail, click here.
A subject who is wanted in connection with possible criminal mischief complaint stemming from an argument is trying to evade deputies in the area of Wortendyke Road, Batavia.
He reportedly tried escaping on a dirt bike but now may be pushing the bike through the mud.
A State Police bloodhound K-9 has been dispatched to assist in the search.
"We're not suggesting she live in luxury," said Public Defender Jerry Ader. "We're only talking about a residence that is not her daughter's couch."
In an accounting of Heidi L. Schollard's expenses, Ader says she's paying her daughter $250 a month to help with rent, plus utilities and transportation costs (Schollard is working for a temp agency, but doesn't own a car, so her daughter provides transportation.). With all of Schollard's other expenses, she still has about $742 left over, but she is unable to save enough for first month's rent and security deposit.
Ader said she is seeking not only a possible reduction in monthly restitution, but also at least a month's break from payments so she can save enough to move.
County Court Judge Charles Zambito said he did have enough information and detail to make a determination on the request. The case was continued to give Ader time to gather more documentation.
Zambito said Schollard was entitled to the court's consideration for reasonable restitution.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman opposed any modification. He said the circumstances of Schollard's case hasn't changed since the day five years ago when then Judge Robert Noonan issued the $500-a-month order.
The fact that Schollard has $742 left over each month might mean she can actually afford to pay more and paying restution shouldn't be easy, says Friedman.
"Considering the age of the victims in this case, she could pay double the current amount and still not make any substantial restution in their lifetimes," Friedman said.
Friedman expressed concern that in a revised monthly budget, any speculation about her rent could lead to her saying she found an apartment she wanted at $700 a month.
Ader said the revised affidavit would not contain any speculation.
Schollard stole the money from two elderly victims between 2006 and 2011. She pled guilty in 2012 to three counts of grand larceny, 3rd, which are Class D felonies, and a single count of grand larceny, 4th, a Class E felony. She was sentenced to the maximum possible prison term by Noonan.
Friedman said Schollard is already on shaky ground for alleged willful failure to pay restitution and could face a return to prison as things stand. Ader disputed that point, but said he would argue it, if necessary, at a future date.
By this point, Schollard should have paid $1,500. She's paid $1,200.
(Inset is a file photo of Heidi L. Schollard.)
Voters will be asked tomorrow whether they support the 2017-18 Batavia City Schools budget, with a spending plan of $49,870,585.
That's an increase of 12.41 percent over last year, due entirely, school officials say, to a change to record debt service expenditures in the general fund as recommended by the comptroller's office.
Even so, local property owners will not be hit with an increase in school-related property taxes. The property tax levy isn't being increased at all.
This is the fourth straight year the district's tax levy is below the state's increase cap, so homeowners will be eligible for a state property tax rebate, sent directly to homeowners in the fall of 2017.
The budget represents a $10,859 per student in general education, $28,502 per Special Education student, or $19,241 per student on average. All three figures are below state averages, which are $11,949 and $30,667 and $22,536, respectively.
Of the district's total revenue, more than 52 percent comes from state and federal aid. The tax levy is 37.1 percent of total revenue. This budget calls for use of $2.7 million of fund balance (reserves).
Polls are open Tuesday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Robert Morris (residents north of Route 5) and Batavia High School (residents south of Route 5).
Two 16-year-olds, one a resident of Jerico Road, Bergen, and the other a resident of Shady Lane, Batavia, are charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. The youths are accused of using a sledgehammer to damage a concrete picnic table and bench seats in Hickory Park, Bergen, causing more than $250 damage.
Brian Wayne Giambrone, 27, of Byron Holly Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Giambrone was stopped at 11:42 p.m., Friday, on Route 237, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Wilson.
Ahmed Dhalfallah Alshami, 37, of Ludington Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Alshami was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on his case in Pembroke Town Court. He was jailed on $3,000 bail or $5,000 bond.
Tony Gene Marsh, 47, East Boston Road, Mamaroneck, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputy Jeremy McClellan was dispatched Lewiston Road, Alabama, to check on a report of a suspicious vehicle in the lane way of a farm field. Marsh was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and smoking paraphernalia.
Stephanie Ann Bonin, 22, of Denio Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bonin was arrested on a warrant for alleged violation of probation and jailed on $5,000 bail.
A caller has a pig cornered at 3600 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road.
A deputy who has responded is going to check with neighbors to see who might have lost a pig.
UPDATE 9 p.m.: It sounds like the pig's owner has been located.
A 57-year-old man was pronounced dead at he scene this afternoon after the 2002 Ford F-150 he was driving struck a power pole in the area of 7032 Route 262, Bergen.
Charles R. Grower, of Scottsville, was eastbound when his pickup truck left the south side of the road and struck the pole.
Power is still out in the area as a result of the crash. The traffic light at Route 237 and Route 33 is without power and law enforcement is on scene directing traffic.
The initial dispatch was for Byron and South Byron fire departments, but a Bergen chief responded after it was determined that the accident was in Bergen's district.
Mercy EMS was also dispatched, but soon after the initial dispatch, responding units were told to proceed non-emergency.
Live power lines kept responders away from the vehicle until National Grid could arrive on scene.
The accident is under investigation. The cause has not been determined and a medical emergency has not been ruled out pending autopsy.
An accident is reported in the area of 7032 Route 262, Byron.
A car has struck a pole and there's smoke coming from the vehicle.
Byron and South Byron departments responding along with Mercy EMS.
UPDATE 4:33 p.m.: Units can come in non-emergency.
There was no rain today, but there were a few tears. There were also memories and smiles as Coach Dan Gilbert was honored by his former colleagues and players in a ceremony on the field where he won games and molded men for more than a decade.
The ballpark will now be known as the Daniel Gilbert Memorial Field.
Gilbert passed away March 1 at the age of 47.
"It’s with mixed emotion that I say I’m the varsity baseball coach here at Oakfield-Alabama this year," said Nathan Klos, who took over the varsity team this season after Gilbert's passing. "On one hand, it’s a dream come true for me to come home to the program that built me and that has a great tradition in this community. On the other hand, Dan and I were supposed to coach these boys together this year."
The stories Klos told during his remarks were the stories that perhaps encapsulate the impact Gilbert had on the community. Gilbert became his P.E. coach when Klos was in the first grade and taught him sports and fitness until fifth grade. Klos spent his middle school years looking for ways to impress Gilbert, hoping it might serve him well when his turn came to play varsity baseball.
Gilbert put him on the varsity squad just before the end of the regular season in Nate's sophomore year and it was Klos who came to bat in a Section V playoff game with the game on the line, down by one run, runners on first and second, and on a 3-2 pitch, Klos delivered the decisive base hit and won another Section V championship for the Hornets.
Klos said it was the biggest highlight of his baseball life, and one made possible, because he knew, he said, that Gilbert believed in him.
Klos, Brandon Hall, and James Patrick all said Gilbert was the kind of coach who made great players better and elevated the lesser athletes into top contributors. He had a way of making every player believe that he believed in him.
"He got the very best out of every single us one of us," Hall said. "He focused hard and had more determination than any player actually on the field."
Patrick said Gilbert taught him how to be a family man and how to be a coach.
"One thing that is always in our lives that shows today is the support we have for each other because of an amazing man," Patrick said. "He was a loyal, hard-working guy who believes what is right is right and what wrong is wrong and he always treated kids fairly."
Gilbert was a 1987 graduate of O-A and returned to the school after college to be a teacher's aide and Special Ed instructor. After a stint in another job, he returned and became a teacher and coach.
He loved baseball and his former players described a man who knew the game better than anybody they've met. That passion, they said, came through.
Sue Gilbert said the family will always be grateful for the day in his honor and the field that will carry on his memory.
"Our hope is that all who knew Dan will remember the passion he had for life," Sue Gilbert said. "Whether he was teaching his students, coaching his players or loving and caring for our children, he stayed true to what he believed -- the belief that every child had the potential to be great. Dan had a passion for helping each child become just that, through hard work, determination and drive. His students and athletes overcame obstacles and learned to believe in themselves."
Such a humble man, Superintendent Mark Alexander suggested, might not expect a day like today.
"I’m not sure how Dan would feel about the celebration here today, but he’s earned it and it’s well deserved," Alexander said.
Hall, who played for Gilbert from 1989 through 2003, thought maybe Gilbert was looking down on the day and making sure just this one time, rain didn't ruin something good.
"There’s only two times in all the years I played for him where I seen him upset," Hall said. "That was my freshman year after we lost in a torrential downpour. We had a stellar team and we would have went to states that year. The second time was my senior year, the day we got rained out at states. We were fired up and he was more fired up than anybody. I was watching the weather forecast this week and saw it was going to rain and I thought, ‘you know what, there ain’t no way he’s going to let that happen.' The two times I seen him the saddest was then. He ain't going to let that happen to us today and sure enough," he said as he held his palm skyward, "look."
Mark Alexander, superintendent
Jeff Schlagenhauf, athletic director
Brandon Hall presented Sue Gilbert with a plaque he made to commemorate the day.
James Patrick
Sue Gilbert
The 4H Swine Club held its annual pulled pork lunch sale at the Genesee County Fairgrounds today.
Whiskey 7, the World War II-era plane based in Livingston County, was practicing touch-and-gos at the Genesee County Airport this afternoon.
Previously: Photos: D-Day plane stops for fuel at Genesee County Airport
Thousands of people -- high school soccer players, coaches, officials, and parents -- are in Batavia this weekend for the Empire Cup, a soccer showcase that gives high school players from throughout the Northeast a chance to play against other top players and display their skills for college recruiters.
In the parking lot were license plates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ontario, Canada, and, of course, New York.
Players were at both the Batavia Sports Park on State Street Road and at Genesee Community College.
The event brings an estimated $500,000 into the local economy. The Empire Cup is supposed to go for two weeks, but the boys' event was rained out last weekend.
Area volunteer firefighters and staff from Emergency Services were at Kiwanis Park in Batavia this morning to learn about setting up a system of booms over water that would be deployed in the case of an oil spill.
The idea is, say, a tanker overturns and accidentally dumps its cargo and it flows into the Tonawanda Creek, which could cause significant environmental damage, including damage to farm fields.
The booms would float on the top of the water and divert the water into an outlet where it could be collected for proper disposal.
The boom system is deployed with a rope gun and consists of booms that are each 50-feet long and can be locked together.
The instructor was David Sweeny, of Gallagher Marine.
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