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SUNY GCC Spring President's List announced

By Billie Owens

BATAVIA, NY (06/20/2018)-- A total of 280 students from Genesee Community College are named to the President's List for the Spring 2018 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

Miranda Schiller of Alexander, NY

Alexis Hackmer of Alexander, NY

Haley Wasikowski of Alexander, NY

Nathan Henry of Alexander, NY

Mary Guarino of Alexander, NY

Trey Nadolinski of Basom, NY

Cassidy Miller of Batavia, NY

Quinten Weis of Batavia, NY

Marissa Jacques of Batavia, NY

Gregory Mruczek of Batavia, NY

Joshua Barton of Batavia, NY

Tessa Lynn of Batavia, NY

Alexander Rigerman of Batavia, NY

Abby Stendts of Batavia, NY

Cory Feary of Batavia, NY

Samuel Lang of Batavia, NY

Daisy Cervantes of Batavia, NY

Sabrina Walton of Batavia, NY

Neve Georgia of Batavia, NY

Jessica Caryl of Batavia, NY

Angelina Miconi of Batavia, NY

Alexis DeLong of Batavia, NY

Danielle Shaffer of Batavia, NY

Nicholas Callisher-Pucillo of Batavia, NY

Lisa Heath of Batavia, NY

Matthew Fouquet of Batavia, NY

William Rippel of Batavia, NY

Lydia Aquina of Batavia, NY

Ashlee Ohlson of Batavia, NY

Jessica Accardi of Batavia, NY

Shelby Hill of Batavia, NY

Audra Davis of Batavia, NY

Emily Lontkowski of Batavia, NY

Leighann Howland of Batavia, NY

Samantha Hyback of Batavia, NY

Megan West of Batavia, NY

Katelyn Brown of Corfu, NY

Shaunna Conti of Corfu, NY

Alex Bookmiller of Corfu, NY

Kaylee Schaber of Corfu, NY

Lynne Blake of Corfu, NY

Morgan Miller of Corfu, NY

Spencer Graff of Corfu, NY

Rachel Miller of Corfu, NY

Katharine Smallwood of Corfu, NY

Kiara Santiago of Corfu, NY

Melinda Neal of Corfu, NY

Alexander Breissinger of Darien Center, NY

Zachary Paris of East Bethany, NY

Brian Wlazlak of East Bethany, NY

Jenna Huntington of Elba, NY

Susan Boula of Elba, NY

Henry Stratton of Elba, NY

Laura Lundmark of Oakfield, NY

Jessica Waite of Oakfield, NY

Stephanie Halat of Oakfield, NY

Kasey Edgerton of Oakfield, NY

Lauren Graney of Stafford, NY

James Berggren of Bergen, NY

Thomas Berggren of Bergen, NY

Kristen Hale of Bergen, NY

David Mackey of Bergen, NY

Paul Elliott of Bergen, NY

Taylor McPherson of Bergen, NY

Alexandria Loewke of Bergen, NY

Amber Salway of Bergen, NY

Taylor Dimmig of Bergen, NY

Margaret-Mary Gabalski of Byron, NY

Colin Noeth of Byron, NY

Grace Campbell of Byron, NY

Kitana Maher of Byron, NY

Marissa Conte of Le Roy, NY

Haley Steen of Le Roy, NY

Dominic Filio of Le Roy, NY

Riley DeBellis of Le Roy, NY

Mary Ross of Le Roy, NY

Lauren Hull of Le Roy, NY

Valaurie Zweigle of Le Roy, NY

Megan Furr of Le Roy, NY

Ceciely Palmer of Le Roy, NY

Jamie Englerth of Le Roy, NY

Nicholas Chamoun of Le Roy, NY

Rebekah Spicer of Pavilion, NY

Maelee Sanford of Pavilion, NY

Benjamin Werner of Pavilion, NY

Genesee Community College serves more than 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics. 

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

Sponsored Post: New Listing: 6800 Junction Road, Pavilion

By Lisa Ace


New Listing Alert: 6800 Juntion Road, Pavilion. Super solid move in ready raised ranch home on quiet 1/2 acre country lot! Move in and enjoy no honey-do lists on this 3 bedroom 2 full bath home.

Downstairs features a large family room with gas fireplace, pretty ceramic floors, brand new full bath-perfect hang out room or an awesome large master bedroom suite! Upstairs features hardwood floors large open kitchen/dining/living space ideal for entertaining! Three bedrooms with full closets and another brand new bath.

Not a lot to do here but decorate! Outside is nicely landscaped and lot backs up to fields with pretty views – very easy to see. Call Lynn Bezon, Reliant Real Estate 585-344-HOME or click here for more information on this listing.

CTE awards 25 scholarships, recognizes 309 seniors' achievements at awards program

By Billie Owens

Photo: Hannah Pierson (right), Culinary Arts student from Le Roy CS, accepts the Rochester American Culinary Federation Scholarship and Chef Russell Bugbee Memorial Award from Chef Tracy Burgio, Culinary Arts instructor at the Batavia CTE Center. 

Submitted photo and press release:

Batavia, New York, June 25 – The Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center recently celebrated the achievements of 309 seniors at an awards program earlier this month at Le Roy High School. During this ceremony, 25 scholarship awards were presented.

The scholarship winners, their programs and home schools are noted below.

Student of the Year (a.m.): Casey Shaw, Pembroke CSD, Health Dimensions

Student of the Year (p.m.): Zachary Boneberg, Le Roy CSD, Criminal Justice

Blakeslee Award: Christian Bradt, Oakfield-Alabama CSD, Building Trades

Donald Abramo Jr. Memorial Award: Vanessa Horseman, Batavia CSD, Metal Trades; Garrett Sando, Byron-Bergen CSD, Metal Trades

Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship: Matthew Kurowski, Attica CSD, Metal Trades

Master Manufacturing Scholarship: Matthew Kurowski, Attica CSD, Metal Trades

James P. Donnelly Memorial Award: Bradly Arnold, Oakfield-Alabama CSD, Building Trades; Cameron Brumsted, Byron-Bergen CSD, Building Trades

Paul Levin’s Memorial Award: Ethan Conrad, Notre Dame -- Batavia, Building Trades

Batavia Rod & Gun Club Memorial Scholarship: Brandon Lewis, Byron-Bergen CSD, Building Trades

Roy H. Turnbull Memorial Scholarship Award: Kyler Chambry, Byron-Bergen CSD, Building Trades

Ignatius J. Radesi Memorial Award: Benjamin Lathan, Byron-Bergen CSD, Building Trades

Pullinzi Family Scholarship: Christopher Decker, Attica CSD, Building Trades

Building Trades Alumni Award: Joseph Aguglia, Attica CSD, Building Trades

Homeowner Award: Chandler Bow, Byron-Bergen CSD, Building Trades

Jason H. Rowcliffe Memorial Scholarship: Timothy Herter, Attica CSD, Culinary Arts

Chef Russell Bugbee Memorial Award: Hannah Pierson, Le Roy CSD, Culinary Arts

Rochester American Culinary Federation Scholarship: Hannah Pierson, Le Roy CSD, Culinary Arts

Josh Mouery Memorial Award: Danny Pernesky, Le Roy CSD, Culinary Arts

B.J. Mancuso Memorial Award: Taylor Almeter, Attica CSD, Cosmetology

Batavia Rotary Club Memorial Fund Scholarship: Rachel Tebor, Pembroke CSD, Cosmetology

Dr. Charles Holowach Memorial Scholarship: Kim Davis, Pavilion CSD, Health Careers Academy; Paige Perry, Attica CSD, Health Careers Academy; Ethan Hutchins, Notre Dame Batavia, Health Careers Academy.

###

The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State. 

Grand Jury: Woman charged with four felonies under Leandra's Law

By Billie Owens

Rachael M. Lochner is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 4 in the Town of Pavilion that Lochner drove a 2016 Mazda on South Street Road while having a BAC of .08 or more and while a child age 15 or less was a passenger in the vehicle. In counts two, three and four the same crime is alleged while a second, third and fourth child, respectively, ages 15 or less, were passengers in the vehicle. In count five, she is accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, per se, as a misdemeanor, for having a BAC of .18 or more at the time.

Brandon C. McCoy is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 27 in the Town of Pembroke that McCoy possessed brass knuckles. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, the defendant is accused of having been convicted of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, on Aug. 3 in Wyoming County Court. That conviction forms the basis for the current indictment.

Brandon C. Morgan and Kyle Z. Morgan are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of marijuana in the third degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 13 in the Town of Stafford that they knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more prepartation, compounds, mixtures or substances containing marijuana that had an aggregate weight of more than eight ounces.

Grand Jury: Man indicted for sex crimes allegedly involving 'physically helpless' victim in Pavilion

By Billie Owens

Jerod M. Baltz is indicated for the crime of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that on March 18 on Sparks Road in the Town of Pavilion that Baltz engaged in oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion. In count two, he is accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that he engaged in oral sexual conduct with another person without the person's consent and this lack of consent was by reason of some other factor than incapacity to consent -- physically helpless (NYS Penal Law 130.05(2)(d). In count three, the defendant is accused of first-degree rape, a Class B violent felony, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion. In count four, Baltz is accused of third-degree rape, a Class E felony, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with another person without the person's concent and this lack of consent was by reason of some other factor than incapacity to consent -- physically helpless. In count five, Baltz is again accused of criminal sexual act in the first degree. It is alleged in count five that he engaged in a second act of oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion. In count six, the defendant is again accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree. In count six, he allegedly engaged in a second act of oral sexual contact with another person without the person's consent and this lack of consent was by reason of some other factor than incapacity to consent -- physically helpless. In count seven, Baltz is again accused of first-degree rape for allegedly engaging in a second act of sexual intecourse with another person who incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. In count eight, Baltz is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or circulation, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intending to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of a person. The allegations in counts two through eight also allegedly took place on Sparks Road, Pavilion, on March 18.

Qumane J. Santiago and Jaequele M. Tomlin are indicted for the crime of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 18 in the City of Batavia that the defendants' intentional conduct constituted a Class C felony to be performed: second-degree robbery. In count two, Tomlin is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged in count two that Tomlin possessed a dangerous instrument -- a sock with a rock or piece of concrete in it, with the intent to use it unlawfully against another person.

Steven D. Fronczak is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that one Feb. 24 in the Town of Le Roy that the defendant drove a 2012 Chevrolet on Route 19 while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, he is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly have a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In count three, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for driving while his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities, and he did so allegedly while under the influence of alcohol or a drug. In count four, Fronczak is accused of circumventing an interlock ignition device, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count four that the 2012 Chevrolet was not equipped with an interlock ignition device, which he is required to have by court order. In count five, he is accused of the offense of use of a mobile telephone while operating a vehicle, a violation. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Fronczak is accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on March 6, 2017, in Town of Le Roy Court and this conviction was within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of selling drugs to Task Force agent

By Howard B. Owens

Dustin L. Landin, 39, of James Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th. Landin is accused of selling a quantity of a controlled substance to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on two occasions. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Antwan Maurice Maye, 35, of 10th Street, Butner, N.C., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and speeding. Maye was stopped for allegedly speeding on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion at 2:51 a.m. Tuesday by Deputy James Stack.

Jeanna Marie Hattaway, 31, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Hattaway allegedly stole $114.09 worth of merchandise from Walmart at 3:01 p.m. on Tuedsay. At the time of her arrest, she was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

William Richard Kapelke, 36, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with trespass and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Kapelke was arrested following an investigation into a theft at Walmart reported at 3:01 p.m., Tuesday.

Edwin L. Stancliff, 39, of Corfu, is charged with menacing, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Stancliff is accused of menacing a person with a weapon at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Town of Pembroke. The case was investigated by State Police. Stancliff was jailed. No further details released.

Golden retrievers missing in Pavilion, one a therapy dog

By Howard B. Owens

A pair of golden retrievers are missing the Morrow Road area, off Route 246, in Pavilion.

A reward is offered for their safe return. No questions asked.

One of the dogs critically requires medication. One of the dogs is a therapy dog.

E-mail Barbara Beach: barbbeachrealestate@yahoo.com.

Plans in place to station school resource officers in Alexander, Pavilion, and Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

By the fall, three deputies with the Sheriff's Office will become school resource officers in Alexander, Pavilion and Pembroke, so the County Legislature is being asked to add three new positions to the Sheriff's Office staff.

Sheriff William Sheron said the three deputies who will become SROs have been interviewed by their respective school districts and approved. He plans to announce their names next week after the Legislature approves the new positions and the contracts with the school districts.

The deputies will join Deputy Matt Butler, serving Byron-Bergen, and Deputy Chad Cummings at BOCES.

Pavilion has budgeted for a deputy serving as SRO for 12 months. Alexander and Pembroke, for 10.

The members of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday had questions about what happens with the SROs when school is out of session.

For BOCES and Byron-Bergen, there are events, as well as summer school, where the deputies' presence is possible.

In Butler's case, Sheron said the deputy will also build up a lot of comp time over the course of a school year, primarily from covering sporting events, and that Butler will take his comp time and vacation time during the summer. He will also work some road patrol and assist with Darien Lake security.

This will be the first summer for Cummings since becoming SRO at BOCES.

Each deputy will decide how to balance ongoing school needs, vacation and comp time during the summer, Sheron said.

In the case of the district's with only 10-month contracts, those deputies are more likely to wind up back on road patrol during the summer.

"Historically, both these schools that have them now, started off with 10 months but went to a whole year," said Legislator Gordon Dibble, former chief deputy for the Sheriff's Office. "I don’t think there is any reason these other schools won’t experience the same thing and eventually absorb that cost. I think it’s getting your foot in the door. It’s a lot easier to get your foot in the door for 10 and then add 12 after, from what I've seen."

Patrick McGee, principal at Byron-Bergen High School, attended Wednesday's meeting to discuss his school's experience with an SRO. He said Butler is more than a cop on the beat. He's a mentor, a positive influence, and a deterrent.

"He was at the prom," McGee said. "That’s the ultimate thing — no kids are going to come to the prom under the influence when you have a drug recognition expert. They know he’s standing right there. It’s not to scare them but it is a deterrent to certain behavior."

There's no price you can put on the safety of children, Sheron said, and such deterrence is invaluable.

"That’s the thing with deterrence," Sheron said. "You don’t know what you’re stopping. You’ll never know."

Consumer Science students at Pavilion come up with winning plans for beef-based food products

By Howard B. Owens

The Family Consumer Science students at Pavilion Senior High School and Middle School have been recognized for the creativity and hard work in coming up with a beef-based food product.

The competition was sponsored by the NY Beef Council and New York Agriculture in the Classroom.

The middle school students competed with students from eight other middle schools and took first place and the two, just two, seniors in the class, came in second in a competition among 21 high schools.

The $350 total in prize money was used to purchase a new Weber grill from Crocker's Ace Hardware in Le Roy.

The middle school students came up with a product they called Grabbables. It consisted of a meatball, Hawaiian roll, and mozzarella.

"It was really fun," said eighth-grader Alexa Wolcott, who was in charge of quality control for the middle school students.

"Well," added the group's CEO, Adeline Milligan, "you get food in the end."

The two classes were served a catered lunch yesterday of BBQ beef, baked beans, potato salad, and salad, courtesy the Beef Council.

The competition required the students to develop a recipe, determine a target market, come up with a marketing campaign and cost out their expenses and anticipated revenue.

"There's a lot to manage," Milligan said. "You learn what actually goes into running a business."

The competition is meant to be demanding, said Cindy Phillips, director of nutritional education for the Beef Council.

"This is a project that really challenges them to apply all of their classroom learning, from math to critical thinking, social studies, into an experiential project," she said.

Catherine Johnston, AKA "Miss J," is Pavilion's Consumer Family Science teacher. She said it was important to her to get her students involved in the competition because of the lessons they would learn.

"I really want to promote the fact that Family Consumer Science is the next step from ag," Miss J said. "We are the processors. We freeze things. We dry things. We can things. We learn all about food science in my class.

"I'm hoping students want to go into the new factories that are around here and become lab techs. There are a lot of job opportunities that go into this besides being a chef."

Accident, unknown injuries, Texaco Town

By Howard B. Owens

A two-car motor vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported in Texaco Town -- Route 63 and Route 20, Pavilion.

There had been an erratic driver call in the area a few minutes before the accident but that vehicle was a green Jeep and apparently there isn't a green Jeep involved in this accident.

Unknown injuries.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

The accident is blocking. Dispatch has received multiple calls on it.

UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: First responder confirms, vehicles are blocking. Everybody is out of the vehicles.

UPDATE 6:53 p.m.: Route 63 is reopened.

Eight Genesee County students earn degrees from Nazareth College in Pittsford

By Billie Owens

Five Nazareth College undergraduate students who are from Genesee County earned their bachelor's degrees at the 91st Annual Commencement ceremony that took place at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester on May 13.

  • Marissa Colantonio, of Batavia, graduated with a bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science.
  • Savannah Gill, of Le Roy, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Education.
  • Hannah Green, of Byron, graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology.
  • Siena Pullinzi, of Batavia, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Studio Art.
  • Dakota Pursel, of Pavilion, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology.

In addition, three Genesee County students earned graduate degrees and were recognized at the May 13 Commencement. They are:

  • Sarah Gray, of Corfu, earned their Master of Science in Music Therapy.
  • Brittni Loewke, of Bergen, earned their Master of Social Work in Social Work.
  • Andrea Raphael, of Batavia, earned their Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts.

The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in Pittsford, a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y., challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.

Family of heroes revive heart attack victim after accident in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

There is a man at UMMC tonight who may live because a family residing on South Street Road in Pavilion acted fast to pull him from the wreckage of his truck after he apparently suffered a heart attack, performed CPR, and called 9-1-1.

"I looked out my kitchen window," Eileen Ostrander said. "I ask my son and my granddaughter, 'is it raining that hard or is there a fire?' We went the kitchen door and then we heard the tires spinning. It was still in gear."

They didn't realize at first that somebody might need their assistance.

"It took a second to realize what was happening," said her son, Joe Condidorio. "You know, a lot of people on four-wheelers, tractors, so we took a few steps and we looked at each other and we realized what was going on and we just sprinted toward the truck."

Ostrander said she used to be a track star but this time her son beat her to the truck.

The truck was wedged into a grove of pine trees on the other side of a field across the road from their house.

When they got to the blue pickup truck, it was still in gear, the man's foot was full-throttle on the gas, smoke was spewing from the back tires and the driver was slumped over the wheel.

Condidorio undid his seat belt, turned off the engine and slapped him gently on his face to see if he would respond. His daughter, Isabella, called 9-1-1.

"He was unresponsive," Condidorio said.

Ostrander, who has worked for HomeCare & Hospice and Crossroads House, felt for a pulse. There was none.

Condidorio pulled the man from the vehicle and into the field. Ostrander started CPR.

Often times, dispatchers must talk a person through CPR procedures but Ostrander knew what to do.

"Actually, when I had my children it was the best thing I ever could have done was to take the CPR course," Ostrander said. "Everyone should."

By the time medics arrived, the man's pulse had returned and an EKG showed he had suffered a heart attack. At the time he was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC, he had a regular heartbeat.

Condidorio said what his mom did was amazing and the family pulled together in a team effort.

"She probably couldn’t have gotten him where I got him to," he said. "She took over from there, so it was a great team, and with my daughter calling 9-1-1, too."

(Initial Report)

Serious injury accident reported on South Street Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A serious-injury accident is reported in the area of 9663 South Street Road, Pavilion, near the town line with Le Roy.

A person was ejected from the vehicle; CPR in progress.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS dispatched. Mercy Flight on in-air standby.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 8:34: p.m.: A landing zone for the helicopter is being set up.

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: Residents in the area heard an engine revving; upon inspection, they found a truck wedged in a grove of pine trees, its driver passed out and unresponsive with his foot on the gas pedal, wheels spinning in place. His body had no pulse. A nearby resident arrived on scene, turned off the engine and pulled the victim out of the vehicle and onto the ground. That rescuer's mother, who is a nurse, was also there and performed CPR. The victim was subsequently taken via ground ambulance by Mercy medics to UMMC.

(Follow Up)

Pavilion Central School students take top honors in Beef Contest, get catered BBQ lunch, money for new grill

By Billie Owens

Information provided by Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Pavilion Central School.

Students at Pavilion Central School are being treated to a delicious BBQ beef lunch on Wednesday, May 23, in recognition of their achievements in the recent Top Cut Beef Contest.

The catered lunch is being provided by the New York State Beef Council and New York Agriculture in the Classroom.

Ag in the Classroom is co-hosting the lunch later this month because Pavilion students established three Tower Gardens (aeroponic systems) thanks to a Grow with Us grant from Ag in the Classroom. They are growing strawberries, lettuce, Swiss chard, tomatoes, basil and cucumbers.

Pavilion's eighth-grade Family Consumer Science students placed first in the Middle School Division of the Top Cut Beef Contest for their product, "Grab-A-Bull's Beefy Sliders."

It was the only school in Genesee County to place in the top five of the Middle School Division.

In the High School Division, Pavilion's 12th-grade Family Consumer Science class placed second for their "Gourmet Beef and Tatar Bites."

Both classes are taught by Catherine Johnston.

Pavilion won a total of $350, thus purchasing a Weber grill for their Family Consumer Science classroom.

A class taught by Kerri Richardson at the Agri-Business Academy at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center received an Honorable Mention in the High School Division for their "Texas Beef Chili -- Chili con Carne."

About the Top Cut Beef Contest

Slow-roasted beef brisket sandwiches, flaming maple beef jerky, and a Texas chuck roast chili were just a few of the delicious recipes developed, tested, and tasted in the debut of the Top Cut Beef Contest for middle and high school students.

Students and teachers in grades six through 12 were exposed to beef production and nutrition with this experiential learning competition by developing a marketing strategy for a food product of their choice and design.

Every classroom was equipped with a "True Beef: From Pasture to Plate" DVD, the True Beef Educator Guide, lesson plans, and consumer guides to better understand the many cuts of beef and their best uses.

Schools were paired with a local beef producer who mentored the students through the process of beef production or supplied the beef necessary for the project. In this hands-on experience, students were exposed to careers in the beef industry and learned about safe food-handling practices.

Participants created beef-centric recipes which they made and tested with their target audience. Submissions included sandwiches, stews, meatballs, and even jerky.

The creativity with this contest was unlimited as students filmed their own commercials and designed websites to market their products.

One of the judges, Ken Krutz, manager of Empire Livestock and board member of New York Beef Council, said of the entries, "I was amazed at the talent and innovation our youth put into their projects. It was an honor to be a judge for the Top Cut Beef Contest."

A total of 30 entries were submitted for judging by a panel of beef producers and industry experts. Each entry was scored based on the product, the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the beef nutrition analysis.

The first-place classroom in each division received $250, second place earned $100, and third place earned $50; all receive a banner to display their achievement, and the first-place teams, like Pavilion's eighth-graders, are also receiving a catered barbeque lunch from the New York Beef Council.

New York State Beef Council thanked participating schools for increasing the agricultural literacy of their students. "It is our hope that they will grow an appreciation of New York’s food system and gain exposure to the many careers available in agriculture," the council stated.

(To enter your classroom in a future contest, or to volunteer your time as a mentor, please contact nyaitc@cornell.edu.)

Grow With Us Grant

Below is the letter Pavilion Central School teacher Catherine Johnston received from Katie Carpenter, director, New York Agriculture in the Classroom, regarding the Grow with Us Grant.

"Congratulations! You have been selected as a recipient of the Grow with Us Grant from New York Agriculture in the Classroom. Your grant application communicated your school’s need, interest, and commitment to providing healthy food and food system education to your students. The applicant pool for this program was deep and competitive; less than 25 percent of the submitted proposals were funded. You should be proud of your achievement in this difficult selection process.

You have been awarded three Tower Garden aeroponic systems.

Within the next week you will be receiving an emailed link. It will be important for you to thoroughly read the information about accepting the grow system, provide an accurate shipping address, and confirm your contact information. This will be essential to ensuring your grow system is shipped and received in a timely manner. Once this information is received, you will be provided additional information about the shipment of your grow system.

We are excited to work with you and your school as you extend your growing season throughout the entire school year. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Again, congratulations on your success in the Grow with Us Grant program."

Ranzenhofer secures $325,000 for new water tower in Town of Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has announced today $325,000 in state funding to support a Water Storage Tank Improvement Project in the Town of Pavilion. 

“Clean drinking water isn’t a luxury for our families, it’s essential. I am pleased to secure state funding to ensure safe drinking water for residents in the Town of Pavilion. This landmark investment will make it possible to extend water services to over 200 households that don’t have access now,” Ranzenhofer said. 

The project will expand access to public water for 232 households in the Town of Pavilion. The project will also provide additional water storage tank protection during emergency conditions to 90 homes already connected to public water along Asbury, Walker, York, Perry, and South Street Roads in the Town of Pavilion.

“Senator Ranzenhofer is working to make water service possible for many homes desperately in need of a safe, reliable water supply, and this state funding will help to make our Town’s water improvement project a reality,” said Town of Pavilion Supervisor Dean Davis. 

The Town of Pavilion Water Storage Tank Improvement Project consists of replacing and relocating an existing water storage tank that has deteriorated beyond repair. The new water storage tank will have an estimated capacity of approximately 300,000 gallons. It will be located on York Road in the Town of Pavilion. 

The Town of Pavilion will host a public hearing today at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Woodrow Drive, to provide more information about the project to residents.

Structure fire on Route 63, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A fire is reported at 6875 Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion.

The fire reportedly started with an ATV in a shop. A house is 20 feet from the shop.

Ellicott Street Road is being closed.

Pavilion fire, Stafford fire, Bethany fire, Le Roy fire, and Alexander's Fast Team dispatched.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: The fire started with a four-wheeler in the shop and the first unit on scene reported a fully involved structure fire, according to Pavilion Chief Dewey Murrock. "It was pretty intense heat," Murrock said. "The first truck in, we watered down the house and then watering down the garage." (The siding of the house sustained heat damage.)

In addition to the ATV, two tractors and another piece of farm equipment were lost.  

UPDATE 10:35 p.m.: Route 63 is being reopened.

UPDATE: Photos submitted by Judy Johnson

Brush fire reported off of South Street Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A passerby reports a large brush fire in the area of 9779 South Street Road, near Black Street Road, Pavilion.

The fire is reportedly heading toward a barn.

Pavilion fire dispatched.

Pavilion man accused of first degree rape

By Howard B. Owens

Jerod Matthew Baltz, 38, of Sparks Road, Pavilion, is charged with rape, 1st, and criminal sexual act, 1st. Sparks is accused of sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion on March 18 at a location on Sparks Road, Pavilion.

He was arraigned in Town of Pavilion Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. 

School bus accident, minor injuries, in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A school bus was reportedly rear-ended by a vehicle at the railroad crossing on Route 63 in Pavilion.

Minor injuries are reported.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:12 a.m.: Mercy EMS can respond non-emergency. One Mercy rig is back in service.

UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: Pavilion is back in service. Mercy EMS is transporting patients to Strong hospital.

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