pembroke

Reader Tera Reinhardt sent us a couple photos taken on South Lake Road in Pembroke, where there was some weather-related damage.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Genesee County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Accepted this year will be pills; other solids such as patches; needles or other sharps; and vape pens and cartridges (no lithium batteries). If lithium batteries cannot be removed, the DEA advises people to find places that recycle lithium ion batteries. Liquids are also not accepted.

These can all be brought to the collection sites below for disposal:  

• Pembroke Town Hall, routes 5 at 77, Pembroke -- items to be received by Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies;
• Batavia Police Department Headquarters, 10 W. Main St. (rear parking lot), Batavia -- items to be received by Batavia police officers
• Le Roy Police Department Headquarters, 3 W. Main St., Le Roy -- items to be received by Village of Le Roy police officers

The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

(The Batavia Police Department would also like to remind citizens of the drug and sharps drop boxes that are available 24/7 in the rear vestibule at BPD HQ.)

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety, health and environmental hazards.

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Nathan Falsone, 35, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Falsone was arrested at 11:11 a.m. on Oct. 9 p.m. on Maple Street in Batavia after he allegedly contacted a protected party of an order of protection. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of unspecified bail. He is due back in city court on Oct. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Garrett Lloyd Strickland, 27, of Beach Drive, Medina, is charged with trespass and second-degree harassment. At 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 14, Strickland was arrested on Church Street in Pembroke. He allegedly continued to contact the victim several times after being advised to cease all contact with the victim. Garrett was also allegedly found on the victim's property after being told he was no longer allowed on the property. Garrett was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to be in Pembroke Town Court on Oct. 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Tessa L. Engel, 21, of Wade Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; refusal to submit to a roadside breath test; unreasonable speed at special hazards; and moving from lane unsafely. Engel was arrested at 12:12 a.m. on Oct. 12 on East Main Street in Batavia after a personal injury accident. She was issued computer-generated tickets and was released to family members. Engel is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, ssisted by Officer Peter Post.

Lemar J. Leach, 34, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated and DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more. Leach was arrested at 3:31 a.m. on East Main Street in Batavia after an unspecified incident at McDonald's restaurant. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Oct. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Megan Elaine Ranlett, 28, of Gibson Street, Oakfield, is charged with: second-degree forgery, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree; and petit larceny. Ranlett was arrested, no date or time specified, after allegedly filing false information April 12 on an application for Social Service benefits, which she subsequently received based on that information. She is due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Construction has begun on the new Western New York National Cemetary in Pembroke though the initial plan for Phase I construction has been cut back because of budget constraints, Veterans Affairs officials told a gathering of veterans Wednesday in Corfu.

The 132-acre cemetery will accommodate the remains of 96,000 veterans over the next 70 years but veterans at Wednesday's meeting were most concerned about the here-and-now: delays in construction; the need to scale back Phase I; and either budget shortfalls or mistakes by the VA in estimating construction costs.

Congress originally appropriated $36 million for the cemetery but the VA is now asking for an additional $10 million to complete construction.

One of the key legislative supporters of the cemetery has been Sen. Charles Schumer and his regional director, Chris Zelmann told veterans Wednesday that the senator continues to support the project and will fight for more funding once the VA validates the need for the additional $10 million in funding.

"It's paramount to the senator to make sure the VA moves heaven and earth to make good on its commitment to honoring our heroes in Western New York to ensure they can use the benefits they've earned and deserve," Zelmann said.

The vast majority of men and women who served in the U.S. military and received any discharge other than dishonorable are eligible for free interment at a national cemetery. 

Burials at the cemetery are expected to begin as late next year but for veterans who wish to have their remains cremated, their families will have to wait until Phase I-B is completed, perhaps not until 2022.

That phase will contain a columbarium, an arc-shaped area with rows of columns that will hold boxes for cremated remains. 

One woman at Wednesday's town hall said she's been storing her husband's cremated remains for four years.

One reason for the delay in construction said James Metcalfe, the new director of the WNY National Cemetery (top photo), in his experience working with two different contractors -- each phase has different construction contractors -- simultaneously can make it difficult to accommodate funerals. The goal is to get one section open for burials as soon as possible, then finish that construction before the second contractor begins work.

"We want internment and ceremonies taking place while there isn't so much underway at the same time both to maintain safety and a level of decorum," Metcalfe said.

One veteran expressed concern about the plan to use, temporarily, a trailer to house members of the honor guard. He said being an honor guard is physically and emotionally taxing and on days when they are performing services for multiple funerals, the members need a place to rest, relax, eat, and "hang their hat." He expressed concern that a trailer wouldn't be adequate.

Metcalfe said that while he can't provide the exact specifications of the trailer, he assured veterans that it would be appropriate and comfortable for members of the honor guard.

Eventually, the honor guard will have a permanent structure appropriate to their needs.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, while acknowledging the bipartisan support for the veterans cemetery, said it's important for veterans and their families to keep the pressure on federal elected officials to ensure the project is appropriately funded. He said veterans should keep emailing and writing letters in support of funding.

"These are the people who served their country and they deserve a place to be buried with honor and dignity," Hawley said. "I'm not blaming any of you (motioning toward the VA officials). Even though some of us come from different political parties, it doesn't matter when it comes to taking care of our veterans.

"Today, I emailed Senator Schumer and my contact in the Trump Administration. If it's the money, it shouldn't matter when it comes to taking care of our veterans."

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

The Pembroke Dragons placed second in the Warsaw Volley Tournament over the weekend.

The Dragons beat Alexander in the semifinals but fell to Warsaw in the finals in three games. Dekari Moss and Olivia Metz were named to the tournament all-star team.

Gabrielle M. Chaplin, 28, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, and Trevon L. Armstrong, 34, of Denio Street, Batavia, and Darius L. Jones, 27, of Exchange Street, Attica, are charged with several crimes in connection with a traffic stop of a single vehicle at 12:22 p.m. on Oct. 2 at East Avenue and Ross Street in the City of Batavia. An investigation pursuant to a traffic stop for failing to signal a turn, allegedly revealed that marijuana, oxycodone and a loaded hangun were inside the vehicle. A 10-month-old child was allegedly in the back seat and not properly secured in a child-restraint seat; the child was also allegedly in proximity to the handgun. All subjects were arraigned in Batavia City Court and all were to appear again in court Thursday morning (Oct. 3). All are charged with: criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor; endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. In addition, Jones is charged with exposure of a person, a violation. And Chaplin is also charged with failure to give notice, a traffic infraction, and improper/no child restraint, another traffic infraction. Armstrong and Jones were jailed without bail; Chaplin was jailed in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. The incident was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Christopher Parker, assisted by Deputy Christopher Erion and K-9 "Frankie," Sgt. Michael Lute, Sgt. James Diehl, Investigator Ronald Welker, Det. James DeFreze, and Batavia Police officers Felicia DeGroot, Jordan McGinnis, Stephen Cronmiller, Mitchell Cowen and Adam Tucker.

Jeffrey D. Hart, 40, of Sumner Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree; driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; speeding; and refusal to take a breath test. On Oct. 3 following a traffic stop at 9:55 p.m. on Route 77 in the Village of Corfu, Hart was arrested. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Pembroke Town Court on Oct. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Saile.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will perform its fall concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, in Pembroke High School Auditorium.

It is located at 8750 Alleghany Road, Pembroke (routes 5 and 77).

S. Shade Zajaz is the music director and conducter.

"Symphonic Pictures I -- Portraits" will feature:

• "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" by Debussy
• "Jon Henry" by Copland
• "The Swan of Tuonela" by Sibelius
• "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky, with arrangements by Ravel

Tickets are $15 for adults; seniors $10; students with student ID, free.

Tickets are available at Roxy's Music Store, GO ART!, The Wyngodess Shop, and Bank of Castile in Le Roy.

This concert is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature and administered by GO ART!

Press release:

The sets are being built, the costumes are being bloodied and now the talent has been cast for next month's production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at Genesee Community College!

Brodie McPherson, director of the show and also GCC's instructor of Theater Technology, released the cast list today (Sept. 27) for what promises to be the college's biggest theater production of the season!

GCC's Forum Players Theatre Company will perform Richard O'Brien's “The Rocky Picture Horror Show,” Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and again Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in the College's Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will feature GCC students representing many majors and four different countries, as well as a GCC alumnus. Audiences will enjoy the talent, style and a little craziness from the following:

• Tiago Marques, of São Paulo, Brazil, as Frank-N-Furter
• Runo Suzuki, of Hokkaido, Japan, as Janet Weiss
• Samuel G. Rigerman, of Batavia, as Brad Majors
• Benjamin Reiner, of Pembroke, as Riff Raff
• Lacey Sloat, of Bergen, as Magenta
• Fu Kikuchi, of Fukuoka, Japan, as Columbia
• Chris Barbis, of Pavilion, as Rocky Horror
• Jack Diskin, of Le Roy, as Eddie and a Phantom
• Grant Calcote, of Le Roy, as Dr. Everett V. Scott and a Phantom
• Josh Pacino, (GCC classes of 2008 and 2009), of Batavia, as The Narrator
• Marissa Carbonell, of Batavia, as Trixie The Usherette and a Phantom

And playing Phantoms throughout the productions will be:

• Marissa Carbonell, of Batavia
• Sam Ciesla, of Hamburg
• Haylea-Ann Nicole Self, of Brockton
• Brittany Mayes, of Medina
• Jessie Pierce, of Batavia
• Tiffany Smith, of Arkport
• Brandon Ribbeck, of Warsaw
• Ai Jitozono, of Nagasaki, Japan
• Ayaka Nakamura, of Osaka, Japan
• Francesca Pieter, of Willemstad, Curaçao
• Alyssa Young, of Brockport
• Andrew DeMeo, of Staten Island

This show will take full advantage of all the high-tech sound and lighting equipment at the College's state-of-the-art theater. The full scene and costume shops provide dynamic sets, clothing and special effects to take this production over the top. In addition, special "Goodie Bags" to be sold for $5 are in development as is some pre-show, intermission and post-show opportunities for the audience to interact with the cast.

"This show promises to be among the most memorable experiences not only for GCC's Forum Players, but also for our audience and supporters. It really is not to be missed," McPherson said. "Everyone should enjoy the perfect prelude to the Halloween season with a performance that is 'out of this world!' "

Tickets for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," performed by GCC's Forum Players Theatre Company, are: $8 for adults; and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.

To reserve seats, contact the GCC box office today at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814. Seating is limited and advance reservations are strongly advised. The show is designed for mature audiences only.

Editor's Note: This post was updated Sept. 26 to include more information about Genesee County, see below ***.

From the NYS Association of Counties:

Across New York State, local governments are enacting local laws, adopting energy-saving initiatives, taking steps toward climate resiliency, and collaborating to develop programs for supporting more resilient communities.

“As we celebrate Climate Week, it must be noted counties across New York are investing in hundreds of initiatives to combat climate change and promote more climate resilient communities,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Through state programs such as Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities, counties are acting to both mitigate their environmental impact and save taxpayer dollars in the process.

Counties will also be key partners with the state in meeting the goals established by the recently-enacted New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation set the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goals of any major economy and will put New York State on a path to carbon neutrality.

“Our county leaders are in a unique position to work with state, federal, and local agencies on environmental issues, and to develop partnerships to mitigate and prepare for the impact of climate change on our communities,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “During this Climate Week, we are highlighting the programs underway in our communities.”

________________________________

***Genesee County received a Smart Growth grant from the NYS Department of State for climate resiliency planning: 

When the grant was announced last September, Genesee County Legislature Chairman Robert Bausch said, "The Smart Growth grant program has provided some of our State's most vulnerable counties with the resources they need to ensure they are prepared for the next severe weather event.

"We can never be sure when the next disastrous storm will hit. With this funding to build more resilient communities and fight against the devastating effects, Governor Cuomo is creating a more sustainable New York for all."

Genesee County was among five Upstate counties chosen to divvy up a total of $1 million to develop resiliency plans and identify projects while incorporating the principles of smart, sustainable growth and development.

The plans funded through the grant will address:

• An increase in frequency and severity of storm and precipitation events;
• Sea-level rise;
• Storm surge;
• Coastal and riverine flooding;
• Drought; and
• Debris and ice jams.

For the first phase, they mapped the whole county and worked closely with four municipalities (see below). Now, for Phase 2, they're hoping to work with as many communities as possible.

The person overseeing the local Smart Growth planning and projects is county Planning Director Felipe Oltramari (Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us).

The Green Geneese/Smart Genesee plan is available online here.

________________________________

 To learn more about the climate actions counties have undertaken, check out the NYS Energy Research & Development Authority's Clean Energy Communities map here.

Village of Bergen (2010 Census population: 1,176)

Clean Energy Community -- designated

• 4 High Impact Areas Completed: Unified Solar Permit; LED Street Lights; Energy Code Enforcement Training; Benchmarking.

Town of Batavia -- (2010 Census population: 6,809)

Village of Corfu (2010 Census population: 709)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Town of Pembroke (2010 Census population: 4,292)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Pembroke Intermediate School in Corfu is promoting community and wellness this week with a program called “Start with Hello."

On Tuesday morning students were greeted by police and firemen saying hello and handing out apples. The event today is part of a weeklong effort to promote emotional wellness at the school.

On Saturday, we reported that this week is Rail Safety Week, when nearly a thousand rail safety events will occur throughout North America.

​In Genesee County, there will be an event billed as a "motorist safety blitz" on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the railroad crossing on Colby Road in Pembroke, south of Route 33 (Genesee Street). The sponsors are the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, CSX and Amtrak.

The time frame was not yet determined on Saturday. Today we confirmed with the Sheriff's Office that it is set for 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Seventy-five people have died in New York State from collisions with trains since 2017. Nearly 125 more people statewide have been injured during that period.

For the previous post, click here.

Mary Thompson took this picture this morning of the sunrise over the travel plaza in Pembroke.

From Operation Lifesaver:

Seventy-five people have died in New York State from collisions with trains since 2017. Nearly 125 more people statewide have been injured during that period.

Recognizing that more publicity about track safety would save lives, a partnership between railroads, Operation Lifesaver, and state and local law enforcement, and local, state and federal agencies created Rail Safety Week in the United States and Canada in 2017.

It runs Sept. 22-28. Nearly a thousand rail safety events occur throughout North America during Rail Safety Week.

In Genesee County, there will be an event billed as a "motorist safety blitz" on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the railroad crossing on Colby Road in Pembroke, south of Route 33 (Genesee Street). The sponsors are the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, CSX and Amtrak. The time frame is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This year, Rail Safety Week introduces a campaign called #STOPTrackTragedies featuring a daily release of videos with personal stories of people whose lives were affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents.

Last year, about 2,100 people throughout North America were killed and seriously injured from collisions with trains. For nearly every collision death or injury could be avoided if people made better decisions around railroad tracks.

Nationally, vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings rose 4.3 percent in 2018. New York bucked that trend with a 35 percent reduction in collisions from 2017 to 2018.

Operation Lifesaver state coordinator Phil Merens says the safety partnership that exists between railroads, Operation Lifesaver, law enforcement and other government agencies was productive in helping reduce collisions even before Rail Safety Week began two years ago.

Heavy equipment to start shaping the land east of Route 77 and south of Indian Falls Road in Pembroke into a veterans cemetery has arrived at the work site.

Notice of Public Hearing

Information from Penny Arnold:

The Pembroke Corfu District Kiwanis Club will hold their 12th Annual Car Cruise & Fall Festival tomorrow, Sept. 15, at Pembroke Town Park on Route 77 (next to the high school).

Time is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine!

Why not take a ride in the country and head over to the Pembroke Town Park (8799 Alleghany Road (Route 77)) for an afternoon of fun, and support a great cause at the same time?

There will be music, an awesome basket raffle to benefit Crossroads House, plenty of vendors, and delicious food options available -- Babz BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs from Crossroads House, Pink Cow with breakfast sandwiches and ice cream, pizza from the wood stove, and awesome desserts.

Plus more than 200 cars are expected.

New this year is a free Kids Car Cruise for ages 8 and under, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids register your ride-on vehicle and get a kid's goody bag.

Cruise registration starts at 9 a.m. Preregistration fee is $10 per car; $15 day of the cruise.

For cruise info, call John at (716) 937-9918 or email him at drogicd@gmail.com

To preregister, download a car registration from the PCD Kiwanis website here.

Participants vote and trophies are awarded at 3 p.m.

Vehicle owners assume liability for vehicle damage.

Proceeds from the cruise registrations will benefit the PCD Kiwanis Kids Projects.

Unique dash plaques and goody bags are guaranteed for the first 100 cars. The big question of the day will be: what does this year's dash plaque look like? Come and see!

There will also be: a Kiwanis party package raffle; Crossroads House HUGE BASKET RAFFLE; 50/50 raffle; and more than 40 venders, many of them new vendors with very unique products.

File photos from the 2015 Car Cruise & Fall Festival.