Halloween

Yesterday afternoon we stopped by the ARC Recycling Center on West Main Street, Batavia, to check out the truck the folks there have decked out for Halloween.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) would like to remind the public to be safe as they celebrate Halloween this weekend.

In addition to monitoring your children while trick or treating, wearing safe and appropriate costumes, and checking candy before allowing children to eat it, the assemblyman is reminding the public that the governor has instituted a drunk driving and underage drinking crackdown for the holiday weekend.

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, there is more time to celebrate; but at the same time, there is more opportunity for accidents and poor decisions. I encourage all parents and guardians to do their best to keep their children safe this Halloween,” Hawley said. “I also encourage everyone to be vigilant when they are out on the roads. Please do not drink and drive.”

The governor’s special traffic enforcement detail will begin Friday, Oct. 30, and continue through Sunday, Nov. 1. Gov. Cuomo encouraged both the New York State Police as well as local and county law enforcement to increase patrols during the weekend. His decision was in response to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that showed 43 percent of all people killed in motor-vehicle crashes on Halloween night from 2009 to 2013 in the United States were killed in accidents involving drunk drivers. Furthermore, 19 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween night during the same time period involved drunk drivers.

A report released by the federal government in 2012 confirmed that Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for young pedestrians, with an average of 5.5 pedestrians under the age of 18 killed each Halloween (compared to an average of 2.6 on other days). Most accidents happen during dusk and early evening, when trick or treaters are out and drivers are adjusting to changing light as the sun sets.

In addition to staying safe on the street, Hawley encouraged homeowners to make their homes safe for trick or treaters arriving at their homes, making sure to clear sidewalks and front porches and have adequate lighting.

(Photo submitted by Kevin J. Keenan, community engagement coordinator for Tobacco-Free GLOW)

Press release:

Genesee SADD Council students took part in an awareness activity at BOCES earlier this week centering around Halloween and tobacco-prevention initiatives. They want to advance tobacco-free communities.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute established a tobacco-free community outreach program in 1993 and today administers three programs in Western New York: Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany (CCA); Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) and Tobacco-Free Erie-Niagara (EN). Each locally based program is funded by the New York State Department of Health/Bureau of Tobacco Control.

Its goals are to prevent youth tobacco use through the Reality Check Youth program; raise awareness about tobacco control policies; and to reduce tobacco use among adults across this region and in New York State.

Reduce Tobacco Marketing Point of Sale: Product marketing and price promotion aimed at youth are proven causes of youth tobacco use. Much of this marketing occurs at the point of sale (POS) in the retail environment and may be largely unnoticed by adults.

Increase Tobacco-Free Outdoor Areas: Tobacco use in outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds, beaches and workplaces is dangerous to the environment and presents a health risk to non-smoking adults and children.

Expand Tobacco-Free Multi-Unit Housing: Smoke-free housing protecting residents’ health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. Property managers benefit from reduced maintenance costs and decreased fire risks.

Decrease Tobacco Use Imagery: Research shows that smoking in movies and other media impacts teen perceptions of smoking norms and raises the likelihood of youth initiation.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in New York.

Adult Smoking Rates

• Genesee: 18.7 percent
• Livingston: 16.9 percent
• Orleans: 29.9 percent
• Wyoming: 22.3 percent

*Source:

New York State Department of Health – based on the most recent data (July 2009-June 2009)

http://bit.ly/13A3VEw

Press release:

Genesee County STOP DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend Halloween trick-or-treating and hosting parties with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Oct. 30^th and will end on Nov. 1st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. A review of Halloween Nights (2009-2013) shows 43 percent of all motor-vehicle deaths involved drunk driving.

Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the STOP-DWI Foundation from a grant through GTSC. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Thanksgiving and the national Holiday Season in December.

Undersheriff William Sheron said: “We know that there is a historic increase in impaired driving around Halloween. It only makes sense to increase our patrols during this time and we will.”

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. It is significant to note that in 2013, 26 percent of the fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween involved drunk drivers.

Stay safe this Halloween, don't drink and drive -- get a ride. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!

Press release:

Ready to get a head start on your trick-or-treating this year? Can't wait to show off your costume? Join 90.7FM (WGCC) on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Genesee Community College for Batavia's best family Halloween event, the fourth annual Play, Eat and Trick-or-Treat! The fun begins at 10 a.m. and will run until 2 p.m. in the GCC Forum.

New this year, youngsters will have a chance to meet and have their photo taken with their favorite Star Wars characters! The event will also feature bounce houses, face painting, movies on the big screen, games, snacks and more! Pizza and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is $3 per trick-or-treater and adults and infants are admitted FREE.

A number of big baskets will be raffled off throughout the day. Try your luck at a chance to win one of a number of big prizes featuring items such as an autographed Buffalo Sabres jersey, tickets to the Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets game on Jan. 3, gift certificates and more!

Developed by 90.7FM (WGCC), Play, Eat and Trick-or-Treat serves as the station's largest fundraiser and money raised helps send students to the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Conference in New York City. It also supports the cost of new equipment and new programming opportunities.

"It's a really fun event and supports a great cause," Valerie Bello, 90.7FM faculty advisor, said. "Each year we look forward to reaching out to the community we serve. We can't wait for another fun and successful day of doing just that!" she said.

90.7FM is a not for profit, non-commercial radio station run by the students, faculty and staff of Genesee Community College. On the air since 1985, the station is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and has become a well-loved part of the Batavia and GCC alumni community.

Hi-Temp Fabrication is sponsoring this year's event, with other sponsors including Buffalo's Albright Knox Art Gallery, Burchfield Penney Art Center and Pearl Street Grill and Brewery.

Press release:

Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha shares the following safety tips to help you plan a safe, fun Halloween for your family. Review these safety guidelines with your family and set ground rules before heading out. The sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols on October 31 but planning on your part is the best way to ensure a safe Halloween.

Never leave your house unattended. If you have to leave your house, make sure all the doors are locked.

Parents DO:

• Map out your route and check it against the New York State Sex Offender Registry at www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor

• Accompany your young children and plan to go when it’s light out.
• Feed your children a meal or substantial snack before trick or treating.
• Have children save all candy until they get home.
• Inspect all treats; throw away unwrapped, open, or suspicious looking goodies.

Trick-or-Treaters DO:

• Travel in pairs or groups and stay together.
• Walk on the sidewalk or on the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Stop, look and listen at corners.
• Plan a safe route; stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick.
• Carry a cell phone if going without an adult.
• Be respectful of people and their property.

Trick-or-Treaters DON’T:

• Go into a stranger's house or get into a stranger's car.
• Run across yards or streets.
• Venture down dark, empty streets.
• Approach dark, unlighted houses.
• Go between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across streets.
• Eat any treats before your parents check them.

At Home:

• Put away anything children could trip over.
• Turn the lights on and replace any burned-out bulbs at the walkway and front door.
• Remember, your jack-o-lantern and any other candles or electrical decorations can be a fire hazard. Keep them out of the reach of small children and away from flammable materials.

The City of Batavia will observe Halloween activities from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31st only. Police Chief Shawn Heubusch reminds trick-or-treaters to use caution when crossing any street; always use a clearly marked crosswalk; and look both ways before entering the crosswalk. Younger trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult. Be safe and have a Happy Halloween!

Several dozen children in costumes turned out in blustery weather for the 22nd Halloween Parade in Batavia this afternoon.

The event was sponsored by The Batavia Area Jaycees, Batavia's Original, Oliver's Candies, Batavia Youth Bureau and Vibrant Batavia.

After a brief bit of rain, it turned out to be a beautiful evening for trick-or-treating in Batavia. Of course, the biggest crowds of ghouls and goblins and superheros and princesses could be found on Ellicott Avenue, but there are a couple of shots here from Trumbull Parkway, Otis Street and Osterhout.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

If you drove past Oliver's this afternoon, you might have spotted a couple of Umpa Lumpas dancing around out front. By the time I got there, there was only one Umpa Lumpa left on shfit, but several Oliver's employees dressed up for Halloween. Above are Carey Hewitt as a dark angel, Jessica Henry as a bunny, Anna Liles as an Umpa Lumpa and Debbie Palmer as Lucy from her memorable shift in a chocolate factory.

The houses on Ellicott Avenue are decorated, the sidewalks are wide and the atmosphere is fun and focused on trick-or-treaters. It’s more like a street party and it’s known for its decorations and generous candy distribution. However, the crowds can be overwhelming.

While everyone’s there, why not treat those little ghosts and goblins to other neighborhoods throughout the community where residents are doling out just as much candy and tons of it goes uncollected?

Batavia has plenty of places that offer families a Halloween treat in their hunt for the ever-elusive full-size candy bar. Here are a few streets to try:

• North Side -- Hart, Douglas, Fairmont, Tracy
• South Side -- Jackson, Osterhout, Otis, Williams
• East Side -- East, Vine, Elm, Woodcrest
• West Side -- Montclair, Kingsbury, Vernon, Union (I know someone on Montclair who is giving out full-size candy bars.).

There are many good places in the city to visit this Halloween and they’re all good bets. Just look around you! These neighborhoods are filled with lots of friendly families and you won’t be disappointed.

Did we miss your favorite place to trick-or-treat in Batavia? Share the information in the comments below.

Hours to go door-to-door in the city are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight. Happy Halloween!

Press release:

By making small adjustments to costume and decoration choices on Halloween, danger and risk to public safety is easily decreased.

“It is important for people to take basic precautions to make sure they have nothing other than a fun-filled Halloween,” says Greg Ireland, president of the Batavia Firefighters of IAFF Local 896.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the United States sees an overall increase in fires on Halloween caused by open flames, and the arson fire rate is 10 percent higher than on any other day with 15,500 fires and $92 million in property loss per year.

To ensure a safe and happy Halloween, the City of Batavia firefighters offer the following tips:

• Use battery-operated lights, not candles, to decorate walkways. Always keep candles, matches and lighters in a place that children cannot reach. This will make it much safer for trick-or-treaters and decrease the chance of an open flame fire.
• Keep children, costumes and decorations away from open flames and heat sources. Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable.
• Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Make sure they are certified by a recognized organization like the Underwriters’ Laboratory, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the Underwriters’ Laboratory of Canada (ULC). Do not overload extension cords. Indoor and outdoor decorative lights can be fire hazards.
• Choose costumes that are comfortable, easy to walk in and see.
• Pick brightly colored costumes that can be clearly seen by motorists. Add reflective tape to the costume to increase visibility.
• Please call 9-1-1 for the help of your local firefighters in the case of a fire or emergency.

The City of Batavia Firefighters from IAFF Local 896 wishes you a happy and safe Halloween.