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Law enforcement is responding to two complaints of harassment against women at local stores.

One caller in the parking lot at K-Mart is waiting to speak with officers about a white male wearing a camouflage hat and black shirt who she says was verbally harassing women in the parking lot.

Another complaint was made at Target where a woman claims that, about a half hour ago, a white male carrying a backpack was staring at her and her children in the clothing department.

It is not yet known whether it's the same suspect.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a missing elderly Alzheimer's patient. Roger Allen Bowler Sr., 79, was last seen at his residence on Alexander Road in Attica at 9:50 this morning (Aug. 9).

Bowler is a white male, about 5'8" and weighing 173 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt and camouflage-colored crocs (footwear).

He may be operating a 2002 Jeep Liberty color red bearing NY Pass plate GFA7188.

Bowler is known to frequent the Batavia and Oakfield areas.

Anyone with information can contact Genesee County Dispatch at (585) 343-5000.

UPDATE: Mr. Bowler has been located. Mr. Bowler was identified by State Police during an investigation of a motor-vehicle accident in Oswego. He was transported to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse for treatment of minor injuries.

Press release:

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced that $2 million in funding is available to help low- and middle-income households get their heating equipment inspected and cleaned prior to the start of the heating season.

The program is federally funded through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

The Genesee County Department of Social Services is ready to accept applications for furnace or boiler tune-ups, which can help improve energy efficiency while helping New Yorkers save on heating costs this winter. The local DSS office has a list of vendors who will do the work. The applicant must be HEAP eligible and the owner of the home.

“Households that get their heating equipment cleaned now will benefit come wintertime when they save on heating costs due to the improved efficiency,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “We also expect that fewer households that receive heating assistance through HEAP will face emergencies this winter, as a result of having a furnace or boiler operating at peak performance.”

Eligible households can receive up to $400, which includes cleaning of the primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment.

To qualify, households must not exceed the program’s income guidelines, which vary by household size. For example, a family of four can earn up to $4,316 a month and still qualify. Additionally, the household must have heating equipment that is more than 12 months old, and the furnace, boiler or chimney must not have been cleaned within the past 12 months.

Applications will be accepted through Nov. 4, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. New Yorkers can find contact information for their county Department of Social Services at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/HEAP-contacts.pdf.

Press release:

Residents of the City of Batavia and surrounding region are invited to the Genesee County Fairgrounds for a meal and Christian concert, no charge!

Aug. 24^th -26^th, a dozen area churches along with 13 ministries and community organizations will be joining together to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of “Batavia’s Great Tabernacle Revival."

Wednesday, Aug. 24^th the night will kick off with local worship band Salt Of Earth along with internationally known worship leader Robin Mark from Belfast Ireland. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and event will begin at 6 p.m. There will be short messages of hope throughout. 

Thursday, Aug. 25^th will follow suit opening at 4 p.m. and commencing at 6 p.m. with Jim Drew and band out of Rochester followed by singer/songwriter Jason Upton and team. Jason does his best to carry the heart of our Heavenly Father. His songs and his messages reflect a life fully lived in relationship with God, family and friends. Come out and enjoy a time with great artists and a meal on us! 

Friday, Aug. 26^th Join us for a concert night of worship and celebration with Elmwood Drive, Selah and All Sons & Daughters. 

Doors will open at 4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 5 p.m. for General Admission. There will be 1,000 chairs available and then lawn seating. You can bring fold-up chairs, blankets and plastic bottled drinks, no glass or alcohol. 

Concessions will be available for purchase all three nights.

You are welcome to bring friends and take part in worship, evangelism and Christian entertainment without denominational walls.

For more info call 585-297-3155 or 585-993-1888

Tickets for Friday available at www.effchurch.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-tabernacle-campaign-tickets-21233686528?ref=elink  

Tickets also available at Roxy’s Music Store, located at 228 W. Main St., Batavia.

The City of Batavia has an excellent chance to receive a trio of grants that deal with "zombie" properties, low- to low-moderate income housing rehabilitation and mixed-use redevelopment, City Manager Jason Molino said Monday night.

He outlined the three opportunities to City Council, which, in turn, is expected to allow his office to pursue the grants.

The grant programs are as follows:

-- A $13 million grant program with funds generated through a settlement by the state's Attorney General that is open to municipalities with at least 5,000 people and a minimum of 100 vacant homes.

Batavia was not on the original list, Molino said, but was added after the city manager reached out to program administrators. He said monies received will go to compile database informaton and to develop strategies to combat the problem of vacant homes.

-- A Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate homes owned by those with low- to low-moderate incomes who occupy the home. Molino said grants are limited to $24,500 per house.

"We received $450,000 in 2011 and another $400,000 in 2014 through this program and have applied that money to more than 35 homes," Molino said. "Currently, we have another 30 to 40 in the queue."

Council is expected to act on this on Sept. 12 and set a public hearing for Sept. 19.

-- A Restore NY grant program that is providing up to $50 million for redevelopment projects in urban areas.

Molino said Batavia will seek $500,000 to be used at Ellicott Station, site of the former Santy's Tire Shop and Soccio & Della Penna construction on Ellicott Street that has been targeted for mixed-use redevelopment by Buffalo developer Samuel Savarino.

"(Ellicott Station) is a picture perfect property for this project. It is turn-key, and has all the right elements," Molino said, adding that the city has a "high probability" of getting funded.

As is the case with the CDBG grant, Council has been requested to consider this application on Sept. 12.

In other action, Council:

-- Approved a resolution to accept a supplemental agreement, called Marchiselli funding, that would reimburse the city for the cost of the design aspects of the Summit Street Reconstruction Project. This offers a 15 percent funding grant to the project through New York State, in addition to the 80 percent funding already approved through the Federal Highway program, Molino said. 

-- Approved a resolution permitting the city firefighters' union to open a one-year window for entrance into a more lucrative state retirement benefit plan. Molino said the one-time past service cost will be $27,441 and the estimated annual cost for this fiscal year will be $5,485.

-- Moved to the Sept. 12 Business meeting a request from Public Works Director Matthew Worth to trade or auction off five utility vehicles, with an estimated total value of at least $9,500. The vehicles, and their estimated value, are: a 1998 John Deere Gator 6x4 utility vehicle ($2,000 in trade toward a replacement utility vehicle); 1996 Ford LS9000 dump truck and accessories (auction value $3,000); 1997 Dodge Ram van (auction value less than $500); 1993 Jacobsen HR-15 flail mower (auction value $1,000); and a 1996 Elgin Pelican P series street sweeper (auction value $3,000 to $15,000).

-- Tabled Local Law No. 3, which would amend the Business Improvement District Plan in order for both the City and the BID to continue talks to settle disagreements over the BID's budget management and compliance with General Municipal Law. Molino said he expects to report back to Council with a definitive strategy at the Sept. 12 meeting.

A pickup truck is in a ditch after an apparent rollover accident at Alleghany (Route 77) and Indian Falls roads. There is air bag deployment. Apparently, there are injuries. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy Medics are responding. Mercy Flight is called to 7908 Alleghany Road, to the parking lot of the Indian Falls Methodist Church. 

UPDATE 12:57 a.m.: Didn't hear the destination of Mercy Flight or any word on injuries. The assignment is back in service.

The Batavia City Council is scrambling to explore other options after receiving word that the owner of a five-acre parcel of land at 35 Swan St., which has been identified as the most viable site for a new City of Batavia Police headquarters, may not be willing to sell it.

In a memo to City Council presented at the board's meeting tonight, City Manager Jason Molino reported that Mancuso Business Development Group, with offices at 56 Harvester Ave., is "continuing to explore and evaluate a variety of scenarios in an effort to devise a redevelopment plan for the entire Harvester Campus," including the Swan Street location.

"We'll just have to work through it," Molino said following the Conference portion of the meeting that began with a short Business session.

"We've been talking about it (land acquisition requirements and procedures) for the past few months, and I understand their position," he continued. "It's not that we've been told that we can't build it because they don't want it there. If they're looking at redevelopment (which would generate tax revenue), that is a great reason not to build it there."

Just six months ago, Council went with a recommendation by the Police Facility Task Force that it commissioned to focus on 35 Swan St. as the place to build an approximately 18,000-square-foot structure that would cost upwards of $10 million. However, City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. did say at that time, "If the site doesn't pan out, we will move in a different direction."

And now, that seems to be the case.

Molino outlined three alternatives -- (1) wait six months to a year for the property owner to complete its redevelopment review, after which the owner may be interested in subdividing the land; (2) consider the possibility of eminent domain or condemnation, which allows a municipality to take private property for a public use, understanding that the eminent domain process entails public hearings and could lead to legal wrangling, and (3) take another look at alternate locations -- sites that were part of a lengthy study by the Task Force.

He then added a fourth option: "Or you could do nothing."

The current situation certainly was not welcome news to Council members.

"I'm upset about the development over there (on Swan Street)," said Rose Mary Christian (Sixth Ward), who represents residents in the area that includes Swan Street. "Eminent domain could cost us a fortune. It's mind-boggling that we went through all of this, and a couple of people say they don't know if they want to sell it."

She changed her tune toward the property's owners after Jankowski said the Task Force did its study without taking into account the availability of the various parcels, but added that "I'm still (peeved) about the whole thing."

Molino advised Council to include police department and city manager's office staff in any additional study, and also to "engage architects and engineers" -- bringing up the possibility of a budget amendment to appropriate funding for another review before the next City Council meeting on Sept. 12.

Jankowski suggested reenlisting the Task Force so that "they don't think their work was for nothing" and to include the public as much as possible in the process.

"Citizens should be involved," Jankowski said. "It's their money that will be paying for this."

Mitchell Bryan started working for Shell Mouery when he was 14. Now, at 24, he owns what used to be known as the Stafford Trading Post, but has renamed it Shell's Post in honor of his former boss, who passed away in March.

He said he thought the name change an appropriate way to honor Mouery's memory.

The business passed to Mouery's son, John Macan, who now lives in Texas, and Bryan and Macan worked out an arrangement for Bryan to take over the location.

"It took me one night to think about it," Bryan said. "The next day, I just went for it."

Bryan hasn't changed much about the business, which is a community drink and snack store and deli and pizza parlor.

"It's a rewarding business," Bryan said. "The customers are great, loyal customers, and you're doing something different every day, I'm not stuck in a cubicle. It’s fun. I just enjoy it."

It's been more than an hour since a truck and trailer fire was reported on the Thruway in East Pembroke, but eastbound traffic is still backed up and moving at a crawl, according to a reader caught in the mess just west of Exit 48A.

The source is now much further east, but says it's still slow going.

A check of Thruway traffic cams show fairly clear lanes at exits 48A and 48.

The fire was originally reported to involve a truck hauling a horse trailer, but that was later changed to a travel trailer. 

The fire may have spread to grass along the shoulder of the Thruway.

East Pembroke fire responded.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Lake Plains Waterfowl Association, will host its 43rd Annual Young Waterfowlers Program.

The program will include an orientation class at the refuge headquarters and a youth only hunt day on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Young Waterfowlers Program will be open to junior hunters between 12-15 years of age. There is no charge but space is limited with preference given to first time participants. Pre-registration does not guarantee participation. Those selected will be notified by mail.

To pre-register, complete the Waterfowl Lottery Application Form and return it to the refuge headquarters at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 by the deadline of 4 p.m., Sept. 8. Application forms can be requested by mail, by phone, in person, or email at iroquois@fws.gov.  A PDF version of the form may also be downloaded and printed from the refuge website http://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois.

The orientation class date will be announced at a later date. The morning session of the orientation class will consist of a New York State sanctioned Waterfowl Identification Certification class from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. The afternoon session from 12:30 – 3 p.m. will cover decoys and calls, ballistics, clothing and equipment, hunter ethics and safety, an overview of the refuge waterfowl program as well as a retriever demo and trap shoot. The afternoon session is mandatory in order to participate in the hunt, except for those who have been through the program at least twice before.

All junior hunters will be required to have a guide with them on the day of the hunt.  We strongly recommend each junior hunter secure their own guide prior to orientation in accordance with DEC Junior Hunting License Regulations.  We have a limited number of guides who can volunteer; therefore we cannot guarantee a guide for each junior hunter.

For additional information about the program, please contact Madeline Prush at 585.948.5445. Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact refuge staff at 585.948.5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1.800.877.8339.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located midway between Rochester and Buffalo, and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alabama and Shelby, will be accepting applications for the refuge’s reserved waterfowl hunt days beginning Aug.15.  Reservations are required for opening day of the New York State regular waterfowl season on Saturday, Oct. 22 and the following Saturday, Oct. 29. These dates are tentative pending approval of the recommended waterfowl hunting season.

Interested hunters must complete the Waterfowl Lottery Application Form and return it to the refuge office at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013. Applications will be accepted no earlier than Aug. 15 and are due by the deadline of 4 p.m., Sept. 15.

Application forms can be requested by mail, by phone, in person, or by email at iroquois@fws.gov. A PDF version of the form may also be downloaded and printed by following a link on the refuge website http://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois/. Hunters will be selected by a lottery and notified by mail. The number of permits issued will be dependent on water levels in the hunt area. Reservations are non-transferable.

Those selected must be at the Waterfowl Permit Station, located on Route 77, between 4:30 and 5 a.m. on their appointed day to select their hunt stand and obtain their permit. Consult the refuge’s Waterfowl Hunting Fact Sheet for addition information.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact refuge staff at 585-948-5445 or through the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339.

Iroquois NWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For further information contact: 

Iroquois NWR, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013, or call Madeline Prush at 585-948-5445.

Submitted artwork by thangka artist Joanna Angie as featured in new exhibit at GCC's Roz Steiner Gallery called "Meditation."

Press release:

The schedule is now in place for artists and exhibits that will be featured in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery this fall at Genesee Community College, and thangka (Tibetan buddhist painting) artist Joanna Angie will display her works from Aug. 22 – Sept. 24 to begin the season.

Evident in her artwork, Angie has a strong sense of connection to Tibetan spiritual practice. Through thangka, a traditional Tibetan form of religious art dating back to the 11th century, Joanna seeks to convey images of compassion, community and knowledge.

"What I found in the Tibetan spiritual practice and thangka paintings was a natural sense of connection," Angie said. "The images stand for qualities we can develop such as compassion, community and knowledge, knowing there was no good judging me, just cause and effect."

Angie is the daughter of an Italian immigrant who escaped Mussolini's wrath and was proud of his American citizenship. After her father's death when she was just 14 years old, faith slowly came to her and school teachers and college professors became new guides in her life. After graduating Bennett College, Angie opened a gourmet food business, but became very sick by the age of 28. Relocation to Massachusetts exposed her to a Tibetan healer and a hatha yoga teacher, giving her new opportunities to heal and figured immensely into her healing process.

As a community-engaged artist, Joanna has worked on numerous projects including the public art project to commemorate the Centennial of the Pan-American Exposition in 2001. She was an active member of the Community Outreach Committee for the 2006 visit to Buffalo by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and in 2005, 2007 and 2010; she was an active participant in Beyond/In WNY Exhibitions, collaboration between visual arts organizations in the Western New York Region. Her mural commissions include work at Carnegie Hall Towers and William Hurt's residence in New York City and at St. Paul's Cathedral and The Buffalo Club in Buffalo.

Founder of the Buffalo Arts Studio and acting director from 1991-2012, Angie has exhibited her work at galleries in Buffalo, including Anderson Gallery, Buffalo Arts Studio, CEPA, El Museo, Hallwalls, Contemporary Arts Center, Himalayan Institute of Buffalo, Insight Gallery; as well as the Kenan Center in Lockport, Olean Public Library Art Gallery and the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn.

In addition to its aesthetic beauty as a work of art, thangka serves as an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a source of blessings to those who meditate upon it. Joanna's exhibition "Mediation" will be shown Aug. 22 – Sept. 24 and an opening reception is planned for Sept. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. The exhibition will close with a reception on Sept. 24 beginning at 1 p.m. during GCC's Homecoming festivities.

The Roz Steiner Art Gallery will continue to host natural and historical works through the fall with the following exhibits:

• Oct. 6 – 28 -- "On Watch": A curiosity in the process of knowledge formation drives the conceptual framework for Timothy Frerichs' artwork. Through his site-specific installations, he seeks to address and inform ways of responding to and observing the natural world. With the idea that "to categorize is to know," he explores how gathering objects for information and the creation of knowledge constitutes and develops into a reality, particularly in terms of how culturally accepted concepts evolve and become mainstream.

The Exhibition will begin with an opening lecture and reception at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.

• Nov. 10 – Dec. 16: "A Celebration of Native American Heritage": A comprehensive survey of Native American Heritage spanning 150+ years, this exhibit features a diverse collection of regional artifacts on loan from the Rochester Museum and Science Center as well as artwork from contemporary Native American artist Carson Waterman. Waterman's art and public murals can be found in and around Western New York, as well as at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information on all upcoming events at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery visit www.genesee.edu/gallery or www.facebook.com/gccgallery

There will be an NRA Safety and Firearm Education Camp from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Alabama Hunt Club on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The hunt club, located at 1854 Lewiston Road in Alabama, is sponsoring the event. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

Registration and fee payment starts at 9, with a required Shooting Safety Course instruction beginning at 9:30.

That will be followed by:

• Archery shooting
• Paintball shooting
• Air rifle shooting
• .22-caliber rifle shooting
• Trap shooting
• And muzzleloading rifle shooting

To ask questions or for more information, call Dema at (716) 632-1264.

Hakeem Ellsha Cunningham, 20, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Cunningham allegedly grabbed the neck of a juvenile, causing her to have a hard time breathing, during an incident reported July 19.

Lance M. Mercado Sr., 26, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mercardo is accused of shoplifting from Speedway. Surveillance cameras revealed Mercado allegedly placing merchandise in his pockets and leaving the store without paying for the items.

Anthony G. Milone, 52, of Transit Road, Depew, is charged with disorderly conduct. Milone allegedly stepped out in front of a vehicle on Summit Street, Batavia, blocking traffic, at 4:29 p.m., June 24.

Joseph M. Marsceill Sr., 46, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Marsceill allegedly failed to appear in court on a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. He was released on his own recognizance.

Deborah R. Blatt, 56, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Blatt allegedly struck a police officer while being escorted to an ambulance to be taken to an area hospital for evaluation.

Charles-Gus Thigpen Williams, 37, of Robinson Road, Lockport, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Williams allegedly tried to gain access to a residence on Liberty Street at 10:32 p.m., Aug. 2, where the person living there was protected by a complete stay away order. Williams was located and arrested Tuesday. He was jailed on $1,000 bail, or $2,000 bond.

Douglas S. Sprague, 49, of Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. Sprague allegedly attempted to resist arrest following a disturbance on Hutchins Place, Batavia, at 10:27 p.m., Friday.

Benjamin L. Brade, 24, of Denio Street, Batavia, is was arrested on a warrant. Brade allegedly failed to show up to serve a weekend jail term. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Paul P. Cronan, 35, of Main Street, Williamsville, is charged with harassment, 2nd, disorderly conduct and coercion, 2nd. Cronan was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 12:21 p.m., Sunday, at Dunkin' Donuts, Batavia. He was released to NYSP Clarence on unrelated charges.

Christian Richard Austin, 32, of Parce Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to stop at stop sign and driver's view obstructed. Austin was stopped at 12:21 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Michael Lute.

Press release:

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program provides an opportunity for 4-year-old children, at no cost to their families, to be involved in developmentally appropriate educational classes that, following the school calendar, meet Monday through Friday during the regular school year.

In the Batavia City School District, the program is offered mornings and afternoons at Jackson Primary as well as mornings at two community satellite locations: the YMCA Preschool and Imagination Station Childcare and Preschool. Transportation is also available.

In addition, for a fee, the YMCA and Imagination Station offer “wrap around” child care programs for those who desire it. (Please note that the District will make every attempt to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests for placement in a specific location.)

Children who are residents of Batavia City School District and who are four (4) years of age on or before Dec. 1, 2016, are eligible.

Information/Registration packets, including the application, are available at the District Business Office in the administrative wing of Batavia High School (260 State St.), or by calling 343-2480, ext. 1002. They can also be downloaded from the District’s website (www.bataviacsd.org) by using the pull-down menu at the top of the page labeled “Parent,” or the Quick Link labeled “Parent Resources,” then clicking on the link for Universal Pre-K.

The application should be returned as soon as possible. 

Photos and info submitted by Jerry Diskin.

The American Legion post in Le Roy, Botts-Fiorito Post #576, conducted a flag disposal ceremony Sunday afternoon, burning flags that had been dropped off with the Legion and deemed no longer serviceable.

The ceremony was held at the Northwoods Sportsman Club on Gulf Road with the assistance of the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department. 

There were approximately 335 flags disposed of in the ceremony, including the giant flag that was replaced on the Orcon Industries building on Lake Road.

The ceremony was conducted by Post Commander Don Schafer. 

The ceremony is based on Public Law 344, passed by the 94th Congress in 1978:

"When the flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should not be cast aside or used in any way that might be viewed as disrespectful to the national colors, but should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning or by some other method in harmony with the reverence and respect we owe to the emblem representing our country.”

These photos are from yesterday's Empire State Antique Truck Show in Stafford (the event is continuing today) were submitted by Rob Radley.

It's been a long time since there was a grain bin incident in Genesee County, which is one reason a training session for volunteer firefighters at the Fire Training Center on State Street Road was so important yesterday, said Jim Bouton, one of the county's emergency management coordinators.

"It's important to keep up your skills and learn what has been working and not working over the years," Bouton said. 

Saturday's training was conducted by Dan Neena, director of the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety. The training session was co-sponsored by the Genesee County Farm Bureau and some local farmers attended, as well.

A farm worker might enter a grain bin because the top has become encrusted or for other maintenance work, and if he or she falls into the grain, can easily become trapped.

A rescuer can't simply grab a person buried in grain and pull him or her out.

"Once you’re trapped in the grain, the deeper you are, the more pounds that have to be exerted to release the person," Bouton said. "If we were try to pull a farmer who was trapped up to his neck, it would take like 650 pounds of pressure to try and pull him straight out. Well, that’s not possible."

Neena showed rescuers how to use a modular tube that is fitted around the victim's body, sunk into the grain, and then grain can be removed with an auger to suck the grain out of the tube, allowing the person to climb out of the grain.

The other danger for firefighters and the victim is that a grain bin is a confined space, which means potentially lower oxgyn levels, so rescuers need to be aware when breathing aparatus is required.

Firefighters were also trained how to use an especially designed saw for the task, to cut vents in the side of the grain bin so that grain can be released from around the person.

To learn about becoming a volunteer firefighter in your community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Scott Thomas McCoy, 47, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful growing of cannabis. McCoy was allegedly found with marijuana plants growing on his property in Pembroke and hypodermic needles. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be pending.

Bonnie Marie Breissinger, 62, of County Line Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Breissinger allegedly subjected another person to physical contact in violation of a no offensive conduct order of protection.

Robert Arthur Shuttleworth III, of Scotland Road, Akron, is charged with theft of services. Shuttleworth was arrested in Depew on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Submitted:

The families of the late Baptist and Christina (Costa) Stefani, and Dominic and Johanna (Rigoni) Costa gathered for their 36^th consecutive annual family reunion at  Mumford’s Freeman Park on Sunday, July 24, 2016.  Both founding families made their homes in Lime Rock.

Christopher and Ann (Tracy) Publow of Rochester were this year’s event chairs.

After a cook-out topped off with a buffet of cookies and ice cream novelties, there was a short business meeting.  A review of family news since last year included:

Andrea Stefani, the daughter of Richard and Melanie Stefani of Batavia, married Jacob Klos of Watertown on July 18, 2015.

Samantha Blake gave birth to our newest family member, Ryder Christopher Barclay of Byron on May 16, 2016.

Twenty-month old Kate Aradine was the youngest in attendance.  She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Bethany (Pocock) Aradine of Bergen.

Bethany’s parents, Merlin and Marilyn (Costa) Pocock of Bergen were the longest married couple in attendance, at 41 years of wedded bliss.

Dorothy (Stefani) Bater of Leroy was the oldest person in attendance, followed closely by Dolores (Stefani) Lathan of Caledonia, who is one day younger.

Following the meeting, the family took photos, made spin art paintings, pelted each other in a water balloon toss, and tossed Cheetoes onto the shaving-cream covered heads of partners in a messy game of laughter and endurance (followed by cleaning each other off!).

Next year’s event chairs are Linda (Orlando) Totten of Elba, Carol (Orlando) Panepento of Pavilion, Gloria (Orlando) Oliver of Leroy, and Amy Panepento of Leroy.

Top photo: Dorothy (Stefani) Bater of Leroy, Marilyn (Costa) and Merlin Pocock of Bergen, and their granddaughter, Kate Aradine of Bergen were the oldest, longest married and youngest in attendance in this year’s Stefani-Costa family reunion.

Linda (Orlando) Totten of Elba and Ray Stefani of Holley struck a pose while enjoying the reunion’s beautiful weather

Christine (Lathan) Rodwell of Rush and Michelle Goldstin of Piffard teamed up in the Cheetoes Toss.