A single-car accident with an individual complaining of neck pain is reported in the area of the Totem Pole on Ledge Road, Basom.
Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 4:06 p.m.: Law enforcement requested to the scene. Alabama's responding units can stage in quarters.
UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: Mercy can go back in service. Patient is a sign-off.
Genesee County's unemployment rate remains at pre-recession levels, hitting 3.8 percent for the second month in a row, but there are still fewer people working locally than there were the last time it hit 3.8, in August 2007.
Then, according to NYS labor department statistics, there were 32,600 people with jobs in the county. In June 2016, the most current employment numbers, there were 29,700 people with jobs, a drop of more than 3,000 employed residents.
The labor force participation number has dropped over the same span from 33,900 to 30,800. The number in June 2015 was 31,200.
The labor force participation number reflects the total number of people either working or actively looking for employment. It does not include people who have stopped looking for work, nor does it include people who have voluntarily decided to retire (which as Baby Boomer age does account for at least some of decrease in workforce participation) or people who dropped out of the labor force because of disability.
From 2007 to 2015, Genesee County's population rose from 58,159 to 58,937.
The lowest number of employed local residents over the past 10 years was in January 2015, when 27,300 residents had jobs. The unemployment rate then was 6.8 percent.
Since 1990, the number of employed locally has hovered the range 27,000 and 31,000, and the labor force participation number has remained within a similar range.
These numbers reflect the job market for residents, as for the jobs currently filled within Genesee County, the June 2015 number is 24,000, which is exactly where it was a year ago for non-farm jobs.
It's been months and months of planning and work, but Jeff Price and Dawn Van Nostrand are ready to open their new coffee shop Monday morning at the corner of Seven Springs Road and Clinton Street Road.
Appropriately, it's called Corner Coffee.
Patrons will be able to enjoy coffee, smoothies and baked goods either to go or during a break in the sitting room, where they can connect to free Wi-Fi.
"We look forward to serving the public and enjoying the coffee," Price said.
As much as possible, what's served is from local sources, Price said. The baked goods come from Sweet Pea's and Harrington's. Sweet Peas is also making pints of homemade ice cream that will be available at Coffee Corner.
The location is next to Batavia Sign, a business owned by Price's brother-in-law.
Price and Van Nostrand said they liked the location because it's a good neighborhood, with good neighbors, close to Genesee Community College and on the route of many commuters heading to work in the Byron and Bergen area or to Rochester and Buffalo.
The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the G-Eazy concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday:
Colt D. Agnew, 19 of Potter Hill Road, Cattaraugus, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd and criminal possession of a forged Instrument, 2nd. Agnew allegedly entered Darien Lake after being told to leave and was found in possession of a fraudulent Maryland license. Agnew was arraigned in Darien Court and put in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
(name redacted upon request), 20, of Old Goodrich Road, Clarence, is charged with second-degree harassment and resisting arrest. xxx allegedly swung his fist at a deputy and then resisted arrest. xxxx was arraigned in Darien Court and put in jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.
A 17-year-old of Thorn Berry Way, Conyers, Ga., is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating on a vehicle.
Bryce R. Tarbox, 20, of Route 417, Alleghany, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th, after allegedly possessing a stolen Live Nation cleaning shirt and entering the concert venue without a ticket.
A 16-year-old of Ridge Meadows Drive, Spencerport, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
Evan J. Vershay, 21, is charged with forcible touching after allegedly grabbing a female's private parts.
The following subjects were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana:
A 17-year-old of Main Street, Williamsville
Joshua P. Butry, 24, of 81st Street, Niagara Falls
Shane N. Barrett, 25, of Hickory Street, Whitney
Casey R. George, 19, of Hagen Avenue, North Tonawanda
Alexis N. Malta, 18, of Tinker Tavern Road, Webster
Luke G. Simons, 18, of Country Meadow, Hilton
Melanie M. O’Malley, 20, of Foxwood Lane, Williamsville
Andrew J. Stone, 21, of Evans Street, Lockport
Zachary T. Fronckowiak, 18, of Westover Street, Yorkshire
Two people were seriously hurt early this morning in an accident on Route 5 in Stafford.
Steven N. Cook, 33, was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital with extensive injuries, according the Sheriff's Office.
Shannon M. McGill, 28, was taken to Strong by Mercy EMS with upper body injuries.
The accident was reported at 2:07 a.m.
The cause or circumstances of the accident were not released. Only one vehicle was reportedly involved.
Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Stafford and Town of Batavia fire departments.
Charges are pending.
The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Eric Meyer.
A man was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC following a serious-injury accident this afternoon on Angling Road in Pembroke.
A small car and a truck carrying black-top material for road paving collided shortly after 4:30 p.m.
There was heavy debris all over the roadway and East Pembroke Fire Chief Don Newton said it was apparent as soon as he arrived on scene that this was a severe-injury accident.
He called for assistance from Corfu Fire Department, which provided heavy extrication at the scene.
"The dash of the small vehicle was literally laying in the chest of the patient," Newton said.
The male driver of the car was unconscious when Mercy medics arrived, but they were able to stabilize him and he regained consciousness before being taken to the hospital, Newton said.
The driver of the truck claimed no injuries.
Angling Road was closed at Route 33 and at West Avenue.
State Police are investigating the accident.
There's a report of a car hitting a pole on West Main Street, Le Roy, in front of Scooter's Restuarant.
Wires are down and there's a report of power out in the area.
The occupants are out of the vehicle, but there are wires on the vehicle.
Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance responding.
Because choke, pinch and prong dog collars really don't help improve a dog's behavior, and can actually make bad behavior worse, Tori Ganino, owner of Calling All Dogs, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, is offering a discount on training to owners who leave those collars with her so they can be destroyed.
Leave one of those types of collars and get $12 off a group class or $12 off an in-home training visit, or leave an electric collar and get $15 off.
"These collars create all kinds of negative associations and don't help build a relationship with your dog," Ganino said. "They create bad associations, so if a person is walking by and a dog is already a little bit nervous and then they see the person and they get pinched or they get choked, that just validated the feelings that the person is bad because they got hurt when they saw the person. It can make behaviors worse."
If a dog learns that pain will be associated with pre-bite warnings, such as barking or lunging, the dogs will learn to suppress those warnings and instead just bite, Ganino said, which makes them very hard to work with later when tryng to unlearn that behavior.
And even in a good-natured dog, the pain hurts the dog's relationship with its owner, she said, because they see the owner as the one inflicting the pain.
Ganino wants owner to bring punishment collars in and learn the kind of behavioral techniques, build around rewards and learning alternative behaviors, for the sake of the dogs, the owners and anyone they might encounter.
"I want to be able to show people is that they can change their dog's emotional response so things are not nearly so scary," Ganino said.
The phone number for Calling All Dogs is (585) 455-5387.
NOTE: Rocky update: Tori helped us a lot with Rocky and we continue to work with him. His behavior has improved; he's lost a lot of his fear and demonstrates a lot more happy and loving behavior.
Last night, a homegrown youth theater troupe in Alexander performed a special production of the "Wizard of Oz" before dozens of invited guests.
This 25-page adaptation of the famous story was based on a script by 13-year-old Naomi LaDuke, who based her version on a musical performed at Shea's, on silent films, the movie and the book.
These pictures are from the rehearsal Wednesday at the treehouse on Church Street where the actual performance took place.
Naomi also cast the players, designed and sewed Dorothy's costume and created the scenery and props. The musical accompaniment was played by David Lange, the organist at St. James Episcopal Church, which Naomi recorded using Apple's software, Garage Band.
This is the fourth annual production by the kids, under the name of their theater, Open Door Productions.
There was no admission fee for guests last night, but they were asked to make a donation at the door benefiting Brittany's Hope, a nonprofit in Pennsylvania that assists in international adoptions. The evening's theme was "There's no place like home."
"The kids are hoping to raise money and awareness to bring another child home to their forever family," said Naomi's mother, Karen Laduke. "Two of the actresses are internationally adopted themselves, so this is a theme that hits close to home."
Leigh LeFevre, pictured above, played Dorothy.
Naomi, besides being the writer, director, set and costume designer, also played the Wizard.
The rest of the cast: Lillian McClellan, Sally LaDuke, Jennmarie Schiller, Mya Hardie, Margarite LaDuke, Samual LaFevre, Kylee McClellan, Kathryn McClellan, Katelyn Hardie and Lucy LeFevre.
The annual giant yard sale put on by Crossroads House opened yesterday and continues today and tomorrow. The location is on School Street, between Liberty and Swan.
Students participating in the History Heroes summer program at the Holland Land Office Museum organized and hosted their own penny carnival today.
Crews with Blue Heron Construction set a manhole today at Washington Avenue and State Street, park of the sewer reconstruction project this summer along Washington Avenue.
The area around Jefferson Avenue, Washington and State has been closed for a few weeks, but the project is getting closer to the finish line, said Matt Worth, director of Public Works.
Here's what Worth told us in an email:
They expect to be through the intersection tomorrow (State/Washington will open back up) and then the bypass pumping should no longer be required. Next week an additional crew is expected and it is anticipated that the new water and sewer services to the houses between Jefferson and State Street will be connected along with the unexpected water main work that is required on Jefferson Avenue.
If all goes well, everything west of State Street would then be back open (or very close) to traffic by the end of next week. This would leave construction between State and Bank and the storm sewer crossing on State Street to up near Park Avenue and final milling and paving (Ellicott Avenue to Ross Street) left to complete, with completion of the project before school is back in session.
James Pontillo is doing some restoration work on one of properties, in this case, on Swan Street, and he dug up this slab of stamped concrete inscribed for J. McBride.
Pontillo thinks this was a marker for John McBride, a contractor or engineer in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and that the house on South Swan was once his residence.
The house was built in the 1880s or 1890s, Pontillo thinks.
There was a John McBride from Batavia born in 1862 who died in 1937. Online records indicate, though not conclusively, his sons were John McBride, born in 1892, and a Robert McBride, born in 1882. This McBride family does not appear to be related to the family that ran McBride Steel Plate Construction Company in Batavia for many decades, and whose patriarch was an immigrant from Ireland.
Pontillo also uncovered the remains of a granite hitching post.
He isn't quite sure what to do with this piece.He isn't sure if one of the historical agencies would be interested in it.
(Submitted photo of Jake Oberg.)
Press release:
The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, will be heading to Warsaw this October.
The Batavia walk will take place at the Genesee County Nursing Home, located at 278 Bank St., Batavia, on Satruday, Sept. 24. On-line registration is available now at alz.org/WNY. On-site registration and check-in, basket and 50/50 raffles, and refreshments will be available from 9 to 10 a.m. with a brief opening ceremony to launch the Walk at 10.
The walks are organized by the local Alzheimer’s Association and are a vital source of funding for local services and resources. The walks also provide funding for research into a disease that “kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined,” and touches almost 250,000 people across the greater Buffalo Niagara region.
“My grandpa died of Alzheimer’s...and I walk with my mom because I don’t think anyone else should lose their grandpa to this disease,” said Jake Oberg.
The 11-year-old has been taking part in the event since before he could walk. Additionally, he has raised more than $7,000 with a lemonade stand and baked goods sale to support his Walk team, which has also earned him some special incentives.
In addition to fundraising participants, the Walks rely on hundreds of volunteers and the support of corporate sponsors like Elderwood. Eighty-five percent of residents in skilled care facilities exhibit at least some form of dementia including Alzheimer’s.
“Understanding firsthand the personal and health care ramifications of dementia, Elderwood has a long-standing history of supporting the Alzheimer’s Association through its Walk to end this disease,” said Elderwood Director of Business Development Anna Bojarczuk-Foy. “Finding a cure is one of the single most important goals in extending and improving the lives of the elderly in our communities.”
“Northtown Automotive is very proud to continue to support the mission set forth by the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter. We understand the importance of supporting our community and have done so for over 45 years,” said Northtown Auto Group Chief Marketing Officer Mike Ahern. “Doing our part to support the Walk is a way for our organization to make a difference to thousands and thousands of WNY families who know the impact of this disease. We are confident these efforts will one day find a cure."
Additional corporate sponsors include the law firm of Cellino and Barnes, WDCX Radio and Tim Hortons.
For more information or to register call 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/WNY.
(Submitted photos.)
Press release:
Eugene Jankowski Jr. of Batavia finished in 8th place in the Tactical Division and 20th place overall at the 2016 Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) Challenge on July 23-24 at Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerrardstown, W. Va.
Jankowski is a retired Batavia City police officer and current president of the Batavia City Council.
Competitors used semiautomatic rifles with magnified optics in various shooting positions to complete 14 tough courses of fire over two days. Each course of fire required shooting multiple steel targets of different sizes at distances of 165 to 600 yards with a 90-second-maximum time limit. Shooters were tested on marksmanship as well as their ability to overcome physical and mental stress.
The Precision Rifle Series is a rifle sports competition series utilizing the most recognized and reputable long range rifle matches in the nation based on individual effort. To learn more about PRS http://www.precisionrifleseries.com/
Brian John Flynn, 18, of North Road, Freedom, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and permitting unlicensed operator. Flynn was arrested at 11:58 p.m. on July 26 on Alleghany Road in Pembroke following a traffic stop near Vision Parkway. An investigation revealed that Flynn allegedly allowed an unlicensed 15-year-old to operate the vehicle. There were three people inside the vehicle under the age of 17 at the time of the stop and the vehicle was apparently taken without the registered owner's knowledge. An investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. Flynn is due in Town of Pembroke Court on Aug. 23 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Deputy Patrick Reeves.
Brandon J. Henley, 23, of Buffalo, was arrested at 1:32 p.m. on July 28 following a traffic stop for speeding on Route 77 in Corfu. Corfu Village Police Officer Michael Petritz initiated a traffic stop for speeding (48 mph in a 35-mph zone) and upon interviewing the driver and passenger, Officer Petritz allegedly detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The passenger admitted to possessing the marijuana cigarettes found in the vehicle. Henley was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 1 for the Village of Corfu Court.
The following person was arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Heart concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on July 27:
Rahquan D. Daughtry, 24, of Clinton Avenue, Rochester, was arrested for second-degree harassment after allegedly grabbing a security guard by the throat. Daughtry is set to appear in Darien Town Court at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
This information was provided by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello.
Press release:
On July 20, uniformed members of the City of Batavia Police Department along with members from the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force (comprised of members from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Police Department and City of Batavia Police Department), the Genesee County Probation Department and uniformed members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office conducted a N.E.T. -- Neighborhood Enforcement Team -- detail in the City of Batavia.
The detail focused on quality-of-life issues, drug enforcement, warrant checks and probation checks in targeted neighborhoods.
The following arrests were made:
Michael D. Kane shares a moment with Pauline Andrews, his executive secretary, following today's Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. board meeting at Batavia Downs Gaming. Kane is retiring after five years as the corporation's president and chief executive officer. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. directors this morning (Thursday, July 28) said farewell -- sort of -- to President and Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Kane at their monthly meeting at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Kane is retiring after a 17-year affiliation with Batavia Downs, including the last five as the president/CEO. The Dansville native (and former mayor of the Livingston County village) presided over his final meeting today, but will continue on for an indefinite period as advisor to the corporation's new president, Henry F. Wojtaszek, of North Tonwanda, who was promoted to the position after serving as general counsel to the board.
Directors and executive staff members had nothing but great things to say about Kane's work.
"Speaking for the board and our employees, I would like to thank Mike for his leadership and guidance that he has provided to us to take this corporation into the future," said Michael P. Nolan, WROTB chief operating officer. "Furthermore, it is important that we will be able to use his knowlege as he continues on in an advisory capacity."
The board authorized a weekly salary of $1,000 for Kane's services.
Board Chairman Richard Bianchi called Kane a "loyal and dedicated employee," who elevated Batavia Downs to its current level of success and "brought this board together better than I've ever seen it since 2003."
At the close of the meeting, the board celebrated the retirements of Kane and Barbara Hanft, executive assistant to the comptroller, with a birthday cake. Hanft will retire in September after 36 years with the corporation.
In other developments:
-- Nolan reported that the Batavia Downs Gaming Hotel is expected to open by the second week of September, adding that crews will be installing furniture in the rooms starting at the fourth floor and working their way to the first floor. The $7.5 million, 84-room hotel is being built by ADK Hospitality, a group of Buffalo investors.
-- The Downs' valet parking area has been moved from the south side of the facility to the front, and the parking lot will be reconstructed in certain areas in the coming weeks to make it safer for pedestrians entering the Park Road building, Nolan said. He also said a temporary covering over the entrance, which will mimic the completed project, will be in place within the next few months.
Valet Parking Update -- 6:30 p.m.: Downs' officials announced via Facebook that the valet parking will return to the south entrance due to concerns voiced by their patrons.
-- Nolan and five other WROTB representatives will be traveling to New York City to meet with officials of Fan Dual, a fantasy sports contest that will be offered at Batavia Downs. "We are looking to integrate our business relationship (with Fan Dual) in order to be up and running, when and if the governor (Andrew Cuomo) signs the bill."
-- WROTB's second quarter distributions to its Western New York counties totaled $867,364, about 21 percent more than earnings distributions for the same time period last year. In June, the surcharge for distrbution was $122,000 and earnings were $227,000. EZ Bet (wagering through terminals at sports bars) year-to-date handle is up $38,000 from 2015, and Batavia Bets (online wagering) was up 36 percent in June, 10 percent this mornth and 10 percent for the year.
-- The board welcomed a new director -- Elliott Winter, of Niagara County.
Kelsey Scott-Avery, a Genesee County Youth Court member who recently graduated after being homeschooled, won the Association of New York State Youth Court’s Judge Judith Kaye Memorial Scholarship.
Judge Judith Kaye was the first woman to serve as the New York State’s Chief Justice and the longest-serving Chief Justice, who unfortunately passed away in January.
Judge Kaye was an advocate for the Youth Court System and she lived the example that when you are inspired to act, do it. She was inspired by youth courts in Alaska and she brought that inspiration to New York.
To qualify for the scholarship, the youth court member must be a graduating senior and a member of a Youth Court Program that paid membership dues to ANYSYC in 2015.
The applicant must enroll in a two- or four-year program at an accredited college/university. The individual must be of good moral character, have demonstrated civic responsibility through volunteerism, and have a good strong desire to make a contribution to his/her community. The process included an application, an essay specified in the honor of Judge Kaye. Applicants were to write on the topic of how they plan to impact their field of study the way Judge Kaye impacted the court system.
On behalf of ANYSYC, Kelsey was awarded $500 to put toward her college education. She will be attending Genesee Community College and transferring to a four-year university to become a school counselor.
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