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Press release from the NYS Association of Counties:

The NYS Association of Counties applauds Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's signing of the opioid overdose bill last month.

The legislation (S.1668/A.4915) requires that death certificates in cases of opioid overdose specify which opioid was involved in the death, if known. This new law requires that information be recorded so that more data will be available to better address the opioid crisis.

“New York continues to confront the opioid epidemic in all corners of the state," said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. "Toxicology results take an inordinate amount of time to review. This new law will help county coroners and medical examiners pin down the cause of death with more specificity than the general classification of 'drug overdose.'

"Law enforcement efforts to track opioid suppliers have improved, and this new statute will further assist in identifying suppliers of the opiates that led to an overdose. Governor Cuomo and state legislators continue to implement smart government policies to prevent the distribution of illegal opiates."

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 18^th annual Wonderland of Trees, sponsored in part this year by Tompkins Bank of Castile.This year’s Kickoff Gala will take place at the museum Friday, Nov. 22^nd.

The event will start at 6 p.m. and is family friendly and great for all ages.  

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to the museum between November and January to view nearly 50 trees, festive pictures, and holiday displays decorated by local businesses and organizations. 

There will be musical performances by voice students from Sound Foundations Voice Studio and a Flute Ensemble from Batavia Middle School.

After-dinner snacks will be provided by D & R Depot.

Tickets are $15 per person, $10 for museum members and $5 for children under 12.

This year tickets are available for purchase online as well as by calling (585) 343-4727 or stopping in Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Press release:

Sonny Mayo and the Lowdown are coming to Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theater on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. for an evening of excellent rhythm and blues featuring a great selection of original tunes and old favorites.

Presale tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by contacting Derek Maxfield, GCC's associate professor of History at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or 585-343-0055, ext. 6288.

All concert proceeds will benefit GCC's History Club's spring break history tour of important historical sites, museums and battlefields.

Frank Mayo, aka Sonny Mayo, is now a retired GCC public speaking professor, but he is anything but retired from his passion for music. He is bringing his trio with him for a show that promises to give local music aficionados a taste of folk, blues and Americana music, and all for great cause.

Presale tickets are $10 each and will be $12 at the door.

Advance tickets are encouraged by contacting: Derek Maxfield, GCC's associate professor of History and History Club advisor; or Marie Kochmanski, clerk-typist in the second floor Humanities Suite, Room B259; or Michelle Forster, secretary in the third floor GCC Human Communication and Behavior Suite, Room B359.

 For more information or to purchase tickets, email Maxfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or call 585-343-0055, ext. 6288.

In a rare contested race for the full-time City Court judge's seat, Durin Rogers holds a lead over Ben Bonarigo and will likely be the winner once all of the absentee ballots are counted.

Rogers has 1,662 votes in the unofficial tally by the county elections office to 1,447 for Bonarigo, for a 215 vote difference.

There were 288 absentee ballots requested and 170 have been returned so far. Bonarigo would need to pick up nearly all of the absentee ballots to be declared the winner.

The other notable election result from Tuesday was in the City of Batavia's 3rd Ward, which incumbent John Canale won but a Libertarian Party candidate came in second. Canale, on the Republican line, received 260 votes. Deborah Kerr Rosenbeck received 166. Democratic candidate Nicholas Russo received 123. It might very well be the first time in City history that a third-party candidate outpolled a major party candidate.

In the other contested City Council race, in Ward 5, incumbent Kathy Briggs garnered 210 votes to 148 for challenger Sam DiSalvo.

In the one contested County Legislature race, in District 8, incumbent Marianne Clattenburg won with 684 votes to 159 for Colin McAllister.

In other contested races around the county:

• Town clerk, Alexander: Lisa L. Lyons, 205, Shannon E. Tiede, 171
• Town clerk, Bergen: Michele M. Smith, 467, Connie VanHoute, 146
• Town council, Bethany (vote for 2): Jeffrey R. Fluker, 287, Timothy D. Embt, 265, Josiah Berkemeier, 141
• Supervisor, Byron: Peter N. Yasses, 275, Gerald L. Heins, 270
• Town justice, Darien (vote for 2): Gary A. Graber, 505, Jennifer R.  Nunnery, 459, Michelle M. Krzemien, 440
• Highway superintendent, Pavilion: Joel M. Offhaus, 267, Doug Elliott, 71
• Town justice, Pembroke: Donald M. O'Connor, 612, Joseph P. Iannello, 217

Check this post later for a video from the evening.

A home-invasion robbery suspect in Stafford was reportedly shot by a homeowner tonight and airlifted by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call at about 9:08 p.m. of a possible shooting at 6731 Clinton Street Road in Stafford. Law enforcement was dispatched and Mercy medics were requested to stage in the area.

Subsequently, it was reported that a suspect, who appeared to possess a firearm, forced his way into the residence and demanded cash. Genesee County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Brad Mazur said the homeowner was able to retrieve a long gun and shoot the intruder.

The condition of the patient has not yet been released.

A car vs. deer accident with injuries is reported at Lyman Road and Clinton Street Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A car and manure spreader have reportedly collided at Transit Road and Tower Hill Road in Byron.

Injuries are reported and the roadway is blocked.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched.

Information from Batavia High School and Music Theatre International.

Batavia High School's Production Club will present "Shrek The Musical" in the auditorium Nov. 22-24.

Times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23; and a matinee at 2 o'clock on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Advance tickets are $9, available at showtix4u.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, "Shrek The Musical" is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline, or Change") and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

BHS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia. For more information, visit www.bataviacsd.org or phone (585) 343-2480, ext. 2000.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, Northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. In Genesee County, there are two Tops locations -- at 390 W. Main St. in Batavia, and at 128 W. Main St. in Le Roy.

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer.

“We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include: support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall; Honor Flight Missions; sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas; VA hospital visits; participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo’; and new this year, Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered U.S. Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.

Local Author Rob Thompson, whose 16 books include "Linden Murders: Solved," has a new book out on the 10 murder committed in Genesee County and the men who committed them and were eventually executed (seven hung in Genesee County).

The book, "Swinging in the Rain," will soon be available at the Holland Land Office Museum, at book signings Thompson attends, and on Amazon.

Press release:

The executive director of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse is aiming to have the agency’s new recovery recreation center on Clinton Street Road up and running by the end of the year.

“We’re hoping to be open sometime around Christmas or possibly New Year’s Eve,” John Bennett said earlier this week. “We have started minor renovations and we’re also looking for a name for the building.”

Bennett said he and his staff are excited about the potential of the Recovery WOW program’s new home – the former Bohn’s Restaurant at 5256 Clinton Street Road, just a stone’s throw from the intersection of Seven Springs Road.

GCASA closed on the purchase of the building last month and is gearing up for what Bennett called “a big kickoff” leading to consistent and effective programming to support those on their road to sobriety.

“The plan is to partner with other agencies and groups in the community to have events there and also to offer the large conference room for others to use,” said Bennett, adding that GCASA intends to hold an open house for nearby residents and business owners.

The floor plan, after conversion, will feature: offices for program staff and Peer Recovery Advocates along with a computer room; meeting room with a riser for live music; training/conference room to hold up to 40 people; exercise center; game room (pool, ping-pong, foosball, and video games); living room with large-screen TV; and a large commercial kitchen.

Bennett said the long-term plan is to move the Prevention Education Department and the Western New York Resource Center offices to the building.

“I think it would be a good fit to have Prevention there,” he said. “Plus, we have just run out of room at the main campus (430 E. Main St.).”

He said that renovations on the inside are ongoing and that volunteers will be enlisted to clean up the outside of the building. Springtime plans include putting in an outdoor basketball court in the parking area.

Currently, the Recovery WOW (With Out Walls) program, under the supervision of Sue Gagne, has a full schedule of events each month for those in recovery.

The recovery recreation center is being set up as a destination where those dealing with drug and alcohol use issues can interact through sober living activities.

For more information, like us on Facebook – Recovery WOW.

Disclosure: Story by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.

Kylie Lutey, a kindergartner at St. Joe's in Batavia got to ride a fire truck to school today as an award for winning City fire's annual fire safety poster coloring contest.

Stacy J. Watson, 43, of Liberty Street, Batavia, and Jennifer A. Mcauley, 46, of Shelby Basin Road, Medina, were arrested on Oct. 29 on misdemeanor charges following a larceny complaint at the Home Depot on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. At 2:56 p.m. deputies responded to the store in the Town of Batavia for an investigation. Watson is charged with two counts of petit larceny and two counts of sixth-degree conspiracy. Mcauley is charged with two counts of petit larceny. It is alleged that Watson, a former Home Depot employee, conspired with Mcauley to steal merchandise from the store. Both subjects were issued appearance tickets and are due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.

Steven B. Nesbitt, 34, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and first degree criminal contempt. Nesbitt was arrested 2:22 p.m. on Oct. 24 after an incident that occurred at a residence on Holland Avenue. It is alleged that Nesbitt had physical contact with a person who had a "refrain from order of protection" against Nesbitt. He is due Batavia City Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Melissa A. Wetmore, 47, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more. Wetmore was arrested at 8:11 p.m. on Oct. 26 on North Lyon Street in Batavia after an accident investigation. She is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Tyler Lee Walls, 23, of Upper Holley Road, Clarendon, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; and operating a motor vehicle with no headlamps. At 4:49 p.m. on Nov. 1, Walls was arrested following a traffic stop on Lake Street (Route 19) in Le Roy. It is alleged Walls was driving a vehicle without headlights while having a suspended driver's license and suspended registration. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Brittany M. Smith, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested the morning of Nov. 2 on active bench warrants out of Batavia City Court for failing to appear in court and failing to comply with the court. She was arraigned at 9:50 a.m. and put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. She is due in Batavia City Court this afternoon (Nov. 4). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Submitted photo and press release:

The staff and supporters of the on-campus radio station 89.1 The Point at SUNY Brockport is grateful for the success of its Fall charity drive held at locations in Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties Oct. 18 and 19.

In Genesee County, new and gently used women's and children's clothing as well as personal care items, diapers, strollers and pet supplies were donated at the Batavia Walmart.

Altogether, more than 100 bags and boxes of items were donated for "Warming Hearts for Willow" -- a total of 1,500 articles of clothing and more than 2,500 other items. That qualifies as the radio station's largest and most successful community outreach event to date.

The donations will go to the Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Violence of Greater Rochester, which serves Genesee County residents, too.

What Willow can’t take will be donated to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and Dress for Success Rochester.

"Thank you to everyone in the community for coming out to support Warming Hearts for Willow, you have shown that there is love and compassion in the world and you have shown that there’s always hope!"

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.61, up a penny since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.76. The New York State average is $2.69 – no change from last week.

A year ago, the NYS average was $2.94. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.66 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo - $2.65 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca - $2.67 (no change since last week)
• Rochester - $2.67 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Rome - $2.67 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse - $2.60 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Watertown - $2.66 (up 1 cent since last week)

Domestic demand for gasoline remains high as stocks continue to decline, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Growing demand, amid tight gasoline supplies, has contributed to a nominal increase in the national average – 1 cent since in the past week.

The two cannons that have sat on the front porch of the Holland Land Office Museum for more than a century have been removed and transported to Altoona, Pa., for a $20,000 period-accurate restoration.

The Museum is paying $10,000 for the restoration and is seeking public donations of $10,000 in a campaign called, "Ready, Aim, Donate."

Press release from the Genesee County Democrats: 

“Yard signs, parade floats, and social media posts have ensured the names of local candidates are in the public eye as they geared up for the 2019 elections but none of that matters if we don’t vote,” said Erica O’Donnell, City of Batavia Democratic chair. 

While national elections take the spotlight, municipal elections have a bigger impact on residents' daily lives. Supervisor and council positions set policy, create and facilitate budgets, and make decisions on the enforcement of public safety.

"Local elections are important because these are the people that make decisions that directly affect how money is spent and how things are run where you live," said Michael Plitt, Genesee County Democratic chair. "Usually our turnout is low for municipal elections but we'd like to see a big turnout."

“We have an amazing group of candidates this year," O’Donnell added. "They are honest, hardworking, and dedicated to ethical and moral integrity. They are not in the pockets of any county heads or organizations.”

Voting will be at County Building 2, located at 3837 W. Main St., Batavia, on Sunday (Nov. 3) from noon 'til 5 p.m. for ALL Genesee County residents. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open at 6 a.m. at your usual voting locations.

Colin McAllister is a candidate for County Legislature, District 8. His opponent is Marianne Clattenburg.

If elected, what will you recommend to your fellow legislators for county priorities over the next five years?
While I look forward to working with fellow legislators to address the routine needs of the county, a major priority would be getting the county out of corporate welfare. Taking wealth from businesses and individuals to fuel the projects of the few is not morally right. I would also like to focus on challenging NYS mandates and their overreach into county affairs. Legal challenges are one avenue to actively resist the state’s control of our county budget and dictating how our elected government can operate. Together with the citizens of Genesee county and local governments in the region, I hope to come up with solutions to get power back to the local level.

What can or should the County government do to help foster business growth in Genesee County?
We need to work on getting the best tax rates for everybody year in year out, with no hoops to jump through. The county should focus on existing infrastructure needs and not projects we hope will happen. Mainly, the county should get out of the way for business wherever possible. I have faith that the business leaders in this county will excel with less government involvement.  

Should the County build a new jail?
The consensus seems to be that we need a new jail to come into compliance with current regulations and, without more in-depth knowledge, I cannot refute that. Given bail reforms’ impact, the previous estimates need to be reevaluated with a fresh perspective. The focus of jail discussion needs to be a realistic look at the county’s needs and coming into compliance with state regulations, not potential revenue from housing overflow from other sources.

Are you satisfied with the way the County has been run for the past decade or so?
To a large extent, I think the Legislature has done its very best for the residents and businesses in Genesee County. The county could stand up to state mandates and overreach in some more substantial ways. As a county, we have been too absorbed in the race to beg a business to come to us when we should actually make an environment that all businesses and residents can prosper in. 

What book first published in English since the Enlightenment has influenced your outlook on life the most?
That is a hard question. At this moment running as a third-party candidate, I would have to go with Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72. With as much absurdity and excess as Hunter S. Thompson’s writing contains, it managed to challenge my thoughts on the two-party political paradigm and my understanding of politics in general. His writings provide insight into Nixon that I have yet to find elsewhere. To cover such a complicated time involving such complex people in an insightful way is impressive. Mainly, I have found in his writings, and in life, that conventional wisdom is worth challenging especially if you want meaningful change.

Marianne Clattenburg is a candidate for County Legislature in District 8. Her opponent is Colin McAllister.

If elected, what will you recommend to your fellow legislators for county priorities over the next five years?
First and foremost the main priority will remain the same, to serve the citizens of Genesee County by providing them with the services that are important to them. The second priority will be to provide those services while maintaining the fiscal stability of the county. Part of those services will be to address the growing need in the county for an increased supply of clean water. Another priority is the safety of our citizens. This includes investments in law enforcement and the construction of a new county jail. This construction has been mandated by the state, but must be implemented with the taxpayer in mind.

What can or should the County government do to help foster business growth in Genesee County?
The County has a responsibility to provide the foundational needs that businesses require to expand their existing operations and to attract new investment in the county. The primary reason to foster business is to provide for employment opportunities for our citizens and to expand our tax base. Foundational needs include investment in public works projects. It also means investing in the education and training of our workforce. Whenever possible this is done through private/public partnerships coordinated by the county’s economic development agency. Through this agency, new and existing large companies and small businesses can apply for assistance in reaching their goals of expanding their businesses and job opportunities in Genesee County.

Should the County build a new jail?
The current building that houses our jail is over 100 years old and does not meet the Department of Corrections' operational standards. It also does not allow for the housing of female inmates. The state commission has notified Genesee County that we must bring our jail up to state standards. Due to the age and structure of our existing jail, it was determined that investing in our current jail was not an option. With pressure from the state, we began to look at the options for building a new jail. The members of the legislature spent time touring existing jails to see what size and configuration would work for Genesee County. The process we are currently undergoing is determining the size of our new jail and the operational costs that will be associated with it. We are also very concerned with the financing requirements associated with a major project such as this. All the work done thus far can be found on the county’s website. I will be seeking public input on this decision and I look forward to hearing the views of my constituents. We need to build a new county jail that meets the requirements of the state, but we should build a jail that is financially acceptable to the taxpayer.

Are you satisfied with the way the County has been run for the past decade or so?
The employees who are responsible for the day to day operations of our county work extremely hard to serve our citizens. We have been fortunate to have our County Manager, Jay Gsell leading this effort. Jay and all our employees have given us a county that we can be proud of. From our senior center, veteran’s service office, public works, county parks, youth services, health, and human service providers, law enforcement and emergency services as well as our county clerk’s office, these departments exist to serve the taxpayer. The legislature has worked with our manager and his staff to implement policies that provide for the safety and well-being of our citizens. We have had our challenges and sometimes disagreements. It is challenging at times to satisfy all the required state mandates, but still maintain the service level that our county citizens expect. I believe the county has done a good job during the past decade meeting these needs.

What book first published in English since the Enlightenment has influenced your outlook on life the most?
As a Christian, the book that has influenced my life the most do not meet the language or timeframe requirement of your question. A book that I did enjoy and was thought-provoking was “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom. It explores the idea that our lives are connected to the lives of others in ways that we may not know. For those who have not read it, I strongly recommend it!