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Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced new funding to repair and resurface two critical roadways which were damaged by extreme weather conditions this winter.

“Reliable infrastructure is so important; it’s worth the investment,” Hawley said. “Bus drivers transporting our kids to school, hardworking parents commuting to work and seniors getting to appointments deserve to travel on safe, sound roads. Revitalizing our infrastructure is an investment in public safety, in economic development and in a stronger middle class.”

Hawley secured $1 million to resurface Route 31 in the Village of Albion in Orleans County. He delivered another $1 million to resurface Route 19 from Randall Road to Route 33 in (Le Roy and Bergen) Genesee County.

In recent years, Hawley has worked with his colleagues to secure a 40-percent increase in state aid for local infrastructure projects.

“We still have tremendous unmet infrastructure needs at the local level, and our message has been that the state needs to step in and really invest in this," Hawley said. "That’s why I’m so pleased to deliver this funding, and why I’m going to continue to be a tireless advocate for providing New Yorkers with 21^st century infrastructure.”

For Monday night training, Le Roy fire was joined by City fire for water flow training at the Dolomite Products quarry off Gulf Road in Le Roy. The crews worked on drafting, pump and ladder operations.

Chief Tim Hogle said, "Thanks to Dolomite Products Le Roy for letting us use their property. Good job to everyone involved."

Submitted photo.

Looking back on the first 10 years of The Batavian, here are the most viewed stories. First, by cumulative page views and second, each top story for each year.

Top 10 most viewed stories in 10 years

• This weekend, Jason Lang lost his battle with drug addiction, 2017
• 'I just got lucky': Byron man bags 500-pound black bear, 2015, by Ray Coniglio
• Q & A with Dr. Susan Swedo regarding PANDAS, 2012
• Pembroke math teacher dies in ATV accident, 2017
• Three members of Elba family arrested following sex crimes investigation, 2015
• Two small children die in house fire on State Street Road, Batavia, 2016
• Winning drug-free posters from local students, 2010
• Le Roy Legion hosting event to honor WWII vets, 2013
• When a baby stopped breathing, one of Settler's regular customers saved her life, 2016
• Family hopes to find driver of red SUV involved in hit-and-run accident in Elba, 2016

The most viewed posts in each year:

• 2008: Christmas lights 12-13-08: DiSalvo's always best in show, by Brian Hillabush
• 2009: Manhunt in progress near Townline and 63
• 2010: Notorious woman allegedly trashes buffet at South Beach, by Billie Owens
• 2011: Brad Paisley fans get themselves arrested in droves during Darien Lake concert
• 2012: State health officials discuss outbreak of tics in Le Roy, but say they can't share the cause
• 2013: Le Roy Legion hosting event to honor WWII vets
• 2014: Jacquetta Simmons sent to jail as defense plans appeal of restitution order
• 2015:  'I just got lucky': Byron man bags 500-pound black bear, by Ray Coniglio
• 2016: Two small children die in house fire on State Street Road, Batavia
• 2017:  This weekend, Jason Lang lost his battle with drug addiction
• 2018 (so far): Suspect in Thruway standoff taken into custody, by Billie Owens

Reminder: We're celebrating our 10th anniversary today at 5:30 p.m. at Eli Fish Brewing Company (10 years ago, Main Street Coffee and our first "office").

Mike Randall will perform his one-man show "Mark Twain LIve!" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at the Stone Church Presbyterian Church in Bergen.

Cost is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors 65+; and $10 for students.

For tickets, call 494-2153 or 682-6147.

The church is located at 7549 S. Lake Road, Bergen.

Randall, the senior meteorologist for WKBW-TV in Buffalo, has been performing this act for more than 40 years.

He is endorsed by the Mark Twain Museum of Buffalo and has performed this act nationwide, from off-Broadway in NYC and the State Department in Washington, D.C., to the Associated Press Television-Radio Association awards in Los Angeles.

The Daughters of the American Revolution awarded him a special honor for authenticity.

Find out more at www.MikeRandallLive.com

After working for the then-fledgling Genesee Community College District for more than 46 years, Maxine Koberg (nee Palmer) retired in 2016, leaving campus as an employee for the last time on Jan. 29th two years ago.

On Sunday, April 29th, the 72-year-old Batavia native and longtime Elba resident died at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

In an article written about her in The Batavian upon her retirement, she said she worked steadily after graduating from high school, later passing a Civil Service exam then landing a clerk's job at the GCC. She planned from the get-go to stick with it; she said felt competant in her duties and liked her work.

By all accounts, Koberg was a true team player and got along well her coworkers.

The kind of dedication she embodied certainly seems increasingly hard to come by; long-term "institutional knowledge" spanning decades in any field, more rare.

For her full obituary, click here.

For the article about her retirement published Jan. 30, 2016, click here.

The Genesee County Women's Republican Club will host the 2018 Spring Breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Ascension Parish Hall in Batavia.

Enjoy a full breakfast buffet catered by the Dibble Family Center.

Cost is $20 per member and $25 per nonmember; you can sign up for membership at the event.

The parish hall is located at 15 Sumner St.

This year's "Caring for America Charity" is the Alzheimer's Association.

For more information, contact Melissa M. Haacke at 314-4501.

RSVP by May 7 to:

Michele Smith

20 Canterbury Lane

Bergen NY 14416

or via email at:

Msmith1548@frontiernet.net

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center physicians, leaders, and clinicians will gather together Wednesday to celebrate the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence Award, which is being presented to the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center.

For two consecutive years, UMMC has achieved patient satisfaction rates of higher than 92 percent and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal. The Center is being awarded this prestigious honor by Healogics, the nation's largest provider of advanced wound care services.

Out of 340 eligible Centers, 268 were honored with this award. The award is named for Dr. Robert A. Warriner III, a pioneer in wound care and the former Chief Medical Officer for Healogics.

Lisa Albanese, program director, announced the achievement today.

“This is the second consecutive year the center has received a distinction from Healogics. It is a direct reflection of the team’s ongoing commitment to patient-focused care and clinical excellence for our patients, the community and to our hospital partners.”

UMMC’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is a member of the Healogics network of nearly 700 Wound Care Centers®, with access to benchmarking data and proven experience treating approximately 2.5 million chronic wounds.

The Center offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Advanced treatments included negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, biological and biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies.

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Healogics and its affiliated companies manage a network of 700 outpatient Wound Care Centers® across the United States and multiple locations in the United Kingdom. Healogics currently has more than 3,000 employees, including nearly 300 employed providers (Healogics Specialty Providers). In addition to the company’s network of outpatient Wound Care Centers, Healogics providers partner with over 400 skilled nursing facilities to care for patients with chronic wounds. More than 300,000 patients were treated by Healogics providers in 2017. For additional information, please visit Healogics.com.

Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes and beyond. The system includes five hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and immediate care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and ACM Medical Laboratory, a global leader in patient and clinical trials. Rochester Regional Health is the region’s second largest employer. Learn more at RochesterRegional.org.

United Memorial Medical Center is a 131-bed acute care hospital that serves the residents of Genesee County and surrounding communities. The medical staff of more than 250 primary care physicians and specialists offers primary medical care and a broad range of specialties. The hospital is also the largest private employer in Genesee County with over 700 employees.

Press release:

Last week, Live Nation announced "National Concert Week" will take place starting today, April 30, through May 8 with an exclusive $20 all-in ticket offer for fans to celebrate the kickoff to its biggest summer season.

The deal will include more than 1.5 million tickets to 2,000+ shows across Live Nation’s roster of summer tours including comedy, country, hip-hop, latin, metal, rock, pop, and more including several shows at Darien Lake Amphitheater.

For one week only, fans can get their hands on the $20 all-in tickets today at NCW.LiveNation.com, through Tuesday, May 8 at 11:59 p.m. local time. 

Produced by Live Nation, National Concert Week is a time for artists and fans to celebrate their love of live music. To launch the week,  Live Nation will hold a special media event in New York featuring dozens of their touring artists. 

Tickets are available for $20 with no additional fees for more than 20 shows at Darien Lake this summer, including some of Live Nation’s most in-demand summer tours. Also returning for 2018, all paid concert tickets will include FREE same-day admission to Darien Lake Theme Park.*  

A full list of participating shows is included below. Tickets available while supplies last.

The $20 Kickoff to Summer Sale includes these shows only at Darien Lake Amphitheater:

·         Dead & Company – Tuesday, June 19th    

·         Zac Brown Band -- Sunday, June 24th 

·         Chris Stapleton – Thursday, June 28th  

·         Logic – Tuesday, July 3    

·         Lynyrd Skynyrd & more – Friday, July 13th

·         Lady Antebellum – Saturday, July 21st    

·         Kesha & Macklemore – Sunday, July 22nd     

·         Godsmack / Shinedown – Tuesday, July 24th     

·         Vans Warped Tour – Wednesday, July 25th     

·         Slayer – Friday, Aug. 3  

·         Dierks Bentley – Saturday, Aug. 4th     

·         Chicago & REO Speedwagon – Tuesday, Aug. 7th  

·         Jason Aldean – Friday, Aug. 10th     

·         Rob Zombie / Marilyn Manson – Sunday, Aug. 12th  

·         Miranda Lambert / Little Big Town -- Thursday, Aug. 16th    

·         Kidz Bop Kids – Saturday, Aug. 18th

·         G-Eazy – Friday, Aug. 24th 

·         Breaking Benjamin / Five Finger Death Punch -- Monday, Sept. 3

·         Deep Purple / Judas Priest – Wednesday, Sept. 5th 

·         Niall Horan w/ Maren Morris – Friday, Sept. 7th

Please visit NCW.LiveNation.com.

Press release:

St. Joseph Catholic School held its annual Lil Irish Basketball Banquet on Thursday, April 26, to honor those students that participated this year.

These third- through sixth-grade players and their families gathered together to celebrate the hard work and perseverance that they showed throughout the basketball season.

Their dedicated coaches taught them how to always play hard but more importantly to always show respect and sportsmanship toward their teammates and other players.

Congratulations to the following 2018 Lil Irish Basketball players and their coaches for another great year:

Third- and fourth-grade boys coached by Mark Fitzpatrick

Colton Callard, Clayton Conrad, Finn Davies, Benjamin Ferrando, Evan Fitzpatrick, Steven Karas, Noah Kowalski, Noah Figlow, Owen Therrien, Nicholas Compton, and Andrew Compton.

Third- and foruth-grade girls coached by Michelle Falleti, Vincent Falleti & Dan Milliman

Maddison Klotzbach, Sofia Falleti, Emma Fitch, Peyton Goebert, Elizabeth Lankford, Riley Yunker, Amelia Sorochty, Karleigh Driffill, Gianna Falleti, Lyllian Miller, Clairissa Milliman, and Lucia Zambito.

Fifth- and sixth-grade boys coached by Ed King

Andrew Kaus, Chance King, Nilsson Laska, Matthew Compton, Gabe Castro, Jaden Firmstone, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Nate Goras, and Kalen Muehlig.

Fifth- and sixth-grade girls coached by Kati Sisson and Ed King

Sara Murray, Gracie Phillips, Katelyn Kowalski, Kaitlyn Landers, Kate Ricupito, Emma Sisson, Hannah Tenney, Katelyn Witherow, Sophia Papponetti, Loretta Sorochty, and Teresa Compton.

Press release: 

Typically working behind the scenes, Roberta "Bobbi" Norton was recently in the limelight at an awards banquet in Buffalo as she was recognized with a Western New York Educational Service Council Award for Excellence.

Norton is the executive assistant to the superintendent and assistant clerk /secretary to the Board of Education for the Batavia City School District.

She was nominated for the annual award by Superintendent of Schools Christopher Dailey and Board of Education President Pat Burk, who wrote, “Mrs. Norton is dedicated to our district, the Board of Education, and the children. She is caring, conscientious, compassionate, and professional, and she makes the Batavia City School District a better place for all every day. “

Norton has worked for the District for more than 38 years, beginning as a clerical intern in the business office, continuing with positions in schools and administrative offices, and, for the last 10 years, in the superintendent’s office.

Calling her a leader and an example of excellence for the clerical staff, Dailey and Burk noted that, “Through superior work performance that includes trustworthiness and professionalism, Mrs. Norton has earned a place within the inner circle of trust among the leadership within the District.”

In announcing her award, Council President Lori DiCarlo said, “Bobbi exhibits undying loyalty to public service, the students and to the administrators she supports. ... Driven by an obsession for creating meticulous order to things, Bobbi draws a lot of personal satisfaction from the clerical work she performs.

"When asked to identify the best thing about her job, without hesitation she credits the positive environment within the Batavia City Schools as a source of great job satisfaction.”

Lynn M. Homer, 45, of Platten Road, Lyndonville, is charged with; aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th; driver's vision obstructed; and obstructed plate. Homer was stopped at 3:22 p.m. April 13 on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay. She was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Travis Lilbern Robert Bartz, 22, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bartz was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during an investigation into a complaint on Trumbull Parkway at 11:03 p.m. April 22 by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Jacob A. Kasmarek, 19, of Fargo Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. Kasmarek was stopped at 9:15 p.m. April 23 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Samuel McDonald III, 54, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McDonald is accused of stealing two cans of beer from Tops at 6:39 p.m. Wednesday.

Matthew Frank Carney, 25, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Carney was stopped at 12:55 a.m. Friday on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Arick Perkins.

Jesse James Sasiadek, 24, of Cayuga Creek Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with: DWI; driving with a BAC of .08 or greater; driving while impaired by drugs; driving while ability impaired by drugs and alcohol combined; and unlawful possession of marijuana. Sasiadek was stopped at 4:26 p.m. Sunday on Route 19, Bergen, by Deputy Erik Andre.

Jay Kenneth Feitshans Jr., 23, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with petit larceny. Feistshans is accused of stealing property and selling it at a local business.

Stefanie S. Kitanik, 33, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, uninspected motor vehicle, and no plate lamps. Kitanik was stopped at 2:09 a.m. Saturday on Maple Avenue, Oakfield, by Deputy James Stack.

David Wayne King Jr., 36, of Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. King is accused of falling asleep due to a prescribed medication and as a result, his 2-year-old son left his residence and was alone for a period of time.

Nelson E. Figueroa, 29, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Figueroa was stopped at 10:40 p.m. Saturday on Route 33, Stafford, by State Police.

Icha R. Koirala, 28, a resident of the State of New York (exact town not provided), is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Koirala was stopped at 9:18 p.m. Friday on Route 33 in Bergen by State Police.

Laura D. Vazquez Coronado, 38, of Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stay in lane. Coronado was stopped at 4:39 p.m. Thursday on North Byron Road, Elba, by State Police.

The Batavian is 10 years old tomorrow. You're invited to join us at 5:30 p.m. for a 10th Anniversary Celebration at Eli Fish Brewing Company.

Eli Fish is located at 111 Main St., Batavia. Ten years ago, that was the location of Main Street Coffee. When we were launching The Batavian, we didn't have an office, so Philip Anselmo (our editor then) and I, with the gracious permission of Rob Credi, camped out at Main Street Coffee all day. That was our first "office." So it's fun to return to that same location that is now a new business that is part of Batavia's revitalization.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at West Bergen Road and Telephone Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 7:57 a.m.: A Mercy medic reports one person in a vehicle who probably won't need extrication and two additional patients.

UPDATE 8 a.m.: Only one patient will require transport.

UPDATE 8:04 a.m.: National Grid to be notified for a broken utility pole.

A reader submitted these photos of a tractor-trailer fire on Route 20 in Bethany that was reported about 20 minutes ago.

Bethany fire and Alexander fire on scene.

Law enforcement is requested to the scene.

The driver got out safely according to the reader.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.:  Photos by Glenn Adams, Bethany Fire Department. 

The Forum Players performed selections Saturday night from 50 years of theater productions at Genesee Community College.

The show included selections from:

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Singin’ in the Rain," "Peter Pan," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," among others.

These photos are from the musical "Chicago."

To purchase prints, click here.

Jodi Fisher was the greeter Saturday night at Seymore Place for GO ART!'s first "Swing Fling."

The evening's entertainment included an old-fashioned radio show and The Genesee Jazz Collective with vocalist Wendy Williams (also pictured below, Dan Klinzar on trumpet.)

Jim Burns brought his 1950s era Graflex Speed Graphic camera (the standard professional/press camera for decades, and still in use in the 1970s, after being introduced in 1912). Partygoers could purchase black and white portraits of themselves during the event.

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama is hosted its 34th annual Spring into Nature celebration Saturday with displays, vendors, crafts and activities.

Lindsey Zanghi, 12, from Pembroke, had a lot of fun Saturday at the Town of Batavia Fire Department's Open House. So did Brooke Nichols, 12, of Oakfield, below, who got to honk the emergency horn on one of the fire trucks.

More than 40 volunteers from the area's Presbyterian churches came together yesterday for "Mission Day." Starting out at the First Presbyterian of Batavia, they fanned out to the Crossroads House, the Child Advocacy Center, and the YWCA. Volunteers came from the Presbyterian churches in Byron, Corfu, Le Roy, Attica, Bergen, Batavia, and East Bethany.

Photos submitted by Rev. Roula Alkhouri.