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The Corfu Free Library is now a school district public library, after the vote passed by residents of the Pembroke Central School District on May 16.  

Diana Reding, the library director, said the school will collect and levy the tax for the library, but the library will remain a separate entity from the district.

“Now, we will no longer be asking the Village of Corfu, the Town of Pembroke and the Town of Darien for the funds that previously supported the library,” Reding said.

Tony Kutter, a member of the board of directors at the Corfu Free Library, said he is amazed at what it offers.

“Every small community is losing their businesses, but we don’t want to lose our library,” Kutter said. “Now things have changed, with social media, but you still have to go to the library.”

The Corfu Free Library has fiction and nonfiction books, books on CD, magazines, DVDs, video games, printing, copying and faxing. The library is free to residents of Genesee, Niagara and Orleans counties. Nonresidents can also obtain library cards if they are employed or attend school in Genesee County.  

Kutter said he has lived in the area all his life and the library has always been a part of the community where people always go.

“As I raised my children, they were exposed to Sesame Street and story hours at libraries,” Kutter said. “I think it’s very important for these children to have a library to go to.”

Reding said the story hour program has been around for many years.

“It’s great because we have grandparents bringing their grandchildren and parents whose children aren’t old enough to go to daycare,” Reding said. “The kids get a chance to come here and socialize, and see their peers. The parents also get a chance to socialize. It becomes a community social.”

The mission of the library is to provide everyone in the community with a welcoming environment where there is equal access to knowledge and technology to inspire learning and personal growth.

“Once you retire, I find a lot of people don’t have the motivation to read,” Kutter said. “If you just stop when you retire, that’s not healthy mentally.”

The Corfu Free Library started as the Franklin Library Association 1819.

Twenty residents from the towns of Alexander and Pembroke formed the association in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The Corfu Ladies Library was then organized in 1872.

The Corfu Library was formed in 1920, after the Corfu Study Club was granted a provisional charter as The Corfu Free Library Association. In 1927, the library was moved to its current location at 7 Maple Ave.

Reding said she has seen lots of changes in the library over the last few years.

“Even in the last few years that I’ve been here, we’ve introduced two new digital services,” Reding said. “For me, it has been a balancing act between having our typical New York Times bestsellers versus trying to introduce the new platforms.”

Kutter and Reding both said they hope to see an increase in members of the library in the future.

“Life is more stressful nowadays,” Kutter said. “There’s only so many hours in a day. We’re competing against a lot of things.”

James L. Ozzello, 29, of Kathryns Way, Livonia, is charged with: pedestrian failed to yield right of way to a vehicle; pedestrian proceeded into the path of a vehicle; disorderly conduct; and resisting arrest. The alleged incident was reported at 2 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia. Ozzello was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Geoffrey M. Anderson, 51, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. He was jailed without bail.

Bonnie Mae Marrocco, 47, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. During an argument, Marrocco allegedly damaged property of another person with a value of more than $250.

Rebecca A. Edwards, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Edwards was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $500 bail.

Wendy Lee Henry, 32, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration. Henry allegedly interfered with a medical situation at 4:08 a.m. Friday at a residence on Central Avenue.

Christopher S. Usselman, 25, of Hamilton Street, Albion, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, two counts of aggravated unauthorized operation, 2nd, open alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Usselman was stopped at 1:49 a.m. Friday on West Main Street, Batavia, for an alleged traffic violation by Officer Mitchell Cowen. Usselman allegedly initially gave the officer the name of another person for his identity. Further investigation allegedly led to the discovery of an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle, marijuana and a revoked driver's license.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 20, of Willow Street, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct, trespass, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Batavia PD responded to a residence on Maple Street at 8:02 p.m. Friday for a report of a disturbance involving several people. Police were able to separate the parties and after an investigation, Culver was arrested. Culver was jailed (bail status not included in press release). Also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, Laqueasha M. Taylor, 23, of Bank Street, Batavia.

Bryan S. Harris, 35, of Stratford Road, Buffalo, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident reported at 9 a.m., Feb. 23, 2015. No further details released.

Sandra Ann Muhs, 50, of South Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, failure to keep right, and unsafe tires. Muhs was arrested by Deputy Mathew Clor following the report of a motor-vehicle accident, no injuries, at 5:56 a.m. Tuesday in the area of 9778 South Street Road, Pavilion.

Corey B. Rieser, 29, of Darien Center, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, insecure license plate, and visibility distorted by broken glass. Rieser was stopped in the Town of Sheldon by Sgt. Colin Reagan, Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, for alleged traffic violations. He was jailed on $500 bail or $2,500 bond.

Press release:

The Botts Fiorito American Legion Auxiliary 576 announces that the 2017 Poppy Girl is Ellison Williams, who is a third-grader at Wolcott Street School in Le Roy. She is the daughter of Dave and Mindy Williams, Granddaughter of Dave and Bee Hyde and Jim and Peggy Williams.

She comes to the Auxiliary from a long line of American Legion Members her Great Grandparents were  Hank and Mary Zimmerman. Ellison participates in dance and also enjoys drawing, playing basketball, volleyball and swimming.  

Ellison will be at Tops Market on Saturday with Poppies please stop by to meet her. Also, Poppies will be available at Tops Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m.

Press release:

The Turn 27 Blue coalition is pleased to report that the coalition's process for identifying and assisting candidates who would like to run for Congress in 2018 against Chris Collins in New York's 27th district is exceeding expectations -- 10 candidates so far have submitted cover letters describing their intentions and resumes; it is anticipated more candidates will follow.

Democratic county chairs in the district along with several grassroots leaders held a meeting with seven of those candidates last Thursday in Batavia; a second session will be offered for candidates who were unable able to attend the first meeting. Each prospective nominee gave a brief presentation and answered questions from members of the coalition.

"This was a really exciting event for us," said Judith Hunter, Livingston County Democratic chair and Turn 27 Blue coordinator. "We heard from several people who weren't just plausible candidates but plausible members of Congress.

"Every single one of them was motivated by the desire to serve the district and its constituents, rather than by a desire to promote themselves or a party or an ideology."

"What a refreshing contrast to Representative Chris Collins, who is too busy running to cable televisions studios, fending off an ethics investigation for insider trading, and fundraising from pharmaceutical industry lobbyists to be bothered with actually meeting with his constituents to hear their concerns," said Michelle Johnston Schoeneman of Citizens Against Collins. "These candidates who met with us truly seemed to aspire to the ideal of public service."

Jeremy Zellner, Erie County Democratic chair, noted, "We're laying the groundwork here for success in November of 2018. Each of these prospective nominees has his or her own timeline for announcing, so we're going to respect that and keep their names confidential at this point. But they're serious people who are putting in the work, and we want to help them however we can." 

In addition to the ongoing advice the leaders are providing, they have also set up a NY-27 2018 nominee fund on ActBlue.com as a vehicle for those want to contribute today to defeating Chris Collins next year.

"There's just so much energy out there right now to accomplish this, and we're making sure ordinary voters in the district can do something constructive right now," said Cynthia Appleton, the Wyoming County Democratic chair.

Although the Turn 27 Blue leaders want to emphasize that they are open to hearing from more possible candidates, they would like to stress that getting started as soon as possible increases a campaign's chance of ultimate success. Those who are interested should email a cover letter and resume to Judith Hunter at Chair@livingstondemocrats.org.

Judith Hunter, Livingston County Democratic chair
Jeremy Zellner, Erie County Democratic chair
Nick Forster, Niagara County Democratic chair
Jeanne Crane, Orleans County Democratic chair
Michael Plitt, Genesee County Democratic chair
Cynthia Appleton, Wyoming County Democratic chair
Jamie Romeo, Monroe County Democratic chair
John Hurley, Ontario County Democratic chair
Michelle Johnston Shoeneman, Citizens Against Collins
Amber Hainey, GLOW Progressives
Dan Beagley, Indivisible NY 27
Tom White, Sister District of Western New York

Press release:

We are thrilled to announce that Lowe’s has awarded the Le Roy Jr. /Sr. High School $3,500 in funding for our “Builders Club” project.

The grant was written as a collaboration between our instructional tech coach, Jen Bertrand, and our Technology Education teacher, Matt Kleehammer. The grant application was based on the goal of an authentic opportunity for our students to project plan, build, create, and connect with our school and surrounding community.

We look forward to sharing the “Builders Club” with the Le Roy community. We expect that this project will be up and running this September with students able to take real-time staff or community building requests and turn them into a reality.

Our school and community will greatly benefit from this grant. We wish to thank our friends at Lowe’s for generously supporting this important project! 

All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible for the Toolbox for Education program. More information is available at www.ToolboxforEducation.com.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, Genesee County’s only professional sports franchise and the Single-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, are excited to announce the release of their promotional schedule for the 2017 season. This year’s schedule will once again feature fireworks, giveaways, special events and daily promotions. 

This year’s promotional schedule is jam packed with fun and amazing values. Throughout the 2017 season, the Muckdogs will feature six fireworks shows, eight giveaway nights, Bark in the Park and the annual post-game helicopter candy drop. This year will also feature a “Turn Back the Clock” game where all tickets are just $5 and hot dogs and soda that night will cost just $1.

Highlights of the 2017 Promotional Schedule include:

Opening Day/Magnet Schedule Giveaway

Monday, June 19^th

Pre-Game Chicken Wing Eating Contest

Monday, June 26th

Independence Day Celebration Fireworks

Tuesday, July 4^th

T-Shirts Etc. 20^th Anniversary Night & T-Shirt Giveaway

Saturday, July 15^th  

Irish Night 

Thursday, July 20^th

Downtown Batavia Night 

Thursday, July 27^th

Former Buffalo Bills LB Ray Bentley Autograph Appearance & Book Giveaway

Saturday, July 29^th  

Muckdogs Note Pad Giveaway

Saturday, Aug. 5^th

Post-Game Helicopter Candy Drop

Sunday, Aug. 6^th

Batavia Lions Club Bike Raffle

Monday, Aug. 7^th

Turn Back the Clock Night 

Thursday, Aug. 17^th

Team Photo Giveaway

Saturday, Aug. 19^th & 26^th

Bark in the Park 

Sunday, Aug. 20^th

Fireworks Nights will be as follows: July 4^th, July 14^th, July 21^st, July 28^th, Aug. 4^th and Aug. 18^th. 

The Muckdogs will once again offer fans a daily menu of money-saving promotions available throughout the season. 

The Muckdogs daily promotions lineup is as follows: 

• Mondays: Muckdog Monday presented by The Daily News: With a coupon from the Saturday edition of The Daily News, fans can purchase buy one get one free General Admission tickets. 
• Tuesdays: Kids’ Tuesday Night Tickets courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program: The first 50 kids accompanied by an adult receive a free General Admission ticket. 
• Wednesdays: Family 4-Pack Night: Fans can purchase four General Admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12-oz. sodas and a 2017 program for just $32, a savings of $19.00. 
• Thursdays: Kids Eat Free courtesy of Bob Evans Restaurants: The first 100 kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda, and snack item. 
• Fridays: Post-game fireworks will light up the sky after every Friday night home game. 
• Saturdays: Dollar Draft Saturday: From 6-7 p.m., 12-oz. Bud Light and Genny Light drafts are just $1. 
• Sundays: Post-Game Run the Bases with Homer presented by Bob Evans Restaurant: Kids have the opportunity to run the bases with Homer after the game and receive a coupon from Bob Evans Restaurant in Batavia. Seniors Eat Free courtesy of The Williams Law Firm: The first 100 seniors 60 and over receive a voucher for a free hot dog, soda/coffee, and a snack item. 

For a complete promotional schedule, go to www.muckdogs.com or call the Muckdogs office at (585)343-5454. 

The Muckdogs open their 2017 home schedule on Monday, June 19^th vs. the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 p.m. Muckdogs’ season tickets, coupon books, group tickets and ticket packages are on sale now. Individual tickets went on sale Monday.

City Ladder 15 and Engine 11 were called to the Senior Center on Bank Street after employees of St. Jerome's called 9-1-1 and reported smelling smoke outside the building. They discovered an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit on the roof that was smoking and resolved the issue.

Press release:

Locating affordable, accessible housing has long been a crucial need of senior citizens and people with disabilities who wish to live independently in the community. In a concerted effort to address this concern, Office for the Aging of Genesee County and Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) are holding a FREE buffet-style Landlords’ Breakfast, to which owners who rent housing in Genesee County are invited.

We are “rolling out the red carpet” by holding the event at Terry Hills Golf and Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton Street, Batavia, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31.

Landlords will have the opportunity to share applicant and tenant issues, and we will share information about the programs and wrap-around services we provide for renters.  For those landlords who generally see a high turnover rate, you can learn how ILGR can help to support your tenants, to encourage a more prolonged tenancy.

Those who plan to attend must pre-register, so there will be enough food on-hand. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411. 

This program is made possible through funds from the New York State Office for the Aging, NY Connects, the Older Americans Act, and the generous support of the Genesee County Legislature and Independent Living of the Genesee Region.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Athletics Department has announced dates for upcoming soccer and volleyball camps to take place this summer at the College.

The camps will be taught by GCC coaches and players as well as other select coaches and players, and offer young athletes an opportunity to learn the skills and techniques of the game all while having fun.

Boys and girls ages 12-17 that want to work on soccer goalkeeping skills will have the opportunity to do so at the strictly-goalkeeper soccer camp beginning on June 18. The camp will meet on Sunday's (6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9 & 7/16) from 3 – 4:30 p.m and the cost of the camp is $75.

GCC women's soccer Head Coach Jeff Reyngoudt will run the camp and focus on all aspects of the game with the keepers, including lots of individual attention. Players will be placed according to age (based on numbers), creating a healthy, challenging, learning environment for each player. The sessions are serious and intense, but will never lose sight of the fact that soccer is a game and player's enjoyment is the number one priority. For more information contact Coach Reyngoudt: jcreyngoudt@genesee.edu or by calling (585)330-3593.

The GCC women's soccer program will host a camp for girls ages 12 – 17 and boys ages 12 – 17 from July 24 - 28. Head Coach Reyngoudt will be joined by other area coaches and college players throughout the five-day camp, which will run each day from 9 – 11:30 a.m. for girls and 12:30 – 3 p.m. for boys. The GCC soccer program believes the "game" is the best teacher and that philosophy will be evident at the camp. Cost of the camp is $125. Contact Coach Reyngoudt with any questions or concerns: jcreyngoudt@genesee.edu or by calling (585)330-3593.

GCC volleyball and Head Coach Tricia Ziebarth will host a volleyball camp for boys and girls in grades 7-12 on Aug. 7 – 9. The camp will run from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day and Coach Ziebarth will ensure that each participant learns the proper, fundamental techniques essential for the sport. Participants will learn the skills, drills and thrills of volleyball led by Ziebarth and select assistant coaches. Cost of the camp is $125. Contact Coach Ziebarth with any questions or concerns: tkziebarth@genesee.edu or by calling (607)765-7627.

For further information and registration, visit www.geneseeathletics.com/camps

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

 

The Holland Land Office Museum, located on 131 W. Main St. in Batavia, will have its collection, “Over there to over here: 100 years later,” on display only for a couple more weeks.

The artifacts in the collection all pertain to World War I with a connection to Genesee County, said Ryan Duffy, the museum’s executive director.

“I decided to put [the artifacts] on display to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry in the war,” Duffy said.

The collection includes military and personal items, Duffy said, noting that the collection also has items used to support the war, and each piece is labeled with what it is, who it belonged to and the year it was from.

“For the most part, all of the items were used by Genesee County residents,” Duffy said. "For instance, all the uniforms we have were worn by someone from the area that was donated to the collection.”

Duffy said there are around 60 items on display. The collection was put together with items already donated to the museum.

“It’s good to show off some of the things in our collection that pertain to the time period,” Duffy said.

Also in the collection is a list of the World War I veterans in Genesee County.

Duffy said it is as complete as it is going to get, but sometimes visitors look at the book and tell him another name that should be included.

The collection was on display starting on April 11 and will remain open until June 10.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $1 for a child or student, $2 for an adult and $5 for a family.

Mickey A. Jacobs, 24, of Lone Road, Basom, is charged with strangulation in the second degree, a Class D felony, two counts of assault in the third degree and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Jacobs is accused of holding the throat of another person and striking that person in the face several times while in the presence of children. 

During the confrontation, Jacobs allegedly struck another person in the face, causing an injury.

The alleged incident was reported at 11:40 p.m., May 15.

Following arraignment in Alabama Town Court, Jacobs was jailed on $20,000 bail.

The case was investigated by Deputy Eric Meyer and Deputy Kyle Krzemien, with assistance from State Police.

The Knox Choir, a youth choir from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio, is coming to Batavia on Wednesday, June 7, to perform a free concert.

The youth choir will be touring this summer and performing at different communities in the Northeast.

Batavia will be this tour's debut performance. It's at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 300 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

A wide variety of music will be sung, including works by Faure and Bach, as well as music from the Gospel tradition, and songs from around the globe.

Since 2007, this choir has completed eight tours, including three Presbyterian Heritage Tours of Scotland.

Press release:

Batavia High School Coach Buddy Brasky will hold Basketball Training Camp at Batavia City Schools this summer.

Brasky will be joined by: skills instructor Tim Sullivan; Tom Redband, girls varsity coach at Elba High School; Matt Shay, boys varsity coach at Pembroke High School; Billy Truitt, former Division 1 and professional basketball player; and Bill Pitcher, longtime area basketball player and coach.

Basketball Training Camp will be held from July 3rd- Aug. 11^th.  There will be two sessions:

1. Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for boys in grades 9-college;
2. Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for boys in grades 7 and 8, and girls in grades 7-college.

This is a six-week program that will emphasize offensive skill development. The program is open to anyone, male or female, from grades 7- college.

Cost for the program is $395. For an application call or text Buddy Brasky at 585-356-4050 or email mbrasky@bataviacsd.org

Nicole K. Sullivan is indicted for the crime of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that on June 10 in the Town of Stafford, Sullivan recklessly caused serious physical injury to a male victim by means of a motor vehicle. In count two, she is accused of the crime of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physical disabled person in the first degree, a Class E felony. In count two, it is alleged that Sullivan knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a person who was unable to care for himself because of physical disability, mental disease or defect. In count three, Sullivan is accused of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it, a Class E felony. In count three, Sullivan allegedly drove a motor vehicle and caused serious personal injury to a male victim and failed to stop, and when no police officer was in the vicinity of the place where injury occurred, she failed to report the incident as soon as physically able at the nearest police station.

Shannon M. McGill is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on July 30 in the Town of Stafford, McGill operated a 2013 Ford on Main Road while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, she is accused of driving while intoxicated per se, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that she had a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, she is accused of second-degree vehicular assault, a Class E felony, for allegedly causing serious physical injury to a male victim as a result of driving while intoxicated. In count four, McGill is accused of second-degree vehicular assault, another Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of.08 percent higher at the time she caused serious physical injury to the victim.

Brandon S. Beil is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 18 in the Town of Le Roy, Beil operated a 2009 Chevy on Clay Street while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, Beil is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a law enforcement officer from making an authorized arrest.

A pet therapy dog, flying doves, a butterfly, a tree with a swing, a meditation bench, a lilac bush and a drum, these are just some of the metal sculptures that were handcrafted by area career and technical education students. More than 100 students from four career and technical education centers located across Western New York have created more than 70 metal sculptures that will be auctioned to benefit The Mental Health Association.

Welding for Wellness is a collaborative project that includes students from 65 school districts, which span 10 counties in Upstate New York. Students in the Metal Trades Programs at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, Monroe 2- Orleans BOCES, Monroe #1 BOCES, the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GV BOCES) have worked since December to craft this artwork.

In June, these sculptures will be auctioned to benefit The Mental Health Association. The auction will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 2, from at Village Gate on the 2nd floor Atrium, 274 N. Goodman St., Rochester.

Auction tickets may be purchased online at Weldingforwellness.com or by contacting the Mental Health Association at (585) 325-3145.

The American Welding Society – Rochester section is a sponsor of this project.

Press release:

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

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on May 26th and will end on May 30th. Memorial Day week is historically a deadly period for impaired driving. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional beginning of summer. In addition, there will be thousands of parties and barbecues to celebrate graduations, proms, communions, confirmations and the fact that the better weather has arrived.  This combination of factors equates to more people on the road in general and more people specifically driving impaired with 13 percent more fatalities than on a non-holiday weekend.

The New York State Police, County Sheriff, and municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths during this period.

Batavia City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said, “the Memorial Day Holiday is a time to spend with family and friends, please do so responsibly and Have a Plan. Officers will be extra vigilant this Memorial Day Holiday for those operating a vehicle under the influence.” 

Sheriff William A. Sheron said, “As we travel down the highway this Memorial Day Weekend, let’s remember that it only takes a couple of seconds of distraction for your vehicle to cross over into oncoming traffic changing lives forever. Put down the cell phone, eat before or after you drive, pull over to adjust your GPS device; drive time is not spare time. Give all your attention to one of the most dangerous things we do -- drive a car.”

The Memorial Day Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the STOP-DWI Foundation with a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets 4th of July and Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

The assistant district attorney who prosecuted Heather Ace believes the Batavia mother whose 2-year-old twin boys died in a house fire 8157 State Street Road, Batavia, in May of last year is genuinely remorseful for leaving her children home alone unattended.

Ace was sentenced yesterday to a year in jail after previously pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child.

ADA Melissa Cianfrini said Ace has been remorseful since the night of the fire.

"As I said at sentencing, if she could go back and undo it she would a million times over," Cianfrini said. "I didn't doubt her remorse or that it was sincere."

Cianfrini said the DA's office is obligated to follow the evidence and the law and prosecute suspects with the highest charges available to them based on the evidence and the law. Since there is no indication that Ace was involved in any way with starting the fire or causing the fire, the only charge that fit the crime, Cianfrini said, was endangering the welfare of a child.

She originally faced two charges, but since both charges stemmed from the same event, she could not receive separate, consecutive one-year sentences. The maximum available sentence was a year in jail.

The cause of the fire has never been determined and this morning Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said that while electrical has been ruled out as a cause, there was no evidence uncovered that suggested any other cause.

Ace wasn't at home at the time of the fire. There was also nobody else with Michael and Micah Gard when the fire broke out. They were locked in a bedroom and nobody was able to reach them in time after the fire was spotted by neighbors. The boys died of smoke inhalation. 

According to her statement, Ace left the tots home alone to go to a friend's house. She said she stopped to buy a malt liquor and also smoked some marijuana while she was out of the house.

When Ace's mother heard about the fire, she tried calling Ace, who didn't answer her phone. She then sent a text to her daughter, according to statements to investigators, "Answer your f---ing phone."

Ace answered on the next ring. She was hysterical by the time she reached her house a few minutes later.

"She had no role in the fire," Cianfrini said. "It was a serious lack of judgment (leaving the boys alone)."

Two teenage boys were injured yesterday, at least one seriously, in an accident on Maltby Road, Oakfield.

The injured boys are Isaac L. Mejia, 17, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, and Damien L. Bush, 16, of Orchard Street, Oakfield.

Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash.

Mejia was taken by Byron Ambulance, with Mercy personnel aboard, to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Bush was airlifted to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

Mejia was reportedly the driver of a 2013 BMW 3201 that veered off the roadway on Maltby Road, near North Pearl Street, Oakfield, at 5:51 p.m. The sedan struck a tree on the north side of the roadway and caromed back into the road where it came to rest.

The accident remains under investigation. 

Handling the investigation are Deputy James Stack and the Crash Management Team.

Charges may be pending.

(Initial post)

Within a two-hour period, three serious injury accidents in Genesee County, in Alexander, Oakfield and Pavilion.  

At this point, there is no additional information about these accidents beyond what is in our initial posts (links below).

Alexander:

Three people were injured, including one who needed to be airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight, when a car veered off Dodgeson Road and landed on its roof in a creek in a deep ravine. A state trooper at the scene said the cause of the accident had not been determined at that time. This accident was reported at about 5:40 p.m. (Initial post)

Oakfield:

One person was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC following a single-car accident on Maltby Road, Oakfield. The Sheriff's Crash Management Team responded to this accident to conduct the investigation. The car appears to have veered off the road, struck and tree and spun back into the roadway. This accident was reported just before 6 p.m. (Initial post)

Pavilion:

In Pavilion, a car that was northbound on Perry Road apparently failed to see a stop sign crossing Route 20 and drove into the rear wheel of a tractor-trailer. The car spun around and came to rest pointing south on the north side of Route 20. Two people were transported by ground ambulance to Strong. The truck driver continued south for more than a quarter mile, dragging a wheel broken off its axel, while he tried to maintain control and bring the vehicle to a safe stop on the shoulder of the road. This accident was reported just before 7 p.m. (Initial post)

A head-on collision -- semi-truck vs. car -- is reported at Perry Road and Route 20, Pavilion. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding along with law enforcement. Traffic control will be needed.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight is requested.

UPDATE 7:06 p.m.: A landing zone will need to be set up.

UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: An entrapped victim has been extricated.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled. Two victims, both in a passenger vehicle, were taken by ground ambulances to Strong Memorial Hospital. The accident occured, according to an officer at the scene, when a westbound tractor-trailer on Route 20 was struck by a car that was northbound on Perry Road. The car's driver said she didn't see the stop sign; her vehicle clipped the rear wheel of the semi-truck, causing the car to spin around. It came to rest pointing south on the north side of Route 20. The semi-truck's rear wheel was bent and torn from its axel, yet the truck's driver managed to continue traveling uphill for a quarter mile until he could stop it at a safe location, according to a deputy.

UPDATE 8:43 p.m.: The truck has been cleared. Route 20 reopening.