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Wyoming

Calling all youth creators: Join Tobacco-Free GOW's statewide video contest about impact of smoking in movies

By Press Release

Press Release:

Tobacco Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming (TF-GOW) and Reality Check invite youth ages 13-18 to participate in a contest aimed at shining a spotlight on the tobacco industry’s use of smoking imagery on screen to normalize and glamorize tobacco use. The statewide winning video will be highlighted on the Reality Check and Tobacco-Free New York websites and promoted through social media. 

As reported by The University of California San Francisco’s in its Smoke-Free Media ‘What is Hollywood Hiding from Parents Action Toolkit:

“Big Tobacco secretly bought its way on screen for decades. The U.S. entertainment industry still refuses to give parents and audiences advance warning before exposing kids to tobacco imagery that is proven to recruit millions of new young smokers and kill them as adults. Tobacco on screen is the single biggest media risk to children and teens. Hollywood has known of the danger since at least 2003. Yet movie studios and TV producers have never updated their rating systems to even mention smoking or tobacco. They are concealing toxic content. Ratings, warnings, and TV parental controls all need to be reinforced to stop tobacco addiction from trapping another generation. With the streaming revolution now underway, it’s easier than ever for kids to watch movies and TV shows packed with toxic tobacco content. And, the more young people see smoking on screen, the more likely they are to start smoking."

Contest Details:
Create a 60-second video exposing the tobacco industry’s manipulative tactics within the entertainment industry. Show how tobacco imagery is used to promote and glamorize smoking and e-cigarette use. Judging will be based on quality, creativity and effectiveness, and accuracy of messages. Each video must have the following key facts and a minimum of one key statement from the following:
 
Key Facts:
 
1.    Youth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies are more likely to smoke. (US Surgeon General)
2.    It is projected that on-screen smoking will kill two million U.S. children and teens alive today. (US Center for Disease Control)
3.    R-rating future movies with smoking would reduce the youth smoking rate in the United States by 18%. (US Center for Disease Control)
 
Key Statements:
 
·       One little letter could save a million lives. Rate smoking R. 
·       Protect youth from on-screen exposure to tobacco. 
·       Smoking in movies kills in real life. 
 
Video submissions are due February 9, 2022. One video will be recognized as the statewide winner. This video will live on www.realitycheckofny.com and highlight the issue through the lens of New York State youth. Four regional winning videos will also be awarded and recognized at the regional level. All winners will be announced on March 9, 2022 as part of the New York Tobacco Control Program’s annual Statewide Legislative Education Day. All awards will be recognized at regional press events (dates and locations to be determined) and promoted through local media outlets. All youth participating in the contest will receive a Reality Check Swag Bag. 
For complete contest rules and to submit entries, visit www.realitycheckofny.com. For questions specific to the contest, please email tobaccofree@cvfamilycenter.org
 

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of possession of controlled substance

By Traci Turner

Tyler J. Long, 20, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana following an underage drinking investigation in the Town of Sheldon. Long allegedly was drinking alcohol in a concert parking lot when deputies found him to be in possession of Ecstasy, Adderall and marijuana.

Matthew D. Schwartz, 23, and Victoria L. Brown, 19, of Bergen, are charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, a class A misdemeanor. State troopers responded to a residence within a trailer park on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, for a report of criminal mischief. After an investigation, troopers found there were orders of protection in place prohibiting contact between the two. Schwartz and Brown were put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Katherine J. Vail, of Fitch Street, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop  at a stop sign, speeding and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Following a traffic stop on Parkview Drive in Bergen, Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly found Vail in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

A 17-year-old male from Rochester was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana following a traffic stop. Officer Michael Petritz pulled over the male for speeding and no right on red on Route 77 in Corfu. The male was issued tickets and an appearance ticket.

The Wyoming County Sheriff's Department responded to a two-car accident with entrapment on Route 238 in Attica on July 5. All the occupants were removed from the vehicles and treated before deputies arrived. Following an investigation, Russell Irwin, of Batavia, was allegedly found to be following too closely behind David Snyder. Sndyer was making a right turn into a driveway when Irwin struck him. Irwin was issued a citation.

Wyoming Division of GCC Foundation launches annual scholarship drive

By Philip Anselmo

From Genesee Community College:

David DeLaVergne, senior vice president at The Bank of Castile, leads the Wyoming County Division of Genesee Community College Foundation's annual campaign, Our Best Investment.

"In the past year, I have become more and more acquainted with the College and its Campus Centers in Warsaw and Arcade and they are truly assets within our county borders," DeLaVergne said. "Last year, 1,000 talented and motivated Wyoming County residents enrolled at Genesee Community College. In the community and at The Bank of Castile, where I work, I encounter students struggling with career choices and academic expectations."

The driving force of the campaign is to attract and retain academically talented and deserving students and thereby strengthening the local economic vitality by providing training in high-need workforce skills. This past year 464 scholarships were awarded, totaling $265,488.

"It truly is our best investment in our community and our citizens, and we ask that community members please respond favorably when one of our dedicated volunteers asks for support," DeLaVergne said. "The gratitude of the students is immeasurable!"

Community volunteers and campaign leaders in the Wyoming Division include:

• Andrea Aldinger, executive director, Office for Aging and Youth Bureau, Warsaw
• Jonah Broughton, commercial lender, The Bank of Castile, Warsaw
• Bruce Camp, president, Attica Auto Supply, Inc.
• Jen Clark, office manager, Ed Hulme, Inc., Warsaw
• Paula Edwards, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Arcade
• Richard Fish, president, Complete Payroll Processing, Perry and Genesee Community College Foundation Board Member
• Norb Fuest, Human Resources manager, Morton Salt, Inc., Silver Springs and Genesee Community College Foundation Board Member
• Mike Hardie, broker, Tompkins Insurance Agency, Attica
• John McClurg, president, McClurg Automotive, Inc., Perry
• Sandy Pirdy, owner, Creekside Fabrics & Quilts, Arcade
• Brianna Stone, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Castile
• Charlene Strain, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Warsaw
• John Wheeler, branch manager, The Bank of Castile, Perry

The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service and support to Genesee Community College. A thirty member board of directors comprised of business and civic leaders leads it. The Foundation was formed in the mid- eighties to provide philanthropic support to the College. Gifts to the campaign may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information, please call (585) 345-6809 or foundation@genesee.edu.

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