Local News

Press Release:

In the past four years, nothing short of nine new digital opportunities have been introduced by Genesee Community College to help streamline the course registration process and assist students and/or their success coaches and advisors in creating the best possible academic schedule. The College’s Board of Trustees was given a demonstration of the latest online tool, College Scheduler on Monday night. GCC assistant registrar Tara Conrad showed the Trustees how the new software program can reduce a typical 45-minute registration process down to 15 minutes, and how it helps ensure students are following the best pathway for the most effective, timely degree completion.

College Scheduler joins a host of other empowering course registration utilities that have been introduced by GCC, such as Banner Mobile (2013), DegreeWorks (2014), Student Educational Planner and Axiom (2015), Student Outcome Tracking (2016), Student Advising Profile and Credentials Solution Transcripts Plus (2017). Together, this new technology or software programs have changed the way students can manage their academic progress.

“The days of standing in a long line to register for classes with a printed course catalog are long gone,” Conrad said. “College Scheduler is our ninth new element for student success.” An admitted ‘data and software junky,’ Conrad’s enthusiasm for the new program is compounded by its reporting structure and data collection capabilities. In the coming year, she is very excited about the new intelligence College Scheduler will reveal including term over term persistence rates.

Equally as impressive, however, is the user-friendly interface. Students can use the program independently without the oversight of a success coach, and they choose their own parameters-from campus location to term of enrollment, favorite instructors to preferred class times. College Scheduler also allows students to factor in their personal break time for things like athletic practice, work-study employment and even registering for a particular section to be with a friend. In Conrad’s five minute demonstration, the sample schedule started with more than 275 spring schedule options, but was quickly reduced down to less than six options as she clicked through a variety of preferences.

“By streamlining the entire registration process, we are enhancing the student and the success coach experience,” James M. Sunser, president of GCC said. “Reducing 45 minutes to 15 minutes is huge! Low value time gives way to engaging students in something more meaningful. Automation allows the success coaches to ask the students how things are going and talk about things that are much more important rather than of hunting and pecking for the right course.”

To watch a short, 1:21 minute video about College Scheduler go to https://youtu.be/rGvN7WobdC0.

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

• Announced that GCC is again accepting nominations for Honorary Associate Degrees that would be conferred at the College’s fiftieth Commencement Ceremony on May 20, 2018. Any person is welcome to make nominations. Nominees should be associated with the College and have achieved business, professional, civic and scholarly accomplishments; made extraordinary contributions to the life and the growth of the College; or notable leaders in the academic disciplines taught at the College. Recipients of honorary degrees are individuals whose accomplishments, contributions or leadership are well beyond ordinary standards, and serve as an inspiration to members of the College community and as role models for students and citizens of the region. All nominations are due by February 1, 2018 to Cathy Costello, Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information, please call Cathy at 585-345-6812 or email: cecostello@genesee.edu.

Previous Honorary Degree recipients include Alfred C. O’Connell, Neil Burns, William W. Stuart (posthumously) in 2007; Anthony T. Zambito (posthumously) in 2008; Eva L. Bohn in 2011, John C. Dwyer in 2014 and Norbert J. Fuest in 2017.

For Honorary Degree guidelines and the nomination form go to: https://www.genesee.edu/home/about/administration/trustees/honorary-associates-degree-nomination/

• Approved the granting of degrees and certificates to 287 students for January 2018 pending the successful completion of academic requirements. GCC anticipates awarding 133 Associate in Applied Science degrees (AAS), 128 Associate in Science degrees (AS), two Associate in Arts degrees (AA), and 24 certificates.

• Approved the updated language in Policy #1032 for GCC Computing Policies, Policy #2012 for Family and Medical Leave, and Policy #6008 for Alcohol Use during College events or functions.

• Approved the appointment of Samuel DiSalvo as student advisor for the Upward Bound Program. His temporary, grant-funded position continues through August, 2018. A former math teacher at Urban Choice Charter School in Rochester, DiSalvo holds two bachelor’s degrees from SUNY Oswego in Mathematics and Creative Writing. He was a substitute teacher for the City of Batavia School District, where he also resides.

• Approved the retitling of two management positions to be aligned with SUNY professional service classifications, specifically Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment (formerly Director of Admissions), and Associate Dean for Student Support Services (formerly Dean of Students).

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced a number of new local economic development projects are being funding as part of the 2017 Regional Economic Development Council Awards (REDC).

“The benefits of economic development influence many facets of our region like encouraging new and expanding businesses, increased tourism and supporting community resources like libraries and historical sites that people visit each day and bolstering our tax base,” Hawley said. “I am very proud to announce that our community has received such a large commitment in economic development funding, and very much look forward to the completion of these projects and the benefits they will bring all of us.”

Projects to be funded within the 139th Assembly District include:

• $333,000- City of Batavia Water System Improvements
• $180,000- First Light Creamery Expansion
• $30,000- Town of Batavia Wastewater Treatment Assessment Planning
• $30,000- Village of Bergen Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Study
• $1,000,000- Village of Oakfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements
• $1,000,000- Village of Oakfield Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
• $180,000- Western Region Off-Track Betting Paddock Improvements
• $250,000- Barsuk Recycling Railroad Infrastructure
• $100,000- Monroe County Development of a county-wide storm water system map
• $57,000- The College at Brockport will construct a new trail along the Erie Canal
• $62,000- Orleans County Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
• $50,000- Orleans County Water Sewer Efficiency Study
• $37,500- Village of Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Bank Street man behind bars without bail for alleged drug dealing.
46 year old Corey Armstrong of Bank Street in Batavia was arrested following investigation by the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force into the sale of crack cocaine in and around Batavia.
Armstrong was arrested on an active warrant during a traffic stop in the city.
He was charged with four Class B Felony counts of Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance and was also allegedly found in possession of a quantity of Marijuana leading to a single misdemeanor count.
Armstrong was committed to the County Jail without bail.

Young Inventor in Alexander wins big in nationwide contest.
14 year old Alexander High School Student Andrew Young Jr. has been selected as the winner of the nationwide My Dreamvention contest.
Andrew created the winning invention the “Toaster Shooter” after seeing his grandmother burn her fingers on a conventional toaster.
Along with all the excitement from winning, Andrew will receive a quarter million dollar prize.
His father Andrew Senior said the winnings will be put away for a college fund as Andrew Jr. plans on attending M.I.T.

A Batavia man picked up on warrant with addition charges for the contents of his pocket.
23 year old Austin Wester of Pratt Road Batavia was arrested on an active warrant out of Batavia City Court.
Wester was charged with four counts of Forgery and a single count of Petit Larceny after he allegedly took checks from another person, forged their name and cashed them.
When Wester was placed under arrest Police allegedly located a hypodermic instrument in his pocket leading to a an additional charge.
He was remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of bail.

County Jail Inmate adds to charges with contemptuous letters.
35 year old Shawn Twardowski of West Main Street in Batavia who is currently incarcerated in the Genesee County Jail is now facing two counts of second degree Criminal Contempt.
Twardowski is accused of sending a letter through the postal service to a female acquaintance in March and November violating a complete stay away order of protection.

Governor Cuomo is working to take guns away from those convicted of domestic violence.
It’s already illegal for New Yorkers convicted of felonies related to domestic violence to own guns but the governor wants to make it illegal for those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors too.
Yesterday Cuomo said he’s going to push for bills that could allow their guns to be confiscated.
He’s targeting all guns, not just handguns.

Press Release:

Batavia, New York – As the volunteer lists keep growing, Progressive Democratic Congressional Candidate Nicholas Stankevich has opened his first district office. The work space is located at 56 Harvester Avenue in Batavia, Genesee County. Renovated from a former industrial work space, the Stankevich campaign has scheduled an Open House and the official opening to be Thursday, December 21st from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

“Our intention is to provide a great place for our volunteers to work on our campaign as we begin the important process of taking back the 27th Congressional District,” said Stankevich. “We will win this election only with the hard work of our volunteers and pressing the important issues that greatly influence the families of this district.”

The office is housed in the old Massey-Harris plant at 56 Harvester Avenue in Batavia. Designed as a work space for volunteers, the office will be used on a continual basis to house volunteer activities for the Stankevich campaign. “This office is really what this campaign is all about,” stated Stankevich. “Our district used to be full of manufacturing jobs like those that were housed in this facility. Today, we have to develop 21st century jobs, educate our young people, train them in new technologies and opportunities that provide a strong livable wage. That is how we will bring back our communities in western New York.”

Office Hours are daily, but dependent on the volunteer schedule. The Open House is a great way to grab a cup of coffee with the candidate to discuss the issues of the 27th Congressional District.

Press Release:

Hodgins Engraving announced they are acquiring Impact Printing & Engraving, located in Garfield, New Jersey.

Impact Printing and Engraving is a 4th generation printing company that provides high-quality engraving, letterpress, foil stamping, thermography, and offset printed products.

“We are excited to bring Impact into our business family”, Hodgins Engraving President Becky Almeter said. “They are well-respected in the industry and we look forward to bringing additional value to their customer base.”

All production and customer service functions will be relocated to Hodgins Engraving headquarters located in Batavia, New York in the coming months. In addition, Hodgins will immediately begin offering additional products and services to existing Impact Printing & Engraving customers.

Former Impact Printing & Engraving President Frank Corbiserie, Jr. will remain associated with the company in a sales role.

“There’s great synergy between Impact and Hodgins” Almeter added. “Their existing customers have a need for the types of products we have specialized in for over 60 years. We look forward to providing that continuity. It’s a privilege to work with another respected family-run business operation and continue to support the customer base they worked so hard to serve for so many years.”

About Becky Almeter

Becky Almeter has been with Hodgins Engraving since 2007. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in International Relations and Spanish from Eckerd College.

About Impact Printing and Engraving

Impact Printing and Engraving is a printing company that specializes in engraving, letterpress, foil stamping, thermography and offset printing. They were formerly located in Garfield, New Jersey.

About Hodgins Engraving

Hodgins Engraving, located in Batavia, New York is an industry-leading international producer of high-end, custom print products. Website: http://www.hodginsengraving.com.

The votes have been counted and 14 year old Alexander High School Student Andrew Young Jr. has been selected as the winner of the nationwide My Dreamvention contest.

Andrew broke the good news to his grandmother while she was busy baking Christmas cookies.

He was inspired to create his winning invention the “Toaster Shooter” after seeing his grandmother burn her fingers trying to remove toast from a conventional toaster.

Andrew entered the nationwide contest sponsored by Frito-Lay after seeing an advertisement for it on the Ellen Show.

He was the only boy among the five finalists who were part of a voting campaign that ended last month.

Along with all the attention from winning, Andrew will receive a quarter million dollar prize which his father Andrew Senior said will be set aside for a college fund.

Andrew plans on attending M.I.T.

Press Release:

By Tim Bojarski, for UNY USHWA

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) have announced their horses of the meet for 2017 at Batavia Downs.

Pacer of the Meet: Focus Power

While racing in the top Open class for 13 starts at Batavia, western New York newcomer Focus Power won three times and finished second another five while amassing $36,010 in purses. He was on fire in September when he won three out of four starts while setting two new lifetime marks during that period (September 2, 1:53 and September 23, 1:52.4).

After being claimed at Yonkers just prior to the start of the Batavia meet, Focus Power made an immediate impact to the good fortunes of owner James Caradori and trainer Darrin Monti. Driver Drew Monti was aboard for every start. Overall Focus Power has nine wins in 2017 and earnings that total $97,395.

Trotter of the Meet: BZ Glide

BZ Glide was a fixture in the weekly Open trot once again this year and showed although he’s getting older, he hasn’t lost a step. In 15 starts against the local best, BZ Glide won three with six seconds and a third banking $34,405 in the process. He also set a seasonal mark of 1:56.3.

As has been the case every year, the family affair of Alana Caprio training and Mike Caprio driving, the two also team up in ownership of the big trotting gelding. For the year, BZ Glide has a total of five wins and earnings of $52,405.

Mare of the Meet: Voltina

Competing the entire meet in the fillies and mares Open I or II, Voltina was as tough as they came winning three Open I’s and one Open II along with six second place finishes and took home purses totaling $34,060. She took her seasonal mark of 1:55 at Batavia as well.

Owned by CHS Racing LLC, the Tony Cummings-trained Voltina had a career year winning a total of eight races and earning $69,456 in purses. Kevin Cummings was aboard for the majority of her starts.

Claimer of the Meet: Quicksilvercandy A

Listed as the winning-est pacer in North America for a good portion of the year, Quicksilvercandy A had a field day racing at Batavia Downs. Moving up and down the class ladder, the mare ended up winning seven claiming races including the $20,000 Claiming Championship final for her division in November. Her four seconds and two thirds also helped bump up her bankroll to $40,165 for the meet.

Owned and driven by Larry Stalbaum, Quicksilvercandy A recorded a career year of 20 wins and $108,994 in earnings under the training of Kim Asher.

Most Improved Horse of the Meet: In Runaway Bay N

In Runaway Bay N came to Batavia Downs off a less than stellar early part of the year. He made his first start at Batavia in August, winning in the bottom class; non-winners of $1,000 in 1:55.1. He strung together four wins while working his way up to the Open where he finished second two weeks in a row. The following week he faced Foiled Again and finished a respectable fourth to the richest Standardbred of all time. Since then he has won three Open paces. For the meet, he took a seasonal mark of 1:53.1 and earned $39,050.

In Runaway Bay N is owned by Super Mile LLC and is trained by Angelo Nappo. Kevin Cummings was in the bike for the bulk of the work.

The connections of these horses will be presented their trophies in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 16) during the 10th annual “Night of Distinction” awards ceremony.

Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Press Release:

In his ongoing efforts to preserve our Second Amendment rights, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today reminded pistol permit holders to re-certify their permits by January 31, 2018 in order to prevent them from becoming invalid. If your pistol permit was issued before January 15, 2013, you must re-certify your permit before January 31, 2018. If your permit was issued on or prior January 15, 2013, the deadline is five years after the date the permit was issued.

“Unfortunately, this is a new mandate on pistol permit holders in New York and the first year that owners have to re-certify,” Hawley said. “The deadline is coming up and many New Yorkers may be unaware of these new requirements. As much as we may disagree with the unconstitutional Safe Act, if we come out in droves to re-certify it will send the message to state leadership that we cherish our Second Amendment right to bear arms, and will not be silenced by any big government policies, as frustrating as they might seem.”

If you are a New York state pistol permit holder and need to re-certify your license or would like more information, please visit the New York State Trooper Website here. Additionally, feel free to contact my office with questions at (585) 589-5780, or email me at hawleys@nyassembly.gov.

Teen pleads guilty to making terrorist threats against law enforcement at the Rez.
17 year old Isaac Abrams of Basom was facing charges for an incident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation last September where he was accused of threatening to shoot police.
Yesterday Adrams appeared in court where admitted to the incident and plead guilty to a felony count of making a terrorist threat.
According to authorities Abrams and his friends set up a roadblock and charged motorists driving onto the reservation a toll.
The teens had apparently all been drinking.
Abrams threatened police once they arrived on scene claiming he would harm them with a weapon that was never found.
Abrams could get up to seven years when sentenced.

Report of a fully involved car fire.
Report came in at around 6:25 a.m. for a fully involved car fire at 7772 Buffalo Road in Riga between Sheridan Road and Rochester Street.
At last report Bergen fire was responding.

Infamous prison escapee is starving himself in the hopes that he will be moved from Attica.
According to reports inmate David Sweat stopped eating solid food six days after was transferred last month to the Attica Correctional Facility.
Sweat is reportedly not pleased with his new residence and wants to be transferred back.
Attica prison officials are working to obtain a court to order a feeding tube for him.

Hawley reminds pistol owners to re-certify.
In his ongoing efforts to preserve our Second Amendment rights, Assemblyman Steve Hawley has reminded pistol permit holders to re-certify their permits by January 31, 2018 in order to prevent them from becoming invalid.
If your pistol permit was issued before January 15, 2013, you must re-certify your permit before January 31, 2018.
If your permit was issued on or prior January 15, 2013, the deadline is five years after the date the permit was issued.

Snow is expected to keep falling and blowing through early this afternoon.
The National Weather Service has posted the Winter Weather Advisory for Genesee, Orleans, Niagara and northern Erie Counties.
The Weather Service says we can plan on slippery driving conditions.
Additional snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches.

Local Law Enforcement stepping up patrols for the season.
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 Dec. 15 and will end on Jan. 1.
New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

News 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 LeRoy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend this Holiday Season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a New Year the law enforcement community across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on December 15th and will end on January 1st, 2018. New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force. Sheriff Sheron states, “our patrols will be extra vigilant for impaired drivers this Holiday Season. Make sure you don’t attract their attention by drinking and driving.”