Local News

News Release: New York State Police

The New York State Police announced today participation in the national enforcement initiative to crack down on impaired driving this holiday season

The New York State Police will participate in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, from Friday, December 15, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, along with more troopers on roadways during the campaign.

In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped in or on the side of the road. State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.
Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Our members work vigilantly year-round to keep our roadways safe and prevent the needless tragedies that result from impaired and reckless driving. However, our goal during the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign is to step up our efforts during the holiday celebration season to reduce impaired driving crashes and remind motorists to make responsible driving decisions. To ensure that your holiday is a safe one for you and your loved ones, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been drinking and make safety a priority when traveling this holiday season.”

During the campaign, Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

During last year’s crackdown, State Police issued 33,153 tickets. Of those tickets more than 11,319 were for speeding, 1,107 were for distracted driving and 421 for the “Move Over Law.” There were also 571 people arrested for DWI and 15 people killed in crashes.

To keep our roads safer this holiday season, the New York State Police and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer these tips:

· Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins;
· Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
· If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ridesourcing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
· Use your community’s sober ride program;
· If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
· If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

Caption: Volunteers from the Byron-Bergen learning community packed over 100 food baskets and delivered them during the weekend of December 16.

News Release: Byron-Bergen School District

Bergen, NY ~ Members of the Byron-Bergen Central School District’s learning community can always be counted on to provide assistance to neighbors in need during the holidays. For many years, district students, teachers, staff, and administrators have worked together with local partners to make the season happier for everyone in the Byron-Bergen area. This year’s Holiday Community Service program collected toys and games, clothing items, rolls of wrapping paper, boxes for wrapping gifts, and over 1,200 non-perishable food items. In addition, close to $4,000 was donated by the faculty, staff, and others in our learning community to purchase gifts for district families in need. Many area businesses also helped out by “adopting” local families and individuals, providing special holiday gifts.

The district partnered with the local Hesperus Lodge No. 837 Free & Accepted Masons, where donated items were taken for sorting and packing. Organized by Dick Sands, the Masons and employees from both the Byron-Bergen Elementary and Jr./Sr. High schools, Board of Education members, and community volunteers pitched in to help. More school volunteers help deliver over 100 food baskets and gifts before the holidays.

“The magic of this special season is the community spirit it inspires in so many of us,” said District Superintendent Mickey Edwards. “I am so proud of the generosity shown by all of our students and by everyone in our schools.”

A big part of the program’s success this year was the contribution made by the Varsity Club Holiday Food Drive. Student athletes from the high school pulled together to collect more than 850 food items—a record amount. The drive was organized by student officers Leah Thompson, president; MaKenzie Muoio, vice-president; Morgan Fuller, secretary and Lucas Stucchio, treasurer, and the hard work was provided by the girls and boys basketball and swim teams, and the cheerleading team. Team members pooled their competitive spirit to make the challenge more fun: it became a contest, won by the Cheer Team who collected over 300 items. Varsity team members from all three seasons of sport at Byron-Bergen perform community service throughout the school year, with projects like the annual Lift-a-thon, the Retro Apparel Sale, and the spring Blood Drive.

Caption: Varsity Club members with a few of the hundreds of donated items collected for the Holiday Food Drive.

News Release

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Cuomo’s new proposal to mandate businesses pay the same minimum wage to tipped workers as other employees in their region. The plan calls for the New York State Department of Labor to hold hearings to gain input on the issue. Gov. Cuomo signed legislation in 2016 that increases the minimum wage in New York City, Long Island and Westchester to $15 per hour by 2021 and at least $12.50 per hour for the rest of the state.

“The governor’s war on small businesses continues with this new proposal,” Hawley said. “Many workers in the service industry are competitively compensated due to the large share of their income that is comprised of tips. By allowing our employees to be paid by tips we are letting their performance and work ethic determine their income to a large extent which raises standards across the industry and provides a better quality of service. Another minimum wage hike will surely be a blow to small businesses and stifle job creation when what we need is tax and regulatory reform to allow these companies to thrive.”

Batavia will need to search for a new City Manager.
After nearly 12 years as Batavia City Manager, Jason Molino is leaving.
Molino announced that he has accepted the position of Tompkins County Administrator in Ithaca.

Molino was initially hired as the Assistant City Manager of Batavia however he was quickly thrust into the City Manager position and was believed to be the youngest city manager in the state.
His new job in Ithaca is expected to start by the middle of next month.
City Council will be responsible for selecting an interim manager until they can find a permanent replacement for Molino.
According to Council President Eugene Jankowski the ongoing search for an assistant city manager may have to be put on hold so they can focus on finding a new permanent manager for the city.

Second defendant in East Main Street stabbing heading to jury trial.
Days after his co-defendant in the East Main Street Stabbing case pled guilty to attempted assault, 26 year old Anthony Spencer of Batavia has sought a jury of his peers to decide his fate in the case.
Spencer was accused along with 30 year old JW Hardy of beating and stabbing a man on East Main Street in July, leaving them with life threatening injuries.
Hardy entered a guilty plea last week and is scheduled for sentencing on February 14th.
Jury Selection for the trial against Spencer is slated to start on March 5th.

Albion man jailed for sex crimes against a 14 year old girl.
22 year old Nicholas Preston of West County House Road was arrested by Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies for allegedly having unlawful contact with a 14 year old female in Ridgeway.
Preston is facing charges of second degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
After being arraigned in Ridgeway Town Court he was committed to the Orleans County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail.

Fatal crash in Lima.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reported the deadly single car motor vehicle crash that occurred late Saturday night on Clay Street in Lima.
Deputies along with Fire and EMS arrived on scene where they found 23 year old Brandon Curtis of Hemlock.
He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to investigators Curtis was apparently traveling southbound on Clay Street when he cross the northbound lane, exited the east side of the roadway and struck a pole.
Investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Governor Cuomo says the state’s new paid family leave policy will be the strongest in the nation.
Starting in January, New Yorkers can get up to twelve weeks of paid time off for family emergencies.
This includes when a family member has to care for a new child or seriously ill loved one, or is called to active military service abroad.
This will apply to those working 20 or more hours a week.

City manager Jason Molino is leaving Batavia
Molino confirmed today he has accepted the position of Tompkins County Adminiatrator in Ithaca.
Molino was the assistant city manager for only a few months when he received the full-time appointment and became the youngest city manager in the state.
The position in Ithaca opened up in November within days after the Batavia City Council rejected a pay raise for Molino that had been included in the 2016-2017 budget.

Molino spoke with WBTA this afternoon:

Molino said the Tompkins County legislature act on his hiring tomorrow night. He expects to begin his new job by the middle of January.
Since there is no assistant city manager in Batavia right now, it will be up to city council to select an interim manager until a permanent manager is found.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for tomorrow.
The advisory extends to all of Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans Counties.
The advisory goes into effect tomorrow morning at 6 and lasts all day.
Winds are forecast out of the southwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting to 50.
But while the winds whip up, temperatures tomorrow are expected to reach the mid 40’s.

A Rochester man has been arrested in connection with a violent domestic in LeRoy involving a gun and a Knife.
LeRoy Police arrest 49 year old Joseph Cavico Jr. of Albert Street in Rochester. He is accused of threatening his victim with both a pistol and a knife and then striking the person numerous times on the head.
Cavico was ordered to be held without bail to the Genesee County Jail.

Violence reported in the Emergency Room at UMMC.
28 year old Rae Cook of Gilbert Street, LeRoy, was arrested for allegedly punching a nurse.
Cook was charged with second degree Harassment and was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court tomorrow.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says New York’s soon-to-launch paid family leave policy will be the nation’s strongest.
Starting January 1st, New Yorkers will receive up to 12 weeks of paid time off when a family member has to care for a new child, seriously ill loved one, or is called to active military service abroad.
The governor notes only 14-percent of the U.S. workforce has access to employer-sponsored paid family leave.

After 12 years as Batavia City Manager, Jason Molino is moving on.
Molino confirms today he has accepted the position of Tompkins County Administrator in Ithaca.

Molino said he answered an ad placed by the Tompkins County Legislature seeking a replacement for former Administrator Joe Mareane, who retired in November.

The position in Ithaca opened up within days after the Batavia City Council rejected a pay raise for Molino that had been included in the 2016-2017 budget.

Molino tells WBTA News:

Molino was the assistant city manager for only a few months when he received the full-time appointment and became the youngest city manager in the state.
Molino said the Tompkins County legislature act on his hiring tomorrow night. He expects to begin his new job by the middle of January.
Sources in Ithaca confirm Molino will be paid $130,000 annually, plus fringe benefits.

Molino said he will miss the people he has worked with over the past 12 years:

Since there is no assistant city manager in Batavia right now, it will be up to city council to select an interim manager until a permanent manager is found.

News Release: Tompkins County Public Information Office

Jason Molino, currently City Manager of the City of Batavia, New York, has accepted Tompkins County’s offer of employment to become the County’s next County Administrator.  Mr. Molino’s selection is subject to formal appointment by the Tompkins County Legislature—that action scheduled for the Legislature’s December 19^th meeting.  The new administrator’s start date will be determined, once the appointment becomes official.

A credentialed local government management professional by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), with diversified experience in public administration, Mr. Molino has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Fiscal Officer of the City of Batavia (Genesee County) since 2006, leading a city workforce of 130 (departments of Police, Fire, Public Works, Community/Economic Development, and Youth Bureau) and administering an annual operating budget of $25 million and a $25 million capital plan.  From 2004 to 2006, he served as Assistant to the Village Manager for the Village of Port Chester, New York, where he assisted in projects and issues related to operations, personnel, labor negotiations, and public engagement.  Mr. Molino is also a veteran, having served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve for seven years, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.

“We are very pleased to have Jason coming to join our team,” said Michael Lane, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature.  “He brings with him a strong background in budgeting, labor relations, and management oversight; and has compiled a strong record of supervising a multi-department workforce, inter-municipal cooperation, and securing important grant funding for his community.  Jason’s credentials are a great fit for county government and I know our residents and businesses will welcome him and work with him to keep our county moving forward on its course for success.”

“I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to work for such a progressive community,” Mr. Molino said.  “Tompkins County is recognized across the State of New York as a leader in government, and I’m looking forward to being part of this team.  My family and I are eager to become members of the community and enjoy all that Tompkins County has to offer.”

Mr. Molino holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University of Albany, State University of New York and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont.  Mr. Molino is married with four children (ages 3, 5, 7, and 18) and currently resides in Batavia, New York.

Tompkins County began a national search for a new County Administrator in July 2017, after former administrator Joe Mareane announced his intent to retire. A diverse search committee comprised of county legislators, department heads, labor representatives, and community members narrowed a field of more than 20 applicants and conducted interviews.  Three were recommended to the full County Legislature and were interviewed by all 14 members; new Legislators-elect observed and asked questions.

The County Administrator is the chief executive officer of Tompkins County.  The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Legislature and is responsible for conveying the will of the Legislature to departments and representing the concerns of departments to the Legislature.  The Administrator is routinely charged with highly complex projects and challenging responsibilities, among them   development of the annual recommended County budget, appointment and supervision of non-elected department heads, ensuring that policies of the Legislature are followed, managing special projects of the Legislature, and representing the County Legislature at the state and local level.

Press Release:

Genesee County Employees from the Sheriff’s Office, Jail Division, Highway Department, Probation Department, De-partment of Motor Vehicles and County Clerk’s Office were among the many departments that donated food and cash for the Holiday Tote Project sponsored by the Batavia Kiwanis Club working in conjunction with the local Salvation Army and United Way.

The CSEA General Employees Unit donated $200 and the County Clerk’s Office held a “Dress Down for Charity” event to raise funds for the Tote Project. With these efforts and several generous personal donations County Employees col-lected over $700 in cash and several hundred food items.

Batavia Kiwanis Club President, Matt Landers, was thrilled by the generosity exhibited by the Genesee County work-force. “I’m amazed every year at the ability of the Genesee County employees to give more than the previous year! The kindness of Genesee County employees is going to help make Christmas brighter for dozens of local families.”

(Photo courtesy of Paul White)

Press Release:

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The western New York “wonder from down under” Chumlee A, proved once again that he is the best pacer currently on the grounds as he led a fast :57 back half under heavy duress on a cold night to win the final $10,000 Open Handicap pacing feature of the meet at Batavia Downs on closing night (Dec. 16).

It took Chumlee A (Larry Stalbaum) over a quarter of a mile to get the lead as Don’tcallmefrancis (Billy Davis Jr.) played hardball on the front-end. But eventually the Aussie got there after a quick :28 second split before he put on the brakes to the half to get a short breather. Not content with the slowing pace, Focus Power (Drew Monti) pulled at the half and started one heck of a fight.

Drawing alongside Chumlee A, Focus Power pushed the issue as the two matched strides in a :28.1 third panel. Also pacing together around the far turn, Chumlee A’s lead was getting shorter but he continued to look strong on the point. Halfway down the lane the overland route had gotten to Focus Power but Don’tcallmefrancis, who had gotten the perfect two-hole trip the entire mile, popped into the passing lane and made a late bid. However Chumlee A had enough in the tank and hung on by a head in 1:54.2.

It was the second straight Open victory and fourth straight win at Batavia Downs and in northern hemisphere for Chumlee A ($3.60) who has been racing in the U.S. for just over a month. The 6-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Mark Jakubik and Kim Asher, who also does the training.

It was a big night for trainer Kim Asher and driver Larry Stalbaum. Besides winning the feature with Chumlee A they also teamed up to win three other races during the night including the seventeenth win of 2017 for Saint William A and the twenty-first victory of the year for Quicksilvercandy A, who now moves back into a tie with Safe From Terror as the winningest Standardbred in North America.

Then after the tenth race, Asher and Stalbaum were honored in the winner’s circle as the top dash winning trainer and driver of the meet at Batavia Downs.

The staff and management of Batavia Downs would like to wish everyone a very happy Holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Racing resumes at the oldest lighted harness track in America in July of 2018.

Press Release:

Lady Cougar Cagers Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped at NCCC Tourney

The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped at the Niagara County Community College Tournament Classic Dec. 16-17.

The Cougars dropped a pair of 11-point losses to George Brown Dec. 16 and Frederick Community College Dec. 17.

In the 71-60 loss to George Brown, Genesee had four players hit double-digits in points with TaLia Burgess leading the way with 20. The current National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Player of the Week also co-led the Cougars in points with Rosalyn Sealey in the 59-48 loss to Frederick.

Against George Brown, Sealey, Titilopemi Olusola, and Chevaneese Millington combined for 33 points with Sealey scoring 13, Olusola adding 10 and Millington registering 11 points to go with Burgess’ 20-point performance.

Millington came closest to a double-double with nine rebounds to co-lead the team with Estella Anderson. Sealey had a team-high four assists in a game where the Cougars deserved better after out-scoring the Huskies in two of the last three quarters after playing the first quarter even at 12 apiece.

Against Frederick, Sealey shared the team lead in three categories including points, rebounds and assists. The lone Cougar sophomore tied Burgess in points with 13, tied Anderson in rebounds with eight, and tied Sierra Chudy in assists with four.

Genesee closes out the semester with its best play of the season by going 3-2 in the last week.