Local News

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.”

News Release

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he will be hosting two free Yellow Dot programs later this week in Albion and Corfu. The programs will be conducted by both the Orleans and Genesee County Sheriff Departments with Orleans County Sheriff Randall Bower, Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron, Jr. and Undersheriff Gregory Walker expected to attend. Yellow Dot is designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during that first “golden hour” after a car crash or emergency.

“Yellow Dot is truly a life-saving program,” Hawley said. “This is a free program that is especially important as road conditions become more dangerous during the winter months. Participating in the Yellow Dot Program is as easy as filling out a brief medical card and placing the yellow dot sticker on your car window. I encourage all who are available to stop by and pick up your free Yellow Dot Kit at one of these events this week or contact your local sheriff’s department.”

WHO: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia)
Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr.
Genesee County Undersheriff Gregory Walker
Orleans County Sheriff Randall Bower

WHAT: Free Yellow Dot Program

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, December 13, 12:30 p.m.
Albion Academy Apartments
South Entrance, 16 E Academy St., Albion

Thursday, December 14, 12:30 p.m.
Corfu United Presbyterian Church
63 Alleghany Rd., Corfu

The house fire was reported at 2210 Judge Road in Alabama at around quarter to nine this morning.

Seven fire companies along with the Batavia’s FAST Team were called into action.

Town of Alabama Fire Chief Gary Patnod was on scene.

“For probably the first three to four minutes on location the upstairs occupant was not accounted for. He was a past member of our department and his wife still is currently an active member. We were able to make some contacts and find out that he was indeed out and safe. Upon our arrival the downstairs tenant was already out of the apartment and had sustained some burns. EMS was arriving on location to take care of her.”

One person was transported to the Erie County Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burns and the other individual was being evaluated in an ambulance on scene.

The fire was brought under control by around 9:30 this morning.

There was report of possible animals inside and one cat was initially rescued and another was resuscitated.

A dog reportedly perished in the blaze.

At around 10:15 a.m. Town of Batavia Fire and Sheldon Fire were called to return to the scene for a fire at 2180 Judge Road.

The story provided by our news partner The Batavian.

(Photo courtesy of Rusty Freeman)

Press Release:

By Tim Bojarski, for UNY USHWA

Anyone who has ever dealt with a quarter crack can appreciate what it takes to get their horse sound and racing again. Rusty Freeman is responsible for changing the way this debilitating condition is handled, reducing down time from weeks to days and turning the process into a state of the art form over the years.

As a result of his tireless work to help the breed, the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) will present Freeman with the Innovator’s Award for contributions to the sport of harness racing in the winner’s circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 16) during the 10th annual “Night of Distinction” awards ceremony.

Freeman was working as a factory machinist in western New York in the late 1970’s when he was first introduced to harness racing. While visiting a friend who had trotters, he was shown why a particular horse was lame with a hoof crack and the whole thing quickly intrigued him.

He developed a way to use a Dremel tool and cut out just the part of the hoof he felt was needed, and then put a tube under the patch. That way air could still get to the sore area to aid healing and it could also be flushed with antiseptic to keep it clean.

He then researched and developed an acrylic compound he uses instead of fiberglass and combines that with Kevlar cloth to do the patches. The combination of the tube under the new patch material gives the area every opportunity to heal and grow out properly in a short amount of time.

Freeman has been plying his trade at harness tracks in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania for almost 40 years now and many times works hand in hand with vets. As a result, hundreds of horses have been made sound quicker, allowing them to get back in the box much sooner.

Also a farrier, Freeman is an accredited member of the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) and helps other professionals in the field understand and benefit from his technics.

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

Winter Weather persists in the region.
Orleans and Genesee County continue under the Winter Weather Advisory until Wednesday afternoon according to The National Weather Service.
Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected with winds peaking at 40 miles per hour.
Morning Commuters should take some extra time to deal with difficult conditions such as blowing and drifting snow.
Several counties to the south including Wyoming County are under a Lake Effect Snow Warning until Wednesday evening.
They are expected to receive a total of 10 to 15 inches of snow with up to 20 inches across the higher terrain of Chautauqua County.

City Council updated on Zombie homes initiative.
Lindsey Luft an administrative intern for Operation Keep Our Homes, a program designed to identify and reduce the number of vacant and abandoned homes in the City of Batavia presented to City Council at their meeting last night.
Luft said the problem effects the entire community.

“So it really affects the City at all levels and at every census tract, and it’s not targeted at any kind of income level. There’s about 89 zombie properties in our area. So we’re really focused on getting them up and rehabilitated.”

Luft said the initiative has just about reached its goal of connecting with 10 families facing foreclosure.
She said they are currently working with nine families one of which has already been allowed to keep their home.
Luft is graduate assistant at Brockport State College and has been serving the City since May.

Wyoming County crash claims the life of a Java resident.
State Police were called to a two vehicle fatal crash on Perry Road in Sheldon shortly before noon on Sunday.
20 year old Alex Dedoszak of Java failed to negotiate a curve while heading eastbound on Perry Road, then crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a westbound vehicle according to investigators.
Dedoszak was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other driver sustained only minor injuries and State Police continue to investigate the crash.
Dedoszak was a Class of 2016 Attica High School Graduate.

Albion Parolee jailed without bail for alleged drug dealing.
52 year old Kenneth Thompson of North Main Street Albion was arrested by members of the Orleans County Drug Task Force following an investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in and around Albion.
Task Force agents seized a quantity of crack cocaine inside his apartment on North Main that was reportedly packaged for sale.
Thompson was charged with count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance a Class B Felony
Thompson was jailed without bail and is currently on parole with additional charges pending.
He is expected in Albion Town Court tomorrow.