Local News

Submitted photo: (L to R) Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) Maddilyn Genovese representing Senator Robert Ortt and Jay Grasso of Senator Mike Ranzenhofer’s office

News Release: Arc of Genesee Orleans

The fight for a living wage for Direct Support Professionals in New York State took center stage Friday night at the Arc of Genesee Orleans Community Center. Amid signs and buttons proclaiming #bFair2DirectCare, Arc staff and individuals sat down with Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Jay Grasso of Senator Mike Ranzenhofer’s office and Maddilyn Genovese representing Senator Robert Ortt.

Agencies like Arc of Genesee Orleans were promised funding last year to be able to give direct care staff a 3.25% wage increase, effective in January. “If the State of New York has promised someone something, then they need to deliver,” Assemblyman Hawley said, “You should have had it. You should have been able to spend it. You should have received what you were promised. The state of New York too often doesn’t deliver on its promises,” he said.

For nearly eight years, non-profit agencies which serve New Yorkers with developmental disabilities went without a funding increase, leaving Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at low wages despite their critical work. To address this issue, #bFair2DirectCare formed and waged a statewide educational campaign to win funding for a living wage, phased in over six years.

Arc Associate Executive Director of Residential Services Deb Fox oversees sixteen community homes and several supportive apartments in two counties. She asked the legislative representatives for their insight. “While the fast food industry has the ability to raise prices and reduce their overhead to raise wages, our reimbursement rates are set. The regulatory expectations of social programs ties our hands. What is your suggestion on how we can compete for quality labor?”

Assemblyman Hawley replied, “I’m in business myself. It certainly is ludicrous that someone who is ‘working hard’ flipping burgers, pulling fries and onion rings can make $15.00 an hour when you and some of my employees don’t make that much.”

State Police arrested 32 year old Heather Gearman of Chaffee in Southern Erie County for DWI under Leandra’s Law, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Troopers stopped Gearman at around one o’clock on Sunday afternoon on Liberty Street in the Village of Arcade, for allegedly speeding and crossing over the center line multiple times.

She reportedly had her 5 month old daughter with her at the time.

After failing several field sobriety tests, Gearman was placed under arrest.

A search of her vehicle revealed she was allegedly in possession of multiple amphetamin/dextroamphetamine dosage units.

Gearman was issued tickets returnable to the Arcade Village Court at a later date.

Cougars’ goal keeper Garrett Lazore (center) recorded a dozen saves against No. 2 Nassau CC March 17

Press Release:

No. 4 Cougars Finish Strong against No. 2 Lions in Men’s Lacrosse Home Opener

Certainly if there was a ‘Game of the Week’ in the early National Junior College Athletic Association men’s lacrosse season, it came March 17 with the second-ranked Nassau Community College Lions versus the fourth-ranked Genesee Community College Cougars.

The early season matchup between two of the top-four teams in the nation ended with the visiting Lions taking the contest 13-6, but not before the Cougars came on strong in the end.

From the middle of the third quarter to the end of the game, the teams looked like either could have come away with the win as both teams evenly split the game’s last 10 goals with five apiece.

The late Genesee rally began and ended with Kevin McParlene, who not only netted three of those five goals but also ended a scoring drought that saw the Cougars go without a tally for more than a quarter-and-a-half.

McParlene scored his team’s second goal just past midway in the third and then added a pair of goals in the game’s final five minutes.

Four other Cougars recorded multi-point games. Jason Chiodo got Genesee’s opening goal late in the first quarter that left the Cougars trailing by just a pair after the opening quarter.

Evan Hollfelder and Jordan Brennan sandwiched goals in the third quarter between McParlene’s three tallies to bring Genesee’s deficit to 9-4 late in the third.

Chiodo, Hollfelder all added assists, while Brennan registered a pair of helpers in joining McParlene for multi-point performances.

Garrett Lazore made a dozen saves from 25 shots on net. Genesee will next host fellow Region-III opponent Hudson Valley Community College March 21 with a 4 p.m. start.

The Genesee Community College baseball team poses for a team photo before departing South Carolina

Cougar Baseball Team Sweeps Opponents on Final Day in South Carolina

The Genesee Community College baseball team left South Carolina with a three-game winning streak after winning both games March 16 that left the team almost as hot as the weather in taking five of its last six contests down south.

The Cougars started the day with a 7-4 win over Westmoreland County Community College and ended play with a 4-0 shutout win over Nassau Community College.

In the morning game against Westmoreland, Zachery Zinck recorded his first win from the mound in allowing five hits with four strikeouts while going nearly six innings. Colin Noeth was also solid in allowing a single hit and run in relief.

Junior King was the most productive Cougar from the plate belting a home run and a double with a pair of RBI. Jacob MacLeod also had a pair of RBI to go with a double.

Bryant Fontanez, Jayson Libert and Edgardo Jurado all plated singles with the latter two bringing home runs.

Base stealing also picked up for Genesee with three collectively by MacLeod, King and Andrew Shapiro.

In the afternoon contest, Tyler Prospero was an out shy of six innings of work but kept the Region XV team at bay with no runs in only allowing three hits. Shapiro was perfect in relief in allowing no hits or runs, while the Cougar offense registered 10 hits.

Genesee had three players with a pair of hits each with all plating at least one for extra bases. Of the three, Noeth and Shannon Folkes both stroked doubles with the latter recording a RBI, while Justin Baly hit a triple.

Jayson Libert recorded just one hit, but it scored a pair of runs and Fontanez also brought in a runner with a single of his own.

Harrison Lourens and King rounded out Genesee’s hitters.

The Cougars’ three-game win streak began the night before with a 5-4 win against National Junior College Athletic Association Division-I Chesapeake College, who entered the contest against Genesee with only a pair of losses on the season.

The five Cougar wins in its last six contests gave the team the highest win total of any NJCAA Region-III team in being the hottest team in the region as conference play begins in April after a pair of road games against NJCAA D-II Monroe Community College on March 22.

Softball Team Returns from South Carolina

The Genesee Community College softball team faced some of the toughest competition it may face all season during its trip down south, and after seven contests in South Carolina the team will now have a few weeks to prepare against Region-III competition beginning in April.

On their final day in South Carolina the team started the day with a tough loss to Joliet Junior College 2-0 March 15. While the Cougars were only out-hit by a 4-3 total, it was the extra base hits Joliet plated that ultimately decided the morning contest.

Sam Tatarski tossed a solid game in only allowing four hits and a single earned run in facing 25 batters with a pair of strikeouts.

Cougars hitters against Joliet included Nicole Cooper, Britni Way and Becca Meyers.

Genesee officially ended its southern play on a high note against Rend Lake. In the team’s final inning they matched a season-high for runs with a pair that also led to another season-high for runs in a game at three.

Heading into the bottom of the final inning, the Cougars trailed by just a pair of runs at 5-3 with hits coming from Jackie Guzdek, Mikayla Bush, Shiori Ubukata and Kennedy Lampert. The latter two along with Tatarski also each recorded a RBI in the 11-3 loss.

The Cougars next take the field for their home-opener April 3 in a doubleheader against Finger Lakes Community College starting at 3 p.m.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Wyoming County crash claims the life of Dansville man.
A fatal motor vehicle versus snowmobile accident on Route 19A near Denton Corner Road in Genesee Falls drew the response of Wyoming County’s Sheriff’s Deputies to the scene.
The deadly crash was reported at around noon Saturday.
54 year old Robert Henry of Dansville was apparently traveling eastbound trying to cross Route 19 A on a snowmobile.
While crossing the road Henry was struck and killed by a northbound vehicle driven by 56 year old Thomas Brice of Nunda.
Henry was pronounced dead at the scene.
The vehicle had four other passengers, none of which were injured.
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office Crash Management Team responded and the investigation is continuing.
Currently no charges have been filed in the case.

Attempts to flee officers add to a Fisher Park residents’ rap sheet.
Batavia Police had an active arrest warrant out for 31 year old David Neuhaus following an alleged incident at Fisher Park Road address in Batavia that occurred in September of last year.
Neuhaus was initially taken into custody on charges of Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Trespass.
While being apprehended on the warrant, he picked up two more charges for Assault in the third degree and Unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle.
Neuhaus was remanded to the Genesee County Jail and was ordered to be held on $5,000 bail for counts related to the warrant and was ordered an additional $10,000 bail for the charges he accumulated in resisting and fleeing police.

Clinton Street Road resident charged with forcible touching.
Following an investigation alleging that he had touched another person without consent or invitation, Deputies arrested 40 year old Johnny Dinh of Clinton Street Road Batavia.
The incident allegedly occurred at Clinton Street Road address last month.
He was charged with a single count of Forcible Touching and was released with an appearance ticket for Batavia Town Court on April 9th.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter is being remembered after her death on Friday.
Slaughter was 88-years-old and served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987, most recently in the 25th District. She was chair of the U.S. House Committee on Rules when the Affordable Car Act was being written.
Multiple politicians, including both of New York’s senators and Governor Andrew Cuomo, are calling for the Rochester Intermodal Station to be renamed after Slaughter.

New York’s flu season could be coming to an end soon.
The state health department released its newest numbers showing for the third straight week that flu rates dropped statewide.
Confirmed cases of the flu in Western New York have dropped significantly over the past couple weeks.

We are into the final hours of special law enforcement efforts for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices.

One DWI arrest made in Genesee County: 26 year old Jonathan Elleman of Exchange Street in Attica was arrested early this morning.

Saying animals suffer from many of the same illnesses as people, one lawmaker wants to make medical marijuana available for pets. New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin is introducing a bill to give veterinarians the right to prescribe it. A spokeswoman from the New York State Veterinary Medical Society says pet owners are increasingly asking about medical marijuana for their animals, but there is not enough research about the drug’s impact. State Senator Diane Savino of Staten Island, who sponsored the state law legalizing medical marijuana for people says about animals, “As long as they don’t smoke it, I am OK with it.”

Airman 1st Class Alex B. Freeman

Press Release:

U.S. Air Force National Guard Airman 1st Class Alex B. Freeman graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Freeman earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of Bradley and Tania M. Freeman of Medina, N.Y.

The airman is a 2017 graduate of La Webber High School, Lyndonville, N.Y.

Press Release:

U.S. Air Force National Guard Airman 1st Class Hunter J. Freeman graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Freeman earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of James and Margaret Freeman of Albion, N.Y.

The airman is a 2016 graduate of Medina High School, Medina, N.Y.

GCC Cougar baseball team warming up in South Carolina

Press Release:

GCC Baseball Cougars Split Pair in South Carolina

The Genesee Community College baseball team split a pair of games March 15 with the latter contest being an impressive 5-4 win over National Junior College Athletic Association Division-I Chesapeake College, who currently has a 14-3 record.

Pitcher Jason Downs went almost six innings in only allowing five hits and struck out seven in leading the team defensively. Tyler Prospero relieved Downs with just more than an inning of work for the save.

Offensively, the Cougars out-hit the Skipjacks 11-5 with both Shannon Folkes and Jakob MacLeod going 3-for-4 at the plate with Folkes knocking in the winning run in the seventh inning to break the 4-4 deadlock.

Justin Baly added a pair of hits with single tallies coming from Deion Rosalia, L’Shandry Kirindongo and Peter Bradford. Aside from Folkes, Kirindongo had two RBI and Bradford one.

The Cougars got behind in their opening game against Camden by seven runs in the first two innings and weren’t able to recover in suffering a 9-0 loss.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

A Batavia man is killed in a Stafford crash.
A collision between a pick-up and a large dumpster roll-off truck has claimed the life of a young Batavia man.
24 year old Thomas Manzella of Batavia died at UMMC shortly after the crash yesterday morning on Route 5 at Clipnock Road in Stafford.
Deputies say Manzella was driving his pick-up when he apparently lost control on the snow covered highway and spun into the opposite lane.
The pick-up then ran into the path of the roll off container truck being driven by 32 year old Curtiss Mallory of Buffalo.
Mallory was able to immediately call 9-1-1. Manzella had to be extricated from the wreckage and was rushed to UMMC where he died shortly after arrival.
Deputies said blowing snow and poor road conditions were factors in the crash.

Rochester Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has died.
Representative Slaughter served her district for 31 years.
She died yesterday morning at a Washington, D C hospital where she was being treated for a fall last week at her Washington home.
Louise Slaughter was 88.

New York’s flu season could be coming to an end soon.
The state health department released its newest numbers showing for the third straight week that flu rates dropped statewide.
Confirmed cases of the flu in Western New York have dropped significantly over the past couple weeks.

New York State Police and local law enforcement will conduct special enforcement efforts during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices.

A collision between a pick-up and a large dumpster roll-off truck this morning has taken the life of a young Batavia man.
24 year old Thomas Manzella of Batavia died from his injuries a UMMC shortly after the crash on Route 5 at Clipnock Road in Stafford.
Deputies say Manzella was driving his pick-up when he apparently lost control on the snow covered highway, spun into the opposite lane.
The pick-up then ran into the path of the roll off container truck being driven by 32 year old Curtiss Mallory of Buffalo.
Mallory was able to immediately call 9-1-1. Manzella had to be extricated from the wreckage and was rushed to UMMC where he died shortly after arrival.
Deputies said blowing snow and poor road conditions were factors in the crash.

Rep. Louise Slaughter

Rochester Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has died.
Representative Slaughter served her district for 31 years.
She died this morning at a Washington, D C hospital where she was being treated for a fall last week at her Washington home.
Louise Slaughter was 88.

New York’s flu season could be coming to an end soon.
The state health department released its newest numbers showing for the third straight week that flu rates dropped statewide.
Confirmed cases of the flu in Western New York have dropped significantly over the past couple weeks.

New York State Police and local law enforcement will conduct special enforcement efforts during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices.

Rep. Louise Slaughter

Rep. Louise Slaughter, a Democrat who represented the Rochester area in Congress since 1987, died Friday morning in a Washington, DC hospital. She was 88.

Her office released a statement confirming her passing. Slaughter fell at her DC residence last week and was taken to George Washington University Hospital to receive treatment and monitoring for a concussion.

House Speaker Paul Ryan called Slaughter “a giant in the people’s House.”.
“LouiseSlaughter was tough, unfailingly gracious, and unrelenting in fighting for her ideas. She was simply great. In her memory, I have ordered that the flags above the Capitol be lowered to half-staff,” Ryan said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who also took office in 1987, said she was “heartbroken” by Slaughter’s death.

“In her lifetime of public service and unwavering commitment to working families, Congresswoman Slaughter embodied the very best of the American spirit and ideals. With her passing, the Congressional community has lost a beloved leader and a cherished friend,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Louise was a trailblazer.”

Slaughter was the first woman to chair the powerful House Committee on Rules and served as the Ranking Democrat in the 115th Congress, often exchanging friendly banter with Chairman Pete Sessions – a rival on the committee for 20 years.

News Release: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office

At about 6:24 a.m. on today’s date the Genesee County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a head-on motor vehicle accident with serious physical injury in the area of State Route 5 and Clipnock Road in the Town of Stafford. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck being operated by Thomas J. Manzella, age 24, of Batavia, New York was traveling westbound on State Route 5 when he lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered road. The 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck spun counter clockwise sliding sideways as it crossed into the eastbound lane and into the path of a 2006 Mack roll off container truck being operated by Curtiss L. Mallory, age 32, of Buffalo, New York. Following the impact, both vehicles traveled off of the south shoulder of State Route 5 where they came to rest.

Mr. Mallory immediately called 911 prompting the response of Sheriff’s Office patrols along with ambulances from Mercy Emergency Medical Services and responders from the Stafford Fire Department. Mr. Manzella was extricated from the vehicle and transported via ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, New York where he succumbed to his injuries sustained during the crash. Weather conditions including blowing snow and poor road conditions are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash. A minor fuel spill from the Mack container truck was addressed at the scene by the New York State DEC. Route 5 in the area of the accident remained closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated.

The accident investigation is being conducted by Deputy L. Nati, Deputy E. Andre, Deputy H. Wilson, Deputy C. Erion, Investigator J. Diehl, Investigator C. Parker and the Genesee County Sheriffs Office Crash Management Unit. Assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS, the Stafford Fire Department, New York State DEC and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.

Public Notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That there has been introduced before the Legislature of the County of Genesee, New York, A Local Law Introductory No. Two Year 2018 entitled A LOCAL LAW DECLARING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE COUNTY OF GENESEE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND ESTABLISHING A COST RECOVERY PROCEDURE FOR THE COUNTY’S EXPENDITURES INCURRED IN PROVIDING SERVICE RELATED TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC. Notice is further given that the Genesee County Legislature will conduct a Public Hearing on proposed Local Law Introductory No. Two, Year 2018 at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, New York on the 28th day of March, 2018 at 5:30 PM. All interested persons will be heard.

Pamela LaGrou, Clerk Genesee County Legislature

Press Release:

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) reminds its customers that company representatives always carry photo identification. When visiting your home, if the representative’s identification card is not visibly noticeable, you should ask to see it. If you are suspicious of the reason given for visiting your home or you have questions, please contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234 to verify the employee’s identity and the purpose of the visit. If you suspect a problem, please call your local police.

In addition, customers are reminded that:

• National Fuel employees DO NOT conduct door-to-door sales of gas supply. Any door-to-door salesperson wearing a hard hat or another article of clothing or accessories commonly associated with utility employees is not likely a National Fuel employee.

• National Fuel employees DO NOT visit customers’ homes to view their gas bills, to ask them to sign any sort of agreement or to discuss account matters unless they are related to collection activities.

• National Fuel employees DO visit customers’ homes for operational purposes, including meter reading, construction work and gas emergencies. Employees will carry identification cards and will produce them without resistance if asked.

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation is the Utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, a diversified energy company that is engaged in a number of natural gas-related activities. The Utility provides natural gas service to more than 740,000 customers in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Press Release:

GCC Softball Team Set to Wrap up Play in South Carolina

The Genesee Community College softball team began its season in South Carolina and after four starts continues to look for its first win.

Of the four contests the Cougars came closest to victory in the season-opener against Frederick Community College. The Cougars played even after the third inning, but allowing four runs during the first three innings proved to be the difference in the 6-2 loss March 10.

The team plated five hits and was led by a pair each by Shiori Ubukata and Sam Tatarski. Jackie Guzdek also added a hit.

After a pair of rainouts March 12, the Cougars dropped a pair of games March 13 to Rowan College and Illinois Central, 11-2 and 23-0, respectively.

In the loss to Rowan, Genesee again finished with five hits with another pair by Ubukata to lead the Cougars with one being a double. Also registering hits for Genesee was Mikayla Bush, Katie Haefele and Nicole Cooper.

Against Illinois, Genesee recorded three hits with one each by Britni Way, Cooper and Tatarski.

The Cougars played one game March 14 with a 17-0 loss to Monroe College with hits coming from Haefele and Ubukata, who improved her team-high hit total to five on the season.

Genesee wraps up its South Carolina trip March 15 with games against Joliet Junior College and Rend Lake College ####

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Just before 6:30 this morning report came in of a serious two car motor vehicle accident on Main and Clipnock Road in Stafford.

Dispatchers issued a third request for support updating that there were serious injuries and entrapment in the head on collision.

It was reported at around 6:45 that there was also a Diesel spill at the scene.

News partner The Batavian was on scene updating that the driver of a dump truck  is out of their vehicle and doing okay, with the male driver of a pickup truck unresponsive needing extraction.

Mercy Flight was contacted but unable to fly due to the weather and the man was transported via ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center with serious injuries.

Traffic control was set up at Sanders Road and Route 5 and the scene is currently being cleared.

(From our news partner The Batavian) UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: The Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that this was a fatal accident. The driver of the pickup truck succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

YWCA discloses financial woes and efforts to fix them.
The YWCA of Genesee County has released a statement saying they are experiencing serious funding difficulties.
In the brief statement released by the 150 year old organization it said that the Y is quote “facing major financial challenges” including problems of cash flow.
The YW’s newly named Executive Director, Millie Tomidy-Pepper, has hired an independent auditor to determine the extent and the causes of the problems.
Tomidy-Pepper joined the YW on February 5th. She took over for former director Jeanne Walton, who resigned.

Sheriff William Sheron remains committed to placing a School Resource Officer in every school in Genesee County.
On WBTA’s “Main & Center” program Sheron said that, based on what he has seen, the SRO in Parkland, Florida did not do his job…

Sheron believes local school boards should budget for the school resource officers.

Tens-of-thousands of students across the country walked out of class Wednesday morning to remember the victims of the Florida school shooting and to protest gun violence, with a small number of schools reportedly disciplining students who walked out.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said administrators shouldn’t punish students who participated and has called for an investigation into schools that allegedly blocked exits during protests.

The Batavia Fire Department reports today that last week’s fire on Columbia Avenue has been ruled accidental. Five people were left homeless in that blaze and at least four pets perished in the fire.
Authorities said the structure is salvageable but the interior of the home was destroyed. Damage tab placed at $200,000.

The National Weather Service has issued another Special Weather Statement for the region.
They say a band of brief heavy snow showers will continue to move southeast across portions of Western New York through the early morning hours.
Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston Counties are expected to be effected.
The heavy snow is not expected to last long at any one location, but will drop visibility to a quarter mile and produce a quick coating of up to an inch of fresh accumulation.

Even though the Bills hired quarterback A.J. McCarron this week, they’re still looking for a fresh arm.
Yesterday the Bills owners and manager said they want to draft who they hope to be a franchise quarterback next month.
The former Bengal is expected to bridge the gap until the next QB is drafted or ready to take the field.
McCarron isn’t discouraged and said he looks forward to competing to start for Buffalo.

The YWCA of Genesee County is having major money trouble.
The 150 year old organization released a brief statement today that it is, “facing major financial challenges,” including problems of cash flow.
The YW’s newly named Executive Director, Millie Tomidy-Pepper, has hired an independent auditor to determine the extent and the causes of the problems.
Tomidy-Pepper joined the YW on February 5th. She took over for previous executive director Jeanne Walton who resigned.

Sheriff William Sheron remains committed to placing a School Resource Officer in every school in Genesee County.
On WBTA’s “Main & Center” program this morning that, based on what he has seen, the SRO in Parkland, Florida did not do his job

Sheriff William Sheron

Sheron believes local school boards should budget for the school resource officers

Governor Cuomo thinks schools shouldn’t impose unfair disciplinary action against those who participated in yesterday’s gun safety walkout.
He’s calling for an investigation into those schools that blocked exits during protests. Cuomo says students who participated in the walk-out are trying to advance laws and actions that could save lives.

The Perry Town board says board member and murder suspect Joseph Mlyniec will not be removed from office.
The town supervisor says they cannot force Mlyniec out but he wishes the retired deputy would resign.
Mlyniec is accused in the shooting death last week of Robert Irvine.

The Batavia Fire Department reports today that last week’s fire on Columbia Avenue has been ruled accidental. Five people were left homeless int hat blaze and at least four pets perished in the fire.
Authorities said the structure is salvageable but the interior of the home was destroyed. Damage tab placed at $200,000.

The Wyoming County Drug Task Force has arrested eleven people accused of selling various drugs in Wyoming County in an aggressive campaign to push back against drug pushers.

Out of the eleven individuals arrested two were residents of Genesee County.

27 year old Lance Mercado of Dellinger Ave in Batavia and 29 year old Mitchell Freeman of Quinlan Road LeRoy were both arrested in February for allegedly selling Buprenorphine in the Village of Attica last fall.

Both men were remanded to the Wyoming County Jail.

Task Force members are still searching for other suspects who have active warrants for alleged drug sales in Wyoming County.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to push for funding to provide resource officers to every school in Genesee County after thousands of students nationally and around a hundred Batavia High School students walked out of class yesterday morning.

Some student protesters, including the Batavia Senior who organized the Batavia walkout, said they don’t support having a Police presence in the school.

Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron appeared as a featured guest on WBTA’s Main and Center program this morning.

The Sheriff says the officer in the Florida school shooting may have failed to respond correctly but he remains confident in his trained officers…

The Sheriff says school boards should include funding for a School Resource Officer in their budget and leave it up to tax paying voters for approval.

Batavia Assemblyman Steve Hawley has purposed legislation that would provide $50,000 of state aid to each school in the state in order to employ an armed resource officer.

Press Release:

YWCA of Genesee County is facing major financial challenges, including problems of cash flow. The Board of Directors, working with newly appointed Executive Director Millie Tomidy-Pepper, who began Feb. 5, has retained an independent auditor to assist in determining the extent and causes of the problems.

They are also actively pursuing financing options and revenue generation opportunities to enable the 150-year-old organization to continue its mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Details will be shared with the community as soon as they become available.

Joanne Beck
Marketing and Communications
YWCA of Genesee County

Nanako Shiozawa (Chiba, Japan) and Ferran Martinez (Barcelona, Spain)

Press Release:

Cougar Athletes of the Week Announced

The Genesee Community College’s athletes of the week for the period ending March 11 are Nanako Shiozawa (Chiba, Japan) from the women’s swimming team and Ferran Martinez (Barcelona, Spain) from the men’s swimming team.

Competing in the NJCAA Swimming and Diving National Championships, Martinez was a part of eight different school records. Individually he set four school records and also set another four school records as part of four relays. On the second day of Nationals, Martinez set the 400 IM record, on Day Three he set the 200 butterfly record, and on Day Four he set a record in the preliminaries of the 200 breaststroke only to break that record a second time during finals competition just hours later. In the four relay school records Martinez was a part of, two were in freestyle (400 and 800) and two were in medley (200 and 400) competition. Of the four, the 800 freestyle relay garnered all-American status for Martinez and his other three teammates with a third-place finish.

Shiozawa set four individual school records at the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships last weekend with three records coming in finals competition and one during preliminaries. Her first record came in the 100 butterfly during the second day of competition and was followed on the third day with a new school record in the 200 butterfly. Shiozawa’s fourth day of competition saw her set a record in the 200 backstroke during preliminaries, only to break that same record during finals competition just hours later.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Cougars prepare for a game in South Carlina March 13

Press Release:

Baseball Team Ends Early Week Spring Training with 16-Run Win

The Genesee Community College baseball team focused on practice March 14 after a trio of games the previous two days that ended with a 16-6 win over SUNY Adirondack in the second March 13 game in South Carolina during spring training.

Deion Rosalia led the way with a pair of homeruns and a double while adding four RBI. Joining Rosalia with a trio of hits was Justin Taveras.

The Cougars plated five homeruns for the game and in addition to Rosalia’s pair had single homeruns from L’Shandry Kirindongo, Shannon Folkes and Jakob MacLeod, with the latter adding three RBI.

Edgardo Jurado and Peter Bradford each stroked a pair of hits with single shots coming off the bats of Keny Sanchez and Justin Baly.

Colin Noeth picked up the win in four innings of work with two strikeouts while allowing six hits.

The Cougars lost their morning game March 13 to Mercer County Community College 17-11. The team deserved better with each team getting 13 hits. The Cougars fell behind early 7-0 after two innings, but out-scored No. 3 ranked National Junior College Athletic Association Division-II Mercer 11-10 the rest of the way despite the Cougars being a NJCAA Division-III team.

Overall from the third inning of the morning game to the first two innings of the afternoon game the Cougars scored 23 runs over a seven-inning span.

Taveras and Baly led Genesee with three hits against Mercer with the former getting a triple and the latter with a trio of doubles.

Bradford had a pair of hits that included a homerun and a double, while MacLeod also hit a homerun and added four RBI. Single hits came from Kirindongo, Folkes, Bryant Fontanez and Zachery Zinck.

On March 12, the Cougars started the week with a close 6-5 loss to Montgomery. Fontanez led the team with a pair of hits and also suffered the loss from the mound.

Kirindongo, Taveras, Bradford and Harrison Lourens plated singles during the team’s six-hit performance.

The Cougars resume play in South Carolina with a pair of games March 15 that includes a 1 p.m. start against Camden County at Pelican Stadium followed by a 6 p.m. start against Chesapeake College.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Press Release:

Albany, NY– The New York State Senate’s one-house budget resolution– approved earlier today– establishes tax parity between the Batavia Downs and other gaming facilities across the state. The Senate Budget proposal increases the facility’s portion of net winnings to 42%.

Senator Ranzenhofer has issued the following statement:

“I am pleased that the Senate Budget Resolution levels the tax playing field for Batavia Downs. Decreasing the tax rate for the oldest nighttime harness track in the nation will ensure a fairer share of revenues are returned to taxpayers through our local governments. Now, the Genesee County racino will be more competitive with other gaming facilities. I will continue working to address this issue in the final budget.”

In January, Senator Ranzenhofer introduced legislation (S7397) in the State Senate that would lower Batavia Down’s taxes paid to New York State by increasing the facility’s portion of net winnings from 35% to 41%. The Executive Budget proposes increasing net winnings to 37%.

Students call for action on gun violence in school walkout.
Thousands of students from across the national and around one hundred Batavia High School students joined the call to end gun violence in a massive school walkout planned by Women’s March organizers.
Students were allowed the opportunity to walk out of their classes yesterday morning at 10 a.m. with the blessing of school administration.
Students memorialized the 17 students and staff gunned down last month in Parkland, Florida in various ways.
Superintendent Chris Dailey has been working with Batavia Police for several years trying to secure funding for a school resource officer.
Batavia Senior Sydney Atchinson, who organized the walkout, admits she does not know what would make the school safer but she remains opposed to having a permanent Police presence at the school…

Batavia Assemblyman Steve Hawley has purposed legislation that would provide 50-thousand dollars of state aid to each school in the state in order to employ an armed resource officer.

The Perry Town board says former Sheriff’s Deputy and current board member won’t be removed from his position after being charged with murder.
60 year old Joseph Mlyniec was arrested last week for allegedly gunning down Robert Irvine the Third.
He is also currently serving as Perry board member.
The town board supervisor said at last night’s meeting they can’t force Mlyniec out but wish the retired deputy would resign.
He said the town will wait to see if Mlyniec will resign on his own or if he is convicted.

LeRoy woman arrested for paying herself thousands from her employer’s pocketbook.
43 year old Lisa Sinclair of Myrtle Street in LeRoy was arrested and charged with Forgery and Grand Larceny for allegedly forging falsified checks from a business on Main Road in Stafford.
She was accused of stealing more than 23-thousand dollars from her employer.
Sinclair was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is scheduled for Stafford Town Court on April 3rd.

Toys “R” Us is closing or selling all of their stores.
CNN Money reported yesterday that this could be the beginning of the end for toy retailer.
It isn’t known when their two Rochester area locations are going out of business.
Senator Chuck Schumer is asking that the company allow gift cards be exchanged for cash.

The Bills are saying hello to a new quarterback.
Yesterday Buffalo picked up former Bengal AJ McCarron in a free agency deal.
He led the Alabama Crimson Tide to consecutive BCS National Championships in 2011 and 2012.
McCarron has been with Cincinnati for four seasons but WIVB reports he’s only played in eleven NFL games.

About a hundred students from Batavia High School added their voices to a national call to end gun violence.
With the blessing of the school administration, more than 100 students BHS walked out of their classes this morning. Students in high schools across the nation did the same thing at the same time.
In various ways, the students memorialized the 17 students and staff gunned down last month in Parkland, Florida.

BCSD Superintendent Christopher Dailey

Superintendent Chris Dailey says Batavia schools are not violent enough to qualify for federal funding for a resource officer:

Batavia Assemblyman Steve Hawley today called allocating $50,000 of state aid to each school in the state to hire an armed resource officer.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Cuomo is showing his support for the National School Walkout. He joined students today at a high school in lower Manhattan and said you can have safe gun legislation:

Cuomo said his administration is setting up a website called New York Students Against Gun Violence to help them communicate with lawmakers.

A LeRoy woman is facing felony charges for bilking her employers out of more than 23-thousand dollars.
43 year old Lisa Marie Sinclair of Myrtle Street In Leroy allegedly wrote checks from her employer – payable to herself.
She has been released in under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning in effect for Wyoming County through tomorrow morning. The weather to the south of us has prompted Attica Central Schools to cancel all afternoon and evening activities.

Another suspected Batavia dope dealer is off the street, at least for a while.
The Genesee County Local Drug Task Force has arrested 35 year old Jonathan Hoges of Jackson Street in Batavia for allegedly selling crack cocaine to a task force for agent. Hoges was jailed without bail.

Walkout Organizer /Batavia Senior Sydney Atchinson pictured in the bottom right in front of a crowd of classmates at Batavia High School

Around 100 students or more at Batavia High School walked out of class to join students across the nation in a planned protest against gun violence.

Students gathered outside the front entrance shortly after ten o’clock today and began huddling together to keep warm.

The event was organized and encouraged by the same group responsible for the recent women’s march in response to the Parkland, Florida school shooting.

The school has been trying for several years to increase school safety by securing funding for a School Resource Officer According to Superintendent Chris Dailey…

Dailey remains hopeful that the recent proposals by lawmakers in Albany will provide some sort of funding in the near future.

Batavia Senior Sydney Atchinson organized the student walkout at the school.

She says she does not know what would make the school safer but she remains opposed to having a permanent Police presence…

There were several Batavia Police Officers present at the request of School Administrators.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch also remains hopeful there will funding for a full-time school resource officer for the district.

Press Release:

A Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on the guilty verdict of former Cuomo aide Joe Percoco

“Today’s guilty verdict of Joe Percoco, someone the governor once called a ‘brother,’ shows that corruption and private influence has permeated even the most prominent in our government.

“True leaders take responsibility when their house is engulfed in turmoil, and yet the governor remains weak and vague on ethics reform.

“We have a perfect opportunity to start changing the culture here by passing meaningful ethics reform. However, Assembly leadership would rather pass nonsensical, worthless, one-house measures codifying abortion. Shameful.”

Brain Fobbs shows off his player-of-the-year plaque and first-team all-region certificate (photo credit: GCC Athletics/Curtis Kreutter)

Press Release:

Fobbs Awarded NJCAA Region III Player of the Year

Prior to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Final Four games, Genesee Community College’s Brian Fobbs was awarded NJCAA Region Player of the Year.

Fobbs was one of four Cougars recognized as all-region players along with teammates Rahmel Thompson and Brandon Peters. From the Cougars’ women’s team Rosalyn Sealey was also recognized as all-region.

Fobbs led the region in points-per-game (26.4) and rebounds-per-game (20.2). The latter total is currently the best in the nation at NJCAA Division-II, while Fobbs’ point total has him at No. 2 nationally.

In the team’s season-ending semifinal playoff game against eventual champion Erie, after trailing by double digits in the second half Fobbs gave his team its first lead that put the Cougars on the brink of playing for the region title in the game’s final minute. Among Fobbs’ many highlights this season was setting a points record in a single game with 46.

Thompson saved his best ball for playoffs and led the team in both post-season contests against Mercyhurst North East in the quarterfinals and Erie in the semifinals. The sophomore wasn’t far behind Fobbs as Thompson ranked as the region’s third-best in points-per-game (20.2) and fifth in rebounds-per-game (6.4). The pair both reached the 1,000-point career mark this season with Thompson getting to No. 10 all-time and Fobbs to No. 4 all-time, and both were first-team selections.

The player that helped the aforementioned pair the most in scoring all those points by getting them the ball was Brandon Peters, who topped all region players in assists with 5.6. That total also put him in the nation’s top-25 in that category in NJCAA D-II statistics and earned him a third-team nod to all-region.

Sealey was a region top-10 performer in both points and assists. She ranks seventh in points with 15.3 per-game, and third in assists-per-game with 3.8. Those totals helped the Cougar sophomore to the region’s second team as the lone selection from the Cougars’ women’s basketball team.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Press Release:

In response to the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has written a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) requesting an additional $50,000 be included in this year’s state budget for every school in the state to hire armed school resource officers.

“I hereby request that you provide an additional $50,000 a year toward the cost per armed school resource officer for every New York State school in this year’s budget,” Hawley wrote.

Hawley is also requesting that the salary cap for retired police officer serving as school resource officers be raised from $30,000 to $50,000 per year. This is in addition to his proposal to recruit veterans and retired law enforcement to bolster security at schools.

“A mother in my district actually purchased a bullet proof vest for her 16-year-old son subsequent to a shooter threat in his high school. How incredibly heartbreaking it has come to this!” said Hawley in the letter ”I vehemently urge that you seriously consider these measures and any other that you feel will create an environment that is safe and secure for our most cherished and vulnerable constituents, our children.”

Top aide to Governor found guilty of corruption.
Following more than a week of deliberations, the jury delivered a partial verdict in the trial against Joe Percoco.
The Westchester Democrat was convicted yesterday of taking $300,000 in bribes from businesses hoping to get contracts in New York.
The jury found him guilty on three counts of public corruption but not of conspiracy.
Percoco is currently considering his options for an appeal as he could receive up to 50 years in prison at his sentencing in June.
Governor Cuomo has distanced himself from his former campaign manager, who he once referred to as his brother, saying more safeguards must be put in place to secure the public trust.

Batavia Students plan on walking out this morning.
Batavia High School students are joining other Students across the state and nation in a planned walk out today to protest that something be done about gun violence.
Syndney Atchinson a Senior at Batavia has taken the leadership role locally, organizing the students and contacting media to cover the protest.
Students plan to walk out of class at ten o’clock today for 17 minutes symbolizing the 17 victims at the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
The same group that organized the women’s march is responsible for rallying students across the country.
School Administrators at Batavia are allowing the students to participate in the walkout and have requested a police presence to ensure the safety of the student protestors.
Police Chief Shawn Heubusch…

The Chief said he has been in talks with the school district for a long time in the hopes of establishing a permanent School Resource Officer in Batavia.
He said currently financial restraints on the school and Department have hindered the creation of such a position.

Jackson Street man jailed for alleged drug sales in the City.
35 year old Jonathan Hoges of Jackson Street in Batavia has been arrested and charged with two counts of Criminal Sale and two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance which were all Class B Felonies.
Hoges was accused of selling crack cocaine to a task for agent on two occasions.
He was remanded without bail to the Genesee County Jail.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for areas to the south, including Wyoming County.
The warning is in effect until tomorrow morning.
Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

One of Governor Cuomo’s former top aides is guilty of public corruption. Following eight days of deliberations, the jury delivered a partial verdict in the trial of Joseph Percoco. He was convicted on three counts of public corruption, but acquitted on conspiracy charges. Twice the jury had told the judge they were deadlocked, but today’s development comes after they were told a partial verdict was acceptable. Percoco faces a maximum of 20-years in prison on some of the counts, and a maximum of ten-years on others.

Property owners in the city of Batavia will see a three-percent decrease in their city property taxes.
Council last night unanimously approved next year’s city budget.
The decrease was due in large part to the sal.e of the county owned nursing home to a private company. That put the facility back onto the tax rolls.
The budget also contains a 3 and a half percent increase in water rates and a two percent pay raise for non-union city emplolyees.

Batavia High School students will join in tomorrow “walk-out” with the school administrations blessing.
The students will leave their classrooms at 10am for 17 minutes, one minute for each of the lives lost in the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida.
That shooting has touched off a wave of support for greater gun control across the country.

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch says his department has been in talks with the school for a long time about providing a permanent resource officer:

The Chief said he doesn’t have an opinion on whether the walkout is right or wrong and his primary concern remains the safety of students and staff.

Maybe we will dodge this one. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for areas to the south of us, including Wyoming County.
The warning takes effect at 6 this evening until Thursday Morning.
Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

Joseph Percocvo

One of Governor Cuomo’s former top aides is guilty of public corruption. Following eight days of deliberations, the jury delivered a partial verdict in the trial of Joseph Percoco. He was convicted on three counts of public corruption, but acquitted on conspiracy charges. Twice the jury had told the judge they were deadlocked, but today’s development comes after they were told a partial verdict was acceptable. Percoco faces a maximum of 20-years in prison on some of the counts, and a maximum of ten-years on others.

School administrators are allowing Batavia High School students the opportunity to participate in a planned protest tomorrow morning encouraged by the March for Our Lives and Women’s March movements.

Batavia Senior Sydney Atchinson has organized the walkout for tomorrow at 10 a.m. and has sent out media coverage requests.

Batavia Police were requested by the school to be in attendance to ensure the safety of the student protesters.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said the department has been in talks with the school for a long time about providing a permanent resource officer…

Heubusch said the police are there to support the school in any need that they have.

The Chief said he doesn’t have an opinion on whether the walkout is right or wrong and his primary concern remains the safety of students and staff.

Press Release:

What: Last Chance is TODAY to Register for SAT Prep Course at GCC in Lima
And the Registration deadline for Dansville session is April 19, 2018

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Course Schedule: Thursdays, March 20 through May 1, 2018 (no class April 3) from 6 – 9 p.m. Note: Date change

Where: GCC’s Lima Campus Center ~ 7285 Gale Road, Lima, NY

Who: Anyone planning to take the SAT Exam

Background: The BEST (Business and Employee Skills Training) Center at Genesee Community College will host its second SAT Prep courses in Lima and the registration deadline is March 13, 2018. The SAT Prep course is designed to prepare students for the English and Math components of the SAT exam. The course familiarizes students with the format of the exam and provides practice using questions similar to those that will appear on the SAT. In preparation for the English component, course participants will practice critical reading, sentence completion, grammar usage and writing. The Math component practice will focus on pre-algebra, algebra and geometry.

The SAT Prep course consists of six sessions totaling 18 hours and costs $149.00 per participant which includes the course prep textbook. Participants are required to bring their own calculators.

The SAT Prep course session will be at GCC’s Lima Campus Center – 7285 Gale Road, Lima, NY. The course will run on Thursday evenings beginning March 20, 2018 through May 1, 2018 from 6 – 9 p.m. No class on April 3. Participants MUST register by today, March 13, 2018 to attend.

The BEST Center will also offer the SAT Prep course at:

• GCC’s Dansville Campus Center – 31 Clara Barton Street, Dansville, NY. Thursday evenings beginning April 26, 2018 through May 31, 2018 from 6 – 9 p.m. Register for this session by April 19, 2018.

To register for any of the SAT Prep courses, please visit www.bestcenter.org or call (585) 345-6868.

Additional Details: http://news.genesee.edu/news/2018/01/19/gcc-offers-sat-prep-course

Best Friend is going to be featured at the Arc Film Festival. It’s the story of Deirdre, a young girl from New York
struggling to accept Los Angeles as her new home

Press Release:

A St. Patrick’s Day art show and film festival highlights Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at Arc of Genesee Orleans. The community is invited to attend the Saturday event at Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for the art show featuring work by individuals served at the Arc followed by films at 1:00 p.m.

Arc Director of Development Shelley Falitico said this year eleven different films from the New York City based Sprout collection will be presented. “Sprout films are produced by or feature individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities – the work is amazing,” Ms. Falitico said.

The March observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month began in 1987
When President Reagan invited “all individuals, agencies, and organizations concerned with the problem of developmental disabilities to observe this month with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.” He urged all Americans to encourage opportunities to help people with developmental disabilities lead productive lives.

In the years since that first observance, Arc of Genesee Orleans has grown immensely over two counties with the opening of several community homes, development of unique vocational training and day programs. Ms. Falitico said the Arc also encourages volunteerism and giving back to the community. “From Waterport to Pembroke, Oakfield to Holley and every town in between, the community has played a significant role in our growth and the opportunities we are able to offer the people we serve,” she said.

Also during March, the Arc of Genesee Orleans is kicking off its annual membership drive and has a Developmental Disabilities Awareness display at Case-Nic Cookies in Medina. From March 19 – 24, Case-Nic Cookies will donate $1.00 of every dozen cookies sold during that week directly to the Arc Genesee Orleans. You will find more information on the Arc of Genesee Orleans programs, services and upcoming events at www.arcgo.org.

Press Release:

Since 2008, Genesee Community College has offered the Genesee Promise Plus (GPP) scholarships to help remove financial barriers to higher education for citizens in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) counties. As the scholarship program celebrates its 10th Anniversary, the College encourages all qualified individuals, from students in high school to adults who have never taken a college course before–to apply for up to two summer semester courses tuition-free at GCC!

Ten years ago, GCC’s Board of Trustees sought unique ways to encourage high school students who may have been reluctant to enroll in college. The first year, Genesee Promise Plus was only for graduating seniors, but officials soon realized that GPP would serve high school juniors equally as well. In successive years, GPP was opened up not only to juniors, but also to adult students who have never attended college in the past.

“Summer is a perfect time for new GCC students or students in our Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program to immerse themselves in the college culture, acquaint themselves with the rigors of college coursework or appreciate the nuances of online learning,” Lindsay Gerhardt, assistant dean for Recruitment and Admissions said. “The GPP program provides a wonderful opportunity for college-bound students to cost effectively earn up to six credits, complete prerequisite or general education courses and get a head start on a degree program. It’s a win-win for all.”

GPP is available to GLOW region citizens who are high school juniors (rising seniors), graduating high school seniors or new adult college students (adults who have never attended college before). With more than 60 courses being offered this summer, in two summer sessions and both online and at GCC’s seven campus locations, there are ample opportunities for all eligible applicants in these categories:

• High School Juniors (rising seniors) and qualifying Homeschool Students are eligible for scholarship funding to take one course.
• Graduating High School Seniors are eligible for scholarship funding to take one or two courses
• Adults who have never attended college are eligible for scholarship funding to take one course. This includes adults who have received a GED prior to May 1, 2017 or graduated from a GLOW area high school in December 2016 or earlier. GCC will require a copy of high school transcripts.

GPP scholarship applications are being accepted until June 22, 2018 for the 2018 summer session. The complete list of courses available this summer is available at https://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/ and includes Females Roles in Film (CIN242), Beginning Personal Fitness (PED259), Principles of Business (BUS101) and many, many more.

Applications, qualification criteria and additional information are available at http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/promise/.

All interested individuals are encouraged to contact the office of admissions at admissions@genesee.edu or by calling (585) 345-6805 today!

Additional information about Genesee Community College is available at www.genesee.edu and through Facebook and Twitter.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) [left] joins members of the Assembly Republican Conference to unveil a plan requiring a ten year state takeover of Medicaid costs

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined his Republican colleagues today in Albany to announce a groundbreaking plan that would pave the way for significant local tax reductions for upstate residents. The plan would entail New York State taking over the county share of Medicaid expenses over a 10-year period.

“These cradle-to-grave welfare programs are bleeding our state dry,” Hawley said. “Many state leaders do not realize that a large portion of these state-imposed costs are mandated expenses on counties which are then passed down to residents in the form of higher property and local taxes. The bottom line is that Albany should pay for what Albany spends instead of passing the buck down to local governments.”

New York’s Medicaid budget is about $70 billion, more than one-third of the entire state budget. In federal fiscal year 2016, New York spent more on Medicaid than Texas and Florida combined, despite the fact that the combined populations of these states was approximately 46.1 million to New York’s 19.7 million.

An Albion man accused of incest in child sex abuse investigation.
Investigation into an Albion couples alleged sexual abuse of three children has led to disturbing new charges.
45 year old Richard L. Hering Jr. has been charged with incest, rape and predatory sexual assault against a child.
Hering and his girlfriend, 54 year old Renee Koch were both arrested two weeks ago after being accused of sexual abuse, forcible touching and child endangerment.
The couple resided at 301 Hamilton Street in Albion and according to authorities the abuse against the three children took place at various locations in Albion.
The children were said to be between 4 and 15 years old.
The couple was initially released on bail when they were first arrested, however Hering has since been ordered to be held without bail.

Budget passed by City Council boasting a 3 percent tax decrease.
Council members have unanimously passed the City budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that begins on April 1.
Batavia Interim City Manager Matthew Worth boasted about the included three percent decrease in taxes before entering the Council’s Executive Session. He also explained some changes in the cities investments policy.

The $26.9 million budget calls for a tax levy of $5.25 million dollars, and also includes a 2 percent salary increase for 10 supervisors and department heads.
City Counci breezed through two dozen resolutions during the meeting.
Council passed Local Law No. 1 for 2018 which establishes 3.5 percent increases in water rates and meter fees, and a 10 percent increase in capital improvement fees.

Investigators continue to piece together Perry Murder case.
More details were released on the shooting death of 32 year old Robert Irvine the third of Perry.
Irvine was allegedly shot to death by an acquaintance, Joseph Mlyniec last Wednesday evening in the suspect’s driveway.
Authorities said Mlyniec, a retired Wyoming County Sherriff’s deputy, shot Irvine four times with a .45-cal handgun.
In the leg, chest, neck and head.
The death has been ruled a homicide.
Mlyniec is being held without bail charged with second degree murder.
Deputies say the two men knew each other but a motive for the slaying has not been determined.

Winter Storm Warning to the South.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Southern Erie Counties from 6 this evening until Thursday Morning.
Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

New charges have been placed against an Albion an Albion man previously charged with sexually abusing these children, between the ages of 4 and 15.
45 year old Richard L. Hering Jr. is now facing a charge of incest, rape and predatory sexual assault against a child.
Hering was arrested two weeks ago along with his girlfriend, 54 year old Renee Koch. Police said both lived at 301 Hamilton Street in the Village of Albion.

Richard Hering

Renee Koch

The two were accused of sexual abuse, forcible touching and child endangerment.
Police have said the abuse of the children occurred in various location in Albion over the past eight years.
Both had been released on bail at the time of their original arrest. Hering is now being held without bail.
Police are not releasing any information about the children or their relationship to the suspects.
We are learning new information today into the shooting death of Robert Irvine of Perry.
Irvine was found shot to death last Wednesday evening in the driveway of an acquaintance, Joseph Mlyniec,
Authorities said Mlyniec, a retired Wyoming County Sherriff’s deputy, shot Irvine four times with a .45-cal handgun. One shot struck Irvine in the head.
The death has been ruled a homicide.
Mlyniec is being held without bail charged with second degree murder.
Deputies say the two men knew each other but a motive for the slaying has not been determined.

State Police are saying littler about the arrest of a Buffalo man on a charge of rape.
28 year old AddikadirSabtow of Buffalo was arrested following a report of a rape in the Town of Batavia.

Victoria Young

An Attica woman takes plea deal in child sex abuse case.
23 year old Victoria Young of East Ave in Attica has pleaded guilty to a felony child pornography charge for a promised 5 year prison sentence.
Young was arrested in January, accused of sexually assaulting a four year old boy she was related to by using the child in a sex video.
She is also set to receive 10 years post release supervision and will be ordered to register as a sex offender when she is sentenced on April 26th.

Joshua Bush has been indicted on a count of rape in the first degree.
The case date back to October and allegedly occurred in the Town of Bergen.

News Release: Albion Police Dept.

Richard Hering

Renee Koch

On February 27, 2018 the Albion Police Department conducted an investigation involving Richard L. Hering Jr. and his girlfriend Renee D. Koch who reside at 301 Hamilton Street in the Village of Albion. The investigation involved sex crimes allegedly committed by both Hering and Koch on separate times and dates. The 3 victims in the case ages when these crimes were committed range from 4 to 15 years old.

As a result of the investigation both Hering and Koch were charged with various crimes on February 27, 2018. The investigation then developed further evidence that resulted in additional charges being filed against Hering on March 9, 2018.
Hering and Koch were arraigned on February 27, 2018 in the Town of Albion Court and placed in the Orleans County Jail. Hering’s Bail was set at $20,000.00 while Koch’s bail was set at $10,000.00
Hering and Koch were released from Jail after placing bail on March 7, 2018.

On March 9, 2018 Hering was arrested again after additional information was developed. Hering was arraigned on the additional charges in the Town of Albion Court and placed in the Orleans County Jail on No Bail.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred over the past 8 years at various locations in the Village of Albion. The case is being prosecuted in both the Town of Gaines and Town of Albion Court because of the locations of the offenses.
The names of the Victims and their relationship to the suspects will not be released.

Charges: 02-27-18

Hering: 2 Cts Sex Abuse 1st PL 130.65(1) D-Felony
6 Cts Endangering the Welfare of A Child PL 260.10(1) A-Misdemeanor
4 Cts Forcible Touching PL 130.52(1) A-Misdemeanor

Koch: 2 Cts Sex Abuse 1st PL 130.65(1) D-Felony
2 Cts Forcible Touching PL 130.52(1) A-Misdemeanor
2 Cts Endangering the Welfare of A Child PL 260.10(1) A-Misdemeanor

03-09-18

Hering: 2 Ct Predatory Sex Assault Against a Child 130.96 A-II Felony
2 Ct Rape 1st PL130.35(3) B-Felony
2 Ct Incest 1st PL255.27 B-Felony

News Release: Byron-Bergen Central Schools

Betsy Brown

Bergen, NY ~ “The growth mindset of this district was what really attracted me to Byron-Bergen,” said Byron-Bergen Elementary School’s new Assistant Principal Betsy Brown. “The approach to education is innovative and forward-thinking. I’m so impressed with the opportunities our students have here.”

“We’re fortunate to have an administrator with Betsy’s depth and experience,” said Elementary School Principal Brian Meister. “She is a great addition to our team, and I think she will bring a wonderful combination of commitment, caring, innovation, and humor to her role.”

Brown has 15 years of experience in elementary education. She came to the district from Avon Central Schools, where she supported students and staff as a literacy coach for three years. Prior to that, she taught in third- and fourth-grade, and kindergarten classrooms. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master of Education degree in literacy, earned at the State University of NY at Geneseo. Her administrative coursework was completed at the University of Rochester.

Brown was an active member of the video coaching professional development team at Avon, and will continue her activity as a coach at Byron-Bergen. “Byron-Bergen has been the regional leader in offering video coaching as a way for teachers to grow and to improve their teaching methods,” she said. “Teachers here have embraced the technology, and students are benefitting from the results.”

Open communication, Brown believes, is an essential part of any school. She is looking forward to meeting families and parents and working with them to ensure an exceptional school experience for their students. She encourages parents to call or stop in. “We have an active social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, too,” she said. “They provide a window into all the activities students are doing in the classroom.” The community can follow the assistant principal on Twitter @MrsBetsyMBrown.

28 year old Abdikadir Sabtow of Buffalo was arrested by State Police Troop A in Batavia on Friday afternoon following a report on March 6th of an alleged rape in the Town of Batavia.

According to State Police details have not been released because the nature of the pending investigation.

Sabtow was charged with a Class E felony of third degree Rape for allegedly having sexual contact with someone who was not consenting or incapable of doing so.

News Release: Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Gregory J. Rudolph reports, “On Thursday, March 9, 2018 at about 8:00 p.m. and after about twenty-seven hours of forensic work, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office released the house and property to Cathy Mlyniec, Joseph Mlyniec’s wife. The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office investigators and forensic technicians were assisted by: NYS DEC Police (K-9 assisted in locating projectiles), NYS Parks Police (assisted utilizing their drone for an overview of the property), NYSP (Forensic Unit assisted in measurements and 3D imagery inside the residence). Additionally, Sheriff’s Office Forensic Technicians secured several electronic devices and a request will be made to the Western New York Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory to assist in analyzing for potential evidence.

On Friday, March 9, 2018, at the direction of Coroner Renee Hill, the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy of Robert Irvine, III. A Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Technician attended. The cause of death has been ruled a homicide. Additionally, it was determined Mr. Irvine had been shot four times (leg, chest, neck and head). It is believed a .45 caliber handgun was used, which was secured at the residence but further analysis needs to be conducted to confirm. A full autopsy report will not be completed for several months awaiting toxicology.

As of the 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 12, 2018, the Criminal Investigations Division has conducted 16 interviews to continue to develop a timeline for the victim, Mr. Irvine, and the defendant, Joseph Mlyniec, along with a motive. Many more interviews will be conducted in the days and weeks to come. District Attorney Donald O’Geen has reported a Felony Hearing has been waived by the defendant and there will not be an appearance in the Town of Warsaw Court on March 12, 2018. A new Town of Warsaw Court date of May 21, 2018 has been set, however, it is expected the case will be presented to the Grand Jury and transferred to Wyoming County Court in the interim. The defendant remains remanded to the Wyoming County Jail with no bail. The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call Captain Edward Till at: 585-786-8989 or our Confidential Tipline at: 585-786-8965.”

ORIGINAL- March 8, 2018

On March 7, 2018 at 5:42 p.m., the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from 2468 Route 246 in the Town of Perry from Joseph Mlyniec (age 60 of the same address) who reported the incident. Two Deputies arrived at 5:48 p.m. and after a very brief conversation, Joseph Mlyniec, was taken into custody and transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim was later identified as Robert Irvine, III- age 32 of Perry. A Search Warrant has been obtained for the property and the Forensic Technicians continue to process the scene. Mlyniec was arrested and charged by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office with Murder in the second degree. He was arraigned by Judge Mohun and ordered to the Wyoming County Jail with a return date of March 12, 2018. The investigation is continuing and will continue through court proceedings.

Joseph Mlyniec retired as a Patrol Sergeant at the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 after a twenty plus year career. In 2009 he returned to the Office on a part time basis as a Deputy Sheriff and resigned in 2013. He is also a current Councilman of the Perry Town Board. The Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O’Geen and his Office has been involved and assisting from the outset and was represented at the arraignment. Additionally, Wyoming County Coroner Renee Hill is investigating the official cause of death with the assistance of the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. “The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office is committed to justice in this case and will utilize every resource to ensure that happens. This investigation will be conducted at the upmost professional level, leaving no stone unturned.”

44 year old Scott Beswick of Pratt Road Batavia was arrested and charged with DWI and failing to stop at a stop sign following investigation into a vehicle that had went off the roadway on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany early yesterday morning.

He was released with an appearance ticket for April 10th in Bethany Town Court.

10th Annual Tech Wars at GCC in 2017

Press Release:

Anyone interested in watching teams of teens and young adults embrace, engage and enjoy all the facets of new and existing technology should come to Genesee Community College for the 11th Annual Tech Wars on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the College’s Batavia Campus. More than 750 students from 23 regional school districts, an all-time record, will be competing in 30 different events all focused hands-on activities that use technology of all kinds.

The yearly event matches area middle and high school students against each other in many competitions including the Robotic Tractor Pull, Catapults and SUMO Bots in the gymnasium, the Regatta in the Aquatics Center, and Bridge Designing in the central Forum. A new event this year is Battlebot Soccer where high school students will design and build a remote control robot to compete in a soccer match.

Hosted by the College’s ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) Program for students in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties) region, this is the 11th consecutive year that Tech Wars brings area middle and high school students to GCC’s Batavia Campus where teams of students work collaboratively to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions. The students arrive on GCC’s Batavia Campus at 8:30 a.m., with the competitions scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony luncheon from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Students participate in a variety of challenges, many in groups of two or more. Many of the competitions involve bringing projects they’ve been working on to GCC’s Batavia campus, and other events are more spontaneous with materials and exact directions shared day of.

“We are very excited that Tech Wars continues to grow both in the number and interests of the students, the schools they represent, and also the creativity of the planners who continue to invent new events to challenge GLOW area students each year,” Debbie Dunlevy, GCC Career Pathways Program director said. “Tech Wars is always a day of great fun alongside some serious competition.”

In addition to the new Battlebot Soccer competition listed above, there are 29 other events to challenge students in an array of technologies. The 2018 Middle School events include: Catapult, CO2 Car and Truck Challenges, Logo Design, Mystery Project, Paper Airplane, Rube Goldberg, Sculpture and Tower. The 2018 High School events include: Battlebot Soccer, Bridge Design, Architectural Design in CAD, CO2 Car and Truck Challenges, King of the Hill, Logo Design, Mystery Project, On Site CAD Project, Regatta, Reverse Engineered CAD Drawing, Robotic Tractor Pull Limited and Unlimited, Sculpture Event, Skimmer Car, SUMO Bots and Trebuchet which must launch a projectile at a given target 40 feet away.

For the rules and details on all these competitions, go to http://www.techwarsgcc.org/.

The event would not be possible without significant sponsorships. The Gold Sponsors this year include: Amada Machine Tools America Inc., Graham Corporation, Liberty Pumps, Northeast Technologies, Inc. and Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning.

“We thank all of our sponsors for their support in helping to create a successful event for all participants,” Dunlevy said. “Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.”

The ACE Program’s Career Pathways helps students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to college and ultimately to professional careers. Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals.

For more information, please contact Debbie Dunlevy, Genesee Community College Career Pathways program director at 585-343-0055 ext. 6316 or dkdunlevy@genesee.edu.

For photographs from the 10th Annual Tech Wars at GCC in 2017 go to GCC’s Facebook Photo album at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/sunygcc/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155110462863103

An Investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office into alleged misuse of a Dansville school computer has led to the arrest of 21 year old Kyle Webster.

The Sheriff’s Office was tipped off by a Dansville teacher in October that there were inappropriate website searches done overnight on her computer.

A School Resource Officer identified Webster who is employed as an overnight custodian at the school as the suspect.

Investigators obtained the school computers and an electronic device from Webster’s residence for forensic examination.

There were no illegal images found on the school computer however there were images of child porn on Webster’s personal device.

He was arrested and charged with 2 felony counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child and with Peitit Larceny for allegedly stealing 150 dollars from a class fundraising envelope in the teacher’s desk.

Webster was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff in lieu of one thousand dollars bail.

School Officials and the Sheriff’s Office say there is no reason to believe that any students were affected by this incident.

Press Release:

…This is an ACTUAL MISSING CHILD ALERT…

Issued By: NYS-DCJS-MPC
Affected Jurisdictions: Cayuga, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Counties

Headline: NYS Missing Child Alert Alert for TREVYAN ROWE on March 09, 2018 at 02:26 am has been cancelled.

The New York State Missing Child Alert on behalf of the Rochester City Police Department for TREVYAN ROWE is now cancelled as of 08:01 am on March 12, 2018.

Thank you for your subscription to NYS Missing Child Alert.

———-

For a permanent link to this Notification (may contain additional formatting and / or content which could not be sent), follow this link: https://users.nyalert.gov/newsitem/5165477?messageID=300417271

Press Release:

Women’s Lacrosse Team Returns From Road Trip with Split

The Genesee Community College women’s lacrosse team took to the road to open their season and returned with a 1-1 split with a season-opening loss to the Community College of Baltimore County Essex 19-7 March 10 and followed that with a 19-13 win over Frederick Community College March 11.

“After a tough first year of trying to build a program and teaching a complete new sport, we are finally turning the corner in our second year. We have all learned a lot and have all come a long way and are so happy to come out of this weekend with a 1-1 split,” head coach Jeff Reyngoudt said.

Leading the way in the latter win was Molly Barden with seven goals and Bri Heers with five. Kali Wright added three goals, while Rachel Ladd added a pair with a single tally coming from Olivia Steedman.

The season-opening loss to the Knights didn’t start well with the Cougars falling behind 7-0, but in a span of just over four minutes late in the first half the Cougars cut the deficit to 7-4 with Barden starting a scoring spree that was followed by a single tally from Wright and a pair from Heers.

The Cougars scored another three goals in the second half with all of them coming off the stick of Barden, who also led the team with nine shots.

Twenty-two of the team’s 26 goals over the weekend came from three players with Barden leading the way with 11. Heers and Wright have another 11 combined with seven coming from Heers and four from Wright.

The Cougars next travel to powerhouse Monroe for a 5 p.m. start March 21.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Rahmel Thompson led GCC in both weekend playoff games with 52 points (photo credit: GCC Athletics/Curtis Kreutter)

Press Release:

Men’s Basketball Team Loses Heartbreaker after Impressive Rally

The Genesee Community College men’s basketball team was close to a storybook ending in their Region III semifinal playoff game against Erie, but the Kats snatched Genesee’s only second-half lead away in the final 30 seconds to end the Cougars’ season.

The Cougars entered the second half down by six at 38-32 and trailed by as much as 11 during the second, but Genesee put together an impressive rally that saw the Cougars stay within striking distance before taking their first lead of the second with just one minute to go.

A Brian Fobbs layup made it an 80-79 game, but Erie went back ahead 81-80 with 30 seconds to go before adding a pair of free throws that gave the Cougars just eight seconds to sink a three and send the game to overtime.

Both halves almost played out identical as aside from exchanging baskets in the first few minutes, Genesee trailed almost the entire first half but took its first lead in the final minute with a Rahmel Thompson layup for a 32-31 lead. Erie rattled off the half’s last seven points in the final 30 seconds for the 38-32 halftime lead.

The difference in the game ultimately came down to the Kats ability to respond to Genesee taking its lead from them with the Kats holding a collective 11-0 scoring edge when combining the final 30 seconds of each half.

On paper it appeared Genesee was the far better shooting team in holding the edge percentage-wise from the floor percentage 51-40 and from beyond the arc at 42-26, but the Cougars who have been strong at the foul line all season only shot 67 percent to Erie’s 85 and Erie dominated the boards with a 45-28 edge. Of Erie’s 45 rebounds almost half (22) were offensive. Erie also edged the Cougars in second-chance points (24-11) and bench points (38-9) and were able to hold the nation’s leading scorer – Fobbs – to 17 points, something very few teams were able to do all season so credit has to go to Erie’s defensive game plan.

Leading Genesee was Thompson with 22 points, followed by 20 from Jarett Haines. Brandon Peters added 10 to give Genesee four double-digit scorers. Fobbs led the team in rebounds with eight, followed by seven from Thompson.

Thompson’s 22 points moved him into 10th place on the all-time career scoring list with 1063 points; five ahead of Dave Spiller. Fobbs finished with 1306 in fourth-place all-time and 48 behind No. 3 Rodney Knight.

No. 4 Men’s Lacrosse Team Moves to 2-0 with 22-4 Win

The No. 4 nationally-ranked Genesee Community College men’s lacrosse team moved to 2-0 with a 22-4 road win over the Community College of Baltimore County March 10.

The Cougars got out to a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. The fifth goal of the opening quarter by Jason Chiodo proved to be the game winner as Genesee added 16 more goals in quarters two through four.

Two Cougars accounted for 16 points with each registering eight. Alex Mack scored five goals to go with three assists, while Kevin McParlene split his eight points evenly with four scores and four helpers.

The Cougars threw 53 shots at the net with 37 on target. Mack had nine shots, while McParlene had eight to lead Genesee. Eight other Cougars scored in addition to Mack, McParlene and Chiodo with none of those eight registering more than two points for the contest.

Genesee dominated in faceoffs (21-6) and groundballs (27-13) and utilized three goalkeepers during the contest. Garrett Lazore saw the bulk of the action from the cage with six saves in almost 42 minutes, while Troi Benedict and Lincoln Potter combined for three saves in 18 combined minutes.

Chiodo finished with three goals, while two Cougars recorded a pair of goals each from Zach Wade and Patrick Bilbrey. Single tallies came from Josh Bernas, Joshua Shields, Tyler Thompson, Robert Campany, Mat Anderson and Evan Hollfelder.

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Albion man facing 17 felonies after drug raid in Orleans County.
Following a three month long investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force 44 year old Jason Abron of Lydun Drive in Albion was arrested and charged with selling drugs.
He allegedly sold cocaine and crack cocaine to a Task Force agent on numerous occasions and was charged with eight felony counts of Criminal Sale and eight felony counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance along with two additional felony and misdemeanor drug charges.
The Orleans County SWAT team stopped Abron on Linwood drive in Albion while search warrants were simultaneously executed at his address on Lydun Drive and at an East State Street Address.
Task Force members seized a quantity of drugs, cash, ammunition, scales and packaging materials in the raid.
Abron was jailed without bail.

Police chase through Batavia ends with a man in custody.
A disturbance on Hutchins Street in the city Saturday night spurred on a car chase that soon involved three law enforcement agencies on a pursuit through Batavia into Stafford.
When police arrived on scene, a man who was believed involved in an altercation, fled the scene down East Avenue leading police to another address on Clipnock Road in Stafford.
Police, deputies and state troopers surrounded the house after the man locked himself inside.
He was eventually taken into custody and hospitalized for a mental health examination.

Warsaw man arrested on Batavia warrant for alleged threats.
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46 year old Keith Legge of South Main Street in Warsaw on a Batavia City Court arrest warrant following investigation into alleged harassment.
Legge was accused of sending numerous threats to multiple individuals through Facebook.
He was charged with Aggravated Harassment and was remanded to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of bail.

Summer Street woman accused of striking a police officer.
21 year old Katty Jackson of Batavia was arrested and charged with Harassment and Obstruction of Governmental Administration following a domestic disturbance that occurred last week on Central Ave in the city.
She is accused of hitting an individual along with the responding officer in the incident.
Jackson was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is expected in Batavia City Court on March 29th.

Deliberations in the federal corruption trial of a former top aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are stretching into another week.
The jury announced last week that it was deadlocked about whether Joe Percoco accepted bribes from companies looking to do business in New York State.
However, the judge ordered jurors to keep trying to reach a verdict. Percoco was a confidant and close friend of Cuomo’s for over two decades, but the governor has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Tyrod Taylor is set to be a Cleveland Brown.
The veteran Bills quarterback was traded Friday for a third round draft pick.
Taylor took to Twitter to thank Buffalo Friday and updated his account to say he’s now with the Browns.
The trade won’t be official until the new league year begins Wednesday afternoon.

Police from three agencies chase a man from Batavia into Stafford.
The chase started last night following some type of disturbance on Hutchins Street.
As police arrived a man, believed involved in an altercation, fled the scene down East Avenue and eventually out to a residence on Clipnock Road in Stafford.
There the man locked himself inside as police, deputies and state troopers surrounded the house. The man was eventually taken into custody and hospitalized for a mental health examination.

An Albion is man facing 18 charges of selling and distributing crack cocaine in Orleans County.
44 year old Jason Abron of Lydun Drive, Albion, was charged following a three-month investigation.
He is being held in the Orleans County Jail without bail.

The Batavia City Council is scheduled to take final action on next year’s city budget when they meet tomorrow night.
The budget reduces city property taxes by three=percent but increases water rates.
There is also a separate measure to grant a 2-percent pay raise to non-union city employees.

The season has ended for the Elba Lady Lancers varsity basketball team.
The Lancers were defeated yesterday in a Class D regional playoff against Franklinville.
Final score was: Franklinville 60,  Elba 40.

Press Release:

…This is an ACTUAL MISSING CHILD ALERT…

Issued By: NYS-DCJS-MPC

Affected Jurisdictions: Cayuga, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Counties

Headline: Missing Child Alert, 14 years old black/male *UPDATED*

At the request of the Rochester City Police Department, a New York State Missing Child Alert has been issued relating to the disappearance of TREVYAN ROWE; age 14; from ROCHESTER, NY at 02:26 am on March 09, 2018.

Click on the link for further details. www.criminaljustice.ny.gov

—-

Missing From: ROCHESTER, New YorkDate Missing: 03/08/2018
TREVYAN DEVON ROWE

DOB: 02/01/2004
Sex: Male
HGT: 5’06”
WGT: 140 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Race: Black

Other Information: Trevyan Rowe is a 14-year-old missing child with autism and may be in need of medical attention. He was last seen getting off the school bus on South Avenue in Rochester, Monroe County, at 7:30 AM on Thursday, March 8. Trevyan was last seen wearing a brown hoodie, tan pants and red shoes.

Case Date: 03/09/2018

Rochester City Police Department(585) 428-7210 or 911

Richard Beatty (right) with Kelli Pease (center), WGCC faculty advisor, and student announcer Austen Vroman (left) at GCC’s recent Student Club Fair

Press Release:

Richard Beatty of Batavia, and Cody Catlin of Waterport, opened the new radio show with a long song by Big Brother and the Holding Company, and they continued on to play a little Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even a Chet Atkins number. All were songs from the WGCC library of music that don’t see a whole lot of play time anymore. Those tracks of music from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond will begin to see a bit more airtime on most Thursday nights from 8 – 10 p.m.

Genesee Community College’s student-run radio station, WGCC (90.7 FM), has welcomed the interest of Beatty, who has many years of music appreciation and a wide personal collection of albums, CDs, a few cassette tapes and now streaming playlists. At 67 years old, he quickly reflects back on 50 plus years of attending concerts across the country.

“One of my first concerts was the Who opening for Herman’s Hermits – after experiencing Pete Townshend’s windmill attack on his guitar and Keith Moon’s drumming, I didn’t bother sticking around for Peter Noone’s crooning ” Beatty said. “I was lucky enough to see many of the greats before their lives were cut short – maybe the best was the Allman Brothers in ’71 at a University of South Florida gym in Tampa- my recollection it was a 4 hour show.” RaeAnn Engler, Richard’s partner in life, has shared many great club shows in the 21st century. “We shy away from arena shows and prefer club shows featuring largely unknown acts. We saw a Jeffery Lewis show in Medina where the band out-numbered the audience. It was still a great show!

Beatty, a retired industrial property appraiser for New York State Real Property Services, approached the College about his interest in developing a weekly program to feature music from earlier years, creating a community opportunity that he hoped would allow him to interact with GCC students, exchange an appreciation of music and even feature of few special guests on his ‘Geezer Radio’ show. Next Thursday, March 15, 2018 – his first guest will be local author and screen writer Bill Kaufman, who was also GCC’s 2017 Commencement speaker. Other proposed guests may be Craig Yunker, another friend of the College who attended Woodstock, GCC retirees and musicians Ray Chaya and Bob Knipe, Richard Schauf, detective for Batavia Police Department and maybe even GCC President Jim Sunser.

Working with the students has been a pleasure for Beatty. He has enjoyed helping them relocate station equipment during the renovation project between the fall and spring semesters. He regularly attends station meetings, and he supported WGCC at the Student Club Fair. In the spring, Beatty plans to help out at GCC’s Scholars’ Symposium on March 29, 2018.

“Cody has been a real pleasure to work with, and I appreciate all that he is teaching me about the equipment and airtime guidelines,” Beatty said. “And Kelli Pease, the faculty advisor to the station and also a GCC alumnus has also been a joy to work with. In the world of being retired, it doesn’t get better than this.”

Beatty is also president of Landmark Society of Genesee, a docent volunteer for the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, and a regular supporter of Richmond Memorial Library Books Sandwiched In program. WGCC is a not for profit non-commercial radio station run by the students, faculty and staff of Genesee Community College. It’s been on the air since 1985 and has become a well-loved part of the Batavia community.

For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

The cover of Melissa Ostrom’s new book, The Beloved Wild

Press Release:

Melissa Ostrom, known to many as an extraordinarily gifted teacher of English Composition at the Albion Campus Center of Genesee Community College and also known as a widely published short story writer, is now being recognized as an accomplished young adult fiction author.

Melissa, who lives with her husband and children in Holley, New York, and who has taught for GCC for over a decade, has her first novel, The Beloved Wild, forthcoming from Macmillan in March of 2018.

Winner of a 2008 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Master Teacher Award for her engaging classroom teaching style, her passion for excellence in writing, and her devotion to student success, Melissa’s reputation as an exemplary educator at GCC is well known.

Her short story fiction has appeared in The Florida Review, Quarter After Eight, The Baltimore Review and Juked, among other journals. As Melissa puts it, “Good short stories, in my opinion, do possess… piercing quality. They are like lamps that shine through the murk of life and allow us to see something important and true. And they bore into us, the readers, as well, leaving us awakened, startled, changed.”

For those interested in learning more about Melissa’s writings, check out her blog at http://www.melissaostrom.com/about-melissa/, attend her upcoming talk at the Hoag Library in Albion, Thursday, April 26 ~ 7 p.m. or stop by the Albion Campus Center at 456 West Ave, Albion, NY, to sign up for her Fall 2018 semester English 101 class.

The Albion Campus Center is located at 456 West Avenue, Albion. 585-589-4936.

Press Release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator, Matt Landers, announced today that 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.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on March 16th and will end on March 18th. New York State Police, County Sheriffs 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 impaired related injuries and deaths.

You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp
Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. If you’re headed out for St. Patrick’s Day, designate a responsible and sober driver! Remember, “Don’t Drive, Get a Sober Ride”

The STOP-DWI St. Patrick’s day 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 courtesy of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day Weekend, Halloween, the national Holiday Season in December and the Super Bowl weekend.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

Rahmel Thompson scored 30 points in GCC’s quartfinal region playoff win

Press Release:

GCC Men’s Basketball Team Punches Ticket to Region Final Four with Win Over Saints

The Genesee Community College men’s basketball team out-scored Mercyhurst North East 25-13 in the final dozen minutes to break a 46-46 tie and advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Final Four with a 71-59 win. The Cougars will now face Erie Community College in the region semifinals at 6 p.m. March 10.

Rahmel Thompson scored half of his game-high 30 points down the stretch when the Cougars needed him most. After a three gave the Cougars a 46-44 lead, Mercyhurst tied the game one last time before another Thompson three gave the Cougars the lead for good.

After consecutive threes, Thompson would add another nine down the stretch and help the team to a double-digit lead before the final horn.

The Saints started the game on fire with a 7-0 run and maintained that lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the first half with a 16-9 lead. Genesee went on a 10-0 run to take a 19-16 lead with six minutes remaining before settling on a 32-30 lead at the half.

Mercyhurst responded with a 38-36 lead early in the second half and went up by as much as four twice at 42-38 and 44-40 before Thompson exploded for the Cougars.

The sophomore finished the game with a double-double performance with a team-high 11 rebounds, while teammate Brian Fobbs also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.

Jordan Smart also had a double-digit performance with 10 points and the along with Thompson and Fobbs, the trio was the team’s top-three rebounders.

Jarett Haines, Brandon Peters and Fobbs co-led the team in assists with three, while Peters also added a team-high three steals.

Thompson’s 30 points moved him into 11-th place on the all-time career Cougar scoring list and he now needs 18 more points to move into the top-10 to pass Dave Spiller (1975-77).

Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information

Second defendant in East Main Street assault found guilty
26 year old Anthony Spencer Jr. of Batavia has been found guilty on all counts.
Spencer also known as “Trouble” was accused of beating victim Jon Roblee over the head with a cooking pot during a gang assault on East Main Street in Batavia.
The attack left the victim bleeding uncontrollably, clinging to life.
The verdict was read shortly after 10 o’clock Friday morning after the jury deliberated for around 3 and half hours.
Spencer was found guilty on count #1 of Gang Assault in the first degree and on count # 2 of Assault in the first degree.
Co-Defendant JW Hardy the Third also known as “Dubs” accepted a plea deal in December regarding the incident and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Spencer is scheduled for sentencing on April 6th.
He was ordered to be held without bail pending sentencing at the request of the District Attorney.
Investigation into the incident still continues as there were other alleged suspects involved that fled the scene.

Murder suspect in Perry waives his preliminary hearing.
60 year old Joseph Mlyniec of Perry is behind bars charged with second degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing 32 year old Robert Irvine the third of Perry.
He allegedly shot Irvine in the head while in the driveway of his home on Route 246 in Perry at around quarter to 6 Wednesday night.
The former Wyoming County Sheriff Sergeant and current Perry Town Board Member not give a formal statement and investigators say they do not have a clear motive for the shooting, only that the two men were acquainted.
The latest information regarding the case is that Mlyniec has waived his right to have a preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for Warsaw Justice Court on March 12th.
Mlyniec is now expected in court on May 21st however, it’s anticipated that the matter will be presented to the Wyoming County Grand Jury before that date.
He remains in jail without bail.

Albion couple accused of child sex abuse with more victims emerging.
54 year old Renee Koch and her boyfriend 45 year old Richard Hering Jr. both of Albion were arrested and charged with forcible touching, sex abuse and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years of age.
The couple is accused of sexually abusing children between the ages of 12 and 16 during a number of reported incidents last year.
Police say more victims are coming forward accusing the Albion residents of sexually abusing them as the investigation continues.
The couple are due back in Orleans County Court next Tuesday.

A second suspect in last summer’s violent assault on East Main Street has been found guilty on all counts.
26 year old Anthony Spencer Jr. of Batavia, known on the street as “Trouble” was found guilty of Gang Assault on John Roblee last July.
Roblee was left in the street bleeding profusely and barely clinging to life.
A second defendant, JW Hardy the Third also known as “Dubs” accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 10 years.
The Genesee County Court jury began deliberating Spencer’s fate yesterday afternoon. Their verdict was returned gthis morning.
Spencer will be sentenced next month.

More potential victims of of an Albion couple’s suspected sexual abuse have come forward.
Police say more possible victims have accused 54 year old Reneee Koch (Cook) and her 45 year old boyfriend Richard Herring of molesting children between the ages of 12 and `17.
Koch and Herring are due back in Orleans County Court next week.

Batavia City Council is scheduled to take final action on next year’s city budget when they meet this Monday night.
The budget calls for a 3% decrease in city property taxes but increase water rates.
City lawmakers will take a separate vote on hiring a full time Building Maintenance worker for the City Centre Mall now that the city is taking over responsibility for the mall concourse.
In another separate council will be asked to approve a 2% pay raise for non-union city hall workers.

The New York Senate is considering a bill that would legalize sports betting.
The legislation would make it legal to place sports bets in casinos and online.
There would be an 8.5% on gross revenue. Proponents say legalized sports betting would generate between $10 and $30 million a year for New York State coffers.

For the second week in a row, flu rates are down across New York.
The latest numbers by the state show a more than 50-percent drop in new flu cases from the week before.

Press Release:

Yesterday, Sen. John Bonacic (R-Mount Hope) the head of the New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee introduced legislation that would pave the way for sports betting, should the Supreme Court knock down the federal prohibition.

Western Regional Off Track Betting and Batavia Downs Gaming are perfectly positioned with existing infrastructure to deliver a sports betting platform to our customers in our 15 Counties including the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

As the only municipally owned gaming facility in the state, Batavia Downs Gaming is not only a strong economic driver for Central and Western New York, but it provides critical funding for community development which creates jobs, keeps families safe and helps to offset tax increases for residents. Since its inception, Batavia Downs Gaming has generated over $226 million to 17 municipalities and bringing sports betting to our locations will significantly increase these important contributions.

“If we are able to offer sports betting to our customers, we would see more resources flowing directly to our bosses – the millions of New Yorkers who live in the Western Region Off Track Betting counties,” said Henry F. Wojtaszek, President/CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming WROTB. “We’d be able to deliver critical funds to help local law enforcement, first-responders, and help in the fight to keep property tax hikes at bay. We want to thank Sen. John Bonacic for his leadership on this important issue. Our delegation in Albany and Governor Cuomo has always stood by our side to get our fair share out of Albany, and we hope it’s no different with sports betting. “Operationally with our brick and mortar locations, Batavia Downs Gaming and WROTBC is a natural affiliate to deliver sports wagering to residents of Western and Central New York as we have delivered Parimutuel wagering since 1974”, said Michael Nolan Chief Operating Officer Batavia Downs Gaming/WROTB.

BACKGROUND: STATE OF POLITICS: Bonacic Bill Would Legalize Sports Betting