Masons are making good progress on the new enclosure for commercial garbage cans in the parking lot off School Street, near Center.
The city used $20,000 from a state grant and the Business Improvement District put up $10,000 to construct the enclosure.
With a bachelor’s degree in communications, a record of community involvement and eight years experience in advertising, Batavia native Leanna Di Risio knew when the Vibrant Batavia Community Organizer position came along, it was the perfect fit.
While Di Risio worked for the Genesee Valley PennySaver, she volunteered for the Business Improvement Distirct, and that really opened her eyes to community involvement.
“The first event I took part in was the Taste of Fall Wine Walk, which has become a well-known event for Downtown," Di Risio said. What made that event so worth the effort as a volunteer was seeing the streets filled with people; people who were going from business to business. This created a feeling of exhilaration, just to know that I was a part of making this event possible and it was successful, as it was well attended.”
Vibrant Batavia is a group of dedicated volunteers; both business owners and residents who wish to help Batavia realize its "vibrant" potential.
The City of Batavia and Vibrant Batavia, in partnership with NeighborWorks Rochester, hired the 1998 Batavia High School graduate for the job in community relations. The 34-year-old is paid by Vibrant Batavia, which was given $45,000 from the city to hire a coordinator and plan neighborhood events and the city’s upcoming centennial celebration.
Di Risio was one of six candidates interviewed by a group of city leaders including City Manager Jason Molino and Pastor Marty Macdonald of City Church.
“Leanna was chosen for the position because of her 'can-do' attitude," Molino said. "She brings an excellent work ethic to community development efforts in the City and she’s a natural people person. Working in neighborhoods with residents and business owners requires you to have a positive attitude and genuine interest in what people are telling you. Leanna has interest in the residents of this community and wants to be a part of making this community a better place for everyone.”
Although Di Risio has the education and background to lead the way in community revitalization, during college she did not see herself coming back to live in her small hometown. She was attending Buffalo State College where she was planning to become an elementary school teacher.
“In the course of my experience in a classroom, I realized that it was more than just playing games and doing projects with kids, which was what I desired," Di Risio said. "At that point I gave all of my past teachers MUCH credit for doing what they did and retired the idea."
During this time her mother passed away at the young age of 45 and she came back home to help care for her 8-year-old brother. She transferred and commuted to Brockport State College, where she received her degree in communications.
Di Risio currently lives in Batavia with her husband Dan and their two children: 9-year-old Vincent and 4-year-old Luciana. She is enthusiastic about her new position and has already had the opportunity to meet with many residents throughout the City for Coffee Talk events. The five Coffee Talk Events were successful and Di Risio was able to compile a list of ideas generated by residents through surveys, which are still available at http://vibrantbatavia.com/survey/.
“Leanna is strong on her way to fulfilling some of the objectives that the Vibrant Batavia Team had established based on City Council’s findings,” Macdonald said. “Leanna's passion is recognized in everything she does.”
The goal is to build upon neighborhood strengths and assets. With guidance from residents, Vibrant Batavia will highlight characteristics and unique personalities of each neighborhood in an effort to rebuild connections.
“In some cases, it is a matter of focusing on your own property, planting flowers, keeping up on regular maintenance of your home and then reaching out to help others," Di Risio said. "That could be as simple as helping an elderly neighbor shovel snow in the winter months or chipping in on maintaining a vacated lot by mowing the lawn so these properties represent the tidiness of the street. I have already begun to coordinate block parties, street clean-ups and community events to open the lines of communication between neighbors and make for a stronger neighborhood.”
Last weekend, Vibrant Batavia hosted a Fall Frolic Clean-up covering Bank Street, Tracy Avenue, Hart Street and North Street. The event was supported by Batavia Ramparts Squirt Travel Hockey Team, which Di Risio’s son plays on. Team members, as well as their parents, joined in the clean-up effort. Afterward Tracy Avenue residents Bob and Char Grimm hosted lunch, which was provided by Vibrant Batavia.
Vibrant Batavia is now working with Genesee Cancer Assistance to promote the Holiday Tour of Homes. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8 and includes six homes in Batavia. Interested participants can contact Di Risio at 585-738-7388 to purchase tickets and they will also be available the day of the tours at each of the homes.
Moving into the winter months, Vibrant Batavia will focus on community events, such as a sledding celebration at Centennial Park and having NeighborWorks Rochester lead community-wide forums to discuss the opportunities to further improve the community. Batavia residents can follow their efforts on Facebook and see upcoming events at www.vibrantbatavia.com.
The American Conservative: Nixon and Kennedy: The Myths and Reality
It will be impossible in 2014 for the Notre Dame girls basketball team to repeat as Class D state champions.
Section V officials made sure of that.
If the Fighting Irish make it to the post season -- very likely given the fact that all but one top player from last year is returning -- making a deep run in the post season will be difficult.
Again, thanks to Section V officials.
Notre Dame, with only 149 students, has been moved from Class D to Class B2 where eight of the 10 schools in the class have an average of 283 students, and all but Le Roy (283) and Bishop Kearney (216, and last year's Class C state champions) have more than 300 students.
Section V officials moved Notre Dame past Class D1 and three Class C divisions to get the team in with schools nearly twice as big.
"I always thought sports was about the kids, but they're doing what they have to do to make it difficult for the private school and that's just the way it is," Pero said.
Any shot at a State Championship will mean getting past several schools in Class B1 with more than 400 students.
"I'm not crying wolf," Head Coach Dave Pero said. "To me it's not fair, but sometimes life just isn't fair. There's a lot worse things out in life than us going to Class B."
Rather than cry over what he can't change, Pero is doing what good coaches do -- getting his players ready to play, running through offensive and defensive drills, working on conditioning and planning how to use his available resources for the best possible results.
"It is what it is," Pero said. "We're preparing our girls to play and I think they'll handle that, and the chips will fall where they may."
There will be a lot of tools at Pero's disposal: Mel Taylor, the MVP of the state championship game, returns to her play-making guard position; Laurie Call, a Scottish terrier on defense who gets a hold of an opposing player's leg and won't let go; and Burgundy Bartlett, who's quick and strong with three-point range, but is coming off a missed season because of a knee injury.
Then there's Shea Norton, who's grown from last year's 5'10" to 6'1" and added some muscle. The sophomore may be primed for a breakout year. She worked hard on her game over the summer, improving her ball handling and perimeter shooting, making her a threat in the paint and from long range.
"Last year, she was here, but learning," Pero said. "She's improved by leaps and bounds. She's playing the inside, but also making shots outside."
At the post positions, Pero can also look for big contributions from two other tall and strong sophomores, Taylor DiMartino, returning from last year's team, and Becca Krenzer, a transfer from Pavilion. Both are six-footers who can pull down rebounds on both ends of the court.
Also returning are Bailee Welker (who is also made big off season strides, Pero said), Hannah Green, Emily McCracken and Emma Francis, who all made significant contributions during the course of ND's championship run.
"We have 11 players who can contribute, who can come off the bench and I won't feel like we're losing much," Pero said.
That kind of quality player rotation will be important in a season where coaches are expecting refs to call more fouls.
Just like the NCAA, officials have decided the pendulum in basketball has swung too far toward the defense and it's time to let the offense reassert itself. There are no new rules, but rules about hand checking and giving driving shooters space will be more rigorously and consistently enforced.
So far this season in NCAA men's hoops, there have been an average of 10 more fouls called per game. In last Saturday's Niagara and Seton Hall game, there were 72 fouls called and 102 free throws. Men's game scoring has increased to 76 points per team, up from 67.5.
Notre Dame made it through the post season last year in large part because of a never-let-up defensive style that kept opponents off balance and out of sync.
Nobody was more tenacious or aggressive on defense than Call, but after a scrimage yesterday in which the Irish were called for 21 fouls in the first quarter, Pero believes his team learned a valuable lesson, and the lesson wasn't lost on Call.
"She's matured so much and I think her eyes really opened up last night in the second quarter," Pero said. "Even last year through the run, we were worried she was going to get into foul trouble but she changed her game and I think she's mature enough to do that again."
Pero still expects Call to spark the defense.
"If Laurie's on you, you're going to have a lot of problems," Pero said.
Last year Call lead Section V with 120 steals. If she hits that mark again -- and Pero believes she will -- that would put her at 400 career steals, which Pero said would be quite a milestone.
Taylor will also be closing in on a career milestone of 1,000 points scored.
The lone senior to graduate after the state championship was Shea's older sister, Riley Norton. Riley was the team's leading scorer, hitting about 14 points per game, but Pero believes with the improvements in his younger players and the strong rotation he can put on the floor the team can fill the scoring gap.
The Lady Irish will only go as far as the girls are willing to focus and play hard, Pero said, and that's true whether they're in Class D or Class B.
The Genesee Region League -- the majority of ND's regular season opponents -- is comprised mainly of Class C teams. Only Elba -- which won the state championship in 2012 and had a seven-game winning streak against ND snapped in Sectionals last year -- is Class D. The Irish are probably the pre-season favorites to when the GR title.
Which puts them into sectionals, where anything can happen, even when playing bigger schools.
"It's all breaks," Pero said. "When you get into the post season, you've got to catch some breaks and the post season is so far away right now that we want to get through our 18 games and then the post season will be here and we can concentrate on that."
Top photo: Dave Pero.
Mel Taylor
Asst. Coach Dave Pero Jr.
Laurie Call
Bailee Welker
Shea Norton
A car reportedly hit a deer and then a tree in the area of 5641 Ford Road, Elba.
Elba fire and Mercy EMS is responding.
UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: Elba has enough manpower on scene. No need for further response.
UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Patient being transported to UMMC.
Press release:
Trustees of the Genesee Community College Board got an update Monday evening on the five-year Facilities Master Plan approved a year ago, and the architect says it's right on track.
Robert Joy, managing principal of JMZ Architects and Planners, PC, reported that as part of his service to the College, he has been reviewing the Plan in context with today's priorities to ensure its continued relevance.
Against an array of important concerns -- such as the rising cost of higher education, graduation and college degree completion rates, transferability of college credits, measuring outcomes and student success -- the Master Plan is "hitting the mark perfectly," Joy said.
Revisions to the plan would be done on a pro bono basis, but it sounds like few adjustments need to be made.
"It seems eve(n) more relevant today than it did one year ago," Joy said.
In fact, the two major initiatives, a new Events Center and Student Success Center are not only excellent avenues for local economic development, but they also reinforce New York State's priorities as investments offering long-term positive return.
The Board also heard about Start-Up New York (SUNY Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate NY) from William Emm, GCC's executive vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. Emm is GCC's point-person for the new, Albany-based initiative that is aiming to transform SUNY campuses into tax-free communities for new and expanding businesses.
The statewide initiative introduced by Governor Cuomo encourages potential developments on or within one mile of each of SUNY's 64 campuses. Each institution can designate up to 200,000 square feet of space for Start-Up New York projects to create new jobs that are associated with the academic curricula offered by the connected campus.
The creation of new jobs, while not hurting existing businesses, is the central objective of Start-Up NY, according to Emm. For GCC, program opportunities that support the College's mission can exist not only at or near the Batavia Campus in Genesee County, but also at or near the College's campus centers in Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The Dansville Campus Center featuring larger facilities with plenty of expansion space offers significant potential, Emm explained.
All Start-Up NY proposals presented to Genesee Community College will be reviewed by the College administration and also the Board of Trustees. The criteria under development that would screen proposals includes furthering the mission and goals of the College; a net increase of new jobs; positive impact on the local economy; introduction or expansion of new technology; required space allocation; workforce development opportunities and the multiplier effect of new jobs and economies related to the Start-Up NY program.
For further information about Start-Up NY go to: http://startup-ny.com/
In other business Monday, the Board of Trustees:
• Authorized President James Sunser to designate, at some point in the future, the College's safety director to act as a peace officer.
• Heard Kathleen Schiefen, GCC provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs report that Genesee Community College is currently reviewing all college curricula to ensure compliance with related and required accreditation standards and also with the new SUNY seamless transfer initiatives intended to encourage timely graduation rates. Sport Management, A.S. and Communication and Media Arts, A.S. are the first two programs to have been completed.
• Heard William Emm report on the Board of Trustees Self-Assessment tool, a survey that will be individually completed by the board members early in 2014. After tabulation, a summary report will be used in July during the Board's annual planning meeting and retreat.
A controlled burn near the railroad crossing off Wilkinson Road, West Batavia, will be extinguished by East Pembroke Fire Department since it is in its district. The heavy smoke from the burn resulted in several calls to dispatch more than an hour ago. But after checking out the scene and speaking with the homeowner, who was not present at the burn, firefighters went back in service. Now the blaze requires them to put it out.
Press release:
Saturday marked the start of deer season for local hunters. An important effort is under way to ensure unwanted venison goes to families in need.
The Venison Donation Coalition has been collecting, processing and distributing venison to food banks in New York State since 1999. Last year, Foodlink received about 127,000 pounds of venison. The protein-rich, lean meat was then distributed to our network of emergency food agencies, like food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
Genesee County residents are among the beneficiaries. This county is a part of the Rochester-area Foodlink agencies.
Foodlink is thankful for our various community partners, including the Venison Donation Coalition, who help ensure this is a season to celebrate and that no one is going to bed hungry.
Any hunter interesting in donating a deer can call 1-866-862-DEER or visit the Venison Donation Coalition’s Web site at www.venisondonation.org to find a local processor.
The BackPack Program from Foodlink provides children in need with bags of nutritious food they can discreetly take home and easily prepare on their own.
During 2012-2013, we are serving nearly 1,800 children a week in 29 school districts.
The main campus building of Genesee Community College was evacuated after a fire alarm sounded. Campus security called dispatch to report the source was burnt toast inside the main campus. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: Firefighters report nothing showing from the outside. The burnt toast is said to be inside a second-story faculty break room.
UPDATE 10:56 a.m.: Command says responding units can continue, non-emergency mode.
UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: The town assignment is back in service.
Work is proceeding pretty much on schedule for the county's new emergency communication system and phase I should be up and running by the Feb. 10 deadline, Steven Sharpe told members of the Public Service Committee today.
The necessary equipment has been installed on the towers at Cedar Street and in Pembroke, and the Pavilion tower should be completed shortly.
The microwave-transmission system should be operational soon.
New radios have been installed in more than 200 town and county highway vehicles. Installation started today with Batavia Fire Department's mobile units and volunteer fire departments will start getting their new radios soon.
Sheriff Gary Maha also shared with the committee that Uniden announced over the weekend a new emergency frequency scanner that will be compatible the Phase II P-25 TDMA system being installed by Harris RF.
The new scanners from Uniden should solve the problem being faced by local media, off-duty emergency responders and others who need access to police and fire communications to help them serve the public.
Legislator Marianne Clattenburg asked Maha if the media will have the same access to communications as under the current system and Maha said he believed media outlets would.
The new Harris system makes it easier for law enforcement to encrypt communications, but Maha said encryption will be limited to law enforcement situations and not widely or regularly used.
One hold up with getting equipment installed on the Pavilion tower has been negotiations with American Tower Asset, the company that owns the tower. American Tower apparently wanted a lease fee to have the equipment installed on the tower, but Sharpe believed the company had previously agreed to provide such access for free.
Today, Sharpe said, he obtained the public documents showing that American Tower agreed in 1998 to allow Pavilion fire and Genesee County public safety agencies to use the tower facility at no cost as a term of getting approval to build the tower.
The county is also planning to build -- as part of phase II -- towers in Darien, Bergen and Alabama.
The Darien tower installation was somewhat delayed a few weeks ago when prehistoric human artifacts were found at the site. Researchers have determined, according to Sharpe, that the site was neither a burial ground nor an encampment, but rather a place were items were discarded along a travel path.
Previously:
A possible fire at a house filled with smoke in North Pembroke requires the response of all available manpower from the East Pembroke Fire Department, plus an engine mutual aid from Alabama. The address is 2334 Beckwith Road, between North Pembroke and Slusser roads.
UPDATE 7:48 p.m.: Responders think they have the fire out. Alabama is told to stand by in quarters.
UPDATE 8:14 p.m.: Alabama fire back in service.
UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Problem solved. East Pembroke is back in service
The forced resignation, said Special Prosecutor Donald O'Geen, of Robert Alexander from the justice position in the Town of Pembroke is a stiff punishment for the former Village of Corfu justice who was charged with official misconduct.
As part of a plea deal that included the restitution of more than $10,000 by Brandi Watts, Alexander's daughter, and her guilty plea to falsifying government documents, Alexander has a chance to have all three charges against him dismissed in six months.
It's called an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Alexander need only stay out of trouble for the next six months and the counts of official misconduct and coercion will be dropped.
He is also barred from seeking judicial office.
"The end game, Corfu got their money back," O'Geen said. "The person who stole the money, or at least tampered with the public records, is being held accountable. I think having him resign, basically in disgrace is justice for the people of Corfu."
While that outcome may not satisfy those in Corfu who wanted to see Alexander behind bars, O'Geen said people need to understand how the system works.
The charges against Alexander were misdemeanors and Alexander has no prior record.
"Justice comes in many forms," O'Geen said. "We have to deal with the case as it's given to us. Not everything is cut and dry. We also have to figure out what the judge (in the case) is going to do. I just felt like in a case like this, Judge Alexander wasn't going to jail. I don't think he would even been given probation, so as part of a package deal with Brandi, I think this does bring it to a just resolution."
Alexander says the outcome was justice because he hadn't broken the law.
"As Jesus Christ as my witness, as God as my witness, I never intended, nor thought about, or never did, anything in the last 30 years that I've been saved as a Christian that I would ever do anything that would even think about violating the law," Alexander said. "I just thank God this case has ended the way it has. I think it's a fair disposition."
One thing people need to look at in the case, O'Geen said, is how quickly it came to a resolution once it got in the hands of a prosecutor. O'Geen was critical of the Judicial Conduct Commission for, first, taking so long to investigate Alexander's courtroom and, second, to take two yeas to issue a report on its investigation.
"Why did this drag out?" O'Geen asked. "They had the case for over two years. Why didn't they speak to the DA when the DA is investigating the case? Why does this get dragged out? I've only had this case since February and I've brought it to resolution for the Village of Corfu in a quick manner."
O'Geen praised the cooperation of the village attorney, the comptroller's office and the state police for working cooperatively to bring the case to a speedy conclusion.
Alexander said he will have more to say about the case six months from now. He's next scheduled to appear in court at 9:15 a.m., May 19.
Four men were allegedly caught in the act Sunday stealing scrap metal from a scrap yard on Route 33 in Bergen and after further investigation they may be facing upgraded charges, Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said.
The four men were allegedly found on the scrap yard property when the owner's son drove by and spotted a suspicious vehicle parked near the lot.
It's not unusual, Brewster acknowledged, for scrap metal thieves from Rochester to hit locations in Genesee County.
"You know how scrap is these days and when you can go right to a scrap yard, it's like one-stop shopping," Brewster said.
The yard was apparently so attractive to the thieves, they allegedly got away with more than originally thought yesterday.
When they were arrested yesterday, they were charged with petit larceny, but the owner of the scrap yard visited a location in Rochester and was apparently able to prove more of his scrap was stolen earlier in the day.
That aspect of the case is being turned over to Rochester PD and the four men could face grand larceny charges as a result, Brewster said.
Arrested where Sekou Singhor Howard, 40, of Parkway, Rochester, Ricky Todd Williams, 54, of Parkway, Rochester, Isaac Brandon McCrea, 30, of North Union Street, Rochester, and Kenneth Russell Hernandez, 47, of Chesnut Street, Rochester.
All four men were issued appearance tickets.
Clor's Meat Market, BBQ & Catering, 4169 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's is under new ownership and now offers baked goods, pizza, wings, delivery service, and catering. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $6.
Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Rose Garden Bowl, 21 Buffalo Road, Bergen, NY: Open for lunch Monday through Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner favorites are our succulent prime rib and Friday fish fries! We are always happy to help plan your special occasion -- wedding, shower, rehearsal dinner, stag party, graduation, company function, banquet, family or class reunion. We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
Casa Del Taco, 234 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Mexican food lovers will delight in this new eatery that makes tacos and burritos "the way you want 'em" plus it offers other items like taco salads, burrito bowls, loaded nachos, churros, and chili. Choose from a variety of toppings, including jalapenos, black beans, cilantro and guacamole. There are also several varieties of salsa to select from, such as corn, mango, verde, and sweet Thai ranch. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday thru Saturday; closed Sunday. We have a $10 gift certificate for $6.
Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $12. (Good only at the Batavia location.)
T.F. Brown's, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." Stop in and check out our Jumbo Chicken Wings, Roast Beef on Weck and Friday night fish fry. The original family spaghetti sauce still adorns all of our Italian specialties. The other popular selections from our menu range from Super Salads, butcher cut Strip Loin and South of the Border items. We offer daily lunch and dinner specials as well as a full adult and children’s menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
Sweet Ecstasy Bakery & Cafe, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, NY. A retail and special-order bakery and cafe located in Downtown Batavia inside Seymour Place. Offering a wide variety of items such as cookies, filled cupcakes, quick breads, pies, breakfast pastries, daily. On Fridays, Sweet Ecstasy Bakery offers fresh artisan bread like baguettes, sourdough and rye starting at noon. The custom cakes are out of this world with 3D characters or gorgeous wedding cakes to suit any budget. For all your sweet treats, we have a $10 gift certificate for $6.
The Mane Attraction Salon and Spa, 99 Main St., Batavia, NY: offers "Affordable Luxury" in downtown Batavia. We pride ourselves in the great customer service we give to the entirefamily. Men, women and children are all welcome either by appointment or walk-in. We offer all hair care services including cuts, color, highlights, lowlights, perms, styling/updos, facials, leg and back waxing, Shellac Polish System, manicures and pedicures. We are the only salon in Batavia that has an airplane chair for kids' cuts! Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.
Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
Bourbon & Burger Co., 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest burger joint offers more than two dozen different types of tasty hamburgers. Our menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and an extensive beer list, plus a full bar. We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
Sammy Hill's, 7 Mill St., Le Roy, NY: This new restaurant has good, fresh food, including hand-pressed burgers, and a friendly atmosphere. Choose a house specialty burger or make your own with a variety of toppings, cheeses and sauces to select from. The menu also includes flatbread sliders, garbage plates, shredded beef or marinated chicken tacos, sandwiches like the Cuban, bruschetta chicken, or deep-fried pork loin. Friday fish fry -- battered, broiled or blackened. Dine in or take out. "Come Get Some!" Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Monday. We have a $10 gift certificate for $6.
Daphne's Restaurant, 241 Swan St., (Off Rt. 63/Ellicott St.) Batavia, NY. Daphne's is destined to become a favorite for any who enjoy something special in a dining experience. Formerly the old St. Nick's Social Club, now unrecognizable to those who used to frequent the club, Daphne's provides you with a warm, inviting atmosphere and decor, which complements the array of wonderful dishes. We offer homemade seafood and pasta dishes, meatballs that are addicting as well as large salads, hot sandwiches & homemade potato chips. Fresh desserts are prepared in our own kitchen (tiramisu has been the top seller so far). We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $15.
Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Stretch your body and soul with yoga. This offer is for $20 off a card of 10 classes of yoga instruction. We have a gift certificate for $20 off the retail value of $100. Not valid with any other discounts or specials.
Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew, 9 Main St., Le Roy, NY. The kind of downhome, laid-back and comfortable place that just feels right. Open daily for lunch, dinner and drinks, this eatery and bar features a variety of eats and drinks that are outstanding. Specializing in smoked meats -- each meat is dry rubbed with a proprietary mix of seasonings, then smoked slowly in their on-site smoker for maximum flavor and tenderness. With a variety of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, combo platters and entrées, there's always plenty of choice for even picky eaters. Great food, frosty brews and some of the best folk around call the Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew their favorite -- make it your favorite today! Don't forget to ask about our catering! We have a $20 gift card for $12.
Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $12.
Santino's Pizza, 2 Main St., Oakfield, NY: We're pizza and a whole lot more! Voted #1 pizza in Genesee County in blind taste test! Santino's features pizza, wings, subs, wraps, ice cream, and more! We have a $20 gift certificate for $12.
The Color Salon, 35 Center St., Batavia, NY: Our attention to detail, combined with the focus on precision haircutting techniques will ensure that your hair will be your best accessory when you leave The Color Salon. We offer all hair care services including cuts, color, highlights, up-dos, as well as waxing services. We carry products such as KMS and Paul Mitchell. Now available: Bella Taylor purses! We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia, NY: Fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Lunch and dinner, steak, prime rib and seafood. Ask about Bohn's catering services and banquet facility. We have a $25 gift certificate for $15.
Palm Island Indoor Water Park, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, NY: The newest family fun center in Genesee County, featuring a hot tub, monsoon lagoon pool and play area, tipping buckets, water slides, arcade with 15 games and birthday party rooms. We have a pair of gift certificates worth $40 in merchandise or services for $20.
Pudgie's Lawn & Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Autumn is here and Pudgie’s has everything you need to enjoy the season -- beautiful, lush mums in a variety of fall colors, pumpkins, gourds, straw bales, corn stalks, and more! We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.
Greg'ry's Bakery, 13 N. Lake Road, Bergen, NY: The bakery offers a variety of the finest cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes, breads, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and so much more. Each treat is made the same as it has been for decades and baked right here. Come in and sample some for yourself! We have a $10 gift certificate for $6.
SOLD OUT
Thomas Monte Carlo, 57, of Lewiston Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Carlo was apprehended by Deputy Joseph Corona following a reported one-vehicle motorcycle accident at 7:23 p.m. Saturday on Lewiston Road, Basom.
Matthew James Florian, 25, of Slusser Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to an aggravated unlicensed operation charge. Florian was stopped by State Police on Route 5, Town of Batavia, and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant. Florian was jailed on $200 bail.
Michael Scott Vanburen, 46, of Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unsafe backing and consumption of alcohol in a vehicle. Vanburen was arrested after he reportedly backed his 2004 Pontiac GTO out of his driveway, across the road and into a ditch at 12:27 a.m. on Saturday.
Dana Lewis Toates, 19, of Roosevelt Highway, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol under age 21. Toates was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation and found to allegedly be in possession of alcohol.
Corey M. Vickers, 29, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation and stopped on pavement. Vickers was charged after being observed by a Wyoming County deputy allegedly stopped on the roadway in the Town of Perry, outside of his vehicle, vomiting. Vickers' driving privilege was suspended after he allegedly failed to appear for a summons in the Village of Portville.
Alissa A. Fodge, 23, of Bergen, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Fodge was arrested by State Police in the Town of Barton for an alleged act reported Oct. 18. No further details released.
A donation fund has been set up to assist Candee McConnell, who lost her husband and had a portion of her house damaged in a fire last week.
Donations can be made at any Bank of Castile location in the name of Candee McConnell.
Candee and George McConnell were married for 25 years and were active in the SPCA. George was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and a World War II vet and avid baseball fan, according to his obituary.
For health reasons, George was unable to exit a second-floor bedroom of the McConnell's home on Davis Avenue after the fire broke out in that part of the house.
The back section of the house was heavily damaged.
Donations will assist Candee with various needs arising from the tragedy.
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