An 19-year-old Batavia resident who broke into three local businesses said in court today that a proposed sentence of up to 14 years in prison on his burglary convictions was "a harsh punishment for somebody my age."

Judge Robert C. Noonan told Trevor M. Pilc, formerly of 404 Jackson St., Batavia, that he agreed, but added, "you've made your own bed and negotiated your own disposition."

Noonan then sentenced Pilic to two-and-a-third to seven years on two counts of burglary in the second degree, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

The prison term will be served concurrently to a similar sentence on burglary convictions in Wyoming County and with a one-and-third to four year sentenced Noonan imposed for a violation of probation conviction.

On Feb. 23, Pilc entered a guilty plea after reaching a plea deal for burglarizing four Batavia establishments -- Neptune Gardens, Batavia's Original, Blondie's and the Batavia Youth Bureau building.

Pilc was ordered to pay $11,800 in restitution to the businesses and two insurance companies.

"I realize what I did was wrong," said Pilc, who came to court in state prison-issued khaki slacks, a pressed white shirt and heavy shackles on his wrists. "I've hurt the business owners and their families and my family both financially and emotionally. I think it's a harsh punishment for a person my age, but I accept the consequences for what I've done."

Pilc and his accomplice, Michael A. Ames, 19, of 508 Dale Road, Dale, were arrested in September, aided by tips generated by the release of a video surveillance tape posted on The Batavian.

Ames is also serving  four-and-two-thirds to 14 years in state prison, concurrent with his sentence out of Wyoming County.

Press release:

District parents and students are encouraged to attend Open House events at the Middle School, John Kennedy, and Jackson building sites. 

We hope to have parents and students tour the buildings where students will attend next year and meet some of the staff. Also, this is a great time to sign up for newly forming parent groups at each of the schools. 

Details are as follows: May 30 -- Next year’s fifth-graders and their families are welcome to tour Batavia Middle School. Short presentations will occur in the school auditorium at 4 and 5:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served and tours will be informal. Be sure to sign up to participate in the parent group for parents of fifth- and sixth-grade student. Also,the YWCA will be at the middle school on both days with information on their after-school child care program for the 5/6 House.

Next year’s second-, third-, and fourth-graders and their families are welcome to tour John Kennedy School. Short presentations will occur in the school auditorium at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served and tours will be informal. Be sure to sign up to participate in the parent group for parents of second-, third-, and fourth-grade students.

May 31 -- Next year’s sixth-graders and their families are welcome to tour Batavia Middle School. Short presentations will occur in the school auditorium at 4 and 5:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served and tours will be informal. Be sure to sign up to participate in the parent group for parents of fifth- and sixth-grade students. Also, the YWCA will be the middle school on both days with information on their after-school child care program for the 5/6 House.

Next year’s pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-graders and their families are welcome to tour Jackson School. Short presentations will occur in the multipurpose room at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served and tours will be informal. Be sure to sign up to participate in the parent group for parents of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade students.

A caller at 10 or 12 Clay St., Le Roy, reports the smoke detector going off in the lower apartment and smoke in the hallway upstairs.

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

The first chief on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: Burnt food. Le Roy firefighters will ventilate. Bergen's ladder, which was also dispatched, is put back in service.

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During the storm this afternoon, it seemed like a good time to drive around and look for pictures. 

Above, a farm on Brown Road.

Gilhooly Road

The view from Brookville Road

Brookville Road

Also on Brookville Road

Stafford Country Club

Prole Road

Driving down Creek Road this evening, I saw something head of me in the road. As I got closer, I thought it might be a turtle and just about that time, a car coming from the opposite direction was stopping.

John Volpe jumped out of the car and scooped up the snapping turtle and carried it over to the side of the road.

Volpe then called his father and told him about the turtle, which he said had a slight deformity in its shell and might be a female.

He told his dad his location and said he would wait for him.

Volpe explained to me that he and his father often rescue turtles. He said they would take the turtle home, ensure she (or he) is healthy. If healthy, and a female, they would hold her until she laid her eggs, then release her back into the wild, then raise the babies.

"Turtles mean a lot to us," Volpe said, who is Native American.

When his father arrived, Mary Volpe jumped out of the minivan and grabbed the turtle's shell from behind and carried it over to a plastic carry-all.

We're a bit tardy in publishing this, but last week the Landmark Society of Genesee County gave out its annual awards in drawing contest, which is open to fourth-graders from throughout the county.

The first-place winner was Esmeralda O'Campo, center, from Elba Central School for her relief artwork of 4899 Ford Road, Elba. She receive $50, a framed certificate and a copy of the book "The Architectural Heritage of Genesee County."

The second-place winner was Isabella Riner, left, from Elba Central School for her mixed media artwork of 39 S. Main St., Elba.

The third-place winner was Gabrielle Root from St. Joseph School for her mixed media artwork of the E.N. Rowell House in Batavia.

Second- and third-place winners received $25, a framed certificate, and a copy of "The Architectural Heritage of Genesee County."

Honorable mentions were Trinity Aponte, Lauryn Engle, Morgan Harrington, Trevor Matthison, Adryona Miller, and Harmony Parker.

The guest judges this year were Sharon and Don Burkel, of Batavia. Sharon Burkel is an architectural historian and currently serves on the City of Batavia Historic Preservation Commission. Don Burkel is the Executive Director of the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID). Both are members of the Landmark Society. 

Press release:

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul (NY-26) hosted a call with Dallas Tonsager, the under secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) to discuss major upcoming projects in rural communities across the 26th District. 

“It is vital that Western New York receive the support necessary to continue the agricultural and rural development that helps keep us healthy and competitive,” Hochul said. “USDA Rural Development recognizes the importance of investing in our region, and they see the assets of our rural communities. I spoke with Under Secretary Tonsager today to encourage further investments, such as the urgent need for rural broadband access for our small towns and farmers. I am confident the USDA will continue to direct resources into our local communities."

"This is an exciting time for rural America and USDA Rural Development is assisting communities across the country," said Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager. "We look forward to continuing our work with Congresswoman Hochul to create jobs and economic development for the people of Western New York."

Tonsager was appointed as under secretary for Rural Development and sworn into office in May of 2009. Tonsager has more than 35 years of agricultural, business, cooperative, and financial experience through his work as a farmer, businessman, and community, state and national leader.

A group of geese were behind Settler's -- as there often is -- and keeping cool in the Tonawanda this afternoon.

The temperature today is 76 degrees with humidity at 56 percent.

Thunderstorms are expected between 6 and 8 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s by Wednesday with lots of sun.

A North Spruce Street resident sent in this picture of a pair of ducks that found the family pool behind their house quite inviting this morning.

I stopped by the Ag Park this afternoon just to see how construction is coming along -- Haskell has made some visible progress on the Pepsi/Muller Project Wave plant.

I happened to be on hand when some bedrock was blasted from the ground.

Perhaps not surprisingly, this sign warns that only Pepsi products are allowed in the construction area.

For those keeping score, it look like a majority of the vehicles in the employee parking lot had New York license plates.

Meanwhile, most of the work for the new Alpina plant is now taking place inside the new building. Alpina is on schedule to start producing yogurt in Batavia some time in August.

I didn't get a picture, but the Marktec building is completed.

A fully involved car fire is reported in the Batavia Downs parking lot, located at 8315 Park Road, behind Kmart. Town of Batavia Fire Department is "well on the way."

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: A responder at the scene reports two adjacent vehicles have been impacted by the blaze.

UPDATE 12:11 p.m.: A firefighter says the blaze has been contained to the fully involved vehicle. Law enforcement is called to the scene to take a report.

UPDATE 12:52 p.m.: The car fire is out. Town of Batavia is back in service.

Kelly A. Lucas, 41, of 62 Summit St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Lucas was reportedly involved in an ATV accident Friday night at a location just off Lake Street. Lucas reportedly lost control of the ATV and rolled it. She was arrested following an investigation by Le Roy PD. (Initial Report)

Joshua Andrew Robert Anstett, 18, of Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and possession or consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Anstett was charged following an investigation into an accident in the employee parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park at 9:55 p.m., Saturday. Anstett is accused of driving over nine fence posts, striking three different chainlink fences and a set of wood stairs before he was stopped by Darien Lake security officers.

Christina Catherine Fiscus, 33, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Fiscus was stopped at 2:11 a.m., Sunday, on Route 262, Elba, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Cubscouts from the area gathered in Alexander on Saturday for their annual Cubmobile Race.

Twenty-six racers participated, ages 7 to 11, representing Alexander, Batavia, Elba, Holley and Kendall.

Winners were:

Tigers: 1st place- Garrett Heale, 2nd place- Max Schlaggel, 3rd place- Jacob Weaver
Wolf: 1st place- Frankie Warriner, 2nd place- Cody Windslow, 3rd place- Colby Kerry- Rhone
Bear: 1st place- KJ Biedlingmaier, 2nd place- David Peet
Webelo 1: 1st place- Grey Huntinton, 2nd place- Jayden Pieniaszek, 3rd place- Holden Brinkman
Webelo 2: 1st place- Mathew Grover, 2nd place- Evan Bartz, 3rd place- Zach Lovell

Information and photos submitted by Steve Ognibene

"Best Decorated Car" Jayden Pieniaszek

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is currently updating is Clubs & Organizations Directory and needs your help. All information is posted on the Web site www.geneseeny.com and the chamber receives numerous phone calls from people looking for this information, however, most of it is outdated.

If you are the main contact of an organization, and need to update your information, contact Melissa A. George at 343-7440, ext. 27, or email chamber@geneseeny.com

The Town of Batavia Republican Committee is accepting nominations for the annual “Community Citizen Award” that will be awarded at the Town Picnic which will be held the Town of Batavia Kiwanis Park on Friday, June 22.

The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, June 1.

This is meant to honor a resident of the Town of Batavia who has dedicated his or her time and support to the betterment of the community.

There is no particular requirement to receive this award, we ask that you submit your name of nominee, why you believe the nominee should be recognized and how they have excelled in the community. This can be done on a sheet of paper or you can obtain a Nomination Form by contacting a committee member.

This is a good opportunity to honor someone from the past for community service or some recent achievement or recognition received by a town resident.

The committee to select the recipient of the Community Citizen Award is Teressa Morasco- teressamorasco@yahoo.com,  Kathy Jasinski – kjasinski19@gmail.com or Sharon White – cccsgrandma@yahoo.com.

Please let them know if you have any questions or would like to submit a nomination.

A car vs. truck accident with injury is reported at Alleghany and Sumner roads. One engine from Darien Fire Department and an ambulance are responding. One person is said to have a head injury. It is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: A person is being transported to Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: Turns out there were multiple injuries in this accident. At least three ambulances are transporting patients. Another person is going to Sisters of Charity Hospital and four are inbound for UMMC.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Darien fire went back in service a few minutes ago.

Press release:

Genesee Community College will raise tuition by $75 per semester with the 2012-2013 academic year under the college's budget plan approved last Monday evening by the board of trustees.

Current tuition for New York State residents is $1,700 per semester, and it will rise to $1,775 per semester. Tuition for students pursuing study on a part-time basis will rise $5 per credit hour, from $140 to $145.

The board's $37 million budget is a maintenance-of-effort budget, President James M. Sunser told trustees. The budget holds staffing at current levels and minimizes purchases of all but essential equipment. It is the tightest GCC budget in recent memory, Sunser noted.

The board of trustees is requesting that Genesee County, sponsor of the college, increase its support of the college by $50,000 annually, from the current $1.936 million to $1.986 million. Sponsor support represents 5 percent of the college's budget. Over each of the last 30 years, Genesee has operated with the lowest or second-lowest level of sponsor support among all SUNY community colleges.

In recent years, New York State has cut aid to community colleges to pre-2000 levels, putting increased fiscal pressure on SUNY's 30 community colleges. Earlier this year, the State Legislature restored some funding, but aid levels stand where they were 10 years ago.

Genesee's low tuition and fees continue to make Genesee Community College one of the most affordable colleges within the SUNY system, Sunser noted.

In other business May 14, the board of trustees:

•    Named retiring Genesee Community College Professor Carl M. Wahlstrom to the rank of Professor Emeritus. The rank of Professor Emeritus is honorary, and signifies long and distinguished teaching service. Professor Wahlstrom began teaching at Genesee in 1975 and has become of one of the nation's leading authorities on First Year Experience programs and student success. He is a popular speaker at academic conferences and the author of numerous books and papers. He is the recipient of two SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, and is one of only a handful of community college professors to hold the rank of SUNY Distinguished Professor.

•    Approved a one-year renewal of the college's contract with the Genesee Community College Educational Support Personnel Association, which represents secretaries, clerks, buildings and grounds personnel, safety officers, and other staff. The renewal calls for wage increases of 2.75 percent.

•    Approved the granting of 633 degrees and certificates to students, subject to their satisfactory completion of spring semester studies. This spring, Genesee expects to award eight Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees; 307 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees; 281 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees; and 37 certificates. Students who completed their studies during the 2011-2012 year will be honored at commencement ceremonies today at 1 p.m. at the Batavia campus.

•    Nominated Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino for the New York Community College Trustees Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Service. The Marvin A. Rapp Award recognizes New York community college trustees who have demonstrated extraordinary service and commitment. Ruffino's colleagues on the board cited his strong leadership, participation in college events, and heavy involvement in campus center development, the Med Tech Centre, construction of the Humphrey Student Union and the GCC Foundation as examples of his commitment and contributions to the college. Trustee Maureen T. Marshall said that Ruffino has exhibited "extraordinary leadership in so many ways."

•    Named 395 area residents to 28 program and campus center advisory committees for the 2012-2013 academic year. Most career-oriented programs at the college, as well as the college's campus centers, have community advisory committees that provide guidance to faculty and staff on curriculum issues, internship and job opportunities for students, and overall program direction. The board named advisory committees for the Arcade Campus Center; Rosalie (Roz) Steiner Art Gallery; The BEST Center; Business Administration and Accounting programs; Communication and Media Arts; Computer Technology; Criminal Justice; Dansville Campus Center; Digital Art; Computerized Drafting and Design; Fine and Performing Arts; Advanced Studies and College Tech Prep; Health and Physical Education; Human Services; LIFE (Life Increases Future Experiences/Liberty Partnership) program; Lima Campus Center; Nursing; Office Technology; Albion and Medina Campus Centers; Paralegal Studies; Perkins Grant program; Polysomnographic Technology; Physical Therapist Assistant; Respiratory Care; Fashion Business; Hospitality and Tourism; Veterinary Technology; and Warsaw Campus Center.

•    Honored Student Trustee Phyllis A. Washburn with a Resolution of Appreciation for her service during the 2011-2012 academic year. Washburn's colleagues thanked her for her active participation in board activities and her constant presence at a variety of college events.

•    Heard Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino appoint a three-member Nominating Committee, which will recommend a slate of board officers for the 2012-2013 year. Named to the Committee were Laurie J. Miller, Chair; Benjamin J. Bonarigo; and Donna M. Ferry.

•    Heard Board Chair Ruffino thank and compliment individuals involved with Inauguration Week for their efforts. Ruffino called the week, April 29 to May 5, "impressive," and said he was especially pleased with the number of community residents who participated in Inauguration Week events. President James M. Sunser thanked the board of trustees and Inauguration Committee for the work they did on Inauguration Day. "I will never forget this," he said. "My whole family was overwhelmed by what you did."

•    Heard Joan Nobile, treasurer of the Student Government Association, report that Genesee's student clubs and organizations had a highly successful year. Nobile said that Genesee now sponsors 50 different student clubs. Highlights of the year include the Business Forum's sponsorship of the Ducky Derby, which raised $2,500 for Genesee Country United Way; accomplishments of the Genesee Cougarettes; the Earth Club's Eco-Fest; the Global Education Club's sponsorship of the sand mandala project and other activities focused on Tibet, the Respect Campaign, the Student Health Awareness Group's Relay for Life, student radio WGCC's mobile DJ service, and Phi Theta Kappa's sponsorship of a presentation by a Fordham University speaker on the subject of emotional intelligence. Nobile said that many club leaders were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments at the May 4 Student Awards Banquet.

•    Heard Dean of Learning Technologies Robert G. Knipe report that representatives of Genesee and five other Western New York community colleges officially launched the Online Western New York Learning Alliance earlier this month. The Alliance (known as "OWL") pools all online degree and course information, promotes all online courses offered by the participating colleges, and makes registration easier for students. So, for example, a Genesee student who wishes to participate in an online course offered by one of the other participating colleges can easily do so, Dean Knipe explained. Each college has a "concierge," or advisor, who answers questions about the OWL courses and helps students register.

"This consortium lets us pool our resources, promote all of our offerings across the region, and helps us serve students much better," Dean Knipe told trustees. Participating community colleges include Genesee, Corning, Erie, Finger Lakes, Jamestown, and Monroe.

A two-car accident is reported at the junction of Route 5 and Batavia-Stafford Town Line Road. One person is complaining of neck pain. Traffic is blocked. Stafford Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.