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A total of 303 GCC students named to President's List for fall 2018 semester

By Billie Owens

BATAVIA -- A total of 303 students from Genesee Community College named to President's List for the fall 2018 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality-point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

Alexis Hackmer of Alexander, NY

Carli Marino of Alexander, NY

Madison Cummings of Alexander, NY

Katlyn Adamczak of Basom, NY

Rebecca Myers of Batavia, NY

Marissa Jacques of Batavia, NY

Tessa Lynn of Batavia, NY

Julia Streeter of Batavia, NY

Madison Schady of Batavia, NY

Alexander Rigerman of Batavia, NY

Cameron Sanzo of Batavia, NY

Abby Stendts of Batavia, NY

Kimberly Brodsky of Batavia, NY

Andrew Pickard of Batavia, NY

Neve Georgia of Batavia, NY

Bethany Ruffino of Batavia, NY

Jessica Caryl of Batavia, NY

Casey Beaver of Batavia, NY

Amber Snyder of Batavia, NY

Genna Rumble of Batavia, NY

Danielle Joyce of Batavia, NY

Chloe Rapone of Batavia, NY

Jennifer Bartz of Batavia, NY

Hunter Mazur of Batavia, NY

Rachel Wommack of Batavia, NY

Amnesty Ball of Batavia, NY

Jessica Accardi of Batavia, NY

Kennedy Mullen of Batavia, NY

Megan West of Batavia, NY

Nicholas Allen of Corfu, NY

Alysia Magoffin of Corfu, NY

Olivia Kohorst of Corfu, NY

Morgan Miller of Corfu, NY

Jenna Salim of Corfu, NY

Spencer Graff of Corfu, NY

Rachel Tebor of Corfu, NY

Katharine Smallwood of Corfu, NY

Samantha Tatarski of Corfu, NY

Elizabeth Richardson of Darien Center, NY

Alannah Gross of East Bethany, NY

Brian Wlazlak of East Bethany, NY

Jenna Huntington of Elba, NY

Samantha Nickerson of Elba, NY

Henry Stratton of Elba, NY

Laura Lundmark of Oakfield, NY

Stephanie Halat of Oakfield, NY

Roy Brudz of Stafford, NY

Alan Johannes of Stafford, NY

Melinda Rodriguez of Bergen, NY

Kristen Hale of Bergen, NY

Alexandria Loewke of Bergen, NY

Dillon Brew of Bergen, NY

Carli Piazza of Le Roy, NY

Stefanie Callari of Le Roy, NY

Brenda Turner of Le Roy, NY

Lauren Hull of Le Roy, NY

Valaurie Zweigle of Le Roy, NY

Ceciely Palmer of Le Roy, NY

Jacob Bolton of Le Roy, NY

Jenna Dersham of Pavilion, NY

Genesee Community College serves more than 5,700 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics. 

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

A total of 264 GCC students named to dean's list for fall 2018 semester

By Billie Owens

BATAVIA -- A total of 264 students from Genesee Community College were named to the dean's list for the fall 2018 semester. Students honored on the Dean's List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality-point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

Ryli Crego of Alexander, NY

Benjamin Vacanti of Alexander, NY

Grace Marzolf of Darien Center, NY

Cassidy Miller of Batavia, NY

Joshua Barton of Batavia, NY

Kesa Janes of Batavia, NY

Mason Turner of Batavia, NY

Taylor Stefaniak of Batavia, NY

Rikki Ettinger of Batavia, NY

Ashlee Ohlson of Batavia, NY

Matthew DiFilippo of Batavia, NY

Shannon Cervone of Batavia, NY

Andrew Frank of Batavia, NY

Samantha Hyback of Batavia, NY

Chase Monachino of Batavia, NY

Matthew Fouquet of Batavia, NY

Chandah Sundown of Batavia, NY

Taylor Dimmig of Bergen, NY

Melissa Haacke of Oakfield, NY

Nicole Mickey of Batavia, NY

Tamara DePalmo of Batavia, NY

Christopher Morris of Pavilion, NY

Merrisa Bohn of Batavia, NY

Kitana Maher of Bergen, NY

Marlaina Fee of Bergen, NY

Nathan Knickerbocker of Byron, NY

Elizabeth Penkszyk of South Byron, NY

Kathryn Long of Stafford, NY

Riley Dyson of Batavia, NY

Julia Starczewski of Corfu, NY

Brandon Kowalski of Corfu, NY

Lynne Blake of Corfu, NY

Bethany Pfennig of Corfu, NY

Zachary Von Kramer of Corfu, NY

Ashlee Gilchrist of Corfu, NY

Haley Steen of Le Roy, NY

Megan Webb of Le Roy, NY

Kaden Vangalio of Le Roy, NY

Amy Kabel of Batavia, NY

Jessica Newton of Batavia, NY

Ivan Pangrazio of Oakfield, NY

Jessica Barclay of Oakfield, NY

Sabrina Walton of Batavia, NY

Katrina Mogavero of Batavia, NY

Mackenzie Simpson of Le Roy, NY

Jeremiah Keaton of Pavilion, NY

Jaden Dumbleton of Pavilion, NY

Kelsey Ehrhart of Stafford, NY

Melissa Ladin of Batavia, NY

Reilly Clark of Bergen, NY

Kaelin Proefrock of Batavia, NY

Shelby Hill of Batavia, NY

Dustin Wheeler of Darien Center, NY

Celestia Chandler of Elba, NY

Genesee Community College serves more than 5,700 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics. 

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

Total of 212 GCC students named to Provost's List for fall 2018 semester

By Billie Owens

BATAVIA -- A total of 212 students from Genesee Community College were named to Provost's List. Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality-point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

William Rippel of Batavia, NY

Joseph Jeanotte of Le Roy, NY

Elizabeth Grosskopf of Batavia, NY

Nadine Jeffery of Batavia, NY

Katelyn Connors of Batavia, NY

Sarah Herman of Alexander, NY

Cassandra Koepp of Alexander, NY

Naomi LaDuke of Alexander, NY

Nicole Alvord of Darien Center, NY

Thomas Kedzierski of Darien Center, NY

Lauren Carli of East Bethany, NY

Alexander Breissinger of Darien Center, NY

Lauren Bertalan of Darien Center, NY

Edward Foeller of Darien Center, NY

Patrick Puccio of Stafford, NY

Christina Weston of Alexander, NY

Erin Deja of Batavia, NY

Crystal Pierce of Batavia, NY

Shannon Guiste of Batavia, NY

Robert Tripp of Batavia, NY

Shane Causyn of Byron, NY

Cassandra Gowanlock of East Bethany, NY

Kyle Schoff of Corfu, NY

Kodian Becker of Darien Center, NY

Allison Steavens of Batavia, NY

Emily Reynolds of Elba, NY

Jennifer Cardinali of Oakfield, NY

Melissa Vinyard of Batavia, NY

Katelyn Barnes of Pavilion, NY

Ryan Wolfe of Batavia, NY

Bryan German of Batavia, NY

Mary Ross of Le Roy, NY

Magnum Kibler of Le Roy, NY

Maura Rogers of Le Roy, NY

Kyle Mott of Batavia, NY

Angelique Newton of East Bethany, NY

Colin Graham of Oakfield, NY

Alan Riggi of Alexander, NY

John Boyle of Le Roy, NY

David Hoffman of Bergen, NY

Jessica Lennon of Alexander, NY

David Mackey of Bergen, NY

Grace Morrill of Bergen, NY

Sandra Fanton of Pavilion, NY

Genesee Community College serves more than 5,700 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics. 

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

Oakfield and Corfu students named to dean's list at SUNY New Paltz

By Billie Owens

NEW PALTZ -- SUNY New Paltz announces its dean's list for the fall 2018 semester. The dean's list honors students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average with a full-time course load.

The following students earned dean's list recognition during the fall '18 semester:

Olivia Carroll, of Oakfield 

Eva Muir, of Corfu

Visit SUNY New Paltz online to learn more about our students' academic excellence!

Located in the heart of a dynamic college town, 90 minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Heavy snow expected Friday and Saturday for some of Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Up the 14 inches of lake effect snow could fall on parts of Genesee County between 1 a.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning has been issued.

The storm is most likely to hit west and south of Batavia, particularly Corfu.

In areas hit hardest by the storm, travel could be difficult.

Photos: Corfu Fire Department annual installation and awards dinner

By Howard B. Owens

Six probationary members of the Corfu Fire Department, all juniors and seniors at Pembroke High School, were recognized for their service to the fire department with the Service Person of the Year award. Collectively, they put in more than 800 hours of firefighter training in 2018.

The members are Casey Felski, Cyle Felski, Elizabeth Tebor, Megan Stiles, Ethan Librock, Jayden Eck and Dylan Lang.

In 2018, the department responded to 129 calls. Chief Brian Schollard said after the department fell just shy of 2,000 training hours in 2017 he set a goal of more than 2,000 training hours for the department in 2018. In 2018, collectively, members of the department reached almost 4,000 training hours.

To find out how you can join your local department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Installation of Officers

Installation of Fire Police

Jim Mallory was recognized by the department and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for 65 years of continuous volunteer service.

Jacob Stiles received an award for completing the most training hours.

Candle lighting in remembrance of members who have passed.

Ethan Librock, one of the probationary members from Pembroke HS, made this wooden flag for the department in his woodshop class.

Zambito tries to balance punishment and rehabilitation in sentencing drunken driver involved in serious injury accident

By Howard B. Owens

In deciding how to sentence a 24-year-old from Oakfield who caused a serious injury accident while drinking and driving on Route 33 in Corfu on April 18, just weeks after a prior DWI arrest, Judge Charles Zambito said he had to wrestle with how to balance punishment, protecting the community, and providing the young man with the best chance at rehabilitation.

To that end, he decided that Jacob Szumigala should serve an intermittent jail sentence in the Genesee County Jail followed by five years under the watchful eye of the County Probation Department.

Nothing against state's parole supervision but Zambito said he believed Szumigala would be more closely monitored by local probation and if there was a violation, Szumigala would be returned quickly to Zambito's court.

"I'm more confident that this type of sentence will provide the community with more protection and you with more supervision," Zambito told Szumigala in Genesee County Court Tuesday afternoon.

Szumigala was stopped by State Police on Lockport Road in Oakfield in March and charged with DWI. With his driving privileges already revoked, Szumigala was driving through Corfu when his gray Hyundai Sonata was heading eastbound on Route 33 at high speed when it struck a Honda sedan.

That Honda struck a black pickup truck. The driver of the Honda, James Hoskins, of Corfu, suffered serious injuries -- considered so serious at the time of the accident that the Crash Management Team was called to investigate the crash in case the Hoskins didn't survive.

Assistant District Attorney Shirley Gorman said the injuries sustained by Hoskins are life-altering. She argued for a harsh prison term, especially in light of an alleged violation of Szumigala's terms of release while awaiting sentencing.

Szumigala's attorney, Tom Burns, didn't dispute Gorman's assertion that Szumigala tried to get high and when the drug was ineffective, he stopped taking medication to soothe his craving for alcohol and then got drunk.

"That decision to not only use alcohol but to deliberately use a substance intended to induce a high and then stop his treatments that he was authorized to be on and required by his treatment counselor," meant Szumigala deserved a prison term, Gorman argued.

"If there was a time in which you follow the letter of what is expected of you, it's while you're at the mercy of the court before sentencing. But within a month of his appearance, he used alcohol."

Gorman concluded, "how can anything here stop him from drinking other than state incarceration?"

Burns said everybody was disappointed in his client's relapse, including Szumigala. What separated Szumigala from many other defendants in a similar situation is that all the treatment Szumigala has been through -- in-patient, a halfway house, residential treatment -- have all been voluntarily, and other than the one relapse Szumigala's performance throughout treatment has been excellent.

"I was extremely disappointed in his relapse," said Burns, while several members of Szumigala's family sat in the first row of the gallery. "I know his family was disappointed in his relapse."

And unlike many other defendants, Szumigala isn't thinking just of himself, standing before the court expressing remorse over his addiction. Szumigala acknowledges the harm his actions caused other people.

Burns pointed out that if placed on probation, a violation would subject Szumigala to a potentially much longer prison term than available to Zambito under terms of the plea agreement reached in this case. Zambito later said Szumigala could be sent to prison for from five to 15 years if Szumigala violated his probation terms.

In November, Szumigala entered a guilty plea to aggravated vehicular assault and DWI as a misdemeanor and aggravated unlicensed operation. The DWI case in Oakfield is still pending and under terms of his plea agreement, he must plead guilty in that case.

Zambito said that if he sent Szumigala to prison, that would mean he would be taken out of treatment at the Oxford House, cause him to lose his job, and eventually return Szumigala to the community without treatment. That would mean, Zambito said, Szumigala would still be a potential threat to the community.

Szumigala will serve his intermittent jail term on Mondays through Wednesdays.

There is still the issue of restitution to the victims to be resolved and a hearing on restitution was set for March.

Law and Order: Alexander woman accused of driving while ability impaired by drugs

By Billie Owens

Julie Marie Neale, 37, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; driver's view obstructed, uninspected motor vehicle, and failure to keep right. At 2:20 p.m. on Nov. 16, Neale was stopped on Oak Street in the City of Batavia following the observation of vehicle and traffic violations. Upon investigation, it was determined that Neale was allegedly operating her vehicle while her ability to do so was impaired by drugs. She was processed at the jail and released on appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 27. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Dave W. Case, 60, of Corfu, was arrested Nov. 20 and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, inadequate headlamps, and unsafe tires. He was arrested on Route 354 at Burrough Road in the Town of Bennington by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan following a traffic stop because a headlight was out. He was released to a family member and is due in Town of Bennington Court on Dec.17 to answer the charges.

Comptroller's office finds issues with Corfu's sewer service bookkeeping

By Howard B. Owens

Officials in Corfu neglected to properly manage budgets and accounting for the village's sewer fund according to a recent office by the state's comptroller's office.

The three key findings of the audit:

  • The board routinely adopted budgets that were not reasonably estimated, which resulted in operating deficits;
  • The board did not develop and adopt multiyear capital and financial plans;
  • The board did not annually audit financial records and therefore did not identify inaccuracies.

There is no accusation of malfeasance in the report.

The auditor found that the lack of realistic budgets led to a gap between actual revenues and expenditures. The board did not "adequately consider the effect that problematic cash flow issues and the formation of two new sewer districts would have on the annual budgets," according to the report.

The auditor said estimates were inadequate because the board anticipated the village would receive additional revenue from new sewer districts sooner and greater amounts than it actually did. The board also underestimated expenses.

The clerk-treasurer, according to the report, did not include a cash flow analysis in her reports to the board.

"In addition, the Clerk-Treasurer recorded that the sewer fund owed the general fund $61,0003 as of May 31, 2017, but she could not explain the purpose of these entries or provide evidence for their accuracy," the report reads. "As a result, we question the accuracy of her records."

These discrepancies would have been detected by the board with annual audits but board members told the auditors that the board did not hire a CPA annually for an audit as a cost-saving measure.

Annual audits are required by law.

The audit did find that sewer customers were billed properly and the proper amount of sewer rents were collected.

In a letter to the auditor from Mayor Joseph Johnson, the board said it would correct the discrepancies by adopting the auditor's recommendations, including drafting more realistic budgets, develop a multi-year financial plan, and hire a CPA to annually audit the district's financial records. 

Driver who caused serious injury accident in Corfu pleads guilty to vehicular assault

By Howard B. Owens

A 24-year-old Oakfield resident involved in a serious injury accident in Corfu in April is facing up to six years in prison after pleading guilty this afternoon in County Court to aggravated vehicular assault.

Jacob J. Szumigala also agreed to plead guilty to DWI as a misdemeanor and aggravated unlicensed operation.

As part of the plea deal, Szumigala must also plead guilty in Town of Oakfield on a pending DWI case.

Szumigala is out of jail pending sentencing at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and must abide by court instructions and the agreement or statutory enhancements could be added to his guilty plea, which would mandate a five- to 15-year prison term.

There is no minimum prison term and Szumigala could receive a probationary sentence if he abides by the terms of the plea agreement.

On April 18, Szumigala was driving a 2008 Hyundai Sonata with North Carolina plates on West Main Street Road through Corfu when his car rear-ended a Honda driven by James M. Hoskins, of Corfu. Hoskins' car then struck a westbound pickup truck. Hoskins was seriously injured in the accident.

In court today, Szumigala admitted that his BAC exceeded .18 percent at the time of the accident and that he was driving recklessly.

A month earlier, Szumigala was arrested by State Police for allegedly driving drunk on Lockport Road, Alabama. That case is still pending in the Town of Oakfield Court.

Photo: File photo of April 18 accident.

Law and Order: Ellicott Street man charged with sex crimes against underage victim

By Billie Owens

Thomas Dale Young, 38, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: criminal sex act in the third degree -- being age 21 or more with a victim less than 17; criminal sexual act in the first degree -- by forcible compulsion; and sex abuse in the first degree -- contact by forcible compulsion. Young was arrested at 4:58 a.m. on Oct. 9 after allegedly committing the crimes for which he is charged. Batavia police were called to a residence on Ellicott Street for an incident that had recently occurred. After an investigation, Young was arrested, arraigned and put in jail in lieu of $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond. He was due in City Court on Wednesday. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Felicity DeGroot, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Susan Ann Samanka, 55, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with a sex offender registry violation. She was arrested at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10 at 4054 W. Main Street Road, Room #7, in Batavia following an investigation for allegedly failing to register her change of address. The registered sex offender was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court and is scheduled to appear there on Nov. 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jamie L. Edenholm, 31, of Gabbey Road, Corfu. She was arrested at 4:13 p.m. on Oct. 5 on Richmond Avenue in Batavia and charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; possession of a hypodermic needle; criminal use of drug paraphernalia; and failure to keep right. The arrest was made after a car vs. telephone pole accident. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in City Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Katty L. Jackson, 22, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal trespass. She was arrested at 6:45 a.m. on Oct. 8 on Central Avenue in Batavia after previously being told she was not welcome at her ex-boyfriend's residence. She allegedly entered the residence and knocked at the interior door for an extended period of time. She was released on an appearance ticket. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Elena E. Vega-Vazquez, 36, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: aggravated DWI -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; common law DWI; and failure to keep right. She was arrested at 12:17 a.m. Oct. 5 on Harvester Avenue after a traffic stop for allegedly failing to keep right. She is due in City Court again on Oct. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Joshua D. Sumeriski, 33, of Buffalo Road, Alexander, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was arrested after allegedly operating a motor vehicle at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 on West Main Street in Batavia without the owner's consent. He was arraigned on Oct. 8 in City Court and put in jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. He was due back in City Court on Oct. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jamie Givens.

Janeen A. Young, 21, of William Street, East Randolph, is charged with petit larceny in connection with an incident which occurred at 11:20 a.m. on Jan. 3 at an apartment on Jackson Street in Batavia. Young was arrested on Oct. 5 on an outstanding City Court warrant. She was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. She is due in City Court again on Nov. 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Catherine Mucha.

Christopher J. Wiegman, 30, no permanent address, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on a warrant out of City Court for failure to appear on Sept. 27 in court. He was due in City Court on Oct. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Chad Richards.

Brian P. Suttell, 41, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree. He was arrested at 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 6 on East Main Street in Batavia after police allegedly witnessed him smoking marijuana in a public parking lot in the city. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court and is due there Oct. 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars invite you to eat at Denny's Wednesday in Corfu and find out about free money

By Billie Owens

Attention juniors and seniors at Pembroke High School, BOCES and home-school students and their parents and guardians: the third annual Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars Meet, Greet & Eat will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Denny's Restaurant in Corfu.

It is located at in the Flying J Travel Plaza at 8484 Alleghany Road.

Denny's will award 20 percent of all meal proceeds generated between the hours of 4 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 10 to Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars.

By attending, you can learn how to increase your chances of winning one or more of 17 locally provided scholarships, which range from $250 to $4,000.

Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars plans to award $13,000 in scholarships next June. The smaller graduating classes put ODDS of winning one or more of these scholarships from our organization in your favor!

In the last 10 years, Corfu-Pembroke Dollars for Scholars organization has awarded more than $65,000 dollars to 107 Pembroke graduates.

Grades count, in some instances, so do service, character and intended area of study after graduation. Scholarships are available for those interested in being involved in art, the medical field, health care, special education and much more.

Interested? Then contact Mr. Beahan in the PHS Guidance Office. (585) 599-4525, ext. 1922, or lbeahan@pembrokecsd.org and please attend Wednesday's Meet, Greet & Eat at Denny's.

 

Dr. Paul J. Mroz, Treasurer, Corfu-Pembroke DFS

P.O. Box 72

Corfu, NY 14036

Quinn Audsley of Corfu named to dean's list at St. Lawrence University

By Billie Owens

Quinn D. Audsley, of Corfu, has been selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University's dean's list for academic achievement during the Spring 2018 semester.

Audsley is a member of the Class of 2020 and is majoring in Sociology. Audsley attended Pembroke Central School.

To be eligible for the dean's list, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester.

About St. Lawrence University

Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students located in Canton, New York. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity and the planet.

Ed Arnold Scrap honored for support of regional recycling

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

At the Sept. 28 meeting of the GLOW Region Solid Waste Management Committee, Ed Arnold Recycling was recognized for its support of the GLOW Committee and its efforts, along with its overall recycling work.

Unbeknownst to the Arnold family, at its June 22 meeting, the Committee passed a resolution that noted, among other things, Ed Arnold’s valuable input to GLOW in GLOW’s formative years, the support they have given to GLOW’s efforts to promote recycling; and contributions to GLOW’s household hazardous waste collection from the time it began in 1996.

Ed Arnold takes numerous lead acid vehicle batteries and propane tanks each year at the collections at no charge to GLOW. Ed Arnold Jr. attended the meeting, not knowing why he was asked to attend.

Dan Pangrazio, GLOW chairman and Peggy Grayson, Recycling Administration, presented the award. Pangrazio noted that Grayson felt the award was essential that the company be recognized and Committee members agreed. Grayson added that at least in her 20-plus years with GLOW, and most likely since GLOW began in 1987, it was the only time such an award was given.

After Grayson read the resolution, Ed Arnold Jr. was presented with a recycled glass award with an inscription that read “In appreciation for contributions toward regional recycling efforts and assistance given to GLOW Solid Waste through the years” by Pangrazio and Grayson on behalf of the Committee. Arnold thanked the Committee and gave members an overview of how the materials collected are recycled.

Ten firefighters from six local departments complete basic rope rescue course

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management:

Ten area firefighers from six fire departments successfully completed the Rope Rescue Basic course held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center on Sept. 17.

This 24-hour course prepares students for a wide variety of possible rescue scenarios.

Specialized rescue, search, technical rescue management, risk and priorities, use of ropes, knots and rope systems in a low angle environment as well as establishment of landing zones for helicopter operations were addressed. The program involved demonstrations as well as practice sessions.  

Congratulations to the following personnel:

City of Batavia FD

  • Stefano Napolitano

Town of Batavia FD

  • Joshua K. Boyle
  • Clayton A. Gorski

Bethany FD

  • Richard J. Klunder III

Corfu FD

  • Glenn J. Eck
  • Daniel Smith
  • Jacob D. Stiles

Elba FD

  • Michael Pfendler

Stafford FD

  • Dean A. Brooks
  • Randal J. Henning

Visit your local fire department to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

Corfu man pleads guilty to crime after receiving nearly $2K in benefits he was not entitled to get

By Billie Owens

Press release from the GC Department of Social Services:

Edwin Stancliff, 39, of Corfu, was sentenced to a five-month intermittent jail term in Batavia Town Court on Monday, Sept. 24, after pleading guilty to one count of petit larceny.

Stancliff was originally charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree and offering a false instrument in the first degree in June 2017 after an investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services revealed he had failed to report his receipt of NYS Disability.

He subsequently received $1,933.21 in assistance benefits to which he was not entitled.

Stancliff accepted the plea deal to the reduced charge of petit larceny and was sentenced to the five-month intermittent jail term, was disqualified from receiving cash assistance and Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits and has made full restitution to the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigation Unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416.

Free educational programs about dementia to be offered at Le Roy Village Green this fall

By Billie Owens

The Alzheimer’s Association® Western New York Chapter is partnership with Le Roy Village Green in Le Roy to offer a series of free educational programs this fall.

All classes will begin at 7 p.m. in The Greens facility at 10 Munson St. in Le Roy.

"Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia" kicks off the three-part series on Oct. 2. This educational program covers the basics about the disease and related dementias.

On Nov. 6, the second program, "Effective Communication Strategies," will help care partners of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia identify verbal and non-verbal strategies to more effectively understand and communicate.

The final program, "Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors," is set for Dec. 4. The program helps care partners recognize that behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with Alzheimer’s disease to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present realchallenges for caregivers to manage. It will cover some common struggles and offer sound strategies to address them.

Additionally, the Chapter trains facilitators to lead several monthly caregiver support groups across the county, which allow caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges and hear advice for overcoming them:

  • 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. – Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St. in Batavia
  • 3rd Thursday at 1 p.m. – Genesee County Office for the Aging, 12 Bank St. in Batavia
  • 2nd Monday at 2 p.m. – The Greens of Le Roy, 1 West Ave. in Le Roy

Telephone Support Group:

  • 2nd Wednesday from 12:10-12:55 p.m. – For more information, call the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

Respite Available for Caregivers:

A community social program, or respite, is also available every month in Corfu. This program provides relief to those who care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia and offers them some time to refresh and recharge, while their loved one is engaged in social activities in a safe environment.

Indian Falls United Methodist Church at 7908 Allegany Road offers a respite service on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information, call Celinda McQuiston at (585) 762-9105.

To learn more about other Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, contact the WNY Chapter office at 1.800.272.3900.

'Pistol' missing in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

Pistol has been missing from the Indian Falls Road area of Corfu since Tuesday.

He's a friendly pooch and greatly missed at home.

If you find him or know where he is, call Tom (585) 233-0095 or Danielle (585) 356-5592.

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