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The painting "Otherworldliness" by Michael Price.

Press release:

"The Chromatic Nude," paintings by Michael Price, will be exhibited in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery from Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Friday, Feb. 16. In this collection of his work, Price invokes historic methods of preparing paint and pigments using protocols that include naturally occurring minerals to produce his own paints.

Using natural minerals and semi-precious stones, including but not limited to lapis lazuli, azurite, malachite, ochre and cinnabar, he creates natural and luminous colors similar to how Renaissance painters did their work in the 14th to the 17th centuries. Price has published a two volume series of books titled "Renaissance Mysteries" in which he shares his research and discusses the processes.

His works of art explore the nude and human figure conceived within a timeless universe aiming to reveal how archetypal images are carried within ourselves as real, or imaginary - as the physical world we inhabit.

"Slowly, my research into natural color led to major developments in my painting practice. The human figure as a central archetype has remained constant over the last 40 years, but the figures have evolved to convey the essence of my search -- a chromatic figure or nude," says Price. "The chromatic nude is intended to transcend the restrictions of realism.

"They are not symbols, but signs, like the figures of Nicolas Poussin, that indicate universal direction free from social mores. The structural foundation for a composition is established by a specific rectangular format composed of square-root rectangles. This allows the message carried within the image to attain its maximum impact and resonance to unveil the memory of our immortality reflected from the mortal perspective."

Price was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England and he attended the London Central School of Art and Design, and Stoke-on-Trent College of Art. He has exhibited worldwide, including solo shows in the Post Gallery in Houston, Texas, Galerie Poller in Frankfurt, Germany, and David Findlay Galleries in New York City.

Several opportunities to meet the artist are scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery. Price will lecture at 12:30 p.m. in the Gallery, and receptions will follow at 1 p.m. and again 5 p.m. Additional artist exhibit history and work is displayed on his website at www.michaelprice.info.

The Roz Steiner Art Gallery is open to the public Monday -- Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and during special events as published at www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts. Admission into the Gallery is always free and open to the public.

A pedestrian has reportedly been hit on the Thruway in the eastbound lane near mile marker 387.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: It also sounds like a vehicle accident is also being reported near mile marker 386.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: All we could get from a trooper at the scene was one person injured. At least two vehicles were involved. The pictures are from mile marker 386.

A car is off the road and a caller reports the driver appears to be injured in the area of mile marker 386.6 on the Thruway in the Town of Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A vehicle is on its side after striking a fire hydrant in the area of 4524 Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia.

No injuries reported.

Town of Batavia Fire Department dispatched.

While many Americans are worried about higher broadband costs or diminished service following the repeal by the FCC of "Net Neutrality" rules, customers of Empire Access can continue to count on unmetered, unthrottled, unlimited data, Bob VanDelinder, director of marketing for the company, told The Batavian today.

"The changes in net neutrality, we don't feel, will affect Empire Access because we still plan to keep the Internet open for our customers," VanDelinder said. "We will continue to offer unlimited data without content blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization. The customers on Empire Access should not see any changes."

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission overturned a 2014 rule known as Title II that prohibited Internet service providers from having tiered pricing plans, so-called "net neutrality."

The change has caused customers of Empire Access to call the company and express concern that their service will be changed and VanDelinder said they're all assured that there will be no changes. Soon the company will embark on a social media campaign to help spread that message. Customers will also receive an assurance of the company's commitment to unmetered service with the bills that will be mailed Jan. 1.

Proponents of net neutrality say the repeal of the law will mean restricted, or slower, bandwidth for customers or content providers who don't pony up extra cash.

Opponents of net neutrality say that Title II inhibits innovation and is holding back companies from making the investments necessary to provide faster broadband to more customers.

The idea of ISPs trying to squeeze more money from content providers is not without precedent. Prior to the 2014 rules, Comcast sought fees from Netflix and tacked on an extra charge for customers who streamed more Netflix shows and movies.

Empire Access doesn't know what its competitors might do following the rule change, VanDelinder said, but as far as Empire Access is concerned, nothing has changed.

"It's somewhat early yet to know what is going to take place with our competitors but as far as our stance on the ruling, it's our feeling that our customers come first," VanDelinder said. "We will continue to provide open access to our customers."

Over the past several years, Empire Access has been expanding throughout the Southern Tier and Western New York. It's an expansion plan that started before Title II was enacted, continued through the Title II era, and will continue going forward, VanDelinder said. Whether there is net neutrality or not, it doesn't slow down Empire Access's plan for expansion and innovation.

"We're a family-owned company," VanDelinder said. "We're a local company. What is best for the customer is really what we're striving to achieve to provide the best services."

Being a family-owned business has its advantages over larger competitors, such as Comcast, VanDelinder noted. 

While Comcast sought more money to stream Netflix, it wasn't taking the same approach with Hulu, which is owned in part by Comcast.

"Our business is providing Internet, phone, television, and security services," VanDelinder said. "We don't necessarily have these conflicts like some of our competitors do."

Since Empire Access came to Batavia and Le Roy, local customers are in a unique position of having options. Nearly 60 percent of households in America have only one company to call for broadband service.  

"One of the great things about operating in the towns, villages, and cities where we provide service is that we create competition," VanDelinder said. "Competition is good for the consumers."

Three Batavia residents were taken into custody in Wyoming County for allegedly selling drugs in Warsaw and Attica following an investigation Drug Task Force as part of "Operation Frosty."

Richard Barber, 47, of Garfield Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling methamphetamine in August in the Town of Warsaw. He was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Derrick Washington, 45, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell. Washington is accused of selling crack cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Attica. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Louis Mercado, 29, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling crack cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Attica. Mercado was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Also arrested as part of "Operation Frosty" was Javier Alvarez, 38, of Hopkins Street, Mount Morris. He is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. He is accused of selling heroin and a heroin-fentanyl mix in the Village of Perry.

 Korin Leonard, 21, of Freedom Road, Freedom, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd and 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd and 5th. He is accused of selling methamphetamine and cocaine on two occasions in the Village of Arcade.

Ranen Houston, 24, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with 11 counts of perjury in the first degree for allegedly lying to the Wyoming County Grand Jury on a drug-related investigation in the Town of Warsaw. 

“These arrests were pursuant Wyoming County Court arrest warrants following Indictments and the involvement of District Attorney Donald O’Geen’s Office," said Wyoming County Sheriff Greg Rudolph.

"The Wyoming County Drug Task Force is committed to doing our part in the midst of this drug epidemic, which includes a strong stance on enforcement and honing our investigations on the dealers who gain off of others' addictions.

"The various locations of these crimes are indicative of the scope of the problem here in Wyoming County. The Wyoming County Drug Task Force is additionally wrapping up investigations on several other drug dealers and more arrests are expected in January."

A winter weather advisory has been issued for today through 7 p.m., Saturday.

A wintry mix of precipitation is expected, with accumulations of two to four inches of snow and ice, making travel conditions difficult.

Snow will change to mixed percipitation this afternoon and evening and quickly change back to snow midday Saturday.

"The combination of freezing rain and snow will result in very slippery travel at times," the National Weather Service warns.

Students in Stephanie Clark's first-grade class at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School visited Batavia PD last night to drop off Christmas presents to thank the police officers for their service to the community.

The presents were sponsored by the Buffalo Bills as part of the team's Classroom Champions program.

The program pairs up Buffalo Bills players with classes of schoolchildren throughout WNY. The mentors for Clark's class this year have been Colton Schmidt and Preston Brown. Throughout the year, Schmidt and Brown had sent monthly lessons for the students to complete. On Tuesday, the students got to travel to Buffalo to meet the players.

At GO ART! on Thursday night, there was both a cooking class and an art show opening.

Joseph Rojo, above, provided a demonstration of Asian fusion cooking. Below, Kimberly Perl and Marie Scofield get to participate in creating a chicken adobo.

For the art show below, Judy Wenrich poses with her painting, "My 3 Pets." Look closely and you'll find three ferrets. The show features work by GO ART! members on the theme of "Juxtaposition."

GO ART! also has an art sale in the main gallery featuring both current member works and works from the archives.

Happy Hour at T.F. Brown's on Thursday evening was a fundraiser and toy drive for the T.F. Brown's/Lion's Club annual Christmas Day Community Dinner.

It featured an ugly sweater contest.

Top photo: Colleen Larson and Scott Dorchak sharing a single sweater. Below, Susie Ott; and Joe Teresi, Theresa Lane, and T.F. Brown's owner Rick Mancuso with some of the toys donated.

The dinner is open to all members of the community who would like to attend. For reservations, call Barb TODAY at (585) 345-1000. Barb will need to know how many people are attending, and if children are attending, their names and ages.

Nicholas Stankevich, candidate for the NY-27 congressional district, hosted an open house Thursday night to announce the opening of his campaign office at 56 Harvester Ave., in the Harvester Center.

A person reportedly suffered a minor hand injury in an accident in the area of 6131 Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

A utility pole is snapped.

Bethany fire and Stafford fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:43 a.m.: All units can respond non-emergency.

A multiple vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area 3082 Broadway Road, Alexander.

Alexander fire, ambulance and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Darien fire requested to close eastbound Route 20. Alexander fire police are closing down westbound Route 20 at Route 98.

UPDATE 7:12 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene to deal with a downed pole and power line.

UPDATE 9:10 a.m.: Route 20 has reopened.

David K. Atkinson abuses women and the risk is great that he's beyond rehabilitation, Judge Charles Zambito decided in Genesee County Court this afternoon as he sent Atkinson to state prison for 15 years.

His victim, a former Pembroke resident, said only a sentence of 10 to 15 years could help her feel safe, though she fears her life will never be as good as it was before Atkinson attacked her, threatened her with a claw hammer and forced her to perform oral sex on him while he live-streamed it to another man in Darien.

She said her life is filled with fear and anxiety. She can't return to the house where she lived, even though she's still paying the mortgage, and she suffers from PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome) and frequent nightmares.

"I can't stop imagining David breaking into my house despite the doors being locked," she said. "I can picture him chasing me down in my house and beating me. I picture him beating and killing my children. I picture him raping and killing me. I don't feel safe no matter how many counseling sessions I go to. I can't escape the nightmares."

The 39-year-old Atkinson was found guilty following a jury trial in August of criminal sexual act in the first degree.

He testified at his own trial and denied all of the woman's allegations. He didn't deny the sex act. He said it was consensual and described it as "make-up sex" after an argument because he found text messages on the woman's phone to another man -- the man in Darien.

By this time, the woman and Atkinson had long been out of a relationship and Atkinson supposedly had another girlfriend, but he said he and the victim continued to have a casual sexual relationship, which he said was proof that he didn't force her into a sex act.

During the trial, there was a woman who sat in the front row as a supporter of Atkinson.

After the trial, Atkinson was released on bond and he traveled to North Carolina with the woman. His sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 21 but he missed that court date.

On that date, he was in jail in North Carolina for allegedly strangling the woman who had been his ally during the trial.

A common thread between the North Carolina incident and the attack on the woman locally: An empty bottle of Evan Williams bourbon was found at both scenes, said Robert Zickl, assistant district attorney.

Atkinson also has a prior misdemeanor conviction, from 2013, for abusing his first wife in Erie County.

The victim, in this case, described Atkinson as charming and that he seemed like a dream come true when they first met.

She said she was feeling good about her life when they met. She was four years clean after overcoming an addiction and adjusting to life as a single mother. She had a good job, had bought a house and was making her mortgage payments.

She let Atkinson move in with her and soon the trouble started. First, he refused to work. He wasn't contributing at all financially to the household. Then, she said, he starting insulting her and the kids. 

When she tried to get him to move out, he threatened her and threatened to damage her house and her belongings.

"I felt trapped and didn't know what to do," she said.

Then Atkinson found a new girlfriend and the woman thought that would solve her problems. It didn't. Atkinson didn't leave.

One night he scrolled through the messages on a mobile phone and found a non-romantic conversation between the woman and the man in Darien. That started a fight and eventually the forced, live-streamed sex act over messaging.

"I miss the way my life was before that night," the woman told Zambito.

A 10- to 15-year sentence might not only help her find some peace of mind, she said, but it would also protect other women.

"You can save other women before another woman becomes another victim," she said. "Please help save another woman from becoming a victim of David Atkinson."

Zickl opened his statement to Zambito with, "I don't know when (the victim) wrote her statement, but it could be considered prophetic." 

He then described the alleged attack and arrest of Atkinson in North Carolina.

Zickl sought the maximum term for Atkinson of 20 to 25 years. He noted that a sentence, in this case, was neither for rehabilitation nor for deterrence. Clearly, he said, deterrence wouldn't work in this case because he already attacked another woman.

"He did that knowing you would hear about it and it would affect his sentence in this court," Zickl told Zambito.

Atkinson made no statement in court.

Zambito presided over the trial in August and remembered the defendant's denials.

"I heard the testimony," Zambito said. "I also heard from the victim about your brutality and the significant affect it had on her. It doesn't need to be recited here again. You claimed it was consensual. You blamed it all on her. This happened, you said, because she was unfaithful to you. You portrayed yourself as the victim. That's perhaps the most disturbing thing here. You testified, and the jury didn't believe you and I don't believe you either. I believe her."

Triton Adamski with his parents, Denise and Dale Adamski, of Corfu.

Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee Community College is excited to announce Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) student, Triton Adamski, of Corfu, has won third place in the New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges (NYSMATYC) Fall 2017-2018 competition!

In addition, Adamski's impressive score was combined with the other top four GCC participants for a fifth-place team win! These performances mark GCC's highest scoring individual and best team placement since 2009.

Other members of the NYSMATYC GCC team, which earned fifth place, included Tim Jackson, Kiara Santiago, Trent Osborne and Dmitri Kapitonov. The hard work of these students will position the GCC team well for the championship competition in the spring.

NYSMATYC formed the Mathematics League for NYS Two-Year Colleges in 1980 to provide a challenge and foster interest in mathematics. The league has also generated a nearly 40-year long friendly competition between two-year colleges across the state. Today, 27 two-year colleges and more than 500 students compete in the Fall and Spring competitions.

Participants take a timed exam consisting of approximately 20 mathematical questions. The top five scores from each college are combined to form the college's team score for each exam. Then, the Fall and Spring exam scores for both individuals and teams are combined to crown the academic year's champion college and individual.

Adamski is a senior at Pembroke High School and has been an ACE program participant since he won Math Science Scholar of the Year in sixth grade. He is also a member of GCC's first Math Science Preparatory Program session.

In addition to holding the highest course average in Calculus II at GCC, Adamski has earned 64 credits through the ACE program and anticipates graduating from GCC this spring with an A.S. degree in Natural Science just before earning his high school diploma!

With his 4.0 grade-point average throughout his time in the ACE program, he is ready for his next academic challenge, which will be at Rochester Institute of Technology where he has already been accepted into its Game Design and Development Program.

"Any student willing to put in the time and effort should definitely consider taking advantage of the ACE program. You can take so many different courses which really helps to figure out what you'd like to study after (high school) graduation," Adamski says. "The program also significantly reduces the number of courses you have to take when you get to college."

Adamski and all of the top performers for the Fall and Spring competitions will be recognized at the NYSMATYC's Annual Conference in April 2018. Prizes include mathematical software generously donated by the math league sponsors and mathematical and scientific journals and magazines.

Genesee Community College offers an associate degree in Mathematics, and the ACE program gives students the opportunity to earn significant college credits while still in high school.

For more information on the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program, contact GCC at (585) 345-6801, or via email at ACE@genesee.edu.

A convicted drug dealer failed to show up for his sentencing and has refused to turn himself in, according to Batavia PD.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 38-year-old Charles "Gusto" Williams, who was living on South Spruce Street, Batavia, at the time of his arrest in April.

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating Williams.

He was convicted of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 1st.

Williams allegedly violated an order of protection while out of jail awaiting sentencing.

Police say if you see Williams or know of his whereabouts, do not approach him; rather, call 9-1-1.

Using a detection device to identify students who might have been drinking at high school dances is nothing new, said Batavia City Schools Superintendent Chris Dailey, and previous uses have gotten no pushback from students or parents.

Yesterday, The Batavian published a picture of Batavia High School receiving two new wand-like devices that act as breathalyzers to help school officials identify students who may have been drinking prior to arrival at a school dance or other social function where they might be used. The publication of the picture raised a lot of questions among readers about the legality and ethics of such devices.

Dailey said the district's first priority is the safety of the students.

"Ninety-nine point nine percent of our kids don't generally show up under the influence, so it's rather a moot point to them," Dailey said. "They're not thinking we're trying to take away their rights and we're not trying to take away their rights. We're trying to provide a safe environment for all. It's all about safety for us."

All of the complaints that surfaced after yesterday's picture publication surfaced online, Dailey said. There have been no calls to the district office and he met with high school officials today and there was no mention of complaints at the high school.

The wands donated to the school by STOP-DWI and local law enforcement are not at all invasive, Dailey said, unlike the previous alcohol sensor used by the school, which was only used if a student was suspected of drinking. The wands, Dailey said, can detect a potential use of alcohol by a person in a group of people.

"Alcohol consumption by students is something that is illegal and is not tolerated," Dailey said. "We want to make sure we provide the safest possible environment for all of our students."

That's critical, Dailey said, when you have 200 to 300 students coming together for an event.

If a student is found under the influence of alcohol at a school event, the first step, Dailey said, is to make sure the student is safe. Next, school officials call the teenager's parents.

"We reach out to the parents," Dailey said. "(the student) is not allowed to leave if under impairment and we will work with the parent so the child will learn from the mistake."

There isn't necessarily disciplinary action taken against the student.

"(It) depends on the situation," Dailey said.

As for whether the sensors violate students' rights, Dailey said, any student or parent who might be concerned about it are free to not attend the school function.

"If people choose not to come to the dance because of it, that's their choice, absolutely," Dailey said.

Today was the Holiday Give Back Day for students at Batavia Middle School who traveled throughout the community visiting more than a dozen organizations and businesses to thank them for their support of BMS and education.

Two of the visits were to Batavia PD and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

The students presented a bag of gifts and cards made by the students.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Batavia have prepared gift bags filled with all the ingredients of a holiday meal to help feed 85 local families for Christmas and those selected families will receive their bags, gifts and a visit with Santa tonight.

The families were selected by the Salvation Army, through the United Way Backpack Program, and through the city's elementary schools, including St. Joe's.