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Gregory Hallock began the transition as the new executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council five weeks ago, after former Executive Director Jennifer Gray resigned.

Hallock grew up in Delevan and went to Genesee Community College. He graduated with a Theater degree and from there, went to Brockport to get his bachelor’s degree in Acting, with a minor in Dance. He received his graduate degree from the University at Buffalo and started working for GO ART! a year and a half ago as the assistant director.

As the executive director, Hallock’s schedule changes from day to day. He works on events, finances and the Decentralization Grant Program.  

“I’m getting paid to be involved with the arts,” Hallock said. “It’s the most incredible thing in the world. Most people, arts is a luxury. It’s something that they can only hope they can get somewhere. I get to do it as my job.”

Since 1962, GO ART! has been dedicated to developing the cultural life in Genesee and Orleans counties by facilitating the creation, presentation and experience of art, heritage and traditions.

GO ART! is in the midst of hiring a new assistant director to take over the grants program. Hallock said he hopes the new director will start Aug. 1.

Gray resigned from the position for personal reasons, but still volunteers, Hallock said.

“She is still completely passionate about us,” Hallock said. “She is still dedicated to us.”

Hallock said his immediate goal is to increase the membership to 600 members by June 2018 and he also wants to increase awareness of GO ART!

“I’ve been trying to attend every event possible,” Hallock said. “Once I am done with the transition [into the new position] I am going to start going to board meetings all over the place.”

Picnic in the Park, at 11 a.m. on July 4, is one of Hallock’s big projects. He is in charge of the event at Centennial Park, and said he is excited for this year’s theme, “Summer of Love.”

Hallock said he is more than willing to meet with anybody or talk to anybody about GO ART!, and arts and culture in general. He wants to get more people into the building, known as Seymour Place, located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia, to see the artwork.

“This building is our biggest expense,” Hallock said, of the historic brick property downtown. “It’s an amazing building and I want to utilize it to its fullest potential. I want to get people in this building and have art hanging on every wall.”

Hallock said working under Gray was extremely beneficial for his transition to the new position.  

“Working with her has been amazing,” Hallock said. “I’ve made the connections I didn’t previously have. I got to see how things worked here before I got to dive in.”

Anyone can visit GO ART! from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and every second Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“We may not be the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, but we have some pretty amazing stuff here,” Hallock said.

This rosebush is located on the corner of North Pearl Street and South Main Street in Oakfield. 

Siobhan Larkin (right) and Jennifer Petry (left) always wanted to be surrounded by beautiful things, which inspired them to open a holistic home goods store, Hearth & Soul, at 214 Ellicott St. in Batavia.

Hearth & Soul offers handmade Bohemian home décor, holistic accessories and crystals, jewelry, organic skin care, and everything people need to create a nurturing and comfortable home. They also feature local artists in the store.

“We want to make sure we’re educating the community,” Petry said. “We want to try to make sure we build the community we wish we had when we were growing up here.”

Petry said anything in the store that is not handmade, such as diffusers, are high quality products recommended by professionals.

The products in the shop come from all over the country, including Vermont and Oregon, and from Ontario, Canada. A line of clothing in the store is also made in Nepal and there is a selection of organic baby clothes made in Peru.

“We’re really proud to support these small businesses,” Petry said. “We’re trying to get things for everyone.”

Larkin grew up in Medina and Petry was born in Arizona, but grew up in Pembroke. Petry opened up a daycare when her children were little, so she has experience as a business owner, while Larkin spent time in management positions while working at a hotel.

Larkin and Petry met when they were both working at a local hotel in Batavia. They hit it off right away and have been friends ever since. Larkin said it was a mutual goal of theirs to open a holistic home goods store. They put off the idea for a while, but the timing fell into place.

Both Larkin and Petry come from families where small business ownership was common, so it was not hard for them to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

The community has supported them every step of the way, Larkin and Petry said.

“We cannot say enough how amazing it has been,” Petry said. “All of these people have in some way encouraged us or gave us business information. The support has been tremendous.”

Petry said they will eventually have meditation classes in the shop, but when they will start, has yet to be determined.

Larkin said they are trying to get a feel for what people in the community want to see at their shop.

“Any products that people want to see here and that fit in the naturally made or support small businesses thing, we’re taking suggestions,” Larkin said. “We really want to be able to offer everyone something.”

They are still working on their website, but can be found on Facebook here. They plan to do a sharing contest to give away a salt lamp. Larkin said community involvement is important to them and they appreciate the support everyone has given them. 

On July 8, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m., followed by wine tastings, courtesy of Christine Crocker, owner of The Yngodess Shop on Main Street, light hors d’oeuvres, and music from local artist Justin Reynolds.

A shed fire is reported at 219 S. Swan St., Batavia.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 10:44 a.m.: Fire is out. 

Douglas James Tallent, 36, of Walworth-Marion Road, Marion, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving on a suspended registration, and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Tallent was stopped at 9:40 p.m., June 24, on Buffalo Parkway, Bergen, by Deputy Rachel Diehl and jailed without bail.

Cathleen Ann Bishop, 51, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bishop is accused of stealing $145.99 in merchandise from Kohl's Department Store on June 30.

A large tree limb fell onto a power line, breaking it, and landed on a garage at 45 Woodrow Road in Batavia; no arcing or sparking. City Fire Department is responding and National Grid is notified.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.: City fire cleared the scene and National Grid was in route.

Funeral services were held today for Master Sgt. Charles L. Higgins, a former Batavia resident who died June 19 at age 36.

Higgins served in the Army and Army National Guard from 1999 to 2017. 

For his full obituary, click here.

The trio Something Else played Jackson Square yesterday evening as part of the summer concert series downtown. There's live music in Jackson Square each Friday at 7 p.m. through August.

Somebody is missing a license plate from their vehicle after driving on Slusser Road in Batavia.

A dispatcher says the residents at 8299 Slusser Road "heard a loud bang about 4:30 this morning. They have the license plate and there is damage to their property." The responding deputy says "I would consider that a clue."

He just arrived there and reports that a couple of road hazard signs are down, too.

A girl riding her bike on Main Street in Le Roy was struck by a hit-and-run driver at about 3:20 p.m. and police are asking for help in locating the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle may be a Lincoln Continental, or similar sedan, from the early to mid-1990s. It was blue or green and was driven by an older male, possibly in his 60s, with gray hair.

The girl had a minor injury to her foot and ankle but did not require transport to a hospital.

To share information to assist in the investigation, contact Sgt. Mike Hare by calling (585) 345-6350.

(Initial Post)

"Zeva" will soon need a new home.

The friendly pooch was reportedly left at an apartment at 17 Elm St., Batavia, after the owner moved out.

Somebody called police yesterday evening and reported the apparently abandoned dog and a police officer picked it up and took it to the shelter.

The address is the same apartment where another dog, on April 30, got itself stuck on the eve of a second-floor deck and then fell off when the owner was brought back to the residence by a police officer.

Today, the owner -- whom we're not identifying by name at this point because she hasn't been charged with a crime, and it's not certain she will be -- went to the animal shelter and signed the necessary paperwork to surrender ownership of Zeva.

She reportedly told staff she had left the dog rather than take it to the shelter because of a requirement that the owner acknowledges that the animal could potentially be euthanized. Animal Control Officer Agie Jaroszewski said the form is standard procedure for most shelters but doesn't mean the animal will be put down.

Alecia Kaus with Video News Service posted a report about the dog on Facebook yesterday and a women said the dog had been hers, but that the dog was being taken care of and that she retained access to the apartment until the end of the month.

"I was the owner," the woman wrote. "And to be clear again have posted all week about finding her a home and was just with her at 7 pm last night to walk her feed and water her."

There is not information available on the status of the other dog that was at the apartment April 30. Police have yet to determine what will happen with the case.

Below, photos from April 30.

A car has reportedly hit a pedestrian in front of the Post Office at 2 Main St., Le Roy.

Injuries are reported.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: Law enforcement on location and reports fire and ambulance can respond non-emergency. A chief on scene requests Le Roy Fire equipment to remain in quarters.

Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“Albany’s dysfunction was on full display (Wednesday) as legislators were called back to session for a 12-hour fiasco with many of us in the dark until very late as to what bills we were to vote on. As usual, the three-men-in-a-room backdoor deal circus was on full display, costing taxpayers tens of thousands in per diems and travel expenses.

“Although many issues like ethics reform, small-business relief, property and income-tax reform were unfortunately not addressed this year, we did manage to pass sales tax extenders for Orleans and Genesee counties that will help mitigate rising property taxes and fund various county initiatives.

“We also made important changes that will allow us to streamline the grant process for homeowners and owners of secondary properties affected by flooding to obtain aid and relief. I am hopeful that the governor will sign this bill into law soon and help residents who are still struggling with Lake Ontario’s devastating flooding.

“While this session was far from perfect and rife with dysfunction and secrecy, we did provide a record amount of aid for our schools, provided funding to combat the growing heroin epidemic, passed the ‘New York Buy American Act’ to bolster manufacturing and construction jobs and brought ride-sharing services Upstate.

“I look forward to a productive summer and fall visiting with constituents in our area and hearing feedback, questions and concerns as we look forward to the 2018 Session. Please remember that I am always available to discuss state issues and I will always be your voice and represent you fairly in Albany.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement about the Fourth of July: 

“As the 4^th of July approaches, we should all take a moment to appreciate the importance of this great day. Our independence is something that can sometimes be overlooked, and with all the corporate and trendy holidays that we have throughout the year, we need to cherish this holiday and what it stands for.

“It is a true gift to have a sense of patriotism and to remember the people who made our independence possible. The fight for liberty and justice is never complete; and as Americans it is our duty to remember and cherish our independence.

It is a day to celebrate our freedom, our country, our triumphs and to remember all those men and women who have served our nation and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of those ideals.

"Although this holiday is a joyous occasion, I encourage everyone to stay safe and to celebrate responsibly with family and friends.”

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Third Eye Blind concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Thursday:

Robin S. Bascus, 26, of Townsend Avenue, Bronx, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly entering Darien Lake property after having been ejected from the property on June 25 and told not to return. Bascus was arraigned in Darien Court and put in jail in lieu of $250 bail.

Kaitlyn M. Rector, 19, of Boyd Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Riley J. Guenther, 19, of Dye Road, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana.

Jason R. Morley, 25, of Pole Bridge Road, Geneseo, is charged with assault, 3rd, after allegedly punching a Live Nation security officer in the mouth, causing injury.

The Batavia Housing Authority will receive a $227,424 federal grant as part of a $397 million package for New York's public housing programs.

The authority provides subsidized housing to low-income residents in four complexes in Batavia, including 400 Towers, The Pines at 4 MacArthur Drive, Edward Court at 15 Edward St., and The Terraces at 193 S. Main St.

Press release:

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand today announced $397,628,820 for housing authorities across New York State. The funds were allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund. Schumer and Gillibrand said the funding will help housing authorities develop, finance and modernize their public housing facilities.

“Having a roof over your head is one of life’s basic necessities, so we must do everything we can to help provide those truly in need with a decent and affordable place to live. This federal funding will help support affordable housing initiatives throughout New York that assist needy families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to find an affordable place to live,” Senator Schumer said.

“We need to invest more federal funds to help more low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in New York with access to affordable and safe housing,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These resources are vital for vulnerable communities and I will continue to do everything I can in the Senate to make sure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

HUD’s Office of Capital Improvement administers the Capital Fund program, which provides financial assistance in the form of grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) to carry out capital and management activities; acting as the primary tool to preserve New York's affordable housing stock. These federal dollars are used to increase a PHA's ability to maintain the physical infrastructure of developments and improve the safety and security of its residents. 

The Batavia Ramble and Arts Fest is tomorrow in Downtown Batavia.

In the case of rain, performances will take place inside Center Street Smoke House.

Here's the lineups for both stages:

• 11 – 11:15 a.m. -- **Opening Ceremony**
• 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. --  Steve Kruppner
• 11:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. -- Kruppner Brothers
• 12:25 – 12:55 p.m. -- Mark Grover
• 1  – 1:30 p.m.  -- Ryan Consiglio
• 1:35 – 2:05 p.m. -- Dave Holnbeck
• 2:10 – 2:40 p.m. -- Kevin Moyles
• 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. -- Paul Almeter
• 3:20 – 3:50 p.m. -- Jim Luttrell
• 3:50 – 4:05 p.m.  --  * * * Memorial * * *
• 4:05 – 4:35 p.m. -- Red Creek
• 4:40 – 5:10 p.m.  -- Mitty & The followers
• 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. -- Rock Soulgers
• 5:50 – 6:20 p.m.  -- Bad Luck
• 6:25 – 6:55 p.m.  -- Audibull
• 7 – 7:30 p.m. -- Rhythm Collision
• 7:35 – 8:05 p.m.  -- Eagle Creek
• 8:10 – 8:40 p.m. -- Nichols Brothers Band
• 8:45 – 9:15 p.m. -- Open Jam

A company that could revolutionize the solar industry, with manufacturing based in Genesee County, is making progress on bringing its solar wafer technology to market at scale.

This week, 1366 Technologies announced that a Japanese energy company has opened a new power station using wafers manufactured with its proprietary high-performance wafers.

Though work is proceeding to prepare the STAMP industrial park in Alabama for its first tenant, there is no word yet on when there will be a groundbreaking for STAMP or for the 1366 plant, which could eventually employ as many as 1,000 people. The plant is expected to manufacture solar wafers primarily for export to industrial solar installations, such as the new facility in Japan.

Press release:

Silicon wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies today announced that Japan’s IHI Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary IHI Plant Construction Co. Ltd (IPC), has completed the grid connection and begun commercial operation of a 500-kW solar installation featuring 1366’s high-performance wafers. During its lifespan, the array is expected to displace approximately 9,500 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. 1366 and IHI celebrated the completion of the system this week at a ceremony in Tokyo.

“This commercial installation delivers all of the expected benefits specific to solar power and then some, the energy payback of an installation featuring Direct Wafer products is accelerated to less than a year due to the fact that our technology uses just one-third the energy,” said Frank van Mierlo, CEO, 1366 Technologies. “IHI has a long history of identifying and adopting groundbreaking technologies, we’re proud the Direct Wafer process is part of that story.”

The array, located in the Japanese prefecture Hyōgo and consisting of IEC-certified modules fabricated by a Tier 1 manufacturer in China, includes more than 120,000 wafers made with 1366’s revolutionary Direct Wafer® process. All the wafers were produced at 1366’s demonstration facility, using the Company’s production-ready Direct Wafer furnaces.

This installation builds on the success at test sites in the United States, Germany and Japan and demonstrates the Company’s ability to run the Direct Wafer process at scale. It also underscores the broad appeal of the technology downstream where customers want advanced, high-quality systems with lower carbon footprints.

“It has been our goal to expand our portfolio of renewable energy systems with innovative technologies that dramatically reduce cost and deliver superior performance of photovoltaic systems. This installation achieves that goal,” said Otani, of IHI Corporation.