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To open the YWCA's Third Annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony at Genesee Community College yesterday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul shared how the issue of domestic violence and public service through the Y helped shape her life.

Hochul's grandmother was a victim of domestic violence, and Hochul's mother was an advocate for changing laws and changing attitudes around domestic violence, even testifying for the Legislature in Albany. She helped change the way police officers respond to domestic violence cases.

"She testified in hearings trying to get law enforcement to treat is as the crime it is," Hochul said. "At the time when someone would call for help, someone would call and the police would show up at the door and the husband responded and said, 'Oh, don't worry, we're OK here.' They had no obligation. They could leave. That went on for far too long." 

When her mother turned 70, she said she wanted to do something in her mother's name, so they established the Kathleen Mary House, a safe place for women who have been victimized.

Before Hochul ever ran for public office, she thought she might like to get involved in politics, perhaps as a campaign manager, so she took classes are her local YWCA to learn how to be a campaign manager. That, it turned out, inspired her to run for a seat on the Town of Hamburg Board.

Hochul noted that women are taking a bigger and bigger role in public life, but that there is more progress to be made.

"To the young women in the audience, have confidence in yourselves, know that you, too, have a role to play in changing the world," Hochul said. "There is no time like the present. You don't have to wait until middle age to be engaged. Step up. We need you. Your society needs you. Your country needs you. And your community here in Genesee County needs you."

The award recipients were:

• Rev. Roula Alkhouri, the Racial Justice Award
• WNY Tech Academy, the Economic Empowerment Award
• Dee Quinn Miller, the Military/Veteran Award
• Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County, the Peace Award
• Krysten Schmidt, owner of Ladies First, the Advocacy/Civic Engagement Award
• Lewis Tree Service, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award
• Georgann Corrubba, TenCar Inc., the Exceptional Entrepreneur Award

For more on the winners, click here.

Georgann Corrubba

Rev. Roula Alkhouri

Dee Quinn Miller

Gail Fenton and Ruth Riner, of Zonta Club.

Michlen Robinson, representing Lewis Tree Service.

She's also never been dismissed early.

She is a straight-A student, a member of the safety patrol and plays in two basketball leagues. She also plays in a year-around travel soccer team, is a member of the band, chorus, jazz choir, percussion ensemble and Solo-Fest band.

In softball this season, she struck out 128 batters over 47 innings pitched.

She also volunteers in the Byron-Bergen Public Library during the summer.

"As a teacher in a different school district, I feel this is a phenomenal accomplishment," Amy said. "I also happen to be very proud of her as I am her mom!"

Press release:

GO ART! presents an exhibit by Stacy Kirby “A Nice View “-- A Collection of En Plein Aire Paintings and Illustrations.”

After a couple decades of drawing, first in crayon then in pencil, Stacey Kirby picked up a paint brush, pursuing an education in illustration at Montserrat College of Art. After graduating she applied her illustration skills to mural painting, creating large scale art works for private homes, businesses, and public spaces.

Her passion is forming concept and idea into impactful paintings, whether the theme is historic, or of the natural world.

Kirby, a native of Albion, has been contributing murals to the Orleans and Monroe counties for a number of years.

"As a muralist, it's my goal to create artwork that is accessible to everyone, to encourage appreciation for art and the deeply rooted communities that we're a part of," Kirby said. "Public murals are a great opportunity to expose numbers of people to the arts, while sharing something important about that community with the world.”

In her free time she enjoys painting "en plein aire." She is working with “Traveling Towpath Troubadours" -- a music performance group whose summer concerts are part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the Erie Canal in Orleans County -- on a commemorative painting capturing the idea behind their 2017 endeavor.

"A Nice View" opens July 11 and runs through Sept. 10 at GO ART!, located inside historic Seymour Plac,e 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and on the second Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

There will be a closing reception, with light fare, on Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.,  featuring “Traveling Towpath Troubadours” as entertainment and the unveiling of the commemorative painting.

An accident is reported in the area of 9683 Route 19, Pavilion.

A person is injured and may be having a medical emergency.

The vehicle hit a pole. The pole is not down. It is broken. National Grid being notified.

There had been a prior complaint about an erratic driver in the area.

The location is just south of the Le Roy Town Line.

Pavilion fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is pleased to announce passage of a bill which will authorize Orleans County and Genesee County residents to hunt big game from Nov. 15 till Dec. 7. The bill allows residents to hunt using pistols, shotguns, muzzle-loaded firearms, long bows, crossbows or rifles.

“Hunting is an important part of our history, it is how our forefathers survived and provided for their families,” Hawley said. “As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I am proud to announce that citizens of Orleans and Genesee counties will be able to continue this centuries-old tradition that is such a huge part of our Western New York culture.

"As a proud outdoorsman myself, I will continue to work tirelessly to protect our constitutional rights from special interests attempting to restrict them. The passage of this bill is a step in the right direction toward maintaining our freedom and right to own firearms.”

Angela Marie Bodekor, 30, of South Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated DWI -- a BAC of .18 percent or higher; DWI; refusal to take a prescreen breath test -- roadside; open container of alcohol in vehicle; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; and unreasonable speed. On June 15, following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 950 Sliker Road in the Town of Pembroke, Bodekor was arrested on the charges listed. She was issued an appearance ticket for Pembroke Town Court and is due there on Aug. 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, assisted by Sgt. Jason Saile.

Amy L. Wolfe, 42, of Auburn Ave., Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic needle. She wass arrested on Federal Drive in Batavia at 7:28 a.m. on June 16 following a complaint at a local hotel. She was allegedly found to be in possession of several hypodermic needles and what appeared to be heroin. She was issued appearance tickets to appear in Town of Batavia Court on July 27. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale, assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Jason W. Whitehead Jr., 19, of Skyline Drive, Penn Yan, is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Whitehead was arrested on Thursday afternoon, June 15, by members of the Genesee County Drug Enforcement Task Force following an investigation in the area of 4 MacArthur Drive in the City of Batavia. He was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana and further investigation allegedly revealed that he provided marijuana to a person less than 17 years old. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket for June 27 in Batavia City Court.

The State Police are investigating the theft of a 2010 Ford F-150 from MY-T Acres Farms in Batavia at 5:20 a.m., today. It's a ClubCab, tan in color, with a license of 20128GL. 

The farm is located at 8127 Lewiston Road, Batavia.

The suspect vehicle appears to be a red Jeep.

Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation is asked to call the Batavia Barracks at (585) 344-2200.

This afternoon, County Manager Jay Gsell and two passersby along with the City's animal control officer, James Scheflin, tried to help a momma duck and her ducklings cross Ellicott Street by the Upton Monument so they could get to the Tonawanda Creek.

Momma would have none it, though, choosing to try and shelter in the plants at the time.   

Scheflin decided to leave her be for the time being and monitor the situation.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk.” Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. (Please note: the July program will be held on July 11.)

Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

On July 11 learn about the different types of bulb lilies that can be grown in the garden such as Oriental and Trumpet. We will also discuss a relatively new invasive insect, the red lily leaf beetle, which can decimate your lilies. Learn some methods to combat this lily-munching pest.

Terrariums are easy-to-make, low-maintenance gardens that can last for years. On Aug. 1 we will demonstrate how to create a miniature world full of beautiful plants and interesting objects. Go home with a list of materials and directions so you can create your own sensational terrarium.

Have you ever thought about bringing some of your annuals inside for the winter but weren’t sure how to? Join us on Sept. 5 to learn some tips and tricks that you can use so you can continue to enjoy a bit of summer inside this winter. We will also show you how to get your houseplants ready to come back inside.

There are hundreds of tea plantations in the world, but only one in the United States. Join us Oct. 3 for a photo tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation located in South Carolina. The Charleston Tea Plantation is a true working tea farm and a living piece of American history.

“All about Amaryllis” will be our final program of the year on Nov. 7. Amaryllis are known for their stunning blooms. Many of us buy or receive an amaryllis bulb around the holidays. But what do you do with the bulb after it blooms? Learn how to take care of your bulb year round so that you can enjoy its blooms for many years.

Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Thomas Winters, left, has become the fourth generation of the Winters family to enter the feed business, joining his dad's business, Genesee Feeds, on West Main Street, after graduating from Alfred State. 

Lee opened Genesee Feeds in 1992, with his dad joining the business in 1995. Lee's grandfather operated his own feed business for a number of years.

Genesee Feeds got a big boost when a chain closed its local feed store in 1999 and the business has been going strong since, Lee said.

Thomas said he wanted to work with his dad because he's always enjoyed it and it's what he grew up doing.

In recent years, Lee has added U-Haul rentals and sheds to the business and he said Thomas will be able to help the business expand and further diversify.

"It's always been here, always been in the family, so it’s always been something I wanted to do," Thomas said.

Here is the lineup of 2017 summer concerts for Darien Lakes State Park, located at 10475 Harlow Road in Darien Center. All but the last concert of the season (on Sunday, Sept. 3) take place on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 at Shelter #2. See below for details, including those for Sept. 3 concert.

Day area admission to the park is free after 5 p.m. Please remember that Darien Lakes State Park is a “Carry in/Carry out” park. Please help support park events by supporting the Natural Heritage Trust. Donations to the Natural Heritage Trust for Darien Lakes State Park can be made at the park or online at www.nysparks.com. 

• June 27 -- Corfu/Pembroke Community Band

Come and kick off the beginning of the 2017 concert series with the hometown sounds from the Corfu/Pembroke Community Band. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the classic concert band ensemble.

• July 4 -- The Band Anastazja

    Armed with a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass, the spoons, eight kids, Mom, Dad and Gramma. The Band Anastazja travels here, there and everywhere to entertain folks with their unique style of music and their genuineness in real life stories that they tell and the songs to accompany them.

• July 11 -- Ron and Nancy Oneson

 Traditional American music comes alive with Ron & Nancy. They sing vintage country, bluegrass, Western, Rockabilly, '50s & '60s classics, and Gospel.

• July 18 -- NY Rockin' Revue Gone Country

It’s all country tonight. They will be bringing out the banjo, fiddle and petal steel guitar. It’s Patsy Cline, Charlie Daniels, Hank Sr. and many more…

• July 25 -- The Batavia Swing Band

Listen and dance to Batavia’s premier swing band as they play the most popular swing, jazz, and Big Band music from over the years.

• Aug. 1 -- Ghost Riders

The Ghost riders will lift your spirit with drivin’ “Hardcore Country” music with a twang that makes listeners of all ages want to get out and dance and have fun.

• Aug. 8 -- Auslanders

German night is back with the sounds of the Auslanders! This popular Buffalo band has been entertaining for years. As one of the areas most enjoyed Oktoberfest bands. Authentic German selections & a polka here or there will keep your feet stomping and spirits high!

• Aug. 15 -- Old Hippies

The music of the Old Hippies is acoustic and a varied brand, be it their own creative songs or recognizable covers from a golden musical era: the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies and on and on…., nostalgic to those who lived it and romanced by those who didn’t.

• Aug. 22 -- WNY Bluegrass Association

 Come out and listen to the local bluegrass musicians specializing in the old-tyme Bluegrass sounds from Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Ricky Scaggs, the father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe and more!

• Aug. 29 -- The Swooners

Enjoy the music of every decade, from the '20s thru the '80s and beyond. They will make you want to dance, sing, laugh and cry.

• SUNDAY Sept. 3 -- *** FINAL CONCERT! NY Rockin' Revue -- 7 to 9 p.m. at Shelter #2

Whether it’s classic rock, country or old-time favorites, the NY  Rockin Revue provides it all. Enjoy a night of great music and dancing. Along with a fireworks show afterward!

The Genesee County representatives for the American Legion Boys State of New York met on Thursday night in Le Roy, before they depart on June 25. 

The American Legion Boys State is a weeklong program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. While at Boys State, they learn the practical aspects of government in New York and participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of counselors and Marines. 

This year, Boys State will be held at SUNY Morrisville.

Bryce Bordonaro, Ryan Driscoll and Thomas Mellon are representing Le Roy; Jacob Brower is representing Waterport; Ethan Fischer, John Kindig, Nathan Loria and Joseph Marchese are representing Batavia; John Igoe is representing Oakfield; Nathan Knickerbocker is representing Byron; and Tyler Wood is representing Corfu.

(Photos by Maria Pericozzi.)

Liberty Pumps Inc. gained an addition to their fleet of machines last week, special ordered from Japan, increasing efficiency and productivity.

Don Cunningham, the machine shop and paint department supervisor, said it is the largest vertical machining center in their factory.

“It was driven by more sales volume,” Cunningham said. “Plus, we keep getting bigger and bigger parts we have to deal with, so the machines keep getting bigger and bigger as well.”

A vertical machining center has rotary cutters to remove material from a piece in a direction at an angle with the axis of the tool. 

The machine weighs about 38,000 pounds and cost just under $400,000. With the size of the machine, Cunningham said it can handle bigger parts.

Liberty Pumps Inc. is a manufacturer that builds dirty water pumps, such as sewage or sump pumps, located at 7000 Appletree Ave. in Bergen.

Cunningham said the new machine has a feature known as a pallet changer, making the machine more productive and efficient.

“One pallet or table can be in the machine being worked on with the cutting cycle, while another pallet or table is staged outside the machine,” Cunningham said. “The operator loads that and when the running cycle is done inside the machine, it will swap tables and keep going.”

There is no downtime for loading or unloading, which older vertical machine centers in the factory have, Cunningham said.

Cunningham said the new machine is part of the testimony to the growth of Liberty Pumps Inc.

“It is part of what will take us into the future,” Cunningham said.

A crane was needed for the delivery of the new vertical machining center. (Submitted photo.)

The Bergen Community Farmers Market started at Hickory Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. with some local produce, pastries and live music. The park is located at 51 S. Lake Ave. (Route 19)

Below are photos from the opening night. 

Submitted photo and press release:

Fresh market conventional and organic growers of all levels of expertise are invited to tour research plots and ask questions of Cornell Cooperative Extension experts on early pest management options at the third annual Fresh Market Vegetable Field Day on Monday, June 26.

This exciting full-day event will take place at the Cornell Vegetable Program’s Fresh Market Demonstration Site in Batavia. Additionally, industry representatives will be available to meet with growers to answer questions on their products. DEC credits are available for this field day.

The field day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fresh Market demo site: Partridge's on the Farm Market, 4924 Ellicott Street Road (Route 63), Batavia. Cost is $25 for Cornell Vegetable Program enrollees and $35 for others. Price includes lunch if pre-registered by June 22. The at-the-door price is $35 and includes an information packet, but no guarantee of lunch if you did not pre-register by June 22.

To register online, click here.

For more information contact Darcy Telenko 716-697-4965 or email dep10@cornell.edu

Extension Vegetable Specialists, Darcy Telenko, Judson Reid, Robert Hadad, and Christy Hoepting along with Megan Burley, Extension Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County, will be leading research site tours and answering questions on the following topics:

• Weed Management Tools for Fresh Market Vegetables
• Fresh Market Vegetable Plot Tour
  • Tomato varieties and organic spray programs for disease management
  • Cucumber varieties and organic spray programs for downy mildew
  • Herbicide options in sweet corn
  • Weed management in root crops and zucchini
• GAPS/FSMA Update
• Garlic: Introduction and Tour of the Trials
• Garlic: Q&A about Soil Borne Diseases
• Pest Management in Tomato, Pepper and Eggplant
• New Market Opportunities

Research trials will be on display throughout the day. Darcy Telenko will lead a tour of fresh market vegetable research.

Plots include: demonstration of organic disease management options in tomato and cucumber; sweet corn herbicide trial; pumpkin variety trial for powdery mildew resistance; organic weed management options in both root crops (beets/parsnips) and zucchini. Telenko will discuss how to identify the vegetable diseases in New York, what symptoms we are looking for in the field, and management tools available. The use of disease forecast warning systems (USABlight, Cucurbit Downy Mildew PIPE) will also be discussed. Information will be provided for both conventional and organic growers at all levels of expertise.

Growers will also get to view a sweet corn herbicide trial and observe new herbicide programs in controlling weeds. The major herbicide programs, organic, and mechanical options will be discussed. Topics will also include how to scout after herbicide application to confirm usefulness. Growers will be encouraged to actively participate, and ask questions about the proper use of herbicides in vegetables. Organic weed management options in zucchini and root crops will showcase the peculiarities in regards to weed management the use of a stale-seed bed technique. Growers will be able to view the different weed management tools, look at the economics of utilizing each system, and ask questions.

Robert Hadad will give an update on GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) and FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act).

New this year – a large-scale garlic trial on fusarium management. Christy Hoepting and Robert Hadad will review cultural and organic products available for fusarium management in garlic as growers can view research trials. Hoepting and Hadad will lead a discussion of garlic disease questions, offer management options and answer grower questions on best management practices to reduce soilborne diseases and pests of garlic.

Judson Reid will discuss the major diseases in tomato, pepper and eggplant in New York. Topics to be covered include: scouting – where, how and when; identifying the pests; checking for management issues that may improve or decrease disease control; and control options. Information will be provided for both conventional and organic growers at all levels of expertise.

Megan Burley will discuss how to develop new market opportunities for your farm. The new FreshLab in Batavia will talk about their farm to table initiative, with a possible tour of the new facility.

A key component of this event is the support provided by industry organizations. Contributing organizations including Exhibiting Sponsors – BASF, BioSafe Systems, KeyPlex Biopesticides, NutriAg, Oro Agri; and Participating Sponsors – Artic Refrigeration, Empire Tractor, Seedway, Siegers Seed, Stokes Seeds, along with others are recognized as an integral part of this dynamic event. Industry representatives will be on-site with displays and available to talk about some of their new products.

About Cornell Cooperative Extension - Cornell Vegetable Program

The Cornell Vegetable Program is one of the premier regional agricultural Cornell Cooperative Extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county region in the western and central part of the state. The team's Vegetable Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the industry. The Cornell Vegetable Program provides educational programs and information to growers, processors and agribusiness professionals, arming them with the knowledge to profitably produce and market safe and healthful vegetable crops, contributing to the viability of farms and the economic wellbeing of New York State. Specifically, our program focuses on food safety, variety evaluation, market development, pest management, and cultural practices.

The Cornell Vegetable Program is supported, in part, by 13 county Cornell Cooperative Extension associations: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.

As part of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, the VA in Batavia hosted a speaker series today featuring three veterans who have been through the trials of PTSD and recovered.

Dr. Caryn Di Landro, head of the PTSD clinic at the Batavia VA, said the people who attended -- members of the community interested in PTSD journeys, veterans in general, veterans receiving service at the clinic and staff working with veterans with PTSD -- were there to learn more about the experiences of those who have suffered from the condition.

The three speakers were Dr. Jessica Goodell, a psychology intern at the clinic, Marine Corps veteran, and author of "Shade It Black: Death and After Iraq"; Nicholas Stefanovic, from the Rochester Treatment Court and Marine Corp veteran; and, Earl Granville, former Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman and veteran of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia.

Granville, in photos, told his own stories and the stories of others about the journey from trauma to finding a new purpose in helping others.

This is an annual event open to all members of the community.

David S. Hazzard is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on March 1 in the Town of Le Roy that Hazzard drove a 1999 Toyota on Interstate 90 while in an intoxicated condition. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, another Class E felony, for driving when he knew or had reason to know that his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities, and that at the time he was under the influence of alcohol or a drug in violation of the law. In count three, the defendant is accused of the crime of circumvention of an ignition interlock device, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that when he drove on March 1, he was subject to a court-ordered ignition interlock device when operating a motor vehicle, and the Toyota he drove was not equipped with one.

Press release:

The Batavia Concert Band will be returning for its 92^nd season of public concerts in Batavia’s Centennial Park. Concerts will be held on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 9, as well as the ever-popular July 4^th Picnic in the Park sponsored by GO ART!

The July 12^th concert in Centennial Park will feature soloist Dan Kliczar and is part of our new Pam Frisby Concert Series. The July 26^th concert will feature ethnic music, sponsored by GO ART!’s “Genesee Orleans Culture Connects” project. The Aug.  2^nd concert features a collaboration with Shake on the Lake.

The Batavia Concert Band’s repertoire has something for everyone; marches, Big Band and swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in between.

The Band consists of 45-55 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure -- all love to play!

This year’s conductor will be John Bailey, instrumental music director at Lyndonville Central School. The July 4^th Picnic in the Park and July 5^th concerts will be conducted by Joshua Pacino.

Founded in the early 1920s, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except World War II. Concerts are currently supported and funded in part by GO ART!, local businesses, program advertisers, and individual patrons. The City of Batavia supplies chairs for musicians.

The Band also sponsors 50-50 raffles at every concert, bake sales, and other fundraisers. Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the Band should contact a Board member at any concert.

Downbeat for regular season concerts is 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in Centennial Park, Batavia. (* In the event of rain, concerts will move to Genesee Community College’s Stuart Steiner Theatre. Notices will be posted at the NW corner of Centennial Park, announced on WBTA radio AM1490, posted on http://TheBatavian.com, the Batavia Daily News website, http://www.thedailynewsonline.com), on the Batavia Concert Band’s website http://bataviaconcertband.net, and the Band’s Facebook page.)

All concerts are fully funded by local businesses and sponsors and are open to music lovers of all ages.  Light refreshments are available.  Bring your family and friends, lawn chairs or a blanket, and enjoy.  We’ll meet you in the park!

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

Three people have been charged following investigations by the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Christina Hietala-Johnson, 35, formerly of Batavia, now residing on Alphonse Street in Rochester, has been charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. The charges stem from falsified SNAP(Food Stamp) applications submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Hietala-Johnson in March and August of 2016. She is accused of receiving $2,245 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Hietala-Johnson was issued an appearance ticket by Investigator Chad Minuto of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 22.

Martin Jones, 46, of State Street, Batavia, has been charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The charges stem from falsified medical statements submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Jones in February. He was arrested by Deputy Cory Mower of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and was arraigned by Batavia Town Justice Michael Cleveland who ordered him held without bail. He is scheduled to reappear in Town Court on June 26.

Edwin Stancliff, 38, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, has been charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Stancliff’s charges stem from a recertification form he submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services in April 2016 on which he failed to report he was receiving income from NYS disability. Stancliff is accused of receiving SNAP and Temporary Assistance benefits totaling $1,933.21 to which he was not entitled. Stancliff was issued an appearance ticket by Deputy Krzemien of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 19.

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