A one-vehicle accident is reported in the area of 8557 Lewiston Road, Batavia.
Unknown injuries.
Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: No injuries. Town assignment back in service.
Alexis Say, 22, has been missing in Miami since Monday when she was last seen at an area emergency room.
Say lived in Indian Falls when she was 10, but mother, Jennifer, and daughter have lived in other parts of the country in the intervening years for work before moving to Miami.
When Alexis went missing, her mother, who has moved back to Indian Falls, tried to file a missing persons report in Miami and ran into some difficulty, so she turned to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Chad Cummings took the report, according to Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble. Cummings then placed several phone calls to the Miami PD before finally successfully getting an investigation opened there.
Alexis Say is reportedly in poor health.
Perhaps you know people in the Miami area or have other information that may assist in the investigation. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (585) 343-5000.
A one-vehicle, minor injury rollover accident is reported in the area of 1940 Hickox Road, Alexander.
Alexander fire and ambulance responding.
A 18-year-old Oak Street resident has been arrested and accused of posting explicit pictures of a person under 17 years of age to social media.
Davon S. St. John, of 72 Oak St., Batavia, is charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, promoting sexual performance of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual misconduct.
Police allege that St. John posted the pictures on one of his social media accounts and then promoted them on another social media account.
He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.
Press release:
Children who reside in the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District and who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2017 are eligible to be registered for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2017-2018 school year. Registration packets have been mailed.
If you do not receive a packet by Feb. 3, 2017, please call the elementary office at 585-948-5211, ext. 3211, or email kfisher2@oahornets.org to request one.
The Alfred C. O'Connell Library at Genesee Community College recently recognized and honored several published faculty and staff members of the College with its own local version of the popular READ posters, which are seen in libraries across the country and feature celebrities such as Seth Meyers, Rachel Maddow, Kelly Ripa and others. The library hosted a reception on Jan. 26 to celebrate GCC authors who participated in the library's second READ Poster Project, unveiling custom posters that will be prominently displayed on shelving units in the library's circulating book collection area.
This year's GCC authors honored were Maryanne Arena, Marie Iglesias-Cardinale, JoNelle Toriseva, Joe Ziolkowski and Christopher Montpetit.
Maryanne Arena is the director of Fine and Performing Arts at the College and is an assistant professor of Theatre Arts. She teaches theatre classes and supervises theatre practicums. She has contributed to the book, "What is Theatre?"
Marie Iglesias-Cardinale is a professor of English and is currently teaching several writing and literature courses. She has several published works, including the poem, "My Turn," which was published in the Afro-Hispanic Review; "To Crown a King," in Comstock Reviewand "Many Goodbyes," in Poetry Magazine.
JoNelle Toriseva is the director of English, Communications and Media Arts and is an assistant professor of English. She teaches writing and English courses and has published the books "Rodeo Day" and "Becoming Ballet," and has had many poems published in literary magazines throughout the country.
Joe Ziolkowski is an assistant professor of Photography and Art and author of books, "Walking the Line" and "Pressure."
Christopher Montpetit, who participated virtually, is the theatre/production manager at the University of Toledo, Department of Theatre and Film. He teaches online courses for GCC and is the author of the book, "What is Theatre?"
GCC reference services librarian and assistant professor Cynthia Hagelberger and systems and electronic services librarian and associate professor Michelle Eichelberger put out the call to all published faculty and staff authors in the college community last fall and welcomed the responding participants. The posters will be on display in the library so that the college community, including potential students touring the college, can see a visual celebration of GCC faculty and staff scholarship. The library is planning on continuing the READ Poster Project in the coming years and all published GCC faculty and staff authors are welcome to participate.
The project was initially funded by GCC's Academic Innovations Committee and the poster making software and supplies were funded by an Academic Innovations grant.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) proposed a measure on the Assembly floor on Monday that would require a two-thirds vote of the house for Messages of Necessity to be accepted when issued by the governor. Legislation is usually subject to an “aging” period of three days before it can be voted on, but Messages of Necessity are issued by the governor to forgo this process and rush a vote on important and/or controversial legislation, as was done with the SAFE Act.
“Messages of Necessity should only be used in extreme circumstances, and all legislation should be subject to proper vetting and examination instead of being irresponsibly rushed through the legislative process,” Hawley said. ”This tactic is often used to pass legislation before the public and media have time to criticize it, and that is cowardly. I am disappointed this proposal was voted down by the Assembly Majority but I will continue to beat the drum for ethics reform in Albany.”
The Assembly also took the next step toward stripping pension and retirement benefits from corrupt lawmakers today by passing a constitutional amendment which has been championed by the Assembly Minority for years.
“I was pleased that the Assembly passed our pension forfeiture bill today and took an important step toward breaking down Albany’s culture of corruption and malfeasance,” Hawley said. “Corrupt lawmakers should never be allowed to collect a taxpayer-funded pension after betraying the public trust, and I am proud to have voted for this measure.”
If the bill passes the Senate this year, it must be approved by voters as a statewide referendum before becoming law.
Press release:
With a schedule that includes children's theater, works of art, music and dance performances and scholarly exhibitions, the spring arts and cultural events schedule at Genesee Community College is sure to offer something for everyone! Make plans now to enjoy the many fun and entertaining events that GCC is hosting in the coming months!
"An Evening with Sonny Mayo" kicks off the spring schedule at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. Hear some of the music from "Chasing the Chord," the latest CD from GCC Professor of Speech and Theatre Arts Frank Mayo, who has a long history of playing folk, blues and Americana music that is rich with vivid sound and lyrics. All proceeds benefit GCC's History Club. General tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased by calling (585) 343-0055, ext. 6288, or by email: ddmaxfield@genesee.edu. Tickets at the door are $12.
The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will enchant audiences of all ages with Brahms and Marquez at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 12. Guest soloist Brian Preston will be joining the performance on piano. Purchasing advance tickets is strongly advised and can be done by visiting one of several Batavia business locations including: Vinyl Record Revival, YNGODESS, GO ART! or the Bank of Castile in Le Roy. Adult tickets are $15, seniors (62 and older) $10, students (age 18 or under) $7 and a group family ticket is $35.
At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31, Stone Row returns! Experience Celtic and world music in a seamless fusion of traditional folk and contemporary genres. This will be the last Stone Row performance as the group plans to pursue separate enterprises after this final concert. The GCC audience can meet and greet the band after the show and wish them well in their new endeavors.
The GCC Forum Players will hold a fundraiser beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 called "A Night of Dance." The performance is being choreographed by GCC adjunct instructor Tara Pocock, and stars Anastasia's Spotlight dancers. Proceeds from the event will benefit the GCC Forum Players.
The Stuart Steiner Theatre will be transformed into the deep jungle, allowing audiences to follow three cheeky monkeys, Seeno, Hearno and Sayno, on their journey to wisdom as they swing through the trees without a care, learning to survive as people encroach upon their idyllic world. "Three Wise Monkeys" is presented by the Forum Players Children's Theatre Ensemble and is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28. Audiences of all ages will enjoy watching Seeno, Hearno and Sayno in their quest to find their lost baby monkey, Dono, and return him to his rightful place -- while eating bananas, of course!
Tickets for most shows are $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on adult ticket. To reserve seats contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.
In addition to GCC's lineup of performing art events occurring in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, the sixth annual Arts Fest will take place in the GCC Batavia campus forum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23. Experience art through participation with numerous workshops demonstrating creativity in drawing, painting, weaving, henna tattoos, origami, printmaking and much more! The event is free and open to the public and all are welcome to attend!
The second annual Scholars' Symposium celebrates the accomplishments of GCC students and faculty, on Thursday, March 30. Sponsored by the Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA), the event will include students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends sharing and demonstrating scholarly achievements in all disciplines through presentations, poster exhibits and performances. Fulbright Scholar John Covach, a writer, distinguished professor and chair of the College Department of Music at the Eastman School of Music/University of Rochester, will serve as the keynote speaker. He has published dozens of articles and co-edited numerous books about music, and is an active musician, including being the guitarist with the progressive rock band Land of Chocolate.
At the Roz Steiner Art Gallery, Stacey Robinson's "Binary ConScience" is currently on display through Thursday, Feb. 16. Robinson examines Black culture from the past to speculative future by illustrating the conflicts of integration, miseducation, unresolved slavery and unresolved emancipation. The other spring exhibitions in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery include the GCC Student Fine Art Exhibit from March 1-31, with the artists' receptions on Thursday, March 2 at 12:30 p.m. and also at 5 p.m., and the GCC Student Digital Art Exhibit from April 24 through May 21, with artists' receptions on Thursday, April 27 at 12:30 p.m. and again at 5 p.m.
Press release:
Genesee County 4-H member Emily Boldt has been selected to represent the New York State 4-H Program as a youth delegate at the 2017 National 4-H Conference.
The National 4-H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4-H Citizenship, providing an opportunity for young people to connect, engage, lead and learn how to impact their communities, their nation and their world.
The 2017 National 4-H Conference will be held March 25-30 in Chevy Chase, Md. Youth delegates from across the United States will explore current issues affecting youth, the role 4-H can play in addressing those issues, and tell federal decision makers if their current efforts are effective.
Emily is a junior at Pavilion High School. She has been actively involved in the Genesee County 4-H Program for the past seven years and has taken on leadership roles within several areas. Emily is the current president of the Genesee County 4-H Rustic Riders Horse Club and also attended the 2016 4-H Career Explorations Conference at Cornell University.
Enjoy a peek inside the Alexander Museum located in the only three-story cobblestone town hall in America. The museum's large open space is filled with a wide-ranging collection - from farmers' tools to old record players, there's a lot to explore here.
To visit, contact Historian Katie Goodman at 585-591-1204 or by email to schedule a tour.
Alexander Museum, 3350 Church St., Alexander, NY; 585-591-1204.
Visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com to learn more about Genesee County's unique attractions.
There are as many as 897 people in Genesee County leaving as much as $8,150 on the table each year simply because they're not completing the right IRS or state forms when they file their tax returns.
The money is what's called an Earned Income Tax Credit and the program is one many economists believe has helped lift millions of people over the past couple of decades out of poverty.
The EITC rewards work and economists say that is the right incentive to get people who can work into jobs that set them on a path toward better lives.
"One of the problems with redistribution of incomes is getting the money to the right people," said Michael Wolkoff, associate chair in the Department of Economics at the University of Rochester. "You want to do it in a way that encourages people to work if you can. ... The problem with general welfare is that it takes some people who can work and provides them with an incentive not to work and that's not what you want to do with welfare policy in general."
The first EITC was enacted in 1975 and the program was revised and expanded in both the Reagan and Clinton administrations.
The program provides a lump-sum payment to qualifying people based on their income from work, even if self-employed, and the formula is designed to encourage poor people to earn more money, growing their income enough so eventually they earn enough and are no longer eligible for the EITC.
As Wolkoff explained, it turns the value of a job that pays $10 an hour into one that might be worth $12 an hour for the wage earner.
If there's one flaw with the program, Wolkoff suggested, it might be the nature of the lump-sum payment, which isn't an immediate payoff for the actual extra work at the time of the work, and social science tends to show that incentives work best when rewards are given in proximity to the goal behavior.
To the degree that's an issue is hard to determine, but a program that allocated money over the course of the work year would be much more expensive to administer, Wolkoff said.
Even so, numerous studies over the years show that program is successful in making lives better for millions of people across the nation:
The ability of people earning more money after participating in the program is a result of those people gaining work experience, new skills and on-the-job training, Wolkoff noted.
The program is designed to provide the greatest benefit to workers with children. For example, a single adult won't receive more than $506 from the federal government, but a family with three or more qualifying children will receive $6,269. The worker with no children can get another $152 from the state and for the family with three children, the state kicks in another $1,881.
Those amounts are also scaled by the individual's amount of earned income each year.
In New York, nearly 1.9 million people received the state's EITC last year, for a total payout of state and federal credits of $5.4 million.
In Genesee County, the IRS reports there were 4,350 people receiving state and federal credit. That led to an additional $11.4 million flowing into the local economy. The average payout for qualifying Genesee County residents was $2,675 in state and federal credits.
But then there are still those 897 local residents who qualify for the credit but didn't apply last year, according to IRS. For New York as a whole, there are 383,000 residents who didn't apply.
The state put out a press release on Friday to help raise awareness of the program because the program is such a proven success for lower-income people willing and able to work.
"I think looking at that last column of figures (the 383,000 not getting the credit), there are hundreds of thousands of people across the state who are not claiming that credit and that's reason enough for us to do all we can do to boost awareness," said James Gazzale, a spokesman for NYS Taxation and Finance. "This is cash that counts for families so they can go out and pay bills, put food on the table, pay for school supplies, pay for all the necessities we sometimes take for granted. All of these families that are eligible and not claiming it, it can be a big boost for them."
For more information
• Federal Earned Income Tax Credit
• New York State Earned Income Tax Credit
• Recordkeeping suggestions for self-employed persons
• Contact a NYS Tax Department representative at (518) 457-5181
It's been five years since a site of a toxic chemical spill in Le Roy -- known as the Lehigh Train Derailment Site -- made the news as part of a media frenzy around reports of students at the high school developing strange, unexplained tics, but cleanup work has been ongoing since, according to a spokesman for the EPA.
In fact, good progress has been made and the end may be in sight for remediation, according to Michael Basile, who represents the Environmental Protection Agency in Buffalo.
There's no firm timeline for completion of the work, but there have been two significant recent developments, he said.
First, last year some 300 pounds of trichloroethene (TCE) contaminated soil was removed from the area, he said. That removal effort is ongoing and will continue until testing shows TCE has been removed from the area. (CORRECTION: This should have read 300 pounds of TCE removed from the soil).
Second, a draft document on remediation options for contaminated groundwater has been completed and the EPA will pick a plan from those options for remediation sometime this year.
The TCE spill was the result of a train crash at the site on Gulf Road in the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 1970. Approximately 2,000 pounds of cyanide crystals and 30,000 to 35,000 gallons of TCE were spilled. The cyanide was removed, but at the time Lehigh apparently didn't have an easy way to remove the TCE. Instead, it tried saturating the area with one million gallons of water. This only drove the TCE deeper into the ground and contaminated about 50 water wells.
The site became a footnote in local history until 2012 when a group of mostly girls at Le Roy High School were reported to have developed odd tics and uncontrolled movements. As families and members of the community searched for answers, the spill site became a target for investigation.
Famed environmental crusader Erin Brockovich was contacted, and though she never personally came to Le Roy, she sent out a team of scientists led by Robert Bowcock.
The entire event had reached a fevered pitch in the national media by that point, with news crews from nearly ever major news outlet in the country arriving in Le Roy, as well as crews from as far away as Japan.
A trip to the site on the day Bowcock arrived in town revealed a cleanup area that appeared to be largely neglected. More than 300 rusted barrels of material were being stored there, further feeding concerns about the state of contamination.
However, Bowcock's own tests and his examination the topography of the region, led the Los Angeles-based environmental scientist to conclude that contamination from the site did not and could not reach the location of the high school and there was no known connection for all those suffering from the tics to the railroad property contamination.
The ongoing concern about its status, however, brought about a visit to the site by Congresswoman Kathy Hochul. Sen. Charles Schumer also got involved.
The EPA soon closed the location to media access and brought in crews to remove the barrels, which the EPA said were filled with rock, sand and dirt and did not likely contain contaminated soil. Later testing, the EPA announced at the time, detected a trace amount of TCE in some barrels.
In the five years since the events, there have been no new reports of strange tics among young people in Le Roy and there have been reports that the dozen or so people originally treated at the Dent Neurological Institute are all improved, confirming the earlier diagnoses of a mass psychogenic illness.
The EPA continues to monitor the site closely, Basile said. This includes maintaining soil vapor monitors in homes near where the spill occurred. Next month, he said, it will be time for inspectors to visit those monitors and change their filters. That monitoring is expected to continue indefinitely.
Photo: File photo from 2012.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) released the following statement addressing President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities here in Western New York,” Congressman Collins said. “Temporarily suspending the admittance of refugees and individuals from high-risk countries until we can guarantee they are properly vetted is a common-sense measure focused on protecting Americans. President Trump promised to make America safe again and his executive order aims to ensure we know who is entering our country.”
The @ct Genesee Coalition will host a community panel that will focus on at-risk trends that negatively affect young people.
The "Don't Stay in the Dark This Groundhog Day" forum is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 2) at the Batavia High School library on State Street.
Representatives from the Genesee County Health Department, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Batavia High School, Batavia City Police Department and United Memorial Medical Center - Emergency Department will speak.
The public is welcome, free of charge.
About 40 minutes ago a vehicle was reported off the road along Phelps Road in Pembroke.
There were two adults and three children in the vehicle, no injuries
A pole was taken down and the pole damaged a nearby building.
Pembroke, Indian Falls, Mercy EMS, and Sheriff's deputies responded.
UPDATE Monday: The driver is identified as Ashley C. Crance, 29, of Searls Road, Byron. The driver reported being fatigued and didn't remember what happened. It appears the driver failed to negotiate a curve in Phelps Road, causing the vehicle to continue westbound off the roadway where it struck a utility pole and continued down an embankment where it overturned. A section of pole struck a nearby building, damaging the building. The accident was investigated by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.
Reader submitted photos.
Craig Johnson, middle, with Tom Wood, 1st assistant chief, and Tim Hogle, chief, was named Firefighter of the Year on Saturday night at the Le Roy Fire Department's annual awards dinner and installation banquet. Johnson, the son of a 40-year veteran of the department, was also promoted to 2nd assistant chief.
The Le Roy officers for 2017 are listed below.
Firematic Officers: Chief -- Tim Hogle; 1st Asst. Chief -- Tom Wood; 2nd Asst. Chief -- Craig Johnson; Captain -- Mike Green; Captain -- Christina Marinaccio; Lieutenant -- A.J. DeFelice; Training Officer -- Craig Johnson; Safety Officer -- Joe Orlando.
Business: President -- Mike Green; Vice President -- A.J. DeFelice; Director -- Pete Loftus; Director -- Beth Domm; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- A.J. DeFelice.
Commissioners: Chairman -- Jerry Diskin; Commissioner -- Bill Wood; Commissioner -- Wayne Dressler; Commissioner -- John Johnson; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer --Stephanie Call.
Oatka Hose: President -- Dale Ehrhart; Directors -- Dave Ehrhart Sr., Frank Davis, Jim Spears Jr., Dave Ehrhart Jr., Ken Davis; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- Gerry Diskin.
Excelsior: President -- John Johnson; Vice President -- Rick Bater; Director -- Adam Stogsdale; Director -- Stephanie McVicker; Director -- Wendy Johnson; Director -- Mike Sheflin; Director -- Judy Purdy; Secretary -- Mike Miller; Treasurer -- Christina Marinaccio.
Chemicals: President -- Brandon Connolly; Vice President -- Melissa Surridge; Directors -- Dan Kemp, John Joy, Wayne Dressler, Terry Kanaley, Brandon Connolly; Secretary -- Wayne Dressler; Treasurer -- John Joy.
Benevolent: President -- Gerry Diskin; Vice President -- Ken Davis; Director -- Dave Ehrhart Sr.; Director -- Bill Sealey; Director -- John Johnson; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- Jim Spear.
Fire Police: Captain -- Ken Davis; 1st Lieutenant -- Wendy Johnson; 2nd Lieutenant -- Dave Ehrhart Sr.
Auxiliary: President -- Christie Miller-Main; Vice President -- Elise Bater; Secretary -- LeeAnne Miller; Treasurer -- Wendy Johnson.
Kevin McCrary, left, received a chief's accommodation award.
Tom Wood, center, received the Chief's Accommodation Award.
Jerry Diskin and Ken Davis were honored for their 50 years of service to the department.
To purchase prints, click here.
Police are investing loud noise reports on Highland Park, Batavia.
About 20 minutes ago a police officer was dispatched to investigate a report of a gunshot, but there has been no confirmation of gunshot in the investigation so far.
A few minutes ago, a police officer was heading to the other end of the street to investigate what is believed to be fireworks going off.
Again, at this point, there is no evidence found of a gunshot in the area.
The best way to make it to 100 years old, according to Rose Disalvo, "keep busy, busy, busy. That's the best thing."
Disalvo is 100 and 1 day old today and family and friends gathered at the South Street Senior Care residence in Le Roy where she lives for a birthday party today.
Disalvo was born in Batavia in 1917 when her parents lived on Hutchins Street and her father worked at Massey Harris. She held a number of jobs over the years, including stints at the NYS School for the Blind and the VA Hospital. She has a daughter, a granddaughter and grandson, and two great-granddaughters.
Among her favorite things these days are taking walks -- "I've always walked," she said -- and playing school with her granddaughters (they read to each other on visits).
Asked what she is most proud of, she said, "My family comes first, always, always."
Cindy Saeva, who runs the home, said Rose is a remarkable person.
"She provides a smile to everyone she meets," Saeva said.
Rose with her daughter Linda Koelling and granddaughter Angela Bellamca.
Rose with Cindy Saeva.
K-9 Destro was right at the front door to greet me when I arrived today at the annual Winterfest in Corfu today, held for the first time at the Pembroke Middle School.
A lake effect snow warning has been issued for the region starting now until 4 a.m.
The previous winter storm advisory has been lifted.
Up to two inches of snow are expected to hit the area between now and this evening, with five to nine inches falling tonight.
Winds will be from 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
Visibility could drop to a quarter mile at times in some places.
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