Livingston County, N.Y., had one of the most interesting primary contests in 2012 as two candidates vied for the GOP nomination into the general election. Coverage of this race started with my colleagues at a larger daily paper, but when this story broke wide open our news team opted to assign coverage to me; although I typically ran on a weekly news cycle, my office was geographically closer and given the speed at which this story progressed my proximity proved critical in staying with this story.
Eric Schiener responds to questions from reporters following Wednesday’s hearing in Rochester, where 7th District Supreme Court Judge John Ark ruled that Schiener will remain tied with opponent Steve Sessler.
This is a multipart series that ran over a period of several weeks. Please use the page navigation below.
I was invited to the deployment ceremony of a military unit from the area. The challenge once I arrived was finding the local voices within the communities I serve. That piece could have turned out better, but overall I was pleased with the outcome.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul speaks with Staff Sgt. Steven Cleveland and his wife, Sherry, both of Clarence.
By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express | Feb. 2, 2012 | Original source
Seventy-five soldiers, their friends and family joined Saturday afternoon in a departure ceremony at the New York State Armory in Geneseo. New York Army National Guard’s Company A, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment.
The group is part of a the full company that heads first to a two-month training in Mississippi before continuing to Kuwait for a one-year tour of duty.
Command Sgt. Maj. David Oliver noted the history of Company A, responding to protect government installations after 9/11 and leading military efforts in New York City in 2004 and 2005, Arizona in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2007. Continue reading Big sendoff: National Guard unit deploys to Kuwait→
The small rural community of Dansville was selected as the kick-off site for a series of public hearings over New York’s plan to open the state for hydraulic fracturing.
Local pediatrician Dr. Gayle Mosher addresses the media during a press conference of the anti-hydro-fracking group Frack Free Genesee and environmental activists prior to the DEC hearings last week in Dansville.
By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express | Nov. 23, 2011 | Original source
There’s not much middle ground when it comes to New Yorkers’ views on the possibility of large-scale hydraulic fracturing entering the state, as evidenced in Dansville by people who lined up last Wednesday to comment at the first of four hearings across the state hosted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Some 1,550 people attended the two hearings at Dansville’s former middle school; less than one-10th of those spoke at the microphone during three hours in the afternoon and another four hours in the evening.
At question were more than 1,500 pages of regulations drafted by DEC officials to govern hydo-fracturing, a process of drilling into the Marcellus shale, detonating an explosion and using millions of gallons of water mixed with thousands more gallons of various chemicals in an effort to release natural gas trapped within the shale. Continue reading Divergent views clash at Dansville fracking hearings→
Keshequa’s girls soccer were among the best sports teams I covered in New York state. For two straight years, I followed them to the state playoffs and watched an undefeated team fall in the state bracket rounds. Both years, I was the lone reporter and photographer from my media organization. This content was picked up in the weekly newspaper I managed and two affiliated daily papers.
Coach Pete Goho consoles emotional captain and senior Gabby DiAngelo after the team’s only loss of the season ended Keshequa’s hopes of a state title. In a 3-2 semifinal loss against Friends Academy, the Indians allowed as many goals as they did in the previous 21 games.
By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express | Nov. 23, 2011 | Original source
Keshequa girls soccer’s 21-game, season-long, winning streak came to an end in Saturday morning’s Class C state semifinals at SUNY Cortland as Friends Academy advanced with a 3-2 win.
Both Keshequa goals came in the first half, with captain and senior Gabrielle DiAngelo first finding the net in the sixth minute. Nine minutes later, the Quakers’ Heather Maierle tied it up. With seven minutes left in the first half, Keshequa found themselves down by one for the first time all season when Alexis Toles scored on an assist from Maierle. But the Indians reacted quickly and tied it up 2-2 three minutes before intermission with a goal by sophomore Haley Russell. Continue reading Lady Indians fall in NYS semifinals→
Features are a key element for small weeklies. Here, I covered a routine summer recreation program.
Taylor Martin puts a spin on the ball in foursquare, eliminating Tessa Gardinier from play. Also pictured are Payton Powers (right) and Ashley Gillen (left).
By Les Bowen for Genesee Country Express | July 28, 2011 | Original source
Each weekday morning this summer, as many as 125 school-age children meet at Nunda’s Kiwanis Park. For three hours, they enjoy a range of crafts, organized sports and games.
The published schedule, available at Nunda town and village offices, lists each day’s organized activity. On Monday, when the Express stopped by the pavilion at Kiwanis Park, more than a dozen participants were creating caterpillars and other bugs using cut up egg cartons and chenille stems — commonly referred to as pipe cleaners. Continue reading Recreation program brings Nunda kids together→
