Wednesday News Brief

New Owner Outlines First Timeline for Ellicott Station Completion

For the first time, the new owner of Ellicott Station is publicly laying out what comes next for the long-stalled Batavia apartment project.
Jason Sackett, president of PathStone Development Corporation, says the 55-unit affordable housing complex is expected to be completed and fully occupied within 12 to 15 months — putting full occupancy sometime in 2027.
PathStone and developer Sam Savarino confirmed this week that a sale agreement has now been signed. Sackett says PathStone already manages a large affordable housing portfolio and plans to begin marketing and applicant selection in the coming months.
He says PathStone’s presence in Batavia and Genesee County will help the organization work closely with residents, neighbors, and public partners as the project moves toward completion.
Savarino says PathStone was chosen because of its strong reputation in affordable housing and will officially take over operations once construction is finished.
The residential portion is still on track for completion by May 1, while work on the separate commercial part of the Ellicott Street project is expected to resume later this year.

RTS Hub Moving in Batavia Starting April 6

Dial-A-Ride and RTS service in Genesee County will soon have a new central hub.
Beginning April 6, the main transfer point will move from Batavia City Centre to the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Alva Place, near Washington Towers — about 700 feet from its current location.
RTS officials say the hub is where riders can transfer between routes, making it a key part of the system.
The agency is also exploring a future operations center, with the former Rite Aid site on East Main Street among the locations being considered, though that process is still in its early stages.
RTS continues to operate multiple routes across Genesee County, along with Dial-A-Ride and on-demand services.

Report Details Impairment Signs in Tiger Woods Crash

Tiger Woods showed multiple signs of impairment following his car crash last week in Florida, according to a newly released sheriff’s report.
Deputies say Woods appeared sluggish, sweaty and had glassy, bloodshot eyes when they spoke with him at the scene. He told officers he had taken prescription medication earlier in the morning, and hydrocodone pills were later found in his pocket.
Investigators say Woods admitted he was distracted behind the wheel — looking at his phone and adjusting the radio — when his vehicle struck a truck and rolled onto its side on a residential road.
No serious injuries were reported, but the other vehicle sustained several thousand dollars in damage.
After conducting field sobriety tests, deputies determined Woods was impaired and unable to safely drive. A breath test showed no alcohol in his system, but he declined additional testing.
Woods now faces DUI-related charges and is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Public Pushback, No Decision Yet on STAMP Data Center Proposal

Opposition remains strong as plans for a massive data center project in the Town of Alabama continue to move through review.
Residents packed a recent Planning Board meeting, many voicing concerns about the proposed $19 billion STREAM Data Centers project at the STAMP site, which would include three massive data buildings across roughly 90 acres.
The meeting got off to a tense start with interruptions from attendees demanding more transparency, particularly about who would occupy the facility and the long-term impact on the community.
Despite the pushback, no formal decisions were made. Engineers and board members instead focused on technical details, including water usage, noise levels, emergency response access, and infrastructure needs.
Officials say the project would use a closed-loop cooling system with limited water demand and include multiple safety measures, though reviews — including noise studies — are still ongoing.
A public hearing is now set for April 20, where residents will have another opportunity to weigh in before the Planning Board takes further action.

“Night at the Museum” Returns Wednesday in Batavia

The Holland Land Office Museum is inviting families out tonight for a special evening event in Batavia.
“Night at the Museum” runs tonight from 5 to 8 p.m., with extended hours and a focus on kids and local history.
Museum Curator Rachel Bellis will be in full historical costume, leading story time for children and sharing what life was like in early Genesee County.
Visitors can also explore the museum after hours and check out exhibits in a different setting than usual.
The event is held at the Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street and is part of a monthly series held on the first Wednesday of each month.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Colorado Conversion Therapy Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against Colorado’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for minors, siding with a counselor who argued the law violates free speech rights.
In an 8-1 decision, the court said the law may improperly restrict speech based on viewpoint and sent the case back to a lower court for further review.
Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch said the First Amendment protects against government limits on certain types of speech, including in counseling settings.
The ruling could have broader impact, as more than 20 states have similar bans in place that may now face legal challenges.
Supporters of the law argue the practice is harmful and widely discredited by medical experts, while opponents say the bans limit what counselors can discuss with patients.
A lone dissent warned the decision could weaken states’ ability to regulate healthcare moving forward.

Sabres Hit Milestones with 4-3 Win Over Islanders

The Buffalo Sabres delivered when it mattered Tuesday night, earning a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center — securing the 2,000th win in franchise history and reaching 100 points for the first time since 2010.
Buffalo controlled much of the early play, with Jack Quinn opening the scoring on the power play, but the Islanders battled back to tie things up heading into the third.
That’s where the Sabres responded. Tage Thompson gave Buffalo the lead, and after New York answered again, Peyton Krebs delivered the go-ahead goal late in the period off a feed from Alex Tuch. Bowen Byram sealed it with an empty-netter.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen came up with key saves, including a penalty shot stop, while Josh Norris added two assists.
Buffalo continues its strong push down the stretch, adding another milestone win to an already impressive season.