Monday News Brief

VIKING VALHALLA CLOSES AFTER 72 YEARS IN BERGEN

After more than seven decades serving the community, Viking Valhalla Restaurant at the Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen has closed its doors.
Owners Tom and Chris Sardou announced Friday that the decision was both difficult and heartbreaking, saying the business had always been about more than bowling, volleyball, food and drinks — it was about the people.
The business traces its roots back to 1954, when Doc and Mary Sardou purchased the Rose Garden Restaurant. A bowling alley was added three years later, and the business became Viking Valhalla in 1966. After Doc’s death, Mary continued operating the business, becoming one of the area’s few female business owners.
Tom Sardou took over as a teenager and spent decades adapting the business through changing times. In 2024, Viking Valhalla was honored with a place on the New York Historic Business Preservation Registry, recognizing its lasting impact on the Bergen community.

 

FORMER BATAVIA DPW DIRECTOR SEEKS REINSTATEMENT

Former Batavia Department of Public Works Director Tom Phelps is asking City Council for the chance to make his case for reinstatement after being placed on administrative leave and later leaving the city under a separation agreement.
Phelps, who was promoted to DPW director in October of last year, says he wants the opportunity to respond directly to council members, defend his actions, and answer questions before any final judgment is made. He says he was never placed on a performance improvement plan or formally disciplined during his time with the city.
Phelps’ separation agreement includes health insurance through November and a severance package of just over $30,000, along with a provision limiting what he can publicly say about the city. He says his goal is to return to work and help promote transparency, accountability, and responsible governance, adding that city government should focus on serving residents rather than personal conflicts.

 

 

 

LE ROY CELEBRATES AMERICA 250 WITH BETSY ROSS FLAGS

As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Village of Le Roy has lined its streets with Betsy Ross flags.
The project was spearheaded by Village Historian Lynne Belluscio with help from the Botts-Fiorito American Legion Auxiliary. The six-by-10-foot flags are flying at businesses and public buildings throughout the village, including Village Hall, the Post Office, Tompkins Bank, and Le Roy Junior-Senior High School.
Belluscio says the display became a true community project, with many local businesses eager to participate. The flags will remain on display throughout the summer as a tribute to the nation’s founding and the ongoing America 250 celebration.

 

 

GCEDC TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING ON $19.5 BILLION DATA CENTER

The Genesee County Economic Development Center is preparing to hold a special meeting to consider environmental approval for STREAM U.S. Data Centers’ proposed $19.5 billion project at the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama.
GCEDC officials say months of environmental review have been completed, and the board is now ready to consider findings required under the State Environmental Quality Review process. A meeting date is expected to be announced within the next one to two weeks.
The proposed project continues to draw both support and opposition. Opponents attended Thursday’s board meeting, while the Town of Alabama Planning Board has postponed action on the project until at least its August meeting. The town cannot act on the site plan until the GCEDC completes the SEQR process.

 

BALOGUN CLEARED TO PLAY AS U.S. PREPARES FOR BELGIUM

The United States will have leading scorer Folarin Balogun available for tonight’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA overturned his automatic one-game suspension.
Balogun had been shown a red card in the Americans’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA reversed the suspension following a review, allowing the striker to return to the lineup. President Donald Trump praised the decision after reportedly urging FIFA to reconsider the call.
Belgium’s soccer federation criticized the ruling, calling it unprecedented and raising concerns about the integrity of the tournament.
Balogun has scored three goals during the World Cup and will be back in the lineup as the United States looks to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

 

 

 

 

TRUMP MARKS AMERICA’S 250TH WITH PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION

President Donald Trump celebrated America’s 250th birthday Saturday with a patriotic address on the National Mall, honoring veterans and highlighting historic American flags from key moments in the nation’s history.
Storms delayed the event by nearly two hours, but the celebration resumed with music, military flyovers, and tributes to service members, including World War II veterans and one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat during the Vietnam War.
Trump also touched on several political priorities, including election security, Second Amendment rights, and opposition to communism, blending patriotic themes with policy issues in a speech that differed from the more traditional unifying Independence Day addresses delivered by past presidents.
Despite extreme heat and storms affecting celebrations across the East Coast, thousands gathered in Washington to commemorate the nation’s milestone anniversary.

 

 

 

MUCKDOGS TAKE TWO OF THREE OVER WEEKEND

The Batavia Muckdogs put together another strong weekend, winning two of three games. The Muckdogs opened the weekend Friday night with a 10-4 victory over the Elmira Pioneers at Dwyer Stadium, then traveled to Niagara Falls on Saturday and edged the Americans 2-1.
Batavia wrapped up the weekend Sunday with a 9-1 loss to the Buffalo Diesel in an exhibition contest that did not count in the league standings.
The Muckdogs will return to action Tuesday night when they host the Geneva Red Wings at Dwyer Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. as Batavia looks to continue its strong season.