Monday News Brief

BATAVIA COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY PHELPS MATTER BELONGS OUT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

Four members of the Batavia City Council are pushing back against calls to publicly discuss the firing of former Public Works Director Tom Phelps.
In a joint statement released Friday, Councilmembers Paul Viele, Derek Geib, Al McGinnis and Kathy Briggs said personnel matters are confidential and should not be debated in a public City Council meeting. The group said the city offered Phelps a separation agreement to help ease his transition, despite having no legal obligation to do so, and believes any further dispute should be handled through the legal process rather than through the media or public meetings.
The statement comes after Councilman Nick Lord requested that Phelps be added to Monday night’s City Council agenda, saying residents and city employees wanted him to have the opportunity to speak. However, Council President Eugene Jankowski says, after consulting with the city attorney and labor counsel, Phelps will not be added to the agenda.
Phelps says he still plans to attend Monday’s meeting, but because of the separation agreement he signed, he cannot address the council unless members specifically call on him to speak. The City Council conference session begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the regular business meeting.

 

STATE AUDIT FINDS KEY FOB SECURITY ISSUES IN BATAVIA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

A state audit has found several problems with how the Batavia City School District managed electronic key fobs used to access school buildings, but district officials say those issues have already been addressed.
The audit, covering July 2024 through November 2025, found nearly 800 active key fobs assigned across the district. Auditors identified 16 employees with duplicate key fobs, seven active accounts belonging to former employees or others who no longer needed building access, and four shared key fobs that could not be located.
State auditors also found one former employee who left the district in 2009 still had an active account because the district’s automatic deactivation system wasn’t functioning as intended. The report recommends eliminating duplicate key fobs, promptly deactivating access when it’s no longer needed, and establishing written procedures for managing and reviewing building access.
Superintendent Jason Smith says the issues stemmed in part from turnover in the Human Resources office during the audit period. He says the district has already deactivated unnecessary key fobs, implemented written procedures for assigning and removing access, and will submit a formal corrective action plan to the State Comptroller and State Education Department within the required 90-day timeframe.

 

LE ROY EXPANSION PROJECT MOVES FORWARD WITH GCEDC APPROVAL

A $1.2 million expansion project for Rochester Davis-Fetch in Le Roy is one step closer to reality.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center has approved moving forward with a public hearing on a proposed incentive package worth about $262,000. The package includes a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement and a sales tax exemption to support construction of a new 16,500-square-foot building at the company’s Lent Avenue facility.
Company officials say the expansion won’t add permanent jobs immediately but will create more space for its growing prefabrication and glass operations, which already employ 17 full-time workers in Le Roy and up to 40 during peak construction periods. CEO Frank Kittlinger says the company has outgrown its existing facilities as demand for off-site building construction continues to rise. A public hearing on the incentive package will be scheduled in the Village of Le Roy before final approval.

 

TAICHI BUBBLE TEA OPENS IN BATAVIA WITH STRONG FIRST-DAY TURNOUT

Batavia’s newest restaurant is already proving to be a hit. Customers lined up well before the doors opened Friday morning as Taichi Bubble Tea officially welcomed its first guests at its Lewiston Road location. Some waited more than 20 minutes to be among the first inside. The restaurant offers bubble tea, ramen, rice bowls and mochi doughnuts. Co-manager Jason Lin says the turnout exceeded expectations, with nearly double the normal staff on hand to handle the grand opening crowd. Renovations to the space took about two months before opening day. Taichi Bubble Tea is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 9:30 Friday and Saturday.

 

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA DECLARES EMERGENCY AS WILDFIRES FORCE MASS EVACUATIONS

British Columbia has declared a provincial state of emergency as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across western Canada.
More than 20,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities along Okanagan Lake after a wildfire destroyed homes and advanced rapidly through hot, dry and windy conditions. Officials say more than 100 wildfires are burning across the province, with nearly half considered out of control.
The Bald Range Fire grew to more than 100 square kilometers in just hours, forcing residents to flee on congested highways and prompting the rescue of more than 50 people by firefighting aircraft. Authorities have confirmed significant damage to homes, while police are also investigating a possible wildfire-related death near Summerland. Provincial leaders warn the situation remains volatile, with explosive fire conditions threatening additional communities.

 

ISRAEL REJECTS TRUMP’S GAZA PROPOSAL AS MIDEAST TENSIONS CONTINUE

Tensions remain high across the Middle East after Israel rejected a Gaza proposal announced by President Donald Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not withdraw troops from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, rejecting key parts of the plan while continuing discussions with the United States. Hamas responded by saying it remains committed to the proposed roadmap and expects mediators to pressure Israel to move forward.
Meanwhile, Iran says negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz cannot resume until the U.S. meets several conditions, including lifting sanctions and ending what Tehran calls hostile actions. Reports indicate Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary agreement to restore shipping through the vital waterway, though no final deal has been announced.
Elsewhere, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on the government-controlled port of Mokha and claimed responsibility for a drone strike targeting a Saudi Aramco refinery, raising new concerns about regional stability and international shipping routes.

 

 

 

MISTER SQUEEZE, WINMEBAK CAPTURE FEATURE RACES AT BATAVIA DOWNS

Two featured conditioned and optional claiming races highlighted Saturday night’s card at Batavia Downs.
In the Class A trot, Mister Squeeze rallied first-over through the final half mile before holding off a three-horse battle in the stretch to win in a seasonal-best 1:57.4. Driven by Drew Monti, the victory was Mister Squeeze’s third of the season.
In the Class A pace, Winmebak turned a pocket trip into a late surge, swinging four-wide in the stretch to score his fourth win of the year in 1:55.4 with Brett Macdonald in the sulky.
Elsewhere, Shawn Gray enjoyed another outstanding night, winning five races to move into second place in the meet’s driver standings. Drew Monti added three victories and continues to lead the Batavia Downs driving title race with 23 wins. Live racing resumes this afternoon at 12:15 at Batavia Downs.