Friday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on August 14, 2026
BATAVIA LOOKS TO TURN CREEKSIDE INTO DOWNTOWN DESTINATION
Batavia officials are hoping the city’s Tonawanda Creek waterfront could become a centerpiece of its latest downtown revitalization effort.
Economic Development Director Tammy Hathaway says she has been showing the vacant Creekside property to prospective developers, pitching possibilities ranging from new housing and businesses to outdoor gathering areas and entertainment along the water.
That outreach may be producing results. Hathaway says an experienced developer is now putting together a potential project for the site, although details and the developer’s identity have not yet been released.
The opportunity comes as Batavia prepares to distribute its second, 10-million-dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. Developers have until September 4th to submit projects for consideration.
Those proposals will be reviewed for their cost, feasibility and readiness before a local committee determines which projects to recommend to New York State early next year.
OAKFIELD SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER MASSIVE WATER LEAK
The Village of Oakfield is seeking nearly 900-thousand dollars from the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District over a water leak dating back to 2022.
The village says its system began losing about 200-thousand gallons of treated water per day while construction was underway at the school. The underground leak was eventually located on school property and repaired by village crews in August of 2023.
Oakfield estimates more than 135-million gallons were lost over nearly two years, carrying a retail value of about 892-thousand dollars.
The village alleges construction activity caused the leak and says the district is financially responsible under local water regulations. The school district declined the village’s demand for payment last year.
With negotiations stalled, Oakfield filed suit in Genesee County Supreme Court, seeking at least 891-thousand dollars in damages.
PARKING CHANGES AT RICHMOND LIBRARY TODAY
Visitors to Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia will have to use alternate parking today while maintenance work is completed.
The library’s upper parking lot will be closed throughout the day for sealing and striping. Visitors can instead park in the St. Joe’s lot or along Ross Street.
The library itself will remain open with normal services available.
One additional change is planned for Saturday, when the drive-up book drop will be unavailable because of a large event at the library.
JO DEE MESSINA TAKES THE STAGE AT BATAVIA DOWNS FRIDAY
Country music star Jo Dee Messina will perform at Batavia Downs tonight as part of the track’s summer concert series.
Messina has been a fixture in country music for nearly three decades, recording nine number-one hits and 16 Top 40 songs. She also became the first female country artist to score three consecutive multi-week number-one singles.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday at Batavia Downs on Park Road. Tickets start at 20 dollars for general admission, with VIP, premium and front-row options also available.
KENNEDY CENTER BOARD BACKS TWO-YEAR CLOSURE
The Kennedy Center is moving forward with plans to close for two years while the Washington performing arts complex undergoes major renovations.
The center’s board approved the plan Thursday, after a federal judge blocked an earlier attempt to begin the closure in July. Some outdoor performances could continue while the main complex is shut down. It remains unclear whether the new decision will face another court challenge.
The board also voted Thursday to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building’s facade. The board is largely made up of Trump allies, and the president’s involvement in reshaping the Kennedy Center has drawn criticism over the past year.
U.S. AMBASSADOR CONDEMNS ISRAELI SETTLERS OVER WEST BANK SIEGE
The U.S. ambassador to Israel is issuing an unusually strong condemnation after Israeli settlers surrounded Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank.
Families in the town of Qusra say settlers blocked them from safely leaving their homes for several days and repeatedly cut water and electricity. Israeli troops eventually dismantled two unauthorized settler outposts and detained one person, although settlers reportedly remain elsewhere in the area.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the actions terrorism and said the American embassy has been coordinating with Israeli authorities.
The confrontation comes amid a broader surge in West Bank violence. Palestinian officials have reported nearly 1,500 settler attacks so far this year.
BATAVIA BLUE DEVILS ANNOUNCE 2026 HALL OF FAME CLASS
The Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame has announced its 21st class of inductees.
This year’s class includes Paul Spiotta, Christopher Ball, Jen Saunders-Baier, former Athletic Director Michael Bromley, Michael Battaglia, Alyssa Antinore, Angela Heale, Catherine Bichler and Michael DiBacco.
The inductees will be introduced at halftime of Batavia’s homecoming football game against Eastridge on Friday, September 18th.
The Hall of Fame dinner will follow Saturday, September 19th at Batavia Downs.
Tickets are 40 dollars for adults and 20 dollars for children under 10, with a September 11th deadline.
