Tuesday News Brief

BATAVIA TO AMEND BUDGET FOR $396,000 SEWER PROJECT

Batavia City Council will vote at its next business meeting on a budget amendment covering nearly 396-thousand dollars in emergency sewer work connected to O-AT-KA.
The issue was discovered in March when city officials found unusually high water levels at a lift station. Testing and a camera inspection determined the O-AT-KA force main was restricted by dairy waste.
Officials say the blockage forced pumps to run continuously, putting additional stress on the system. One pump eventually overheated and locked up, requiring the city to bring in a bypass pump.
Because of the length and complexity of the force main, the city hired an outside contractor under an emergency purchase to clean the line. Crews also installed new access points for future maintenance and replaced deteriorated check valves.
The total project cost came to 395-thousand, 933 dollars and 66 cents.
The city has billed O-AT-KA for the full cost following negotiations over payment.
Since the work was completed, officials say the force main has greater capacity and the city’s lift station pumps are operating under less strain.

LE ROY RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED TACO BELL

A proposed Taco Bell in Le Roy drew concerns from neighboring residents during a Town Board hearing Thursday night.
Indus Hospitality Group wants to build the restaurant at 7185 West Main Road. The commercially-zoned property allows a restaurant, but the proposed drive-thru requires a special use permit.
Much of the public discussion centered on drainage and runoff. The restaurant would be built next to designated wetlands in an area where neighbors say flooding has long been a problem.
Developers say two rain gardens and an underground drainage system would collect stormwater and actually reduce runoff from current levels.
Residents also raised concerns about property values, late-night operating hours and further commercial development along West Main Street.
The project would occupy just under one acre. Developers say they have no plans to disturb the neighboring wetlands.
The Le Roy Planning Board is expected to review the project October 20th, with the Town Board scheduled to consider the proposal October 22nd.

GLOW WITH YOUR HANDS RETURNS TO GENESEE COUNTY

More than 1,200 students from across the GLOW region will get a hands-on look at potential careers today at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.
The seventh annual GLOW With Your Hands event will bring together students from 32 school districts with more than 70 employers, colleges and workforce organizations.
Students will operate equipment, use professional tools and explore careers in manufacturing, agriculture, construction, transportation, engineering and other industries.
Since launching in 2019, GLOW With Your Hands has connected more than 6,000 students with local career opportunities.

ARC GLOW ANNOUNCES 2026 AWARD WINNERS

Arc GLOW will celebrate individuals, employees and community partners during its fourth annual Awards Dinner and Meeting October 14th at Batavia Downs.
The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be emceed by former Rochester television news anchor Rebecca LeClair.
This year’s honorees include Casey Reynolds of Batavia as Self-Advocate of the Year, Stephanie Metz as KidStart Employee of the Year and Ashley Coe as Arc GLOW Employee of the Year.
The Livingston County Office for the Aging was named Friend of the Year, while Bob Johnson Auto Group will receive Business Partner of the Year. Reservations for the dinner remain open through October 2nd.

TRUMP ASKED XI ABOUT BUYING U.S. WEAPONS, AMBASSADOR SAYS

President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China would be interested in buying American weapons, according to U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue.
Perdue revealed the conversation Sunday while discussing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He did not say when Trump made the offer.
The United States has not sold weapons to Beijing since the 1980s, and any renewed sales would represent a major change in American policy toward China. Washington remains Taiwan’s primary arms supplier, while Beijing has repeatedly demanded those sales end.
China’s Foreign Ministry did not confirm Perdue’s account when questioned Monday.

FBI CO-DEPUTY DIRECTOR ANDREW BAILEY RESIGNS

FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey is stepping down after a little more than a year with the bureau.
Bailey announced Monday that he will return to Missouri to spend more time with his family. The former Missouri attorney general joined the FBI in August of 2025, initially serving alongside Dan Bongino in an unusual arrangement that gave the bureau two deputy directors.
Bailey remained with the FBI following Bongino’s departure and later served alongside veteran agent Christopher Raia under FBI Director Kash Patel.
During his tenure, Bailey largely remained out of the public spotlight, although he was present when FBI agents searched an election facility in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this year.
In announcing his departure, Bailey thanked President Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Patel for the opportunity to serve.
Patel praised Bailey for his service and credited him with helping implement changes within the bureau.

GENESEE COUNTY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP

In Genesee County high school girls volleyball action Monday night, Byron-Bergen swept Wheatland-Chili 3-0, while Pembroke also earned a 3-0 victory over Lyndonville.
Alexander outlasted Oakfield-Alabama in five sets, 3-2, while Pavilion swept Avon 3-0.
And Elba improved to 7-1 with a five-set thriller over Attica, winning the deciding set 16-14. Brynn Stackhouse led the Lancers with 11 kills, while Maggie Caparco handed out 24 assists.
For Attica, now 6-4, Corrine Orlowski recorded four aces, four kills and nine digs. Eden Domes added nine assists, four kills and four blocks.