Monday News Brief

LE ROY SEEKS ENGINEERING REVIEW OF PROPOSED TACO BELL

The Town of Le Roy is bringing in an outside engineering firm as officials continue reviewing plans for a proposed Taco Bell on West Main Road.
The Planning Board wants Rochester-based LaBella Associates to examine several concerns surrounding the project, including stormwater drainage, traffic and whether a full environmental review should be required.
Developer Indus Hospitality Group originally planned to disturb less than one acre, but board members now estimate the affected area at roughly 53-thousand square feet — nearly 10-thousand square feet more than an acre.
The town is also considering requesting a new state traffic study.
Because the restaurant would include a drive-thru, developers still need a special use permit. Possible conditions include a 10 p.m. drive-thru closing time, acoustic fencing and requirements to maintain the drainage system.
Officials are tentatively considering a special meeting October 13th to decide whether to move forward with the environmental review and traffic study.

 

BATAVIA WATER DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION COULD SAVE MONEY

Town of Batavia officials say consolidating nearly 20 separate water districts and improvement areas into one townwide district could significantly reduce administrative costs while spreading future infrastructure expenses across more properties.
The town estimates savings of roughly 1.2-million dollars annually by eliminating separate budgets, audits and accounting requirements for each district.
Under the proposal, existing water construction debt would also be combined. For a home assessed at 246-thousand dollars, officials estimate debt service would begin at about 105 dollars in 2028 and gradually increase to roughly 334 dollars by year 15.
Some residents currently living in debt-free districts would pay more initially. Town officials argue consolidation would protect those homeowners from potentially much larger bills when aging water mains eventually need replacement.
Officials say without consolidation, maintaining separate financial records required by the state could also add significant administrative costs to customers’ water bills.

BANK STREET CLOSURES PLANNED FOR PAVING WORK

Drivers in Batavia should expect closures on Bank Street this week as Genesee County completes paving work at the Office for the Aging.
Bank Street between Main Street and Washington Avenue will be closed to through traffic Monday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The street itself is not being repaved. Crews are resurfacing the Office for the Aging parking lot, and officials say the closure will give construction trucks additional room to safely enter and exit the property.
Emergency vehicles will still have access, and drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.

 

 

SAVE THE HEADLIGHTS RIDE SUPPORTS GENESEE CANCER ASSISTANCE

About 40 motorcycles hit the road Saturday morning for Genesee County ABATE’s annual Save the Headlights Breast Cancer Awareness Ride.
The 65-mile ride began at Stan’s Harley-Davidson in Batavia, with proceeds benefiting Genesee Cancer Assistance.
Organizers also raised money through a 50/50 drawing and a basket raffle featuring about 60 baskets.
This year’s event carried added meaning for Genesee County ABATE, as the organization’s ride captain is currently battling breast cancer.

 

 

TRUMP-STYLE OVAL OFFICE REPLICA UNVEILED IN WASHINGTON

Visitors in Washington can now get an up-close look at President Donald Trump’s redesigned Oval Office — without entering the White House.
The People’s House museum has updated its full-size Oval Office replica to match Trump’s second-term design, complete with extensive gold decorations, ornate vases and 24 portraits in gilded frames.
A team of 25 people spent much of last week completing the transformation, using detailed images and visits to the actual Oval Office to recreate the space.
The exhibit originally opened in 2024 with President Joe Biden’s Oval Office design before being changed following Trump’s return to office.
Visitors can walk throughout the replica and even sit behind a reproduction of the Resolute Desk. The White House Historical Association has not disclosed how much the latest makeover cost.

 

 

“I AM JANE DOE” MOVEMENT SPREADS IN SUPPORT OF CORNELL ACCUSER

A social media movement is growing in support of the woman who has accused seven former Cornell University fraternity members of sexually assaulting her.
Women and some men are posting the phrase “I am Jane Doe,” with many also sharing their own experiences with sexual abuse or assault.
The woman filed her lawsuit anonymously as Jane Doe, accusing seven fraternity members of raping her in 2024. The allegations have since prompted renewed scrutiny of how the case was handled.
Some participants say the campaign is also intended to protect the woman’s identity. By flooding social media with similar posts, supporters hope to make it more difficult for online searches and artificial intelligence systems to identify the actual plaintiff.
Advocates say the response is reminiscent of the solidarity seen during the height of the MeToo movement.

 

GENESEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

In Genesee County high school football action, Alexander/Pembroke remained undefeated with a 29-14 win over previously unbeaten Le Roy/Cal-Mum.
The Defenders got two touchdown catches from Connor Czwojdak, while Brett Maloney broke a 34-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-nine to help put the game away. Ryder Reichert led the defense with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Batavia fell just short against Honeoye Falls-Lima, 7-6. Keagan Calmes rushed for 101 yards and the Blue Devils’ lone touchdown, while Markel Hill added 60 yards and forced and recovered a fumble.
And Attica improved to 3-2 with its second straight victory, winning a shootout over Geneseo/Mount Morris. Brody Clark threw three touchdown passes to Mason Jackson, while William Franz rushed for 135 yards. Defensively, Jacob Zeilman recorded five sacks and Blake Kines added four.