Friday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on June 12, 2026
VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE GENESEE VALLEY BOCES CAPITAL PROJECT
Voters across Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming counties have overwhelmingly approved a $42.9 million capital project for Genesee Valley BOCES.
The proposal passed by a vote of 884 to 224 and marks the first BOCES capital project since 2005 and only the second since the organization was formed through a merger in the mid-1990s.
The project will address building maintenance and infrastructure needs while expanding classroom space for career and technical education and special education programs. Officials say enrollment and program demand have grown significantly in recent years, with roughly 1,700 students now attending daily.
The project will also include upgrades to high-demand programs such as cosmetology, improvements to parking and traffic flow, energy-efficiency enhancements, and site improvements at the Batavia and Mount Morris campuses.
State aid is expected to cover more than 71 percent of the cost, with the remainder shared among the 22 component school districts. Construction is expected to begin in phases starting in 2027, with completion targeted for 2029.
BERGEN PARK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AMERICA 250 THIS WEEKEND
The Bergen Park Festival returns this weekend with a special patriotic theme as part of the GeneseeAmerica 250 celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Festivities begin Friday with the festival’s popular chicken barbecue, live music, and a kids-only basketball tournament. The celebration continues Saturday with a full day of activities including the annual parade, food trucks, craft vendors, a car show, children’s events, and live entertainment.
The weekend will wrap up with what organizers say will be the largest fireworks display in Bergen history, honoring America’s 250th birthday.
Residents are encouraged to follow the Bergen Park Festival Facebook page for a complete schedule of events.
BERGEN OFFICIALS DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLAR MORATORIUM
The Village of Bergen may consider a moratorium on future solar development, but officials say any action would come only after community input.
Mayor Michael Fleming told trustees Wednesday that village officials are exploring whether a moratorium should be discussed, noting there is still undeveloped land within the village limits that could potentially attract future solar proposals.
Trustees raised concerns about large-scale solar projects, with Robert Capurso citing discussions with State Senator George Borrello regarding the impact of solar farms on local communities. Officials questioned whether residents receive meaningful benefits from projects whose power is largely transmitted elsewhere.
The board emphasized that no decisions have been made and that residents would have an opportunity to weigh in before any moratorium is considered.
Trustees also discussed speeding concerns along Route 33, where residents have reported vehicles traveling well above the village’s 30-mile-per-hour speed limit. Village officials plan to continue discussions with law enforcement about increased traffic enforcement in the area.
EL NIÑO RETURNS, THREATENING MORE EXTREME WEATHER WORLDWIDE
Meteorologists say a powerful El Niño climate pattern has officially formed in the Pacific Ocean and could become one of the strongest on record.
The warming event is expected to add even more heat to a planet already experiencing rising temperatures, increasing the risk of extreme weather around the globe. Forecasters say there’s a better than 60 percent chance this El Niño will rank among the strongest since record-keeping began in 1950.
Scientists warn the pattern could bring heavier rainfall and flooding to some regions, while worsening drought, wildfires, and heat waves in others. In the United States, El Niño often leads to a wetter southern tier of states and warmer, drier conditions in parts of the Pacific Northwest during the winter months.
Experts say the event could help make 2027 one of the hottest years ever recorded, with impacts likely to be felt worldwide through the coming year.
TRUMP CALLS OFF IRAN STRIKES AFTER THREATENING ESCALATION
President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course Thursday, calling off planned military strikes against Iran just hours after threatening to hit the country “very hard” and discussing taking control of key Iranian oil infrastructure.
Trump said progress in talks with senior Iranian leaders led to the decision and expressed optimism that the fragile ceasefire could be extended. The announcement came after another round of U.S. and Iranian strikes raised fears of a broader regional war.
The developments unfolded amid several other major stories from Washington. Trump nominated former SEC chairman Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence, while a key House vote to temporarily extend the government’s foreign surveillance authority failed, putting the future of the FISA program in doubt.
The rapid shift from threats of escalation to renewed diplomacy underscores the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict and efforts to prevent a wider war in the Middle East.
MUCKDOGS HOLD OFF TARP SKUNKS FOR 10-6 WIN
The Batavia Muckdogs picked up another victory Thursday night, defeating the Jamestown Tarp Skunks 10-6.
Batavia appeared to be cruising after building an 8-0 lead through five innings, but Jamestown stormed back with a six-run sixth inning to make things interesting. The Muckdogs’ bullpen responded, shutting the door the rest of the way to preserve the win.
The victory keeps Batavia rolling as they continue the early portion of the season with a 6-2 record and bounce back after dropping a close extra-inning contest to Jamestown earlier in the week.
The Muckdogs return to action tonight at Dwyer Stadium, where they’ll host the Buffalo Diesel. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. as Batavia looks to keep its momentum going.
