Friday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on October 10, 2025
Turning Point USA Event Coming to Cornerstone Church
Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, Pastor Paul Doyle says he’ll be learning alongside attendees when Cornerstone Church in Batavia hosts a Turning Point USA event on October 18.
Doyle says a Rochester group approached the church about holding the gathering, and when no one else stepped in to organize, Cornerstone agreed to underwrite and host the program.
The free event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. and will feature speakers from Turning Point USA’s Club America chapters, Turning Point Action and Faith, and Project Civica, which focuses on voter integrity in New York. Keynote speaker will be Michelle Erdt, a leader within Club America.
The program will include information on how to get involved with Turning Point at the high school, college, and church levels, along with music, videos, and light refreshments.
Security will be in place, with doors opening at 12:30 for checks. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed. Registration is available at cornerstonebatavia.org.
West Side Ghost Walks Return to Batavia
The Holland Land Office Museum is bringing back its popular West Side Ghost Walks this month. Tours will be held today and October 24, starting at 7 and 7:30 p.m. Led by Connie Boyd, the walks explore Batavia’s darker past, including murders, hangings, grave robbing, and ghost stories tied to figures like Joseph Ellicott and E. N. Rowell.
Tickets are $15, or $10 for museum members, and reservations are required. Tours are limited to 25 people and last about two hours. More details are available on the museum’s website.
Kyle Swift Scores Big at Batavia Downs
It was a night of longshots Wednesday at Batavia Downs, but none bigger than the driving double by 20-year-old Kyle Swift. Swift won back-to-back races with Filet Mignon, paying $55.70, and KB Mac, returning $40.36. The Swift–Swift daily double hit for a whopping $3,653.38.
Swift now has 34 wins this meet, ranking seventh among drivers. In the night’s $12,500 Open Handicap, Gia’s Surreal surged late to win by a nose, her 44th career victory.
Ambulance Involved in Crash in Batavia
An ambulance and a car collided in Batavia yesterday morning around 8:30 a.m.. City Fire responded to the intersection of Liberty Street and East Main Street, where the crash occurred.
Officials say Mercy ALS 7 was on the way to a call at 102 Cedar Street for a reported smell of gas inside a building when the accident happened.
Police on scene reported minor injuries to members of the ambulance crew. Another unit, Mercy Medic 2, was called in to respond to the original gas odor call.
Traffic in the area was briefly impacted as crews worked the scene, and both City Fire and Batavia Police remained on site to assist.
Luminary Walk Set for Tomorrow at Iroquois Refuge
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Basom is hosting its Luminary Walk tomorrow evening, Saturday, October 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided walk along a one-mile illuminated trail, with glowing luminaries creating a magical nighttime pathway through the wilderness.
The Visitor Center and Flyway Nature Store will be open, with hot drinks and snacks available. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. You can sign up online at signup.com/go/YALbJWx.
