Local News

High School Football Weekend Roundup

Over the weekend all 7 of Genesee County’s High School Football teams played, and it was a successful weekend for most.

The Le Roy/Cal-Mum Rivals travelled to Haverling where they picked up a big 35-20 victory to move to 3-3 on the season. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba visited York/Pavilion where they dominated en route to a 41-14 win to move their record to 4-2. Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen hosted Attica and lost 34-13. The Alexander Trojans traveled to Canisteo-Greenwood where they won a tight defensive battle 15-0. The Pembroke Dragons hosted Frewsburg in 8-man football action and won 52-22. Finally, in our WBTA Game of the Week, Batavia defeated Eastridge 7-0 in a game that was an instant classic.

Batavia Head Coach Alex Veltz said, “This is a tone setter for the season, when you get into playoff football, anything goes and you have to make sure that you are ready for whatever presents itself on the scoreboard, whatever happens on the field, and to know that we can dig down deep and fight will be big for us.”

Genesee County Drug Take Back Day Slated for October 26th

On October 26th from 10 am until 2 pm, the Batavia Police Department, Le Roy Police Department, and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office are hosting their Drug Take-Back Day.

The Le Roy Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will only be accepting prescription drugs, while the Batavia Police Department will be accepting both prescription drugs and sharps. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

This service is completely free and anonymous and no questions will be asked.

Byron Man Arrested on Warrants From Colorado

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man from Byron on Saturday for an active warrant in Colorado.

Around 5 pm Saturday, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Deputies responded to Freeman Road in Byron looking for Matthew Wood. Upon arrival, they observed Wood flee the scene on an electric bike. The deputies caught Wood quickly and arrested him without issue. Wood has an active warrant in Adam’s County, Colorado for two counts of Sexual Assault on a Child.

Wood is being held at the Genesee County Jail where he awaits transport to Adam’s County.

There are new gun safety laws in New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a package of bills including one requiring gun makers to make sure their weapons can’t be easily converted into automatic weapons. Another bill requires firearms dealers to post warnings at the point of sale that say firearms increase the risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes and unintentional death to children. Another new law requires credit and debit card companies to track guns and ammo sales at gun dealerships so the state can monitor the sales and look for signs of stockpiling ammunition.

A judge is ruling New York’s new even-year election law is unconstitutional.   Governor Hochul passed the law that changes local election calendars, and Tuesday New York State Supreme Court Judge Gerard Neri struck it down. Judge Neri said it would move many local elections to line up with state and federal elections, and that could confuse voters and would crowd ballots to have so many races at once. Meanwhile, advocates for the law argued the change might boost voter turnout in local elections. Critics of the new law noted the bigger races could overshadow the smaller ones.

A plan to build a brand-new state park in downtown Rochester is moving forward.   The state has reached a deal with an architecture and urban design firm to create what will be known as High Falls State Park. It’ll be located along the waterfront of the Genesee River but construction likely won’t begin until at least 2026. Mayor Malik Evans says the park will be a centerpiece for downtown and offer a place for residents to gather and celebrate the city’s natural beauty.

There could be shortages of IV fluids at New York hospitals. Officials say if it happens, it’s due to a plant in North Carolina that was damaged from the recent Hurricane Helene and a second plant in Florida might also be affected due to Hurricane Milton. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services might allow shipments from overseas, along with extending the shelf life of some products. Officials are also telling health systems to try and have some IV fluids as backups, even if they’re not currently experiencing a shortage.

The State Liquor Authority and Department of Motor Vehicles are releasing the results of their annual summer crackdown on fake ID’s. The agencies say 309 people were cited this year and 349 fake ID’s were seized at concert venues and other locations across the state.   In the Finger Lakes, there were 95 citations and 106 fake ID seizures. Last year, there were 312 citations handed out and 389 fake licenses were recovered statewide.

The Corfu Veterinary Clinic is collecting donations for pets in the states that have been affected by the recent hurricanes. Items they’re accepting include dog food, cat food, horse and cattle feed, water, buckets, towels, and more. Donations can be dropped off directly at the clinic on Snipery Road in Corfu from now until October 21st. More information can be found on the clinic’s Instagram page under the name Corfu Veterinary Clinic PC. For more information, please call 585-599-3148.

Saturday evening, October 19^th, starting at 7:00, Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions, at GOArt at 201 East Main Street, Batavia. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated by GOArt.

The Annual Halloween Candlelight Ghost Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 19^th. The spooky fun through the historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue begins at 7pm with tours starting every 15 minutes through 8:45pm. Admission is $15 and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. Visit bataviacemetery.org for more information.

The Great Batavia Train Show is scheduled for tomorrow, October 13^th from 9:30 to 3:30 at the Call Arena at Genesee Community College. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Over 100 vendors will on hand offering all scales of model trains and historic items. Parking is free; concession stands will be on-site with plenty of free seating available. The cost is $6 for adults; $3 for ages 13 to 18; admission is free for kids under 13. for more information, go to http://gsme.org

NBC News Features…

Anti-obesity medications could soon be employer-covered. Employees can learn whether they’ll have it for the coming year during open enrollment. GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have become extremely popular since coming on the market because of how effective they are treating diabetes and obesity. While these medications are often covered for diabetes, they’re not usually covered for weight loss.

Orleans County Police Chase Ends in Genesee County

Video News Service reports that around 11:30 am Thursday, a police chase in Orleans County ended in Genesee County.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department attempted to pull over a vehicle on Route 237 for failing to stop. The Chevy refused to stop and then crashed on Glidden Road. Despite crashing, the driver was able to continue on and briefly lost the police. The State Police then became involved and found the vehicle abandoned on Ladue Road at the county line. After setting up a perimeter in the area and using a drone State Police were able to locate and detain the driver.

Charges are pending and the vehicle the driver used may have been stolen from Brockport.

GCEDC is Making a Decision on Whether Data Centers are Appropriate for STAMP

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board are evaluating whether data centers are an appropriate fit for the Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park, better known as STAMP, in the town of Alabama.

The GCEDC board announced that two projects not in the targeted industry sectors have approached the board interested in moving to STAMP. The board is considering the number of good-paying jobs the projects can bring, the footprint of a project like this, and its electrical and water needs. The board wants to ensure that data centers will have a minimal impact so they can continue to better support advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and semiconductor sector projects at STAMP.

The GCEDC board chairman said, “In this instance, a decision will ultimately be made on whether the proposed projects fulfill our vision for STAMP. We look forward to working with companies and stakeholders as the GCEDC Board considers these applications.”

Genesee County Board of Elections Announces Important Deadlines

The Genesee County Board of Elections announced the Early Voting schedule and other important deadlines for the upcoming General Election.

Early Voting will be available at the ARC Community Center in Batavia from October 26th until November 3rd. Early Voting will be open all of those days from 9 am until 5 pm except the 29th and 30th where it will be open from noon until 8 pm. October 26th is the last day to register to vote, and November 4th is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot. All absentee ballots must be received by the poll site by 9 pm on Election Day.

For any questions please contact the Genesee County Board of Elections.

Batavia Rotary Club Will Match Donations up to $5000 to Support Hurricane Victims

The Batavia Rotary Club announced on Wednesday that they will match all local donations up to $5000 to support hurricane victims in the southeast.

The club members voted unanimously to match local donations up to $5000. Across the country Rotary clubs have played a big role in helping the hurricane victims by providing immediate aid, food, clean water, and medical supplies. The deadline for donations is October 14th and all donations can be made at Lawley Insurance during their normal business hours. Donations may be tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Batavia Rotary Club President Michael Hodgins said, “Because time is of the essence, we are seeking monetary donations deemed to be the fastest and most effective way to help the thousands of people impacted by these latest storms,”

Tom Phelps Named Director of Public Works in Batavia

City of Batavia Manager Rachel Tabelski announced Wednesday morning that Tom Phelps has been named the new Director of Public Works for the City of Batavia.

Phelps has been employed by the City of Batavia since 2019 where he has served as a Building maintenance worker and the Superintendent of Water and Wastewater. In his new role, Phelps will be involved with the construction of the new police station, the new City Centre Mall entrance, the water plant improvement project, and all other projects that are currently going on in Batavia.

Phelps will also oversee the Bureau of Water and Wastewater, the Bureau of Maintenance, the Inspection Bureau, and the Engineering Bureau of the City.

Smart Design Set to Celebrate its 20th Anniversary

Today from 5-8 PM Smart Design in Batavia is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a garden party at their future home.

Smart Design plans to move into the historic mansion at 4 Mix Place. The mansion has been rejuvenated recently and has been turned into several office spaces, both preserving a piece of Batavia’s history and giving it a use for the community moving forward. At the garden party, there will be wine, beer, and snacks along with live music and a chance to take a look at Smart Designs plans.

City of Batavia Fire Department Holding their 11th Annual Coloring Contest

The City of Batavia Fire Department is holding its 11th annual fire prevention coloring contest.

The contest is open and free to enter for any kindergarten-fifth grade students who go to a City of Batavia school or are homeschooled in Batavia. The official coloring page and rules of the contest are available at the City of Batavia Fire Department. All the drawings need to be turned in to the Fire Station by October 15th at 4 pm.

The winner of each age group will receive a ride to school on a City of Batavia Fire Engine and will be invited along with their family for a special awards luncheon at the fire station.

Batavia Youth Baseball Board Wants Your Help

The Batavia Youth Baseball Board is looking for volunteers to come to help out with the fall cleanup.

Help is requested at the MacArthur Park ballpark this Sunday from 10 am until noon. The board is specifically looking for help organizing equipment, cleaning up the facility, and preparing the field for winter. There will also be a tent sale during this time where the board will be selling baseball apparel, gear, and accessories that need to be cleared out of their inventory.

If you’re thinking about getting your young sluggers involved in youth baseball next year this is a great opportunity to come out and get to know the community.

David Wagenhauser Takes a Day to Listen to Genesee County

David Wagenhauser, the democratic party nominee for New York’s 24th Congressional District, spent a day connecting with people around Genesee County.

Wagenhauser started his day at Pub Hub in Batavia where he listened to concerns with residents, specifically about the cost of living and the threat to Social Security. Wagenhauser then went door to door, personally meeting with residents in Batavia. Finally, Wagenhauser went to the Autumn in the Village event in Corfu and enjoyed an afternoon celebrating the fall season with Genesee County locals.

About Genesee County Wagenhauser said, “I lived in Batavia – where we also had an office for our family business – and my children attended Holy Family School in Leroy. This community holds a special place in my heart.”

$3.8 Million Project in Le Roy is Set to Go

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors approved a final resolution for a $3.8 million project in Le Roy.

The project will be taking place at 9 Lent Avenue in Le Roy and will renovate the 32,500-square-foot building that was previously used for manufacturing. The project details have yet to be released, but it has been announced that it will create 4 new full-time jobs. As part of the deal, 9 Lent Avenue, LLC will receive $267,725 in property tax abatements and $77,600 in sales tax exemptions.

When the project is completed it is estimated to generate $3,382,738 in fiscal returns.

Genesee County Health Department Offering Free Radon Training

The Genesee County Health Department announced that they will be offering free radon training for contractors, realtors, and code enforcement officers.

Genesee County has been identified by the EPA and New York State Department of Health as having a high average indoor radon screening level. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that enters homes through cracks in the foundation, basement walls, floors, and other areas. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. The free class will go over the health risks of radon, how to measure radon, how to mitigate radon and radon abatement.

The class will be held on November 15th from 1-4 pm at Genesee County Building 2 in Batavia.

Batavia Fire Department Kicks Off Annual Fire Prevention Week

The Batavia Fire Department kicked off its annual fire prevention week on Monday.

Fire Prevention Week is observed every year during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed 250 people and left more than 100,000 homeless. The City of Batavia Fire Department is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Smoke alarms: make them work for you”.

NFPA data shows that the majority of U.S. home fire deaths come from homes with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that are no longer working. So check your batteries and run a test on your alarms to ensure they are in working order.

High School Football Weekend Wrap-up

This past weekend all 6 of Genesee County’s varsity high school football teams were in action with a varying degree of success.

In the biggest game of the week, the Batavia Blue Devils made a strong statement beating previously undefeated HFL by a score of 32-16. Bronx Bucholz led the Blue Devils with 3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown. Le Roy/Cal-Mum got back on track with a dominant 40-0 victory over Livonia moving their record to 2-3 on the year. Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen traveled to Avon where they lost 62-7 to the #4 state-ranked Riverhawks. York/Pavilion hosted Canisteo-Greenwood and were defeated 13-0. The OAE Aggies defeated Attica 27-19 to move to 3-2 on the season. Finally, the Alexander Trojans dominated previously undefeated Geneseo winning 38-0 moving their record to 4-1 on the year.

This upcoming weekend has another entertaining slate of games so stay tuned to find out what games we will cover.

100 Gallons of Diesel Fuel Poured into Ditch from a Le Roy Accident

Video News Service reports, that Saturday afternoon a accident in Le Roy resulted in 100 gallons of diesel fuel ending up in a ditch.

Around 2 pm Saturday, the Leroy and Bergen Fire Departments responded to an accident on Route 19 near Parmelee Road. The accident involved a car, a tractor-trailer, and a farm vehicle that was traveling on the road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the accident, but the damage required the road to be shut down for several hours. Hydraulic fluid covered a 300-foot area of the road and 100 gallons diesel fuel poured into a ditch.

The DEC was contacted and is doing an investigation to see how bad the contamination is.

Senator George Borrello Asks for Answers on Electric Bus Mandates

Over the weekend New York Senator George Borrello asked Governor Kathy Hochul to clarify her plan for electric bus mandates.

The concerns from Borrello stem from voters in Chautauqua County voting against electric buses in their local school districts. Borrello wants Hochul to clarify how she plans on addressing the public resistance to the electric buses. Borrello believes voters are rightfully concerned about the cost of the buses, their vulnerability to cold weather, and how they will handle long field trips.

Senator Borrello said, “My question to the Hochul administration is, ‘Where do we go from here’? The school officials are trapped between the state mandate and their district taxpayers. The voters obviously don’t want this forced on them by the state, at least not now. This is one more example of how Albany’s haste to push through a radical law, without due diligence and stakeholder input, has backfired.”

New York State is putting $35 million towards the fight against domestic violence. Governor Kathy Hochul says the money will be distributed to 25 district attorney offices across the state. Hochul also talked about funding a collaborative statewide initiative to help survivors. The announcement of the largest investment in state history to fight domestic abuse coincides with the kickoff of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Hochul says 80,000 New Yorkers experience domestic violence every year, vowing she will bring the power of the state against abusers.

Parents and guardians are being urged to protect babies in their care from the dangers posed by RSV.   The respiratory virus can be harmful to children, but there is a vaccine available that’ll protect kids for months. Pregnant women can also get themselves vaccinated before giving birth.   RSV is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people. Symptoms include cough, sneezing, fever, decreased appetite and wheezing.

Area drivers this weekend are finding prices at the pump are continuing to come down. According to Triple-A today, the national average cost of regular fuel is now $3.18 per gallon. The state average is $3.23. In Batavia, the average price right now is $3.37. That’s down 15 cents from a month ago and is 45 cents lower than it was one year ago today.

The Buffalo Bills are back on the road again as they try and avoid a second straight defeat. The reigning AFC East champions are visiting former Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in the Lone Star State. Quarterback Josh Allen says the Texans present a big challenge.  The Bills were blown out last Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens and their record dropped to 3 and 1. Kickoff for tomorrow’s contest is scheduled for 1:00.

Saturday evening, October 19^th, starting at 7:00, Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions, at GOArt at 201 East Main Street, Batavia. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated by GOArt.

The Annual Halloween Candlelight Ghost Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 19^th. The spooky fun through the historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue begins at 7pm with tours starting every 15 minutes through 8:45pm. Admission is $15 and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. Visit bataviacemetery.org for more information.

The Great Batavia Train Show is scheduled for next Sunday, October 13^th from 9:30 to 3:30 at the Call Arena at Genesee Community College. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Over 100 vendors will on hand offering all scales of model trains and historic items. Parking is free; concession stands will be on-site with plenty of free seating available. The cost is $6 for adults; $3 for ages 13 to 18; admission is free for kids under 13. for more information, go to http://gsme.org

NBC News Features…

New CDC data shows a record number of kindergarteners had vaccine exemptions last school year. In the 2023 to 2024 school year, three-point-three-percent of kindergartners were exempt from at least one vaccine, compared to three-percent the previous year. Exemptions went up in 40 states and Washington, DC, and 14 states had exemption rates over five-percent. Most states also allow for religious exemptions and a few permit exemptions based on non-religious personal reasons.

The Chicken Big Mac is set to make its debut in the U.S. McDonald’s says it’ll be offered nationwide starting October 10th. The double-decker sandwich will include all the ingredients of a Big Mac, but substitute “two tempura battered chicken patties” for the traditional two all-beef patties. McDonald’s claims American fans have been craving the Chicken Big Mac after its successful debuts internationally, which included Ireland and the U.K., where it saw its “most popular launch ever.”

Genesee County YWCA Welcomes 4 New Board Members

Thursday morning the YWCA of Genesee County announced they are adding four new women to serve on its Board of Directors.

The four women are Diana Prinzi, Anni Aliasso, Marianne Lampart, and Sandy Wojtaszcyzk. All four of these women have spent their careers serving communities in Genesee County and bringing important new perspectives to the board. With these additions, The YWCA Board of Directors is now considered full with 13 members.

The Board Chair Georganne Elia said, “Each of these women brings a unique skill set rooted in empowering others and raising those in need. From advocacy and justice to supporting vulnerable populations, their collective experience aligns perfectly with the YWCA’s mission.”

GO Health Seeking Feedback on Lead Poisoning Data

GO Health announced that they are seeking community feedback about lead poisoning.

The Genesee County Health Department received a grant to prevent childhood lead poisoning in the local communities within the county. One of the prerogatives of the grant is to get children ages 1 and 2 tested for lead. The GLOW Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has been using different methods to educate people about the dangers of childhood lead poisoning ranging from billboards, flyers, and radio commercials to encourage lead testing.

Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said, “Signs of lead poisoning are often hard to see, so testing is very important, Children should be tested for lead at ages 1 & 2, or more often if your doctor thinks it is needed.”

Friday Night Lights on WBTA

Tonight on WBTA we will kick off the weekend of high school football as the Livonia Bulldogs travels to Le Roy to face off against the Le Roy/Cal-Mum Rivals.

Livonia enters the game with a 0-4 record, suffering a tough season where they’ve only mustered up 12 points. The Rivals enter the game with a 1-3 record but have looked much more competitive in their losses, narrowly losing to class-leading Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry last week by 3. On Saturday, WBTA will cover one of Section V’s best rivalries as Batavia travels to Honeoye Falls. Both teams enter the game with an undefeated record and as the season goes on it has become clear one of these two schools will likely hoist the sectional block at the end of the season.

Tully’s is Teaming Up with Local Law Enforcement to Raise Money

Tully’s Good Times Restaurant in Batavia announced that today from 5 to 8 pm they will be teaming up with local law enforcement to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Local law enforcement and athletes from the Special Olympics will team up with the staff of Tully’s and become celebrity waiters tonight. They will help serve tables, bus, and host at the restaurant. While they’re there, the celebrity waiters will be raising money which will entirely go towards funding local athletes in the Special Olympics. More than 45,000 athletes each year either train or compete in the Special Olympics in New York alone.

Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York said. “Our athletes enjoy seeing their friends in law enforcement, and we all enjoy meeting our greatest supporters in the community.”

United Way Backpack Program is a Big Success

The United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes announced that their backpack program was a big success.

At last weekend’s Batavia Bulldawgs and Le Roy Knights junior football game, both teams supporters combined to donate nearly 1,300 food and hygiene items and raised over $560. All the donations will directly impact students in Genesee County giving those in need food and important hygiene products. The raised funds will be used to get additional food items from Foodlink.

United Way Community Relationship Manager Lindsey Dailey said, “Our community always steps up when there’s a need, and this outpouring of generosity will go a long way toward helping students in Genesee County.”

Village of Bergen Set to Recieve $1.26 Million as Part of New Development

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that the Village of Bergen will receive $1.26 million as part of the FAST grant Apple Tree Acres received.

Apple Tree Acres Corporate Park received $25 million in awards from the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts (FAST) grant program to help fund their $43.6 million project. The project will create 60 new full-time jobs and generate $38 million in wages and benefits over the next decade.
Bergen was the only municipality in Genesee County to receive a grant award in this round.

Another Round of Paving Operations Kicks Off in Batavia

The Genesee County Highway Department announced that today from 6 am until 4 pm they will be kicking off another round of paving operations in Batavia.

The roads that will be repaved include Osterhout and Jefferson Avenues, along with Evans and Williams Streets. While the work is being performed, local traffic will be permitted to enter and leave their properties but should plan accordingly for delays. All motorists who typically take these streets are asked to find an alternative route for the day. As long as mother nature is cooperative, the project is expected to be completed in one day.

This is the 4th paving project in Batavia over the last 3 months and continues to move forward the initiative of making our roads sustainable for the future.

Governor Hochul Issues a Statement on Dockworker Strike

Early Tuesday morning, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement about the ongoing large-scale eastern dockworker strike.

Governor Hochul said, “Moments ago, the first large-scale eastern dockworker strike in 47 years began at ports from Maine to Texas, including at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In preparation for this moment, New York has been working around the clock to ensure that our grocery stores and medical facilities have the essential products they need. It’s critical for USMX and the ILA to reach a fair agreement soon that respects workers and ensures a flow of commerce through our ports. In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to minimize disruption for New Yorkers.”

There are hopes this strike ends quickly, but if not it threatens to disrupt our entire supply chain.

Man in Elba Caught Throwing Things at Traffic

Video News Service reports, that Monday around 1 pm, a man in Elba was spotted throwing objects at cars.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Police responded to the scene. The man was allegedly shirtless and throwing multiple items at vehicles on Route 98 near the Elba Village line. State Police report that they witnessed the man throwing rocks at cars driving by. The man was detained by the State Police, it is unclear at this time what charges he will face if any.

There are no current reports about any damage to the vehicles passing by or what the man’s motive may have been.

Le Roy Teenagers Take Part in a Unusual Vandalism Case

Early Monday morning, two suspects allegedly broke into a factory in Le Roy and committed a unusual case of vandalism.

It is alleged, that around 2 am Monday, two suspects in Le Roy broke into an unnamed factory. Once inside, the suspects accessed a computer within the factory and printed out nearly 100 images of the cartoon character Spongebob that said “Freakbob Mobile” on it. The suspects then proceeded to tape the images around the factory and offices. Camera footage from the incident led investigators to believe the suspects were both teenagers.

The Le Roy Police Department has been informed of the incident and their investigation is ongoing.

Genesee County Health Department Announces Final Free Rabies Clinic for 2024

The Genesee County Health Department announced on Monday, next Thursday they will be offering their final free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinic for 2024.

The Clinic will be held on October 10th from 4 to 6 pm at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets. All animals must be at least 3 months old and there is a limit of 4 pets per car. The Genesee County Health Department reminds residents that up-to-date rabies vaccinations are the best way to prevent your pet from contracting the disease.

If you ever see an animal showing signs of rabies in your neighborhood, call the local animal control agency.

Rough Weekend for Genesee County High School Football Teams

Over the weekend it was a rough going for Genesee County High School Football teams as they accumulated a combined 3-4 record.

In the WBTA Game of the Week, the Oakfield-Alabama Elba Aggies pulled away late to defeat the Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen Irish by a score of 33-7. The York/Pavilion Golden Knights lost a thrilling game to Geneseo with the final score being 32-29, both teams combined to score 3 touchdowns in the final 2 minutes. In a battle of undefeated teams, the Alexander Trojans lost 41-14 to the Avon Riverhawks. The Batavia Blue Devils picked up a big win defeating Greece-Arcadia 32-0 to move to 4-0 on the season. Leroy/Cal-Mum played a spirited game against Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw but ended up losing 25-21 Finally, Pembroke defeated Red Jacket 46-8 in eight-man action.

This weekend WBTA will be doing a doubleheader providing coverage on Friday for Leroy/Cal-Mum versus Livonia, and on Saturday covering the huge Class B matchup between Batavia and Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Le Roy Police Officers Commended for Extending a Man’s Life after an Accident

The Le Roy Police Department commended Officer Smith and Matthew Nielson following their actions during a recent emergency call.

On August 23rd, Officers Terez Smith and Matthew Nielson responded to a car accident in Le Roy. They discovered a 79-year-old man unresponsive inside of a vehicle that had gone off the road. After quickly realizing the man suffered a medical emergency, the Officers performed CPR and used their AED machine to stabilize the man. Their actions successfully revived the driver.

The man was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital and passed away a week later, but the actions of Officer Smith and Nielson allowed the man to spend his final moments surrounded by his family rather than in a ditch.

Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Executes Search Warrant in Bergen

Video News Service reports, that Sunday morning around 9:30 am the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant in Bergen.

The New York State Police assisted the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. Around 9:30 am they arrived at 23 Rochester Street in Bergen where the warrant was executed. Chief Deputy Joseph Graff says no arrests were made as a result of the joint investigation, but the investigation is still ongoing.

According to witnesses on the scene, there were occupants inside the home. The occupants were sent outside and remained there until investigators got done collecting evidence around 12:30 pm.

Shootings are down in many parts of New York State, including in western New York, where Rochester Police saw a drop of 39%. Governor Kathy Hochul says that shootings resulting in injury declined 28% through August compared to the same eight-month period last year, as reported by police departments participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. Yonkers saw an even larger decrease of 56%, while Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw declines of 40 and 39%, respectively. Meanwhile, shootings in Utica fell by 47% and Syracuse by 26%.   Hochul attributes the decreases to the securing of a nearly $350 million investment to curb gun violence.

The Annual Halloween Candlelight Ghost Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 19^th. The spooky fun through the historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue begins at 7pm with tours starting every 15 minutes through 8:45pm. Admission is $15 and reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. Visit bataviacemetery.org for more information.

The Rochester Museum and Science Center has officially revealed a brand-new exhibit. It’s called Animal Super Powers and is made up entirely of LEGO bricks. It features life-sized animal sculptures that showcases a unique superpower that resides in the animal kingdom.   The exhibit will be on display starting today and remain so through May. To find out more information, head to rmsc.org.

The Buffalo Bills will be on the road this weekend as they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive. The defending AFC East champions will battle Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens at   M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland.   The Bills are coming off a blowout 47 to 10 win this past Monday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars and boosted their record this season to 3-0. Kickoff for Sunday night’s contest is set for 8:20pm.

The Genesee County Farmer’s Market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through November 1^st, from 9am until 4pm. Vendors offer fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, flowers, crafts, wine and more. They’re located in the parking lot across from O’Lacy restaurant on School Street. For more information, please call 716-560-0853.

GOArt at 201 East Main Street Batavia is the place to be Saturday evening, October 19^th, starting at 7:00. Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated by GOArt.

NBC News Features…

The U.S. Postal Service is restarting its free at-home COVID-19 tests offer by the end of the month. The program will allow U.S. households to order up to four COVID-19 at-home nasal swab kits. The kits will be available while supplies last. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency, which oversees COVID testing, has not announced an exact date for ordering to begin.

More than a third of children across the globe are nearsighted, and those numbers are expected to grow. New research finds that nearsightedness has been on the rise, from 24 percent in 1990 to nearly 36 percent in 2023. It’s particularly increasing in Southeast Asian nations, but Japan is at the top of the list, with 86 percent of children reported to be nearsighted. Researchers recommend children spend more time engaged in physical activity and less time looking at screens. The findings were published this week in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Batavia Man Accused of Threatening People With a Box Cutter

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department reports, that Michael Stack of Batavia was arrested following an incident where he threatened another person with a box cutter.

It is alleged that Stack struck another person before threatening to cut them with a box cutter. When police arrived on the scene and attempted to arrest him, Stack allegedly fought back against the officers and tried to take an officer’s gun from its holster. Following the struggle, Stack was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court and held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Stack will face charges of Attempted Robbery in the 3rd Degree, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree.

Genesee Community College Assistant Professor Nominated for Prestigious Fellowship

Genesee Community College Assistant Professor Barry Chow has been selected for an Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowship by the Television Academy Foundation in Hollywood.

Chow is one of 18 professors selected from colleges nationwide for the 2024 fellowship program. The fellowship connects college classrooms with the television industry by providing media professors with curriculum-enhancing seminars on the latest in the art, science, and business of television with prominent leaders in show business.

Chow has worked for GCC since 1998 and was selected for his willingness to go the extra mile to provide his students with the best education possible.

DMV Reminds New Yorkers to Register to Vote

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles announced on Wednesday that the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November elections is October 26th.

Any New Yorker can register to vote when they visit the DMV to get a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or a non-driver ID. If you already have one, you can register to vote online on the DMV’s website. October 25th is the cut-off to register in-person at the DMV and 11:59 pm on October 25th is the deadline to register online.

DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder said, “Voting is a vital and precious piece of our democracy, the DMV is proud to be a resource for New Yorkers to apply to register and have their voice heard.”

Batavia Man Accused of Threatening People With a Box Cutter

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department reports, that Michael Stack of Batavia was arrested following an incident where he threatened another person with a box cutter.

It is alleged that Stack struck another person before threatening to cut them with a box cutter. When police arrived on the scene and attempted to arrest him, Stack allegedly fought back against the officers and tried to take an officer’s gun from its holster. Following the struggle, Stack was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court and held in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Stack will face charges of Attempted Robbery in the 3rd Degree, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree.

Genesee Community College Assistant Professor Nominated for Prestigious Fellowship

Genesee Community College Assistant Professor Barry Chow has been selected for an Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowship by the Television Academy Foundation in Hollywood.

Chow is one of 18 professors selected from colleges nationwide for the 2024 fellowship program. The fellowship connects college classrooms with the television industry by providing media professors with curriculum-enhancing seminars on the latest in the art, science, and business of television with prominent leaders in show business.

Chow has worked for GCC since 1998 and was selected for his willingness to go the extra mile to provide his students with the best education possible.

DMV Reminds New Yorkers to Register to Vote

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles announced on Wednesday that the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November elections is October 26th.

Any New Yorker can register to vote when they visit the DMV to get a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or a non-driver ID. If you already have one, you can register to vote online on the DMV’s website. October 25th is the cut-off to register in-person at the DMV and 11:59 pm on October 25th is the deadline to register online.

DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder said, “Voting is a vital and precious piece of our democracy, the DMV is proud to be a resource for New Yorkers to apply to register and have their voice heard.”

City of Batavia Receives Grant to Plant 950 New Trees

The City of Batavia received a $758,950 grant for Ash Tree Management that will be used to plant 950 new trees.

The grant is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to plant 25 million trees in New York State by the year 2033. The program hopes to increase tree canopy in public spaces, engage the public in tree planting, and expand planting along roadways in disadvantaged communities. On top of planting 950 new trees, the City of Batavia plans to use the money to remove 72 trees, conduct maintenance on 373 trees, and create a tree board to keep up with maintenance.

Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski said, “This investment enhances our neighborhoods and helps create a more vibrant community for today and into the future,”

Byron-Bergen Elementary School Brings Back Award-Winning Program

Byron-Bergen Elementary School announced they are bringing back their Champions of Change compost program for the second straight year.

The program was originally put in place back in January. By the end of the school year, students at Byron-Bergen Elementary had redirected 6,786 pounds of food waste from the landfill to become nutrient-rich soil. The program was touted as the most successful elementary school compost program in New York State history. For the program’s success, the New York State School Board Association awarded the Byron-Bergen kids the Champions of Change Recognition.

Elementary School Principal Kristin Loftus said, “We just completed a refresher presentation with Doug Carney (Education Manager at Impact Earth) to remind our returning students and introduce our new students to what food items we compost and why so that we can start the new year successfully.”

Genesee Community College Welcomes 8 New Full Time Staff Members

Genesee Community College has hired 8 new full-time staff members for the upcoming academic year.

Among the new hires are, Ariane Bianchi and Katie Jennings who will serve as Instructors of Nursing, Metin Eroglu, and Jillian Eberlin who will teach mathematics, Kathryn Edwards who will serve as the Nursing Clinical Coordinator, Krysia Mager who will teach business, Dr. Timothy McCorry who will serve as the Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and, Dr. Scott Wilson who will serve as the Assistant Professor of Veterinary Technology.
Genesee Community College President, Dr. Craig Lamb said, “As we welcome these talented educators to Genesee Community College, we look forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative teaching methods they will bring to our classrooms. Their arrival marks an exciting chapter in our ongoing mission to deliver high-quality education and support the success of our students,”

Man Arrested for Possessing a Loaded Gun on GCC’s Campus

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department announced, that on September 22nd they arrested Anthony Parks of New York City for possessing a loaded gun on Genesee Community College’s campus.

GCC Campus Safety was made aware that Parks, a student at GCC, posted an image on social media of him with a handgun. The investigation was then turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department which arrested Parks at GCC’s College Village Student Housing. It is alleged that Parks had an unregistered, loaded pistol with a high-capacity magazine in the College Village. The investigation found no evidence of Parks making any threats with the gun.

Parks was arraigned at Genesee County CAP Court and is being held at the Genesee County Jail where he faces charges of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds.

Paving Projects to Begin Today in Elba and Byron

The Genesee County Highway Department announced that beginning today, two separate paving projects in Byron and Elba will kick off.

In Elba, Transit Road will have portions closed during the day when work is taking place. Residents will have access to their businesses and homes and the road will be fully reopened at night. In Byron, Byron Road from State Route 262 to State Route 237 will be closed entirely during the project. Only residents will be permitted.

Both projects are anticipated to be completed by Friday if Mother Nature stays cooperative.

GLOW With Your Hands Career Event Set to Serve Over 1000 Students Today

The annual GLOW with Your Hands Career Exploration Event is set to take place today starting at 10 AM and over 1000 students will be in attendance.

The event invites students from 30 separate school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wayne, and Wyoming counties to get a deeper look at different career paths. Over 70 businesses and companies from across the GLOW region will be in attendance including major employers, trade unions, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction industries. There will be hands-on activities for the students to get a taste of what they might experience when on the job.

The event will take place at the Genesee County Fairgrounds and is a fantastic opportunity for our youth to get a glimpse into the blue-collar careers available to them.

High School Football Weekend Roundup

Over the weekend 6 of Genesee County’s High School Football teams competed and had a mixed bag of results.

Kicking things off on Friday night, the Batavia Blue Devils picked up a massive 46-6 victory over the Rochester Prep Tigers to move to 3-0. The Alexander Trojans dismantled York/Pavilion by a score of 55-0 which moved Alexander to 3-0 and York/Pavilion to 1-2. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba was defeated 56-0 by Avon which moved their record to 1-2 on the year. Le Roy/Cal-Mum lost a competitive game against Bishop Timon 35-22 which dropped the Rivals record to 1-2. Finally, Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen lost to Canisteo Greenwood 30-16 on Saturday night which dropped the Irish to 0-2.

This Friday WBTA will bring you live coverage of Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry hosting Le Roy/Cal-Mum.

Three Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations Coming to Genesee County Courthouse

Video News Service reports, that three electric vehicle fast charging stations are on their way at the Genesee County Court facilities.

Work to install these stations started in early September. PPR Energy Solutions has been contracted to take on the job. The total cost for the project was just over $400,000, but after government rebates the County will pay around $175,000. The stations are estimated to bring in $35,000 in revenue per year. The stations are expected to be completed very soon. They will become the second fast EV charging stations in Batavia following the ones installed at the Batavia Downs in July.

Felipe A. Oltramari/Director of Genesee County Department of Planning said, “These are three DC fast charging stations with two ports each, so there will be six parking spots to charge. Typically, these will fully charge a vehicle in under an hour. Perfect for EV drivers to grab a meal or a coffee at one of our many downtown establishments and get back on the road”

An Assault in Batavia Leads to an Arrest

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department reports, that following a September 19th incident, Maura Diaz-Garcia has been arrested for assault.

Following an investigation, it is alleged that Maura struck someone multiple times and then proceeded to strike them in the head with a coat hanger. The incident took place on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road and left the victim with numerous lacerations on their forehead and bruises along the left side of their body.

Diaz-Garcia is being held at the Genesee County Jail awaiting CAP Court arraignment. Diaz-Garcia will face an Assault in the 2nd Degree charge.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is urging all Empire State motorists to be aware of motorcyclists. Data shows that motorcycle accidents account for 15-percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. And there have been at least 66 deadly motorcycle crashes in New York this year, a number that’s likely to rise. Drivers should look out for riders before changing lanes or pulling out into traffic. Motorcycle operators must also make sure they’re always wearing the proper safety equipment.

A case of West Nile Virus is being confirmed in Niagara County. The Niagara county Department of Health made the announcement on Thursday. It’s the first case of the mosquito-borne virus in the county this year and the infected resident is currently in the hospital being treated. The virus shows little to no symptoms for some, but for others, severe symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and paralysis. There have been 200 cases this year with ten of them in New York.

The number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Monroe County, but health officials say there’s no cause for concern just yet. Right now, there are over 100 people in the county hospitalized due to the illness but the death toll remains low. Experts expect there to be another surge in cases during the fall and winter months. They say the best things for people to do are to test if they experience symptoms and make sure to get an updated COVID-19 booster shot.

Governor Hochul is out with new health care access legislation for New York.   She signed one law that requires Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services when on-location treatment is administered and/or when transportation is provided to alternative health care settings rather than a general hospital. A second law authorizes ground ambulance and advanced life support first response teams to store and distribute blood and administer transfusions, much like authorizations provided to air ambulance services. Hochul said this ensures essential treatment and transportation for New Yorkers so they can get treatment during an emergency rather than worrying about the cost or availability of critical health care.

The State’s unemployment rate is on the rise again, with private sector jobs declining. The state Labor Department’s latest report indicates the state’s jobless rate rose a tenth of a point to four-point-four-percent in August.   This is the second-straight month with an increase, and it follows four straight months of declines leading up to May. In the meantime, the number of private sector jobs in New York decreased by 8,100.

The Elba Fire Department is having their fall chicken BBQ tomorrow from 11:00 until 2:00 or until sold out, at the Elba Recreation Hall at 7143 Oak Orchard Road. It’s drive-through only. $14 includes chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll and a dessert.

The Genesee Senior Foundation will be celebrating 50 years of the Office for the Aging with dinner and dancing on Thursday, September 26th. The Batavia Downs Event Center is where the fun will be starting at 4:30, with dinner followed by live music provided by the Batavia Swing Band. The last dance is at 8:30. It’s open to Genesee County residents 55 and over; tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the Office for the Aging. For more information, please call 343-1611.

NBC News feature…

Federal officials are warning that a drop in vaccinations in the U.S. may have led to an increase in flu deaths among children. The CDC said Wednesday that nearly 200 children died from influenza-related illnesses during the most recent flu season, and that most of the children who died were eligible for a vaccine but didn’t receive one. It said the deaths coincide with overall drops in vaccinations among children. As of May, the CDC said only 53-percent of children in the U.S. were vaccinated for the flu this season, which is down from the previous year.

Batavia City Assemblyman Steve Hawley Takes Off for Trip with Veterans

Batavia City Assemblyman Steve Hawley is heading south today to Washington D.C. with several local veterans as the annual Patriot Trip kicks off.

The Patriot Trip gives local veterans the chance to explore our nation’s capital and visit the several monuments and landmarks that honor those who served. This years trip will make stops at the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War memorials along with the Arlington National Cemetery. Our local veterans fought bravely alongside several of the fallen soldiers at Arlington and this will give them a chance to pay their respects properly.

Assemblyman Hawley said, “Taking our local veterans on these annual Patriot Trips is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, I’m glad we’re able to put this event on for another year and show our veterans the gratitude and appreciation they deserve.”

Several Alumni Worked on Major Renovations at Byron-Bergen Central School

Students at Byron-Bergen Central School were greeted by several major renovations at the start of the school year.

What the students may not have known, is the renovations were completed by Kircher Construction which is owned and operated by Byron-Bergen Class of 2006 alumni Jon Flannery. The foreman for the project was Class of 2020 alumni Alex Brumsted. Flannery and his team turned the outdated gymnasium into a state-of-the-art facility. In total 12 Byron-Bergen graduates worked on the project.

Byron-Bergen Director of Facilities Roger Caldwell said, “We take pride in hiring local contractors when possible. We see a lot of B-B alumni come through and it’s great. They have a vested interest in the District and their dedication shows.”

New Report Finds Batavia Residents Spend Less on Bills than Nationwide Average

A new report by Doxo Insights found that residents in Batavia spend 23% less a month on bills than the national average.

The report polled 4,000 cities across the U.S.A. including Batavia. The poll found that the average resident of Batavia spends $1,628 a month on bills. The three most common things Batavia residents have for bills are mortgage/rent, car loans, and health insurance. Batavia residents do spend more money on utilities than the national average but also spend less on alarms and security systems.

Even though your bills might feel high most of the time, it’s still better here in Batavia than in many other places.

Batavia Police Department Investigates Threats of Violence in School

Tuesday morning the City of Batavia Police Department was made aware of a series of social media posts that threatened violence in schools.

The City of Batavia Police Department worked alongside the State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Batavia Central School District, and their federal partners looking into the matter. Fortunately, Chief Shawn Heubusch said the investigation proved there is no credible threat to any of the Batavia City School District schools at this time. Heubusch also stated it is unknown who exactly made the threat.

The Batavia PD asks if anyone sees a suspicious post please report it to local law enforcement and do not repost it as it can cause unnecessary panic and hamper investigators’ efforts.

Truck Fire Breaks Out at Target in Batavia

Video News Service reports, that Tuesday afternoon around 2:30 pm a tractor-trailer that was hauling new cars started on fire in the Target parking lot in Batavia.

The tractor-trailer was stopped at the far end of the Target parking lot away from other vehicles when the fire occurred. The fire broke out on the rear end of the truck in the area where the gas tank is. The fire caused damage to both the tractor-trailer and some of the new vehicles being hauled. Fortunately, the Batavia Fire Department was able to quickly respond to the scene and get the fire out in a hurry.

Target stayed open throughout the incident and damage to the parking lot appears to be minimal.

Batavia Downs in Search of Wiener Dogs for Annual Race

In a Tuesday press release, the Batavia Downs announced they are searching for contestants for their Annual Dachshund Races scheduled for October 13th.

The Downs is accepting up to 80 wiener dogs who will race for the crown of fastest wiener dog in Western New York. Each heat race winner will receive free play at the casino, while the top 3 wiener dogs in the championship race will receive free play, food vouchers, and a free hotel stay. The family-oriented event will have face painting, balloon artists, magicians, and pony rides.

If you have a pure-bred dachshund and would like to compete, contact Amy Tygart at the Downs.

Paving Work Planned on Batavia Streets Today

The Genesee County Highway Department announced that today from 6 AM until 4 PM there will be resurfacing operations on several Batavia streets.

The streets that will be affected are Kibbe, Oakland, Jackson, and Osterhout Avenues, and Williams and Evans Streets. Local traffic will be allowed to access their residence on the streets but are warned that delays should be expected. No one is allowed to park on these streets during the resurfacing operations. If you do not live on these streets, please take an alternate route.

This is the second phase of repair operations being performed on these streets with the final phase scheduled for September 30th.

Le Roy Community Rallies to Support Family Who Lost Home to Fire

Last Thursday, the Martinez family in Le Roy lost their home and three of their four dogs in a tragedy when a fire broke out.

Since then, the Le Roy community has rallied behind the Martinez family raising $12,000 on a GoFundMe campaign to help the family rebuild their lives. The fire that consumed their home was so severe it prompted Le Roy Fire Chief Craig Johnson to sound a second alarm. The firefighters were unable to get inside the home and had to fight the fire from the basement and windows. One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion but Fire Chief Johnson said he was “ok”.

Michelle Martinez told 13 WHAM News, “We hope that we can rebuild it (the home) in this community if there’s anything left of the house. Structurally, the outside looks like it’s standing, but the inside is pretty bad, so hopefully we can rebuild and stay within the community and pay it forward if we can.”

Barn in Elba Goes Up in Flames

Monday afternoon, a barn in Elba was engulfed in flames around 12:30 PM.

The fire was initially spotted by the Elba Town Supervisor who happened to be driving by inspecting a project taking place on Bridge Rd. The Town Supervisor called the Elba Fire Chief who quickly dispatched his team to the scene along with help from the Byron, South Byron, and Barre fire departments. The barn was entirely engulfed in flames and one firefighter had to be transported to UMMC for evaluation.

At this time, it is unclear what exactly caused the fire as there is no electricity going to the building.

Up and Down Weekend for Genesee County High School Football Teams

It was an entertaining slate of games over the weekend for Genesee County High School Football that produced a mixed bag of results.

In WBTA’s featured game of the week, the Alexander Trojans defense smothered their longtime rival Attica en route to a 21-0 victory. Le Roy/Cal-Mum picked up their first victory as a merged program with a 20-6 win over Dansville, York Pavilion fell to Avon by a score of 33-6, and in maybe the biggest shock of the week Geneseo, a team that was winless last year, pulverized Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen 48-15 in a score nobody saw coming.

Batavia was the only team to play on Saturday and they dominated Vertus Academy winning 39-0.

HomeCare and Hospice Uses Grant to Give Back to Community

HomeCare and Hospice in Batavia received a $1000 grant for the Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Batavia.

The purpose of the grant is to help HomeCare and Hospice continue to help families maintain independence at home. HomeCare and Hospice is a local business that brings together a team of nurses, physicians, spiritual care providers, and aides to help those at the end of their lives pass away peacefully at home. Wal-Mart allows each location to select a local business to donate a $1000 grant to as part of their yearly $45 million in donations.

Batavia Wal-Mart Pharmacy Manager Somnit Wilson selected HomeCare and Hospice and said, “End-of-life care is often overlooked in many communities, yet hospice offers invaluable support to families. It provides essential care that brings comfort and healing to those navigating the end-of-life journey.”

NASCAR Made its Annual Trip to Western New York

On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series made its 40th annual trip to Watkins Glen International Speedway in Western New York.

It was a sunny day at the speedway in front of a near-maximum-capacity crowd and the race didn’t disappoint. In the race, Ross Chastain battled with New Zealand native Shane Van Gisbergen for many of the early stages. However, following some late-race cautions Chris Buescher emerged as a contender for the win. On a final restart with just two laps remaining, Buescher and Van Gisbergen pushed each other to the limit and Buescher came out victorious with a pass in one of the final turns.

In a post-race interview with WBTA’s Pete Zehler, driver Austin Cindric said, “It’s always great coming up to Watkins Glen, it’s a nice area filled with a lot of great race fans and the track always puts on a good show”

New York health officials are taking action to prevent the spread of mpox in the Empire State. An order has been signed allowing people 18 and older to be vaccinated by a pharmacist without a separate prescription from their doctor. Currently, there’s a variant of mpox spreading in African countries, but the good news is the number of cases in the state has remained low in recent months. Symptoms of mpox include swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches and fever.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will call for legislation to be passed that would give children free meals at school. The measure would allow students to get free breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack regardless of their family’s income level. This bill would expand access to free meals during the summer months and also get rid of school meal debt. Data shows free school meals lead to positive outcomes including improved attendance and classroom performance.

The New York State Cannabis Control Board has an update on licensing and its new efforts to help business owners. During a meeting earlier in the week, the board announced a new grant program (CUARD), which will allow businesses to receive up to $30,000 for equipment and other things needed for their operation. The board isn’t yet accepting grant applications but is planning to in the near future.

There’s a new statewide grant program to help increase food access for New Yorkers. Governor Kathy Hochul says the new ten million dollar Food Access Expansion Grant Program will help increase food access for those living in areas without grocery stores and options for healthy, affordable food. It will provide support for the development and expansion of supermarkets, farm stands, and other retail food stores in underserved regions of the state while also increasing markets for New York farmers.

A celebration of the iconic show Sesame Street will be happening at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester this weekend. From 11:00am until 3:00pm Saturday and Sunday, visitors will have the chance to explore things such as Elmo’s World, say hello to Big Bird and take photos with cast members. The museum is also going to serve as the home of a 30-foot-tall Cookie Monster. All of the special activities are part of admission to the museum.

The Elba Fire Department is having their fall chicken BBQ on Sunday, September 22^nd. It’s drive-through only, from 11:00 until 2:00 or until sold out, at the Elba Recreation Hall at 7143 Oak Orchard Road. $14 includes chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll and a dessert.

HP Hood Honored As Dairy Plant of the Year

The Batavian announced that Batavia dairy plant HP Hood has been named Dairy Foods Magazine Dairy Plant of the Year.

Dairy Foods Magazine praised HP Hood for their automation processing equipment, a wide array of products, and commitment to employee safety and sustainability efforts. HP Hood employs over 418 people and more than 60% of those employees live in Genesee County. HP Hood has made great efforts to remain involved in the community with their participation in the Day of Caring and support of the Batavia Muckdogs.

This is the third award HP Hood has won in 4 years following being named partner of the year for 2020 by Genesee County Economic Development Center and winning an operational excellence award in 2023 by Buffalo Business First.

Genesee County Republican Party Opening New Headquarters

The Genesee County Republican Committee announced they will hold a grand opening ceremony for their new headquarters this Saturday.

The new headquarters will be located on West Main Street in Batavia across the street from CVS. The Republican Party is taking over the building that formerly was Time Buyers Auto. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Steve Hawley along with several other local republican politicians are expected to be in attendance.

At the ceremony, they are giving out free campaign signs for your yard for the upcoming elections in November.

Batavia Downs Donates to Help Dogs in Need

On Tuesday, Batavia Downs President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek gave a representative from Make a Difference (M.A.D) Rescue a check for $4,200 to help support their efforts in rescuing the abandoned street dogs of Puerto Rico.

M.A.D. Rescue is a nonprofit based out of Western New York that goes to Puerto Rico and assists in the recovery, rehabilitation, and adoption of homeless and abused street dogs. Unclaimed funds from the casino along with the sale of bottle openers helped raise the money for this donation.

Jennifer Stilwell, President of M.A.D. said, “These funds are so important for us to continue our work of rescuing and rehabilitating the street dogs of Puerto Rico. With these funds, we can continue finding their forever homes here in Western New York and Beyond.”

Genesee County Drug Task Force Deployed on Monday

Around noon on Monday, the Genesee County Drug Task Force was deployed along with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Batavia Police Department.

The three units comprised the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and fulfilled two separate search warrants at apartments on South Main Street in Batavia. South Main Street was temporarily closed during the search warrant execution and residents reported hearing a loud “bang”. Residents also stated that local police told them to stay inside their homes during the incident. Multiple arrests were made on the scene, the ERT said they would release further information at a future time but noted no injuries occurred.

Chief Shawn Heubusch of the Batavia PD said, “We wish to thank the community for their tips and information on both of these addresses as we work hard to hold those accountable that illegally distribute drugs in our City”

Governor Hochul Visited Rochester and Made Big Announcement

On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul made the trip up to Rochester where she announced she is pledging $39 million to help reduce crime in Rochester and Monroe County.

Of the $39 million, $24 million will be dedicated to new technology and equipment to assist with solving crime, $6 million will be invested in gun violence elimination initiatives around the county and $8.9 million will be given to organizations that create opportunities and jobs for youth and families. Hochul also directed the State Police to commit 25 additional officers to assist the Rochester Police Department.

Governor Hochul said, “While we have seen great progress in reducing crime overall in Rochester, Monroe County, and across the State, there is more to be done.”

Batavia Dollar General Adds Produce Section

Dollar General’s corporate office announced that they are adding a produce section to Batavia’s location on Main Street.

While Dollar General is not a grocer, they have added produce sections to 5,400 of their stores over the past 2 years. It will not have the widest selection, but it will offer the 20 produce items that are most sought-after in traditional grocery stores. The new produce section in Dollar General will offer a budget-friendly option to those who are looking to save some extra dollars.

Matthew Simpson, Dollar General’s Senior Vice President of Store Development said, “Although we are not a grocery store, we believe the addition of produce in our Batavia store highlights our commitment to deliver a pleasant shopping experience that includes affordable prices on quality products in a convenient location.”

High School Football Returns to Genesee County

Over the weekend, high school football was back in full swing as several teams throughout Genesee County got back to the gridiron.

Two Genesee County teams faced off when Batavia traveled to Le Roy/Cal Mum and Batavia dominated en route to a 32-0 victory. The Alexander Trojans made the long trip down to Haverling and picked up a slim 13-12 win. York/Pavilion faced off against Canisteo-Greenwood in a rematch of last year’s Section V Class D championship game and won 23-20. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba hosted the Letchworth/Warsaw/Perry ‘dawgs and lost by a score of 27-21. Lastly, in 8-man football, Pembroke traveled to Wellsville where they won 26-24.

After a successful opening week for Genesee County football teams, WBTA will travel this Friday to bring you live coverage of Alexander vs Attica.

3 Major Business Projects Advanced in Le Roy

At the most recent Genesee County Economic Development Center Board meeting, they approved 3 different business projects in Le Roy.

The first resolution passed was an initial resolution on a $3.8 million project on Lent Street that would renovate a 32,500-square-foot structure and create 4 new jobs. The board advanced the request of over $275,000 in tax exemptions to a hearing. The next two resolutions were final resolutions for 2 separate solar panel projects in Le Roy that will generate 7 megawatts of power for the village. The $20 million project was passed.

The past few months have seen a burst of new industry into Genesee County and should make us all feel more secure in our futures.

New Wine Bar Could Be on its Way to Batavia

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that entrepreneur Rob Credi applied for a liquor license for a new business “Shush Wine Bar, LLC”.

The new wine bar would be located on Jackson Street at Gilliana’s Diner. The application submitted by Credi is set to be reviewed in this evening’s Batavia City Council meeting. Credi is the current owner of Pub Coffee Hub on Harvester Avenue in Batavia, and formerly owned Main Street Coffee along with the currently defunct Xavmen Ramen take-out diner.

The new wine bar would add to Batavia’s downtown nightlife scene which has been thriving on weekends.

State Attorney General Letitia James is targeting Artificial Intelligence this election season, and she wants New Yorkers to know how to recognize and report fake content online. James noted AI can be used to create fake or misleading videos, images, or audio that impersonate people or candidates to spread misinformation. Her office released the “Protecting New Yorkers from AI-Generated Election Misinformation” guide, which includes examples of how AI-generated materials can be used by bad actors to spread misinformation and create confusion, even about the locations of polls. New Yorkers are advised not to rely upon chat-bots to answer their election questions, and they should be skeptical about emotionally charged or sensational videos circulating that could be fake.

With schools back in session this week, a new push is being made to help protect kids while they’re online. Congressman Joe Morelle and other leaders were in Irondequoit on Thursday to discuss measures that would keep children away from harmful materials, cyberbullying and the exploitation of their personal data. Social media companies would also be required to have strong safety settings for kids. There’s no word yet if this measure will come up for a vote.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding drivers about a change made to a state law. Under this legislation, penalties for people who use a glass or plastic license plate covering to try and avoid detection or toll collection will face a bigger fine. Violators will have to pay at least 100 bucks and also repeat offenders may have their registration suspended for 90 days. The state has been cracking down on toll evaders this year and made more than 450 arrests.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging New Yorkers to get the newly updated coronavirus vaccine. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald signed an order that allows New Yorkers to receive the new vaccine at any pharmacy in New York State without a prescription.   Officials say numbers are still nowhere near as bad as during the height of the pandemic, but 3,500 New Yorkers passed away from COVID last year and there were around 73,000 COVID related hospitalizations.

Western New York Llama Fest is on this weekend in Arcade at 360 Park Road.   There will be a baby llama-naming contest, llama cart rides, and the opportunity to meet “J” the world famous llama. More information can be found at WYNLlamaFest.com.

The Buffalo Bills are unveiling some brand-new food options that fans will be able to dig into at Highmark Stadium. The offerings include a two-foot long nacho dish and “The Battle Boat” which is waffle fries, bacon, sour cream and pierogies. The other half of the dish will rotate depending on whom the Bills are hosting. Because Arizona is in town this weekend, the boat will have a southwest theme and include limes, corn and ancho spice (which adds a roasted element to whatever you add it to).

The next Holland Land Office Museum Trivia Night focuses on the US Constitution; the public is welcome on Thursday, September 12^th. There will be prizes and refreshments. Please contact the Museum ahead of time if you’d like to attend by calling 343-4727.

The Our Lady of Batavia Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a chicken bar-b-q on Sunday, September 15th from 10:00am until they’re sold out. The cost is $15 and includes a half chicken, macaroni salad, potatoes, dessert and a dinner roll. It’s take-out only and proceeds will benefit local charities. Presale tickets are preferred and may be obtained by calling 343-3810.

GOArt at 201 East Main Street Batavia is the place to be next Friday evening, September 13^th from 7 to 8:30. Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated.

Fewer Americans are applying for unemployment benefits. Numbers out today from the Labor Department show 227,000 initial claims received in the week ending August 31st. That’s a decrease of 5,000 from the week prior.   It’s also just about what most analysts were expecting.

The Recovery Station Grand Opening is Scheduled in Batavia

On September 20th, the Recovery Station will hold its grand opening ceremony in Batavia where Bohn’s Restaurant once was.

The Recovery Station is a new social gathering place that aims to help people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. The Recovery Station will be open every Sunday serving food and putting NFL games up on their assortment of TV’s. Two bands will perform at the Grand Opening ceremony – Groove and Black Cherry Voodoo.

Melissa Vineyard, coordinator of the Recovery Station said, “As a person in recovery, I think one of the greatest barriers for people in recovery is finding places to go to learn how to have fun again, without the drinking and the drugs, at The Recovery Station, they can find that outlet.”

Ambulance Roll Over in Elba

Thursday afternoon around 3 PM, a Mercy Flight EMT ambulance was involved in a 2 vehicle accident at the intersection of Rt. 98 and Batavia Elba Townline Rd. that resulted in the ambulance rolling over and landing on its roof.

At the time of the accident, the ambulance was traveling with a patient on board seeking medical attention. The other vehicle involved in the accident, a black sedan, carried two occupants. The sedan had its roof removed by the jaws of life to extricate the passengers. Two Mercy Flight helicopters were dispatched to the scene. Officers on the scene reported there were no life-threatening injuries, but one person from the sedan was transported by Mercy Flight to the hospital, while the other occupant and the patient in the ambulance were transported via ambulance to the hospital. No injuries were reported to the driver and medic of the ambulance.

The cause of the accident remains unknown at this time.

LeRoyan of the Year has Been Named

The Le Roy American Legion, Botts-Fiorito Post 576 has named John Johnson as their 2024 LeRoyan of the Year.

John Johnson is a well-respected community member who has served as a councilperson on the town board for several years. The American Legion was looking for a candidate that exemplified the true spirit of Americanism displaying a deep love for their country, good citizenship by going above and beyond what is expected of them, and service in the community. The Legion felt strongly that John Johnson checked all these boxes.

John relieves Katrina Flint who was last year’s recipient.

$3.8 Million Project in Le Roy Considered by GCEDC

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board will consider an initial resolution for a $3.8 million project in Le Roy during their meeting today.

The project would involve renovating a 32,500-square-foot building at 9 Lent Street in Le Roy. It is unclear at this time what exactly the business would be, but it would create 4 new jobs. The LLC behind the project is requesting $267,725 in property tax abatements along with $77,600 in sales tax exemptions. The project estimates it will generate $3,382,738 in fiscal returns.

The board will also consider final resolutions for two solar farm projects in Le Roy as part of their meeting.

4 Dead in Georgia High School Shooting

A tragedy occurred at Apalachee High School in Georgia when four people were killed in a school shooting Wednesday morning.

Local police stated that they have taken the alleged gunman, a 14-year-old student at the school, into custody alive. Upwards of 30 people were injured in the shooting with 9 transported to a local hospital, it is unclear at this time how many were injured from gunshot wounds.

The school received a phone call on Wednesday morning warning them there would be shootings at five schools. Fortunately, no other shootings have been reported.

Batavia Business Improvement District Announces Annual Scarecrow Contest

The Batavia Business Improvement District will host its annual Scarecrow Contest in Downtown Batavia starting September 17th.

Any Genesee County business, group, or organization can enter for just $20. With your entry, you will be provided with straw, a post, zip ties, and a pole assignment in Downtown Batavia. The rest is up to you, to design your scarecrow uniquely. Supply pickup will begin on September 17th and scarecrows need to be up no later than October 4th.

The Batavia Improvement District Board will select their favorite scarecrow and the winner will receive a cash prize.

Two Car Accident in Le Roy Tuesday Morning

Video News Service reports that on Tuesday morning around 8 am, a two-car crash on West Main Street in Le Roy forced traffic to be shut down in one lane temporarily.

The accident involved a silver Chrysler minivan and a green Toyota sedan where both vehicles sustained significant front-end damage. The accident occurred directly before the “Welcome to Le Roy” bridge. All the occupants of both vehicles were able to exit under their own power and were checked out for injuries that were described as “minor”.

The Le Roy Fire Department responded to the scene due to one of the vehicles involved in the crash leaking fluids onto the street.

Most Anticipated Game in Recent Memory to be Played at Hartwood Park Friday

Maybe the most anticipated game in the history of Genesee County High School Football will be played at Hartwood Park in Le Roy on Friday evening when the Batavia Blue Devils take a short trip down Route 5 to play the Le Roy/Cal Mum Rivals.

Le Roy and Cal Mum merged following the completion of last season officially ending the oldest rivalry in all of Section V. Le Roy and Cal Mum had played each other since 1900, combining for 10 State Championships and 31 Section V Championships. In their all-time series, Cal Mum held the lead over Le Roy with a record of 45-42-2 against the Oatkan Knights. For decades, Class C was settled between Le Roy and Cal Mum.

Batavia enters this game looking to bounce back and win Class B for the 7th time in the last 13 years. The Blue Devils enter the season as the favorite to win Class B with a veteran team and a weaker Class B field than in years past. When they travel to Hartwood Park on Friday, they are likely to see a madhouse of fans from Le Roy, Cal Mum, and Batavia as all are within a 10-minute drive. WBTA will bring you live coverage with Pete Zehler and Paul Spiotta.

Oakfield Historical Society Dedicates New Bench to Vietnam Veterans

Howard Owens with the Batavian reports, that the Oakfield Historical Society has dedicated a bench to honor Vietnam Veterans at Triangle Park.

The bench started to become an idea when a year and a half ago, Oakfield Reisdent George Norway thought it was wrong that there was no memorial to Vietnam Veterans at the park when there were memorials for both the World Wars and the Korean War. The Oakfield Historical Society agreed and designed the bench shortly after that.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley was in attendance for the dedication ceremony and gave a speech about how Viernam Veterans are often forgotten and shunned following the controversial war and continued to state how he is proud to see that in recent years they have been treated more appropriately.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Promotes Tax Plan to Lower Costs

Over the long weekend, New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney unveiled her new Tax Plan designed to lower costs for families and small businesses.

Tenney who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee which takes charge of America's tax policy, wants to find a policy that can work for all Americans. Tenney has also stated she is committed to holding the IRS accountable and preventing unfair auditing practices.

Congresswoman Tenney said, "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which I supported, was the most significant tax reform legislation signed into law in decades. I remain dedicated to supporting tax policies that are pro-growth, pro-worker, and fiscally responsible to shield hardworking taxpayers from high prices and wasteful spending by the government."


Department of Agriculture Announces New Debt Consolidation Tool

The United States Department of Agriculture announced a new debt consolidation tool to help local farmers manage their operating debt. 

The new tool on the farmers.gov website allows farmers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate their potential savings that could be obtained with a debt consolidation loan. A debt consolidation loan is a new loan used to pay off other existing operating loans or lines of credit that might have unreasonable rates and terms.

The Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said, “Providing producers with options to structure their debt in a manner that affords them every opportunity to meet the goals of their agricultural operation is the best way to ensure the nation’s farmers and ranchers build financial equity and resilience,”

Batavia High School Named School of Excellence

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association named Batavia High School as one of their 2023-2024 Schools of Excellence.

To be named a School of Excellence, 75% of the school's varsity teams need to receive the Scholar-Athlete Team Award that highlights exceptional academic and athletic achievement. 226 schools across the state have received this prestigious honor. Batavia joins Byron-Bergen High School as the only two schools in Genesee County so far to receive this award.

Batavia Superintendent Jason Smith said, "This achievement shines a positive light on our entire Batavia community, showcasing the caliber of students we nurture and the supportive environment we've cultivated together."

With high numbers of people on the roads this Labor Day, police across New York State are working to keep everyone safe. Law enforcement is patrolling and on the lookout for drivers who are behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s recommended that anyone who is planning to drink today or anytime use a designated driver or ride-share service. Dangerous activity can be reported by dialing 9-1-1.

The next Holland Land Office Museum Trivia Night focuses on the US Constitution; the public is welcome on Thursday, September 12^th. There will be prizes and refreshments. Please contact the Museum ahead of time if you’d like to attend by calling 343-4727.

The Our Lady of Batavia Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a chicken bar-b-q on Sunday, September 15th from 10:00am until they’re sold out. The cost is $15 and includes a half chicken, macaroni salad, potatoes, dessert and a dinner roll. It’s take-out only and proceeds will benefit local charities. Presale tickets are preferred and may be obtained by calling 343-3810.

A golf tournament will be held at the LeRoy Country Club to benefit Crossroads House and the Emily Holt Scholarship. Mark Saturday, September 7^th on your calendar and visit fpcbatavia.org for details.

GOArt at 201 East Main Street Batavia is the place to be on Friday evening, September 13^th from 7 to 8:30. Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated.

NBC News Features:

Governor Hochul is advising New Yorkers to protect themselves against mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus. Prevention remains the most effective method of protection, and Hochul is urging people to wear long sleeves when outdoors for protection from bites, particularly at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and use insect repellent with DEET. Twenty human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the state and EEE has been confirmed across multiple counties in New York. Early symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses start out like a cold or flu, but experts say if you start loosing your balance or have confusion you should seek medical care immediately.

New York state is taking big steps to combat the opioid and overdose crisis. Governor Hochul announced the distribution of over 20-million fentanyl and xylazine test strips statewide which can help prevent overdoses. These strips, which can detect fentanyl and xylazine, in addition to naloxone kits, and overdose response training sessions at places like the NY State Fair, are part of the state’s push to make addiction and overdose treatment more accessible to save more lives. Hochul also released federal data showing estimated overdose deaths in areas of New York outside New York City declined 9% in the 12-month period ending March 2024.

A lot of people are going to be out on the roads in the next few days, and police across New York State will be working to keep everyone safe. Law enforcement is going to step up their patrols and be on the lookout for drivers who are behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s recommended that anyone who is planning to drink use a designated driver or ride-share service. Dangerous activity can be reported by dialing 9-1-1.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department is issuing a warning to residents about an ongoing scam throughout our region. People have reported getting a call from an individual claiming to be a deputy and saying the person who picked up the phone missed jury duty or a court appearance. The scammer then asks the person to pay over $4,000 to resolve this issue by using a form of payment from Dollar General. The sheriff’s office says it would never make a call like this and urges anyone who gets one to hang up immediately.

Farmers in New York State are making more money after Governor Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to buy more from them. She says spending on New York State food increased from $15 million in 2022 to $78 million last year.   This comes after Hochul signed an executive order last year that required state agencies to get at least 5% of their food or food product purchases from New York State growers and producers by the end of last year.   She says agencies exceeded that, sourcing nearly 15% of their food from them.

Frederick-Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport has been nominated for a Top 10 list being put together by USA Today. The media agency is looking to rank the top small airports in country. A total of 20 airports are nominated and the public will whittle down that tally until just 10 remain.   In 2023, over two million people traveled through Rochester’s airport. Voting closes September 23rd and ballots can be cast online.

A Lackawanna teenager’s wish is coming true thanks to Make-A-Wish Western New York. The organization gifted Caleb Kinsley, a cancer survivor, a new dirt bike after hearing about his story.   The teen is a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor who started battling cancer four years ago when he was 15. Kinsley said he’s always had a passion for dirt bikes and his wish growing up was to race. The director of development Mary Hazel said the organization is grateful to give him hope adding its medicine for the soul. Make-A-Wish Western New York grants wishes for children in the region with critical illnesses.

GOArt at 201 East Main Street Batavia is the place to be on Friday evening, September 13^th from 7 to 8:30. Bart Dentino will perform a selection of music, including some original compositions. The event is free and open to the public; however, tips are welcome and appreciated.

The United Way and Genesee Symphony Orchestra will present Summer Serenade on Saturday, September 7^th. The show will be held at Terry Hills in the Banquet Facility and proceeds will benefit the United Way’s Backpack program. Tickets are $50 each and a cash bar will be available. For more information, call 585.242.6400, visit www.unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade or contact a GSO member.

NBC News Features…

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available and is recommended in light of a summer surge in COVID cases.   The CDC is saying that adults and children ages six months and up should get the newly formulated COVID shot. It targets the KP-point-two strain, which mutated from a highly contagious Omicron sub-variant. KP-point-three is now what’s turning up in more than 50-percent of positive COVID tests but the CDC says the newly approved Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are a close match. If you got a COVID shot this summer, you’ll have to wait to get the new one, though, because health experts say the vaccines need to be spread out.

Millions of Americans are planning one last summer getaway over this Labor Day weekend. Domestic travel is up nine-percent from last year, with San Francisco, New York, Boston, Denver, and Chicago among the top destinations.   International travel to cities like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and Dublin is also popular, although down four-percent from last year. Over the weekend, the TSA plans to check a record-breaking 17 million travelers.

The American Dream feels out of reach for most of us. According to the Wall Street Journal/NORC poll conducted this summer, only 10% of Americans say it’s easy to buy a home. But 89% still see homeownership as essential or important to their future. Only about 9% think financial security and a comfortable retirement is attainable.

Arrest Made Following Shots Fired in Batavia Mobile Home Park

New York State Troopers arrested Robert Tolbot following complaints of shots being fired at the Babcock Mobile Home Park in Batavia.

New York State Police responded to reports that a white SUV had six bullet holes in its windshield at the Mobile Home Park. Upon arrival, the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit surveyed the scene to determine where the shots originated. Following their investigation they arrested Talbot and after searching the residence he was in they recovered a .22 long-range rifle and a 20 gauge pump shotgun. Talbot is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess weapons following an incident in Texas where he was accused of planning the mass murder of men, women, and children at a mosque in Washington D.C.

Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident and nobody was in the vehicle when the shots were fired. Talbot has been taken to the Genesee County Jail where he is held pending arraignment.

New Burger King Location on it’s Way to Batavia

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that a new location for the fast food chain Burger King is in the works in Batavia.

The new location will be just across the street from where the current Burger King resides, at the former home of Batavia Restaurant Supply. The former Batavia Restaurant Supply building has been taped off as demolition for the building is set to begin shortly. The reason for the move is Burger King will have more room for a larger drive-thru at this location, and being located next to a stop light is considered favorable.

Batavia Restaurant Supply has moved into the Valu Plaza where they continue to conduct business as usual.

Batavia Mini Bulldawgs Beat Varsity Blue Devils Once Again

A tradition started by former Batavia Varsity Football Coach Brennan Briggs continued this week when members of the Batavia Mini Bulldawgs faced off against the Varsity Batavia Blue Devils in the Blue Devil experience game at Van Detta Stadium.

The game was created by Briggs to create a bond between the Varsity Athletes and the young players coming up the ranks. It inspires the young athletes to love the game so that one day they can be Blue Devil Varsity players. As is tradition, the Mini Bulldawgs won once again, extending their win streak back to the game’s inception. They won by a score of 31-26 on a touchdown scored with a minute and thirty seconds left by Z. Truesdale.

The varsity Blue Devils kick off their season against Le Roy/Cal-Mum in Le Roy next Friday night.

$10,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 Pool at Batavia Downs Today

The Batavia Downs announced that during the first race this evening there will be a guaranteed $10,000 pool for the Pick 5.

During last Saturday’s races at the Downs, nobody hit on the Pick 5 again, which meant there was a carryover of $3,558. Track management guaranteed the Pick 5 pool at $10,000 through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program. To do your due diligence and research, you can view past performances of the horses in the race on the USTA website.

The post time for the first race is 6 PM tonight.

The Fourth Annual Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp was a Big Success

News 10 NBC reports, that the fourth annual Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp was a big success.

For the boot camp, 11 students worked with local employers to learn more about what career path they may want to follow. One of those businesses was Craft Cannery in Bergen where they pack sauces. Students learned about the process of packing the sauces, how to repair machinery when it breaks, and even a bit about electrical work.

Programs like these have been shown in the past to help students unsure about their career path, find some more direction by realizing there a many paths available to them even in local businesses.

Labor Daze in Oakfield Set to be Better than Ever

This weekend the 40th annual celebration of Labor Daze is set to return to the Village of Oakfield and it may just be their best one yet.

To kick things off, they’re bringing back their classic car cruise from 10 am until 3 pm on Saturday. There will be new raffles this year with a little bit of something for everyone. This year’s lineup looks to have more food and art vendors than ever before. Several local bands will be performing at the event, including the much-anticipated return of Terry Buchwald as Elvis. Finally, on Monday the famous Labor Day Parade that dates back to 1947 will highlight the event.

For more information on the event and a complete schedule, go to oakfieldbetterment.com

Batavia Man Arrested Following on Foot Pursuit

The Batavia Police Department announced on Monday that Jon Bush Jr. of Batavia was arrested following a short foot chase.

On the 5th of August, Batavia Police Department officers pulled over a vehicle on Park Road for a traffic violation. Officers noted a man inside the car climbing into the back seat and hiding. Upon investigation, they discovered it was Bush who had two outstanding warrants. Bush then quickly exited the vehicle and tried to escape on foot, once the officers caught Bush he attempted to fight them and injured one before he could be taken into custody.

Bush was remanded to the Genesee County Jail without bail and faces charges of Assault in the 2nd degree and Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd degree.

Buffalo Author Coming to Le Roy to Discuss New Book

Following the release of her latest book, The Assassin of Venice, Buffalo-based author Alyssa Palombo announced she is coming to the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy today to discuss the new book.

Palombo is an author who grew up in Buffalo and has now authored 6 books, mostly of the historical variety. Best-selling author Stephanie Storey called the newest book “a lightning-fast ride through the shadowy canals of Renaissance Venice, where secrets are traded like currency and power and passion collide. Alyssa Palombo weaves an unforgettable tale of seduction and betrayal with a tantalizing twist that will keep you up reading well past your bedtime”

Palombo will be at the Woodward Memorial Library from 6-7 PM this evening.

Governor Hochul Announces 500 Scholarships Awarded for Future Healthcare Workers

On Monday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced 500 winners of the ” NYS Health Care Workers For Our Future” scholarship.

The goal of the scholarship is to help address the shortage of healthcare workers in smaller communities. The scholarship will fully pay for its recipient’s cost of attendance for two years. The recipients had to previously commit to work in an underserved area in New York for at least two years following their graduation.
Governor Hochul said. “These scholarships will not only help students achieve their educational goals but also ensure that communities across our state have access to vital health care services. I congratulate all the recipients and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our health care system and in our communities.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas is on the decline statewide but is increasing slightly locally. The national average price is currently $3.38; the state average is at $3.52 and that’s down a dime from last month. Meanwhile, in Batavia, the average price per gallon calculates out to $3.58, that’s the same as it was a week ago but up 4 pennies from a month ago today.

Governor Hochul says progress is being made in the Empire State against the ongoing opioid and overdose epidemic. Overdose deaths outside of New York City fell 9% during the 12-month period ending in March 2024 compared to the previous one-year period. The state has also distributed almost 700,000 Naloxone kits and nearly 20 million test strips. Anyone struggling with addiction can get assistance 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-8-HOPENY.

Fisher Price and Wegmans are again giving Buffalo Bills fans the chance to take home miniature versions of their favorite players. The latest Little People collection featuring the NFL franchise includes quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Matt Milano, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and a member of Bills Mafia. These figures go on sale tomorrow at Wegmans stores and cost $23.99 each. Proceeds will benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Nearly $40 million is being awarded for the next phase of New York’s Youth Employment Program, which aims to reduce gun violence. Governor Hochul says job opportunities and training will be provided to another 2,500 at-risk youth in communities across the state, including Western and Finger Lakes regions. Hochul says the program has already connected thousands of young people with jobs in recent years and helped drive down gun violence. She announced earlier this week that shootings declined 29% through July in communities across New York.

Indigenous people across the state are going to benefit from a new $2.5 million grant to help pay for their dental care. The state Department of Heath said the funding will support and expand care through the American Indian Health Program, which provides access to preventive, medical, and dental care to members of recognized Indigenous nations.   Nine nations, including the Seneca, Tonawanda and Tuscarora in Western New York, will be getting dental assistance.   Some others include the Onondaga, Saint Regis Mohawk, and Oneida, just to name a few others. Services also include pediatric care, diabetes education, mental health counseling and assistance with enrolling in child and family health programs.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is officially rolling out a newly designed website. The agency says the website will make it easier for drivers to navigate dozens of transactions and get important information from DMV. Key features include an up-to-date content management system, a user-friendly design and additional website security. The web address remains unchanged and is still dmv.ny.gov.

The United Way and Genesee Symphony Orchestra will present Summer Serenade on Saturday, September 7^th. The show will be held at Terry Hills in the Banquet Facility and proceeds will benefit the United Way’s Backpack program. Tickets are $50 each and a cash bar will be available. For more information, visit www.unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade or contact a GSO member.

A golf tournament will be held at the LeRoy Country Club to benefit Crossroads House and the Emily Holt Scholarship. Mark Saturday, September 7^th on your calendar and visit fpcbatavia.org for details.

NBC News Features…

Human beings age faster at two points in their lives, scientists have found. A new study showed that humans have two faster bursts of aging at a molecular level at the ages of 44 and again at 60. Research showed that aging happens this way rather than in a consistent, linear fashion. At those two ages, the ability to metabolize caffeine and alcohol notably decreases, and see they more muscle injuries and fat accumulation.

The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving a long-term mark on society in the form of decreased life expectancy. According to an analysis of all 50 states by the CDC, babies born in a majority of states in 2021 should expect to live a nine-month shorter life than the 79-year average the prior year. That is the case in 38 states, while eleven states held steady or in the case of New Jersey, the projected lifespan increased by a year-and-a-half.

Smoking one or two cigarettes a day before pregnancy can cause health problems for the newborn. Researchers in China studied data from the U.S. and found that light cigarette smoking before pregnancy increased the newborn’s risk of pre-term delivery, low birth weight, restricted fetal growth and other health issues by 16 percent. That risk increased by more than 30 percent if the mother smoked during pregnancy. The findings were published this week in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The CDC says the U.S. birth rate appears to be at a new low. Data out this week shows the U.S. birth rate fell by nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022, and dropped again last year. The data shows there were about 3-1/2 million registered births in the U.S. in 2023, about two percent fewer than the year before. Population experts say there could be several reasons for the decline, including the high cost of having children, concerns about the future, and that it’s more socially acceptable now to not have children.

The U.S. will restart the government’s free at-home COVID-19 test program next month. Health officials announced Friday that the program will be re-launched ahead of the holiday season as families begin to spend more time indoors.   The government has also launched an awareness campaign aimed at those at risk of severe disease. The decisions come as COVID hospitalization and death rates have spiked in the U.S. recently. On Thursday, the FDA approved updated COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer.

A rate cut is likely in September. That’s according to the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s meeting last month. The vast majority of those at the meeting observed that if U.S. financial numbers keep coming in at expectations, then a cut to rates is very probable next month.   The rate cut would be the first since the early days of the COVID pandemic. According to the minutes, investors are confident about the direction of inflation.

Batavia Downs Gives Over $8000 To Monroe County Veterans

The Batavia Downs announced on Thursday that following a fundraiser on August 17th, they have given $8,800 to the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court.

The Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court is an organization that helps assist Veterans with their needs in the court system. The Batavia Downs organized live auctions and penny auctions on August 17th to raise funds for the organization. Many Batavia Downs employees contributed to the event by donating items or baskets.

After presenting the $8,800 check to the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court, Batavia Downs CEO Henry Wotjaszek said, “Veterans have a special meaning for Batavia Downs. Special thanks to Michael Horton, our director from Steuben County, who was the auctioneer for the exciting live action that was the highlight of the event.”

Massive Milling Project Set to Kick Off Next Week in Batavia

The City of Batavia Bureau of Maintenance announced today that they will begin a large-scale street milling project starting on Tuesday.

The streets that will be milled include, Dellinger, Jackson, Jefferson, Kibbe, Oakland, Osterhout, Porter, and Thomas Avenues, along with Douglas, Evans, and Williams Streets. Milling operations are expected to last until Thursday and work will take place each day from 6 AM until 4 PM.

While local traffic will be allowed, the city asks that avoid driving down these roads if possible and under no circumstances park on the street.

Most Decorated Field in Batavia Downs History Set to Go Saturday Night

Saturday night in the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace at the Batavia Downs, the most decorated field of pacers in the history of the Downs is set to race.

The 8-horse field has a combined lifetime earnings of $6.5 million. 3 of the horses in the field have passed the million-dollar threshold on their own. Hellabalou has earned $1,446,071 in his career and is coming off a victory in the $457,000 MGM Borgotta at Yonkers Raceway earlier this year. Covered Bridge has earned $1,344,523 in his career and is the defending champion of this race and the winningest horse in the field with 51 career victories. Desperate Man has earned $1,270,279 in his career and is coming off several strong finishes this year.

The City of Batavia Reminds Citizens About Parking Rules and Regulations

The City of Batavia issued a statement today reminding its citizens and visitors about the parking rules and regulations within the city.

Among the rules to follow are never park in front of a fire hydrant and never park on a sidewalk. In Batavia, there is no overnight parking allowed on the streets and public parking lots between the hours of 2 AM and 6 AM. All City of Batavia municipal parking lots have color-coded parking spots. Red means you can park for 15 minutes, white means for 2 hours and orange means you can park all day.

If you get a parking ticket, you can dispute it and/or pay for it completely online.

The New York State Fair is Officially Back

On Wednesday, the 183rd rendition of the New York State Fair returned to the state fairgrounds in Syracuse.

The State Fair has several attractions this year that will capture the attention of all the visitors including the 800-pound butter sculpture that has become a tradition at the fair. There will be several concerts including notable bands such as Blue Oyster Cult, Flo Rida, Joan Jett, and Rick Ross. As always there is a seemingly endless list of food vendors, fair rides, and displays to see.

Tickets are available online for as cheap as $8.

Governor Hochul Announces Progress on Addressing the Opioid Epidemic Across NY

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that some positive progress has been made in addressing the statewide opioid epidemic.

Overdose deaths across the state, not including New York City, are down by 9 percent over the last year. Hochul has made more than $335 million in opioid settlement funds available. These settlement funds are used to help local communities invest in addiction prevention, recovery services, and other resources that can help reduce opioid deaths.

Governor Hochul said, “We’ll continue taking aggressive action and deploying new resources that will save lives and ensure New Yorkers struggling with addiction get the services and support they need.”

Byron-Bergen Students to Have Free Meals for the 2024-2025 School Year

The Byron-Bergen Central School District announced Tuesday that all student meals will be free for the 2024-25 school year.

Byron-Bergen qualifies for the free meals based on income statistics from district families in 2022. The free meals will not affect local taxes and are paid for by the United States Department of Agriculture. This program also may qualify certain students for reduced rates on Advanced Placement exams, reduced college application fees, and eligibility for certain grants.

Byron-Bergen Superintendent Pat McGee said, “This is the second year that we have been able to provide free meals to all students and it’s essential that this program extend beyond this year,”

Graham Breaks Ground on New $18 Million Facility

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that on Monday Graham Manufacturing held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 29,000-square-foot facility in Batavia.

The new facility will create 24 new full-time positions and help meet Graham’s customers growing needs, including the U.S. Navy. This new facility will serve as a support facility to the submarine and aircraft carrier industrial base. New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenny, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and a representative for Senator Chuck Schumer were in attendance for the ceremony.

Graham Manufacturing CEO Daniel Thoren said, “Graham is an ideal subcontractor for the Department of Defense. We are patriotic, and we enjoy supporting our brothers and sisters in the military. We are proud to be a U.S. manufacturer with over 85 years of continuous operation in the state of New York,”

NYSS Returns to Batavia Downs Tonight with Intriguing Race

The New York Sire Stakes returns tonight to the Batavia Downs with a 5 horse field containing first-year male trotters.

The purse for the race is set at $102,500 and the betting favorite is BJM’s Little Man. Little Man has won 4 of his 6 career starts, however, only one of those has come in a NYSS event, and in the last race Little Man participated in he finished third to two of his competitors in this race. Karinchak who is the second betting favorite won his previous outing at Monticello Raceway where Little Man finished third. Variegated who is the third favorite finished second in the race at Monticello.

Post time for the first race is 6 PM and there are also two Excelsior trots on the card.

Byron-Bergen Students Send Needed Supplies to School in Belize

The Byron-Bergen High School Adventure Club sent much-needed supplies to an underresourced school in Belize.

The Adventure Club went on a trip to Belize earlier this year where they visited Succotz R.C. School. When at the school they saw the school was under-resourced and relied on donations for supplies. The students at Byron-Bergen went to local businesses and were able to obtain classroom supplies, teaching materials, athletic equipment, and money to cover the cost of shipment.

The supplies and materials sent will make a big difference in Belize.

Batavia Fireman Honored at Erie County Fair

The Erie County Fair announced that as part of their daily honoring of different firefighters, City of Batavia Fire Department Captain Bob Fix was honored.

The Erie County Fair’s Firefighter Honoree is awarded to firefighters who exemplify the positive characteristics of a member of the fire service. Captain Fix was nominated by Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation & Genesee Senior Living Adult Home. During recent heatwaves, Captain Fix assisted residents at the nursing home making sure all the equipment at the home was operational and it was a safe environment for the elderly patients.

Captain Fix was the only Genesee County Fireman honored at the Erie County Fair.

May Robbery at Barrett’s Batavia Marine Finally Solved

The Batavia Police Department announced on Monday, that following a 2-month investigation they have finally made an arrest in relation to the robbery at Barrett’s Batavia Marine on May 27th.

Nathanial Thompson of Albion was arrested in relation to the robbery. It is alleged that Thompson broke into the store early on the morning of May 27th and stole multiple guns. Barrett was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Thompson faces charges of Burglary in the 2nd degree, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree, Conspiracy in the 4th degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, and Grand Larceny in the 3rd degree.

Fatal Car Accident in Batavia

On Saturday the Batavia Police Department reported a fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on the outskirts of Batavia.

Around 9:37 PM, Saturday, the City of Batavia Police Department and Fire Department responded to reports of power lines down on Creek Road. Upon arrival they discovered a telephone pole down in the middle of the street and an overturned vehicle on fire down in an embankment. After extinguishing the fire they pulled Tanysha Thomas of Caledonia from the car where she was then transported to UMMC where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Batavia Police believe Thomas lost control of the vehicle while navigating a turn, then struck a telephone pole, followed by a tree before rolling into the embankment.

Group of Men Recklessly Shooting Air Soft Guns in Batavia

Video News Service reports that on Saturday a group of men in Batavia were seen targetting vehicles with airsoft guns.

The City of Batavia Police Department responded to the area of Center Street and Ellicott Street following a call about four men shooting airsoft guns at vehicles. Upon arrival, the suspects were no longer at the scene and had not been caught.

There were no reports on whether or not the airsoft pellets left any damage on any of the vehicles involved in the incident.

Scare in Attica

Video News Service reported that Sunday afternoon there were reports of a possible inmate escapee in Attica.

Someone called the Attica Police around 2 PM Sunday reporting they spotted someone wearing green prison-issued clothes at the Attica Chinese Restaurant. Police were able to locate the suspect and speak with him. Following a count at Attica Prison and the Wyoming County Jail they confirmed that the man was not an escaped inmate.

It is unclear why the man was wearing prison-issued clothes at this time.

On 8/13/2024, Nathanial S Thompson (age 23) of Albion, was arrested and charged with Burglary 2nd, Criminal Mischief 3rd, Conspiracy 4th, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, and Grand Larceny 3rd. Thompson is alleged to have broken into Barrett’s Batavia Marine, on 5/27/2024, and stolen multiple guns. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail, without bail. He is due back in court, on 9/11/2024.

On 8/5/2024, Paul R Hoffman (age 50) of Buffalo, was arrested for Failure to Report a Change of Address as a Sex Offender. It’s alleged that Hoffman moved, but failed to update his address as he is required to do, as a Level 2 Sex Offender. He was arraigned in CAP Court, and is due in Batavia City Court, at a later date.

On 8/9/2024, Nicole L Cramer (age 34) of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for Criminal Mischief 4th. It’s alleged that Cramer damaged a door, during an altercation on Columbia Ave on 2/22/2022. Police located Cramer in a vehicle, during a traffic stop on East Main St on 8/9 and arrested. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released.

On 8/10/2024, Mark W McWethy (age 56) of Batavia, was arrested for Petit Larceny. It’s alleged that McWethy stole merchandise from Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court, on 8/20/2024.

On 8/8/2024, Lynn C Fryling (age 75) of Batavia, was arrested for Harassment 2nd. Fryling allegedly threatened to shoot another person, during an argument on Redfield Pkwy. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court, on 8/20/2024.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/ny/genesee/batavia-pd/138661/post/press-releases-8172024

Governor Hochul is announcing a deal to provide discounted broadband service to low-income New Yorkers. It’s due to a settlement reached between the state’s Public Service Commission and Charter Communications, which operates under the name Spectrum, in 58 of the state’s 62 counties. Charter will now be required to re-establish the low-income broadband program at $15 a month for four years to New Yorkers in the National Free School Lunch Program or receiving SSI benefits.

The University of Rochester Medical Center is receiving $27 million to conduct a heart failure medication study. Researchers will use those funds to look at two beta-blockers to see which one provides the best long-term results for people with cardiovascular issues.   The hope is their findings can provide a boost to cardiac care in the United States and globally. The study likely won’t be complete until late 2030.

A brand-new pilot program is being launched to help low-income utility customers in New York State. This initiative will provide Empower Plus participants with bill assistance to ensure they’re not paying more than 6% of their yearly household income toward electricity costs. To be eligible, customers must meet certain income guidelines. Funding for this program comes from the state budget.

The start of classes is coming up soon, and the state Division of Consumer Protection is alerting college students about scams. The agency says people need to be weary of scams involving fake scholarships, grants and loans.   Also, students should ignore calls saying they’ll be dropped from classes immediately if they don’t agree to pay their tuition over the phone. And, scam artists also have a history of setting up fake websites promising low-cost textbooks but never delivering what was purchased.

Drivers in New York are falling for a toll scam. Many New Yorkers have been getting texts from an unfamiliar phone number saying they’re contacting them as an official member of the New York State Thruway Authority. This has become a problem since the state started the Tolls By Mail initiative, which has now put drivers who use the toll road at risk of being scammed. The initiative saves time by eliminating the need to stop and wait in line to pay cash tolls. One of the scam texts says that records show there are outstanding toll charges and say it must be paid to avoid more fees, and it includes a link to an unofficial website. Three ways to check if a text like this is a scam is to compare the link provided to the Tolls by Mail New York website, checking if your plate number shows any tolls when you search it, and checking for an answering system or voicemail feature that’s connected to the number.

Wegmans has announced the recall of one of the products that can be found on store shelves. The supermarket chain says its brand of ultra pasteurized half and half is being recalled due to concerns involving improper testing. The half and half has a best-by date of October 2024 and so far no illnesses have been reported due to this issue. Anyone who has this product can throw it out or return it for a full refund.

An Intergenerational Fishing Clinic will be held on Tuesday, August 27^th from 10:00am until 1:00pm at DeWitt Park in Batavia. It’s open to Genesee County residents age 60 or over, accompanied by a child or youth. You’ll learn fishing skills, how to be a responsible angler, fish identification, and all fishing on this day is free to participants. Fishing poles and bait will be provided; however, registration is required. Call the Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611 or visit their office at 2 Bank Street.

The Genesee County Farmer’s Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday now through November 1^st, from 9am until 4pm. Vendors offer fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, flowers, crafts, wine and more. They’re located in the parking lot across from O’Lacy restaurant on School Street. For more information, please call 716-560-0853.

“Heavenly Traditions and Holy Matrimony: Weddings Through Time,” is an exhibit that will take you through decades of wedding dress styles and traditions. Items from the 19^th century through the 20th will be on display at the Holland Land Office Museum during normal museum hours through December 31^st. For additional information, visit www.hollandlandoffice.com

NBC News features…

New vehicle prices fell 1% in July compared to a year ago. According to Consumer Price Index data out this week. The average price of a new car sold in July was $48,400, down from the all-time high of $49,900 in December 2022. The average price of a used vehicle is just over $27,000. And according to the Kelley Blue Book, incentives are back, averaging $3,300 per vehicle, up 59% from a year ago.

Governor Hochul is putting nearly $650 million into New York’s healthcare workforce. The governor says the money will be distributed over the next three years and used to recruit and train thousands of more health, mental health, and social care workers. Health care facilities across the state have been hemorrhaging workers since the coronavirus pandemic, so Governor Hochul says the latest investment allows New York to retain and grow its healthcare workforce while delivering the highest quality of care. The latest announcement includes new career advancement opportunities for current workers and follows the state’s latest payment of more than two-billion-dollars in bonuses to more than 800-thousand healthcare workers.

The CDC is warning of a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers. The outbreak has affected over 440 people across 31 states, leading to 125 hospitalizations but no reported deaths. The CDC believes the actual number of people affected is likely higher, as many recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. The CDC has assured the public that there is likely no ongoing risk as the cucumber growing and harvesting season for these farms is over, and there is no product from these farms on the market. Two Florida growers have been identified as likely sources.

Huge Upset at Batavia Downs in NYSS

Wednesday evening at the Batavia Downs a major upset occurred in the New York Sire Stakes when The Last Martini stunned previously undefeated Cowgirl Hanover.

Hanover entered the race as a 1-9 favorite but quickly found herself in a deficit as Martini grabbed the lead out of the gates. Martini led comfortably the whole race until the last corner when Hanover made a push. However, Martini was able to find a last bit of pace and hold on to win by half a length over Cowgirl Hanover.

The win was The Last Martini’s second straight win and pushed her career earnings to $110,399.

Man Arrested in Bergen for Threatening People with a Knife

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department announced that on August 12th, James Francis Jr. of North Tonawanda was arrested for threatening people with a knife.

Around 2:30 AM the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports that a man on Buffalo St. in Bergen was brandishing a knife in a threatening manner. Upon arrival, deputies were able to take the knife from Francis and place him into custody. Francis was taken to the Genesee County Jail where he awaits a CAP Court arraignment.

Francis faces charges of Menacing a Police Officer, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, Menacing in the 1st degree, and Intent to Damage Property.

Rogue Raccoon Goes on Rampage in Batavia

Video News Service reports that Thursday morning in Batavia a raccoon wreaked havoc around the city.

The Batavia Police Department received 2 separate calls around 3 am Thursday for reports of a problem raccoon in the area of Summit Street. The second call reported that the raccoon had attacked a neighborhood cat. There is no report on whether the cat was injured and if it was a stray or someone’s pet.

This incident serves as a reminder always to make sure you get rabies shots if you come into contact with a raccoon that is acting strangely.

St. Mary’s in Batavia Final Mass in the Books

Wednesday evening it was a bittersweet moment at St. Mary’s Church in Batavia as they held their final mass before closing its doors.

The church was constructed in 1906 by John Copeland of Buffalo and has served as a mainstay in Downtown Batavia for over a century. The Buffalo Diocese has restructured its schedules following the closing of St. Mary’s, and former churchgoers will now attend either Our Lady of Mercy in Le Roy and Bergen, St. Padre Pio in Oakfield, or St. Joseph’s in Batavia.

The Diocese has plans to sell the former St. Mary’s Church but as of right now, no potential buyers have made themselves known.

Bergen Fire Department Says Proposed Changes Put Future at Risk

The Bergen Fire Department released a statement on Facebook this Wednesday telling community members that new proposed changes to OSHA fire safety regulations are putting the whole department at risk.

The federal government is proposing to update its fire safety rulebook from 20 pages to now 600 pages. Some of the proposed changes include requiring every fire truck to be replaced every 15 years even if it’s still in good working condition, replacing gear every 10 years, and doubling the training time for volunteer firefighters.

The Bergen Fire Department states, that their volunteers already commit to over 72 hours of training per year and if these changes go through, they will lose volunteers, taxes will rise in the town and they will have fewer resources available due to the rise in costs.

STOP DWI Announces End of Summer High Visibility Campaign

Genesee County Stop DWI announced that starting today they will begin their End of Summer High Visibility Engagement Campaign until Labor Day.

The goal of the campaign is to stop impaired driving which in turn will prevent injuries and save lives. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia Police Department, and the Village of Le Roy Police Department are all participating. New York officials report that the campaign has led to a significant reduction in the amount of drug and alcohol-related accidents in the past.

As always, if you’re going out to drink and have a good time, always have a designated driver.

Batavia Fire Department Launches Hometown Hero Program

The City of Batavia announced on Tuesday that they are collaborating with the City of Batavia Fire Department to launch a Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

The banners will serve as a tribute to honor Batavia residents who are currently or have served in the Armed Forces. The banners will be displayed on Redfield Parkway and Richmond Avenue from Memorial Day until Labor Day starting in 2025.

The banners are currently available for purchase by contacting jbest@batavianewyork.com and any purchased banner will be displayed for 3 years.

Batavia City School District Announces New Director of Educational Technology

The Batavia City School District Board of Education announced that Wendy Villone had been appointed Director of Educational Technology following a recommendation from Superintendent Jason Smith.

Villone has over 20 years of experience previously serving as the Director of Technology and Data Protection Officer for the Caledonia-Mumford Central School district and was the Coordinator of Data Governance at EduTech RIC – Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, providing training and guidance on cybersecurity and data protection to 47 school districts. Throughout her career, Villone has shown a strong commitment to integrating innovative technologies into education.

Villone said, “I look forward to collaborating with the talented staff, students, and families of BCSD to create innovative, technology-rich learning environments that prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century while maintaining the integrity and security of our digital infrastructure.”

$102,500 NYSS Jackpot Up for Grabs Tonight

Tonight at the Batavia Downs $102,500 will be up for grabs as the New York Sire Stakes comes to town.

The race will consist of five, two-year-old pacing fillies. The favorite to win is Cowgirl Hanover who is undefeated in five career starts, all in the NYSS. The main threat to Hanover appears to be The Last Martini who is coming off of a personal best time of one minute and fifty-four seconds at Saratoga Raceway her last time out.

Post time for the first race is 6 pm tonight and there are 5 races in total on the card.

Several Roads to be Resurfaced in Batavia Wednesday

The Town of Batavia announced on Monday that they will be resurfacing three different roads on the outskirts of Batavia this Wednesday, August 14th.

The three roads being resurfaced are Brown Road from Wilkinson Road to Pembroke Townline Road, Downey Road from Galloway Road to Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, and Wortendyke Road from Route 33 to Alexander Townline Road. All three of these roads serve as important routes into Batavia from other towns in Genesee County.

The work is anticipated to take place from 7 AM until 5 PM and travelers should expect delays and short-term closures. The Town of Batavia advises travelers to seek alternate routes.

Fiddlers Fair and Making Music Weekend Returns to Genesee Country Village

The Genesee Country Village and Museum announced that this upcoming weekend their Fiddlers Fair and Making Music weekend is set to return.

The event hopes to educate people about the influence of native Irish music brought to New York State by Irish laborers during the construction of the Erie Canal. At the event, they’ll have a professional luthier who hand makes violins and banjos, live authentic music from the 19th century, and food and drinks to enjoy.

The event will take place both Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM until 4 PM and admission is $23.

James Pontillo Prepares for Court Hearing Thursday Regarding Stafford Trading Post

Video News Service reports, this Thursday James Pontillo, owner of the former Stafford Trading Post, will be appearing in front of the Genesee County Supreme Court to answer the abandonment claim by the Town of Stafford.

The former Trading Post has been a topic of controversy this year in Stafford. Following a person breaking into the building in May, a notice of abandonment was left on the building’s front door. Pontillo states the building is not abandoned and he has made strides into fixing it up. Pontillo claims he has tried to repair the roof and exterior but has been blocked repeatedly by the Town of Stafford.

Community members have come together to clean up the outside of the building and attended last night’s Town of Stafford board meeting to gather more information about the standoff between Pontillo and the Town.

Batavia Asks Residents to Test Pipes for Lead

Over the weekend the City of Batavia Department of Public Works announced in a press release that they need residents of Batavia to test their pipes for lead.

The Department of Public Works went on to say that they mailed a letter to all residents of Batavia and the letter contains steps to follow to identify whether or not your pipe contains lead. Some residents will also receive a letter from ElectroScan. Those who receive a letter from ElectroScan must let their crews enter your home and conduct a survey using a hand-held scanner.

All of these services will be free of charge and are part of a national initiative to eliminate all lead pipes.

Genesee County Spartans Lose in Semifinals

On Saturday the Genesee County Spartans lost to the Lockport Wildcats by a score of 28-3 ending their season.

The Spartans entered the game with a 6-2 record, but both of the previous two losses had come at the hands of Lockport. The Wildcats stormed out to a 21-0 first-half lead and never looked back. Julia Petry scored a second-half field goal that would end up being the Spartan’s only point on the day.

The Spartans said in a Facebook post, “While we didn’t clinch the chip this time, we take pride in the immense progress we’ve achieved in only our second year. We’re eager to come back stronger, more resilient, and committed to taking you on an even more thrilling journey next year”

GLOW YMCA awarded a $136,000 Grant

The GLOW YMCA announced that they received a $136,000 grant from the ESL credit union to help with youth development.

The grant is part of 150 grants totaling 7.1 million dollars that ESL has awarded in the second quarter of 2024 alone. They will specifically be used to fund youth summer programs at GLOW YMCA. GLOW YMCA provides summer programming to approximately 1,500 youth in the four-county region.

ESL Executive Vice President Maureen Wolfe said, “The crucial work of our community partners is producing positive and measurable results that are having a direct impact on individuals and families throughout our community,”

New York State’s main corrections officers union is calling on Governor Hochul for more pay and fewer staffing shortages. New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association President Chris Summers says assaults on his officers are on the rise, with over 2,000 expected this year. He blames much of the problem on fewer disciplinary options for inmates due to the HALT Act. He adds some officers have worked shifts as long as a full 24-hours because there’s not enough staff. Governor Hochul says she’s aware of recruitment issues, but says fewer officers are needed because the number of prisoners statewide is on the decline.

Eligible families across New York State are receiving money to help pay for healthy meals. Governor Hochul says each eligible family will receive $120 per child, with more than $200 million going to one-and-half-million kids across the state. It’s all part of the Summer EBT program that can be used at grocery stores or delis that accept supplemental benefits; applications must be submitted by September 3rd.

New York State has passed legislation mandating that all student IDs include the suicide prevention hotline and text line by 2025. The move comes as suicide remains the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 10-14 and 20-34, according to the CDC. The Student Lifeline Act specifically targets higher education institutions, aiming to increase awareness of mental health resources among students aged 18-24, who often face significant challenges like academic pressure, social issues, and personal struggles. The initiative is part of a broader effort to provide potentially lifesaving support to students across the state. (If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings involving self harm, please call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.)

The Genesee County Farmer’s Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday now through November 1^st, from 9am until 4pm. Vendors offer fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, flowers, crafts, wine and more. They’re located in the parking lot across from O’Lacy restaurant on School Street. For more information, please call 716-560-0853.

“Heavenly Traditions and Holy Matrimony: Weddings Through Time,” is an exhibit that will take you through decades of wedding dress styles and traditions. Items from the 19^th century through the 20th will be on display at the Holland Land Office Museum during normal museum hours through December 31^st. For additional information, visit www.hollandlandoffice.com

The Holland Land Office Museum is extending its hours every first Wednesday of the month, which means they’ll be open until 8:00pm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to offer personal tours that will provide you with more in depth history of Batavia and Genesee County. You’ll also have the opportunity to go upstairs if you’d like and are able to. Admission is $5 for nonmembers and $3 for members. For more information, please call 585-343-4727.

The next LeRoy-Stafford Senior Citizens Luncheon will be on Wednesday, August 21^st starting at 12:30, at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Center, 44 Lake Street, LeRoy. Lunch will be provided along with dessert for $5 per person. Please bring your own beverage. Entertainment will follow lunch. For more information, please call 721-6073.

The Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 21^st at 7pm, at the Pavilion United Methodist Church at the corner of 63 and 19. The topic on the Abolitionists of Wyoming County will be presented by Pat Meek.

The Senior Nutrition Site at Havenwood Congregate Apartments at 240 Richmond Avenue serves lunch daily starting at noon, Monday through Friday. For reservations, please call 344-1330.

Every Monday morning starting at 10:00, it’s Toddler Story Time at the Richmond Memorial Library. Join them for stories, songs and fun. For more information, please call 343-9550.

NBC News Features…

Vaccine skepticism is rising in the U.S. According to a Gallup poll, fewer American adults say it’s important to get children vaccinated today than in recent years. Just 40% of respondents said it’s “extremely important” for parents to get their kids’ shots, compared to 58% who said the same in 2019.   Americans are also now much less likely to say the government should require kids to be vaccinated — down from 62% in 2019 to 51% now.

The CDC is issuing new guidelines for RSV vaccines. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has narrowed its recommendations for which older adults should be vaccinated against the respiratory virus.   It now says only adults age 75 and older, or those 60 and older who are at high risk, should get the shot. Up to 160-thousand older adults in the U.S. get RSV each year, and about 10,000 people each year die of the virus.

The CDC is reporting that COVID-19 deaths are declining. It’s now listed as the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. as opposed to the fourth leading cause in 2022.   During the peak of the COVID pandemic, in 2021, COVID-19 was the 3rd biggest disease killer in America behind heart disease and cancer. The CDC says COVID-19 was cited as an underlying or contributing factor on 76-thousand death certificates last year.

A chemical that’s used in rocket fuel and fireworks has been found in multiple food products popular with babies and children. That’s according to findings published by Consumer Reports. The tests show the chemical perchlorate in two-thirds of nearly 200 samples from grocery stores and fast food chains. Food in plastic containers had the highest levels, followed by foods in plastic wrap and paperboard. Fresh fruit and vegetables also contained elevated amounts of perchlorate.   The chemical has been linked to potential brain damage in infants and fetuses and thyroid issues in adults.

A third person is dead from a listeria outbreak that originated in deli meat. Boar’s Head recently recalled seven-million-pounds of meat products following two other listeria deaths, one in New Jersey and another in Illinois. On Thursday, the CDC announced a third person had died from the listeria outbreak in Virginia. The total number of sick people has risen to 43 across over a dozen states. Nearly all of them have been hospitalized from the sickness. This latest recall involves liverwurst, ham, bologna and beef salami made at a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia. More than 70 products with sell-by dates spanning July 29th to October 17th are involved.

Byron Bergen Win Statewide Award

The Byron-Bergen Central School district announced that they have been named a 2023-2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association School of Excellence.

Byron-Bergen is one of 226 schools statewide to earn the prestigious honor. To be eligible 75% of the school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award. For a small rural like Byron-Bergen that doesn’t have the resources available that larger schools have this is quite the accomplishment.

Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannon said, “I’m thrilled that our student-athletes again achieved the NYSPHSAA School of Excellence award, These students are as dedicated in the classroom as they are on the field. It’s a tough balance. I’m incredibly proud.”

Batavia Concert Band Gives Out Two Scholarships

During the Batavia Concert Band’s final concert of 2024, they awarded two scholarships to band members and future music educators.

This year’s recipients were John Antsey and Abigail Hoerbelt. The awards were given out by Conductor John Bailey and Board Member Ann Arent. Both John and Abigail were crucial parts of the concert band this year. With the final concert in the books, the Centennial celebration for the band is also concluded.

The Batavia Concert Band announced their next concert will be July 2nd, 2025 at Centennial Park.

Genesee County Spartans are a Big Underdog in Playoff Matchup

This Saturday the Genesee County Spartans will play the undefeated Lockport Wildcats with a trip to the Northeastern Football Alliance championship game on the line.

On the year, the Spartans are 6-2 and both their losses have come at the hands of the Wildcats. On opening day the Spartans lost 16-6 to the Wildcats and then on July 13th they lost 36-14 in a thrashing.

Head Coach Harry Rascoe said, “This is the playoffs; there’s no more offense and defense. We’re going to put our best 11 guys on the field to compete with them. We know they (the Wildcats) are already overlooking us, so we’ll play the underdog.”

Le Roy Resident Wins a Car

The Batavian reports that a Le Roy resident won a contest at Crazy Cheap Cars in Oakfield where they got a new car for free.

Amy Larocco got a promotional letter from Crazy Cheap Cars that said anyone who showed up with a letter and test-drove a car at the dealership would be entered for a chance to win a car. Amy showed up on the final day of the contest and went for the test drive and later the same day was selected as the winner.

Amy was awarded a silver Chevy Cruze and proved that every letter you get from a car dealership isn’t necessarily a scam.

4th Annual Battle of the Badges Set to go at Dwyer Stadium

The Batavia Muckdogs announced Wednesday that for the 4th consecutive year, they are teaming up with the City of Batavia Police, City of Batavia Fire Department, and Batavia Youth Baseball for the Battle of the Badges at Dwyer Stadium.

The charity softball game which will take place on August 25th puts the Batavia Police Department up against the Batavia Fire Department. The Fire Department holds a 2-1 record in the game, however, the Police Department won last year’s game. Proceeds from the game will raise money for Batavia Youth Baseball.

Nate Flint of the Fire Department said “It felt very fitting to have our city’s local youth baseball organization benefit from this charity game. We know how important youth sports are to shaping adolescence in our community.”

4-H Announces Genesee County Fair Master Showman

Each year the Genesee County 4-H names an Overall Livestock Master Showman at the Genesee County Fair.

The contest brings winners from each livestock show and has them handle various livestock species including some they’ve never handled. After numerous, challenging rounds, Jenna Whiting was named the 2024 Overall 4-H Livestock Master Showman. The judges felt that her versatility was what put her over the top.

For her victory, Jenna received a banner that declared her the Master Showman.

Semi Crashes into Oakfield Home

Video News Service reports that early Tuesday morning in the Town of Oakfield a semi-truck crashed into a home.

Around 4 am Oakfield Fire and Mercy Medic 8 responded to Drake Street in Oakfield where they discovered a J & J Trucking Brandon LLC semi had struck a home. State Police report that the semi struck a Dodge Grand Caravan parked on the street and then struck the home. 4 people in total were inside the house at the time of the incident and none were injured.

After an hour the driver of the semi was extricated from his truck and then transported to UMMC with nonlife threatneing injuries. At this time the cause of the accident remains unknown.

Batavia PD Community Night a Big Success

Monday evening the Batavia Police Department held its annual Community Night at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena and it was a big hit with the community.

The goal of Community Night is to build a rapport between local law enforcement and members of the community. At the event, local businesses along with the Police Department have an array of displays and activities to take part in. This year there was a dunk tank with local police officers, a coloring contest, bouncy castles, and a drunk driving simulator.

The event organizers credit the success to sponsorship from the Batavia Downs, Upstate Niagara, and O-At-Ka Milk Products for making it a possibility.

GLOW Brings Back Annual Career Festival

On Tuesday it was announced that for the 6th consecutive year, the GLOW With Your Hands career exploration festival will return to the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

The event anticipates that over 1,000 students from thirty different school districts in the GLOW region will attend. The goal of the event is to help young people who may be uncertain about what career they want to pursue find inspiration. Dozens of local businesses plan to set up booths at the September 24th event.

Jay Lazarony, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair said, “The participation and response by the private sector in this annual event reaffirm that making students aware of careers right in their own backyard is paying dividends not only for these companies but the region’s economy,”

Senator Schumer to Visit for Historic Groundbreaking Ceremony

United States Senator Chuck Schumer announced that he will visit Genesee County today when he takes part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Edwards Vacuum Semiconductor Dry Pump Factory in Alabama.

The factory, which is the first of its kind in the USA, will produce computer chips. The project is estimated to cost over 300 million dollars and create over 600 “good paying” jobs in Genesee County. Senator Schumer personally called the president of Edwards Vacuum requesting they build a facility in Western New York.

Schumer said, “I told Edwards Vacuum’s top brass last month there was no better site than STAMP to locate a new plant and I’m glad they heeded my call. With my CHIPS and Science Act as the lightning rod, we are now seeing energy flow into Upstate’s manufacturing sector like never before, and this investment will further cement that the future of microchips will be built with American-made products, crafted by New York workers.”

Le Roy Historical Society Receives Grant

On Monday it was announced that the Le Roy Historical Society was selected as one of 21 applicants to receive part of the 2024 Preserve New York Grant.

The grant is funded by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation and the Preservation League of New York State and looks to support important local arts and cultural initiatives. The grant is $262,041 in total and will be distributed among all 21 winners.

Mara Manus the Executive Director of the NYSCA said, “The breadth of these projects across our state will safeguard the rich and diverse history of New York for generations to come”

American Red Cross Reports Blood Shortage

In a Monday press release, the American Red Cross reported that their national blood supply has dropped down to just 25%.

The Red Cross credited the severe heat in July as a factor, more than 100 blood drives in July were impacted. The Red Cross estimates they lost more than 19,000 blood donations due to the severe heat. Unfortunately, the demand for blood in hospitals has remained high. Type O blood inventory is so low that hospitals can’t get what they need to help patients.

Today at Batavia’s NYS School for the Blind from 10 am until 3 pm and Darien’s Fire Hall from 1 pm until 6 pm blood drives are being held. If you donate you will be emailed a $20 dollar amazon gift card.

Multiple Projects Approve in GCEDC Meeting

On Friday, the Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors approved final resolutions for Graham Corporation’s 17.6 million dollar expansion and GE Bergen Owner’s 43.6 million dollar project.

The two projects will bring in over 80 new blue-collar manufacturing jobs to Genesee County and 60+ million dollars to the local economy over the next decade. The board also approved initial resolutions on two solar projects in Le Roy. The solar projects owned by FFP NY Le Roy Project LLC would cost 20 million dollars and would generate up to 7 megawatts of power through ground-mounted solar panels.

GCEDC President and CEO Mark Masse said, “These projects strengthen the diversity and vitality of our manufacturing industry and generate more rewarding careers for our community.”

Puppy Rescued in Darien

Video News Service reports, that on Saturday around 9 pm a puppy was rescued by the Darien Fire Department from a drain.

The Darien Fire Department responded to a call at the Darien Lakes State Park parking area to a report that a puppy was stuck in a pipe. The fire department arrived as well as the State Park Police. After about 45 minutes they freed the puppy from the drain without injury.

It is a stark reminder to always pay attention to your small animals when out and about.

Mondays on Bank Street begin for August

GO ART announced that for the month of August, they will be introducing Mondays on Bank Street every Monday from 5 pm until 9 pm.

The event will take place in the parking lot behind Bank of America and looks to turn it into a community hub every Monday. There will be local musicians, artisans, vendors, and food trucks that will create a festival-like atmosphere.

This weekly event will give Genesee County residents another reason to go outside and have a good time this summer.

A new program is being launched that’s aimed at making the Erie Canal more accessible to people with disabilities.   The New York Power Authority is teaming up with Rochester Accessible Adventures to make it possible for folks with physical and mental disabilities to take part in things like canal tours and kayaking. This program will also help teach organizations along the canal how to be more inclusive. Additional details can be found online by going to onthecanals.com.

Vital federal funds are coming to help storm-ravaged parts of New York State.   Governor Hochul announced up to $11 million in emergency assistance and repair grants for eligible homeowners and municipalities in seven counties impacted by severe weather events in mid-July.   Twenty-two tornadoes, massive thunderstorms and flooding caused major damage with some $5 million now available for low-and moderate income homeowners in Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, and Warren counties. $4 million is being awarded for demolition work on unsafe structures in Oneida and the city of Rome.

New York State is now seeking public comment regarding new laws that address youth addiction to social media.   State Attorney General Letitia James is tasked with creating rules for social media companies to better protect children from addictive algorithms.   She’s opened up a 60-day public comment period to get input from the public on the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation For Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed those two into law but left certain aspects of the law like age verification up to the attorney general.

A new bill is being introduced that would provide a four-year degree benefit to police officers across the state. The Educational and Career Opportunities for Public Safety Act would allow officers who’ve served for eight years, and who commit to serving four more for the same employer, to be eligible to receive financial assistance to attend a college or university. The eligible officer would also be able to transfer unused education benefits to a dependent. This comes as recruitment numbers are at an all-time low with less than 400 applicants signing up this year to be an officer. In 2022 there were about a thousand.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants to improve mental health services for first responders. She’s introduced a bipartisan bill that would improve access and establish a national mental health hotline for first responders. Gillibrand says they have higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicides and that the time to address these issues is long overdue.

The Buffalo Bills are looking to raise awareness of mental health issues in the state. The team has partnered with Best Self Behavioral Health to help provide additional resources and community support to the growing mental health issues. According to the team, this collaboration is the first of its kind for the Bills franchise. Best Self will be the Bills’ Official Mental Health Partner. The organization will work with the Bills to create educational programs and give mental wellness support, resources, and community engagement opportunities.

The Equal Rights Amendment, with added language protecting abortion rights and access, will be on New York ballots this November. The state’s top court declined to hear a Republican appeal to keep the updated ERA off ballots. This version of the ERA would be an amendment to the state constitution’s Bill of Rights. It would cover ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex — including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. And the new New York ERA would also cover reproductive rights and abortion access.

The 28^th annual Brockport Arts Festival is next weekend from 10:00 until 5:00 both days. There will be over 150 artists and crafters on hand, as well as festival food, musicians and entertainment to enjoy. A Kids Zone is available and an after hours concert on Saturday. If you’d like more information, please call 585-637-5300 or visit www.brockportartsfestival.com

Genesee County Economic Development Center to Consider 2 Major Projects Tonight

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors will consider final resolutions for two major manufacturing projects at tonight’s board meeting.

The first project is GE Bergen Owner LLC proposing to build a 196,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the town of Bergen. The project would cost 43.6 million dollars and create 60 new full-time jobs. The second project is Graham Corporation proposing to build a 28,867 square foot facility in the City of Batavia which would cost 17.6 million dollars and create 24 new full-time jobs.

Both companies ask the board of directors to consider sales tax exemptions and a property tax abatement to help with the projects. If both are approved they will combine to bring in 60+ million dollars into the local economy over the next decade.

Two Byron-Bergen Students Compete in National Shooting Competition

Justin Deleo and Kyle Smith from Byron-Bergen High School were both selected last month to compete in the Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships at Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio July 10 – 19.

Deleo, an 11th grader and Smith, a 10th grader both competed in the American Trap, Doubles Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays competitions. Kyle also competed in the International Olympic Trap event. Deleo and Smith are members of the A and B Clay Busters team at the Rochester Brooks Gun Club and compete on the Byron Bergen Trap Team.

While neither placed high in any of their respective events, both learned a lot from their experience and as underclassmen hope to return.

Muckdogs Season Ends in Disappointment

The Batavia Muckdog’s phenomenal season came to a screeching halt Wednesday evening with a 6-3 loss to the Elmira Pioneers.

The game that originally started on Tuesday, was delayed by rain and picked back up Wednesday at 6:45 PM. Batavia’s offense looked much more stagnant than what we saw on Tuesday evening as they were outscored on the day by Elmira 6-1. Batavia had the 2nd best record in the PGCBL this season, yet for the 2nd time in 3 years, the Muckdogs season ends in the Western Division Finals.

The championship drought for Batavia will now eclipse 15 years since they last won it all.

Holland Land Office Museum Extends Hours

The Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia announced on Tuesday that they will be extending their hours every first Wednesday of the month to stay open until 8 PM.

The museum hopes that by extending their hours they will make it more accessible to people working later shifts. Personal tours from staff and volunteers are available to teach people more about the history of Batavia and Genesee County as a whole.

Admission to the museum is just $5 on all nights, even when there are events.

Pembroke PTA President Steals $15,000+ from School

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department announced that they arrested Nicole Will of Orchard Park on July 30th for stealing over $15,000 from the Pembroke Parent Teacher Association.

Will had served as the Pembroke PTA President and Treasurer since early 2019 which gave her unlimited access to the PTA’s bank account. It is alleged that Will methodically stole $15,585.07 slowly over a 5-year period from January 2019 until April 2024.

Will was taken to Genesee County Jail and held for CAP Court. Will faces a Grand Larceny in the third-degree charge.

Muckdogs Hold Lead in Western Division Finals

The Batavia Muckdogs hold a 2-0 nothing lead in the bottom of the third inning over the Elmira Pioneers in the Western Division Finals in a game paused for rain.

The Muckdogs came out in the game firing on all cylinders scoring 2 runs early in the contest. Unfortunately, heavy rains started pouring down on Dwyer Stadium in the third inning. The game will pick up where it left off this evening. If the Muckdogs can hold on and win they will be going to the PGCBL Championship Series.

For all information about tonight’s rain check, tune into the Muckdogs x.com page for updates.

Governor Hochul Announces 36.8 Million Dollar Pavement Project in Genesee County

Early Monday morning, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a 36.8 million dollar pavement improvement project will be starting on the thruway in Genesee County.

The project will include full-depth repairs to replace deteriorated portions of the I-90 between Batavia and Rochester. The area between Exit 47 in Le Roy and Exit 45 in Rochester will be the main focal points of this project. All roads, u-turns, exit ramps, and service area parking lots will be getting repaved. New mile marker signs will also be installed and most of the work is scheduled to take place overnight.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Millions travel this stretch of the Thruway every year, often serving as both the first and last impression for travelers in Rochester”

Batavia Police Search for Stolen Dog

The City of Batavia Police Department announced on Monday that they need everyone’s help in locating a dog they believe may have been stolen.

The dog was last scene in a residence on Masse Place in Batavia. The dog’s name is Beau and is a 15-month-old Corgi that is white with black and gray spotting on its rear end. Beau is deaf and is believed to have been taken on the morning of July 27th.

Officer Quider with the City of Batavia Police Department asks if you have any information about this case please call his office.

Motorcycle Crash Hospitalizes Genesee County Resident

Video News Service reports that Sunday evening around 7 PM a motorcycle crashed into a guardrail in East Pembroke.

East Pembroke Fire, Ambulance, and Town of Batavia Fire responded to Stegman Road in East Pembroke for a motorcycle that crashed into a guardrail. The driver of the motorcycle was trapped in the wreckage and extrication had to take place. The driver was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight with what was described as a severe hip injury.

Stegman Road in East Pembroke has been a trouble spot this summer for accidents as this is already the fourth in 3 months.