Local News

4 Football Teams From Genesee County Will Play for Sectional Titles

This weekend, four high school football teams from Genesee County will fight to win their respective sectional championship.

Tonight at Pittsford-Sutherland High School, the Pembroke Dragons will face off against the Holley Hawks for the Section V 8-man Football Championship. Pembroke is the defending state champion and currently ranked #1 in the state. In Class D, the Alexander Trojans will play the #2 team in the entire state, the Avon Riverhawks on Saturday at 3 pm at Rush Henrietta High School for the sectional title. In Class C, Le Roy/Cal-Mum will play East Rochester/Gananda on Saturday at noon at Rush Henrietta High School. Finally, in Class B, Batavia will play Eastridge in our WBTA Game of the Week at noon at SUNY Brockport for the Class B Sectional Title.

All the action from that game will be live on WBTA.

Sgt. Tom Sanfratello Honored with Memorial Parkway

In a ceremony this week, a portion of Park Road has been designated as the Sgt. Tom Sanfratello Memorial Parkway.

Sgt. Sanfratello died in the line of duty during an incident at the Batavia Downs on March 10th of this year. Since then, the community has come together to honor Sgt. Sanfratello in several ways, including this most recent tribute. At the ceremony, Sanfratello’s family was in attendance and received a Certificate of Merit and a $10,000 donation from the nonprofit Tour de Force.

Batavia Town Councilwoman Patti Michalak said, “This road serves as a permanent tribute, reminding us of his commitment and sacrifice to the family of Officer Sanfratello. We offer our deepest condolences and gratitude. May this dedication bring comfort and pride, and may Officer Sanfratello’s memory continue inspiring us forever.”

Governor Hochul Announces Statewide Burn Ban

In a Wednesday Press Conference, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced effectively immediately there is a statewide burn ban in place until November 30th.

The burn ban comes in the wake of the current wildfires in the Hudson River Valley which encompasses over 5,000 acres. Per Rochesterfirst.com, the burn ban prohibits starting outdoor fires statewide for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as uncontained campfires, and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires.

Governor Hochul said, “As we experience drought conditions and an increased fire risk across the State, now is not the right time to be burning outdoors, and I urge everyone to heed our warnings as we continue to take the necessary precautions to keep all New Yorkers safe.”

Batavia Denny’s to Remain Open Amid Chain’s Closures

Following Denny’s recent announcement that they plan to close 150 locations nationwide, a Denny’s employee told WBTA that the Batavia location will remain open.

Denny’s holds the distinction of being a rare 24/7 restaurant where you can get breakfast food anytime time of the day. The restaurant is beloved by truckers and people who work odd hours, knowing anytime they need a warm meal, Denny’s is open for business. Denny’s announced they are closing 150 locations to strengthen their cash flow and prepare its portfolio for growth.

The locations that will be closing are older locations that are either too old to be remodeled or have become unprofitable. Denny’s annual stock is down 50% for the financial year.

Civil Records Office Will Be Closed Today

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Civil/Records Office will be closed today for an important, off-site training.

This closure is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the office, ensuring that staff members are fully equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to serve the community. Online services will still be available at geneseeny.gov where many common requests and transactions can be handled. The office will resume normal operations on Friday at 8:30 am.

Sheriff Sheron said, “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the community’s understanding as we invest in the professional development of our staff to better serve you,”

Elba Future Farmers of America Receives Awards in Indianapolis

The Elba Future Farmers of America Chapter represented New York State at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.

Elba students Jillian Brewer, Hunter Fincher, Addison Keberle, and Bing Zuber attended the convention, along with recent Elba graduates Amelia Brewer and Maggie Winspear. In the Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development event, Winspear earned a bronze ranking as the first-ever Elba FFA member to compete nationally in this event. Amelia Brewer was awarded the prestigious American FFA degree at the convention, which is the highest honor bestowed by the National FFA Organization with less than 1% of its 1 million members receiving it.

Superintendent of Elba Schools Gretchen Rosales said, “This is a testament not only to their will as members, but their advisor’s dedication to teaching the pillars of the organization. Mrs. Dahlhaus has worked tirelessly to teach our Lancers that leadership in the farming community is a privilege and an honor. These students embody the high standards of the FFA organization and the Elba community. I am incredibly proud of the work they have done and excited to see what comes next,”

Gabrielle Kolo Hired as New Human Resources Director for the City of Batavia

The City of Batavia announced that they have hired Gabrielle Kolo as the new Human Resources Director for the City of Batavia effective December 1st.

Kolo is from Elma and holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from SUNY Stony Brook along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Studies from SUNY Buffalo. Kolo currently serves as the Deputy Director of Human Resources for Wyoming County and Wyoming County Community Health Systems. Kolo also previously served for 15 years at Genesee Valley BOCES in a variety of roles including Human Resources Coordinator.

Batavia City Manager Rachael Tabelski said, “Gabrielle brings a wealth of knowledge in governmental human resource management and I am excited to begin working with her. She is a great fit for the City of Batavia and will help support the City’s workforce with her strategic thinking, ability to lead teams, and desire to advance the City’s Human Resources Department,”

GCC’s Winner for New York State Sheriff’s Scholarship Award Announced

The New York State Sheriff’s Institute announced that Colton Tarbell, who is currently enrolled in Criminal Justice at Genesee Community College, has won their annual scholarship award.

Every year the New York State Sheriff’s Institute provides a $500 scholarship to one student majoring in Criminal Justice, Police Science, or a similar program from each community college in New York State. The scholarship money will help Tarbell further his Criminal Justice Education and includes a scholarship certificate from the New York State Sheriff’s Institute which Tarbell can use as a resume builder.

Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron, Undersheriff Bradley Mazur, and Chief Deputy Joseph Graff presented Tarbell with his award.

Three Teams from Genesee County Advance to Sectional Football Finals

After a near-perfect weekend for Genesee County High School Football teams, 3 programs will play for Section V Sectional Championships at SUNY Brockport.

In Class B, the 1-seed Batavia Blue Devils made easy work of the 4-seed Rochester Prep Tigers routing them 56-8 behind 5 total touchdowns from Bronx Buchholz. The Blue Devils will face Eastridge this Saturday with a sectional championship on the line. In Class C, the 3-seed Leroy/Cal-Mum Rivals pulled off an upset against the 2-seed Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw Dawgs in our WBTA game of the week, winning 28-7 behind 3 touchdowns from runningback Jack Egeling. The Rivals will play 1-seed East Rochester/Gananda this Saturday for the title. Finally, in Class D, the 2-seed Alexander Trojans survived a close one against 3-seed Oakfield-Alabama/Elba winning 14-7. The Trojans will play 1-seed and 2nd ranked in the entire state Avon this Saturday at Rush-Henrietta High School.

Be sure to mark your calendars, because this Saturday WBTA will be bringing you live coverage of the Class B Section V Sectional Championship games starting at noon.

Fire Breaks out on Howard Street in Batavia

This Saturday, a third-alarm fire broke out at a large commercial and manufacturing facility on Howard Street in Batavia.

Around 7:45 am Saturday morning, the Batavia Fire Department and several other volunteer fire companies responded to 20 Howard Street. Upon their arrival, the structure was completely engulfed in flames. Crews spent the entire day valiantly fighting the fire and ensured that it did not spread to neighboring buildings, including Graham Manufacturing Corporation.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the City of Batavia is investigating the incident and will release a statement in the coming days.

Batavia Downs to Honor our Veterans with a Free Meal Today

New Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown announced that in honor of Veterans Day, all veterans will get a complimentary meal and drink at the Batavia Downs.

The event will take place today from noon until 6 pm inside Club Bud Light at 34 Rush. Veterans will be asked to provide a valid military ID and will have several great menu options. This comes on the heels of the Downs having their 3rd highest Coin day of all time, with handle passing $5.3 million on Friday, November 3rd.

Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown said, “Our debt to the brave men and women of our military can never be repaid and should never be forgotten. As the new President and CEO,  I join our Board of Directors in thanking them for their service to our great country and look forward to seeing them on Veteran’s Day at Batavia Downs.”

Emergency crews responded to a structure fire on Howard Street in Batavia. The call came in at 7:45 Saturday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters found that the large commercial and manufacturing building, owned by Baskin Livestock was in a fully involved blaze. Flames were blowing out of the front doors and through the roof vents. There were no injuries reported. The building was completely destroyed and the investigation continues into the cause of the fire.

The theme this year is “Gingerbread and Peppermint,” for the Holland Land Office Museum’s 24^th annual Wonderland of Trees. The opening gala celebration is scheduled for Friday, November 22^nd at 6pm at which time you’ll be able to view over 30 decorated community trees. The fun also includes a basket raffle and music by the DSP Jazz Trio, with food provided by Batavia’s Original Pizzeria and the Alabama Hotel, along with desserts from A Sweet Ending Bakery. Tickets are $20; $15 for museum members and $5 for children 12 and under. Reserve your tickets at the museum or by visiting their website: hollandlandoffice.com

The 3^rd Annual Small Business Craft and Vendor Event, hosted by St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, is scheduled for Saturday, November 30^th from 10 until 3 at the church, located at 31 Washington Avenue. Items to browse include a variety of handcrafted items, quilts, blankets, children and baby items, woodcrafts, jewelry and more. If you’d like more information, please call 585-343-0488.

Genesee Cancer Assistance Night at the Downs will be held on Saturday, November 16^th from 4 to 8pm. It’s an evening of celebration and hope. Tickets are $35 and include $25 free play on the gaming floor. The fun includes appetizers, a buffet dinner, dessert and a basket raffle. Doors open at 4:00 and funds raised will assist cancer patients in Genesee County.

A building is completely destroyed after a fire in the City of Batavia. City firefighters responded around 7:45 a.m. Saturday to 20 Howard Street for a building on fire. Flames and black smoke could be seen from miles away. Additional resources were sent to contain the fire, and several crews were on the 3-alarm scene. The fire did not spread to neighboring buildings. The large commercial and manufacturing building, owned by Baskin Livestock, is a total loss, according to officials. There are no reports of injuries and no one was inside at the time.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is revealing results of the latest crackdown on dangerous drivers. From October 25th through October 31st, there were more than 46,000 tickets issued statewide. Over 1200 of them were for impaired motorists and 1600 were for distracted drivers. There were almost 33,000 tickets given out during this same time period last year. Officials say law enforcement will continue to do their part to keep the state’s roads safe.

A Buffalo man is dead after a hunting accident in Cattaraugus County.   Police were called to do a welfare check on a hunter who hadn’t returned to his vehicle near Plato Road in East Otto on Tuesday night. After an investigation, they determined 54-year-old Mark Scanlon fell from a portable tree stand and passed away. There were no signs of foul play. Scanlon was the brother of acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon.

Governor Hochul is announcing a public campaign to educate New Yorkers about the support available in combating hate and bias in communities. The “Call Out Hate” campaign will be featured in the coming months on New York City’s subways, as well as Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road train cars and transit stations. Residents impacted by hate or bias can call   844-NO-2-HATE or submit a form online to report incidents to the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit. Hochul says hate has no place in New York and it’s critical that we come together to prevent any person from enduring discrimination.

Gas prices continue their slow decline. The national average price for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.10. The state average, which is always a little bit higher, is at $3.18. For us in Batavia, the average price figures out to $3.30; that’s 6 cents lower than it was a month ago and 40 cents cheaper than it was a year ago today.

The Alexander Fire Department Christmas Craft and Vendor Show is scheduled for Sunday, December 1 from 10am until 3pm at the Fire Department’s Recreation Hall. Refreshments will be available and the admission is free. For additional information, please call 585-356-3301.

Genesee Cancer Assistance Night at the Downs will be held on Saturday, November 16^th from 4 to 8pm. It’s an evening of celebration and hope. Tickets are $35 and include $25 free play on the gaming floor. The fun includes appetizers, a buffet dinner, dessert and a basket raffle. Doors open at 4:00 and funds raised will assist cancer patients in Genesee County.

The red-hot Buffalo Bills will be on the road again this weekend as they look to pick up a fifth straight victory. The AFC East leaders are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana. Buffalo is coming off a nail-biting 30 to 27 win over the Miami Dolphins that improved their record this season to seven wins and two losses. Kickoff Sunday is scheduled for 1:00.

GCC Will Host NJCAA Division III Soccer Championship Tournaments

On Wednesday, it was announced that Genesee Community College will serve as the host site for the 2024 NJCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournaments.

GCC was chosen to host the tournaments because of their state-of-the-art sports facilities and their commitment to athletic excellence. Each tournament will bring the top 8 teams from the NJCAA to compete for a National Championship. There will be teams from Texas, Michigan, Maryland, Rhode Island, and several other states competing. This event should bring in a lot of out-of-town business for Batavia and is a big win for Genesee County as a whole.

The tournaments will take place from November 12th-17th and tickets are $10 per day and can be purchased at GCC’s Richard C. Call Arena.

Chapin International and Max Pies Furniture Recognized as Historic Businesses

On October 29th, Assemblyman Steve Hawley honored Chapin International and Max Pies Furniture for being officially designated on the New York Historic Business Preservation Registry.

The Historic Business Preservation Registry was established in 1920 and highlights the legacy of local businesses that have made a significant impact in their communities. More than 200 businesses all across the state are listed on the registry and it is a great way of honoring businesses that have been staples in their communities for decades.

Assemblyman Hawley said, “Both Chapin International and Max Pies Furniture have built a legacy of hard work, integrity, and service to the people of Batavia and the greater part of Western New York. Their presence has been a pillar in Batavia, and I am honored to celebrate their achievements.”

Alexander Man Gets Sentenced to 10 Years to Life in Child Rape Case

Wednesday morning at the Genesee County Courthouse, John Volpe, a 71-year-old man from Alexander, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 10 years to life in prison in a child rape/sexual abuse case.

Volpe was indicted in June with a 13-count indictment that tracks his abuse as far back as 2011. Both the victim and the victim’s mother read statements to the court before Volpe was sentenced. The victim spoke about how Volpe began his abuse on them when they were just 5 years old, and it continued into their teen years with Volpe keeping track of their daily routines, intimidating them by stating the world is a dangerous place. The victim told the court, “The world wasn’t a dangerous place, you were, and it brings me peace that you will never abuse another child again,”

Volpe pleaded guilty to one count of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a Class A Felony in June.

Proposed Budget for Genesee County Sees a $6.2 Million Increase.

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that the 2025 Genesee County proposed budget has a $6.2 million increase to accommodate rising costs.

The increase brings the total budget to $189,249,435. However, the budget includes a tax rate of $7.57 which is a 51-cent decrease from the current tax rate due in part to increased property assessments. In simple terms, if this budget is adopted a property assessed at $100,000 would pay $757 in annual taxes compared to this year’s number of $808. Genesee County Manager Matt Landers attributed retirement increases, health care cost increases, and jail operating cost increases to the $6.2 million spike in the budget.

Landers also stated that the increase in budget includes ten new correctional officer positions created for the new county jail.

Batavia/Notre Dame United Hockey Team Reveals New Jerseys

As high school hockey season quickly approaches, Batavia/Notre Dame United revealed their new jerseys for the upcoming season.

At Saturday’s Play Hockey for Free event at the McCarthy Ice Arena in Batavia, the home venue for BND United, 18 players for BND took the ice doning the new uniforms. The Seniors on the team helped create the new logo with “Just Dishin”, a graphic design business founded by Notre Dame graduate Matthew Keeler. The new logo is a U with BND written in the middle, similar to the Montreal Canadiens logo.

The new jerseys are funded by the BND Hockey Boosters, which is run by the parents of the players and annually raises around $20,000 through a variety of fundraisers.

Buffalo Sabres Pick Up a Much Needed Victory

Following a 3-game losing skid, the Buffalo Sabres came up with a massive 5-1 victory over their divisional rival the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

The Sabres went up 1-0 in the first period when JJ Peterka scored and followed it up with a goal by Bowen Byram just 17 seconds into the second period. Ottawa tagged on a goal in the second to keep the game close, but in the third period, Buffalo scored twice in the first 40 seconds to take a 4-1 lead and tagged one more on later in the period to put the game on ice. It was a very chippy game with high tensions, Buffalo RW Tage Thompson said, “Yeah those one’s are always fun, I mean any division rival obviously like Ottawa is a big game and we knew we needed that one. That was a big one for us and both sides showed a lot of desperation tonight. I thought after losing the last three that’s a huge response from us”.

JJ Peterka was big for the Sabres scoring 2 goals on the evening, Peterka credited the Sabres with bringing a lot of energy to the game. Peterka said, “Every line got a lot of energy tonight, it’s just great to see after three losses that we respond like that.

In net Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played a big role, recording 38 saves in the game and making a pair of impressive saves on two separate Ottawa fast breaks. On his performance, Luukkonen said, “It feels great, just overall, making those big saves, getting the win, and stopping the losing streak and we’ll try to build confidence from there”.

With the win, the Sabres move to 5-7-1 on the season and will travel to Madison Square Garden on Thursday to play the New York Rangers.

City of Batavia Seeks Bids for Housing Rehabilitation Program

The City of Batavia announced in a Monday press release, that they are seeking bids from licensed and qualified contractors for its Community Development Block Grant Citywide Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Contractors will be asked to do essential repairs such as roofing, window replacements, and general construction. The City of Batavia requires that all contractors who place a bid hold a Certification of Completion of Lead Safe Work Practices to ensure compliance with safety standards. All bids must include the entire cost of the work including labor, materials, insurance, equipment, and all other services necessary to complete the job.

All bids are due at 9 am, November 25th, and will be reviewed the same day.

Byron’s EMT Team Wins New York State Competition

EMTs Laura Platt and Tatum Higby from the Byron Fire Department’s Rescue Squad took a big victory at this year’s EMS Games.

The EMS Games took place at the Riverside Convention Center in Rochester from October 16-20. Teams of EMTs and Paramedics from all across New York State came out to compete in the prestigious event that uses challenging, real-world scenarios to test participants’ quick thinking and teamwork under pressure. Platt and Higby won the NYS Basic Life Support competition where they used all their skills to treat the patient with oxygen, EpiPen, and albuterol to keep the patient alive.

For their victory, they received medals and were awarded a trophy that they can keep until next year’s competition that will have their names engraved into it.

Salvation Army Starts Annual Red Kettle Campaign

The Salvation Army in Batavia announced the launch of its annual Red Kettle Campaign on Monday.

The Red Kettle Campaign aims to raise funds that will be used to give warm clothing, holiday meals, and gifts to local families in need. The Salvation Army is seeking support from local businesses and organizations as they hope to raise $50,000 of their $100,000 goal before they begin ringing bells in front of select locations.

If you can’t afford to donate, you can still help out by volunteering to assist with bell ringing throughout the holiday season.

OAE and Alexander Survive First-Round Sectional Scares

It wasn’t always pretty on Friday night, but Alexander and Oakfield-Alabama/Elba survived upset scares to advance to the Class D Sectional Semifinals.

2-seed Alexander hosted 7-seed Attica, and early in the game, it looked like Alexander would run away with it going up 14-0 in the first quarter. However, following 3 turnovers by the Trojans, Attica clawed back into the game and tied it at 14 entering the 4th quarter. The Trojans were able to lock in scoring twice in the 4th quarter to fend off the upset scare and win 30-14. 3-seed OAE hosted 6-seed York/Pavilion, and the game stayed close throughout. The Aggies were able to hold onto the win 26-14 behind solid performances from several players.

As we head into the semifinals, 4 teams from Genesee County are still alive.

Batavia City Council Considering Greater Home Tax Exemptions for Seniors

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that the Batavia City Council is considering giving homeowners aged 65 and older who meet certain income limitations a greater tax exemption on their home.

City Manager Rachel Tabelski has recommended adjusting the current scale to give senior residents whose income is at or below $23,000 a 50% property tax exemption and capping it off at $32,199.99 with a 5% property tax exemption. As things currently sit, to get a 50% tax exemption seniors need an income of $16,500 or less, and to get 5% the maximum income seniors can have is $24,000. Tabelski acknowledged that by implementing this exemption, the City of Batavia would lose up to $2.6 million.

But Tabelski went on to say, “In the last year, the assessor had reported to us that we have $100 million in taxable value from 2023 to 2024, so this would be a year to go ahead and do that. So the value that came in is not only reassessments of homes but also new and improving businesses.”

Steve Hawley Gets Endorsed by NYS Troopers Police Benevolent Association

Over the weekend, the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association endorsed Batavia City Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Over 7,000 active and retired members of the New York State Police are represented by the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association. Hawley has been a longtime advocate for supporting police and ensuring that they get the resources necessary for them to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

Hawley said, “With the challenges facing law enforcement today, it’s more important than ever to stand together. Having served on the Genesee County Legislature and engaged with various community organizations, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of strong public safety policies. With the backing of NYSTPBA, I will continue to fight for policies that respect and empower our officers,”