Local News

The time change is this weekend. And, experts say this is the good one – where clocks move backwards.

A teenager who was stabbed on a transit bus in Greece Wednesday night will likely lose his eye. Police say the 15-year-old boy got into a fight with the suspect on the bus and was stabbed, and has permanent vision loss. The 18-year-old male suspect was arrested at the scene, and is charged with first-degree assault. His bail is set at $5,000.

Money is being raised to help a family in Buffalo who lost everything to a fire last week. On Friday, Buffalo firefighters put out a fire at a one-and-a-half-story home on Barthel Street east of MLK Park. One woman was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. Now a GoFundMe page has been started to help the woman and her family as they recover. It can be found on the GoFundMe website under the title “Rebuild Hope for the Cutright Family.” The Red Cross is assisting five adults and five children who were displaced by the fire.   The cause of the flames is currently under investigation.

A company in Buffalo has landed on TIME’S Best Inventions of 2024 list.   The list features categories ranging from beauty products, entertainment & gaming, home health, and more.     A rescue camera from a company called Bounce Imagings is featured in the “robotics” section. The camera is described as a “softball-sized thermal imaging camera that can be thrown into dangerous situations.”   Bounce Imaging is located on West Seneca Street in Buffalo.

There will no longer be Wind Chill Advisories, Watches, or Warnings starting this winter. That’s because the language the National Weather Service uses for extreme cold events is changing.   The new warnings will include Extreme Cold Watch, Extreme Cold Warning and Cold Weather Advisory. The change was made to simplify the National Weather Service messaging when it comes to cold weather. The focus will be on cold weather, regardless of the wind.

The Buffalo Bills have a big game this weekend, and law enforcement are urging fans to be aware of ticket scams. The Bills are hosting the Miami Dolphins Sunday. Officials say people should try and purchase their seats through Ticketmaster first before looking on secondary market sites such as VividSeats, StubHub and SeatGeek. And, if they do decide to go to the game, folks should use a credit card instead of cash to buy tickets. Kickoff is at 1:00 at Highmark Stadium.

Sunday is the last day for early voting; the hours are from 9:00 to 5:00 at the ARC Community Center on Woodrow Road, Batavia. Make sure you use the side entrance to the building.

Every Thursday morning from 10 until 11, the GOOSE Community Center, 33 South Main Street, Oakfield, hosts Chair Yoga. All equipment is provided and it’s open to all, with no registration required.

Present Bills Players and Legends Visiting the Batavia Downs this Weekend

Today and tomorrow, both current Buffalo Bills stars and legends from the past will be visiting the Batavia Downs for the 2024 Legends and Stars Sports Expo.

Among the current Bills players who will be in attendance are Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Curtis Samuel, and Joe Andreessen. Some of the Bills legends that will be in attendance include Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley, Scott Norwood, Cornelius Bennett, and several more. Tickets to the event are available online for $10 each day and include $10 of Casino free play.

Don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to meet some of your favorite Buffalo Bills right here in Batavia.

The last Farmers Market of the Year is Taking Place Today

The final rendition of the Genesee Country Farmers Market for 2024 is taking place in Batavia today.

From 9 AM until 4 PM, the farmers market will be open with a wide variety of your favorite locally grown fall fruits, vegetables, baked goods, wine and so much more. The farmers market will take place on School Street in the parking lot next to Angotti’s. It’s been a great year for the farmers market, as each week has seen an increase in attendance from years past.

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market will return next June after a winter break.

Byron-Bergen Boys Soccer Team Returns to Sectional Finals

The Byron-Bergen Boys Soccer Team will look to defend their sectional title as they return to the Class C sectional championship game after defeating Geneseo 2-1.

3-seed Geneseo gave the 2-seed Bees all they could handle, but goals from Colin Rea and Craig DiQuattro were just enough to hold on. The Bees will travel to Honeoye Falls on Saturday at noon to face off against 1-seed East Rochester, a team they have yet to play this season. East Rochester enters the game with a daunting 15-1 record, having not lost a game since their season opener against Livonia.

However, the Bees are a veteran team that has played in and won sectionals before and fully expects to be up to the challenge.

Water Main Break in Downtown Batavia

The City of Batavia Water Department announced that they will be repairing a water main break on Watson Street in Downtown Batavia.

Work on the water main break will resume sometime this morning and is expected to be completed by the end of the day. Residents in the area of Watson Street will be without water for an unknown amount of time until repairs are completed. Water loss is to be expected in the area while repairs are being finished.

When the water is restored it may be discolored, don’t panic, just run your water until the color returns to clear. At the same time, if the water is discolored refrain from doing any laundry.

Batavia Police Department Reminds Residents to be Safe Trick or Treating

The Batavia Police Department offered tips to ensure all trick-or-treaters have a fun and safe experience collecting their share of candy this evening.

Whenever possible, remain on the sidewalks and avoid walking in the street. Only cross the street at posted crosswalks so drivers know to expect you. It’s safer to trick-or-treat in groups to ensure you have more adults keeping eyes on young children. If you’re driving tonight, drive slower than you typically would in residential areas, and ensure you are paying attention. It can be hard to see people in dark-colored costumes so stay vigilant on the road.

If you follow these simple safety tips, everyone can have a fun and safe Halloween experience!

Batavia Girls Soccer Cinderella Run Comes to an End

The Batavia Blue Devils girls’s Soccer team’s Cinderella run in sectionals has ended following a 2-1 overtime loss to Pittsford-Sutherland.

The 7th seed Blue Devils played 3rd seed Pittsford-Sutherland at Spencerport High School Wednesday evening. The game was closely contested with Ella Shamp scoring the lone goal for the Blue Devils. Batavia’s vaunted defense that won them their previous game against 2nd seed Wayne was once again their driving force, allowing just one goal in regulation. However, deep in overtime Pittsford Sutherland found the back of the net and eliminated Batavia.

With the loss by Batavia, Byron-Bergen is the only Genesee County team remaining in sectionals.

Eco Waste Solutions Held VIP Event to Usher in New Era in Batavia

Eco Waste Solutions on Cedar Street in Batavia held a VIP event at the company’s newly renovated manufacturing facility to usher in a new era.

Attendees at the event included members of the United States Military, the City of Batavia and Genesee County officials, and representatives from state and federal offices. Eco Wastes Solutions anticipates hiring 30 new employees in Batavia to help produce their Expeditionary Solid Waste Disposal Systems for the United States Army. The Expeditionary Solid Waste Disposal Systems eliminates the need for burn pits which were a long-standing source of toxic exposure overseas to our soldiers.

Jean Lucas, President & Chief Executive Officer, Eco Waste Solutions said, “Today marks an important milestone for our company. The opening of this facility significantly enhances our production, support, and engineering capabilities; an investment that reflects our commitment to building high-quality, innovative, and sustainable products,”

Genesee County Health Department Looking for Information on a Local Dog

The Genesee County Health Department released a statement on Tuesday stating that they are seeking information about the location of a dog and its owner following a dog bite incident over the weekend.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the Genesee County Park in East Bethany. The dog involved was running loose in the park and was described as a medium-sized, short-haired, black dog with a white spot under its chin and paw. The dog was thought to be a Labrador mix possibly and had a collar with a tag. The health department wants to locate the dog as soon as possible to confirm that it is healthy and could not have transmitted the rabies virus.

If you have any information about the location of the dog and its owner, please contact the Genesee County Health Department.

Alzheimer’s Association Offering Free Class to Educate Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association announced that they will be offering a free educational program on understanding the role of a caregiver for people living with dementia.

The program will cover how dementia changes relationships over time along with the benefits of person-centered care approaches, and how to create a supportive care team. The class will also go over how to manage the stress that comes along with being a caregiver. The class will be held at the Genesee Office for the Aging on November 13th, at 2 pm.

If you wish to attend the free class, please call the Office for the Aging ahead of time to reserve your spot.

Batavia Girls Soccer Team Spoils Wayne’s Perfect Season

The Batavia Blue Devils Varsity Girls Soccer Team defeated previously undefeated Wayne 1-0 to advance to the Class A semifinals.

The Blue Devils entered the sectional tournament as the 7th seed, but have outperformed expectations. Wayne was the 2nd seed in the tournament and had a record of 15-0-1 on the season. Jaimin Macdonald scored the winning goal for Batavia with 21 minutes left in the game, while goalie Ava Higgins recorded 7 saves. The Blue Devil defense completely stifled a Wayne attack that had been lethal all season.

Batavia will play 3rd seed Pittsford Sutherland at Spencerport High School this Wednesday with a trip to Sectional Finals on the line.

Batavia Police Department Investigating Incident Involving Fireworks

Video News Service reports, that the City of Batavia Police Department is investigating an incident where fireworks were thrown into people’s yards.

Several incidents occurred on October 18th and 19th involving fireworks being thrown into random yards throughout the City of Batavia. Fortunately, no injuries or fires have been reported associated with the incidents. Detective Eric Hill told reporters that he believes the incident is a juvenile matter and therefore there isn’t a lot of information he’s able to give out.

The investigation remains ongoing and it is not clear whether any suspects have been located.

Court Street Entrance to County Building One to be Closed Wednesday

Genesee County Officials announced in a press release that the Court Street entrance to County Building One will be closed on Wednesday.

The closure is part of a scheduled maintenance routine that is considered essential to ensure the safety of all visitors and staff. During the closure, the Main Street and Ellicott Street entrances will remain open and there will be signage placed to direct you to the alternative entrances. The DMV will remain open during this maintenance, but you may want to call ahead to confirm your access route.

Maintenance isn’t expected to last more than a day, and the entrance will reopen immediately following completion of the job.

Strong End to Regular Season for Genesee County High School Football Teams

It was a strong final week of the regular season for Genesee County’s high school football teams as sectional action will start this weekend.

The Batavia Blue Devils defeated Rochester Prep 42-20 and in doing so clinched the 1 seed and a first-round bye in the Class B playoffs. York/Pavilion got back on track with a 26-24 victory over Attica, York/Pavilion will enter the Class D playoffs as the 6 seed and will be playing OAE in the first round. Pembroke defeated Wellsville 64-48 in 8-man action, the win caps off an undefeated regular season for the Dragons. The Le Roy-Cal-Mum Rivals fell to East Rochester 42-29 but still held onto the 3 seed in the Class C playoffs. Finally, in our WBTA game of the week, the OAE Aggies picked up a huge 42-7 victory over Geneseo/Mount Morris.

OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter said, “We know we’ve got a group that if they just continue to work each day, our best football is still in front of us. This was a huge night, this is a Geneseo team that was 5-2, and to beat them 42-7 and build that kind of momentum going into sectionals. We know that we’re right where we want to be as we head into what we call the second season”

Leaf Collection Set to Begin in Batavia on November 4th

The City of Batavia will begin its annual leaf collection from November 4th until December 6th.

Residents are asked to rake their leaves into piles and leave them unbagged as close to the curb as they can without putting them in the street. Any resident is also allowed to bring their leaves to the Yard Waste Station until it closes for the season on December 14th. The City of Batavia will have 3 crews collecting leaves and expects it to take around 2 weeks to go through the entire city.

When making your leaves piles, make sure they are clear of sticks and animal waste, that they are not blocking traffic or fire hydrants, and get your leaves out to the road as soon as possible.

Bridge Closure in Pavilion Effective Today

The Genesee County Highway Department announced that effective today a bridge on Junction Road in Pavilion will be closed for repairs.

The bridge is located on Junction Road between Hartwell Road and Covell Road. The steel deck bridge requires critical repairs to ensure it can continue to be used safely. It is expected to take four weeks to make the necessary repairs, and no traffic will be able to get through as an entire section of the bridge will be removed.

All motorists are advised to seek alternative routes for the next month.

The early voting period gets underway across the state today, meaning folks will have the chance to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day.   Polling places in counties around the Empire State will be open daily until early voting wraps up November 3rd.   Anyone who has an issue at the polls can contact the Election Protection Hotline to get help and the Attorney General’s office says everyone has to right to vote free of intimidation and coercion. Election Day itself is November 5th. Cast your vote at the ARC Community Center, Woodrow Road, Batavia; please use the side entrance.

Saturday, 10/26 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and in Western New York there will plenty of places for people to get rid of unwanted medication. From 10:00 – 2:00, prescriptions can be dropped off at police stations or other collection sites. It is important to note that not every location accepts syringes, liquids or needles. To find a drop off site in your area, go to dea.gov/takebackday.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is warning consumers about an ongoing surge in car scams. The agency says a recent investigation revealed that many vehicles sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other websites are stolen, have altered identification numbers and forged titles. The DMV Commissioner says its important for people to buy vehicles from a licensed dealer so they’re protected when making purchases. Tips for car buyers can be found at dmv.ny.gov.

The University of Rochester Medical Center is getting a $30 million boost courtesy of the Saunders Foundation. This money will go towards important research in orthopedics, and to support faculty in the School of Medicine and Dentistry as well as nursing students.   The university is also going to name its center located at Marketplace Mall the Saunders Center for Orthopedics and Physical Performance. Officials say people come from all over the country to be treated at URMC.

The Buffalo Bills will be in the Pacific Northwest as they look to extend their current winning streak to three games. The Bills are set to take on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Washington state. Buffalo currently leads the AFC East with a record of five wins and two losses and is coming off a 34 to 10 victory over the Tennessee Titans at home last weekend. Kickoff for Sunday’s game is set for 4:05pm.

A former Buffalo Bills broadcaster and WIVB sports director is now a part of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in New York City. John Murphy was inducted into the hall of fame on Wednesday night. He broadcasted for the Bills for decades starting in 1984 and was an analyst alongside Van Miller until 1989. He then became the play-by-play broadcaster in 2003 and was in that role until last year. Murphy was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Elba United Methodist Church is sponsoring a prime rib dinner Saturday afternoon (10/26) from 4 to 6:30. The meal includes 3 side dishes, a roll, dessert and a beverage; the cost is $25 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 and free for youngsters under 5. Reservations are recommended; please call 585-757-2224 for more information.

A pork dinner will be held Sunday (10/27) at the Corfu Grange Hall, 71 Alleghany Road. The cost is $15, and includes pork, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, squash and applesauce. It’s take out only from 11:30am this morning until they’ve sold out.

The Genesee County Farmer’s Market is down to their last week; they’ll be open this Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am until 4pm. They’re located in the parking lot across from O’Lacy restaurant on School Street. For more information, please call 716-560-0853.

Governor Hochul Announces That SUNY Schools Will Automatically Admit Top NY Students

In a Thursday press release, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that beginning in the fall of 2025 SUNY schools will automatically admit New York high school students who were ranked in the top ten percent of their class.

The nine initial SUNY schools that will be participating include the University at Albany, the University at Buffalo, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Purchase College, and Stony Brook University. Additionally, the Governor announced last week that SUNY, CUNY, and over 50 private colleges and universities throughout New York State have come together to offer free application opportunities for high school seniors starting this week.

This builds on Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to expand access to higher education and make college more affordable.

Two People Arrested Following Burglary at Batavia Wal-Mart

On Wednesday, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department arrested two people following a burglary at the Batavia Wal-Mart.

Following an investigation, it is alleged that Janell Sauer of Pembroke stole $101.71 worth of merchandise. As a Wal-Mart Asset Protection employee approached her, Sauer walked away and dropped the bag of stolen merchandise. After Sauer dropped the bag, it is alleged that Sean Conway of Pembroke picked it up and walked away. Conway had been previously trespassed from Wal-Mart.

Conway was located and arrested by the Batavia Police Department in front of Jerry Arena’s Pizzeria and was released on an appearance ticket. Sauer was located the next day and is being held at Genesee County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Batavia Rotary Club Donates $7,635 For Hurricane Relief.

The Rotary Club of Batavia donated $7,635 in disaster relief to help people impacted by the effects of the recent hurricanes down south.

Initially, the Rotary Club pledged to match all community donations up to $5000. However, Batavia Rotary Club President Michael Hodgins explained, “Given the tight time frame, Batavia Rotarians decided to contribute the full $5,000 to go along with more than $2,600 from the community at large,”.

The local funds were sent to the Rotary International Zone 33/34 Foundation which was established to provide disaster relief in hurricane-prone areas.

Judge Rules Statements Elmore made to Detectives in Jail Can Be Used At Trial.

Howard Owens with the Batavian reports Judge Donald O’Geen ruled that statements Michael Elmore made in jail to detectives without his attorney present can be used at trial.

Elmore faces numerous charges for his alleged attack on Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, including aggravated manslaughter in the first degree. Following the alleged attack on Sgt. Sanfratello, Elmore was detained at Genesee County Jail and questioned by Detective Jason Ivison. Judge O’Geen said, “The court finds the people have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant’s statements to law enforcement were voluntary.”

This ruling is a big blow to Elmore’s defense case which had hoped to suppress statements made by Elmore while in custody before he was charged.

Man Found Throwing Items at Vehicles in Batavia Once Again

Video News Service reports, that the Batavia Police Department responded to an incident where a shirtless man was found throwing items at vehicles in the road.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 am at Route 98 and Batavia-Elba Townline Road. The man was described as wearing no shirt and was throwing a variety of objects at traffic passing by. This is the 4th report in the last two months of this exact case. All 4 incidents have occurred at the same location, and have involved a shirtless man throwing things at oncoming traffic. It isn’t confirmed if all the incidents are the same man, but it seems reasonably likely.

It is not reported if the man was detained or not.

GCC’s BEST Center Welcomes 3 New Staff Members

Genesee Community College’s Business and Employee Skill Training Center recently welcomed three new staff members to their team.

Christa Palmer joined as the new Assistant Director, Corinne Saluste joined as the Coordinator of Community Education, and Maria Velazquez de Machado joined as the Coordinator of Technical Programs. Palmer and Saluste are both Batavia natives and were educated at SUNY Schools. Velazquez de Machado is from Venezuela and has had a lengthy career in program management, strategic communications, and content creation.

Jennifer Wakefield, the Executive Director at the BEST Center said, “All three individuals bring outstanding professional credentials to our team, including new program development and training design experiences, and creative and innovative ideas to further expand our presence in the GLOW area.”

Bergen Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Machine Guns

United States Attorney Trini E. Ross announced on Tuesday that Peter Celentano of Bergen has been charged with illegal possession of machine guns.

On September 29th, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF executed a search warrant at Celentano’s home in Bergen. During their investigation, two 3D-printed pistols and tools and equipment used in the manufacturing of firearms were discovered. Investigators continued to search two other properties that are associated with Celentano in Lyndonville and Medina and discovered more 3D-printed handguns.

Celentano awaits sentencing where he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

New Medicare Cards Being Issues to Genesee County Residents Due to Breach

Residents of Genesee County who receive Medicare should be on the lookout this week for new Medicare cards in the mail.

Following a cybersecurity breach that affected nearly one million beneficiaries nationwide, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are issuing new cards to all the individuals affected. The new cards will feature a new Medicare number for each individual to protect their personal information. It is advised that you be alert of potential scams during this time.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reminds you that Medicare will not contact you to verify your new Medicare number or request personal information. If you receive such a call, it is likely a scam. Do not share your Medicare number with anyone.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is Underway

As National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week gets underway, GO Health calls to the community to raise awareness about lead poisoning prevention.

This week emphasizes various ways parents, caregivers, and communities can reduce children’s exposure to lead and protect them from harmful effects. Contaminated water and soil, paint used in homes before 1978, and products from other countries all serve as potential threats. Children can suffer from learning disabilities, weight loss, hearing loss, and seizures due to lead exposure. If you believe your home could contain lead-based paint or products, contact GO Health to get it tested.

Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Department said, “Lead poses a significant danger to children because their developing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its harmful effects”