Local News

BND Hockey Picks Up Huge Win on Opening Night

Everything went right for the Batavia Notre-Dame United Varsity Hockey team on opening night, as they defeated Geneva 11-1 at the McCarthy Ice Arena.

United got a big advantage leading 3-0 by the end of the first period. In the second period, United scored 6 goals and built an insurmountable 9-0 lead. Jamo Motyka was the leading scorer for United with 3 goals scored and multiple assists. Despite being a Class A opponent, Geneva struggled last year winning just 5 games. United’s first real tests will come tomorrow against Aquinas Institute who is always tough in Class B and on Friday against Section 6’s Grand Island who won 13 games last season.

Some initial concerns were coming into the season about BND losing multiple seniors and maybe regressing, but if opening day is any sign it appears things are going to be ok.

Congresswoman Tenney Announces A Bill To Speed Up Election Results Reporting

New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney announced on Saturday that she is introducing a bill that would speed up election results reporting.

The new bill would require states to report preliminary election results within 12 hours after polls close, with certain exceptions and contingencies to account for practical challenges as well as for our service members and their families stationed overseas. A recent survey has found that 63% of respondents wish to see a federal law that requires final election results to be reported within 12 hours of polls closing.

Congresswoman Tenney said, “Voters across the country are frustrated with vote tallying that drags on for weeks, especially in instances where ballots seem to be discovered long after Election Day, this undermines trust in our elections and creates opportunities for fraud or errors in ballot counting. As Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, I am committed to increasing transparency in our electoral process and ensuring it is truly Election Day — not Election Month.”

Winter Weather Leads to Wacky Night of Races at the Downs

On Saturday, winter weather was in full force in Batavia and it led to an exciting night of races at the Batavia Downs.

Most of the fields were shortened due to several horses scratching because of weather-related transportation issues. In the first feature of the evening, the $14,000 Open Handicap Pace, Melanion N ridden by Drew Monti got an early lead and never looked back winning by 5 and 1/2 lanes. In the second feature, the $14,000 Open Handicap Trot, Biscoe ridden by Jim McNeight Jr won after riding at a modest pace on the snowy track and made his move passing both the leaders on the home stretch.

Horses will return to the Downs this Wednesday for the second to last night of racing in 2024.

Significant snowfall is in the forecast for this weekend. The National Weather Service says a Lake Effect Snow Warning is in place for Genesee County from 7:00am today through 7:00pm tomorrow.   Locally, the highest snowfall totals are expected to be in the southwest portion of Genesee County and up to a foot of precipitation could end up on the ground in some spots, with major snowfall amounts predicted for the Southern Tier. Updated forecasts and alerts can be found anytime at noaa.gov.

A bill aimed to improve habitat connectivity for wildlife is being vetoed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The New York Wildlife Crossing Act would have directed the state Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority to identify areas along highways that are often used as animal crossings. Animal crossing infrastructures, like bridges and tunnels, would have then been built to improve safety for drivers and improve animal habitats. The bill passed in both the Senate and State Assembly but was not signed by Hochul.

A Bergen man is facing weapons charges after authorities uncovered over 100 firearms in a months-long, multi-agency investigation. In September of 2024, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police searched several locations and found over 100 3-D printed weapons, including silencers, ghost guns, ammo feeding devices, and unfinished frames. Peter Celentano is being charged for several crimes, including unlawful wearing of body armor, possessing ten or more firearms and more. Before being arrested, the 35-year-old had already been charged for weapon related crimes after machine guns were found at home and other properties associated with him.   Celentano currently remains in custody.

The New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council is proposing a new fire sprinkler mandate for new homes built in New York State. It would require all new one- and two-family homes to have a sprinkler system. However, Dominic Cortese, the President of Cortese Construction Service, says it would be counter-productive in trying to make more homes affordable because the average price of adding a fire sprinkler would add about $30 to $40,000 to the cost of a home. A state law currently requires builders to provide buyers with information regarding the installation of fire sprinklers and the estimated cost. Cortese believes the law should stay in place and allow buyers to have the choice. The next state Fire Prevention and Building Code Council meeting is scheduled for December 6th.

Workers in New York are getting higher Paid Family Leave benefits starting January 1st. Eligible employees can receive over 14-thousand-dollars in total benefits.   That’s an increase of over 313-dollars from 2024. The States Paid Family Leave gives employees up to twelve-weeks of job protection, paid time off to take care of a new child, sick family member, or to help loved ones during a family member’s overseas military deployment.   It keeps the employees on their health insurance plan during their leave and protects them from discrimination or retaliation. Also starting on January 1st, pregnant workers will have more paid time off for parental care under the state’s separate Paid Sick Leave program.

New data shows the spread of the flu virus remains low in the Western New York region. The county with the highest number of cases in the latest update was Monroe County with 34. That was followed by Wayne County with three cases and Ontario County with one infection. People are being urged to get a flu shot before cases likely surge during the winter months. A list of immunization sites can be found at vaccines.gov.

The Alexander Fire Department Christmas Craft and Vendor Show is tomorrow from 10 until 3 at the Recreation Hall on Alexander Road. Admission is free and there will be over 80 tables to check out. For more information, please call 585-356-3301.

The Senior Nutrition Site at Havenwood Congregate Apartments at 240 Richmond Avenue serves lunch Monday through Friday starting at noon. The site is easily accessible and reservations are available by calling 344-1330.

After a week off, the red-hot Buffalo Bills are looking to keep their winning ways going this weekend. The Bills are set to battle the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Buffalo last played November 17th when they beat the defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs 30 to 21 and pushed their winning streak to six games. Sunday’s contest begins at 8:20pm and it airs nationally as part of NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Tanker Truck Fire Shuts Down I-90 in Le Roy on Tuesday

Video News Service reports, that a tanker truck fire on the I-90 in Le Roy Tuesday morning forced the thruway to close temporarily.

Around 7:30 am, the Le Roy and Bergen Fire Departments responded to milepost 378.4 heading east for reports of a tanker truck on fire. The truck which was used to haul propane, was fortunately empty at the time of the fire however, residue left from past propane is still extremely dangerous and flammable. Officials on the scene shut down the thruway in both directions for around 2 hours. Initially, fire crews chose not to fight the fire and set up a perimeter as that appeared to be the safer option. But after an hour the fire was still raging and crews put water on the fire and successfully extinguished it.

At this time, it is unclear what caused the fire but an investigation is underway.

Governor Hochul Tells New Yorkers to Prepare for a White Thanksgiving

New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers in a Tuesday statement to prepare for the possibility of harsh winter weather on Thanksgiving day.

A winter storm is expected to impact portions of Western New York starting this evening and carrying into Thanksgiving Day. Several inches of snow and some freezing rain are expected, and on Friday colder air is expected to bring lake-effect snow accumulations up to several feet to portions of Western New York. Hochul reassured New Yorkers that the National Guard is on standby to respond to lake effect snow if need be.

Hochul said, “As we come together this Thanksgiving, I urge all New Yorkers to stay alert, monitor local forecasts, and exercise caution as they travel to be with family and friends this holiday weekend as we experience winter weather across the State If you are traveling, please plan ahead, and prioritize your safety and the safety of others to ensure we can all spend this holiday with our loved ones — safely and warmly.”

Batavia City Council Moves Harvester Demo Project to a Vote

Monday evening the Batavia City Council met and discussed the next steps in the proposed demo project at the Harvester Center complex.

The Batavian reports, that in 2021 the Harvester complex was sold to John Wachter Jr. and John Wachter III of New Jersey who hoped to revitalize the deteriorating Harvester Center. Multiple buildings on the property have been deemed unsafe by Batavia City Code Enforcement. City Manager Rachel Tabelski has recommended that the City Council submit a grant application for up to $1 million with the Restore NY grant.

At the meeting, Batavia resident John Roach gave a speech urging city officials to be cautious. Roach cited previous instances where the city helped property owners get grants to revitalize old buildings and nothing really came of it. City Council will vote on whether they will apply for the grant at their next meeting on December 9th.

Notre Dame’s Lady Irish Hosting Annual Golisano Toy Drive

For the third consecutive year, the Lady Irish Basketball team at Notre Dame High School is hosting their Golisano Toy Drive.

The drive has already begun and donations are being accepted at Notre Dame’s main office during normal school hours. Donations will be accepted until December 12th when the Lady Irish face off against Oakfield-Alabama. At the game, there will be basket raffles and a 50/50 which all proceeds will benefit the toy drive.

This drive is a great way to help out children who are in the hospital and cannot be home with their families for the holidays.

Man Arrested Following High-Speed Chase in Oakfield

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department reports, that Shawn O’Conner was arrested after being involved in a high-speed chase over the weekend.

Friday evening, deputies attempted to stop O’Conner for traffic violations in Batavia. Once the deputies turned on their lights, O’Conner fled up Route 63 towards Oakfield. O’Conner led deputies to the Oakfield Central School where he crashed his vehicle after hitting a patrol vehicle in the parking lot. At this point, O’Conner surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. O’Conner caused damage to the Oakfield Central School District, striking several objects with his vehicle.

O’Conner was taken to the Genesee County Jail where he is being held awaiting his arraignment. O’Conner faces charges of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, Unlawful Fleeing in the 3rd degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd degree, and 17 traffic tickets. More charges are expected to be filed once the investigation concludes.

Genesee Speedway Announces Major Moves in 2025

Genesee Speedway in Batavia announced they are making major changes in 2025 which will be spearheaded by newly appointed track promoter James Gayton.

Gayton has been a familiar face at the speedway over the last decade and was awarded a three-year contract by the Genesee County Fair Board. Gayton’s first move was to rebrand the track, changing the name from “Genesee Speedway” to “The Dirt Track at Genesee” and accompanying the new name with a new modern logo. Gayton also plans to reopen the kart track on Friday nights after a year and a half-break. Upgrades to the big track will include over 100 loads of new clay, constructing a new tower, adding live timing and scoring, renovating the bathrooms, accepting credit and debit cards, and launching a new modern website.

With the changes Gayton has planned, The Dirt Track at Genesee could become a significant track in the dirt racing world.

Elba Students Raise $2,564 For School.

The Elba High School Class of 2025 and members of the Lancers varsity baseball team earned $2,564 for the Elba Central School District.

Throughout the summer, the students went to the Batavia Downs following each Rockin’ the Downs concert and helped clean up. The students raised $1,031.80 through can and bottle returns, and the Batavia Downs matched the redemption price and donated an additional $500 as a thank-you for the help cleaning up beyond the bottles and cans. Ryan Hasenauer, the VP of business development at the Batavia Downs along with President and CEO Byron Brown visited Elba High School on Friday and presented the students with a check.

All the cans and bottles were redeemed through McNickel’s Bottle and Can Redemption.

Man Charged with Assaulting Correctional Officer in Genesee County Jail

A Buffalo man was charged with assaulting a Correctional Officer while he was being held in the Genesee County Jail in October.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department reports, that Nyejay Braction of Buffalo allegedly assaulted a Correctional Officer when a physical altercation broke out at the Genesee County Jail on West Main Street in Batavia. The Correctional Officer suffered a broken finger from the incident and had to seek medical attention. Fortunately, other Correctional Officers were able to help get Braction restrained and prevented any further injuries.

Braction is charged with assault in the 2nd degree and was arrested and arraigned on November 15th in Genesee County CAP Court.

Pembroke Football Wins Far West Regionals

On Saturday at Pittsford-Sutherland High School, the Pembroke Dragons defeated Section 6 Champion Frewsburg 50-19 en route to a Far West Regional Championship in 8-man football. They extended their winning streak to 35 games.

In the game, the Dragons jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back. Senior quarterback Caleb Felski had a monster game rushing for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns. On the defensive side, Felski and Hayden Williams had 2 interceptions each. The win advances the Dragons to the State Semifinals where they’ll match up with undefeated Section 3 Champion Frankfort-Schuyler. Pembroke is ranked #1 in the state while Frankfort-Shuyler is ranked #2 in the state making this a marquee matchup.

The game will be played this Saturday at noon at Vestal High School.

A Wyoming County man accused of killing his roommate before fleeing to Mexico has appeared in court. Prosecutors claim 42-year-old Michael Bellaire strangled 53-year-old Cheryl Cook at their Warsaw apartment in November 2023. Bellaire avoided capture for months before finally being taken into custody. He is now charged with murder, grand larceny and strangulation and remains behind bars.

Senator Kristen Gillibrand is calling for the passage of a bill that would expand social security benefits for over 35-thousand New York public sector retirees. Those workers include state and local government employees, teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The Social Securities Fairness Act passed in the House last week and has yet to be voted on by the Senate. If passed, the bill would get rid of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which reduces the amount of money a retiree, can receive. About two-point-five-million Americans would have higher Social Security payments and they’d be retroactive to December 2023.

Wegmans has issued a recall involving a yogurt product. The supermarket chain says its Food You Feel Good About Low Fat Fruit on the Bottom Pina Colada yogurt may contain small plastic pieces. The affected yogurts have a sell-by date of November 30th, 2024. No illnesses have been reported yet and anyone who bought the yogurt can return it for a refund.

Thousands of children in New York State will now have expanded healthcare coverage. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the state is now able to offer children under the age of six, continuous eligibility in Child Health Plus and Medicaid.  There are currently 2.5 million children 18 years old and under that are on Medicaid or Child Health Plus. The governor’s office says there are more than 800,000 children under six years of age that are currently enrolled in Medicaid and Child Health Plus that will benefit from the continuous coverage

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.

Batavia Softball is Getting a New Field

The Batavia City School District announced, that as part of their $45 million capital project, the Lady Blue Devils Varsity Softball team will get a new synthetic turf field.

The synthetic turf field will be the first of its kind in Genesee County. Synthetic turf fields have become popular in New York state, with softball season starting in April, quite often the weather is cold and wet which turns traditional grass fields into unplayable swamps. Synthetic turf allows the field to drain quickly during rainy conditions and isn’t affected by rain the way the grass is. Medina is the first school in the area to build a synthetic turf softball field, and the Lady Mustangs haven’t had to delay a single game due to rain since its installation.

As part of this project, the JV baseball field at Batavia High School will also be rebuilt with synthetic turf.

Batavia Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Drugs

Norman Michael Jr. of Batavia was sentenced to eight years in prison for working with his wife while he was in jail to sell a copious amount of drugs.

The Batavia City Police Department said, that following an investigation they determined that while in Genesee County Jail, Michael contacted his wife Danielle, and arranged for her to sell crack cocaine to Marcus Mobley. Mobley’s car was later stopped by law enforcement, where they discovered drugs sold to him by Danielle. For her role in the crime, Danielle Michael was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy.

Norman Michael pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and will serve 8 years in state prison.

Pembroke Football Prepares for Far West Regional

The Pembroke Dragons 8-man football team will look to make it 35 straight wins when they play Frewsburg this Saturday in the Far West Regionals.

The Dragons have won 34 straight games dating back to September 9th, 2022 and during this stretch have won 2 state titles. Their opponent, the Frewsburg Bears, had their best season in program history going 7-1 and winning the Section 6 eight-man football title. However, their one loss on the season came against Pembroke in October where they were beaten 52-22.

The game will be played at noon on Saturday at Pittsford-Sutherland High School, and with a win, the Dragons will advance to the State Semifinals.

Batavia City School District Plans to Start Capital Project in the Spring

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that the Batavia City School District plans to start its $45 million capital project in the spring of 2025 with a 3-phase plan.

The $45 million project will cost taxpayers zero dollars and will help restructure the way Batavia City School has grades set up. The plan will include major renovations to Robert Morris as by the end of this project, it will be absorbing UPK and kindergarten from Jackson Primary. Jackson Primary will lose kindergarten but will take on second grade to go along with first grade. John Kennedy will lose second grade, but gain fifth grade and host grades three through five. Finally, Batavia Middle School will lose 5th grade and return to just housing grades six through eight.

All five of Batavia’s City Schools are receiving major renovations as part of this plan, and a complete list with all the details is available on thebatavian.com.

DMV Reminds Riders to Register Snowmobiles

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles stated on Wednesday reminding riders to register their snowmobiles as winter approaches.

In New York State all snowmobiles must be registered and marked with a valid sticker to access more than 10,500 miles of trails in the Statewide Snowmobile Trail System. Revenue raised from snowmobile registrations is used towards maintaining and developing the state’s snowmobile trails. If you are a member of the New York State Snowmobile Association or a local affiliated snowmobile club, you will receive a $55 discount on your registration.

Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee said, “I’m optimistic this will be a fun winter for snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts in New York. So, before the snow flies, remember your snowmobile registration must be renewed every year. DMV is here to help customers get registered and ready for the trails.”

GCC Foundation Set to Host Twelve Days of Christmas Event

The Genesee Community College Foundation will host its annual Encore holiday gala on Saturday, December 14th at 5 pm.

The theme this year will be “Twelve Days of Christmas”, celebrating the traditions of the holiday season. There will be fine dining and a special holiday concert performed by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. This event has provided crucial funding for student scholarships at GCC for over 30 years. They are still seeking a few sponsors for the event so if you are interested, be sure to get in contact with Justin Johnston at GCC.

If you wish to attend this event, tickets are available online at www.gccfoundationinc.org.

Batavia City School District Announces New Principal at Robert Morris

The Batavia City School District announced, that on Monday they named Jessica Korzelius as the new Principal of Robert Morris Middle School.

Korzelius was named Principal upon a recommendation from Batavia City School District Superintendent Jason Smith. Korzelius has served as Assistant Principal at Robert Morris and Batavia High School since 2021. Before serving in that role, Korzelius was a classroom teacher at Robert Morris from 2014-2021 teaching grades 5 and 6. Korzelius holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from SUNY Brockport, a Master’s degree in Literacy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education from SUNY at Buffalo.

Upon receiving her new role, Korzelius said, “Having been part of this community as assistant principal, both here and at Batavia High School, I know how dedicated our students, staff, and families are. I want to thank the BCSD Board of Education and our administrative team for their support throughout my career. I am excited to continue working alongside them during this pivotal time for our district.
I look forward to supporting our youngest learners as they grow and achieve their full potential.”

Genesee County Plans to Prepare a Warming Center as Winter Looms

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that as winter quickly creeps up on us, community groups in Genesee County have begun to make plans for a warming center.

With multiple recent incidents of homeless people in and around Batavia, it has become clear that something needed to be put into place to protect them from the elements this winter. A warming center is a shelter for people with nowhere else to go on evenings and nights when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. At this point, it is unclear where the warming center will be located. Still, Genesee County officials have Chief Executive Officer Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health leading the charge.

Multiple community groups have stated that they want to be involved in this, as they believe it’s a great need for Batavia.

GO Health Increases Awareness During Lung Cancer Awareness Month

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have announced that in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, they are dedicated to increasing awareness about lung cancer and promoting early detection.

The New York State Health Equity Report found that Genesee County had a lung cancer rate of 71.5 cases per 100,000 people. Lung cancer can develop without any noticeable symptoms which makes regular screenings crucial for those at risk. Risk groups include past smokers, those with radon exposure, and those who worked with carcinogenic chemicals and dust.

Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health said, “Lung Cancer Awareness Month is not just about raising awareness; it’s about taking actionable steps to reduce risk factors associated with lung cancer,”

Batavia Downs Raises Over $25,000 For Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Batavia Downs announced that their September 27th fundraiser raised $25,215.30 for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

The event raised money through the donated dinner, donations, raffles, auctions for donated items, and the local harness racing community as some owners, trainers, and riders donated all or a portion of their winnings from September 27th. Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown presented representatives from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester with their check in a ceremony on Monday. The Batavia Downs also donated $9,310 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Monday’s ceremony.

Byron Brown spoke of the importance of this donation saying, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month just concluded in October but our focus should be year-round with more than 360,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Early detection is critically important because – so the quicker you act the bigger the impact.”

Elmore Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Sanfratello Case

Following a long eight months, Michael Elmore has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the first-degree for his role in the events that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello on March 10th at the Batavia Downs.

Aggravated Manslaughter in the first-degree/intent to cause injury, was the top count in the indictment as a class B violent felony. As part of Elmore’s plea deal, he will be sentenced to no more than 20 years in prison and 5 years of probation. Elmore will be sentenced on December 17th at 9:30 am, and this will be his second felony after previously being convicted of Attempted Burglary in 2016.

Lyndsey Wilcox also accepted a plea deal for her role in Sanfratello’s death, pleading guilty to Assault in the second-degree, which is a class D violent felony. Wilcox was released under supervision and was sentenced to 6 months of shock probation and will face up to 5 years of probation when she is sentenced on January 21st.

Governor Hochul Announces $22 Million For NY’s Electric Grid.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that $22 million is now available for projects that strengthen and modernize New York’s electric grid.

The money was funded through a U.S. Department of Energy Grid Resilience Formula Grant. Hochul’s grid modernization program will support projects that help ensure infrastructure reliability and expand access to clean energy for New Yorkers, specifically supporting the transition to a zero-emission electricity system.

Governor Hochul said, “New York’s grid infrastructure is the backbone of energy distribution. We must maintain its reliability and resiliency to withstand extreme weather events. This federal formula grant complements ongoing State investments to meet the growing energy needs of families and businesses in our communities.”

Tough Weekend for Genesee County Football

It was not the weekend residents of Genesee County hoped for, with their High School Football teams going a combined 1-3 over the weekend.

In our WBTA Game of the Week, the Batavia Blue Devils fell to Eastridge 28-14 in the Class B Championship Game. Batavia trailed 22-0 entering the 4th quarter and made a spirited comeback. However, Batavia was too depleted with injuries and Eastridge was able to pull away once more. In the Class C title game, the Le Roy/Cal-Mum Rivals lost to East Rochester/Gananada 26-13. This game was never truly close with ER taking an early lead and never letting the Rivals make the game closer than 2 scores. In the Class D title game, the Alexander Trojans lost to Avon 28-0. The Trojans kept it close early, but Avon was able to wear them down and pull away.

The one bright spot this weekend is that the Pembroke Dragons defeated Holley 52-16 in the 8-man football title game, and will move on to play Frewsburg in the Far West Regional.

Pontillo and the Town of Stafford Appear to be in a Stalemate

Howard Owens with the Batavian reports, that James Pontillo and the Town of Stafford appear to have reached a stalemate with the pending code violations at the former Odd Fellows Hall.

Pontillo’s attorney Chris Hummel released a statement this week accusing the Town of Stafford of wanting to seize ownership of the property and possibly demolish it over “a few petty code violations at worse”. The statement also states that the property was never abandoned and that Pontillo frequently tends to it. In response, David Roach, attorney for the Town of Stafford said that Hummel’s statement was a hodgepodge of objectively verifiable lies and contextually misplaced statements.” Roach also claimed that “Anyone who can read the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and observe the condition of Mr. Pontillo’s building, inside and out, will arrive at that conclusion.”

Pontillo and the Town of Stafford have been at odds over the Odd Fellows Hall for over 8 years, and these recent statements don’t inspire faith that they are getting closer to a solution.

Byron Bergen Girls Win Soccer State Championship

The Byron-Bergen Bees Varsity Girls Soccer Team won the New York State Class C State Championship at SUNY Cortland.

Following a dominant 4-0 victory on Saturday over Section 9 champion Burke Catholic, the Bees played Section 2 champion Stillwater in the state championship game on Sunday. The game was a defensive masterclass, with both teams refusing to give an inch to the other. The game ended scoreless in regulation and had to be settled in overtime. Just 23 seconds into the overtime period, captain and star player Mia Gray scored to give the Bees a 1-0 victory.

The Bees have been to the state tournament and championship game numerous times over the last decade, but victory has always eluded them. Until now, Congratulations to the Bees.

Flu season has arrived, but the spread of the virus is currently very low across the area. The county with the highest number of cases is Monroe with nine, followed by Wayne County with two and Cayuga County with just one. Experts say it is important for folks to take proper precautions so they can avoid getting themselves and others sick. Flu season typically runs into May, but illnesses begin to surge once the weather gets colder.

A full surgery schedule has resumed at University of Rochester Medical Center following an IV fluid shortage. Some procedures were put on hold temporarily after a manufacturing plant in North Carolina was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene. Hospital officials say things are back up and running again due to conservation efforts and using clinically equivalent alternatives. Patients will be contacted directly by their medical provider to get a surgery date.

Some New Yorkers are eligible for almost $1,000 for heating assistance this winter. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement that money is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as HEAP. Benefits are available to homeowners and renters, depending on their income.   Applications for HEAP benefits are open now and Emergency HEAP benefit applications will open on January 2nd.   The application can be found on NY.gov.

SUNY colleges and universities are seeing an increase in enrollment for the second year in a row. This is the first back-to-back rise in 15 years. Enrollment rose over two-percent in the Fall of 2024 with around 275,000 new SUNY students. SUNY Morrisville, and Niagara County Community College have the largest enrollment gains. Governor Kathy Hochul has credited SUNY’s enrollment growth to the $277 million in state funding for community colleges, health care training and mental health, among other things.   Her Top-Ten Percent Program also offers automatic admission to the top students starting next year.

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.

NBC News Features…

Lunchables are out of school lunch rotations nationwide. Kraft Heinz is pulling the products from the National School Lunch Program due to weak demand. The company said in a statement, it would reconsider bringing them back in the future. While Kraft Heinz said school administrators were eager for the easily accessible, ready-to-eat meals, Consumer Reports reported on their high sodium levels, prompting debate over whether the food is safe for students.

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Southern California reveals that COVID-19 can be deadly for years after getting sick. The study shows that those who get COVID are twice as likely to suffer a fatal heart attack, stroke or death for up to three-years after a COVID diagnosis.   The risk is even higher for those who were hospitalized with COVID and or have a previous history of heart disease.   Doctor Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic says there is likely to be a rise in cardiovascular disease globally in the coming years.

People started drinking more during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that lasted into at least 2022. A new survey saw increases in the amount of stress-related drinking and alcohol-related deaths in 2020 compared to 2018. Those numbers failed to subside two years later when things started to return to normal. The study was published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Measles cases have gone up across the globe. A new report from the World Health Organization found that cases of the disease rose by 20% worldwide between 2022 and 2023. Although the number of cases increased, deaths from measles went down by 8%. The report says that drop is mainly because the surge in cases occurred in countries and regions where children are less likely to die from measles due to better overall nutrition and access to health care.

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,”

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”

Sectional’s Set to Kick Off on Wednesday For Genesee County Boys Soccer Teams

The annual Section V Boys Soccer Sectional Tournament is set to begin tomorrow for teams all around Genesee County.

In the Class A bracket, the 9th-seeded Batavia Blue Devils will travel to play 8th-seeded Palmyra-Macedon. In Class B, 3rd-seeded Le Roy/Cal-Mum will host 14th-seeded Greece Odyssey and 8th-seeded Attica/Alexander will play 9th-seeded North Rose-Wolcott in Cal-Mum following the conclusion of the Le Roy/Cal-Mum game. In Class C, 2nd-seeded Byron-Bergen/Elba earned a bye and will host the winner of 7th-seeded Sodus and 10th-seeded Pavilion/York Saturday night, while finally, 12th-seeded Pembroke will travel to play 5th-seeded Williamson.

It’s been a quality season for Genesee Counties High School Boys Soccer teams, and the road to championships starts now.

Genesee Community College to Present Stephen King’s “Misery”

From November 8th to 10th, Genesee Community College’s Stuart Steiner Theatre will be presenting Stephen King’s “Misery”, adapted by William Goldman.

The fast-paced, thriller stage adaptation is about a novelist who is held captive by a fan of his work. The novelist is forced to write and his survival hinges on his ability to appease his captor creating a tense psychological battle. The show will be directed by Maryanne Arena and will feature Tony Haitz and Joshua Lang who is a graduate of the GCC Theatre Arts program.

Tickets to the show are $10 and are available on GCC’s website.

UR’s Medicine Mobile Mammography Van will be at the Batavia Downs on Wednesday

University of Rochester’s Medicine Mobile Mammography Van will be providing breast screenings at the Batavia Downs on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM.

The service offers advanced 3D mammography screenings, targeting women aged 40 and older. It’s an easy, quick process that provides the same quality of care as an in-office visit. Despite being such a quick and easy process, it could save your life by detecting cancer in its earliest stages.

To schedule your screening call UR Medicine or email mammovan@urmc.rochester.edu.

Good Weekend for Genesee County High School Football Teams

This past weekend was a good weekend for High School Football in Genesee County as the only teams who lost were playing other Genesee County teams.

Friday night at VanDetta Stadium, the Batavia Blue Devils defeated Vertus Academy 33-8 to move to 7-0 on the year. Bronx Buchholz passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for 2 in a standout performance for the Blue Devils. York/Pavilion got their season back on track against Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen picking up a 37-20 victory. The Le Roy/Cal-Mum Rivals extended their winning streak to 3 straight games with a 40-14 win against Hornell. Finally, in 8-man football action, the Pembroke Dragons defeated Allegany-Limestone 54-18.

Stay tuned to WBTA to find out which games we will be covering next weekend.

Batavia Save-A-Lot is Closed for the Time Being

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, that the Save-A-Lot in Downtown Batavia has closed its doors.

It is unclear at this time if this is permanent, but as of Saturday, the store is no longer open for business. The owner of the 18,000-square-foot building that Save-A-Lot is running out of, VJ Gautieri Constructors said they believe that Save-A-Lot corporate would like to keep a location in Batavia. However, it seems that the current franchisee John Hedlund will no longer be involved.

At this time it is unclear if there are any other franchisees who will step up and reopen Save-A-Lot.

Buffalo Bills Win Big Against Tennessee Titans

It was a tale of two halves on Sunday for the Buffalo Bills when they hosted the Tennessee Titans.

In the first half, the underdog Titans hung around and kept the game close, only trailing by 3 at halftime. In the second half, Josh Allen put on his Superman cape and went to work putting up 34 unanswered points and leading the Bills to a 34-10 victory. The Bills newest addition Amari Cooper found the back of the endzone having 4 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in his debut. Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman had a big day reeling in 4 catches for 125 yards.

Josh Allen has still yet to throw an interception on the season, going 7 straight games with no picks. The Bills will travel to Seattle next week to take on the Seahawks.

Governor Hochul is announcing a new program that’s aimed at helping New Yorkers save money on their energy bills. The Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program will give electric bill credits to low-income households and disadvantaged communities statewide.   A portion of revenues from new renewable energy generation projects will fund the credits. The governor says this program ensures people won’t be left behind during the transition to a clean-energy economy.

A New York lawmaker wants speed warning systems installed in new cars.   Last month. Assemblyman Robert Carroll introduced a bill that calls for an alarm to be placed in cars that will warn drivers when they’re speeding. The technology would be installed in all cars registered in New York and made after January 1st, 2029. Carroll said there would be no penalties for speeding, it would just be alerting drivers. A similar bill was introduced in California but it was recently vetoed by the governor. Carroll’s bill is currently in committee.

The state is stepping up and giving several cities their estimated casino revenue in advance since the Seneca Nation has yet to pay up. Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has confirmed that Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Salamanca will receive a total of $16.7 million in expected revenue by the end of this month. The money is casino revenue that was generated between December 10th and through the end of June. The money was advanced under the conditions of an existing agreement while the state and Seneca Nation negotiated a new gaming compact.

The criminal charges against a Buffalo Bills fan that entered the construction pit of the new stadium are being dismissed. Adam McPherson from Cheektowaga was arraigned in January for the misdemeanor but he was granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.   That means the case could be dismissed after certain conditions were met. McPherson’s case was dismissed on September 27th. Others who have been charged with trespassing at the Bills stadium have also had their cases dismissed.

The Buffalo Bills are back on home field this weekend as they look to pick up a second straight win. The defending AFC East champions are hosting the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The Bills are coming off a 23 to 20 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night that boosted their record this season to four wins and two losses. Kickoff for tomorrow’s contest is scheduled for 1:00.

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 through Monday, 10/21. 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.

NBC News features…

A new study shows the nose may be even more powerful than previously thought.   Published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, Chinese researchers found that the nose can identify odors within a fraction of a second. That’s at a level of sensitivity similar to how our brains perceive color. This goes against previous assumptions that smell is a slower sense in humans.

Tobacco use among American teenagers is at a new low. On Thursday, the CDC and FDA announced teen tobacco use is now the lowest it’s been in the last 25 years. The number of teens who use any kind of tobacco has dropped from 2.8 million in 2023 to 2.2 million. Vaping specifically saw a big drop over the last year, from 2.1 million to 1.6 million.   The CDC says teen cigarette smoking is very low now, at just one-point-four-percent among teens in 2024.

Town of Batavia to Name Portion of Road After Fallen Sheriff

Video News Service reports, that the Town of Batavia passed a resolution to rename a portion of Park Street to the Sgt. Tom Sanfratello Memorial Parkway.

The Town Board was looking for a way to honor Sgt. Sanfratello served for 28 years in Genesee County as a Deputy Sheriff. Sgt. Sanfratello lost his life in March of this year in an incident while he was on duty. Park Road will be renamed Sgt—Tom Sanfratello Memorial Parkway from Veteran’s Memorial Drive to Richmond Avenue. A sign will be installed at 145 Park Street in front of an apartment complex noting the new name.

It is currently planned for the renaming to be done by mid-November of this year.

Fifth Annual Musician of Note Ceremony Set to Rock at Batavia High School

Batavia High School announced that on October 24th, at 7 PM they will be hosting their 5th annual Musician of Note Ceremony in the school auditorium.

The event is put on every year to honor past Batavia High School graduates who have made an impact in music. This year’s honorees are, the late Rose Caccamise who owned Roxy’s Music Store in Batavia, Daniel DeLuca who went on to become a music teacher, the late Neil Hartwick who taught music at both Batavia High School and Brockport High School, and Deborah Russell Silverstein who is a passionate music educator.

All the honorees will be featured on a plaque that notes their achievements on the new Musicians of Note wall at Batavia High School.

Alexander Defeats OAE Big on Thursday Night

In WBTA’s High School Football Game of the Week, the Alexander Trojans dominated the OAE Aggies en route to a 47-14 victory at GCC.

The scoring started early for the Trojans when they walked down the field easily before scoring on their opening drive. The Trojans wouldn’t stop scoring all night, scoring on every offensive possession of the game. Damien Hale was the TF Brown’s Player of the Game following a gritty two-touchdown performance from the fullback position. Kingston Woods also scored a pair of touchdowns. With the win Alexander moves to 5-1 and OAE drops to 4-3.

Alexander Head Coach Tim Sawyer said, “This is a selfless group, they’re going to perform for the good of the team, they love each other and everyone is out there just trying to do their best so the guy behind them can succeed.”

Try Hockey for a Free Clinic Coming to McCarthy Ice Arena

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association announced that they will be hosting a Try Hockey for Free Clinic at the McCarthy Ice Arena.

The event will take place on November 2nd at 10:30 AM where kids aged 4-9 will take the ice, learning the basic skills of hockey. All kids need to bring to participate is a helmet, a bike helmet or football helmet, and a pair of winter gloves. This event is part of the NHL’s Hockey Week Across America, where they use a national platform to introduce children to hockey.

All players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey, to sign up go to www.tryhockeyforfree.com

Salvatore’s Pizza Coming Soon to Batavia

Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria announced in a Wednesday Facebook post that they will be adding a location in Batavia.

The Batavia location will become the 34th different Salvatore’s pizza place, with a vast majority of them in Rochester and its suburbs. Salvatore’s has been around since 1978, and over the last 45 years has become a staple in Rochester’s culture. The Batavia location will be owned by the Consaul Family and located across the street from Tops Friendly Markets where F & M Convenience previously was.

There is no official timetable for when Salvatore’s will open, but rest assured that it is coming soon.

Batavia High School Prepares for 25th Annual Make a Difference Day.

Students at Batavia High School are preparing for the 25th annual Make-A Difference Day.

As part of Make A Difference Day, Seniors from Batavia High School will complete 4 hours of community service as part of a required project for graduation. The Seniors will help out at the Holland Land Office Museum, the YMCA, the NYS School for the Blind, Genesee County Parks, and several other locations.

The goal of this project is to give the seniors a chance to give back to the community while giving them a sense of belonging and accomplishment.

OXBO Hosting Groundbreaking Ceremony in Bergen Today

Today at 2 pm, a new era will begin in Bergen as Oxbo breaks ground on their new $40 million facility.

The facility will be 195,000 square feet and sit on 50 acres of land. The new site will replace Oxbo’s current plant which is located in Byron just 7 miles away. Oxbo is a leading manufacturer of specialty harvesting tools and technology used to help with various crops. The new facility in Bergen has been specifically designed to help the company work more efficiently and accommodate its rapid business growth.

Chris Chadbourne, Oxbo Plant Manager, shared, “We are excited to move to the expanded facility in Bergen which will allow Oxbo to remain local, while providing opportunities to expand globally, partnering with our customers to produce food for people around the world.“

Red Ribbon Week Set to go in Genesee County

UConnectCare’s Prevention Department is helping schools and businesses in Genesee County prepare for this year’s Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual campaign that started in 1985 as a public response to the violence caused by drugs. Today, Red Ribbon Week educates children on the dangers of drugs and encourages participation in drug prevention activities. All 8 of Genesee County’s high schools are participating in Red Ribbon Week. The City of Batavia will also participate by placing red ribbons all over the city and lighting the cupola at the Old Courthouse red.

UConnectCare assistant director of Prevention Sheila Harding said, “We invite you to celebrate not just this week, but to embrace healthy choices throughout the year and inspire those around you to do the same,”

Batavia Muckdogs Prepare for Their 4th Annual Trick or Treat Event.

The Batavia Muckdogs are preparing to host their 4th annual Muckdogs Trick or Treat event this Friday at Dwyer Stadium.

The event will take place from 3 to 6 PM and is free to enter. Last year’s event hosted more than 2,000 families from all around Genesee County and beyond. Everyone is encouraged to wear their best Halloween costume and prepare for some fun. At the event, there will be music, festive activities, and food available.

Muckdogs Owner Robbie Nichols said, “We started this tradition during our first season as owners of the Muckdogs in 2021 and we are so glad the community has come together to grow this event to what it is today. It is a kind of curtain call for Dwyer Stadium before we gear up for High School baseball in the spring of 2025 and then of course Muckdogs Baseball. An event like this is great because it showcases how this great Stadium can be utilized for the community and by the community.”

Accident in Pembroke Leaves One Person Trapped

Video News Service reports, that a two-vehicle accident in Pembroke Monday morning left one person trapped in their vehicle.

Both the Pembroke and East Pembroke Fire Department responded to the scene on the I-90 around 7 am. Two vehicles crashed on the westbound lane near the 403-mile marker, the cars ended up in the median with one vehicle getting lodged in a guardrail. There was one arm injury reported in the incident. The person who was trapped in their vehicle was freed by 8 am.

At this time, there are no reports about the extent of the injuries.

The Le Roy Town and Country Garden Club Celebrates Members 105th Birthday

The Le Roy Town and Country Garden Club celebrated founding member Janet Fitch’s 105th birthday this past weekend.

On Janet’s birthday, October 9th, the club members held a party for her where they gave her a vibrant bouquet. Fitch was a founding member of the club back in 1954. Club members credit Fitch with having a deep passion for gardening and environmental stewardship.

It’s safe to say that Janet has left a lasting impression on the community over the last 105 years.

Byron Bergen Girls Soccer Team Has Eyes on State Title Run.

The Byron-Bergen Bees Girls Soccer Team has been dominant this year and focuses on the greatest prize in high school sports, a state championship.

The Bees have a record of 13-1 this season with just one game left to play. Their lone loss was a 1-0 loss to Our Lady of Mercy, a private school that is 3 classifications above the Bees. The Bees are led by Junior Captain Mia Gray who leads the team in both goals scored with 26 and assists with 19. Gray already has multiple college scholarship offers to play at the next level. This season the Bees have outscored opponents 83-4 en route to the Class C 1 seed.

The Bees will be tested by several quality opponents in sectionals starting next week, but this team believes it is destined for more.

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.