Local News

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.

Batavia Police Department Investigates Threats of Violence in School

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

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

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

Truck Fire Breaks Out at Target in Batavia

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

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

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

Batavia Downs in Search of Wiener Dogs for Annual Race

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

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

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

Paving Work Planned on Batavia Streets Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barn in Elba Goes Up in Flames

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

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

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

Up and Down Weekend for Genesee County High School Football Teams

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

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

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

HomeCare and Hospice Uses Grant to Give Back to Community

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

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

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

NASCAR Made its Annual Trip to Western New York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HP Hood Honored As Dairy Plant of the Year

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

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

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

Genesee County Republican Party Opening New Headquarters

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

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

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

Batavia Downs Donates to Help Dogs in Need

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

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

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

Genesee County Drug Task Force Deployed on Monday

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

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

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

Governor Hochul Visited Rochester and Made Big Announcement

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

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

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

Batavia Dollar General Adds Produce Section

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

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

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

High School Football Returns to Genesee County

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

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

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

3 Major Business Projects Advanced in Le Roy

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

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

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

New Wine Bar Could Be on its Way to Batavia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Recovery Station Grand Opening is Scheduled in Batavia

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

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

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

Ambulance Roll Over in Elba

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

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

The cause of the accident remains unknown at this time.

LeRoyan of the Year has Been Named

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

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

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

$3.8 Million Project in Le Roy Considered by GCEDC

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

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

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

4 Dead in Georgia High School Shooting

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

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

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

Batavia Business Improvement District Announces Annual Scarecrow Contest

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

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

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

Two Car Accident in Le Roy Tuesday Morning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oakfield Historical Society Dedicates New Bench to Vietnam Veterans

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

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

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

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Promotes Tax Plan to Lower Costs

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

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

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


Department of Agriculture Announces New Debt Consolidation Tool

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

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

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

Batavia High School Named School of Excellence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NBC News Features:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NBC News Features…

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

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

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

Arrest Made Following Shots Fired in Batavia Mobile Home Park

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

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

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

New Burger King Location on it’s Way to Batavia

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

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

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

Batavia Mini Bulldawgs Beat Varsity Blue Devils Once Again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Labor Daze in Oakfield Set to be Better than Ever

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

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

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

Batavia Man Arrested Following on Foot Pursuit

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

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

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

Buffalo Author Coming to Le Roy to Discuss New Book

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

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

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

Governor Hochul Announces 500 Scholarships Awarded for Future Healthcare Workers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NBC News Features…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Batavia Downs Gives Over $8000 To Monroe County Veterans

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

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

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

Massive Milling Project Set to Kick Off Next Week in Batavia

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

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

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

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

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

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

The City of Batavia Reminds Citizens About Parking Rules and Regulations

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

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

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

The New York State Fair is Officially Back

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

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

Tickets are available online for as cheap as $8.

Governor Hochul Announces Progress on Addressing the Opioid Epidemic Across NY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Graham Breaks Ground on New $18 Million Facility

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

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

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

NYSS Returns to Batavia Downs Tonight with Intriguing Race

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

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

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

Byron-Bergen Students Send Needed Supplies to School in Belize

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

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

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

Batavia Fireman Honored at Erie County Fair

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

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

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

May Robbery at Barrett’s Batavia Marine Finally Solved

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

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

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

Fatal Car Accident in Batavia

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

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

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

Group of Men Recklessly Shooting Air Soft Guns in Batavia

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

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

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

Scare in Attica

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NBC News features…

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

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

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