Monday News Brief

Former Pro Ballplayer Opening New Baseball, Softball Training Facility in Batavia

A former professional baseball player is bringing a new training opportunity to young athletes in Batavia.
Matt Pita is preparing to open The Armory Baseball and Softball, a new development and training facility located at 216 East Main Street. Pita says the facility could open as early as March 16.
The 3,500-square-foot space will feature two batting cages, turf for fielding and pitching work, and technology allowing players to track metrics like pitch velocity, spin rate, and hitting data. Pita says the goal is to create a one-stop shop where players can train, build strength, and improve their overall performance.
The facility will serve baseball and softball players roughly ages 8 through their 20s, and may even work with professional athletes looking to sharpen their skills.
Pita spent several years in the New York Yankees organization after being drafted in 2018 and later coached in the Miami Marlins system. He says he hopes to bring that experience to Western New York and help develop local talent.
The Armory will operate year-round and is expected to offer training sessions, camps, and coaching from several instructors once it opens.

Batavia Warns of Planning & Zoning Invoice Scam

The City of Batavia is warning residents, contractors, and developers about a scam involving fraudulent invoices tied to planning and zoning applications.
State officials say scammers are using publicly available application information to send fake invoices requesting payment for project review costs or referral fees.
City officials urge anyone who receives an unexpected invoice related to a municipal application to verify the request directly with the City of Batavia before making any payment.

Explosion Investigated Outside U.S. Embassy in Oslo

Police in Norway are investigating an early-morning explosion outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo.
Authorities say a loud blast was reported around 1 a.m. Sunday. Investigators believe an incendiary device caused the explosion, damaging the embassy’s entrance. No injuries were reported.
Police say the embassy may have been the intended target, but the investigation is still in its early stages as officials search for suspects and determine a motive.
Norway’s police security service has added personnel following the incident, though the country’s overall terror threat level has not been raised.

Le Roy Boys Complete Comeback to Win Sectional Title

The Le Roy boys basketball team stormed back from a double-digit deficit Friday night to win the Section V Class B1 championship, defeating Mynderse 58-50 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.
The Oatkan Knights trailed 33-25 at halftime but turned the game around in the second half behind a huge performance from Aidan Weaver. The tournament MVP scored 24 points as Le Roy closed the gap in the third quarter before taking its first lead late in the fourth on a three-pointer from Matthew Hockey.
Strong defense and clutch free throws from Hockey and Grady Gilligan sealed the win.
The victory marks Le Roy’s first sectional championship since 2003, and caps a historic week for the school after the girls team also captured a sectional title earlier in the week.

Chick-fil-A Coming to Batavia

A Chick-fil-A restaurant is coming to the Town of Batavia.
Town Building Inspector Dan Lang told the Town Planning Board this week that Benderson Development plans to construct a second building at the plaza in front of the former Kmart on Lewiston Road to house the popular fast-food chain.
The new roughly 4,600-square-foot restaurant will be built on the opposite side of the lot from where Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s and Tropical Smoothie Café are located.
Lang said the project is largely consistent with the site’s previously approved master plan, though officials will review a traffic study as part of the process.
Town officials say the addition of Chick-fil-A — along with Tai Chi Bubble Tea moving into the existing building — could also help attract a tenant for the large former Kmart space.

Public Hearing Set for STREAM Data Center Project

The Genesee County Economic Development Center will hold a public hearing March 19 at 7 p.m. on proposed agreements tied to the STREAM U.S. Data Centers project.
The hearing will take place at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall in Basom, and public comments can also be submitted by email through March 31.
STREAM recently revised its application, increasing the project’s proposed investment to $19.46 billion, with agreements that could generate about $285 million in PILOT and host revenues to support tax relief, local services and infrastructure in Genesee County and the Oakfield-Alabama school district.

Middle East Conflict Escalates With New Strikes

The war in the Middle East continues to escalate after Israel launched new strikes in Iran and Lebanon.
An Israeli attack on an oil storage facility in Tehran sent large flames into the sky, while additional strikes hit southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut. Iranian officials also reported attacks on key infrastructure, including desalination facilities that supply drinking water in the Gulf region.
Iran responded with new missile launches toward Israel and other regional targets, while leaders in Tehran warned they could step up attacks on American assets across the Middle East.
The growing conflict has already disrupted air travel, shaken global markets and left more than 1,200 people dead in Iran, hundreds in Lebanon and several in Israel, according to officials.

Notre Dame Girls Capture Section V Class D Title

The Notre Dame girls basketball team is back on top after defeating rival Elba 49-35 to win the Section V Class D championship.
The Irish pulled away late behind a big night from Gianna Falleti, who scored a game-high 17 points, including three three-pointers. Freshman Quinn Boardman added a strong performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Genesee Region Player of the Year Sofia Falleti finished with 12 points and was named the Class D Tournament MVP.
The win marks the first sectional title for head coach Vinny Falleti and the 13th in program history for Notre Dame, which now advances to the state tournament.