Thursday News Brief

Caledonia Farmer Enters Race for Congress

Caledonia’s Kenneth Estes Junior — a seventh-generation farmer — says he’s ready to take his message from the fields to Washington.
Estes has announced he’s running for New York’s 24th Congressional District in the 2026 election. He says he’s tired of partisan division and wants to bring people together.
“I believe in a different approach — one that’s neither right nor left, but firmly in the middle,” Estes said.
A lifelong advocate for the environment, Estes holds degrees in natural resources, environmental conservation, and community development. He says his focus would be balancing economic growth with protecting the land.
Estes made his announcement August twenty-eighth — the same day Martin Luther King Junior delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech — calling the date a symbol of unity and progress.
He ended his remarks with, “Believe and achieve. Change can only happen with our collective voices.”

Sheriff’s Office Urges Public to Report Threats Through GENTAC

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to report suspicious behavior that could indicate potential acts of violence through the Genesee County Threat Assessment Committee — known as GENTAC.
The program brings together law enforcement, schools, social services, and mental health professionals to identify and prevent threats like school shootings, workplace violence, and mass attacks.
Reports can be made anonymously online at gentac.org or by calling 585-483-3090. Anyone facing an immediate threat should call 911.
Sheriff William Sheron says community awareness and cooperation are key to preventing violence and guiding people toward help.

Genesee County Looks to Fill Legal Gaps with New Associate Attorney Role

Genesee County is looking for ways to fill a staffing gap in the County Attorney’s Office as the number of practicing lawyers in the area continues to drop.
County Attorney Mark Boylan is proposing a new full-time family law associate position to help handle a growing workload and provide training for new attorneys. He says the idea is to attract recent law school graduates or out-of-state attorneys waiting for New York admission, giving them six months of experience before moving them into an Assistant County Attorney role.
Boylan says only one of the two positions — the new associate role or the fifth Assistant County Attorney spot — would be filled, not both.
Deputy County Attorney Paula Campbell says the shortage of lawyers has added pressure across the county’s legal offices, forcing others to take on extra cases. She noted that younger attorneys often choose higher-paying jobs in larger cities, leaving rural areas short on applicants.
Campbell says the new position could help draw new talent and keep the office — and the community — better served.

Holland Land Office Museum Hosts 1980s Trivia Night

Get ready to rewind to the 1980s tonight at the Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia. The museum’s monthly Trivia Night kicks off at 7 p.m., featuring questions all about the decade of big hair, leg warmers, and hair bands.
Admission is five dollars, or three for museum members. Those planning to attend can call 585-343-4727 or email hollandlandoffice@gmail.com to reserve a spot.