Thursday News Brief

City Weighs Future of Volunteer Fire Services

A long-running debate over the future of volunteer fire services is back in focus in Batavia.
During Monday’s meeting, City Council discussed concerns raised by resident John Roach about the possibility of a county-supported, partially paid fire system. Roach argued city taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay twice—once for the city’s paid department and again at the county level.
Councilman Al McGinnis agreed the issue has been discussed for years, pointing to ongoing struggles among volunteer departments to maintain staffing.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski urged caution, noting volunteer companies across the county are facing a growing recruitment crisis, and mutual aid between departments remains critical.
A county-wide meeting on March 31 is expected to provide more details on potential solutions, including supplementing volunteers with paid personnel.
Officials say no decisions will be made until more information is available, but the issue—more than a decade in the making—continues to grow.

Batavia Hotel Renovation Seeks Final Approval

A $10 million renovation of a Town of Batavia hotel could soon move forward, pending final approval from the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
The project, led by 8250 Park Rd, LLC, would update the 125,000-square-foot property into a 99-unit Holiday Inn and 68-unit Candlewood Suites, including a renovated water park. The improvements are expected to raise the hotel’s assessed value from $2.5 million to over $9 million, create 15 new full-time jobs, and retain 20 existing positions.
The company is requesting tax abatements and a PILOT agreement, with projections showing nearly $10 in local benefits for every $1 of incentives, including more than $123,000 annually in bed tax revenue. The GCEDC board will vote Thursday.

Jury Awards Millions in Landmark Social Media Case

A California jury has ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a 20-year-old woman millions in damages, ruling the platforms were designed to addict young users without regard for their well-being. The plaintiff, identified as KGM, testified she was on social media from age 6, which worsened her mental health struggles.
After 40 hours of deliberation, jurors awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages, finding the companies acted with malice. Meta was assigned 70% of the responsibility, YouTube 30%.
The case is seen as a bellwether, potentially influencing thousands of similar lawsuits claiming social media companies deliberately harm children. Both companies have said they plan to appeal.

Pavilion/York Riflery Team Honored at State Capitol

Assemblyman Steve Hawley welcomed the Pavilion/York Riflery team to Albany Monday, recognizing the student-athletes as 2026 New York State Champions. The team won the three-position event at the New York State Rifle Invitational in Orchard Park, setting a program-record score of 1,143 points.
Team members included seniors Cooper Harkins and Tyler Brian, juniors Myra Beardsley, Emily Harwood, Jayden Harkins, and sophomore Jesse Brian. Several athletes earned individual honors, including perfect prone targets for Tyler Brian and Emily Harwood, and top kneeling shooter and overall champion awards for Myra Beardsley.
Hawley praised the team’s dedication, resilience, and the guidance of head coach Jenny Harkins, presenting an official proclamation on the Assembly floor.

City Considers Six-Month Moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems

The Batavia City Council is considering a six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS) to allow time for developing zoning regulations and studying potential risks. A vote is scheduled for April 13.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski said the moratorium would give the city time to review fire risks, public safety, neighborhood impacts, and other concerns while completing a yearlong zoning code update. No BESS projects are currently proposed in the city, but demand for such systems has been growing statewide.
The moratorium exempts batteries in cars, but it’s unclear whether in-home systems would be allowed. Modern systems, typically lithium-ion batteries, can pose fire risks through thermal runaway, where a fire in one cell spreads to others. Recent New York energy storage safety codes aim to address these hazards.
The council unanimously advanced the measure after no public comment at Monday’s hearing, giving the city time to craft appropriate regulations before broader BESS installations are considered.

Information on Serving on a School Board

Genesee Valley BOCES is offering a chance for residents interested in joining a school board to learn more at an informal meeting Tuesday, March 31.
The session, titled “So You Want to Be a School Board Member,” begins at 7 p.m. in Room C at 80 Munson Street. Local board members with years of experience will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance on what serving entails.
Attendees can gain practical tips, learn about available resources, and hear firsthand about the responsibilities and impact of school board service. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing pburk@gvboces.org

Colleges Bring Back Oral Exams to Combat AI-Assisted Cheating

Colleges are reviving oral exams as professors look for ways to ensure students actually understand their work in the age of AI. At Cornell University, biomedical engineering students defend their problem sets in one-on-one “oral defenses,” a modern twist on the Socratic method.
“Oral exams force students to think for themselves,” says Professor Chris Schaffer. Similar approaches are emerging at NYU and the University of Pennsylvania, where in-person questioning or AI-powered oral assessments test comprehension and critical thinking.
Students say the exams are nerve-wracking but rewarding. Cornell junior Olivia Piserchia says the live sessions keep her accountable and help clarify concepts, offering a level of engagement that written assignments alone can’t match. Professors hope oral exams will maintain learning rigor in the AI era.