Thursday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on September 3, 2026
BATAVIA SCHOOLS SWITCH COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO BOCES
The Batavia City School District has changed how it handles communications following the expiration of former communications coordinator Emily Benedict’s contract.
Benedict’s 63-thousand-dollar annual contract expired June 30th, and the district instead moved to a shared communications service through Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES for the new school year.
Superintendent Jason Smith says the change was included in the district’s 2026-27 budget and receives approximately 75-percent BOCES aid toward the cost.
Shabeli Acevedo will now provide communications services to Batavia through BOCES.
Her responsibilities include writing newsletters and press releases, maintaining web and social media content and producing photos, videos and graphics for the district.
Benedict’s final work with Batavia included coverage of June’s graduation ceremonies, while Acevedo has already begun handling district communications for the new school year.
CHARITY RIDERS DONATE $2,000 TO RICKY PALERMO FOUNDATION
The Genesee County Charity Riders have donated 2-thousand dollars to the Ricky Palermo Foundation following a summer fundraising ride.
The money was raised during a July 11th dice run and presented to Ricky Palermo Tuesday at Copperhead Creek Bar in Batavia.
Riders President Tim Johnson said the total was about average for one of the group’s dice runs.
Palermo says every contribution helps cover the foundation’s operating expenses and supports its ongoing programs.
He also says this year’s 30th annual Ricky Palermo Spinal Injury Golf Tournament set a new participation record, with one more team than ever before. Final fundraising totals from that event are still being calculated.
The Charity Riders are also presenting a 1-thousand-dollar check to the Genesee County Animal Shelter from another summer fundraiser.
BATAVIA POLICE INVESTIGATE MAIN STREET GRAFFITI
Batavia Police are investigating a graffiti vandalism incident reported overnight Wednesday.
Police say graffiti was painted on the side of the Bank of America building on Main Street.
Any other business owners who discovered similar damage are being asked to report it to police so it can be included in the investigation.
Anyone with surveillance or other video that may have captured the vandalism is also asked to contact Batavia Police at 585-345-6350.
BATAVIA DOWNS ANNOUNCES FALL EVENT LINEUP
Batavia Downs is keeping its event calendar busy well beyond the unofficial end of summer.
The fall schedule begins Labor Day, September 7th, with a special 12:15 afternoon racing card, the Labor Day Drive Bike Race and a chicken barbecue package.
Other upcoming events include the track’s first Cosplay Race Day September 12th, an Elton John tribute September 18th and Family Fun Day featuring the popular Wiener Dog Races September 20th.
Ciders, Seltzers and Sulkies returns September 26th, with additional entertainment continuing into October.
Details and tickets for upcoming events are available through Batavia Downs.
TRUMP $1 COIN GOES ON SALE WEDNESDAY
A new one-dollar coin marking America’s 250th birthday will go on sale Wednesday, featuring President Donald Trump on one side.
The U.S. Mint says the coin shows Trump’s portrait on the front, with the Great Seal of the United States on the reverse.
The design has drawn criticism because federal law generally restricts depictions of living presidents on U.S. currency, although special commemorative coins can be authorized.
The coins are legal tender and will be sold in rolls of 25 for 61 dollars or bags of 100 for 154-dollars-and-50-cents.
Some packages will also include special coins struck on July 4th.
PABST OFFERS $20,000 REWARD FOR STOLEN BEER
Pabst Brewing Company is offering up to 20-thousand dollars for information that helps recover more than 16-hundred cases of stolen beer.
Police say the Pabst Blue Ribbon and non-alcoholic Old Milwaukee disappeared from a Southern California warehouse during two separate thefts August 17th.
The thieves allegedly used fraudulent pickup information to make off with about 40-thousand pounds of beer valued at roughly 70-thousand dollars.
Pabst CEO Greig DeBow says the company wants its beer returned by September 9th.
Anyone with new information leading to its recovery could qualify for the reward.
CHAPTER GEO J WINS NEW YORK SIRE STAKES AT BATAVIA DOWNS
Chapter Geo J captured Wednesday’s 115-thousand-500-dollar New York Sire Stakes race for three-year-old male trotters at Batavia Downs.
With Jason Bartlett driving, Chapter Geo J stayed behind the leader for much of the mile before moving through the passing lane and holding off Twin B Seven Sins by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:57-and-1.
It was Chapter Geo J’s fifth victory in his last six starts and sixth win of the season.
Drew Monti led all drivers with five victories on Wednesday’s card.
Severe storms later forced Batavia Downs to cancel the final three races. Live racing resumes Thursday at 4 p.m.
