Wednesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on December 3, 2025
Literacy West NY and CORE Open New Community Resource Room in Batavia
Literacy West NY and CORE The Learning Center are celebrating the grand opening of their new Community Resource Room today at Mill Street, Suite 200 in Batavia. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at noon.
The new space expands public access to computers, digital literacy workshops, a private telehealth office, and connections to adult education and workforce readiness programs. CEO Lisa Lee says the goal is to remove barriers that keep adults and families from accessing technology, jobs, and health services.
Speakers today include Lisa Lee, Gregg Torrey from Senator George Borrello’s office, and Fiormelissa Johnson of NYSED. Guests can tour the facility, see technology demonstrations, and learn about available education and workforce services. The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.
Oakfield Seeking Volunteers for Zoning Board and Assessor Review Board
The Town of Oakfield is accepting letters of intent for volunteer openings on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Assessor Board of Review. Two seats are available on the Zoning Board for five-year terms, and the Assessor Review Board has one opening that meets once a year on Grievance Day and pays $75.
Positions are open to all Town and Village residents. Letters should be sent to Supervisor-Elect Dustin Reding at 3219 Drake Street Road by December 22nd.
City Centre Concourse Renovation Seeking GCEDC Funding Support
City of Batavia and Batavia Development Corporation officials are asking the Genesee County Economic Development Center to help fund a $1.4 million dollar renovation of the City Centre mall concourse, targeted for completion next summer.
On Thursday, the GCEDC board will consider a recommendation to allocate 75 thousand dollars from the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity, or BP2, fund. About 95 thousand dollars is currently available in that account, which was created as a partnership between the city, county, school district, GCEDC and BDC to support projects in Batavia’s Brownfield Opportunity Area.
BDC Director Tammy Hathaway says this is a vital investment in downtown, with plans for new lighting, ceilings, restrooms, flooring, and a roof and HVAC upgrade for Main Street 56 Theater. The city will cover roughly $1.1 million dollars from reserves, with 250 thousand coming from an Empire State Development grant and the final 75 thousand from BP2. Work is expected to begin in the spring.
Assemblyman Hawley Announces December Mobile Office Hours in Batavia
Assemblyman Steve Hawley has released his December mobile office hours for the Genesee County Satellite Office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia. Hawley says the sessions give constituents an easy way to share concerns or ask questions, with his staff available to assist.
Office hours will be held December 3rd from 1 to 5 p.m.; December 10th and 31st from noon to 5 p.m.; and December 17th from noon to 3 p.m. Constituents can call 585-345-9910 for more information.
Large House Fire Destroys Pike Road Home; No Injuries Reported
A second alarm was called Tuesday night for a major house fire at 3589 Pike Road, the home of Batavia Town Justice and former County Legislator Andrew Young. Flames were showing from the front windows and roof when crews arrived around 7 p.m.
No one was home and no pets were inside. Fire Coordinator Tim Yaeger says the fire spread quickly through the second floor, attic, and garage of the large wood-frame home. Multiple departments responded, using exterior streams and interior crews to knock down the flames.
Only one firefighter suffered a minor injury, treated at the scene. The cause remains under investigation.
