Wednesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on March 18, 2026
Batavia Council Clash Over Records Request Sparks Debate on Authority
A request for detailed city spending records has sparked a debate among Batavia City Council members over transparency and authority.
Councilman-at-large Nick Lord asked City Manager Rachael Tabelski for itemized records of all meal and travel expenses dating back to January 2025, including receipts, approvals and attendee lists.
Tabelski responded that compiling that level of detail would require significant staff time and recommended council approval before moving forward.
During a March 9 meeting, council members including Derek Geib questioned whether a single member has the authority to request what they described as an audit-level review.
City officials estimated the request would cost about $4,000 in staff time, and a majority of council declined to pursue it.
Lord defended the request, saying both elected officials and residents have a right to know how taxpayer money is being spent, while others argued the process must follow proper channels outlined in the city charter.
Lucky Paws Basket Raffle Set for Saturday in Batavia
The Lucky Paws Vendor Show and Basket Raffle is set for Saturday in downtown Batavia.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Batavia City Centre and will feature more than 75 raffle baskets.
Proceeds will benefit Vanessa’s Lasting Legacy Ltd, which helps homeless individuals, veterans and those with developmental disabilities care for their pets. The group currently supports eight dogs and five cats.
The basket raffle drawing is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Suspected Meteor Lights Up Sky, Shakes Homes Near Cleveland
A suspected meteor streaked across the sky over Cleveland Tuesday morning, startling residents and even shaking homes.
Witnesses reported seeing a bright fireball around 9 a.m., with sightings stretching from Wisconsin to Maryland, according to the American Meteor Society.
Experts say the object appeared to be a fireball — a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds. Astronomer Carl Hergenrother estimated it may have been the size of a softball or larger.
The National Weather Service office in Cleveland reported hearing a loud boom and feeling vibrations, likely caused by the meteor breaking apart.
Officials say most of the object likely burned up before reaching the ground, though small fragments could still be found.
White, Mazur Earn First-Team All-Star Honors
Two members of the Batavia High School boys basketball team have been named Monroe County Division 4 first-team all-stars.
Gavin White and Casey Mazur helped lead the Blue Devils to a 14-8 season and a Section V Class A playoff berth.
White averaged a team-high 18.3 points and seven rebounds per game, while Mazur added 12 points and six assists per game, shooting 42 percent from three-point range.
The duo also played key roles in Batavia’s Pete Arras Tournament championship run and a sectional win over Greece Odyssey, capping off a strong 2025–26 campaign with all-star recognition.
Haxton Library Accepting Petitions for Board Seat
The Haxton Memorial Public Library is now accepting petitions for a seat on its Board of Trustees.
The position carries a five-year term, with petitions available at the library or online.
Completed petitions are due by April 20 and can be submitted to the library.
Voting will take place May 19 as part of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District annual district vote.
Trump Delays China Trip Amid Global Tensions
Donald Trump is postponing a planned trip to China, pushing the visit back several weeks as geopolitical tensions grow.
Trump said he will now meet with Xi Jinping in about five to six weeks, citing ongoing concerns tied to the war in Iran and efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
The delay comes as Trump urges global powers, including China, to help protect the key oil route, though few nations have committed.
Despite the shift, Trump says both sides remain interested in the meeting as the U.S. and China look to maintain a fragile trade truce.
Le Roy Voters Approve $1.1M Bus Purchase
Voters in the Le Roy Central School District have approved a plan to purchase six new school buses at a cost of $1.1 million.
The measure passed overwhelmingly Tuesday night, 105 to 15.
District officials say the buses will be paid for using reserves, with about 90 percent of the cost reimbursed by New York State. Combined with the sale of older buses, the purchase is expected to have no impact on taxpayers.
The move comes as the district prepares for a state mandate requiring all new school buses to be electric by 2027 and a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Superintendent Merritt Holly thanked the community for its continued support following the vote.
