Wednesday News Brief

PROPOSED VALVOLINE FACILITY DENIED VARIANCES IN TOWN OF BATAVIA

Plans for a new Valvoline oil change facility on Lewiston Road have hit a roadblock after the Town of Batavia Zoning Board of Appeals denied three requested variances.
The proposal calls for a three-bay, 1,840-square-foot drive-through oil change and vehicle inspection facility at 8348 Lewiston Road. Developers sought exceptions to town requirements for lot size, frontage and the building’s side-yard setback.
The applicant argued the property is already undersized under current zoning and that the requested setback is necessary to provide enough room for vehicles to safely queue on the property.
An adjacent property owner opposed the variances, raising concerns about development and traffic along the Lewiston Road corridor.
Despite the Zoning Board’s denials, the proposal is expected to move on to the Town Planning Board for further consideration.

DARIEN LAKE VISITOR SUES AFTER ALLEGEDLY BURNING FEET

A Six Flags Darien Lake visitor is suing the amusement park after claiming an employee mistakenly gave his shoes to another guest, leaving him to walk barefoot across hot pavement.
South Carolina resident Harrison Huffman says the incident happened June 28th after riding the Tantrum roller coaster. According to the lawsuit, Huffman was directed to walk to multiple locations inside the park without shoes, despite telling employees his feet were being burned.
Huffman says he later received medical treatment and was diagnosed with second-degree burns and blisters on both feet.
He is representing himself in the lawsuit and is seeking compensation for medical expenses, missed work and canceled travel, along with punitive damages.
Darien Lake’s owner has not filed a response to the lawsuit.

CREEK ROAD REOPENS IN BATAVIA

Creek Road in Batavia is back open to traffic following several weeks of construction.
Genesee County says the road reopened today after crews completed the replacement of a deteriorating culvert.
The section between Putnam Road and Brookville Road had been completely closed since the week of July 27th, with no traffic allowed through the work zone, including emergency vehicles.
The project was originally expected to keep the road closed for about three weeks.

CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE MEETS TONIGHT IN PAVILION

The Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable will hold its August meeting tonight in Pavilion.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at the Pavilion United Methodist Church on East Park Street. Joyce Thompson-Hovey will give a presentation on the St. Albans Raid, a Confederate attack carried out during the Civil War.
The group will also hold its ongoing Civil War book sale, with books available for a donation.
Tonight’s meeting is free and open to the public, with the program scheduled to run until about 8:30.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO END NATIONAL FOREST PROTECTIONS

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to eliminate a rule that has restricted development across millions of acres of national forest for 25 years.
The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal Tuesday to rescind the so-called Roadless Rule, which limits logging, road construction and mineral development on nearly 59 million acres.
Administration officials argue the restrictions have made it more difficult for local forest managers to address overgrowth, disease and wildfire risks.
Environmental groups strongly oppose the change, warning it could threaten wildlife habitat, old-growth forests and water supplies. They also dispute the administration’s argument that eliminating the rule is necessary to reduce wildfire danger.
The proposal will now go through a public comment period lasting through September 21st.

LIBERIA AGREES TO ACCEPT U.S. DEPORTEES

Liberia has agreed to accept as many as 1,200 people deported from the United States who are not citizens of the West African country.
Liberian officials say the transfers will take place over the next year, with the first group of about 20 people expected to arrive Thursday. The agreement covers deportees from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.
The arrangement is part of the Trump administration’s expanded use of third-country deportations. Liberian officials say those arriving will be allowed to seek asylum in Liberia or leave the country voluntarily.
The U.S. is expected to provide support to Liberia to help administer the program and strengthen its immigration system.

NEW YORK SIRE STAKES RETURN TO BATAVIA DOWNS TONIGHT

The New York Sire Stakes return to Batavia Downs tonight, with two races for 2-year-old pacing fillies offering a combined 104-thousand dollars in purses.
The first division features Annie O, who enters on a two-race winning streak, against Clear Choice. The second group includes Phast Phyliss, already a Sire Stakes winner this season, and Too Pink To Pass.
Three additional Excel Series races are also on tonight’s card.
The two featured Sire Stakes races are scheduled for approximately 7:20 and 8 o’clock, with first post at Batavia Downs set for 5 p.m.