Wednesday News Brief

SECURITY, TRAFFIC PLANS SET FOR WINGS OVER BATAVIA

Genesee County officials are preparing for thousands of visitors as the Wings Over Batavia Air Show returns this weekend.
Practice flights are scheduled for Friday, with shows Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 2 p.m. each day, with performances running from 5 until approximately 9.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Batavia Police, emergency management officials, firefighters and Mercy Flight EMS are coordinating security and emergency response.
Visitors will undergo security screenings, and bags and other items brought into the show may be searched.
Residents should also expect increased aircraft activity, along with planned explosions, pyrotechnics and fireworks during performances.
Traffic restrictions will include closures along portions of State Street Road and West Saile Drive near the airport.
Officials are asking motorists to follow posted detours and directions from traffic personnel throughout the weekend.

KELLY’S MOTORSPORTS PARK MOVES CLOSER TO REOPENING

Kelly’s Motorsports Park could soon be cleared to resume go-kart racing in the Town of Batavia.
More than 25 supporters attended Tuesday night’s Planning Board meeting as owner Mike Lauterborn continues seeking a special use permit for the longtime track on Harloff Road.
Lauterborn purchased the roughly three-quarter-mile asphalt course in 2022 and has invested in repairs to the property. Plans call for seasonal operations from April through October, primarily on weekends.
Several racers and families spoke in support of reopening the track, describing karting as a family-oriented sport and Kelly’s as an important regional facility.
Officials also discussed parking, fencing, traffic and potential noise impacts.
The Planning Board is completing its required environmental review, and Chairman Jonathan Long indicated a decision on the special use permit could come at the board’s next meeting.

LEARN TO PLAY MAH JONGG AT WOODWARD LIBRARY

Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy is offering adults an opportunity to learn American Mah Jongg beginning thia evening.
Carolyn Dawson will lead the program from 6 to 7 p.m., teaching participants how to build the 14-tile combinations needed to win the game.
No previous Mah Jongg experience is necessary, and the library will provide all materials.
Registration covers a three-session series, and participants are asked to attend all three classes.
Advance registration is required through Woodward Memorial Library.

HAZMAT RESPONSE AT LAMB FARMS IN OAKFIELD

Emergency crews responded to a reported hazardous materials situation at Lamb Farms in Oakfield around 11 o’clock Tuesday morning.
Oakfield Fire was called to the farm at 6880 Albion Road after an H-2-S tank reportedly collapsed at the north end of the property.
Crews initially expressed concern about a possible hydrogen sulfide gas leak and the potential for ignition.
Elba Fire responded to assist, while a tanker was requested from Alabama Fire. The Genesee County Emergency Services Unit was initially placed on standby but was later canceled.
No injuries have been reported at this time.

WHISTLEBLOWER WARNS OF PROBLEMS WITH NEW MAIL VOTING SYSTEM

A whistleblower is raising concerns about a new Postal Service system being developed to implement President Donald Trump’s restrictions on mail voting.
The complaint, released by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, alleges the Postal Service is rushing to build an online portal ahead of the November midterms without adequate testing.
Under the proposed system, states would submit lists of eligible mail voters and use specially approved ballot envelopes.
The whistleblower claims a single scanning or processing error could potentially cause an entire batch of ballots to be rejected.
The White House disputes concerns about the system, saying the technology involved is already familiar to the Postal Service.
Implementation is currently blocked by a temporary federal court order while the legal battle continues.

WHITE HOUSE REVEALS DETAILS OF VENEZUELA OIL DEAL

The Trump administration has revealed new details of its sweeping agreement to develop Venezuela’s massive oil reserves.
The United States will partner with North American Blue Energy Partners, a company already operating in Venezuela, to develop 17 oil fields containing an estimated 65-billion barrels.
Under the agreement, the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital will receive a 35-percent stake in the venture, while the U.S. will have the right to purchase 20-percent of its oil production at cost.
The company has committed 100-billion dollars toward rebuilding Venezuela’s aging oil infrastructure.
President Trump says the agreement will eventually help lower American gas prices and replenish strategic reserves.
Energy analysts caution, however, that significantly increasing Venezuelan production could take years, and lawmakers are seeking additional details about the agreement.

NEW YORK SIRE STAKES RETURNS TO BATAVIA DOWNS

The New York Sire Stakes makes its final Batavia Downs appearance of the year Wednesday,
with 3-year-old male trotters competing for 115-thousand-500 dollars.
The field is led by AI, last year’s two-year-old Sire Stakes champion, who returns to Batavia after competing in major races including the one-million-dollar Hambletonian.
AI will start from post two for trainer Ron Burke with Ronnie Wrenn Junior driving.
Chapter Geo J and Twin B Seven Sins are among his top challengers.
Wednesday’s card also includes a 20-thousand-dollar Excel Series race, with first post at 4 p.m.