The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Attica 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
An all-around strong performance by Batavia was highlighted with goals by Rylan Bohn, assisted by Finn Halpin, and a penalty kick converted by Hunter Mileham, as well as an own goal by Attica.
The relentless defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone all contributed to the shutout.
Batavia’s record improved to 3 wins and one loss on the season.
File photo of a padlocked Ellicott Station property as the Batavia apartment complex-in-progress grinds to a halt indefinitely due to Savarino Companies' closure. Photo by Howard Owens
An email was sent out from Savarino Companies to those 55 tenants selected this past May for one of the Ellicott Station homes that had been in progress until a month or so ago.
And, no, it was no longer congratulatory in nature about the tenants’ good luck in being chosen for one of the safe, quality, affordable rentals on the city’s Southside.
It was one of regret.
“You are receiving this email because you were chosen to be considered for an apartment in Ellicott Station Residential Apartments,” it began.
“We are writing to inform you of the status of Ellicott Station Residential Apartments. Regrettably, we must convey that, as of today, there is no clear answer for when the Ellicott Station Residential Apartments may be ready for occupancy,” it stated. “Due to this unforeseen circumstance, we highly recommend that you begin exploring alternative housing solutions. We understand the uncertainty and inconvenience this situation may cause. We apologize for any inconvenience to you.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available,” the company said. “Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.”
Up to now, there have been few if any answers as to the plight of those tenants and the fate of the four-story apartment complex that now sits idle at 50 Ellicott St.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski has said that developers have expressed interest in the property, but the city doesn’t own the property and has no say in how it proceeds from here.
The Batavian reached out to her Friday about this latest development and with additional questions. She said that “this week there has been multiple conversations with Savarino Companies, investors and lenders about how best to move forward.”
There are two main options, she said, one is to find a general contractor to complete the work and a new property manager, or pause the project completely and reboot with a new developer/operator.
For any observant spectators passing by the apartment site this past week, you may have seen some people there — city inspectors — who will be issuing notices to the owners, construction lenders, and investors “to provide better site security, remove any grass, weeds and debris, and winterize the building,” Tabelski said.
“The construction lenders and investors have been extremely responsive to our requests and I look forward to working with them through this process,” she said.
Tabelski was aware that the letter went out to tenants but had no further information or comment about it. One of the tenants who has been communicating with The Batavian will remain in her current apartment and is hopeful that one of those new apartments will be hers one day.
For those looking for an apartment with similar income qualifications of Ellicott Station, Genesee County has a website with subsidized housing.
Pathstones also has resources for housing assistance and education, Tabelski said.
The Batavian asked Tabelski if obtaining a new developer would mean starting all over with selecting new tenants, but since it was not a local lottery under Batavia’s control, “I cannot say how this will work,” she said. She referred The Batavian to Savarino and the state Office of Community Renewal for those answers.
HCR has stated that promised tax credits are tied to the project’s completion and that it will continue to oversee the project to ensure it reaches that end, similar to Genesee County Economic Development Center’s financial incentives.
A bulk of the money promised to Savarino has a contingency that the project and/or stipulations within the project must be met in order to receive funding. This includes the $500,000 state grant from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative fund, which is attached to completion of rehabilitation of the electric building on the Ellicott Street property.
Tabelski said that “the building was not completed and there has been no grant funds issues from New York State to Savarino Companies for the project that I am aware of.” It’s a similar scenario for a $250,000 National Grid grant for work to be done on Ellicott Trail.
“There are multiple grants supporting the project and they are all reimbursable upon completion. There was some Ellicott Trail work completed, however, the enhancements of lighting and benches have not been installed yet. The majority of the brownfield work has been completed, and more than 50 to 75 percent of the residential building work is complete,” she said. “The work to the electric building, that was to become a brewery, was not as far along, and significant rehabilitation and restoration need to be completed.”
Local trotting favorite Lougazi had an easy time of it in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 15) and chalked up his 56th lifetime win as a result.
Ray Fisher Jr. got away fourth with Lougazi in the scratch-shortened field of five, while Credit List (Kevin Cummings) took the quintet to the quarter in :28.2. As the race passed the stands the first time, Fisher pulled Lougazi who then advanced to second before entering turn three. Heading up the backstretch, Credit List was under heavy pressure from Lougazi, who was trotting comfortably in the breeze. The pair matched strides around the last turn but when they straightened out for home, Lougazi simply trotted away under Fisher wraps while turning back a late challenge from the early breaking, yet fast-closing Makadushin N Cheez (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.3.
On the strength of his sixth win of the year, Lougazi ($4.40) is now just shy of one-half million in lifetime earnings, showing $493,866 on his card for owner Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift is the winning trainer.
In the $13,000 Open II Handicap, I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) got away fifth as Magic MVP (Joe Chindano Jr.) blasted off the gate and to the quarter in :28.1. As they approached the half, Yetman was already out and rolling with I Got The Looks and drew alongside the leader by three-quarters. After racing in tandem around the last turn, I Got The Looks put away Magic MVP at the top of the stretch and then held off Con Air Hall (Jim Morrill Jr.) by one-quarter length in 1:58, which was a new seasonal mark.
I Got The Looks ($15.80) is owned by Tronolone Racing and trained by Frank Mays.
Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. both had driving triples while Sam Smith and Shawn McDonough each had two training wins.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 16) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $3,719 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Photo of I Got The Looks courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
NEW LISTING!194 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BATAVIA. Looking for a professional business setting? Look no further-this is a great space and offers so much exposure in an area that is revamping and expanding! This space offers a large reception/office, waiting area, 4 private offices and 2 baths. There is also an enclosed foyer and one office has its own entrance door for possibility of sublet. Great opportunity and also possible landlord open to discussion. B1476554
The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2023” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service, and volunteerism.
Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year.
Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify).
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia, and can also be downloaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.
Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 29 to be eligible for consideration.
If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.
Submitted photo of Jo-Ann Bestine and Barb Pierce.
Press Release:
On October 28, St. James Episcopal Church will be hosting “Ah, Sweet Music!”, a concert and dessert tasting in Memory of David Lange. Sponsored in part by the Buffalo Chapter, American Guild of Organists. The evening will feature delicious desserts and a variety of music at St. James Church, Batavia. For more information, call 585-343-6802.
The Batavia City School District is proud to announce that Batavia High School has earned high national and metro-area rankings on the 2023-2024 Best High Schools list from U.S. News and World Report.
Batavia High School earned a national ranking in the top 40% of U.S.-based public high schools out of nearly 18,000 schools. A top statistic included in the ranking was Batavia High School’s impressive 98% graduation rate, which is “well above state median.”
“We are elated and deeply honored once again to receive this recognition from U.S. News and World Report. Earning a place in the top 40% of high schools nationally is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence that our teachers, students, staff, and community collectively contribute to at Batavia High School. Keep up the great work!” Said Superintendent Jason Smith.
“I knew when I accepted the principal position at Batavia High School, I was stepping into a remarkable community, and this recognition from U.S. News and World Report is an excellent reminder,” said Principal Jenni Wesp.
“This achievement also highlights our unwavering focus on academic excellence and our drive to provide a nurturing yet challenging environment that prepares our students for the world beyond Batavia. This award is not a final destination but a milestone on our ongoing journey of educational innovation and continuous improvement.”
Batavia High School previously received this honor in 2022 and 2014.
According to U.S. News and World Report, “The 2023-2024 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of nearly all public high schools nationwide. There are rankings within each state and within each census-designated metropolitan area that has three or more high schools, as well as the Best STEM Schools ranking and comprehensive Best Charter Schools and Best Magnet Schools rankings. Also published are rankings of high schools within each school district that has three or more high schools.”
Submitted photo of check presentation to Young Life. Pictured (from left to right): Ashley Diehl of Genesee Dental, Emily Marling of Merrill Lynch, and Max Herbert of Young Life.
Press Release:
This year's GLOW Cup t-shirt contest winner was, first time recipient, Genesee Dental. They won with a shirt designed by Brian Kemp at T-Shirts Etc. Genesee Dental's charity of choice was Young Life, a ministry camp focused on helping adolescents grow in their faith.
“Young Life is a Christian outreach to middle and high school students as well as teen moms. The organization partners with adults and teens, building friendships and walking alongside kids through their teen years” said Max Herbert of Young Life.
“Genesee Dental chose this charity after Office Manager, Abby Zawistowski’s husband, Chad, passed away in November 2021 after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Young Life played an important role in Chad’s childhood as he benefited from donations so that he could attend their camp.” said Ashley Diehl, Abby’s coworker and best friend.
The future location of a new Burger King, which has been making the rounds to the city and county planning boards the last few months, will be at the corner of West Main and North Lyon streets in Batavia. The applicant received another green light from the Genesee County Planning Board Thursday. 2023 File Photo by Howard Owens
The Genesee County Planning Board unanimously approved two variances for the proposed Burger King drive-through at 301-305 West Main St., Batavia during its Thursday evening meeting.
The applicant, Carrols LLC, represented by site engineer Peter Sorgi, requested two variances to allow for 26 parking spaces versus the required minimum of 32 spaces, and for a building height of 18.66 feet, which would be .66 8 inches more than the maximum allowable 18 feet.
The Planning Board deemed the variances as posing “no significant county-wide or inter-community impact.”
The project has appeared on the table of the city’s Planning and Development Committee at least three times, each time returning with requested revisions to the design, including the addition of more green space in correlation to adjusting the size of the driveway and number of parking spots. The plan has also gone to the city's Zoning Board of Appeals.
Although the County Planning Board approved this latest modification, Sorgi is expected to return to the group at least once more with a full site plan in October, Planning Board Director Felipe Oltramari said.
The project is also on the agenda for the next City Planning & Development Committee meeting on Tuesday to discuss the two variance issues of off-street parking and building height. It’s likely the committee will recommend that the applicant return to the ZBA again for review, according to the agenda.
This Burger King will replace the current site on the opposite side of Main Street and will be at the corner of West Main and North Lyon streets.
Eight $55,000 divisions went postward in the $440,000 New York Sire Stake Excelsior finals that were held at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 13) and several streaking horses were victorious again and had the support of the betting public.
The 2-year-old trotting filly Dozen (Chapter Seven-Sequin) drafted third for Tyler Buter behind the entry of Barn Dreamer (Jason Bartlett) and Barn CJ (Kevin Cummings) from the start to three-quarters where Buter tipped her and trotted towards the front. At the top of the stretch, Dozen was in full flight and bolted home to a 3-¼ length win in 1:58.2.
It was the fifth straight win for Dozen ($2.80) who is owned by Diamond Creek Racing and trained by Marcus Melander. Diamond Creek Farm bred Dozen.
Then the 2-year-old pacing colt Pop It (Huntsville-Pop The Tags) left hard from post one for Mark Macdonald and led the entire race. While leading by 1-½ lengths, Pop It cut quarters of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:27.4 before turning for home and holding off the pocket-sitting Spectacular Plus (Jason Bartlett) to win by one-half length in 1:56.
That was the fourth straight win for Pop It ($2.70) and owners Schnittker Arnold, Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Ted Gewertz. Ray Schnittker trains Pop It who was bred by Kathryn Weed and Kenneth Weed.
From the sophomore class, 3-year-old pacing filly Rec Time (Huntsville-Ms Malicious) and Jason Bartlett left for position from post five and dropped in second behind Light And Tight (Jordan Stratton), then and followed that one for seven-eighths of the mile while Sweet Cheyenne (Marcus Miller) applied pressure to the leader from the outside. At the top of the stretch, the passing lane opened and Rec Time paced away down the lane to a two length win in 1:55.1, with a sharp :27.3 final panel.
Rec Time ($3.90), who set Batavia Downs track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies earlier this year, won her sixth race in only eight 2023 outings for owners D Racing Stable and Jason Osullivan. Deborah Daguet trains the filly bred by Fair Winds Farm, Mark Mullen and Steve Jones.
And then 3-year-old trotting filly Serendipity (Chapter Seven-Vida De Vie) got away fourth for Marcus Miller while Five Fish Species (Mark Macdonald) led the field. Woolco (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first-over at the half and Miller followed with Serendipity. Halfway through the last turn, Serendipity went three-wide and then under a line drive, pulled away to a 1-¾ length victory in 1:57.1.
It was the ninth win of the year for Serendipity ($6.00) and owners W Donovan, Jim Winske, Stephen Michaels and Joe Sbrocco. George Ducharme trains Serendipity who was bred by Joie De Vie Farm.
Jason Barltett won three Excelsior finals while Tyler Buter won two.
Here is a look at the rest of the stake winning performances:
2-year-old pacing fillies
Ideal Skies (American Ideal-No Clouds Bluechip)
Driver – Alek Chartrand
Owner – United Process Control Co.
Trainer – Alek Chartrand
Breeder – Barbara Berger, Richard Carney, Farrell Carney
Time – 1:56.4
Mutuel – $6.40
2-year-old trotting colts and geldings
Sir Pinocchio (Met’s Hall-Lady Cromwell)
Driver – Jason Bartlett
Owner – Carolyn Atherton
Trainer – Ed Hart
Breeder – Carolyn Atherton
Time – 1:59
Mutuel – $21.40
3-year-old pacing colts and geldings
Boston Bound (Boston Red Rocks-Ashleyswayrhighway)
Driver – Jim Morrill Jr.
Owner – Rick Berks, Peter Blood
Trainer – Mike Deters
Breeder – Winbak Farms
Time – 1:55.3
Mutuel – $6.60
3-year-old trotting colts and geldings
Seven Sins (Chapter Seven-Isolde)
Driver – Tyler Buter
Owner – Pollack Racing
Trainer – Jeff Cullipher
Breeder – Crawford Farms
Time – 1:57.3
Mutuel – $7.40
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 15) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $2,142 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Thursday, September 28, in the Stuart Steiner Theatre from 6 - 7 p.m. Musician and Educator Haley Moore will present a lecture and play Appalachian music from the 1920s. The presentation and performance are based on Jeannette Walls novel "Hang the Moon."
Listen to music that was popular during the time and hear all about the story of an indomitable young woman in prohibition-era Virginia. The presentation will be both educational and entertaining and is free and open to the public.
Richmond Reads is a community one-book program designed for the Richmond Memorial Library community. Each year, a committee selects a book and builds programs around the selection, culminating with a visit from the author. The 2023 selection is "Hang the Moon," the latest publication from New York Times bestselling author Jeannette Walls. This year's events include historical programs, book discussions, a film screening, and more.
The library is excited to partner with Genesee Community College and Batavia High School as they incorporate "Hang the Moon" into their curriculum and participate in a student book review contest. Richmond Reads is generously sponsored by The Friends of Richmond Memorial Library.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team won its second game of the season on Tuesday evening against Greece Odyssey, 6-3.
It was an outstanding effort by all players in a contentious game, said Head Coach Graham Halpin.
Rylan Bohn (#9) had four goals, and Owen Halpin (#11) had two goals and oneassist. Finn Halpin (#2) recorded two assists. There were also assists by Patrick Suozzi (#5), Will Fulton (#24), and Devin Hughes (#20).
Ben Stone (#19) made many excellent saves in goal while the defensive line worked tirelessly to contain Odyssey's attack.
Cindy Sherman: Works from the Gerald Mead Collection, will be on display at GO ART!, 201 E. Main Street in Batavia, October 4 – November 5th. A free, public reception will be held Oct 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cindy Sherman is an internationally renowned artist whose ground-breaking photographs have examined themes around representation and identity in contemporary media for over four decades. Widely seen as one of the most important and influential artists in contemporary art, she gained recognition in the art world with her series of black-and-white photographs, “Untitled Film Stills” (1977–80).
A Buffalo State College alumnus, she played a crucial role in the formation of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and CEPA Gallery during her time in Buffalo. Her work can be seen in collections at the Tate Gallery, London; the Museum of Modern Art; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others.
The work will be on loan from the Gerald Mead Collection. Dr. Gerald Mead, a noted independent curator, artist, and emeriti art educator based in Buffalo, has been collecting and exhibiting work by artists associated with WNY for over 35 years. This exhibition, Cindy Sherman: Works from the Gerald Mead Collection, consists of a brief survey of Cindy Sherman’s works dating from 1978 to 2017 from his collection. Included are works from several significant series of her career such as Untitled Film Stills, Fairy Tales, History Portraits, and Instagram.
GO ART! Gallery Hours: Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday & Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. For more information contact Mary Jo Whitman at mjwhitman@goart.org
A 17-year-old from Aberdeen, Scotland, was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in the area of 5186 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, shortly before 1:30 a.m.
Ethan R. Walker is believed to be a student at Genesee Community College.
According to the Sheriff's Office, he was apparently a passenger in a 2007 Chevy Suburban that was eastbound on Route 33. For some reason, Walker got out of the vehicle, crossed the roadway on foot and entered the westbound lane.
He was struck by a grey 2008 Toyota RAV4 driven by Garrett R. Mercurio, 18, of Batavia.
Mercurio and witnesses called 9-1-1.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS arrived on scene and provided Walker with medical care. Walker was transported by ground ambulance from the scene and later flown by Mercy EMS to ECMC, where he is currently in the trauma unit.
The incident is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office, including members of the Crash Management Team.
