Saturday's sunset in Pembroke.

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

A fence is reportedly on fire at 111 Liberty St., Batavia, about one foot from a garage.

The structure is not involved at this time.

City Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 6:24 p.m.: Fire appears to be out. Firefighters checking for extension.

A woman is reporting trouble breathing after an automobile accident at Broadway Road and Harlow Road, Darien.

There are also two possible neck injuries and a possible rib injury.

The accident is not blocking.

Darien Fire and Darien ambulance dispatched.

City Firefighters, members of Local 896, were out on city streets on Saturday as part of their annual Fill the Boot campaign on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

This year's campaign also included over the past several months placing boots in the lobbies and entrances of area businesses.

In all -- yesterday's fundraising and the in-store boot drive -- the firefighters have raised $8,725.50 for MDA.

Photos by Frank Capuano.

The walkway leading from Wolcott Street to the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy may look like a mess now, but things will be a whole lot better in about a month, according to Le Roy Central Schools Superintendent Merritt Holly.

As part of a $12.1 million capital improvement plan approved by voters, the district is investing $186,349 in a new sidewalk for the library.

The old sidewalk was no longer up to safety standards.  The new sidewalk will not only be more attractive but its safety enhancements will include a snowmelt system.

"This (system) will eliminate the use of salts and/or other de-icing materials and physical damage from our tractors removing snow," Holly said. "Furthermore, when our maintenance crew leaves at the end of the school day, and the library remains open in the evening, the sidewalks will stay clear of snow and ice.  We have also added a small slope change to the sidewalk as you walk up to the library using the sidewalk."

 Holly said the district expects the sidewalk project to be completed before July 13.

Photos by Howard Owens

As part of the project, a main power line for Woodward Memorial Library and the Wolcott building was replaced, hence the big hole in front of the library during construction

When Steve Foster and Tim Adams, owners of the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford, come up with small ideas, they often grow into grand ideas.

In the spring of 2021, for example, the decision to clean up the area behind the restaurant -- move a dumpster to the back of the property and remove the wood structures from behind the building -- was supposed to be just as a clean-up project.  Once the area was clear, Foster thought maybe they could put some gravel down, install some tables and chairs and have a small outdoor dining area at a time when COVID protocols were still in place.

"A close local friend who was helping with the demo joked about a 'man cave' at the restaurant," Foster told The Batavian. "Tim and I agreed, but not so much a 'mancave' but an outdoor entertaining area that you would envision seeing in Florida -- an area that is not directly on a busy street, but a nice casual and inviting area to enjoy our country views.  We named the patio after our aunts, Valerie DiFalco and Lynda Bird. Both were very influential in our lives and loved the outdoors, and more importantly, loved to entertain."

So now what you will find out back isn't gravel and a few tables.  Rather, there is a full concrete patio, redwood cover, a couple of dozen tables, a bar with seating, and enough space for a small rock, country, pop, or jazz combo to keep the space hoppin'.

"As we built the patio, we had a mindset to have a big enough area where we could host live entertainment, something that is seen in a lot of patio bars in Florida," Foster said. "Our area is full of local talent and we wanted to have a nice space where they would be comfortable to play.  We wanted music that is not genre specific but goes with our casual fine dining feel."

The patio has seating for 65 patrons.  The seats are often all taken on Friday and Saturday evenings -- the nights when there is live entertainment on the patio.

"We offer a 'lighter eats' menu on the patio, which I believe has been valuable," Foster said. "We didn't want patrons to think they had to come out and get a prime and lobster dinner, although they can if they want to.  We wanted a salad and sandwich option.  There are already plans to add live entertainment to Sundays due to the overall success of the patio, along with hosting car cruises and tailgate parties throughout the patio season."

The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant is located at 6492 Main St., Stafford. Phone: (585) 343-6972 (the restaurant takes reservations). The restaurant is closed for dining on Mondays and opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Rochester-based Flower City Union, a professional soccer team, played its second game of the season at Van Detta Stadium on Thursday, losing to LA Force 3-0.

The team is now 3-11 on the season. The team is in fourth in the National Independent Soccer Association, Group A Division.

It travels the region, playing home games at different venues, in order to build a larger local fan base.

Top Photo: Midfielder Alex Ainscough.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Defender Andriy Demydiv

Midfielder Alex Ainscough

Midfielder Alex Ainscough

Midfielder Lukas Fernandes

 Forward Andre Deas

Tommy DeCarlo, lead singer of the legendary rock band Boston, played Friday evening at Batavia Downs as part of its annual summer concert series.

DeCarlo has performed on every Boston tour since 2007 playing to sold-out audiences all over the world.

This show closes with a full set of Boston classic hits from the 1970s and 80s. Touring professionals in DeCarlo's backing band include August Zadra on lead guitar/vocals (Dennis DeYoung Band), Walter Ino (Survivor/The Babys), Mike Morales on drums (Dennis DeYoung Band), Tommy DeCarlo Jr. on guitar/vocals, and Payton Velligan on bass/vocals.

The two-set show started with Rudy Cardenas of American Idol and a full set of Journey classic hits including the hits from both the Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie eras.

Cardenas has had a long relationship with Journey music starting in 2007 when he debuted on season 6 of American Idol singing "Open Arms" on national TV.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Friday Night Jackson Square concert season opened last night and featured on the bill was up-and-coming local artist Deanna Spiotta.

The Batavia High School graduate has been singing for most of her life.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music from Nazareth College, lived in Nashville for a couple of years, and moved back home to WNY to continue her music and songwriting career.

She released her debut EP, “The In Between” last year, produced by 1809 Studios in Macedon.

Deanna is performing solos in the Rochester area and singing with Eric Carlin’s Half-Dead, a tribute to the Grateful Dead, and also performing in an acoustic duo called, Pushin’ Time with her fiancé, Eric Carlin.

Her music and tour can be found at deannaspiotta.com

Opening up for Deanna were local artists Crimson Crossroads, Dave Knaudt and Ross Chua, two Batavia natives that just recently connected to start performing together. They can be followed on Instagram @daveknaudtmusic and @ross.chua.music

The Old Hippies and the Ghost Riders also performed Friday.

For a list of upcoming shows, click here.

To view or purchase more photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Healthy spirits and healthy bodies is part of the goal of a planned curbside eatery on Route 20 in Darien, according to leaders of Freedom Fellowship.

The non-profit organization is seeking a special use permit for the planned establishment, which did get the blessing of the County Planning Board last week. 

The restaurant will be called The Table Latin American Grill and serve salads, rice bowls, and burritos.

"Part of our program is to eat healthy," said John Kula. "We don't really have sugars or a lot of carbohydrates in our menu. It's a pretty basic menu."

The staff for the eatery will be people who are going through or have been through Freedom Fellowship's addiction recovery program, which the ministry has been operating at 254 Broadway Road for a decade.

There's no new construction planned for the project.  The ministry will use existing structures.

The addiction program helps people in a faith-based atmosphere deal with a range of addictions and related issues, such as depression and anger.

The restaurant is the latest non-profit business for the ministry, which already operates an auto repair shop and a print shop.  The work in these businesses helps raise money for the non-profit but it is also part of the recovery process.

"It's outpatient therapy, really, for a lot of people," said Joshua Klenke, an operations manager. "It shows them a different way of life beyond what they know."

One of the managers of the new restaurant is a former regional manager for Cracker Barrel.

"He had an alcohol problem," Kula said. "The program changed his life. The Lord changed his life. And now he's paying it forward with this. And it's a blessing."

Freedom Fellowship's second annual Car Show and Chicken BBQ begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. on June 25.  There is a basket raffle and prizes and awards for various classes of cars in the show.  The location is 254 Broadway Road, Darien Center.

Dr. James Sunser, president of Genesee Community College, outlined the financial plan of $37.2 million and a request for $2,736,374 as the county’s local share. College officials are continuing to “work hard to keep our expenses in line,” Sunser said.

“As you know, after the pandemic, we had some pretty significant adjustments to the college operations. Some of them have perpetuated after this point. We have had the opportunity to keep things in line, the budget itself at $37.2 million. (Changes) include $ 100-a-semester increase in tuition for students, you all know that the majority of our students are financial aid eligible. So the majority of that in most cases will be covered from external grants that students will not have to pay back,” he said to the committee. “Even with that increase, GCC continues to be, if not the lowest, within the lowest, cost of community colleges throughout the system. So we're very conscious of keeping it affordable for our students.”

GCC Communications Vice President Justin Johnston said that GCC has traditionally used "a model of predictable and incremental budget increase requests" from Genesee County, rather than seeking larger or varying amounts year to year.  The proposed increase of $50,000 in county funding, from $2,686,374 to $2,736,374, “is reflective of this long-standing philosophy,” he said.  

About 67% of the budget is made up from salaries and benefits, Sunser said. That number can fluctuate up to 73 percent, and “not surprising when you think about what we do.”

“We have teachers and we have faculty, we have staff that supports students. So it’s not surprising that a good share of what you spend your money on would be for those services,” he said. “But we are still seeing some of the benefits of our five-step plan that we put in place during the beginning of the pandemic, and some salary savings that we saw through that. And we've also gotten some salary savings, and things like our adjunct lines, is a big piece. And that is really driven by enrollment. It was enrollment being flattened down slightly. We have less need for adjuncts and are shifting more of that work into a full-time workforce.”

County Manager Matt Landers said that, since the county’s share is still less than 8 percent of GCC’s total budget, along with the county’s share being one of the smaller shares compared to other sponsors, "the county believes a $50,000 annual increase is reasonable."

This presentation will end up going to the full County Legislature for a vote, and then on from there for final approval. 

“Given that the budget process remains ongoing with the county-level review preceding the state level later this summer, with deference to those parties and their ability to review, GCC will refrain from further comment until the budget process has concluded,” Johnston said. 

Photo: Dr. James Sunser, president of GCC

A proposal to hire a second School Resource Officer wasn’t a matter of “if” Thursday evening.

From the city schools board comments, it’s a matter of when.

Superintendent Jason Smith believes that, given “recent tragic events over the past month” in Buffalo and Texas, that school safety concerns have once again been heightened.

“I have been personally contacted by parents and staff members about adding a second School Resource Officer,” he said during Thursday’s school board meeting. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff has always been and will always be our top priority. While our district continues to implement best safety practices, we felt there was room for improvement. Our current SRO covers four schools in our district, and with the addition of Robert Morris next year, it makes this position all the more necessary and timely.

“If approved, BCSD will fully fund both SRO positions via a contract with City Council. The SROs are employed, appointed and overseen by the Batavia Police Department.”

It’s about time, Board member John Reigle said.

“I think it’s overdue,” Reigle said. “Officer Stevens has a huge workload, and it would be beneficial for her and for our district.”

Board President Alice Benedict agreed, adding that it seems as though the current officer spends a lot of time at the high school and, due to time constraints, cannot make it to other city schools on a regular basis.

“I think we need another one to help cover those buildings,” she said.

The other question — no small detail — was about how to fund a second officer in the district. Business Administrator Scott Rozanski said that the district will be entering Phase III of the federal COVID monies distributed two years ago, and about $200,000 had been set aside for remote learning. Smith added that the money was to be used for learning needs through BOCES, but a lack of enrollment will free up the funding for other uses. Rozanski suggested that the district could use those funds for a second SRO.

“So we can reallocate those funds and put it towards the school resource officer and then work on phasing in that position to the general fund budget, it will be similar to what we did to close all the positions this year,” Rozanski said. “So the general fund budget will slowly, incrementally increase and absorb that cost over the next two years.”

These officers are not direct employees of the district, as they are subcontracted from the City Police Department. Smith has been talking to City Council, the city manager, and the police department about a possible arrangement. One officer would cover the high and middle schools while a second officer would cover Jackson Primary, John Kennedy Intermediate, and Robert Morris.

“Our current SRO has a myriad of responsibilities including providing assistance with the District on juvenile matters affecting our students, proactive interventions with families and students, general safety and security in our schools, along with our school security aides, and working in partnership with the District in general safety programming,” Smith said.

The board — Chezeray Rolle, Korrine Anderson, Barbara Bowman, John Reigle, John Marucci and Benedict — agreed to authorize Smith to pursue hiring a second SRO. The board is expected to vote on the measure in July or August.

The Batavian has reached out to City Manager Rachael Tabelski today for further clarification about the city’s role in obtaining a second SRO for the school district. This article will be updated with her response when possible.

UPDATED 6/18/22:  City Manager Rachael Tabelski recommended that City Council extend a prior agreement for the district's first SRO earlier this year, extending the contract to June 2024. If the district moves forward with hiring a second SRO, the process will involve a final vote from the school board and City Council.

The stipulations for a School Resource Officer are:

• The City will provide one officer to the BCSD that is a full-time City of Batavia law enforcement officer with excellent communication skills, ability to relate to children and students and planning skills.
• The BCSD will reimburse the City of Batavia 100% of the Officers salary and employee benefits, including any overtime actually worked.
• The City will assign a full-time SRO to the School according to a mutually agreeable schedule, between the first day of the academic year until the final day of the academic year.
• The City remains responsible for providing a vehicle for the SRO as well as the SRO’s uniform, equipment, and training.
• Services for the SRO will be billed based on the amount budgeted for the police officer assigned SRO duties and the actual overtime incurred during the billing cycle. Billing cycle will be on a quarterly basis.
• The term of this Agreement commences April 11, 2022 and expires on June 30, 2024.

Photo: File Photo, 2013.  Batavia Middle School.  Photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

 Catholic Charities needs volunteers for its Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs in Genesee and Orleans counties. Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors 60+ who live independently, or with family.

“With limited volunteers, we, unfortunately, have many homebound seniors who are currently on a waiting list to participate in both our Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager for Catholic Charities’ Home Visitation program. “Both programs are built with the intent to bring a sense of connectivity and friendship to our program members through friendly conversation or partaking in hobbies and special interests such as reading, puzzles, or card games. Not only do these interactions brighten our seniors’ days, but our volunteers also enjoy the time spent together.”

The visitation schedule is flexible. Interested volunteers much are at least 21 years old and do not need to reside in Genesee or Orleans County. An interview, background check, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are required. Training will also be provided upon acceptance into the volunteer program. For more information on volunteering, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614, ext. 3804.

Press release:

The Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is proud to announce the achievements of its seniors.  The award winners, their programs, home schools and scholarships received, are noted below.

• Abigail Carney, Pavilion, Health Careers Academy, Charles Holowach Memorial Scholarship
• Alexa Wolcott, Pavilion, Culinary Arts, Charles Holowach Memorial Scholarship
• Jenna Gilbert, Oakfield-Alabama, Health Careers Academy, Charles Holowach Memorial Scholarship
• Carlyn Hanlin, Alexander, Building Trades, Livingston Associates Best in Class Award
• Joseph Rebmann, Alexander, Electro-Mechanical Trades, Livingston Associates Best in Class Award
• Connor Gale, Byron-Bergen, Automotive Technology, Student of the Year for the AM session
• David Gracie, LeRoy, Auto Body Repair, Student of the Year for the PM session
• Courtney Schum, Alexander, Health Careers Academy, Batavia Rotary Club Memorial Fund Scholarship
• Neva Saile, Alexander, Health Careers Academy, The Kiwanis Club of Batavia Outstanding Citizenship Award
• Parker Dobson, Oakfield Alabama, Building Trades, Blakeslee Award
• Hope Bell, Attica, Building Trades, Doug Dayton Memorial Award
• Brayden Woods, Alexander, Building Trades, Ignatius J. Radesi Memorial Award
• Alex Lamb, Pembroke, Building Trades, Paul Levin’s Memorial Award
• Lucas Durfee, Attica, Building Trades, Pullinzi Family Scholarship
• Andrew Newell, Attica, Building Trades, Batavia Rod & Gun Club Memorial Scholarship
• LiliAna Espinoza, Batavia, Culinary Arts, Chef Russell Bugbee Memorial Award
• Alexa Wolcott, Pavilion, Culinary Arts, Josh Mouery Memorial Award
• Alexander Lynn, Cal-Mum, Electro-Mechanical Trades, The James P. Donnelly Memorial Award
• Adam Risewick, LeRoy, Electro-Mechanical Trades, The James P. Donnelly Memorial Award

Submitted photos. 

Top photo: Julie Donlon, E.d.D., Deputy Superintendent, GV BOCES (left) presents the Charles Holowach Memorial Scholarship to Abigail Carney, a Health Careers Academy student from Pavilion.

Alexander Lynn (left), an Electro-Mechanical Trades student from Cal-Mum, accepts the James P. Donnelly Memorial Award from Rich Monroe, Electro-Mechanical Trades Instructor.

Press release:

In the wake of enduring a tragic loss in April, Mercy Flight is announcing today that it will host its signature fundraiser again this fall. The BASH for Mercy Flight at Buffalo RiverWorks will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022.

“We continue to provide access to high-quality emergency medical transportation, and holding our BASH fundraiser is another way that we can help sustain our lifesaving mission,” said Scott Wooton, Executive Vice President. “This fundraiser is crucial for us as it helps offset the ever-increasing costs of providing Emergency Medical Service for all those in need.”

Wooton adds, “While we all continue to grieve the terrible loss that occurred in April, we know our community still need us, and we still need our community. Our friend Jim Sauer will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to honoring his life again as part of our event on September 24th.”

Tickets for The BASH, featuring Nerds Gone Wild, DJ Milk, a spectacular Skylighters fireworks show, food, beverages, silent auction, and much more, are available starting at $50 each for a four-pack, $65 each for a two-pack, and $75 for an individual ticket. Designated driver tickets are also available for $35. To purchase tickets now, please visit MercyFlightBASH.givesmart.com.

For information on VIP Tickets/Sponsorships, please contact Elaine Duquette at (716) 626-5808, extension 1358 or eduquette@mercyflight.org. 

Photo: File photo from 2022 by Howard Owens.

Q & A with Genesee County Office for the Aging Director, Diana Fox:
Q: Why an Open House and why now?
A: We’ve reopened! If you don’t know who we are or what we do, this event is for you.
Q: What can everyone expect?
A: To come in and talk with our staff, no appointment necessary! Discover the wide variety of programs, services and activities Office for the Aging offers focusing on advocacy, education and awareness, social and health-related supports and benefits assistance. We primarily serve Genesee County residents 60 year of age and older and their caregivers. Find out how our core programs support older residents and their families through programs like: home delivered meals and group lunch programs, recreation/social activities, volunteer opportunities, case management, in-home personal care and housekeeping, medical/shopping transportation, outreach and benefits counseling, legal assistance, information and referral, home improvement and home energy assistance, as well as long- term care and health insurance counseling.
Q: What is new with Office for the Aging? What is the same?
A: We have some new faces that we want everyone to meet! In our new Community Room, there will be a demonstration of Get Set Up--the largest and fastest growing online community of older adults who want to learn, connect and do wonderful things. We’re also happy to announce the expansion of our Got Groceries? Program, a no-cost volunteer-based grocery shopping and delivery service for older residents.
Many things have remained the same, like our long-standing staff members and our new ones, who are ready to help in any way we can. We’re looking forward to welcoming the public for a great afternoon together!

Press release:

U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Grace Meng (NY-06), and Brian Higgins (NY-26) introduced bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives that seeks to restrict access to enhanced body armor, and they named the measure in memory of Aaron Salter Jr., the retired Buffalo Police Officer and supermarket security guard killed in the Buffalo massacre who was unable to stop the shooter since he was protected by enhanced body armor during the attack.

“Four weeks ago, we witnessed an unspeakable tragedy here in Buffalo when ten people were massacred at a local grocery store,” said Rep. Jacobs. “One of those victims, Aaron Salter, was the security guard for that store and gave his life protecting others who were inside. His heroic confrontation of the shooter undoubtedly saved lives. Unfortunately, the shooter was wearing enhanced body armor that protected him from Aaron’s attempts to take him down. Had the killer not had such armor, the outcome would have been one with much less bloodshed. There is simply no reason for enhanced body armor to be used without restriction on our streets. It puts others in extraordinary danger and prevents the swift termination of a dangerous threat. We have an opportunity to make a real change here, and that is why I am proud to join Rep. Meng and Rep. Higgins in introducing the bipartisan ‘Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act’ to ensure military-grade armor cannot be used for malicious purposes. I urge every one of my colleagues to support it.” 

“Armor designed for warfare has no place on our streets, and the ‘Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act’ is a common-sense step to ensure that enhanced body armor is not in the hands of bad actors,” said Rep. Meng. “Gun violence plagues our communities, and a gunman who is protected by enhanced body armor is even more frightening. Over the last decade, there have been 17 mass shootings where the gunman was protected by some form of body armor. That is two and a half times more than the previous three decades. When would-be shooters are able to arm themselves with military-grade equipment, our community is at increased risk. We must ensure that our law enforcement community – and everyone who is the first to respond to shootings – are not facing military-grade equipment that inhibits their ability to respond to the shooter. I urge all my colleagues in the House to support this legislation to help prevent future tragedies from occurring.”

“Aaron Salter was a 30-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department, he saved many lives, but ultimately was rendered defenseless due to the shooter’s body armor, allowing a racist shooter’s rampage on a neighborhood supermarket to continue,” said Rep. Higgins. “This is a public safety bill named for a hero, which will protect communities as well as law enforcement dedicating themselves to answering the call in emergency situations.”

The Aaron Salter Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act would prohibit the sale, transfer or possession of enhanced body armor by civilians – specifically, those body armor that meets or exceeds a Level III ballistic resistance level as determined by the National Institution of Justice. Presently, there are no federal restrictions on civilians' access to this level of body armor which can be legally purchased online. Law enforcement, active-duty military and other public servants whose job responsibilities require them to possess body armor would be exempted under this measure.

Roy's tennis team received certificates of appreciation from the Le Roy Central Schools Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening in recognition of their Class B2 Section V championship.

Mitchel Hockey was singled out for his singular accomplishment: becoming the first singles champion in school history.

The Knights went into the tournament as the #1 seed. and defeated Avon 4-1 in the finals to capture the block.

Along the way,  Le Roy defeated Way-Co (5-0) in the quarterfinals and East Rochester (4-1) in the semifinals.

Hockey’s beat Avon’s Kaden Colt 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).

Le Roy’s other point came at second doubles as Benjamin Robinson and Katelynn Everett swept past Austin Lattuca and Avery Leonard 6-1, 7-5.

Avon averted the shutout when the first doubles team of Zach Colvin and Michael Montano earned a three-set victory over Aiden Soggs and Jack Currin 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Northwestern Genesee County.

It's in effect until 4:15 p.m.

At 3:15 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located with radar over Youngstown, or 8 miles north of Niagara Falls, moving east at 45 mph.

The storm is producing 60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

Minor damage to vehicles is possible and the wind could bring down trees or powerlines.

There is a tornado watch in effect until 11 p.m.

UPDATE: The warning is now extended until 5 p.m.