LIVE: Chamber of Commerce 2020 Awards Ceremony
Livestream courtesy of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
Livestream courtesy of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 43091 held a cookie sale in Byron this afternoon.
Members of the Byron Volunteer Fire Department held a boot drive in the hamlet this afternoon. With normal fundraising activities curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, the department conducted the boot drive to help raise money for air packs.
The Easter Bunny paid a visit to the Village of Bergen today where he and his helpers handed out Easter eggs and other treats in a socially distanced drive-thru Easter egg hunt.
The Easter Bunny was on hand Thursday for a socially distanced Easter Parade at Jackson School.
Alice Calmes shared this information:
Typically the teams would start preparing in early December when the NYS BAR Association releases the case. However, due to Covid guidelines, the school didn't allow extracurricular activities to start until Feb 22.
At that time, the four returning members recruited four more members, assigned roles, and started working on opening and closing statements, questions for direct and cross, and memorizing affidavits.
The initial round of competitions for them started March 8th and they went 4-0 advancing straight to the semifinals due to a bye in the quarter-finals from being in first place at the end of the initial rounds. A win against Attica High School sent them to the finals against Oakfield-Alabama on Wednesday night.
Both matches were hard-fought, with Alexander beating Oakfield-Alabama in both.
Many of the students had to take a role on both the plaintiff and defense sides, which added to the difficulty of such a short preparation time.
The team consists of: senior -- Erin Hess, a first-year member; juniors -- Shawn Calmes, Katarina Luker, Imogene Plitt and Anna "Annie" Slenker -- all returning members, and Dana Morelli, a first-year member; and freshmen -- Olivia Burkhardt and Holly Bykowski, first-year members.
The team is led by Advisor -- Johnny Lucas, a History teacher at Alexander, and Jane Schmeider, their lawyer advisor.
Erin, Shawn, Katarina, Imogene and Annie are all doubling up on plaintiff and defense.
Photo submitted by Alice Calmes. Not all team members were available at the time this photo was taken and they won't be until after spring break. In the photo are Annie, Holly, Erin, Mr. Lucas, Shawn Calmes, Olivia, Katarina and Imogene (missing is Dana).
For previous mock trial coverage, click here.
Data Update –
Orleans County reporting four new positive cases of COVID-19.
Press release:
In January of 2019, the Genesee County Health Department received a $1.3 million federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address lead-based paint hazards in residential buildings within the counties of Genesee and Orleans.
Of this $1.3 million total, HUD has directed that $1 million be used specifically for lead-based paint hazard-reduction activities, while $300,000 is to be directed to other health-related home repairs, maintenance and upgrades.
“The funds were initially earmarked strictly for use in the City of Batavia and the Village of Albion,” said Darren Brodie, lead coordinator for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
“Fortunately, in December of 2020, HUD approved an expansion of the 'Genesee-Orleans Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program' to include qualified properties throughout all municipalities in both counties."
Eligible homeowners and landlords with eligible tenants may apply to receive these funds.
Landlords are required to match 10 percent of the total project costs. For example, a landlord would be required to pay $500 toward a $5,000 project, or $2,000 toward a $20,000 project.
Buildings containing more than one unit are accepted, even if all units are not eligible based on the requirements described below.
No match is required for owner-occupied dwellings.
All recipients of these grant funds are required to maintain ownership of the residence for 5 years following project completion.
Projects are bid on and completed by a preapproved list of local contractors, all verified as properly trained and EPA-certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors who wish to be on our list should contact this office.
Applications can be obtained by contacting lead program staff at the Genesee County Health Department.
Program staff can quickly determine your initial eligibility and will help to guide you through the application process, which requires document gathering and filling out forms by the owners and tenants.
In order to be eligible to receive these funds you must meet all of the following requirements:
If you need help determining if your family or home fits the criteria, contact lead program staff.
For additional information contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website.
Submitted photo and press release:
Notre Dame High School Foundation will be hosting their 24th Annual Golf, Tennis and Bocce Tournament on June 13th at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia.
This year, the annual fundraising event has been moved to a Sunday.
Tournament Chair Jim Sutherland said “the committee felt holding the tournament on a weekend would allow more friends and alumni of Notre Dame High School to participate.”
Registration includes 18 holes of golf with golf cart, tennis or bocce, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and steak dinner with a cash bar, and much more!
Most importantly, all proceeds from the tournament support Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School student scholarship programs, making excellence in education possible for deserving students in our communities. The tournament is one of our major fundraisers, along with an opportunity to spend the day having fun with friends and alumni.
Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of this event's advertising opportunities and lock in sponsorship levels are encouraged to act early and contact Jim Sutherland at: JSutherland@cricklervending.com. Please visit Notre Dame’s website for more information and to register for our fun-filled tournament.
More than 3,000 National Grid customers spread out over more than 15 locations in Genesee County had power outages following heavy winds that swept through the region late this morning and afternoon.
The outages include:
Scanner traffic was heavy for awhile late this morning and early afternoon. As for what fire crews responded to, here's what we know:
Le Roy won its home opener in volleyball last night over Dansville in four sets, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20 & 25-10.
Allie Ingles had 12 kills. Abbie Woodworth had 23 assists and Hailey Johnson had 15. Riley Wood led with 12 digs.
The Knights are now 3-0 on the season.
Photos and info courtesy Tim McArdle.
Press release:
Plug Power Inc.’s development of North America’s largest green hydrogen production facility at the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) received final approval from the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors at its March 25 meeting.
Plug Power Inc. plans to build the $232.7 million green energy technology facility at a 29.884-acre site at STAMP, with a proposed initial operation creating 68 new jobs at an average salary of approximately $70,000.
Plug Power Inc. also will invest $55 million to help build a 345/115KV electric substation in partnership with the New York Power Authority and National Grid. The substation will support future expansion and growth opportunities at STAMP’s 1,250-acre mega-site.
“The investments by Plug Power Inc. will advance our region’s expanding green hydrogen economy, create good jobs aligned with our county’s workforce training programs, and advance major infrastructure that is accessible to future projects,” said GCEDC President & CEO Steve Hyde.
“This project by Plug Power, along with the team effort by the GCEDC Board of Directors, the Empire State Development, the New York Power Authority, and National Grid, show our capacity to advance regionally significant projects at STAMP.”
Under the incentives application approved by the GCEDC Board, Plug Power Inc. will contribute approximately $2.3 million annually to support local municipalities and infrastructure development under a 20-year agreement.
In addition to Plug Power, the GCEDC Board also approved or accepted applications from five projects totaling another $420 million of capital investment in Genesee County.
The GCEDC Board approved final incentives for Forefront Power LLC (Elba Solar) for a $9.7 million community solar project on Norton Road in the Town of Elba. The project will generate 5MW of power and generate approximately $518,803 in new revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Elba, and the Elba Central School District over the proposed 15-year agreement.
The board also approved final incentives for Solar Liberty for community solar projects on Tesnow Road in the Town of Pembroke at a capital investment of $7.7 million. The projects will generate 4MW and 5MW of power and will generate approximately $856,024 in new revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Pembroke, and the Akron Central School District over the proposed 15-year agreement.
Finally, the GCEDC Board of Directors accepted initial applications for two other projects:
- Excelsior Energy LLC is proposing to invest $345.55 million in a utility-scale solar project on multiple properties in the Town of Byron. The project will generate 280 MW of power. Excelsior has negotiated a 20-year tax and community host agreements, including payments of $6,500 per MW, with a 2-percent annual escalator, to Genesee County, the Town of Byron, and the Byron-Bergen School District.
- DePaul Special Needs Apartments LP is proposing to invest $3.75 million to expand by 20 living units an existing special needs housing campus in the City of Batavia. The project would increase annual PILOT payments by approximately $6,000 per year for the remainder of the facility’s existing PILOT schedule.
UPDATE: We asked Jim Krencik, marketing director for GCEDC, to clarify the tax abatements for these projects. He provided the following. The "Property Tax Payments" followed by tax savings is the PILOT on the project (payments in lieu of taxes). The sales tax exemption is an exemption on sales tax for materials used in construction.
Plug Power
Excelsior Solar
Press release:
The Batavia Society of Artists is having a Virtual Hands-on Art Demonstration by artist Karen Crittenden at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th.
It is open to nonmembers for a $5 fee, please go to the society's Facebook page to sign up. Members will receive an email with Zoom meeting info.
Crittenden is a local mixed-media artist and photographer who owns and operates a niche craft store -- Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors at 550 E. Main St. in Batavia.
She teaches there and offers a variety of lessons. She is a lifelong artist, learner and enjoys sharing what she does with others.
To play along with this mixed-media offering you will need:
Optional
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley is renewing his call for the governor’s impeachment following a bombshell report that the governor secured state-administered COVID-19 tests for himself, members of his family and those with close political and personal ties to him.
This was during a period in the coronavirus pandemic in which government labs only had the capacity to process several hundred tests each day. State police resources were also reportedly used to transport these tests to state labs for faster processing.
“It has become abundantly clear the governor is willing to take actions that benefit himself and those close to him at the public’s expense,” Hawley said. “Somebody with such misguided convictions has no place continuing as our governor, and we need to move forward with impeachment proceedings as quickly as possible. Of course, he could still do the right thing and resign.”
Scanner: City police are dispatched to "South Main and Roosevelt for a trampoline rollin' around in the roadway." Drivers beware.
UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: A resident put the tumblin' trampoline back in the yard.
0 Byron Road, Stafford - click here.
0 Angling Road, Pembroke - click here.
0 Linden Road, Bethany - click here.
Press release:
In anticipation of gale-force winds that could exceed 60 mph beginning Friday morning in Western New York, National Grid is increasing staffing to include 1,300 line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers.
The bolstered field force includes external resources and will be deployed across the region as necessary if the anticipated wind event disrupts electricity service to customers. The company will continue to closely monitor the weather forecast and has activated its comprehensive emergency response plan, which includes:
Securing extra resources and mobilizing field and tree crews.
Pre-staging crews and materials in areas anticipated to be most severely impacted.
Proactively reaching out to elected, municipal and emergency management officials to keep them updated on our preparations and provide safety information.
Reaching out directly to customers through traditional and social media, email and texts, and on our website to provide safety information and to urge them to be prepared.
In anticipation of the adverse weather, National Grid also provides customers with the following safety reminders:
Electricity & Generator Safety
If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed lines should immediately be reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 9-1-1.
Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure todisconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in theelectric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1 -800-642-4272. (In a medical emergency, always dial 9-1-1.)
Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices before the storm.
Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.
Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.
Stay Informed and Connected
Customers with active electricity accounts who text "REG" to 64743 can receive personalized alerts via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on their premises. Customers also can text "OUT" to 64743 to report an outage.
For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website. Customers who create an online profile also can sign up for email alerts.
Visit our website: http://www.nationalgridus.com
Data Update –
Orleans County reporting seven new positive cases of COVID-19.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service