The Holland Land Office Museum will host a presentation and book signing by David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., author of "Emory Upton Misunderstood Reformer," at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. The museum is located at 131 W. Main St., Batavia.

Admission is $5 per person, which helps support the HLOM Speaker Series. RSVP by Jan. 10^th due to limited seating.

Fitzpatrick is facility resident and professor of History at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he was also a history instructor.

He has authored several military journal articles and published essays. His current work is one of the definitive texts on the life of Upton and his post-war contributions to reforming the Army.

In addition, a panel discussion with Fitzpatrick and local historians, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13th, at the new Student Success Center, Room G200, Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia.

Discussion will focus on the various aspects of General Upton’s character and life. Free to the public. Hosted by the Holland Land Office Museum and GGC History Club.

For more information about the programs or purchasing his book contact:

Holland Land Office Museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Submitted photo and press release:

Anthony Angotti, president and owner of Beers of the World in Batavia (a business of Angotti Beverage Corp.) was honored Dec. 2 with the Star District Award by the Knights of Columbus.

Angotti is the only member in New York State to receive this recognition and one of only 18 members worldwide to achieve this designation.

The Star District Award goes to district deputies attaining 100 percent or more of their district’s membership and insurance quotas, and, in addition, at least one of their active councils must attain one of the levels of Star Council.

Anthony Angotti joined the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Genesee Council #4812 in April 1993. It was shortly thereafter he became Deputy Grand Knight and then Grand Knight for the same council. During his elected position as Grand Knight, fundraising for those in need were among many of Tony’s responsibilities.

In 1995, he took his 4^th degree and then became Navigator at the Bishop Kearney Assembly. He was assigned to guide the 4^th degree assembly for two years including fundraising for the Canandaigua VA Hospital. At that time, he also became a Knight of Columbus Color Guard and then went on to become Assistant Commander. The Color Guard’s presence is mainly known at the Greater Rochester International Airport during the arrivals of the Honor Flights. They also perform the Memorial Day and Veterans Day Missing Man Ceremony in Canandaigua.

Tony was elected to the position of Trustee, and then shortly thereafter was appointed the position of District Deputy which he has held since 2014. He oversees five councils within Monroe County including, Our Lady of the Genesee Council #4812 in Henrietta, St. Louis Council #15833 in Pittsford, Ascension Council at St. James #15638 in Irondequoit, St. Stanislaus Council #9326 in the City of Rochester, and St. John of Rochester Council #15917 in Fairport.

His duties include ensuring that all of the Councils have the proper paperwork for the Knights of Columbus State Office, fundraising for the VA hospitals and collecting money and goods for Coats for Kids. Tony also is a member of a group of Knights that purchases or refurbishes chalices to be given as gifts to newly ordained priests.

“After immigrating to the United States 62 years ago, we left our native land with nothing but what we could carry by hand on the boat and no money in our pockets," Angotti said. "I will never forget those that helped us when we arrived and because of that I will forever be grateful. I have a great appreciation for this land and the Veterans that have fought for our freedom.

"It has been such a pleasure being a part of an organization as the Knights of Columbus. My membership has afforded me the opportunity to repay my appreciation by helping those in need especially the veterans of the United States."

About the Knights of Columbus

With more than 1.8 million members, is the world’s largest lay Catholic fraternal service organization. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, its’ pastors and their community. The guiding principles of the order are: Charity; Unity; Fraternity; and, Patriotism.

In a close game last evening the Batavia girls basketball squad beat last season’s sectional champions Honeoye Falls Lima by a narrow 53-52 margin.

HFL came out of the gate up by four points after the first quarter 14-10 led by seniors Taryn Wilson and Paige Smith. Batavia was playing catchup through the first half and not making defensive plays, but sparked right near the end of the half to come within one point of HFL’s lead 26-25.

After the first half, Batavia needed a much stronger quarter and played better defense to take the lead 40-34 after three quarters. Batavia continued the streak to lead at one point by 10 points in the fourth but then got into foul trouble.

Taryn Wilson hit 13 out of 15 free throws, and with 9 seconds left on the clock, Kara Oatman who was 7 for 8 missed her eighth free throw and Batavia finished winning by one at regulation.

Junior Ryann Stefaniak led the team with 18 points, Sophmore Emma Krolczyk finished with 15 points and freshman Bryn Wormley tallied 11 points.  

HFL Senior Taryn Wilson scored 25 points, Paige Smith had 13 points and Kara Oatman finished with 8 points.

Batavia remains undefeated with a 5-0 record in class A2 and HFL drops to 2-4.

Next game for Batavia is home this Monday vs. Greece Athena.

For more game pictures to go: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p789755086

 

 

A visit with Santa and a gift capped an evening of fun and food for 71 area children Friday night at St. James Episcopal Church as Community Action of Genesee Orleans and United Healthcare teamed up to bring some Christmas cheer to 20 families.

Eligible families received some sort of assistance during the year from Community Action.

Gifts were donated either by members of the community or through a fund from United Healthcare, which also helped pay for the crafts, games and food served during the festivities.

Each child received a present with his or her name on it picked just for them.

There were also 10 different craft tables where children could make Christmas decorations to take home.

Top photo: 4-year-old Faith looks at her Christmas present with her mother, Letisha Williams. Below, Danica, 4, is excited to receive a present from Santa.

One of two men accused of taking part in a near-fatal knife attack against a person on East Main Street in Batavia in July, entered a guilty plea in County Court today to one count of attempted assault in the first degree, a Class C violent felony.

JW Hardy faces a sentence of up to 10 years under terms of the plea agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for 1:45 p.m., Feb. 14.

Hardy, 30, and co-defendant Anthony Spencer Jr., 26, were initially charged with assault in the first degree and gang assault, 1st, for allegedly working in tandem to beat and stab a victim July 18 at a location on East Main Street.

Spencer's case is still pending and he's due in court on Monday.

Officer Arick Perkins is credited with saving the victim's life.

Pending sentencing, Hardy remains at liberty.

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported in the ara of 3371 Maltby Road, between Fox Road and North Pearl Road, in Oakfield.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: An Oakfield chief requests Mercy EMS continue to the scene for evaluation of one patient.

Press release:

“I don’t know how to fix all of our problems, but anyone can tell you that if you are about to remodel an old house, the first thing you should do is replace any rotten boards,” "Fix It" Larry Piegza says. “People are saying that the Republican Party is not the same party (as) it was 20 years ago and many people feel that Chris Collins is part of the problem.

"He doesn’t stand for the basic values moral Republicans believe in, nor does he put New York first. He is not making our health insurance affordable. We are drowning in taxes and Collins just voted on a tax bill that raises NYS residents’ taxes. Let’s start our remodel today.”

Fix It Larry Piegza began his campaign to run for the Republican nomination for New York State’s 27th Congressional District with the launch of FixItLarry.org. A computer-technician-turned-entrepreneur, he started a small software business in his attic with $10,000. He feels he is a great candidate because he sees firsthand how tough it is for small businesses to survive under government regulation.

Despite this, he has a 15-year track record of growing his company with no deficit spending. The company now employees 25 people. He feels that Western New Yorkers will benefit from his good decision-making skills and his strong desire for a balanced budget – both for New York state and the country.

“Many people are saying we’ve drifted from believing in good fiscal responsibility, ethical values, and a government that stays out of our lives. People are saying they’d like to see us return to these values. I’ve shown that I can make good fiscal decisions that aren’t at the expense of another person. I’d love to help restore the party to a strong ethical foundation,” his Facebook page states.

A West Seneca native, Larry went to Orchard Park schools and has lived in Western New York his entire life. Married for 19 years to a graduate of Pembroke High School, Larry has a daughter, 13 and a son, 15, that he likes to take outdoors year round, from sledding at Chestnut Ridge, hiking in Letchworth State Park, or visiting his in-laws in Batavia.

“This is a beautiful area and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. But we need a change in leadership if Western New Yorkers are going to survive,” Fix It Larry says. “Raising NYS taxes will not help New Yorkers. Voting to repeal without replacing our health care will not help us survive. The GOP is endorsing pedophiles, which is not a Christian value, and therefore Chris Collins needs to go.”

Press release:

There is a water main break on Richmond Avenue in front of Van Detta Stadium. Crews are on site to make repairs which will take several hours. Please be advised that Richmond Avenue will be closed to traffic between Union Street and Verona Avenue until repairs are complete.

The same technology that is changing how you watch a basketball game or movie on your home television is also making surgery safer and more efficient at United Memorial Medical Center.

Two operating rooms at UMMC have been outfitted with a 4K camera system from Olympus and 4K large-screen monitors from Sony.

"We are one of the few hospitals in the region who has it," said Dr. Andrea Zucchiatti, a surgeon at UMMC. "Nobody in Buffalo has it. Nobody in Syracuse has it. Nobody in Albany has it. They have one in Auburn and Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong has it and we have it."

The medical camera is an improvement over previous high-definition systems not only because of the higher and more detailed resolution but also because more light can get in through the lens, allowing for brighter exposures in dimly lit areas of a human body.

Zucchiatti said the technology allows surgery to be performed faster -- the patient is under sedation and in the operating room for less time -- and incisions can be smaller.

"We can perform safer and more efficient surgeries," Zucchiatti said.

5774 Shelt Road, Byron  | $87,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Awesome country location for this affordable 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home! Whether you are downsizing or just starting out this home fits the bill -- spacious open concept with large rooms makes this home feel large but super cozy. Located in the Elba School System this home is perfect for the people who want their piece of country. Surrounded by fields on a quiet road-definitely one to take a ride for!

4243 West Avenue, Elba | $179,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Super opportunity to own this beautifully remodeled from top to bottom Country home!! Literally from the studs up this home has been done -- electrical, drywall, furnace, central air, flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, windows and siding! The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets -- the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience! The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of thruway and shopping. Home has public water as well-all the pluses of Country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out-why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost!

32 Cary Avenue, Oakfield | $94,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Solid home in the heart of the village! This three bedroom home has a lot to offer either to someone starting out or a growing family. This home is super spacious with a very open floor plan downstairs and upstairs features plenty of closets and good size bedrooms. The kitchen is sunny and bright and has homey back breakfast nook out looking the fenced in back yard. There is an extra deep garage plenty big enough for a car and work space! The basement of the home with a little work could be great extra living space -- it is already partially finished and has a wet bar! The home does have central air and a new 200-amp electrical service and the roof on home and garage is 7 years young. With very little elbow grease this home can be up and running for the New Year! Very easy to see!

Mike Randall, WKBW's chief meteorologist and an actor, performed a reading of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens last night at the Richmond Memorial Library. In Randall's live solo performance he takes on the role of 25 characters from the story.

Local community members met in City Council Chambers last night to discuss and map out their ideas on how to improve Downtown Batavia.

The public meeting is part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $10 million state prize won by Batavia, to help make improvements to downtown.

Community members discussed options to help establish priorities for how the $10 million might be spent.

This was the first of three public meetings. The public will also be invited to offer their opinions through online surveys.

The meeting was facilitated by Edward Flynn, planning division director for Labella Associations in Rochester.

Press release:

It is with a powerful sense of sadness and loss, tempered by pride in our past and the hope of a faithful and resilient people for the future, that the Genesee County Baseball Club (GCBC), the nonprofit that has owned the Batavia Muckdogs of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania Professional Baseball League, announces that control of the franchise has been transferred to the New York-Penn League.

The transfer was officially approved by the GCBC's 23-person all-volunteer board.

The league is seeking a buyer for the franchise. Under terms of the transfer, the Rochester Red Wings, who have managed day-to-day operations of the club since 2008, will receive 50 percent of any sale price, and the GCBC will receive the other 50 percent, minus legal fees and the 10 percent share of sale proceeds that will be kept by the league. The name “Muckdogs” will remain property of the GCBC.

Batavia is the last of the original cities of the New York-Penn League, which was founded at a meeting in the Hotel Richmond in Batavia and began play in 1939 as the PONY (Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York) League.

The ongoing geographic expansion of the league, which now stretches from Aberdeen, Md., to Burlington, Vt., and from Staten Island to Morgantown, W.Va., has made it tremendously difficult for the smaller Upstate New York cities that once formed the heart of the league to survive. Lodging and travel costs have become prohibitive for small-market teams in the western part of New York State.

The sole remaining longtime Upstate New York franchise is in Auburn, which entered the league in 1958.

Brian Paris, president of the Genesee County Baseball Club, thanked the Rochester Red Wings:

“We are deeply grateful to the Red Wings for their absolutely pivotal role in preserving NYP League baseball in Batavia for these last 10 years — which included the franchise’s fourth league championship in 2008. Naomi Silver, Gary Larder, and the rest of the Red Wings organization are great people and have been a pleasure to work with.”

Paris also praised the Batavia fans, noting that for years, the team had annually ranked in the top half of the league in per-capita attendance.

“Batavia has a great core of fans,” he said. “Dwyer Stadium is the friendliest ballpark in America.”

He saluted the hundreds of local businesses that have supported the team over the years, noting that “in best grassroots fashion, small businesses have been the advertising backbone of this team.”

It is not yet clear where the franchise will play ball in the summer of 2018. That decision is up to the league. But Paris expressed the hope that when June 2018 rolls around, a team called the Batavia Muckdogs—whether as a member of the NYP League or perhaps a summer league for top college players--will take the field at Dwyer Stadium.

An ambulance has been dispatched to the toll booths on the New York State Thruway in Pembroke for an employee who has reportedly suffered an electrical shock.

No word on the extent of injuries, if any.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments also responding.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: The patient suffered minor burns on her fingers and was transported to ECMC. She was plugging something in to an electric outlet when she was shocked. 

A semi-truck driver lost control of his rig on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany at about 9 o'clock this morning and slid off the roadway.

No injuries were reported.

The accident was in the area of 5902 Ellicott Street Road.

Bethany fire responded.

Photos by Glenn Adams.

Austin L. Wester, 23, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with four counts of forgery, 3rd, one count of petit larceny, and possession of a hypodermic instrument.  Wester was arrested on a warrant for allegedly taking another person's checks and cashing those checks by forging that person's signature. At the time of his arrest, Wester was allegedly found a needle in his pocket. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Davon S. St. John, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. St. John allegedly stole property from T.F. Brown's. 

(Name redacted upon request), 18, of Ridge Road, Elba, and (name redacted upon request), age and address not released, were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Xxx and xxx were charged following a traffic stop by Christopher Lindsay at 8:32 p.m. Dec. 8 on Liberty Street, Batavia.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 35, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. While Twardowski was an inmate at the Genesee County Jail on Nov. 18, and again on March 26, he allegedly sent letters via postal mail to a person he was barred from contacting in any manner.