The season of joy sometimes carries notes of sadness for those who miss loved ones, whether those close to them passed recently or many years ago, and with that in mind, Le Roy First Baptist Church held a "Blue Christmas" service on Wednesday evening.
The service called on those in attendance at the annual service to remember those whom they miss and recall God's comforting love.
"We invite you to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, and the sadness; you may feel an offer to God or healing and transformation,' said Pastor Edris Hitchcock. "We pray that you will find hope and comfort to know that you are not alone."
After a service of Bible verses, poetry, responsive texts, and hymns, people were invited to light candles in remembrance of those dear to them who have passed.
If you are or know of a Batavia City School alum or retired music educator with musical accomplishments, applications are now being accepted for the Musicians of Note awards.
Recipients need to have been an active performer or music educator, be at least 10 years out of high school, and have had a successful musical career in either performance, composition, education, theater or audio recording.
Nominations may be done posthumously to honor deceased musicians and educators from BCSD as well.
Complete and submit the application by March 28, 2024.
Many teams have already played four or five games in the 2023/24 season, but the Pembroke Dragons didn't hit the hardwood for the first time until Wednesday night to take on an undefeated Byron-Bergen team led by early season hot shot Braedyn Chambry.
Chambry set a school record in a game this season by scoring 41 points. A couple of times, he's topped 20 points.
On Wednesday, the Dragons held him to nine points, sending the Bees (4-1) to their first defeat, 61-50.
For Pembroke, Tyson Totten scored 31 points, and Sean Pustulka scored nine.
Colin Martin led Byron-Bergen with 16 points. Noah Clare scored nine, and Brody Baubie scored eight.
"I was pleased with how we played defensively tonight, meeting our defensive goal 3/4 quarters," said Pembroke coach Matthew Shay. "I was also pleased with Jayden Bridge and Sam Pfeiffer and how they battled tonight defending Chambry along with our team defense limiting his touches. Roxanne always does a nice job with her squad, and I feel fortunate to come out of there with the win. Obviously, Tyson played really tough and controlled the game for us."
During her 4 ½ years as an employee at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse), Amy Kabel has worn several hats, and she has worn them well.
Hired as a peer recovery advocate in April 2019 to assist those in recovery from substance use disorder, the Batavia resident has been promoted to the director of Grant Management position – a job that is vital to the nonprofit agency’s mission to provide a wide variety of services to those in need.
“We’re excited to announce that Amy has accepted the position of director of Grant Management,” said UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett. “Amy has excelled at every level, and the skills she has gained will make her a great addition to the management team.”
Kabel (photo at right) served as the lead peer at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road, a supervisory role, before accepting coordinator positions for The Recovery Station, which is under the auspices of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.
In 2021, she was promoted to assistant director of Grants & Projects, working closely with Rosalie Mangino-Crandall, the former director of Project Innovations and Expansion.
As director of Grant Management, she will oversee a team of about 10 grant-funded employees while searching for and writing grants to fund key programs.
“Fortunately, I was able to learn from Rosalie, who was a fantastic mentor,” Kabel said. “She set a high bar, and I will do my best to keep these programs going.”
Before joining UConnectCare, Kabel was employed as an aide on the surgical floor at United Memorial Medical Center and at Hope Haven, the hospital’s inpatient agency for those struggling with substance use.
She earned an associate’s degree from Genesee Community College and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Community & Health Services from SUNY Empire State College. Kabel has a daughter, Madison, a social worker in the Buffalo area.
Notre Dame beat Alexander in Girls Basketball on Wednesday, 48-39.
The Irish trailed until the fourth quarter, when they pushed ahead and held on for the win.
Freshman Sofia Falleti led the scoring with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Senior Emma Sisson dominated with a double-double 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“Tonight was a phenomenal win for the Lady Irish over a talented, veteran team, Alexander," said Head Coach Vinny Falleti. ”Our team did not take the lead until the fourth quarter and never gave up. I am so proud of how well they played.”
On the road against Albion, Elba picked up another win in Girls Basketball, 77-33.
Sydney Reilly came on strong again, scoring 29 points. Lydia Ross scored 21 points, and Mariah Ognibene had 10 points with 6 rebounds.
"The team is really playing solid team defense," said coach Charlie Pangrazio. "We got 27 steals tonight as a team. Ross had 12, and Ava Buczek had five."
Genesee County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg holding the state letter of certification she just received for her reelected four-year position. Photo by Joanne Beck
Bills that were passed in the Senate this year are now headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk, and Genesee County legislators made one more impassioned plea for her to veto the legislation, though perhaps in vain, during Wednesday’s legislature meeting.
One act is to amend the town, village, county and municipal home rule law that would revise certain offices to have three-year terms and elections to be on the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year is one of the bills proceeding for Hochul’s vote.
Legislator Marianne Clattenburg, who just received her state certification letter in the mail acknowledging her legislative status, takes issue with the possibility that her four years might just get cut short a year.
“And the governor has called that up, and she has till the end of the year to sign it. If she doesn't sign it, then it goes away. If she signs it, then it becomes law. And I just wanted to state my opposition; first, the way it was done. And second, it will not save any money as far as elections go. And third, it was only concentrated on certain counties, not New York City people. And so I'm totally opposed to it,” Clattenburg said. “It'll skew everyone's terms. I was just reelected to a four-year term. If this goes through, my term turns to three. And I just think it's wrong because we put this to the voters, the voters decided our terms. And now they want to take that home rule away.”
She also opposes the bill because the state legislators passed it during budget negotiations, she said. The entire Genesee County Legislature sent its own letter as well as joining the state Association of Counties in passing a resolution to oppose the measure in a bipartisan effort, she said.
Wednesday’s public appeal was one more attempt at reminding the state where this county stood, Clattenburg said.
Because today was the day (Hochul) called it up, we received an alert that we should make our sentiments known again,” she said. “So (Legislature Chair Shelley Stein) just wanted one of us to, you know, speak up and reiterate what we had said previously. And it just so happens that I got my certification in the mail today. I thought it was ironic that it says I have a four-year term. But if the governor signs the paper, it negates that.”
Legislator Christian Yunker also spoke up about the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which he — and Stein, per her prior public comments — are against.
This Act is a measure to prohibit the “sale, distribution or purchase by any person within the state of corn, soybean or wheat seeds coated or treated with pesticides with the active ingredients clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, or acetamiprid,” as of Jan. 1, 2027.
Stein, of Stein Dairy Farm in Le Roy, previously wrote an opinion piece for The Times Union explaining her rationale that: "New York farmers have only one shot each year to grow a crop of corn or soybeans, and waiting under the soil are insects like the seed corn maggot that love to gobble up seedlings before they emerge," she said in her opinion piece. "Coating minute amounts of neonic pesticides on corn and soybean seeds is a proven practice to keep the maggots away and assure a successful crop — but legislation passed this year would take this tool out of New York farmers’ toolbox."
Yunker helps run CY Farms, Batavia Turf, and CY Heifer Farm. He said that New York would be the only state to enact this prohibition of seeds treated with the particular pesticides, which he considers to be promoted by “environmental radicals.”
“This would have devastating effects for farmers in New York State. Not only would we be able to see this as an unfair advantage … it will also have devastating environmental impacts that I don’t think most realize. These seed treatments are a critical tool for farmers … it’s a safe and effective tool; it’s been proven all around the world, and New York State wants to get rid of this critical technology,” Yunker said. “So, this is legislation that makes no sense. As rural residents and farmers, it just doesn't make sense, and I just wanted a strong urge against this bill.”
Tanner Bernard Wiley, 35, of Bennington Hills, Conn., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, obstructing governmental administration. Kimberly Ann Brodsky, 32, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. When officers attempted to stop a vehicle reportedly driven by Wiley at 1:09 a.m. on Dec. 7, Wiley allegedly fled from the traffic stop, leading to a pursuit of the vehicle from the City of Batavia into the Town of Pembroke, where Wiley allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Wiley and Brodsky were held pending arraignment.
Robert Alva Wright, 64, of Brooklyn Street, Warsaw, Rick William Reed, 42, of Maiden Lane, North Java, and Jesse James Schmidt, are each charged with assault 2nd. The three men are accused of participating in an assault at 11:11 p.m. on Sept. 8 at 2630 Attica Road, Alexander, the location of the Hillside Tavern. All three men were arraigned on Dec. 4 and released on their own recognizance. The incident was investigated by deputies Erik Andre and Kevin McCarthy.
Talia F. Joubert, 21, of Le Roy, is charged with DWAI Drugs, speeding, and two counts of harassment 2nd. Joubert was arrested on Dec. 5 in connection with a traffic stop conducted by a Batavia patrol officer on Dec. 5 at an undisclosed time and location. Joubert is accused of striking two police officers while at the police station. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Brian C. Johnson, 26, of Cheektowaga, is charged with harassment 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, and obstruction of governmental administration 2nd. Johnson allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with staff at UMMC while being treated in ER. He allegedly tried to flee police when officers attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Wayne D. Potter, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment 2nd. He was arrested on Dec. 2 after an investigation by Batavia PD into an incident reported on Nov. 4 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location where Potter allegedly fought with another person. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Cornelius Welch, 44, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Welch was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop by Batavia PD while Welch was riding his bicycle at an undisclosed location and at an undisclosed time. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Lisa Ann Centi, undisclosed age, undisclosed residential street, of Chili, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, false personation, insufficient signal, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Centi was arrested following a traffic stop by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 9:58 p.m. on Dec. 1 on Forest Edge Drive, Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket.
Kenniva Sharee Imoni Couser, 23, of Finch Street, Rochester, and Rickia Leshay Bryant, 25, of Clifford Avenue, Rochester, are charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and Bryant is charged with petit larceny. Couser and Bryant are accused of parking in a fire lane on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 2:51 p.m. on Dec. 6. There were reportedly children in the vehicle when the exterior temperature was 30 degrees. The information related to the petit larceny charge was not released. Both were issued an appearance ticket. "Rickia Leshay Bryant" seems to be a name or a phrase.
Stacy Ramon Moss, 34, of Bates Road, Medina, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, seeding, and driving without a license. Moss was charged following a traffic stop by Deputy Stephen Smith at 2:03 a.m. on Dec. 4 on Lewiston Road, Batavia. Moss was processed at the Genesee County Jail, issued tickets, and released.
Taylor Marie Goodenow, 21, of Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd, menacing 3rd, and conspiracy 4th. Riley Lucas Semaj Robinson, 19, of Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, criminal mischief 3rd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Goodenow and Robinson are accused of entering an apartment in Pavilion by force at 3:43 a.m. on Dec. 3, menacing the occupants and causing property damage.
Matthew Ryan Bankes, 36, of Mayflower Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI and speeding. Bankes was stopped at 2:52 a.m. on Dec. 10 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Deputy Ryan Mullen. Bankes was issued an appearance ticket.
Sasha O. Wilson, 37, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wilson was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the Town of Batavia. Wilson was issued an appearance ticket. Troopers did not release further information.
Jeanie L. Graham, 38, of Rochester, is charged with bail jumping 3rd. Graham was arrested by State Police on Dec. 11 and ordered held on cash bail. Troopers did not release further information.
A fire truck lit up with Christmas lights in front of the Scofield Rolloff offices on Route 5 in Stafford. The truck appears to be retired apparatus. There are no department decals on it. Photo by Howard Owens.
A Le Roy Central School District has resigned, and his conduct is being investigated by Le Roy Police, according to Superintendent Merritt Holly.
Holly issued a statement to The Batavian following an inquiry about the status of a possible investigation involving a teacher.
According to Holly, John Beckler resigned his teaching position on Tuesday following an investigation by the district. Holly said the district determined that Beckler violated the district's staff-student relations (fraternization) policy by communicating with students via text message and social media on matters unrelated to school.
"The District also referred the matter to the Le Roy Police Department, which is conducting a separate investigation," Holly said. "The district is cooperating fully with that investigation. Because that investigation is ongoing, we will not provide any further comment. The District’s top priority is ensuring a safe learning environment for our students."
Holly invited anyone with additional information to contact Detective James Prusak at (585) 768 - 2527 ext. 2024 or via email - jprusak@leroypolice.org.
In a brisk sub-30 wind, about 30 volunteers gathered in the St. Anthony’s parking lot Wednesday morning taking care of business as usual for those folks in need lined up ready andwaiting along Liberty Street.
Despite the city’s request to find an alternate location for its twice-monthly food distribution, City Church instead cautiously continued on, but with more emphatic reminders for participants to be mindful of where they parked as the line slowly moved its way toward the distribution center in the parking lot. A city vehicle was spotted leaving the scene, and Pastor Ryan Macdonald confirmed that a city official had visited the lot.
“I’m just thankful that they’re allowing us to continue,” he said.
A week prior, City Manager Rachael Tabelski confirmed that the city requested that City Church find another location for its distribution due to neighborhood and school complaints about traffic issues as a result of participants that line up on the street for the distribution early in the morning.
Macdonald objected to the request for reasons including Becca Albrecht and Mattie Cooper. The women have no vehicles and have walked to get their food rations ever since the distribution began during COVID, they said. Both agreed they don’t know what they would do without the extra help.
“Me and my husband are on disability and have nine grandkids that we help out. One nine-year-old stays with me,” she said. “I get juices and vegetables. And sometimes we have cleaning products that they gave out this weekend. And it's just a big help in the community. We’re seniors, and we don't get enough for Social Security, you know. Even though we have two incomes coming in, it's so hard, because with all the medication and all, so you figure this here is a big help from the grocery store because the price of groceries is just outrageous.
“And I just love this church, the stuff they do. So I rent from the church,” she said. “So it’s really nice, it would be a blessing if they leave this here. Oh, we need it. We walk here every week.”
Albrecht’s husband works 40 hours a week, and they can still use all the help they can get, she said, to offset rising food costs for their family, which includes two little ones.
“Ryan, he’s great, he does so much for this community. And, you know, to take it away, it would be heartbreaking, because us families need it in this time, it’s everything. It definitely helps with the food costs,” she said.
She could understand that for residents on the street, there may be some issues with traffic congestion, but added another viewpoint.
“I mean, I'm sure for some people that live on Liberty, it’s a hassle. But, you know, if you think about it, we need to help one another and just be kind to each other, especially those, you know, Ryan and Pastor Marty are trying to help the community to get through to the needy families that need it,” she said.
They each had a small child’s wagon to haul the food back to their apartments, as did others who walked to the pick-up. Megan Little doesn’t have a vehicle either, and she walks everywhere, including to her job at a nearby restaurant.
“I’ve come to the food distribution twice, but I've been coming to City Church, the service at 10 o'clock down at City Church, for about a year now. And because my stepson’s grandma is big in the City Church, andworks with Ryan and stuff, and I got sober last year, and so I’m just trying to do this new way of life,” she said. “This is amazing how many people they help every every week. Like hundreds, if not thousands. It means a lot because right now my husband is not with us right now. He's gonna be away for a year, and so this is gonna help me a lot, especially around the holidays, and you get all kinds of stuff. They have fresh fruit, canned stuff. It's amazing.”
Some 100 vehicles had lined up along Liberty Street by 9 a.m. Most of them appeared to be parked in between driveways as instructed.A woman who was parked toward the front of the line couldn’t understand the city’s reaction to the distribution.
“I’m really shocked that they said that,” she said, asking that her name not be used. “I go to the church. I like it here, I don’t see why they would have to move; it seems like it’s organized to me.”
A big part of the organization system can be attributed to the volunteers that show up to stack the food in a long row, bag the loose items and prepare everything so that people can simply drive up and get their allotment and go so as not to create a disruption in the flow.
Volunteer Sandy Wojtasczyk walked the line to get names and mark how many adults and children were in each.
“And reminding them not to be parked in driveways or crosswalks,” she said. “And I help to give food out.”
Some vehicles had two families, and some participants will also distribute the food to the Little Free Pantry at First Presbyterian Church and to other organizations and neighbors in need, she said.
Fellow volunteer Jennifer Reed has been helping out for about a year and a half and has been attending the church for 18 years.
“I’ve observed all types of things: I've seen people crying, I've seen people overjoyed that they're getting assistance, with help getting food. I mean, it's just been a blessing to me as well as the people that come through the line,” Reed said. “I’ve never seen an issue with traffic, I mean, I've done everything from walking the streets, taking people's names that are going through the line, just observing, that nobody has been blocking driveways or blocking streets.
“And with the rise of food costs, this has been a blessing to the community. I mean, I have friends myself that come from Le Roy, and Wyoming. I've had people come as far as Attica. So people are coming from all over the region to get help with food.”
Former City Councilwoman Rosemary Christian, who represented that neighborhood’s Ward Six, reached out to The Batavian to voice her dismay about the city’s request to move the distribution. She has suffered somehealth issues and could not attend a council meeting in person, but wanted to urge others to consider doing so.
“The city streets belong to everyone who pays taxes, and those people all pay taxes too. The problem is, they can’t give up two and a half hours to help give people food?” Christian said. “It’s ridiculous, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. I hope people will be there to protest this council so people will be able to get food.”
The Batavian has contacted Tabelski for an update on the city’s request and will add that to this article once received.
The food for the distribution is funded by “the City Church family, USDA, Foodlink and other financial partners,” Macdonald said.
Photos by Howard Owens
City Church pastors Ryan Macdonald and Marty Macdonald during a morning prayer at the start of Wednesday's food distribution at St. Anthony's on Liberty Street, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
Ryan Macdonald and Mattie Cooper. Photo by Howard Owens
Five players for the Lancers hit double-figures scoring. Sydney Reily and Lydia Ross each scored 18 points. Mariah Ognibene and Maddie Hall each scored 12. Brea Smith scored 11.
"The team is really playing hard for each other," said Coach Charlie Pangrazio. "Our team defense is improving and will get better every game."
Students at John Kennedy Intermediate School had a big holiday-themed message for first responders on Tuesday morning: Thank you.
The students expressed their appreciation for the help and support the school gets from City Fire and Batavia PD at school events, notably the JK Polar Plunge, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Golisano Holiday Toy Drive, Careers and Candy, Fire Safety, and the Mud Run.
2023 File Photo of Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. reviewing the town's water districts, including the latest Water District 5, which will be a go, thanks to the $5 million WIIA grant awarded to the town. Photo by Howard Owens
Tuesday afternoon was unexpectedly busy and gleeful for Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr.
And while still being embroiled in town residents’ plight of dry wells and being in need of daily water supplies, he found something to smile about, he says.
“We’re on the list,” he said about the town’s placement on the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Award approvals. “My phone’s been ringing off the hook. I heard from Steve Hawley and J.W. Cook from the governor’s office. He called to say congratulations, you got your grant. I’m very happy.”
Bethany was approved for a $5 million WIIA grant for its Water District 5.
The town has been enduring dozens of dry wells for home, business and farm owners the last several weeks, with one large farm hauling 60,000 gallons of water a day and residents making weekly treks for water to sustain their household needs. A tanker from the state Office of Emergency Management and generous donations from private companies have helped fill the gap as the town anxiously waited for news about a second application for the grant.
The first application was denied, and town officials submitted a second one earlier this year, anticipating to hear back by the end of December. Water District 5 runs north to Route 20 and includes 440 residential properties.
Two-thirds of town residents will have public water by the time the district is completed, and then District 6 will be next. That will require a survey to find out if those residents are in favor of a water district, he said, because at least 51 percent will need to be on board with a yes for it to proceed.
“I’ve got a lot of paperwork to do before it goes out to bid. And they’ve got to review the bids when they come back. So, with any luck, our word, according to the engineers, my discussion with the engineering firm is our goal is to start digging by August … for a completion 16 to 18 months after that.
He notified board members, who were “ecstatic,” and let some businesses and farmers know about the grant.
“They understand it’s a long process, but at least it’s light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The town has already received a low-interest (2 percent) USDA loan of $16.5 million to be paid back over 38 years by property owners, and the $5 million is a grant with no pay-back strings attached. There will have to be budget amendments due to the price adjustments of a previously lower-cost project before COVID came along and caused delays and price increases, he said.
But that won’t undermine his momentary good spirits and the news that residents should celebrate, he said.
“It’s a good thing, it’s a bright spot in our dark time here in this drought,” he said. “But it’s not gonna save us at the moment.”
Residents are still showing up at the town hall for twice-weekly water fills, at the rate of 2,000 gallons every two hours. Hyde estimated that the 6,700-gallon tanker might be empty again by Thursday, which will be the second time so far. Genesee County has been transporting the tanker for refills.
Two other Genesee County municipalities were also on the list for awards:
The Town of Le Roy was on the list for a $5 million WIIA grant for Water District 12. Town Supervisor Jim Farnholz was not available for comment late Tuesday afternoon.
Genesee County was also listed for a $30 million bond for its Phase 3 water project. County Manager Matt Landers was not available for comment late Tuesday afternoon.
On Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., Dance Images will be hosting a free show at Oakfield High School called “You Are Light”. They will be showcasing dancers with diverse abilities and talents, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and representation within our performances.
Dance Images believes in celebrating the unique abilities of individuals from various groups, fostering an environment that embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities for everyone to share their love for the art of dance. They pride themselves on giving all individuals the chance to share their love for dance with others.
"In this Christmas show, you will see a variety of dances such as individuals in wheelchairs, hip-hop, tap, ballet, ribbon dance, and lyrical" said Amy Pizzi, owner of Dance Images. "I had a studio in Lockport for 22 years and Oakfield has been open for 8 years. I have had so much support from my small town of Oakfield in getting my program off the ground."
"It means so much to have everyone’s support because I’ve grown up in the small town of Oakfield and have made many memories in the school where we will be performing. Many of my dancers who do not have any special needs love to volunteer to help with classes. We are a tight dance family. It has been my passion for years to showcase dancers of all abilities and demonstrate how inclusion can help not only the special needs but also other students who find a passion in helping others."
For more info, please contact Amy Pizzi at 716-343-3162 or email her at Danceimages2002@gmail.com.
Part-Time Children's Library Clerk Haxton Memorial Public Library is seeking a Part-Time Children's Clerk 19 Hours a week $15.00/hr. Interested applicants please go to www.co.genesee.ny.us for an application or come to the library at 3 North Pearl Street, Oakfield. Any questions, please call at (585) 948-9900
