Skip to main content

Photos: Le Roy's win over Dansville

By Howard B. Owens

9x5a7133.jpg

Photos submitted by David Boyce of Le Roy's game against Dansville on Saturday, which the Knights won 28-0.

Nick Egeling scored on a 43-yard run and a six-yard run. Josh Laurie had a 65-yard punt return and Dom Filio had a three-yard run. Mary Purdy knocked in four point after attempts.

Egeling rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries, Laurie 19 on 4 and Filio 16 on five. Laurie was two for nine passing for 38 yards. Catches by Reed Kacur for 40 yards and Ryan Boyce for two yards.

On defense, Luke Hogle, 12 tackles, Kacur, eight, Anthony Natrigo, seven, Filio, seven, and Nate Flint, five.

9x5a7447.jpg

9x5a7406.jpg

9x5a7196.jpg

9x5a7047.jpg

9x5a7587.jpg

9x5a7055.jpg

9x5a7115.jpg

9x5a7176.jpg

9x5a7778.jpg

Photos: Red, white and blue and Darryl Worley at Frostridge

By Howard B. Owens

worleyridgesept122015-3.jpg

Darryl Worley, a multi-hit country music artist who topped the charts in 2003 with a 9-11 song, "Have You Forgotten?", played Frostridge Saturday night and a few hundred hearty fans braved the rain and waved flags and cheered Worley's pro-USA, positive-living message.

The show closes out the 2015 season for The Ridge.

worleyridgesept122015.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-2.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-4.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-5.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-6.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-7.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-8.jpg

worleyridgesept122015-9.jpg

Batavia Silver Stars to demo Western square dancing at Darien Lake Theme Park twice this month

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Silver Stars along with the Chili-based Cloverleaf Squares are Western square dance clubs and they will be performing at Darien Lake Theme Park twice this month.

They will have a demo dance from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. For more information about WNY square dance clubs visit squaredancingrochester.org

Did you know that square dancing is the national folk dance of the United States? It is a great form of exercise, too. You form lasting friendships and once you learn the basic steps you can dance anywhere in the world. Western square dancing involves taking lessons for eight to nine months. You do not need a partner to take lessons and square dancing attire is optional. All ages are welcome from 10 years and older.

The Batavia Silver Stars dance at the VA Medical Center (patio entrance, building #4) every Monday night. FREE Open Houses are Oct. 5 and 12 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Classes begin on Oct. 19. Class fees are $4/dancer or $10/family.

For more information contact Jan Bencic @ 585-762-8591 -- or stop by and watch us twirl and promenade some Monday night.

Aldi's in Batavia closed for renovations

By Howard B. Owens

aldisclosesept132015.jpg

aldisclosesept132015-2.jpg

The local outlet of the discount food chain Aldi's is closed for remodeling and will remain closed until Oct. 1, according to a handwritten sign outside the store's main entrance on East Main Street in Eastown Plaza.

There was no prior announcement of the closing and no details of the renovations in the store have been released.

Aldi's is based in Germany. The company has 1,400 U.S. stores and is planning on investing $3 billion in the states, and creating 10,000 more jobs. It plans to open 600 more locations in the U.S., making it 44 percent the size of Walmart. Walmart is reportedly Aldi's competitive target.

The U.S. division of Aldi's is based in Batavia, Ill.

Photos: Notre Dame beats Alexander 34-14

By Howard B. Owens

ndalexfbsept122015.jpg

In a key early season Genesee Region matchup, Notre Dame beat Alexander 34-14.

Alexander scored first on a 14-yard run by Jake Wozniak. Notre Dame scored twice in the second quarter, making it 12-8, on a two-yard run by Peter Daversa and a 44-yard run by Jack Sutherland.

Alexander tied the score early in the third quarter on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Josh Hylkema.

The rest of the game was all Notre Dame, as the Fighting Irish scored on a 51-yard run by Sutherland, a one-yard dive for a TD by Sutherland, and Deversa scored on a one-yard run.

Alexander finished with 172 yards of total offense to 307, all on the ground, for Notre Dame.

Sutherland gained 185 yards and Deversa had 104. For Alexander, Wozniak rushed for 120 yards on 20 carries.

C.J. Suozzi had nine tackles and Dane Meberlein, 12, and Hunter Marzolf had nine for Alexander.

Suozzi punted twice for 69 yards.

In other Genesee County football this weekend:

  • Attica beat Pembroke, 36-0
  • Geneseo beat York/Pavilion, 34-28
  • Elba/Byron-Bergen beat Holley, 60-14
  • Le Roy beat Dansville 28-0 (We should have photos from this game some time tomorrow.)
  • Previously: Photos: Batavia beats Cardinal O'Hara 32-8

ndalexfbsept122015-2.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-3.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-4.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-5.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-6.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-7.jpg

ndalexfbsept122015-8.jpg

To purchase prints of photos, click here

Milk tanker and vehicle collide at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A tanker and another vehicle collided at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion. Unknown injuries. The tanker is on its side and heavily leaking fuel, according to the dispatcher. An emergency crew is called to handle the spill and Pavilion fire and Mercy medics are responding. Le Roy's rescue unit is also called to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:25: The tanker is about 40 feet off the road. It was hauling 31,000 pounds of milk.

Photos: Funeral procession for William Hynes

By Howard B. Owens

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-8.jpg

Fire companies from throughout Western New York were represented in Batavia today for the funeral of William M. Hynes.

From his obituary:

Bill dedicated his life to the fire service in Genesee County. He served with the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department from 1961-1968. From there he served with the Town of Batavia Fire Department from 1968-1980, serving as chief in 1978 and 1979. He is a current member of the Town of Elba Fire Department, joining in 1980 and served as chief from 1990-2003. He served as president of the Board of Directors of the Elba Fire Department from 2004-2013. He was also a life member of the Western New York Fireman’s Association and the New York State Fire Chief’s Association. Bill served on the Genesee County Mutual Aid Advisory Board, where he served as chairman for two years.

ebalfdfunderalsept122015.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-2.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-3.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-4.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-5.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-6.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-7.jpg

ebalfdfunderalsept122015-9.jpg

Brush fire reported on Pekin Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported in Elba at 7560 Pekin Road. Elba firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: Alabama, as mutual aid, is working the brush fire in Elba's fire district and Oakfield is requested to assemble a crew in the Oakfield hall.

UPDATE 6: 44 p.m.: A crew from Byron is requested to fill in at Elba's fire hall.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Elba command reports fire is under control.

City did consider armory for police station location, but found it wasn't suitable

By Howard B. Owens

With news that the state is going to once again try to auction off its one-time armory on State Street, there's been some chatter around town about the city buying the building and converting it into the new police headquarters.

After all, it only costs $60,000.

First off, it's going up for auction, and $60K is just the ante. It will likely go for considerably more than $60,000. City Manager Jason Molino said judging by the number of calls the city has been getting with questions about zoning for the property, there is quite a bit of interest in it.

But even if the city could get it at a reasonable price, converting it into a police station would still cost millions.

"It's not a turnkey building by any means," Molino said.

To make it suitable for police needs there would need to be substantial modifications, a lot of demolition, environmental abatement and retrofitting.

"It's not just a matter of repainting a few walls and moving in," Molino said.

The building was considered for a possible location early in the process, Molino said. The original committee of city staff and consultants toured the building and the city even asked the state to hold off on selling it until the city could complete its study.

The state didn't wait. The building was sold at auction, but that deal eventually fell through.

Even with a potential private owner to deal with, the task force that eventually came up with the Swan Street recommendation gave brief consideration to the armory, but rejected the idea almost as quickly.

Besides the cost, the location is essentially a residential area and the property has only one point of entry and exit. With State Street being a main thoroughfare during the school year, the property would be hard to enter or exit quickly twice a day -- morning and afternoon -- for nearly 10 months out of the year.

The City Council will be asked to consider a plan to build a police station from the ground up on Swan Street. That public discussion among council members has yet to take place.

Law and Order: Oakfield man charged with forcible touching

By Billie Owens

Scott Edwin McKenzie, 29, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with forcible touching. He was arrested Sept. 6 on Sunset Parkway Road in Oakfield after he allegedly touched the intimate parts of an acquaintance without permission. He was subsequently issued an appearance ticket and will return to Oakfield Town Court on Sept. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion, assisted by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Austin M. Bartz, 19, of Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, is charged with third-degree attempted assault. On July 27 at 12:45 a.m. on Harvester Avenue, Bartz was arrested following a verbal altercation. Bartz, aided by another person, allegedly punched and/or kicked another person. He was issued an appearance ticker and is to appear in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

Kyle L. Michaels, 17, of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 9:19 p.m. on Sept. 7 following a domestic incident wherein he allegedly damaged a vehicle and struck a person. He was transported to BPD where he was processed and released on an appearance ticker. He is scheduled to appear in City Court on Sept. 22. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Christopher Camp.

Kevin J. Cummings, 38, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, and aggravated DWI, per se for having a BAC of .18 or more, with no priors. Cummings was arrested Sept. 5 following an investigation into a 9-1-1 open line hang up. He was released from custody and directed to appear in Batavia City Court on Sept. 23. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Darryle Street.

Robert Ernest Saari, 33, of Meiser Road, Corfu, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on Aug. 9 after he was released from GC Jail on an unrelated matter. He had an arrest warrant for failing to appear at Batavia City Court to answer a charge of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He is scheduled to be in City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Eric Foels.

William B. Coley, 45, of Platt Street, Albion, failed to answer a petit larceny charge at Batavia City Court back in February. The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On Sept. 8, Coley was located by the NY State Police and turned over of Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack. He was put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.

Reginald C. Sampson, 49, of 1/2 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt of court. He allegedly intentionally refused to obey a Grand Jury subpoena that was properly served directing him to appear in Batavia City Court at noon on Aug. 18. He was arrested on Sept. 9 and arraigned before Judge Balbick in City Court then released on his own recognizance. The case was investigated by Batavia PD Officer Frank Klimjack.

Juan Antonio Claudio, 47, of Mill Street, Akron, is charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation stemming from an incident on East Main Street in Corfu on April 14. He was arrested on Sept. 10 on a warrant out of the Town of Pembroke and put in jail on $500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in Pembroke Town Court at a later date. The case was invetigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale.

Rocky has a new home -- ours

By Howard B. Owens

rockysept112015_1200.jpg

Remember Rocky, the dog whom authorities say was scalded by hot water? The owner and her boyfriend where charged with crimes, and the owner surrendered Rocky to the county for adoption.

Rocky walked this week in the Oakfield Labor Day Parade and I was surprised to learn nobody had shown any interest in adopting him. On the spot, he kind of muzzled his way into my heart, so after much thought and conversation with Billie and a couple of visits to the animal shelter, Billie and I decided we would adopt him ourselves.

He's a real sweetheart, very gentle, loves people and other dogs and doesn't care much about cats. We had him with Pachuco in Kiwanis Park today to ensure they would get along, and they hit it off and have been doing well together this afternoon.

We think we can give Rocky a good home.

Previously:

Photos: 9-11 ceremony at VA

By Howard B. Owens

va9112015-6.jpg

Veterans came together at the VA Center for a 9-11 remembrance ceremony.

va9112015.jpg

va9112015-3.jpg

va9112015-4.jpg

va9112015-2.jpg

va9112015-5.jpg

va9112015-7.jpg

va9112015-8.jpg

GCC poised to celebrate 50th anniversary with campus expansion

By Howard B. Owens
craig_yunker_230_sept102105.jpg
Craig Yunker

By the time Genesee Community College celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, the campus will have opened a new Student Success Center and an events center, President Jim Sunser told a gathering in the Stuart Steiner Forum yesterday evening.

These will help GCC continue to grow and serve students better, Sunser said.

"Colleges are constantly evolving and student success is at the core of the values that we have at Genesee," Sunser said.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring thanks in part to a successful fundraising campaign chaired by local farmer and businessman Craig Yunker.

The goal of the campaign was to raise $5 million. The committee did better than that. It was comprised of people from Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

"We're really proud that this community is a generous community and people stepped up with a smile," Yunker said. "I'm proud to be a member of this community, and I'm proud to report to you that as of 2 o'clock this afternoon, we raised $5,214,213."

The two buildings along with a new scholarship fund is a $42 million project. More than half of that money will come from state grants. The county will also back a bond to help close the gap in funding.

A total of 475 individuals, couples and businesses from throughout the GLOW Region contributed money to the campaign, called "Building Our Future Together."

The project is the largest undertaking by the college since its founding, Yunker said. 

"Fifty years ago, GCC was just talk," Yunker said. "I remember how the talk about how it would move the region forward. It took a lot of volunteer effort. It took a lot of effort to bring it about."

A big reason the campaign was successful, Yunker said, was the support of the effort by the Call family.

"It's hard to imagine how this campaign wouldn't have gotten off to a great start without the Call family, and I just want to acknowledge Dick Call's leadership, Dick Call's vision, but the whole Call family, it was really important the leadership that the Call family has shown," Yunker said.

sunser_gcc_sept102015.jpg

GCC President Jim Sunser

Primary election results for Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

All primaries were Republican races. Results considered "unofficial."

City of Batavia, Ward 1:

  • Viele, 110
  • Doeringer, 25

City of Batavia, Ward 3:

  • Richmond, 20
  • Canale 41

Bergen, Town Clerk

  • Truax, 57
  • Smith, 213
  • VanHoute, 33

Byron, Supervisor

  • Heins, 114
  • Yasses, 157

Byron, Highway Superintendent

  • Forsyth, 173
  • Leaton, 99

Byron, Town Council (vote for two)

  • Cudney, 191
  • Sackett, 114
  • Klycek, 126

Bethany, Highway Superintendent

  • Fleming, 56
  • Merle, 75

Pavilion, Supervisor

  • Knepshield, 117
  • Howard, 130

Pavilion, Town Council, vote for two

  • Carney, 36
  • Clary, 109
  • Davis, 177
  • Rudgers, 123

Pavilion, Highway Superintendent

  • Offhaus, 118
  • Zarbo, 29
  • Thompson, 94

Batavia PD seeking to fill police officer positions, deadline to apply is Oct. 6

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Batavia Police Recruitment Initiative – Civil Service Exam Notice

The Batavia Police Department is looking for qualified candidates to fill open police officer positions. An open competitive examination is being offered by the Genesee County Human Resources Department on Nov. 14.

Benefits include: Salary -- $41,147 to $60,462 per year (2015), Paid Time Off, Health Insurance and NYS Retirement.

Applications and fees must be turned in to the Genesee County Human Resources Department located in County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 before Oct. 7.

Qualifications:

  • Candidates must be legal residents of Genesee County or of a county contiguous to Genesee County for at least two (2) months immediately preceding the date of examination and continue their residency through the period leading to their initial appointment. Candidates may be required to indicate, at the time of consideration for appointment, that they will become a resident of the locality in accordance with conditions authorized by local law or ordinance.
  • Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education and completion of a minimum of 60 college credit hours from an accredited college or university. Exceptions: 30 college credits may be waived, if the candidate has EITHER: received an Honorable Discharge from the United States military after two years of active military service, OR successfully completed a Certified Police Officer Training Course approved by, or equivalent to a course approved by, the New York State Municipal Police Training council. A certified Peace Officer Training course does not qualify. 60 college credits may be waived, if candidate has: received an Honorable Discharge from the United States military after 4 years of active military service, OR received an Honorable Discharge from the United States military after 2 years of active military service, AND; completed 4 years of Reserve Duty in the United States military.
  • At least 19 years of age on or before 11/14/15 but not over 35 years of age unless certain military provisions apply.
  • Ability to pass an appropriate medical and physical agility examination as set forth by the Municipal Police Training Council.
  • Valid NY State driver’s license.
  • U.S. Citizen

Conviction of felony will bar appointment, and conviction of a misdemeanor or other offense may bar appointment.

For further information, interested candidates should contact the Genesee County Human Resources Department at (585) 344-2550, ext. 2221, or go to http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/humanresources/departments/humanresources2/policeofficeroc67419.html

Top Items on Batavia's List

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
Tags: Jobs offered

Authentically Local