Skip to main content

Genesee Tourism: WNY Gas & Steam Association Rally returns for 51st year starting today

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

(The Batavian file photos.)

Press release:

The annual Western New York Gas & Steam Association Rally is celebrating its 51st year Sept. 7 - 10! This year’s rally will have live music, a flea market, daily tractor pulls, parades, farming equipment from the past 100 years and more.

Since 1966, families have attended the annual rally. They’ve come in droves to explore more than 100 years of farming equipment history, bargain with 170 vendors at the flea market, and enjoy classic fair foods and daily demonstrations – including threshing, a working blacksmith shop, saw mill and working models, even a pumpkin cannon!

Each year, the Association honors different equipment at the rally. For its 51st celebration, the honorees are Massey-Harris/Ferguson, Dejardins and Delco. You’ll also see antique tractors, steam engines, gas engines, tractor pulls, working models, woodworking and construction equipment.

The rally will take place at 10294 Gillate Road in Alexander, just 15 minutes south of Batavia. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, and free for children 12 and under -- and with free parking, it’s an affordable way to spend a fun family weekend.

Rally Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 7

9 a.m.    --    Huge Flea Market Opens -- 170 Vendors

3 - 6:30 p.m.    --   Pasta Dinner

4 p.m.   --    Consignment Auction - Auctioneer: Bontrager Real Estate

7 p.m.   --   Truck Pull - Street Legal Stock 4x4

Friday, Sept. 8

9 a.m.   --   Flea Market

12 p.m.   --    Old Time Tractor Stone Boat Pull

3:30-6:30 p.m.    --   Shopkeepers Concert

4-7 p.m.   --    Live WCJW Broadcast

5 p.m.    --    Steamed Sweet Corn

7 p.m.   --   Tribute to First Responders & Firefighters

7 p.m.   --    Start Tractor Pull, Steamer Pulls, Semi Trucks, Superstock, Modified and Superfarm, Tug-A-War -- Steam Engine vs. Kids (will happen during the evening Tractor Pull performance)

Dusk   --    Children’s Movie

7:30-10:30 p.m.    --    Kelly’s Oldtimers -- live music with round & square dancing

Saturday, Sept. 9

9 a.m.   --   Flea Market

10 a.m.   --   Tractor Pull - Antique - Semi-antique -- 1959 & older, EGTPA & Stock -- off the lawn garden tractors & team pulls (continuing through the day & evening)

12 p.m.   --    Pedal Pull ages 3-10

1 p.m.    --    Alexander Firemen's Band Concert

2 p.m.    --   Lawnmower/Tractor Parade ages 11-18

3:30-6:30 p.m.   --    Shopkeepers Concert

5 p.m.    --     Steamed Sweet Corn

6 p.m.   --   Veterans Benefit Outdoor Concert -- with Not Quite Right and Route Two40 Ride, Tug-A-War -- Steam Engine vs Kids (will happen during the evening Tractor Pull performance)

7:30-10:30 p.m.    --    Don Newcomb & Rawhide -- live music and round & square dancing

Sunday, Sept. 10

9 a.m.    --    Flea Market

9 a.m.   --   Church Service

10 a.m.    --   Car Show

12 p.m.    --     Tractor Pull - Farm Stock & Team Pulls

1-3 p.m.    --    Niagara Frontier Fiddlers Concert

To learn more visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com

Fewer arrests reported from STOP-DWI patrols, but hard to say that means fewer drunks on the road

By Howard B. Owens

Dedicated DWI patrols by local law enforcement agencies are nabbing fewer drunken drivers and Matt Landers, assistant county manager and head of the STOP-DWI program for the county, would like to think that means the STOP-DWI program is being effective.

But that's hard to say for sure.

It could be a result of recent turnover in local agencies or some other factor.

It does mean there is less money available to fund STOP-DWI patrols.

Landers delivered a report on the state of the program to the Ways and Means Committee of the County Legislature on Wednesday.

"The numbers may be down because of turn over in the agencies," Landers said. "I'm told it takes a while for new officers to get on board. When officers get into their third and fourth years, that's the sweet spot, I'm told. That's when they're comfortable and experienced."

The number of arrests have dropped from 228 in 2015 to 183 last year and a projected 166 this year. 

The cost per arrest was $900 in 2015 and a projected $1,344 in 2017.

Funds for STOP-DWI are generated only by arrests by the dedicated enforcement patrols, not arrests by regular patrols. CORRECTION: Fines from all DWI arrests go to STOP-DWI.

The funds are also used for education programs in the schools and programs such as the STOP-DWI night at the Batavia Muckdogs game.

Legislator Ed DeJaneiro applauded the education efforts. He thinks that not only does it help the children, the children might take that message home to their parents.

"Education is key, I think," DeJaneiro said.

As a result of fewer arrests, it gives the appearance that the cost per arrest has doubled and Legislature Chairman Ray Cianfrini wondered if there was a way to reduce the cost per arrest and Landers said he didn't really know of a way to do that. 

More traffic stops might help, but that comes back to an experience issue.

"I've been on a couple of ride-alongs," Landers said. "Coincidently, I don't know, but there are perhaps 15, 16, 17 stops when I'm in the car. When I'm not in the car, there's three or four."

Last fall, Landers helped organized the program's first awards luncheon, with Jocelyn Sikorski at the Youth Bureau, at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility. It honored the year's top cops for DWI arrests and Landers said that event will be held again this year. It's something he is making an annual event.

Accident reported on Route 5 in East Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at the intersection of Route 5 and Indian Falls Road, East Pembroke.

Unknown injuries.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: Minor injuries. Not blocking. There's a lot of debris in the roadway. National Grid requested to the scene to check on a utility pole.

Photos: New principal greets students on first day of school at Jackson

By Howard B. Owens

kiaevansjacksonfirstday.jpg

It's the first day of a new school year and the first day for Kia Evans as principal of Jackson School in Batavia.

Evans greeted students this morning with hugs and high fives. 

"I'm excited," Evans said. "This is what we do so I'm excited and I'm excited for the kids."

Evans grew up in Buffalo and started her career teaching in Buffalo. She taught for 10 years in Buffalo and Amherst and then became an assistant principal, working the past five years as an assistant principal in Williamsville.

kiaevansjacksonfirstday-2.jpg

kiaevansjacksonfirstday-3.jpg

kiaevansjacksonfirstday-4.jpg

Batavia man, 62, accused of dealing drugs

By Howard B. Owens
adnerdavilamug_2017.jpg
      Adner Davila

Adner P. Davila, 62, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, was arrested Friday on a sealed indictment for allegedly selling cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force and at the time of his arrest officers say they found more drugs and cash.

Davila was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia. 

After receiving a sealed indictment against Davila, members of the Local Drug Task Force observed Davila driving in Batavia on Friday evening. A uniformed deputy initiated a traffic stop as he pulled into a parking lot. 

Once in custody, his car was searched and he was allegedly found in possession of 18 bags of cocaine and $439 cash.

Investigators then searched his residence and report finding cocaine, morphine, drug paraphernalia and more cash.

Davila was arraigned in both Town of Batavia Court and City of Batavia Court and ordered held without bail.

Additional charges pending lab results.

Club president expects a Muckdogs season in Batavia in 2018

By Howard B. Owens

After tonight's final home game of the 2017 season, we spoke with Brian Paris, president of the Genesee County Baseball Club, a community-based group that co-owns the Muckdogs with the Rochester Red Wings, for his thoughts on the season and the chances the Muckdogs will be back in Batavia for 2018.

The Muckdogs lost tonight to Auburn 6-3 in a game delayed by rain and attended by 494 fans on a night before school starts. The team is 30-44 and plays one last game in Auburn in a matchup that will determine whether the Muckdogs can avoid finishing in the cellar.

Dreamers could stay under bill cosponsored by Collins after Trump rescinds DACA

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) called for Congress to immediately enact a permanent solution to address the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program imposed by former President Obama and now rescinded by President Trump. 

In order to reach a quick resolution, Collins is cosponsoring H.R. 1468, the Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act, introduced by Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL). 

The RAC Act provides five-year conditional legal status to undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as minors if they obtain a higher education, maintain continual employment, or serve in the United States military. These individuals are eligible for permanent legal status if they continue to demonstrate good moral character, including maintaining a clean criminal record and staying off government assistance for five years.

“Nearly 800,000 minors were illegally brought into this country by their parents. President Obama superseded the authority of Congress by issuing an executive order that was a temporary patch and provided no certainty to these children,” Collins said. “President Trump properly rescinded the Obama DACA program which protected illegal immigrants without Congressional approval.”

Collins said many of the immigration problems the nation is now facing are a direct result of the porous borders under the Obama Administration when millions of immigrants illegally entered the United States, bringing their minor children with them.

Now, President Trump has referred the matter to Congress for legislative action and to send a bill to his desk to be signed into law that gives these young people, so-called Dreamers, certainty with permanent legal work status. At the same time, Congress needs to make sure our borders are secure.

“Just like President Trump and other members of Congress, I recognize that these young men and women were brought to our county illegally, with no fault of their own,” Collins said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to create long-term certainty for these individuals.”

Collins also said it was time for comprehensive immigration reform to address areas such as H-2A and H-2B visas granted to temporary farm workers. In addition, he said it was time to address the estimated 12 million illegal individuals in the country.

“I’m a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform that keeps our borders secure and allows farmers to access a willing and available labor force. We need to use this opportunity to address the larger immigration issues facing our nation but cannot award citizenship to adults that enter our country illegally. Labor from undocumented workers is critical to Western New York’s agriculture community and we need to give these individuals the ability to gain legal work status.”

For more information on H.R. 1468, Recognizing America’s Children Act, click here.

UPDATED -- FOUND: Missing chocolate lab puppy in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

img_4872missingchoclab.jpg

Nicole Shultz bought one of her daughters a chocolate lab puppy for her birthday and more than a day ago it got out and ran into a cornfield on Maltby Road in Oakfield.

The family hasn't seen the puppy since and is asking for help in locating it and getting it back home.

Shultz said people have told her they've seen the puppy in the area, but they haven't been able to subsequently locate it.

They've put up signs at different locations in the area and left trails of food to get her back home.

"We miss her dearly," Shultz said.

Shultz can be reached at (585) 813-8864.

UPDATED 8:34 p.m.: The puppy is back home. A farmer cutting hay in a field spotted her and the owners tracked her down and caught her and took her home.

Photos: Connect Day at BMS

By Howard B. Owens

connectdayatbms2017.jpg

Nick Cain talks with Batavia Middle School students today during Connect Day at the school, which is a time for new students, mostly incoming fifth-graders, to get acquainted with the school before classes start.

They met eighth-grade mentors and participated in team-building exercises. Cain provided karate instruction to go with a talk on success in school. The other pictures below are from a game that is part four-square and part volleyball.

connectdayatbms2017-2.jpg

connectdayatbms2017-3.jpg

connectdayatbms2017-4.jpg

Make your reservations for historic Batavia Cemetery Association's Halloween Candlelight Ghost Walk

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join us for some spooky fun on Saturday, Oct. 21st, when the Batavia Cemetery Association will host a candlelight guided ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue in Batavia.

The tours will feature the famous and infamous movers and shakers who shaped and influenced the City of Batavia. The guided tour will bring guests to meet men and women of Batavia, who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day, were victims of tragic events, or both.

  • Philemon Tracy, one of the few Confederate officers buried in the north;
  • Ruth the unknown victim of a horrendous murder;
  • Joseph Ellicott, a man of great power and great flaws; and
  • William Morgan, the man who disappeared and was allegedly murdered before he could reveal the secrets of the Masons, are some of the ghosts who will tell their stories on the tour;
  • Also visiting will be Rev. John H. Yates, poet, preacher, philanthropist, journalist and author of nationally known hymns;
  • Civil War veteran General John H. Martindale, who was Military Governor of the District of Columbia in 1865;
  • Dean and Mary Richmond, who greatly influenced civic life in Batavia in the 1800s, will meet with guests in their mausoleum on the last stop of the tour. Dean Richmond made a great fortune in Great Lakes shipping and was the second president of the New York Central Railroad. Mary Richmond vastly expanded her husband’s fortune after his death and sat on the boards of many businesses and civic organizations.

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes refreshments. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Some tickets may be available at the gate the evening of the event at Historic Batavia Cemetery, Harvester Avenue, Batavia. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery.

For more information, or to make reservations, contact 343-3220.

Butterfly fans: Register for 'Watching Monarchs' at GC Park & Forest Saturday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Monarch Butterflies -- "Masters of Migration" -- travel through New York during the month of September!

Seize the last few days of summer with a visit to a butterfly meadow and a journey into their world! Join us for "Watching Monarchs" from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9th, at Genesee County Park & Forest.

Take part in a nationwide Monarch conservation project, see how they are tagged and released, and meet these masters of migration up close and personal Learn all about their fascinating lives and discover what you can do to help them out!

Price is $5/person, $10/family. Space is limited, preregistration is required! Call 585-344-1122 to register.

GC Park & Forest is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

For more information visit their website here or contact Shannon Morley at Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Fifth annual Run for the ACORNS to benefit local parks is Oct. 1

By Billie Owens

Press release:

East Bethany -- The fifth Anniversary Run for the ACORNS is Sunday Oct. 1st, and promises to be the best event yet!

Grab a friend for some great exercise, fun and free stuff! Run for the ACORNS 5K/10K trail run and walk will be held at Genesee County Park & Forect.

This race is part of the United Way of Genesee County race series which is sponsored by LaCivita Enterprises.

Race signup includes coupons and special offers from local businesses and restaurants! This year's race will feature the first-ever Kids Fun Run! Free to youth 10 & under. Must register on race day. Age-appropriate categories and distances. Run is on a grassy playing field. Everyone is a “winner”! This 5K/10K trail run and walk is designed for people of all ages and activity levels.

Surround yourself in the beauty of the forest in October on trails through the woods, along the headwaters of Black Creek and over rolling hills. Walk or run on single and double track trails through the forest, along a creek and up and down rolling hills in the Genesee County Park & Forest, with an estimated 100 feet of climb in the 10K loop. Trails are very wide and easy to negotiate (minimal rocks and roots). The course starts on asphalt and then leads into the woods for a truly beautiful run through the
countryside. Enjoy post-race snacks and drinks as you congratulate your fellow participants!

All proceeds benefit the ACORNS, the nonprofit organization that supports the Genesee County parks with a mission to enhance the visitor experience and foster environmental stewardship and education. Awards prizes will be given to the top overall male and female running finishers in each race. Awards will also be given to the top male and female running finishers in each age group.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. The 10K run begins at 9 a.m.; the 5K run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m. Kids Fun Run begins about 10:30 a.m.

Registration is required! Fee is $25 before Sept. 27th; $30 late registration. Register before Sept. 17th to get your long-sleeved race tech shirt! Special fifth year anniversary shirts to participants registered for this and all other previous Run for the ACORNS races!

Register online by clicking here or at check-in on the day of the race.

Enjoy the morning in the forest and run for the ACORNS – You’re “NUTS” if you don’t! See you there! For more information visit our website here or call 585- 344-1122. 

Local Sheriff's Association Golf Tournament is Sept. 23 at Terry Hills

By Billie Owens

The GC Sheriff's Employees Association Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia.

Cost is $75 per person and includes green fees, cart, lunch, dinner, awards and prizes.

Registration and lunch starts at 11 a.m.

Shotgun start for golf at noon.

Sponsor a tee or green or $100; sponsor a deputy for $375 -- includes tee/green sings & 1 foursome.

Proceeds go to help support the GCSEA Fundraiser Account and Veterans One-stop Center of WNY Inc.

The golf tournament is open to everyone. Come enjoy a great day of fun and golf; help support our veterans, the GCSEA and the nonprofits is helps throughout the year.

Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road.

For more information, contact Norman Itjen at (585) 409-4540 or email  nitjen@co.genesee.ny.us

ILGR hosts annual Taste of Independence Sept. 13 at Batavia Country Club

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A Fourth Annual Taste of Independence food-sampling extravaganza is being held by Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Taking place at Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia-Byron Road, Batavia, the event will offer guests a chance to try some signature dishes of the Genesee Region’s finest restaurants, plus a basket raffle and 50/50 split club.

The participating restaurants include: D & R Depot Restaurant, Sweet Sarah’s, Pizza Land, Lori’s Delectable Edibles, Tops Friendly Markets, T.F. Brown’s Restaurant, Rock & Roll Bar & BBQ, The North Pole Restaurant and Party House, Red Osier Landmark Restaurant and Wegmans.

Our thanks to non-restaurant event Bronze Sponsors: iCircle Services of the Finger Lakes Inc., Arctic Refrigeration Company of Batavia Inc., Henry J. Mager Scholarship Fund, Debra McKnight, and Thrivent Financial Action Team. Friend Sponsor: Tompkins Insurance Agencies.

Tickets are $15 and can be picked up at the ILGR office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia. Space is limited! To R.S.V.P., become a sponsor, or get more information call Donna at 585-815-8501, ext. 411, or email dbecker@wnyil.org.

Independent Living expects the event to increase awareness of its programs to help people with disabilities living in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties to remain independent and empowered, to which programs the funds raised will be directed.

Its services include independent living skills training, advocacy, peer counseling, diabetes self-management classes, a loan closet of medical equipment, housing and employment assistance, Social Security and Medicaid assistance information and referral, and many more.

Fleet arrangement with Enterprise could save county $80K a year

By Howard B. Owens

A proposal to switch out the most of the county's current fleet of vehicles to a national vendor to manage and maintain the fleet could save the county as much as $80,000 a year, according to a proposal presented to the Legislature's Public Service Committee on Tuesday.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car provides the same service to several other counties in New York, said Representative Jimmy Adams, and those counties have achieved the anticipated cost savings and seem satisfied with the service.

The program will start with Enterprise taking 47 of the vehicles in the county's fleet now and selling them at an estimated total of $580,000 returned to the county. Enterprise would then replace those 47 vehicles with 47 new vehicles, purchased at the typical discounted government bid rate, and the county would make payments on those vehicles.

Legislature Chairman Ray Cianfrini wanted to know if Enterprise would guarantee that the 47 vehicles would sell for at least $580,000 and Adams said, in a word, no.

"We are very conservative (in our estimates)," Adams said. "We have a remarketing manager who is in our Rochester office. His sole job is to go through, give these values to new clients and current customers and make sure those are values we can live up to because we know at the end of the day, if we don't we're going to be in meetings similar to this and explain why we missed."

County Manager Jay Gsell said doesn't expect any surprises when Enterprise puts the vehicles on the market.

"Based on the current age of our fleet and the condition in which the motor pool maintains those, I don't think we've got any hidden upsets as far as that's concerned, but there is nothing absolute in terms of what the whole 47 will generate in net value," Gsell said.

The other potential problem, Cianfrini said, is what if the partnership doesn't work out and the county wants out of the deal. He thinks the county will be out 47 vehicles and will need to buy 47 vehicles.

Adams said, first, that has never happened with one of these vendor arrangements for a government entity, and second, even if that were the case, the county will be in a "positive equity position" on each vehicle because the government bid price on the vehicles is so low. Over the first year or so of such an agreement, the county would be paying down the principal owed on each vehicle and if Enterprise sold the car at that point, "Enterprise would be writing a check to the county," Adams said.

That positive equity position would make it easier, Adams said, for the county to walk away from the deal if it decided to go that route.

There are also potential cost savings because Enterprise will be responsible for maintenance and mechanical repairs on the vehicles, which could mean the elimination of a mechanic's position from the county's budget. Cianfrini suggested that instead of eliminating a job, perhaps that service could be sold. Gsell said the county has a history of not competing with private enterprise and thought it would be logistically difficult to offer that service to another county. Committee Chairwoman Shelly Stein noted that Tim Hens, county highway superintendent, has said (he wasn't at the meeting) that there is plenty of backfill work that is going undone that could be done if a mechanic was freed up from his current duties.

A state audit found a flaw in how the county was accounting for its fleet expense and this agreement would help resolve that issue, Gsell said, which is one reason why he's recommending the Legislature move on the proposal this budget year instead of waiting until 2018.

Care for children no longer in family situation and with behavioral problems significant cost for county

By Howard B. Owens

An ongoing expense struggle for the county's Department of Social Services said Commissioner Eileen Kirkpatrick is the cost of supporting children in foster care, and especially those who are institutionalized because of serious behavioral problems.

There are about 15 kids in institutional care, which costs the county about $225,000 per year per child.

These are children whose parents could either no longer handle them, or the parents are out of the picture and the children caused problems in foster care settings.

"Some kids' behavior is so extreme not only are they not safe, their families aren't safe and their foster parents aren't safe," Kirkpatrick said. "I'm talking about kids who assault staff, who actually beat up their caretakers."

Kirkpatrick talked about one child who has been in DSS care since she was 12. She frequently ran away from her foster homes and later her institutional care homes.

"I'm responsible for her until she's 21," Kirkpatrick said. "That young lady, she got out of OCSF at 18 and a month beforehand, we moved her into a supervised independent living program. I'm surprised. She's been there since June and actually has stayed there."

That $45,000 annual fee is better than the $225,000 it cost to keep her institutionalized.

There are currently 51 children in foster care, Kirkpatrick said, and the vast majority of them are typical children, going to school and staying out of serious trouble.

The county needs to find more local foster parents, though. Kirkpatrick anticipates an increase in need with school starting when schools are more likely to identify children with problems at home. Today's problems that lead to foster care often involve parental drug addiction. Opioid addiction takes a toll on the children, too.

It's better for the county to place children with the county's own foster parents than through one of the volunteer agencies, she said. That's because when the child goes to an agency, the county often ends up handling case management for the child; making sure they get registered for school, go to school and make any doctor's appointments, for example. So the county doesn't escape that expense, even though it's paying a higher fee for outside placement.

This was Kirkpatrick's last department review with County Legislators before retiring. Her presentation, she said, was meant to inform legislators of one of the significant cost issues facing DSS as the county heads into another round of budget preparation.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
Tags: Jobs offered
Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
Tags: Jobs offered

Authentically Local