Press Release:

Have you been feeling sluggish lately? Have you been told you are overweight? Has a healthcare provider told you that you have prediabetes or are at risk of prediabetes? Do you have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes? Have you had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of type 2 diabetes (Type 2).The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are seeking feedback from residents to help plan upcoming Lifestyle Change education programs in both counties. We are asking anyone who is at risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to take a few minutes and answer some questions so we can schedule training sessions in Genesee and Orleans Counties.

Type 2 diabetes is when your cells do not respond normally to insulin (insulin
resistance). Type 2 is a chronic disease that affects the way the body processes sugar (glucose) for fuel (energy). When a person has type 2 diabetes their pancreas makes insulin, but their body does not respond well to make the cells let the glucose in, giving the cells the energy they need. The blood sugar is not used and it builds up in the body.

“It is important to note that prediabetes (diagnosed with high blood sugar levels but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes) and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed,” stated Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for GO Health. “Attending an evidence-based lifestyle change program can help people learn how to make healthier food choices, encourage them to be more physically active, and learn more about their overall health.”
We encourage residents to consider taking charge of their life and lowering their risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Getting feedback from residents will help us design a program that meets their needs. The survey is quick and can be accessed HERE

For more information on GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:

Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
Orleans County: 585-589-3278

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department would like to announce that we will be placing our new Engine 12 in service. To celebrate this occasion, we will be conducting a “push-in” ceremony on Jan 3. 

The push-in ceremony is a tradition in the fire service dating back to the days of horse-drawn equipment when members had to push the equipment into the bays when they returned from an incident because the horses were unable to do it.

Even though the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus are long behind us, the fire service, which is steeped in tradition, continues to conduct these ceremonies. It’s not only a long standing tradition for new apparatus, but gives us a way to celebrate putting it in service.

Please feel free to join us on January 3 at 1 p.m. to see the crews push the apparatus into the station at 18 Evans St., Batavia.

The 42nd annual Batavia Lions Club Pete Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday and Friday, with varsity games at Genesee Community College and junior varsity games at Batavia High and Notre Dame High.

Batavia, Attica, Royalton-Hartland and Le Roy are in the Large School bracket and Notre Dame, Oakfield-Alabama, Alexander and Elba are in the Small School bracket.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

VARSITY AT GCC
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27
Roy-Hart vs. Attica, 3 p.m.
Alexander vs. Oakfield-Alabama, 4:45 p.m.
Elba vs. Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m.
Le Roy vs. Batavia, 8:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 29
Large School consolation game, 3 p.m.
Small School consolation game, 4:45 p.m.
Small School championship game, 6:30 p.m.
Large School championship game, 8:15 p.m.

JUNIOR VARSITY
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27
Roy-Hart vs. Attica at Batavia High, noon
Alexander vs. O-A at Notre Dame High, noon
Elba vs. ND at Notre Dame High, 1:30 p.m.
Le Roy vs. Batavia at Batavia High, 1:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 29
Large School consolation game at Batavia High, noon
Small School consolation game at Notre Dame High, noon
Small School championship game at Notre Dame High, 1:30 p.m.
Large School championship game at Batavia High, 1:30 p.m.

Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service is currently holding an online auction for the Estate of Joseph and Carmela Deni, long-time Batavia residents.  Mr. Deni owned a barbershop on Ross St., and was a founding member of the Batavia Society of Artists- as well as an avid painter.  Joseph and Carmela were active in the Batavia community and raised five children there.  This auction includes a large collection of paintings and prints by local artists, including Nina Mason Booth, Roy Mason, Rose Pontillo DiCarlo, and Joseph Deni.  Bid on WNY memorabilia, tools, fine collectibles, furniture, and household items at bontragerauction.com.  

This is part one of a two part series featuring Christmas lights around Genesee County.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

After eight years on dialysis and currently living with a deteriorating transplanted kidney, Batavia resident Jim Urtel Jr. is reaching out to a charitable organization that has taken a page from the “it takes a village” model.

Urtel, 54, a Le Roy High School graduate and longtime trainer/groom of racehorses, needs a second kidney transplant – this time from a live donor.

In an effort to speed up the process, he has connected with Kidneys for Communities, a nonprofit that is dedicated to increasing the pool of living kidney donors in the United States.

“I found out about Kidneys for Communities last June from an old friend, her name was Pam, that I met back in 2020, when I got the first transplant,” Urtel said on Friday. “I just started looking online to see if I could find any help or something. Thankfully, this (organization) helps people like me who need a kidney from a live donor.”

Urtel, encouraged by his parents and by his partner of 30 years, Renee Hozlock, is doing the things he needs to do – exercising regularly (he’s dropped 50 pounds), counting his calories, drinking plenty of bottled water and maintaining a positive attitude – as he waits for a donor.

Prior to 2012, Urtel was busy in the harness horse racing industry, mostly in Pennsylvania. An only child, he came back to Batavia to be there for his mom after his grandmother became ill.

“I was getting ready to work for a guy at the track here in Batavia and I had been a little bit sick for about a week or so. When I laid down at night, I had trouble breathing,” he recalled. “So, I decided to go to the emergency room and get checked out. I thought I had pneumonia or maybe bad bronchitis.”

After testing, he was told that his blood pressure “was through the ceiling,” he said, and that his kidneys had shut down.

“I had untreated sleep apnea and that was raising the blood pressure,” he said.

It was then that he started on dialysis and that lasted for eight years before he received a transplant in 2020 from a deceased donor. As it turned out, there were problems with the transplanted kidney.

“The first year was rough. I had tons of extra fluid. They couldn’t regulate the blood pressure and I gained 50 pounds,” Urtel said. “Little did I know, this kidney was bad, they didn’t tell me that. I think it was a little bit of a little story to keep me going.”

Tested recently, it was determined that his kidney failure risk factor was at a high level, once again making him eligible for a transplant.

“This time, it's going to have to be a live donor because I already did eight years of dialysis and the average lifespan on dialysis is seven,” he said. “That’s why I’m working with Kidneys for Communities. They have pairing programs and other ways to find matches.”

While Renee said she was willing to donate one of her kidneys, she’s not a match.

The chief executive officer for Kidney for Communities said he can relate to Urtel’s plight.

“First of all, I'm a kidney recipient myself,” Atul Agnihotri said by telephone on Friday. “So, I sort of know what Jim's going through and that’s the foundation of how we started this organization. I felt that I got lucky when I received my kidney, and a lot of people in the same journey with me were not as lucky.”

Agnihotri said his organization focuses on sharing patients’ stories in their own communities to maximize their chances of receiving transplants.

“We know that within the community is where the affinity, the relationships and identification is the strongest,” he said. “And members are willing to help other members. A community could be that you are living in a smaller city were people have this binding relationship with each other, or you could be going to the same church.”

Kidneys for Communities does not charge a fee to donors, recipients or transplant centers, Agnihotri said.

“We collect our own funds. All our funders currently are people that are associated with kidney disease, either their themselves as recipients, family members of the recipients or their donors,” he explained.

“If you look at our organization, we have an incredible list of people that are associated with it. A lot of those people are altruistic donors, meaning that they just kind of like walked in and said, whoever needs a kidney, I'm willing to give one.”

And that’s just the type of person that Jim Urtel is hoping to find.

For more about how to help Urtel: https://kidneysforcommunities.org/recipient/jim-urtel/

For more information about Kidneys for Communities, go to www.kidneysforcommunities.org.

Brian Cline recorded the third-highest series in Genesee Region USBC history on Monday night, posting 857 in the Mancuso Real Estate League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The 45-year-old left-hander, who has around four dozen 800 series to his credit, rolled games of 299-300-258 on lanes 7-8.

The Middleport resident left a 3-pin on the last ball for 299 in the opening game, which saw his teammate Paul Bacon register a 269 game.

He followed that with the perfect game, and then added eight more strikes in the last game. He had a shot for 280 in the third game but left a 7-pin on the first ball in the 10th frame.

The 857 trails only an 858 rolled by Cline in January of 2018 at Mancuso's, and fellow lefty Rich Wagner's 899 in February 2011 at Mancuso's.

Cline's best three-game series is an 868 at Transit Lanes in Buffalo in November 2013.

In other league play:

-- Robbie Hanks and Jeff Shawver each rolled 300 games in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion. Hanks finished with 721 and Shawver shot 686. It was the first United States Bowling Congress-certified for Shawver.

-- Justin Thering rolled a 300 game in a 640 series in the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes. The 29-year-old right-hander upped his average to 218 with his second USBC-certified perfect game. His first came in Lockport in 2021 en route to an 816 series.

The Christmas Eve Service at City Church starts at 10 a.m.

Press Release:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia Police Department, and the Village of LeRoy Police Department will be participating in a coordinated effort with the Genesee County STOP-DWI program to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. 

Law enforcement officers and STOP-DWI programs across New York State will be participating in a combined effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries, and save lives. 

The campaign, which runs through January 1, aims to educate people about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York State have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. If you are going to drink, drink responsibly. Don’t drink & drive. 

Designate a driver. Don’t let alcohol take the wheel.

Press Release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program proudly announces Madelynn Pimm as the recipient of the 2023 Thomas Keele Memorial 4-H Livestock Award. This award recognizes Madelynn's exceptional achievements in both the 4-H Beef and Swine Projects.

The Thomas Keele Memorial 4-H Livestock Award, made possible by generous donations in memory of Thomas Keele, aims to honor 4-H members who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in livestock projects.

Madelynn Pimm, this year's deserving winner, embodies the spirit of the award through her continuous commitment to learning and her passion for building connections within the agricultural community. Her enthusiasm for showing beef and swine extends beyond the arena, fostering new relationships and connections.

Madelynn's notable accomplishments include winning the title of Grand Champion 4-H Hog Showman at the Genesee County Fair last year. At this year's fair, she further showcased her expertise by winning her 4-H Beef Showmanship class, highlighting her consistent dedication to excellence. Her achievements are not only a testament to her hard work but also an inspiration to fellow 4-H members aspiring to excel in livestock projects.

In her own words, Madelynn expresses her favorite aspect of participating in livestock projects: "I love constantly learning and making new connections. Meeting new people and connecting with them over agriculture is what makes these experiences so meaningful."

For more information about the Thomas Keele Memorial 4-H Livestock Award or to inquire about other Genesee County 4-H programs, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Program at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040 ext. 101. Genesee County 4-H is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18.  New 4-H youth members, adult volunteers, and clubs are always welcome to join. 

Press Release:

While the holidays can be a time for joy and celebration for many, it can be a time that is lonely, sad, and stressful for others. This can be particularly true for people living with mental health and substance use conditions.

“It is important for folks to focus on self-care and seek support,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “We encourage individuals to prioritize their mental well-being and connect with the resources available in our communities.”

Here are some strategies to support your mental health: 

• Connect with others for support. Meaningful connections are critical to our mental health. Make time for the important relationships in your life. Connect with yourself through self-care. When you are ready for help, reach out and ask for help. Help is available.
• Take care of your body. Eat healthy. Be physically active. Get enough sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Spend time outside. These things may help to keep your mental health on track.
• Take care of your mind. Write down your feelings. Take deep breaths to calm your mind and slow your heart rate. Celebrate your small accomplishments, which can lead to larger goals.

“It is okay to not be okay,” stated Lynda Battaglia, Director of Mental Health and Community Services for Genesee County. “Help is always available if you or someone you know is having a hard time around the holiday, or those struggling with mental health, substance use, or feeling overwhelmed.”

“There are people in the community that are available to help,” stated Danielle Figura, Director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department. “If you or someone you know is feeling lonely or missing someone, reach out to your local mental health department or someone you trust.”

The following are some mental health and substance use resources available:

• Genesee County Mental Health- 585-344-1421 
• Orleans County Mental Health- 585-589-7066 
• Genesee and Orleans County Care & Crisis Line- 585-283-5200 
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- Dial 988 or visit 988Lifeline.org. 
• Veterans Crisis Line- Dial 988 (press 1)
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline- 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – A confidential, free 24-hour that can provide referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups.

To find a local treatment facility, visit FindTreatment.gov.

To find support for issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol, visit Samhsa.gov/find-support. For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at: 

• Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
• Orleans County: 585-589-3278

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GOHealthNY.

The Notre Dame varsity girls’ basketball team raised its record to 3-2 on Friday with a 53-27 win over visiting Lyndonville in Genesee Region League action.

Nina Bartz scored 14 points and Sofia Falleti contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Luci Zambito and Emma Fitch each chipped in with nine points for the Lady Irish.

Ashley Stephens scored 11 points for Lyndonville.

ND Coach Vin Falleti: “We came out tonight and took a solid lead in the first quarter and never looked back. We played tremendous defense, which led to (numerous) offensive opportunities.”

Submitted photos.

The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of police officers from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Batavia Police Department, charged a Le Roy man with two counts of the criminal sale of a controlled substance, third degree, and two counts of the criminal possession of a controlled substance, third degree, on Dec. 18 as the result of an investigation into the possession, transportation and sale of crack cocaine in and around Genesee County. 

Brant G. Matthews, 29, was taken into custody on a sealed indictment warrant out of Genesee County Court Dec. 18 after it was alleged that he sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Drug Task Force in the city of Batavia on two occasions.

Matthews was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released on his own recognizance in accordance with bail reform laws.

Task Force members were assisted by uniformed deputies of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Batavia Police Department and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office.

Ebony Lauren Jenkins, 24, of Child Street, Rochester, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree, and resisting arrest for an incident that occurred at 4:37 p.m. on Dec. 14 at North Lake Road in the Town of Bergen.

Jenkins was charged after she was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance Dec. 12. She was contacted on Dec. 14 by Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for an unrelated matter and it is alleged that Jenkins attempted to resist arrest when responding deputies took her into custody for the aforementioned charge, deputies said. 

Jenkins was issued appearance tickets and released. She is due to appear at 3 p.m. in Bergen Town Court on Jan 17.

A 30-year-old Webster man was charged with introducing dangerous contraband into prison, first degree for an incident that allegedly occurred at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 18 at Genesee County Jail, 14 W. Main St., Batavia.

Kenneth Scott, of Daniel Drive, was arraigned on Dec. 19 in CAP Court.

Amanda Knauss of Batavia was charged with petit larceny after it was alleged that she stole property valued at $230.75 on Dec. 16 from Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia. Knauss, 30, was issued an appearance ticket for 3 p.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia Town Court.

Donald Stephen Lewandowski, of Back Street, Corfu, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, first degree, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, and driving while intoxicated, for an incident on Dec. 20, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies responded to Sharrick Road in the Town of Darien at 6:58 p.m. Dec. 20 for the report of a property damage accident. Lewandowski, 45, was identified as the operator as a result of an official police investigation. He allegedly crashed his vehicle while in an intoxicated condition and attempted to flee the scene, deputies said.

Lewandowski was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing, and was also charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident and unlicensed operator, speed not reasonable and prudent, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely and no seat belt.

Lewandowski was held at Genesee County Jail awaiting arraignment at CAP Court scheduled for Dec. 21. 

A 36-year-old Le Roy man was charged with second-degree criminal contempt after allegedly failing to appear in Genesee County Grand Jury on two occasions after being served subpoenas, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. 

Joseph Daniel Summers Jr., of Myrtle Street, was issued an appearance ticket for 1 p.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia City Court. 

Deajah D. Johnson, 22, Diamond L. Reed, 25, and Jahki T. Jackson, 24, were each charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, sixth degree, on Dec. 19, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.

Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to a larceny in progress at Walmart in Batavia on Dec. 19, and as deputies arrived on scene, the three above-named individuals were allegedly pushing out a cart full of stolen items, deputies said. 

Reed and Johnson were taken into custody without incident. Jackson took off on foot and, after a brief foot pursuit, Jackson was also taken into custody. Johnson, Reed and Jackson allegedly stole merchandise from the store. Jackson was also charged with obstruction of governmental administration, second degree.

Johnson, Reed and Jackson were released on appearance tickets and are to appear at 10 a.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia Town Court.

Assisting in the investigation were Sergeant Michael Lute, Investigator Ryan DeLong, Investigator Erik Andre, Deputy Schildwaster, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, Deputy Travis DeMuth and Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

Donte J. Roberson, no known address, was charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing traffic cones on Dec. 17. The 42-year-old was issued an appearance ticket for 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Oakfield Town Court.

Emilia Carolyn M. Santiago, 28, was charged with petit larceny, conspiracy, sixth degree, and possession of burglary tools, after being stopped at 7:19 p.m. Dec. 14 while leaving Dick’s Sporting Goods at 4180 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. 

Santiago had pending charges with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and was placed under arrest, deputies said. After a search of Santiago, it was allegedly found that she had stolen goods in her handbag that she was carrying while leaving the store.

Santiago, of Stevens Street, Buffalo, was taken to Genesee County Jail and was arraigned on Dec. 15 and released pending another court date.