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City fire hosts winners of annual poster contest

By Howard B. Owens

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Winners of City fire's annual fire safety poster contest were at the Fire Hall yesterday for their pizza party and tour and demonstrations of firefighting equipment.

The winners:

  • Grade K-1: First Place, Lillian Clarke, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Torrey/Mrs. Aquilio, 1st Grade; Second Place, Addison Horton, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Nelson/Mrs. Aquilio, 1st Grade; Third Place, Natalie Battaglia, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Amerine, Kindergarten;
  • Grade 2-3: First Place, Xavian Cramer, John Kennedy, Mrs. Searls, 3rd Grade; Second Place, Gretchen Redder, John Kennedy, Mrs. Dobbertin, 3rd Grade; Third Place, Caitlyn Brinkman, John Kennedy, Ms. Gonyeau, 2nd Grade;
  • Grade 4-5: First Place, Hailey Kirkpatrick, Batavia Middle School, Mrs. Schwenk, 5th Grade; Second Place, Hannah Fry, Batavia Middle School, Mrs. Schwenk, 5th Grade, Third Place, Ava Anderson, John Kennedy, Mrs. Restiva, 4th Grade.

Photo and info submitted by Batavia Fire Department.

Batavia comes up short in high-scoring regional championship at Ralph Wilson Stadium

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia got into a shootout Saturday night at Ralph Wilson Stadium against the Dunkirk Marauders and came up a bullet short, losing a fight to the finish 50-48.

Both teams scored seven touchdowns apiece, but Dunkirk made one more two-point conversion than the Blue Devils, and that made all the difference.

A win would have propelled Batavia into a chance at a state title, instead, their season is over.

"This is a great group of kids and I couldn't be more proud of them," said Head Coach Brennan Briggs after the overtime loss. "It didn't turn out the way we wanted, but once again, I'm proud of these guys. Ten and one is a great football season."

The game, in many ways, was a battle of two big-play backs, Batavia's Ray Leach and Dunkirk's Alton Ingram. Leach, a sophomore, came into the game just shy of a 1,000-yard season and Ingram had more than 1,100 yards rushing.

Saturday, Leach carried the ball 20 times for 224 yards and Ingram ran 33 times for 240 yards. Both backs scored four touchdowns each.

Coming into the game, Batavia knew Ingram would be a challenge.

"You’ve got to gang-tackle him," Briggs said. "You can’t arm tackle him. He’s a big kid. He runs hard. He makes you pay if you try to arm tackle him. He’s a good football player. I tip my cap off to him. I wish we could have done a little bit more to stop him but that’s football."

The sophomore Leach finished the season strong.

"He did a great job," Briggs said. "He busted the big plays. He made the runs. He made the plays he could have made. I look forward to having him for two more years. He did a great job. He’s hard to stop."

The game opened fast and never let up. A minute into the first quarter, Leach scored on a 59-yard run.

On Dunkirk's first play from scrimmage on its first possession, Dunkirk's QB Evon Hernandez connected on a 61-yard pass to Elwin Gomez.

In the battle of two-point conversions on these first two touchdowns, the Marauders came out on top, and led 8-6.

Before the end of the quarter, the two teams would combine for another four touchdowns and Dunkirk entered the second quarter with a 22-20 lead.

Jerry Reinhart and Chandler Baker also had big games for Batavia. 

Reinhart scored twice on the ground, part of his total of 131 yards on 14 carries, and tossed TD passes to Leach and Baker. He was 3-9 passing for 48 yards.

Baker gained 54 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 37 yards.

Dunkirk came into the game as a big-score team, strong run game and some athletes who could move the ball. Briggs said he and his coaches knew they would be tough to stop.

"We knew we would probably have to outscore them," Briggs said. "It was a great game. We just didn’t come out on top."

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To purchase prints, click here.

Photos: Try hockey for free at Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

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Members of the Batavia Ramparts and Notre Dame Ice Hockey were on hand today at Falleti Ice Arena so young children could give hockey a try.

The Try Hockey for Free event is held annually.

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Photos: Christmas Fair at Presbyterian church

By Howard B. Owens

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The  First Presbyterian Church hosted its 14th Annual Worldwide Christmas Fair today, featuring artisans and vendors selling locally made items.

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Pavilion Cub Scouts collect cans for food pantry

By Howard B. Owens

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The Pavilion Cub Scouts collected more than 250 food items this morning for the Pavilion food pantry. The pantry helps more than 30 families in the area and this is its busiest time of year.

Info and photo submitted by Tom Stringham.

Photo: Pair of bald eagles in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

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Jessica Havens submitted this photo of a pair of bald eagles she spotted in her backyard on Pratt Road, Corfu.

Lost Dog: Beagle high tails it in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

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"Charlie" decided to go on a little unsupervised adventure yesterday while in Oakfield and has been missing since.

The beagle, who lives in Batavia, ran off from his owner while on Farnsworth Avenue, with green collar and leash still attached.

Somebody spotted Charlie yesterday on Maltby Road between the school and North Pearl, but the spotter doesn't think Charlie was dragging his leash along with him at that point. 

If you know anything about Charlie's whereabouts, call (585) 344-0787.

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Broadcaster making documentary about clothing visits GCC's fashion program

By Howard B. Owens

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Helene Biandudi, a host on WXXI's "Need to Know" program and producer of an upcoming documentary on clothing, "The Empty Hanger," visited Genesee Community College's fashion program yesterday.

Her visit including filming for her documentary.

From the film's description: 

The Empty Hanger is a human interest news project revealing the stories, the people, and the history behind the clothes we wear. The series explores how dress not only impacts culture and everyday life, but can also be used as a tool for social change.

Deaf dog holds police officer at bay

By Howard B. Owens

We didn't catch the location, but this is interesting: A Batavia police officer was dispatched to deal with a loose dog and he now reports that the dog is not letting him out of his patrol vehicle.

A backup unit is dispatched to help deal with the shepherd-white pit bull mix, which is deaf.

Alexander shutout by Maple Grove in regional playoff at New Era Field

By Howard B. Owens

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The best season in Alexander football history came to a disappointing end Friday night at New Era Field in Orchard Park, where the Trojans lost a regional playoff game to the #1 Class D team in the state, Maple Grove, by a score of 28-0.

The Trojans managed to hold the Dragons to just eight points in the first half, but turnovers and an inability to get its offense moving allowed Maple Grove to run away with the game.

Maple Grove held Alexander to 142 total yards on offense, most of them on the arm of P.J. Brennan, who was 10-29 passing for 122 yards.

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Photo: Coffee with Cops

By Howard B. Owens

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Officers Marc Lawrence and James Defreze prepare coffee during a Coffee with Cops event hosted by Batavia PD this morning at Tim Hortons.

Genesee Tourism: Opening reception for the 'Celebration of Native American Heritage'

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

This week saw the opening reception of the “Celebration of Native American Heritage” at the Roz Steiner Gallery on the campus of Genesee Community College. The celebration’s exhibition features the artwork of painter Carson Waterman and quilt/textile artist Faye Lone, as well as artifacts on loan from the Rochester Museum & Science Center and the Historical Club of the Tonawanda Reservation.

The celebration lasts until Dec. 16 and will feature several lectures, workshops and events held throughout November to celebrate Native American Month.

  

Visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com to learn more...

Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performs Sunday in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

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Philip J. Briatico conducts the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble at 4 p.m., Sunday, at Elba Central School.

The concert will include pieces by Samuel Barber, Danny Elfman, John Philip Sousa, Mark Camphouse, among others.

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Motor vehicle accident with injuries and entrapment reported on Akron Road

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries and entrapment is reported at 304 Akron Road, Pembroke.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene. An engine out of Akron requested to the scene.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Mercy Flight #9 is on the ground.

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
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