Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has announced he will be seeking re-election to the New York State Assembly to continue representing the people of the 139th Assembly District. Having represented the region since 2006, Hawley seeks to continue to leverage the skills and relationships he’s developed over the years to ensure the voices and concerns of his constituents are heard in Albany.

“Although I will be losing the friends I’ve made over the last decade in the Town of Riga & Village of Churchville in Monroe County, I am happy to be reunited with the Town of Shelby in Orleans County and look forward to making new friends in the Town of Newstead & Village of Akron in Erie County. With that said, I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue representing the entirety of Genesee County.”

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined numerous House colleagues to call on Speaker Pelosi to allow the immediate consideration of H.J. Res. 67 – A resolution invoking the Congressional Review Act to outlaw the Biden administration’s health care worker vaccine mandate.

“This administration has chosen to violate the freedoms of every American, destroy the livelihoods of hardworking men and women, and harm our critical industries to push their unconstitutional vaccine mandates,” Jacobs said. “No one, especially our heroes in health care who have supported us throughout the pandemic, should be forced to choose between their medical freedom and their ability to support themselves. These mandates are unAmerican, as is forcing anyone out of a job for making a personal medical decision. The Speaker must allow consideration of this resolution immediately to repeal this vaccine mandate.”

Fact Check: Jacobs states that vaccine mandates are unconstitutional.  There is no legal basis for the statement.  Vaccine mandates have been considered constitutional since 1905. See also this article. More recently, the current court upheld the health care worker vaccine mandate at federally funded facilities.

Press release:

Western Region Off-Track Betting (WROTB) / Batavia Downs Gaming President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek presented representatives from the Genesee County Volunteers for Animals and the Genesee County Animal Shelter with checks totaling $2,471 to help support their efforts to take care of animals in the Genesee County area.

The Puppy Paws Indoor Craft and Vendor Market, held at Batavia Downs on February 6th, was organized by Mary Bucceri, Group Sales Manager at Batavia Downs.  100% of collected vendor fees and accepted donations by attendees were given to these 2 local organizations. 

Volunteers for Animals will use the money raised for pet supplies and medical expenses for the animals.  The Genesee County Animal Shelter will use the money to repair and replace various equipment at the Animal Shelter and in the Animal Control van. in addition to purchasing safety equipment for the officers when interacting with feral cats.

“We host several vendor events throughout the year, and we are happy to use these events to help raise money for local worthy organizations,” said Wojtaszek. “We will continue to do what we can to be a good partner to local charities and organizations.”

“The Volunteers for Animals would like to give a special thanks to Batavia Downs and their continued support, “ said VFA Board President Deb Stocking.  “We work hard every year to raise enough money to continue to help the animals. The Downs has been a huge part of this goal. Thank you all for your hard work and - the dogs and cats say 'thank you' as well!”

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is pleased to share in celebrating Arts Awareness Month in Genesee County! Our tourism website calendar currently features nearly 100 musical events, artisan workshops, exhibits, and more for you to enjoy! Whether you want to dig in and create something yourself, or be inspired by those who do, our community offers something for everyone!  We invite you to join us in supporting our local arts community. Read our latest blog for more information!

Find a full list of locations and cultural events on our website!

Batavia started off the post-season with a win, beating Livonia 62-47 at home on Wednesday.

Carter McFollins scored 24 points and Javin McFollins added 17 to help lead the Blue Devils to victory in the Class B1 sectional playoff game.

The Blue Devils -- ranked #8 in the bracket and now 8-13 -- will take on #1 ranked Northstar Christian (15-3) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Northstar.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

In a first-round Section V Class C1 playoff game in girls basketball on Wednesday, Alexander beat Marcus Whitman 47-34.

Alexander is now 12-9 on the season. 

The Trojans -- ranked #7 in the bracket -- next face #2 ranked  Canisteo-Greenwood (15-5) at 2 p.m. on Friday in Canisteo.

Also in girls basketball on Wednesday:

Pembroke beat Perry 58-50 in Class C2. Karli Houseknecht scored 17 points, Allie Schwerthoffer 14 points and 10 rebounds, Elle Peterson eight points, and Sydney Johnson seven points.

Top photo: Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) jumping for a rebound. Photos by Philip Casper.

Sophomore Alyssa Kramer (5) 

Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) Breaking through the Marcus Whitman defense

Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) Looking to pass

Senior Samantha Sawyer (24)

Sophomore Alyssa Kramer (5)

Senior Samantha Sawyer (24) 

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a water main break in the area of 3 Ross Street. There is the potential that the water may need to be shut off on Ross Street, from Main Street to Washington Avenue.

The length of time the water will be off is unknown.

Traffic will also be closed in the area of Ross Street, from Main Street to Washington Avenue while the repairs are being made.

As always, when the water is restored it may be discolored. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated. 

A two-car accident is reported at Central Avenue and Jackson, Batavia.

Traffic is blocked.

A possible neck injury reported.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: Four people involved, all expected to be signoffs. Minor damage to vehicles.

A $12.1 million capital improvement project at Le Roy Central Schools is running under budget, and district officials are looking at adding three more tasks to the to-do list, Superintendent Merritt Holly told trustees at their meeting Tuesday night.

Officials will seek bids on:

• Replacing heat pumps at Wolcott School and the Jr./Sr. high school;
• Replacing curtains in the theaters at both schools; and, 
• Replacing switchgear in the Lapp Building.

"So those are the three areas that we've kicked back to CPL (civil engineer firm in Rochester), to get a design in on those, so that again, if we have money left over, then we have designs set in place to get into SED (State Education Department) to get approval," Holly said.  "If you notice those fit in very close to what we went out with before, which was heating, cooling, and those type of items, not glamorous stuff that people are going to see but stuff that we know we need to run our buildings and protect our assets."

The curtains in the theaters have been in place since the theaters were constructed, Holly said. The immediate need is to spray them with fire retardant, but they've also reached the end of their useful life, he said. They're falling apart and should be replaced rather than just treated one more time.

Construction on many of the items in the capital improvement project will begin this spring. 

Among the items at Wolcott School:

• Convert heating controls to electronic
• Reconstruct the building's parapet
• Replace the roof
• Precast window and sill reconstruction
• Replace exterior windows
• Stair tread replacement

The construction will impact the Oatka Festival in July with construction equipment and fencing blocking some of the area used by the festival in past years for vendors.  Holly said he's met with Oatka organizers to go over options for a new site plan for the event.

COVID Update
Holly also gave the board an update on COVID testing and protocols.  

Beginning March 7, "test to stay" tests will be administered "right before school," Holly said.

Currently, tests are offered from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m each day.

We'll do it before school because numbers have dropped," Holly said. "If numbers come back up again, after break or whatever, we're prepared to go back (to testing) in the morning. But right now, we can handle everything that we need to just before school."

Recently, the district handed out 64 at-home tests to parents and community members. 

State Audit
Up to a half-dozen auditors from the NYS Comptrollers Office will be in Le Roy, or some working remotely, for an audit of the district.

The Comptrollers office routinely audits every government agency in the state.

"Just remember with an audit, they're not going to tell you the good things that are going on," Holly said. "It's going to be just things that obviously procedure-wise, it can be improved."

Officials have not provided the district with a precise date the audit will begin, but Holly said he expects the audit sometime in the spring, before the end of the school year.

"This is the first one I've had during my tenure here," Holly said.

Photo: Via Le Roy Central School District capital improvement project presentation.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is expressing relief following an announcement by the state Department of Health that it will not be enforcing a booster mandate for health care workers as they had planned to do starting Feb. 21.

Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said in a statement regarding the announcement that “the reality is that not enough health care workers will be boosted by next week's requirement in order to avoid substantial staffing issues in our already overstressed health care system,” echoing a sentiment expressed by Hawley and other members of the Assembly Minority in a letter they wrote last week to her and the governor asking them not to implement the booster mandate.

“The decision to hold back on implementing a booster mandate for health care workers is one that will save lives and finally offers some respect to the heroes in our hospitals and other health centers who’ve worked tirelessly on the front lines of this pandemic for years,” said Hawley. “Mandates of this nature have only served to stifle the ability of our health professionals to care for patients when we need them most. I am hopeful this may be a sign the administration is beginning to learn from the poor decisions they made earlier in the pandemic, which cost us many lives.”

The first New York State Bike Census has been developed and Genesee County certainly is going along for the ride.

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari today said the state bicycle census – actually a survey that takes only a couple of minutes to complete – fits in well with the Genesee’s newly-adopted Recreation Plan.

“Our rec plan has a lot to say about this,” Oltramari said. “Community trails are a major recommendation of the plan (and the availability of trails is touched upon in the state census).”

Oltramari said that although the county did its own surveying through the Genesee 2050 project that created the Recreation Plan, the NYS Bike Census “will help bring those initiatives we identified up to the state level which should help when searching for funding opportunities.”

Here is the link to the state bike census:

https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi

Created through a partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Urban Cycling Solutions, the cycling census represents New York’s first statewide dataset on bicycle integration with mass transit.

The purpose of this short survey is to collect insights from cyclists and transit customers from all over the state to better understand opportunities and barriers for active first/last mile transportation.

Each participant will be entered to win one of three $150 Planet Bike gift cards as long as an email address is provided at the end of the survey.

Oltramari said county plans include expanding Ellicott Trail east and west, creating trailhead (parking/access) locations for this trail and adding connections/new corridors to form a trail network through the county.

Additionally, plans call for identifying appropriate town, county and state roads for paving of shoulders to facilitate recreational and multiuse purposes.

Per the Recreation Plan:

“In the absence of other trail facilities throughout the county, paved shoulders on the edge of certain Genesee County roadways can be enhanced to serve as safe and functional space for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel. Paving of road shoulders would be appropriate in more rural areas where there are few designated trails and expected pedestrian and bicycle activity. Walkable and bikeable shoulders could be provided along both sides of county roads routinely used by pedestrians.”

You own a restaurant with 15 employees and you had to reduce your hours of operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 20 percent loss of revenue in 2020.

Or, maybe you’re the owner of a small retail store with three part-time employees and you had to drastically reduce hours due to the coronavirus and also experienced a loss in revenue in 2020 that exceeded annual payroll expense (combined, the three employees work 40 hours per week, equaling one full-time equivalent position).

These are just two scenarios where the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund could provide much-needed assistance as the business sector looks to bounce back from the pandemic.

Michael Zimmerman of The Harrison Studio, which is overseeing the program, provided these examples to give business owners a clearer picture of what Genesee CARES is all about.

In a nutshell, businesses that were hurt by COVID-19 will be eligible to receive a grant of up to $75,00 to aid in their recovery. Eligible applicants are for-profit ventures within Genesee County with 25 or fewer employees.

In the first scenario, the restaurant plans to expand its outdoor dining and also has to increase staff in order to re-open to regular daily hours. The owner also intends to hire six part-time servers, all working 20-plus hours per week.

As a result, the restaurant owner applies to Genesee CARES for a $75,000 grant, with $60,000 of it to be used to assist with company payroll expenses and $15,000 to assist with purchasing new furniture and accessories for outdoor dining.

Upon grant approval, the owner makes eligible purchases, incurs payroll costs, and creates six part-time job positions over the next 90 days and submits cost documentation for reimbursement.

In the second scenario, the store owner has working capital needs to continue to market and promote the business as well as purchase additional inventory, and also plans to retain the three existing employees.

The store owner applies to Genesee CARES for a $25,000 working capital grant and the three employees fill out a Family Income Form and it is determined that all three employees are considered low-to-moderate income.

As a result, the store can proceed with an application for a $25,000 working capital grant on the condition that it retains the three low-to-moderate income employees, equating to retaining one full-time position.

To further explain the process of obtaining money from the $1 million Community Development Block Grant initiative, two informational meetings via Zoom have been scheduled. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding eligibility, funding, program requirements, COVID impacts, and more.

• The first informational meeting is set for 10 a.m. Thursday.

Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86560090929

Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 865 6009 0929

• The second informational meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 2.

Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83846902808

Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 838 4690 2808

CLICK HERE to go to the Genesee CARES website to review eligibility and requirements for the grant. A fillable application is available for download at the website.

To be considered for the first round of approvals, applications must be submitted no later than March 9.

The GCC Cougars entered the postseason ranked #4 in the nation and kept their championship hopes alive with a 95-74 victory over the North County Community College Saints.

The Saints, based in Saranac, made a game of it in the first half but the Cougars pulled away in the second to secure the victory. 

In the first half, GCC was 0-11 on three-point tries while Saints hit 43 percent of their three-pointers.

​At the end of the first half, the score was Cougars 44, Saints 42.

GCC is 20-4 on the season.

As the second half began the Cougars found their game and slowly walked away from the Saints by hitting their shots, controlling the ball and pace of the game. The Cougars led by 20 with 10 minutes left in the game and easily maintained that lead for the duration. 

The Cougars will play again at home on Saturday at 2 or 3 pm to a team to be determined. Admittance to the game is free.

Anthony Grey was the high scorer for the Cougars with 16 points from off the bench and starter Jalen Willis had 15. 

For more pictures of the game go to jimburns.org

For all of the past 50 years, Robert "Buck" Hilchey has done it all for the Oakfield Fire Department, from being on scene for the biggest fires, serving as chief twice, serving as board president twice, to spearheading the drive for softball fields, and maintaining them, as a fundraiser for the department.

For his 50 years of service, Hilchey was given a watch and proclamations and resolutions from the NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, Village of Oakfield, and the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.

"The trustees and the mayor of the Village of Oakfield urge all citizens to join us in congratulating Buck on an outstanding record of service with the Oakfield Fire Department," the village resolution read, "and expressing our sincere appreciation to him for his unwavering dedication and service to the Village of Oakfield."

Hilchey is from a family of firefighters -- father, uncles, sons, and now even a granddaughter.  He got a bit emotional during his thank-you speech.

"It's been a pleasure to serve the community. I started off with my father, my uncle's grandfather," Hilchey said. "I just filled what they taught me to do. It was part of our life."

Then, tearing up a bit, "I'm a weak man, Danny knows. My sons know. My sons have followed in my footsteps, Brad is a chief and Chad is an assistant chief. I'm proud of these guys. Thank you."

Chad Hilchey presents a proclamation from FASNY to his father, Buck Hilchey.

Chief Sean Downing, President Joshua Finn, 3rd Assistant Chief Chad Hilchey, Buck Hilchey, Brad Hilchey, 1st Assistant Chief Chad Williams, and 2nd Assistant Chief Pete Scheiber.

Monday was the first time since 2019 that members of the department have been able to come together to hand out service awards. Above, 2nd Assistant Chief Pete Scheiber is recognized for 35 years of service.

Jim Lundmark and Dan Luker were recognized for 35 years of service.  Also, Doug Hensel was recognized for 45 years of service (the photographer did not succeed in getting a photo of Hensel).

There’s a well-known tenet of business that you have to spend money to make money.

However, when a pandemic hits and stalls theater renovations and the ability to make money with shows, only half that rule is visible, says Pat Burk of Batavia Players.

“We already paid for a number of shows for this year’s season. When you buy the rights and royalties to a show, you’re never going to get that money back,” Burk said during an interview with The Batavian. “COVID slowed down the demolition. We were supposed to be in there; COVID stalled that for 20 months. We had to start spending money and create a season for 2022, without a home to do it in.”

Not to worry, he said. The theater group is gradually getting back on track with its new Main Street 56 Theater space at City Centre. Well-equipped with grants of $400,000 and just shy of $700,000 for construction, Batavia Players encountered that tired old COVID script of encountering supply chain issues — material shortages — coupled with the need to haul out several containers of equipment, medical records, conduit, and electrical supplies from a defunct medical office.

“They just walked out and left it all there,” he said. “We did nothing else but two weeks of electrical demolition.”

Some actors have left during the lull, and new ones have joined the theater, he said. Those purchases of show rights have left a dent in the theater’s piggy bank, and therefore Burk is appealing to the community for help. He sent out an email asking that individuals, groups, and businesses consider buying a program ad.

“Recent events have led us to have to raise $17,000 to $20,000 in order for us to continue our season in 2022, and to make our goals for our construction of the Main St. 56 Theater,” he said. “By placing a sponsorship ad in our program all year, you will be a huge help in making sure that the Batavia Players’ 90th year of performing continues.”

He is happy to announce a seven-show season that kicks off with Love’s Labour’s Lost March 4, 5, and 6 for a perennial Shakespeare in Springtime series. Six new actors have joined the cast, and “our actors, technicians, and Board of Directors are working hard” for a successful year of classics to full stage musicals, he said. 

Other shows from April to December include The Springtime Music Spectacular, Back on the Boards Again: The Best of Broadway, The Importance of Being Earnest, Peter Pan (Summer Youth Theater), Godspell, Uncle Vanya and Miracle on 34th Street, the Musical.

Deadline for program ads is March 1. For more information, go to: www.bataviaplayers.org

Top photo: Main St. 56 Theater's shop has been ready for patrons with lots of theater trinkets and memorabilia at the new City Centre location. Batavia Players is set to begin its 2022 season with Love's Labour's Lost the first weekend in March. Photo by Howard Owens.

Public Notice:

NOTICE OF MEETING CANCELLATION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Workshop Meeting scheduled for Feb. 24 has been cancelled.  The next meeting of the Pembroke Town Board will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Road, Corfu, NY

Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia will be hosting the 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament on March 18-20, 25-27.

All of the handicap tournament’s events – Four-Person Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events – will take place at the 24-lane East Main Street establishment, with the Team competition on lanes 1-10 and the Doubles & Singles on lanes 11-22.

For the first time, the GRUSBC board has put in an entry deadline.

The deadline for the first weekend is March 12 and the deadline for the second weekend is 7 p.m. March 20. Entries must be paid in full and received by the GRUSBC office at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY, 14020, by those dates.

First prize in the Open Team event is $1,000 guaranteed. Prizes in all categories in both the Open and Women’s Divisions will be paid on a 1:5 ratio.

The schedule is as follows:

• Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. (Team event only);
• Saturday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sunday, March 20, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 25, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sunday, March 27, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $30 per person per event. The All-Events fee (Team, Doubles and Singles scores combined) is $10.

CLICK HERE to download an entry form.

To reserve a spot, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

An older woman at 167 Vine St. Batavia, using a walker, was reportedly helped from her house while it was filling with smoke this evening by an identified female neighbor.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. 

Interim Fire Chief Dan Herberger said it appeared the fire started in the basement and the basement was fully involved by the time fire crews arrived on the scene and was starting to make an incursion into the first floor by the time it was extinguished.

"There is significant fire damage in the basement and the fire popped up through the first floor," Herberger said. "There is significant smoke damage throughout the house. There is a lot of damage.

Mary McCarthy, daughter of the resident of the house, and her husband Mike McCarthy told The Batavian's photographer Jim Burns about the apparent rescue of her mother by a neighbor and said she became aware of the fire when receiving an alert on her mobile phone from the house's Ring security system and she could view the smoke through the Ring's recorded video. The McCarthys immediately headed to the house.

The fire was reported around 6:30.

City Fire along with Alexander's Fast Team, with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia and Le Roy Fire, responded to the two-alarm fire.

Herberger said the fire was somewhat difficult to fight because the basement is set up for a home hair salon, so there are barriers in the basement along with chemicals.

The original dispatch placed the fire at the YWCA on North Street but when crews arrived, they determined the fire was at the residence.  There was smoke coming from the chimney, which on a warmer day, indicates basement fire, Herberger said, and flames showing from at least three basement windows. 

County records indicate the home is owned by Joyce Meisner and Mary McCarthy.  The ranch-style brick house was built in 1950 and is 1,715 square feet. The assessed value is $155,000.

UPDATE: Press release,

On Monday, February 21, 2022, at 6:34 pm the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to reported smoke from a house at 167 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.  Initial fire units arrived at 6:38 pm to find smoke emanating from a one-story, single-family home.  One occupant of the home was assisted to safety by the City of Batavia PD and neighbors upon FD arrival.  Fire crews entered the home to find a large volume of smoke throughout with fire in the basement.  Crews had difficulty locating the fire due to its location in the basement.  The fire was placed under control at 7:32 pm.  Extensive fire and smoke damage were caused to the structure and contents.

Two civilian injuries were reported, however, both refused transport to the hospital.  No firefighter injuries were reported. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by City of Batavia Fire Department fire investigators.  

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police, City of Batavia Bureau of Inspections, Town of Batavia FD, Alexander FD, LeRoy FD, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center and Emergency Management Office, Mercy EMS (as well as an ambulance from the FEMA deployment to the area), National Grid and National Fuel.

Photos by Jim Burns

Post-season for boys and girls basketball begins this week.  Here are the schedules for Genesee County's teams.

In boys basketball:

• Batavia (7-13), #8 seed, plays #9 seed Livonia (8-12) at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, in the B1 bracket
• Le Roy (14-6) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Le Roy, in the B2 bracket
• Alexander (7-13) #11 plays #6 Bloomfield (13-7) at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Bloomfield in the C1 bracket
• Pavilion (2-18) #11 plays #6 Holley (10-10) at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Holley in the C2 bracket
• Pembroke (14-6) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at Pembroke in the C2 bracket
• Oakfield-Alabama (19-1) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at O-A in the C2 bracket.
• Byron-Bergen (11-8) #8 plays #9 Red Jacket (11-9) at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Byron-Bergen in the C2 bracket
• Notre Dame (17-3) #1 plays a team yet to be determined at 7:30 p.m., Friday, at Notre Dame in the D2 bracket
• Elba (13-7) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at Elba in the D2 bracket

In girls basketball:

• Batavia (4-16) #7 seed plays #9 North Rose-Wolcott/Sodus (4-16) at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Rochester Prep CORRECTION: Batavia plays Greece Odyssey at home at 7 p.m. tonight in the B1 bracket
• Le Roy (6-14) #9 plays #8 Dansville at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Dansville in the B2 bracket
• Alexander (11-9) #7 plays #10 Marcus Whitman (9-10) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Alexander in the C1 bracket
• Pembroke 10-10 #7 plays #10 Perry (6-14) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Pembroke in the C2 bracket
• Pavilion (16-2) #1 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Pavilion in the C2 bracket
• Oakfield-Alabama (17-3) #3 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m., Saturday, at O-A in the C2 bracket
• Byron-Bergen (15-5) #4 plays Keshequa (15-5) #5 at 1 p.m., Saturday, at B-B in the C3 bracket
• Notre Dame (15-5) #3 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., CORRECTION: The game time has been changed to 6 p.m., Friday, at Notre Dame in the D1 bracket
• Elba (14-6) #3 plays #6 Hammondsport (10-9) at 2 p.m., Saturday

Press release:

Genesee County officials will host a pair of informational meetings via Zoom to assist businesses looking to apply to the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding eligibility, funding, program requirements, COVID impacts, and more.

Through the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund, businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 will be eligible to receive a grant of up to $75,000 to aid the recovery of their businesses.  Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses within Genesee County with 25 or fewer employees.

The meetings to be held virtually through Zoom are scheduled for:

• Thursday, February 24 at 10 a.m.
  • Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86560090929
  • Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 865 6009 0929
• Wednesday, March 2 at 11 a.m.
  • Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83846902808
  • Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 838 4690 2808

Businesses are encouraged to visit www.GeneseeCARES.com to review eligibility and requirements for the grant. A fillable application is available for download at the website.