Misconceptions about economic development incentives persist in Genesee County, suggests Mark Masse, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, but the results at Apple Tree Acres in Bergen show a different reality: more jobs, higher payroll, and a growing tax base.

Remembered in the hearts of those who knew them -- or know them, for those still living -- Batavia’s Hometown Heroes, the men and women who served in the U.S. military, are the subject of a new tribute.

Rows of nearly life-size banners now line Park Road and Redfield Parkway, each one honoring a service member. The banners went up ahead of Memorial Day, marking the launch of the City of Batavia’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

Tuesday, Wolcott Street School in Le Roy held a student art show.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. National Police Week honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and recognizes the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement professionals.

The Genesee County Legislature issued a proclamation to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at last night’s meeting recognizing May 11–17, as National Police Week. The lights on the Old County Courthouse cupola have been changed to blue to acknowledge this week.

Law enforcement officers are always prepared to respond and aid our residents, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This week honors all those in the law enforcement profession for the countless hours each officer dedicates to the community in which they serve. 

This year, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and other members of the Office traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in National Police Week events which include the 37 th Annual Candlelight Vigil and to Stand Watch for the Fallen at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial. This year, Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello was approved to be engraved on the memorial wall and join fallen Deputy Frank G. Bordonaro and Constable William H. Johnson. 

Thank you to the Batavia Police Department Officers who made the trip in support of Sergeant Sanfratello and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. The National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

“As Sheriff, I am honored every day to serve alongside the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. During National Police Week, we take time to remember and pay tribute to the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage, commitment, and service will never be forgotten,” stated Sheriff Joseph Graff. “I am incredibly proud of the deputies in our Office and all law enforcement officers across the country. Their professionalism, integrity, and selfless dedication are the foundation of public safety.”

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

On May 9, the Byron-Bergen Science Olympiad team ended the competition season by visiting local manufacturer and team corporate sponsor, Liberty Pumps. This end-of-season tradition began when the team was founded three years ago. They have improved each year since 2022, finishing the 2025 season with eight medals at the March 8 Regional Competition in Pittsford. Despite representing the smallest public school in the region, the Dynamic Planet team earned a first-place finish, the first in the team’s history.

“It has been amazing to watch this team develop over the past three years,” said Byron-Bergen Science Teacher and Science Olympiad Advisor Terry Vick. “We all started at square one and now our students are surpassing team goals and competing head-to-head with larger districts with more experience. I’m extremely proud.”

The Byron-Bergen team earned medals in Dynamic Planet (Earth Science - glacier formation and movement), Tower Construction (design and build the lightest and tallest tower that will support a load of 15 kg), Mission Possible (construct a Rube Goldberg type energy transfer device), and Road Scholar (ability to interpret and analyze various types of maps).

Additionally, the Tower Construction team received a round of applause when their tower was able to support a maximum load of 15 kg. 

The team was greeted by Liberty Pumps CFO, Dennis Burke, who took them on a tour of Liberty Pumps Offices and Production Floor. He congratulated these future engineers on their hard work and dedication.

Thirteen Olympiads competed for Byron-Bergen this season, but the team is open to any students in sixth through eighth grades who are interested in challenging themselves by competing in different STEM activities.

Press Release:

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 27. The meeting will be held at the Association at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia and is open to the public.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

Press Release:

Please be advised that our team will continue conducting critical repairs to the sewer infrastructure on Dellinger Avenue on Wednesday, May 21st, and will also begin work on repairing a service line in the area.

Work is scheduled to begin at approximately 7 AM and will continue throughout the day until all necessary repairs are completed.

At this time, Dellinger Avenue remains closed to all through traffic due to ongoing overnight work and early morning activity required to ensure the project progresses safely and efficiently. 

Access is limited to local traffic only, and we kindly request that residents and the public avoid traveling down the street during active construction hours for safety and to avoid delays.

In addition, please be aware that properties within the immediate work zone may experience temporary disruptions to water service while repairs are underway. 

We encourage affected residents and property owners to plan accordingly and prepare for the possibility of reduced or no water availability during the day.

We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we complete these important infrastructure improvements.

Tom Phelps, Director of Public Works, City of Batavia 

Most of the school budgets in Genesee County passed during Tuesday’s vote, with Oakfield-Alabama district residents saying no to a proposed $25,555,345 budget 198 to 171. 

Here are the results as reported by each district:

Alexander Central School’s Proposition 1, the budget, passed by 75 yes to 24 no.

Proposition 2, equipment capital reserve fund, authorizing the board  to “expend $122,000 from the existing 2022 Equipment Capital Reserve Fund for the acquisition of Computer Hardware with an estimated cost of $7,000, Chromebooks with an estimated cost of $64,000, (1) enclosed trailer with an estimated cost of $11,000, and (1) bus snow remover with an estimated cost of $40,000 as permitted by law,” received 89 yes votes versus 19 no.

The election of Board of Education members gave 69 votes to Christopher Mullen for the on open seat, with two write-in votes.

Batavia City School District passed.

Byron-Bergen Central School Superintendent Patrick McGee said he was “proud to say our school budget and propositions passed this evening.”

The district’s budget passed 266 yes to 90 no, and Proposition 2 for a bus purchase also passed by 264 yes to 89 no.

“Thanks to all who came out to vote,” McGee said.

Board of Education seats went to Kim Carlson with 305 votes, Rich Pringle with 296 and Heidi Ball, 291. (Plus there were nine write-ins.)

Elba Central School’s budget passed by 94 yes to 17 no, and the district’s Capital Outlay Reserve Fund vote was approved with 90 yes and 21 no votes.

Proposition 3 to “expend from the Capital Bus and Vehicle Replacement Fund to purchase 1 (one) 28-passenger school bus,” also passed by 98 yes to 13 no.

One Board of Education seat went to Michael Riner for a five-year term. There were no voting tallies available for him.

Le Roy Central School District residents gave approval by three times or more with a yes vote of 275 to 92 no for the general budget, and 314 yes and 54 no for the library budget.

Two Board of Education candidates, Peter W. Loftus and Rachael Greene, were each voted in for three-year terms by 319 and 311, respectively. Woodward Memorial Library Trustee candidate Michael Iten was given 326 votes for one open seat.

Oakfield-Alabama Central School's budget failed with 198 voters no and 171 voting yes. Board of Education members Kevin Beuler and incumbent Justin Staebell each received 319 votes for two open seats. 

The Batavian reached out to Superintendent John Fisgus for comment Tuesday evening and he asked for emailed questions. We had not heard back by the time of publication, and will follow up with his comments.

Pavilion Central School’s budget was approved by residents with 113 yes and 24 no votes, and the library tax levy vote also passed by 99 yes to 37 no.

Board of Education members Callin Ayers-Tillotson received 110 votes and Margaret Gaston 113, each for five-year terms, while library trustee votes came in at 122 for Stephen Gould and 114 for Timothy Wasiewicz, each for three years.

Pembroke Central School’s budget was given 250 yes to 71 no votes, and the request to purchase school buses was also approved by 250 yes to 69 no.

One school board seat for a five-year term went to Jessica Edwards with 290 votes.

Proposition 3 (Corfu Public Library) was approved by 243 yes to 76 No, and the library’s board election for two three-year seats went to Michael Doktor, with 276 votes, and Michael Hobbs, 277.

Oakfield-Alabama collected 15 hits and scored in five separate innings on Monday to defeat Caledonia-Mumford 10-1.

Oakfield-Alabama opened the game with four runs in the first inning and added runs in the second, fourth, fifth, and seventh. 

Avery Watterson went 3-for-5 with a triple, one RBI, three runs, and two stolen bases. Watterson also pitched two innings, allowing no hits or runs and striking out one to earn the win. 

Jack Cianfrini went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI, three runs, and three stolen bases. Cianfrini pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts. Hunter Tobolski added a triple and two RBIs.

Levi Kabel finished 3-for-4 with one RBI, one walk, and two stolen bases. Ryan Schnaufer went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one walk.

Caledonia-Mumford managed three hits. Landon Sheehan pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, 10 runs (four earned), and four walks with four strikeouts. Aidan McKay and Dillon Alcott each had a hit for Caledonia-Mumford.

Oakfield-Alabama did not commit an error. 

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Le Roy closed its regular season with a win over Livonia in a game that stretched late into the night on Monday.

Jake Higgins drove in the winning run, scoring Brady McClurg.

The game went 10 innings with Le Roy coming out on top, 14-13.

The game featured 115 batters, 392 pitches, 25 walks, 23 hits, 23 strikeouts, 10 unearned runs, and 16 runs scored after the fifth inning. Both teams traded leads throughout the contest.

Peter Clark earned the win for Le Roy. The senior catcher and pitcher allowed two hits and three runs over four innings, striking out five and walking six.

Le Roy finished the season with 10 games in 12 days, winning 8 of their last 10 to end at 15-3.

Photos by Leslie Higgins

NEW: Deal of the Day Bundle, Family Fun Downtown!! This special will be included at random in Deal of the Day posts during May. There are only four packages available. Members of Early Access Pass have exclusive access to the Deal of the Day during the first four hours the post is available. To join Early Access Pass, click here. For a discount on EAP, use the promo code SUMMER2025.

Jim Scorse of Stafford Country Club teamed with Wade Sarkis of Canandaigua Country Club to win the Senior Division at the 2025 New York State Men’s Four-Ball Championship at Turning Stone Resort’s Kaluhyat Golf Course.

Sarkis and Scorse finished at 7-under-par 137 after rounds of 68 and 69, earning a seven-stroke victory. They were the only team in the Senior Division to post both rounds under par. The pair combined for four birdies in the final round—two each—to secure the win in wire-to-wire fashion.

“It’s awesome. We definitely play well with each other. We’re good friends, so we don’t really worry about the other one playing bad. We just go out and play good golf, have fun,” Scorse said.

This marks Scorse’s eighth New York State Golf Association crown and his third NYS Four-Ball title, but his first in the Senior Division and first with Sarkis as his partner.

“It’s definitely nice as far as the beginning of the season to get in there and have a partner to fall back on,” Scorse said.

The NYS Men’s Four-Ball Championship features top amateur teams from across the state competing in multiple divisions. The event is organized by the New York State Golf Association.

Other Division Winners
    •    Open Division: Owen Corby (Monroe Golf Club) / Anthony Maglisco (Pompey Club)
    •    Super Senior Division: Jim Johnson (Durand Eastman Golf Club) / Jim Burns (Canandaigua Country Club)

Press Release:

Golfers, mark your calendars and grab your clubs! The inaugural HomeCare & Hospice Golf Classic tees off Tuesday, June 24, at the scenic and celebrated Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia. HomeCare & Hospice has been servicing the Wyoming and Genesee Counties since 2000.

Recognized as Western New York’s #1 Public Golf Course and home of the famed Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic, Terry Hills offers 27 meticulously groomed holes and a reputation for providing an exceptional yet challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Registration is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome, which includes: Greens fees and cart, Lunch out on the course, Dinner at the evening awards ceremony, Swag bag of goodies, and Fun contests and on-course surprises.

More than just a day of golf, the event supports a deeper purpose. Proceeds benefit the HomeCare & Hospice Foundation, helping deliver compassionate care and vital services across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties.

"It’s a chance to enjoy 18 holes on a top-tier course, spend time outdoors with your colleagues or friends, and know that your day on the green is directly supporting families in our communities," said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice. "It’s meaningful fun—with a mission behind every swing."

This year’s classic features favorite contests like mulligans, closest to the line, and longest drive, as well as two unique events: 

• Putting Contest – $5 for one ball or $10 for three. Sink a hole-in-one and you could win $500 cash, courtesy of Both, Branch & Hendrix of Olean. If multiple players make it in, we’ll draw from the names of those top putters to crown the winner.
• Air Cannon Shot – Ever launched your golf ball from an air cannon? Now’s your chance—for just $10, take aim and fire!

While HomeCare & Hospice has hosted golf tournaments across its four-county service area in years past, this marks a new beginning. Following direction from the organization’s Board of Directors to alternate fundraising events between the northern and southern regions, Batavia was selected as the site of this year’s tournament to strengthen support in Genesee and Wyoming Counties—while welcoming teams traveling north from Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties.

"Hospice doesn’t have a location—it impacts families everywhere,” Sullivan added. “And we’re excited to see the southern counties show their support by hitting the road for a great day of golf in the north."

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including hole sponsors, swag, lunch, cocktail hour, specialty tee signs, and golf hole discs. For more information, contact HomeCare & Hospice at 716-372-2106. 

Twelve teams already committed include: Portville Central School, Databranch, Kinley Contractors, National Fuel, Paul Brown Chevrolet, Siemens, Tim Keller / Vision Financial Group, Wright Beverage, Lawley Insurance, HomeCare & Hospice, Bradford Publishing, and 7 Mountains Media.

The event committee is seeking to fill a field of 20 foursomes, and spots are filling fast. To register, call 716-372-2106 or visit homecare-hospice.org. Swing big. Give back. Make a difference.

Press Release:

The Building Champions Basketball Camp is set to return this summer, offering athletes in Grades 1 through 7 the opportunity to develop core basketball skills in a fun, structured environment. The camp will take place from July 7–10 at the newly designated location, Zambito Gymnasium at GCC, located at 1 College Road, Batavia.

Campers will receive training in fundamental basketball areas including dribbling and ball handling, shooting, passing and catching, defense, footwork, and movement. Each day, participants will have access to a hydration station and a healthy snack, with a pizza party planned as part of the experience. All athletes will receive a camp T-shirt and have the opportunity to be recognized as “Camper of the Day” or to win the “MVP of the Week” trophy.

Camp Schedule:

• Grades 1 - 3: 2 - 4 p.m.
• Grades 4 - 7: 5 - 7 p.m.

Registration Fee: $125

For more information, contact Camp Director Coach Zambito at 585-813-8592 or ciaci4zambito@gmail.com.

Stepping briefly into her future role as Public Works commissioner, Laura Wadhams reviewed a laundry list of 18 items with Genesee County legislators in the absence of Tim Hens during Monday’s Public Service meeting. 

Though it won’t be long before Hens hangs up his commissioner’s name tag for good, as he is set to retire May 30. Wadhams steamrolled through the list of county road, airport and bridge projects and related financial requests, including the way in which they’re approaching a replacement for the Colby Road Bridge.

It just might put Genesee County on the map of innovation.

“So our plan for this bridge is actually a new solution for bridges. They call them InQuik bridges. It comes as a … pre-engineered form, stay-in-place form, with all rebar in it. So if we buy this, it's kind of like buying precast. You buy this, you set it, and you fill it with concrete. You can set it with an excavator instead of a crane, so there's a lot of savings in costs and time there,” Wadhams said. “So we're going to try that for this one this year. It comes on a truck and sets it with an excavator. There's a couple of people in the works with these projects statewide, but they've been built quite a bit out in Colorado and other states. They just got approved by New York State in the last year.”

This will be a test case for the county, and if it works out, then other bridges may be pursued with this same system, she said. The county has bridges of mixed materials, such as arch pipes for Rose Road Bridge, and a timber deck at one on Attica Road, she said. Colby Road’s bridge is steel, which doesn’t fare so well in our wintry, icy weather, Wadhams said.

InQuik bridges are touted as “a full solution above the foundation,” with lightweight components, reinforcing steel and formwork lifted into place, spliced together and then cast in place to complete the reinforced concrete structure.

Installation is completed in less than a week after the foundation, and it’s durable for 75+ years, website selling points state.

“This one is locally funded, so I think this one specifically we'll be able to design it this year and bid it in the spring and then construct it next year. Typically, it's a year to 18 months for design,” she said. “Typically, the steel deck ones are in the 60s to 70s era. So the steel decks just don't hold up typically in our climate. I mean, you get salt on tires that track over the top of them, so the girders start deteriorating pretty quickly right at the seam where the concrete stops, and those did. We've got a couple of them that are still left; this Colby Road is one of them.

“It’s actually going to be really interesting. I mean, that system that I was talking about hasn't been used yet in New York State, so whoever the first one is, is going to have a lot of people that are watching that, there's going to be other counties trying to see how this all fits together,” she said. “But there's a couple other counties looking at it for other bridges too. So we might not be the first.

"But they do it across the country, like I said, in Colorado. I've seen it on a bunch of presentations at the conferences that I've gone to, so it seems to work really, really well," she said. "So we're excited about it.”

The total capital project balance is $2,182,455.62 from 1% sales tax funds, and legislators approved her request not to exceed $129,800 for a consultant agreement with Barton and Loguidice in Rochester for the Colby Road Bridge. The request will go to the full Legislature for approval on May 28.

David Jeffery Pinkerton, 32, of Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with assault 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. Pinkerton is accused of fighting with two people at around 1:58 a.m. on May 18 in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven in Bergen. He allegedly caused physical injury to one person who was transported to UMMC with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. He was held pending arraignment.

Kelly J. Mungo, 49, of East Main St., Batavia, is charged with tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of controlled substance 7th. Mungo was arrested due to an investigation during a traffic stop on South Lake Road, Bergen, at 4:39 p.m. on May 5 by Deputy Jonathan Dimmig. She is accused of attempting to conceal cocaine and a crack pipe on her person. Mungo was held pending arraignment. Also charged,  Colleen M. Hutchinspon, 50, of Spring Street, Bergen, who was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Hutchinson was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. She was held pending arraignment. Also charged, Timothy L. Corcoran, 61, of Maple Street, Batavia, who was charged with conspiracy 4th and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Corcoran is accused of possessing cocaine and contributing to the commission of two Class B felonies. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Kurtis Rashod Washington, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Washington is accused of possessing 23 grams of cocaine, enough to constitute intent to sell, during a probation home visit at 10:51 a.m. on May 5 on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held without bail.

David R. Cook, no age or address provided, is charged with grand larceny 2nd and fostering the sale of stolen goods. Cook was arrested on April 25 following an investigation by Erik Andre and Deputy Nicholas Charmoun into thefts from Upstate Farms Culture Products at 5011 West Ag Park Drive, Batavia. Cook is accused of stealing property that belonged to Upstate over a six-month period and selling the property for financial gain. Cook allegedly stole more than $100,000 in goods. He was arraigned and released.

Heather McGinnis, 35, of Dublin Road, Bergen, is charged with assault 3rd. McGinnis was arrested following a report at 1:15 a.m. on April 17 of a disturbance at an address on Dublin Road. She is accused of biting another person. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

Terrance D. Barner, 36, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Barner is accused of failing to leave the Quality Inn and Suites after being ordered to leave by deputies at 9:07 p.m. on April 21. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Casandra L. Matson, 38, of Railroad Avenue, Silver Springs, and Del John Akin, 47, of North Main Street, Silver Springs, are charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Matson and Akin are accused of skip-scanning merchandise at Walmart at 4:04 p.m. on April 23. The defendants were transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

Yulia Pityk, 24, of Silver Birch, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Yulia was stopped at 1:52 a.m. on April 25 on Route 33 in Bergen by Deputy Ryan Mullen. Pityk was released on tickets.

Cody James Nichols, 40, of Avenue A, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Nichols was allegedly found in possession of cocaine at 4:22 p.m. on May 1 at a location on Apple Tree Avenue, Bergen, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Stephen Douglas Freeman, 54, of Conlon Road, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving with registration suspended, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, and driving without insurance. Freeman was stopped at 8:29 p.m. on May 2 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. Freeman was held for arraignment.

Jennifer Lynn Maher, 42, of Prole Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and no plate lamp. Maher was stopped at 1:24 a.m. on May 4 by Deputy Zachary Hoy on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. Maher was issued tickets and released.

Jason Joseph Meyer, 48, of West Avenue, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and following too closely. Meyer was stopped at 10:05 p.m. on April 18 on Veterans Memorial Drive by Deputy Alexander Hadsall. Meyer was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Dylan Michael DIbble, 29, of Pole Bridge Road, Avon, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and driving left of pavement markings. Dibble was stopped at 2:08 a.m. on May 10 on Broadway Road, Bethany, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Thomas Howard Forbes, 58, no address provided, is charged with DWI and failure to stop at a stop sign. Forbes was stopped at 12:57 a.m. on May 18 on Park Road by Deputy Leah Bezon. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Elba and Lyndonville met for the second time in four days on Monday, with Lyndonville coming out on top 10-7 in a game that went to extra innings.

Elba took an early lead in the second inning, scoring twice on a walk and an error. Lyndonville rallied in the sixth, putting up five runs on four hits, including a two-run double by Braelynn Dillenbeck, to move ahead 6-2.

Elba answered in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs of their own to reclaim the lead, 7-6. Bri Totten delivered a two-run single after a long at-bat to cap the rally.

Lyndonville tied the game in the seventh, taking advantage of an Elba error. In the ninth, Isabela Groves doubled to drive in the go-ahead run, and another error allowed Lyndonville to extend the lead to 10-7.

Brea Smith pitched all nine innings for Elba, allowing 12 hits and 10 runs (five earned) while striking out six and walking three. Arnie Sturtevant went the distance for Lyndonville, giving up seven hits and seven runs (three earned) with 11 strikeouts and six walks.

Maddie Hall and Bri Totten led Elba with two hits each. Totten and Lauren Hawkins both drove in two runs. Elba drew six walks and turned a double play on defense.

Lyndonville finished with 12 hits. Addison Dillenbeck and Isabela Groves each had three hits and two RBI. Elena Barry added two hits, while Dillenbeck stole five bases as Lyndonville totaled seven steals in the game.

Photos by Kristin Smith.