The Alexander Lady Trojans surged to a 24-5 victory over Clyde-Savannah in the opening round of sectionals Saturday in Livonia.
Alexander’s offense produced 16 hits, led by Melissa Sawyer, who went 3-for-5 with a triple, a three-run home run, and six RBI.
Emily Pietrzykowski added two home runs and three RBI, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Faith Goodenbury contributed a 3-for-5 day with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.
The Trojans jumped ahead 3-1 in the first inning, then broke the game open with nine runs in the second and seven more in the third.
Melanie Bump went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Paige Morton was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, three runs, a walk, and two stolen bases. Ava Yax reached base five times, going 1-for-1 with five runs, an RBI, four walks, and a stolen base.
On the mound, Pietrzykowski threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 14 and walking 11. Despite not allowing a hit, Clyde-Savannah scored five runs, taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues.
Coach John Goodenbury said, “This was a strong opening round for our girls in sectionals. Emily threw an impressive five-inning no-hitter despite challenging conditions with wind, rain, and cold temperatures affecting her control. She battled through walks early on while trying to stay warm and find her rhythm.
"Sawyer is continuing to heat up nicely after overcoming a midseason slump, and Goodenbury is right there with her, swinging the bat well.
With today’s harsh conditions, steady rain, wind, and a real feel of just 37 degrees, we’re glad to advance and now fully shift our focus to Oakfield for Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup. Oakfield, the second seed, has been dominant and well-coached all season, so we know it’ll be tough, but the weather looks better for Tuesday, and we will see what happens.”
Alexander advances to face No. 2 seed Oakfield in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Batavia, the No. 10 seed, defeated No. 7 Geneva 18-0 in a Section V softball game Thursday night.
Senior pitcher Arianna Almekinder broke the Batavia High School single-season strikeout record, finishing the night with 167 strikeouts. The previous record was 162. Almekinder struck out 12, allowed only one hit, and issued no walks.
Batavia’s offense collected 13 hits. Gabby Smith went 3-for-4 with a triple and five RBI. Hannah Carney was 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Kyleigh Kabel finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Drew Stevens added a triple, and Libby Grazioplene contributed a double.
Geneva’s Grayson Harris had the lone hit for her team, a double.
Batavia improves to 9-11 and advances in the sectional tournament. Geneva finishes the season at 10-8.
Batavia defeated East Rochester 6-0 Thursday night in the Section V Class C girls flag football semifinal, advancing to the championship game after a second straight shutout.
The teams were scoreless at halftime as rain made passing conditions difficult. Senior wide receiver Alyssa Turner broke the deadlock in the second half, hauling in a 9-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jaimin Macdonald for the game’s only score. Macdonald finished 4-of-11 passing for 38 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. She also led Batavia on the ground with 76 yards on 14 carries. Junior running back Libby Grazioplene added 44 yards on six carries, and senior wide receiver Nicole Doeringer contributed 30 all-purpose yards—18 rushing and 12 receiving.
Batavia’s defense continued its dominant run, posting a second consecutive shutout and allowing just 12 points over the last six games. Senior defensive end Kylee Brennan led with 11 flag pulls, including three for a loss. Turner, playing linebacker, added seven flag pulls—one for a loss—and intercepted a pass in the second half. Doeringer recorded four flag pulls, three for a loss, and Macdonald chipped in with four flag pulls and three passes defended.
Batavia advances to face CG Finney in the Section V Class C final. The championship is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Monroe Community College.
The 14th annual MadisoNation golf tournament will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, at LeRoy Country Club, 7759 E. Main Rd, LeRoy, NY.
This year’s event is expected to bring total donations over the $100,000 milestone since the tournament began 14 years ago. The four-person scramble costs $500 per team and includes golf, lunch, dinner, and live music after the event.
MadisoNation was inspired by Madison Marie Muckle's childhood cancer battle. Madison was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia shortly after her third birthday in 2010. She underwent two and a half years of intensive treatment before being declared cancer-free. Her family and community created the annual golf tournament to raise funds to support families and organizations affected by childhood cancer, honoring Madison’s journey and the challenges she faced,
Teams can register or donate by contacting Kevin Muckle at 585-300-7499 or Jen Muckle at 585-300-8440, or by visiting madisonation.org. Registration is also available via Venmo, with instructions to include the team name, participants, and a contact phone number.
“This is going to be a big milestone for our event as we will be surpassing the $100K mark in donations over the last 14 years. I never thought we could do it but here we are,” Kevin Muckle said.
Proceeds from the tournament benefit local families and organizations. The event continues to unite the community in support of those facing childhood cancer.
The City of Batavia invites you and your organization to participate in the Memorial Day Parade on May 26. The parade lineup will be at the East Town Plaza starting at 8:30 a.m., with the parade commencing at 9:30 a.m. The parade should end at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Alva Place. We will have Marshals who will assign your unit a place in the parade.
When turning off Main Street onto Bank Street, all units are to be silent out of respect for a memorial service at the Veterans Monument on Bank Street.
Throwing of candy from vehicles is strictly prohibited.
Out of respect, there will be no political campaigning, such as signs or vote for are allowed. Our veterans served our country, not political affiliations.
"Honor, respect, and guard your freedom, for it comes from the blood of those who gave their life for it."
Your support of this event is greatly appreciated.
Please RSVP and return a certificate of Insurance and or the attached hold harmless to Bob Bialkowski at bbwski@yahoo.com or call 585-343-4471.
Starting May 27, Genesee County Offices will shift their hours from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. As in years past, this change does not affect the total number of hours offices are open to the public. These summer hours will remain in effect through August 29.
Departments with alternate schedules may vary slightly; please refer to department-specific announcements or contact offices directly with any questions.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) shared remarks on the House floor during National Police Week to honor the lives of two fallen police officers from New York’s 24th Congressional District, Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Cailee Campbell of the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office.
Sergeant Sanfratello served his beloved community as a police officer for 32 years, was twice recognized as officer of the year, and was heavily involved with the New York State Sheriffs Association, Stop DWI, and Shop with a Cop. He was tragically killed while responding to a call in the early hours of March 10, 2024.
Deputy Campbell began her career in law enforcement with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer before attending the Syracuse Police Academy. In April 2023, she joined the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy. On September 25, 2024, she was tragically struck in a T-bone collision and later succumbed to her injuries.
"During National Police Week, we solemnly honor the memory of Sergeant Sanfratello and Deputy Campbell, who gave their lives in service to our community. Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we remain forever indebted to them. On behalf of the people of New York’s 24th Congressional District, we offer our deepest gratitude and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Watch Rep Tenney’s remarks honoring Sergeant Sanfratello here and her remarks honoring Deputy Campbell here.
Matt Chavez far right, project manager for NORLIC, talks to Genesee County legislators and economic development leaders during a meeting about land banks this week. Photo by Joanne Beck
After more than an hour of discussing the concept, possibilities and potential partners for establishing a land bank with Genesee County and economic development officials, Matt Chavez, project manager of Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC), summarized the only way he thought it should go.
Batavia is the birthplace of Western New York and, therefore, holds a certain prominence in the county. So, the options of falling under an umbrella of another corporation or county didn’t make sense, he said.
“I think you deserve to have your own land bank,” he said to the group late Monday afternoon. “And the needs of your municipalities are unique, and I wouldn't claim to know them, I would learn them, certainly, obviously, we would work together, but we can work together anyway. We're your neighbor. We'll help, and we'll make those connections and those inroads, and obviously, all of our best practices, and provide as much assistance as we can in the neighborly way too.”
His colleague, Executive Director Andrea Klyczek, also encouraged the legislators to ask themselves, “What problem do you need to solve?” as they considered the ways and whys of forming a county land bank before submitting an application to the state Land Bank Association.
First things first, what’s a land bank? A land bank is a public or quasi-governmental entity created to acquire, manage, maintain, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or foreclosed properties with the goal of returning them to productive use in alignment with community goals.
Its primary purpose is to address blighted or deteriorated properties by temporarily holding and caring for them until they can be transferred to responsible new owners or developers who will revitalize the properties and neighborhoods.
Land banks have unique powers granted by state laws, which often include the ability to:
Sell or convey properties flexibly based on community priorities rather than the highest price
Extinguish liens and clear titles on properties
Hold properties tax-exempt
Generate revenue through delinquent tax fees or other mechanisms
Unlike traditional financial institutions, land banks focus on stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods by eliminating blight, creating affordable housing, and promoting economic development.
Legislator Marianne Clattenburg, who represents a portion of the city of Batavia, said there is a lot of industrial property from the days when manufacturing was a heavy contender and big employer in the county overall.
“We’ve got the infrastructure, if we could revamp it and market it,” she said, as Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein added that “we’ve got to bring these properties up to code.”
That’s another benefit of operating a land bank, Klyczek said.
“The land bank, I think, helps focus on code enforcement,” she said. “Sometimes code enforcement just doesn’t know where to begin.”
So, where does a municipality begin? With baby steps and education, and this meeting was that first step, Stein said.
“So, ideally, we are a county land bank that works in every municipality in our county. Our latest housing needs and market analysis was done in 2018 and we've since had an update to that, but I couldn't find that one as quick as I could find this. So we know that we have commercial and industrial brownfields that have value to this community, but we don't have the wherewithal to do the cleanup,” Stein said. “And the land bank appears to be one of the, I don't want to say easier, but one of those opportunities for us to lockstep all of the necessary funding and folks that we need to pull some of that property, get it cleaned up, and it already has infrastructure for that.”
Klyczek and Chavez talked about various projects they’ve taken on — a property with no roof that sat lifeless for six years; and a burned out building that changed hands of nonprofits with no renovations — as two of an estimated 50 they have successfully turned around. Some have “moved in 30 days,” while others can take a few years, depending on the situation and condition, they said.
“We really try to be the off-ramp for people,” Chavez said.
They also try to serve as a bridge to growth, both for economic development and for neighborhoods. Klyczek gave an example of them taking a foreclosure in a high-renter-occupied block and targeting the sale for someone who will make that parcel an owner-occupied home to shift the demographics of the neighborhood.
A municipality has an obligation to put it through a public offering and take the highest bid, she said; however, a land bank can specify who the property goes to if it meets that purpose.
“This person might be offering $100K, and this person’s only offering $50K, but the one that’s offering $50 is going to put $150 rehab dollars into their property, and they live there and be part of the community,” she said. “So that’s a better outcome long-term for the municipality. So that’s the flexibility that we have.”
Chavez talked about another important aspect they have discovered since establishing their land bank in 2017: access to state funding.
“We have direct ties to state level funding, the Department of Homes and Community Renewal funds, the Land Bank initiative, which was funded in the last five budgets, six now I think, I don't know the latest, this past year's number, but last year it was 110 million dollars get allocated to land banks specifically. And only land banks can apply for that funding, and that's to acquire, stabilize, demolish, preserve green space,” he said. “Using these resources, the state has allowed us to do a lot of things that their funding typically doesn't do. So we're able to do stabilization, like putting a roof on a home, or pre-development work, like environmental testing that isn't always funded for projects. It is reimbursable grants, but the state is very responsive to the land banks, very good to work with.”
Land banks originated in the U.S. in the 1970s to manage surplus or blighted land and have since become a widely used tool for urban revitalization, especially following the foreclosure crisis of 2007-2008. They differ from simple land banking programs or land trusts in that they are established through state legislation and have specific statutory powers. They often work in partnership with local governments, community organizations, and private investors to achieve these goals.
Chavez confirmed this with an example of how private companies seemed to be energized by NORLIC’s involvement.
“It wasn't just the sites we touched and the sites that we targeted. It was the fact that we were doing the work that others, other brownfield sites, started to come back online, or started to pay their taxes, or started to clean up a little bit,” Chavez said. “So it's these strategic interventions that yield ripple effects, and that's the ROI for the community. You have a million-dollar grant, but you spread that through targeted interventions that then leverage private investments. And that's really what we’ve touched on, is our ability to leverage those private investments.
“I would encourage a municipality to think about starting a land bank, not because I do this, but because when you start the land bank now at the state level, and this is the way I understand it … you'll get a land bank initiative, Phase One Award, which is usually about $100,000, $200,000 depending on your your size. And so if it's smaller, you figure it out. But that'll cover your legal expenses, your staff, and your administrative costs. Everything, getting technical assistance, application to ESD (Empire State Development), yes, getting each community, where's your list of properties and what's important to you, and having those really specific conversations,” he said. “But outside of that, then the state is trying to fund this work, not just this initiative.
"So already there's a Phase Two that I mentioned that will fund your stabilization, demolitions, acquisitions, and you get to kind of tailor your ask based on your needs. So if you know in your community you need to acquire more strategic properties, you can ask for more acquisition dollars. I think that award is between one and 2 million," he said. "And then there's a Phase Three that you will after that be able to get. So I always tell our partners, we're not a real estate development company, we're a nonprofit, so it functions in that world. But really the the most important thing is returning these properties to productive use.”
Mark Masse, chief executive officer for the county’s Economic Development Center, talked about a potential for incorporating his agency’s Local Development Company in the mix.
“Our LDC used to be responsible for our shovel-ready park development, so it's sold property a lot, and our disposition property doesn't require us to bid it, anything like that. We are a public authority subject to 90 day notice and all of that kind of stuff. So I don't know. I'm just thinking from an ease of organizational setup, it's there, and it would save a significant amount of resources and time to do something like that,” Masse said. “And I have to talk to the board about it to see if that's something they would be interested in. But if that's a possibility, I think that might be something that can help.”
After 70 minutes of discussion, legislators seemed enthused about pursuing the idea, Clattenburg noted that the county is losing out on available state money, and Stein said “the Legislature is definitely interested.”
Afterward she further elaborated on that, although uncertain about whether EDC will play a role, it was “encouraging to hear the president of the local Development Corp. say we may have some opportunities to play in this space, and to be a value in this space.”
“And so there may be some synergies there, where we could just be the cog in the gear together,” she said, adding that this initiative has only just begun. “I'm thinking of a junkyard. That was the first conversation that both Gary Maha and I heard Niagara County talk about at an Intercounty meeting, and we came away from there thinking, wow, if they can clean up a junkyard and make that property so that it was attractive to a developer, what could we do here, right? And so that was kind of the little start of the bubbling.”
Mark Masse talks about the possibilities for GCEDC to be involved in Genesee County's pursuit of forming a land bank during a meeting this week with legislators and NORLIC officials. Photo by Joanne Beck
City Manager Rachael Tabelski, left, and BID Executive Director Shannon Maute, right, talk about a potential revised local law for open containers in the downtown Batavia district during a City Council meeting in April. Photo by Joanne Beck
Hoping to boost pedestrian presence, spending, and a more lively downtown Batavia environment, members of the Business Improvement District have proposed expanding the city’s open container law from Jackson Square to the entire BID territory.
This would allow folks to drink alcoholic beverages from noon to 10 p.m. daily within the district, except for properties west of Court Street (Genesee County office buildings and Austin Park), in containers other than glass.
BID Executive Director Shannon Maute presented the idea to City Council at a prior conference meeting in April, and the group set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to allow others the opportunity for input about the idea.
“So the talking points tonight would be the open container would drive economic growth, increase foot traffic, more sales for bars, restaurants and shops, encourages patrons to explore and spend more time downtown, fosters a welcoming downtown culture,” Maute said at City Hall. “Open container districts create a fun festival-like atmosphere, supporting a sense of community and vibrancy, supports events and place making, makes it easier to host public events, live music, outdoor markets, while boosting attendance, attracts visitors and retains talent, adds to the downtown's appeal for young professionals, tourists and new businesses.
“The, probably my favorite part of it, safe managed consumption, control boundaries and rules, promote responsible public drinking,” she said. “Making it safer and easier to monitor than impromptu consumption.”
One example she gave on that end was during an event such as the wine walk. If a group is moving along, and someone is still finishing a drink, this revised law would allow that person to take the drink along rather than feeling rushed to gulp it down so as not to step out onto the sidewalk with it.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski interjected that the BID board has been discussing the idea for “the better half of the last year.”
“They came to City Council asking for special permission to have open container in Jackson Square back in the spring of 2023, and as well as having council approve open containers for certain events that the BID was hosting, and I don't want to speak for the police chief, but I have gotten reports that there had not been any issues during these times or events,” Tabelski said. “So after the board did their research and worked with Shannon, it brought them to the point tonight where they'd like to ask City Council to review the proposal for open container in the entire district.”
Maute agreed that police officers that she had spoken with “had no concerns, and they think it is a positive thing for Batavia.” BID’s board voted to move forward with it, and “all the downtown businesses would like to have in the downtown,” she said, answering how she knows that by adding that “we sent this out to everybody, and I have not had one person come back with anything negative. Everyone was for it.”
“So this doesn’t give anyone the right to do stupid things. All this is doing is letting you walk around socially with a drink. This shouldn’t attract any people who are going to be falling down drunk or causing problems because it hasn’t so far at any of the walks, and it hasn’t in the square, so the same laws would apply,” she said. “There’s still no drinking and driving. There’s still no you cannot be drunk in public. All we are saying is there’s nothing wrong with someone buying a drink, being responsible and saying, ‘hey, let’s go shopping, let’s go to the next place.’ And like we said, what it’s going to do is going to slow down your drinking instead of you rushing to drink.”
As for how this might affect garbage, per a council member's question, public works would empty trash containers per usual, and BID and city officials hoped that visitors would be respectful to properly dispose of their litter, Tabelski and Maute said.
Maute suggested that downtown restaurants and bars have some type of plastic cup with a BID logo for people to use, however, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said the department is stretched too thin as it is and he thought that may be too difficult to be monitored by the police on a daily basis. Everyone agreed that glass would be prohibited.
If approved by council, this would become adopted under local law number 5 to amend Section 37 Alcoholic Beverages of the Batavia Municipal Code.
Le Roy advanced in the Class B sectionals with a commanding 19-3 win over Attica on Friday.
Senior Luke Lathan set the tone on the mound, pitching five strong innings and allowing just two hits and one run to earn the victory. Freshman Jude Christ finished the job, tossing the final two innings and surrendering only two hits.
At the plate, the Knights’ offense was relentless. Alex Spezzano, Brady McClurg, and Jake Higgins each collected two hits, while Cam Wilson, Peter Clark, Jace Jedrewski, Jude Christ, and Jagger Smith all contributed with a hit apiece.
With the win, Le Roy moves on to face the winner of the Dansville-Haverling matchup on Tuesday.
Batavia exploded for 10 runs in the second inning and never looked back, rolling to a 20-8 win over Aquinas in the Section V Class B baseball sectional playoffs Friday.
The Blue Devils sent 15 hitters to the plate in the second, drawing eight walks and collecting four hits to seize control early. Batavia finished with 13 hits on the day.
Bronx Buchholz earned the win, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit, no earned runs, and striking out six. Brady Mazur and Maggio Buchholz handled the final two innings in relief.
Lakoda Mruczek went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Brady Mazur was 2-for-2, scoring four runs and driving in one. Nolan Ball reached base all five times, walking four times and scoring four runs. Jameson Motyka was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Maggio Buchholz added two hits and three runs. Brock Bigsby tripled, scored three runs, and drove in two. Brady Carney and Champ Buchholz each had an RBI.
“We’ve played really well the last couple times out, and we're hitting our stride at the right time,” Batavia coach Michael Sputore said.
Batavia plays Pittsford Mendon on Tuesday in Mendon.
"They’re the number one seed so that says a lot about them, and our boys will be up for the challenge,” Sputore said.
Pembroke secured a 2-1 walk-off win over Letchworth in the first round of the Section V Class C softball sectionals Friday evening at the Albion Turf Complex.
Letchworth struck first in the third inning when Grace Mitchell singled, driving in the game’s opening run. Pembroke held Letchworth to one run through the seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Reagan Schneider was hit by a pitch, Sophia Gorski singled, and Taylor Bischoff walked to load the bases. Camille Campbell then singled to the outfield, scoring two runs and clinching the victory for Pembroke.
Jayden Hootman earned the win for Pembroke, allowing just two hits and one run over seven innings. Hootman recorded eight strikeouts, two walks, and one hit batter.
Gorski, Bischoff, Schneider, and Juliana Cleveland each had one hit for Pembroke. Bischoff and Schneider both doubled.
Mitchell finished with two singles and one RBI for Letchworth.
In a thrilling Section V playoff shocker, the 12-seed Byron-Bergen Bees softball team toppled 5-seed Sodus with a dominant 23–8 victory. Down 8–5 in the fifth inning, the Bees unleashed an offensive explosion that flipped the script and secured a statement win.
The rally began with freshman Lillian Meier, who came off the bench and delivered a clutch, game-tying triple — the first extra-base hit of her varsity career. The very next batter, sophomore Taylor Lundfelt, stepped to the plate 0-for-24 on the season and broke through in the biggest moment, smashing a deep double to give the Bees a lead they never gave back.
On the mound, Lily Stalica came in to relieve Lauren Gartz in the fourth inning and shut the door on Sodus. Stalica tossed 2.2 innings of no-hit, shutout softball while striking out four to earn the win.
“This was the kind of game that shows what these girls are made of,” said Head Coach Steve Ball. “We’ve faced adversity all season, and today we saw what can happen when you keep fighting. Lillian and Taylor stepped up in huge moments — that’s what team softball is all about. I couldn’t be prouder of every single player on that field. This was a full team win, and we’re not done yet.”
Stats:
• J. Weaver: .500 batting average, three runs, two RBIs, two walks • J. Amesbury: .667 batting average, two hits, three RBIs • K. Chase: 1.000 batting average, two runs, two RBIs • L. Meier: Game-tying triple, four RBIs • T. Lundfelt: Go-ahead three-run double, three RBIs • L. Gartz: 2-for-3, three runs, four RBIs • L. Stalica: 2 2/3 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, four strikeouts (win)
Eight local students graduated on Wednesday, May 14, from the Genesee County Youth Bureau’s Youth Lead Program. This eight-month-long program focuses on developing leadership skills through hands-on experiences.
Congratulations to the following Genesee County Youth for completing the program:
Elle Bentley, a Freshman from Elba
Preslee Blecha, a Freshman from Alexander
Jenavieve Gang, a Freshman from Oakfield-Alabama
Lyla Jones, a Freshman from Le Roy
Kennedy Lear, a Freshman from Alexander
Lucia Longoria, a Sophomore from Elba
Zachary Thorne, a Freshman from Alexander
Carolyn Wujcik, a Freshman from Le Roy
These eight students met monthly to learn more about their community, how to be leaders, and the needs and challenges found in Genesee County.
Areas of topic this year included Leadership, Business, Community Service, Criminal Justice, Arts & Culture, and Health & Emergency Preparedness. A few highlights of this year included a tour of The Chamber of Commerce, creating holiday cards for the elderly in Genesee County, a tour of the new Genesee County Jail, a history of Jamaican Culture by Jackie Swaby at GOART!, and a fire extinguisher demonstration by Gary Patnode of Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.
Congratulations to these future leaders!
Applications for Youth Lead are open for the 2025-2026 school year. Interested Genesee County high school students, grades 9-12, are encouraged to apply. Applications are due September 1, 2025. For additional information or to apply, visit https://shorturl.at/t6qPr.
The Batavia Police Department is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for all residents. To achieve this goal, we need your help. If you have information about illegal drug activity in our community, we urge you to report it anonymously through the Submit a Tip link on our Crimewatch page.
Drug abuse and trafficking can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and our community as a whole. By reporting suspicious activity, you can help us identify and disrupt illegal drug operations, making our streets safer for everyone.
Our Tip Line is a secure and confidential way to share information about drug-related crimes. You can remain anonymous, and your tip will be investigated promptly by our dedicated team. Your contribution can make a significant difference in our efforts to combat drug abuse and keep our community safe.
Here's how you can report drug activity anonymously:
Provide as much information as possible about the suspected drug activity, including location, time, and any other relevant details.
Submit your tip, and our team will review and investigate it promptly.
Remember, your tip can be the key to making a positive impact in our community. Let's work together to create a safer, healthier environment for everyone. Report drug activity anonymously today! If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please seek help from a trusted healthcare provider or a reputable treatment center. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe.
8515 E Lake Road Stafford. Super opportunity to ownwaterfront property in Genesee County! This lovingly kept and well maintained ranch sits directly on waterfront edge of super peaceful Horseshoe Lake. Updated throughout the years this home is move in ready and will surprise you with how much space you have! Starting at road front this home has extra parking space across private road for all your guests as well as ample parking at house. As you walk in back door you are immediately in large enclosed porch in case you want a change of scenery and a perfect place for your extras and coats and shoes! Walk into pretty kitchen with plenty of cupboard space and work island and with easy viewing out through dining area to the lake-the scenery makes all cooking better! There is also an open office room or sitting room/hobby area off of kitchen! The formal dining area of course looks over "front" yard and lake and leads to large deck for outside entertaining as well as private dock for your water toys(Lake rules and regulations apply) The home has three good-sized bedrooms with plenty of closet space and then best of all there is large and brite family room with cathedral ceiling, wet bar and cozy gas fireplace! Furnace and hot water tank are 7/8 years old approximately, there is PUBLIC water and a BRAND NEW septic system install in 2021. Conveniently located to dining shopping college and thruway!! This year round waterfront property checks all the boxes! Any accepted offer is subject to approval by Horseshoe Lake Corporation.. Call Reliant Real Estate today - call 585-344-HOME (4663)
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Inc Carries on Memorial Day Tradition Honoring Local Veterans, photo provided
This morning, some members of the Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc., placed flags on the graves of Veterans to honor and remember their service and sacrifice this Memorial Day.
Flags were placed in several cemeteries in Bethany and East Bethany.
This is the fifth year this local service organization has carried on this tradition, which it proudly began in 2020.
Special thanks to the Town of Bethany, which purchased and supplied the flags that were placed at the gravesites.
Information provided by Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club
File Photo from start of winter racing season at Batavia Downs. By Howard Owens.
Nicolle Fortes Submitted photo
Batavia Downs is betting on experience and an increased commitment to racing as it promotes longtime employee Nicolle Fortes to director of live racing and moves forward with track improvements.
“Nicolle Fortes, who has been with the Corporation for 31 years and is currently director of intertrack wagering, has been selected for the position of director of live racing,” said Byron Brown, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.
Fortes, a Batavia resident, replaces Don Hoover, who retired.
The Western OTB board approved Fortes’ promotion to grade seven pay level, which keeps her $102,000 annual salary consistent with the prior director's salary, who was part-time. Fortes will be on the job 12 months a year.
There is a long-term trend, even at the national level, in live-race attendance and wagering, Brown said. He hopes Fortes can invigorate the experience at Batavia Downs.
“As you know, racing, harness racing, and thoroughbred racing have been down nationally, and we want to place more focus on it strategically, to bring more people into enjoying racing,” Brown said.
Brown acknowledged that maintaining a racing operation is required for the casino’s license, even as the industry faces a decline in popularity.
“We are required to have our casino operation. We’re required to continue our racing operation, which is one of the priorities of New York State -- to support the racing industry. So we are leaning into that. We’re going to provide more focus and resources to that element of our business, and we are hopeful that we will see increased patronage, more customers coming in and enjoying racing,” Brown said.
Brown described Fortes as “a very hard worker, very knowledgeable about racing, someone who is well respected by her colleagues in the corporation and very well respected by our customers, and we are pleased to offer her this promotion.”
The board also authorized hiring Gary Wolf, a consultant with more than 30 years of experience, to oversee racetrack maintenance and training, and awarded Keeler Construction a $44,396 contract to resurface the track.
“Having optimal track conditions is important to the horsemen, to the drivers, and certainly to the safety of the horses,” Brown said.
The Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association will pay half Wolf's salary.
Brown said the changes are part of a broader strategy to boost interest in harness racing at Batavia Downs.
Track resurfacing and consultant services are scheduled to begin before the new season and the Night of Champions event.
Dennis Bassett, chairman of the board for WROTB, Byron Brown, president and CEO, and board member Michael Horton. Brown was presented with a commemorative football at the close of OTB's Thursday meeting for being “our guy here at the one yard line that put us over” in securing a 5 percent tax reduction in the new state budget, a key legislative win for Batavia Downs. Brown joked that getting the ball over the goal line didn't involve a "tush push." Photo by Howard Owens.
File Photo of Aubrey Puccio of Stafford Photo by Howard Owens
Le Roy High School senior Aubrey Puccio demonstrated fan appeal during preliminary rounds of competition for Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound, a Rochester Broadway Theatre League press release states.
The 18-year-old performer was voted a Fan Favorite in event sponsor WROC News 8’s poll conducted in conjunction with the local competition, the release stated.
Puccio was one of 40 finalists chosen out of nearly 300 students to compete for the Rochester area this week, taking the stage at West Herr Auditorium Theatre Thursday as part of the National High School Musical Theater Awards local competition.
Tessa Meyers and Ian Royse, both from Greece Arcadia, were chosen to go on and compete among more than 100 other student performers from across the country. Perhaps better known as the Jimmy Awards, the national high school musical awards are to be presented June 23 at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City.
Town of Batavia - Lower 1 bedroom apartment for rent with all appliances and parking. Sun room with gas fireplace and patio. $1100/ Month; plus electric, includes heat and water. No pets and no smoking. Security and references required. Available June 15th. Call 585-344-3141 for appointment.
