Of the hundreds of incidents and memories that retiring Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron will be taking with him, there’s no one particular instance that he holds dear, he says.

“I think it’s kind of cliche, but the people you get to work with, not only here in the sheriff’s office, but the fellow law enforcement officers, the emergency responders, the volunteer firemen, are incredible,” Sheron said Monday during his last day at the sheriff’s Park Road office. “Those are the things that really stand out to me, and just the opportunities I’ve had over the many years I’ve been here and the great people I’ve had to work with.”

Sheron began his career on June 4, 1977, at the age of 18 as an emergency dispatcher. On Monday, he was preparing for the official “walk-out.” Several deputies, county officials, friends and family members lined the sidewalk to salute and applaud the outgoing sheriff’s accomplishments and nearly five decades of service in law enforcement.  

Before that could happen, he gave the final call over the radio: “Genesee One. GS-1, after 47 years of service, is out of service. Thank you to everybody. I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had, and God bless you all.”

Dispatch responded, “GS-1 out of service. Thank you for your 47 years of service and dedication to the community of Genesee County. Best of luck on your future endeavors.”

And, with that, Sheron pulled his hat on, topping off his dress uniform, and he and wife Shari linked arms and began to walk down the sidewalk during an emotional salute. 

“I’m very proud of what he's accomplished, starting from dispatcher all the way up to Sheriff,” Shari said. “And I'm just very proud of him.”

Frank Riccobono has known the sheriff for nearly all of his time with Genesee County, having also worked his way up from an auxiliary police officer in 1980 to director of emergency communications. 

“I’ve had a long career with Bill. He’s been a great leader. Not just a leader, but a good friend, and he's often helped me out, been great in guidance. Obviously, I've worked my way up through, and he's been there every step of the way. And I can't thank him enough,” Riccobono said. “It’s going to be different, especially because now I'm the old guy. So it's definitely going to be different with both Bills — both Bill Zipfel and Bill Sheron — retiring. That's a lot of experience that's gone out the door, and luckily, we have good people still here, but they both have big shoes that we're going to have to fill.” 

Batavia City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch described Sheron as a “consummate gentleman” and someone who was “always there to lend a helping hand.”

“Any time there's a major incident or a major critical incident, Bill's always been there with whatever we needed. He's always been able to help us out. And personally, I've leaned on him for support and guidance through helping me become the chief that I am. So he's a good man, a real good man,” Heubusch said. “He’s got a really good successor in place, and Joe, Sheriff Graff, I think he's got big shoes to fill, but he's been around a long time. He's not like he's only got three years on the job; he’s been around for 20-plus years, and he's been around this organization for 20 years, which is important. He knows the inner workings. We have a great working relationship now. I don't expect anything to change, I think our relationship will just continue to grow.”

Meanwhile, Sheron said it would take some time to figure out what to do next. He has “mixed emotions” about leaving and plans to spend some time in warmer weather for a while.

“I love working here; it's my second family. I've always said that the people here are like my children now, brothers and sisters. So it's mixed emotions. I know it's time to move on, it's time for new blood in here, and I just think that I don't know, I'm gonna wait till the dust settles, and then it'll hit home, and I'll decide what I'm going to do from here. There are a few things going around in my head, but nothing concrete right now,” he said. “We're going to take a little time in Florida, and then I'm sure I'll come up with something. Between my wife and I, we’ll find something for me to do.”

In Girls Basketball on Monday, Elba beat Batavia 54-36.

For the Lancers, Sydney Reilly and Mariah Ognibene each scored 14 points. 

Jaimin Macdonald scored 17 points for Batavia.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Notre Dame in Girls basketball on Monday 51-48.

Sofia Falleti scored 18 points for the Irish. Gianna Falleti scored nine and Lucia Fiorentino scored seven ad had nine rebounds.

There were no stats submitted for O-A.

Photos by Pete Welker.

Press Release:

Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown reminds New Year's Eve revelers that Batavia Downs has a full line-up of free activities to ring in the new year that includes music, fireworks and a balloon drop.

The night starts with DJ Eddie Woo live inside 34 Rush at 8 p.m. that includes music and dancing, and is free and open to the public.

That will be followed by a live Fireworks show, by Youngs Explosives of Rochester, that will start at 10:30 p.m. on the outdoor track area. Patrons can view the fireworks show from the enclosed second floor grandstand area.

And then at the stroke of midnight, a balloon drop inside 34 Rush to celebrate the start of 2025.

Batavia Downs President and CEO said, "Batavia Downs has become a destination spot not just in Genesee County but in Western New York. With all we have to offer from almost a thousand gaming machines, a fabulous hotel, great
dining options and of course live racing, that’s why people love coming here. And Batavia Downs will be the place to be on New Year's Eve with shows, restaurants, fireworks and much more."

And the action continues at Batavia Downs in 2025 with the start of the Live Winter Racing Season on Monday, January 6th. Racing will be Mondays and Thursdays until February 24th with post time at 3 p.m.

Use the Coupon Code GOLOCAL2025 for 10 percent off for all of 2025 on either a monthly or annual plan.  Offer good through Jan. 1.

Local news is what holds communities together. Local news reporters are the ones who keep tabs on local elected officials. Without local reporters, you would know very little about what is happening in your community. You would be in the dark.  

Click here to get started today!

To the many people who knew former Batavia High School teacher and principal Glenn Young — from family and friends to students and colleagues — he served as an inspiration. He made a difference as a favorite teacher and fair administrator.

“This man was an amazing person to work with and for. I have nothing but respect for him,” Burton Howell said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I remember so fondly him telling everyone about his nephew that might get drafted from Arizona and how cool that story ended up.” 

As a former Batavia resident and BHS graduate, Young grew up on a dairy farm outside of Potsdam before that and joined the Army after he graduated high school. He served in Germany during the Korean War and worked his way through college at Potsdam University as a police officer for the city of Potsdam. 

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1964, he took a position at BHS as a history teacher. In 1985, he became principal of the school until he retired 10 years later. 

Glenn Young died Dec. 27 in Tucson, Ariz., where he lived during retirement. He was 91.

There were certain things about Young that Howell isn’t likely to forget, he said, such as the sound of Young’s cowboy boots coming down the hallway: they announced his arrival before he ever showed up. He also talked about how excited he was about his nephew John Fina, a tackle at the University of Arizona when the boy was being considered for the NFL draft.

“It was awesome when he got drafted by the Bills, and even better when he had a remarkable career here,” Howell said. “My fondest memory as a teacher with Glenn as my principal was at a parent meeting where the parent began attacking me. Glenn literally stood up between me and the parent and told them they would never speak to one of his teachers that way, and dismissed me. As I walked away, I heard him tear into the parent about how his teachers wouldn’t be treated that way.”

He had nothing but good words for this former administrator, Howell said. Former Board of Education President Patrick Burk shared a similar sentiment in that Young "was always kind, inclusive and welcoming.”

“I was honored to work with him as a member of the Board of Education,” Burk said on a social media post. 

Batavia school teacher John Kirkwood also posted, adding, “You were a difference maker for the Batavia City School District, and you will be remembered fondly by those who had the pleasure to work with you.”

Former student Cheryl Kowalik told The Batavian that Young “cared about the students and staff he worked with.” He was an excellent teacher and principal, she said, and was an educator who made learning fun.

Another former student, current school Superintendent Jason Smith, credits Young as a bridge for Smith’s longtime friendship with a foreign exchange student from the 1980s.

“My best memory of Mr. Young was when he met with me in his office in early December of my junior year in 1988 to discuss a foreign exchange student at BHS, who was also a friend of mine. He was having difficulty at his present home placement, and Mr. Young was looking for ideas, somehow knowing we were friends,” Smith said. “The following week Hiro Yamabe moved in with my family and I on Elm Street for the rest of the school year. 

“That conversation initiated by Mr. Young about Hiro resulted in a wonderful 37-year friendship,” Smith said. “Hiro, my family and I are so grateful to Mr. Young for showing such kindness and caring, as Hiro would have likely returned to Japan, and instead, it led to a wonderful and special friendship.”

There were a number of things that came to mind for Ginny Tiede when she thought of Glenn Young, though her clearest memory was of him patrolling the halls of BHS, walking “very softly in his cowboy boots.” He also had quite a green thumb, planting clumps of white birch in the courtyard and converting his home porch into a year-round automatic vegetable watering system.

“We visited him and Rosemary at their home in the foothills near Sabino Canyon in Tucson several decades ago,” Tiede said. “There was a hummingbird nest in the frame of their basketball hoop. Glenn liked to go hiking.”

Apparently, Batavia High School had carved out a spot in his heart just as he had impacted that community. He shared many memories with his grandson on return visits to Batavia after his retirement, Dawson Young said. 

“My grandfather lived an amazing and accomplished life,” Dawson said in an online post. “My grandfather loved Batavia High School. In his time there, he told me how he had helped build the courtyard adjacent to the cafeterias; that courtyard was named ‘The Glenn’ in honor of him. My grandfather talked very fondly of several teachers he had hired and worked with. My grandfather was close with many teachers and former students at the school. 

“He would tell me his experience every time he returned to Batavia; he would walk down some of the streets and be recognized and admired. He was a remarkable person and I am so extremely proud to have had him as my grandpa,” Dawson said. “I love you, Grandpa, so very much. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for being an inspiration to me.”

Glenn Young is survived by a brother, Dale Young of Spring Valley, Ariz.; a sister, Carol Sullivan of California; a son Douglas Young of Clinton, Ill.; and daughter Vicki Hoover of Springfield, Ill.; a son, Mike Young of Longmont, Colo.; and a son, Jeffrey Young of Tucson, Ariz.

York held Oakfield-Alabama scoreless in the third quarter on Friday of the first round of the Cal-Mum Tournament, which helped York lockdown a 42-28 win.

The Hornets trailed by only five points after the first half, down 23-18.

Tessa Rodwell led York with 17 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.

For O-A, Allie Williams had 10 points, while Alea Groff scored six.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

The Blue Devils dominated on Friday in the big school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament at GCC, beating Attica 89-55.

Gavin White led the way with 16 points. Casey Mazur and Adrian Martinez each scored 14. Carter Mullin, Aiden Kopper, Aaden Calletto each scored eight, and Grady Hemer and Justin Smith each scored seven.

For Attica, Blake Kines scored 15, and Justin Stockweather scored 14.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

In the big school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament on Friday at GCC, Le Roy beat Roy-Hart 67-40.

Jean Agosto scored 16 points for the Knights. Matthew Hockey scored 12 and Adam Woodworth scored 10.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Use the Coupon Code GOLOCAL2025 for 10 percent off for all of 2025 on either a monthly or annual plan.  Offer good through Jan. 1.

Local news is what holds communities together. Local news reporters are the ones who keep tabs on local elected officials. Without local reporters, you would know very little about what is happening in your community. You would be in the dark.  

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Notre Dame beat Eugenio Maria de Hostas 66-61 in the small school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament at Genesee Community College on Friday.

Makyell Walker scored 29 points for the Fighting Irish. Aiden Bellevia scored 12, and TJ Cephus and Evan Fitzpatrick scored eight each.

Seth Peterson scored 22 points for EMH.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

Alexander beat Elba 68-32 in the first round of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament in the small school division at Genesee Community College on Friday.

The final score: 68-32.

Kingston Woods scored 16 points for the Trojans, and Dylan Pohl scored 14.

Nicholas Scott and Ryan Marsceill each scored 10 for the Lancers.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Flanked by colleagues from Genesee County's criminal justice system, Jail Superintendent William Zipfel strolled out of the new Genesee County Jail in a ceremonial "walk-out" on Friday to end his 42-year career.

Zipfel spent the past decade as jail superintendent, which included helping the county build a new jail over the past couple of years, moving it out of an aging and dilapidated facility on West Main Street.

But for Zipfel, that is not the capstone of his career. As a corrections officer, he's valued the opportunity to help people.

"The occasions when you've actually been able to help somebody, that's difficult to find in the corrections setting, but occasionally it happens, and that's meaningful when it happens," Zipfel said.

What he values most over his long career are his colleagues.

"The people in the department, the camaraderie and the people who made it worthwhile, especially the sheriff," Zipfel said. "I have nothing but the highest regard for the sheriff."

During his career, Zipfel has been a firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, aerosol chemical agents instructor and suicide prevention instructor.

His passion, though, is skydiving, and skydiving figures prominently in his retirement plans.

"My wife will be ticked, but I probably will go renew my skydive ratings and get my instructional ratings back that I've had and do some more skydiving," Zipfel said.

Press Release:

Join the Richmond Memorial Library for a Blizzard of Reading winter reading program from January 6 through March 1! The basics? Read books, stay cozy, and have a chance to win prizes!

Teens 13-17 and adults 18 and up are invited to take part in A Blizzard of Reading. Participants can earn up to 6 grand prize entries!

• Read four books (or three books and one magazine) (4 entries)
• Attend a library program (one entry)
• Play the “Who Said It?” game around the library by matching the quote to the book/ author. (one entry)

Grand prizes: One teen and one adult will each win a $50 gift card to Author’s Note bookstore in Medina. All participants will receive a small prize beginning February 21. Participants must have a valid library card from a NIOGA library to be eligible to win grand prizes.

Registration begins online or at the library on Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. Visit batavialibrary.org for more info.

A Blizzard of Reading is sponsored by the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library.

Press Release:

The Town of Alexander Republican Committee is seeking a qualified resident of Alexander for the vacant elected position of Town Clerk. 

If interested or have any questions, please contact Republican Chairwoman Barbara Eddy at 585-507-9930 no later than Monday, January 6.  

Photos from Friday's swearing-in ceremony at the Old County Courthouse for Genesee County officials.

Press Release:

Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, January 9 at 7 p.m. In honor of the presidential inauguration this month, come and test your knowledge of when a President of the United States takes office. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome back as its first Guest Speaker of 2025, Civil War historian and author Chris Mackowski on Tuesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. In honor of the birthday of Stonewall Jackson, Chris will be presenting on his book, "The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson" of the Emerging Civil War series. The presentation will cover Jackson's military career and the last fateful days during the Battle of Chancellorsville that led to his mortal wounding. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you plan on attending, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

The Holland Land Office Museum’s first Java with Joe of 2025, will be on January 23! Our Executive Director, Ryan Duffy, will be talking about the life and legacy of Batavia’s own Medal of Honor and Order of the First Volunteer of the Civil War from New York recipient, Charles Rand! Admission is FREE and both coffee and donuts will be provided! Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Press Release:

The Town of Alabama Republican Committee is looking for candidates to immediately fill two positions on the Alabama town council due to resignations. The prospective candidates will be recommended to the Town of Alabama Board to fill the remaining year of the term.

Also, the Alabama Republican Committee is looking for candidates to run in the 2025 November election. The committee is looking for two (2) town council candidates for 4-year terms and also a candidate for Genesee County Legislator to be elected for a 4-year term in November of 2025.

All interested candidates are asked to send their information to Earl LaGrou, 7420 Macomber Rd., Oakfield OR by email to earl@lwemail.com.

All letters need to be in no later than January 11.

Press Release:

The Justice for Children Advocacy Center (JFCAC) has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Batavia.

The Justice for Children Advocacy Center serves children that have been victims of sexual or physical abuse or witness to violence. The mission of the JFCAC is to seek to reduce the incidence of child sexual and physical abuse, to minimize trauma to alleged victims, and to promote healing for victims and their families by collaborating with a variety of professionals to provide services at a single, child-friendly location. 

The JFCAC works closely with law enforcement and Child Protective Services to provide on-site forensic interviews for children, mental health therapy, medical examinations, and victim advocacy. Victim advocates will work with the child and family throughout the life of a court case and beyond.

Many children testify in grand jury and criminal court proceedings and are brave enough to give Victim Impact Statements at the sentencing proceedings of their perpetrators. The JFCAC will utilize this grant to purchase “Pocket Hug” tokens for children to hold in their hand or pocket while in court. 

This Pocket Hug will serve as a reminder of their bravery and strength, and of the support they have behind them. 

The coin is inscribed with the following, “You are Strong, you are Awesome, you are Loved, you are Not Alone, you are Tough, you are Brave, you are a Fighter.”

Facing a court room, a jury, defense attorneys, and their perpetrators is a terrifying experience for child victims and one that requires an immense amount of strength. The children may or may not have adequate family support, and the JFCAC strives to help these children feel as supported as possible. 

Advocates and parents cannot always be present while a child is testifying or facing court, but these pocket hugs will remind the children that we are right there with them. This will assist the children in cultivating a sense of courage and strength while facing their perpetrators. The JFCAC and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Rotary Club of Batavia for its generosity.

“We are so grateful to the Rotary Club of Batavia for their work in the community and for this incredible gift. We’re excited to begin distributing the Pocket Hugs and are proud to be among such wonderful community partners as the Rotary Club,” stated JFCAC Program Coordinator Trisha Reynolds.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be closed from Wednesday, January 1 through Saturday, January 18. The staff and volunteers of the museum will be working getting the museum ready for a brand new year in 2025 full of new exhibits, displays, programs and special events. 

The museum will be resuming its regular operating hours of Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, January 21. For further information or questions please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.