An Oakfield-Alabama coach has been relieved of all coaching responsibilities over alleged inappropriate conduct with a student, according to a letter Superintendent John Fisgus sent to district parents on Thursday.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating the allegations, according to the letter.

The person has been banned from all district property and prohibited from any contact with students or staff.

"Please note that the district does not employ this coach in any capacity beyond the coaching role," Fisgus wrote.

He asked that anyone with information relevant to the investigation contact the Sheriff's Office.

"The district remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all students," Fisgus said.

Shop Oliver's Candies! Shop the Sweet Life Country Store!

NOTE: Members of Early Access Pass get first crack (four hours earlier access than non-members) at making Deals of the Day purchases. Join Early Access Pass today to ensure you don't miss any valuable deals.

Reminders of how the Deal of the Day program works:

• To make purchases, you must be registered. Deal of the Day uses a registration system that is not connected to the registration for commenting on The Batavian (the main user login in the upper left of the homepage).
• Once registered you must sign in using the "sign-in" link in this box.
• You click on the orange button, which appears if the item is not sold out, and it takes you to a PayPal button. This allows you to pay either with your PayPal account or with a credit card/debit card. The login for PayPal is completely separate from our accounts.
• The first person to successfully complete the PayPal transaction wins the gift certificate.
• You are eligible to buy the same item only once in a four-month period. We use the registration system to track this for you so you don't have to.
• Only one gift certificate from the same business PER HOUSEHOLD is allowed in each four-month period. We do not have a way to automatically track duplicate purchases within a household; however, if we notice such a purchase, we reserve the right to cancel the purchase and refund the purchase money. Each individual buyer must use his or her own PayPal account for purchases. It's important that participating businesses not be asked to redeem multiple gift certificates from the same person/family at the same time.
• You will receive your physical gift certificate through postal mail. If you have questions about the receipt of your gift certificate before opening a dispute with PayPal, please use the contact email address below.
• Gift certificates should be used within 30 days of receipt.
• Sign-in issues? First, make sure you are registered for Day using the link at the top of this post; Second, if you know you're registered, use the "sign-in" link in this post; do not use the "login" box on the left side of the page.
• Problems, questions, concerns about the Deal of the Day? Email Kara Richenberg:   kara@thebatavian.com

Rochelle “Shelley” Stein’s opponent for the District 5 Genesee County legislator seat has said there is a disconnect between Stein and her Le Roy constituents, and The Batavian asked if she knew why or how she would address it.

The way Stein sees it, there was a tie at the Le Roy Republican Committee, resulting in a non-endorsement, and another non-endorsement at the county level, which means a Primary, she said. She is running against newcomer Laurie Mancuso for the District 5 seat on the Genesee County Legislature.

“And this is the democratic process, and I welcome the opportunity to confirm for folks that I'm doing the work that I was elected to do as the county legislator from Le Roy,” she said. “Some of the things that I can absolutely point to are the direct county investments in Le Roy, and that being a multi-year subsidy contract with Le Roy Ambulance so that we can lessen response time and maintain a robust EMS system here in Le Roy that also can respond in the county. We purchased equipment for Le Roy Ambulance for $185,000, and that puts life-saving equipment on those ambulances.

“We also have invested in the high-speed broadband available to all address points, and those investments improve the quality of life in Le Roy,” she said. “And just today, I know that Spectrum has been calling on folks on Thwing Road and North Road, and Griswold Road is on its way. These direct investments are incredibly important to people here in Le Roy.”

Stein said that she is a positive force working for Le Roy, and however other candidates want to campaign, “I am going to stick by what I have done, what I've brought forward of my work and my responsibilities at the county,” she said.

One bone of contention appears to be the sales tax agreement, which was discussed beginning in 2018 and approved on August 25, 2021. The deal capped sales tax distribution at $10 million for the city of Batavia, towns and villages within the county. Ever since, there have apparently been concerns and complaints by town board officials — a few of whom have spoken during county budget talks — and it was shared with Stein as “the crux” of issues with her reelection, she said.

“I’m very proud of the fact that this Legislature takes a long view on capital investments that have to be made, such as the jail and the change to the sales tax agreement that was done. The jail belongs to everybody here in the community, and this is what the county needed to do. It was a difficult decision to come to. It was difficult for legislators. It was difficult for our communities,” she said. “The county Legislature took the stance that when we could share extra, we would, as far as additional revenue distribution, and we actually did that twice. So we did what we said we were going to do.”

The deal was a way to pay off the state-mandated and unfunded $70 million new county jail, Stein said. By capping sales tax distribution, the county was able to reserve $4 million a year for the jail’s debt service.

“I don’t know how that was misconstrued, let me put it that way,” she said. “I’m the only candidate who has any sort of county experience or municipal experience, and I will continue to represent Le Roy in a positive manner.”

The sales tax agreement is for 40 years to match the jail’s debt service, she said. And it didn’t just happen.

“Conversations were had for three years ahead of this. There was a lot of conversation and explanation from the county, including the county manager and the county treasurer. However, this jail did not have any funding stream available from the state. There are no grants,” she said. “It is a requirement by the state of New York to replace this 100-plus-year-old jail, which, quite frankly, other legislatures had kicked down the road. We didn’t have any options left. So you stand up and you do the difficult tasks at hand, and you take the criticisms at the same time.”

As for Stein being elected as the county Legislature’s chairwoman, a two-year term she has consecutively served since 2020, she believes that has only bolstered her position both as a legislator and representative of Le Roy. 

Although her opponent has openly questioned whether it’s a distraction from her District 5 duties, Stein said she thinks “a strength the community would want to have in their elected leader is that other legislators have tapped me to be chair … that shows that there is a trust and a value that other legislators put in me.”

She also shared how her position as chair connects her to opportunities that she in turn communicates to her district officials.

“Just this week … I have shared with both our mayor and supervisor, village clerk and town clerk about the Rochester Area Community Foundation. They are targeting grants for rural communities this year, and I have been in touch with (a key official), asking that I can host a conversation in the county, I would prefer that it would be in Le Roy, of course, or somewhere close to Le Roy, where we can have them come in and talk to us specifically about how these grants are going to work, what the application deadline is, understand the mission of the Rochester Area Foundation, why they are targeting rural towns and villages in Genesee and Orleans County, And what the grant would look like on the front end and the reporting process on the back end.

“Gov. Hochul just announced $100 million available for municipal and not-for-profit community centers. So I again sent this off to both the town clerk, village clerk, the village mayor and the town supervisor because I know that there is an interest in revamping the community pool,” she said. “Then this same week, the consolidated funding application workshop was noted and, again, sent that off, and the GCEDC hosted a meeting for a workshop … so these communications I continue to share these opportunities with both the town and village because when I get these opportunities, sharing them is the best way to keep communication going, and the opportunity for our communities to apply to these grants.”

She added that for the past two years, the county has budgeted for each town and village to obtain up to $5,000  for grant-writing services — a way to bring back our taxpayers’ dollars in the state government to work in their communities, she said, and “all very positive.”

If you were reelected, what do you feel are the needs of Le Roy, and what would be your priorities?

Completion of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan
“That is really going to help us determine how we address challenges in our 10 focus areas,” she said, including the latest one of community wellness to address a lack of beds for end-of-life care; how to get communication out to seniors and sufficiently connect them to services and common tools they can use when not familiar with email and websites.

Obtain the total funding for the $150 million Phase 3 water capacity project
“The impetus of that focus for myself was the fact that we lost out in Le Roy on the Great Lakes Cheese plant, which would have brought hundreds of jobs to our community, and would have been able to help grow our community,” she said. “And that was in 2022 when we lost that opportunity for that economic development project, that really kick-started the focus on getting Phase 3 water capacity, and I have been diligent, committed, laser focused. 

"I have been the one who has the networks with our state and federal funding entities, our engineering folks, our water engineering folks," she said. "Tim Hens said it best: ‘this was the first time that they felt support from the Legislature to really buckle down and knuckle in on this water capacity.’ So that all started from a project that Le Roy lost.”

Initiate a land bank
To help renovate dilapidated homes, get them out of bank holdings and bring them back onto the tax rolls, put those homes back into homeowners’ hands.

The role of the Legislature chair is elected by the other legislators. Stein said that she would serve again if asked to do so by the other members, adding that “there is a lot of work that is unseen.”

For example, she is or has been involved in the Genesee Regional Transportation Council, which funds some bridge projects; the Genesee Regional Finger Lakes Planning Council that works on the comprehensive plan for the village of Le Roy; and three different committees that cover environment, agriculture and resources, and intergovernmental issues. 

She is on the National Association of Counties board, Ag Committee, the Rural Action Caucus, a liaison for Workforce Investment Board, Office For the Aging Advisory Board, Inter-county of Western New York, Genesee 2050 Comprehensive Plan, and GLOW Works Inc.

On a more personal note, Stein also volunteers and serves at Our Lady of Mercy as an Eucharistic Minister and Lector, has been a trustee of the Le Roy parish for 12 years, and has taught catechism doctrine classes for seven years. She was a 30-year volunteer at the Oatka Festival and was part of the Bergen and Le Roy America’s Best Communities grant program, which earned those municipalities a $25,000 economic development plan.

Her 70-year family farm has grown and raised a second generation of ownership, she said, with now its third generation “being interested, being active in agriculture, growing a farm and continuing on with farming,” Stein said. The current owners are her two children, Jerrod and Natasha, and her nephew, Nathaniel, while Stein remains involved as an employee. There have been some accusations of the relationship between her official position and Stein Farms having received grant money in the past.

“I don’t have ownership in the farm. Any grant awarded to the farm is competitive,” she said. “There is no connection to the county; nobody has that amount of reach.”

She stated that her voting record can be verified, and the only potential conflict of interest she recalled was related to a conservation easement. She left the meeting while the remaining legislators discussed the matter and took any related votes. The Batavian did not have time to review her prior voting records before publication.

Why do you believe you deserve the vote for District 5 legislator?
“Because I am steadfast here in Le Roy. I have experience in local government,” Stein said. “I learned what it was like as a town supervisor for eight years and now in the Legislature, that foundation of municipal experience has brought me to a place where I am knowledgeable, I am tested, proven, and I'm trustworthy. That's why I deserve people's votes.”

Early voting for this year's Primary begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Arc Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

“Approximately 40, 50 times.”

That was Travis Helmer’s response when asked by the prosecution how many times he knocked on the door of the Rochester Road, Middleport residence where Edward Dunn had been staying on March 25, 2024. 

Helmer is an investigator with the New York State Department of Corrections.

On the second day of testimony in the Edward Dunn murder trial, jurors heard from multiple investigators at both the county and state level, as well as from Dr. Nadia Granger, the Monroe County medical examiner. Piece by piece, a narrative of events was assembled for the jury to consider.

Dr. Granger was the first to take the stand. She testified that she performed an autopsy on Michael Poole on March 20, 2024. Poole, she explained, had suffered three gunshot wounds—two entering beside his right ear and one entering near the outer corner of his right eye.

Granger stated that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. All three shots were fired from within a distance of six inches, as indicated by soot patterns found in the wounds. She confirmed that Poole was alive after at least one of the shots, noting that blood had entered his airway and lungs.

“Mr. Poole’s lungs had areas of dark pooling within the lung tissue,” Granger said, adding that the red pooling she observed was consistent with blood from the airway.

When asked by the defense to review the toxicology report, Granger confirmed that Poole had evidence of cocaine and its byproducts in his system, along with two byproducts of marijuana and methamphetamine.

Following Granger’s testimony, several law enforcement officers described the March 25 arrest of Dunn on an outstanding warrant, as well as the March 28 search of the Rochester Road apartment.

Matthew Garber, an investigator with the Fugitive Investigation Unit at the New York State Department of Corrections, testified that he assisted in locating Dunn. Along with Helmer, he knocked on an apartment door, waiting for someone to answer.

“The door was locked,” Garber said. He explained that officers could not force entry because the apartment was not Dunn’s personal residence.

Eventually, Norman Dubois, the leased occupant of the apartment, came downstairs and stated that another person was still inside. That person was Katherine Henry. After Henry came downstairs, Dubois gave officers permission to enter the second-floor apartment.

Upstairs, the investigators found four rooms. In the last room they searched, they discovered a hole in the ceiling—covered by a flag—that led to a two-by-two-foot crawlspace. When they removed the flag, it became clear someone was inside.

“Whoever’s up there, can you make yourself known?” Helmer recalled saying.

It took 10 minutes for Dunn to respond, and five more for him to come down. He was cooperative once he emerged from the crawlspace.

On March 28, three separate search warrants were executed at the same property by officials from Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara counties.

“I intrusively started searching the upstairs bedroom of that apartment,” said Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ryan DeLong.

In that bedroom, DeLong found a white pair of FILA sneakers that he recognized from surveillance footage related to a recent burglary. He believed the shoes were linked to other crimes in Genesee and nearby counties.

Outside, investigators searched through garbage located near the entrance to the upstairs apartment. They laid a tarp on the ground and emptied each trash bag onto it. In one bag, they found a spent .22 caliber casing. Another casing of the same caliber was found later. Both bore the letter “A” and were collected as evidence.

DeLong confirmed they also found used black nitrile gloves in the trash—gloves that law enforcement commonly use at crime scenes.

However, defense attorney Paul Vacca challenged the implication.

“People use nitrile gloves to cook, correct?” Vacca asked.

“Correct,” DeLong replied.

The day concluded with testimony from Investigator Brian Marsceill of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Marsceill became familiar with Dunn while investigating a March 13, 2024, burglary of a laundromat in Lyndonville.

Though his presence at the Rochester Road residence was related to the burglary case, Marsceill assisted during the March 28 search.

“I was present while Genesee County did their work,” he testified.

Testimony will resume Friday at 9:15 a.m.

Dominic J. Dyer, 20, of Batavia, was arrested May 19 and charged with assault 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Dyer allegedly punched another person multiple times in the presence of a child during a fight on Liberty Street. He was also charged with strangulation 2nd and harassment 2nd in connection with a separate incident on April 20 on East Main Street, where Dyer allegedly strangled another person during a fight in the parking lot of the Mobil gas station. Dyer was arraigned in CAP Court.

Jadeyn R. Goras, 22, of Alabama, was arrested May 15 and charged with burglary 2nd, conspiracy 4th, criminal mischief 4th, and criminal facilitation 4th. Goras was charged in connection with a burglary on Hutchins Street on Jan. 12. He was arraigned in CAP Court and is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.

Anthony A. Bomasuto, 31, of Batavia, was arrested May 18 and charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Bomasuto allegedly entered the victim’s residence in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned in CAP Court and remanded to Genesee County Jail.

Lakeisha A. Gibson, 38, of Batavia, was arrested May 19 and charged with criminal contempt 1st. Gibson allegedly violated an order of protection. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to Genesee County Jail.

Meaghan A. Conti, 38, of Rochester, was arrested May 27 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Conti was allegedly found in possession of narcotics while being arrested on an unrelated warrant. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision.

Gary A. Rhim, 64, of Albion, was arrested May 29 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Rhim was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop on Aug. 12, 2024. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released.

Elise C. Maddox, 31, of Batavia, was arrested May 31 as a fugitive from justice. Maddox was located during a traffic stop and taken into custody on a warrant out of Gwinnett County, Georgia. She was arraigned and remanded to Genesee County Jail to await extradition.

Jacalyn J. Klein, 66, of Batavia, was arrested May 30 on a warrant. Klein was initially charged with harassment 2nd after an incident on East Main Street where she allegedly struck another person. The warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court. She was arraigned in CAP Court and is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.

William D. Gamble, Nefetiria L. Turner, Passiona C. McConnell, and Anthony J. Terry were arrested on May 27 and charged with disorderly conduct. The arrests followed an investigation into a fight on South Main Street. All four were issued appearance tickets and released.

Joey A. Evans, 34, of Batavia, was arrested May 29 and charged with harassment 2nd. Evans allegedly threatened another person during an altercation on Jackson Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Alicia M. Lyons, 45, of Batavia, was arrested May 26 and charged with trespass. Lyons allegedly went onto the property of a business on Jackson Street where she had previously been trespassed. She was issued an appearance ticket and released. Lyons was also arrested May 12 and charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly threatening another person during an altercation on West Main Street. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Justine D. Wood, 38, of Batavia, and Austin A. Heideman, 27, of Batavia, were arrested May 23 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Wood and Heideman were charged following a traffic stop on West Main Street, where they were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. Both were issued appearance tickets and released.

Thomas J. Claffey, Lisa R. Richmond, and Carl T. Amesbury were arrested May 22 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. The three were charged following a traffic stop and K9 deployment on River Street, where they were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. Richmond was additionally charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, and Amesbury was additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence. All three were issued appearance tickets and released. Claffey was also arrested May 12 and charged with DWI after allegedly being found intoxicated and sleeping at the wheel of a vehicle. He was issued several traffic tickets and is due in court May 27.

Amanda M. Garcia, 30, of Brockport, was arrested May 21 and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Garcia was charged after a traffic stop on East Main Street. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Dennis R. Peters, 68, of Batavia, was arrested May 20 and charged with menacing 2nd. Peters allegedly threatened another person with a metal pipe during an argument on West Main Street. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. He is due back in court June 18.

Brandon M. Kirby, 32, of Batavia, was arrested May 18 and charged with criminal mischief 4th. Kirby allegedly took a cell phone from the victim in an attempt to prevent them from calling 911 during a domestic dispute. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released.

Anthony G. Cicoria, 56, of Caledonia, was arrested May 20 and charged with petit larceny. Cicoria allegedly stole a cowboy hat from the 7-Eleven on East Main Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Benjamin A. Rachow, 42, of East Bethany, was arrested May 12 and charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Rachow allegedly had contact with the protected party of an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Dawn Orlando, 55, of Batavia, was arrested and charged with offering a false instrument for filing 1st, grand larceny 4th, and welfare fraud 4th. Orlando is accused of failing to report money received from babysitting, friends, and access to cash app accounts, which allegedly resulted in her receiving $2,257.50 in public assistance benefits she was not entitled to. The charges stem from an investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Sherri Sibley. Orlando was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Michelle Mault, 39, of Corfu, was arrested and charged with welfare fraud 3rd, grand larceny 3rd, and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing, all felonies, as well as welfare fraud 5th, a misdemeanor. Mault allegedly failed to report income from employment, resulting in a SNAP overpayment of $3,705 and a HEAP overpayment of $441. The charges follow an investigation by Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi. Mault was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance with a return date.

Joseph M. Tornabene, 33, of Batavia, was arrested June 5 and charged with criminal contempt 1st. Tornabene allegedly violated an order of protection by calling the protected party while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail. He was arraigned in CAP Court and is scheduled to return to Batavia Town Court at a later date.

Mary A. Virgilio, 50, of Batavia, was arrested June 5 and charged with harassment 2nd. Virgilio allegedly punched the victim in the face following a verbal altercation on State Street Road in the Town of Batavia. She was transported to Genesee County Jail and is due to appear in CAP Court on June 6.

Timothy J. Wenzel, of Batavia, was arrested June 1 and charged with four counts of forcible touching. Wenzel is accused of inappropriately touching another employee on four separate occasions at his place of employment, without the employee’s consent. He was held at Genesee County Jail pending arraignment in CAP Court.

Mary L. Seekins, 35, of Le Roy, was arrested June 8 and charged with aggravated DWI (operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .18% or higher), DWI, moving from lane unsafely, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Seekins was charged following an investigation into a property damage accident on West Bergen Road in Bergen, where she allegedly drove off the road and struck several trees. She was released on traffic tickets and is scheduled to appear in Bergen Town Court on July 2 at 5 p.m..

If you're a musical act playing a show in Genesee County, or a Genesee County music venue, send your press releases about your shows to Kara Richenberg at kara@thebatavian.com or use the "+ Add your event" button above.

9 Norris Avenue Batavia! Look no further! Wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home in City of Batavia! Well maintained, character and charm abound in this class American Foursquare style home! You'll love the location and enjoy meeting your neighbors from the spacious front porch! Inside, you've got everything you need including a walk up attic, 1st floor full bath, and 1st floor laundry! Don't let this one pass you by - come see it!

Alabama-Basom Methodist Church, 1392 Lewiston Road, Alabama. Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. on June 15. This week, our sermon title is " Change" By Celinda McQuistion CLM Scripture reading Romans 5:1-5 and John 3:1-17. Come join us for Worship and fellowship after the service!

Ascension Parish - Roman Catholic Church, 135 Swan St., Batavia. We are open for Mass in the Church on Sundays at noon. We hope to see you there! 

Assemblies of God-New Covenant Chapel, 6690 Oak Orchard Rd., Elba.14058. We welcome all seeking a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through His finished work on The Cross with The Power of The Holy Spirit. John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you want a small, close-knit church family and a place to make a difference, please join us. Worship Service is Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Bible Study Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact us at (585)-757-6651 (585)-969-1528 or visit us on Youtube.

Batavia Assembly of God, 24 North Spruce St, Batavia. Join us for coffee in our café before our Sunday morning service that begins at 10:30 a.m. We offer "Movement Kids" (age 4 - grade 5) at 10:30 a.m. and "MVMT YTH" (grades 6-12) meet on Sunday nights at 7 p.m.

Batavia First Baptist Church, 306 E. Main St., Pastor David Weidman, where "Christ the Center, Love for All" is very evident to all who enter. We invite you to our Full Gospel Sunday services at 10 a.m.; The Thrift Shoppe is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., come and browse in our beautifully renovated space. Donations are accepted during business hours. You can also enjoy a light lunch at Lydia's Kitchen while you shop. Questions? Email: firstbaptist2002@yahoo.com. Call us at (585)343-9002.

Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia, invites you to join us for in-person worship on Sundays at 9 a.m. (Arise-relaxed with band music) or 10:45 a.m. (Sanctuary -liturgical and organ) or on Livestream via Facebook Live for both times at: https://fpcbatavia.org/  or https://www.facebook.com/fpcbatavia/videos/.

Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Our mission & vision statement:  “To be disciples, we must listen, learn, lead, and love our way to God.” Reverend Wayne Mort leads our worship service every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Childcare is offered for children birth-3 years old and Sunday school is offered for children ages 4-14 years old. You can also find the service on Facebook. We invite you to learn more about Batavia First UMC by visiting our website at www.BataviaFirstumc.com.

Byron Presbyterian Church, 6293 W. Main St., Byron. Pastor: Rev. Michael Fry. Musical Director: Laurence Tallman.
Worship/Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Communion Sunday. Scripture Readings: John 16:12-15 and Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31. Message: “Foundation of Hope”. Today we honor fathers and graduates!  We will take a moment to honor our young graduates. And there is a surprise for our guys as well as a special Father’s Day song! Don’t miss it All are welcome!

Calvary Baptist Church of Le Roy, 8703 Lake Street Road, Le Roy.  If you do not already have a church that you attend regularly, we would like to invite you to give Calvary Baptist Church a try.  It would be a pleasure to have you join us for worship and fellowship on a Sunday morning or at one of our other mid-week events. As a multi-generational congregation that enjoys our time together, our Sunday worship service typically includes singing a mix of both traditional and contemporary songs and hymns, a children’s message, and a sermon from the Word of God. Our Sunday worship service begins at 10:15 a.m.

City Church, 210 E. Main St., Batavia, invites you for our Sunday morning services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. with Kids ministry at 10 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to join us for worship and a message. We believe in doing life together and would love to do life with YOU!  You can also connect with us online at www.thecitychurch.com, through our Facebook page, The City Church, or our YouTube channel.  We do life together.

Corfu United Presbyterian Church 63 Alleghany Road, Corfu. Corfu United Presbyterian Church (CUPC) welcomes all visitors to come worship with us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in person or via our Facebook live stream led by our pastor, the Rev. Evan Wildhack. Our mission at CUPC is to connect with Christ, connect with others, and connect others with Christ. We offer children's Sunday School at 9:15am on Sunday mornings and youth group for 7-12th graders on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 6-8 p.m. The church also hosts the Corfu Food Pantry which is open on the third Saturday of the month from 9 - 10 a.m. For Lent this year, we are hosting a Lenten lunch on Wednesday, March 26 at 12 p.m. During Holy Week, we will be holding a special Holy Week service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. Easter worship will be at our regular worship time of 10:30am with a breakfast preceding at 9:30am. For more information about the church, feel free to contact the church office by phone at (585) 599-6414 or via email at office@corfuchurch.org. You can also visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/corfuchurch. CUPC is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

Cornerstone Church of East Pembroke, part of American Baptist Churches USA, 2583 Main Road, East Pembroke. Our Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Glenn Bloom preaching. Bible Study is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. We are a small church and welcome new members. (585) 762-8721

Darien Disciples Church, 1951 Broadway (Route 20),  Prayer requests to Jerry at: jeromedmorrison@yahoo.com.  This week, June 15, our sermon title is “ Wisdom, God’s First Creation” led by Rodney Stringham. (CLM). Scripture Readings will be from Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and John 16:12-15. Come join us!

Discovery Chapel, 315 West Main Street, Batavia. Pastor Ingrim Green's services are on Sundays at 10 a.m. "Let's Talk Real Talk the Gospel For Real Life." Visit our website letstalkrealtalk.org for more information.

East Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5735 Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany. Our Sunday morning worship service is held at 10:30 a.m. and is led by Rev. Dr. Shiela McCullough. Visitors are always welcome. You can find out more information on our Facebook page or by emailing us at ebpresbyterian@gmail.com.

Elba First Baptist Church, 31 S. Main St., Elba, is open for the main service in person at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays. For more information about our church go to www.fbcelba.net. The pastor is Michael Davis. Email: office@fbcelba.net / Phone (585) 757-2722

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 190 Oak St., Batavia. Join us for our Sunday service at 11 am or come earlier for bible study at 9:45 am.  Free coffee and fellowship!  Pastor Tom is continuing his preaching through the book of Acts.  Debbie Prosser is leading the choir in lifting up a joyful noise to the Lord every Sunday with practice on Thursdays.  We would love to hear your voice as well!  Particularly we need ladies who love to sing to join the choir!  Can't wait to meet you!

EverPresent Church, 4 Batavia City Centre, Batavia(off of Bank Street). Pastor Jason and Pastor Michelle Norton Welcome you! Our hours are Wednesdays 6 p.m. midweek service. Sundays 10:30 a.m. doors open 9:45 a.m. Children's church starts directly following worship. Children's church ages are 5 to 11. Counseling and other appointments are scheduled through the church via Office Scheduling. You can view some of our messages through Facebook or YouTube -EverPresent Church. Our phone number is 585-297-3155. Visit our Website for more information for up and upcoming events. Our beliefs, our vision and mission. www.everpresentchurch.com

Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia. We offer two Sunday Morning Worship Services. Both services are live-streamed on our Facebook page, Grace Baptist or view it on the web at: www.gracebatavia.org. The first service is at 8:45 a.m. (children's classes available for Nursery - 1st grade). The second service is at 10:30 a.m. (children's classes available Nursery - 5th grade). KidZone for ages 4-5th grade and Grace Student Ministries (Grades 6-12) meet on Sunday Evenings at 6 - 7:30 p.m. 

Indian Falls Methodist Church, 7908 Alleghany Road, Corfu. We have our worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings, led by Rev. Karen L. McCaffery.  This week's message is "Be a Door-Keeper" led by Eric Klotzbach. To view our services online please go to our website https://indianfallsgmc.com/ for a link for Live Streaming. We offer FREE Respite Care on Wednesday, June 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; register by emailing redlady5343@earthlink.net. Join us for our 81st Annual Strawberry Social on Wednesday, June 25 starting at 3:30pm with our Bake Sale, 4pm Chicken BBQ, and ending with our Auction at 6pm.

Morganville United Church of Christ, 8466 Morganville Rd, Stafford. Take your father on a Father’s Day drive this Sunday to our country church at 10 am as Reverend James Morasco shares his sermon, “Leaf Boat.” Our God is still speaking church. Friend us on Facebook! or better yet, visit us Sunday.

North Darien Bible Church, 9768 Simonds Road, Corfu. We are open! Sunday worship service begins at 10 a.m. Children's Church classes are available for children ages birth through sixth grade, including a classroom for children with special needs. For more information, visit our website. You can also watch LIVE on our Facebook or YouTube channel. Join us from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of every month for our free community closet, full of clothing, coats, and shoes for all. (585) 547-9646.

Northgate Free Methodist Church, 8160 Bank Street Road (North Campus), Batavia. Life is made up of relationships — with our families, our friends, our spouses, and our kids. And while those connections can bring incredible joy, they can also come with challenges, heartaches, and questions we don’t always know how to answer. In our new series “This Is Us", we’re leaning in together to talk about navigating life’s most critical relationships — with honesty, grace, and a whole lot of love. Because God cares deeply about the people in our lives, and He offers wisdom and hope for every relationship we’re in. So wherever you are, whatever you’re walking through — this is us, and we’re in this together.

Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church, 2210 Judge Road., Oakfield. Join us for Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m., followed by our worship service at 11 a.m. every Sunday! Visit our website (www.oabchurch.com) for additional information about our church, our beliefs, upcoming activities, and past messages. Men’s and Ladies’ Bible studies also meet on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on the church grounds. We look forward to worshiping and fellowshipping with you! Questions? Email Pastor Matt Ervin at mervin@tyndale.edu.

Oakfield Community Bible Church, 82 North Main St. Oakfield. This Weeks “Oakfield Community Bible Church”, Weekend Worship Service is at 10:30 a.m.  With Praise & Worship Music by Keith Burroughs. The morning message by Pastor, Timothy Young; entitled: “Removing The Frogs”.  Scripture: “Exodus 8:1-10” (NKJV). Our Adult Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m., along with “Sunday School through Age-16”. There will be a Time of “Fellowship” following our Worship Service! ALL ARE WELCOME!

Our Lady of Mercy (44 Lake St. LeRoy) & St. Brigid (18 Gibson St. Bergen) parishes; Parish Office - 44 Lake Street, Le Roy. Our Lady of Mercy Mass times: Daily Mass, Monday -Friday at 7:30am, Saturday 9:00am. Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30pm, Sunday, 7:30am, 9:30am and 5:30pm. St. Brigid Mass times- Daily Mass Thursday at 8:30am & Saturday Vigil, 5:00pm. View on YouTube and Facebook. Please visit the parish website (https://www.ourladyofmercyleroy.org/).

Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph church in Batavia). St. Joseph's Church masses are on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Daily Mass, Monday - Friday at 8 a.m. Confessions are held at St. Joe's on Saturdays from 3 - 3:30 p.m. Vigil & Holy Days to be announced. Holy Name of Mary Site (East Pembroke) 8656 Church St., East Pembroke. Mass on Sundays 11 a.m. and Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. St. Cecilia Site (Oakfield) 56 Maple Ave., Oakfield Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia. Join us on Sundays at 9 a.m. on zoom, 10 a.m. in the church building, and on Facebook Live. Links and the bulletin can be found on our website: https://www.sjecbataviany.org/

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 E. Main St., Le Roy, is open for in-person services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Communion will be offered to people in their seats and will only include bread. We welcome you to join us -- either in person or online. For more information, visit our website.

St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6188 Main Road, Stafford. In-person service, including Holy Communion, is at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings. All  Are Welcome. 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Batavia, 31 Washington Ave, Batavia.  This coming Sunday (June 15) we will celebrate The Holy Trinity.  The Sermon Theme: The Triune God Reveals Himself in Christ Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51) Our Sunday service begins at 10:15 a.m. and can be viewed 'live' on Facebook. Communion is part of every Sunday service. Men's Bible Study meets every first & third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. VBS will run July 14-18, 1 - 3 p.m. Ages PreK - 6th grade are all welcome. This is a free event.
 

The Church In Alexander, 10540 Main St., Alexander. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. weekly. For more information please visit our website at www.thechurchinalexander.com. We offer a Free Food Pantry for people in our community, please call ahead if you need items from our pantry. For more information on Programs and services please contact us at (585)591-1765 or by email at thechurchinalexander@gmail.com. Church office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 75 Main St. in Attica, worships together at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome! Contact Frank White at uncleferter@msn.com for a ZOOM link or for prayer requests.

West Middlebury Baptist Church, 4950 West Middlebury Rd. East Bethany, Sunday service is at 9 a.m. Kids Club meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Youth Group (grades 7-12) meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit us online at westmiddlebury.org.

*******************************************************

"Spiritual Connections" -- The Batavian will post updates to connect people with their places of worship, religious services, fellowship opportunities, and/or spiritual advisors, etc. There is no charge for this service.

If you have information to announce, please email: news@thebatavian.com

Welcome to the Northgate Community Playground—a safe, welcoming space where kids can play and families can connect! Open daily from dawn to dusk, the playground is just one part of Northgate’s backyard. While you're here, explore our Prayer Walk and Disc Golf Course located just behind the playground.
Location: 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Editor's Note: An interview with Shelley Stein will run on Friday. 

As a newcomer to politics, Laurie Mancuso feels confident with endorsements from the Le Roy Town Board and the Conservative Party. She is supported by former candidate George Vito, who recently dropped out of the race for Genesee County legislator.

Mancuso is running for the town of Le Roy District 5 seat against incumbent Shelley Stein.

As a longtime “transplant” from Ohio who moved to this area while in high school, Mancuso's extensive years in manufacturing leadership have included parlaying 30 years into multiple careers at Eastman Kodak and helping to develop thread sutures of all sizes at Johnson & Johnson — all of which have equipped her to be responsible for meeting the needs of customers and taxpayers alike, she says.

“So, it was really an organization that I was responsible for that included the operations, staff, supervision, engineering, maintenance, etc.,” she said during an interview with The Batavian. “So I was responsible for making sure that we satisfied the needs of the customers that we were filling orders for.

“I’m very pragmatic. I like data to guide some decisions, most decisions, at least when I’m in the capacity of leadership that I’ve been in. Data speaks my language, so to speak,” she said. “But there’s also the people side of things: there’s also that empathetic side of me that relates to people, and how decisions that I make, that we make, affect people and organizations. Any type of leadership role that I was in always had to consider that aspect of things, which was different from some of my peers, but that’s what makes work interesting.”

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in math and sociology — combining data and people — and went on to earn her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Rochester while working at Kodak. There was work and family — her husband, Andrew Kalish, and a now-grown son and daughter — until she retired in 2021.

“I came into politics here locally just recently because I believe that’s where you start to make a difference in your community if you want to move things ahead and make things better in your community,” she said. “I’ve been on the sidelines my whole life. I've been working, raising a family and letting things within the community happen, and now, as I'm retired and can step back and really consider what part I can play to help make things better in our community, I saw an opportunity here where I think I can make a difference.”

Mancuso has been involved in the village’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, the village board and Le Roy Republican Committee. She attended both the Le Roy and Genesee County Republican meetings when the current District 5 incumbent, Shelley Stein, did not get an endorsement.

“That was a big signal: there’s something wrong, there’s some discontent, not only locally, but also at a broader county level,” Mancuso said. “I don't know what those things are, but as I've been going around talking with people, as I've petitioned for signatures to get on the ballot, and now as I'm doing more campaigning, there's just a very, very clear disconnection with her and the community. I don't think they're feeling supported by her, and I realize that she's the chair of the committees.

“So her responsibilities would be different than mine going into a legislator role, because I obviously would not be the chair, and I'll be able to really focus on the needs of Le Roy District 5, perhaps more than she's been able to in the capacity that she's in now as a chair,” Mancuso said.  “I don't want to speak for Shelley. I just know that, if I were in her shoes, I can see where that that could be difficult to kind of balance the needs of all those responsibilities, but the bottom line is that the community is feeling that, and I'm directly hearing that and experiencing that, as I mentioned, at the committee meetings.”

If you were elected, what do you feel are the needs of Le Roy, and what would be your priorities?

• “I guess immediately, we need to close the gap with regard to communication and making sure that they in the community know me well, know what work I'm doing for them, what work the legislature’s doing overall, for the county. I just think there's a just a real need to make sure there's that connection. So that would be a big primary focus of mine.
• "The water project is one that is of interest to me as I'm learning more about Phase Three that we're just entering into now, and the timing of everything and considerations, perhaps to include more of the needs that we have within Le Roy for water on the south western side of this district," she said. "As I've been campaigning, I get an earful because they don't have water. And people have considered moving because they don't, and the issues that that brings, and the farmers also, as you can imagine, some challenges there. I will definitely want to understand more about what's happening and make sure the community knows what's happening around that.
• "The land bank is very interesting. I know that's one of Shelley's things that she wants to get done. I'm still learning about that. And my big thing is, I don't want to add more government to the current government, if it would mean adding a whole staff to do that. If the Economic Development Center can take it on, that might be the best place for it," she said. "If it's something that could fit into that type of organization, that would be something I would definitely support."
• "There's still some of the sales tax issue that happened five years ago. I think we're five years into a 40-year agreement now, yeah, the sales tax sharing, we don't want to repeat anything like that again," she said. "So I just want to be very clear that any decisions that we make as a legislature really gets back to our communities and that we understand what those implications are when we make those decisions." 

The sales tax agreement was signed in 2021 as a way for the county to pay its debt service for the new jail. A distribution to the city of Batavia and towns and villages in the county is capped at $10 million a year from the revenue of sales tax, and that is to allow for a debt service of $4 million to be paid off each year.

Why do you believe you're the right choice for legislator?
“I want to make sure that Le Roy District 5 is represented and that I understand the challenges that we have as a county. There’s a lot of things that come from Albany that we have no control over as a county,” she said. “We have to question and utilize the people that we have connected to us, like our assemblymen and state senators, to work with us to make sure that they’re fighting for us and helping make things better and easier for us at the county level.”

Early voting for this year's Primary begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Arc Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

A cell phone found ringing in the center console of a truck helped investigators quickly connect Michael Poole's death to two familiar names.

In the second day of testimony in the murder trial of Edward A. Dunn, jurors heard from eight witnesses who detailed the discovery and investigation of the body of 59-year-old Michael Poole, found dead in the bed of his own truck on March 19, 2024.

According to Genesee County Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Forsyth, surveillance footage from a March 17 laundromat burglary in Barker showed Dunn and Katherine Henry, both known to have ties to Poole, exiting Poole’s black Chevrolet Silverado at the crime scene. Investigators later matched cell phone data to that location and time, confirming that Poole’s phone was present during the burglary and later remained stationary in Alabama until it was recovered alongside Poole’s body two days later.

The footage and cell phone data formed an early link between Poole, Dunn, and Henry, Forsyth testified. He said this evidence helped investigators begin narrowing down suspects just one day after the vehicle was discovered.

Poole’s body was found in Alabama, Genesee County. According to Forsyth, when he arrived at the snowy scene, the truck was facing north and was covered by a tarp. 

“The body was still buried under a good amount of stuff,” he said, “and it was frozen there, so it took a good amount of effort to get it off the bed of the truck.”

Forsyth testified that he found Poole’s phone in the center console after only ten minutes of being at the scene. 

“As I was taking photos of the vehicle, I heard the cell phone ringing,” he said. 

He also located Poole’s driver’s license inside a wallet found in his back pocket.

The case was initially referred to Genesee County by Niagara County authorities after a missing person report and investigation filed by Poole’s father, Gerald Poole, became a murder investigation. Forsyth said he was dispatched by then–Chief Deputy Joseph Graff and was the first Genesee County investigator to arrive on scene.

Investigators later traveled to Niagara County to learn more about Poole, who was from Olcott, and began canvassing the area to gather information from anyone who knew him. 

“We were starting from zero,” Forsyth said. “We wanted to get as much information about him as possible.” 

Interviews pointed repeatedly to Dunn and Henry, with Forsyth noting, “He would give Katherine Henry more rides than most people.”

A search warrant was later executed at a residence on Rochester Road in Middleport, where Dunn and Henry had been staying. Inside, officers found Norman Dubois, who was brought to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

Henry was arrested earlier on March 19 at Lockport Hospital after overdosing. Investigator Forsyth testified that they feared she might overdose again before more evidence could be obtained, and opted to bring her into custody early.

The day the body was discovered, Niagara County Sheriff’s Captain Tracy Steen arrived at the scene after a vehicle linked to the missing person case pinged nearby. She described seeing blood in the front seat and a cluttered truck bed. About 20 minutes into the search, she received a call alerting her to the discovery of the body, which led to the case being handed off to Genesee County as a homicide.

Karen Lang, a certified legal medical investigator and coroner for Genesee County, testified that Poole’s body was mostly covered when she arrived. It had already been partially uncovered by a colleague, Don Newton Jr., but Lang helped remove the frozen body from the truck bed and turned it over to the Monroe County Medical Examiner.

Once the vehicle was towed to the Genesee County Sheriff’s garage, forensic analysis began. New York State Police Investigator Kyle Folts described using luminol to test the interior and exterior of the truck for traces of blood. The chemical glows blue when it reacts with hemoglobin.

“The glowing is presumptive evidence of blood,” Folts said during his testimony.

The chemical revealed glowing areas around the steering wheel, the driver’s seat, the bed liner, bed rail, and the fender, as well as in the bolts holding  Folts noted that the chemical can react to all blood, not just human, and admitted he was unaware of whether any confirmatory tests were later performed. No blood was detected on the roof, doors, or windows.

Back at the garage, Investigator Howard Carlson of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the vehicle inventory. He testified that the truck was filled with more items than any vehicle he had previously processed.

“This is the one that has had the most property I’ve seen inside a vehicle,” Carlson said.

He explained that the rear seat area was so densely packed it had to be divided and processed in two sections—unlike typical cases where it could be inventoried as a single unit. Carlson followed the vehicle as it was transported on a flatbed and later assisted in moving items while another officer took photographs. According to Carlson, he had seen a Wegmans gift card holder wedged between the driver’s seat and the center console; when he picked it up, a shell casing fell out. No removable items were swabbed for DNA or fingerprint analysis.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C-Batavia) supported a bipartisan press conference to advocate for Assembly Bill A.8540, also known as the “Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act.” This proposal will require New York State to develop and adopt a comprehensive Fentanyl Education, Awareness, and Recognition Program for all public, charter, and private schools to implement for their students.

Hawley hosted a group of students from the Oakfield-Alabama School District who gave a presentation on this issue. The group gave a detailed synopsis on the rising number of mental health issues across the state and their relationship to drug and alcohol abuse. The students also presented several policy proposals, including increasing the salaries of the state’s mental health professionals and providing increased access to emotional support and recovery services.

In a time where parents statewide are losing their children and teens at alarming rates due to illegal use of fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids and counterfeit pills, Hawley believes this initiative will provide a comprehensive educational requirement for youth to learn about the potentially fatal consequences of such substances, thus saving the lives of countless New Yorkers.

“Protecting our young people from the dangers of drug abuse is one of the most important tasks we have as state legislators,” said Hawley. “I’ve met countless individuals across my district, and almost every single one has a story of someone they know who has been affected by the opioid crisis. Thousands of New Yorkers have died as a result of a Fentanyl overdose, and we cannot continue to allow this trend to continue as long as we have the power to do something about it. I’m proud to be able to support this initiative, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take a stand as we work to end this crisis once and for all.”

Press Release:

The countdown is on! In just 12 days, the inaugural HomeCare & Hospice Golf Classic tees off at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia on Tuesday, June 24. Golfers from across the region will come together for a fun, meaningful day on the greens—all in support of compassionate end-of-life care in our communities.

 

With 16 foursomes already signed up and just a few team slots left to fill, now’s the time to join in. Registration is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome and includes:

• Greens fees & cart
• Lunch out on the course
• Dinner at the awards ceremony
• Swag bag
• Contests, surprises & prizes

This isn’t just a day of golf—it’s a chance to support critical hospice services in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, and Genesee Counties. 

“We’re so excited to bring this tournament to Batavia and strengthen our support in the northern counties,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice. “It’s meaningful fun—with a mission behind every swing.”

Terry Hills, home to the Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic and ranked WNY’s #1 Public Golf Course, offers 27 pristine holes, a top-notch experience, and a beautiful setting for a day of giving back. 

This year’s event includes popular challenges like longest drive, closest to the line, and mulligans, plus two unique features:

Putting Contest – $5 for one ball or $10 for three. Sink a hole-in-one for your shot at $500 in cash and prizes, courtesy of Both, Branch & Hendrix of Olean.

Air Cannon Shot – Launch your ball like never before—$10 per shot!

Sponsors are helping bring the day to life. Recent additions include:

• Ontario Shore Federal Credit Union – Cocktail Hour Sponsor
• Ellicott Development – Tee Box Sponsor
• Turbo Machining & Howard Hanna Professionals – Hole Sponsors

They join ten other organizations already committed as sponsors, showing widespread community support for hospice care across all four counties.

While HomeCare & Hospice has hosted tournaments in the past, this year’s event is part of a new rotation that alternates fundraising locations between the north and south. Batavia is about a 90-minute drive from Olean and Wellsville—and golfers from the Southern Tier are encouraged to make the trip, tee off for a cause, and enjoy the fun.

“Hospice care touches every corner of our region,” said Sullivan. “This event reflects that—uniting people across county lines to make a difference.” 

Spots are limited! The event committee is aiming for 20 total foursomes, with just four left to go. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including lunch, hole, swag, and specialty signage. 

To register or learn more, call 716-372-2106 or visit homecare-hospice.org. 

Swing big. Give back. Make a difference.

Press Release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge will offer for bid 85 acres of grassland hay in two fields, each 50 and 35 acres. The Refuge annually provides approximately 1100 acres of grassland habitat for migratory birds and resident wildlife. Active management of these grasslands is necessary to provide the highest quality nesting and migration habitat. 

The Refuge haying program helps in this management process by reducing encroachment of broadleaf weeds and shrubs.

Hay will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with the highest bid per field. Sealed bids will be accepted until close of business (COB) on Thursday, July 3. 

An official Bid Sheet, available from the Refuge headquarters, is required to make a bid. Completed Bid Sheets can be mailed to the Refuge headquarters at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, and must contain all the information requested.

If you have any questions about the haying program or would like to see the fields, please call Paul Hess at 585-948-5445 ext. 7032.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located midway between Rochester and Buffalo, and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Press Release:

Rochester Regional Health (RRH) teamed up with Batavia-area Girl Scouts to offer a Fun Patch educational event at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC). Over a dozen Girl Scouts ages 6–12 earned the RRH Stroke Superstar patch by learning what to watch for when it comes to strokes and how to call for help. 

The girls received a behind-the-scenes tour of UMMC, had an up-close look at state-of-the-art medical equipment and the inside of an ambulance, and met real-life healthcare heroes. The girls also donated blankets they made to the Lipson Cancer Center to be given to cancer patients and family members.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. Since 1990, incidences of stroke in people aged 49 and under have steadily increased. Healthcare workers noted that children were often present when a caregiver experienced a stroke, making it essential for all ages to recognize the signs and know how to engage Emergency Medical Services quickly.

Rochester Regional Health remained committed to the well-being of the community. Educating the public on life-saving health knowledge, such as recognizing the signs of stroke, was one of many ways RRH partnered with the community to promote better health outcomes.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

This fall, Genesee Community College's Business and Employee Skills Training (BEST) Center will offer hands-on training in two in-demand skilled trades: Welding and Plumbing. Evening classes begin on Sept. 2 and are designed to accommodate the schedules of working adults.

 

"Students will be awarded an industry-recognized credential upon completion of the training," according to Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development at The BEST Center. "We are proud to offer these short-term programs that open doors to long-term career opportunities."

The Welding Fundamentals Program equips students with essential skills for immediate entry into the workforce. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of techniques, including basic gas and arc welding, gas metal arc welding (MIG), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW/stick), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Students will also learn the principles of industrial safety, equipment setup and operation, as well as shop safety protocols.

Welding instruction will be led by Sal Bonafide, a GCC instructor with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Bonafide is eager to begin working with a new cohort of welding students: "Being able to work with students across different generations and disciplines is something I've always worked hard at; I can't wait to share my knowledge and experience with a new generation of welders."

The Plumbing Certificate Program prepares students for entry-level employment in the residential plumbing trade. The training includes a strong foundation in plumbing theory and hands-on instruction in areas such as safety procedures, tool and material use, pipe fitting, fixture installation, and system maintenance. Students will also complete the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety training.

Instruction is provided by Walter Szczesny, a lifelong Batavia resident and Master Plumber who has owned and operated WTS Plumbing since 1993. Szczesny brings a lifetime of experience to share with his students: "I am excited to take my 45 years of knowledge and experience in the plumbing industry and pass it on to the next generation of plumbers with the skills needed to succeed in the field."

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College is the recognized regional leader in workforce development, offering targeted seminars, workshops, and training programs to strengthen both individuals and businesses throughout the GLOW region. To learn more about the BEST Center's offerings, please visit our Technical Programs page.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C-Batavia) is holding his Annual New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge to help encourage good reading habits and continued learning this summer. This year's theme is “Color Our World,” in cooperation with Summer Reading at New York Libraries. All students in grades K through 7 living in the 139th Assembly District during the 2024-2025 school year are eligible.

Students who pledge and complete reading for at least 15 minutes each day for at least 40 days during the months of July and August will be presented a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate from Hawley.

“I’m excited to announce this challenge for the kids in our communities,” Hawley said, “Reading is an incredibly important part of any child’s education, and I hope this challenge will instill the value of learning in them. I know this is a great opportunity for our kids, and it will be a great way to kick off the summer!”

Any parents and guardians who would like to enroll their child in the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge may fill out the following registration form: https://forms.gle/1zttcs7m6Y8ioGS57.

You can watch Assemblyman Hawley’s full video announcement here.

Press Release:

HomeCare & Hospice is proud to welcome four new team members serving the Batavia and Arcade areas: Jennifer Byroads, Daythin Hamilton, Samantha Schiavi, and Roberta LaDue. Each brings compassion, experience, and a unique personal touch
to the organization’s mission of caring for individuals and families in their most vulnerable moments. 

 

“We’re excited to welcome these talented individuals to our team,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of HomeCare & Hospice. “Their dedication and heart for service reflect the values we strive to bring to every patient and family. We know they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Jennifer Byroads joins as an Administrative Assistant in Batavia. With more than 25 years of experience in medical offices spanning primary care, pediatrics, psychology, and community outreach, Jennifer says joining HomeCare & Hospice was “a natural fit.” 

“I saw this as an opportunity to be part of a great team that helps patients and families through maybe their greatest time of need,” Jennifer said. 

Jennifer lives in Batavia with her husband, and together they enjoy cheering on the Buffalo Bills, cooking, and spending time with their three adult daughters. 

Daythin Hamilton, based in both Batavia and Arcade, also steps into an Administrative Assistant role. A Florida native now living in Attica, Daythin brings years of nonprofit and administrative experience from her work at Buffalo City Mission. 

“I enjoy working with people and connecting them to needed services,” Daythin said. “Every day brings something new, and I’m glad to help individuals and families get the support they need.”

Outside of work, Daythin enjoys embroidery, crocheting, painting, and audiobooks.  

Samantha Schiavi joins as an LPN Specialist based in Batavia. With her medical background and passion for nursing, Samantha will play a critical role in delivering compassionate care to patients and supporting their families.

Roberta LaDue, a new Home Health Aide in Batavia, brings a warm and nurturing spirit to her role. She lives in Batavia with her two daughters and boyfriend and says her caregiving comes from the heart.

“I have always loved taking care of friends and family,” Roberta shared. “I care for my patients like they’re my own.” 

She enjoys family time, walking, baking, and is especially proud of her daughters, both of whom are honor roll students.

HomeCare & Hospice provides compassionate care for individuals with advanced illness and those facing end-of-life. Serving Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee, and Wyoming counties, HCH offers both home care and hospice services tailored to meet the needs of patients and families with dignity and comfort.  For more information, please call 585-343-7596, visit homecare-hospice.org, or email snegron@homecare-hospice.org.

Submitted photos.