Submitted by JoAnne Meiser.
One hundred golfers gathered at Batavia Country Club on Saturday for a golf tournament held in memory of Mike Tenebruso and to raise funds for the Michael Tenebruso SUNY Brockport Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year's recipient was Ray Zajac.
Photos and information submitted by Al Fulton.
From left, Marcia Tenebruso, Ray Zajac, Kristine Tenebruso, Anna Tenebruso, Nicholas Tenebruso, Nathan Tenebruso, organizer Dave Petruzzi and Tony Tenebruso.
These photos were submitted by Laurie Rudolph.
A shed that is about 10 square feet is on fire in Stafford at 6580 Sweetland Road. A first responder on scene reports smoke showing and says there are "no exposures" that could catch on fire nearby. Stafford Fire Department has arrived. The location is between Roanoke and Cole roads.
UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: The fire is out. Cleanup is underway.
Joe Cassidy sent us these photos he took at about 7 p.m. Friday on Lewiston Road in the Town of Alabama.
Not only will participants be walking to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease and raise money to combat it, but this will be a great family event, for young and old alike, according to organizer Sam MacAllister, pastor of the Pavilion Baptist Church.
The church’s involvement came about because of Linda Starkey, a lifelong member of the church, whose mother and brother were affected by the disease.
“This is my fourth year of being involved in the Alzheimer’s Walk,” Starkey said. “I turned 80 in July, and I walk with a walker, but I still participate. It is very important to me that we find a cure.”
Last year Starkey walked in Batavia with 250 other walkers, but because of COVID-19 this year, the walk can’t be done that way.
“We are all walking in our own communities, and here in Pavilion, my pastor is coordinating everything,” Starkey said.
“This seemed like the perfect event to get the community back together after this pandemic,” Pastor MacAllister said. “We will distribute water and snacks in a safe way.”
The pastor said he was thrilled with Starkey’s dedication and happy to support her cause.
“This is a really important cause for her,” MacAllister said. “She tries to build her strength ahead of time. She has a very youthful spirit and is highly determined. Her friends are doing everything to keep her safe and see that she succeeds.”
Starkey’s friend Pat Wolcott has committed to walk with her, and they welcome anyone to join their team. Participants may donate to the cause, but it is not necessary.
MacAllister has chosen a route through town on streets with sidewalks, so everyone will be safe. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the gazebo in the town park.
Participants may sign up on the website at pavilionwalk.com, but it is not required.
Photo: Linda Starkey, right, and her friend Pat Wolcott will be walking Oct. 3 in an Alzheimer’s Walk in Pavilion. Starkey, who turned 80 in July, is passionate about supporting the cause, as both her mother and brother were stricken with Alzheimer’s. Photo by Virginia Kropf.
For more information on these listings; click 402 Garden Drive, Batavia.
29 Buell St., Batavia
We enjoyed some spectacular cloud formations from a passing storm yesterday evening.
Top photo by Caroyln Schultz.
By Monica Urvizu.
By JoAnne Meiser.
The Old Hippies and What About Jane are teaming up for a special concert, sponsored by the Elba Betterment Committee, in Elba from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 12.
The concert will be livestreamed and it will also be broadcast on FM radio so people can come to the park and site in their vehicle. Erakare Productions will record the entire concert for future release.
There will be food trucks at the Village Park.
Bill McDonald, of the Old Hippies, said the Health Department has approved the plans for the concert.
"There will be plenty of spacing for parking and sitting for this end-of-summer event for many to enjoy in a number of ways," McDonald said.
The video below of What About Jane playing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
Press release:
Due to the Labor Day holiday, both the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7.
There will be no map, website or media updates over the weekend or on Monday.
Updates will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Stay safe, stay distanced and wear your masks to continue to slow the spread. Thank you for your understanding.
New Cases – As of 2 p.m.
Submitted photo and press release:
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Genesee County 4-H Program announced that 13 local youths completed their National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Certification on Saturday, Aug. 22nd.
The NSTMOP Tractor Safety Certification allows youth age 14 and 15 years of age to legally operate farm equipment for hire.
The program includes training on farm safety, tractor safety, tractor operation and other related topics. After completing the training course, youth are required to pass a written knowledge test and driving test to receive the certification.
Completion of this year’s program was delayed due to public gathering restrictions prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The program was able to safely resume in August to allow participants to complete their certification.
The Genesee County 4-H Tractor Safety Program is made possible by the generosity of 4-H Volunteer Instructors and several local tractor and machinery dealerships. The program is typically held January through March.
For information about the 2021 Tractor Safety Program or about joining the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.
Enrollment forms are also available online here.
Editor's Note: We tried but were unsuccessful in getting the names of those who were certified.
Press release:
Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass! Experts Rick Worner and Linda Kohn teach Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday Sept. 26h from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Perfect for beginners or those who want to practice their skills. All materials provided, no experience necessary. Orienteering is a family-friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.
Orienteering is just one more way to have fun for free in the forest!
This program will be held outdoors. All participants must sign a waiver prior to orienteering. Masks must be worn whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Space is limited, preregistration is required. Preregister online here or call (585) 344-1122.
Come explore the park with two new orienteering courses, available from Sept. 26th to Oct. 10th.
Download the FREE map here starting on Sept. 27th and enjoy.
For more information visit our website, or contact the Interpretive Nature Center at (585) 344-1122.
A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 41 Clinton St., Batavia. There are injuries and it is blocking traffic. The location is between East Avenue and Grandview Terrace. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.
UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: A first responder says this is a three-car accident and one of the vehicles is in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic.
UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Three flatbed tows are called to the scene.
UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: This was a rear-end chain-reaction accident involving four vehicles. According to witnesses at the scene, there was a line of cars southbound on Clinton Street, stopped at East Avenue, waiting their turn to go. The fourth vehicle, a white Nissan Murano, failed to stop and struck a Ken Barrett auto dealership van, which slammed into dark Chrysler 200, which in turn struck a dark-colored Ford Escape. The Ford Escape driver told the Chrysler driver that "it wasn't her fault" so she "wasn't sticking aound," and she left before first responders arrived. The Ken Barrett employee suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC by Mercy ambulance. The police officer at the scene would not speak to a reporter so we do not know whether the Nissan Murano driver was cited. The assignment to Clinton Street is back in service.
Recorded at Eli Fish, Feb. 15, 2020
Press release:
KINGSTON – The Worker Justice Center of New York (WJCNY) has filed suit in New York’s Supreme Court against the private, for-profit company, Akima Global Services (AGS), for its exploitation of detained immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.
Plaintiffs Bounam Phimasone and Dalila Yeend allege that, while detained, they were hired by AGS to perform manual labor in the facility. Instead of wages, AGS paid Phimasone and Yeend $1 per day in commissary credit, regardless of hours worked.
The lawsuit alleges that AGS’s practice of crediting detainees one dollar per day for many hours of labor violates the New York State Constitution and various provisions of the Labor Law, including minimum wage.
It also alleges that AGS unjustly enriched itself through this exploitative practice. AGS contracts with the federal government to operate the Buffalo Federal Detention Center and is paid a daily rate for each bed filled per day.
By requiring detainee-employees to perform essential functions at well below the legal minimum wage, AGS avoids hiring non-detained employees to work for fair market wages, thereby depressing the local economy and increasing its own profits.
Many of those detained in Batavia are held indefinitely, despite never having committed a crime. Yeend and Phimasone were released from detention in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and now reside legally in New York State.
“This practice of paying people one dollar per day is bordering on slavery," Yeend said. "For the total hours that I worked, it was pennies per hour. It’s basically free work. When I think that I was working for a for-profit company, it’s disgusting.”
Both AGS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been repeatedly criticized for their treatment of immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center, including their failure to protect detainees from the spread of COVID-19.
According to Gloria Martinez, board co-chair of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, the plaintiffs’ allegations are consistent with the experiences of others detained in Batavia.
“One of our members risked his life as a detention center essential worker being paid a dollar a day to clean the infirmary and the living quarters of those who contracted COVID,” Martinez said.
Jennifer Connor, executive director of the Buffalo-based Justice for Migrant Families further attests to the exploitative nature of AGS’s employment practices.
“During the COVID pandemic, people who are detained are given a small hotel sized bar of soap for a week and so must buy their own hygiene supplies from the company-owned commissary," Connor said.
"Working for $1 a day for commissary when commissary is required to make phone calls to lawyers and family, buy stamps to mail letters and important documents, buy extra food because the portions provided in Batavia are notoriously meager, is not a choice. This is coercion."
Plaintiffs are represented in the case by WJCNY attorneys Robert McCreanor, Maureen Hussain, Laura Revercomb, and Dan Getman (of counsel), with support from Borealis Philanthopy.
WJCNY is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to pursue justice for those denied human rights with a focus on agricultural and other low wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment and advocacy for institutional change.
Press release:
Now more than ever the importance of getting your annual flu shot to prevent the spread of this highly communicable illness is vital, but did you know that you can get your flu shot for a $0 copay or a nominal fee at Tops Friendly Markets? At Tops our pharmacists’ number-one priority is the health of our community so this year we are enhancing our safety procedures to encourage the community to get their vaccination.
While Tops safety protocols have already been increased significantly throughout the COVID pandemic, you’ll find that when you come for your flu shot our pharmacists and pharmacy staff will be wearing both a mask and a shield, gloves, and additional cleaning procedures are in place. Customers will be asked to have their temperature checked, and new health screening questions will be asked of you in addition to our standard vaccine form to ensure that you are able to receive the vaccination.
Getting your flu shots reduces your risk of getting the flu, keeps you out of your doctor’s office or hospital, and helps conserve potentially scarce healthcare resources. Some commonly asked questions surrounding flu shot include "Do I qualify for the shot? or "Will it cure COVID-19?". While the flu shot WILL NOT prevent COVID-19, a healthy body has an easier time fighting off a COVID-19 infection. A new study suggests that getting a flu shot may make COVID-19 less lethal. According to the CDC, different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people.
So whether you’re getting vaccinated to make sure your loved ones are kept free from the flu, your coworkers, or simply to take better care of your own personal health-the safest and easiest way to fight the flu is to get your shot today!
So what are you waiting for?
Press release:
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has announced its endorsement of David Krzemien, who is running for Genesee County Sheriff.
It represents more than 6,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major. This includes the New York State Troopers from Troop A, SP Batavia and Troop T who work in and through Genesee County.
Having the support of the New York State Troopers PBA shows that networking with outside agencies plays a vital role in keeping our citizens and law enforcement officers safe.
As indicated in the endorsement: “The challenges facing members of the law enforcement community are greater than ever before, and we need individuals like David Krzemien in leadership positions to help law enforcement officers better serve the residents of New York State.”
Krzemien’s passion and drive to always do what is right will allow the people of Genesee County to trust the Sheriff’s Office and to work together to help prevent and solve crimes.
Press release:
Representatives of Lighting Design Innovations and Cedar Street Sales and Rentals are pleased to announce the completion of the third phase of the feature lighting at the Old Genesee County Courthouse site in Batavia.
The firms sponsored the donation of lighting design activities and lighting system luminaires, components, and advanced control system to accentuate the building façade and its location in the cityscape by lighting the courthouse corners with RGBW color changing LED luminaires.
The advanced lighting control system allows the County to program coordinated colored light displays for the new courthouse corner lights and the cupola, which received its color-changing light as the first phase of the project. Initial system programming and controller training was sponsored by Vertex Lighting Solutions.
The illuminated façade of the Old Genesee County Courthouse is the backdrop for the new white LED lighting that was provided for the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Marines’ Monument as the second phase of this project. The monument lighting was unveiled Memorial Day 2019 in time for the monument’s centennial, celebrated in August of 2019.
Although the final phase implementation was temporarily delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, County personnel worked with the consultants to complete the work in time to be shared with the community for Labor Day 2020.
Photos and video by Howard Owens.
The flowers in the sunflower field along Wortendyke Road have mostly faded, though there are a few blooms that are still radiant, and yesterday was another beautiful late summer evening so the field remained a popular destination for area residents.
Above, Ayo Jr., Tobin Carson, Ayomi and Jasmine Pitan pose for a picture in the field.
Ella Houseknecht and MacKenzie Lavrey.
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