A car has reportedly rear-ended a semi-truck on Ellicott Street at Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.
Unknown injuries.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: No injuries. The truck driver said he stopped at the intersection for a red light.
Children who participated in this year's annual theater summer camp sponsored by Batavia Players will perform "Seussical KIDS" this Friday and Saturday at the Harvester 56 Theater on Harvester Avenue.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a heat advisory for noon Friday, July 19, through 6 p.m. Saturday, July 20. for portions of Western and North Central New York.
A few brief rounds of thunderstorms are also expected Friday through Sunday night. A few of these storms may be severe, with isolated damaging winds and torrential downpours.
Heat index values of up to 100 degrees are expected during the day Friday and Saturday. Overnight low temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s with continued muggy conditions Friday night.
Prolonged exposure or any strenuous activity may lead to heat related illnesses that require immediate medical attention.
A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Drink plenty of fluids; stay in an air-conditioned room; stay out of the sun; and check in on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
By Dan McComb:
A.J. Marcello delivered a hard hit single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel Batavia to a 4-3 win over North Town of Williamsville on Wednesday. Zeke Lynn scored the winning run.
The Batavia 24U Baseball Team scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Tristan Aldinger led off with a walk and went to third in a double by Jerry Reinhardt. Casey Radka then delivered a two-run single and came home to score on two throwing errors.
Batavia would not score again until the dramatic single by Marcello in the bottom of the seventh inning, snapping a 3-3 tie.
Trevor Sherwood pitched the first five innings of the game, striking out seven and allowing three runs. Radka came in to earn the win going the last two innings without surrendering a run.
Batavia banged out six hits (including a triple by Josh Bradley) and only struck out twice in the game.
Batavia turned over a beautiful double play in the first inning when Luke McComb fielded a grounder behind second base, back-handed a throw to Radka at short stop, who touched second base and fired to Marcello at first base to complete the double play.
Batavia improves their record to 10–0. They next play tomorrow against the defending champs, Clarence, who Batavia beat earlier in the season, 10-5, in Clarence. This game will be played at 6 p.m. at Genesee Community College.
Important Notice:
The Ricky Palermo spinal injury golf tournament SOCCER CLINIC scheduled for tomorrow Friday, July 19, has been postponed until next Friday, July 26.
Same time – 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Same place – Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road, Batavia.
We have been notified to postpone our event tomorrow because of the dangerous high heat index (110°) that will be dangerous for the kids to be exposed to.
Any questions call Roger Hume at 585-345-1701 or Ricky Palermo at 585-739-8522
A Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on Gov. Cuomo signing the Farm Labor Bill into law July 17:
“The largest farm in New York City is a seasonal pumpkin patch but that didn’t stop radical politicians from dictating how our farms should operate. This disastrous legislation, ironically signed in a place with no farms, has the potential to single-handedly destroy family farming in New York as we know it.
“To make matters worse, the newly-created Wage Board, stacked with more big-labor, big-union interests than actual farmers, can unilaterally alter the labor laws how they see fit moving forward.
“Altering the maximum number of hours allowed per week or reversing the ‘no strike clause’ at any moment, goes completely against the farming industry’s standard practices where crop yields, weather patterns and labor needs are consistently fluid. If a farm can’t operate because of unavoidable weather conditions or because workers are mandated time off – the repercussions will be devastating.
“What these big-city politicians don’t understand is that our family farms are always under the gun since our growing season is virtually half of California and Florida – making reliable labor, many times seven days of week, a necessity.
“As the former owner and operator of our family farm in Batavia, I know first hand how devastating this could be to our industry. As a former president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and 14-year member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, I’ve spoken with many farmers and producers about this bill and its devastating effects unlike the New York City politicians who crafted this disaster. Their concerns were voiced yet ignored.
“Our family farms are not corporations, they are not run by money-hungry business people, they are ordinary families like yours and mine who have learned this art from prior generations and intend to pass it on to their children. It’s what they love, and I will always stand behind them to fight these new regulations in any way I can.”
Dakota Bennett, an 11th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins, picked up a win last night in an 11-0 win over Auburn for the Batavia Muckdogs.
Submitted photo and press release:
The Batavia Muckdogs have increased the lead in first place in the Pinckney Division to 3.0 over the West Virginia Black Bears, the Pirates affiliate in the New York-Penn League.
Batavia (19-12) hosts the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 tonight at Dwyer Stadium.
The team, featuring mainly recent draft picks and signings by the parent club, the Miami Marlins, won 11-0 on Wednesday night over Auburn.
Three pitchers combined for a three-hitter, each given up just one hit.
Dakota Miller pitched five innings in relief to pick up the win. Miller, an 11th round draft pick of the Miami Marlins in 2017, improve to 2-1 on the season. He struck out one, gave up a single hit and walked one.
Easton Lucas, a 15th-round draft pick of the Marlins this year, threw the first three innings and struck out two, gave just one hit and no walks or runs. His ERA dropped to 2.35 on the season.
Joey Steele, another 2019 draft pick, kept his ERA at 0.00 as he threw the ninth innings, striking out two.
Muckdogs Manager Tom Lawless gave two of his best hitters the night off, Milton Smith II (hitting a NYPL leading .402) and Sean Reynolds (two home runs, 33 home runs in three years).
However, the offense scored 11 runs led by the electric J.D. Orr, a 10th-round 2019 draft pick out of Wright State in Dayton, Ohio.
Orr is second to Smith II in hitting for the lead league and had a triple and a double to increase his average to .357 while scoring three runs. He also drove in two runs, stole a base and walked.
Shortstop Dalvy Rosario tripled and drove in four runs on the night.
Troy Johnston, a 17th-round draft pick out of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., this year, is now hitting .300 on the season as he went.
Catcher Keegan Fish, a 13th-round pick of the Marlins in 2018, went 2-for-3 wth two runs, Nic Ready belted a RBI double and Brayan Hernandez had a single and stole a base.
On tap tonight: It's Labatt's Blur Thirsty Thursday as all 16-ounce Labatt Blue products are just $2 until the seventh inning.
Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.
Press release from the Genesee County Economic Development Center:
Several projects designed to create play spaces for thousands of kids will receiving funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation's "Built to Play" initiative, in conjunction with the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!
One of the projects includes space along an existing art trail in Batavia that will feature interactive musical instruments, and a musical-themed mural. The project from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, or GO ART!, is called "Play Me a Tune Garden," and should be completed by the end of August.
“I know as a kid, my parents could send me outside and I could go play,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART! “And now it takes a little extra work to do that because you have to be out there with your kids. So I'm excited they're making it possible for parents to go out with their kids and have fun with them at the same time.”
Hallock says GO ART! received $70,000 from the “Play Everywhere Challenge” for the project, which will be part of a larger cultural garden along East Main Street in Batavia.
“Eleven drums going out there, there's chimes, xylophones, there's 18 instruments in all that are going to be taking up this entire space," he said. "They're meant for little kids, all the way up to teenagers, and I'm pretty sure adults will be playing with them as well."
Hallock says the “Built to Play” initiative is about making play happen in everyday places.
The City of Batavia has completely renovated the landscaping in front of City Hall.
A supervisor yesterday explained that the old landscaping was more than 15 years old and had become difficult to maintain and control weeds.
The topsoil was replaced (see bottom photo) and new shrubs and flowers were planted today.
Above is a Batavian file photo from the 2018 races.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Registration for one of the most popular promotions of the season at Batavia Downs Gaming --- the annual “Dachshund Dash” wiener dog races --- begins on today (July 18) and will remain open until entry capacity is met.
These races are scheduled to take place on Sunday (Aug. 25).
If you have a dog that has competed in this event in the past or have one you would like to enter for the first time, please call Sara Tenney at 585-343-3750, ext. 439, to register or for more information. If you leave a message you will receive a call back for confirmation.
Please be aware that entries are limited to the first 80 dogs and the fields have filled fast the last several years.
This is the 15th year Batavia Downs has hosted the annual races that are sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia.
A total of 10 heats will be contested with eight dogs competing in each heat. The first race will begin after the last live harness race of the day, which will be approximately 4:30 p.m.
All those who enter will receive doggie bags full of treats courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia, the official sponsor of the race. The owners of all heat winners will receive $25 in gaming Free Play and the top three finishers in the championship race will receive two clubhouse buffet certificates and $100, $75 and $50 (first through third) in Free Play for the gaming floor. The top winner’s total prize package including the gaming Free Play is valued at $200.
The wiener dog races are the final part of Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs Gaming that runs from 2 until 4 p.m. This fun-filled event includes many activities for kids including free pony rides courtesy of Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Also on that day there will be $1 hot dogs and sodas from noon until last race.
Last year a crowd of nearly 3,000 people showed up to watch “Louie” nose out “Jasper” in a photo finish with “Dexter Tyberius” finishing a close third in the championship heat. The very friendly Louie, who is owned by Bruce Hummel, of Pittsford, quickly became a fan favorite in the Purple Haze winner’s circle after the race.
Track officials expect to host a similar sized crowd again this year.
Important notice from the City of Batavia Youth Bureau:
Due to the extreme temperatures forecasted for tomorrow Friday, July 19, the City of Batavia Summer Recreation Program will be closed.
But the Youth Center at 12 MacArthur Drive will remain open from 1-6 p.m. for children ages 10-18.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but this decision has been made for the safety of everybody concerned.
The Summer Recreation Program will resume as scheduled on Monday July 22nd.
Please feel free to contact the City of Batavia Youth Bureau with any questions or concerns (345-6422). Please stay safe and cool!
Lydia Schauf, program coordinator
City of Batavia Youth Bureau
Phone: (585)345-6422
Email: lschauf@batavianewyork.com
A teenage resident of Alabama who just 18 months ago was sentenced to prison for making a terroristic threat against a police officer was arrested again Tuesday night for allegedly threatening another person with a baseball bat.
Isaac Abrams, 19, of Sky Road, is charged with menacing, 2nd.
At 11:26 p.m., Tuesday, Abrams allegedly threatened to injure another person using a metal baseball bat.
He was arrested by deputies Austin Heberlein and Travis DeMuth.
In February 2018, Judge Charles Zambito sentenced Abrams to one-and-one-third to four years in prison following his earlier guilty plea to the Class D felony of making a terroristic threat.
Zambito also granted Abrams youthful offender status (his juvenile record would be sealed) if he could stay out of trouble.
In September 2017, Abrams threatened to shoot deputies during an incident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Two days before that, Abrams was accused of trying to seriously hurt or kill a person with a motor vehicle at a fast-food restaurant in Batavia.
Thursday, July 18th – KId's Day / HP HOOD DAY
Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.
Red Creek performed at the Genesee County Fair on Wednesday. Here's their version of "What I Like About You."
Tonight, Savage Cabbage takes the stage at 7:30.
A two-car accident with serious injuries is reported on Route 20 at Harlow Road, Darien, is reported.
One person may be lying in the roadway.
A third ambulance is requested to the scene.
Darien fire and ambulance were dispatched.
UPDATE 10:52 p.m.: Entrapment reported.
UPDATE 11 p.m.: Mercy Flight dispatched.
UPDATE 11:50 p.m. (via Alecia Kaus/Video News Service, at the scene): A vehicle with four young women (ages 18 to 20) from Pennsylvania was southbound on Harlow Road when the driver allegedly ran a stop sign and crossed into Route 20 where it was struck by a westbound Jeep. The male driver and three female occupants of the Jeep are from Jamestown. The driver of the southbound car was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. The front passenger was taken by ground ambulance to ECMC, as were the four occupants of the Jeep. The backseat passengers of the southbound car were wearing seatbelts and were uninjured. Trooper Parucki said neither drinking nor drugs were a factor in the accident. (Photos by Alecia Kaus.)
Press release:
For the last five years, the Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Program (Tobacco Free-GLOW), has worked with community leaders and youth champions to help reduce tobacco use in all four counties.
Due to a contract realignment placing Livingston County under the direction of SHAC -- the Smoking & Health Action Coalition of Monroe County, the organization has launched its next five-year contract with a new name: Tobacco-Free GOW.
The contract from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control is one of two contracts awarded to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and will be administered under the direction of Anthony Billoni.
The Roswell Park tobacco-free programs support efforts to locally educate community stakeholders and youth in changing norms that lead to ending tobacco use among adults and children. Tobacco Free-GOW will continue to be operated by Community Engagement coordinator Julie Calvert and Reality Check Youth Engagement coordinator Brittany Bozzer.
“With their extensive contacts and experience in tobacco control, Julie and Brittany will be local leaders as we strive to create healthier communities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties,” said Program Director Billoni.
“I’m excited to continue my work in tobacco control for another five years andlook forward to engaging local community leaders and the public to strengthen tobacco-related policies that prevent and reduce tobacco use,” Calvert said.“We know that our state partner, SHAC, will serve the people of Livingston County with the same passion and commitment that we extended.”
Bozzer added, “I have been so privileged to be involved with the many successes that the tobacco control program has had over the last few years. My role in youth engagement helps me focus on creating a tobacco-free generation, a goal that will help save lives.”
The Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Program also will be administered by Roswell Park through five-year contracts from NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control. The Southern Tier program is under the operation of Community Engagement coordinator Ken Dahlgren and Reality Check Youth Engagement coordinator Jonathan Chaffee.
Andrew Hyland, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, added, “Roswell Park has a long history of leading national and regional tobacco control efforts. These contracts provide an opportunity to continue those efforts in an efficient way that employs local leaders as they strive to prevent youth smoking and create tobacco-free communities throughout Western New York.”
The primary goals of the tobacco control programs are to:
All counties in New York State now have the resources of a community engagement program and a Reality Check youth action program through the Bureau of Tobacco Control. These contracts build on previous tobacco control funded work which supports the region’s public health efforts and provides more comprehensive programing across the state.
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds Tobacco-Free GOW to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The program is administered by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Today, July 17, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S6578/A8419). It was voted on and passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate last month.
Proponents claim the new law will extend basic labor protections to New York State’s farmworkers by allowing them the right to collectively bargain and get overtime pay.
It was sponsored by Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Senator Jessica Ramos, both of Queens.
Western New York farmers and lawmakers were among those who lobbied against the legislation, citing the devastating impact it could have on family farms and agriculture, the primary economic driver of the region.
Upon its passage in the Senate in June, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer said: "This is just another example of Downstate legislators who do not understand the Upstate economy. This will impose hundreds of millions of dollars in mandates onto farms who are already struggling. Simply put, it is going to eliminate jobs and put farms out of business."
For the complete post with reactions after the Senate passage of the bill, click here.
Below is a press release sent this afternoon from Grow NY Farms on the Governor's signature today creating the new law.
For months, hundreds of farmers and farmworkers spent countless hours seeking to find a balance with elected officials on measures that will change working conditions on farms across New York State. However, the measure that ultimately passed the Legislature and was signed by the Governor on July 17 did not address the challenges and needs of farmers and farmworkers.
This measure does not create a path that will assure an economically viable New York agriculture industry, and the four fixable flaws within this bill will likely drive more family-owned farms out of the state or out of business. Worst of all, farmworkers will feel the impacts the most because their work hours will be restricted and their income reduced.
Grow NY Farms has been seeking to correct four fundamental flaws contained in the new legislation (Assembly Bill No. 8419 and Senate Bill No. 6578). Modifications include:
- Applying a standard wage rate for farmworkers who decide to work on the prescribed day of rest.
- Expanding the family farm definition to include close relatives such as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
- Modifying the composition and timeline of the wage board.
- Preserving secret balloting for both farmworkers and farmers.
“New York's farmers have been at the table from the beginning asking for a workable solution, a bill that would provide the balance agriculture would need to sustain itself as an important job creator and food provider in this state. Common ground should have considered what farms can afford and the opportunities our employees will lose as a result of this law. In the end, our reasonable requests were cast aside, even though there was support for a moderated bill from legislators on both sides of the aisle. What was also dismissed by many of New York's leaders is the dignity and respect our farm families have long provided to the men and women we need and work alongside every day. While the final legislation signed by the Governor is certainly better than the original version of the bill, it will still lead to significant financial challenges for farmers and the continued erosion of our rural communities,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau president and dairy farmer in Madrid.
"It is upsetting that state lawmakers have placed rural New York at a serious disadvantage in our ability to compete in the market place and provide economic opportunities for our employees. This new law failed to take common sense into account, and in turn, will place Upstate further behind in its ability to grow our farms and economy. Our farms and farmworkers deserved better for all that they provide this state,” said Brian Reeves, of Reeves Farms in Baldwinsville and president of the New York State Vegetable Growers Association.
“Long Island has a proud tradition of being a source that New Yorkers turn to for fresh food, wine, flowers, landscape plants and more. Our farms have also provided good, quality opportunities for our employees to get job experience and support their families at home and abroad and have the potential to advance their careers. Sadly, those days are numbered as the farm labor bill will force dramatic changes on agriculture as we know it. It won’t just be our farm families and employees who will suffer, but our customers who value what it means to buy “Grown on Long Island.” Unfortunately, by the time that the legislators who voted for this misguided bill realize the damage they have done to the agricultural industry on Long Island and the rest of the State of New York, it will be too late. This is a sad day for all of us,” said Karl Novak, president of the Long Island Farm Bureau.
“Dairy represents New York’s largest agricultural industry. Our farms must operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in order to care for our cows and produce fresh, nutritious milk. We certainly appreciate that legislators who listened to the many voices expressed by stakeholders in trying to negotiate a bill fair to everyone, but we were disappointed in language added in the final hours that has the potential to both negatively impact the long-term viability of our farms and the earning potential and livelihood of our workers,” said Jon Greenwood, president of Northeast Dairy Producers Association and dairy farmer in Canton.
“My family has a long history of supplying fresh fruit to our Hudson Valley community every year, and we have seen our business diversify into building a cidery, but we are worried that the tradition we have built is now in jeopardy with the signing of this legislation. We are proud of our workforce and the benefits we provide them, but the massive increase in labor costs coming down the pike because of this new law will make it difficult to sustain the business that has lasted for generations and one that I hoped to continue. I’m afraid this could be the breaking point for our orchard and many like ours across the state,” said Sarah Dressel, of Dressel Farms in New Paltz and Chairperson of the New York Apple Association’s Board of Directors.
“Today’s job market is competitive, and many farmers provide their workers with optional days of rest, sick and holiday pay, and other benefits. I appreciate New York’s effort to ensure all farms are doing this, however, by limiting worker hours, we are taking away opportunity that many are seeking. Employees do not want to work simply to live – they enjoy farming and want to save for their families and their future. This bill does not include fixes that are needed to help our farms and farmworkers thrive. The reality is clear, our workers will pack their bags and seek opportunity in another state,” said Jose Iniguez, vice president of Lamont Fruit Farms in Waterport and former farmworker.
“This spring, New York’s family farms faced some of the toughest planting conditions we’ve seen in years, and continue struggling to compete against regional and national competitors. Our challenges have been compounded due to recent actions by state officials who have endorsed policies that are fundamentally changing our businesses and threatening the viability of New York’s farm community. We are urging the Governor to fix several flaws in the Farm Labor bill in order to support the future of New York’s growers, harvesters and dairy producers,” said David Zittel, president of Amos, Zittel and Sons in Eden.
“The Farm Labor will bring about unintended, yet devastating changes to our state’s agriculture sector. The farmworkers who work side-by-side with farm owners and their families want to see this industry continue to grow and diversify, and they understand they are big part of each of our farms’ success. However, this legislation will force many growers and dairy producers to lay off workers or cut hours in order to remain competitive. Far worse is that some will make the difficult decision to cease farming – and New York’s consumers will see prices increase and their source of fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products diminish. We want to grow our farms, employ more staff, and continue providing the best workplace possible for our workers. The Governor must fix several flaws in this legislation in order to support the more than 30,000 farms across Upstate and on Long Island – and without action, he will be sacrificing those who were counting on him the most,” said Dale-Illa Riggs of The Berry Patch in Stephentown and President of the NYS Berries Association.
For a full list of Grow NY Farms campaign supporters, visit: GrowNYFarms.com
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