A 36-year-old Bergen man who was subject of a multi-agency investigation into weapons possession admitted this week in Federal Court to a charge of illegal possession of machineguns.

Peter S. Celentano, Jr. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to federal prosecutors, on Sept. 29, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a search warrant at Celentano’s residence in Bergen. 

Investigators recovered 3D-printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press, and two 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices.

Additional searches at properties in Lyndonville and Medina led to the seizure of numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D-printed handguns, and more firearm parts and accessories. In total, law enforcement seized more than 200 firearms connected to Celentano.

Investigators also learned that Celentano provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained a “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machineguns. These firearms were later discarded into the Erie Canal from the Beals Road Bridge in Medina. A New York State Police dive team recovered a cardboard box containing 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and additional firearm parts from the canal.

The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2025, before Judge Vilardo.

City firefighters with IAFF Local 896 took to the streets of downtown Batavia today for their annual Fill the Boot fundraising drive, benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters collected donations from passing motorists and pedestrians at Main and Ellicott streets, continuing a decades-long tradition of supporting MDA’s mission to fund research and provide care for those living with neuromuscular diseases. The results of today’s fundraising effort have not yet been released.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

Notre Dame Senior Aiden Bellavia, the son of Deanna King of Batavia, has signed to continue his basketball career at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) in the fall. Aiden, a small forward, was named a Genesee Region All-Star in basketball as he helped ND win the GR Division 2 Championship.  

Aiden earned the Paul Fanara Team MVP Award after leading the team in scoring (14.3 pts/game), in three pointers (29), while also leading the squad in 3pt shooting percentage (41%). He was second in rebounding (7.0/game). Five times he scored 20 points or more and was a major contributor in ND’s upset of Alexander, scoring 19 points with 5 three-pointers.  

Aiden carries a GPA of 90 and is currently undecided on his FLCC major.

Landscaping took center stage Wednesday night as residents and solar industry representatives packed a Byron town planning board meeting to discuss two solar projects proposed for development in the area.

Representatives from Crawford & Associates and BlueWave Development shared plans for visual screening around the project sites, with landscaping intended to ease concerns about the projects’ visibility. Evan Young, an engineer with Crawford & Associates, presented a route map for construction, starting at I-490 and State Road and extending to the project site, before outlining the proposed landscaping.

According to Young, evergreen trees such as Norway spruce, eastern red cedar, white spruce, and balsam fir would be planted along Route 262, parallel to the road. However, multiple residents raised concerns about whether those trees would be maintained over time.

“The trees are going to grow about two to three feet a year at typical evergreen growth,” Young said. “It’s not going to block out a significant portion of that space.”

Some residents suggested having an arborist review the plans to ensure proper selection and placement of trees and shrubs.

“It’s very common that the solar people don’t maintain the trees after they’re planted,” said Barb Starowitz. “Can you produce something in writing that you will maintain them, that you will replace dead trees, that they will be watered?”

Starowitz cited past situations where maintenance promises were not fulfilled. Joe Seman-Graves, Director of Solar Development for BlueWave, acknowledged those concerns.

“Part of it is enforcement if it doesn’t happen,” he said. “I think what we’re committing to here is giving clear guidance to the town to pull our permits if that’s not done.”

Concerns about farmland preservation were a key theme throughout the meeting. Local farmer Eric Zuber delivered a passionate warning about the potential long-term impact of solar development on agricultural land.

“You walk out of this room tonight, drive through town, and look around,” Zuber said. “That’s the best prime land in this town — and it’s never coming back.”

Zuber described the loss of topsoil and the difficulty of reclaiming land once it has been developed. He also referenced a memory shared by a Korean War veteran to highlight the emotional toll of witnessing destruction.

“You think of what I just told you, because you destroyed that land — and it ain’t ever coming back,” he said. “You don’t need to take any more.”

Other residents expressed concern that property values may decrease for homes located near the solar sites. As a counterpoint, a similar situation in Stafford was cited, where local officials reportedly assured residents that nearby solar fields had not negatively impacted home values.

Not all attendees opposed the developments. Larry West, a Byron resident who inherited his parents’ land, spoke about his decision to lease a portion of his property for solar development while continuing to farm the rest.

“We worked with Craig Yunker and the farmer that’s running it to do the best that we could for the farming aspect of it,” West said. “We’ll move it over here so that you’re doing a better job of keeping the best farmland still farming.”

The topic of land use within the solar fields also arose. One idea proposed was grazing sheep beneath the solar panels to make use of the land in a dual manner. Starowitz, however, urged developers to consult local knowledge when planting grass for livestock.

“A majority of the time, DEC is recommending just for erosion, not for the benefit of the sheep,” she said. “In other solar panels, they’ve planted grass that the sheep don’t like. So then, you have to go in there, till it up, or do something which is very difficult with all your panels and everything.”

As the meeting concluded, planning board members stated that further input from residents and developers will be reviewed before the proposals are revisited in August.

“These laws do not sustain the natural essence of our community,” said Yvonne Loewke, speaking near the end of the meeting.

Country mouse or city house - YOU DECIDE!!
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166 State Street Batavia-City - Solid City home in super convenient location with one of the best views right outside your front door!! This home offers a lot for the price -4 bedrooms 2 full baths extra large living room which leads to bright and sunny enclosed front porch/sitting room with very pretty wood and glass French doors! There is a pretty back entranceway leading into very homey and cozy kitchen which instantly makes you feel at home! There is a first floor room with full bath and laundry currently used as first floor bedroom but which also could be used for kitchen dining area or office! Upstairs there are 3 additional bedrooms and full bath. Home is very well kept and mechanically sound with brand new furnace! Outside the home is such a bonus with a very large and fully fenced back yard and an oversized back deck perfect for summer evenings and friendly gatherings. With the home directly across from the pretty Centennial Park this really gives you the best of all worlds with city convenience and beautiful greenspace!!

Call Reliant Real Estate today - call 585-344-HOME (4663)

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Lauren Berger has been juggling a lot of emails and inquiries during the planning process of this year’s Pride parade and festival in Batavia, as she wears the new hat of GLOW OUT! director for the seventh annual LGBTQ+ event.

Berger has also experienced the bittersweet success of having to close registration to vendors due to the large response — with more than 20 confirmed to participate — and she and fellow organizers are encouraging parade participants to sign up by Wednesday so they can be placed ahead of time.

It would seem as though this year’s event, set for 3 to 10 p.m. June 14 at Jackson Square, will be chock full of activities, items to purchase, eat and drink, and entertainment.  

“There have been some logistical changes, but folks will be able to come out, have nice weather and have a nice time, feel welcomed, be part of this community, and see how many of us are out here and how many of us care about teach other,” she said. “It’s a real serotonin boost. And straight allies will be there and they support this; it’s so heartening.”

Berger, who lives in Mount Morris, has been helping GLOW OUT! as a volunteer since 2022 and has served as secretary since summer of 2024. She has been involved in other similar alliance organizations in college and with the LGBTQ “movement” ever since being a teen and identifying as nonbinary, meaning “that doesn’t really ascribe to wholly male or wholly female," she said, "and another nonbinary person might describe that differently, but that’s where I’ve landed.”

“So I was involved with the movement long before I came to that understanding myself, but since I have, the organization has been there for me in that kind of personal validation and camaraderie and finding vocal, like-minded individuals,” Berger said. “So there's been that value, and I've been a community organizer and an activist in the movement for LGBTQ+, equality and justice, for a really long time.”

Her first goal as leader of the nonprofit is “to fill the enormous shoes” that outgoing Director Sarah Vacin left behind when she took a job with the SUNY system, Berger said.

Not only is Vacin not forgotten, she’s not even gone — still a part of the organization and elected to serve as grand marshal for the upcoming parade as participants recognize national Pride Month and remember the catalyst for the LGBTQ rights movement: the Stonewall riots in New York City, Berger said.

There’s a lot of entertainment planned before the parade: Drag Queen Story Hour at 3 p.m., followed by each the Buffalo and Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Jackson Square, and then the parade is to begin at 5 p.m. in front of First Presbyterian Church at the corner of East Main and Liberty streets. The route will flow down Summit Street, left onto Washington Avenue, left onto Bank Street and into Jackson Square.

“Pride is important every year, but especially now,” she said. “It’s our history, it’s a celebration of survival and how much we have gained, and a moment to recognize who we are still fighting for.”

Those recognized include community members that are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, plus the “many allies” of straight and/or cisgender people that support and advocate for loved ones during the Pride event, she said.

Having fun events like Pride are empowering, especially for youth,
GLOW OUT! President John Couri said. 

“It’s important for people to connect and celebrate one another," he said. "Especially for a young person who might go to a small school and feel isolated.”

Vendors will be set up in the parking lot along School Street across from O’Lacy’s, and are to include crafts, T-shirts, a variety of foods and food trucks, including House of Munch (online description is the latest and greatest snack emporium), Sun Roll (Burmese, Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes), and Ice Cream and Chill, plus a GLOW OUT! basket raffle.

Those who are 21 and older are welcome to attend a Happy Hour hosted at GO Art! from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 13 as a prelude to the next day’s festivities, organizers said. And they will be cross-promoting Pride with organizers of Juneteenth, which will be happening from noon to 8 p.m. June 14 over at Williams Park on Pearl Street.

Berger intends to continue building current programs and an events calendar that now features a youth and 55+ support group, called Golden Glows, and a stipend program that will pay youth leaders to serve as co-facilitators, take responsibility for tasks and to help identify at-risk youths, she said. Instead of having strictly older leaders work with younger kids — the drop-in group is for ages 12 to 18 — “it can be really helpful to have youth leaders there,” she said.

Membership rises and falls in small increments, as attendance is from one to two dozen at a time, she said, and be dependent on a sunny day or other outside happenings.

Eden Cafe & Bake Shop owner Judy Hysek has also hosted a twice monthly support group at her place on Elliott Street, which, along with being “so welcoming and providing a space,” and for having “such an affirming presence and making such yummy treats,” have been attributed for earning her a special nod for the HERO Business Award during a kickoff gathering earlier this month, Berger said. A HERO Individual Award was given to Sheri Kreher.

For more information, go to GLOW OUT! or the June events link. 

With the final touches complete, Crossroads Collectibles is nearly ready to welcome the public and provide a comfortable place to shop secondhand items while also supporting a meaningful cause. 

The shop’s grand opening is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 13 at 12 South Lake Ave., Bergen. Those will also be the regular Wednesday through Sunday store hours. 

This opening marks another avenue of fundraising and shopping for the nonprofit comfort care home of Crossroads House in Batavia and the Bergen community alike.

“We really wanted it to be branded like it was a division of Crossroads House,” Executive Director Tracy Ford said. “This just gives us an opportunity to have a storefront presence year-round, so I’m very excited.”

Crossroads House, an end-of-life care facility on Liberty Street in Batavia, has been preparing to open the shop for sales of donated home goods, décor, trinkets, and antiques to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing high quality comfort care in a residential setting. 

Loaned to Crossroads by owner and former Mayor of Bergen, Ralph Marsocci, the store will serve as a year-round version of its annual tent and church sales, which also feature antique and resold products to raise money for the hospice care center. 

Marsocci, a long-time supporter of Crossroads House through an annual golf tournament, and faced with an empty storefront after his son’s business vacated, said “Why don’t we have crossroads come in? I’d rather have somebody who could really use the money.”

 What started as a generous offer had turned into a soon-to-open store. 

“I talked to them, and they were great; they all wanted to do it,” Marsocci said. “And here it is. It took a lot of time, but they got everything done, and they’re ready to open. It’s nice.” 

Local support helped to bring the store to life, including Scott and Lucy Sackett. Scott Sackett helped to get the store up and running and built most of the shelving for the shop. 

Planning board members in Bergen, according to Ford, were also enthusiastic when they heard the idea for the shop.

“The planning board was very excited when I came and presented on what I wanted,” she said. 

Photos by Camryn Brookhart

Press Release: 

Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Calls and Messages

We are urging all residents to be cautious of government impersonation scams, which are becoming increasingly common across the country.

Scammers are contacting individuals by phone, email, or text, pretending to be from agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Motor Vehicles, Medicare, or law enforcement. 

Their goal is to trick you into giving up personal information, sending money, or revealing your Social Security number or bank details.

Red Flags of a Government Scam:

• You are told you owe money and must pay immediately via gift cards, wire transfers, or money currier
• You are threatened with arrest, deportation, or suspension of government benefits.
• The caller demands personal information like your Social Security number or Medicare ID.
• The communication uses high-pressure tactics or creates a sense of urgency.
• Communication via text messaging or links.

Important Facts to Remember:

• Government agencies will never call, email, or text you asking for money or personal information.
• They will not threaten you with arrest or legal action.
• They do not ask for payment via gift cards or withdraw large amounts of money to be picked up via currier.

What You Can Do:

• Hang up immediately on suspicious calls.
• Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown emails or texts.
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Contact the government agency directly using a verified phone number or website if you are unsure.
• If you fall victim of a scam report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Stay alert, trust your instincts, and spread the word-especially to elderly family members who are frequent targets.

Walter B. Hale Jr., 47, of Lockport Road, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI (with three prior convictions in 15 years), aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st degree, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd degree, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd degree. Hale was stopped on Route 33 by Deputy Jacob Kipler in Batavia for traffic violations on May 24. He allegedly fled the traffic stop, leading police on a pursuit that began in West Batavia and ended on Transit Road in Orleans County. Hale was transported to Rochester Strong for treatment and later to the Genesee County Jail, where he was remanded without bail following arraignment in CAP Court.

Daquan J. Butler, of Brooklyn, is charged with assault, 2nd degree. Butler is accused of striking another inmate and causing physical injury while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail on May 25. He was held at the Genesee County Jail.

Michael A. Fanizza, 31, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Fanizza is accused of striking another individual during a fight at the Genesee County Jail on June 4. He is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 24.

Lyndsey J. Wilcox, 41, of Washington Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd degree. Wilcox was arrested May 25 following an investigation into an incident at the Genesee County Jail, where she allegedly entered the jail and violated a full stay-away order of protection. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held for arraignment.

Caleb M. Binnert, 50, of Main Street, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18% or higher, speeding, and failure to dim lights. Binnert was stopped on May 26 by Sgt. Mathew Clor on Route 98 in Elba. He was released on traffic tickets.

Benjamin L. Mattiex, 45, of Austin Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd degree, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and unlicensed operator. Mattiex is accused of shoplifting more than $800 worth of merchandise from Target on Veterans Memorial Drive on May 29 and then operating a vehicle with a revoked license and suspended registration. He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court.

James S. Gibbs, 49, of Colony Run, Attica, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .18% or more. Gibbs was stopped at 1:35 p.m. on April 22 by Deputy Eric Meyer following an investigation into a suspicious condition at Alexander Elementary School. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Bo A. Aquila, 34, of Main Street, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving to the left of pavement markings, moving from lane unsafely, and drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway. Aquila was stopped at 2:28 a.m. on June 1 by Deputy Jacob Kipler on West Main Street Road in Batavia by Deputy Jacob Kipler for traffic violations. He was arrested, transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing, and held pending arraignment.

Gavin C. Turk, 22, of Ashview Drive, North Chili, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and speeding. Turk was stopped at 2:39 a.m. on June 3 by Sgt. Mathew Clor on Buffalo Road in Bergen. He was released on traffic tickets.

Press Release:

Genesee County law enforcement agencies will be joining forces with the New York State STOP-DWI Program in a coordinated effort to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and to keep roadways safe throughout the summer.

As part of a statewide initiative, law enforcement officers and STOP-DWI programs across New York will be stepping up their efforts with increased education, public outreach, and enhanced patrols on weekends from June through August 2025. This proactive campaign aims to prevent impaired driving crashes, reduce injuries, and ultimately save lives.

Impaired driving remains a serious threat to the safety of our community. The 100 Days of Summer STOP-DWI campaign will include sobriety checkpoints, increased patrols, and public education efforts designed to deter impaired driving and encourage responsible choices behind the wheel. 

• Designate a sober driver
• Call a taxi, a ride service or a sober friend.
• Wait it out - only time can eliminate alcohol or drugs from your system.
• If someone has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home. 

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Being a responsible driver is simple: if you are drinking, do not drive.

This initiative is part of a year-round effort to promote traffic safety and is funded by the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting a Military Encampment & Timeline event on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place on the museum grounds and inside the museum located at 131 W. Main Street, Batavia.

The event will feature reenactors dressed in military gear from the Revolutionary War to the current era. The encampment will feature real uniformed reenactors, military weapons, gear, and vehicles. The event coincides with the regular exhibits at the museum, including military exhibits and a new featured exhibit, "World War II on the Homefront: Propaganda and Rationing."

The event is included with museum admission, which is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students, and veterans, $1 for children, and $10 for a family of four. The event will include both outdoor and indoor displays. 

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.

Alabama-Basom Methodist Church, 1392 Lewiston Road, Alabama. Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. on June 1. This week, our sermon title is "Love and Unity" By Celinda McQuistion CLM Scripture reading Acts 16:16-35 and Gospel reading John 17: 20-26. 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. Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21. Message: “Making a Difference”. Join us for Pentecost Sunday! Wear your best red and orange and look forward to a special service honoring our Cradle Roll, Sunday School, and Youth Group! The choir will sing! And of course…there’s cake and ice cream after the service. 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), Our worship service begins at 9 a.m. Prayer requests to Jerry at: jeromedmorrison@yahoo.com. This week, June 8, our sermon title is “Never Alone” led by Rodney Stringham. (CLM). Scripture Readings will be from Acts 2:1-4 and John 14:25-27. 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 "The Faithful" led by Confirmands & Mentors. To view our services online please go to our website https://indianfallsgmc.com/ for a link for Live Streaming. We host a Senior Lunch ($8ea) on Saturday, June 14 at 12 p.m. 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 3:30 p.m. with our Bake Sale, 4 p.m. Chicken BBQ, and ending with our Auction at 6 p.m.

Morganville United Church of Christ, 8466 Morganville Rd, Stafford. Your invited to join with us this Sunday at 10 am as Reverend James Morasco shares his sermon, “Listen.” Our God is still speaking church is a country ride away. 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;: “Guest Speaker Jon Andre. 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 8) we will celebrate Pentecost. The Sermon Theme: God caused the one Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be preached in a multitude of languages. “At this sound the multitude came together” (Acts 2:6), for the preaching of Christ is the primary work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He gathers people from all nations into one Church. Our Sunday service begins at 10:15 am and can be viewed 'live' on Facebook. Communion is part of every Sunday service. Men's Bible Study meets every first & third Wednesday at 6:30pm. 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.

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"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

The Batavia Muckdogs fell short in a high-scoring contest at Dwyer Stadium, dropping a 10-8 decision to Niagara Falls America in Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League action Wednesday night.

Down 1-0 entering the third, Niagara Falls broke out for seven runs, highlighted by Nick Paszt’s two-run triple and Ian Huang’s two-run single. Grant Moore and Christopher Guzaldo each added RBI singles in the frame, giving the visitors a 7-1 lead.

Batavia answered with two runs in the bottom of the third on Sean Mindas’s two-run single, then closed the gap to 7-5 in the fourth when Jacob Veczko delivered a two-run single. The Muckdogs pulled within a run in the fifth when Justin Espinal and Mindas advanced scored on separate wild pitches.

Niagara Falls extended its lead in the sixth. Huang singled home Guzaldo, and Moore’s two-run single capped a three-run inning to make it 10-7. Batavia added a run in the eighth on Brian Fry’s fielder’s choice, but could not complete the comeback.

Both teams finished with 12 hits. Cooper Fesh led Niagara Falls with three hits and three runs scored, while Mindas and Fry each had two hits for Batavia.

Carter Hall earned the win in relief for Niagara Falls, tossing two innings and allowing two runs. Bryceton Berry took the loss for Batavia.

The game drew 2,889 fans.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Oakfield-Alabama Central School District will present its 2025-26 budget to voters again on June 17 following the defeat of an initial proposal in May, after hearing the call from residents for greater transparency in the budget process, officials say.

District officials said community members raised concerns about the lack of information and clarity surrounding the original budget, which failed to secure enough support at the polls. 

In response, the Board of Education and administration held budget workshops and special meetings on May 27 and May 30 to engage with residents, answer questions, and gather feedback.

Based on that input, the Board voted to bring the same budget proposal back to voters. The $25,555,345 plan represents a 2.13% increase from the current year and includes funding for three new diesel-powered buses, facility maintenance, and expanded support for special education, substitute teaching, textbooks, athletics, career and technical education, and mental health counseling.

The district will hold a public hearing on the budget at 6 p.m. Monday in the Middle/High School auditorium. A budget newsletter with a Q&A section will be sent to all district residents. Additionally, recordings of recent budget meetings are available on the district's website.

If the proposal does not receive at least 60% voter approval, state law requires the district to adopt a contingent budget. That would mean $954,000 in cuts, affecting bus and equipment purchases, as well as educational and extracurricular programs, and school staffing. Use of school facilities by outside groups would also be restricted.

"Our valued educational and extracurricular programs, along with school personnel, may also face reductions," said Superintendent John Fisgus and Board President Justin Staebell in a letter to residents. "Managing the use of facilities by outside organizations will be challenging, as a contingent budget restricts such usage that may incur costs for the district."

Voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 17 in the Middle/High School library.

District leaders encouraged residents to attend the hearing and reach out with questions or feedback. 

“We care deeply about our students, our schools, our programs, and our community,” the letter stated. “Together, we can achieve our shared educational goals by collaborating for a better OA.”

For advanced art students at Pavilion High School, art is about more than just paint on a canvas or film in a camera; it’s a form of expression—of emotions, ideas, and creativity.

At the school’s AP Art Showcase, held at the Yard of Ale in Piffard, six of Pavilion’s AP Art students had the chance to present their work to the public. 

Emily Vattimo, Lilaith Spencer, Anna Chen, Logan DioGuardi, Norah Manurung, and Hayden Kramer shared pieces they’ve created not only in class but also throughout their budding careers as artists.

For young artists like Hayden Kramer, being an artist means stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and embracing trial and error.

“I’ve worked with acrylic paint and things in the studio, but not to the level that I did this year,” Kramer said. “It was a lot of ‘I have no idea what I’m doing,’ throwing things at the wall to see if they stick, and just trial and error. Really figuring out what’s going to work.”

As part of her exhibit, Kramer even experimented with painting using actual frosting when depicting strawberry shortcake. Some attempts, like crochet portraits, were less successful, but for Kramer, the value lies in the creative journey itself.

Logan DioGuardi, also a senior at Pavilion, uses another medium to express himself: photography.

“I was working in different ways to show motion and emotion,” DioGuardi said about his photo process.

Working with everything from film to various lenses, DioGuardi showcased the many ways photography can capture both rare and everyday moments.

Some students used multiple pieces to tell a story, building a narrative timeline. One of these students was Emily Vattimo. Using both digital tools and traditional paint, Vattimo created a sequence of artwork that followed a story.

“It’s about death, and then becoming a person again,” Vattimo explained about the chronology of her work. “Here, she’s coming back to life, looking in the mirror and having a who you might have once been kind of a thing.”

The AP Art course is more than just a class—it’s a yearlong journey where students build a cohesive portfolio that reflects their creative process and personal growth. For many, the showcase represents the culmination of months of experimentation, development, and self-discovery.

For some students, AP Art is more than an academic requirement—it’s a stepping stone to something bigger. For Hayden Kramer, that next step is attending the Rochester Institute of Technology to study illustration.

“I took a pre-college portfolio class there over the summer for two weeks,” Kramer said. “Being there and being with other people, I was like ‘this is really what I want to do with my life.’”

Photos by Camryn Brookhart

Summer Kickoff Weekend at Northgate - Join us on Father’s Day Weekend—June 14 & 15—for our Summer Kickoff at Northgate! After each service, head out to the playground area for a sweet treat from our annual ice cream truck as we celebrate dads and the start of summer. Bring the whole family and enjoy the fun!
Service Times: Saturday at 6:00 PM or Sunday at 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM. Location: 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Visit us online: https://northgatefmc.com

It’s safe to say that Jeff Post is no fan of Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who represents District 67 in the Upper West Side and part of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan.

Rosenthal was the primary sponsor, with fellow New York City co-sponsors, for legislation that attempts to regulate the number of cows on a dairy farm. Although still in the early phases of the bill process, this measure -- which would limit the number of cows to 700 on a farm -- has been gaining more widespread attention.

“I think it’s just something being done by an uninformed person trying to glom onto the ‘cows are bad for the environment,' which can be proven to be wrong, obviously,” said Post, who owns Post Dairy Farms with his dad and uncle in Elba. “It’s irrational to think that dairy farmers are going to be capped at any size. It stifles growth and it stifles your ability to bring in the next generation.”

He also said that if local dairy farms had to reduce or cap their size, New York and the region would have to rely on imported milk products to meet the demand. That doesn’t make sense to spend money elsewhere when there are “dairy farms that could supply all the milk here, and are willing to,” he said.

Upstate United issued a statement, explaining that this very bill is an example of why the organization was created in the first place.

“To speak out against poorly crafted policies driven by downstate legislators that impact the viability and success of Upstate families, industries and communities. They don’t have dairy farms in their districts, and legislation like this suggests that either they don't care or are unaware of the industries that support Upstate’s economy,” the organization stated. “More than 95% of New York’s farms are family owned. At a time when New York State is making significant investments in major processors like Fairlife, Chobani and Cayuga Milk Ingredients, it makes absolutely no sense to restrict or limit the number of cows those farms can have when the milk they’re producing is needed for those companies to be successful.”

Another description is that “it’s just stupid,” Post said. And a valid reason for why droves of people are leaving the state each year, he said. “It’s all of that same kind of thinking that affects the whole government of New York,” he said.

One of Rosenthal’s concerns is apparently the environmental repercussions of runoff from manure in the fields, and Jack Klapper, co-owner of Noblehurst Farm, said that’s just a misnomer.

“There's nobody that cares more about this land or these animals that we take care of than farmers themselves, because this is what provides us our livelihood. We are environmental stewards. We try to do the best we can. We want to see this land prosper for the next generation to come, and we take the utmost care and respect for it," Klapper said of the farm situated in Genesee and Livingston counties. 

His family farm, he said, is "doing very cool things" when it comes to the environment.

"On my family's farm, we have a methane digester where we take in the cow's manure, and we also take in food scraps from the area -- food scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills -- and we take that food waste, and we take that cow's manure and we mix it together and put  into our anaerobic digester, and we're able to create electricity off of it, which helps us power the farm, and we could also power between 300 to 500 homes with it, if we wanted to."

When he first heard about the NYC legislators pushing for this bill, he cited former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s words, “farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.”  

“My mind went there, because it is classic New York City politicians trying to muck up waters in upstate, where they know little to nothing about, obviously. It would have a humongous impact on the New York dairy industry if it were to happen. I do not foresee it gaining a whole lot of traction. I think it's more of a headline reaching thing,” he said. “But if it were to happen, it would have huge consequences on the dairy industry here in New York State, from a growth perspective. 

The industry has invested billions in processing facilities in upstate, he said, including Great Lakes cheese in Franklinville, Fairlife in Webster, and the new Chobani plant that will be located in central eastern New York.

"And I think, at the state level, we should be promoting agriculture. We should be promoting business, not limiting business."

The dairy industry competes globally, he said.

"We're competing with countries like China and European countries, so we have to have access to these global markets and be able to compete on a global scale," he said. "And we're also competing in the States against other states as well. So if this legislation were to pass, New York farmers would be slapped with a huge disadvantage compared to Ohio farmers or Pennsylvania dairy farmers, we would just be at a huge disadvantage compared to our neighboring states and neighboring countries and things like that.”

He spoke as a farmer and as president of the Livingston County Farm Bureau. Klapper is planning a trip to Washington, D.C. this Sunday. While not a federal issue, the bill in question is important enough for him to “get ahold of some representatives to rattle the cage of some upstate reps to really squash this.”

He wanted to clarify that it's not about just defending large farms, as they all have a place.

“It’s not a small farm versus big farm thing; all farms are good. We need all farms,” he said. “The amount of money that these farms pass through these local rural communities is astonishing. Just in pass-through dollars (to local companies) … that's a lot of dollars passed through local hardware stores, lots of jobs created because of these farms in the area. And without these farms, all that business goes away, those jobs go away. So it's very important.”

There are upstate representatives on the dairy farmers' side, including Genesee County representatives Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Senator George Borrello, the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, each of whom has spoken against the preliminary bill, along with others from various parts of the state.

“This outrageous proposal is a slap in the face to every hardworking dairy farmer in New York. It’s yet another example of radical New York City lawmakers trying to control an industry they know nothing about,” Borrello said during a recent press conference. “These farms aren’t factory operations, they’re family businesses built over generations. And instead of helping them grow, Albany is threatening to regulate them out of existence.

“The same extreme ideology that gave us the Farm Labor Act—a law that’s already done lasting damage to agriculture in this state—is now back to finish the job,” he said. “If the goal is to drive dairy production out of New York and into other states, this bill will get it done—at the expense of rural communities, local economies and our state’s food security.”

With a poster theme of “Save our cattle from downstate rattle” affixed to the podium, during this week's press conference, Hawley also discussed how New York has experienced a drastic decline in the number of dairy farms over the last 25 years, dropping from 9,300 to approximately 3,000. 

This decline has accelerated substantially in recent years as the dairy industry has struggled to turn a profit and keep up with operating costs, Hawley said, strongly opposing the proposal that “will only accelerate this trend” and push more dairy farmers out of business.

“While small-scale dairy farms are struggling to make ends meet, members of the Majority who have never stepped foot on a farming operation are trying to regulate them out of business,” Hawley said in a press release. “As a former farmer myself, the assertion that our local farms are destroying our environment is completely ridiculous. Working families across our state rely on our dairy farms for their basic necessities, and this proposal will only bring up costs and reduce availability. We cannot allow this out-of-touch proposal to hurt our rural communities, and I will continue to stand with my colleagues in the state Assembly to ensure this initiative is shut down once and for all.”

Faces are Molly Osterman’s favorite subject. The Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School senior said she is drawn to the intricate details of a face, especially eyes and noses, and finds endless inspiration in capturing their uniqueness.

“I love faces. They're not necessarily the easiest to draw, but I think that the intricate details of a face -- I'm just really passionate about them," Osterman said during Le Roy's annual student art show in the auditorium on Wednesday evening. "I love drawing eyes specifically. And I love noses. I love any piece of art I can get with a nose. It’s definitely like the centerpiece of it.” 

Osterman’s work was on display as one of the seniors getting spotlighted, among younger students. This year, Osterman completed 19 pieces.

Art teacher Antonio Koukides said he has watched Osterman’s growth since her sophomore year.

“I met Molly in her sophomore year coming into art, and she definitely wasn’t as confident as she is now," Koukides said. "Every project, I feel like she—there was a lot of uncertainty about, can I do this? Can I do it? I don’t like this. I want to move forward. And I think that in her junior year, she started to see that she had more potential. I kept pushing her into different things in this senior year. I mean, 19 pieces of art is pretty amazing for a senior year -- and confidently, 19 pieces of art with little to no questions or guidance. She’s more of a teacher in her own self, so what an example for the other kids. That’s what I say. It’s been awesome.”

For Osterman, art is more than a hobby—it’s an escape from the pressures of school and a source of calm.

“Art-wise, I think it’s just a really great escape. Whenever I’m stressed, I don’t even need any inspiration," Osterman said. "It’s nice to be able to go to something after a long day of being in classes and being stressed out by all the homework I have, and just be able to do something that I enjoy so much, and I can actually just be free from everything else and not think about it.” 

She credits her art teachers for helping her gain confidence and develop her skills.

“Everything about it is relaxing, because I’m just feeling calm, and I can listen to music whenever I’m doing art," she said. "Mr. Koukides is such an amazing teacher. He makes me feel like I actually know what I’m doing, and he’s good at explaining what I should do to make my artwork better. So I just feel comfortable.”

Osterman said her favorite artist is Da Vinci, and much of her work this year was inspired by Renaissance paintings. 

She plans to minor in art while majoring in political science at Le Moyne College, then attend law school at Syracuse University.

“I would say that’s probably the dream—I want to stick with art my entire life,” she said. “It’s just amazing to have a hobby that you’re actually good at and you can feel passionate about, and it’s not like a hobby where I get stressed over it or I’m upset over it, I actually can enjoy it 24/7 and not worry about anything.”

Koukides said Osterman’s interest in Renaissance art sets her apart.

“I don't get many seniors that get turned on by Renaissance—not often, but I do think more of them research things on their own than people realize," Koukides said. "It’s just a style they see, then they start research.”

Photos by Howard Owens