We posted earlier today about the upcoming Flag Day tribute at the VA Center, which will be at 1 p.m., Sunday.
This afternoon, Frank Panepento was at the sign in front of St. Joe's to help promote the event, so here's a quick video of Frank playing "You're a Grand Old Flag."
Hey, kids get ready for a cross-cultural summer experience sponsored by The Salvation Army. "Thailand Trek" will provide the food, games and activities unique to exotic Thailand every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 7 through Aug. 20 for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
This FREE summer program features a morning snack and lunch each day. Transportation is provided to and from The Salvation Army headquarters on East Main Street in the City of Batavia.
Participants will enjoy games, crafts, singing, storytime and FUN!
Those who attend four out of five sessions get a free boat ride along the historic Erie Canal in Lockport.
For more information and to sign up, contact The Salvation Army: at (585) 343-6284; visit the office at 529 E. Main St.; or e-mail "Captain Patty" at:
patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org
The Elba Central School District’s Board of Education anticipates appointing Keith Palmer as the district’s next Superintendent at a special board meeting on Friday, June 12. Palmer is set to begin on July 1.
“I look forward to working with the Elba Board, faculty, students and community to develop strong relationships as we work together to deliver the District’s vision and mission," Palmer said. "Our first priority is the education of our students as we focus on curriculum and instruction. This will enhance our students’ academic achievement as we work together to meet the district’s academic and financial goals."
Tony Zambito, Elba Central School District Board president said, “The Board is confident in selecting Mr. Palmer to lead Elba Central Schools. His professional background, along with a deep understanding of many aspects of educational leadership, makes him an excellent fit for the staff and students of the District. The search process narrowed the field to three excellent candidates. The Board values all of the participation and input from stakeholders and community members and is committed and proud of this decision.”
Palmer is currently the principal of Pembroke Central High School where he has served since 2003. Previously, he served as assistant principal at Kendall High School, a position he held for 12 years.
Palmer has 16 years experience in the educational field. Palmer began his career in 1987 as a math and computer science teacher at North Warren Central School in the Adirondacks. He also taught at the Washington Correctional Facility located in Comstock for two summers in both 1988 and 1990.
Palmer holds a bachelor of arts from Houghton College, and a master’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. He holds three New York State (NYS) Certifications, a NYS School District Administrator, a NYS School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate and a NYS School Business Administrator Certificate.
Palmer’s career encompasses a variety of leadership accomplishments including developing Professional Learning Communities to build school/family communication and maintaining effective relations with union leadership.
The Town of Pembroke received a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to help cover extra plowing expenses for the November 2014 snowstorm.
The town board authorized the FEMA grant of $36,943 the town received to be transferred into the highway department account at last night's meeting. The grant was received about a month ago and funds will go toward plowing expenses for next year.
"The grant money will go back into all the payroll and we'll break it up to where it goes to fill up the salt barns," said Stephen Stocking, the Town of Pembroke highway superintendent.
Stocking worked on applying for the grant a month after the storm hit to cover a portion of the extra snowplowing expenses. The highway staff was working around the clock to keep roads plowed during the three-day storm. The town also had to replace some of the salt it had used in the storm to get through the rest of the winter.
"It was just a lot of snow in a short time," Stocking said. "Some of our roads had four feet of snow on them. There was just too much time and salt spent on the three days."
The storm started on Monday, Nov. 17. County officials declared a state of emergency and travel bands were issued for Darien, Pembroke, Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion.
Byron-Bergen Superintendent of Schools Casey Kosiorek (left) and the WNY Video Recording Coaching Institute’s Executive Director Jim Thompson (right) at their recent presentation for the TeachLivE conference at the University of Central Florida.
Press release:
Teachers throughout the region will have a new professional development resource, thanks to a collaboration between the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) and the Byron-Bergen Central School District. The Western New York Video Recording Coaching Institute will incorporate a proven video-coaching model with a groundbreaking virtual-classroom simulator, TeachLivE™, which allows educators to develop and improve their teaching practices in a safe environment.
The new institute will be headed by Executive Director Jim Thompson, who has led the development of BBCSD’s own successful Instructional Coaching initiative since 2013. He and Byron-Bergen’s Superintendent of Schools Casey Kosiorek recently made a presentation at the National TeachLivE Conference at the University of Central Florida to educators from across the country, who were there to learn about this innovative approach to professional development.
Kosiorek credits the GVEP’s District Superintendent Kevin MacDonald for supporting the Institute’s vision.
“Mr. MacDonald has shown unwavering support for this initiative, and his support has made this a reality,” he said. “This is a great approach to support teachers in becoming the best they can be. We are very excited to be hosting it here, and helping to make these services available to teachers in our entire area. Ultimately, this is a huge benefit, not just for the teachers, but also for all of their students.”
TeachLivE is a computer-simulated, mixed-reality classroom. Teachers step into this virtual classroom and within a minute experience immersion and suspension of disbelief, allowing them to rehearse high-leverage teaching practices related to student achievement. Much like a flight simulator for pilots, TeachLivE simulates a classroom experience for teachers to hone their skills.
The tool will be combined with individual coaching, role-playing, model lessons and videotaping of lessons. The Institute’s program is designed to guide teachers, using a style that is highly interactive, supportive, and reflective.
“Everyone can get better; this is not just for new teachers, or superstars,” Kosiorek said. “No matter where a teacher is, they can be better. We’d like to see every teacher at Byron-Bergen get involved in Instructional Coaching within the next three years.”
The new WNY Video Recording Coaching Institute will offer teachers a rich professional development experience, complete with individualized video coaching, and a safe environment for teaching improvement in TeachLivE’s simulated classroom environment.
A Student Transportation of America Bus backed into Lucky Ducky Daycare's gas line located on the edge of the daycare's parking lot. There were only a few kids on the bus at the time of the accident and no injuries. The daycare did evacuate for a short time. The gas line should be fixed in a couple hours.
There will be a Flag Day celebration starting at 1 p.m., Sunday, at the VA Center in Batavia.
Here's the schedule for the event:
Don't miss the 26th annual Bergen Park Festival on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 2015.
"Small Town USA" -- Friday June 12th -- 5 to 6:30 p.m. Fish Fry sponsored by the Masonic Temple with Chef Jim MacConnell and the Bergen Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. $10 Presale tickets available at the Village and Town offices. All proceeds to benefit our parks.
Saturday June 13th
Noon -- Parade down Lake Avenue (Please contact Michele Smith, parade chair, to participate. Call 494-1211, ext. 21). Parade Marshal -- former Town Clerk Myrna List.
Following parade -- Kelly Heroes! This program is made possible with Reach Grant funds, a Decentrailization Regnant program of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Schedule of Events:
This day is sponsored by the Bergen Business & Civic Association. The Bergen Park Festival continues as an event to bring our community together with any profits going back to the Village & Town Parks.
Please do your animals and other guests a favor, and leave your pets home. Thank you. Schedule subject to change.
Sponsors include: Greg'ry's Bakery. Bergen Sales, Inc., 35 S. Lake St., www.bergensales.com, 494-2250. Radiant Hair Designs, LLC, 12 Lake St., Bergen, Open Tues-Sat., Walk-ins welcome. Johanna Lopez Nail & Waxing Services 494-2000 or 200-1386. Ralph & Rosie's.
A group of runners, including several members of the local law enforcement community, carried the Special Olympic Torch from Elba to the Genesee ARC building on Walnut Street, Batavia, this morning. Along the way, they stopped at the Batavia School District's fourth-grade track meet on Woodward Field.
Above, Garrett Schmidt and Avelin Tomidy get ready to assist Deputy Joseph Corona in carrying the torch for a lap around the track.
Carl talks about what Special Olympics means to him and how he won three medals at a recent competition.
Dave Chua
The runners approaching Van Detta Stadium.
Completing the lap around the track.
Shane Zimblis, 44, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and unlawful imprisonment. Zimblis allegedly broke several items belonging to another person and refused to let the person leave the location. The domestic incident happened on Hutchins Street, Batavia. He was put in Genesee County Jail.
Jeffrey J. Cervone, 46, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of menacing, 3rd, and one count of petit larceny. The incident occurred at 202 N. Spruce St., City of Batavia. Cervone is accused of threatening two subjects and brandished what the two subjects thought was a knife. He was held on $2,500.
Bilal A. Aljabbouri, 21, of Austin Street, Buffalo, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, possession of cigars with unpaid tax, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, speeding and unlicensed operator. Aljabbouri was pulled over for a traffic stop on Alleghany Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Aljabbouri was allegedly in possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and more than 750 cigars.
James A. Mckenzie, 61, of River Road, Rome, is charged with attempt to evade taxes on cigarettes, criminal tax fraud and following too closely. Mckenzie is accused of possessing 406 cartons of untaxed cigarettes after being pulled over for an alleged traffic violation by Deputy Lonnie Nati on Alleghany Road, Pembroke.
Robert D. Griffin, 36, of East Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal tampering, 3rd. Griffin allegedly became intoxicated to the point where he was unable to care for three children at a residence on Columbia Avenue, Batavia. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.
Tylee D. Gaines, 36, of Brown Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant on Overlook Drive, Batavia, for a previous charge. Gaines is originally charged with allegedly intimidating a witness, 3rd, in the Town of Batavia in August 2014. She was held without bail.
Chercal A. Smith, 19, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant on State Street, Batavia. Smith was originally arrested on an assault charge, 3rd, following an incident in January 2015.
Melissa C. Cicatello, 23, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant on West Main Street, Batavia. Cicatello allegedly failed to appear on charges of operating a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration.
A 17-year-old youth offender of Batavia is charged with disorderly conduct. The youth was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with another student at Batavia High School. The youth's name was withheld by Batavia PD.
Photos from last night's Batavia High School Talent Showcase.
Above, Ross Chua performs with three volunteers from the audience, Cara Ranalli, Malik Vascianne and Lindsey Hill.
Ross Chua
Tyzonah Reese
Madison Hoerbelt and Andrea Gilebarto with Mr. Dan Grillo playing the piano.
Kelli Dumuhosky
Rachel Flint
Kesa Janes and Hannah Bluhm
McKenna Dzieman
Alex Hansen
Laura Guiste
Jerrett Laskett
This is a what Mohawk Pool looked like when Claudia and I took our first hike at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge this year. It was April and cattails were brown and trees devoid of foliage.
Later in the day the surface of Mohawk Pool reflected less sky while the early evening sun cast a glow on surrounding flora.
A pair of Canada geese swim slowly past.
Dusk along Feeder Road.
A towering sycamore stands out in contrast against a blue sky.
A classic mallard photo....irridescent green head as vivid as could be, and a leg band to boot. Bands provide valuable data for wildlife biologists. Nice photo, Claudia!
A great blue heron stalking its next meal.
Companions for life.
Batavia High School track state qualifiers will participate this Friday and Saturday at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association track meet at Albany State College. The state meet consists of two classifications, with large schools in Class A, AA, and small schools, including Batavia, in classes B, CC, C and D schools.
I interviewed Coach Dan Geiger, head coach of the girls team, and spoke about this weekend’s itinerary.
“The kids will board for Albany after school Thursday representing section five and arrive for a practice late that evening," Geiger said. "The kids will compete on Friday and then return again on Saturday, and if they qualify they will do what’s called a federation championship in which they combine large, small schools and the public athletic association from NYC area. Every school in New York State will have a chance with that one, but only the top eight schools in the state will compete in those races on Saturday. Depending on how Friday goes we are looking to have all the kids participate Saturday and the goal is to arrive back at BHS Saturday night will lots of medals.
"Just about every year we have sent a couple of each from boys and girls to the state meet. This year we have a much larger group than in the past and it’s always great to get relays in and it’s a lot of fun for the kids. A lot of individuals over the years make it in for various races. This is the first time in history that we will have both boys and girls relay racers go, which is an outstanding accomplishment as a program. Our program has been very strong the last eight years consistently that we have sent a few kids to participate.
"We have had some really strong individuals on our relay teams and had a very difficult choice as to who to pick for our relays and have eight strong 400-meter runners. We can only bring six to the meet, four to participate and two listed as alternates. Two girls I want to recognize -- Reagan Henrici and Aimee Freeman -- who were right there with these girls but unfortunately we could only bring six and not all eight to the meet. We got have some really great depth that have showed it in sectional time on both girls and boys side that will compete with them and hopefully make it on the podium.“
Pictured above from left, first row: freshman Sophie Dinehart (4x4), senior Missa Dispenza (4x4), 100m & 400m hurdles, freshman Kiaya Franklin (4x4), eighth-grader Bri Wormley (4x4), freshman Claire Zickl (4x4), not pictured -- senior Becca Canale (4x4).
Second row, from left: junior Cal Jantzi (4x8), junior Louie Leone (4x8), sophomore Campbell Andersen (4x8), senior Devon Keopp (disc thrower), junior Nick Callisher (4x8), senior Jerrett Laskett (4x8) & 400m hurdles.
For more information go to: nysphsaa.org
The Town of Bethany wants residents to voice their opinion on what they think should be done with the old Town Hall property.
Carl Hyde Jr., Bethany town supervisor, will be having an informational meeting at 6 :30 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at the Bethany Community Center. At the meeting, Hyde will be sharing with the community the costs needed to repair and maintain the property.
"I want the community's input to help decide whether to sell it, auction it or take it down," Hyde said.
The town is struggling financially and doesn't have the funds to maintain the property anymore. To continue trying to sell the property, the town would have to spend $15,000 for engineer reports and renew the contract they have with the Landmark Society of WNY by July 31.
Maintenance repairs are a major setback for potential buyers. Hyde had several people interested in turning the property into a rental hall but the cost of $100,00 worth of repairs deterred them. Due to the building being vacant for almost 10 years, it's starting to deteriorate. The septic system only has a holding tank and the quality of the well water is poor.
The building has been a centerpiece of the town since it was built in 1836. Historical features of the building include an auditorium, stage and meeting hall.
"It's tough to let an old building go," Hyde said. "I would love to see it sold and turned into a professional office or reused in some way."
After the meeting is held and residents have spoken, the town board will make a final decision on how to move forward with the property.
Photo: File photo from 2011 when Bethany attempted to sell the building through an area real estate agent.
Press release:
City Council President Brooks Hawley will be holding six City Hall meetings over the summer, one for each ward. “Coffee with the City Council President and Councilmember Representative” will be held at City Hall in the Community Room.
These meetings will be used as a direct connection to the President and councilmembers to have a forum with residents to collect thoughts, concerns, ideas or interests from city residents. The meetings will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturdays on the following dates:
“We look forward to meeting and discussing our community issues with concerned and engaging people," Council President Hawley said. "We will find out what we can improve on and what we are doing well as a council and administration to improve the quality of life for Batavians."
If there are any questions, please contact:
City of Batavia
City Council President
One Batavia City Centre Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 409-9895
Members of The Batavian Club receive more than $300 in gift certificates. These are gift certificates that be used in the same local businesses we all patronize every day.
An annual membership is a mere $60. So think about it, use your first $60 in gift certificates and the rest of your membership package is like getting free money. Who doesn't like free stuff?
Sign up with an annual recurring payment instead of a one-time payment, and save another $10 off your membership fee. More free stuff!
You're helping to support The Batavian's mission to bring you the best local coverage and supporting local businesses at the same time. Everybody wins.
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Single member non-recurring payment: $60 Single membership annual recurring automatic payment of $50Village of Corfu residents will not get the chance to participate in a public hearing on whether to dissolve their local government after the board of trustees voted 3 to 2 against holding a hearing Monday night.
Board trustees Al Graham, Ken Lauer and Jenny McMartin-Eck did not approve moving forward with the dissolution public hearing because they felt residents would be losing out -- on police protection, maintenance services, as well as village office, court and board services. Their main concern is that the needs of 700 Village residents would not be met by the Town of Pembroke.
Mayor Dave Bielec and Board Trustee Art Ianni were in favor of the motion to hold a public hearing because they wanted to give residents a chance to voice their opinion in an open forum.
The issue of whether to dissolve the village and combine with the Town of Pembroke has been going on for approximately a year. Then Pembroke Town Board met in March to discuss the nitty-gritty issues of dissolution.
The town board agreed to cover the cost for the village's streetlights but special districts would have to be created to address sidewalk repair and lawn waste pickup. Village repairs in the past have been completed by private contractors. For police coverage, board members discussed contracting with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Regarding the village's fund balance of $500,000, the board sought opinion from the state Comptroller's Office.
Next, a Dissolution Committee Meeting was held May 12th to discuss the requirements of the final plan. The committee is composed of village board trustees, town board members, and residents from Corfu and Pembroke. A representative from the New York State Department of State answered questions regarding the Dissolution Law.
As things stand, that's all moot now. (SEE BELOW)
Other topics discussed at yesterday's meeting included sewer plant updates, grant applications to fund redevelopment and a proposal for a village yard sale day.
Board Trustee Graham presented requirements that would allow the sewer pretreatment plant to move forward with the proposal to hook up two truck stops -- Travel Centers of America and Flying J. The plant requires smoke testing, dye testing, inspections, meetings, lab work and a permit to have the companies hook up to the plant. Graham also mentioned a grant proposal to make the sewer pretreatment plant larger by building another plant next to the existing one.
Lauer discussed applying for New York State grant funds to improve community development. Historical structures including the Union Hotel and Bowling Alley, recent tattoo parlor and the former Odd Fellows building are in need of repair. The government could take over the buildings or support private development. The revitalization effort would open up the possibility of creating parks, activities for youth and seniors and more downtown parking. The board approved a motion to have a grant writer work on the grant application that is due at the end of July.
Village residents proposed a community yard sale to the board of trustees. The board approved the yard sale days and will be asking private business owners to support the event as well. The yard sale will take place this summer on a weekend in August. Final details will be advertised in the Village of Corfu summer newsletter.
CORRECTION: (By Billie) I added the sentence "As things stand, that's all moot now." Village Board Trustee Al Graham pointed out in comments that that is not right. Citizens have recourse. They can petition to force a vote on village dissolution. I stand corrected and apologize for the error, which the writer of the story, our intern Traci Turner, had nothing to do with whatsoever.
An accident involving a FedEx tractor-trailer and Toyota Tundra pickup truck happened on the corner of Main and Center. The FedEx tractor-trailer was making a wide right turn and collided with the pickup turning right. There were no injuries.
"What I know so far is the semi hit the truck so were investigating," Officer Jason Davis said.
"It looked like he made a left second turn," said Azem Dobrodoli, driver of the Toyota Tundra, "I didn't notice he was turning right until the last second. I slammed on my brakes and there it was."
Dobrodoli didn't notice if the truck had a left-turn signal on.
A FedEx semi-truck vs. car accident is reported at Main and Center Streets. Unknown injuries. City fire and Mercy medics responding.
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