Photo: Bob Yates, Batavia CTE Center Auto Technology instructor, with Ryan George and Cassidy Cater.

Submitted photo and press release:

Despite a tough contest, Cassidy Cater and Ryan George, Batavia Career and Technical Education Center Auto Technology students, placed fourth in the Ron Smith Auto Tech Competition, sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association.

Cassidy and Ryan are seniors from Attica Central Schools.

Beforehand, Cassidy and Ryan worked every school day for two weeks at Basil Ford in Cheektowaga. There they practiced with a technician on a 2018 Ford Escape.

During the competition, Ryan and Cassidy worked through timed stations where they were required to complete tasks such as precision measurement, drop voltage, balancing a tire, splicing a wire, and soldering. In order to receive points, these assignments needed to be completed in less than 10 minutes.

“I was comfortable doing these tasks because I was familiar with this work,” Ryan said. 

“These are things that we learned in our class. Mr. Yates prepared us for what we might have to do during the competition,” Cassidy said.

A total of nine teams competed, all from schools and career and technical education centers across Western New York. Cassidy and Ryan were in the senior division. The daylong event was held at Erie Community College Vehicle Technology Training Center in Orchard Park. 

Competition was fierce said Bob Yates, Auto Technology Instructor at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.

Ryan and Cassidy were required to diagnose and repair a 2018 Ford Escape that was bugged with many mechanical issues.

“There were very intricate and technical bugs that were set up in the car," Yates said. "Even a seasoned technician would have struggled with some of these problems. The rear hatch would not open and Ryan had to reprogram it and he got it to work. Very few teams got the car to operate and Ryan and Cassidy got the car to start and run."

“We also had to do a pinpoint test, which is a step-by-step procedure on how to fix the car. We got a perfect score on the alignment and the alignment test,” Cassidy added.

“The competition was scored on a total of 1,000 points," Yates said. "The difference between the first-place score and fourth-place was only 21 points." 

Ryan described the event as a great experience.

“It was fun, hands-on and taught me a lot about electrical systems in cars.” Cassidy said “It gave us a taste of what working in the real-world will be like.”

About Batavia CTE 

The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

The Batavia City School District Board of Trustees honored several people at the start of Tuesday's meeting with certificates of appreciation for the difference they're making at the Batavia schools.

Above, Board President Pat Burk with Lucy Lefevre.

Amelia Tripp

Luca Garland

Landon Minuto

Ottoniel Ramirez-Garcia

Camden Reimer

Members of the STAR staff.

Detective Richard Schauff

Oakfield-Alabama's fine season, which included 19 wins, came to a disappointing end Wednesday night in the Class D1 Section V semifinal playoff game against South Seneca.

The #4 seeded South Seneca knocked off the #1 seeded Lady Hornets 68-44.

Brianna Smith scored 16 points for O-A and Kylie Schlagenhauf scored 15.

In the girls' Class C1 semifinal, also played Wednesday night, Notre Dame beat Red Creek 52-48. 

Margaret Sutherland and Callie McCulley each scored 12 points, Natalie Thornton scored 11, Morgan Rhodes scored nine and Stevie Wilcox scored eight. Wilcox had 13 rebounds and Thornton had 10.

In girls' basketball tomorrow, Elba plays for the Class D2 championship in Gainsville against Andover at 6 p.m. 

Pavilion plays Saturday against Wheatland-Chili for the Class D1 championship in Letchworth at 8 p.m.

Notre Dame vies for the Class C1 championship in Rush-Henrietta at 3 p.m., Saturday, against Letchworth.

In boys' basketball, the lone Genesee County team still in the hunt for a sectional championship is Pembroke, who take on Northstar Christian for the Class C1 championship at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Blue Cross Arena.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Genesee County starting at 7 p.m. with heavy snow and strong winds expected throughout the region.

Snow accumulations could range from eight to 14 inches.

Gusty winds are expected to accompany the snow, which could cause tree branches to fall.

A significant reduction in visibility is possible at times.

The warning is in effect until 1 p.m., Friday.

A tightly matched game #6 seed Batavia Lady Devils came out playing with heart and soul to the end versus #3 seed Honeoye Falls Lima last evening at Penfield High School. 

Batavia came out flat down by five points but Freshman Kenzie Reigle helped drive them to a 9-9 after the first quarter.

Second quarter Batavia went up on top leading by as much as four points 17-13 but HFL came to tie it before junior Jenae Colkey sunk a two-pointer to give Batavia a lead at the half 19-17.

Batavia came out of the locker increasing the lead by five points 23-18 but Freshman Hannah Selke hit four three-pointers in the quarter to help HFL carry a big lead 30-25 going into the fourth.

Batavia and HFL both exchanged fouls, lead changes and tied the game 36-36 until under two minutes left where Batavia came up short losing 45-40. 

HFL will play #1 seed Aquinas Friday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

To view or purchase photos click here.

Press release:

On Thursday, March 22, the City of Batavia and Genesee County Youth Boards will sponsor their 22^ndannual Youth Recognition Dinner at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility.

Sixteen young people will be honored for their commitment to community service and/or their impressive role in their family. Additionally, the dinner will recognize one Adult Youth Worker and two Adult Youth Volunteers. 

The following young people will be recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Evan Amberger, Camryn Arthur, Madalynn Augello, Ryan Bowen, Lydia Daley, Summer Jeschke-Dean, Sheron Perez-Fuentes, Connlan Hotnich, Camden King, Nathan Knickerbocker, Jillian Menzie, Julia Menzie, Justina Pruski, Isabella Riner, Benjamin Slenker and Eric Stroud.

• Arron Brown is receiving the Adult Youth Worker Award from his position as a fourth-grade teacher at Pembroke Intermediate School for going above and beyond his job requirements to do whatever he can do for his students and their families.
• Stan Kaus is receiving the Adult Youth Volunteer Award for his extensive time spent forming and coaching independent girls 12 and under fast pitch softball team called the Batavia Stingers.
• Laura Luft is also receiving the Adult Youth Volunteer Award for devoting countless hours to bettering the lives of young people in Elba and Genesee County.

Registration and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m. The program and dinner will commence at 6. Seating is limited.

If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960 no later than March 8^th.

A big part of Elba's game plan going into Tuesday night's Section V semifinal playoff game against Romulus in Dansville was to stop point guard Mary Ellen Querrie.

That proved a tough task. Her leadership and her 19 points kept Romulus in the game up until the closing minutes.

"We had a tough time with her," said Head Coach Tom Redband.

Even so, Elba was able to regain the lead in the fourth quarter after giving it up in the third and held on to win, 58-55.

Redband said a lot of credit for the win goes to Leah Bezon. The freshman scored 18 points, which included hitting a trio of threes.

Romulus ran a press all night, which produced some turnovers, but Redband said Brynn Walczak, Isabella Riner, and Maddie Muehlig did an effective job of breaking it.

"Those three girls, specifically, did a good job," Redband said.

Walczak finished with 12 points, as did Muelig. Riner scored five.

Redband said after Romulus made its third-quarter run, "It was looking a little bleak for us," but the Lady Lancers held it together.

"Another key (to the game) for us was not getting down on ourselves," Redband said. "We had some an adversity. Romulus went on a good run and the girls stuck with it, made some big shots and didn’t give up."

Elba faces Andover on Friday at Letchworth for the Section V Class D2 championship. Game time is 6 p.m. 

Pavilion also has a Section V Class D1 championship game that night at Letchworth at 8 p.m. against Wheatland.

Semifinals tonight, Notre Dame plays Red Creek in Class C1 and Oakfield-Alabama plays South Seneca in Class C2.

This is the third in a series of five stories about the honorees at this Saturday's annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is being held at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

Renowned purebred cattle auctioneer William “Bill” Kent says there’s a straightforward explanation for his Town of Stafford company’s nearly half a century of success.

“It’s pretty simple, really. I said to the kids, 'don’t fib and don’t do anything wrong, or it will come back to bite you,' ” said Bill, who founded William Kent Inc. in 1970 and has since turned it over to his son, Dave.

Bill, Dave and Dave’s son, Josh, spoke about the business and its role in the community in light of the family being named Geneseeans of the Year for 2017 by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s a heck of an honor, and certainly unexpected,” said Dave, who joined forces with his father in 1976 after graduating from St. Bonaventure University. “We’re very pleased.”

Over the years, several members of the Kent family have participated in the auctioneering, appraisal and real estate brokerage firm, including Bill’s wife, Jean, and daughters, Debbie and Connie.

Currently, Bill (at 85 he’s still on the job), Dave and Josh, who came into the business in 2006 after attending Cornell University, handle the day-to-day responsibilities, with assistance from trusted employees Mike Cody and George Heins.

The family was nominated for the award by Stafford neighbors Rick and Jane Scott, who said the Kents are “well known for their community spirit, love of agriculture and generous nature. They deserve to be recognized not only as a business but for all they do in this community and beyond.”

The Kents have displayed their generosity through the numerous benefit auctions they conduct (at no charge) for civic organizations and charities, rarely turning down a request.

“Dad has always done this, and it is one of the ways we can give back,” said Dave, a former New York State Auctioneer of the Year.

In 1971, Bill gave of his time and talent to run the first Genesee County Fair auction, and the company has been involved ever since.

“Kids raise and sell their 4-H project animals at the Fair, and we help them out,” Bill said, adding that they also participate in the Wyoming County 4-H.

He then went on to name other organizations that have raised funds through their benefit auctions – churches, Kiwanis Club, Batavia Business Women, Le Roy and Stafford historical societies, Salvation Army and Hunter’s Hope, Spirits & Skivvies underwear project, plus many more.

Josh, whose children, Landon, 10, and Ainsley, 7, could be destined to join the business someday, said he has embraced his grandfather’s philosophy.

“Western New York is a fairly tight-knit community, and to be in business for any length of time, you have to treat people right,” he said.

Bill said the business has changed over time – “we used to sell 5,000 cows per year, now it’s a lot of machinery and real estate auctions and sales” (and consulting) – but they’re available to “help out where we are needed.”

That was the case when Bill presented auctioneering for a “show and tell” session at the Le Roy Nursery School, where his grandson, Riley, was a student.

“That was more fun than making money,” he said, with a laugh.

“I asked the kids to just do what I do, counting 1, 2, right up to 10. Then I gave them the little microphone and asked each one to come up and count. One little girl was so shy; she hid behind me, clutched my leg and counted really softly. That was something.”

Photo: David Kent, Josh Kent, and Mike Cody.

In July 2017, we welcomed a new business to Genesee County – but its building has history dating back to the 1820s. On Main Street in Le Roy sits the beautiful Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn.

Walk in the front doors and you’ll find yourself in a cozy downstairs tavern and restaurant. Journey upstairs, and you’ll be blown away by the stunning gathering spaces and overnight accommodations. And no matter where you step, you’ll be able to see the view of the Oatka Creek bed – stunning in both the summer and winter months.

With so much beauty and finery, you’d never know that Farmer’s Creekside has a rich and tragic history. The building was constructed in the 1820s and was one of Main Street, Le Roy’s first locations. Over the years, the building served as a hat factory, a bank office, and several private residences. But in 2004, a fire nearly claimed the building for good, destroying almost all of the structure and interior.

Restoring this building and opening Creekside has truly been a labor of love for owner Bill Farmer. He acquired the building in 2007 and is welcoming visitors to enjoy the space – 10 years later.

Now that the wait is over, it’s time to make your reservation. Executive Chef Sean Wolf offers a tavern menu with sandwiches, salads and snacks, and a more upscale dinner menu featuring modern expressions of classic tavern fare. You’re bound to find something to make your mouth water. And with a well-stocked bar featuring 18 beers on tap and a selection of regional and global wines, there are plenty of drink options to complement your meal.

Once you’ve filled your belly, check out the view – or check into one of three brand new suites. Each one is decorated differently and features a modern yet timeless design that perfectly blends into the building’s brick walls, black Marcellus shale, and original wood beams.

On occasion, Farmer’s Creekside will host special events that are open to the public. They also offer space for private events and gatherings with advance reservation.

Support Genesee County’s newest offering! Farmer’s is open for lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. The Bar is open for extended hours in the evenings, and overnights can be booked year-round.

Learn more about Farmer’s Creekside and their story at: http://www.farmerscreekside.com/. Or visit www.VisitGeneseeNY.com to learn more about Genesee County's unique attractions and local offerings.

Pam and Mondell Elliott completed their first escape room in Canada a little over five years ago. When their youngest child moved out, Pam Elliott decided it was time to open their own escape room to keep themselves busy and have fun doing it.

Six Senses Escape Rooms in Batavia opened its doors on Black Friday in Batavia City Centre. Both Pam and Mondell work full-time jobs but enjoy the family adventure.  

“The kids come help out when they can,” Pam said.

Six Senses Escape Rooms, located at 106 Main St. in Batavia, is open Friday from 4 until 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required and can be made through the website located here. Special events, such as birthdays can also be held at Six Senses Escape Rooms.

The hours for Six Senses Escape Rooms do not match the Batavia City Centre hours, so guests should use the back entrance instead of going through the mall.

Each room has its own theme and storyline with a series of challenges that must be solved within 60 minutes. The rooms are designed for people of all ages and skill sets. No special knowledge is needed to solve the puzzles.

Currently, there are two rooms; an Egyptian theme called Pharaoh’s Crossing, and an outdoor woods theme called Cabin Fever.

“When you’re in the escape room, you should feel like you’re in the game,” Pam said. “You solve one puzzle and it will give you a direction, key, combination, or something to take you to the next puzzle.”

There can be crossword puzzles, simple math puzzles, physical puzzles, scrabble tiles. Every escape room is completely different.   

“It is a lot of fun,” Pam said. “It is you, a group of your friends, your family, or complete strangers. It doesn’t matter. You’re all working together to solve a puzzle or clue, and then go to the next one.”

One escape room can hold 10 people at a time, and the other holds eight.

“Four players are doable in the room,” Pam said. “You do not have to have a huge group of people. Small groups can have fun also.”

The escape rooms have turned out to be a good family night out.

“The kids don’t overthink things and they are so good at the treasure hunt parts,” Pam said. “It’s amazing how much fun the kids and parents are having together. The kids enjoy it just as much as the adults.”

Pam said that most people that come and complete the escape room can’t wait to do another. Escape rooms are a new form of entertainment that people seem to enjoy, she said.

The space that Six Senses Escape Rooms occupies now can hold five rooms, Pam said.

“We’re at the point now where we have two different options for people to come out and give the escape room a try,” Pam said. “We really want to continue to build and continue to make new escape experiences in our space.”

Elliot would like to have a children’s room for the little kids, with basic colors, ABCs, and higher-level entertainment for older children.

“The sky is the limit,” Pam said.

Plans announced this week by Resurgence Brewing to convert an old industrial building in the First Ward of Buffalo into a new brewery, beer garden, and the restaurant doesn't change any plans for the Ellicott Station project in Batavia, said developer Sam Savarino.

Savarino said the Buffalo projects and the Batavia projects are very different and Resurgence has continued to move ahead with plans to occupy space in Ellicott Station for a restaurant and brewery that will specialize in sour beer.

Financing for construction should close at the end of March, Savarino said, with the first shovel in the ground within 30 to 60 days. The Resurgence space in the mixed-use complex, which includes apartments and offices, should be completed by the end of the year, if not the first quarter of 2019. It will be up to Resurgence, Savarino said, when they want to move in and get started with their preparation work to open the business.

He said he didn't have any specifics from them on their plans at this point. Attempts to reach Jeff Ware, one of the co-owners of Resurgence, were unsuccessful this morning.

Julie Pacatte, economic development coordinator for the BDC, is traveling but did send a text message saying that Resurgence's expansion in Buffalo has not changed the company's plans for Batavia.

Development of Ellicott Station is being mostly funded by private investors but includes financing through tax incentives and grants because of the environmental remediation necessary at the site. It will be a 64,000-square-foot complex with 51 market-rate apartments in a five-story building next to the restaurant.

The new complex in the First Ward of Buffalo will provide Resurgence with 25,000 square feet of space. They will share the building with a microdistiller and a rock-climbing gym.

"It's right around the corner from where I live and our office," Savarino said, "so I'm happy."

A working structure fire is reported at Hanson Aggregates off Cedar Street in the City of Batavia. City fire is responding.

There are workers who were working on the silo and some material fell onto the roof and started a fire, which they thought they extinguished, but it reignited, according to the initial caller to the dispatch center.

UPDATE 11:42 a.m.: City command calls the third platoon to headquarters to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: The fire is out; working now on overhaul and accessing the damaged area of the building. Command says city police can reopen Cedar Street.

UPDATE 11:52 a.m.: Workers were using a blowtorch to cut some metal and slag fell onto the roof, starting the conflagration.

Joseph Jonathan Kuzma, 37, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Kuzma is accused of stealing $780 worth of steel from a location in Byron in order to sell it in Monroe County.

Nancy Louise Mordenga, 47, of Huffer Road, Hilton, is charged with bailing jumping, 3rd. Mordenga is accused of not appearing in court following an arrest. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Nefetiria Lialeshia Turner, 35, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Turner is accused of failure to appear in court following an arrest. Turner was jailed on $250 bail.

Kendra Quinette Thomas, 30, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Thomas is accused of failure to appear in court following an arrest. Thomas was released under supervision by Genesee Justice.

Press release:

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst) has introduced legislation (S7815) today in the State Senate to expand New York’s Child and Dependent Tax Credit by doubling the current cap on child care expenses across the board. 

“Child care costs continue to rise for parents," Ranzenhofer said. "These high costs are a major burden for families, even among households with both parents working.

"This legislation would make it a little easier for hard-working parents by doubling the child tax credit. This new proposal makes it more affordable to raise a family in New York State."

The proposed expanded tax credit is estimated to provide $225 million in new relief for middle-class families. Most families are estimated to receive a new average credit of $750, an increase of $375 from last year.

Under existing law, taxpayers are eligible to claim the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help offset the costs of caring for a child under the age of 13, a disabled spouse or a disabled dependent.

The expense amount allowed toward the credit is limited at various levels depending on the number of children.

Smoke from the piping of a wood-burning stove is filling the residence at 1740 Richley Road, Darien. The location is just east of Colby Road. Residents have been advised to evacuate. Darien Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:24 a.m.: A firefighter on scene reports there is a possible leak coming from the wood stove in the basement.

UPDATE 10:26 a.m.: Command says Darien can proceed in non-emergency mode.

The Workers’ Compensation Board recently adopted new guidelines for the assessment of permanent impairments. These new guidelines apply only to the assessment of permanency related to extremity injuries, not head, neck or back injuries.

They direct doctors how to determine the schedule loss of use percentage, or award, that an injured worker is due for a permanent injury to an extremity.

The Board was tasked with the job of updating these guidelines by the NYS legislature in early 2017. The intention was for the guidelines to be updated to reflect medical advances since the guidelines were first written, decades ago.

Unfortunately, the Board’s first revision to the guidelines went well beyond what anyone expected, or what could be justified simply based upon medical advancements. The Board’s proposal significantly slashed awards and changed how doctors were directed to evaluate schedule loss of use with little to no justification for these changes.

For these reasons, Dolce, Panepinto and other concerned parties, started a campaign to resist these changes. Among other things, we instituted a mass postcard campaign to let the Board know that injured workers would not stand for these changes.

Due to the support of many of you, we were successful in putting a stop to the Board’s first proposed revision to the guidelines. The new guidelines, that were recently adopted by the Board, are vastly different from the first rewrite.

While the newly adopted guidelines may result in some changes to how doctors assess schedule loss of use, they will not result in the across the board substantial reductions in permanency awards that the first revision intended.

We want to thank our clients, family and friends who assisted us in the postcard campaign and in other ways. This amazing result could not have been achieved without your help. Click here to visit our site.