Monday's free lunch for veterans at Batavia Downs meant a lot to Blake Leddick, an 11-year U.S. Army veteran, especially with Western Regional OTB President Byron Brown working among the servers.

"Being a vet is more than just putting on a uniform," Leddick said. "It's coming home after we are done serving to support those who support us, and having Batavia Downs here supporting us today, with meeting Mayor Byron Brown serving food, it's an honor. It's an honor for me to see the face of this company willing to take his time out, giving back to us."

On Monday, Veterans Day, Batavia Downs served 350 lunches to veterans from the area.

I don’t plan to become an NFL scout, but I would’ve helped plenty of teams in 2018. 

I was an early supporter of Josh Allen. I’m thankful every season that the Bills saw what I did - an outstanding athlete and leader.

Why did he stand out? 

It started, for me, with the story of Josh staying true to his dreams after getting zero college scholarship offers after high school.

I was impressed by his now-famous letter sent to every single head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the country. And I was won over by how he performed after getting his hands on the ball for the only college that offered him an opportunity.

Facing adversity, Josh had to perform. He had to make incredible downfield throws, bulldoze linebackers on the run, and lead his teammates. He also had to put himself out there to coaches that had never heard of him.

That’s a lesson I want every student to take to heart.

It’s why I’m so passionate about programs that put students into hands-on experiences.

I see what students gain from taking the controls of an excavator, grabbing a hammer and driving a nail, or inputting control panel instruction at GLOW With Your Hands, how they grow in youth apprenticeships at Genesee Valley BOCES, and putting all that together during the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

Showing what you can do, for the people that need to see it, is how you succeed. They’ll take notice.

But if you haven’t gotten those opportunities, be like Josh. Find a way to win!

When I’m speaking to students as the GCEDC’s career coach, or guiding a recent graduate through our Career Checklist, there are plenty of ways to win.

One requires only a few clicks - joining LinkedIn.

Asking teens to get on social media isn’t a challenge, but I’m amazed by the way some students are getting ahead of their peers on LinkedIn, a business and employment-focused social media platform designed to connect you with peers and professionals in your network. 

By showing every certification gained, accomplishments made, and programs participated in, they have a live resume that keeps putting them in front of the right people. They show they’re professional and able to engage positively, and that their skills are growing.

These are all things that every student does whenever they participate in a sport, a part-time job, a special class or training program, or as a volunteer. 

As parents, teachers, coaches, and leaders, we all see it. 

But so many more people can too!

And the benefit of putting your story on a professional network is that as your career grows, those past experiences, the skills, and classes you took, may become your most valuable asset down the road.

Maybe the connection that makes your career is someone who worked in the same restaurant you did.

Maybe it’s a GLOW With Your Hands vendor that remembers the interest you showed in their exhibit. But it may not happen if you aren’t involved. 

Finally, there’s nothing wrong with posting about your passions. As I share the good news about Genesee County, our business growth, and our workforce programs on LinkedIn, there’s something that always gets the most activity on LinkedIn, talking about Josh Allen.

Let’s get started! I’m happy to meet with parents and young people looking for guidance during and after high school. Call me at 585-409-1301 or connect with me at csuozzi@gcedc.com. But if you really want to stand out, find me on LinkedIn. And Go Bills!

Chris Suozzi is the Vice President of Business &Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Press Release:

As we enter into the giving season, the need continues to grow to help our fellow neighbors in need we hear of staggering statistics. Last year alone, 6.5 million households with children (under the age of 18) were food insecure, and households as a whole showed an increase from 12.8% in 2002 to 13.5% in 2023 as being uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food. (US Department of Agriculture)

That is why Tops Friendly Markets is proud to once again host its annual Food for Families Campaign, now in its 18th year, with a goal to provide more than two million meals for our neighbors in need. As Tops launches its Food for Families campaign November 10 through December 24 we ask that you consider making a donation the next time you shop in store or online.

Tops Food for Families campaign is synonymous with The Little Brown Bag of Hope. Customers can easily purchase a Little Brown Bag of Hope paper icon at the register anytime they shop. At the register, customers will be asked if they want to support the campaign by buying a $5, $10, and/or $20 bag for someone in need in our community or to round up their change. Little Brown Bags which are filled with nutritious items that will help families extend their meal planning, can also be purchased at any self-scan register as well.

Virtual Little Brown Bags of Hope will also be available for purchase online by simply visiting https://www.neighborshelpinngneighbors.com so no matter what the weather, a donation can be made right from their phone, tablet, or desktop. Here customers can select what food bank they wish their donation to benefit.

Press Release:

The Batavia Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe and informed. As part of our ongoing efforts to prevent fraud, we want to educate you on how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do if you suspect you've been targeted. 

Be Aware of Common Fraud Schemes: 

• Phishing scams: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking for personal information or financial details.
• Investment fraud: Be wary of investment opportunities that promise unusually high returns or pressure you to invest quickly. 
• Online scams: Be cautious of fake online stores, auction sites, or social media ads that ask for payment or personal information. 

Protect Yourself: 

• Verify the identity of the person or company contacting you. Research the company and check for reviews or ratings. 
• Never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or passwords.
• Be cautious of generic greetings or messages that don't address you by name. 
• Keep your software and antivirus programs up to date to protect against malware. 
• Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for suspicious activity. 

What to Do If You're a Victim of Fraud: 

• Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). 
• Contact your bank or credit card company to report the fraud and request a new card or account number. 
• File a police report with the Batavia Police Department by calling (585) 345-6350. 
• Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. 

Remember: 

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Be cautious of pressure to act quickly or make a decision on the spot. 
• Trust your instincts and don't hesitate to report suspicious activity. By being informed and taking the necessary precautions, you can protect yourself from fraud and help keep our community safe. 

Stay Safe, Batavia!

Press Release:

Plans are already underway for the 20th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner which will take place Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Alexander Fire Hall. This annual event is a celebration of Genesee County’s #1 Industry, Agriculture! The highlight of the night is a delicious meal using all locally sourced foods & products from Genesee County farms & agri-businesses. The dinner is open to the public.

Tickets go on sale December 2nd at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 8276 Park Road, Batavia. Tickets are $30 each or a table of 10 can be purchased for $275. 

Sponsorships are also available which help support agriculture educational events in Genesee County. Only 400 tickets will be sold. Tickets must be purchased by February 21, 2025. For more information or to download the registrations flyer visit the Chamber’s Website www.geneseeny.com.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners: Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District and Genesee County Farm Bureau. 

Farms and businesses that donated locally grown food for the 2024 dinner included: Dorman Farms, Farm Fresh First, Inc/Nortera Foods, Fenton’s Produce, SJ Starowitz Farms, Torrey Farms, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., Daves Ice Cream, Yancey’s Fancy.

For ticket information or questions contact the Kelly B. at The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 585-343-7440 or kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

Press Release:

Six members of the Elba Future Farmers of America (FFA), along with their advisor and agriculture teacher at Elba Central, proudly represented New York State at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, last week. 

The team showcased their skills, earning prestigious awards and achieving several milestones for the Elba FFA Chapter. Attending the convention for Elba’s team included the following members: Jillian Brewer, Hunter Fincher, Addison Keberle, and Bing Zuber, along with recent Elba graduates, Amelia Brewer and Maggie Winspear.

“Our FFA program is very young. Our chapter began right before COVID hit and then, as we all know, stopped to function along with everything else in our world. It really has not been very long for our students to have set foot in the FFA world and they are doing incredibly well. This is a testament not only to their will as members, but their advisor’s dedication to teaching the pillars of the organization. Mrs. Dahlhaus has worked tirelessly to teach our Lancers that leadership in the farming community is a privilege and an honor. These students embody the high standards of the FFA organization and the Elba community. I am incredibly proud of the work they have done and excited to see what comes next,” said Gretchen Rosales, Superintendent of Elba Schools.

As the state champion in the Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) competition, Elba FFA member Maggie Winspear advanced to compete at the national level. The prepared public speaking LDE recognizes exceptional FFA members who can develop and deliver an informative and organized speech on a key agricultural issue. 

Participants prepare an 8 to 10 minute speech and answer five minutes worth of questions, demonstrating their communication skills in a competitive environment. 

Maggie earned a bronze ranking, marking a historic moment as the first-ever Elba FFA member to compete nationally in this event. Winspear was immediately employed upon graduation at Oakfield Corners Dairy, where she cares and trains their show cattle.

Additionally, Elba graduate and former chapter president Amelia Brewer was awarded the prestigious American FFA degree at this year's national convention, a significant honor in the FFA community. Brewer is the first recipient of the American FFA degree from the Elba FFA chapter, further showcasing the growing prominence of Elba’s agriculture education program. Brewer is currently studying agriculture science at Cornell University.

The American FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed by the National FFA Organization and is awarded to less than 1% of its 1 million members. This degree recognizes FFA members who have shown exceptional dedication to their chapters, developed impressive leadership skills, and actively contributed to their communities through their FFA careers. 

Morgan Marcello, secondary principal stated, “Not only are we proud of Maggie and Amelia, but also the rest of the FFA members for setting a high standard of dedication to their community. These students embody what a true Lancer leader really is.”

“We are incredibly proud of Maggie and Amelia for their achievements. Their hard work and dedication have set a high standard for our chapter and future members,” said Tracey Dahlhaus, FFA Advisor. “These accomplishments are not just individual successes but also reflect the strength of the entire Elba FFA community.” 

The Elba FFA Chapter extends its gratitude to the Elba Central School District Board of Education, administration, Oakfield/Alabama & Elba FFA Alumni, and the entire Elba school community. Their ongoing support is vital to the chapter’s local, state, and national successes.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

On November 12, conservation students at the Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia Career and Technical Education Center will have a unique opportunity to learn critical emergency skills through STOP THE BLEED training facilitated by Mercy Flight. STOP THE BLEED is a national campaign developed by the American College of Surgeons that teaches people how to control bleeding in an emergency until first responders arrive. These life-saving sessions, scheduled for 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., will provide students with essential skills to respond to bleeding emergencies—skills that can be as critical as CPR in real-life situations.

STOP THE BLEED training will complement current conservation coursework, where students are learning to operate chainsaws safely and handle equipment responsibly. Recognizing the importance of emergency preparedness in hands-on learning environments, GV BOCES reached out to Mercy Flight to deliver this specialized training.

Mercy Flight recently received a grant through the BJ’s Charitable Foundation to support the purchase of STOP THE BLEED training kits. This funding will make a positive difference in Mercy Flight’s ability to facilitate more training in the community, allowing more students and staff to participate in future sessions. This expanded access underscores GV BOCES’ dedication to equipping students with crucial, life-saving skills and preparing them to respond confidently in emergencies.

The upcoming training not only serves as a valuable addition to the students’ curriculum but also emphasizes the importance of mastering both STOP THE BLEED techniques and CPR. The Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia Career and Technical Education Center remains committed to promoting practical, hands-on education that prepares students for success in both their careers and everyday life.

For more information about the STOP THE BLEED training available through Mercy Flight, please contact Pamela Cherry at PCherry@mercyflight.org. 

The many who have served in the U.S. military throughout the nation's history were honored on Monday for Veterans Day, with multiple ceremonies being held at sites in Genesee County.

At 11 a.m., veterans gathered to honor veterans at the Soldiers, Sailors, & Marines Monument (the Upton Monument).

There were also ceremonies in Genesee County Park and Forest, the Batavia VA Medical Center, the NYS Veterans Home, and the memorial monument at Jerome Center. There was also a ceremony in Trigon Park in Le Roy.

Participating organizations were Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Santa stopped by Sunday to visit with kids and take photos during the Zonta Holiday Festival at Batavia Downs. The Festival, which was this weekend at the Park Road facility, had two floors full of crafts and vendors.

Photos by Kara Richenberg.

A fence has been erected once again around Ellicott Station, though it still appears to be in limbo as a construction project on the city's southside in downtown Batavia. 

Property owner Sam Savarino confirmed with The Batavian this weekend that he ordered the fence to be put up as a response to city management.

"Yes, I sent a crew to install the fence," Savarino said Sunday. "Addressing a city code citation."

The four-story apartment complex has been stalled since summer 2023, when Savarino Companies announced it was shutting down amidst legal and financial issues with the state Dormitory Authority.

There has been no definitive word as to when the project may get going again or whether it will be Savarino or another developer that kicks it back into gear. There were tax credits and exemptions with Genesee County Economic Center that were taken off the table after the economic agency claimed Savarino broke tenets of the contract. He has vehemently disagreed.
 

Byron-Bergen is again advancing to the state championship tournament in Girls Soccer after beating Frewsburg in double overtime on Saturday.

The Bees and Frewsburg were knotted at 1-1 at the end of regulation play. 

That one goal for Byron-Bergen came on a head ball by Janessa Amesbury, assisted by Megan Muscarella.

Mia Gray scored the winning call with 9:33 left in the second OT period with an assist from Grace DiQuattro.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

Byron-Bergen lost the Class C2 volleyball championship on Friday with a 3-0 loss to Bloomfield.

Sets:

• 25-13
• 25-15
• 25-13

Bloomfield had not lost a set all season.  

The Bees finish 18-2 on the year. 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Elba, ranked #3 in Class D2 in volleyball, beat #4 Fillmore three sets to zero to capture the sectional trophy on Friday.

Stats:

• Alexa Ocampo: 12 kills, four digs, three aces
• Sydney Reilly: 12 digs
• Mariah Ognibene: nine kills
• Jada Fite: 29 assists

Mariah Ognibene and Sydney Reilly were named to the all-tournament team and Alexa Ocampo was named MVP.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Le Roy made its fifth-straight appearance in a volleyball sectional champion game on Friday and came away with its third title in that span.

After Avon won the first set 25-20, Le Roy won three straight (25-15, 25-22, 26-24) to secure the Class C1 title.

"That (last) set was definitely a nail-biter," said senior Kylee Green. "I mean, we got down on ourselves, but we realized that we needed to pick it up to win, play our game and do what we do best. So I knew I had to pick my head up. I got down a few times, but I knew I had to focus, get the serves that I got and pick it up for the team."

Stats:

• Kylee Green, nine service points, two aces, 19 digs
• Sierra Burk, eight service points, two aces, 16 digs, three kills
• Kylie Wilson, seven service points, two aces,19 digs
• Shea Williams, 14 digs, 11 kills, one block
• Eleah Dowell, nine kills, five blocks
• Gabby Zitz, eight kills, five blocks

Le Roy's tournament all-stars were Gabby Zitz, Green, and the MVP was freshman Shea Williams.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School will host their 4th Annual Small Business Craft and Vendor Event on Saturday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Paul's Church and School is located at 31 Washington Ave, Batavia.

Come browse a variety of handcrafted item including, quilts, blankets, children and baby items, wood crafts, jewelry and much more.

For more information contact 585-993-2410. 

Press Release:

United Lakes of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes provided $41,075 to Genesee County nonprofits this quarter, the latest installment in United Way’s commitment to deliver $164,300 in 2024. The funding supports 21 agencies and 26 programs in the county.

“We are pleased to be able to support our dedicated nonprofit partners in Genesee County who are on the front lines in addressing a wide range of pressing community needs,” said Jaime Saunders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “This is an example of how United Way leverages the generosity of donors to deliver impact at scale.”

United Way is committed to supporting impactful and essential initiatives in Genesee County and across our region. Learn more about how you can make an impact in Genesee County by donating to United Way.  

Here are the organizations in Genesee County that are receiving funding from United Way this year:

• 211 WNY  
• All Babies Cherished  
• American Red Cross, WNY Chapter  
• Arc GLOW  
• Boy Scouts of America, Western NY Scout Council  
• Care-A-Van Ministries 
• Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, Inc.  
• CORE The Learning Center  
• Genesee County CASA for Children  
• Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern  
• Gillam-Grant Community Center  
• Girl Scouts of Western New York, Inc.  
• GLOW YMCA  
• GO ART! – Genesee-Orleans Regional Art Council  
• Hope Center of Le Roy  
• Junior Achievement of Western NY  
• PathStone Corporation  
• Salvation Army, Batavia Corps  
• UConnect Formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse  
• Warrior House  
• YWCA of Genesee County 

City Manager Rachael Tabelski and City of Batavia Fire Chief Josh Graham issued the following statement later Saturday regarding the fire at Baskin Livestock on Howard Street in Batavia:

The Pembroke Dragons will play for another Section V 8-Man football title this week after winning its semifinal game over Red Jacket 46-14.

It is the fourth time in five years the Dragons have played for a sectional title.

Caleb Felski ran for 328 yards on 16 carries and four touchdowns. Other scores were by Vijay Dhanda and Caleb Kimmel. 

Defensively, the Dragons were led by Jayden Bridge and Octavius Martin, who each had 12 tackles. Madden Perry added nine while Felski and Dhanda each had interceptions. 

The Dragons will face the Holley-Lyndoville Hawks for the sectional final. 

Photos by Elizabeth Gabbey.