Press Release:

In a game that came down to the final play, the Genesee County Spartans defeated the Ithaca Warriors, 12-6, on Saturday night in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.

Linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzon Henderson and Max Rapone stopped Ithaca quarterback Joshua Mims just three yards from the end zone as time ran out to secure the victory for the Spartans, now 4-2, and still alive for a playoff berth in the league’s Western Conference.

The top two teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs. The Lockport Wildcats lead at 7-0, followed by the Spartans at 4-2 and Rochester Chargers at 3-3.

The Spartans are off until Aug. 3 when they will host Rochester for a 5 p.m. contest. Rochester has a home game next Saturday against the unbeaten Wildcats.

“We escaped with a win tonight, but we’ll have to be much better against Rochester and, hopefully, for the playoff game against Lockport,” said Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We need to avoid turnovers and capitalize on our opportunities. Tonight’s game should not have been that close.”

Against Ithaca, the Spartans’ points came as a result of a field goal, safety, touchdown and point-after-touchdown kick.

Julia Petry opened the scoring midway through the first quarter by kicking a 22-yard field goal, capping a short drive set up by Marley’s interception at the Ithaca 25.

Neither team scored again until the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Spartans’ defensive tackle Gunner Rapone and English tackled David Crow, Ithaca’s other QB, in the end zone for a safety, making the score 5-0.

The safety came one play after Genesee County was thwarted on four straight running attempts from the 1-yard line.

The Spartans increased their lead to 11-0 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when QB Corey Turpin connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley for a 34-yard TD. Farley caught the ball in the right flat, avoided a defender and sprinted to the end zone. Petry’s extra point kick made it 12-0.

Ithaca struck back quickly, however, when Mims hit Patrick Twum for a 45-yard touchdown. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, leaving the score at 12-6.

Genesee County ran six plays, taking two minutes off the clock, but turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 to play. Taking over at the Spartans’ 40, Mims completed a couple passes to get the ball to the 8-yard line, stopping the clock with five seconds left.

From there, Mims scrambled before taking off down the middle of the field and running into the trio of Spartans’ defenders who combined for the potential game-saving tackle.

Statistically, Spartans’ running back Jed Reese had a busy night, carrying 22 times for 106 yards. Turpin completed nine of 13 passes for 114 yards, a TD and two interceptions.

Defensively, Henderson and lineman Steve Kowalczyk had interceptions, linebacker Kaden Marucci recovered a fumble and Gunner Rapone recorded a sack.

Rascoe, noting his team’s statistical advantage, credited both lines for “controlling the line of scrimmage” but said he’s looking for his team’s skill position players to dominate going forward.

There is plenty to see and do at the Genesee County Fair every day, including visits to the Parmalee and Kennedy buildings to see the award-winning arts, crafts, and gardening displays.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Sunday evening at Genesee County Fair continued with games, activities and the Knight Patrol band.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

For nine years, Gabriella Zocco has been inching her way toward the title of Genesee County Fair queen, and she finally earned it late Sunday afternoon during a second round of the annual pageant that included crowning festivities.

The pageant has several categories, including Little Miss for the youngest ones. Then they move up to Miss, Duchess, Princess, Grand Princess and Queen.

“I started as a Little Miss, and I came back every year I could until I was able to be queen. So this is like a huge deal for me,” the 17-year-old said after winners were announced at the yellow entertainment tent. “And I'm really proud of myself for being able to accomplish this. My future goal is, I want to go to college and I want to major in meteorology and have a minor in foreign studies and journalism.”

She would like to be a weather person on the news one day and be that go-to person forecasting the rainy and sunny days and those nasty tropical and winter storms that roll into folks’ hometowns. 

She said participating in the fair queen pageant has helped her bond with people and given her skills to use as she heads beyond high school at Our Lady of Mercy.

“I’d say the most rewarding part is finding myself because every year I learned a new thing about myself, and I learned about other people too, and how to really connect with people through the pageant,” she said. “Because, especially with the speech portion, you have to get up in front of a lot of people. You have to show confidence and leadership. 

"And you can’t be afraid to show yourself and you can’t be afraid to talk and share your own opinions, even though other people might disagree," she said. "So I think the most rewarding part is finding myself and making new friends and connections.”

Her mom, Verginia Zocco, the pageant director, said the first portion of the pageant was bittersweet because Gabriella would be aging out since she had already surpassed and won all of the previous categories. 

On the other hand, the sweet spot was being able to talk about the earth and women’s health, two of Gabriella’s favorite topics, while having friends and family there to support her. 

Remaining crowns for the Royal Court 2024 went to:

• Grand Princess Corinne Rhoads
• Princess Cassandra Judge
• Duchess Isabella Redden
• Miss Eleanor Hudson
• Little Miss Lyza Baker 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Kelly's Old Timers Band provided Monday afternoon's entertainment at the Genesee County Fair.

Photos by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Renewable energy in the form of solar electric (photovoltaic) grid systems are expanding rapidly throughout New York State both residentially and commercially. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for photovoltaic energy workers is projected to increase 50% or requiring 6000 new workers over the next ten years. 

Genesee Community College's Solar Electric Technician Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly growing solar industry. Led by Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science, this program comprises four comprehensive courses, offering a flexible and practical pathway to a rewarding career.

Why Choose the Solar Electric Technician Program? 

The solar industry is booming, with one in 20 jobs in the US related to solar energy. Solar installers are among the top five most needed workers, with entry-level jobs offering salaries of $40,000+ per year. Local businesses are actively seeking trained professionals, making this an opportune time to join the solar workforce.

Program Highlights:

Diverse Workforce: The solar industry is known for its diverse work environment, welcoming individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Career Versatility: The skills acquired in this program open doors to various career paths, including management, sales, design (including CAD), and science/tech manufacturing.

No Experience Required: Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this program is designed to provide an easy start with no prior experience necessary.

Flexible Schedule: The courses are held over seven weeks each, with classes meeting one or two nights per week, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

Course Overview:

PVO101 - Intro to Solar Electric:

• Explore solar irradiance measurement tools.
• Understand the functionality of solar panels.
• Learn why solar energy is viable even in cold climates.
• Gain insights into other renewable energy systems.

PVO102 - Solar Design and Installation:

• Hands-on experience with installing solar panels on various structures. 
• Training in basic tools, metal bending, and building roof/ground-mounted arrays.
• Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification.

PVO103 - Solar Codes and Standards:

• Detailed understanding of the Electrical Code.
• OSHA construction safety and NFPA electrical safety training.
• Safety harness training and rooftop access.
• National certification in solar installation.

PVO104 - Solar Business and Finance:

• Develop skills in creating business proposals and interacting with building/code enforcers.
• Drone pilot training for solar applications.

Over the past two years, every student seeking immediate employment in the solar industry after completing this program has been hired. Others have pursued further education in business, science, engineering, or renewable energy at partner four-year institutions.

Enrollment is now open for the 2024/25 cohort, with only 16 spots available. For more information, visit https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/solar-electric-technician/ or contact Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science at (585) 343-0055 x6392 or clkemp@genesee.edu. 

Like Local News? Then why not support it?  Join Early Access Pass today so we can keep bringing to you the news that matters most, the news of Batavia and Genesee County.  Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR24 for a discount.  $10 off the first year of an annual membership or $1 off each month for a year on a monthly membership. Click here to join.

Press Release:

The Genesee County DMV, Genesee County Clerk’s Office and Genesee County Department of Social Services are now operating business as usual. The previous system outages have been resolved.

On Sunday at the Genesee County Fair, members of the 4-H Club competed in the Stockyard Classic Beef Sow and the 4H Beef Show.

On Monday, at 2 p.m., members will show their lambs in another competition and at 5 p.m. it is the Market Hog Show.

For Monday's complete fair schedule, click here.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Monday, July 22 - SENIOR CITIZEN DAY Sponsored By The Genesee County Pomona Grange & SCOFIELD TRANSFER & RECYCLING DAY at the Fair

•  10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
•  12 PM – Kelly’s Old Timers Band (Entertainment Tent)
•  12 PM – Ice Cream Social (Pomona Grange Ice Cream Stand – Exhibition Building)
•  2 PM – 4-H Market Lamb Show (Show Arena) 
•  5 PM – 4-H Market Hog Show (Show Arena)
•  7 PM—Karaoke (Entertainment Tent)
•  10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Daily at the Fair:

• Air Sculpture (Balloon Display and Demonstrations) (All Day Every Day)
• Pig Racing – Show Schedule (SAT 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SUN 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; MON 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; TUES 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; WED 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm;  THURS 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; FRI 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SAT 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm)
• Niagara Down Under (All Day Every Day)
• Pony Rides (All Day Every Day)
• Chain Saw Carver (All Day Every Day)
• Fame Racing – Radio Controlled Car Racing (SAT 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SUN 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; MON 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; TUES 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; WED 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; THURS 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; FRI 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SAT 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm)
• Fair Trivia Hunt – All Day (July 20th-26th) – Exhibition Building – DAILY PRIZES
  Events & times on the schedule are subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.

A decent crowd turned out to watch little tykes churn up some dust for the Power Wheels demo at the grandstands Saturday afternoon at the Genesee County Fair. 

Some 15 participants skillfully drove their ways down the dirt track in vehicles of red, green, pink and more, all vying for awards that were handed out at the end. 

The fair is continuing throughout the day with exhibits, food, and entertainment, including Knight Patrol at 7 p.m. at the yellow entertainment tent. Check out The Batavian's eagle-drawing contest at our booth in the Exhibit Hall all this week or stop by just to say hi and sign up for the newsletter.

Photos by Nick Serrata

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

On Friday, July 19 at the Holland Land Office, Dave Reilly presented a book talk about his book Small Town Talk, a collection of his stories written for The Batavian.

It was well attended and had an audience of over 30 people, including 6 of Dave’s 1964 Notre Dame classmates who were celebrating their 60th high school reunion.

All Early Access Pass members will receive a coupon for free entry into the Genesee County Fair on Thursday. Join by the morning of July 24 to be included. Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR 24 for $10 off on an annual membership or $1 off a month for the first year. Click here to join.

Like Local News? Then why not support it?  Join Early Access Pass today so we can keep bringing to you the news that matters most, the news of Batavia and Genesee County.  Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR24 for a discount.  $10 off the first year of an annual membership or $1 off each month for a year on a monthly membership. Click here to join.

Press Release:

Senator George Borrello provided the following comments on Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s recent audit citing numerous failures of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in the planning and implementation of the Climate Act.

Among the criticisms contained in the audit were charges that the agencies failed to:

• develop viable plans for the transition, using accurate data and updated assessments as projects were delayed and cancelled.
• account for new energy laws and mandates which will drive up future energy needs.
• provide a detailed cost analysis of the transition and the projected costs to ratepayers.

“Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s scathing audit of the state’s planning, implementation and progress towards its Climate Act goals only confirms my view that this effort is a disaster in the making. It has been clear all along that the zero emission targets and timelines were unrealistic and often based on assumptions rather than accurate data.

In the rush to push through this politically driven agenda, major issues were overlooked. As the audit points out, among the many issues that were not accounted for in the Climate Act plans was the intermittent nature of renewables, which only produce energy when the wind blows and the sun shines. Also left unaddressed were the impact of cancelled projects and expired renewable energy contracts.

The audit criticized the lack of an accurate, detailed cost analysis of the transition and its real impact on ratepayers and taxpayers, a point I have raised from day one. If the costs are being hidden to avoid public backlash, that is corrupt and doomed to fail. If the costs are impossible to calculate due to assumptions and unknown variables, that is just as bad. Blindly pursuing a statewide energy transition without knowing the impact on the people who will pay for it is reckless and the very definition of bad leadership.

Now is a good time to hit the pause button on this collapsing house of cards. A climate agenda developed primarily by bureaucrats and environmental activists was bound to be unworkable in the real world.

Rather than continuing to flounder in the face of unachievable goals and burdening ratepayers, businesses, school districts and organizations with the costs of ill-conceived mandates, I urge the governor and majorities in the legislature to reassess and authorize a thorough study, led by energy experts and engineers, of how our state can pursue green energy goals in a way that is affordable and achievable.

New York’s economy, and the quality of life for its residents, should not be sacrificed for this corrupt and costly political agenda.”

This year’s Genesee County Fair talent show contrasted with 2023 as a flood of Mini contestants took to the stage, and the weather remained warm and dry all day, unlike last year’s downpours.

Music was the order of the day, from guitars and piano to singing and dancing to popular favorites. The event capped off outgoing Byron-Bergen senior Aurora Hiscutt’s high school career as she prepares to major in education and minor in music at Genesee Community College, she says.

“When I give a performance that I’m proud of, especially when it’s an event such as closing night of a musical or a senior concert, it’s the best feeling ever. It makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing in my life,” the 18-year-old said after winning first place in the Maxi category Saturday at the yellow entertainment tent. “I felt very confident. I’m used to performing as I’ve done dance and musicals since I was 4. I wanted to participate because, during my school’s talent show, I was unwell and didn’t give a performance that I was proud of.”

According to the judges’ reviews, she can be proud of her rendition of “The Man” by Taylor Swift. She sang and danced a routine that she choreographed herself. 

Hiscutt plans to continue singing, but only in a way that will make a difference in the world, she said. On the local level, that would be in her school’s music program.

“I plan on going back and assisting with the musicals at my alma mater, Byron-Bergen,” she said, adding that she enjoys attending the annual fair. “I always look forward to the different carnival foods; it’s a key staple of my perfect summer. 

“I’m a fan of the fair because it’s always irritated me how people think of New York and only think of Manhattan. The fair shows off all the amazing things that make Genesee County, well, Genesee County.”

One of those regular events is the talent show, organized and run by Laura Kauppi of Corfu. She was pleased with the number of participants this year, especially in the mini category, ages 6 to 12. It varies from year to year, she said, as there are four age categories, and all can be filled or just a few of them, as was the case this year. 

“The mini was huge this year; sometimes it’s just like that,” she said. 

Winners were:

Mini Category (ages 6-12)

First Place was a tie: 

• Asheem JaRule Salem Ali and Roneo James Williams, guitar duet 
• Avantae Owens, piano solo 

Second Place:

• Asheem JahRule Salem Ali performing a guitar solo he wrote himself

Third Place was a tie:

• Megan Drier, piano solo
• Aria Frazier, piano solo

Maxi Category (ages 13 to 19)

First Place:

• Aurora Hiscutt, vocal and dance 

Second Place:

• Keyon Thomas, vocal solo

The Eagles tribute band, Eaglez, kicked off this week's live music entertainment at the Genesee County Fair on Saturday.

The coming week's fair entertainment:

• Sunday at 7 p.m., Knight Patrol
• Monday at noon, Kelly's Old Time Band
• Monday at 7 p.m., Karaoke competition
• Tuesday at 7 p.m., Karaoke open mic
• Friday at 7 p.m., BB Dang
• Saturday at 7 p.m., Nerds Gone Wild

Photos by Howard Owens.

Kids and farm animals are always a highlight of any day at the Genesee County Fair, and on Saturday, the first full day of the 2024 fair, it was no different. Members of 4-H showed their livestock in a variety of competitions.

There are also all of the games and vendor booths to visit every day.

Here is Sunday's fair schedule:

• 9 AM—Open Class Poultry Show—(Merton Building)
• 10 AM—Open Class Rabbit Show—(Merton Building)
• 10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 10 AM – 4-H Beef Show (Show Arena)
• *Stockyard Classic Beef Show Following the 4 H Beef Show( Livestock Arena)
• 12 PM – 4-H Poultry Show (Merton Building)
• 1 PM to 5 PM  Free Kids Bounce Houses 
• 2 PM PowerWheels Demo (Grandstands)
• 3 PM Patriot Garden Tractor Pulls (Grandstands)
• 4PM—Fair Queen Pageant (Entertainment Tent)
• 7PM – Knight Patrol – Band (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Photos by Kristin Smith

Sunday, July 21st - XYLEM DAY at the Fair

• 9 AM—Open Class Poultry Show—(Merton Building)
• 10 AM—Open Class Rabbit Show—(Merton Building)
• 10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 10 AM – 4-H Beef Show (Show Arena)
• *Stockyard Classic Beef Show Following the 4 H Beef Show( Livestock Arena)
• 12 PM – 4-H Poultry Show (Merton Building)
• 1 PM to 5 PM  Free Kids Bounce Houses 
• 2 PM PowerWheels Demo (Grandstands)
• 3 PM Patriot Garden Tractor Pulls (Grandstands)
• 4PM—Fair Queen Pageant (Entertainment Tent)
• 7PM – Knight Patrol – Band (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

• Daily at the Fair:
• Air Sculpture (Balloon Display and Demonstrations) (All Day Every Day)
• Pig Racing – Show Schedule (SAT 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SUN 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; MON 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; TUES 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; WED 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm;  THURS 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; FRI 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SAT 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm)
• Niagara Down Under (All Day Every Day)
• Pony Rides (All Day Every Day)
• Chain Saw Carver (All Day Every Day)
• Fame Racing – Radio Controlled Car Racing (SAT 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SUN 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; MON 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; TUES 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; WED 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; THURS 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; FRI 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SAT 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm)
• Fair Trivia Hunt – All Day (July 20th-26th) – Exhibition Building – DAILY PRIZES
  Events & times on the schedule are subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.