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Sponsored Post: Clinton Crossings to host open house on Saturday, March 10th

By Lisa Ace

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY March 10th! Whether you’re newly retired, considering retiring or just looking for maintenance free living, then Clinton Crossing is the place for you.

Our new homes let you continue living independently with no steps or stairs to climb, plus it’s a relaxing community with friendly neighbors.

All of our 1,200-square-foot homes come complete with two bedroom, one and a half baths, fully equipped kitchen, full size washer and dryer, attached garage, beautiful vinyl deck, ceramic tile and elegant carpets in the living room and bedrooms.

Join us for the open house and see for yourself, all that Clinton Crossings has to offer.

27th JK Annual Pasta Dinner Fundraiser tomorrow

By Steve Ognibene

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John Kennedy Intermediate School Pasta Fundraiser Community Dinner is ready to go tommorrow night. It will be held at 166 Vine St., Batavia. 

Many local businesses contribute with raffle prizes towards this event including teacher basket themes, too. Each year the chorus group sings songs during each dinner and fun for all ages. All proceeds help defray costs for field trips and other activites.

This is the 27th annual dinner that was started by former retired principal John Murray in January of 1992 after taking over for Angelo Branciforte.

Tickets are available at the door for $7 for adults, $5 students ages 5-12, children 4 and under no charge. Presale savings of $1 if purchased before 3 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) at the main office at the school. There are two seatings at 5 and at 6:30 p.m.  

Pictured from left is teacher Wendy Federico, parent group leader Jana Kesler, and chairperson Christopher Sputore.

Law and Order: Woman accused of driving drunk with three children in vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

Amy M. Page, 32, of North Road, Scottsville, is charged with felony DWI and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Page was stopped by Le Roy PD on March 4 after a caller, who followed a vehicle on Route 5 from Stafford, reported a vehicle almost hit two vehicles, drove in the wrong lane and went off the road numerous times. Page is accused of driving with a BAC of .18 or greater with three children in the vehicle. She was jailed on $2,500 bail and issued a full stay away order of protection for the children.

Jeffrey Ellinwood, 58, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and other traffic offenses. Ellinwood was stopped Feb. 26 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD. He is accused of driving with BAC of .18 or greater.

Danielle Derenzo, 53, of Hartshorn Road, Corfu, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, suspended registration, and driving without insurance. Derenzo was stopped Feb. 27 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD.

Chad Giesler, 34, of Barks Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, and other traffic offenses. Giesler was stopped March 1 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD.

Phoenix Webb, 18, of County Route 37, Central Square, is charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of marijuana, 4th. During a traffic stop in the the Village of Le Roy on March 3 a police officer smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Webb was found in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Felix Cabreralopez, 65, of Emerson Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and uninspected vehicle. Cabreralopez was stopped at 8:51 p.m. Tuesday on South Lake Avenue, Bergen, by Deputy James Stack. He allegedly had his privileges revoked or suspended 10 times on 10 different dates. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Danielle Renee Tooley, 33, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Tooley is accused of missing a scheduled court appearance.

Working structure fire on Columbia Avenue

By Billie Owens

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A working structure fire is reported at 20 Columbia Ave., near Ellsworth Avenue, in the city. City of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Alexander's Fast team, Town of Batavia and Elba fire.

A second Town of Batavia crew is asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 4:58 a.m.: The Town of Batavia crew standing by in quarters is called to the scene, to join interior firefighters.

UPDATE 5:04 a.m.: There is heavy smoke pouring from the house, but few flames showing. The housing on the street is tightly constricted, and roadway narrow, making it difficult for fire equipment to maneuver at the scene. So those are among the challenges in fighting this fire.

UPDATE 5:09 a.m.: Apparently the occupants have several pets. A dog just came out of the building.

UPDATE 6:20 a.m.: The chief says the fire is under control.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: Among the five residents in the house was an infant. All occupants were out safely before firefighters arrived on  scene. It's unclear how many pets lived in the residence. One dog did emerge from the residence during the fire. The cause and origin of the fire is still under investigation but it may have begun with a portable electric heater in the basement.

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City releases authorized plumbers list

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The following is the list of City of Batavia Plumbers who have obtained their 2018 Plumbing Renewal License to do plumbing in the City of Batavia, NY.

Arthur Allen
2927 Main St.
Leicester, NY 14481

Richard Biegasiewicz
2 Burke Drive
Batavia, NY 14020

Jason Brownlie
100 Nassau St.
Rochester, NY 14605

Anthony Cellino
631 Bullis Road
Elma, NY  14059

Henry H. Cook, Inc.
3508 Rose Road
Batavia, NY 14020
345-0915 or 762-8064

Christopher Cook
3508 Rose Rd.
Batavia, NY 14020
345-0915 or 762-8064

James J. DeWald
JW Danforth
300 Colvin Woods Pkwy.
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Diegelman Plumbing LLC
4995 Ellicott St.
Batavia, New York 14020

Michael Dollendorf
140 Cooper Ave.
Tonawanda, NY 44150

James Ficarella
19 Warren St.
Batavia, NY 14020

Timothy Fortin
JW Danforth
300 Colvin Woods Pkwy.
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Joseph Grasso
2690 Wilson-Cambria Road
Wilson, NY 14172

Ricky Hale
28 Swan St.
Batavia, NY 14020

Warren Herdic
5769 Herman Hill Road
Hamburg, NY 14075

Matthew Kandefer
2215 Broadway
Buffalo, NY 14212

Richard Lovria
150 Ross St.
Batavia, NY 14020

Michael Mager
8939 Alexander Road
Batavia, NY 14020

Robert Marvin
Tradestar Mechanical
764 Flower City Park
Rochester, NY  14615

Carl McQuillen
8171 E. Main Road
LeRoy, NY 14482

Philip Martorana
64 Hickory Hill Road
Williamsville, NY  14221

Fredrick Mruczek
1 Valle Drive
Batavia, New York

Thomas Mruczek
3 Valle Drive
Batavia, New York

Dave Muskopf
3198 Union Road
Orchard Park, NY 14227

Mark Napoleon
44 Morrow Ave.
Batavia, NY 14020

William Penepent
7182 Kenyon Ave.          
Basom, NY 14013

David Pero
Charles R. Pero & Sons
121 Trumbull Pkwy.
Batavia, NY  14020

John Pestillo
8486 Seven Springs Road
Batavia, NY 14020

Erich K. Postler
615 South Ave.
Rochester, NY 14620

Alfred Rosemark
27 West Ave.
Elba, NY 14058

Gabriel Sepi Jr.   
25 Ganson Ave.
Batavia, NY 14020

Walter Szczesny
24 Wood St.
Batavia, NY 14020

Mark Taylor
8734 Stahley Road
East Amherst, NY 14051

Larry W. Toal
3670 S. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY 14020

Ryan Toal
3670 S. Main Street Road
Batavia, NY 14020

Joel Tucciarone
202 Roosevelt St.
Tonawanda, NY 14150

New local dental lab looks to built relationships with dentists to benefit patients

By Howard B. Owens

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Up until now, according to Noah Whiteford, local dentists, when working with a lab on crowns, implants and dentures, would have to call on a large firm from outside the area.

There was a certain personal touch missing.

Whiteford and his partner think they've solved that problem with their new business, Whiteford Dental Lab, which they just opened in the Harvester Center.

"One of advantage is we're located in Batavia and we can service the local doctors," Whiteford said. "A lot of people can do pick up and delivery but what we can do is be chairside with the doctor, helping out with treatment plans and doing custom shades and things like that, which this rather underserved market doesn't ordinarily get -- a technician who will be there to help them along the way."

Another advantage, Whiteford said, is the knowledge and experience of himself and partner Dave Vining. 

"I've been doing this for 18 years," said Whiteford (seated in the photo with Vining). "My best friend's father owned a dental lab and I learned from him and then I went to courses across the country learning my trade and working in different laboratories. Dave actually went to went to ECC for this and got a two-year degree in dental technology. We've both been in the field for 15 to 18 years."

They see their market as all the dentists, not just in Genesee County but the surrounding counties as well, which means they can provide personal service they don't think is otherwise available. 

Vining said by keeping it local they will be able to build up relationships that will ultimately benefit patients.

"We're really gunning for great customer service," Vining said. "It's tough to compete with the big market shares so we're going offer something a little bit more personal."

Whiteford Dental is located on the third floor of the Harvester Center and can be reached at (585) 813-5726.

Sponsored Post: Clinton Crossings to host open house on Saturday, March 10th

By Lisa Ace


OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY March 10th! Whether you’re newly retired, considering retiring or just looking for maintenance free living, then Clinton Crossing is the place for you.

Our new homes let you continue living independently with no steps or stairs to climb, plus it’s a relaxing community with friendly neighbors.

All of our 1,200-square-foot homes come complete with two bedroom, one and a half baths, fully equipped kitchen, full-size washer and dryer, attached garage, beautiful vinyl deck, ceramic tile and elegant carpets in the living room and bedrooms.

Join us for the open house and see for yourself, all that Clinton Crossings has to offer.

Law and Order: Man charged with DWI after driving to scene of police investigation

By Howard B. Owens

Robert Vincent Campbell, 35, of College View, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and unlicensed driver. Deputies were dispatched at 9 p.m. Thursday to assist Batavia PD with an accident investigation where a female driver was suspected of being involved in the accident and fleeing the scene. The vehicle was located at a residence on Collegeview Drive, Batavia, by Deputy Ryan DeLong. DeLong was on scene investigating when Campbell allegedly drove to that location while intoxicated. Assisting in the investigation were Det. Matthew Wojtaszczyk and Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Bailey M. Burns, 18, Goade Park, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving without insurance, uninspected motor vehicle, and no registration plates displayed. Burns was stopped at 6:36 p.m. Friday on Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards. Melanie M. Bernard, 28, of Goade Park, Batavia, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Derek Edward Dingman, 30, Route 231, Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dingman was allegedly involved in a disturbance and threatened to shoot another person at 3:29 p.m. Friday at a location on Prospect Avenue, Batavia.

Shaleesa H. Woods, 26, of Ridge Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlamps. Woods was stopped at 6:19 p.m. Thursday on Richmond Avenue, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Twan Conway, 47, of Highland Park, Batavia, criminal trespass, 2nd, aggravated family offense, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Conway allegedly entered a residence and made contact with a person on Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, in violation of a court order.

Eric J. McGill, 34, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. McGill was allegedly involved in a disturbance at Batavia Middle School at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 12 where he shouted obscenities in the presence of children.

Juaquin E. Davis, 22, of Milton Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal obstruction of breathing. Davis allegedly punched and choked a woman who was holding a child during an incident reported at 10:38 a.m. Feb. 23 on Center Street, Batavia.

William A. Irish, 25, of Jerome Place, Batavia, is charged with unlawful imprisonment. Irish was arrested in connection with a disturbance reported at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20 on Jerome Place, Batavia.

Thomas A. Bolling, 39, of Mangolia Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and no headlights. Bolling was stopped at 10:38 p.m. Feb. 22 on East Main Street by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Rashawn L. Gosier, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gosier is accused of stealing $44.25 in merchandise from Tops at 1:39 p.m., Saturday.

Rene M. Primus, 43, of North Byron Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate headlights, and open container. Primus was stopped at 10:02 p.m. Feb. 24 on Clinton Street, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Matthew J. Zane, 34, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Zane is accused of stealing beer from Speedway on West Main Street, Batavia. Zane was previously barred from the property.

Jason Lee Perry, 23, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st. Perry was arrested on unrelated charges. Upon processing in the Genesee County Jail, he allegedly introduced contraband into a secure portion of the jail. He was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Scott Henry Spencer, 54, of Ravenwood Street, Rochester, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Spencer was arrested by Monroe County Probation and turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a warrant out of County Court for alleged failure to appear on a felony charge. He was ordered held in jail pending arraignment.

Dawn Marle Gates, 48, is charged with Maplewood Parkway, Glens Falls, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Gates allegedly failed to appear on a felony criminal charge. Gates turned herself in at Pembroke Town Court and was jailed on $2,000 bail. Gates is also charged with criminal tax fraud, 4th.

Shannon Lynn Klinkbeil-Hayday, 41, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with identify theft, 1st, and grand larceny, 4th. Klinkbeil-Hayday is accused of assuming the identity of another person with the intent to steal more than $1,000. She was arraigned in Town of Bethany Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Lawrence Armani Elsaw, 18, of Oak Mills Crossing, West Henrietta, is charged with criminal mischief. Elsaw allegedly damaged a window valued at more than $250 at College Village at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23. The case was investigated by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Christopher Michael Macomber, 45, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and no tail lamps. Macomber was arrested on a warrant and jailed on $1,500 bail or $4,000 bond.

Timothy P. Pendleton, 32, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Gregg E. Smith, 60, of Stafford, is charged with DWI. Pendleton and Smith were charged by State Police following a motor vehicle accident reported at 4:40 p.m. Feb. 28. at Prole Road, Stafford.

Harrington's wins Harley chili cook off

By Howard B. Owens

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Harrington's Market won a chili cookoff yesterday hosted by the Genesee County Harley Owners Group at Stan's Harley-Davidson. Pictured are Russ Marchese with Diane Harrington and Beckie Harrington-Gaylord. Art Harrington prepared the winning chili.

Info and top photo submitted by Russ Marchese. Two photos below by Howard Owens.

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BHS musical production - Into The Woods

By Steve Ognibene

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Interview with BHS Drama Director Caryn Wood.

"Into the Woods" is a musical comedy written by Stephen Sondheim, (from Wikipedia). This show takes many well-known Grimm Brothers fairy tales and combines them in an interwoven masterpiece.

The blissful serenity quickly unravels however, as the result of a giant run amok in the kingdom. Sondheim is known for his difficult yet emotionally charged music and lyrics; the cast has worked tremendously hard to bring this challenging story to life.

There are 50+ students in the cast, crew, and orchestra combined with 30+ adult directors and staff and volunteers.

Auditions were held back in November. Casting is always a difficult process because we want to make sure you have considered all of the options. People think you can just choose the person who sings the best, but in reality, you have to take many things into consideration when casting a high school production.

You not only have to consider how well a certain individual will handle the difficult music, but also what their characterization abilities are, and how will that person plays off another person. Casting a show is like writing a composition, it's a process that Musical Director Dan Grillo and I take very seriously.

One of the best things about "Into the Woods" and also a big reason why we chose this show has to do with it being an ensemble cast. There aren’t one or two specific leads, but rather a group of people whom the audience follows as the story unfolds.

These characters include The Baker and his wife, played by senior Evan Bellavia and junior Eryn Dunn; you see their relationship on display and their need to undo a curse put on them by a witch -- a key role played by senior Madison Hoerbelt. Others include Cinderella, played by senior Madeline Keenan; Jack, played by junior Sam Rigerman; Jack's Mothe,r played by senior Parise Ricks; and Little Red Riding Hood, played by freshman Kathryn Fitzpatrick.

There are many other recognizable characters as well including Rapunzel, the Wicked Stepmother and Cinderella's stepsisters. We've also added Grimm fairytale characters like the Three Little Pigs, Rumpelstiltskin, the Princess and the Frog, Hansel and Gretel.

Overall, the cast really embraced this show and dug right in working on the difficult music when we started rehearsals back in December. There are great themes woven throughout the show also; sometimes what you wish for the most, doesn't turn out as planned; the love of family and despite their faults, and many others.

One of my favorite moments is when the Baker's Wife realizes that her humble marriage to the Baker is more important than all her fantasies during the song "Moments in the Woods."

With all of the characters there is more to them than meets the eye. A line from the show about this says, "witches can be right, giants can be good."

Watching all of the characters evolve through the plot turns and twists may not be portend the traditional "storybook" happily-ever-after ending you might expect. Yet, in the end everything is tidied up.

Two shows remain this weekend: tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or Roxy’s Music Store in Batavia.

To view or purchase photos click here.

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Sponsored Post: Open House this Saturday: 147 Pearl Street Road

By Lisa Ace

New Listing Alert: 147 Pearl Street! Superbly maintained 3 bedroom, bath and a half home with not one ounce of anything to do! This home is no flip...completely gutted and remodeled within the last 5 years beautifully done and tastefully decorated.

Roof full tear off 4 yrs. ago, furnace 5 yrs. -- Beautiful cherry cabinetry with granite countertops all stainless appliances to stay, plus washer/dryer! Nice formal dining/extra large living room area with cozy gas fireplace – great for entertaining. Upstairs bath fully gutted with super convenient upstairs laundry area and three large bedrooms. All new carpeting throughout as well!.

The outside features an extra wide drive and a double lot with a nice back deck...Inexpensive utilities and no flood insurance. What more do you want? Check it out!

Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Real Estate or click here for more information on this listing.

City notified: Citizens to get flood insurance discounts after FEMA rating recertification

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia has received notification from FEMA and the Insurance Services Office that it has met recertification requirements for its continued participation in the Community Rating System. The City will maintain its current Level 7 rating, according to Fire Chief and CRS Coordinator Stefano Napolitano.

This rating will enable those residents and business owners in the City's Special Flood Hazard Area to continue to receive 15-percent discounts on their flood insurance premiums, while those outside the SFHP will receive an additional 5-percent discount on top of already reduced rates.

In addition to the financial benefit, the CRS aids in improving community flood mitigation efforts. These include: better informed citizens; enhanced public safety, reducing potential damage to property and public infrastructure; avoidance of economic disruption; and protection of the environment.

Also, implementing some CRS activities such as floodplain management planning can assist a community in qualifying for certain Federal assistance programs.

This recertification maintains the ground work previously laid out by City management and continues to be an integral part of the City's comprehensive strategy to improve neighborhoods and the value of City properties.

Chief Napolitano acknowleged that there was a tremendous amount of work to recertify and maintain the Level 7 rating and wanted to acknowledge the efforts of all members of the CRS recertification team, which included himself along with: Fire Department Capt. Bob Fix; Floodplain Manager Ron Panek; Inspection Bureau Secretary Meg Chilano and Confidential Secretary Lisa Casey.

Napolitano also wanted to acknowledge Erin Pence from the GC Planning Department, who assisted with recertification process with mapping services.

Lastly, Napolitano points out that the annual CRS recertification process is ongoing and continual. Throughout the year, there will be activities which are vital to maintaining the City's current level, but also involves researching the readiness and ability to move beyon a Level 7.

Accident reported on Thruway in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly hit a bridge abutment off the Thruway in the area of mile marker 390.

Unknown injuries.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Cedar Street Sales & Rental celebrating 25th anniversary this weekend

By Howard B. Owens

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Guy Clark Jr., pride was apparent in his smile today as he spoke about his business, Cedar Street Sales & Rentals, celebrating its 25 anniversary.

Getting to this milestone was a lot of hard work, he said.

"It's still long hours and taking the time taking care of customers," Clark said. "I think it's all about relationships and not being afraid to try new things and being innovative."

Clark was a heavy truck mechanic when he decided to open an underfunded tool and rental business in Le Roy. Then one day Harvey Cummings of Cummings and Baker in Batavia suggested he sell his business and partner with Cummings and Baker to open a rental shop in Batavia. Cummings and Baker had an empty building on Cedar Street that would be suitable to the new enterprise and Ricky Palermo came on as a business partner as well.

In Le Roy, Clark wanted a tool shop. He didn't plan on getting into a rental business but found people wanted to rent things, so that's what he did. Part of the motivation for opening in Batavia was that the owner of the rental shop that was in town the owner was older and ready to retire, Clark said, so that seemed like an opportunity.

The first employee didn't draw a paycheck. That was Clark's mother, who wouldn't think of it. After his father retired, he worked at the shop for 10 years before he passed away. Now the business is all Clark's and he works with his two sons (his daughter has also worked at the business in the past).

Working with his family is just a lot of fun he said.

"The whole family has worked here at some point," Clark said. "It is just plain fun and we get along so great. We all do the same thing every day. Whoever's available, you wait on someone or take care of them or do what you need to do. There are no real roles per se. You just show up and do what you got to."

There was no real plan to bring his sons Adam and Connor into the business. It just happened.

"About the time Adam got out of college the wife of one of our longtime employees pass away and he abruptly retired," Clark said. "Adam was just graduating and I said, 'I know that's not your plan, but could we count on you for the summer anyway just to get us there' and that was five years ago."

When Connor graduated, he decided he wanted to give the family business a try himself.

"He said, 'Hey, if there's room for me I'd like to give it a shot.' "

Clark said he couldn't be happier working with his sons every day.

"It's credible," Clark said. "It's a lot of fun. I mean, it really is. We have a great time and 2017 was our best year ever in virtually every department and I think a lot of it's due to them. Their new vision, their new attitude. They are one step ahead of me with everything. I mean they're motivated and into it."

With 25 years under his belt, Clark hasn't forgotten how he got his start.

"I owe thanks to Harvey Cummings and Ricky Palermo for the opportunity to begin with," Clark said. "It's been great. People are pretty cool around the Genesee. The relationships you build over the years is pretty special."

The anniversary celebration is Friday and Saturday. There will be a free breakfast and a free lunch, equipment demos (including the new robot lawnmower pictured below), prizes and drawings and a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

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Photo: A sign of progress at Eli Fish Brewing

By Howard B. Owens

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Eli Fish Brewing, the new downtown restaurant and brewery going into the former Newberry building, was adorned with its new sign on the front of the building today.

Inside, managers and more than a dozen new staff members were busy with training and setup.

The business should be open to the public within a couple of weeks.

STEM now integral part of education at City Schools

By Howard B. Owens

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The Batavia City School District continues to adopt technology as part of the learning process and coursework, IT Coordinator Jeff McKinney told the school board during its meeting Tuesday night.

His presentation was followed by demonstrations of some of the robots and programming projects students have been working on this year.

McKinney said 2,000 Chromebooks have been deployed to students. Students have visited more than one million websites. There are 266 active Google classrooms and students are creating 50,000 new documents each month.

Internet access has become so critical to the educational process that McKinney has come up with a plan for a backup bandwidth provider so that if the primary provider goes offline, teachers and students don't lose access.

"I'm really proud of where we're going and what we've done," McKinney said.

He said a key advantage of the STEM program currently in place is it helps students learn through discovery and studies show students retain new knowledge better when it comes through discovery.

It isn't always the teacher teaching anymore, either, said Melissa Calandra, a STEM teacher at John Kennedy Elementary School.

"It's kind of hard as a teacher not to know all of the answers but that's the world we live in now," she said.

Other faculty participating in the presentation, Katelin LaGreca, JK Library Media Specialist, Karen Shuskey, JK ACE Teacher, and Marie Martell, JK Computer Literacy/Math AIS Teacher.

Top photo: Phoebe Beal, grade 3; Brock Bigsby, grade 3; Ryan Bigsby, grade 3; Ella Shamp, grade 4; Landon Hamilton, grade 4;Tosh Spilberg, grade 4.

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Joe Zambito named new head coach for Notre Dame football

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Notre Dame announces the hiring of Joe Zambito as their Varsity Football Coach replacing Rick Mancuso who retired to spend more time with his family.

He was a highly successful Genesee Region Football and Basketball Coach at Elba from 1999 through 2006. Zambito joined the Notre Dame coaching family in 2010 as a volunteer coach on Coach Mancuso’s football staff a position he held for the past seven seasons.

His relationship with the Notre Dame side of one of Section V’s biggest rivalries began a few years earlier in the fall of 2007 with the enrollment of his nephew Vincent (Class of 2011).

It continued for the next 11 years as nephews Gianni (Class of 2010 and a current Social Studies teacher at ND), Luca (Class of 2016 Valedictorian), Nico (Class of 2018) and cousin Anthony (Class of 2021) all made Notre Dame their high school choice.

During his eight-year stint as the head football coach, his Elba teams were recognized in both the GR and Section V as being physical, well-prepared and disciplined football squads. They excelled on the field winning 3 GR Championships and the 2005 Section V Class D Championship, an accomplishment that led to Zambito being recognized as 2005 Section V Coach of the Year.

He was also a very successful basketball coach winning GR championships in 2005 and 2006, and a Sectional title in 2005 when he was both the Section V and Genesee Region Coach of the Year. During his coaching tenure, his teams also earned numerous NYS Scholar-Athlete team recognition.

Zambito, who is employed as both Race Secretary and Track Announcer at Batavia Downs, holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport. He is married to the former Kelly Degenhardt whose mother Anne Palmer (Degenhardt) is a 1966 graduate of Notre Dame.

When commenting on his appointment, Coach Zambito said,” I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes at Notre Dame to help them grow, progress and maximize their potential both on and off the field. Here Come the Irish!”

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