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Batavia Downs Concert series continued on Friday night with the Gin Blossoms.

As their breakthrough hit of 27 years ago “Hey Jealousy” says, “the past is gone, something might be found to take its place.” What has taken the place of the past is a renewed and refreshed Gin Blossoms.

The band has gone through a lot of transformations. They have broken up, reformed and two years ago had their most successful tour ever.

Tonight they played their hits from their quadruple platinum record “New Miserable Experience” mixed in with their new catalog of music. 

Singer Robin Wilson (pictured above) sang with more fervor and emphasis on some of the more recent songs.

The band has been very busy touring and they looked comfortable and rested as they lounged outside at Batavia Downs before they went on stage. Critics are calling their work of the last two years some of their best.

Tonight’s entertainment started at 4:30, but the crowd was lit up until 30 minutes before the Gin Blossoms took the stage. By 8:30 the crowd had almost filled the entire infield of the track. 

Saturday Batavia Downs hosts BataviaStock from 1 to 9 p.m. Live racing returns to the Downs this coming Wednesday July 24^th. The next performance in the concert series is Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band July 26^th. 

David Bellavia, who received the Medal of Honor on June 25, will receive the Key to the City of Batavia in a homecoming program at 2 p.m., Tuesday.

Bellavia will be honored by city and county officials and will be asked to make a few remarks in a short program in front of City Hall.

Since receiving the Medal of Honor, Bellavia has been on the road almost constantly, traveling to New York City and Los Angeles to make public and media appearances on behalf of the Army.

President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Bellavia during a ceremony at the White House last month. Bellavia is the first living combat veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation's highest military honor.

The award was presented for his heroic actions, saving the lives of his entire platoon, during the Second Battle of Fallujah on Nov. 10, 2004, which also happened to be his birthday. Bellavia distinguished himself by taking on a stronghold of insurgents single-handedly, killing four and seriously wounding a fifth.

A brass band is expected to play during the program and local veterans will be attendance to honor Bellavia, a Batavia resident.

The public is invited to the event.

In the event of rain, the program will be moved to the interior of City Centre, just inside the doors of City Hall.

City offices will close temporarily at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Jefferson Avenue will be closed during the program.

Previously:

• 'Extraordinary service': Batavia's SSgt. Bellavia first living Iraq vet awarded Medal of Honor
• Video: David Bellavia inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon
• Photos: David Bellavia tours the Lincoln Memorial
• Coverage: David Bellavia Medal of Honor press conference

Submitted photo of national country music recording artist JB Aaron will perform a fundraising concert Saturday at the Batavia VFW to help reduce the suicide rate among vets and solidiers.

Information from Western New York Chapter 19-6 of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association:

Did you know that every day in the United States, on average, 22 of our nation's veterans/soldiers take their own life? That number is more than 128,000.

That means that there have been more suicides since the 9/11 attacks, than there have been combined deaths in combat from the Korean War all the way through Operation Iraqi Freedom. This trend has to stop.

To help get these suicides down to zero, "Operation 22-0" -- 0 > 22 -- of the Western New York Chapter 19-6 of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is again hosting a memorial ride and fundraiser tomorrow (July 20) at the VFW Veness Strollo Post 1602 in Batavia.

It will assist our veterans with the help they need to try to get that number down to nothing.

Operation 22-0 is an amazing group of people help vets and their families in any way they can.

You are invited to join them for a day of motorcycling riding, good food, fun and live country music for a good cause.

The day starts out with a motorcycle run. Registration starts at 11 a.m. Kickstands up at noon; ride until 3 p.m. The ride donation is $10 per motorcycle.

Cash bar afterward, and $20 for dinner starting at 4, plus a chance to win a door prize. Food by Babz BBQ includes pulled pork, chicken and side dishes.

The post's banquet and bar area is huge and air-conditioned; a great place to cool off on what is expected to be a scorcher!

Hear live music until 8 p.m.

Rochester's own Worthy Duncan and Josh Shaff will perform, followed by national recording artist JB Aaron, who along with his band the Brethren, donates much of his free time to organizations such as this. Aaron supports and gives back every chance he can.

Please come out and join us as we help those who have helped our country for so many years. They have helped us, now its our turn.

The VFW Veness Strollo Post 1602 is located at 25 Edwards St.

To learn about the history of the motorcycle group, click here.

To visit their Facebook page, click here.

Below is a video produced by Cosmic Video of JB Aaron and the Brethren performing "Cadillac Bound" in June 2018 at the American Warrior Festival at The Ridge in Le Roy.

By Dan McComb:

The Batavia 24U Baseball Team beat Clarence at home 10-4 yesterday to remain unbeaten at 11-0 on the season.

Batavia banged out 13 hits including a 4-for-4 effort from Jerry Reinhardt. Dion Rosalina hit a two-run home run and knocked in three runs, and Burnie Jonis had two hits and three RBIs.

Also collecting RBIs were Casey Radka, Reinhardt and Luke McComb. Ryan Mullen and AJ Marcello also collected two hits.

Rosalina staked Batavia to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first iinning with a two-run blast over the left field fence.

Clarence would take the lead 3-2 with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. However, Batavia answered with four of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning, the key hit being a two-run single by Jonis.  

After Clarence cut the lead in the top of the fifth to 6-4, Batavia answered with another run to go up 7-4 after five.

Batavia put the game away with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with hits from Mullen, Jonis and Reinhardt contributing to the three runs.

Reinhardt and Radka hurled for Batavia, allowing four runs (three earned).

Batavia’s next and final game is on the road against Lockport. Batavia has never beaten Lockport on the road.

A "car into goose" accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 393.6. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver reportedly has minor facial injuries.

Chief Shawn Heubusch welcomed three new police officers to the Batavia PD force today.

Adam Tucker, Alec Roberts, and Jordan McGinnis are ready to begin field training after being sworn in this morning at City Hall.

Friday, July 19th – CELEBRATE 4H DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – English & Dressage Division (Horse Arena)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Beef Team Fitting Competition (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon – 4-H Horses must be removed from 4-H Horse Barn
• Noon – 4-H Livestock Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
• 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Club Butter Making Activity (Kennedy Building)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 5:30 p.m. – 4-H Tractor Driving Contest
• 6 p.m. – NIOGA Dairy Showmanship (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – Demolition Derby (Grandstands)
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – MAC (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

A car has reportedly rear-ended a semi-truck on Ellicott Street at Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: No injuries. The truck driver said he stopped at the intersection for a red light.

Important Notice:

The Ricky Palermo spinal injury golf tournament SOCCER CLINIC scheduled for tomorrow Friday, July 19, has been postponed until next Friday, July 26.

Same time – 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Same place – Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road, Batavia.

We have been notified to postpone our event tomorrow because of the dangerous high heat index (110°) that will be dangerous for the kids to be exposed to.

Any questions call Roger Hume at 585-345-1701 or Ricky Palermo at 585-739-8522

The City of Batavia has completely renovated the landscaping in front of City Hall.

A supervisor yesterday explained that the old landscaping was more than 15 years old and had become difficult to maintain and control weeds.

The topsoil was replaced (see bottom photo) and new shrubs and flowers were planted today.

Thursday, July 18th – KId's Day / HP HOOD DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Main Show Ring)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Western Division (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 12 - 10 p.m. – Midway Opens - Kids 16 & Under Ride for $10/wristband
• 12:30 p.m. – Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
• 6:45 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Awards Ceremony (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Sale Begins (Main Show Ring)
• 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Band – Savage Cabbage (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

The 18th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Batavia Downs Banquet Facility on Park Road in Batavia.

The event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

Cost is $35 per person.

Social hour begins at 5 and dinner is served at 6.

The following people will be inducted this year:

• Elizabeth Varland -- Class of 2002
• Stephanie Conway -- Class of 2003
• Philip Santiago -- Class of 2003
• Sumiyya Hunter Roff -- Class of 2004
• Ryan Gugel -- Class of 2005
• Jennifer Gurrant -- Class of 2005
• Amanda Page -- Class of 2006

Tickets are available starting Aug. 5 at the BHS Athletic Directors office.

The deadline to buy tickets is Wednesday, Sept. 25.

For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.