Submitted photo and press release:

The New Year at Blue Pearl Yoga Open House will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Come and explore the many opportunities for wellness and check out our beautiful yoga space located in the former Masonic Temple on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

Try out different styles of yoga and meet our teachers, as we will be offering free 20-minute Discovery classes throughout the day in our two yoga rooms. Or you're welcome to just hang out in the Art Gallery or Reception Room, and enjoy some light refreshments and good company.

All welcome, no charge. Blue Pearl Yoga Studio is located on the third floor of 200 E. Main St. — stair access only.

(In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, the Open House will occur from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5)

Press release:

NYS Snowmobile Safety course will be taught at Alexander Fire Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.

The Alexander Fire Hall is located on Route 98 and Route 20, Alexander.

The course is free to children from 10 to 18 years of age. New York State’s Snowmobile Law requires that youngsters ages 10-18 acquire a safety certificate before they may lawfully operate a snowmobile.

Youngsters may qualify for their safety certificates by taking safety course and passing the examination given at the end of the course. The course and all materials are furnished free. The course is also open to adults.

The instructors for snowmobile Safety Course are certified by New York State. 

You must sign up for the course and attend both classes where you register.

All materials for the Snowmobile Safety Course will be furnished. Those that pass the written exam will be issued a patch, certificate, and a license. 

If your child is interested in taking the course and would like to lawfully drive a snowmobile.

Preregister by calling 716-481-2623 after 5:30 p.m. 

The class is sponsored by the Millgrove Sportsmen Club, Alexander Fire Dept, Genesee Sno-Packers Snowmobile Club.

From county Highway Superintendent Tim Hens (president, National Association of County Engineers):

Construction of a major 36" diameter water main is occurring along North Road (CR#40) in the Town of Le Roy.

Construction will restart on Monday, Dec. 30th, and will continue for several weeks.

The road will be closed and will only be accessible by local traffic and emergency vehicles during this time. Major delays can be expected.

Complete roadway shutdowns will occur and be communicated as blasting of bedrock and road crossings occur. Alternate routes are suggested.

John Joseph Sadler Jr., 32, no permanent address, of Batavia, is charged with second-degree burglary of a dwelling and first-degree criminal contempt -- with a prior conviction of aggravated criminal contempt with the last five years. Saddler was arrested after police were called to Washington Avenue for a disturbance at 2:02 p.m.on Dec. 20. After an investigation, police found Saddler on location in violation of a stay away order of protection. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed. He was due to return to court on Dec. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis, assisted by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Matthew J. Reed, 35, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, 35, is charged with trespass. He was arrested after allegedly committing the violation at 10:22 p.m. on Dec. 14 at an address on Park Avenue in Batavia. Reed was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court on Dec. 24. He was released on an appearance ticket and was due back in court on Dec. 24. The case was handled by Bataiva Police Officer Nicole McGinnis, assisted by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

The Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors has selected Joaquina Kankam as their executive director, a position that includes leadership of the 100-year-old organization that provides quality programs in youth development, agriculture, nutrition, leadership, and community and economic development.

Kankam currently works as a statewide Extension Program Specialist in 4-H and Youth Development with Prairie View A & M University in Texas. She also cochairs a committee for the National Urban Extension Conference Planning Committee and leads numerous statewide youth development and professional development training.

Prior to her current role, she served as an instructor for two different colleges, and as an educator/administrator for the Houston Independent School District.

Kankam holds a B.A. in psychology from Tuskegee University, an M.Ed. in Education from the University of St. Thomas, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A & M University.

“I am so excited to work with such a kind group of people. I hope I can extend the same welcome to everyone as the lovely people of Genesee County have already given to me,” Kankam said.

She will begin her role on Jan. 6th. For more information on Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension, please visit genesee.cce.cornell.edu.

Seven hundred series were sprinkled throughout Genesee Region leagues heading into Christmas week.

Mickey Hyde, of Le Roy, coming off a GRUSBC Senior Masters title last month, posted a 767 series in the Le Roy American Legion Thursday Men's League at Legion Lanes with consistent games of 268, 245 and 254.

Along with prize money earned at the Senior Masters event, Hyde won a free spot in the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament on Jan. 4-5 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and has signed up to compete on the 1 p.m. Saturday squad.

To enter, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com. Qualifying squads are at 1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 4) and 10 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 5).

Other 700 shooters last week included:

-- Rob Stefani, 740 in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen;
-- Rich Wagner, 740 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia;
-- Casey Palmer Jr., 736 in the Friday Night Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl;
-- Brian Green, 729 in the Mancuso Real Estate/Smokin' Eagle BBQ League at Mancuso's;
-- Reid Cole, 731 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl;
-- Tom Allis, 728, and Bruce Kraus, 727, in the County Line Stone League at Paris Lanes in Oakfield.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Nearly a dozen local service organizations who are on duty yesterday during the Christmas holiday received pizza and salads from Batavia Original staff pictured above.

Some delivery locations included City Police, City Fire Department, Rochester Regional Health and the New York State Veterans Home to name a few. This has been an annual tradition by the pizzeria the last couple years.

Top photo from left are: Daniel Ferrara, restaurant owner Kathy Ferrara, Marygrace Ferrara, Jacqueline Patterson and Mitch Caci.

Press release:

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported house fire with occupants trapped at 16 Highland Park in the city.

Initial fire units arrived in three minutes to find smoke and fire from the second story of a two-family home. After searching the home for occupants, it was determined that there were no people inside and everyone was accounted for.

One apartment sustained fire, smoke and water damage, while the other apartment had minor smoke damage.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and remained on duty.

The fire is currently under investigation by the City of Batavia Fire and Police departments.

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police Department, Codes Enforcement, and Department of Public Works, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, Genesee County Emergency Management Office, the Town of Batavia, Le Roy and Alexander fire departments as well as Mercy EMS, National Grid, and the American Red Cross.

Additionally: An occupant had a dog. That dog is safe and is being cared for by Beds-N-Bones Pet Lodge in Batavia. A resident reportedly had a pet bearded dragon and a turtle. Both are believed to have perished in the fire.

(Initial Report)

Press release:

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a report of a house filling with smoke at 21 Manhattan Ave. in the City of Batavia.

Initial fire units arrived in four minutes to find light smoke emanating from a two-story, single-family home. Fire crews entered the home to find a fire in the closet that was quickly extinguished. Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed prior to the fire department's arrival.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental by City of Batavia Fire Department investigators.

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police and Codes Department, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, and the Genesee County Emergency Management Office.

(Initial Report)

Thank you to Batavia First Presbyterian Church for the use of its sanctuary to record these sessions with James Robert Kibby.

Merry Christmas.

Flames are shooting from the second floor of a house at 16 Highland Park. Children reported on the second floor; there is entrapment. City fire is responding.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: Alexander's Fast Team is called to the scene along with Le Roy's rescue unit. Town of Batavia fire is asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: A second-alarm has activated. This is a working structure fire.

UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: "We have a report that everyone is out; we're doing a primary search," says fire command.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: "Heavy, heavy fire on the second floor," says fire command. "We have one (fire hose) line open. Heavy smoke and flames from B/C sides."

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: Responders are told to access the scene via the Wood Street side.

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: Video added. There's no interview in the video. The scene commander isn't likely to be available for at least another hour. The fire seems mostly contained though firefighters are working to get to hotspots in the walls and attic. We will seek an update from City fire later tonight.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Oak and West Main streets in the city. A subject is complaining of chest pain. City fire and Mercy medics responding to the Speedway Gas Station parking lot.

Rochester -- Kim Smith, a third-generation Rochester resident, has announced her campaign for New York State’s 61st Senate District.

Smith holds a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Brockport College and spent more than 25 years with the Monroe County Department of Public Health. Her innovative policy work to improve access to care gained local, state and national attention.

“During my years at the Monroe County Department of Public Health, I worked to create a thriving environment for the 750,000 residents of Monroe County, as diverse in geography, people and needs as the 61st District,” Smith said.

“That kind of diversity is an opportunity to build bridges, capitalize on commonalities, and negotiate and compromise to reach our common goals and improve lives across the district. We must come together so that no voice, farmer, town, village or city in this district goes unheard or unrepresented.”

In 2017, Smith transitioned from her role in local government to serving as an activist and advocate with VOCAL-NY, where she became the organization’s first Statewide Organizer focusing on Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse. She brings to her campaign this unique combination of experience developing and administering policy at the local level, and advocacy in Albany where she has helped to win more equitable statewide legislation in key areas including housing affordability.

In the spirit of developing policy in collaboration with the community, Kim’s campaign will begin a series of listening sessions that will take place across the 61st District. These sessions are for community members to meet Kim and talk about the issues that matter most, all are welcome to attend.

The first Listening Session was held in Amherst on Dec. 19th at the Eggertsville-Snyder Library.

Genesee County residents can attend the session in Batavia on Jan. 7th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Gallery Room at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St.

The tour continues in Rochester on Jan. 14th from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Arnett Library. Additional dates and locations are being scheduled and will be posted on her website.

To learn more about Kim and her campaign, please visit: www.kimsmithforsenate.com or email the campaign at: info@kimsmithforsenate.com.

Merry Christmas.

Press release:

The Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters will open its 15th Annual Art Show beginning Jan. 3rd at Pittsford Barnes & Noble’ Community Room. It is located at 3349 Monroe Ave.

This competitive, judged and juried show will display about 90 original paintings recently created throughout the Northeast. The plein air show runs through Friday, Jan. 31^st.

An Artists’ Reception and Award Ceremony will be Saturday, Jan. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Pittsford Barnes & Noble Community Room.

The art show is free to the public. Gallery hours are B&N store hours. For more information, visit www.gvpap.com or email  paint@gvpap.com.

"Plein air painting," meaning onsite painting in open air (natural light), is popular with artists and their patrons alike. Boats, rural barns, landscape vistas, gardens, cityscapes and waterscapes are all staple subjects in the plein air painter's repertoire. More than 85 percent of each painting in this show is produced on-site, "in the open air.” Painting mediums include oil, watercolor, soft pastel, acrylic and gouache.

The Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Inc. is an association of outdoor artists that promotes and inspires quality plein air painting. It was established in September 2005. Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Inc.

GVPAP currently boasts 55 artist members who live in the surrounding counties of Greater Rochester, the Finger Lakes, Western and Central New York, including residents of these communities: Pittsford, Fairport, Canandaigua, Batavia, Macedon, Ontario, Phelps, Kent, Livonia, Rush, Himrod, Caledonia, Dansville, and Rochester.

A Statement by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia):

“At a time when our jobs are more demanding, our news cycles faster and our schedules more packed than ever, I’m encouraging you to do one thing this holiday season -- less. Unplug from your phone and connect with the people who mean the most to you. Relax. Remember old stories and make new memories. Keep family traditions alive.

“Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!  I hope your upcoming year is filled with new opportunities and many blessings,” Hawley said.

A press release from the USDA Office of Communication:

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a movement permit on Monday to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. Dec. 24, 2019 and 7 a.m. Dec. 25, 2019, through or over any U.S. border port.

“With a growing world population, Mr. Claus will have his busiest Christmas yet. At USDA, we want to ensure we are not hindering Mr. Claus’ important work of spreading Christmas Cheer for all to hear,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

“Ease of access into the United States for Mr. Claus and his nine reindeer will ensure that children all over the country – including my own 14 grandchildren – will wake up on Christmas morning with joy and filled with the spirit of the season. USDA issued this permit in advance and waived all applicable fees to help ensure a smooth trip on Christmas Eve night.”

In addition to the normal disease testing requirements, flying reindeer must undergo additional tests to ensure they will be able to safely handle significant changes in altitude and temperature throughout their journey, and are fit for landing on rooftops.

On this year’s health certificate, the accredited veterinarian noted that one of the reindeer named Rudolph was positive for “red nose syndrome”; however, it was also explained that this is normal for him and not an animal health concern. The veterinarian also verified the reindeer have been vaccinated against any diseases they could encounter on their trip around the world.

At the request of the Clauses, APHIS also completed a courtesy welfare and humane treatment check of the reindeer facility. Nicholas Claus, his wife and his staff passed with flying colors.

The Claus team will arrive pulling a wooden sleigh with jingling bells attached, filled with brightly wrapped gifts. Port personnel will clean and disinfect the runners and underside of the sleigh at the time of entry, and will also conduct a short visual inspection of the reindeer.

Claus will also have his boots disinfected and will thoroughly wash his hands. These measures are intended to prevent the entry of any livestock diseases the team may encounter during deliveries to farms around the world prior to entering the United States.

“It would be a disaster for Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited, if my reindeer were to unintentionally bring in foot and mouth disease along with all the gifts,” explained Claus. “Why, something like that could put me out of business. That’s why we work all year to keep the reindeer healthy and take all possible precautions before and during our trip.”

Claus has also provided an advance list of what port personnel should expect upon their arrival. This includes a variety of food items, all of which come from approved locations and none of which pose a threat to U.S. animal or plant health.

City firefighters are dispatched to 21 Manhatten Ave. for a report of smoking filling the residence. The building has been evacuated.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Fire command reports there is no active fire. The second story is charged with smoke; investigating.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: A fire was found in a second-floor closet. Extinguishing.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: "Fire knocked down. Checking for extensions."