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Genesee Amateur Hockey Association announces try hockey for free day

By Press Release
try hockey for free
File photo by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Genesee Amateur Hockey Association invites children to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street on Saturday, Nov. 4 for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of Hockey Week Across America. 

Starting at 10:40 a.m. to Noon local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena to try our great sport of ice hockey,” said Sharon Gray, Coordinator of the Event. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink free of charge (due to the generous offering of the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena). The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks. 

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home. To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com (Use zip code 14020)

For more information, please contact Sharon at svgray@rochester.rr.com or 585-344-2248 (Coordinator for Try Hockey For Free).

Two-vehicle mishap at intersection of North and Vine

By Mike Pettinella
mva north and vine

City police and firefighters responded to a two-car accident around 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of North Street and Vine Street. Police reported that a dark blue Chevrolet sedan was heading east on North Street and was almost through the intersection when it collided with a light blue Bronco SUV, which had been traveling north on Vine Street. The driver of the Bronco reportedly suffered a minor arm injury and was transported from the scene by ambulance. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Hope Center of Le Roy ready for fall raffles on Saturday

By Press Release
raffle-1.jpg
Submitted photo of basket raffles.

Press Release:

The fundraising committee of the Hope Center has been putting the final touches on their more than 50 donated baskets in preparation for Saturday’s fundraiser, and donations are still rolling in. It will be a back-to-back event, starting with a basket raffle at the Masonic Community Center at 12 Bank Street in LeRoy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winners will be drawn starting at 3 p.m. The Masons will be cooking lunch as well. 

The second part of the day will be a gift card raffle which will take place right across the street at the Le Roy Moose Family Center, 21 Bank St.. During their Fall Harvest Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m., Hope Center volunteers will have a table set up with over a dozen gift cards to be raffled. Winners will be drawn starting at 6:30 p.m. For both events, tickets will be $5 for a sheet of 26, and winners need not be present to win. 

“We’ll be calling the lucky winners on Monday and pickups will be scheduled at the Hope Center,” said their Director, Diane Sia. “We are so excited to be partnering with two of Le Roy’s fine organizations and so grateful for the support of our community for this event! That support has come in the form of donated baskets, gift cards, or funds to purchase items for baskets.”

“We have a small army of volunteers who are very dedicated to the programs we offer such as our Fresh Start Tutoring for children in grades K-6, and our Senior Moments Lunch Club Alzheimer’s respite. Although these programs are free, there is always a cost, so fundraising is helping us continue to serve. Our volunteers have really stepped up to make our event a success; we’re praying for a big turnout this Saturday!” 

The Hope Center invites everyone to check them out on their new website: hopecenterofleroy.org, or to follow their Facebook page where there’s always something to share about the wonderful work they do.

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Submitted photo of basket raffles.
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Submitted photo of basket raffles.
raffle-4.jpg
Submitted photo of basket raffle.

Local DAR member represents NYS in the National DAR Heritage Contest

By Press Release
Robin Laney Ettinger
Submitted photo of Robin Laney Ettinger and her crocheted pony named "Delivery".

Press Release:

Robin Laney Ettinger, member of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter, NSDAR, received First Place in the DAR New York State Fiber Arts: crochet category. 

Robin approached the contest with the concept of teaching the "Pony Express" to preschool-aged children.  The crocheted pony named "Delivery" has arms that can be manipulated to hug or carry around while the rider and pony deliver letters.  

Delivery has a little cowboy tie and a nice satchel to carry the mail over the rugged trail from stop to stop. The satchel contains a map of the route, the Pony Express Oath, and laminated letters with Pony Express era stamp.  The letters can be written or drawn on with crayons or dry erase markers.  

Delivery can be used with mail delivery play and also as a prop when reading age-appropriate books such as "Ride Cody Ride" or "Dora the Explorer's - Pony Express".

Robin’s Delivery was then selected to represent New York State 121 chapters in the National Society (NSDAR) Heritage Committee Contest. The 2023 theme was "Educating the Next Generation on Our Historic American Trails."

Robin, who learned how to crochet from her mother, started creating animals 6 years ago. As a multimedia artist, she is planning her project for the 2024 contest, "Stars and Stripes forever in Our Hearts through the Arts."

If you would like more information on the NSDAR please visit the website www.dar.org.

Grand View Cemetery begins annual wreath sale

By Press Release

Press Release:

Grand View Cemetery, located on Route 33 in Batavia, will be holding its annual Holiday Wreath Sale. Wreaths are approximately 24 inches in diameter. Each wreath includes a red bow, berries, and pine cones. These wreaths are perfect for your front door or for the grave of a loved one.

To order wreaths please contact Joyce at 343-0877 or the office at 993-1317. Wreaths are $25 each and all orders must be received by Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Order pick up will be on Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Cemetery maintenance garage from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. All proceeds will go towards cemetery maintenance. 

Vital community food pantry in search of new home

By Press Release

Press Release:

The North Bergen Food Pantry, on North Bergen Road in the town of Bergen, was established by Pastor David Fish as a mission activity of the North Bergen Presbyterian Church in August 2019, but is soon losing its space!

Fish, seeing the great need in his rural community, set up the pantry with the help of volunteers, Foodlink, and donations from local churches, farmers, some individuals, and area businesses. His goal is to try to combat the food insecurity in his much-loved rural community.

On Dec. 31 sadly the North Bergen Presbyterian Church which has stood for nearly 200 years will be permanently closing its doors because of dwindling patronage. Without the church building, the pantry must be vacated. The pantry simply cannot afford the maintenance and upkeep of the church building and is looking for another space where they can move their operations. “I’m so hoping that someone will come forward and offer us a place. We have what we need; refrigerators, freezers, shelving units, and most importantly volunteers who are willing to continue this mission, we need at least 2,000 square feet of space. A space that offers a handicapped entrance, parking, and a restroom would be perfect,” says Fish.

In the 4 years the pantry has been in operation, the households served have steadily increased; the elderly population and others on fixed income have especially benefitted from the food provided. “There is a great need in our community,” says Fish, “in 2022 we helped over 1157 individuals from 394 households.” Fish continued, “Not only do we help families with food insecurity, but we also offer a warm environment and often foster relationships that may lead those in need to other services.”

FeedingAmerica.org reports that 87% of counties with the highest food insecurity rate are rural. In 2022 osc.state.ny.us reports that 11.7% of Genesee and Orleans County residents live in poverty. According to Fish, the pantry attendance grew 269% between March and December 2022. “As a result of the pandemic, food costs have risen and there have been supply-chain issues causing many families to make difficult decisions with regard to feeding their families,” says Fish.

Fish is very much devoted to keeping this much-needed food pantry alive and thriving into 2024 and beyond, but he is reaching out to the communities of Genesee, Orleans, and Western Monroe to help him find a place to continue his mission. 

If you know of or have a potential vacant space that will be available by the end of the year, please contact Pastor David Fish at 585-290-5487. Also, if you would like to contribute to the North Bergen Food Pantry, please give him a call.

GC Office for the Aging warns of elder financial fraud

By Press Release

Press Release:

In an effort to protect our community's vulnerable citizens from financial scams, the Genesee County Office for the Aging is proud to announce a collaborative event that equips residents with the knowledge and tools to guard against elder financial fraud. 

Event Details: 

  • Date: Oct. 23
  • Time: 2 p.m.
  • Location: Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St, Batavia

Join us for this crucial presentation, supported by law enforcement agencies, M&T Bank Financial Crimes Unit, and AARP, where you will gain insights into the latest scams employed by criminal organizations to target elderly individuals. This event will educate you about the evolving tactics of scammers and provide essential guidance on how to protect yourself and, if necessary, what steps to take if you have fallen victim to a scam.

We urge all interested participants to pre-register by calling 585-343-1611 to ensure your spot at this informative event. The presentation will be conducted by professionals from Homeland Security Investigations, the US Secret Service, M&T Bank, and AARP. 

In a world where financial scams are rising, knowledge is your best defense. We encourage all Genesee County residents, especially seniors, to attend this event and arm themselves with valuable information that can help protect their financial well-being. 

For more information, please contact: Jill Yasses at 585-344-2550 ext. 5931

Getting technical: new IT director presents plan for Comptroller findings

By Joanne Beck

Brian Sutton had his work cut out for him. 

It was 14 months ago when Batavia City Schools shed light on a Comptroller’s report that found the district paid some $17,000 in annual fees for hundreds of lost technology equipment from 2021-22. 

The report stated that the district did not adopt a comprehensive policy for establishing and maintaining IT inventory or for maintaining an accurate IT inventory, a costly faux pas that Superintendent Jason Smith had promised to rectify with new policies, and had outlined steps the district had taken to meet Comptroller findings:

  • We have engaged a third-party company specializing in IT services to conduct an assessment of our entire IT department, including our inventory and staff. 
  • Our internal team has taken the results from the audit and gone above and beyond to reduce our BOCES service charges by purging and returning unused inventory. 
  • We are working closely with the Board of Education to adopt a comprehensive written policy for establishing and maintaining controls to track and inventory our IT equipment. 

In February 2023, Smith made a recommendation to bring back a full-time IT director to the district. He and Trisha Finnegan, executive director of staff development and operations, wrote the job description for the tech director, and a candidate search was conducted.

Brian Sutton was chosen for the job. He began the position on July 1 of this year, and Monday was his first official presentation after submerging himself in the policies and protocols, storage areas, and technology infrastructure, and getting to know the district users themselves.

Brian Sutton

Right off the bat, Sutton was faced with key findings from the audit that he needed to address while aligning with the district’s Strategic Plan. 

Goal 1 was to have a safe and orderly school environment, Goal 2 was for a collaborative culture, Goal 3 was for a clear and accessible curriculum, and Goal 4 was for effective teaching in every classroom. 

His first task was to review the existing structure and services offered through BOCES, including database management, the physical inventory process, technology leadership and how assets are identified and tagged. 

Then he had to reestablish a formal leadership in the technology department and implement a formal Technology Committee, with a data protection privacy officer and reviews of data privacy law to ensure that all requirements are being met, he said.

"So getting them to touch base in person, once a week, with the rest of the department has been very, very wonderful,” he said. “And honestly, we've addressed issues much quicker because of that interaction.”

Sutton has been working with Edutech — Genesee Valley/Wayne Finger Lakes Educational Technology Service — a collaboration that has meant a shared staff of network engineer I, IT support technician II, network technician, and support technician I. 

That has reaped a minimal savings of $85,000 in salaries for the district, Sutton said. 

He has been working with Edutech to ensure that tags are provided on all “products” that come from them, which is a restructuring of Batavia’s inventory system and prices to ensure accountability for all hardware, he said, including district-owned devices, per board policy.

He’s implementing a software program to track software inventory product purchases and related expiration dates. He has been rearranging and organizing the physical workspace of the technology department and at the storage room at Robert Morris. 

All of these tasks have been items to enforce the existing board policies on inventory control based on the Comptroller’s audit. Not only were hundreds of devices discovered missing from inventory, but the district had been paying their annual fees.

Stepping into his own role to provide technology leadership, Sutton is using the functional review audit as a roadmap to prioritize and address issues that were uncovered, he said.

As a result, he is having weekly technology department meetings with tech aides at the middle and high schools, providing guidance and support to the creation of the digital fluency class at the middle school, and re-establishing the district technology committee with a focus on staff development and learning, he said.

Sutton has been working with Finnigan and has worked on data privacy as part of Education Law 2D Compliance, scheduling ongoing meetings with representatives of Edutech, updating staff about the Acceptable Use Policy, and creating an Incident Response Plan and Disaster Recovery Playbook.

Part of data privacy also includes keeping in line with state compliance so that student information remains confidential, he said, through an expanded Brightly Work Order system for staff to submit requests to check if sites or applications they want to use are compliant. 

As for the infrastructure, he looked at the layout of buildings and related wireless signal strengths to see potential dead zones and address those so that students and staff won’t experience dropped connections during class and work time, he said. 

“We had conducted a wireless survey to show a map of the connectivity in the buildings, it was really neat, actually, it brings a layout of the building, and then it's different colors based on the signal strength,” he said. “So we had really great connectivity throughout the district. We did identify a couple of classrooms that were dead zones, and we're addressing those by adding wireless access points into those rooms so that there isn't that disruption to students and staff when they're on their devices. 

“Last week, we also upgraded our wireless output from one gig to two with Spectrum. So that will only increase the speed at which we are operating here,” he said. “And it's also very important when it comes to computer-based testing time, as we're going to have many many students on the device all at the same time.” 

He adjusted settings in the Google Admin console to improve the rate of connectivity of devices.

He also worked with Edutech and approached the firewall issue, which used to be a convoluted multi-layer system that has been revised to speed up devices.

He homed in on Chromebooks at each grade level, so that “students only have access to applications that are applicable to their grade level.”

“I really focused on what’s needed for the curriculum,” he said.

Cybersecurity training, a professional hub of resources for staff, and an updated district website that meets compliance with the state Education Department are additional tasks that have been completed with assistance from staff, he said.

“This is super exciting, I know, but incredibly necessary. So this is what the state is looking for. Basically, when they go on our website, they're going to click on that data privacy tab, and they're gonna start trying to find where we're missing things and they're not gonna find anything, but just the idea,” Sutton said. “And like I said, coming next is more focused on Goal three and Goal four, they're accessible curriculum and effective teaching in every classroom.”

GLOW OUT! organizers are hosting a celebration open house this Sunday

By Press Release
GLOW OUT! pic
GLOW OUT! organizers invite the public to a Coming Out celebration and Open House from 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Batavia First Presbyterian Church. 
Submitted Photo

Press Release:

GLOW OUT!, the LGBTQ+ outreach agency serving the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (GLOW) region of Western New York, is thrilled to invite the community to a special event this weekend. 

GLOW OUT! organizers encourage everyone to join them at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia at 300 E. Main St. in Batavia from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 22 to celebrate Coming Out Day. 

This Open House and Celebration will showcase the variety of programs the organization offers, including the youth LGBTQ+ Drop-In Center which meets weekly on Thursdays from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the church. 

LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-18, and their ally friends are encouraged to tour the space and meet fellow youth members during the Open House.

GLOW OUT! is taking the celebration of Coming Out Day to a new level by introducing the Living Library experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to “check out” a human book, each of whom will share their unique Coming Out journey in small group settings. 

This initiative aims to encourage dialogue, foster a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience, and empower attendees to better support individuals in their lives who may be going through the Coming Out process. 

In addition to the Living Library experience, GLOW OUT! is using this event to mark the beginning of a year dedicated to storytelling as a powerful educator. 

In 2023, the organization received Anti-Stigma funding from the NYS Legislature and the Office of Mental Health, allowing them to establish a youth LGBTQ+ theatre troupe, starting in the spring of 2024. This troupe’s mission is twofold: suicide prevention and education on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. 

For more details on this exciting endeavor and the impact on the GLOW region, please contact director Sara Vacin at svacin@glowout.org .

Sunday’s celebration will also feature a craft, basket, and bake sale, with all proceeds contributing to our vital LGBTQ+ support programs and services. Items for sale will include candles, painted potted plants, bookmarks, and youth designed T-shirts – all illustrating their unique perspectives and immense talent. 

The group will also have chili available (vegan and meat options) and encourages participants to warm up with a hearty bowl while listening to impactful stories, perusing the youth-made artistry, and helping to build a more inclusive, caring community.

Learn more about the organization, show support for LGBTQ+ youth, and help build up the vibrant community that embraces them. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.glowout.org or email your questions to info@glowout.org.

The day is to include a craft sale, basket raffle, 50/50 and a living library, with an enlightening and opportunity to delve into the diverse coming out stories of LGBTQ+ leaders for participants of all ages

The open house will feature a designated youth space where PFLAG and SAGE meetings will be taking place. Meet board members, Act Out leaders and learn about exciting opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies happening in the GLOW region, organizers said.

This event is free and open to the public.

Act Out leaders
Act Out leaders having having some fun.
Submitted Photo

Law and Order: Batavia teen charged with gang assault

By Howard B. Owens
devon shine mugshot
Devon Shine

Devon C. Shine, 19, of Batavia, is charged with gang assault 2nd. Shine is accused of taking part with two other people in assaulting another person on May 30 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location and causing serious injury. He was arrested on Sept. 27 and arraigned in City Court. He was released under supervision.

Alan G. Jones, 40, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Jones is accused of stealing more than $1,000 in merchandise from Harbor Freight in Batavia on Oct. 6. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

chad williams
Chad Williams

Chad S. Williams, 52, of Rochester, is charged with. criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, and tampering with evidence. Williams was arrested on Oct. 2 on the drug charges stemming from his arrest on Nov. 29 on unrelated charges when he was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Nekia D. Newton, 47, and Charnee A. Harris, 32, both of Rochester, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Newton and Harris were arrested by a Batavia patrol officer on Sept. 27 following a traffic stop where they were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. They were arraigned in City Court. Newton was held without bail and Harris was released on her own recognizance. 

Michelle L. Darch, 37, of Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident and tampering with physical evidence. Darch is accused of falsely reporting that she was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Sept. 24 and of allegedly staging evidence at the scene. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Robert Z. Johnson, 23, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Johnson allegedly injured another person during a disturbance on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arrested Sept .29 and issued an appearance ticket.

Peter L. Jackson, 57, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Jackson is accused of shoving and kicking another person at an undisclosed time and location. He was arrested on Oct. 11. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Tammy M. Caldwell, 53, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant on Oct. 3. Caldwell was initially arrested on Aug. 9, 2019, and charged with petit larceny for an alleged retail theft. A warrant was issued on Jan. 27, 2020, after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Caldwell was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Aaron R. Hatfield, 39, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Hatfield was initially charged on Aug. 14, with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th after an investigation into a larceny from Tops. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. Hatfield was arraigned on the warrant and released on his own recognizance.

George J. Budzinack, 43, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 8 on a bench warrant issued by City Court. Budzinack was initially arrested on Aug. 3 and charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released.

George J. Budzinack, 43, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant on Oct. 8 issued by City Court. Budzinack was initially arrested on Aug. 8 and charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released. Budzinack is also charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing a bicycle on Sept. 27 from a porch on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket. Budzinack was also charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing shoes from Shoe Dept on Veterans Memorial Drive at 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 6. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tatyanna M. White, 20, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. White is accused of violating an order of protection on Oct. 5. White was issued an appearance ticket.

Nathaniel A. Moultrup, 23, of Attica, is charged with DWI. Moultrup was arrested following a traffic stop on South Main Street on Sept. 23, where he was allegedly found to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Supreme N. Ervin, 24, of Batavia is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Ervin was charged in connection with a motor vehicle accident on Sept 21 at an undisclosed location in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Teri K. Easton, 61, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Easton is accused of shoplifting on Sept. 28 at Rite Aid on East Main Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Benjamin D. Seekins, 34, of Batavia, is charged with theft of services. Seekins is accused of leaving T.F. Brown's on Sept. 28 without paying his bill. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Chanatell Delacruz, 34, of Geneseo, is charged with DWI. Delacruz was stopped on Sept. 23 by a Batavia patrol officer at an undisclosed time, at an undisclosed location. She was arraigned and released.

Ronald W Lewis, 35, of Spencerport, was arrested on Sept. 23 on an arrest warrant issued by City Court. Lewis was initially arrested on July 7 and charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing merchandise from Tim Hortons. He was issued an appearance ticket. The warrant was issued after Lewis allegedly failed to appear in court. After his arrest, he was arraigned and released. Lewis is also charged with the trespass. On Sept. 24, Lewis allegedly refused to leave UMMC. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Isaiah L Poole, 23, of Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and unlawful publication of intimate images. Poole allegedly violated an order of protection and posted an intimate image of another person on social media. Poole was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Joseph C Barone, 43, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, speeding, and failure ot keep right. Barone was stopped on Main Street, Batavia, on Sept. 11, at an undisclosed time, by a Batavia patrol officer. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Andre L. Bryan, 44, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Bryan is accused of refusing to leave a residence on Elm Street after being told numerous times to leave by the resident. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ashton L. Mohney, 33, no permanent address, is charged with burglary 1st, assault 2nd, and criminal contempt 2nd. Mohney is accused of violating an order of protection on Sept. 18 by entering a residence on Ross Street and injuring another person with a knife. He was arraigned and jailed on  $2,500 bail, $5,000 bond, or $25,000 partially secured bond. 

William B Coley, 53, of Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Coley is accused of shoplifting from the 7-Eleven on East Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Tony Robert Graber, 44, of East Avenue, Marilla, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Graber is accused of entering a residence in the Town of Batavia at 9 pm. on Sept. 20 in violation of an order of protection and of possessing fentanyl at the time was his arrest. Graber was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

James Darrell Hooten, 35, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and grand larceny 4th. Hooten is accused of using the debit card of another person without permission on Sept. 3 at  1:44 p.m. He was arrested on Oct. 13. At arraignment, an order of protection was issued.

Terry Duanne Wilcoxen, 43, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Wilcoxen was arrested by Deputy Zachary Hoy following a motor vehicle accident reported at 4:59 p.m. on Oct. 12 on Sandpit Road, Alexander. Wilcoxen was issued appearance tickets.

Michael Irving White, 19, of Day Street, Albion, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd and criminal trespass 2nd.  White is accused of entering a residence on Oct. 9 at 6:11 a.m. on Freeman Road, Byron, without permission and causing more than $250 in damage. He was arraigned. His release status is unknown.

Jessie B. Joy, 27, of Telephone Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and failure to yield the right of way on a left-hand turn. Joy was arrested by Deputy Ryan Mullen following a motor vehicle accident reported a 1 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 63, Pavlion.  He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital following the accident, where he was issued an appearance ticket.

Debra Stanley, 59, of Lakeview Park, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Stanley is accused of shoplifting from Ulta Beauty on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 4:06 p.m., Oct. 18. At the time of her arrest she was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance. She was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Elwin Eugene Drew, 40, of Shanks Road, Alabama. Drew is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Drew was stopped at 2:13 p.m. on Oct. 15 on Sliker Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued traffic ticket and released.

BCSD celebrates school board recognition week Oct. 16-20

By Press Release
2023-24-bcsd-board-of-education.jpg
Submitted photo of Batavia City School District Board of Education.

Press Release:

The New York State School Boards Association recognizes Oct. 16-20 as School Board Recognition Week. This is a time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by local school boards. 

Public schools form the bedrock of our communities and our country. Democracy thrives with educated citizens capable of critical thinking and civil discourse. And it is our local school boards who are ultimately responsible for student success.

“Our Batavia City School District Board of Education consists of seven dedicated volunteers who literally put the ‘public’ in ‘public education’ and play an important role in our community,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. 

“They are charged with reviewing and approving numerous policies, monitoring our Strategic Plan and academic goals, overseeing the superintendent (the only employee of the Board of Education), and serving as financial stewards for our community—all on a volunteer basis, with their only motivation to serve our students, staff, families, and our Batavia community.” 

Please join us in thanking and appreciating our Board of Education members here in Batavia: 

  • John Marucci, President

  • John Reigle, Vice President 

  • Korinne Anderson 

  • Alice Ann Benedict 

  • Barbara Bowman 

  • Jennifer Lendvay 

  • Chezeray Rolle 

For full access to our Board of Education information, agendas, and policies, click here: BCSD Board of Education, and if you want to learn more about our members, please visit this page: BCSD Board of Education Members.

Tenney announces upcoming mobile office hours

By Press Release

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced today her office’s upcoming mobile office hours for the end of October and the beginning of November. During mobile office hours, constituents can receive one-on-one assistance from Tenney’s team of expert caseworkers on issues regarding federal agencies such as the Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, or Passport Agency.

If you are interested in attending any of these mobile office hours, please schedule an appointment by contacting Tenney’s District Office at 315-236-7088 or walk in anytime to receive assistance. Scheduling an appointment ahead of time will allow for an expedited casework experience.

In addition to Tenney’s mobile office hours, Tenney maintains three full-time offices in Lockport, Victor, and Oswego, with regular satellite hours in Watertown every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Lockport (716-514-5130), Victor (585-869-2060), and Oswego (315-236-7088) offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information on casework services and office locations can be found at tenney.house.gov.

Mobile office hours will be available at the following location:

Batavia

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 18

Time: 10 a.m. -  1 p.m.

Location: 1 Batavia City Center, Batavia

 

GV BOCES announces Batavia open house on Oct. 26

By Press Release

Press Release:

Genesee Valley BOCES is thrilled to announce an Open House event at the Batavia Campus on Oct. 26, scheduled from 5 - 7 p.m. This event is exclusively for parents and guardians of current or prospective students, providing an exceptional opportunity to explore the diverse educational offerings and pathways at the Batavia Campus.

Discover the opportunities awaiting you at the Batavia Campus Open House on Oct. 26, 5 - 7 p.m. Delve into Career and Tech, ITP, Alternative Education, Transitions, and WEST programs. Immerse yourself in our classrooms, engage with instructors, and witness the inspiring paths of our students. Your journey to the future begins now!

Parents and guardians attending the Open House will have the chance to explore various facets of the educational experience.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse career opportunities available, including programs in Career and Tech. Explore the offerings and support provided by our Intensive Therapeutic Programs, fostering a holistic approach to education.

Delve into the Alternative Education and Transitions programs, designed to cater to unique educational needs and ensure a smooth transition to the next phase. Learn about the WEST (Workforce and Employability Skills Training) program, which equips students with essential skills for success in the workforce.

The Open House provides an opportunity to interact with dedicated instructors and staff from various programs, gaining insights into the learning environment.

This Open House is designed to strengthen the connection between parents, guardians, and the educational community, promoting collaboration and informed decision-making regarding the educational journey of their students.

Join us on Oct. 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the educational landscape and discover the possibilities that await.

Batavia school board sets $45M capital project vote for upgrades, new turf fields

By Joanne Beck

City school board members have set the date for district residents to vote on a capital project that officials say is about bolstering more so than expanding. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the $45 million plan on Dec. 14.

During a series of votes Monday related to the capital project, from authorizing the district to borrow the necessary amount for the work to set a calendar for voter registration, the school board moved the capital project forward with architect Clark Patterson Lee in the audience. 

Board members didn’t comment on the project, however, Superintendent Jason Smith had previously said that the scope of work focused on shoring up existing facilities and properties, some of which are 20 years old, including the high school’s boiler system and roof, and the gym at Robert Morris. 

All of the schools have many of the same upgrades, including PA/clock and fire alarm replacements, phone system replacement, blue light notification system, information technology infrastructure improvements, and pavement replacement for Jackson, John Kennedy, and the middle and high schools.

Jackson is also in line for building-mounted lighting and the replacement of a failing retaining wall on the east side between the school and its neighbors. John Kennedy would also get a new roof, an upgraded gym divider curtain, and regraded softball field, and other amenities.

Batavia Middle School is in store for a gender-neutral restroom, staff restroom, foundation repairs around the entire building, and a glass safety railing for the auditorium balcony are some of those repairs and upgrades. 

A building conditions survey prompted the glass railing because people sitting on the balcony could also be a potential safety concern, Smith and former Business Administrator Scott Rozanski had previously said. 

The middle school softball field is to receive some improvements and a backstop replacement while Batavia High School is on tap for a new roof, plus two synthetic turf fields — a baseball and softball field each, for about $7 million of the total cost. 

The breakdown of funding is as follows, with the cost to taxpayers to be no additional tax dollars, officials said. 

Project Referendum Amount: $45,060,486
State Building Aid Reimbursement: $38,132,486
Capital Reserve Contribution: $6,928,000
Annual increase to taxpayers: $0
 

Explaining the Peace Garden in new book, signing at GO Art! Thursday

By Joanne Beck
Barb Toal with her book
Batavia native Barb Toal with her book, "Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden," at GO Art!, where she will have a book signing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Photo by Joanne Beck

People kept asking Barb Toal what Batavia Peace Garden was all about, and it was too great a concept for her to explain, so there was only one thing for her to do.

Write a book about it.

“The story is too big to tell, you know, it’s too hard to explain to people what it’s all about in five minutes,” said Toal, co-founder of the garden nestled around Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street in Batavia. “And lots of people were asking me to tell them a little bit here, a little bit there. And I finally said, you know, if we don’t start documenting this, nobody’s gonna know what this is all about.”

And the "Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden" was born. There will be a book signing event, with light refreshments served, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at GO Art!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

The garden’s evolution began with Toal’s idea and the vision being outlined in paperwork in 2010. “We had to build the integrity of our organization,” Toal said, and earn the respect of the community, as those early members forged ahead with their plans to be on and in the grounds of the museum.

“And without this community, we could have never been in there,” she said. “This community is incredible. The people, the donations, and how they care about the families who care about the community are just amazing. Because every cent that has ever gone into that garden is from this community.

“All these years later, 13 years later, we got our first grant tool to enroll … to do the mural on the water tank, and the path to the second phase of the garden, because the first phase is completed and full. And the second one has partially started, and the third has been designed.”

Whoa, hold on there Barb Toal. Folks need to know much more about the beginning phase. After all, that’s why the book was written. They wanted to know what this Peace Garden stuff was all about, right?

It originated after Toal visited International Peace Garden founder Paula Savage at her home. Toal was watching footage of peace gardens on a laptop and saw one in Italy and then one in Ireland. As it happened, she had seen both of them in person during prior trips. 

“I thought it was meant to be,” Toal said. “I bought into it. I wanted to get this garden put where it is, I fought like the devil. I wanted to get people to the museum. I was born and raised in Batavia and I wanted to show it off.”

Savage is also from Batavia, and “we both love our community” Toal said. She felt that Savage, with her International Peace Garden clout, could literally bring the idea home. 

Savage came up with the idea for a garden in 1990 as a way to honor the United States and Canada as the only two countries in the world that shared the longest undefended border for more than 200 years, and her vision was accepted and installed in Washington, D.C. in 1991.

Gardens were then presented worldwide, first to Poland, and then Germany, and Hungary, and one by one, 20 countries honored one another by choosing the next one in line for an international peace garden as a token of goodwill and, of course, world peace.

There was the eventual development of a trail of peace gardens for the bicentennial commemoration activities for the War of 1812 along Lake Ontario and the U.S. and Canadian border, aptly named the Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail.  

Toal had just retired, and Savage asked her to carry out a dream to create a memorial garden to honor their community. They both knew it would take “a large amount of creativity to connect world peace to our very own small hometown community,” Toal said.

An initial planning design phase began with a committee and volunteers, as they began to work toward their goals. Batavia became a site for an honorary International Peace Garden as part of the 400-mile War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden trail from Buffalo to Plattsburgh. 

There was a garden groundbreaking in 2011. The book captures much of the progress before and since then with lots of photographs of volunteers and people who were integral to it all coming to fruition. There were those first three paying members. A cool metal globe crafted and installed by local businesses. Dignitaries, a drum and bugle corps. Scenes of digging up the earth and planting future growth. Painting benches and placing bricks. Flying flags, hands in cement, and solemn ceremonies. The Statue of Liberty. Smiles and celebrations. Re-enactment demonstrations, tours, and lessons. Fundraisers, and hotdog sales. A new shed, and longtime old friends.

Now that the first phase has been completed, which includes a painted mural on the water tank, Phase II of a soon-to-be installed arbor at the entrance, along with flags for more countries joining in spreading world peace are in the works. The second phase will also include interpretive panels that members are planning to dedicate some time next June, she said.

A third phase not quite so mapped out as of yet, is to potentially connect the ongoing garden trail to the city’s plans to develop Creek Park property behind the ice arena, she said. 

But for now, the book is on a shelf to tell the story that Toal wished to tell. 

“Because everybody goes, ‘I know the flags are there, what are they there for?’ They don’t know. But each one of those countries has an actual Peace Garden in it. And then, you know, so every year or two, or however the board chooses, another garden is added,” Toal said. “So that’s why when we designed this, to begin with, we knew that the first garden would be full of the flags we had to start with. So for the next stage of the second phase … there are flags on hold to go in there. But we can’t do anything until we get all the permissions from everybody. And then we’d add a flag each year to add more countries of the world trying to make peace, the countries that are trying to work peacefully together.” 

And rest assured, that garden members will continue to raise money to keep the effort going, from bricks and T-shirts to a seasonal hotdog stand, pins, and local flags. Even when they have a holiday get-together, board members pay their own way, she said, so as not to take money away from what’s to be spent on essentials for the garden. 

“When you love what you do it makes life so much easier; it’s a labor of love, more than a chore,” Toal said. “And we take pride in the garden.”

Proceeds from the book will go to Batavia Peace Garden. They may be purchased at GO Art!, Oliver’s Candies, and Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia. 

Hawley sponsors policy to protect gun owners

By Press Release

Press Release:

File photo of 
Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recently cosponsored a proposal in the state Assembly to simplify the purchasing process for firearm and ammunition sales. 

The bill, A.8085, was introduced by Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C-Norwich) and would allow those licensed to carry or possess a pistol, revolver, or semi-automatic weapon and licensed hunters to purchase ammunition without contacting the statewide license and record database. 

Hawley believes this proposal is a step in the right direction for Second Amendment rights and will protect law-abiding gun owners.

“The Second Amendment is one of the foundations of our great nation,” said Hawley. “Unfortunately, time and time again we have seen the Majority in Albany pick away at that right piece by piece. My colleagues and I are fed up with this pattern and we are committed to standing up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners in western New York and across the state. It’s time to stop giving up our freedom to out-of-touch liberals and give it back to the people where it belongs.”

Picking up the reins as GLOW solid waste management-recycling administrator

By Joanne Beck
Amanda Lee
Amanda Lee
Photo by Joanne Beck

Amanda Lee received a bit of spotlight Monday as she sat in the hot seat for the first time as the newly hired GLOW regional solid waste management-recycling administrator.

Lee replaced Peggy Grayson, who retired from the full-time position June 30 after nearly two dozen years. As a search was conducted, Grayson had agreed to remain on in a part-time capacity to show her successor the ropes, training which the newcomer said she was grateful for.

“I’m really glad I had that month,” Lee said during the county’s Public Service meeting.

The job deals with all things recycling and solid waste management, from used paint cans and electronics to cooking oil, vaping cartridges, and K-cups, related collections events, and composting.

Lee had already gotten her feet wet with a couple of recycling collections, she said. She had also begun to ease some social media into the job so that people could communicate with her online, she said.

So what prompted Lee, who is from Hamburg, to pursue this profession in Genesee County? Timing is everything.

She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and animal behavior, ecology and conservation, and specializes in conservation issues. 

“Waste management is a really big part of that. So I just had graduated during COVID, in the pandemic, and so the opportunities to get into the environmental world were very slim as it is,” she said after the meeting. “So I saw this opportunity and I jumped on it as soon as I could, as a way to really grow my career and start my career really. 

“I want to have a positive environmental impact on the world. And I think starting in local government is a really, really good place,” she said. “And offering people that don’t always have access to disposal of things that opportunity to get rid of them in an environmentally friendly way.”

Lee's first official duty was to introduce an intermunicipal contract renewal to the committee, which it approved and passed along to Ways & Means.

The Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming Counties (GLOW) Region Solid Waste Management Program Intermunicipal Cooperation contract is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2023, and the GLOW Region Solid Waste Management Committee recommends the continuation of the contract. 

The budget impact of $26,151.52 is the projected annual Genesee County contribution for 2024 and 2025. The contribution is an increase of 4.4 percent from the previous year as adjusted per the latest Census numbers.

It is expected that Ways & Means will approve the contract, and it will then move on to the whole county Legislature for vote.

Batavia Downs announces lineup of winter events

By Press Release

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that tickets are now available for several indoor events happening in the Park Place Event Center this Winter. 

On Sunday, Nov. 5, the Batavia Bacchus Wine Festival will take place from 1 - 3:30 p.m.  Attendees will be able to sample various wines from across the United States from over 12 wineries.  Early Access Tickets are $25 and attendees get back $20 in Free Play and have access to grazing stations.  The event will end with plenty of time for all attendees to get wherever they are going for that night’s Buffalo Football Game at 8:15 p.m.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, The Uncle Louie Variety Show will return to Batavia Downs. The Uncle Louie Variety Show is composed of two hilarious Italian-American comedians, Carlo Russo and Lou Greco. Their unique Italian Comedy has delighted audiences across the country and in their yearly appearance at Batavia Downs. Doors are at 7 p.m. with the event beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for VIP tickets and $15 for regular tickets. Ticket holders will receive $10 in Free Play.

On Friday, Dec. 8, Batavia Downs welcomes back Marsha McWilson as she performs her yearly Christmas Concert.  Marsha brings a high-energy show that features Christmas Classics and other favorites.  She and the other performers have entertained concertgoers for many years at Batavia Downs.  Doors are at 6:30 p.m. with music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and concertgoers will receive $10 in Free Play.

Hotel Packages for select events can be found on the hotel deals page at https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/

Other events scheduled for November include the Experience Psychic Fair and the Zonta Holiday Festival and Vendor Show.  Information on these events and the Summer Concert Series will be found in the coming weeks on the Batavia Downs Facebook page.

“Our amazing events team has put together another packed schedule,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We are happy to be bringing back events that our valued guests have enjoyed each year while also introducing new events like the Wine Festival.”

Tickets for these events are available now on www.BataviaConcerts.com

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
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Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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