Officer Arick Perkins with Lilly after Lilly escaped from the stables at the Genesee County Fairgrounds last night.
Perkins happened to spot Lilly on Cedar Street, and after a brief foot pursuit, with the assistance of Officer Felicia DeGroot, Perkins was able to corral Lilly. Lilly was returned to her owner, Meg Hayes.
Photo below of Perkins and DeGroot with Lilly, courtesy Meg Hayes.
Batavia Middle School invited parents to an open house Thursday evening, after the first day of school, for a chance to meet teachers and find out about their children's classes and expectations.
There were also activities and food trucks for the families.
Above, Tricia Grillo, with her son Dom, meet with teacher Gigi Dombrowski about his eighth-grade math class.
Spanish teacher Julie Trzaska with eighth-grader Hailey Smith, her father Charles Richmond, and her brother Noah, who is in fifth grade.
Long-term sub Kayleigh Meyers in the ELA class with the four books eighth-graders will read this year: "Inside Out and Back Again," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Omnivore's Dilemma," and "Unbroken."
Press release:
This week was the first day of school not just for students returning from summer break, but for returning and new School Resource officers in Genesee County.
Students entering school doors this week at Pembroke, Alexander, Pavilion, Byron-Bergen and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s (BOCES) Batavia Campus were greeted with familiar faces and new faces as Genesee County School Resource officers begin the school year.
New SROs Deputy Patrick J. Reeves (Pembroke), Deputy Eric J. Meyer (Alexander) and Deputy Cory W. Mower (Pavilion) are excited to embark on this new assignment.
They have recently completed School Resource Officer training and have shadowed existing SROs Deputy Chad P. Cummings (Genesee Valley Educational Partnership’s –BOCES, Batavia Campus) and Deputy Matthew R. Butler (Byron-Bergen) to learn from experiences both have had over the years in this position.
Sheriff William Sheron stated that it is his goal to establish a School Resource Officer in all county schools to ensure the safety and protection of the students and faculty.
“Although the cost associated with placing a School Resource Officer in the schools is significant, I believe the safety and security of our children should be of the utmost precedence,” the sheriff said.
Press release:
The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) today approved a loan for Rest & Revival Float Center LLC’s renovation of a City of Batavia facility.
The startup company will be the first health and wellness center in Batavia and Genesee County to provide floatation therapy services.
The renovation includes the purchase of new machinery and equipment. The project has a capital investment of $355,000 and will retain two jobs and create three new jobs.
The company will receive a $100,000 loan from the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation’s Revolving Loan Fund.
Rest & Revive will provide floatation therapy and retail sales of floatation sleep therapy systems.
“Businesses are developing new ideas to grow with our economy,” said GGLDC Board Chairman Tom Felton. “The Revolving Loan Fund offers assistance to create more opportunities for companies and our community.”
Press release:
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved applications for incentives for two capital projects at the agency’s Sept. 6th board meeting.
Amada Tool in the city of Batavia is planning an $8.8 million capital investment to increase the company’s manufacturing facility by approximately 19,000 square feet in the City of Batavia. The project would create 17 new jobs and retain 68 current jobs.
The proposed investment includes $2.3 million in construction costs and $6.5 million in new equipment. Amada Tool is seeking property and sales tax exemptions of approximately $266,000. Approximately $85 will be generated in the regional economy for every one dollar of private-sector investment by Amada.
Six Flags Darien Lake LLC is one of the largest sales tax revenue generators in Genesee County and one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations is planning to build and open a new $2.150 million ride in 2019. The company is seeking approximately $166,000 in sales tax exemptions.
Both projects will require public hearings as the companies are seeking incentives of more than $100,000.
Press release:
Darien Lake, a Six Flags Theme Park, and the Coaster Capital of New York, is holding its fourth annual Harvest Festival Sept. 8 through 23, featuring local performers, food trucks, crafters and fun activities throughout the park, all set against the beautiful fall foliage of the season.
Harvest Festival activities that are included with park admission:
- Local food trucks including Eat Greek, The Cheesy Chick and Center Street Smokehous, plus seasonal in-park fall treats;
- Stage entertainment with international bands, local performers and dance groups;
- Regional arts and craft vendors;
- Hay-mazing Adventure – a fun kids’ maze;
- Harvest Fest Express hayrides;
- Keg Tap and Beer Slides (for ages 21 and up); and
- Ignite the Night Laser show on the lawn Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Vacationing guests will have access to special harvest-themed activities each Friday evening before the Festival, including Magical Pumpkin Forest, when guests will plant seeds at night and “harvest” their pumpkins the next morning. There will also be fall-themed crafts in the hotel and a family-friendly movie on the laser lawn at 9 p.m.
The Harvest Festival takes place Sept. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23; and Saturdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Darien Lake is also announcing the extension of its special Flash Sale, now through Sunday, Sept. 9, featuring the best deal of the year — savings up to 70 percent off on a 2019 Season Pass, which also includes admission to 2018 Fright Fest®, a new Halloween event this October.
Guests who take advantage of this special offer will receive a free upgrade to a Gold Season Pass with every Pass purchased. Gold Season Passes include admission to Six Flags Darien Lake and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking, special admission offers for friends and a free drink bottle with paid refills.
During the Flash Sale guests can also join the Six Flags Membership program for 65 percent off the Season Price and receive three free bonus months. Six Flags Membership includes all of the benefits of Season Pass plus more than 50 additional benefits such as unlimited soft drinks, preferred parking, walk-on passes for rides, and exclusive waterpark seating. Members can also participate in Six Flags Membership Rewards, a new loyalty program that allows guests to earn valuable prizes for just for riding rides, seeing shows, and having a great time at the park.
It still remains likely that the Muckdogs will be back in Batavia for the 2019 season but General Manager Dave Chase said today he won't be back.
"It was a one-year deal," Chase said. "I finished that year. Ben and I have talked about me continuing as a consultant for some period of time but I don’t think I’ll be here next season."
Chase has lived at the Quality Inn & Suites this summer but at one point thought about renting an apartment downtown with the idea of staying longer but decided against it.
"I will admit I go back and forth," Chase said. "There are parts of Batavia that I really like but I did it for a year and that’s what I wanted to do and it was a difficult year, professionally and personally."
Chase said he has had medical issues doing the year that made things more difficult.
"The reality is this is my third city in four years," Chase said. "I’ve sort of developed a reputation of going into troubled markets and none of them have failed yet so I might have one or two more years of that lifestyle left in me."
He thinks he will leave Batavia in good shape but the day the Muckdogs leave Batavia is still close at hand. It gives the team two or three more years before moving.
"That's still better than it was a year ago," he said.
At the start of the season, associates of one of baseball's top executives, Larry Lucchino, former president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox and co-owner of the AAA team in Pawtucket, inquired about the Batavia franchise, Chase said.
The scenario discussed at that time involved the Muckdogs either moving to Pawtucket or Worcester.
There have been no further discussions since but it's been announced that the Pawtucket franchise will move to Worcester, where a new stadium is being built.
The problem with any such move is that the Red Sox have territorial rights over the area and currently, the NYPL team in that market is Lowell, a Red Sox affiliate. For the Muckdogs to move to Pawtucket, the team would need to become the NYPL Red Sox affiliate and the Lowell franchise would have to move to another city.
One reason the Muckdogs haven't moved yet is there appears to be no city in the Northeast that has the facility and market availability to accommodate a short season Class A team, so if Lowell had to move the league would face the same difficulty in trying to relocate that team.
The earliest, apparently, any of this can happen, is 2021.
Meanwhile, the affiliate agreement between Batavia (which has not gone bankrupt, contrary to a story in the Lowell Sun), and the Marlins is up for renewal. The renewal is expected to take place by the end of the month. The length of any such agreement could complicate a move by Batavia to New England.
Chase is confident the Marlins will return to Batavia in 2019. He said when the team packed up after the last game, they left a lot of equipment behind.
"That seems to indicate a desire to come back," Chase said.
According to Ellie Mae Millennial Tracker, 77 percent of Millennials who bought homes in July where single.
That's the fourth highest total in the nation, according to the tracker.
Lynn Bezon, co-owner of Reliant Realty, said that percentage may be masking a trend she sees: Which is for only one member of a Millennial couple to take out the mortgage to buy the house.
"One person in the couple may not be creditworthy or not have the income (to qualify)," Bezon said.
Sometimes, the couple isn't married and a parent has recommended only the person who has the means to make the purchase take out the loan.
"I don't get a lot of single Millennial buyers," she said.
Millennials are generally considered to be people born in the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, so some Millennials are now in their 30s, and that's the age where more single Millennials will buy a house, she said, though it's still not common.
A common reason one person in a couple might not qualify for a loan yet is the other person weighted down by college debt.
That is also the number one reason Millennials don't buy homes at all, she said.
Sometimes they have to wait for the right job to come along that pays them enough to diminish the negative effect of student loans on credit applications.
The city's with higher single-Millennial purchasers are:
A year ago, Assistant County Manager Matt Landers really wasn't sure why DWI the number of arrests were down for the first part of 2017 but it was a countywide trend.
It's still not clear why arrests took a dip for more than six months but an interesting thing happened after a report was published about the dip -- the number of DWI arrests reported increased. The trend has continued in 2018, Landers said.
Yesterday, like last year, Landers, who is the STOP-DWI coordinator for the county, delivered his annual report on the program to the County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee.
The problem the program is facing this year is -- despite holding steady on the total number of arrests -- revenue is down for the program.
STOP-DWI is funded through fines imposed on convicted drunken drivers. Landers said he doesn't know if revenue is down because collections are down or if justices are imposing smaller fines.
With the drop in revenue, Landers is proposing a budget for 2019 that spends 40 percent less than 2018, though there will be no cuts to the amount spent on enforcement.
The STOP-DWI program provides funds to participating local law enforcement agencies for extra patrols focused entirely on DWI detection.
The $25,000 reduction in spending will mean some expenses, such as a portion of Lander's salary, will likely be shifted to the general fund.
Members of the committee said they recognized there is still a need for the program, which also assists in detecting and arresting people driving under the influence of drugs, which is a growing problem, even though there are probably fewer drunks on the road these days.
"It is better than the '80s and '90s but there’s still a need for the program," Landers agreed. "it’s a successful program."
The County and City have reached a new 40-year agreement to share the distribution of local sales tax, pending approvals by the NYS Comptroller's Office, the County Legislature and the City Council.
The agreement establishes a formula for sharing from 14 to 16 percent of local sales tax with the city.
The towns and villages in the county will be bound by the agreement but do not get a vote on the plan.
County Manager Jay Gsell said the other municipalities will receive a share calculated similar to the city's share but based on what they receive in 2018.
If approved, the new agreement takes effect Jan. 1.
Currently, the county collects a 4-percent sales tax. That would continue under this agreement. The state collects 4 percent, making the local sales tax 8 percent.
The Batavia City Council will be asked to vote on the new agreement at Monday's meeting. The Count Legislature will vote next Monday.
Gsell said he expects to hear by tomorrow if the attorneys in the Comptroller's Office will recommend approval to their boss, Tom DiNapoli. Gsell said if the attorneys recommend approval, DiNapoli will likely approve the agreement.
The City and County have been negotiating the new agreement for more than a year. A committee that included city and county staff leadership and elected officials from both bodies participated in the discussions.
While towns and villages don't get to participate directly in the agreement, the City and County need to work out a deal because, under state law, the City has the ability to levy its own sales tax.
As part of the agreement, the City agrees not to institute its own sales tax.
Students arrived at Batavia High School for the first day of classes bright and early.
Some students started the morning off with a tailgate party in the senior parking lot. That's water in those cups.
Students picking up their class schedules.
The traffic circle was jammed.
Students arriving at Batavia Middle School for the first day of classes.
Photos submitted by Principal Ashley John Grillo.
There will be a fundraiser Sunday at The Yngodess Shop, 73 Main St., Batavia, Sunday, starting at 12:30 p.m. to benefit the family of Michael Tenebruso.
Tenebruso, who grew up in Batavia, died after a lengthy battle with cancer six days ago at age 50. Tenebruso leaves behind three children.
The fundraiser includes a chicken BBQ, live music and a basket raffle.
In April 2016, more than 400 people turned out for a fundraiser to benefit Tenebruso at Ascension Parish (top photo).
The North Chili resident graduated from Batavia High School in 1986 and later received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Administration, respectively, from SUNY Brockport.
His career in education took him to schools throughout Western New York as a teacher and administrator. While teaching at Elba he was named Teacher of the Year.
From his obituary:
Michael's persona was larger than life. He was a friend and role model to all. Most importantly, Mike’s selflessness and devotion to mankind was most evident at home where he was a kind and nurturing father to his three beautiful children. Michael battled his illness head-on for six long years, facing every set back with grace and dignity. He never gave up. Cancer did not take his passion for life, his mind, or his soul as he closed his eyes for the last time.
The Tenebruso family will be present on Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 4120 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Resurrection Parish, 303 E. Main St. Batavia. He will be lain to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
When students arrive at Notre Dame High School tomorrow, things are going to look at lot different, both inside and out of the building, plus there are a few upgrades not readily apparent.
The front entrance of the school has gotten a makeover and the hallways, some classrooms, and the locker rooms have gotten new paint and new logos (new lockers for the boys' locker room as well).
There's also a new security system, new drainage on the roof, and new HVAC units to go with previously completed upgrades to the gym, the cafeteria and the kitchen (all new equipment).
The upgrades are the result of a capital campaign launched a few years ago. The school worked to raise $5 million, raised $4.2 million, and got busy sprucing things up and replacing what was worn out.
"We need the school to look just as good as what it produces," said Principal Wade Bianco. "We all -- the board, the leadership team -- we all think it’s important that the facility is at the same standard as the academics, at the same standards as the climate and culture, at the same standard as the athletic program. Every program here is top-notch but the building, because it’s some tough times financially, needed to be upgraded."
The most noticeable change, of course, is the main entry, which has a new, modernist design, befitting the 1960s-era facility, but with a blue and gold color scheme that is striking.
Two classrooms have been painted and recarpeted with all new desks and chairs. The school is looking for more sponsors for classroom upgrades, at $10,000 each, which will include a plaque honoring the donor outside the classroom.
The school will open this year with 150 students. Enrollment is down at all schools but the goal for Notre Dame is still to attract 180 students. A Buffalo marketing company has been hired to help promote the private school.
Bianco said alumni and other donors really came through for the school, particularly Emmett and Antoinette Marchese Clancy, now California residents, but from the Class of 1970.
Originally, the school had looked at replacing the roof but school officials, he said, "sharpened their pencils" and figured out what parts of the roof needed to be repaired and upgraded and replaced the roof drainage system.
“If you’re going to fix the inside, your roof better be good because you don’t want water damage,” Bianco said.
The work was completed almost exclusively by local vendors.
"It’s been fantastic working with these people because they know our circumstances financially, so, as well as doing the work that needs to be done they’re also gracious to us," Bianco said. "They’re very kind to us, which is helpful as well."
In all, Bianco thinks the school got a lot done with the finances available.
"I think we’ve done a good job of maximizing funds with very little waste," he said.
The revamped kitchen.
The locker room for the Lady Irish.
There are 94 championship trophies on display in the cafeteria.
The weight room.
Press release:
WBTA Radio has expanded its coverage of local high school football with the addition of a secondary streaming channel WBTAi2.
“This new streaming service allows us to provide live, play-by-play coverage of two games at the same time,” said WBTA President Dan Fischer.
The station plans to use the new service to cover all Le Roy Knights home and away games for the entire regular season. Scott Ripley will call the games.
The secondary stream can be accessed from the WBTA website (WBTAi.com) or the station’s mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.
The station has also announced it will broadcast all Batavia High School Blue Devils varsity football games in the Livingston County League, home and away. WBTA veteran sports announcers Bob Brown, Jay Moran and John Vazquez will call the Blue Devils games along with selected Saturday afternoon contests featuring other area schools.
The Blue Devils games will be broadcast over WBTA AM & FM and streamed on the stations’ main online channel, WBTAi.com
A complete schedule of game broadcasts is available at WBTAi.com
It's time to replace the 20-year-old roof at 5130 E. Main St., where the county keeps offices for Department of Social Services and Mental Health, but before the building owners invest that kind of money, they would like to know that their current tenants will remain in place through 2027.
R&J Enterprises of Batavia LLC is asking for a lease extension.
County legislators wanted to get assurances before making that kind of commitment, that there are no known code violations at the location and no other known problems, such as potential mold.
There have been some leaks in the aging roof.
Chad LaCivita, from R&J, and Tony Mancuso, Mancuso Commercial Realty, met Tuesday with the Human Services Committee.
LaCivita said because leaks have always been repaired quickly, there's no evidence mold has developed.
David Rumsey, director of Social Services, said R&J have been good landlords.
"Every time have a problem they’re right on it," Rumsey said. "It is an old building and old buildings have problems and the problems get fixed."
The building was originally constructed for Twin Fair Department Store, later becoming Ames, and the county moved some of its operations to the location after Ames closed in 2001.
A new roof isn't the only upgrade R&J is considering.
"We're looking at replacing HVAC units over next two years and we're also going to make some cosmetic changes to make the offices more enjoyable," LaCivita said.
Committee Chairman Andrew Young said he would support a lease extension but he wasn't comfortable doing it under the pretense of an agreement to put on a new roof and new HVAC. To him, he said, that's the responsibility of the landlord anyway.
"I'm going to support it for different reasons," Young said. "From what I understand, you guys are great landlords and we need that building."
The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the 5 Finger Death Punch/Breaking Benjamin Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Monday:
Gage L. Ellis, 27, of Thompson Avenue, Little Valley, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering Darien Lake property after being ejected and told not to return. Gage was arraigned in Darien Town Court and jailed in lieu of $250 bail.
Jason M. Raiser, 38, of Presbyterian Road, Knowlesville, is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
Cynthia A. Krause, 37, of Goodrich Road, Clarence, is charged with Disorderly Conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance while being ejected from the concert venue.
Kevin T. Smith, 34, of Buffalo Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue while being ejected.
Melissa A. Barrett, 36, of Lincoln Avenue, Salamanca, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
Cassandra J. Boyea-Baker, 22, of Center Point Road, Canandaigua, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
Jessica P. Seamans, 24, of Merrian Heights, Wellsville, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
Lindsay L. Harris, 24, of North Brooklyn Avenue, Wellsville, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.
William D. Rutland, 39, of Ridge Road, Ransomville, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly engaging in a fight inside the concert venue.
Caitlin E. Richardson, 24, of Route 29, Wayland, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th (3 counts), after allegedly breaking the mirrors off three cars in the parking lot.
We're fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the state and we've enjoyed some sunshine recently (though, a bit too humid). Yesterday, I took a little drive after the Oakfield parade and came back with these shots.
Above, a barn off of Route 262, Byron.
From Bank Street Road, Byron.
From Cockram Road, Byron.
A caller reports seeing a white male, wearing blue shorts and a blue shirt, standing atop a moving train on the CSX line in the area of Seven Springs Road.
A deputy is asked to look for the train at the Route 236 crossing.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
