Pavilion Central School presents "The Wizard of Oz" this week.
Dorothy is played by Kali Markek, the Scarecrow by Anthony Brown, Tin Man by Alex Stalica, the Cowardly Lion by Jacob Taylor, and the Wizard of Oz by Aiden McConnel.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. tomorrow, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $6 for seniors and children.
Press release:
Our district, NY-27, is home to the worst metropolitan job market in the country.
Yes, you read that right: worst in the country. It’s clear that our leadership has failed us.
It’s not that our district is lacking in resources and potential — far from it. Every time I drive across the Skyway in Buffalo, I look out at Lake Erie. I see windmills along the waterfront and parts of the shoreline restored. Along the paths of Tiff Nature Preserve, birds will literally eat out of your hand as hulking abandoned factories, standing relics from a lost era, loom in the background.
Looking at it, I’m reminded of Ireland — the abandoned moss and ivy-covered castles of Cork and Chashel. But for the castles and the factories alike, no one is coming back anytime soon. And those factories once employed thousands of people.
So where will the next generation work? How will we support this region and our families? The challenge is that many of the jobs we lost didn’t only go to Mexico or Asia — they just no longer exist. Automation and advances in technology will continue to take more jobs in the coming years.
But we can’t lose hope. There are answers to these problems if we have the courage to take action and build on our strengths.
SUPPORT FARMING
Farming and agriculture is still our biggest local industry, but we must rethink its importance as a matter of national security. Think of it: If we can’t grow here, what country will we go to for food? And we have the best land in the world, dark, rich, and more arable land per mile than almost any nation or state.Like it or not, these farms need workers. That proves troublesome for the 80 percent of Upstate communities that have lost population in recent years. Immigration reform and a proper visa program (so migrants are not “illegal”) is a must. And our President needs to stop using our farmers as cannon fodder in failed trade wars.
Finally, we must look at new crops. The hemp and cannabis industry continues to grow across our country — and the world. We can’t be the last to accept this and lose out on the benefits, including new jobs and a major boost to our economy. Time is running out.
EMBRACE NEW TECH
To truly catch up to the modern era, we also need to embrace new technology. One hundred years ago, we laced this country in electric and telephone wire. Today, we must lace it with broadband to end the cable monopoly’s stranglehold on the local economy. Developing a network of broadband wires that send information at the speed of light will employ tens of thousands of union workers, including workers in the healthcare industry. Solar and wind projects — properly sited in a way that does not unreasonably mar our natural spaces — will do the same.
INVEST IN CRAFTSMANSHIP
We must invest in trade schools and journeymen programs. Mechanics, plumbers, and electricians, to name a few, are needed right now. These are jobs that aren’t going anywhere. We will always need people to keep the lights on. Key cities in our region have some of the highest child poverty rates in the country and dismal high school graduation rates. If we invest in our schools, we will not lose another generation of builders and creators.
REBUILD AMERICA
Crucially, we have to pass an infrastructure bill that will rebuild America. I have seen the mighty new airports, bridges, and superhighways built by our competitors in Asia. The tallest building in the World? It’s not in New York City. The longest suspension bridge? It’s not the Golden Gate. We built the vast majority of our infrastructure over 100 years ago. An investment in America is an investment in the jobs of the future.
REMEMBER UNIONS BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS
When our country had a high rate of unionization, the middle class had more buying power, more vacation time, and more savings for retirement. But our President is working to destroy unions. We must reverse this trend.Look at the facts. Trump-appointed two Supreme Court justices who have documented anti-union and anti-worker voting records. He appointed Antonin Scalia’s son (Eugene) to be the Secretary of Labor. Eugene’s entire career has been focused on anti-union litigation. And under Trump, the National Labor Relations Board has whittled down union rights by undercutting union apprentice programs, making it easier for employers to hire non-union subcontractors, and allowing employers to dis-regard and not recognize unions.
DON’T GIVE UP HOPE
We can do this; I can help. I represented some of the biggest companies in the world. I helped create jobs as a local leader, attracting major businesses by investing in infrastructure and new technology. Under my leadership on the local level, buildings that were once closed for generations reopened, our town reached new levels of financial stability (under the tax cap!), and we filled dormant industrial space with new business.Give me this job, and together we’ll get thousands more.
Nathan D. McMurray
Candidate for Congress in NY-27
Batavia Downs hosted its fourth GLOW Wedding Expo on Saturday, with more than two dozen vendors, food, music, and a wedding gown fashion show.
Genesee County's first female fire chief, Stephanie Call, was named Firefighter of the Year for the Stafford Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation banquet Saturday night.
Matt Hendershott, who takes over as chief in 2020, praised Call for her hard work and dedication, her countless hours of service, often behind the scenes doing the administrative work necessary to keep the department running, as well as her leadership and inspiration.
He also singled out an incident at Call's place of employment in Le Roy on Dec. 15 when an employee collapsed. Call found the coworker unresponsive on the floor and began CPR. She stayed with her coworker until police and EMS arrived.
Hendershott quoted the victim, "My family sees Stephanie as the woman who saved my life."
Ken Collins received the Chief's Award for his service to the department.
Stafford fire responded to 289 calls in 2019, up 17 percent from 2018. The top responder was Hendershott, who went to 145 calls.
David Krzemien is running against incumbent William Sheron for Genesee County Sheriff. He held a campaign kickoff on Saturday at Batavia Country Club. Here is a short, introductory video.
Press release:
In light of the CoronaVirus impacting individuals in Western New York, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is urging residents to remain calm, but take basic precautions to avoid becoming infected or ill.
To date, there have been 142 total confirmed cases of CoronaVirus in New York, with eight people hospitalized. The highest at-risk populations are seniors, those with underlying illnesses and those with compromised immune systems.
“The state is taking an expedited and thorough approach to ensuring the well-being of our residents and executing the appropriate steps to stop the spread of CoronaVirus,” Hawley said. “My office has been in close contact with state leaders and the most important thing residents can do is to remain calm, practice thorough hygiene and avoid travel and contact with those thought to be infected.”
Gov. Cuomo announced today that hand sanitizer will be provided to New Yorkers free of charge and paid sick leave will be given to individuals under quarantine. In addition, there are new guidelines for those visiting correctional facilities and for nursing homes.
“The 18 students who have returned from Italy are asymptomatic but are being quarantined in an empty dorm at SUNY Brockport out of precaution," Hawley said. "School officials are doing everything necessary to keep the student population safe and the Brockport community will be given additional info in the days to come. Please remain vigilant and precautionary, and seek medical attention if you think you’ve become infected.”
Bob Trombley had a nice side hustle going -- selling items that reminded people of pleasant pasts on eBay -- but doing that, working at the hospital in Warsaw, while raising four kids kept him a bit too busy.
So he decided, why not make the nostalgia business his main focus.
Saturday, joined by his wife and one of his children and the Chamber of Commerce, he cut the ribbon on his brand-new retail store in the Harvester Center, Vintage.
Just before cutting that ribbon, he recalled one customer who bought a radio-controlled car from him online. After the customer received it, he wrote Trombley a two-page email recalling the same RC car he lost at 13 and then spent 20 years looking for it again.
"Getting that meant everything to him," Trombley said. "It made me feel good about connecting those items to the past for people."
He wanted more of that.
“I noticed that a lot of items I sold online brought people happiness because they were things from their past," Trombley said.
The new thrift and consignment store, will be more than a place to buy knickknacks from the past. He plans open mic nights on Thursdays (7 to 9). On Saturdays, parents can bring their kids in to "bang on the guitars on the wall" (and maybe get a free guitar lesson) (11 to noon). There will also be game nights and quilting lessons.
“We want a real sense of what it was like for me growing up in the '80s, just a real sense of a real community place," Trombley said.
Here's the Vintage internet link for hours and directions.
Last week, Batavia scored 310 points in the final round of the Scholastic Bowl season to become the 2020 champions. Batavia beat out other finalists, Pembroke (270 points) and Attica (230).
In terms of economic development, Genesee County has a lot to crow about, Ryan Silva, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council, told the audience at Batavia Downs on Friday for the annual meeting luncheon of the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
And crow county leaders should, he said.
The county has eight shovel-ready business parks that are already home to 37 businesses generating $809 million in economic output.
"That's staggering," Silva said. "That's great, but we need more."
When those eight parks -- including WNY STAMP, which does not yet have its first tenant -- are at capacity, he said, the economic output will double to $1.6 billion.
Getting those parks to capacity means putting more effort into increasing the local housing stock, of making Downtown a more attractive place to live, work, and play, to help capture those younger residents who might otherwise move away.
"Of course, the cost of doing business is one of the things that is a challenge for New York but that is why we have incentive programs," Silva said. "We want to offset the high cost of doing business, but then the next thing we want to talk about is workforce.
"When companies look at our region, they want to know that they can staff up in the first 12 months and have enough workers in 18 months. The more we do to partner with elementary schools, the more we can keep those future workers here."
Success means knowing what you're good at and building on those strengths.
"Genesee County is good at manufacturing, good at distribution, and good at agriculture," Silva said. "That economic cluster is an engine that drives the region."
Economic development is a risk, he noted. There are successes and failures along the way -- more successes but the failures often get more public attention, so local economic growth advocates should celebrate their accomplishments.
"Be proud of the work you're doing," he said. “It’s important for those who are naysayers out there for them to hear the good things that are happening in Genesee County.”
Theresa Bresten, VP and treasurer at HP Hood, one GCEDC's economic development success stories, accepts the 2020 Economic Development Partner of the Year Award.
Hood has hired 250 workers and is looking for 50 more. It's also recently purchased more land in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia with an eye toward future expansion. The core of the current plant was built by PepsiCo/Müller Dairy. Presenting the award was Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelly Stein.
State Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer was congratulated on his retirement in 11 months from elective office after 12 years in the state Legislature with a silver-plated shovel. Ranzenhofer is widely credited with providing key political support to helping get WNY STAMP shovel ready.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley spoke to the burden New York politicians place on the business community and emphasized the need for economic development efforts to overcome those liabilities.
"While the challenges we face in New York are numerous and the focus of many state lawmakers involves enriching Downstate and New York City, Genesee County and Western New York have the potential to be the economic hub of Upstate New York," Hawley said. "Our diverse economy coupled with strong leadership and achievable solutions will continue to propel us forward."
GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde.
Press release:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.38, down 6 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.47. The New York State average is $2.56 – down 3 cents from last week.
A year ago, the NYS average was $2.59. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has decreased by 6 cents to $2.38. A healthy stock level and cheaper crude prices continue to push pump prices down.
The trend of pump prices facing downward pressure is likely to continue through the end of the winter driving season, especially amid concerns about the coronavirus causing the price of crude to decline.
However, the current refinery maintenance season could put pressure on regional refinery utilization, supply and gas prices during the run-up to the spring driving season. Once refineries switch over to summer blend fuel, prices will start to increase since that formula is more expensive to produce.
From GasBuddy:
"It's been an unprecedented week, one in which oil majors Russia and Saudi Arabia saw anything but eye to eye on lowering oil production, leading crude oil prices to plummet 20 percent in Sunday evening trade, combined with COVID-19 fears escalating, and gas prices have nowhere to go but down and like a rock," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
"Oil has now seen its value cut nearly in half after Iran tensions inflamed prices months ago and it doesn't immediately look like it will get any better. For motorists, I urge them to be in absolutely no hurry to fill up as gas prices will drop in nearly every nook and cranny of the country, from the smallest cities to the largest metros, at a time of year that prices are usually rising, we'll see anything but that. The national average came into March like a lamb and will likely be leaving like a lion, with prices roaring lower."
Colton Dillon dominated on offense, scoring 30 points, but it wasn't enough to stop a Prattsburg offense that never knew a cold streak throughout 32 minutes of play at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday in the Class D2 Section V championship game.
Prattsburg prevailed 72-64.
Jaykob Belluscio scored 10 points for the Lancers.
Mason Putnam scored 19 points for Prattsburg, while Kris Johnson scored 16 and James Crowder scored 12.
Photos below by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.
Press release:
“With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s declaration of a state of emergency in New York in response to COVID-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are focusing on preparedness to respond to potential positive cases of COVID-19 in both counties,” said Paul Pettit, director, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has authorized health care providers to order testing for COVID-19. There is no evidence of the disease reaching Western New York, however, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the likelihood of more cases being identified in the coming days is possible. We will continue to update with local media as appropriate.
In Genesee and Orleans counties, we’ve had 12 people undergo precautionary quarantine based on travel history. Eleven have been cleared, with none becoming ill; one remains in quarantine with no current illness and will remain under observation through the 14-day period.
“We encourage residents to remain calm; be prepared by making sure you have supplies on hand including a thermometer, fever-reducing over-the- counter medication, such as ibuprofen; and listen to factual reports from the CDC, NYSDOH, and Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments,” Pettit said.
“Our social media platforms will continue to post pertinent information/trusted links and can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with GOHealthNY as our user name. You can also call the NYS Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
While there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses, including the flu (influenza), which is currently widespread:
- If you need to go to your primary care provider, a health center or the emergency room, call ahead to let them know your symptoms, travel and contact history.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick. If you have a fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea you should stay home at least 24 hours after the last incident without fever-reducing / anti-diarrhea medications.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue cover your mouth with your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The Elba Lady Lancers added to the legend that is Elba basketball Friday night, winning a fourth-straight Section V title, beating Andover 48-40.
Leah Bezon and Taylor Augello both had double-doubles, with 17 and 15 points, respectively, and 11 and 15 rebounds apiece. Bezon also had four assists.
Brynn Walczak, the tournament MVP for Class D1, scored nine points and had five rebounds.
For Andover, Emily Wahl and Kelsie Niedemaier scored 12 points each.
Walczak, Bezon, and Maddie Muehlig are all juniors and have been on varsity for all four titles. Augello is also a junior and in her third year on varsity. The only senior on the team is Lauryn Engle, third-year varsity.
Elba and Pavilion, Class D2 champions, will meet at Mount Morris at 6 p.m., Tuesday to decide which team advances to the Class D state tournament.
Jeff Allen, director of Crossroads House in Batavia, will receive an award tonight from the Chamber of Commerce at the Geneseean of the Year. The awards dinner is at Quality Inn & Suites.
Tompkins Bank of Castile is Genesee County's Business of the Year. Tompkins will receive the award tonight during an awards dinner at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.
Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship has been named the Special Service Recognition of the Year award winner by the Chamber of Commerce. The volunteers of Purple Pony will receive the award at the Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner tonight Quality Inn & Suites.
MY-T Acres, located off Lewiston Road in Batavia, is Genesee County's Agriculture Business of the Year. The Call family will receive the award at the Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner tonight Quality Inn & Suites.
The Pavilion Lady Gophers are the Cinderella team of Section V in 2020, starting out the tournament as a #7 and defeating, on their way to a Class D1 crown, #2 Prattsburgh and #1 Fillmore.
Friday at Letchworth, the Gophers trounced the top-seeded team 50-37.
No stats are available for the game.
In the Class D2 sectional, Elba won its fourth-straight title, beating Andover 48-40. (The Batavian was there for video coverage; with multiple things to cover today, it will be a day or two before I can edit and post the video).
Photos by Thomas Ognibene via Steve Ognibene Photography.
To view or purchase prints, click here.
UPDATE from Batavia PD:
The male in the photos has been identified. Batavia Police Detectives have located and spoken to the person. There is no credible threat to the schools at this time. The Batavia Police Department would like to thank all of our media partners for spreading the information and the citizens of Batavia for all of their tips. We appreciate everyone’s effort in helping us keep our schools and children safe!
Press release:
The Batavia Police Department is looking for the public's assistance in identifying the male seen in the photos. The male has been seen outside local schools on 03/04/2020 and 03/05/2020.
School officials from the Batavia City School District and St. Joseph School notified police of the individual. Staff from St. Joseph confronted the male, who then fled prior to police arrival. A search of the area was conducted but the individual was not located.
The Batavia Police, Batavia City School District, and St. Joseph School would like to assure the public that there has been no threat to the schools at this time.
The security measures in place in conjunction with school staff training are what have brought this individual to police attention. Additional steps have been taken to further protect students and staff and will continue until this individual is identified.
Anyone with information in reference to the identity of the male may contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311, or the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, or the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.
Former customers of the Dog & Cat Surgery & Wellness Clinic have been contacting The Batavian expressing concern about the apparently sudden closure of the company's office in the Harvester Center.
Clients have said the closure struck them as unexpected and their biggest concern has been retrieving medical records for their pets.
Dr. Matthew T. Will, in Alden, has made arrangements, he said, to take over the practice and is encouraging clients to contact him either to transfer care for their pets to his office or to obtain medical records.
He provided the following statement:
Dr. Raymond Long, DVM, retired this past Monday. This is certainly a milestone for Dr. Long but has presented some immediate challenges for his clients and patients. In the past 24 hours, I have had discussions with Dr. Long, and have made arrangements, with his permission, to provide for patient care.
Starting yesterday, Dr. Mathew Will, DVM at Country Village Pet Care Hospital located at 13269 Broadway St., Alden, will handle Dr. Long's retirement transition for all current patients. My hospital is a full-service hospital. Our phone number is 716-937-4588. Our website is www.aldenvet.com.
I know that with this change that some clients may have some concerns. I want to assure everyone that my main objective is to promote the continuity of care of every patient and make this transition as seamless as possible.
Current clients that have immediate sickness should feel free to call my office right away. Sick patients will receive any priority. Patients with chronic medical conditions or on daily medications will receive expedited priority and be accommodated.
Any clients needing prescription refills, appointments, needing medical record information or having any patient questions can speak to our medical team. We are here to help every pet parent and their pets.
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