Stories from

Click the links below to view the following other Top 10 videos of 2019:

• Fatal accident, Pembroke, NY
• End of the standoff on Liberty Street Batavia
• Standoff on Liberty Street Batavia Part I
• Stabbing on Ross Street Batavia
• Recalling Michael Paladino
• House Fire, 109 Evans St., Batavia, NY
• Over the Border Mexican Food Truck opens in Batavia
• Press conference with David Bellavia Medal of Honor nominee
• Memorial for Corrections Officer Nick Bender

This was a our first full year of producing video on a regular basis. In total, our videos received 185,293 views.

Here are The Batavian's most-viewed stories for 2019:

• Search and rescue team deployed to find missing man in Indian Falls, by Billie Owens
• Tying balloons to deer carcasses is apparently a thing
• The time is near, Genesee County resident, when your house will be on fire and there's nobody available to respond
• Missing man Mark Dibble is found alive in Basom, by Billie Owens
• Batavia man killed while trying to assist woman being attacked on Ross Street
• Michelle G. Buckenmeyer, Obituary
• Home-invasion robbery suspect shot by homeowner in Stafford
• Mother and adult son killed in crash on snow-covered Route 98 in Elba
• Man who allegedly ran over his ex-wife with his truck could be in Batavia area, reward offered
• Hawley is asking residents statewide if they'd prefer 'Two New Yorks', Press Release

There were 1,217,743 visitors to The Batavian in 2019, a new site record.

Caitlin Napper submitted this photo of a double rainbow taken today in Le Roy.

Macey and Preslee Blecha of East Bethany collected a total of 154 blankets for Wings Flights of Hope.

The blankets will be used to comfort patients as they fly for medical treatments or appointments. Accepting the donation are Joe and Diane DeMarco, founders of Wings Flights of Hope.

Press release:

Beth Parlato, Republican candidate for Congress in NY-27, has received the endorsement of powerful Republican women’s group VIEW PAC following a successful meeting in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. In addition to a formal endorsement, Parlato has also received the maximum financial support allowed from VIEW PAC.

Julie Conway, an influential GOP operative and executive director of VIEW PAC, said “Beth Parlato is not only what the Republican Party needs – an outspoken woman on the right side of the issues, but also what voters want – a fresh-faced political outsider determined to do right by her constituents rather than build a political future for herself.

"In a district that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, Beth’s unapologetically conservative message and life resume as a business owner and judge make her a clear favorite in this Primary and someone who will ensure that New York’s 27th District remains in Republican hands.”

Parlato, a first-time candidate for political office, was humbled by Conway’s words.

“VIEW PAC has done incredible work getting strong Republicans elected and I am honored that they have chosen to endorse me," Parlato said. "I won’t disappoint them just like I won’t disappoint the voters in my district.”

Beth adds this latest endorsement to her list of supporters, which include other conservative groups as well as beloved Hall of Fame Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills' Jim Kelly and more. Additional endorsements of Parlato’s candidacy are slated for the coming months.

Today we're pleased to release Episode 4 of our series of Batavia's Best Businesses, featuring Batavia Downs.

In this episode, Nici Johnson and Macy Paradise decide it's time for a staycation at Batavia Downs.

Batavia's Best Businesses is a joint promotional production for Genesee County businesses by The Batavian and WBTA. To find out how to promote your business in this web video series, contact Lorne or Jim at WBTA.

Caeden and Camden White scored a combined 43 points for Batavia against Le Roy in the first-round large-school game in the annual Pete Arras Lions Tournament at Genesee Community College.

Caeden White hit five three-point shots on his way to 21 points on the night. Camden White dominated in the paint scoring 22 points.

Stone Siverling scored 14 points, Luke Rogers scored nine, hitting three three-point shots in the fourth quarter, and Max Rapone hit two three-pointers for six points.

Andrew Loftus scored 11 points for the Oatkan Knights and Ethan Beswick scored 10 points.

Batavia will play Attica for the large-school championship on Monday at GCC at 8:45 p.m.

Elba plays Notre Dame in the small-school championship at 7 p.m. on Monday at GCC.

Still photos by Philip Casper.

Gabe Macdonald (top photo) scored 25 points to go with 18 from Collin McCulley to propel Notre Dame to a 65-59 win over Perry in a first-round small-school game at the annual Pete Arras Lions Tournament at Genesee Community College.

Photos by Phillip Casper.

Mark Sanders

In the small school first-round game between Elba and Oakfield-Alabama in the Pete Arras Lions Tournament at Genesee Community College, Elba came out on top 50-46.

Colton Dillion scored 31 points to lead the Lancers to victory and Travis Wiedrich scored 16 for O-A.

Top photo: Colton Dillion.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Elba's Caleb Scouten on a drive to the basket against O-A's Spencer Murphy.

Elba's Collin O'Halloran

O-A's Travis Wiedrich

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

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

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

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

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

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

Press release:

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

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

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

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and remained on duty.

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

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

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

(Initial Report)

Press release:

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

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

No injuries were reported.

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

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

(Initial Report)

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

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.55, no change since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.33. The New York State average is $2.69 – up 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.66. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.65 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.60 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.66 (no change since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.65 (no change since last week)
• Rome -- $2.64 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.60 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.68 (up 2 cents since last week)

Gas prices are relatively stable given the increase in demand for holiday travel this week. With so many motorists out and about for holiday shopping and for holiday road trips, demand is high.

Pump price savings, albeit it small, are expected to come to New York State by the end of the year and are likely to linger into next year.

AAA forecasts that motorists can expect gas prices to edge cheaper by about a dime in the coming weeks as regional refinery rates and gasoline stocks increase throughout the Northeast region.\

From GasBuddy:

"With motorists preparing to hit the road to celebrate Christmas with loved ones, the national average has seen its seventh weekly decline, falling to a fresh low since March, " said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Closing out 2019 will likely see some additional downward momentum, but the next million-dollar question motorists are beginning to ask: what will the new decade bring to the pump? What's 2020 going to look like?

"GasBuddy is preparing to answer those questions just in time for the New Year, but for now, motorists need not worry, and should continue to enjoy affordable gasoline prices in nearly all states- and that's a terrific end to 2019 as well."

On Friday, Durin Rogers was sworn in as the new full-time judge Batavia City Court and David Saleh was sworn in as the new part-time judge.

Thursday evening, T.F. Brown's hosted its annual happy hour in support of the Community Christmas Dinner and it included an ugly sweater contest.

Thank you to Batavia First Presbyterian Church for opening its sanctuary on Tuesday for us to record three songs with James Robert Kibby. Look for a special Christmas Eve edition of The Batavian Sessions on, well, Christmas Eve.

Also, I'm looking for more talented local/regional musicians to record for The Batavian Sessions. I can be reached at howard@thebatavian.com.