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.
Corky Shaw usually has a message for passing motorists on a sign out front of his place on Route 262 in Byron. This week, it's in honor of his wife, Pat, who died Aug. 22 at age 81.
You might recognize the property because the Shaws collected antique tractors and trucks and several old trucks can be seen from the roadway.
Nate McMurray thinks the president should take a positive interest in his campaign for Congress.
After Donald J. Trump sent out a highly controversial tweet yesterday blasting his attorney general for prosecuting criminal cases against Rep. Chris Collins and Rep. Duncan Hunter, McMurray responded with two tweets of his own.
Hey, @potus popular? Around here @RepChrisCollins is about as popular as Lyme Disease. You need to pick better friends, maybe someone who actually has a clue about helping working families...Call me.
The Batavian asked, via text message, for McMurray to clarify his statement, McMurray said, "Just like I said. He's picking the wrong people. The wrong policies. If the President is really interested in helping the people here, and not just talking about it, I want him to be successful."
He then added, "I can help."
Collins was arrested by federal agents a month ago on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud and lying to the FBI. The NY-27 representative is accused of disclosing to his son confidential information about Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd. Collins served on the board of directors in 2017 and was notified in June of that year that a key clinical trial had failed. The call by Collins to Cameron Collins allegedly sparked a series of stock trades where Cameron, other family members, and associates dumped 1.4 million shares of the company's stock.
Hunter (who represents the eastern part of San Diego County, including El Cajon, filling a seat once held by his father) is accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses (a non-criminal accusation also levied in 1989 against his father).
Contrary to Trump's claim in his tweet, neither investigation began during the Obama years. Both investigations started after Trump became president. In fact, the trigger for the investigation into Collins was Cameron's highly suspicious pattern of trades in June 2017, which led to investigators discovering the phone call made by Collins from the lawn of the Trump White House.
Two days after vowing to fight the charges and remain in the campaign for reelection at a press conference where he refused to take questions, Collins suspended his campaign. He promised to cooperate in an effort to get his name off the November ballot. So far, the eight GOP county chairs of the NY-27 haven't announced how they intend to get Collins off the ballot and there's even doubt among the chairs that it can be done.
The presidential tweet about the Collins arrest also prompted a press release from McMurray. He wrote:
“President Trump just acknowledged what we all know: what was long considered a slam-dunk election for Congressman Collins is now in doubt and the reasoning is clear – Congressman Collins spent more time worrying about making millions for his buddies than he did helping working families in Western New York,” McMurray said.
“The FBI finally confirmed what so many of us in Western New York know – that the system is corrupt. Now the same party officials that knew of Congressman Collins’ conduct want to fool voters into believing that they can pull a bait and switch to put someone new on the ballot. They want a mulligan. This isn’t democracy, this is fraud and the voters I meet as I crisscross the district won’t stand for it.
“I’m putting party politics aside to stand up for the working men and women of Western New York. I was proud to stand with many of them this Labor Day and I’ll be proud to work on their behalf in Congress.”
On Twitter, McMurray often portrays himself as fighting for the middle-class, working families of Western New York; however, where he aligns with Trump on issues is hard to say.
In a July 14 Tweet, McMurray he said:
MY PLATFORM:
— Nate McMurray for Congress (@Nate_McMurray) July 14, 2018
—Medicare for all
—Unions
—Free, reduced tuition
—Agriculture as a nat security issue
—Green energy
—Broadband for all
—Marijuana legalization
—No more wasteful wars
—Human rights, safe immigration
—Smart trade
—Term limits
—Reproductive rights
—Fair tax laws
Later in the month, he was critical of Collins' support of Trump's trade agenda, tweeting:
TARIFFS ARE TAXES. My opponent supports them. I support smart trade, leveraging our strength to gain access to key foreign markets. We need to sell to more people. We don’t need to put up a barrier to the world and hide.
However, an email exchange with The Batavian on July 30, McMurray said Trump was 100 percent right in his assertion that the U.S. is being taken advantage of by trading partners. The Batavian had asked McMurray if he would seek the aid from the Koch Network, which is backing Democrats this cycle who support free trade. McMurray said he wouldn't, citing his agreement with the president that the world is taking advantage of the United States.
"We can’t bury our head in the sand," McMurray said. "We need to engage with the world. We just can’t do it the way we have done it, by getting taken advantage of and being willing to leverage our bargaining power."
One of the fears or Trump-supporting Republicans is that if the Democrats win control of the House in the mid-term elections, they will quickly move to impeach Donald Trump. McMurray has indicated on social media that he is not an automatic vote for impeachment.
OPEN LETTER TO NY27: CLEARING UP A FEW POINTS
— Nate McMurray for Congress (@Nate_McMurray) August 27, 2018
"I have no intention of “voting to impeach” on my “first day in office.” My first day in office, I expect I’ll be spending most of my time unpacking and figuring out the best place to hang pictures."
READ https://t.co/JquVIvFq8Q
McMurray has campaigned across the district since the arrest of Collins but has completely skipped over Genesee County during the past four weeks. Yesterday, he missed the Labor Daze parade in Oakfield.
Trump's Labor Day tweet has been criticized by both Republicans and Democrats as an attack on the criminal justice system and an attempt to subvert the rule of law.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who presented Genesee County in Congress before losing her seat to Collins in 2012 joined the chorus of boos this morning.
When I ran for re-election to Congress in 2012, I warned voters that @RepChrisCollins would put his own interests ahead of the people of Western NY.
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) September 4, 2018
Not surprised @realDonaldTrump would defend a man who was arrested for insider trading. Two corrupt men, made for each other. https://t.co/9WQkuX8K7c
On the final day of the season, the Batavia Muckdogs had a chance to play spoiler against their Thruway rivals, the Auburn Doubledays, but after falling behind 8-2 after three innings, the team couldn't crawl its way back and lost 8-5.
Starter Josh Roberson (1-1) was lifted after the second inning. He gave up four runs. Evan Estes gave up four runs in the third inning. Tyler Kolek came on and stopped the bleeding, giving up only one hit over three innings, striking out three.
The offense was led by Demetrius Sims, who was 2-4 with two doubles and two runs scored (seen in the top photo scoring in the fifth inning).
Sean Reynolds was 0-4 but finished the season as the league leader in home runs (17), RBIs (52), Runs (49) and walks (42). He's the team leader in stolen bases with 13 (also the highest success rate in the league). He is the only player in 2018 to play every inning of all 76 games. He also finishes with a batting average .193 and a new league record of 133 strikeouts.
With the win, Auburn becomes the wildcard team in the NYPL playoffs.
A caller reports a dog locked in a car at Home Depot on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.
The vehicle is a dark-color Suzuki.
Animal Control is responding.
The current temperature is 87 degrees.
UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: An animal control officer spoke with the caller. The vehicle has left Home Depot.
Police are looking for a red Jeep with front-end damage after it reportedly hit a black vehicle on South Swan Street, Batavia, and then fled the scene.
Sean Reynolds doubled and tripled Sunday afternoon, driving in four runs, to lift the Batavia Muckdogs past the Auburn Doubledays 5-4 in the second-to-last game of the regular season at Dwyer Stadium.
Reynolds (shown swatting his triple in the third inning, second photo) now has 52 RBIs on the season to lead the league. He also struck out twice, extending his record-breaking K total to 131 (the previous NYPL record was 117 set in 1982 (previous story)).
Bryce Howe started and tossed the first four frames, giving up two runs and striking out seven. The win went to Elkin Alcala (4-2). Jameson McGrane got his third save despite giving up two runs in the ninth.
Davis Bradshaw, an 11th-round pick from Missouri, who has been batting leadoff and hitting .333 since joining the team three weeks ago, had two hits and scored a run.
The Muckdogs close out the season tomorrow with a Labor Day game that starts at 1:05 p.m.
Top Photo: Bradshaw singles safe after trying to score from third on a groundball to short. Home plate umpire Roberto Pattison disagreed with Bradshaw's assessment of the play, ruling that Doubledays catcher Wilmer Perez applied the tag in time.
Bryce Howe
Bradshaw in the first inning stroked a ground ball down the third base line for a double.
Ronal Reynoso with a sacrifice bunt.
Bubba Hollins
Reynolds at first.
Reynoso
The Fighting Irish battled the heat, their own mistakes, a good Canisteo-Greenwood, and to some partisan eyes, some questionable penalty calls but in the end the home team came out top.
Notre Dame beat the Redskins 31-25, scoring the winning touchdown on a five-yard reception by Zach Cocking (top photo) with 30 seconds left on the clock.
"We persevered and one thing I've been telling these kids all year is to believe in themselves," said Head Coach Joe Zambito, who notched his first win in his first official game at the helm. "It was something in previous years that they would get down and they would hang their hat and they just would quit. Today, they wouldn't quit and they kept coming back and they kept coming back and you know a lot of things didn't go our way today. But at the end of the day, we had the ball last and we were the last team to score and we made it happen."
Zambito said it was a team effort and many ways it was but Gabe McDonald had a special game, going for 210 yards on 23 carries leading to two touchdowns.
Tim Klotzbach was 12-21 and 147 yards at QB, tossing two TDs. He also had three interceptions.
His favorite target was Cocking, who had seven catches for 82 yards and that game-winning reception in the end zone.
The defense was lead by Lucas Calarco and Dakota Sica, who had nine tackles each. McDonald had seven and one interceptions.
There was little scoring in the first half and the Irish took an 8-0 lead into the locker room at the half. After the Redskins scored to make it 8-6, Zambito sensed his team was playing a little flat. He mentioned to a coach at that point that here they were with the lead but the team looked like they were losing.
"Bad habits are hard to break," Zambito said. "They've had two wins in two years and they're just not used to being the dominating team on the field. They're not used to being ahead. They're used to playing from way behind. I think that played a role in it but as the game went on I think they realized that we had a shot."
Zambito would like to keep the momentum going but Notre Dame gets an usual bye next week because Oakfield-Alabam/Elab dropped out of 11-man football just before the season started, leaving a hole in the schedule (O-A/Elba elected to play eight-man football). His team, he believes, that with day-by-day improvement, they do indeed have a shot at post-season play.
"Yeah, I think we've got a shot to get to sectionals," Zambito said. "I mean this Canisteo-Greenwood team is a good football team and obviously Alexander is just phenomenal. But I think we have a shot to get to sectionals and we know what do we have to do. We have to limit our turnovers we have to limit our penalties. Our mistakes. We have to play mistake-free football but then again we didn't do that today at all and we still managed to come out of here with a win. And it's all because they persevered."
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The Batavia Blue Devils have a message for the rest of Section V Class B: We're coming for the block.
They delivered that message loud and clear last night to #2 ranked Hornell (Batavia is ranked #1), the team that took the block (the Section V sectional trophy) from them in 2017, with a convincing 48-14 win at home.
The Blue Devils relished the win against a perennial Class B rival and Southern Tier powerhouse.
"It means a lot," said senior QB Ethan Biscaro. "To lose last year (in the Section V title game) and have them open up here at home, it couldn’t have been any better."
The message the rest of the class might want to heed is the 2018 Blue Devils are more than their two-time All-Greater-Rochester star Ray Leach. This team has weapons in players like Biscaro, Alex Rood, and Cody Burns who can also chew up yards and put points on the board.
Batavia had 379 total yards on the ground. Rood carried the ball 13 times for 168 yards and a TD. Burns had five carries for 95 yards and a TD. And Leach ran 14 times for 88 yards and two TDs.
Biscaro was also 3-5 passing for 32 yards and a TD. Burns had the TD reception.
Head Coach Brennan Briggs can't deny he's excited by the talent on the team but he also pointed out, it's one game, it's early in the season, the team still has a lot to learn and improve on and if they don't improve every week they won't be able to handle the rigors of post-season play.
"I'm never going to get complacent with where we are I can guarantee that," Briggs said. "I'll be watching film tonight. I'll be watching it tomorrow morning. I'll be going down watching Lavonia a couple hours away tomorrow. So we'll we'll have his team ready to go next week and we'll fix our mistakes and hopefully get better every day."
Briggs is never going to come into a game expecting his team to lose, even against a team like Hornell, but he did not predict a blow-out win.
"I still don't know if the score tells the true story," Briggs said. "You know, as the season goes on we'll see. This is a great win. But you know it's going to be more important if we see them in the sectionals, sometime in the sectional tournament, to see if we play our best game against them."
Rood and Leach, along with Briggs, gave all the credit to the offensive line for the team's dominant performance offensively.
"They did a fantastic job and we're tough on them," Briggs said. "We're as tough on them as any of the positions on the team because we told them, 'hey you know you win or lose games up front.' They take pride in it. They're a brotherhood."
For Burns, a junior, this was a break-out game. At 5'6", he's one of the smallest players on the field but he plays big. And he's fast. He scored his TD on a busted play where the offensive line pushed left and he ran right. By the time the Hornell defense realized it was following the line and not the ball, it was too late. Burns was gone. Nobody could catch him. He streaked more than 60 yards untouched for a TD.
On defense, he started at linebacker. Yes, at 150 pounds, linebacker.
"On defense, he plays tough," Briggs said. "He's not big at all but he'll bring it. He's ready to go bust the wedge on kickoff or knock their teeth in."
This season was also a test for the home team. They had to show they could overcome off-season turmoil and focus on football.
A month ago, Leach and teammate Antwan Odom got into a fight on Ross Street. Odom is accused of pulling out a pocket knife and stabbing Leach at least 10 times, leaving him with eight wounds that required stitches.
Briggs said his players did a good job of keeping the off-field antics out of the locker room and off the practice field.
"Everybody really put it behind them," Briggs said. "It's an unfortunate thing, but you know we're here now and we're living in the moment and moving forward."
Leach said he's feeling much better and came into the game ready for the season.
"I just had to stay positive and lean on my teammates," Leach said. "My teammates picked me up and I just had to work hard and practice on whatever little things I can do."
Also in Genesee County football on Friday:
Top Photo: Biscaro (#8) and Burns (#12) celebrate after Burns scored a TD on a busted play.
Alex Rood
Ethan Biscaro scores.
Ray Leach just about to cross the goal line on the second of his two TDs.
Rood with a tackle in the backfield. He had eight tackles to lead the team Friday.
Rood breaks away for another TD.
Cody Burns
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A two-car accident is reported in the area of 364 W. Main St., Batavia.
A person has a complaint of chest pain from the shoulder harness of the seat belt.
The vehicles are blocking traffic.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: Vehicles have been removed. The street is clear. City fire back in service.
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