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.
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.
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.
Le Roy's boys swim team met a tough opponent, Attica, on Friday, losing 105-53.
Brady Fix did win two races, the 50 free at 25.26 and the 100 butterfly at 1:04.21.
Photos and information submitted by Tim McArdle.
Jessee Underwood, Wayne Whiteside, Fred Henry, and Myron Cramer are among the member of the American Legion Post #626 in Alabama that annually puts together holiday meal packages for economically struggling families in the western part of Genesee County.
The program has been going for nearly 20 years and this year Legion members prepared 39 boxes for families in the Pembroke School District and the Oakfield-Alabama School District and the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.
One box is going to a woman veteran in the Town of Shelby who works two jobs to try and make ends meet.
“She’s a vet and this a veterans' organization, we’re going to take care of her," Commander Fred Henry said.
The post holds hosts a meat raffle in the spring and a cash raffle in December to raise money for the program but many items in the care boxes are donated.
Piedmont Produce donates trimmings.
Alabama Holly Farms also contributes.
We couldn't do this without the support of the community," Underwood said.
Press release from Melodie Baker:
“I am beyond grateful for all of the support and encouragement I have received from residents throughout New York’s 27th Congressional District and beyond," Baker said. "It has been an honor and a privilege to have met so many wonderful people through the process of exploring a run for Congress and I’m excited for the friendships that have been formed with Democratic leaders, community activists, and members of the Labor movement.
"For me, this year will not be the time for a campaign for Congress and while I appreciate the encouragement to run for Senate District 61, I am planning to support another Democrat for that office.
"My motivation to serve and make change on issues like education, health care, and economic opportunity has not changed and I’ll continue my work to improve policies as an advocate through the nonprofit organizations I’ve worked with for the past 14 years.
"Thank you to everyone who supported me, encouraged me, and listened to me. And thank you to all who step up to run for office and serve. Our part of New York needs more voices to bring change.”
More than two dozen Batavia Middle School students visited offices in and around Batavia today for the school's annual "Give Back Day," when students deliver class-made presents to the people and organizations that have supported the school during the school year.
Among the stops pictured above was the State Police Batavia Barracks on West Saile Drive.
Other locations the students visited today included the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, the Fire Department, WBTA, DSS, and Family Court. After Family Court, they went to City Court to see Durin Rogers sworn in as the new full-time City Court judge.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is $10,000 closer to its $50,000 fundraising goal for a second K-9 and handler to work alongside "Frankie" and Deputy Chris Erion after receiving a donation yesterday from NextEra Energy.
And the K-9 fund is getting pretty close to that $50,000 goal, said Sheriff William Sheron, thanks to generous community support.
NextEra is planning a 1,500- to 2,000-acre, 280-megawatt solar energy project in the Town of Byron.
Barbie Starowitz, Star Farms, one of the farms that will lease land to NextEra, helped arrange the donation.
Adding a new K-9 is expensive but the Sheriff's Office has long sought community donations to support the K-9 program rather than relying on taxpayer funds. Costs include purchasing the dog, training, and outfitting a car properly for a K-9 patrol.
“We strive to be a good community partner and are thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor the county’s newest K-9,” said Keddy Chandran, project director for NextEra Energy Resources. “At NextEra Energy Resources, we believe in building strong partnerships and supporting the communities we serve with initiatives like this.
"We are honored to be part of the Genesee County community and look forward to continuing to work in partnership to develop the Excelsior Solar Energy Center which will bring significant economic benefits to the region, including good-paying jobs and increased revenue.”
Photo: Barbie Starowitz, Keddy Chandran, Deputy Chris Erion, "Frankie," Sheriff William Sheron, and Undersheriff Brad Mazur.
Melzie Case submitted this photo from last night of deer strolling through the grounds of the Wilmott Cancer Center, located at 262 Bank St., Batavia.
Elba residents Macy Paradise and Nici Johnson have created a new story-time podcast for children called Drooly Kids.
From the show's description:
Drooly Kids Podcast is a parent's best friend, we will read your child a story from beginning to end... A tale written for kids completely from scratch so fun and exciting, no others will match... Made for your kids, yet staying mindful of YOU! These stories are silly and educational too... so take a breath, sit back, relax and push play, we will entertain your kiddo.
Here are the first two episodes, with second of special interest to Bill's fans looking forward to the coming game against New England.
To subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, click here.
Press release:
Today, New York State Senator Rob Ortt, Army combat veteran, and candidate for New York’s 27th Congressional District criticized the New York State Working Families Party for calling on candidates to “stop defending taxpayers.” Ortt called on Nate McMurray and all Democrats running for office to publicly declare that they will not seek the Working Families Party line in an election, and to publicly denounce this ridiculous statement.
“New York’s 27th Congressional District is home to hundreds of thousands of ‘taxpayers’ who work hard every day to support their families,” Ortt said. “In fact, these taxpayers pay the highest taxes in the country and are forced to fund the radical proposals from groups like the Working Families Party including free college tuition and driver’s licenses for illegal aliens.
"Any politician who can’t speak out in opposition to these absurd comments from the Working Families Party does not deserve to represent the hardworking taxpayers in any elected position.”
The Working Families Party, backed by progressive donors, often aligns itself with candidates running as Democrats. In the party’s 2020 questionnaire, they state:
Messages that frame "taxpayers" as an aggrieved or marginalized group promotes an anti-tax, anti-government worldview that is often used to justify disinvestment and austerity policies. "Taxpayer" has also become a racially coded term designed to appeal to white individuals and reinforce the misconception that they are paying taxes to support the needs of people (often implied to be non-white) who don’t pay taxes. Will you avoid messaging that centers "taxpayers" or "tax burdens" and instead talk about "public funding" and the public as a whole?
The New York State Working Families Party has already endorsed several candidates for 2020, including for U.S. President (Elizabeth Warren), U.S. Congress (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), and Democratic candidates for the New York State Legislature. In 2018, Nate McMurray ran for Congress on the Working Families Party line. Ortt called on all candidates running for office to denounce the Working Families Party and refuse their support.
“This is an absolute insult to every overtaxed working family throughout New York,” Ortt said. “Anyone who seeks the Working Families Party support is clearly stating that they do not work for the men and women they are elected to represent, but rather a political party tasked with fulfilling the agenda of out-of-touch special interest groups and extreme regressive advocates.”
Today, the governor's office announced $761 million in economic development grants statewide, including $1.4 million for projects in Genesee County.
The local projects:
City of Batavia Advancing Batavia Opportunities The City of Batavia will advance the redevelopment of City Centre and Harvester Center BOA strategic sites within the Batavia Opportunity Area by undertaking pre-development activities including preliminary engineering and architectural studies, legal services, real estate services, zoning updates, and marketing. $193,500 City of Batavia Revitalize Downtown Batavia The City will assist in the renovation of mixed-use buildings in the City's Business Improvement District. $300,000 Genesee County Genesee County 2040 Strategy Genesee County will prepare an update to its outdated 1997 Comprehensive to provide a new direction for the future of Genesee County with a focus on economic development and community revitalization. The plan will be action-oriented and community-driven with an emphasis on priority county- wide revitalization projects complemented by an implementation strategy and performance measurements. $40,000 Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council Seymour Place The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will make needed renovations and upgrades to maintain the fundamental beauty of its historical building while bringing the functionality of the building into the 21st century. $72,500 Town of Byron Town of Byron Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Study The Town of Byron will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment plant. $30,000 Town of Pavilion Town of Pavilion Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Study The Town of Pavilion will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment plant. $30,000 Village of Corfu Village of Corfu Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection The Village of Corfu will install effluent disinfection at the village's wastewater treatment plant. This project will improve water quality by reducing pathogens in the treatment plant's discharge. $620,000 Village of Elba Village of Elba Wastewater Treatment Facility and Collection System Study The Village of Elba will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment facility. The report will also include recommended actions to reduce the inflow and infiltration in the sanitary sewer collection system. $30,000 Village of LeRoy Village of LeRoy Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Study The Village of LeRoy will complete an engineering report that provides a detailed sanitary sewer collection system capital improvement plan based on investigations of inflow and infiltration in the system. $30,000Press release:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $761 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round IX of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Since its inception in 2011, more than $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide through the REDC process.
"Throughout the Regional Economic Development Council process over the past nine years, we have seen unprecedented regional investment focusing on a ground-up, strategic model that has spurred tremendous growth in every corner of this great state," Governor Cuomo said. "By bringing together local leaders and stakeholders who are invested in their communities we have replaced the 'one size fits all' approach to economic development with one that is unique to each community, creating opportunities for success all across the Empire State."
"By empowering local officials and stakeholders who know their communities best, we have transformed the state's economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils.
"Together, we are revitalizing downtowns, supporting and attracting businesses, and welcoming new residents and visitors. Through the REDCs, we are advancing the strategic economic development strategies of each region and supporting growth as part of the Downtown and Upstate Revitalization Initiatives. With a focus on workforce development and growth of high-tech industries, we are adding new job opportunities and strengthening the economy of New York State."
Today, more than $761 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round IX of the REDC initiative:
- Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $67.3 million supporting 109 projects
- Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $64.4 million supporting 94 projects
- Southern Tier: Top Performer | $88.9 million supporting 109 projects
- Central New York: Top Performer | $86.2 million supporting 93 projects
- Mohawk Valley: Top Performer | $82.7 million supporting 81 projects
- North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $67.9 million supporting 83 projects
- Capital Region: Top Performer | $84.1 million supporting 120 projects
- Mid-Hudson: Regional Council Awardee | $65.8 million supporting 105 projects
- New York City: Regional Council Awardee | $66.3 million supporting 109 projects
- Long Island: Top Performer | $87.9 million supporting 94 projects
More information on the 2019 Regional Economic Development Council Awards, including a full list of awardees, is available here.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "For nearly 10 years, the REDC process has been the driving force behind New York State's economic development decisions, and the model is a proven success. As the process enters the next decade, we are seeing the legacy of past projects being completed and excited about the new economic development opportunities our REDCs continue to identify."
The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state's old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven.
This spring, Governor Cuomo launched Round IX of the REDC initiative and the fourth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. A full list of communities in which $10 million will be invested through the DRI, along with their applications, is available here.
In 2019, all 10 REDCs competed for up to $150 million in capital funds and $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects identified by the Regional Councils as priorities in their regions. All 10 regions competed for designation as a Top Performer with the five top performing regions being awarded a share of $100 million in ESD capital grants. The remaining five regions were awarded a share of $50 million in ESD capital grants. Each region was also awarded a share of $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in the region.
The Regional Council priorities this year included working with local businesses and communities to identify childcare needs and develop potential solutions; developing an economic and environmental justice strategy for the region; supporting community investment in place-making and downtown revitalization; and supporting the state's $175 million Workforce Development Initiative. Each council was asked to address these items in ways that complement each regional vision.
During Round IX, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), comprised of state agency commissioners and members of the New York State Legislature, received presentations on this year's proposals from each of the 10 Regional Councils and assessed the implementation of the regions' strategic plans.
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