Stories from

UPDATE: The Woodward Memorial Library is open today (Tuesday, Jan. 23).

CLARIFICATION: The term "heat pump" was not used in the discussion, just "pumps."  In non-boiler, home heating, "heat pump" refers to the heating system itself.  The school district uses a boiler system with a pump that pumps heat to the library. In the story, we didn't use the term "heat pump" but for the sake of a shorter headline, used it in the headline.

Libraries should be a quiet place.

But you shouldn't need to bundle up to read a book or a magazine, surf the net, or browse through the stacks.

For five-and-half-days, the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy has been quiet, frigid, and, as a result, closed. 

The lack of heat is the result of an apparent miscommunication between a vendor, a designer, and an installer who last year was tasked with upgrades to the boiler systems that delivers heat to Wolcott Street School and the library.  The upgrades were an add-on to the Le Roy Central School District 2022-23, $12.1 million capital improvement project, which was possible after other expenses came in lower than estimated.

The district owns the library building but does not operate the library. The boilers for the library's heating system are in the elementary school.

The failure of the heating system wasn't apparent in the spring when the work was completed, over the summer, or during the unusually warm weather in the first part of this winter.

Now that temperatures have dropped drastically, district officials have discovered the boilers used to generate heat for Woodward have pumps on them that are incapable of pushing enough heat from Wolcott Street School to the library building.

Superintendent Merritt Holly told the Board of Education on Monday that there was an issue with the design specifications, an issue with the installer not communicating the proper information about the system back to the designer, and there is concern about the pumps themselves and whether they are working at specification.

The pumps are supposed to provide enough heat -- leaving Wolcott Street School at 140 degrees -- to heat the building, the loading dock, and the pedestrian sidewalk leading up to the building.

Holly said he anticipated a question from board members: Who is going to pay for the mistake?

"If everything checks out (on the design and installation), then we go back to really what should be a warranty issue, the motor not being right or if there's a defect," Holly said. "That's a very small percentage. If that's the case, I think it's going to come down to how the communication between the designer and the installer designer."

In other words, Holly expects either a manufacturer's warranty to cover the cost of both a temporary fix and a long-term solution, or for the designer or installer, or both, to pay those costs.

New motors for the pumps -- which would provide only a temporary fix -- are in stock in Buffalo, Holly said he was told Monday morning, so it's a matter of getting a crew from the installer to Wolcott Street School to replace the motors.  That should be soon, but Holly doesn't have a firm commitment yet on a date.

"Remember, this is a band-aid fix until we get off heating season (so a longer-term replacement system can be installed)," Holly said.

In the meantime, he's hoping temperatures rise a bit for a few days, which would enable the current system to get the library's interior temperature up to 65 degrees so the library could reopen.

The ineffective pumps are only on the boilers for the library. The school is not affected. Those boilers have new, appropriate pumps and motors.

"The best case scenario is that tomorrow, I get an answer that our installer has a crew within the next couple of days, and the motors for the pumps are where they say they are in Buffalo," Holly said. "When we get our hands on that, we can put together a timetable because, remember, (the library) is going to be closed down on that day."

There are volunteers throughout the county who remain on their department's active rolls after 50, 60, or even 70 years of service. But they aren't typically responding to calls any more.

At 88 years old, after 70 years of service to the Corfu Volunteer Fire Department, Jim Mallory still attends Monday evening training sessions, turns out to emergency calls, sometimes drives a rescue truck, and remains a member of the fire district's board of commissioners.

Mallory is still there, setting an example and sharing his experience and knowledge with younger members. 

Chief Greg Lang said that's impressive.

"He brings in all the young people," Lang said. "He's educational. He's got a brain like you wouldn't believe. He educates us. He helps keep members in the fire department because they would like to come up to his standards, you know what I'm saying? The younger guys love it.  I've learned so much from him throughout the years, it's not even funny." 

Mallory was recognized on Saturday evening for his service at the Corfu Village Hall during the department's annual installation dinner.

Mallory started to hear the siren call of the fire service as a child living near the fire hall.  The alarms would sound, and he would go to the hall to find out where the trucks were going and watch them leave.  

"I was fascinated by fire trucks," Mallory told The Batavian.

As soon as he turned 18, he signed up for service.

Since then, he's served not just as a firefighter, but on several truck committees, as fire chief, and as a commissioner.

"There was always another truck to buy," Mallory noted, and that helped keep his interest up.

And it was fun.

"I enjoyed the classes we went through," Mallory said. "I liked learning about firefighting, and I liked helping people out. If there was a call and I was able to be there, I'd be there to help out. I just enjoy helping people."

Mallory was also a successful local businessman, opening a gas station at the corner of Main and Alleghany before taking on co-owners to open a convenience store that the location, which is now Crosby's. He operated the business for 45 years.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley read a proclamation honoring Mallory.

"It is a privilege to recognize and pay tribute to individuals who have displayed a deep commitment to enhancing their communities and improving the state of New York," Hawley said before noting his 70 years of service to the Corfu Hook and Ladder Company Number One.

"James has become a model firefighter and a positive example for his community," Hawley said.

Also honored on Saturday was Kathy Skeet, as Firefighter of the Year. Skeet responded to 109 calls in 2023.

"On some of the calls, she is the chief there," Lang said. "She is the EMT. She is the fire police there. She's the only one there sometimes."

He also noted she puts in a lot of volunteer hours for department events.

"She's got 34 years of service," Lang said. "She's in charge of the Sunshine Committee. And, I can say, she's the best mother-in-law."

The department received 199 calls for service in 2023, and members provided 773 manhours of response time. There were eight fire calls, 130 EMS calls, four hazardous conditions, 15 good intention calls, and 18 false alarms.

Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger administered the oath of office to the 2024 slate of officers, which are: Chiefs Greg Lang, Dean Eck, and Dan Smith; Captains Tyler Lang and Jim Hale; EMS Captain Dillon Hale; Fire Police Captain MattLenhard; Safety Officer Justin Rodland; and Lieutenants Megan Stiles, Jacob Stiles, and Krista Hale.

The past few seasons, it's been a struggle for Batavia-Notre Dame United against Victor, pernnially one of the toughest teams to beat in New York.

"They're one of the best-coached teams that we played against all season," said United's head coach, Marc Staley. "So it's a very emotional game, always with them. And I think for our kids, especially tonight, we probably were more emotional than we should have been. Just because it is Victor. It's sort of a mental block, you know, that we had to get over that hump. They've beaten us now five times in a row, combined score of 25 to four. So, for us to be able to turn it around tonight with a 4-2 win, it's sort of like exorcising the demon a little bit."

The Victor Blue Devils opened the scoring at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Arena with a goal in the first period, but United -- starting with a Sam Pies to Jameson Motyka to Brady Johnson goal a minute later -- went on an unanswered three-goal run to put them up 3-1 entering the final period.

"We went down by one, so we had to get one back," Johnson said. "We had to get pucks on the net. We knew that shots win games. So, every shot is a goal-scoring opportunity. So that's just what we're looking to do."

In the second period, the game got intense with shots on goal from both sides. United overcame back-to-back penalties but then went on the powerplay with two minutes left. Brady Johnson scored his second goal of the game in the high slot from a pass by Joe DiRisio to take a 2-1 lead after two periods of play.

In the third period, United was deep in Victor’s zone, taking a faceoff.  Sam Pies took a quick wrist shot off the faceoff draw and got shot past goalie Nate McBride.

Victor pulled back within a point in the third on a power play that Staley characterized as an undisciplined penalty, an example of letting emotions ride a little high.

"We know there is a very fine line between being a state top-ranked team and being just a good team," Staley said. "You have to stay out of the box. You have to be disciplined. You have to control your emotions. And you have to play through, weather the storm. You got to play through those tough moments, and we didn't do that as well tonight. I think we let them hang around. It ended up being a lot closer than I think it should have."

United added a bit of padding to their near the end of the game to seal the victory with a goal by Jameson Motyka.

"I think we felt like we were in control of the game," Staley said. "Most of the game, we outshot them. I thought we had time of possession on them. I think they're one of the best teams that we've played so far this year."

Pies said he thought United's defensive play was key.

"We needed to be on the defensive side of the puck at all times and couldn't take no chances with the defense," Pies said. "Pinching had to be 100 percent. They couldn't have any odd-man rushes. We had to get pucks out when we needed to, and good thing we did that, and we got the win."

Steve Ognibene contributed to the reporting of this story. To view or purchase photos, click here. 

Bernice Yunker was more than a farmer's wife.

Born July 26, 1925 in Mineral City, Ohio, Yunker led an adventurous life -- once biking from Buffalo to and around Conesus Lake -- as a young woman before meeting her future husband, Carl, in Bennington at a small church where her father was pastor. They married in Attica in 1947.

After her time with her family in Buffalo, where her father had been a pastor, and before joining her parents in Bennington, Bernice studied art at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and then at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She worked part-time at the DuPont Plant in Rochester as director of graphics to help the war efforts on the home front.

When the Yunkers married, Carl was already a farmer but a short time later, they acquired 100-acres in Elba and established a home, where they would eventually raise seven children.

The Yunkers quickly established themselves in the community and became active in the Elba Presbyterian Church.  Bernice became the first woman to serve on the Elba Central School District Board of Education. She volunteered at church, with the Arc of Genesee County, the Genesee County Nursing Home, and the Hospice of Genesee.

But she is perhaps best known in the community as a talented and creative artist and art teacher.  She was a member of the Genesee Arts Council and a founding member of the Batavia of Society of Artists.

In their home on Transit Road in Elba, Carl built an art studio for Bernice. In 2013, she told The Batavian that she was proud to call herself a farmer's wife, hence, the name of her studio -- Farmer's Wife Studio.

She often told her children, “Music and art are the frosting on the cake of life!”

Her husband and their children together built, from that initial 100-acre parcel, one of the largest farm operations -- CY Farms -- in Genesee County, growing crops, raising cattle, and notably operating Batavia Turf Farms.

Mrs. Bernice Dorothea Beisheim Yunker, 98, died peacefully at home with family at her side on January 15, 2024.

Carl Yunker, at age 97, died in 2021.

In her obituary, her family says, "Bernice was the best of moms and also cared for others in the community. She used her creative gift as a visual artist to serve others and honor God. During her 74 years in Elba, Bernice supported Carl, her family and the community with kindness, energy and frankly, a lot of art and art lessons!"

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Elba

Previously: 

• CY Farms grew from the good land
• Founder of CY Farms, who loved aviation and serving his community, dies at age 97

Janessa Amesbury's 25 points lifted Byron-Bergen over Wheatland-Chili in Girls Basketball on Thursday, 34-30.

In boys basketball on Thursday, 

Batavia beat Honeoye Falls-Lima 55-50.  Carter Mullen scored 24 points and Justin Smith scored 14.

Le Roy beat York 78-73. Merritt Holly, for the fourth time this season, topped 40 points in a game, scoring 41. He had 14 rebounds. Jean Agosto scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. Jake Higgins scored nine points and had nine rebounds. The game went into two overtimes.  The Knights are 11-2 and on a seven-game win streak.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Brandon J. March, 39, of Batavia, is charged with strangulation 2nd, assault 3rd, and menacing 3rd. March was arrested on Dec. 28 following an investigation into an incident on South Lyon Street. March is accused of kicking a person while threatening to kill that person. March was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Donald G. Vanelli, 60, of Oakfield, is charged with burglary 3rd, criminal mischief 4th, conspiracy 5th, and petit larceny. Vanelli was arrested on Jan. 4 on a warrant stemming from an investigation into a break-in at a business on Mill Street. At least two suspects stole property from the business, according to police. Vanelli was arraigned and released under supervision.

Tanisha N. Gibson, 38, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Gibson was arrested on Jan. 8 following an investigation into an incident on Dec. 2 on Bank Street. Gibson is accused of spraying pepper spray in the face of another person. Gibson was arraigned and released.

Johnathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Falk is accused of cooperating with another person to steal property on Jan. 5 from 7-Eleven on East Main Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Samuel J. Hernandez, 21, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of shoplifting from West Main Wine and Spirits on Jan. 5. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jaliyla S. Shelton, 18, of Rochester, is charged with two counts of grand larceny 4th. She is accused of stealing two cars in Batavia. She was arrested on Nov. 2 and issued an appearance ticket.  She is accused of failure to appear on those charges and was arrested on a warrant on Jan. 10. She was arraigned and released.

Crystal L. Dacey, 29, of Attica, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and petit larceny. Dacey is accused of stealing property and prescription pills from another person on Jan. 10. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Timothy D. Cobb, 19, of Buffalo, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer 3rd. Cobb is accused of fleeing from a police officer following an incident at Speedway at Oak and Main on Jan. 3. The pursuit was terminated, but Cobb was apprehended a short time later. He was issued an appearance ticket and multiple traffic tickets.

James R. Briggs, 48, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Briggs is accused of stealing merchandise from Family Dollar on East Main Street on Jan. 4. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joshua W. Bombard, 18, of Pavilion, is charged with assault 3rd and criminal mischief 4th. Bombard was arrested after police officers responded to a report of a fight at a location on Ellicott Street on Dec. 27. Bombard is accused of injuring another person and damaging that person's property. He was arraigned and released.

Jennifer M. Beswick, 41, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/Drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Beswick was arrested on Dec. 27 by Batavia PD following an investigation into a traffic accident that occurred on July 29. Beswick was issued an appearance ticket.

Jason C. Mann, 47, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Mann is accused of damaging another person's property during a fight in the parking lot at 587 East Main St., Batavia, on Dec. 24. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Martin J. Rodgers, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Rogers is accused of damaging a window at a residence on Oak Street on Dec. 19 during an argument. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Naquan J. Shepherd, 24, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Shepherd allegedly hit another person during an argument on Hutchins Street, Batavia, on Dec. 20. Shepherd was issued an appearance ticket.

Ronald J. Murray, 29, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on Dec. 26. The warrant stems from an incident on Aug. 11. Murray is accused of possessing narcotics. He was arraigned and released. 

Henry C. Roberts, 19, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Roberts is accused of shoplifting from Tops on Dec. 29. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Levy Spikes, Jr., 50, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Spikes was charged following a traffic stop by a Batavia PD patrol on Dec. 24 on Lewiston Road. He was issued traffic tickets.

Malik Isiah Ayala, 32, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Ayala is accused of stealing a pair of Nike sneakers from Dick's Sporting Goods at 4:22 p.m. Jan. 13. When taken into custody, he was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Mark E. Green, 42, of Hermitage Road, Warsaw, is charged with harassment 2nd. Green is accused of hitting another person at a residence on Briarwood Terrace, Batavia, at 5:50 p.m. on Jan. 14. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Scott David Murray, 38, no residence provided, is charged with assault 3rd and criminal obstruction of breathing.  Murray was arrested on Jan. 2 in connection with an incident reported on Dec. 30 at a location in Darien. Murray is accused of striking another person in the face multiple times and applying pressure to the neck of that person multiple times.  He was held for arraignment.

Joseph M. Andrews, 47, of East Crestwood Court, Lockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, open container, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Andrews is accused of driving off the roadway at 9:03 p.m. on Jan. 13 on Lewiston Road, Oakfield, while intoxicated. The incident was investigated by deputies Mason Schultz and Zachary Hoy.

Maxim James Reynolds, no age provided, of Lakes Road, Hamlin, is charged with DWI and false personation. Reynolds was stopped at 2:33 p.m. on Jan. 14 on Reed Road, Bergen, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. He was issued an appearance ticket.

A pickup vs. car accident is reported in the area of mile marker 397.4 in the eastbound lane on the Thruway.

Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls dispatched. East Pembroke requested to the scene.

No word on injuries.

Press release:

Tanisha Nicole Gibson, 38, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 2nd. Gibson is accused of intentionally causing $2,695.95 in damage to a 2008 Pontiac G6 on Jan. 8 at 1:15 a.m. at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Gibson was processed at the Genesee County Jail and held pending arraignment.

Ronald James Murray, Jr., 29 of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and unlawful use of a credit card. Murray is accused of stealing the keys and a vehicle from a person at the Quality Inn on Park Road at 3 p.m. on Dec. 2. The vehicle was later recovered in Gates. He is accused of using a credit card, which he had been given permission to use for a specific purpose, for a purpose other than intended. Murray was arraigned and released.

Sharon M. Black, 55, of Whispering Pines Circle, Greece, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Black is accused of stealing a credit card at 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 from a location on Edgewood Drive, Batavia, and using it for several unauthorized purchases. Black was issued an appearance ticket.

Allison Margaret Smith, 31, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely.  Smith is accused of being involved in an accident on Byron Holley Road, Byron, at 5:11 p.m. on Jan. 11. The accident was investigated by Deputy Zachary Hoy and Deputy Morgan Ewert. Smith was released on an appearance ticket.

Crystal Marie Bouter, 34, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bouter is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 2:51 p.m. on Dec. 15. She was arrested on Jan. 10. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jacob W. Patterson, 28, of Corfu, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest. Crystal M. Bouter, 34, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and driving while impaired by drugs.  Patterson and Bouter were arrested by State Police in the city of Batavia in connection with an incident reported at 10:25 p.m on Jan. 10. Both were issued appearance tickets.  No further information was released.

Leigha-Sabrina Marie Doreen, 2, of Oak Orchard Extension, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate headlight, and an uninspected motor vehicle. Dorreen was stopped at 2:25 a.m. on Jan. 13 on Oak Orchard Road, Elba, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Please send weather photos to news@thebatavian.com.

NOTE: Please email weather-related photos to news@thebatavian.com.

A black Kia is off the road at the Thruway interchange, just before Route 77. One occupant complaining of an arm injury. Pembroke and Indian Falls dispatched.

East Pembroke's chief is out with multiple vehicles off the road, all occupied, at 2855 Main Road.

In Pembroke, a driver was stuck in a ditch, was helped out, and then tried to leave on her own and got stuck again. Dadwells responded, and the driver refused to pay for the tow.

There is an accident in Pavilion on Route 63 near Cook Road. Pavilion Fire is on scene. Bethany Fire has shut down traffic at Texaco Town.  No injuries.

UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: A black sedan is stuck in the roadway at Swan Street and Ellicott Street, Batavia.

UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: Bethany Fire requested to Wyoming to fill in. Wyoming is working a structure fire.

UPDATE 12:03 p.m.: A deputy is out with a box truck and another vehicle off the road on Route 77 south of the village of Corfu.  

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: A Chevy silver Trac is off the road on Route 77.

UPDATE  12:42 p.m.: A tanker is off the road on Broadway Road.  A vehicle is off the road on Clinton Street Road.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: A tractor-trailer is stuck on Route 33 near Reed Road, Pembroke.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: A vehicle is off the road at Railroad and Broadway, Alexander.  A Spectrum truck is off the road, muddled location.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m.: A deputy is asked to return to 9575 Alleghany Road to assist with traffic control at the request of a tow truck operator. The deputy reports he just found another vehicle off the road and would check status before responding.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: Traffic is blocked in both directions at some location on Route 77,

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: A deputy reports they were able to get one lane open.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Corfu fire police requested to shutdown southbound traffic at Route 33 for Route 77.  A Rav 4 is stuck in the road at Alleghany and Broadway, Darien.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: A deputy is out with a vehicle at Route 33 and Ellinwood Road, Corfu.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: A U-Haul is off the road on Route 33.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: A snowmobile rollover accident is reported on Slusser Road.  The patient is inside a residence with a leg injury. East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: An SUV vs. snowplow accident is reported at Ellicott Street Road and Bethany Le Roy Road. The SUV is on its side. Bethany Fire and Stafford Fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: From the Bethany accident, three ambulances - Bethany and two Mercy EMS units -- transporting patients to Strong.

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: Route 20 at Route 63 is closed eastbound because of vehicles in the road.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: There are tractor-trailers blocking Route 77 near Flying J.  A deputy requested to help get them moved into the Flying J parking lot or the school parking lot.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Genesee County Highway Department, Emergency Management Services, and the County Manager, is continuing the travel advisory for all of Genesee County.  The advisory is anticipated to remain throughout the day on Sunday due to heavy snowfall, strong winds, and zero visibility, resulting in unsafe travel conditions.  An update will be provided once the weather conditions improve.

Sheriff Sheron and all emergency services first responders would like to thank residents for their cooperation in adhering to the travel advisory by staying off the roads and asking for continued cooperation today. 

“Please remember, even if it is not snowing where you are, the destination you are traveling to may have poor visibility and heavy snow accumulation.  The best and safest option for you and your loved ones is to stay home until the snowstorm passes,” stated Sheriff Sheron.

During a travel advisory roads are not closed, however, no unnecessary travel is advised. A trip that could wait should not be made until the advisory is lifted.  The Genesee County Sheriff's Office does not determine the necessity for any individual to report to work.

When you're charting a new path, you need a roadmap, and Shelia Eigenbrod, a year into her new job with the Genesee County Economic Development Center, has exactly that in mind.

The map would help inform high school students about career opportunities in Genesee County and what it might take to land the jobs that will put them on a path to a good salary with no college debt.

Eigenbrod, a retired Pavilion Middle School principal, is GCEDC's education consultant.

She told The Batavian after a GCEDC board of directors meeting on Thursday that her roadmap project is "very exciting."

"It's like a typical old-school map," Eigenbrod said. "It unfolds. It will contain all of the industries in Genesee County, especially those focused on advanced manufacturing. It'll designate the types of hires, whether it's engineers, skilled trades, technicians, or apprenticeship programs, and will have a lot of descriptions so that students and school counselors understand what mechatronics is, what CNC is, what advanced manufacturing is, and will also connect to workforce development."

The roadmap was the focus of her presentation on Thursday to the GCEDC board.

"This is something that is meant to be attractive to and understandable for all the guidance counselors and school officials," Eigenbrod said. "It's also something easier to hand out to students. I know we're going to compete with a lot of college materials, the mountain of stuff every graduating senior gets, but really, the message here is all the great careers we have in our community that are, no doubt, we have training programs already set up in our BOCES (and at Genesee Community College)."

She expects the map to be a nice handout at school open houses, parent meetings, and career fairs.

"We've identified a lot of the companies in Genesee County," Eigenbrod said. "We're going to have descriptors of what the company produces, their type of workforce, number of people if they're intending to hire, and if they are looking for apprenticeships, skilled trades, engineers, and technicians."

In response to board questions, she said she also expects to include information on local businesses in need of back-office help, such as accountants and other financial workers.

The map will point students to resources for training for the type of jobs available.

"I really want educators to understand what is going on, and these career pathways," she said.

Fire investigators with Batavia City Fire have concluded that Friday's blaze at the former Backhoe Joe's, 46 Swan St., was the blaze "ignited under circumstances when a fire should not be ignited," according to a press release.

The press release notes, "a fire declared incendiary does not indicate the crime of arson."

The investigation is being turned over to Batavia PD to determine if the fire was intentionally set or caused by some human action.

The building was without electrical or gas service.

Earlier today, the building's owner, Ron Viele, told The Batavian that there has been an issue with transients going into the building, perhaps lodging there.

"Probably what happened was a transient was in there who was trying to keep warm, and something stupid happened," Viele said.

See previously: Former Backhoe Joe's building nearly valueless, slated for demolition, wasn't insured owner says

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department was dispatched to a reported working structure fire at 46 Swan St. in the City on Jan. 12, 2024, at approximately 12:11 p.m. Initial dispatch reported multiple calls of flames showing.

City Fire crews were clearing two separate EMS at the time of dispatch, and Squad 17 was the first initial unit on location. Squad 17 arrived at 12:14, reporting a 3-story wood frame structure fully involved. At that time, a second Alarm was called. Engine 12 arrived four minutes after initial dispatch and requested a third alarm.

Captain Robert Fix was the initial Incident Commander and declared defensive operations with total building collapse seven minutes after initial units arrived. City Fire Chief Joshua Graham arrived at 12:23 p.m. and assumed command of the incident.

Fire crews focused on protecting an exposed building to the south of the incident structure. Crews were initially hampered by a live power line that burnt through and fell onto a metal fence, preventing them from making entry to the rear on the incident structure.

Once the fire was knocked down, an excavator was called in from Yasses. Fire investigators worked with the excavator to slowly remove debris while working to determine a cause and origin.

City of Batavia Fire Investigators believe that the fire spread through ventilation holes. No utilities were operational to the structure in preparation of demolition.   Fire Investigators have ruled the fire incendiary. Incendiary fires are defined as fires ignited under circumstances when a fire should not be ignited. 

City Fire has completed its portion of the investigation. It is important to note that a fire declared incendiary does not indicate the crime of arson. City Police will continue to investigate.

There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

City Fire would like to thank City DPW, City Police, Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, Genesee County Dispatchers, the Town of Batavia, Elba, Stafford, Pavilion, and Oakfield Fire Departments, Mercy EMS, National Fuel, National Grid, and Salvation Army for their assistance and support.

6:41 p.m.: A deputy looking for a vehicle off the road at 33 and Angling couldn't locate it, reporting whiteout conditions. The Corfu fire chief was also in the area and a short time later, he located the vehicle off the road. He reports no injuries.  Another deputy on another call at another location (didn't catch the location) reports poor visibility.

UPDATE 6:48 p.m.: A vehicle is off the road and in a ditch off Bethany Center Road. Occupants are out of the vehicle. A school bus with 22 students on board is off the road and in a ditch at 9998 Day Road, Alexander. No injuries.

UPDATE 7:01 p.m.: A driver of the bus spoke to a supervisor who is en route. The bus isn't that far off the road.  The supervisor will determine whether to send out another bus or call a wrecker to get it unstuck.

UPDATE 7:12 p.m.: There are multiple deputies assisting multiple motorists.  We didn't hear all of the initial dispatches.  One deputy is giving a courtesy lift to a truck driver to the Econo Lodge.  On Day Road, the students are being transported by law enforcement vehicles to the fire station.

UPDATE 7:39 p.m.: A car vs. pole accident is reported on Cary in Oakfield.  A Blue Jeep Compass, no injuries, is off the road on Oak Orchard Road near Batavia Elba Townline Road, Elba.

UPDATE 8:39 p.m.: The storm band seems to have moved to the south, the wind has died down, scanner traffic has slowed down.

UPDATE 8:50 p.m.: There is a tree down on wires partially blocking the roadway on Hickox Road, Alexander.

UPDATE 9:11 p.m.: An estimated 76 National Grid Customers are without power near Darien Center.  Power has been out since 8:39 p.m.  National Grid expects to restore power by 10:45 p.m. That is the only significant power outage in Genesee County.

It's been Ron Viele's intention for years to tear down the wood-framed structure at 46 Swan St., Batavia, once known as Backhoe Joe's, because it has been an eyesore on Swan that potentially devalues the rest of his property on the street.

Viele owns Viele Construction, which has an office at 61 Swan St.

"I want to make sure that street looks as good as possible," Viele told The Batavian.

He's aware of social media chatter that the fire was an "insurance fire," but it wasn't insured, he said.

"That building was not in good shape," Viele said. "It is adjacent to the railroad tracks. A former owner had taken everything out and people were coming in and taking wires and pipes, anything of value. I intended to take it down, and the building had no insurance on it."

Some years ago, he tried to buy the building, winning it at a tax lien auction for $8,000, but a former city manager felt his purchase of the building was a conflict of interest with Ron's son, Paul Viele, on City Council, so the property went to another buyer.  Then in 2018, it came up for auction again, and he and Dick Borrell teamed up to buy it for $1,800, he said. 

He bought the property with the intention of demolishing the building.

He said he owns about $800,000 worth of property on Swan Street. He wants to protect those investments.

The clean up -- after the fire -- will still cost him at least $40,000.  That may be at least $4,000 cheaper than the demolition would have cost, he said, because there is now less material to haul away.

He noted that electrical and water service had been shut off to the property for some time. 

"It was one of those buildings that could become a money pit," Viele said. "I could put six figures into it.  The return (on investment) wouldn't have been good enough to fix it."

Viele said he needed multiple permits from the city in order to proceed with demolition.  He recently got final approval and was ready to proceed, but the contractor he hired for the job was tied up, so demolition wouldn't have started for at least another two weeks.

That section of the street is zoned industrial, and the parcel is too narrow to build anything new on it because of setbacks required in the current zoning code, so once the building is cleared away, the lot will likely remain vacant.

While most people remember 46 Swan as Backhoe Joe's, it was a tavern for many decades under various names.  Those were once thriving businesses when there was still heavy manufacturing at the Harvester Center and Wiard Plow, but as employees drifted away from those industrial hubs, the bar and restaurant business on Swan Street dried up.

More recently, the building has been attractive to transients, Viele noted. He said just a week ago, he called the police to chase transients out of it, and he had asked Batavia PD to provide extra patrols in the area to keep transients away.  He put a fence around the entire property a few weeks ago to try and keep transients out of the building. 

Viele said a fire chief told him initial indications are that the fire started in the basement.

"Probably what happened was a transient was in there who was trying to keep warm, and something stupid happened," Viele said.

Fire Chief Josh Graham said that is possible, but investigators, which include investigators with Batavia PD, have not yet made a final determination on the cause and origin of the fire.

"No matter what happened, it's not a happy event," Viele said.

Previously:

• Fire reported on Swan Street
• Investigators expect to dig deep to uncover cause of fire that destroyed former Backhoe Joe's

Getting time to meet and talk with the people who hire workers at local companies is a valuable experience for soon-to-graduate seniors, said Chris Suozzi, VP of business development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Suozzi and Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business/Education Alliance, put together a job fair for graduating seniors from the region and local businesses at BOCES on Friday.

 The job fair was open to both BOCES seniors and non-BOCES students.

"We're excited that the companies are here, meeting, and trying to recruit the seniors who are going to be graduating here shortly," Suozzi said. "As we all know, everybody needs workforce."

The event is a chance for high school students to practice interview skills as well as learn about employment opportunities in Genesee County.

"A lot of them, as you know, may not have a job yet," Suozzi said. "They don't even have a part-time job. So they use so soft skills today, where their eye to eye with a company."

Photos by Howard Owens.

No piece of lumber, so to speak, will go unturned at 46 Swan St., Batavia, the former Backhoe Joe's, as fire investigators attempt to determine how a conflagration enveloped the vacant building on Friday afternoon and brought it to the ground.

Both Chief Josh Graham, City Fire, and Capt. Robert Fix, said as of yet, they have no clue how the fire started or why it spread so quickly.

An initial caller at about 12:10 p.m. reported smoke coming from one of the windows.  A few minutes later, Fix was leaving the County Courthouse, where Engine 17 had been dispatched earlier for a medical call, and he saw a tower of smoke to the east and immediately called for a second alarm.

"Upon arrival, it was fully engulfed in fire throughout all the windows," Fix said. "That's when we went to a third alarm because of the large brick exposure building and set up for defensive operations."

All City Fire platoons were dispatched to the fire. Oakfield Fire filled in at City Fire's hall. Town of Batavia, Stafford, and Elba all responded to the scene.

There have been no reported injuries.

Fix said the first concern was protecting nearby buildings, particularly the closest structure, a brick building to the south of 46 Swan, which explains the defensive posture of fire crews.

There was also an issue with sufficient water flow from one fire hydrant.

"The problem is with the fire, this fire, if you start using too many hydrants in the same neighborhood, you're robbing water from each other at that point," Fix said. "So we had some of the mutual aid fire departments come in off Liberty Street and start bringing a water supply from a different area."

As for potential reasons why the fire spread so quickly, Fix suggested the afternoon's strong breeze fed the flames. 

"There was a pretty good east wind here like there is now, you know, during the fire and having the vacant lot across the street and the railroad tracks, the wind is whipping right through here pretty good," Fix said. "But other than that, I don't have a reason why it got such a good head start on us."

Graham noted the age of the wood structure. Also, since the building was in the midst of demolition.

"It's an older structure," Graham said. "There's a lot of holes in it, a lot of ventilation and stuff to feed the fire. So it could be as simple as that. I can't rule anything out. We just don't know at this point."

Neither Graham nor Fix would speculate on the possible cause of the fire.

The structure has been vacant for a long, long time -- nobody at the scene seemed to know how long.  Over the summer, there were signs of work being done on the building, then a safety fence was erected around the entire lot, and a sign for Viele Construction was on the Swan Street side of the property.

The county lists 46 Swan Street LLC and the property owner. That LLC has a mailing address of 61 Swan St., Batavia, which is the location of Viele Construction.

County tax records say the "actual year built" for the structure was 1920, with an "effective year built" of 1970.  The lot size is .16 acres. The commercial use is listed as a tavern with 1,943 square feet. The total area of the structure was 3,886 square feet. 

In 2002, Joseph Garland sold the property to 46 Swan Street LLC for $70,000.  The LLC sold it in December 2011 for $1 to Julie Pappalardo.  The City of Batavia is listed as the owner prior to a sale on March 27, 2018, to Richard Borrell. He owned it until June 26, 2018, when 46 Swan Street LLC reacquired it for $1.  With the exception of the 2002 deed record, the property is listed as unusable for valuation. 

Its most recent total assessed value is $22,000. The land is assessed at $6,400.

For more photos, when the building was fully engulfed, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.