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Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department is proud to announce our new Fire Department Chaplain, Deacon Dave Erhart of Le Roy.

Deacon Dave comes to us with an impressive resume, including 40 years of fire service experience with the Le Roy Fire Department as both a firefighter and Chaplain. He is currently serving as a Deacon with Our Lady of Mercy Church in Le Roy.

He received Fire Chaplain training at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls and is a member of the New York State Order of Chaplains.

Fire Chaplains provide a valuable service to the Fire Department members and their families. We look forward to this partnership and are fortunate to have a local resource available with such experience.

Press release:

Batavia Geoff Harloff continues to light it up at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 47-year-old right-hander started and finished strong in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League this week en route to a 754 series on lanes 13-14.

Harloff rolled 12 consecutive strikes in the opening game for his fifth United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game and, following a 187 middle game, rebounded with a 267 to close out the night.

The night before, he posted a 705 series in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League and two nights before that, registered 693 while substituting in the Turnbull Heating Triples League. 

At 222, his average is among the top 10 at Mancuso's this season.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action over the past week:

• Mike Pettinella of Batavia raised his average to 233 with a 245-256-269--769 effort in the Turnbull Heating Triples League;

• Batavians Rich Wagner and Tom McJury set the pace in the Toyota of Batavia League with 748 and 746, respectively. Wagner upped his average to 224.

• Mike Lyons of Elba continued his fine season at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen with a 277 game and 739 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.

BARDOLS, BROWN , PFIEFER WIN RIGGI TOURNAMENT

The team of Caycee and Chris Bardol, Mark Brown and Tim Pfeifer combined for a 3,610 score to place first in the Ron Riggi Memorial Tournament at Legion Lanes in Le Roy last weekend. The winning team split $800.

Brown also was on the second place teams with Harloff, Jason Quilliam and Matt Balduf. They earned $400.

Aaron Philp won the optional singles event, winning $125.

The tournament drew 24 teams.

Submitted story.

In a game that saw 15 lead changes, Elba needed one more they couldn't get, falling 58-55 to Andover-Whitesville in the Class D2 sectional finals Saturday night.

Andover-Whitesville's Vanessa Hall tallied a game-high 28 points, including six points in the last 39 seconds to seal the win for the Panthers.

Hall struggled in the first half shooting 4-for-15 from the floor for 10 points but turned it around in the second half on 8-of-16 field goals for 18 points. The senior made several tough inside shots, and a few nice interior passes to set up Panther teammates as well. Hall was named the Class D2 tournament MVP.

Sixth-seeded Elba (13-11) played tough throughout, grabbing an 11-10 lead after one quarter. Maddie Hall nailed a 3-pointer to get the scoring started for the Lancers, while freshman Lydia Ross and sophomore Sydney Reilly both scored four points in the opening stanza.

Reilly, who leads Elba with over 16 points per game, picked up her third foul just one minute into the second quarter. Elba would not relinquish the lead in her absence. Mariah Ognibene and Ross netted two-point baskets before Kennedy Augello got hot. The junior guard sandwiched an inside basket between two 3-pointers to give Elba the 23-21 edge at the half.

Elba's Hailie Scouten led the charge to start the third quarter. The junior forward swished a 3-pointer from the right wing to start the quarter and then 30 seconds later knocked a trey in off the board to give Elba its biggest lead of the game at 29-21. Scouten added one more basket later in the quarter and finished with nine points, 13 rebounds, three assists and five blocks.

Ross, who finished with a team-high 13 points and spear-headed the Lancers all night, added four points in the third quarter. Reilly, who came back in with 30 seconds left in the frame, and Hall added three and two points, respectively, in the quarter.

Andover-Whitesville's Hall paced her team with 10 points in the third quarter, and Graci Lewis-Ellison added five. Both teams scored 17 points resulting in a 40-38 Elba advantage after three.

The Panthers started the fourth quarter with six straight points to take a 44-40 lead. Then both Ross and Ognibene scored on putbacks for Elba to tie the game once again at 44-44 halfway through the final quarter. A free throw by Scouten gave the Lancers their final lead of the game with three minutes left.

Hall gave Andover-Whitesville the lead right back on the very next possession slicing into the lane for a tough inside bucket.

Ognibene would tie the game once more with her own free throw with 2:30 left, but Panthers senior Gabby Terhune netted a layup on a nice assist from Hall seconds later to put Andover-Whitesville up for good. Two Panther free throws and two more baskets from Hall put Elba down 54-49 with just 30 seconds remaining.

Reilly made an off-balance basket and was fouled on the Lancers' next possession. The following free throw made it 54-52 in favor of the Panthers. Foul shots from Hall, Terhune and Lewis-Ellison increased the lead to 58-52 with 11 seconds left in the game.

Augello swished one more three-pointer, her third of the night, as the buzzer sounded. She finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Ognibene ended with five points and a game-high 16 rebounds for Elba, while Reilly ended with 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Ross, who was named to the all-tournament team, also had four rebounds, four assists and three steals to go with her 13 points for the Lancers.

Elba's Hall tallied five points, while junior Ava Chatt rounded out the Lancers scoring with two points.

Andover-Whitesville's Lewis-Ellison ended with eight points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Bledsoe finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Reilly, Lewis-Ellison and Bledsoe were also named to the all-tournament team.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia phone lines to all department have been restored. 

Please be advised that there is a scheduled planned outage of the City phone system on Monday. 

The City is replacing old, end of life office phones with new ones through a contract with Ring Central. 

The anticipated outage time for Monday is 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

City offices will still be open and operating during this time, and email is not expected to be affected. 

Press Release:

Currently the City of Batavia phone system is down for all City locations.

In case of an emergency please remember to call 911. City police and fire will be notified about any emergency situations directly from dispatch and will operate as normal. 

Thank you in advance for your patience, and we will keep you up to date with information as we work to get our phones back online.

 

Press release:

“This is careers. It's all about working with people. Bring your chairs up closer!” Christopher Kemp, Director of Mathematics and Engineering Science at Genesee Community College, addressed a group of Byron- Bergen High School students clustered at the back of the Technology classroom. In getting the students to move to the front of the room, Kemp summed up Career Day perfectly: It’s all about working with people.

In February, Byron-Bergen alumni and local professionals visited the Jr./Sr. High School to participate in Career Day. The event featured a full morning of workshops and panel discussions developed to help students think about their future goals. The event was organized by Byron-Bergen College and Career Counselor Rob Kaercher in collaboration with administration, faculty, and community members.

“It’s great for the students to start thinking about options and setting goals for after graduation,” said Kaercher. “Setting career goals now may influence their course of study in high school or the extracurriculars in which they participate – even if that path is designed to help keep options open for students who aren’t sure, yet.”

The day included 16 presentations from over 25 participants. Topics ranged from financial literacy to trade unions to entrepreneurship to the military to comparing two- and four-year colleges. The young alumni panelists were able to offer insight about continued education and acknowledge when you might need to set new goals.

“I participated in legal academy in high school because I thought I wanted to be a police officer, but it turned out that I didn’t like it. So, I changed my course of study to Exercise Physiology,” said Class of 2017 graduate Grace Campbell. “When I thought about what I could do with that degree, I decided to get my teaching certification, and now I teach physical education and health at the Elementary School. The kids are fun, and I really enjoy it. Changing paths was a good decision.”

The professional alumni panel all agreed on the value of extracurricular activities. “As fun as your extracurricular activities are, they add value,” said Liberty Pumps Chief Financial Officer Dennis Burke. “Those activities teach you to get along and interact with other people.”

Amy Mercovich, owner of Bergen Family Chiropractic, agreed. “In school, I participated in a lot of extracurriculars: student council, clubs, and sports. They taught me how to lead, delegate, and manage people. That’s a big skill set to develop.”

Other presentation topics included engineering, communications, law enforcement, study abroad, agriculture, education, civil service, goal setting, computers and technology, and the non-profit sector.

March 2, 2022 Contact: Gretchen Spittler Byron-Bergen Communications Specialist (585) 794-6340

“Working in a non-profit is supporting something bigger than myself,” said George Eastman House Publications Manager and Creative Director Amy Schelemanow. “There are lots of different jobs at museums: scientists, object handlers, lawyers, accountants, facilities. It’s not just people in the arts.”

Career Day was a chance for students to ask themselves who they want to be, and who they want to work with and start setting goals for their paths to the future. “Whether they envision themselves working with children, in an office, on a farm, in a factory, in healthcare, or from home, the goal of Career Day was to start the conversation,” said Kaercher. “I’m grateful for our supportive community of alumni and local professionals for taking the time to help guide the next generation of Byron-Bergen graduates.”

The following companies, organizations, and educational institutions were represented at the Byron-Bergen Career Day: Kircher Construction, Bergen Chiropractic, Gillam Grant Community Center, Corporate Flooring Innovations, Army National Guard, Tompkins Bank of Castile, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Genesee Community College, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Monroe Community College, Genesee County Human Resources, SUNY Brockport ROTC, GCASA, Charred Flags, George Eastman Museum, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Liberty Pumps, the FBI, Porter Farms, and Byron-Bergen CSD. 

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is calling for vendors to participate in our 2023 Home Show on April 14,15,16, 2023.  Seeking a variety of vendors:  Home Improvement, Realty, Lawn Equipment, Farm Equipment, Windows and Doors Gutters and Siding, Entertainment, Home Goods, etc.

The Home Show will be held at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, 22 Evans Street, Batavia.  This 8th Annual event brings together 2,500 people over the course of three days.

Interested vendors will need to return the application and booth fees by March 10th to be included in advertisements. Applications can be downloaded from the Chamber's website at https://geneseeny.com/home-show/ and are available at the Chamber's office, 8276 Park Road.  Space is limited and on a first-come basis. 

Photo: File photo from 2022 show by Howard Owens

Press release:

In February, students in sixth grade as well as several clubs and student organizations celebrated the accomplishments of Black individuals, both historic and contemporary, throughout a day of learning.

Highlights included a demonstration from special guests, pianist and composer Timothy Digba Ogunbiyi and dancer and choreographer Solange Rodrigues, followed by a group presentation by High School students Dayanara Caballero, Deborah Catalino, Malachi Smith, Roman Smith, Solomon Smith, Joshua Tardy, and Ava Wagoner.

Ogunbiyi and Rodrigues collaborated on an improvised performance that conveyed the emotions of sadness, anxiety, confusion, and happiness. At the conclusion, each performer gave a brief presentation about their careers in the arts and the decisions which brought them to their current success. They also led individual break-out sessions with smaller groups of students after the performance.

Ogunbiyi is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, where he planned to become an engineer until deciding to dedicate himself to music. He has studied classical and jazz piano and is currently a doctoral candidate in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music. He kicked off the assembly in a combined performance with the Byron-Bergen Jazz Ensemble and discussed improvisation during his break-out session.

Rodrigues is from Greece, New York. She began dancing at the age of three and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance with a concentration in choreography from SUNY Purchase in 2020. She currently teaches dance and fitness classes in the Rochester area, is a member of several performing dance troupes, and is moving to Brooklyn to join the Pocket Fuel Groovers, a dance company founded by her brother.

“I want to thank Mrs. Alyson Tardy for coordinating this excellent presentation for our students,” said Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School Principal Ashley John Grillo. “It was an absolute treat to have such highly trained professionals share their music and dance experiences with our students.”

Sixth-grade teacher Alyson Mercedes Tardy also hosted the High School students’ presentation in her classroom. The students discussed segregation, and representation and introduced the movie “Hidden Figures.” They talked about historic and contemporary Black individuals who many of the younger students had not heard of or could not recognize, important figures in history and culture who are, in a way, hidden. Some of the featured individuals, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, the students knew right away. Others the younger students could not identify, such as Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space; civil rights activist Claudette Colvin; and Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony Award-winning actor James Earl Jones Students even struggled to identify basketball legend Michael Jordan. While learning about these and other important Black individuals, they were given the opportunity to consider who each is and why they may be less well-known than other individuals.

After a discussion of these hidden figures, the day ended with a screening of the 2016 award-winning feature film “Hidden Figures.” It is the real-life story of a female team of Black mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Despite their important contributions, they remained widely unknown for decades.

As the day ended, the participating students had experienced jazz, musical improvisation, and dance improvisation, learned about important Black individuals and historic events and were given the opportunity to consider the importance of representation in history and contemporary culture.

“It was a great day at B-B celebrating Black History Month,” said Grillo. 

Press release:

Since 1959, the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District has honored a deserving agricultural producer with the Conservation Farm of the Year Award. This award is given to a producer with a long-term commitment to sustainable conservation, leads by example, and implements best management practices for farm conservation. This year’s recipient is Naas Farms, LLC., of Oakfield, NY.

Naas Farms, LLC. is a 700-acre grain and vegetable farm that is owned and operated by Bruce and Jessica Naas. Taking care of their land has always been a high priority. The farm has adopted many best management practices over the years to improve its land and the environment. The farm grows crops with limited tillage or no-till equipment. Cover crops are planted after the harvest of the commodity crop to improve soil health and reduce soil erosion. The farm sells cover crop seed and occasionally lends equipment to their neighbors to promote soil health beyond their acreage. The farm recently constructed an agrochemical storage and mixing facility to reduce the environmental risk in storing and mixing fertilizers and herbicides. The farm has also created a pollinator habitat to promote populations of our native bees and insects.

Bruce and Jessica Naas have three children, Brett, Aaron, and Chelsey. They are both active outside of their farming operation. Both have had careers off of the farm, with Jessica driving school bus and Bruce working for the NYS Department of Transportation for over 30 years each. Bruce has sat on several boards and committees, including leadership roles in the Genesee County Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency County Committee in Genesee County, and the NY Corn and Soybean Growers Association.

Naas Farms, LLC. has been an active participant with the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service since 1983. To recognize the work that has been done, the farm will be presented the 2022 Conservation Farm of the Year Award at the Celebrate Agriculture Dinner on March 25, 2023, at the Alexander Fire Hall.

Press release:

The Richmond Memorial Library is pleased to offer HP Chromebooks, which will be available for patrons to check out beginning this week.

The Chromebooks were received through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Grant as part of the FCC American Rescue Plan Act. The Chromebooks can be checked out for a period of three weeks with a valid NIOGA library card in good standing. They include a power cord and all instructions.

The NIOGA Library System includes public libraries in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee Counties. Chromebooks can only be checked out at the Richmond Memorial Library and must also be returned to the Richmond Memorial Library. 

The Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia. Find us online at batavialibrary.org. 

Press release:

Promoting a fair and equitable marketplace is the work of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, Department of Weights & Measures (GO Health W&M). This department protects open market transactions, ensuring fairness for both buyers and sellers.

“The worth of county and state Weights & Measures departments are more valuable than ever. Persistent price increases of everyday necessities are straining our communities, and people are stretching their money to new levels. We are here to make sure you get what you are paying for,” stated Ronald P. Mannella, GO Health W&M Director.

2022 included 470 inspections accounting for 1,211 devices in 209 businesses. These tests involved pumping more than 26,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5.9 million pounds of test weight. The department handled 13 complaint investigations, confirmed 591 package weights & 300 item prices, and collected 132 fuel samples confirming fuel sold within both counties met a variety of parameters.

With support from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, GO Health has already confirmed over five times as many item prices compared to 2022. “This is just another way we are able to protect consumers. Pricing accuracy is our top priority going forward,” stated Mannella.

2023 Audits (to date):

• 92 Overcharges (Prices at checkout were higher than shelf tags)
• 30 Undercharges (Prices at checkout were lower than shelf tags)
• 8 Missing shelf tags

Keep a watchful eye on your receipts to confirm prices match at checkout.

Sharing Services, Reducing Costs
After recently celebrating 10 years of shared services between the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, GO Health W&M started its fourth year of the cross county collaboration. Savings have exceeded $150,000 in W&M costs alone.

Press release:

Three State University of New York (SUNY) colleges have joined forces to help employers eager to hire along with workers ready to learn the needed skills for advanced manufacturing careers.

Western New York (WNY) employers face a crisis with a lack of skilled manufacturing workers. In response, Alfred State College, Genesee Community College, and Jamestown Community College established WNYworks.org. The faculty at each college stays in constant contact with regional employers to know the exact skills needed for graduates to land great-paying jobs. The new collaboration of colleges is a marketing initiative to attract more interested students, both high school graduates and workers looking to upskill and upgrade their career paths.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) estimates that 2.1 million jobs will be left empty by 2030 waiting for qualified workers. Manufacturers employ more than 60,000 employees earning an average of $85,474 annually in Western New York according to NAM. Nearly every manufacturing company in the region knows the pain of open positions with 77 percent reporting that they currently are ready to hire and cannot find skilled professionals.

That's why WNYworks.org was launched. Alfred State College, Genesee, and Jamestown Community Colleges offer dozens of different certificate and associate degrees in manufacturing. These colleges are spread across multiple WNY locations to make skill-building more convenient. After bringing all those options into one website, WNYworks.org is actively recruiting and advertising to make dreams of high-paying careers a reality.

Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, WNYworks.org will increase the number of available skilled workers. These new hires are needed to fuel the WNY economy as the manufacturing industry is booming. The marketing tools being used are the website, brochures, social media, digital advertising, and emotionally engaging videos to showcase graduate success stories.

In Western New York, some of the prevailing wages include $60,800 for computer and electronics manufacturing jobs, $79,300 for transportation equipment work, $60,100 for fabricated metal workers, and $60,460 for mechatronics technicians according to the US Department of Labor. Check out all the careers available at WNYworks.org/advanced-manufacturing.

A memorandum of understanding between the three colleges outlines how each is a participant in this new venture. Leaders from each college are excited by the potential for assisting more students to find their new careers and employers to find much-needed skilled workers.

Vice President of Enrollment Management Betsy Penrose of Alfred State College said, "WNY Works is a collaborative effort to heighten awareness and interest in associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit training to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for individuals to launch high-demand careers. The goal of this effort, in part, is to reframe perceptions of learning opportunities that lead to careers such as highly skilled trades and technical opportunities in manufacturing. Stackable credentials and laddered programs now provide opportunities for both traditional-aged students and adults seeking retraining to start a new, viable, and well-compensated career."

Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Dr. Shelitha Williams of Genesee Community College said, "Genesee Community College is thrilled to be a part of WNYworks.org, bringing together the resources of three SUNY colleges to help bridge the gap between employers and skilled workers in the thriving manufacturing industry. Our commitment to providing quality education and career opportunities to our students aligns perfectly with the mission of this initiative."

"JCC is excited to partner with Alfred State and Genesee Community College in fulfilling the mission of WNY Works," said Dr. Kirk Young, Jamestown Community College's vice president of Student Affairs. "We stay in constant communication with our regional employers' needs and understand the skills graduates must have to land rewarding jobs. This project continues to power our dedication to training our local workforce and supporting our manufacturers."

WNYworks.org enlisted the support and expertise of Interact Communications, a leader in student recruitment for two-year degrees. Their research confirmed how the pandemic and current economic climate have negatively impacted enrollment in two-year degree programs. More recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows that the number of two-year degree-seeking students inched up nationally by just under half of one percent for a positive trend based on Fall 2022. WNYworks.org hopes to add fuel to that recovery to help more students launch new careers.

Press release:

New York State’s First County Forest has an Environmental Education Assistant Internship and a Watershed Education Assistant Internship position open for May to August of 2023. Both positions are administered through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and are located at the Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany, NY. Applicants must be a US citizen and at least eighteen years old with a high school diploma or GED. SCA interns earn $175/week and are eligible for an education award of $1,718 that may be used for student loans, tuition, classes or future college costs at upon completion of the internship. Both jobs require 40 hours/week for 14 weeks of service from May through August of 2023. Hours are 6 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Flexibility is given to cover prescheduled programs outside of normal working hours within the 40-hour work week.

Interns develop, organize, plan and lead environmental education programs for audiences of all ages in a wide variety of settings under the guidance of park staff. Interns also coordinate the efforts of park volunteers.

Additional job duties include but are not limited to:

• Providing customer service to park visitors
• Planning volunteer and park events
• Writing articles for the parks seasonal newsletter
• Marketing for park events, programs and resources
• Providing training and orientation to new park volunteers

Additional benefits:

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification training provided
• Experience and on-the-job training in Environmental Education and Volunteer Coordinating
• Deeper knowledge of natural history and ecology
• Job duties include recreational volunteer outings
• Networking with professionals in Environmental Science and Education

The application deadline is March 17, 2023

Apply online at https://www.thesca.org/position/environmental-education-intern-western-ny- regional-candidate-only-po00735001/ for Environmental Education Assistant and https://www.thesca.org/position/environmental-education-intern-western-ny-regional-candidate- only-po00735053/ for Watershed Education Assistant. For additional information contact Shannon Lyaski, Conservation Education Program Coordinator at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us. 

Press release:

Over 450 local high school students had the opportunity to explore their career options at a local job fair held on February 28th at the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, which is part of the Batavia BOCES campus. The event, organized by the Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (Genesee County BEA) was open to all high school seniors in the area and featured a variety of local businesses looking to hire new talent.  

“The Genesee County BEA is proud to partner with Genesee Valley BOCES, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and GLOW with Your Hands to promote future career opportunities for our graduating seniors.  Many seniors have not finalized the next phase of their lives post-graduation, and the Graduating Senior Job Fair provides students the opportunity to speak with potential employers about their job openings and what training/apprenticeship programs they provide at no cost to the student.  The possibilities are endless!  Equally as important is introducing employers to CTE teachers who are teaching technical skills to the future workforce, and we witnessed several teachers and businesses exchanging contact information.  Hopefully, we will see new business partnerships developing as a result of this event,” explained Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director.  

Erica Gibson, Graphic Arts Teacher, led her class into the job fair and was excited to see what opportunities were available for her students.  “There are a lot of jobs in our area, and you don’t have to go somewhere else to make money. I saw a lot of students talking to different companies, and it made me happy to see them engaging with employers,” explained Gibson.  

Some of the businesses that attended the job fair included Liberty Pumps, HP Hood, Batavia Downs, OATKA, and Six Flags Darien Lake. These companies represented a diverse range of industries, from manufacturing and gaming to food production and entertainment.

During the event, students had the chance to speak with representatives from various companies and learn more about the types of jobs available. Many of the businesses had information booths set up with flyers and brochures describing their job openings and requirements.  Students left with information from different companies and were eager to follow up with these businesses in the future.  

Senior Rocco Mika from Batavia Central School is in the Metal Trades program at Batavia CTE Center.  Rocco explained he is currently learning Welding and Machining but he is more interested in pursuing a career in Welding.  “I was looking forward to the welding opportunities.  A lot of students don’t get these opportunities, and a lot of kids don’t put themselves out there, but it’s easier to put yourself out there with these events,”  said Rocco.

Computer Information Systems Student Donte Marsceill from Batavia Central Schools is only a junior, but he also attended the event to see what it was about.  “I think this is a good opportunity to get out there and a step forward for searching for a job after school.  As of now I plan on going to college to earn a degree but this is something I now consider as well,” said Donte’.  

Shaina Snyder, a senior at Attica Central Schools, who is enrolled in the Medal Trades program, is interested in the machining aspect of her program.   “The job fair lets students get a view of what they can do after high school.  I would like to get a job and go right into the work field.  I really want to be a cnc machinist,” explained Shaina.    

Batavia CTE Center offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for careers in various fields, including healthcare, technology, and construction. The job fair provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn more about the local job market and connect with potential employers.

Overall, the job fair was a success, with many students leaving the event feeling more informed and better prepared for their future careers. The BEA plans to continue hosting job fairs in the future, with the hope of providing even more opportunities for local students to explore their career options.

Press release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), co-chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, introduced a resolution calling for an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in federal, state, and local elections.

Cosponsors of this resolution include Rep Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep Mike Bost (R-IL), Rep Mary Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Delegate James Moylan (Guam).

Recently, multiple jurisdictions around the nation, including New York City, San Francisco, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, have attempted to water down our sacred right of citizenship by extending the right to vote to non-citizens. Tenney’s resolution provides for an amendment to the United States Constitution to ensure that only citizens of the United States are allowed to vote in federal, state, and local elections.

“The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights we have as American citizens,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “A citizen of another nation should not be allowed to vote in elections that will influence government officials and U.S. laws at any level. It is time to restore confidence in our elections and rebuild faith in our self-governing Constitutional Republic by making it explicit that only American citizens are permitted to vote in local, state, and federal elections. I am honored to introduce this important piece of legislation.”

You can view the text of this resolution here.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C - Batavia) spent the day traveling the district and reading to students in recognition of ‘Read Across America’ Day, which celebrates the importance of reading and literacy across New York and the nation. Hawley visited Pembroke Primary School and read to the entire first grade class, Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School’s first-grade class and Oak Orchard Primary School’s kindergarten class. 

“Reading is such a joy, especially when you’re younger, and I’m grateful I had a day to share in that joy with students across the district,” Hawley said. “Taking a moment to help foster a healthy relationship with reading and literacy early on is incredibly important. I’m thankful for the schools that partnered with me today and allowed me to come read with their students, and I’m thankful to the students for their enthusiasm.”

Submitted photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C - Batavia) reads I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! By Dr. Seuss to the Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School’s first-grade class.

Press release:

Higher-income eligibility (revised) for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) (due to higher federal poverty guidelines) in New York. Single individuals with Medicare have a gross income of up to $2,280 per month, and couples with monthly gross incomes of up to $3,077. New York State does NOT look at your assets for this program.

The MSP helps older adults and people with disabilities living on low incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums ($164.90 each month) and enrolling them in Extra Help, the federal prescription drug subsidy program that the Social Security Administration estimates is worth about $5,100 per year. This program lowers prescription costs and gets rid of the deductible and the “donut hole,” or gap coverage.  The financial assistance can be a lifeline, allowing enrollees to maintain their Medicare coverage, access needed care, and afford other necessities, like food and rent.

The Genesee County Office for the Aging will be holding a walk-in assistance day for anyone will be new to this program, on Wednesday, March 29th, from 2 to4 p.m.  We are located at 2 Bank Street in Batavia.  Bring with you: a birth certificate, social security card, Medicare card, License, Current (2023) Social Security award letter, and any other reoccurring income proof (weekly, monthly, or yearly).

Press Release:

After an extensive review of the operations and business plan, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced today it will be idling its Pavilion, N.Y., manufacturing plant. The plant is operated under WNY Enterprises, a joint venture between DFA and Craigs Station Ventures.

“Business decisions that impact people’s lives are never easy,” says Martin Bates, president, DFA Ingredient Solutions. “The employees at this facility have done an excellent job producing high-quality dairy ingredients. We will continue to explore alternative uses for the facility that will generate acceptable financial returns to all stakeholders and provide a beneficial market for our farmer-owners’ milk.”

The plant, where 13 people are currently employed, will idle production on March 31, 2023. DFA will assist employees to help them through this transition, including extending employment opportunities at nearby facilities and offering separation and outplacement support.