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Press release:

Statement from NYSCEA President Marcus Molinaro on the End of COVID-19 State of Emergency:

"Today, we learned from a tweet that the Governor will end the COVID-19 State of Emergency, effective tomorrow (June 24). 

"This is yet another important milestone signaling the approaching end of a pandemic that so many heroic Americans have battled for over 16 grueling months.

"On behalf of the counties of New York, in addition to all those who played a critical role, I thank the leaders and government employees who were too often the unsung heroes in this pandemic. They all worked tirelessly, day and night saving lives and rebuilding our communities.

"Counties across New York led the local response to this catastrophe. County leaders were the onsite incident commanders, leading local emergency response, and our local health and mental health departments were the tip of the spear in administering the testing, tracing, and vaccination efforts that made this day possible. 

"And, on behalf of all county governments, I extend our heartfelt prayers to those who lost loved ones. We are committed to recovering and rebuilding in their memory and honor."

Press release:

The Salvation Army in partnership with Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia will be hosting their final food box distribution at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 28^th.

The distribution will take place at the church's north campus located at 8160 Bank Street Road. This is a drive-thru distribution.

Be sure your trunk/hatch are cleared out for the volunteers to place the boxes in your vehicle. You will need a photo ID for each household you will be picking up for.

There will be boxes of assorted fresh produce and boxes of assorted dairy items. The distribution will continue until the boxes are gone.

When lining up ahead of time please do not block traffic and stay in your vehicle until it is time to procede.

Press release:

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is getting back in the “swing”of things. We are “teeing off” with a new FUN-raiser and we are asking for some assistance in making this event a success.

“Links & Drinks” is a unique golf outing that will be held Aug. 14, 2021 at Terry Hills Golf Course, Batavia. This event will consist of nine holes of shenanigans, beverage tastings on select holes, chicken barbeque, music, and an evening full of fun.

Registration for golfers will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by a shotgun start at 4 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities are available as listed below, donations of gift cards or basket raffle items are also appreciated.

Sponsorship levels are as follows:

• Event Sponsor                 $500
• Music Sponsor                 $250
• Beverage Cart Sponsor   $200
• Hole Sponsor                   $100

If you would like to participate in the event, the costs are as follows:

• Golf Foursome               $320
• Dinner/Music                   $40

Join the “Club”and help us Lend a Hand for Hope and continue our mission of assisting families with the challenges of a pediatric cancer, supporting research in finding a cure, and providing grants for youth activities in Western New York communities.

Please let us know if you can help in any way by calling the Foundation phone at (585) 861-0550, Donna Kabel at (585) 993-1580, or Laurie Napoleone at (585) 409-3275.

From the city's Department of Public Works:

The City of Batavia Water Department is going to be repairing a water line at 10 Vernon Ave. at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23. The repair will require the road to be shut down for through traffic. 

This will include emergency vehicles.

The road should be open by 3 p.m.

The City appreciates your patience while we perform this repair.

For the fourth consecutive year, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has been selected as one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York.

The annual listing of businesses honored through the Best Companies to Work for in New York program was created by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New York, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

The 2021 Best Companies to Work for in New York list is made up of 72 companies, including the not-for-profit GCASA, which offers services in the areas of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery.

GCASA Executive Director John Bennett said he was proud to be honored for a fourth year, recognizing his staff “as amazing individuals who help people in our communities every day.”

“Our employees give back in so many ways and are deserving of having a great place to work,” he said. “We try to be family-oriented and give staff flexibility in creating their own schedule which is a highly-rated perk we offer. This year, we are improving our in-house training and education opportunities and addressing some salary inequities compared to other regional organizations in our category.”

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity;
• Be a publicly or privately held business;
• Have a facility in the state of New York;
• Have at least 15 employees working in New York; and
• Must be in business a minimum of 1 year.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in New York. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation.

The second part consisted of a survey to measure the employee experience. This part was worth approximately 75 percent of the total. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings.

Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in New York and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

Kim Corcoran, GCASA’s director of Human Resources, said the agency’s staff is committed to providing the best possible services to its communities.

“GCASA is extremely honored to be recognized once again,” she said. “Along with an employer-completed survey, 125 staff were asked to respond to a survey to include areas regarding GCASA’s leadership, corporate culture and communication, work environment, pay and benefits, supervision, and overall engagement. This is quite a tribute to our staff and reflects the positive environment fostered by our leadership.”

All honorees will be celebrated at an online event at 5:30 p.m. July 28. For more information about the event go to https://rbj.net/events/best-companies/

To learn more about attending the event or sponsoring contact rbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com.

For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York program, visit www.BestCompaniesNY.com.

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

2021 LEGISLATIVE RECAP: SENSELESS SPENDING AND AN ABSENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

This last year, industry and society at large have shifted drastically as the challenges we’ve faced have forced us to be more innovative and resilient than ever before. However, even as private businesses and families alike found new ways to thrive while braving a pandemic, it was another year of business as usual for the Governor and his allies in the legislative Majority.

They worked to raise taxes, chip away further at our constitutional rights and construct the most expensive budget in our state’s history, a monstrous proposal that spends more than Texas and Florida do within a year COMBINED, while doing little for those who need help most. 

Giving recovering small businesses less than half of what’s being given to undocumented immigrants in direct assistance is unconscionable, and there’s nothing progressive about letting small, family-owned businesses die for the sake of helping people who broke our laws to be here.

These small businesses are built up over decades through generations, and are places where people find their first jobs or even their lifelong careers. They are what make the towns, villages and cities where we live the unique and special places we know them to be, and it has been incredibly saddening to see so many of them continue to struggle when there’s so much more we could have done to support them, their employees and the communities they serve.

What has been even worse than the Majority’s failure to provide adequate assistance to our small business owners, has been their unwillingness to stand up to the governor’s active attempts to encumber their success.

Even as he remained embroiled in scandal and under investigation at multiple levels of government, they refused to meaningfully curtail his emergency authority or rescind any of the restrictions he placed on small businesses, even as available scientific data demonstrated that they were unnecessary.

Despite all of the questions surrounding his conduct, and especially his handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor held a grip on power as firm as ever as we left Albany after session. Even as the Assembly itself has conducted an investigation throughout the last several months into his multiple potential wrongdoings, we still have nothing to show for it.

While this year was largely disappointing, legislatively speaking, there was at least one bright spot within it that I feel we should all be proud of. After fighting to make it happen for years and having my proposals to do so shot down in committee, I was proud to see a bill passed (A.7865) that will provide free tuition to members of Gold Star families.

While I wish we were able to pass this bill even earlier to begin helping Gold Star families as soon as possible, President Reagan said it best, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.”

So I am simply relieved to see this idea become law one way or another. It is indeed heartening that on at least one issue we were able to come together and do the right thing, so I am hopeful that next year we can build upon that success bearing in mind who we really need to be helping here in New York State.

Press release:

The City Church and St. Anthony's are excited to announce the opening back up of their Tuesday Night Activity Nights on July 6th.

They offer basketball, four square, a game room and the Liberty Arts room will be open.

The gym floor has been recently updated and is ready to be played on!

This will occur every Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. at the St. Anthony's Community Center located on 114 Liberty St. in Batavia.

Everyone is welcome and food will be provided.

They are excited to welcome the community for a night of fun and friendship!

Submitted images and press release:

The Batavia Society of Artist is hosting artist Collette Savage on Tuesday, July 13th at 6 p.m. at DeWitt Recreation Area at 115 Cedar St. in Batavia. She will be demonstrating pastels en plein air (outside).

We will be in the smallest pavilion on the left side of the park. Nonmembers welcome for a $5 fee. Please bring a chair in case Savage wants to get closer to the water.

Savage has been an artist since she could pick up a pencil. She received her bachelor’s degree in art from SUNY Brockport but has found the best education she received has come from sources outside of academia.

She has taken classes from local artists including Sari Gaby and Thomas Keggler, as well as nationally known artists Albert Handel and Marc Hanson.  Nevertheless, working directly from life on a regular basis has been her greatest teacher.

Savage has worked in pastels for the past 20 years and continues to be fascinated by all the creative ways that pastels can be used. An avid plein air pastel painter, she teaches classes in pastel painting and plein air for the beginner where she can share her knowledge and love of what she does.

Savage is a member of Suburban Rochester Art Group, Greater Rochester Plein Air Painters and the Pastel Society of Western New York. In addition to teaching classes, she does workshops and demonstrations.

Savage enjoys sharing her knowledge of pastel and plein air painting. Recently, Colette has begun recording videos on YouTube, which demonstrate pastel painting techniques. Here is the link.

You can read her blog about pastel painting here.

She also offers her pastel paintings and giclee prints on her Etsy shop. You can email her at:  cmsavage31@gmail.com

Press release:

Northgate Free Methodist Church will be offering free youth pickleball this summer for students in both middle school and high school on Thursdays at 1 p.m. All events will be held at Northgate’s South Campus (350 Bank St., Batavia).

There is no cost, no equipment or knowledge of the game required to attend. All that is required is the ambition to have a great time while learning an awesome game!

Games will begin on Thursday, July 1 and continue weekly on Thursdays.

Northgate encourages you to bring a friend and learn to “dink,” stay out of the “kitchen” and, hopefully, don’t get “pickled!”

If you have any questions, please call Pastor Daniel Calkins (585) 343-4011, or email him at:  daniel@northgatefmc.com!

Psst...Free pizza the first week!

Press release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 3.

The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands-on experience.  Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.

The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month except for November due to the holiday.

The program dates are: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11.

Youths who complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.

The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.

The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Applications for the program can be found here. 

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585)344-3960 or at:   youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Batavia Community Schools initiative are joining forces to present a “School’s Out for Summer!” informational fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Recovery Station at 5256 Clinton Sreet Road.

Shannon Ford, GCASA’s director of Communications/Development/Prevention, said the event is set up to provide available resources, such as summer activities and educational opportunities, for both parents and youth.

“GCASA’s Prevention Team is very excited to partner with Batavia Community Schools to host this event at The Recovery Station,” Ford said. “After a long, challenging school year, we want to make sure parents and youth have the resources they need to stay healthy and safe. We’re hoping families will stop by, have some fun and get some important information that we plan to share.”

Batavia Community Schools is a new program developed by the Batavia City School District. Its mission is to unite the Batavia community and schools through shared resources, working partnerships, and open, collaborative communication.

Julia Rogers, coordinator of Community Schools, said the event with GCASA “aligns nicely with our vision of building a better Batavia by promoting equitable learning activities, cultivating healthier families and establishing a stronger community.”

Thursday’s activities include Hidden Mischief (a hidden-in-plain-sight experience) for adults from 6:15-7:15 p.m. and special games for children during that time. Attendees will be able to tour the facility.

Refreshments will be available from Pub Coffee Hub.

Other participants include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hillside Children’s Center Young Life, The ACT Program.

It isn’t too late for other community agencies or organizations to participate, Rogers said, adding that she can be reached at (585) 343-2480, ext. 1004.

CLICK HERE for more information about Batavia Community Schools.

The GLOW YMCA Golf Outing was held Monday June 14^th at the Terry Hill’s Golf Club. The event was a tremendous success in raising more than $12,000 to go toward financial aid scholarships for families in the GLOW Region who wish to participate in YMCA programs or services.

This year's sponsors were: Clark Patterson Lee; Ciurzynski Consulting; Five Star Bank; Freed Maxick; Marchese Computers; Manning Squires Hennig; Bank of Castile Tompkins Insurance; Ken Barrett Chevrolet; Crickler Vending; Kiwanis Club of Warsaw; Chris White of Merrill Lynch; Genesee Patrons; Curated Golf; Terry Hills Golf Club; Max Pies Furniture; and Terry Mooney Construction.

Special thanks to all these vendors and supporters of the GLOW YMCA as well as the golfers and Terry Hill’s staff. 

• Winning foursome was Matt Woods, Mark Marcello, Mike Schuth, Andrew Daily shooting a 12 under 60.
• Longest Drive winners were Susie Ott and Andrew Daily.
• Closest to the pin winners were Peggy Miller and Jason Krempa.

Press release:

Council Candidate Erica O’Donnell supports the ballot measure allowing no-excuse absentee voting.

While representatives in Washington, D.C., drag their feet to so much as debate the For the People Act, which would protect voting rights nationally, I’m proud to be a resident of New York State where we are working to expand access to the ballot.

The measure will appear on the ballot this November and if successful, would remove the stipulation requiring absentee voters to be absent from their home county, ill, or physically disabled to vote by absentee ballot. In short, it would allow any registered voter to request and vote with an absentee ballot.

Any effort to make voting easier for our citizens should be considered a celebration of democracy and supported without controversy. I urge everyone to vote “yes” on the measure.

Press release:

Genesee County officials continue to ask residents to conserve water, especially on hot dry days.

According to county officials, there are two driving factors behind the conservation efforts. The first is that the water infrastructure improvements the county planned to have in place by the summer of 2020 still have not been completed due to complications with the coronavirus pandemic. Second, and more recently, the water level in the aquifer that feeds the City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant is approaching historic lows.

The City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant provides nearly 50 percent of the county's water needs.

The county stressed it has plenty of water 24/7/365 on average days, but without conservation efforts, producing enough water on hot, dry days will be challenging as groundwater levels will continue to drop through the summer. The county is again asking everyone to be smart with their water as summer progresses.

Please avoid watering lawns and washing cars. There are plenty of other ways to save water as well.

Without water conservation measures in place, had events like Monday's large barn fire in Le Roy occurred in the middle of a hot/dry stretch, there would have been major supply issues. There are plans in place for emergency water supply and pumping, but it is much easier if everyone works together to do a small part.

Press release:

Are you up for the Companion Retriever Hunting Challenge? 

There will be one at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 26 at Godfrey’s Pond, located at 7925 Godfrey's Pond Road.

This is a fun event representing an actual duck hunt over water and a field goose hunt and is open to all sporting dog breeds that hunt waterfowl.

It is open to handlers age 12 and up.

All dogs should be familiar with multiple shots from a 12-gauge shotgun.

NO dogs that currently hold a hunt test or field trial title can enter.

NO professional trainers allowed to handle dogs; professionally trained dogs may participate.

Registration fee is $35 per dog. All fees for the event will be donated to the Godfrey’s Pond’s conservation programs.

Scoring will be done by Jim Beverly.

First-, second- and third-highest scores will receive plaques. All handlers (regardless of score) will be entered into a lottery for prizes.

The focus is on enjoying the experience with the dogs and networking with fellow waterfowl hunters. 

There is no pressure and plenty of help available -- Jim Beverly and Andy Merkel will assist each handler with any training or handling tips for those needing it.

Contact Jim Beverly or Andy Merkel via email to request a registration form and specific information on what the event consists of.

Jim:  jbeverly@retrievertrainer.com

Andy:  amerkel@retrievertrainer.com

Here's a video posted on The Batavian on May 25, 2019:

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) delivered a floor speech this afternoon in support of his legislation, the Help Wanted Act, and to raise concerns about the problems being caused by labor shortages nationwide. 

Remarks as prepared for delivery: 

I rise today in support of my legislation the Help Wanted Act, which would reinstate work search requirements for unemployment benefits and end disincentives for work.

We have now gotten two job reports that fell far short of projections. 

Meanwhile, it was reported there was a record 9.3 million job openings.

In my home of Western New York, there are reports that restaurants are turning customers away, when they need them most, because they are short-staffed. 

In February, the Congressional Budget Office published a report stating our economy would return to pre-pandemic strength without additional government spending. 

Yet, the President and Democrats forced through a highly partisan and unrelated $2 trillion package.

The result is it has now become more lucrative to stay home than seek employment -- to the detriment of our economic recovery. 

Vaccines are rolling out, the CDC has updated their guidance, and positivity rates are dropping. 

It’s time to get back to work. 

Jacobs introduced the Help Wanted Act in May to address growing labor shortages in the United States in part from the enhanced unemployment benefits included in the last COVID-19 relief package.

Recently, the National Federation of Independent Business reported that 48 percent of small businesses surveyed were unable to fill open positions. Jacobs’ legislation currently has cosponsors from nine other states facing similar problems.

Press release: 

The administrative phone line -- (585) 345-3000 -- at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is currently experiencing an outage.

For any nonemergency calls, please dial (585) 343-5000, and your call will be transferred to an internal extension. Another option available is to utilize email.  

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that this issue is resolved shortly.