Stories from

On Monday, March 22, Assemblyman Steve Hawley joined Assembly and Senate Republicans at a press conference in Albany to provide details of their joint resolutions to rescind the mandated 11 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“The curfew in place for our bars and restaurants has no base in science and has been extremely harmful to small businesses throughout the state,” Hawley said. “To allow people to remain in casinos after 11 p.m. but not restaurants is ridiculous.

"Rather than saving lives, this mandate is killing jobs and making it much harder for small business owners throughout the state to get back on their feet after a brutal year of shutdowns and having to operate in compliance with egregious and burdensome restrictions such as this.”

Submitted image and press release:

New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), today announced funding is now available for projects that engage youth under the age of 21 and address local watershed challenges and New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda priorities. A total of $200,000, up to $25,000 per project, in New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants will be awarded.

As the map above shows, Genesee County is in the New York State Great Lakes Basin.

"These grants provide a unique and critical opportunity for the next generation of New York's Great Lakes stewards to become directly involved in learning about and developing smart solutions to address local watershed challenges," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "DEC looks forward to continuing to partner with New York Sea Grant to implement the solutions that will protect and enhance the Great Lakes for generations to come."

"We are excited to see applications for innovative projects that include New York's Great Lakes' region youth in activities that will increase their awareness and knowledge of environmental and conservation issues," said New York Sea Grant Associate Director and Cornell University Cooperative Extension Assistant Director Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Ph.D., J.D., Ithaca.

Educational institutions, including, but not limited to, public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, not-for-profit organizations, county and local government or public agencies, municipalities, and regional planning and environmental commissions are eligible to apply. Projects can include outdoor and in-classroom education, hands-on training, and formal and informal educational settings.

Applications are due by April 30; instructions are online here. For more information, contact New York Sea Grant at (315) 312-3042.

New York Sea Grant administers the New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program in partnership with DEC. This small grants program is funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. For more information on New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda, click here.

More information on New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants projects and other New York Great Lakes-related information is here.

New York Sea Grant is a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, and one of 34 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, New York Sea Grant has promoted coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the state's marine and Great Lakes resources. New York Sea Grant maintains Great Lakes offices in Buffalo, Newark, and Oswego. The public can connect with New York Sea Grant at this website: http://www.nyseagrant.org

From Rochester Regional Health

As the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines expands and distribution improves throughout our community, we’re getting closer to more people than ever before having their opportunity to get vaccinated.

Rochester Regional Health has opened a community COVID-19 vaccination site at our Riedman Administrative Campus, with appointments available for eligible New York State residents. It is located at 1455 East Ridge Road in Rochester.

In this week’s newsletter, our experts help to bust common myths and concerns about getting vaccinated for COVID-19, including concerns about the impact on fertility. And, based on recent guidance from the CDC, we’ve updated our recommendations for getting together with family and friends safely once you’re vaccinated.

One important thing to keep in mind as cases of COVID-19 continue to decrease is the importance of keeping your regular doctor appointments and screenings. Whether in person, through video, or phone — preventative screenings, essential care, and treatment for chronic conditions and new concerns is safe and accessible.

Press release:

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Batavia Farm Equipment with a Longevity Award for 40 years as a Reinke dealer.

“We are proud to honor the team at Batavia Farm Equipment with this award,” said Chris Roth, Reinke president. “They’ve shown a great deal of dedication, working hard to support their growers. We appreciate those efforts as Reinke continues to develop and implement irrigation equipment and technology designed to increase agriculture production.”

Reinke dealerships from across the United States and Canada come together annually for the company’s sales convention.

This year, they gathered virtually to recognize select Reinke dealers for their hard work and commitment to the higher standards of being 100-percent Reinke Certified. Dealers and Reinke leaders discussed the new products and initiatives from the past year, including the introduction of ESAC, SAC VRI and the Maintenance-free Bearing as well as the partnership with CropX to empower growers with the world’s finest irrigation scheduling tools.

The Reinke Pride awards are determined as part of an incentive program that distinguishes superior achievement levels according to an evaluation based on a dealership’s exterior and interior housekeeping and maintenance, indoor and outdoor displays, safety, retail environment, merchandising, professionalism, promotions, event participation and market share.

To learn more about Batavia Farm Equipment, call (585) 343-1026.

With hundreds of dealers in more than 40 countries, Reinke Manufacturing is the world's largest privately held manufacturer of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Family owned since 1954 and headquartered in Deshler, Neb., Reinke develops products and technology designed to increase agriculture production while providing labor savings and environmental efficiencies.

Reinke is a continued leader in industry advancements as the first to incorporate GPS, satellite-based communications, and touchscreen panel capabilities into mechanized irrigation system management. For more information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit Reinke.com.

Press release:

The Genesee Youth Conference Committee sponsored its 32^nd annual Youth Conference. Although the event was not held in the same capacity due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Youth Conference Committee worked with the school districts to make this a virtual event for the students to participate in.

The virtual event took place March 8^th through March 12^th where students were able to access the Youth Conference website for an entire week and watch as many workshop videos as they would like.

After each workshop video there was a short survey for students to complete. By completing the survey, the student would then be entered into a drawing for a gift card. The committee also reviewed what schools had the most participation and treated them with a pizza party! 

This conference is offered on an annual basis to local seventh- and eighth-grade students in Genesee and Orleans counties in an effort to address pertinent social issues of interest to youngsters of middle-school age. Based on the survey results, approximately 80 students participated in this virtual event.

Virtually Thriving

This year’s theme of the conference was, “Thriving in a Virtual World.”

A variety of human services organizations in Genesee County contributed to this virtual event by making an interactive video that was then put on our Youth Conference website. Workshops were tailored to be interesting and engaging while being taught valuable lessons. Workshop topics were: overcoming barriers in a virtual world; healthy relationships; virtual career exploration; yoga; geocaching; internet safety and more.

The committee received positive feedback from students about the virtual workshops.

One student said “I learned what a scary place the internet can be.” Another student commented on the virtual career exploration saying, “I didn’t realize how many jobs there are out there.”

An organization called Playworks participated in our virtual event whose mission is to help kids stay active and build valuable social and emotional life skills through the power of play. They gave students ideas on games that they can play with others virtually.

One student said, “That workshop taught me that it is OK to take a break to regain focus.”

The Genesee County Park provided a geocaching workshop, which is always popular. Students said they didn’t realize how to use a GPS other than from getting from one place to another.

One student said, “I had no idea you can geocache everywhere.” Another student said, “Geocaching was more interesting than I had thought.”

Pizza Pie Prizes

Emily Pietrzykowski, from Alexande,r was the winner of a gift card for her participation in our Virtual Youth Conference with her thought provoking feedback she gave on the surveys after participating in the workshops. Congratulations Emily!

We also had three schools with the highest participation amongst their seventh- and eighth-grade students. Those schools are: Pavilion Central School, Le Roy Central School and Alexander Central School. Each one of those schools were provided with a gift card for a local pizzeria to facilitate their own pizza party with the students! Congratulations!

Members of the Youth Conference Committee are extremely grateful to the workshop presenters for their time and hard work putting these videos together to educate our students and making learning fun.

The Genesee County Youth Conference Committee is comprised of representatives from the following agencies: Genesee County Youth Bureau, Genesee County Job Development, YMCA, RESTORE and Reality Check.

Press release:

The Board of Trustees of the Hollwedel Memorial Library has formally requested that the Pavilion Central School District hold a vote on creating a school district public library that would take place in May of 2021. 

In a letter sent to the Board of Education, the Trustees expressed their desire to comply with the New York State Board of Regents policy urging libraries to shift tax support from general appropriations from municipalities to a direct public vote. Currently, the Hollwedel Memorial Library receives operating funds from the Town of Pavilion, and to a lesser degree from Genesee County, the towns of Bethany and Covington, plus donations and fundraising events.

As a school district public library, the library would have a service area that aligns with the boundaries of the Pavilion Central School District. The library’s budget and the board of trustees would be determined by a public vote. The library itself would remain housed in the same building and be staffed by the same professionals. The school district would collect tax money for the library and turn the funds over to the Library Board. The school district would have no direct control over the operations of the library.

The change to become a school district public library is being considered in order to provide enhanced library services to all residents of the area, to comply with the New York State Board of Regents policy, and to provide a secure and sustainable source of operating income for the library. 

The Hollwedel Memorial Library has seen steady growth in the number of borrowers and use of services by local residents while experiencing flat and/or reduced funding revenue over the past several years. In addition, the mandatory New York State Minimum Wage Laws have had a significant impact on the library’s budget.

The Board of Trustees of the Hollwedel Memorial Library will communicate the details of the library budget vote to all residents of the Pavilion Central School District before the vote. 

Communication plans include an informational mailing to district residents, an online presentation, small one-on-one sessions to be held at the library, newspaper articles and legal notices in print, as well as information that will be posted on the library’s website at www.HollwedelMemorialLibrary.org.

“This is the beginning of a process," says Board President Joan Gray. "The Hollwedel Memorial Library Board of Trustees is working to share information. It is important to us that school district residents are well informed about the future of the library. We know that many local residents use our Wi-Fi, computers, materials and services.

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are relying on the library for internet usage, materials, services and programs. With this type of community-based funding, our library would be able to continue to provide opportunities for lifelong learning and access to the latest technologies that we have laid out in our Strategic Plan. It would also make it possible for us to keep the library open for more days and times than our current funding allows.

“While much more information about this process will be announced soon, we invite residents to visit our website or the library to read our Strategic Plan. In addition, residents with questions can contact me directly at (585) 506-5642.”

Information about the library and its programs and services can be found on the library’s website at www.HollwedelLibrary.org.

Residents can also contact the library by phone at (585) 584-8843 or stop by 5 Woodrow Drive in Pavilion.

Current library hours are: Monday and Wednesday 2 to 7 p.m. / Friday 1 to 5 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m. to noon / Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- A PROCLAMATION

On National Agriculture Day, we recognize the unique and irreplaceable value that farmers, ranchers, foresters, farmworkers, and other agricultural stewards have contributed to our Nation's past and present. America's agriculture sector safeguards our Nation's lands through sustainable management; ensures the health and safety of animals, plants, and people; provides a safe and abundant food supply; and facilitates opportunities for prosperity and economic development in rural America.

Over the last year, workers and other leaders across the agriculture sector have stepped up to ensure a stable food supply in the face of incredible challenges prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmworkers, who have always been vital to our food system, continued to grow, harvest, and package food, often at great personal risk.

Local farmers helped to meet their communities' needs by selling food directly to consumers. Small meat processors increased their capacity as demand for their services skyrocketed. Restaurants found creative ways to bring food to members of their communities. Grocers and grocery workers also navigated new models, such as curbside pickup and online sales.

These collective efforts helped get food to the millions of adults and children in America experiencing nutrition insecurity. Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; school meals; and others focused on eliminating nutrition insecurity play an integral role in making sure that every family has enough food on the table.

As we overcome the pandemic and build back better, we will advance an agriculture sector that works for everyone. When I took office, I made a commitment alongside Vice President Kamala Harris to put racial equity at the forefront of our Administration's priorities. For generations, Black, Indigenous, and other farmers of color have contributed to sustaining this Nation.

They fed their communities, gave the country new food products, and nourished communities with rich food traditions. Yet for generations they have faced the harmful effects of systemic racism. On this National Agriculture Day, I remain determined to address racial inequity and create an equitable space for all to participate in the great American enterprise of agriculture.

I also made a commitment to tackle the climate crisis. Farmers, ranchers, and foresters play a critical role in combating climate change. From sequestering carbon in the soil to producing renewable energy on farms, we will continue to innovate and create new revenue streams for farmers and ranchers while building a resilient agriculture sector.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., president of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 23 as National Agriculture Day. I call upon all Americans to join me in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to and appreciation for our country's farmers, ranchers, foresters, farmworkers, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health departments have several upcoming vaccination clinics with appointments available for Genesee and Orleans County residents.

Whichever COVID-19 vaccine is available is the right vaccine to get now! All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives. We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic.

The Governor has also announced New York will expand vaccine access to people age 50 and older beginning tomorrow, March 23, along with the existing priority groups.

Visit the vaccination webpage here.

Direct links to the first-dose vaccination clinics are:

• Genesee clinic at GCC, Batavia
• Orleans clinic at Ridgeway Fire Hall, Medina

If you are interested in making an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccination, now is the time to do it locally!

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.88, up 2 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.14. The New York State average is $2.91 – up a penny from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.41.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.85 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.83 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.88 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.89 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.94 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.87 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.95 (up 3 cents since last week)

Gas prices continue to increase this week. However, increased gasoline stocks and a decrease in demand have helped to slow the rate at which prices have increased. Total domestic gas stocks are up while demand is down slightly.

Gas prices continue to increase, but if these trends continue, prices will increase at a slower rate than Americans have seen since the beginning of the month.

Crude prices are fluctuating over market concern that demand may stumble as some countries restart coronavirus restrictions to curb growing infection rates. 

GasBuddy:

"With oil prices finally sagging over the last week on inflation fears and worries about a surge in COVID-19 cases in Europe impacting oil demand, motorists filling their tanks may soon see a brief respite from rising gas prices," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"While gasoline demand last week rose to its highest level since the pandemic began, concerns that oil demand growth will stall with COVID-19 cases surging in Europe are eroding oil's recent rise. While gas prices still rose in a majority of states last week, we may see some price decreases in the week or weeks ahead, even as U.S. gasoline demand continues to rally to the highest level since the pandemic started nearly a year ago.

"It'll be a bumpy road the next few weeks as markets sort out the bearish and bullish factors, but I still believe prices will likely experience more upward momentum ahead of Memorial Day."

Press release from Genesee Region USBC:

Numerous high scores, including a 300 game and 800 series, highlighted the opening weekend of the 14^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament.

The Team event is taking place at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen and Doubles & Singles are being held at Legion Lanes in Le Roy.

Veteran Batavia bowler Mike Pettinella started things with a bang on Friday night when he rolled 300 in the third game to help the Trigger Tribute foursome post a 2,876 score with handicap (2,777 scratch) in the Open Team event.

Pettinella, using a MOTIV Venom Shock ball, finished with a 729 series – one of 11 series of 700 or better in the Team event over the weekend. Teammates Kevin Gray Jr. and Kevin Gray Sr. led the way with 765 and 748, respectively. Al Vlietstra rounded out the scoring with 535.

These four bowlers, along with the late Joe Trigilio, comprised the 2010 New York State tournament championship team. Pettinella said he is dedicating the perfect game in memory of “Trigger,” who passed away on Sept. 1, 2019.

While the squad’s scratch score is the best thus far, on Sunday (today) two teams went past the team's handicap total in the standings.

Led by Robbie Hanks, who posted a 791 series, the Oak Orchard Bowl of Albion team moved into first place with a lofty 3,020 score (2,734 scratch). Hanks’ games were 265-247-279. His teammates bowled well above their averages with Ben Lennox posting 697, Matt Baker 664 and Richard Heise 582.

On Sunday’s second squad, Batavian Ron Lawrence recorded an 810 series on games of 279-278-253 to lead the Lawrence Four squad to a 2,880 total (2,673 scratch), which is good for second place. Bill Neubert added 648, Marshall Merle 631 and Steve Krna 584.

Also, in the Team event, Warsaw’s Jason Hurlburt registered 255-279-259—793 for the Hurlburt’s team, which is in sixth place at 2,799.

In Women’s Team, Perry All-Stars II is in first place with 2,333. Members are Frances Matthews, Margaret Shepard, Caroline Appleby and Dawn Bertrand.

In Doubles & Singles, Matt Balduf of South Byron rolled a 741 in Open Singles (736 scratch) and is in first place – six pins better than Bill VanAlst of Le Roy, who posted 735 (619 scratch).

Batavians Ballard Maye and Derek Leach lead in Open Doubles with 1,332 with handicap – 11 pins higher than Rich Mortellaro of Corfu and Scott Shields of Batavia.

Gray Jr. is first in Open All-Events at 2,057 (all scratch), followed by Gray Sr. at 1,993 (1,858 scratch).

The tournament concludes next weekend.

Currently, openings exist as follows:

Team event
Friday at 7 p.m., one opening;
Saturday at noon, six openings;
Saturday at 3 p.m., two openings;
Sunday at 11 a.m., eight openings;
Sunday at 2 p.m., four openings.

Doubles & Singles events
Friday at 7 p.m., three openings;
Saturday at 1 p.m., two openings;
Sunday at 2 p.m., three openings.

To reserve a spot, contact Mike Pettinella, GRUSBC association manager, at (585) 861-0404 or at mikep@bowlgr.com.

For the current standings, go to www.bowlgr.com.

Reid Cole of Albion took top honors this week in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at his hometown Oak Orchard Bowl, firing a 289 game en route to a 766 series.

Cole had one of three 700 series on the night -- with Robbie Hanks' 267--735 and Bill Logan's 278--718 also breaking the 700 mark.

In other league action across the Genesee Region USBC:

• Leon Hurd of Batavia finished with a 268 game for a 758 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso Bowling Center.

• Batavians Chris Bailey and Mike Pettinella rolled 748 and 741, respectively, in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso's. Bailey started with 277 and 278 for his first 700 of the season. Pettinella's big set raised his season's average to 233.

• Warsaw's Jason Hurlburt finished with 289 for a 738 series in the Monday Night 5 at Perry Bowling Center.

• Jerry Kingsley of Pavilion led the way in the American Legion Thursday Night Men's with a 279 game and 733 series.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

STARKEN, CULP WIN KING & QUEEN

Kim Starken of Kent and Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls teamed up to win the annual King & Queen mixed doubles tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The duo topped Darleen and Matt Balduf in the title match to claim the $500 first prize. The Baldufs took home $300.

Semifinalists, winning $200 each, were Jennifer Merle and Chase Cone, and Carley King and Tom Baker.

Local bowlers placing fifth through eighth, earning $100, weere Caycee Landers and Chris Bardol; Karissa Schuster and Brian Weber; and Amie Bell and Gary Kuchler.

BUFFALO BOWLER FIRST IN ELIMINATOR 

Pat Brick of Buffalo defeated Rich Wagner of Batavia and Andrew Herbert of Buffalo in the finals to win the T.F. Brown's Scratch Eliminator at Mancuso's. The victory was worth $750 for Brick, while Wagner and Herbert won $500 and $400, respectively,

Local cashers were Scott Shields of Batavia, Josh Elliott of Attica and Matt Balduf of South Byron, who each earned $130.

The tournament, sponsored by Lambert Design Jewelers and Casella, drew 56 entries.

Press release:

At approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday, March 21, officers with the City of Batavia Police Department responded to the Speedway gas station, located at 204 W. Main St. The officers were called to check the welfare of individuals reported to possibly be under the influence of drugs and “not acting right.” Upon arrival officers located three individuals and a vehicle. 

The officers made contact with an individual and observed a handgun in plain view inside the vehicle and within reach of the occupant(s). The officer attempted to secure the handgun, at which time a struggle occurred between the officer and a male occupant. 

During the struggle, an officer discharged their duty-weapon at the suspect. Neither the suspect or the officers were struck during the incident. 

The suspect broke free from the struggle and proceeded to lead police on a pursuit through the City of Batavia and into the Town of Batavia. Additional City of Batavia police officers joined the pursuit, along with deputies from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. 

The suspect vehicle crashed on private property near Woodland Drive in the Town of Batavia. The male suspect and two other individuals were taken into custody at the scene of the crash without further incident. Officers recovered a gun at the scene of the crash. 

The male suspect was taken to RRH-UMMC for treatment of injuries sustained from the crash. No civilians or passersby were injured as a result of the incident.

The incident is being investigated by the City of Batavia Police Department. The discharge of the duty weapon and the incidents that took place outside of the City of Batavia are being investigated by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

As information becomes available the City of Batavia Police Department will release it.

Data Update – 

• Genesee County received 36 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s. 
• Nine of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• One of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. 
• Two of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center.

Orleans County received six new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their, 0-19s, 40s, and 50s.
• One of the new positive individuals was under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Seven of the previous positive individuals has recovered and has been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Data update:

Genesee County received 15 new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
  • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
  • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. 
• Eleven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. 

Orleans County received 11 new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
  • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 70s and 80s.
• One of the previous positive individuals has recovered and has been removed from the isolation list.
• Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is pleased to announce the following changes to the upcoming Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concert Series.  

The Grass Roots replaces The Sweet, the band originally scheduled for July 30^th. The Grass Roots originated in the mid-'60s and charted with such hits as; "Midnight Confessions," "Let’s Live for Today," "Sooner or Later" and "Temptation Eyes." The band's current lineup is Mark Dawson, Dusty Hanvey, Larry Nelson and Joe Dougherty, who have been playing together since 2012 and have delighted audiences across the country.

Friday, Aug. 20th sees American Alternative Rock band, Puddle of Mudd, return to the Downs. Rocking the stage here in 2018, the post-grunge band was one of the highlights of the entire summer. Hailing from Kansas City, Mo., the band has sold more than 7 million albums. Concertgoers will be sure to hear hits such as "She Hates Me," "Blurry" and "Control."

Tickets for all nine concerts will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com once guidance is received from New York State on the holding of outdoor events. Tickets will also be available for purchase at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop located in the lobby.

The current concert schedule is as follows:

June 25 -- Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist for Journey
July 2 -- Molly Hatchet
July 9 -- Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles
July 16 -- Tommy James & The Shondells
July 23 -- Skid Row
July 30 -- The Grass Roots
Aug. 6 -- The Machine (Pink Floyd Tribute)
Aug. 13 -- Queensryche
Aug. 20 -- Puddle of Mudd

Press release:

Following steadfast support for New York’s colleges and universities throughout the pandemic, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that the recently signed American Rescue Plan includes an estimated $2.6 billion for New York’s public, private, and proprietary institutions of higher education.

In Genesee County, Genesee Community College is expected to get $9.1M and Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES is expected to get a total of $662,000. The total allotment for the Finger Lakes Region is almost $164M.

Schumer said that public and nonprofit schools will use half of their award on emergency financial aid grants to students to help them with college costs and basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare.

The other half of the funds will allow institutions to provide additional student support activities, and to cover a variety of institutional costs, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll. Proprietary schools must use their awards exclusively to provide financial aid grants to students.

“As New York’s colleges, universities, and students face over a year of unprecedented hurdles, they do so at a steep cost that it is our responsibility to address and overcome. In prioritizing the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, New York’s higher education institutions have ripped massive holes in their budgets and are now facing down financial devastation – and we simply can’t let that happen,” Senator Schumer said.

“As Majority Leader, I was proud to make funding for New York’s higher education institutions and students a top priority, and the American Rescue Plan will deliver this much needed $2.6 billion in assistance to help our world-class institutions through the crisis, get students safely back to classes, and get campuses across the state back to ‘normal’.”

This funding announced today is in addition to the $2.4 billion Schumer secured for New York’s institutions of higher education in the past COVID-19 relief bills. In total, Schumer has secured over $5 billion for New York’s colleges and universities in the past year.

Press release:

REMINDER: The Genesee County Interagency Council is pleased to be offering a $1,000 scholarship for the Fall 2021-2022 semester for Genesee Community College students and high school seniors.

Those eligible will be students living in Genesee County and attending Genesee Community College or high school seniors; in good academic standing, and majoring in or intending to major in Human Services, Social Work, Sociology or Psychology ONLY.  

Because the goal of this scholarship is to support those students who have a strong drive to contribute to the field of Human Services, special consideration will be given to those students who have already demonstrated a commitment to the field through their employment, volunteer, academic, or extracurricular pursuits.  

Completed applications must be received by Friday, May 7.

Here are the PDF links to download / print out / complete / mail in / or scan in and email:

• High School Student Application
• Genesee Community College Student Application

The awardee will be notified by June 1 and presented at our June 17th picnic meeting. However, if the picnic is cancelled due to COVID-19, we will acknowledge the awardee in another way and the check will be mailed directly to the individual.

We look forward to having the opportunity to support a Genesee Community College student in their pursuit of a degree in the field of Human Services. 

Please feel free to phone David Dodge at (585) 343-1611 if you have any questions.

The mission of the Genesee County Interagency Council is to create fellowship and understanding among community human services agencies. The council helps to identify community issues and encourages development of resolutions.

Genesee County Interagency Council Inc.

P.O. Box 1619

Batavia, NY 14021

Press release:

The Pembroke Central School District added a team to its athletic lineup this school year in Unified Bowling. Special Olympics Unified Sports joins people with and without disabilities to play and compete on the same team to bolster friendship, understanding, inclusion, and tolerance in schools.

Through Unified Sports, regardless of any disability, all athletes matter and are provided opportunities to proudly wear their school uniform while having a chance to shine athletically.   

Pembroke was ready to field its first-ever Unified Basketball team last spring, but the pandemic and subsequent nationwide quarantine waylaid those plans. The school community was elated to learn that it could participate in Unified Bowling this season, even though everyone must wear masks and socially distance.

Section VI has graciously accepted Pembroke’s Unified team into its league, giving Pembroke athletes the chance to compete with schools that are geographically closer than some of its Section V counterparts.

This bodes well for some of Pembroke’s athletes who face unique transportation needs. When pandemic restrictions are finally lifted, the team will travel to its away matches at locations in Section VI. Until then, meets will continue to be held virtually.

The Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia has been a wonderful host for Pembroke Unified Bowling meets and has been very accommodating. Under normal circumstances, competitors travel to various bowling lanes in WNY to compete in person against other schools, but this season, all meets are completed virtually with each school bowling at their respective lanes and scores being reported online.

Unified Sports truly brings out the best in everyone, and Pembroke is honored to continue developing a school community rooted in inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance.

According to Principal Nathan Work, Ed.D., “Even though we all have masks on, you can still see the smiles shining through. There is not a day that goes by that one of these athletes or partners doesn’t inspire me and warm my heart; this is truly humanity at its finest.” 

There are 17 students on the team and they are coached by Alex Kaminski, Matthew Lingle, and Work. Pembroke’s next Unified Bowling meet is scheduled for Friday, March 19th at 3:30 p.m. 

The season runs from Feb. 23rd to March 25th and athletes will participate in a total of seven meets. School officials plan to add additional sports to Pembroke’s Unified Sports program as pandemic restrictions and resources allow. 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined with colleagues to ask the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to uphold agricultural purchase commitments made by China under the Phase One trade deal. 

“American farmers and businesses have been cheated for decades by China’s malign trade practices and efforts to artificially bolster their state-run entities,” Jacobs said. “The Phase One trade deal was critical to supporting American farmers and increasing American exports.”

The Phase One trade deal, signed in January 2020, required China to purchase $200 billion worth of American products, goods, and services. In part, China agreed to purchase $12.5 billion in additional agricultural products above the 2017 trade level in 2020.

Current data shows that the Chinese government failed to meet those 2020 purchasing commitments. If needed, the Phase One trade deal has built-in mechanisms that can be used by the United States government to enforce those commitments.  

“Ensuring China adheres to purchasing agreements is critical to supporting American farmers, especially as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jacobs said. “I urge the Secretary to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to review the Phase One trade deal and implement necessary enforcement measures to hold China accountable.”