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Protecting birds and bees shouldn't have to cost farmers, consumers: local farmer speaks up

By Joanne Beck
seed maggot
Textbook photo of a seed corn maggot.

 

 

The Birds and Bees Protection Act is a seemingly simple enough and all-natural sounding title that most anyone would be for it, wouldn’t they?

Well, not everyone. Shelley Stein, CEO of Stein Farms in Le Roy, said she had to speak up as a farmer and "a person who understands the ramifications of policy on our farmers, and our consumers, and what this is going to mean to the economy of Genesee County."

Documents say Savarino defaulted on financial agreements, GCEDC and city work on 'next steps'

By Joanne Beck
ellicott station savarino business closed
File photo by Howard Owens.

The next steps are yet to be determined.

That seems to be the ongoing response from city and county officials in the aftermath of an announcement by CEO Samuel Savarino that his company will be ceasing operations and laying off its employees.

Savarino is the developer of Ellicott Station, the four-story apartment complex touted as an economic lifesaver for downtown Batavia and for working individuals and families in need of an affordable, quality and safe place to live.

That economic vision was blurred earlier this year when the online rental application indicated income requirements of very low to low ranges, seemingly squelching the notion that the units would indeed be for workforce individuals. The Batavian had reached out to Savarino requesting details about a lottery that awarded rentals to 55 tenants. He wasn’t privy to such information, he had said at the time.

The Batavian was the first and only news source to report on the apparent requirements and changes in income at Ellicott Station. You can help community-minded local reporting continue by joining Early Access Pass.

Fair Housing Act a step forward in human rights celebrated in April

By Joanne Beck

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Hard as it may be to imagine, it was only 55 years ago that a law preventing discrimination against who can live where was officially recognized with the Fair Housing Act. It was established in April 1968.

Genesee County Legislator John Deleo, speaking on behalf of the Legislature to celebrate

Independent Living hires Luis Pacheco as Medicaid facilitator

By Press Release

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is pleased that Luis Pacheco has joined their team in the role of Medicaid Facilitated Enroller.  In this position, he will assist individuals who are aged (over 65 years), legally blind or disabled to acquire health insurance.

Mr. Pacheco comes to ILGR with a breadth of experience

Community artists invited to submit works for show at Roz Steiner gallery

By Press Release

rozsteinerartgallery.jpg

Press release:

Who: Calling all artists, sculptors, craftsmen, woodworkers, fiber artists, mixed media artists, photographers, painters, etc.

What: Art installations/gallery exhibitions/group shows for exhibition in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery

Where: Roz Steiner Art Gallery ~ Genesee Community College ~ 1 College Road ~ Batavia, NY 14020

When: Schedule for

Tenney backs bipartisan bills aimed at combating opioids

By Press Release

Press release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, took part in a committee markup of seven bills, including H.R. 1734, the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act. This bipartisan piece of legislation, which Rep. Tenney cosponsored, was led by

Le Roy schools grappling with unpaid student meal bills

By Howard B. Owens

merritholleymarch2023.jpg

By policy, every student in the Le Roy Central School District has an opportunity to be served a lunch or breakfast every school day that is healthy and meets established nutritional guidelines.

If they can't pay for it, there's no shame.

These two policies sometimes contradict each other. In circumstances

Howard W. Hobin

By Joshua Smith

Howard W. Hobin, 85, of Byron, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Unity Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Howard was born May 25, 1937 in Rochester, a son of the late Harold and Margaret (Lyons) Hobin.

Howard was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and loved his cars.  For several years, he was an assistant Boy Scout master.  In his younger years, Howard enjoyed water skiing, swimming and skiing. A veteran, Howard served with the United States Navy and he worked as a quality control analyst for the United States Postal Service.  

Surviving are his wife, Shirley (Ivison) Hobin of Byron; daughters, Lynn (Rich) Strzelecki of Bergen and Kim (Greg) Hungerford of Byron; grandchildren, Brad (Carissa) Strzelecki, Alexa Strzelecki and Jorie Strzelecki and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his son, Brad A. Hobin.

Howard's Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021, www.crossroadshouse.com/donate, Byron Rescue Squad, Attention: Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 210, Byron, NY 14422 or to the GCASA Foundation Scholarship Fund, 430 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020.  

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements for Howard have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia, (585) 343-8868.

Officials thank Rep. Tenney for visit to Water Treatment Plant

By Press Release

Press release:

Genesee County and City of Batavia officials were pleased to host Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) this week for a tour of the City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant. Access to clean water is a public safety issue, so Genesee County has made upgrades to its water system a

City Council welcomes new member, votes to pursue funding for new police station

By Joanne Beck

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City Council members agreed to lay the groundwork for a new $15.5 million police station and appoint a new Second Ward representative during Monday’s business meeting at City Hall.

After approving a resolution to bring David Twichell aboard to fill the seat recently vacated by Patti Pacino, council, including Twichell

Tenney announces federal assistance for those harmed by Winter Storm Elliott

By Press Release

Press release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced federal grant and loan programs available to assist Western New York families, farms, and small businesses following the devastating Winter Storm Elliott that hit the region in December 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of grants to assist residents

WNY Cannabis Growers Showcase coming to Batavia

By Press Release

Press Release:

Greenside Cannabis, in partnership with Dank, Buffalo’s first
licensed adult-use dispensary, and Empire Hemp Co., is thrilled to announce the WNY Cannabis Growers Showcase. 

This unique event will be hosted at Empire Hemp Co.'s retail CBD store, 204 E. Main St., in Batavia, NY, beginning on August 29

Genesee County announces the first countywide Farmland Protection Workshop

By Press Release

Press release:

Genesee County, in collaboration with Genesee Valley Conservancy, Western New York Land Conservancy, and Genesee Land Trust, has announced that the Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board will be accepting pre-applications from landowners interested in being considered for New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Farmland Protection program

Tenney introduces tax credit bill to assist rural developers

By Press Release

Press release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced the New Markets Tax Credit Extension (NMTC) Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation would make the NMTC permanent, index the allocation to inflation in future years, and exempt NMTC investments from the Alternative Minimum

Proposed Laude system in Le Roy aimed at encouraging higher student achievement

By Howard B. Owens

davidrussellleroymarch2023.jpg

In 2018, Le Roy started phasing out the traditional ranking of top students based on GPA, instituting instead a system that would also take into account challenging coursework.

A senior could no longer skate by on easy electives or study hall to preserve a high GPA.  In the new system

County legislators applaud emergency dispatchers as 'single, vital link' to safety

By Joanne Beck

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No matter how much technology may change, it's the human beings answering the calls that will make a difference. 

Genesee County legislators recognized that fact during its meeting Wednesday as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week, which runs through Saturday. 

Legislator Chad Klotzbach read the proclamation presented to Sheriff William

Six rural counties join litigation aimed at overturning changes to WROTB governance

By Mike Pettinella

Lawmakers in six of the 15 counties that benefit from revenues generated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. have passed resolutions to participate in a pending lawsuit to overturn changes to the structure and voting format of the public benefit company’s board of directors.

Legislative bodies in Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston and Seneca counties have joined Genesee County in an effort to nullify bills passed by New York State

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