Video by Steve Tufts

Please be advised that construction on the Jackson Street Water project will resume on Monday, April 1st, with the installation of interconnections on Ellicott Street. Water loss should be expected from Main to Ellicott on Liberty Street and possibly the surrounding area, depending on valve closures needed. If discolored water occurs when water pressure is regained, please avoid doing laundry or cooking until the water runs clear.

 We apologize for any inconvenience, and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

Please be advised that construction on the Jackson Street Water project will resume on Monday, April 1, with the installation of interconnections on Ellicott Street. 

Loss of water should be expected from Main Street to Liberty Street and possible surrounding areas, depending on valve closures needed. 

If discolored water occurs when water pressure is regained, please avoid doing laundry or cooking until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

Please be advised that Blue Heron Construction will continue to work on interconnections for the Jackson Street Water project tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19, on Jackson Street from Ellicott to Main Street. 

Loss of water should be expected in this area and possible surrounding area depending on valve closures needed. If discolored water occurs when water pressure is regained, please avoid doing laundry or cooking until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank the public for its patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community.

Sixty years ago, The Beatles invaded America, beginning on Feb. 9, 1964, with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, followed by a concert in Washington, D.C., a second appearance on Ed Sullivan, and then several other concerts in the U.S.

For young Batavians who wanted to hear more or know more about the Fab Four, there were two choices: Roxy's Music Store, where they could buy records, and Marshall's News Store, where they could buy magazines.

Walking down Main Street, you would stop at Roxy’s, buy the latest 45 single, and then move on to Marshall’s News Store. 

As 14-year-olds, my best friend Cathy and I made the pilgrimage to our two favorite stores once a week. What we took for granted were the smiles that would greet us at the two stores.  

Years ago, I had the privilege of talking to Art Marshall, the last Marshall to own the store, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. I asked Art about his fondest memories. He didn’t hesitate; he said the customers and people he worked with at the store.  

In 1999, when the store was sold, The Batavia Daily News did an article titled "Last Edition; Batavia Newsstand closes after a Century." Many people were interviewed, and you knew the news store was more than just a place for buying a newspaper. It was an institution where people came to connect with their friends. 

Art told me the news store was the first business in Batavia to sell lottery tickets. That reminded me of my first and last ticket I bought at his store many years ago.   Everyone wanted to buy a lottery ticket. As I was trying to remember the dates and ages of my family members, one by one, I realized I was holding up the line. When I left Marshalls and the unhappy line of ticket buyers was out the door, I knew that would be my last lottery ticket.

There are many memories from Marshall’s News Store, from young boys who pedaled newspapers early to the store becoming a favorite place to buy the Sunday paper after church.   I look back and smile, remembering Rosie and Art’s welcoming faces as we entered the store.

It all began in 1898; Arthur H. Marshall purchased the news store on 67 Main Street from Orville L. Howard. In 1901, he was joined by Hugh H. Telfair and moved the newsroom to the rear portion of the Farmer’s Bank. By 1921, Art Marshall dropped his partner and moved to 11 Jackson St., staying there for many years. He shared a building with Ebling Electric. In 1974, the store moved into the Daily News building and was operated by Marshall’s grandson, Arthur Marshall Jr., who owned the store until 1994, when it was sold.

A name synonymous with the news store is Rosie Tumminello. He began working at the news store as a paperboy in 1936 when he was eight. At 12, he was hired by Art Marshall to work inside the store. He remained with the store for 52 years and eventually became the store manager. He was the heart of Marshall’s News Store.

 In writing articles for many years, I have always been filled with beautiful memories and saddened by the loss of Main Street. Gone are the days when you could walk down Main and Jackson streets and buy anything from produce, clothing, a washing machine, a meal, and last but not least, a newspaper and lottery ticket. Thank you, Marshall News Store, for the memories and for reminding us of the Good Ole Days.

Information for this article was made available from the Genesee County History Department files. 

Please be advised that Blue Heron Construction will continue to work on interconnections to side streets for the Jackson Street water project on Thursday, beginning around 7:30 a.m. on Wood Street.

Loss of water should be expected in the surrounding area depending on valve closures. If discolored water occurs when water pressure is regained, please avoid doing laundry or cooking until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community.

Please be advised that Blue Heron Construction will begin interconnections to side streets in regard to the Jackson Street Water project on Monday, Jan. 8 starting around 8:30 a.m. 

On Monday, work is expected on Cone Street and Ganson Avenue, Cherry Street on Tuesday, and Morton Avenue on Wednesday. Timeframes are subject to change depending on the amount of time it takes to complete each hook up. Loss of water should be expected on these streets and surrounding streets depending on valve closures. 

If discolored water occurs when water pressure is regained, please avoid doing laundry or cooking until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community.

Work is progressing Monday on the Jackson Street waterline replacement project between Ellicott and Chestnut streets in the City of Batavia. Crews from Blue Heron Construction of Jordan are replacing approximately 2,250 linear feet of 4- and 6-inch water mains with 8-inch mains during the pre-winter project.

Blue Heron was the successful candidate for the job out of several bids. City Council awarded the company its bid of $1,353,000 during the city's Aug. 14 business meeting.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Please be advised that Blue Heron Construction will be mobilizing equipment in preparation for construction on the Jackson Street Water project within the City of Batavia. 

Construction on this project is scheduled to begin the week of Oct. 30 and will include the installation of approximately 2,250 linear feet of new 8-inch water mains and appurtenances to replace existing 4-inch and 6-inch water mains on Jackson Street from Chestnut Street to Ellicott Street.

Traffic delays are to be expected; however, no street closures are anticipated at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community.

A two-year-old child was uninjured after apparently crawling through a second-floor window onto a first-floor roof and then falling to the ground at 104 Jackson St., Batavia.

According to a witness, the child stood up quickly after the fall and started walking.

The window and roof section were on the north side of the dwelling.

Batavia PD, City Fire, and Mercy EMS all responded to the call at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Sgt. Dan Coffey, Batavia PD, said officers are still investigating the incident and didn't have further information available.  If warranted, there will be a press release later about the incident.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: The investigation reveals the incident is an "unfortunate accident," Coffey said.