File Photo of RTS buses lined up at Batavia City Centre by Joanne Beck.
When Rochester Regional Health officials launched a new site in September 2023, the Batavia Medical Campus on the north side of the Thruway entrance, they were aware of some residents’ disappointment in having a facility that much farther out of reach for a pedestrian.
At the time, Dan Ireland, the newly promoted Chief Nursing Executive and Patient Care Officer, recognized the fears expressed by some people that this new place is out of bounds for someone with no dependable means of transportation and too far for one to walk.
Rochester Regional Health had been coordinating a solution with Regional Transit Service in Genesee County to provide an on-demand service for rides to the medical center. That has now been expanded effective June 16.
RTS Genesee announced Monday that it will offer a new free express service that will travel from Batavia City Centre to University of Rochester and Rochester Regional Health medical centers in Batavia from morning to afternoon throughout the week.
The express route will run in a loop four times per day, departing from City Centre for transfer and/or continuation on to URMC and RRH. This service is subsidized by URMC and RRH, which means it is free to any and all customers who use it.
Providing this “free, reliable service” will help ensure that people can access the care they need, United Memorial Medical Center Associate COO Sonja Gonyea said.
“Rochester Regional Health is proud to support the new RTS Genesee Express Service, connecting riders to key medical destinations in Batavia, including our Batavia Medical Campus. Transportation is a common barrier to care, especially in rural areas,” Gonyea said. “This partnership reflects RRH’s ongoing commitment to improving access and supporting community health.”
Likewise, the transportation service is “happy to partner” with URMC and RRH, RTS Chief Executive Officer Miguel Velázquez said.
“Medical Centers like these are among the most important destinations we connect our customers to, and it is our hope that this partnership and new service meets that need for many years to come,” Velázquez said. “I thank the teams at URMC and RRH for their partnership and support, and the RTS team for bringing this important service to life.”
The express service schedule, which includes specific departure and arrival times, is available on the RTS website. Customers are encouraged to contact RTS Genesee with questions at 585-343-3079.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) was thrilled to host a group of students from the Oakfield-Alabama school district at the state Capitol today. The group, led by their civics teacher, Mr. Peter Beuler, gave a presentation in Hawley’s office on the correlation between mental health and substance abuse with several other legislators, including Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey (R,C-Geneseo), Assemblyman Joseph Sempolinski (R,C-Olean), Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) and Sen. George Borrello. Additionally Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (AD-52), the chair of the Assembly Mental Health committee, stopped by to speak with the students about their project.
The students gave a detailed synopsis on the rising number of mental health issues across the state and its relationship to drug and alcohol abuse. The group also presented several policy proposals, including increasing the salaries of the state’s mental health professionals and providing increased access to emotional support and recovery services. Hawley was proud to introduce the students in the state Assembly chamber before their presentation and honor them for their hard work and dedication to this important issue.
“One of the best parts of being an assemblyman is being able to hear from our young people about the issues that matter most to them,” said Hawley. “The topic of mental health and its relation to substance abuse is one that is often overlooked, but I am confident our future is in good hands after hearing the insight and passion these students had for finding solutions to this pressing issue. Their presentation offered both an informative and detailed look into why this issue matters and the steps we can take to provide better care for those affected across our state. It was an honor to welcome this group to Albany and I look forward to seeing the impact these young, brilliant minds will have on New York’s future.”
Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation has notified the City of Batavia that they will be flushing their fire hydrants on Tuesday, June 10. This may cause flow disruptions and water discoloration in the north section of the City.
If you do experience a discoloration of your water, turn on a cold water tap and let it run for about 5 minutes or until clear. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the discoloration has dissipated.
We apologize for any inconvenience. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Join us for a fun-filled evening of roller skating and community connection at the David McCarthy Ice Rink! The Batavia Police Department invites you to "Skate with a Cop," an exciting opportunity to get to know your local officers in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
On June 20, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., come lace up your skates and hit the rink with your friendly City of Batavia Police Officers. This event is designed to bring our community together, build relationships, and create a positive atmosphere for all ages.
Enjoy some quality time with your family and friends while getting to know the men and women who serve and protect our community. Our officers are excited to meet you and share in the joy of roller skating!
So mark your calendars and we'll see you at the David McCarthy Ice Rink! Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to build bridges and create lasting memories with your local law enforcement.
Two projects submitted to the Genesee County Economic Development Center are projected to generate $9 million in community benefits.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors advanced an initial resolution at its June 5 meeting for HP Hood LLC’s 7,722 sq. ft. facility expansion at the Genesee Valley Agri Business Park.
HP Hood LLC’s $25 million investment will include the construction of a two-bay, raw milk silo alcove and silo pads for four silos, Clean-in-Place (CIP) room for four CIP systems, remote truck testing lab and electrical room. The expansion will enable HP Hood to increase capacity and boost dairy product production.
HP Hood LLC is requesting a sales tax exemption estimated at $1.12 million and a property tax abatement estimated at approximately $84,097 based on the incremental increase in assessed value via a new traditional 10-year PILOT. The project is estimated to generate $6.3 million in financial benefits, including payroll and tax revenues, for an estimated $10 local benefit for every $1 of requested incentives.
A public hearing on the proposed project agreements will be held in the town of Batavia.
The board of directors also approved a final resolution for Ivy Village Corp.’s proposed $3.5 million construction of 20 units of market-rate patio homes in the Village of LeRoy. The project will add 24,960 sq. ft as part of a planned three-phase, 60-unit development on 16 acres.
Ivy Village Corp. requested a sales tax exemption estimated at $168,000, a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $28,000, and a property tax abatement estimated at $669,440 based on the incremental increase in assessed value via a 20-year PILOT. The project is estimated to generate $2.7 million in local fiscal impacts, including payroll and tax revenues, for an estimated $4 local benefit for every $1 of requested incentives.
Dr. Kirk Scirto speaking. Photo by Sophia Cianfrini.
As the communities of Genesee County contemplate the future of industrial development in the Western New York region, critics of the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP Project) convened an informational meeting at the Alabama Fire Hall on Thursday.
Open to the public, the event included a PowerPoint presentation, educational brochures, and guest speakers who shared their views on the project’s implications.
“We need to think seven generations from now,” said meeting organizer and Snipe Clan spokesperson, Grandell “Bird” Logan. “Whatever we do to the land today will affect our children and their children many years from now, long after we’re gone.”
A significant portion of the meeting’s discussion focused on the Genesee County Economic Development Center’s (GCEDC) recent approval of plans to construct a 2,525-megawatt data center and an associated wastewater pipeline. Spanning 900,000 square feet, the development site is located in the town of Alabama, just 400 feet from Seneca Nation territory.
Opponents argue that the pipeline will discharge sewage into the Oakfield Municipal Water Treatment Plant, and subsequently into Oak Orchard Creek.
Proponents of the STAMP project have previously highlighted the promise of substantial job creation and the potential for low-cost hydropower from the Niagara River, as facilitated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). However, attendees of Thursday’s meeting indicated they remain unconvinced, questioning whether the anticipated economic benefits justify the potential risks to local ecosystems, environmental safety, and public health.
STAMP was initially conceptualized in 2008 as a community investment aimed at attracting semiconductor, renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturing industries to the Genesee County region.
Over the course of several years and through multiple phases of planning, the GCEDC worked to secure state funding and gain regulatory approvals to develop the site. Throughout the 2010s, the agency acquired land and expanded utilities, including the low-cost hydropower benefits from the NYPA.
As of 2025, STAMP has two committed tenants: Plug Power, a manufacturer of green hydrogen fuel, and Edwards Vacuum, a manufacturer of semiconductor equipment.
More recently, Stream U.S. Data Centers has received approval from the GCEDC board to acquire land in the park to build a 900,000-square-foot facility for $6.3 billion. Stream is prepared to purchase the land for $17.8 million and contribute $50 million toward completion of the site's electric substation. GCEDC has pledged a tax incentive package valued at approximately $471.6–$472 million, primarily in sales and mortgage tax exemptions
STAMP has received statewide support since its inception, including endorsements from Sen. Charles Schumer, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Kathy Hochul. At the same time, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation has opposed the project.
Scott Logan, subchief of the Bear Clan, expressed his dissent, “They originally wanted to place the facility 100 feet from the reservation. We had to fight for the 400-foot buffer. I don’t want this on or near our land.”
He added, “We found that the construction of the data center and pipeline would threaten rare medicinal plants and wildlife in the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge, some of which can only be found in very few regions of the state”.
Local residents of Alabama in attendance at the meeting expressed concerns over the STAMP’s impact on public health, citing the project’s potential to produce hazardous waste, spills, noise pollution, increased traffic congestion, and industrial accidents such as fires or explosions.
On noise pollution, guest speaker and family medicine physician, Dr. Kirk Scirto, said, "Constant exposure to low-vibrational frequencies, particularly those above 60 decibels, can disrupt one's sleep cycle and exacerbate symptoms of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression."
Meeting organizer Angela Carlson and Oakfield resident urged those still uncertain about STAMP’s developments to learn more about the proposal.
“Knowledge is power. Please do your research and learn about greenwashing and its effects. STAMP is stubborn," she said. "They won’t listen to their constituents”.
In their closing remarks, the organizers and guest speakers encouraged the audience to take action by contacting their representatives, attending GCEDC board meetings, and engaging their neighbors in meaningful discussions about these initiatives.
It's time to clear out that old tech and give back to our amazing community! Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is thrilled to announce his annual FREE electronic device collection and recycling event, once again teaming up with the fantastic folks at Sunnking. This is your chance to make a real difference and keep our neighborhoods clean!
Collection day will be Saturday, June 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parking lot at 5130 E Main Street Road in Batavia. Attendees can access the required pre-registration form here.
“Recycling is a small but impactful way we can help keep our communities clean, and I’m grateful to the good people at Sunnking Sustainable Solutions for partnering with me for another year of work,” Hawley said. “Anything from cell phones to computers to TVs can be recycled, so please, register today and help keep our communities clean!”
The Genesee County Board of Elections announces important dates and details for the upcoming Primary Election on June 24, 2025. New York State has a closed primary system, which means only voters registered in the Republican Party may vote in this primary.
There are four Republican Primary Elections in three jurisdictions:
Town of Le Roy (Masonic Community Center & Knights of Columbus)
City of Batavia – ONLY Wards 4 & 5 (ARC Community Center & Ascension Parish)
Town of Byron (Byron Town Hall)
Polls will be open on Primary Day, June 24, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and all sites are accessible.
Early voting will take place over nine days at the ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Rd. Batavia:
Saturday, June 14: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 15: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Monday, June 16: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17: noon - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 18: noon - 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 19: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday, June 20: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 21: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 22: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Absentee Ballot Deadlines:
Voters may request an absentee ballot by contacting the Genesee County Board of Elections or by using the NY State Portal at: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/
Key deadlines include:
June 14: Last day for the Board of Elections to receive an absentee ballot application
June 23: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot
June 24: Absentee ballots must be received by the poll site or the Board of Elections by 9 p.m.
June 24: Last day to postmark an absentee ballot (must be received by July 1)
July 1: Deadline for military/special federal absentee ballots to be received
Voter Registration Deadlines:
To be eligible to vote in the Primary Election, voter registration applications must be received by June 14.
In-person registration is available at the Genesee County Board of Elections or at any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act.
The Board of Elections office at 15 Main St., Batavia will also be open for registration on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Please note: any party enrollment changes will not take effect until after the Primary Election.
Address Changes:
All changes of address must be received by June 9.
For questions, registration forms, or absentee applications, contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at 585-815-7804 or visit www.geneseeny.gov/elections.
The Oakfield Box Car Derby Association presents the 3rd annual Oakfield Box Car Derby on Saturday, July 26, at noon on Bennett Ave in Oakfield.
We are a local family and friends-based non-profit organization founded to hold this annual event for the children of Oakfield and surrounding communities. The event promotes STEM programs, teaches some basic car-building skills, and gives the kids a chance to use hand tools.
Kids get an opportunity to customize their cars and then race them.
The event is in memory of Suzanne “Sue” D’Alba, who was one of the founders of the Oakfield Betterment Committee and the Oakfield Labor Daze festival, as well as a volunteer and member of many other civic organizations. She always liked a good old-fashioned event, and we feel this fits that mold.
Please join us as it will be a family-friendly, fun-filled event which promotes competitiveness and sportsmanship. There will be prizes for all who attend. To register, please see the information below. Register now as we have 32 slots available, and they are filling fast.
Registration is open from June 1 - July 10 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee is $25 per child. Open to boys and girls from 7 to 13 years old. Two divisions, 7-10 and 11-13. To register, please call or text Scott at 716-218-6000.
Hawkins and Casper entertained music lovers at Tracy B's Farmhouse and Brewery last evening in LeRoy. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Josh Hawkins and Philip Casper performed at Tracy B's Farmhouse and Brewery on Friday evening in Le Roy. The duo plays on weekends throughout Genesee County and travels around Western New York. Click here for information on future gigs.
Sebastian Eräkare featured the open mic night at Jackson Square Friday evening. hoto by Steve Ognibene
Friday, Iburi Photography hosted the second annual Jackson Square Open Mic, drawing performers and community members for a night of music and stand-up comedy.
On the first Friday of each month, Ibrui hosts an open mic at its study on Jackson Street in Batavia.
“We’re a very supportive group, and we really just genuinely enjoy spending time with everyone and uplifting people and just being a part of their creative outlet,” said sponsor Akari Lewis-Iburi. “It’s important to have that, to build community around that, and connect.”
On Thursday, students at Pembroke Intermediate School were treated to a surprise visit from Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau.
All 250 students gave Rousseau a warm welcome as he joined them and their teachers for games, photos, and autographs. During his visit, Rousseau shared words of encouragement, urging students to “have the belief of confidence” and to “be present where your feet are.”
In honor of his birthday, April 5 has been designated as "Gregory Rousseau Day" at the school. To celebrate this year, students were allowed to wear hats in exchange for a donation of their choice, whether 50 cents or five dollars. Together, they raised $130 in a single day for The Rousseau Family Foundation.
From left, David Ciurzynski, Ed Smart, Janet and June Lee, Tracy Ford, Emmett and Antoinette Clancy (on the billboard), and Madison Wesolowski from Thompson Builds, partake in a ribbon-cutting Friday for a new deck at Crossroads House in Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck
Although two important people were missing from the list of board and staff leaders, the architect and construction team, volunteers, friends and neighbors present for a celebratory ribbon-cutting of the newly completed back deck at Crossroads House Friday, they were well represented.
Emmett and Antoinette Clancy, 1970 Batavia Notre Dame High graduates who met in school and married at St. Joseph’s Church four years later, are the ones that got the ball rolling for the new deck even though they no longer live here.
Antoinette’s father, Sam Marchese, died in 2000 of cancer — spending his final days at Crossroads House. The care he received left that indelible embrace on the couple’s hearts and when they wanted to give back for their golden wedding anniversary, Crossroads became one of the beneficiaries.
“He was loved deeply by Antoinette, and therefore by me,” Emmett said during a phone interview from Lake Arrow, California. “Batavia is our beginning, no matter where we live. Crossroads provided him with hospice care in the last months of his life.”
When they decided to donate for their 50 years together, he called Crossroads and founder Kathy Panepento answered, and “I said we wanted to help them with the side deck in his memory,” Emmett said.
The total project was a $170,000 investment, which required additional fundraising. There is a new roof that covers the garage, the deck and connects to the house sunroom addition, Executive Director Tracy Ford said.
“So we had permits that we had to get from the city, there was some cost to having the drawings done, because there had to be specific schematics for the builders that needed to be done. And the project build itself, then the materials. So it was a very large addition, a really large project, because of the weight of this roof and the fact that it ties into three other structures,” Ford said. “There was a lot of work that was required, foundation wise, for this project to come to fruition. So we are just so grateful that everybody was so supportive of it.”
Staff and volunteers were limited by the previous deck with the ability to bring residents outside safely, she said.
“And by that, I mean quite often it was too windy back here. You can feel this breeze right now that we’re standing in. There’s no breeze up on that deck.We were limited on our abilities to bring people out on a windy day. We were limited on days when it might be a little too warm, but now we have shade, and we have a fan,” she said. “We just have this massive amount of shade and it’s just quieter up there. And it really does give you more space to be able to enjoy the gardens. So it’s just a grander, serene space.”
The Clancy couple reached out a year ago and offered to make a gift of $50,000 for the project. Ford contracted with Ciurzynski Consulting LLC, which donated all of its time, and owner David Ciurzynski brought in Thompson Builds and Ed Smart of SmartDesign Architecture for renderings and the construction. Total costs came in well beyond the donation, and the Clancy couple agreed that Ford could reach out for additional funding.
That’s when longtime volunteers and retired Batavia City School teachers Janet and June Lee stepped up and offered to help in yet another way. They provided financial assistance to support the project.
“We heard rumors that they were thinking of changing the porch, and the garage team eats our lunch on the porch, and we knew how bad it needed to be replaced. And then Tracy showed us pictures, and we fell in love with it, and we thought we could help out,” June said. “So we did. It's wonderful. We enjoyed watching it being built.”
Just prior to the big moment when June and Janet took a big pair of shears to cut the ribbon, Ford said it was a joyous occasion to unveil “our beautiful covered deck overlooking our memorial garden, a sacred space that will offer our residents and their families a place of reflection, comfort and connection, a place where nature and quiet moments can provide healing during some of life’s most tender times.”
“This space did not come to be on its own,” she said. “It was built board by board through the incredible generosity and hearts of a few very special people.”
She thanked Emmett and Antoinette, longtime supporters of Crossroads House “who have continually walked alongside us in our mission” with unwavering commitment that has made a lasting impact; June and Janet Lee, two extraordinary women who deserved her deepest sense of gratitude and admiration for their “steady, compassionate presence;” the consulting, architect and construction team, First Presbyterian Church and Rev. Roula Alkhouri, founder Kathy Panepento, and the dedicated volunteers working the garden, garage sale, in the house or other functions.
There was a large billboard with photos of the Clancy’s and a brief bio about them. It didn’t speak of their passion for a hometown that seemed to embrace them in a mutual fondness.
There’s a plaque on the back deck wall “in loving memory” of Antoinette’s dad, Samuel Marchese, who owned Marchese’s grocery store on the east end of Batavia many years ago.
Emmett, a native of Caledonia, recalled their wedding reception being at the former Moose Club on Main Street in downtown Batavia, as Antoinette added that it featured an Italian buffet.
“Batavia is our roots,” he said, reminiscing about the original Genesee Community College, where Antoinette attended.
“The beginning of life, the end of life, and the middle of life, they are all very special to us. The acceptance of Batavia and going there, and meeting my future wife, and Notre Dame, and GCC when it started. Our affection for our past and for all those who played a part there — their souls and the memories — God has blessed us and we had wanted to help Crossroads,” he said, describing the photos he has seen of the deck. "It looks wonderful. The residents, and the ability for them to converse and enjoy the sunrise or sunset and enjoy a lemonade with family, gives us great joy.”
Photos by Joanne Beck
Sisters and longtime Crossroads House volunteers Janet and June Lee talk about their time at the nonprofit, including when a librarian suggested that the books at the garage sale ought to be alphabetized. Photo by Joanne Beck
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Brian Cousins, second from left, presents a certificate to Crossroads House volunteers Janet and June Lee and Executive Director Tracy Ford during a ribbon-cutting for the Liberty Street site's new deck. Flanking them are David Ciurzynski, left, and Ed Smart and Madison Wesolowski on the right. Photo by Joanne Beck
"This space did not come to be on its own. It was built board by board through the incredible generosity and hearts of a few very special people," Crossroads Executive Director Tracy Ford said Friday during a ribbon-cutting celebration. Photo by Joanne Beck
The deck at Crossroads House on Liberty Street, before. Submitted Photo
Dave Mazur, owner and developer of MedTech Landing, 15 MedTech Drive, Batavia, across R. Stephen Hawley Drive from Genesee Community College. Photo by Howard Owens.
The owner of the nearly completed MedTech Landing, an 80-unit apartment complex across the road from Genesee Community College, thinks the new complex is filling a market need in Batavia.
That need is for quality, market-rate apartments that are an easy drive to downtown and to a Thruway interchange.
“It takes a lot of energy to get to this point. It’s very exciting,” said owner and developer Dave Mazur. “It’s nice to see officials from the town, city, county, and EDC all interested in the project, almost as a team. They’re helping get the word out to HR departments at local companies and hospitals. We’re hopeful that message turns into tenants.”
Mazur said the design and construction go beyond typical standards.
“We own these, so we invest in better materials—thicker siding, plastic trim, pine interior, plywood cabinets with soft-close features, and upgraded roofing. It costs more up front, but reduces maintenance long-term,” he said.
Move-in dates are set for July 1 for the building on the west end of the complex, July 15 and Aug. 1 for two other buildings, with another building ready for move-in in December.
Starting rents:
1 bedroom, $1,450
2 bedrooms, $1450+
3-bedroom townhouses, $2,100
The apartments come with a range/oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. Garages are available, and the three-bedroom townhouses have attached garages.
Mazur said the location offers a combination of convenience and setting.
“We’re two miles from downtown, close to the Thruway and restaurants, but with a country feel. Some units overlook farmland, others woods. I think Batavia lacked this kind of fresh, quality product.”
Mark Masse, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, “This is exactly what our board envisioned when they approved incentives for this project. The layout is perfect, and the views are fantastic. These are the type of apartments we want to attract people moving here for new jobs.”
MedTech Landing LLC received a sales tax exemption of $720,000, a property tax abatement of about $3 million, and a mortgage tax exemption of $120,000.
“This is what we hoped it would be,” Masse said. “I think these are really great apartments for people looking to downsize or for commuters.”
Photo by Howard Owens
Entry way to access group of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Photo by Howard Owens
Typical bathroom in one- and two-bedroom apartments. Photo by Howard Owens
Typical living room and kitchen in one- and two-bedroom apartments. Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Entry way of three-bedroom townhouse. Photo by Howard Owens
Living room and kitching of townhouse. Photo by Howard Owens
Bathroom in townhouse. Photo by Howard Owens
HVAC and laundry in townhouse. In the apartments, there is a closet for HVAC and a separate small troom with a washer and dryer. Photo by Howard Owens
The Batavia Society of Artist is hosting artist Deb Meier on Tuesday, June 10 at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia starting at 7 p.m. Deb will be demonstrating some techniques in water color. She can address glazing, spatter, mark making, and alternative color, as well as different forms of watercolor products. The demo is open to non-members for a $5 fee. New members are always welcome from any media and skill level. Single membership $30, Couple $50, Student or Veteran $10. Light refreshments will be served. The Tavern 2.o.1. will be open for cash purchases.
Deb Meier is a graduate of both SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Buffalo. Many locals know her as an Art Educator for Batavia City Schools; her retirement was almost nine years ago. Now she fills her days trying to "master" watercolor.
"Honestly, mastering watercolor is something that I am not sure is possible. What I do attempt is to involve myself in it each day, whether that means sitting down at the easel and painting, watching a video online, or reading a book on the practice of watercolor. It truly is a versatile medium, giving me many directions to go with it, from high realism to abstraction. It's fun to break boundaries of what is traditionally expected of watercolor, whether it's done through bold color, granulation runs, or a presentation referred to as Breaking Glass, where the artwork is cold-waxed, allowing it to be displayed without plexiglass glazing. My subject matter is all over the place, although I keep gravitating towards portraits and birds, as I like the challenge of encouraging interaction between the viewer and the artwork. If this piece of artwork could talk, what would it say?"
Deb is active in both the Williamsville Art Society, where she recently took third place for Watercolor in their Spring Show, and Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, where she was awarded Judge's Choice in their Spring 2025 Watermedia Exhibition. She is also an active member of the Western New York Artists Group, and an Associate member of Buffalo Society of Artists.
A 36-year-old Bergen man who was subject of a multi-agency investigation into weapons possession admitted this week in Federal Court to a charge of illegal possession of machineguns.
Peter S. Celentano, Jr. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to federal prosecutors, on Sept. 29, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a search warrant at Celentano’s residence in Bergen.
Investigators recovered 3D-printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press, and two 3D-printed machinegun conversion devices.
Additional searches at properties in Lyndonville and Medina led to the seizure of numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D-printed handguns, and more firearm parts and accessories. In total, law enforcement seized more than 200 firearms connected to Celentano.
Investigators also learned that Celentano provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained a “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machineguns. These firearms were later discarded into the Erie Canal from the Beals Road Bridge in Medina. A New York State Police dive team recovered a cardboard box containing 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and additional firearm parts from the canal.
The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2025, before Judge Vilardo.
City firefighters with IAFF Local 896 took to the streets of downtown Batavia today for their annual Fill the Boot fundraising drive, benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters collected donations from passing motorists and pedestrians at Main and Ellicott streets, continuing a decades-long tradition of supporting MDA’s mission to fund research and provide care for those living with neuromuscular diseases. The results of today’s fundraising effort have not yet been released.
Landscaping took center stage Wednesday night as residents and solar industry representatives packed a Byron town planning board meeting to discuss two solar projects proposed for development in the area.
Representatives from Crawford & Associates and BlueWave Development shared plans for visual screening around the project sites, with landscaping intended to ease concerns about the projects’ visibility. Evan Young, an engineer with Crawford & Associates, presented a route map for construction, starting at I-490 and State Road and extending to the project site, before outlining the proposed landscaping.
According to Young, evergreen trees such as Norway spruce, eastern red cedar, white spruce, and balsam fir would be planted along Route 262, parallel to the road. However, multiple residents raised concerns about whether those trees would be maintained over time.
“The trees are going to grow about two to three feet a year at typical evergreen growth,” Young said. “It’s not going to block out a significant portion of that space.”
Some residents suggested having an arborist review the plans to ensure proper selection and placement of trees and shrubs.
“It’s very common that the solar people don’t maintain the trees after they’re planted,” said Barb Starowitz. “Can you produce something in writing that you will maintain them, that you will replace dead trees, that they will be watered?”
Starowitz cited past situations where maintenance promises were not fulfilled. Joe Seman-Graves, Director of Solar Development for BlueWave, acknowledged those concerns.
“Part of it is enforcement if it doesn’t happen,” he said. “I think what we’re committing to here is giving clear guidance to the town to pull our permits if that’s not done.”
Concerns about farmland preservation were a key theme throughout the meeting. Local farmer Eric Zuber delivered a passionate warning about the potential long-term impact of solar development on agricultural land.
“You walk out of this room tonight, drive through town, and look around,” Zuber said. “That’s the best prime land in this town — and it’s never coming back.”
Zuber described the loss of topsoil and the difficulty of reclaiming land once it has been developed. He also referenced a memory shared by a Korean War veteran to highlight the emotional toll of witnessing destruction.
“You think of what I just told you, because you destroyed that land — and it ain’t ever coming back,” he said. “You don’t need to take any more.”
Other residents expressed concern that property values may decrease for homes located near the solar sites. As a counterpoint, a similar situation in Stafford was cited, where local officials reportedly assured residents that nearby solar fields had not negatively impacted home values.
Not all attendees opposed the developments. Larry West, a Byron resident who inherited his parents’ land, spoke about his decision to lease a portion of his property for solar development while continuing to farm the rest.
“We worked with Craig Yunker and the farmer that’s running it to do the best that we could for the farming aspect of it,” West said. “We’ll move it over here so that you’re doing a better job of keeping the best farmland still farming.”
The topic of land use within the solar fields also arose. One idea proposed was grazing sheep beneath the solar panels to make use of the land in a dual manner. Starowitz, however, urged developers to consult local knowledge when planting grass for livestock.
“A majority of the time, DEC is recommending just for erosion, not for the benefit of the sheep,” she said. “In other solar panels, they’ve planted grass that the sheep don’t like. So then, you have to go in there, till it up, or do something which is very difficult with all your panels and everything.”
As the meeting concluded, planning board members stated that further input from residents and developers will be reviewed before the proposals are revisited in August.
“These laws do not sustain the natural essence of our community,” said Yvonne Loewke, speaking near the end of the meeting.
Lauren Berger has been juggling a lot of emails and inquiries during the planning process of this year’s Pride parade and festival in Batavia, as she wears the new hat of GLOW OUT! director for the seventh annual LGBTQ+ event.
Berger has also experienced the bittersweet success of having to close registration to vendors due to the large response — with more than 20 confirmed to participate — and she and fellow organizers are encouraging parade participants to sign up by Wednesday so they can be placed ahead of time.
It would seem as though this year’s event, set for 3 to 10 p.m. June 14 at Jackson Square, will be chock full of activities, items to purchase, eat and drink, and entertainment.
“There have been some logistical changes, but folks will be able to come out, have nice weather and have a nice time, feel welcomed, be part of this community, and see how many of us are out here and how many of us care about teach other,” she said. “It’s a real serotonin boost. And straight allies will be there and they support this; it’s so heartening.”
Berger, who lives in Mount Morris, has been helping GLOW OUT! as a volunteer since 2022 and has served as secretary since summer of 2024. She has been involved in other similar alliance organizations in college and with the LGBTQ “movement” ever since being a teen and identifying as nonbinary, meaning “that doesn’t really ascribe to wholly male or wholly female," she said, "and another nonbinary person might describe that differently, but that’s where I’ve landed.”
“So I was involved with the movement long before I came to that understanding myself, but since I have, the organization has been there for me in that kind of personal validation and camaraderie and finding vocal, like-minded individuals,” Berger said. “So there's been that value, and I've been a community organizer and an activist in the movement for LGBTQ+, equality and justice, for a really long time.”
Her first goal as leader of the nonprofit is “to fill the enormous shoes” that outgoing Director Sarah Vacin left behind when she took a job with the SUNY system, Berger said.
Not only is Vacin not forgotten, she’s not even gone — still a part of the organization and elected to serve as grand marshal for the upcoming parade as participants recognize national Pride Month and remember the catalyst for the LGBTQ rights movement: the Stonewall riots in New York City, Berger said.
There’s a lot of entertainment planned before the parade: Drag Queen Story Hour at 3 p.m., followed by each the Buffalo and Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Jackson Square, and then the parade is to begin at 5 p.m. in front of First Presbyterian Church at the corner of East Main and Liberty streets. The route will flow down Summit Street, left onto Washington Avenue, left onto Bank Street and into Jackson Square.
“Pride is important every year, but especially now,” she said. “It’s our history, it’s a celebration of survival and how much we have gained, and a moment to recognize who we are still fighting for.”
Those recognized include community members that are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, plus the “many allies” of straight and/or cisgender people that support and advocate for loved ones during the Pride event, she said.
Having fun events like Pride are empowering, especially for youth, GLOW OUT! President John Couri said.
“It’s important for people to connect and celebrate one another," he said. "Especially for a young person who might go to a small school and feel isolated.”
Vendors will be set up in the parking lot along School Street across from O’Lacy’s, and are to include crafts, T-shirts, a variety of foods and food trucks, including House of Munch (online description is the latest and greatest snack emporium), Sun Roll (Burmese, Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes), and Ice Cream and Chill, plus a GLOW OUT! basket raffle.
Those who are 21 and older are welcome to attend a Happy Hour hosted at GO Art! from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 13 as a prelude to the next day’s festivities, organizers said. And they will be cross-promoting Pride with organizers of Juneteenth, which will be happening from noon to 8 p.m. June 14 over at Williams Park on Pearl Street.
Berger intends to continue building current programs and an events calendar that now features a youth and 55+ support group, called Golden Glows, and a stipend program that will pay youth leaders to serve as co-facilitators, take responsibility for tasks and to help identify at-risk youths, she said. Instead of having strictly older leaders work with younger kids — the drop-in group is for ages 12 to 18 — “it can be really helpful to have youth leaders there,” she said.
Membership rises and falls in small increments, as attendance is from one to two dozen at a time, she said, and be dependent on a sunny day or other outside happenings.
Eden Cafe & Bake Shop owner Judy Hysek has also hosted a twice monthly support group at her place on Elliott Street, which, along with being “so welcoming and providing a space,” and for having “such an affirming presence and making such yummy treats,” have been attributed for earning her a special nod for the HERO Business Award during a kickoff gathering earlier this month, Berger said. A HERO Individual Award was given to Sheri Kreher.
