Yesterday was the last day of the Genesee County Fair. Here are some final shots by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.
Photos by Philip Casper.
Press release:
On August 1, 2021, at approximately 5:00 a.m. officers from the City of Batavia Police Department were dispatched to RRH-UMMC’s emergency department for a report of a gunshot wound. Officers interviewed the victim, a male, who arrived at the hospital seeking treatment. The victim is in his early 40’s and officers believe that the victim was the target of the crime, and this was not a random act. The location of the incident is unknown. The victim was transported to Strong Hospital in Rochester where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311.
Photos by Debra Reilly
Saturday, July 31st – FAMILY DAY/ DRIVE YOUR TRACTOR TO THE FAIR DAY
Daily at the Fair: Balloon Display & Demonstrations, Pig Racing, Niagara Down Under, Pony Rides, Chain Saw Carver. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.
By Philip Casper:
It was standing room only at the Demolition Derby put on by Scofield’s Transfer and Recycling last night at the Genesee County Fair. Thousands watched as dozens of cars crashed and smashed into each other through the night, and even experienced a chocolate milk drinking competition - “Gooch” won by drinking 5 pints of milk in under 5 minutes. Mercy Flight landed on the infield to deliver Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Jack Houseknecht, who says he owes his life to Mercy Flight after his car accident in April 2021, to address the crowd and give thanks for all they do for the community. Red Creek finished off the night in the music tent rocking the night away.
Photos by Philip Casper.
Top Photo: Scott Roblee starting the event with the National Anthem
Today is the last day of the fair. It's also Family Day and Drive Your Tractor to the Fair Day.
Today's schedule:
8:30 AM – NIOGA Dairy Show (Main Show Ring) 9 AM – 4-H Horse Show (Horse Arena)
10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
1 PM – Midway Opens, Wristband Special from 1pm to 5pm
3:30 PM- Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
6 PM – Racing at Genesee Speedway
6:30 PM—Staggered release of 4-H animals
7 to 11:00 PM – Band – M.A.C. (Entertainment Tent)
10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close
Photos by Debra Reilly
Legal Notice from Genesee County:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held on August 25, 2021 at 3:00 pm at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, New York for the purpose of hearing public comments on community development needs, and to discuss the possible submission of an application to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COVID-19 response (CDBG- CV) and to consider citizen comments regarding the County’s proposal to submit a CDBG application to the NYS Office of Community Renewal to provide funds to support small businesses in response to COVID-19. The CDBG program is administered by the New York State Office of Community Renewal (OCR), and will make available to eligible local governments approximately $60 Million in 2021 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID- 19 with the principal purpose of benefitting low/moderate-income persons. More detailed information regarding the project will be available at the hearing. Written comments are invited and will be accepted until the time of the hearing upon delivery to the County’s Economic Development Office. The hearing will provide further information about the CDBG program and will allow for citizen participation in the development of any proposed grant applications and/or to provide technical assistance to develop alternate proposals. The hearing is being conducted pursuant to Section 570.486, Subpart I of the CFR and in compliance with the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. The hearing location is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, those with hearing impairments, or those in need of translation from English, those individuals should contact Pamela LaGrou at 585-344-2550 ext. 2202, at least one week in advance of the hearing date to allow for necessary arrangements. Written comments may also be submitted to Pamela LaGrou, Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.
Today, the eighth day of the Genesee County, patrons could enjoy English classes in horse riding today along with master showmanship in livestock and a costume livestock class.
Still to go today, Dairy Showmanship at 6 p.m., Demolition Derby at 7, the band Red Creek performs from 7 to 11.
Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.
Photos by Debra Reilly
The collegiate-player version of the Batavia Muckdogs finished out its inaugural season in a way that was rare when professional ballplayers passed through town -- with a stadium full of fans excited to see a team they embraced in 2021 because the team embraced this city.
"It’s been great," said Tom Turnbull, a regular Dwyer Stadium visitor, and local community leader. "You can see the spirit, the vibe, the college kind of rah-rah that the players have and it’s carried over into the stands. People are just happy to have the Muckdogs back. It’s just been a wonderful year. They’ve been a part of the community and when you go to a concession stand and the owner is working the cash register, you know they’re invested in the city. It’s been fantastic."
For a Thursday evening, the stands were packed and there was a palatable excitement in the air.
"We’re thrilled, my wife and I pleasantly surprised," said owner Robbie Nichols during a conversation at a table where fans were bidding on player jerseys. "You can sea from the crowd tonight the support we’ve recieved. We had a short season to put it together. You’ll see next season, this place will be packed every night."
The reason for the success, Nichols noted, is the team -- not just Nichols and management staff, but coaches and players -- have gotten involved in the community over the past couple of months, in a way the pro players of the previous era never did.
Community is what is also about Nichols said.
"We always say, my wife and I are the holders of the keys but this is a community team," Nichols said. "You see people over there in line, talking, having a beer, people bringing their grandkids to the game, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s America’s game. It’s about bringing your family to the ballpark and Batavia answered the bell and this crowd is amazing."
Community is a big reason Nichols announced before last night's game that he's offering Coach Joey Martinez and two-year extension on his contract.
"It’s community first," Nichols said. "Wins and losses are important but it’s how we are out in the community, attending events and doing things. I think our team did a great job this year and we want to continue that. That’s what I want to continue. I like working out in the community helping everybody we can especially special olympics, challenger division baseball, the parades we did, reading to people, the veterans, all the stuff we did, that’s what I’m most excited about."
The players enjoyed the year, too. Players who have more college eligibility after this season have said they want to come back to Batavia next year. That will go a long way building a stronger baseball organization. Martinez only had a short time after the Muckdogs joined the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League to recruit players and few potential players knew anything about Batavia. After this season, Nichols noted, that will change. He said this year's players will go back to their schools and tell the best players on their teams, "you want to go to Batavia."
“I think the team is really going to improve next year," Nichols said.
This year, the Muckdogs finished just out of the running for a playoff spot with a final record of 22-19, one game behind Geneva for the coveted second playoff spot of the Western Division. If not for a rainout and some rescheduling confusion with Geneva, maybe the Muckdogs would have had a better shot at the playoffs, but last night's loss to Niagara wouldn't have helped matters.
Starter Julian Pichardo, who has been the ace of the staff this season, got hurt by three first inning errors and gave up a couple of solid base hits allowing Niagara to score three first-inning runs. Pichardo battled through 3 1/3 innings giving up four hits, three runs (only one earned), and striking out two. He finishes with a 4-2 record and a 2.46 ERA.
Abner Benitez had a big night at the plate going 3-5 and driving in five runs. He finishes the year with a .282 BA and 27 RBIs.
"Next year going to have win early and win often (to make the playoffs)," Nichols said.
Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: Dewey wishing there was more Muckdogs’ baseball in Batavia this year.
Young fans at Dwyer catching some up close pregame action while the players warm up.
Charlie Szykowny & Julian Pichardo
Coach Jose ’Skip’ Martinez after being offered a 2-year contract extension by Robbie Nichols
Charlie Szykowny
Dancing on the dugout with Dewey
Blair Frederick charging towards first after a successful bunt
Blair Frederick crossing home plate
Daniel Burroway
Julian Pichardo thanks the fans as he walks off the field for the last time in 2021
Press release:
A decorative arbor has been constructed at the site of the Batavia Peace Garden located behind the new Court House adjacent to Tonawanda Creek. The arbor is part of continuation plans to extend the Peace Garden along Main Street. It marks the entrance to the Batavia Peace Garden Memory Walk. Barb Toal, a co-founder of the Peace Garden, first had the vision to expand the Peace Garden several years ago. The Peace Garden Memory Walk was created in 2016 and is dotted with flowering trees and benches paying homage to deceased loved ones who have touched the lives of Peace Garden volunteers. Visitors can walk along the path and read their individual stories at each site.
Toal “Our community is very supportive of this beautiful garden. I reached out to several local businesses for their support and the response was overwhelming. Tri-County Welding built the structure and donated the steel. Select Collision painted the structure. The labor for the arbor was financed by Chapin Manufacturing. The concrete base was donated by Western New York Concrete and the installation was completed by The Bridge Addiction Recovery Group, Ron Burroughs, and Toal Plumbing. This garden is truly blessed by the generosity of our community and we are so grateful for that because it takes a village to keep this garden going and maintained. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated to help with all our activities. Discussions are underway to connect the Peace Garden Memory Walk to the existing Ellicott Trail Toe Path. If and when that happens it will complete our vision.”
Press release:
We are very grateful to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation for their decent donation of a new AED Defibrillator and Medical Emergency bag for our Bulldawgs organization. The David M McCarthy Memorial Foundation has done so much for so many youth organizations in our community. On behalf of our Board of Directors, coaches, athletes, and families we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Photo: Mr. Mike McCarthy, Brian McCarthy & Pete Stevens from the foundation's board along with our Mini football division team and Bulldawgs board members.
Friday, July 30th – SENIOR CITIZEN DAY
Daily at the Fair: Balloon Display & Demonstrations, Pig Racing, Niagara Down Under, Pony Rides, Chain Saw Carver. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.
With the merger of six United Way chapters in the Finger Lakes area into a single regional organization, the United Way will not lose its focus on the local communities, it serves, said Acting CEO Jaime Saunders at an open house to discuss the merger with the community yesterday morning at GO Art!
"The six United Ways are coming together in a position of strength," Saunders said. "This is about more. This is about more investment, providing more opportunities for connection, more volunteer opportunities, more support for those of you running workplace campaigns, more support for those we set out to serve and change their lives. This is what it is about."
Tammy Hathaway, the now-former director of the United Way in Genesee County, did not speak at the gathering. She is becoming a regional development manager with the new organization.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is sharing important passport information for individuals seeking to schedule emergency appointments.
“With many Americans eager to travel again and applying to renew their passports, the State Department is experiencing large delays in processing and approving applications,” Jacobs said.“Firstly, if you are planning on traveling in the next eight months you should take care of the appropriate paperwork now.”
New updates have been made to the way individuals can schedule emergency appointments. Now, the only way individuals can make these appointments is by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY) 1-888-874-7793 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
Appointments cannot be transferred, and applicants may only schedule one if they are traveling within two weeks, or within four weeks if a foreign visa is needed. Appointments will only be scheduled within three business days of travel, or 10 days if a visa is required – proof of travel within the time will be required when arriving at the appointment.
“If you are experiencing passport delays, this can be a valuable resource to ensure your passport is squared away before you travel,” Jacobs said. “In addition, my office is available to help with any additional questions concerning passports or other federal agencies.”
In addition, in response to these reported delays, Rep. Jacobs has also asked the State Department to take additional steps to address the processing backlog. You can view the text of that letter here. For additional questions concerning passports or federal agencies, Jacobs’ Geneseo District Office can be reached at 585-519-4002.
Press release:
The City of Batavia Water Department will be making repairs to a water main on Williams Street on Friday July 30. The water will be shut off the length of Williams street starting at around 8:30; we plan to have it restored by 3:00.
This may cause discolored water in the general area, please refrain from doing laundry until the water is clear.
As always, we appreciate your patience.
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