The Coffee Press on Jackson Street in Downtown Batavia held its official grand opening on Thursday and beer and wine was introduced to the beverage offerings.
Owner Derek Geib said beer and wine will help the business build an evening crowd as well as give people coming downtown another option.
Previously: The Coffee Press on Jackson Street, now open, aims to be hometown hangout
Press release:
The Holland Land Office Museum will be holding its next edition of History Trivia Night at 7 o'clock on Thursday, Sept. 12th. The topic of September’s trivia will be the history of the Erie Canal.
The trivia night will be held at a special location this month, at GO ART!, located at 201 E. Main St., which has offered to host the event. Their Tavern 2.o.1 will also be open for players to enjoy an adult beverage. Admission is $3 per person or $2 for museum members.
On Saturday, Sept. 14th, the next edition of the Holland Land Office Museum’s Saturday Morning Kids Program will be taking place. From 10 a.m. to noon, the kids will be making their own Native American style drums and dream catchers. The program is open to children ages 7-12. Admission is $5 per child, and $4 for museum members.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to present the next presenter in its Guest Speaker Series. On Wednesday, Sept. 18that 7 p.m., Cindy Amrhein will be presenting “Native American Land Rights in Upstate New York.” She is the Wyoming County Historian and the author of several books including one of the same title as the presentation, copies of which will be available for sale. Admission is $3 per person or $2 for museum members.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce its Seventh Annual Senior Bus Trip on Wednesday, Sept. 18th. This year the trip will be to the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora. The trip will include a tour of the campus, lunch at the Roycroft Inn, and shopping in Downtown East Aurora, including Vidler’s 5 & 10. The bus will be departing at 9 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. at the museum. Tickets are $60 per person or $55 for museum members. The trip is made possible by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund.
The Holland Land Office Museum is also proud to announce its first-ever Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser. It will be held at the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, 6492 Main St., Stafford, on Saturday, Sept. 28th. The “Mystery of William Morgan” will be performed by WNY Improv Inc., and will give the audience a chance to be their own detectives in this “Who Done It?” style mystery. Guests will be treated to a choice of one of four entrees during the night from the renowned Red Osier menu. A cash bar will also be available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the performance and dinner beginning at 6. Tickets to the event are $50 per person.
To RSVP for any of the upcoming events or for more information please call the museum at 585-343-4727 or email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Submitted photo and press release:
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- The Batavia Muckdogs were involved in a second-straight, exciting extra-innings game in just a 13-hour span, but came out on the losing end of a 5-4 contest Thursday.
Batavia (39-33) have a half-game lead over West Virginia (38-33) after the loss to the Black Bears.
Batavia's Albert Guaimaro continued his four-game tear, as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Guaimaro is 9-for-15 in the last four games with three home runs, a triple, six RBIs and eight runs.
Catcher Dustin Skelton went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double for Batavia.
In his last 10 games, Skelton is hitting .360. He is an 18th-round Miami Marlins draft pick out of Mississippi State. Andrew Turner had two hits. Jack Strunc and Troy Johnston (RBI) also had hits.
Lefty Easton Lucas had another strong start and has given up one hit his last two starts. He went three innings, struck out six and walked two without giving up a run. Jonakier Villalobos went two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Batavia returns home for a game Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and home Sunday at 5:05 p.m. before ending the season at Auburn on Monday. West Virginia has five games with Mahoning Valley.
Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night and fireworks. The Batavia High School 2019 Section V championship team will be honored as well.
Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.
Fan Appreciation Night
The Batavia Muckdogs have announced that the Saturday 7:05 p.m. game against the Auburn Doubledays will be Fan Appreciation Night with a post-game Disney-themed fireworks show presented by Ferrellgas.
The Muckdogs are in the midst of a heated playoff race and look to PACK THE PARK (Attendance is at a 14-year high!) with great ticket and food and beverage specials!
To celebrate Fan Appreciation Night, all general admission tickets will be only $5.
Food and beverage specials will include $2 hot dogs, $2 peanuts, $1 chips and $3 craft beer cans.
In addition, the team will host a post-game launch a ball contest with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Willie Bee Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase six tennis balls for $5 for the chance to win round-trip airfare on Allegiant Air and other great prizes.
Tickets are available now online at Muckdogs.com or can be purchased at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office during normal business hours from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from noon until the seventh inning on Saturday.
About the Muckdogs
Recognized as the birthplace of the New-York Penn League and one of it’s founding franchises, 2019 marks the 80th season of professional baseball in Batavia. Operated by Batavia Muckdogs Inc., the Muckdogs are the Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Miami Marlins and the only professional sports franchise in Genesee County.
About the Willie Bee Foundation
The Willie Bee Foundation is a not for profit charitable organization that benefits local families that have a child facing life-threatening ailments by proving monetary, medical and social support services.
Photo: Batavia Muckdogs Catcher Dustin Skelton went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double Thursday. In his last 10 games, Skelton is hitting .360. He is an 18th-round Miami Marlins draft pick out of Mississippi State.
Press release:
The community is cordially invited to attend an informational open house Tuesday, Sept. 10 for the Excelsior Energy Center, a 280-megawatt solar energy generating facility with 20 megawatts of energy storage proposed in the Town of Byron.
At the open house to be held at the South Byron fire hall, information about the project will be displayed on large poster boards.
Rather than a structured, formal presentation, the open house will provide many opportunities for any member of the public to speak directly with project representatives and subject-matter experts about questions they may have.
The public is invited to arrive anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or 5 and 7 p.m.
Please arrive anytime during the hours above. Information will be provided and questions will be answered throughout the duration of these sessions. Each session will follow the same open house-style format containing the same information.
South Byron Volunteer Fire Department
7389 Route 237
South Byron
Local artist Jill Pettigrew designed and is overseeing a community art project, a mural that depicts the history of Batavia on a wall on Bank Street behind the GO ART! building.
GOW Counties Overdose Awareness event at Austin Park in Batavia.
See also: Overdose Awareness Day highlights work of peers, need for more support for recovery
The number of recovery centers in New York has grown significantly in recent years, and they are making a huge difference in the lives of those struggling with substance use disorders, according to a high-level official of the state’s Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.
Speaking at Wednesday’s Overdose Awareness Day at Austin Park in Batavia, Robert Kent, chief counsel for OASAS, said the Batavia area will be well served by the opening of the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse’s recovery recreation center at the former Bohn’s Restaurant building on Clinton Street Road.
The Overdose Awareness Day event brought about 150 people together from Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Monroe counties in an effort to raise awareness and share information about substance use and options for those in recovery. About 20 agencies, including law enforcement, took part in the three-and-a-half-hour program.
“We know there’s value (in recovery centers) … we’re starting to see things go in the right direction, but we realized we’re nowhere near where we need to be,” Kent said. “The recovery center here (in Batavia will flourish as) the community connects with the people who need support.”
Kent, who has worked for OASAS since 2007, said there were only three such centers in the state prior to 2015 – in Brooklyn, Rochester and Delaware County.
“When the epidemic took off, we went on our own and added another dozen – and they work,” he said. “We’ll have around 30 by the end of 2019. Ultimately, they become more like community centers instead of recovery centers.”
Carlee Hulsizer, youth recovery program specialist with Youth Voices Matter New York, echoed Kent’s sentiments.
“We definitely need more recovery support,” she said. “Prevention, treatment and recovery … we need more (resources) to sustain them.”
Overdose Awareness Day organizers said that collaboration is the key to lifting people out of the cycle of substance use, treatment and relapse.
“We have three communities coming together to support those in recovery,” said event promoter Allison Parry-Gurak, who is project coordinator of the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force. “Because of this, we now have 400 members (of the task force) across the three counties.”
GCASA Executive Director John Bennett said he was “so proud of all the recovery warriors out here and I know we’re making a difference in our community right now.”
Bennett reported that GCASA is set to take ownership of the former restaurant next week and hopes that it will be open by Dec. 1.
“Maybe even by Thanksgiving so we can have Thanksgiving dinner,” he said. “That would be a great way to kick it off.”
The event drew many volunteers – most of them dressed in purple T-shirts printed with the hashtag # End Overdose. Their work as peers (Certified Recovery Peer Advocates) did not go unnoticed by several speakers, who thanked them for their commitment to standing up alongside those in recovery.
“Peers are the bomb,” said Lori Drescher of the Rochester-based Recovery Coach University. “These recovery coaches are trained and have certification, and are helping people find their way and keeping others in their recovery.”
Drescher then acknowledged all of the peers in the crowd and asked them to come up front where she was speaking.
Among the agencies represented at the event were the YWCA of Genesee County, Wyoming County Mental Health Department, Rochester Regional Health, Genesee County Health Department, Villa of Hope, Missing Angels, (Town of) Gates to Recovery, Horizon, Orleans Recovery, GCASA, The Bridge, VA WNY Health Care, Spectrum Health & Human Services, New York State Police, Gates Police Department, City of Batavia Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
Live music was provided by the band, Groove.
Disclosure: Story by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.
Photos – from top: Scott Davis, left, and Larry Catoe Jr., both in recovery, let attendees of Wednesday’s Overdose Awareness Day know where to begin their quest for information about treatment and recovery; Robert Kent of OASAS spends a moment in the shade with Julie Gutowski, left, and Holli Gass of Spectrum; Gina Henry, GCASA prevention educator, treats the children at the kids’ booth; Lori Drescher of Recovery Coach University recognizes the recovery peers.
Press release:
Starting Sept. 1, the United Way of Genesee County (UWGC) invites agencies and organizations who qualify as a 501c3 to submit their intent to apply for a UWGC’s 2020 Community Impact funding allocation (formerly known as Building Blocks).
These allocations will focus on the impact areas of health, education and financial mobility within Genesee County.
Interested agencies and organizations should contact UWGC Executive Director Tammy Hathaway for application instructions at tammy.hathaway@uwrochester.org or (585) 343-8141.
The deadline for full application submissions will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4th.
Chris Jacobs was in Batavia today and this morning he stopped by The Coffee Press for an interview with The Batavian.
For a senior-day crowd of 1,083, with a start time of 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Albert Guaimaro, a fan favorite for his past two seasons in Batavia, hit his first home run of the season.
It wasn't enough as the Muckdogs fell 11-4 to the Williamsport Crosscuters.
Milton Smith continued his strong season in Batavia gathering two hits. First baseman Sean Reynold's doubled but starter Jackson Rose had given up five runs in the first four innings (of six he pitched) and Batavia never caught up.
The Muckdogs play four of their final five regular-season games starting with a 7:05 p.m. game Thursday at home against Auburn.
Photos by Jim Burns.
Byron-Bergen School Board President Debra List is the 2019 recipient of the Albert W. Hawk Distinguished School Board Service Award.
The Genesee Valley School Boards Association presents this award annually to a current or former school board member who, in the judgment of the Distinguished Service Award Committee, should be recognized for outstanding contributions to public education and children in his or her own community.
The award is named for Albert W. Hawk, a longtime advocate for rural schools and member of both the Dansville Board of Education and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Board of Education. Hawk also chaired many state and national School Board committees.
List is the first Byron-Bergen Board Member to receive this award.
She has served on the Byron-Bergen Central School District’s Board of Education for more than two decades. She is committed to the promotion of rural school districts by advocating with local and state legislators, attending Rural Schools Advocator events, and serving as President of the Genesee Valley School Board Association.
“In my time as superintendent of this district, I have been inspired by Mrs. List’s unwavering commitment to this community,” said Byron-Bergen Superintendent Mickey Edwards.
“Whether it is packing the stands at a sporting event or packing the auditorium at the spring musical, the school district is a cornerstone of stability in this community and in the middle of it all, is Debi.”
List will be honored at a banquet to be held Friday, Sept. 27, at the Glen Iris Inn in Letchworth State Park.
Press release:
Genesee Community College has published its 2017-2018 Annual Report online highlighting another year full of student success. This year's report features a video welcome by President James M. Sunser, Ed.D., as well as graphics highlighting enrollment and course offerings, extensive photos of students in action, and much more.
The College's 2017-2018 digital Annual Report is available ***here, further supporting the College's sustainable business practices, as well as maximizing access to the report's information.
Last year, GCC's annual report borrowed an agricultural theme, "Plant. Water. Harvest. Repeat." from the College's many friends, supporters and neighbors. Visitors to the website will see how GCC has evolved under this theme, which also warranted repeating for this year's theme.
"GCC is planting seeds of knowledge and academic progress; cultivating minds by providing all of the necessary water and nutrients for growth and achievement; then harvesting the hard work of our students and faculty, and celebrating their efforts at graduation," Sunser said in the report's opening video. "And of course, we refine and repeat that process again each semester with a new crop of learners."
The 2017-2018 Annual Report goes beyond reporting statistics, facts and listing donors and supporters.
"Plant. Water. Harvest. Repeat." tells priceless stories of real students through photographs, videos, links to numerous Facebook albums and more. It celebrates all kinds of success, both efforts that were planned and driven by hard work, and some unexpected findings as the result of innovation and high-tech solutions.
It explores what it means for GCC to be an active part of the communities we serve, and how our efforts can help them grow and succeed. Equally important is acknowledging the generous support of the dedicated and passionate people and businesses that share the College's mission and are listed in the "Supporters" section of the report.
Everyone is encouraged to view the annual report (find link above) and join in the celebration of the accomplishments of the past year.
***Please note: Chrome internet browser is recommended for viewing.
From the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:
A 4-year-old boy is dead in what authorities are calling an apparent accidental drowning in the Town of Le Roy this morning.
The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call at about 7:55 a.m. Aug. 28 concerning a missing 4-year-old from a Le Roy residence.
Personnel from the GC Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Police Department and NYS Police responded to the area and initiated a search for the child.
The child was found at about 8:34 a.m. in a swimming pool in a nearby yard. morning.
Immediate medical assistance was rendered at the scene and the child was rushed via Le Roy Ambulance Service to UMMC where he was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation indicates an accidental drowning.
The case is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office.
The name of the boy and any additional details are not being released at this time.
A man who suffered serious burns Monday night after a kitchen fire broke out in Apartment #44 at Walden Estates on Bank Street in Batavia is now listed as being in satisfactory condition at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano has not officially released his name.
Firefighters were on scene in under four minutes from the time they were dispatched at 9:13 p.m. Aug. 26.
They encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions on the first and second floor of the apartment in the five-unit building. Crews were able to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes.
Two occupants inside of the apartment both escaped, but one was seriously burned and was taken via Mercy ambulance to Strong.
Two cats perished in the blaze.
Residents of the two adjoining units were temporarily relocated due to light smoke conditions within their residence. A total of four persons were assisted by the American Red Cross with food and sheltering.
The city fire investigation continues but officials say it does not appear to be incendiary in nature.
For the fire department's press release about the fire, click here.
For the initial post, click here.
Photo courtesy of Frank Capuano.
Richard D. Hanes, the 37-year-old parolee who beat Raymond Lee Morgan to death with a hammer on July 24, 2018, at 111 Liberty St., in the City of Batavia, had nothing to say for himself before Judge Charles Zambito sent him to prison for 25 years to life this morning.
It was the most severe sentence available to Zambito for the savage murder under state law.
Zambito described the murder of Morgan as brutal; any man who could deliver 20 to 25 blows to another human being with a hammer and then try to evade capture and show no remorse is a danger to society.
State law will permit Hanes to become eligible for parole someday and a parole board will ask Zambito for his opinion and Zambito said he will oppose Hanes ever being released from prison.
Zambito noted that Hanes, whose career as a criminal began in 1996, has been released on parole four times and probation twice, and each and every time Hanes violated the terms of release.
"A person with that personality doesn't belong in civil society," Zambito said.
Hanes sat motionless, staring straight ahead, throughout today's proceedings, and he declined an invitation by Zambito to make a statement before sentencing. But members of Morgan's family had plenty to tell Zambito and they took the demeanor of Hanes as a sign that he didn't regret taking the life of the father of two living daughters and seven grandchildren.
"You get to live and breathe while my father is in an urn," one of Morgan's daughters said (Raelee and Faith Morgan stood at the podium together while making their statements).
"Life in prison isn't good enough for the pain and suffering you've caused our family," she added.
Morgan's sister Nancy Raymond said, "You made the decision to take Ray's life, making it necessary for us to serve a life sentence without his smile, his laugh and his love."
Sister Natalie Urbansky said she got to spend 41 years with her brother. Because of Hanes, that opportunity is denied to Morgan's grandchildren.
"I don't want Richard to feel bad for me," she said. "I want him to feel bad for (Morgan's) kids and his grandkids, who won't have the years with him that we had."
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said Batavia PD detectives who investigated the case described a grisly crime scene. They gathered the DNA evidence on the hammer and a hat, and processed the bloody mess resulting from the mayhem inside of Morgan's apartment. Given the lurid details and the eloquent statements of Morgan's family, there wasn't much more Friedman could add in arguing for the maximum available sentence.
Friedman said he agreed with the family's assessment that Hanes showed no remorse for his murder of Morgan.
Defense attorney Fred Rarick argued for the 20-year prison term Hanes was initially offered in a plea bargain that Hanes (inset photo, right) turned down, noting that both the judge and the DA were aware of the brutality of the crime at the time of the offer. He also said his client disagreed with the jury's verdict.
When Zambito pronounced his verdict, the more than 20 family members and friends in the court, and at least one juror who voted to convict Hanes, applauded.
After the sentence was handed down, and as Hanes was led out of the courtroom by deputies, a member of Morgan's family yelled "You monster! I hope you never walk the streets again."
Top photo: Family photo of Ray Morgan.
Lizbet D. Cramer, 42, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was arrested after an investigation found she was allegedly not providing adequate supervision for a child in her care who was on declared by Family Court as a "Person In Need of Supervision" -- PINS (a child under the age of 18 who does not attend school, or behaves in a way that is dangerous or out of control, or often disobeys his or her parents, guardians or other authorities). Cramer was arrested and issued an appearance ticket for Sept. 10 in Batavia City Court. The case was investigated by Det. Eric Hill.
Jennifer Reed, 45, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that at 11:43 a.m. on Aug. 24 that she stole a bottle of Vitamin C from the Dollar General Store on East Main Street in Batavia. She is accused of concealing the item then exiting the store without paying for it. She was arrested and issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 27 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis, assisted by Officer Miah Davis.
The Richmond Reads Committee is pleased to announce the following events as part of “Richmond Reads,” the one book program designed for the Richmond Memorial Library community.
All programs are free to attend and participate in.
Community Book Discussions
Join us to discuss the novel "Southernmost," written by Silas House. Discussions will be led by Samantha Stryker, Community & Adult Services librarian, and members of the Richmond Reads Committee.
The only requirement to attend is that you’ve read the book!
Copies are available at the library in regular print, audio and large print.
Ebook and audio copies can be accessed via our Hoopla and OverDrive Apps at batavialibrary.org
(Editor's Note: For the Kirkus review / synopsis of "Southernmost," click here. For the interview of Silas House published in Kirkus about his newest book, click here.)
Book Discussion Dates:
Richmond Reads Reel Discussion
Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library
Watch the documentary "Hillbilly," which was produced and written by our Richmond Reads author Silas House. He also appears in the film. "Hillbilly" examines the iconic hillbilly image in media and culture. "Hillbilly" was the winner of the Best Documentary Feature at the L.A. Film Festival in 2018.
Concert: The Songs of Joni Mitchell by Leah Zicari
Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library
Join musician Leah Zicari for a free concert dedicated to the music of Joni Mitchell. The impact of music in our lives plays a huge role in "Southernmost."
One character in particular -- Bell -- finds solace in the music of Joni Mitchell, such as the tune with the same title as Mitchell's debut concept album "Song to a Seagull." (This is reflected in the name of the complex of rental cottages owned by Bell.) "All I Want" is a number from Mitchell's fourth studio album released in 1971, "Blue," and House cites the song as central to Bell's character and the album itself as playing a pivotal role in his book.
(Editor's Note: Find the music playlist chosen by Silas House for "Southernmost" here.)
Review Contest -- Win a chance to meet the author one-on-one!
Submission deadline: Monday, Sept. 9.
Submit a review of "Southernmost" for a chance to attend an afternoon tea with Richmond Reads author Silas House before the main author event on Sept. 26! The review should be 200 words or less.
Four winners will be chosen anonymously by the Richmond Reads Committee. Summer reading contest winners will also be in attendance. Visit our website or the library for all rules, information and the entry form.
Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library
Author Silas House (inset photo right) will join us for a reading, talk and book signing. Copies of the book will be available for sale. All are welcome to attend this free event!
For more information, visit batavialibrary.org/Richmond-reads.
Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment. Learn more at www.batavialibrary.org.
Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.
Richmond Reads is sponsored by The Friends of Richmond Memorial Library and made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature and administered by GO ART!
Photo of Silas House courtesy of Tasha Thomas.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
