FOUND: A neutured, declawed senior cat "in not that great shape" that is 99.5-percent black -- he sports a few white hairs on his belly. No collar or microchip.

"He's an old guy; his eyes are watery. He's in pretty rough shape," says Wendy, who is spreading the news of the "Old Tom" in hopes that maybe he somehow got out of his home and his owner is looking for him.

Old Tom was found at a stranger's residence on South Main Street near River Street in Batavia on Friday and was taken to the Genesee County Animal Shelter. A volunteer promises to send us a photo of him tomorrow to post with this announcement.

If his family is not found, maybe a senior would like another senior to bond with and will adopt him, n'est-ce pas? 

If you can help, please call 343-6410.

UPDATE Monday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m.: So, it turns out, this is "Fatty," and Fatty is 17 years old, has always been an indoor/outdoor cat, and belongs to Mark Fanara. Mark will go to the shelter tomorrow at 1 p.m. to reunite with Fatty.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors voted at its Oct. 27 meeting to accept Empire State Development’s $28 million Grant Disbursement Agreement (GDA) to start infrastructure work at the STAMP campus in order to achieve shovel-ready status.

The funding will be used to acquire some remaining acreage at the site and construction and inspection services for water lines, wastewater pump stations and sewer lines, road infrastructure and gas and electric connectivity. It is anticipated that the first bid for infrastructure work will be for the construction of a water system from Oakfield to the STAMP site.

“Based on the release of the funds, we expect that bids will be going out in the next couple of months,” said Mark Masse, CPA, Sr. VP of Operations for the GCEDC. “The other projects that the agency will be putting out to bid over the next few months include onsite construction of the roadway and associated stormwater management.”

Among other things, GCEDC staff is working with its engineering consultants and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as officials in Orleans County on the permitting for the sewer line to extend from the STAMP campus to the Medina wastewater treatment plant.

STAMP is New York State’s second mega-site designed to attract high-tech companies like semiconductor, solar, photonics, bio-pharmaceuticals, energy storage companies and other advanced manufacturing operations. The campus consists of 1,250 acres and planned development of more than 6 million square feet of manufacturing space.

Overall economic studies estimate that 10,000 employees could work directly on campus with up to 50,000 supply-type jobs created across Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions. The campus will also bring significant construction work to the region.

“STAMP has been validated by site selection community as a highly attractive greenfield site for large advanced manufacturers, and we continue to work with interested companies that are looking for a mega campus with the right infrastructure that includes large electric, gas, water and sewer capacity combined with our amazing workforce here in the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

“This is evidenced by securing the commitment of 1366 Technologies, a solar wafer manufacturing company which plans to locate its operations on the campus.”

More than 100 children turned out last night for "Baggerween," a free trick-or-treat event in the parking lot behind City Slickers, sponsored by ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education).

Participating bikers loaded up their saddle bags with candy for children in costume.

Photos provided by Jason Franklin.

Usually, offensive performance in football grabs the headlines, but yesterday, in the Trojans' 34-13 win over Bolivar-Richburg to advance in the Section V Class D tournament, Alexander's Dustin Schmieder had 8.5 sacks.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Head Coach Tim Sawyer.

Schmieder also had five tackles and Erik Scharlau had 2.5 sacks and seven tackles.

And while we're talking about defense, Derrick Busch and Chris McClinic each had an interception.

The previous Section V playoff record for sacks in a game was five by Dan Liseno, for Clyde-Savannah in 2002.

On offense, Dane Heberlien scored two TDs and P.J. Brennan was 3-11 for 91 yards and TD, with one interception. Busch caught the 11-yard pass for the TD. Mitch Gordon scored on a one-yard run.

Schmieder also had a 68-yard reception on the first play of the game.

Hannah Paolucci kicked two extra points on the day.

The Trojans had 309 total yards on offense, but Sawyer still noted, "Penalties held us back today. We need to clean up the penalties and some missed tackles."

Next week, Alexander will face Clyde-Savannah, who beat the Red Jackets 40-14, for the Class D championship.

Photos by Rick Franclemont. For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.

Things seemed to be going Livonia's way in the first half of the Class B Section V semifinal game in Rochester yesterday afternoon.

The Bulldogs controlled the ball for much of the first two quarters while the Batavia offense sputtered, with the team getting its only points in the half on a 71-yard kickoff return by Chandler Baker.

Livonia led the Blue Devils 14-8, but this is Batavia on the field. Head Coach Brennan Briggs preaches "relentless football." Toughness is a given, and when the Blue Devils took possession to open the first half the determination to play tough was apparent.

Batavia scored on their opening drive, followed by a fumble recovery on Livonia's first possession, and the Bulldogs never got back in the game.

It's almost as if you could watch Livonia's fight fade with each passing down.

"Livingston County is great football and they’re tough kids, but I do believe at the end of the day, we’ve got one of the toughest football teams going and these guys pride themselves on it," Briggs said. "When we sniff a little bit of weakness, we’re going to go after it and we’re going to keep going and we’re not going to stop."

The Bulldogs seemed to game plan well to counter the ground threat of sophomore Ray Leach, who was held to only 28 yards on 15 carries for the game, so in the second half, Briggs switched things up a bit, letting QB Jerry Reinhart use his arms and legs more.

Reinhart finished with 73 rushing yards on 13 carries. He was also 7-14 passing for 121 yards and a TD.

His favorite target was Leach, who had four catches for 73 yards, including a 23-yarder for a TD.

“You get number 34 in space and he’s deadly," Briggs said. "Our quarterback can get the ball to him and get him in space where they can’t bottle everything up and then somebody has to make a play on Ray Leach in space and that’s pretty difficult to do.”

Leach was also a factor on defense coming up with big play after big play, including snuffing out a Livonia drive with an interception in the end zone.

"He likes to hit," Briggs said. "He likes to bring the stick. He gets fired up. He did a good job doing his 1/11th and he was locked down to defend one of their best receivers. I’m proud of him and I’m proud of this football team."

The defensive dominance by the Blue Devils in the second half was a team effort, with contributions from Reinhart, Chandler Baker, J'Zon Richardson and Anthony Ray.

The defensive line stiffened in the second half, doing a better job of bottling up Brody Metcalf, Matt Hyde and John Smith on the ground, pushing back the O-line and harassing Metcalf more consistently when he dropped back to pass.

“To be honest, that’s not scheme," Briggs said while discussing some of the second-half defensive adjustments. "That’s our guys deciding that they’re really going to start to take over."

It's almost as if Batavia could smell blood in the water after that first fumble (there were two in the second half (three actually, but the refs gave the ball to Livonia)).

Briggs said his team knows how to sniff out another team's weakness and exploit it. Reinhart agreed.

"If you keep pounding somebody’s weakness, they’re going to slow down, no matter who it is," Reinhart said.

Batavia won 31-20 after Livonia scored a TD in the final second of play (see last picture in slideshow).

The Blue Devils now have a chance to three-peat as sectional champions. This is a very different team from the one that took home the trophy each of the past two seasons and Briggs said this year's squad has had a bit of a chip on its shoulder because of comparisons.

"These guys have their identity now," Briggs said. "A lot of people talk about that we graduated 16, 17 players and Batavia wasn’t going to be there, but here we are and we’re still going to keep that chip on our shoulders."

Reinhart said that identity is built around the team's motto, "relentless."

"That’s what is says on the back of al our T-shirts: relentless, and that’s how we play football," Reinhart said. "We hit these guys and we don’t stop until the game’s over."

Next Saturday at 3 p.m., Batavia will be back in Rochester to face Hornell for the Section V Class B championship. Hornell has been out of the post-season picture the past couple of years but comes into the final, like Batavia, undefeated for 2016. Yesterday, the Red Raiders beat Palmyra-Macedon 49-29.

Top photo: Codie Dioguardi scores on Batavia's opening second-half drive.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Batavia Police have been dispatched to the McDonald's on East Main Street for a report of a vehicle that struck the building sometime between 4:30 and 4:45 a.m.

No indication how the caller came up with that time.

Part of a taillight was left at the scene.

Press release:

Kiwanis Club of Batavia is sponsoring an AMBA (Annual Multiphasic Blood Analysis) Wellness Program on Saturday, Nov. 5.

AMBA is a blood analysis program that screens for coronary disease, kidney disease, anemia, liver disease, and diabetes – all for $40.

The program will occur from 6 to 10 a.m. at the YWCA of Genesee County, 301 North St., Batavia.

Please call 1-800-234-8888 to schedule an appointment.

Personal physician authorization is required, so please have your physician’s name and address available when making your appointment.

For more information, please contact Mike Rimmer at:    mrimmer1@rochester.rr.com

The $2.5 million Summit Street reconstruction project that started this summer in the heart of the city is winding down and Matt Worth, the city's Department of Public Works superintendent, says he expects everything to be completed week's end.

By contract, the work has to be "substantially done" by the end of the month, that's Monday. 

Worth said putting down the black top will technically substantially complete the project. Though that task is "a little weather-dependant, the forecast looks like that will be happening Monday."

Next is the completing the landscaping.

Thirty trees were removed because they conflicted with installation of curbs and sidewalks, or they were in a deteriorated condition. Sixty-two new trees are being planted. Worth added that this is an ideal time to plant the trees, according to the nursery they are working with, and it's apparently good to wait for the trees to become dormant for the season before planting them.

Grass seeding has been completed on the east side, and the finishing touch to the landscaping-- grass seeding on the west side -- will be done by Friday.

Also, crosswalks and stop bars will need to be painted on the fresh asphalt.

"We're really looking to bundle this up, so by the end of next week, I believe those things will have occurred," Worth said.

The Rochester engineering firm of Erdman Anthony has been supervising independent contract companies on this locally administered federal-aid project.

Workers removed the old road, put in new storm, sewer and drainage systems, and paved the road. Federal and state funds covered all but about $100,000 of the cost, with the city responsible for the rest.

The city also funded a $350,000 project to install new water main on Summit Street.

Our news partner WBTA AM/FM contributed to this story.

For previous coverage about the city's infrastructure projects this year, click here.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is moving to its new location next week.

As of Nov. 1, the chamber's official new address will be 8276 Park Road, instead of 210 E. Main St., Batavia.

The phone lines will remain the same: (585) 343-7440, (fax) 585-343-7487.

Press release:

November is New York State History Month and to honor the occasion, the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies and the Genesee Community College History Club are sponsoring a Genesee County Heritage Fair in the William W. Stuart Forum at GCC from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5th.

With the 2016 presidential election just days later on Nov. 8th, the theme of the heritage fair will be "Presidential Elections." Museums and historical agencies from all over Genesee County will set up booths for visitors to explore. Many will feature presidential memorabilia. In addition, there will be local history books on sale, craft demonstrations, historical impressionists and much more.

In keeping with the presidential theme, local schools will participate through two special contests. Elementary school students will be asked to draw portraits of their favorite president. Junior and senior high students will be asked to write short essays. Winners of both contests will be announced at the event. Additionally, event organizers are asking the community at-large to vote on their top ten favorite presidents by completing the online survey available at this link: https://surveyplanet.com/57fe980f5820315e61af75c7. The results will be tallied up and shared at the end of the Heritage Fair.

“During the most contentious election process of modern times, the organizers of the Genesee County Heritage Fair are excited to fuse some of our nation’s presidential election history with the current and lately, contentious topic,” said Derek Maxfield, associate professor of History at GCC, advisor to the College’s History Club and a member of the planning committee. “Through the various displays and history initiatives, we hope to remind everyone how important voting is to preserving our democracy.”

New York State History Month was created by the New York State legislature in 1997 and represents an opportunity for historians to assert the vital importance of preserving and learning about our state’s history. It is also a time to engage with the public through programs and learning opportunities about the history of New York State and the ways in which we can help preserve our history.

Further information on New York State History Month can be found at http://files.ctctcdn.com/9499bee6001/9e234d9f-c057-4176-a9da-d7e98c2cc00c.pdf

For more information on the GCC History Club, visit https://gcchistoricalhorizons.wordpress.com/.

The critically acclaimed Irrera Brothers and soprano soloist Colleen Marcello will be featured in a holiday benefit concert Sunday, Nov. 13, for the Batavia Peace Garden.

"Peace on Earth" will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Batavia High School.

The concert is presented by the Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden & the International Peace Garden Foundation.

Tickets are $15; student admission is $10.

Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended. They can be purchased at Roxy's Music Store on West Main Street in Batavia, or at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, which is moving on Nov. 1 to its new location at 8276 Park Road, Batavia.

For information, call 343-2387 or 201-7100.

Linda L. Osowski, 49, of Lancaster, is charged with: felony DWI, refusal of prescreening device -- breath test, and consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle. On Oct. 27, the defendant was found in the parking lot of Pembroke Imtermediate School after police officers responded to a complaint about a sick or intoxicated driver at the location. Upon interviewing the operator and having her exit the vehicle to perform field tests, she was subsequently arrested. Osowski was arraigned in Pembroke Town Court and jailed on $5,000 cash or bond. The case was handled by Village of Corfu Police Officer Peter Scanio, assisted by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Lonnie Nati.

Jackson Primary held its Fall Carnival Friday evening. Students from the school went on a scavanger hunt, ate pizza and drank apple cider. Prizes and candy were given for playing games such as Launch the Frog, Tip a Troll and candy corn bowling. There were also other fun activities like "Tape the Principal to the Wall," pictured below. 

A pedestrian has been struck by a vehicle on North Bennett Heights Road, Town of Batavia. That's off State Street Road.

The patient is conscious and talking, according to the caller.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: Town of Batavia fire back in service.

Via our news partner, 13WHAM. (Note: this is an edit from the broadcast version to replace video we can't use on The Batavian with our own photos.)

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) voted to accept an application for assistance from T.J. Sheehan, a Massachusetts-based beverage wholesaler with various operations in New York State.

T.J. Sheehan is proposing to convert a former 37,500-square-foot Cargill facility in Alexander to a refrigerated beverage distribution center.  The company intends to invest approximately $1.6 million into the conversion and the project will create nine new jobs. Since the incentives total more than $100,000 a public hearing will be scheduled in the very near future.  

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2017 at its board meeting on Oct. 27 adopting a budget with anticipated cash outflows of $1.36 million.

“The mission of the GGLDC is to foster local economic development by making real estate development investments that prepare sites in Genesee County for new corporate tenants. The GGLDC also provides strategic investment funding to support the GCEDC’s ongoing economic development programming,” said Tom Felton, chairman of the GGLDC.

The anticipated 2017 expenditures of the GGLDC include operations and maintenance for the MedTech Centre building, site/corporate park maintenance, an economic development program support grant to the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), and professional services. Major expenditures include debt service payments of $655,816 on bonds and loans that enabled MedTech Centre building construction and infrastructure development at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (Ag-Park).

The budget includes a line item of $100,000 to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and cost of expanding the Village of Corfu’s wastewater treatment plant. The expansion would directly benefit the Buffalo East Tech Park and allow for future growth and development.

Major sources of revenue include rent of $454,647 from the MedTech Centre facility and common area maintenance fees from the Buffalo East Tech Park and Ag-Park. In addition, $205,780 will be received through the Empire Pipeline PILOT Increment Financing (PIF). Additional cash receipts will include $247,481 in principal and interest payments from several companies repaying loans made in previous years.

In 2016 the GGLDC completed several projects including the widening of Route 63 to support commerce in the Ag-Park as well as completing the secondary access road into the Ag-Park from Route 63. Also completed was the widening of Route 5 in the Town of Pembroke by the entrance of the Buffalo East Tech Park.

“The GGLDC will be working to close major deals at our shovel-ready parks in 2017. We have been investing and working to make these parks ready for the last decade and believe that 2017 will be a productive year with new company attractions and more job creation in our parks,” Felton said.

A resident in the Village of Bergen caught somebody trying to steal his Trump sign from his front yard this morning.

The South Main Street resident confronted the would-be sign thief and the thief returned the sign, then got in his vehicle and drove off.

The incident was reported to the Sheriff's Office at 9:30 a.,m., according to Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble.

The license plate number provided did not match a valid plate and the suspect was not caught.

Yesterday, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of political sign thefts in Elba.

UPDATE: A reader reports that he confronted people stealing his Trump sign at his residence on South Lake Street, Bergen. "I ran in front of the car and forced it to stop," he said. He said two women were in the car and he said they had at least one other Trump sign in the car.  "I got my sign back and called the Sheriff, who came out and took info." The women were in a black Jeep. The reader said he's heard of several Trump signs being stolen in the area.

Pavilion Central School was on lockdown for a period of time this morning after a threatening post was spotted on social media.

Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble said the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation. We've reached out to the WCSO for more information.

"We understand they have addressed the threat and have things under control," Dibble said. " We only have patrols in the area of the school as a precaution."

We'll update this post if more information becomes available.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: Pavilion Superintendent Ken Ellison said the school was never on an official lockdown. There were deputies in the area as an extra precaution, but an actual lockdown was never initiated. Ellison said the district became aware of a threatening statement posted on social media last night and he worked most of the night with the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on the investigation. A spokesman for WCSO said that office will likely have a statement on the situation this afternoon, but the investigation is ongoing.

Pembroke beat Canisteo-Greenwood 46-19 to win the Conner and Ferris Bowl Thursday night.

Zach von Kramer had 32 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns. He set the Pembroke season rushing record with 1,649 on the season.

Reid Miano was 3-4 for 41 yards and one TD pass. He also had a one yard TD run.

Dakota Dieter had two catches for 37 yards including a 19 yard TD catch.

Defensively, Damion Ramirez had seven tackles and one sack to lead the way. Pembroke finished 5-4.  

More pictures can be seen at:http://francletography.photoshelter.com/gallery/2016-10-27-Canisteo-Greenwood-10-vs-Pembroke-12/G00009TcSHZJ4VIM/C0000f1tHYlmnDIE