Press release:

“Tonight President Trump emerged victorious from a partisan impeachment scheme, and declared to all Americans that the State of the Union is ‘stronger than ever before!’ " said Chris Jacobs, Congressional candidate (NY-27) and state Senator.

"For the past three years, we have seen a President resolute in putting America first and dead set against the socialist onslaught from the left. The results have record economic growth, new jobs, trade deals, opportunities for working Americans, and a return of the rule of lawmaking all Americans safer.

"President Trump set out to bring Americans together and has worked to build an America that works for all Americans, and tonight’s address reflected nothing less than his dedication to our great nation. I look forward to helping our President secure re-election this fall to keep the State of our Union prosperous for four more years.”

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider accepting an application for assistance from Mega Properties at the GCEDC’s Feb. 6 board meeting.

Mega Properties is investing approximately $3 million to build a 60,000-square-foot distribution warehouse in the Town of Batavia at the Gateway II Corporate Park.

The project is the first phase of development on a 22.2-acre site purchased by Mega Properties in 2019. The site could accommodate approximately 120,000 square feet of additional facilities.

Mega Properties has long-standing ties to Batavia, having launched in Batavia’s Harvester Business Incubation Center more than 30 years ago. The business is currently based at the Gateway I Corporate Park in the Town of Batavia.

Mega Properties is seeking approximately $558,497 in assistance, including a property tax exemption of $400,497, a sales tax exemption of $128,000, and a mortgage tax exemption of $30,000.

Since the project is requesting more than $100,000 in incentives, public hearings will be scheduled for comment and feedback to the requests.

The Gateway II Corporate Park is located less than a mile from Interstate 90 Exit 48 in the Town of Batavia and is home to Ashley Furniture HomeStore’s regional distribution facility.

The Gateway II Corporate Park is also the site of Gallina Development’s manufacturing/distribution flex building -- the Gateway GS campus, which has immediate availability for lease tenants seeking 4,500- to 27,000-square-feet of space.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider accepting applications for assistance from two Batavia Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) strategic projects at the GCEDC’s Feb. 6 board meeting.

Together, the Ellicott Station and Ellicott Place projects are proposing 65 new apartments that support Genesee County’s EDGE economic development strategy for housing to support the growth of Genesee County’s businesses and communities.

Ellicott Station is a $22.5 million mixed-use brownfield redevelopment project by Savarino Companies that includes adaptive reuse and new construction on Ellicott Street in the City of Batavia. This blighted property is a key gateway entrance to Downtown Batavia, and the project would create 20 additional jobs to Downtown Batavia’s business community.

Considerable brownfield remediation, site improvements, and construction are proposed, including a five-story apartment building with 55 new modern workforce housing units, along with a brewery, restaurant/beer garden, and preparation for additional development at the 3.31-acre site.

Ellicott Station is requesting approximately $3.6 million in economic incentives, with a $2,105,792 property tax exemption, a $790,512 sales tax exemption, and a $180,792 mortgage tax exemption. Revenues from the project will also contribute to the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity brownfield redevelopment fund.

Ellicott Place is a $3.1 million redevelopment of 45-47 Ellicott St. by V.J. Gautieri Constructors that includes the creation of and access to residential and commercial spaces in Downtown Batavia.

The project will construct 10 second-floor apartments at the existing facility, along with the development of first-floor storefronts and building-wide façade improvements. The redevelopment of Ellicott Place is estimated to create nine additional jobs to Downtown Batavia’s business community.

Ellicott Place is requesting approximately $130,000 in economic incentives, with a $110,400 sales tax exemption and a $20,000 mortgage tax exemption.

Ellicott Station and Ellicott Place were among eight transformational investments announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as enabling the Batavia DRI’s strategy to drive new, mixed-use development, improved access to local healthcare, and transform public spaces for community use.

Since both the projects are requesting more than $100,000 in incentives, public hearings will be scheduled for comment and feedback to the requests.

Press release:

On Thursday, Nate McMurray, Democratic candidate for the 27th Congressional District,  called on opponent Chris Jacobs to join him in participating in debates in each of the eight counties in the district prior to the Special Election in April. 

“While Chris is stooping to name-calling and divisive rhetoric, I’m proposing debates in every county across the district to give voters the information they deserve to make an informed decision on Election Day," McMurray said.

"Chris is running around shouting the word ‘socialist’ every chance he gets; which is funny considering I’ve been working for his family and making them money for years as VP of Business Development."

“Chris can keep name-calling if he wants, but I’m ready to bring the issues that matter most to Western New York families to the forefront. With Washington a mess, we should be talking about jobs, about taxes, about the fact that everyone needs to understand that party lines don’t matter in the voting booth when you’re struggling to put food on the table or you can’t afford to buy insulin.” 

The proposed dates for the debates are:

• Feb. 17th: Wood Library, 134 Main St., Canandaigua, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (tentative)
• Feb. 24th: Geneseo Riviera Theater, 4 Center St. Geneseo, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (tentative)
• March 2nd: Location TBD
• March 9th: Location TBD
• March 16th: Location TBD
• March 23rd: Location TBD
• March 30th: Location TBD
• April 6th: Location TBD

Press release from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A physician from Batavia, Matthew Landfried, is returning home from Washington, D.C., after providing medical support during the 2020 State of the Union Address by President Donald J. Trump on Feb. 4.

Landfried is a surgeon who serves as a member of the National Disaster Medical System’s (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team. During events such as the State of the Union, NDMS personnel along with U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers stand ready to provide advanced life support and basic medical care to everyone attending the event.

NDMS is a federally administered program that can support communities with medical care, veterinarian care, and mortuary assistance during disasters or public health emergencies.

NDMS is among the resources made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). They also work behind the scenes at some of our nation’s biggest events, often at the request of the Congressional Office of the Attending Physician, the U.S. Capitol Police, or the U.S. Secret Service.

“Typically at events like this we see people who have minor cuts or sprains or other non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses,” explains Dr. Helga Scharf-Bell, NDMS acting director. “However, we also can provide initial life-saving care for more serious injuries or illnesses and stabilize patients for transportation by DC Fire/EMS to a local hospital.”

NDMS comprises approximately 5,000 physicians, nurses, veterinary staff, paramedics, fatality management professionals, and experienced command and control staff, organized into several different response teams, including, but not limited to: Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams, National Veterinary Response Teams, and Trauma Critical Care Teams. Providing medical care during emergencies and special events, such as the State of the Union Address, can overwhelm local and state resources. ASPR looks to the expertise within NDMS from across the country to assist in the response.

During the State of the Union Address, the Vice President, First Lady, Cabinet Secretaries, both Houses of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior level government officials come together in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol. The State of the Union Address gives the President the opportunity to report on the condition of our nation and outline his legislative agenda and priorities to Congress and the American people.

As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ASPR’s mission is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. ASPR leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. During special security events like the State of the Union Address, ASPR stands ready to serve in case of an emergency. For more information about federal medical response and NDMS, visit www.phe.gov.

File photo of Dr. Matthew Landfried taken Nov. 30, 2018 at Terry Hills in Batavia when he received the Jerome Foundation's Health and Humanitarian Award. (A month prior to that, in October 2018, he was honored by Batavia's Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation during National Italian-American Heritage Month.)

Information from Blue Pearl Yoga:

Blue Pearl Yoga in Downtown Batavia is very excited to have Sonam Targee of Ancient Universal Medicine of Rochester join us again for a Healing Sound Bath on Saturday, Feb. 15.

A Healing Sound Bath is a relaxation technique and meditative experience. Participants “bathe” in the sound waves produced by chimes, gongs, drums, singing bowls, voice and more. It is a healing meditation through the use of sound and vibration.

"It is like a purifying shower of love through sound," according to proponents.

Targee brings more than 30 years of expertise in sacred music and sound healing. His expertise in sacred music, sound healing and the spiritual arts gives him a diverse palate of healing modalities from which to choose and to impart.

Targee performs regularly as a musician and leads groups in Kirtan (sacred chanting).

“Music can open your heart and create a profound sense of inner peace, a place where healing can occur,” Targee says.

The Healing Sound Bath will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 15 at the yoga studio, located on the third floor of the historic Masonic Temple building located at 200 E. Main St.

Presale tickets are $35. If any remain, tickets will be $40 at the door.

Press release:

According to Punxsutawney Phil (the beloved groundhog from neighboring Pennsylvania), warmer weather is on its way and Genesee Community College is taking full advantage of an early spring by offering a calendar full of opportunities.

Explore the many different degrees and certificates offered by GCC that increase earning potential and even start a whole new career path.

On Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. GCC's Batavia Campus will host an Open House event for students of all ages. Learn why thousands of people across the nation are now choosing community colleges to avoid the crushing student loan debt often incurred at four-year institutions.

GCC's Open House covers the admission and financial aid processes and provides campus-wide tours including College Village and the new communal living with private bedrooms in the recently renovated Birch Hall.

Registration is encouraged and available online here to ensure a spot for GCC's Open House event, which will include:

• 8 a.m. -- Early Registration in Stuart Steiner Theatre
• 8:15 a.m. -- Early Bird Campus Tours
• 8:30 a.m. -- Registration
• 9 a.m. -- Hear from College Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Success Center and Student Activities Representatives*
• 10:15 a.m. -- 11:15 a.m. Academic Fair in the Forum with program faculty
• 10:30 a.m. -- 12 p.m. -- Campus Tours -- including College Village (residence halls)
• 11 a.m. -- 12 p.m. -- Nursing Information Session (optional)

*Presentations will be live-streamed here.

In addition to the Open House event, the College is also hosting specialized Major Exploration Days where attendees will meet with program faculty and dedicated student success coaches specialized to each major, and representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Activities. Attendees will also be given a tour of the campus and College Village.

Click on the links below to register online.

• March 6 -- Business Administration, Fashion, Science, Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality, and Food Processing Technology
• March 20 -- Law/Paralegal, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Teacher Education
• April 24 -- Healthcare programs including: Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Sleep Technologist, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Technology and the NEW Health Studies, A.S. 
• May 8 -- Learn about the flexibility of a Liberal Arts degree: Creative and Fine Arts, Digital Arts and Physical Education

Major Exploration Days are scheduled on Fridays from 12 - 3:30 p.m. and start in the Conable Technology Building on GCC's Batavia Campus. These sessions fill up fast, so registration is recommended and available online here under "Major Exploration Days."

Genesee Community College serves over 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Food Processing Technology, Theatre Arts and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S. 

Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center, who provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation including transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms. 

GCC operates a significant online program and student housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for being "high-tech" and "high touch."

GCC also offers classes and training through its Campus Centers located throughout Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties at:

• Albion Campus Center -- 456 West Ave., Albion
• Arcade Campus Center -- 25 Edward St., Arcade
• Dansville Campus Center -- 31 Clara Barton St., Dansville
• Lima Campus Center -- 7285 Gale Road, Lima
• Medina Campus Center -- 11470 Maple Ridge Road, Medina
• Warsaw Campus Center -- 115 Linwood Ave., Warsaw

A fire was reported at a residence in the Westside Mobile Home Park, 4016 W. Main Street Road, lot #6, Batavia. The occupant is still inside. But a Sheriff's deputy on scene reports the occupant says smoke filling the mobile home is due to burnt food and is refusing to go outside. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

A porch fire extending to the second floor is reported at 216 North St., Batavia.

All occupants are reported out of the residence.

City fire on scene. The third platoon is requested to headquarters.

UPDATE 5:10 a.m.: Fire is out, checking for extension.

Press release:

Hops for Hope to benefit the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Eli Fish Brewing Company.

The brewery, located at 109 Main St. in Downtown Batavia, will be releasing a new Hope Lager for the event.

There will be a Cornhole Tournament with prizes and a Yeti Cooler Raffle. Commemorative glasses for the cost of $20 will enter you into a large cash prize drawing! It will be a “Sunday Funday"!

All of the proceeds from the new beer sale, along with the sale of several other items, will go to the foundation, which assists families undergoing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, provides funding to youth activities through their grant, and supports research for pediatric blood cancers. 

Join us for an afternoon of “Hope” … listening to the music of the OHMS Band, purchasing a commemorative glass, participate in some games, purchase raffle tickets, buy some apparel and just spend a Sunday afternoon with friends. 

Tickets are available at the door for $15 and include live music and appetizer stations provided by Eli Fish. Go to elifishbrewing.com for details or call 585-861-0550 or 585-409-3275 for questions.

Press release:

The GCASA Foundation is accepting applications for its annual scholarship, which is open to Genesee and Orleans County students entering college this fall.

The purpose of the program that awards two $1,000 scholarships – one to a Genesee County resident and one to an Orleans County resident – is to provide financial support to those pursuing their education at an institution of higher learning in the fields of human services or social services and, ultimately, to contribute to improving community health.

Scholarship criteria includes the following:

• The applicant must be accepted at an accredited college or university and enrolled in or matriculated in an eligible program or major;
• Eligible programs include Social Work, Nursing, Health Science, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology and Human Services (and related majors);
• Current GCASA employees, board members and GCASA Foundation board members are not eligible, but relatives of the preceding are eligible.

Applicants are required to provide academic history (high school or college transcripts), two letters of recommendation from someone other than a relative who knows the applicant’s work/volunteer history/academic history, a resume or personal biography including work history, volunteer experience and extra-curricular activities, and an essay that addresses educational and employment objectives as they relate to the mission of GCASA.

Financial need, volunteerism, employment history and civic involvement will be given careful consideration. The recipients will be announced at GCASA’s annual membership meeting on May 20 upon verification of acceptance into an accredited college or university.

GCASA Foundation scholarship applications are posted on the agency’s website – www.gcasa.net.

Completed applications and accompanying documents should be mailed to Diane Klos, Prevention Secretary, GCASA, 430 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020, or emailed to dklos@gcasa.org.

Applications must be postmarked by March 6 if sent in the mail.

File photo of GO ART! Executive Director Gregory Hallock.

The executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council -- GO ART! -- is battling a rare form of cancer. There will be a raffle and fundraiser on Friday, March 27, to help Gregory Hallock and his family defray medical expenses.

The community is encouraged to help support him and his family during this difficult time.

The benefit for Hallock will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at GO ART!, located in the historic Seymour Building, 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

Tickets are $20 each. Only 500 will be sold.

Tickets are available at GO ART! and during business hours at Artic Refrigeration Co. of Batavia, located at 26 Cedar St. in the City of Batavia.

They are also available to buy online through the Batavia Society of Artists, here.

Baskets and an art raffle will also be held -- 10 tickets for $5.

Enter to win a Kegerator and half keg -- a $1,000 retail value. The drawing will be held at 8 o'clock; you need not be present to win.

For more information, contact Stuart McLean at (585) 729-7234 by phoning or texting; or email him at:   smclean17@yahoo.com

GO ART!'s galleries inside Seymour Place are open Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Additional gallery hours and office hours are available by appointment.)

Tavern 2.o.1, located inside Seymour Place, is open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

GO ART! was established in 1962 and is dedicated to developing the cultural life in Genesee and Orleans counties by facilitating the creation, presentation and experience of art, heritage and traditions.

For a story about how Hallock has grown the nonprofit GO ART! and raised its profile in the community since taking the helm in July 2017, click here.

Major James M. Hall, a 25-year veteran of the New York State Police has been named the 25^th Troop Commander in the 102-year history of Troop A.

As the Troop A Commander, Hall will oversee all State Police patrol and investigative operations within the eight counties of Western New York for more than 400 sworn and civilian personnel.

Hall began his State Police career in 1994 and rose through the ranks, most recently, serving as Troop A’s BCI Captain. His duties have included: Uniform Trooper, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Additionally, he has served in the Professional Standards Bureau, as well as the Gaming Detail.

Hall received a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management from Houghton College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Throughout his career, Major Hall has had the opportunity to work on several high-profile cases during his various assignments. He is committed to public service and comes from a family with a rich history in law enforcement.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider accepting applications for assistance from Borrego Solar for five community solar projects at the GCEDC’s Feb. 6 board meeting.

Borrego Solar is investing approximately $21.6 million, which would generate 22 megawatts of energy for residential and commercial subscribers. The five projects are estimated to generate $2.092 million in revenues to the municipalities and schools where the projects are located.

In the Town of Batavia, Borrego Solar has submitted applications for assistance for three solar farms that would be located at 5230 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road (Elba Central School District), 3104 W. Main Street Road (Pembroke Central School District) and 3232 W. Main Street Road (Pembroke Central School District).

If approved, the proposed Payment In Lieu Of Taxes  -- PILOTs -- for the three Town of Batavia projects are estimated to generate $390,041 in revenues to Genesee County, $433,033 in revenues to the Pembroke Central schools and $318,292 in revenues to the Elba Central schools over 15 years.

In the Town of Pembroke, Borrego Solar has submitted applications for assistance for two solar farms that would be located at 241 Knapp Road East (Akron Central School District) and 241 Knapp Road West (Akron Central School District).

If approved, the proposed PILOTs for the two Town of Pembroke projects are estimated to generate $364,711 in revenues to Genesee County and $586,427 in revenues to the Akron Central schools.

Since all the projects are requesting more than $100,000 in incentives, public hearings will be scheduled for comment and feedback to the requests.

A Meat Raffle to support Batavia High School varsity baseball and softball teams will be held starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at Ascension Parish's Slomba Hall, 17 Sumner St., Batavia.

There will be many raffles and prizes, too.

Tickets are $10 and the price includes a food buffet and beverage. Presale tickets. If any remain, they will be sold at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For groups of eight or more, contact Lori at (585) 409-0452 or email Sue Ryan at:   spryan3412@gmail.com

Any BHS player will have tickets available to sell.

Come out for a great time and support our local teams!

Information from Don Chmielowiec.

The results are in for Groundhog Day 2020, which was yesterday: Punxsutawney Phil could not find his shadow.

And as the legend goes, this means we're in for an early spring.

The Pennsylvania groundhog isn't the only weather-predicting rodent in this curious American tradition, although he's the most famous.

Groundhog Day is a good enough excuse for a wintry get-together at the Batavia home of Don and Cheryl Chmielowiec on East Avenue. This was their 11th annual event, but faux-fur Phil's first appearance there.

Mike Pullinzi debuted the rodent suit he bought off ebay several months ago. It was a big surprise for everyone who attended. Pullinzi revealed his true identity after friends and revelers took their group picture.

"We didn't know who it was for over an hour," says Don Chmielowiec, who had 60 Groundhog Day buttons made and still has two -- which means 58 people attended in 2020.

The Batavia tradition was taken over by the Chmielowiecs from their longtime friend and former city councilman, Dan Snyder.

Sunday was a cold, slushy day of lake effect snowfall and, this being Western New York, today it's 41 degrees and there are some clouds and some sunshine.

That's all the reason an optimist apparently requires to make a definitive statement on the season.

"Spring is here as evidenced by my motorcycle ride this afternoon," Don writes in a text message, ending with a toothy emoji that's laughing so hard it's crying.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: Don Chmielowiec clarified that no costumed groundhog showed up at their party until this year's, so we fixed that in the story. He also sent another picture of faux-fur Phil looking puzzled outside a City of Batavia police patrol car, noting in jest that: "We aren't sure he made it home without getting into trouble though."

Photos courtesy of Marcy Pullinzi.

Above, Marcy Pullinzi and Jacqueline Patterson.

Above, Batavia hosts of a Groundhog Day party, Don and Cheryl Chmielowiec, and their special guest.

Above, Punxsutawney Phil​ seems to ask "What the heck?" We're not sure if he was naughty or not.