An older woman at 167 Vine St. Batavia, using a walker, was reportedly helped from her house while it was filling with smoke this evening by an identified female neighbor.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. 

Interim Fire Chief Dan Herberger said it appeared the fire started in the basement and the basement was fully involved by the time fire crews arrived on the scene and was starting to make an incursion into the first floor by the time it was extinguished.

"There is significant fire damage in the basement and the fire popped up through the first floor," Herberger said. "There is significant smoke damage throughout the house. There is a lot of damage.

Mary McCarthy, daughter of the resident of the house, and her husband Mike McCarthy told The Batavian's photographer Jim Burns about the apparent rescue of her mother by a neighbor and said she became aware of the fire when receiving an alert on her mobile phone from the house's Ring security system and she could view the smoke through the Ring's recorded video. The McCarthys immediately headed to the house.

The fire was reported around 6:30.

City Fire along with Alexander's Fast Team, with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia and Le Roy Fire, responded to the two-alarm fire.

Herberger said the fire was somewhat difficult to fight because the basement is set up for a home hair salon, so there are barriers in the basement along with chemicals.

The original dispatch placed the fire at the YWCA on North Street but when crews arrived, they determined the fire was at the residence.  There was smoke coming from the chimney, which on a warmer day, indicates basement fire, Herberger said, and flames showing from at least three basement windows. 

County records indicate the home is owned by Joyce Meisner and Mary McCarthy.  The ranch-style brick house was built in 1950 and is 1,715 square feet. The assessed value is $155,000.

UPDATE: Press release,

On Monday, February 21, 2022, at 6:34 pm the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to reported smoke from a house at 167 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.  Initial fire units arrived at 6:38 pm to find smoke emanating from a one-story, single-family home.  One occupant of the home was assisted to safety by the City of Batavia PD and neighbors upon FD arrival.  Fire crews entered the home to find a large volume of smoke throughout with fire in the basement.  Crews had difficulty locating the fire due to its location in the basement.  The fire was placed under control at 7:32 pm.  Extensive fire and smoke damage were caused to the structure and contents.

Two civilian injuries were reported, however, both refused transport to the hospital.  No firefighter injuries were reported. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by City of Batavia Fire Department fire investigators.  

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police, City of Batavia Bureau of Inspections, Town of Batavia FD, Alexander FD, LeRoy FD, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center and Emergency Management Office, Mercy EMS (as well as an ambulance from the FEMA deployment to the area), National Grid and National Fuel.

Photos by Jim Burns

Post-season for boys and girls basketball begins this week.  Here are the schedules for Genesee County's teams.

In boys basketball:

• Batavia (7-13), #8 seed, plays #9 seed Livonia (8-12) at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, in the B1 bracket
• Le Roy (14-6) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Le Roy, in the B2 bracket
• Alexander (7-13) #11 plays #6 Bloomfield (13-7) at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Bloomfield in the C1 bracket
• Pavilion (2-18) #11 plays #6 Holley (10-10) at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Holley in the C2 bracket
• Pembroke (14-6) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at Pembroke in the C2 bracket
• Oakfield-Alabama (19-1) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at O-A in the C2 bracket.
• Byron-Bergen (11-8) #8 plays #9 Red Jacket (11-9) at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Byron-Bergen in the C2 bracket
• Notre Dame (17-3) #1 plays a team yet to be determined at 7:30 p.m., Friday, at Notre Dame in the D2 bracket
• Elba (13-7) #2 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., Friday, at Elba in the D2 bracket

In girls basketball:

• Batavia (4-16) #7 seed plays #9 North Rose-Wolcott/Sodus (4-16) at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Rochester Prep CORRECTION: Batavia plays Greece Odyssey at home at 7 p.m. tonight in the B1 bracket
• Le Roy (6-14) #9 plays #8 Dansville at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Dansville in the B2 bracket
• Alexander (11-9) #7 plays #10 Marcus Whitman (9-10) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Alexander in the C1 bracket
• Pembroke 10-10 #7 plays #10 Perry (6-14) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Pembroke in the C2 bracket
• Pavilion (16-2) #1 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Pavilion in the C2 bracket
• Oakfield-Alabama (17-3) #3 plays a team yet to be determined at 2 p.m., Saturday, at O-A in the C2 bracket
• Byron-Bergen (15-5) #4 plays Keshequa (15-5) #5 at 1 p.m., Saturday, at B-B in the C3 bracket
• Notre Dame (15-5) #3 plays a team yet to be determined at 7 p.m., CORRECTION: The game time has been changed to 6 p.m., Friday, at Notre Dame in the D1 bracket
• Elba (14-6) #3 plays #6 Hammondsport (10-9) at 2 p.m., Saturday

Press release:

Genesee County officials will host a pair of informational meetings via Zoom to assist businesses looking to apply to the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding eligibility, funding, program requirements, COVID impacts, and more.

Through the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund, businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 will be eligible to receive a grant of up to $75,000 to aid the recovery of their businesses.  Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses within Genesee County with 25 or fewer employees.

The meetings to be held virtually through Zoom are scheduled for:

• Thursday, February 24 at 10 a.m.
  • Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86560090929
  • Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 865 6009 0929
• Wednesday, March 2 at 11 a.m.
  • Video Conferencing: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83846902808
  • Audio Conferencing: Dial 1-929-205-6099, Webinar ID: 838 4690 2808

Businesses are encouraged to visit www.GeneseeCARES.com to review eligibility and requirements for the grant. A fillable application is available for download at the website.

Press release:

Porter Farms is excited to join other CSA farmers across the country to celebrate CSA Week, a national event taking place from February 20th through February 26th to promote CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA is a farm membership system that allows consumers to sign up to receive a season’s worth of a farm’s products every week. Along with getting to enjoy fresh, delicious, and local food, being a CSA member is an excellent way to support and get to know your local farmers.

Join us in promoting CSA Week, the most popular time of the year to sign-up for a CSA! When you sign up to become a CSA member, your financial support helps us prepare for the growing season. You’ll enjoy high-quality produce while taking comfort in knowing where and how your food was grown. Don’t wait to sign up, as we have limited spots available! Our farm is offering a $20 Early Bird discount to people who sign up before April 15th. There has never been a better time to connect with fresh local food while helping to make our local food systems and communities more resilient.

We offer several options for your ease of joining.  Individual shares can be picked up locally at the farm, or at one of our several western New York sites, or if your organization has enough interested members, we will make you a pickup site of your own.  “We strive to make your pickup and membership as easy and convenient as possible for you.  Reasonable accommodations are made to ensure your experience is easy, fast, and rewarding” says Farm Manager Kathy Riggs-Allen.

How to Participate in CSA Week
If you would like to celebrate CSA Week and support Porter Farms, sign up to become a CSA member, and use the hashtag #CSAWeek to join the online conversation.

“Signing up is easy,” says CSA Manager Katie Metzler. “To learn more and to join us for the 2022 season, you can reach us at www.porterfarms.org

Click the join tab at the top of the page to learn more about our share options and delivery locations. We are always looking to expand our reach throughout Western New York, and can even accommodate workplace deliveries during the week.

Article by Coach Nick Burk

The Batavia Indoor Track team competed at the A2 Section V championships on Saturday at Houghton College and the boys team came away with a 111 to 107 victory over 2nd place Newark and 13 scoring schools. This Sectional Championship is the 10th title for the Batavia Indoor boys team and the 26th Sectional championship for both the girls and boys Indoor teams.  Combined with our Outdoor Sectional championships, this makes 37 Titles for Batavia Track and Field!

The meet started out very strong with a 4th place finish in the 3200m by junior Nate Canale (10:28.56).  The 55m Hurdles was a big event for the Blue Devils with Junior Fabian Vazquez finishing 2nd (8.19), Junior Ifran Armstrong finishing 4th (8.62), and Senior Jesse Reinhart finishing 5th (8.79).  Next in the 1000m, Junior Cody Harloff crossed the line in 3rd place (2:45.96), and Junior Noah Pickard finished 4th (2:49.78), in the 1600m, Freshman Cooper Konieczny finished 6th (5:15.51), and in the 300m Sophomore Parris Price finished 6th (37.63).

In the Field events, Batavia had a dominant showing, specifically in Pole Vault with Junior Tyler Umlauf winning the event championship (11-0).  Senior Noah Burke finished 2nd (11-0), and Sophomore Owen Halpin finished 6th (9-0).

The throwers once again were well represented in this meet with Senior Austyn Fernandez taking 2nd in the Shot Put (44-2) and 4th in Weight Throw (47-10).  Senior Luke Geiger placed 2nd in the weight throw with a phenomenal toss (56-2). Senior Abel Hammer finished 3rd in the Shot (43-10) and Senior Dan Saeva finished 5th in Shot as well (41-7). Junior Parker Kleinbach finished 6th in the Weight Throw (44-9).  All together our throwers contributed 29 points in just two events towards our total score.

Other field event results included Fabian Vazquez finishing in 2nd in Long Jump with a new personal best jump (21-2), Jesse Reinhart finished in 4th in Triple Jump (40-10) and 4th in High Jump (5-7), and Senior Carter Havens finished 6th in Triple Jump (39-5).

All three relays were able to score demonstrating the depth and balance of our team this season.  The Boys 4x800 Relay of Cody Harloff, Noah Pickard, Dom Grillo (Junior) and Nate Canale finished 4th (9:30.32).  The 4x400 Relay of Carter Havens, Donavin Solis (Sophomore), Ifran Armstrong, and Cole Grazioplene (Sophomore) finished in 3rd place (3:42.87), and the 4x200 Relay of Fabian Vazquez, Aidan Anderson (Junior), Parris Price, and Cole Grazioplene finished in 3rd as well (1:36.46).

The strength of the Batavia program is that we've structured our team to be as competent across all of the events for track and field as possible.  We place great emphasis on developing hurdlers, vaulters, and throwers to compliment our accomplishments on the track.  Once again the depth of our team shined through in this meet and contributed directly to our 10th championship!

Not to be outdone, our Batavia Girls Indoor Track team had an incredible day and fell just 1 point short of their own championship. Canandaigua finished in first with 88 points, while our girls scored 88.  There were 13 total teams that scored for the girls as well.

On the Track Freshman Campbell Riley had an incredible meet winning the Sectional Championship in the 1500m (5:12.72) and placing a very close 2nd in the 1000m (3:10.43).  In the 3000m, freshman Izzy Scott finished in 5th place (11:44.19).  In the 55 Hurdles, Junior Abby Moore finished 4th (10.18).  In the 1000m Freshman Nicole Doeringer placed 4th (3:20.35), and Senior Olivia Halpin placed 6th (3:40.11). In the 1500m, 7th grader Mallory Boyce finished in 6th place (5:49.72).  All of our points besides one that was scored on the track were from girls who are underclassmen and will return next season.

In the Field events, specifically, the girls Shot Put we had arguably our best performance of the day from 8th grader Libby Grazioplene. Libby entered the meet seeded 15th in this event and ended up as the Sectional Champion with a personal best throw that was more than five feet above her previous best (30-5).  This was one of the most clutch performances we've ever had for Batavia Track.  Freshman Zenallah Simmons finished 2nd in Shot (29-6) and 6th in Weight Throw (32-2). Senior Emma Radka finished 4th in Shot Put (28-8),

Other field event results included Senior Gavin Konieczny finishing in 2nd in Pole Vault (8-6) and her sister, Junior Sydney Konieczny finishing in 4th in Triple Jump (31-0) and 6th in Long Jump (14-10). Sophomore Isabella Walsh finished 2nd in the High Jump (4-11).

The girls had a great showing in the relays also, demonstrating our team's depth.  The 4x800 Relay of Izzy Scott, Jadyn Boyce (Sophomore), Makayla Andalora (Senior), and Mallory Boyce finished in 4th (11:16.32).  The 4x400 Relay of Nicole Doeringer, Leigh LeFevre (Freshman), Noelia Ventura (Senior), and Campbell Riley finished in 3rd place (4:31.30), and the 4x200 Relay of Abby Moore, Layla Jones (Freshman), Sydney Konieczny, and Ella Shamp (8th grade), finished in 4th with a season-best performance (1:55.72).

The girls team came into this meet seeded to finish in 4th place by nearly 30 points to Canandaigua!  We ended up in 2nd place by one point and this was a truly amazing performance by our Lady Devils! So many of our girls contributors on this year's team are young and yet they displayed heart and determination like a much more veteran team would.  Our future is very bright with these young athletes.

Batavia track and field is proud to have competed so well in Sectionals and is looking forward to the State Qualifier meet this coming Friday at Houghton College.  Again none of our success would be possible without the dedication from our coaching staff including Dan Geiger, Bre Clark, Rich Boyce, Bill Buckenmeyer, and Amanda Mikiciuk. These coaches helped prep this team for success and were up to the task of continuing the strong traditions of Batavia Indoor Track. full results can be found at:
http://results.yentiming.com/2022/indoor/2-19-22-Class-A2.htm

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

A possible basement fire is reported at 167 Vine St. Batavia. 

Smoke coming from the basement. 

A second alarm has been called. 

City Fire on scene. 

UPDATE: 7:22 p.m. Alexander Fast Team called to the scene.

Bob Knipe's passion for the arts, community, media, and technology are all symbolized by the new podcast studio at GO Art!'s home, Seymour Place, in Batavia, according to his son, Tom Knipe, and Knipe's wife, Linda Knipe, who both spoke Sunday prior to a ribbon-cutting at the studio.

"My dad was somebody who this is just such a fitting thing to do in my dad's honor," said Tom Knipe, who currently runs the industrial development agency in Ithaca. "He was a college media guy. He was a radio guy. He, he loved really good sound. He was an audiophile since forever. I remember him putting huge headphones on my head when I was two years old. Listen to this. So it's very fitting."

Knipe was involved in numerous community organizations, most of them around the arts.  He was on the board for GO Art! (and continued to be actively involved after his term on the board expired), as well as playing with and volunteering for the Genesee Symphony Orchester, Batavia Concert Band, and the Genesee Wind Ensemble.  He was also a Rotarian and served on City committees.

"He saw all of his activities as critical contributions to the local community and its economic development," Linda said. "He told us some time in those final days that music brought meaning to his life. He said, 'without music life is kind of a cruel joke. I believe that there is music to the atmosphere, the sciences, the flow of electricity, the beat of the heart. Music is fundamental to everything.' And volunteering was fundamental to Bob's character and upbringing as well."

GO Art! Executive Director Gregory Hallock recalled the arduous path he took to get his job.  He first applied in 2015 and didn't get the job.  He said it was Knipe who called him to say he didn't get the job.  He told him, Hallock said, that he wasn't ready. When the job opened up again in 2016, Hallock applied again.  Again, Knipe broke the sad news but this time with an alternative offer:  Hallock could become the assistant director, a position that hadn't existed before and would need to be funded through a grant.

"He had this plan," Hallock said. "He wanted me to come in as the assistant director because I wasn't from the area. He said you don't know anybody but you're meant to be here. He said, it's not your time. You need to be under somebody. So they hired, they got a grant to hire me, and brought me in, in February of 2016 so that I could work for a year under somebody else and then take over."

Linda Knipe said Bob always saw potential in Hallock and Hallock said Bob Knipe was always there for him.

He painted the main gallery.  He built art displays. When Hallock floated the idea of a library in Seymour Place, Kniped showed up with books to donate.  That was nearly five years before the library opened.

Whenever Hallock put the call out to board members, and even though Knipe was no longer on the board, he was always the first to respond.

"I always got a phone call or text from him, saying, 'What do we have to do? How do we make this happen?' Hallock said. 

Linda said Bob loved Batavia and wanted to see it prosper and its people do well.

"Those of you closest to Bob probably understood his motivations but he loved people," Linda said. "His efforts were to change people's lives for the better, individually through programs and through building a community that was fun, interesting, and fulfilling to live in. He worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for people to grow."

Top photo: Bob Knipe's grandchildren, Alice, Eleanor, and Alder, along with Linda Knipe and Tom Knipe, cut the ribbon in the new podcast studio.

Tom Knipe.

Press release:

Todd Haight, the long-time general manager and director of live racing at Batavia Downs, has announced that he will retire from that position at Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation effective March 15.

"I would like to thank WROTB Chairman of the Board Richard Bianchi and all the directors for their support over the past 20 years. I would also like to thank my dedicated co-workers who proved to be a great support system for the live racing department, and the members of the Western New York Harness Horseman's Association that I’ve worked in conjunction with for many years," said Haight.

Haight started at WROTB in 1998 as an independent contractor and later became an employee when the historic racetrack re-opened in 2002.

He first co-hosted a nightly live broadcast of races on cable TV with track announcer John Bothe. Then in 2005, he joined the corporation's marketing department, and that allowed him to reinstate all the great promotions that occurred at Batavia before WROTB purchased the Downs.

"I was able to bring back the popular driver's bike race on Labor Day and the old-fashioned hot dog days and our fans responded in big numbers once we did. Another popular promotion we started and grew was the wiener dog races and it’s nice to see so many other race tracks are doing them now," said Haight. 

“I was also able to hit the streets to sell advertising and more importantly, develop great relationships throughout the community. We used those relationships to bring businesses -- many of them for the first time -- to the Downs for a night at the races. Working with Group Sales Manager Mary Bucceri, we routinely sold out the clubhouse. Those groups affected the corporation's bottom line with sales surpassing one million dollars."

Haight explained his most valuable experience during his tenure was to work side-by-side with then WROTB vice-president and general manager of live racing, Mike Kane. He said that although he already knew the racing side of the business, Kane's mentoring on the management aspect made all the difference and was a roadmap to success for him.

In 2011 when the WROTB board of directors promoted Kane to President, Haight was promoted to general manager and he remained in that position through his retirement. 

The racing product grew under Haight's watch and in 2013 betting rose 24%. Incremental year-over-year increases continued until 2019 when the track hosted the prestigious New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions and saw new records set for both total betting handle and nightly betting handle.

"I was very happy with the way the Night of Champions turned out. It was the biggest card of racing here since the 1988 Breeders Crown and it was simply a great night, from the crowd to the racing to the event itself. The entire staff here stepped up and did an incredible job," said Haight.  

"We got through the pandemic relatively unscathed in 2020 and despite not having spectators, nightly betting doubled the levels of 2011 and crushed the records set in 2019. Last year we tried some new things and you could look at the tote-board and clearly see our pools were bigger. We ended the year up to about $3,000 per race, which was another record since WROTB took over the Downs."

Haight is currently a USTA director and the chairman of District 8 and will remain in both of those positions. And regardless of which job he was doing, his hard work promoting the sport of harness racing has not gone unnoticed by his peers. 

"It was my pleasure to work with Todd for the past 10 years. As general manager of racing at Batavia Downs, Todd had an amazing mastery of the many responsibilities his job entailed. I will miss working with him as he was a true professional. I wish him all the best in the years to come," said Bruce Tubin, president of the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association.

"Todd has been a pleasure to work with and he will leave big shoes to fill. His kind are a dying breed in that he cared for racing so much. I wish him the best of luck in retirement," said Kim Crawford, director of USTA District 8.

"I have worked with Todd at Batavia Downs since 2014 and can tell you there is no one in this industry who worked harder to promote harness racing than him. Appeasing an established customer base while trying to draw the next generation to the sport is not easy, but he maintained that delicate balance which in turn drove increased handle and attendance to the track year over year. He will certainly be missed," said Tim Bojarski, racing publicist and president of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association. 

As far as retirement, Haight isn’t sure about his future and has indicated that he has several options.  

"If it’s playing a lot of golf I’m okay with it. And if it’s remaining in the horse racing industry in some capacity, I’m okay with that too. In any event, the last 20-plus years have been good to me and for that I’m extremely grateful."

Photo: File photo from 2021 by Howard Owens.

Attica's Josh Elliott rolled his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series on Friday night, posting an 812 set in the County Line Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 39-year-old right-hander registered games of 276, 257 and 279 on lanes 11-12.

Mark Brown, also an Attica resident, had a big night with 267-212-259--738.

For a list of high scores around the Genesee Region USBC for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Teams from 17 high schools from throughout Western New York were at Batavia High School on Saturday for a winterguard circuit competition, including Batavia (top seven photos).

Music instructor Jane Haggett said winterguard is the indoor version of color guard and the teams are judged on the effectiveness of their program, including colors and props selected for the performance, on dance technique, equipment used, and the speed and efficiency of setting up for their performance and removing their set after the performance.

It's great fun for the students to throw and spin prop rifles and sabers during a routine set to music.

The music and the story of the routine are expected to work together for a cohesive performance. 

"The kids that participated are very passionate about the activity," Haggett said. "They love the team effort. They love to dance. They love spinning the equipment. It is definitely a bonding, family-oriented activity. They develop relationships forever with their teammates and with other students in the activity."

It's also fun for Haggett.

"I love seeing the kids be successful," Haggett said. "I love the fact that this activity teaches discipline, perseverance, respect. There are so many other character traits that these kids portray because they have this activity that they spent hours participating in."

Medina (bottom three photos) hosts a circuit competition on March 12. Then there are regional competition is later this year in Philadelphia and Pittsburg followed by the national champion, with Batavia participating, in Dayton.

Ryder J. Berry, 21, of Farmersville Station, is charged with grand larceny 3rd. Berry is accused of stealing money from a family member at 10:15 a.m., Oct. 12, at a location on Summit Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Linda L. Snyder, 39, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief 4th and two counts of harassment 2nd. Snyder was allegedly involved in a disturbance at 7:34 p.m., Feb. 12, on Highland Park, Batavia. Snyder was released on appearance tickets.

Casey T. Vaughn, 32, of Batavia, is charged with no lights on a bicycle, obstruction of governmental administration, and petit larceny. Vaughn allegedly led police on a foot pursuit after an attempted traffic stop at 1:12 a.m., Feb. 13. he was eventually apprehended in the area of Haller Place, Batavia. At the time of his apprehension, it was determined he was also wanted on four outstanding warrants. Vaughn was arraigned in City Court and released.

Lynn M. Homer, 48, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Homer is accused of shoplifting from a business on Ellicott Street at 5:45 p.m., Feb. 4. Homer was released on an appearance ticket. Also charged, Joseph W. Freeman, 37, of Batavia.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 39, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of trespass and one count of criminal trespass 2nd. Twardowski allegedly refused to leave UMMC at 1:05 a.m., Feb. 11.  He also allegedly entered a business on East Main Street, Batavia, at 7:56 a.m., Feb. 10, that he had previously been told he could not enter. He also allegedly entered a business on East Main Street at 1:42 p.m., Feb. 10, that he had previously been told he could not enter.  He was issued an appearance ticket in all three cases.

Samuel Dominic Tabone, 28, of Rochester, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing. Tabone is accused of committing a crime of an unspecified nature on Feb. 18 at a location on East Main Street, Pembroke. His release status is unknown.

A special use permit request to change a piece of property from agricultural to utility solar use prompted many questions from Pavilion Town Planning Board during this month’s meeting.

Applicant NY CDG Genesee 4 LLC requested the permit for a 4.275-megawatt utility solar farm at 6464 Shepard Road, Pavilion. Code Enforcement Officer Matthew Mahaney said the project met solar law guidelines with the proposed size of just over 19 acres. The law caps it at 20 acres, he said during the meeting at Pavilion Town Hall.

Due to the enormous file size of documents sent online to board members, most of them weren’t able to open or review the project. Board Chairman Bill Fuest said he has plenty of questions, such as the height of the panels, how they are tilted, how the property will be maintained and the proximity of the solar farm to neighbors.

Those details weren’t covered in the initial plan anyway, Mahaney said. The request would require a public hearing, and he suggested that questions could be discussed at the next meeting in March, followed by a hearing. 

“I would prefer to have a session in March with the application team, and use April for a public forum,” Fuest said. 

Town Attorney Mark Boylan and the applicants are to be present at future meetings, and a public hearing will most likely be scheduled for April, board members agreed.

The Shepard Road property is owned by Suzanee and Douglas Waite, and Bogdan Dinu of BW Solar is also part of the application.

To view the site plan, click here (pdf).

Press release:

Six Flags Darien Lake, The Thrill Capital of New York and one of the largest employers in Western New York is hosting a hiring event on Saturday, March 5 to fill up to 1,500 positions with dedicated, thrill-loving individuals. Positions are available across multiple departments including ride operators, lifeguards, food service, security, games, retail, camping, and more.

“Six Flags Darien Lake is committed to providing a fun, fast-paced work environment for job-seekers across Western New York.” said Park President Chris Thorpe. “We offer tremendous flexibility for students and part-time wage earners, applicants who come out for this hiring event could potentially be hired on the spot.”

Six Flags Darien Lake offers competitive wages and flexible schedules for candidates 14 years old and up with entry-level pay rates beginning at $13.20 per hour. More experienced candidates and candidates 18 years old can earn pay rates beginning at $15.00, no experience is needed as the park provides training in various disciplines and departments. Other unique benefits include in-park discounts, recognition programs, unlimited park admission for employees, team member events, and more. 

Hiring Event Information:

• When: Saturday, March 5 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Where: Six Flags Darien Lake Hotel

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.53, up four cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.63. The New York State average is $3.75, up seven cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.69. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.68 (up eight cents from last week)
• Buffalo - $3.70 (up eight cents from last week)
• Ithaca - $3.76 (up eight cents from last week)
• Rochester - $3.75 (up nine cents from last week)
• Rome - $3.76 (up six cents from last week)
• Syracuse - $3.71 (up seven cents from last week)
• Watertown - $3.73 (up seven cents from last week)

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased while gasoline demand also decreased. Typically, a decrease in gas demand during winter would put downward pressure on pump prices, but elevated crude prices continue to push pump prices higher. Pump prices will likely rise if crude prices continue to climb. Oil prices remain over $90 per barrel this morning. Tension between Russia and Ukraine continues to be a factor in rising oil prices. Russia is a member of OPEC+, and any sanctions based on their actions toward Ukraine may cause it to withhold crude oil from the global market.

From Gas Buddy:

"With tensions still very high that Russia may invade Ukraine, gasoline prices kept moving higher, tugged by the rising price of oil as the market concentrates on possible outcomes from the situation that could affect global oil production amidst recovering demand," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "However, with nuclear talks between Iran and global powers ongoing in Vienna, the possibility exists that a new deal could bring Iran's crude oil supply back to legitimate markets, helping to ease a slight portion of supply concerns. While the proposition remains in the air for the time being, we're also just a few weeks away from the traditional start of the spring surge in gasoline prices, brought on by the change to summer gasoline, seasonal maintenance at refineries and rising demand. The weeks ahead could be rather ugly with rising prices, especially if Russia pursues a strong-arm invasion of Ukraine."

Pembroke Central School Board approved more than $2 million in bids for its 2021 capital improvement project during a special meeting conducted this past Thursday.

Superintendent Matthew Calderon said the meeting was called so that the bids and project could move forward “sooner than later.”

A total of $2,139,223.25 was approved for the following individual bids:

• $496,775.79 to Edward Holme, Inc. for site work$756,000 to Willett Builders, Inc. for general trades work
• $107,000 to Parise Mechanical, Inc. for mechanical work
• $445,000 to DV Brown & Associates for plumbing
• $293,913.73 to Astroturf Corp. for track resurfacing
• $40,533.73 to Johnson Controls, Inc. for energy-efficient temperature controls

The project, approved by district voters in 2021, covers renovations and upgrades that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and per the district’s Building Conditions survey. Work includes:

Pembroke High School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, ADA upgrades in restrooms throughout the building, install discus cage fencing (a safety issue), resurface the track, which has been deemed to be "at the end of its life."

Pembroke Intermediate School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, ADA upgrades to the first and second floor main restrooms, retrofit the existing auditorium house lights, replacement of flooring in corridors, cafeteria, and select rooms.

Pembroke Primary School - Install auditorium ADA stage lift, asphalt reconstruction of parking lot and driveway around the building.

District officials have said the project will not affect taxpayers since a majority of the cost — 73 percent — is to be paid from state aid, and $1.1 million from the Capital Reserve Fund.

Below, a video of the project presentation via Pembroke Central School:

A car has reportedly hit a house at 3113 Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield.

No word on injuries.

Dispatchers were contacted by a third-party caller.

Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:51 p.m.: No damage to the structure. Minor damage to another vehicle. 

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.: Mercy EMS can cancel its response.

A proposed campground in Pavilion not only meant a lot of questions, research, legwork, time and expense, but it also proved to be a major learning event for applicant Jesse Coots and the town planning board.

During this week's planning board meeting, Pavilion Town Supervisor Rob LaPoint thanked the board for performing due diligence on a project that contained “the greatest emotional hits of everything that was confusing and frustrating to come before a board.”

“You’ve been through it all at this point,” LaPoint said. “Anything else from here … will be much less intimidating.”

He assured the board he planned to do a forensic review of the entire process so that all involved can become more structurally and procedurally informed the next time around. 

“To be better as a town and functioning in a more efficient way,” he said. 

The project included a 110-acre parcel divided up into 27 acres for the Lokee-Hikee Campground on Perry Road. Coots had requested a special use permit for the project, which prompted many questions along the way, from locations of the main entrance and main driveway and whether there was an adequate water supply to expected traffic patterns and potential environmental impacts. He had expected a decision after a scheduled public hearing last year, but the planning board rendered that hearing null and void and asked that Coots complete another application. 

Navigating through the process has been trying for both Coots and planning board members. Planning Board Chairman Bill Fuest thanked the members of his planning board for seeing this project through to a final approval, and for the ample “input from all parties” involved. 

After the year-long process of nailing down necessary details and code requirements, applicant Coots was thankful to receive a thumbs up Wednesday. 

“This has been a long and expensive road and, sadly, a contested road that cost us our life savings. It’s gone now, but we’re moving forward. We are so excited to know our future. Our girls are happy and our future is now,” Coots said Thursday morning. “We look forward to all of the process from here out. We understand it will be hard work and long hours but we oddly look forward to doing it all together with ourselves and our community. It’s a really exciting movement forward for us and our small community.”

Coots’ efforts hadn’t gone unnoticed in his community. During a public hearing in January, a large portion of a packed town hall was a group of his supporters. Once word of the approval went online, his phone “blew up with phone calls and messages,” he said. He was overwhelmed with the 38 voicemail and 107 text messages sent to him with congratulations of a hard-won battle with neighbors contesting the project and to meet planning board requirements. 

“We’ve spent the last year of our lives trying to bring a nice thing to our community and, unfortunately, have been greeted with heartache,” Coots said. “Therefore, we had to fall back on law. We give huge props to the “county zoning” for making sure code is followed by town boards.”

He also handed out “props” for the community and its ongoing support, the town board and planning board members who “walked the line of what’s right.” He and his family are excited to move forward with the physical and financial work of the campground, while leaving the “subjective and opinionated work” behind them, he said. 

“This is the best I’ve felt in 12 months,” he said. “Really excited to move forward and do good things.”

With some $6,000 less money raised due to pandemic challenges, the 2022 senior class had to take their dream trips down a notch.

After slightly more lavish possibilities of visiting Boston or Cleveland, the class has put forth two options that better meet budget constraints, Batavia High School special education teacher Lorraine Gammack says.

“We don’t have a lot of money because of COVID,” Gammack said during this week’s school board meeting. “In a class budget, a senior class typically has $10,000 at this point. We’re just $50 shy of $4,000; that’s a big deficit.”

Class President Mackenzie Lavrey reviewed the two choices made by class vote after floating the suggested ideas for a trip to Boston ($700 a person) or Cleveland (just over $600 each). Both of those trips were deemed too expensive, Gammack said. She in turn thought that a three-day visit to Allegany State Park was a great one, given that she has taken students there before. 

Due to the vast expanse of property, Gammack wanted to have a bus that could take some kids to destination spots, such as Quaker Lake, once they were at the park, but that wasn’t feasible with the current budget, she said. 

Despite the shortage of funds — or perhaps because of them — a Connect Kids to Parks grant program could potentially pay for nearly everything, she said. The grant would cover everything from a Dumpster service to laser tag activity. The trip is tentatively slated for June 15, 16, and 17 at a park facility with two dormitory complexes, a classroom, picnic pavilion, and activities of swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and laser tag. 

The trip cost is “super affordable,” she said, at “$100 per student.”  The grant is in progress, she said. There would be one chaperone for every eight students and meals will be on a creative budget, such as the beach party dinner one evening with district personnel doing some of the cooking. 

One caveat so far is that the facilities have a limit of 34 boys and 33 girls for the class of 164 students, with 38 girls and 10 boys being signed up so far, she said.

Dormitories are large and could accommodate both boys and girls in one building if necessary. 

“The dorms have an east and a west end,” she said. “We could make it work.”

The board gave preliminary approval for the trip, and a second one-day excursion to Conesus Lake, tentatively set for June 6. 

Other approvals included:

• A 2020 capital project to expand outdoor amenities at Jackson Primary School by knocking down 245 Liberty St., a former bakery donated to the district in 2017. The plan is to create additional parking and green spaces, and a pedestrian walkway adjacent to Jackson Primary School.
• A resolution that supports the state Senate bill S7600 regarding cyberbullying. This amended bill establishes that “any person who knowingly engages in a repeated course of cyberbullying of a minor is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by a period of imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.” (See related article, "City schools trustees back proposed cyberbullying law.")
• The purchase of portable two-way radios as part of public safety communications in school buildings. The price to buy the radios from Saia Communications Inc. is $41,277.22.
• A proposed baseball trip to Florida. (See related article, "Spring baseball trip a go for Batavia City Schools’ athletes.")
• A revised emergency roof repair plan from Campus Construction Management and the proposed bid from Spring Sheet Metal and Roofing, LLC for Batavia High School.

Top photo: From Allegany State Park website

The National Weather Service is forecasting that by late tomorrow afternoon, the Tonawanda Creek could crest at 10 feet.

Measurements are taken behind the County Courthouse.

Currently, Law Street is closed with minor flooding near Walnut Street in the City of Batavia. Stegman Road in Pembroke is also closed.

Kibbee Park is flooded to the brim.  There is minor flooding on South Jackson.

Send your flood photos from anywhere in Genesee County to: howard@thebatavian.com

CORRECTION: This story previously used measurements and forecasts for the wrong stream gauge on the Tonawanda.  It's been corrected to reflect the correct stream gauge.

Kibbe Park

Law Street near Walnut.

Behind the County Courthouse

South Jackson.