It’s safe to say that Michael Eula wishes that COVID-19 was “history.”

Eula, the Genesee County historian since 2014, said on Monday that “catching up from the closure” of the county’s History Department for more than two months due to the coronavirus will be his biggest challenge heading into 2021.

The office, located at County Building II on West Main Street Road, closed on April 22 and reopened in late June.

“The furlough seriously impacted the productivity of the department on both the records (management) side and the history side,” Eula said during a report given to the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee at the Old County Courthouse.  

While the department was able to meet all of its information requests, primarily through email and telephone, the number of volunteer hours “declined dramatically this year,” he said. “All in all, we did as well as we could expect.”

Actually, the county research library assisted about 300 people interested in local history, Eula said, generating about $980 in revenue in 2020. He also reported that volunteers donated about 470 hours, despite the interruption in service.

“These volunteers contribute enormously to the work of the History Department, which only has two full-time members (Eula, who doubles as the Records Management officer, and Judy Stiles, research assistant) and one part-time member who works in the Records Center,” Eula reported. “In conjunction with the full-time staff, volunteers assist with the indexing of records, the filing of historical documents, and the processing and storage of those primary historical documents.”

Eula said the department made 19 presentations (some via Zoom) on local history and conducted tours and responded to 279 information requests. He spoke on local history on four occasions to a total of 450 attendees, again utilizing Zoom technology.

As far as the Records Center is concerned, Eula said 181 cubic feet of obsolete records were removed and shredded, while 392 cubic feet of inactive records from county departments were transferred.

The Records Management program responded to 143 requests for records, and the Microfilm Lab produced 41 rolls of film for county departments, he reported.  Still, shelf space is not a problem, he said, as the department has four to five years of available shelf space.

Eula, who has a Ph.D., also has written a piece for the New York State Bar Association, Flexible Tradition: The History of the Courts in Genesee County, New York."

He is an honors graduate of Rutgers University, California State University, University of California and the Regent University School of Law. Along with more than 11 years of military service, he served as an administrative law judge in Riverside County, Calif., for 13 years. He is a Professor Emeritus of History at El Camino College in California.

Restoration work on the Richmond Mausoleum was recently completed by the Batavia Cemetery Association.

In 10 short years, all baby boomers will be 65 years of age or older. That bit of information about Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964 is much more than a mere statistic to Diana Fox, director of the Genesee County Office for the Aging.

It represents the fact that the demographics of the county are showing an increasingly aging population – and it presents new challenges for the agency as it continues to provide a variety of services for seniors.

Fox, during a departmental review Monday at the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee meeting, said she and her staff are considering the best ways to meet the needs of residents in the 65-and-over age group, which is expected to exceed 15,000 – about a fourth of the county’s population -- in 2030.

In her seven-page report, Fox said the OFA’s priorities include: the need for home care workers; funding for home-delivered meals; navigating the health insurance system; and dealing with rising health care costs; assessing senior citizens’ housing requirements; and exploring the impact of opioids (prescription medication) on older adults.

“Even with COVID, the numbers continue to rise,” concerning caregivers who need help and request for meals, Fox said, reporting that the median age in Genesee County is 43.3, with many of those in that age group falling into the “caregiver” category (also known as the “Sandwich Generation”).

Fox said the OFA coordinated the delivery of more than 30,000 meals to residents’ homes this year (frozen, sandwich and emergency meals), but “getting food out to people will (continue to) be a challenge … so we are investigating other opportunities.”

She said some communities partner with restaurants to deliver meals, but it has to be worthwhile for restaurant owners for it to be successful.

“Housing is a need,” she said, noting that older adults have to consider whether a ranch home would be better than an up-and-down dwelling.

“It’s important that we continue to work on building our county to be more livable, as well as creating more home and community-based supports and options, ranging from housing to in-home care to keeping older adults in our county so they may live out meaningful lives in settings with services that meet their needs,” she wrote.

Along those lines, Fox said that home care aide availability is “critically low nationwide,” and while the OFA has access to state “Unmet Needs” funding, it’s “not going to solve the overall problem of those who truly need in-home aides to help with personal care.”

Fox said the OFA offers wellness and recreation programs to address social isolation issues and services that include review of health insurance options and eligibility for benefits, but more support is needed as premiums and prescription drug costs increase and chronic health conditions worsen.

She said the OFA is “partnering with the community” (with agencies such as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Department of Social Services) to identify the various problems stemming from the use of opioids such as oxycodone.

On a positive note, she said that her department has not been informed of a 20-percent cut in state aid, which seems to be affecting most programs and municipalities, but she is concerned by several potential retirements of OFA staff members in the next few years.

The Genesee County Office for the Aging proposed budget for 2021 shows total appropriation of $2,070,640, with $1,580,316 in revenue and $490,324 in support from the county. With a staff of 21.8 full-time equivalent, salaries and fringe benefits make up about 64 percent of the budget.

Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, is determined to look beyond the rumors and posturing to make sure his department is ready when federal and state governments roll out the first phase of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“There’s a lot of chatter out there … locally, we’ll have our plan ready,” Pettit said on Monday afternoon as he advised the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee of the importance of three resolutions pertaining to the health department’s readiness to administer a vaccine.

The first resolution renews the county’s agreement with Genesee Community College to use the campus – at no charge -- as a Point of Dispensing Clinic during an emergency for the period of Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2023.

Pettit said GCC (possibly the new athletic facility) is an ideal site for distributing the vaccine, which he said likely will be made available in phases – first to elder care facilities such as nursing homes and then to healthier adults and children.

He mentioned that there could be up to 30 million doses by the end of the year, but didn’t know how many the county would get, speculating maybe 50 to 100 doses of the initial outlay. He noted that as the number of public vaccinations increase, private providers and pharmacies would be enlisted to support the health department’s efforts.

For smaller clinics, Pettit said the county already has the use of the fairgrounds and County Building II.

Pettit also responded to Legislator John Deleo’s comments about New York State wanting to review any federally approved vaccine before allowing it to be dispensed to its residents and about talk that the proposed vaccines are not sufficient for minorities.

That’s when he said he and his staff are focused not on the “chatter” but on making sure they are prepared when the time comes.

A second resolution was an agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for the CDC to provide vaccine to the Genesee County Health Department at no cost to the county.

“This is the first step for us to receive the vaccine when it becomes available,” Pettit said, adding that he hasn’t heard of any vaccines that have cleared phase three of their trials yet.

A third resolution was a request to create a full-time COVID-19 Response Specialist, a Civil Service position, effective Nov. 12, 2020. The position would be funded by COVID-19 monies until June 30, 2022, at no cost to the county.

Pettit said coronavirus funding previously created one job and now the department needs this one, borrowing the title from a similar position in Wyoming County.

He said he wasn’t sure of the pay rate, thinking it was around $17 to $18 per hour, and noted that the job is tied to Orleans County and could lead to a full-time position.

Responsibilities of the Response Specialist would be to assist with contact tracing, testing and – eventually – vaccination. Pettit said the county continues to utilize the services of contact tracers employed by the state.

The Human Services Committee approved all three resolutions, which now will be forwarded to the Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday.

In a related development, the committee approved a contract renewal with Mary Younge of Rochester to provide nursing services on an as-needed basis for 2021. Pettit said Younge provided support to the county at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak in March, April and May.

The Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee this afternoon approved a proposal to end a longstanding agreement with the City of Batavia for the operation and funding of the City Youth Bureau, action that reportedly will save the city around $20,000 next year.

Jocelyn Sikorski, executive director of the Genesee/Orleans County Youth Bureau and City of Batavia Youth Bureau, presented the resolution, which will be considered by the Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday and then, if passed, by the full legislature on Nov. 11.

Sikorski said the measure will eliminate the need for an executive director at the city level. She also said it is her understanding that city officials are on board with terminating the contract that was to run through Dec. 31, 2021.

“Just like the county manager (Matt Landers) met with you in executive session (about this), the interim city manager (Rachael Tabelski) met with the City Council in executive session,” she said. “It does save the city money. And they don’t need an executive director. The responsibilities can be shifted to a program coordinator position as well as to the assistant city manager position.”

Sikorski said plans call for City Council to receive a copy of the county’s resolution once it is finalized and then to consider a similar resolution at its Nov. 23 Business Meeting.

She said the city’s budget situation is a key factor in the dissolution of the agreement.

“The budget was the biggest thing, which Rachael is involved with at this point and time,” she said. “Any resolutions that go before City Council, the program coordinator can provide, and also reports to City Council – the written reports. Otherwise, a lot of my responsibilities had to do with administration with the Youth Board, the garden committee, administration of the department and other items like that. Maintaining relationship with the Y (Genesee Area Family YMCA), who is a major partner with Liberty Center (is important). The program coordinator has to establish that."

Legislator Gary Maha asked about funding sources for the city.

“I know that they’re in a tough budget issue right now …,” Sikorski said. “I think the interim city manager is looking at options but has guaranteed that youth services still will be provided for the city.”

Tabelski, contacted by telephone, agreed that it is a cost-cutting move for the city.

“The contract with the county had about 20 percent of the director’s (Sikorski) time allocated and we paid $19,525 in 2020 and are projected to pay $20,711 in 2021,” Tabelski said. “That is the contract that we’re dissolving and that will be the city’s savings.”

She said the city’s goal is to continue its youth programming – Liberty Center for Youth at the City Church St. Anthony’s campus on Liberty Street and the Summer Recreation Program – “to the extent we that we can.”

“Our current model, we do have a program coordinator and an assistant city manager. The goal is to split those duties between those two positions (which currently are vacant),” Tabelski said. “We also have the YMCA that helps staff the Liberty Center for Youth, which we haven’t reopened yet. There’s a lot of shifting and moving pieces, but we still wanted to go forward with the dissolution at this point.”

Tabelski explained that the city and county first entered into an accord in 2011 to share the youth bureau director.

“At that time, according to NYSOCFS (New York State Office of Children and Family Services), all youth bureaus had to have a director and then you received administrative dollars for having a director. At that point, it was a win-win,” she said.

In 2014, the legislation changed, she said, with the state recognizing only county youth bureaus. Thus, city, town or village youth bureaus or recreation programs had to apply for funding through the county. The two municipalities’ current agreement was renewed in 2018.

The resolution states that the county has “received additional funding from New York State for other youth bureau programming for Genesee and Orleans County youth bureau services, and in order for it to effectively implement the new programming, the county needs to terminate the existing Youth Bureau Agreement with the City of Batavia and reallocate staff resources” (effective Dec. 31, 2020).

Regarding the city’s overall financial outlook, Tabelski said it is facing a shortfall of $850,000 for the 2021-22 fiscal year that begins on April 1. She said about $500,000 of that is due to a 20-percent reduction in state Aid and Incentives to Municipalities funding and the remaining $350,000 is due to rising salary and health care benefits’ expenses.

For the 2020-21 (current) fiscal year, the city is showing a budget deficit of $750,000, which is less than the $2.5 million that had been forecasted.

“Massive credit to the employees and departments for the savings and cuts that they’ve made, which is part services and programs,” Tabelski said. “We didn’t have summer recreation. Certainly, it’s a savings, but we weren’t able to have programming over the summer due to COVID. A lot of things are in flux and I think all municipalities are feeling this way right now.”

Tabelski said she was grateful to the county legislature for passing a sales tax agreement with the city.

“That helps our revenue forecast to remain quite stable because we’re guaranteed to get a portion of the sales tax,” she said.

In related developments, Sikorski introduced a pair of resolutions to authorize inter-municipal agreements with Orleans County for the youth bureau operation and for the STOP-DWI public information and education component for 2021.

Orleans County will pay Genesee County $5,266.25 per quarter for a total of $21,065 for the operation of its youth bureau.

For the STOP-DWI agreement, the cost to Orleans County will not exceed $10,475 for the entire year.

Another resolution designates the following appointments to the Genesee County Youth Board:

Tessa Lazarony and Emma Osborn, youth representatives; Jay Lazarony, at-large; Paul Osborn, Oakfield/Alabama/Elba. All terms are from Nov. 1, 2020 through Oct. 31, 2023.

Genesee County's early voting poll at County Building #2 has seen a steady flow of voters but turnout numbers so far are not matching the high turnout in battleground states.

In Texas, for example, the number of votes cast in 2020 already surpass the 2016 numbers. Nationally, more than two-thirds of the number of voters who voted in 2016 have voted so far in 2020.

In Genesee County, we're at about 23-percent turnout of registered voters with early voting and absentee ballots returned so far. The turnout locally for 2016 was 73 percent. By the end of Election Day, whether we pass that 73-percent mark is yet to be seen.

There are 40,567 registered voters in Genesee County.

According to Lorie Longhany, a Genesee County election commissioner, the turnout of early voting (not including absentee) by party:

• Dem – 2,030
• Rep – 2,831
• Conservative – 223
• Green – 65
• Working Families – 35
• Independent – 404
• Libertarian – 29
• Other – 102
• No party affiliation – 942

These numbers don't include the more than 3,000 absentee ballots cast.

Press release:

Duane Whitmer, Libertarian candidate for Congress (NY-27), wrapped up his Campaign of Ideas today with a speech called “Liberate the Farmer,” in which he made six proposals to get the government off the backs of farmers.

He previously gave major addresses of substance including on the following topics:
1. The illusion that the two major parties provide a real choice and the failure of the lockdown;
2. Why he will vote against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker;
3. Allowing young people to opt out of Social Security;
4. Calling for an end to Selective Service Registration;
5. A landmark speech concerning how American government has harmed blacks since 1619 and continuing; and

Whitmer promises that, no matter how the election turns out, the Libertarian Party will continue to eclipse the Democrats and Republicans in producing specific proposals for real change to reverse the long-standing decline of Western New York.

Links to the text and video of each speech are available at https://duanewhitmer.com/campaign-of-ideas-speeches.

Press release:

Due to Election Day, there will be no press briefing, no update on the map, nor on the respective county websites. Updates will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

New Cases: As of 2 p.m. 

• Genesee County received six new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive case resides in Batavia, Bergen, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pavilion.
  • The individual are in their 30s, 50s, and 60s.
  • One of the individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Sixteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Sixteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
  •  
  • Orleans County received three new positives case of COVID-19.
  •  
  • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre and Murray.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 30s and 60s.
  • The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Seven new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Twenty-five of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.

Press release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers announces the cancellation of the fall “Great Batavia Train Show” that was scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15^th, at the Call Arena, Genesee Community College, Batavia.

The show that typically attracts 1,200 to 1,500 model railroad enthusiasts and railfans from across Western and Central New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario, Canada is the latest club event to become a casualty of COVID-19 restrictions.

 “The GSME appreciates the efforts of the GCC administration in trying to get the event approved,” said Mike Pyszczek, show chairman. “Unfortunately, like so many other gatherings, we will have to wait for our next opportunity to meet.”

 The next “Great Batavia Train Show” is scheduled for April 11.

Large and pretty entrance/mud room to greet your guests leads to gorgeous family room addition with gas burning fireplace and a beautiful kitchen that boast granite countertops, gorgeous cupboards, center island for work space and top of the line appliances. Large dining room with beautiful pegged hardwood floors leads to second living room with wood burning fireplace -- so homey you don't want to leave!

Upstairs has hardwood floors throughout under the carpet three large bedrooms which all have multiple closets and storage areas! Beautifully redone modern bath with plenty of space to enjoy getting ready for the day! Basement is large and packed with storage. All mechanicals updated throughout, including central air!

Attached 2.5 car garage that you will literally want to hang out in -- complete with wall furnace and a stove for canning and all your extra entertaining. There is also three overhead doors, one which leads to fully fenced back yard! So much more to talk about -- come check out for yourself! Call Lynn Bezon today (585) 344-HOME (4663) Click here for more information.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported in Basom at 1750 Judge Road. A driver who possibly suffered from a medical issue was reported to be driving erratically by several callers to dispatch.

The vehicle also struck a pole in the area before hitting the side of a semi-truck, and the trucker reacted swiftly by forcing the vehicle off the road away from oncoming traffic.

The location is between Wight Road and Kenyon Avenue. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are on scene. 

A first responder reports no injuries as the result of accident. Nothing is in the roadway. The pole is sheared off; it's a cable pole at 1805 Judge Road.

Traffic control deployed.

UPDATE 2:55 p.m.: The automobile driver is being transported to UMMC for evaluation. No injuries reported due to the accident. All responders back in service.

Submitted images and press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District hosted its third annual Scarecrow Contest for Downtown Batavia. As a creative way to add some more fall flavor to Downtown decorating, the BID invited any business, organization or family to enter the contest.

For $20 each business was provided basic supplies of straw, a post and zip ties along with their pole assignment. Each business could then get creative in creating their scarecrow. All voting for favorite scarecrow ended Friday, Oct. 30th. 

• First-place Winner for 2020 is Eli Fish Brewing Company
• Second-place Winner is Islands Hawaiian Grill
• Third-place Winner is The Moskal Family

First-place winner receives $100 cash prize, second-place winner $75, and third-place winner gets $50.

For more information on B.I.D. and Downtown events please visit our website at www.downtownbataviany.com.

Press release:

Rochester Regional Health opened three COVID-19 collection sites as an extension of RRH (and Greater Rochester Independent Practice Association (GRIPA)) primary care practices to ensure patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 are properly tested while limiting exposure to other patients and staff.

These trailers are NOT open to everyone, nor are they drive-through sites.

Patients must have a lab testing order from their provider, which means they must have been evaluated by their provider via either telemedicine or an in-office visit before coming to our sites. Patients will be billed for testing, but not charged for the trailer visit. 

Locations

• Wilson Immediate Care parking lot on the Rochester General Hospital (1425 Portland Ave. Rochester, NY 14621) campus (Monroe County)
• Geneva Medical Campus (Ontario County) - 875 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, NY 14456
• Jerome Center (Genesee County) – 16 Bank St., Batavia

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

From David H. Krzemien, candidate for Genesee County Sheriff:

Dear Neighbor,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to share my vision for our community. I have more than 20 years of service in law enforcement and currently serve and the Darien Deputy Town Supervisor. These experiences uniquely qualify me to handle the duties of Sheriff.

I have selected Christopher Parker (Republican) as my choice for Undersheriff. Christopher is currently an Investigator at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, where he has had a long, respected career. His expertise and dedication to our county will make him a great Undersheriff, as a trusted advisor.

Earlier this year, I accepted the endorsement from our local Democrat Party, and created the Pro 2^nd Amendment party line. We worked to create this secondary party to demonstrate our passion for the constitution and individual rights of our fellow community members. I am very fortunate to have endorsements from the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association (NYSTPBA) and the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, Council 82.

I believe now, more than ever, we must hold our elected leaders accountable, regardless of party. I am committed to keeping our community and our deputies safe, while listening to the needs of the people I serve. I pledge to be a voice for those who may be silent, to provide an open door where there is a blockade, and to bring honor and integrity to the office of Sheriff.

It would be a distinct privilege to serve as your Sheriff, however I cannot do this alone. With your help, I know we can magnify the strengths of our community, while building upon our weaknesses. I hope I can count on your vote on Election Day!

Please feel free to call me any time with questions or concerns. Thank You!

Phone:   (585) 483-8741

Email:   krzemienforsheriff@gmail.com

Mailing Address:   P.O. Box 1427, Batavia NY 14020

Website:   http://KrzemienForSheriff.com

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.13, down 3 cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.61. The New York State average is $2.23 – down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.70.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.19 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.20 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.18 (no change since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.22 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.30 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.15 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.29 (no change since last week)

Refineries are switching over to winter-blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce and offers savings at the pump. As gas stations begin to sell the winter blend, we should see gas prices continue to drop.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that gas demand increased from 8.29 million barrels per day to 8.55 million b/d. However, the current estimate for demand is 1.23 million b/d lower than the rate at this time in 2019.

Low demand, as total domestic stocks decreased as well, has helped pump prices decrease. As demand remains low, American drivers should expect pump prices to continue to decline this fall.

From GasBuddy:

"The drop in gas prices has accelerated in the last week as oil prices continue to slide on uncertainty over the election, stimulus and as coronavirus case counts soar, leading to more states rolling back their reopening plans," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"In just the last few days, it feels like uncertainty over a potential legal fight over the U.S. election has also risen to near panic levels, all of which throws more uncertainty into the ring, keeping the United States from potentially having a clear leader to turn things around.

For now, it's virtually guaranteed that the national average will fall to under $2 per gallon in the next two weeks, so motorists need not be in a rush to fill their tanks."

Offices to be Voted on 2020
Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 3

Title of Office

Name, Party

(Vote for One)

President of the United States and Vice President of the United States

Joseph R. Biden & Kamala Harris D, WOR

Donald J. Trump & Michael R. Pence R, C

Howie Hawkins & Angela Nicole Walker G

Jo Jorgensen & Jeremy Cohen LBT

Brock Pierce & Karla Ballard IND

Supreme Court Justice 8th JD

(Vote for One)

Amy C. Martoche D, WOR

Gerald J. Greenan, III, R, C, I

Representative in Congress 27th Dist.

(Vote for One)

Nathan D. McMurray D, WOR

Chris Jacobs R, C, IND

Duane J. Whitmer LBT

State Senator NY 61

(Vote for One)

Jacqualine G. Berger D

Edward A. Rath, III, R, C, IND, SAM

Member of Assembly NY 139

(Vote for One)

Stephen M. Hawley R, C, IND

Mark E. Glogowski LBT

Family Court Judge

(Vote for One)

Thomas D. Williams R

Sheriff

(Vote for One)

David H. Krzemien D, PRO 2nd AMEND

William A. Sheron Jr. R, C, IND

County Treasurer

(Vote for One)

Scott D. German R, C, IND

County Coroner

(Vote for Two)

Karen A. Lang R

Adam L. Palumbo R

Genesee Co. Legislator Dist. #1

Unexpired Term (Vote for One)

Chad A. Klotzbach R

City of Batavia Councilman at Large

Unexpired Term (Vote for One)

Samuel V. DiSalvo D

Jeremy W. Karas R, C

Town of Alabama Town Council

Unexpired Term (Vote for One)

Terry R. Thompson D, IND

Kevin J. Veazey R

Town of Pavilion Highway Supt.

Unexpired Term (Vote for One)

James D. Cleveland R, IND

Todd Hackett Pavilion Roads

Note: There are several other town elections where candidates are running unopposed.

Source: Genesee County Board of Elections

Ralph Esten Jr. has been a lifelong resident of Oakfield with his wife, Michelle. They have one son Matthew (Amanda) Kastlic and a grandson, Lukas.

Ralph was diagnosed in September 2011 with a brain tumor -- glioblastoma. He has battled this awful disease day in and day out, enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy and trials to keep the tumor from growing through the years.

The fight continues and Ralphie just started a new chemo and we want to help reduce any financial stress we can for him and his wife Michelle as copays, travel expenses, and time away from work add up.      

We are holding a chicken BBQ and pulled pork benefit on Sunday, Nov. 29th from 12 to 4 p.m. drive-thru only at the Town of Batavia Fire Hall.

The hall  is located at 8382 Lewiston Road.

Meal tickets are $13 presale only and must be purchased by Nov. 24th. Holy Smoke Chicken BBQ & Catering is in charge of the food.

Dinner choices are:

• BBQ 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw and dinner roll

Or

• BBQ pulled pork sandwich, salt potatoes, coleslaw

In addition to the BBQ we are also selling raffle tickets for $10 apiece. Winners will be drawn the day of the event and need not be present to win.

Prizes are:

• Genesee Speedway Grandstand Season Pass
• Basket of Restaurant Gift Cards
• Barrel of Booze
• Night Out at Batavia Downs
• 65" Smart TV

The event is being planned by myself -- Angelique "Ange" Newton, and Nikki Kirkum along with help from family and friends.

To get tickets, contact Ange at (585) 815-3175 or Nikki at (585) 993-6464.

Press release:

Genesee Region USBC league bowlers produced one honor score and several near misses to close out the month of October.

A pair of Rochester residents led the way as Joshua Cummings posted a 300 game in the American Legion Thursday Men’s League at Le Roy Legion Lanes and Robert Manners registered a 299 and 786 series in the Wednesday Men’s Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Cummings, a 45-year-old right-hander, opened with perfection on lanes 1-2, catching a couple crossover strikes early before hitting the 1-3 pocket the rest of the way.

The 300 is his second (the first came at Dewey Garden Lanes in Rochester) to go with a 299 rolled in 1999 and an 812 series in 2009, both at Sunset Lanes in Rochester.

He said he used a Storm Match Up ball purchased last year specifically for Legion Lanes.

“I got the ball from Chris Lamb at Lightning Strikes (pro shop) just for Le Roy because I needed something to go long,” said Cummings, an employee of Panther Graphics in Rochester. “He polished it up and it has been working pretty well.”

Cummings lost his carry after game one, however, and finished with a 642 series. He averaged 195 in Le Roy last season and 215 at Sunset Lanes.

At Rose Garden Bowl, Manners, a 47-year-old righty, had the line from the start and kept in all night, rolling 299-267-220--786 in a substitute role.

Elsewhere around the region:

-- Veteran Batavia bowler Mike Pettinella stayed hot in the Turnbull Heating Tuesday Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center, recording 268-247-259—774. The big series followed a 744 set the previous week.

-- Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. notched a 298 game and 739 series to take top honors in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl, edging his father, Kevin Sr., who rolled 279—733. Gray Jr. had a 798 series the week before.

-- Jeremy Vallance of Warsaw registered 269-237-244—750 to lead the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League at Mancuso’s, while Matt Balduf of South Byron put up the same score with 267-246-237—750 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man at Mancuso’s. Geoff Harloff of Batavia was next with 236-259-253—748.

-- At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Bill Logan of Albion had games of 267, 257 and 223 in a 747 series in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League.

For a list of high scores through Oct. 31, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

A global pandemic didn't dampen Halloween spirits in Batavia though many people took care to keep their distance and wear masks as trick-or-treaters descended on area homes.

These photos were taken on Redfield Parkway and Ellicott Avenue.