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A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the city at Central Avenue and Jackson Street. It is blocking traffic. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:11 a.m.: A driver with two minors as passengers struck an unoccupied parked car for unknown reasons. One person was being evaluated by medics. The accident is under investigation.

UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: Law enforcement is requested to the scene.

Alexander edged out Batavia 260 to 240 points in Thursday's first match of the Scholastic Bowl at Genesee Community College. 

In the high-scoring match, Le Roy also tallied 190 points for third place.

In the second match, Akron beat Pavilion 340-90.

On a national level, the number of deaths from opioid overdoses has decreased over the past two years, but that trend doesn’t give the nearly 450 members of the GOW Opioid Task Force any reason to relax their efforts in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

That was the message communicated by the coalition’s leaders on Wednesday during their quarterly meeting at the Quality Inn & Suites on Park Road in Batavia. About 100 people representing a cross-section of organizations from the three counties attended.

“We’ve seen a 5 percent decrease from 2017 (in the number of opioid-related deaths) and that’s a positive thing … but we need to stay the course, even if the numbers are going down,” said Paul Pettit, public health director of Genesee and Orleans counties.

Pettit’s statement is especially true when considering the data from the GOW counties, particularly Genesee, which had an opioid overdose death rate of 36.2 per 100,000 people in 2017 – one of the highest in the United States.

That number went down to 21.1 in 2018, but in Orleans County the rate rose from 17.1 to 29.5 from 2017 to 2018 while in Wyoming County the rate stayed the same at 27.

The opioid epidemic started due to physicians’ overprescribing drugs such as Oxycodone, Pettit said, and evolved into serious problems with heroin and fentanyl after laws were passed that restricted access to the prescription drugs.

Drug overdoses resulted in nearly 800,000 deaths to Americans from 1999 through 2018, including 47,590 from opioids in 2018 alone, Pettit reported.

Pettit applauded the work of the GOW Task Force which has taken on the crisis by pooling the resources of the three counties and developing six “work groups” that meet on a regular basis – Access to Care, Community Education, Data, Family/Loved Ones/Allies, Law Enforcement and Naloxone.

He also noted the significance of funding provided by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.

“The funding is very important in that it enabled the task force to hire someone (a project coordinator) with a dedicated focus,” he said. “They see the value in what we are doing.”

The meeting also featured reports from the chairpersons of the work groups and task force evaluators, updates from the GRHF President Matthew Kuhlenbeck and GOW Task Force Coordinator Christen Ferraro, and a summation of the state’s new bail reform law by Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O’Geen (see story below).

Access to Care – John Bennett and Rosalie Mangino-Crandall, executive director and project director, respectively, at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Holli Gass, clinic director at Spectrum Health and Human Services, outlined the numerous services and programs that have been instituted in all three counties – programs such as expanded jail services, childcare for patients, crisis housing and certified peer recovery advocate training.

Bennett also said that a 16-bed detox center and recovery recreation center in Batavia and a 25-bed women’s and children’s residence in Albion are on the horizon (with the recovery center at the former Bohn’s Restaurant expected to open by the end of February).

Community Education – Sherri Bensley, a GCASA employee, explained the role of this work group is to facilitate the task force meetings, including setting up venues, speakers and vendor tables, and to coordinate media campaigns with the three county’s hospitals.

Specific ongoing projects are educating the senior population about opioids and the handling of prescription medications and assisting the task force in distributing “Dispose Rx” packets.

Data – Brenden Bedard, Genesee County director of community health services and deputy public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, said the role of the evaluators is to ensure that task force initiatives are data-driven, to get that data to the community and to use the data to support grant applications.

In addition to the county overdose death rates mentioned above, he reported that there were 23 opioid overdose deaths in the three counties in 2019 – down from 38 the previous year – and that Naloxone (Narcan) administration – given to those who are overdosing from opioids -- has decreased in all three counties since 2017.

Bedard also said that more than 2,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected during “take back days” in both 2018 and 2019.

Families, Loved Ones and Allies – Sue Gagne, coordinator of the Recovery WOW program, said that the goal of her work group is to support families of those in active addiction or recovery and families of those who have died as a result of drug use.

She reported that the group plans another Overdose Awareness Day this summer at Austin Park.

Law Enforcement – Batavia City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch touted the tri-county law enforcement collaboration on projects such as drug drop-off and jail programs, and participation in the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative that creates non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery.

Naloxone – Chairperson Charlotte Crawford reported that more than 1,300 people have been trained in the use of Narcan, including all of the peer recovery advocates.

A video, “Narcan After Care,” can be viewed on the GOW Opioid Task Force website at https://www.gowopioidtaskforce.org/.

Tom LaPorte, Ph.D., research scientist with the Center for Human Services Research, University of Albany, said that evaluation objectives include reaching 1,800 users per year with opioid information, deploying peers or recovery coaches to assist 90 percent of opioid patients and increasing the number of people trained to administer Narcan by 500 per year.

“This provides us with useful feedback that providers of services can use for data-driven decision-making,” he reported.

In closing, Kuhlenbeck and Ferraro spoke of the importance of making sure grants were available for programs in rural counties, and set goals as follows:

-- Establish and implement policies and protocols at United Memorial Medical Center, Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, and for contacting Peers/Wyoming County Community Health System Recovery Coaches on call every time a person arrives at the emergency department due to opioid use.

-- Establish a three-prong approach: peers called, bridge scripts are given, and naloxone training is provided.

-- Schedule and conduct doctor-to-doctor trainings and conversations in each county on opioids, non-opioid pain management alternatives, and limiting opioid prescription writing.

-- Conduct at least two community education events around non-opioid pain management alternatives, and create and publish two press releases or news articles on non-opioid pain management alternatives.

-- Communicate with Buffalo and Rochester hospitals to share policy best practices and advocate for and locally lead action toward improvements.

The next quarterly meeting of the GOW Task Force is scheduled for April 23 at a site to be determined.

Photo above: Taking part in Wednesday's GOW Opioid Task Force meeting were, from left, Christen Ferraro, task force coordinator; Donald O'Geen, Wyoming County district attorney; Paul Pettit, public health director of Genesee and Orleans counties; Laura Paolucci, Wyoming County public health administrator, and Matthew Kuhlenbeck, Greater Rochester Health Foundation president.

Disclosure: Story written by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.

The Wyoming County district attorney on Wednesday spoke out against New York State’s new bail reform rules, stating that they will adversely affect law enforcement’s efforts to assist those struggling with drug addiction.

Speaking at the GOW Opioid Task Force quarterly meeting at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia, Donald O’Geen said that state lawmakers’ decision to require automatic appearance tickets or “released on own recognizance” status for all misdemeanor and non-violent felonies means that many who are using opioids or other drugs won’t have access to treatment programs provided in local jails.

“This law takes us back to where we we’re 30 years ago,” he said, adding that the powers-that-be in Albany passed these new rules without the input of the police agencies or attorneys who deal with crime on a regular basis.

Bail now can only be set on certain qualifying offenses, such as first- and second-degree assault, rape, manslaughter, sexual abuse, but suspects must be set free for crimes such as second-degree burglary, grand larceny, non-violent homicides and, according to O'Geen, "every single drug case.”

“We want to treat the users, but you have to (be able to) get after the dealers,” he said.

O’Geen said the reform measures are based upon a “false narrative” – that poor people are languishing in jail because they can’t make bail.

“That is definitely not true,” he said. “The ones incarcerated are the flight risks and those who present risks to public safety.”

The district attorney also noted that the time restrictions to turn over documents to defense lawyers – in most cases, 15 days – put a huge burden on police, district attorneys and labs.

“This is not CSI New York. You don’t go to a commercial break and the labs (results) are done,” he quipped.

He said that the new rules, which took effect on Jan. 1, have created a “lawlessness system” where many of those charged don’t show up for their court appearance.

“If they don’t show up, we have to send a second notice,” he said. “If they fail to appear again, we have to wait another 48 hours and send out another notice before we can issue a warrant for their arrest.”

O’Geen said pressure is being put on Gov. Cuomo to modify the law, but criticized the State Assembly for “holding fast” to the current provisions.

“I think the only way it will happen (modifications) is through his budget,” he said. “That’s how it passed in the first place.”

According to a Siena College poll released on Tuesday, more New Yorkers are taking O’Geen’s view.

The poll found that 49 percent of respondents said the changes were bad for New York while 37 percent said they were good for the Empire State, a far cry from April 2019 poll numbers that showed that 38 percent said it would be bad and 55 said it would be good.

Disclosure: Story written by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.

Another proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to shift local revenue to the state coffers has come to light: Cuomo is proposing eliminating the local share of video terminal lottery money from facilities such as Batavia Downs. 

That would mean a $440,000 loss in revenue for the City of Batavia, $200,000 for Genesee County and $160,000 for the Town of Batavia.

Local officials are not pleased.

County Manager Jay Gsell has a laundry list of complaints about new mandated expenses in funding. This is just an extra burden for the county to shoulder.

Gsell said what he called a "bait and switch" on Aid to Municipalities funding where county sales tax proceeds will replace direct state aid, cuts in community college aid, and no reimbursement for early voting expenses.

"NYS counties will be gathering in Albany next Monday through Wednesday to gain more insight and develop resolution and position papers for the upcoming 2020 NYS legislative session," Gsell said. "The sentiment so far coming from the executive branch is disheartening and discouraging and fraught with peril from my perspective only three weeks into the new Genesee County budget year."

City Manager Marty Moore said the news of the VLT cuts comes at a bad time -- just as the city is wrapping up its own budget process.

"The loss of the VLT money is tough considering we balance the general fund to the penny," Moore said.  "Our feeling is obvious -- please put it back."

He called on state officials to enter into some dialogue and communication with local governments and listen to the impact the cuts will have locally.  

Since Batavia Downs doesn't pay any local property tax, the VLT money helps offset the expense of hosting the facility in the county, the town, and the city.  The facility needs support for crowd control at major events, police protection, fire protection, health and safety support, along with the roads that get people to and from the gaming casino.

"I do think it's important that our operations are supported by the money that comes along with it to help pay for some of the expense," Moore said.

In a budget statement, the governor's office justifies the cuts by the suggestion that local municipalities receive more in "VTL Impact Aid" (the formal name of the program) than it costs to host the facility.

This category of State aid was created to support assumed local service needs associated with hosting VLT facilities, but the revenue benefits of hosting a facility outweigh any associated costs. Further, not all municipalities that currently host VLT facilities receive aid through this program and the State does not provide additional "impact-type" aid for other types of facilities which may have similar local public service impacts as VLT facilities, including community colleges, SUNY campuses, and State office buildings. Accordingly, the Executive Budget eliminates VLT Aid outside of Yonkers, which is the only municipality receiving this aid to direct the funds to educational purposes.

It's been a point of pride for Western OTB officials for years that the facility supports the counties that oversee the facility with VTL money. 

Henry Wojtaszek, Western OTB CEO, said he will be closely monitoring the proposal.

"We work well with local governments and understand that these VLT aid monies substantially help them," Wojtaszek said. "We hope that local elected representatives will listen to the concerns of our host municipalities and work towards the best possible outcome."

Both State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer said they will work to protect the local share of VTL funds.

"This cut in aid is unacceptable," Ranzenhofer said. "At a time when the governor is proposing more unfunded mandates on our local governments, these reductions will have devastating impacts on our local taxpayers.  The governor is attempting to fill the budget deficit, that he created by overspending, through cutting crucial funding to Genesee County communities."

Hawley said, "The Governor needs to look toward actually cutting spending (that’s what real families and businesses do). We have a self-inflicted $6.2 Billion deficit (we spent that more than we took in). Why in the world would he look to take money that is shared with our local communities (which helps keep our local taxes lower than they would be without this money)? He’ll be hurting our local communities."

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Submitted photo and press release:

Ruth Spink attended her last monthly management meeting Jan. 15^th before retiring from the Genesee County Office for the Aging where she served as director.

Before reading a retirement commendation, Genesee County District #9 Legislator Gary Maha shared memories of when he met Spink years ago.

County Manager Jay Gsell thanked Spink for her dedication to ensuring quality, relevant services were provided to Genesee County’s senior and disabled population. He went on to say, “Ruth recognized the value of older adults, their wisdom and experience, and worked tirelessly to embrace the positives of aging.”

Spink began her employment with OFA as the aging services specialist in 1994 and was promoted to services administrator in 2001.

She went to work at the Genesee County Nursing Home as a supervisor before returning to OFA in 2006 where her vision for the department was to become more of a long-term care support system for the county, as well as a resource for information and referral. Spink took great care to empower OFA employees and began an informal cross-training program to allow employees to learn aspects of different jobs.

Nearly all County department heads and supervisors were on hand to congratulate Spink. It was bittersweet for all who heard for the last time how much she loved working for Genesee County.

Top photo, from left, Legislator Gary Maha, OFA Director Ruth Spink, Legislature Chair Rochelle M. Stein, Legislator Gordon Dibble.

The 24^th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial “Strike Out” for Crossroads House Bowling event will be held:

• Friday Feb. 21
• Saturday, Feb. 22
• Sunday Feb. 23^rd

It will be held at the Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. 

Shift times those days will be:

• Friday -- 6 p.m.
• Saturday -- 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
• Sunday -- 1 p.m.

5-person team registration fees are:

• $110 until Feb. 14^th
• $125 after Feb. 14^th

Registration and payments may be made securely online at www.crossroadshouse.com (Upcoming Events tab).

This is a great way to have some fun and support a great cause in your community at the same time. Crossroads House is a nonprofit comfort care home for the dying.

There will be raffles during each of the four shifts, also mega raffles, food, and 50/50.

New this year is NO TAP! For additional information call Cindy (585) 993-0584 or Tara (585) 409-0136.

Teams are filling up fast, so find four friends and join us at the lanes!

Press release:

If you are someone who is civic-minded, independent, ambitious, enjoy exploring creative solutions to problems, and want to make an impact in your community, we want to talk to you about running for local office.

If you are interested in getting involved politically in any capacity, please reach out to us at geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com or www.geneseedemocrats.net

The following local elected offices will be voted on this November.

• Genesee County -- Sheriff, Treasurer, Family Court Judge, Coroner -- two positions

• City of Batavia -- one City Council at Large -- unexpired term

• Town of Alabama -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

• Town of Alexander -- one Town Clerk -- unexpired term

• Town of Batavia -- one Town Justice

• Town of Bergen -- one Town Justice

• Town of Byron -- one Town Justice

• Town of Elba -- one Town Justice, one Town Council -- unexpired term

• Town of Le Roy -- one Town Council -- unexpired term

• Town of Oakfield -- Town Justice, one Town Supervisor -- unexpired term, 1 Town Council- unexpired term

• Town of Pavilion -- Highway Superintendent -- unexpired term

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is celebrates its 48^th Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 7, at the Quality Inn & Suites, Park Road, Batavia.

This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 with hors d'oeuvres, entrée tables and cash bar (no formal sit-down dinner is to be served). The Award Program starts at 7 p.m. at which time dessert and coffee will be served.

Call Kelly J. Bermingham, at 343-7440, ext. 1026, to make your reservations.

This year’s honorees are:  

Business of the Year: Tompkins Bank of Castile       

Agricultural Business of the Year: Call Lands/My-T Acres   

Special Service Recognition of the Year: Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship                             

Geneseean of the Year: Jeff Allen

The Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County will hold a "Jungle Safari Basket Raffle" on Saturday, March 7 to raise money for the club's service projects and scholarships.

It will take place at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Lunch is at noon and the raffle begins at 1 o'clock.

Presale tickets only -- $30. Must be purchased by Feb. 26.

Contact Lisa Paul-Khan at (716) 474-2720 or email Mary Yunker at:   mkyunk@rochester.rr.com

At Christmas, an enthusiastic city employee who thought the drip buckets in the mall wasn't a great look for the holidays, took it upon himself to put wrapping paper around the canisters.

With the holiday passed but his spirit undaunted, the employee recently wrapped the buckets in Valentine's Day paper. The employee is doing this at his own expense.

Still, Director of Public Works Matt Worth is concerned that some people might make negative comments about the employee so the employee is remaining anonymous. 

"Hopefully, this is the last hurrah for the buckets," Worth said. "We're going to get a new roof and the buckets are going to go away."

Reader-submitted photo.

James E. Tripp, 58, of Batavia, is charged with three counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child, a Class E felony. The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 13, 2017 and he was arrested by NYS Police Troop A in Batavia on Jan. 21 and arraigned at 10:08 a.m. in Town of Batavia Court. He was issued an appearance ticket for a later date, unspecified, in Batavia Town Court.

Kyle A. Mancuso, 27, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: unlawful imprisonment; harassment in the second degree; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Mancuso was arrested Jan. 19 following an investigation of a domestic complaint that occurred that morning at 3:29 a.m. on Ellicott Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and was due there again today (Jan. 23). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Brian J. Miller, 38, of Harvester Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; criminal mischief; and criminal obstruction of breathing. Miller was arrested after a Jan. 12 domestic incident on Harvester Avenue. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, released on his own recognizance, and is due back in court Jan. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

Johnathan Brice White, 27, of Buffalo Street, Bergen, is charged with falsifying business records in the first degree and criminal contempt in the second degree. On Jan. 23, White was arrested. It is alleged that White made a false entry into the business records at Genesee County Jail by using the personal identification number belonging to another inmate. It is also alleged that White's intention to defraud was to conceal his identity while violating an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket for Jan. 28 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Phillip P. Heale, 41, of Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Heale was arrested Jan. 15. He is accused of violating an order of protection barring him from contacting the protected party at 11:27 p.m. Jan. 15 on Washington Avenue in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan.

Franklin Dean Cook, 37, of Ridge Road, Elba, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested Jan. 22 on an arrest warrant out of Elba Town Court that was issued Jan. 15. It is alleged that on Jan. 8 on Ridge Road in Elba that he violated a stay away order of protection. He was arraigned in Elba Town Court and is due back in court on Feb. 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Travis James Schultz, 31, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- first offense, and refusal to take breath test. Schultz was arrested following an investigation of a hit and run accident that occurred at 12:59 a.m. Jan. 19 on West Main Street in Batavia. Police located the suspected vehicle involved and arrested Schultz, who was released with appearance tickets. He is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 5. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis, assisted by Officer Sean Wilson.

Christopher M. Sims, 31, of Batavia, address not provided, was arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy William Asquith on Jan. 21 on Silver Lake Road in the Town of Perry. Sims was allegedly found to be operating his vehicle while the registration was suspended for an insurance lapse. He is charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. Sims was released on an appearance ticket for Town of Perry Court and he is due there at a later date (unspecified).

Our STREAM based curriculum focuses on Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math. We offer Pre-K programs through eighth grade, all faiths are welcome and financial aid may be available.

So whether students are looking to transfer or start in the fall, find out if St. Joseph Regional School is right for your family. Visit us at sjsbatavia.org for more information.

Press release:

Nate McMurray, Democrat running in the special election in NY-27, issued the following statement criticizing the rumored presidential pardon for disgraced former Congressmember Chris Collins, who resigned from Congress following pleading guilty to felony insider trading. Collins was sentenced to 26 months in prison on Friday. So far, 14 Trump aides, donors and advisers have been indicted or imprisoned.

“President Trump should not further the injustice inflicted on Western New York," McMurray said. "His own Justice Department pursued this case and won a sentence that includes prison time for Mr. Collins, a convicted felon. This should not be a Democratic or Republican issue; I urge all Republican candidates in this race, elected officials, and party leaders to stand unified in defense of the rule of law in America.

"Collins was a wealthy politician who acted as if laws don’t apply to him. We all need to tell him that America's laws apply to everyone. He must pay his debt to society and not have it wiped away because of his political support for the president. I know that these are the same Republican insiders who enabled and protected Collins, long after we all knew he was guilty while working people paid for his salary and pension. Now is the time for them to do what’s right. Join me.”

Press release:

Have you seen the new Notre Dame High School? Notre Dame High School will be holding an open house for new and prospective students from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30th.

Come see what the #1-rated high school in the GLOW region has to offer!

Hear about our academic program, fine arts, athletics and inclusive education, meet our staff and tour our newly renovated school.

All eighth- through 12th-grade students and parents/guardians are welcome!

The school was founded in 1951. It a private, Roman Catholic high school within the Diocese of Buffalo. It is located at 73 Union St. in the City of Batavia.

Above, Joshua Roberts, of Attica Central School, races against a clock as he fixes a tire during the Tire Rodeo at the Ron Smith Auto Tech Competition.

Submitted photos and press release:

Each year the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association hosts a competition that is held at the Erie Community College Vehicle Technology Training Center (ECC-VTTC) in Orchard Park. This event, called the Ron Smith Auto Tech Competition, is open to any high school senior or junior who is enrolled in an automotive program.

The competition draws students from seven Western New York counties. The winners of this contest, along with their high school instructor, receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to compete in the nationals at the National Automotive Technology Competition.

Six students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center’s Auto Technology Program competed in this year’s Ron Smith Auto Tech Competition, which was held Friday (Jan. 17).

During this daylong event students, who competed in teams of two, were scored on their knowledge of tools, measuring instruments, specific vehicle components, and job interview skills. Students were also required to diagnose and repair a number of preassigned problems under a car's hood.

During the Tire Rodeo, students were put to the test as they raced to replace a damaged tire in the quickest time.

Seniors Lucas Doran from Alexander Central School and Patrick Willis from Attica Central School took second place in the automotive competition.

John McCarthy from Alexander CS, and Michael Roberts from Attica CS, are both seniors and they also competed in the automotive competition. This team took fourth place and just missed third place by only one point.

Devon Zinter from Byron-Bergen Central School, and Joshua Roberts from Attica CS, are both juniors. This team took second place in the Tire Rodeo.

All four seniors were offered the opportunity for tuition-free enrollment into the two-year Ford Automotive Student Service Education Training(ASSET) Program at Erie Community College.

Lucas and Patrick each received a $750 scholarship to the college of their choice, tool boxes, and an assortment of tools. Mike and John received a $250 college scholarship.

Devon and Joshua won jump boxes and have qualified to return to next year’s competition as seniors to represent the Batavia CTE Center.

Bob Yates is the Auto Technology instructor at the Batavia CTE Center. He noted it’s not always about winning but more importantly, how a competition gives students the opportunity to learn about their skill set and how they can improve.

“All of these students worked hard preparing for the competition both during school as well as over winter break, Yates said. "The seniors spent time at Basil Ford working with a senior technician preparing for the debugging of a 2019 Ford Ranger.

"The second part of the competition was based on a series of stations which we prepare for during class and shop time. I am very proud of the students and the effort they put in.

"I was complimented several times about the professionalism, politeness, and knowledge our students displayed during the competition. They were a great representation of our program and the Batavia CTE Center.”

Below, from left, Bob Yates, Batavia CTE Center Auto Technology Instructor, with Auto Technology students Patrick Willis and Lucas Doran, accept their awards at the Ron Smith Auto Tech Competition.

In the Scholastic Bowl on Wednesday night, Notre Dame won the first match with a score of 270.

Alden scored 200 and Oakfield 160.

In the second match, Pembroke scored 230 points, edging out Attica with 210. Elba came in third with 90 points.

Submitted photos and information.