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Hunter falls out of tree stand in Morganville

By Billie Owens

Stafford and Le Roy fire departments are called to rescue a hunter who fell out of a tree stand and is injured in the area of Mullen and Morganville roads. A friend of his called the dispatch center to report it a few minutes ago.

The area where he is located is said to be in a northeasterly direction, east of the creek, "way out in the woods," and west of Route 237. The dispatcher is trying to recontact the caller.

Mercy medics are roadside, awaiting directives. Le Roy's ATV unit is called to respond.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to land in a nearby field.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: The victim has been located and command calls for a rescue basket to put him in to bring him to the field.

UPDATE 1:02 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: Rescuers are inbound with the injured hunter in the basket.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: The patient has been extricated from the woods.

UPDATE 1:36 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, heading to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: The Stafford assignment is back in service.

Law and Order: Medina woman accused of robbery, impaired driving, drug possession, harassment and more

By Billie Owens

Susan L. Murray, of Medina, no age or address provided, is charged with: third-degree robbery; driving while ability impaired by drugs in the third degree – first offense; fourth-degree criminal mischief; four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; and second-degree harassment. She was arrested Aug. 22 after Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about two people yelling at each other on Route 63 in the Town of Alabama, just south of the Genesee Orleans County Line. She was found to have an active bench warrant for her arrest out of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. She was taken into custody and a search was conducted. It is alleged that Murray had four different kinds of controlled substances in her possession. A license check allegedly revealed she was driving with a suspended driver’s license. It is further alleged that a victim interviewed by deputies reported that Murray forcibly took property consisting of a cell phone and money by means of unwanted physical contact and then prevented the victim from calling emergency services. Field sobriety tests were done and she was taken to Genesee County Jail and processed. There she was evaluated by Batavia Police Detective M. Wojtaszek, a certified drug recognition expert, who found her to be impaired by drugs. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and put in jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending. The investigation was conducted by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy Brock Cummins, Deputy Ryan DeLong, Deputy Kevin Forsyth, and New York State Police.

Zachary Thomas Breissinger, 20, County Line Road, Darien, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested Aug. 23, arraigned in Darien Town Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. It is alleged that at 6:58 p.m. on Aug. 22 on County Line Road in Darien that Breissinger intentionally damaged property belong to another person in an amount exceeding $250. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jared Swimline, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Stacey Lynn Eastman, 32, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. She was arrested on Aug. 23 following the investigation of a larceny that occurred at Walmart in Batavia at 4:09 p.m. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Sept. 9. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Muckdogs win series with State College, but fall in final game, 1-0

By Billie Owens

Above and below: Muckdogs catcher Dustin Skelton was an offensive bright spot for Batavia Saturday night going 2-for-3.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs had outstanding pitching Saturday night but could not get a run across in a 1-0 loss to State College (Pa.).

Batavia (37-30) keeps the half-game lead in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division as West Virginia (36-30) lost to Auburn.

Batavia is home today at 5:05 p.m. as it is Kids Day at the park.

Easton Lucas had a strong start for Batavia, throwing a no-hitter with one strikeout through 3.2 innings allowing two walks and no runs.

Bryan Hoeing took the hard-luck loss, giving up one run in 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and no walks. Josh Simpson tossed two shutout no-hit innings.

The offensive bright spot for Batavia was catcher Dustin Skelton who had two hits. Skelton was an 18th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins out of Mississippi State.

Harrison Dinicola and Julian Infante had hits.

Batavia is also home on Monday at 7:05 p.m. and Tuesday is a special 11:05 a.m. start.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

UPDATED with photos: Crash with injuries reported at Sumner and Harlow roads, Darien

By Billie Owens

Photos courtesy of Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

A truck vs. SUV accident with injuries is reported at Sumner Road and Harlow Road. One person in a vehicle is reportedly unresponsive. Darien Fire Department and medics are responding with law enforcement.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: A first responder reports the accident is not blocking traffic.

UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: Corfu Fire Department is called to the scene.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.: Tow trucks are called.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: This is a confirmed fatality accident. State police are handling the scene. The roadway is going to be shut down for accident reconstruction by the Crash Management Team. According to Alecia Kaus/Video News Service at the scene, an SUV was northbound on Harlow Road when the female driver failed to stop at the stop sign at Sumner Road. The SUV driver, who was the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her SUV was T-boned by a pickup truck headed west on Sumner. The three occupents of the pickup were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Trooper O'Callaghan will have a press release later with additional information.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: Traffic control is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 5:11 p.m.: Scene commander say roads are shut down completely at Sumner and Harlow. They are also stopping traffic at Reynolds Road and Fargo, and at Route 20 (Broadway Road) and Harlow. Campers at Darien Lakes State Park are being told about the road closures.

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: NYS Police Troop A in Batavia confirms that notifications have been made to family members. So therefore, we are able to publish photos of the vehicles involved in the crash, courtesy of Alecia Kaus/Video New Service. As noted previously, Trooper O'Callaghan will have a press release later with additional information.

Le Roy teen and her horse Trouble Skip N Town win Reserve Award at NYS Fair

By Billie Owens

Photo and information from reader Judy Anderson:

SYRACUSE -- Miranda Gallo, 13, of Le Roy, and her horse Trouble Skip N Town won the American Quarter Horse Association Level 1 Youth Champion Reserve Award at the New York State Fair.

Miranda and Trouble Skip N Town competed in Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure and Western Horsemanship.

They are under the guidance of trainer Jeff Steer (in photo above with Miranda) at The Homestead in Ionia. The Homestead Team brought home many other championship awards this past week from the AQHA Show at the fair.

The young equestrian has just returned home from showing her horse. She is the daughter of Jason and Amanda Gallo in Le Roy.

"It's well deserving," said her grandmother Judy Anderson this afternoon. "It's hard work, that's for sure. She's very dedicated to her horse."

HLOM to unveil two new paintings by NYC-based Batavia artist on Oct. 4, please RSVP

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce on Friday, Oct. 4th, the official unveiling of two new paintings by artist Anthony E. Terrell.

He is a Batavia native now residing in New York City, and a 1967 graduate of Batavia High School.

The two paintings “Listening to Couperin” ("artist & wife enjoying") and “Big Horned Sheep Jumping Fence of Time” are recent works of Terrell's, which were graciously donated to the museum to further promote and expand the collection of works by local artists.

The unveiling will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4th, at the museum.

Refreshments and food will be provided for all in attendance to enjoy. The museum will also be fully open to experience all of the wonderful exhibits on display.

In place of a formal admission, the museum is asking for a small donation. Please RSVP for the event by contacting the museum at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Speed and power leads Batavia to 7-5 win to keep first place

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

With West Virginia winning to games in Auburn Friday night, the pressure was on the Batavia Muckdogs to win and keeps slim first place lead in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Trailing 3-1, the Muckdogs rallied with speed and power, defeating State College 7-5.

Nic Ready had another monster game for Batavia (37-29) hitting an inside-the-park home run, his ninth of the season.

The Muckdogs are home tonight at 7:05 with State College with post-game fireworks. The game Sunday against Williamsport is at 5:05 p.m.

Ready, a 23rd-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year, had two hits, four RBIs and made several dazzling plays at third including one to end the game. Ready is an active member of the Air Force, where he graduated this past spring.

J.D. Orr is not only leading the league in average, but making a late-season push to the .400 mark as he went 3-for-5 with three runs, his third triple of the season and his seventh double. Orr, a 10th-round Marlins pick out of Wright State in Dayton, Ohio, is hitting .390.

Sean Reynolds, who blasted a 418-foot home run Thursday night, was walked twice, so the 21-year-old fourth-round draft pick of the Marlins in 2016 stole his third base of the season. Reynolds, who is 6-foot-8, 243 pounds, also went to third on a ball in the dirt, showing his speed.

Troy Johnston (double his 13th) also had two hits while Julian Infante had a RBI.

Jack Strunc stole a base and Milton Smith II stole his 19th base of the year.

Johnston and Strunc were playing in front of their fathers.

"I saw them behind home plate ... it was pretty awesome," Johnston said. "It's always good to get a Muckdogs win. That West Virginia series will be huge, we are hoping to win a couple there."

Strunc added, "We have to meep this winning up and hopefully make the playoffs. It always feels good to play good in front of your pops."

Edgar Martinez picked up the win, his third of the season, going five innings with five strikeouts and a walk. M.D. Johnson went two strong innings and Brock Love picked up his first hold going on inning with no hits and two strikeouts.

Batavia closer Evan Brabrand earned his 13th save going one inning with a hit, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts.

Upcoming schedule: Tonight home 7:05; and Saturday home 7:05 p.m. against State College. Sunday 5:05 p.m. against Williamsport; Monday home at 7:05 p.m. against Williamspor;t and Tuesday's game is at 11:05 a.m.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photo: Winning pitcher Edgar Martinez fires a pitch to the plate during Batavia's 7-5 victory Friday night.

Sept. 1 is deadline to buy engraved brick from BSCD Foundation for fall stadium campaign

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia City School District Foundation Inc. is reminding the local community about their Engraved Brick Campaign at VanDetta Stadium at Woodward FieldOrders need to be received by Saturday, Sept. 1 in order to be installed this Fall. All others will be installed the following years.

The bricks will be located in front of the weight room and will be a “River Red” color. Each brick is $100 (including engraving). All engravings will be approved by the BCSD Foundation Inc.

Each brick will be 7¾ x 4 x 1¾ inch and on each brick there will be a maximum of 14 characters per line with a maximum of three lines. A character is any letter, space or punctuation mark.

Order forms are available on the BCSD Foundation Inc. website here or at the Batavia City School District’s Instructional Services’ office at 260 State St., Batavia.  

If you have any questions, please contact the BCSD Foundation Inc. at foundation@ bataviacsd.org or Julia Rogers at 343-2480, ext. 1010.

Hawley's farm tour reveals concerns with farm labor bill

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) toured several farms in Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties yesterday, speaking with farm owners and employees on their concerns and trepidations with the recently passed the Farm Labor Bill.

Hawley is the former owner and operator of his family’s farm in Batavia, a longtime member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and past President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau.

“I want to thank all the farm owners and their families for having me on a tour of their facilities,” Hawley said.

“I understand how detrimental these new labor regulations can be to our agriculture sector and I will be pushing very hard to have a seat at the table for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Farm Bureau members on the new wage board.”

  “As a former farm operator, it was great to meet so many dedicated families that are driving New York’s agricultural sector here in Western New York,” Hawley said.

“A consistent theme at all of the farms we visited was the new labor regulations pushed by Downstate politicians and their detrimental effect on family farms throughout the state. Many owners are concerned about labor shortage during an already short growing season and the possibility of migrant workers leaving to earn more money in other states.”

Photo: Assemblyman Hawley on his first stop of the farm tour at CY Farms in Elba, a second- and third-generation family farm where sod, spinach, corn and onions are grown.

Controlled burn reported on Summit Street in the city

By Billie Owens

City firefighters are on Summit Street investigating a controlled burn in the vicinity after a caller to dispatch reported smoke in the area.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: The blaze was actually a small campfire behind property in the 100-200 block of Bank Street. It has been extinguished.

Marine vet wishes he had 'do-over' to get to know two fallen comrades who were Notre Dame schoolmates

By Billie Owens

Above, Marine veteran and former Batavia resident Jim Heatherman. Photo courtesy of Jim Heatherman.

Editor's Note: Eighteen days apart in 1968 two 1964 Notre Dame High School graduates were killed in Vietnam. Today, on the 51st anniversary of one of their deaths, their classmate and fellow Vietnam vet Jim Heatherman remembers them and wishes he got to know them better.

Story by Jim Heatherman.

It has been 50 years since I was a Marine lieutenant in Vietnam. It doesn’t seem like it but it’s true. Longer still since I graduated from Notre Dame High School in Batavia. I think of those days often. Notre Dame was a fine school but certainly not heaven on Earth.

My friends and I were by no means angels when we went to school there. I remember helping to make hydrogen sulphide in the chemistry lab, which permeated the entire school with the smell of rotten eggs and nearly caused an evacuation.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a proud graduate of Notre Dame in 1964, a college graduate later, and a Marine Vietnam combat veteran later still.

Many of my family grew up, lived, and died in Batavia. My brother, Pat, and I regularly visit their gravesites although I now live in Tulsa, Okla. My friend, Dave Reilly, has written wonder articles for The Batavian reminiscing those youthful days in Batavia.

Incidentally, we older people think in our minds and hearts that we are still young people living back in the 1960s. We try to ignore the pains in our knees...and, well, everywhere else, too.

I don’t think we spent much time thinking of the world situation including Vietnam when we were in high school. We were accepting our role as average teenagers thinking mostly of driving, girls, and sports. Since most of the girls didn’t particularly care for us we were able to focus mostly on the other two things.

Of course there were other guys in our class who were better looking, smarter, and all around cooler than we were and they got the girls. I wonder whatever happened to them. And then we had other classmates who were not members of our group and we didn’t think much about knowing them at all.

One of them was Daniel Bermingham (inset photo, left), who I remember as a pleasant person but not particularly cool...like we thought we were. (He was killed on Aug. 23, 1968 in Vietnam.)

Another was Thomas Welker (inset photo, below right), who with others was bussed into Notre Dame daily from a farm community.

Like Dan, Tom was an outsider to our group and we hardly got to know him. Unfortunately that did not change through four years of high school. I’d like to think that we are now wiser than we were then. That is our blessing but it is also our curse.

Well I graduated from Notre Dame, went on to college and joined a Naval ROTC unit. When I graduated from college I was happily commissioned a Marine 2nd Lieutenant. I come from a Marine Corps family so that result was expected and inevitable.

After additional training at Quantico, Va., I got orders to WESTPAC Ground Forces. That meant Vietnam, of course. I was fortunate to survive my combat tour in Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander and battalion staff officer.

I spent several more years in the Marine Corps and then returned to civilian life. I got married and had five children. They all went to Catholic school, too, and are all college graduates.

The four boys are Marine combat veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan, later became federal agents, and one is now a United States Attorney.

My daughter is a wonderful teacher in a Catholic school in Tulsa. I go there and mostly talk about Revolutionary and Civil War battles, although the kids want to talk about Vietnam, too. I have 15 grandchildren. I go to many, many sports events. I think often how blessed I am to have that family.

Then I think of Dan and Tom -- the guys that we never really got to know in high school. When most of us were happily running off to college in 1964 they were both preparing to join the Navy.

Dan became a member of a Naval Construction Force battalion -- the Seabees -- and was eventually sent to Vietnam. People in those positions rarely die in combat but Dan was killed.

He is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in Batavia, only 50 yards from my grandparents. I want to visit there often and leave a memento.

Tom received medical training in the Navy and became a Corpsman. Eventually he was sent to Vietnam and, of course, assigned to a Marine infantry unit.

As a Marine myself, I can tell you that no one is more revered by the Marines they serve than the Navy Corpsmen. They are always known as “Doc.” Tom was killed on a patrol with the Marines he served. He is buried in Attica.

I read in an article that his mother never really recovered from the loss of her son. I’m sure she is not alone.

Looking back now, I think of two things. As a very fortunate head of a family of 27 people today, I think of the void and unfulfilled promise that was cut down for Tom and Dan and so many others in Vietnam. The wives, children, and grandchildren that never were. Also, as a wiser and a bit more humble person now, I think that just being the goofy teenagers we were in those days should not have been an excuse for not knowing and appreciating our Notre Dame classmates, Tom and Dan, more.

Yet I’m sure we are not alone either. Wouldn’t it be nice after all these years to have a do-over?

Inset photos courtesy of Dave Reilly.

Upcoming events at the Byron-Bergen Public Library

By Billie Owens
Here are items of note occurring in September at the Byron-Bergen Public Library, located at 13 S. Lake Ave. in Bergen.
  • The Bergen Historical Society will meet beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5th, in the Library Meeting Room. The public is invited to hear a presentation by Gina Schelemanow on the history of the Cook family of Byron and Clarendon. Refreshments will be served following the program. 
  • Maker Space Saturday is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 7th. Come and try an experiment! No registration needed.
  • Monthly Book Discussion Group meets at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12th. This month's book is "The Little Paris Bookshop." Come and enjoy the fun.
  • Toddler/Preschool Storytime will run Fridays starting at 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept 13th. Join Miss Bailey for stories, a craft and a treat! For ages 2-5, but younger children are welcome with a parent/guardian. Registration appreciated.
Phone is 494-1120.

Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club competes at New York State Fair

By Billie Owens

Top photo: Genesee Dairy Challenge Team – Genesee County 4-H Dairy Challenge Contest participants, from left: Bing Zuber, Wyatt Uberty, Chase Zuber, Otto Uberty, Renee Uberty.

Submitted photos and press release:

SYRACUSE -- Members of the Genesee County 4-H Dairy Club took their skills to the New York State Fair in Syracuse earlier this week.

4-H Dairy Challenge and Dairy Judging Contests were held to test the youth’s knowledge on judging skills, animal nutrition, agronomy, feed identification, farm safety, and business management.

Below are results from the contests that included more than 150 participants.

New York State Fair 4-H Dairy Challenge Contest:

Genesee Novice Team – Second-place Team. Team members were: Otto Uberty, Wyatt Uberty, Bing Zuber and Chase Zuber.

Individual Results – Bing Zuber -- third High Novice Individual; Renee Uberty -- 19th Junior Individual.

New York State Fair 4-H Dairy Judging Contest:

Genesee Novice Team AFourth Place. Team members and individual rankings were: Chloe Lamb -- 14th, Bing Zuber -- 16th, and Chase Zuber -- 18th.

Genesee Novice Team B – Third Place. Team members and individual rankings were: Evan Winspear -- third, Wyatt Uberty -- 17th, Otto Uberty -- 20th.

Genesee Junior Team – Fourth Place. Team members and individual rankings were: Maggie Winspear -- fifth, Jillian Brewer -- eighth, and Renee Uberty -- 36th.

Genesee Senior Team – 13th-place. Team members and individual rankings were: Carolyn Sybertz -- 23rd and Amelia Brewer -- 29th.

Congratulations to all of the 4-H’ers competing at the New York State Fair this week!  For more information on the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

Bottom photo: Genesee County 4-H Dairy Judging Contest participants, from left, back row: Amelia Brewer, Carolyn Sybertz, Jillian Brewer, Renee Uberty, Maggie Winspear. From left, front row: Wyatt Uberty, Evan Winspear, Chloe Lamb, Bing Zuber, Otto Uberty, and Chase Zuber.

Gently used children's clothing store offers affordable back-to-school shopping option in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Story by Mary Margaret Ripley:

Le Roy – Alex Wood is the proud new owner of Le Roy Little Ones, a gently used children’s clothing store on Mill Street in Le Roy. 

Wood, a native of Pavilion, opened her storefront on Oatka Festival weekend July 13 and has seen steady business since.

What prompted her to want to open her own retail store was the constant outgrowing of clothes her young son went through and the expense and travel it took to buy new and used clothing in the city.

“I don’t know how people can afford brand-new clothing for their kids, especially when they outgrow them so fast,” Wood said.

After the bank she worked at in Elba closed, and after discussing it with her boyfriend, Wood started looking for locations that would suit her plan for a retail store.

Enlisting a local real estate agent, Wood found the perfect location at 3 1/2 Mill St. (across from the side of the Post Office) and the owner of the building, Bill Kettle, was thrilled by his new tenant's plans.

“I think it’s a great idea that helps a lot of families not only in Le Roy but all the surrounding communities!” Kettle said. “Given how quickly our kids grow and the cost of new clothing, a store like Le Roy Little Ones keeps kids in the right size clothes while making it very affordable at the same time.”

Most of the clothing and footwear in the shop costs $5 or less. Sizes are infant premie to kids' large. While not a consignment shop, Wood does take clothes and shoes in excellent condition for store credit.

All major credit cards accepted.

Hours of operation for Le Roy Little Ones are: Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Phone is 297-8058.

Photo by Mary Margaret Ripley.

Musical Memories concert to benefit Crossroads House is Sept. 21 at City Church

By Billie Owens

The 11th annual Musical Memories concert to benefit Crossroads House will be held at City Church on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The church is located at 210 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30.

Cost is $5 for general seating and $10 for reserved seating.

There will be a "Mega Raffle" on site.

Performances by:

  • Parkside Avenue Brass
  • The Hit Men
  • St. Joe's of Batavia Brass Ensemble
  • Hamburg Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps
  • Silver Leafs (from Canada!)
  • Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps

Advance tickets are available at Crossroads House, Roxy's Music Store, Valle Jewelers, and The Prospector in Attica.

All proceeds benefit Crossroads House, a comfort care home for the dying in Batavia.

Now is perfect time to start a 4-H Club, there are five easy steps to take

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Now is a great time to start a 4-H Club in the Genesee County 4-H Program. The new 4-H Club Year begins Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2020.

The 4-H Program teaches youth life skills through hands on activities in a variety of project areas. Youth ages 5 to 18 years are always welcome to join.  Adult volunteers and new 4-H Clubs are always welcome as well. 

Starting a 4-H Club is fun and easy. You can start a 4-H Club in five easy steps!

How to Start a 4-H Club in 5 Easy Steps:

1.  Complete the New 4-H Volunteer Enrollment Form.

2.  Attend an orientation meeting with 4-H Staff.

3.  Enroll 5 youth in your club (age 5 – 18).

4.  Have members choose a club name.

5.  Plan monthly club meetings and projects with parents and youth.

For more information on starting a 4-H Club or joining the 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

Wiener dogs and Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs Sunday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The “Dog Days of Summer” at Batavia Downs doesn’t only refer to the weather. It also means it's time for the annual Genesee Feeds Wiener Dog races.

This popular event is happening once again on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 25) with post time for the first Dachshund Dash scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. after the completion of the live harness racing card.

There will be 10 heats contested with each heat winner scoring a $25 Free Play voucher to Batavia Downs Gaming. The heat winners will then return for a championship race where the winning owner will receive $100 in free play, second place finisher $75 in Free Play and third place $50 in Free Play. The owners of the top three finishers will also get two complementary buffets in the Batavia Downs clubhouse.

All entrants will receive doggy bags for their athletes from the official sponsor of the Wiener Dog races, Genesee Feeds of Batavia.

The doggy dashes draw one of the biggest crowds of the season to Batavia Downs and is the main event of “Family Fun Day” at the races.

"Family Fun Day is one of my favorite live racing days of the meet,” said Director/General Manager of Live Racing, Todd Haight. “The kids always have a great time.

"You can bring the whole family out because there is something for everyone and you can eat, drink and enjoy everything going on the entire afternoon and it costs next to nothing.”

Treat the kids to a fun, affordable day out with $1 Sahlen's hot dogs and soda. Then enjoy free pony rides from 2 to 4 p.m. provided courtesy of Castilone Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep of Batavia.

There will also be special guest appearances by Pringles The Clown, Mr. Scribbles, Jason the Juggler, Johnathan the Magician and other fun activities like face painting and sand art for kids of all ages. And everything is presented in a clean, safe environment where kids can just enjoy themselves.

Admission and parking are free and live harness racing action begins at 1:15 p.m.

For more information including news, promotions, race replays and the upcoming live racing schedule including the New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions go to www.bataviadownsgaming.com/live-racing.

Photos courtesy of Paul White.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
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