The Blue Devils, missing a couple of key players to start the season, dropped to 0-2 with a loss in their home opener to Athena, 64-51.

Andrew Francis scored 15 points for Batavia and Jake Humes added 11, with nine coming on three-pointers. Cam White scored six points. White also had three rebounds.

Joe Martinucci had seven rebounds and scored three points.

Ethan Biscaro, who suffered a knee injury in the state championship football game, Mason McFollins, and Caden White did not play.

For Greece Athena, Melvin Council Jr. scored 17 points and Kelvin Reaves Jr. scored 14 points.

The Blue Devils travel to Pittsford Sutherland for a game Tuesday.

In other boys basketball action Wednesday, Pavilion beat Letchworth 52-39.

In girls basketball: Attica beat Byron-Bergen 61-44; Oakfield beat Holley, 64-33; Alexander beat Pembroke, 43-36; Elba beat Wheatland, 65-45.

To purchase prints of photos click here.

H.E. Turner Funeral Homes hosted their annual Christmastime service of prayer and worship to remember loved ones who have passed in 2018.

Pastor Masha Rivers conducted the service at Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia.

Even emergency dispatchers have Christmas wishes so yesterday Santa paid the 9-1-1 crew a visit.

Submitted photo.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) celebrated the passage of H.R 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. H.R. 2, which includes critically important dairy policy reforms that will strengthen and grow the Western New York dairy economy that in recent years has faced significant challenges.
 
H.R. 2 provides greater coverage to dairy farmers through the Margin Protection Program (MPP), and will allow farmers to participate in both the livestock and dairy protection programs. Additionally, the program will be rebranded as the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program.
 
"I am extremely proud to see the 2018 Farm Bill make it to President Trump's desk," Collins said. “For too long, dairy farmers in Western New York have struggled to keep the agricultural industry alive because of inefficiencies in past programs and the overall decline in the dairy market. The reforms passed in H.R. 2 will provide a significant boost to farmers right here in Western New York by allowing them to better utilize this program.”
 
This legislation will also help strengthen trade enforcement, promote the research and development of specialty crops, ensure funding to help farmers locate new global markets, significantly increase investment in organic research, and offers cost-sharing assistance to help farmers transition into organics.
 
Collins added: “The agriculture industry is the backbone of New York’s 27th district. Protecting Western New York farmers will always be a priority of mine, and I’m committed to doing what is best to help them succeed. While we still have a lot of work to do to turn this industry around, H.R. 2 is a huge step in the right direction, and I’m pleased to see it pass today.”

Also, a press release from the New York Farm Bureau:

“Today’s final vote for the 2018 Farm Bill is a major victory for New York’s farmers, rural communities and consumers. Farmers needed stronger risk management tools in place moving into next year where there are signs that the economic stress will continue in the farming community.

In particular, the new Farm Bill enhances the dairy safety net for farms of every size, including increasing the margin that qualifies for federal insurance programs. New York Farm Bureau also appreciates the research and support programs in the bill that will benefit New York’s specialty crop producers. Having some certainty moving forward in challenging times is a relief for farmers.

In addition, the Farm Bill supports critical conservation programs, rural development projects, and marketing and research programs to expand market opportunities for farmers. It legalizes industrial hemp, which will benefit farms interested in diversification. And the legislation provides permanent funding to help veterans and a new generation of beginning farmers. The biggest portion of the Farm Bill also guarantees Americans, who can least afford to eat, the ability to access the food farmers produce.

New York Farm Bureau is appreciative of New York’s lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives who supported the Farm Bill during this long process, resulting in the bipartisan legislation that their constituents expect. We encourage the President to sign the Farm Bill.”

Battle of high school hockey teams headlined the Falleti Ice Arena last evening where Notre Dame dominated Genesee Ice Devils 8-1.

In first-period action, the Irish came out flying led by Alex Totten who scored two goals and one assist. Max Hutchins added two assists and outshot Genesee 10-3 to lead 3-0 after the first period.

Second period Genesee had some opportunities and led in shots 10-8 but did not capitalize in the Irish zone. Hutchins added a goal and assist. Alonso Storey added his second goal of the night and Notre Dame led 5-0 after two periods. Storey also added a goal and assist later in the game.

The Irish added three more goals by Totten, Hutchins and Scott Tanner to lead 8-0. Ice Devils Ian Kemp replaced Alex Hunt midway through the third period. Goalie Mitchel Pangrazio for Notre Dame lost his shutout attempt with 12 seconds left in the game, where Carter Wasilewski put the puck over his glove to score for Genesee. Matt Frieday and Cameron Smith each picked up assists.

Pictured above is Alex Totten of Notre Dame scoring the first goal against Genesee’s Alex Hunt.

To view or purchase photos click here.

Matthew James Florian, 30, of Pratt Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant Dec. 11 for alleged failure to comply with the terms of his conditional release stemming from a DWI guilty plea. He was released on his own recognizance and was scheduled to reappear Batavia City Court on Dec. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.

Jennifer Nichole Wenner, 31, of West Main Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court on Dec. 11. Batavia police responded to an address on East Main Street in Batavia for a suspicious condition. While on scene, police took Wenner into custody. She was arraigned and released and is due in city court on Jan. 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

As he has done each of the past few years, Carmen DelPlato has shared with us Christmas song with lyrics by his mother, Mary DelPlato, and music and performance by Anthony DelPlato.

Boys Basketball:

Attica beat Byron-Bergen 66-58 on Tuesday night. For Attica, Dawson Nelson scored 19 points, snagged 16 rebounds, and had three assists, two blocks and a steal. Frankie Bisceglie added 17 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Marco Magarelli scored 11 points.

Head Coach Rob Crowley said, "I was really happy that we stayed together tonight. Bergen played a good game, Stuccio was on fire from outside and we weathered the storm to come away with a hard fought game on the road. Nelson played great in the second half and showed some good leadership for us. Bisceglie came threw for us from the free throw line as well."

Le Roy improved to 2-1 on the season with a 52-30 win over Perry. Reece Tresco scored 23 points. He had 16 rebounds. Colm Roster scored nine points and had seven rebounds. For Perry, Michael Hockey scored 13 points.

Oakfield beat Holley 55-39.

Lyndonville beat Notre Dame 72-58.

Girls Basketball:

Perry 38, Le Roy 29. Perry led 17-10 at the half and kept the lead through the fourth quarter. It was Perry's first win of the season.

For Perry, Bailey Fisher scored 11 points and had five rebounds. Chelsea Pascoe scored six points and grabbed 14 rebounds and six assists. For Le Roy, Kiaya Condidorio scored 10 points and Bryn Luckey scored five points.

Perry is 1-2 opens division play Friday at home against Pavilion.

See also: Batavia girls win second straight, 66-42 over host Greece Athena

Press release:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed the details of the newly released 2018 Farm Bill, Conference Report, which passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 87-13 yesterday.

Schumer said the bill will benefit key Upstate New York agricultural communities. Senator Schumer detailed several major areas in which the Farm Bill will be a major boost to Upstate farmers, growers, food-needy families and producers, as well as other New York businesses.

Schumer said the newly announced bill reflects a variety of different priorities he pushed for on behalf of the New York agricultural community. Schumer explained the bill will give New York's agricultural industry a shot in the arm.

Schumer lauded the months-long bipartisan process to craft the Farm Bill and congratulated committee leaders Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican Chair Pat Roberts, as well as Committee Member Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for their assiduous work.

“The Farm Bill is a major victory for Upstate New York and its large and vital agricultural community,” Schumer said. “Ensuring the passage of a Farm Bill is vital for New York’s agricultural community and our economy as a whole.

"The bill makes further investments to help Upstate New York dairy farmers, boosts the rapidly growing organic sector, builds on New York’s burgeoning industrial hemp industry, expands rural broadband, strengthens crop insurance, and protects our most vulnerable hungry families and seniors from harmful cuts.

"While the bill does not contain everything that we fought for, it is ultimately a win for the farmers that are the heart of Upstate New York."

Dairy

The newly introduced Farm Bill includes major victories for Upstate New York dairy farmers and producers. The newly introduced Farm Bill invests in programs to help give much-needed relief to Upstate New York dairy farmers and producers. The Farm Bill includes a variety of helpful reforms including, an investment of $100 million to help improve the Federal dairy insurance program to help make the program work better for small to medium dairy farms, a provision waiving administrative fees for beginning, veteran, and underserved farmers, a provision continuing the vital changes made in the Omnibus Budget bill that allowed for the creation of new dairy insurance tools in the future, and a program that would provide funding to dairy organizations who chose to donate their products.

Rural Communities

This Farm Bill focused on investing in our small rural communities across New York State and nationwide. One example of this was the establishment of a new grant program that will target high-need, rural areas seeking to undertake broadband internet projects. These projects will help connect our most in need areas and upgrade to more modern internet access. Additionally, the Farm Bill made important investments in programs that help grow our rural small businesses, as well as those that help to fight the opioid crisis.

Agriculture and Farming/Growing

Organic Farming

The newly introduced Farm Bill establishes mandatory funding of $24 million over FY19-23 for the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program (NOCCSP), which helps support farmers who want to become involved in the organic market by providing reimbursements of some of their annual fees for United States Department of Agriculture organic certification -- it includes an increase in critical funding for organic research through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative from its current level of $20 million to $50 million by FY2023. Finally, the Farm Bill increases the authorization for the National Organic Program (NOP). Schumer has been a major supporter of this program that helps USDA protect farmers from having to unfairly compete against fraudulent organic imports while also helping to maintain consumer confidence in the USDA certified organic brand. This bill increases the authorization for the NOP to $16.5 million in FY2019, $18 million in FY2020, $20 million in FY2021, $22 million in FY2022, and $24 million in FY2023.

Specialty Crops

The Farm Bill contained a number of provisions beneficial to Upstate farmers, but especially to farmers of specialty crops. New York produces a wide range of specialty crops (fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, herbs and spices, maple syrup, Christmas trees, etc.) that rank highly nationwide in terms of both production and economic value. The Senate Farm Bill, according to Schumer, provides vital funding to key programs that aid specialty crop producers, such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. These programs help provide support to New York's specialty crop industry in the form of robust research funding.

Maple

The Farm Bill reauthorizes Schumer’s original legislation known as The Maple Tap Act, which Schumer said is now officially called the Acer Access and Development Program. This provision will continue to help maple producers in the Hudson Valley and across Upstate New York boost their production and become more competitive with places like Canada, which produces 85 percent of the world's maple product. Schumer said, specifically, this provision provides an authorization for USDA grants to states that create programs to encourage individual and private landowners to open up their trees to maple tapping. Schumer's legislation would also provide grants to states to support market promotion, maple industry research and development, and education through leading institutions, like Cornell.

Hemp

Another important provision Schumer fought to include was the Hemp Farming Act of 2018. Schumer, a cosponsor of the Hemp Farming Act, said the provision could help unlock industrial hemp’s full potential as an agricultural commodity across Upstate New York by removing hemp from a federal list of controlled substances. Schumer said the bill will do four important things for farmers nationwide including in New York State:

• Remove industrial hemp from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act;
• Empower states to be the principal regulators of hemp;
• Allow hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture;
• Make hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance;
• Most importantly, Schumer said this important provision would allow for New York’s agricultural community to grow industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity if they so choose, allowing New York growers more flexibility.

Barley

The Farm Bill requires the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service to record all barley production in New York State. By ensuring that this critical information is accessible for barley farmers, they will be able to better determine any future plantings. Additionally, the provision would give crop insurance providers access to this essential information, which could spur them to expand coverage and potentially even offer a malting barley endorsement.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP)

Schumer explained that he fought tooth and nail to protect SNAP from any cuts in the Farm Bill. Schumer said that he also was able to push for other provisions to help those most in need. First, the Farm Bill creates opportunities for job training for some of the most in-need New Yorkers who participate in SNAP, to help them find and keep good-paying jobs. Second, the Farm Bill simplifies paperwork for New York seniors who participate in SNAP to ensure they get the nutritional assistance they need and deserve as quickly as possible. And lastly, the Farm Bill creates the “Farm to Food Bank” initiative, which will help provide New Yorkers using SNAP with locally grown, New York produce and other food.

Conservation

Schumer said the Farm Bill funds key environmental programs that are essential to farmers, like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). These programs are voluntary conservation initiatives that farmers can utilize through the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to help them continue to be good stewards of the land.

PAWS

The newly introduced Farm Bill also includes a vital provision called the Pet and Women Safety Act (PAWS) Act, which Schumer is currently a cosponsor of. This bill would help give victims of domestic violence and their pets greater access to safe sheltering options, as well as provide stronger legal protections to pets. According to the Humane Society, up to one-third of domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation, because they fear for the safety of their pets, and up to one-fourth return to an abuser due to concern for their pets.

Local food programs

The Farm Bill creates a new Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) by combining the Value Added Producer Grants Program and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The value-added producers grant program helps dairy farmers that start producing artisanal cheese or apple growers that enter the hard cider industry. The grants administered through the new LAMP program will continue to support strengthening our local food systems from rural farmers to urban consumers.

Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility grants

The Farm Bill provides funding to support and strengthen rural water infrastructure. Funding to Rural Development programs like the Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grant program will help families and businesses across Upstate New York and nationwide continue to have access to clean drinking water.

Community facility investments

The Farm Bill supports Community Facility investments to continue to help provide resources to construct hospitals, improve schools, while also improving fire and police stations across small towns in New York State.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 1093 Lewiston Road, Alabama.

Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight. 

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

An off-duty police officer is on scene and he reports a person is pinned in the vehicle but is conscious and alert.

UPDATE 7:23 a.m.: The person is reportedly out of the vehicle, only minor neck pain cited as injuries.

Three players scored in double figures tonight as the Batavia High Lady Devils defeated host Greece Athena, 66-42, in a Monroe County girls basketball interdivisional game.

Senior guard Ryan Stefaniak led the way with 20 points -- nine of them in the first quarter, which ended with Batavia up 16-13. 

Sophomore guard Bryn Wormley had six of her 14 in the second quarter as the Devils expanded the margin to 34-21. They stayed comfortably in front the rest of the way, with junior forward Emma Krolczyk scoring eight of her 15 points after intermission.

Mackenzie Reigle (six), Kennedy Kolb and Jenae Colkey (four each) and Meghan Houseknecht (three) rounded out the scoring for Batavia, 2-0. Stefaniak also grabbed nine rebounds and came up with three steals while Reigle dished out four assists.

For Athena, 1-3, senior guard My'Ana Davis and junior forward Kelechi Dimgba tallied 14 and 13, respectively.

Batavia plays at Class AA powerhouse Bishop Kearney on Friday night and opens the home portion of its season next Tuesday against Eastridge.

Fanara said 100 percent of the price of the gift certificates will go to Justice for Children and Genesee CASA and the gift certificates will be sold at a discount. If you spend $20 for a gift certificate, you will receive a $25 gift certificate, for $50, get $60, for $100, get $125. There is no limit on gift certificates.

The sale lasts through Dec. 23.

High Voltage Tattoo is located at 110 W. Main St., Batavia.

AAA of Western New York reports that gas prices throughout the region continue to drop.  

From AAA:

• Batavia -- $2.81 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.83 (down 5 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.61 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.72 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.74 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.62 (down 4 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.87 (no change since last week)

Since the 1990s, T.F. Brown's and the Batavia Lions Club have hosted a free Christmas Day dinner open to the whole community and the tradition continues in 2018.

Anybody in the community is welcome to attend with a reservation for either the noon or 1 p.m. meal, which includes a visit for children with Santa and a present.

To help support the dinner, T.F. Brown's is hosting a Christmas Happy Hour and Ugly Sweater Contest from 4 to 8 p.m., Dec. 20. Guest who donate a toy get a free beverage. There will be dinner and drink specials and prizes with the DSP Jazz Trio performing from 5 to 8 p.m.

For community members wishing to attend the dinner, reservations are required. Call Barb at 345-1000. She will need to know how many people are attending and the names and ages of children who will be there.

Photo: Becky Amico, Lions, Rick Mancuso, owner of T.F. Brown's, Joe Teresi, Lions, and Frank Yanik, a cook at T.F. Brown's.

Roberta Ann Goodman, 51, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs -- with a previous conviction, a Class E felony. On Dec. 9 at 10:09 a.m., the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received multiple calls of a motor vehicle being driven erratically westbound through the Town and Village of Le Roy. Le Roy Police Detective John Condidorio was able to catch up to the vehicle and initiate a traffic stop stop with the suspect vehicle on Main Road in Stafford. Sheriff's deputies arrived on scene and administered standardized field sobriety tests and Goodman was subsequently arrested. After being given a Drug Influence Evaluation at the jail by Deputy Matt Butler, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, Goodman was arraigned in Stafford Town Court and jailed in lieu of $2,500 cash bail. Additional charges are pending. In addition to Condidorio and Butler, the investigation by Deputy Ryan DeLong was assisted by Deputy Erik Andre and Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Dustin L. Stump, 48, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with illegal disposal of items. He was arrested at 1:09 p.m. on Dec. 10 after allegedly illegally disposing of garbage in a privately owned dumpster. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and is due there on Dec. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.

Mark S. Bradley, 58, of Pavilion, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; unlawful possession of marijuana; consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle; and unauthorized stickers on windshield. He was arrested on Dec. 9 following a traffic stop on Warsaw Boulevard in the Village of Silver Springs. During the stop, he was allegedly found to be in possession of crystal meth, marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, and an open container of alcohol. His vehicle was towed from the scene. He was processed at the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and released to relatives. He was issued appearance tickets and is due in Village of Silver Springs Court on Jan. 7 to answer the charges. The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan, assisted by Deputy Bradley McGinnis.

Shannon M. LaPaglia, 37, of Le Roy, was arrested at 6:22 a.m. on Dec. 9 by troopers out of SP Batavia and charged with DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana and vehicle and traffic infractions. Her arrest came after troopers responded to a property damage accident on Byron Road in the Town of Stafford. She allegedly failed standardized field sobriety tests. Troopers also allegedly located marijuana in her vehicle. She was transported to SP Batavia for processing and allegedly found to have a BAC of .13 percent. LaPaglia was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Stafford Town Court later this month.

Jason Lawrence McKenzie, 40, of Covell Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 7:01 p.m. on Nov. 30 following a complaint at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive of shoplifting. He allegedly stole merchandise by passing all points of purchase without paying for the items. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Jan. 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Matthew J. Reed, 34, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court on Dec. 9. Police responded to an address on State Street for the initial report of a possible domestic incident. While there, he was taken into custody on the bench warrant. He was jailed on $500 cash or bond and was due in city court on Dec. 10. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Peter Flanagan.

J'zon A. Richardson, 20, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. He was arrested on Dec. 10 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court for an unspecified incident which occurred on Nov. 15 on Ellicott Street in Batavia. He was arraigned and jailed in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 bond and is to return to city court at a later date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider.

The Genesee Country Decorative Painters, founded in Batavia in 1983, painted dozens of totes with patriotic themes as a service project for 2018 and today presented the gifts to the State Veterans Home in Batavia as a gift to veterans at the home.

Each member painted three bags each.

Photo: Diane Fiorentino, Laurie Bellucci, and Maggie Cummings, activity director for the vets home.

Genesee Chorale and Brighton Symphony Orchestra will perform a special holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Grace Baptist Church, Vine Street, Batavia, featuring an original work about Letchworth State Park, “Glory and Majesty.”

This concert is the debut a four-movement piece composed by Daniel Baldwin with lyrics taken from poems written by early visitors to Glen Iris Inn, which were assembled into a book by William Pryor Letchworth.  

The evening also includes familiar Christmas songs, such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Sleigh Bells,” introduces some newer pieces, and concludes with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”  

Ric Jones, top photo, conducts.

Tickets, presale or at the door are $10. For presale tickets and further information, visit Chorale’s website, GeneseeChorale.com.

Photos from Monday's rehearsal.