"Sometimes Memories Sneak out of my Eyes and Roll Down my Cheeks." -- Author Unknown

I can remember every inch of her small home on 25 South Street. I loved watching Lawrence Welk with her on Saturday nights. Her house always smelled like something homemade, especially her bread. Every Sunday, she would bring a dessert to our house. She shared her baking and cooking with her pastor and her mailman as she would leave her side door open so the mailman could take his weekly loaf of bread.

Her Catholic religion was a significant part of her life. She had a weekly ritual of going to St. Francis Cemetery to water the family flowers. I remember saying to her that I didn't know we had so many relatives, and she said they are not all relatives, just people who need us to water their lonely plants. Then, I remember her taking me to the Shrine of the Martyrs in Auriesville, NY, with the Rosary Altar Society members. She was president for 37 years. I swear that the bus ride was nine hours long.    I was always so proud of her for helping the sodality women up the steps of the bus and leading them to their seats. Then I realized she was their age.   

That ride from Batavia to Leroy always seemed so long because we had that ritual of saying the rosary. We always had to go to church early to get that good seat in the first pew. One Sunday, I didn't put my nickel in the collection basket at church and lied about it. When I got back to her house, I asked if I could walk to the corner store because I had found a nickel. That was the day I literally learned that lying doesn't pay.

In 1972,  I got my first teaching job in Leroy, NY. Taking my third-grade class to her house was such a great memory, remembering her smiling at my students and giving them one of her favorite molasses cookies.

She had an old 1962 Chevy that we all seemed to have owned one time or another. After we were married in 1974, we ended up with 62. The one thing you would never do is take down all of the statues that lined the dashboard. It was like a traveling altar. So one day, we were driving home from Batavia, and my husband said, you better turn all those statues to face the road because we have no brakes. We somehow made it to our apartment on Lake Street, and we believe Grandma and all her saints got us home safely.

My mind seems to be fixated on memories the older I get, and lately, I have been just thinking about my Grandma and how much I loved her and respected her.   I continue to miss her every day; my mother always told me I reminded her of her mother. She's the one that taught me how to cook, bake, pray, and crochet. That's probably true because today I have my list of people I pray for; I go to church early to get that good seat, crochet, and am told I make pretty good spaghetti sauce.   My grandmother died in 1983, our hearts were broken, but today my heart is filled with memories of her and all she taught me.

At her funeral at St. Joseph's Church in Le Roy, Father Zupa said when you pray, you now have another saint in heaven to pray to, Jennie Bellow. It is funny how memories take you back to an exact time, and you feel them drip down your cheek. Our memories are unique because they belong to us. To all the grandmothers young, old, and have passed, thank you, you are treasured. 

Rosie, this is dedicated to you. We shared the same Grandma and her love.

Porfirio Gabriel has worked for Torrey Farms in Elba for 13 years and helps the Torreys recruit workers from Mexico, specifically Comachuen, to obtain H2A temporary visas and work planting onions and harvesting squash, cabbage, and beans each year.

These workers, Gabriel told NPR for a recent story about money sent from workers back to Mexico to help support local economies, have helped Comachuen families receive as much as $5 million over three years, by far the town's largest source of income.

These funds sent to Mexico, called remittances, may have exceeded $50 billion for the first time last year, according to the story.

Travis Torrey sent the link to the NPR story to The Batavian noting that as regulators try to limit the number of hours farmer workers can labor each week they're really hurting the people they say they're trying to help.

"I think you can see that coming to WNY to work is their version of the ‘American dream,’" Torrey said. "Everyone that has come here has bettered themselves and families.  The inhumanity is denying them the opportunity.

"Without the farmworkers, there would be no farms," he added. "The same can be said if there are no farms there are no farmworkers."

A week ago, the state's Farm Labor Board, on a 2-1 vote, recommended the overtime threshold for farmworkers be lowered from 60 hours a week to 40 hours a week.

Both farmer-owners and farmworkers have repeatedly spoken out against the rule change over the past few years saying that workers will seek jobs in states that don't restrict potential earnings.

Torrey notes the rule change will hurt workers like Gabriel when they get their hours cut.

From the NPR story:

Gabriel is resigned to working in the United States as long as he can. He sends home about $7,500 each year from what he earns working the fields. That money is largely used to fund his children's education, paying private college fees so his eldest son can be a registered nurse.

His hope is that his children will get university degrees and not have to emigrate. "I am paying for their studies, so that they don't have to do what we had to do," Gabriel says.

Press release:

The Genesee County & City of Batavia Youth Boards are looking for nominations for their annual Youth Recognition Banquet.  There are three awards presented at the Youth Recognition Banquet:

• Youth Recognition Award—This award recognizes young people who have performed exceptional service to the community and/or have assumed extraordinary roles in their families.  Typically, the best candidates for this award are high school students, but we also know there are 12, 13, 14-year-olds who exemplify distinctive qualities of service.  Several youths will be recognized; however, the Youth Boards reserve the right to limit the number of recipients.
• Adult Volunteer—This award recognizes an adult who provides service as a volunteer to youth in Genesee County.
• Adult Youth Worker—This award recognizes a youth service professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.

Recipients will be honored at the Youth Recognition Banquet on March 31, 2022.  Nominations are due by Friday, February 11th.  For more information or to receive nomination forms, please call the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.  The forms are also on the Youth Bureau page of the Genesee County website, www.co.genesee.ny.us. 

Press release:

The Town of Bethany Republican Committee is seeking individuals that are interested in being considered for nomination to serve on the Town Board. The position exists due to the recent retirement of an incumbent Town Board Member.

The Committee will be meeting on Thursday, Feb, 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town of Bethany Community Center.

Those interested please send a letter of intent to Gregg Torrey, 6005 Torrey Road, Stafford, NY 14143, or contact Gregg Torrey at gregg.torrey@gmail.com  Cell: (585)-507-8139.

Richard Lewis Conte, 29, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, reckless driving, failure to keep right, and avoiding traffic device or intersection light. Conte was stopped at 10:50 p.m., Jan. 26, on Route 33 in Byron by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

John Laurence Lyons, 53, of HIlltop Drive, Le Roy, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing.  Lyons is accused of obstructing the breathing of another person at 11:45 p.m., Nov. 24, at a location on Hilltop Drive, Le Roy. He was arrested by Le Roy PD and issued an appearance ticket.

Gary David Doctor, 39, of Main Street, Akron, is charged with DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration.  Doctor was arrested by Deputy Kevin McCarthy after dispatchers received a report at 10:56 a.m., Nov. 24, of a male passed out behind the wheel on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Doctor was issued an appearance ticket.

A one-vehicle accident with the driver possibly slumped over in the driver's seat is reported on the I-490 in Bergen in the area of mile marker 1.6.

The vehicle is off the roadway of the westbound lane.

Bergen Fire and Le Roy Fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 4:16 p.m.: The vehicle was apparently unoccupied. Mercy EMS is back in service with no patient to transport.  

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: Law enforcement is checking on multiple vehicles that are off the road.

Press release:

Leadership Genesee welcomed 19 individuals from all walks of life representing our community’s public and private organizations, on January 26 and 27 for the 2-day Opening Retreat, held at Terry Hills. 

First-time organizations include M & T Bank and Warrior House of WNY. The class represents a broad cross-section of the community, including education, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, service industry, not for profits and the public sector. 

Leadership Genesee Director Peggy Marone said, “Today’s world must have leaders who embrace inclusion, listen generously and understand that it takes little or no effort to allow others to have their feelings and opinions. This kind of respect is missing in many conversations, it’s up to each of us to bring that respect back to our relationships.”  She continues, “Leadership Genesee believes we owe it to future generations to provide a community with people who are knowledgeable, able to have civil conversations about both sides of an issue and create trusting and respectful relationships!”  

The retreat was sponsored by Leadership Genesee Alumni and Terry Hills and was facilitated by Skip Helfrich of Human Energies. Leadership Genesee is a program of CCE Genesee County, an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, protecting veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and providing equal program and employment opportunities.

For more information, visit LG’s website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee; “like” LG on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipgenesee; or contact Director Peggy Marone at (585) 343-3040, ext. 118 or mem77@cornell.edu.  Up next for the Class of 2022: Our Business, Our Economics on February 23.

And now they're 15-0.

Oakfield-Alabama's flawless season in boys basketball rolled forward on Wednesday with a 69-39 win over Holley.

Stats:​

• Kam Cusmano, 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Gaige Armbrewster, 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
• Kyle Porter, 8 points
• Kaden Cusmano, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks

Also on Wednesday in boys basketball:

• Pavilion beat Keshequa, 62-37
• Byron-Bergen beat Elba, 69-64
• Le Roy lost to Geneseo, 52-40
• Notre Dame beat C.G. Finney, 76-49
• Pittsford-Sutherland beat Batavia 50-48. Carter McFollins scored 14 points, Javin McFollins and Sawyer Siverling has 11 each.

In girls basketball, Le Roy beat Letchworth, 51-30

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more click here.

On January 1st, 2022 Officer William Yung was assigned to the midnight shift as Batavia Police Department's newest police officer.

Officer Yung was hired in May of 2021 and attended the Alfred State Police Academy hosted at Alfred State College in Alfred, N.Y. He completed the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Basic Course for Police which consists of a minimum standard of over 700 hours of training as established by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPCT). The Basic Course for Police Officers covers a wide range of topics including but not limited to, Ethics & Professionalism, Cultural Diversity, Bias-Related Incidents, Professional Communication, Persons with Disabilities, Crisis Intervention, Use of Physical Force & Deadly Force, Active Shooter Response and Decision Making. Officer Yung also had to complete numerous Reality-Based Training Scenarios.

Yung then went on to complete the Department's Field Training Program, which consists of an additional 400+ hours of training to teach recruits appropriate Department policies and procedures. Officer Yung also familiarized himself with the community, businesses, and streets during the field training process. He was assigned to all shifts and multiple Field Training Officers during the field training program.

Prior to becoming a City of Batavia Police Officer Bill served as a Public Safety Officer for Medaille College. He is a graduate of Hilbert College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and has volunteered numerous hours with a Boys and Girls Club.

Please join the Department in welcoming Officer Yung! 

Pledging to fortify security measures while maintaining a user-friendly environment for employees and residents alike, Genesee County Information Technology Director Michael Burns on Wednesday updated Ways & Means Committee members on his department’s objectives for 2022.

“My goal for Genesee County is to not only support the infrastructure that we already have but do things that our employees see – to see what we’re doing – and doing things that the public sees … seeing that we do things the right way,” said Burns, who was hired in May 2021 after a 20-plus year career at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Burns said he doesn’t want IT to be a “barrier” to employees in the county’s 31 departments and agencies.

“IT is there to support what they want to do,” he said. “We don’t want to be the department of ‘no.’”

Burns, in his written report, outlined some of the things he’s looking to accomplish this year without (for security reasons) getting into too much detail:

• Integrate the Department of Social Services into the county’s IT structure, giving DSS employees the same permissions as county personnel.

• Continue to focus on cybersecurity as external threats continue to pose a significant risk to systems availability and data integrity. Use operating and grant funds to procure software/hardware that supports the inclusion of a cloud-based strategy, continued end-user training, system log reviews, vulnerability scanning, data classification and patch management.

• Continue to review and update data recovery solutions the county uses in case of natural disaster, computer virus or ransomware.

• Support departments’ staffing needs as staff may have to change to working remotely with very little warning. This includes the expanded use of video conferencing and the ability to connect from anywhere at any time, which creates the request for added laptops and phones.

• Review internal support processes and, where feasible and cost effective, enter into more managed services agreements that offload work from the in-house technical staff.

Previously: Batavia resident accepts Genesee County information technology director position after long career at RIT

So she reassessed her life and took note of news reports that healthcare workers were walking off the job due to vaccine mandates.

“I wasn’t enjoying my job anymore… sitting at a desk every day,” she said, turning to the news reports. “They were losing a lot of people due to that. I thought ‘I need a job, they need people, let’s try it.’ I don’t think I would have ever pursued it if there hadn’t been a pandemic.”

Lloyd, a Corfu resident, began her new career on Dec. 6 of last year. While it may be only two months later, she has already embraced her new vocation at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. She admits to the many hours and long shifts but has discovered that there’s more to the working world than banking. Her formal title is clinical nursing assistant, and the job duties are a catch-all for those in need: in need of a beverage or meal, new bedding, personal hygiene assistance, a delivery to the lab, and the like.

“I’m on the third floor … I wait on everybody, get them water, pass out food trays, assist the nurses. It’s on-the-job training,” she said. “I look at the patient as a customer; it’s using customer service skills. Just being there and doing what they ask is the number one priority.”

Lloyd has merely shifted her former training and experience to focus on patients that are recovering from surgery versus bank customers cashing a check. Working with many registered and licensed practical nurses, she’s been told that she’s a “natural” in her new field. That encouragement coupled with her own enthusiasm has prompted the 41-year-old to attend nursing school in the near future.

Lloyd’s sister Dustin Miller is a nurse, and she forewarned Lloyd that it’s a tough job, while her mom seemed incredulous that her other daughter was also going into the field. The only ones not taking her new passion so well are Lloyd’s sons Bryce, 7, and 10-year-old Brody, she said. 

“They were a little upset because I work a lot of hours,” she said. “They miss their mama now.”

She works every other weekend, and the boys periodically spend time with their grandparents, “Nana” Janet and “Grumpy” Chris. Lloyd’s free time is spent playing with her sons and sleeping, she said. “We balance it all out,” she said. 

She was initially hired for a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. time slot, and that has evolved into 12- to 16-hour shifts because she volunteers to take on extra hours, she said. Despite the potential issues due to COVID-19, she took all of the possible precautions for her and her family, including being vaccinated,  getting the booster shot, wearing a mask, and, per hospital routine, doing “a lot of hand washing.”

Other than that, it was full speed ahead.

“I just ran into it,” she said. “I can’t deny these people care because of worry about COVID. Every day is humor for me; I do something stupid to make people laugh. We all try to laugh during the day.”

Lloyd is often on the job when patients go into surgery and then later when they are recovering, which makes them ask if she ever goes home. “Yes, when you were sleeping,” she tells them. She hasn’t reconsidered her former employment and encourages others to try the healthcare field if they’re looking for a change. Her co-workers are a team working toward a common goal, she said.

Rochester Regional Health took a major loss of employees after the New York State Department of Health issued a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. The mandate went into effect on Sept. 27, 2021. Although “many were granted religious exemptions” initially, those exemptions were overturned and all employees were required to get their first dose by Nov. 22, a Rochester Regional Health spokeswoman said.

As a result, there were approximately 350 employees in the Rochester and St. Lawrence regions “who made the personal choice to decline vaccinations and leave our health system,” the spokeswoman said. “The employees represent approximately 200 full-time equivalents.”

The void left by those workers made for many vacancies and related news stories, which in turn opened a door for Lloyd.

“I actually enjoy the job. I’m constantly learning and doing something new every day,” she said. “It really does make a difference.”

Top photo: Sandy Lloyd of Corfu works in her new job as a clinical nursing assistant at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. Lloyd is pictured here with her sons Brody, middle, and Bryce. Above, Lloyd works her shift helping outpatients and nurses at UMMC. Photos top and above submitted by Rochester Regional Health, and family photo submitted by Sandy Lloyd.

Press release:

Excelsior Energy Center presented the Genesee County Office for the Aging Meals on Wheels program through the Genesee Senior Foundation with $500.00. This donation will provide necessary aid, supplies, and resources for Genesee County for residents 60 years of age and older, their caregivers, as well as disabled persons of all ages.

The Genesee County Office for the Aging operates a nutrition program that provides a daily nutritionally balanced hot meal to older persons. Besides promoting health and nutrition, this program is designed to provide opportunities to socialize with others and to improve access to a variety of social and health services.

Frances McNulty, Genesee Senior Foundation Chairperson, and Genesee County Office of the Aging Director, Diana Fox joined Excelsior Energy Center to receive the donation on Friday morning. “NextEra Energy Resources will be helping us supplement home delivered meal cost,” said Diana Fox. Over $300,000 a year goes towards feeding people here in Genesee County.

“As a partner in the community donating to the Meals on Wheels program will provide many community members with a better way of life,’ said José De Armas, Project Director. “The Excelsior Energy Project will create new jobs, generate long-term revenue, and deliver economic development to Genesee County and the Town of Byron.”

Meals are available, Monday through Friday, at one or more of the five congregate meal sites in the county and through the Home Delivered Meal program. Visit the Genesee County Office of the Aging website, here, to learn more.

Photo by Howard Owens

“It’s an outrage,” said Committee Chair Marianne Clattenburg, who represents the City of Batavia. “I’m really concerned about this power grab.”

Clattenburg said Genesee County has a significant stake in WROTB, the public benefit company that operates Batavia Downs Gaming and harness track in Batavia and Off-Track Betting locations throughout Western New York.

She mentioned that Genesee County provides law enforcement and public safety services to the Park Road facility.

Richard Siebert, (photo at right), the county WROTB director for the past 28 years, brought the matter to the legislature’s attention two weeks ago and he was present at today’s meeting at the Old County Courthouse in support of the resolution that would retain the longstanding board structure – one vote for each director representing 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.

Kennedy’s bill calls for the following:

• Three members to represent the counties of Monroe, Wyoming, and Orleans;
• One member to represent the counties of Chautauqua, Cayuga, Genesee, Livingston, Schuyler, and Seneca;
• Four members to represent Erie County;
• One member to represent Niagara County;
• One member to represent the counties of Oswego, Cattaraugus, and Orleans;
• One member to represent the City of Buffalo;
• One member to represent the City of Rochester;
• One member appointed by the governor;
• One member appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
• One member appointed by the speaker of the assembly.

Kennedy said that his intent is to “provide more equal representation of the people of the area who benefit from proceeds from said corporation.”

Siebert, in disputing that contention, said “this is just a blatant takeover of (by) very powerful people.”

“In my estimation, we have a very good thing going here. You know what we’re doing here in the casino ... the race track, with our concerts,” he said.

With a year-by-year revenue distribution list in hand, Siebert said WROTB has distributed more than $12 million to Genesee County since 1975.

“When we joined OTB in 1974, we had to give them $13,700 seed money. To date, our investment for Genesee County – the cash we have paid – is $12,683,000 and change,” he said. “If anybody in Albany is saying that we’re not doing a good job, for a $14,000 investment and getting $12 million back speaks (for itself).”

Siebert said the key issue is that Genesee County “has the most to lose” by not having its own vote on legislative, purchasing, personnel, and other topics.

He said with the casino and horse racing track in the Town of Batavia, local municipal leaders are available to handle situations that come up from time to time.

“If there's a problem with Redfield Parkway, or noise or horse manure, which we’ve had in the past, people can come to you and can come to me and say, ‘What’s going on over there and why are we doing this or that?’” he said. “Not having one director to represent our count and everything we’ve got going on here, is just, I think, a travesty.”

Siebert said WROTB directors in other rural counties also are going to their legislators and council members in expectation of similar resolutions, and that the corporation is looking to hire a lobbying firm to exert political pressure on senators and assembly members in Albany.

“And a third thing is to basically go back to the position that we’re a public benefit corporation set up under Home Rule, and if they want to take us apart, they have to do it the same way we started – take us apart by Home Rule and let you people (legislature) decide,” he said.

The resolution points out that WROTB has generated more than $250 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of the participating municipalities, with Siebert adding that the board sends $3 million per month to New York State for what is supposed to go to support education.

Passed unanimously by the committee, the resolution will be addressed by the full legislature at next Wednesday’s meeting.

Previously: Genesee's WROTB director slams state senator's attempt to restructure board of directors, place a cap on perks

Genesee County officials are asking citizens to make their voices heard as the quest for a more efficient emergency and fire response network moves forward.

County Emergency Management Services Coordinator Timothy Yaeger today announced that a series of questionnaires and surveys – including one targeting county residents – are ready to be distributed.

Over the last several months, the county has been working with representatives of Municipal Resources Inc., a Plymouth, N.H.-based consulting firm that specializes in finding solutions for municipalities dealing with emergency services staffing shortage and other issues.

“This is pretty much the public's chance to have a voice and give their views and be a part of this process,” Yaeger said this morning. “This is a very important part because although fire and EMS does a great job providing these services, rarely do we get the input from the public unless they’re receiving those services.”

Yaeger said most people aren’t familiar with the level of service or who’s delivering this service to their community.

“I think it's important for them to understand the severe staffing issues that we're having, so they can be part of the solution,” he said. “And we really want to hear what they have to say. What level of service do they expect from us? Can we meet that need? We need to figure out how we’re going to meet that need.”

While questionnaires and surveys will be emailed to fire responders plus fire, county, town and village officials, the surveys developed for the public are available online (see below) and through traditional and social media, Yaeger said.

CONSULTANTS REACHING OUT LOCALLY

Yaeger said MRI consultants have made two site visits thus far, talking to 30-35 local officials and fire personnel as well as to owners of some of the county’s larger business and representatives of the Genesee County Economic Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce.

The questionnaires and surveys will be received by MRI, which will then compile the data and issue a report, likely in late spring. The deadline to fill out the surveys has been set for the end of February.

“Their goal is to get a very broad viewpoint of fire and emergency services in the county and how they're delivered in light of the awareness of these individuals, agencies or citizens,” Yaeger said. “We believe these surveys will go a long way to helping us find a way to meet the expectations and provide these services in the most efficient manner.”

In a press release, Yaeger reported:

About 85 percent of the fire departments in the United States are volunteer. This includes all the departments in Genesee County, except for the City of Batavia. The core issue is the decrease in the number of people able to volunteer at their local fire department.

There are many reasons for this, but the primary reason is the amount of time that people have available. Daily lives are hectic with people working extra to provide for their families, juggling home life and kid’s activities, leaving little time for other pursuits. As a result, our ability to recruit and retain members becomes more difficult every year.

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS CITED

In addition, the community composition has changed and the days when multiple family generations make up the ranks is almost gone. People used to grow up, find work, raise a family and retire in the same community.

This is rare today as many people are leaving for opportunities in other parts of the country. The average age of the community members is also increasing, limiting the number of people available having the physical abilities to perform the stressful duties of a volunteer.

The Genesee County Task Force was established to develop a vision and implementation plan that will help ensure the residents and business owners of the community receive the highest level of emergency services. The goal is to enhance the services we provide by evolving to meet the needs of community with the changing levels of resources (staffing, equipment, funds, etc.) that are available to us.

HERE's HOW TO ACCESS THE SURVEY

Yaeger said you can help by reaching out to your local volunteer fire department and ask for an application or by completing the public survey by clicking on the following:

GENESEE COUNTY EMS SURVEY

Paper copies of the survey will be available at the following locations: Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia, NY; Woodward Memorial Library, Le Roy, NY; Haxton Memorial Library, Oakfield, NY; Corfu Public Library, Corfu, NY; Hollwedel Memorial Library, Pavilion, NY; Byron-Bergen Public Library, Bergen, NY and the Office of the Aging, Batavia, NY.

Previously: Consultants are meeting with as many people as possible in effort to fortify county's emergency response model

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a FREE anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, February 10th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Batavia Town Highway Garage (3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia).  

“We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Genesee County and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs, or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. Face coverings are required and please follow all social distancing requirements.

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinic in Genesee County will be held on May 19th at the Genesee County Fairgrounds.  For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: 585-344-2580 x.5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us.

Press release:

Due to an additional situation on Elm Street, the City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing the water main break on Oak Street at a later date.  The Water Department will now be focusing its attention on a water leak on Elm Street, between East Main Street and Fisher Park.  There is the potential that the water may need to be shut off on Elm Street from East Main Street to Fisher Park.  The water would also have to be shut off on Fisher Park from Elm Street to Vine Street.

The length of time the water will be off is unknown.

Traffic will be closed down on Elm Street between East Main Street and Fisher Park.

As always, when the water is restored it may be discolored.  Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

It’s a familiar story with a surprise twist for one Batavia-based nonprofit.

Volunteers For Animals had been planning its first-ever vendor fair for early April in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and rendered all public activities dead. That’s the familiar part for so many organizations that had to press pause for their fundraising events. What happened this year is a surprise.

“We found out the Downs and (Batavia Downs employee) Mary Bucceri was going to host it for us,” volunteer Angie Knisley said during an interview with The Batavian. “I think they felt bad about what happened in 2020.”

And the Puppy Paws Craft & Vendor Market was born. It’s set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Batavia Downs & Gaming, 8315 Park Road, Batavia. Monetary donations and pet supplies and food will be accepted at the door. Admission to the event is free.

Proceeds from the event are earmarked for where most VFA fundraising goes, Knisley said: direct animal care. Rescued dogs and cats may need a veterinarian to treat wounds, fractures, or other injuries; required vaccines; dental care or other medical services, Knisley said. VFA, a nonprofit based at Genesee County Animal Shelter, pays those expenses. 

Zoey and Wasabi are two of the many animals saved with such medical services paid for by VFA. A tan brindled Boxer with white paws and chest, Zoey was rescued with a group of dogs in a hoarding situation. She was thin and found to be positive for heartworm. A vet’s exam and X-ray discovered she had a severe case of heart worm disease, and volunteers mulled the idea of a lengthy, risky, and quite expensive process to restore Zoey to better health.

The answer was yes. Zoey was housed with Diane, an animal lover who volunteered to foster, house, and care for Zoey during her treatment. The two have bonded over the past few months as Zoey has gained weight and come to enjoy her life. Perhaps no surprise is that Diane plans to adopt her new friend. 

Wasabi, a glowing green-eyed feline, was found as a stray with severe hair loss and loaded with fleas. She’s been treated, vaccinated, and, with a new outlook and “great” personality, Wasabi has been adopted and welcomed into a loving home, volunteers said.

Knisley has not only heard about and witnessed these stories, but she has also adopted rescue cats from Genesee County and other similar animal shelters over the years. Once she got to know the inner workings of VFA, it drew her to become more involved, she said.  

“So when I had the opportunity to get a closer look at all the time, care, and funding that VFA members devoted to animal welfare, I felt I would like to help however I could; maybe sort of paying it backward,” she said. “I think because I do care about animal welfare and their needs, and I have the time to help out. I felt it was something good to do, to be able to do something positive for them means a lot." 

The Corfu resident has been a hands-on member of VFA off and on for eight years, she said. Her role includes helping out with fundraisers, and she looks forward to this first vendor fair. There are more than 35 businesses registered so far, including Gourmet Dips, Epicure, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Paparazzi, Artful Shenanigans, Scentsy, Touchstone Crystal, Lula Roe, Pudgies Lawn & Garden, Dead Stick Fishing Company, and Tastefully Simple. Shoppers — may be in search of a Valentine’s gift? — will find a wide variety of products, from makeup, purses, popcorn, and Valentine’s gift boxes to sun catchers, photo packages, and Tupperware.

Anyone that makes a donation to VFA at the door will be entered into a drawing for a Stay & Play gift certificate valued at $225 at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel. All attendees age 18 and older will receive Free Play for the gaming floor. Lunch will be available for purchase.

“The Downs is really highlighting Valentine’s Day with decorations. It’s a nice day out and a fun way if someone wants to do a little Valentine’s shopping,” she said. “And it gives them a chance to learn more about the shelter and the Volunteers For Animals programs.”

The VFA will have a table with information at the event. There may be a few spots left to participate, and interested vendors may call Mary Bucceri at 585-344-6144 or email mbucceri@westernotb.com for more information. 

Top photo: Angie Knisley, a member of Volunteers For Animals, shows off Abby, a friendly five-year-old cat who has been overlooked for adoption at Genesee County Animal Shelter on Route 5, Batavia. She really needs a home, Knisley says, and would make for a great companion. For more information about Abby and other prospective pets, go to vol4animals.org.  Photo by Howard Owens.

A tractor trailer is off the road report of the overturned at Route 33 and Old State Road in Byron.

There was reportedly air deployment, and the initial report said there was injury that a first responder on scene says there are no entries.

The truck reportedly jackknifed.

Byron and South Byron along with Mercy EMS responding. Crews can respond nonemergency.