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Photo: Turnbull provides cooling trailer at the Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens
turnbull cooling trailer
For those looking for a break from the heat during the Genesee County Fair, Turnbull Heating and Cooling has set up a cooling trailer on the north side of the Exhibit Hall on the fairgrounds. Turnbull employee Jon Chapman pictured.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Photos: Tuesday's 4-H goat show at the Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens
genesee county fair 4-h goat show

Photos by Debra Reilly.

genesee county fair 4-h goat show
genesee county fair 4-h goat show
genesee county fair 4-h goat show

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Photo: 4-H livestock shows at the Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens
Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society.   If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverag

Photographer Laura Luft shared with us some shots of 4-H activities at the Genesee County Fair.

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society.   If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverag
Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society.   If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverag
Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society.   If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverag
Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society.   If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverag
Genesee County Fair 4-h livestock
Genesee County Fair 4-h livestock
Genesee County Fair 4-h livestock
Genesee County Fair 4-h livestock

Editor's Note: The Batavian has a booth at the fair in partnership with WBTA as part of the official Genesee County Fair Media Center. Stop by to say hello and enter our eagle-drawing contest in the Exhibition Building. We are an exhibitor and are providing coverage of the fair all week long as a proud supporter of the county fair, 4-H and the dedicated volunteers of the Ag Society. 

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

Parolee from Rochester charged in Key Bank robbery

By Howard B. Owens
tracy moss robbery suspect
Stacy Moss

A 53-year-old Rochester resident on parole for a prior robbery conviction has been charged in Monday's Key Bank branch robbery in Batavia.

Stacy R. Moss is charged with robbery in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree. 

Moss is accused of entering the Key Bank branch at 69 Main St. shortly before 9:36 a.m. and handed a teller a note demanding money.

Police said the suspect did not display a weapon or threaten use of a weapon.

The suspect then left on a bicycle with an unspecified amount of money. 

Officers from Batavia PD, along with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, checked the area and were initially unable to locate the suspect. 

Batavia PD detectives worked quickly to obtain an identification of the individual involved using the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center's facial recognition software. 

Batavia shared the suspect's photos from the robbery scene with local media, and officers checked the last known addresses of the person they believed was identified in the photos.

While gathering further information, investigators received information that the suspect was hiding inside a residence on South Spruce Street.

Moss was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators determined that the suspect acted alone

Moss was released on parole in January after serving seven years on a 2016 convict for three counts of robbery in the third degree, grand larceny.

He also has prior convictions for robbery in the first degree in 2004, robbery in the second degree in 1989, and burglary in the third degree in 1987.

Following his arrest, Moss was arraigned and ordered held pending his next court appearance.

You can support local news coverage and help The Batavian continue to bring you local news by signing up for Early Access Pass.

Photo: When you visit the fair, visit the fair's Media Center

By Howard B. Owens
The Batavian WBTA Genesee County Fair Media Center
WBTA's Nici Johnson and Rachel Berardini with The Batavian's Kara Richenberg at the Genesee County Fair Media Center in the Exhibition Hall on the fairgrounds on East Main Street, Batavia. When you stop by, please note that there are contests to enter. WBTA is doing a "Voice of Batavia" contest.  They'll record you doing a station tagline and you will have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Senor Leon's Mexican Restaurant.  The Batavian's potential prizes are a guitar for those 17 and under, and for adults, a $100 Red Osier Landmark Restaurant gift certificate. 
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photos: A visit to the 4-H livestock barns

By Howard B. Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Lilia Buckenmeyer, from Elba, braids the tail of her cow, Becky, in preparation for showing the cow at the Genesee County Fair.
Photo by Howard Owens

Here are some photos today from a walk-through of the 4-H barns to see the livestock that members are showing during the Genesee County Fair.

If you appreciate our fair coverage, as well as all of our coverage of Genesee County, you can help us continue news coverage by signing up today for Early Access Pass.

4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Brooke Wiater with her goat Tater.
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Photo by Howard Owens
4-H Livestock Genesee County Fair
Batavia police officers Adam Tucker and Wesley Rissinger also visited the 4-H livestock while on duty at the Genesee County Fair. 
Photo by Howard Owens

Muckdogs sweep Sunday doubleheader against Geneva

By Howard B. Owens

With a doubleheader sweep of Geneva on Sunday, the Batavia Muckdogs are 25-13 on the season and a game up in the Western Division standings of the PGCBL.

In the first game, Batavia won 12-1.

Preston Prince, from Hilton, tossed all five innings of the first game, giving up only one hit while walking three and striking out nine.

Lucas Lopez went 3-4 and drove in seven runs. Josh Leadem was 1-2 with two walks and two RBIs.

In the second game, Batavia won 9-2. 

Ryan Kinney went the distance in the seven-inning game, improving to 4-0 on the season with a 0.84 ERA. He scattered three hits and gave up two unearned runs while striking out eight.

Giuseppe Arcuri went 1-4 and drove in two runs.

The next home game for the Muckdogs is Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. against Niagara Power.

Batavia PD looking for Key Bank robbery suspect

By Howard B. Owens
key bank robbery suspect

The Key Bank branch in Batavia was robbed at 9:35 a.m. on Monday and Batavia is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the suspect.

The suspect is descirbed as a balding black male wearing a black T-Shirt, gray shorts, black socks, and no shoes.  

According to police, the suspect passed a note to the teller demanding cash.  

He arrived and left on a black colored bicycle last seen heading West on Main Street.  

Police did not say how much or if any cash was stolen.

If anyone recognizes the suspect in the photos please contact Batavia Police Department Det. Jason Ivison at (585)345-6312.

UPDATE: The suspect has been apprehended.

Police-submittted photos.

key bank robbery suspect
key bank robbery suspect
key bank robbery suspect

Video: A J Affronti lead guitarist for Knight Patrol tries out Harley Benton BigTone

By Howard B. Owens
Remote video URL

A. J. Affronti, lead guitarist for Knight Patrol, tries out Harley Benton BigTone White Trem guitar at the Genesee County Fair.

The guitar is a featured contest prize from The Batavian at the Genesee County Fair. The guitar contest is open to kids 17 and under. Visit our booth in the Exhibit Hall on the fairgrounds, and while at the booth, draw an eagle on an entry form.  The winner will be randomly selected from among staff-favorite drawings.  The winner will need to be able to attend the Eaglez Tribute Band concert on Thursday evening.

The other big prize from The Batavian at the fair is a $100 gift certificate from Red Osier Landmark Restaurant.  Same rules apply, except you can arrange to pick up the gift certificate any time before the last day of the fair.

The best 20 drawings from the two age groups will be selected for a "people's choice" award, with voting at The Batavian's booth on Thursday and Friday. The prize is a harmonica.

Knight Patrol is playing at the fair tonight (Sunday) in the Entertainment Tent.

Photos: BB Dang at the Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens
bb dang genesee county fair

BB Dang kicked off the 2023 live music lineup of the Genesee County Fair on Saturday with a set heavy on hits and tight musicianship in front of a packed entertainment tent.

BB Dang is:

  • Isabella Barbagallo, vocals
  • Reid Burton, vocals and guitar
  • Alex Sherwood, guitar
  • Mike Valle, drums
  • Abby Johnson, keyboards and vocals

Cameron Carlson, a Byron-Bergen graduate, performed his last show with the band before heading off to college.

The rest of the week's lineup:

  • Sunday at 7 p.m., Knight Patrol
  • Thursday at 7 p.m., the Eaglez Tribute Band
  • Friday at 7:30 p.m., Audibull
  • Saturday at 7 p.m., BarnStorm

See previously: The Eaglez highlights GC Fair's five nights of live music that spans genres and eras

Photos by Howard Owens

bb dang genesee county fair
bb dang genesee county fair
bb dang genesee county fair
bb dang genesee county fair
bb dang genesee county fair
bb dang genesee county fair

Photos: The Bluesways Band fills Jackson Square for a Friday night concert

By Howard B. Owens
Remote video URL

It was a full house in Jackson Square for the Business Improvement District's weekly Friday night concert, this time featuring The Bluesway Band.

For one song, Guitarist Steve Kruppner played a Harley Benton BigTone White Trem that is a featured prize in a drawing contest at the Genesee County Fair this week sponsored by The Batavian (see video above).

The Bluesway Band is:

  • Chas DelPlato, keyboards, vocal 
  • Anthony DelPlato, guitar/vocals 
  • Brad Kujawski, bass/vocals 
  • Pete Metzler, drums/vocals 
  • Steve Kruppner, guitar/vocals
  • Special guest for Friday night: Frank Minuto, Congas/percussion

Photos by Howard Owens.

the bluesway band jackson square 2023
the bluesway band jackson square 2023
the bluesway band jackson square 2023
the bluesway band jackson square 2023
the bluesway band jackson square 2023
the bluesway band jackson square 2023

Baseball stars and famous furniture men, all eventually get their own bobblehead

By Howard B. Owens
phil pies bobblehead
Phil Pies inside Max Pies Furniture on South Jackson Street in Batavia with a bobblehead in his likeness, created as a fundraiser for Crossroads House.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Every celebrity, even local ones, deserves a bobblehead, and now Phil Pies, Batavia's "Furniture Man," has one.

The collectible was the idea of long-time Max Pies Furniture employee Peggy Cancelmi, who was looking for a way the 118-year-old retail store at 400 South Jackson St., Batavia, could support Crossroads House.

"I was also trying to think of a way I could torture Phil, so I worked with Tom Brown at AdStuff productions, and we came up with the bobblehead," Cancelmi said. "We went through three designs and settled on Phil in his famous khakis and his famous blue sweater, and I think it looks just like him."

The bobblehead wasn't a surprise to Phil. He knew what Peggy was working on but didn't really expect to ever see one.

"When they came, he couldn't believe it.  For the first time, he was speechless."

Now that the bobbleheads are in, Phil is clearly proud of them.

"I think it's wonderful. I think it's great," he said. "Why not? The money goes to Crossroads. That's the main thing. I never thought I'd see it (his face on a bobblehead), never in my whole life, but it's for a good cause."

Cancelmi ordered 200 Phil Pies bobbleheads, and they are for sale exclusively in Max Pies for $20 each, with proceeds benefitting Crossroads House.

phil pies bobblehead
The Phil Pies bobblehead with Peggy Cancelmi in the background.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photos: Horses arrive at Genesee County Fairgrounds for North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series

By Howard B. Owens
North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series
Trump enjoys a drink of water from the hose offered by handler Dave Bontrager, from Indiana, after his arrival at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Thursday.
Photo by Howard Owens.

The North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series has become a popular pre-fair event at the Genesee County Fairgrounds each year and the teams competing this year arrived in Batavia on Thursday.

Schedule of events for Friday:

  • 11 a.m, Draft Horse Hitch Show (Horse Arena), Unicorn, Ladies Cart & North American Classic Youth Cart
  • 4:30 p.m., Draft Farm Team Show (Horse Arena)
  • 5:30 p.m.—North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Class  (Horse Arena)

Also at the fairgrounds on Friday, Stockyard Classic Hog Showmanship, Breeding Gilt & Market Hog show, starting at 3 p.m.

For Friday only, the cost to enter the fairgrounds is $5 per carload.

For daily fair schedules, check The Batavian each morning, and when you visit the fair, stop by the Media Center in the Exhibit Hall to meet the staff of The Batavian and WBTA.  You can enter The Batavian's eagle drawing contest and sign up for Early Access Pass at a special fair-special discount.

North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series
Conn gets a good wash at the Genesee County Fairgrounds after his arrival on Thursday with Sam Monhney and Sarah Brockhoff, both of Dayton, Pa.
Photo by Howard Owens.
North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series
Photo by Howard Owens.
North American 6 Horse Hitch Classic Series
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photos: Justin Williams solo acoustic at Batavia's Original

By Howard B. Owens
justin-williams-batavias-original

Le Roy resident Justin Williams performs his solo acoustic set at Batavia's Original Pizza on Wednesday evening.

Batavia's Original hosts live music on its patio every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. during the summer.

Photos by Howard Owens.

justin-williams-batavias-original
justin-williams-batavias-original

Muckdogs stage dramatic comeback to stay in the hunt for division crown

By Howard B. Owens
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
Batavia's Ty Woods delivers a pitch to Jamestown's Zack Kent in the fourth inning, who was attempting to reach base with a bunt.
Photo by Howard Owens.

A four-run ninth inning brought the Batavia Muckdogs back from a 6-2 deficit against division rival the Jamestown Tarp Skunks before the home team won in dramatic fashion, 7-6 in the bottom of the 10th inning.

In the ninth, Trey Bacon opened with a walk, followed by a Sean Ladd single. 

After Justin Espinal lined into a double play, Josh Leadem walked. Lucas singled to load the bases. 

With the bases juiced, one of Batavia's hitting stars of 2023, Giuseppe Arcuri, doubled, driving in Bacon and Leadem.

Lopez and Arcuri scored on a single by the team's leading hitter, Adam Agresti, to tie the score.

In the 10th, the Muckdogs started with Christian Bernadini on second base. The Tarp Skunks gave Brice Mortillaro an intentional walk. Matt DeStefano drew a walk, and then Bernardini scored the winning run on a wild pitch.

Bacon pitched the 10th inning and was credited with the win, walking one and striking out two. Bacon's season ERA remains 0.00.

Julian Pichardo pitched the first third of an inning, giving up one walk and one run. Ty Woods came on in the third and tossed seven innings, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out six. Woods, from Alexander and a GCC student, has a 2.41 ERA on the season.

Lopez was 2-5 with a run scored. Agresti, now hitting .341, was 2-3 with two walks and two RBIs. Arcuri, now hitting .316, was 1-4 with a walk and two runs scored. DeStefano, hitting .283 on the season, was 204 with a walk.

The Muckdogs are now 22-12 with about a week left in the season, a half-game out of first place in the PGCBL Western Division. Elmira leads the division at 22-12. Jamestown is in third at 19-13, two games out of first, and a 3.5 games out of first is Niagara Power at 18-15.

The Muckdogs fell out of first place with a loss to Jamestown on Tuesday, 7-3.

Next up, Newark (9-22) at home on Friday at 6:35 p.m.

batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
The Tarp Skunk's Kieran Gagnon attempts a bunt in the fourth inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
Lucas Lopez singled in the third inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
Giuseppe Arcuri avoids an inside pitch in the third inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
Lucas Lopez fields a routine grounder in the fourth inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
The Alexander Firemen's Band provided between-inning entertainment on Wednesday.
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia-muckdogs-jamestown-july-19-2023
Alexander's Ty Woods on the mound in the fifth inning.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Photos: Batavia Concert Band Cadets return to live performance at Centennial Park

By Howard B. Owens
batavia concert band cadets 2023

After a couple of years' absence, the result of COVID-19 disruptions, the Batavia Concert Band's Cadets Band returned to a concert band's Centennial Park performance on Wednesday.

The cadets are elementary and middle school music students from Genesee and Orleans counties, directed by Lindsey Fix, a music teacher in Albion.

The cadets performed two numbers before intermission and then joined the concert band for a number later in the show.

"They're part of the concert band," said Jason Smith. "They rehearse. They practiced last night. They're a junior concert band, so to speak."

The cadets will join the Batavia Concert Band for a concert in the park again later this summer.

Through the summer months, the Batavia Concert Band performs each Wednesday evening, starting at 7 p.m. in Centennial Park.

Photos by Howard Owens.

batavia concert band cadets 2023
batavia concert band cadets 2023
batavia concert band cadets 2023
batavia concert band cadets 2023
batavia concert band cadets 2023
On the second piece of the evening, written for flugelhorn, Brandon Luce was the featured soloist, 
Photo by Howard Owens.

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