Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after the Supreme Court released its opinion on Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a big win for government workers who, for far too long, have been forced to pay union fees in support of causes they are fundamentally against. Forcing an individual to join a political organization or government union goes against one of the greatest freedoms we are granted as Americans, the right to free speech. Any violation of the First Amendment is counter to the values our nation was founded upon and I applaud today’s monumental decision.”

UPDATE: Nate McMurray, candidate for NY-27 against Chris Collins in November, issued this press release:

Nate McMurray, town supervisor for Grand Island and Congressional candidate running for New York’s 27th District, announced that he condemns the Supreme Court ruling today, which ruled in favor of Janus.

“This Supreme Court ruling will cause a drastic financial blow to both public and private sector unions across the country. Unions are what built the middle class," McMurray said. "If you look back at the 1950s when labor was at its peak, unionization rates in the private sector were 35 percent and the average CEO made 45 times that of the average worker."

Today, the unionization rate is only 6 percent in the private sector and the average CEO makes 844 times the average worker. Corporate greed is at an all-time high and America’s middle class is suffering because of it.

"We are seeing cuts to crucial public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Americans still remain without healthcare and it’s only getting worse, kids can’t afford college and become saddled with debt, senior citizens are unable to retire with dignity since Social Security benefits are no longer enough to live on, and prescription drug prices continue to skyrocket. Meanwhile, many Americans are struggling to find good paying jobs," McMurray said. 

"If anything, this country needs MORE unions and we need to make it easier for workers to unionize, to fight against corporate greed and fight for fair wages and benefits.”   

Press release:

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort — New York’s Coaster Capital — Six Flags announced today that Fright Fest^®, the biggest and scariest Halloween event in the country, is returning to Darien Lake Theme Park Resort this fall featuring Thrills by Day and Fright by Night for five weekends beginning Sept. 28.

“No one does Halloween like Six Flags and we are thrilled to reintroduce this immersive, terrifyingly thrilling event to our guests,” said Park President Chris Thorpe. “Fright Fest is definitely not recommended for children ages 12 or younger. We are turning the scare factor way up for the biggest and scariest Halloween event in the region.”

By day, families with young children can enjoy a trick-or-treat trail, along with other kid-friendly activities. By night, the park transforms from a theme park to a scream park featuring:

• Zombies roaming around every corner;
• New scare zones and haunted mazes;
• Two new haunted houses (additional fee required);
• Thrilling rides and attractions like the all-new Tantrum, Ride of Steel and Mind Eraser experienced in the dark; and
• A new laser light show, Spooktacular, performed on Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30.

Fright Fest runs from 6 –11 p.m. on Fridays; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.– 9 p.m. on Sundays from Sept. 28 through Oct. 28. More details about Fright Fest will be announced in the coming weeks.

Admission to the event is included with a 2018 Season Pass, which is available at www.darienlake.com.

The Batavia Concert Band will perform indoors this evening, show time, 7 p.m., due to rain, at Genesee Community College. The performance will be in the Stuart Steiner Theater.

Batavia completes their first sweep of the season by defeating State College 4-3 on Tuesday night. The Muckdogs have now won three straight contests on their first winning streak of the season.

Batavia got another strong start from Alberto Guerrero, who notched his second win of the season by going six strong innings, only giving up one run on four hits in the outing. He also struck out five in the start. Guerrero lowered his season ERA to a 2.81, and now has a team-leading two wins.

The first run of the game came in the second inning after a leadoff double from Wood Myers. The double was followed up by a single from Andres Luna that brought Myers in to put the Spikes in front 1-0 after the second inning.

Batavia brought their first runs of the game to the plate in the top of the fourth inning once Jerar Encarnacion smacked his only hit of the game into left field to extend his hitting streak to 10 games to open the season. Immediately after, Sean Reynolds continued his hot streak by cracking his first triple of the season down the right-field line.

Reynolds has improved his average to well over .300 in the last five games. Encarnacion scored on the play to keep himself atop the leagues scoring charts. Simultaneously, Reynolds propelled himself atop the league leaders for RBI’s, a spot he ironically stole from the player he drove in. The Muckdogs were not done. JD Osborne hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

The pitchers out of the bullpen would lock in during the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Once in the eighth, Batavia dropped two more on the Spikes. Encarnacion and Reynolds both reached base again. State College elected to intentionally walk Albert Guiamaro to load the bases and get Demetrius Sims to the plate. Sims, who was already 2-3 in the game up to that point, hit a single through the hole on the right side to bring in Encarnacion and Reynolds. Batavia would finish off the eighth in front 4-1.

Two leadoff singles in the ninth would come around to score on a two-run double from Edwin Figuera, but that would be it as Jeremy Ovalle struck three batters in the ninth for the save.

Batavia improves to 6-5, going over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Winners, of three straight, the Muckdogs play host to Auburn for one game on Thursday after having Wednesday off.

By consensus, the Batavia City Council decided Monday to take up the issue of restoration of the stone pillars on the south end of Redfield Parkway, the intersection with Main Street, during the 2019 budget process.

The idea of moving forward sooner using leftover funds from Vibrant Batavia and an assessment on Redfield Parkway residents found no apparent council member support.

If the $60,000 project is part of the 2019 budget, it would likely be a capital expenditure. 

"It makes the most sense to me, putting it before the normal budget process," said Councilman Adam Tabelski.

Councilman John Canale said he can't believe how much time the City Council is spending on the issue.

"It’s a housekeeping issue," Canale said.

He said the pillars are city owned and the city should take care of them, just like the city takes care of Lambert Park in his neighborhood. He called the idea of assessing Redfield Parkway residents "absolutely ridiculous."

"I and all my neighbors enjoy that park a lot more than any other resident in the City of Batavia," Canale said. "If something is done at Lambert Park, you certainly wouldn’t get a dollar out of me in an assessment to do something at Lambert Park.

Councilman Bob Bialkowski warned against dragging the issue on any longer, saying it tears at the fabric of the community. He compared it to the comparisons between the Northside and the Southside when he was growing up, when it seemed like the Northside had all the paved streets, curbs and sidewalks.

"We are a single community and I think we have to move forward with this as a community," Bialkowski said. "We take care of each other. I would like to see some sort of commitment that moves us forward so we don’t have the same discussion six months down the road."

Council President Eugene Jankowski instructed Interim City Manager Matt Worth to make sure it's a priority item to discuss for the 2019 budget.

The police department's pitch for a military-surplus armored personnel carrier got a favorable hearing from the Batavia City Council on Monday evening during a conference meeting.

The council will be asked to approve an application from the city for such a vehicle, an MRAP (Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected), through the military's program for releasing decommissioned equipment to civilian law enforcement.

Chief Police Shawn Heubusch opened the meeting by providing background on the Emergency Response Team and explaining how such a vehicle might be used in the county.

The ERT was formed as a city-only unit in 1997. County deputies joined the unit in 2007.

The purpose of the ERT is to respond to situations that are beyond the capability of routine patrols, such as high-risk warrants and arrests, barricaded subjects and hostage situations.

Currently, the transport vehicle for ERT is a 2010 Ford Cube Fan. It is not four-wheel drive, is not a rescue vehicle, and offers no ballistic protection.

On Dec. 1, 2016 when Kyle Johnson killed a neighbor on Selden Road, set his own house on fire, and then fired on responding emergency personnel, one factor in bringing the situation to a peaceful conclusion was a Monore County officer happened to hear the police traffic on his emergency radio that morning and took matters into his own hands to muster his county's SWAT team and their two armored vehicles to assist.

It was one of those vehicles that were able to get close enough to Johnson, as he paced near his smoldering home with a long rifle in his hands, Heubusch said, that enabled the negotiations that led to his eventual surrender.

Sgt. Chris Camp is the current ERT commander, responsible for all of the administration and training of the unit, and he researched the options for an armored vehicle.

He spec'd out a Lenco Bearcat, which is a purpose-made armored rescue vehicle for law enforcement. The base price for a new one is $195,000. Camp added in options he thought were needed for our climate and terrain and that brought the price up to $255,000.

He then researched the option of the city acquiring a surplus MRAP. The military gives away these $650,000 vehicles to law enforcement agencies once they've been decommissioned. Livingstone, Saratoga and Warren counties in New York have all received one.

Most likely, a decommissioned vehicle will come available in California, which was the case for Livingston and Saratoga, making the transportation cost about $7,000 (Warran was lucky and retrieved its vehicle from Ft. Drum).

Outfitting the vehicle for law enforcement would cost from $7,000 to $12,000.

There may also be repairs necessary -- some of these vehicles have been sitting for awhile and need new batteries and tires. Livingston had to replace the fuel system on its MRAP.

Fortunately, the chassis and engines are International, just like the city's current dump trucks, so local vehicle maintenance can handle them, but there's also a former military MRAP mechanic working for Livingston County.

The vehicle would need to be stored, by government regulation, in a secure location. That would mean it couldn't be parked behind the police station, as the current transportation van is, so it would be stored at the city's vehicle maintence yard or at the Sheriff's Office, at least until, and if, Batavia PD gets a new headquarters.

County legislators Gary Maha and Marianne Clattenburg, along with Sheriff Bill Sheron, where in the audience for the presentation.

Heubusch indicated he expects the County to split the costs of the MRAP but the Legislature would need to approve the expense.

The city has in its asset forfeiture fund a little more than $10,000. That money can only be used for law enforcement purposes and Heubusch said he would anticipate using that money for the MRAP if one were awarded to the city.

Press release:

House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI-01) today signed legislation authored by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) that will collect data regarding cancer incidence in firefighters to better inform the development of new protocols, safeguards, and equipment to protect these men and women.

When signed into law, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will develop and maintain a registry to collect data regarding the incidence of certain cancers in firefighters. The registry will improve collection capabilities and activities to address an enormous gap in research on the heath impacts of cancer incidence among all firefighters – career and volunteer.

The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act unanimously passed the House on Sept. 12, 2017 and passed the Senate on May 10, 2018 with one amendment making technical corrections. On June 22, 2018 the amended version passed the House under unanimous consent and will head to President Trump for signature.

For more information on H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, click here.

Press release:

H.E. Turner & Co., Bohm-Calarco-Smith, and Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes have temporarily lost telephone service coming into and out of our four locations. However, we remain ready to assist our community as the need arises.

Therefore, if you find yourself needing to contact us, please call (585) 322-3249 or (585) 356-1668 until further notice. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our telephone provider is experiencing a system-wide outage. We will update this release when the situation is resolved. 

UPDATE Wednesday morning: The regular phone lines are back in working order.

Above photo: Derby winners Chloe Lutrell, age 8, who caught a 13” bass, and Jose Vanegas, age 16, who caught a 9 1⁄4” sunfish.

Submitted photos and press release:

Free Fishing Day and the Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby took place at DeWitt Recreation Area on Saturday, June 23rd.

A total of 44 kids ages 16 and under participated in the fishing derby, catching a variety of panfish and bass.

Prizes were awarded for the largest fish caught each by a boy and a girl.

This was the fifth annual Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby held at DeWitt Recreation Area. Each year the derby is sponsored by the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club.

Friendly fishing guides were on hand to assist newbies with baiting a hook and learning how to fish. This event was the result of collaboration between Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, and ACORNS.

Fishing tackle and bait were provided by a generous donation from Smith’s Great Outdoors, formerly Hunters Landing. Fishing poles were provided through a grant awarded by Cabela’s of Cheektowaga.

As part of the NYSDEC’s Free Fishing Weekend, no fishing license was required to participate.

Families from 10 local cities and towns including Rochester and Lancaster, joined in the free outdoor fun.

All participants received fishing tackle prizes, while each derby winner took home a new rod and reel and tackle box.

Derby winners: Chloe Lutrell, age 8, who caught a 13” bass; and Jose Vanegas, age 16, who caught a 9 1⁄4” sunfish.

Special thanks to the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, ACORNS, Cabela’s, and Smith’s Great Outdoors for making this event possible!

Press releases:C

Genesee County Fair Seeks Exhibitors

2018 marks the 179^th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair – one of New York’s longest consecutively running county fairs. It will run from July 16-21.

We are a short drive from both Rochester and Buffalo. The Genesee County Fair is seeking exhibitors for our home (domestics) department.

Items that can be entered, include Flowers, Needlework, Arts & Crafts, Culinary (Jams, Jellies etc…), Vegetables and Antiques. There is also a junior department to get the youth involved! The Home Department is open to people of all ages and abilities!

You do not have to be a pro to enter an exhibit! If you think that you would be interested in submitting exhibits for the week of Fair, please visit gcfair.com and download the 2018 Fair Premium Book and fill out the Home Department Entry Form.

Be sure to mail your entry form with payment by July 11^th to:  26 Spencer Court, Batavia, NY 14020.

Volunteers and Sponsors Wanted

With your help, we hope to make 2018 a memorable year for the fair by adding more new and exciting events. We would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer and or a sponsor of the fair.

Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the week before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!

Becoming a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers who live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year.

If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to our Fair’s website gcfair.com to download all of the forms and to obtain contact info.

New This Year: Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest

For this year’s Fair, we would like to include a Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest.

The contest will be open to individuals, as well as businesses and community organizations. Each hay/straw bale must be provided by the contestant.

Any size bale may be used – large or small you can decorate it all!  Entries will be judged by fairgoers throughout the week of fair, July 16-21.

They will be encouraged to judge on eye appeal, construction and creativity!

Hay/Straw bales must be delivered to the Exhibition Building at the Fair between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 15^th.

Decorations must be of good clean wholesome fun, no vulgar or suggestive decorations will be allowed.

Hay/Straw bales must be removed from the Fair by 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22^nd.

Participate in the Genesee County Fair’s Hay/Straw Bale Decorating Contest to show your stuff!

Visit gcfair.com.

Mobile Container Gardens are Wanted for Display Contest

It’s time to get creative! The Container Garden Contest means it's time to get out, be more active, and use your green thumb to win bragging rights!

This contest is open to all residents, businesses and organizations of Genesee County.

This year's Container Garden Contest theme is "Everything But the Kitchen Sink." You can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers, and indigenous plants in your container. You can show off your creativity at its finest!

Put your dazzling decor items on display, including sculptures, fountains, and repurposed works of art! Let imagination, creativity, and ingenuity triumph over size! Even with limited space, the possibilities are endless with containers.

This contest is for both new and experienced gardeners. There's even a category for kids! Containers can be anything imaginable, as long as they are mobile such as, buckets, wheelbarrows, funky pots & upcycled/recycled items.

So if you're ready to bring fresh, new life and beauty to your Genesee County Fair, then we say ... Grow For It! Entries must be received at the Fair by 4 p.m. on July 15^th and picked up by 4 p.m. on July 22^nd.

Entries will be on display in the Exhibition Building during the week of Fair. Winners will be selected by members of the CCE Master Gardeners and Fairgoers votes.

For more information and entry form please visit www.GCFAIR.com

A woman asked to talk with police because a neighbor won't give her back her kittens.

She claims she went on a three-day vacation and a neighbor agreed to watch her kittens while she was gone for free.

Now, she says, the neighbor won't give the kittens back without payment.

Angela L. Flowers, 47, of Watson Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted assault, 3rd, and riot, 2nd. Flowers was allegedly involved in a fight with multiple individuals on Watson Street at 8:07 p.m. June 12. Also charged with riot, 2nd, is Patricia A. Gibson, 28, of East Main Street, Batavia. Katrina L. Drake, 28, of Wood Street, Batavia, and Lakeisha A. Gibson, 31, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, and Tanisha N. Gibson, 33, of Wood Street, Batavia, were also charged with riot, 2nd, and attempted assault, 3rd.

Nikkia M. Smith-Neal, 32, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith-Neal is accused of shoplifting from Tops Friendly Market at 11:08 a.m. Friday.

Robert C. Frank, 39, of Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with DWI and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Frank is accused of trying to steal a vehicle at 9:08 p.m. Sunday.

Alexis R. Chavez, 19, of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Chavez was charged following a traffic stopped by Officer Christopher Lindsay on Law Street, Batavia, at 9:42 p.m. Wednesday. Also charged, Noah J. Freeman, 20, of Lewiston Road, Basom. Freeman was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a headlight violation, and uninspected motor vehicle.

Brooks Logan Brumber, 18, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Brumber is accused of violating a stay away order of protection.

Press release:

Alumni of Byron-Bergen schools might remember seeing high school runners carrying the Jr. Olympic torch through the streets of the two communities back in the 1970s. The custom began in 1976 to signal the start of the Elementary School’s Jr. Olympics Day celebration, but fell out of practice over the years. The tradition was back again on the evening of June 12, as a relay team of varsity runners from Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, escorted by town fire engines, traveled a route around the towns of Byron and Bergen.

This was the third year for the new town run, which was organized by Varsity Track Coach Ken Rogoyski and elementary school teacher Alyson Tardy. This year’s runners, Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert, were cheered on by neighbors as each took a turn carrying the torch.

The next day, the traveling torch made another appearance at the opening of Jr. Olympics Day at the elementary school. Students there had been busy studying the cultures of many different countries. Each class represented their chosen country in a parade, and then in a day full of track and field competitions.

“The Jr. Olympics Torch Run is a fun way to connect with our community and a good way to get the younger kids excited about participating in the next day’s ceremonies,” Tardy said. “We’d really like to thank the folks at the fire departments for their support. We hope that even more people will take a moment to come out, have fun, and enjoy the show again next year.”

Top photo: Runner Anna Hersom carries the Jr. Olympic torch in Bergen as neighbors look on.

Team Ireland celebrates at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Jr. Olympics on June 13.

Proud Bees after the 2018 Jr. Olympic Torch Run, (l-r) Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert with driver from the Bergen Fire Department.

The Tri-Town Trojans beat Letchworth for the 10-U Cal Ripken Championship (District 3) on Monday by a score of 6-5. The team will play in the state championship July 5 in Canandaigua, which is the first time in more than 30 years the team has reached that stage of postseason play.

The team was escorted back to Alexander from Pavilion by fire trucks from Bethany and Alexander.

Submitted photos.

For the second time in a month, Oakfield firefighters paid a visit to the home of Luis and Elizabeth Chavez, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

On May 28, firefighters were called to assist Mercy EMS for a woman in labor. They arrived to find Elizabeth had delivered a baby girl on the bathroom floor.

Monday night, firefighters driving a fire truck and rescue vehicle returned to the home bearing gifts for the newborn and her family.

It was around 3 a.m. May 28 when the call came in, said firefighter Josh Finn. He, Chief Sean Downing and Jeff McIntire responded.

Elizabeth had been in labor and when the contractions got close, her husband went to take their son to his parents in Medina, intending to return and take Elizabeth to the hospital.

“I walked in the door and I heard her yelling,” Luis said. “I thought that must have really been a bad contraction. Then I heard a baby cry.”

Leyla weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 19 inches long, her mother said.

Elizabeth had called her mother Dawn Videan, of Batavia, who had planned to be with Elizabeth during the birth. It was Videan who called 9-1-1.

“Mom was with me, but on speaker phone,” Elizabeth said.

The Oakfield firemen were having a training session last week when they started discussing the call to the Chavez home.

“We wondered why we hadn’t gone back to see them and get a picture of the baby,” Finn said. “Then we thought it would be nice to go see them in a fire truck and take them some gifts. It’s not every day you get to be part of bringing a life into the world. I have two girls myself, and I know how special it is.”

Top photo: Members of the Oakfield Fire Department paid a visit to Elizabeth and Luis Chavez, center, in a fire truck and rescue vehicle Monday night to bring them some baby gifts.

From left are Collin Scheiber, Noah Toal, Josh Finn, Casey Arnold, Bill Sturgeon, Pete Scheiber, Kurtis Griswold and Sean Downing. The firemen responded with Mercy EMS to the home a month ago after Elizabeth gave birth on the bathroom floor.

Firefighter Josh Finn, left, and Chief Sean Downing, right, pose with Elizabeth and Luis Chavez at their home Monday night. Finn and Downing were two of the Oakfield firefighters who responded to the Chavez home a month ago when baby Leyla was born.

Kurtis Griswold, a member of the Oakfield Fire Department, hands a gift bag to Elizabeth Chavez, holding her 4-week-old daughter Leyla. The firemen showed up at the Chavez home on Lewiston Road Monday night with a bag of gifts after responding to a 9-1-1 call when Elizabeth went into labor. She delivered the baby on the bathroom floor minutes before first responders arrived.

Elizabeth and Luis Chavez, of Oakfield, pose with their 4-week-old daughter Leyla and 2-year-old son Emmitt on the deck of their home on Lewiston Road. The couple received a visit Monday night from members of the Oakfield Fire Department, who brought a bag of gifts after responding to the home a month ago when Elizabeth went into labor.

Press release:

Congressmen Chris Collins (NY-27) applauded the House passage of a package of bills that take action to fight the opioid epidemic, including the passage of H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.

The SUPPORT Act includes dozens of bills that passed the House over the past two weeks, in addition to the base text which includes provisions that previously passed the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees.

“Throughout the past two weeks, the House has been devoted to the thousands of Americans struggling with addiction, their families, and our communities in our work to end this deadly crisis,” Collins said.

“Serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have put an enormous amount of time and effort into studying addiction, listening to struggling families, reviewing the supply chain, and immersing ourselves into the communities that have been ravaged by this crisis. It was a heart-wrenching process, but we came up with common-sense, bipartisan solutions that will save lives.”

The opioid epidemic is claiming more than 115 lives each day, destroying families in communities across the nation. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Collins helped craft a legislative package that would address the many issues that have led to this crisis and would implement solutions to end this epidemic.

Starting in October, the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee pursued an aggressive timeline to produce this legislation prior to Memorial Day. In May, 57 bills were advanced to the House of Representatives, which have passed the House throughout the past two weeks. Collins worked with colleagues across-the-aisle to co-author several pieces of legislation.

Collins joined fellow New Yorker, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries in introducing the Synthetic Drug Awareness Act of 2017 that would require the Surgeon General to report to Congress the public health effects of the rise of synthetic drug use by 12- to 18-year-olds. Currently, Congress does not have sufficient information to craft the unique types of public health and law enforcement approaches that could save our nation’s children from these dangerous substances.

Collins also introduced the Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act of 2018 with Congressman Leonard Lance, Congressman Joseph Kennedy, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Joe Barton, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui that focuses specifically on how the opioid epidemic has contributed to an increase in infectious diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Increased monitoring and education will lead to a better understanding of the impacts that this crisis is having on public health.

Building on the efforts of the Medicaid DRUG Improvement Act, Collins introduced an amendment with Congressman Scott Peters and Congressman Peter Welch that would require states to identify and address inappropriate prescribing and billing practices under Medicaid. States are currently authorized to implement prescription drug monitoring activities through their prescription drug monitoring programs and claims data, but not all states have adopted such activities.

In addition to working with the Energy and Commerce Committee, Collins worked with the Committee on Ways and Means and Congressman Tom MacArthur on introducing the Stop Excessive Narcotics in Our Retirement (SENIOR) Communities Protection Act. The SENIOR Communities Protection Act allows Medicare Advantage Part D plans to suspend payments to a provider or supplier pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud or abuse, as determined by the Inspector General. This legislation will help in preventing future “pill mills” from occurring.

Finally, Collins introduced legislation with Congressman Eric Paulson, Congressman Ron Kind, and Congressman Connor Lamb that would require Medicare to send an annual notice to Part D patients about the adverse effects associated with prolonged opioid use. By improving awareness and education, the Medicare Clear Health Options in Care for Enrollees (CHOICE) Act will help patients be more inclined to watch for the warning signs of addiction and be more informed to talk with their doctors on their options for pain management.

Collins added: “In every community across our nation we have brokenhearted families, which is why we need immediate action. I’m thankful for President Trump’s dedication to this issue and urge the Senate to get these important bills on his desk.”

Batavia won their first back-to-back games of the season in a pitcher’s duel at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and they did not see any runs cross the plate until the eighth inning.

Logan Boyd had a masterful start in his five innings pitched but did not get a decision in the outing. He only gave up a total of two hits, which did not yield runs, nor did he issue any walks. He struck out four batters to keep State College scoreless through five.

Humberto Mejia came out of the bullpen in Monday’s game after Boyd. Mejia was scheduled to start but worked from the bullpen to put the pitching rotation back on track after Saturday’s game was rained out. Mejia’s outing went three innings and kept the Batavia lead in tact in the eighth by only giving in two runs over the three innings he pitched. He did pick up the win to move to 1-1 on the season. 

The Muckdogs’ offense came to life in the top of the eighth after Harrison White worked a two-out walk. Demetrius Sims smoked a ball to third base that got past the third basemen Edwin Figuera and put runners on the corners with one out. Sims broke early for second and had an easy stolen base.

Two runners were in scoring position for Michael Donadio, who slipped a ball past the Spikes’ infield; while they were playing in, Donadio picked up his second hit of his 2-4 day. That brought two runs around to score for the first of the game in the top of the eighth. Donadio tried to advance on the relay, but was thrown out at second base.

After a JD Osborne walk, Reynolds crushed a ball to the right-center gap that brought another run to the plate to make it 3-0. Immediately following that, Albert Guaimaro singled into center field to bring Reynolds in to finish the hit party in the eighth.

Two runs would cross for the Spikes in the bottom of the frame. One run would come to score on a Justin Toerner triple, and that would cut the Batavia lead in half.

In the ninth, the Muckdogs get one hit, but could not produce any runs from it. The bottom end of the frame would see one more run cross the plate. Jameson McGrane came on to pick up his first save of the season. However, it would take three walks and one run to get the job done.

Batavia looks to get their first sweep of the season with their final matchup of the series against State College. First pitch from Happy Valley is at 7:05 p.m., Batavia returns home to an off day on Wednesday before a home-and-home with Auburn this coming weekend.