On Sunday, at Resurrection Parish, Notre Dame High School held its 67th commencement exercises for the Class of 2021. 

Principal Wade Bianco and Assistant Principal Michael Rapone presented senior awards, academic honors, scholarships and diplomas. 

Valedictorian Amanda Mary Bergman addressed the 2021 class. Class President Bernard Skalny presented the senior class gift.

Anne Del Plato received an honorary diploma from the Class of 1971 honoring their 50th anniversary. Eric Ricks Jr. provided concluding remarks.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Principal Wade Bianco

Valedicatorian Amanda Mary Bergman

Class President Bernard Skalny

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Michael Rapone

Anne Del Plato recieivng the honorary diploma Class of 1971.

Concluding remarks, Eric Ricks Jr. 

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is being joined by his colleagues in the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences in demanding the termination of the state disaster emergency declared by Executive Order 202 before the end of the 2020-2021 legislative session, which is scheduled to finish this Thursday.

As of June 2, New York State’s seven-day average coronavirus positivity rate was the lowest in the nation at 0.64 percent, and hospitalizations dropped to under 1,000 for the first time since October 2020. Within Hawley’s district numbers are similarly low, with a seven-day positivity rate of 1 percent in the Finger Lakes Region.

“In the wake of the decision by our state Department of Health and the CDC to largely let life get back to normal, we should follow the data and restore state government back to normal with all of the checks guaranteed by our constitution,” Hawley said.

“Declarations of emergency should be decisions based on public health, not political expediency, and if the governor and the Majority also believe this, they should immediately terminate this state of emergency. If this legislative session ends with this declaration still in place, it will only be to secure the governor’s power, not for anybody’s well-being.”

The Batavia Players cut the ribbon on Sunday night on the company's new dance studio in City Centre.

Director Pat Burk called it a state-of-the-art facility. 

Cutting the ribbon is dance student Lucy LeFevre along with instructor Briana Blair Kelly while students Jocelyn Coburn and Samantha Balbi hold the ribbon.

Batavia's graduating seniors were feted with a parade, led by City fire, through the city on Saturday.

Photos by Eileen Ognibene.

Major Stash Cigar, on Liberty Street in Batavia, teamed up with the American Warrior Festival to honor veterans on Saturday with a cigar night featuring acoustic music from The Remediators and Joel Russlett.

Photo: Dan Clor, director of the American Warrior Festival, and Doug Palmer, owner of Major Stash Cigar.

From Main St. 56 Theater:

Main St. 56 Theater, home of the Batavia Players, will hold Summer Theater Camp 2021 in two sessions next month.

Workshops will include: theater background -- monologues; pantomime -- improvisation; dancing, singing, skits.

• For campers ages 5 to 8 (5-year-olds must have completed kindergarten), camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19 to 23.
• For campers age 9 to 12, camp will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 26 to 30.

Tuition is $175 per camper.

Campers must provide their own lunches, snacks and beverages.

All COVID-19 regulations and guidelines will be followed.

Arrangements may be made ahead of time for early drop off and late pick up with an additional charge.

For more information or to register your camper, contact Kathy White at:   kathywhite5@verizon.net

Press release:

There's an innovative new Financial Literacy program through the Ministry of Concern, open to residents of Orleans or Genesee County, for ages 12 and up.

The youth investment program will focus on everything from investing money and saving for the future to interviewing skills, how to get and keep a job, life insurance, budgeting and your credit score. 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people. We believe that this pilot project will help us pass on the key concepts of how money can work for you and be used to achieve personal goals as well as foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.

We are hopeful to have the classes started by mid-July so apply today.

Spots are limited. Ayesha Kreutz is the facilitator.

Phone is (585) 589-9210;  email:   orleansadvocateministryofconcern.org

Press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today, June 7, announced that school districts can choose to lift the requirement that their students must wear masks outdoors. Guidance on mask use indoors remains in place.

This change aligns New York State's guidance on schools with CDC guidance on summer camps, where even unvaccinated students are not currently required to wear masks outdoors.

"The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate," Governor Cuomo said. "We spoke with the CDC, and since they're not going to change their guidance for several weeks in New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children.

"We'll leave that up to the local school district and we spoke to the CDC, which has no objection. It's very important that people understand the logic between these decisions and that they're rational and based on the science and the data. We have a disconnect right now between the school guidance and the camp guidance, and it's important to rectify it because if people don't think the rules are logical, then they're not going to want to follow the rules."

On May 24, Governor Cuomo announced that based on the current COVID-19 trajectory, all New York State schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning in September.

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Also today, Governor Cuomo announced that when New York State reaches 70 percent vaccinated, he will remove COVID restrictions and guidance (except for certain settings such as healthcare, congregate settings, schools and mass transit). 

Lynn Scarpa, 25, of Le Roy, was arrested June 4 after a five-car collision on North Main Street in the Village of Castile. Scarpa was driving a white 2004 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on North Main Street when her vehicle left the roadway, sideswiping a parked vehicle in front of the post office. Scarpa's vehicle continued southbound, striking a Ford work van from behind, which was also parked in front of the post office. Scarpa's vehicle pushed the work van into a Ford Fusion, which was parked in front of Carney's Market, which then struck a Toyota RAV4 that was parked in front of it. The Fusion was occupied and the occupant was transported by Castile Ambulance to the Wyoming County Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A tow company removed two vehicles from the scene that were not drivable. It is alleged that Scarpa had concentrated cannabis in her pants pocket and throughout her vehicle. She allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert. The expert reportedly deemed her impaired by multiple categories of drugs. She is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; DWAI by the combined influence of drugs; and moving from lane unsafely. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Town of Castile Court on June 14. Scarpa was released to a sober third party. The case was handled by Wyoming County Sheriff's Sgt. Colin Reagan.

Michael Snyder, 49, is charged with second-degree harassment. He was arrested June 3 at 9:59 a.m. for an incident that occurred at 10:10 p.m. May 30 on Highland Park in Batavia. Snyder allegedly threw an unopened can of beer at another person, striking the person in the head. Snyder was processed, issued an appearance ticket and released. He is due in Batavia City Court June 22.

Kevin McCoy, 54, was arrested by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post and charged with second-degree harassment after a disturbance at 4:11 p.m. June 2 on East Main Street. It is alleged that McCoy struck a female during an argument. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court, released on his own recognizance and is due back in court June 10.

Eric Swede, 32, was arrested at 10:05 a.m. May 26 and charged with criminal contempt in the second degree after a complainant alleged he violated a stay away order of protection by being in the presence of a protected party. His presence was confirmed by police. Swede was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court at a later date, then released from custody.

Brandon Crawford, 19, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested at 10:50 a.m. May 24 on Ross Street in the City of Batavia after he allegedly broke a front door and a closet door that did not belong to him during a domestic incident on Vine Street. Crawford was arraigned in city court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court July 8.

Michael Fisher, 51, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle without a license; driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more; driving without head lamps; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle; and aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. At 10:33 p.m. on May 30, Fisher was arrested after a traffic stop on Ellicott Street in the city. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court and released from custody.

Kyle John Gugel, 35, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with refusal to take a breath test and driving while intoxicated. At 1:52 a.m. on May 18, deputies conducted a traffic stop for speeding over 55 mph in the 5700 block of Clinton Street Road in the Town of Stafford. Gugel was allegedly operating the vehicle while intoxicated and he was issued appearance tickets returnable to Stafford Town Court June 1. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Zachary Hoy, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. 

Joanne Krutchen Harper, 56, of County Road 16, Dalton, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested at 4:32 p.m. on June 3 after a police investigation into a larceny on Vallance Road in the Town of Le Roy May 30. She was issued appearance tickets and released from custody. Harper is due in Le Roy Town Court on June 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando, assisted by Deputy Jonathan Dimmig.

Lindsey Densmore, 26, was arrested May 31 and charged with petit larceny after an investigation into the theft of $166.38 worth of merchandise from a business in the City of Batavia at 4:20 p.m. that day. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court at a later date.

Tierance Davis, 34, was arrested May 26 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court for failing to appear in court on March 22. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and released. Davis is due back in court June 15.

Tierance Davis, 34, is charged with third-degree bail jumping. He was arrested at 1 p.m. April 24 on West Main Street in Batavia on a warrant out of Batavia City Court. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters and released. Davis is due back in court June 15.

An officer is responding to BJ's Wholesale Club for a report of a dog locked inside a yellow Chevy Cavalier. It's 83 degrees outside now.

A reader spotted this young couple dancing in the parking lot of Towne Center at Batavia off Veterans Memorial Drive shortly after 9 p.m., Saturday.

He said, "It was a cool moment. Most of the plaza was closed and they were just out there by themselves. You could hear the music from the car radio. Right after I snapped that picture, the guy spun her around. I wish I had waited a split second more. Made me smile."

Press release:

The Geneva Red Wings remained unbeaten Sunday night as they picked up their third win of the year, defeating the Muckdogs 4-2.

Batavia’s bullpen struggled in the 9-7 loss to Elmira and the 12-10 loss to Jamestown during the homestand this past weekend. Today the pitching staff kept the game close when their offense was not putting up runs in bunches like we have seen up to this point.

Right-hander Nathan Hinkley got the start for Batavia in his first appearance for the Muckdogs after joining the team late due to Keystone College going deep into the NCAA Divison III tournament. Hinkley pitched six innings, allowing five hits, striking out six, and only allowing one earned run.

For Geneva, Joe Sperone also hurled six scoreless innings as the Muckdogs left six runners on base, including Charlie Szykowny and Brice Mortillaro stranded at third early in the ballgame.

After scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth, (the second run was unearned due to an E7 charged to Luis Rodriguez) Kyle O’Neill gave up two runs in relief for the Muckdogs to make the deficit 4-0.

With only three hits for Batavia heading into the eighth inning, outfielder Abner Benitez hit a two-run no doubt homer off reliever Andrew Matthews. Benitez has been red hot at the plate as the freshman from Alabama State already has seven hits and four runs scored this season.

Byron-Bergen native Colin Noeth held the score at 4-2 in the eighth, making it the third straight night that the Muckdogs were down two runs with the game on the line. Matthews shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning that solidified the win for Geneva.

Batavia now falls to 1-3 after winning the season opener at Dunn Field against the Pioneers this past Thursday. They travel back to Dwyer Stadium for a two-game homestand on Monday and Tuesday. The Mansfield Destroyers, a team in the NYCBL will come to Batavia for a league crossover game tomorrow night while the Pioneers will come back to town on Tuesday.

The first pitch tomorrow night will be at 7:05 and can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Make sure to secure your ticket by calling the box office at (585) 524- 2260 or come to Dwyer Stadium tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating a personal injury motorcycle accident that occurred on Saturday, June 5, at approximately 2:30 a.m. in front of 7 Main St.

The motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on West Main Street at an excessive speed. The motorcyclist failed to navigate the curve on West Main Street at Ellicott Street, striking the curbing in front of the Upton Monument.

The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle, coming to rest in front of 7 Main St. The motorcyclist was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC where the motorcyclist was listed as stable with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and the Batavia Police Department will not be releasing the name of the motorcyclist at this time.

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS, and Mercy Flight Air Crew for their assistance with the initial investigation. 

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Dept. is responding to a water main break at the corner of South Swan and Sumner streets.

The water will be shut off on South Swan from Ellicott to Hutchins, and on Hutchins from South Swan to Hutchins. It will be off from approximately 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Water in the surrounding area may become discolored. Please refrain from doing laundry during this time period.

We appreciate everyone’s patience while the repairs are being made.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.05, no change since Memorial Day. One year ago, the price was $2.02. The New York State average is $3.09 – up 1 cent from Memorial Day. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.20.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $3.02 (up 2 cents since last Monday)
• Buffalo -- $3.01 (up 2 cents since last Monday)
• Ithaca -- $3.03 (up 3 cents change since last Monday)
• Rochester -- $3.03 (no change since last Monday)
• Rome -- $3.15 (up 3 cents since last Monday)
• Syracuse -- $3.04 (no change since last Monday)
• Watertown -- $3.14 (up 1 cent since last Monday)

The latest Energy Information Administration report with new gas demand data shows demand dropped from 9.48 million b/d to 9.15 million b/d, while total domestic gas stocks increased by 1.5 million. The demand decrease and supply increase has helped to stabilize pump prices nationally and will likely help prices remain stable into summer. If that happens, local price should begin to stabilize, too.

Crude prices increased after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and its allies including Russia, announced they still plan to gradually increase crude production in July. The move could help reduce pump prices later this summer, but the amount of the price reduction will depend on how well OPEC and its allies adhere to their agreement and if the additional production is not met with higher demand. OPEC and its allies will meet again on July 1 to review their production agreement.

From GasBuddy:

"We're entering our fourth straight week with the national average above the key $3 per gallon level, but while gas prices haven't broken past the low $3s, they have also failed to decline much from their peak as demand for gasoline continues to push higher as the summer driving season is underway," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"According to GasBuddy data, gasoline demand last week eclipsed the prior week, when millions of Americans were gearing up for Memorial Day travel, not an easy feat, but highlights that economic conditions are ripe for continued growth in demand, contributing to prices holding at high levels.

"As OPEC has maintained a slow but steady increase in oil production, that additional production is quickly being gobbled up by a global economy that continues to recover. Our current gas prices likely won't change much by July 4, but remain stubbornly high, barring any major curveballs to supply and demand."

Seeing him as pro-growth, pro-law enforcement and anti-tax, the Genesee County Republican Committee is throwing its support to Congressman Lee Zeldin in the race for New York State governor.

GCRC Chair Richard Siebert on Sunday said that Zeldin, who represents the state’s 1^st District (Suffolk County, Long Island), impressed the organization’s leaders during a recent meeting where they had a chance to ask questions and hear the congressman’s vision for New York.

“We were very impressed with his answers and today we are proud to announce our endorsement of Congressman Lee Zeldin to be the next governor of our great state,” Siebert said. “Lee Zeldin is pro-growth, pro-law enforcement and anti-tax, and will work to reverse the dangerous move to socialism by our current administration before it’s too late.”

Siebert said that New Yorkers have suffered significantly under the leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Genesee County has long watched its hard-working residents flee New York for other states due to the radical and oppressive policies implemented by Governor Cuomo,” Siebert said. “This is a governor with no regard for our wallets, our safety, or the well-being of our communities.

“Andrew Cuomo lectures New Yorkers on responsibility while he punishes our hard-working residents by pursuing the latest pet projects cooked up by New York City Democrats. This has to change.”

Submitted photo, from left, Genesee County Republican State Committee Member Barbara Eddy, Congressman Lee Zeldin, Genesee County Republican Chair Richard Siebert and Genesee County Republican State Committee Member Michael Cianfrini.

A favorite in the quest for a permanent site for the Genesee Country Farmers’ Market has emerged, according to the treasurer of Downtown Batavia’s three-days-a-week venture.

Sharon Brent on Sunday said that market officials have been working with City Manager Rachael Tabelski to find a fixed location after having to move to the other side Alva Place to the former JC Penney parking lot this year.

“It looks as though the Angotti Beverage parking lot (south of School Street) is a possibility,” Brent said. “We’ve discussed other sites but for one reason or another, they’re not big enough or just won’t work.”

Brent said Austin Park also was considered but the parking lot isn’t suitable.

The market opened for the season last Friday and will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Oct. 29.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The market offers fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and crafts, as well as beer and wine tastings, and food vending trucks.

Brent said 30 vendors are participating on Friday and that she is no longer taking applications for that day.

“We’re sold out on Friday,” she said. “Space is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Currently, three vendors are signed up for Tuesday, eight from 9-4 p.m. on Thursday, and 11 from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, she said.

Food trucks will be on site from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. on all three days, and picnic tables are available.

NEW MANAGER IS ON BOARD

That’s the mantra of Kathryn Cringoli, (photo at right), a resident of Batavia for the past 18 months, who was hired last month as the market’s new manager.

The Hilton native said she is eager to promote and expand the market to attract as many vendors and customers as possible, noting her passion for all things agriculture and fresh, locally grown products.

Cringoli has extensive education and experience in agriculture as she has a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Sociology from San Diego State University and has worked as a caterer, bed & breakfast operator and at a hydroponic greenhouse in Hilton.

She also worked many years for the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field, and currently works part time at Tops Friendly Market in Batavia.

Cringoli said she moved to Batavia because her boyfriend is a student at the University of Buffalo Law School.

She said that 2020 was a very tough year for everyone, especially for farmers.

“A lot of them couldn’t unload their produce to the wholesalers or to the restaurants … so a lot of produce went to waste,” she said.

Cringoli said she hopes to get 4-H members and culinary students at Genesee Valley BOCES to participate at the market this summer, and emphasized that people getting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are eligible to buy fruits and vegetables there.

“I'm delighted for this new opportunity,” she said. “Eat fresh, buy local is what I am striving to instill into this community.”

Update from DEC, June 7:

While the spill is contained to the inlet with no impact on the lake, the contractor continues to skim diesel fuel from the surface of the water. DEC’s oversight of the cleanup efforts will continue until the cleanup is complete. 

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a possible petroleum spill into the inlet on the west side of Horseshoe Lake in the Town of Stafford.

According to Jeff Wernick of the DEC press office in Albany, agency personnel on Saturday responded to a report of fumes and a spill, and immediately deployed containment booms, pads and a vacuum truck to skim diesel fuel from the surface of the water.

Crews from T&R Environmental of Painted Post are conducting the cleanup effort. Booms also have been set up in a ditch on nearby Seven Springs Road, not far from the intersection of Clinton Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

“The spill is currently contained and DEC’s oversight of the cleanup efforts will continue until the cleanup is complete,” Wernick said. “DEC’s investigation into the cause and amount of the spill is ongoing.”

Photo at top: View from Horseshoe Lake Road near the entrance of West Lake Road of the environmental remediation underway in response to a chemical spill; bottom, containment booms in a ditch on Seven Springs Road. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

City fire is on scene of a small porch fire at 202 S. Swan St., Batavia.

No information is available at this time on the cause of the fire.