Javin McFolins completed nine of 11 pass attempts for 206 yards and two TDs to lead Batavia to a 49-20 win over Bishop Kearney on Saturday afternoon.

McFollins also gained 43 yards on the ground on four attempts and scored a touchdown.

Aavion Bethel ran nine times for 41 yards and a TD and Cam McClinic gained 43 yards on five carries.

Vincent Arroyo caught four passes for 107 yards and a TD.  

On defense, Cooper Fix had seven tackles.

The Pembroke Dragon improved to 3-1 on the season in eight-man football with a 46-32 win over two-time defending sectional champions Red Jacket.

The game opened with a 50-yard touchdown run by Caleb Felski.

Red Jacket quickly responded with a score of their own.

A big interception before halftime by Cayden Pfalzer led Pembroke to an extra possession and score before the half.

The Dragons sustained that lead for the rest of the game.

Tyson Totten rushed 25 times for 264 yards and four touchdowns.  He is at 727 yards on the season after four games.

Cayden Pfalzer added 106 yards rushing on 8 carries and a 54-yard TD pass to tight end Chase Guzdek.

Defensively Jayden Mast had seven tackles and a sack with help from fellow defensive lineman Octavius Martin with six tackles, Chase Guzdek six tackles, and Jayden Bridge with five tackles.

Pfalzer and Totten added 10 tackles each from the linebacker positions while Caleb Felski led the way with 11 tackles on the night.  

The Dragons play next Frida at 7 p.m. at Wellsville.

Submitted information and photos.

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies scored 38 unanswered points through four quarters on their way to a 38-6 over Le Roy at home on Friday night.

Connor Scott opened the scoring with a 57-yard run at the start of the game to ignite the Aggie's offense.  Brodie Scott completed a pass to Noah Currier for the next score, then hit Connor Scott in the second quarter and scored himself twice in the third.  OAE's final score came early in the fourth quarter when Hyde connected with Kyle Porter on a 51-yard TD reception.

OAE compiled 475 yards in total offense to 188 for the Oatkan Knights.

Hyde completed six of 12 pass attempts for 156 yards and three TDs.  He was intercepted once.

Currier gained 134 yards on 19 runs, Hyde 93 on 16 attempts.

Kyle Porter had two receptions for 70 yards.

On defense, Nate Finta had five tackles.

For the Knights, Adrian Stephens was 5-13 passing for 41 yards. Jackson Fix rushed eight times for 70 yards and a TD. On defense, Tony Piazza had 9.5 tackles.

"A win like this against an opponent like LeRoy is huge for our team," said Aggies Head Coach Tyler Winter. "While the first half still was not the cleanest on our end, the way our guys came out of halftime and kept the pedal down on a good opponent speaks to what we are capable of, both physically and mentally.  They are really taking to our 'process over product' approach, and doing a phenomenal job of taking each opponent as they come.  For them, the next challenge is the biggest one."

Top photo: Le Roy’s Xavien Walker (44) holds on to Connor Scott (22).

Photos by Ed Henry

OAE’s Connor Scott (22) scores a TD early in the game.

OAE’s Noah Currier (20) snags a TD catch.

Le Roy’s Jack Tonzi grabs a reception in the flats.

Le Roy’s Drew Strollo (34) turns the corner.

OAE’s Aiden Warner holds on after an Antonio Martinez collision.

OA-E’s QB Bodie Hyde

OAE’s Angelo Penna (55) and Connor Scott (22) celebrate up top. 

Additional photos below by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Alexander shut out South Seneca 50-0 to improve to 3-0 on the season and give Tim Sawyer his 100th victory as the Trojan's head football coach.

Trenton Woods threw three first-quarter TD passes. 

Senior tight end Christian Kissell caught a 10-yard strike for a TD just two minutes into the game. 

Tyler Marino scored on a 30-yard pass and then moments later Kaden Lyons hauled in a 20-yard pass. 

Dalton Selapak's point-after kicks and a defensive safety from Cole Dean the Trojans led 22-0 at the end of the first quarter. 

Senior running back Ricky Townley scored on two different runs in the second quarter.  One was a 10-yarder and later on a 4-yard run.

That made it 36-0 at the half. 

Tyler Marino carried the ball into the end zone in the third quarter from 4 yards out and in the fourth quarter and Bryce Feldman scored his first-ever TD on a 1-yard run.

Defensively, the Trojans did not give up a first down on the night.  Sr Defensive Back Benny Merrill had an interception and Cole Dean had a safety and a fumble recovery to go with three tackles.  Jaden Snyder, Bryce Feldman, Christian Kissell, and Trent Woods all had QB sacks.

The Trojans play at Notre Dame next Saturday.

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

Press release:

The Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services was the host of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC) FLASHOVER training. 

The FLASHOVER training was held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center on State Street Road, Batavia, on Sept. 10-11, where forty-three firefighters from around the region attended.

Seasoned instructors with years of experience teaching with a simulator, taught this program. The program included a one-hour classroom lecture, followed by two hours of intense live fire hands-on training evolutions in NYSAFC's mobile flashover simulator.

The FLASHOVER training allowed participants to experience fire development from the incipient stage all the way to flashover.  Participants completing the training are now able to identify the signs of the event before being part of the flashover. It is said that if you are more than five feet from the doorway, your chance of survival in a flashover is minimal.

Participants of the FLASHOVER training Included:

AKRON

• Hillery Dennies
• Michael Dennies

ALABAMA

• Gary Patnode
• Michelle Patnode
• Ryan Thompson

CITY OF BATAVIA

• Ryan Darch
• Nathan Flint
• Allison Hubert
• Jennifer Kirkum
• Dalton Major
• Benjamin Pickard

BOWMANSVILLE

• Mike  Andrzewski
• Evan MacPeek

CALEDONIA

• Andrew Carpino
• Samuel D'Agostino
• RJ Kantowski
• John Kellen
• Michael Lubitow
• Aaron Rychlicki
• Nathan Sherlock

EAST BLOOMFIELD

• Alex Brown
• Bill Gasser
• Abigail Miller

EAST PEMBROKE

• Stephen Smelski

PERRY CENTER

• David  Parfitt
• Chuck Wright

PITTSFORD

• Ron DeCamelia
• Brian Garber
• Matt Garber
• Marc Krieger
• Chris Otero

RANSOMVILLE

• Jim Harbison
• Chris Lederhouse
• Justin Stoelting
• Matt Wedge

SOUTH BYRON

• Nicole Boldt
• Vito Muoio
• Jeremie Rassel
• Jeffrey Starowitz

SPRINGWATER

• Brian Nadeau
• Zackery Ryan

WENDELVILLE

• Thomas Braunscheidel
• Benjamin Kalbfliesch

Bradley R. Jordan, 29, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing 3rd.  Jordan is accused of threatening a person on Silver Road in the Town of Bethany on Sept. at 6:58 p.m.  Jordan was located by deputies Andrew Mullen and James Stack along with K-9 Frankie and arrested.  He was arraigned in Town of Bethany Court and on that charged released on his own recognizance but held in the Genesee County Jail pending extradition to Clark County, Nevada. No information was released on the charge Jordan faces in Nevada.

Julian Willard Mills, 24, of Hartford Road, Lansing, Mich., is charged with criminal possession of a firearm. During an investigation of a reported suspicious condition on Alleghany Road, Pembroke on Sept. 19 at 11:35 a.m., Mills was allegedly found in possession of a loaded handgun. Mills was released on an appearance ticket.

Nia M. Coppini, 23, of Prestige Xing, Batavia, Jordan P. Kuczyuski, 24, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, Nathan D. Clark, 25, of Central Avenue, Batavia, and Dakota White, 24, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, are charged with trespass. Coppini, Kuczyuski, Clark, and White are accused of being in the Byron Swamps after dark in violation of posted signs. They were released on appearance tickets.

Behold, and Blush is a comprehensive telling of the 1779 Sullivan Expedition as it wound its way through western New York. We begin with the legend behind the creation of the Seneca Nation, the "Great Peacemaker," and Hiawatha, and the formation of the Haudenosaunee (League of Five Nations). Next, the book segues the French-led invasion of Seneca territory in 1687. Finally, it touches on the French and Indian War and the deeds committed by British General Jefferey Amherst, for whom Amherst New York is named. Behold and Blush reviews chronologically and introduces the readers to the campaigns of "Goose," Van Schaick, and Daniel Brodhead, culminating with Sullivan and Clinton. Thompson's research expands upon the expedition's little-

known members, which significantly adds to the story of the Sullivan Expedition. The book introduces the reader to Joseph Brant, Mary Jemison, Daniel Shays, Timothy Murphy, Lt. Thomas Boyd, and Sgt. Michael Parker. The book concludes with the discussion of genocide as it may or may not relate to Sullivan's Expedition. "If a reader expects to find this book treating the men of Sullivan's Expedition as barbarians and a book where the Seneca are treated as victims, they may be disappointed in what they find.”

Release date October 9:

Presentation and signing:

• Sat. Oct. 22 – Simply Positive 23 Main St. Livonia NY 10-1 p.m., (585) 204-0441
• Sat. Oct. 29 – Holland Land Office Museum 131 W. Main St Batavia NY, 1-3 p.m. 585-343-4727.

Press release:

Notre Dame has announced the newest members of its Athletic Hall of Fame who will be inducted on Saturday Nov. 12 in a ceremony held at the school.  Contact Kate Edwards at 343-2783 ext. 144 or email her kate.edwards@ndhsbatavia.com for ticket information.

Aaron Fix Class of 1992:  Aaron excelled in football, basketball and Baseball. He started on Notre Dame’s first State title the 1992 Boys Basketball Team. The basketball teams he played on posted a record of 40-9 (38-4 in GR) and won GR titles in 1991 & 1992.  He was a 2-time GR All-Star in both football and baseball with his teams winning GR championships in baseball in1990 &1991. He went on to play football collegiately at Canisius where he set a record for TD punt returns in a game (3), in a season (4) and was a D-1 AA All-American as a punt returner.

Christi Moskal Ganie Class of 2003:  Christi played volleyball, basketball and softball during her ND years. Her Volleyball teams won Section V titles in 2001 & 2002 advancing to State finals in ’02. She was selected as a multiple GR and Section V Volleyball All-Star. Christi’s basketball squads were Section V Champs in 2002 when she was named MVP and 2003 when she was a tournament All-Star. Christi was a 3-time GR Basketball All-Star on teams that won 3 GR titles. Her prowess as a student-athlete led to her selection as Notre Dame’s Outstanding Scholar-Athlete in 2003.

Kevin Smith Class of 1987: Kevin was a standout athlete in football, basketball and baseball.  He was a GR All-Star in football in 1986 when his team won the GR title and advanced to the Sectional Finals.  Kevin’s basketball teams won 32 and lost 9 winning GR Championships in ’86 & ’87 while advancing to Sectional Championship game in ’87 where they lost by 1 on a buzzer beater. In ’87, he earned GR All-Star recognition. He was a 2-time GR All-Star on Baseball teams that posted a record of 50-9 winning GR & Sectional Championships in ’86 & ’87. He was the recipient of the Rogowski Trophy one of the most prestigious ND Awards.

Jack Waggoner Class of 1989:  Jack played football, basketball and golf. He was Athlete of the Year in 1988 as well as the Batavia Lions Club Bill Cook Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award in 1989. His football squads had a 2-year record of 12-4 winning a GR title and he was a GR All-Star in ‘87 & ’88. Jack’s basketball teams went 37-10 winning a Batavia Lions Club championship as well as a GR title in ’89 when they advanced to the Sectional Championship game. Arguably the most successful golfer in school history, Jack was  a 6-time Sectional qualifier, 3-time medalist of the GR qualifying event, twice advanced to the state championships and his 4-times as team MVP is a school record.

1973 Baseball:  The 1973 Baseball team went 16-4 winning the Smith League championship. They advanced to the Georgetown Cup Championship game losing 3-1 to Canisius HS. This team was coached by Hall of Famers Fr. John Zeitler and Bill Sutherland while the roster included HOF athletes Bob Carragher, Andy Vogl, and Mark Francis.

1992 Boys Basketball:  The 1992 Boys Basketball team earned the name “The Fab 5” as they posted a record of 26-1 winning the NYSPHSAA State title as well as Section V and GR championships. They set a school record for wins (26), win percentage (96.3%) and put ND back in the spotlight at a time when enrollment had dropped below 100 for the first and only time. HOF inductees affiliated with the team include Coaches Mike Rapone and Dave Pero as well as athletes Tom McCulley and Aaron Fix.

Press release:

Arc GLOW’s Meadowcrest Drive home received some help with fall spruce up and clean Wednesday afternoon from a group of hard-working volunteers representing Five Star Bank.

Five Star’s First Vice President Territory Director Jacqueline Lavoie shared a company statement about the bank’s Volunteering is a Work of HEART Day, that explained as part of this company-wide community service event, most branches and offices closed early to allow the team to come together and dedicate time and talent to better the communities they serve.  According to the statement, “More than 300 associates signed up to volunteer with over 30 non-profit organizations throughout our footprint to complete projects that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

Stacey Vandetta, branch manager for Batavia and Attica, said her team was excited and honored to spend the afternoon at one of Arc GLOW’s Batavia homes.  “We brought our gloves, rakes and we are ready to work!!!” she said.

Meadowcrest Residential Manager Molly Smith was thrilled with the offer to help with a few major projects, including raking the backyard and painting the front porch.  “They had the porch painted in no time, and twelve bags of leaves raked,” Molly said.  “We’re thrilled – the porch looks great and the backyard has never looked better.” 

Five Star volunteers had the opportunity to work with John, one of the residents who lives at the Meadowcrest home.  “John quickly became the team leader,” Molly said, making sure everyone was hydrated and had all the supplies they needed.  “I can’t thank them enough for what they were able to do in such a short period of time,” the manager stated, with a smile.  “Their goal was to make a difference, and they did. We are so grateful!”

Five Star Bank employees participating in the Volunteering is a Work of HEART Day were: Jeff Westerman (LeRoy and Caledonia Manager), Stacy Vandetta (Batavia and Attica Manager), Mary Ann Gallo, Carrie Laney, Christine Adamczak, Sandy Smart, Amy Meisner, Makayla Hilchey-Richthammer, Michelle Vollmer, Cassandra Anderson and Lisa Gautieri.  Team member who wanted to volunteer for Arc GLOW but offered to work to keep the LeRoy branch open were Ty Ozkaynak, Cassidy Bratcher and Jen Lambert.

The Meadowcrest home is one of thirty residences operated by the Arc GLOW throughout its four-county service area.  Arc GLOW was created in October of 2021 as a result of a merger between Arc of Genesee Orleans and The Arc Livingston-Wyoming. The human service agency employs nearly 1,000 staff across 2,400 square miles and serves 2,000 people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families.

Submitted photos.

Press release:

Join GLOW OUT! in uplifting LGBTQ+ youth as they head back to school at their first-ever Back-to-School BBQ this Saturday, September 24 from 12:30-3:30 pm at DeWitt Park in Batavia. This all-age event is free, open to the public, and will be hosted by the fabulous Vanessa Leroux who is returning from the 2022 Pride Festival to entertain and wow participants again!

The afternoon will also feature Act Out!, GLOW OUT’s youth league led by Lilly Fiscus of Caledonia-Mumford HS, Abigail Merkley of Holley HS, Ruth Metzgar of GCC (formerly of Attica HS), Ayden Carlson of Batavia HS, and Judith Newton of Batavia HS. Learn about upcoming youth-related events and their efforts to combat bullying with the launch of their campaign “Fail the F-Slur!”. Targeting the need for family support, the group will also promote the start of their PFLAG/parent group which will begin in October.  

GLOW OUT! would like to pay a special thank you to Lynda Battaglia, Director of Mental Health and Community Services of Genesee County, whose generous time and stellar performance as a “Celebrity Bartender” helped to raise the funds for this event to be free for the community. This organization and the LGBTQ+ youth uplifted by this work are grateful to live in a community with such inclusive and dedicated leaders. More information about the event can be found on their website http://www.glowout.org/. If you are bringing a larger group or if you have questions, please email Sara Vacin at saravacin@gmail.com. Families, friends, and clubs are welcome!

Photo: Submitted photo.  Ayden Carlsen, Judith Newton, Sara Vacin, Abby Merkley, and Lilly Fiscus

Press release:

Did you know that radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is released in rock, soil and water? Radon has no smell, taste or color and kills more than 21,000 people each year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon can build up to dangerous levels in your home, which can occur in new homes or older homes. “Radon can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, cracks in basement walls, holes, joints, dirt floors, sump pump holes, suspended floors and in the well-water supply,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Any house that has contact to the ground has the potential for radon to enter the home.”

Both the EPA and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have identified Genesee County as having a high average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter). “Testing your home for radon is the only way to know if high levels are present and corrective action is needed,” stated Brodie. When radon tests are completed, they should be performed in the lowest primary living area of the home.

GO Health encourages residents to test for radon when buying a home, doing a major renovation, every 2 years if there is a mitigation system installed or every 5 years otherwise. You can purchase a short-term radon test kit from your local hardware store or through a radon-testing laboratory. For more information on radon or other GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org

Press release:

Due to popular demand, we have added a second tomato canning class on Sept. 28, 6 to 8 p.m.  This is a hands-on class that will show you all the basics of hot water bath canning.  The Master Food Preserver will demonstrate both the hot and cold pack methods of canning.  There will also be a discussion on canning jams and jellies.

Recipes and handouts will be provided.  When the class is done, you will have a quart of tomatoes, but they will be too hot to take home that night.  You will be able to pick them up at the CCE office the next day.

The class will be held at the Stafford Methodist Church, 6134 Main St., Stafford, Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.  Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.  No walk-in participants, please.  The cost for the class is $20 per person.  Registration and payment are due by September 26.  Contact Mandy at (585) 343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by our office to register.  You can also register and pay online by going to our event page athttps://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events.

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., law enforcement agencies across Genesee County and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

There will be three locations across the county where citizens can dispose of their medications. Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

• The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with United Memorial Medical Center, will be accepting prescription drugs and sharps in the Alva Place parking lot across the street from Batavia Showtime (located in the Genesee County Mall), Batavia.
• The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting prescription drugs ONLY at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Road, Corfu.
• The Le Roy Police Department will be accepting prescription drugs ONLY at their headquarters located at 3 West Main Street, Le Roy.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long.

The Batavia Police Department Headquarters has one for everyday collection of drugs located in the rear vestibule at 10 West Main St., Batavia, NY.

Containers are also located at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on Park Rd, Batavia, and at the Le Roy Police Department. Sharps are accepted at United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North St., Batavia.

The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 29th Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

File Photo: Officer Stephen Quider, K-9 Batu, and Detective Jason Ivison in 2021.

Press release:

The Genesee County Highway Department will be paving on Morganville Road between Horseshoe Lake Road and Route 237 and East Morganville Road between Morganville Road and 237 in Stafford on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, weather permitting. The road will be closed to thru traffic during the paving operations.

To all motorists, businesses, and property owners along Lovers Lane in the Town of Batavia:

Lovers Lane between Route 33/Pearl Street Road and South Main Street Road will be closed to all through traffic during paving operations scheduled for Tuesday, Sept 27.  Paving Operations will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.   Residents of Lovers Lane will have access to their property, but anticipate delays.  This is a weather dependent operation.  If postponed due to inclement weather the work will be rescheduled for the next workday.

Designated as a registered National Historic Landmark in 1961, the Holland Land Office Museum has been a treasured staple of Genesee County heritage for decades, which also means the site has taken its share of wear and tear.

After all, the stone museum building was built in 1810, and it was designed by famous Batavian Joseph Ellicott. The county has established it worthy of a capital project, which is to begin with a conditions study. A request for proposal was advertised, and three bidders pitched for the project.

“Wendel was by far the most qualified,” Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said to legislators this week.

Consultant Wendel of Williamsville came in with a bid of just under the $45,000 cap. Hens, the assistant county engineer and deputy highway superintendent reviewed the submitted proposals and recommended the Erie County company, Hens said. He asked that legislators approve the consultant and bid that’s not to exceed $43,324.

The scope of work is for a Holland Land Office restoration study.

“It’s a full, comprehensive look at the building,” he said. “And it should give us a road map of what we need.”

One of the goals is to document each area of the site at 131 West Main St., Batavia, and determine what its future needs might be. The consultants will be assessing “functionality issues,” and the potential to add a Welcome Center, Hens said.

Legislators Gary Maha, Marianne Clattenburg, Shelley Stein, Christian Yunker, Chad Klotzbach, John Deleo, Brooks Hawley, Gregg Torrey, and Gordon Dibble approved the request.

Photos of Holland Land Office Museum from the front, top photo, at the sidewalk along Main Street, and the side next to the parking lot, above. Photos by Howard Owens.