Deborah Deegan, a new resident of Batavia, went to the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena for the first time on Friday for Skate Night. Photo by Howard Owens.
Friday night skate nights came to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena at the right time for new Batavia resident Deborah Deegan.
And she likes it better than the open skate options she had in Rochester.
"There's not that many places, even in Rochester," Deegan said. "There's only Horizon, and there is a place called Skate Lovers. It's very similar to what you guys are doing here, but it's not an actual rink. It's like a warehouse. And I think they built the flooring, so it's not quite as good as the floor in here. And I don't like the music that much. It's not my music. I like the music here."
And at The McCarthy, she said, you can't beat the price.
"Five dollars is like a quarter of the costs of going to Horizon in Rochester and half the cost of going to Skate Lovers," she said.
The 32-year-old Deegan said she is pretty new to Batavia and is working at Copperhead Creek. She loves to skate and is happy the operators of The McCarthy have started Friday night skate nights. She said she loves figure skating and enjoys getting the extra practice time. She is also involved in roller derby.
She started ice skating when she was little but could never do much except go forward. Roller skating, she said, has improved her ice skating.
"Two years ago, when the rinks opened back up after COVID, I found myself sitting there going, 'Why, when have I been skating since I was four years old, I can't do anything cool?' From there, I decided I was going to teach myself how to go backward. And here we are, two years later, and skating at the skate park on these (roller rinks), is what has gotten me so much progress. When I got back on the ice rink, I could do jumps and all types of stuff that I could never do before."
Deegan said Batavia residents who haven't been to skate night yet should come out on a Friday night. The floor is good, the price is right, the music makes it fun, and it's also a great workout. She said too many people spend way too much time on their phones. They need to be more active.
"I also do this to get fit," she said. "I read that professional skaters burn up to 800 calories an hour, which is, like, unheard of. So it's a great way to get physical activity and a workout in without actually working out."
The regular Friday night skate is from 7 to 9 p.m., with the exception of July 7, when there will be an 80s and 90s skate night party from 8 to 11 p.m. The entry fee for that event is $10 with $5 rentals and includes a DJ. It's a 21-and-over event with beer and cider served.
William Franz performed on bagpipes. Photo by Howard Owens.
The skies may have been overcast, but the local talent shone through in Jackson Square on Friday night with the first of two Homegrown Concerts, hosted by Bill and Kay McDonald.
A second featuring young local talent, and some mature folks, is scheduled for Friday, June 30. The showtime is 6 p.m.
On the bill for the next show: William Franz (bagpipes), Leah Ford (guitar), Nolen Wright (guitar), Ayralynn Thompson (ukelele), and Quinn Karcher (accordion), along with Deanna Spiotta and Don Thomas and Steve Kruppner.
The evening's entertainment is rounded out with the Ghostriders and the Old Hippies.
Genesee County Youth Bureau skates purchased for the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena in Batavia. Photo submitted by Daniel Calkins.
No matter what you may think about online sports betting venues, they are being put to good use locally by funding youth development initiatives, Genesee County Youth Bureau Director Daniel Calkins says.
The Youth Sports Education Fund, garnered from portions of online sports betting proceeds, has so far meant $16,787 for youth-related activities, with about $5,000 of that going for the purchase of 71 pairs of funky 80s-themed rollerskates, Calkins said.
“I was talking to (ice rink operator) Matt Gray and he said they were having trouble getting skates for the ice rink,” Calkins said Friday. “So we set up a program that if a youth goes there, they pay the $5 admission and can use the skates for free.”
The neon-colored skates, meant to be low-maintenance and long-lasting, were purchased from RC Sports out of Kansas, in a range of children’s and adult sizes. They will be available for rent or free for youth at the David M. McCarthy Ice Arena on Evans Street in Batavia.
“We promote that to give kids greater access to recreational activities,” Calkins said. “We will be having events throughout the summer. And during ice season, it will be the same. If a kid comes in to ice skate, they’ll get to use the ice skates for free. The ice rink has been wonderful, our family game night was the kick-off to the skates being there.
“It’s about making Genesee County more accessible to having fun things to do,” he said. “We want to be an active part in the change here.”
That total funding also went toward kayaks to be used at DeWitt Recreational Area on Cedar Street and to help restore the financial loss suffered by the Athletic Youth Soccer Organization in Oakfield during the pandemic, Calkins said.
Genesee County receives a nine-month allocation, and “hopefully, we get the same funding next year,” Calkins said.
The Youth Sports Education Fund goes to the county’s general fund and is then disbursed to the Youth Bureau, County Manager Matt Landers said.
“The intent is definitely to be as impactful to county youth and families as possible,” Landers said “Daniel is continually looking for positive activities for families in Genesee County.”
Answering The Batavian about whether he has tried out the new skates. “I have not tried them because I don't want to embarrass my kids!”
If you’re interested in trying them out, the McCarthy has an open family skate night from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday.
A two-year-old reportedly ingested chocolate containing marijuana on Thursday and was taken unconscious to the UMMC Emergency Room, according to the Sheriff's Office.
James Zackary Gray, 32, of Park Road, Batavia, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly leaving an edible within the reach of a child.
According to the arrest report, the child was found unconscious multiple hours after the edible was ingested.
Gray was released on an appearance ticket by Deputy Morgan Ewert.
The current condition of the child was not included in the arrest report.
The Batavia Muckdogs beat the Jamestown Tarp Skunks 8-7 on Thursday at Dwyer Stadium on a walk-off wild pitch.
Reliever Trey Bacon picked up the win after tossing two scoreless innings.
Henry Daniels went 2-4 with a run scored and a double. Giuseppe Arcuri went 2-4 with a double and two RBIs. Anthony Calabro was 2-4 with a run scored, an RBI, a walk and two stolen bases.
The GLOW Region Solid Waste Committee is pleased to offer the opportunity to win a composting machine and composting packet. Residents from Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming Counties are eligible to participate.
Contact the GLOW office (glow@co.genesee.ny.us) for your opportunity to win! Participants will receive a questionnaire, to be completed based on GLOW’s composting demonstration site at the Genesee County Parks Interpretative Nature Center.
The winner will be notified directly by the GLOW office. Please contact GLOW with any questions or concerns: glow@co.genesee.ny.us or 585-815-7906.
“Everyone should compost! Composting allows for the conservation of water, healthier soil, and the reduction of waste in our landfills and waterways.”- Amanda Lee, Recycling Administrator. This program is made possible by the county's funding and DEC grants.
Jeremy Ives is going to have 15 years, in the words of Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini, to contemplate the kind of person he is.
Is he the kind, intelligent, and articulate person of his letters to the court and his appearances in County Court, or is he the man a jury of Genesee County residents said committed a horrible act on Aug. 12, 2022?
Ives was convicted on May 12 at the end of a jury trial of two counts of attempted assault in the first degree and menacing. The jury found that Ives had threatened two people with a shotgun.
In the incident, one person was reportedly injured as a result of Ives firing one shot in the area of 2 Elm St., Batavia.
Since his arrest, through the trial, and into Friday's court appearance, Ives has maintained his innocence.
Assistant District Attorney Will Zickl, who prosecuted Ives, said that one reason Ives deserved the maximum possible sentence on his conviction was his failure to express remorse for his actions on Aug. 12, 2022.
"He's demonstrated he's a danger to the community," Zickl said. "He's expressed no remorse. He's taken no responsibility for his frankly brutal actions."
Zickl said Ives has only spoken in general terms about his conduct, saying he's sorry -- primarily expressed to his family -- in a letter to the court for his behavior.
Joseph Lobosco, the defense attorney, said it wasn't exactly fair to expect Ives to say he is sorry while he is planning an appeal on what he believes is a wrongful conviction.
"He shouldn't be put in a position of needing to express remorse for something he believes he didn't do," Lobosco said.
Zickl said the maximum sentence available, 15 years, wasn't enough. Lobosco asked for the minimum term for his client.
Then Lobosco read a letter from Ives to the court dated June 6.
He expressed his "absolute love" for his family, and said his family extended beyond his blood relations to anybody who had ever helped him in life.
"My family are the people that hold the strongest pieces of my heart that help me focus on my relationship with the gods and the other members of my bloodline and family. My honor is loyalty, and that is my oath, and that is my pride. Concentrating on my family and my faith is what helps me daily in my strive to find inner peace," Ives wrote.
He mentioned his mental health issues, struggles with addiction, and a traumatic brain injury and said he thought he had been doing well with the help of his doctors and medication.
"The issues that I have written about have affected some of the people in my life in negative ways, in different degrees," he wrote. "I have to write these words to these people instead of speaking the words to them and looking into their eyes because of self-inflected situations, but I want each and every one of you to know and believe in your hearths that I am sorry. I apologize for the wrongs I have done."
"I'm a good man, and I love you all with all of my heart," he added.
He promised to return from prison with a greater determination to be good to his family.
"I pray to Odin and all the gods above us to help make me the best man I can be, the best father I can be, the best son I can be, the best brother I can be, and hopefully, the best husband I can be," he wrote. "Over the years, and in the past, I have fallen short of being those things.
"To all the people involved in my life, I swear on my honor I will not allow my addictions or my afflictions to negatively affect my life or my decisions ever again. I will return to my life after this situation more focused than ever before."
After Lobosco finished reading the letter, Ives spoke up for himself. He wanted to address something he saw as a bit of misinformation from Zickl. Zickl criticized Ives for claiming to love his children when, during the pre-sentence investigation, he told an interviewer he didn't know where two of his children currently live.
Ives said he has children aged two to age 25. His two oldest children graduated from college while he has been in custody and he hasn't been able to stay in regular contact with them. That's the only reason, he said, he doesn't know where they are living at the moment.
During the discussion about long-term orders of protection, Ives asked that he be allowed to contact a woman who has children that he considers to also be his children, though he is not the biological father. Cianfrini said if the woman wants to contact the court to modify the order of protection, she could, but Cianfrini said she was issuing a full stay-away order of protection.
Ives also asked for no order of protection for a friend who has helped him during the legal process, but Zickl spoke with the victim's advocate, who was in court for sentencing, and that person reportedly asked for a temporary order of protection to become long-term.
Cianfrini did modify one order of protection to allow Ives' parents to contact a person in order for them to retrieve Ives' personal belongings.
The order of protection will be in place for the length of the sentence imposed by Cianfrini plus eight years. The sentence is for 15 years plus five years post-release supervision.
Cianfrini told Ives his was a perplexing case. He's obviously well-spoken and intelligent, able to advocate for himself, and he has a reputation, which came out at trial, for doing unbidden kind acts for others, such as installing handrails on a stairway that had no handrails.
And though he is mindful that he maintains his innocence and is planning an appeal, he was convicted of a horrific act. He also has five prior DWI convictions and a weapons conviction in Florida.
Those two versions of Jeremy Ives don't fit together, she said.
"You're going to have to reconcile which Jeremy Ives you are going to be when you get out of prison," Cianfrini said. "It's completely up to you as to who you are going to be. You can be the person who does good deeds or you can be the person who commits these kinds of crimes. Only you can make that decision."
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) slammed the Majority’s recently passed legislation that would make it illegal to organize, sponsor, conduct, promote, or participate in any contest, competition, or derby where the objective is to take wildlife (A.2917). This would include bans on hunting competitions for coyotes, rabbits, and other animals.
The legislation, which passed the state Assembly this (Wednesday) afternoon, had a Senate sponsor from Buffalo and an Assembly sponsor from Manhattan, which provided a further example of legislators from city regions exercising power over New Yorkers in rural areas such as Western New York.
Hawley is frustrated that rural communities are once again having their voices silenced.
“This anti-hunting bill is yet another example of out-of-touch, big city legislators imposing their will on our constituents,” said Hawley. “This is the same tactic that was used by big city lawmakers on the mandate of overtime pay on our farm workers. This proposal would not only be damaging to our rights as New Yorkers, but its effects on our local agriculture and animal population control will have negative consequences. The Majority needs to start considering the needs of ALL New Yorkers, not just those in the cities.”
A Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) on the Extended End of Session:
“Albany Democrats have once again shown their inability to address New York state’s most pressing issues. Not only did they needlessly extend this year's legislative session, forcing us to spend more time away from our home districts, but they also did nothing to address the current migrant crisis in our state, the growing unaffordability we see all around us, and the increased public safety risks in our communities. The Majority instead focused on passing extreme bills such as the pro-criminal Clean Slate Act and making it easier for hardened criminals to overturn their convictions. The Majority's agenda has done little to help our state and shows just how out of touch they are with the needs of New Yorkers.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Senator Joni Ernst introduced a bicameral resolution to designate the week including June 23, as National Women’s Sports Week.
The resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX on June 23, 1972, and celebrates the growth and success of women’s sports.
Additional co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Representatives Ralph Norman (R-SC), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Randy Weber (R-TX), Mary Miller (R-IL).
National Women’s Sports Week recognizes female athletes — past, present, and future — for their participation and achievement in sports. It celebrates the contributions of individual female athletes in the United States, especially since the passage of Title IX in 1972, and honors the coaches and parents who support female athletes.
The resolution also calls on Congress to protect equal access to athletic opportunities for female athletes.
June 23, marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, federal legislation that prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on sex. Title IX opened athletic opportunities for women and girls, guaranteeing them the right to equal athletic opportunities.
Since the adoption of Title IX, there has been a 545-percent increase in the percentage of women playing college sports and a 990-percent increase in the percentage of women playing high school sports.
“At a time when women’s sports are under attack, we must celebrate the remarkable progress we have made since the passage of Title IX and stand united to protect the future ability of women and girls to compete fairly in sports,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
“I am honored to join Senator Joni Ernst in introducing a bicameral resolution that supports the designation of an official 'National Women's Sports Week.' As we celebrate this week, we reaffirm the importance of protecting Title IX and recognize the countless benefits that come from women’s active participation in sports. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join us in celebrating National Women's Sports Week. Together, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of female athletes, ensuring a bright future for women's sports across our great nation.”
“We cannot and will not allow our daughters to be erased,” said Senator Ernst. “Doors that were opened over 50 years ago are being slammed in the faces of girls across the country because of the progressive left’s radical gender ideology. I’m proud to work with Rep. Tenney to recognize the achievements of female athletes during National Women’s Sports Week and will continue standing arm in arm with Riley Gaines, Paula Scanlan, Payton McNabb, and countless others in their fight to safeguard life-changing opportunities for women and girls.”
"Independent Women's Forum conceived of National Women's Sports Week because we see how the importance of female athletics is being denigrated in our culture. During a recent Senate Judiciary hearing, Senator Durbin scoffed at the idea that anyone should be concerned that something as trivial as "women's field hockey" would be sacrificed. He may not think so, but we know that female athletes matter. That opportunities for women to strive and succeed matter. We know that women's sports are worth fighting to preserve. Thank you Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Claudia Tenney for being such leaders in standing up on behalf of the women and girls competing today, and future generations of female athletes," said Carrie Lukas, Independent Women's Forum President.
Oxbo acquires H&S: Oxbo CEO Roel Zeevat and Chris Heikenen
Press Release:
Oxbo is expanding its presence and product portfolio in the hay and forage industry, through acquiring H&S Manufacturing in Marshfield and Clintonville, Wisconsin. The acquisition is designed to foster high-quality, customer-focused product innovation, to ensure customer service, and to strengthen the Oxbo and H&S position in the global hay and forage market.
“H&S products complement Oxbo’s industry-leading hay and forage merger product line; adding H&S to Oxbo’s hay and forage business allows us to better serve our mutual customers now, and in the future,” commented Joe Perzia, COO of Oxbo.
“The H&S high quality products, dealer network, manufacturing facilities, and dedicated management and employees supplement our existing hay and forage business and will help us grow in this critical market segment,” stated Roel Zeevat, Oxbo’s CEO.
“We knew an acquisition by Oxbo would deliver enhanced value for our customers. Oxbo’s commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer service are a perfect fit for H&S products and customers,” commented Chris Heikenen, former owner of H&S Manufacturing.
Over the last 30 years, Oxbo has continued to grow through acquiring manufacturers in specialty agricultural markets. With each acquisition comes Oxbo’s commitment to drive customer value through innovative products and industry-leading customer service.
“The acquisition by Oxbo is an exciting next step for the H&S brand; I’m confident Oxbo’s customer-focused mindset will benefit our customers as we grow the business together,” said Craig Harthoorn, president of H&S, who will remain onboard and manage the newly expanded hay and forage business unit for Oxbo.
With the addition of H&S, Oxbo continues to Optimize farming together and aims to be the clear customer choice in the hay and forage market.
H&S will continue operating at its existing facilities. Customers will continue to purchase products and parts from their existing H&S or Oxbo dealer.
Going forward, and in partnership with its dealer network, Oxbo will further optimize the offering for its customers in all regions served. “We are committed to serving our valued customers,” said Zeevat.
Oxbo operates seven additional manufacturing facilities around the globe including its global headquarters in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, and operates 13 sales and service locations.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is holding his Annual New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge to help encourage good reading habits and continued learning this summer.
This year's theme is "All Together Now," in cooperation with Summer Reading at New York Libraries. All students in grades K through 5 living in the 139th Assembly District during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible.
Students who pledge and complete reading for at least 15 minutes each day for at least 40 days during the months of July and August will be presented with a New York State Excellence in Reading Certificate from Hawley.
“I’m excited to announce this challenge for the kids in our communities,” Hawley said. “Reading is an incredibly important part of any child’s education and I hope this challenge will instill the value of learning in them. I know this is a great opportunity for our kids, and it will be a great way to kick off the summer.”
This year, Summer Reading Calendars were sent to students at all schools and libraries throughout the 139th Assembly District. Track your child's progress on the Summer Reading Challenge with the calendar. Once your child has completed the challenge you can mail your summer reading calendar to my District Office and receive a certificate for your child's achievement.
Wortendyke Road, between South Main Street Road and State Route 33 in the Town of Batavia, will be closed during "a significant bridge replacement" project beginning Monday. Photo by Howard Owens.
A “significant bridge replacement project” to the tune of six figures is about to shut down a portion of Wortendyke Road for up to two months beginning Monday, Genesee County Highway officials say.
The project, funded by a grant agreement to accept $50,000 of county Soil and Water Conservation District grant funds matched by existing county funds, will replace Culvert 8G on Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia.
Classified as a large span culvert — metal culvert structures that span in excess of 40 feet — the project will require a temporary closure of approximately six to eight weeks between South Main Street Road and State Route 33, county officials said.
County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens had recently recommended that the county Legislature — via the Public Service and Ways & Means committees — execute the grant agreement and modify the capital project, making the appropriate budget amendment to allow for the matching funds.
The county Soil and Water Conservation District offered the grant to implement Best Management Practices with the installation of large-span culverts, and, per the resolution, “the grant agreement provides $50,000 to be matched by existing county funds allocated to the large-span culvert capital project."
Two young men were seriously injured on Thursday evening when their respective pickup trucks collided head-on in the area of 232 Main Road, Town of Pembroke at about 5:31 p.m.
Zachary Miller-Barillari, 19, of Williamsville, was airlifted by Mercy Flight to ECMC and Jacob Brainard, 25, of Browmansville, was transported by Mercy EMS to ECMC.
According to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, the preliminary investigation indicates that Brainard was driving a 2019 Dodge Ram eastbound on Route 5, and Miller-Barillari was traveling west in a 2002 Ford F-350.
Brainard's vehicle was apparently in the middle of the roadway and took corrective action to get back into the eastbound lane of travel. Miller-Barillari directed his pickup truck into the eastbound lane of travel.
The two trucks collided head-on in the eastbound lane and then continued off the south shoulder of the road where they came to rest in a ditch.
Both operators required extrication from their vehicles.
Pembroke Fire and Indian Falls Fire responded to the scene along with Mercy EMS. Corfu Fire assisted with traffic control and a landing zone for Mercy Flight.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Crash Management Team. Patrol officers assisted at the scene.
Ava (pictured 2nd from right) standing with (from left) scholarship committee members Kari Heideman, Lisa Smith, and Julie Wasilewski
Press Release:
On June 21 at their annual year-end picnic at DeWitt Park, the Genesee County Interagency Council presented a $1,000 educational scholarship to LeRoy High School graduate Ava Gephart. Ava plans to study Social Work at Nazareth College this fall.
Scholarship applications were accepted from all Genesee County High Schools. Applicants were required to be in good academic standing, and plan to major in the fields of Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology.
The mission of the Genesee County Interagency Council is to create fellowship and understanding among community human service agencies. The council helps to identify community issues and encourages the development of resolutions.
For more information about Genesee County Interagency Council please contact President Lisa Smith at (585) 344-2042 ext. 4237 or email Lisa at Lisa.Smith@co.genesee.ny.us
Gas stove, dryer, queen bed and boxspring, books, bikes, legos, mens and womens clothing and much more. Cash and Venmo accepted. May 24-26 8am-? 5050 Batavia Elba Townline rd Batavia 14020
