Pictured above are Conrad Gifford, left, and Roger Hill.

Laura Platt hosted two military cadets this week, Dayeong Choi and Yeojin Jo, both of South Korea, who are traveling to New York and Utah to learn more about the Korean War and interviewing veterans who served there.

The cadets went to the VA Nursing Home in Batavia and Veterans Service Agency at the Genesee County Building #2 on West Main Street Road and listened to the vets tell their stories and teach them firsthand about the history of the conflictr and their role in it.

The two cadets could not be photographed for security purposes and are in the final year of a six-year military education; coming to the United States was part of the training.

(Photos courtesy of Steve Ognibene.)

Rolland Lee

Richard Kern

When you walk in you are welcomed into awesome foyer/sitting room with beautiful wet bar and fireplace with vaulted ceiling and leading to 2 loft-style bedrooms --perfect for guests or his and her offices! All mechanical updates are in good working order and all appliances included! Last but definitely not least LOCATION --located in the town with 1.5 acres and minutes from thruway for easy commutes to everywhere! $249,900

Call Lynn Bezon today to see this listing or click here for more information.

4060 W. Main Street Road, Batavia: Just a wonderful home -- lovingly maintained, super solid 3 bed bath & a half, all-brick home on almost 1/2 acre lot in the Town! Truly a place you will want to come home to -- bright and cheery and warm and inviting this home features gorgeous woodwork hardwood floors spacious floor plan awesome kitchen that will make you want to hang out -- it's just that homey!

Three-year tear-off roof on house and barn -- electrical and plumbing all upgraded, new Bath Fitter shower and many other updates. Home was just freshly carpeted and painted as well as exterior and barn! Two-story barn has amazing storage, but also finished rec room upper everybody will want to claim for their own private hangout! Back yard is extra deep and fully fenced for privacy and has a pool and landscaping/flowers are spectacular!

LOOK now! $134,900 -- Call Lynn Bezon today to see this listing or click here for more information.

6800 Junction Road, Pavilion: Super solid, move-in ready, raised ranch home on quiet 1/2 acre country lot! Move in and enjoy no honey do lists on this 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home.

Downstairs features large family room with gas fireplace pretty ceramic floors, brand new full bath -- perfect hang out room or an awesome large master bedroom suite! Upstairs features hardwood floors large open kitchen/dining/living space ideal for entertaining! 3 bedrooms with full closets and another brand new bath -- not a lot to do here but decorate!

Outside is nicely. landscaped and lot backs up to fields with pretty views--very easy to see! $134,900 -- Call Lynn Bezon today to see this listing or click here for more information.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Aug. 22nd from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the general area of East Main Street, State Street, Oak Street, Washington Avenue and Richmond Avenue. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in temporary discoloration of water in that area.

As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities class III Insurance Service Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city’s water system, identifies weak areas in the system, removes material that settles in the hydrant, and cleans out the lines. Checking each hydrant improves crew knowledge of hydrant locations.

If you have any questions, or should at anytime notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

The second shutout victory of the season came for the Batavia Muckdogs on Monday night. Batavia came away winners 1-0 over West Virginia, their second win by that score this season. The previous one came just two weeks prior at Monongalia County Ballpark.

Chris Vallimont put up another strong start for Batavia. He went three innings deep, without allowing any hits or runs while walking just two batters and striking out two more. Batavia’s bullpen was just as dominant, giving up only four hits in the entire ballgame that went a total of 10 innings.    

Scoring opportunities came few and far between for either team, with just a combined two runners reaching third base through the first nine innings for each team. It was a stellar day on the mound for both squads in the game. Nicholas Economos going six shutout frames again against the Muckdogs in his second start against Batavia this season. He struck out eight batters this time around, one shy of the nine he had at Dwyer Stadium in the first game after the All-Star Break.

After going scoreless through the first nine innings, Batavia broke open the scoring in the top of the 10th inning. The first runner to start on base in extra frames was Bubba Hollins. Michael Donadio came out swinging to open the inning. His ground ball to the right side did the same job as the bunt, moving Hollins over to third base. Gunnar Schubert came to bat looking to plate the first run of the game in the 10th. His ground ball to second base pushed Hollins home in safely under the tag of Black Bear catcher Grant Koch and gave Batavia a 1-0 lead. Jameson McGrane took care of the final six outs of the ballgame for Batavia on the mound. He finished out the ninth inning just giving up a walk, and retired the Black Bears in order in the 10th to seal the win for Batavia, and the first game of the series.

The Muckdogs have now won four of their last six games, all working from lockdown starts from their pitching staff. Game two of the series in Morgantown starts on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Monongalia County Ballpark. Alberto Guerrero is scheduled to throw for Batavia, looking for the series win.

The Batavia Jr. Blue Devil Basketball Camp was held Aug. 13th-17th at the John Kennedy Gymnasium.

Kids in grades 3-8 from various towns participated in drills, games and contests. The basic fundamentals of the game, sportsmanship, safety, and fair play were emphasized.

It took a giant crane this morning to hoist into place giant beams for the new bridge being built over the Tonawanda Creek in Alexander.

The new span is on Stroh Road.

Photos by Kayte Fix.

Press release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc. (BBPW) will hold its annual Basket Raffle & Live Auction & Dinner on Oct. 13 at the Ascension Parish Hall on Sumner Street in Batavia.

Please support the club's fundraising efforts by joining us. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 o'clock.

Basket drawings and live auction to follow.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 each and include appetizer, dinner, dessert and a sheet of basket raffle tickets.

Tickets are pre-sale only and must be purchased by Oct. 7^th.

The theme for this informal occasion is "An Evening in the Magical Kingdom."

We encourage you to come ready for some fun and help us help our youth and service organizations in Genesee County. This is the club's biggest fundraiser of the year. This event is for both men and women. 

To purchase tickets or if you cannot attend and would like to donate a basket, gift card, monetary donation or other item(s) to the auction, please contact Michelle at 585-297-0779 or send an email to bataviabpw@gmail.com. 

All proceeds from this event will benefit the 2019 Genesee County scholarships and the service organizations awards. Help us, help them!

June 2018 Scholarship Award winners

The June 2018 Scholarship Award winners were: Ethan Hutchins (Notre Dame), Kelsey Kasmarek (Batavia), Abigail Klos (Oakfield-Alabama), Grace Krizen (Pembroke), Madison LaGrou (Oakfield-Alabama), Gordon Montgomery II (Batavia) and Erik Sharlau (Alexander), Alexis Breton (GVEP), Jessica Hicks (GVEP) and Sabrina Walton (GCC). The high school Students each received a $750 check to support their educational and career goals. The Genesee Community College (GCC) adult student received a $500 scholarship award and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students each received a $250 scholarship award. 

Additionally, BBPW club members awarded four Service Awards to be distributed this year. This year, five $300 awards were given to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Crossroads House, Operation Injured Soldiers, Bethany Volunteer Fire Department, and Project Stork.

About the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club

It is a 501c3 organization that has been an active part of the community now for 97 years. The group works together to help improve the lives of others. Throughout the year they raise money through various activities to provide scholarships for local high school seniors, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students and adult GCC students as well as provide Service Award donations to several local charitable organizations.

Press release:

On Tuesday, Aug. 21,  from 7 a.m. to 5  p.m. Tracy Avenue in the City of Batavia will be closed to all thru traffic for cold milling of pavement. The work will be done between Washington Avenue and North Street.

All motorists that regularly use this road are asked to seek alternative routes during the operation. Residents within the area of the closure should anticipate delays,, but we will do our best to accommodate getting you to and from your residence.

This work is weather dependent and subject to rescheduling if it rains.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance and ask to speak to the Streets Supervisor or Superintendent at 345 - 6400, opt. 1, if you have any questions.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Miranda Lambert Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Thursday:

Monica W. Granata, 54 of Old French Road, West Seneca, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching, kicking and biting two Live Nation security officers while being ejected from the concert.

Christine M. Klafehn, 53 of High Street, Holley, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Lilliam L. Klafehn, 19 of High Street, Holley, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Candido Candelaria III, 26, of East State Street, Albion, is charged with: felony DWI; felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater; first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle; following too closely; driver's view obstructed; and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Candelaria was reportedly involved in an accident at 12:12 p.m., Thursday, on Clinton Street Road, Le Roy, which was investigated by Deputy Kevin Forsyth. Candelaria reportedly has two DWI convictions in the past 10 years.

Mikhail Alexander MacPherson, 35, of Gully Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, menacing, 3rd, and unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. MacPherson allegedly prevented a victim from calling for emergency assistance or leaving a residence during a dispute reported at 12:32 a.m. Friday on Gully Road, Le Roy.

Keith Smith shared this picture of a capsized boat on Route 19 near North Road, Bergen, from about 3 p.m. yesterday. We have no other information on the accident.

Reader Chris Brush says he and his family were heading to church this morning when they spotted a black bear off Judge Road, Alabama.

"We were passing by a cornfield on the north side of the road between Gorton and Maple when we saw the bear. Looked as though he was wanting to cross the road to the south side of 63. We turned around to see if he was still there, and found him about 10-15 yards from the edge of the road."

The map, he says, is of the approximate area where they saw the bear.  

Billie and I are heading out of town for four days. We celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

We're going to take as much time off as we can, work as little as possible. There are some news stories coming in but we won't have a scanner with us.

I won't post Deal of the Day while away. I may or may not do polls. We'll see.

A shed fire is reported at 10035 Perry Road, Pavilion.

The shed is reportedly about 25 feet from the house. The location is just south of Junction Road.

Pavilion, Le Roy and Caledonia dispatched.

UPDATE 11:27 p.m.: Working structure fire, two structures involved, "with exposure problems."

UPDATE 11:43 p.m.: Bergen requested to stand by at the Bergen hall.

It was Firefighters Fun Day at The Ridge in Le Roy today, with the families and volunteers from Le Roy and Caledonia participating along with other guests of Frostridge Campground in games, auctions, a concert, and a cookout.

We were there during the waterslide fun.

A male victim of an assault is at the Pok-A-Dot restaurant on Ellicott Street in the City of Batavia. No word on how the alleged attack occurred. City police and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: The victim was punched once; he is being interviewed by police.

There was a community event with Mercy EMS at Lambert Park yesterday and Dayne Burroughs spotted Officer Christopher Lindsay in the midst of an intense game of Jenga with two of the children who attended and sent us these pictures.

"It's so nice to see the community and police interacting positively, with smiles and laughter," Burroughs said. "Batavia still is a 'small town' in some ways."

The Muckdogs found both incredible highs and lows in their split doubleheader with the Auburn Doubledays on a late Friday night. The Muckdogs took game one in a sixth-innings comeback that gave them a 4-1 win, but dropped the second game of the twin bill in extras, as Auburn walked it off for the 4-3 win.

The first game saw a pair of incredible starts by both teams’ pitchers. Peyton Culbertson went four innings and allowing just one run. Francys Peguero went the same distance into the game, all shutout frames and gave up just three hits.

In the sixth inning of the first seven-inning game, Batavia found their spark to come back. Ricardo Cespedes took what he thought was ball four, and was able to get to second base because Auburn catcher Adalberto Carillo could not get to the baseball right away sitting at the backstop. He did not go right after it because he had thought the pitch hit Cespedes. Doubleday’s manager Jared Head went to discuss, and in the end, Cespedes was sent back to first after ruling that he was hit by the pitch. It didn’t matter all too much because in the next at-bat, Sean Reynolds blasted his 12th home run of the season to get the Muckdogs in front 2-1.

The rally continued with two outs. Davis Bradshaw, the newest Mukckdog outfielder picked up his second hit of the day with a ground ball through the left side hole. He then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Gunnar Schubert walked and took second on that same wild pitch. Both Bradshaw and Schubert would get home on two more wild pitches from Colin Morse to put Batavia in front 4-1.    

Jameson McGrane and Zach Wolf came in to finish the final three innings of game one. They were both locked in, not allowing a run to score, winning just the second game of the season against the Doubledays.

Game two did not fare as well for the Muckdogs. It was another low-scoring game that did not see runs until the seventh inning. Again, the starters Bryce Howe and Angell Guillen held their opposition scoreless in their starts. Dylan Cyphert was able to lock down the Doubledays as well, setting up for Batavia to take the lead and the win in the last inning.

Angel Guillen, on the other side, went six shutout innings in his second spot start of the season. However, Tanner Driskill could not be as dominant.

The first runs of the game came from Batavia’s bats. Bubba Hollins notched his second single of the day for Batavia with one out in the top of the seventh. That brought Michael Donadio to the dish. He clubbed a monster home run over the right field wall to give the Muckdogs the lead, plus an insurance run.

The bottom of the seventh did not go as well. Elkin Alcala came on looking for his fifth save of the season. He allowed the first four batters to reach base, partially due in part to an error from Alcala trying to start a double play at second base. Jose Sanchez hit a line drive single up the middle to score the tying run. He would make his way to third as the winning run, but Alcala did get out of the jam by striking out Israel Pineda.           

In extra innings, where the Muckdogs are now 2-3 on the season, Gerardo Nunez reached base on his fielder’s choice bunt, that set up Brayan Hernandez to drive in Pablo Garcia to put the Muckdogs back in front 3-2. Batavia loaded the bases later in the inning after a Sean Reynolds walk, but could not cash in, which proved to be costly.

The bottom of the eighth did not see a single out recorded for Batavia. Pablo O’Connor was swinging to start off the inning, and a ground ball that skipped off of Nunez’ glove put runners on the corners with no outs. Jamori Blash drove in the tying run, putting the winning run on second base. Carson Shaddy drew a walk to load the bases, still with no outs. It felt more of a matter of when, not if, the Doubledays would score that run. Justin Connell had the answer: a four-pitch walk to walk it off for the Doubledays, and win 4-3.

The second day and third game of the series pickup with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch in Auburn. The final game of the series comes Sunday, before Batavia heads back to West Virginia for a three-game set with the Black Bears.