Press release:

Following his unveiling of his bipartisan American Foundries Act and successful addition of this bill as an amendment in July to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the final version of the FY2021 NDAA includes his provision to bolster U.S. leadership in the semiconductor and broader microelectronics industries.

The senator explained that the new programs included in NDAA will increase federal support for semiconductor manufacturing by providing new federal incentives to conduct advanced research and development of semiconductor technology, secure the supply chain, and ensure national and economic security by reducing reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturing.

“The economic and national security risks posed by relying too heavily on foreign semiconductor suppliers cannot be ignored, and Upstate New York, which has a robust semiconductor industry, is the perfect place to grow domestic semiconductor R&D and manufacturing by leaps and bounds,” Senator Schumer said.

“America must continue to invest in our domestic semiconductor industry in order to keep good-paying, high-tech American manufacturing jobs here in Upstate New York. With today’s victory, we are one step closer to ensuring our domestic microelectronics industry can safely and securely supply our military, intelligence agencies, and other government needs.

"This is a step essential to our national security and to U.S. leadership in this critical industry. I’m pleased to deliver this win in this year’s final NDAA for the Upstate New York economy and the entire country’s national security and competitiveness."

The senator noted that even though the United States revolutionized the microelectronic industry and invented nearly all of the key technology used to this day, competitors in Asia, especially China, have made huge investments into their microelectronics industries in recent years to challenge and undercut U.S. leadership. In fact, Schumer pointed out, the U.S. has gone from producing 24 percent of the world’s semiconductors in 2000, to just 12 percent more recently.

In contrast, China has gone from producing zero chips to 16 percent of the world’s supply in the same time frame. The senators warned that by 2030, Asia is projected to control 83 percent of the global semiconductor manufacturing supply while domestic production could be less than 10 percent, threatening U.S. reliance on foreign-made microelectronics, which could pose huge risks to U.S. national and economic security.

Schumer has long-championed increased efforts to expand the domestic microelectronics industry, supporting companies like GlobalFoundries, which houses their most advanced "Fab 8" manufacturing facility in Malta, New York, IBM, and others. With New York home to multiple major companies and research institutions in the semiconductor industry, the state is positioned to securely supply the U.S. government with critical technologies and maintain U.S. leadership in this technology. It offers a tremendous opportunity for New York’s semiconductor companies to expand operations, create more jobs in Upstate New York, and help the United States reduce its reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturing.

Supporters of the original amendment included GlobalFoundries, IBM, ON Semiconductor, Cree Inc., the Genesee County Economic Development Center, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Cornell University, Binghamton University, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

"We applaud Senator Schumer for his leadership and dedication to attract significant semiconductor investments and innovations back to America," said Steve Hyde, President and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. "The strategic advantages created by Senator Schumer‘s amendment are a critical step forward for our economy. The semiconductor industry has a clear pathway for success through New York's unmatched talent base and the high-capacity infrastructure available at the 1,250-acre Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Genesee County."

Emmanuel P. Giannelis, vice provost for Research and Vice President for Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property and Research Policy at Cornell University, said, “Senator Schumer has long recognized that the best way to keep America at the forefront of the technology revolution is to invest in research and development here at home.

"Not only does the American Foundries Act of 2020 direct critical resources into expanding the domestic production of microelectronics, it also points the way to the future with substantial funding for research and innovation. It is especially fitting, given the importance of the semiconductor industry to national security, that this important proposal is moving through Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Cornell University is pleased to support the American Foundries Act and commends Senator Schumer for his leadership.”

Details on the original amendment that has been integrated into the final NDAA can be found below. The amendment:

• Directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a grant program for constructing, expanding, or modernizing commercial semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and advanced R&D facilities in the United States.
• Directs the Secretary of Defense to create a partnership program with the private sector to encourage the development of advanced, measurably secure microelectronics for use by the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, critical infrastructure, and other national-security applications.
• Requires the Secretary of Commerce to commence a review within 180 days assessing the state of the U.S. semiconductor industrial base.
• Establishes a Multilateral Microelectronics Security Fund, with which the United States, its allies and partners will work to reach agreements promoting consistency in their policies related to microelectronics, greater transparency including supply chains, and greater alignment in export control and foreign direct investment policies.
• Directs the president to establish a subcommittee on microelectronics leadership and competitiveness within the National Science and Technology Council, directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a national semiconductor technology center to conduct research, fund semiconductor startups and a Manufacturing USA Institute, create a National Advance Packaging Manufacturing Program, and encourage the Secretary of Labor to work with the private sector on workforce training and apprenticeships in semiconductor manufacturing, and establish a Department of Defense National Network for Microelectronics Research and Development.

Le Roy musician Justin Williams has been spending his free pandemic time writing and recording new material. Here's his latest release, "Back in a Hard Place."

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.16, up 3 cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.58. The New York State average is $2.25 – up 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.68. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.22 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.19 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.24 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.24 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $2.33 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.19 (up 5 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.30 (up 2 cents since last week)

The national average price for a gallon of gas has inched up 4 cents in the past month, but it is 42 cents lower than last year at this time. Since mid-November, domestic crude prices have steadily increased topping $45 per barrel, contributing to pump prices rising across the country. Crude prices increased amid growing market optimism that vaccines for the coronavirus will be available in coming weeks, but then oil prices stalled as the number of infections surged domestically.

Going forward, low demand will likely limit price gains, with the latest report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showing that demand decreased dropped to its lowest reading since early June. Demand typically drops in the winter driving season, so American drivers should expect gas prices to remain lower when compared to last year’s pump prices, moving into 2021.

From GasBuddy:

"With oil's rally to a new COVID-19 high-water mark, gas prices have begun to follow, even as gasoline demand crumbles to some of the lowest levels in months," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "Optimism continues to propel oil markets higher, led by positive news on a COVID-19 vaccine, but should anything change timing wise, we could a reversal, but for now it remains full steam ahead with markets focused on the promise of oil and gasoline demand rising, or the best potential outcome of the situation. Should the hype be overblown, a correction could happen in the weeks or months ahead. For now, motorists may see more volatility in oil markets then we've seen in months."

Four bowlers came oh so close to 300 games and 800 series last week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action.

At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, 22-year-old James Townsend and GRUSBC Hall of Famer Fred Gravanda each recorded 299 games with Townsend leaving a wobbly 4-pin and Gravanda leaving a solid 10-pin on their final balls.

Townsend came within 15 pins of an 800 series -- adding 232 and 254 for 785 -- while Gravanda finished with a 714 series.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, William Wood rolled a 298 game, being stymied by a 7-10 split on the final ball. Still, he finished with a 734 series.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Robbie Hanks, who posted a 300 game the previous week, put together games of 268-278-245 for a 791 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

Seventy-nine years ago, America was attacked by Imperial Japanese forces. The Attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike upon the United States against the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was the day that officially forced the hand of the United States into the conflict that would come to be known as World War II. 

That day saw much tragedy, as did the months and years of conflict following it, which is why we remember it today.

Being so far removed from the attack, it can be challenging for current generations to reflect on why exactly this day is so important. In a time when global war was once again on the rise, and recognizing America’s strength and influence, our enemies had coordinated an attempt to prevent us from pushing back against their own plans of expansion and domination. And in a time when the world was truly just beginning to open itself up, to globalize in the political, social, and economic sense that we know it today, many world powers were making their claim for dominion wherever they could.

Reflecting on the Attack on Pearl Harbor today can bring up many diverse and confusing feelings, especially with where the country is today. Despite the clear, distinct, and harsh rivalry America and Japan had as a result of this attack, today, we remain some of the strongest allies to each other. Despite America’s commitment to the freedom and prosperity of its citizens, there was a period following this attack that many American citizens of Japanese descent saw their freedoms stripped for the sake of aggressive security measures, such as with the case of Fred Korematsu. Tensions rose within the country as a result, leading to a lot of social strife, which was only exacerbated with America’s entry into the war and joining the fight on the Western Front.

This is a day of remembrance: for what followed, absolutely, but also in recognition of the brave heroes who fought in the face of true adversity, in the face of a complete surprise, in the face of losing everything in an instant.

Wartime tactics like these aren’t seen often, and aren’t publicized the way Pearl Harbor was; and to know that there were still soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses and civilians fighting through those wee hours in the morning to get to another day, to save their fellow American, and to push back against aggression, is something worth remembering.

In the aftermath, 15 Medals of Honor were given. 51 Navy Crosses. 53 Silver Stars. Four Navy and Marine Corps Medals. One Distinguished Flying Cross. Four Distinguished Service Crosses. One Distinguished Service Medal. Three Bronze Star Medals. And following the attack, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal was given to all veterans of the attack.

These tokens of recognition serve as but a small way to show to America, and indeed to the rest of the world, the courage, bravery, and sacrifice those men and women gave all those years ago. Because that’s what we think about when we remember Pearl Harbor.

The Elba Betterment Committee hosted the community's Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday night along with a socially distanced visit from Santa. The video also includes visits to the Christmas Tree displays in Pavilion and Oakfield.

A two-car accident reported at Oak and Richmond in the City of Batavia.

An officer on scene reports there is no injuries. The northbound lane is blocked. There is debris in the roadway but no apparent fluid leaks.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: A fluid leak is now reported.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: Engine 11 responding.

Law enforcement is being sent to Broadway Road (not sure if Darien or Alexander) for the report of lights going eastbound.

Maybe from an airplane, the dispatcher reported.

It's unclear if that means the airplane is on the ground or in the air.

UPDATE 8:10 p.m.: Nicole Dorman submitted the photo. The photo was taken on Route 262 in Elba.

UPDATE: The lights were apparently related to a SpaceX launch. 

I was reminiscing, thinking back to Christmases in Downtown Batavia circa 1960.

I recall a Friday night, and Main Street was decorated with holiday cheer. People from all over Genesee County had come to the city to shop and reconnect with friends.

I had made my list for Christmas, and my first two stops were Newberry’s and W.T. Grant’s. Those two stores carried everything you would need -- from a picture with Santa, a hot dog at their food counter, to a new dress and plumbing supplies. The stores were crowded, and the Christmas music was coming from outside of C.L. Carr’s.

The windows of the Carr’s building would mesmerize young and old with their moveable musical figures. It was a much slower pace in the ‘60s. People working behind the counters of the various stores knew your name and would ask about your family. Genesee Hardware was on Main Street at that time and sold toys. I remember going there to see if the wedding dress for my Barbie doll was still for sale. It was!

Other stores I remember were Thomas and Dwyer and C. F. Knox, shoe stores that were run by families. A winter ritual was driving around the city with my family to see the Christmas decorations. There was always one particular house you had to see every year with the most sparkling Christmas lights.

Your next stop would have to be NY State School for the Blind to see the magical, miniature Christmas village on the school’s snow-covered lawn.  

My memories take me back to my family — the Pecas — and those Christmas mornings with the opening of presents and the five-course meal prepared in the kitchen. One Christmas, our mother gave each of us a photo album she created with pictures of each of us in our album. I remember sitting in the living room with my brothers and sisters looking at our albums. We laughed at how we looked when we were young and couldn’t believe that our mother of six found time to create such a timeless memory.

Another favorite memory was Christmas dinner. We would eat for what seemed like hours. Our family was so big we needed the large kitchen table and the dining room table for a holiday meal. You had, to begin with, our dad saying grace and thanking God we could all be together. The feast started with an antipasto, followed by Italian wedding soup, lasagna, and a full-course turkey dinner. Later we would have a wide variety of choices of homemade pie.  

This Christmas will be different for many. I know we will not be able to see our children and grandchildren. We will be filled with memories of Christmases past and hoping all our families and friends stay safe and healthy and are filled with beautiful memories from yesteryear.

Top photo: The Peca family dressed their best for a Christmas Card photo.

Below, two of Anne Marie Starowitz's sisters, Gina, left, and Terry.

Below, Tony, Sam, Anne Marie, and their dad, with sisters Gina and Terry on his lap. (Not pictured: mom and brother Johnny.)

A two-vehicle accident is reported in Alabama at Ledge and Maple roads. There's possible entrapment in one of the vehicles. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: The accident is blocking traffic in the southbound lane of Maple Road, according to a first responder.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: There is no entrapment. A second ambulance is called and both can proceed in non-emergency mode. An occupant in each vehicle complains of pain in their lower extremities.

Submitted photo and press release:

City of Batavia Firefighters Local 896 has teamed up with Batavia city schools to assist in a holiday toy drive for the 2020 holiday season.

We are asking for new toy donations from members of the community and businesses for kids of all ages and families.

We look forward to a successful campaign.

Toys can be dropped of at City Fire Headquarters on 18 Evans St. now -- until Monday Dec. 21.

Statement from Batavia City School District Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr.:

Dear Batavia Blue Devil Families,

As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise across New York State and specifically in Genesee County ​(8-percent positive test rate -- current highest in New York)​ it brings a number of challenges for the school district.

These challenges include but are not limited to the following:

• Our ongoing ability to staff in-person learning with certified staff members.
• Guidance regarding close contact and quarantining: we continue to have a large number of students and staff members unable to attend in-person learning and work because of the fact that educators/ district staff are not designated as essential employees under current New York State Department of Health guidance, which forces them to quarantine even if they are not showing symptoms.
• Despite the CDC reducing the number of days for quarantining to 7-10 days, the NYSDOH is still requiring a 14-day quarantining window.
• Social gatherings are still occurring outside of school, which bring new positive cases into our school district.
• The influx of parent and family requests that want to move their children from in-person hybrid learning to a 100-percent full virtual model.
• Over this last week our number of total positive cases in our schools increased to 39 and the number of students and staff that have had to quarantine as a result was over 100 between our four school buildings.

  Therefore, ​I have made the difficult decision to move our school district to 100-percent Virtual Remote Learning effective immediately and through the upcoming winter break. I will monitor and reassess this decision and I will provide families an update prior to our return on Monday, Jan. 4th.

  Moving our entire district to 100-percent Virtual Remote Learning will give us the ability to focus primarily on one mode of teaching and learning and allow us to prepare for updated guidance from New York State that prioritizes safe in-person learning for all. Families of children who receive specialized instruction and various mandated therapy will be contacted by the district with options for teletherapy and targeted support. BOCES Career Technical Education students will also attend their program virtually. This does not impact out-of-district placements and students who attend BOCES Alternative Academy and ITP programs. For the majority of our students this equates to the loss of five in-person learning days over the course of the next 12 school days.

• The district will continue to provide daily breakfast and lunch for pick up at Jackson Primary and John Kennedy from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. during this period.

  It is also important to remind you that if we are to return to any form of in-person learning that we still need parents and guardians to fill out our consent form located here. To date, we only have 483 (24 percent) of in-person learning families who have given consent. Please know that if and when we are designated a color zone, that random testing will be required and only families who give consent will be able to attend in-person learning.

  At a time where we should be focused on celebrating an upcoming winter break and spending time with our families, I know that this decision will impact many of you negatively and that is not my intent. Ultimately, my intent and one of my main responsibilities as your Superintendent, is to always protect the physical and mental health and safety of our students, staff and community.

  If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to call your child’s school for support.

  WE are Better Together...WE are Batavia!

  Anibal Soler Jr.
  Superintendent of Schools

Press release:

When the Genesee Symphony Orchestra was presented with an opportunity to perform at Encore 2020 for the GCC Foundation, there was a harmonic and resounding "YES!" from members and board members alike. With that commitment, the virtual celebration which raises critical funds for student scholarships, began to take shape.

With the generous sponsorship from Tompkins Financial Advisors, Tompkins Bank of Castile, and Tompkins Insurance Agencies, the Encore 2020 committee, cochaired by Tom and Kim Cox, have built a spectacular event that everyone can enjoy on Saturday, Dec. 12 -- without having to go out in the snowy weather!

The entire event is available completely online and ticket access is on sale now.

As the "Be the Light" program details came into focus, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (GSO) learned more and more about the time and efforts the staff at Genesee Community College had implemented to ensure the health and safety of the GSO members during rehearsals and filming.

"The members and I were honored to be asked to perform at GCC's Encore 2020," said GSO Music Director and Conductor S. Shade Zajac. "The care and consideration for our health and safety that GCC put into the preparations for this program allowed us to perform as a full orchestra, maintaining safe distances and even to magically perform a selection or two that include special appearances by members of the Genesee Chorale."

At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, the program will be broadcast for those with ticket access. Amongst the mix of holiday favorites, the GSO has included a special arrangement entitled "Christmas at the Movies" full of popular tunes from movies such as "The Polar Express," "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "A Miracle on 34th Street."

Through the magic of modern technology, the Genesee Chorale will "join" the GSO for two special pieces, a union that hasn't been made in quite some time.

The Conductor's Prediction: 'There Won't Be a Dry Eye'

"I am particularly excited about my personal selections for this performance which embody Encore's Be the Light theme," Zajac said. "The journey from darkness into light that is felt through the last movement of Beethoven's Symphony is so representative of this moment in time when we can be a light for someone's dark journey. It is indeed fitting for the end of 2020 as the 250th anniversary of his birth.

"My second selection, composed by Gustav Mahler, is called 'Resurrection' (Symphony #2). It is a gorgeous movement meaning 'primal light' that features the orchestra and a soprano soloist Brittany Burgess. It is only truly fantastic artists and musicians that can bring feeling to a piece -- and she has done that. There won't be a dry eye. On behalf of the GSO, I'd like to thank GCC for asking us to do this, it has been a gift to make some music as a group."

"Be the Light" is more than musical excellence, more than a performance, this will be a true audio and visual treat -- viewers will enjoy a unique and exclusive perspective to this show as only cameras can provide.

Encore 2020 is a critical component to the scholarship fundraising the GCC Foundation does every year to ensure students in need can continue to achieve their college dreams.

For ticket access, please visit https://gccfoundationinc.org/ or contact the Foundation Office at (585) 345-6809, or foundation@genesee.edu today.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce that members of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra will be performing small concerts at the museum during its Wonderland of Trees celebration sponsored in part by Tompkins Bank of Castile.

On Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. GSO Music Director and Conductor Shade Zajac and his wife, Nicole, will be performing as a duet.

On Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. the GSO will also be performing with a small group of their musicians. There will be a small audience available to listen in person, however, it will be limited to 12 people.

If you would like to attend in person please call the museum at (585) 343-4727 to register. Attendees are required to wear a mask at all times and follow all social distancing protocols.

The concerts will also be livestreamed to the museum Youtube channel during the performances by Paul Figlow of Figlow Productions. The links can be found on the museum’s Facebook page and website www.hollandlandoffice.com.

For further questions please call the museum at 343-4727 or email:   hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

The Holland Land Office Museum is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department has received a positive COVID-19 test from an individual who was at Applebee's Grill + Bar in Batavia on Friday, Nov. 27th from 12 to 2 p.m. Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive case.

We advise all individuals who were at Applebee's on Nov. 27th between the hours of 12 and 2 p.m. to monitor their symptoms for 14 days (through Dec. 11th). If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

An accident is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 374.8. A female has a head injury. Mercy medics are leaving the scene of the accident on Route 490 and heading to I-90. Le Roy fire is also responding.

UPDATE 12:42 p.m.: Neither Le Roy nor Henrietta, which was also called, could find an accident at that mile marker. Le Roy responders say they're going back to where a Trooper was roadside with a vehicle to see if the injured person is there.

A multiple vehicle accident is reported on westbound Route 490 at mile marker 2.0. A car fire erupted and it was knocked down quickly with a fire extinguisher, but now it's smoking again, and an SUV is engulfed in flames. No one is trapped. One male is complaining of chest pain.

A first responder says "it's a mess out here," with multiple cars off both sides of the roadway. Le Roy and Bergen are both called along with Le Roy ambulance and law enforcement. A Mercy rig is called, too. Two people appear to have minor injuries; at least five people will need to be evaluated altogether.

Now there's another crash on the Maltby Road Bridge reported, and yet another a half mile from that.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: There are another five vehicles off the road on the eastbound 490.

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: First responders say the roadway is slick and icy and it's snowing.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Stafford is called stand by in quarters for Bergen.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Bergen's assignment to the westbound 490 is back in service.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: Stafford is released and back in service.