This home has two large first floor bedrooms as well as first floor bath and laundry for those that don't do stairs real well! There is an oversized bedroom upstairs -- perfect for large bedroom or rec room.

Fully enclosed front porch area that adds a lot of additional space perfect for all your extras -- coats, shoes, pantry, etc. Home has attached garage and nice yard, off the beaten path definitely worth a look. Priced below assessment and priced to sell. Click here for more information on this listing.

New Listing; 3374 Church St., Alexander: Look no further, this home checks all the boxes! 3 Bedroom, bath and a half ranch on great village street. Updated, neutral and clean with awesome attic and basement space if you really want to expand your space!

This home is great and definitely should be seen. Easy to get into at anytime, just call! Click here for more information on this listing. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today and list with us!

A power surge is reported in the area of 6974 Norton Road, Elba.

Elba fire is on scene and Town of Batavia fire and South Byron fire requested to assist.

National Grid reports five customers in the area without power with an estimated time of 8 p.m. for power restoration.

A driver of a 2007 Ford sedan on Maltby Road at 10:30 a.m. yesterday allegedly failed to yield to a piece of heavy farm equipment, causing a portion of the car to get crushed.

No injuries were reported in the accident.

Patricia A. Seguin, 71, of Maltby Road, Oakfield, was issued a citation.

The driver of the 2019 tractor was Kevin L. Witkop, 33, of Johnny Cake Lane, Albion. 

The equipment owner is listed as Helena Agri Enterprises of Medina.

Seguin was reportedly westbound on Maltby Road when her car encountered the tractor at the intersection of Fisher Road, where she tried to make a left turn.

Witkop tried avoiding the collision by hitting his brakes and maneuvering to the north. The sedan collided with the tractor.

Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush investigated the accident and said that witness statements corroborated the accounts of both drivers.

Photo and press release from the Batavia Police and Genesee County Probation departments:

The Batavia Police and Genesee County Probation departments have teamed up to warn citizens of the potential dangers associated with the possession of BB and Airsoft guns.

The concern comes from how close BB and Airsoft guns appear to actual firearms, especially if they have been modified to appear more realistic.

Airsoft guns are generally shipped with an orange tip to help distinguish them from actual firearms, but both police and probation have encountered guns which have been painted to appear real.

For those who missed this year's National Night Out on Tuesday, Genesee County Probation had both a real firearm and a BB gun on display with the posed question, “Which one is the real gun?” Citizens found that even with a close inspection, let alone a split-second decision, it was difficult to tell which one was real. 

Although Batavia has not had a lethal incident involving a citizen with a BB or Airsoft gun, other areas of the country have, which prompted the partnership and this warning.

If anyone with these items on them gets approached by an officer, they should keep their hands away from the firearm, keep their hands visible and follow the officer’s commands.

In a situation where firearms are involved, officers have a split-second decision to make, and if these BB guns and Airsoft guns are altered it can be difficult to distinguish them from a real firearm in that brief moment.

It doesn’t matter if the citizen knows they have a BB gun or a toy gun painted to look like a real firearm, because if the officer does not know and the citizen points it in the direction of an officer or another person, an officer could easily make the justified split-second decision to use deadly physical force.

Shake on the Lake, a Shakespearean troupe from Perry, is wrapping up its eighth season of touring Western New York with free and low-cost performances of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It."

Typically, the performances are at outdoor venues and Thursday the company was planning to perform in Centennial Park. But yesterday's rain drove them indoors, to the Steiner Theater at Genesee Community College.

The show opened with a series of song performances to warm up the audience.

Yesterday's performance was free thanks to a donation from Tompkins Bank of Castile.

Above, band Finance Director Bob Pastecki with 2019 scholarship winners Kyla Leno, left, and Katie Dessert.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Concert Band closed its 94th season on Aug. 7th, and presented some special awards.

Scholarship awards were presented to Katie Dessert and Kyla Leno. Dessert received the Batavia Concert Band Board of Directors Scholarship, and Leno received the Conductor’s Choice Scholarship.

Both Dessert and Leno are Music Education majors, have played with the Batavia Concert Band for several season, and aspire to become music teachers.

Board Member Ann Arent also presented the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award. Frisby was a former Board present and ardent supporter of the Band, and this award is given in her honor. The 2019 recipient was Charlie Gould. He is a regular presence at the Wednesday evening concerts, and often leads the crowd in singing the "Star Spangled Banner."

The Board of Directors and band officers would like to thank a dedicated and enthusiastic crowd, and season-long sponsors GO-ART! and WBTA. A full listing of gold, silver and bronze sponsors may be found at www.bataviaconcertband.net

Plans are already underway for the 2020 season!

Below, Board Member Ann Arent speaking about the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award.

Below, Charlie Gould, this year's recipient of the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award.

A caller reports a pet(s) left behind when the occupants moved out of a residence on Valley View Drive in Batavia. An animal control officer is responding.

UPDATE 5:42 p.m.: A reader with knowledge of the situation writes: "The owners were located and the pets are being taken care of by family members while the owners deal with some health issues."

A semi-truck hauling garbage and a passenger vehicle with a driver and 18-month-old child were involved in an accident on Route 33 near Ivison Road in Stafford at about 9:30 a.m.

The driver of the passenger vehicle was taken into custody on a warrant.

The 18-month-old was reportedly uninjured and transported to UMMC for evaluation. The child was reportedly properly strapped into a child safety seat.

We've been unable to obtain information about the accident from the Sheriff's Office.

(Initial report)

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County Libertarian Committee met on Tuesday, Aug. 6^th to nominate candidates for local office.

Committee Chairman Mark Potwora announced the following Libertarian nominees, who will be on the ballot for the November election.

• Genesee County Legislature District 8: Colin McAllister
• Batavia City Council Ward 3: Deborah Kerr-Rosenbeck
• Bethany Town Board: Josiah Berkemeier

McAllister is focused on providing the best possible tax rates for all residents and businesses rather than have the county Economic Development Agency continue to pick economic winners and losers.

Kerr-Rosenbeck will make it her focus to visit every resident in her ward and listen to their individual thoughts and concerns. She plans to be an independent voice for ward residents.

Berkemeier is a lifelong resident of Bethany and is passionate about helping make his community a better place to live.

The Libertarian Party of New York earned ballot access as a result of gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe’s performance in the November 2018 election. Since that election the Libertarian Party has seen unprecedented growth in NYS both in party enrollment and the development of more than 20 county committees.

A local meet the candidates event has been scheduled for Sept. 21 from 2-4 p.m. at T.F. Brown's restaurant in Batavia and will include an address by Sharpe. The public is invited to attend.

The Town of Bergen is approved for nearly $9 million in funding for water infrastructure, the USDA's Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe announced Thursday.

A loan of $5.9 million and a grant of $3,058,000 from the USDA's Water and Environmental Program will be used to install a water distribution system.

The project description says the service area has no municipal water system and Bergen residents rely on individual wells. It says this funding will bring public water service to 335 residential connections and 32 commerical properties in the town that currently lack access to safe potable water.

"We are very pleased with the award (of the funding package)," said Town of Bergen Supervisor Ernie Haywood this morning (Aug. 9), "and we thank all those involved who made it possible. We are moving forward..."

According to the description, "Regulatory agencies indicate the deficiencies in the system are a threat to the health of residents and that the completion of this project will address the code issues, alleviate health problems and provide reliable water to the residents and commercial properties. The project will also supply fire protection for all located in the district."

In areas without public water, firefighters must draw water from other sources such as ponds and creeks in order to fight a blaze.

Proponents of the federal assistance package reached out to property owners to inform them about the plan for a water district and public meetings have been held about it.

As part of the approval process, the USDA requires a percentage of affected property owners to sign petitions in favor of the infrastructure and funding package. For the last several months, the Town of Bergen has gathered signatures to create a water district where there is no public water system.

The expectation is that construction would start quickly once the funds are released and that it would take about a year to complete, said Bergen Councilman Mark Anderson.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.

In January 2018, Secretary George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump.

These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

Thursday's announcement about rural water and wastewater investments will benefit 133,000 rural Americans in 24 states. A total of $135 million will be distributed to pay for 49 U.S. projects.

USDA had $2.9 billion in loans and grants available in the Water and Environmental at the start of the 2019 fiscal year. Additional funding announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports: infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural areas.

For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The numbers are in and they’re impressive to say the least. After completing two weeks of the 2019 live harness racing meet, Batavia Downs has reported unprecedented increases in handle from every source of wagering.

Western Regional Off Track Betting (WROTB) operates Batavia Downs and released the following numbers after the first nine cards of racing.

Export betting was up 36 percent, on-track betting was up 20 percent and WROTB betting from all outlets was up 10 percent. Total betting is up 30 percent or a total of $291,351 with an average increase of $32,372 per night.

“On Monday (Aug. 5) the track handle was up 90 percent while the total handle was up 127 percent from the same Monday last year. It was the fifth largest of all time since WROTB reopened the track in 2002,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Batavia Downs.

“We were hoping to see increases as a result of our stakes programs this year, but we are ecstatic to be seeing it on our overnight product as well.”

The centerpiece of the 2019 meet is the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions that will be held at the Downs on Saturday (Sept. 14) along with the track's signature stake, the $50,000 Kane Memorial Invitational pace.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs this week on Saturday (Aug. 10) with post time at 6 p.m.

A caller tells dispatch that a loose pig is running through the yard at 3684 S. Main St. in the Town of Batavia, between Lover's Lane and Fairway Drive. An animal control officer is dispatched to round up the porker.

At first the officer didn't she heard the call right. "What kind of animal is it again?" she asked.

Press release:

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The race for the Pinckney Division lead in the New York-Penn League is getting hot as August as the Batavia Muckdogs lost and West Virginia picked up at least one win on Thursday.

Batavia (31-22) has a 2.5 game lead over West Virginia, who won the first game of a doubleheader against Williamsport on Thursday.

Batavia's lone run in a 4-1 loss to State College Thursday came in the ninth when Julian Infante had a RBI double. He finished with two hits and is hitting .300 on the season.

J.D. Orr continued his tear, going 2-for-4 with a run to increase his lead-leading average to .387.

Milton Smith II, Harrison Dinicola and Andres Stormes all had hits for Batavia.

Andrew Miller threw the first five innings with two strikeouts, one earned run and two walks. Dakota Bennett went three innings with four strikeouts and one earned run.

Batavia is at State College Friday and Saturday and return to Dwyer Stadium for a 5:05 p.m. game on Sunday with Mahoning Valley.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

A possible serious injury accident is reported on Clinton Street Road just east of Ivison Road in Stafford involving a car and a semi-truck.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:28 a.m.: It is now reported as a minor injury accident with heavy debris in the roadway.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 9:45 a.m.: The accident involved a car and a truck hauling trash. The trash is strewn all over the roadway. Fire police from Byron and South Byron are there as mutual aid to provide traffic control so the debris can be removed. Route 33 at Route 237 is shut down; so it traffic at Coward Road and Route 33.

UPDATE 10:09 a.m.: An 18-month-old female, who was appropriately seated and strapped in the rear passenger side of the car, is being transported to UMMC for evaluation.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: A second ambulance is called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: The roadways are reopened. The Stafford assignment is back in service. But the cleanup will continue off the roadway.

Genesee County planners tonight stood by the Town of Batavia’s directive concerning its Planned Business Development District as it recommended disapproval of a special use permit and area variance for a pair of 20-acre, 7.2 megawatt ground solar systems on Oak Orchard Road (Route 98), just north of the NYS Thruway interchange.

In its unanimous decision, the planning board determined that the request by Oak Orchard Solar 1 LLC -- an entity set up by Borrego Solar Systems LLC -- does not fit into parameters set by the Batavia Town Board on what is considered to be prime agricultural land.

According to requirements of the PBD District, the minimum development size is 100 acres.

The Oak Orchard Solar project on land owned by Eric Saile totals 40 acres, but Marc Kenward, a senior engineer with the Erdman Anthony firm of Rochester, disagreed with that number.

“We’re disappointed (with the decision) since the two systems are to be built on an 85.96-acre site (broken into two parcels of 48 and 37 acres),” Kenward, principal engineer, said. “Plus, the Town Zoning Code clearly indicates that solar energy is an allowed use in all zoning districts.”

Kenward went on to say that the solar farm project meets many of the criteria of the PDB District and will increase the tax base and land assessment, preserve federal wetlands, and accommodate continued agricultural use in the area.

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari then explained that the Town’s Comprehensive Plan calls for this area to be held for “large-scale development … not to be broken up into smaller pieces.”

“The Town wants someone to come in with a complete package; almost like a mini-STAMP (referring to the WNY Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in the Town of Alabama),” Oltramari said. “Maybe even a place for a new (Buffalo) Bills stadium, which is pie in the sky, in my opinion.”

He said solar could be a part of a potential project there, but as an accessory use to offset expenses of a major mixed-use component.

The requirements of the PBD District as stated in the Town’s zoning regulations are as follows:

(1) Establish an area for new commercial, industrial, recreational and/or mixed use development on a large scale that will provide the Town and region with employment opportunities, additional tax base and other community benefits, while minimizing impacts on public services;

(2) Prevent piecemeal development that would compromise the availability and future marketability of a large area for significant new development;

(3) Accommodate continued agricultural use in an area that is highly suited for agriculture;

(4) Provide greater flexibility, more creative and imaginative design and utilization of innovative land development techniques while promoting more economical and efficient use of land, buildings, circulation systems and utilities;

(5) Provide for both individual building sites and common property which are planned and developed as a unit; to provide harmonious land uses which offer a high level of amenities;

(6) Permit a variety of industrial, commercial and/or recreational uses;

(7) Preserve natural and scenic qualities of the site during the development process.

Kenward said that if Oak Orchard Solar 1 LLC decides to move ahead with the project, it will have to “make our case” with the Town Zoning Board of Appeals later this month and, if successful, to the Town Planning Board in September.

In other action, the county planning board recommended:

-- Approval with modifications a site plan review for Provident Batavia LLC, doing business as SCP Distributors at 4430 W. Saile Drive, Batavia, to construct a 13,000-square-foot (180 by 60) addition.

SCP Distributors, a national swimming pool supplies company, is undergoing a $1.2 million project to complement its existing 25,000-square-foot warehouse that was built in 2006. According to submitted documents, Building Innovation Group of East Rochester has been selected as the general contractor.

Modifications center around preserving wetlands on the property and making sure there is no archaeological impact on the grounds.

Previously, the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board approved $156,312 in tax incentives, noting that the venture will produce a state/regional economic impact of more than $600,000 and will enable SCP Distributors to retain 15 full-time equivalent jobs.

-- Approval of a special use permit for a 19.8-acre, 4 megawatt ground-mounted solar system on property in an agricultural-residential district owned by Wayne Dunham at 3656 Galloway Road, Batavia. Prowind Inc. is the developer for Bright Oak Solar LLC.

-- Approval of a second group home for women at 234 Broadway Road, Darien, as requested by John Kula of Freedom Fellowship.

The home, located not far from the ministry’s current group home for women at 282 Broadway Road, was previously used as a plumbing business. It will sit on a commercial zone lot of 750 by 320 feet surrounded by a 5.4-acre parcel.

-- Approval of tandem 24-acre solar farms to be constructed by Borrego Solar Systems on property owned by Benjamin Miles at 241 Knapp Road, Pembroke.

The Knapp Road parcels, situated in an Agricultural-Residential District, will be designated as “east” and “west” and each will generate 5 megawatts of power.

Press release:

Genesee Community College invites visual artists to submit their work for possible exhibition at GCC's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on GCC's main campus located in Batavia.

This call for work is open to individual artists and group exhibitions in all media interested in the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline for consideration for the 2020-2021 academic year is Dec. 31.

The Steiner Gallery's mission is to foster community involvement in the arts while enhancing the learning experience for all GCC students, faculty and staff. Proposals are selected by the GCC Gallery Committee, which seeks out exhibitions rich in content and quality craftsmanship. 

"Our gallery attracts artists and visitors from across Western New York, and with our robust international student population, there is also a dynamic community of enthusiastic supporters right on campus," said Mary Jo Whitman, gallery coordinato.

"During the academic year, we average about 300 visitors each month. Our committee is always looking for artists who contribute meaningfully to the education of students while participating in the larger discourse of the contemporary art world."

The Roz Steiner Gallery opened in Spring 2011 and offers 1,700 square feet of outstanding exhibit space featuring 25-foot walls, moveable island walls, bamboo flooring and multimedia capabilities.

To review the space and submit an exhibition proposal go to GCC's webpage for the Roz Steiner Art Gallery here.