Press release:

“I don’t know how to fix all of our problems, but anyone can tell you that if you are about to remodel an old house, the first thing you should do is replace any rotten boards,” "Fix It" Larry Piegza says. “People are saying that the Republican Party is not the same party (as) it was 20 years ago and many people feel that Chris Collins is part of the problem.

"He doesn’t stand for the basic values moral Republicans believe in, nor does he put New York first. He is not making our health insurance affordable. We are drowning in taxes and Collins just voted on a tax bill that raises NYS residents’ taxes. Let’s start our remodel today.”

Fix It Larry Piegza began his campaign to run for the Republican nomination for New York State’s 27th Congressional District with the launch of FixItLarry.org. A computer-technician-turned-entrepreneur, he started a small software business in his attic with $10,000. He feels he is a great candidate because he sees firsthand how tough it is for small businesses to survive under government regulation.

Despite this, he has a 15-year track record of growing his company with no deficit spending. The company now employees 25 people. He feels that Western New Yorkers will benefit from his good decision-making skills and his strong desire for a balanced budget – both for New York state and the country.

“Many people are saying we’ve drifted from believing in good fiscal responsibility, ethical values, and a government that stays out of our lives. People are saying they’d like to see us return to these values. I’ve shown that I can make good fiscal decisions that aren’t at the expense of another person. I’d love to help restore the party to a strong ethical foundation,” his Facebook page states.

A West Seneca native, Larry went to Orchard Park schools and has lived in Western New York his entire life. Married for 19 years to a graduate of Pembroke High School, Larry has a daughter, 13 and a son, 15, that he likes to take outdoors year round, from sledding at Chestnut Ridge, hiking in Letchworth State Park, or visiting his in-laws in Batavia.

“This is a beautiful area and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. But we need a change in leadership if Western New Yorkers are going to survive,” Fix It Larry says. “Raising NYS taxes will not help New Yorkers. Voting to repeal without replacing our health care will not help us survive. The GOP is endorsing pedophiles, which is not a Christian value, and therefore Chris Collins needs to go.”

Press release:

There is a water main break on Richmond Avenue in front of Van Detta Stadium. Crews are on site to make repairs which will take several hours. Please be advised that Richmond Avenue will be closed to traffic between Union Street and Verona Avenue until repairs are complete.

The same technology that is changing how you watch a basketball game or movie on your home television is also making surgery safer and more efficient at United Memorial Medical Center.

Two operating rooms at UMMC have been outfitted with a 4K camera system from Olympus and 4K large-screen monitors from Sony.

"We are one of the few hospitals in the region who has it," said Dr. Andrea Zucchiatti, a surgeon at UMMC. "Nobody in Buffalo has it. Nobody in Syracuse has it. Nobody in Albany has it. They have one in Auburn and Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong has it and we have it."

The medical camera is an improvement over previous high-definition systems not only because of the higher and more detailed resolution but also because more light can get in through the lens, allowing for brighter exposures in dimly lit areas of a human body.

Zucchiatti said the technology allows surgery to be performed faster -- the patient is under sedation and in the operating room for less time -- and incisions can be smaller.

"We can perform safer and more efficient surgeries," Zucchiatti said.

5774 Shelt Road, Byron  | $87,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Awesome country location for this affordable 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home! Whether you are downsizing or just starting out this home fits the bill -- spacious open concept with large rooms makes this home feel large but super cozy. Located in the Elba School System this home is perfect for the people who want their piece of country. Surrounded by fields on a quiet road-definitely one to take a ride for!

4243 West Avenue, Elba | $179,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Super opportunity to own this beautifully remodeled from top to bottom Country home!! Literally from the studs up this home has been done -- electrical, drywall, furnace, central air, flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, windows and siding! The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets -- the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience! The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of thruway and shopping. Home has public water as well-all the pluses of Country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out-why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost!

32 Cary Avenue, Oakfield | $94,900. CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFO.
Solid home in the heart of the village! This three bedroom home has a lot to offer either to someone starting out or a growing family. This home is super spacious with a very open floor plan downstairs and upstairs features plenty of closets and good size bedrooms. The kitchen is sunny and bright and has homey back breakfast nook out looking the fenced in back yard. There is an extra deep garage plenty big enough for a car and work space! The basement of the home with a little work could be great extra living space -- it is already partially finished and has a wet bar! The home does have central air and a new 200-amp electrical service and the roof on home and garage is 7 years young. With very little elbow grease this home can be up and running for the New Year! Very easy to see!

Mike Randall, WKBW's chief meteorologist and an actor, performed a reading of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens last night at the Richmond Memorial Library. In Randall's live solo performance he takes on the role of 25 characters from the story.

Local community members met in City Council Chambers last night to discuss and map out their ideas on how to improve Downtown Batavia.

The public meeting is part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $10 million state prize won by Batavia, to help make improvements to downtown.

Community members discussed options to help establish priorities for how the $10 million might be spent.

This was the first of three public meetings. The public will also be invited to offer their opinions through online surveys.

The meeting was facilitated by Edward Flynn, planning division director for Labella Associations in Rochester.

Press release:

It is with a powerful sense of sadness and loss, tempered by pride in our past and the hope of a faithful and resilient people for the future, that the Genesee County Baseball Club (GCBC), the nonprofit that has owned the Batavia Muckdogs of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania Professional Baseball League, announces that control of the franchise has been transferred to the New York-Penn League.

The transfer was officially approved by the GCBC's 23-person all-volunteer board.

The league is seeking a buyer for the franchise. Under terms of the transfer, the Rochester Red Wings, who have managed day-to-day operations of the club since 2008, will receive 50 percent of any sale price, and the GCBC will receive the other 50 percent, minus legal fees and the 10 percent share of sale proceeds that will be kept by the league. The name “Muckdogs” will remain property of the GCBC.

Batavia is the last of the original cities of the New York-Penn League, which was founded at a meeting in the Hotel Richmond in Batavia and began play in 1939 as the PONY (Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York) League.

The ongoing geographic expansion of the league, which now stretches from Aberdeen, Md., to Burlington, Vt., and from Staten Island to Morgantown, W.Va., has made it tremendously difficult for the smaller Upstate New York cities that once formed the heart of the league to survive. Lodging and travel costs have become prohibitive for small-market teams in the western part of New York State.

The sole remaining longtime Upstate New York franchise is in Auburn, which entered the league in 1958.

Brian Paris, president of the Genesee County Baseball Club, thanked the Rochester Red Wings:

“We are deeply grateful to the Red Wings for their absolutely pivotal role in preserving NYP League baseball in Batavia for these last 10 years — which included the franchise’s fourth league championship in 2008. Naomi Silver, Gary Larder, and the rest of the Red Wings organization are great people and have been a pleasure to work with.”

Paris also praised the Batavia fans, noting that for years, the team had annually ranked in the top half of the league in per-capita attendance.

“Batavia has a great core of fans,” he said. “Dwyer Stadium is the friendliest ballpark in America.”

He saluted the hundreds of local businesses that have supported the team over the years, noting that “in best grassroots fashion, small businesses have been the advertising backbone of this team.”

It is not yet clear where the franchise will play ball in the summer of 2018. That decision is up to the league. But Paris expressed the hope that when June 2018 rolls around, a team called the Batavia Muckdogs—whether as a member of the NYP League or perhaps a summer league for top college players--will take the field at Dwyer Stadium.

An ambulance has been dispatched to the toll booths on the New York State Thruway in Pembroke for an employee who has reportedly suffered an electrical shock.

No word on the extent of injuries, if any.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments also responding.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m.: The patient suffered minor burns on her fingers and was transported to ECMC. She was plugging something in to an electric outlet when she was shocked. 

A semi-truck driver lost control of his rig on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany at about 9 o'clock this morning and slid off the roadway.

No injuries were reported.

The accident was in the area of 5902 Ellicott Street Road.

Bethany fire responded.

Photos by Glenn Adams.

Austin L. Wester, 23, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with four counts of forgery, 3rd, one count of petit larceny, and possession of a hypodermic instrument.  Wester was arrested on a warrant for allegedly taking another person's checks and cashing those checks by forging that person's signature. At the time of his arrest, Wester was allegedly found a needle in his pocket. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Davon S. St. John, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. St. John allegedly stole property from T.F. Brown's. 

(Name redacted upon request), 18, of Ridge Road, Elba, and (name redacted upon request), age and address not released, were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Xxx and xxx were charged following a traffic stop by Christopher Lindsay at 8:32 p.m. Dec. 8 on Liberty Street, Batavia.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 35, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. While Twardowski was an inmate at the Genesee County Jail on Nov. 18, and again on March 26, he allegedly sent letters via postal mail to a person he was barred from contacting in any manner.

Super opportunity to own this beautifully remodeled, from top to bottom, country home! Literally from the studs up, this home has been done-electrical, drywall, furnace, central air, flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, windows and siding!

The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets -- the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom, bath, and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience.

The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of thruway and shopping. Home has public water as well -- all the pluses of country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out.

Why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today for more information or click here to view this listing.

Several Genesee County projects are being funded by the latest round of NYS Regional Economic Development Council Awards, which were announced in Albany today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- and reported first locally by The Batavian.

The nine counties of the Finger Lakes Region will be receiving $63.9 million for 110 projects.

Here is the breakdown of the $800 million in funding for all 10 NYS regions:

• Western New York: $68.8 million
• Finger Lakes: $63.9 million
• Southern Tier: $67.3 million
• Central New York: $86.4 million *top performer
• Mohawk Valley: $85.5 million *top performer
• North Country: $64.9 million
• Capital Region: $85 million *top performer
• Mid-Hudson region: $84.8 million *top performer
• New York City: $64.8 million
• Long Island: $84.3 million *top performer

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming county recipients are as follows:

GENESEE COUNTY

Barsuk Recycling, Barsuk Recycling Railroad Infrastructure: Barsuk Recycling will construct a railroad spur and supporting infrastructure to service the warehouse facility. $250,000

City of Batavia, City of Batavia Water System Improvements: Funds will be used for improvements to the City water system. $333,000

First Light Farm Creamery, First Light Farm Creamery Expansion: First Light Farm & Creamery is expanding dairy and processing operations at its farm and creamery location at 10198 East Road, East Bethany, New York. $180,000

Town of Batavia, Wastewater Treatment Assessment Planning: The Town of Batavia will complete an engineering report to address the short-term and long-term wastewater treatment needs of the Town of Batavia. The primary alternative will be the upgrade of the joint City/Town of Batavia wastewater treatment facility while also looking into a decentralized approach. $30,000

Village of Bergen, Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Study: The Village of Bergen will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives. $30,000

Village of Oakfield, Village of Oakfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements: Funds will be used for improvements to the Village wastewater treatment plant. $1,000,000

Village of Oakfield, Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements: The Village of Oakfield will install a disinfection system at its Wastewater Treatment Facility. The outcome will be to fully treat the effluent, which reduces environmental contamination. $1,000,000

Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation, Batavia Downs Paddock Upgrades: Western Region OTB will expand and upgrade the paddock facilities including the lounge, locker room and shower areas. Winterizing improvements will also be completed to the building. $180,000

ORLEANS COUNTY

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program: The County of Orleans, in partnership with the villages of Albion and Holley and the towns of Shelby, Ridgeway, Albion, Gaines, and Murray, will prepare a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for 24 miles of Erie Canal waterfront. The LWRP will create a regional vision for capitalizing on community assets, spark strategic capital investment in downtown areas, develop proposed land and water uses and identify projects to advance revitalization. $62,000

Orleans County Water Sewer Efficiency Study: Orleans County will assess the feasibility of a regional water system leveraging the water treatment plant in the Village of Albion, serving the Village and the towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines, Murray and Ridgeway. A regional system will allow for the consolidation of water meter reading, water billing, and potentially water distribution system repairs while creating capacity to serve new communities and new business. $50,000

Village of Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program: The Village of Medina will prepare a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to identify appropriate land and water uses, projects, and public enhancements along its Erie Canal waterfront. The LWRP will build on the Village’s commitment to canal and downtown revitalization, and address issues related to the lack of waterfront access, poor connectivity between the waterfront and downtown, and limited availability of water-related recreational opportunities. $37,500

WYOMING COUNTY

Village of Arcade Inflow and Infiltration Study: The Village of Arcade will complete an engineering report to conduct a closed-caption television survey, dye test and cleaning of 7,250 linear feet of sewer line. $30,000

Village of Attica, Village of Attica Sanitary Sewer System Improvements: Funds will be used for improvements to the Village sanitary sewer system. $700,000

     Corey Armstrong

Corey O. Armstrong, 46, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Armstrong was stopped by Batavia PD while driving in the city on Tuesday. Armstrong was wanted on a warrant stemming from a sealed Grand Jury indictment. 

During the traffic stop, Armstrong was also allegedly found in possession of marijuana. 

Armstrong was arrested as the result of a Local Drug Task Force investigation into the possession, transportation and sale of crack cocaine in and around the City of Batavia.

Following arraignment in County Court on the indictment, he was jailed without bail.

Press release:

As the volunteer lists keep growing, Progressive Democratic Congressional candidate Nicholas Stankevich has opened his first district office. The work space is located at 56 Harvester Ave. in Batavia, Genesee County. Renovated from a former industrial work space, the Stankevich campaign has scheduled an Open House and the official opening to be Thursday, Dec. 21st, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

“Our intention is to provide a great place for our volunteers to work on our campaign as we begin the important process of taking back the 27th Congressional District,” Stankevich said. “We will win this election only with the hard work of our volunteers and pressing the important issues that greatly influence the families of this district.”

The office is housed in the old Massey-Harris plant. Designed as a workspace for volunteers, the office will be used on a continual basis to house volunteer activities for the Stankevich campaign.

“This office is really what this campaign is all about,” Stankevich said. “Our district used to be full of manufacturing jobs like those that were housed in this facility. Today, we have to develop 21st century jobs, educate our young people, train them in new technologies and opportunities that provide a strong livable wage. That is how we will bring back our communities in Western New York.”

Office Hours are daily, but dependent on the volunteer schedule. The Open House is a great way to grab a cup of coffee with the candidate to discuss the issues of the 27th Congressional District.

Andrew Young Jr., the 14-year-old Alexander High School student who saw a commercial for an invention contest while watching the Ellen Show and decided to enter his idea for the "Toaster Shooter," has won a nationwide contest sponsored by Frito-Lay.

The grand prize is $250,000.

"We are blown away," said Andrew's father, Andrew Young Sr. "I don’t know that’s kind of hit us yet. We thought we did a good job and we though we might have won but we didn’t allow ourselves to think we had won so we’re still waiting for it to sink in, including Andrew."

Andrew is in school this morning and not available for comment.

Speaking of school, that's the plan for the $250,000 prize.

"He's not going to be able to buy the Lamborghini like he thought he would," said his father, laughing. "It's a college fund. It's 100 percent a college fund. He wants to go to M.I.T. so we're going to need every penny of it."

Andrew was among five finalists selected to compete in a voting contest. For more than a month votes were collected on the MyDreamVention.com website with multiple votes per person, per device allowed.

The Youngs worked hard to promote the contest locally and in Rochester and Buffalo to help drive votes.

Will basketball become more popular than football in the U.S.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The NBA, and not the NFL, is the league of America's future

Press release:

Following on the heels of a successful art show at GO ART! last month, a few employees/moms at Batavia High School (who will be remaining anonymous) decided that they wanted to make sure that the rest of Eian Windham's artwork sold out.  

Eian has had a challenging couple of years and these moms felt that this show/sale, located in the BHS library, would bring exposure to his outstanding photography and would give him the happiness that he deserves.  

These BHS employees who refer to themselves as  Moms4Good only needed to ask the BHS administration once and they were supportive and completely on board!

The public is invited to stop into BHS  anytime during the next two weeks to purchase some really spectacular photography. All of it is mounted and some are framed but all is reasonably priced and would be a perfect holiday gift!  

This Thursday, Dec. 14th, the public is also invited to a double treat. The BHS Winter concert, starting at 7 p.m. will be followed by a reception and art sale.

"Most of the prints are under $20 and they are really gorgeous," says one of the organizers. 

The event will be held in the library all day on the 14th, but the reception will be after the concert at 8:30 p.m..  The concert begins at 7 p.m., but arrive early for the best parking and seating.

Tom Redband, an entrepreneurship teacher at the high school, has opened this opportunity up to his students and they have agreed to offer their services to set up, collect money and even order prints after they are sold out. 

"What a great way to start off this magical holiday season with some beautiful music and artwork to benefit a great young man," says an organizer.