You can’t coach speed. Or can you?

This coach isn’t sure. I recently cheered dozens of our youngest workforce development participants race their specially created cars in the soapbox derby in Batavia and Oakfield. I also had the pleasure of welcoming our latest class of pre-apprentice graduates where 10 students are now ready to enter the workforce.

Didn’t they all get a little faster?

I don’t think I could coach someone to run a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash, but in Genesee County I’m seeing so many youth speeding ahead in their journeys, creating memories and skills that will fuel them throughout their professional careers.

We witnessed that speed in action at the 3 rd annual Batavia BID Boxcar Derby where 32 local kids raced down Ellicott Avenue in downtown Batavia to showcase the hands-on work it took to assemble their own boxcar. These 7–10-year-olds assembled soapbox derby-style cars with a range of components, including axles, steering systems, brakes, and fiberglass shells, and showed off their creativity and imagination with awesome boxcar designs.

These events are special to me, working with the BID we collaborated on the rebirth of this event three years ago. My father Joseph was the 1951 Box Car Derby Champion when he was 12 years old; annually this event is dedicated to my father Joseph P. Suozzi and my brother Patrick Suozzi and sister Teresa R. Suozzi Wormley.

Congratulations to this year’s Suozzi Memorial Plaque winner: Kyle Mlyniec from John Kennedy School!

Although there could only be one winner, all the participants applied skills and strategies that will be transferable to their educational and professional endeavors, equipping them with a solid foundation for a successful, hands-on career in their community, and potentially leading to good-paying career opportunities.

While our younger generation of workforce professionals raced across the finish line, a group of our experienced students 18 years or older, are embarking on the completion of the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program, where students are entering the manufacturing and skilled trades with career-ready skills that prepare them on day one of the job.

I compare their workforce journey to minor-league baseball. There could be as many as four levels until you can make it to the major leagues. The emphasis until that point is development. There isn’t a focus on wins and losses, your manager or your boss wants to see you fine-tune your skills that will set you on the path to the major leagues.

The Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program offers students the opportunity to hone their technical skills and gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Just like a minor league player fine-tuning their craft before making it to the major leagues, this is the time to garner more experience building up hours in the training facility working your way towards a major league contract, and on your way to earning a good living in a mechatronics career.

After six short weeks, participants in the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program earned valuable experience and worked towards a NYS Registered Apprenticeship. The training provided at GV BOCES, by instructor Rich Monroe and at local employers cuts down on the resources, time, and capital that companies need to spend to get individuals ready to contribute to the workforce. This “Earn as you Learn” program is funded by Genesee Community College and supported by the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association along with the GCEDC. You can be the next student to take advantage of this FREE opportunity. 

Visit www.gcedc.com/careerchecklist to access our free career checklist, featuring eight essential steps to jumpstart your professional journey. 

If you are a student, parent, teacher, or guidance counselor contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com to learn how to get involved today!

Chris “Coach SwazZ” Suozzi is the Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Press Release:

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on September 24.

Weather permitting, the meeting will be held at the Batavia Community Garden, 12 MacArthur Dr., Batavia, and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) is proud to announce that our state-of-the-art facility at VanDetta Stadium will once again be hosting athletic events during the 2024-25 school year.

We continue to make safety our number one priority for students, staff, and community members attending events at VanDetta Stadium. We’re anticipating large crowds throughout the season, and we want to make you aware of the enhanced safety protocols, guidelines, and expectations when attending our Varsity Football games:

• All attendees will be wand-checked by our security team to ensure no prohibited items are brought into the facility.
• VanDetta Stadium is located in a neighborhood, so please be courteous and do not block driveways, throw trash on the ground, or use foul language. Please be a good neighbor. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced by the Batavia Police Department.
• All students ages 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
• We will charge adults a $2 admission fee for all Varsity Football games. Students and seniors aged 62 and over will have free admission.
• We suggest you arrive early to avoid security delays upon entry.

We’ll also continue to have a security presence around the stadium during events. We’re once again collaborating with Armor Security this year to help support our administrators, athletic event workers, and the Batavia Police Department to make sure safety remains a priority at our events. We’ll also have additional security in our parking lots.

We cannot wait to welcome you back to VanDetta Stadium for another exciting season of Blue Devil events and cheer on our wonderful student-athletes. Let’s all do our part to keep our school grounds, students, faculty, staff, and community safe. 

A school bus on Bank Street near North in Batavia is stopped after smoke was spotted coming from the tail pipe. 

A police officer responded and confirmed the smoke.  City Fire requested to the scene to investigate further. 

All students and the driver are off the bus and on the sidewalk 

Press Release:

As the Byron-Bergen Central School year began, students returned to see several major renovations to the buildings and grounds. The upgrades were highlighted in a web video presentation from Superintendent Pat McGee at the end of August. What was not highlighted were the familiar faces behind the renovations and their continuing legacy for the Byron-Bergen Bees.

Several of the Capital Improvement Projects were carried out by Kircher Construction, owned and operated by Byron-Bergen Class of 2006 alum Jon Flannery. Along with his foreman, Class of 2020’s Alex Brumsted, Flannery’s team transformed the Sr. High School gymnasium into a state-of-the-art athletic facility. Very little of the previous gymnasium remains except for the center court floorboards, which were preserved and mounted proudly on the wall.

“This project was very important to us, so we spent a lot of time and attention on it,” said Flannery. 

The preexisting center court is meaningful to both Flannery and Brumsted who were varsity basketball players in high school. 

“I have been volunteering with the program since I graduated, so to be able to save that piece of history for Coach Rox (Noeth) and everyone in the basketball community is pretty cool,” said Brumsted.

Flannery and his wife are elementary basketball coaches for third through fifth-grade students. They hope that their own children will someday play in the renovated gym and see the center court their dad played on almost two decades ago.

“Our project manager Chris Haywood is also an alum, class of 2005, and his kids will get to use this gym,” said Flannery. “Throughout the course of construction, we had a dozen Byron-Bergen graduates working on site. It’s cool to have this crew at their alma mater. They really care about it.”

While the Capital Project provided major upgrades to both schools, the bus garage, and the athletic fields, Byron-Bergen alumni were also taking part in routine maintenance projects throughout the district. In August, four recent alumni helped reseal and repaint the Elementary School staff parking lot and bus loop. Class of 2022 alumni Chiara Grippo and Lexi Vurraro, Class of 2023 alum Grayson Erion, and Class of 2024 graduate Travis Shallenberger took on summer jobs or internships with Grippo Asphalt Maintenance. 

“We do this work at a bunch of schools, so it’s a little weird but special to work on the school that I used to attend,” said Shallenberger. “Whatever we do here is a benefit to the community because we’re maintaining the facilities for the younger generation. It’s like giving back to the community.”

In August, the Elementary School also received fresh concrete walkways to the main entrance poured by Pro Construction, family-owned and operated by Byron-Bergen alumni Curtis, Travis, and Hunter Taylor.

“We take pride in hiring local contractors when we can,” said Director of Facilities Roger Caldwell. “We see a lot of B-B alum come through and it’s great. They have a vested interest in the District and their dedication shows.”

“I think it gives people in the community peace of mind knowing that Byron-Bergen graduates are working on these projects,” said Brumsted. “They know us. They trust us with the school’s legacy.”

Outside of the gymnasium, the walls of the Jr./Sr. High School gleam with new subway tile. After a heroic summer push, the construction crew is bringing projects to completion. 

“This community really is unique in a lot of ways,” said McGee. “It’s great to see the capital improvements go from plans to reality, but it really is amazing to see the folks who have walked these halls as students return to preserve it and improve it for the next generation.”

Press Release:

Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partners with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs this year from September 15 - 21. The annual safety week ends with National Seat Check Saturday, a day for parents and caregivers to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for their children. 

The City of Batavia Fire Department announced today that certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be offering free car seat safety checks on Saturday, September 21 beginning at 10 a.m. at City of Batavia Headquarters. Technicians will check car seats, let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and show them how to install the right seats correctly.

Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident about their car seats. They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size, or the seats are installed incorrectly. That puts children at risk. According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. 

Every day in 2022, an average of three children 14 and younger were killed in crashes, and another 429 were injured. We know parents love their kids, so they’ll do everything in their power to protect them. An easy way to do that is to double-check their car seats — it’s worth making sure.

According to NHTSA, more than a third (39%) of children 14 and younger who died in crashes in 2022 in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs were unbuckled. 

The safety agency wants caregivers to know that it’s never safe to ride unbuckled in a passenger vehicle — no matter how short the trip or how big the vehicle. More than half (52%) of the child passengers 14 and younger killed in pickup trucks in 2022 were unrestrained — more than any other vehicle category. Bigger vehicles don’t protect child passengers, but car seats, booster seats, and seat belts do.

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat installed with a tether, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle. 

Children should stay in each seat and position until they outgrow those limits, and it’s important for all children under 13 to ride in the back seat.

If Saturday’s times don’t work for your schedule, but you’d still like to have your car seats checked, contact the City of Batavia Fire Department at 585-345-6375 to schedule an appointment.

NHTSA.gov also has free resources available to caregivers. Learn about the different car seat types, read NHTSA’s research-based recommendations, and find and compare car seats.

It’s also important for caregivers to register their car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified in the event of a recall. Download NHTSA’s SaferCar app, which allows users to save their vehicle, car seat, and tire info in a virtual garage. If any of the saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send a notification.

For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, go to
www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.

Or Contact Car Seat Program Coordinator Lt. Bob Tedford at 585-345-6375.

Amanda T. Sterzick, 52, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, conspiracy 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th,  two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd; Michael C. Mirabal, 51, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, conspiracy 2nd,  two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th,  two count of criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd; 

Paul Crawford, 55, of Batavia is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, and conspiracy 2nd. On Aug. 30, the Local Drug Task Force and Batavia PD executed two search warrants on residences on Central Avenue and East Main Street, Batavia. The warrants were the result of a "lengthy narcotics investigation" that was assisted by the United States Postal Service Investigation Service into the trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.  The suspects were charged on Sept. 11. By statute, based on the A-II felony charges, the defendants were ordered held at arraignment in the Genesee County Jail pending further court appearances. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are pending.

Charles Philips Stevens, 36, and Shelby Lynn Fryer, 29, both of 11 South Main Street, Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Carl E. Canterbury, 54, and Christine M. Caplis, 44, both 61 South Main Street, Batavia, and Crystal A. Dale, 48, of Linwood Avenue, Albion, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.  The arrests resulted from a narcotics investigation by the Local Drug Task Force that resulted in the Batavia Emergency Response Team executing search warrants at 11 South Main St. and 61 South Main St. in Batavia on Sept. 9. All suspects were issued appearance tickets.

Kahlan Irene VanSchaffel, 22, of undisclosed street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  VanSchaffel was allegedly found in possession of cocaine in a quantity sufficient to constitute possession with intent to sell at 6:28 on Sept. 15, on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Soren Calderon. VanSchaffel was held pending arraignment.

Jakob John Howland, 22, of Stroh Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Howland was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Aug. 18 at 11:18 on Stroh Road, Alexander, that was investigated by Deputy Matthew Wesolowski. Howland was released on an appearance ticket.

Susan Marie Lynch, 69, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Lynch is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 4:49 p.m. on Sept. 9. Lynch was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Jacob Duane Pieri, 18, East Pleasant Avenue, Eden, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Pieri was stopped at 11:21 on Sept. 7 on Alleghany Road, Darien, by Deputy Soren Calderon. Pieri was issued an appearance ticket.

Brendan Michael Bruce, 26, of Pamela Drive, Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, and driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate. Bruce was stopped at 12:24 a.m. on Sept. 8 on Broadway Road, Darien, by Deputy Stephen Smith. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ashton Lee Mohney, 34, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mohney is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 10:19 a.m. on Sept. 6. Mohney was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Molly Elizabeth Hebdon, 35, of unreleased street, Bethany, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.  Hebdon is accused of leaving her 11-year-old daughter alone at a residence on Putnam Road, Bethany, at 10:33 p.m. on Sept. 8. Hebdon was issued an appearance ticket.

Wayne Daniel Potter, 41, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with failing to register a change of address within 10 days as a sex offender. Potter was arrested at the Genesee County Jail on Sept. 9. He was held pending arraignment.

Clarence Arthur Johnson, II, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with failure to appear and be photographed by law enforcement as a sex offender.  Johnson was arrested on Sept 8. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Mario Richard Handley, 19, of Jackson Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with disorderly conduct. Handley is accused of harassing patrons at a location on Alleghany Road at 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 7. He was allegedly engaging in fighting stances and striking passing vehicles. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jose Ranulfo Yamba-Paucar, 30, of Hinkleyville Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Yamba-Paucar was stopped at 6:19 p.m. on Sept. 14 on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, following traffic complaints. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Terry Michael Roth, 49, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Roth was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance during a probation home search of his residence. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jared Ryan Burns, 38, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Burns is accused of intentionally damaging the screen door of a residence on West Main Street Road, Batavia, at 9:43 p.m. on Sept. 12. He was held for arraignment.

Samantha Grace Reed, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Reed is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 6:47 on Sept. 13. She was released on an appearance ticket.

The following arrests were made at the Pitbull concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sept 6:

• Gena Everet, 18, of Java, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
• Michael Pellegrino-Whittmeyer, 21, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
• Erin Coffey, 20, of Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
• John Karcz, Jr., 51, of North Tonawanda, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking another person while inside the concert venue.

All suspects were issued appearance tickets.

The history of Sacred Heart Church began in 1904 when Reverend Peter Pitass was assigned to organize a new parish that would serve the Polish people on the south side of Batavia. 

Father Pitass bought a house on the corner of South Jackson Street. The first floor was rebuilt into a sanctuary, and the second floor was a residence for the priest. A barn was rebuilt for the school. 

The parish grew and needed a new home. 

In 1917, the Church moved to the corner of Sumner Street and Swan Street. He purchased about half an acre of land on that corner from Edward Suttell, enough for a church, a school and a social hall. 

Building materials were so expensive the parish built only the basement. That was then used as a church until a better one could be built. 

Starting in December 1928, Reverend Stanislaus Cichowski served as pastor for the next 26 years. 

During March 1942, Tonawanda Creek rose in the worst flood in Batavia's history. The Church was underwater for weeks, destroying everything except the cement foundation. Reverend Alexander Jankowski succeeded Father Cichowski in building and rebuilding the Church and school. 

In 1954, Reverend Leo Smith blessed the cornerstone of the Church, which was to be built on the foundation that had been in place since 1915. 

In 1966, the congregation burned the mortgage they had taken out to fund the Church and surrounding buildings. 

There was also a large open play area to hold Sacred Heart’s Lawn Fete in July. 

In 1974 the school closed, and the parish men built a large social hall on the north side, transforming the former school building into the Sacred Heart Community Center. 

The little Church that took many years to build is now facing the last chapter of its life as the doors will be closed permanently.  

When this happens to your church, you lose the memories of baptisms, Holy Communions, Confirmations, weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. 

One memory I will always treasure was going to Mass with my father-in-law, Henry Starowitz. I was so proud to walk down the aisle with him. By this time, he was legally blind, but somehow, he would stop at every pew and say hello to a fellow parishioner. He counted the pews. 

Sacred Heart is my church. 

My Mass was at 4 p.m., and I always sat in the pew near the Paul Starowitz stained glass window. That is where my mother-in-law and father-in-law sat. Most people had a pew they called their pew.

Sacred Heart Church was where I would sit in front of my friend, often called St. Patty. I always looked forward to seeing her at Mass. I would go to the Sacred Heart Statue and light my weekly candles with a Peca-Starowitz tag on my candle. 

This church was where our grandchildren were baptized. 

The Easter season was when, years ago, a life-sized statue of our lord was laid out on its side during the Easter Vigil. I have to admit that it was a little scary, especially for our daughters. 

We loved the Sacred Heart Lawn Fete because it was a lawn fete run by the parishioners. It featured a golumpki dinner, waffles, Polish and Italian sausage, and the best beer tent. My father-in-law was always in the garage, in charge of the money. 

Since I live on the south side, I am privy to hearing the real church bells ring five minutes before and on the hour. I tried to imagine that years ago, those bells called churchgoers to church.

I am writing to ask the parishioners to share their memories of the little church on the south side of Batavia. The one thing we all have in common is the sadness we feel. Sacred Heart Church was just remodeled; financially, it is a secure church. Today, I went by the church to take a picture of my church, and a gentleman was mowing the lawn. He looked at me and asked me to hold on; he would move so I could take a picture. 

I say this with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. Goodbye, Sacred Heart; our loss saddens our hearts. 

No one knows the church’s fate and the surrounding building, except we will not have our church on Sumner Street as our church.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department has been made aware of social media posts circulating that are threatening violence at schools. The investigation into this matter has deemed that there is no credible threat to the Batavia City School District at this time. We are working alongside our Local, State and Federal partners to determine the origin of the posts. We have communicated with BCSD about the posts and will continue to monitor the situation. 

We ask that anyone with further information contact the Police Department's Detective Bureau at 585-345-6350. Furthermore, if you see a suspicious post, contact your local law enforcement and do not re-post, share, message or place it on any other social media site, as this can create unnecessary panic and hamper law enforcement's ability to investigate.

NOTE: We asked Chief Shawn Heubusch if the threat came from somebody local and specifically targeted Batavia. He said it's unknown who exactly made the threat. He said there is no specific information regarding Batavia.

This year’s second annual Wings Over Batavia has already shown a promising sign of the air show's ongoing popularity: an uptick in attendance.

The 2024 event brought in some 2,000 additional people to Genesee County Airport, according to Tim Hens’ annual public works report.

There were approximately 11,000 attendees and volunteers on the premises this year, said Hens, the county’s public works commissioner.

Other figures that strayed from year one of the event were the 2,750 gallons of aviation fuel the county sold to the air show, resulting in $16,500 in revenue for the airport, he said. 

Fuel sales spiked at the end of 2023, one of the first real increases since the pandemic, Hens said. The return of the Mercy Flight helicopter helped Jet-A sales. This higher level of usage has continued this year, especially as fuel prices have come down a little, he said.

Overtime costs for public works employees at the air show were identical to those cited in 2023: $6,308. There were no traffic, safety or security issues and only two minor injuries, he said — a volunteer lacerated a finger and a patron suffered dehydration — that required medical attention.

For a second year in a row, Hens noted the quiet (outside of the Labor Day festivities) due to the lack of construction but promised that it is coming.

A future project for 2025 will include the replacement of many incandescent runway and taxiway lights with LED versions. “This should generate future savings on electrical usage,” he said.

An equipment storage building is being designed for construction in 2025, to be mostly paid for with a state AIR-99 grant. 

The county is working with OnCore Aviation, a start-up flight school at the airport, which has “great plans for the airport and the local aviation community,” Hens said. He believes “a successful flight school is essential at the airport.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a senior engineering technician position paying $7 less per hour than the going market rate has remained vacant since May 2023, “with very few interested in the position,” he said. 

“We also continue to have high turnover in positions,” Hens said. “We recently lost another very experienced heavy equipment operator who left for the town of Pembroke, which pays significantly more than the county.”

Work goes on, though, with the Fargo Road Bridge in Bethany under construction and scheduled for completion this fall and the Attica Road Bridge replacement design nearing completion and to go out for bid in 2025.

The county has eight federal aid or bridge or culvert projects programmed over the next three years, he said.

Other projects in progress, whether in the design or construction phase, include renovations at the Engine House on West Main Street to add an elevator and make the second floor more accessible; the Animal Shelter, mandated under state policy to be upgraded no later than Dec. 31, 2025, with the biggest change to be air-conditioned kennels; and Holland Land Office Museum’s several life-safety upgrades and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, also slated for 2025.

Under the county water category, “there’s always a lot going on with water,” Hens said.

Improvements continue at the city water treatment plant. The filter media was completely replaced, the new lime slaker and boiler were installed, the roof over the pipe gallery was repaired, some electrical and pump upgrades were made, and more is scheduled for the off-peak season. Hens believes there’s more reliability at the water plant, and it’s made a difference.

“We were able to make it through the summer without any type of water restriction,” he said.

Counter to that, there has been slow progress with Phase 2 of the county’s three-phase water project, he said. Investigation is being done about corroded materials at the Mumford and Churchville Pump Stations, and corrosion and its cause are delaying the completion of four remaining pump stations under construction. 

Progress has been made on the Morgan Road Pump Station, but due to the related corrosion problems at other stations, the pump selection and ordering must be completed before the improvements and extra water needed can be brought online, he said.

”Without a resolution within the next several weeks, the Phase 2 pump stations might not be brought online until 2026,” he said.

The Phase 3 basis of design, a significant project requiring the entire county to be reevaluated from a hydraulic and water quality standpoint, is nearing completion. 

Funding is also a major issue for the project's $150 million third phase.

“We continue to seek funds from anyone and everyone,” he said. 

The county recently applied for and received a $30 million Water Infrastructure Improvement grant, and “we have whispers that we might be successful on the first $10 million from the environmental program funds set aside within the Water Resources Development Act.”

Press Release:

IGNITE took off at the Genesee Community College (GCC) campus in Batavia! 

Mirroring the LIVES college experience program at SUNY Geneseo, IGNITE is Arc GLOW’s newest Community Prevocational program in the northern region of Arc GLOW. It’s also a great acronym, suggested to Arc GLOW by GCC, “Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Education.” 

“It has certainly inspired me and the rest of our new IGNITE team, including IGNITE Day Habilitation Manager Emily Mault, and our two direct support staff, Dan Crofts and Kevin Fisher,” said Kelly Anstey, senior director of day and employment services. “In the last few weeks we have been researching, discussing our developing curriculum, planning activities and classes, looking for integration opportunities and finally arranging our home base on campus which is simply and affectionately dubbed ‘D360.’”

IGNITE is a two-year inclusive higher education opportunity, a true college-like experience, in exploring all of the class’ employment and other life dreams while supporting them in gaining skills in the areas of: relationship building, money management and budgeting, exploring careers, focusing on good health and wellness, and gaining an expansive community awareness. 

On opening day, August 28, the group of four students purchased various GCC items in the campus bookstore, checked out the lounge and student union areas, and trekked around the outside space on campus. Upon returning to D360, the four began to make plans for “Friday free swims” in the pool and shared their job aspirations, including: zookeeper, film maker, police officer, rock star, animatronic designer, music producer, and “work with people and be happy!”

“GCC is proud to partner with Arc GLOW on this important initiative. IGNITE students enrich our campus community, and their enthusiasm and passion are inspiring,” said GCC President, Dr. Craig Lamb. “We look forward to continued collaboration in support of students enhancing their educational and life skills here at GCC.” 

Anstey said the GCC faculty and staff have been so welcoming. “We truly feel like part of the college as we intermingle with everyone on campus,” she said. “We have frequent ‘guests’ as GCC faculty and staff pop into our room, or engage us in other arenas on campus to discuss collaborative ideas for our students. On opening day, while watching the last few weeks of focused work become a program reality, I feel like I am living my dream job.”

However, as Arc GLOW moves forward with this new initiative, it is done without Dawn Scott, the LIVES and newly assigned IGNITE coordinator who passed away this past July. 

“She was a true inspiration, and the vision she shared in the past year was beyond instrumental in shaping IGNITE,” Anstey said. “We dedicate this semester to Dawn.”

More information and a sample curriculum can be found online at ArcGLOW.org under programs and services and college experiences.

Press Release:

Manufacturing is coming back to the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 24. Since its inception in 2019, the program has welcomed over 5,000 students. This year’s event features over 1,000 students from 30 school districts across the GLOW region arriving at the fairgrounds for the day-long career exploration event.

Over 70 businesses will provide hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students will have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in their own backyard that offer good-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation.

“Collaboration between educators, workforce experts, and local companies have created a workforce development blueprint that is connecting our students to in-demand careers right here in the GLOW Region,” said Karyn Winters, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “The thousands of students that have experienced GLOW With Your Hands leave with a profound understanding of the opportunities and pathways available to good-paying, hands-on careers.”

Platinum Sponsors LandPro Equipment, National Grid, and Rochester Davis-Fetch lead dozens of event supporters bringing hands-on experiences students look forward to participating in annually.

Among the new companies attending for the first time include Lakeland Concrete Products, a construction company based in Lima, IK Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surveillance & security systems out of Victor, and Zoldaz, a trucking contractor in Alden. 

“Various groups and organizations are working collaboratively to help alleviate workforce shortages in the GLOW region, which is a national phenomenon,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Private sector investment by companies across the region continues to flourish resulting in a strong demand by employers to fill jobs as a result of this growth.”

For more information about GLOW With Your Hands, visit glowwithyourhands.com.

At Batavia Elba Townline Road and Bank Street Road, there is a nice stand of daisies along the roadside.

UPDATE: Lori Forsyth points out that these flowers are properly called Jerusalem artichokes. They are perennial. She says she grows them at the other end of Townline Road.  She says they are edible, "although I've never eaten one ha ha."

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

Dollar General is excited to announce it recently remodeled its store at 2666 Main St. in Batavia. In addition to the same categories, brands, and products customers trust Dollar General to carry,  the store now provides customers with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“At Dollar General, we strive to be a positive business partner and good community neighbor in Batavia,” said Matthew Simonsen, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “Although we are not a grocery store, we believe the addition of produce in our Batavia store highlights our commitment to deliver a pleasant shopping experience that includes affordable prices on quality products in a convenient location.”

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) will be embarking on this year’s Patriot Trip with local veterans on Thursday, Sept. 19. This trip will give veterans and their families the opportunity to tour the nation’s capital and its numerous monuments and landmarks that honor those who served. 

This year’s trip will feature stops at several notable locations in the D.C. area including the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery.

“Taking our local veterans on these annual Patriot Trips is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Hawley. “I’m glad we’re able to put this event on for another year and show our veterans the gratitude and appreciation they deserve.”

A barn fire is reported at 4961 Bridge Road, Elba.

The barn is full of hay straw.  It is fully engulfed.

Elba Fire along with Byron, South Byron, Barre fire departments, along the City's FAST Team and Mercy EMS are dispatched.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m. by Joanne Beck: The town of Elba is replacing Bridge Road. The town supervisor was driving by and spotted the fire and called the Elba fire chief. 

Fire companies from Elba, city of Batavia, town of Batavia, Bergen, Byron, South Byron, and Barre, with Oakfield and Stafford as backup fill-in companies, and Genesee County Emergency Management Services and Mercy EMS are at the scene.

One firefighter is being transported to United Memorial Medical Center for evaluation.  

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. There is no electricity to the building.

Press Release:

All motorists please be aware the following streets (listed in the following predicted order) will experience traffic delays on Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18 between the hours of 6am – 4pm for resurfacing operations:

~ Tuesday 9/17

Kibbe Avenue

Oakland Avenue

Jackson Avenue

Williams Street

Osterhout Avenue

Evans Street

~ Wednesday 9/18

Thomas Avenue

Porter Avenue

Dellinger Avenue

Douglas Street

Jefferson Avenue

While work is being performed in these areas, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation. All motorists that regularly use these streets are asked to seek alternate routes while the delays are in place.

The final portion of resurfacing of these streets is scheduled to begin the week of September 30^th in the same order and two day operation. This work is weather dependent and will continue on the next business day if necessary.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 opt. 1 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.