Press release:

Today, six United Way chapters officially announced their merger and the creation of a powerful and aligned organization: United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, serving the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming.

The organization, which altogether raises and distributes more than $30 million annually, now encompasses 5,144 square miles of rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods, and brings together more than 50,000 donors, 1,300 workplaces, 1,000 nonprofit partners, and thousands of volunteers to address the region’s biggest human services challenges.

All current team members across the six counties remain with the organization, bringing a breadth of hands-on experience, in-depth understanding, and increased people power to the expanded footprint.

Jaime Saunders will serve as the merged organization’s president and CEO, with Cicely Strickland-Ruiz as chief operating officer, Jennifer Cathy as chief impact officer, Barbara Pierce as chief development officer, and Laurie Ganon as chief financial officer.

Former regional directors will continue to serve in leadership roles: Kari Buch as associate director of Community Impact, and Tammy Hathaway and Carol Pettis as senior regional development managers.

The six branches have worked together for decades, with Monroe County providing back-office services including financial, IT, marketing and human resources functions for all. The new structure, proven during theorganization’s Spring 2021 campaign season, streamlines the organization’s front-end processes. Its success helped United Way rebound to pre-pandemic levels of funding for its human services partners.

“People and businesses function across local geographic boundaries,” said Jaime Saunders, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “Working together more cohesively across the region will make it easier for our business partners and donors to share resources, and our nonprofit partners to get elevated support so they can remain focused on providing services.”

What will not change is United Way’s commitment to local communities.

Dollars raised in an area will stay committed to that area. Donors will also retain the ability to direct their contributions to the causes they feel strongest about. United Way will remain committed to its three core impact areas, providing meaningful Community Impact Fund Impact Grants to its nonprofit partners supporting health, education, and economic mobility, and short-term community impact fund innovation grants for crisis response, synergy and equity.

“The real power of United Way comes from the community,” said Lauren Dixon, board chair of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, and an Ontario County resident and Monroe County business owner. “As neighbors come together in support of neighbors, United Way becomes a conduit for connecting those resources to the most pressing needs of each community. This merged organization will combine the power of the entire region with an intensely localized focus.”

The combined United Way has created a new Regional Advisory Council and regional cabinets to advise and inform strategies and ensure local communities from across the region are represented in the new organization. In addition, its Board of Directors has added members from the previous United Ways’ leadership, who will work alongside those who already live and work across county boundaries.

In its first public announcement, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes not only confirmed that it will recover to pre-pandemic levels of Community Impact Fund support totaling $12.9 million to 190 programs region-wide, but also announced $125,000 in new, multi-county allocations to nonprofits in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The funding, $25,000 in each county through the organization’s Project Uplift initiative, has been committed to existing nonprofit partners to support and administer direct, discretionary interventions for community members experiencing barriers to well-being and economic stability. It is the first of many multi-county funding initiatives United Way anticipates rolling out across the region in the coming years.

In an effort to hear and learn from the community, over the coming months, United Way’s Community Impact team will conduct a listening tour with human service agencies across the six counties. The effort will be focused on aligning approaches and systems to maximize outcomes without creating additional burden for service providers.

“We will maintain the consistency of funding as we coordinate processes and procedures on our end,” said Jennifer Cathy, United Way’s chief impact officer. “We will take the next few years to synchronize six distinct grant cycles and application timelines into one, all with an eye to improving the experience for – and supporting the outcomes of – our partner agencies.”

Workplaces and donors will notice simplification of some processes immediately, but otherwise United Way’sAnnual Campaign will remain unchanged. It will kick off its region-wide campaign in January, and year-round efforts will continue to help the organization raise needed funds to respond to community needs.

“We remain focused on providing local workplaces, donors and volunteers with easy and meaningful ways tomake a big difference across our region,” said Barbara Pierce, United Way’s chief development officer.

“In addition to maintaining our current channels for giving, we will also continue to innovate and create new funds like our recently introduced Equity Fund, so donors can support the causes that are most important to them.”

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has launched its new website in conjunction with the announcement, and more information can be found at http://www.UnitedWayROCFLX.org.

Reminder: There will be a morningtime Open House in Genesee County to mark the milestones this Wednesday, July 28, at GO ART!, located inside the Seymour Building at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Time is 8 to 9:30 a.m. A brief presentation will be made at 8:30 a.m.

There is concern among wildlife experts throughout the Northeast about a mysterious disease that killing songbirds and while there's no confirmation that the unknown pathogen has reached Genesee County it has been reported in the Southern Tier.

Close enough that bird lovers might want to exercise caution, which could include taking down birdfeeders.

Birdfeeders and birdbaths are places that encourage songbirds to congregate, which could help spread the disease.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is asking state residents to report any unusual bird deaths.

The Audobon Society reported in early July:

In April, scores of birds in the greater Washington, D.C., area began displaying strange symptoms. Their eyes were swollen and crusty; some became disoriented, started twitching, and died.

“They were having a hard time seeing,” says Nicole Nemeth of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study. “Sometimes they don’t seem to be able to use their hind legs.” 

By the end of May, similar reports were rolling in from across Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. By June, sick birds had turned up in Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, and Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Geological Survey Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership.

The Batavian checked with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and the DEC, and while neither agency reported local incidents, the DEC did issue the following statement.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has received social media reports about bird deaths in Western New York, as well as the reports of bird deaths documented in other Eastern states.

DEC wildlife personnel have received about two dozen calls from the public reporting a dead bird, usually in their yard. There are typically many dead fledgling birds on the landscape during this time of year; normal nestling/fledgling mortality rates are high with only 25 to 50 percent of songbirds surviving their first year.

Because of the documented issues involving mass bird deaths -- mostly of fledglings of starlings, grackles, blue jays, and robins with neurologic signs and/or eye lesions -- in the mid-Atlantic states, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, DEC wildlife staff are on alert to look out for dead birds. However, there are no confirmed links between the local bird deaths and what's happening in other states. 

The help of the public is appreciated to determine the nature of these unusual mortality events, which may affect the eyes and neurological system of birds. If saving a bird carcass for DEC, gloves should be used to pick up the bird. The bird should be placed in a plastic baggie, kept on ice and in the shade.

Anyone handling birds, even with gloved hands, should thoroughly wash their hands afterward. Only freshly deceased birds should be saved, due to how quickly carcasses degrade in the heat. Those collecting birds should also provide DEC with their name, address and phone number. Contact the wildlife staff at the nearest DEC regional office (https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html) 

DEC is also working with avian experts from Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking for assistance identifying the pictured male in relation to a residential burglary on East Main Street, where TVs among other property was stolen. The vehicle he was operating had a spare tire on the rear passenger side and a taped-up quarter window on the rear driver side.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating Officer Girvin or the City of Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

The Batavia Twins became the 10U baseball champions yesterday beating the Batavia Mets 7-2.

The Twins were 3-2 going into the sixth inning and then added on four more runs to seal the deal. 

"Congratulations to both teams on a great season!" said Twins Assistant Coach John Caleb.

Photo and info submitted by John Caleb.

Nathan Hinkley, a senior at Keystone College, spun a gem and the Batavia offense scored runs in bunches leading an early exit from Dwyer Stadium for the first-place Jamestown Tarp Skunks.

The Skunks got skunked 12-0.

Hinkley (2-5) pitched all seven innings of the truncated game while giving up only three hits and issuing only two walks.  

Cameron Conley, playing second base, raised his season average to .270 with three hits.He also knocked in four runs and scored twice while also drawing a walk.

Jerry Reinhart was 2-2 with an RBI and run scored. 

Shortstop Charlie Szykowny has been on a tear recently. He was 2-4 with an RBI and scored two runs. He's now hitting .331.

The Muckdogs are now 21-18 on the season and are in second place, a half-game ahead of the Geneva Red Wings in the battle for a playoff spot. The team has two games left. They play Jamestown (27-14) again on Wednesday in Jamestown and Niagara at home at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday to close out the regular season.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Press release:

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering Master Gardener training this fall. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., starting Sept. 7 and running through Nov. 16.

There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, Oct. 23. We are currently planning to hold classes in-person at the CCE Genesee office, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic throughout the training. Some of the topics to be covered include: botany, diagnosing plant diseases, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, herbs, vegetable gardening, woody plants, pruning, fruits, perennials, annuals, integrated pest management and organic gardening.

By attending the Master Gardener training, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Preregistration by Aug. 24 is required. Class size will be limited. The fee for this training is $225 per person. The Cornell Master Gardener manual will be provided electronically.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer.

Genesee County residents who graduate from the program are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer. (Other county residents should contact their local Master Gardener program.)

A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must.

For an application or to register contact Jan Beglinger at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132, or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.16, down 1 cent in the past week. One year ago, the price was $2.18. The New York State average is $3.19 – down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.27.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $3.17 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $3.13 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $3.17 (no change since last week)
• Rochester -- $3.16 (no change since last week)
• Rome -- $3.24 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $3.16 (no change since last week)
• Watertown -- $3.21 (down 1 cent since last week)

The national average price for gasoline dropped from $3.17 a week ago to $3.156 (rounded up to $3.16) today. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that gas demand continues to increase, but only slightly.

Additionally, total domestic gas stocks saw a slight decline. These trends have helped to stabilize price increases; however, crude oil prices have fluctuated in the past week over market concerns regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, and if they stay less expensive, it could mean cheaper prices ahead.

Though, AAA expects the national average to remain above $3 per gallon throughout the summer.

From GasBuddy:

"With oil prices struggling under the weight of a rise in new COVID-19 cases thanks to the Delta variant and OPEC's increase in oil production, average gas prices in most states finally drifted lower," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"However, we aren't yet in the clear -- U.S. gasoline demand last week surged to a new 2021 high, besting the week prior to the July 4 holiday. This shows that motorists aren't slowing their appetite for hitting the road just yet, and that could further boost prices should demand remain hot.

For now, motorists should enjoy the perhaps brief respite at the pump and buckle up for what might be a bumpy finish to summer."

Monday, July 26th – VETERAN’S DAY AT THE FAIR

• 7 AM — 4-H Livestock may arrive (Beef steers, dairy steers, sheep, goats, hogs)
• 10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• NOON — 4-H Market Auction Final Weigh In (steers, lambs, goats, hogs)
• 1 PM — 4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon (Main Show Ring)
• 4 PM — 4-H Market Auction Goat Show (Main Show Ring)
• 6 PM — 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
• 7 to 9:30 PM – Band – TBD (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Daily at the Fair: Balloon Display & Demonstrations, Pig Racing, Niagara Down Under, Pony Rides, Chain Saw Carver. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in the westbound lane in the area of mile marker 396.6.

A first responder reports one car is in the median and the other is on the shoulder.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested nonemergency.

Alianna Baris, a 2021 graduate of Le Roy High School, is the 2021 Genesee County Fair Queen.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day at the fair. Here's the schedule:

7 AM—4-H Livestock may arrive (Beef steers, dairy steers, sheep, goats, hogs)

10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open

NOON—4-H Market Auction Final Weigh In (steers, lambs, goats, hogs)

1 PM—4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon (Main Show Ring)

4 PM— 4-H Market Auction Goat Show (Main Show Ring)

6 PM—4-H Livestock Judging Contest

10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Alianna Baris and 2019 Fair Queen Taylor Schofield.

Jasmine Turner, who won Dutchess.

Gabriella Zocco, who won Princess.

Zoe Castro.

Alivia Kennedy, Little Miss winner.

Brook Pagels, winner Miss contest.

The OHMS Band at the Genesee County Fair playing "Nobody to Run With," originally by the Allman Brothers Band.

Here are some shots from last night's Genesee County Speedway races as part of this week of the Genesee County Fair. There will be more races during the fair this coming Saturday.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that with the approval of the New York State Gaming Commission, the special twilight card of live harness racing that was originally scheduled for Monday (July 26) has been canceled due to a lack of entries.

Racing will resume at the Downs on Wednesday (July 28) at 5 p.m. as was originally scheduled. That night will feature the New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and filly pacers.

Press release:

Labor shortages across nearly all industries are making headlines, but this is a topic community colleges have tackled for years. With increased urgency, local institutions prioritize course and program offerings to meet workforce demands.

The results build strong communities and make some great success stories.

Ryan Vogt, who thought he hated math in high school, said the personal attention his Finger Lakes Community College math professor gave him changed his whole outlook on the subject. Now, Ryan has a doctorate in mathematics and works at a U.S. Department of Energy lab.

Like many scholarship recipients at Genesee Community College, Claire Gardner was inspired and determined when she entered the Nursing Program. Upon graduation in 2019, she was prepared to be effective on the frontlines battling COVID-19, transferred her associate degree to SUNY Brockport to continue her education and landed her dream job as a NICU nurse at Rochester General Hospital.

When his first year at a university fell short of his expectations, Evan Baldwin shifted his educational path. He knew Monroe Community College's precision machining program was the right fit for him. Evan was hired as a full-time CNC operator a month before earning his associate degree in May.

Though each of their experiences is unique, they represent the stories of thousands of students who start and complete their studies at community colleges every year. Thousands more inspiring stories of how community colleges have transformed students' lives are waiting to unfold.

Dreams -- not debt -- are why individuals go to college. Like Ryan, Claire and Evan, New Yorkers go to college to achieve their goals, whether earning an associate degree for an in-demand job, learning new skills to change careers, or pursuing a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D.

That's exactly what the State University of New York's 30 community colleges, including FLCC, GCC and MCC in the Western New York region, are designed for.

At a time when student loan debt is rising across the country, nearly two-thirds of SUNY community college associate degree graduates have zero student loan debt. That means they leave campus with no student debt, but have an accredited SUNY degree, and a pathway to a career or an advanced degree.

Simply put, community college is the most affordable way to earn a college degree, no matter how far they want to go.

New York State is rebounding and rebuilding after the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means job opportunities in many industries will return to full vitality and new, future-looking jobs will be created.

With deep ties to their communities and regions, SUNY community colleges can help residents seize this moment -- and make education work around a busy life, with flexible on-campus and online associate degree programs for full-time or part-time students.

Applications can be completed online, are easier than ever and free at FLCC, GCC and MCC, like at most community colleges. Knowledgeable faculty and staff are available to guide students through the process.

Anyone interested is encouraged to visit flcc.edu, genesee.edu, and monroecc.edu for information on special enrollment opportunities.

Sunday, July 25th – SENIOR CITIZEN DAY

• 9 AM — Genesee Valley Antique Tractor Pulls (Grandstands)
• 9 AM — Open Beef Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 AM — WNY Garden Pullers Tractor Pulls (Grandstands) 10 AM – 4-H Beef Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• NOON – Open Class Beef Show (Main Show Ring) NOON—4-H Club Exhibit Judging (Kennedy Building)
• 2 PM — Poultry Show (Merton Building)
• 2 PM — Fair Queen/Princess Pageant (Entertainment Tent)
• 2 PM — Color War (Lawn North of Fair Restrooms) Sponsored by LuGia’s on Wheels
• 4 PM—The Big Pig Shindig Swine Show (Main Show Ring)
• 7 to 10 PM — Band – BB Dang (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Daily at the Fair: Balloon Display & Demonstrations, Pig Racing, Niagara Down Under, Pony Rides, Chain Saw Carver. Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.

Batavia Downs summer concert series brought Slaughter last evening in a recent change from a couple weeks ago to replace Skid Row due to a cancellation. 

The heavy rock band has two original members since its inception, lead singer Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum bass guitar, backing vocals. The band played some of its greatest hits, "Fly to the Angels," "Up All Night" and "Spend My Life."

Photos by Steve Ognibene.