Northgate Church is excited to announce that they will be hosting a Rummage Sale on Friday, May 12, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. - noon in the gym at the Northgate South Campus, 350 Bank Street Road. 100 percent of the proceeds from this event will benefit Northgate’s ‘Connected Community’ in Gahanda, Rwanda, Africa.
Northgate will be funding food and agricultural projects throughout the village, helping many of the families learn to grow and maintain sustenance for their loved ones, which is something that is not prevalent in Rwanda. For more information, call the office at 343-4011 or visit https://fb.me/e/13p4dKgCc
Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, speaks to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council at its meeting at GCC on Wednesday. Photo by Howard Owens
Remember in 2011 when we all had fun trying to guess the coded meaning of "Project Wave?"
Now we get to do it again. What is "Project Vulcan?"
Speaking to members of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, Steve Hyde, CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, "We've got a lot going on. We're on the short list for two more projects that are another 700 jobs. I just saw yesterday a term sheet for Project Vulcan."
A reporter standing next to Jim Krencik, senior director for marketing and communications for GCEDC, at the time Hyde mentioned Project Vulcan couldn't get him to drop any further hints about what that phrase might mean.
Hyde was one of the introductory speakers before the council got down to business (The Batavian didn't stick around for that part of the meeting) that included an update from Executive Director Laura Fox O'Sullivan, a presentation on workforce development priorities, regional talent attraction strategies, a board discussion and development of a work plan.
One of the themes both Hyde and Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein shared was the need for state officials to become better aligned with economic development.
New York is a challenging state because of regulatory schemes to attract businesses, Hyde said.
"Building mega site industrial parks is difficult, challenging," Hyde said. "Employers and investors need support from the state. There is a critical misalignment right now between some of our regulatory agencies in the state and then the governor's economic development goals and strategy. ... We need to find a way to find a solution to the common good to be partners, to be collaborative in the support of our state strategy and our regional strategy."
Stein, a dairy farm owner in Le Roy, said there is more demand than ever for New York's milk, especially with yesterday's announcement of the fairlife plant planned for the Town of Webster, but the state's continuing regulatory burden on farmers and their workers, such as the recently changed overtime threshold, and the proliferation of solar farms on farmland, is hampering the ability of New York dairy farmers to meet the demand.
She compared the misalignment between competing political forces in the state with the goggles you might put on during a visit to the optometrist. The optometrist will adjust the lenses one at a time to help bring what you see into focus. Right now, the two sides are out of focus, she said.
"We want to be able to bring ourselves together with good sound economic development," Stein said. "We want to bring in opportunities for our families. We want to bring together all of us to have a shared common message because we certainly have differences. But we can also work from our commonalities."
Hyde praised the Finger Lakes council for being aligned on economic development for the region.
"Our council is completely aligned," Hyde said. "Look at what we're focused on -- site development, workforce development, it all fits into our goals, right? You know, grow jobs, rollout, drive investment, reduce poverty, create opportunity for our families and our residents."
This was the first time the council has met in Genesee Council since before the pandemic.
In an interview with The Batavian before the meeting, former Rochester mayor and former lieutenant governor Robert Duffy praised the work of Hyde. He said his first meeting after becoming LG was with Hyde to discuss WNY STAMP.
He called Hyde a "pit bull" on behalf of Genesee County's economic development goals.
"I think in spite of many challenges we all face nowadays, I think the state is doing some great work," Duffy said. "I would say from my perspective, Genesee County is lucky to have Steve Hyde and his team. I've worked with Steve since 2011, and I've been super impressed with his tenacity and his commitment to this. He has never let go of STAMP and STAMP, now, for all those years and all that work, it's really starting to come together and take hold."
Steve Hyde during his presentation to the council. Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee Community College President James Sunser speaking about the college's efforts to support economic development and workforce development. Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein: "We want to be able to bring ourselves together with good sound economic development," Stein said. "We want to bring in opportunities for our families. We want to bring together all of us to have a shared common message because we certainly have differences. But we can also work from our commonalities." Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee County has a seat at the table with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council with Steve Hyde, Shelley Stein, and Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski. Photo by Howard Owens
Holland Land Office Museum Executive Director Ryan Duffy Photo by Howard Owens
You know that old Tiffany-style lamp in the attic? The one next to the cuckoo clock circa 1965? Haven’t you ever wondered what they’re worth, whether to sell it or just in case there was ever a fire?
Well, now’s your chance, Ryan Duffy says. Appraisals on Main: HLOM Appraisal Day will have three experts available to examine and appraise up to five items per person.
“The whole concept is people bring in the items that they want to either learn what their value is, in terms of monetary worth, but also to maybe learn a little bit more about their history or use or what we call provenance, which is sort of background information that they might not know,” said Duffy, Holland Land Office Museum’s executive director, during an interview Wednesday.
The event is a fundraiser for the Holland Land Office and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 East Main St., Batavia.
Appointments are required and may be made online or, for those without access to technology, by calling the museum at 585-343-4727.
There will be three appraisers on hand from Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service in Batavia, Schultz Auctioneers in Clarence and Cottone Auctions in Geneseo. They will meet with people for approximately 10 minutes, depending on how many items are brought in, and discuss what is presented before them.
“The beauty of having these three gentlemen is that they can pretty much look at anything. They've got a wide range of expertise, and it's kind of seeing just about everything you can see in the field, so we're really not limiting it,” Duffy said. “I will add that if somebody has an item that maybe is too big or they're not comfortable bringing that in, they can bring in photographs as a substitute, images of them that they can have the appraisers look at to help give them some information.”
The cost is $5 per item, and proceeds will go toward "more programming," Duffy said.
As for Duffy’s personal experience in such appraisals, “I shy away from it,” he said. He has gone through the process, but not so much for any of his own personal items, he said. The museum has obtained these appraisers for past events and is familiar with their work, he said. Appraisals on Main are to help with the operation of the museum.
“We’re working on summer programming, another thing we're working towards is the west wing addition, hopefully moving forward in that process going forward. That's a multi-year project for sure. But we're in the beginning stages of that,” he said. “And working on new exhibits, as well. And other larger programming throughout the seasonal, major programs.”
Todd Jantzi, an appraiser from Bontrager, has been in the business for 27 years. It wasn’t his first career choice, he said, as his college aspirations were to become a teacher. When Jantzi was 10, his uncle took him along to an auction, and Jantzi found it “intriguing,” except for working on Saturdays, weekends, nights and in cold weather.
But the auctioneer’s call was too strong, and he was drawn back. Once he joined the family business, he stayed and never looked back. “It’s been a great position, a great occupation,” he said.
His advice for what people should bring to this event? “People can bring in unique items, items of interest, be it local, unusual, is always the most interesting. They bring in what they think has value,” he said. “And we can share with them if it does or doesn't, they can bring items that they might want to have an appraisal for insurance reasons, so not necessarily even what they're thinking of selling, but just in case if they have something in their home.”
With a background of an uncle founding the Bontrager business in 1935, first in Lancaster, then moving to Darien and settling onto Wortendyke Road in Batavia, Jantzi may know a thing or two of what he’s talking about. What used to be conducted on-site, auctions are completely now online and happen about twice a week, he said.
He runs into items that have more sentimental than monetary value, and folks may have to hear that as well as the sound of a nice dollar figure for their goods.
What about that massive vanity set with mirror attached? If items are too large or cumbersome to bring in, people may bring in photos — Jantzi suggests taking five or six shots from all angles to allow for the best perception of the item.
Has he ever encountered that big jackpot item that shocked its owner? No.
“You get 90 percent with similar items like in our own homes,” he said.
These are verbal appraisals, and if people would like a written one, they can follow up individually with the appraiser after the event.
Several dozen people have signed up already, but there are plenty of slots remaining, Duffy said. The slots are in one-hour blocks for 10-minute segments. To sign up, go HERE. Or call 585-343-4727.
The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation of Genesee County is pleased to announce the establishment of a one-time memorial scholarship in honor of the late Mrs. Katherine Ognibene. Kay was a dedicated Board Member and served in that capacity until her passing earlier this year. Vito Gautieri, one of the founders, said, “Kay was one person I could always count on no matter what the task. She was the lady who never said ‘no’ to work.”
While raising a family and working at the NY Telephone Company as an operator, Kay was an active member of St. Anthony’s Parish Rosary and Altar Society, St. Michael’s Society, and St. Nicholas Society. In the community, she was involved in the St. Jerome Guild and The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Society.
In later years, Kay was a realtor in the Batavia area and earned accolades for her work. Dedication to family, school, church, and community are qualities the Paolo Bust Scholarship Committee will look for in screening potential candidates for this award.
This one-time award will be presented at the organization’s annual Scholarship Dinner to be held June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Batavia Downs. Current scholarship applicants will be considered for this one-time award in addition to the yearly scholarships awarded by the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation. Contributions may be made out and mailed to: Michele Fuller, 3 Wilson Street, LeRoy, NY, 14482.
The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Thursday from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area of South of E. Main St. and East of Jackson St.
Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear.
This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification, and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settle in the water lines.
Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel knowledge of the hydrant locations.
If you have any questions, or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.
Alexander won its fourth straight game and 10th overall on Tuesday, beating Pembroke 10-6.
Emily Pietrzykowski went 4-4 with three doubles, three RBIs, and one run scored to lead Alexander.
Faith Goodenbury went 3-3 on the day, while Madison Boyce, Melissa Sawyer and Melanie Bump all chipped in with multi-hit games.
Madison Boyce and Emily Pietrzykowski combined for the win. Boyce went five innings allowing nine hits, five runs, four walks and striking out seven. Pietrzykowski went two innings, allowing one hit, one run, and striking out four.
For Pembroke, Aleena Maynard went 4-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored
Brittny Benjamin, a GCC art student, received the Virginia Carr Mumford Scholarship from the Batavia Society of Artists on Tuesday. Photo by Howard Owens.
At the Richmond Memorial Library, the Batavia Society of Artists is displaying some of the best works of its members for the spring, and on Tuesday, at the annual Spring Show's opening, the best of the best were honored, including a GCC student who received the Virginia Carr Mumford Scholarship Award.
The art show was judged by Le Roy artist Lori Longhany.
The show runs through Friday, May 26.
Hills of Canandaigua, by Kevin Feary, received the Best of Show award. Photo by Howard Owens.
Steer'd by Shelley Moore received the first place ribbon. Photo by Howard Owens.
Bryan Wright, who entered four metal paintings received the second place award. Photo by Howard Owens.,
Richard Ellington, who received an honorable mention, poses with his painting (top), High Peak Sunset. Photo by Howard Owens.
Work crews have been busy paving the parking lot between Court Street and Jackson Street this week, completing the Jackson Street side on Wednesday, after weather delayed the work a day or two.
Out of the approximately $200,000 project, 85 percent is for paving operations, and the remaining 15 percent is for milling, Public Works Director Brett Frank said.
Project funding is from Parking Lot Reserves, he said, for wear and tear that broken down the lot's exterior.
"The main issues with the parking lot were simply the age and condition of the parking lot," Frank said to The Batavian. "Quite simply put, it was time to mill and pave the entire parking lot, and we're past the time in which filling potholes and putting Band-Aids on the lot are considered sufficient repairs."
Johnny Paciorkowski wanted to show off his new truck. Photo by Howard Owens
City work crews have been milling and paving the Court Street parking lot this week next to Save-A-Lot between Court and Jackson streets in downtown Batavia. Photos by Howard Owens.
Fifteen young Genesee County residents celebrated their first communion on Sunday at Resurrection Parish in Batavia.
"Communion, also known as the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, is the source and summit of the Catholic Faith," said Jason Smith, director of Faith Formation at the church. "Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and when students receive their First Eucharist, they have been thoroughly prepared through Faith Formation classes so that they understand and appreciate this concept. It is a significant event in the Catholic faith, and is one of our seven Sacraments. Sacraments are designed to draw us closer to God and experience God's love and grace."
A bomb threat about a school bus in Batavia and a threat to “shoot up a school,” causing a lockout in all Genesee County schools.
Both of those incidents happened in just the last three weeks, and although — thankfully — they were found not to be credible — both were threats of violence involving school children and personnel. Each one stemmed from a call within the City of Batavia, and subsequent investigations found the suspects to be juveniles.
Are they harmless pranks? Can anything with such violence attached — a bomb on a school bus and shooting up a school — be considered harmless? The Batavian reached out to Superintendent Jason Smith to find out what the city school district is doing proactively in light of these recent and potentially increasing threats.
Is the city school district treating students and school bus transportation any differently, any more cautiously, given this and other recent threats -- real or not -- against district students and/or personnel? “We have a very trusting relationship with STA, our transportation provider, and will continue to rely on that relationship to keep our students safe,” Smith said. “We also have the same relationship with the Batavia Police Department, and this, again, is integral in our successful open, transparent, and real-time communication.
“We continue to remind the entire Batavia community to please report any suspicious behavior, as we appreciate the call received from this most recent threat found to be not credible.”
That call came from a local business that received a call from “what was believed to be a juvenile stating there was a bomb on a school bus” at a location in the City of Batavia, according to Batavia Police Tuesday.
The city school district hired an additional school resource officer this past year -- a cost of approximately $100,000 per officer for salary and benefits -- making it two officers for the district. At the time, shootings in other parts of the country, Texas being one, were named as reasons for bringing more security on board at the district.
Are School Resource Officers being put to use in any different way given these threats -- Are they more visible? Going on bus rides with students? Are you having increased school assemblies, reminders, precautions within the district? “Our SROs will be deployed when and where needed, which could include visibility as needed on our school buses,” Smith said.
While these threats have so far been found to be false, how do you move forward and not treat them all with a "crying wolf" mentality so as not to overlook the one that might actually be real one day? “We will never treat a threat as ‘crying wolf,’ we will continue to rely on the experts at the Batavia Police Department to investigate these threats, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible, and our Code of Conduct will be followed,” Smith said.
The city school district has increased its number of counselors available for students, spurred by post-COVID funding and the perceived effects of pandemic protocols on student learning and emotional impacts.
Are you ramping up counseling to try and detect any troubled kids that might be on the edge of a really bad day? What do you look for? How do you react? “We have an outstanding counseling team, and our Counseling Department Chairperson just updated the Board at our meeting on Monday night. We have a comprehensive counseling plan, a crisis intervention protocol, relationships with outside mental health providers and therapists, school social workers, etc., that all work as a team to provide support to our students and families,” he said. “Our reaction ranges from a variety of steps: calmly, immediately, swiftly, thoughtful, transparently, and/or communicative with relevant parties and stakeholders.
“Since mental health has gained more attention, yes, our counseling team and administration has indeed ramped up efforts to detect and respond to children in need.”
Monday was Batavia’s Board of Education meeting, and Counseling Department Chair Sherry Crumity presented an update of how the department has been working with students and the various programs being integrated within all grade levels.
Sherry Crumity District Photo
“It’s been a busy year for counselors this year, but it’s been well worth it,” Crumity said.
Her material is based on a couple of components, including the American School Counselors Association, which provides a national model of school counseling programs to improve student outcomes.
This includes areas of academic performance, attendance, threats, and suicide; disciplinary measures; creating regular assessments to “keep our fingers on the pulse of student needs,” and to boil much of it down: “going back to the basics of learning,” Crumity said.
“The last report we got from them on a state level and through the Counseling Association is that mental health needs in schools are up 52 percent. And that's why we see so much increased funding. So counselors’ roles are definitely changing. We're collaborating more now than the teacher, with outside agencies to help us with different things,” Crumity said. “You're definitely playing a more critical role in social-emotional learning. With COVID, we sort of increased it. But I think now we're kind of really seeing the impacts of students returning to school. So counselors have definitely stepped up to the plate, and sort of navigated whether it's small counseling, large group counseling, individual counseling, meeting with parents more on a regular basis, and definitely expanding our social-emotional activities throughout the building.
“Other counselor roles, definitely, you know, academic achievement strategies, we're working with expanding different academic interventions throughout our buildings for their enrichment activities, activities for students who may have had that gap in learning during COVID,” she said.
Increased programs have meant wellness activities, holiday theme weeks, kindness month, spirit weeks, mix it up days — during which kids will sit with others they don’t typically socialize with during lunchtime to try and avoid the clique atmosphere — student/parent newsletters, peace circles and family nights.
There are four goals, with the first one focusing on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and intervention systems, having alternatives to suspensions to keep kids in school, bullying prevention and inviting student/parent/teacher feedback, according to Crumity’s materials.
Attendance is such an important factor in educational success, that there are three tiers for absenteeism: encouraging better attendance and explaining the importance of why students need to be in school; the second tier is designed to remove any barriers that may be keeping kids home and out of school; and the third is a more intense strategy for those that miss at least 20 percent or more school during the year and it has been found they benefit from a stronger level of support, she said.
“We like to promote healthy relevant teaching models,” she said. “And we're just looking at how to fine-tune the action plan and report more efficiently so that we can see on a regular basis if it's working, and if it's not working.”
Do you feel you're doing everything possible, or does more still need to be done? “Until the threats stop, more always needs to be done,” Smith said. “We continue to need and rely on the support of families, community agencies, law enforcement, and our BCSD staff, and I will personally continue to provide information and updates to our community, families and staff in a timely and transparent manner.”
The Genesee Chorale will present two spring concerts on May 19 and May 21, presenting the music of Ola Gjeilo in Batavia and in Le Roy.
The program is called Across the Vast Eternal Sky and will feature the Greycliffe String Quartet and Riesa Cassano on Oboe.
The May 19 performance is at 7 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia, and the May 21 performance is at 4 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1 East Main St., Le Roy.
The chorale is under the music direction of Ric Jones. Janine Fagnan is associate conductor and Doug Hanson is the accompanist.
Tickets are $10 and are available from members of the chorale or at the door.
The Le Roy Botts-Fiorito American Legion Unit #576 welcomes Quincey Williams as the newest Junior Member and our 2023 Poppy Girl.
Quincey is 8 years old and in 2nd grade at The Wolcott St. School in Le Roy. She is the daughter of David and Mindy Williams and the granddaughter of David and Beverly Hyde and Jim and Peggy Williams.
Quincey plays softball and participates in wrestling, takes piano and violin lessons and loves listening to music. Quincey also enjoys fashion and designing and making clothes. Her favorite time is spent with her family, camping and going on vacation and especially spending time with her brothers and sisters and her dogs.
There have been no arrests in a police pursuit that ended in Pavilion on Monday that led to a manhunt in the area of Route 63 and Route 20, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Chief Deputy Joseph Graff said today, in response to questions from The Batavian, that there is an ongoing investigation into a possession of stolen property case.
He said the incident began with a pursuit of a vehicle in Livingston County.
"It was determined to have been stolen from Horseheads," Graff said. "It was occupied by two subjects who fled the scene and were not apprehended despite a search of the area."
According to an NYSP spokesperson, the State Police assisted in the manhunt with a helicopter and drones.
Another spokesperson for the State Police said that two vehicles were reported stolen in Chemung County.
The Livingston County Sheriff's Office has not responded to a request for more information.
A red vehicle was chased into Pavilion on Monday, with reports at the time saying it was occupied by two black males.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Doug King with one of his photos. Photo by Howard Owens.
Lovely golden-hued sunrises and flaming sunsets, wildlife caught momentarily frozen still in a field, and snow-capped villages are quite the contrast to Doug King’s early career as a Batavia police officer and crime scene photographer.
Yes, King, who lives with his wife Sherry in Elba, was that guy who snapped photos of homicides, suicides, burglaries, arsons, and severe auto accidents.
“Anything that could help to solve the crime,” he said, answering a question about how difficult the job was. “The ones that stuck in my mind were the homicides and suicides. It’d take about a month, and I could still see the victim. That goes with the territory."
He didn’t exactly set out on that career trail while studying at college in Maine. But it was when at college that his father, E. Douglas King, of Kentucky, had a heart attack. The junior King quit college to return home, get a job and help out his mom, who was from Batavia.
The Kings — E. Douglas and Lucille — had met during World War II when he became injured and was shipped to Oakfield as a military police soldier for a prisoner of war camp. They ended up living in Batavia.
Doug was the only child in the family and did what he could to help after his dad died. Meanwhile, the city police chief knew him through sports as an umpire for games.
“He knew my dad had passed and asked if I was interested in becoming a police officer,” King said. “He gave me three books to read overnight and said if I was interested, he needed a part-time officer and to let me know the next morning. I ended up with a 21-year career.”
Not only had that connection led him to a successful occupation, but King continued with photography, only moving away from the grim and gruesome scenes of his job onto nature and the outdoors — “Anything that can bring a smile on your face,” he said.
About 100 of his framed photos and 10 painted artworks from locals, including the late Pat Burr, MJ Thompson, and Jeffrey Crofts, will be up for purchase during this weekend’s Mother’s Day Craft Show and Basket Raffle. Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Elba Fireman’s Recreation Hall in Elba, and the show runs until 3 p.m.
King enjoys hiking through the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge to serve as inspiration for his photos, and finds many picturesque scenes in the great outdoors, he said. Now that he and Sherry are considering downsizing, they are more eager to rid themselves of the overflow of artwork they’ve amassed over the years, he said.
“One thing about downsizing, you can’t take everything you have,” he said. “I do a lot of outdoor photography … a lot of wildlife … sunsets and sunrises. Anything that can be eye-catching. I gotta shoot turtles, tree frogs, turkeys, eagles, ospreys. I mean, foxes, every kind of animal you can think of that’s in this area, but there's a lot of scenic stuff that I've taken too.”
To the chagrin of his wife (he uses a lot of gas on his photo-seeking escapades), King gets up around 5:30 or 6 a.m. every day and spends a few hours driving around taking pictures.
“I’ve got about 100 framed. I know I will never sell that many, I hope to sell three or four, maybe,” he said. “But I thought it'd be nice to display them and let people see, you know, what's around the community in our area here that they most often don't think about or realize. They're here to enjoy.”
There are a few cherished paintings that will remain with the couple, and most everything else will be at this weekend’s event. One such painting was by Pat Burr, and is a feed sack with GLF Quality on it. The moment Doug saw it, he had to buy it: his dad, grandfather and an uncle had worked at GLF Quality, a grain mill and fertilizer plant in Batavia way back in the day.
Burr had confessed at the time that she never thought anyone would buy such a painting, King said, but as artwork goes, it found its home and sentimental value with the right owner.
One of the Elba Betterment Committee organizers, Pauli Miano is happy to have King’s participation and local art as part of this year’s event, she said. She believes that event visitors will find his pieces “quite interesting” as they illustrate various views from throughout the county and include pieces of nostalgia from late and local artists.
This event will also feature items from local artisans and farms. The first 50 mothers will receive a carnation, and refreshments will be available.
This project is made possible with grant funds from the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by GO ART!
Top Photo of Doug King with one of his framed photographs; and a mix of his photos and artwork collections that are to be available for purchase at the craft show. Photos by Howard Owens.
Stafford Country Club played host on Monday to the Genesee Region League Individual Sectional Qualifier.
The sun shined just about as bright as the golfers on a near-perfect weather day.
Elba/OA senior Brayden Smith was able to capture medalist honors with a 7-over round of 79 (39-40).
After a close front-9 saw Byron Bergen's Ryan Muscarella just 2 strokes behind Smith, the defending Class C Individual Sectional Champion was able to pull away to finish 6 strokes ahead of the second-place Muscarella, who finished with an 85 (41-44).
Elba/OA senior Jake Walczak fired a consistent 43-44 to finish third place with a round of 87, while freshman teammate Eli Loysen was the only other golfer to break 90, firing a fourth-place round of 89 (45-44).
Rounding out the top 6 golfers, who will all qualify in their respective classifications for the Individual Section V Championship, were Attica's Ethan Harmon (51-42) and Byron-Bergen's Brendan Pimm (45-48), who tied for the final two spots with a round of 93.
The Genesee Region will be well represented in this Saturday's Individual Boys Section V Championship at Clifton Springs Country Club.
The Batavian reached out to Batavia City Schools Superintendent Jason Smith after a false threat by an eight-year-old was made regarding a bomb on a school bus Tuesday.
Smith was not able to immediately respond to The Batavian's questions later Tuesday night, however, he did provide a copy of the letter sent out to district families.
This afternoon, the Genesee County 911 Center received a call reporting there was a "bomb on a school bus" and placed the location of that bus in the City of Batavia.
The Batavia Police Department and New York State Troopers immediately responded to locate the bus (operated by Student Transportation of America). The bus was found on State Street, and there were no longer any students on the bus after completing the afternoon route.
Out of an abundance of caution, the New York State Police and their K9 unit performed a sweep of the bus in question and found no evidence of a credible threat.
The Batavia Police patrol officers and detectives investigated the call and determined it came from the home of a John Kennedy Intermediate student. The student confessed the call was a prank, and the BPD determined there was no additional threat to the district. The case has been turned over to the Batavia Police Department’s Juvenile Detective. BCSD will follow our Code of Conduct with respect to this incident as well.
All bus pickups will occur as usual tomorrow (Wednesday) without any disruption.
We thank the Batavia Police Department and New York State Police for their swift response.
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST CITY OF BATAVIA 4-5 bedroom Duplex apartment with 1 Bedroom, Living room, laundry room, dining room, bathroom, and small kitchen on first floor. 4 bedrooms 2nd floor. Newly painted. Some new carpet. Basement storage. 1/2 garage use for storage/ not parking. Large yard. $1,100/month includes trash pickup, Refrigerator, Gas Stove. You pay gas, electric, water. No dogs. Good references required with background check. Pathstone approved. Near ARC. Mike 585-993-4002
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST CITY OF BATAVIA 4-5 bedroom Duplex apartment with 1 Bedroom, Living room, laundry room, dining room, bathroom, and small kitchen on first floor. 4 bedrooms 2nd floor. Newly painted. Some new carpet. Basement storage. 1/2 garage use for storage/ not parking. Large yard. $1,100/month includes trash pickup, Refrigerator, Gas Stove. You pay gas, electric, water. No dogs. Good references required with background check. Pathstone approved. Near ARC. Mike 585-993-4002
