Due to the very nature of their work, which involves traumatic incidents and injuries, police officers and firefighters have a higher likelihood of developing addictions to opioids as a result of stress and mental health issues, Lynda Battaglia says.

And as director of Genesee County’s Mental Health Department, Battaglia wants to alleviate those employees’ stressors in any way possible — beginning right alongside of them.

"We think of the physicality of their jobs. The extra gear and uniform and what they have to carry, what they have to do, physically, they're more susceptible to potential injury as well as acute or chronic pain, oftentimes, which is treated with opioids,” Battaglia said during this week’s City Council meeting. “On top of that, we have their continued and repeated exposure to traumatic events every day that they are working. They're responding to calls that are unpredictable. They have very high stress jobs. We couple mental health with the physical demands of the job, coupled with, you know, the potential for high risk. These disciplines are at higher risk for developing dual diagnosis, which is mental health and opioid addiction.

"So by us getting ahead of the curve and developing this program and doing check-ins, it will allow for firefighters and officers to just be able to share what's on their mind, that they can get that out instead of keeping it in. To keep it in it just grows, and that's when real problems start to be created,” she said. “So we need to address it more in the moment. I'll have specific and certified counselors assigned to this program that are culturally competent, that they understand the work that these two professions do in these two departments.” 

Mental health is becoming a larger issue for public safety officers across the country, Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said. It’s part of the city’s police and fire pilot wellness program for embedded services in both departments. Services will be paid for with $18,000 from an Opioid Abatement Fund through Genesee County. 

Bi-annual mental health check-ins will be scheduled every six months with licensed mental health professionals, with a focus on assessing mental health and providing support. There will be ride-alongs at least once a year to offer opportunities for clinicians to accompany officers and firefighters during their actual working shifts, plus periodic wellness workshops, which will be open to all officers, firefighters and their families, and crisis intervention as needed. 

“So a lot of the programs that we're looking at doing are, they're not groundbreaking, but they're simple and to the point. We're going to look at some mental health check-ins with our officers and our firefighters. They'll be scheduled on a regular basis. Obviously, we're in August now, so probably one before the end of the year, and then, evaluate the program moving forward right along,” he said. “So we'll have clinicians right along with the officers and with the firefighters on staff to get a better understanding of their jobs and what some of the stressors are and try to assist them with whatever that may be. A lot of it will be breaking down barriers between public safety individuals and mental health. That's the biggest thing we have  to overcome. 

“So we're pretty excited about the program. We've been talking about it for a long time, doing everything that we can support our officers and our public safety employees in the city,” he said. “We think this is a huge step forward, and I want to thank Linda for the opportunity to partner with us also.” 

City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr., a former police officer and retired lieutenant, added that’s “another step in a positive direction, it’s a positive thing to address this.”

Heubusch emphasized that he was not looking for any direct feedback from the clinician sessions spent with officers; there wouldn’t be any reports issued to him, and the police union has not opposed this plan, he said.

“It’s just getting the officers, firefighters, accustomed to that person that's with them, and then breaking down the barriers, having some conversation. It's not a fitness for duty type thing, or anything like that. That is really just having a support mechanism for our staff and an outlet at some point in time,” he said. “One of the biggest things that is climbing in our field is suicide, and unfortunately, officers are seeing that there's no other out for them so we want to do everything we can to wrap services around them if they need it. If something comes up where there is a need for further services or treatment, those are discussions that we'll have.”

These sessions were not going to be considered formal therapy, Battaglia said, just an opportunity for employees to talk and share with the mental health professionals. 

Press Release:

The Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, will hold one of its quarterly Board meetings on Thursday, August 22, at 8:30 a.m. at RGRTA, located at 1372 East Main Street in Rochester.

Each Board meeting is open to the public. A public forum is included at the beginning of the meeting to allow for public comment on meeting agenda items before the GTC Board takes action.

Observers are welcome to attend in person or will have the opportunity to watch and participate online by visiting: www.publicinput.com/GTCBoard. On this webpage, observers will be able to listen to and view a live feed of the meeting. Individuals may also call in to listen to the audio portion with a toll-free phone number (855)-925-2801 Meeting code: 8998 and follow the prompts to record a voice message or speak in real-time during the public forum portion of the meeting. Observers will have the opportunity to submit questions and comments via chat, email to GTCBoard@PublicInput.com, or text X16216 to 855-925-2801.

The agenda and meeting materials are available at www.gtcmpo.org. 

The United States Department of Transportation requires every metropolitan area with a population over 50,000 to have a designated MPO to qualify for receipt of federal highway and transit funds. GTC is the MPO for the nine-county region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties. 

The GTC Board consists of elected officials from the nine counties, the City of Rochester, and representatives of other local, regional, state and federal transportation-related agencies. The Board provides direction to the staff, establishes policy, and approves all activities and major work products, including the Long Range Transportation Plan, Unified Planning Work Program, and Transportation Improvement Program which detail how federal transportation funding is used in the greater Rochester planning area.

GTC will provide accommodations for anybody who wishes to participate in this meeting despite disability or proficiency in English. Please contact GTC at (585) 232-6240 or send email to contactgtc@gtcmpo.org to arrange for auxiliary aids or language services at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Press Release:

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) invites the community to join the festivities planned for the 3rd annual BID Boxcar Derby on Saturday, August 17.

The Derby will once again be held on Ellicott Avenue in Batavia, with 24 racers competing to win the Suozzi Memorial Cup. BID Director Shannon Maute says this year’s races will be fast-paced and fun. 

“We’re ready to celebrate all of our racers as they demonstrate their talents and sportsmanship,” Maute said. “This is going to be a great day. Seeing the amazing boxcar designs, the excitement on kids’ faces at our build day, and the families taking part all show why this event is so special.” 

The races will start at 10 a.m. and will feature 2 racers competing at a time from the peak of Ellicott Avenue. In addition to hosting the cheering crowd, Centennial Park will host free face painting and games, with pizza, ice cream, coffee and hot chocolate available from vendors. WBTA also be hosting a live broadcast from the race. 

To all motorists, Ellicott Avenue will be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. from Richmond Avenue to Washington Avenue for the safety of the racers and the spectators.

The BID Boxcar Derby is made possible by sponsorship by Alex’s Place, Batavia Downs, the Police Benevolent Association, WBTA, and several other businesses plus additional support comes from BID businesses and building owners, Mark Scuderi of the Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby, the City of Batavia, the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle, and a team of volunteers. 

"It truly takes a community to bring our great race together,” Maute said. “With the generous support of our sponsors, partners and volunteers, the BID Boxcar Derby will make lasting memories for our families and racers.”

When New Kids On The Block reunited in 2007, it was fair to wonder if the boy band would have more than just a brief second chapter.

After all, it had been 13-plus years since the five vocalists --Donnie Wahlberg, Joe McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Joe Knight, and Danny Wood – had enjoyed an initial run in which they sold some 80 million copies of its four albums worldwide -- with the 1988 album “Hangin’ Tough” and 1990’s “Step By Step” leading the way.

The guys were now in their 30s, and their teen fans of the 1990s were now well into adulthood. Had the fans moved on? Would the songs New Kids On The Block sang in their teens still resonate when performed by a group whose members were starting to approach middle age?

As it turned out, the reunited group’s first tour in fall 2008 was an all-out success, and since then the New Kids’ popularity has endured. This summer sees the group once again headlining outdoor amphitheaters that hold upwards of 20,000 people as they tour behind their third post-reunion album, “Still Kids.”

So back in 2007 did McIntyre envision a scenario where in 2024 New Kids On The Block would still be major stars and looking at what should be continued success for years to come?

“Uh, no,” McIntyre said in a late-June phone interview. “I think If you asked any of us that 15 years later since we got back together, 16 years later, it's (pause), it's breathtaking. It definitely gives you pause. You're obviously very grateful. At the sametime, on the day-to-day, I know how much we believe, you know what I mean, and we have this concoction of personalities and desires and drive.

“The five of us all show up. So it's not a mystery as far as the day-to-day and the passion that's involved,” he said. “And you know, when something is this big for this long, for me, I get to a point where I can't keep trying to figure it out and just count my blessings and be of service…I think slowly but surely I'm at a point where I'm like hey man, I’ve just got a job to do and I'm lucky enough to have that job and I'm here to entertain the people and have a good time.”

The New Kids have certainly had quite the career. Liftoff came in 1988, when the teenage Tiffany, then at the peak of her “I Think We’re Alone Now” popularity, brought New Kids on the Block out on her Nation Area tour, putting the boys on stage in front of tens of thousands -- just when they’d released their second album “Hangin’ Tough.”  

By the end of 1989, the singles “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” and the song “Hangin’ Tough” had all topped the charts, and the New Kids were the biggest boy band going.

Another blockbuster album, “Step By Step,” followed, before the New Kids saw their fortunes wane with the 1994 album “Face The Music.” It failed to generate any hits and the group was now playing smaller venues. Following the tour, the group decided to call it a day.

Since reuniting, it’s become clear that the New Kids weren’t simply interested in taking a victory lap. They’ve toured consistently and have now released three studio albums -- “The Block” in 2008, “10” in 2013 and “Still Kids” earlier this year.

The latest album retains many of the musical trademarks of the early New Kids albums, with buoyant, danceable uptempo tracks like “Magic,” “Dance With You” and “Kids” having the familiar synthy gloss and strong pop melodies. The album also has its share of grooving ballads, including “Come Back,” “A Love Like This” and “Better Days.” 

At the same time, McIntyre said some songs -- most notably “Stay,” a lush multi-faceted tune about staying -- or leaving -- long-time relationships -- pushed the group into new musical places with its instrumental breakdown.

The concerts New Kids on the Block are doing this summer will include upwards of five songs from “Still Kids,” as well as the expected hit songs from the group’s catalog.

“We you want to give the people what they want and then also mix it up for us to keep it fresh. So we’ve managed to do that,” McIntyre said. And yes, there will be dancing, although McIntyre noted the group has had to
make some adjustments now that they’re in their 50s.

“I think it's a balance,” he said. “We want to keep challenging ourselves, but we want to be appropriate for our age and not run around like chickens with their heads cut off like we used to. But let me tell you, it's a workout. It’s a workout every night, especially outside in summer. But it makes it kind of cathartic. It adds to the experience, but you know, we have our signature moves and we try to build a show that is about ovement and dance and connection. I think we do a decent job balancing that out.” 

New Kids On The Block performs at Darien Lake Amphitheater on Thursday, August 22.

Eden Cafe & Bakeshop is hosting a SummerFest this weekend that will include several arts and crafts vendors, music, food, a bounce house, entertainment and basket raffles.

It’s set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot behind the shop at 242 Ellicott St., Batavia.

Organizers are still accepting musical artists and entertainers from the community for the open mic-style entertainment tent. There will be a PA system and engineer provided.

Confirmed vendors so far include:

• Kelly Fox (Tarot, astrology, live plants, artwork – Batavia)
• Mystic Dragon Lair (crystals and merchandise – Medina) Marcia Bohn (handcrafted books – Batavia)
• Spirit and Abundance (artisan plant-based cheeses – Rochester)
• Vagabum Crafts (functional fiber crafts – Scottsville)
• Panda Mae Crystals & Creations (crystals, jewelry, spell jars – Batavia)
• Pixel Perfect (nostalgic pixelated keychains & magnets – Batavia)
• VP Creations (3-d printed miniatures & novelties – Le Roy)
• Punkinhead Stuffies (crocheted miniatures & earrings – Rochester)
• MidnightFox (Chainmaille & copper jewelry & more – Buffalo)
• Eden Café & Bakeshop (popcorn, fresh squeezed lemonade & more – Batavia)
• High Strung Products (Recycled Silver Jewelry – West Henrietta)
• Readings by Donna & Amy (mediumship readings – Holley)
• Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (info on breast cancer screenings – Batavia)
• RESTORE Sexual Assault Services (free swag, games, resources and information – Batavia)
• Church Street Images (local photography – Alexander)
• Creations by Fireball (beaded pens, keychains, and more – Le Roy)
• CCOR – Companion Care of Rochester (info on licensed homecare services – Batavia)
• TRIO Adult Opportunity Center (free college and career access program – Batavia)
• Vanessa & Lola’s Legacy (Raffle basket, succulents and vegan dog treats – Oakfield)
• Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen (free samples, granola bars, prepared meals – Rochester)

For more information, go to CarrrotDogCafe.com or call 585-815-4487.

After two months of presentations to local companies and organizations about the changes being made to RTS Genesee’s bus route, those changes took effect this week based out of Batavia City Centre, Regional Manager Ricardo Santiago says.

The company expanded two former bus routes that were from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and lengthened them for a full day of 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with more frequent stops, Santiago said. 

“Routes start at 6:30 a.m. and they go all the way to the last set of buses leave out of City Centre at 5:30 p.m. servicing one last hour of bus rides throughout the county, between Batavia and Le Roy. We have four new routes that provide more service, more frequent stops, and for longer times during the day,” Santiago said to The Batavian. “Not only did we expand the hours of service we are now, we basically have a help center at City Centre where we all buses meet at the bottom of the hour, and they all leave at the same time. 

"They go out and they do their run, and all buses come back within the hour," he said. "They're back at City Centre so people can transfer from one location to another and proceed to the next location.”

The bus stop is to the left of the former J.C. Penney building, though that will move after the new police facility is completed, he said. A more permanent bus stop with shelter for patrons will be set up on Alva Place next April, he said.

A misnomer is that the dial-a-ride has been eliminated, which isn’t true, he said. That service is on a first come, first served basis, and is urged for riders going to areas not serviced by the regular bus routes. 

The company has attempted to educate the public via a public hearing and information sessions to get the word out about the change. 

“One of the things we’ve done is we’ve been going out for the last eight weeks and making presentations to Office for the Aging, ACE Employment, DSS (and others)," he said.

A few readers have contacted The Batavian with questions about this change, so here's a reminder about the routes and where to get more information.

The expanded courses are to improve the frequency of routes in Batavia and Le Roy, simplify the route structure and provide RTS enhanced ability to improve service through reliability and new destinations,  a company press release states.

New RTS Genesee Service includes four routes:

• Route 210, Batavia West, which serves Big Tree Glen, the VA, Tops, Walmart and Target.
• Route 211, Batavia South, serving Birchwood Place, the VA, Tops, Walmart and Target.
• Route 212, Batavia East, which goes to 400 Towers, Washington Towers, United Memorial Medical Center and the Department of Social Services.
• Route 214, Le Roy/Stafford, which serves Royal Apartments, Tops, Save-a-Lot, Le Roy Meadows and DSS. The bus also provides service within Le Roy and a connection to Batavia.

All routes will meet at a common transfer point at Batavia City Centre. Dial-a-Ride service will remain as an option. Schedules and holiday observances are available on the RTS website. 

For more information, call RTS Genesee at 585-343-3079 or visit www.myRTS.com.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released her Make Voting Great Again Plan to highlight the Election Integrity Caucus’ commitment to enhancing the security, transparency, and efficiency of elections in the United States.

This plan underscores the pivotal role of the Election Integrity Caucus in restoring faith in the electoral system through comprehensive reforms. Tenney, co-chair and founder of the Election Integrity Caucus, has introduced a series of bills working to ensure that American citizens in every state have confidence in free, fair, accurate, and transparent elections.

“Problems surrounding the integrity of our country’s elections have rightfully come to the forefront, driven by growing concerns over issues such as voter fraud, cybersecurity threats, and burdensome administrative challenges," said Congresswoman Tenney. "As a result, many Americans have lost confidence in the integrity of our elections, underscoring the urgent need for robust measures to protect the electoral process. The Election Integrity Caucus has been working tirelessly to introduce legislation like the End Zuckerbucks Act, which prohibits partisan, private funding of our elections, and the Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act, which bans Biden’s federal agencies from engaging in partisan voter operations at taxpayer expense. As we head into the 2024 Election, let’s Make Voting Great Again and restore faith and transparency in our electoral process.”

To view Tenney’s full Make Voting Great Again Plan, click here.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia is launching a Hometown Heroes Banner Program as a living tribute for our community to honor past and present members of the Armed Forces and their family members.

The banners will be placed on Redfield Parkway and Richmond Ave. from Memorial Day until Labor Day starting in 2025 and continuing annually. These banners are available for purchase to anyone wishing to honor a loved one and have a life span of approximately 3 years.

If you would like to participate, have someone that you would like to honor, or would like to sponsor a veteran/family, please contact the program administrator at jbest@batavianewyork.com or 585-345-6375. All orders are due by February 1, 2025.

Press Release:

On Saturday, September 21 the 2nd Annual Ricky Palermo Foundation Comedy Night will be held inside the Park Place room featuring comedy from Nick Marra, Dan Viola, and Tim Meier. 

Attendees will receive a buffet dinner, free drink, and $25 in Free Play. Sponsorship packages are also available, including signage, VIP seating, vocal recognition, and additional drink tickets.

“We had so much fun last year we decided to do it again,” said Ricky Palermo, President and CEO of the Ricky Palermo Foundation. “Through this great event we were able to raise awareness and much needed funds to help our community and continue to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. We look forward to seeing people back again this year at Batavia Downs.”

 Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by going to rickypalermofoundation.org/store-1. 

City of Batavia officials are working to get the lead out.

From pipes in a way that’s not harmful to drinking water, that is. 

For anyone familiar with the horror stories that came out of Flint, Mich., no one here wants a repeat of that, and they are working hard now to reduce the chances of it happening.

Mike App, executive vice president of Electroscan, Inc., which will be performing work throughout the city to detect lead pipes on properties, gave an overview this week of Swordfish, a technology that can get the job done without having to drill 10-foot-deep holes on someone’s land.

“We have lead, we have lead everywhere. The reason they used lead, to be totally honest, is because nothing happens to it,” App said during Monday’s City Council meeting. “Unfortunately, reality has come back to get us a little bit. We’re all trying to get rid of it, and when we talk about lead we talk about Flint. Flint was the genesis of the entire thing.”

That genesis has since led to the Environmental Protection Agency creating a deadline and requiring that all 50,000 community water systems complete and submit inventory of their lead service lines by midnight Oct. 16, according to Electroscan’s website. The company takes it so seriously, that it has a clock ticking off a countdown by seconds of how much time remains.

There are some half a million lead pipes within the 60 counties in New York State, App said, and the Department of Health has issued grants to help municipalities, including Batavia, complete this task during the next two and a half months.

Electroscan will mail out a letter to Batavia residents informing them that the company will be making a visit, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said.

“It wasn't random samples. It was actually particular homes where we believe lead could be. So if you do get a letter asking you to participate, we strongly advise it right now. There more than likely isn't going to be high levels of lead coming out of your water system. However, the change over to Monroe County Water, that is the issue,” she said of the city’s future plan to make a switch to the new water source. “Not only is it good to get the lead out in general, but right now, you kind of have enough scale built up where you're not having pieces of lead not coming into your water.

"However, when we do the water and the source change, that's a whole different story, and we will need to have either chemical mitigation of the water coming in or elimination of all wet pipes in the city to make sure all our residents are safe," she said. "So it's a process.”

For anyone not familiar with the water crisis in Flint a decade ago, the city changed its municipal water supply source from the Detroit-supplied Lake Huron water to the Flint River, and that switch caused water distribution pipes to corrode and leach lead and other contaminants into municipal drinking water.

Although there hadn’t been issues with the city’s current water source, that introduction of new water created a crisis  that reportedly exposed tens of thousands of Flint residents to dangerous levels of lead and outbreaks of Legionnaire disease that killed at least 12 people. 

Batavia management doesn’t want to disturb the apple cart in any such way while planning on a switch to Monroe County Water Authority. They are looking for citizens to help out by responding to the letter if they receive one and making an appointment.

To view a video about how Swordfish works to detect lead pipes on a property, go HERE.

There are three ways to schedule an inspection with the company, and these options will be provided in letters being sent out to city property owners.

They are:

1. Scan the QR code.

2. Visit Electroscan’s website.

3. Call the Electroscan Swordfish Help Line at 315-856-3156 and speak to a customer service representative to book an appointment. 

Press Release:

The Batavia Cemetery Association is excited to announce that the annual Halloween Candlelight Ghostwalk will be held on Saturday, October 19!

Join us for some spooky fun on a ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue to meet the famous and infamous movers and shakers who not only shaped and influenced the City of Batavia, but the United States and the world.

The guided tour on candlelit paths will bring guests to hear men and women, who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day, were victims of tragic events, or both.

Confederate Major Philemon Tracy, one of the few Confederate officers buried in the north; surveyor and land developer of western New York Joseph Ellicott, a man of great power and great flaws; and William Morgan, who disappeared and was allegedly murdered before he could reveal the secrets of the Masons, will tell their stories.

Listen to Utopian socialist Albert Brisbane; Mary Elizabeth Wood, the first librarian at the Richmond Memorial Library and founder of the first library school in China; and Dr. Martha Morgan, compassionate doctor who spent most of her professional life working at the State Lunatic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  

Meet Civil War General John H. Martindale, and maltster and brewer Eli Fish. Shipping and railroad magnate Dean Richmond and his wife Mary will greet guests in their beautiful mausoleum on the last stop of the tour.

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and run every fifteen minutes until 8:45 p.m. Admission is $15. Reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. For more information or reservations, go to Events at bataviacemetery.org

Press Release:

The Batavia High School Class of 1984 is thrilled to announce their 40th reunion celebration! Mark your calendars for an evening filled with memories, laughter, and fun on Saturday, August 24, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Mingle and Reconnect with Old Friends 

Alumni and guests are invited to gather for an informal get-together at the Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility 5122 Clinton Street in Batavia. This relaxed atmosphere is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, reminisce about old times, and create new memories.

Delicious Food and Drinks

Throughout the evening, enjoy a generous spread of hearty hors d'oeuvres complemented by a cash bar. Your ticket price of $30 includes food and one drink (house draft beer, house wine, or house liquor).

RSVP and Stay Connected

We encourage everyone from the Class of 1984 to attend this special event! To RSVP go to BHS Class of ’84 Reunion on Facebook where you can venmo your payment, to BHS Class of 84 Batavia NY. If you do not have a Venmo account, checks will be accepted payable to “BHS Class of 84 Batavia NY”. Please mail to: Kelly J. Bermingham, 8276 Park Road, Batavia. The deadline for registration is August 16!

To update your contact information, or ask any questions, please reach out to: 

Kelly J. Bermingham: 585-356-4722 or kbermingham@geneseeny.com

Jane Roach Johnson: 585-739-0378 or peerless@rochester.rr.com

Don't miss this chance to celebrate four decades of friendship and shared experiences with your Batavia High School classmates! 

Press Release:

Holland Land Office Museum announces that it is one of 71 institutions in the United States selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program.

CAP helps museums improve the care of their collections by providing support for a general conservation assessment of the museum’s collections and buildings. The museum will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preventive conservation priorities. The final assessment report will help the museum prioritize its collections care efforts in the coming years.

The CAP program will allow the museum to care and preserve the collections it holds in a greater condition than ever before! We are so excited to dive into this program and get to work at preserving and storing history more than ever before – Tyler Angora, Curator at the Holland Land Office Museum.

The CAP program is administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Join the Open House party this week at this revamped 3-bedroom beauty at 3295 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia! New floors, kitchen, bathroom - you name it, it's got a fresh new vibe. Open house dates are Thursday, August 15th, 3 - 5pm and Saturday, August 17th, 9 - 11 am. Bidding is open at bontragerauction.com until August 28th. Don’t miss your opportunity to view and bid on this move-in-ready home. Nothing to do but unpack!

After seven months of converting a gym into a colorful multi-generational nightclub vibe—tanning rooms are now selfie rooms, lockers have been replaced with a fun space to splatter, plus laser tag and glow ball areas—House of Bounce owners Pasquale and Justina Rapone debuted their new location during a grand unveiling Wednesday in downtown Batavia.

Labeling it a "Family Fun Center," Justina shared her excitement with family, friends and community members during a ribbon-cutting in front of the new site at the corner of Main and Jackson streets.

“We wanted this location to be somewhere where you can come on a Friday or a Saturday with your kids, and if you have kids that are real little, and you have some older kids, you guys can all come and have fun,” she said. “Maybe you’ve got a family that you guys always hang out with, and you want to meet up, and the adults can hang out, and the kids can play. We wanted to make it a space where everyone can kind of join together in the community. And also, we wanted it to be a place for the kids to come and have fun, and stay out of trouble. 

“So we started at the Harvester, and … we’re in the downtown area, which is huge. We're super excited. We brought a lot of new things in at our new location,” she said. “You don't have to drive to Buffalo or Rochester, you can come here for an hour before you go grab lunch.  We added laser tag, a glow golf. We added Laser Maze. We still have our splatter room. We also have all of our open play stuff, like we always have bumper cars and the selfie room, so we really have everything for everybody."

House of Bounce opened at Harvester Center more than two years ago before the couple decided to rent the downtown space in December, toiling away in preparation for a soft opening about two weeks ago and a bigger grand opening celebration this week.

And by bigger, it’s 12,000 square feet, so the footprint has grown quite a bit, Rapone said. 

That’s an impressive piece of business news, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Brian Cousins said, especially when it fits so well into the downtown scene.

“To see a business expand and grow in their pursuit of prosperity is very exciting.  House of Bounce, I believe, fits one of those niche needs for families in creating a memorable outing that is highly creative in product offerings,” Cousins said. “In touring their facility, they have put together a slate of activities that is attractive for a wide array of ages in a location that can also positively impact other adjacent businesses.  It was inspiring to see the creativity and thought that they put into each of the areas.”

There are two levels of entertainment for all ages, Rapone said, with an upper level for the little ones and downstairs for older kids. 

“It’s needed so much. There's so many kids around here that, you know, for years, didn't really have anywhere in the Batavia area to go, especially Genesee County itself,” she said. “So we really are excited to bring something in for all these kids to do. Come in, have fun, have a family outing right here in town without having to go to Buffalo and Rochester.”

So why the move after being so successful on the city’s east end? Due to the success, “we ran out of space for growth,” she said, “and we felt like moving into the downtown area was kind of the place to be.”

Now that they are part of the Business Improvement District, the business owners plan to participate in BID events, such as Christmas in the City, the Halloween trick-or-treats at each business, and annual cider and wine walks, she said. Other perks are “all the things that downtown has to offer, plus the traffic through here, and it’s just a great place to be seen.”

Within the set hours of the facility, people can just walk in and use it, there’s no need to make a reservation, unless it’s to book the party room, which accommodates up to 70 guests. That’s a change from the Harvester location, Rapone said.

“We were doing full facility shutdowns at the last place, and now we've just kind of outgrown that. We have too many people we're turning away on the weekend. So now it's just, if we're open, come in, no need for a reservation,” she said. “You can book right on our website. We have a booking software on there, so you'll just hit the book now button and look at all of our packages and pricing right on there, and book right online, and put your deposit in.”

Rapone was thoughtful to include “a lot of safety mats” and safety equipment, such as 6,000 square feet of turf, in the play areas for each child’s protection, and is also excited about a new swipe card system and a state-of-the-art prize hub. Other work has included a lot of painting and exclusive murals by a military veteran who she credited for doing “an amazing job” with complementary murals on the purple hued walls.

She and her husband hope that people will stop in to see it for themselves, and check out every facet, including the prize hub, and enjoy the facility as a family.

“It's like a vending machine for your prize. It's really cool,” she said. “We're excited to be able to have the whole family here having fun. Adults coming too. We’re trying to get food and drink, and when I say drink, I'm hoping for a beer and wine license so that we can kind of host some more adult night stuff, like do our adult paint night. That is our goal, to make it for everybody, for everyone.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. The facility is closed Mondays and Wednesdays. 

For more information, go to House of Bounce.  

Photos by Kara Richenberg

Hornet Hustle 5k. Sat 8/31/24 9:00am. Start/Finish line at Oakfield Methodist Church Parking lot, 5 North Main Street, Oakfield, NY. Sign up by 8/15 to be guaranteed a race Tshirt https://oakfieldbetterment.com/5k

The annual Labor Daze Hornet Hustle 5K Run/Walk winds throughout the streets of the village of Oakfield. The proceeds will help benefit the two scholarships that Oakfield Betterment Committee will be giving out to two graduating seniors each year. After the race, stay for the Labor Daze Music & Food Festival, which continues all day Saturday and through Monday evening. Sign up by 8/15 to get a race Tshirt, register in advance for $25 or $30 day of.

Visit our Facebook page for more info.

Although Bob Trombley, a parent of two children in the Batavia City School District, has made requests to be able to communicate with teachers in ways other than the popular and standard ParentSquare app, he’s not certain his appeals are going anywhere.

Trombley addressed the school board during Monday’s meeting, and Superintendent Jason Smith responded that teachers can communicate with him via telephone and not just through the app as he said he's been told. 

"My hope is that this will be taken very seriously by Jason and the board, and that action on this will be done in a quick manner. I’ve had discussions with Jason previously about the app; I have not been satisfied with the outcome of those conversations. I think overall Jason is an approachable person, who generally does take action when he feels it’s required, I’m just not sure what they will decide with this,” Trombley said Tuesday to The Batavian. “I currently have two students in the district, and all throughout last year I was unable to get any communications from the app. I have called the schools individually and asked to speak with teachers and have absolutely been denied that ability and told all communication is through the app. I have requested paper copies of forms and so on, and have also been denied those from time to time with the statement ‘it’s on the app, you have to do it on the app.’”

The Batavian also reached out to Smith with followup questions about the matter.

You said that teachers should be responding to parents wanting to talk to them, so why was (Trombley) complaining, and why do you think the breakdown is that he and apparently others may believe it's only to be done via the parent app?

“Our admin and teachers are always available to speak to our families and community members individually — ParentSquare has not changed that. ParentSquare does provide a single communication tool for our families, schools, and district, but that is not the only means,” Smith said. “All staff members still utilize email, while ParentSquare is another option for direct communication via its messaging tool based on a parent’s preference. ParentSquare is used to post messages, urgent alerts, and general updates, and has been well-received by our families and staff. 

“No system is perfect and we are continually looking for ways to refine our use of this tool. We just completed our first year as a district using ParentSquare, and while I'm thrilled with the progress, of course there are always ways we can improve, and we intend to do so,” Smith said. “Our newly hired Director of Educational Technology Wendy Villone has prior experience with ParentSquare, and we look forward to her expertise as well. I want to point out a few other positive elements about ParentSquare that we’ve experienced during our first year of use.”

Those elements include: 

Unified Communication Platform: ParentSquare has streamlined our communication process by consolidating various channels into one platform. This integration has reduced confusion and improved efficiency for both staff and families.

Increased Reach: We're able to connect with 97% of our parents and guardians district-wide through ParentSquare. This level of reach was previously unattainable with traditional communication methods. For the remaining 3%, we've identified alternative ways to ensure they receive important information.

Enhanced Equity: The platform's automatic translation feature, supporting more than 100 languages, has significantly improved our ability to communicate with non-English speaking families. This feature ensures that all parents, regardless of their primary language, can access and understand important school information.

Real-Time Updates: The platform's immediate notification system ensures that parents receive timely information about school events, sports practices, emergencies, and other critical matters.

Customization: Parents appreciate the flexibility to customize how they receive notifications, allowing them to stay informed in a way that suits their preferences and schedules.

Enhanced Engagement Tools: Features like appointment scheduling, event sign-ups, and surveys have increased parent participation and engagement.

Improved Staff Experience: This past school year, we did a survey of our staff to find out how their experience with ParentSquare was going. We received a lot of helpful ( anonymous) feedback, but here are some quotes that stood out to me: "Parents who do not answer the phone for calls will message through ParentSquare all the time. I am able to send quick responses and communicate with parents so much easier than trying to contact them by phone.

“I appreciated Mr. Trombley’s public feedback and intend to continue our discussion on this topic,” Smith said. “I appreciate these comments as we seek to enhance and improve how we interact with families across BCSD.”

Trombley emphasized that he knows “without a shadow of a doubt” that he’s not the only one who has struggled to successfully use ParentSquare, and there are even parents who are “way more comfortable and well versed in technology who are having the same difficulties as I am,” he said.

He reiterated his Monday talking points (a video recorded by Trombley) about the district trampling his and others’ First Amendment rights of free speech and believes this setup is "the most restrictive form of communication with our school, not the least restrictive.”

“I do not intend to drop this at all. I am hoping for a hasty response from the district, and a hasty change to this policy,” he said. “I don’t think getting rid of the forced nature of this app is unreasonable. I do plan on pursuing this issue in a peaceful legal way to see it through. Ligation is not out of the question, however, I would hope we don’t get to that point.” 

The Batavian asked Smith if this was the first complaint of this type made in the district. 

Given Trombley’s complaints, and apparent experience with his child's teachers, do you plan to respond with your teaching faculty with any communication about using the app? Can or will you clarify how the app is to be used and how faculty can also communicate with parents that wish to communicate another way, especially for those that want to opt out of the app and who may have a learning disability, as he suggested?

“This is the first formal complaint we have received, however, we appreciate the feedback. We have surveyed our staff on their use of ParentSquare and will launch a similar survey to our families.,” Smith said. “With a new school year approaching, we always look to review, reassess, and refresh our communication expectations and guidelines across the district and school levels, and intend to do so again this year.  

“ParentSquare is fully compliant with all educational laws and regulations, and is widely used throughout our region and the state. You can find ParentSquare’s Privacy Policy here. To address Mr. Trombley’s comment about how ParentSquare uses our District’s data, please see the following.”

Sharing and Disclosure of Information

ParentSquare uses the data received from the School for the sole purpose of delivering products and services to the School. We do not rent, trade, or sell or otherwise distribute your information to any third parties and will only disclose information when allowed by FERPA and required a) by applicable laws or government orders or b) to maintain and operate our service or c) when authorized by the School.

No Advertising

ParentSquare does not use student or user records or data collected for targeted advertising, and no student profile is built by ParentSquare for reasons other than furthering School purposes.

O’Darius A. Hamilton, Taheed M. Moffett and Carlos D. Hightower (no ages nor residential information provided by Batavia PD) are charged with multiple crimes following a traffic stop on July 15 on Ellicott Street by members of the Batavia PD NET Unit. They were all charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd and criminal possession of stolen property. Moffet and Hamilton were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Hamilton was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd.  During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found a large quantity of narcotics and a loaded handgun. The handgun had been previously reported stolen. All three were arraigned and released.

Richard C. Dumbleton and Robert J. Karker (no ages nor residential information provided by Batavia PD) are charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Dumbleton is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia and a traffic violation. On July 21, Batavia patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Raymond Avenue. As a result of a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found a large quantity of narcotics. Dumbleton was arraigned and released. Karker was held as a fugitive from justice on a warrant issued in Kentucky.

Lorendia S. Templeton, 29, of Farmington, was charged on July 8 with attempted assault 1st, menacing 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Templeton is accused of hitting another person with a baseball bat during a fight on Elm Street, Batavia, on July 7. He was arraigned and released.

Krystle D. Sanders, Dajuandrick C. Gardner, and Ashley M. Davis are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The three suspects are accused of watching and encouraging two juveniles to fight on State Street, Batavia, on June 6.  They were arrested on July 4 and issued appearance tickets.

Samuel J. Hernandez, 22, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of stealing the tip jar from Blondie's Sip-N-Dip on July 14. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Penny S. Hofert, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Hofert was arrested on July 15 following an investigation into drug sales in the city of Batavia. She was arraigned and released.

David J. Vega, 59, of Rochester, was arrested on July 15 on two warrants. The first warrant stems from a traffic stop, where Vega was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. The other warrant was issued after Vega allegedly failed to appear in court on a robbery charge from 2019. He was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Michael J. Miller, 46, of Batavia, was arrested on July 18 on two warrants. Miller is accused of failure to register a change of address as a sex offender on two separate occasions. He was arraigned and jailed.

Cindy I. Bush, 62, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bush was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and fentanyl on Oct. 26 in the city of Batavia. She was arrested on July 16 and issued an appearance ticket. 

Laquita O. Jackson-Thomas, 41, of Rochester, was arrested on July 14 on a warrant for allegedly failing to appear in court on a traffic ticket. She was arraigned and released.

Jon H Bush, 64, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bush is accused of possessing cocaine on Oct. 26 in the city of Batavia. He was arrested on July 11 and issued an appearance ticket.

Michael C. Smith, 32, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing a wagon from T.F. Brown's on July 16. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Dontre R. Woods, 34, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on July 16. Woods is accused of failure to appear on a traffic ticket. He was arraigned and released.

Christine A. Draper, 53, of Bethany, is charged with harassment 2nd. Draper is accused of punching another person in the face during a disturbance at Batavia Downs on July 13. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Ryan A. Decillis, 32, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Ryan A Decillis is accused of shoving another person during an argument on July 8 at a location on Ross Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Samuel J. Hernandez, 22, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of stealing the tip jar from Blondie's Sip-N-Dip on July 14. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Courtney B. Kacur, 21, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Kacur was charged after reportedly being found asleep at the wheel in a business parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, on July 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jonathan E. Garcia, 32, of Batavia, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Garcia was arrested on July 9. He is accused of failure to register e-mail and social media accounts. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Carl E. Canterbury, 53, and Brant G. Matthews, 29, both of Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. Officers with the Batavia Police NET unit conducted a traffic stop on Ellicott Avenue on July 4. During the investigation, officers searched the vehicle and allegedly located over four grams of crack cocaine. Canterbury was additionally charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd. Both were arraigned and released.

Kevin L. Henley, 32, of Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. Henley is accused of entering a residence in Batavia on July 10 without the owners' permission. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Thomas J. Mitchell, 34, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mitchell was arrested on July 10. He is accused of stealing a set of car tires and using them on his own vehicle. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Christopher M. Phillips, 27, of Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Phillips is accused of threatening another person on July 8 with a knife during a fight on Bank Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Carlina T. Newton, 29, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and harassment 2nd. On July 7, Batavia patrol officers responded to a report of a person wandering in traffic on West Main Street. Newton was taken into custody and taken to the hospital. While being detained, Newton was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine. Newton is also accused of biting a police officer. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jennifer L. Tucker, 48, of Batavia, was arrested on July 8 on a warrant. The warrant stems from a March traffic stop, during which Tucker was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket. The warrant was issued when she allegedly failed to appear in court. Tucker was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. 

Lamar I. Randall, 38, of Batavia, was arrested on July 7 on a warrant. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in December 2023, during which Randall was issued misdemeanor traffic tickets. The warrant was issued when he allegedly failed to appear in court. Randall was arraigned and released. 

Daniel J Bakowski, 43, of West Valley, was on a warrant on July 23, charging him with criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. On Dec. 2, Bakowski was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was arraigned and released.

Kamau S. Freeman, 30, of Buffalo, is charged with robbery 3rd, criminal contempt 1st, criminal mischief 3rd, and grand larceny 4th. Freeman was arrested on July 14 in connection with an incident where he allegedly forcibly stole property and damaged it and, in the process, violated a court order. He was arraigned and released.

Press Release:

Senator George Borrello has introduced new legislation designed to enhance safety in highway construction and maintenance zones.

The first bill would mandate the installation of at least two photo speed violation monitoring systems in work areas on state highways and the New York State Thruway, expanding and strengthening the five-year Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program, overseen by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Thruway Authority. Under this program, motorists caught by work zone monitoring cameras of driving at least 10 miles per hour over the posted limit in a work zone area are fined through a ticket they receive in the mail. The program identified over 130,000 speeding violations in work zones statewide last year.

“In 2023, there were 130,000 speeding violations in monitored work zone areas on state highways. That is a staggering number,” said Senator Borrello. “Even worse, many weren’t just speeding violations, there were 144 injuries and three fatalities due to motorists ignoring the law and driving into prohibited work zones. Those are preventable tragedies, which is why I am introducing legislation that would strengthen speed violation monitoring systems in work zones by requiring monitoring at every highway and thruway worksite.”

Under the bill, S9884, a demonstration program would mandate the installation of at least two photo speed monitoring systems at each work site on controlled-access highways and the thruway. Under current law, speed monitoring is limited to 30 sites at any one time – 10 on the thruway and 20 on NYSDOT roads. This restriction leaves many work sites unmonitored, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries for both drivers and construction workers.

“By equipping work zones with two photo speed monitoring systems, we can better detect and ultimately deter speeding, thus reducing accidents and protecting both workers and motorists,” said Senator Borrello. 

The other measure would increase the penalties for failing to move over or slow down when approaching authorized emergency vehicles, as required by New York’s “Move Over” law.

In 2010, the law was enacted to reduce collisions with emergency vehicles stopped on the roadway. The law was later expanded to also include hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles, and tow trucks. Most recently, the law was further expanded to cover all vehicles stopped on the side of the road. Drivers are now required to exercise due care to avoid any stopped vehicles by either changing lanes or slowing down.

Senator Borrello noted that when drivers ignore the law, the results can be tragic. 

On May 9, Vincent J. Giammarva, 62, from Le Roy, Genesee County, a constituent of the 57th Senate District, lost his life, while his coworker, Mark Vara, 58, from Scottsville, suffered serious injuries. Both men were struck by an eastbound tractor-trailer while working in a designated work zone between exits 47 and 46 on the Thruway. 

The tractor-trailer driver failed to slow down and move over as required when approaching the work zone. Despite the fatality and serious injuries caused in this case, the current law dictates that this driver will receive a fine of only $150 unless additional charges are brought.

In addition to the $150 fine for a first offense, current law provides for a $300 fine for a second offense within 18 months, and $450 for a third offense within 18 months.

“The tragic loss of Mr. Giammarva and the serious injuries sustained by Mark Vara underscore the urgent need for reform. Current penalties are too weak to be a deterrent. Lives are at stake when motorists ignore the law and we need penalties that reflect that,” said Senator Borrello.

Senate Bill S9883 would increase penalties for failure to move over or slow down when there is a stopped vehicle
on the roadway. Under this amendment, a first conviction would result in a fine of $450. A second conviction within 18 months would increase the fine to $600 and add 6 points to the driver’s license, making the driver liable for a Driver Responsibility Assessment in addition to the $600 fine. A third conviction within 18 months can lead to a fine of $750, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, depending on the severity of the infraction.

“While nothing can undo the Giammarva family’s loss of a beloved husband and father, these measures are aimed at strengthening our worker safety laws, thereby raising the public’s awareness of the gravity of this problem. We saw the effect that stronger drunk driving laws and penalties had in combatting impaired driving. In 1980 there were around 28,000 drunk driving deaths in the U.S. while in 2020, there were 11,654. While that is still too many, the decrease resulting from stronger laws was undeniable. Reckless motorists in worker safety zones are just as much a threat to life and safety, which is why I have introduced these laws,” concluded Senator Borrello.