There were dozens of craft brews on tap on Saturday night at Batavia Downs for the 4th Annual Brewfest.

Photos by Howard Owens

Poodle skirts galore, duck tails and pony tails, rolled-up blue jeans, and a rockin' band (the Front Porch Pickers) brought the era of hit 45s, soda jerks, jukeboxes, and pre-Beatles pop music back to life on Saturday night at the VFW in Batavia.

Photos by Howard Owens

Jason R. Anderson, 41, of Batavia, is charged with robbery 1st, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, petit larceny, and criminal mischief 4th. Anderson is accused of displaying a knife during a robbery at an undisclosed business on Veterans Memorial Drive on Jan. 23 at 6:36 p.m. The suspect in the robbery fled the scene before deputies arrived. Following an investigation, Anderson was identified as the suspect. He was arrested without incident on Jan. 30. He was arraigned in town of Batavia Court and ordered held on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. The petit larceny and criminal mischief charges stemming from an incident on Jan. 3 at the same location. He is accused of cutting a chain lock on an electric bicycle and stealing the bicycle. 

Tiffany Marie McAllister, 32, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. McAllister was arrested Feb. 13 in connection with an incident reported at 11:30 p.m. Jan. 28, at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. McAllister was arraigned and released on her own recognizance.

Zachary Russell Reed, 32, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. Reed is accused of an assault reported at a business in the Town of Batavia on Jan. 28 at 10:30 p.m. He was arrested Feb. 13 and released on his own recognizance following arraignment.

Alyssa Michele Harnish, 34, of West Main Street, Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Harnish is accused of striking a child during a disturbance reported at 10:19 p.m. on Feb. 12 at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Harnish was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on her own recognizance.

Megan June Courtney, 26, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of grand larceny 4th. Courtney is accused of stealing a debit card and using the debit card to make purchases in excess of $1,800. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael John Szustakowski, 34, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged with felony DWI, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, speeding, and open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.  Szustakowski was stopped by Sgt. Mathew Clor at 8:07 p.m. on Feb. 10 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. He is accused of attempting to flee on foot through the backyard of a residence. He was apprehended after a foot pursuit. He was arraigned in Centralized Court. His release status was not disclosed.

Tasha Lynn Horton, 41, Dry Bridge Road, Alexander, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision with an emergency vehicle, moving from lane unsafely, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Horton is accused of driving drunk and nearly striking a patrol vehicle on a traffic stop on Feb. 12 at 1:50 a.m. on Route 33 in Bergen. Horton was arrested by Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Kevin Lysie Richardson, 49, of Tempest Street, Perry, is charged with falsifying business records 1st and attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon. Richardson is accused of attempting to purchase a firearm he was ineligible to possess on Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m at a location on Veterans Memorial Drive. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joseph Carl Jeffords, 31, of Chestnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jeffords is accused of shoplifting at Kohl's Department Store in Batavia.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Raeshawn S. Robinson, 25, of Fairbanks Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd, insufficient tail lamps, no seat belt, and failure to use four-way flashers. Robinson was stopped by Deputy Ayrton Blankenberg on Route 63 in Alabama on Feb. 12 at 12:27 a.m. He was arraigned in Centralized Court. His release status was not disclosed.

Demetrius J. Coleman, 27, Highgate Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny.  He is accused of stealing a BB gun from Dick's Sporting Goods in Batavia at 2:49 p.m. on Feb. 10. he was arraigned in City Court and ordered to appear in Batavia Town Court on March 2.

Zakara Rose Jackson, 19, of Trumbull Park, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband 1st. Jackson is accused of bringing a crack pipe into the Genesee County Jail at 7:13 a.m. on Feb. 5. Jackson was arraigned in Centralized Court. Her release status was not disclosed.

Caleb Richard Swendsen, 28, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Swendsen is accused of possessing a crystal rock-like substance and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle at 11:22 on Feb. 12 at a location on Main Street, Oakfield. Swendsen was arrested by Deputy Jacob Kipler and issued an appearance ticket.

John Mitchell Francis, 29, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving a vehicle with no tail lamps, no plate lamp, and failure to notify DMV of an address change.  Francis was stopped at 10:09 p.m. on Feb.11 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Deputy Jonathan Dimming. He was issued traffic tickets and released to a third party.

Ethan Mitchell Conrad, 22, of South Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, moving from lane unsafely, and failure to dim headlights.  Conrad was stopped at 10:25 p.m. on Feb. 16 on South Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

John James Petti, 33, of Hawley Street, Lancaster, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and no headlamps. Petti was stopped at 10:37 p.m. on Feb. 18 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Ayrton Blankenberg.  Petti was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets.

Jerwan B. McFarley, 37, of Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief 4th and acting in a manner injurious to a child, two counts. McFarley was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 8:34 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Town of Stafford. McFarley was ordered held on bail. No further details released.

A person in Alexander was killed this morning by a tree that fell on her at the WNY Gas & Steam Engine Association grounds on Gillate Road.

According to State Police, the tree was being cut down on the property and fell in the path of a 65-year-old woman.

Neighbors called 9-1-1, and the tree was removed with a tractor.

Troopers and medical staff attempted life-saving measures. 

According to State Police, the scene was consistent with with an accidental death and foul play is not suspected.

The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time.

After more than seven decades of selling their popular dairy products, owners Brian and Heather Bailey made the sad announcement Sunday that it was coming to an end for Kutter's Cheese Factory retail store.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce that Kutter's  Cheese Factory Retail Store, after 75 years in business, is closing its doors,” the couple posted on its online site. “Conditions (outrageous shipping costs, discontinued cheeses, rising costs on everything, and labor shortages) have made it impractical to continue.

“It’s so difficult to say goodbye to our wonderful, selfless and hard-working employees, and to you, our customers,” they said.  “We’ve had the privilege to meet so many wonderful people and exchange smiles and our love of cheese.  Someday we may find our way back to business somewhere, but in the meantime, we’ll just say so long for now.”

The shop opened in 1947, and during the next 70 years, it continued to expand at 857 Main Road, Corfu, catering to the tastes of cheese lovers near and far.  The Kutter's store was the recipient of an Agricultural Business of the Year Award in 2009.

The owners also wanted to clarify that it is the retail store that’s closing, and not the manufacturing business of Yancey’s Fancy, which is under separate ownership.

“I hope you will have fond memories of our store and we will most certainly have fond memories of you,” they continued.  “God bless you all. Love and Respect, Heather and Brian Bailey, Owners.”

Obviously, the feelings are mutual, with several comments from folks expressing sadness and memories about having shopped at the store or family members going there for favorite items (cheese curd was apparently a popular one), even traveling from out of state -- including North Carolina -- to do so.

The owners announced a sale that will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

File Photos of top, Kutter's Cheese Factory on Main Road in Corfu, the Hot Stuff Yancey's Fancy buffalo mascot during a Kutters' customer appreciation day, and above, an assortment of cheeses at the shop, by Howard Owens.

UPDATE: There was a long line outside of Kutter's this morning. Photo courtesy WBTA.

Anybody up for a little downward dog?

In their ongoing quest to provide programs for the community’s well-being, organizers of The GOOSE Community Center and Warrior House of WNY will now be offering a yoga series, thanks to a Univera health equity award, Susan Zeliff says.

The award from Univera Healthcare will support Warrior House of WNY and its Aging Strong Program to promote physical health among senior adults aged 55 and older in rural Genesee County. Based in Oakfield, Warrior House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of veterans and families throughout Western New York through support services that promote social and emotional development for overall health and well-being, said Zeliff, Warrior House co-founder and treasurer.
 
“Aging Strong is a community-based fitness and nutrition program that informs and empowers older adults to make healthy choices about eating, and safely increase their level of physical activity,” Zeliff said this weekend. “In our part of Genesee County, the need for this type of program is great, but existing resources were few. That is until Univera stepped in with underwriting support.”    
 
Warrior House of WNY is located at 33 South Main St., in The GOOSE Community Center, a name borrowed from the former site of the Yellow Goose and an acronym for the Warrior House motto: God is On Our Side Every day. 
 
Univera Healthcare is a nonprofit health plan that serves members across the eight counties of Western New York and invited nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations serving Western New York to apply for Health Equity Awards to help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities.

Health Equity categories included but were not limited to: Reducing health disparities in racial, ethnic, LGBTQ communities, people with disabilities, people living in rural or urban communities, or other groups that may be at higher health risk for medical issues and conditions (chronic or acute), behavioral health or mental health conditions, and negative outcomes from the above, including death or suicide.
 
“Working together with organizations such as Warrior House, we are confronting the crisis in health disparities, and addressing long-standing gaps in care and services in underserved communities,” Univera Healthcare President Art Wingerter said. 

Univera Healthcare invited organizations to apply for awards of up to $30,000 each to help fund programs to improve health equity in communities of color, especially within Black and Latino communities. These segments of the community continue to suffer from health care and social disadvantages due to racism and discrimination. Award categories include, but were not limited to, improving the community’s physical health and mental health, reducing social disparities in health care, and ensuring access to health care services. 

The funding from Univera Healthcare will support six nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations across Western New York, that were chosen after a comprehensive review process that included input from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to assess each proposal. Grant recipients were selected based on clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity.

Univera Healthcare presented the award to Warrior House on Feb. 2. The goal of the Aging Strong program is to promote physical health among senior adults 55 and older through a community-based fitness and nutrition program that informs and empowers older adults to make healthy choices about eating and safely increasing their physical activity levels, Zeliff said.

Secondary goals include cultivating supportive networks among older-aged community members, promoting health education and literacy through fitness and nutrition workshops, and awareness of available assistance from local health service providers and the Warrior House food pantry.

Funds will be used for program evaluation, materials, food, and for exercise instructor Denise Gliden. She will be hosting a chair yoga at 10 a.m. on Thursday mornings beginning March 16 and a Vinyasa-style yoga at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights beginning March 22. 

“Our Univera Award will allow us to provide these classes for free. Our goal is always to provide low to no-cost programs. We never want costs to keep people from participating in our programs,” Zeliff said. “It is awards like this that help us make this possible. At this time, we are not putting a limit on the class size. We are hoping to benefit a lot of people with this program.”

For more information, go to Warrior House of WNY or Univera Healthcare.

Submitted photo of Michele Hrichan, Univera Healthcare Medicare Sales; Olivia Linke, Univera Healthcare Community Affairs Director; Susan Zeliff, Warrior House of WNY co-founder and Treasurer; Art Wingerter, Univera Healthcare president; and Kimberly Burr, Univera Healthcare Marketplace Enroller. 

Press release:

The Rural Police Training Academy is proud to announce its 35th anniversary of providing top-quality training to police officers and pre-employment recruits in Western New York.

Since 1985, the RPTA has accepted recruits from across the region, offering a yearly basic course that runs from early April to the following early March, as well as a variety of in-service courses throughout the year in cooperation with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The RPTA's basic course features classes on Tuesdays, a majority of Wednesdays and Thursdays, from April to the end of December. Physical agility testing is required for enrollment, which will be scheduled in the weeks leading up to the start of the Academy.

Both full and part-time officers, including those over the age of 35, are welcome to enroll, as well as pre-employment candidates who are at least 19 years old and have no felony or criminal convictions. A background investigation is required for all pre-employment candidates.

"We are thrilled to celebrate 35 years of providing exceptional training and education to law enforcement professionals in Western New York," said director of the Rural Police Training Academy Doug Brooks. "The RPTA is dedicated to producing well-prepared, confident officers who are committed to serving their communities with the highest level of professionalism."

"Congratulations to the Rural Police Training Academy on their 35th anniversary of providing top-quality training to police officers and pre-employment recruits in Western New York. The RPTA plays a vital role in training and preparing law enforcement professionals, and their commitment to producing well-prepared and confident officers who serve their communities with the highest level of professionalism is commendable. We are proud to have such an outstanding organization in our community," said Dr. Craig Lamb, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Genesee Community College.

Applications are now being emailed for the 35th Annual RPTA Class beginning in April 2023. If interested, please email RPTA Director Brooks at rpolice@genesee.edu and ask that an application packet be sent to you for the 2023 Academy. Your email should include your name, phone number and preferred email. Seats are limited! More information can be found at https://www.genesee.edu/about/offices-departments/best- center/professional-development/rural-police-training-academy/.

Press release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Thursday sent a letter to the Biden administration slamming it for failing to comply with a legally-mandated reporting requirement on Iran’s military capabilities. The letter, which was addressed to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, follows her failure to submit a report to Congress on the military capabilities of Iran, which is legally required by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. The report was due 180 days following the passage of the NDAA. It is now 233 days late.

This report requires a detailed description of the advancements in the military capabilities of Iran, especially regarding the capabilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis. Further, this report requires detailed accountings of attacks against U.S. servicemembers and our allies by Iran and its proxies.

“At a time when the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to escalate tensions in the Middle East and threaten our allies like Israel, Congress required the Biden administration to provide a detailed report on the regime’s military capabilities,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This report is now 233 days late. The administration’s failure to comply with this legally required reporting requirement from Congress is unacceptable and I am calling on the Director of National Intelligence act immediately to provide this information. Not only is the failure to send this report a clear violation of the law, but it is also detrimental to our national security. I look forward to promptly receiving this report from Director Haines, as well as an explanation for the delay of more than 200 days.”

Tenney’s full letter is available here.     

Press release:

Gretchen Hawley was inducted into membership of the Batavia Rotary Club this month and continues a long-standing family tree that stretches back to the club's founding. 

Her great-grandfather, Warren W. Hawley Jr., was one of the club's charter members in 1919 and served as club president in 1924.  He was also honored for 60 years of perfect attendance in 1979. 

Next in line is her grandfather, R. Stephen Hawley, who was club president in 1966, then her father, Theodore P. Hawley, who was club president in 2009. 

Other relatives who have been Batavia Rotarians include Warren W. Hawley III, her great-uncle, and Stephen M. Hawley, her uncle.

Gretchen is a native Batavian who has recently returned to the community.  She is a physical therapist and specializes in working with multiple sclerosis patients through her business called the MSing Link.

"I grew up watching my dad and grandpa be part of Rotary, so I knew that once I was in a position to volunteer, I'd want to do it with Rotary," she said.

Rotary International is a volunteer-driven organization whose motto is "Service Above Self."

Locally, the Batavia club makes multiple contributions to the community, such as $18,000 in college scholarships to area students each year, said President John McGowan. 

Rotary is also contributing $250,000 toward the Healthy Living Campus under construction on Main Street, a joint project for the YMCA and United Memorial Medical Center.

Most recently, Rotary has offered a $150,000 matching pledge for the renovation of the local hospital's Intensive Care Unit, McGowan said.

For more information about Batavia Rotary, go to www.bataviarotary.com.

Press release:

Kids in Batavia and surrounding areas have benefitted from the Kiwanis Club of Batavia for 100 years. 

The Kiwanis Club of Batavia has a long history of community service through various club-sponsored programs and support of youth and community-serving organizations.

On Feb. 22, 1923, with 56 original members led by former Batavia Mayor Ashton W. Caney, the club received its charter from Kiwanis International.

With members in 80 countries and geographic locations, Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. 

In its early history, the Kiwanis Club of Batavia founded a Fresh Air Health Camp, which brought hundreds of children from inner cities into rural WNY for a week of camping.  Kiwanis was also a long-time sponsor of an annual Soap Box Derby, which was revived last year by the Batavia Improvement District. An early signature project was raising money to build a community pool formerly at MacArthur Park. To mark its 75th Anniversary, the club financed new playground equipment at Austin Park that remains to this day.

A more recent signature community project was the raising of over $200,000 for the Justice for Children Advocacy Center, allowing them to renovate an existing structure to provide state-of-the-art services to the children under their care. Its current signature project is funding the Books for Babies Program facilitated by the Richmond Memorial Library.

The club conducts three popular holiday events annually; Thanksgiving Morning Skate at the David. M. McCarthy Ice Arena, Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park, and an Independence Day 5K run/walk in Batavia. 

The club proudly holds an annual Law Enforcement Recognition event in conjunction with the Batavia Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Genesee Justice and the Genesee County Magistrates Office.

The club also presents three Richard Rung Memorial Scholarships each year; one each to a graduating Senior at Batavia High, Notre Dame and Genesee Valley BOCES.

“Our main objective is to improve the lives of children, one community at a time,” said David Rumsey, club president.  “As Kiwanians, we are proud of our accomplishments.  I encourage and welcome everyone to join in the proud traditions of Kiwanis.”

Kids in the community need Kiwanis. The Kiwanis Club of Batavia is proud to serve them and hopes to do so for another 100 years.  For more information, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/kiwanisclubofbatavia or their website at www.bataviakiwanis.org.  The club meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 12:10 at Batavia’s Original Pizza and welcomes new members.

Press release:

Effective January 27, 2023, Deputy Sheriff Cory W. Mower retired after 26 years of service with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. 

Deputy Mower started his career on December 28, 1996, as a Correction Officer at the Genesee County Jail.  On January 25, 2003, he was appointed a Deputy Sheriff on Road Patrol.  During his tenure, he earned two Commendations.   

“Everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office wishes Cory the very best in his future,” stated Sheriff Sheron.

For the 17th time, the Batavia Girls Indoor Track Team won a sectional title on Saturday.

The boys picked up their 11th sectional trophy.

The boys won with 148 points, beating out Uprep's 84 points.  The girls found Brockport a touch opponent and closed out the victory on the final event, posting a winning score of 111.5 points to Brockport's 109 points.

"The girls from Brockport were very tough and are well coached and never quit throughout the entire competition," Coach Nicholas Burk said.

• Parker Kleinbach - Weight Throw 59' - 2"
• Cooper Konieczny - Pole Vault  13' - 0"
• Fabian Vazquez - 55 Hurdles 8.05
• Sheldon Siverling - Shot Put  48'-9.5"
• Abby Moore - Triple Jump  34- 0.25"
• Girls 4x800 Relay - Mallory Boyce, Nicole Doeringer, Melanie Quinones, Izzy Scott  10:28.55
• Girls 4x400 Relay - Jadyn Boyce, Campbell Riley, Kylee Brennan, Ava Anderson  4:20.28

"We had Contributions from across the board - Throws, Hurdles, Jumps, Sprints, Distance," Burk said. "We were able to get over 70 athletes qualified for this meet which helped us to have the depth to finish strong in the relays.  The girls team was up by .5 points going into the relays and needed to outscore a very tough Brockport team in the relays to secure the championship.  Girls who were on their third events came through big time by winning the 4x8 and 4x4 and placing 4th in the 4x2 to score 24 points to close out the meet.  The boys team had a phenomenal day and found ways to score in every event except one (55m).  They also finished off the strong meet, scoring in all three relays too.  Our success was a direct reflection of the commitment of our athletes and the work our coaches put in to prepare for this meet.  The Blue Devil athletes displayed extreme toughness in this meet and collectively left it all on the track."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Senior Fabian Vazquez placed 2nd in boys triple jump

Senior Sydney Konieczny 55 meter hurdles

Senior boys Noah Pickard and Gavin Fowler 3200 run

Sophmore Ava Anderon Long Jump

Sophmore Sheldon Silverling Class A2 Shot Put Champion

Senior Abby Moore on the last lap of the girls 4x200 meter relay help the girls clinch their 17th track title

Head Coach Nick Burk embraces Fabian Vazquez after the boys won their 11th indoor track title

Press Release:

On Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:19 p.m., the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported kitchen fire with a person trapped at 44 South Main St. in the City of Batavia.  Initial fire units arrived at 7:22 pm to find a two and a half story two-family home with an occupant trapped at a second floor window and a fire in the kitchen area of the home. Fire crews quickly deployed a portable ground ladder, brought a female occupant to safety, and extinguished the fire. Fire damage was confined to the kitchen area and smoke damage throughout the upper apartment.

Two other occupants were in the home at the time of the fire and one of those occupants was transported by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. No firefighter injuries were reported. 

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to cooking by City of Batavia Fire Department fire investigators.  

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police, Town of Batavia FD, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the American Red Cross.

 

Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service is pleased to work with GLOW YMCA to assist with liquidating the equipment from its gymnastics program through an online public auction. The auction can be found at bontragerauction.com. There is a live preview of the equipment on Monday, February 20th, from 3 to 5pm at 29 Liberty Street, #4, Batavia, NY 14020 (2nd floor).  For more information, call Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service at 585-343-4529 or visit bontragerauction.com. 

Ellicott Station is open only to “low-income” eligible tenants.

Last month The Batavian asked the city’s Batavia Development Corporation director, and a staff member at Savarino Companies, who referred us to Assets Manager Wanda Wilson, about the new complex’s income qualifications. The first two didn't know, and Wilson did not return calls and emails for comment.

Jim Krencik of Genesee County Economic Development Center didn’t really give a classification label but said that of the total of 55 units, 25 of them will go to tenants with 50 percent of the county’s current available median income, and 30 units will go to those with 60 percent of the median income.

As an example of what that could be, the latest median yearly income data from 2017 to 2021 was $63,734, 50 percent of that is $31,867 and 60 percent is $38,240. Krencik emphasized that if someone was approved based on that starting salary and then was promoted and earned a raise, he or she wouldn’t lose the apartment because of that increased figure.

The idea is to provide quality housing to people who may have just graduated from college and are starting out with a new job and career, and want to live in a decent place that they can also afford, he said.

No one who The Batavian spoke to would commit to saying that the project at 50 Ellicott St. would be for low-income folks. Or that rent could be supplemented with Federal housing vouchers.

They also didn't correct statements made at the groundbreaking for Ellicott Station that the project would be "workforce" housing for people earning $18 to $20 an hour.

As it turns out, a single person living alone making $18 an hour is making too much to qualify for an apartment at Ellicott Station, though that same person with two or three dependents, meaning no additional income, would qualify. 

Whereas two people each earning minimum wage, $14.20 an hour, are not eligible for a two-bedroom apartment at Ellicott Station because they would be earning too much (the maximum household income for two people in a two-bedroom apartment is $34,600, and two people working full-time at $14.20 would gross $59,072).

At the infant stage, the project was considered for market-rate apartments to draw a higher-salaried tenant to not only live downtown but invest in it as consumers of retail shops and restaurants. That evaporated into categories of workforce and affordable, described by company owner Sam Savarino as a way to attract people earning about $20 an hour or below in need of quality, affordable housing.

“The idea being that nobody should be expected to pay more than a third of their income for occupancy that includes rent, or a mortgage, and their utilities,” he said during groundbreaking last year. “Part of the idea was if you’re creating jobs here, you want to have safe, modern quality housing for those workers that they can afford.”

He requested approximately $3.6 million in economic incentives, with a $2,105,792 property tax exemption, a $790,512 sales tax exemption, and a $180,792 mortgage tax exemption. He received $425,000 of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant money, and $5.7 million of low-income housing tax credits for the Ellicott Station project, which he cited as the key to moving the project forward. The DRI is "a comprehensive approach to boosting local economies by transforming communities into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family," the website states.

In 2017 and 2018, the city also gave him two grants: one from Empire State Development called the Restore New York grant for $500,000 to rehab the old electric building that’s on the site, and a $250,000 National Grid grant to enhance the Ellicott Trail on the property area right behind the Savarino campus. The trail will be enhanced with lighting, benches, and there will be parking areas for people to utilize the trail starting in that area, City Manager Rachael Tabelski had said during a prior City Council meeting.

“The hope is that they will also use the restaurant and brewhouse that will be on that site,” she said, adding that the resolution recognizes the city as the applicant “but the work will be done by Savarino Companies.”

Krencik has waxed optimistic about the city and county trying to provide varying types of housing to accommodate the needs of people at all stages of their lives.  Based on the application, Ellicott Station seems focused on financial need.  Questions include whether you require Section 8 rental assistance, alternate housing assistance, and whether you’re a full-time student.

To see the flyer or obtain an application, go to Applications at Ellicott Station. Applications are being taken and are due by 5 p.m. April 18. There is no mention of minimum income requirements or if applicants will be vetted before the lottery. The state's website states prospective tenants must pass a credit check and criminal background check.

Tenants will be selected by a lottery method noon on May 2 — not in Batavia, but at 500 Seneca St., Buffalo.  For more information, also visit the Ellicott Station page at NYHousingSearch.com.

2023 File Photo of Ellicott Station by Howard Owens.

On Thursday at Jackson Primary School, more than 70 students and their parents joined together to celebrate learning more about social and emotional well-being.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) has become an important component of public school education, and it's particularly important at Jackson and Robert Morris, Principal Maureen Notaro said, because young students are getting their first exposure to both educational lessons and being part of a larger community that includes their peers.

"Every day when kids walk in, we're their first experience," Notaro said. "They're greeted with a smile. They're accepted. They're welcomed. It's their first experience with school, so we go out of our way to try to make sure that they're socially and emotionally connected to the school."

Thursday's events included dance, yoga, a de-escalation class for parents, a chance for children to make affirmation jars and worry sticks, and for parents and kids to learn about Bouncy, the SEL dog that helps children learn to cope with their emotions. There were also community agencies in the gym for families to visit, including Batavia PD, City Fire, State Police, Community Schools, Eat Well Grill, and the Health Department.  Mr. Sunshine (top photo) led a participatory concert later in the evening.

Notaro said elementary schools have developed over time approaches that help students grow into their new roles as members of a community that include a lot of different kinds of people.

"We're kind of honed in on it more, the social-emotional piece of it, like making friends," Notaro said. "We focus on qualities every month -- honesty, generosity, we look for those traits in kids. We try to promote those and acceptance and all those different character traits in kids to help them grow to be good citizens."

Photos by Howard Owens.

One session during the event focused on Bouncy, an animatronic (mechanical) that is designed to help children cope with their emotions, particularly negative feelings. It's a pilot program, Notaro said.

"Bouncy teaches the children how to stop and deep breathe and take a minute if they get upset, and to recognize nice feelings when they become worked up and are upset," Notaro said. "Bouncy kind of helps them dial it back. We're piloting it in a couple of kindergarten classrooms. It's not a real dog. It's an animal animatronic dog, and the kids get an actual stuffed animal with it too. They're trying to relate to Bouncy, and how Bouncy teaches them acceptance because Bouncy has some disabilities."

Parents met with a teacher to learn about de-escalation techniques while their children were in another classroom making affirmation jars and worry sticks. 

"They're just little affirmations that kids can pull out every day that say, 'I'm happy,' 'I'm loved,' 'I'm, funny,' 'I'm smart," Notaro said. "It ties into our literacy goal, too, because we're trying to promote literacy at home."

On display during the community night were artworks created both by kindergarteners and high school students. Kindergartners drew pictures of monsters, and then high school students made clay sculptures based on those drawings.

In a tightly fought battle, Batavia Notre Dame United picked up a quarterfinals Section V win on Thursday over Brighton/HFL, 4-2.

Jameson Motyka led the way with a hat trick, scoring two goals in the second period (both with assists from Ivan Milovidov, and one on a power play), and then the icing on the cake at the 10:39 mark in the third period with an assist from Cooper Hamilton.

Brady Johnson also scored an unassisted goal in the second period.

United had 30 shots on goal.

Goalie Rhys Tanner blocked 16 shots.

United is the #3 seed in the tournament and plays #2 seed Victor in the semifinal on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Rochester Ice Arena.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene