Press release:

On Friday, it was an extremely cold winter’s evening, with wind chills dropping well below zero outside; however, it was a heartwarming evening inside Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School as the community came out by the hundreds in support of the twelfth annual Shooting For A Cure! game.  The hallways, gymnasium, and cafeteria were packed with people throughout the evening who were looking to make a difference in the battle against cancer. On Friday night, by game’s end, the twelfth annual Shooting For A Cure! game had raised over $26,000 to help fund cancer research at Roswell Park. Over the weekend and even early this morning, donations have continued to trickle in, ensuring that the total keeps growing by the day.

In 2011, the original team decided to use their passion for playing basketball as a platform from which to host a fundraiser for breast cancer research at Roswell Park in support of community member Toni Funke.  As a result, the girls, their coaches, and several dedicated community members organized an annual event, naming it Shooting For A Cure!, through which they have now raised a total of over $250,000 in contributions for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. This game remains at the top of the independent fundraising events list sanctioned by Team Roswell.

Mary Russo, Team Roswell Coordinator, continues to be amazed by the players and families in the community. “The Pembroke Girls basketball team truly knows how to rally a community together for such an incredible cause. In their twelfth year of hosting their Shooting For A Cure! game, the girls raised over $26,000 for critical, life saving treatments at Roswell Park,” noted Russo. “We are all so incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication this team, the students, the families, and the Pembroke faculty has for the Roswell Park community. We truly admire their commitment to be champions for a cure,” said Russo.

Anyone who would like to support the cause is encouraged to do so by visiting the Shooting For A Cure! donation page.

According to Arron K. Brown, a Pembroke 6th grade teacher who worked tirelessly all evening running his famous Snack Shack, “The fans this season were again extremely generous. As we sold pizza logs, slices of pizza from Homeslice 33, barbecue from Burnin’ Barrel BBQ, chips and queso from Salsarita’s, sandwiches and cookies from Buttercrumbs, donuts and coffee from Tim Hortons, ice cream sundaes from Hershey’s, people weren’t even asking us for change,” shared Brown. “The true spirit of the Pembroke community carried over into the Snack Shack, as we had an army of volunteers ready to help in any way they could! From cooking pizza logs, going on supply runs, scooping ice cream or just cleaning up tables, our Dragon spirit was on full display,” added Brown. “This night is my favorite night of the school year. I love seeing how this community rallies around each other the way they do. You can just feel the energy and love in the air,” said Brown.

DJ Jickster from 97 Rock was in attendance to energize the crowd and to share his sincerest appreciation for what the Pembroke community continues to do for cancer research at Roswell Park. During game breaks, he hosted six separate check presentations, sharing the court with students from both the Primary and Intermediate Schools who held coin drives, as well as the Oakfield-Alabama and Attica school districts who held their own coin drives in support of the event. Teachers and students were recognized by Jickster for their efforts. Each group presented their funds to the Pembroke Girls Basketball team in support of funding research efforts at Roswell Park. Additionally, Mr. Brown presented Mr. Wilson with a check from the Can Jam Redemption center’s bottle and can drive which raised $900 in returns from scores of generous supporters. Community member Billy Burd, owner of Billy The Kid Automotive, sent in a $500 donation with Jickster, accompanied by a personal note sharing some kind words for the team and the Pembroke community and memorializing family members and friends.

Later on that evening, during an emotional halftime ceremony hosted by Pembroke Superintendent Mr. Matthew Calderon, the girls team memorialized 25 community members and honored 31 cancer survivors (virtually as well as in person) personifying their dedication to this cause. White roses were placed in a vase in memory of those we’ve lost and pink roses were placed in that same vase in honor of survivors in our community. Nine community members stood on the baseline and were recognized by name. Each survivor who joined us on the court was honored with a hug from a player or family member, handed a single rose, and cheered by the hundreds of fans who packed into the gymnasium.

Jennifer Wilson, a Pembroke 5th grade teacher, organized the halftime ceremony again this season. “For the team to continue to play this game each year in memory of and in honor of members of this community whose lives have been affected by cancer means a lot to me. We’re a community, we’re all in this together, and no one fights alone,” said Wilson. “The list of people we honor and memorialize continues to grow each season. It’s important that we all give back as much as we can and be as supportive as we can be. So many teachers, parents, grandparents and even former students have all been affected by this disease in some way,” added Wilson. “Showing our love and support to these members of our community is what this night is all about,” shared Wilson.

Recent alumna Allie Schwerthoffer made it a priority to be in attendance on Friday night in support of the game that still means so much to her. As a player, Allie enjoyed the opportunity to support those battling the disease, to celebrate survivors, and to remember those we’ve lost. With her playing days now behind her, she circled this date on her calendar and made sure to be back in town for the game to help out. “I was excited to come back and see the hallways full of people. You could just feel the positive energy! It was a different experience to be on the other side of the game now as a volunteer,” shared Schwerthoffer. “The pink game is a sign of hope. It is a reminder to devote ourselves to something bigger. Our community is filled with love and support for one another and the pink game gives us all a chance to come together in support of those in need,” Schwerthoffer added.

The generous support of local benefactors has made the event possible. In addition to individual supporters, the 2022-2023 Shooting For A Cure! business and organization donor list includes 189 Burger, 26Shirts, ADPRO Sports, Alex’s Place, Aquarium of Niagara, Arcade-Attica Railroad, Arrowhead Golf Club, Baldwin’s Country Store, Batavia Country Club, Batavia Muckdogs, Batavia’s Original, Billy The Kid Automotive, Bourbon & Burger, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, Burnin’ Barrel BBQ, Buttercrumbs Bakery, C.B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Cedar Street Sales & Rental, Chestnut Hill, Cinquino’s, Coffee Press, Coca-Cola of Rochester, Crickler Vending, Delta Sonic, Dinosaur Barbecue, Dixon Ticonderoga, Dollars for Scholars, Dry Creek Group

Eli Fish, Empire Realty Group, Five Guys, Foxprowl Collectibles, Game of Throws, Genesee County DSS, Great Clips of Lancaster, Green Mountain Electric, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Holiday Valley, Homeslice 33 Pizzeria, Insty-Prints, Jim’s Steakout, Jimbo’s Construction, Knockaround Sunglasses, Linda’s Family Diner, M&T Bank, Mighty Taco, Mosquito Hunters of Buffalo, Mugs & More, New Era, NYSCOPBA, OnCore Golf, Original Pizza Logs, Oxford Pennant, Pembroke Youth Association, Pesci's Pizza & Wings, Pink Cow, Reeds Jewelers – Jenss Décor, Roman’s, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More, Salsarita’s, Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, Sincerely Kayla Photography, Stan’s Harley-Davidson, Store716, Terry Hills, Tim Horton’s, ULTA Beauty of Batavia, Vivify Hydration, Yancey’s Fancy, and YMCA of Batavia.

Businesses and organizations still wishing to make a donation for this year’s event should contact Mike Wilson, the Shooting For A Cure! coordinator at Pembroke, by calling 716.949.0523.

Submitted photos.

Press release:

Calling it a “star-studded event,” Director Dennis Dunbar reports that area residents are in for a real treat when the Wings Over Batavia Air Show comes to the Genesee County Airport this fall.

The show is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 2 and Sun., Sept. 3 – Labor Day weekend -- with starting times to be confirmed. Dunbar said organizers are leaning toward starting around 5 p.m. both days.

“This truly will be an air show like you’ve never seen before,” Dunbar said. “We’ve secured world champion aerobatic performers, historical warbirds and modern military demonstrations.”

Highly respected in the air show arena, Dunbar said the Batavia show will feature high-powered lights and lasers and fire coming from the aircraft wings.

“Our goal is to offer a PyroBatic display in the night skies of Batavia,” he said. “This highflying spectacle of light, in flight, culminates with not just a spectacular fireworks show but a PyroMusical with an added twist.”

Dunbar, president of Dunbar Airshows, also serves as the director of Air Shows and Attractions at SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland, Fla., and as the chairperson of the board of the International Council of Air Shows.

Already, about a dozen performers have been lined up for the show, which is seeking volunteers and sponsors, Dunbar added.

Headlining the list of acts is the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo Team, the Air Force’s premier close air support aircraft that provides invaluable protection to the troops on the ground.

Stationed out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, the A-10 team travels across the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10 “Warthog.”

Also scheduled:

• Ghostwriter Airshows: With over 200 pounds of pyro and illuminating LED lights, the stars become a backdrop for our trail from sparks and aerial burst of color. Originally designed as a trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk has been specially modified for Airshow aerobatics and Skywriting.
• Matt Younkin in a Beech 18: One of the most unusual acts on the circuit, Younkin executes a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls and even loops. For his “Elephant Waltz,” Younkin rocks the wings of this huge transport more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and laps extended. His night performance features 17 spotlights and 13 strobes for a one-of-a-kind experience.
• Ken Rieder: His performance lights up the skies over with heart-stopping aerobatics enhanced by luminescent Lairs and showering pyrotechnics.
• Michael Goulian Aerosports: Goulian’s aggressive approach is an exercise in precision in every roll, pull and tumble of his Extra NG.
• Rob Holland Aerosports: Holland is one of the most decorated, respected and innovative aerobatic pilots and airshow performers in the world. He flies the MXS-RH, an all-carbon Ober, competition–ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft.
• Bill Stein in an Edge 540: Stein has logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation light -- beginning when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since.
• Kevin Coleman in an Extra 300 SHP: Coleman flies an Extra 300 SHP with a roll rate of 400 degrees per second and +/-10g capabilities. He is a second-generation pilot and air show performer.
• Jim Peitz in a One-of-a-King Bonanza: Peitz’s specialized Beechcraft F33C Bonanza, one of only 118 built, performs an amazing demonstration that will leave fans completely mesmerized. It is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers (unusual for a Bonanza), including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads (yes, it goes vertical).
• Lee Lauderback in the P-51 Mustang “Crazy Horse 2”: Legendary pilot Lee Lauderback will demonstrate how the P-51 Mustang achieved its WWII fame with its high-performance maneuvering.
• High Flight Mustangs P-51 Demo Team “Mad Max & Little Witch”: Lou Horschel and Ariel Luedi form a unique P-51 acrobatic demo team. “Mad Max” is a Cavalier Mustang II that Horschel flew with El Salvador FAS 401 in 1969. “Little Witch” was originally built as a D-Model and was transferred to the RCAF Squadron 420 in 1950.
• David Martin Aerobatics: David has an amazing selection of aircraft that he performs in all over North America. He has vintage biplane routine in the Bücker Jungmeister, high-energy aerobatics in his CAP-232, and an unexpected and exciting aerobatic offering in a seemingly non-aerobatic Beech Baron.

For information on becoming a show sponsor, go to the air show website – www.wingsoverbatavia.com. Several different sponsorship levels are available.

Press release:

The Richmond Library Gallery Room is hosting the Museum Quilt Guild's annual challenge show. It is on display now through February 28, 2023. 

Their "I Thought I Would Never..." 2023 contest challenged members to try using uncommon fabrics such as denim and silk and new techniques such as printing from a fish, to revisiting old ideas like embroidery or finally finishing a project started years ago, to unexpected experiences such as visiting the Pacific Ocean, discovering Hallmark holiday movies or having a vintage Singer featherweight sewing machine.  Two pieces even explore trying to get in touch with one's creativity during the early days of the covid pandemic.  

Also displayed are some of the 2021 Red and White challenge quilts current members had made, which weren't able to be displayed at the library during MQG's usual February time slot in 2021 due to covid restrictions at that time.  Red and white quilts are a traditional quilting theme that goes as far back as the colonial period in America.  Red and white quilts are also reminiscent of Valentine's Day and the cheeriness that their color brings to our usual dark and gloomy February weather.  

Museum Quilt Guild began at the Holland Land Office in 1979 and is where guild meetings were for many years, until there were so many new members and interest that the Batavia VA is their new meeting place.  Themed guild challenges go back to 1990, and the earlier challenge shows were held at HLOM until Richmond Library graciously welcomed the shows as one of their many artist shows held throughout the year.  The themes have ranged from traditional techniques to concepts such as Carnival, Architecture and Modern Solids, and the chosen challenge theme for 2024 will be Music.

The public is invited to vote for their favorites with a Viewer's Choice ballot for both the 2023 and 2021 challenge groupings, and guild members also vote for the favorites for various techniques.  The  two challenges will be on opposite walls, and there will be a different colored ballot and different ID system for each to make voting easier.  Member ballots will be pink for the Red and White challenge and green for the "I Thought I Would Never..." challenge; one will use numbers and the other letters to avoid confusion!  There will also be 2 different colors of Viewer's Choice ballots for the public to choose their favorites.  Voting continues throughout the month, with winners announced at the March Museum Quilt guild meeting.

The quilters gather at the VA every 3rd Saturday of each month, weather permitting, at 9:30 a.m. with various speakers, workshops, community service activities and "show and tell" of new quilts members are making.  Guests may come to visit and check out the guild, and new members are always welcomed, with current annual dues at $20.00.  For more information, contact Martha Lorshbaugh, MQG President at lorshbaugh@gmail.com.  You can also check out the guild's activities online at www.themuseumquiltguild.com, museumquiltguild.blogspot.com, or on Facebook at Museum Quilt Guild.

Submitted photos.

Press release:

Change of Party enrollment forms must be received at the Genesee County Board of Elections no later than February 14, 2023, to be effective immediately. Registration forms can be found online at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/elections/index.php or in person at the Board of Elections office. Any change of enrollment made from February 15 through July 5th shall be effective on July 5th. To be eligible to vote in a Party Primary, a voter must be registered with the Party holding the Primary election.

Forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Genesee County Board of Elections, 15 Main St, Batavia, NY 14020. 

It was just last week that Batavia Downs set its own handle bar higher after seeing $340,602 pass through betting portals both at the track and at simulcast outlets. That total became the highest on record since Western Regional Off Track Betting reopened the Downs in 2002.

However, on Monday (Feb. 6) -- only one week later -- that record was broken again after $348,205 was wagered on the very competitive third leg card made up of 12 divisions of Western New York Pop-Up Series participants that put on quite a show on the track.

The $9,000 Trackmaster 78 pace class was led by Faithful Desire (Kevin Cummings) who flexed her muscle as the only mare among the field of seven.

Faithful Desire tracked Catch A Lefty A (Dan Yetman) from third as the leader set quarters of :28.4 and :58.2. It was at that second station that Cummings tipped Faithful Desire into the breeze and blew right to the front before they got halfway through turn three. From there, Faithful Desire opened up a 3-1/2 length lead by three-quarters and extended that margin to six at the top of the stretch. From there, the mare cruised home under wraps to a 6-1/4 length victory in 1:55.4.

It was the fifth win in the last six starts for Faithful Desire ($3.20) at Batavia Downs going back to last year. Eva Saintcross owns the Shawn McDonough trained daughter of Real Desire- Faith Ann.

Cummings finished the day with a total of three wins in the bike.

The fastest $9,000 Trackmaster 77 trot of the day was registered by Seven Credits (Drew Monti) who pulled off a major upset at 25-1.

Seven Credits got away tardy and was in arrears by 7-1/4 lengths to Windsun Missile (Keith Kash) who was merrily rolling along at the half in :59 flat. As the race moved past the five-eighths, Cash N Chrome (Jim McNeight Jr.) shifted to the outside and provided live cover for Seven Credits, who followed intently as the pair gained ground on the leader. Cash N Chrome took the lead from Windsun Missile going by the three-quarters and Seven Credits continued to make up ground before drawing even with Cash N Chrome in mid-stretch. From there even Credits had the momentum and out-trotted  Cash N Chrome to the line and won by a neck in 1:59.4.

Seven Credits ($52.50) is owned by Jennifer Signor and is trained by Jason Signor.

The fourth leg of the Western New York Pop-Up Series will be held next Monday (Feb. 13) with the finals and consolations scheduled for the following Monday (Feb. 20). The finals will offer purses ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 while the consolation races will go for between $7,000 to $10,000. Spots in both will be secured by the top money earners in each Trackmaster category.

Driver Ray Fisher Jr. also had a hot hand on Monday getting a hat trick of his own during the afternoon.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 9) at 3 p.m. there will be a $300 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta which will be available in race 12.

Free full card past performance forms for the entire card of live racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page. 

Photo by McKenna Dziemian

If talk of chakras — seven focal points within the body — seems like new-fangled healing talk, Susan Koehler has another viewpoint to offer. If you’ve ever walked on a carpet barefoot and felt a little spark, that’s proof that you’ve got electrical energy within you.

The understanding and use of this type of spiritual medicine for the body and mind has been around for thousands of years, she says.

“I think chakras are the first and most important way for bringing energy to the human body,” she said from her East Amherst home. “That’s what connects to the human body, and takes out toxic energy. They’re the things that hold us back. You can calm the energy … it’s a basic way of bringing fresh energy. Anybody can do it.”

Koehler, a co-creative energy intuitive, will be conducting a workshop, “Chakras and the Healing Energy of the Body,”  from noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at First Presbyterian Church, 300 East Main St., Batavia. She will address questions including what are chakras? What is their role in the energy of the human body? How do they connect the human self with the divine self? and how can you work with your chakra energy to optimize your health?

There will also be practical exercises and applications for participants to use for future health maintenance.

Spoiler alert: so, what are chakras? The seven major areas are the crown, third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral and root. Each one represents a vital area and function within the body, and therefore when all are open and unblocked, energy flows through them freely.

Although it’s considered an ancient form of healing, the chakras system has been scientifically proven, Koehler said. She uses energy, colors and vibration frequencies when working with people.

“It’s really a very old belief system from a religious perspective,” she said, naming the likes of Jesus, Mohammad and Buddha as believers. “There's an omnipresent organizing force, even if you want to call it universal consciousness, but scientists have data that proves that there's a field of energy that envelops all of us and so that kind of protective bubble that makes us unique and allows us to interact with whatever is out there, wherever you want to call that, is really what the chakras do. It's an exchange of energy from outside to inside.”

Rev. Roula Alkhouri, who invited Koehler to conduct the class, said that there are no special requirements to participate and that anyone can benefit from giving it a try.

“I think those who are able to come to the workshop will find it very helpful as it will give them access to discovering their own body and spiritual energy and how they can release the things that weigh them down and get them stuck in life,” Alkhouri said. “The practices are simple and accessible to all people. You don’t have to be physically fit. You don’t have to have a belief system to find this helpful. This is about the practice. All you have to bring to it is an open heart and mind to receive this gift.”

An educator for most of her life, Koehler, who turns 70 in March, eschewed western medicine after her cancer diagnosis in 2007. More precisely, it was after she was given the prognosis at age 54: “They told me I was going to die.”

She wasn’t having it.

“I left my job in 2007 to study energy full-time,” she said. “There’s way more in this world than we have knowledge of or have explored.”

She’s not against all western medicine — it has its place for accidents, broken bones and such, she said. But in Koehler’s situation, she felt that the treatment plan wasn’t to cure her but to treat her.

“I studied, and I learned,” she said.

What she learned, taken in part from her website, is that “informational medicine, energy medicine, and consciousness technologies harbor the promise to change an omnipresent misunderstanding of healing in the world today,” she said.  

“Drugs and surgery are not the only nor the best way. Within and around each human body lives a magnetic force field - an electrical network - in a constant state of change,” she said. “As in nature, our higher self or soul continually strives to achieve balance.

“When we experience health, this electrical network is balanced and fully connected. When something in your life threatens that balance, the electrical system responds by short-circuiting or overloading ... immediately impacting the central nervous system,” she said. “The body then kicks into 'high gear' (developing new strategies) in an effort to correct the imbalance. If your body does not succeed, you physically manifest the imbalance.”

She maintains that 80 percent of disease is caused by “conscription of blockage of energy, while the remaining 20 percent is caused by deficiency.” The goal is to restore balance in and around your physical body. Every moment is a new point of beginning filled with limitless possibilities, she said. Her story is part of author Kelly Turner’s book “Radical Remission.”

So what drew Rev. Roula Alkhouri to Koehler and invite her to conduct this workshop? First Presbyterian Church has a weekly Centering Prayer group, a receptive method of silent Christian prayer to deepen participants’ relationship with God. The group also practiced 20 minutes of QiGong before sitting down to pray/meditate through silence.

“So we have known through our experience about the importance of using the body to pray and to center ourselves. I often think of the many Bible stories of healing where Jesus and the disciples touched people and healed them. I also think of the ways we commission and anoint people for ministry through the laying on of hands,” Alkhouri said. “There are so many parallels in the Christ tradition with other practices of prayer using the body and its energy. I think of the simple prayerful practices of fasting, kneeling, or holding our hands in front of our hearts and how they open us up to the gifts of the divine.”

Alkhouri also had a deeply personal experience in which she met — and was strengthened by -- Koehler and her use of chakras.

“Last year, I dealt with a lot of loss in my family with the death of both of my parents within a month and with my brother and sister struggling with cancer. I had to travel to California many times to help,” Alkhouri said. “I found myself exhausted physically. One of my spiritual friends, Margret Mitchell, MD, who is also a holistic medicine practitioner, told me that Susan would be able to help me. After I went to see Susan in September, which was a tremendous gift, I shared my experience with the Centering Prayer group, and we decided to ask Susan to come to Batavia to teach us about energy healing.”

Koehler offered to conduct the class at no cost and to open it up to the community.

Alkhouri said that if people find this session helpful, the church will offer it again on a Saturday or Sunday or in the evening so that people who work during the day can attend. Register by Feb. 13 at 585-343-0505 or fpcbatavia@fpcbatavia.org.

Submitted photo of Susan Koehler.

Tyrone Monroe Jr., 19, of Main Street, Attica, is charged with grand larceny 4th and five counts of falsifying business records 1st. Monroe is accused of stealing money and falsifying business records to try and conceal the crime while employed at Flying-J in Pembroke. He was arrested on Jan. 31 and issued an appearance ticket.

Keilah Lynee Hart, 27, of Woodrow Avenue, Rochester, is charged with introducing prison contraband 1st and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Hart is accused of possessing a controlled substance while being booked into the Genesee County Jail on an arrest warrant at 2:36 p.m. on Jan. 31. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Baillie Marie Schwab, 23, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged with felony DWI, driving with operator's view obstructed, and speeding. Schwab was stopped on Jan. 29 at 1:55 a.m. on Oak Street, Batavia, by Deputy Jonathan Dimming. She was issued an appearance ticket and released to a third party.

Diane Marie McKay, 57, of Lightwood Lane, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and inadequate lights. McKay was stopped on Feb. 5 at 2:47 a.m. on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Press release:

Batavia Train Show Scheduled for March 26.

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers announces that their Spring 2023 edition of the GREAT BATAVIA TRAIN SHOW will be held at the Richard C. Call Arena in Batavia. The large venue on the campus of Genesee Community College offers unmatched convenience for attendees and vendors. The show is scheduled for Sunday, March 26. Details follow:

• Show Name:  The Great Batavia Train Show
• Date: Sunday, March 26, 2023
• Location: Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
• Admission: $6 adults, $3 under 18, free for children under 13.
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Features: Model train vendors, free parking, snack bar

Additional Train Show Information:
For over 50 years, the Great Batavia Train Show has been one of the premier hobby events in Western New York. Our move to the Richard C. Call Arena has allowed us to grow the event in a state-of-the-art facility. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Items offered include all scales of model trains, historic railroad items, books, DVDs and toys. Free parking.

About the organizing group:
The Genesee Society of Model Engineers Inc. was founded in Batavia, NY, and actively promotes the hobby of model railroading in the Western New York area. We celebrated our 50^th anniversary in 2019. This not-for-profit organization is headquartered at 50 Main St. in Oakfield, NY. In our facility above the M&T Bank, our membership maintains four operating model train displays.   An open house is offered free to the public each December, and visitors are welcome on Tuesday evenings.

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens

Jadyn Mullen, of Alexander, placed first on Saturday in the Pentathlon at the Ocean Breeze Invitational in Staten Island.

She won with 3,352 points.

The Pentathlon consists of five events: 55-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800-meter race. In the hurdles, she ran a 9.06, in the high jump, she jumped 1.55 meters, in the shot put, she threw 9.93 meters, in the long jump, she jumped 4.99 meters and finished it off with a 2:20 in the 800.

Submitted photo and information.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced today that she will be hosting a live Tele-Town Hall for constituents in New York’s 24th Congressional District from 6 to 7  p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Participants can ask questions, provide feedback through interactive polls, and hear directly from Tenney on important issues in the district and across the country.

If you are interested in registering for the Tele-Town Hall, you can call Tenney’s office at (202) 225-3665, visit the Congresswoman's website at tenney.house.gov/rsvp, or dial in directly at the time of the call at (833) 419-0132.

Tenny has also scheduled mobile office hours in Genesee County on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 7 Main St., Batavia.

Press release:

During these mobile office hours, expert caseworkers from Congresswoman Tenney’s staff will be on hand to provide constituents assistance dealing with federal agencies. This includes issues surrounding Social Security benefits, veterans' health care, passport applications, and much more.

If you are interested in attending any of the mobile office hours below, you can schedule an appointment in advance by calling (315) 236-7088 or walk-in at any time. Please note that scheduling your appointment in advance will provide a more expedited casework experience and ensure that every constituent is able to receive the help they need.

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District is now accepting registration applications for universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) and kindergarten programs for the 2023-24 school year. 

BCSD will be offering five full-day UPK programs and two half-day programs for the upcoming school year.

BCSD’s UPK program is part of Jackson Primary and is located at Robert Morris (80 Union St.) and at one community-based organization.

The BCSD kindergarten program is located at Jackson Primary (411 S. Jackson St.).  

UPK students must be four years old on or before December 1, 2023. 

Kindergarten students must be five years old on or before December 1, 2023.

Pick up and return your registration packet to the BCSD Registration Office (260 State St.). You can also download your registration packet here. 

Any questions can be directed to the Curriculum and Instruction Office at 585-343-2480 ext. 1003

The deadline to receive applications for the 2023-24 school year is May 1, 2023.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Water Department will be repairing a service line on Maple Street in the City of Batavia on Tuesday, Feb. 7.  There is the potential the water may need to be shut off on Maple, from Evans Street to Thorpe Street.

The length of time the water would be off is unknown.

Traffic will also be closed down on Maple Street, from Evans Street to Thorpe Street while the repair is being made.

As always, when the water is restored, it may be discolored.  Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Transit Road and Byron Elba Road in Byron.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched.

A “global” plea agreement that would satisfy several felony charges against a Le Roy man is on the table following a lengthy session Monday morning in Genesee County Court.

First Assistant District Attorney Joseph Robinson offered 45-year-old Arthur J. Brown (photo at right) a prison term of seven to eight years to satisfy criminal charges in connection with a September 2021 incident on Clinton Street Road (Route 33) as well as subsequent charges for failing to register as a sex offender and drug possession with the intent to sell.

Brown, who is being represented by Joseph A. Lobosco, is being held in Genesee County Jail in connection with the latest charges.

County Court Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini scheduled his next appearance for 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday for determination of the plea offer.

Speaking following the two-hour session, Robinson said the plea offer is based on the following offenses:

• One count of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act, a Class D felony;
• Attempted criminal possession of a weapon, 2^nd degree, a violent felony;
• Attempted criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, a Class C felony.

Robinson said that Brown was charged last week for “some drug offenses out of the city" (of Batavia) and was remanded to County Jail after arraignment on those charges. Brown was wearing the jail’s orange jumpsuit this morning.

The criminal possession of a weapon charge stems from an incident on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2021, when Brown was stopped on Clinton Street Road in the Town of Stafford for allegedly driving erratically.

After being pulled over by law enforcement personnel, he ran into a cornfield and wasn’t apprehended for several hours. Initially, there was a report of “shots fired” (which later was determined not to be the case). Upon his arrest, law enforcement reported recovering a handgun at the scene, which Brown said wasn’t his.

From that incident, Brown was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, menacing a police officer, tampering with physical evidence to conceal or destroy, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving while impaired by drugs and failure to keep right. The first of those charges is a felony.

“With his history and the weapon charge being violent, he would be sentenced as a second violent felony offender,” Robinson explained. “And the agreement for the time is that he would be serving a minimum of seven years, but a maximum of eight – a one-year range – and that would be left to the discretion of the court once we come back for sentencing. And then there is a waiver of a right to appeal, which is typical in every case.”

When asked if this would be satisfying the case “globally,” Robinson agreed.

“Exactly. It would be resolving all of his pending matters in County Court, and whatever might be pending in town court. It would resolve all of these,” he said. “If he is going to take it, we’ll have an SCI or Superior Court Information filed, which is necessary for the court to be able to take a plea on the new charge from last week.”

During today’s proceedings, which were adjourned for an hour to allow for further consultation, Lobosco indicated to the judge that Brown is “somewhat amenable” to the offer but wished to be released from pending sentencing due to personal issues. Lightcap Cianfrini countered by saying that she would not agree to any type of relief prior to acceptance of the plea agreement.

The judge also advised Brown that much stricter sentences could be imposed – even up to 25 years to life -- should Brown opt to refuse the plea offer and then was found guilty of the many charges in a jury trial or trial in front of the judge.

Previously:

• Criminal cases against Le Roy man, including 'shots fired' case, hinge on missing video evidence
• BREAKING NEWS: Shots fired after vehicle stopped on Route 33, near Mill Road

Click here to post your Valentine's Day message of adoration. 

Genesee Snopackers held the group's annual Bikini Rally at its clubhouse in Oakfield on Saturday, raising $17,859 for the Pink Fund, to fight breast cancer.

More than a dozen young women, despite single-digit temperatures, participated.

Photos by Louis J Scafetta III, L3Photographs. For more photos, click here.

A man who stole Nintendo Switch game consoles from Walmart and told employees he had a gun managed to evade law enforcement before officers arrived on scene on Saturday night.

The man smashed the glass of a display case at about 10:26 p.m., according to the Sheriff's Office.

He did not display a weapon while in the store.

The store was evacuated until officers determined the area was safe for customers and employees.

The robber fled in a vehicle. No description was provided of the man or the vehicle.

Deputies, State Police, and Batavia PD conducted a search of the area to try and locate the suspect.  He was not apprehended.

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to call (585) 343-5000.

This week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling produced the high three-game series at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, an "out of the box" 300 game at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, another honor score and huge series by the reigning GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament champion and the first perfect game of the season at Perry Bowling Center.

Tom Baker of Pavilion was a model of consistency on Thursday night as he spun games of 279, 278 and 266 for an 823 series on lanes 15-16 at the 24-lane center in Batavia. 

The 46-year-old left-hander recorded 32 out of a possible 36 strikes -- 10 in the first game (including the first nine) and 11 each in the second and third games.

He overcame an open in the sixth frame of game three by finishing with six strikes for his third United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series. He also has a trio of 300 games.

The big set raised his average to 219.

In other action:

• Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. used a new ball -- the Ebonite Envision Pearl -- for the first time in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl and the result was 300-236-233--769 on lanes 3-4.

Gray, 42, now has at least a dozen certified 300 games, including two in Bergen and three at Perry Bowling Center. The 769 raised his league-high average to 223.

• Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, who won the Scratch Memorial last month for the fourth time, fired 215-300-257--772 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso's. 

The 44-year-old righty raised his center-leading average to 236 with his second straight 772 series. 

• Jacob Iresabal of Castile became the first league bowler at Perry Bowling Center to string 12 consecutive strikes in one game as he rolled 300 in the Thursday Night League on lanes 5-6. 

The 37-year-old righty averages in the 190s.

• Also, in the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Mancuso's, Mary Ann Stone of Batavia finished with a 277 game for a 597 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.