There were laughs, hugs, and appreciation in the Byron Fire Hall on Saturday evening as the Byron Volunteer Fire Department recognized its dedicated members and those in other departments and the community who support it.

Robert Mruczek, who stepped into the chief's role seven years ago, was honored as he steps down to a deputy chief's role.

Assistant Chief Edward Sharp read a statement from the new chief, Dwane Weatherell, who was unable to attend the dinner.

"When Robert Mruczek took over this position," he said, "it was a time of transition following the sudden resignation of the previous fire chief halfway through the year. The challenges were great, but Chief Mruczek took those challenges head-on with a level of professionalism and dedication that set an example of true leadership. Chief Mruczek stepped into an uncertain and demanding situation. From day one, he demonstrated his ability to lead and inspire those around him. Under his leadership, our department has weathered many storms and flourished through countless emergencies, fires, and rescues. Chief Mruczek has ensured the safety and well-being of our community while continuing to build a strong department."

In 2024, the department responded to eight fire calls, 148 EMS calls, 11 hazardous condition calls, 25 good intent calls, and six false alarms. Department members went through 889 hours of fire training and 439 hours of EMS training.

The 2024 administrative officers are  

• Steve Lockner, president
• Pete Lockner, vice president
• Tammy Wells, treasurer
• Laura Platt, assistant treasurer
• John Durand, sunshine chair
• Tim McKenrick, chairman of the board
• Board of directors: Ken McKenrick, Kevin McKenrick, and Joe Wells
• Kevin McKenrick, chaplain

Firematic officers:

• Dwane Weatherell, chief
• Robert Mruczek, deputy chief
• Edward Sharp, assistant chief
• Brandan Crossett, captain
• Michael Alexander, lieutenant,
• John Durand, safety officer

EMS:

• Brad Nickerson, captain
• Kylenna Smith, lieutenant
• Dr. Erik Peterson medical director

Ladies Auxilary:

Laura Platt, president

Julia Hahn-Wasinger, vice president

Bethany Berggren, secretary

Morgan Leaton, treasurer

Barb Read, sunshine chair

Board of Directors: Eliane Barniak, Jayne Foose, and Christine Nickerson

Exempts:

• Tim McKenrick, president
• David Barringer, vice president
• Ken McKenrick, secretary
• Tony Barniak, treasurer

Press Release:

Area technology middle and high school students and teachers, along with the GCC Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) department, and college community are working hard to prepare for the 16th GLOW Region Tech Wars! 

The event will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. 

The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.

Tech Wars 2025 brings back some favorite events for high schoolers such as the Regatta, Bridge, CO2 Cars, Logo Design, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars, Sumo Bots, Tractor Pull and Trebuchet, and Lumber Labyrinth. Tech Wars event details, rules, and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.

Any media planning to attend, please register with GCC's Marketing Communications Office at 585-343-0055 ext. 6116, or via email at marcom@genesee.edu and please sign in at the registration desk upon arrival.

For more information contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Vanessa's Lasting Legacy and Independent Living of the Genesee Region hosted Lucky Paws Vendor Show at Batavia's City Centre Mall on Saturday as a fundraiser. 

Vanessa's Lasting Legacy provides assistance to veteran, disabled, elderly, and homeless cat and dog owners so they can keep and care for their pets.

There were 40+ baskets up for a raffle, along with more than 70 vendors.

Photos by Howard Owens. 

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) slammed the Majority’s one house budget proposal today for its inability to address the needs of everyday New Yorkers and its financial irresponsibility.

This initiative outlines the Majority’s wishlist for what they would like to see in the final state budget. Their proposal is roughly $4.5 billion more than Gov. Hochul’s executive budget proposal, which stands at an astonishing $256.5 billion, ranking nearly the highest state budget in the nation.

“The trend of government waste and out-of-control spending was on full display in Albany today,” said Hawley. “Earlier this year, Gov. Hochul gave her own bloated budget proposal, but the Majority refused to be outdone. With a final price tag of over $256 billion, this isn’t a budget, it’s a recipe for disaster. Working families are already struggling to make ends meet and increasing spending at this level will do nothing but exacerbate the problem. The Majority needs to work with both sides of the aisle to create a budget that works for all New Yorkers.”

Edmund Acres, LLC, a participant for the past 12 years with Genesee County Soil and Water and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, was honored on Saturday night in Alexander as Conservation Farm of the Year.

Located in Le Roy, Edmund Acres is owned by Nate Edmund. It is a grain crop farm that grows corn, soybeans, and wheat on over 1,000 acres.

Edmund has worked with Soil and Water on best management practices for soil health, with a focus on reducing tillage through strip-till and no-till practices and improving soil organic matter with cover cropping. Edmund also follows an integrated pest management plan and a nutrient management plan.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner was served at the Alexander Fire Hall and featured local products from: 

• Dave's Ice Cream
• Dorman Farms
• Farm Fresh/Notera Foods
• Fenton's Produce
• Harrington's Produce
• Oakfield Artisanal
• Torrey Farms
• Yancey’s Fancy

Photos by Melissa Brooks

Genesee beat Orleans on Friday in the Girls Basketball Exceptional Seniors Game, 61-34. 

Scoring for Genesee:

• Alea Groff, 11 points
• Emily Pietrzykoski, 9 points
• Emily Harmon, 9 points

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

Sherman came into the Class D Far West Regional Champion Game in Girls Basketball with a record of 21-1, among the best records in the state.

But not better than the undefeated Elba Lancers, who remain perfect on the season after Saturday's win, 54-48, propelling them to New York's Final Four Tournament at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy starting on Thursday.

The overtime win gives the #1 ranked Lancers a 23-0 record.

Near the end of the third quarter, Elba trailed Sherman by 10 points but charged back, carried by Brea Smith, who scored 13 points in the final 12 minutes.

Elba took a 42-39 lead, but Sherman hit a buzzer-beater to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Scoring for Elba:

• Brea Smith, 20 points
• Sydney Reilly, 14 points
• Mariah Ognibene, 11 points
• Maddie Hall, 8 points

This will be the Lancer's second consecutive Final Four appearance. They face Northville at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday.  With a win, they would play for the championship on Friday. This will be a chance for Elba to settle a score with Northville, who knocked Elba out of the Final Four last year, 42-34.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Genesee beat Orleans on Friday in the Boys Basketball Exceptional Seniors Game, 94-55

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

In the face of unknown repercussions from possible cuts to, or the total elimination of, the U.S. Education Department, Batavia City School District leaders are pushing forward with a $63.3 million budget calling for a $3 million increase and a 2.22% tax levy increase, Superintendent Jason Smith says.

This proposed 2025-26 budget would replace six teachers, one secretarial and one administrative position, move two social workers over from a grant to the general fund, and pay for necessary expenses, Smith said.

“The majority of increases are coming from essential instructional programming that directly benefits classroom learning and the overall student experience — athletics, music, arts, extracurriculars, etc.,” he said to The Batavian this week after the board had its first budget workshop. “The majority of this increase is related to salary and benefits. Benefits alone, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and social security, are increasing by approximately $883,000 budget to budget. The instructional area of the budget is increasing over $1.7 million, with the majority of that increase attributed to increases in teaching salaries and budgeting federal salaries in the general fund.”

The estimated property tax rate would be $16.05 per $1,000 assessed value, subject to change once assessment rolls and equalization rates are finalized, he said. That would be approximately 34 cents more per $1,000 than the current rate, or a $34 annual increase on a home assessed at $100,000, with no assessment changes.

The total proposed school tax levy is $20,790,870, an increase of $451,534 from this year. The levy falls within the allowable levy cap of $452,506, Smith said.

The district has retirements coming up, and all positions are being replaced, including:

• Two physical education teachers at the BHS
• One Spanish teacher and one English teacher at BHS
• One elementary teacher at Jackson
• One elementary teacher to be shared at Jackson and John Kennedy schools
• One executive director of operations and staff development

These positions are not new hires — “but rather, are replacements that are dictated by class size and student needs,” Smith said, and are not definite at this time.

“We are currently assessing the need to fill these positions prior to the adoption of the budget by the board in April,” he said. “The savings come in terms of ‘breakage’ between the salary and benefits of staff personnel retiring and the possible replacement at a lesser cost.”

An executive director position has been reconfigured to become a director of Human Resources, which is a Civil Service position and will mean a reduced salary, he said.

There is an added position of IT operations analyst. Why was that deemed necessary after adding an IT director? What are the duties and salary/benefits costs?
“Three full-time technology employees resigned or retired between February and June 2023.  A decision was made to hold on replacing these positions until a director was hired and had sufficient time to assess the needs of the department. During this transition, the district contracted with Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES to provide per diem, part-time support,” Smith said. “At this time, the district needs full-time technical support to ensure network systems are consistently monitored, evaluated, and upgraded to be in compliance with various NYS mandates.  The salary/benefits cost is between $55,000-60,000.”

The Batavian asked Smith about potential funding and program cuts with more recent announcements of slashing half the federal Education Department staff and readying it for future elimination. He referred to a message he had sent out to district families Friday to address that issue.

Do you believe that you and the board are considering any and all cuts to make with this budget?
The Board and I always consider every possible item for reduction. For example, we have proposed a Director of Human Resources position to replace the current Executive Director position,” he said. “This proposed budget is highly consistent with our mission and vision of providing high-quality programming and instruction for our students.”

Do you believe this will be the budget going forward, and if so, how do you sell it during a time of upheaval with the stock market and downturned economy?
“The board, leadership team, and our staff believe strongly in the value of sound public education.  This budget represents those values and beliefs and preserves programming that is both essential and expected from our community,” he said.  “Due to the increase in state aid, we are able to preserve important programs for our students and, combined with retirements and using reserves in a wise and conservative manner, this proposed budget meets and exceeds the needs of our students while respecting the tax levy limit for our community.”

The public budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 12, and budget vote is May 20.

Laying off nearly half the staff en route to an eventual goal to dismantle the U.S. Education Department has not left school officials with much certainty about the future of their district funding or even rudimentary items such as school lunches, Pat Burk says.

The department, which oversees $1.6 trillion in college loans, enforces civil rights laws, and provides federal funding for needy districts, announced on Tuesday the plan for the second round of mass layoffs to meet President Trump’s apparent goal to eliminate the department altogether, according to Reuters. 

As executive director of the Genesee Valley School Board Association, Burk has been hearing from school superintendents that it’s the not knowing that’s creating the most angst.

“The big concerns that are happening, from an educational standpoint with the Department of Education and other areas that deal with it, including the Department of Agriculture and other areas that the federal government, that deal with our local schools, is that the uncertainty is causing just as much of a problem as the certainty,” Burk said, offering an example. “The Department of Agriculture processes payments for school lunch, and part of that money is because of the Department of Agriculture to make sure that American agricultural products are processed through the school lunch program and used through school lunch programs. Now, what happens if they determine that those products are still going to be ‘used’ for the Agricultural Department and through school lunches, but they get rid of the 600 people that process the payments for that to happen?”

“That's the biggest uncertainty right now is that they can do things, and things can happen that do not necessarily change the ‘laws of the land,’ but can deter the process from being economical for school districts. And you look at some of our districts that have such a huge amount of money involved in federal school lunch programs and other areas like special education, what if the processes, the dollar process, is slowed down?” he said. “I think that's the big thing about the uncertainty. And I think that our local superintendents in my 26 schools that I represent, and the superintendents that are involved in this, are really very much on top of that, and we did have a really good session with Senator Schumer's office at our legislative event that we held, and we're in constant contact with people, but again, there's just no way that the uncertainty, which is really all it is, there's no way that the uncertainty is not going to have some impact.”

If this latest cut happens, the U.S. Education Department will have 2,183 workers left from a total of 4,133 when Trump took office in January.

Batavia City Schools Superintendent Jason Smith addressed district concerns by sending a question-and-answer message home to families Friday about the impending actions to be taken with the federal Education Department.

What will happen if they eliminate the Department of Education by Executive Order?
“At this time, we do not have a definitive answer. However, eliminating a department established by Congress requires congressional approval,” Smith said. “Even if such an action were approved, the executive branch would need to reassign the Department of Education’s responsibilities, as federal law mandates certain functions currently overseen by the department.

“For example, just in the past few weeks, the executive branch directed the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to open several investigations,” he said. “If the Department of Education were eliminated, another federal agency would have to oversee these responsibilities.”

What about all of the grants we receive from the Federal Government? 
“BCSD receives several significant federal grants, including Title I, II, and IV grants under ESSA, as well as 611 and 619 grants under IDEA. The total annual allocation of these grants is currently around $1,736,838. While $1,736,838 is a significant amount, it represents only about 2.9% of our annual revenue,” he said. “Like other responsibilities of the Department of Education, these grants are mandated by congressional acts. If the department were eliminated, the executive branch would have to decide which agency would oversee and distribute these funds.”

What is the impact of the elimination of USDA (Dept. of Agriculture) programs for school meals?
“The recent termination of two USDA programs — the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) —could significantly impact districts nationwide,” Smith said. “The full impact remains unclear, as these programs are interconnected with other federal and state initiatives.

“Additionally, New York State plays a role in funding school meal programs, though some state programs rely on federal funding,” he said. “We are closely monitoring this situation, and I anticipate that the New York State budget may include provisions to maintain school meal funding if federal support is reduced or eliminated.”

Will all of this impact staffing or programming at BCSD?
“At this time, we do not anticipate any immediate changes to staffing or programming as a result of these federal actions, but we will continue to monitor developments,” he said. “As with school meal funding, we expect the New York State budget and legislative actions to address some of these concerns and provide further clarity.”

Burk said he thinks the uncertainty isn’t necessarily that the impact will be felt “sooner rather than later.”

“I was in a meeting with what's called the Coalition of Local School Boards Association yesterday, and we had a long conversation about the fact that we don't have anything to ‘worry about from the law side,’ because they haven't gone against the laws,” Burk said. “But when you have a commissioner secretary of education who admits her job is to close the department down without having the answers of how are the services going to be handled, that uncertainty is going to drive us into another whole realm.

“I mean, it's just unbearable for many people to think about it. Think about schools who have a high level of Title I kids, actual poor kids that, for whatever reason, have major economic difficulties who are in Title I schools who have a tremendous amount of need for additional funding,” he said. “Even they all want kids to succeed, but they don't want to pay for the extra reading or whatever. Where's that Title I funding going to come from if the Department of Education is closed down? We're finding that it's more and more of a, I don't even want to say it's a delicate balance. It's just like a ridiculous balance of what is being considered.”

Lisa M. Fox, 53, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Fox allegedly caused an injury during a fight with another person on Feb. 6. While being processed at the Genesee County Jail, Fox was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. She was arraigned and held at the Genesee County Jail.

Donnie Armstrong, 52, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.  Armstrong was stopped on Feb. 5 on Law Street by members of the Batavia Police NET Unit. A K-9 was deployed. Narcotics were allegedly located in the vehicle. Armstrong was arraigned in City Court and held.

Charles P. Stevens, 36, of Batavia, and Eric J. Flowers, 37, of Batavia, are charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Stevens and Flowers are accused of intentionally damaging another person's vehicle on an unspecified date. They were issued appearance tickets.

Eric J. Flowers, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, possession of stolen property 3rd, and aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. Flowers was arrested on Feb. 5 following an investigation into a stolen utility trailer. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Mark W. McWethy, 57, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI Drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th, and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st. McWethy was charged following a welfare check on Jan. 29 at a location on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was arraigned and jailed.

Martin J. Rodgers, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Rodgers allegedly violated an order of protection on Jan. 28. He was arraigned and released.

Tammy J. Lord, 48, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd and grand larceny 3rd. Lord allegedly illegally entered a business on Liberty Street on Dec. 22 and stole properly. She was arrested on Jan. 21, arraigned in City Court, and released.

Carissa J. Visalli, 35, of Batavia, was arrested on Feb. 23 on a warrant. She allegedly failed to appear in court on a traffic ticket. She was arraigned and released.

Inge A. Stack, 55, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Stack is accused of hitting another person in the face during a fight on Pringle Avenue. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Julie L. Dutton, 29, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dutton was arrested on Feb. 2, accused of stealing merchandise from Dollar General. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brandie M. Sumeriski, 29, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Sumeriski is accused of slapping another person during an argument on Feb. 17 on State Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jamesha N. Wilson, 30, of Rochester, was arrested on Feb. 18 on a warrant. Wilson allegedly failed to appear in court on a traffic ticket. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Guillermo Dediego-Reyes, 55, of Batavia, was arrested on Feb. 14 as a fugitive from justice. Dediego-Reyes was wanted on warrants out of Ohio. He was arraigned and held for extradition.

Curt A. Buchinger, 32, of Batavia, is charged with theft of services. Buchinger was arrested on Feb. 15, accused of running an extension cord from another property into his home. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Colleen M. Hutchinson, 50, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of controlled substance 7th. Hutchinson was stopped on Dec. 9 by a Batavia patrol officer and allegedly found in possession of narcotics. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Alicia M. Lyons, 45, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st and menacing 3rd. Lyons is accused of violating an order of protection on Feb. 3 by physically menacing another person. She was issued an appearance ticket. She was arrested again on Feb. 7 and charged with criminal contempt 1st and harassment 2nd.

Kim M Mobley, 62, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mobley is accused of shoplifting on Feb. 11 from Aldi. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Richard J Burdick, 46, and Charles P. Stevens, 36, (no communities provided) are charged with assault 3rd. Burdick and Stevens are accused of injuring another person during a fight on South Main Street, Batavia. They were both issued appearance tickets.

Jena A. Defazio, 27, of Batavia, was arrested on Feb. 4 on a warrant. Defazio was issued a traffic ticket on Jan. 8 and allegedly failed to appear in court. Defazio was arraigned and released.

Courtney H. Kelley, 37, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kelley is accused of shoplifting on Feb. 2 from Aldi. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Shawn M. Twardowski, 42, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Twardowski allegedly punched another person in the head on Feb. 2 during a fight on Highland Park. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Erin M. Klein, 38, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI. Klein was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Jan. 31 and an undisclosed location. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Roseann Cooper, 55, of Stafford, was arrested on Jan. 31 on a warrant. Cooper allegedly failed to appear on a traffic ticket issued on Jan. 4. She was arraigned and released.

Julie A. Earle, 50, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Earle is accused of shoplifting from Tops on Jan. 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Takari C. Blue, 23, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Blue was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer on Jan. 31 at an undisclosed location. She was issued traffic tickets and released.

Tammy J. Dean, 54, of Alexander, is charged with DWAI drugs. Dean was reportedly involved in a single-vehicle accident on Sept. 20. He was arrested on Jan. 27, arraigned in City Court, and released.

Jaequele M. Tomlin, 30, of Batavia, turned himself in on a warrant issued following an investigation into an incident on March 26. Tomlin was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. He was arraigned and released.

Douglas G. Goodwin, Jr., 33, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Goodwin is accused of violating an order of protection. He was arrested on Jan. 7, issued an appearance ticket and released.

Brittany L. Froman, 34, of Rochester, was arrested on a warrant on Jan. 23. Froman allegedly failed to appear on narcotics charge stemming from a traffic stop on June 12. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Kimberly S. Snyder, 48, of Geneseo, was arrested on a warrant and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Snyder was allegedly found in possession of narcotics on Oct. 29. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

John W. Clack, 66, of Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering 3rd. Clack is accused of overturning another person's motorized scooter. He was arrested on Jan. 22. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Troy W. Horton, 60, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Horton was stopped after employees at Taco Bell called police and reported a possible intoxicated driver. Horton was issued an appearance ticket.

Catherine R. Bater, 44, of Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Bater was arrested on Jan. 25, accused of attempting to transfer money from another person's account into her Cash App. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Ronnie J. Sumeriski, 42, of Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering 3rd. Sumeriski is accused of taking the license plate off of another person's vehicle and throwing it under another car. He was also arrested on two open warrants. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

David R. Bowen, 83, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Bowen is accused of hitting another person during a fight on Mill Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Bill A. Thomas, 65, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Thomas was found inside the City Centre Mall on Feb. 27 after previously being barred from the property. He was issued an appearance ticket. He was arrested again the next day and charged with trespass after allegedly being found in the mall again.

Shannon H. Dick, 43, and John W. Biaselli, 56, both of Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Dick and Biaselli are accused of stealing merchandise from Dollar General. They were issued appearance tickets.

Kimberly S. Snyder, 48, of Warsaw, was arrested on Feb. 27 on a warrant. Snyder allegedly failed to appear on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Tonisia R. Longhini, 32, of Alexander, is charged with DWI. Longhini was charged following a traffic stop on Feb. 22 on Walnut Street, Batavia, by a Batavia patrol officer. She was arraigned and released.

Rebecca Lee Harrington, 31, of Sweetland Road, Stafford, is charged with falsely reporting an incident. Harrington was arrested on March 11. She was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Press Release:

Genesee County law enforcement agencies will be participating in a coordinated effort with the STOP-DWI program to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI efforts began Thursday, March 13 and will continue thru Tuesday, March 18. The weekend of St. Patrick’s Day is a notoriously deadly period for impaired driving due to the number of celebrations and drivers on the road. 

New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies, including the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Batavia Police Department and Le Roy Police Department, will be out in force during this time to reduce the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths.

While efforts across New York have made great strides in reducing the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Have a plan to get home safe.

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Press Release:

New York State Senator George Borrello announced that the New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators is accepting applications for four $3,000 scholarships, two academic and two athletic.    

Scholarships are available to residents of the 57th Senate District who are current college students or high school seniors entering college. Students can access the application by visiting: https://www.nyiacsl.org/apply-for-scholarship-form. The application deadline is Sunday, March 30. 

“This scholarship is a great opportunity for high school seniors and college students in the 57th Senate District who have shown a strong commitment to their education, a drive for excellence, and a dedication to their future success,” said Senator Borrello. “As college costs continue to rise, this support can make a real difference for students and their families. I encourage all eligible students who have worked hard and stood out through their achievements to apply and take advantage of this valuable opportunity.”

Applicants should have a grade point average of 85 or higher; be active in community service as well as extracurricular activities and demonstrate financial need. In addition to these qualifications, students applying for an athletic scholarship must also be involved in an organized sport(s).

Applicants need not be of Italian American heritage to apply.

Scholarship recipients will be announced in April, and the winners will be honored at a ceremony in Albany on May 19, when the Conference’s Italian-American Day Celebration will take place.  

The New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators is a bipartisan organization of state Assembly and Senate members who actively promote and celebrate the state’s Italian American community.  

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) has introduced the No Tax on LOSAP Act, to raise the threshold of nontaxable LOSAP awards at the federal level from $600 a year to $12,000 a year.

Additional cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Laura Gillen (NY-4).

LOSAP, or Length of Service Award Payments, are provided to New York State volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. LOSAP awards are tax-exempt at the state level in New York, with each volunteer awarded $20 per month times the number of years of service. The No Tax on LOSAP award would raise the federal tax-exempt threshold to $12,000/year, up from the current $600/year threshold, which would boost retention and compensation for volunteer firefighters.

Rep. Tenney has been a strong supporter of volunteer firefighters across NY-24. In 2024, she held five roundtable events in five counties to hear directly from volunteer firefighters. In addition, she cosponsored the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act to expand access for volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs.

“Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers are essential for the safety and well-being of our rural communities. Across NY-24, we have over 250 fire departments, many of which rely on volunteer firefighters. Yet, in recent years, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined, making it more important than ever to fairly compensate and reward their dedication. The No Tax on LOSAP Act will raise the tax-exemption threshold to recognize their service and encourage more volunteers to join,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

“More than eighty-five percent of the fire and emergency response in New York State is done by volunteers. Unfortunately, over the last decade, the number of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel had dropped dramatically across New York. Exempting LOSAP payments from Federal income tax would be a strong incentive in recruiting and retaining volunteer first responders. Once again, Congresswoman Tenney and members of the New York Congressional delegation have shown their understanding and support of the dedicated volunteers who protect their communities,” said John D’Alessandro, Association Secretary, Firefighters Association of the State of New York.

Press Release:

After the Trump administration announced sudden, unplanned mass layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer sounded the alarm about the impact of NOAA layoffs on Upstate New York, including layoffs suspending weather balloon launches in Albany and cutting work at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Schumer demanded answers about how many NOAA staff were fired in New York – and why, and assurances that the agency would restore and maintain critical services for the entire state.

“Upstate NY knows the power of Mother Nature, from lake effect snowstorms to flooding to tornadoes that ravaged the region last summer. From homeowners to businesses to shippers, we know National Weather Service and NOAA satellites are lifesaving tools we need to keep our economy humming and Upstate NY safe from extreme weather. But right now ‘DOGE’ is recklessly taking a chainsaw to the National Weather Service and that could lead to major gaps and Swiss cheese holes in Upstate NY’s weather map when we need more frequent and advanced technology tracking storms,” said Senator Schumer. “These tools are how Upstate NY families get weather reports on a daily basis, how communities get emergency alerts, it is how we know if a snowstorm is going to drop two inches or two feet overnight. These massive cuts to the National Weather Service are already starting to manifest in our backyard with weather balloons not being sent up in Albany, staff being fired, and services for Upstate NY shuttering. I’m demanding any and all cut services be immediately restored and answers about just how deep these cuts have already gone in Upstate New York. The safety of our communities during the next storm depends on it.”

Schumer said we are already seeing the local impact of these cuts. In Albany, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced it is suspending weather balloon launches due to ‘DOGE’ layoffs. Weather balloons give forecasters a three-dimensional picture of the atmosphere in real time, helping meteorologists provide New York residents fast and accurate predictions of what conditions they can expect when they step outside. The senator said these new cuts mean that weather balloons will not be going up in Albany as frequently, and meteorologists will have less data to predict how storms are evolving. Schumer said the hyper local forecasting by the local NWS offices is especially important in instances of extreme weather like these tornados and lake effect snowstorms, it is important for New Yorkers to have fast, reliable, accurate weather forecasts so they can make the best decisions to keep themselves and their families safe.

“How is it in the public’s interest to have less accurate weather information? It is cutting for the sake of cutting with no plan or forethought about the impacts it is having. I am all for rooting out fraud, but decimating weather forecasting people rely on every day is not waste, it is lifesaving information,” said Senator Schumer.

Mass layoffs at NOAA are part of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’s indiscriminate slashes to the federal workforce and federal spending that are creating chaos and confusion in New York and across the country. Schumer said major cuts to our National Weather Service will make weather forecasting less reliable across Upstate New York. The Trump administration has planned mass layoffs at NOAA that would result in a reduction of its workforce by approximately 20%. The Trump administration fired 586 probationary NOAA employees – including 108 NWS employees – last month. The National Weather Service was already short-staffed. Meteorologists warn that these additional cuts will hurt the agency’s ability to make accurate weather predictions. Amid increasing extreme weather in Upstate New York, including a record-high number of tornadoes last summer, Schumer said ‘DOGE’ layoffs at the NWS and less accurate predictions will hurt Upstate New York’s families’ preparedness for extreme weather.

Schumer’s letter to Acting Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Vice Admiral Nancy Hann can be found below:

Dear Vice Admiral Nancy Hann:

I write to express my deep concern over layoffs and spending cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and the potential severe impact they will have on New York’s storm tracking ability. Reports indicate that NOAA has already terminated over 1,300 of its approximately 13,000-person workforce, and that more of these cuts are being considered, which has alarmed meteorologists, local governments, and residents in New York. Upstate New York communities uniquely rely on these lifesaving federal services for storm tracking and emergency preparedness whether it be for lake effect snowstorms, flooding, or even extreme wind storms and tornadoes as we saw devastated communities across the state last summer.

Already I am receiving reports the NWS in Albany will suspend weather balloon launches due to staffing shortages, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory which conducts critical environmental research on Great Lakes ecosystems and contributes to more accurate modeling and prediction for the lakes and coastlines has now said it must take an “indefinite hiatus” from public communications. We need clear answers on the extent of these cuts in New York  — as well as a concrete plan for ensuring the reestablishment of already terminated public services as soon as possible.

New York is home to 473 miles of Great Lakes coastline, and it provides drinking water for nearly three million New York residents. Over six million visitors flock to New York’s Great Lakes corridor annually for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities with fishing contributing about $134 million per year to the state’s economy and boating adding over $600 million per year. GLRI and NOAA’s other programs supporting the Great Lakes help keep this natural treasure healthy and beautiful to support the state’s economy and these communities.

NOAA plays an integral role in supporting New York’s Great Lakes fishing communities, farmers, and the general public. NOAA is a leading partner in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) which helps to clean up Great Lakes waters, prevent and control the spread of invasive species, address harmful algal blooms which are toxic to animals and humans, and conduct scientific research to inform models that help make Great Lakes communities more resilient to extreme weather. NOAA also helps Upstate farmers implement conservation practices that both reduce the environmental impact of their practices and save the farms money. NOAA Fisheries provides critical habitat restoration support to strengthen the coastal ecosystems and communities that make the Great Lakes such a popular destination for recreational opportunities. Additionally, New York Sea Grant Extension conducts research to inform better business decisions and public education on the Great Lakes at offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Newark, Oswego, and Watertown. These programs serve a critical role in bolstering Upstate New York’s businesses, recreation and tourism industries, and ecological health, and any reductions in staffing would harm New York’s Great Lakes communities.

Beyond the Great Lakes, NOAA’s NWS supports 24 stations in New York, including 21 stations Upstate, to provide New Yorkers advanced warnings of severe weather like lake effect snow that Western New York sees every winter, severe storms that flood communities, and even the 32 tornados that struck dozens of sites Upstate last summer. In 2024, New York experienced six storms that were so damaging they qualified for a federal disaster declaration. In December, 2022, Winter Storm Elliott affected the entire state of New York, bringing with it a range of hazards including strong winds with speeds of more than 60 mph, causing whiteout conditions, snow drifts over 12 feet, and extremely low wind chill temperatures. Areas around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario faced both coastal flooding and a lake effect snowstorm. This multi-faceted storm caused devastating consequences that resulted in the loss of over 50 lives. NWS warnings help people stay safe when storms like these strike and can even help save lives. Additionally, farmers rely on NWS data and forecasts to make informed decisions on when to plant, irrigate, and harvest their crops, and when to utilize various pest control measures. Access to NWS data helps farmer mitigate risk and maximize their yields. If New York NWS stations are not adequately staffed, New Yorkers will not have the reliable forecasts they need to stay safe during extreme weather events, farmers would lose access to a key resource they rely on to grow the food that feeds New York, and Great Lakes communities would have little warning to prepare their homes and businesses to weather the storm.

 I am deeply concerned these continuing drastic cuts at NOAA will harm the emergency preparedness and safety of New York’s communities that face extreme weather. The public will suffer if these public services are not re-established. Therefore, I request the following information by March 28, 2025:

1. The number of people fired at NOAA during your tenure as Acting Administrator who are based in New York and what jobs they performed.
2. Any staff or service reductions that have happened or will be taking place at any of New York’s 24 National Weather Service Offices as a result of these cuts and where those will be.
3. The number of people fired at NOAA programs that serve the Great Lakes programs, and how this will impact services for the broader Great Lakes community in New York.
4. The number of people fired at NOAA programs that support grant programs serving New York fishermen and farmers.
5. The number of people fired at New York Sea Grant, if any, and the location of the offices they worked in.
6. Your plan to maintain and restore already suspended services. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

At 2:26 a.m. on Friday, and lasting until 3:31 a.m., the moon slid fully into the Earth's shadow, creating a lunar eclipse called a blood-red moon.

The eclipse started at 11:57 p.m. on Thursday and lasted until 6 a.m. on Friday.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press release:

Please be advised that the City of Batavia Water Department will repair a water main on Prospect Avenue, between Richmond Avenue and Mix Place, on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Traffic will be closed in the area while the repairs are being made. Please use an alternate route.

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.

On Thursday morning, officials with the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District celebrated the start of construction on the district's new $23 million capital improvement project.

The lead project is a new football/soccer/track stadium.

Justin Staebell, Oakfield-Alabama board president, said:

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the residents of Alabama and Oakfield, as well as the Board of Education, for their steadfast support in making the groundbreaking of our new football, soccer, and track stadium a reality. This exciting new capital project will create enhanced opportunities for our students and community for years to come, and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without your dedication and collaboration. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our future! 

Additionally, we extend a special thank you to our architects, SEI Design Group, for partnering with us on our second Capital Project over the past six years and to LeChase, our Project Construction Managers, for their hard work and dedication to OA in bringing this vision to life!

Submitted photos.