St. Paul Lutheran Church and School will host their 4th Annual Small Business Craft and Vendor Event on Saturday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Paul's Church and School is located at 31 Washington Ave, Batavia.
Come browse a variety of handcrafted item including, quilts, blankets, children and baby items, wood crafts, jewelry and much more.
United Lakes of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes provided $41,075 to Genesee County nonprofits this quarter, the latest installment in United Way’s commitment to deliver $164,300 in 2024. The funding supports 21 agencies and 26 programs in the county.
“We are pleased to be able to support our dedicated nonprofit partners in Genesee County who are on the front lines in addressing a wide range of pressing community needs,” said Jaime Saunders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “This is an example of how United Way leverages the generosity of donors to deliver impact at scale.”
United Way is committed to supporting impactful and essential initiatives in Genesee County and across our region. Learn more about how you can make an impact in Genesee County by donating to United Way.
Here are the organizations in Genesee County that are receiving funding from United Way this year:
211 WNY
All Babies Cherished
American Red Cross, WNY Chapter
Arc GLOW
Boy Scouts of America, Western NY Scout Council
Care-A-Van Ministries
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, Inc.
CORE The Learning Center
Genesee County CASA for Children
Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern
Gillam-Grant Community Center
Girl Scouts of Western New York, Inc.
GLOW YMCA
GO ART! – Genesee-Orleans Regional Art Council
Hope Center of Le Roy
Junior Achievement of Western NY
PathStone Corporation
Salvation Army, Batavia Corps
UConnect Formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
City Manager Rachael Tabelski and City of Batavia Fire Chief Josh Graham issued the following statement later Saturday regarding the fire at Baskin Livestock on Howard Street in Batavia:
At 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, the City of Batavia Fire Department, along with several volunteer fire companies and assisting agencies, responded to a third alarm fire at a large commercial and manufacturing facility located at 20 Howard Street in the City of Batavia.
As crews arrived, the structure was fully engulfed with flames and a large plume of smoke was showing. Crews have been fighting the fire all day and were successful in containment. They ensured that the fire did not spread to neighboring buildings, including Graham Manufacturing Corporation.
As night falls, crews will break firefighting efforts, with City personnel tasked with securing and monitoring the scene overnight. Material in the facility has been confirmed to be food products.
Shortly the City will be opening up Harvester Avenue to regular traffic. Howard Street will remain closed at this time.
Initial investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, and will continue in the following days. Crews will return to the fire in the morning to continue fire suppression, overhaul activities and investigation efforts.
The City of Batavia Fire Department will continue to provide updates regarding the fire and will issue a full press release tomorrow.
Thank you to all the departments and agencies that assisted the City today.
The Pembroke Dragons will play for another Section V 8-Man football title this week after winning its semifinal game over Red Jacket 46-14.
It is the fourth time in five years the Dragons have played for a sectional title.
Caleb Felski ran for 328 yards on 16 carries and four touchdowns. Other scores were by Vijay Dhanda and Caleb Kimmel.
Defensively, the Dragons were led by Jayden Bridge and Octavius Martin, who each had 12 tackles. Madden Perry added nine while Felski and Dhanda each had interceptions.
The Dragons will face the Holley-Lyndoville Hawks for the sectional final.
It was a sectional semifinal game but the battle was decided early as Batavia scored 50 points in the first half on the way to a 56-6 win over East Rochester Prep on Friday night.
Stats:
Bronx Bucholz, 7-11 passing for 83 yards and three touchdowns.
Zailen Griffin, 73 yards on nine carries
Jameson Motyka, 33 yards and two TDs on three receptions, plus a fumble recover TD
Carter Mullen, one reception for six yards and for a TD plus a 69 yard punt return for a TD
Maggio Bucholz, seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery
Luke Gutman, seven tackles
Batavia gets a shot a block on Saturday at SUNY Brockport. The Class B title game is at noon.
It will take days for investigators to determine what may have started this morning's fire at a animal feed processing plant at 20 Howard St., Batavia, said City Fire Chief Josh Graham.
The call came in at 7:47 a.m. and Batavia patrol officers arrived on scene first and confirmed smoke and flames, which led to an immediate second alarm. When the first fire crew arrived he said, they realized the fire was going to require more resources so a third alarm was called.
It took hours to fight the fire, which as of 2 p.m. on Saturday, wasn't completely extinguished as firefighters worked to extinguish hot spots.
"We just started now the investigation," Graham said. "The investigators went in to look around and get an initial look at this. They're gonna work on that probably for the next four or five days to try to figure it all out. There's going to be a massive amount of information to look at."
Baskin Livestock owner Bill Baskin said he is baffled by the fire.
"This is the last place I expected something like this," Baskin said.
There have been a few fires over the years at Baskin's other facility on Creek Road, Batavia. They are generally explainable because of the large furnace used to dry food items—such as discarded baked goods—which are ground into feed for cattle.
The Howard Street facility processes dry dog food into feed for hogs and heat isn't used, Baskin said. Yesterday's work crew finished at 2 p.m. on Friday and when an employee stopped by the facility at 7 a.m. on Saturday, there was no sign of fire, Baskin said.
Baskin said the two facilities are segregated to ensure the dog food doesn't contaminate the cattle feed. Spreading mad cow disease would be damaging if that were to happen, Baskin said.
On Saturday afternoon, an excavator was brought in to move debris so firefighters could attack hot spots. Graham said piles of debris would be moved, the hotspot dealt with, and then debris moved to that spot to deal with the next hotspot until the job is complete. Even then, Graham expects calls for rekindles over the next few days.
The buildings at 20 Howard were originally constructed in 1946 and it was once a fertilizer plant. The three structures on the property were a combined 82,257 square feet.
Agencies responding to the fire: City Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, Stafford, Elba, Mercy EMS, Office of Emergency Management, Batavia PD, Salvation Army, National Grid, Sewer & Water, and National Fuel. Fill-in companies for departments that responded: Alexander, Bergen, Albion, and East Pembroke.
When 1978 Batavia High School grad Phil Zickl Jr. becomes part of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame later this month, he knows his late grandfather Robert E. Noonan (1907-1965) would be proud and cheering him on if he could.
Noonan was an avid football fan and player who aspired to get into the NFL. Despite a chain of missteps, including a twice-broken leg, he never made it. He had been a strong supporter of his grandson, who went on to play football into his sixties, scoring big at 64 this year when he and his team, the Syracuse Express, were named to the Hall of Fame.
“My mother and my aunt, and both are deceased now, but they used to talk about how family-oriented he was and how supportive he was. And so my initial thought is how supportive he would be of this happening, especially because he was so athletic, and he wasn't just successful in football, even though football was his first love … but he would be very positive and very supportive of just the induction,” Zickl said during an interview with The Batavian. “I remember when I first heard, one of my former teammates called me and left a voicemail. But the voicemail, it was hard to hear everything, it kind of crackled a little but I heard him say something about Hall of Fame, and I thought he was calling to tell me that he got inducted to his high school Hall of Fame. So I called him back, got his voice mail, and I said, ‘Hey, Mike, congratulations; I didn't hear the message completely, but it sounded like you said something that you were inducted to your high school hall of fame.’
“So, he called me back and said, 'No, no, Zick, it’s our team, the Syracuse Express.' it's a big deal. It's not that high school Hall of Fames are not a big deal, every Hall of Fame is a big deal as far as I'm concerned. This is the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame. We’re being inducted as one of the teams of honor,” Zickl said. “And I’ve got to say that it caught me off guard. It's one of those things you don't expect somebody to call you on the phone and tell you that. I'm not going to forget that night any time soon.”
His team will be honored during an awards dinner Nov. 11 in Syracuse. The GP/Syracuse Express went 36/6 across the 1985-86-87 seasons and won a pair of Minor Professional League championships in 1985 and 1987.
There were 15 former Orangemen who helped the Express to football glory during those title years. They included Ray Seals — the former Hotel Syracuse doorman who, as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, would later sack Dallas’ Troy Aikman in Super Bowl XXX, and Dave Jacobs and Chuck Cassidy.
It was an athletic combination that defeated the Chicago Cowboys (7-3 at muddy Griffin Field in 1985) and the San Jose Bandits (17-10 in glitzy Las Vegas in 1987) for their crowns, a worthy choice for one of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame’s “Teams of Honor” for 2024. Listed on a program titled “Welcome to ‘Express’ Football” is #65 Phil Zickl with fellow Outstanding Syracuse Players teammates.
The Express competed in the Empire Football League. The team was owned by Greg Portzline, coached by Tom Anthony, and cheered by supportive crowds at old Griffin Field in Liverpool. This year, it’s being recognized as a Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame Team of Honor for the excellence it demonstrated from 1985 to 1987.
Ever since high school, where he was named Most Outstanding Lineman in his senior year, Zickl played minor league football for 25 years, being named to the American Football Association’s semi-pro records for Most Years of Service, which at the time it was compiled was 20 years. His age when listed as Most Aged Player was 55, having played for the Syracuse Express, Batavia Bandits, Hornell Dragons, Batavia Titans and Buffalo Gladiators.
After graduating BHS, Zikl went on to University at Buffalo and was briefly profiled as an alumnus for his athletic and professional achievements per the following:
“Zickl has continued playing semipro football well into his fifties after a successful playing career at UB as an offensive guard and defensive end in the 1980s. Since 2018, Phil has expanded his health and wellness business (Total Personal Wellness) to include education on American football. He is an American Football specialist and has participated in the sport for more than 40 years as both player and coach.”
Before branching out with his own business, Zickl worked in education as a social worker at Batavia Middle School while also still playing ball in Syracuse. He was able to arrange a schedule of driving to only one weekday practice, followed by a second one on Friday that included an overnight stay, and he would then play the weekend game. He was definitely hooked on the sport.
While he loved the game of football, he also enjoyed the ambition taken on by the group of athletes, he said.
“You’re all trying to work for the same goal. You’re everybody’s teammate, just being on a team working toward a common goal,” he said.
Zickl established his wellness business in 2017, making presentations on various related topics of maintaining and regaining good health; however, the pandemic shut down those in-person activities. The business, as he puts it, “went into hibernation.” He also has a penchant for song lyrics, having written at least 100 sets of parodies that he has licensed, with no certain path for what he’s going to do with them all other than using one as a team warm-up rap song.
He is rethinking the scope of his speaking topics and wants to circle back to what he perhaps knows and loves best: football and the history of American football, dating back to 1869. He has learned plenty of other lessons, though, while immersing himself in the sport, including while with the Express.
“It was a real city of Syracuse team, and the majority of the players were African American, and so I was a minority. And I was a minority for months at a time. And it really made me think that every human being who is capable of understanding being a minority situation should have that experience. Because to me, I think it allows you, I mean, this is aside from what I said before about the team all pulls together, but it also allows you to feel, like, 'walk a mile in my shoes,' type of thing,” he said. “It gives you that opportunity to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, especially because I'm European American, so I don't remember any other times when I was a minority, but I remember early on, you know, first, second year on the team, I remember thinking, this is a really good experience.”
For more information about the Hall of Fame and upcoming event, go HERE.
Phil Zickl, second row from top, far left, with his Syracuse GP Express teammates. Submitted Photo
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is welcoming anyone from the GOW (Genesee Orleans Wyoming Counties to stop into their office underneath the Green Awning at 319 West Main Street in the Crickler Executive Business Center in Batavia.
You are invited to stop in anytime between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday November 21. No appointments are needed!
You can learn about our health-related services for people with disabilities including: Loan Closet Equipment, Housing Employment, Medicaid Applications, Seniors’ Programs, Taking Control Personal care aide assistance; Children and Youth Service /Specialists and MORE!
More information is available at 585-815-8501, extension 400.
The Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
As the temperatures drop, people in our community will spend more time indoors, increasing the chance of spreading respiratory illnesses like Influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
“During the fall and winter season, we typically have more people getting sick,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health), “For some people – like children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions – these illnesses can be serious.”
There are simple ways to keep everyone healthy and small actions can make a big difference. When we work together, we protect ourselves and help protect family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
Tips to Stay Healthy
Viruses spread easily and can change over time, so it’s important to practice good habits to limit the spread.
Stay away from people who are sick.
If you aren’t feeling well, stay home.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if you can’t use soap.
Try not to touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date on vaccinations.
Practice other healthy habits:
Clean surfaces you often touch at home, school, or work.
Drink plenty of water.
Eat healthy meals.
Stay active.
What to Do if You Become Sick
If you have symptoms of an illness, like coughing, a sore throat, trouble breathing, or a fever, it is important to act quickly to help yourself and protect others.
Stay home and avoid contact with others to avoid the spread of illness.
Watch your symptoms closely.
Seek medical advice if symptoms get worse or if you have underlying health conditions that make you more at risk.
Drink lots of water.
If you have a respiratory illness, like the flu or COVID-19, you can spread it to others. How long you are contagious can vary based on how sick you are and how long you stay sick, which may be different from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that once your symptoms are better and you haven’t had a fever for 24 hours (without using fever medicine), you are usually less contagious.
To be extra careful, wear a mask for 5 or more days after your symptoms improve. The CDC offers Respiratory Virus Guidance and continues to monitor health trends and update recommendations as needed. You can get information about the CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance Update here: Respiratory Virus Guidance Update Frequently Asked Questions.
Respiratory Disease Data
For the Genesee and Orleans Counties Respiratory Illness Dashboard that tracks confirmed cases of flu, RSV, and COVID-19, visit: GO Health Respiratory Dashboard. It is important to note the data on this page only includes reported cases. Residents can also access our GO Health Water Analysis Dashboard to see if there has been an increase in respiratory illness activity in their town/village.
For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your local health department at:
Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
Orleans County: 585-589-3278
Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY.
Sheriff Bill Sheron and his wife Shari. Photo by Howard Owens.
Sheriff Bill Sheron, who retires at the end of the year, was honored at Terry Hills on Thursday evening as a man who has not only served the residents of Genesee County for 47 years but has also been an innovator who has developed new programs to fight crime and assist and protect the young people of the community.
Sheron helped create the Local Drug Task Force in 1989. As sheriff, he created the department's School Resource Officer program, instituted the teen academy to introduce high school students to careers in law enforcement, and oversaw the construction of a new state-of-the-art jail in the town of Batavia.
Sheron started his career with the Sheriff's Office just before his 19th birthday in 1977 as a dispatcher before moving to road patrol. He transferred to deputy sheriff in the jail, then road patrol, then sergeant, then investigator, and then chief deputy of road patrol in 1993, undersheriff in 1996, and sheriff in 2017.
Legislator Shelley Stein recognized Sheron's willingness to shoulder the burden for public safety in Genesee County.
"It's our privilege to be here to celebrate the years of service Bill Sheron has carried on behalf of Genesee County," Stein said. "At first, he took up a badge, and then he took the mantle, and he has carried that for us. And it's not an easy weight."
City Council President Eugene Jankowski, a retired Batavia PD lieutenant, said he understands that burden, noting that there are nearly 60,000 residents in Genesee County.
"He's responsible for every one of those people who live there," Jankowski said. "It's a lot of work. It's a lot of worry. It's a lot of dedication, and he truly deserves his retirement, and I wish him all the best."
Sheriff Bill Sheron Photo by Howard Owens.
Alex Wilson, with the NYS Sheriff's Association, presents Sheriff Bill Sheron with a plaque commemorating his selection as a lifetime member of the association. Wilson praised Sheron's dedication to law enforcement and the association. "It's especially good to come here to say farewell to him and farewell to the wisdom and expertise that he's graciously shared with us for many years, and the tutelage that he's been able to give other sheriffs coming up through the ranks." Photo by Howard Owens.
On the heels of a record-setting weekend, New Batavia Downs President and CEO Byron Brown announced today that Batavia Downs will pay tribute to our veterans with a Veterans Day complimentary meal and drink for those who visit on Monday, November 11.
Batavia Downs anticipates a busy holiday weekend as it will host the Zonta Holiday Festival, an Artisan & Vendor Marketplace, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This free-admission event will feature various vendors offering unique gifts, crafts, and holiday essentials, perfect for early holiday shopping.
Sponsored by the Zonta Club of Batavia/Genesee, this annual marketplace brings together local artisans, making it a must-visit event for the community. Guests can also enjoy a visit from Santa Claus on Sunday, November 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., making it an excellent outing for families. To add a touch of excitement, a Buffalo Football Door Prize will be drawn on Sunday.
In honor of Veterans Day, Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is proud to offer a complimentary menu for veterans inside of Club Bud Light at 34 Rush on Monday, November 11, from 12 to 6 p.m. With a valid military ID, veterans can choose from a special menu, including:
Boneless Wings: 10 wings with a choice of sauce, served with bleu cheese and fries.
Rush Burger: 6oz beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a secret sauce on a Kaiser roll, served with fries.
Bruschetta Chicken Sandwich: Grilled chicken breast with bruschetta mix, provolone cheese, and balsamic glaze on a Kaiser roll, served with fries.
Soup & Salad Bar
Beverage Choice: 12oz domestic draft or soda.
Veterans are invited to relax and enjoy a meal in appreciation of their service.
“Our debt to the brave men and women of our military can never be repaid and should never be forgotten,” said Byron Brown, President and CEO of Batavia Downs. “As the new President and CEO, I join with our Board of Directors in thanking them for their service to our great country and look forward to seeing them on Veteran's Day at Batavia Downs.”
The previous weekend saw the 3rd highest Coin in day of all time, with handle passing $5.3 Million on Friday, November 1 as Batavia Downs welcomed the Legends and Stars Sports Expo to Batavia Downs. Several current and former Buffalo Football Players signed autographs for hundreds of fans from Western New York that Friday and Saturday. Legends and Stars’ next event is slated to be the weekend of February 21.
A Batavia High School legend, died Wednesday in Atlanta at age 88.
Bossler, a fullback, played seven seasons with the Washington Redskins, amassing 3,112 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Redskins in the ninth pick of the first round of the 1957 draft.
He was heavily recruited coming out of Batavia HS and was a four-year starter at the University of Miami. In his senior year, MIami finished 8-1-1 and the team was ranked sixth in the nation. He is a member Batavia High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
He rushed for 1,642 yards at Miami. He was a first team all-American in 1956 (Jim Brown and Johnny Majors were also in that backfield) and was named MVP of the Senior Bowl when he ran for 187 yards.
While at Miami, one sports writer referred to him as "The Batavia Bulldozer."
Photo of David's most recent holiday romance. Courtesy DN Publishing.
The Richmond Memorial Library is pleased to welcome local author David Neth for a reading, talk and book signing on Saturday, November 16 at 11 am in the Reading Room.
David will discuss being an author and his many books, including a Hallmark-like series of holiday romance books set right here in Batavia!
Get your holiday shopping done early! Books will be available for sale at the event. Light refreshments served. Free to attend and all are welcome!
David Neth is the author of nearly 30 books of fantasy and superhero fiction. He has also written over 10 holiday romance books under the pen name D. Allen. He has worked with books for over 10 years, from writing to editing, designing to promoting, and now curating collections and teaching as a librarian. He lives in Batavia with his family.
For more information visit batavialibrary.org or contact Samantha Stryker at sstryker@nioga.org.
The Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia.
NOW HIRING seasonal agribusiness positions. CDL A & B Drivers to deliver bulk crop nutrients. Potential long-term opportunities. Great for retirees! GENERAL LABOR positions. Daily variety of indoor/outdoor responsibilities. Loader experience a plus. SIGN-ON BONUS and plenty of OT during spring/summer months. Apply in person at: 8610 Route 237, Stafford, NY www.cecrocker.com
