Press release:

Every Monday afternoon the students at St. Joseph Catholic School engage in different hands-on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) activities that tie into their current studies.

Recently, Mrs. Case's kindergarten class took part in a fun science experiment. Each student chose an object from their classroom and placed it in a tub of water to see if their item would sink or if it would float. Mrs. Fischer's fourth-grade class has been learning the difference between vascular and non-vascular plants. Recently they did an experiment with celery that showed them how colored water can travel through the vascular tubes changing the color of the celery.

The Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge have announced the winners of their annual photo contest. First Place in the habitat category went to Dan Heale (top photo) and First Place in wildlife went to Kathy Owen (bottom photo). For more winning shots, click here.

Speaking from decades of experience in property redevelopment, Samuel Savarino, chief executive officer of Savarino Cos. of Buffalo, acknowledged the challenges involved in converting the former Santy's Tire Sales and Soccio & Della Penna Construction sites on Ellicott Street in the city into a successful commercial venture.

But he also said he is encouraged by the "great public support" locally and is hopeful that New York State comes through with the necessary grant funding to make Ellicott Station a reality.

Savarino, whose company was selected by the Batavia Development Corp. in the spring to revitalize the rundown, three-acre parcel in the city's Brownfield Opportunity Area, joined Julie Pacatte, BDC coordinator, and BDC Board members Ray Chaya and Mary Valle at Monday night's City Council meeting to update the governing body on the project's progress.

"We've been refining our plan, and after finding that one of the buildings on the site is unsafe, it will be demolished and is no longer part of our plans," said Savarino, who has spearheaded award-winning projects along Buffalo's waterfront.

However, he said, the main building on the Della Penna lot (phase 1 of the project) features "some unusual characteristics that will work well ... and will become the signature part of the development. Driving down Ellicott Street, you can't help but notice it."

Specifically, he said the Della Penna building that once was a transformer repair facility has room upstairs for a party area that looks out over the production floor.  He said he is "pleasantly surprised" that the building's shape, along with concrete beams and columns, will lend itself to a unique look and feel when completed.

Savarino said his company has been working with engineers and consultants in preparation of possible construction next spring. Plans are contingent on the awarding of an Empire State Development grant -- what Savarino called a "substantial contribution to close the gap" -- for the project, which is expected to cost around $17 million. He and Pacatte said they hope to hear from the ESD in December.

The developer also said that he has applied for new market tax credits to lessen the state's commitment to the project, noting that the fact that the site is in a highly distressed census tract and that Batavia is a rural community work in the project's favor.

He said the project likely will proceed in two phases.

"Della Penna is the first phase; Santy's is the second site," he said, adding that the building there also will come down. "That's the site that the city acquired through foreclosure after we were selected in the RFP process."

Savarino said the plan hasn't changed much from his original vision.

"We're still roughly consistent of what we originally proposed. We're using the existing building as a production brewery and restaurant. We've had some in-depth conversations with two established brewers, both of whom have a strong interest in the site -- I don't think that's an issue.

"We've talked to several commercial tenants for the space -- the two floors of commercial space that we have in both of the buildings. But the first phase would have 16 apartments and the second phase would have 16 apartments, for a total of 32. Commercial space on the first floor could be retail or it could just be commercial office. We've had an awful lot of interest from commercial office users and one bank in particular."

Samuel Savarino talks about the Ellicott Station project at Monday night's City Council meeting. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Members of the anniversary alumni committee for the St. Joe's Drum and Bugle Corps presented a $1,000 check to St. Joe's today, proceeds from the group's fundraisers for the school.

The Drum and Bugle Corps was founded in 1932 by Father Kelly and today alumni are members of the Mighty St. Joe's Drum and Bugle Corps of Le Roy and the St. Joe's Brass Ensemble of Batavia.

"We wear the name with pride," said Bob Wielgosz, director of Mighty St. Joe's "St. Joe's means a lot to us."

Pictured are Wielgosz, Tom Cecere, Karen Green, principal of St. Joe's, Pat Bishop, and Frank Panepento.

Daniel James Skivington, 39, of Reed Road, Bergen, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Skivington was contacted during an investigation into an alleged conservation violation. While at his residence, Skivington was found in possession of two rifles. Skivington has a prior criminal conviction. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. The Department of Environmental Conservation violation was investigated by DEC Officer Gary Wilson. Skivington was arrested by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Edwin L. Stancliff, 37, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. Stancliff was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident reported at 2:30 a.m., Sunday. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Andrew Enrique Montanez-Moran, 28, of High Street, Lockport, is charged with stalking, 4th. Montanez-Moran is accused of stalking a former girlfriend.

Devon Paul Leach, 22, of Main Street, Batavia, of unlawful possession of marijuana and passing a red light. Leach was stopped at 12:01 a.m. Sunday on South Lyon Street by Deputy Chris Parker. He was allegedly found in possession of a bag of marijuana in his pants' pocket.

David Allen Kemp, 38, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, no stopping/standing on a highway. Kemp was arrested following an investigation into a menacing complaint in the Village of Oakfield at 7:49 p.m., Sept. 24, by Deputy Robert Henning.

Richard Dean McKague Jr., 28, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. McKague allegedly threw a coffee cup at another person during an argument.

Fresh off a Section V title, the boys of Oakfield-Alabama's cross-country team competed this weekend for a state title. The team entered as the eighth seed but notched a sixth-place finish.

They competed at Chenango Valley State Park, outside of Binghamton, "against the very best Class D runners in all of New York State," said Paul Beuler, who provided the photos and information.

Junior Cole O'Donnell from OA-E, finishing in fifth place in Class D at the Sectional Meet on Nov. 5th. 

Senior Mike Bowen from OA-E finishing in 32nd place at the Sectional Meet on Nov. 5th at Wayne High School.

Senior Josh Larmon from OA-E, on the right, finishing in ninth place at Sectionals. 

Sophomore Mark Anauo from OA-E finishing in 15th place.

A car has struck a deer on Kelsey Road near Harloff in Batavia.

There was airbag deployment and the woman passenger is pregnant.

A Mercy EMS ambulance is requested to the scene for evaluation.

A minor injury is reported.

Batavia fire responding.

Members of Notre Dame's basketball team from 1969, which won a state title known as the Manhatten Cup, were together once again last night for the school's Hall of Fame dinner. In the picture above, they pose in front of a case which holds a replica of the 1969 trophy.

For more on the inductees, click here.

A car has reportedly hit a tree or a pole in the area of Caswell Road and Clinton Street Road, Stafford.

There may be injuries. 

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Responders advised to use caution, the pole is about to come down.

UPDATE: Reader submitted photo. We didn't hear any more on this call.

Winners of City fire's annual fire safety poster contest were at the Fire Hall yesterday for their pizza party and tour and demonstrations of firefighting equipment.

The winners:

• Grade K-1: First Place, Lillian Clarke, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Torrey/Mrs. Aquilio, 1st Grade; Second Place, Addison Horton, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Nelson/Mrs. Aquilio, 1st Grade; Third Place, Natalie Battaglia, Jackson Primary School, Mrs. Amerine, Kindergarten;
• Grade 2-3: First Place, Xavian Cramer, John Kennedy, Mrs. Searls, 3rd Grade; Second Place, Gretchen Redder, John Kennedy, Mrs. Dobbertin, 3rd Grade; Third Place, Caitlyn Brinkman, John Kennedy, Ms. Gonyeau, 2nd Grade;
• Grade 4-5: First Place, Hailey Kirkpatrick, Batavia Middle School, Mrs. Schwenk, 5th Grade; Second Place, Hannah Fry, Batavia Middle School, Mrs. Schwenk, 5th Grade, Third Place, Ava Anderson, John Kennedy, Mrs. Restiva, 4th Grade.

Photo and info submitted by Batavia Fire Department.

Batavia got into a shootout Saturday night at Ralph Wilson Stadium against the Dunkirk Marauders and came up a bullet short, losing a fight to the finish 50-48.

Both teams scored seven touchdowns apiece, but Dunkirk made one more two-point conversion than the Blue Devils, and that made all the difference.

A win would have propelled Batavia into a chance at a state title, instead, their season is over.

"This is a great group of kids and I couldn't be more proud of them," said Head Coach Brennan Briggs after the overtime loss. "It didn't turn out the way we wanted, but once again, I'm proud of these guys. Ten and one is a great football season."

The game, in many ways, was a battle of two big-play backs, Batavia's Ray Leach and Dunkirk's Alton Ingram. Leach, a sophomore, came into the game just shy of a 1,000-yard season and Ingram had more than 1,100 yards rushing.

Saturday, Leach carried the ball 20 times for 224 yards and Ingram ran 33 times for 240 yards. Both backs scored four touchdowns each.

Coming into the game, Batavia knew Ingram would be a challenge.

"You’ve got to gang-tackle him," Briggs said. "You can’t arm tackle him. He’s a big kid. He runs hard. He makes you pay if you try to arm tackle him. He’s a good football player. I tip my cap off to him. I wish we could have done a little bit more to stop him but that’s football."

The sophomore Leach finished the season strong.

"He did a great job," Briggs said. "He busted the big plays. He made the runs. He made the plays he could have made. I look forward to having him for two more years. He did a great job. He’s hard to stop."

The game opened fast and never let up. A minute into the first quarter, Leach scored on a 59-yard run.

On Dunkirk's first play from scrimmage on its first possession, Dunkirk's QB Evon Hernandez connected on a 61-yard pass to Elwin Gomez.

In the battle of two-point conversions on these first two touchdowns, the Marauders came out on top, and led 8-6.

Before the end of the quarter, the two teams would combine for another four touchdowns and Dunkirk entered the second quarter with a 22-20 lead.

Jerry Reinhart and Chandler Baker also had big games for Batavia. 

Reinhart scored twice on the ground, part of his total of 131 yards on 14 carries, and tossed TD passes to Leach and Baker. He was 3-9 passing for 48 yards.

Baker gained 54 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 37 yards.

Dunkirk came into the game as a big-score team, strong run game and some athletes who could move the ball. Briggs said he and his coaches knew they would be tough to stop.

"We knew we would probably have to outscore them," Briggs said. "It was a great game. We just didn’t come out on top."

To purchase prints, click here.

Members of the Batavia Ramparts and Notre Dame Ice Hockey were on hand today at Falleti Ice Arena so young children could give hockey a try.

The Try Hockey for Free event is held annually.

The  First Presbyterian Church hosted its 14th Annual Worldwide Christmas Fair today, featuring artisans and vendors selling locally made items.

The Zonta clubs of Batavia and Genesee County sponsored Holiday Festival today featuring artisans and vendors at Batavia Downs.

An accident with entrapment is reported at Downey Road and Galloway Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Two people transported to the hospital.

The Pavilion Cub Scouts collected more than 250 food items this morning for the Pavilion food pantry. The pantry helps more than 30 families in the area and this is its busiest time of year.

Info and photo submitted by Tom Stringham.

Jessica Havens submitted this photo of a pair of bald eagles she spotted in her backyard on Pratt Road, Corfu.

"Charlie" decided to go on a little unsupervised adventure yesterday while in Oakfield and has been missing since.

The beagle, who lives in Batavia, ran off from his owner while on Farnsworth Avenue, with green collar and leash still attached.

Somebody spotted Charlie yesterday on Maltby Road between the school and North Pearl, but the spotter doesn't think Charlie was dragging his leash along with him at that point. 

If you know anything about Charlie's whereabouts, call (585) 344-0787.