Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 10th Annual Batavia Antique Show & Sale at Batavia Downs.

The event continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

From The Batavian's news partner, WBTA:

Batavia City School District is looking at a reduction in their budget in comparison to last year’s. Benefit costs to retirement systems have decreased, allowing the school to save money in those areas.

Business Manager Scott Rozanski says the school is changing their philosophy on savings since their current reserve is expiring.

"The board has authorized the creation of a new capital reserve and has set the level at a 10-year reserve for $7.5 million. That's the maximum amount of money that can go into it. It's not how much it's going to be funded or funded initially. It will be funded through surplus or future-year budgetary appropriations," says Rozanski.

If the school has a surplus of money, it will be stored in the fund.

Rozanski says the board wants a flat tax levy.

In terms of administration, the school does not anticipate any major changes outside of three expiring board seats.

The budget vote will occur May 19th.

Press release:

There will be emergency roadwork between exit 48A (Pembroke – Medina – NY Route 77) and exit 48 (Batavia – NY Route 98) on I-90 eastbound the Thruway Authority announced today.

Work is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, continuing through Monday, March 23 at 6 a.m.

Isolated pavement repairs will be performed in both eastbound lanes. Motorists should expect single lane closures and a posted work zone speed limit of 45 mph.

In the event of inclement weather, work may be delayed or postponed.

Variable message boards (VMS) and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR – 1630 AM) will provide updates for motorists about possible delays in the area.

The Thruway Authority appreciates motorists’ patience during this emergency work following a winter of bitter cold temperatures and extreme winter weather.

There was a big turnout for the Mexican-themed Family Night at Batavia Middle School, which featured a Mexican food feast (until the tacos ran out), crafts around Mexican themes, along with a raffle (prizes donated by local businesses) and community group booths and activities.

Tonight for the third year in a row the Batavia High School, National Honor Society sponsored a benefit "Going bald for Cancer"  All of the proceeds this evening went to Anna's Wish.  Mr. McKinney Pictured above (speaking far right) with his daughter Molly is the Founder and President of Anna's Wish.  

Scott Gillard (above) watching his daughter Tori Gillard, a 10th grade student at BHS (pictured below) getting her head shaved by Charlene Shultz from Total Image Salon.  Tori was the only girl who participated.  She raised $530.00 for the event.

National Honor Society Advisor Jillian Thomas spoke about the success of the money raised annually. For more information go to: http://www.annaswish.org/about/

Pictured below from left to right:

Sophmore Alex Snell, Teacher Nate Korzelius, Sophmore Tori Gillard, Sophmore Johnathan Currier, Sophmore Josh Franks, Senior Samir Jain, Teacher, President & Founder of Anna's Wish Jeff McKinney, Principal Scott Wilson

 For more photos go to: 

https://www.facebook.com/SteveOgnibenePhotography

They seem to have delayed their migaration as long as possible. Now, their biological clocks ticking, large flocks of Canada geese have begun to return  to their breeding grounds - even if the weather isn't fully cooperating. The problem? Presently there is  little open water to accommodate the thousands that have already arrived.

With a shortage of open water there's bound to be an occassional squabble.

Bottoms up!  The water is shallow enough for the Canada's to dabble for remnants of last autumn's corn.

Geese aren't the only waterfowl in search of open water. Note the barely visible Redhead in front of the Tundra swan.

Unlike the migratory species, whitetails have had to endure a long, hard winter. Until recently these cornstalk remains were buried beneath a thick snowpack. For deer, foraging for meals the past couple of months was a lot of work. 

Answer this question later today on the smartphone app Reacht for a chance to win a $5 gift certificate from Southside Deli. To download Reacht on your smartphone, click here

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he has become a co-sponsor on legislation, Assembly Bill 06256, that will ease the financial burden placed on farmers. The bill would forgo the requirement that farmers who employ aliens admitted to the United States to perform farm labor pay unemployment insurance for such workers. Under state law, alien laborers are not eligible for unemployment insurance, so there is no need for employers to pay into the unemployment insurance fund.

“I have introduced this legislation with Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Madison County), current Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, after meeting with Farm Bureau representatives from my district,” Hawley said. “As the former owner of Hawley Farms, I know firsthand how hard farmers work for their profits and that sustainability of their business is not guaranteed year to year. This is common-sense legislation that will correct a glaring deficiency in the labor law that mandates farmers pay unemployment insurance for workers who are ineligible. My district contains many farm operations and I will do everything I can to help them keep more of their profits.”

Bus shelters to protect children from the elements are common sites on rural roads in this part of the country, but how many have you seen that are converted school buses?

The Stringham family on Transit road in East Bethany has such a shelter.

Previously: Photos: Dragon appears on Transit Road

It's Ag Literacy Week and farmers from throughout Genesee County are participating by going to their local schools and sharing about their careers and reading from a book picked especially for the occasion.

The book is "Weaving the Rainbow," by George Ella Lyon and Stephanie Anderson. The picture book is the story of a young woman who raises sheep, shears them, cleans, cards, spins and dyes the wool, using it to create works of woven art. The story is aimed at helping students make the connection between agriculture and its many uses and influences.

Above, Sharon Fuerch reads to a group of second-graders at Byron-Bergen Elementary School this morning.  

Below, Colleen Primm and her daughter Madelynn introduce a pair of their lambs to Byron-Bergen students.

The annual mock trial competition continued last night at the Wyoming County Courthouse, Warsaw. The winners advance to the next round.

In round one Batavia earned 63 points while Dansville scored 46. Pembroke came away with 47 points, narrowly beating Attica which ended with 46 points. 

Round two named Batavia the winner a second time with 52 points and Dansville earning 29. Attica was named the victor over Pembroke in round two – Attica earned 49 points, while Pembroke earned 41.

Total cumulative points for the winners:

• Attica – 307

• Batavia – 347

• Avon – 308

• Notre Dame – 302

Attica, Batavia, Avon and Notre Dame all advance to the semi-finals held March 23 at the Orleans County Courthouse. The finals will be held March 25 at the Genesee County Courthouse, Batavia.

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Genesee and Orleans counties is accepting applications for Spring turkey hunting. The refuge uses a random drawing to fill the 75 turkey hunting permits available.

Hunters may apply for a permit for one of two season sessions. Session 1 runs from May 1 through May 15 and 50 permits will be issued for this session. Session 2 runs from May 16 through May 31 and 25 permits will be issued for this session.

To be entered in the drawing, interested hunters must obtain a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application form (Form 3-2356).Applications can be requested in person, by phone, mail or by e-mail at iroquois@fws.gov

A PDF version of the application form may also be printed from our Web site:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois

Click on the link under “Visitor Activities." Applications, along with a $5 non-refundable processing fee, must be received by 4 p.m., March 31, 2015.

Please refer to our Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet, available at the refuge office or on our Web site, for additional information.

Please contact refuge staff at 585-948-5445, ext. 7036, for further information.

Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester and is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact the Refuge at 585/948-5445 or at the Federal Relay No.  1-800-877-8339.

Vandals destroyed this water fountain at Austin Park and city police were notified about it shortly before noon.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) issued the following statement after joining Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) and others in introducing the bipartisan Manufacturing Universities Act.

“As a small business owner who worked in manufacturing for over 35 years, I understand the difficulty in training and finding qualified manufacturing workers,” Congressman Collins said. “To expand manufacturing in Western New York, we need to have a workforce capable of filling these skilled jobs. I am proud to join Rep. Esty in introducing this bipartisan legislation that will provide partnering colleges and universities the resources necessary to equip their students with the skills needed to succeed in manufacturing.”

“I’m proud to join my friend and colleague Rep. Collins in introducing our bipartisan Manufacturing Universities Act,” Congresswoman Esty said. “Manufacturers provide good-paying jobs for our hard-working families, but manufacturers often struggle to find workers with the right skill sets. By providing additional support for manufacturing in engineering programs at colleges and universities, we can prepare the next generation of engineers for exciting — and in-demand — manufacturing jobs.”

“SUNY proudly supports the Manufacturing Universities Act of 2015 as it helps pave the way for the advancement of manufacturing efforts across the country,” SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said. “We thank Representative Collins and Representative Etsy for their leadership recognizing the valuable role public universities play in educating and training students for the 21st Century workforce.”

The bill would establish a Manufacturing Universities program within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. Colleges and universities with existing engineering programs would be eligible to apply for the Manufacturing University designation, which would: include up to $5 million annually for four years to improve engineering programs with an emphasis on manufacturing; increase the number of joint projects with manufacturing firms; and support students who participate in cooperative education and apprenticeships with manufacturers.

The Manufacturing Universities Act has been referred to the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. The bill is bipartisan and bicameral. The other House cosponsors are Reps. Patrick Meehan (R-PA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Rodney Davis (R-IL), and Mike Thompson (D-CA). The companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

A total of 118 people cast ballots in yesterday's Village of Corfu election for mayor and two trustees.

The lone mayoral candidate, Dave Bielec received 93 votes.

The trustee winners were Jenny McMartin-Eck, with 101 votes, and Al Graham, with 62 votes. Joseph Biggs Johnson was third with 58 votes.

Joshua Allen Grosskopf, 24, of Porter Road, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Grosskopf allegedly stole medication from a coworker at a business in Pembroke.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 24, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Williams was turned over to Batavia PD by State Police. Williams posted bail.

James A. Hancock, 45, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated criminal contempt, 1st. Hancock is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Charles GT Williams, 36, of Robinson Road, Lockport, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation. Williams posted $500 bail and was released.

Cristal Lee Miranda, 23, of Myrtle Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation charge. Miranda turned herself in and posted $200 police bail.

Dustin T. Holman, 27, of Edgewood Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Holman allegedly stuck another person while at a location on Lewiston Road, Batavia.

New York Times: Suddenly, Plenty of Options for Cord Cutters

Answer this question later today on the smartphone app Reacht for a chance to win a $5 gift certificate from Southside Deli. To download Reacht on your smartphone, click here.

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported at Route 98 and West Saile Drive. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding. Two vehicles are involved.

UPDATE 9:53 a.m.: Command on scene puts the town assignment back in service.

A multinational car parts company with a location in Batavia has filed for reorganization under federal bankruptcy laws, but a spokesman for the company said there are no plans to eliminate jobs.

Earlier this week, a bankruptcy court granted Chassix Holdings, Inc., a series of "first day" motions that the company says will set the stage for recapitalization and ensure the company is able to continue normal business operations.

Chassix locally is at 4320 Federal Drive, Batavia.

The restructuring deal transfer ownership to the company's bondholders.

The company has been given access by the court to $205 million of debtor-in-possession financing. The new financing, according to the company, combined with cash generated by ongoing sales, will be available to Chassix to maintain operations and meet restructuring needs.

Reuters reports:

Tom Gores' Platinum Equity Advisers, Chassix's current equity owner, signed onto the proposal to cut company debt by 68 percent, from $680 million to $217 million, the company said in papers filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.

Chassix blamed a 2014 spike in demand for chassis components and powertrain products from customers like Ford, BMW and Nissan, saying its inability to keep up led to an "onslaught of quality issues and missed release dates" that increased manufacturing costs.

The Batavia plant produces assemblies, brackets, control arms, knuckles and tow hooks.

The number of people employed locally wasn't immediately available, but a company spokesman confirmed there are no anticipated layoffs in Batavia.