Sen. Charles Schumer traveled to Har-Go Dairy in Pavilion on Monday to warn that without passage of a 2023 Farm Bill, a program that helps dairy farms stay in business could expire in September.

Dairy Margin Coverage, a kind of insurance program that is taxpayer-subsidized but also funded by fees paid by dairy farmers, helps keep milk and cheese prices stable for consumers.

“Loss of the program,” Schumer said, "would cause huge supply chain disruption and market panic, which means less available milk. The price of milk would go way up. So even if you don't even have a farmer in your family, even if you don't even know a single farmer, you will be hurt if this program goes out because the price of milk will go up and all the other things that milk is used in would go up as well. The cost of milk could potentially double."

DMC is a voluntary risk management program for dairy farmers. It pays producers the difference in the price of milk, which is regulated by the federal government, and the cost of feed. It helps ensure that dairy farmers don't suffer catastrophic losses if feed prices rise unexpectedly.  Feed for dairy cows is a commodity with prices set by global markets.  Any sort of international crisis, whether political or environmental, can cause prices to spike.

"We don't want these small farmers to be buffeted about and actually put out of business by international forces that are beyond their control," Schumer said.

Schumer noted that employers such as HP Hood and O-AT-KA Milk Products, along with other businesses in Genesee County that are dependent on the dairy industry, employ more than 1,000 people locally.

"And we all know that milk from happy, healthy Uupstate New York cows tastes better than the milk from anywhere else in the nation," Schumer said.

The Farm Bill, which is renewed by Congress every five years, is in jeopardy because of greater partisanship, with harder lines being drawn, in Washington, Schumer said.

"There's a group of people who just want to just cut all the spending across the board," Schumer said. "Instead of just looking at where the waste is, and keeping good programs like this one. Usually, we prevail. But this year, things are pretty hot in Washington. That's why I'm here. I'm making a big push to make sure this program is sustained."

Shelley Stein, a dairy farmer in Le Roy and chair of the Genesee County Legislature, said maintaining the DMC is critical to the survival of the area's dairy farms, and the cost of the program is just a sliver of the overall spending authorized by the Farm Bill.

"Ninety-eight percent of the Farm Bill is used and directed to programs that feed people in America, and only two percent of that entire bill goes into farm programs,” she said. “So, only two percent of the spending goes to make sure that we can feed the rest of America."

As summer has just officially thunderstormed its way into the area, it may seem as though there’s plenty of time to put a major equipment decision on ice at the McCarthy arena on Evans Street. Especially when it could cost upwards of $4 million if the city doesn’t get any grant funding.

But from the appeals and official presentations heard during City Council’s conference session Monday evening, time is of the essence. A rapidly failing ice chiller isn’t likely to survive another full season, and without a working chiller, of course, there is no ice, no hockey program, and no evolving 12-month facility that just celebrated “a great first year,” according to arena operator Matt Gray.

That success hasn’t been without a fair share of struggles for Gray and his staff to keep the 20-plus-year-old chiller operational, he said.

“Our staff is doing everything they can to keep it running. It's a great expense with the R 22 (refrigerant). We do have leaks. It's costing, you know, our capital budget through the city is thousands of dollars a year. And that's one of the reasons why it has to be done because we're losing money,” Gray said. “Our staff during the winter, seven times, 10 times a week, are going up onto the roof, and they're thawing out a broken evaporator up on the roof, it freezes solid, it's 20 degrees out, 10 degrees when the wind’s blowing. It can't wait an hour  … We know we have a challenge for this coming year. We've already sat down with all the staff, and they're up for it. 

"We need to make it through this coming season," Gray said. "And we need to stick to the timetable hopefully for 2024 because of the 25 season so that we can open up in September of that season.”

His plea was supplemented by speaker Bob Gray, his dad and one of the founders of Friends of the Rink, who read a list of the many activities, fundraisers, events and related supporters that rally around the ice rink’s purpose. 

From a free hockey try-out day for kids and wrestling to an 80s roller skating party and mega garage sale, in addition to the regular youth and adult hockey leagues, the rink has become an incrementally improved facility that council members should check out for themselves, the elder Gray said.

Tim Sprague spoke on behalf of the Batavia Ramparts youth hockey league, endorsing the rink not just for those players but for others outside of the city that use the facility. The Ramparts has become 200 members strong, and his own participation as a kid got Sprague through a tough time in his life when his mom died, he said.

“Growing up on Harvester Avenue, it was really helpful to have a place where I could go with my friends where they were like family, and I was able to be a part of that hockey community,” he said. “So it's not just the local area people that are using it, it's driving from all around, and it's pulling people into our community. And you're getting to see things that are happening at the rink. I honestly, the dirt bike thing I thought was a wild idea. I couldn't believe how successful that was to see that happen on the ice, and the amount of support that received was just really cool.

“So that's just all I really wanted to say, is just the support that Batavia Ramparts has for that rink and what it means to us. So thank you, we appreciate it,” he said.

John Roach of Batavia came to the meeting to comment on another topic, but while at the podium, he added that investing in a new chiller was “a no-brainer.”  A couple of council members seemed to agree.

Councilman-at-large Bob Bialkowski appreciated the fact that the arena was being handled by someone local, and that has made a difference, he said. Council President Eugene Jankowski believes that the arena is “only getting better every day” and “hopefully we can get this chiller thing resolved.” Councilman John Canale has a lot of drum students that use the rink and believes that “we’re onto something, let’s keep it going.”

Paul Viele thanked the Grays for what they do to support the rink and asked, “What can we do to expedite this grant for them?”

The Climate Smart Communities grant, in the amount of $1,235,000, wouldn’t be available until December, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said. In the meantime, the council can consider applying for a bond to afford the $2.5 million capital project and purchase the chiller. Council would then approve a resolution to apply for the grant, which would be announced in December. The project would be put out for bid and award, to be installed between April and September 2024, before the new hockey season begins.

Tabelski presented two options if the council agrees to go forward with purchasing a new chiller. One is the cost of a debt service payment plan based on 25 years with interest, and the city doesn't get the grant. That tab amounts to $4 million, versus a total offset by the $1.23 million grant and decreased interest payments. 

Her recommendation is based on a feasibility study conducted by the New York Power Authority, which concluded that the chiller should be replaced as a matter of financial practicality.

“You've heard me say it many, many, many times over the past two years. We operate on the R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out of production. We spent over $90,000 in 21 and 22. You remember the emergency purchases for either refrigerant or oil during that time period. So we built reserves. However, those reserves are being flushed down into buying this refrigerant,” she said. “They absolutely recommend replacing the chiller, the evaporative cooler.

“Specifically, the grant has timeline parameters. So I'm gonna go through it in the presentation, but we have a choice to make tonight to approve a $2.5 million project and have council look at the two different scenarios of bonding and investment. One with a grant and one without,” she said. “My ask tonight is actually to approve it, not knowing whether we get the grant or not, by letting you know we do have sufficient funds in the general fund to make those bond payments. So again, we wouldn't know about the grant until December if Council chooses to 1. approve the capital project and 2. to apply for this grant. So it's kind of like we need to get started now to hit the April timeline of when the ice comes up to move forward with the chiller replacement.”

Council moved several resolutions to the next business meeting on July 10 so that the group could vote on:

• Approving the $2.5 capital project to purchase a new chiller and evaporator system for the ice rink.
• Using a new county program that provides a one-time use of $5,000 for grant-writing services to pursue a Climate Smart Communities grant to offset the cost of the new chiller.
• Agreeing to apply for the Climate Smart Communities grant of $1,235,000.

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An announcement today by Sen. Charles Schumer, while in Pavilion to talk about dairy farms and the pending 2023 Farm Bill, that he has secured $670 million for New York to expand broadband access is good news for Genesee County, said Shelley Stein.

A dairy farmer, Stein is also chair of the Genesee County Legislature.

She said the county is committed to spending $7.2 million to run wire to 1,578 addresses (of about 31,000 address points) in the county that do not currently have access to high-speed internet. The county already secured a $3 million grant to cover part of the cost of the project, and the Legislature was concerned it would need to take on debt to fund the rest of the project.

"For us, it means, perhaps, we will not have to bond the rest of that, which is great news today," Stein said.

It's the furthest reaches of rural Genesee County that don't have broadband, and a big part of New York's share of the broadband funding will go to rural areas, Schumer said.

"This is the largest single investment in broadband history in New York," Schumer said. "It's game-changing. For too long, residents across New York State, from Buffalo to Rochester to Albany to rural areas in particular, like here where we're standing in Genesee County, have lacked sufficient access to fast, reliable, affordable high-speed internet."

Ensuring everyone has fast, reliable internet is as essential to communities today as electricity was more than a century ago, Schumer said.

"Broadband is for the 21st century," said the Senate's majority leader. "You need it everywhere. Your kids need it to go to school, our local hospitals need it to do telemedicine, individuals need it for their small businesses, and farmers need it so they can keep up with the latest weather and other reports that they so desperately need. We have had too many people who either don't have broadband or when they do, it becomes too expensive, so they can't afford broadband."

The state will need to present a plan to the federal government on how the $670 million will be allocated throughout the state and the Commerce Department will need to approve the plan, Schumer said.

"I fought very hard to make sure that broadband was in the bipartisan (infrastructure) bill," Schumer said. "It started out as the old-time bill with stuff for roads, bridges, highways, rail. That's needed, and it's in the bill, but I said, we also need broadband because that's part of the 21st-century way of commerce."

In his three years as the school resource officer in Pavilion, Deputy Jeremy McClellan has apparently made quite an impression on parents and students.

Parents and students have learned that the Pavilion Central School District doesn't plan to have McClellan back as SRO, and they've started an online petition drive to support his return and in online postings and in emails to The Batavian many said they plan to attend tonight's (Monday) school board meeting to protest his removal from the position.

More than 640 people have signed the petition on Change.org, and a few have stated their reason for supporting the petition.

After recounting how McClellan has impressed her children, and even talking one through some difficult times, Renee Gurbacki wrote, "Officer McClellan is so genuinely kind-hearted, and genuinely cares for the well-being and safety for each and every kid, in our district or out of district. Everything he did or does is to only make this place a better place. He is the perfect role model for each and every one of us."

Several parents have posted online about their appreciation of McClellan.

There has also been some misunderstanding expressed that Pavilion is eliminating the SRO program.  That's not the case, said Superintendent Mary Kate Hoffman. The district still has a contract with the Sheriff's Office to employ a deputy as an SRO.

Asked if McClellan was "fired," as many parents have phrased it, and whether he was told he wasn't a "good fit," as some parents have claimed, Hoffman did not directly address those comments. She provided The Batavian with the following statement:

The Pavilion CSD, in consultation with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, announces the reassignment of School Resource Officer Jeremy McClellan. We express our gratitude for Deputy McClellan's valuable contributions to the Pavilion Central School District and to the community of Pavilion. Our collaboration with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the SRO program will persist, and we are thankful for their assistance during this period of change. As this concerns a personnel matter, the district will refrain from providing any additional comments.

The Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. 

If a popular fast-food restaurant chain has things its way, multiple properties — including the sites of Batavia Restaurant Supply and Beverly’s Floral & Gifts —  will be demolished in lieu of a bigger, wraparound establishment on a southwest corner in the city.

Hopkins Sorgi & McCarthy PLLC, representing Carrols Corp., has proposed moving the current Burger King, at 230 West Main St., Batavia, into space now occupied by 301-305 West Main St., 307 West Main St., 4 South Lyon St., and a northern portion of 6 South Lyon St.

If approved, Burger King would replace and relocate the existing restaurant with a drive-through service, the company says.

The project site is zoned commercial C-2, and the company’s future plans would require a special use permit, the company said in a letter submitted as part of a concept plan review during Tuesday’s city Planning and Development Committee meeting.

The applicant and apparent Burger King franchise owner is Ken Mistler, and Hopkins Sorgi & McCarthy are expected to return to a future committee meeting on July 18 for further discussion about the project. Mistler was not available for comment Sunday.

UPDATE 6/27/23 12:30 a.m.: Ken Mistler said that the city goofed and erroneously listed him as the applicant of this project, though he is not. 

The current Burger King structure was built in 1977 and has an assessed value of $690,000.

Renderings from Hopkins Sorgi & McCarthy PLLC. 

Could your home use some TLC in the form of much-needed repairs?

The city wants to submit for a Community Development Block Grant to assist income-eligible, single-family homeowners with essential home improvements, and input is a crucial part of the process.

Assistant City Manager Erik Fix wants to hear from homeowners during a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall.

“This grant, if we were awarded it, would coincide with our comprehensive housing strategy that we are in the process of developing.  It goes hand in hand with the Batavia Home Fund that the City, GCEDC and Town of Batavia signed an inter-municipal agreement to fund this past fall,” Fix said to The Batavian.  “The CDBG will provide funding for rehabilitation projects on owner-occupied, single-family home rehab projects throughout the city.  The hope is that when one neighbor makes improvements, others will as well, and the City can help foster rehabilitation throughout our communities.”

The Federal assistance Community Development Block Grant funds would enable homeowners to make home repairs with grant and deferred loan funding. Any single-family homeowner is encouraged to apply. The goal of the program would be to provide vibrancy to communities similar to recent improvements made to Summit Street to create vibrant transformations throughout the city.

This program will tie in with the city’s housing improvement plan and the recently created Batavia Home Fund. The process for CDBG applications involves one public hearing prior to the submission of any CDBG grant applications to provide residents with information about the CDBG program and to discuss community development needs and priorities.

In addition to the public hearing, Batavia city officials will be conducting a survey for city residents to understand the needs in the city. Surveys will be available on the city website, at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., and at the City Manager’s office at City Hall. Surveys must be returned to the manager’s office by July 7.

The City will be partnering with LaBella Associates to complete the grant application, which is due August 7.

The hearing is part of a City Council conference session at City Hall. 

Stella is only six months old and she's missing in East Pembroke.

She took off on her own at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday while at Crosby's in East Pembroke.

Stella is a Mastiff, weighs 70 pounds, and is described as "skittish."

She is wearing a pink collar. 

If you find her, call Jeff at 585-500-1436.

UPDATE June 27, 10:15 p.m.: Stella is found safe.  The owners were putting up a trail cam where she was last seen, and she walked up to them at that location.

Daniel J Bakowski, 42, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Bakowski was arrested on June 12 on a bench warrant from  City Court. The warrant was issued on Feb. 14, after Bakowski allegedly failed to appear in court. Bakowski was originally arrested on Jan. 18 on charges of assault 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief 4th, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment 2nd. Bakowski was also charged with an additional count of bail jumping 3rd. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 cash bail. The arrest was handled by Officer Peter Post.

(name redacted upon request), 53, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with sexual abuse 1st, sexual abuse 3rd, and forcible touching. The Sheriff's Office released little information about the case, which was reported on June 1 and investigated by Stephen Smith and Deputy Kevin McCarthy. xxx was released on his own recognizance. (NOTE: The charges were dismissed. A grand jury found there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charges and returned a "no bill.")

Tommy L. Crawford, 34, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  Crawford was also arrested on a warrant from Pennsylvania as a fugitive from justice. He is accused of stealing from a business on East Main Street. In Pennsylvania, Crawford is accused of making terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, harassment, and solicitation of a ride. Crawford was jailed pending extradition. He was issued an appearance ticket on the local charge.

Christopher M. Waide, 31, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Waide is accused of playing loud, amplified music and banging on his apartment walls with the intent to annoy and alarm a neighbor on June 14. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Lee Allen Baxter, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Baxter is accused of stealing an electric bicycle from a residence on West Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, on June 12. Baxter was issued an appearance ticket.

Joshua Allen Grosskopf, 32, of Beaver Street, Albion, is charged with assault 2nd. Grosskopf was arrested in connection with an incident -- no details released -- reported at 12:50 p.m. on June 20 at a location on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Jeffrey A. Hewitt, 44, of North Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, and failure to yield the right of way at a stop sign.  Hewitt was reportedly involved in an accident at Clinton Street and East Avenue at 9:25 p.m. on June 2. Officer Joseph Weglarski conducted an investigation and arrested Hewitt. Hewitt was held overnight in the Genesee County Jail pending arraignment. At arraignment, he was ordered held until his next court appearance.

Kevin M. McCoy, 56, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, criminal tampering 3rd, and burglary 2nd. Officers Richard Messmer and Adam Rissinger responded to a report of a disturbance on Ross Street at 6:37 p.m. on May 31. The complainant accused McCoy of entering her home while she was away, tearing down her curtains as well as dumping her garbage on the kitchen floor. McCoy allegedly violated a stay-away order. He was located a short time later and taken into custody. McCoy was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court. His release status is unknown.

Zoro Somano Reisman, 19, of Roosevelt Avenue, Batavia, is charged with robbery 3rd, two counts of grand larceny 4th, criminal possession of stolen property, and petit larceny. Reisman is accused of grabbing a wallet from a person's hands and running on June 17 at 10:45 p.m. at a location on Park Road, Batavia.  Reisman was held pending arraignment.

Lyndsay T. Young, 40, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and aggravated family offense. Young is accused of violating an order of protection on June 10. Young was issued an appearance ticket. 

Frank R. Cratsenberg, 62, no known address, is charged with petit larceny. Cratsenberg is accused of stealing beer from the Kwik Fill on Jackson Street, Batavia, on June 7. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Kody A. Wenzel, 30, of Brooklyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wenzel is accused of stealing medication from a family member on June 8. Wenzel was issued an appearance ticket.

Susan M. Jordan, 60, of Prospect Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Jordan is accused of pushing another person during an argument on June 15 on State Street. Jordan was issued an appearance ticket.

Diana F. Curcio-Abou, 43, of Pittsford, is charged with DWI and speeding. On June 14, at an undisclosed time and location, Curcio-Abou was stopped by officers Sam Freeman and Felicia Martinez. Curcio-Abou is accused of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Curcio-Abou was issued an appearance ticket.

Sarah A. Malone, 41, of Graham Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Malone was arrested on June 14 on a bench warrantd out of City Court. The warrant was issued on May 19 after Malone allegedly failed to appear on charges of theft of services and criminal impersonation 2nd. Malone was arraigned and released. 

Jennifer J. Hogan, 32, of Rochester, was arrested on three bench warrants. Hogan was arrested on June 15 on three bench warrants out of City Court. All three warrants were issued on Aug. 18, 2020, after Hogan allegedly failed to appear in court. The first warrant is the result of an investigation into a robbery on Hutchins Street on Oct. 2, 2019, where Hogan was charged with robbery 2nd. The other two warrants stem from an incident on Oct. 18, 2019, where Hogan was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, unlawful possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, after a traffic stop on North Spruce Street in Batavia. Hogan was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrest was handled by Officer Austin Davis and Officer Felicia Martinez.

Latoya D. Jackson, 37, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on three bench warrants.  Jackson was arrested on June 7 on three warrants out of City Court. The first warrant stems from an incident in June of 2022, on State Street, Batavia, where Jackson was charged with harassment 2nd. The second warrant stems from another incident in June of 2022 at an address on East Main Street, Batavia, where Jackson allegedly violated an order of protection and was charged with criminal contempt 2nd. The final warrant is the result of an incident in February of 2023, where Jackson was located, during a traffic stop, having several active warrants. Jackson allegedly fought with officers as they attempted to take her into custody. She was charged with resisting arrest. Jackson was arraigned in  City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. The arrest was handled by Officer Stephen Quider and Officer Peter Post.

Mark John Kaszubski, 42, of Buffalo, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and moving from lane unsafely. Kaszubski was stopped at 11:23 p.m. on June 9 on Route 20 in Alexander by Deputy Austin Heberein. Patrols were dispatched to Route 20 in Alexander after a caller reported observing a vehicle on Route 20 driving on a flat tire. Kaszubski was released on an appearance ticket.

Katherine Ann Goff, 34, of Byron Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Goff is accused of violating an order of protection at 1:45 a.m. on June 4. Goff was issued an appearance ticket.

Kelly P. Jones, 43, of 80th Street, Niagara Falls, is charged with harassment 2nd. Jones is accused of punching a Live Nation security guard at the Dave Matthews Concert at Darien Lake on June 14. Jones was issued an appearance ticket.

Drew Evan Lord, 27, of County Road 33, Campbell, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, failure to obey a traffic control device, unsafe passing on left, and speeding. Lord was stopped at 7:25 p.m. on June 17 on Pearl Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Mason Schultz.

Matthew Eric Price, of Longs Lane, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to dim lights, drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle. Price was stopped at 1:33 a.m. on May 6 on Stroh Road, Alexander, by Deputy Jacob Kipler. Price agreed to be transported to UMMC for a voluntary blood draw.  He was later arrested and issued an appearance ticket.

Gary Leigh Dewind, 53, of West Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with assault 3rd. Dewind was allegedly involved in a disturbance at midnight on June 18 at a location on Indian Falls Road, Pembroke. He was held pending arraignment.

Elizabeth Autumn Ceiotto, 24, of Groveland Street, Buffalo, is charged with petit larceny. Ceiotto is accused of stealing at Darien Lake Theme Park at 9 p.m., June 18. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Devante M. Wells, 27, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and Jalen I. Brown, 22, of Rochester, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and criminal possession of stolen property. Wells and Brown were arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 12:37 p.m. on June 24, in the City of Batavia. Wells was ordered held and Brown was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Thomas A. Biaselli, 23, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Biaselli was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 1:53 p.m. on June 22 in the Town of Batavia. Biaselli was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Aidan D. Cooney, 20, of Bataiva, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Cooney was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 12:30 p.m. on June 22 in the City of Batavia. Cooney was released on an appearance ticket. No further information was released.

Brittanee J. Hooten, 34, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hooten was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 2:54 p.m. on June 22 in the Town of Oakfield. She was issued an appearance ticket. No further information was released.

A four-wheeler accident is reported in the area of 6683 West Sweden Road, Bergen.

The accident is in the woods.

Unknown injuries.

Bergen Fire and Ambulance, along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Bergen command on scene. Patient complaining of a broken hip.

The 57 members of Pavilion High School's Class of 2023 received diplomas in the school's auditorium on Saturday.

The valedictorian was Evan Sidhu. The salutatorian was Kathryn Blankenship.  Jennifer Stringer delivered the commencement address.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Batavia Muckdogs picked up their fourth straight win at home on Saturday, beating Elmira 9-2.

At 12-7, the Muckdogs are tied for first place in the Western Division, percentage points behind Niagara Power, 9-4.  Amsterdam leads the Eastern Division at 17-1.

Jack Keeler (2-0, 3.21) got the win, going five innings, giving up three hits and two runs (neither were earned), while walking two and striking out two.

Ben Weber picked up his first save, going two innings and striking out four.

Matt DeStefano (Avg. .347) reached base in all four plate appearances, going  2-2 with two Walks, an RBI and a run scored. Victor Alongi went 2-4 with three RBIs. Anthony Calabro scored two runs.

The Muckdogs host Geneva today (Sunday) at 4:05 p.m.

The Elba Central School District handed out 36 diplomas to graduates on Friday night.

The valedictorian was Aidan McClurg, and the salutatorian was Emily Rowe.

Two foreign exchange students were among the graduates, Katherine Madsen, from Denmark, and Aurora Brugnerotto, from Italy.

Photos by Laura Luft. For more photos, click here.

When the Class of 2023 began its public education journey, Taylor Swift had just released her first #1 album, "Fearless," which would go on to win a Grammy in 2010.

Principal David Russell mentioned Swift during his opening remarks, also noting that when the Class of 2023 began classes at Wolcott Street School, it was the year the Saints won the Super Bowl, Spain won the World Cup, and "Kings Speech" was named best picture.

Now Taylor Swift is as big as ever, celebrating her success on her Eras Tour, and the Class of 2023 has been through some eras, as speakers in Le Roy at the high school graduation noted on Saturday.

"You experienced two presidential elections in 2012 and 2016, and you saw fads like silly bands and the selfie stick become prominent elements in our society," Russell said.

This is a class that grew up with iPads and navigated life during the first pandemic in more than 100 years and now ends one of the most significant eras of their lives and begins new eras as adults.

"When I think about the graduating class of 2023, the word that comes to my mind is perseverance," Russell said. "Perseverance is defined as persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, daily life as you knew it was disrupted substantially. Regents exams were canceled. Extracurricular activities, like sports and musicals, were either canceled or altered substantially. But through all of these difficulties and delays, you persevered, you persevered, and you overcame every obstacle to make the best of the most difficult situation to arrive at this stage today."

School Board President Jackie Whiting also noted the Class of 2023 persevered through COVID-19 and learned important lessons that have helped them deal with life's challenges.

"You learned to adapt to changing environments," Whiting said. "You learned how to cope with adversity, rejection and disappointment. Even this year, you had to deal with a whitewater rafting trip with no water, and a senior trip with such bad air quality you were not allowed outside. But you adapted and thrived. The pandemic provided a humbling teaching point. Do not take any day for granted. The world can be turned upside down very quickly. We don't know if and when it is coming. And there may be nothing we can do about it. But we can appreciate every day while remaining hopeful and productive.

Salutatorian Kathryn Salphine said it does seem like much has changed since she and her classmates first entered Le Roy Jr./Sr. High.

"Seniors, it's hard to believe that we're here today," Salphine said. "I can remember our class as timid seventh graders. I don't know about the rest of you. But I can say for certain that I thought the seniors at the school were big and scary. They were so mature. And I, for one, was convinced that we could never be that. I mean, six years is a long time, and those seniors were just so old. Now, looking back at that time, I'm amazed that I ever thought six years was so long these years have flown by. And now, the last chapter of high school is before us and what seems like the blink of an eye. "

Valedictorian Logan Nickerson called on his classmates to be kind, love unconditionally, avoid selfishness, live in gratitude and joy, forgive, and avoid negative talk.

"Words have the power to give life and to take," Nickerson said. "If there's any confusion over why given words are important, try interacting with people online. An easy trick that I recommend is to just avoid words with negative connotations when speaking. As for curse words, there's no mature excuse to express oneself in a way that imperils both professionality and the impact on those listening."

Regis Pollard, a personal finance teacher, was the faculty member selected by the senior class to address the graduates this year.

He said he had five tips for the graduates. 

"I'm not an expert at life, but what I've figured out is that people like to win," Pollard said. "I like to win. These are my five tips if you want to win, not only at your future careers but also at life."

The first, he said, is problem-solving.  You need to know how to solve problems for yourself, and employers hire people to solve problems for them. Second, "walk the walk." You've got to take action, not just have ideas, call out problems and suggest solutions.  You need to put your words into action. Third, no excuses. Fourth, help other people. And fifth, believe that you can.

"There's got to be these moments in time where you think you can't -- your human body is telling you, I'm uncomfortable, I can't do it, and what I need you to understand that you can," Pollard said. "And so you're gonna listen to a lot of speeches in your life. You're gonna hear a lot of speeches, and my words will fade. But to help you remember this, under your chairs, is the book, "The Little Engine That Could," and on the inside of it are the five things that I think are important for winning. And I don't care if you read it. I'm sure your English teachers do. But what I need you to remember when you get to those critical moments in life, when you have that opportunity to say, 'I can't do it,' I need you to remember that you can."

A bicyclist has been struck by a vehicle in the area of 36 South Pearl St., Oakfield, and has possible minor injuries.

He is up on his feet.

Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

 UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: Oakfield is back in service.

With a name like Aidan A. Anderson, there was little doubt that the Batavia High School senior would not be first up to receive his diploma during Friday evening’s commencement ceremony at Van Detta Stadium. 

And his mom, school board member Korinne Anderson was going to be right there ready and waiting, maybe with some tissues in hand, for the big moment.

"As I hand my son his diploma tonight,  I am sure I will shed some tears.  He leaves Sunday for West Point Military Academy and is quickly onto his next adventure,” his proud mom said earlier Friday. “I will most certainly give out hugs, as being a parent in the district and a board member offers me this unique glimpse into their education experience. And I am most excited to see what they will go and do in this world.”

Anderson is a 1995 graduate of Le Roy High School. She recalled her own experience and “being so excited for the next step,” she said, which was going to college.

“Le Roy was small, which I loved,  but was definitely ready for the next step,” she said. 

Fellow board member Alice Ann Benedict is a Blue Devil alum, BHS Class of 1972. Her walk down memory lane was at the former Mancuso Theater on Main Street in downtown Batavia.

“Our commencement speaker was William H. Updike, a freelance artist. I remember walking down the aisle to the stage to receive my diploma and celebrating with my friends in the audience,” she said. “Our class of ‘72 celebrated its 50th class graduation last summer. Loads of laughs and remembrances. Of course, graduating brings a big change in seniors' lives. Friends move on to new adventures, many going to college, some going into military service and many getting jobs. I remember being sad that I wouldn’t be seeing many of my classmates after our graduation ceremony.

“My advice to the Class of 2023 is to pursue your passions. If you choose a path that feeds that passion, then you’ll always look forward to each day,” Benedict said. “Remember to save for your future, travel as much as possible, and keep your good friends a part of your lives.”

School Board President John Marucci’s graduation ceremony — “way back in 1983 from Maple Grove Jr/Sr. High School in Bemus Point” — was quick and painless, he said, of just 90 kids. They had some “great after-grad activities as well,” he added.

He wanted to wish the Class of 2023 all the best in their future endeavors, whether they were headed to college, the military or jumping head first into the workforce.

“I know you will ALL be successful with whatever you decide to do,” he said. “So always keep reaching for the stars, and never look back because your very bright future is straight ahead. Congratulations and best wishes!”

For board member Barbara Bowman, these Class of 2023 members have already dealt with surprise obstacles with aplomb, which has fortified them for the future, she said.

“The class of 2023 has displayed amazing resiliency as they have coped with the unexpected challenges the pandemic presented.  I would encourage them to never lose sight of their ability to be resilient, to roll with life’s punches, to set goals that are meaningful to them and along the way, to just enjoy life,” Bowman said. “I am incredibly proud, both of the Batavia School District and of the Class of 2023!”

There was a contingency plan for Batavia City School District’s commencement ceremony Friday evening, just in case the clouds — which threatened all day long in grumpy gray masses — gave way to thunderstorms.

But by later afternoon, it was all systems go as the school of blue and white opted to move forward, not long before a short blip of rain came down to tempt the Blue Devils’ steadfastness. The Class members of 2023 lived up to a word repeatedly attributed to them in the evening’s speeches: they were resilient.

With clear umbrellas in hand and some rags to wipe off the makeshift stage and nearby awards and diplomas, school officials and students strolled through graduation with every bit of pomp and circumstance, albeit with a few raindrops here and there out at Van Detta Stadium field.

It seemed only natural for how they began as ninth-graders.

“I want to congratulate you on your graduation this year. As freshmen, you experienced the beginning of the pandemic and have shown resilience to get to where you are today. I am very proud of all this class has accomplished,” High School Principal Paul Kesler said.

He listed several of those accomplishments, including the band’s “outstanding” ratings in several categories during a recent competition, the Mr. Batavia event that raised more than $5,000 for multiple charities, the musical “Les Miserables” and its stellar reviews at Stars of Tomorrow, plus the myriad sports championships and academic feats for the 148 graduates.

There were 29 National Honor Society students, six Genesee Valley BOCES National Tech Honor Society members, seven Tri-M Honor Society, and five National Art Honor Society members, he said, and 62 percent of the class earned more than $2 million in scholarships for higher education. 

Of those students, 42 are planning to attend four-year schools, while 46 are geared toward two-year schools and six toward post-secondary schools. Another 39 are headed to the workforce with offers for employment, and four are on the road to military service, he said. A hefty 141 students earned a Regents diploma.

So with all of those accolades, what was left for him to say? Especially given that this will be Kesler’s last year as high school principal before he moves back to John Kennedy. 

After mulling the possibilities for a speech, he landed on three key takeaways from significant people who have impacted his life, Kesler said.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

A 90-year-old veteran who often checked on how Kesler was doing in his school leadership role taught him lesson number one: to “encourage people.” His father doled out one of life’s greatest gifts, and that taught Kesler about lesson number two: “Be kind.” 

And Kesler couldn’t help but include those oft-repeated words of the late city school district substitute teacher, mentor and friend Jim Owen about not accepting setbacks. So that’s lesson number three: “When you have a setback, you can come back and recover from obstacles,” Kesler said.

“I am so thankful to have had a front-row seat to see many of you recover from obstacles to get where you are today,” he said. “So today, I want to let all of you know how proud I am of you. But most of all, continue to be young people who come back when you have a setback, encourage others, and be kind. It has been a great honor to be your principal. Congratulations, Class of 2023.”

Guest speaker and English teacher Kim Przybysz encouraged this group of anxious, soon-to-be academically free young adults not to be defined by one aspect of their life, warning against the “danger of a single story.”

“It might be easy to allow the whirlwind that was lockdown, or hybrid learning, or the mayhem that is all of those years combined, to dominate your narrative. But that would be a woefully incomplete story. I want to challenge you to rewrite the story right now. What have you worked hard to overcome? What have you been proud of? What have you shared? How can you change that narrative, that single story?” she said.

“Let me help you. Class of 2023, I can tell you, you have lots to be proud of. When I think of you, I think of your resilience. Your perseverance. Your ability to overcome adversity. Your sitting here tonight is evidence of that.

“When I think of you, I think of your compassion and heart. I think of your altruism; so many of you have given back to your school community and the Batavia community at large. I think of the ways you’ve gone out of your way to help others -- be it underclassmen, each other -- I think of your honest care and concern. 

"I, personally, have often been on the receiving end of that kindness, and I am so grateful for it. When I think of you, I think of your passion. You are fierce advocates, for causes dear to your heart, for your peers, for yourselves," she said. "Continue to harness your voice to demand action, to seek to make the world around you a better place. You are powerful change agents. Believe that.”

The words of advice were plentiful, including from students Jack and Noah Pickard, who ended their jointly given speech with a quote from ultra-marathoner David Goggins, that “most wars are won or lost in our own heads,” capped off with their own: “you are the only person that can make your success happen.”

And from student Clara Wood, who acknowledged that change can be absolutely terrifying, and moving on from high school “is certainly a monumental change.”

“But as a class, we experienced more insanity, hardship, and unpredictability compared to what is usual, and we have to somehow use this to our advantage. We need to somehow realize that we are more than the worst things we have ever been through. We need to somehow recognize that every day is an opportunity to rise above the challenges we are forced to grapple with, and somehow we need to allow ourselves to be proud of everything we have accomplished despite those challenges,” she said. “In the future, when we look back on our high school years, our view will be very different than most. My hope is that we will be able to look back and not have sadness by the feeling that arises.

“My hope is that we will reflect on our time in high school and remember the fact that no matter what, there will always be struggle and uncertainty, but that sometimes hardship is essential for us to realize all that we are capable of,” she said. “Struggle allows us to realize how good the happiness that follows truly is.”

School Superintendent Jason Smith’s message came from a fictional tale, “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse.” It weaves through various lessons from each character while on a journey, including the value of compassion, the way in which we react to things, and honesty.

It ends with Smith’s favorite part, he said, and a lesson for graduates and audience members alike. That is, to take the next step.

“That is my final message to you, members of the Class of 2023: take the next step when challenges come your way. Keep moving forward,” he said.

The Batavia Muckdogs picked up a 3-2 win in Newark on Friday, 3-2, over the Pilots.

Preston Prince went five innings and whiffed five, giving up only one hit and one run to notch the win.

Adam Agresti and Matt DeStefano duplicated each other's stat line, each going 2-4 with an RBI and a double.  

At 11-7, the Muckdogs are tied for first in the Western Division with Niagara and Elmira.

The Elmira Pioneers will be at Dwyer Stadium tonight (Saturday). Game time is 6:35 p.m.

Friday night skate nights came to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena at the right time for new Batavia resident Deborah Deegan. 

And she likes it better than the open skate options she had in Rochester.

"There's not that many places, even in Rochester," Deegan said. "There's only Horizon, and there is a place called Skate Lovers. It's very similar to what you guys are doing here, but it's not an actual rink. It's like a warehouse. And I think they built the flooring, so it's not quite as good as the floor in here. And I don't like the music that much. It's not my music. I like the music here."

And at The McCarthy, she said, you can't beat the price.

"Five dollars is like a quarter of the costs of going to Horizon in Rochester and half the cost of going to Skate Lovers," she said.

The 32-year-old Deegan said she is pretty new to Batavia and is working at Copperhead Creek.  She loves to skate and is happy the operators of The McCarthy have started Friday night skate nights. She said she loves figure skating and enjoys getting the extra practice time.  She is also involved in roller derby.

She started ice skating when she was little but could never do much except go forward. Roller skating, she said, has improved her ice skating.

"Two years ago, when the rinks opened back up after COVID, I found myself sitting there going, 'Why, when have I been skating since I was four years old, I can't do anything cool?' From there, I decided I was going to teach myself how to go backward. And here we are, two years later, and skating at the skate park on these (roller rinks), is what has gotten me so much progress. When I got back on the ice rink, I could do jumps and all types of stuff that I could never do before."

Deegan said Batavia residents who haven't been to skate night yet should come out on a Friday night. The floor is good, the price is right, the music makes it fun, and it's also a great workout. She said too many people spend way too much time on their phones. They need to be more active.

"I also do this to get fit," she said. "I read that professional skaters burn up to 800 calories an hour, which is, like, unheard of. So it's a great way to get physical activity and a workout in without actually working out."

The McCarthy now has shelves of new skates available for kids and adults. See our previous story: GC Youth Bureau bets on fun for youth with purchase of skates at The McCarthy.

The regular Friday night skate is from 7 to 9 p.m., with the exception of July 7, when there will be an 80s and 90s skate night party from 8 to 11 p.m.  The entry fee for that event is $10 with $5 rentals and includes a DJ. It's a 21-and-over event with beer and cider served. 

Photos by Howard Owens.