Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.37, up four cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.42. The New York State average is $3.55, up five cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.51. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.51 (up eight cents from last week)
• Buffalo - $3.49 (up four cents from last week)
• Ithaca - $3.54 (up five cents from last week)
• Rochester - $3.55 (up five cents from last week)
• Rome - $3.58 (up five cents from last week)
• Syracuse - $3.51 (up four cents from last week)
• Watertown - $3.54 (up two cents from last week)

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand is in a typical range for the winter driving season, equivalent to mid-January 2020. Continued growth in the price of crude oil has helped to keep pump prices elevated. If crude prices continue to climb, pump prices will likely follow suit. This morning, oil prices are in the high $80s to low $90s per barrel. Tension between Russia and Ukraine pushed crude prices up last week. Amid tight global supply, there are market concerns that a looming invasion could contribute to a volatile market, pushing prices higher.

From Gas Buddy:

“The price of oil pushed into territory unseen in over seven years as WTI crude hit $88 per barrel, which continues to drag gasoline prices higher. With continued concerns over geopolitical tensions and crude oil supply, the small yet noticeable increases are likely to continue," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "The only factor keeping gas prices from rising more substantially is that gasoline demand remains low as winter storms keep motorists closer to home. Once the weather starts to turn and warm gradually, we'll lose the only restraint to larger price increases."

Second cousins Hayden and Alex Allis lit up Medina Lanes on Sunday morning, rolling an 805 series and 300 game, respectively, in the Sunday Rolloffs League.

Hayden, a 25-year-old right-hander, posted games of 289, 258 and 258 for his second United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series. His high series is 822.

Alex, a 22-year-old righty, fired his second USBC-certified 300 game en route to a 777 series. He previously rolled an 834 series.

Roger Allis, Hayden's father, was third on the list of high scores in the league with a 259 game and 734 series.

In the Thursday Ladies League at Medina Lanes, Amy Allis, who is Hayden's cousin and Alex's aunt, led the way with a 268 game and 704 series.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC last week, Chris Bailey of Batavia just missed an 800 series -- rolling 32 strikes in a 298-228-267--793 effort in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Bailey, who turns 41 on Tuesday, left a pocket 7-10 split after 11 in a row in the first game, had 10 strikes in the second game around a split and an open frame, and came back with 11 strikes in the third game, including the final nine after an open in the third frame.

In the Mancuso Real Estate League on Monday, Devon Leach of Batavia started with a 300 game in a 748 series. Leach, winner of the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament earlier this month, had an 802 series in October.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Nathan Cordes of Batavia recorded a 289 game and 784 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

A motor vehicle accident is reported at State Street and Fairmont Avenue, Batavia.

Injuries are reported.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.: Two cars, blocking.

UPDATE 9:20 p.m.: Two vehicles, no extrication required, three patients, two sign-offs.

Mercy Flight has been dispatched to the Stafford Fire Hall for a snowmobile accident that occurred at about 7:10 p.m. in the area of 5660 Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS responded.  Le Roy Fire dispatched with that company's UTV.

The patient is about a half-mile off the roadway and was initially unconscious but breathing and is said to now be somewhat conscious.

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

Press release:

Regarding the upcoming vacant position of Council at large representative on City Council, City of Batavia Republican Committee Chairman Richard Richmond invites qualified individuals seeking to serve in this role to submit a letter of interest to him by February 17, 2022 

Mail Letters of interest to:

City of Batavia Republican Committee
PO Box 260
Batavia, NY 14021

To be qualified for the position, the prospective representative must be a resident of the City of Batavia and a member of the same political party as the representative who most recently served in the seat—in this case, a Republican.  These are requirements of Section 3-3 of the City Charter. ( Officially resigning, and his last day February 12, 2022, Jeremy Karas was a registered Republican; therefore, his replacement must also be a registered Republican).

The City Republican Committee expects to recommend an individual to the City Council, which has the appointment power to fill the vacancy temporarily.  The Council appointment will run through the calendar year 2022.  At the general election in 2022, there will be a special election to fill the remaining  3-years of the regular four-year term of office for the mentioned position.

 

Press Release:

The decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to lower overtime hours from 60 to 40 hours is fatal to our farms. Agriculture is a vital part of our Upstate community and with this change, many family farms will not survive. I have spoken with countless farmers and farm workers who have shared their concerns with this hour reduction.

Unfortunately, this will result in farm workers not coming to New York but going to other states with friendlier regulations. At a time when it is being preached to follow the advice of industry experts, the Wage Board instead opted to ignore the experts and pursue this out of touch agenda. I am deeply troubled by this decision and the impact it will have, not only in my district, but across our State.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), a former farmer and member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, is expressing grave concern following a 2-1 decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to implement a 40 hour overtime threshold for farm laborers in New York state. Hawley has joined farmers and advocates from across the state throughout the last several months to speak out against this proposal, arguing that since farms operate on schedules that are at the mercy of the weather and other unpredictable factors, that lowering the threshold would prove fatal for farms who barely turn a profit when paying their laborers under the existing 60-hour threshold.

“Farm operators and farm laborers alike have been more united than ever in opposing this mandate, but sadly it seems their voices were ignored, and I now fear the decision will come at the cost of countless multi-generational family businesses who will now have no choice but to cease operations,” said Hawley. “Being someone with origins in upstate New York, I sincerely hope that Governor Hochul will be able to put aside her partisanship and stop this policy’s implementation for the sake of our farmers, families, and rural economies throughout the state. For the millions of people who love everything about agriculture as we know it here in upstate New York, it would be truly tragic if our local farms became nothing more than memories of a better time.”
 

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, Orleans and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s Official Website.

Pembroke beat Lyndonville in girls basketball on Friday, 64-63.  Izzy Breeden and Sydney Johnson each scored 14 points.  Breeden had four rebounds and Johnson, three, along with five assists. Karli Houseknecht had 12 points and five steals. Elle Peterson scored five points and had eight rebounds. "Pembroke jumped out to a big first lead," said Head Coach Jamie Johnson. "Lyndonville played tough and slowly got back into it and tied the game up with 1:01 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Ella Lewis. Sydney Johnson was fouled with no time left on the clock and made the first of 2 free throws to secure the win."

Also in girls basketball on Friday:

• Notre Dame beat Attica 49-35
• Warsaw beat Le Roy 36-33. Kailyn Tresco scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. Lindsey Steffenilla scored nine points and had seven rebounds. Corina Dunn had 10 rebounds.
• Elba beat Holley 49-19. Sydney Reilly scored 13 points.
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Byron-Bergen 55-37. Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored 16 points and had 14 rebounds. Caitlin Ryan scored 14 points and scored 10 points. MaKena Reding scored 13 points.

In boys basketball:

• Le Roy beat Warsaw 69-39
• Cal-Mum beat Pavilion 71-37
• Arcadia beat Batavia 55-40. Carter McFollins scored 11 points and Javin McFollins scored 10 points.

An Olympic Torch passed through Batavia today with a spot at the Ice Arena where members of the Ramparts passed it into the arena and then were given a chance to sake it around the ice rink.

Above, Levi Bennett during his turn to carry the torch.

Genesee Region USBC bowlers have plenty of tournaments to choose from over the next couple months, starting with this weekend’s 9^th annual Scott Whittier Triples No-Tap Memorial Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The event lists four squads – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. today and Sunday – and offers at $600 first prize. The entry fee is $75.

Proprietor Randy Hanks reports that today’s squads are nearly full, but there are many openings tomorrow. To enter, call 589-6900.

More information can be found on the Oak Orchard Bowl website – www.oakorchardbowl.com/tournaments.

Other tournaments are as follows:

• Feb. 4-6 – Help-R-Hero’s 4-Person Handicap No-Tap, Le Roy Legion Lanes. Entry fee is $100 per team. First place is $1,000, based on 40 teams. Squad times are 7 p.m. Feb. 4, noon and 3 p.m. Feb. 5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 6. Call 585-409-6459 to enter.

• Feb. 5-6 – GRUSBC Youth Team, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion. An entry form can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

• Feb. 13 – Super Bowl Handicap Singles, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia. Entry fee is $45. One squad at noon. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

• Feb. 19 – GRUSBC Doubles No-Tap, Mount Morris Lanes. An entry form can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

• Feb. 25-27 – 20^th Anniversary Ron Riggi Memorial, Le Roy Legion Lanes. Four-person handicap. Call 585-409-6459 for squad times and availability.

• Feb. 25-27 – 26th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial Strike Out for Crossroads House fundraiser, Mancuso Bowling Center.  Squad times are 6 p.m. Feb. 25, 3 and 6 p.m. Feb. 26 and 1 p.m. Feb. 27. Entry fee (five person team) is $125. To enter, call Cindy at 585-993-0584 or Tara at 585-409-0136 or go to www.crossroadshouse.com/upcoming-events.

• Feb. 27 – Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour, Brockport Bowl. Qualifying squad at 11 a.m. Entry fee is $50. Walk-in are accepted (registration starts at 10 a.m.).

• March 4-6, 11-13, Bertram Memorial No-Tap, Mount Morris Lanes.  Entry fee is $125 for a five-person team. First place is $1,000. To enter, call 585-658-2540.

• March 5 – King & Queen Mixed Doubles Handicap, Mancuso Bowling Center. Entry fee is $50, with a $500 first prize, based on 60 entries. Squad times are noon and 2 p.m. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

A 24-year-old male has reportedly suffered a leg injury in a snowmobile accident in an area off Route 20 in Pavilion.

The location is near Texaco Town and the patient is said to be near the roadway.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Mercy Flight is on ground standby.

Oakfield-Alabama continued to run the table in the 2021-22 hoops season -- they're now a perfect 13-0 -- with a 69-51 win over Byron-Bergen at home on Thursday night.

Kam Cusmano scored 19 points for the Hornets, while Kyle Porter scored 18, and Gaige Armbrewster scored 13.

For the Bees, David Brumsted scored 13 and Colin Martin scored 12.

Also in boys basketball on Thursday,

• Elba beat Holley 50-29
• Notre Dame beat Attica 64-60
• Pembroke beat Lyndonville 69-33
• Pavilion fell to Mount Morris 53-44

There were no local girls'd basketball games on Thursday.

Press release:

The Farm Laborers Wage Board voted two-to-one to recommend lowering the overtime threshold to 40 hours a week over the next decade, despite 70% of the testimony made by farmers and farm workers who asked for overtime to stay at 60. It is disingenuous and irresponsible that the data, research, and comments made from those who know agriculture best were cast aside by the majority of the Wage Board. Changing the overtime threshold to 40 hours a week for farmworkers in New York means that these workers will be limited to 40 hours, due to simple farm economics. This is not a win for farmworkers that self-proclaimed worker advocates will claim. 

Agricultural production, diversification, and job availability will suffer. That is no scare tactic. We have already seen farmworkers leave the state for more hours of work and production shift to less labor-intensive crops since the farm labor legislation was enacted in January 2020. Further collapse of New York agriculture is on the hands of those who spread falsehoods and look to destroy the livelihoods of farmworkers they say they represent. This is also a loss for New Yorkers who enjoy and depend on access to local food, something that was highlighted during the pandemic. 

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher voted against lowering the threshold, simply asking for more time to study the economic impacts of a lower threshold. Governor Hochul and Commissioner Reardon must now do what is right and let the facts be their guide. If this administration cares about the future of upstate New York, Long Island, and urban access to locally produced food, they must put a stop to the constant regulatory assault on agriculture.

Grow NY Farms would like to thank everyone who testified this year. The care and respect they have for their employees were clear from the beginning. No wage board decision can take that away. We all value essential farm work and want the very best for farm employees, which includes the ability to earn a livelihood in the profession they have chosen.

Thursday night’s 4-2 home win over Victor has moved Batavia Notre Dame’s varsity hockey team into the No. 4 seed in the Section V Power Seeding Standings.

BND defeated the previously once-beaten Blue Devils to raise its record to 10-4-3, which is good for 88 points in the standings. The team’s per game average of 5.1765 puts it fourth on the list of the section’s 12 Class A clubs.

Penfield (12-1-1) is No. 1 with a 6.5714 per game average, followed by Victor (12-2-2) at 6.5625 and Pittsford (7-5-1) at 5.6154.

Other teams in Class A, currently ranked fifth through 12^th, are Brighton/HFL/ER, McQuaid Jesuit, Portside Royals, Greece Storm, Fairport, Hilton, Gates/Wayne/EI/Wheatland and WFL Panthers.

Should United finish in the top four at the close of the regular season, it would get a first-round bye into the Section V Tournament.

BND Head Coach Marc Staley said the power seeds are determined by strength of schedule, with more points awarded to clubs taking on teams with winning records.

“Teams that are better and have a winning record give us more points whether we win or lose,” he said today. “So, it rewards you for playing against top teams. For instance, we can beat Geneva (WFL Panthers, currently 1-8-0) and we will only get four points. Or we could lose to Aquinas (11-3-0 in Class B) and we still get four points.”

Last night’s victory gave United 10 power seeding points – moving them up from seventh to fourth.

Section V hockey officials say they are using the power seeding system “to provide the best opportunity for the best teams (in) Section V ice hockey to potentially represent us onto (New York) State competition.”

Staley took a deeper dive into his team’s won-loss-tie record, which has been boosted by five wins and a tie in its last six matches.

“Our record may not look incredible at 10-4-3, but in 17 games, we’ve only lost three games in regulation time. That’s impressive; 14 games we’ve either won or went into OT,” he said.

United is back in action at 6 p.m. Tuesday against visiting McQuaid, and then has a rematch with Victor at 5 p.m. Feb. 3, this time at the Rochester Ice Center in Fairport. The regular season finale is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at home against Geneseo/Avon/Livonia.

The Class A sectionals begin with pre-quarterfinals on Feb. 15-16. The top four teams would start with quarterfinal contests on Feb. 17-18.

Semifinals are scheduled for Feb. 25 at the higher seed’s rink and the finals are set for 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at Tuttle Ice Arena on the Brockport State College campus.

Regional competition in Division I will take place at 1 p.m. March 5 at Tuttle Ice Arena.

File photo: Batavia Notre Dame's Gavin Schrader scored three goals and added an assist on Thursday night to raise his Section V-leading totals to 29 and 28, respectively. The senior forward's 57 points are five more than compiled by Max McKay of Churchville-Chili (24 goals, 28 assists). Photo by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

Genesee Valley Conservancy is seeking 100 painters for this year’s Genesee Valley 100: Community Painting Project.

Painters will be given a 12x12 canvas upon which to create a piece inspired by the Genesee Valley landscape. The project aims, through art, to celebrate the diversity and importance of the
Genesee Valley landscape that the Conservancy works to protect. The subject and style of the painting is up to each individual artist. Paintings are due October 14 in preparation for the in-person and online show. Signups will be accepted until all slots are filled.

In person signup and pickup of canvases is taking place in Perry at the Silver Lake Brewing Project, 14 Borden Ave., on Sunday February 6 from 1-3.p.m. After that, artists can visit the
Conservancy website for details on signing up and receiving their canvas. All paintings will be pulled together at the end of the year for a show at the Silver Lake Brewing Project in Perry where the paintings will create a mosaic that represents the diversity and beauty of the Genesee Valley. The works will also be online for viewing and purchase.

There is a $10 fee to participate, but school classes are encouraged to reach out to Ben at the Conservancy to waive this fee as part of a class project. The Genesee Valley 100 is proudly underwritten by Steed Energy.

Press Release:

 Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) took numerous actions this week to end the dangerous Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy that allows illegal immigrants to use arrest warrants, among other documents, to gain access to airplanes in the absence of identification. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed the use of this practice.

“To think after 9/11 that anything short of photographic, government-issued identification would be allowable to pass through a TSA checkpoint and board an airplane is stunning. However, this administration has taken that a step further is going so far as to allow illegal immigrants, who lack any identification, to use arrest warrants as an acceptable security document,” Jacobs said. “The fact that the administration is actively allowing this to happen is reprehensible and threatens the safety of every American.”

This week Jacobs cosponsored the Crime Doesn’t Fly Act to put an end to this policy and outlaw the current DHS practice of allowing arrest warrants as acceptable forms of identification. Additionally, Jacobs sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas demanding additional answers about this practice and security measures for those entering our nation illegally. You can read the letter by clicking the link below.

https://jacobs.house.gov/sites/jacobs.house.gov/files/Arrest%20Warrants%20Oversight%20Letter%20to%20DHS%201.26.2022%20(002).pdf

“This administration continues to blatantly ignore the rule of law and the safety of American citizens. The President’s actions – or lack thereof – have directly contributed to the record-breaking surge of illegal immigration at our southern border that has caused a sustained national security and humanitarian crisis,” Jacobs said. “I have continually fought for the safety and security of our nation and our communities, and I will continue to do just that.” 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) took numerous actions this week to end the dangerous Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy that allows illegal immigrants to use arrest warrants, among other documents, to gain access to airplanes in the absence of identification. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed the use of this practice.

“To think after 9/11 that anything short of photographic, government-issued identification would be allowable to pass through a TSA checkpoint and board an airplane is stunning. However, this administration has taken that a step further is going so far as to allow illegal immigrants, who lack any identification, to use arrest warrants as an acceptable security document,” Jacobs said.“The fact that the administration is actively allowing this to happen is reprehensible and threatens the safety of every American.”

This week Jacobs cosponsored the Crime Doesn’t Fly Act to put an end to this policy and outlaw the current DHS practice of allowing arrest warrants as acceptable forms of identification. Additionally, Jacobs sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas demanding additional answers about this practice and security measures for those entering our nation illegally. You can read that letter here.

“This administration continues to blatantly ignore the rule of law and the safety of American citizens. The President’s actions – or lack thereof – have directly contributed to the record-breaking surge of illegal immigration at our southern border that has caused sustained national security and humanitarian crisis,” Jacobs said. “I have continually fought for the safety and security of our nation and our communities, and I will continue to do just that.” 

Upon request, Jacobs' office provided The Batavian with a copy of the TSA communication to Rep Lance Gooden, which confirms the TSA does allow the use of arrest warrants for ID.  To download a copy, click here (PDF).

Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture joined Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and Sen. Ed Rath (R,C,I-Amherst) for a meeting he organized with local farmers Thursday to discuss the federal vaccine mandate and its impact on the well-being of their businesses. 

During the meeting, farmers expressed concerns that the vaccine mandate is negatively affecting the supply chains farmers depend on, as well as their ability to hire and retain laborers. This concern has arisen after a new mandate was hastily issued by the Department of Homeland Security requiring essential workers who are not U.S. citizens, including farm laborers, to be vaccinated before entering the country.

“Farming is the backbone of all economic activity in our nation, providing the food and materials necessary for other industries to operate effectively,” said Hawley. “Vaccine mandates have only served to worsen conditions experienced by Americans during the pandemic, and this new mandate pertaining to essential farm laborers is no different. By slowing our supply chain and keeping much-needed farmhands out of our fields, this mandate will strain both our rural economies in upstate New York and slow the restocking of vital goods in grocery stores across the state. I stand opposed to this mandate, and any others like it that may be implemented at the state or federal level.”

“Representing our farmers on the House Agriculture Committee is a job I take very seriously, and right now their livelihoods are at stake as a direct result of President Biden’s vaccine mandates,” said Jacobs. “Farming is a year-round industry that has no room for delays or logistical blockades, yet that is exactly what the president has created. His mandate that just recently went into effect is causing trucking delays, which seriously impacts our farmers and hurts our ag-focused economy in New York’s 27th District. I have fought against these mandates, and I will continue to do so to ensure our supply chains remain intact and our farmers are supported.”

“Our New York farmers have been taking hit after hit,” said Rath. “Many are already struggling with staffing shortages and supply chain issues, at no fault of their own. Jeopardizing their available workforce is irresponsible and inconsiderate of the overwhelming pressures that farmers are facing.  I have advocated for simplifying the countless mandates to help our farms and businesses. I will continue to fight for our agriculture community."

Press release from Rep. Chris Jacobs:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27), NYS Senator Ed Rath (R,C,I - Amherst), and NYS Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I – Batavia) met with local farmers and agricultural leaders yesterday to discuss the impact of President Biden’s vaccine mandate at the Northern border, and the current supply chain issues and labor shortages facing the agricultural industry.

“Representing our farmers on the House Agriculture Committee is a job I take very seriously, and right now their livelihoods are at stake as a direct result of President Biden’s vaccine mandates,” Jacobs said. “Farming is a round the clock industry that has no room for delays or logistical blockades, yet that is exactly what the President has created. His mandate that just recently went into effect is causing trucking delays, which seriously impacts our farmers and hurts our ag-focused economy in New York’s 27th District. I have fought against these mandates, and I will continue to do so to ensure our supply chains remain intact and our farmers are supported.”

"Our New York farmers have been taking hit after hit. Many are already struggling with staffing shortages and supply chain issues, at no fault of their own. Jeopardizing their available workforce is irresponsible and inconsiderate of the overwhelming pressures that farmers are facing. I have advocated for simplifying the countless mandates to help our farms and businesses. I will continue to fight for our agriculture community," Rath said.

​“Vaccine mandates issued at any level of government only serve to cripple our response to the very pandemic such mandates seek to improve,” Hawley said. “For farmers in particular, disruptions in the supply chain could mean the loss of crop yields, the death of livestock animals and critical equipment remaining in a state of disrepair for long periods of time when out of order. When the operations of our farms slow down, the economies of our rural communities slow as well. And across our nation, the restocking of grocery store shelves will continue to be a spotty process. Mandates that stifle the efficacy of our supply chain will only prolong the suffering brought about by this pandemic, and I remain committed to combating their implementation in any broad capacity,”

Jacobs is a member of the House Agriculture Committee. In December, Jacobs sent a letter with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to President Biden warning of the disruption his vaccine mandate at the border would cause in the supply chain. The President ignored this warning. You can read the letter here.