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As a result of the ongoing extreme winter weather that has impacted all of western New York over the past week, Batavia Downs management has canceled the live card of harness racing scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 20) in an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of all the participants.

Live racing will resume on Monday (Feb. 24) at 3 p.m., which will be the last card of the winter meet.

High school students can be generally divided into three groups: about 10% are the “movers and shakers.” These are the student body presidents, sports stars, honor society members, cheerleaders, etc; Another 10% are on the bottom, the skippers, the disciplinary problems, strugglers. The biggest group is the kids who are just trying the best they can to navigate their way through their challenging teenage years of life and school. They have small groups of friends, get by academically, and might participate in some activities but don't really stand out. 

That group would be exactly where I fell at Notre Dame between 1960 and 1964.

As I look back on my high school years, the things that stand out are how shy and immature I was. I did not turn 17 until the end of January of my senior year. So, I spent over half my graduating year at 16. 

In retrospect, my parents should have held me out of kindergarten for one more year, but there were no preschool programs as there are now. So, spending over half of my first year in school at 4 years old was not a recipe for success. I recall almost nothing about my year in kindergarten at Washington School and no wonder – I was not far removed from being a toddler.

By the time I arrived at Notre Dame in September of 1960, after 8 years at St. Mary's Elementary, I could be described as being scared and unready. I had not developed any appreciable study habits and had a pretty low self-esteem. I would guess that same description would fit a lot of other freshman, both then and now.

I did manage to make it through my 4 years at Notre Dame and graduate on time. 

As I think back, the memories I have are mostly not of the classes and subjects, although I should recall geometry and chemistry as I took them twice and three times, respectively. I was a mediocre student at best. I didn't get a Regents Diploma and had to attend a summer school class in math at St. John Fisher College in Rochester just to get accepted.

My recollections are mostly just random events that took place during my 4 years, some poignant and others “sophomoric,” although they didn't all happen in the sophomore term.

Lasting Impressions
A few things took place while I was at Notre Dame, and they have stayed with me to this day. The first happened in Freshman Religion class, but it had nothing to do with religion. The teacher was Father Dave Scheider, who was also at times the Athletic Director, coach of various sports, and eventually the Principal. He was a good guy and allowed students to speak their minds in class.

I don't know how it came up, but a young lady of Polish ancestry named Dolores complained that she and other Polish and Italian students felt marginalized because they came from “the south side of the tracks.” (By way of explanation, Batavia was a railroad town, and the tracks of 4 different rail lines split Batavia in half. South of the tracks, the neighborhoods were predominantly folks of Polish and Italian ancestry who settled around their churches, which were Sacred Heart and St. Anthony's. There were bakeries, delis, restaurants, etc., related to their cultures. In the late 1950s, the New York Central tracks were moved south of the city to solve traffic problems, but there was and still is a “South Side”).

I certainly knew about the railroads (my grandfather was a railroad man, and until the tracks were moved, the New York Central main lines ran right next to the house where my father grew up on Cedar Street). I also was aware that many Polish and Italian people lived on the south side of town. But, just like I was unaware that those people were not allowed at Godfrey's Pond, a recreation area where my family was members, I was also ignorant of any discrimination or bad feelings. The innocence of childhood, I guess you could call it.

But Dolores bringing this up in school led to a lively discussion ( I don't recall specifics), and it was certainly a wake-up call for me going forward. It was brave of her to call attention to it, and I have never forgotten it.

The second lasting impression was, unfortunately, a negative one for me. 

At some point (I don't recall which year), we had a day off from classes for a “retreat.” This was supposed to be a day of reflection and introspection about faith. The guest speaker was a priest who was brought in from outside our community. During his lecture, he brought up the notion of “hell.” He tried to impress upon us how long eternity would be if we ended up there for whatever sins we might commit. He told us to imagine a little bird coming and pecking on the side of our school once every 1,000 years. According to him, by the time the school was pecked into nothingness, it would be one second in eternity. What? That scared the hell out of me. I actually think I spent some restless nights (what horrible “mortal sins” had I committed? I was 14 or 15, probably). As I grew older and more thoughtful, the idea that a priest would try to frighten an auditorium full of teenagers like that made me angry. It still does.

In my senior year, an event happened on November 22, 1963, that anyone who was over the age of 10 will remember forever where they were when they heard about it – the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. 

I was in study hall, and the football coach, Lou Lodestro, came in and got some of the boys who he knew to help clean up the locker room. As we were cleaning, he was in his office doing paperwork and had the radio on. All of a sudden, he came out looking as pale as a ghost. “ Boys”, he said. “I've got something really bad to tell you. President Kennedy has been shot in Dallas, Texas”.

I can't really remember much after that. I don't know if we said anything, or just sat there, or went back to study hall and told others. At some point, an announcement was made over the loudspeaker. I'm sure people were crying, but I can't recall specifics.

I do recollect going to downtown Batavia on the next day, Saturday, and most of the stores were closed, and the street was virtually empty. Like many others, I was watching TV on Sunday morning when Jack Ruby shot and killed Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, before our very eyes. Monday was a National Day Of Mourning, and Tuesday was the President's funeral, so I assume we had both days off from school. Teenagers are fairly resilient, but I'm pretty sure that whole event affected me and my classmates for the rest of our senior year.

Teens Will Be Teens
Notre Dame was no different than any other high school when it came to teen shenanigans. Once in a while, things would get a bit out of control in the cafeteria, and I remember a couple of epic food fights. What I recall the most about those, though, is how when the Principal, Father Eugene Kolb, entered the scene. Everything stopped dead. You could hear a pin drop. He wasn't a very big guy, kind of short and portly, but some people just have that aura of instilling fear about them. As a teacher for 33 years, I saw it many times, and often it was a diminutive woman. It was just their presence and the way they carried themselves. By the way, I never had “it”. The kids always knew I was a big (6' 3'') softy.

Our school, like most Catholic Schools, had a dress code. But being teenagers, it was our daily quest to try to get around it somehow. Boys had to wear a sports coat and tie, and sneakers were not allowed. A certain number (probably in that previously mentioned top 10%) saw themselves as stylish and were always sharply dressed. But most of us wore the same sports jacket every day, and at home, it was casually tossed on a chair or bed until the next day, so it became pretty raggedy looking. Who wanted to retie a tie continuously? So those were just loosened, taken off and redonned the next day.

When the Beatles and other English rock groups became popular, a fad among the boys was “pegged” pants. These were tight and very narrow at the bottom (no cuff). Of course, you had to be skinny, which most of us were at that age. It was a constant battle with the Dean of Boys over those trousers. I think parents were even called on occasion to bring roomier pants to school. You can imagine that they were pretty annoyed about that.

The girls wore a blouse and skirt with a vest called a bolero. They were allowed to wear sneakers, though, unlike the boys. The girls' biggest rebellion seemed to be rolling their skirt up at the waist to make it shorter. The Dean of Women, a nun apparently known as “The Barracuda,” would have them kneel down, and if their skirt didn't touch the floor, they got detention (there was a lot of kneeling in Catholic schools). I'm going to reserve comment on what girls wear to school now, but it always amazes me to see boys constantly wearing shorts, even in the winter.

Finally, you would think I remembered something important but recalled something ridiculous instead. Notre Dame has three floors. The basement has the cafeteria, locker rooms, and some classrooms. The main floor contained the offices, the chapel, the gymnasium, and classrooms. The 2nd floor was the site of the school library. There were two staircases to it, one on each end. The librarian's desk was in the middle.

As a perfect example of teenagers' convoluted thinking, my friend Ray and I decided to prank the librarian, an elderly nun. For a period of time, about once a week, always on a different day, to avoid being predictable, we would leave the cafeteria on the pretext of using the restroom. Ray would go up one stairway, and I would go up the other, so we would each be stationed at opposite doorways. We would peek in to see if the nun was seated at her desk. If she was, one of us would bounce a tennis ball in front of her to the opposite door. The other guy would catch the ball at the doorway, and we would sprint back down the stairs and hide in the men's room, doubled over with laughter.

We thought we were so clever, and we never got caught, but thinking back now, did the nun even notice the ball? Or did she even care? She might have actually gotten a chuckle out of it herself. You can see why we weren't in the honor society.

Like most of the faceless masses, I made it through high school, but knowing what I know now, I wish I had the chance to do it again at a year older and with more confidence and maturity. But, despite my struggles, I graduated from St. John Fisher  I had to scramble my first couple years there also) and had a 33-year career teaching elementary school before retiring and have written 30 published stories. I wasn't a “mover and shaker,” but I did pretty well in life, nonetheless.

The William Morgan Affair: Masonic Mystery in Upstate New York, by Ann Webster Bunch, was released this month by The History Press. Dr. Bunch uses her background as a forensic anthropologist to analyze the extreme cold case of what happened to William Morgan after he was last seen in Batavia in 1826. 

She takes particular care to comb over the evidence, or lack thereof, surrounding the mysterious circumstances of Morgan’s last days, and the many legends that surround what became of him. The author’s focus is to delve deeply into the scientific and investigative methods that were employed during the various investigations conducted following Morgan’s vanishing in September 1826. 

The story of William Morgan is one steeped in so much speculation and hearsay that very little is known about the man himself.  This has led to many theories on what happened to him, and has left many heroes and villains surrounding the ordeal. 

Dr. Bunch focuses on the case as a cold case, not necessarily a murder case. This flies in the face of the inscription of the Morgan Monument located in the Historic Batavia Cemetery, put in place by the National Christian Association in 1882, which paints him as a martyr and makes it confusing as to whether he is actually buried in the plot, which he is not. 

In looking at Morgan’s case from an evidential perspective, there are so many unknowns when it comes to Morgan; even the life of William Morgan is steeped in a lack of solid evidence. It is not even clear what Morgan really looks like or when he was born. The same can be said for the events surrounding his disappearance, which are only clear to his holding at Fort Niagara, and then the sure evidence dries up. Bunch also notes the political atmosphere, factors that came to surround the case, and the severe influence that played a part in it. 

Dr. Bunch focused on the inconsistencies of the early 19th century when it came to evidence and investigation by taking each coroner’s inquests relating to Morgan into deep analysis.  

The three inquests in question all revolved around a seminal moment in the Morgan saga, when a body washed up on the Lake Ontario shoreline in Orleans County on October 7, 1827, more than a year after Morgan’s disappearance. The first, Slater, inquest follows the standard procedures for the day but does not lead to an identity of the victim, though it being Morgan is not a consideration. The second, Brown, inquest is just the opposite, as Thurlow Weed, a newspaperman and local politician from Rochester, inserts himself to gain traction that the body is that of Morgan’s. Bunch points out that this attempt to make a “good enough Morgan” flew in the face of the evidence based on Morgan’s last known appearance on top of substantial decay. It signified how the evidence can be influenced to a great deal by outside political forces, especially when one wishes it to be the evidence they seek. The third, Hurlburt, inquest reverses the second’s findings when new evidence comes to light in the form of the family of a fisherman in lower Canada, Timothy Munro, who had gone missing in a storm. 

Dr. Bunch then goes a step further in looking into the second inquest led by Weed and what factors at the time can make people look past distinct evidence to come to another conclusion. The most obvious is political pressures and orientations. Weed and his followers were against the Freemasons and were looking for anything to help put more public opinion against the Brotherhood. This went all the way to Albany, as the opponents of the Erie Canal and its supporter, Governor DeWitt Clinton, sought to work against anyone associated with the Masonic Order. This would eventually lead to the first third party in the United States, the Anti-Masonic Party. The age-old contest between the “haves” and “have-nots” also played its role. 

The author then turns to other important pieces of evidence, the several confessions by individuals who claim to know the outcome of Morgan’s ordeal with the Freemasons. She focuses on seven confessions that came about from the 1830s through the 1860s. Each is analyzed in comparison to the evidence available to determine some level of validity, though many are lacking in key areas. 

The confessions range from the 1830s to the 1860s, with varying degrees of involvement. In some cases, confessing to be the killer, in others to be an accomplice, and in others to be there at the time of his disappearance. In her analysis, Dr. Bunch concludes that most of the confessions lack much in corroborating evidence, with Whitney’s having the most merit but not without its questions. The point was that confessions were taken with more facts than what evidence could support them, at least for a time, and in some cases, the confessor's background or character was a severe influence.

The next chapter of the Morgan mystery is the issue of the Pembroke Skeleton found in a quarry in 1881. This discovery brought William Morgan back to the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. 

This again brought up the issue of integral evidence. There were items recovered with the skeletal remains that led the discoverers to unofficially connect it to Morgan, but the remains were never compared to Morgan. This discovery very well has led to the National Christian Association taking advantage of the newfound public sentiment and building the monument to Morgan monument being built the following year.

Therefore, the question is “What became of William Morgan?” 

There are 17 hypotheses that are explored and have been put forward since 1826. They are gathered from two sources, particularly from H.V. Voorhis in 1946 and Robert Morris in 1884. They range across the spectrum and place Morgan all around the world if he survived at all. They are grouped into five categories by the author: “Morgan Becomes a Hermit,” “Morgan Returns to Life at Sea,” “Morgan Reinvents Himself,” “Morgan is Murdered,” and a more specific tale, “Morgan Returns to Sea and Reinvents Himself, Dies in 1864.” The author then associates any corroborating evidence through the confessions or other information available to each hypothesis. Some even connect to modern-day descendants of Morgan. Everyone has their holes, some with more than others do.

In summation, Dr. Bunch focuses on the need to implement the scientific method even in this very old cold case, though it is always important to remember the human and those outside aspects that can influence it. She lays out five steps of an empirical-skeptical approach to any case, using Morgan as an example. In simple terms, collect background information; compile the scientific data and evidence; understand the political context and prior work; factor counter-information to the evidence; use all of the factors together to form a conclusion. Each of the chapters within the book focuses upon one or more of these steps.

The purpose is to take all of the evidence available and to expose others that have less merit. Dr. Bunch does not intend to solve the mystery, so if looking for the final answer, the reader will be disappointed in that regard. However, the strong historical and scientific research will show just how murky the whole event his, from Morgan himself to the various investigations. The work does lay out all of the possibilities with the supporting evidence or lack thereof. It is a very interesting read, especially for those who may be of a more skeptical nature and those who like the mystery-solving procedure. 

Ryan Duffy is the executive director of the Holland Land Office Museum.

Batavia needed a win on Wednesday night in its final Boys Basketball game of the regular season to clinch a Monroe County Division league championship.

A loss would mean they were co-champions.

The Blue Devils improved to 14-6 with a 76-45 win over Greece Odyssey.

"It was a big game for us in that respect. We didn't want to be co-champions," said Coach Buddy Brasky. "We wanted to be sole champions. And they've been one of the hottest teams in Monroe County over the last month, and they've been playing really good basketball, scoring a lot of points. So we really emphasized in practice leading up to this game defense and toughness."

In the second half, Odyssey (11-9) didn't help their cause, committing five technical fouls. 

"They lost their composer, which was just a shame because they're a good team, and it's just too bad that that happened to them," Brasky said. "I just warned our kids, don't retaliate. Don't talk back if they're talking trash to you. Let them do all of that, and we'll just keep playing basketball, and the score on the scoreboard will be your answer to them."

Brasky is feeling good about his team heading into the postseason.

"Well, it's just what we've been preaching all year," Brasky said. 'It's, we've got to become a defensive first team, and we have struggled with that at some times this year, and we've got to be a tougher team. Toughness and defense are the things that will lead us there, and we've had a good step forward in that way tonight."

Scoring for Batavia:

• Carter Mullen, 20 points
• Casey Mazur, 19 points
• Justin Smith, 15 points
• Gavin White, 12 points

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School students collected food for the Batavia community on Valentine’s Day. The ‘Love Your Neighbor Food Drive’ took its theme from Mark 12:31, where Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. 
 

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) continued his annual Valentines for Veterans program this Valentine's Day, connecting local students with veteran residents at The New York State Veterans Home at Batavia. Hawley collected handmade valentines from students at Jackson Primary School and personally delivered them to the veterans.

"This event is a great opportunity every year to show my appreciation for our veterans and all of the sacrifices they have made to keep us free,” said Hawley. “As a veteran myself, I know the hard work and dedication these brave men and women have given over the years, and I hope events like this can serve as a way to give back.”

Hawley's day began at Jackson Primary School, where he visited Mrs. Vaccarella’s Kindergarten class, discussing veterans and the six branches of the military before thanking the students for their heartfelt cards. He then visited a joint classroom for Mrs. Wolff and Mrs. Conroy, where students also created valentines and performed a special Valentine's Day song for the veterans. Finally, Hawley delivered the valentines to the residents of the NYS Veterans Home at Batavia, personally thanking veterans for their service.

“This program connects students with our veterans, and in turn, our veterans receive messages of gratitude, such as ‘Thank you for your service,’” Hawley added. “It’s a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Submitted photos.

Pittsford-Sutherland beat Batavia in Boys Basketball 72-66 on Monday.

The teams exchanged leads throughout the first half, with the Blue Devils up by one at the end of the second quarter, and a 10-point run in the third quarter made it 55-50. Sutherland dominated, scoring early in the fourth quarter to take a 10-point lead, which Batavia cut to five. The Blue Devils struggled in the closing minutes, letting Sutherland get away with a win.

Scoring for Batavia:

• Carter Mullen, 17 points
• Casey Mazur, 17 points
• Gavin White, 17 points
• Justin Smith, 10 points

Batavia is now 13-6 and plays their final regular season game on Wednesday against Greece Odyssey at 7:15 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

The Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is thrilled to announce the opening of three new art exhibitions on Thursday, February 20. The community is warmly invited to join us at the opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to experience the diverse artistic expressions of Lorie Longhany and Bryan Wright and an engaging multi-artist show featuring artists of African heritage in honor of Black History Month.

Dive into the creativity of two remarkable local artists: multimedia artist Bryan Wright and painter Lorie Longhany.

Bryan Wright, drawing inspiration from his deep connection with the ocean and waters, presents another coastal-themed exhibition. His works, crafted with skills honed in graphic design and basic metal fabricating, encapsulate the mystery and intrigue of coastal elements found through his explorations.

Lorie Longhany, a self-taught artist with a versatile palette of pen, acrylic, and watercolor, showcases a collection of artworks that resonates with the themes of solitude, contentment, and nostalgia. Lori's pieces range from medium and small paintings to bookmarks, but her very small pieces are affectionately referred to as her "happy paintings."

A Showcase of African Heritage through Arts and Crafts is the third exhibition that adds a vibrant layer to the evening, with a special focus on Jamaican arts and crafts alongside select pieces from Africa. This multi-artist show not only highlights the rich cultural heritage and artistic vibrancy of African and Jamaican artists but also contributes to the celebration of Black History Month at GO ART!

This is an Invitation to Experience Artistic Diversity at GO ART! We are pleased to bring these three distinct exhibitions under one roof, offering the public an opportunity to embark on this unique artistic engagement. From the reflective and personal works of Lorie Longhany and the coastal-themed creations by Bryan Wright to the rich tapestry of African heritage presented in the multi-artist exhibition, there's an abundance of beauty and creativity to consume. 

We look forward to welcoming art lovers and the community to the opening reception of these three exhibitions.

Come share an evening of art, inspiration, and cultural exploration with us at GO ART! 

This event is free, but the experience will be invaluable! For more information, please contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313.

As a result of an extreme winter storm that has produced high winds, heavy snow, sub-zero wind chills and treacherous driving conditions to all of western New York, the management of Batavia Downs has canceled the live card of racing scheduled for Monday (Feb. 17) in an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of all the participants.

Live racing will resume on Thursday (Feb. 20) at 3 p.m., which will be the second last card of the winter meet that ends on Monday, February 24. 

Click here for more information.   Click here to purchase event tickets!

After what’s approaching a two-year lag in the Ellicott Station apartment project in downtown Batavia, there is apparently an interested sponsor in the process of working with the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal and Ellicott Station LLC, property owner Sam Savarino says.

Savarino confirmed Friday that the LLC “has been actively working with another entity to sponsor the project.” Two sources who asked not to be identified, including one close to the project, have disclosed that the sponsor is PathStone Development Corporation.

When asked for comment about this apparent development, Batavia Development Corp. Executive Director Tammy Hathaway said “Personally, PathStone has been my first choice from the initial notice that the current owner could no longer continue the project’s development.”

“Knowing the property will continue to be restricted to affordable housing guidelines, PathStone is the operative organization as they come well-equipped with decades of experience in housing development and management,” Hathaway said Saturday.

City Manager Rachael Tabelski could not confirm that PathStone is taking on the Ellicott Street complex left uncompleted in summer 2023, but she said she would “welcome a professional housing organization like PathStone’s to take over the project, finish building and rent to quality tenants,” she said.

“Supposedly it was discussed at a county housing meeting, I was not in attendance, but had some city staff there,” Tabelski said. “I haven’t been contacted by PathStone’s CEO or HCR lately.”  

The Batavian also called and emailed PathStone President Jason Sackett for comment, with no reply by publication. 

Ellicott Station was on its way to completion with four floors up, tenants selected by lottery, and grant funds, PILOTS, tax credits and exemptions in place by the state, Genesee County Economic Development Center and HCR. 

Later in 2023 Savarino Companies closed for business due to a financial battle with the state Dormitory Authority and stopped work at Ellicott Station, and GCEDC performed a clawback of exemptions and tax credits, claiming that the company didn’t abide by its contract obligations. 

Savarino still maintains that GCEDC’s action is what disabled the project and prevented it from continuing. 

Press Release:

Genesee Community College's (GCC's) Fashion Business Program is proud to unveil the theme for its highly anticipated 44th Annual Fashion Show: "Masterpiece Unfolding." The show will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 5 p.m. in the Richard C. Call Arena, promising an unforgettable evening where fashion and fine art converge.

Throughout history, art has been a driving force of inspiration, shaping culture, design, and personal expression. "Masterpiece Unfolding" will bring these artistic influences to life on the runway, showcasing designs that pay homage to artistic movements throughout history.

"Fashion, like art, tells a story," said Laura Taylor, Associate Professor of Fashion Business and Merchandising. "This year, our students will translate the essence of legendary artistic styles into wearable masterpieces, celebrating the creative evolution that continues to inspire designers today."

Attendees can expect an immersive experience where fashion becomes a canvas, and each design serves as a tribute to the artists of the past and present. Through fabric, texture, and design, "Masterpiece Unfolding" will transform the runway into a gallery of living art.

Join us on Saturday, May 3 at 5 p.m. at the Richard C. Call Arena for a night where fashion meets fine art in a breathtaking celebration of creativity.

For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, please email fashionshow@genesee.edu or visit gccfashionshow.com.

For more information, contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs, Justin Johnston, at 585-345-6809 or via email at jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Malachi J Nix, 20, of Tonawanda, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 2nd, grand larceny 3rd, criminal mischief 3rd, and conspiracy 4th. Nix and another person allegedly broke into Barrett's Batavia Marine on May 27 and stole firearms. He was arrested on Jan. 21, arraigned in City Court and was remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Clint J. Towne, 44, of Phelps Road, Batavia, and Steven M. Morales, 49, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, are charged with four counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation (Morales). Towne and Morales were arrested on Feb. 13. The was the result of an investigation into the location of a wanted suspect. During a traffic stop, Towne and Morales were allegedly found in possession of 50 grams of cocaine, an ounce of fentanyl, alprazolam tables, 46 sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone strips, and mannitol. Towne is suspected of attempting to destroy evidence. Both were held pending arraignment. The investigation was conducted by Sgt. Andrew Hale, deputies Nicholas Chamoun, Alexander Hasdall, Mason Schultz, Jon Dimming, Zachary Hoy, and Nicholas Jennings.

Marc Christopher James Cook, Jr., no age provided, of Lockport Road, Alabama, was arrested on Feb. 6 on eight separate warrants by members of the Batavia Emergency Response Team (consisting of members of the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD). The warrants were related to charges of criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and 4th, bail jumping 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, bail jumping 3rd, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, and violation of a family court act. Cook was arraigned and held without bail.

Robert Maynard Smith, 73, of North Street, Blasdell, is charged with menacing 2nd.  Smith is accused of wielding a box cutter knife, threatening a worker at Eagle Star Housing, 2620 West Main St., Batavia, at 6:06 p.m. on Feb. 14. Smith was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Nathan Lee Dunn, 20, of Prospect Avenue, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .108 or greater, aggravated unlicensed opeatertion 1st, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without financial security.  At 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 2, Deputy Zachary Hoy responded to the parking lot at Batavia Downs to investigate a motor vehicle accident, as a result, Dunn was taken into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Chad Matthew Winkelman, 32, of Fullington Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unafely, and drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle. Winkelman was arrested by Deputy Jacob Kipler following a report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:42 p.m. on Feb. 2 on Sandpit Road, Alexander. He was processed at the Genesee Jail and released.

Kenneth G. Muckle, 56, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Muckle is accused of stealing merchandise from a store (the Sheriff's Office withheld the name of the store) on Veterans Memorial Drive on Feb. 5. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Charles Phillip Stevens, 38, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Stevens was allegedly found in possession of buprenorphine/naloxone and cocaine during a traffic stop on Feb. 10 by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Christopher Earl Merrell, 62, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, and moving from lane unsafely. Merrell was arrested by Deputy James Stack following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 6:37 a.m. on Feb. 15 on Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Lakeisha A Gibson, 38, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Gibson is accused of hitting another person multiple times during a fight on Bank Street on Jan. 21. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christina M. Corde, 39, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dordes is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on Jan. 15. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jennifer C. Moscicki, 48, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Moscicki is accused of stealing property from another person on Central Avenue in January 2022. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Julie L. Dutton, 29, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dutton is accused of using a counterfeit $100 bill to receive change at a local business on Jan. 20. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Donovan I. Reese, 18, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Reese is accused of grabbing another person and applying pressure around the person's neck during a fight on Sumner Street on Jan. 16. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Thomas J. Mitchell, 35, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Mitchell was allegedly found in possession of cocaine on Nov. 8 while being arrested on an unrelated matter. He was arrested on Jan. 16 on the drug charge and issued an appearance ticket.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on Jan. 12 on three warrants. Two warrants were related to traffic stops. She was also charged with bail jumping 3rd. She was arraigned and released.

Jacob J. Frayne, 27, of Darien, was arrested on Jan. 17 on a warrant. He allegedly failed to appear on a prior DWI arrest. He was arraigned and released.

If you’re interested in learning more about how CBD and hemp products can ease pain, anxiety, and various skin conditions, there’s a new place in Batavia with business owners who want to help, Gregg Boose says.

He and partners Anthony Session, Dalton Lamay and Roger Grazioplene hope that the Hemp Lodge, while not a brand itself, can be a local marketplace for “your go-to, high-quality CBD and hemp products.”

"So, we don't carry our own products. We shop around everywhere in New York, outside New York a little bit as well. But we want to keep it more in state, you know, to push other people's products and let everybody know the fundamentals and what it could actually do for you and everything,” Boose said during an interview Thursday at the store at 10 Batavia City Centre. “So it's more like, it's just a big market for people, for health, for chronic issues, for pain, surgical pains, athletic surgeries, and stuff like that.”

Their focus is on “healing our community” by providing CBD-based solutions for chronic pain, post-surgery recovery and sports injuries. Products include full spectrum CBD oils, salves, balms, Outer Space touted for damaged skin to fight fine lines and wrinkles, redness and inflammation; broad spectrum CBD gummies; Aches & Pains Joint Buddy balm stick; suntan lotions; organic menthol balm; bagged and prerolled hemp; handmade beaded CBD joint holders; tinctures; and a pet line of CBD cat and dog chews and treats.

“We’ve got topical creams, we’ll have full spectrum and broad spectrum creams. And usually when somebody comes in, the first thing I’ll do is I’ll ask them, ‘why are you here today?’ I want to know why you’re here. I just don’t want to give you something off the shelf that’s without what you need just to make a sale,” Grazioplene said. “A lot of the roll-ons have what will be for the joints, in the back muscles and stuff like that. We have a couple kinds now, the only reason we have a couple kinds, and they’re different from everybody else, is because, like Gregg was saying, we like to source what works, not just one white label, like a lot of people would buy and just have a generic item in the store to sell with.

“These are all products that have been tested, and they do work. It’s basically like a Bio-Freeze infused with CBD or CBN or CBG,” he said. “Like I said, when somebody comes in, they tell me exactly what is going on with them and I can line up what actual CBD derivative will be actually good for you.”

He offered his own testimony of how the products have helped him with nicotine withdrawal when he quit smoking, for inflamed gums during dental issues and as a more low key alternative than marijuana.

“Now we have CBD flower for people that used to like to smoke pot, but, you know, pot’s so strong. Now people are getting paranoid over it. I get anxious when I smoke it, too,” he said. “So we have flower for an alternative, so people can still smoke and partake and be part of the group, but you're not getting high.”

How does one get involved in this type of business? 

“Honestly, it kind of happened out of nowhere,” Boose said. “We were talking, we’re really good buzz, and we’re really big on helping people. So, the best way to help people is to be able to help them on the inside, and the outside.

“We’re mainly focusing on this right now because a lot of people aren't focusing on helping people. It's all about the money. You know, you shouldn't be about that,” he said. “It should be about ... You should wake up feeling good and go have a good day.”

There will be a public ribbon-cutting at noon Feb. 24.

For more information, go to Hemp Lodge or call 585-201-7063.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Due to deteriorating weather and the resulting track conditions, Batavia Downs has cancelled live racing for Thursday (Feb. 13) afternoon due to an abundance of caution for the safety of all the horses and horse people.

Racing will resume at the Downs on Monday (Feb. 17) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 11th race. There are only three more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.

Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

Press Release:

The American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health (RRH) to host free Hands-Only CPR demonstration on Wednesday, February 12.

The American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health are teaming up to create a Nation of Lifesavers. Trainers will teach Hands-Only CPR to local religious leaders, who can then share this life-saving skill with the community. 

The event will take place at the Rochester Regional Health Healthy Living Campus, located at 211 East Main Street, Batavia. 

The demonstrations for local religious leaders will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by Hands-Only CPR demonstrations open to the public from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The American Heart Association is challenging everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to learning CPR during American Heart Month in February. 

More than 350,0000 people experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital, including 23,000 children. CPR is a critical skill that kids as young as 9 years old can learn.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest ictim’s chance of survival – which is key since nearly 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. Nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so it is likely that the person who needs CPR will be a family member or friend.

Knowing CPR is an essential skill anyone can perform, and it could mean the difference between life and death.