There are only 150 tickets left for Mr. Batavia at Batavia High School tonight.
Tickets can be purchased at the school, located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the annual competition of Batavia HS seniors, which helps raise money for local charities.
YMCA Summer Camp 2018 -- Registration is underway! Registration now open for YMCA Kinder Camp or traditional Day Camp. Spaces are limited and programs fill up fast. This summer’s dates are from June 25th – Aug. 24th. You can register for a week or as many as you’d like.
Our caring and nurturing staff are carefully selected based on their previous experience and schooling. This ensures that our staff is the perfect fit for making your families summer experience one you will never forget.
YMCA summer camps are certified by the New York State Health Department and we adhere to strict safety regulations. Register for one week or join us for all nine.
The YMCA offers flexible enrollment and payment plans to fit the needs of any family. The Y also provides scholarships to those who qualify which makes YMCA summer camp one of the most affordable options around.
For more information on the YMCA’s summer camp programs or to register, contact the YMCA at 585-344-1664 today.
There have been some nice surprises along the way in getting Eli Fish Brewing open over the past couple of weeks for owners Matt Gray and Jon Mager, not the least of which is the crush of people crowding into the large bar and dining area that was once the retail store space of J.J. Newberry.
There's also the quality of the staff they've been able to hire; how well the brewery is working out as a workspace for Mager; the quality of the New York brews and spirits they've been serving; and the overwhelmingly positive feedback they've been getting in person and on social media from customers throughout Western New York.
Now, it's time for the grand opening, which is Saturday and will highlight the launch of the first two new beers from Eli Fish. There will be a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. with food samples served until midafternoon and $5 drafts all day long.
"Our nighttime crowds have been pretty surprising," Gray said. "Our Friday and Saturday nights have been very good. We’re serving a lot of guests and everybody seems to be happy with it."
For those visitors who get out and about often in the community, there has been a common observation as they wade through the large crowds on a Friday or Saturday night -- a lot of unfamiliar faces. When you are out and about often enough in a small community, you get used to seeing the same people. There's a lot of new faces showing up at Eli Fish.
Gray, who also owns Alex's Place, has noticed the same thing.
"I'm noticing two different things," Gray said. "The crowd that is here that I do know and is local I don't see at Alex's, so they're not dining at that establishment. And then there are the ones I don't know at all, and there's a lot of them."
One of the goals of the City and Batavia Development Corp. has been to encourage more restaurants and bars downtown to help capture the estimated $2 million local residents spend in Rochester and Buffalo rather than Batavia. Of course, bringing people from Rochester and Buffalo and the other surrounding counties to Batavia would be a good thing, too.
Gray said one of the things they'll do with the grand opening is hold drawings, which include a registration that captures the zip code of entrants so they can get a better feel of where their new customers are coming from.
Mager said several posts on social media have indicated people are driving from the two metro areas to Batavia to visit Eli Fish.
But a common theme in the reviews is also that once people are inside the building they don't feel like they're in Batavia. They feel like they're in Rochester or Boston or somewhere else.
"That leads me to believe that there are a lot of people from Batavia who are coming and have been looking for something different, so it’s cool," Gray said.
Getting people to come into a new restaurant is one thing. Getting them to come back, especially to fill a space as large as Eli Fish, is another thing.
The positive reviews of the booze and food so far are a good indication people will come back, and there are trends in the first two weeks of the soft open that indicate people will come back. Gray noted that a number of people have come in expecting just a brewery but during the visit also learned there are menus with hearty entrees and a fully staffed and stocked kitchen. There's already a trend, he said, of people coming back for a second visit for lunch or dinner.
To help provide reasons for people to visit Eli Fish regularly, Gray and Mager installed an indoor bocce court. They plan to sponsor bocce leagues and tournaments. They are also considering euchre and bridge tournaments, as well as other games suitable to the space.
"Jon and I, right from the get-go, have looked at Eli Fish as a community space, a place where people go to meet, whether it’s family, friends, business meetings, events, and so on," Gray said. "We're very surprised at the number of calls that we’ve gotten to book larger events, 30 to 50 people. We have a lot of those already scheduled."
Another attraction for customers, of course, will be the two food stands inside the building that will be occupied by winners of the FreshLABs restaurant startup competition. EDEN Vegan has already been selected for one of the spaces and is expected to open April 22.
Mager said he's also been pleased with the brewery they built in the basement of the century-old building.
"We did a good job making it a functional space," Mager said. "We’re not too cramped. We’re not tripping over ourselves, so brewing down there is enjoyable and so far it’s gone very, very well."
While the light has shone the first two weeks on the restaurant and bar, Saturday is Mager's big day when his first two beers from the brewery make their debut.
There will be an IPA called "First Draft" and a blonde that didn't have a name as of Thursday afternoon but will be christened by Saturday.
"Saturday is going to be a pretty fun day," Mager said.
One unique feature of the bar is that all of the beers and spirits are brewed or distilled in New York. There are no mass produced brews or liquors. Everything is handcrafted.
That means some of the labels can be pretty unfamiliar to most customers when they first come in, that puts pressure on servers to have good palates, experience and knowledge of what they're serving.
"One of biggest, pleasant surprises we had was the quality of the people that applied for our serving and bartending jobs," Gray said. "They are experienced. They know their stuff and they are open about learning new things."
New customers, new beers (20 on tap) and new spirits, and new staff have meshed nicely together so far, Mager said.
"It is a learning experience on what to recommend to somebody who comes in and says 'I like Coors light, what would you recommend?' and I think everybody’s been picking it up pretty well that, yeah, it is a craft beer, but it doesn’t mean that it’s super hoppy and super alcoholic. We have light craft beers and the few that we have that fit that bill have been the highest sellers."
Both Gray and Mager have been surprised to discover just how good New York's spirits can be, as well.
"Most people don’t think that New York is going to produce like excellent world-class gin,' Mager said. "We’ve got gins back there that I would put against Beefeater and everything else all day.
"There is a vodka out of Clarence," he added, "that me and Matt sampled together. It was fantastic. It’s not like you're making a concession. It’s not like you’re settling for something less than premium."
With Gray quickly adding, "They’re premium."
Gray likes Irish whiskey, but he enjoys all whiskey and it's been an adventure sampling what New York has to offer.
"I like trying them all," he said.
"That’s pretty much my outlook on craft beer," Mager added. "I don’t like going to a bar with a specific beer in mind. I like trying them all. Sometimes they’re not my favorite but I like the adventure of trying them all."
Eli Fish is someplace not like Batavia, is the feedback, someplace that offers a bit of an adventure, someplace to bring the community together, and it seems that so far Eli Fish is off to a good start.
But it's not complicated, said Gray, who got his start in the food business a couple of decades ago with Matty's Pizzeria. The basics remain the same.
"A lot of things have changed (since Matty's) but it's all the same thing," Gray said. "There are only two people you’re trying to make happy, and that’s your guest walking in the door and your staff.
"You want to make sure everyone working with you wants to be there and is happy to be there, and then you want to make sure they are also making sure that every guest who walks in is happy with what you’re putting out and the service you’re getting. Whether it’s a round pizza or a square plate, it’s pretty much the same thing."
Press release:
Mercy Flight has teamed up with our trauma community partners to offer Stop the Bleed training in Genesee County. Stop the Bleed is a nationwide movement started in the wake of the active shooter Sandy Hook tragedy.
Since this movement launched, Mercy Flight has jumped on board to train bystanders to be immediate responders to prevent life-threatening bleeding. Bleeding deaths can happen in just minutes, and can easily be prevented.
Coming up on Saturday, April 7th Mercy Flight is hosting a session with Genesee County Emergency Management to teach how to apply pressure, proper tourniquet use, wound packing and life-threatening bleeding prevention. It will be held at the GCEM office at 7690 State Street Road, Batava.
There are three-time options for the April 7 class: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Each class is limited to 30 participants. (The 11 a.m. time slot is nearly full already.)
The one-hour course is jam-packed with valuable information for any member of the public, including teachers, coaches, parents.
To sign up for the class, visit Mercy Flight's website here.
Robert Edwin Ratcliffe, 38, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with burglary, 3rd, grand larceny, 4th, and criminal mischief, 3rd. Ratcliffe is accused of smashing at window of Batavia Cycle Center, 4988 E. Main Street Road, Batavia, in order to gain entry to the building and then stealing a dirt bike during the overnight hours sometime between May 23 and May 25. The case was investigated by Investigator Christopher Parker, Deputy Chad Cummings, Investigator Jame Diehl, Chief Deputy Joseph Graff and DEC Officer Richard Rauscher. Ratcliffe was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court upon his arrest and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
Alex S. Dumbleton, 24, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Dumbleton allegedly threatened another person at 4:44 p.m. Monday at a location on Franklin Street, Batavia.
Leon W. Johnson, 34, of South Main Street, Albion, is charged with stalking, 3rd, stalking, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Johnson allegedly threatened injury to another person and caused harm to another person's mental and emotional health in an incident reported Monday. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.
Arlena G. Cox, 57, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cox is accused of stealing $62.53 in makeup and soda from Tops Friendly Market.
Otha E. Rivers III, 37, of Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an illegal parking ticket. Rivers appeared in City Court, entered a guilty plea, and paid a fine.
Steven P. Lee, 35, of Warsaw, is charged with DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Lee was stopped at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday on Route 33, Stafford, by State Police.
An accident with possible injuries and airbag deployment is reported at Galloway Road and Lewiston Road, Batavia.
Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 7:50 a.m.: One of Town of Batavia's engines can go back in service. A chief says they're all set with what is on scene.
Press release:
The Genesee Community College Foundation is proud to announce its 2017 and 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. The entire community is invited to join us at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, in the Conable Technology Building at One College Road in Batavia for the induction ceremony.
Candidates for the Alumni Hall of Fame are nominated by friends, family, colleagues or other associates.
Each of the selected honorees has made impactful contributions to their profession and has provided distinguished service to the community and/or Genesee Community College. The GCC Alumni Hall of Fame, which is located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building, boasts honorees from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.
Each of these outstanding GCC graduates has made a lasting impact on their communities and earned this honor. We are proud to welcome the following to the Alumni Hall of Fame:
2017 Inductees
George Walker IV, '98, SVP of Creative Development, Dynamic Attractions
James Branciforte, '80, CEO Lifetime Assistance Inc.
2018 Inductees
Georgann Carrubba, '03, President and CEO, Tencar
Scott Gardner, '98, President and CEO, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
The complete list of Hall of Fame members is available at www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/.
The Alumni Hall of Fame Induction is free and open to the public. GCC welcomes all Hall of fame members, GCC alumni, and of course, the friends and family of our newest inductees to attend this celebration.
Press release:
On Saturday, March 24th, the kids and families of March for Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington, D.C., to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today. There will also be a rally that day in Batavia, followed by a march to Batavia City Hall.
Led by student leaders, we will march in solidarity with Washington, D.C.
When: Saturday, March 24th, 12 p.m.
Where: Rally at Williams Park, 101 Pearl St., Batavia
What: Speeches by local student leaders as well as local Pastor Jim Renfrew and retired Monroe County Sheriff's Lieutenant Gary Pudup of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. A march to Batavia City Hall will follow the rally.
For more information please contact glowprogressives@gmail.com
Press release:
The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting the 12th Annual Batavia Antique Show and Sale on Friday and Saturday, April 6th & 7th. The antique show will take place at the Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.
The show opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 6th and continues until 8 p.m. It reopens Saturday, April 7th at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The admission is $5 per person, which helps support the museum to continue to hosts events and programming for the community.
The Batavia Antique Show and Sale is an annual event that brings together antique dealers, collectors and vendors from across Western New York, the Southern Tier, Central New York, and even out-of-state.
It contains a wide variety of vendors displaying many different and unique items, including: jewelry, glassware, books, and much more.
Each attendee will receive with their purchase of a ticket a $5 Free Play to be used at Batavia Downs. In addition, Saturday admission is free with the proof of Friday attendance.
For more information about the 12th Annual Batavia Antique Show and Sale, please contact the Holland Land Office Museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com
Press release:
Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced their onsite plans for the upcoming Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5th. Three parties will take place on site.
The first party, running from 11:30 a.m. 'til 7 p.m., will take place in the Batavia Downs Gaming Paddock Room. It is the Downs’ most well-attended party with more than 600 attendees last year.
For $15, patrons receive their choice of a variety of meals, $15 in Free Play once one point is earned on the gaming floor, a $2 wager on the Derby, and a Free Derby program. There will be a $5 Mint Juleps special which includes a commemorative Derby glass and samplings from Black Button Distilling. Attendees must be at least 18 years of age. Many big-screen televisions will show the races and there will be mutual clerks available for wagers to be placed.
The second party, which is new, will take place in the Batavia Downs Gaming Grandstands Banquet Room on the second floor. Admission to the Derby Gala at the Downs is $50 per person and proper attire is required. Patrons will receive an open bar from 4:30 to 7 p.m., grazing stations, a $10 wager on the Derby, $25 in Free Play and a Free Derby Program. Attendees must be of legal drinking age to attend. There will also be televisions and mutual clerks for patrons to place wagers. A best-dressed contest and best hat contest will take place with prizes from the Hotel at Batavia Downs. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, March 21, at 10 a.m. on Bataviaconcerts.com and at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop.
The third party, taking place inside 34 Rush, will have Buffalo radio station WGR550AM broadcasting live from 2-5 p.m. Attendees must be at least 18 years of age. There will be a $5 Mint Julep special which includes a derby commemorative glass. Cider samplings will be provided by Official Derby Sponsor; Angry Orchard Rosé. A sampling of Corona beer will also be taking place for Cinco De Mayo. Patrons may place Derby wagers using self-service terminals.
Wagering will also be available at the second floor Downs Simulcast center. Prize Drawings for Derby T-shirts and glasses will take place there.
“It’s exciting to see that interest in the Kentucky Derby is alive and well in Western New York, “ said Todd Haight, general manager of Racing at Batavia Downs Gaming. “Our Paddock Room party has grown exponentially throughout the years and we expect that trend to continue this year.
"Our marketing department has put together a tremendous offer for our new Grandstands party. It’s a great way for our loyal customers to come out and enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Richard Beatty (right) with Kelli Pease (center), WGCC faculty advisor, and student announcer Austen Vroman (left) at GCC’s recent Student Club Fair.
Submitted photo and press release:
Richard Beatty, of Batavia, and Cody Catlin, of Waterport, opened their new radio show with a long song by Big Brother and the Holding Company, and they continued on to play a little Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even a Chet Atkins number.
All were songs from the WGCC library of music that don't see a whole lot of play time anymore.
Those tracks of music from the '50s, '60s, '70s and beyond will begin to see a bit more airtime on most Thursday nights from 8 - 10 p.m.
Genesee Community College's student-run radio station, WGCC (90.7 FM), has welcomed the interest of Beatty, who has many years of music appreciation and a wide personal collection of albums, CDs, a few cassette tapes and now streaming playlists.
At 67 years old, he quickly reflects back on 50-plus years of attending concerts across the country.
"One of my first concerts was the Who opening for Herman's Hermits -- after experiencing Pete Townshend's windmill attack on his guitar and Keith Moon's drumming, I didn't bother sticking around for Peter Noone's crooning," Beatty said.
"I was lucky enough to see many of the greats before their lives were cut short -- maybe the best was the Allman Brothers in '71 at a University of South Florida gym in Tampa -- my recollection it was a four-hour show."
RaeAnn Engler, Richard's partner in life, has shared many great club shows in the 21st century.
"We shy away from arena shows and prefer club shows featuring largely unknown acts," Engler said. "We saw a Jeffery Lewis show in Medina where the band outnumbered the audience. It was still a great show!"
Beatty, a retired industrial property appraiser for New York State Real Property Services, approached the College about his interest in developing a weekly program to feature music from earlier years, creating a community opportunity that he hoped would allow him to interact with GCC students, exchange an appreciation of music and even feature of few special guests on his "Geezer Radio" show.
On March 22, his first guest is local author and screenwriter Bill Kauffman, who was also GCC's 2017 Commencement speaker. Other proposed guests may be Craig Yunker, another friend of the College who attended Woodstock, GCC retirees and musicians Ray Chaya and Bob Knipe, Richard Schauf, detective for Batavia Police Department, and maybe even GCC President Jim Sunser.
Working with the students has been a pleasure for Beatty. He has enjoyed helping them relocate station equipment during the renovation project between the fall and spring semesters. He regularly attends station meetings, and he supported WGCC at the Student Club Fair.
"Cody (Catlin) has been a real pleasure to work with, and I appreciate all that he is teaching me about the equipment and airtime guidelines," Beatty said. "And Kelli Pease, the faculty advisor to the station and also a GCC alumna, has also been a joy to work with. In the world of being retired, it doesn't get better than this."
This spring, Beatty plans to help out at GCC's Scholars' Symposium on March 29.
Beatty is also president of Landmark Society of Genesee, a docent volunteer for the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, and a regular supporter of Richmond Memorial Library Books Sandwiched In program.
WGCC is a not-for-profit non-commercial radio station run by the students, faculty and staff of Genesee Community College. It's been on the air since 1985 and has become a well-loved part of the Batavia community.
Submitted photo and press release:
St. Joseph Catholic School is proud to announce that its Special Education Teacher, Mrs. Kate Winters, was nominated for the Inclusive Teacher of the Year award.
The Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education (FICE) held its fourth annual Taking Flight Dinner on March 8th where it announced this year’s nominees.
Being nominated for this award is an honor as it recognizes the teaching professional who has dedicated their time, compassion, and creativity toward making an impact on the lives of students receiving inclusive education within their school.
Congratulations to Mrs. Winters as well as the nine other nominees from Catholic Schools within the Diocese of Buffalo.
Pictured above are: Back row, from left – Karen Green (St. Joseph School Principal), Kate Winters, Christopher Suriano (NYSED Assistant Commissioner of Special Education), and Sister Carol Cimino (Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Buffalo); Front row, from left – Gina Bergman, Elizabeth Hofmaster, Sharon Fischer, Marianne Clattenburg, Diane Fraser, and Alicia Palmer (St. Joseph School teachers).
Press release:
The Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee is excited to invite the entire college community to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students at the third annual Scholars' Symposium -- a celebration of inquiry and scholarship.
GCC students and faculty pour countless hours and precise attention to their work. As a result, our academic year is full of achievement. On Thursday, March 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, will gather at the symposium to educate and demonstrate their scholarly achievements which transcend all disciplines.
The presentations, poster exhibits and performances provide an opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage our collective brain power for all to enjoy and to appreciate. The entire event is free and open to the public.
The full schedule of events for GCC's Third Annual Scholars' Symposium is as follows:
The symposium will include keynote speaker, Deborah Nawoczenski PT, Ph.D., to address the benefits of being involved in research. Nawoczenski received her BS in Physical Therapy and Master's in Education from Temple University in Philadelphia. She completed her PhD work at the University of Iowa with a specialization in Exercise Science and Biomechanics. Nawoczenski was a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College's Rochester Center for 21 years.
She cofounded (with Dr. Judy Baumhauer from the University of Rochester) the Center for Foot and Ankle Research at Ithaca's Rochester Center, and also was codirector of the Movement Analysis Laboratory. Throughout her career, Nawoczenski's research focus was directed to the study of foot and ankle pathologies and to the analysis of shoulder pain in people with spinal cord injuries.
This work was funded through a number of different organizations including the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, the National Institutes of Health, the Arthritis Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation and has led to more than 60 publications in major peer-reviewed journals.
Nawoczenski considers herself privileged to volunteer as a Physical Therapist in this country as well as in Jamaica and Poland. She recently served as a visiting professor in Kenya, India and Brazil. Her presentation at the Scholars Symposium will center on her own path to research and publishing and how others can enrich their lives through scholarly endeavor.
"We are so proud of the hard work and learning our participants have accomplished," says Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. "And we are very grateful for the support we received from the President's Innovation Award (PIA) in our initial launch of this program.
"The Scholar Symposium has become a legacy celebration of the collaboration between students, faculty and administration at GCC."
The Symposium will feature GCC's student Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects in Photographic Exhibitions on display in the Alfred C. O'Connell Library, the Penumbra Exhibition Space (second floor hallway between B205 and B207), and the lobby of the Stuart Steiner Theatre.
Under the leadership of the COIL Center, the Latin American Academy (LAA) has developed and implemented course-based partnerships between SUNY GCC and universities in Latin America, which are members of the growing Global Partnership Network (GPN).
The team-taught courses use technology to expose students in different countries to each other's cultures resulting in an enriched intercultural learning experience. The course-based partnerships emphasize experiential and collaborative student learning and help sustain long-term international teaching and learning partnerships.
The 2019 Scholars' Symposium has been scheduled for April 11, 2019.
For further information on the Scholars' Symposium, visit: www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/ and please contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva at jrtoriseva@genesee.edu or at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6627 with any questions.
Press release:
Genesee Cancer Assistance will hold its Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, April 19, in memory of Joe Gerace, an incredible, dedicated volunteer to the organization for more than 22 years.
This year's event will be held in Batavia from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ascension Parish Hall on 17 Sumner St.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and are available at the door or pre-sale from any board member. Takeouts available.
You can also call or stop by the GCA Office to purchase tickets, now located at UMMC hospital, 127 North St, Batavia.
Again this year, there will be raffles on site throughout the night including baskets of wine and chocolate along with a “Money Tree” valued at $100.
Genesee Cancer Assistance Inc. was founded in 1995 and is a community-based, nonprofit organization committed to providing financial assistance and free services to cancer patients in Genesee County. In its 23 years of continuous service to our community, GCA has given over a half million dollars to more than 200 patients.
GCA depends on successful fundraisers. All money raised stays in Genesee County. Genesee Cancer Assistance reaches out to the community for help through local support, monetary donations, memorials, and volunteers.
This year each cancer patient receives $600 of financial assistance to help lessen the burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
For more information about this event, future events, and our organization, please visit us online at www.geneseecancerassistance.com
Elizabeth Michelle Grattan, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Grattan is accused of stabbing another person with a steak knife during a fight reported at 9:50 p.m. Friday at a residence on Lewis Place, Batavia. Grattan was ordered held until her next court appearance.
Jason J. Raffel Jr., 25, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Raffel is accused of refusing to leave an active crime scene at 10:27 p.m. Saturday on State Street, Batavia.
Bryan D. Bates, 38, of East Center Street, Medina, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Bates is accused of violating an order of protection at 11:22 p.m. March 11 at a location on Oak Street, Batavia.
Moises Garza Jr., 21, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and unlawful imprisonment, 2nd. Garza was charged following an investigation into an incident reported at 4:45 p.m. Saturday at a residence on Washington Avenue. Garza was ordered held without bail.
Eric Jon Merritt, 28, of Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Merritt allegedly contacted two protected parties at 8:49 p.m. Saturday in violation of stay away orders of protection.
Eric James Olverd, 45, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no taillamp. Olverd was stopped at 12:51 a.m. Sunday on Central Avenue, Batavia, by Investigator Christopher Parker.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is seeking public-spirited citizens to spend a couple hours assembling bundles of materials that can be used to create artworks, to go to artists with disabilities.
The “Second Annual ARTcovz® Packaging Party” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 31, at the ILGR office, 113 Main St. (near Center Street), Suite 5, in Batavia.
The Agency offers participants a light breakfast and the opportunity to make new friends, as they assemble: clay art packages; card boards, colored pencils and paint for drawing and painting; folding paper for origami projects; glue and binding materials for creating books, etc.
This is made possible thanks to the generosity of the North-Buffalo-based University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the arts.
UHAA has stocked an ARTcovz® self-serve kiosk of art supplies in the ILGR lobby since March 2016, which has included: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/ drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and art-oriented audio books on CD.
Having placed many ARTcovz® booths in public areas around Western New York, UHAA has partnered with ILGR to expand their outreach to people with disabilities.
While not mandatory to participate, those who plan to attend are encouraged to preregister, so there will be enough food on hand. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Bridget Mosman at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
Press release:
Do you have a passion you'd like to turn into a business? Ready to start writing a business plan? Join us at Genesee Community College for a FREE Business Plan Basics workshop to get you started!
Great entrepreneurs of our time have great business plans! On Thursday, March 22, GCC will host a special workshop that teaches the basic components of a good business plan led by Sam Campanella of the Small Business Development Center.
Business Plan Basics will take place on from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in room T121 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus.
Campanella will also lead a workshop on Idea Pitch Preparation on Thursday, April 12, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to help you prepare to pitch your business idea.
This workshop is free and open to the public; you do NOT have to be participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition to attend these workshops. To sign up for a workshop, please contact Amy Conley at avconley@genesee.edu.
Ready to test out your business idea? Consider participating in a Business Idea Pitch Competition! You could even earn a cash prize!
The first-ever local Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 19, in the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The deadline for competitors to register is Friday, March 30.
Business Idea Pitch Competition details are available at https://www.genesee.edu/home/events/businesspitch/. To register for the Pitch Competition, please contact Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., at lmlamattina@genesee.edu or (585) 343-0055, ext.6319.
A priest assigned to St. Mary's in Batavia for 12 years starting in 1991 has denied allegations that he sexually molested three people during his time with the Buffalo Diocese.
The Buffalo News has reported that three men have claimed that they were molested by Rev. Donald Becker, including one who said he was paid a settlement by the church.
While the News did not report Becker's connection to St. Mary's, a spokesman for the diocese said he was assigned as pastor there for a six-year term in March 1991 and reappointed pastor in March 1997. His second term ended in March 2003.
The News reports that Becker served nine parishes in the diocese from 1968 through 2002, including: St. Mark's in Rushford; St. Mary's of the Assumption in Lancaster; St. Bonaventure in West Seneca; SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg; Nativity of Our Lord in Orchard Park; St. Stephen's on Grand Island; and St. Agatha's in Buffalo.
Becker, who now lives in Florida, told the News that he retired for medical reasons. He suffers from Parkinson's disease.
Two of the men who spoke to the News, but were not named in the story, said they were teens when they encountered Becker. The other said he was 9 years old.
The accusations against Becker has apparently increased pressure for the diocese to be more transparent about priests accused of sexual abuse.
Det. Eric Hill said there have been no criminal complaints against Becker in the City of Batavia and there is no current investigation since there have been no complaints.
Press release:
The Genesee Country Farmers' Market located at the Downtown Batavia Public Market* opens for the season on Friday, June 8th, at the market's location on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in the Downtown Batavia Business District.
Market hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with the season running from Friday, June 8th, through Friday, Oct. 26th.
"This year marks the third year of collaboration with BID (Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District)", says Market Manager Mike Bakos, "The Market, presently in this year's planning stages, is accepting new vendor applications."
Parties interested in joining the market to become a Seasonal or Day Vendor may obtain application forms by contacting Bakos at (716) 866-4958 or by email at mbakos@rochester.rr.com.
The market also offers a FREE market stall to qualifying charities, service groups, or 501c3 organizations that would like to participate in the market. Contact the market for more information.
* Providing "Locally Grown" Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Items to the Greater Batavia and Genesee County Area for 44 Years.
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