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GO ART! now accepting applications for 2024 SCR Program

By Press Release

Press Release:

Artists, nonprofits, and municipalities seeking funding for arts-related projects, programming, and events in Genesee and Orleans Counties are encouraged to apply to the Statewide Community Regrant Program (SCR) through GO ART!. Applications are due by Nov 1st.

Applicants can apply for up to a total of $5000 in the categories of Community Arts and Arts Education, and $2500 for Individual Artist Commissions.

Eligibility:

Genesee and Orleans County nonprofit organizations, NYS incorporated nonprofits, agencies of local government (not New York State agencies), individual artists, groups or collectives, and unincorporated entities are eligible to apply.

  • Individual artists, groups or collectives, and unincorporated entities applying for the Reach (Community) and Spark (Education) grants must have a Fiscal Sponsor or Community Partner
  • Applicant, Community Partner, or Fiscal Sponsor must have a permanent address in the same county the project is taking place
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of submission and may not be enrolled in a full-time degree program Applicants are required to attend an informational seminar prior to applying. 2023 grantees are exempt from the seminar requirement but are encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Seminars:

  • Sept 18, Sept 25, Oct 2, & Oct 9 at 6:00pm, (virtual, Zoom)
  • Oct 10 at 6pm, (in person, GO ART! 201 E Main St, Batavia)

Peer Review Panel:

Grantees are chosen by a peer review panel comprised of community members who live and/or work in Genesee or Orleans Counties and are familiar with the arts, local cultural activities, and the community.

For more information, to view guidelines, apply, sign up for a workshop, or nominate a panelist visit: www.goart.org/grants. For questions contact Mary Jo Whitman at mjwhitman@goart.org or Jodi Fisher at jfisher@goart.org.

Cooperative Extension board to meet September 26

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Cornell Cooperative Extension(CCE) of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on September 26. 

The meeting will be held at the Association at 420 E. Main St. Batavia and is open to the public. For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

Beverly's Flowers moves out of tight quarters to much larger former Roxy's Music Store

By Howard B. Owens
beverly's florist batavia ny
Russ Fitzgibbon, owner of Beverly's Flowers and Gifts, inside his shop's new location at 228 West Main St., Batavia, the former location of Roxy's Music.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Russ Fitzgibbon knew he needed more space.  His flower shop, Beverly's, in an old house on West Main Street in Batavia, left staff tripping over each other and made it hard for him to maintain private conversations with customers.

"We were out of space, just dead out of space," Fitzgibbon said.

When the former Roxy's Music Store building at 228 West Main St., Batavia, came up for sale, he initially passed on the idea of buying the building and moving into it.

It's 14,000 square feet. That doesn't include the basement.

All that space means his five employees are no longer tripping over each other.

"I didn't want it originally," Fitzgibbon said. "It's just massive. But it just worked out. The numbers worked out. I figured, do it now or don't do it at all."

Beverly's is using only about 4,500 square feet of the building -- with a large portion of the downstairs (where music lesson rooms where located) sitting vacant, and a second floor that is completely clear and empty.

"We'll figure out what to do with the rest," Fitzgibbon said.

Fitzgibbon did the remodeling of the store himself, with a whole new decor in the space the shop is using.  There's a larger retail counter, more display space, tables for meeting with clients, and a side room for meetings with larger groups of customers.

"I like to talk to my customers, but in the old place, if somebody walked in, you had to shut up because there was no room," Fitzgibbon said. "There was only one three-foot counter.  This one is a little bigger, so I get to talk more."

Photos by Howard Owens.

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beverly's florist batavia ny
beverly's florist batavia ny
beverly's florist batavia ny

Law and Order: Woman arrested for striking another person at Batavia gas station

By Howard B. Owens

Toni M. Drake, 42, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Drake is accused of striking another person in the face on Aug. 28 during an argument in the parking lot of the Mobile gas station on East Main Street, Batavia. Drake was issued an appearance ticket.

Rodrigo G. Vasquez, 26, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Vasquez was stopped by a Batavia patrol officer on Sept. 2 at an undisclosed location following several citizen complaints of an erratic driver. Vasquez was issued traffic citations and released.

Danvor E. Hodgson-Aguilar, 34, of Silver Springs, Maryland, is charged with petit larceny. Hodgson-Aguilar was arrested after an investigation into a theft at Tops on Sept. 2. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Robbie C. Scheib, 21, of Rochester, was arrested on a warrant containing a charge of harassment 2nd. Scheib is accused of being involved in a disturbance on Aug. 30 in which he allegedly subjected another person to unwanted physical contact. Scheib was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Jon H. Bush, Jr., 40, of Batavia, was arrested on Sept. 1 on two arrest warrants. The first warrant is the result of a traffic stop on Washington Avenue on June 5, where Bush was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. The second warrant stems from an incident on Aug. 3, where police attempted to stop Bush for a traffic violation while he was riding a bicycle. Bush allegedly refused to stop and fled on the bike. Bush was arraigned in City Court and released. 

Bradley Robert Jordan, 30, of Silver Road, Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. Jordan is accused of a left from a store on Lewiston Road, Batavia (the Sheriff's Office withheld this public information). Jordan was issued an appearance ticket.

Yovani Hernandez, 28, of Melvin Hill Road, Geneva, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, obstructed view, and dirty or covered plate.  A passerby reportedly found Hernandez asleep and slumped over the wheel at a location on South Lake Road in Pavilion at 6:12 p.m. on Sept. 3. Hernandez was arrested by Deputy Jacob Kipler, issued traffic tickets, and released.

Alexis Joy Dugan, 22, of Miller Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, inadequate headlamps, and moving from lane unsafely. Dugan was stopped on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia at 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 9 by Deputy James Stack. Dugan was issued appearance tickets are leased.

Stephen Hunter Heil, 21, of Million Dollar Highway, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely. Heil was stopped at 6:55 p.m. on Aug. 29, on Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, by Deputy Alexander Hadsall.

Kevin Allan Knickerbocker, 52, of Mill Pond Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Knickerbocker is accused of violating a stay away order of protection at 6:50 p.m. on Sept. 12 at a location on West Main Street, Byron.

Jeremiah William Krupp, 45, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt 1st. Krupp is accused of placing phone calls to a protected person in violation of an order of protection on Aug. 29. He was held pending arraignment.

George J. Budzinack, 43, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Budzinack is accused of a theft at 10:02 a.m. on Sept. 16 at an undisclosed location in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket. The NYSP did not release more information.

Robert G. Reiner, 37, of Akron, is charged with criminal mischief 4th, criminal tampering 3rd, and resisting arrest. Reiner was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 3 p.m. on Sept. 16. His release status is unknown. The NYSP did not release more information.

Peace Garden committee unveils new mural on water tank next to Tonawanda Creek

By Howard B. Owens
peace garden water tank mural
Barb Toal, Caroline Epps, Don Wallace, Dianna Bogue, Paula Savage, Louise Wallace, and Michelle Cryer.
Photo by Howard Owens.

There's been a bit more color and visual appeal that connects the Batavia Peace Garden with a second garden along the Tonawanda Creek behind the Genesee County Court House.

Artist Michelle Cryer has painted a mural, commissioned by the Friends of the Peace Garden and paid for by a state grant administered by GO Art!, on a concrete water tank next to the creek.

The mural features the butterfly bench that once graced the garden and an overflow of water simulating a breach in the side of the tank.

Sherwin Williams donated the paint.  The city approved the project.

"Without our community, as usual, we wouldn't have this here today," said Barb Toal, who came to Cryer with the idea of paint a mural on the tank. Then they came up with the concept together.

"I wanted to bring more nature in, to cover up a cement eyesore with some nature," Cryer said. 

Author Rob Thompson to visit HLOM for signing on Saturday

By Press Release
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Submitted photo of The Torture Tree from The Sullivan Expedition.

Press Release:

robthompson
Submitted photo of
Rob Thompson

Western New York author Rob Thompson, after nearly two years of painstaking research has completed, what he declares as his most difficult of projects. 

The Sullivan Expedition is considered by many to be the most significant military campaign of the American Revolution. The expedition was seen by George Washington as a necessity for ridding the colonial frontier of the Indian threat, and from the assaults by the infamous Butler’s Rangers. Washington’s controversial method was to clear western New York of the Indians by destroying their crops and villages forcing thousands of Native Americans to seek refuge from the British at Fort Niagara. 

Under the leadership of Maj. Gen. John Sullivan and aided by Gens. Clinton, Maxwell, and Hand, nearly 5,000 men crossed the western Finger Lakes destroying over fifty Indian settlements and burning thousands of acres of crops, The most well-known event of Sullivan’s Expedition occurred near Conesus Lake: the capturing and horrific torture of two men Lt. Thomas Boyd and Sgt. Michael Parker. 

Chapters include the founding of the Iroquois Confederacy (the Huedensee), the life of Mary Jemison, the “White Woman of the Genesee,” the headaches endured by George Washington caused not only by Sullivan but others within the structure of the Army, and the controversial topic of genocide.

“Regrading genocide, I present the facts of the expedition, and though I express my personal view I encourage the reader to make their own determination based upon the facts I present. If one thing is learned it’s that at one time in all of human history regardless of race, ethnicity or religion all men have been victims of and perpetrators of hate.”

This compilation of archived material is greatly enhanced by in-depth research is a fine, easy-to-read book and one that will certainly encourage further study by all who read it. One point of enjoyment is the introduction of numerous historical tid-bits such as the life of riflemen Timothy Murphy, the legend behind the run of Adam Helmer, Daniel Shays of the Shays Rebellion (buried in Conesus New York) and the myth behind the lost cannon.

On Saturday, September 23, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holland Land Office Museum there will be a signing of Behold and Blush-The Sullivan Expedition, The Linden Murders Solved, Twisted Tree Final Word on the Linden Murders, and Candles in the Rain (the story of the 1997 Genesee County Janet Rippel cold case).

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Submitted photo of the reburial of Mary Jemison from The Sullivan Expedition.
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Submitted photo of the reburial of Mary Jemison from The Sullivan Expedition.
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Submitted photo of a map of the expedition from The Sullivan Expedition.

GCEDC officials tout proposed HP Hood expansion as 'significant milestone'

By Press Release
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The HP Hood facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in May 2023
Photo by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

The proposal reviewed by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) for HP Hood’s $120 million expansion at its September 7, 2023 board meeting marks a significant milestone for the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in the town of Batavia. 

Since opening in 2011, the Ag Park and supporting infrastructure have generated investments of approximately $607 million by HP Hood, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Marktec Products, and O-AT-KA Milk Products that have resulted in a cluster with over 1.2 million sq. ft. of food and beverage facilities set to employ over 1,000 professionals in the food processing industry, which is the leading employment sector in Genesee County and GLOW region.

HP Hood’s investment also marks another $100+ million project in Genesee County, and the fifth largest in the county’s history, four of which have been announced in just the past year. 

These projects include Plug Power’s expansion announced by New York State Governor Kathy  Hochul in 2023 in which the company will be investing an additional $377 million on top of the $290 million investment Plug Power announced in 2021 at Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP). Also in 2023, Edwards announced a $319
million project at STAMP and Horizon Acres Associates announced a $142 million multi-phase development in the town of Pembroke. 

“Our success in regional economic development is the result of the collaboration with our public sector partners as we have worked through the years to prepare sites such as the Agri-Business Park and STAMP so that they are industry-ready with high-capacity utility infrastructure in order to market these assets to companies and in turn the new jobs and investment they are making in our community,” said Steve Hyde, GCEDC President and CEO. 

“Genesee County’s commitment to growth allows companies to start construction almost immediately which sets them up for sustained success as they expand operations, and we are witnessing that first-hand through HP Hood’s recent investment announcement.” 

HP Hood's expansion at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park includes the construction of a 32,500 sq ft building to accommodate the addition of new batching and processing systems, along with other upgrades that will allow the company to increase capacity and begin the production for a new product line. The expansion project will create 48 new full-time positions while retaining 455 employees. 

“From HP Hood’s initial investment of $205 million and 230 jobs announced in 2017, both of those numbers have nearly doubled; the food and beverage sector continues to grow and shows no signs of stopping,” added Hyde.

A 2019 SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government study reported the economic output of labor income and value added by businesses in Genesee County’s shovel-ready sites at $809 million – 16% of the total economic output of the county. The study projects that the existing shovel- ready sites could support an additional $4.9 billion of economic output at full capacity.

Genesee County’s shovel-ready sites have been designed and strategically located at key transportation routes with access to population centers across the Northeast and Midwest and infrastructure corridors, including access to low-cost hydropower.

The Longest Yard wins third Batavia Open

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo of The Longest Yard courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Since coming to Batavia Downs in July, The Longest Yard has not finished worse than second in five starts, and on Saturday (Sept. 16) he grabbed his third $15,000 Open I Handicap pace win and did it in handy fashion.

Mirragon A (Ray Fisher Jr.) was headstrong off the gate and amassed a two-length lead at the quarter in :27.1 while Nox Vegas Bluechip (Jim Morrill Jr.) and Stop Action (Jim Mcneight Jr.) were struggling to keep pace and The Longest Yard (Kevin Cummings) was a distant sixth at this point. The field continued to be strung out to the half where Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) pulled first-over and The Longest Yard tagged along behind him.

Mid-way up the backstretch, Villiam succumbed to the pace as Mirragon A hit three-quarters in 1:23.3, so The Longest Yard tipped three-high and around the fading horse as he headed into the last turn and had five lengths to make up with time running out. The Longest Yard passed the pocket-sitting Nox Vegas Bluechip, took dead aim at Mirragon A and was getting closer with every stride. Four pylons into the stretch, The Longest Yard took the lead and then strode away to a two-length win in 1:52.2, which was his fastest win time at Batavia this meet.

It was the fourth win of the year for the fleet-footed The Longest Yard ($2.40) which is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith. The Longest Yard was one of three wins for Cummings on the night and also one of two for Smith.

In the undercard $12,500 upper-level conditioned pace, Fake Out (Jim Morrill Jr.) got away fourth as Bet Eightthirtyone (Kevin Cummings) strolled to the half in a mere :58. As the race passed the five-eighths, Morrill tipped Fake Out and started to roll up the rim towards the leader. Just as they entered the final bend, Fake Out drew even with Bet Eightthirtyone and the two battled to the top of the stretch. There, Fake Out dug in and bolted to a 1-½ length victory in 1:54.1, which tied his seasonal best.

It was the fourth win in the last five starts for Fake Out ($8.30) who is owned and trained by Lee Dahn.

Jim Morrill Jr. dominated the driving colony on Saturday by posting four winners during the proceedings.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 20) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $4,332 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the race 13.

Free full 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.

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Photo of Fake Out courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Photos: Eli Fish Oktoberfest in Jackson Square

By Howard B. Owens
eli fish oktoberfest 2023

There was a big crowd, frothy beers on tap, and plenty of "zicke zacke hoi hoi hoi" to go around in Jackson Square on Saturday as Eli Fish Brewing Co. hosted its now annual Oktoberfest.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

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eli fish oktoberfest 2023
eli fish oktoberfest 2023
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eli fish oktoberfest 2023

Batavia boys soccer team picks up third win over Attica, 3-0

By Staff Writer

The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Attica 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. 

An all-around strong performance by Batavia was highlighted with goals by Rylan Bohn, assisted by Finn Halpin, and a penalty kick converted by Hunter Mileham, as well as an own goal by Attica. 

The relentless defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone all contributed to the shutout. 

Batavia’s record improved to 3 wins and one loss on the season.

Prospective Ellicott Station tenants advised to explore 'alternative housing'

By Joanne Beck
ellicott station savarino business closed
File photo of a padlocked Ellicott Station property as the Batavia apartment complex-in-progress grinds to a halt indefinitely due to Savarino Companies' closure. 
Photo by Howard Owens 

An email was sent out from Savarino Companies to those 55 tenants selected this past May for one of the Ellicott Station homes that had been in progress until a month or so ago. 

And, no, it was no longer congratulatory in nature about the tenants’ good luck in being chosen for one of the safe, quality, affordable rentals on the city’s Southside.

It was one of regret.

“You are receiving this email because you were chosen to be considered for an apartment in Ellicott Station Residential Apartments,” it began. 

“We are writing to inform you of the status of Ellicott Station Residential Apartments. Regrettably, we must convey that, as of today, there is no clear answer for when the Ellicott Station Residential Apartments may be ready for occupancy,” it stated. “Due to this unforeseen circumstance, we highly recommend that you begin exploring alternative housing solutions. We understand the uncertainty and inconvenience this situation may cause. We apologize for any inconvenience to you. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available,” the company said. “Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.”

Up to now, there have been few if any answers as to the plight of those tenants and the fate of the four-story apartment complex that now sits idle at 50 Ellicott St. 

City Manager Rachael Tabelski has said that developers have expressed interest in the property, but the city doesn’t own the property and has no say in how it proceeds from here.

The Batavian reached out to her Friday about this latest development and with additional questions. She said that “this week there has been multiple conversations with Savarino Companies, investors and lenders about how best to move forward.”

There are two main options, she said, one is to find a general contractor to complete the work and a new property manager, or pause the project completely and reboot with a new developer/operator.    

For any observant spectators passing by the apartment site this past week, you may have seen some people there — city inspectors — who will be issuing notices to the owners, construction lenders, and investors “to provide better site security, remove any grass, weeds and debris, and winterize the building,” Tabelski said.

“The construction lenders and investors have been extremely responsive to our requests and I look forward to working with them through this process,” she said.

Tabelski was aware that the letter went out to tenants but had no further information or comment about it. One of the tenants who has been communicating with The Batavian will remain in her current apartment and is hopeful that one of those new apartments will be hers one day.

For those looking for an apartment with similar income qualifications of Ellicott Station, Genesee County has a website with subsidized housing.

Pathstones also has resources for housing assistance and education, Tabelski said. 

The Batavian asked Tabelski if obtaining a new developer would mean starting all over with selecting new tenants, but since it was not a local lottery under Batavia’s control, “I cannot say how this will work,” she said. She referred The Batavian to Savarino and the state Office of Community Renewal for those answers.

HCR has stated that promised tax credits are tied to the project’s completion and that it will continue to oversee the project to ensure it reaches that end, similar to Genesee County Economic Development Center’s financial incentives. 

A bulk of the money promised to Savarino has a contingency that the project and/or stipulations within the project must be met in order to receive funding. This includes the $500,000 state grant from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative fund, which is attached to completion of rehabilitation of the electric building on the Ellicott Street property. 

Tabelski said that “the building was not completed and there has been no grant funds issues from New York State to Savarino Companies for the project that I am aware of.” It’s a similar scenario for a $250,000 National Grid grant for work to be done on Ellicott Trail.

“There are multiple grants supporting the project and they are all reimbursable upon completion. There was some Ellicott Trail work completed, however, the enhancements of lighting and benches have not been installed yet. The majority of the brownfield work has been completed, and more than 50 to 75 percent of the residential building work is complete,” she said.  “The work to the electric building, that was to become a brewery, was not as far along, and significant rehabilitation and restoration need to be completed.”

Lougazi wins easily in Batavia Open trot

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo of Lougazi courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Local trotting favorite Lougazi had an easy time of it in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 15) and chalked up his 56th lifetime win as a result. 

Ray Fisher Jr. got away fourth with Lougazi in the scratch-shortened field of five, while Credit List (Kevin Cummings) took the quintet to the quarter in :28.2. As the race passed the stands the first time, Fisher pulled Lougazi who then advanced to second before entering turn three. Heading up the backstretch, Credit List was under heavy pressure from Lougazi, who was trotting comfortably in the breeze. The pair matched strides around the last turn but when they straightened out for home, Lougazi simply trotted away under Fisher wraps while turning back a late challenge from the early breaking, yet fast-closing Makadushin N Cheez (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win by 1-¼ lengths in 1:57.3. 

On the strength of his sixth win of the year, Lougazi ($4.40) is now just shy of one-half million in lifetime earnings, showing $493,866 on his card for owner Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift is the winning trainer. 

In the $13,000 Open II Handicap, I Got The Looks (Dan Yetman) got away fifth as Magic MVP (Joe Chindano Jr.) blasted off the gate and to the quarter in :28.1. As they approached the half, Yetman was already out and rolling with I Got The Looks and drew alongside the leader by three-quarters. After racing in tandem around the last turn, I Got The Looks put away Magic MVP at the top of the stretch and then held off Con Air Hall (Jim Morrill Jr.) by one-quarter length in 1:58, which was a new seasonal mark.

I Got The Looks ($15.80) is owned by Tronolone Racing and trained by Frank Mays. 

Kevin Cummings and Jim Morrill Jr. both had driving triples while Sam Smith and Shawn McDonough each had two training wins. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 16) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $3,719 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.

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Photo of I Got The Looks courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Sponsored Post: New Listing from Reliant Real Estate - 194 Washington Avenue

By Lisa Ace
Reliant Real Estate, 194 Washington

NEW LISTING! 194 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BATAVIA. Looking for a professional business setting? Look no further-this is a great space and offers so much exposure in an area that is revamping and expanding! This space offers a large reception/office, waiting area, 4 private offices and 2 baths. There is also an enclosed foyer and one office has its own entrance door for possibility of sublet. Great opportunity and also possible landlord open to discussion. B1476554

Car strikes pole on Clinton Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car has struck a utility pole in the area of 43 Clinton St., Batavia.

There is air bag deployment.

Unknown injuries.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding

UPDATE 12:40 a.m.: A Batavia patrol officer on scene reports no injuries.

'Large fire' reported in backyard of residence at State and Willow streets

By Howard B. Owens

City Fire is being dispatched to State and Willow streets for a report of a large fire in the back yard of a residence in the area.

The fire was reportedly discovered by a Batavia patrol officer who first reported a large amount of smoke in the area.

He informed the dispatcher that the fire is a dresser on a fire pit.

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: City command reports, "Fire in the fire pit. City assignment back in service."

GC Chamber of Commerce annual awards ceremony March 2, nominations sought

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2023” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service, and volunteerism.

Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year. 

Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify). 

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia, and can also be downloaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.

Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 29 to be eligible for consideration. 

If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

St. James Episcopal to host 'Sweet Music' and desserts

By Press Release
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Submitted photo of Jo-Ann Bestine and Barb Pierce.

Press Release:

On October 28, St. James Episcopal Church will be hosting “Ah, Sweet Music!”, a concert and dessert tasting in Memory of David Lange. Sponsored in part by the Buffalo Chapter, American Guild of Organists. The evening will feature delicious desserts and a variety of music at St. James Church, Batavia. For more information, call 585-343-6802.

BHS earns 'top 40 percent' honor in U.S. News and World Report

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District is proud to announce that Batavia High School has earned high national and metro-area rankings on the 2023-2024 Best High Schools list from U.S. News and World Report.

Batavia High School earned a national ranking in the top 40% of U.S.-based public high schools out of nearly 18,000 schools. A top statistic included in the ranking was Batavia High School’s impressive 98% graduation rate, which is “well above state median.” 

“We are elated and deeply honored once again to receive this recognition from U.S. News and World Report. Earning a place in the top 40% of high schools nationally is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence that our teachers, students, staff, and community collectively contribute to at Batavia High School. Keep up the great work!” Said Superintendent Jason Smith. 

“I knew when I accepted the principal position at Batavia High School, I was stepping into a remarkable community, and this recognition from U.S. News and World Report is an excellent reminder,” said Principal Jenni Wesp. 

“This achievement also highlights our unwavering focus on academic excellence and our drive to provide a nurturing yet challenging environment that prepares our students for the world beyond Batavia. This award is not a final destination but a milestone on our ongoing journey of educational innovation and continuous improvement.”

Batavia High School previously received this honor in 2022 and 2014.

According to U.S. News and World Report, “The 2023-2024 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of nearly all public high schools nationwide. There are rankings within each state and within each census-designated metropolitan area that has three or more high schools, as well as the Best STEM Schools ranking and comprehensive Best Charter Schools and Best Magnet Schools rankings. Also published are rankings of high schools within each school district that has three or more high schools.”

GLOW Cup T-shirt contest winners select Young Life

By Press Release
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Submitted photo of check presentation to Young Life. Pictured (from left to right): Ashley Diehl of Genesee Dental, Emily Marling of Merrill Lynch, and Max Herbert of Young Life.

Press Release:

This year's GLOW Cup t-shirt contest winner was, first time recipient, Genesee Dental. They won with a shirt designed by Brian Kemp at T-Shirts Etc. Genesee Dental's charity of choice was Young Life, a ministry camp focused on helping adolescents grow in their faith.

“Young Life is a Christian outreach to middle and high school students as well as teen moms. The organization partners with adults and teens, building friendships and walking alongside kids through their teen years” said Max Herbert of Young Life.

“Genesee Dental chose this charity after Office Manager, Abby Zawistowski’s husband, Chad, passed away in November 2021 after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Young Life played an important role in Chad’s childhood as he benefited from donations so that he could attend their camp.” said Ashley Diehl, Abby’s coworker and best friend.

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Submitted photo of winning t-shirt

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