It's Election Day 2024 across the nation, and all polls are open in Genesee County.
As one voter noted this morning, with the good weather, there's no excuse not to vote (if you haven't already).
Polls close at 9 p.m.
Press Release:
As the holiday season approaches, the Salvation Army in Batavia is excited to announce the launch of its annual Red Kettle Campaign, set to begin in November 2024.
This initiative aims to raise funds to provide warm clothing, holiday meals, and gifts to families in need, as well as to support year-round family service programs. The campaign presents an opportunity to spread joy and make a meaningful impact in our community.
In light of declining contributions in recent years, we are actively seeking support from local businesses and organizations to help achieve our campaign goals. This year, we aim to raise $100,000, with a target of securing $50,000 before the bell ringing begins outside select locations.
We are inviting local partners to join us in this effort through:
Donations: Financial contributions, gift items, or resources that directly benefit those we serve.
Volunteers: Individuals or teams willing to assist with bell ringing at various locations during the campaign.
Christmas Partnerships: Sponsorship opportunities at different levels, including Press Release sponsors, T-shirt sponsors, and Social Media sponsors.
For more information contact Bradley Moore at 585-343-6284.
Jon H. Bush, 41, of Batavia, is charged with menacing a peace officer, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Bush is accused of threatening two probation officers with a knife at an unspecified location and preventing them from arresting another person during a home visit on June 28. He was arrested on Oct. 18. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed. Cindy L. Bush, his mother, was also charged with obstructing governmental administration and issued an appearance ticket.
Shawn P. Wolcott, 42, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd, criminal possession of stolen property 5th, and petit larceny. Wolcott broke into a building on Harvester Avenue and stole property on Oct. 12. He was arraigned and released.
Carolyn L. Kurek, 82, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful imprisonment 2nd and harassment 2nd. Kurek is accused of blocking another person from leaving a room at an apartment building on West Main Street, Batavia, on Oct. 16. She allegedly struck a person with her cane. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Kamau S. Freeman, 30, of Buffalo, was arrested on Oct. 15 on a warrant. Freeman was previously arrested on July 23 and charged with robbery 3rd, grand larceny 4th, criminal contempt 1st, and criminal mischief 3rd. The warrant was issued after he allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned and released.
Morgan A. Schoonmaker, 28, of Perry, and Jaqulyn A. Dueppengiesser, 40, of Perry, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Schoonmaker and Dueppengiesser are accused of possessing narcotics during a traffic stop on Pearl Street on Oct. 15. They were issued appearance tickets.
Emily D. Shea, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Shea was stopped on Oct. 10 on East Main Street by a Batavia patrol officer for allegedly driving putout headlights. She was issued tickets and released.
Ryan A. Decillis, 32, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Decillis was allegedly caught speeding after Batavia PD received a traffic complaint on Oct. 5 (location not disclosed). He was issued tickets and released.
Kristen L. Kocent, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Kocent allegedly passed narcotics during an investigation on Oct. 13 at an undisclosed location. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Douglas G. Goodwin, Jr., 33, of Alabama, is charged with petit larceny. Goodwin is accused of stealing a gold chain from another person on Sept. 19. He was arrested on Oct. 21. He was arraigned and released.
Alicia M. Lyons, 45, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest. Lyons is accused of resisting police on Oct. 17 when they attempted to take her into custody on multiple warrants. She was arraigned in City Court and was released.
Tek B. Giri, 46, of Scottsville, is charged with DWI. Giri was stopped on Clinton Street on Oct. 17 after Batavia PD received complaints of an erratic driver. Giri was issued tickets and released.
Mark J. Schultz, 38, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Schultz was stopped on Oct. 20 on West Main Street by a Batavia patrol officer who reportedly observed him driving without tail lights. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Francis A. Coombs, III, 57, of Batavia, was arrested on Oct. 16 on a warrant. Coombs was initially arrested on Aug. 25 and charged with criminal mischief 4th. He was issued an appearance ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. Coombs was arraigned in City Court and released.
Carolyn L. Kurek, 82, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful imprisonment 2nd and harassment 2nd. Kurek is accused of blocking another person from leaving a room at an apartment building on West Main Street, Batavia, on Oct. 16. She allegedly struck a person with her cane. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Arnold B. Colopy, 67, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Colopy is accused of unlawfully entering an apartment on School Street on Oct. 19. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Kelly Marie Zwolinski, 45, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Zwolinski is accused of damaging the property of another person at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at a location on Broadway Road, Darien. The value of the property is reportedly in excess of $250. He was held pending arraignment.
Harold Phillip Duell, 62, of Perry, is charged with felony DWI, open alcohol container, license restricted, driving on shoulder, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Duell was stopped at 1:24 a.m. on Oct. 28 on Richmond Avenue by Deputy Matthew Wesolowski. He was released on tickets.
Paul William Zeches, 36, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to report a change of address. Zeches was arrested on Oct. 30. He was jailed on the charge.
Nathaniel Ashton Finta, 20, of North Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with assault 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. Finta is accused of burning another person's clothing and of striking that person in the face with an open hand causing an injury. Finta was held pending arraignment.
Impressive efforts were put in by pacer Mirragon A (Shawn McDonough) and trotter Dougadougadew (Kyle Cummings) as they each captured their respective divisions of $13,000 Open Handicaps featured at Batavia Downs on Saturday (November 2) night.
The pacers went first and Mirragon A got away sixth and almost 10 lengths behind as Blazing Light (Kyle Cummings) was leading the way through early quarters of :28 and :57.3. As they moved into turn three, Soul Assassin (Drew Monti) was advancing first-over in the breeze and eventually made his way to second and they rolled past three-quarters.
The field was beginning to bunch in the final bend, but Mirragon A was still last, third-over and parked. At the top of the lane, Blazing Light found himself pacing even with Soul Assassin on his right and Virgil N (Mike Baumeister) on his left. But it was Mirragon A who was five deep in the middle of the track that came flying home to win by 1-½ lengths in 1:55.
It was the eighth win of the year for Mirragon A ($5.40) who is owned by his trainer, Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner and John Manning.
The trot was the following race and Dougadougadew was taken off the gate to fourth as Biscoe (Jim McNeight Jr.) took the field to the quarter in :28.2 before Power And Grace (Brett Macdonald) traded her pocket trip for the lead. Power And Grace trotted to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:27.1 as El Toro Loco (Kevin Cummings) was slowly making up ground on the outside and was second alongside Power And Grace at the top of the stretch. At that same point, Cummings had slipped Dougadougadew off the pylons and into the center of the track where he swelled up and passed the leaders while holding off an equally fast-closing Biscoe by a quarter length to win in 1:57.1, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner.
Dougadougadew ($11.60) hit double digits with the victory and has now scored 10 wins this year for owners Doug and Tyra Ackley and trainer Tammy Cummings.
The meet’s leading driver, Drew Monti, was also the top reinsman on Saturday after he scored a hat trick in the bike. Trainers Mike Deters, Aaron Hall and Darrin Monti all tied as top conditioner for the evening as they each had two wins apiece.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (November 6) with post time at 6 p.m.
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.
Notre Dame won its 100th sectional block on Saturday with a Cross Country championship at Letchworth State Park.
The team received an escort through the city of Batavia by City of Batavia Fire Department.
It was lights, camera, action for Famous Dan on Friday (November 1) night after he muscled his way to the top and then cruised home a winner in the $9,500 featured trot at Batavia Downs.
Kevin Cummings and Famous Dan fought with Arrakis (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Topolino (Dave McNeight III) to the quarter in :28.2 before crossing-over to the lead he would maintain for the remainder of the race. Once in control, Famous Dan trotted to the half in :59.4 and three-quarters in 1:29.3 where he started to pull away from the field. Unchallenged from there, Famous Dan swung around the final bend, entered the top of the lane and found his way home the best by five in 1:58.4.
Famous Dan ($3.00) is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Sam Smith.
There was a major upset in the last race on the card when Bolt Of Beauty (1:58, Kyle Cummings) made a three-quarters, three-wide move to victory at 40-1 and paid $82.50 to win. It also triggered a single unique Jackpot Super Hi-5 combination of 8-9-5-3-1 that returned $2,910.30 for a 20-cent wager.
Dave McNeight III topped all drivers on Friday with three wins while trainers Betty Clegg and John Leggio each won two.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (November 2) with post time at 6 p.m.
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 Kiwanis Club of Batavia will be hosting its annual Free Thanksgiving Morning Community Skate on Thursday, November 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street in Batavia.
Admission and skate rentals are free (while supplies last). There will also be free hot chocolate.
The Kiwanis Club of Batavia is thankful for the local community's support of their fundraisers. It’s through their fundraisers that events such as this can be provided for the children of Batavia and surrounding communities. Please come out and enjoy this free event!
Press Release:
CHAPIN International, Inc. will be featured as the Executive Producer with a $3000 sponsorship in honor of Genesee Cancer Assistance’s Annual Dinner Event.
John Riter, representing the local Merrill Lynch office and Gerace Realty will be noted as co-producers for this red carpet-themed evening Night of Celebration and Hope.
The event will take place in the Park Place Banquet Room at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel on Saturday, November 16.
Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. is proud to acknowledge Chapin International, John Riter/Merrill Lynch, Gerace Realty, Reliant Real Estate, Beverly’s Fowers and Three Little Birds Pediatrics for their support of GCA with 29 years of serving cancer patients in Genesee County.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. with a basket raffle and cash bar. Appetizers at 5 p.m., a buffet dinner served at 6 p.m., and followed with a special program. The ticket price is $35 and includes $25 in free play. Tables can be reserved for parties of 8 or more.
Tickets are presale only and available for purchase until Friday, November 8 by calling the office at (585)345-0417 or online at www.geneseecancerassistance.org. The public is invited to join us!
Press release:
The public will have an opportunity to meet the artists who are participating in the Grateful for Recovery art show that is on display throughout November at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia.
An artists’ reception is scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6.
Presented by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County and UConnectCare, the show is designed to showcase the talents of those in recovery from substance use disorder, mental health and other issues, and to reduce the stigma associated with the recovery community.
It's Legends and Stars Weekend at Batavia Downs, which includes a memorabilia show in the Parks Place Events Center and autograph sessions for several retired sports stars.
The show opened Friday evening and will continue on Saturday.
The new CEO and president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, Byron Brown, was on hand Friday, mingling with guests and vendors. This visit was documented by a video crew, capturing footage for planned future TV commercials promoting Batavia Downs as an event center.
Here's Saturday's autograph session lineup:
For more information and tickets, click here.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Press Release:
On November 7 at 7 p.m., come to the next edition of the Guest Speakers Series and hear Public Historian Michael Block's presentation, "Only One Shout, Then a Terrible Silence!" The fighting along the Rappahannock on November 7, 1863, is lost in the general history of the Civil War. In the annuals of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia, the fighting usually receives a passing reference. The battles of Rappahannock Station and Kelly’s Ford resulted in lost opportunities for both armies. Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for members, please get in contact with the museum if you would like to attend either at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
"This project is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!"
The museum is extending its hours every first Wednesday of the month until 8 p.m.! You will get personal tours from staff and volunteers, meaning you will get a more in-depth history of Batavia and Genesee County! You also may be able to go upstairs, if you are able and want to!
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, November 14 at 7 p.m. In honor of the end of World War I, the topic is the 1910s. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
Press Release:
In honor of Veterans Day, the Holland Land Office Museum (HLOM) and the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter NSDAR are hosting a Veterans Open House on Wednesday, November 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The HLOM and DAR chapter’s appreciation for their service will include special “thank you” gifts for each veteran, waiving their admission fee, and providing refreshments.
The Anna Ingalsbe Lovell chapter members honor our Revolutionary patriots and support current and retired military personnel with donations and programs.
Photos by Howard Owens
Photos by Howard Owens
Press Release:
The Genesee County Master Gardeners are collecting NEW, unwrapped BOOKS for youth, ages infant to 18 years old. The books will be donated to the Batavia Salvation Army for their annual Christmas Angel Tree program.
The gift of a new book delivers a message of hope and instills self-confidence in children. Books enhance a child’s ability to read and communicate effectively.
The Batavia Salvation Army has requested the following needs for books:
- Graphic Novels (Such as Dog Man, Cat Kid, Capt. Underpants, etc.)
- Elementary age books
- Early reader chapter books
- Young adult fiction
- Comic Books
You can drop books off at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension office (420 East Main St., Batavia), Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A collection bin has been set up near the reception area window. Donations of new books can be made through December 4.
The Genesee County Master Gardeners thank you in advance for your support.
Please contact Jan at 585-343-3040 x132 if you have questions.
It's become quite the tradition in Genesee County government departments -- staff members coordinate a theme for Halloween, with each department competing for the best costumes of the day.
We have no word on who won but here are pictures of a few of the departments that joined in this year.
Josephina Varland, a student at St. Paul Lutheran School, got a ride to school on Thursday morning in Batavia Fire's Engine 12.
The ride was Varland's reward for winning CIty Fire's safety coloring contest for her school.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Press Release:
After getting some class and post relief from her last two starts, Won Surreal Deal impressively toured the facility at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (October 30) evening en route to her sixth win of the year in the $12,000 upper-level conditioned pace for fillies and mares.
Kyle Cummings and Won Surreal Deal grabbed the initial lead from their pylon-position start before Louie The Lilac (Kevin Cummings) overtook them at the eighth pole. But Won Surreal Deal didn’t want the trip and re-took control before the :28.1 quarter. From there, Won Surreal Deal got to the half in a measured :57.1 half where Hes Express (Drew Monti) pulled first-over to challenge as they made their way onto the second circuit.
Hes Express drew alongside Louie The Lilac, but second was as far as he got as Won Surreal Deal continued to chug along on the engine and started to separate at three-quarters as Louie The Lilac tried to keep pace, which she did. But she could not make up any ground on Won Surreal Deal as the cruising leader won in-hand by 1-¾ lengths in 1:54 flat.
Won Surreal Deal ($3.50) is owned by Parsimonious Racing Stable and trained by Jeff Sorenson.
Later in the $9,500 conditioned event for fillies and mares, Oaxaca Dream N (Dave McNeight III) took the lead at the quarter from Shooting Brooke (Joe Chindano Jr.), who then sat the trip behind the leader through quarters of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.1. At the top of the stretch, Shooting Brooke pulled the pocket and blasted down the lane, gaining on Oaxacan Dream N with every stride. The race went down to the wire where Oaxacan Dream N hung on by a neck and won in 1:55.4.
It was the ninth win of the year for the heavily-backed Oaxacan Dream N ($2.90) who is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags and trained by Maria Rice.
In the fourth race, 10-year-old Prairie Panther (Drew Monti) finished first in 1:56 and chalked up his 75th career victory for owners Joel Warner and Mike Deters, who also trains the habitual winner.
Brett Beckwith was visiting from The Spa and left as the leading driver on Wednesday after he won three races during the night. Two of those winners were conditioned by Chris Petrelli, who tied Maria Rice for top trainer honors with a double.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (November 1) with post time at 6 p.m. and there will be a carryover of $1,621 in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
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