batavia

The Genesee County representatives for the American Legion Boys State of New York met on Thursday night in Le Roy, before they depart on June 25. 

The American Legion Boys State is a weeklong program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. While at Boys State, they learn the practical aspects of government in New York and participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of counselors and Marines. 

This year, Boys State will be held at SUNY Morrisville.

Bryce Bordonaro, Ryan Driscoll and Thomas Mellon are representing Le Roy; Jacob Brower is representing Waterport; Ethan Fischer, John Kindig, Nathan Loria and Joseph Marchese are representing Batavia; John Igoe is representing Oakfield; Nathan Knickerbocker is representing Byron; and Tyler Wood is representing Corfu.

(Photos by Maria Pericozzi.)

Submitted photo and press release:

Fresh market conventional and organic growers of all levels of expertise are invited to tour research plots and ask questions of Cornell Cooperative Extension experts on early pest management options at the third annual Fresh Market Vegetable Field Day on Monday, June 26.

This exciting full-day event will take place at the Cornell Vegetable Program’s Fresh Market Demonstration Site in Batavia. Additionally, industry representatives will be available to meet with growers to answer questions on their products. DEC credits are available for this field day.

The field day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fresh Market demo site: Partridge's on the Farm Market, 4924 Ellicott Street Road (Route 63), Batavia. Cost is $25 for Cornell Vegetable Program enrollees and $35 for others. Price includes lunch if pre-registered by June 22. The at-the-door price is $35 and includes an information packet, but no guarantee of lunch if you did not pre-register by June 22.

To register online, click here.

For more information contact Darcy Telenko 716-697-4965 or email dep10@cornell.edu

Extension Vegetable Specialists, Darcy Telenko, Judson Reid, Robert Hadad, and Christy Hoepting along with Megan Burley, Extension Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County, will be leading research site tours and answering questions on the following topics:

• Weed Management Tools for Fresh Market Vegetables
• Fresh Market Vegetable Plot Tour
  • Tomato varieties and organic spray programs for disease management
  • Cucumber varieties and organic spray programs for downy mildew
  • Herbicide options in sweet corn
  • Weed management in root crops and zucchini
• GAPS/FSMA Update
• Garlic: Introduction and Tour of the Trials
• Garlic: Q&A about Soil Borne Diseases
• Pest Management in Tomato, Pepper and Eggplant
• New Market Opportunities

Research trials will be on display throughout the day. Darcy Telenko will lead a tour of fresh market vegetable research.

Plots include: demonstration of organic disease management options in tomato and cucumber; sweet corn herbicide trial; pumpkin variety trial for powdery mildew resistance; organic weed management options in both root crops (beets/parsnips) and zucchini. Telenko will discuss how to identify the vegetable diseases in New York, what symptoms we are looking for in the field, and management tools available. The use of disease forecast warning systems (USABlight, Cucurbit Downy Mildew PIPE) will also be discussed. Information will be provided for both conventional and organic growers at all levels of expertise.

Growers will also get to view a sweet corn herbicide trial and observe new herbicide programs in controlling weeds. The major herbicide programs, organic, and mechanical options will be discussed. Topics will also include how to scout after herbicide application to confirm usefulness. Growers will be encouraged to actively participate, and ask questions about the proper use of herbicides in vegetables. Organic weed management options in zucchini and root crops will showcase the peculiarities in regards to weed management the use of a stale-seed bed technique. Growers will be able to view the different weed management tools, look at the economics of utilizing each system, and ask questions.

Robert Hadad will give an update on GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) and FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act).

New this year – a large-scale garlic trial on fusarium management. Christy Hoepting and Robert Hadad will review cultural and organic products available for fusarium management in garlic as growers can view research trials. Hoepting and Hadad will lead a discussion of garlic disease questions, offer management options and answer grower questions on best management practices to reduce soilborne diseases and pests of garlic.

Judson Reid will discuss the major diseases in tomato, pepper and eggplant in New York. Topics to be covered include: scouting – where, how and when; identifying the pests; checking for management issues that may improve or decrease disease control; and control options. Information will be provided for both conventional and organic growers at all levels of expertise.

Megan Burley will discuss how to develop new market opportunities for your farm. The new FreshLab in Batavia will talk about their farm to table initiative, with a possible tour of the new facility.

A key component of this event is the support provided by industry organizations. Contributing organizations including Exhibiting Sponsors – BASF, BioSafe Systems, KeyPlex Biopesticides, NutriAg, Oro Agri; and Participating Sponsors – Artic Refrigeration, Empire Tractor, Seedway, Siegers Seed, Stokes Seeds, along with others are recognized as an integral part of this dynamic event. Industry representatives will be on-site with displays and available to talk about some of their new products.

About Cornell Cooperative Extension - Cornell Vegetable Program

The Cornell Vegetable Program is one of the premier regional agricultural Cornell Cooperative Extension programs in New York, serving a large multi-county region in the western and central part of the state. The team's Vegetable Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the industry. The Cornell Vegetable Program provides educational programs and information to growers, processors and agribusiness professionals, arming them with the knowledge to profitably produce and market safe and healthful vegetable crops, contributing to the viability of farms and the economic wellbeing of New York State. Specifically, our program focuses on food safety, variety evaluation, market development, pest management, and cultural practices.

The Cornell Vegetable Program is supported, in part, by 13 county Cornell Cooperative Extension associations: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.

As part of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, the VA in Batavia hosted a speaker series today featuring three veterans who have been through the trials of PTSD and recovered.

Dr. Caryn Di Landro, head of the PTSD clinic at the Batavia VA, said the people who attended -- members of the community interested in PTSD journeys, veterans in general, veterans receiving service at the clinic and staff working with veterans with PTSD -- were there to learn more about the experiences of those who have suffered from the condition.

The three speakers were Dr. Jessica Goodell, a psychology intern at the clinic, Marine Corps veteran, and author of "Shade It Black: Death and After Iraq"; Nicholas Stefanovic, from the Rochester Treatment Court and Marine Corp veteran; and, Earl Granville, former Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman and veteran of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia.

Granville, in photos, told his own stories and the stories of others about the journey from trauma to finding a new purpose in helping others.

This is an annual event open to all members of the community.

Three people have been charged following investigations by the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Christina Hietala-Johnson, 35, formerly of Batavia, now residing on Alphonse Street in Rochester, has been charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. The charges stem from falsified SNAP(Food Stamp) applications submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Hietala-Johnson in March and August of 2016. She is accused of receiving $2,245 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Hietala-Johnson was issued an appearance ticket by Investigator Chad Minuto of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 22.

Martin Jones, 46, of State Street, Batavia, has been charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The charges stem from falsified medical statements submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services by Jones in February. He was arrested by Deputy Cory Mower of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and was arraigned by Batavia Town Justice Michael Cleveland who ordered him held without bail. He is scheduled to reappear in Town Court on June 26.

Edwin Stancliff, 38, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, has been charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Stancliff’s charges stem from a recertification form he submitted to the Genesee County Department of Social Services in April 2016 on which he failed to report he was receiving income from NYS disability. Stancliff is accused of receiving SNAP and Temporary Assistance benefits totaling $1,933.21 to which he was not entitled. Stancliff was issued an appearance ticket by Deputy Krzemien of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court on June 19.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Investigation Unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.   

Submitted photos and press release:

Families and friends of St. Joseph Catholic School gathered together recently at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph site) to watch Mrs. Case’s Kindergarten Class of 2017 graduate. 

This year’s class of 26 children showcased what they have learned throughout the year by using the alphabet. Each child was assigned a letter and recited a short paragraph about things they have learned, friends they have made, and songs that they loved.

Their knowledge of God and Jesus through the prayers and songs that they sang helped to keep the tears flowing throughout the ceremony.

After a quick awards ceremony, each child was called up one-by-one to receive their Kindergarten Diploma from Mrs. Hardie (Mrs. Case’s teacher aide) and Mrs. Green (St. Joe’s principal). To celebrate this special milestone, everyone was invited over to the cafeteria for cake and juice.

Congratulations to all these hard-working kindergarteners!

An ARC bus is smoking in the area of Central and Pringle avenues and city firefighters are responding.

UPDATE (By Howard): The fire was extinguished and City fire is back in service.

Press release:

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will make a stop at YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards Gala tonight to address the audience and say a few words about the event and YWCA’s mission. The awards ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. in Stuart Steiner Theatre, 1 College Road.

“We are very honored to host Lt. Hochul for a visit at this year’s Women of Distinction Awards Gala,” YWCA Executive Director Jeanne Walton said.

“She will add yet another layer to our prestigious lineup of representatives from the offices of Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Congressman Chris Collins and Genesee County Legislature.”

The event includes award presentations to Krysten Schmidt of Ladies First, Dee Quinn Miller, Western New York Tech Academy, Zonta Club, the Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Lewis Tree Service and Georgann Carrubba of TenCar Inc. An appetizer reception and basket and live auction will follow at 6:30 p.m. in The Forum.

Tickets are $40 each or $350 for a table of 10. For tickets or more information, call (585) 343-5808.

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District has partnered with The Batavia Ramble this year to bring a summer festival to downtown. Anyone interested in being a vendor, the Business Improvement District is still taking applications until next Friday, June 23rd. Contact Beth Kemp at bkemp@downtownbataviany.com or 585.344.0900.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs announced today that skydivers from Western New York Skydiving will deliver and throw the Ceremonial First Pitch on Opening Day, Monday, June 19th.

Prior to throwing out the first pitch, an elite group from Western New York Skydiving will perform an aerial show, including banners and smoke, before landing in centerfield. The jump and demonstration are weather dependent and Western New York Skydiving reserves the right to cancel the event if they feel conditions are unsafe for both the jumpers and spectators.

The game between the Muckdogs and Auburn Doubledays will begin at 7:05 p.m. with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Opening Day tickets, as well as all season tickets and ticket packages, are all on sale now at the Dwyer Stadium box office, on Muckdogs.com or by calling 585-343-5454.

Alexis Hoerner is the winner of the 2017 Paolo Busti Scholarship, which the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation awarded at its annual dinner last night at Terry Hills. Alexis, known as "Lexi," was among five finalists.

She is a student at Batavia High School. She holds an overall GPA of 95 and ranks 19th in a class of 175. Lexi is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Art Honor Society. She has received numerous honors and awards, including a commendation in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition NY 27th District, and the Bob Heischman Award for Excellence in Creativity in Drawing as well as various school awards for outstanding achievement in art, printmaking, portfolio, sculpture, and excellence and creativity in drawing.

Lexi is a member of the BHS varsity swim team and has volunteered with various local community organizations including the Lions Club, YWCA, Crossroads House, and Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She has also served as a BHS Link Leader and with the Art Department Stage Crew at Batavia High School.

Lexi plans to attend Canisius College in the fall where she will continue her studies in Studio Art.

Below, she is pictured with her parents Karen Cutitta and Michael Hoerner.

Today is stormy, but yesterday was a beautiful day and it came with a pretty gorgeous sunset. I stopped on South Main Street Road next to the Tonawanda Creek for this picture.

On Wednesday, residents, first responders and tow-truck companies gathered in the parking lot behind the Falleti Ice Rink for a ceremonial tribute.

The Spirit Ride is a national campaign dedicated to promoting the new move-over laws for first responders and tow trucks, drawing attention to the sacrifices made. A symbolic casket was relayed from one tow truck to another, with a procession following, carrying the casket to Buffalo.

Press release:

Today, the City of Batavia submitted an application for Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), a statewide competition in which each region will select a winner. Batavia was a Finger Lakes Region finalist in 2016.

Agriculture and food production, next-generation manufacturing, entrepreneurship and pathways to prosperity pillars are shared priorities in Batavia that align with the priorities of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Batavia’s application highlights the progressive quality of life policies and further focuses on placemaking and innovation.

“The City Council has been actively engaging our residents over the last few years with planning around the Batavia Opportunity Area, the 2016 DRI process, the 2017 Comprehensive Planning process and other strategic initiatives that the city has completed,” said Eugene Jankowski Jr., City of Batavia, City Council president.

“This type of investment in Batavia will attract investment and boost the entrepreneurial climate, improve environmental quality and create ethnic diversity in order to enhance the City’s central business district.”

The City’s DRI application describes the current conditions of City and identifies the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) as the target area for DRI investment to grow jobs, increase regional wealth, drive private investment and reduce poverty. Local stakeholders defined market-based strategies that place emphasis on:

• Arts, Culture & Entertainment;
• Healthy Living & Wellness; and,
• Prosperity for All.

Batavia’s Downtown is a vibrant and robust area with approximately 2,000 people at work among 220 businesses. It is estimated that 12 million pass through the district on an annual basis. DRI investment will literally build around impending Downtown investments like Savarino Companies’ Ellicott Station. The application further identifies a range of projects that would be catalytic to reviving downtown.

The City of Batavia launched a community campaign earlier this year to cause $100 million additional public-private investment to enhance the City by 2022. Winning the $10 million DRI award would be catalytic and fully leveraged to achieve Batavia’s investment goal.  

Ray Cianfrini, chairman of the Genesee County Legislature, said, “signing the BP2 agreement to redirect PILOT payments into an infrastructure fund for the City of Batavia was a critical policy that County leadership strongly supports. Now that BP2 is off the ground, Batavia is ready for $10 million to revitalize Downtown, attract more residents, businesses and entertainment to enhance the quality of life.”  

Pat Burk, Batavia City School Board president, said, “Our district is working hard to link students with careers in STEM, trades, agriculture and other industries that are growing in the Finger Lakes region, but unfortunately too many of our children are living in poverty and we all must work together to change that.”

Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, “The Governor’s DRI competition provides an amazing opportunity to revitalize the City’s economy. We need to create offerings in the arts, culture and entertainment to attract the creative class to live and work in our urban center.”

Pierluigi Cipollone, president of the Batavia Development Corporation, said, “A $10 million Downtown revitalization grant would drive the economic transformation already taking shape in the City to a new level. DRI also introduces a new approach to celebrate the City’s rich entrepreneurial traditions, cultural appreciation, and the possibility to create more vibrant places.”

Beth Kemp, director of the Downtown Batavia Improvement District, said, “Downtown revitalization impacts not only Downtown, but the community as a whole. Enriching the Downtown with arts and entertainment strengthens the whole community here, both economically and culturally. It's exciting to see all stakeholders see the value of investing strategically and collaboratively in Downtown."

Two dogs are locked in a black Ford Explorer in Row 7 at Walmart with the windows rolled up.

A deputy has been dispatched.

More than a dozen members of local law enforcement carried the Special Olympics torch on a run from Elba to Batavia this morning, starting at the Arc of Genesee Orleans center in Elba to the facility on Walnut Street, with a stop at the Arc Community Center on Woodrow Road.

Press release:

A Family Court petition has been filed against a 15-year-old who was the alleged driver of the gold Ford Taurus which was involved in the motor vehicle / pedestrian accident on Allen Street in Batavia at approximately 3:16 p.m. on May 27. The juvenile will have to appear in Family Court sometime in July. The 32-year-old female victim was treated and released at a local hospital.

Previously: Woman saves son before car strikes her and two dogs

Summer is here. Mini Golf is, too. Terry Hills Miniature Golf Course opens Friday, June 16th! Excitement for all ages as you putt your way over ramps, bridges, dips & other fun obstacles in pursuit of those Hole-In-Ones! Bring Dad this Father’s Day and he plays for FREE (and if you let him win, that’s OK, too).

Make it a day and stop into the restaurant before or after you play for a delicious lunch, dinner or Sunday Brunch! Click here for our menus (Restaurant Hours: Mon-Fri 11-9, Sunday Brunch 10-2). Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton Street Road, Route 33, Batavia, NY. (585) 343-0642