A weekend of art and music kicks off a week from today, Friday, July 5, with an open mic and open art session in Jackson Square.
Then, on Saturday, July 6, the 2024 Ramble Music and Arts Fest will celebrate the music and art of Genesee County and the region.
The events on Friday are hosted by Iburi Photography, Jo David Arts, and GO ART!
Musicians are encouraged to arrive starting at 5:30 for the open mic, which starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Following the open mic, Scotty DiMartino of Esdee Entertainment will close the night with music and a light show.
GO ART! is bringing its "First Friday Open Art Session" to Jackson Square that evening. Artists of all media are invited to bring their latest pieces or start new ones. While tables will be set up for convenience, artists are welcome to bring their easels and create in the open air.
The free event is open to the public.
The Ramble features 26 performers on two stages -- the main (and newly constructed) stage in Jackson Square and on a stage on Jackson Street.
Jackson Street will be closed for the day. It is were attendees can find artists' booths, vendors, and food.
Here is the lineup for the two stages:
Jackson Square Stage
Tom Ryan & Friends, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Lonesome Road. 11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Gumshoe, 12:20 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Driven, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Indigo Flow, 1:40 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Real News, 2:20 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Soulshine Band, 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Prospect, 3:40 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
Bad Sign, 4:20 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
The Rock-A-Bully's, 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Shotgun Pauly, 6:10 p.m. - 6:40 p.m.
Groove, 6:50 p.m. - 7:20 p.m.
Sons Of Luther, 7:30 p.m. - 8:20 p.m.
The Royal Halls, 8:30 p.m. - Close
Jackson Street Stage (On the corner of Jackon St. and School St.)
Growing up in Batavia in the 1950s, you could say my family was middle class. We had a house (or an apartment for two years from '55 to' 57), a car (usually a Pontiac), food to eat, and clothes to wear.
We weren't rich by any means, but we were comfortable. I'm sure my parents worried about money, but my younger brother Dan (later joined by even younger brother Jim in 1958) and I probably didn't give it much thought.
My dad, James senior, was a salesman for Robfogel Paper Supply, based in Rochester. His main clients were restaurants or any business that used napkins, cups, etc. His job involved a lot of driving around Western New York to call on his customers. When he got home at night, he would spend time writing up his “orders” and then calling them in by phone. Summer was more lucrative than winter, as is usually the case with some food services.
My mom, Anna Newhouse Reilly, was a stay-at-home mom when we kids were younger. As we got a little older, she took on a couple of part-time jobs, such as working in the cafeteria at our school, St. Mary's and being a part-time bookkeeper in the evening at The Steak House Restaurant on West Main Street Road. She stayed at home again when Jim was born, but as we all got older, she developed a nice career as an office manager for the North American Automobile Association (a Canadian-based competitor of AAA), then McAlpine Barton Clothiers, and finally for the Dipson Theatre Corporation.
Like most other families, when summer came, we went on vacations. However, due to not having a lot of excess money to spend, ours were limited to going on what my dad might call “on the cheap.” There were no planes or ships involved (unless you count the Staten Island Ferry), and our accommodations were modest at best.
Santa, Salt Water, and Saints The first trip I recall (barely) was when I was about five years old. We took a driving tour through New England and up into Quebec in Canada. I don't think my brother Dan went, as he would have been about two. Possibly my Aunts Kate and Peg babysat him. It was probably 1952. I remember very little about the car ride, but there were no Thruways back then, so it must have been slow going. I think I recall my mom telling the story that I was carsick for a lot of the trip, which must have been great fun for her and Dad. Dramamine for motion sickness was invented in 1949 (too late for World War II seagoers, unfortunately), so we probably stopped at the drugstore.
Being so young, the only three real memories I have of that whole trip were visiting Santa's Workshop in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, driving through the fishing port of Gloucester, Mass., and smelling the sea air and fish and visiting the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre in Quebec.
Little Dave and mom at the “ North Pole” at Santa’s Workshop in the Adirondacks
My Santa's workshop memories have been enhanced by some old 8mm film of the visit that my parents had and that I had converted to DVD. I'm not sure whether that was the only event my parents filmed or the rest just got lost. I got to sit on “Santa's” lap, stood by the “North Pole” with my mom, sat in a sleigh, and petted some sheep. I don't know why Santa had sheep. Maybe to get wool for his suit?
My mom was a newly converted Catholic, so St. Anne's was a must-stop for her. The site is world renowned for the miracles people claim happen to them as they visit. I do remember a large quantity of crutches, canes and braces on display, left by people who attested that they had been cured of their ailments. I wonder if there was an empty Dramamine box left on the pile.
Dad with Dan and Dave at Niagara Falls. Notice Dad is wearing a tie.
The Great Cascade A short excursion was when we took the obligatory day trip to Niagara Falls, probably in 1953. This included a ride on the Maid of The Mist boat, which at that time was still powered by steam engines. You got a rain slicker to wear, and it took you within a couple of hundred yards of the Falls. In 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, preceded us on the trip, and Marilyn Monroe went on the boat the year before us in 1952 while filming the movie “Niagara.” In 1995, I took my kids on it, and several years ago, my favorite music group, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, played Artpark nearby and had a day off, so some of them went on it too.
Gasping and Gherkins A nearby vacation that we took pre-Jim Jr. was renting a cottage for two weeks on Keuka Lake, one of the beautiful Finger Lakes. Our cottage was right down by the water and pretty private as far as not having other close neighbors on either side. For one of the weeks, my dad continued to work during the day as businesses near there were on his sales route. We did a lot of swimming, catching frogs, and generally being outdoors. Since we are very fair-skinned of Scandinavian and Irish heritage, my mom had to be very careful about us getting sunburned, though.
As usual, I tend to remember the odd or bad things that happened back then rather than the better things. There was a culvert by our cottage at the bottom of a hill. Its purpose was to carry run-off rainwater into the lake in the event of heavy rain. Across this conduit, someone had placed a large log. Naturally, my brother Dan dared me to walk across it. You can't refuse a dare from your little brother, so on the log, I went. About halfway across I slipped and somehow fell sideways so that when I landed the log went right into my abdomen. I had seen many football players on TV get “the wind knocked out of them,” but never had any idea what it felt like. I literally couldn't breathe. Dan hollered at the top of his voice for Mom, and she came running like she was trying out for the Olympics. She extricated me from the log and, through her calming voice and some massaging, got my breath back again. She got me into the cottage, and that was the end of my adventures that day. My stomach and rib area were pretty sore for a couple of days, and for the rest of our time there, I stuck to using a little bridge while staying far away from that log.
A humorous thing I recall is sneaking some little gherkin pickles out of the jar just before bed. I must have fallen asleep with one in my mouth because I woke up in the morning with one all shriveled up inside my cheek. I guess you could say I found myself in a pickle. Or, more accurately, I found a pickle in myself. I don't know if I ever told mom about that one.
Capers On The Cape The following year, we went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with two other families, the mothers of whom were long-time friends of my mother. My Uncle Walt, my mom's younger brother, had married a woman who grew up in a family of fishermen in Provincetown, on the northern tip of “The Cape.” This only increased my mother's love for that area, which she had developed on trips there when she was younger.
Our Cape Cod vacation was not elegant, though. The three families rented a large apartment above a garage in the rear of someone's house. This space was shared by six adults and probably an equal amount of children. I suppose the Kennedys could have found some space for us at their compound, but they were busy running or getting ready to run the country. We did go to Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, which the Kennedys often attended, but I don't think we spotted one of them.
Dan and Dave at a Cape Cod beach
Dad Reilly recovering from sunburn
We went to the beach almost every day, and my mom must have spent so much time protecting Dan and me from sunburn that she forgot about my dad. He got a really bad roasting, which kept him in pain for several days. I think he and the other two dads went out on an ocean fishing charter one day, but we kids didn't brave the seas. Of course, one day was devoted to the obligatory trip to Provincetown, but my only recollection of that visit was picking up a huge lobster out of a tank of salt water.
It wouldn't be me without one bad memory, and mine is of going to a park and getting spun around on one of those mini merry-go-rounds, which resulted in projectile vomiting. Are you picking up a pattern here? My whole life, I have been averse to anything that spins. When I was little, I couldn't even go on a regular merry-go-round without getting sick. How embarrassing is that?
Amusement parks were and still are not fun for me. Crystal Beach in Canada, Boulder Amusement Park, Roseland in Canandaigua – we went to all of them, but I was pretty limited as to what I could do. Bummer, as we said in the '60s. How bad is this? I would get queasy on the swings!
The Boardwalk and the Big Apple My mom loved the ocean, so the next summer, we went to New Jersey. Not Cape May, which is a big beach vacation spot, but a small borough called Manasquan, which is just south of Asbury Park. I guess we were a little poorer than I thought because, once again, we stayed in an apartment over a garage, this time just our family of four. We were right across the street from the boardwalk and the ocean, though, so that was nice. We had to swim carefully because the New Jersey coast is notorious for its undertow. Right around the corner was a miniature golf course, and brother Dan and I went there at least once a day.
Most likely, one of the reasons my parents chose that vacation location was my maternal grandmother was living nearby in Spring Lake, New Jersey. After my grandfather died in 1952 at age 61, she got remarried to a widower she had known along with his late wife when living in Brooklyn as a young woman. He was a tugboat captain in New York Harbor and was not home much, so she took a job in Spring Lake as a live-in maid. One of the days, my dad went on another ocean fishing charter, and mom and we kids went to Gramma's house and then took a train to New York City.
Automat, source Wikipedia
The part of the train ride I remember is going by the Brooklyn Navy Yard and seeing all the big ships. I also recall going on the Staten Island Ferry, so we must have gotten off and back on the train for that. Once we got to downtown New York City, we were hungry, so we went to an automat for lunch. A popular one was called Horn and Hardart. They were like a vending machine restaurant. If you have ever read the children's book “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,“ which I used to read with my class as a teacher, one of them is featured. The food was behind a small door. You inserted your money and took out your serving. The rise of fast food places like McDonald's killed automats off, but apparently, they are making a small comeback.
Empire State Building photo from Wikipedia
We also went to the top of the Empire State Building, which at that time was the world”s tallest building. I had probably only ever been in an elevator a couple of times in my young life (maybe St. Jerome's Hospital or C. L. Carr's Department Store ), but certainly not one that went up 102 floors. I have always been afraid of heights, so I'm pretty sure when we went out on the observation deck, I looked outward while keeping my back firmly against the rear wall. I know I did the same thing in the '70s when we went to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago (it was cloudy, and you couldn't see anything anyway) and the '90s when I ascended to the zenith of the CN Tower in Toronto. They have a see-through panel as the floor that you can stand on and look down, but there was no way I was doing that.
In the late 1950s, my dad left his job at the paper goods company and became a salesman for an oil refinery corporation based in Texas. His clients were now big equipment and construction businesses, and to put it bluntly, he didn't do very well. As a result, we didn't even have the finances to go on small vacations for a while, and I think that was what led my mom to go back to work. I guess Godfrey's Pond was our “vacation” spot for a while.
Later, in the 1970s, my parents and my youngest brother Jim took some vacations, such as visiting Nova Scotia. In the '80s, Mom and Dad enjoyed going to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and even spent Thanksgiving there once.
In the late 80s, Mom joined an elder traveling group and went to the Grand Canyon and even China. Just her luck, the trip was during the Beijing uprising, and she was there during the Tiananmen incident between students and soldiers. Unfortunately, her trip was cut short due to the danger.
So, were our 1950s vacations on a minor scale? Yes, but when you look back on it, we had fun and were certainly better off than some others who didn't get to go anywhere. Like everything else, it's all a matter of perspective. By the way, I have never been to Disney World, and my kids didn't get taken there either. Nothing against “The Magic Kingdom.” People love it. We were more the "rent a cottage in the Adirondacks" people. Whatever floats your boat – literally.
165 students from Genesee Community College named to President's List.
Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
218 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost's List.
Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
Buffalo State University is pleased to recognize the following students who have been named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List.
In general, students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Buffalo State dean's list. Full criteria and grade-type exceptions can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The following local students were named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List:
Noah Pickard of Batavia, was one of 257 students who earned Provost's List honors for the spring 2024 semester. Pickard is studying Dietetics at SUNY Oneonta.
To qualify for the Provost's List, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.
Track and Field Coach Nick Burk and multi-sports star Anna Varland Photo by Howard Owens.
Burk and state wrestling champion Casper Stewart. Photo by Howard Owens.
Anna Varland and Casper Stewart were honored on Wednesday evening at the Athletes of the Year by the Batavia Coaches Association at Batavia High School's annual Athletic Awards program.
Varland was a standout in soccer, flag football, basketball and softball.
Stewart won the school's first-ever state championship in wrestling and has been accepted into West Point.
Athletic Director Ryan Winchip provided the following list of awards and winners:
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Outstanding Achievement Award: This award is presented to student-athletes who won an individual sectional championship, competed at states as an individual or were an all-greater Rochester selection.
Ava Anderson Indoor Track & Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track & Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Jadyn Boyce Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Mallory Boyce Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Kylee Brennan Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Mekhi Fortes All-Greater Rochester - Football
Grant Gahagan Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cameron Garofalo Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cole Grazioplene All-Greater Rochester - Football; Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Jenna Higgins Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cooper Konieczny Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champ; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Jameson Motyka All-Greater Rochester - Ice Hockey
Adyson O'Donnell Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Parris Price Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Radley Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Campbell Riley All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Izzy Scott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Shamp Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Sheldon Siverling All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor; Outdoor Track and Field State Champion - Shot put
Madeline Smith Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; All Greater Rochester - Outdoor Track and Field; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Harrison Southall Swimming and Diving Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Helaina Staley Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Casper Stewart Sectional Champion and Wrestling State Champion 145 pound weight class
Jessa Stewart States - Outdoor Track and Field
Nevaeh Thomas States - Outdoor Track and field
Anna Varland Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Isaac Varland Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Karizma Wescott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Ava Wierda Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
The James Pacino Memorial Scholarship Recognizing a graduating senior from Batavia High School carrying a minimal final average of 85 and who has had successful involvement with the Wrestling program at BHS. ($500 & certificate)
Casper Stewart
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Track and Community Service: This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the track program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Donavin Solis
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Football and Community Service This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the football program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Brock Warren
Thomas Ricci Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate who, in the estimation of the nominating committee, best exemplifies the attributes of Coach Thomas J. Ricci, Sr., insofar as sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and dedication to excellence in the sports of cross country and track and field. The recipient may not necessarily be the best athlete, but will have worked hard to improve and succeed. The recipient must have a clear goal for the future. ($500 & certificate)
Jadyn Boyce
Daniel VanDetta Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate participating in football and baseball and exemplifies qualities of dedication, leadership and team spirit ($200 & certificate)
Mekhi Fortes
Outstanding Physical Education Student Award This award is presented to one male and one female student from the senior class who demonstrates 100% effort all of the time, who demonstrates sportsmanship, understands the value of being active, is a leader in their environment and maintains an A average in Physical Education. These students are also active in the community through community service and/or club participation. (Certificate)
Male – Hunter Mileham
Female – Prudence Favaloro
United States Air Force Scholar Athlete This award is presented to one male and one female student who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Quintin Cummings
Female – Grace Parker
United States Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete: This award is presented to a senior girl and boy who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Owen Halpin
Female – Julia Preston
United States Navy Outstanding Athlete Award This award is presented to male and female varsity-level athletes who demonstrate honor, courage, and commitment and are positive role models within their peer groups. Award recipients are the most inspirational and demonstrate these values both on and off the athletic field. (Certificate)
Male – Harrison Southall
Female – Giana Mruczek
United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: This award is given to a male and female 9th-12th grade student-athlete who participates in a varsity sport, are exemplary young citizens and role models for younger students, and best exhibit the personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence and leadership. They need not be your most outstanding athlete, but one who has exhibited this unique combination of qualities while performing in high school sports.
Male – Noah Whitcombe
Female –Lily Jo Wagner
Varsity Club Award: This award is in recognition of Batavia High School senior athletes who have demonstrated a high level of athletic proficiency, sportsmanship and dedication. Please hold your applause until all recipients have been called. (Certificate)
Ethan Bradley, Josh Budzinack, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Julia Clark, Dane Dombrowski, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Orion Lama, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Parris Price, Emmanuel Richardson, Anna Stevens, Quinn Woeller
The Maddy Bartz Memorial Cheer Scholarship This award is given to a graduating Varsity Cheerleader who best represents a passion for cheerleading and an exemplary care and dedication to fellow teammates. ($500 & plaque)
Sophia Antonucci
Jason “Joy-a” Gioia Memorial Scholarship This award is given in memory of Jason Gioia. The recipient has been active and shown dedication to school activities and the community. ($500 & certificate)
Cole Grazioplene
Dr. Pierce Sportsmanship Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior student athlete who in the opinion of coaches best exemplifies the true spirit of good sportsmanship in competition. (plaque)
Male–Patrick Suozzi
Female – Sophia Moore
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Scholar-Athlete Award: This award is presented to a senior boy and girl who has a 90 or above cumulative average, participates in one or more sports and who values outstanding achievement in academics and athletics. (plaque)
Male - Nick Martinucci
Female – Aleeza Idrees
Batavia Lions Club Athletic Award This award is presented to a deserving senior who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, citizenship and scholastic ability – (certificate)
Isabella Walsh
Project Play WNY Multisport Athletic Award This award is given to a male and female senior who has demonstrated a commitment to their teams through a willingness to help, teach and assist their teammates and coaches and served as a positive and relatable role model through positive sportsmanship and great attitude on and off the court or field. Succeeded in the classroom by maintaining academic eligibility throughout their high school career. Made a positive difference to the lives of youth at their school or in the wider community. Showed resilience and determination during challenging situations. (Certificate)
Male – Ben Stone
Female – Kaelee Kelso
1947 Club Athletics Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior demonstrating outstanding participation, effort and ability in interscholastic athletics. (plaques)
Male – Cole Grazioplene
Female - Ella Radley
Awards of Excellence: Presented to seniors who have participated in a sport for the Fall, Winter and Spring sports seasons during the course of their senior school year. Plaque
Jadyn Boyce, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Mekhi Fortes, Cole Grazioplene, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Kaelee Kelso, Nicholas Martinucci, Sophia Moore, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Julia Preston, Parris Price, Ella Radley, Emmanuel Richardson, Donavin Solis, Benjamin Stone, Patrick Suozzi, Anna Varland, Isabella Walsh, Brock Warren, Noah Whitcombe
Batavia Coaches Association Athlete of the Year To a senior girl and boy for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance. (Plaque and $50 from Coaches Association)
Male – Casper Stewart
Female – Anna Varland
Aleeza Idrees, Scholar-Athlete of the Year Photo by Howard Owens.
Isabella Walsh, Lions Club Award Photo by Howard Owens.
Cole Grazioplene, "47" Club Outstanding Athlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ella Radley, "47" Club Outstanding AThlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ryan Cox Photo by Howard Owens.
Tymothey Murrell, who was just accepted into the wrestling program at SUNY Cortland. Photo by Howard Owens.
Tom and Marci Redband invite young athletes to hone their basketball skills this summer at the annual Redband Basketball Camps. The camps, known for their focus on offensive skills development, will offer separate sessions for girls and youth at two Batavia locations.
The Redband Girls Basketball Camp welcomes incoming 7th to 12th grade girls to Batavia Middle School on July 9-11 and 16-18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Participants will receive specialized training in guard and forward positions, shooting techniques, ball handling, and competitive gameplay.
For Redband Youth Basketball Camp, open to boys and girls entering 3rd to 8th grade (7th and 8th grade girls as an alternative to the older camp), sessions will be held at Batavia High School on July 9-11 and 16-18, from and will run from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The program emphasizes fundamental offensive skills, including dribbling, shooting, and passing drills, as well as structured gameplay scenarios.
Participants are encouraged to register early as space is limited.
To sign up for either camp, email player information to Tom Redband at tredband@gmail.com. For additional details, including a preview, visit Redband Basketball on YouTube and Facebook.
A financial game of tag (you're it) between city union and nonunion employees now means another raise for the nonunion sector as a way to catch up, according to City Manager Rachael Tabelski.
This past year’s budget included 2.5 percent nonunion raises, up to $8,000 from initial salary figures in 2022-23 for positions including assistant manager, police and fire chief, public works and Human Resources directors.
Negotiations this year reaped a 3.5 percent raise for union employees, which prompted Tabelski to request another 1 percent raise for nonunion employees.
“As part of an ongoing dialogue with council we've talked about the wage compression we see at the top levels of the union, sergeants, detective sergeants, captains, and the non-union counterparts, which are your department heads, you're seeing here today,” Tabelski said during Monday’s conference meeting at City Hall. “We're trying to work on that issue. And as part of doing that council said they would entertain looking at ensuring that nonunion has the same monetary percentage raise every year as the highest non-union contract to keep that wage compression instead of going like this at a stable level.
"The goal is that we do hope internally that we can attract candidates from inside our departments moving forward. So this year, the nonunion this year, fiscal year 24-25, was awarded a 2.5% rate,” she said. “However, after the contract settled on April 1, the highest raise was 3.5%. So I'm asking for the additional 1% for the nonunion staff, as well as a floating holiday which would bring their holidays to 13 and a half in the near future.”
City Council agreed to bring the request of an additional 1% raise and a floating holiday for nonunion employees to vote at a future business meeting.
On Thursday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Veterans Benefits Advisor will be at the Genesee Country Farmers Market. Distribution of the 2024 Farmers Market coupons will be available for Veterans.
Genesee Office for the Aging will be at the Genesee Country Farmers Market each Friday in July (5, 12, 19 and 26) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. distributing 2024 Farmers Market Coupons. Qualified seniors must be at least 60 years old and earn no more than $2322 a month for 1 person or $3152 a month for 2 people.
The market is now located in the parking lot across from O'Lacys on School Street between Center and Jackson Streets.
Rochester Institute of Technology conferred nearly 4,500 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2023-2024 academic year.
RIT's academic convocation celebration was held in May and featured remarks by Patricia "Pattie" Moore, a distinguished designer and trailblazing alumna of the class of 1974.
The following local residents received degrees:
Alec Wagner of Batavia received a BS in electrical engineering technology.
Taylor Schofield of Pavilion received a BS in biomedical engineering and MS in science, technology, and public policy.
Isaac Ladley of Byron received a BS in supply chain management.
Lily Mercovich of Bergen received a BFA in film and animation.
Tanner Richardson of Batavia received a BS in electrical engineering.
James Wong of Batavia received an MBA in business administration-executive.
Jake Humes of Batavia received a BS in the individualized program.
Lexi Begin of Corfu received a BS in communication.
Derek Emrich of Bergen received a BS in biochemistry.
The phones at Richmond Memorial Library are currently down. The issue is being worked on, and we apologize for any inconvenience. We are open our normal hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Access your account and more at batavialibrary.org!
File Photo of the Brisbane Mansion, home to the city of Batavia's police department at 10 W. Main St., Batavia.
As city management and the Batavia Development Corp. pursue ways to attract developers to take over Brisbane Mansion, which now houses the police department, at least one City Councilman sees another option.
And Councilman Al McGinnis made that known during Monday’s conference session. He referred to a prior time after taking a serious walk-through of the property.
City Councilman Al McGinnis
“We talked about back then the boutique hotel, a law firm, and apartments, and it simply wasn’t available. The Brisbane Mansion is old, that’s its only function. There was never any famous authors out of there, there was never any books written about it. No treaty was signed there. No famous or infamous people, no historical point at all,” McGinnis said at City Hall. “The one thing that we have to do in City Council is we’re stewards of the taxpayers’ money. At some point, we need to listen to the taxpayer, ask them: do you want to spend any money on the Brisbane? We could make a fortune on the land; the building itself is a wreck. We need to think about what are we going to do as City Council for the value of our citizens. Because guaranteed, they’re gonna say well, now we want a PILOT program, we want a tax break, we don’t want that.”
As a point of correction, there have been pieces of history written by the late City Historian Larry Barnes about the Brisbanes and the piece of property at 10 W. Main St. that was built in 1853, including a play scripted by Derek Maxfield and Barnes.
The city landmark is listed by the Historic Preservation Commission and formerly served as City Hall from 1918 to 2004 after being the home of George and Sarah Brisbane. Their son Albert was a nationally known author in the 1800s, and his son, Arthur, who worked primarily for William Randolph Hearst, was one of the nation's leading newspaper editors in the later part of the 19th Century. He is buried in the Historic Batavia Cemetery.
City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. wanted to clarify that, no matter what the city opts to do with the building, “I would never vote to knock it down.”
“I’m sorry, I just can't. It's too historical. It was on some of our police letterhead at one point," he said. "So I think that a private entity could do whatever they want. I don't think at this point we were gonna fix it up. I think we're gonna do an RFP, is that right?”
City Manager Rachael Tabelski confirmed that, yes, she thought the council had given direction for the site to be put out for a request for a proposal once the police department had vacated the building. Jankowski agreed while McGinnis emphasized that “we need to find out from the public if they want to proceed with this or not.”
City Council President Eugene Jankowski
“The only feedback I had when we were talking about this was to let it go out to the private sector. Let it be refurbished into something. The engine house was in worse condition, and it’s still here. St. James rectory was basically falling in, and that’s still here. So with the right person and tender loving care, the building has a purpose,” Jankowski said. “And I think we should RFP it out and let someone else tell us what vision they have to preserve the building and go from there.
"I mean, we're not even at that point that there might be somebody waiting in the wings for us to make that opening and jump on it (Tabelski added that multiple developers have expressed interest). So there you go," he said. "So I don't think we're going to spend any taxpayer money; we're just going to be opening up the opportunity for the person who gets that to maybe get an opportunity to get some historical grants and things.”
Director of Economic Development Tammy Hathaway said that she and city management are in progress with pursuing consolidated grant funding to prepare for when the police department vacates the premises to its new headquarters downtown. A new police facility is being built at the corner of Alva Place and Bank Street.
Director of Economic Development Tammy Hathaway
“The role of the BDC is really to support the city in its efforts to get it out to RFP and be prepared so that when the police department does vacate that building … we can shrink up the amount of time that the city retains ownership of that building afterward. That's absolutely what we want to do. So in our efforts to make sure that we're prepared to help and support the city and get it out of their ownership, that's definitely what our plans are,” Hathaway said Tuesday morning. “It’s not our intention to spend any money towards it. Rachael said 85 percent of the RFP is already complete, so it's ready. We've had conversations, cursory conversations with developers, as we always do, about what underutilized buildings and sites we have throughout the city so that we're always prepared. And after having exhausted a technical grant from HCR last year to have a reuse analysis completed — we did that with the idea of what is the best use for this — how do we promote this to developers?”
In-site Architecture analyzed and recommended market rate housing and/or a boutique hotel as the best use for the property. The city’s prospective grants would be to prepare for the redevelopment and renovations to the mansion, with a required match to come from the project developer after submitting a successful request for proposal.
“Ever since I got hired, it was the intent to support the city in making sure that they’re putting that building back on the tax rolls as quickly as possible,” Hathaway said. “After the police department exits, but then it comes down to a developer too, and when they go through it, there really should be no reason, honestly, that it wouldn’t qualify for historic tax credits.”
The Regional Economic Development Council Initiative is offering capital improvement grants for pro-housing communities for 2024, and the city of Batavia is an eligible applicant.
City Council supported the application, including investing grant funds into Main St. 56 Theater property roof repairs and mall fund reserves.
Remote video URL
Brothers at Odds: The Brisbane Story, written by GCC history professor Derek Maxfield and based on Larry Barnes's book The Brisbanes of Batavia, tells the story of why the Brisbane Mansion as an important historical building not only in Batavia but also for the nation.
YWCA of Genesee County is excited to announce a $50,000 grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to add Crisis Counseling Services for Genesee County.
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York.
Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
"Case Managers at the YWCA already offer intensive support, safe temporary shelter, 24 crisis hotline services, court advocacy, information and referral, support groups and safety and transitional planning for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking. This new, full-time crisis counselor position will provide more therapeutic services, complementing the services, complimenting the work we are already doing and adding a much needed piece of continued healing and support for the people we assist," says Jamie Rada, Executive Director.
For more information on the YWCA of Genesee County Crisis Counselor Position please visit www.ywcagenesee.org or contact the YWCA at 585-343-5808 or info@ywcagenesee.org.
Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday, June 26 from approximately 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Please be advised that flushing may cause some discoloration of water. This does not represent a health hazard. However, citizens are cautioned to determine if the water is clear before washing clothes (or any other processing) as staining may occur. If you experience discolored water run the cold water in all your faucets for approximately 5-10 minutes.
Premier Genesee regrets any temporary inconvenience you may experience however, the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for our community. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
As part of The Salvation Army of Batavia’s Christmas in July celebration, several events are planned throughout the summer to highlight and benefit The Salvation Army’s programs and services in Genesee County.
These events include a Red Kettle Christmas in July fundraiser, Salvation Army night at a Batavia Muckdogs game on July 20, a chicken barbeque in August, back-to-school supply and hygiene product donation drives, and more.
“We have seen a steady increase in families and individuals coming to The Salvation Army for assistance as the cost of living continues to have the biggest impact on those already struggling,” said Captain Bradley Moore of The Salvation Army of Batavia. “With so many new community members coming to us for help, our dollars are being stretched thin.”
Throughout the year, The Salvation Army of Batavia helps more than 10,314 families and individuals through its food pantry, emergency assistance program, Christmas and toy assistance programs, and youth and senior programs.
“Donations from these summer events stay in our community and will help us to continue our vital programs and services throughout the year to help those most in need in Batavia and Genesee County,” Captain Moore added.
Donations to The Salvation Army of Batavia can be made at any of these upcoming events. Online donations can be made by texting TSABatavia to 31333 or by visiting https://give.salvationarmy.org/Batavia2024. Cash or checks can be dropped off, or mailed to, The Salvation Army of Batavia, 529 East Main Street, Batavia.
The Batavia City School District is proud to acknowledge the Batavia High School students who received awards and recognition at our recent 2023-2024 BHS Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 13, at the Frank E. Owen Auditorium at Batavia High School.
"I am incredibly proud to congratulate our BHS students on their outstanding achievements this year," said BHS Principal Jennifer Wesp. “Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly paid off, and it is an honor to see them recognized. To our seniors, the Class of 2024 - you have reached a significant milestone, and we hope these achievements serve as a catalyst for your future success. Congratulations again to all our students!"
101 students were honored at the event, with our seniors receiving a combined $83,725 in monetary awards and scholarships. Members of the junior and sophomore classes were also recognized with non-monetary awards.
The honorees included:
Elijah Abdella, Senior
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
US Air Force Math & Science Award
Zoey Arroyo, Senior
Kelly Deneka Memorial Scholarship
Alan Audelo, Senior
Adelaide R. Kenny Award
Andrew Beal, Senior
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Eleanor Treiber Arts Award
Glenn S. Loomis Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Emma Bigsby, Senior
American History Award
Dr. Edith Ryan-Catherine Long Memorial Award
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
GCC Advanced Studies: Semifinalist for the Outstanding Scholar Award for Excellence in World Language
John M. Secord Jr. Memorial Award
NYS Academic Excellence
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Walter Delbridge Memorial Award
Lilyana Burke, Senior
Class of 2020 Award
Community All Stars
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Philip Reake Memorial Award
Student Government Award
Ayden Carlson, Senior
Eleanor Treiber Arts Award
Julia Clark, Senior
Dominic F. Valle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
GCC Advanced Studies: Outstanding Scholar Award for Excellence in Social Science
Rob O'Geen Memorial Art Award
Cassidy Crawford, Senior
Batavia Rotary Presidential Scholarship Finalist
Eleanor Treiber Arts Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
US Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award
Matthew Doeringer, Senior
AP Science Award
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Frank Innes Memorial Award
Kenneth Hay Memorial Scholarship
NYS Academic Excellence
Quincy Jones Musicianship Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Cassie Ernst, Senior
James R. Owen Memorial Scholarship
Prudence Favaloro, Senior
ATOP Scholarship
Kelly Deneka Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Fazio, Senior
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Batavia Lions Club Scholarship
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Glenn S. Loomis Scholarship
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Seamus Fisher, Senior
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Carolynn Flint, Senior
Eleanor Treiber Arts Award
Mekhi Fortes, Senior
Frank Innes Memorial Award
Leilani Maria Frias, Senior
Community Diversity & Inclusion All-Star
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Triple "C" Award
Sophie Fryer, Senior
Batavia Music Boosters Winterguard Award
Abrianna Gabriel, Senior
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award
Addison Glynn, Senior
Batavia Music Boosters Annual Award
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Owen Halpin, Senior
Michael R. Houseknect Memorial Scholarship
Lillian Horgan, Senior
Burk Family Scholarship for Trade Education
Aleeza Idrees, Senior
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Genesee County Medical Association Award
Kiwanis Richard Rung Citizenship Award
NYS Academic Excellence
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Ayla Kelsey, Senior
Class of 1986, Michael A. Tenebruso Memorial Award
Kaelee Kelso, Senior
Batavia Music Boosters Annual Award
Alex Kingston, Senior
Knights of Pythias Achievement Award
Orion Lama, Senior
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Nicholas Martinucci, Senior
American History Award
Batavia Lions Club Scholarship
Batavia Rotary Presidential Scholarship Finalist
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
John M. Secord Jr. Memorial Award
Mary Delbridge Memorial Citizenship Award
NYS Academic Excellence
Semper Fidelis Marine Corp Music Award
Student Government Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Kirstin Mattice, Senior
Batavia Teacher's Association Scholarship
Roger Medley, Polish Falcons Scholarship
Freya Mellander, Senior
Batavia Winterguard Scholarship
John Philip Sousa Bank Award
Natalie Walker Owen Foreign Language Scholarship
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Eli Michalak, Senior
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award
Sophia Minuto, Senior
Batavia Lions Club Art Roth Award
Batavia Rotary Club Memorial Presidential Scholarship
Class of 1965 Freedom Award
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
GCC Advanced Studies: Semifinalist for the Outstanding Scholar Award for Excellence in English
Student Government Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Sophia Moore, Senior
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Giana Mruczek, Senior
GCC Advanced Studies: Semifinalist for the Outstanding Scholar Award for Excellence in Social Science
Julie Grazioplene-Hahn Memorial Scholarship
Roger Medley, Polish Falcons Scholarship
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
US Navy Inspirational Leadership Award
Michael Nardone, Senior
Angelo J. Branciforte Scholarship Award
Brennen Pedersen, Senior
Ann Robertson Memorial Scholarship
Julia Preston, Senior
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Genesee County Medical Association Award
Vietnam Veterans of America, Dana Fry Scholarship
Parris Price, Senior
Community Wellness All-Star
Frank Innes Memorial Award
Student Government Award
Cyaundra Quezada, Senior
Burk Family Scholarship for Arts
The Korzelius Scholarship
Liliana Showler, Senior
NYS Comptroller Achievement Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Donavin Solis, Senior
AP Chemistry Achievement Award
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
US Air Force Math & Science Award
Harrison Southall, Senior
Dean Richmond Award
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Ben Sputore, Senior
Frank Innes Memorial Award
Anna Stevens, Senior
GCC Advanced Studies: Semifinalist for the Outstanding Scholar Award for Excellence in Social Science
Tori Swinarski, Senior
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Anna Varland, Senior
Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club Scholarship
Batavia Rotary Presidential Scholarship Finalist
Burk Family Scholarship - Dorothy Alice Pratt Memorial Award
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Esther VanDetta Memorial Scholarship
Kay Dean Memorial Scholarship
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Lily Wagner, Senior
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Walter Delbridge Memorial Award
Isabella Walsh, Senior
Batavia Rotary Presidential Scholarship Finalist
Dr. Paul Stomper Science Pin
Robert Hunt Memorial Scholarship
Sports Medicine Award
Katelyn Witherow, Senior
Frank E. Owen Music Educator Award
Peyton Woeller, Senior
NYS Academic Excellence
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
Triple "C" Award
Quinn Woeller, Senior
Summa Cum Laude-Presidential Outstanding Academic Award
US Navy Outstanding Scholar Award
Ava Anderson, Junior
John M. Secord Jr. Memorial Medal in Mathematics (Silver)
Notre Dame Club of Rochester Junior of the Year Nominee
RIT Humanities & Social Sciences Award
Social Studies Achievement Award
Cameron Baiocco, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Makayla Balonek, Junior
Alfred University Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering Award
Madeline Bellamy, Junior
University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award
Abigail Bestine, Junior
Alfred University "Outside of Ordinary" Scholars Award
Aubrey Bisher, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Allison Bisnett, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Kylee Brennan, Junior
Elmira College Key Award
Lila Callan, Junior
RIT Women in STEM Award
Jeremiah Childs, Junior
RIT Business & Leadership Award
Allison Debo, Junior
RIT Art & Design Award
Maddison Dennis, Junior
Student Sage Award
Nicole Doeringer, Junior
RIT Science & Math Award
Lillian Emerson, Junior
University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award
Kahler Evans, Junior
AP Chemistry Achievement Award
Clarkson University HS Achievement Award
Will Fulton, Junior
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Program
Grant Gahagan, Junior
Alfred State - Pioneer Leaders Award - 4 yr degree
Cameron Garofalo, Junior
AP Chemistry Achievement Award
LeMoyne College Heights Award
Sam Grillo, Junior
AP Chemistry Achievement Award
RIT Computing Award
Faith Guiste, Junior
Marist College Greystone Technology Award
Ava Higgins, Junior
Elmira College Key Award
Kelsey Kirkwood, Junior
University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award
Abbigayle Leone, Junior
Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award
Nathan Michael, Junior
Harvard Prize Book
Alexandra Morrill, Junior
University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology
Jameson Motyka, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Madeline Ohlson, Junior
Outstanding Artist of the Year Award
Mia Pellegrino, Junior
LeMoyne College Heights Award
Jake Phillips, Junior
St. Lawrence Book Award
Makenzie Rich, Junior
Lulu Westbrook Griffin/Frances Willard Award
Kayla Richenberg, Junior
Student Sage Award
Campbell Riley, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Isabelle Scott, Junior
Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award
Bridget Taggart, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Trevor Tryon, Junior
Clarkson University HS Leadership Award
Alyssa Turner, Junior
Alfred State - Pioneer Leaders Award - 2 yr degree
Madilyn Underhill, Junior
Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award
Payton Vickery, Junior
Chatham University's Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award
Matthew Wittmeyer, Junior
St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship Award
Allyson Wormley, Junior
Keuka College George H. Ball Community Achievement Award
Aaden Calletto, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Drew Stevens, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Dominic Southall, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Helaina Staley, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Ava Darling, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Gretchen Redder, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Landon Hamilton, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Ben Chen, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Anthony LeCointe-Naegely, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
Isaac Varland, Sophomore
Chemistry Achievement Award
The Batavia High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m., at VanDetta Stadium.
Louvan S. "Ty" Norman, 38, of Treyer Street, Rochester, is charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Norman was arrested on a sealed indictment warrant on May 29 following an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force. Norman is accused of selling quantities of crack cocaine to agents of the task on four separate occasions while in the city of Batavia. He was arraigned in County Court and released under supervision.
Nathaniel L. Beglinger, 32, of Peaviner Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Beglinger was arrested on May 21 on a sealed indictment warrant stemming from an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force. Beglinger is accused of selling quantities of crack cocaine in Alexander to agents of the task force. He was arraigned in County Court and released on his own recognizance.
Kyle J. Stack, 38, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Stack was arrested on June 21 on a seal indictment warrant at his place of employment. Stack is accused of selling quantities of crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in the city of Batavia. He was arraigned in County Court and released on his own recognizance.
Andre D. Coley, 32, of South Platt Street, Albion, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Coley was arrested on May 23 on a sealed indictment warrant upon his release from custody in the Orleans County Jail on unrelated charges. Coley is accused of selling quantities of crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on two occasions in the city of Batavia. He was arraigned in County Court and released on his own recognizance.
Mathew P. Parker, 34, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Parker was arrested on May 21 on a sealed indictment warrant by Batavia PD NET officers following an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force. He allegedly sold quantities of crack cocaine to an agent of the task force. He was arraigned in County Court and released on his own recognizance.
Galena Ann Esainko, 31, of Lippold Road, Darien, is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment 2nd. No information was released by the Sheriff's Office on what led to the charges. The alleged incident was reported on June 19 at 8:10 p.m. at a location on Lippold Road, Darien. Esainko was held pending arraignment.
Andres Manuel Cabrera, 29, of Pershing Parkway, Mineola, is charged with attempted assault 2nd (with intent to cause injury to a police officer), criminal mischief 3rd, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and intent to damage property. Deputies responded to the Quality Inn and Suites at 12:18 a.m. on June 17 to investigate a criminal mischief complaint. While conducting an investigation, deputies attempted to detain Cabrera. Cabrera is accused of attempting to run from officers and then fighting with officers. Hw arrested and transported to the jail for processing. He was released on an appearance ticket. The arresting officers were Deputy Jacob Kipler and Deputy Mason Schultz.
Amethyste Rose Fleming, 25, of Bowen Road, Alexander, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and criminal mischief 3rd. According to deputies, Flemming's child left the house unattended for hours while the temperatures exceeded 90 degrees. They also alleged Fleming's son got outside the residence unattended and walked approximately a quarter of a mile down the road with Fleming's two German Shepherds to a neighbor's house, where the dogs attacked a goat. The incident was reported at 4:39 p.m. on June 18. Fleming was transported to the jail and held pending arraignment.
Ryan Michael Bolivar, 43, of South Elm Avenue, Fresno, Calif., is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, vehicle lights not meeting standards, and drinking or using cannabis in a motor vehicle. Bolivar's vehicle was stopped at 10:17 p.m. on June 20 on Lewiston Road by Deputy Jacob Kipler. He was transported to the jail for processing and released.
Jamie L. Dalba, 42, of Pine Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Dalba was allegedly found in possession of cocaine at 3:42 a.m. on June 24 at a location on South Pearl Street, Oakfield. He was processed at the jail and released.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the larceny of a Silver Cannondale Quick Disc 3 Bicycle. See attached stock photo. The larceny occurred in the Town of Batavia last night on June 23, 2024. The bicycle was cut from a bike rack attached to the victim's vehicle. If anyone locates this bicycle or has any information requiring the larceny please contact the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Jenna Ferrando, at 585-343-5000.
Energetic and personable, with a warm sense of humor and jovial laugh, Melissa Vinyard is only half joking when she tells people that she was “predisposed to be an alcoholic with a last name like Vinyard.”
That’s because the 57-year-old Batavia resident was born to an alcoholic mother, who succumbed to the disease in November 2017.
“My mother was my best friend and worst enemy at the same time,” Vinyard said. “She told me that if I was going to drink, I needed to drink like a lady – whatever that means.”
What it turned out to mean was that Vinyard would become addicted to alcohol and drugs, needing substances to make it through each day. Fortunately for her, however, she broke free from the cycle of addiction and has been in recovery for six years.
Moreover, through her connection with UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse), where she spent time in treatment, Vinyard’s path of sobriety has resulted in her being hired last June as the nonprofit agency’s coordinator of The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road.
“Who would have ‘thunk’ it after all that I went through?” she said.
Vinyard says that her introduction to alcohol started in her mother’s womb.
“I’d like to say I had my first drink in utero because my mother was an alcoholic who drank through her pregnancy,” she said. “I can remember my first few sips of alcohol. My mother loved to entertain, and at our Christmas parties, she would pretend to hire me to be the waitress. And I would be cleaning up and seeing the half-drank wine glasses.
“I’d say to myself, ‘What’s this? Such a really pretty color. I took a couple of sips, and automatically, it was like, this is luscious. I put it in my mouth, and it started to tingle. I swallowed it, and it burned into me. What have I found? I didn’t know what I had actually found, but what I knew was that I felt better.”
She said she didn’t want to lose that “feeling” and embarked on a life of heavy drinking and drug use.
Vinyard grew up in Geneseo, graduating from Geneseo High before helping her mother, Kerry Holmes, run their beauty salon in the village. She became, in her words, “a townie,” partying with the college students and then a “highly-functioning alcoholic” – consuming large volumes of beers and wine coolers – with cocaine use mixed in.
The oldest of five children, she said she was married twice but both ended in divorce.
“I was a good mom; I attended all of my sons’ sporting events, but I wasn’t a good wife,” she admitted.
Vinyard attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Geneseo back in 2010, but she went back to drinking – even after she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Six years later, she suffered a stroke at work, prompting her doctor to tell her that she was going to die if she kept drinking.
“I said, ‘Tell me what I need to do?’ she recalled. “I was too afraid to live and too scared to die.”
With her family’s tough love approach, Vinyard checked herself into the Margaret A. Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center in Buffalo. Just ten days into her rehabilitation, her mother died of complications from her drinking at the age of 71.
Mourning the loss of her mother and being evicted from her home by her then fiancé, Vinyard entered intensive outpatient treatment at GCASA, followed by 2 ½ years at the agency’s sober living for women residence.
“I went through all the steps and was in group (therapy) every day,” she said. “GCASA saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself.”
Vinyard enrolled at Genesee Community College, taking drug and alcohol counseling courses, and stayed in recovery despite suffering major injuries when struck by a car while crossing the street on East Main in Batavia four years ago.
In 2020, Vinyard became a peer advocate with the agency, working at The Recovery Station and the detox center. She has also assisted in the clinic and the mobile unit.
“I’m living my recovery out loud because GCASA saved my life,” she said, adding that she since has found spiritual support at a church in Batavia and is leading a spirituality group at The Recovery Station.
Vinyard shared that the “very first person that I met at church, who greeted me, was a woman named Judy.”
She said Judy had responded to a call for prayer from Vinyard’s brother and sister. The two women became pen pals and now they keep in touch regularly through her church.
“I have found a spiritual connection to Jesus Christ and was baptized,” Vinyard said. “When I came up from the water, it felt like the inside of me had taken a shower. It was the first time that my inside matched my outside.”
The path to recovery begins with U. At UConnectCare; we want you to work with us. For more information on employment opportunities, go to www.uconnectcare.org.
