batavia

The Just Kings Social Club distributed 80 backpacks containing school supplies to children at Austin Park on Friday evening.

The club raised funds to support the project through sales of chicken dinners and other fundraising events. 

A member of the club said there are still some funds available for school supplies if there were any parents who could not bring their children by for a backpack. The Kings can be contacted through their Facebook page.

The gaming floor at Batavia Downs reopened this week, along with Fortune's and the Backstretch Grill, and the Grandstands will be opening soon, after a six-month closure mandated by the State of New York in the battle against COVID-19.

Race fans, however, are still prohibited at this point from attending live harness racing.

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Update: Sept. 11, 3 p.m.

Even at a fourth of maximum capacity, Batavia Downs Gaming will be able to keep its employees on the job but, unfortunately, monetary distributions to the municipalities it serves will suffer.

That’s the perspective of Henry Wojtaszek, president and chief executive officer of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. that oversee operations at the casino, harness race track and OTB parlors in 15 counties plus the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

A public benefit corporation, WROTB returns a portion of its profits to counties and the two metropolitan communities.

“You know, we've done the math, we've done some projections, and we certainly can pay our bills probably at 25 percent,” Wojtaszek said on Wednesday, the day the gaming facility was allowed to reopen – but only at a quarter of the maximum occupancy. “If we remain pretty steady, we can pay our bills. We can keep our employment levels pretty close to where we were before.”

Wojtaszek said “difficulty” comes into play when considering profit and return to municipalities – “which is obviously one of the big reasons why we exist.”

“We exist to make sure we create jobs and create an environment for people to have an entertainment venue, but also to return money to the municipality. So that's going to be a little tough. But I think for now, even at 25 percent, we can cover our costs.”

He said the business has to dig itself out of a “deep hole” caused by ongoing utility and building maintenance costs and unemployment insurance and by having to pay employees still on the job.

Despite the setbacks, Wojtaszek said he it is “very rewarding to see people come back so quickly.”

“We were having people call us all the time during the last six months," he said. "They were stopping at the front door. A lot of emails following our Facebook page. So, when we knew we had a pretty good following of people who want to come back here, we'd like to think we do deliver great customer service."

Batavia Downs has had to cancel its summer concert series due to the pandemic, but six of the eight bands have been rescheduled for next year, Wojtaszek said.

“And we’ve added two,” he said. “We have Queensrÿche signed up for sure. And then the eighth band will remain silent until I confirm it. But it's a great band. They'll be probably the best band we've ever had here.”

Mechanically home is in great shape not a lot to do interior besides your own decorating. Rooms were just painted. Gas bill is $81 on a budget plan and electric average is $65. Home sits on awesome partially fenced in back yard with plenty of room to play. Large double wide driveway for you and your guests -- an affordable city home!

19 Wood St., Batavia. Super affordable city home! Featuring: Three bedrooms, one and a half baths, and 1,704 square feet. These owners did all the big things for you – now it's just a matter of you making it your own! Roof, all windows, furnace, hot water tank, and upgraded 150 amp electrical panel, what else is there?

Rooms are spacious, there was a half bath added on first floor, new laminate flooring just done in kitchen, and brand-new back steps leading inside to a back mudroom. All appliances are staying.

The front porch is cute and the yard both front and back is super cute and loaded with flowers. Back yard is fully fenced and is selling with the hot tub! There is a detached garage but currently used as the place to hang out – both summer and winter because there is wood stove as well!

These owners do not pay flood insurance. A lot of space for the money, definitely worth checking out! Call Lynn Bezon today or click here for more infomation our listings.

Press release:

Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia is continually opening its doors to the community and is inviting everyone to their events throughout September and the rest of this year. In addition to worship services, Northgate offers dozens of volunteer-led small groups, many of which are open to the public.

Several groups relaunch this month, including:

GriefShare, a 13-week group designed to help and encourage those grieving the loss of a loved one due to death. The format is a weekly video presentation and discussion time that offers hope and comfort. Find more information at http://www.griefshare.org/about. Meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., starting Sept. 15th. To sign up, visit https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/groups/ There is a $15 cost for workbooks, scholarships available.

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You will learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future. A new 13-week session begins on Saturday, Sept. 19th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To sign up, visit https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/groups/ There is a $15 cost for workbooks, scholarships available.

Mothers of Preschoolers or “MOPS” are women who gather together twice a month to share and support each other in the remarkable journey that is motherhood. Meetings consist of relevant speakers, fun crafts, supportive conversations and fellowship. Moms can choose a 9 o'clock morning group or a 6:30 evening group. MOPS is open to all moms with children from birth until their youngest child finishes kindergarten. Groups will be meeting online through the end of the year, with hopes to meet in person in 2021. Membership is currently $32, scholarships are available. Register at our Popsicles at the Pavilion event on Sept. 19, 11 a.m. at 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia, or visit https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/groups/

Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday evening at 6:30 (including any and all holidays that fall on a Thursday, unless there is a serious snow storm) at our North Campus. Our CR leaders guide and assist those of us who are gaining joy and freedom in Christ as we apply the 12-Steps of Celebrate Recovery to the hurts, habits and hang-ups we all struggle with. All are welcome! We believe anyone and everyone would benefit by attending this group, where we allow God to transform our lives. We are able to share openly and honestly about our struggles with people we come to trust, who will maintain confidentiality, and who will not judge us. For more info, go to: https://northgatecr.weebly.com/

For more information about any of these groups or other events, please contact the Northgate office at (585) 343-4011 or email office@northgatefmc.com

On Saturday, Sept. 12, members of the City of Batavia Fire Department, volunteer Corfu Rescue Hook and Ladder Company #1, and the Le Roy Fire Department will be participating in a mask and hand-sanitizer distribution for residents of Genesee County in response to New York State Department of Health Guidelines.

The FREE distribution of washable, cloth masks and hand sanitizer will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at:

• City of Batavia Fire Station – 18 Evans St., Batavia
• Corfu Fire Station – 116 E. Main St., Corfu
• Le Roy Fire Station – 4 Clay St., Le Roy

Genesee County Office of Emergency Management reminds everyone to WEAR A MASK. Protect your community. Stop the spread of coronavirus. Be respectful.

Press release:

Motorists in the City of Batavia are advised that the City of Batavia and the New York State Department of Transportation are performing utility work on Route 98 / Oak Street (between Route 5/ West Main Street and Burke Drive).

This work is expected to end today at about 3 p.m., then it will continue Monday through Friday of next week (Sept. 14-18). Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Motorists should expect lane reductions and delays.

If you have questions, contact the Bureau of Maintenance at (585) 345-6400, opt. 1.

An accident involving a tractor-trailer is reported in the area of 401 W. Main St., Batavia.

Westbound traffic is blocked in both lanes.

No extrication required.

City fire on scene.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: There is also a sedan involved in the accident.

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

• Genesee County received two new positive case of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Batavia.
  • One of the positive individuals is in their 50s and one individual is in their 90s.
  • One of the individuals was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Two new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. 
  • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
     
• Orleans County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
  • One of the community positive cases resides in Gaines.
  • One of the positive individuals is in their 60s.
  • The community positive individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Eight new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.

Shane Christopher Bunce, 38, Chili Avenue, Rochester, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. At 6:36 p.m. on Sept. 8, after an investigation into a motor-vehicle theft that occurred on Clinton Street Road in Bergen, Bunce was arrested. He was issued an appearance ticket and uniform traffic tickets and is due in Bergen Town Court on Oct. 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien. Also, during the grand larceny investigation, it was allegedly found that Bunce possessed a stolen dirt bike. He was arrested and charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released with an appearance ticket for Oct. 20 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved incentives for a building renovation project in the City of Batavia at its Sept. 3 board meeting. 

Neppalli Holdings LLC will invest approximately $1.165 million to renovate a three-story building at 99 Main St. in Downtown Batavia. The renovation and redevelopment of the 7,500-square-foot building, which was built in 1865, includes a new storefront, façade, and reconstruction of the existing three floors.

A dental practice will reside on the first floor with the second floor being developed for commercial office space. The third floor will include two two-bedroom market-rate apartments.

Neppalli Holdings LLC is the latest transformational building renovation project to proceed in Downtown Batavia through Governor Cuomo’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

The project will be receiving sales and mortgage tax benefits totaling $63,500.

Press release:

Officials at Batavia Downs Gaming today announced that in accordance with the state’s guidelines for reopening, Batavia Downs Gaming will once again be open beginning at 8 a.m. today, Sept. 9th. 

Upon arrival, all guests of Batavia Downs will undergo temperature checks and must have on a face covering. Clear markings on the floor will indicate where patrons may go in order to maintain safe social distancing.

Select Restaurants and Bars will be open and patrons may enjoy food and drink inside those restaurants.

Batavia Downs will be increasing the rigor of cleaning and sanitizing procedures throughout the facility. They will also be increasing the number of shifts and hours of their environmental service team to maintain the desired level of cleanliness upon reopening. There will be more than 120 hand-sanitizing stations located on the gaming floor, event spaces and in all the restaurants.

Batavia Downs asks that guests looking to visit wash or sanitize their hands frequently and always after visiting the restroom. They should wipe down frequently used personal items such as their phone and glasses. If someone is feeling ill or has felt ill recently, they ask that you remain home until you are feeling better.

“We are so looking forward to welcoming back our guests,” said Henry Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “Our staff is working diligently on providing a safe, secure entertainment environment for everyone to return to and enjoy.”

A natural gas leak is reported on the property of Los Compadres Mexican Taqueria, 40 Oak St., City of Batavia. City fire and police are responding. National Fuel is called to the scene. The street in the vacinity is shut down. Dispatch is trying to contact the owner.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Traffic will be closed to tractor-trailers at Interstate 90 and Oak Street and at Main and Oak Street. Residential traffic will be allowed to continue.

UPDATE 8:50 p.m. (By Howard): The building has been ventilated. Oak Street is being reopened. 

A caller to dispatch reports finding a pedestrian lying in the roadway on Park Road, just off Oak Street in the city after a hit-and-run accident. Mercy medics are on scene, along with City fire and police.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The caller was mistaken; this was not a hit-and-run accident and no vehicle was involved. A pedestrian tripped and fell in the roadway and was subsequently found by a passerby. The pedestrian has some cuts and bruising and is being taken by Mercy medics to UMMC. City fire is back in service.

Justin T. Gladney, 31, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree rape and possessing a sexual performance by a child. Gladney was arrested in connection with an incident at noon, June 4, on Lehigh Avenue, Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court Sept. 1 and put in jail on $20,000 cash bond, $40,000 secured bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond. Gladney is due in city court at 11 a.m. on Oct. 1 to answer the charges. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Rick Anthony Drury, 58, of Shady Lane, Batavia, is charged with first-degree criminal impersonation -- impersonation of a law enforcement officer. At about 7 p.m. on Sept. 3, Drury, in a separate incident on Shady Lane in Batavia, displayed a gold badge in his wallet to a deputy and allegedly stated that he was in law enforcement with the Department of Environmental Conservation. Further investigation found he is not a law enforcement officer with DEC now or ever. The badge he displayed was a gold New York Excelsior badge. He is due in Town of Batavia Court to answer the charge on Oct. 22. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Chad S. Williams, 49, of Infinity Lane, Rochester, is charged with a violation of the NYS Sex Offender Registry -- parole absconder. At 11:13 a.m. on Sept. 3, Williams was stopped at Exit 48 of the NYS Thruway interchange for an observed vehicle and traffic law violation. Following an investigation, Williams allegedly assumed the identity of another person in an attempt to conceal the suspension of the NYS driver's license. After his real identity was determined, he was allegedly found to be a parole absconder, wanted by the NYS Department of Correctional and Community Supervision (NYSDCCS). He was taken into custody and later transferred to NYSDCCS. More charges are pending. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Investigator Ronald Welker.

Lisa M. Fox, 49, of Ridge Road, Albion, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post following a domestic dispute at UMMC at 1:38 p.m. Aug. 28. It is alleged that she spit in a person's face. She was released with an appearance ticket and is due in Batatia City Court on Oct. 10. Sgt. Mitchell Cowen assisted Officer Post. 

Joshua Paul Fields, 23, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with: Driving while intoxicated; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle; refusal to take a breath test; and driving with an obstructed view. At 11:36 p.m. on Sept. 3, Fields was arrested on Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia after a hit-and-run accident that allegedly occurred in the City of Batavia. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Town of Batavia Court on Sept. 24. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Officer David Moore.

Paula G. Pierce, 28, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested on Sept. 1 after an investigation of a larceny reported at 9:40 p.m. Aug. 30 on Morse Place, Batavia. Pierce was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 8. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson.

One hundred golfers gathered at Batavia Country Club on Saturday for a golf tournament held in memory of Mike Tenebruso and to raise funds for the Michael Tenebruso SUNY Brockport Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year's recipient was Ray Zajac.

Photos and information submitted by Al Fulton.

From left, Marcia Tenebruso, Ray Zajac, Kristine Tenebruso, Anna Tenebruso, Nicholas Tenebruso, Nathan Tenebruso, organizer Dave Petruzzi and Tony Tenebruso.

Press release:

Due to the Labor Day holiday, both the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7.

There will be no map, website or media updates over the weekend or on Monday.

Updates will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Stay safe, stay distanced and wear your masks to continue to slow the spread. Thank you for your understanding.

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

• Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
  • The new positive case resides in Batavia.
  • The positive individual is in their 40s.
  • The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Twelve new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. 
     
• Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The two positive individuals are located at the Albion Correctional Facility.
  • One of the positive individuals is in their 30s and one is in their 50s. 
  • Four new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 41 Clinton St., Batavia. There are injuries and it is blocking traffic. The location is between East Avenue and Grandview Terrace. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: A first responder says this is a three-car accident and one of the vehicles is in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Three flatbed tows are called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: This was a rear-end chain-reaction accident involving four vehicles. According to witnesses at the scene, there was a line of cars southbound on Clinton Street, stopped at East Avenue, waiting their turn to go. The fourth vehicle, a white Nissan Murano, failed to stop and struck a Ken Barrett auto dealership van, which slammed into dark Chrysler 200, which in turn struck a dark-colored Ford Escape. The Ford Escape driver told the Chrysler driver that "it wasn't her fault" so she "wasn't sticking aound," and she left before first responders arrived. The Ken Barrett employee suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC by Mercy ambulance. The police officer at the scene would not speak to a reporter so we do not know whether the Nissan Murano driver was cited. The assignment to Clinton Street is back in service.

Press release:

KINGSTON – The Worker Justice Center of New York (WJCNY) has filed suit in New York’s Supreme Court against the private, for-profit company, Akima Global Services (AGS), for its exploitation of detained immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

Plaintiffs Bounam Phimasone and Dalila Yeend allege that, while detained, they were hired by AGS to perform manual labor in the facility. Instead of wages, AGS paid Phimasone and Yeend $1 per day in commissary credit, regardless of hours worked.

The lawsuit alleges that AGS’s practice of crediting detainees one dollar per day for many hours of labor violates the New York State Constitution and various provisions of the Labor Law, including minimum wage.

It also alleges that AGS unjustly enriched itself through this exploitative practice. AGS contracts with the federal government to operate the Buffalo Federal Detention Center and is paid a daily rate for each bed filled per day.

By requiring detainee-employees to perform essential functions at well below the legal minimum wage, AGS avoids hiring non-detained employees to work for fair market wages, thereby depressing the local economy and increasing its own profits.

Many of those detained in Batavia are held indefinitely, despite never having committed a crime. Yeend and Phimasone were released from detention in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and now reside legally in New York State.

“This practice of paying people one dollar per day is bordering on slavery," Yeend said. "For the total hours that I worked, it was pennies per hour. It’s basically free work. When I think that I was working for a for-profit company, it’s disgusting.”

Both AGS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been repeatedly criticized for their treatment of immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center, including their failure to protect detainees from the spread of COVID-19.

According to Gloria Martinez, board co-chair of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, the plaintiffs’ allegations are consistent with the experiences of others detained in Batavia.

“One of our members risked his life as a detention center essential worker being paid a dollar a day to clean the infirmary and the living quarters of those who contracted COVID,” Martinez said.

Jennifer Connor, executive director of the Buffalo-based Justice for Migrant Families further attests to the exploitative nature of AGS’s employment practices.

“During the COVID pandemic, people who are detained are given a small hotel sized bar of soap for a week and so must buy their own hygiene supplies from the company-owned commissary," Connor said.

"Working for $1 a day for commissary when commissary is required to make phone calls to lawyers and family, buy stamps to mail letters and important documents, buy extra food because the portions provided in Batavia are notoriously meager, is not a choice. This is coercion."

Plaintiffs are represented in the case by WJCNY attorneys Robert McCreanor, Maureen Hussain, Laura Revercomb, and Dan Getman (of counsel), with support from Borealis Philanthopy.

WJCNY is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to pursue justice for those denied human rights with a focus on agricultural and other low wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment and advocacy for institutional change.