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Batavia drops contest to Auburn 5-4

By Howard B. Owens

Muckdogs shortstop Dalvy Rosario goes deep in the hole to throw out a runner by half a step on Thursday. Rosario went 3-for-5 with a RBI double.

Submitted photo and press release:

Trailing 5-2 in the ninth, J.D. Orr led off with a walk, Dalvy Rosario hit a RBI double then Troy Johnston singled in Rosario. However, Pearson McMahan came in and struck out all three batters he faced for his third save of the season.

Both teams combined to leave a staggering 46 runners on base, 25 for Auburn, 21 for Batavia.

Batavia (19-13) remains in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division and will play at Auburn tonight (July 19) at 7:05 p.m. before returning to Dwyer Saturday.

Rosario finished 3-for-5 with a run while Johnston, Jack Strunc and Dustin Skelton each had two hits. Nic Ready added a RBI double.

On the mound, Bryan Hoeing, a 2019 seventh round draft pick out of Louisville tossed three scoreless innings with a strikeout. His ERA remains 0.00 on the season. Edison Suriel had another strong outing with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings without allowing a hit.

The Muckdogs are at home on Saturday with fireworks at the ball park following the 7:05 p.m. game with Mahoning Valley. The theme is Beach Boys music for the fireworks, which was sponsored by Farm Credit East.

On Sunday, the Muckdogs play at 5:05 p.m. as kids can run the bases, there will be an autograph alley and it is Muckpups funday, a kids club day.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Kayaking at DeWitt Pond rescheduled for next month due to heat wave

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Kayaking at DeWitt Recreation Area has been cancelled for Saturday, July 20th, due to inclement weather.

It has been rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 10th. Preregistration is required on or before Thursday Aug. 8th, call 585-344- 1122.

Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Pond! Explore the pond by water and discover a new world.

  • Session 1 takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Session 2 takes place from 1 to 3 p.m.

Meet at the boat launch at DeWitt Recreation Area. No experience needed, a beginner kayaking lesson is provided! Rent a kayak or bring your own. Kayak rentals with life vests are provided by Adventures in Fitness Inc. Solo kayak rentals are available for ages 12 and up, tandem kayak rentals are available for kids under 12 and must be piloted by an adult.

Guided tour fee is $20/person without rental or $25/person with kayak rental per session. Fee for children under 12 is $12 per session. Maximum 20 participants per session.

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Car vs. goose accident reported on eastbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A "car into goose" accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 393.6. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver reportedly has minor facial injuries.

Photo: Three new police officers sworn in at City Hall

By Howard B. Owens

Chief Shawn Heubusch welcomed three new police officers to the Batavia PD force today.

Adam Tucker, Alec Roberts, and Jordan McGinnis are ready to begin field training after being sworn in this morning at City Hall.

Sponsored Post: The Genesee County Fair - Celebrate 4H Day

By Lisa Ace


Friday, July 19th – CELEBRATE 4H DAY

  • 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – English & Dressage Division (Horse Arena)
  • 9 a.m. – 4-H Beef Team Fitting Competition (Main Show Ring)
  • 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
  • Noon – 4-H Horses must be removed from 4-H Horse Barn
  • Noon – 4-H Livestock Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
  • 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Club Butter Making Activity (Kennedy Building)
  • 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
  • 5:30 p.m. – 4-H Tractor Driving Contest
  • 6 p.m. – NIOGA Dairy Showmanship (Main Show Ring)
  • 7 p.m. – Demolition Derby (Grandstands)
  • 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – MAC (Entertainment Tent)
  • 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Car reportedly rear-ends semi-truck on Ellicott Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly rear-ended a semi-truck on Ellicott Street at Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.

Unknown injuries.

City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: No injuries. The truck driver said he stopped at the intersection for a red light.

Due to extreme heat Friday: Ricky Palermo's Soccer Clinic is postponed for one week

By Billie Owens

Important Notice:

The Ricky Palermo spinal injury golf tournament SOCCER CLINIC scheduled for tomorrow Friday, July 19, has been postponed until next Friday, July 26.

Same time – 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Same place – Batavia Sports Park on Bank Street Road, Batavia.

We have been notified to postpone our event tomorrow because of the dangerous high heat index (110°) that will be dangerous for the kids to be exposed to.

Any questions call Roger Hume at 585-345-1701 or Ricky Palermo at 585-739-8522

Photos: Landscaping in front of City Hall replaced

By Howard B. Owens

The City of Batavia has completely renovated the landscaping in front of City Hall.

A supervisor yesterday explained that the old landscaping was more than 15 years old and had become difficult to maintain and control weeds.

The topsoil was replaced (see bottom photo) and new shrubs and flowers were planted today.

Sponsored Post: The Genesee County Fair - Kid's Day / HP Hood Day

By Lisa Ace


Thursday, July 18th – KId's Day / HP HOOD DAY

  • 9 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Main Show Ring)
  • 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Western Division (Horse Arena)
  • 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
  • 12 - 10 p.m. – Midway Opens - Kids 16 & Under Ride for $10/wristband
  • 12:30 p.m. – Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
  • 6:45 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Awards Ceremony (Main Show Ring)
  • 7 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Sale Begins (Main Show Ring)
  • 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Band – Savage Cabbage (Entertainment Tent)
  • 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Batavia's Jeff Redband of Daemen College named to National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court

By Billie Owens
AMHERST  -- Daemen College men's basketball student-athletes Jeff Redband (Batavia) and Andrew Sischo (Guilderland) have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court, recognizing their academic achievements during the 2018-19 academic year. It marks the seventh straight year that Daemen has had at least one NABC Honors Court selection. 

Both Redband and Sischo met the high standard of academic criteria to be considered fo the NABC Honors Court which is awarded to junior and senior (academic) varsity players who hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher. Honorees must have also matriculated at least one year at their current institution, and be a member of an NCAA Division I, II or III, or NAIA Division I or II program whose head coach is a member of the NABC. Redband collects the honor for the second straight year. He will return for his final season of eligibility in 2019-20 after graduating in May with a degree in Business Administration. Sischo, who has two years of remaining eligibility, is on track to graduate next May with a degree in Sport Management. 

"We are very happy for Jeff and Andrew. They continue to make Daemen proud," said Daemen Head Coach Mike MacDonald. "Not only have they proven to be all-stars on the court, but they are superstars in the classroom, too. They are both tremendous examples of what a Daemen student-athlete should be."

On the court, both Redband and Sischo played vital roles in Daemen's most successful season since gaining full NCAA Division II membership status prior to the 2015-16 academic year. Redband averaged career-highs of 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and finished third among the East Coast Conference leaders with 79 three-point field goals en route to earning second-team All-ECC honors. The 6-foot-9 Sischo was dominant in the paint, finishing second in the league in scoring (20.9 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg). He was named the ECC Player of the Year, the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) East Region Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Together, the duo led Daemen to a 24-6 record, the ECC regular season championship and the program's first-ever NCAA tournament berth. 

Previous NABC Honors Court selections from Daemen include Giambattista Davis (2018), Alex Borges (2016, 2017), Arif Mehmetaj (2015), Aaron Davis (2013, 2014) and Troy Nowak (2013, 2014). 

Daemen College features the only NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams.

 

GC Treasurer Scott German took continuing education courses in Nevada to stay on the cutting edge

By Billie Owens

Scott D. German, treasurer of Genesee County, recently attended the annual meeting of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers (NACCTFO) in Clark County, Nev., on July 10th and 11th.

The meeting includes continuing education courses in policy and management offered by the Graduate Program in Public Administration at Wayne State University.

“County collectors, treasurers, and finance officers must constantly upgrade practices in their offices in order to best serve the needs of the public,” said Kyu-Nahm Jun, director of the Public Administration at Wayne State.

“The certification program provides the opportunity to learn from nationally recognized faculty, and to share information with colleagues from across the nation. This prepares them to serve the public more effectively.”

Session topics included talent retention, revenue recovery, and trends in county government organization. Participants also engaged in an information sharing session where they shared best practices with their peers.

“By participating in the program, German reflected his desire to keep his county on the cutting edge of public service,” Jun said.

Visit http://clas.wayne.edu/mpa for more information on Wayne State’s Graduate Program in Public Administration.

Batavia's Benjamin Martis named to dean's list at Oglethorpe University

By Billie Owens

Oglethorpe University has announced its Spring 2019 dean's list, honoring those scholars who achieved at least a 3.50 term grade-point average while earning 12 or more semester hours. Among them is the following local student:

  • Benjamin Martis -- a senior, Theatre major, from Batavia.

About Oglethorpe University

Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe University is Atlanta's only co-educational small private college, home to 1250 eclectic and engaged students from 33 states and 31 countries.

Renowned for its groundbreaking Core program, Oglethorpe's academically rigorous programs emphasize intellectual curiosity, individual attention, close collaboration among faculty and students, and active learning in relevant field experiences. Oglethorpe joins theory and practice in its A_LAB (Atlanta Laboratory for Learning), an incubator for experiential learning via internships, study abroad, civic engagement, and undergraduate research.

Under the leadership of President Lawrence Schall since 2005, Oglethorpe has entered an unprecedented era of innovation and growth, evidenced by increased enrollment and philanthropic giving, and new strategic entrepreneurial partnerships. Since 2013, Oglethorpe has seen the addition of an award-winning campus center; a residential complex with six state-of-the-art classrooms; and the expansion of arts and athletics facilities. Oglethorpe's partnership venture with LeadAbroad has expanded its global footprint with the development of five global campuses in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Cape Town -- South Africa, and Greece. 

In 2019, Oglethorpe opened the I.W. "Ike" Cousins Center for Science and Innovation and will launch the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business.

Oglethorpe is home to the Conant Performing Arts Center, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, and the Piedmont School of Atlanta. The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels compete in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association. 

Website: oglethorpe.edu

Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame dinner is Oct. 5 at Batavia Downs, deadline to buy tickets is Sept. 25

By Billie Owens

The 18th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Batavia Downs Banquet Facility on Park Road in Batavia.

The event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

Cost is $35 per person.

Social hour begins at 5 and dinner is served at 6.

The following people will be inducted this year:

  • Elizabeth Varland -- Class of 2002
  • Stephanie Conway -- Class of 2003
  • Philip Santiago -- Class of 2003
  • Sumiyya Hunter Roff -- Class of 2004
  • Ryan Gugel -- Class of 2005
  • Jennifer Gurrant -- Class of 2005
  • Amanda Page -- Class of 2006

Tickets are available starting Aug. 5 at the BHS Athletic Directors office.

The deadline to buy tickets is Wednesday, Sept. 25.

For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

Ascension Parish - Summer Fest

By Lisa Ace

Ascension Parish - Summer Fest 
July 20 & July 21
12pm - 11pm - Both Days
Corner of Swan & Sumner Streets in Batavia, NY

Raffles / 50/50, Bar in a Barrel, Grill & Chill, Money Tree

Free entertainment: Main tent music schedule: Saturday July 20th

  • 12pm -3:45pm - The Special Delivery Band
  • 3:30pm -7:45pm - New Direction Band
  • 8pm - 11pm - OHMS Band

Sunday July 21

Event Date and Time
-

Sponsored Post: The Genesee County Fair - Emergency Responder's Night

By Lisa Ace


Wednesday, July 17th – EMERGENCY RESPONDER’S NIGHT

  • 8:30 a.m. – OPEN Class Swine must be in place
  • 9 a.m. – 4H Horse may arrive
  • 9 a.m. – 4-H Hog Show (Main Show Ring)
  • 10 a.m. – 4-H & Open Class Goats must be removed from Goat Barn (Except Market
  • Auction Goats)
  • 10 a.m. – 4-H Milking Dairy Cows must be in place
  • 10 a.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Open
  • Noon – 4-H Sheep Show (Main Show Ring)
  • 4 p.m. – Midway Opens, (Weather permitting)
  • 2 p.m. – 4H Horses must be in place
  • 5:30 p.m. – Fair Parade Line Up (Racing Pit Area)
  • 6:30 p.m. – Fair Parade
  • 7 p.m. – Band – Red Creek (Entertainment Tent)
  • 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

DA's office requests more employees due to new criminal discovery demand rules

By Lauren Leone

Members of the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office say they need the county’s help to hire more employees due to recent changes to discovery demand rules in criminal cases.

Lawrence Friedman, district attorney, and Melissa Cianfrini, first assistant district attorney, gave a department review to the Public Service Committee on Monday. They say they hope to hire another assistant district attorney and a paralegal.

These new positions stem from recent New York State reform that increases defense counsel’s access to information about the state’s case. Prosecutors will be required to turn over evidence much earlier, which means a greater workload for district attorneys and more strain on county resources to prosecute criminals. 

“We weren’t having to do trial-ready work for every single case,” Cianfrini said. “That’s really putting the cart before the horse in terms of how much this is changing how we’re practicing law in the criminal law sector.”

Cianfrini said the rules shorten the timeline to file a discovery demand from 30–90 days after arraignment down to 15 days. Now, a defendant cannot enter a plea until the discovery information is provided, so they can understand all of the evidence being brought against them.

The proposed assistant district attorney and paralegal positions would take on the 38-percent increase in the number of cases handled by the DA Office. Caseload is expected to jump from 354 cases to 407 cases annually for each assistant district attorney. 

The role of the prospective paralegal is to review documents and enter information into a database called the Digital Evidence Management System, an electronic service for information storage and sharing. The paralegal would further reduce preparation time for attorneys.

“With these new requirements, our feeling is we have to spend a lot more time on a case than the other side does,” Friedman said.

DA Office staff members are concerned about the strict deadlines and punishments for not complying with the new rules. They face the risk of having criminal cases dismissed if they are not ready for trial in time.  

Legislators Gordon Dibble and Marianne Clattenburg were in favor of hiring more DA Office staff before Jan. 1, when the rules go into effect. Committee members sought more information about how much funding the county would need to offer for these new employees.

“For a county our size, is there a trend analysis that says ‘this is how many cases an ADA should handle’ so that we could have a benchmark to help educate us?” Shelly Stein asked. “I think that’s probably the biggest step here.”

Debut Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 28 in Austin Park

By Billie Owens

Press release:

As many of you may know, the family, loved ones, and allies of the GOW Opioid Task Force are hard at work planning the first-ever Overdose Awareness Day for the GOW community from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday Aug. 28th at Austin Park, Batavia.

This event will be a special time for the community to come together to raise awareness, share information, and support each other as a community. We will be having local area speakers, live music, FREE Narcan training, a kid’s zone, and food, and much more!

If you are interested in having a table at the event please complete the Vendor Table Registration Form and send it to Sue Gagne -- Family, Loved Ones, and Allies Work Group co-chair -- by 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug.17. Email it to her at: sgagne@gcasa.org

For more information, be sure to visit the website at: www.gowopioidtaskforce.org

We look forward to seeing our communities come together to continue to bring awareness to those in our families and community struggling with substance use disorder.

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