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Animal Control officer busy today with dogs locked inside hot vehicles

By Billie Owens

Photos and information from reader Roberta White:

This dog was in a truck in the Walmart parking lot in Batavia for 20-25 minutes minimum before dispatch was contacted and law enforcment officers arrived at about 2 p.m.

An animal control officer said the dog was definitely uncomfortable. She said if it was an older dog, it would have been in serious trouble.

She also said it was her third call to Walmart today. She's had made four or five trips in Genesee County today for dogs locked inside hot vehicles.

The truck owner was paged in the store while officers tried to unlock the vehicle. Surface temperature inside was 102 degrees. It's 80 degrees outside.

Akron native Oakes trainees favored in $117,400 NYSS at Batavia Downs Sunday

By Billie Owens

(Above: #4 -- Shake That House with driver Brian Sears. Photo by Fotowon.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Akron, New York, native Chris Oakes when he brings two powerful members of his now Wilkes-Barre, Pa., based stable to Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 4) to compete in two divisions of the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) for purses totaling $117,400. 

In the first $58,700 division (carded as race one) Oakes will start Shake That House (American Ideal-Shake That Junk) as the morning line 6-5 favorite. 

Shake That House only has two starts in the NYSS this year and both were wins, but he has also been competing successfully on the Grand Circuit. 

After drawing the outside at Mohawk Park in an elimination of the North American Cup, Shake That House got parked for most of the mile and did not qualify for the final. 

But the resilient colt bounced back to win his next start which was an elimination of the Max C. Hempt stake at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. After taking the lead past the half, Shake That House led the rest of the way and won in 1:49, which was a lifetime mark. The following week in the $500,000 final he left from post seven, went right to the front and won handily in 1:49.2. 

Then in his most recent start, Shake That House was in a NYSS event at Vernon Downs and sat third to the half before pulling to take the lead before the three-quarters and then paced away from the field in 1:47.4 which was another new lifetime mark for him and also a new track record at Vernon for 3-year-old pacing colts. 

For the year Shake That House has six wins in seven starts and has earned $336,400 to date. 

Tyler Buter will be in the bike behind Shake That House on Sunday and will start from post five. Also, Shake That House will be coupled in a stable entry with Buddy Hill (Roll With Joe-Lessofit Hanover) for betting purposes. 

Hickfromfrenchlick (So Surreal-My Girl’s A Star) and Major March (Art Major-March You And Me) who finished second and third in that track record mile at Vernon are also in this division starting from post one with Matt Kakaley and post two with Jason Bartlett respectively.

(Above, #6 -- American Mercury with Tyler Buter. Photo by Fotowon​.)

The second $58,700 split (carded as race six) finds another Oakes trainee, American Mercury (American Ideal-Tessa Hanover), the prohibitive morning line choice at 4-5. 

American Mercury has raced exclusively in NYSS races this year and has won four of the six he entered, finishing second and third in the other two. He started the year racing from off the pace but has since found as much success on the front end. 

He took a new lifetime mark at Yonkers in June winning easily in 1:50.3 over the half-mile strip and it set a track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings and also tied the all-age seasons mark at the Hilltop. 

In his next start at Vernon Downs American Mercury lowered his personal best again, touring the facility in 1:49.4 and winning by two lengths. 

American Mercury has five wins in seven starts this year and has bankrolled $182,493 as a result. 

Tyler Buter gets the call on American Mercury as well and drawing post two off the gate. 

Magic Joe Lindy (American Ideal-Lindy’s Bandita) who finished third to American Mercury in that sub-1:50 mile at Vernon should be his main competitor here and starts from post five with Drew Monti up.   

The track record for the 3-year-old pacing male division at Batavian a Downs is 1:51.2 and that mark is serious jeopardy with perfect weather being forecast for Sunday. 

Also at Batavia Downs for the matinee card is Dollar Sundays which continues this week. Sahlen’s Hot Dogs, draft beer and sodas are only $1 each from noon until the last race at the Homestretch Grille. 

Post time for the first race Sunday is 1:15 p.m.

Batavia Muckdogs win fourth straight, sweep Tri City

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release.

TROY -- Thursday was a new day with new leading hitters and new pitchers for the Batavia Muckdogs, but the same result, a victory.

The Muckdogs defeated the Tri City ValleyCats, 4-1 to sweep all three games of  the series on the road.

The Muckdogs (28-18) have won four straight, sit in first place in the New York Penn-League Pinckney Division and play at home Friday, Saturday and Sunday against the Connecticut Tigers.

Jack Strunc (double) had two hits and a run for Batavia while Andrew Turner also doubled and had two hits.Troy Johnston had a RBI single and scored while Kobie Taylor and Ronal Reynoso singled.

Harrison Dinicola continued his three-game tear for the Muckdogs, driving in two runs with a single. He then scored on a Dustin Skelton RBI.

Edgar Martinez picked up the win to even his record at 2-2 with a 2.85 ERA. He struck out seven in five innings, allowed just one hit and no runs.

Janaikevr Villalobos threw two innings giving up a run then Joey Steele continued his dominance with a perfect inning, striking out the side in the eighth. His ERA remains at 0.00 and he earned his second hold.

In the ninth, Josh Simpson came on and the lefty threw a perfect inning for his second save and struck out one.

Batavia returns to Dwyer Stadium tonight to play the Connecticut Tigers. Check muckdogs.com for a new ticket special for tonight’s game, a family four-pack of tickets is just $20. The game is at 7:05 p.m.

The Muckdogs also play at home Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

There will be fireworks on Saturday and specials all three games.

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.

Photo: Joey Steele, left, had a perfect inning with three strikeouts to keep his ERA at 0.00 this season. Steele, a 2019 Miami Marlins draft pick, has thrown 10 innings, struck out 16 and walked one without giving up a run. To the right is Geremy Galindez who won on Tuesday to improve to 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA.

August events announced for Holland Land Office Museum

By Billie Owens

Here's the August lineup of happenings at the Holland Land Office Museum.

Trivia Night at the Museum​

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting the next edition of its Trivia Night at the Museum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8th. This month’s topic will be the “History of Baseball” with a distinct local twist. Admission is $3/$2 for museummembers. The trivia nights occur the second Wednesday of each month.

Genesee Area Genealogists Writer’s Workshop

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting the August meeting of the Genesee Area Genealogists group; Writer's Workshop will be on Monday, Aug. 19th from 10 am to noon. The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in researching family history.

Java with Joe E.

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting its next edition of its Java with Joe E. morning coffee historical discussion. The August meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 22nd at 9 a.m. at the museum. This month’s speaker will be Genesee County Historian, Michael Eula, Ph.D. His topic will be “In Only Six Short Years: Genesee County Reacts to the Assassinations of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr.”

Free coffee and donuts will be served during the presentation. Java with Joe E. occurs the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Guest Speaker Series: “Legends, Lore and Secrets of Western New York” by Lorna Czarnota

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to present our latest member of our Guest Speaker Series. Local author and storyteller Lorna MacDonald Czarnota will be presenting on one of her published works "Legends, Lore and Secrets of Western New York" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29th.

Czarnota is the author of nine published works, several relating to WNY history, as well as living history performer and musician. She will be available after the presentation to sign any copies of her books, several of which will be available from the museum gift shop. Admission is $3 per person, $2 for museum members.

GOW Opioid Task Force debuts 'Post Narcan Administration Video'

By Billie Owens

The GOW Opioid Task Force announces the availability of a Post Narcan Administration Video.

It was created by the Naloxone Work Group of the Task Force and launched at the quarterly meeting last week.

This video emphasizes an important message: individuals should go to the Emergency Department AFTER Narcan has been administered for an opioid overdose.

The Task Force members are very proud of the video and greatly appreciate all of their local partners who participated in this project and Tall Girls Design, the marketing partners who created an end product that surpasses expectations.

The video can be viewed right on their Facebook page here.

It is hoped that you find this video genuine and helpful as the Task Force continue sto work to end the opioid crisis in the GOW region.

Please feel free to share this video and spread this message.

If there are any questions or specific needs for the video please do not hesitate to reach out.

Allison Parry-Gurak 

Project Coordinator

Phone: 815-1889

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of impersonating cop, swearing publicly, being disorderly, resisting arrest

By Billie Owens

Paul Ralph Avino, 46, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with: disorderly conduct; obstruction; resisting arrest; criminal impersonation of police officer in the first degree; and obstruction of governmental administration. Following a complaint at Six Flags Darien Lake at 7:31 p.m. on July 31, Avino was arrested. He was allegedly swearing in a public place; and he allegedly resisted arrest and obstructed governmental administration. He is accused of possessing a police badge and he is not a police officer. Avino was released on an appearance ticket and he is due in Darien Town Court on Sept. 3 to answer the charges. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Morgan Ashlee Brown, 25, of Wyoming Road, Wyoming, is charged with third-degree assault. At 9:39 p.m. on July 31, Brown was arrested following the investigation of a domestic incident that occurred on July 25 on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion. Brown was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Pavilion Town Court on Aug. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Brabon.

Brittany M. Smith, 27, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- making physical threats. She was arrested at 9:26 a.m. on July 29 after allegedly threatening to assault Department of Social Services case workers during a child house visit. She was released on an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court Aug. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Penny B. Hargrave, 52, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely; leaving the scene of a motor-vehicle accident; and refusal to take a breath test. At 11:11 p.m. on July 30 on Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, Hargrave was arrested, arraigned in Pavilion Town Court and directed to return to court on Aug. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Duane K. Miller, 54, of Linwood Avenue, Warsaw, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration and illegal use of toxic vapors. Miller was arrested at 3:25 p.m. July 29 on West Main Street in Batavia. He was allegedly located huffing from an aersol can and refused commands to stop the behavior while being taken into custody. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed in lieu of unspecified bail. He was due to return to court today (Aug. 1). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Kyle L. Humphres, 33, of Rockefeller Road, Phelps, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. On July 31 he responded to Batavia Police Department and turned himself in on a warrant stemming from an unspecified incident on Willow Street in Batavia on Feb. 22. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in city court on Aug. 22. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Christian Saez, 30, of Copeland Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested at 11:46 a.m. on July 12 after allegedly attempting to steal seafood from a grocery store. He was issued an appearance ticket for July 30 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post.

Hector M. Arroyo, 44, of Mustang Circle, Geneseo, is charged with petit larceny. At 6:36 p.m. on July 29, Arroyo was arrested on East Main Street in Batavia after allegedly shoplifting from a local business. He was jailed in lieu of $1,000 cash or $2,500 bond. He was due to return to Batavia City Court on July 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Jenna Marie Lange, 36, of Mustang Circle, Geneseo, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Lange was arrested after a shoplifting incident at a store on East Main Street Road in Batavia at 6:36 p.m. on July 29. She was issued an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court on July 30. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Shawntoy L. Pryor, 33, of Stockbridge Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass. The defendant was arrested after allegedly trespassing on private property at 11:50 a.m. on July 12 on East Main Street in Batavia. He responded to Batavia Police Department headquarters and was issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 20 in Batavia City Court. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.

Car vs. bicycle accident reported in Darien

By Billie Owens

A car vs. bicycle accident is reported on Route 77 at Sumner Road. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A second ambulance is requested for an elderly female at the scene who has heart trouble and has difficulty breathing.

Mercy Flight was called for the bicyclist, then cancelled. The bicyclist will be transported to a hospital by ground ambulance.

Handyman services available to GC residents 60 and older who need minor home repairs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

If you are a Genesee County resident 60 or older (or you know someone who is) and would like help with small repairs to your home, inside or out, let the Handyman help.

The Handyman Program, offered through the Pathstone Corporation and funded by the Muriel Marshall Fund, is a home maintenance and minor repair program.

According to a comment posted by program supervisor John Wiltse, and confirmed by Office of the Aging specialist Maureen Estabrooks, there is no charge for lower-income seniors needing grab bars or hand rails installed or other services with modest materials costs.

Wiltse says seniors may need to cover part of the cost of materials, depending on the dollar amount. For higher-income seniors, the program requests a donation of $10/hr. for handyman labor to help offset program costs.

Call NY Connects/Office for the Aging at 343-1611 for more information.

A sampling of services is as follows:

  • Install grab-bars
  • Repair entry steps Install hand rails
  • Repair porches
  • Electrical repairs
  • Window and door repairs
  • Install weather stripping
  • Gutter repairs
  • Install smoke detectors/change batteries
  • Hang pictures
  • Fix faucets
  • Unclog drains
  • Install mailboxes
  • Install locksets & deadbolts

Clouser, Morrill sweep distaff features at Batavia

By Billie Owens

Above, Miss Mary Mach and driver Jim Morrill Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was a total team effort in the top tier races at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) as horses trained by Jim Clouser Jr., driven by Jim Morrill Jr. and owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi won both fillies and mares Opens in coast to coast fashion.  

It’s been nine weeks since Miss Mary Mach cut the mile in a race, but it finally happened again and produced the same result. Miss Mary Mach beat the best mares on the grounds in the $12,500 distaff Open Handicap. 

Leaving from post one Miss Mary Mach seated the field and Morrill set a pace that was comfortable for his mare. They went to the quarter in :27.2 and the half in :56.3 where Heaven’s Diva (Kyle Cummings) drew near the leader and made it interesting to three-quarters in 1:24.4. But shortly after that station Miss Mary Mach dug in, put away the competition around the last turn and paced away down the lane to win handily in 1:53.1.

The time was a new seasonal mark and just 1/5th of a second of her lifetime mark. 

It was the ninth win in 25 starts this year for Miss Mary Mach ($3.60) who now has earned $65,262 in 2019.

(Above, Blue Bell Bonnie and driver Jim Morrill Jr.)

Then in the $11,000 fillies and mares Open II pace, the second half of Clouser’s alliteration entry was Blue Bell Bonnie who also left from post one and dictated the pace. 

Morrill found himself on the point with Blue Bell Bonnie before the turn and with no one mounting a challenge to the half, the leader backed it off to a very pedestrian :59.2 first half. Finally Mach’s Echo (Drew Monti) rolled up the rim and got close to the front runner at the five-eighths pole and forced a :28.2 third split. But Morrill leaned back and raised the lines a bit and the mare did the rest herself. Blue Bell Bonnie paced away with no urging down the lane to win by a length in 1:56. 

Blue Bell Bonnie ($3.60) scored her fourth win of the year in Wednesday's effort. 

Both Morrill and Clouser picked up one additional win during the card giving them each three to lead their respective categories for the night. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 3) with post time at 6 p.m.  

60th anniversary of Harvester Center, world's first business incubator, registration required

By Billie Owens

The business community is invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Harvester Center in Batavia, the world's first business incubator.

In partnership with Start-Up Genesee, which is the networking event coordinator, and the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the anniversary celebration will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. The address is 22 Masse Place.

These organizations are thrilled to have such a unique and forward-thinking facility in our county.

Catering will be provided by D & R Depot Restaurant.

Event Date and Time
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Register for networking event celebrating 60th anniversary of the Harvester Center

By Billie Owens

The business community is invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Harvester Center in Batavia, the world's first business incubator.

In partnership with Start-Up Genesee, which is the networking event coordinator, and the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the anniversary celebration will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. The address is 22 Masse Place.

These organizations are thrilled to have such a unique and forward-thinking facility in our county.

Catering will be provided by D & R Depot Restaurant.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Click here to find out more and click the button on the right side of the page to register. Or call 343-2800.

Car vs. pole accident reported in Bergen

By Billie Owens

A car vs. pole accident is reported in Bergen. The driver is out walking around with a possible leg injury. The address is 7682 Clinton Street Road, between Dublin and Jericho roads. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Bergen command orders all equipment held in quarters. The pole is completely sheared in half; a couple of cable lines are attached to it. National Grid is notified; no ETA.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: The Mercy unit is put back in service; no need for response.

Volunteers critically needed to help older GC adults with meal delivery, medical transportation, home visits and more

By Billie Owens

Press release:

There is an immediate need for volunteers to help older adults in Genesee County for: Meals on Wheels delivery; friendly home visits; budgeting and bill paying; out-of-county medical transportation; and delivery of library materials.

“My parents live in a town that doesn’t provide much in the way of supportive services," says a volunteer who fits in meal delivery on her lunch break from her job once a month. "As a Meals on Wheels volunteer here in Genesee County, I became aware of just how lucky we are to have this program, as well as so many others that are funded by the Marshall Fund.

"But, of course, even with funding, they wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.”

That's so true, according to Courtney Iburi, director of the RSVP Volunteer Placement Program, “She is so right, the volunteers are absolutely necessary to the continuation of these critical programs.”

For as little as a couple of hours a month, you can help people live safely and independently in their homes. Opportunities are flexible to meet your needs.

Do you enjoy having a friendly conversation, driving, or organizing bills? If so, you can have a major impact in the lives of your neighbors and their loved ones.

Supplemental liability insurance is provided to all volunteers and mileage reimbursement may be available for some assignments.

Interested adults may contact Courtney Iburi, director of the RSVP Volunteer Placement Program at the Office for the Aging, at 585-343-1611.

Wilbur Room chock full of books for sale: Friends of the Richmond Library invite you to buy books

By Billie Owens

The Wilber Room at Richmond Memorial Library transforms into the biggest bookstore in Genesee County for the monthly Friends of the Library book sale!

Awesome donations in history, fiction, young authors, and much more! The sale is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Event Date and Time
-

Power lines are down across Warboys Road in Byron

By Billie Owens

Electricity lines are down across the roadway on Warboys Road in Byron, half a mile east of Route 237. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: The address is 6418 Warboys Road.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: The eastbound lane is open. A cable wire across the roadway is "still connected at both end," says the scene commander. The cable company is called.

Promoting skilled trades: Henry J. Mager Golf Tourney is Sept. 7 at Terry Hills -- golfers, sponsors, prizes wanted

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Seventy-two years ago, Henry J. Mager founded Arctic Refrigeration in his garage. Over a span of 60 years, he built the Batavia company into a successful mechanical contracting firm. Mager never obtained a college degree, but he could engineer a solution to any obstacle that posed a problem.

He was constantly thinking of better ways to do things, and inventing ways to do them.

In 2009, Henry passed away from a lengthy battle with cancer. His legacy lives on, and the Cedar Street business he built is looking to give back to the community.

In hopes of maintaining this legacy, to promote technical (trade) education to future generations, and support local cancer-based charities, the Mager Family and Arctic Refrigeration have hosted a charity golf tournament every year since Henry's passing.

The scholarship and charitable donations are funded entirely by community fundraising and local corporate donations though the golf tournament. This is the 10th year for the annual Henry J. Mager Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament, which will be hosted by Terry Hills Golf Course on Sept. 7th.

In the United States today, we are at an emergency level of underemployment in the building trades. People entering the job market as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, welders and mechanics is at an all-time low.

We hope to promote the trades, and encourage our youth to enter these fields. Traditionally, we offer at least one $1,000 scholarship to an area youth who decides to pursue a technical or trade education; many years we've given two of these awards as the applicants were very impressive.

Do you know of an area youth that may be interested in entering the building trades? We humbly ask teachers, counselors, aunts and uncles, friends and parents to nominate the recipients, as we find many trade students will not apply themselves.

Would you or your business like to support the trades in our area? We are now accepting golfers, sponsors and prize donations for our tournament on Sept 7th.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

  • Corporate Sponsorship -- $450 -- Hole sponsorship, corporate name and logo on promotional materials, golf foursome with gift bags, drinks (beer, water, soda), lunch for four, chicken dinner for four, awards presentation;
  • Team Entry -- $375 -- Golf foursome with gift bags, drinks (beer, water, soda), lunch for four, chicken dinner for four, awards presentation;
  • Hole Sponsorship -- $175 -- Sponsor a hole on the golf course, designated by your corporate sign, corporate name and logo on promotional materials, chicken dinner for two (please confirm dinner with payment), award presentation (no golf included in this option).

On the day of the event, registration and lunch begins at noon. Shotgun start is at 1 p.m. The tournament features 18 holes of golf with cart and scramble scoring. Chicken dinner, with awards and raffles, to follow. All proceeds benefit Henry J. Mager Scholarship Fund and a donation to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

For golfer information, sponsor information, or to donate to the scholarship, please contact:

Jon Mager: Jonmager@arcticrefrigeration.com

or

Teresa Tamfer: Ttamfer@arcticrefrigeration.com

As we enter our 10th year, we truly thank each and every one of you who have helped, donated and supported us.

NY Sire Stakes Night of Champions at Batavia Downs -- $1.8 million purse -- the richest racing card ever in WNY

By Billie Owens

The $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions races in 2019 will highlight the richest card of racing ever held in Western New York. Also featured on the card will be Batavia Downs signature stake, the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational pace and a slate of races featuring the best resident overnight horses on the grounds. Post time for this grand night of racing will be 6 p.m.

Event Date and Time

Batavia Downs partners with Daily Racing Form for $1.8 million NY Sire Stakes Night of Champions in September

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs is pleased to announce they are partnering with the Daily Racing Form (DRF) to enhance and expand their coverage of the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Night of Champions (NOC) that will be held at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Sept. 14.

“We are very excited to be working with DRF on this biggest night of racing in the state,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. “I think this is a great opportunity for our track to partner with a world-class name in horse racing and given the extent of their outreach and fan base, will be beneficial for Batavia Downs beyond the NOC.”

DRF will broadcast the entire night of racing live on their website, provide video analysis of races prior to the night and also provide content in their newsletters and on their website.

“I think it’s really important to provide the live video of the races for owners and breeders that can’t get out to Batavia that night to see their horses in person," said Derick Giwner of DRF. "Some might not have an ADW or subscribe to some kind of service and this will give them the chance to watch all the action live.”

“We will be producing a video analysis of some of the featured betting races or guaranteed pools, depending on what the card offers that night. The video will be available on the DRF Harness website starting the Thursday afternoon before the big night.”

DRF will also provide a Spotlight Newsletter that will be sent out to all their core subscribers, be promoting the NOC on their website, social media and in their newsletters, provide a dedicated landing page at DRF.com on both the Thoroughbred and Harness sites, free downloadable Past Performances for the night and will also be tweeting out comments and results live the entire night of the races.

“The idea is to get more eyes on these races," Giwner said. "The people in the industry know when the NYSS NOC is and that it’s at Batavia, but the general gambler out there, who might never play Batavia, may have no idea. We want to drive this traffic to Batavia that night.

"The New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions is the pinnacle of racing in New York each year and DRF is excited to work together with Batavia Downs to make it a success.”

Haight has similar views on the importance of a quality, information-filled program for that night, which has a post time of 6 p.m.

"We always have the desire to draw new customers to Batavia's racing product and everything DRF brings to the table in this partnership is going to help accomplish that," Haight said. "And the ability to get free past performances in the hands of the vast base of subscribers that DRF has could be potentially a big handle driver for us."

The New York Sire Stakes is the state's premier harness racing program designed to promote the breeding, buying and racing of standardbred horses in New York.

HLOM committee busy now planning for Wonderland of Trees Gala Opening in November

By Billie Owens

In photo, from left: Ryan Duffy, director HLOM; Kathy Jasinski, committee member; Sean Valdes, co-owner of D&R Depot; Alice Chapell, committee member; and Linda Johnston, committee member.

Submitted photo and press release:

CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST? While some people are taking vacations and enjoying the summer, several dedicated volunteers at the Holland Land Office Museum are preparing for the 2019 Wonderland of Tree’s Gala Opening on Friday, Nov. 22nd. Pictured above are some members of the Wonderland of Tree’s Committee, who recently met at the D&R Depot in Le Roy to discuss the menu for the upcoming Gala with Sean Valdes, co-owner of the restaurant and catering service.

D&R Depot will be catering the 2019 Wonderland of Tree’s Gala Opening.

The Wonderland of Trees Gala Opening, at the historic Holland Land Office Museum, kicks off the holiday season for the Genesee County Community. It will have the traditional display of trees, music and great food that people have enjoyed over the past 16 years. Many new ideas are being incorporated into the regular Gala to provide a wonderful holiday event for everyone.

More information will be available soon -- you can call the Holland Land Office if you are interested in setting up a tree at 343-4727.

Batavia Muckdogs win, 1-0 on one-hitter from Rose, Villalobos

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

TROY -- The Batavia Muckdogs have won a lot of close games this season. Tuesday night, the Muckdogs won not only a close game, but a game that was stopped because of rain after six innings.

Jackson Rose and Eli Villalobos combined on a "perfect" one-hitter as the Muckdogs defeated the Tri-City Valley Cats (Houston Astros), 1-0.

Rose, a 35th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins in 2018 out of Minnesota, improved to 5-2 on the season as he went five innings, struck out four and did not allow a walk or a run. He gave up a single in the third inning.

Villalobos, a 14th-round pick of Miami in 2018, threw the sixth, striking out two and getting a ground out to Nic Ready at third topic up his second save of the season.

After that play, the rains came down and the thunder and lightning were closer and the game was called.

Batavia improved to 26-18, and remains in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Julian Infante, who joined the Muckdogs Tuesday from the Gulf Coast League, singled and scored the only run of the game.

Infante, a first baseman, was a 36th round draft pick of Miami this year and played at Vanderbilt. he is a Miami native.

Catcher Andres Sthormes singled in Infante for the game-winning RBI in the fifth inning. Another new Muckdog (who has played Batavia), Harrison Dinicola, had a single and Jack Strunc also singled.

After Batavia took a 1-0 lead, Rose had a seven-pitch inning thanks to the defense of Muckdogs' left fielder J.D. Orr. The first batter, Joe Perez, hit a low-liner to left and Orr made a running, diving catch and rolled twice, holding onto the ball. With little time to enjoy the grab, C.J. Stubbs then hit what appeared to be a base hit and again made a great catch.

Batavia is at Tri-City on Wednesday and Thursday.

The team returns home to Batavia on Friday to play the Connecticut Tigers. Check muckdogs.com for a new ticket special for Friday's game, a family four-pack of tickets is just $20. The game is at 7:05 p.m.

The Muckdogs also play at home Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

There will be fireworks on Saturday and specials all three games.

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.

Photo: Eli Villalobos earned his second save of the year, throwing a perfect inning with two strikeouts as the Batavia Muckdogs defeated the Tri City Valley Cats, 1-0 in a game called after six innings because of rain. Batavia is 26-18 and in first place.

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