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Statement from State Sen. Rob Ortt, candidate for NY-27:

“Soleimani and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force has long been a terrorist organization. They are directly responsible for hundreds of U.S. servicemember deaths in Iraq. Iran’s goal has always been to destabilize Iraq and exert its influence in the Middle East. This strike eliminates one of the masterminds of those efforts.”

Statement from State Sen. Chris Jacobs, candidate for NY-27:

“I applaud President Trump for taking decisive action yesterday to neutralize a long-standing terrorist threat - Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. Soleimani was responsible for killing hundreds of American Soldiers and injuring countless more. The organization which he headed up (Quds Force) has been designated as a terror group since 2007 and this past spring Sec. Pompeo designated him a terrorist. The airstrike which killed him is another example of President Trump’s strong leadership in confronting Iran’s continued perpetration of state-sponsored terrorism and President Trump continues to stand for freedom and justice on the global stage.”

Statement from Sen. Chuck Schumer:

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the airstrike in Iraq against Major General Qasem Soleimani. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:

Last night, the United States conducted a military operation designed to kill Major General Qasem Soleimani, a notorious terrorist. No one should shed a tear over his death.

The operation against Soleimani in Iraq was conducted, however, without specific authorization and any advance notification or consultation with Congress. I am a member of the Gang of Eight, which is typically briefed in advance of operations of this level of significance. We were not.

The lack of advanced consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution, or rather the need for advanced consultation and transparency with Congress, was put in the Constitution for a reason: because the lack of advanced consultation and transparency with Congress can lead to hasty and ill-considered decisions. When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum. The framers of the Constitution gave war powers to the legislature and made the executive the commander-in-chief for the precise reason of forcing the two branches of government to consult with one another when it came to matters of war and of peace.

It is paramount for administrations to get an outside view to prevent groupthink and rash action—to be asked probing questions, not from your inner and often insulated circle but from others, particularly Congress, which forces an administration, before it acts, to answer very serious questions.

The administration did not consult in this case, and I fear that those very serious questions have not been answered and may not be fully considered.

Among those questions:

• What was the legal basis for conducting this operation? And how far does that legal basis extend?
• Iran has many dangerous surrogates in the region and a whole range of possible responses. Which response do we expect? Which are most likely?
• Do we have plans to counter all of the possible responses? How effective will our counters be?
• What does this action mean for the long-term stability of Iraq and the trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives sacrificed there?
• How does the administration plan to manage an escalation of hostilities? And how does the administration plan to avoid a larger and potentially endless conflagration in the Middle East?

These are questions that must be answered.

It is my view that the president does not have the authority for a war with Iran. If he plans a large increase in troops and potential hostility over a longer time, the administration will require Congressional approval and the approval of the American people.

The president’s decision may add to an already dangerous and difficult situation in the Middle East.

The risk of a much longer military engagement in the Middle East is acute and immediate. This action may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war, exactly the kind of endless war the president promised he would not drag us into.

As our citizens and those of our allies evacuate Iraq and troops prepare for retaliatory action, Congress needs answers, to these questions and others, from the administration immediately. 

And the American people need answers as well.

Aleasa Dominiak submitted this photo of the sunrise she captured yesterday morning in Stafford.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center welcomed the hospital’s first baby delivered in the New Year. Thomas Alexander Colmenero was born to Chelsea and Jesse Colmenero at 7:25 p.m. on Jan. 1. Thomas weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 20 ¼ inches long.

Thomas will be heading home soon to be with siblings and joining TEAM (Thomas, Elizabeth, Alakai, Matthew) Colmenero.

United Memorial Medical Center’s Maternity Floor offers private postpartum rooms designed for privacy and maximum comfort. To learn more about childbirth and maternity services at United Memorial Medical Center, visit RochesterRegional.org.

A 27-year-old Batavia man was sentenced to a minimum of two years prison on charges stemming from an incident in September where he menaced a police officer with a knife.

Morgan Cox Jr. had previously entered a guilty plea to counts of menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.

Judge Charles Zambito sentenced him today to two years in prison on the menacing charge and one and a third to three years on the weapons charge. He will serve at least one and a half years on parole upon his release.

Cox made no statement in court. Zambito said the defendant's actions were "totally pointless" and said Cox's actions were fueled by an addiction to drugs.

Zambito referred to another dangerous incident that Cox was involved in, saying “People came with baseball bats because they know how you are,” stressing that Cox needed to address his addiction.

(Via our news partner, WBTA.)

A possible chimney fire is reported at 8783 Prole Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire dispatch.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: A second alarm: Bethany, Alexander, Le Roy, Town of Batavia, and Mercy EMS requested to the scene. The fire is still reported as a chimney fire.

UPDATE 9:18 a.m.: This is now a working structure fire.

UPDATE 9:48 a.m.: Fire is knocked down; doing overhaul.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: The fire itself was mainly contained to the fireplace and a couch next to it. But there was heavy smoke damage throughout the house and "multiple pets were lost," said Stafford Fire Chief Matt Hendershott.

Press release:

Please be advised that North Road will be closed to traffic between Route 19 and Conlon Road on Thursday and Friday for the installation of a water transmission main across the roadway. The roadway will be COMPLETELY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC -- including emergency vehicles. A detour will be posted during this time.

Press release:

A temporary restraining order (TRO) was issued by Federal Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo on Dec. 31 in U.S. District Court in Western New York. The TRO prohibits New York State from enforcing certain actions and imposing penalties upon farmers stemming from a new law scheduled to go into effect today.

It is important to note, the TRO does not impact the law or impact the wages of the vast majority of hourly employees working on New York farms and the payment of overtime, nor was it intended to.

The court action followed a lawsuit filed on Monday, Dec. 30 that would temporarily halt the implementation of the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act on Jan. 1. The suit was filed by the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) and the New York State Vegetable Growers Association (NYSVGA) on behalf of the organizations' member farmers across the state, seeking clarity and to ensure they are in compliance with the law’s requirements.

The TRO specifically restrains the state government from enforcing the Act where such actions would impact the status, compensation, and hours of supervisors, family members, shareholders, and administrative and professional employees. The TRO will be in effect for several weeks. If a mutually agreeable settlement is not reached, a preliminary injunction hearing will be held on Jan. 24.

Brian Reeves, president of the New York State Vegetable Growers Association, and owner of Reeves Farms in Baldwinsville (Onondaga County), said, “The ruling in favor of the TRO is an important first step for ensuring the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practice Act is implemented fairly for all who work on farms in New York.

"We want to protect the rights of all who work on our farms and are so important to our success. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to correct the statute to better address the rights of all who work on our farms.”

Jon Greenwood, chair of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association and co-owner of Greenwood Dairy Farm in Canton (St. Lawrence County), said, “The narrow scope of the TRO ruling will allow us to continue to work with the state to improve language and definitions in the Act.

"Providing clarity to New York’s farms will help us protect our management teams while assuring family members and others employed on our farms are treated fairly. We look forward to working with the state and court to ensure that the interests of farmers, their families, and employees are represented in the new state law.”

Photo submitted by Sue Carmichael of New Year's Eve fireworks in Le Roy last night.

Happy New Year!

A reader submitted this photo of a car off the road and into a creek in Corfu, off of Main Road near Back Street, at about 3 a.m.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments responded. 

The driver was reportedly not seriously hurt. No further information is available at this time.

Billie are taking the rest of the day and most of tomorrow off. We'll be out of town.

Happy New Year! And thank you for being part of The Batavian Community.

There will be some coverage posted while we're gone and we have people who can help us if anything comes up while we're gone.

But one thing that would help us in the future maintain coverage when we go away is your financial support.  Please click the "Support" button below and help us get to a position where we can hire more help.  Local news can't survive without reader support so we're asking for you to support The Batavian.

Attica gave Batavia a game in the large-school championship of the Pete Arras Lions Tournament at Genesee Community College.

A strategy of ball control -- often running the shot clock down to just seconds -- and a defense that kept the Batavia Blue Devils' high-powered offense from running away with the game meant the visitors had a chance up until their final possession.  

In the end, Batavia defended its crown, securing a 53-51 victory.

Camden White, who scored 21 points, many of them off his eight offensive rebounds (he had 11 total rebounds) was named the tournament MVP.

Zach Gilebarto, who missed the first game of the tournament due to an injury, scored 14 points, hitting four three-pointers. Stone Siverling scored 12 points.

For Attica, Frankie Bisceglie scored 15 points and Tyler Myer hit four three-pointers for 12 points. Ayden Goll scored eight points.

Producing a video of a basketball game is a lot of work. We would like to do more. Help us do more become a supporter today. Click the button below.

The small-school championship game of the Pete Arras Lions Tournament came down to the final play as Elba beat Notre Dame 64-62.

Colton Dillion (top photo) was tournament MVP after scoring 22 points in the finale.

Collin O'Holloran scored 16 points. Caleb Scoten hit three three-point baskets for nine points.

For Notre Dame, Gabe Macdonald scored 19 points. Cody Henry and Colin McCulley scored 15 points each with McCulley hitting three three-point shots.

Photos by Philip Casper.

In the fall of 2018, I made the decision to take video seriously as an online-publishing medium and began working at learning how to make better videos and upgrading the equipment we needed to do it.

This year was our first full year of producing video at a serious pace. We published nearly 500 videos in 2019. Here are five favorites.

When David Bellavia asked me to travel to Washington, D.C., in June to attend a ceremony at the White House where he would receive the Medal of Honor, I was stunned by the invitation. This was the greatest honor of my journalism career.

I was the only working media from Genesee County on the guest list and was the only photojournalist present when Bellavia received a private tour of the Lincoln Memorial and the only photojournalist in the East Room after the ceremony. These are days I'll never forget. I think the video came out pretty well, too.

One morning in August, a friend told me about this event involving hot rods in Le Roy and since I was going to be in Le Roy anyway that I day, I decided to stop by. I had no idea what I was in for. For years, the Hardcore Happening has been one of the hidden jewels of Genesee County. It was fun to be there and it was fun to make this video.

"For the Loved and Loving: The Story of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument" was my first true effort at making a documentary. It was truly a labor of love and took months. To me, it's The Batavian's gift to the community, a document of a key part of local history.

I always enjoy meeting the members of the Batavia Muckdogs. They're often great guys but Milton Smith was something special. He's "Tony Gwynn nice" and was a joy to interview. I hope he has a long and successful career.

We published dozens of music videos in 2019. The performance at the Smokin' Eagle of Deep Blue playing "Born in Chicago" is one of the ones where everything worked -- clean audio and good visuals.

Thank you for your support of The Batavian in 2019 but there's one thing more you can do for us to help us bring you more news and more video. Become a supporter by clicking the button below.

Click the links below to view the following other Top 10 videos of 2019:

• Fatal accident, Pembroke, NY
• End of the standoff on Liberty Street Batavia
• Standoff on Liberty Street Batavia Part I
• Stabbing on Ross Street Batavia
• Recalling Michael Paladino
• House Fire, 109 Evans St., Batavia, NY
• Over the Border Mexican Food Truck opens in Batavia
• Press conference with David Bellavia Medal of Honor nominee
• Memorial for Corrections Officer Nick Bender

This was a our first full year of producing video on a regular basis. In total, our videos received 185,293 views.

Here are The Batavian's most-viewed stories for 2019:

• Search and rescue team deployed to find missing man in Indian Falls, by Billie Owens
• Tying balloons to deer carcasses is apparently a thing
• The time is near, Genesee County resident, when your house will be on fire and there's nobody available to respond
• Missing man Mark Dibble is found alive in Basom, by Billie Owens
• Batavia man killed while trying to assist woman being attacked on Ross Street
• Michelle G. Buckenmeyer, Obituary
• Home-invasion robbery suspect shot by homeowner in Stafford
• Mother and adult son killed in crash on snow-covered Route 98 in Elba
• Man who allegedly ran over his ex-wife with his truck could be in Batavia area, reward offered
• Hawley is asking residents statewide if they'd prefer 'Two New Yorks', Press Release

There were 1,217,743 visitors to The Batavian in 2019, a new site record.

Caitlin Napper submitted this photo of a double rainbow taken today in Le Roy.

Macey and Preslee Blecha of East Bethany collected a total of 154 blankets for Wings Flights of Hope.

The blankets will be used to comfort patients as they fly for medical treatments or appointments. Accepting the donation are Joe and Diane DeMarco, founders of Wings Flights of Hope.

Press release:

Beth Parlato, Republican candidate for Congress in NY-27, has received the endorsement of powerful Republican women’s group VIEW PAC following a successful meeting in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. In addition to a formal endorsement, Parlato has also received the maximum financial support allowed from VIEW PAC.

Julie Conway, an influential GOP operative and executive director of VIEW PAC, said “Beth Parlato is not only what the Republican Party needs – an outspoken woman on the right side of the issues, but also what voters want – a fresh-faced political outsider determined to do right by her constituents rather than build a political future for herself.

"In a district that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, Beth’s unapologetically conservative message and life resume as a business owner and judge make her a clear favorite in this Primary and someone who will ensure that New York’s 27th District remains in Republican hands.”

Parlato, a first-time candidate for political office, was humbled by Conway’s words.

“VIEW PAC has done incredible work getting strong Republicans elected and I am honored that they have chosen to endorse me," Parlato said. "I won’t disappoint them just like I won’t disappoint the voters in my district.”

Beth adds this latest endorsement to her list of supporters, which include other conservative groups as well as beloved Hall of Fame Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills' Jim Kelly and more. Additional endorsements of Parlato’s candidacy are slated for the coming months.

Today we're pleased to release Episode 4 of our series of Batavia's Best Businesses, featuring Batavia Downs.

In this episode, Nici Johnson and Macy Paradise decide it's time for a staycation at Batavia Downs.

Batavia's Best Businesses is a joint promotional production for Genesee County businesses by The Batavian and WBTA. To find out how to promote your business in this web video series, contact Lorne or Jim at WBTA.