It was a packed house at Batavia Downs today for the first day of the Legends & Stars Sports Expo.
Dozens of vendors are selling sports memorabilia while sports stars, including some current members of the Buffalo Bills, are signing autographs.
At the autograph tables in these photos are Lee Evans, Willie McGahee, and Roscoe Parish.
Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Following a traffic stop on Thursday, Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush had reason to believe "criminal activity was afoot" and requested backup, which came from the K-9 unit, Deputy James Stack and "Rayzor."
The team reportedly found in the vehicle, stopped at Route 33 and West Bergen Road in Bergen, a quantity of crack cocaine and a firearm.
Arrested at the scene was Marlon O. Hibbert, 35, of Rochester. His passengers were released without charges.
Hibbert is charged with:
Hibbert was arraigned in Town of Bergen Court and ordered held on bail of $5,000 or $10,000 bond.
Assisting in the investigation were Sgt. Andrew Hale, Deputy Nate Chamound, members of the Local Drug Task Force, and the District Attorney's Office.
The Hornets are moving forward in their quest for a Section V Class C2 title after their win Friday over Kendall, 82-40.
Next up for the #2 seed Hornets (20-1), neighbors Pembroke (15-6, #3) at a time and place to be determined on Monday.
For Oakfield-Alabama:
"I was proud of the focus and effort of the team tonight," said Head Coach Ryan Stehlar. "We went up against a solid team and a great coach in Coach Zimmer. He always has his boys prepared and ready to compete. I have all of the respect in the world for him and the program he has built. We will enjoy this victory, but get back to work tomorrow and focus on the next game."
Angelo Pena and Mike Lang each scored 14 points to help lead the Elba Lancers to a D2 sectional quarterfinal win over Andover/Whitesville 67-30.
CJ Gottler scored 12 points and Zak Marsecill scored 10.
The Lancers will take on Jasper-Troupsburg at a time and site to be determined on Monday.
Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.
Photos below by Debra Reilly. For more, click here.
In boys basketball on Friday, Notre Dame took a quarterfinal playoff game over Houghton 79-31.
The Fighting Irish (18-3, seeded #1) will take on Romulus (12-9, #4) in a D3 semifinal game on Monday at a time and site to be determined.
Notre Dame led 50-15 at the half.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had 18 points while breaking the school record for three-point shots in a season, previously held by Mike McGee and Spencer Misiti. Jordan Welker scored 14 while Colin McCulley and Cody Henry each had 11.
Photos by Jim Burns.
The Notre Dame girls beat Honeoye Falls/Lima in a quarterfinals match at home on Friday, 55-7.
The Fighting Irish (16-5, #2 seed) play Genesee Valley/Belfast (16-5, #3) at 6 p.m., Monday, in Letchworth for the Class D1 semifinal.
Lindsey Weidman scored 17 points, Emma Sisson scored 15 and had 10 steals, Maylee Green scored eight and had 15 rebounds.
Notre Dame dominated in their first girls basketball playoff game of 2022 with a 79-31 win over Houghton.
The Fighting Irish, seeded #1, advance to the D2 semifinal on Monday against Romulus (#4) at a site to be determined.
There are no stats available for the game.
Photos by Jim Burns.
A two-vehicle accident is reported at East Main Street and Bank Street, Batavia.
Traffic is blocked.
Unknown injuries.
City Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: No injuries.
The Notre Dame girls basketball team gathered today to let fans know they're ready for this evening's sectional playoff game against Honeoye Falls/Lima at home at 6 p.m.
The Irish enter the tournament as the #3 seed in the D1 bracket.
The Notre Dame boys team, ranked #1 in D2, plays at 7:30 against Houghton.
Also tonight in boys basketball:
The Lady Irish have the only local girls game tonight. Tomorrow's girls games:
Photo submitted by Susan Woodruff.
Most history books neglect to mention the marginalized poor of the 19th Century and, perhaps, none were more marginalized than slave women and poor white women.
Genesee County in its early history was little different than the rest of the country in this respect.
"Until well into the 1950s, a typical historical treatment of our country usually excluded about half of the population, which is, of course, female," Eula said during a talk on Thursday morning at the Holland Land Office Museum. "The is an invisibility of women in many historical works."
Eula is uncovering some of that history in a book he's writing, The National is Local: Genesee County, New York, 1802 to Present.
"One example of this effort is the portrayal of the most invisible of women, at least for me, and that would include African-American slave women and poor white women," Eula said. "Both share common traits -- they have little power politically, economically. They lacked basic economic resources in both cases."
At the start of his talk, Eula noted that people often forget the history of slavery in New York prior to the Civil War.
"Contrary to popular belief, the dichotomy between a free North and a slave South is one that is not as pronounced as is usually depicted in a standard history textbook," Eula said. "The end of slavery in the northern states is far more complex than is typically assumed."
The emancipation of slaves in New York began early in the 19th Century but would take decades to complete. There were slaves still in New York until shortly before the start of the Civil War.
In his talk, Eula shares what census records tell us about who owned slaves in Genesee County into the 1850s.
He also covers the plight of poor white women, who were often forced into the county's poor house/asylum.
A car has hit a pole and wires are down in the area of 147 East Main St., Le Roy.
Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding.
Frank Baumgardner, 40, of Laurel Oak Way, Batavia, is charged with issuing a bad check. Baumgardner is accused of issuing a bad check at about noon, Jan. 5, at a location on Myrtle Street, Le Roy. The case was investigated by Le Roy Officer Stephen Cappotelli.
Johnny Gene Jenison, 51, of Clinton Street, Cowlesville, is charged with forcible touching. Jenison was wanted on a warrant issued out of Town of Batavia Court in relation to an incident reported on 10:09 p.m., July 22, at Fairbridge Inn & Suites, 4371 Federal Drive, Batavia. He was also charged with failure to report change of address. Jenison was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released under supervision.
Klarissa Carol Price, 43, of Halstead Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Price was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court in relation to an incident reported at 4 p.m., Sept. 28, at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. Price was released on her own recognizance.
Chris John Bannister, 57, of Route 98, Attica, is charged with DWI, speeding, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bannister was stopped at 1:57 a.m., Feb. 22, on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. Release status unknown.
Patricia A. Gibson, 32, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson is accused of shoplifting from Walmart at 2:17 p.m., Feb. 22. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Press release:
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #576 of Le Roy has selected five local High School Juniors girls to attend this year's New York Girls State the week of July 3rd at SUNY Brockport.
Madison Spink, Maureen Klaiber, and Allie Ingles of Le Roy High School have been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) New York Girls State. Selected as alternates are Carol Graves and Isabelle Blankenship of Pavilion High School. As part of the premier ALA program, the girls will study local, county, and state government processes during this five-day nonpartisan political learning experience.
The Girls were selected to attend Girls State based on selection criteria through the Auxiliary unit and/or high school, which includes being in the top 1/3 of her class, along with consideration given to scholastic achievements, leadership, character, honesty and physical fitness.
Representing Genesee County
Maureen Klaiber, a Junior at Le Roy High School, is the daughter of Kurt and Kate Klaiber. She is involved in the National Honor Society, school musicals, Marching Band, DECA, Mock Trial, Math team, and the tennis team. She has also received honors in multiple honor bands for her skills as a vocalist, percussionist, and pianist, along with recognition from the Stars of Tomorrow theater program.Representing LeRoy Unit #576
Allie Ingles a Junior at Le Roy High School, is the daughter of Tom and Shannon Ingles. She participates in National Honor Society, Math team, Secretary of Student Council, Mock Trial, Metagenomics, plays and earned many honors as part of the LeRoy High School Varsity Volleyball Team and plays Varsity Tennis. Allies is also an active member of the Jr American Legion Auxiliary for Unit #576, as well be active in the community volunteering on several service projects.Madison Spink a Junior at Le Roy High School is the daughter of Derek and Sarah Spink. She participates in National Honor Society, Knowledgeable Knights, Emerging Knights, Math team, Mock Trial and plays on the Le Roy High School Varsity Softball team. Outside of school is active with the Batavia Youth Bureau, Rotary Inner Act, and Our Lady of Mercy Church.
ALA Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The young women then campaign, hold rallies, debate, and ultimately vote to elect city, county, and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens.
Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend ALA Girls State programs in their respective states. Two outstanding citizens from each of the 50 ALA Girls State programs are then chosen to represent their state as “senators” at ALA Girls Nation held in Washington, D.C. in July.
Congratulations Girls.
Batavia started off the post-season with a win, beating Livonia 62-47 at home on Wednesday.
Carter McFollins scored 24 points and Javin McFollins added 17 to help lead the Blue Devils to victory in the Class B1 sectional playoff game.
The Blue Devils -- ranked #8 in the bracket and now 8-13 -- will take on #1 ranked Northstar Christian (15-3) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Northstar.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
Photos by Steve Ognibene
In a first-round Section V Class C1 playoff game in girls basketball on Wednesday, Alexander beat Marcus Whitman 47-34.
Alexander is now 12-9 on the season.
The Trojans -- ranked #7 in the bracket -- next face #2 ranked Canisteo-Greenwood (15-5) at 2 p.m. on Friday in Canisteo.
Also in girls basketball on Wednesday:
Pembroke beat Perry 58-50 in Class C2. Karli Houseknecht scored 17 points, Allie Schwerthoffer 14 points and 10 rebounds, Elle Peterson eight points, and Sydney Johnson seven points.
Top photo: Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) jumping for a rebound. Photos by Philip Casper.
Sophomore Alyssa Kramer (5)
Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) Breaking through the Marcus Whitman defense
Senior Natalie Whitmore (22) Looking to pass
Senior Samantha Sawyer (24)
Sophomore Alyssa Kramer (5)
Senior Samantha Sawyer (24)
A two-car accident is reported at Central Avenue and Jackson, Batavia.
Traffic is blocked.
A possible neck injury reported.
City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: Four people involved, all expected to be signoffs. Minor damage to vehicles.
A $12.1 million capital improvement project at Le Roy Central Schools is running under budget, and district officials are looking at adding three more tasks to the to-do list, Superintendent Merritt Holly told trustees at their meeting Tuesday night.
Officials will seek bids on:
"So those are the three areas that we've kicked back to CPL (civil engineer firm in Rochester), to get a design in on those, so that again, if we have money left over, then we have designs set in place to get into SED (State Education Department) to get approval," Holly said. "If you notice those fit in very close to what we went out with before, which was heating, cooling, and those type of items, not glamorous stuff that people are going to see but stuff that we know we need to run our buildings and protect our assets."
The curtains in the theaters have been in place since the theaters were constructed, Holly said. The immediate need is to spray them with fire retardant, but they've also reached the end of their useful life, he said. They're falling apart and should be replaced rather than just treated one more time.
Construction on many of the items in the capital improvement project will begin this spring.
Among the items at Wolcott School:
The construction will impact the Oatka Festival in July with construction equipment and fencing blocking some of the area used by the festival in past years for vendors. Holly said he's met with Oatka organizers to go over options for a new site plan for the event.
COVID Update
Holly also gave the board an update on COVID testing and protocols.
Beginning March 7, "test to stay" tests will be administered "right before school," Holly said.
Currently, tests are offered from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m each day.
We'll do it before school because numbers have dropped," Holly said. "If numbers come back up again, after break or whatever, we're prepared to go back (to testing) in the morning. But right now, we can handle everything that we need to just before school."
Recently, the district handed out 64 at-home tests to parents and community members.
State Audit
Up to a half-dozen auditors from the NYS Comptrollers Office will be in Le Roy, or some working remotely, for an audit of the district.
The Comptrollers office routinely audits every government agency in the state.
"Just remember with an audit, they're not going to tell you the good things that are going on," Holly said. "It's going to be just things that obviously procedure-wise, it can be improved."
Officials have not provided the district with a precise date the audit will begin, but Holly said he expects the audit sometime in the spring, before the end of the school year.
"This is the first one I've had during my tenure here," Holly said.
Photo: Via Le Roy Central School District capital improvement project presentation.
For all of the past 50 years, Robert "Buck" Hilchey has done it all for the Oakfield Fire Department, from being on scene for the biggest fires, serving as chief twice, serving as board president twice, to spearheading the drive for softball fields, and maintaining them, as a fundraiser for the department.
For his 50 years of service, Hilchey was given a watch and proclamations and resolutions from the NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, Village of Oakfield, and the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.
"The trustees and the mayor of the Village of Oakfield urge all citizens to join us in congratulating Buck on an outstanding record of service with the Oakfield Fire Department," the village resolution read, "and expressing our sincere appreciation to him for his unwavering dedication and service to the Village of Oakfield."
Hilchey is from a family of firefighters -- father, uncles, sons, and now even a granddaughter. He got a bit emotional during his thank-you speech.
"It's been a pleasure to serve the community. I started off with my father, my uncle's grandfather," Hilchey said. "I just filled what they taught me to do. It was part of our life."
Then, tearing up a bit, "I'm a weak man, Danny knows. My sons know. My sons have followed in my footsteps, Brad is a chief and Chad is an assistant chief. I'm proud of these guys. Thank you."
Chad Hilchey presents a proclamation from FASNY to his father, Buck Hilchey.
Chief Sean Downing, President Joshua Finn, 3rd Assistant Chief Chad Hilchey, Buck Hilchey, Brad Hilchey, 1st Assistant Chief Chad Williams, and 2nd Assistant Chief Pete Scheiber.
Monday was the first time since 2019 that members of the department have been able to come together to hand out service awards. Above, 2nd Assistant Chief Pete Scheiber is recognized for 35 years of service.
Jim Lundmark and Dan Luker were recognized for 35 years of service. Also, Doug Hensel was recognized for 45 years of service (the photographer did not succeed in getting a photo of Hensel).
An older woman at 167 Vine St. Batavia, using a walker, was reportedly helped from her house while it was filling with smoke this evening by an identified female neighbor.
The woman, whose name has not been released, was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.
Interim Fire Chief Dan Herberger said it appeared the fire started in the basement and the basement was fully involved by the time fire crews arrived on the scene and was starting to make an incursion into the first floor by the time it was extinguished.
"There is significant fire damage in the basement and the fire popped up through the first floor," Herberger said. "There is significant smoke damage throughout the house. There is a lot of damage.
Mary McCarthy, daughter of the resident of the house, and her husband Mike McCarthy told The Batavian's photographer Jim Burns about the apparent rescue of her mother by a neighbor and said she became aware of the fire when receiving an alert on her mobile phone from the house's Ring security system and she could view the smoke through the Ring's recorded video. The McCarthys immediately headed to the house.
The fire was reported around 6:30.
City Fire along with Alexander's Fast Team, with mutual aid from the Town of Batavia and Le Roy Fire, responded to the two-alarm fire.
Herberger said the fire was somewhat difficult to fight because the basement is set up for a home hair salon, so there are barriers in the basement along with chemicals.
The original dispatch placed the fire at the YWCA on North Street but when crews arrived, they determined the fire was at the residence. There was smoke coming from the chimney, which on a warmer day, indicates basement fire, Herberger said, and flames showing from at least three basement windows.
County records indicate the home is owned by Joyce Meisner and Mary McCarthy. The ranch-style brick house was built in 1950 and is 1,715 square feet. The assessed value is $155,000.
UPDATE: Press release,
On Monday, February 21, 2022, at 6:34 pm the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to reported smoke from a house at 167 Vine St. in the City of Batavia. Initial fire units arrived at 6:38 pm to find smoke emanating from a one-story, single-family home. One occupant of the home was assisted to safety by the City of Batavia PD and neighbors upon FD arrival. Fire crews entered the home to find a large volume of smoke throughout with fire in the basement. Crews had difficulty locating the fire due to its location in the basement. The fire was placed under control at 7:32 pm. Extensive fire and smoke damage were caused to the structure and contents.
Two civilian injuries were reported, however, both refused transport to the hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by City of Batavia Fire Department fire investigators.
The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police, City of Batavia Bureau of Inspections, Town of Batavia FD, Alexander FD, LeRoy FD, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center and Emergency Management Office, Mercy EMS (as well as an ambulance from the FEMA deployment to the area), National Grid and National Fuel.
Photos by Jim Burns
Post-season for boys and girls basketball begins this week. Here are the schedules for Genesee County's teams.
In boys basketball:
In girls basketball:
A possible basement fire is reported at 167 Vine St. Batavia.
Smoke coming from the basement.
A second alarm has been called.
City Fire on scene.
UPDATE: 7:22 p.m. Alexander Fast Team called to the scene.
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