Batavia First Presbyterian Church hosted its first family night on Saturday, with food, fun and fellowship.
The event was preceded by a labyrinth blessing ceremony at the church.
See previously: Artist creates meditative tool for Batavia church, blessing ceremony Saturday
Photos by Nick Serrata.
A beautiful day and a beautiful field to play on, but not the outcome Notre Dame hoped for when they arrived at Genesee Community College on Saturday for a regular season game against Canisteo-Greenwood.
The Irish lost 25-14.
Jay Antinore was 12-20 passing for 134 yards and two TDs.
Also on Saturday
The OAE Aggies sustained a rare loss on Saturday, losing to Avon 13-6.
QB Gavin Armbrewster was 4-9 passing for 113 yards and a TD. He had 12 carries for 37 yards. Avery Waterson rushed for 68 yards. Shaun Alexander had 33 yards on eight carries and a 55-yard receiving TD.
On defense, Ashton Bezon had 11 tackles and a sack. Austin Pangrazio had eight tackles and an interception.
"Avon played a much cleaner game than us today," said Coach Tyler Winter. "When you have multiple uncharacteristic mistakes, it’s tough to rally against teams like them. This will serve as a good learning experience for us down the road, as we still have not scratched the surface of our potential. Plenty of ball left."
Photos by Pete Welker.
The Le Roy Oatkan Knights improved to 3-0 on the season with a 36-16 win over Lyons/Sodus on Friday at Hartwood Park.
Tony Piazza rushed for 152 yards on 20 carries and a TD. Tommy Condidorio was 5-10 passing for 110 yards and a TD. Jackson Fix had four receptions for 86 yards. He also rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Holden Sullivan had two sacks and four tackles.
Also on Friday:
Photos by Steve Ognibene
To view or purchase prints, click here.
All schools hold open houses. In Pavilion, the high school hosts the Gopher Gathering, a chance for the school community to come together to enjoy good food, live music, and games, and also learn about academic opportunities available at the school.
Along with a food truck rodeo, there is face painting, a petting zoo, and a dunk tank.
"It's a community thing where people can meet and greet teachers," Principal Charles Martelle said Thursday at the school grounds.
Besides learning about classes they might have overlooked, it's a chance for students and parents to learn about campus activities, including clubs students might join.
"Mostly, it's about coming out and meeting teachers, meeting people at the school, and getting a feel for the place, and having a good time," Martelle said. "Then, if they can learn something about the courses, about the clubs, and some different opportunities, then that's kind of the bonus."
Photos by Howard Owens.
A car has struck a utility pole in the area of 43 Clinton St., Batavia.
There is air bag deployment.
Unknown injuries.
City Fire and Mercy EMS responding
UPDATE 12:40 a.m.: A Batavia patrol officer on scene reports no injuries.
City Fire is being dispatched to State and Willow streets for a report of a large fire in the back yard of a residence in the area.
The fire was reportedly discovered by a Batavia patrol officer who first reported a large amount of smoke in the area.
He informed the dispatcher that the fire is a dresser on a fire pit.
UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: City command reports, "Fire in the fire pit. City assignment back in service."
One person was injured when a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck hauling retail merchandise collided at Ellicott Street Road and Starr Road shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Seven hours later, workers were still removing the merchandise from the truck and loading it into another trailer.
The State Police released the names of the drivers without stating which vehicle each driver was operating and which driver was injured.
The driver of the first vehicle was Syed A. Rizvi, 36, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, and of the second, Francisco A. Gomez Arias, 42, of Hazle Township, Pa.
The State Police did not release any information related to the events leading to the accident.
Photos by Howard Owens
Town of Batavia responded this evening to a fully involved tractor-trailer fire on the Thruway in the area of Genesee Community College.
Photo by Steve Ognibene.
Alexander resident Cortni Quinn, a corrections officer at Attica Correctional Facility, provided these photos from Wednesday's Attica Prison Riot Memorial Ceremony.
Every year, on Sept. 13, there are two ceremonies on prison grounds in remembrance of the riot, which started on Sept. 9, 1971, and ended on Sept. 13, 1971. the first service focuses on victims and families of victims who died. The second is a state service remembering the riot.
This year was the 52nd anniversary.
The bagpiper is William Franz of Attica. The pictures include the Attica Honor Guard and the Attica CERT team members.
A semi-truck and car have reportedly collided on Route 63 at Starr Road in Pavilion.
The car is reportedly on fire.
The truck reportedly rolled over.
No word on injuries.
Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 10:30 a.m.: No fire.
See also: Orleans County files suit over WNY STAMP sewer line
Press release:
A number of concerns have been raised about the impacts of the construction of an underground pipeline that would discharge treated water from businesses at STAMP into Oak Orchard Creek.
These are concerns that we have taken very seriously and addressed. Multiple engineering studies and peer engineering and environmental regulatory reviews have been conducted to assess potential impacts of discharging this treated water into the Creek. This process is similar to how municipalities treat water before it is discharged into local waterways.
While existing businesses at STAMP, including Plug Power and Edwards, would discharge approximately 50,000 gallons per day of treated water into Oak Orchard Creek, the studies and peer reviews assessed the impacts of the potential for a maximum of 6 million gallons per day as if STAMP was at full build-out.
The various studies and peer reviews conducted by engineering professionals took that maximum level into account and determined that the increased flow from the STAMP discharge will not have a noticeable impact on the 100-year flood elevations downstream, nor will it impact stream velocity, water levels, water quality impairments and/or area-wide erosion.
Concerns also have been raised about potentially impacting the capacity at water treatment facilities in neighboring communities, which could negatively impact bringing new businesses and/or assist business expansion because of a lack of capacity.
Again, citing these same studies and peer reviews for the potential for a maximum of 6 million gallons per day if STAMP was at full build-out, it was determined that:
- The increase in surface water elevations in Oak Orchard Creek during a 10-year storm event would be approximately 1/8” to 1/4”, with STAMP discharging at the maximum expected level of 6 MGD.
- Given the above, the Medina water treatment plant, which currently operates with a maximum permitted level of treating 4.5 MGD, could expand by another 10 MGD in order to accommodate new capacity for business growth and/or expansion without impact from STAMP’s maximum expected 6 MGD discharge.
- An adjoining dam to Oak Orchard Creek could absorb the 6 MGD into its storage capacity without modification to the dam’s operations.
We want to support our partners in economic development to assist any we can to enhance investment in the GLOW region. We would not advocate for something that would be detrimental to our partners, as we all are working collaboratively to bring prosperity to our region.
Finally, we want to thank the approximately 38 landowners who agreed to temporary and permanent easements on their properties to allow the underground pipeline to be constructed. We appreciate their understanding of the temporary and permanent need to use their properties for this critically important regional economic development initiative.
Please visit www.informationaboutstamp.com to review the various engineering studies and peer-reviewed documents related to this project.
Sincerely,
Peter Zeliff
Chairman
Genesee County Economic Development Center
A 17-year-old from Aberdeen, Scotland, was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in the area of 5186 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, shortly before 1:30 a.m.
Ethan R. Walker is believed to be a student at Genesee Community College.
According to the Sheriff's Office, he was apparently a passenger in a 2007 Chevy Suburban that was eastbound on Route 33. For some reason, Walker got out of the vehicle, crossed the roadway on foot and entered the westbound lane.
He was struck by a grey 2008 Toyota RAV4 driven by Garrett R. Mercurio, 18, of Batavia.
Mercurio and witnesses called 9-1-1.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS arrived on scene and provided Walker with medical care. Walker was transported by ground ambulance from the scene and later flown by Mercy EMS to ECMC, where he is currently in the trauma unit.
The incident is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office, including members of the Crash Management Team.
A man has been reportedly struck by a vehicle on Clinton Street Road near Pine Hollow Drive.
Possible serious injuries.
Checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.
J. Randolf "Randy" Starr, 73, a fifth-generation farmer in Pavilion with an affection for running his family farm in some old-time ways, using older equipment, passed away on Sunday.
The Batavian wrote about Starr in 2011, and he explained his preference for older equipment (not that he rejected everything new) and taking a common-sense approach to farming.
"I always thought the old-timers knew what they were doing, Starr said. "Work hard, keep your nose clean, and you’ll be all right. This is just the way we go. It’s the way we do it. I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody else in the world, but it seems to work for us all right.”
Starr was born in Batavia in 1949, the son of George and Isabelle Rudgers Starr.
The Starr Farm on Starr Road in Pavilion celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2018.
The farm was started by Noah Starr, Randy's great-great-great grandfather, a Dutch immigrant who bought 270 acres in Pavilion from the Holland Land Office in 1818. He built a log cabin on the property when he first settled it. His son started construction on the first part of the current Starr home in 1890.
Randy was born to be a farmer.
After graduating from Pavilion High School, as did his wife, Cindy, he attended Alfred College in order to earn a degree in agriculture.
"For some foolish reason, I wanted to be a farmer all my life, and now here I am." Starr said in 2011. "I’m 61 years old. Was that the right move or not? Who knows?"
At the time of the article in 2011, Starr farmed 125 acres, growing wheat, barley, hay, oats and black beans. He also raised about 80 head of cattle.
Starr said he found the older equipment less of a hassle than a lot of modern equipment farmers use.
"My tractor breaks down, and their tractor breaks down; theirs is maybe a $50,000 fix, and mine is a piece of baling wire and something I can keep it going with."
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cindy Wellman Starr; his children, Christopher Starr and Sarah (Timothy) Kingdon; grandchildren, Evan and Collin Kingdon; sisters-in-law, Debbie Starr, Ann (Duane) Stehlar; special friends, Judd (Janet) Ewell, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
For his full obituary, click here.
Notre Dame fell to Avon 41-12 on Saturday.
Both teams scored all their points in the first half.
Jay Antinore was 7-19 passing for 111 yards with one TD reception. Gabe Castro gained 49 yards on the ground on 14 carries.
Jaden Sherwood scored a TD on four receptions for 73 yards.
Castro also had 12 tackles on defense.
Photos by Pete Welker
Oakfield-Alabama/Elba dominated York/Pavilion on Saturday for a 41-6 win in football.
Bodie Hyde ran 17 times for 219 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he had eight tackles.
Shaun Alexander rushed for 42 yards on five carries and scored a TD.
Avery Watterson rushed 10 times for 102 yards and scored a TD. He had an interception on defense.
Gavin Armbrewter tossed a 15-yard pass to Carson Warner for a score.
Junior RB Jack Cianfrini - 5 Rushes, 65 Yards
On defense:
"Total team effort on all three sides of the ball from our squad today," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "We were thankful York/Pavilion presented moments of adversity throughout the game, as we are still looking to see what we are going to do as a team when those moments happen."
Photos by Debra Reilly.
The WNY Gas and Steam Engine Association is hosting its 56th annual Rally, better known as the Steam Show, at his property off Gillate Road in Alexander this weekend.
Friday night, there was a tractor pull.
Photos by Philip Casper.
In the closing seconds of the first half, the Batavia Blue Devils scored a go-ahead TD over Wayne Central to regain a lead the team wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way, leading to a 33-14 win.
It was the team's home opener and made the Blue Devils 2-0 under new head coach Alex Veltz.
Bronx Buchholz was 7-11 passing for 59 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also gained 130 yards on the ground on 15 carries, scoring twice.
Cole Graz snagged our receptions for 18 yards and a TD. He also had an inception on defense.
Carter Mullen had one reception for an 8-yard TD.
Mekhi Fortes, 14 carries, 85 yards, 5.5.
Zailen Griffin, nine rushes for 82 yards and a TD.
The Blue Devils take on Honeoye Falls-Lima this Friday in HFL. Game time is 7 p.m.
If you want to make sparks fly, there are some folks at Graham Manufacturing in Batavia who want to talk with you.
Graham makes big things out of big pieces of metal, and that means welding. Graham invests a lot of money in training the people it hires so they learn to become world-class welders.
"We've got a welding school now where we're training our own welders," said Don Fonda, plant supervisor at Graham. "We partnered with Arc and Flame in Rochester. We're paying for people to take classes there. They're actually Graham employees, and we pay them to go to classes. Those are 12-week classes. If they do well, they come here. If they do so-so, we send them for another 12 weeks."
Plant Operations Manager/Commercial Randy Franklin said the welding work Graham needs is specialized and requires a great deal of skill.
"We have really high-quality standards here," Franklin said.
He explained, "We're not just building widgets. It's not the same every single time. We like people who can solve problems. There's a variability in the workflow. It's a good place to work. I mean, it's been around for over 80 years, so it's been a pretty decent place as a bedrock or just providing an opportunity for people in the area."
When Graham, which has always been based in Batavia, was a smaller company, BOCES provided three or four young welders a year that Graham could hire, but now, with 300 employees locally and $150 million in annual revenue, there's a bigger demand for welders, as well as other manufacturing specialties, at Graham, so hiring has become more of a challenge.
Alfred State has a solid welding program, and it is a source of new hires for Graham, but as Fonda explained, if the graduates are not already from the GLOW region, they're likely not coming to Batavia for a job.
So he and Franklin want to get the word out to more local residents looking for a rewarding career -- good pay and solid benefits -- that Graham might be a good fit.
"I think there's a perception that all of this type of equipment is being built elsewhere in the world," Franklin said. "We haven't done a really good job of broadcasting where Graham is and what we do. So we wanted to try to get some more eyeballs on the type of equipment that we build and the opportunities for people in the area."
Graham's longstanding specialty has been equipment used in the oil and gas industries, extracting and refining fuels, but in recent years, Graham has fulfilled contracts for the Department of Defense, fabricating equipment for aircraft carriers and submarines.
"Oil and gas is very cyclical -- demand follows, essentially, the value of a barrel of oil," Franklin said. "The executives, like 10 to 12 years ago, they wanted to be able to even that out because no one enjoys layoffs. They wanted to find a nice baseline, so they went after the Department of Defense."
That large load leaving Graham down Clinton Street a few weeks ago -- that was a piece of equipment for an aircraft carrier. That's all Franklin could say about it.
But the folks at Graham are clearly proud of that shipment. There's a picture of it on a wall in one of the plant buildings. It's the largest load of the year -- 225 long, 17 feet wide, with a gross vehicle weight of 486,000 pounds.
Another poster on the same wall notes that Graham has shipped 2,584 pieces of equipment with a gross weight of 5,980,587 pounds.
For all the success of Graham, and the company's reputation as a place where people work long careers, it's hard finding the right people in Batavia, Franklin acknowledged. And it's getting hard.
"It's tough being in Batavia," Franklin said. "You know, it's in between two cities in New York State, so that makes it difficult. In those higher population areas, obviously, it's easier to pull in people, and then, to top it off, the state doesn't make it very easy to maintain a business and hire people."
The rapid growth of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, the growth of WNY STAMP and the related business growth in Pembroke is also making the job market more competitive, Franklin agreed. All of that growth is driven by incentives offered by GCEDC and the state's economic development packages.
"I don't know if our politicians really truly understand that the decisions that they make have ripple effects," Franklin said. "It's hard to be a competitive business when other new businesses are receiving tax breaks. We just have to try to be flexible and figure out different ways to be competitive with them."
As an example, he said this past summer, a benefit Graham offered was allowing employees to work four nine-hour shifts during the week so they get a half-day off on Friday, and hence a longer weekend to stay at home or take a brief vacation.
Franklin said Graham is looking at other creative ways to offer benefits to Graham employees.
"But regardless of where you are in the country, or even the world, hiring people is a challenge," Franklin added. "In that way, it's not like we're unique to this area."
There are currently 35 openings at Graham in a variety of jobs -- welders, of course, but also engineers, CNC machine operators, buyers, and more -- and Fonda said Graham might be a hidden little gem for area residents who are looking for a career.
"I don't think a lot of people would even know we're here," Fonda said. "We're kind of tucked back on a little street. You might see us a little bit from Main Street, and maybe a bit behind Miss Batavia, but for the most part, I don't think a lot of people know we're here. And I'm not sure a lot of people know we're hiring."
A motorcyclist has reportedly suffered injuries after a collision with a car in the parking lot of the Pembroke Service Center off the Thruway.
East Pembroke Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
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