batavia

Press Release:

You don’t want to miss this! On Thursday, May 1, the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library will hold their Monthly Book Sale in the Wilber-Fox Room from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s the perfect time to find something special for Mother’s Day, or…just because.

Visit the Reading Room at 3 p.m. to enjoy the theatrical talents of The GeriActors & Friends. This wonderful group develops performer-created theatre and performance-based activities that are of high quality and that foster positive intergenerational interaction and authentic views of aging. This exceptional and inclusive group will be performing one show only, so be there for something extra special. This program is free to attend and all are welcome.

While you’re here for these exciting events, eligible voters are invited to participate in the 2025 Budget Vote and Trustee Election from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the Gallery Room. There are three trustee positions to be voted on.

Additionally, the Richmond Memorial Library is seeking an increase of 2%, or $27,905, for the 2025-2026 budget year, bringing the total appropriated amount to $1,423,188. The complete budget newsletter and annual report can be found at the library or at batavialibrary.org. 

The current president of the Board of Trustees, Leslie Moma, is running for re-election this year. She is a Landscape Architect for the NYS Department of Transportation and is active in the Batavia community, including serving as a member of the Board of Directors for GoArt! Leslie is committed to the mission of the library in its role as an integral community asset for Batavia and the larger community.

Rebecca Oshlag is a retired special education teacher, a professional storyteller, and an avid reader. Rebecca is currently an appointed member of the Board of Trustees and, if elected, will continue to advance the goals of the library and the Board. She feels honored to work with a group of individuals who spend considerable time and effort to promote the success of a community institution that provides services beyond lending books.

Marcia Bohn is proud to call Batavia home. Her relationship with the library has grown into a teaching role that she finds incredibly fulfilling. She volunteers locally and believes that being actively involved helps to strengthen the community we all share. 

She is excited to take the next step in her service journey and is hoping to become a member of the Board of Trustees to help ensure it continues to thrive and remain accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for every member of our community. 

Residents of Batavia City School District who are registered voters may vote in this year’s Budget Vote & Trustee Election.

For more information about Richmond Memorial Library, visit batavialibrary.org.

Press Release:

Community Care of Western New York, dba HomeCare & Hospice, is proud to join the nationwide celebration of National Volunteer Week, taking place April 20–26. This annual observance honors the remarkable individuals who generously give their time, talents, and compassion to support patients and families across our region.

Volunteers are at the heart of HomeCare & Hospice’s mission, offering companionship, comfort, and critical support services to those navigating serious illness or end-of-life care. Whether sitting bedside with patients or assisting with administrative tasks, their dedication ensures that no one walks their journey alone.

“Our volunteers are truly an extension of our caregiving team,” said Melissa Sullivan, CEO of Community Care of Western New York. “They bring light, comfort, and connection into the lives of those we serve. We are deeply grateful for every hour they contribute to our mission.”

This year, HomeCare & Hospice is pleased to recognize several volunteers who have achieved significant milestones in service hours, as well as warmly welcoming a new group of volunteers joining the team. These individuals exemplify the power of human kindness, and the profound difference one person can make.

Volunteer Milestones:

Wellsville Office

• Jeanie Rauber volunteered 115.75 hours in 2024, with 644.25 cumulative hours through 2024.

Allegany Office

• Susan Oakely volunteered 144.5 hours in 2024, with 282.75 cumulative hours.
• Gloria Brennan volunteered 109.5 hours in 2024, with 116.75 cumulative hours.

Arcade/Batavia Offices

• Jake M. volunteered 100 cumulative hours through 2024.
• Dawn Greene volunteered 200 cumulative hours through 2024.
• Susan Hengelsburg volunteered 500 cumulative hours through 2024.
• Patricia Rowbottom volunteered 600 cumulative hours through 2024.

“Each volunteer brings something unique—whether it’s a listening ear, a warm smile, or a steady presence,” said Cassie Kelsey, Staff & Outreach Coordinator. “It’s a privilege to work alongside them and to witness their impact firsthand.”

We are thrilled to welcome five new volunteers to our HomeCare & Hospice family, each bringing unique life experiences and heartfelt motivation to serve others. 

Sharon Butts, a retired ER nurse from UMMC, joins us as a patient volunteer in Batavia, eager to give back in her retirement. 

Also in Batavia, Kristine Gallop brings her compassion and care following her personal experience of caring for her father, with a background in occupational therapy and a love for cooking, golf, and travel. 

Anne Elliot, based in Arcade, is semi-retired and looks forward to providing comfort and support as a patient volunteer, drawing on her rural roots and love of the outdoors. 

Barbara Totten joins as an office volunteer in Batavia, whose lifelong commitment to community service and love for staying active is inspiring. 

And from our Allegany office, we welcome Audrey Sanay, born and raised in New York City and currently a student at Pitt-Bradford pursuing a degree in Exercise Science. Audrey enjoys orchestra, band, reading, and staying active, and is planning to continue her education through an accelerated nursing program. 

We are so grateful to have each of them on board and look forward to the meaningful impact they will make across our service areas.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, HomeCare & Hospice extend heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteers —past, present, and future. We are always seeking compassionate individuals interested in joining our volunteer team across Wyoming, Genesee, Allegany, and Cattaraugus Counties. Whether you have a few hours a week or a few hours a month, there is a place for you in our organization.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer with HomeCare & Hospice, please call 716-372-2106 or email ckelsey@homecare-hospice.org.

Press Release:

The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund is proud to announce that the 2025 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) “Night of Champions” will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel in Batavia.

As the premier event of the NYSS season, the Night of Champions showcases the top two- and three-year-old Standardbreds bred, owned, and raced in New York State. With over $2.4 million in purse money awarded across the evening, the event represents the pinnacle of the harness racing calendar.

“We are excited to bring the Night of Champions back to Batavia Downs, where the event was last hosted in 2019,” said Ralph Scunziano, Executive Director of the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund. “Batavia Downs has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to hosting world-class racing, and their upgraded clubhouse and facilities are sure to create another memorable experience for our horsemen, owners, and fans.”

Located between Buffalo and Rochester, Batavia Downs is centrally situated in Western New York’s agricultural hub, offering a unique opportunity to highlight both the sport of harness racing and the economic impact of equine breeding and training in the region. The half-mile track is well known for its quality surface and competitive racing.

The races will be streamed live on Batavia Downs’ YouTube page, and a live post-position draw will take place on Facebook ahead of the event. Pre-race commentary and on-site interviews with winning connections will also enhance the live broadcast experience.

“We are honored to have been selected to host this prestigious event here at Batavia Downs.  I appreciate the confidence that the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund has in our team here and we will not let them down. Our track and facility will be ready to go, and we are prepared to celebrate the “Night of Champions” with all of the people that attend,” said Byron Brown, President and CEO of Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation.

The 2025 Night of Champions will be the culmination of a 56-day NYSS season, beginning May 18 at Saratoga Raceway. Full schedules for the Sire Stakes, Excelsior Series, and County Fair Series are available at www.nysirestakes.com.

Batavia went into the fifth inning in softball on Tuesday, leading 7-4, but surrendered nine runs to lose a lead they wouldn't regain.

Final score, 16-8.

Ariana Almekinder fanned five for Batavia.

Offense:

• Ariana Almekinder, 3-4, double, RBI, 4 runs
• Libby Grazioplene, 2-4, 2 triples, RBI
• Drew Stevens, 2-4, 2 RBIs
• Kyleigh Kabel, 2-4, RBI
• Lyla Smith, 2-4, RBI double
• Hannah Carney, RBI, double

"We had one of those innings that a very young team will have," said Coach Robert Kersch. "Need to learn from our mistakes and continue to grow." 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Starter Brady Carney went all seven innings for the complete game victory on Tuesday as Batavia beat Olympia-Odyssey, 5-1.

Carney fanned seven, walked two and only gave up one hit.

Batavia offense 

• Carter Mullen, 3-4, triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• Maggio Buchholz, 3-4,  1 RBI
• Nolan Ball, 2-3, 2 runs scored
• Brock Bigsby, 1 hit, 1 RBI 
• Jameson Motyka, 1 Hit

"We're really seeing the ball well at the plate the last couple of games, and it's starting to show, said Coach Michael Sputore. "Pitching has always kept us close and now the bats are starting to wake up."

Batavia Now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

Empire Hemp Co., a trusted name in New York’s hemp and cannabis industry since 2018, is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its journey: the transformation of its retail space at 204 E Main St. into Mrs. Green’s CANNAry, the area’s first woman-owned, licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary.

Founded by Shelly Wolanske and Chris VanDusen, Empire Hemp Co. has built a reputation for producing high-quality CBD and THC products with a commitment to integrity, consistency, and care. With New York State cannabis regulations prohibiting vertical integration, the company made a strategic decision to expand in new ways. As a result, Shelly has launched Mrs. Green’s CANNAry as a standalone retail dispensary, while Empire Hemp Co. continues to focus on cultivation and manufacturing.

The new dispensary will proudly feature the Empire products that helped define the brand—such as the popular GOAT Infused Pre-Rolls—alongside a carefully curated selection of top-tier cannabis products from across New York State. Mrs. Green’s CANNAry will continue to serve the community with the same warmth, transparency, and customer care that have been hallmarks of the location since its original opening in 2021.

“Mrs. Green’s CANNAry is a natural next step,” said Shelly Wolanske. “We’re building on everything that made Empire special and bringing that energy into a fully licensed adult-use dispensary. I’m excited to create a space where education, quality, and customer experience come first.”

Empire Hemp Co. remains under the leadership of Chris VanDusen, operating from a new production facility in Batavia that better supports its continued growth. The company will expand its manufacturing of high-quality THC products for distribution to dispensaries across the state—including Mrs. Green’s.

“This is a win-win,” said VanDusen. “Empire gets to focus on scaling production and developing innovative cannabis products, while Mrs. Green’s CANNAry offers customers access to the very best flower, pre-rolls, and extracts that New York has to offer—including our own.”

The opening of Mrs. Green’s CANNAry is expected in early May 2025, and updates will be posted on social media as preparations continue. In the meantime, customers can continue to shop Empire’s full line of CBD products online empirehempco.com.

Adrienne S. Bechtold, 29, of Vine Street, Batavia, Jacob W. Patterson, 29, of Vine Street, Batavia, and Rebecca I. Patterson, 58, of Batavia, are charged with multiple crimes. (Note, the charges are not specified by person in the press release and it's unclear which charges apply to all and which might apply to only a single individual).  The charges are, six counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, three counts of promoting prison contraband 1st, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, three counts of conspiracy 4th, two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, moving from lane unsafely, and insufficient turn signal. On April 15, deputies conducted a traffic stop on the Thruway near mile marker 390.9 after observing alleged traffic violations. Deputies reportedly became suspicious of criminal activity after observing "several criminal indicators," so they requested the assistance of Batavia PD K9 Batu. As a result of the search, narcotics were allegedly located in the vehicle. After the search, one of the suspects produced more narcotics that the person had concealed on his or her person. The three people were transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing. At the jail, more narcotics were allegedly found on Bechtold and Jacob Patterson. They are accused of possessing two ounces of cocaine as well as fentanyl. Rebecca Patterson was released on an appearance ticket. Bechtold and Jacob Patterson were held pending arraignment. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, Deputy Alexander Hadsall, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, and Officer Stephen Quider, Batavia PD, handler of K-9 Batu.

Carrie Ann Stewart, 44, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd and petit larceny. Stewart is accused of entering and remaining in Walmart with the intent to commit a crime at 8:31 p.m. on April 14.

Michael Anthony Fanizza, 31, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. Fanizza is accused of entering another person's residence in Oakfield and remaining there without permission at 1:20 pm. on April 18. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Michaela Ruth Bohn, 25, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Bohn was stopped at 11:44 p.m. on April 19 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen by Deputy Jonathan Dimming. He was issued traffic tickets and released. 

After two years as director of Richmond Memorial Library, Beth Paine has resigned the position, Board President Leslie Moma says.

Moma issued a press release Monday announcing Paine's departure. She was hired in March 2023 to replace former director Bob Conrad. 

"Beth will remain available to us as we transition to new leadership," Moma said. "Her contributions will continue to help the library serve the needs of our community.  During her tenure there were numerous positive developments: modernizing library policies, increasing operational efficiencies, overseeing improvements to our building and grounds, and evaluating staff skills and talents and promoting them to positions that enabled them to utilize their diverse talents.”

After her first year as director, Paine recommended that the library, for the first time in decades, take over its own financial and purchasing duties from Batavia City School District, which provided them as in-kind services as part of its landlord-tenant relationship. 

Paine's job responsibilities then included the payroll and related duties, she had said, and the library accounts payable clerk and accounts receivable clerk had taken over the bookkeeping tasks. The library also hired an outside accountant to “oversee all of these functions, and we have hired a payroll company to process our payroll,” Paine had said of the new arrangement.

Batavia police officers or seeking the public's assistance with an investigation into an incident in the parking lot of the East Main McDonald's on Easter Sunday that led to one man being stabbed.

When police arrived on scene, one male was located at that location.

The other male, who sustained a knife wound, was not at the scene when police officers responded to the report of a disturbance. He was latter located at a residence in the city. His injuries was not life-threatening.  CIty Fire and Mercy EMS responded to the residence and the person was transported to a hospital in Rochester for further treatment. 

All subjects believed to be involved in the incident have been identified and police say there is no ongoing risk to public safety.

Investigators are encouraging possible witnesses to come forward.

Tips can be provided by calling 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or by clicking here.

Press Release:

As the weather gets warmer, people are more likely to see wild and baby animals in their yards, parks, and wooded areas. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to remind residents to stay alert and cautious around wild, stray, and even baby animals.

Rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both animals and humans, but the good news is, it is preventable.

“Rabies is most often spread through bites from animals that have the disease, like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “Baby or young animals might look cute, but they can still have rabies. Don’t touch, feed, or approach wild animals or stray pets. If you see an animal that looks hurt or sick, call animal control instead.”

Rabies is deadly if not treated. If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound right away with soap and water and seek medical attention. All bites should be reported to the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments.

To stop the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents of the following:

• Make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Do not go near or touch wild animals, baby animals or stray cats and dogs, even if they seem hurt or lost. Report any unusual animal behavior. If an animal seems aggressive, confused, or unusually friendly, contact animal control right away.
• Follow leash laws. Keep pets on a leash so they do not encounter wild animals or strays. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance immediately and report it to the health department.
• Prevent bats from entering living spaces. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and contact the health department. DO NOT release it! For instructions on safely capturing a bat, watch this GO Health Minute.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans Counties, offered at no charge. 

Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia)

• Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 7, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)

• Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 20, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:

• Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@geneseeny.gov
• Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram, and X at GOHealthNY.

Batavia Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Centennial Park on Saturday.

Despite the rain, more than 5,000 eggs were eagerly scooped up by enthusiastic egg hunters who didn’t let the weather dampen their fun.

Photos by Kara Richenberg

"Upon the whitewashed walls, a woman’s shadow falls — a woman walketh o’er the darksome floors. A soft, angelic smile, lighteth her face the while, in passing through the dismal corridors."

That line from a Victorian-era poem by Emma Lazarus may not hold completely true to the bustling hospitals of today, but how many patients can probably relate to seeing that soft smile from a helpful nurse? Lazarus penned the poem about Florence Nightingale, a famous British nurse of the 1800s who offered comfort to soldiers during the Crimean War. 

She also serves as inspiration for a traditional ceremony conducted by the GLOW Nurses Honor Guard, a local chapter of the New York State Nurses Association.

“It’s been an organization for a really long time; it recognizes nurses who have passed on. Our purpose is simple: to honor our fellow nurses during their funeral or celebration of life,” member Amy Bontrager said to The Batavian. “We’re trying to get more recognition for it, because of all the funerals that I’ve gone to, everyone said, every single time they’ve said, ‘I didn’t realize this was a thing, this is great that you guys do this.’”

The local chapter is planning to honor nurses during National Nurses Week with a brief ceremony at noon, May 12, in front of United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North St., Batavia. This is the first time the ceremony has been held at the hospital. It includes a reading of a Florence Nightingale poem, some audience participation, and the honor guard in traditional nurses' all-white uniforms with blue and red capes, Bontrager said.

“The purpose is to remember those nurses who have previously passed on without having had a Nurses’ Honor Guard ceremony. Anyone who has previously lost a loved one who once served as a nurse — LPN, RN, NP, or the public in general — is welcome to attend,” she said. “To me, it’s important because I have an emotional connection to being a nurse; they do a lot of things no one ever knows about — a gentle touch, a smile, giving hope, the bigger picture that you’re making a difference. It’s very emotional.”

New York State Honor Guard’s vision is to “make sure that when a New York State nurse is coming to the end of life or has passed away, that nurse is not forgotten. Volunteer nurses from all over New York are committed to remembering the careers and commitment of their colleagues,” with a mission to pay tribute to these nurses, including living tributes to those who are approaching end-of-life care.

The organization has grown from one chapter to 24 that cover 59 of the 62 counties in the state, including Genesee. Many funeral homes are aware of this service, Bontrager said, and members hope to continue spreading the word so that nursing friends and families keep it in mind when planning to honor loved ones.

“We stuff it all down, but it’s in there,” Bontrager said of colleagues’ memories, and her own nursing experiences that began in the 1990s. “It’s very moving, just offering support to fellow nurses.”

And now and then there slips

A word from out her lips,

More sweet and grateful to those listening ears

Than the most plaintive tale

Of the sad nightingale,

Whose name and tenderness this woman bears.

Her presence in the room

Of agony and gloom,

No fretful murmurs, no coarse words profane;

For while she standeth there,

All words are hushed save prayer;

She seems God's angel weeping o'er man's pain.

And some of them arise,

With eager, tearful eyes,

From off their couch to see her passing by.

Some, e'en too weak for this,

Can only stoop and kiss

Her shadow, and fall back content to die.

No monument of stone

Needs this heroic one —

Her name is graven on each noble heart;

And in all after years

Her praise will be the tears

Which at that name from quivering lids will start.

And those who live not now,

To see the sainted brow,

And the angelic smile before it flits for aye,

They in the future age

Will kiss the storied page

Whereon the shadow of her life will lie.

Florence Nightingale By Emma Lazarus

For more information about the honor guard, go HERE. 

April 2025, I am sitting at the Florida airport, waiting for my flight. I look around at how things have changed since I first traveled as a young child: the signs about firearms, the bag searches, and the X-ray machine. I remember when you could have someone go to the gate, kiss you goodbye, and watch your plane take off. 

Every place I go to recently, I'm taken back to a time when I reflect on a specific time in my life.

When I passed Notre Dame High School, many memories flooded my mind. The first thing is the uniforms. When I went to school, I told my granddaughter that you had to kneel and make sure your skirt touched the floor, as I was folding her very short uniform skirt.

We connected with our friends in high school by walking and talking in the hallway. There was an origami folding puzzle we enjoyed -- sometimes referred to as a Cootie Catcher. I remember writing a note in religion class to one of my friends to have the teacher retrieve it from me, read it to the class, and post it on the bulletin board. That was our texting. 

If you wanted to make a phone call, you waited at home for your phone to be free. The phone was attached to the wall with a very long cord. We had a time limit on the phone. On just about every corner, there was a pay phone. When I think about using them, I cringe at how dirty they are now. 

I am unsure where the kids hang out today, but we hung out at Critics Ice Cream Parlor or Kustas Soda Fountain. If you were lucky to get a booth at Critics, you had your jukebox attached to the wall to play your favorite songs.

There was no such thing as Amazon. We had beautiful stores lining our Main Street. Anything you needed, you could find on Main Street. As a young girl, you would go to C.L. Carrs, Scott and Bean, and Alexanders to see the latest styles in girls' clothing. 

I only remember one person with a car in high school. The vehicle was called Captain America. We were all very fit because we walked to every place we wanted to go. On weekends, you would go to the movies at Mancuso Theater or Dipson Theater to see the latest movie. Now, you can watch hundreds of movies and television shows streaming on your flat-screen TV, phone, tablet, or computer. In my day, TV shows were in black and white, your TV set was in a cabinet, and the first remote I remember had a cord attached to the TV, allowing you to turn the TV on and off and adjust the volume. In our house, that remote was only used by our dad. 

The stores were not open on Sundays, and Sundays were for church. It was a family day. One corner store might be open for that emergency loaf of bread or milk. 

I try to explain to our grandchildren what it was like back in our day. I'm not sure they're interested, but when they're in their 70s, they'll try to share more about their past. I know our parents did, and I would give anything to hear one of their stories today.

In sports and in life, the opportunity to find the “sweet spot” is always worth the effort.

Look at the success of the new torpedo bats in baseball. Putting the weight and power to the sweet spot has everyone from the Yankees to youth players a smart way to play better.

How do we take that same innovation to our community? As an economic developer, it’s by focusing on the “sweet spot” of career discovery and exploration – the middle school and junior high years!

In March, I was fortunate to present at this year’s annual Genesee County Youth Bureau Conference at Genesee Community College. The youth conference gives 7th and 8th grade students another great way to learn about life skills and careers as they
continue their educational journeys. 

It was an outstanding program, and students left our sessions inspired to start thinking about what they can do in school and after graduation. 

These students are right in the sweet spot to start this journey.

There are great opportunities in emerging fields that they weren’t aware of. Companies are urgently looking to fill their workforce pipeline and there are many good paying jobs with the potential for long-term professional and financial growth.

They have time to grow the skills that it will take to be successful in them. They have time to test out what fields interest them, discover what works and what doesn’t, and get into great experiences offered by the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, Genesee Valley BOCES, their school, and new opportunities coming to Genesee County like national career readiness certificates with the ACT. 

Parents, I know this is a lot of information to take in. I want to make it simple for you. That’s why it’s okay to start with a conversation with Coach SwazZ. I understand the challenges, and the opportunities, and have pathways to fast track your child through a career exploration journey that combines their personal interests with experiential learning. We aim to create an ideal blend of passion and professionalism in supporting youth to achieve success right here in Genesee County.

Even with these advantages, we have to keep swinging. The torpedo bats have given the Yankees great early results, but every home run starts with a player that’s put in the effort to improve.

And there’s still going to be missed swings and strike outs. The fact is that 21.4% of students who enroll in college dropout their first year. 

Unfortunately, for some, their initial plans do not materialize due to various factors such as academic pressures, financial difficulties, or personal circumstances. Sometimes though it’s simply because they are not enjoying what they are learning in the classroom and there is nothing wrong with that!

There is a reason why so many of our partners in the workforce space focus on students at an early. Not every good paying job requires a college diploma and employers aren’t necessarily looking for college graduates because they are willing to train students and provide them the skills for success. The earlier we can connect with younger students the better the opportunity for them to learn about all the opportunities available to them in the workplace.

As a youth baseball coach and as a career coach, my message is the same. 

Control the controllables. 

Your work ethic, effort, body language, energy, attitude, passion, being coachable, going the extra mile and being prepared are all within your own control and will lead you to sustained success in your educational and professional journeys.

Visit www.gcedc.com/workforceprograms to access our free career checklist, featuring eight essential steps to jumpstart your professional journey.

If you are a student, parent, teacher, or guidance counselor, contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com to learn how to get involved today! 

Chris “Coach SwazZ” Suozzi is the Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Press release:

“A Haircut Always Helps!”

Cassandra Hirsch, Jamie Torrence, and co-workers at UConnectCare on Saturday afternoon enlisted the support of three barbers from My Cut in Batavia to provide free haircuts.

Hirsch, a data evaluator who also works with the homeless population, looked on in appreciation as My Cut owner Zach Watts and fellow barbers Connor Hyde-Hamilton and Ray Williams donated three hours of their time to the cause.

“Many of the homeless don’t have access to services such as haircuts and can’t afford one so we wanted to make a way for them to get one,” Hirsch said. “We reached out to My Cut and they jumped right in.”

The Recovery Station staff also shuttled participants to the event – running a van back and forth from different locations at three separate times.

Hirsch said Iron Reps Gym, Southside Deli, Eden Café and Cinquino’s Pizza donated door prizes while individuals gave toys and cash. Clothing was donated as well.

“We’re so grateful to all those who helped out,” she said. “The next time we have this, we hope to have some hairdressers for the women.”

Watts said he sees owning a barber shop as something bigger than himself.

“Just being involved in a barber shop, in general, is being part of a community gathering place,” he said. “Sometimes, people can’t make it to you, so it’s important that you go out and make it to them.”

Watts started My Cut about 4 ½ years ago and has seen his customer base increase significantly. It received the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District “Business of the Year” award in 2024.

He was quick to credit those who work at the shop.

“I’ve always said it’s the guys who have come in and joined me and are on this journey with me,” he said. “They’re the ones that make it work.”

Photos provided by UConnectCare.

May is right around the corner, and that means organizers are preparing — and seeking participants — for the annual Memorial Day parade down Main Street, Batavia.

The city invites you and your organization to participate in the parade, set for a lineup at 8:30 a.m. on May 26 at the East Town Plaza. The event is to begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Alva Place downtown.

Parade Chairman Bob Bialkowski said marshals will be on site to assign participants a place in the parade.

“When turning off of Main Street onto Bank Street, all units are to be silent out of respect for a memorial service at the Veterans Monument on Bank Street,” he said. “Your support is greatly appreciated.”

Bialkowski is asking for RSVPs as soon as possible to schedule you on the parade roster. A certificate of insurance or “hold harmless” needs to be returned with the RSVP, he said.

Some reminders about parade protocol:

• Throwing candy from vehicles is strictly prohibited.
• There will be no political campaigning, such as “vote for” signs, out of respect for the event.
• “Our veterans served our country, not political affiliations,” he said.

Send RSVP to Bob Bialkowski, 16 Union St., Batavia, NY, 14020, or email to bbwski@yahoo.com.