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Chapin Manufacturing honors employee for 50 years of service to Batavia-based company

By Billie Owens

(Submitted photo and story from Chapin Manufacturing, Inc.)

We do not often these days hear about lifelong employment and people who spend their entire career at one company. But, that very thing has happened here in Batavia at Chapin Manufacturing. Batavia native Ron Odessa joined Chapin in September 1965

Stafford's proposed ban on fracking and oil drilling gets county planners' approval

By Howard B. Owens

The residents of Stafford are a step closer to banning all natural gas hydrofracking as well as other types of oil and gas exploration, drilling and processing.

The Genesee County Planning Board recommended approval Thursday night of a new local law for the Town of Stafford that would ban such

Alan Gordon Taylor

By Howard B. Owens

AIKEN, SC – ALAN GORDON TAYLOR, 90, husband of the late Val Smoter Taylor, died Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA.

A native of Hudson, MA, Alan was a son of the late Alan Frederick and Annie Lavinia Croad Taylor. He worked in a defense factory after finishing high school until he was old enough to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He served as a radioman during World War II and taught code. He was also stationed in the Fiji Islands where he was a swimming instructor. Following the war he worked as a police officer in Hudson, MA. Alan later moved to Batavia, NY where he went to work with GTE Sylvania, retiring after 30 years as a quality control engineer. He lived in Batavia for 50 years and was a 4-H leader for 25 years. An accomplished musician, Alan played trumpet in several bands as well as leading his own band, "The Variety Kings".  He was a certified instructor for the National Rifle Association and was a HAM Radio operator. Mr. Taylor lived in Tennessee for 7 years before moving to Aiken SC a year and a half ago. He was a member of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in East Pembroke, NY, the American Legion, VFW in Batavia, and the Pembroke Community Band.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Austin, New Orleans, LA, Kathryn Tucker (Don), Aiken, SC; two sons, Alan Taylor (Lin), Corfu, NY, Jeff Taylor (Vicki), Watertown, TN; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.  Memorials in his memory may be sent to
     "Pembroke Community Band"
c/o Beverly Neeland
       941 Sumner Rd.
       Darien Center, NY 14040
                        OR
"Joint Veterans Honor Guard of Genesee County"
c/o American Legion Post 332
      8960 Alexander Rd.
      Batavia, NY 14020

The Hawleys growing experiment in finding the right malting grains

By Howard B. Owens

The effort to bring back malting to Upstate New York is a multi-year process.

Working with Cornell University, Ted and Patty Hawley, owners of New York Craft Malt on Bank Street Road, Batavia, are in their third year of running trials of malting grain in Genesee County Farm fields.

There's

Brach Machine celebrates 30 years in business and the joys of manufacturing

By Howard B. Owens

Bill and Nancy Brach clearly love their business, Brach Machine, Inc., which is now in its 30th year in Batavia. Yesterday, the Brachs showed a visitor around their shop with verve and eagerness to share the details of what they do, how they do it and why it's important. 

Going through

Worldwide Christmas Fair is Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Come to the 13th annual Worldwide Christmas Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 300 E. Main St., Batavia. Admission is free.

Join the hundreds of people in the community who have attended our fairs over

Batavia Ophthalmology is newest participant in WNY clinical information exchange system

By Billie Owens

Press release:

HEALTHeLINK today announced Batavia Ophthalmology, PLLC, is the newest participant in Western New York’s clinical information exchange. 

Currently more than 4,000 physicians, all of the area hospitals and many independent laboratory and radiology practices are connected to HEALTHeLINK with a goal of improving the quality of care, enhancing

P.W. Minor bringing home 100 jobs from China with aid from NYS

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that PW Minor, a manufacturer and international distributor of leather footwear and orthopedic products, will bring previously outsourced production work from China back to New York State. The move will create 100 additional jobs at the company’s Batavia facility. This news comes

Grant money available to people on public assistance to spay and neuter pets

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Volunteers For Animals wants to remind you that grant money is still available from the ASPCA to provide low-cost spay and neuter of canines and felines belonging to NYS residents who receive public assistance.

The ASPCA administers the New York State Animal Population Control Program on behalf of the

Pembroke HS makes national list of 'most challenging' schools

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Pembroke High School has made The Washington Post’s America’s Most Challenging High School List, published online this past Sunday.

Unlike Business First’s rankings, which consider a variety of factors in determining Western New York’s top schools, The Washington Post publishes a list of their top schools based

Free seminar offered on finding accessible housing for the disabled in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The legal rights of people with developmental disabilities who are seeking appropriate housing and some practical techniques to secure it will be explored in a FREE Accessible Housing Education Seminar. It takes place on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Independent Living of

Batavia Bulldawgs Football & Cheer to hold registration April 23 at Batavia City Centre

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Board of Directors and coaching staff of the Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football & Cheer program are excited to announce open registration will take place on Saturday, April 23, for the upcoming season. We look forward to welcoming new and returning athletes to the Bulldawg family.

Registration is from

GCC baseball player Barleben signs with Ashland University

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College baseball pitcher and outfielder Connor Barleben (Albion) has committed to Ashland University (OH) after signing a National Letter of Intent with the Eagles to continue his academic and athletic career beginning in the fall.

Barleben has played in 66 games during his season-plus career at

William F. Brown media scholarship announced

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The legacy of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted Batavia author, broadcaster and journalist, will live on through a scholarship established by The Jerome Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that distributes funds to benefit United Memorial Medical Center and other health-related purposes.

The William F. Brown Jr. Memorial

City of Batavia accepted into flood insurance rating system

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The City received notification yesterday from FEMA and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) that it will be accepted into the Community Rating System at a Level 7, becoming the fourth top-ranked community statewide. Beginning Oct. 1, residents and business owners in the City's Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

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