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Sponsored Post: New Listing! Welcome home - 2324 Pratt Road, Pembroke

By Lisa Ace
Sunny Rathod

Explore this charming 3-bed, 1.5-bath brick ranch farmhouse on 2.6 acres in the Pembroke School District! Featuring an entertainer's kitchen with an open floor plan, epoxy river/black walnut island top, farmhouse sink, and maple hardwood floors, this home is ideal for gatherings. The finished Bills/Sabres bonus room in the

With the mercury rising, there are ways to stay cool, experts say

By Joanne Beck
Austin Park spray park July 2023
July 2023 File Photo of kids having some cool fun at the spray park in Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.

And so it begins — announcements of daily air quality index reports, with New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley hitting upon orange zones of “unhealthy for sensitive groups” while remaining regions in New York State rest in the yellow moderate zones as temperatures soar into the

Healthy Neighborhoods program to be going door to door in Batavia

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Genesee County Health Department receives funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to carry out the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP). Residents in the Town and City of Batavia are eligible to participate. 

The program offers free home evaluations for asthma triggers, indoor air quality

Healthy neighborhoods program focusing outreach on Wards 3 and 4 in Batavia

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Genesee County Health Department receives funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to carry out the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP). Residents in the Town and City of Batavia are eligible to participate. 

The program offers free home evaluations for asthma triggers, indoor air quality

Genesee Tourism: Your Guide to Outdoor Dining in Genesee County

By Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Check out these highlights of Al Fresco dining locations in Genesee County. Whether it’s a quick bite between stops or a fine waterfront evening, there's a restaurant with outdoor seating for every palate. From cozy country diners to romantic dinners for two, delicious is the name of the game in

2023: Another busy year in local news

By Howard B. Owens
year in 2023
Following a police pursuit from Byron into Batavia on July 31, a subject barricaded himself in an unoccupied -- though rented -- apartment in a complex on Bank Street. The police presence drew a lot of community attention.
Photo By Howard Owens. (Photo a National Press Photographers Association regional award winner).

It was another busy news year in Genesee County, with lots of big stories, such as the ongoing saga of Ellicott Station, which even cast a shadow over a planned development for Pembroke.

That wasn't the only sign of economic growth in Pembroke, which is the site

Schumer secures $15M for EV charging stations in NYS

By Press Release

Press Release:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced he has secured $15 million in federal funding for New York State to help install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at over 200 locations across the state.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Charging and

Frank Joe Vernon

By Joshua Smith
Vernon

Frank Joe Vernon, age 91, passed away at home on June 30, 2024 , after bravely battling congestive heart failure and stage 4 kidney disease.

Joe was born February 22, 1933 in Lake City, Arkansas to Pearl Edgar (Slim) Vernon and Ona Louise Shoemaker.

He is survived by his daughter Lee Ann Patterson, (husband Robert) and his sister Mary Alice Boyer (husband Larry), their children and many nieces and
nephews.

He is predeceased by his loving wife Cynthia May, his brothers, James Crawford, Edward and sister Betty.

Joe came from humble beginnings and went to school in a one-room schoolhouse in Dyess, Arkansas. His first job at age seven was water boy; riding a blind mule to the cotton fields by himself to provide drinking water to the cotton pickers. Joe made a personal decision as a young adult to escape the brutal poverty in Arkansas and make something of himself. He enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. His military training began in Tillamook, Oregon for Airplane Mechanic; then Rocket Propulsion Training in Chanute, IL and then at Cape Canaveral, FL for the First Pilotless Squadron. He was a member of NATO and was stationed in Florence, Italy and Frankfort, Germany. When airplanes needed parts or repair, he and his crew would fly to those locations in Morocco, Libya, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, France & more. The barracks where he was stationed in Italy was in an ancient 50-room villa that is still standing today. He told many exciting stories including one time when the captain asked him to pilot the plane (a C119-Flying Boxcar) to Belgium and land it on a tiny grass airstrip. That was the only time he piloted a plane.

After his service he attended college at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met his beautiful wife Cynthia when she roomed with his sister Betty and they married in Mississippi on August 11, 1955. He had two job offers upon graduation, one with U.S. Gypsum in Oakfield, NY and the second in Seattle, Washington. He chose U.S. Gypsum and they moved to Oakfield. He became Superintendent of the Paper Mill and implemented many designs for better production and then went on to be Superintendent of the Board Plant. Toward the end of his career, he took the position of Quality Control Supervisor with U.S. Gypsum for the Northeast U.S., Canada and South America. The job required a lot of traveling troubleshooting issues for commercial and residential. He loved his career and certainly knew everything there was to know about papermaking and wallboard.

He was always worked with his hands and when he was first married, he made most of their furniture. Upon buying their home in Elba he and his wife maintained two huge gardens growing all their own vegetables. They both were very frugal and heated their home with wood we either got out of the forest behind the house or sometimes he had a semi-truck deliver logs which he chain sawed and split by himself to heat the home.

As a hobby, he enjoyed fine woodworking and started building dollhouses for his daughter. They became more intricate over time and he started to make dollhouses from actual house plans, reducing the plans from a foot to half an inch. Overall he has made about 20 dollhouses (all with custom- made furniture) including a full-scale replica of the homestead in Elba. After retirement he put a ship model kit together and that became his real passion. He started to make them from scratch (you know just glue some wood together and start sawing anything away that doesn’t look like a ship.) He has made about 50 sailing ships over the years, which are of museum quality. He had a showing at Go-Art several years ago and the Batavian produced a you-tube video titled “Joe Vernon Sailing Model Ship Building” of which he was very proud of. He showed photos of his ships and spoke of the video to just about every Dr. who took care of him at the Veterans Administration.

He loved unique and fancy vehicles and owned many over the years. He had an Izetta (made by BMW) when they lived in TN which drew a lot of attention. His latest sports car was the BMW Z3 5-speed convertible, which he bought for his wife. He loved driving it and even drove it to kidney dialysis last summer.

He was a remarkable, intelligent and gentle man who will be sorely missed. There are no prior calling hours and services will be private. He will be laid to rest alongside his wife of 63 years.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia Downs unveils 16 electric vehicle charging stations

By Press Release
batavia downs electric charging station
Submitted Photo.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, through National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Make-Ready Program, has installed 16 Level 2 EV charging plugs to be used by those who visit one of Western New York’s top entertainment destinations. 

For the project, National Grid’s program provided $96,000 in EV incentives that

Ronald W. Moscicki

By Ronald Konieczny
Moscicki

Ron Moscicki departed his life on November 16, 2024. Born to Stanley and Justine Moscicki on July 14, 1948, in Batavia, NY, Ron was a remarkable leader who walked point on every tour of duty. His commitment to excellence in his life and work impacted the lives of everyone he met. 

He began that influence early. Upon graduating from Batavia High School in 1966, Ron enlisted in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Ranger Division and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Medal Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. 

After his return from Vietnam, Moscicki began his career as a correction officer at Attica Correctional Facility in 1972.  His leadership skills had him working his way up through the supervisory ranks where he commanded the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

His leadership of the CERT Team gained him the respect of Commissioner Thomas A. Coughlin, III, who appointed him as Captain to head the new corrections initiative, Shock Incarceration, at Monterey SICF in 1987. He served on the task force that designed Shock Incarceration and directed the first training program for staff. He was promoted to Superintendent at Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility in August of 1989 and received the Governor's Management Confidential Special Achievement Award in1990. It was Moscicki’s commitment, discipline, and leadership that helped Shock gain its well-deserved reputation as The Best in the Business.

As Supervising Superintendent, he was responsible for the supervision of the largest hub in the department, ensuring consistency of operations and administration of eleven correctional facilities.  Ron served corrections for the State of New York for 44 years, 24 years as Superintendent and Supervising Superintendent, retiring in 2012. 

Ron was blessed to have not one beautiful wife that loved him, but two.  On May 1, 1971, he married Victoria Calarco and was happily married for 44 years until her passing in 2015.  A year later, he married Hilda Echevarria on August 27, 2016.  Ron and Hilda were happily married for 7 years until her passing in 2023. 

Ron is survived by his two children, Ronald Jr. (Brittany) and Michelle Mager (Justin) of Batavia, and stepdaughter Seryna Ancelet of Dunkirk and three wonderful grandchildren. He enjoyed spoiling his granddaughter Addison with anything she wanted and chauffeuring her around town in his Mercedes, and spending quality time with his grandson Clark, taking him to lunch.  He also enjoyed playing and wrestling with his grandson Hudson.  He was known as Grampy and will be deeply missed by these three kids.   He is also survived by two brothers Daniel Moscicki (Linda), David Moscicki (Brenda), and a sister Kim Casilio (David) and predeceased by a brother Gregory Moscicki (Joanne).  

Ron enjoyed cruising around in his Mercedes, vacationing, and sharing his life stories, mainly war stories with family and friends.  He was always best dressed no matter the occasion. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday (Nov. 23rd), 9:30am at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main Street, Batavia, NY. Interment and military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

Prominent attorney accused of malpractice by Village of Alexander in wake of lawsuit loss

By Howard B. Owens
dominick building bufflao street alexander
A building at 3399 Buffalo St., Alexander, a former medical office, that has been the subject of a decade-long legal battle between the Village of Alexander and C&D Design, Build, Development, a Corfu-based business.
Photo by Howard Owens.

After an adverse ruling against the village of Alexander in a property condemnation case, the village and its code enforcement officer have filed a malpractice lawsuit against the Attica-based law firm and the lead attorney who handled the case.

The suit names as defendants Dadd, Nelson, Wilkinson & Wujcik, PLLC and attorney James M. Wujcik.

Wujcik, until last week, was County Attorney for Genesee County.  He served one term, which is two years. 

The 2024 Women of Inspiration luncheon to honor 4 locals

By Press Release

Press Release:

The YWCA of Genesee County will honor four incredible local women at the 2024 Women of Inspiration Awards Luncheon on Sunday, April 28 from 12:30 - 3 p.m. at Batavia Downs. Come hear from Keynote Speaker Deanna Dewberry and celebrate our four outstanding, inspiring women!

judy.jpg
Submitted photo of
Judy Fuller.

Judy Fuller 

Standardized procedures, recruitment push among key strategies to fix fire, emergency response issues: Yaeger

By Mike Pettinella
Tim Yaeger

The task force charged with finding ways to stabilize fire and emergency medical service in Genesee County has identified eight priority measures from a list of about 100 recommendations provided by an independent consulting firm.

County EMS Coordinator Tim Yaeger (photo at right) on Thursday said the task force is meeting regularly in an effort to implement these strategies, with a focus on developing standards that all local fire departments or companies can follow and finding efficient ways to recruit potential volunteer firefighters.

In July 2022, the Genesee County Comprehensive Fire & Emergency Medical Service Implementation Plan (Fire & EMS Plan) was finalized. Since that time, the task force received feedback on the recommendations from Municipal Resources, Inc. of Plymouth,

Varland and Stewart named Athletes of the Year for Batavia High School at annual awards presentation

By Howard B. Owens
batavia hs athletic awards 2024
Track and Field Coach Nick Burk and multi-sports star Anna Varland
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia hs athletic awards 2024
Burk and state wrestling champion Casper Stewart.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Anna Varland and  Casper Stewart were honored on Wednesday evening at the Athletes of the Year by the Batavia Coaches Association at Batavia High School's annual Athletic Awards program.

Varland was a standout in soccer, flag football, basketball and softball.

Stewart won the school's first-ever state championship in

Statement from Borrello on the Senate Majority's 'One House budget'

By Press Release

Press Release:

“There is no clearer way for citizens to communicate their unhappiness with the governance of their state than by packing up their households and moving out. Here in New York, our residents are virtually shouting that message as they are leaving in such numbers that our state has

Town planners set public hearings for solar farm, motocross, snow equipment storage, biogas projects

By Mike Pettinella

The Batavia Town Planning Board on Tuesday night set public hearings for four projects, including a 5-megawatt ground-mounted commercial solar system on a large agricultural parcel at 9327 Wortendyke Rd.

Speaking at the board’s meeting at the Batavia Town Hall, Will Nieles, project developer representing New Leaf Energy said the solar array will cover about 15.7 acres of a 51.3-acre field in an Agricultural-Residential zoned district.

The application has been submitted by Judy Green/Wortendyke Road Solar 1, LLC.

Documents reveal Ellicott Station built on foundation of misunderstood housing terms

By Howard B. Owens
ellicott station ground breaking may 2022
May 3, 2022, the groundbreaking for Ellicott Station.
Photo by Howard Owens.

What is mixed-income housing? Workforce housing? Low-income housing? Affordable housing? Market-rate housing?

These terms appear frequently in thousands of documents obtained from government agencies by The Batavian for an investigation into how the 55-unit apartment building under construction at Ellicott Station transformed from “luxury” units to apartments eligible for Section 8 rental vouchers.

How did this once promising project go from a complex where all tenants hold down jobs to one where potentially as few as 36 percent of the potential tenants are gainfully employed, and finally, one where the project's actual completion is in doubt?

Sponsored Post: Batavia Downs hosting Psychic Fair for three days starting Friday

By Sponsored Post
sponsored post batavia downs psychic fair

Story by James  Fink

Throughout her adult life, Suzanne Linde has had a number of interesting jobs, including decorating cakes, making and selling jewelry, serving as a minister and as co-founder of the Experience Psychic Fair.

It is the Experience Psychic Fair that will bring Linde, 68, back to

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