Support local journalism. Support community news coverage. Help ensure your community continues to receive the news coverage it deserves. Take advantage of this special offer and join Early Access Pass today.
Support local journalism. Support community news coverage. Help ensure your community continues to receive the news coverage it deserves. Take advantage of this special offer and join Early Access Pass today.
Support local journalism. Support community news coverage. Help ensure your community continues to receive the news coverage it deserves. Take advantage of this special offer and join Early Access Pass today.
In May, we launched a program that enables our readers to help support local journalism.
It's called Early Access Pass and enables members to read selected stories before non-members. Currently, selected stories require a membership to read during the first four hours of publication.
In order to enhance the value of an Early Access Pass membership, starting Jan. 1, members will get the first crack at buying Deals of the Day coupons.
During the first four hours of a Deal of the Day post, only Early Access Pass members will be able to purchase Deal of the Day coupons.
To ensure you don't miss out on valuable discounts, sign up for Early Access Pass today by visiting
https://my.thebatavian.com
Use the Discount Code DOD10OR15 for either 10 percent off on the first year of an annual membership or 15 percent off each month for six months of a monthly membership.
Stay on top of the news with Early Access Pass. Click here to join.
If you know, you know. Those in the know have Early Access Pass. Sign up today.
It's been a couple of weeks since I've drawn your attention to this, but The Batavian continues to publish more local news than any other source, and we more frequently beat the competition than we get beat on local stories.
By local, we mean Genesee County, which is all we cover.
We cover more events. We publish more local photos. Our calendar has more local events -- more events publicized in one place than you can even find on social media (send your calendar items to be included to news@thebatavian.com). This week, for the first time, we published a listing of local music at local venues, which makes us the only local publication to offer such a calendar. We publish more press releases, which also helps you stay better informed about what's going on in the local community (send press releases to news@thebatavian.com). I didn't include much sports in the list below, including the Muckdogs, because we don't have a sports staff, but we have beat the competition on sports stories, and we seem to have more coverage of the Muckdogs these days.
All of this adds up to The Batavian being a complete and comprehensive local news outlet like none other around here.
A report by Northwestern University says that local newspapers are dying at a rate of two per week. The future of local news is digital, which is why you should support online local news.
We work hard to bring you the news, sometimes too hard (I put in more than 100 hours this past week), which is why we started Early Access Pass. Local news isn't going to survive without reader support. It simply isn't sustainable without readers helping pay for it.
Please join Early Access Pass today.
Here's a list of stories from the past week that The Batavian beat the competition on, and often the coverage is still only available on The Batavian.
Many of these stories were available only to members of Early Access Pass during the first four hours of publication. Click here to join Early Access Pass.
The Batavian was out in full force Monday during the Batavia Muckdogs game, both in our coverage with a freelance photographer and with staff at a booth set up near the entrance at Dwyer Stadium.
Our presence in public has not usually been a luxury we could afford: staff’s time has been precious and usually spent on the day-to-day tasks at hand, whether it be dealing with advertising needs, covering and reporting the news or the arduous billing and financial duties of a publisher.
But we’ve had a change of heart, attitude, focus and business model, and want to:
1. Make the time when possible to get out into the community to meet folks and let you know that we are your local news here to make a difference in Genesee County;
2. Introduce the Early Access Pass program that is twofold in that it allows you to access all of the news that we provide the very minute that we publish it without having to wait the four-hour hold time for non-Early Access members, and makes you, as a supporter helps us hire more reporters to go out and cover even more local news stories; and
3. Encourage creativity and positivity in the community by sponsoring a guitar giveaway with an art contest. During the Muckdogs game, all we asked was for people — kids and adults alike — to draw their best version of an eagle!
The Batavian’s logo incorporates the eagle from one of Batavia’s most iconic symbols on The Upton Monument at the merging of routes 5 and 63. So we thought it only fitting to use an eagle — also long used as a patriotic symbol of the United States and freedom — for our contest.
As many people walked by, asking about the red electric guitar poised on a table at our booth, they couldn’t believe that all they had to do was draw an eagle to enter. Some asked how much it was to enter, and several people shied away, claiming, “I can’t draw.”
Others, however, took the task quite seriously. They went at it with gusto, first deliberating how their eagle would look, and what colors they’d choose. No two eagles looked the same out of the 40 or so submissions.
Some perched looking forward, others looking sideways, with outstretched wings, or wings at their sides, while flying, or remaining idle. Some artists added embellishments of cool blue water beneath and puffy white clouds alongside their wings. Some had stunning details, while others rested in sufficient modesty.
So why a guitar giveaway? That was the idea of Publisher Howard Owens. If you know him at all, you also know his passion for music, and especially for playing guitar.
“I get a thrill out of seeing kids get excited about the possibility of winning a guitar,” Owens says, “and then to see the happiness of the young person who actually won makes the price of the guitar seem all worth it.”
“I love music. I always have. When I was a child, I begged my mother for a guitar, but my parents, when I was a child, struggled financially like a lot of young parents,” he said. “Guitars back then were either expensive or just no good. I didn't get my first guitar until I was 14.
“I now understand that music can be a great path for people. It isn't just about becoming a rock star. There are lots of ways music can enrich a person's life, even as a career, without being the star on stage,” he said. “So with that background, I want to use the opportunity I have as publisher of The Batavian to encourage people, especially kids, to turn to music. More music will help make our world better.”
Don’t just take Owens’ word for about how important music can be to one’s life. Paul Draper, who is a busy local musician and lead organizer of the popular annual Ramble music event in Batavia, comes from a very musical family, “where almost everybody played and if they didn't play, they sang.”
“It was part of my family's culture.,” he said, recalling his first instrument was not an expensive piece. “I remember the first instrument I picked up was an old hand-me-down Yamaha keyboard that my mom bought from one of her friends for $50. Up to that point in my life, I had no real musical ability, but I absolutely loved music. I would sit in my room for hours, just tinkering with the keys and finding little melodies. Eventually, I was able to make some chords and put them together.”
His older sister, Amanda Draper, an accomplished singer and guitar player, noticed that he was starting to pick up on some things and allowed her brother to play backup for her in the family’s basement "studio,” he said.
“It was all downhill from there. From that point, I've played in numerous bands, hosted big events, traveled all over, met some amazing people, and it all started from a $50 hand-me-down keyboard,” Paul Draper said. “So for me, seeing the people behind The Batavian supporting the arts (as they have) and now donating equipment to help young starry-eyed dreamers begin their journey is just amazing. Because I know how far something like this can take a person.”
The Muckdogs game was the second guitar giveaway, completely financed by Owens, with the first one being an acoustic guitar at a Just Kings-sponsored Juneteenth event a few weeks ago in Batavia. Win or lose, The Batavian sincerely hopes that each aspiring musician keeps on finding a way to make music in the community.
Stay on top of the news with Early Access Pass. Click here to join.
Don't be the last to know. Click here to sign up for an Early Access Pass.
Be in the know first: Sign up for Early Access Pass.
Get the biggest news first with Early Access Pass from The Batavian.
We are pleased with the reception Early Access Pass has received from regular readers of The Batavian. New people sign up for the service every day. We asked a group of these new members to provide a few words about why they support The Batavian. Here is what they have to say.
To sign up for Early Access Pass and support local news gathering, click here.
The Batavian has been my go-to source for local news. I can find up-to-the-minute news and find it quite helpful. Even my out-of-state children use it to keep up with what is going on. This is a great spot for what's happening around town.-- Jeanne Penepent
Our local community matters. While people get excited about national news stories, the truth is we have very little impact on the national stage. What’s more valuable is to know what’s happening here in Genesee County, where we have a real impact, but the first step is staying informed. That’s why I’m proud to support the exceptional reporting of The Batavian with a yearly Early Access subscription.
-- Sarah Kohl
I have always loved reading The Batavian and appreciate that the site is timely and keeps us up-to-date, particularly during the blizzard this past December. The photography is exceptional, and I especially love seeing school and arts events showcased. Upon returning home from my colleague’s retirement concert Tuesday night, I was excited to see a photo and story already posted! I am enjoying my Early Access Pass to local news and events.
-- Melzie Case
For years, I have read the Batavian every morning. It has allowed me to keep up with local events and happenings. The new charge is minimal for unbiased reporting, which is difficult to find in this day of polarization. Thank you, Howard, for all you do and best wishes for continued success.
-- Lorri Goergen
We especially loved the handwritten card and note we received from Kay Lennon:
Dear Howard & Team: Thank you for The Batavian "tote." It is "super!" I will be waiting to see who is the first person to ask, "Where did you get The Batavian Tote!" You can be sure I will smile.
To get your free reusable tote from The Batavian and join your friends and neighbors who are signing up daily to support The Batavian, click here.
Since we launched Early Access Pass, a lot of people have asked questions. Some people have made statements worth addressing. And some people have expressed misperceptions about the program. This FAQ is intended to address those issues.
What is Early Access Pass?
Early Access Pass is an innovative program asking readers to help provide financial support for the gathering and reporting of local news. Rather than wall off everything, The Batavian publishes select stories that are initially available only to those who have joined Early Access Pass. For the first four hours after a story is published, only readers who have joined Early Access Pass will have access to those select stories. Readers who join Early Access will get instant access to originally reported, bylined stories by The Batavian. Those who don’t join will need to wait four hours after publication to read those stories.
What do I get if I sign up for Early Access Pass?
You get instant access to all of the original, by-lined reporting of The Batavian while everybody waits to join will wait to get all of the news. And, currently, we’ll send you a free reusable tote bag.
What do I get if I DON'T sign up for Early Access Pass?
You can still read all of the press releases we post as soon as they're published. Scanner reports will not require a pass. Community events we cover as primarily photo coverage will most likely not require a pass. There will be the other certain news items -- ones that didn't require a lot of reporting time -- that will not require a pass. And, of course, every story that did require a pass will no longer require a pass four hours after publication. In other words, you still get everything we publish for free, though on a few items, you will need to wait to access it.
I think news should be free!
Actually, news still is free on The Batavian. We’re offering you a choice: Join Early Access and get instant access or wait to join and then wait to read important news about the community for free later. All stories are still free to read, but some will require an Early Access Pass to read immediately.
Why are you asking me to pay you to read the news?
As stated above, we're not asking you to pay for news. We’re offering you a choice -- pay for instant access or wait and read it for free later. That said, gathering and reporting news is time-consuming, and time equals money, which means hiring reporters, which is expensive. For most of the first 15 years of The Batavian, Howard Owens gathered and wrote nearly all the news on the site. That required him to work 10, 12, 14, 16 hours a day. Often, he still works those long hours. It’s taken a toll on his health and given him very little free time. He can no longer keep working at that pace. The Batavian is asking readers to support The Batavian so its news staff can be expanded.
Isn’t this just a cash grab, pure greed?
As stated above, the founder and owner of The Batavian has been working 10 to 16 hours a day for most of the past 15 years. He can’t continue at that pace. This isn’t about generating more profit. It’s about asking the readers for help so The Batavian can hire more staff writers.
Why should I pay The Batavian when I get my news elsewhere for free?
You can’t get most of what The Batavian reports elsewhere. There are only two news organizations covering Genesee County that do any sort of in-depth reporting, and both now ask for readers to financially support their news-gathering efforts. And that other publication doesn’t report nearly as much news about Genesee County as The Batavian. Also, The Batavian frequently reports news stories long before that other publication gets to them, if they ever do. And of those two news organizations, The Batavian charges less on either a monthly basis or an annual basis.
Can’t I just get all my news off of social media?
In brief: no, you can’t. Social media is a poor substitute for an actual news-gathering operation. The way the algorithms work, you can’t trust that everything that might be important to you will come to your attention or in a timely manner. And how do you know what you’re reading on social media is accurate? Who is the person providing you the information? What is the person’s agenda? A lot of local governments now post information about what they’re doing on social media, but who is asking questions about the accuracy and context of that information? What social media company is sending reporters to small town meetings to find out what’s really going on, to ask questions, to make public document requests, to hold appointed and elected officials accountable? These are the functions of journalists, and journalists, like any other worker, need to be paid to do their jobs. Twice in the past month (as of May 2023), reporters for The Batavian have reminded elected officials that they were about to enter secret meetings that violated the state's open meetings law. In both cases, the elected officials agreed to hold their discussion in open session. It takes engaged, knowledgeable, professional reporters to hold public officials accountable.
Why is local news so important that I should pay to support it?
Without local reporters, there is nobody to hold local government officials accountable, to ensure they’re serving the public interest. In communities without much, if any, local news, small-town governments have been shown to slip into incompetence, if not outright corruption. And it’s not that local government officials are bad people. It’s just without a watchdog, it’s easy for anybody to fall into bad habits. Further, local news reporters do more than hold officials accountable. They also report on the accomplishments of our children. They spread the news about the good deeds of charities and civic organizations. And by spreading all of the information about a community, they help bind a community together, which is essential to a community’s health and financial well-being.
I’m not convinced. I still don’t think I should pay for local news.
Well, like we said, you don’t have to. You can wait the four hours to read a story that might interest you. That said, if readers won’t support local news, someday there will be no local news. Howard Owens, the owner of The Batavian, is going to retire or die someday. As things stand, it’s doubtful The Batavian could continue under a new owner. It would just shut down. And the other big news operation in town relies heavily on its print subscribers to stay in business. All across the country, the declining value of print subscribers can be found in obituary columns. The death of print news in small towns is inevitable. So, if readers won’t support digital news, someday there will be no local news.
How do I join if I don’t want to use a credit card?
You can send a check for $80 to:
The Batavian
P.O. Box 632
Batavia, NY 14021
To join Early Access Pass online, click here.
In the past week, The Batavian once again brought you more news about Genesee County than any other news source.
Below is a list of the bylined stories The Batavian published over the past week ahead of any other news outlet, and, again, in many cases, The Batavian was the only news source to bring you these stories.
The Batavian's dedication to bringing you the most local news first is a good reason you should sign up today for Early Access Pass. News coverage is a lot of work, and in order to continue to stay on top of it, we are asking for reader support through Early Access Pass.
Please be sure to sign up for Early Access Pass today.
Early Access Pass is your ticket to staying on top of all of the latest local news!
Sign up today and get your free tote! Click here.
The Batavian brings you more local news coverage than any other news source in Genesee County. Here are the stories we reported before the competition in the past week.
Here are 23 reasons to sign up today for Early Access Pass.
Click here to sign up for Early Access Pass
Stay on top of the news with Early Access Pass. Click here to join.
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