video

A possible fire is reported in the attic of a house at 319 E. Main St. The location is between Ross and Liberty streets. The structure has been evacuated. City fire is responding.

The second platoon is called to city fire headquarters.

UPDATE 7:49 a.m.: Town of Batavia Fire Department is called to city fire headquarters as mutual aid.

UPDATE 8:13 a.m.: Mercy medics are called to the scene for firefighters' rehab.

Here's some of the action from the Alexander FD Tractor Pull last night. The pulls resume at 7 p.m.

The Genesee County Fair for 2019 is open.

Friday was preview night, a kind of soft open. 

Mama Chavez Taqueria opens today in Le Roy. Owner Maria Chavez and her sons held a ribbon-cutting and an open house for invited guests yesterday. This is an authentic -- very authentic -- Mexican restaurant.  

Chavez has been cooking Mexican food, using recipes handed down through her family, for her children and family friends for 30 years. It's always been her dream to open a restaurant.  

The restaurant is located at 7 Mill St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday.

The rain could only delay the 2019 Ramble & Arts Festival. It couldn't keep it from rockin'.

Bonus track: DriVen performs The Who's Baba O'Riley.

The popularity of videos from The Batavian increased in June, when we published 47 videos.

Video viewership was up 39 percent, to 31,200 total views in June, and total minutes viewed was up 106 percent, which means more people are watching our videos and for a longer amount of time.

Last month, I wanted to share the message that we're working hard to produce quality videos that are worth your time to watch. It looks like a lot of people tuned in and found out that is true.

Our average views per video increased from 497 to 663.

Our five most viewed videos:

David Bellavia Hall of Heros Induction Ceremony

Stabbing on Ross Street Batavia         

Recalling Michael Paladino         

Press conference with David Bellavia Medal of Honor nominee   

Over the Border Mexican Food Truck opens in Batavia

Here are four of my personal favorites:

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS: You can sponsor our videos. To find out more contact our sales rep Zach Lee at zach@thebatavian.com

The Batavian Sessions: Delano Steele November Ends recorded April 29 2019 at the historic Newberry's Building/Eli Fish Brewing Co. on the third floor.

Some sights and sounds from GO ART's annual Picnic in the Park today in Centennial Park.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs remain in first place despite dropping the final game of a three-game series with the State College Spikes, 6-4 on Wednesday.

The paid crowd was 2,314, the largest crowd to see a game in two years.

The Muckdogs came from behind to win in extra innings on Monday, won a 1-0 thriller Tuesday, but fell short Wednesday with the winning run at the plate to win the series, 2-1.

Batavia (11-7) maintains a half-game lead over Mahoning Valley and State College.

The Muckdogs managed five hits, as New York-Penn League batting leader Milton Smith II had hit, two RBIs and a run while Dustin Skelton, Nic Ready (RBI double), Albert Guaimaro (RBI) and Andrew Turner had hits.

Jackson Rose started for the Muckdogs striking out five in four-and two-thirds innings without giving up an earned run. Edison Suriel finished the fifth without giving up a run and Eli Villalobos took the loss, throwing four innings striking out two.

For State College, Jacob Schlesener was the winning pitcher with a dominant performance, striking out 12 in six innings. Logan Gragg picked up the save. 

David Pinsky had a big night at the plate for State College going 3-for-5 with a home run, double and three RBIs.

The team will play seven games in six days at Auburn and State College before returning home to play Lowell on Wednesday, July 10 as part of a three-game homestand (July 10, 11 and 12).

Hot dogs are just $1 on Wednesday and all Labatt's products are $2. Friday is Crafty Hour, all craft beers are $3.

All three games start at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are available at the Dwyer Stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, online at muckdogs.com or call 585-483-3647.

At age 11, Karissa Kendall does something not many girls can claim -- she is a successful pitcher in both baseball and softball.

Here's video from yesterday evening's GO Out!, gay pride parade, in Batavia.

My trip to Washington, D.C., to witness David Bellavia receiving the Medal of Honor and be inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon is the highlight of my journalism career.

Yes, it was a great experience to visit the White House (I'll answer the question many people have asked, "Did you meet the president?" No.) and the Pentagon, and it was an honor to see Bellavia receive the Medal of Honor. But in going to these events, what I didn't expect was how meaningful it would be to meet the men who served with Bellavia in Fallujah, Iraq. I got to see firsthand their love for each other and hear their stories and speak to several of them individually.

It was a special honor and pleasure to meet and speak with Colin Fitts, Maj. Joaquin Meno, and Sgt. John Bandy.

On Tuesday night, I was able to attend a party at a private residence in D.C. with the men of Bellavia's platoon. I was there when Meno made a toast to their fallen comrades. And though I took no pictures, made no recording, it's a moment I'll never forget.  

One of the highlights of the trip -- and there many -- was hanging out with Michael Ware, a legendary combat journalist. We spent a lot of time together and he helped me with my coverage. My interview with him figures prominently in this video.

I hope the video gives you a good sense of what took place in Washington over four days and provides you with a better sense of what happened in Fallujah on Nov. 10, 2004. The video doesn't just cover the main events -- the Medal of Honor ceremony and Hall of Heroes ceremony -- both of which were open to the press; but also the events I attended as a guest of David's while other media were excluded, primarily the reception in the ballroom of the hotel on Monday night and the reception in the White House after the Medal of Honor ceremony.

The Dodgers and the Mets faced off today in the Batavia Little League Championship.

The Dodgers needed to win the first game to force a Game 2, or the Mets, if they won the first game, would have become champions.

The Dodgers did win the first game, 5-4 but the Mets came back in a big way in the second game to win 11-3.

Two people were rescued today in the Tonawanda Creek after their canoe overturned and became jammed against a log, which they managed to grab onto until help arrived.

East Pembroke Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, and Gary Patnode, head of the county's rope rescue team, responded.

Volunteer firefighters were able to get ropes to John R. Young, 24, of Basom, and Kaleigh Kasteli, 20, of Beaver Falls, Pa., along with life vests -- which they put over their own life vests -- and pull them safely to shore.

Both Young and Kasteli were examined by medics with Mercy EMS and released from care at the scene.

State Police also assisted at the scene.

(Initial Post) 

Jackson School in Batavia hosted two promotion ceremonies today. This video is from the 9 a.m. session.

Jeff Musial from Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics was at Jackson School on Thursday morning showing off some of the exotic live animals he keeps for educational purposes.

The Batavia Muckdogs finished a rain-delayed game against the Auburn Doubledays and then the two teams played a seven-inning game.

Batavia won the first game with timely hitting from Igor Baez, a two-out homer in the ninth, Dalvy Rosario and a game-winning single by Albert Guaimaro.

They lost the nightcap 5-0, moving the Batavia record to 3-3 on the season and giving Auburn its first win of the season.

After the game, we spoke with Milton Smith Jr., who grew up in Laurel, Miss., a small city of 18,000. He said being in Batavia feels like home. A 22nd-round draft choice in 2018 out of Merdian Community College, Smith hit .362 in his first professional season and is off to a .467 start with Batavia.