Online News and Community Views, Genesee County, NY
Five new COVID-19 cases reported in Genesee County
Video Sponsor With 11 new cases in two days, Genesee County has now seen a total 92 positive tests since the start of the outbreak -- and that only covers the symptomatic people who have been tested because there are certainly others who haven't been tested -- we don't have a good handle on communit...
Town of Batavia renews State of Emergency Declaration today for 30 days
Public Notice State of Emergency Declaration A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the Town of Batavia, effective at 6 p.m. today, April 17, 2020. This State of Emergency has been declared due to the existing and contiuing declared States of Emergency at the Federal, State, County and City of B...
City of Batavia still issuing building permits, conducting necessary inspections
From the City of Batavia: Though the Bureau of Inspection office is currently closed to the public, building permits are still being issued and necessary inspections are being conducted. Building permit applications can be printed from the City of Batavia website, or obtained by contacting the Burea...
Tops enlists more employees' help to keep up with increased demand in online ordering via Instacart
Press release: During these unprecedented times when the directive is to stay at home and to limit your interaction with others, the demand for both curbside pick up as well as home delivery has seen a sudden spike. In fact, since the onset of COVID-19 impacted our nation, services like Instacart sa...
GC Emergency Management: Use cloth face coverings to slow the deadly spread of coronavirus
Press release: In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all New Yorkers are required to wear a face covering in public when social distancing isn’t possible. In addition, Executive Order 202.6, requiring essential businesses to issue face masks or protective covering to all employees who int...
LIVE: Interview with Bonnie Birkmeyer, Hillside Family of Agencies
Video Sponsor Bonnie Birkmeyer, western region executive director, Hillside Family of Agencies
NY's entire delegation urges Trump to grant waiver and fund 100 percent of COVID-19 FEMA work
Press release: New York’s entire 28 member bipartisan delegation today sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging he expeditiously grant New York State a waiver to provide 100-percent federal funding for all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency work in response to the coronavi...
Video: Gov. Andrew Cuomo's briefing for April 17, 2020
Briefing
LIVE: Interview with Todd Rapp, Coordinator Emergency Disaster Services, Salvation Army
Video Sponsor Interview with Todd Rapp, Coordinator Emergency Disaster Services, Salvation Army
Tops Markets thank essential workers with a cup of coffee or handcrafted drink at half price
Press release: During these unprecedented times all Tops Friendly Markets locations are raising a cup of kindness as a way to say thank you to essential workers at all of its 162 locations in New York, Vermont and Pennsylvania. From now until June 13, Tops is offering all essential workers a 50-perc...
Poetry Month: Wendy Williams reads 'Fern Hill' by Dylan Thomas
Video Sponsor Wendy Williams reads 'Fern Hill' by Dylan Thomas. Williams is a member of Batavia Players. Below, a video analysis of the poem.
Southside crowd reportedly gathered at Jackson and Watson
A crowd is reportedly gathered at Jackson and Watson streets in the city and they are allegedly drinking alcohol. City police are responding.
Female tells dispatcher dog chased and bit her on Forest Avenue in Oakfield
A female caller to dispatch reports being chased and bitten by a dog in the vicinity of 19 Forest Ave. in Oakfield. Law enforcement is responding.
McMurray denounces appointment of Michael Caputo to White House post
Press release: Yesterday, President Trump named political strategist and Republican campaign veteran Michael Caputo as the spokesperson of Health and Human Services. Caputo is a Western New York native, where he has engaged in years of misinformation, lies and political deceit in public relations po...
Seven new COVID-19 cases reported in Genesee County, 103 people in quarantine
Health Department Daily Briefing: New Cases As of 2:00 p.m. today: Genesee County received 7 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 87 positive cases Five positive cases reside in Batavia, one resides in Bergen, and one resides in Darien. One individual is in their 20’s, three individuals a...
City Manager extends restriction on congregating in public parks through April 21
Public Notice EMERGENCY ORDER #3-2020 I issue the following emergency order(s) for the period of April 17, 2020 through April 21, 2020. This order continues the following issued under Emergency Order #2, which was effective April 11, 2020. 1. All public parks within the city limits of the City of Ba...
Pretty posies show off at the Batavia Peace Garden thanks to volunteers and a generous local nursery
Submitted photos and press release: It may be a bit early to tiptoe through the tulips but visitors to the Batavia Peace Garden will be delighted to find rows of hyacinth and daffodils in full bloom there. As Genesee County residents are sequestered indoors for days on end due to the coronvirus pand...
Batavia Rotary Club donates $1,000 to United Way's Backpack Program to feed local families
Press release: Batavia Rotary Club has donated $1,000 to United Way of Genesee County to help provide food for its Backpack Program that assists local families in need. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary International Foundation made available $20,000 to clubs in District 7090, which i...
Law and Order: Batavia man accused of impaired driving and possessing a 'blackjack' weapon
Clayton R. Baylor, 23, of Batavia (no address provided), is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. He was arrested after a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Town of Middlebury April 11. Baylor was driving a vehicle which had fled the scene...
Photo: Bird eggs hatch in Alexander
A few days ago, we shared a photo from Sarah Wessel, in Alexander, of three eggs in a nest. Today, she shared this photo of two hatchlings.
Photos: Eagles in Elba
Josh Hawkins shared these photos he took earlier this week of eagles in Elba. He wrote: For three days in a row, multiple bald eagles fed on a roadkill deer in a field on Route 262 in Elba. These were some of the better images I was able to capture with my 300mm zoom lens. The pair in the photos are...
Photo: Red cardinal on a snowy day
Jason Smith shared this photo from his backyard in Elba, where a cardinal yesterday munched on a suet cake despite the snowy and frigid conditions.
Candidate for NY-27 releases statement on Michael Caputo taking job in Trump administration
Press release: At this time Michael Caputo is not able to discuss his appointment by President Trump just yet. He has asked his friend and NY-27 Congressional candidate Stefan I. Mychajliw to speak for his family. The following statement from Mr. Mychajliw concerns Mr. Caputo’s White House appoint...
Donors wanted to help 838 Girl Scout Troops with buyout of 212,065 boxes of cookies
Press release: Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) seeks local donors to help 838 Girl Scout Troops with their remaining inventory of 212,064 packages of Girl Scout Cookies through its new Cookie Donor Buyout Program. While GSWNY has suspended in-person activities and events, including Girl Scou...
Video: Gov. Andrew Cuomo's briefing for April 16, 2020
Briefing
Hillside Family of Agencies uses tech tools connects staff and youth during COVID-19 pandemic
Press release: With remote work suddenly becoming the new normal for many teams at Hillside Family of Agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology tools are rising to the challenge. In one example, Hillside has dramatically expanded the availability of TeleCare resources that make it possible f...
With desirable financing in place, construction of Batavia Town FD substation progresses
Despite the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 Pandemic, real progress is being made on the construction of a new $3.2 million, 10,000-square foot Town of Batavia Fire Department substation on Stringham Drive. Building Committee Chair Gary Diegelman said the project is “50 percent done” and, if...
Genesee County implements COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Policy; nine employees currently under evaluation
Genesee County management, taking its cue from recent state and federal laws that protect workers stricken by the coronavirus, has developed a COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Policy to cover its employees. The policy is effective retroactively to March 18, the date that both New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and....
LIVE: GO ART! Virtual Birthday Party and Awards Show
Video Sponsor Join GO ART! for the organization's first Virtual Birthday Party at 7 p.m. The party includes gallery tours, live performances by Jackie Siegel McLean, Theresa & Mark Kehl, Madison Hoerbelt, and the Canning Family, thne Genean (Genesee-Orleans) Arts and Culture Awards, and winner annou...
'A great sign': Genesee's COVID-19 active cases are trending downward
Genesee/Orleans Public Health Director Paul Pettit reported a bit of welcome good news related to local COVID-19 trends at this afternoon’s Genesee County Legislature Ways & Means Committee videoconferencing meeting. “If you look at the (tracking system) mapping around you can see that although ...
Video: During briefing, Gov. Cuomo announces public mask-wearing
Press release: State Will Begin Conducting Antibody Tests Prioritizing Frontline Workers Beginning This Week -2,000 Tests Per Day Using a Finger Prick Test Announces State Will Give 100 Ventilators to Michigan and 50 Ventilators to Maryland Issues Executive Order Requiring Nursing Homes to Inform Fa...
Local residents making masks for people in our community
These are the people who have contacted us to say they are available to make masks for their fellow Genesee County residents. We haven't asked what, if anything, they're charging. Roxanne: [email protected] Shandra: [email protected] Bethany: [email protected] Nancy: [email protected]....
Three new COVID-19 positive tests in Genesee County, 41 active cases, 37 recoveries
There are three new positive tests for people in Genesee County for COVID-19, the Health Department is reporting this afternoon, bringing the total of positive cases reported in the county since the pandemic reached our community to 80. Earlier today, the Health Department reported the county's seco...
Schumer urges FDA to clarify plan to address lack of oversight and inspection of U.S. food supply system
From Senator Charles E. Schumer: As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the country, making New York its epicenter with over 10,000 deaths, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately clarify its plan to address t...
Pavilion cheesemaker donates cases of cheese during COVID-19 crisis
Submitted photos and press release: Pavilion — Craigs Creamery, a dairy cooperative and essential food manufacturer composed of eight family-run farms in Western New York, is helping to feed those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The co-op has donated cases of its locallymade, award-winning c...
Town of Bergen reissues State of Emergency declaration due to COVID-19
Public Notice In the best interests of the Town of Bergen and our residents and businesses I declare a new State of Emergency for the Town of Bergen as of 5 p.m. today, April 15, 2020. The declaration allows the Supervisor discretion to use all facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel and other re...
Milestones / Birth Announcement
Born to Melanie (Scroger) and James Nichols, a son, Macklin James Nichols on Friday, April 10, 2020.
Poetry Month: Jane Burk reads The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Video Sponsor Jane Burk, a member of Batavia Players, reads "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.
Second death attributed to COVID-19 reported in Genesee County
Press release: It is with great sadness that I am reporting the second confirmed death related to COVID-19 in Genesee County” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. The individual was over the age of 65 and resided in the central part of Genese...
Rollover accident with injuries reported in Pavilion
A two-car accident with injuries is reported in Pavilion at Ellicott Street Road and Starr Road. One of the vehicles rolled over. Pavilion Fire Department is responding.
Wendy's drive-thru customer reportedly yells at staff, police respond
Staff at Wendy's on Main Street in Batavia called 9-1-1 to report verbal abuse by a female driver at the drive-thru. They said she yelled at the workers. City police are responding.
One new COVID-19 case reported in Genesee County, 46 active cases, 30 recoveries
Daily COVID-19 briefing: As of 2:00 p.m. today: Genesee County received 1 new positive case of COVID-19 for a total of 77 positive cases The individual resides in Batavia. The individual is in their 30s. The positive individual was not on quarantine prior to becoming symptomatic. 2 of the positive c...
Poetry Month: Paul Spiotta reads 'Casey at the Bat' by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Video Sponsor Paul Spiotta, the voice of the Muckdogs and a member of Batavia Players, reads 'Casey at the Bat' by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, in memory of his friend, local sports icon, the late Wayne Fuller.
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Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian hosted a Ward 6 public meeting at City Hall on Wednesday evening. Citizens spoke out on topics ranging from a registered sex offender living next to a park where children play, to the status of the GCASA-owned building on South Swan, the recent robbery by Pizza Hut, sidewalks, and the proposal for a new skate park in the city. City Council President Eugene Jankowski, Assistant Police Chief Chris Camp, Chief Shawn Heubusch, and Probation Officer Michele Tucci, were on hand to discuss issues with residents.
Town of Batavia firefighters talk about what it means to them to volunteer
Todd Crossett spent 22 years with the Batavia Police Department, most recently as assistant Chief of Police. He's retiring and taking a job at the VA Center. We spoke with him briefly at his retirement party today.
Local Democrats were pleased, elated, really, with the turnout Thursday night at Moon Java for a Meet the Candidates event. Nate McMurray, running for the NY-27 in the anticipated April 29 special election, and three candidates vying for the nomination for the 61st State Senate District in the June Democratic primary were on hand for the event. Moon Java was filled to capacity to hear from the candidates. Micheal Plitt, chairman of the Genesee County Democratic Committee, said local Democrats have a record number of volunteers signed up for this campaign season. "I think the blue wave will continue," Plitt said.
Patrick Mandia grew up in a family of restaurateurs -- the Pok-A-Dot, Sunny's, the Red Carpet, Pontillo's -- and after 15 years of working as a DJ at the former Billy Goat's he thought it might be time for him to own his own tavern. At first, his wife, Carrie Mandia, thought it a rather risky idea. But as they talked, she realized she trusted her husband and trusted her own business background. "You only live once," she said. The couple has completely revamped the former Billy Goat's location and turned it into a county-themed bar, Copperhead Creek.
Pro-Life Rally in Le Roy
Both Elba and Byron-Bergen went into Friday's girls basketball games with only a single loss each. Of course, only one team could leave the court with only one loss. In this case it was Elba, now 13-1, who came out on top, 54-43. The Lady Bees are now 10-2. For Elba, Brynn Walczak scored 17 points. Leah Bezon scored 15 and Lauryn Engle, nine. Taylor Augello and Maddie Muehlig has seven each. Julianna Amesbury socred 21 for Byron-Bergen and Kelsey Fuller scored 16.
This is, we hope, the first in a series of videos we're calling "Local Knowledge." We're looking for other people in the community to feature who have something to teach, a how-to video, of a specific task or skill. If you think you have something to teach, email [email protected]. In this video, Deputy Chris Erion gives an overview of how to work with a police dog, starring K-9 "Frankie."
Last night, the Lady Dragons and the Pembroke community raised $32,468 .20 for research at Roswell Cancer Institute. The total the community has raised now exceeds $152,000. In the basketball game, Pembroke beat Oakfield-Alabama 50-47 to move to 11-1 on the season.
With a three-point jumper late in the second quarter, Elba's Colton Dillion pegged his 1,000th career point during the Lancer's away game against the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets. The game was stopped briefly for Colton to be awarded with a commemorative 1,000-point ball. The Lancers, now 9-2, won 59-52. O-A drops to 6-4 on the season.
Attica gave Batavia a game in the large-school championship of the Pete Arras Lions Tournament at GCC. A strategy of ball control -- often running the shot clock down to just seconds -- and a defense that kept the Batavia Blue Devils high-powered offense from running away with the game meant the visitors had a chance up until their final possession. In the end, Batavia defended its crown, securing a 53-51 victory.
Today we're pleased to release Episode 4 of our series of Batavia's Best Businesses, featuring Batavia Downs. In this episode, Nici Johnson and Macy Paradise decide it's time for a staycation at Batavia Downs. Batavia's Best Businesses is a joint promotional production for Genesee County businesses by The Batavian and WBTA. To find out how to promote your business in this web video series, contact Lorne or Jim at WBTA.
Thursday evening, T.F. Brown's hosted its annual happy hour in support of the Community Christmas Dinner and it included an ugly sweater contest.
Thank you to Batavia First Presbyterian Church for opening its sanctuary on Tuesday for us to record three songs with James Robert Kibby. Look for a special Christmas Eve edition of The Batavian Sessions on, well, Christmas Eve. Also, I'm looking for more talented local/regional musicians to record for The Batavian Sessions. I can be reached at [email protected].
Batavia Ramparts skate with Santa
The photography of Rob Gibson has been seen by millions of people in such movies as "Gettysburg," "Cold Mountain," "National Treasure," and the just-released "Harriet." His skills are in demand by producers and directors looking for authentic, period-correct photos actors in films covering historic topics. He now lives in Gettysburg and is originally from Lockport. He was in Pembroke on Tuesday night to give a demonstration on his tintype photography technique.
Sign up today and you can receive a free $20 gift certificate to Center Street Smokehouse. (After you sign up we'll contact you by direct messagener to get your address so we can send you the gift certificate).
The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performs at 4 p.m. today at Pembroke High School. Here's one of the numbers ensemble will play, American Overture for Band by Joseph Jenkins conducted by Philip J. Briatico.
HLOM Wonderland of Trees opening gala
Richard Umlauf is taking up the cause of getting a new skateboard park built in Batavia. Until a few years ago, there was one behind Falleti Ice Arena off of Evans, but the location meant it got little use and it became a magnet for low-level drug use, according to police. Umlauf is aware of those issues so he connected with Tony Hawk Foundation, which provides grants, in conjunction with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, to help build community skate parks. Last Saturday, Umlauf organized the first meeting for skatepark supporters Trevor Staples, with the Tony Hawk Foundation, flew in from Michigan to attend the meeting and explain how the grant program works. It will be up to a group of committed skateboard park supporters to raise as much as $250,000 for a skate park. The foundations will match up to $250,000, making a $500,000 park possible. The organizers will also need to secure the support of the city as well as space for the park from the city, perhaps in an existing city park.
Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will hold its Fall Concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Pembroke High School. It is located at 8750 Alleghany Road, Pembroke. The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar live music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to create the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents. Admission: $10 -- Adults; $8 -- Senior (55+) & Veteran; $5 -- Student (with ID); Free -- Children 5 years old & under; $25 -- Family Deal for immediate family and children as defined by mother and/or father and up to four children. Featured Works "Scootin’ on Hardrock" -- David Holsinger Selections from "The Sound of Music" -- Rodgers & Hammerstein Selections from "American Overture" -- Joseph Willcox Jenkins Conductor(s): Martin Allen -- Guest Conductor -- Grand Island High School; Philip J. Briatico -- conductor & founder of the GVWE
OAE Wins 8-Man Sectional Title
The Fighting Irish dominated Section V Class D all season but when it came time to meet the Section XI champs, and defending state champions, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Notre Dame found themselves facing a tough opponent. While Notre Dame was able to pick up yards on offense -- 328 total yards -- scoring points proved difficult while the Wolfpack had little difficulty crossing into the endzone. The final score was 47-14.
At 9:27 p.m. on Veterans Day, Franklin Morales-Monterroso and Taylor Henry, who met while serving in the U.S. Navy, welcomed their first child into the world, Julian Michael Morales, at 8 pounds and 28 1/2 inches. Julian is a Veterans Day baby, born at UMMC, to parents who are veterans and several family members who are veterans, including his grandmother, Tammy Henry, who gave birth to Taylor while serving in the Air Force.
Veteran's Day in Batavia 2019
Oakfield-Alabama/Elba beat Frewsburg in eight-man semifinal
Notre Dame beat Alexander Friday 14-7 to win the Class D Section V championship
Batavia resident Justin Warren has opened his own barbershop in Attica Invictus Barber & Brand
Alexander beat Red Jacket on Friday 8-0 to advance to the finals, against Notre Dame, in the Section V Class D championship tournament.
Notre Dame Routs Bolivar-Richburg in Class D semifinal
For Halloween, we visited Ellicott Avenue, City Church/St. Anthony's, and Grace Baptist Church
The Batavian Sessions: John Payton Project - See You In My Dreams
Smokin' Eagle Battle of the Bands
Sen. Rob Ortt, who is also a candidate for congression in the NY-27, spent much of his day in Genesee County on Wednesday, first attending the veterans town hall in Corfu about the new national cemetary, then paying a visit to The Firing Pin in Bergen, and then holding a meet-and-greet at Ken's Charcoal Pits & Bar-B-Q. The Batavian caught up with Ortt at The Firing Pin.
The Blue Devils soccer team has historically faired poorly on artificial turf but Monday, they got a chance to start a new tradition -- one that is now necessary -- by winning their first home game in the new Van Detta Stadium. Batavia beat Dansville 3-2 behind three goals by Garrick Havens. Two were on penalty kicks and the third was assisted by Andres Mateos. Batavia took 16 shots on net and Dansville, 14. Unique to the current roster are three pairs of brothers, all starters.
Le Roy Halftime Homingcoming
Andrew Englerth rushed for 206 yards and four touchdowns to help lead Le Roy to a 58-13 win over Mynders/South Seneca on Friday night. Kyler LaCarte filled in at QB for Jake Hill, who is missing a couple of games due to an injury, and was 5-9 passing for 52 yards. LaCarte scored a touchdown while gaining 25 yards rushing on five carries. Nate Andrews scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one on an 82-yard punt return. Andrews also converted six point-after attempts. Kaiel Robinson also scored a touchdown. Cole Rauscher had 10 tackles and an interception.
After a three-day trial, 12 jurors from Genesee County found former Batavia HS basketball star Antwan Odom not guilty of assault in the first degree and not guilty on the lesser included offenses and on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, all stemming from an Aug. 4 fight with a former friend and football teammate.
