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CY Farms was named Business of the Year for Genesee County by the GLOW Workforce Development Board at a breakfast this morning at Terry Hills.

The Elba-based company was honored by for its contributions to agriculture, the local business community and employee development. 

Founded in 1951 by Carl Yunker, the farm has grown from 25 cows and a tractor to more than 6,000 acres of crops, 3,800 dairy replacement cattle, and Batavia Turf. CY Farms supports numerous community activities and has hosted job development tours and education programs. The company was also honored because one of its employees is a man with disabilities that the Yunkers worked with to help tailor a job to suit his needs.

"The man is now able to support his family," said Veronica Frost during the presentation of the award to CEO Craig Yunker.

Christi Lotempio was named Participant of the Year for Genesee County. Frost also presented this award.

Lotempio was laid off by Muller Quaker and when she entered the job bureau she had no college education experience.

She enrolled at Genesee Community College and completed a two-year degree in 18 months with a major in Business. She also studied Accounting. She graduated with a 3.94 GPA despite big changes in her life -- being forced to move because the home she was renting got sold; her uncle died; she was in a car wreck; and she got married.

Now she's employed at Genesee Lumber.

Lisa Smith presented Samantha Strumph with the Youth Recognition Award. Smith described Samantha as quiet and shy when she first entered the Job Bureau in Batavia. Now, she said, she's bursting with confidence after working at the Byron-Bergen Library.

The Genesee Chorale performs a Christmas concert called "The Rose" this Friday at Our Lady of Mercy, 44 Lake St., in Le Roy.

Showtime is 7 p.m

The performance, conducted by Ric Jones, will be repeated at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. James Episcopal Church, Batavia.

Press release:

As always the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) strives to bring great entertainment and events to Downtown. Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, Flatop Gypsy can no longer play at Summer in the City. Although the BID is sympathetic to the band’s situation, they are pleased to announce that the OHMS Band will be playing in their spot.

Therefore, the line-up for bands for Summer in the City includes the Old Hippies (1-2 p.m.), OHMS Band (rock music; 4-6 p.m.), and of course Terry “Elvis” Buchwald (7-9 p.m.).

The BID, which is an independent non-profit organization, is dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown. Every year it has a group of dedicated volunteers to help organize the event and/or help the day of the event. If anyone would like to help the day of the event, they are still looking for strong volunteers for take-down at 9 p.m.

The BID would like to thank its major sponsors Alpina Foods, The Batavian, The Home Depot, and WBTA Radio as well as several other sponsors who helped make this annual event happen once again.

For more info contact the B.I.D. Office at 585-344-0900 / e-mail Laurie at LOltramari@DowntownBataviaNY.com, visit  us at www.DowntownBataviaNY.com, or  LIKE us on Facebook at DowntownBataviaBusinessImprovementDistrict.

A robbery just occurred at the Dollar General store on East Main Street in the City of Batavia. A heavy-set black male demanded everything inside the cash register from a clerk and left the store. He is said to be wearing jeans and a dark jacket. City police are responding.

It took nearly an hour for Batavia PD to bring order back to State Street last night after a fight was reported at 11:55 p.m. involving 20 to 30 people near Lewis Place.

Five people were taken into custody.

After the initial call at 11:55 p.m., at least two other fights broke out while law enforcement was on scene.

Arrested were:

• Jerry T. Saddler Jr., 36, of 112 State St., Batavia, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
• Latoya D. Jackson, 26, of 112 State St., Batavia, charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
• Willie F. Irvin II, 30, of 17 Elm St., Batavia, charged with disorderly conduct.
• Samantha G. Reed, 25, of 6 Lewis Place, Batavia, charged with disorderly conduct.
• J.W. Hardy III, 25, of 265 E. State St., Apt. B, Albion, charged with disorderly conduct.

Bail for Saddler was set at $2,500 and Jackson was jailed on $1,000 bail. The other suspects were released on appearance tickets.

Officers responding from Batavia PD were Lt. Greg Steele, Sgt. Dan Coffey and officers Frank Klimjack and Eric Bolles. Deputies and troopers assisted at the scene.