A suspect who fled from a Batavia police patrol attempting to make a traffic stop at Ellicott Street and Liberty Street was not located following an early Sunday morning search in the area of Washington Avenue and Summit Street.

At 12:25 a.m., an officer observed a Ford Edge that was facing south in the northbound lane, according to Det. Eric Hill, in his role as public information officer for Batavia PD. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it ran a red light and sped away.

There was a short pursuit when the driver apparently lost control trying to negotiate a turn from East Main Street onto Summit Street, stopping in the driveway of 5 Summit St. 

The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot, running north through backyards, and was last seen by an officer heading west on Washington Avenue in the area of 221 Washington Ave.

The suspect was described as black, approximately 30 years old, wearing a plaid jacket.

A perimeter was established with patrols stationed at Washington and Summit, Bank and Washington, Bank and North, and North and Summit.  A K-9 was deployed for the search.

At 2:18 a.m., the search was halted without officers locating the suspect.

Hill said the vehicle is valid and has not been reported stolen.

Anyone with information or in the area of the perimeter is asked to check their cameras and contact Batavia PD at 585-345-6350. 

(Initial Report)

UPDATE: The Sheriff's Office reports that it has identified the person in the photo.  No further information was released.

Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is looking to identify a person of interest in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident that occurred on Oct. 4 at around 6:20 p.m. in the parking lot of Batavia Downs and Gaming. 

The operator of the vehicle was driving a dark-colored pickup truck.

Any information can be forwarded to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office attention Deputy Jenna Ferrando at jenna.ferrando@co.genesee.ny.us or by contacting the non-emergency dispatch line at (585) 343-5000

The Genesee County Planning Board will consider a site plan review and final property subdivision for Edward Vacuum, $319 million dry pump manufacturing facility in WNY STAMP in Alabama.

The manufacturing facility will be 236,000 square feet and sit on a 50-acre parcel.  Construction, by GEIS Companies of Streetsboro, Ohio, will require 47 acres to be disturbed.

The plant will be constructed on Crosby Drive, north of Stamp Drive, and will connect with a proposed Edward Lane on the east.

Construction will include a parking lot with 300 spaces.

Part of the site plan review includes an environmental review, including how stormwater runoff is being handled.  The system will include detention ponds on site.

There is a possible wetland on the site, but the possible wetland is isolated and will be avoided in construction.

The dry pump manufactured at the plant is a critical component in semiconductor manufacturing and Edwards will be part of the supply chain in semiconductor manufacturing in the Albany area.

The plant is expected to employ more than 300 people.  Edwards is expected to receive a sales tax exemption on construction of $4.34 million and a 20-year property tax abatement of $12.85 million through the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

The Genesee County Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday at County Building #2.

Press Release:

Genesee Community College (GCC) is excited to announce the initiation of a nationwide search for the college's fifth president. The GCC Board of Trustees has enlisted the expertise of RH Perry, a distinguished national search firm specializing in higher education, to oversee and manage the presidential search process.

RH Perry will undertake a comprehensive pre-search study on campus from Oct. 17 - 18. This study is instrumental in shaping the presidential profile, which will outline the desired attributes, experiences, and credentials GCC seeks in its next president, while also addressing the potential opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

All members of the GCC community and stakeholders are cordially invited to participate in this crucial phase of the search.

To facilitate engagement and input from various stakeholders, GCC will host Community Open Sessions as follows:

• Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. at Conable Technology Building, Room T119
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 9 - 9:45 a.m. at Conable Technology Building, Room T119

In addition to the in-person open sessions, written feedback is welcomed through an online survey, accessible until Friday, October 20. This feedback will be invaluable in crafting the presidential profile.

"Genesee Community College's search for its next president is an exciting and pivotal moment for our institution. We believe that RH Perry's expertise, combined with the valuable input from our GCC community, will help us find the visionary leader who will guide us into a promising future," said Maureen Marshall, GCC Trustee and Search Committee Chair.

Recruitment of presidential candidates is scheduled to begin on Oct. 30, marking the next significant phase of the search process.

For more information about GCC's presidential search process and timeline, please visit https://www.genesee.edu/presidential-search/ or contact Vice President, Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Press Release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are offering their final 2023 free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October. Funding for the rabies clinics are provided by the New York State Department of Health.

• The Genesee County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).
• The Orleans County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.

“We encourage all Genesee and Orleans County residents to take advantage of our last rabies immunization clinics of 2023 and ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. 

“Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in both Genesee and Orleans Counties and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. 

Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs, or cats.” For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:

• Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us 
• Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov

Press Release:

As the colder weather starts drawing people into their homes, the windows are closed, and the heat is turned on. This creates a perfect setting for viruses that cause respiratory illnesses to spread.

“Respiratory viruses include rhinovirus (the common cold), influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. These viruses are spread from person to person by coming in contact with fluids like saliva (spit), respiratory droplets (from coughing and sneezing), or mucous from someone who is sick,” stated Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

“These viruses tend to mutate or change, making it difficult to destroy, making it possible to get any of these viruses more than once.” 

Generally, these viruses can be mild for most people; however, for the very young, the very old and those with weak immune systems, or underlying health condition(s), they can cause serious illness.

Daily practicing of good health precautions throughout the year can limit the spread of all respiratory illnesses. Make sure you and your family practice the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing/sneezing. This may prevent those around you from getting sick. Use your elbow or shoulder to limit the spray when coughing/sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. It is especially important to wash your hands after you have coughed or sneezed into your hands or blown your nose. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Frequently disinfect shared items, like doorknobs, phones, pens, remotes, etc. 
• Talk with your healthcare provider about being vaccinated for flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia. For information on vaccinations visit vaccines.gov.
• Practice these other health habits for general health all year:

1. Clean and disinfect touched surfaces at home, work, and school.
2. Get plenty of sleep.
3. Engage in regular physical activity. As you are able, work up to 20-30 minutes a day most days of the week.
4. Manage your stress. Read a book, chat with a friend, take a walk, etc.
5. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
6. Eat nutritious foods.

For more information on respiratory illnesses, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/index.html.

To access New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) COVID-19 isolation orders, visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/isolation. Residents should follow the COVID-19 isolation guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.

For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:

• Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
• Orleans County: 585-589-3278

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at GOHealthNY.

Press Release:

All 12 Republican County Chairs and numerous Conservative Party County Chairs gave their individual endorsement to Congresswoman’s Tenney campaign for New York’s 24th Congressional District. 

“I am honored to have the support of so many community and party leaders across NY-24. Our shared message of secure borders, safe streets, and a smaller government is resonating with voters and unifying our party ahead of the important 2024 elections. I am grateful to have their support and will continue to deliver on my commitment to NY-24,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. 

“Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has served NY-24 with tenacity, determination, and demonstrated her strong commitment to our shared conservative values. Additionally, Congresswoman Tenney has used her seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee to conduct important oversight into the Biden Crime Family and Washington DC bureaucrats. As we move into the 2024 elections, Republicans and Conservatives must be unified against Biden, Schumer, and Hakeem Jefferies. We are proud to endorse Congresswoman Tenney for re-election so she can continue her fight to secure the border, cut government spending and hold the Biden Administration accountable for their woke and disastrous policies,” said local leaders from New York’s 24th Congressional District.

County Chairs Endorsing Congresswoman Tenney:

• Jefferson County Republican Committee Chairman Don Coon
• Jefferson County Conservative Committee Chairman Ken Parks
• Oswego County Republican Committee Chairman Terry Wilbur
• Seneca County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Fox
• Cayuga County Republican Committee Chairman John Camardo
• Cayuga County Conservative Committee Chairman Dave Pappert
• Wayne County Republican Committee Chairwoman MaryAnne Nicosia-McCarthy
• Wayne County Conservative Committee Chairman Mike Garlock 
• Yates County Republican Committee Chairman Jack Prendergast
• Ontario County Republican Committee Chairwoman Trisha Turner
• Livingston County Republican Committee Chairman Mike Hillier
• Livingston County Conservative Committee Chairman Jason McGuire
• Wyoming County Republican Committee Chairwoman Ellen Grant
• Genesee County Republican Committee Chairman Scott German
• Genesee County Conservative Committee Chairwoman Julie Carasone
• Orleans County Republican Committee Chairman Skip Draper
• Niagara County Republican Committee Chairman Rich Andres

Press Release:

A sewer force main will be installed starting next Tuesday, Oct. 10 with work lasting for approximately two weeks. 

The sewer will cross River Street just north of South Main and will run south on River Street along the eastern sidewalk and grass area where it will connect to an existing sewer on South Main Street at the River Street intersection. 

The road will be open-cut and plated until the work is complete, then the asphalt will be patched, and the sidewalks restored. Work will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during weekdays.

All efforts will be made to maintain access to and from the properties. Properties and drivers will experience delays during the road crossing and the road restoration work. The sidewalk along the east side of River Street will be closed.

Motorists will experience changing traffic patterns to include temporary one-way movements, temporary stoppages, and flagging operations as the work progresses. 

All efforts will be made to get motorists to and from their destination with minimum delay. The work is weather dependent and poor weather could extend the timeframe.

Press Release:

Every year the City of Batavia Fire Department spreads the word in town, and throughout our schools and community about fire prevention. 

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871. This horrific fire killed more than 250 people and destroyed more than 17,400 structures leaving more than 100,000 people homeless.

This year the City of Batavia Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — The official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week™, Oct. 8-14. 

This year’s focus on cooking safety works to educate the public about simple but important steps they can take to help reduce the risk of fire when cooking at home, keeping themselves and those around them safe.
Did you know that cooking fires are the leading cause of home fire and home fire injuries?

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of a home fire, with nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires involving cooking equipment, cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths.

These numbers tell us that more public awareness is needed around when and where cooking hazards exist, along with ways to prevent them. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign “Cooking Safety Starts with You! Pay attention to fire prevention”, the City of Batavia Fire Department will work to promote tips, guidelines, and recommendations that can help significantly reduce the risk of having a cooking fire.

The City of Batavia Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“Cooking Safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention”.

The City of Batavia Fire Department wants to share the following cooking safety messages that support this year’s theme.

• Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. For foods with longer cooking times, such as those simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them carefully.
• Clear the cooking area of combustible items and keep anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging, and paper towels away from the cooking area.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
• Create a “kid and pet-free zone” of at least three feet around the cooking area and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

As the biggest annual campaign at NFPA, Fire Prevention Week works to educate people about the leading risks to home fires and ways they can better protect themselves and their loved ones. Local fire departments play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, its 100th anniversary, and this year’s theme, “Cooking Safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.” visit www.nfpa.org/fpw.

The City of Batavia Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week; including stops at Batavia schools, housing units, and the library.

Now in their 12th year, the Batavia Bulldawgs’ “family ties” are as strong as ever.

The youth football and cheerleading program has grown substantially since its start in 2011 thanks to a one-for-all and all-for-one philosophy that values each and every member of the organization, said Commissioner John Reigle on Saturday afternoon as he watched his players take on Tri-Town and Akron at the new Genesee Community College field.

“What makes the Bulldawgs truly special is the athletes, volunteer board members, coaches and families that take part in it,” said Reigle, who is one of the founding fathers of the program (along with Matt Della Penna, Paul Grazioplene, Tyrone Woods and Ken Proefrock). “I play a small part in this wonderful organization, and it’s been an honor.”

The Bulldawgs are comprised of four teams – Beginners (ages 6-7), Mini (ages 8-9), Jayvee (ages 10-11) and Varsity (ages 12-13) – with 25-35 players on each squad. They are supported by the cheerleading squads, which currently list 72 girls.

“We’ve come a long way,” Reigle said. “The first year, we had 52 players, and we didn’t start the cheerleading until the second year.”

Reigle mentioned that he coached his oldest son, Bryce, during that initial season. Bryce continued through every level and now is one of the Bulldawgs’ assistant coaches.

“Right now, we have two junior coaches who came through the program – Bronx Buchholz and Karvel Martino – and are standout players for the Batavia High varsity team,” Reigle said.

The Bulldawgs aren’t officially affiliated with the Batavia City School District (of which Reigle is a Board of Education member), but they have forged a tight relationship over the years.

“We definitely see ourselves as a feeder system for Batavia High football,” he said. “(Former) Coach (Brennan) Briggs promoted it that way, and Coach (Alex) Veltz has continued that. He sees us as one big family – the Bulldawgs and the Blue Devils. Our goal is to have the kids with us for eight years and then see them move into the school football program.”

Reigle said Veltz conducted coaching seminars for the Bulldawgs, and the Mini division team enjoyed a Blue Devil Experience Night where they took on the pad-less BHS varsity squad in a fun-filled exhibition game.

The head coaches are Scott Perry (Beginners). Gary Good (Mini), Reigle (Jayvee) and Matt Beach (Varsity). Kate Smith is the cheerleader director.

The Bulldawgs compete in the Niagara Orleans Football Association, which also includes Tri-Town, an Alexander-based organization with a rich history in its own right; Akron, Attica, Albion, Newfane, Roy-Hart, Pembroke, Le Roy and Holley.

The players and cheerleaders’ membership dues enable them to participate over nine weeks, with each member receiving uniforms and equipment.

Reigle said playoffs are scheduled for Oct. 21 at Van Detta Stadium for the Mini, Jayvee and Varsity divisions, and the championship round is set for Oct. 28, also at Van Detta Stadium, for all divisions. The cheerleading “playoffs” will take place on Nov. 4 in Lyndonville.

Later in November, each Bulldawg team is treated to a season-ending party at the Polish Falcons on Swan Street in Batavia, Reigle noted.

“Every participant receives a plaque at their banquet,” Reigle said. “It’s our way of letting them know that ‘once a Bulldawg, always a Bulldawg.’”

For the record, all four Bulldawg squads were victorious on Saturday. The Beginners beat Tri-Town, 26-7; the Minis defeated Tri-Town, 20-13; the Jayvees blanked Tri-Town, 32-0, and the Varsity downed Akron, 26-0.

The Batavia Blue Devils and Le Roy Oatkan Knights capped Soccer Saturday with a Girls Soccer game that ended with a 3-2 OT win for Batavia.

The boys lost their OT game to Wilson/Early College 3-2.

"It was a wonderful night for our boys and girls senior soccer players," said Roger Hume, head coach for Batavia. "Le Roy didn’t make it an easy win."

In the nightcap, Batavia started the scoring early in the first half with a breakaway run and finish by Ella Shamp, with an assist from Jaimin MacDonals.  

Le Roy scored the next two goals, leaving it senior Ella Radley to tie up the game with two minutes left.  

Batavia came out strong in OT, and senior Anna Varland finished the game with a goal five minutes into the first OT.  

"Batavia did a fantastic job coming back from two goals to one to make this its 12th win of the season," Hume said.  

The Blue Devils remain undefeated.

The Batavian did not receive scoring stats from Le Roy.  Le Roy is  9-4-1 on the year.

The girls' next game is Monday away at Livonia.

In the boys' game, goals were scored by Quintin Cummings, assisted by Troy Hawley, and Troy Hawley, assisted by Rylan Bohn.

 Batavia’s record is now 8 wins and 5 losses on the season.

To view more photos or purchase prints, click here.

Press Release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will be closed on Monday, October 9 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This holiday is celebrated on the second Monday of October to honor Native American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures.

Monday, October 11, 2021 marked what many consider as a major milestone in New York State’s History.  For the first time ever, this date was recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day by Governor Kathy Hochul by issuing a Proclamation recognizing the Indigenous Peoples's sovereignty and place in history.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region believes that this is an important step to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples as we seek to build trust and goodwill.

The celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day took root at an international conference on discrimination sponsored by the United Nations in 1977. In 2021, President Biden was the first U.S. President to formally recognize the day as a national holiday.

Historically, the day is known as Columbus Day, but in recent years the explorer’s legacy is now considered controversial and is questioned due to the atrocities committed against the Indigenous Peoples. President Biden’s Proclamation makes reference to this. 

“Our country was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people — a promise that, despite the extraordinary progress we have made through the years, we have never fully lived up to.  That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before the colonization of the Americas began.”

Let the process of healing and belonging continue by our celebration of the tremendous contributions of the Indigenous People who originally inhabited our diverse nation before it was established and declared the United States of America.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Crystal Casper said she and her family love what they do -- farming, raising cattle and hogs ethically and providing customers with healthy, natural foods.

"When you come here, what you're getting is true farm-to-plate goodness," Casper said. "You are meeting the farmers who are raising it. It's right here. I mean, it's my husband and myself. That's my daughter-in-law, my son. And then we have my other three sons and my daughter, who are all part of what we're doing here. So when you come here, you see us. This is the face of what you're getting. And if we tell you, you know, that this is what it is, then this is exactly what it is."

And it is meat raised in pasture, hay, and additive-free feed. That's what the Capsers mean by "All-Natural," which is part of their logo.

"I truly believe that our cows -- we've got cows out here in our pasture that are 15 years old -- so we firmly believe that as we raise our animals as stress-free as possible. We raise them natural. The cows have their calves out in the pasture. We raise the calves on the moms and through November, and then we wean them off their moms where we put them in our feedlot, and then we feed on choice feed. We have fans on them in the summertime. We do everything we can to keep cows comfort to a high point."

The Caspers hosted an open house on Saturday to help introduce the community to what they offer in their retail shop right on the property, which is at 6671 East Main Street Road, Stafford.  Regular hours are Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with availability the rest of the week by appointment.

"Last year, we opened up in June, and we really didn't have an open house or a grand opening, so we wanted to do something special since we won the GLOW award for the best farm in the GLOW region and we got third for the fresh meat," Casper said. "We wanted to do an open house to showcase our farm and let everybody see what we have available."

The event featured vendors that serve Casper Farm meat -- such as the Carve'n Curbside food truck -- or that the Caspers carry in their retail shop. That included Blue Groove Coffee, Petals & Flour, and Black Creed Cidery.

"This is a grand opening for people who don't know we're here," Casper said.

The focus is clearly on the meat the Caspers sell, which isn't just beef, but also pork and chicken, all with the goal of raising animals in stress-free environments.

With pork, especially, stress affects the flavor and tenderness of meat.  Stress lowers the PH levels in the animals' muscles. Higher PH levels are desirable, so the pork sold by Casper farms is raised close to the meat processor in Penn Yan so the animals need not be trucked to another location, which increases a hog's stress level.

All of the meat sold by Casper is processed in Penn Yan and Romulus, where the processors are USDA-certified and inspected.

"Everything here has to be USDA inspected," Casper said.

Their meat is also hormone-free.

"When you have your animal processed, if people are using hormones, the internal organs are usually no good," Casper said. "There are a lot of people who want to buy liver, kidney heart, those products -- if our animals were being fed hormones, those products would not be good. We've never had a kidney or a liver refused or come back to our processor."

Because it's a family operation, Casper said, customers can be sure about the quality of what they're buying.

"You know exactly what you're getting," Casper said. "It's coming right from here, right from the processor's freezer right to our freezer. There are some people who have a fresh case. When it's in that fresh case, and it's not frozen, you don't know, you, the consumer, how fresh it is.  With our meat, it goes, like, boom, boom, boom. You know exactly what you're getting. If you pull it out of our freezer, then it's going to be right."

The family of Purrdita, a one-year-old female calico cat, is worried about her, as they haven't seen her in her home at Batavia-Elba Townline Road since Friday.

Sometimes she hides for a day, but she still has not been seen as of Sunday, and she's an indoor cat, so the family has put out an appeal for her in case she has somehow managed to escape the home. 

If you have seen the spayed feline, also known as Purrdy or kitty-kitty, please call Corinne Miller-Williams at (585) 815-3797.

Tyler Austin Nixon, 27, a graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School, was honored with a Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Roman Catholic Church on Saturday morning, followed by burial with military honors at St. Cecilia Cemetery in Oakfield.

Nixon, a highly regarded captain in the U.S. Army, died unexpectedly on Sept. 23. He was found unresponsive in his quarters at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, where he was attending Medical Service Corps training in the Captains Career Course.

His death remains under investigation by the Army, and an Army spokesman said no further information will be released until the investigation is completed.

The Batavian did not seek comment from his parents, Michael and Megan Nixon, but in a military memorial service in San Antonio on Oct. 3, Nixon was praised by a former and his most recent commander as an outstanding human being and an officer who was a credit to the U.S. military.

Col. Thomas Collette, a former commander, spoke of first meeting Nixon when the colonel took command of the 421st Medical Battalion. 

"As you can see, Tyler was a big guy with an even bigger smile. He introduced himself brimming with enthusiasm for his new role as the S3 (Operations and Training Officer),” Collette said. "I couldn't have been more pleased to have an officer so deeply committed to this position. Even in our first conversation, it became abundantly clear that Captain Nixon was an officer filled with a passion for operations and unafraid of a challenge.”

In the ensuing months, Collette said, Nixon took on increasingly complex and demanding duties that "pushed him well beyond his prior experiences. These challenges might have overwhelmed the lesser officer, but Tyler remained resolute and dedicated to professional growth and leadership development."

Collette observed Nixon as the officer in charge of the Expert Field Medical Badge competition, which would take place in Europe.

"What stood out most about Tyler in these duties was his thirst for knowledge and self-improvement," Collette said. "He valued and actively incorporated feedback from others, firmly believing he could learn from anyone. This desire to learn and grow forged strong bonds across the battalion."

Collette said Nixon displayed a "relaxed confidence and unwavering positivity" and that he was "the first to bring levity to intense situations."

He said, "We will forever remember him first for his cheerfulness, his quiet, unshakable confidence, his natural gift for uplifting others when they fell down, and his spirit that refused to quit."

Nixon graduated from Canisius College, where he attended the Reserve Officer Training Corp, and was thus commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 2018.  At Canisius, Nixon played rugby, a sport he continued to enjoy while in the Army.

Major Gray (his first name isn't mentioned during the service) remembered Nixon for many of the same traits recalled by Collette. 

He said he didn't really get to know Nixon until after they were deployed to Italy.

"During the drive to Vicenza, I learned about Tyler's love for his family, his dogs, motorcycles, lifting weights and rugby," Gray recalled. "We talked about the wonderful traveling opportunities that being stationed in Europe had to offer and how we looked forward to seeing new things and going into new places. While we were there, I learned that Tyler was an incredibly hard worker starting early and finishing late almost every day."

He said Nixon was "good-natured and easygoing" and that he could "connect with anyone."

He also recalled a story that illustrated both Nixon's love of sports and his dedication to seeing the mission through, even if it was a recreational activity.

"He literally gave up an entire weekend to umpire a softball tournament when he was told that they would have to cancel if they didn't get the volunteers they needed," Gray said. "So in the days leading up to that, he studied and learned how to umpire even though I'm pretty sure he had never played softball before, so he could umpire the game. Leading up to that time, he had to learn all the hand gestures and get all the calls down. And while he was umpiring, pretty much everyone was talking about how great he was doing and how he was the best umpire out of all the ones that they had, and that every future tournament that they were doing, they wanted him to come. That really is a testament to who he was as a person."

Besides his parents, who currently reside in San Antonio, Capt. Nixon is survived by his brother Jacob, sister Alison, and niece Coram, along with his grandparents Dale and Elaine Tucker and Michael and Kathy Nixon.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Burdett-Sanford Funeral Home in Oakfield.

The Batavian wishes to thank the Nixon family for providing us the opportunity, the honor and the privilege of covering his memorial service on Saturday.

Besides the photos with this story, you can view 49 more photos in a slideshow by clicking here.  And scroll down to the bottom of this post for a video of the Oct. 3 service in San Antonio.

Attica resident Mark Brown rolled his second 300 game in three weeks on Friday night -- finishing with 12 strikes in the County Line Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 54-year-old right-hander struggled a bit on lanes 13-14 in the first two games but found the line in game three to finish with a 647 series.

Two weeks ago, he posted a 300 game en route to a 754 series in the same league, on lanes 21-22.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action at Mancuso's:

-- Jason Quilliam of Batavia fired a 289 third game for a 760 series in the Meyer's RV Monday Night NFL League;

-- Brian Cline of Middleport spun a 248 triplicate for a 744 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League;

-- Nick Johnson of Bergen rolled a 279 middle game on the way to a 750 series in the Brighton Securities Tuesday Triples League.

In Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour action today, Jim Foss of Medina took first place at Brad Angelo Lanes in Lockport, firing a 224 final game for the $250 top prize. Paul Spiotta of Batavia also made the finals, earning $70.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Sponsored post donated by The Batavian.

It was much more than a clown show in a circus-theme Downtown Batavia Wine Walk on Saturday evening.  It was a party with a varied cast of characters.

Photos by Jim Burns for The Batavian.