What started out as a daily special has become a daily staple at Settler's Restaurant -- Mac and Cheese.

"We'd see it around other places and thought we would give it a try," said John Spyropoulos. "People love mac and cheese these days. It's kind of a fad. We tried it and people loved it."

The eight-item special mac and cheese menu will be incorporated into the restaurant's regular menu next month, Spyropoulos said. 

"We're already known for our homemade soups and our Greek salads, so if this becomes one more thing we're known for, that's good," Spyropoulos said.

The choices on the menu are:

• Homemade Mac and Cheese
• Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Philly Steak Mac and Cheese
• Tomato and Bacon Mac and Cheese
• All-American Mac and Cheese
• Broccoli Mac and Cheese
• Hot Dog Mac and Cheese
• Stinger Mac and Cheese

Settler's regulars might detect a theme to the menu -- the options match many of the recipes on the restaurant's sandwich menu.

John's wife, Miranda, created the cheese sauce (milk, cheddar and American cheese, white pepper and garlic powder), but what really tops off the huge bowl of elbow noodles is the Ritz-cracker crumb topping.

"Now we have to make cheese sauce all the time," Miranda said. "We’re going through gallons and gallons of milk and butter."

Press release:

Byron-Bergen Central School District continues to value that our most important priority is keeping our students and staff safe,” said District Superintendent Casey Kosiorek. To that end, the District has added the New York State Sheriff’s Association (NYSSA) Rapid Responder® Program to their crisis management and emergency preparedness plans.

The new program uses cutting-edge technology to give school personnel and all first responders immediate access to emergency response information, enabling clear communication and quick, coordinated action. 

Rapid Responder is an all-hazards site-based crisis management system that is used in schools nationwide and Canada. The system brings school officials and first responders from diverse agencies together on a single digital platform, giving everyone instant access to site-specific emergency response information, including floor plans, aerial views, hazardous material locations, utility shut-off information, evacuation plans, and live camera feeds.

Byron-Bergen CSD Director of Facilities Michael List said, “We are expanding the dialogue between the District and responders from local law enforcement, fire and medical departments. We have already found areas for improvement that will enable responders to better handle many emergency scenarios in our schools. The new Rapid Responder system helps make that possible.”

List added, “We recently completed detailed site visits and are now reviewing all the data. The next step in implementation will be training and drills with local responders based on different emergency and daily security situations to test all portions of the system.”

Implementation of the Rapid Responder Program is part of the District’s solid commitment to safety and security in the schools. Current security for the District includes a comprehensive visitor management system, Raptor®, in all three schools and the District Office, which is used for visitor background checks, as well as for generating ID badges. A large security camera system oversees buildings and grounds, and will now be tied into Rapid Responder using their capability to integrate IP-based cameras. The District also recently welcomed School Resource Officer Matt Butler to the staff.  

“In a world of seemingly increased violent incidents, we are proud to put an additional measure in place to ensure everyone’s safety,” Kosiorek said. “I want to thank our team — Mike List, Transportation coordinator Drew Doll, School Business official William Snyder, the building principals, and Deputy Butler for all their work with the overall safety of the organization, and most recently with the implementation of the NYSSA Rapid Responder Program.”

Rapid Responder (http://www.preparedresponse.com/New-York-Sheriffs-Rapid-Responder-Program.html) is currently deployed in over 16,000 facilities nationwide and is SAFETY Act Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Caption: The administrative team at Byron-Bergen CSD begins work on implementation of the new Rapid Responder system. Standing (l-r) Jr./Sr. High School Interim Principal Patrick McGee, Superintendent Casey Kosiorek, and Elementary School Principal Brian Meister. Sitting (l-r) Transportation Director Drew Doll, School Resource Officer Matt Butler, and Director of Facilities Mike List.

A power line is reported to be across the roadway at 7604 Coward Road, Byron. There is also a power outage in the vicinity and a utility pole is broken. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

After making runs at sectional titles each of the past four years, the three girls who helped make those teams contenders -- Tiara Filbert, Sam Cecere and Maddie McCulley -- are all seniors, and if they are going to turn 2015-16 into a championship season, Head Coach Marty Hein knows they can't turn it alone.

That's where sisters Taylor Stefaniak, a sophomore, and Ryann Stefanik, a freshman, come in. They're young for starters, but Taylor brings confidence and maturity gleaned from half-season as a starter last year, and Ryann is simply fearless.

"The seniors have those girls' backs," Hein said. "We know that if we want to make a deep run this year that those two sisters are a big key to it."

The Lady Devils are 2-1 on the young season after a 56-36 win over Brighton at home Tuesday night. McCulley led the way with 17 points, including sinking a trio of threes, Cecere had 15 and Filbert scored 14. Ryann Stefaniak added eight.

Any championship trail probably runs through Mendon, and it was in Mendon that Batavia suffered its lone defeat last year 50-63. There, Hein said, the team showed it still has some work to do coming together as a unit.

Ryann's youth showed a bit, he said, but that's no different than what it was for Taylor early last year and McCulley when she was a freshman.  

"It's a building process, so hopefully we'll get in the right spot by the end of the year," Hein said.

Ryann won a starting job coming out of preseason because that fearlessness is what enables her to compete at this level.

"That's why she's here," Hein said. "She's a ninth-grader. She can handle the ball. She can shoot the ball. She's not afraid to go up, so this was a huge game for her to bounce back from the Mendon game."

Still, what makes this team is that very special trio of seniors, whom Hein has coached since they were young girls. Even at this point of the year, Hein admits to getting a little misty-eyed realizing this is the last run he'll have with Filbert, Cecere and McCulley.

"I've had them for so many games through summer, spring, the regular season, the whole cohesiveness between them and the rest of the girls, they're the glue," Hein said. "They hold it all together."

Filbert plays at a whole other level, with skill and basketball IQ to create scoring opportunities and disrupt the offensive flow of opponents, and as Hein noted, "she's a highlight reel at any given point."

Filbert, Cecere, McCulley and the two Stefanik sisters -- five girls in Batavia who are likely to make the 2015-16 pretty entertaining.

The next play at home at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

In photos: Ryan, #3; Filbert, #22; Taylor #23; Cecere, #30; McCulley, #42.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Kari Powers of Le Roy speaks during a legislative forum Tuesday hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans.

Kari Powers takes great pride in her daughter’s achievements.

Morgan, 8, was diagnosed with autism in 2009. She received early intervention through the Genesee ARC’s Rainbow Preschool, and is now enrolled in a “6:1:1” elementary school program — six students, one teacher and one aide — in Monroe County.

“I can’t speak enough about how much these services help my daughter,” Powers, who lives in Le Roy, said during a legislative forum Tuesday at the Genesee ARC Community Center in Batavia. “She is doing so well.”

Her pride is tempered by worry.

Worry, that state budget cuts threaten educational, housing and other services for children like Morgan, now and as they grow into adulthood.

“There are so many children diagnosed with autism or learning disabilities who are going to need services down the road,” Powers said. “It’s just so important that the funding continue.

“It matters to me,” she added. “It matters to Morgan and it matters to every single person in this room.”

Powers was one of 18 parents, caregivers and self-advocates who spoke for an hour-and-a-half at Tuesday’s forum. It was attended by state Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Jay Grasso on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.

More than 100 people attended the forum, which was hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans, which are in the process of merging.

Powers’ words echoed “It Matters to Me,” the title of a grassroots advocacy campaign organized by the local agencies’ state affiliate, NYSARC, Inc.

The campaign focuses on four issues:

—  Residential housing and other opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are living at home with aging parents or other caregivers;

— The conversion of workshops into integrated businesses, to ensure employment for people with developmental disabilities;

— Funding to boost wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who serve people with developmental disabilities;

— Increased state funding for preschools that serve special-needs children ages 3 to 5.

Tammy Caldwell has worked for the Arc of Orleans for more than two decades, including the past 15 years at Rainbow Preschool in Albion. She said low wages and poor benefits, make it difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.

“We have very dedicated staff,” Caldwell said. “They don’t come here for the money; they’re in it because they are truly passionate about their job and the kids they see. But it’s getting harder and harder, because of the lack of funding, to find … good staff who want to come to a rural community like Orleans County and Genesee County.”

Wendy Eden said the starting wage for a DSP — $9.66 an hour — is “shameful.”

“Recruiting has been the biggest struggle,” said Eden, a residential supervisor for the Arc of Orleans. “We deal with staffing shortages on a daily basis.”

Alexis Arthur, a DSP at the Genesee ARC Day Habilitation Center in Elba, said it is “outrageous” that fast-food workers in New York will be paid $15 an hour while many of her peers work second jobs to make ends meet.

“My job is very rewarding, and I have a deep sense of pride and gratitude that I get to work with the people I do,” Arthur said. “My only wish is for myself and my coworkers to be compensated for our hard work.”

Loretta Stratton, of Elba, said her life changed when her son Hank was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

She switched careers, and trained to work with children like her son.

“I thought I would be able to reach him,” she said. “And I couldn’t — I wasn’t able to reach my own child.”

Fortunately, help was available. Hank received in-home care, and attended preschool. By the time he started kindergarten, Stratton was in a position to insist Hank attend “regular” class.

By 10th grade he was taking Regents courses, and is now ranked third in his class. Stratton said he is Elba’s first special-needs student “in full inclusion” from kindergarten through senior year.

“We don’t want our kids to be a burden on society,” Stratton said. “We want to empower our kids to be the best that they can be at whatever ability they have.”

Hank is also an advocate, and spoke in support of job opportunities.

“We need people with special needs in the work force,” he said. “They really want to be a part of it, and they deserve the (same) respect as any other citizen.”

Hawley and Grasso said issues raised Tuesday will be part of negotiations when work on the 2016-17 state budget begins in January. (Ortt had to leave early to attend a public meeting in Barker.)

Hawley hoped advocates would take their case directly to Albany, and “hammer away” at Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders via letters, e-mails and YouTube videos.

Will their voices be heard?

Hawley pointed to the career of former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat who represented Long Beach until last year. He has an adult son with a mental disability.

In 2013, Weisenberg led a successful bipartisan effort to restore $90 million in funding that had been cut from the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Hawley was among the Assembly co-sponsors of the legislation. Ranzenhofer cosponsored the Senate version.

“I’m always optimistic,” Hawley said.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, speaks during Tuesday’s legislative forum hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans. Jay Grasso, left, attended on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.

Press release:

The third-annual Reading Celebration at Byron-Bergen Elementary School got off to rollicking start with a farmyard-themed event on Nov. 20. Students were in the mood, wearing straw cowboy hats, overalls, and bandannas. Teachers dressed as cows, pigs, and singing farmhands hit the stage to build excitement for the challenge ahead: reading 25,000 books (almost 50 per student) before the end of the school year.

Students have consistently surpassed their reading goals since the challenge began in 2013; last year beating their target of 20,000 books by almost 4,000.

“Reading really is fun. We want kids to enjoy it and develop the reading habit now while they are young,” said Principal Brian Meister. “The motivation this year is the promise of a very special farm-themed reward in June. We’ll make all their hard work pay off in an event to remember.”

The assembly kicked off with Byron-Bergen parent Alyson Tardy, her backup teacher/singers and the student population singing and dancing to “Read a Book” — a special version of Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off.” Then Assistant Principal Amanda Cook played the starring role in a skit based on “Little Pig Joins the Band,” a favorite children’s book by David Hyde Costello.

Things got even more boisterous with an enthusiastic gameshow version of Pictionary, with students trying to guess which favorite books were being represented by teacher-drawn pictures. The festive atmosphere continued with a colorful quartet of Book Fairies (more enthusiastic teachers) who awarded a free book to one child from each class. 

Top photo: Reading is fun at Byron-Bergen Elementary School and a new book makes the day complete for student Mace Tyson.

Byron-Bergen Elementary School teachers perform “Read a Book,” with a little help from the audience of young readers. 

Assistant Principal Amanda Cook puts on a pig nose to lead the band and advance the celebration of reading at Byron-Bergen Elementary.

The Byron-Bergen Book Fairies made sure that outstanding representatives from each class got their very own new book.

Byron-Bergen student Gianni Ferrara is already well on the way to making sure the goal of reading 25,000 books is reached.

H.E. Turner & Co., along with Bohm-Calarco-Smith and Burdett & Sanford, held their annual candlelight rememberance service at Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia on Monday evening.

A 58-year-old Warsaw resident is accused of leaving a cross in the lawn of a house in Le Roy with the message "RIP" written on it as part of an ongoing pattern of unwanted contact with the person who lives there.

Lawrence D. Liles, of 4400 Sage Road, Warsaw, is accused of "intentionally and for no legitimate purpose engaging in a course of conduct directed at the victim(s) while knowing or reasonably should have known that such conduct would cause material harm to the mental or emotional health of the victims and where the conduct constituted following, telephoning or initiating communication or contact with the victim(s), their family or third party."

He is charged with stalking, 4th.

The alleged conduct began around April 18 and continued until the cross incident at 6:30 a.m., Dec. 1.

He was arrested by Le Roy PD, arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and jailed on $500 bail.

Jimmy Worthington shot this black bear Sunday morning on his property in Byron. He estimates the bear weighed about 500 pounds.

James Worthington didn’t have much luck hunting deer last week.

No matter — some bigger game found him.

Worthington, 52, bagged an adult male black bear about 10 a.m. Sunday on his property in the town of Byron. 

“I heard something coming, and didn’t know what it was,” Worthington said.

He figured out pretty quickly that it was a bear — and it was just about 20 yards away.

“It turned and was running right at me,” Worthington said. “When it saw me it stopped, and I shot it pretty much right between the eyes.

“After I shot it, it got up and started thrashing around,” he added. “I chased it for another 10 yards and then shot it one more time.”

The bear tipped the scales at 445 lbs. gutted. He estimates it weighed about 500 lbs. when alive.

He plans to have its head mounted.

“The people I hunt with say I should get a full-body mount,” he said. “My wife isn’t too keen on that, but I might do it.”

Worthington’s hunting companions on Sunday included his son James Worthington III, and friends Jordan Charcola, Dave Stackhouse and Dave Stackhouse Sr.

Worthington lives on Swamp Road, and works in construction. He’s been hunting nearly his entire life, but had never even seen a black bear before Sunday.

This week, even the deer were discouragingly scarce.

“I hadn’t seen a deer all week,” Worthington said. “I told myself, ‘If I don’t see a deer I’m going home.’

“I just got lucky, that’s all.”

Press release:

The City of Batavia Republican Committee is seeking City Republicans who are interested in being considered for the Committee’s recommendation for Council At-Large.

This position is for the seat soon to be vacated by John Deleo, who was elected as Legislator District #7 in November. The City of Batavia Republican Committee will make a recommendation to City Council with the appointment being made by City Council after Jan. 1.

Letters of interest can be e-mailed to City Republican Chairman Melissa Gaebler at mgaebler83@gmail.com by Dec. 14.

Emily J. Walker, 22, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 3rd. Walker allegedly presented a forged doctor's note to a former employer on Nov. 20.

Thomas O. Hart, 64, of Grafton Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI and failure to stop at stop sign. Hart was involved in a single-car accident at 6:39 p.m., Saturday, on West Sweden Road, Bergen. The accident was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Joseph R. Dux, 27, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to keep right. Dux was stopped by Le Roy PD on Wolcott Road at 1:40 a.m., Friday.

Nathen Edward Donald Brege, 23, of South Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation charge.

Heather M. Ace, 24, of State Street Road, Batavia, was arrested for alleged failure to appear and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Timothy J. Corke II, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Corke is accused of shoplifting at Tops market.

Dustin V. Gothard, 27, of Wolcottsville Road, Akron, was arrested on a warrant. Gothard was located by State Police in Lockport and arrested on a warrant out of City Court stemming from an alleged incident in December 2014. Gothard posted $100 cash bail and was released.

Richard Levins, 58, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with deteriorated roof covering. Levins turned himself on a warrant, posted bail and was released.

Ian C. Lawlis, 35, of Central Avenue, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an overnight parking charge. Lawlis posted $100 bail and was released.

James A. Hancock, 46, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with robbery, 2nd, grand larceny, 4th, strangulation, 2nd, aggravated criminal contempt and assault, 3rd. The charged stem from an alleged domestic incident Dec. 1. Hancock was arrested on a warrant at an address on Lewiston Road by officers from Batavia PD and deputies from the Sheriff's Office. He was jailed without bail.

Bethani M. Dibble, 23, of Prospect Avenue, Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Dibble was arrested after an investigation into a shoplifting complaint at Tops market.

Marlek E. Holmes, 41, no permenant address, is charged with harassment, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and failure to report address change. Holmes was arrested on Dec. 2 on charges stemming from an alleged incident Nov. 8 on Central Avenue. Holmes was spotted on Wood Street by a resident who contacted police. Holmes was located inside a residence with the assistance of Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro and was taken into custody without incident. He was jailed without bail.

Rylie A. Day, 25, of Wyndham Road, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Day was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation on May 29.

John C. Orlowski, 18, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Batavia PD responded to a residence on Spruce Street at 6:26 p.m., Wednesday, on an unrelated investigation. Orlowski was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Ronald L. Worthington, 45, of Buell Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. He turned himself in and was released on $100 bail.

Elizabeth A. Hicks, 32, of Read Road, Batavia, is charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument. Hicks was allegedly found in possession of a hypodermic instrument during an arrest on an unrelated charge.

Jason P. Wickson, 34, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, criminal contempt, 2nd, aggravated family offense and criminal mischief, 4th. Wickson was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 7:59 p.m., Wednesday, on Cedar Street, Batavia. Wickson was jailed without bail.

The Elba Betterment Committee hosted its annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration last night in the village park.

Photos submitted by Kimberly Ball.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 1770 Indian Falls Road. 

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responding. 

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: This was originally reported as minor injury, but a crew is requested to assemble to set up a possible landing zone for Mercy Flight. 

UPDATE 8 a.m.: Mercy Flight not required. 

LeRoyans gathered Saturday for the annual Community Christmas Tree lighting at the site of the former Wiss Hotel. The tree was donated by Lathan Tree Service, and is decorated with ornaments donated by community businesses, organizations and individuals.

Le Roy's Winterfest celebration included craft projects at Woodward Memorial Library, a visit by Santa to the Moose Family Center, the "Jinglin' All the Way" 5K/10K and more. The celebration officially closes at 6 p.m. today, with the Community Christmas Tree lighting.

Cameron Stefani, a Le Roy 10th-grader, was the winner of the Jinglin' All the Way 5K with an unofficial time of 19:47. Second-place finisher — and top female finisher — was Caylin DePuy, of Le Roy, with a time of 21 minutes.

Norman D. "Don" Ball, a Vietnam Veteran who was shot and killed early Tuesday morning while he slept in his bed, was buried in the cemetery in Stafford today following a service at the Falcone Funeral Home in Le Roy.

Ball's neighbor on Selden Road, Le Roy, Kyle Johnson, is being held on a charge of second-degree murder.

Johnson is also charged with arson for allegedly setting his own house on fire shortly after the shooting, at 3:50 a.m., and with reckless endangerment for allegedly firing at firefighters and a police officer when they arrived at the blaze.

For previous coverage, click here.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating a telemarketing scam where an “Officer” claiming to be a member of a Police Department in the Dominican Republic has your relative (actual relative name used) in custody. The “Officer” explains your relative is in trouble and needs court costs, legal fees, fines and hospital bills paid, before they are released from a Dominican Republic Jail or allowed to leave the country. The “Officer” then has your inconsolable “relative” placed on the phone to beg for your assistance. The “Officer” advises the only way they accept payment for the debt is with iTunes Gift Cards over the phone.

The Batavia Police Department would like to remind the community during this holiday season to be mindful of this or similar telemarketing scams. Anyone who suspects they have been contacted by this or similar “Officers” are encouraged to file a report at www.IC3.gov or contact the NYS Attorney General’s Office to make a report.

Amy M. Carpenter is accused of the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Oct. 18, it is alleged Carpenter drove a 2002 Dodge on Willow Street and State Street in the City of Batavia while intoxicated. In count two of the indictment, she is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree for operating a motor vehicle while she allegedly knew, or had reason to know, that her driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities and did so while allegedly intoxicated. Also, Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman has filed Special Information, accusing Carpenter of having been convicted of felony DWI previously, on Jan. 27, 2008, and therefore alleging she had knew or had reason to know her driving privilege was suspended or revoked as a result of this conviction.

Daniel J. Vanderjagt is accused of the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Aug. 8 in the Town of Darien, it is alleged that Vanderjagt drove a 2014 Ford on Main Park Road while intoxicated. In count two of the indictment, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Frank L. Schiavi is accused of the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, a Class A-II felony. It is alleged that on May 7 in the City of Batavia, Schiavi knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug, in this case, cocaine, and that these had an aggregate weight of four ounces or more.

Morgan R. Todd is accused of the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On June 6, it is alleged that Todd drove a 2011 Volkswagen on Interstate 90 in the Town of Pembroke while intoxicated.

John W. Walsh is accused of the crime of criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 6, having no right to do so nor any reasonable grounds to believe he had such right, he intentionally damaged property of another person in an amount exceeding $250 on Oak Street in the City of Batavia.

Here are some pictures highlighting the activities at Friday night's Christmas in the City event as well as closing ceremonies for the city's Centennial Celebration. They were taken by Steve Ognibene.