With size on the inside and guards who can hit from the perimeter, the Elba Lancers demonstrated some of what they might be able to accomplish in boys basketball in 2015-16.

The Lancers dominated archrival Notre Dame on Thursday, winning 52-40.

"The last time we came in here and beat these guys, I was a senior in high school," said new Elba's new head coach, Ciaci Zambito. "That was 10 years ago, so it means a lot to these kids. I think they've all kind of bought into the basketball program."

That program is one that uses a pressure defense to help create points on transition.

Anchored at center by 6'4", 225-pound senior Jack Hocmuth, the Lancers can dominate against most Class D teams in the paint. Scoring comes from Hocmuth, who 13 last night, and Henry Pflaumer, a junior point guard who scored 14. Senior guard Dakota Dillon added six on a pair of threes and Shane O'Halloran had seven.

"They made everything in the first quarter," said Mike Rapone, Notre Dame's head coach. "They're a good shooting team when they get their looks."

The Lancers were up 20-5 at the end of the first quarter and Notre Dame was in the midst of an 11-minute scoring drought that started when John Sutherland knocked out of the game with an ankle injury. He did not return and he's questionable over at least the next few games.

The Fighting Irish came out in the second half playing with a little more intensity and at a faster pace. They were able to pick up points in transition by getting to the basket before Elba could set its defense. That attack was slowed with C.J. Suozzi fouling out with five minutes left in the third quarter. That put the burden of being the big man leader on the floor on Nico Zambito.

"Nico did a great job, but physically he is just not as tall or as strong as John," Rapone said.

Even with the lopsided loss, there are several positives for his team, Rapone said. The team's season will depend on making shots, Rapone said. He believes the scoring will come, but Thursday's game was an example of what can happen to the Irish when the baskets don't fall.

"We just couldn't make a shot," Rapone said. "Some of these guys are pretty good perimeter shooters, but they weren't hitting tonight. Maybe it was their defense, or maybe it wasn't our night. I'm just proud how they competed for the whole game. Down 20-5, you could just pack it in, but they never did."

Zambito and Tyler Prospero each had six points for Notre Dame, with Casey Midwick and Evan Bender adding five more apiece.

Rapone describes his team this year as athletic, but small. They've got to shoot to win, getting points in transition, which will be harder if Sutherland is out for any length of time. The Irish have a team bench, with eight seniors and eight juniors on the squad.

To purchase prints, click here.

It's a tough time of the year for people to lose jobs, said Steve Hyde, CEO of the Genesee Economic Development Center, but there is a silver lining on the dark clouds hanging over the Quaker Muller Dairy Plant.

A large dairy processing organization is close to closing a deal to purchase 320,000-square-foot plant, which cost PepsiCo and Muller Group an estimated $200 million to build. 

"We expect it won't take long and they will employ lots of folks," Hyde said. "Probably more than Muller Quaker and it will be good for Western New York dairy farmers."

While details of the plant closing are not available, some sources indicate it won't close immediately, even so, right before Christmas is a hard time to hear you might be out of a job soon, Hyde acknowledged.

"It is a sad day, especially this time of year, and we're all very sad about it, but there is a silver lining," Hyde said.

The GCEDC is already working with the Job Bureau to find suitable replacement jobs for Muller Quaker employees, along with job search assistance and transition training, Hyde said. There may be a job fair to assist workers. Hyde noted there are a lot of local job openings right now.

While Pepsi and Muller made a substantial investment in the plant, they did so with the backing of the state and the local IDA. The state promised Pepsi/Muller some $14 million in tax credits, but those tax credits were contingent on meeting specific job creation goals.

Quaker Muller never went beyond its Phase I goals, which was a bit less than 200 jobs, Hyde said, so the company received "only a fraction" of the anticipated tax credits though Hyde did not have the exact amount of tax credits awarded immediately available.

The project was also eligible for $11 million in tax abatements related to the improvement of the former farm field, mostly in the form of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes on the increase in assessed value. Such tax abatements are not a direct subsidy but are only realized if the project is built and the property tax assessment goes up. The next owner, assuming there is one, will inherit the PILOT.

There were also federal grants that have gone into the creation of Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park that did not directly benefit Quaker Muller, but provided infrastructure, such as sewer and roads, to make the plant construction possible.

Hyde said it's impossible to say, at this point, when this dairy processing organization might complete its acquisition of the plant, but he is optimistic the deal will go through. 

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: Empire State Development has issued the following statement: “Empire State Development will be working with the new plant owner, DFA (Dairy Farmers of America), to restart operations soon.”

UPDATE 6:20 p.m.: Assemblyman Steve Hawley said he was briefed on the plant closing last night and only recently learned of DFA's purchase plans. He's hoping DFA will rehire the displaced Muller workers. "I'm not sure what the future holds, but we're moving forward and I hope this shutdown is short term." 

UPDATE: Statement from DFA: "DFA has agreed to acquire the Muller-Quaker Dairy Plant in Batavia, NY. The acquisition is a strategic one for DFA as it is in an important milkshed for us. This facility creates multiple potential milk handling and dairy manufacturing opportunities. We are currently exploring these."

Previously: Developing: Muller Quaker plant reportedly closing

Muller Quaker Dairy apparently announced the closing of its Batavia yogurt plant today.  We have not been able to confirm that announcement with the spokeswomen for Muller Quaker.

GCEDC issued this statement a few minutes ago.

“While we are extremely disappointed about today’s announcement by Mueller Quaker Dairy, we are optimistic that the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will continue to play a key role in the agricultural sector in our region, including remaining a major employer.

“The Genesee Agri-Business Park where the facility is located is a community asset and it continues our strategy of building and marketing sites targeting industry clusters. 

“Regardless of this announcement, we will continue to enhance the infrastructure at the Ag-Park in our efforts to bring new jobs and investment to Genesee County in the agricultural sector.

“Our immediate focus in the meantime is to do everything we can to assist the impacted employees.”

Submitted photo of Ken Ball.

By Tim Bojarski, president, UNY-USHWA

Scores of horsemen and women have come and gone over the years at Batavia Downs, but the ever changing look of the local driving colony has had a single, steady constant in its midst that still sends horses postward after 49 years in the business. His name is Ken Ball.

Ball got started in harness racing in 1966 as a second trainer for Eldon Harner. But it wasn’t long before he departed to start his own stable.

The first and probably best owners he ever had were Morris and Betty Miller. They bred and raced a string of horses that bore the “Whiz” name. These horses were stalwarts of his stable for thirty years.

During his time in the business, his most successful horse was Missile T (1:57.2 $313,644). The Master of Style colt was one of the best 2- and 3-year-old male trotters in New York State in 2006 and 2007. The largest purse Ball ever won was the $100,000 Elitist Cup at the Syracuse Mile with Brass Target Sam ($1:56.2 $74,793) in 1990. And the fastest race he ever drove was a 1:56.2 mile with his good Open trotter, Derby Tex Whiz (1:56.2 $125,941), also at the Syracuse Mile.

But the hits didn’t stop there. Ball was also responsible for the careers of Major T Collins (1:59.2 $221,804), PJ Whiz (2:00.2 $161,696), Super Whiz (1:59.4 $142,879), Crescent T Collins (2:02.2 $94,178), Gantry T (1:57.2 $69,923), Tempest Lobell (2:03.2 $63,411), BJ Grattan (2:02.4 $60,035), Chip Rebel (2:02.3 $58,474) and of course, the local legend Mr. Tizwhiz (1:59.3 $48,633).

For his career, Ken Ball drove 1,143 winners that accounted for $3.1 million in purses. On the training side, Ball started 2,337 horses posting 263 wins, 311 seconds and 324 thirds (40 percent in the money) and earned another $1.1 million for those starts.

Ball is still actively training today, but limits his driving to county fairs and an occasional qualifying race. He defers the pari-mutuel lines to his son, Keith, who is continuing the family tradition. Keith Ball is also a Monroe County Sheriff.

Ken Ball still lives in Batavia with his longtime companion Patricia Arnold. But he’s more likely to be found shipping his horses to the track or a fair than at his house. But that’s the only way one could ever put together such an impressive body of work.

Ken Ball will receive his award in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 12) during UNY-USHWA’s Night of Distinction.

A teenage child sex abuser will spend three years in prison following his sentencing in County Court on Tuesday.

Storm U. Lang, 18, entered guilty pleas in July to two counts of sexual abuse, 1st, and a count of sexual abuse, 2nd.

Lang was sexually involved with three different victims on separate occasions when he was 17 years old. He was arrested for subjecting a 7-year-old to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama in October. In November, he also subjected a 12-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Alabama and a 5-year-old child to sexual contact in the Town of Bethany.

Lang will be on post-release supervision for 10 years once he's served his three years in state prison.

In addition to the murder, burglary and arson charges Kyle G. Johnson is facing following his arrest Dec. 1 in the shooting death on Selden Road, Le Roy, of Norman D. "Don" Ball, the defendant has been indicted by the Grand Jury on two counts of attempted murder.

Johnson is accused of attmepting to kill Le Roy Police Officer Ryan Young and Le Roy Fire Chief Tim Hogle when they arrived at his residence on Selden Road for the report of a house fire at 4:15 a.m.

Johnson, who is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bail, was originally arrested on a charge of reckless endangerment for allegedly firing his shotgun at the two men.

The eight-count indictment against Johnson begins with the murder in the second degree counts for the shooting death of Ball. Johnson allegedly entered Ball's home through an unlocked back door at 3:350 a.m., Dec. 1, went into his bedroom and shot Ball in the head while he slept. 

Johnson then allegedly returned to his residence and set his house on fire.

The counts against Johnson are:

• Murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 violent felony, for the alleged murder of Ball;
• Murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 violent felony, for allegedly entering Ball's house (burglary) and shooting him; 
• Arson in the third degree, a Class C felony, for allegedly starting a fire at 7324 Seldon Road;
• Burglary in the first degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly entering 7421 Selden Road, the home of Ball, with the intent to cause physical injury to another person;
• Burglary in the first degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly entering the residence of Ball with the intent to use a dangerous instrument;
• Attempted aggravated murder, a Class A-2 felony, for allegedly intending to cause the death of another person, to wit, officer Ryan Young, while knowing or should have reasonably known, Young was a police officer;
• Attempted aggravated murder, a Class A-2 felony, for allegedly intending to cause the death of another person, to wit, Timothy Hogle, while knowing or should have reasonably known Hogle was a first responder responding to an emergency call.

For previous coverage, click here.

Also indicted by this Grand Jury:

Marcus C. Kazmierczak, is indicted on counts of felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kazmierczak is accused of driving drunk July 11, in the Town of Darien, while having a prior DWI conviction within the previous 10 years.

One vehicle's alleged failure to yield to another led to a three-vehicle collision that included a school bus yesterday afternoon at the intersection of R. Stephen Hawley Drive and Med Tech Drive.

One person suffered a minor injury and was transported to an area hospital.

Cited was Tasha L. Wiltberger, 25, of Buell Street, Batavia. She was also the person injured in the crash.

Wiltberger reportedly stopped at a stop sign facing north from Med Tech Drive while a car driven by Joshua E. McKinsey, 23, of Prestige Crossing, Batavia, was on Hawley Drive.

Wittberger allegedly pulled out in front of McKinsey's vehicle. The two vehicles collided and McKinsey's vehicle then struck a school bus that was stopped at the stop sign on College Road.  

There were a bus driver and eight students, ages 15 to 18, on the school bus.

The accident was reported at 1:06 p.m.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Rachel Diehl.

Jose Maria Agustin, 41, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and sex offender failure to notify change of address to another state within 10 days. Agustin was arrested following a raid at 6274 Oak Orchard Road, Elba, by members of the Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security. Agustin was found in possession of two allegedly forged instruments and he allegedly failed to notify the Department of Criminal Justice Services of his change of address from another state. He was jailed without bail.

James Cameron Lonergan, 38, of Pries Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with moving from lane unsafely, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, DWI, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Lonergan was allegedly driving drunk when involved in a property damage accident at 12:38 a.m. Tuesday on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Deputy Andrew Hale.

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.