Driving around this time of year you can always find some wonderful displays of Christmas lights and figurines. Since the inception in 2011, Dean Brooks pictured above (family dog "Princess," daughter Mickayla, wife Jennifer and son Spencer) have made this a family activity that has grown over time.

The display at his home at starts getting assembled right after Thanksgiving and usually takes about a week or so depending on weather and family schedules.

"I first started with about 3,000 bulbs, a couple figurines but it has grown to over 7,000 lights and we have been transitioning to a LED display only," Dean said. "The LED lights are brighter, more brilliant of a color, more energy efficient and I can differentiate between those and the incandescent lights.

"The possibilities are huge because the LEDs can be changed to multiple colors."

A new item this year is “talking Rudolph” in the front of the house. The show runs on over an hour then loops back to the beginning through a computer-generated software program and FM transmitter that you can tune into 91.7 when you are in front of his home that the lights and music are synced to.

The plan next year is to expand the megatron tree to have words flashing across it plus much more. The viewing schedule can be found at his Web site http://www.brooksfamilylights.com/

The family's address is 5671 E. Main Street Road, Batavia

Also a Facebook page here: Brooks Family Lights

State Police have arrested a 32-year-old Le Roy man after he allegedly drove the car of an acquaintance intentionally into a tree, causing heavy front-end damage and airbag deployment.

Nick Hawkins was jailed on $1,500 bail and charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief. 

According to State Police, Hawkins was involved in a dispute with the acquaintance and he drove the person's car north on the driveway into the back yard and straight into a tree. 

Hawkins declined medical treatment for minor cuts and was transported to the Batavia Barracks for processing. 

Le Roy PD assisted at the scene.

A 62-year-old Batavia woman who served on a grand jury in a murder case has been charged with unlawful grand jury disclosure, a Class E felony.

She is accused of disclosing to an acquaintance the decision of the grand jury to indict a person in a homicide case before the indictment was officially filed and became a matter of public record.

Janice L. Mortellaro, of Buell Street, was on a grand jury that was seated Dec. 8.

The Sheriff's Office, which handled the arrest of Mortellaro, is not disclosing which case she allegedly shared information about.

The District Attorney's Office is currently handling two homicide cases, the Dec. 1 death of Norman D. "Don" Bell in Le Roy and the discovery of a dead infant in a home on Liberty Street in August.

In the death of Bell, a neighbor, Kyle G. Johnson was arraigned on a second-degree murder indictment Dec. 15. In the case of the infant's death, the baby's mother, Christina M. Colantonio, was originally arrested on a murder charge, but she was released from jail after an autopsy could not prove a live birth. A second autopsy was ordered and no indictment has been announced in that case. It's uncertain if that case has even been presented to a grand jury at this point.

Mortellaro was arraigned in City Court and issued an appearance ticket for 9 a.m., Jan. 5, to answer to the charge.

A house fire with smoke and flames showing is reported at 4478 Lockport Road in Elba. There is also a propane tank out front. The location is between North Byron and Quaker Hill roads. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, along with mutual aid from Oakfield, Stafford, Bergen, Byron and South Byron.

UPDATE 9:47 a.m.: Lockport Road is being shut down at Quaker Hill Road and at Oak Orchard Road.

UPDATE 9:52 a.m.: Town of Batavia is requested to fill in at Elba's fire hall.

UPDATE 9:57 a.m.: National Grid is called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Fire is out. The chief says looks like the fire may have started in the living room. Beginning investigation. Mercy medics are back in service.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.: Some mutual aid responders being put back in service.

Employees of Orcon Industires paused to wish America's veterans a Merry Christmas during the company's annual holiday party Friday at Batavia Downs.

Workers at the Le Roy company recently decided to donate their year-end bonus to the Liberty Fund, a North Carolina-based organization that provides all-terrain wheelchairs to wounded veterans. Orcon management matched the donation, allowing for the purchase of two wheelchairs.

News of the donation reached Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly — a major supporter of the Independence Fund — who thanked the Orcon team for their donation during an "O'Reilly Factor" broadcast last week.

(Submitted photo.)

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) would like to announce the winner of the Downtown Batavia Holiday Window Decorating Contest. It is Charles Men’s Shop, located at 200 E. Main St.

As the winner of the contest, Charles Men’s Shop will receive $200 as the prize for the best window. Second and third place were Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, and Art Ah La Carte, respectively.

The annual contest is a chance for downtown businesses to not only put their best foot forward in decorating their windows, it is also an opportunity for them to encourage people to come downtown and walk around, hence “More Feet Downtown.”

Ten judges, who are senior ladies, were driven by bus, which was provided through the Genesee County Office for the Aging. Anita Dziekan, of Batavia, coordinated the group and provided them with Santa hats and made the experience a very merry morning. The judges walked around the downtown and viewed 16 windows.

Even before the official judging today, Dec. 21, the judges also looked at the windows at night to see the displays lit up. The judges were impressed not only by the display, but also admitted that their window looks wonderful and inviting even at night.

The judges ranked the windows based on certain criteria, such as creativity, attracted a person to want to go inside, or if the content was related to their business, among other criteria. For example, the judges liked that Councilperson Rosemary Christian took the time to decorate one of the Carr’s vacant windows.

“Given the great weather, they were able to walk around a lot more and discuss the windows and what they saw downtown. It was very insightful to hear their comments,” said Laurie Oltramari, BID executive director.

“Walkability is my primary focus for the downtown. If people do not want to walk around, they will not stay or even come. It is a simple answer to a complex set of challenges.”

You can post on the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District Facebook page or contact Laurie Oltramari at (585) 344-0900 or e-mail LOltramari@DowntownBataviaNY.com to share pictures or to ask questions about the contest. Please contact David Howe at Charles Men’s Shop at (585) 343-2086 to coordinate a time to take a picture of their windows!

A 17-year-old resident of Porter Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under age 21 and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. The youth is accused of being the driver of a vehicle that struck a building in Elba. The youth allegedly fled the scene of the accident on foot and was located a short time later by a deputy. The incident, reported at 11:04 p.m., Friday, was investigated by Deputy Joseph Corona along with Deputy Howard Carlson and Sgt. Eric Seppala.

Jacklyn M. Ganzhorn, 28, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Ganzhorn allegedly failed to appear in City Court on a charge of unlicensed operation, 3rd. After posting $500 bail, Ganzhorn was turned over to Attica PD on a warrant.

Earle D. Webb, 29, of Joseph Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Webb was arrrested by Batavia police as the result of an alleged incident reported at 11:42 a.m., Friday. 

Jordan J. Hardy, 26, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of sex offender failure to report change of, or changes to, Internet accounts. Hardy allegedly failed to report to Batavia two changes to his Internet accounts within 10 days of the change. He has a prior conviction and was arrested Oct. 26 on the same charge. He was jailed without bail.

Robert W. Blankenberg Jr., 31, of Union Street, Batavia. Blankenberg was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Johnny L. Shannon, 57, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Shannon was arrested following complaint of erratic operation at 7:47 a.m. Dec. 12 on East Main Street, Batavia, and an investigation by officers Kevin DeFelice and Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Justin Gabriel Sepi, 28, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sepi was charged following a traffic stop at 10:25 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Dylan James Perry, 24, of Kingsbury Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Perry was allegedly found in possession of metal knuckles and marijuana during roadside contact with law enforcement at 2:31 a.m. Friday on Main Road, Pembroke. He was arrested by Deputy Joseph Corona and jailed without bail.

Press release:

Major Steven A. Nigrelli is the new Troop A commander. He is a 25-year-veteran of the New York State Police, starting his career in 1990, serving as a uniform Trooper in Troop D in Central New York until he was assigned to the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) in 1994.

Nigrelli was assigned to CNET in both Western and Central New York (CNET). Nigrelli worked undercover for more than five years in the State Police’s CNET. Nigrelli then was promoted to sergeant and investigator in 1999, and was assigned to Troop A Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

In 2003 while in Troop A, he received his promotion to lieutenant and was assigned to supervise Troop A's BCI.

In March of 2007, Nigrelli was promoted to captain, accepting an assignment as the Troop A Zone III Commander at SP Jamestown. In 2008, he was reassigned as the Troop A Zone II Commander at SP Clarence. As a Zone Commander, Nigrelli was responsible for overseeing all Uniform operations in his zone.

In 2012, Nigrelli was promoted to BCI Captain for Troop A at Troop A Headquarters in Batavia.

Throughout his career, Captain Nigrelli has had the opportunity to work on several high-profile cases, including numerous homicides, Ralph “Bucky” Phillips manhunt, Bike Path Rapist/Killer Task Force, and he served as the scene commander for the investigation of the crash of Continental Flight #3407.

As the Troop A Commander, Nigrelli will oversee the State Police operations in the eight counties of Western New York. Under his command will be more than 400 civilian and sworn personnel.

Major Nigrelli has been committed to community service and volunteerism throughout his State Police career. He has dedicated his time and energy to volunteering for Special Olympics and currently sits as both the New York State Torch Run director and International Executive Council Board of Directors for Special Olympics. These organizations are dedicated to raising both funds and awareness for Special Olympics, which is comprised of children and adults with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Prior to joining the State Police, Major Nigrelli briefly served as member of the Buffalo Housing Police and earned a bachelor's degree from Buffalo State College.

Three members of Batavia's Section V championship team were honored with All-Greater-Rochester selections, including Dom Mogavero (above), who was named as a linebacker.

Second team honors went to QB Greg Mruczek and WR Ryan Hogan.

On defense this season, Mogavero had 125 tackles, four forced fumbles, a sack, an interception and one defensive TD. (He also rushed for 1,127 yards and scored 15 TDs.)

Mruczek (second picture) set several school records this season, including passing yards, touchdowns and total offensive yards. He completed 117 passes in 183 attempts for 2,101 yards and 32 TDs. He also carried the ball 39 times for 248 yards and two TDs, giving him 34 total touchdowns and 2,349 total yards. He's also the BHS career leader in passing yards (4,294), passing touchdowns (59), total yards of offensive (4,883) and total touchdowns (65).

Hogan (third picture)  had 31 catches for 707 yards in 2015. His 14 TDs are a school record and fourth all-time in Section V.

Other Genesee County football players honored:

• Noah Dobbertin (Batavia)
• Anthony Gallo (Batavia)
• Ray Leach (Batavia)
• Addison Pitcher (Batavia)
• Trevor Sherwood (Batavia)
• Danny Williams (Batavia)
• Nick Egeling (Le Roy)
• Luke Hogle (Le Roy)
• Josh Laurie (Le Roy)
• Anthony Natrigo (Le Roy)
• Allen Chatt (Oakfield-Alabama)
• Richard Flores (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Andrew Gottler (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Dane Heberlein (Alexander)
• John Hochmuth (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Josh Hylkema (Alexander)
• Riley Kusmierski (Alexander)
• Thomas Lambert (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Ethan Osborne (Notre Dame)
• Dustin Schmeider (Alexander)
• Ismile Smith (Oakfield-Alabama)
• C.J. Suozzi (Notre Dame)
• Jack Sutherland (Notre Dame)
• Jack Thomas (Pembroke)
• Dakota Weidman (Notre Dame)
• Zach Von Kramer (Pembroke)
• Adam Walter (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Joe Weatherwax (Notre Dame)
• Reice Woodward (Oakfield-Alabama)
• Jacob Wozniak (Alexander)

Boys Cross Country

• Thomas Berggren (Notre Dame)
• Anderson Bradshaw (Alexander)
• Nathaniel DiSalvo (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Jacob Gualtieri (Notre Dame)
• Justin Hannan (Byron-Bergen)
• Josh Larmon (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Maxim McKenzie (Le Roy)
• Cole O'Donnell (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Henry Pflaumer (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Joseph Yaeger (Alexander)
• Trevor Zauner (Alexander)

Boys Soccer

• Kieran O'Halloran (Le Roy)
• Nicholas Richardson (Le Roy)
• Mason Muoio (Byron-Bergen)
• Ryan Richardson (Byron-Bergen)
• Alejandro Ocampo (Byron-Bergen)
• Matt Foeller (Byron-Bergen)
• Ryan Curtis (Pembroke)
• Ryan Cansdale (Pembroke)

Girls Cross Country

• Siomara Caballero (Byron-Bergen)
• McKenna Cone (Le Roy)
• Emily Dyson (Pembroke)
• Emily Gonyea (Byron-Bergen)
• Morgan Munger (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)

Girls Soccer

• Leah Thompson (Byron-Bergen)
• Kelsey Maurer (Byron-Bergen)
• Sarah Zakes (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Stephany McBride (Alexander)
• Callie McCulley (Notre Dame)
• Grace Krizen (Pembroke)
• Quinn Audsley (Pembroke)
• Olivia Audsley (Byron-Bergen)
• Hannah Duttweiler (Pembroke)
• Jenna Amesbury (Byron-Bergen)
• Jayna Wright (Alexander)
• Jennifer Yuhnke (Pavilion)

Girls Swimming

• Maiya Reinhart (Batavia)

Girls Tennis

• Stephanie Hoy (Batavia)
• Melissa Mountain (Batavia)
• Lea Morgan (Batavia)
• Ariana Ross (Batavia)
• Alicia Scroger (Batavia)
• Lauren Leone (Batavia)

Volleyball

• Lydia Milligan (Pavilion)
• Taylor Sherman (Le Roy)
• Ava Vescovi (Le Roy)
• Riley Pasquale (Le Roy)
• Naomi Hyde (Le Roy)
• Breton Stephens (Alexander)
• Aralyse Johnson (Pembroke)
• Sami Quaranto (Pembroke)
• Shea Norton (Notre Dame)
• Mary Kate Miceli (Notre Dame)
• Nichol Salvador (Notre Dame)
• Bryanna D’Agostino (Byron-Bergen)
• Lauren Burke (Byron-Bergen)
• Cora Ivison (Byron-Bergen)

Jess Colopy is a journalism student Columbia College Chicago and as a class project she produced this photo essay comparing Christmas in her hometown with her college town, Oakfield and Chicago. 

Chicago: Millennium Park’s Christmas Tree, viewed by millions of visitors every year. The 64-foot-tall tree was lit during a massive ceremony on Nov. 24, where the cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and members of the Chicago Opera performed Christmas carols to the crowd of thousands.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.) Roughly 50 six- to seven-foot trees border Oakfield’s Triangle Park. The trees were lit on Dec. 5 in a ceremony that about 100 people were expected to attend. The trees were purchased by non-for-profits, family businesses, and families wishing to memorialize a lost loved one. 

Chicago: Wreaths and presents adorn The Art Institute of Chicago’s giant bronze lion statues on Michigan Avenue. The lions stand larger than life, towering over visitors who stand next to them for photographs.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  Small, lit wreaths adorn the Village of Oakfield Office building on Main Street. The office is conveniently located next to the town’s only traffic light, part of which is visible on the right. “Welcome” banners sporting a Christmas tree also hang off of the old-fashioned streetlights.

Chicago: The Prudential building and other skyscrapers light up red and green for the holiday season. Other buildings such as the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center are also well known for lighting up the Chicago skyline for Christmas.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  A piece of watering equipment on a family farm on the outskirts of Oakfield is decked out in lights for Christmas. This is a recent tradition among farmers in the rural village.

For my photo essay, I have chosen to explore the differences between Christmas in Chicago, an urban metropolis, and Oakfield, New York, my rural hometown of less than 1800 people. I thought this would be an appropriate topic for myself specifically because this year is my first Christmas in the city, and I started noticing the differences as soon as the decorations started going up and the Christmas sales began. After some research, I realized that not much has been done on the topic. An article by the Harris County Public Library cites the movies that explore the difference between small town and big city Christmases -- you know, the ones where the tough, big-city businessman too wrapped up in his work meets the small-town girl who finds a way to break into his tough heart and get him in the holiday spirit -- but those movies are all I can really find on the topic.

Obviously, my photo essay will be different because it shows what Christmas in a real small town is like compared to what Christmas is actually like in a big city. Both places are cold and generally snowy, but the atmosphere is completely different. Articles on the Christmas festivities in each individual place prove that. The City of Chicago’s Web site’s event page for the Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting lists the big name opera star and musical cast that will be headlining the event, as well as the information about the original home of the massive tree to be lit in the park. Thousands of people attended. On the other hand, an article from the Batavia Daily News discusses the meaning of the small, hand-decorated trees that memorialize lost loved ones and special non-for-profit causes in Oakfield’s Triangle Park. A marching band information Web site states that Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Parade draws more than one million spectators with its elaborate floats and familiar Disney characters. The Batavia Daily News states that a Christmas parade in Batavia - -a small city with a population of less than 7,000 about 15 minutes from Oakfield -- drew just over 1,000 people from surrounding towns with its floats from local family businesses, churches, and non-for-profits.

Everything is bigger in Chicago, while everything in Oakfield is more humbly done, but generally more personal. There are certainly advantages to each way of celebrating Christmas, but maybe the two are not as different as they seem. At heart, both places simply want to make the holiday season a fun, memorable time for its citizens, and each place’s respective celebrations simply reflect the atmosphere they are held in. Chicago is home to more than three million people, so its “bigger is better” attitude about the holiday is nothing but what one would expect. Oakfield is a quiet, conservative town, and its simple, heartfelt festivities that focus on giving back to the community suit it perfectly. And, honestly, neither place is wrong, despite what biased holiday movies might try to say about the impersonal aspects of big city Christmas, or the boringness of small towns. Though they may be different, they both focus on what is important: the spirit of the season.

A house fire is reported at 5 Thomas Ave. 

City firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 1:49 a.m.: No smoke or flames showing, although there was a fire at this apartment building, which has been evacuated. Firefighters are dismantling a portion of the front porch looking for any extention.

UPDATE 2:05 a.m.: There were flames showing when firefighters arrived on scene. Ten residents were evacuated by firefighters, including an infant who was carried from an apartment by a firefighter. Some of the residents were taken in by neighbors, others were still outside watching. The cause is under investigation. It will be up to a city building inspector to determine whether the residents can return to their apartments tonight.

A one-car rollover accident is reported at 9662 Bethany Center Road. The car landed on its roof, but the driver is safely out. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medic #2 are responding.

Deputy Debbie Snyder helps Isabell Alwardt shop for Christmas presents at Walmart during the Batavia's store first "Shop with a Cop" charity event. The Walmart Foundation provided $4,000 to the store so 40 children in the community could receive $100 each to buy Christmas presents for friends, family or themselves. The Alwardt family donated half of what they received to another family in the community.

Store Manager Shallenberger said he learned about other stores doing "Shop with a Cop" last year and started working on bringing the event to Batavia. He intends for it to become an annual event.

"I think our community needs to see how involved the police department really is in the community and the City of Batavia can see how involved Walmart in the community and that we’re able to this for the community, that we’re not just a retailer we can meet these special needs," Shallenberger said.

Gabriel Winn shops for a present with Deputy Ryan DeLong and Deputy Brad Mazur while, Joe Loconte, looks on.

The deputies, police officers and troopers who participated in the event -- there were enough uniformed officers from all of the departments so each child could shop with a cop -- were off duty and volunteering their time.

Members of City Church's youth group volunteered to wrap presents after checkout.

A vehicle fire is reported in the rear lot of Batavia Downs.

Flames are showing.

Town of Batavia Fire dispatched.

Prior to the start of the David M. McCarthy Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Falleti Ice Arena, Assemblyman Steve Hawley donated a U.S. flag and a state flag to the arena to hang next to the scoreboard. The U.S. flag replaces the one that has hung in the area for years and has become worn with age.

Pictured are arena managers Alan Fitzsimmons and Adam Reach, Batavia players Bryce Polito and Riley Kusmicrski, Hawley, and players Bryce D'Alba and Jack Kasmarek.

The Yellow Goose convenience store, 1110 W. Main St., Le Roy, is reportedly charged with smoke.

It's a possible electrical fire.

A Le Roy fire chief is on scene. 

Le Roy fire is responding with mutual aid from Bergen.