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Red Kettle campaign aims for another $12K in donations

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Salvation Army, Batavia chapter, is in the last days of its annual Red Kettle Campaign. There are two days left and Major Robert Kurtz noted "that as of Wednesday 12/21/11 the amount raised so far is $50,589.00 This means we need to raise $4,000 per day (today and) for the next three days!"

The goal is $67,000.

Monies are used to help more than 1,500 children this Christmas season and will also be used through their financial aid office throughout the rest of this year as well as 2012.

"People are extremely generous this year," Kurtz said.

He hopes this continues to be true over these next few days.

He added: "We are so thankful to the community for their help, not only with monetary donations, but (with) the toy drives, food drives and all those willing to volunteer their time to help with the distribution of toys and food as well as those brave enough to ring those bells."

Volunteers are still needed to ring bells over the next few days. Please call 815-5955. Ask for Sue.

Contest: Main St. Pizza Company NFL Challenge Week 16

By Howard B. Owens

In Week 15 we asked which team would record the most sacks. Among the 10 teams available for picking in the contest, four recorded four sacks. We randomly selected a winner from among the entrants who picked those four teams.

The winner for Week 15 is Thomas Lennon. He wins two personal pizzas with cheese and one topping, and two house salads. Tom has one week to claim his prize at Main St. Pizza Company.

NOTE: The majority of this week's games are being played on Saturday. Deadline for entry is 1 p.m., Saturday. Click here to enter.

Law and Order: Traffic stops lead to untaxed cigarettes charges

By Howard B. Owens

Randolph Ricardo Scott, 59, of West Humboldt, Buffalo, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and speeding (62 in a 40 mph zone). Scott was stopped at 10:58 p.m. Wednesday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Scott was allegedly in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Marc Anthony Crispino, 20, of Cassandra Circle, Chili, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes. Crispino was stopped at 12:02 a.m., Dec. 6, on Route 77, Pembroke, for alleged traffic violations by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reportedly found Crispino in possession of 800 untaxed cigarettes.

Martin Andrew Wade, 53, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient turn lamps. Wade was stopped at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday on Route 5, Stafford, by Deputy Howard Carlson.

Tabatha Holly Clark, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, charged with petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance not in original container. Clark is accused of shoplifting $22.67 in merchandise from Kmart.

Today's Deals: Alabama Hotel, Bohn's, Clor's, Oliver's, Settler's, and more!

By Lisa Ace

Alabama Hotel, 1353 Lewiston Road, Basom, NY: A historic and legendary tavern and restaurant. The Alabama Hotel is famous for its fish fries, but also serves a variety of top-quality entrees, featuring Certified Angus Beef. Now with expanded hours. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for five weeks of yoga, five classes for $30.

Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia, NY: Fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Lunch and dinner, steak, prime rib and seafood. Ask about Bohn's catering services and banquet facility. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Bourbon & Burger Co., 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest burger joint offers more than two dozen different types of tasty hamburgers. Our menu also includes a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and an extensive beer list, plus a full bar. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY: Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985, plus wings, pasta and more. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

Greg'ry's Bakery, 13 North Lake Road, Bergen, NY: The bakery offers a variety of the finest cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes, breads, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and so much more. Each treat is made the same as it has been for decades and baked right here. Come in and sample some for yourself! We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Kravings offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Oliver's Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Oliver's, a Batavia landmark, offers the finest chocolate and confections in the area. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Palm Island Indoor Water Park, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, NY: The newest family fun center in Genesee County, featuring a hot tub, monsoon lagoon pool and play area, tipping buckets, water slides, arcade with 15 games and birthday party rooms. We have a pair of gift certificates worth $40 in merchandise or services for $20.

Rancho Viejo, 12 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Traditional Mexican cuisine, from tacos and burritos to pollo norteno, Rancho Viejo brings a bit of "south of the border" to Batavia's restaurant scene. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Salsa & Curry, 13 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: An authentic Mexican restaurant, offering all of your favorite dishes from enchiladas and burritos to tacos and fajitas, as well as daily Indian food specials. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun and good food are always on tap. Come try one of our many delicious burgers that we have to offer, as well as our HUGE Bomber Sandwich, homemade chicken fingers made to order, and the all-time favorite Dumpster Plate with many choices. We deliver. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

The Mane Attraction Salon and Spa99 Main St., Batavia, NY: offers "Affordable Luxury" in downtown Batavia. We pride ourselves in the great customer service we give to the entire family. Men, women and children are all welcome either by appointment or walk-in. We offer all hair care services including cuts, color, highlights, lowlights, perms, styling/updos, facial, leg and back waxing, Shellac Polish System, manicures and pedicures. We are the only salon in Batavia that has an airplane chair for kids' cuts! Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Rose Garden Bowl21 Buffalo Road, Bergen, NY: Open for lunch Monday through Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner favorites are our succulent prime rib and Friday fish fries! We are always happy to help plan your special occasion -- wedding, shower, rehearsal dinner, stag party, graduation, company function, banquet, family or class reunion. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never purchased Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Woman who prompted water rescue search arrested on warrant

By Howard B. Owens

A woman who at one point Wednesday night authorities feared may have wandered into a fast-moving Tonawanda Creek, was found later apparently safe in a mobile home on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

The woman was taken into custody on a bench warrant for alleged criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Jailed on $100,000 bail was Lisa Mae Rugh, 38, of Elm Street, Batavia.

The incident started about 6:30 p.m. when a woman was observed by a passerby lying on the shoulder of Route 5 near Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center.

The woman, later identified as Rugh, denied a need for help, though she appeared intoxicated, according to the witness.

Rugh began walking south behind Pudgie's toward the Tonawanda Creek.

Members of the Sheriff's Office searched the area but could not locate Rugh.

The department's K-9 unit was called to the scene and "Pharoah" reportedly tracked Rugh to the edge of the creek.

At about that time, members of the East Pembroke Water Rescue Team were in route to the scene. Also dispatched were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department as well as Alden and Corfu.

"Pharoah" continued tracking Rugh and she was located at Lot #8 of Dreamland Trailer Park, 3540 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

When deputies identified Rugh they discovered she had an active bench warrant for her arrest.

The Genesee County Emergency Services Office also assisted in the search for Rugh.

(Initial report)

Reader photo: Rainbow in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A reader submitted this picture of a rainbow in Le Roy this afternoon. The reader wrote, "The colors were so bright against the dark sky!! Can't believe its December and this was what I drove towards after work."

(btw: if you're going to send in pictures, please make sure they're at least 460 pixels wide so we can see them better.)

Water rescue team being dispatched to Wortendyke Road area

By Howard B. Owens

A water rescue search is being set up in the area of Wortendyke and South Main Street roads.

East Pembroke's water rescue team responding along with Town of Batavia.

A command post is being set up in the area of Pudgie's Home and Garden Center on West Main Street.

UPDATE 8:31 p.m.: A K-9 unit has tracked a path that indicates a woman may be in the water. Alden's water team also requested to stage in the area. "The water is moving pretty fast," a chief says.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: Corfu Fire Department is called to East Pembroke's hall to provide light towers where they are needed. The searchers are sweeping both sides of the Tonawanda Creek. They are headed west of the retention pond. A thermal imaging camera is requested to be at the ready roadside, south of Route 5. The woman they are searching for is said to be blonde, wearing a green jacket and carrying a backpack. They heard a female is screaming loudly near a storage unit, and thought it might be related to this call. The situation first came to the authorities' attention when a medic alerted dispatch that a woman, who appeared to be intoxicated, was lying on the ground near Pudgie's Lawn & Garden Center. She seemed to have an injured leg and was last seen headed toward the creek. Deputies who responded found a woman's shoe(s) roadside, and the K-9 "scented toward the creek." Now they are saying the screaming woman is someone in a trailer park close by yelling for her dog. "We don't have to look out for a pooch, too, do we?" "No" came the reply. A deputy says there's "a good deal of K-9 activity in the (Dreamland trailer) park, which is an indication that she may have been here and is now out of here."

UPDATE 9:17 p.m.: They found a shoeless woman at the Dreamland Trailer Park, lot # 8. Everybody is packing up and will be leaving shortly. An ambulance will be responding to her location.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m.: The patient refused treatment. She is now in law enforcement custody.

Yancey's Fancy gets tax relief from GCEDC for expansion

By Howard B. Owens

The Corfu-based artisan cheese maker Yancey's Fancy is planning a $296,000 expansion and will receive $20,000 in tax abatement, the Genesee Economic Development Center announced today.

The tax exemptions were ratified by the GCEDC board on Tuesday on the promise from Yancey's Fancy of 100 jobs retained.

No new jobs are expected to be created by the expansion.

The 60 percent PILOT will save Yancy's Fancy $13,000 in property taxes over 10 years.

The company also gets a $6,900 sales tax exemption on construction materials.

Information on the nature of the expansion was not released by the GCEDC.

Yancey's Fancy is located at 856 Main Road.

'Significant year' justifies GCEDC bonuses, board member says

By Howard B. Owens

A six-figure bonus package approved for staff members of the Genesee County Economic Development Center were earned by a great performance in 2011, said outgoing county Legislator Hollis Upson today after the perks were announced.

He characterized 2011, which saw, according to the GCEDC, 172 jobs created and more than $3 million in strategic investment approved, a great year for the center.

"The year was better than our expectations at the beginning of the year and better than anyone could have anticipated under the circumstances," Upson said.

Upson is finishing up his time on the legislature. It will be up to the legislature in 2012 to determine whether he continues to represent the county on the GCEDC board.

The bonus payments total $120,000 with $72,000 going to the CEO, Steve Hyde. It will be up to Hyde to determine how the remaining pot of money gets divided among the rest of the staff.

Asked if Hyde's bonus is justified in a county where the median annual income is just over $40,000, Upson said that, of course, he would like to get that kind of bonus himself, but he doesn't have a problem with it.

"I feel he deserves it," Upson said. "I know the work he's doing and if you compare it to what he does with the private sector, what he could be getting in the private sector would be much more."

The whole staff, Upson said, deserves credit for a job well done in 2011.

"They exceeded all of the goals we set for them," Upson said.

The GCEDC press release said 172 jobs were created; the goal for capital investment commitments was $13.8 million, and there were $51.3 million in commitments in 2011; and, two, rather than just one, major projects of at least $10 million in investment were signed (Alpina and expansion at O-AT-KA).

The only goal not met was for GCEDC to close a mega project deal worth more than $50 million.However, Upson noted, the Project Wave deal is just a few details away from being finalized.

"It was a pretty significant year for us when you consider that everybody else (in other jurisdictions) is in pretty dire circumstances," Upson said.

Photo: Le Roy police looking for 'person of interest'

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy police are looking for the black or Hispanic male behind the woman in the check-out line. Investigators have identified him as a person of interest in the theft of a stolen purse and credit card that occurred Tuesday.

Batavia names new head football coach

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATED with comments from Bromley at 2:01 p.m.
UPDATED at 4:43 p.m. with comments by Briggs.

Brennan Briggs, who led the Blue Devil's JV squad to an undefeated season in 2011, has been named the varsity's head football coach.

Briggs replaces Dan Geiger, who had a 16-35 record over six seasons as the Blue Devil's head coach.

The board of education approved the promotion of Briggs on Monday.

Athletic Director Michael Bromley said Briggs is somebody he's had his eye on since Brennan's student-athlete days at Batavia.

"It was easy to see as a young kid he was a great leader," said Bromley.

Briggs was a standout athlete in football and hockey, helping lead the hockey team to two sectional titles.

Bromley said when Briggs decided to major in physical education in college, he saw him as a potential teacher and coach at Batavia.

"He's got a lot of great experience and I have no doubt he will be a success," Bromley said.

The promotion, Briggs said, is exactly what he had in mind for himself.

"It’s been a goal of mine since I got into coaching to become a head football coach, to get out under the lights on Friday night and there’s no place better to do it than Batavia High," said Briggs.

Brigg's is the son of a former Gates-Chili coach Jim Briggs, a Section V Hall of Fame member.

Jim Briggs was also a standout athlete at Batavia HS and is in the schools hall of fame.

Bromley doesn't anticipate the senior Briggs being involved officially the football program, but he's sure father and son will talk a lot.

"It's obviously a great resource to have somebody with his knowledge and his level of success available as a dad," Bromley said. "I'm sure there will be a lot of dinner table conversations."

Brennan said you can rule out any idea of Jim becoming an assistant coach.

"He's got two grand sons he helps take care of and he's quite content doing that," Briggs said.

But they will talk.

"Obviously, I'll listen to anything everything he has to say, but he also does a good job of stepping back and let me be Brennan Briggs," Briggs said.

The players received the news of the promotion for Brigg's well, Bromley said. 

It was important to get Briggs started as coach this month, with players already beginning training and weight work for next season.

"Winning football isn't just about what you do during the season," Bromley said. "It's also what you do during the off season."

Fans shouldn't read too much into the undefeated JV record, Briggs said. There are a lot of JV teams in the area that have undefeated seasons, but that doesn't necessarily translate into winning varsity programs.

"I don't want everybody coming here thinking, 'Oh, Coach Briggs is undefeated on JV and they're going to be undefeated on varsity.' It doesn't work that way," Briggs said. "It's not going to be a complete transformation over to varsity."

That said, Briggs said he's already established a relationship with a lot of his players, both from coaching JV football and coaching baseball at the school.

His goal: Establish a winning culture.

"It's about discipline and hard work and it doesn't always show up on the score board, but inch by inch, we'll get there," Briggs said.

Briggs is pretty young at 26 to take over a varsity program, and he sees his age as offering both pros and cons.

When you're a young coach, he said, you can relate to a lot more of what the kids are going through away from campus, but they can also come to see you too close as peer.

"There's a fine line where these kids see you as a young person, you’ve got to establish that you’re the coach," Briggs said. "Yes, I want a good relationship with them, but there’s a fine line and you establish that by expecting discipline, not accepting any excuses and being hard on  them and just expecting the best from them every single day."

Bromley anticipates working with Briggs and putting together a coaching staff for Briggs over the next month.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of selling sawed-off shotgun and cocaine

By Howard B. Owens

Marcos A. Torres is indicted on one count of criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. Torres is accused of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawfully selling that firearm on June 22. The firearm is described as a Remington Wingmaster Model 870 20-gauge shotgun having a barrel less than 18 inches in length. He is also accused of possessing cocaine with the intent to sell it.

Joshua G. Bachorski is indicted on three counts of possession of stolen property, 4th, two counts of forgery, 2nd, and three counts of petit larceny. Bachorski is accused of possessing stolen credit cards to use for himself without authorization of the cards' owners. Bachorski is also accused of signing other people's names to purchase agreements. Bachorski is accused of purchasing gift cards with the stolen credit cards.

Jeffrey A. Mooney is indicted on counts of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Mooney is accused of driving drunk Sept. 15 on Route 98 in Elba.

James F. Webb is indicted on counts of criminal contempt, 1st, and five counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Webb is accused of making multiple telephone calls to a person he was under court order not to contact, with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm the person.

Sharon L. Awall is indicted on charges four counts of grand larceny, 4th, and seven counts of petit larceny. Awall is accused of stealing three credit cards and a gift card belonging to another person. She is accused of stealing two gold wedding bands, a gold engagement ring with a 1/4-carat diamond, a gold engagement band with a diamond, a man's gold wedding band, a gold anniversary ring with five diamond chips and a wallet.

No Bill: The Grand Jury returned with no bill (no counts filed) against Carolyn M. Smith, accused of assault, 2nd.

Law and Order: South Byron man accused of violating order of protection

By Howard B. Owens

Troy D. Hubler, 41, of 7634 Byron Holley Road, South Byron, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Hubler was located in Orleans County by the Sheriff's Office in Orleans County and turned over to Batavia PD on a warrant out of city court. The warrant stemmed from an alleged Oct. 3 incident in which Hubler reportedly made telephone contact with a person protected by a court order. The order of protection was issued by Batavia Family Court.

Andrew Ziemba Perdock, 24, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Tim Horton's opens inside Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino is pleased to announce that following a recent approval, a new Tim Horton's will open inside Batavia Downs Casino on Wednesday, Dec. 21, sometime in the afternoon.

“Tim Horton's has proven itself to be an industry leader and partnering ourselves with that brand will strengthen our own,” said Mike Kane, CEO and president of Batavia Downs Casino.

The Tim Horton's will occupy the site formerly knows as “Crumbs” and will serve Tim Horton's brand drinks as well as doughnuts. Other lunch items that “Crumbs” served will also be available. Tim Horton's brand coffee will be served for free to persons playing on the gaming floor.

Batavia Downs in owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring more than 600 video slot machines. Batavia Downs Casino is located less than one mile from Thruway Exit 48 and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Admission and parking are always free.

Holy Family School will be open for 2012-13 school year

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by a reader:

In the basement of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Le Roy, parents and committee members heard the words everyone was praying for, “Holy Family will remain open for the 2012-2013 school year.” This announcement came  from the Diocese of Buffalo after word that the merger proposed with St. Joseph’s in Batavia had been rejected.

This good news comes with a catch though -- all benchmark goals previously set by the diocese still need to be reached.

“Every 10 students cost the school around $20,000,” Fr. Rock said, “every enrolled student lessens the financial burden of the school and, therefore, the parents.”

Benchmark goals include enrolling 120 students and raising $120,000 by June 2012. Enrollment goals include re-enrolling the 90 current K-7 students so parents are encouraged to make their commitment sooner than later.

An Enrollment and Marketing Committee has been established by a group of parents, professionals and supporters of HFS who plan to kick off the enrollment campaign this January.

A Finance Committee has also been created to manage donations and assist with tuition and financial aid.

“We need the donations and the tuition to run the school, but it is important for parents to know no student is turned away for the inability to pay,” said Dane Sprague, co-chair of the Finance Committee. "There is always a way and we will find it."

Sprague also reminded supporters to encourage donations of all sizes as no donation is too small. The school is launching a new website which will be live on the first day of Catholic Schools Week in January.

It is expected to have many more user-friendly features including the ability to make a quick and secure donation online. Until then, Holy Family School is asking those willing to donate to send gifts to HFS with attention to Denise Spadaccia, the school’s bookkeeper.

“Now is the time to donate and enroll, with confidence,” said Lindsay Warner, 1995 alumni and committee volunteer. "Holy Family School has been serving the Le Roy community and surrounding areas since 1889 and has proven tonight that she will continue to do so."

Shop Batavia: Just the place to shop locally for the last minute Christmas gift

By Howard B. Owens

If you still need to finish out that Christmas shopping list, there are plenty of local businesses with just the right items to make the special people in your life quite happy.

A few of them have items readily available on Shop Batavia, such as:

Most readers know that a big motivation behind what we do at The Batavian is promote our local community.  We believe that communities that are filled with volunteers, people who make a personal investment in their community and -- just as important -- shop locally, help improve their community and create a community that thrives.

That's always been a part of our goal at The Batavian, and Shop Batavia helps us focus that aim.

According to NPR, this breed of localism is a growing trend. Here's the article, which unfortunately promotes the very un-local Groupon and Living Social instead of mentioning the more than 100 local online news sites (similar to The Batavian), which truly are part of the localism trend.

Whether you use Shop Batavia or The Batavian to shop local, just remember, for the sake of the health of our community, shop local first.

Misleading story about 'Merry Christmas' in Batavia schools continues to spread

By Howard B. Owens

A Buffalo-based radio host decided to throw truth to the wind on Tuesday and hand out T-shirts at Batavia High School with a simple message, "Merry Christmas."

The act stemmed from an inaccurate news report by Rochester's News 8 that the school district recently banned "Merry Christmas" and other sectarian religious expressions from the school district.

As The Batavian posted the night News 8's report aired, the district has a decades-old policy about public religious expressions, but the policy also explicitly allows students and facility to engage in personal expressions of faith.

The Batavia Daily News story makes it sound like Batavia City Schools are intolerant of such expressions.

Kathy Weppner, whose program is broadcast at WBEN Radio, 930 AM, said she brought 300 shirts to the high school to support freedom of speech for students and faculty.

...

BHS junior Chelsea Dibble, 16, gave out shirts after she was asked to by Weppner and the four fans she brought with her.

“We think we should be able to wear what we want to wear,” Dibble said.

Dibble said the shirt has to say “Happy Holidays” and not “Merry Christmas” to be worn in  the school.

“I think it’s cruel,” she said.

Of course, according to school policy, Dibble can wear a shirt that says "Merry Christmas" on it.

The school district responded in comments:

1.There is no letter, nor was there ever a letter, sent home to parents that explains BHS policy on teaching about religion and culture.
2. No students were ever told by a teacher that they couldn't talk about Christmas inside the school.
3. It is not against any school rules in the district to wear clothing that has "Merry Christmas" written on it.
4. The policy on religious expression, posted on the website, is the district's policy and is based on state and federal laws, including the First Amendment. It makes no mention of the expression "Merry Christmas."

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