Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Central School District’s emphasis on educating the whole student recently earned it a place on Character.org’s annual list of State Schools and Districts of Character. These 80 schools and four districts from around the United States demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development that has a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate.

“This is a great honor for everyone in our district — from the students and parents to the teachers and administrators. They have all been united in their efforts to make our schools places where students can learn to be both intelligent and good citizens,” said BBCSD Superintendent Casey Kosiorek. “I am so proud to see our school community recognized for their dedication and hard work.”

BBCSD adopted a district-wide framework for character education in 2012 that teaches students about leadership, ethics, decision making, and respect. It centered on the district’s core values, "Challenge, Engage, Nurture." The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (www.violencepreventionworks.org) has since become an integral part of the education experience at all grade levels. “The Leader in Me” (www.theleaderinme.org), a whole-school transformational model that uses Steven Covey’s Seven Habits and gives students self-confidence and life skills, was also adopted in 2012.

The extensive School of Character application process was navigated by Amanda Cook and Patrick McGee, assistant principals at the elementary and Jr./Sr. high schools. “The process offered us the chance to reflect on our character education initiatives and identify areas of strength as well as opportunity,” Cook said. “Their reviewers gave us feedback that will help us strengthen current practices using the 11 Principles of Character Education framed by Character.org.”

The character education movement is a proactive effort to help students recognize, and then do, what’s right. In schools of character, teachers work together as professionals, with parents and community members as partners. They positively shape the social, emotional, and character development of their students. Children in these schools feel safe, respected, and connected to those around them, allowing them to thrive academically and socially and be motivated to give back to their communities.

Character.org (www.character.org), is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that works with schools to inspire, educate, and empower young people to be ethical and engaged citizens.

Caption: Character education is built into daily life at all grade levels at Byron-Bergen Schools. (l-r) Students Clare Fraser and Grace Pulcini; assistant principals Patrick McGee and Amanda Cook; students Pearl Jolliff and Rayna Brew.

Ashley Marie Fladie, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. Fladie is accused of possessing two dogs that were deprived of proper care and, as a result, suffered from numerous medical conditions that authorities say could have been avoided with proper care. The dogs were examined by a veterinarian, who allegedly determined the dogs were in unsatisfactory condition due to improper care. Animal Control assisted in the investigation. The dogs were discovered during a response to a fire at 2720 Pearl Street Road the evening of March 11.

Ashley M. Kreutz, 27 of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kreutz is accused of stealing a gift card from her employer, Kohl's, worth $37. The alleged theft was detected on surveillance video.

Jordan C. Dunham, 42, of Batavia, is charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, controlled substance in non-original container and no license plate lamp, and Nicole P. Gonzalez, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and controlled substance in non-original container. State Police stopped Dunham's Chevrolet Cobalt on Route 33, Bergen, for an alleged license plate lamp out. During the interview, Dunham reportedly said he didn't have a license. A trooper reportedly observed his hands shaking and he appeared nervous.  The trooper allegedly spotted five glassine bags of heroin on the back seat floor. During the subsequent search, a trooper allegedly found two plastic baggies containing cocaine and a large glassine bag containing suboxone sublingual strips.

Merlin L. Brainerd, 34, of Silver Springs, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Brainerd was stopped by State Police on Route 63, Batavia, for alleged tinted windows. A trooper detected the alleged odor of marijuana. Further investigation turned up a baggie allegedly containing two grams of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe with marijuana residue.

Alexis A. Camilo, 19, of Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Camilo was stopped in Corfu by Village police for allegedly driving 48 in a 35 mph zone on Route 77.

Craig M. Stevens, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Steven allegedly slapped a woman at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at a location on North Spruce Street.

Yolanda E. Johnson, 28, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant related to an aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, charge. Johnson was arrested, arraigned and released on her own recognizance.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The youth allegedly punched a hole in a wall at an undisclosed location at 9:30 pm. on May 12. Batavia PD withheld the name of the suspect.

Francisco Martinez Jr., 42, no permanent residence, was arrested on a warrant related to an endangering the welfare of a child charge. Martinez was arraigned, had a DNA sample collected at the jail, and was released.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and menacing, 2nd. The youth allegedly threatened his 13-year-old brother with a knife at 6:30 p.m., May 5, at an undisclosed location. The name of the suspect withheld by Batavia PD.

Carlos Samol, 50, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Samol allegedly struck two people, including a juvenile, in an alleged incident reported at 2:38 p.m., Wednesday.

Sarah Mae Wilson, 32, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with disobeying an order of protection. Wilson was allegedly located by police officers hiding in the closet of a protected party. Wilson was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

Karen D. Bannister, 74, of South Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a harassment charge. Bannister was arraigned and released on her own recognizance.

Daniel L. Dioguardi, 34, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration. Dioguardi allegedly ran from police when they attempted to detain him for questioning during a burglary investigation at 5:17 p.m., Friday. Dioguardi was jailed on $3,000 bail or $6,000 bond.

Stanley D. Wilson, 54, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wilson is accused of stealing beer from the Red Apple at 99 Jackson St., Batavia.

Michael A. Galas, 24, of Woodcrest Boulevard, Tonawanda, is charged with trespass. Galas was allegedly trespassing at Rolling Hills Asylum, Bethany. Also charged, Nicholas J. Hora, 24, of Old Farm Court, Cheektowaga, Rebecca M. Klein, 24, of Knowlton Road, Kenmore, and Jessica M. Cichocki, of Elm Place, Lancaster. The four people were allegedly caught on the property at 6:54 p.m., Sunday.

Daniel Thomas McPhee III, 48, of Losson Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with possession or transport of unstamped cigarettes, motor vehicle lights not meeting safety standards and running a red light. McPhee was stopped at 8:53 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Christina Aminta Soler, 37, of Phelps Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Soler allegedly violated an order of protection by contacting the protected party.

Jacob John Stone, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief. Stone allegedly kicked and damaged a door during an argument.

Honour Haley Myers, 26, of Hamm Road, Lockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to stop at stop sign. Myers was stopped at 6:33 p.m. Saturday on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Eric Charles Zglinicki, 53, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with criminal possession of weapon, 4th. Zglinicki was allegedly found in possession of firearms despite his prior felony conviction. The weapons were confiscated.

Patricia Leslie Brown, 61, of Park Avenue, Whitesboro, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarattes. Brown was stopped at 9:56 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Kathleen Marie Szkotak, 46, of Park Avenue, Whitesboro, is charged with possession of more than 400 untaxed cigarettes and driving with dark-tinted windows. Szkotak was stopped at 9:56 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Robert James Lefrois, 30, of Down Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operator, possession / display of a forged inspection certificate and inadequate muffler. Lefrois was stopped at 12:52 p.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Harvey Arthur McMurray Jr., 47, of Bennett Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, speeding, unlicensed driver and unregistered motor vehicle. McMurray was stopped at 2 a.m. May 8 on Lewiston Road, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Wendy S. Dempsey, 44, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with trespassing. Dempsey allegedly entered a business in Oakfield where she had been previously told not to enter.

A car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 29 Hutchins St. City firefighters and Mercy medics are responding. Power lines are down. The location is betweeen Sumner and Ellicott streets.

Genesee Community College held is 47th commencement ceremony Sunday in the Anthony Zambito Gymnasium.

Kristin Skarie, a Fairport resident and author of “A Year of Nothing New—Tools for Living Lean and Green,” was the keynote speaker.

Le Roy's Bob Bennett was honored for his years of dedicated service to the college.

Until yesterday, I'd never seen a street sweeper quite like this one. I spotted David Musser on Route 5 in Batavia and when we spoke he said people around here often comment that they've never seen anybody propelling themselves down the street on a skateboard with a stick. Musser recently moved here from Chicago and said the sport seems more common there. Primarily, he said, it's good cross-training for stand-up paddle boarding on the lakes.

The Spring Vendor Blender at the Fairgrounds on Sunday looked like another success. I walked away with coffee, honey and organic salad dressing. There were certainly lots of interesting vendors to visit.

A car vs. pole accident with minor injuries is reported at routes 5 and 77. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. A responder on scene says the pole snapped and wires are down.

The Story of My Dog

We have had a 5 pound Yorkshire Terrier for about 12 years now. When Butch (we have other names for him, too) was 3 years old he became very sick. We took him to the vet and were told that Butch had a severe infection, maybe in his kidneys, and that he would soon die. Well, after a course of antibiotics, Butch was able to get his teeth cleaned and they took a few bad teeth out. Butch was a new dog. Where do you think that infection was coming from? Every now and then Butch's breath would get worse than ever and he would seem sick again. We would get his teeth professionally cleaned and as usual, they would take the bad teeth out and yes, he would be better again. Recently, it happened again but, he must have just lost that bad tooth. His breath went from "I can smell him from across the room" to "why doesn't Butch smell any more?". And Butch, now at 12, is as healthy as ever.
     
The moral of the story? Easy. Butch is only 5 pounds so a tooth infection might affect him more than it might affect us. But, a tooth or gum infection might take its toll on us all the same. It is true, though rare, that a tooth infection can kill us. We also know that gingivitis alone probably takes years off one's life. Ask your dentist or hygienist if you have any questions. And Butch? I think that he is running out of teeth. That is another story.
Dr. Russell Marchese Jr. -- 585-343-2711. Like us on Facebook for more information.

Jennifer Moran makes a balloon octopus for Lucian during the Darien Spring Festival held today at Berried Treasures on Broadway Road, Darien.

The 4-H Swine Club hosted its annual pulled pork BBQ at the Fairgrounds today.

The Seneca Siberian Husky Club, which is based in Rochester, held its show today at Falleti Ice Arena.

Above, Shira Barkon, of Pennsylvania, with Jewel.

Rick Church, of Michigan, with Sadie.

Jan Haring, of New Jersey, showing Trooper for judge Dr. Richard Hideman.

GO ART! hosted an Appraisal Fair today at Seymour Place.

Appraiser H.P. Prazer with John Seartz and Louis Call.

Appraiser Jason Helenbrook of Gold N Time.

Set up is under way for today's Beertavia in the parking lot off School Street, behind Angotti's Beverages. More than 50 craft brews will be served.  The event is from 3 to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $40 and are available at the door.

Here's your chance to enjoy a special Date Night every night for a year (significant other not included). 

Employees at the Bank of Castile branch on East Main Street, Batavia, are auctioning off this grand prize as a fundraiser for Relay for Life.  The prize value is more than $700. 

Tickets can be purchased at the branch, $1 for one ticket, $3 for five, and 10 for $5.

The raffle was organized by Michelle Cryer, who wasn't available today at picture time. Pictured are Lauren Drier and Amber Reese. 

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance held its annual meeting this morning at Terry Hills. The event featured presentations by students who have been through BEA programs, awards and election of officers.

Jay Wolcott, a teacher with Byron-Bergen High School, received an APPLE Award, as did Ed Shaver (second picture), a teacher with Elba High School.

Other awards: Business Partner of the Year, Dan Harvey, formerly of Graham Manufacturing; and partner in education awards to Graham Manufacturing and Amada Tool America.

Wolcott and Shaver are pictured with Eve Hens, director of BEA.

Nick Corsivo

 Students from Alexander Central School who attended BEA Camps last summer. Lauren Young, Nick Allen, Andrew Young.

Heather Dries and Chrstine Stevens, students at Byron-Bergen, in Wolcott's manufacturing systems classes.

A two-car accident with minor injuries is reported at Main and Jackson streets in Batavia. City fire is responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m.: One person was transported to UMMC with a hand injury.

From our news partner, WBTA:

In a nationwide fundraising effort to fight childhood cancer, an Oakfield family will represent New York State.

This is the story of Brady Williams, a lemonade stand, and a whole lot of determination.

The Foundation’s fundraiser, called Alex’s Lemonade Days, occurs during a weekend in June and is designed to raise money for fighting childhood cancer as well as raising awareness of the issue.

"We'll have our lemonade days fundraiser on June 13th and then we'll have our annual stand that we do every year during the Oakfield Labor Day celebration in September," says Brady's mother, Megan Williams.

Alex Scott was an 8-year old girl who passed away from neuroblastoma in 2004, the same cancer affecting Brady. 

She and her family helped raise more than $1 million to help find a cure with homemade lemonade stands.

The cancer in Brady was first detected in his chest wall before extending into his spinal cord and column.

He was diagnosed with cancer when doctors tried to determine why he hadn’t learned to walk as a baby.

After undergoing two surgeries as well as chemotherapy, the lively second-grader is in remission.

Brady and his family speak at schools to spread awareness of childhood cancer.

Alex’s Lemonade Days runs from June 12-14 this year.

"Our six-year total is over $20,000, so this year we're hoping to break $25,000 but I may adjust that based on how we do here June 13th. We may have to push that up even higher," says Megan.

Everyone wants lemonade around June, so the Williams family will continue to satisfy customers as well as work to fight for childhood cancer.

A smile like Brady’s shows a hope that never fails.

The Williams family lives on Drake Street in Oakfield.

Brady is one of a set of triplets.