The Batavia Improvement District hosted Christmas in the City last night, which included sleigh rides, a toy train ride, visits with Santa (and the Grinch) along with local Christmas shopping.

For pictures of the parade by Jim Burns, click here.

Gregory Hallock as Grinch and Nora Browne as Cindy Lou at GO ART! Hallock made his costume while Paige Sikorski, who is 13, put on his makeup.

Paul Grazioplene posed with Grinch, trying to convince his child that Grinch wasn't scary but the child didn't buy it.

There's a tiny little bundle in Santa's lap. It's 1-month-old Greyson Malcomb getting his first picture with Santa.

Batavia Police Sgt. Dan Coffey with Bo Coffey and Alyssa Coffey. Bo and Dan were in line waiting for a ride in the horse-drawn sleigh.

The Town of Pavilion held its first Christmas tree lighting yesterday, with residents and local businesses decorating trees in the park in Pavilion.

Several families decorated trees in memory of loved ones who have passed. 

The tree in the top photo is a memorial to Bill Prosser, a Navy veteran who served at the end of World War II. In the photo: Joan, Debbie Prosser, Ken Prosser, Jim Prosser, and Liz Prosser.

Rhonda Clary with a memorial tree for her son John, a popular student at Pavilion High  School who died in 2004.

The family of Jack Carney with a memorial tree for him.

Kaylee Brown, 5, with her father Chris Brown, shows off the reindeer she made at yesterday's Create-A-Critter session at the Genesee County Park Interpretive Center.

A couple of dozen children showed up over two sessions yesterday where the kids could create small little animals out of corncobs, pine cones, thistle pods, and other natural materials.

Below, Rhowen Torrey, 4, with Gregg Torrey.

It was Winterfest in Le Roy yesterday. Along with shopping, crafts, and Santa, there was the annual 5K race. We were there for the start of the race.

Kaitlyn Sturgeon tells Santa that for Christmas she wants a big Lego set during Santa's visit to Oakfield yesterday.

Below, Christian Quinn, Kaylee Quinn, Mitchell Quinn, Kaitlyn and Hannah Sturgeon.

While in Oakfield, we also visited the Genesee Society of Model Engineers' annual open house.

Six-year-old Taylor Moorehead tells Santa and Mrs. Claus that she wants a remote car for Christmas during a visit to Foxprowl on Ellicott Street in Batavia yesterday.

A few superheroes also dropped in at the store, as well.

Lyndsay Baker captured a shot of a rainbow this morning.

Saturday night was Batavia’s Christmas in the City Parade. It was a little cold, at times there was a little rain, but a lot of fun was had by all in attendance. 

The parade had a new rouet and direction down Main Street, concentrating most of the crowd from city hall down to Bank Street. 

There were a few first-time participants enjoying Christmas in the City this year. The person I talked to was surprised by the large turnout and said that they had never made it out for the event before. She said her and her family would be sure to make the event an annual family trip from now on. 

Press release:

The Live Nation Lawn Pass provides unlimited lawn admission to all concerts at any of your local participating Live Nation amphitheaters throughout the 2019 season for one price. 

Lawn Pass will go on sale starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4 and be available through Dec. 18 or while supplies last, making the pass the perfect holiday gift that can be enjoyed all next summer.

To purchase the pass, fans can go to lawnpass.livenation.com and use the dropdown menu to select a desired amphitheater. Each fan will receive a custom laminate with their name and unique barcode that serves as their ticket on show day. Once fans scan in, they are all set to dance the night away on the lawn.

The full list of participating amphitheaters found below. Pricing varies per amphitheater and further details and restrictions for the Lawn Pass can be found at lawnpass.livenation.com.

Sold for a limited time only, this pass will give fans lawn access to Live Nation concerts (even the sold-out ones!) at Darien Lake Amphitheater* for just $125 plus fees. In addition to guaranteed admission, passholders will receive Fast Lane access for speedy entry, complimentary lawn chair rental to chill out and enjoy the show, as well as exclusive ticket offers.

Rob R. Thompson, of Attica, has written 15 books, four of which were bestsellers, but his favorite so far is the story of the Sullivan brothers who were all killed on the USS Juneau during World War II.

Thompson will be at Le Roy’s Moose Lodge today (Saturday) to sign copies of "The USS The Sullivans" until 3 p.m. during the Le Roy Winterfest.

His book is not about the bombs, guns and steel which made up the ship, but rather it combines emotion, history and paranormal events surrounding the ship.

While researching for his book, Thompson spent three nights on the ship anchored in Buffalo’s Naval Park.

Thompson covers the history of the cruiser and details the life of Eugene Straub, originally of Darien, who was also lost aboard the Juneau.

During his research, Thompson located Straub’s daughter, now 75 and living in Utica.

The book is available online, as well as at the book signing.

The admiration for Dr. Matthew Landfried ran deep Friday at Terry Hills for the presentation of the Jerome Foundation's Health and Humanitarian Award but there was also a bit of humor along the way, including a giant bumblebee that delivered an honorary proclamation from State Senator Michael Ranzhofer along with a bouquet of flowers.

In the end, Landfried expressed his appreciation for the award.

"This doesn’t say what I do," Dr. Landfried said. "This tells me what the community thinks of who I am. I really appreciate it. Thank you very much."

Dr. Landfried is currently the medical director of Surgical Services and chairman of the Department of Surgery at UMMC, and serves on multiple committees at UMMC and its partner Rochester Regional Health. 

He also volunteers his time with Batavia and Notre Dame high schools, assisting on the sidelines of sporting events, serving as a team doctor. He's also been involved in several community organizations and supported many local causes financially. 

Greg McAlister introduced Dr. Landfried before the award presentation and his remarks along with a tribute video recalled many of accomplishments of Dr. Landfried's medical career, including remarks by a woman who recalled how Dr. Landfried stepped in to assist with a case after her father contracted sepsis after surgery.  The woman said she didn't want to return to the original surgeon. She said Dr. Landfried spent hours researching the case and trying to assist. When her father took a turn for the worse he tried to refer the case to a specialist in Rochester but none of the doctors he contacted would take the case.

"I begged Matt to try one last time and he did and he got a specialist to take the case," McAlister said, quoting from the unidentified woman's letter. "Because of Matt’s determination, my dad lived another 15 years.”

Dr. Landfried is a member of the Trauma and Critical Care response team of National Disaster Medical System of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, he has volunteered in Haiti, Texas, and other disaster sites supporting the critical medical needs of the communities struck by disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. He assisted at an orphanage in Haiti and remains in contact with them and provides financial help as well.

As part of Friday's festivities, each guest of the luncheon received a small jar of honey and a small wooden honey wand, which, along with the bumblebee costume, recognizes one of Dr. Landfried's hobbies: raising honey bees. He and his wife also grow apples, grapes and make wine on their farm property on Shepard Road.

In addition from a proclamation from Ranzenhofer delivered by a bee, Dr. Landfried received proclamations from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's Office, the County Legislature, delivered by Legislator Shelly Stein, and the Batavia City Council, delivered by Councilman Bob Bialkowski.

"People like you," Bialkowski said, "with your commitment, your dedication, all your time and contributions, you make Batavia a great place to live."

Press release:

Le Roy Business Council, along with The Woman of the Moose, Lodge 1132 will once again host Winterfest in the Village of Le Roy on Saturday, Dec. 1st, beginning at 10 a.m., with events going throughout the day and night. 

There will be a scavenger hunt throughout businesses and organizations in Le Roy beginning at 10 a.m., with cards available at the Moose, 12 Bank St, Le Roy. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. Main Street of Le Roy businesses will have sales and specials throughout the day.  The Jinglin’ All the Way Run/Walk will take place at 3 p.m., with registration beginning at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Community Center, 21 Bank St.

The Christmas Around the World Project on the Oatka Creek Bank will be on display starting at Winterfest. The Annual Community Tree Lighting will be at 6 p.m. on the northeast corner of routes 5 & 19.

The Visiting Nursing Association hosted a grand opening today of its new office on Telephone Road in Pavilion.

The VNA is part of a regional network of providers based in Buffalo and the Pavilion office serves the GLOW region.

It consolidates offices that were in Batavia and Wyoming County in what VP Lisa Greisler said is larger and more convenient for the entire staff.

"We really wanted something that was centrally located for our staff and really for our referral services to know we’re smack in the middle of where you need us to be," Greisler said.

There are 70 nurses, aides and support staff serving the GLOW region with an increasing need for more staff, so the new facility will help meet current and future demand. The nurses and aides make more than 28,000 home visits a year.

The office provides visiting nurse -- who mostly work remotely -- with a central location for doing paperwork, getting supplies and meeting with other caregivers.

“We’re growing, which is good news," Greisler said. "This region, in particular, is continuing to grow with the number of patients we’ve been serving and it is growing every day so we’re happy to be able to be here and serve."

Photo: Lisa Greisler, Judy Baumgardner, president, Peggy Weissend, Lyn Waldraff, Courtney Boss, Sarah Dufour and Wendy Swart.

      Jack Benson

A 60-year-old Pavilion man has been arrested and accused of illegally selling fentanyl in Genesee County.

Jack E. Benson, of St. Mary's Street, Pavilion, is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Benson was taken into custody on an arrest warrant stemming from a sealed grand jury indictment following a traffic stop this afternoon in Stafford.

He is accused of selling fentanyl to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force on three different occasions. 

At the time of the stop, he was allegedly in possession of 24 doses of heroin and $1,300 in cash. 

Jolynn M. Gorski, 38, of Batavia, was reportedly a passenger in Benson's vehicle at the time of the stop. She was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia and charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Benson was arraigned in County Court by Judge Charles Zambito and ordered held in the Genesee County Jail without bail. 

Additional charges are pending.

The arrest was the result of an investigation by the Local Drug Task Force. The task force was assisted by Batavia PD and the District Attorney's Office.

Press release:

The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District’s Board of Education (BOE), has selected John Fisgus as the district’s next superintendent.

 "I am deeply honored and extremely excited to join the Oakfield-Alabama school community and family," Fisgus said. "I am eager to begin my work as your next superintendent and I am excited to work for such a great board and staff at Oakfield-Alabama. It is my mission to make O-A a 'District of Distinction' and through collaboration and teamwork, the place to be!"

Matt Lamb, president of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District’s Board of Education, said: "The Board of Education truly values the input we received from the various stakeholder groups who met with the candidates to help us make a final decision.

"We are confident that John Fisgus will lead our district through the issues we face in our region. With his leadership, we will work together to deliver the best education possible for our students.”

Fisgus is currently the principal of Royalton-Hartland Middle School, in the Royalton-Hartland Central School District (RHCSD), where he has served since 2008. His responsibilities as principal include supervising and hiring all instructional and support staff, developing and managing a building budget as well as assisting with the district budget development process.

Fisgus created honor courses in all four academic core subjects within the middle school and is the facilitator of the district’s Professional Learning Community Team. Prior to that, he served as the assistant principal at Lake Shore Middle School.

Fisgus began his career in education in 1998 as an eighth-grade math teacher at Depew Middle School in the Depew Union Free School District.

He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Fisgus earned a Master of Science in School Administration from Canisius College and holds a New York State School Administrator/Supervisor and School Administrator Certificate.

The anticipated start date for the new superintendent is January.

Kevin MacDonald, district superintendent of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, acted as the search consultant and noted that the search process was a true collaboration between the Board of Education, district staff and community.

Press release:

Each year The Salvation Army launches its famous Red Kettle Campaign. The funds raised between Nov. 16^th and Dec. 24^th are a major part of the annual budget for each local outreach. In Genesee County we invite volunteers to man our red kettles and ring the bell outside local retailers, as willing community member place donations into the well-known red kettle buckets.

With the increase in online ordering, as well as the use of credit/debit cards as the main form of payment at stores, it becomes more and more difficult for us to reach our $90,000 goal. We are looking for 90 people who are willing to give $1,000 each to accomplish our challenge of 90 for 90!

Each week of our Red Kettle Campaign, we will host a Facebook live video on our Facebook page (TheSalvationArmyBataviaNY) honoring those who have answered the call in our 90 for 90 challenge.

Our mascot Ty the T-Rex will be live each day to announce our challengers and do his DINOmite appreciate dance.

If you would like to be one of our 90 for 90 challengers, simply send in your $1,000 donation directly to 529 E. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 or call our office and let us know which kettle location you are taking your $1,000 gift to and Ty the T-Rex will be at the red kettle to congratulate you!

Maybe you’re a business owner who wants to give back? Maybe you and your family or friends want to pull together to donate $1,000 to bring hope to those in need? Maybe you’re a local church who is looking for a unique avenue of ministry?

Each and every one of you are part of our community of 58,242 and if we work together we can accomplish amazing things.

Will you take up the challenge today and challenge others to do the same?

The Salvation Army of Genesee County

(585) 343-6284

fax: 585-343-6717

Rachel.moore@use.salvationarmy.org

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) praised President Trump and his administration for officially signing a new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

USMCA will make significant changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that will put the United States on more equal footing with the other nations. Specifically with regard to the dairy industry, Canada’s pricing program has created an unfair playing field and has essentially eliminated U.S. exports of certain dairy products, harming Western New York’s dairy industry.

“President Trump promised better trade deals and he has delivered replacing NAFTA which has caused our region to hemorrhage good paying manufacturing jobs for some time now,” Collins said. “Not only will this new treaty help with manufacturing, but it protects American farmers from burdensome tariffs and regulations.”

Collins has led the fight to end Canada’s unfair Class 7 pricing program, which has severely impacted New York dairy farmers. Under USMCA, Canada has agreed to eliminate this program in order to level the playing field between the United States and Canada while allowing our dairy producers the ability to expand sales overseas.

“With this barrier being struck down, Western New York dairy farmers are now able to compete fairly in Canada, and I thank the president for working to ensure NY-27 farmers are treated fairly,” Collins said.

Outside of the dairy industry, the new trade agreement will increase the production of American goods and services. The agreement requires that 75 percent of auto content be produced in North America and makes critical reforms that will boost auto workers’ wages. Additionally, the USMCA includes strong labor provisions that prioritize and protect American manufacturing jobs.

Furthermore, the agreement provides strong protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This includes 10 years of data protection for biologic drugs and a large scope of products eligible for protection. These reforms are critical to driving innovation, creating economic growth, and supporting American jobs.

Collins added: “By signing the USMCA, President Trump has fulfilled yet another campaign promise for the American people. Our country has been rightfully restored to a leader on the world stage, and I will continue to work with the White House and Republicans in Congress to uphold and advance the Make America Great Again agenda.”

Meet pale-coated Pearl, a lovely little buff-and-white, golden-eyed feline that, despite her inherant glamour, was found in a dumpster. She is awaiting a forever home at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Pearl is an adult; she's spayed and sweet-tempered. She loves attention. That means she will enjoy having a pal who pets her and laughs when she tries to catch the laser beam at playtime. She prolly goes bonkers with a catnip mouse.

Another solid friend waiting for new digs is named Zeus.

You remember Zeus, king of the Greek gods who lived on Mount Olympus. He was the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols include the lightning bolt, the eagle, the bull, and the oak tree. He was married to the goddess Hera. That one.

Well, this Zeus is not married to the goddess Hera and he's a four-legged canine -- a pit bull-terrier mix who is not as complicated as his mythological namesake.

He likes long walks and is described as simply "a nice guy." He also "trains well for treats." Meaning he's motivated to do all sorts of things, like sit, down, stay, etc., if there's something edible in it for him. He's also very handsome.

If you and your family need a quality companion to make your holidays brighter, look no further that the shelter on East Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia. You won't regret it.

Speaking of the shelter, they could use some supplies. Now that the calendar has put you in a gift-giving frame of mind, why not donate to the Volunteers for Animals? Or bring in some useful items like Purina Cat Chow, plain non-clumping litter, bleach, paper towels, dog food, small pet beds, etc.

For monetary donations, make checks payable to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and mail to:

Volunteers For Animals
PO Box 1621
Batavia, NY 14021

Visit the shelter at:

3841 W. Main Street Road
Batavia, New York 14020
585-343-6410

Hours of Operation:

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday --  1 to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m.
• Thursday -- CLOSED
• Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.