James Thorman is seeking legislative support – from either a local U.S. Congressman or Senator – to establish a mental health well-being program for veterans and their families.

Thorman has been reaching out to local and national lawmakers as well as Genesee County government officials, Veterans Administration personnel and veteran-affiliate groups, youth bureaus and sportsmen’s clubs in an effort to advance a committee to help those at risk.

The Byron resident has seen firsthand the devastating effects of suicide as two of his daughters succumbed in that manner in 2011.

He first spoke about his proposal in front of Batavia City Council last September, and he continues to contact those who he believes could play a major role in making this program flourish.

“We need to rally the nonprofit organizations to help veterans with the project and we need Congressional help get this off the ground,” Thorman said. “This is not a political (movement), so this means that everyone would be able to get on board (in a nonpartisan way).”

While Thorman is still waiting to find a legislative backer, he has been able to enroll his committee as a new chapter of Bereaved Parents of the USA, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 by a group of bereaved parents from across the country to offer support, understanding, encouragement and hope to fellow bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of their loved one.

This purpose remains the thrust of BPUSA today.

According to its website, Bereaved Parents of the USA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of BPUSA members nominated and elected yearly by chapter members. All work within the BPUSA organization on both the national and local chapter level is done by volunteers. No one receives a salary within BPUSA.

Known as the Genesee/Orleans/Wyoming chapter of BPUSA, the committee meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month at Richmond Memorial Library.

Thorman said there has to be a “Congressional inquiry” prior to his group being recognized as a viable entity and, subsequently, he is writing letters to attorneys and calling upon local and national politicians to assist him in making this happen.

"This is the reason that when a Congressional Inquiry is petitioned, the Government of State Assembly is the next tier of accessibility for the nonprofit (organization, such as the suicide prevention committee)," Thorman said.

"The establishment of common ground in that no new or changed laws and without setting precedents ... can be the fuel for closing the gap between the numbers of suicides of veterans and the numbers of veterans opting for mental health treatment at the behest of friends or family."

For more information or to get involved in a support group for veterans, teens and others who may be at risk of committing suicide, contact Thorman at jthorman@rochester.rr.com.

Press release:

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College and Eli Fish Brewing Company excitedly announce a new course being offered in Batavia called "Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics"!

The course is scheduled on six consecutive Tuesday evenings between March 3 and April 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is limited to just 20 participants.

The program consists of four nights in the classroom on GCC's Batavia Campus, a fifth night touring the Eli Fish Brewing Company located in Downtown Batavia, and on sixth, final night the group will brew their own "class beer."

What better way to enjoy the final stretch of a WNY winter than learning to brew beer? The six-week course is a perfect gift-giving opportunity -- just in time for the holidays!

 There are now more than 1.1 million people in the United States brewing their own beer at home, and approximately 265,000 are located in the Northeast. Clearly it is a gift that will keep on giving! Think of it as Happy Hour education!

Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics costs $259 per participant and includes all books and materials. Participants must be 21 years of age. Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 24.

Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics is open to any home brewer looking to start or improve his or her process. It also will interest entrepreneurs thinking of starting up a brewery, or simply beer enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge base, meet other enthusiasts while becoming familiar with Batavia's iconic new brewery located at 109 Main St.

To purchase a gift certificate or reserve a seat, stop by GCC's BEST Center at One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020, or call 585-345-6868. You can also email BEST Center Program Director Alexandria Misiti directly at aemisiti@genesee.edu.

Additional BEST Center courses are also available. Check them out online at www.genesee.edu/best or www.bestcenter.org.

A woman who lives on Ross Street in the city has a criminal mischief complaint. She was just at Batavia Police Department and returned home and now all her tires are flat.

She told a dispatcher she believes someone slashed her tires while she was inside the police headquarters on Main Street. Police are outside with the caller and her vehicle now on Ross Street.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the Target store in Batavia after a caller reported to the emergency dispatch center that a man left a baby alone inside a black Volvo SUV in the parking lot, and a boy outside in the snow on a bench, and went inside the store.

He was seen standing at the customer service counter, described as a white male, about 40 years old, wearing a gray jacket.

He returned to his vehicle and a deputy is speaking with him now.

An accident with injuries is reported on the westbound off-ramp of the I-490 in Bergen.

Bergen fire along with the Bergen ambulance and Le Roy Ambulance Service dispatched.

The accident is not blocking.

A potentially dangerous snow squall is moving through the region and is expected to hit Genesee County by 12:45 p.m., according to the the National Weather Service.

A weather warning has been issued.

The Weather Service warns of poor visibility, heavy and blowing snow, with wind gusts of 30 mph.

The warning is based on radar images. 

The Weather Service warns of "dangerous life-threatening travel" during the squall.

Pavilion is now 3-1 in girls basketball after the Gophers beat Cal-Mum Tuesday night 41-27.

Lauren Kingsley led Pavilion with 13 pts, 21 rebounds, and three blocks. Karlee Zinkievich scored 11 points and had five steals and five assists. Lindsay Lowe had 10 rebounds and scored two points.

Photos by Ryan Paddock.

Top photo: Lindsay Lowe fights through Cal-Mum pressure for a basket.

Lauren Kingsley towers over Cal-Mum defenders to sink a shot at the beginning of the first quarter.

Emily Kingsley goes up for a shot in the third quarter.

Shea Amberger on defense.

Le Roy varsity wrestling defeated Bath on Tuesday, 47-20.

Pins: Joey Brennan, Andrew Englerth, Jimmy Burns, Alana Carballo, Cole Rauscher.

The Knights are now 5-3 on the season.

Photos and info submitted by Tim McArdle.

The Batavia City School District’s Board of Education (BOE) has named Anibal Soler Jr. as the district’s next superintendent. Soler Jr. is set to begin on Jan. 20.

Patrick Burk, Batavia City School District’s Board President stated, “The board is confident that Anibal Soler Jr. will lead our district as we work together to deliver the best education possible for our students. Our search process narrowed the field to three excellent candidates. We value all of the input from our stakeholders and community members.

"With his dedication, enthusiasm and knowledge, our board feels that Anibal has the educational capacity and attributes to move us forward. We are united in making Batavia City Schools the best district for our students and we feel that we are making the right decision in hiring Anibal.”

Soler Jr. is the associate superintendent of Strategic Alignment and Innovation for the Buffalo Public Schools, New York state’s second-largest school district, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he oversees four areas: adult education, district athletics, the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, and the district school improvement strategy known as Strong Community Schools, which encompasses 11,000 students and 21 schools across the City of Buffalo. This Strong Community Schools effort has moved persistently struggling or failing schools to good-standing rating by the New York State Education Department.

From 2016 until 2018 Soler Jr. was the principal of North Park Academy, an elementary school in the Buffalo Public School District. In this role, he led a staff of more than 50 and 250 students and supervised all instructional and operational aspects of this Pre-K through 8 community school.

From 2009-2016, Soler Jr. was the principal of East High School, the largest comprehensive high school in the Rochester City School District, with between 1,500 to 2,000 students and a staff of almost 250. Through his leadership, the school was removed from the New York State Education Department’s Persistently Dangerous list in 2011.

Soler Jr. serves as an adjunct professor at Canisius College in Buffalo. He began teaching in 2000 as an art teacher at Thomas Middle School in the Rochester City School District.

“I wish to thank the Batavia Board of Education for offering me this exciting opportunity to be the next Superintendent of Batavia City Schools," Soler Jr. said. "I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected to lead your high-quality school system. I also look forward to joining and serving the amazing students, parents, talented staff, and community partners of the Batavia City Schools.

"Together, we will continue to make Batavia City Schools a premier district that effectively serves and supports all students and families.”

Soler Jr. holds a Bachelor of Science from Daemen College, a master’s degree from Nazareth College and Certification in School Administrator and School District Administration from St. John Fisher College. He also holds a certification as a New York State School Administration Supervisor. Soler Jr. is currently enrolled in the doctorate program in Educational Leadership at the University of Rochester.

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.

Photos and story by Pat Iamon, Byron Fire Department.

OXBO International of Byron stepped up to help the Town of Byron help others! The Byron Rescue Squad ambulance was showing its age. At 12 years old it was in dire need of some care.

“Our rescue squad has many dedicated members; we have, in this time of closing ambulance services, expanded ours," said EMT Captain Brad Nickerson. "Our team consists of some Advanced EMTs along with EMTs and regular firemen who happily pitch in when needed.

"Our team has dedicated over 1,000-man hours of their personal time answering calls, plus hundreds of hours in trainings to keep their skills current when every minute counts!”

Although the Byron Fire Department pays for the squad’s insurance, lodging and fuel which helps greatly; the squad runs on donations to keep up on education, supplies and maintenance. That maintenance is the costing the department more and more each year due to the aging of the ambulance.

“Our annual fund drive covers the bills only, but saving to replace our rig with donations seems unreachable, so for now we are just trying to keep it going,” Nickerson said.

This is where OXBO, Byron’s local industry, stepped in.

The running boards on the rig were hanging on by a thread; they were unsafe. Also, the back bumpers were in rough shape, one was being held in place with a bungee cord!

EMT Laura Platt thought she would ask her husband, Doug, who works at OXBO to ask his boss, Chris Chadborn, if OXBO could help. Chadborn did not hesitate, he said.

“Bring it down!” Assistant Chief John Durand and Platt drove the rig the couple miles to OXBO and a team immediately came out to access it.

The team determined that they could make new running boards and steps using the old ones as patterns.

Not wanting to keep the rig out of service, Steve Lockner, another Byron firefighter, along with Durand removed the parts and Platt’s husband took them to OXBO on his next work day.

When Platt asked Chadborn about the cost of replacing those parts, he said, "One hand washes the other."

“Our ambulance looked a little rough as we continued to answer calls while the parts were in the process of being replaced by OXBO,” Platt said. “But it wasn’t long before my husband, Doug, came home from work with the new shiny black running boards and bumpers.”

Both Lockner and Durand installed the new parts immediately.

“Our rig was safe once again, and how great it looks with the new parts made to perfection!” Platt said. “This Holiday Season the Byron Rescue Squad is very thankful to OXBO International for the gift of their expertise in metal works, which has allowed us to continue helping our little community.

"Next year’s wish is to somehow secure funding to start the process of replacing our 12-year-old ambulance. A new ambulance would cost $200,000 to $300,000, not including the equipment. A new ambulance would give our dedicated and willing volunteers even more ways to come to the aid of our community.”

Photos and information courtesy of Jason Smith.

Resurrection Parish Faith Formation students in grades 2 and 3 made their First Reconciliation last week.

The cake was donated by Debbie Mullen and students were recognized at Mass by teacher Beth Hofmaster, Pastor Father Ivan Trujillo and Faith Formation Director Jason Smith.

A low-pressure zone will pass over Genesee County tonight and into tomorrow bringing persistent snow and temperatures between zero and 10 degrees, according to Accuweather.

During snowfall and squalls, whiteout conditions could persist. Travel could be treacherous.

The National Weather Service forecast:

Tonight: Scattered snow showers before 1a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow showers likely before 5 p.m., then snow after 5 p.m. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Photo, from left: James, Curtis, Wendie Davis, Jesse, Justin, and Dorian Ely.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Friends for the Future Self-Advocacy Group from Arc of Genesee Orleans generously donated $100 to the Genesee County Meals on Wheels program today (Dec. 17).

Wendie Davis, the case manager for meals on wheels, accepted the donation on behalf of the Genesee Senior Foundation and the Genesee County Office for the Aging.

Dorian Ely, services administrator, noted that the county has seen about a 45-percent increase in the number of individuals receiving home-delivered meals this year.

Davis, who orders the meals, said that at the beginning of this year, a daily meal order ran about 75 and now it is around 110. This gift will help support a critical program for older adults in our community.

Donations to the Meals on Wheels program in Genesee County may be made to the: Genesee Senior Foundation, 2 Bank St., Batavia NY 14021.

Questions about the work of the Foundation may be directed to Ely at the Office for the Aging 585-343-1611.

Katty L. Jackson, 23, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; fourth-degree criminal mischief; second-degree strangulation; and unlawful imprisonment in the second degree. Jackson was arrested at 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 7 on East Main Street, Batavia, following an investigation into a physical domestic incident. She was arrested and arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in jail. No bail specified. She was due to return to city court Dec. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissigner, assisted by Officer Lindsay Christopher.

Nicole R. Griffin, 37, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. She was arrested at 5:47 p.m. on Dec. 14 following a physical altercation inside Walmart in Batavia. Griffin was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Miah Stevens.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 23, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. Culver was arrested at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 on Walnut Steet after allegedly threatening to subject a person to unwanted physical contact during a domestic incident. Culver was issued a computer-generated appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Michelle L. Sahr, 52, of North Main Street, Albion, is charged with second-degree harassment. Sahr was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Dec. 8 on Prospect Avenue in Batavia after allegedly showing up repeatedly at a residence and being told each time she needed to leave. Sahr was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Thomas James Noce, 26, of North Lansing Circle, Rochester, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 or more; DWI; reckless driving; failure to stop at stop sign; and operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device. Noce was arrested on Dec. 16 on Clinton Street Road in Bergen at 10:50 p.m. on Dec. 16 following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident. He was issued appearance tickets and released and is due in Bergen Town Court on Jan. 8. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Matthew G. Vandyne, 57, of Purdy Road, Canandaigua, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- second offense; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more, with a prior conviction; and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Vandyne was arrested at 1:06 a.m. on Route 237 in Byron following an investigation. He is due in Byron Town Court on Jan. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Linda Marie Doucette, 54, of Lake Road, Brockport, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; and moving from lane unsafely. Doucette was arrest following an investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 7:38 p.m. on Dec. 13 on Reuben Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. She was issued appearance tickets for Dec. 23 in Alabama Town Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Sgt. Michael Lute.

Baillie Marie Schwab, 20, of Maxim Road, Attica, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Schwab was arrested at 5:07 a.m. on Railroad Avenue in Alexander following a complaint of a female slumped over the wheel in a vehicle in the middle of the roadway in Alexander. She was released on appearance tickets and is due in Alexander Town Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Todd J. Pangrazio, 43, of Annamarie Terrace, Cheektowaga, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree and passing a red light. At 5:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, Pangrazio was allegedly observed passing a steady red light at the intersection of Main and Court streets in the City of Batavia. A traffic stop was conducted. It was determined that Pangrazio possessed a suspended NY non-driver ID with 10 or more scoffs on 10 or more dates. He was issued an appearance ticket and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on Dec. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Eric J. McGill, 36, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with trespass. He was arrested at 5:37 p.m. on Dec. 14 in Walmart in Batavia after entering the business, from which he was previously banned. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Vincent A. Sanfratello, 53, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. He was processed and arraigned in city court and is due back in court on Jan. 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! You have the right to a safe workplace. Federal laws state that your employer must provide a work area with no known health or safety hazards. You also have the right to: 

• Be protected from toxic chemicals;
• Request an OSHA inspection, and talk with the inspector;
• Be trained in a language you understand;
• Work on machines that meet safety regulations;
• See copies of the workplace injury and illness log;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Be provided required safety gear, including but not limited to: Hardhat, gloves and harness;
• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records If you or someone you know has been injured or fallen ill due to unsafe work conditions. 

Call Dolce Panepinto at 716-852-1888 immediately. We understand how life-altering a work injury can be, and we are here to help.

Press release:

Cold Case Tuesday

New York State Police in Batavia continue to investigate the 1983 homicide of a Florida woman found in Orleans County.

On Oct. 29, 1983, a body was found by a hunter off of Route 63 in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, in the Town of Shelby. The victim was found several feet off the shoulder of the roadway, in a severely decomposed state, and is believed to have been there for several months.

In 1984, the Center of Human Identification was used by the New York State Police to make a facial reconstruction from the remains (pictured above). This was done to make a facial render to give the public a possible identity to compare and also render sketches.

In October of 2013, the body was exhumed and DNA testing was done. The victim was identified as Shari Lynne Ball.

Ball was reported missing by her family in June of 1983 to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. She had told her family that she was going to New York State with an unknown friend to pursue a modeling career.

At the time of her disappearance, Ball was living in Boca Raton, Fla., was a 20 year old white female, 5’ 4”, 100 pounds, with hazel eyes and blond hair. Ball was also known to use the last name of Timmerman.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Batavia by calling 585-344-6200. Please refer to SJS # 3032334.

A Batavia man awaiting trial on arson and attempted murder charges was arraigned on a new criminal complaint stemming from his alleged behavior while in custody since his arrest in June 2018.

Plush Dozier has been indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief in the third degree.

It's alleged that on Aug. 4, 2018, he kicked out a plate of glass in a holding cell at the Genesee County Jail, which caused more than $5,000 damage. He's also accused of causing more than $250 of damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle on Aug. 20, 2018.

Dozier is being held without bail for allegedly setting fire to a house on Maple Street in the city with the intent of killing his girlfriend on June 15, 2018.

While awaiting his criminal proceedings, Dozier has been housed at least some of the time in solitary confinement at Attica Correctional Facility.  

In September, the Commissioner of Mental Health determined that Dozier is mentally fit to stand trial. He is expected to go to trial the week of March 16.

See previous coverage:

• Man accused of arson and attempted murder will receive mental health treatment before case proceeds
• Law and Order: Rochester man accused of menacing officer and damaging door of Sheriff's Office vehicle
• Grand Jury Report: Man accused of arson and attempted murder in Maple Street fire
• Arson and attempted murder charged in Maple Street fire
• Man accused of arson and attempted murder deemed fit to stand trial

Press release:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced, following his major effort, the successful inclusion of $2 million in the soon-to-pass bipartisan omnibus spending package for Fiscal Year 2020 for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue research, market surveillance, and appropriate regulatory activities for products containing the increasingly popular cannabidiol (CBD).

Even though CBD products have gained popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the farming, manufacturing, and selling of industrial hemp, Schumer explained that the FDA has yet to set regulations or safety requirements for CBD derived from hemp.

According to Schumer, the lack of federal guidance and clarity is sowing chaos for both consumers and in the rapidly emerging Upstate New York industrial hemp industry, which saw sales of CBD products surpass $200 million nationally in 2018.

Therefore, in the upcoming, bipartisan appropriations package, Schumer fought for a provision setting aside $2 million for regulatory activities, research, and policy evaluation of CBD products.

The legislation also includes a requirement that the FDA issue a report to Congress within 60 days on its progress determining a regulatory framework for CBD products. Additionally, the provision requires the FDA to study a sample of CBD products currently on the market, to better understand which products are mislabeled or otherwise misrepresented.

“CBD is brimming with potential to be a billion-dollar industry across New York State, bringing along countless jobs and truly meaningful economic development with it. But before that can happen, we need to be 100-percent sure we understand the ABCs of CBD—its impact on human health, and how best to regulate it at the federal level,” Senator Schumer said.

“That’s why during the negotiations for the bipartisan spending package, which is set to pass in the next few days, I fought tooth and nail to secure a provision setting aside $2 million for the FDA to, at long last, begin developing a regulatory framework for CBD—and demanding the agency update Congress on its progress.

Once these necessary rules and restrictions are set, the industry will seed and grow from one corner of the state to the other, many good-paying jobs will be created in the industrial hemp space, farmers will be able to safely cash in on this cash crop, and consumers will be protected.”

CBD is one of the two main chemical compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant. However, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning that it cannot get a person high—unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other chemical compound found in many types of cannabis plants, primarily marijuana.

CBD products have become exceptionally popular in the marketplace, with estimated sales of CBD-containing products, such as oils, gummies, balms, lotions, and capsules, surpassing $200 million in 2018.

According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, there are currently just under 500 people, businesses, and organizations spread across New York State licensed to grow and process industrial hemp.

According to news reports, roughly three-quarters of those licenses were approved for the purposes of cultivating and extracting CBD. Currently, there are 18,000 acres of land licensed for industrial hemp growing in New York State, with 14,000 designated for CBD cultivation and extraction.

Furthermore, of New York’s 62 counties, 56 are home to industrial hemp farms and related growing operations. Schumer explained that these figures show just how much potential CBD products have to boost the economy across New York State, should clear guidance on CBD be issued by the FDA.

Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis plant that is grown largely for industrial uses, but it can also be utilized for food, oil, and cosmetic products. Hemp contains a very small amount of THC, typically between 0.2 and 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis, and while from the same species of plant as marijuana, the two plants have varied widely in use.

However, due to the existence of THC in hemp, Schumer explained, both plants were considered “controlled substances” under federal law, meaning the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was the primary regulator for hemp production.

Schumer argued that this narrow view has undermined the crop’s agricultural and economic potential. With the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 passed by Congress and signed into law last year, this unnecessary roadblock has been lifted, and industrial hemp’s significant potential to become a cash crop in Upstate New York will be unleashed.