Batavia High School students Casey Herman, left, and Maryssa Peirick practice the flute for "Musical Interludes for Trey." BHS' holiday concert was held to benefit Trey Filbert, a ninth-grader battling brain cancer.

If you were to ask any members of the BHS community about Trey Filbert, they would all probably tell you the same kind of things. Here are some comments, just to give you an idea:

"There's not a mean bone in his body," Freshman Nick Mungillo said.

"Trey's a dedicated athlete and a very sensitive and caring person," said Buddy Brasky, Trey's basketball coach. "He's a hard worker, is dependable and truly cares about each member of his team."

"His peers regard him as a kind, generous, fun young man," Principal Christopher Dailey said.

"Many of my students know him," Band Director Jane Haggett said. "They all talk about his positive attitude. He smiles a lot, is very happy, and has a gift for taking a serious situation and minimizing it."

Naturally, the BHS community responded as soon as the news arrived that Trey had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

"Multiple people came forward to help his family," Dailey said.

The largest-scale effort to help Trey and his family took place in the auditorium on Monday. The school's holiday concert was dedicated to Trey and helped raise money for his medical bills and treatment. Donations were collected at the doors, and a basket of goods donated by the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation was raffled off.

Pictured Paul Spiotta -- aka "the voice of the Batavia Blue Devils" -- was the concert's master of ceremonies.

Two major catalysts led to this event: a chicken barbeque fundraiser for Trey that took place last month and - less expectedly - the performance of flutist Megan Richardson in the Batavia Rotary Club's production of "Cinderella!" Richardson's music inspired Haggett to consider working with her on an arts-based fundraiser.

Richardson playing Francis Poulenc's "Sonate (1st Movement)" at Monday's concert.

"I heard her play and I thought, 'wow, we should really do a concert for a cause,'" Haggett said. "Then I got the e-mail about the chicken barbeque for Trey, and I knew that this was it."

The night's performances included the following:

BHS junior Maryssa Peirick singing "O Holy Night."

Batavia City School Distric BOE member Patrick D. Burk singing "Home," a song from the musical "The Wiz."

The cast of the Batavia Players' production of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," singing "Happiness" (Spiotta said the actors "unanimously agreed" to perform at the concert when they heard it was being done for Trey).

BHS alumnus Valerie Stevens singing "Defying Gravity," from the musical "Wicked."

The "BHS Blue Belles" -- left to right: Sarah DiBacco, Catherine McAllister, Catherine Taylor, Melzie Case and Emily Pahuta -- sang various Christmas carols.

The BHS Jazz Band, conducted by Haggett.

The entire BHS music department was involved in this event, but the spirit of generosity permeating the concert was not limited to them. Trey's classmates - aka the Freshman Class -- recently raised money for him via "Rays for Trey" (see Daily News article at http://tinyurl.com/yfzaamu).

Toward the end of the concert, four ninth-graders presented the final collection of paper suns, each signed by a BHS student, to Trey and his family (who of course had front-row seats) while happily disclosing the amount of money raised.

Haggett, who worked with the Freshman class on the chicken barbeque, applauded the students' hard work on Trey's behalf.

"I personally am very proud of this class and of how they came together for one of their own," she said.

"Any young man who has to go what Trey is going through, deserves [this type of support]," Brasky said. "His family is in need and the BHS family has come through for them."

Principal Dailey agreed.

"Batavia High is a special place where we take care of our own," he said. "I have never worked in such a positive, caring environment."

Before inviting attendees to the cafeteria for refreshments, Haggett identified this demonstration of community spirit as one of the reasonsshe loves Batavia."

"People here really do come together...and they love the arts," the band director said, adding "...Trey, we're all thinking about you, and we hope you got that impression tonight."

The benefit concert raised more than $2,851.

(Thanks for a reader tip on pointing this out -- a Christmas polka video for our Polish friends).

Use caution when traveling through the intersection of Jackson and Ellicott streets. A police officer reports both northbound green lights are out on Jackson.

Repair crews are being summoned.

Brandon C. Dodd, 23, of 128 1/2 State St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dodd is accused of stealing two video games from his roommate and selling them for cash at a local video game store.

Edwin Morales, 52, of 11293 Ridge Road, Medina, is accused of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Morales was stopped on Route 63 in Alabama after Deputy C.J. Minuto observed Morales's vehicle allegedly cross the center double yellow line.

Kenneth W. Bater, 18, of 7795 Creamery Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, consumption of alcohol in a vehicle and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bater was arrested after Deputy Frank Bordonaro responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at the side of the road on Creamery Road in Bergen. A passenger in the car, Kenneth E. Hale, 18, of 6101 North Lake Road, Bergen, was also charged with consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

UPDATE The following is additional information on an accident we reported previously, and we just received the information from the State Police:

Steven M. Smith, 21, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI. Smith reportedly hit two parked cars in the area of the old 84 Lumber store on Ellicott Street at 12:58 p.m., Sunday.

An Alexander Central School District teacher has been accused of conducting an inappropriate relationship with a student.

He's been charged with three misdemeanor counts, which are official misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and forcible touching.

Sheriff's investigators say they found mobile phone data and phone records linking Mark R. Hamilton, 49, of 8011 Caswell Road, Stafford, with the alleged inappropriate relationship with the student.

Sheriff's Office Youth Officer C.M. Erion obtained data from Verizon Wireless as part of his investigation, which was assisted by Western New York Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in Buffalo.

Hamilton, a graduate of Geneseo State College, was hired in 2000 by the Alexander Central School District as an elementary school teacher. While the Sheriff's Office press release lists him as a high school teacher, the district's Web site indicates he was most recently a science teacher in the middle school. He coached Batavia girls basketball from at least 2000 until 2008. WBTA reports he's been on adminisrative leave for a month.

We should expect at least some more snow today with highs in the mid-20s.  The chance of snow hovers at around 30 percent.

Tomorrow should warm to 34 degrees and we might see some sun.

The prediction of freezing ran on Christmas has been changed to just rain with a high of 38 and a 70-percent chance of precipitation.

A house fire has been reported at 6544 Byron-Holley Road, Byron.

UPDATE (6:18 p.m.) The fire captain reports the fire is under control and engines are leaving the scene.

View Larger Map

Yesterday I stopped in Tenney Cleaners and spotted a print out of our story about T.F. Brown's annual community Christmas dinner on the bulletin board -- what a great way to help get the word out about this great event.

The whole community is invited, and Rick Mancuso wants to make sure that everybody knows, especially those members of the community who might otherwise spend Christmas alone or can't afford a full Christmas meal with all the trimmings.

Meal times are Noon and 1 p.m. and reservations are recommended. To make reservations call 343-2091 (ask for Joanne) by 11 a.m. on Dec. 24.

Parents and grand parents bringing children should make a special point to make a reservation. Children 16 and under will receive a Christmas present.

Everything is free and all are welcome.

At it's weekly lunch today, the Batavia Rotary Club kicked off its annual girls basketball tournament. Coaches and team captains from Notre Dame, Batavia, Alexander and Pavilion were on hand for lunch and a visit from Santa (actually, two Santas).

Pictured above are Amie Brooks, Trisha  Pike, Shun-Della Williams and Anna Dominick.

More pictures from the afternoon after the jump:

European-based Megabus, which a year ago started service in the Northeast U.S., bills itself as the eco-friendly, high-tech, inexpensive and safe way to travel between major cities.

It's that safety part that raises an eyebrow or two recently.

Two Megabus motor coaches have been involved in Thurway crashes in the Gensee County area in the past two weeks.

In both cases, buses tipped over. In one, high winds are a likely factor. In the other, the bus driver is accused of falling asleep.

WBTA spoke Edward Hodgson, president of Megabus, who said Megabus has a good safety record.

A search of Google didn't uncover prominent documentation of ongoing safety issues, either.

Megabus operates passenger service between Toronto and Buffalo to New York City using the New York State Thruway.

Are you ready for your property taxes to go up another 7.7 percent?

That's what state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says will happen in two years when $2 billion in federal stimulus money now being used for schools dries up.

The D&C reports:

DiNapoli said in a report Monday that unless the federal aid is renewed or replaced by state aid, schools will be hard-pressed to make up the loss of revenue. DiNapoli said about $2.8 billion in federal stimulus money went to schools this fiscal year, of which $1.6 billion restored proposed education aid cuts.

A Le Roy man jailed for allegedly writing $1,000 in bad checks now faces contraband charges.

Aaron L. Heale, 28, is accused of bringing a hypodermic needle into jail with him.

He is charged with promoting prison contraband in the 1st degree and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Further charges are pending a toxicology report on the needle.

Heale was arrested previously for allegedly using checks from a closed bank account to purchase more than $1,000 worth of items from a Le Roy store.  During the search of his apartment, investigators allegedly found drug paraphernalia.  He faces grand larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance charges.

The forecast for today: Mostly sunny, but still pretty darn cold. Today's high will be in the lower 20s.

Tomorrow and Thursday, more sun with a slight warming on Thursday.

Christmas Day: The prediction for freezing rain in the morning remains in effect. Rain in the afternoon. Highs in the 40s. 

Saturday is the day they expect snow to return.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Men, enjoy a $5 haircut again with this offer exclusive to The Batavian. (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

Matty's Pizzeria, 4152 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Matty's is another Batavia favorite for pizza and wings. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

South Main Country Gifts, 3356 Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Handcrafted items, gifts with a regional flair, candles, teas and spices -- South Main has a wide selection to please most any interest. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Joseph P. Ryan, 52, a Batavia resident, admitted in an Albany court yesterday that he failed to file an income tax returns from 2004 through 2008.

The charge of failing to file is a misdemeanor.

Ryan is a vice president of Brighton Securities, which has an office in Batavia, but is headquartered in Brighton, a suburb of Rochester.

Before entering the plea, Ryan paid the state $57,749 in back taxes.

He was sentenced to one-year conditional release and a $5,000 fine.

(Source: Democrat and Chronicle).

Care-A-Van had gotten a call from Pastor Charlie Piscitello yesterday of a family that could really use some Christmas cheer and blessings from our Lord.  The husband had a stroke about a year ago and they could really use a blessing.

When we arrived, the husband was in the kitchen in his wheelchair. As we were visiting with them, there was a knock on the door. Dave Kendall and his son Kyle were standing there. He said his son wanted to know if he could see the bus. I pulled on my boots and headed out with them.

As little Kyle was touring the bus, he spotted the nativity scene. He said "there is baby Jesus"!  Kyle and his dad enjoyed the homemade treats and hot chocolate. Before leaving, the father told Kyle that he could go ahead and share his gift. Kyle handed me a gift that he wanted to give to another little boy that did not have anything.  With tears swellling in my eyes, I graciously accepted the gift on behalf of God.

How awesome it was to see that this little guy wanted to be a blessing to another little boy.  Pastor Charlie and his wife Judy came onto the bus after Christmas gifts and Christmas dinner were given to the other family. As Pastor Charlie sat there, his voice began to quiver and tears were in his eyes. He said " I just got the best Christmas gift,, we all got to bless others and share the love of Jesus with them."

It was great meeting Dave and Kyle. Thank  you Kyle for helping Care-A-Van and the Lord be a  blessing to others!

Tonight for pictures of Christmas Light houses, I thought I'd drive through the North Avenue/Narramore neighborhood.   I wound up with really only one photo worth posting.