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Submitted photos and information from Kate M. Schrodt​.

The Alexander Central School Drama Club will present its production of "The Little Mermaid" this weekend!

Shows are Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium, located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

It's a show you don't want to miss! Get your tickets today here. Prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors (60+)/veterans.

Tickets at the door cost $11 for adults and $9 for students/seniors (60+)/veterans.

"The Little Mermaid" is the name of a Disney animated musical romantic fastasy film produced in 1989.

It's about a 16-year-old mermaid princess named Ariel in the kingdom of Atlantica, a fantasy kingdom in the Atlantic Ocean. She is fascinated by the human world above. With her best friend Flounder, Ariel collects human artifacts in her grotto and often goes to the surface of the ocean to visit Scuttle visit, a seagull who offers very inaccurate knowledge of human culture. She ignores the warnings of her father King Triton, the ruler of Atlantica, and Sebastian, a crab who serves as Triton's adviser and court composer, that contact between merpeople and humans is forbidden. ...

"The Little Mermaid" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

• The show is directed by Kate Schrodt.
• Production manager: Hunter Doran
• Vocal director:  Mark Hoerbelt
• Costumes by: Loretta Stratton
• Conductor: Rachel Clark
• Choreographer: Mary Loliger
• Sound: Trinity Reynolds
• Set design/builders: George Liaros, Jeff Houseknecht and Ethan Schrodt

Here's the Cast List:

ARIEL -- Erin Hess
PILOT -- Evan Whitmore
PRINCE ERIC -- Nolan Quackenbush
GRIMSBY -- Shawn Calmes
FLOUNDER -- Paige Bryant
SCUTTLE -- Paige Sikorski
WINDWARD -- Emma Ferraro
LEEWARD -- Kylie Shillea
SEBASTIAN -- Ethan Stroud
KING TRITON -- Nathaniel Luker
AQUATA -- Jasmine Wessel
ANDRINA -- Emma Cline
ARISTA -- Leanne Dolph
ATINA -- Julia Francis
ADELLA -- Alyssa Lafferty
ALLANA -- Aubrey Hamm
FLOTSAM -- Morgan Burns
JETSAM -- Holly Ulrich
URSULA -- Lydia Daley
CHEF LOUIS -- Kylie Shillea
ENSEMBLE: Kathryn McClellan, Patience Thomas, Brittany Johnson, Kylee McClellan, Emma Hollands, Olivia Burkhardt, Brooke Harman, Angelina Luker, Kristen Thompson, Stuart Ulrich, Riley Wall, Corey Hanlin, Bryanna Snyder, Kasey Smith.

Submitted photo and press release:

Extending the reach of the One GCC efforts at Genesee Community College, Diversity and Inclusion coordinator Sara Vacin and the Inclusive Excellence Committee will host Social Justice Day on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Batavia Campus Forum.

This event is made possible through a SUNY Diversity and Inclusion Performance Improvement Fund and is FREE and open to the entire community.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureate Librada Paz (inset photo left) will open Social Justice Day at 12:30 p.m. sharing how she came to this country as a young migrant farmer with dreams of studying engineering.

As her journey ensued, she became a nationally recognized activist, which she will describe in her keynote presentation, "The Voice of Farmworkers' Rights."

In addition, on Tuesday, Art Force 5, a group of self-proclaimed "art-equipped heroes" founded at Alfred University will lead attendees to do as they have done and embrace creativity over conflict through the creation of a large mosaic piece.

The mosaic will become a visual tribute to GCC's Open Door Internship Program. 

From 2 - 2:55 p.m. Social Justice Day participants can attend one of the following sessions:

• "Creativity Over Conflict" with Dan Napolitano of Alfred University in the Forum;
• "Know Your Rights" with GCC Criminal Justice professor Karen Wicka in T122;
• "Being an Ally to People of Color" with Political Club student president Dennis Austin in T121;
• "Social Justice Issues Facing Veterans Today" with Dave Oliver of the Veterans Outreach Center in G200. 

From 3 - 3:55 p.m. participants can choose from the following sessions:

• "Social Justice Work and Migrant Workers: Past, Present and Future" presented by members of the Geneseo Migrant Center in G200;
• "Bail Reform and Its Impact" with Catherine Uhly from Genesee Justice in T122;
• "Sexual Assault Victim's Rights" by RESTORE's Sarah Link and Hannah Kujawski in T121.

Finally, at 4 p.m. all participants are encouraged to come together for refreshments and a closing discussion reflecting on the opportunities to put the information they've been given into action in their own lives.

We got a bit of snow today. In this photo, you can see the flakes cutting across the tree in a cornfield off of Route 33 near Route 237 in Batavia. We may get a little more snow tonight, with an anticipated low tonight of 28 degrees.

Press release:

The public is invited to the upcoming public presentations of the candidates for the position of executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.

They will be held at CCE, located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia, as follows:

• Thursday, Nov. 7th at 8 a.m. – Joaquina Kankam
• Friday, Nov. 8th at 8:30 a.m. – Patricia McGlynn
• Monday, Nov. 18th at 8:30 a.m. – Caron Gala

Any questions can be directed to Yvonne Peck at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

A farm truck is on fire in the area of 6697 Quaker Hill Road, Byron.

The initial call was for smoke coming from a dashboard. A few minutes later, the dispatcher informed first responders that the truck is now on fire.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched. Fire police requested to shut down the road.

Jazmyn Fredo captured this picture today of a bald eagle in Elba, off Pekin Road.

Submitted by Jessica Fredo.

     Charles Cooper

A 36-year-old resident of Lodi, Charles E. Cooper, is accused of forcing his way into a home at 6735 Clinton Street Road, Stafford, at 9 p.m., Tuesday, and demanding cash before he was shot by one of the residents of the home.

Cooper is in critical condition at Strong Memorial Hospital. He has not yet been charged with a crime. The investigation remains active.

The Sheriff's Office reports that the suspect appears to have targeted the specific residence.

"This was not a random act," the Genesee County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. "(There) is no reason to believe there is further concern for public safety of residents in the area."

It's believed that Cooper acted alone.

According to the Sheriff's Office, it appeared that Cooper held a pistol when he entered the home.

One of the two residents of the home managed to grab his long gun and shot Cooper with a single round of ammunition and incapacitated him.

A short time later, deputies and troopers arrived on the scene and took Cooper into custody without incident. He was treated at the scene by medics from Mercy EMS and then transported to Strong by Mercy EMS.

The Sheriff's Office says charges are pending.

Cooper, 35, was arrested in February along with Joshua Cooper, 32, of Ovid, in Darien for allegedly doing unauthorized repair work on a driveway of a residence and then demanding money. They were charged with soliciting without a permit, fraud and conspiracy. 

The mug shot is from an arrest in February in Darien.

Submitted photo and press release:

Last month, Genesee Community College announced the beginning of its year-long celebration of the Nursing Program's 50th anniversary.

During a special "Tea and a Toast" event, the Nursing Program Director Laurel Sanger, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Tamatha L. Arneth, and Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield kicked off the program's centennial with several impressive announcements all stemming from one of GCC's most substantial scholarship gifts to date.

The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund and Excellence Award are both being instituted this year. Starting late this spring and continuing for another 50 years, a new scholarship opportunity will support GCC's second-year nursing students.

The significance of this gift has allowed the College to name its School of Nursing after its largest benefactor, specifically, The Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing.

(Above inset photo is Antoinette Marchese Clancy.)

"It has been my honor to work with the Clancy family to help them introduce an opportunity that recognizes and supports second-year nursing students who have exhibited dedication and excellence in their first year of study, and promise to continue this distinction in their second year," Arneth said.

"The dream of helping the next generation of GCC nursing students has been very important to the Clancy family despite the many years and the physical distance between Mrs. Clancy and her alma mater."

Antoinette Marchese grew up in Batavia and in 1970 graduated from Notre Dame High School, where she had met her husband, Emmet Clancy.

After working as a nurse's aide at St. Jerome's Hospital, she enrolled at D'Youville College, but transferred and graduated from GCC in 1974 earning the Nursing Excellence Award, an honor that is still very important to her.

The Clancy family, now residing in California, has grown to include five children and 11 grandchildren throughout their 45-year marriage.

Earlier this year, Emmet Clancy contacted GCC exploring how his wife's desire to help future nursing students could become a reality. He also wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication of his beloved.

Knowing how much GCC and the Nursing Excellence Award means to his wife and inspired by her selflessness, Emmet Clancy worked with Arneth to establish two opportunities available to nursing students next year.

• The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund has been established through a generous gift from the Clancy family and recognizes Antoinette, GCC Class of 1974. Each year going forward, this scholarship will support several second-year GCC nursing students who are academically in the upper third of the class and have illustrated excellence in their clinical performance.
• In addition, the Antoinette Marchese Clancy Excellence Award will be awarded for the first time to the top clinical performing nursing student at the annual Nursing Recognition Ceremony that is scheduled before the college-wide Commencement, which will occur next on Saturday, May 16.

A formal recognition reception with the Clancys in attendance is also scheduled for Thursday, May 14, as a highlight of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of GCC's Nursing Program and the annual Nursing graduation ceremony.

Press release from the NYS Association of Counties:

The NYS Association of Counties applauds Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's signing of the opioid overdose bill last month.

The legislation (S.1668/A.4915) requires that death certificates in cases of opioid overdose specify which opioid was involved in the death, if known. This new law requires that information be recorded so that more data will be available to better address the opioid crisis.

“New York continues to confront the opioid epidemic in all corners of the state," said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. "Toxicology results take an inordinate amount of time to review. This new law will help county coroners and medical examiners pin down the cause of death with more specificity than the general classification of 'drug overdose.'

"Law enforcement efforts to track opioid suppliers have improved, and this new statute will further assist in identifying suppliers of the opiates that led to an overdose. Governor Cuomo and state legislators continue to implement smart government policies to prevent the distribution of illegal opiates."

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 18^th annual Wonderland of Trees, sponsored in part this year by Tompkins Bank of Castile.This year’s Kickoff Gala will take place at the museum Friday, Nov. 22^nd.

The event will start at 6 p.m. and is family friendly and great for all ages.  

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to the museum between November and January to view nearly 50 trees, festive pictures, and holiday displays decorated by local businesses and organizations. 

There will be musical performances by voice students from Sound Foundations Voice Studio and a Flute Ensemble from Batavia Middle School.

After-dinner snacks will be provided by D & R Depot.

Tickets are $15 per person, $10 for museum members and $5 for children under 12.

This year tickets are available for purchase online as well as by calling (585) 343-4727 or stopping in Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Press release:

Sonny Mayo and the Lowdown are coming to Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theater on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. for an evening of excellent rhythm and blues featuring a great selection of original tunes and old favorites.

Presale tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by contacting Derek Maxfield, GCC's associate professor of History at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or 585-343-0055, ext. 6288.

All concert proceeds will benefit GCC's History Club's spring break history tour of important historical sites, museums and battlefields.

Frank Mayo, aka Sonny Mayo, is now a retired GCC public speaking professor, but he is anything but retired from his passion for music. He is bringing his trio with him for a show that promises to give local music aficionados a taste of folk, blues and Americana music, and all for great cause.

Presale tickets are $10 each and will be $12 at the door.

Advance tickets are encouraged by contacting: Derek Maxfield, GCC's associate professor of History and History Club advisor; or Marie Kochmanski, clerk-typist in the second floor Humanities Suite, Room B259; or Michelle Forster, secretary in the third floor GCC Human Communication and Behavior Suite, Room B359.

 For more information or to purchase tickets, email Maxfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or call 585-343-0055, ext. 6288.

In a rare contested race for the full-time City Court judge's seat, Durin Rogers holds a lead over Ben Bonarigo and will likely be the winner once all of the absentee ballots are counted.

Rogers has 1,662 votes in the unofficial tally by the county elections office to 1,447 for Bonarigo, for a 215 vote difference.

There were 288 absentee ballots requested and 170 have been returned so far. Bonarigo would need to pick up nearly all of the absentee ballots to be declared the winner.

The other notable election result from Tuesday was in the City of Batavia's 3rd Ward, which incumbent John Canale won but a Libertarian Party candidate came in second. Canale, on the Republican line, received 260 votes. Deborah Kerr Rosenbeck received 166. Democratic candidate Nicholas Russo received 123. It might very well be the first time in City history that a third-party candidate outpolled a major party candidate.

In the other contested City Council race, in Ward 5, incumbent Kathy Briggs garnered 210 votes to 148 for challenger Sam DiSalvo.

In the one contested County Legislature race, in District 8, incumbent Marianne Clattenburg won with 684 votes to 159 for Colin McAllister.

In other contested races around the county:

• Town clerk, Alexander: Lisa L. Lyons, 205, Shannon E. Tiede, 171
• Town clerk, Bergen: Michele M. Smith, 467, Connie VanHoute, 146
• Town council, Bethany (vote for 2): Jeffrey R. Fluker, 287, Timothy D. Embt, 265, Josiah Berkemeier, 141
• Supervisor, Byron: Peter N. Yasses, 275, Gerald L. Heins, 270
• Town justice, Darien (vote for 2): Gary A. Graber, 505, Jennifer R.  Nunnery, 459, Michelle M. Krzemien, 440
• Highway superintendent, Pavilion: Joel M. Offhaus, 267, Doug Elliott, 71
• Town justice, Pembroke: Donald M. O'Connor, 612, Joseph P. Iannello, 217

Check this post later for a video from the evening.

A home-invasion robbery suspect in Stafford was reportedly shot by a homeowner tonight and airlifted by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

The Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call at about 9:08 p.m. of a possible shooting at 6731 Clinton Street Road in Stafford. Law enforcement was dispatched and Mercy medics were requested to stage in the area.

Subsequently, it was reported that a suspect, who appeared to possess a firearm, forced his way into the residence and demanded cash. Genesee County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Brad Mazur said the homeowner was able to retrieve a long gun and shoot the intruder.

The condition of the patient has not yet been released.

A car vs. deer accident with injuries is reported at Lyman Road and Clinton Street Road, Bergen.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A car and manure spreader have reportedly collided at Transit Road and Tower Hill Road in Byron.

Injuries are reported and the roadway is blocked.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched.

Information from Batavia High School and Music Theatre International.

Batavia High School's Production Club will present "Shrek The Musical" in the auditorium Nov. 22-24.

Times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23; and a matinee at 2 o'clock on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Advance tickets are $9, available at showtix4u.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, "Shrek The Musical" is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline, or Change") and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

BHS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia. For more information, visit www.bataviacsd.org or phone (585) 343-2480, ext. 2000.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, Northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. In Genesee County, there are two Tops locations -- at 390 W. Main St. in Batavia, and at 128 W. Main St. in Le Roy.

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer.

“We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include: support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall; Honor Flight Missions; sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas; VA hospital visits; participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo’; and new this year, Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered U.S. Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.