Press release:

Saturday, Jan. 28^th will be all about basketball at Notre Dame High School.

All four basketball teams will play against Le Roy, starting with the JV Girls team at noon, followed by the JV Boys team at 1:30 p.m. Varsity teams tip off at 5 p.m. with the girls' game followed by a ceremony around 6:30 p.m. honoring Coach Mike Rapone, Section V Basketball Hall of Famer and winningest coach in Section V Boys’ Basketball history. Then Coach Rapone and the Boys Varsity team take the court at 7 p.m.

A tour of the renovated school is scheduled for 4 p.m. and there will be a gathering after the Boys Varsity game in the cafeteria to congratulate Mike.

Coach Rapone was inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame in November, 2016. He has led Notre Dame Basketball to an incredible 30 Genesee Region League Basketball Championships, capturing nine Section V titles, six Far West Regional Championships and two New York State Championships. He has been honored as Section V Coach of the Year three times and Genesee Region Coach of the Year four times.

The way Laura Kauppi sees it, every child, regardless of income, should have a chance to learn piano.

The Corfu native who teaches piano to a lot of higher income kids in Amherst, decided recently that she wants to give back to her local community and has partnered with Roxy's Music to offer piano lessons to low-income children.

"Every child should be able to learn piano," she said.

She's calling the program, "Every Child Music School."

For qualifying students, classes are three times a month for 20 minutes at $3 per lesson. To qualify, parents need to show a benefits card, such as a WIC card, at the first lesson.  The lessons are available to children 18 months and older.

She's looking for donations of touch-sensitive keyboard (press hard for a louder note, soft for a softer note) to help ensure students have an instrument to practice on.

Kauppi studies piano performance at Geneseo while pursuing an undergraduate degree in another field, but put herself through college teaching piano.

"When I started teaching, I realized I absolutely loved teaching piano and I wanted to keep doing it, so I’ve been teaching for 12 years now," Kauppi said.

To donate or register, call Kauppi at 585-861-0153.

Notre Dame's Hannah Bowen, Gillian Flint, Cal-Mum, Emily Weber, Attica, and Melissa Mountain, Batavia, are all ready for the annual Rotary Basketball Tournament, which tips off tonight at Genesee Community College at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame's Head Coach Tom McCulley, pictured below, said the annual tournament is a great showcase for girls' basketball.

"It's a great atmosphere," he said.

Marty Hein, Batavia's head coach, said he and his players always look forward to the tournament. 

"It’s just nice to do it right here at GCC," Hein said. "Big gym, big floor, big crowd. It’s just a good time."

Batavia enters the tournament at 2-7, Notre Dame is 4-2, Attica is 4-4 and Cal-Mum is 7-1.

A motor-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, is reported in the westbound lane of the Thruway near mile marker 386.1.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: Patient has possible knee injury.

Press release from the Le Roy Police Department:

On Dec. 7^th, Village of Le Roy Police arrested 31-year-old Danielle L. Barager, of 9 Summit St., Le Roy, and charged her with endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest stems from an investigation by Village Police into an incident that occurred in the Village of Le Roy on Dec. 4. It is alleged that during an argument Barager threw a claw hammer which ricocheted off the floor and struck a 3-year-old child in the shoulder causing injury. Barager was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Le Roy Court at a later date.

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On Dec. 24, at about 6:30 p.m., officers of the Village of Le Roy Police Department arrested Matthew McCracken, 33, of 10 Clay St., upper apt., Le Roy, for attempted criminal mischief, 4th degree, and harassment, 2nd degree. This arrest occurred after Le Roy Police Officer’s responded to a report of a male threatening to kill the neighboring residents of an upper apartment on Clay Street in the Village of Le Roy. The investigation alleged that during a dispute, McCracken had threatened to kill and injure his neighbor and burned the door and door frame of his neighbor’s apartment with a blow torch. At the time, McCracken was refusing to answer both his phone and the door to his apartment to communicate with officers and McCracken was believed to be in his apartment with a blow torch and a 2-year-old child. Out of concern for the child, Officer’s forced entry into the apartment and McCracken was taken into custody without incident. The child was found unharmed and was turned over to the mother. McCracken was arraigned in the Town of Le Roy Court and was put in Genesee County jail in lieu of $500 cash bail. Further investigation is pending. Le Roy Police were assisted at the scene by members of the New York State Police.

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On Dec. 27^th, officers of the Village of Le Roy Police Department arrested Gregory P.  Bernard, 22, of East Bethany, for aggravated DWI, DWI and moving from lane unsafely. His arrest was the result of an auto accident in which it is alleged that Bernard, while on West Main Street in Le Roy left his lane unsafely, jumped a curb and struck a sign and tree causing damage. Bernard was processed and issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Le Roy Court on Jan.  23. The aggravated DWI charge stems from an allegation that Bernard had a BAC at or above 0.18 percent.

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On Dec. 28^th, Village of Le Roy Police stopped a vehicle on State Route 19 in the Village of Le Roy alleging an inadequate exhaust. The operator, Michael A. Ellis, 27, of Batavia, was allegedly found to have a suspended New York State driver’s license. The vehicle was turned over to a relative at the scene. Ellis was issued uniform traffic tickets for aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd degree, uninspected motor vehicle, and inadequate exhaust returnable to the Town of Le Roy Court on a later date.

Photo and info from our news partner 13WHAM.

Batavia Police are asking for help in locating an individual in connection with a burglary that took place last month at the Glass Roots store, located at 12 Center St. downtown.

According to police, the incident happened during the overnight hours between Dec. 11 and 12.

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Central School District is in the process of developing the 2017‑2018 school budget and we welcome, appreciate, and value your input. The Board would like to extend an invitation to members of the Byron-Bergen School District to participate in a survey that will help the Board to determine priorities for next year’s budget.

Please take a moment to complete the online survey by visiting our website www.bbschools.org and clicking on the “2017-18 Budget Development Survey” link. If you prefer a hard copy of the survey, please contact Mrs. Gunio at (585) 494-1220, ext. 2329, and she will be happy to mail you a copy, through Jan. 31.

Budget information will be updated on our website www.bbschools.org and discussed at our regularly scheduled Board of Education Meetings. Our meetings start at 7 p.m. and take place in the Professional Development Room (former Jr. High Library).

Please note that the public is invited to provide budget input at the Thursday, Feb. 2, Board meeting, which will take place in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria to accommodate the community at 7 p.m.

Elwood Miller and Jill Keleher are the proud parents of Olivia, who earned the honor of being the first baby born at United Memorial on January 1, 2017. 

Submitted photo and press release:

Proud parents Jill Keleher and Elwood Miller welcomed Olivia, United Memorial’s first baby of the New Year, at 5:11 a.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017. She weighed 8 pounds and 6 ounces. Big brothers Jason and Gavin anxiously await her arrival at home. The family was presented with a gift basket that included bath items, baby monitor, car seat accessory, toiletries, rocker and $100 Visa Gift Card.

Olivia’s birth comes on the heels of United Memorial Medical Center’s recognition by the Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative as a Silver Certified Safe Sleep Leader. This program recognizes hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths by promoting best safe sleep practices and educating on infant sleep safety.

“We need the knowledge of safe sleep to be shared, the designation of this award highlights United Memorial’s continued commitment to ensuring that parents are receiving the vital information they need about safe sleep practices for their newborns,” said Emily Callari, RN.

Each year in the United States, more than 3,500 babies die in their sleep suddenly and unexpectedly from accidental suffocation, strangulation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to Cribs for Kids, in 90 percent of these deaths, the infant is found in an unsafe sleep environment. Cribs for Kids partners with healthcare providers, parents and others across the country to promote sleeping practices that keep infants safe. 

To learn more about childbirth and maternity at United Memorial Medical Center, visit RochesterRegional.org.

Hyde has been with Tompkins for over 13 years. In his work managing the Le Roy branch, Hyde concentrates on developing relationships with small businesses throughout the community as well as tailoring a wide variety of personal banking solutions to our local customers.

“Mickey has done a phenomenal job as our Le Roy branch manager,” said Diane Torcello, senior vice president, community banking. “He has a strong commitment to helping members of the Le Roy community with their personal and business related finances, and Tompkins Bank of Castile is lucky to have him on our team.”

Hyde is very involved in the community, serving as the chair for the steering committee for Leadership Genesee, on the Junior Achievement Advisory Board, and as a member of the Rochester Press-Radio Club. He is also a member of the Le Roy Moose Club, the LPS Kiwanis and the Sons of the American Legion. He volunteers in many capacities with Le Roy Central School, such as in Junior Achievement, Lunch with Leaders, Mock Interviews, Career Day and the Le Roy Job Fair. Hyde has been inducted into both the Genesee Community College and the Pavilion Central School’s Hall of Fame. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eckerd College.

He and his wife, Toni, live in Le Roy with their two daughters, Naomi and Samantha.

December was Kindness Month at John Kennedy School and throughout the month, the "Kindness Elf" went around spreading kindness. Just before Christmas, the Elf helped arrange a visit by members of the Batavia FD and Batavia PD.

The firefighters and police officers shared cookies with the second-grade class of Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. Lebeau. The teachers then helped the students write thank you notes to the police and fire departments. The students not only thanked them for coming to the school but thanked them for all they do on a daily basis to help our community and to keep us safe.

Photo and info submitted by Courtney Marsh.

A 300 game by Medina's Scott Allis and three big series by members of the Luce family at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen highlighted last week's league bowling action around the Genesee Region.

Click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page to see all the high scores, and watch for another Pin Points bowling column by Mike Pettinella on Thursday of this week.

Rock star Joey Belladonna returns to Batavia Jan. 14 for a show at T.F. Brown's with his cover band, Big Chief Way.

Belladonna is best known as lead singer for the popular thrash metal band Anthrax. Anthrax, with frontman Belladonna, has released 10 albums that have sold 8 million copies worldwide. The band was nominated for three Grammy awards.

From Western New York, Belladonna occasionally plays shows in the area with Big Chief Way.

There are a limited number of VIP tickets available that includes a chance to meet Belladonna between 8 and 9 p.m. for $10. Tickets must be purchased at T.F.'s by Jan. 13. The show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets are $5 pre-sale or at the door. Tickets may be purchased at T.F. Brown's.

Angela Joan Bombard, 55, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Bombard was stopped at 6:49 p.m. Sunday on Route 19, Le Roy, by Deputy Jeremy McClellan.

Justin Allen Siegmyer, 20, of Baxter Street, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle. Siegmyer was arrested following a check of a vehicle parked roadside on Prole Road, Stafford, at 1:24 a.m. Sunday by Deputy Mathew Clor.

Press release:

On Friday, Dec. 30, the New York State Police based out of the Batavia Barracks along with the New York State Liquor Authority conducted an underage drinking detail. Approximately 16 stores throughout Genesee County were checked and three sales were made to underage buyers. The following arrests were made:

Rashmikant Patel, 50, of Batavia, was arrested for unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st degree, and prohibited sale of alcohol to a person under 21. Patel was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Pavilion Court.

A 16-year-old, of Batavia, was arrested for unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st degree, and prohibited sale of alcohol to a person under 21. The youth was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Village of Corfu Court.

Barbara Nehl, 73, of Corfu, was arrested for unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st degree, and prohibited sale of alcohol to a person under 21. Nehl was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Village of Corfu Court.

The following establishments were checked and properly complied with the law, denying sales to an underage buyer:

-Elba Yellow Goose, South Main Street, Elba
-Arrow Mart, Byron Holley Road, Byron
-7 Eleven, Buffalo Road, Bergen
-Bergen Country Store, Clinton Street Road, Bergen
-490 Truck Stop, Lake Road, Bergen
-Mill St Wines & Liquors, Mill St., Le Roy
-The Original Woody's Deli, North Street, Le Roy
-Pavilion Yellow Goose, Telephone Road, Pavilion
-Alexander Country Store, Main Street, Alexander
-Triple C Truck & Gas, Broadway, Darien
-West Main Mini Mart, West Main Street Road, Batavia
-Arrow Mart, Clinton Street Road, Batavia

Oscar is missing and Tracy Hastings just wants him to come home.

He disappeared from his home in Alexander this morning.

He's friendly, but gets nervous when not in his normal routine.

He's an 8-year-old English bulldog.

If you can help reunite Oscar with Tracy, email her at tahastin1973@gmail.com.

YMCA Waives Join Fee to Jump Start your January! Are you ready to shed those extra holiday pounds? Looking for a fresh start in 2017? Has cabin fever already started setting in? Join the Y during our membership campaign and save! Between 12/26/16 and 1/15/17 we will waive the full joining fee on any membership category.

New to the Y and not sure if you are ready to commit? Try the Y 5 times between 12/26 and 1/15/17 for just $15. If you decide to join during that same time frame we will take the $15 you paid off of your first month’s membership dues.

YMCA Membership entitles you and your loved ones the chance to become part of an organization that believes in and promotes active and healthy lifestyles, progressive skill development, fair play, family, and character development. The YMCA is not just another gym. When you join the Y, you join a family and what’s more you join a place where people are looking for changes to their overall health. The Genesee County YMCA offers a wide array of programs and services to meet the interests and needs of the entire family from memberships for youth, college students, families and seniors. From swimming lessons and sports, to childcare and summer camping, there is truly something for everyone at the Genesee County YMCA.

If you feel like you cannot afford a YMCA membership, it is the policy of the YMCA that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Financial assistance for membership and programs is available through the annual Strong Communities Campaign. The application process is easy and confidential. Please call or visit our member service desk to obtain an application.

For more information on membership or programs offered at the Genesee County YMCA, please call (585)344­-1664 or log on to our website at www.glowymca.org.

A couch is reportedly on fire, sitting on the side of the road, on Hopkins Road near Sliker Road, Indian Falls.

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire are dispatched.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: Responding units can stand by in quarters.

Here are the most viewed stories published on The Batavian in 2016:

• Two small children die in house fire on State Street Road, Batavia
• Three members of Elba family arrested following sex crimes investigation
• When a baby stopped breathing, one of Settler's regular customers saved her life
• Local businessmen purchase the Red Osier in Stafford
• Hannah Dibble given max available sentence in drunken driving death of friend
• Family hopes to find driver of red SUV involved in hit-and-run accident in Elba
• Children in State Street Road fire died of smoke inhalation, believed home alone at time
• Obituary: Michael R. Houseknecht
• Six people accused of dealing drugs in Genesee County
• Photo of this morning's bank robbery suspect released

In 2016, we also once again set new traffic records. Total visits to the site grew from 5.86 million in 2015 to 5,922,880 in 2016. Total page views took a huge jump, from 9.4 million to 15.6 million in 2016.

A herd of deer makes its way from one side of Edgewood Drive to the other -- a common sight on that Town of Batavia street -- around 5 this afternoon. Photo by Mike Pettinella.