About 50 GCC students were in the Forum Thursday afternoon to have their voices heard as they spoke out against bullying.

Bullying has become a national issue in recent weeks after five teens in separate cases took their own lives after suffering insults and embarrassment at the hands of people who ridiculed them.

"It's so hard to constantly hear about 13-14 year olds ending their lives, partly for not having an outlet, but more for not feeling safe," said Candice S. Faulring, an instructor of psychology and adviser to GCC's Gay-Straight Alliance, who organized the rally.

Several students took turns at the mic, either because they had been a victim of bullying -- whether over weight issues, shyness or being gay. Some students spoke about friends who had been bullying, and Maggie Rapp, 19, above with Faulring, told the story of a lesbian friend who took her own life.

"A lot of the pictures we have up are pictures of kids from around the country, but to hear the stories of bullying that's happening right in our own community, in Genesee County, in Batavia, in Oakfield, in Alabama, and from kids who are still relatively young and have the courage to get up and tell their stories, that means a lot to me," Faulring said.

Students said they want people to understand that being mean to people just because they're different isn't acceptable behavior.

"I just feel it's wrong because all people are different," said Megan Matthews, 19, from Alexander. "We should just all get along. There's nothing wrong with being different."

Sarah Tuttle, 23, of Albion, and a representative of the Gay-Straight Alliance, said she's most concerned about bullying of gays and that bullying of lesbians hasn't gotten much media attention in recent weeks, but it should.

"There is no norm," Tuttle said. "Everything is normal. If you're gay, if you're male, if you're female, African-American, Asian, white, whatever, you're all the same."

According to Faulring, bullying has gotten worse in recent years because it is no longer limited to just the schoolyard boundaries.

"When I was a kid, I knew when I got home I didn't have to worry about getting a text message or what people might say on Facebook," Faulring said.

Faulring said she plans to continue to push the anti-bullying message, including making a documentary of the stories of Genesee County residents who have been victims of bullies and how they overcame it.

Reader Amanda Bisig sent in this photo with this note:

My dad (John Bisig) sent me these photos that he took around 4:30 p.m. today, and asked me to send them in. They were taken on East Road in Batavia, where he was combining corn today. The photo you uploaded a few days ago of the Reinke irrigation system from the corner of Transit and Chapel roads in Byron is  also owned by the same farm (My-T-Acres) -- and we live in the farmhouse across the street from that one you photographed. Thought you might enjoy the photo!

A fire is reported inside the maintenance shop of the Stafford Country Club. The shop is located off Route 5, just east of Route 237.

Stafford and Pavilion fire departments are responding, along with tankers from the Town of Batavia and fire police from Le Roy. South Byron fire is to fill in at the station for Stafford.

There is heavy smoke inside the structure.

UPDATE (5:53 p.m.): Firefighters are warned that there are chemicals stored inside the northeast end of the building. A firefighter says one piece of machinery is on fire but it is almost out. The roof does not need ventilating at this time.

UPDATE (5:57 p.m.): They are going to vent the north end of the building.

UPDATE (6:02 p.m.): The fire is confirmed to be contained to one piece of machinery and it has been dragged outside. Everything is under control. They are releasing some equipment to go back in service.

An 18-year-old driver was shaken up and taken to the hospital Wednesday after losing control of her car on R. Stephen Hawley Drive and having it overturn.

Alexandra N. Vanburen, of Batavia, was transported by ground ambulance to UMMC.

No other people where in Vanburen's car and no other vehicles were involved.

The reason is not contained in the Sheriff's Office report, but Vanburen's 1999 Saturn traveled off the roadway and onto the gravel shoulder. She reportedly over corrected and lost control of the car. The car traveled off the north shoulder, hit an embankment and landed on its roof.

No citations were issues.

Deputy Chad Minuto handled the investigation.

(initial report)

John Christian Finkney, 22, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal impersonation, driving out of class, unregistered motor vehicle, switched plates, uninsured motor vehicle. Finkney was allegedly involved in a road rage incident on Oct. 15. As part of the investigation, a deputy asked Finkney for his name and date of birth. It was later discovered that he allegedly provided the name and birth date of his brother. He was arrested Wednesday by Deputy Eric Seppela.

Reader Amanda sent this in -- a picture of a rainbow over downtown Batavia at about 9:45 a.m.

To me, 36 degrees is not "extreme cold," but it's worth noting that we've received our first "extreme cold alert" of the season.

It's supposed to get down to 36 tonight with a wind chill factor -- the "feels like" temperature -- dropping to 30 degrees.

There will be a 16 mph wind from the northwest.

There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation.

The Batavia High School Baseball Team is trying a new fundraiser this year to help pay for spring training camp in Florida.

Instead of having to do a whole bunch of fundraisers like they usually do -- bake sales, car washes, candy sales, bowl-a-thons, etc. -- they are going to have a one-day sale of a big-ticket item. Would you believe mattresses?

Yes, quality mattress sets at 30 to 60 percent off retail prices will be on sale this Sunday in the school's big gym from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They may still have to do other fundraisers, but they hope to raise a good chunk money Sunday.

This novel idea has proven to be successful for sports teams at other schools in the area, including Albion, Medina, Akron and Holley.

It's the brainchild of Tom McNamara of Custom Fundraising Solutions in Buffalo. Batavia varsity baseball Coach Rick Saunders said a mutual friend introduced them and McNamara made his pitch. It sounded worthwhile, and the guy had good references, so the coach brought the idea to the parents and other coaches.

"It's up to the parents to execute the fund raising," Saunders said. "So it was up to them to decide."

They learned that the least amount of money earned from the daylong event was $1,200 in Akron. A big school in Buffalo took in $9,000 in profits. All profits go directly to the team. The parents, players and coaches all got onboard with the plan.

"Every year we go to Florida," Coach Saunders said. "The returning varsity and potential varsity players get to play college (level) baseball in the Florida sun. It's a nice experience for the guys.

"It costs under $800 per player, and that includes airfare, room and board, and all the baseball they can handle. It's a pretty good deal."

So if you and yours are thinking of buying a new mattress set, here's a great win-win situation.

The blue-and-white sales flier says:

• All sizes available (twin-king)!
• Pillowtops, orthopedics and memory foams!
• All brand-new with factory warranties!
• Name brands such as Restonic, Southerland and more!
• Free layaway available!
• Delivery available!
• Cash, checks and credit cards accepted!

(FYI: Southerland Sleep was founded in Nashville in 1893, a fourth-generation family owned company. Restonic is a U.S. company whose motto is "Hitting the Hay Since 1938." Both are considered top-of-the-line brands).

If you can get your hands on a flier, there's a coupon for $50 off any order over $500.

The school is located at 260 State St.

Poll question suggested by a reader, and if doesn't make sense, watch this video.

Troy Emke and John Lawrence have 32 years of archery hunting between them. Ironically, both arrowed the largest deer of their bow hunting careers little more than 12 hours apart.

Both deer were taken in swampy environs, John taking his big eight point Tuesday evening just before dark. He knew he hit his mark, but rather than track the deer through the swamp after nightfall, he decided to let it lie and wait until morning. Wednesday morning saw Troy in his stand well before shooting light. The 10 point showed up not long afterward, prior to legal shooting time. Troy watched the deer amble around his stand, actually sniffing the hunter's tracks. At sunrise Troy let him have it from a distance of 25 yards and the big buck took off, running maybe 50 yards before he went down with a big splash.

Shortly after sunup this morning, while Troy was field dressing his deer, John located his buck. Like Troy's, John's whitetail was found lying in water. Both deer field dressed at approximately 175 lbs.

A motor-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer is reported in Corfu on Route 77 near Cohocton Road. There are no injuries but medics are requested to the scene. State Police are on scene along with Corfu Fire Department.

Pembroke Fire Police are shutting down southbound Route 77 at Route 5. Corfu Fire Police are shutting down northbound traffic at Route 77 and Route 33.

This morning, Suzanne Corona met South Beach owner Ken Mistler at a downtown bank and signed a contract agreeing to carry a sign in front of his restaurant for four hours that reads, "I Stole from South Beach."

The contract, Mistler said, is an admission of guilt. In it, Mistler agrees to drop criminal charges against Corona and she holds harmless Mistler, South Beach and all employees from any possible damages.

On Sept. 30, Corona was reportedly caught stuffing food from South Beach's buffet into baggies. When confronted, Corona, according to Mistler, dumped the food back onto the buffet. All of the items on the buffet had to be trashed right at the height of lunch hour.

According to Mistler, the resulting damage was more than $1,000, so Corona was facing a possible felony charge.

The 41-year-old Corona was in City Court briefly this afternoon on her other notorious legal case -- the public lewdness charge she admitted to in August.

Corona, who was initially charged with adultery for having sexual contact with a man not her husband in Farrall Park in June, was scheduled to be sentenced today.

The sentencing was continued until Nov. 24.

Judge Michael Del Plato only said that the proposed sentence "is something not available to me." He also instructed the attorneys on both sides that "what is confidential remains confidential."

Ashley Bedard is a graduate of Pembroke Central School and she is battling leukemia. To help Ashley, and her mother, JoAnne McInerney, while Ashley undergoes treatment for the disease, there's going to be a fundraiser this Saturday.

"Bash for Ash" will offer a steak dinner, Chinese auction and music, all for $10 per person. It will be held at Holy Name of Mary Church Hall on West Avenue in East Pembroke from 4 to 11 p.m., with dinner served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Donation for the event can be sent or dropped off to Sue Winkelman or Hope Wood at Tompkins Insurance Agencies, 90 Main St., in Downtown Batavia.

Monetary donations can be made payable to: "In Trust for Ashley Bedard"and mailed to: Bank of Castile; Attn -- Sue Winkelman, 90 Main St., Batavia.

For more information call Sue or Hope at 585-344-0833 or email:
<swinkelman@tompkinsins.com> or <hwood@tompkinsins.com>

(Portrait photo by Carlson's Studio)

The Byron-Bergen education community is dealing with an unexpected loss after the Central School Board of Education Vice Presdient Lori Nelson passed away yesterday.

The school district announced the passing of Nelson, 49, today.

She served on the Byron-Bergen board since her election in 2000.

“Our community suffered a great loss yesterday with the sudden passing of Lori Nelson,” said Scott Martzloff, Ed.D, Byron-Bergen CSD superintendent of schools. “Lori served our board with distinction for 11 years, eight of which were in the role of vice president.”

The Byron-Bergen CSD community sends its deepest condolences and sympathy to Lori’s family and friends during this difficult time, including Robert, her husband, and their three children Mitchel, Bobbi Gayle and Regina, and all Byron-Bergen CSD graduates. “Lori was a passionate advocate for Byron-Bergen students and staff,” Martzloff said.  “She was well liked and respected by her board colleagues and will be sorely missed here as a leader.”

Nelson was a voting delegate on the New York State School Boards Association, a member of the Executive Board of Genesee Valley School Boards Association and active in the Boy Scouts.

(via WBTA)

UPDATE: Lori Nelson's obituary has been published.

The driver is out of the car and reportedly only shaken up following a reported roll over accident on College Drive near Bank Street Road.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

People -- including gay teens -- shouldn't be bullied.

That's the message Batavia High student Kelly Jones wanted to get out today.

After reading about Oct. 20 being a "wear purple" day in remembrance of five gay teens who reportedly committed suicide recently after being bullied, Kelly wanted to get as many students at BHS as possible to wear purple today.

Many did.

"I feel bad for people," Kelly said. "I see it every day. I've bullied and I feel horrible about it. I just think it's a horrible thing and I just don't want people to be bullied anymore."

Kelly found out about the day through a Facebook group, so she sent messages to all of her friends yesterday -- three times -- and asked them to make sure all of their friends at BHS knew about the plan.

Principle Chris Daily said Kelly's initiative and so many students participating is typical of BHS.

"We have an extremely caring and giving bunch of kids at Batavia," Daily said.

"We're lucky here," he added. "We have such a diverse population in this high school -- the haves and the have nots, all sorts, that people are used to people being a little different."

Though students said the school isn't without its bullies, and they want it to stop.

"It's not right for here," said Kelly, who is on the far left in the picture above. "This is a small town and everybody knows everybody."

Cassie Warren said she wore purple today not because she's seen a lot of bullying this year, but she has in the past.

"(I wore purple) because people who are like gay and lesbian, they don't have maybe the right to speak out because everyone teases them," Cassie said. "It's not right, so I wanted to show them that people care."

Rebecca Truesell said it was moving to see so many of her classmates in purple today.

"I kind of related to (the gays who were bullied) because I've been picked on my whole life," Rebecca said. "It means a lot to me (that her classmates are wearing purple). When I saw all of the people, I almost started crying. All of these people care and it didn't seem like they cared, but they really do."

A teenage girl suffered minor injuries in a one-car accident on Maltby Road last night.

Natalie N. Buczek, 14, a passenger in a car driven by a 19-year-old Oakfield resident, was taken to UMMC for treatment of minor facial cuts and bleeding.

The driver, Raymond J. Litteer Jr., of 28 S. Main St., Oakfield, received a citation for allegedly speeding.

Neither Litteer nor another passenger, Justin D. Smith, 15, were injured in the crash.

According to investigator Deputy Chad Minuto, Litteer was driving too fast, heading east, on Maltby Road at 8:28 p.m. The driver reported hitting a dip and then losing control of a 2000 Chevy sedan owned by Danielle Buczek, of 26 S. Main St., Oakfield. 

The car hit an embankment and then a utility pole, which was damaged.

A car has struck a utility pole at 3260 Maltby Road in Oakfield. Wires are at the side of the road. The car is still stuck in the pole.

Oakfield Fire Department responded. Fire police are going to block off Maltby Road at North Pearl Street and Fox Road.

UPDATE (8:39 p.m.): The pole is cracked and leaning and National Grid has been informed. Law enforcement is called to the scene.

A fire on Thursday caused $5,000 in damage and disrupted business for TopLine Shirt Co. But owners Tim Walton and Rob Credi say normal operations will resume on Monday.

Here's their full statement:

TopLine Shirt Co. is set to resume their normal business hours of M-F from 12-5 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 25 after cleaning up from a recent fire. TopLine had been operating on limited operating hours since a fire occurred at the shop last week.

The fire started around 6:30 on Thursday night when one of the flash ovens malfunctioned and caught fire. The flash oven is a dryer similar to a large heat gun that radiates heat downward to dry ink onto shirts after they are printed.

The fire quickly spread from the dryer and spread to shirts that were on a nearby table, and eventually to a box of cleaning rags that had cleaning chemicals on them. The fire was kept under control, by owner Timothy Walton, who was able to grab a hose that was connected to the washtub in the nearby bathroom and spray it to keep the fire down.

The total damage is estimated to be around $5,000 which includes the loss of an oven, table, heat press and clothing.