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Hanging out this morning on Lehigh Avenue and later on South Jackson waiting for an Amtrak train (for another story) that we never saw (a long story), I took pictures of these two CSX trains.

Press release:

The Genesee County Dairy Princess honored the first baby born in Genesee County during the month of June 2015 as the Dairy Baby. Marleigh Grace Wright, a baby girl, was born to Tammy and Jeffery Wright, of Warsaw, on Monday, June 1st at 3:51 a.m. at United Memorial Medical Center. She weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 19 inches long. She was delivered by Dr. Richard Edwards. Marleigh joins an older brother, Mason, 14, at home.

June is National Dairy Month which honors traditions and celebrates the contributions of the dairy industry by promoting nutrient-rich dairy foods.

The Genesee County Dairy Princess, Pavilion sophomore,Emily Mikel, and her mother, Sue Mikel, presented the Wright family with a basket of dairy products including yogurts, product coupons, cheeses, and a number of other infant items.

Byron-Bergen Elementary School’s Celebration of Reading Challenge proves that Principal Brian Meister and Assistant Principal Amanda Cook, along with the entire student population, are “stuck” on reading.

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Elementary School’s Celebration of Reading Challenge began on Dec. 5 — students pledged to read 20,000 books before the school year ended. On May 28, the entire school population gathered to hear the results, delivered by teacher Debbie Slocum: just over 510 motivated young readers had exceeded their goal, reading a total of 23,473 books.

And the students’ reward for all that reading? Inspired by the book “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers, about an impossible tree where everything thrown into it gets stuck, Principal Brian Meister and Assistant Principal Amanda Cook promised to allow themselves to be duct taped to chairs during the assembly, and to wear clothes made of duct tape the next day.

“It’s a fun way to get students 'stuck' on reading,” Meister said. “It keeps them excited and wanting to read more, while the duct tape event itself is something they will always remember.”           

The Celebration of Reading is the brainchild of Byron-Bergen’s English Language Arts (ELA) Committee, which began the challenge in 2013 with a goal of reading 10,000 books (a target also exceeded by more than 8,000). The assembly included guest speaker Nancy Bailey from the Bergen Public Library who invited the children to visit the library and to keep reading over the summer. Selected readers from each grade level received new books to jumpstart their summers, some of which were signed by the authors or illustrators.

Teachers read selections from a few favorite books, complete with comic flourishes. Craig Schroth read from Mo Willems’ “Knuffle Bunny”; Taylor Farruggia read from “Strega Nona” by Tomie DePaola; Heather Young entertained with “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz; and Daneen Williams read from “Miss Nelson is Missing” by Harry G. Allard Jr. and James Marshall. Many other teachers participated in the event, including Nicole Newton, Mariah LaSpina and Karen Tischer.

A highlight of the readings was a hip-hop version of the Dr. Seuss classic “Green Eggs and Ham” by teachers Ken Rogoyski and Megan Wahl, assisted by student Katherine Rogoyski as “Fox I Am.” Students were also treated to a showing of the school’s video “Read a Book” (based on Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off”), which was produced at the beginning of the school year.

Byron-Bergen student Katherine Rogoyski and teacher Mrs. Wahl make Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham” come alive.

Mrs. Cook and Mr. Meister sport their custom-tailored duct tape regalia to celebrate Byron-Bergen Elementary students reading 23,473 books.

The roads leading into the Village of Corfu will soon be spiffed up with new gateway signs, designed and created by a group of talented Pembroke High School students under the guidance of Art teacher Eric Johnson.

The village has been working with Johnson's students since February 2014 on the design and selection process for the new signs, said Trustee Ken Lauer. 

"They did many sketches, redesigns and adaptations of their concepts," Lauer said.  "The final selection was very difficult since all the concepts were unique and professional."

The village is currently getting the signs clear coated and should have them up in a week or two.  

Pictured are Sabrina Sanner, Nikita Harding, Emily Verdaasdonk, Morgan Smykowski, Nicole Franclemont and Bailey Groth.

Submitted photo.

Press release:

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership is pleased to announce that Brian Mayer was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker for 2015. This recognition honors his work, both locally and nationally, for the development of gaming programs to support libraries and classrooms.

“Brian's recognition as one of 50 Library Journal Movers & Shakers this year is greatly deserved, said Christopher Harris, director, School Library System at the Partnership. “He exemplifies the goal of the School Library System to deliver local support and services at a national level. Brian’s work with game-based learning in our districts and his dedication to service within the Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association are great success stories.”

Locally, Mayer is a regular visitor to many of the Partnership’s component-district schools where he co-teaches in libraries and classrooms using games from our curriculum-aligned board game library. As a game developer himself, Mayer has also helped lead local classes in exploring game design as a way to promote critical thinking and creative expression of student understanding.

Nationally, Mayer has been a huge force within the Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association. For the past few years, he has led the move to reinvigorate the ALAPlay gaming event at the ALA Annual Conference. Last year, more than 400 people came to the event to play board games, interact with cosplayers, and learn more about running game programs in libraries. Mayer was also able to bring game companies back to the ALA exhibit floor through creative partnerships with the GameRT booth.

This summer, things will continue to grow with the addition of a pre-published game review event at ALAPlay and the inclusion of a board gaming space for attendees and families on the ALA exhibit floor.

Mayer joins fellow Partnership employees, Christopher Harris, director, School Library System and Andy Austin, library technology specialist, who were previously recognized as Movers & Shakers. The Partnership is now the only School Library Services organization in the country that is fully staffed by Library Journal Movers & Shakers.

Caption: Brian Mayer. Photo credit: JMS Studio and Gallery.

Lower oil prices could hurt Batavia-based Graham Corp. in the coming fiscal year, company officials say, so they're looking to trim the company workforce by 10 percent through a retirement incentive program.

The workforce reduction announcement was coupled with news that the publicly traded company posted $4.2 million in profits, up 80 percent from a year ago.

For the fiscal year, company revenue was up 45 percent to $14.7 million.

For more on this story, visit the Buffalo News.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider three projects at its June 4, 2015 board meeting.

ADK Hospitality plans to build an 82-room hotel connected to Batavia Down’s Gaming facility which will serve as an important amenity to the gaming, restaurant, banquet and racing activities at Batavia Downs. The capital investment is approximately $5.49 million.

Manning, Squires Hennig Co., Inc., plans to expand its corporate office and maintenance facilities in the Town of Batavia to include a 5,000-square-foot shop and additions to its main office space. The capital investment is approximately $1.3 million. The project is expected to result in 88 retained jobs and the creation of five new jobs. 

O-AT-KA Milk Products plans to add 205,000 square feet of warehousing space to its manufacturing facility on the corner of Ellicott Street and Cedar Street in Batavia. The project will retain 334 jobs and create 21 new jobs. The capital investment is approximately $10.25 million.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at 4 p.m. and is open to the public.  Meetings are held at the Innovation Zone Conference Room at MedTech Centre -- 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia, on the first floor, across from Genesee Community College.

The controversy that erupted two weeks ago over a health department demand that the Batavia Little League secure the proper permits to sell hots and pizza was actually years in the making, department officials told members of the County Legislature yesterday.

At the request of the Human Services Committee, Paul Pettit, Public Health director, and David Whitcroft, Environmental Health director, attended the committee's meeting at the Old Courthouse and answered legislators' questions.

The fee schedule for various permits issued by the department changed in 2003 and that made it mandatory for most of the area nonprofit groups that hold events and serve food to acquire health permits. 

It was sticky issue when nonprofits were exempt because it isn't always clear what qualifies as a nonprofit, or what events should get exempted, Whitcroft said.

"It was an ethical problem," Whitcroft said. "It was entirely subjective. Who determines who doesn't have to pay? There was no standard to decide and that gives a lot of power to individuals to decide who gets waivers. I wasn't comfortable with that power."

In 2013, the county's Public Health Committee learned that for some reason, youth baseball had been exempted from the permit requirement, and nobody really knew why that was or how that happened.

"It seemed unfair because if I'm playing with a bat and ball, I don't have to pay, but if I'm playing with a soccer ball, then I have to pay," Pettit said.

Most of those bat-and-ball organizations complied with the new rules once it applied to them, Whitcroft said, and in many cases, the department was able to work with organizations to help better determine which permit was appropriate to the situation, or how food operations might be changed to lower permit costs.

The rules can be "interpreted generously" when organizations are cooperative, Whitcroft said.

Whitcroft implied that Batavia Little League was less than cooperative, telling officials that they refused to comply. That left the county with no option but to require a permit level with a $175 price tag.

Now, the league is more cooperative and the department is working with league leaders on what could be a lower cost option.

Permit fees barely even cover the costs of field inspections of food services, Pettit said. The department is not looking to turn a profit on permits, just cover the direct costs of inspections, he said.

Every business, group or organization that serves prepared food (rather than pre-packaged food) is required to obtain some level of Health Department permit. It's not just a piece of paper, Pettit said. It serves as notice to the county that food service is taking place and triggers an automatic inspection of the food service. There is an inspection with each and every permit issued.

There are some exceptions to the permit requirement. Churches with kitchens that serve only their own members need only obtain a letter of permission. There are about 60 letters of permission on file in the county.

Outside groups that use church kitchens for fundraisers or other public meals are required to get a temporary health permit.

Bake sales involving anything that doesn't need to be refrigerated are not required to get a permit.

Your kid's lemonade stand, however, is required to have a health permit.

"It's required under New York State law and I should enforce it, but I never have," Whitcroft said.

In all, various permits issued by the Health Department generate about $90,000 in revenue annually. Less than $8,000 of that revenue comes from groups that could be considered nonprofits.

Bloomberg: Even Big Oil Wants a Carbon Tax
NPR Planet Money: Economists Have A One-Page Solution To Climate Change

Traci Turner will spend the next eight weeks interning for The Batavian. Her internship is possible through the generosity of the New York Press Association.

She will work full time covering news through the end of July.

Born and raised in Bergen, Turner is a 2013 graduate of Byron-Bergen High School and is a third-year journalism major (minor in advertising and public relations) at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Previously, she's been an intern for WBTA AM/FM and currently holds a studio producer position at the radio station. 

"I'm happy to be interning at The Batavian and I’m looking forward to serving its readers," Turner said. "I couldn’t imagine pursuing any other career but journalism."

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today called on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to stop selling drivers’ personal information without their consent to for-profit companies. The DMV reportedly raked in $60 million from the practice last year. Hawley was appalled and astonished that this has been happening without the consent of citizens and called on the DMV and governor’s office to end the process immediately. 

“It’s appalling that in this day of technology and misuse of personal information that we would compromise New Yorkers, without their knowledge, in order to generate revenue,” Hawley said. “In an age where cyber crimes and identity theft are at an all-time high, it is unacceptable that our own state government would conduct a practice that increases residents’ susceptibility to these serious crimes. We have no idea exactly what information is being sold, to whom it is being sold, and what these for-profit companies are doing with the data. I plan to sponsor legislation that will stop this practice unless drivers consent and I will make this a priority during the last three weeks of session.”

Assembly Bill 2509, a bipartisan effort, addresses this issue and currently awaits action in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. To sign the petition against this practice, use the following link, http://bit.ly/1HuIK8P.

The annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Classic is underway at Terry Hills today. The entire Buffalo Bills team attended the morning's events, which included for the players a long-drive contest and a football throwing contest.

Above, head coach Rex Ryan wallops one during the long-drive contest.

Jim Kelly on the anniversary of the Bills' Super Bowl run and the prospect for the Rex Ryan era.

Jim Kelly on Rex Ryan.

Jim Kelly on tournament fun.

Jim Kelly on continuing the tournament.

Players react to a teammate's errant tee shot during the long-drive contest.

A player reacts to his own errant tee shot.

Players participate in the football throwing target contest.

Actor Dennis Haskins (TV show "Saved by the Bell") with Kathy Leffel. Leffel lives on Clinton Street Road and has for years on tournament day invited her friends over and served brownies from under a tent in her back yard to any celebrity golfers who stopped by. Most years, all the big stars do, such as Dan Marino and Jim Kelly himself. Leffel has sold the condo and will be moving, so this is probably the last year of the brownie party.

New York Times: Key Parts of Patriot Act Expire Temporarily as Senate Moves Toward Limits on Spying

 

Greg Rada sent in these photos. He said this stopped train had Upton Road and Wilkinson Road in Town of Batavia blocked for several hours this evening.

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Early in the spring, we contacted all of the Genesee County golf courses to get information on public golf tournaments. We thought since there are so many tournaments during the summer, golfers might appreciate being able to plan in advance with tournaments they would play. Below is the information we received back or just otherwise know about.  The list is likely incomplete, but it's the best we can compile at this time.

Terry Hills Golf Course:

• June 10 -- Leadership Genesee 12:30 p.m. shotgun, $100 per golfer
• June 12 -- BNAR (Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors) for Mercy Flight 12:45
• July 20 -- Young Life 12:30 p.m.
• July 29 -- Chamber of Commerce (for more information, click here)
• Aug. 1 -- Ricky Palermo Tee Times TBD
• Aug. 11 -- Leone Memorial 12:30 p.m.
• Aug. 16 -- AAA for WNY Veterans 1 p.m.
• Aug. 30 -- Alex’s Place, 1 p.m., for Crossroads

Batavia Country Club:

• Thurs. June 11 -- Genesee/Orleans Ministry of Concern
• Fri. June 12 -- Gillam Grant Community Center
• Sat. June 27 -- Matt Luxon Memorial
• Sat. July 25 -- Batavia High Football
• Sat. Aug. 1 -- Crossroads
• Fri. Aug. 7 -- Genesee County Cancer Assistance
• Thurs. Aug. 20 -- Van Hulbert Memorial
• Sun. Aug. 23 -- Jim Thompson Memorial
• Wed. Sept. 16 -- Mercy Flight

Stafford Country Club will once again host the Genesee ARC golf, tennis and bocce ball tournament. It is July 13. There are a variety of packages available. Click here for more information.

At the Le Roy Country Club on Aug. 22, the third annual Andrea Mangefrida Memorial Golf Tournament will be held.

Notre Dame High School held its 2015 commencement ceremony Saturday evening at the school.

Several students and supporters of the school received honors and awards during the ceremony.

The valedictorian was Abigail Bleier and the salutatorian was Natalie Moulton.

Anna Warner was named Woman of the Year and Joseph Falkowski III, Man of the Year.    

National Technical Honor Society Memberships went to Emma Francis and Emily Vandenbosch.

Special recognitions awards were:

• Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education: Phil and Sally Bleier
• Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School, Julie Mancuso and Jerry and Carm Reinhart

After the jump (click on the headline or the link below), more awards, more information on the special recognition awards and the concluding remarks by Dr. Joseph Scanlan, who officiated his final Notre Dame graduation with his retirement at the end of this school year.

John Fix hugs his son Dylan while Lorie Fix reacts to the moment.

To purchase prints, click here.

 

ND Class of 2015 “Top Ten” Academic Students

• Abigail Bleier – Valedictorian
• Natalie Moulton – Salutatorian
• Olivia Marchese
• Janelle Fancher
• Dennis Bleier
• Lucas Hull
• Anna Spring
• Emily McCracken
• Lindsey Bender
• Emily Vandenbosch 

National Honor Society members:

• Kristian Bank
• Lindsey Bender
• Abigail Bleier
• Dennis Bleier
• MaryBernadette Bochicchio
• Olivia Clark
• Audrey DiMatteo
• Joseph Falkowski III
• Janelle Fancher
• Kathleen Fischer
• Dylan Fix
• Rosemary Flumerfeldt
• Chase Hughes
• Lucas Hull
• Olivia Marchese
• Emily McCracken
• Paige Misiti
• Lydia Moens
• Natalie Moulton
• Taylor Perzia
• Marin Phillips-Reinhart
• Anna Spring
• Emily Vandenbosch
• Anna Warner

The 2015 Anima Christi (Spirit of Christ) awards:

• Abigail Bleier
• Dennis Bleier
• MaryBernadette Bochicchio
• Audrey DiMatteo
• Joseph Falkowski III
• Janelle Fancher
• Kathleen Fischer
• Dylan Fix
• Lucas Hull
• Emily McCracken
• Lydia Moens
• Natalie Moulton
• Caleb Nellis
• Patrick Spear
• Emily Vandenbosch
• Lana Votypka
• Anna Warner
• Joseph Zickl

Remarks delivered on the Special Recognition Awards:

This year it is our distinct privilege at Notre Dame High School to recognize two [2] individuals and two [2] couples for their meritorious dedication and service to Notre Dame High School  . . . and Catholic education in general. Their tireless "behind-the-scenes" efforts and positive contributions to the ND community serve as examples of “Leaders who Serve” to all of us at ND -- Board members, administration, faculty and staff, students, parents and alumni.

Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education 

Our first award recipients will receive the Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education. This year’s recipients have been staunch supporters of Catholic Education for many years in both word and action. 

No matter the venue -- whether it was supporting Catholic education at the former Holy Family Elementary School in Le Roy or here at Notre Dame High School -- this couple could always be counted on to volunteer at the drop of a hat to promote and foster Catholic education in the greater Genesee-Orleans County area.

No task was too big or too small for this couple to accomplish . . . whether it was serving as a members of the Holy Family School Home School Association and supporting fundraisers to promote Catholic Education at the Elementary level or serving as members of POND and/or the Chairperson of our ND Board of Trustees Technology Committee -- this year’s recipients have set the bar high – in keeping with our ND Mission statement of “developing leaders who serve” - when it comes to serving others. Staunch supporters of the Catholic education system, they have supported Catholic education by providing their children:  Abigail and Dennis – members of this year’s graduating class -- with the opportunity for a Catholic education throughout their formative years at Holy Family and at Notre Dame High School.

Please join me in recognizing this year's recipients of the prestigious Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education  . . . Phil and Sally Bleier  . . . Congratulations, Phil and Sally.

Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School

Our next recipients – one individual and one couple -- will be receiving the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School. They have also been individuals that could always be counted on to lend a hand if anyone needed help at ND! 

The first recipient of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award began her educational career as a student in the Syracuse City School District where she graduated from Henniger High School prior to receiving a degree in Travel and Tourism from Niagara University.

In keeping with our ND Mission Statement of “Developing Leaders who Serve” her never ending dedication to the students of ND has come in many forms. She was one of the initial founders of POND [Parents of Notre Dame] where she helped to organize our annual “welcome back” family picnic, and teacher appreciation day – which eventually turned into teacher appreciation week. She also ran the ND Book store for ten [10] years and worked many a Darien Lakes concert fundraiser in order to provide scholarships to deserving ND students.

No task was too big, or too small, for her to accomplish. She always approached any task at hand with a positive, "can do" attitude, and never once looked for individual recognition in the process. She truly serves our students as a role model and an example of the ideals which we expect all ND graduates to aspire to. 

Please join me in recognizing this year's recipient of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Notre Dame High School . . . A proud parent  along with her Board of Trustee husband Rick of 5 ND grads –[ Morgan ’01, Alexandra ‘03’ , Ricky ’05,  Patrick ‘08 , and Madelyn ‘14]  . . . Mrs. Julie Mancuso! Congratulations, Julie!

The next recipients of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award have contributed endless hours of dedicated service to ND  . . . most recently playing key roles in support of our current $5 million dollar Notre Dame “Faith in the Future” Capital Campaign as honorary Co-Chairpersons.

No task was too big or too small for this couple to tackle . . . this couple has always been the first to answer the call for assistance with a “can do” attitude whether at ND or in the Greater Batavia area. Collectively, they have served as advocates for ND’s original capital campaign in the early 2000’s for upgraded lab facilities and energy efficient windows as well as being generous benefactors and, as previously mentioned, Co-Chairs of our current capital campaign. 

Additional roles that these soon to be honorees have played currently include membership on the ND Board of Trustees, the UMMC Hospital Board as well as past membership on the Saint Jerome Guild and CASA Boards. 

Please join me in recognizing this year’s recipients of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School. . . . The proud Grandparents of Class of 2015 member Marin Phillips-Reinhart  . . . Jerry and Carm Reinhart!  Congratulations, Jerry and Carm Reinhart!

Reverend David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the ND Image in the Community

This year's recipient of The Father David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the Image of ND in the Community -- a member of our 50 year anniversary class being honored at today’s graduation -- actively supported his Alma Mater until his untimely death on September 11, 2014.

Identified as a “die hard” Notre Damer, whose devotion to his Alma Mater was legendary, this year's award recipient never forgot his ND or Batavia roots and truly "bled blue and gold" as evidenced by the following memories shared by his sons Alex and Christopher:

His youngest son Alex remarked in a recent e-mail that “ND was more than just a high school to my father, it represented his family, his upbringing and much of his moral compass . . . My Dad always put his family and friends above his own desires, and that selflessness started at ND . . . ND and the education he earned [here] were more than just a platform for success , [rather] it was a launching pad for his philanthropic and selfless life of service to others."

His oldest son Chris remarked that there “were few things which his Dad spoke of with such fondness more than his Notre Dame experience. ND is firmly part of his heart and soul and forever will be there.”

His early years in education were spent right in our own backyard at the former St. Mary’s Elementary School here in Batavia.  . . Upon graduation from ND in 1965 -- where he was a stellar student-athlete and Student Council President as a senior - he went on to St. John Fisher College where he would graduate with a degree in Political Science in 1969.

Banking and the world of finance were in his blood. . .  It didn’t take him long to successfully rise through the banking ranks throughout his professional career, eventually securing the position of CEO of Hudson City Bankcorp -- one of America’s nationally renowned leading lending agencies based in Paramus, NJ.

It was at Hudson City where he drew national attention as Mad Money’s George Bailey “National Banker of the Year” while helping Hudson City earn the Forbes Magazine Best Managed Bank Award in the U.S. in 2007, the same year that he was recognized by St. John Fisher College with the Bittner School of Business Excellence in Management Award. 

Notre Dame High School owes a deep debt of gratitude to this year’s recipient, his lovely wife, Kris, and the Hermance Family Foundation for their ongoing track record of “paying it forward” by providing financial assistance to countless ND families in need of tuition assistance, in turn, making the ND experience a reality for these families over the last eleven [11] years here at ND. 

Please join me in recognizing the 2015 recipient of the Reverend David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the Image of ND in the Community. . A 2010 Notre Dame High School Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and a dear friend and member of the ND Class of 1965 . . . Mr. Ronald E. Hermance Jr.! 

Accepting this prestigious award tonight on behalf of Ron and the Hermance Family Foundation will be Ron’s wife and Batavia native, Kris Brown Hermance, and Ron and Kris’ daughter, Emily. . .Congratulations!

Dr. Joseph Scanlan's concluding remarks:

I would  . . . in conclusion . . .  like to thank all of the parents, grandparents and extended family members of this year’s graduating class . . .  as well as the members of the ND faculty and staff and student body, and alumni from the ND Class of 1965. . . who have joined us today, for the support that you have given this year’s graduates – and Notre Dame High School – during their four years as students here.

This year’s class has left its mark on ND – academically, athletically and from a “service to others” perspective. To date, the Class of 2015’s collective membership has earned academic scholarships in excess of $4.5 MILLION DOLLARS for their future collegiate careers!!! 100% of the Class of 2015 will be college bound in the Fall of 2015.

In keeping with our ND Mission statement of “Developing Leaders Who Serve," the Graduating Class of 2015 has volunteered 2,300 community service hours to help others in need.

Members of this class have earned NYS Scholar-Athlete status 57 times over their varsity student-athlete careers, as well as having garnered 21 GR league championships, 12 Section V championships and 2 NYSPHSAA State Championships – One in Softball [2012] and the other in Girls Basketball [2013].

The Class of 2015 has played a key role in the ongoing notoriety that Notre Dame High School has gained in Western New York as a result the annual Buffalo Business First report on Secondary Schools. During their freshmen, sophomore and junior years, this year’s graduates have contributed to the following milestones:

• The # 1 ranked Private Catholic Co-Educational HS for the 7th consecutive year in a row in Western New York [as well as achieving];
• The #1 Academic High School in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans Counties for the 7th consecutive year;
• A “Top 15%” ranking in all 135 secondary schools in WNY – both  for the 7^th consecutive year.

Our prediction is that the Class of 2015 will have had a great deal to do with the continuation of these accolades at ND when Buffalo Business First releases their 2015 rankings on Friday, June 12.

Continue to spread the word – Notre Dame High School is alive and well and here to stay!

To our newest alumni – members of the Class of 2015 – Congratulations on a job well done! Good luck to you in your future. Stay true to Our Lady and the ideals you’ve learned at ND! 

With this word of congratulations, so ends our 61st annual graduation ceremony at ND. Thank you for coming and for your ongoing support of Notre Dame High School!

Tonight was the Festival of Hope at Batavia Downs. Among the events, a 5K run and walk.

Country singer Ricky Lee performed at the Batavia VA Hospital this afternoon. His set list included patriotic songs, songs honoring veterans and even some George "The 'Possum" Jones.

Each veteran in attendance was given a copy of his latest CD for free.

There will be at least two more meetings of the PoliceFacility Task Force before a decision is made, but after a tour of the three contending sites for a new Batavia PD HQ, there seemed to be a consensus forming around the Swan Street location.

At Alva and Bank, committee members expressed concern about vehicle and pedestrian traffic and the impact on surrounding businesses, as well as the security of the facility. At Jackson Street, the current Salvation Army location, the floodplain issue looms large. On Swan Street, there was none of that negative chatter while committee members walked the expansive open lot where the Wiard Plow factory once stood.

Chief Shawn Heubusch likes the location.

"I think it's an optimal location," Heubusch said. "It gives us the security we would need. It gives us the ability to get to places we need to get to in a timely fashion. You're not fighting with the traffic you're fighting with on the main thoroughfares at those other locations and you can't beat the lot size here."

The committee will meet next week to hear from Assistant City Manager Gretchen Difante and Code Enforcement Officer Ron Panek about the floodplain issues at the Salvation Army location and then the committee would like to hold a public meeting a couple of weeks later so that local residents can learn a bit of what the committee learned about all the locations considered and be given a chance to weigh in and perhaps raise issues not yet discussed by the committee.

One of Difante's current duties is developing a program that will lower the cost of flood insurance in the city. One part of that process is improving the city's score in a flood-readiness rating system. Building a critical facility in a floodplain would lower the city's score. How much and what the impact on residents flood-insurance policies would be is something the committee will learn about its next meeting.

But even with community rating aside, City Manager Jason Molino conceded during a discussion at the Salvation Army site, building a police headquarters in a floodplain is not optimal as a practical matter. 

In a major flood, about 40 percent of the workforce won't be available, Molino said, because people will be dealing with their own family issues, and a police HQ would become difficult to access, compounding the problem.

"The last major flood was in 1942, so you could say we're due for another 100-year flood in the next 30 years," Molino said. "It's likely to happen within our lifetimes, within the next half century."

Marc Staley, chairman of the task force, said he's pretty much taken Jackson Street off his list, is leaning toward Swan Street. But he looks on the Alva and Bank location more favorably after walking the lot and hearing what others have to say about the location. It would help improve density Downtown and could spur more economic activity in the city's primary commercial district.

"I think space-wise, this (Swan Street) is fantastic," Staley said. "It's out of the floodplain, cost-wise, it's within our reach, and it could spur economic development in the area. It's a part of the city that has had very little investment over the past 40 or 50 years. The fact that it's so close to Ellicott and so close to Main means it's really in the heart of the city. People don't think of this as the heart of the city, but we're so close to everything right here."

The committee and members of the local media were shuttled to the three locations in the police department's ERT van.

Zachary J. Ayres, 21, of Bankside Drive, Hamlin, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Ayres was arrested on a warrant for allegedly selling suboxone to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Shaun Claude Connors, 36, of Bissell Avenue, Depew, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Connors was arrested after being found sleeping in an unsecured, parked car on South Lake Road, Pembroke, at 8:21 a.m., May 20. 

Kimberly L. Winn, 61, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, inadequate exhaust and unlawful possession of marijuana. Winn was stopped at 9:09 p.m. Thursday in the Village of Le Roy.

Mark D. Nash, 56, of Curtis Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Nash has a conviction for issuing a bad check. He was arrested at the Monroe County Jail and jailed in Genesee County on $105 bail.

Rae Charlene Cook, 26, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with trespass and resisting arrest. Cook is accused of entering a residence without being invited nor having the owner's permission to enter. Cook reportedly left the residence before officers arrived, but allegedly returned later and was located on the front porch of the residence and taken into custody after a struggle.

Mark Jackett, 45, and Courtney Hewitt, 33, of Irving Parkway, Oakfield, are charged with eight counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count each of third-degree grand larceny. Jacket and Hewitt were arrested following an investigation by the Department of Social Services. Jackett and Hewitt are accused of submitting an application, recertification and wage verification forms that failed to report Jackett's correct income. As a result, Jackett and Hewitt allegedly received $9,747.09 in Medicaid benefits they were not entitled to between Dec. 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. Jackett and Hewitt turned themselves into the Sheriff's Office, were arraigned and released.

Eric K. Ricks, 36, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal obstruction of breathing. Ricks was allegedly involved in a domestic incident on State Street. He's accused of strangling and punching another person. He was also allegedly found in possession of marijuana. He was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond. Ricks was also arrested by the Sheriff's Office on a charge of disobeying a court mandate for allegedly violating an order of protection.

Charles I. Farraro, 27, of Barron Road, Mount Morris, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, moving from lane unsafely and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Farraro was stopped at 11:56 p.m. Tuesday on Walnut Street, Batavia, by Officer Darryle Streeter.

Samantha Lynn Gibbs, 27, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a computer. Gibbs is accused of gaining access to a computer network of another person and posting items on that network.

Jason Scott Stanley, 22, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with trespass. Stanley was arrested following an investigation into an ATV accident at 10:14 p.m. Monday at 7394 Hutton Road, Oakfield. Stanley was allegedly on private property without permission when she was involved in an ATV accident. Also charged, Amber Lynn Sharick, 22, of Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Stacey Lynn Santillo, 39, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Santillo is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's.