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Three members of Batavia's Section V championship team were honored with All-Greater-Rochester selections, including Dom Mogavero (above), who was named as a linebacker.

Second team honors went to QB Greg Mruczek and WR Ryan Hogan.

On defense this season, Mogavero had 125 tackles, four forced fumbles, a sack, an interception and one defensive TD. (He also rushed for 1,127 yards and scored 15 TDs.)

Mruczek (second picture) set several school records this season, including passing yards, touchdowns and total offensive yards. He completed 117 passes in 183 attempts for 2,101 yards and 32 TDs. He also carried the ball 39 times for 248 yards and two TDs, giving him 34 total touchdowns and 2,349 total yards. He's also the BHS career leader in passing yards (4,294), passing touchdowns (59), total yards of offensive (4,883) and total touchdowns (65).

Hogan (third picture)  had 31 catches for 707 yards in 2015. His 14 TDs are a school record and fourth all-time in Section V.

Other Genesee County football players honored:

• Noah Dobbertin (Batavia)
• Anthony Gallo (Batavia)
• Ray Leach (Batavia)
• Addison Pitcher (Batavia)
• Trevor Sherwood (Batavia)
• Danny Williams (Batavia)
• Nick Egeling (Le Roy)
• Luke Hogle (Le Roy)
• Josh Laurie (Le Roy)
• Anthony Natrigo (Le Roy)
• Allen Chatt (Oakfield-Alabama)
• Richard Flores (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Andrew Gottler (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Dane Heberlein (Alexander)
• John Hochmuth (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Josh Hylkema (Alexander)
• Riley Kusmierski (Alexander)
• Thomas Lambert (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Ethan Osborne (Notre Dame)
• Dustin Schmeider (Alexander)
• Ismile Smith (Oakfield-Alabama)
• C.J. Suozzi (Notre Dame)
• Jack Sutherland (Notre Dame)
• Jack Thomas (Pembroke)
• Dakota Weidman (Notre Dame)
• Zach Von Kramer (Pembroke)
• Adam Walter (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
• Joe Weatherwax (Notre Dame)
• Reice Woodward (Oakfield-Alabama)
• Jacob Wozniak (Alexander)

Boys Cross Country

• Thomas Berggren (Notre Dame)
• Anderson Bradshaw (Alexander)
• Nathaniel DiSalvo (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Jacob Gualtieri (Notre Dame)
• Justin Hannan (Byron-Bergen)
• Josh Larmon (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Maxim McKenzie (Le Roy)
• Cole O'Donnell (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Henry Pflaumer (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Joseph Yaeger (Alexander)
• Trevor Zauner (Alexander)

Boys Soccer

• Kieran O'Halloran (Le Roy)
• Nicholas Richardson (Le Roy)
• Mason Muoio (Byron-Bergen)
• Ryan Richardson (Byron-Bergen)
• Alejandro Ocampo (Byron-Bergen)
• Matt Foeller (Byron-Bergen)
• Ryan Curtis (Pembroke)
• Ryan Cansdale (Pembroke)

Girls Cross Country

• Siomara Caballero (Byron-Bergen)
• McKenna Cone (Le Roy)
• Emily Dyson (Pembroke)
• Emily Gonyea (Byron-Bergen)
• Morgan Munger (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)

Girls Soccer

• Leah Thompson (Byron-Bergen)
• Kelsey Maurer (Byron-Bergen)
• Sarah Zakes (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba)
• Stephany McBride (Alexander)
• Callie McCulley (Notre Dame)
• Grace Krizen (Pembroke)
• Quinn Audsley (Pembroke)
• Olivia Audsley (Byron-Bergen)
• Hannah Duttweiler (Pembroke)
• Jenna Amesbury (Byron-Bergen)
• Jayna Wright (Alexander)
• Jennifer Yuhnke (Pavilion)

Girls Swimming

• Maiya Reinhart (Batavia)

Girls Tennis

• Stephanie Hoy (Batavia)
• Melissa Mountain (Batavia)
• Lea Morgan (Batavia)
• Ariana Ross (Batavia)
• Alicia Scroger (Batavia)
• Lauren Leone (Batavia)

Volleyball

• Lydia Milligan (Pavilion)
• Taylor Sherman (Le Roy)
• Ava Vescovi (Le Roy)
• Riley Pasquale (Le Roy)
• Naomi Hyde (Le Roy)
• Breton Stephens (Alexander)
• Aralyse Johnson (Pembroke)
• Sami Quaranto (Pembroke)
• Shea Norton (Notre Dame)
• Mary Kate Miceli (Notre Dame)
• Nichol Salvador (Notre Dame)
• Bryanna D’Agostino (Byron-Bergen)
• Lauren Burke (Byron-Bergen)
• Cora Ivison (Byron-Bergen)

Jess Colopy is a journalism student Columbia College Chicago and as a class project she produced this photo essay comparing Christmas in her hometown with her college town, Oakfield and Chicago. 

Chicago: Millennium Park’s Christmas Tree, viewed by millions of visitors every year. The 64-foot-tall tree was lit during a massive ceremony on Nov. 24, where the cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and members of the Chicago Opera performed Christmas carols to the crowd of thousands.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.) Roughly 50 six- to seven-foot trees border Oakfield’s Triangle Park. The trees were lit on Dec. 5 in a ceremony that about 100 people were expected to attend. The trees were purchased by non-for-profits, family businesses, and families wishing to memorialize a lost loved one. 

Chicago: Wreaths and presents adorn The Art Institute of Chicago’s giant bronze lion statues on Michigan Avenue. The lions stand larger than life, towering over visitors who stand next to them for photographs.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  Small, lit wreaths adorn the Village of Oakfield Office building on Main Street. The office is conveniently located next to the town’s only traffic light, part of which is visible on the right. “Welcome” banners sporting a Christmas tree also hang off of the old-fashioned streetlights.

Chicago: The Prudential building and other skyscrapers light up red and green for the holiday season. Other buildings such as the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center are also well known for lighting up the Chicago skyline for Christmas.

Oakfield: (Photo courtesy of Jan Colopy.)  A piece of watering equipment on a family farm on the outskirts of Oakfield is decked out in lights for Christmas. This is a recent tradition among farmers in the rural village.

For my photo essay, I have chosen to explore the differences between Christmas in Chicago, an urban metropolis, and Oakfield, New York, my rural hometown of less than 1800 people. I thought this would be an appropriate topic for myself specifically because this year is my first Christmas in the city, and I started noticing the differences as soon as the decorations started going up and the Christmas sales began. After some research, I realized that not much has been done on the topic. An article by the Harris County Public Library cites the movies that explore the difference between small town and big city Christmases -- you know, the ones where the tough, big-city businessman too wrapped up in his work meets the small-town girl who finds a way to break into his tough heart and get him in the holiday spirit -- but those movies are all I can really find on the topic.

Obviously, my photo essay will be different because it shows what Christmas in a real small town is like compared to what Christmas is actually like in a big city. Both places are cold and generally snowy, but the atmosphere is completely different. Articles on the Christmas festivities in each individual place prove that. The City of Chicago’s Web site’s event page for the Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting lists the big name opera star and musical cast that will be headlining the event, as well as the information about the original home of the massive tree to be lit in the park. Thousands of people attended. On the other hand, an article from the Batavia Daily News discusses the meaning of the small, hand-decorated trees that memorialize lost loved ones and special non-for-profit causes in Oakfield’s Triangle Park. A marching band information Web site states that Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Parade draws more than one million spectators with its elaborate floats and familiar Disney characters. The Batavia Daily News states that a Christmas parade in Batavia - -a small city with a population of less than 7,000 about 15 minutes from Oakfield -- drew just over 1,000 people from surrounding towns with its floats from local family businesses, churches, and non-for-profits.

Everything is bigger in Chicago, while everything in Oakfield is more humbly done, but generally more personal. There are certainly advantages to each way of celebrating Christmas, but maybe the two are not as different as they seem. At heart, both places simply want to make the holiday season a fun, memorable time for its citizens, and each place’s respective celebrations simply reflect the atmosphere they are held in. Chicago is home to more than three million people, so its “bigger is better” attitude about the holiday is nothing but what one would expect. Oakfield is a quiet, conservative town, and its simple, heartfelt festivities that focus on giving back to the community suit it perfectly. And, honestly, neither place is wrong, despite what biased holiday movies might try to say about the impersonal aspects of big city Christmas, or the boringness of small towns. Though they may be different, they both focus on what is important: the spirit of the season.

Deputy Debbie Snyder helps Isabell Alwardt shop for Christmas presents at Walmart during the Batavia's store first "Shop with a Cop" charity event. The Walmart Foundation provided $4,000 to the store so 40 children in the community could receive $100 each to buy Christmas presents for friends, family or themselves. The Alwardt family donated half of what they received to another family in the community.

Store Manager Shallenberger said he learned about other stores doing "Shop with a Cop" last year and started working on bringing the event to Batavia. He intends for it to become an annual event.

"I think our community needs to see how involved the police department really is in the community and the City of Batavia can see how involved Walmart in the community and that we’re able to this for the community, that we’re not just a retailer we can meet these special needs," Shallenberger said.

Gabriel Winn shops for a present with Deputy Ryan DeLong and Deputy Brad Mazur while, Joe Loconte, looks on.

The deputies, police officers and troopers who participated in the event -- there were enough uniformed officers from all of the departments so each child could shop with a cop -- were off duty and volunteering their time.

Members of City Church's youth group volunteered to wrap presents after checkout.

A vehicle fire is reported in the rear lot of Batavia Downs.

Flames are showing.

Town of Batavia Fire dispatched.

Prior to the start of the David M. McCarthy Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Falleti Ice Arena, Assemblyman Steve Hawley donated a U.S. flag and a state flag to the arena to hang next to the scoreboard. The U.S. flag replaces the one that has hung in the area for years and has become worn with age.

Pictured are arena managers Alan Fitzsimmons and Adam Reach, Batavia players Bryce Polito and Riley Kusmicrski, Hawley, and players Bryce D'Alba and Jack Kasmarek.

The Yellow Goose convenience store, 1110 W. Main St., Le Roy, is reportedly charged with smoke.

It's a possible electrical fire.

A Le Roy fire chief is on scene. 

Le Roy fire is responding with mutual aid from Bergen.

Members of the City of Batavia Fire Department were surprised to learn Friday that their fire chief, James Maxwell, retired with no apparent notice.

Contacted by phone this morning, Maxwell said he wasn't in a position to comment on his retirement, but did confirm it was not announced prior to the decision.

City Manager Jason Molino confirmed last night that Maxwell retired. We have not yet been able to reach him this morning for further comment.

We've spoken with several members of the fire department and all were surprised by Maxwell's departure and said they've been told nothing further about Maxwell leaving the department. One member said they were told to refer questions to Molino.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: Jim Maxwell asked to include the following statement: "I enjoyed my time with the department and the opportunity to work with the professional men and women of the organiztion. I wish them all the best in the future."

We're expecting to speak with Molino later. He said he has a statement.

Also, we've learned there was a civil service posting for the position Dec. 2. 

UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: Jason Molino and I have been unable to connect by phone today. He e-mailed over this statement: "The City thanks Chief Maxwell for his years of service to the community. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."

UPDATE 3:32 p.m.: A person familiar with the civil service process says the exam was not posted Dec. 2. That was the last filing date for the exam. If a job opening had been posted, the reader suggests, City fire personnel would not be surprised by the retirement.

A former mayor of Medina, who moved to Batavia about a year ago, has been tabbed by the City GOP to take over a vacant seat on the Batavia City Council.

If confirmed by the council, Adam Tabelski will fill the council-at-large seat vacated by John Deleo, who was elected last month to the County Legislature.

Tabelski's LinkedIn profile says he is currently employed at WENDEL Companies in Williamsville as an account manager.

He was communications director for Sen. George Maziarz from 2002 to 2014. He also served in the Army National Guard for six years.

Tabelski was mayor in Medina from April 2008 to Sept. 2011. He has a master's degree from SUNY Albany in History and a bachelor's degree from SUNY Geneseo.

When a seat is vacated on the council, the political party of the departing council member selects the nominee to replace that member. The council must confirm the nominee, but usually goes along with the party's selection.

The vote will be held at the council's organizational meeting Jan. 4.

Sources told WBTA, The Batavian's news partner, that four people sought support to fill the vacant position.

The drivers of both cars involved in an accident at Route 77 and Judge Road at 5:57 p.m., Thursday, were transported to ECMC with injuries, according to a Sheriff's Office accident report.

Both were conscious and alert at the time of transport, according to the report.

Tarah N. Mruczek, 29, of Ackerson Road, Basom, was westbound on Judge Road and James A. Hitt, 69, of Portage Road, Medina, was northbound on Route 77 when Mruczek allegedly failed to stop at the stop sign. 

Hitt's vehicle was knocked into a utility pole as a result of the collision.

If citations were issued, they are not listed on the report.

(Initial Report)

Melissa MacCowan, an eighth-grader at Byron-Bergen, won her division of the Buffalo Bills region for the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Championship on Dec. 6 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

MacCowan participates in varsity soccer, swimming and track at Byron-Bergen.

She was provided with hotel accommodations for the weekend, lunch in the Buffalo Bills cafeteria, tickets to the game, certificate, jersey, hat, football gloves, participated in opening ceremony/National Anthem on the field during the Dec. 6th game, and announcement of the winners on the Jumbotron as well as watching the game from the Bills' suite.

To reach the finals in Buffalo, MacCowan had to win a sectional tournament in Rochester. This year marked her third-straight year of posting a win at that event.

She is pictured with Aaron Williams of the Buffalo Bills.

Info and photo provided by Diane MacCowan.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) authorized a public hearing for 1366 Technologies, Inc., and approved a final resolution for an amendment to an original application for assistance from Manning Squires Hennig Co., Inc., at the agency’s Dec. 17 board meeting.

1366 Technologies, Inc., plans to build its first commercial Direct Wafer™ production plant at the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the Town of Alabama.

The project includes the construction of a new 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will grow to eventually create 1,000 full-time jobs and approximately another 5,000 construction and indirect and induced jobs. The total economic impact is preliminarily estimated to be in the range of $1.5 billion over the next 10 years.

1366 Technologies, Inc., is seeking approval for approximately $34.7 million in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions. The planned capital investment will total approximately $700 million.

“As the largest economic development project in the history of Genesee County, 1366 Technologies will undoubtedly be a game changer in establishing our region as a major high-tech manufacturing hub,” said GCEDC Chairman Paul Battaglia. “This project also will create hundreds of manufacturing jobs and indirect supply chain jobs not to mention hundreds of jobs throughout the construction process.”

The GCEDC board also approved amended incentives for Manning Squires Hennig Co., Inc., a well-known general contractor in Finger Lakes and Western New York regions. The company will expand its corporate offices and maintenance facilities in the Town of Batavia by up to 5,000 square feet, as well as renovate its existing shop and office space.

The project was approved for sales tax, mortgage tax and property tax exemptions totaling $215,529 in incentives. The project’s capital investment is approximately $2.2 million.

“We are pleased to see continued investments being made to improve the facilities of existing companies like Manning Squires Hennig in the Town of Batavia,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO, GCEDC. “We remain committed to help existing businesses in the County expand their operations in our ongoing efforts to enhance the business climate throughout the region.”

In other agency business, the board approved a 2-percent salary increase for all GCEDC staff for 2016, as well as an increase for the GCEDC office manager.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department, and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend this Holiday Season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a New Year, the law enforcement community across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Dec. 18th and will end on Jan. 3rd. New York State Police, county sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force. Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.

The STOP-DWI Holiday Season Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation.

In addition the Foundation has created a new Mobile App – “Have A Plan” that is available as a free download for smart phones to help find safe rides home no matter where you may be celebrating. Many thanks to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for their support of this new technology. Go to www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp or visit your app store.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol- and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers.

Nationwide 10,076 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2013, 6,515 (65 percent) were drivers with BACs of .08 or higher. During the 2013 holiday enforcement period (Dec. 18-31), there were 1,180 people killed in crashes on our nation’s roads, and almost a third (30 percent) of those fatalities were in drunk-driving crashes. On Christmas Day, 23 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Have a safe and happy Holiday Season!

Press release:

City of Batavia Firefighters Local 896 for Operation Warm would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the last three years. This year Batavia City firefighters were able to distribute 108 brand-new, 100-percent American-made winter coats to children in Batavia. This campaign would not have been possible without the support from our community. This year we partnered with local business Ken Barrett Chevrolet and it was a huge success.  We can't thank them enough for their support and donation of more than $2,000 to provide the gift of warmth. Special thanks also goes out to Michelle's Catering & Bakery Co. Since 2013 we've distributed over 225 brand-new coats and look forward to continuing our fundraising efforts for many years to come.

An accident has been reported at Judge Road and Route 77, Alabama.

Two vehicles are involved.

It's believed to be minor injuries.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:13 p.m.: A landing zone has been set up for Mercy Flight.

Ready for some snow?

There's a lake effect snow advisory in effect for tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. and extending to 10 p.m.

There could be accumulations of 2 to 3 inches in the afternoon and another 2 to 3 in the evening, leading to storm totals of 3 to 6 inches in the "most persistent" areas of lake effect snow.

Winds will blow from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, producing some blowing and drifting snow.

Jade Dewey Repass, 20, of Irving Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with inhalation of certain toxic vapors. Repass was arrested following a complaint of two people unconscious in a vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart. Also charged was Jesse Sumner Repass, 29, of Pine Street, Oakfield. The duo are accused of inhaling fumes from a pressurized can of dust cleaner while sitting in the vehicle, causing a condition of intoxication. Jade Repass was released on his own recognizance. Jesse Repass was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Guadalupe Lopez-Perez, 53, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession, 2nd. In the course of a domestic incident investigation at 12:35 a.m., Dec. 13, at a residence on South Main Street by Officer Jason Davis, Lopez-Perez was allegedly found in possession of a forged Social Security card and a forged resident alien card. These cards enabled him to obtain employment in the United States using a Social Security number. Lopez-Perez was jailed without bail.

Dennis Ray Lloyd Jr., 34, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, assault, 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and criminal obstruction of breathing. Lloyd was allegedly involved in a verbal and physical domestic incident with the mother of his child and a friend of the mother's at 5:59 a.m., Dec. 14. The child was not physically harmed. Lloyd was jailed without bail.

Tyler J. Henderson, 27, of Franklin Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Henderson is accused of failure to appear on charges of menacing, 3rd, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment of property. The reported date of the original incident is Jan. 1 at 9 Jackson St., Batavia.

Donna M. Kroft, 62, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kroft is accused of stealing $40.13 worth of merchandise from Dollar General.

Magnum Marie Kibler, 19, of Randall Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and no seatbelt. Kibler was stopped at 12:33 a.m. Dec. 13 on Clinton Street by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Jeffrey James Cervone, 47, of Skye Road, Basom, was arrested on a warrant. Cervone allegedly failed to appear for a court date. He was arrested upon his release from the Erie County Jail, where he was held on an unrelated matter. He was jailed locally on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Batavia (name withheld by Batavia PD) is charged with assault, 3rd. The youth and a juvenile companion are accused of attacking another person, causing physical injury.

Ian K. Leblanc-Chatt, 30, of Hart Street, Batavia is charged with petit larceny. Leblanc-Chatt is accused of stealing a 12-pack of AA batteries valued at $12.79 from Tops at 1:10 a.m. Dec. 12.

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 44th Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 5, at the Clarion Hotel, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 with hors d’oeuvres, entrée tables & cash bar (no formal sit-down dinner is to be served). The Award Program starts at 7 o'clock when dessert and coffee will be served.

This year’s honorees are:

-- Business of the Year: The New p.w. minor   
-- Small Business of the Year: Guthrie-Heli Arc, Inc.  
-- Agricultural Business of the Year: Post Dairy Farms, LLC   
-- Special Community Service Recognition of the Year: GLOW YMCA Challenger Program  
-- Geneseeans of the Year: Susie Boyce and Barry Miller (posthumously)
-- The Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Community Leadership Award: Jay Gsell 

Frank Panepento serenaded shoppers with Christmas carols on his trumpet at Tops Market on Wednesday evening while volunteering with the Salvation Army for the Red Kettle Campaign.

Joining Panepento was Pauli Miano.

Below is a picture from last week that I forgot to post of local Girl Scouts and Webelos during their evening of volunteer bell ringing and Christmas carol singing.

Red Kettle volunteers are still needed. To volunteer, contact Major Robert Kurtz at (585) 861-0676 or robert.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org.

A motor-vehicle accident with a serious injury is reported at 7372 York Road, Pavilion.

A Pavilion chief is on location. He's asking about the status of Mercy Flight.

He's reporting heavy entrapment.

Pavilion fire is dispatched.

Mutual aid from Le Roy requested.

UPDATE 12:10 a.m.: A landing zone for Mercy Flight is being established.

UPDATE 2:45 a.m.: The driver was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight. He was conscious and alert during and after an 18-minute extrication. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Charges are possible. The name of the driver has not yet been released. The vehicle was eastbound on York Road. The driver's girlfriend was following at some distance. She lost sight of the vehicle and found it off the road about the same time residents near the crash, which included a Pavilion chief, found the accident. The truck struck and sheared off at least two trees. The vehicle was heavily damaged.

UPDATE: The driver is identified as Taylor J. Scaccia, 22, of Perry. Charges are pending. He was driving a 2008 Nissan pickup.