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Press Release:

The St. Jerome Guild, Inc., annual "Noel Nook" will take place at the Jerome Center at 16 Bank Street, Batavia, on November 1 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and November 2 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Guild operates a second gift shop at the UMMC Kiosk at 127 North Street Campus, Batavia, and Noel Nook at the Shoppe on North Street, which will be held on November 7 – 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Customers will enjoy a 10% discount on the entire order (a few exclusions apply). We invite parents and children to mail their Santa’s letters in the North Pole Post located outside each gift shop location.

‘Tis the season to wear customer favorites of stylish coats, ponchos, capes, and shawls, woven caplets, fur-trimmed hats and gloves, tops, slacks, and gorgeous scarves, from K &K Interiors, Carmen & Coco, Mud Pie, Demdaco, Simply Noelle, Gantz, and Gift Craft, to name a few. 

Our updated selection of Petite Ginger Snaps, are interchangeable with bracelets, necklaces, and rings that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and stones.

We continue to carry our selection of stylish handbags. Our reasonably priced 'Jerome Jewelry Collection' includes rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklace sets with semi-precious stones. Popular items are cozy baby jackets in blue, pink and leopard, tummy blankets, picture frames, milestone items, and a variety of children's toys, plush animals, clothes, and handmade baby blankets and hats.  

Patrons love the well-priced Beekman 1802 products of all-natural goat milk, sulfate-free body products for men and women of lotions, soaps, facial cleansing wipes, and lip balms.

You will find bar and wine accessories, eclectic and wine caddies depicting doctors, golfers, nurses, firefighters, musicians, athletes, and gardeners. Enjoy lighted wall art, holiday wreaths, kitchen towels, spatula sets, mugs, nutcrackers, Santas, snowmen, Snowbabies, crystal candle holders and warmers. Popular are lighted, glittered angels, trees and amazing tree toppers. Included are gorgeous lighted ornaments, cardinals, flags, throws, centerpieces, decorative lighting, night lights and Thanksgiving items. Gift cards may also be purchased. 

The St. Jerome Guild, Inc., a not-for-profit volunteer organization has been serving the local healthcare community for decades and celebrated its 100-year Jubilee a few years ago. The group continues to be an active organization donating vital equipment to UMMC. The Guild’s Hometown Heroes Star Initiative honoring all UMMC employees for their humanitarian efforts during the height of the pandemic raised $3000. These funds contributed toward the Guild’s $7000 purchase of an urgently needed freezer to store the Covid vaccine. 

In 2022, the Guild pledged $20,000 over five years toward the Intensive Care Unit Expansion at UMMC North Street, and donated $5000 towards the Foundation Cornerstone initiative. The Gift Shop is excited to be moving from Bank Street to Rochester Regional / UMMC’s new medical campus on Oak Orchard Road this winter!

For decades, the Guild continues to offer our annual Health Professional Scholarship to UMMC employees pursuing higher education and who will continue to serve our healthcare community. Children who visit Urgent Care and the Emergency Department are comforted with plush animals. Cancer patients have received personal care bags. 

The Guild participates in the UMMC Annual Employee Recognition Day to thank employees for their efforts serving the community. Guild members donate thousands of volunteer hours working at both shops, events, and have worked on UMMC Foundation projects. 

Over the years the Guild has hosted many fundraisers including fashion show luncheons and hopes to sponsor another next summer. St. Jerome Gift Shop business hours vary Monday through Friday from 9 am – 3 pm.  

New members are welcome to join the Guild throughout the year and our annual Membership Tea is held in September. Members attend monthly meetings with interesting programs and presenters. The Guild manages a monthly lottery and the community is invited to participate. Please check out the St. Jerome Gift Shop Facebook page for updated news, highlights, and products you will find at the shops.

A 45-year-old Lockport man admitted in Genesee County Court on Wednesday to concealing a human body in the trunk of a car and parking it in the town of Alabama on March 17.

Norman S. "Bud" DeBois entered a guilty plea to concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.

DeBois was initially charged in April with additional counts of hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Wednesday's plea satisfies all charges. He faces from 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 21 at 2:15 p.m.

On March 19, while investigating a missing person complaint out of Niagara County, Sheriff's deputies found the body of Michael G. Poole, 59, of Olcott.

Two Niagara County residents are accused of conspiring to murder Poole.

On April 19, Kathryn A. "Kit" Henry, 33, of Lockport, was charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, assault in the first degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony,  hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class D felony, tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony, conspiracy in the second degree, a Class B felony, and conspiracy in the fourth degree, a Class E felony.

Last week, Edward A. Dunn, 38, of Lockport, was charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.

Those two cases are pending further court proceedings.

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs are excited to announce their fourth annual Muckdogs Trick or Treat at Dwyer Stadium. The event is Saturday, October 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. It is free to enter and trick or treat around Dwyer Stadium.

“We started this tradition during our first season as owners of the Muckdogs in 2021 and we are so glad the community has come together to grow this event to what it is today. It is a kind of curtain call for Dwyer Stadium before we gear up for High School baseball in the spring of 2025 and then of course Muckdogs Baseball. An event like this is great because it really showcases how this great Stadium can be utilized for the community and by the community. Muckdogs Trick or Treat is made possible by all our great sponsors and we can’t thank them enough for providing a fun day for local families” says Owner Robbie Nichols.

The previous year’s event had over 2,000 families Trick or Treat around the field. It is free for attendees to enter and Trick or Treat around Dwyer Stadium and the Muckdogs are encouraging you to bring out your best Halloween costumes. There will also be music, activities, and food at the Stadium. 

For questions, please call the Muckdogs at 585-524-2260. 

If you are a local business looking to be involved with the event, please email Marc Witt, Muckdogs General Manager, at mwitt.canusa@gmail.com. 

What to do when there are vacancies and few good candidates, but then qualified employees want to live beyond residency requirements for the city of Batavia?

That was a question on the table for the City Council during its conference session Monday evening after city management explained the dilemma of a Batavia Police officer. He would like to purchase a home that is “merely minutes” outside of the city residency boundaries — and therefore Chief Shawn Heubusch requested a residency waiver.

“Officer Samuel Freeman has been a member of the department since April of 2020 and has displayed a strong commitment to the department based upon him taking on additional roles,” Heubusch said in a memo to City Manager Rachael Tabelski. “Officer Freeman’s current residence meets the residency requirement, but he does not own the home. He is seeking a waiver of the residency requirement so that he may purchase his own home in a neighboring township to his current residence.

“Officer Freeman is a very dedicated officer,” Heubusch said during the meeting. “He works second platoon or the three to 11 shift. He has indicated to me he has no intentions of leaving our department. He loves it here.”

City Council has granted waivers before, usually for management positions including assistant manager and fire chief  to code enforcement officer — and at one point several years ago approved 14 waivers at one time, allowing employees to live within Genesee County when it seemed more prudent to do so than risk losing employees.

Tabelski spoke about a time about five years ago when the city reconfigured its residency borders and how that may need to be recalculated.

“I provided everyone with a map so you can look at it. As you can see, several years ago, back in 2019, I'll say, yep, April of 2019, defined our border as the adjacent towns to the city. However, when you look at the 15-minute and 20-mile radius, there are actually locations where you can't live but are closer than some of the locations inside this border,” she said. “So with this waiver, if council does grant it, I'd also like permission for a work group to be assembled to reexamine the residency proposed policy for the city of Batavia, because giving away waivers isn't the point of having a residency requirement.”

When the city used to get 120 candidates for the police officer Civil Service jobs, there were just 100 this last time, Tabelski said. Recruiting and hiring is getting more difficult as it is, not even accounting for having the residency requirement on top of that, Heubusch added, which further exasperates the situation of potential loss of current employees.

“I would just add that Officer Freeman is a very dedicated member of the department. He is a field training officer. He's currently a member of our emergency response team. He has become a firearms instructor in the Department. He takes on a lot of additional responsibilities.  He loves the city of Batavia and working here, but he's a country boy at heart, and he's just looking for some property so he can go hunting,” Heubusch said. “Quite honestly, that's what it boils down to. And again, we've had issues with locating candidates. To Rachael's point, we did discuss this residency back in 2019 with other department heads over here at the time. We made some changes to it. There still are issues with retention and recruiting because of our residency, it comes up from time to time. So we'd like to take a look at that.”

While the waiver is an understandable request, perhaps the issue does need a more thorough review, Councilman Bob Bialkowski said.

“Maybe we’re doing something wrong here,” he said. “At 4:30, there’s a whole line of people leaving. I’d like to see more and more people becoming stakeholders in the community.”

They all agreed that a waiver was the right thing to do now, with a workgroup appointed in the future to review the overall problem and determine if there are other solutions. 

During the business meeting that followed, council approved the waiver by a vote of 6 to 0. Members David Twichell, Kathy Briggs, Al McGinnis, Eugene Jankowski, and Tammy Schmidt all said yes, and Bialkowski added, “Sadly, yes.” 

There were a couple of turns in the road on the way to approval for a new mobile phone tower for Verizon customers in the area of 9321 Wilkenson Road in the town of Batavia, but in the end, the town's planning board approved a special use permit and site plan review.

Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems LLC is the official applicant. The tower will be 154 feet high, have a four-foot lightning rod, and nine antennas on it, along with associated equipment on the ground.

Tuesday's meeting was the second time the board approved the same project.

The first approval had to be redone because of a "miscommunication," said board President Kathy Jasinski. At a previous meeting, the board moved ahead with approval even though the project had not yet been reviewed by the Genesee County Planning Board.

Last week, the county board recommended approval but with modifications.  Members voted to require space on the tower for public safety purposes, such as the 9-1-1 system at no cost to the public.

That was another turn in the road.

Steve Fantuzzo, an attorney with Nixon Peabody LLP, representing Verizon, said Verizon objected to that requirement.

"It's a takings issue," Fantuzzo told the board. "It's the government taking property without providing compensation.  Basically, it is not legal for the county to say we're taking space on the tower, or else we don't recommend approval. So the reality is that Verizon will accommodate them, and when they request it, they're generally willing to accommodate that space, but as a condition and a requirement, Verizon would object to that."

Board members quickly agreed that space on the tower should not be a requirement but had a short discussion about whether to amend a motion to remove that requirement or if a motion to reaffirm the board's prior approval would be adequate.

The board's attorney, Matthew Fitzgerald, recommended reaffirming the prior approval.

"If you're going to override the county's recommendation, you will need to send them an explanation," Fitzgerald said. "You'll need a majority plus one vote, which, if all members here vote in favor, that's fine. You will need to send them the reason you decided to go against their recommendation."

The board did not need to incorporate that decision into the motion itself, he said.

"I think the minutes will capture the discussion that was just had, as well as me interjecting, clarifying that was the reason," Fitzgerald said.

The board unanimously approved both the special use permit and the site plan review.

One could say, perhaps, that it takes a village to build a police station.

At least that's the case this fall in the Village of Corfu, where people are volunteering their time to help convert a building that was once a bar but has sat vacant for at least 20 years into a police station.

The Corfu Police Department has never had a proper police station for the past 25 years, it's operated out of what is essentially a broom closet at the Village Hall, said Deputy Mayor Michael Doktor.

"We have officers, board members, community members, volunteering (to help complete renovations)," Doktor said. "Our maintenance man is also helping."

The property, at 81 East Main St., is nearly 39 acres and contains a house and a four-bay garage.

The village purchased the property in January.  Doktor said the village developed plans to replace the roof on the garage, using existing capitol improvement funds, and start parking police cars there.

Then earlier this year, David Krzemien, officer in charge for the department, stopped by the little red building while village staff was there evaluating what damage their might be to the building, Krzemien began imaging it as a police station.

He brought the plan to the village trustees.

"It was a pretty quick discussion," Doktor said. "The board pretty much agreed with the officer in charge that the officers needed a real work space and that this building would pretty much meet our needs for the time being."

On Saturday, when The Batavian happened to stop by the building, Krzemien was there, working by himself, installing new metal siding. Red, of course.

Doktor said officials are still waiting on an estimate on the cost of replacing the floor.  The current one is pretty weather-damaged. But it's still expected that converting the building into a police station will cost less than $6,000.

The beautiful old wood bar inside? It stays. Repurposed into a front-office counter.

As for the house on the property? The village is collecting feedback from residents on what to do with it.  It all depends on costs and what the village wants, Doktor said.

"We're looking at what’s most cost-effective and listening to everybody's input from the village," Doktor said. "Who knows how long before we come up with the final idea for it, but we want to make sure it’s justifiable."

Doktor said the village hopes the new police station will be opened by December, even if the back office space isn't completely renovated by that time.

"We think (the police station) is something that will benefit the community. The feedback has been great so far," Doktor said. "We hope it is something the community will be equally happy about."

As someone who has struggled to overcome his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome, with a history of loss and abuse as a child, Jeremy Fink certainly has a story to tell.

Written under the pen name J.F. Richards, this Batavia resident has chronicled that story through the character of Luke, along with his friends Will, Jake and Alexis, in “The Legend of the Sacred Knights.”

And he learned a thing or two more about himself in the process.

“Finding the part of you that you already had, like courage, that you keep hidden but you never see it at first, such as each of my characters has a different flaw of their own, but they all have to try to overcome it in various ways,” Fink said during an interview at Richmond Memorial Library, a local home to his book. “ I had to find a lot of courage in me, a lot, because a lot of people had harsh criticism towards me, especially towards my unusual behavior. Because at the time, not many people didn't know how autism worked, or ADHD, and they mostly believe one side of the story from other people who have had a bad rep from that.”

The 27-year-old went through a self-healing exercise. While writing his book, he also took notes about memories as they came up and corroborated one with the other. He learned more about his past as he worked toward his future aspiration of being an accomplished author. 

“Part of my character’s backstory is grounded in reality because, like him, I was raised by my grandparents. I lost my mother when I was 12 years old,” he said. “My dad wanted to have custody of me, but he really, actually didn’t care about raising children because he had no sense of responsibility towards others. So he decided to just use me as a pawn just to get money.”

He suffered much emotional and psychological abuse, he said, and by getting his memories out on paper -- or computer -- he “felt relief” from the experience.

“Especially because of my living with my grandparents, I felt much happier because they were both kind people, and they have always been kind to me, but due to dad’s influence, he made me have a dark view of them for no reason. I didn’t understand why I had this urge to not like them,” Fink said. 

As for other inspiration for the book, he’s a “die-hard Harry Potter fan” and lists Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” as his two favorite books of all time. Readers may note those influences in the cover, depicted by dark woods and imaginative, other-worldly fantasy characters.  

Fink began his tale during the COVID lockdown, spending a lot of time streaming shows and conjuring up a storyline. When back at work at Batavia Walmart, he would put notes about the four mystic knights into a phone app.

“Each is gifted with their own powers,” he said. “They encounter many things beyond this earth itself.”

Once he completed a first draft in March 2021, Fink wondered, “How was I going to get this done?” His late uncle’s friend, Timothy Benson, who was familiar with screenwriting and editing, helped him with the next step. A book came together through other friends and finally a publisher. He saw the first copy this year.

“I felt excited; the first adventure has just begun,” Fink said. “I have two more, of a series, in progress. I’m very acute with remembering specific details about my character; I haven’t even revealed a lot yet.”

The story is about four human teenagers who enter a gateway to a magical world inhabited by magical animals. In this world, they band together as a team of mystical knights, each gifted with their magical powers; they embark on a quest to seek out ancient treasures to prevent a powerful evil from being unleashed.

His alter ego, Luke, is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his grandfather.  After traveling through a portal, he becomes Lycanwolf, a wolf who is the former Prince of SilverLoc and leader of the Knights. He possesses the power of water and wields a sword that he can call to his hand whenever he needs it.

In fact, each of the characters eventually discovers a magical power after their curious time with the curator.

Later that afternoon, when the class was preparing to depart, the curator walked up and asked the students to help him with something. 

“We are doing a survey of the area, I would like if some of you would volunteer to stick around and help me with the survey,” requested the curator. “Do I have any volunteers?”

The curator scanned the students and then pointed at Luke, Jake, Will and Alexis. “I wonder if you four could volunteer to help,” the curator asked, which bewildered everyone.

Everyone agreed to volunteer with the curator, but not everyone was okay with it.

While the class headed to the buses, the volunteers went with the curator, traveling up the stairs to the new area that was not open to the public. The entrance to the new area looks like an archaic archway. Everyone walked into the room and all gasped. Before them were four pedestals in the room, each holding a weapon.

“A sword, a hammer, a bow, and an axe,” Will said aloud.

“What are they here for?” asked Luke curiously. “I wonder if these four weapons or treasures are what the warriors from the mural left behind,” Luke wondered. “That I hope to find out once they have been studied” explained the curator. “Now, could each of your grand a weapon and help bring them outside.”

Everyone walked toward a different weapon to carry it out. Luke Gazed at the sword, curious about the mysterious blade. It was long and straight, like it was forged to be the perfect blade. He reached out, placing his hand on it. As he firmly grasped the hilt, then without warning it began to glow blue.

Jake touched the axe, and it started to glow red. Next, Alexis touched the bow, and it started to glow green. Then, finally, Will touched the hammer, and it glowed yellow.

Luke and the others freaked out, placing the weapons back hurriedly from where they picked them up.”What just happened?” Jake blurted out in astonishment. 

“I don’t know,” said Luke, “but that was strange.” 

After witnessing the strange glow, the curator looked at his watch, “All right. That’s enough for today. If you need help with anything, come to my cottage near the entrance to the ruins,” the curator said with urgency scooting everyone out without a reason He looked excited for some reason, then calmly asked them to leave, “Please go home kids.”

The group walked away and headed home, curious about what had happened and why. The four of them called their folks for a ride home. They stood in silence, while they waited for rides, each pondering what had just happened. The curator watched from afar, a smile from ear to ear blanketing his face.

“Now it begins,” the curator announced.

“Everyone has a story they want to tell,” Fink said. “We usually find a way to craft it to tell others.”

He devised his pseudonym after his beloved grandpa, Richard Sands, who is pretty well known in Fink’s family hometown of Bergen. There was a time when he wasn’t certain about his family, due to his father’s undue influence, however, the more sober and fully aware the young man has become, he now realizes how fortunate he has been to have the love and foundation of his grandparents, he said. 

The friends all ran back home to their parents and enjoyed the rest of the day. Luke saw his grandpa by the door and rushed to hug him. While it was amazing to be an anamorphic, superhero warrior who saved two worlds, Luke was happy to be home.

Although that may seem like a sweet ending, there is an epilogue and, Fink said with a bit of a mischievous expression, a cliffhanger. 

He said his grandmother bought and read his book — and she loves it. His niece had her picture taken while holding a copy of it, and his two brothers and friends have also read and given positive reviews, he said. He appreciates those thumbs-up ratings now more than ever as he has been working to get book sales off the ground — he has sold at least 100 so far — and has them available at most online book and Big Box stores (Walmart, Amazon, Barnes and Noble). There are limited copies on the shelf at Richmond Library in the local author section as well.

Heidi Urban, his care coordinator, has been surprised at the amount of work he has taken on independent of anyone pushing him with deadlines and motivation beyond his own personal goals.

“I’m just shocked at the writing, self-publishing, and figuring out a cover and distribution; it’s such a giant undertaking. I’m just amazed by it. I’m really amazed by him,” she said. “Throughout the process of getting to know Jeremy, and I’m not sure it aligns with the book, so I have to attribute that to the book. I feel like he’s just really gained confidence; he has come out of his shell and just become more open.”

He hopes to further step out into the limelight with a future book signing at Richmond (the date has yet to be determined). For more information or to connect with J. F. Richards, check out his website. 

After about a dozen years volunteering as trustee of Ascension Parish with no mention of time restrictions or regulations, Bill Brach was abruptly issued his walking papers from the Rev. Bernard Nowak, he says.

Brach, who was raised a Catholic, attended Catholic schools, was married at the church and given his time and efforts to the Diocese-based religion, doesn’t exactly feel the support is mutual.

Both the State of New York and the Diocese of Buffalo appoint trustees for either one year or in practice for three to five years. Effective today, Oct. 8, 2024, your time of service ends. Be assured of our prayers and commitment to the church of Buffalo; looking forward to your continued participation in the mission of the Diocesan church. 

Rev. Bernard Nowak, Vicar Forane

“We had a couple of conversations, and on Oct. 4, he called and said I can be a trustee or pursue the appeal, but I can’t do both. I said let me look into it a bit further. There is no way they can take your rights away as a parishioner, so I got back to him last Monday with an email asking what article of Canon law you are citing?” Brach said to The Batavian Monday. “He showed up in my driveway Tuesday (Oct. 8) with a letter and said you have been a trustee too long, and as a trustee, you have to support the Road to Renewal. I feel betrayed. I reached out to them for help, and I felt they’d be on board and I got stonewalled.”

Road to Renewal, aka support the merger of Ascension with Resurrection Parish and stop working to retain Ascension as its own entity. When he reached out for supporting church records to learn more, he wasn’t given anything, he said.

In her letter of concern and agitation to Father Nowak, Parish Council Member Connie Bruggman asked him why he was removing Brach, especially given that she believes trustees at Resurrection Parish have been in place longer than him and that his removal now leaves no one in place since there was already a vacancy of a trustee at Ascension.

“It seems you have an issue with Ascension Parish asking for help and questioning this Road to Renewal,” she said. “When will the trustee position be filled, who is signing our checks, how are our bills being paid? Are you putting us in the position to fail so it will be easier to close our parish?”

The Batavian wanted to ask those questions, but the church office was closed on Monday because of the holiday.

The Batavian asked Brach via email about clause § 91. Government of incorporated Roman Catholic churches, which states: The term of office of the two laymen trustees of an incorporated Roman Catholic church shall be one year. Whenever the office of any such layman trustee shall become vacant by expiration of term of office or otherwise, his successor shall be appointed from members of the church by such officers or a majority of them. 

Has the term ever been discussed or been an issue before?

“That's standard wording; I've seen it a number of times.  As a trustee, I had to be re-appointed every year, so the Diocese was well aware of how long I had served,” he said.  “I stopped getting my letters of appointment several years ago (after serving about ten years) when this ‘Road to Renewal’ process started. We questioned it at the time but did not get a response other than ‘keep doing what you're doing.’” 

That was something Father Scott said during a prior meeting with parishioners in late September after he laid out the issues before them about a potential merger, and he was asked what they should do. "Keep doing what you're doing," he said. 

Meanwhile, an undercurrent of support has been building towards survival. A core group of parish members has been zealously gathering signatures—more than 225 as of Monday. A letter was distributed after Sunday’s service (see below), and there’s a social media site already in place with information and affidavits for those wanting to print out and sign a copy.  

The letter distributed on Oct. 13:

To all Parishioners and friends of Ascension Parish,

We are a core group, Friends of Ascension Parish. We have been working with Save Our Buffalo Churches.com. Please check out their website. Their mission statement is “The goal and reason we are all here is to SAVE SOULS through helping the Parishes in our Diocese stay open under Canon Law.” We want to fight to keep our church open and not to have to be sold, will you help?

We need to prove to the Bishop that we are not going to just accept his verdict. We have been told that if we use our church, fund our church, and take care of our church, we cannot be closed. Just this last Tuesday, Rev. Bernard Nowak dismissed our only Trustee, Bill Brach. We have been functioning with just one trustee since last February, which is against the law. Bill has been asking to fill this open position and to have regular Trustee meetings, with no response. Now we are left with no representation or oversight.

We are asking you to attend any event we have, contribute to our church (this means if you attend another mass, that you use Ascension envelopes and if you don’t have an envelope, that you place your contribution in an envelope marked Ascension Parish) and if you are asked to help clean or do a small repair of the church, please consider saying yes.

We are looking into establishing a not-for-profit organization, to accept donations to help keep our church open.

There are Affidavits out for signatures, have you signed one yet? Please contact me to get a copy. We have over 200 signatures so far, we need as many as possible.

Please help us to keep Ascension Church open. Thank you.

Connie Bruggman, Member of Friends of Ascension Parish

The core group is also in progress with filing as a not-for-profit and seeking advice from the Save Our Buffalo Churches group, whose goal and reason “we are all here is to save souls through helping the parishes in our Diocese stay open under Canon Law.”

The Diocese has issued an official order that parishioners are not to conduct any business “used for recourse” on parish/school property or any such activities in support of recourse against a merger or closure, so group members are being cautious not to conduct any of their business on church property. The letter was distributed on the sidewalk this past Sunday, Bruggman said. 

“It is important for us all to utilize our time and efforts to assist parishioners in understanding the need for the Road to Renewal and to support the process of building a productive transition team,” the Rev. Peter Karalus said in a letter sent to the Fathers.

To further muddy the waters of the situation, nothing can be done until a sexual abuse case in Buffalo is settled, and it has been five years in litigation so far, Brach said. 

“I don’t see this getting settled in the next few months. They freeze the assets of our parish and can’t do anything with the finances of the parish,” he said. 

What happens next? It’s a waiting game while they continue to gain momentum, Bruggman said.

“Until the bishop puts the decree out, then we can get the appeal in motion,” she said. “We’re trying to get the not-for-profit. It’s a little bit hopeful now because people are saying, yeah, we want to fight; they didn’t know we were fighting this.”

Previously: Not ready to close the door

Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary drew sunshine and visitors to its third annual fall farm festival Saturday in Byron. The event was a fundraiser to raise awareness about the farm's efforts to provide a safe haven for rescued animals and serve as a financial support for medical expenses and hay to feed the animals into the next cold winter season. 

Press Release:

GO ART! is pleased to welcome the public to view the work of Linda Miranda Fix, Kelly Herold, and Melita Guild at the reception of three exhibitions on Thursday, October 17.

Three uniquely different bodies of work will offer multiple visual and mental stimulation for individuals as they move from one gallery to the next. 

Linda, who “loves working with different mediums and substrates,” said the collection "The Heart of the Universe" represented in the show was inspired by the Solar Eclipse in April 2024. Hence, “she began to think about celebrating the earth and all its glory, the strength and resilience of 'Mother Earth,' and the similar fervor and power of women.”

Linda Fix wants the public to know that her “paintings represent The Sisterhood of Women as we celebrate birth, accomplishments, and love; as we grieve with the tragedy of loss; as we continue to rise after many times that we fall.” “I believe that Women are the 'Heart of the Universe”.

This exhibition is filled with vibrant colors, styles, and multiple-media representations, including Acrylics, Mixed Media, Watercolor, and Alcohol Ink. She will give a brief artist’s talk at 6 p.m. 

Kelly Herold is a contemporary artist who has, for the last three years, focused on the “transformative potential of everyday objects”. She says her “3D designs are crafted from recycled and repurposed materials, including frames, bottles, cans, smashed glass, glasses, ceramics, and various trinkets sourced from thrift stores, yard sales, or donated by friends. Each piece undergoes a meticulous process of cutting, shaping, and assembling, often utilizing a modified wet saw for precision”.

She also shares her process, which includes the final step in her creative process, “which involves coloring and pouring resin to encapsulate the assembled materials, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind artwork. Through this method, I aim to give new life to discarded items, highlighting the beauty and potential found in the overlooked and forgotten”.

We invite you to see why Kelly says, “My art is a testament to sustainability, creativity, and the endless possibilities inherent in repurposing material.” 

Melita Guild ceramic masks are exceptional and definitely have a place on the walls during the month of October. Melita will not be present at the reception but the time spent viewing her work will be meaningful.

GO ART! invites the public to meet Linda & Kelly during the reception and hear both artists’ talk on Thursday, October 17, starting at 5 p.m. 

This event is free, but the experience will be invaluable! We look forward to welcoming you to this event!

Submitted photos.

For the first time, Upstate Niagara Cooperative on Saturday held a Farm Fest at Reyncrest Farms in Corfu.

The event drew 350 employees as well as members of the 250 farms that participated in the cooperative.

"I'm hoping for connection," said Kelly Wells, chief human resources officer for Upstate, who led the effort to bring the event together. "It's a great time of the year. It's fall. Harvest season's coming to a close, and it's an intimate way to bring people together to learn more about farming and to connect and understand how they play a role in making great products."

There were activities for the kids, stations for photo ops, corn hole, food, milk, ice cream, farm demonstrations and a hay ride.

Wells said the event was a "resounding success." 

CEO Kevin Ellis said the event was a great employee and member appreciation event.

“While our corporate team members and member farm families may have different day-to-day roles, they all play an integral part in bringing quality milk to homes across the region. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to connect with and celebrate our team outside of the typical workday,” said Ellis. “At UNC, we are committed to fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among our growing workforce.”

The event, he said, is another way to demonstrate that Upstate is a great place to work.

“The market and consumer demand for milk and dairy products continues to grow and, with that, the opportunity for Upstate Niagara Cooperative to establish itself as an employer of choice in the region grows as well,” adds Ellis. “We know our collaborative work environment is what makes UNC great, and that really shines through at events like Farm Fest where all team members and families can come together as one.”

Photos by Howard Owens

Ted, owned by Noel and Bill Schmitt of Kenmore, is the 2024 Wiener Dog Race winner at Batavia Downs.

The race capped a Sunday of family fun at the race track, including face painting, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, a clown, pony and carriage rides, and chatting with author Rollond Eddy.

The investigation into a case that began in March with the discovery of a body in the town of Alabama has concluded with the arrest of Edward A. Dunn, 38, of Lockport, on charges of murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony.

Dunn is also charged with assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.

The Lockport man is accused of killing Michael Poole and then taking steps to conceal Poole's body.

Dunn was arraigned in Genesee County Court on the indictment and ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is schedule to appear in court again on Nov. 7.

The investigation began on March 19, when the body of the 59-year-old Poole, an Olcott resident, was located during a search for a missing person from Niagara County. 

Kathryn A. Henry, 33, from Lockport, was arrested on April 19 and charged with murder in the second degree. She was accused at the time of conspiring with another person to kill Poole and hide his body.

On June 27, the Sheriff's Office arrested Norman S. DuBois, 45, of Lockport, and charged him with hindering prosecution among other charges for his alleged part on conspiring to hide Poole's body.

Press Release:

On Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., law enforcement agencies across Genesee County and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

There will be three locations across the county where citizens can dispose of their medications. Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location which moved from the Alva lot this year. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions are asked. 

The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with United Memorial Medical Center, will be accepting prescription drugs and sharps at the Batavia Police Department, located at 10 W. Main Street, Batavia.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will accept prescription drugs ONLY at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Rd. Corfu. 

The LeRoy Police Department will accept prescription drugs ONLY at their headquarters, 3 West Main Street, Le Roy. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  

In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long. 

The Batavia Police Department Headquarters has one for everyday collection of drugs located in the lobby at 10 West Main St., Batavia. 

Containers are also located at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on Park Road, Batavia, and the Le Roy Police Department. 

Sharps are accepted at United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North Street, Batavia. 

The FDA also provides information on how to dispose of prescription drugs properly. More information is available here: www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

Get your costumes and your gumption ready for some scary fun during the first-ever Zombie Run Race for the Animals 5K at Whole Life Fitness in Batavia, owner Jessica Pratt and fellow organizer Amanda Curtis say.

Whether you’re a marathon runner or just love a good Halloween activity while helping out a good cause, this event promises a little something for everyone, from children to adults, they said this week. It’s set for 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Whole Life Fitness facility, 624 E. Main St., Batavia.

“So we’re getting everybody there at five o’clock to have some kids' stuff — we’re doing face painting for them, we’ve got grab bags, we’re doing some tattoos, and we have cider and doughnuts for after,” Pratt said. “The Volunteers For Animals will have a table that they’re setting up, and we’ll also have a raffle, some door prizes and a 50/50.” 

The race is a benefit for Volunteers For Animals, a nonprofit based in Batavia and working out of Genesee County Animal Shelter. Pratt has been a longtime member and, in addition to having four dogs, has fostered mama cats and at least 40 kittens for the organization, she said. 

So putting on an event to help support them was a “no brainer,” Curtis said, emphasizing “pun intended” for the zombie-themed run. 

“The Zombie 5K is a family-friendly event that provides a fitness opportunity with spooky fun.  We are encouraging participants to dress up as zombies or in costume, and to keep everyone on their toes, we will have zombies hiding along the route,” Curtis said.  “We have even invited the homeowners along the route to participate in the fun while also giving them a heads up that the zombie hoard is just for fun--not the apocalypse.” 

The Zombie 5k will begin and end at Whole Life Fitness, taking participants along the Dewitt Recreation Area and meandering through Elmwood and St. Joseph Cemeteries, so who knows what they may encounter. Pratt and Curtis were keeping mum about those details.

“We are so excited about this event. We have a costume contest for the kids and adults with prizes for the best costume.  Runners who win in their categories will receive medals or ribbons,” Curtis said. “For all participants and volunteers, we will provide apple cider doughnuts and apple cider.”

VFA member Angela Knisley also organized the group's fundraising events and said members would be present with information about the cats and dogs available for adoption and about the organization and its various programs. 

“We really appreciate this fundraiser being held for us and are looking forward to a fun time,” Knisley said. “We are supplying three door prize baskets that will be raffled: one dog-themed, one cat-themed and a generic one.”

Pratt is a woman entrepreneur who has been busy running multiple businesses and unable to spend as much time volunteering for the animal nonprofit, so “promoting and supporting VFA through a fun event with a wide reach is the next best thing,” Curtis said.  

“We are also hosting a food drive at Whole Life Fitness for VFA, providing another opportunity for those who want to give but are unable to attend the Zombie 5K,” she said. “At the moment, we haven't decided if this will be an annual event. We are considering this a pilot year; if it succeeds, we will do it again next year.”

The registration fee is $22 per adult without a T-shirt and $12 per teen without a T-shirt. The deadline to receive a guaranteed T-shirt has passed. Each ticket includes entry into the race, a chance to win awesome prizes, and access to all event activities and food. Extra T-shirts will be for sale at the event. The fundraising goal is $5,000.

To register, go HERE. 

With nine days of early voting in Genesee County, rounding up enough workers for those full shifts, plus Election Day, might seem a daunting task. 

Not when candidates are running for president, Democratic Election Commissioner Lorie Longhany says. Those elections have the highest turnouts of any of them.

"People like to work presidential elections, really, they do. They like to see everyone as they come in,” Longhany said Thursday. “So far so good, and I’m knocking on wood. We’re training next week.”

There are approximately 60 new election workers for this year’s big event, she said, with candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on the Republican and Conservative tickets and Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the Democratic and Working Families lines vying for president of the United States. 

Pay for those workers in Genesee County is pretty good compared to some other counties, she said. For example, on Election Day, coordinators receive $290 and inspectors get $215. For early voting days, coordinators will receive $157.50 and inspectors will get $121.50, she said. 

Other races include David Wagenhauser, on the Democratic ticket, who has made it known locally that he is challenging incumbent Claudia Tenney, Republican/Conservative, for the 24th District Congressional seat. 

Joseph Graff is running unopposed for Genesee County sheriff.

For sample ballots, go HERE. 

There is also a statewide proposal to amend Section 11 of Article 1 of the Constitution regarding equal protection: 

“§ 11. a. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed [or], religion, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.

b. Nothing in this section shall invalidate or prevent the adoption of any law, regulation, program, or practice that is designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of a characteristic listed in this section, nor shall any characteristic listed in this section be interpreted to interfere with, limit, or deny the civil rights of any person based upon any other characteristic identified in this section.

Explanation – Matter in bold is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.

For more about the proposal, go to Prop 1. 

The Genesee County Board of Elections has announced its Early Voting schedule and important deadlines for the upcoming General Election, as noted below. Early Voting will be available for nine days from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3 at the ARC Community Center at 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.

The schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 27: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 29: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 30: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Friday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Saturday, Nov. 2: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Sunday, Nov. 3: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

All polling sites will be open on Election Day, November 5, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. All sites are accessible. Voters can check their poll site by visiting the New York State Voter Lookup or by calling the Genesee County Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804.

Absentee Ballot Information: 

To request an absentee ballot, contact the Board of Elections or use the NY State Absentee Ballot Portal. Key absentee ballot deadlines are as follows:

• October 26: Last day for the Board of Elections to receive an absentee ballot application.

• November 4: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.

• November 5: Last day to postmark a ballot (must be received by November 12).

• November 5: Absentee ballots must be received at the poll site or Board of Elections no later than 9 p.m.

• November 18: Military/Special Federal absentee ballots must be received by this date.

Voter Registration Deadlines:

• October 26: Last day to submit a voter registration application to be eligible to vote in the General Election.

In-Person Registration: 

Voters may register at the Genesee County Board of Elections or any participating state agency under the National Voter Registration Act on any business day. To be eligible for the General Election, the application must be received no later than October 26, 2024.

Change of Address Deadline:

• October 21: Changes of address must be submitted by this date.

Poll Site Change: Please note that the Bergen poll site has been moved from the Bergen Town Courtroom to the Gillam Grant Community Center, located at 6966 W. Bergen Road, Bergen.

For any questions, requests for registration forms, or absentee ballot applications, contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at 585-815-7804 or visit the website at Genesee County Board of Elections.

Press Release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is holding a FREE “MEET THE CANDIDATES” DAY.  In order to make an informed decision, voters need to learn more about those running. So, whatever your political views, this is YOUR year to get involved!

The event is to take place on Tuesday October 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in ILGR’s Conference Room at 319 West Main Street in the Crickler Executive Business Center, Batavia. As seating is limited, people can also attend over the Zoom Meeting platform online. 

To get the Zoom link, or more information about the event, RSVP with Cathy DeMare at 585-815-8501, extension 400. It will be also accessible via a live stream on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ILGR14020 and WNYIL’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/WNYIL.

Candidates invited to participate appearing on the November ballot include those running for U.S. President and Vice President; U. S. Senator; State Supreme Court Justice, State Senate, District 57; State Assembly, District 139; Congressional Representative in District 24; Genesee County Sheriff, Treasurer, Coroner; local offices in a couple dozen towns.

If an attendee wishes to be familiar with the “hot” disability issues, sheets of suggested questions will be provided; but participants are encouraged to ask about public concerns that are close to them. The building is fully disability accessible.

The Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) was recently honored with the Friend of the Family Award by the Faith & Freedom Coalition, recognizing her dedication to upholding conservative values, protecting American families, and defending religious liberty and individual freedom through her legislative efforts during the 118th Congress.

Tenney has championed numerous bills, including the Parents Bill of Rights Act, which ensures parents have the right to know what their children are being taught and what is happening in our nation’s schools. She also supported the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act, aimed at preserving fairness by preventing biological men from competing in women’s sports, further advocating for conservative principles and traditional values.

"The woke left continues its assault on conservative values, religious liberty, and the sanctity of life. It is essential to stand behind legislation that defends these priorities. I am deeply honored to receive the Friend of the Family Award, which highlights my commitment to safeguarding freedom, religious liberties, and supporting Israel. I am grateful to the Faith & Freedom Coalition for this recognition and remain dedicated to fighting for the values NY-24 holds dear in Congress," said Congresswoman Tenney.

Press release:

Understanding that creative expression serves as a therapeutic means toward healing and self-esteem, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County and UConnectCare are partnering to sponsor the Grateful for Recovery art show throughout November.

“The mission of this art show at Richmond Memorial Library is to let the community know that people do recover from substance use disorder, mental health and other issues while giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and break down the stigma surrounding recovery,” said Sue Gagne, Suicide Prevention Coalition coordinator.

This local initiative follows on the footsteps of the national Art of Recovery project started earlier this year by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Gagne said all submissions will be displayed in the Gallery Room at the library from Nov. 1-30. Artists are requested to drop off their work by October 28 at The Recovery Station, 5256 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia. Participants may submit up to three pieces of art for this show.

“We’re accepting work in various genres – original drawings, paintings, photographs, mixed media, poetry and more,” Gagne noted, adding that family members of those in recovery are welcome to submit as well as those under 18 years old, with parental permission.

“Additionally, we’re asking that each artist submit a short bio or a paragraph about his or her journey in recovery,” she said.

Artists are able to sell their work through this show, Gagne added. Each piece does not have to be framed but all pieced need to have a proper hanging system or hardware to be placed in the Gallery Room.

For more information about the show and/or to receive entry and consent forms, contact Gagne at sgagne@uconnectcare.org or at 585-813-6448.