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D District Blotter Community Thursday, May 21, 2026 • • 3

Compiled by Roxie Harbison Masters and Makers Series looks
Week of May 21, 2026 Calendar at all that is Forest Lawn Cemetery
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Come Dance! Every Wednesday - By Roxie Harbison memorate a person or groups whose
• On May 4 while operating an unregistered dirt bike the defendant, a COMMUNITY SWING - dancing at he second lecture in the Black interred remains are within the cem-
33-year-old Amherst, NY man, did fire five shots at the corner of Dewitt the Ukrainian American Civic TRock History Society’s Mas- etery grounds, flat or lawn level.
and Auburn which is in a school zone and in close proximity to West Center, 205 Military Rd. $10 - Doors ters and Makers Series was “The Details of a marker is a name, years
Buffalo Charter School on Lafayette Ave. A witness did observe the inci- open at 6 p.m., music from 6:30 to Design and Symbolism The Beauty of life, social class and military ser-
dent as the subject on a dirt bike fired several rounds in a northerly direc- 9:30 p.m. Pani Maria serves her of Forest Lawn” by Julie Snyder on vice. Some include occupation,
tion towards the school. Officers did recover five 9 mm cartridges at Fish Fry every Friday from 6 - 9 p.m. May 14. hobbies, interests and religion and
location. Camera footage collected of incident did match witness state- Snyder, who said her favorite now photos are popular. Traditions
ments. On May 17 officers did observe the dirt bike and the defendant quote is by Ben Franklin – “Show change over time, Snyder said. For
Thursday, May 21 - Introduction to example, Sara Hinson who started
matching the description. Officer safely/attempt to ID from BOLO (Be Flintknapping and Chipped me your cemeteries and I will tell
On the Look Out) under which the defendant was placed in custody. Ve- you what kind of people you have.” Flag Day is buried in an unmarked
Stone Technology as Experi- grave.
hicle impounded. POSTPONED – walked the audience through the
• Defendant, a 39-year-old Black Rock man, did verbally assault the mental Archaeology - Dr. Doug history and noted residents of Buf- A monument, she said is up-
victim (girlfriend) on Peter Street and then did break a necklace belong- Perrelli, director SUNYAB Ar- falo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. right. Wealthy families had plots in
ing to the victim. Order of Protection issued. chaeological Survey - 6 p.m. - On Aug. 10, 1849 (176 years Forest Lawn. For example the Birge
• Defendant, a 28-year-old Buffalo man, did go to a Thompson Street Black Rock Historical Society ago), the Clark family purchased 80 family (of wallpaper fame) have a
address to pickup his child per court order 50/50 custody. Defendant did Museum, 436 Amherst St. acres, two and a half miles outside mausoleum that is very popular as a
enter victim’s home and began a verbal argument with the victim regard- Thursday, May 28 - Arab & Middle the city limits, to become Forest background for bridal pictures. The
ing her boyfriend’s whereabouts. Defendant did exit the home and place East Calligraphy & Art Shaping Lawn. Snyder said Forest Lawn was Blocher Memorial, she added, is the
child in a car seat. Per video footage defendant is seen throwing a cup of Communities in New York. Na- the beginning of the rural cemetery most famous in the cemetery. The
juice at the victim (ex girlfriend). The altercation became physical. While da Odeh, founder and execu- movement. Cemeteries were a park- glass is from France and the inside
the vehicle was in drive during this altercation defendant obstructs vic- tive director of Arabesques - 6 like setting and the topography was is marble. It weighs 20 tons due to
tim’s airway by hand and did begin striking victim on the face by an open p.m. - Black Rock Historical So- not modified. the granite and cost $100,000.
hand leaving marks and causing bruising and swelling. Vehicle impound- The first burial in Forest Lawn Headstone designs vary
ed. was John Lay, on July 12, 1852. throughout the cemetery. She said
• Officers did find the defendant, a Riverside juvenile female (17 REMINDER She noted that in 1868 Forest Lawn they include Greek Revival pillars,
years old), and co-defendant, a Riverside juvenile male (15 years old) The North District does not get its was already established when Fred- Egyptian revival, sphinx, faces of
who did take without permission a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While officers large trash day until June 7. erick Law Olmsted and Calvert the buried, Gothic, Romanesque re-
were responding to a stolen vehicle call that was mapping to an Ontario Vaux visited and worked on the vival, Art Deco, torches, and lambs
Street garage, they did come up to a three-door garage with the middle Zach to discuss the Buffalo parks system. (for children – usually white mar-
door unlocked without a padlock. Officers said they jiggled door and a future of cemeteries At Forest Lawn detailed maps ble).
panel came off showing the above mentioned vehicle with the two defen- Author and retired radio news were created from the late 1800s to Snyder said Forest Lawn is non-
dants inside. Neither defendant was give permission to take said vehicle. early 1900s that showed bridges, secular and a variety of religious
journalist John Zach will give a talk symbols can be seen there including
• Arrested, a 30-year-old Buffalo man, did take without permission entitled "What Will Become of Our iron fencing, the chapel and the ad-
two bottles of NA Tequila and a Red Bull (value $63.82) and passed all ministration building. Forest Lawn angels (big and small), crosses, Star
Cemeteries?" at the Cazenovia of David and many more. Statuary
points of purchase without payment from the large grocer on Amherst Neighborhood Library, 155 Cazen- had its own quarry within the
Street. Items were recovered by loss prevention. Arrested man was locat- grounds which was used to make includes The Shepardess and The
ovia St., Buffalo on Tuesday, June Three Graces. There are 7,000 obe-
ed by an officer walking towards another large grocer on Grant Street. 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The event is bridges and The Chapel.
• Defendant, a 39-year-old Buffalo man, did take a bag of product, Snyder said there are 4,226 trees lisks in the cemetery. As times
free and open to the public. Call change and burials become more
pass all points of purchase with no attempt to pay the large grocer on Ni- 716-821-0564 to reserve your seat. with 28 identified species in the
agara Street. Defendant told security and the store staff he could take cemetery and they do have an ar- personalized the markers include
whatever he wanted. When told he was under arrest the defendant refused Candidates Forum for borist. More than 300 trees have dancers, a small buffalo statue and
to put his hands behind his back, pull away and grab onto officers. been planted in the cemetery in the cats.
• Defendant, a 53-year-old Riverside man, was located on Delaware NY Assembly seat set past two years. Today Forest Lawn The cemetery itself has gone
Ave. matching the description from a garage burglary on Potomac Ave. The League of Women Voters is 219 acres of cemetery with 17 through changes. Snyder said the
Defendant did spontaneously state to an officer that his property was at for Buffalo/Niagara and the Demo- miles of roads and is home to Buffalo Cremation Company was
the bus stop in the bags stolen from Potomac and located in the bags. De- crat Party will host a free Candidate 170,000 souls buried there. started in 1909 (the third of four
fendant claimed stolen property, recovered valued at $41.35 Positive ID Forum on Saturday, May 23 from 1 To manage the property, Snyder cemeteries in the U.S.). It attracted
from a witness of garage burglary. - 3 p.m. for candidates running to said they have 50 employees and people from all over to come see it.
Same guy. Victim reports he saw through a window the suspect, a 53- fill the NYS Assembly District 149. more than 25 volunteers and do- A merger between Forest Lawn and
year-old Riverside man, sitting on the victim’s E-bike. When he got out- Candidates certified to participate cents. The biggest expense is grass The Buffalo Cremation Co. oc-
side the suspect was walking away with it. The victim chased him, recov- are invited to attend. There must be cutting and plowing the roads. She curred in 2012. In 2014, The Mar-
ered the E-bike and watched him enter a Delaware Ave. address. at least two candidates participating said they offer trolley rides through garet L. Wendt Center was opened
for the same office for the forum to the grounds and ‘Sundays in The at Forest Lawn which held records
be held. The forum is free and open Cemetery’ tours. They’re recog- of burials.
to the public. The forum will be nized on the National Register of Snyder offered advice to the au-
Worship with us! heLd at PUSH Buffalo, 429 Plym- Historic Places. dience when they think about their
final resting place – tell your kids,
outh Ave., Buffalo.
Snyder spoke about the differ-
ences between markers and monu- talk to relatives, share your deci-
Church of the St. Mark's / All Saints' ments. sions of burial. Plan today for to-
Assumption Episcopal Church She said markers are a univer- morrow and your family will be
435 Amherst Street 311 Ontario at Riverside Upcoming . . . sal, permanent placement to com- glad you did.
Weekend Mass Schedule: Sunday Services: 10:30 am All AMVETS locations are
Saturday: 4:30 pm www.stmarksandallsaints.org holding a Memorial Day half-price
Sunday - 10:00 am Office: 716-875-8374 sale.
716-875-7626
To celebrate the United State’s
Riverside Baptist Church
Ontario Street United 346 Ontario St. 250th birthday, for the rest of 2026
Methodist Church (corner of Ontario/Ross) there will be free admission to the
Pastor Lal Fak Mawia Sunday services: Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village,
179 Ontario corner 9:45 am - Sunday School 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd., Am-
herst, NY. The 35-acre campus in-
Tonawanda Sunday (classes for all ages) cludes 11 relocated 19th century
Worship: 9:30 am 10:30 11:00 am - Worship Service buildings and much more for all
am: Mizo Congregation 716-876-3994 for more info ages focusing on 19th and 20th cen-
716-875-3639 Sr. Pastor - Rev. Dr. Rick English tury Western New York life.

Happy Birthday!

Published by Buffalo Standard Printing Corp. Martin Jacobs
Roger Puchalski - Editor
Roxie Harbison - Sales & Marketing May 25, 1984
Printed in Buffalo by Buffalo Newspress (43 years old!)
E-MAIL riverrock@email.com
(716) 835-9455 • FAX (716) 835-9457
The views of columnists and letter writers do not necessarily Dietrich
reflect the views of the RiverRock Times. Letters to the editor are May 26, 1987
welcome at riverrock@ email.com or by mail: RiverRock Times,
c/o 979 Grant St., Buffalo, NY 14207. They should be concise. (39 years old!)