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Northville scores 17 in fourth quarter to end Elba's state championship hopes in semifinal

By Howard B. Owens
sydney reilly elba basketball state semifinal

After trailing for most of the game, a fourth-quarter surge pushed Northville over Elba on Saturday in Troy to end the Lancers’ season in the state semifinal game.

Northville won 42-34 after scoring 17 points to just five for Elba in the fourth quarter. At the end of three quarters, Elba led 29-25.

Hailey Monroe, a leading scorer for Northville, was only 2-18  from the field for the first 28 minutes of the game. She drained her final five shots of the game to propel her team to victory.

Maddie Hall scored 10 points for Elba, Lydia Ross, nine, and Sydney Reilly, seven.

Monroe finished with 24 points.

Photos by Debra Reilly

elba basketball state semifinal
elba basketball state semifinal
elba basketball state semifinal
 elba basketball state semifinal
Adi Norton received the Sportsmanship Player of the Game award.
elba basketball state semifinal
Sydney Reilly with the finalist plaque award to the Elba team.

Elba advances to Final Four in Girls Basketball

By Howard B. Owens
elba girls basketball

Elba beat Panama on Saturday in the Girls Basketball Class D Far West Regional Championship to advance to the state Final Four.

The final score, 58 to 47.

Lydia Ross led the way with 26 points for Elba.

Sydney Reilly scored 16 points for the Lancers. Mariah Ognibene scored eight points.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball

Elba falls to Avoca-Prattsburg in Class D final

By Staff Writer
elba boys basketball

Coming in as the #7 seed, the Elba Lancers lost to #1 seed Avoca-Prattsburg in the Class D championship game at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday.

The final score was 50-37.

Angelo Penna scored 15 points for the Lancers. Ashton Bezon scored eight. Both Penna and Bezon were named to the all-tournament team.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba boys basketball
elba boys basketball
elba boys basketball

Elba captures Class D title in Girls Basketball

By Staff Writer
elba girls basketball

Elba captured another Girls Basketball title on Saturday, beating the #1 seed C.G. Finney 56-54.

The Lancers, the #2 seed in Class D, overcame a 10-point half-time deficient, outscoring Finney 16-12 in the third quarter and 20-12 in the fourth to secure the two-point margin of victory. 

Sydney Reily, who was named tournament MVP, scored 23 points. Lydia Ross scored 11 points and Mariah Ognibene and Brea Smith each scored seven. Ross and Smith were both named to the all-tournament team.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball
elba girls basketball

Elba Drama Club presents 'Little Mermaid' this weekend

By Howard B. Owens
elba little mermaid

The Elba Central School Drama Club presents "The Little Mermaid" this weekend.

Show times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and are available at the door.

Key roles are: 

  • Ariel, Laina Casper
  • Prince Eric, Emilio Rosales
  • Sebastian, Sadee Dillon
  • Ursula, Aerianna Cintorino
  • Scuttle, Jocelyn Miller
  • Flounder, Evan Armbrewster
  • Triton, Bailey Brunner

Photos by Howard Owens.

elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid
elba little mermaid

Elba upsets #2 seed in Class D to advance to championship game

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

The #7 seed, Elba, in Class D knocked off Andover-Whitesville, the #2 seed, 40-36 on Wednesday to advance in the sectional tournament.

The Lancers will contend for the Class D championship at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday.  Game time is 4 p.m. against #1 seed Avoca-Prattsburg, who beat Hammondsport in their semifinal 90-60.

For Elba, Angelo Penna scored 12 points. Nickolas Scott scored 11 and Ashton Bezon scored 10.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Elba beats Avoca Prattsburg 55-47 in Class D girls semifinal

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

The Elba Lancers, the #3 seed in Class D Girls Basketball, beat the #2 seed in a semifinal game on Wednesday, 55-47

Next up, #1 seed C.G. Finney on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Finger Lakes Community College. Finney scored 71 points against Genesee Valley-Belfast in its semifinal game.

For the Lancers, Sydney Reilly scored 18 points, Brea Smith scored 14, and Ava Buczek scored 13.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba basketball
Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Elba gets first-round win, Reilly tops 1K career points

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

Sydney Reilly topped 1,000 career points in an Elba Lancers 98-32 win on Tuesday in a first-round, Class D sectional win over Romulus.

The Lancers are the #3 seed in the tournament and next take on Notre Dame (#6) on Friday at Elba at 6 p.m.

No stats were submitted for the game.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba basketball
Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Law and Order: Batavia woman charged with DWI, resisting arrest following property damage accident

By Howard B. Owens

Felicia R. Sherrell, 43, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs and alcohol, failure to keep right, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, harassment 2nd, and resisting arrest. Sherrell was arrested in connection with a motor vehicle accident reported on Dec. 17. According to police, Sherrell's vehicle struck a sign on West Main Street at Oak Street, Batavia, and then left the scene. Once located, Sherrell allegedly resisted arrest and struck an officer. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Isaiah J. Munroe, 33, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, unlawful imprisonment 2nd, and criminal mischief 4th. Munroe is accused of being in a fight with another person on Walnut Street, Batavia, on Feb 4. He is accused of restraining a person and preventing the person from calling for help. He was arraigned and released.

Michael R. Ostrander, 59, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd. Ostrander is accused of hitting another person, causing injury, during an incident on Feb. 9 on Mill Street. Ostrander was arraigned and released.

Leona J. Polk, 44, of Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd. Polk is accused of striking a nurse in the emergency room at UMMC on Feb. 12. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Rebecca R. Fugate, 33, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Fugate is accused of striking a person on Feb. 12 while on a bus in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Kristen R Aquino, 40, no community listed, is charged with DWI. Aquino was stopped on Feb. 3 on Liberty Street by a Batavia patrol officer. She was issued an appearance ticket.

David J. Sokolowski, 54, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Sokolowski was allegedly found in possession of narcotics on Feb. 6 in the city of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jaylinn M O'Neil, 33, of Le Roy, was arrested on Feb. 7 on a warrant issued by City Court. O'Neil was initially charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd on Nov. 8. She is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered. She was arraigned in City Court and released pending her next court appearance.

Peter Hubbard, 43, of Lovering Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, DWAI (combined influence of drugs and alcohol), driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, driving left of pavement markings.  Hubbard was charged following an investigation by deputies Zachary Hoy and Nicholas Chamoun at 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 16 on Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion.  He was arrested on Feb. 17. Hubbard was released on an appearance ticket.

A 13-year-old was arrested by State Police on Feb. 15 and charged with burglary 3rd. The alleged burglary was reported on Dec. 29 at 5:17 p.m. in the Town of Elba. No further information released.

Jacqueline M. Kotas, 49, of Alden, is charged with DWI. Kotas was stopped by State Police at 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the Town of Darien. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Buffalo State University announces 6 locals to its fall 2023 dean's list

By Press Release

Press Release:

Buffalo State University is pleased to recognize the following students who have been named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List.

  • Talidy Blijden of Batavia, is majoring in Social Studies Education (7-12)
  • Hunter Doran of East Bethany, is majoring in Biology
  • Annmarie Georgia of Batavia, is majoring in Ceramics
  • Morgan Harrington of Elba, is majoring in Psychology
  • Brianna Smith of Oakfield, is majoring in Childhood Education
  • Amber Snyder of Batavia, is majoring in Fashion, Textile, & Technology

In general, students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Buffalo State dean's list. Full criteria and grade-type exceptions can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Elba beats Lyndonville, 69-34

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

Elba beat Lyndonville in Boys Basketball on Wednesday, 69-34.

Ashton Bezon scored 19 points for the Lancers. Bing Zuber and Angelo Penna scored 12 each. Nicklos Scott scored eight points.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba basketball
Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Elba beats Lyndonville in Girls Basketball

By Staff Writer
elba basketball

Elba beat Lyndonville on Tuesday in Girls Basketball 67-44.

Sydney Reilly scored 35 points. Mariah Ognibene scored 12.

Also in Girls Basketball:

In Boys Basketball, Batavia beat Greece-Olympia 65-62. Estavan Lovette scored 16 points, Carter Mullen, 15, and Justin Smith, 12.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba basketball
elba basketball
elba basketball

Elba tops Holley in Boys Basketball 53-47

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

In Boys  Basketball on Monday, Elba beat Holley 53-47.

Mike Long scored 31 points and Angela Penna scored 14 for Elba.

Also in Boys Basketball on Monday, Le Roy beat Pavilion 66 - 27. The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Knights and dealt a blow to the Goper's three-game win streak. For Le Roy, Merritt Holly scored 32 points, had 14 rebounds and three blocks. Jean Agosto, nine points and 13 rebounds.

Pembroke beat Kendall 71-41. Tyson Totten scored 31 points, 10 rebounds, Avery Ferreira, 11 points, and Owen Hootman, 10 points and nine rebounds.

Photos by Debra Reilly

Elba basketball
Elba basketball
Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Notre Dame beats Elba 66-49 at home

By Howard B. Owens
elba notre dame basketball

Notre Dame beat Elba 66 to 49 in Boys Basketball at Notre Dame on Wednesday.

Jaden Sherwood scored 22 points for the Irish. Ryan Fitzpatrick scored 15 points and George Woodruff scored nine.

For the Lancers, Mike Long scored 12 points and Nicholas Scott scored 11.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba notre dame basketball
elba notre dame basketball
elba notre dame basketball
elba notre dame basketball

Former Elba player, coach honored during match between Elba and Notre Dame

By Howard B. Owens
elba notre dame girls

Notre Dame beat Elba 68-55 in Girls Basketball on Wednesday.

The game, played at Elba, also served as a fundraiser in memory of Jordyn Torrey Augello, with the memorial foundation named in her honor, co-hosting the game.  A raffle, braids and Tinsel by Jagged Edges, and gift certificates sold helped raise money for the University of Rochester Genetics, Epigenetics & Metabolism Research Program.

Augello was an Elba Lady Lancer who later returned to Elba to coach youth basketball.

A 2009 graduate of Cornell who became a partner in Torrey Farms, Augello died at age 30 in 2018.

In Wednesday's game, Sofia Falleti scored 22 points for the Irish. Emma Sisson scored 16 points, Nina Bartz scored 14, and Gianna Falleti scored 12.

For Elba, Sydney Reilly scored 19 points. Lydia Ross scored 12. Mariah Ognibene and Brea Smith each scored 11.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

elba notre dame girls
elba notre dame basketball
elba notre dame basketball
elba notre dame basketball

Rochester man accused of burglarizing residence in Elba

By Howard B. Owens
omar cabrera
Omar Carera

A 40-year-old Rochester resident is accused of committing a late-morning burglary at a residence in the Town of Elba on July 7.

Omar Cabrera is charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony, three counts of burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony, and petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

At 11:47 a.m. on July 7, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary at a residence and a detached building on the property. Deputy Jermey McClellan responded and conducted the initial investigation.  Investigators Ryan DeLong and Howard Carlson then responded, collecting photographs and physical evidence. 

Cabrera was identified as the suspect during the course of the investigation. 

He is accused of entering the residence unlawfully and in the process, causing property damage in excess of $250 in value.  He is accused of stealing copper fittings. He is accused of entering the detached building with the intent of committing a crime once inside.

On Jan. 31, Cabrera was located in Rochester with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal's Task Force, and transported to Genesee County and held pending arraignment.  Once arraigned, he was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond.

Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of falsely reporting sexual assault

By Howard B. Owens

Kaila S. Smith, 27, of Batavia, is charged with filing a false written statement and falsely reporting an incident. Smith is accused of falsely reporting a sexual assault on Jan. 5. She was arrested on Jan. 13 and issued an appearance ticket.

Michael A. Sweet, 37, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Sweet is accused of taking payment to complete renovations on a residence in Batavia and then never completing the work. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Maverick X. Cook, 18, and Patrick J. Peters, 18, both of Batavia, are charged with open burning. Cook and Peters are accused of starting several fires on sidewalks and parking lots in the area of Ellicott Street and Liberty Street, Batavia, in December. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Darrell Laverne McFadden, 53, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. McFadden is accused of causing serious physical injury during a fight at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, at a location on Clinton Street Road. He was jailed pending arraignment.

Jessica B. Eschenlauer, 34, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 2nd, and aggravated family offense. Eschenlauer is accused of being inside a residence in violation of an order of protection. She was arraigned and released.

Roger M. Hofmeier, 22, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. In July 2022, Hofmeir was allegedly found in illegal possession of a firearm. He was arrested on Jan. 11, arraigned in City Court, and released under supervision.

Nikkia M. Blackshear, 26, of Batavia, is charged with trespassing. Blackshear is accused of refusing to leave 7-Eleven on Jan. 20. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Adrienne S. Bechtold, 28, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Bechtold was charged following a traffic stop on Jan. 18 on Ross Street, Batavia. She was allegedly found in possession of narcotics and a scale. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Vincent J. Disalvo, 48, of Webster, is charged with harassment 2nd and trespassing. Disalvo is accused of kicking another person during a fight in the 7-Eleven Parking lot. He then allegedly entered the store after being told he wasn't allowed in the store. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Anthony A. Bomasuto, 29, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Bomasuto is accused of being involved in an incident on Jan. 15 on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was arraigned and released.

Trace G. Brewer, 23, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Brewer was wanted on charges of petit larceny and conspiracy 6h.  She was allegedly involved in a theft with another person of merchandise from 7-Eleven. She was arraigned and released.

Lorrie Beth Fischer, 45, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with misapplication of property. Fischer is accused of possessing another person's property on Dec. 29 and, rather than returning it, selling it. She was arrested by Deputy Mason Schultz on Jan. 22. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Nicole K. Dell, 38, of Silver Springs, was arrested on a warrant on Jan. 25. Dell was initially arrested on May 23, 2022, and charged with DWI. The warrant was issued after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Dell was arraigned and released. 

Jacob J. Frayne, 26, of Darien, is charged with aggravated DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation. Frayne was charged following a traffic stop on Jan. 26 on Pearl Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Takari G. Lang-Smith, 22, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Lang-Smith was stopped on Jan. 28 at an undisclosed location by Batavia PD. He was issued tickets and released.

Richard M. Fuhry, 42, of Brockport, is charged with DWI. On Jan. 20, Batavia patrol offices were dispatched to North Park and Ross Street for a report of a fight in the street. Fuhry was accused of being involved in the fight and then located driving on Seneca Avenue. He was issued several tickets.

Brian J. Hawkins, 44, of Olean, was arrested on Jan. 22 on two warrants issued by City Court. The first was a bench warrant related to an incident in 2019 where he allegedly provided alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The second warrant was an arrest warrant for Bail Jumping 3rd. Hawkins was arraigned and released.

Tanika N. Avant, 22, of Batavia, was arrested on Jan. 22 on a warrant issued by City Court. The warrant stemmed from an incident in April of 2023 where she was charged with two counts of harassment 2nd and one count of endangering the welfare of a child after a disturbance call on Bank Street. Avant was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. 

Johnny Burton Koonce, Jr., 33, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and failure to stop at a stop sign.  Koonce was stopped at 1:53 a.m. Jan. 20 by Sgt. Mathew Clor.  The passenger in the vehicle was somebody Koonce was allegedly supposed to not contact by court order. He was held pending arraignment.

Shanaya Nichole Brooks, 22, of Route 438, Gowanda, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Brooks is accused of striking the side of a house on Jan. 19 on East Road, Batavia, causing damage. She is also accused of trying to force her way into the house, causing damage. She was held pending arraignment.

Samantha Rae Balduf, 31, of Grant Street, Depew, is charged with petit larceny.  Balduf is accused of switching the price tag on a piece of merchandise at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive (the name and location of the store was withheld by the Sheriff's Office) at 1:03 p.m. on Jan. 19. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Isaac Floyd, Jr., 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and illegal signal. Floyd was stopped at 12:07 a.m. on Jan. 24 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jacob Kipler. Floyd was released on tickets.

Joel David Proudy, 37, of Rochester Street, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Proudy is accused of violating a full stay-away order of protection at 10:50 a.m. on Jan. 17 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. He also had multiple outstanding warrants. He was held pending arraignment.

Joseph Peter Mancuso, 35, of Deerfield Drive, North Tonawanda, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Mancuso is charged with violating a stay-away order of protection at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 at a location on Roberts Road, Alabama. He was arraigned and released under supervision.

Steven James Dunham, 35, of Main Street, Corfu, is charged with failure to verify address within 90 days as a Level 3 sex offender. Dunham was arrested in January and held for arraignment.

Steven Kenneth Maskell, 31, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving while using a portable electronic device. Maskell was stopped at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 on Lockport Road, Oakfield, by Deputy Morgan Ewert. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Robert Paul Gerspach, 67, no specified address, Buffalo, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, driver's view obstructed, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely.  Gerspach was observed by an off-duty deputy driving in an alleged unsafe manner at 11:22 a.m. on Jan. 24.  He was stopped and arrested by Deputy Austin Heberlein. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Guillermo Guadalupe-Vasques, 44, of Crimson Drive, Canandaigua, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, and moving from lane unsafely. Guadalupe-Vasques was stopped at 8:44 p.m. on Jan. 24 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Stephen Smith. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Mckenzie Leigh Stogsdill, 32, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, no headlights, and no tail lamps. Stogsdill was stopped at 1:44 a.m. on Jan. 27 on Park Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. Stogsdill was released on appearance tickets.

Jessica R. Parker-Sharkey, 30, of South Butler Road, Savanah, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Parker-Sharkey was arrested in Virginia Beach, Va., and extricated back to Genesee County. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released. The charges stem from allegations in April 2023 that she was in possession of a stolen car and a controlled substance. Following her release, she was turned over to Rochester PD on warrants.

Michael Curtis Smith Jr., 31, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing an electric scooter from Walmart at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Joseph Michael Petix, 66, of Shorecliff Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, stop sign violation, breath test refusal, and consumption of alcohol while driving. Petix was stopped at 9:53 p.m. on Jan. 28 on Clinton Street, Batavia, by Deputy Travis DeMuth.  He was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. His release status was not reported.

Lancers surge in fourth quarter to come back against Hornets

By Staff Writer
elba oakfield basketball

Elba trailed Oakfield-Alabama through more than three-quarters of Girls Basketball on Friday, and one point falling behind by 13 points, only to come roaring back in the fourth quarter with 21 points to secure a 44 to 39 win.

Sydney Reilly scored 19 points for the Lancers, and Lydia Ross scored 14.  Mariah Ognibene scored seven.

For the Hornets, Alea Groff scored 15 points.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba oakfield basketball
elba oakfield basketball

Hornets top Lancers in Boys Basketball 64-45

By Howard B. Owens
elba oakfield basketball

Oakfield-Alabama beat Elba on Thursday evening 64-45.

Avery Watterson scored 27 points for the Hornets. Gavein ARmbrewster scored 8, and Kyler Harkness scored eight, as did Nate Schildwaster.

Ashley Bezon scored 15 points for the Lancers and Mike Long scored 11.

Also, in Boys Basketball on Thursday, Pembroke beat Notre Dame 60-54. Tyson Totten scored 24 points for the Dragons.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba oakfield basketball
elba oakfield basketball
elba oakfield basketball

Elba beats Attica 59-36 in Girls Basketball

By Staff Writer
elba basketball

Elba improved to 11-2 in Girls Basketball on Friday with a 59-36 win over Attica.

Sydney Reilly scored 16 points. Lydia Ross scored 15, and Brea Smith scored nine.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

elba basketball
elba basketball

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