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One-time wanted suspect sentenced to prison

By Howard B. Owens

A youth who was wanted by local law enforcement, and allegedly led Batavia Police, State Police and Sheriff's deputies on a manhunt in the city two months ago, was sentenced to prison time for a violation of probation.

Christopher Laird, 17, originally from Elba, but has also lived in Le Roy and Batavia, failed to report for probation meetings in early 2010.

Police eventually caught up with Lair in Le Roy on April 4, two days after the manhunt, which involved a State Police helicopter.

Laird's probation was revoked. He will spend one to three years in state prison.

Police Beat: Trespass charges filed against duo in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Jesse Adam Dispenza, 24, of Union Street, Scottsville, is charged with trespass. Dispenza is accused of trespassing on the Dolomite property in the Town of Le Roy at 6:20 p.m., Saturday.

Marissa Christine Zeiner, 19, of Sunset Circle Lane, Brockport, is charged with trespass. Zeiner is accused of trespassing on the Dolomite property in the Town of Le Roy at 6:20 p.m., Saturday.

A 17-year-old resident of Maple Avenue in Le Roy is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop by Deputy Matt Butler at 5:03 p.m., Saturday.

Ami Kadar, 64, of Albion, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Kadar was arrested this week by State Police on Maple Avenue, Elba, in connection with an alleged incident at 12:01 p.m., March 30. No further details are available.

Jorge L. Portugal-Pineda, 22, of Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe tires and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Portugal-Pineda was arrested by State Police on Transit Road at 3:15 p.m., Monday.

Ethan R. Kitanik, 19, of Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and ticketed for no headlights. Kitanik was stopped by State Police on Oak Street in Oakfield at 10:55 p.m., Sunday.

Elba man charged in alleged knife attack

By Howard B. Owens

An alleged knife attack that left a victim in need of more than 80 stitches on his face and hand has led to the arrest of an Elba man on an assault and weapons possession charge.

Gerardo Pineda-Sanchez, 42, of Oak Orchard Road was taken into custody by the Sheriff's Office for the alleged April 28 attack.

The victim, described as a Mexican male, was interviewed by investigators after he showed up at the UMMC emergency room. The victim was eventually transferred to ECMC where he received 65 stitches on his face and 20 on this thumb.

With the aid of ICE, the Sheriff's Office was able to identify Pineda-Sanchez as the suspect and apprehended him at his workplace without incident.

Pineda-Sanchez is being held in a federal detention facility on $10,000 bail.

Chicken BBQ to benefit Ryan Wolcott this Tuesday

By Gretel Kauffman

From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, the Elba school and community will be holding a chicken BBQ to benefit Elba High School student Ryan Wolcott.

Elba and Byron-Bergen faculties, students, and friends of Ryan and the Wolcott family will be serving food in the Elba Central School cafeteria. Eat in or take out. Tickets will be $9 at the door, and $8 pre-sale (available at the school). All proceeds will go to the Wolcott family.

There will also be a spaghetti dinner to benefit Ryan on June 6 at the Elba Rec Hall, which will feature several local bands.

Here is a brief bio of Ryan, written by his mother, Jody Wolcott.

Ryan is a 10th grader at Elba Central School; he was born with Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome. It is a rare immune deficiency similar to "The Boy in the Bubble."

He was treated with a bone-marrow transplant when he was 2 years old and has ongoing complex care. The most debilitating complication is that he has chronic obstructive lung disease or C.O.P.D. He struggles to breathe and is dependent on oxygen from a tank or concentrator. He has other medical and physical challenges that affect his stamina and mobility and depends on a scooter to get around.

Ryan was the Elba-BB football team water boy when he was able and was the honorary Elba Basketball team water boy this year. He likes to listen to music, play the Wii, watch movies, and has learned to depend on his friends for support.

Sons of God Motorcycle Club Bike Blessing

By Robin Walters

The Sons of God Motorcycle Club will be hosting a Bike Blessing at Stan's Harley Davidson 4425 W. Saile Drive, Batavia, NY  this Saturday, May 15th.

The event will be held from 11:30 AM-4:00 PM.  There will be hotdogs and pop available for $ 3.00.

The band Wales Road will be featuring Live Rock and Roll music. They are a "Blues based metal with a Christian frosting".

For more information call Ron at 585-455-9590 or you can find more information at

www.walesroad.com

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Chicken BBQ to support Elba Cub Scout Pack 2017

By Leela Chadbourne

Elba Cub Scout Pack 2017 is hosting a Chicken BBQ on May 15th in the Elba Town Park in the back pavillion by the baseball fields.  We will be selling Chicken Dinners of a half chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans and a roll for $8.00 a dinner.  Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase courtesy of Elba Youth Baseball.  Seating is available for those who wish to "dine in" and enjoy an afternoon at the park. 

Please come out to the park and enjoy a delicious lunch and help support our 2010 program. 

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Engine overheats, causes structure fire in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A structure fire in Elba on Saturday caused an estimated $100,000 damage after a diesel engine connected to a generator apparently overheated, setting off the blaze.

A shed at 5327 Watson Road was destroyed.

The fire damaged the motor, generator, wiring and controls.

Elba Fire and Deputy Jason Saile investigated the incident.

(initial report)

Possible barn fire reported in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A possible barn fire has been reported at 5327 Watson Road, Elba.

A generator that started smoking may be the cause of the fire.

An Elba chief on scene reports smoke showing.

A plumber from Oakfield is being sent to the Elba Fire Hall. Byron asked to stand by in its hall.


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More trees down in Batavia, Elba and Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Tree branches are down in the area of 166 Summit St., completely blocking it.

At 9 Holland Ave., a tree is down and electrical wires are arcing.

Also, trees down blocking Macomber Road in Oakfield and a street in Bergen.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: A line is down and arcing on Route 77. Also, Batavia Fire is being dispatched to 71 S. Main St. for a tree limb on fire. A Le Roy Fire chief reports a limb down on Myrtle Street.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: In Le Roy, there are at least two limbs down on Myrtle, with one causing damage to a vehicle, plus one on Glibert Street. Le Roy is setting up a command post at the Fire Hall and requesting all available manpower.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Fire Dispatch just notifed all fire personnel to go to various operational channels and keep radio transmissions to a minimum: "We have several emergencies to get out."

Update 4:35 p.m.: There is some sort of fire on West Bergen Road. Wires are down on Elm Street in Le Roy, also in Le Roy several tree branches and wires are down and arcing on Lake Street. There is also an incident on Washington Avenue in Batavia that has the street shut down.

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: A tree has fallen on a house on Kibbe Avenue.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: There's a chain reaction of poles down and wires popping on Clipknock Road. There's also another pole down in Le Roy, but we didn't catch the location. Also several poles and wires down on Bethany Center Road.

UPDATE 4:43 p.m.: Somebody just said, "We've lost all power in the village." Not sure which village.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: National Grid is on scene on Erie Street in Le Roy for lines down.  Also on Oatka, a large tree is leaning on wires. Wires are intact. In Batavia, Jackson Street is blocked at Wood Street. Darien is being asked to check 9295 Colby Road for unknown wires down.

UPDATE: A tree has fallen into power lines on Vine Street.

National Day Of Prayer

By Tracy Byrnes

        PRAYER...AMERICA'S HOPE

THURSDAY, MAY 6TH

Millions of Americans will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6th. The theme for this year is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” and is based on the verse from Nahum 1:7 which states: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

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Children's author visits local schools

By Gretel Kauffman

On Wednesday, elementary students at Elba Central School got to visit with acclaimed children's author Mary Amato. She resides in Silver Springs, Maryland, and is the award-winning author of nine books for young people, as well as numerous plays, poems and articles for publications such as Muse, Cicada, The Washington Post, Parenting, and Mothering.

Elba school librarian Christine Ferris says she likes to have a different author come speak to the students every year. 

"I got interested in [Mary Amato's] books when I read The Word Eater," says Ferris. "She writes very funny books."

The visit was arranged through the BOCES "Visiting Authors" program. The program sends suggestions to schools of various authors, and makes all of the traveling and "touring" arrangements. Amato will be visiting several other area schools as well during her visit.

During the presentation at Elba, Amato spoke to the children about her career, her life, and, foremost, her experiences with writing when she was their age.

"I tell them that I was afraid of writing," says Amato. "I thought I had no ideas, no imagination. Imagination is like a muscle. The more I wrote, the better I got. It's like sports. You wouldn't expect an olympic athlete to get a triple lutz the first time. You have to keep working on it."

She says that the turning point in her writer's block was when she was 7, when her mother gave her a journal (which she is holding in the photo above).

"My mother gave me a notebook and told me to record a trip to California. I liked the fact that I could go back and relive the moments through records of it. That's when I got hooked on writing."

She suggests that aspiring young writers do the same.

"Get a little notebook and write in it. You don't have to write in it every day, just write down some of your feelings and ideas."

More information about Mary Amato and how to contact her can be found on her website, www.maryamato.com.  The website contains information about Mary, her books and how to contact her, as well as a new video blog documenting her writing process.

Third Elba Music Festival a success

By Gretel Kauffman

Those in attendance at the Elba Music Festival Friday night certainly heard a wide variety of music. The 13 acts that performed ranged from a church choir to a punk-rock band to a barbershop quintet.

Featured performers were the Elba Concert Band, the Elba Presbyterian Church Choir, Dakota Hirsch, the Elba Saxophone Quartet, James Earl, the Genesee Chorale, the Elba Jazz Ensemble, Dixie Hirsch, Scene 7, Andrew Lacey and Michaela Stewart, M.A.C., Dillon Hirsch, and the Batavia Blue Belles. 

Here are two photos from the event: the Genesee Chorale; and the Batavia Blue Belles.

 

Elba School to host Family Fun Night

By Gretel Kauffman

Those looking for a fun, tobacco-free family night can find just that in the Elba Central School gymnasium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. Families with children in Pre-K through sixth grade are welcome to play games like Dance Dance Revolution and basketball; refresh with smoothies, ice cream, and other healthy snacks; and enjoy a DJ and live entertainment.

"This will tie in with our tobacco-free policy," says school nurse Cathy Contant, "and we're hoping it will really reduce the (TV) screen time that families have."

Contant is one of the main organizers of the night, along with counselor Kelly Carlie and several teachers. It is also a senior project for students Sherday Schultz, Julie Marshall, Rebecca Morse and Meghan Andrews.

The four seniors agree that they hope the night will encourage fitness and family togetherness in a fun way. They are hoping that local families will, for at least one night, turn off the TV and spend more time together.

"We want to promote a healthy lifestyle," says Marshall.

The night will be co-sponsored in part by Reality Check and Genesee County Stop DWI.  There is no admission charge and is open to anyone with young children.

Police Beat: Witness follows alleged erratic driver to Elba, leads to arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Emily Rose Wells, 25, of 139 S. Main St, Apt. #1, Albion, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Wells was stopped at the Yellow Goose in Elba after a witness phoned in a complaint about an erratic driver on Route 98 in Barre. The driver allegedly struck a guardrail. The witness followed the car to Elba.

Kate Elizabeth Brozic, 26, of 671 Ogden-Parma Townline Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI and aggravated DWI (driving with a BAC of .18 or greater). Brozic was arrested after Deputy Eric Seppela was dispatched to Route 33 in Stafford to check on a vehicle parked on the roadside.

Accidents reported on the State Police blotter:

8:36 p.m., April 11, Coe Avenue, Oakfield, two vehicles; Driver 1: Christopher M. Ames, 38, of Oakfield; second car was parked. No injuries reported.

8:19 p.m, April 11, Thruway, mile marker 384.5, Stafford, one vehicle; Driver 1: Steven J. Flowers, 19, of Cheektowaga. No injuries reported.

12:23 a.m., April 12, Thruway, mile marker 380, Le Roy, one vehicle; Driver 1: Adam D. Thurman, 29, of Tonawanda. No injuries reported.

Tuesday Night Bingo Elba NY

By Mark Wiatrowski

We have added a new feature to our Bingo line-up! On the last Tuesday of each month we will have $10 "All you can play". For just 10 dollars you can play up to 6 boards plus your normal admission board. Extra boards for 60/40 and Jackpot will remain the same as regular admission nights. Look here often for more additions to our program in the near future.

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Elba Teen wins New York's Junior Miss competition

By Howard B. Owens

A 17-year-old Notre Dame student from Elba will represent New York in the 2010 Junior Miss competition June 27 in Mobile, Ala.

Alex Sandra Morgan won the state title for Junior Miss on Saturday at the competition at Buffalo State College, according to the Buffalo News.

Morgan plans on attending Princeton University.

CLOR'S CHICKEN B-B-Q

By june rowcliffe

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Clor’s Chicken B – B- Q, April 11, Museum, Maple Ave. Ext., Elba. Tickets $8.50 each, starting 11:30 until gone.  Tickets may be reserved by calling June C. at 344-2707  or Ann at 757-9356.

Fundraiser for the Historical Society of Elba.

 

 

 

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Elba kicks off 'Celebrate Reading' program

By Howard B. Owens

Mike Randall, meterologist with Channel 7 News in Buffalo, was at Elba Central School today to entertain and instruct children with his magic show.

The assembly kicked off the school's "Celebrating Reading" program. The title of today's program was "Reading is Magic."

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