Alexander

Qumane J. Santiago is indicted for the crime of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 23 in the City of Batavia that Santiago intentionally tried to prevent a police officer from perfoming his lawful duty and caused physical injury to the police officer. In count two, he is accused of the same crime involving another person. In count three, Santiago is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally attempting to prevent a police officer from making an arrest. In count four, the defendant is accused of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, another Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally obstructing a public servant from performing an official function by means of intimidation, physical force, interference or any independently unlawful act. In count five, he is accused of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally damaging another person's property -- a flat screen television, lights, lamps and picture frames.

Colleen L. Nelson is indicted for the crime of attempted murder in the second degree, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that on July 29 in the Town of Elba that Nelson acted intentionally to cause the death of another person by engaging in criminal conduct to cause death. In count two, Nelson is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly possessing a dagger, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol or other dangerous instrument that day to use intentionally and unlawfully against a person.

Derek Melendez is indicted for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 29 in the Town of Bergen that he stole a credit card belonging to another person. In count two, Melendez is accused of second-degree burglary -- illegal entry into a building, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged in count two that on that day he entered a dwelling on West Bergen Road with the intent to commit a crime. In count three, Melendez is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, a Class D felony, for allegedly knowingly possessing stolen property valued at more than $3,000. In count four, the defendant is accused of driving while ability impaired by drugs for allegedly driving a 2020 Nissan Altima with Maryland license plates while his ability was impaired by drugs.

Greg R. Solomonidis is indicted for the crime of second-degree assault, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on July 22 in the Town of Alexander that the defendant intentionally injured another person.

Madalyn R. Muntz is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 12 in the City of Batavia that Muntz knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with intent to sell it. In count two, Muntz is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged in count two that on that day she knowingly and intentionally possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug -- cocaine, which had an aggregate weight of one-eighth ounce or more. In count three, Muntz is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. It is alleged in count three that on that day she knowingly and unlawfully possessed a controlled substance -- buprenorphine and Naloxone.

Jose A. Rivera is indicted for the crime of second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 10 in the City of Batavia Rivera unlawfully entered a building on Swan Street intending to commit a crime. In count two, Rivera is accused of second-degree criminal contempt for allegedly intentionally disobeying a court order of protection. 

James D. Weathers and Ayeola N. Williams are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 31 in the Town of Stafford that they knowingly possessed a loaded firearm -- a Glock 19 handgun. In count two, only Williams is accused of driving while ability impaired by alcohol, in a 2019 Volkswagon Jetta on Clinton Street Road.

Mark D. Tooley is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony, for allegedly operating a 2007 Honda Nov. 19 on West Main Street Road, Town of Batavia, while he was intoxicated. In count two, Tooley is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, Tooley is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, also a Class E felony, for allegedly driving that day while knowing his driver's license was suspended or revoked by authorities and while he was under the influence of alcohol or a drug. In count four, Tooley is accused of false personation, a Class B misdemeanor, for allegedly knowingly and intentionally misrepresenting his name, birth day or address to a police officer, after being informed of the consquences of doing so. In count five, the defendant is accused of unlawfully fleeing from a police officer, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that on that day, when he was directed to stop his vehicle by a marked police vehicle, he allegedly attempted to flee, driving at speeds of 25 mph or more above the speed limit. In count six, the defendant is accused of speeding, a violation, for allegedly driving at speeds in excess of 55 mph -- to wit, 100 mph. In Special Information filed by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Tooley is accused of having been convicted of driving while ability impaired by drugs, as a Class D felony, on Nov. 29, 2011 in Genesee County Court and that conviction forms the basis for the license suspension or revocation, which remains in effect, and is referred to in count three of the current indictment.

Sharada M. Crumpler is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 21 Crumpler drove a 2020 Nissan with Tennessee license plates on I-90 in the Town of Le Roy while in an intoxicated condition. In count two she is accused of DWI, per se, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 percent or more at the time. In count three, Crumpler is accused of speeding, a violation, for driving that day at a speed greater than was reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. In count four, she is accused of the same violation for driving in excess of the maximum established speed limit for that public highway -- 118 mph in a 65-mph zone. In Special Information filed by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Crumpler is accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on Sept. 30, 2015 in City of Rochester Court, and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Jeremiah N. Walker and Samid P. Graves are indicted for the crime of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 28 at Tops Friendly Market on Main Street in Le Roy that they stole property with a value exceeding $1,000, to wit: $1,058.35 worth of property.

From Laura A. Wadhams, P.E., assistant County Engineer:

Brown's Mill Road at the West Bethany Road intersection, on the border of Alexander and West Bethany, is closed for approximately two weeks for a culvert replacement project.

This work will not affect traffic on West Bethany Road. 

The public will be notified once the road is reopened.

Movie Nights at the WNY Gas & Steam Show Grounds!

• 7 p.m., May 14 -- "The Goonies"
• 7 p.m., May 15 -- "Aladdin" (The Original)

Cost is $25 per vehicle, no RVs, busses or limos. Drive-in only.

Food and drink for purchase on site.

Enter Walker Road entrance, Alexander Road. (Steam Show Grounds' address is 10244 Gillate Road, Alexander.)

Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 1st, www.alexandersteamshow.com. COVID-19 protocols to be followed.

The Alexander Trojans defeated Oakfield-Alabama/Elba is a Section V playoff game at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday without scoring a touchdown. 

Eric Cline kicked field goals of 26, 23, and 37-yards to secure the victory.

Head Coach Tim Sawyer said his team came into the game as the underdog and road not just Cline's leg to victory, but defense, special teams, and offensive ball control all kicked in when needed to hold OAE at bay.

The Trojans will play next week in their fifth-straight Section V championship game.

"Defensive Coordinator Matt McCracken dialed up another big defensive game plan and the players performed it to a 'T,' " Sawyer said.

With eight seconds left in the game, OAE had a chance to turn the tables on Alexander with its own field goal attempt but the kick was blocked by Devin Dean.

Brayden Woods ran 21 times for 69 yards, Nick Kramer led the Trojans in rushing with 93 yards on 18 carries. Kramer was 2-3 passing on the day.

On defense, Spencer Wuest had two fumble recoveries and Kramer added an interception in the fourth quarter to stall out an OEA drive. Kramer led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Jake Laney had eight tackles. Dean had eight tackles.

Alexander meets Avon next week for the Class D sectional title.

For OAE, QB Bodie Hyde was 4-5 passing for 76 tards. He ran six times for 114 yards and a touchdown. Ty Mott, 20 carries, 91 yards. On defense, Peyton Yasses, 13 tackles. Dontrell Jenkins, seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Kaden Cusmano, eight tackles and a sack.

"Hats off to Alexander today," said OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter. "They won the turnover battle and the battle at the line of scrimmage. It is very difficult to win a football game when you are 0-2 in those two categories. We had an opportunity to win it at the end, but we couldn't make enough big plays when it counted. 

"All in all, I feel that this was a huge first season back in 11-man football," he added. "These boys did a ton of great things all year. Today was obviously not the outcome that any of us wanted. This senior class can hold their heads high and be proud of their careers, while the underclassmen can use today as a valuable learning experience for the future. We'll be back."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

The Trojans, at 5-1, are once again playoff-bound after finishing the regular season with a 30-0 win over Cuba-Rushford.

Once again, Brayden Woods gained more than 100 yards on the ground, running for 104 on 11 carries. He scored two touchdowns.

Nick Kramer rushed five times for 41 yards. He was also 7-13 passing for 125 yards and a TD. He gave up one interception. Jay Morrison caught four of those passes for 86 yards and a TD.

Jake Laney led the Trojan defense in tackles with six. Devin Dean and Connor Hollands each had four tackles. Gavin Smith-Crandall recorded another QB sack. Dean and Clayton Bezon each had interceptions.

In other games last night:

• Geneseo beat Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 30-13
• Pembroke beat Perry in eight-man, 42-6
• Batavia beat Palmyra-Macedon 48-7 (we hope to have photos and video posted this evening)
• Bolivar Richburg beat Notre Dame 40-0.
• OAE beat Avon 37-7 (click here for coverage)

Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: Brayden Woods (5) picking his way through the Cuba-Rushford defenders.

Eric Cline (9) with the kickoff.

Jay Morrison (1) diving across the plane for a touchdown.

Mason Bump (10) charging through the Cuba-Rushford defense.

Quarterback Nick Kramer (3) walking back from the huddle as Connor Hollands (21) makes his way to the line. 

Maverick Bump (2) catching the low pass in open field.

Fullback Devin Dean (24) pushing his way through two defenders.

Public Notice

The annual meeting of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, of Alexander, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 11^th at 10276 Gillate Road, Alexander.

All cemetery plot owners and family members as well as any interested community members are welcome to attend.

Press release:

The Alexander Central School District’s Board of Education has selected Jared ("Jake") D. Taft as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. He expected to begin pending successful contract negotiations.

“Coming to Alexander Central as the Elementary Principal and then interim Superintendent has a great deal of nostalgia for me," Taft said. "This school district feels like home. Our school colors are the same as my childhood elementary school where my mom was also a teacher. My first childhood school experiences were in a school nearly identical to Alexander Elementary School.

“I am profoundly grateful, honored, and excited to serve as Alexander’s next Superintendent of Schools. I’m confident that we can tackle the important work ahead of us as we continue to navigate the new normal stemming from the pandemic. But I am sure Alexander has all of the sweat equity, grace and toughness to be successful, strong and even better than before."

“The Board of Education would like to thank the other finalists for their interest shown in this position," said Brian Paris, Alexander Central School District’s Board President. "This was an extremely difficult decision as all of the candidates are highly qualified individuals.

"We truly value the input received from the various stakeholders who met with the candidates to help us make a final decision. The board is confident that Jake Taft will lead our district through the issues we face in our region. With his leadership, we will work together to continue to deliver the best education possible for our students.” 

Taft currently serves as the interim superintendent of Alexander Central Schools, a role he has held since September 2020. Previously, from 2019-2020, he served as principal of Alexander Elementary School.

Taft began his career in education in 2000 as a teacher at Roy H. Mann Intermediate School in Brooklyn. He has served in principal roles at the Royalton-Hartland, Lackawanna, and Lewiston-Porter Central School Districts.

In each of these districts, he focused on developing positive, collaborative, and productive relationships to cultivate a culture of teaching, learning and caring for all.

Some of his 20-year career highlights include: evaluating and implementing the annual School Improvement Plan at Royalton-Hartland Middle School; supervising and coordinating the P-Tech Grant Program at Lackawanna High School; and providing instructional leadership to Professional Learning Communities to advance student learning at Lewiston-Porter High School. In 2015, Taft was awarded the Trocaire College Reflections Award for P-Tech. 

Taft earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Niagara University. He also earned a Master of Science in School Administration and Supervision from Touro College. He is completing coursework for his Doctorate of Education.

He holds New York State permanent certifications in Elementary Education, and Special Education, and as a School District Administrator and Supervisor.

Kevin MacDonald, District Superintendent of the Genesee Valley BOCES, acted as the search consultant and noted that the search process was a true collaboration between the Board of Education and stakeholders.*

**************************************************************

*Clarification statement by Kevin MacDonald stating that stakeholders were not involved in the superintendent search interview process.

In a game marked by strong defense, numerous false start penalties and fumbles, nine punts and just one completed pass, the visiting Alexander Trojans turned back the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 14-6, in Section V varsity football Thursday night at Van Detta Stadium.

Alexander raised its record to 4-1 as junior running back Brayden Woods ran the ball 20 times for 131 yards, including a six-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

The scoring play and junior kicker Eric Cline’s extra point gave the Trojans that eight-point lead and from there they were able to hold off the Irish, who fall to 1-4.

Notre Dame opened the scoring late in the first quarter as senior running back Dylan Warner capped a six-play drive with a one-yard TD plunge. Sophomore quarterback James Fanara’s pass attempt for the two-point conversion fell incomplete.

The Irish had taken possession of the ball at the visitors’ 26-yard line when Alexander’s punter muffed the snap. A six-yard run by junior Vin DiRisio and a 19-yard scamper by senior Alonso Storey advanced the ball to the 1, setting up Warner’s touchdown two plays later.

The Trojans came right back, however, marching 58 yards on 14 plays to knot the score at 6-6 on junior quarterback Nick Kramer’s 1-yard plunge with 8:36 left in the half. Cline’s extra point gave Alexander a 7-6 lead.

Key plays in that drive were a 13-yard run by Woods to the ND 15 and a 13-yard scramble by Kramer to the Irish 6.

In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame capitalized on a 59-yard punt by junior Cody Henry to pin the Trojans back to their own 7. Five plays netted only seven yards and Alexander was forced to punt.

Storey fielded the punt around the 45 and bolted up the field to the Alexander 27, putting the Irish in position to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion.

On third-and-13 from the Alexander 30, Fanara hit senior wide receiver Anthony Zambito over the middle for 17 yards – the game’s lone pass completion. A run by Fanara and two by Warner gained eight yards, making it 4^th and 2 from the Alexander 5-yard line.

After an ND timeout, a false start penalty on the Irish offensive line pushed the ball back to the 10. From there, Fanara fired a pass over the middle that was intended for Storey but was a bit high and went off the receiver’s hands with 3:46 to play.

Alexander was then able to run out the clock as Woods collected 30 of his rushing yards in the closing minutes.

Kramer added 61 yards on the ground on 14 carries while fullback Devin Dean chipped in with 17 on five carries. Kramer was 0-for-10 passing.

Dean, from his linebacker position, made nine tackles to lead an Alexander defense that held ND to 104 total yards. Lineman Gavin Smith-Crandall had five tackles and recovered a fumble while Kramer had two sacks and forced a fumble for the winners.

For ND, Storey gained 43 yards on 10 carries and Fanara rushed for 29 yards on nine carries. He was 1-for-8 for the 17 yards through the air. Defensively, Henry, with 13 tackles, and Donato Fiorentino led the way.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Top photo: Nick Kramer (#3)

QB Fanara (11) DiRisio (24)

RB Storey (6) breaking his way through the Alexander Defense.

Wuest (52) leading the way for Kramer (3).

Kramer (3) with the carry as Zambito (2) goes for the tackle.

Woods (5) heading out to open field.

Fanara (11) scrambling through the field. 

Woods (5) with Alexander’s final touchdown of the game.

The Alexander Trojans moved to 3-1 with a 35-6 win at Attica over Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen.

The Trojans ran for 325 yards on 46 carries, preferring a ground attack on a windy night. Nick Kramer gained 132 yards on 15 carries. Brayden Woods ran for 69 yards on 11 carries. Devin Dean ran for 52 yards. Jay Morrison gained 39 yards on the ground and added 40 yards receiving.

Defensively, Maverick Bump had an interception and returned it 72 yards to inside the Cal-Mum 10-yard line. Gavin Smith-Crandall had a fumble recovery. Devin Dean led the Trojans with six tackles. Clayton Bezon and Nick Kramer each had five tackles.  

The Trojans play Notre Dame at Van Detta Stadium next Thursday night.

Top photo: TE Mark Poles-Harrison (81) battling for the ball in the air with Brayden Woods (5).

Photos by Philip Casper. Game info provided by Coach Tim Sawyer.

Nick Kramer (3) handing off to Brayden Woods (5) before he crossed into the end zone. 

Quarterback Kyle Wade (4) surveys the field with Running Back Jake Cappotelli (25) at his side.

Kyle Wade (4) looking for a pass downfield while on the move.

Nick Kramer (3) on the move before running out of bounds just before the goal line, the Trojans would go on to score on their next play.

Fullback Devin Dean (24) getting the hand off.

Nick Kramer (3) taking down Jake Cappotelli (25) stopping the run.

Nick Kramer (3) attempting to hurdle the pile.

Colin Crane (6) on the run, Christian Haller (21) setting the block.

Senior, Colin Crane (6) crossing the plane after an impressive drive to score the final points for Alexander, leading to a Trojans win over the Raiders, 35-6.

Avon's defensive line proved to be just a bit larger than Alexander's offense could overcome in Saturday's game at Van Detta Stadium, so the Trojans were never able to sustain a drive and ended up losing 21-0.

QB Nick Kramer rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries. Six other Trojan backs combined for 78 yards. 

Devin Dean led the defense with 11 tackles. Jake Laney had five tackles.

The Trojans did manage to get the ball on four turnovers. Mav Bump and Jay Morrison each had an interception. Kramer forced two fumbles. One was recovered by Morrison and one was recovered by Connor Hollands.

Alice Calmes shared this information:

Typically the teams would start preparing in early December when the NYS BAR Association releases the case. However, due to Covid guidelines, the school didn't allow extracurricular activities to start until Feb 22.

At that time, the four returning members recruited four more members, assigned roles, and started working on opening and closing statements, questions for direct and cross, and memorizing affidavits.

The initial round of competitions for them started March 8th and they went 4-0 advancing straight to the semifinals due to a bye in the quarter-finals from being in first place at the end of the initial rounds. A win against Attica High School sent them to the finals against Oakfield-Alabama on Wednesday night.

Both matches were hard-fought, with Alexander beating Oakfield-Alabama in both.

Many of the students had to take a role on both the plaintiff and defense sides, which added to the difficulty of such a short preparation time.

The team consists of: senior -- Erin Hess, a first-year member; juniors -- Shawn Calmes, Katarina Luker, Imogene Plitt and Anna "Annie" Slenker -- all returning members, and Dana Morelli, a first-year member; and freshmen -- Olivia Burkhardt and Holly Bykowski, first-year members.

The team is led by Advisor -- Johnny Lucas, a History teacher at Alexander, and Jane Schmeider, their lawyer advisor.

Erin, Shawn, Katarina, Imogene and Annie are all doubling up on plaintiff and defense.

Photo submitted by Alice Calmes. Not all team members were available at the time this photo was taken and they won't be until after spring break. In the photo are Annie, Holly, Erin, Mr. Lucas, Shawn Calmes, Olivia, Katarina and Imogene (missing is Dana).

For previous mock trial coverage, click here.

Alexander Fire Department has been dispatched for a report of hay bales on fire at 10869 Bowen Road.

The bales are about 50 feet from a barn and the wind is blowing in the direction of the barn.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: A first responder reports, "the fire is not going anywhere. It's contained to the hay bales right now." A tanker is requested to the scene.

Alexander advanced to the second round of the Class C1 Section V championship tournament on Monday with a 40-35 victory over Marcus Whitman.

Ally Mileham scored 12 points, Natalie Whitmore, 10, Alyssa Kramer, six, and Melanie Pohl and Hallie Kramer each scored five.  

The Trojans (9-2) play East Rochester (the #1 seed at 11-1) at 7 p.m. tomorrow at a location to be determined.

Photos by Debra Reilly. 

Michael Anthony Flatley, 33, of Sage Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a previous conviction within 10 years; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree; operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; and failure to keep right on a two-lane road. At 1:12 a.m. March 3, Flatley was arrested on the charges after a traffic stop on Alleghany Road in Alabama. He was arraigned in Alabama Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due in Genesee County Court on May 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Jeffrey Richard Doherty, 45, of Timberpoint Road, East Islip, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; driving left of pavement markings; and improper signal. At 6:65 p.m. on March 3, Genesee County Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Buffalo Street in Alexander and Doherty was subsequently arrested. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Alexander Town Court on April 27. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Two members of the Ice Devils, the hockey team that represents Batavia, Le Roy, Alexander, Elba, and Oakfield-Alabama, tested positive for COVID-19, meaning all players and coaches must quarantine at home until Feb. 24.

Three regular-season games have been canceled and won't be rescheduled.

Batavia Athletic Director Michael Bromley said one person tested positive last week and after consulting with the health department and the school's medical director, they would quarantine the team if a second person tested positive. That positive test came in on Tuesday.

This is only the second time a Batavia-affiliated team has been required to quarantine during the regular season. It happened previously with the Alpine Ski team.

Bromley said he can't emphasize enough how important it is for a parent to keep a child home from practice and games if a player is showing any symptoms because it can affect the whole team.

The Ice Devils were 0-4 on the season. The three missed games will be counted as "no contest." There will be five games left in the regular season once the team returns to the ice. Bromley said it will take multiple wins in those final five games for the team to reach the playoffs.

Press release:

Genesee County will be replacing the Darien Alexander Townline Road Bridge over Tannery Brook just south of Attica Road in the towns of Darien and Alexander.

Construction is expected in Spring 2022, with an anticipated construction duration of four to six months. The bridge will be replaced with new prestressed box beams with cast-in-place abutments.

All work is to be completed within the existing highway boundary. The bridge is funded with 80-percent federal aid and a 20-percent local match.

For details of the project, click here (pdf).

A chimney fire is reported at 9565 Old Creek Road, Alexander.

Alexander fire is dispatched.