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Law and Order: Elba man accused of kicking in door of relative on Spruce Street, barging in

By Billie Owens

Dorsie J. McGill Jr., 34, of Quaker Hill Road, Elba, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree criminal trespass. McGill was arrested at 4:14 p.m. on March 31 on North Spruce Street, Batavia, after allegedly arriving at the home of a family member and kicking the front door in and entering the residence without permission. After arraignment in Batavia City Court, he was jailed in lieu of $1,500 cash or bond. He was due back in court on April 1. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Ryan James Wetsell, 25, address unspecified, of Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. At 9:30 p.m. on March 28, he allegedly grabbed another person and struck them in the face while at a hotel on Federal Drive in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia Town Court on April 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Paula A. Cipro, 51, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree -- use of a stolen credit card, and petit larceny. Cipro was arrested following an investigation into the use of a stolen credit card at Northside Deli. The alleged incident occurred at 1:01 p.m. on March 21. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on April 9 to answer the charges. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.

Christine A. Wark, 34, of School Street, Le Roy, was arrested April 1 at 4:32 p.m. on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. She allegedly failed to appear in court on Nov. 28 on two misdemeanor traffic charges. She was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice and was due back in court today (April 3). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Elba Sports Boosters hold Meat Raffle March 30 at Elba Firemen's Rec Hall

By Billie Owens

Elba Sports Boosters will hold a Meat Raffle on Saturday, March 30, at Elba Firemen's Rec Hall. It is located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and first pull is at 6 p.m.

$10 per person donation to attend, or reserve a table for eight for $70. Price includes beer, soda pop, wine and a door prize raffle ticket.

There will also be a Freezer Full of Meat Raffle, a Wheelbarrow of Booze Raffle, and a 50/50 Raffle.

"Grab your family and friends, bring snacks, a cooler for your winnings, and plenty of $1 bills!"

For tickets, contact any Boosters member.

For advance table reservation or more information, call Lea Ann Hall at (585) 409-1312.

Genesee Symphony Orchestra presents 'Made in America!' Pops Concert March 31 in Elba

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra will present its "Made in America!" Pops Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 31 in the Elba Central School Auditorium. It is located at 57 S. Main St. in Elba.

S. Shade Zajac is the symphony's music director and conductor. The concert will feature composer, percussionist and guest soloist Dave Mancini.

WBTA is the sponsor of the "Made in America!" Pops Concert.

The program is:

  • "The American Frontier" by Calvin Custer
  • "The Journey" by Dave Mancini
  • "Fiesta Latina" by Dave Mancini
  • "Psycho Prelude" by Bernard Herrmann
  • "Forrest Gump Suite" by Alan Silvestri, arrangements by Calvin Custer
  • Concert Suite from "Dances With Wolves" by John Barry
  • "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz" by Harold Arlen, arrangements by Chuck Sayre
  • "Star Wars Suite for Orchestra" by John Williams -- "Leia's Theme" and main title

Tickets are: adults -- $15; students -- $7; seniors -- $10; family -- $35 (parents and children 12 and under).

Tickets are available at Roxy's Music Store, GO ART!, The YNGodess Shop, Vinyl Record Revival, Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew, and on the symphony's website here.

This concert is made possible, in part, by the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.

Haskell puts up 33 points to secure Franklinville win over Elba

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Danielle Haskell, still a junior, proved Saturday why she's going to a Division I university after she graduates in leading her team, Franklinville, to a 49-32 victory over the Elba Lancers in the Class D Far West Regional Championship.

Haskell scored 33 points, despite being held to one for 11 from the three-point line. No other player for Franklin even got close to double digits in scoring, with Abby Burrell and Abby McCoy scoring five points each.

Elba jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold it and after the third quarter where the Lancers scored only three points, it was hard for the team to get back in the game.

Leah Bezon scored 11 points, Brynn Walczak, nine, Lauryn Engle, six, and Taylor Augello, four. Maddie Muehlig had five assists.

Photos by Thomas Ognibene from Steve Ognibene Photography.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Elba breezes past Fillmore 48-29 in state qualifier

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Elba dominated from beginning to end last night at Letchworth in a girls basketball contest to see which Class D Section V champion (Class D1 and Class D2) would move on to play in the Far West Regional championship this weekend.

Elba won easily 48-29.

Maddie Muehlig scored 17 points, hitting three three-point shots. She had three assists, three blocked shots, and two steals.

Leah Bezon scored 13 points, and Taylor Augello and Brynn Walczak scored eight each. Bezon, Walczak and Maddi Howard each had two steals. Howard also had four assists.

For Fillmore, Hannah Roeske scored 10 points.

Elba will play Section VI Class D champion Franklinville at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Buffalo State College.

Photos by Thomas Ognibene from Steve Ognibene Photography.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Below, four additional photos by David Zuppelli.

Lady Lancers three-peat as Section V champs

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Lauryn Engle had the hot hand in the first half to help lead the Elba Lancers to their third consecutive Section V championship Friday night at Letchworth -- 54-42 over Whitesville.

Engle hit 67 percent of her shots, going five for eight on three-point attempts along with one two-point field goal for 17 points on the night.

The Lady Lancers had an 18-point lead at the half over Whitesville in the Class D2 game.

On the night, Elba was seven of 13 on three-point attempts while Whitesville was two for 13.

Scoring from the outside was Elba taking advantage of what Whitesville gave them, said Coach Tom Redband.

"Whitesville is clearly taught to pack in the paint and have a lot of gap help and a lot of help on the inside," Redband said. "A lot of the layups weren't necessarily there. One of their goals is to take charge so the three-pointers were open, but you have to make them. We did the first half."

Whitesville managed to tighten up the score to only a single-digit lead for Elba at a couple of points in the fourth quarter but the Lancers stayed calm and carried on.

"When it gets like that you want to calm them down and I think the girls stayed calm," Redband said. "When you're up at half-time by 18 points it doesn't mean you win by 36. They kept their cool pretty well. I just think we've needed to kind of slow down and breath "

Brynn Walczak also had a big night, scoring 15 points, getting eight points on free throws. She had 12 rebounds.

Leah Bezon scored eight points, had 10 rebounds. She also blocked three shots and had three steals.

Taylor Augello scored nine points, had seven rebounds and two steals.

Maddie Howard led the team in steals Friday with four while scoring three points.

For Whitesville, Fayln Lewis-Ellison scored 17 points and Vanessa Hall scored 15.

Elba had 12 total steals to five for Whitesville.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Thomas Ognibene from Steve Ognibene Photography.

Accident with injuries reported on Route 98 at Edgerton Road, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a tree on Route 98 at Edgerton Road.

Injuries are reported.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:17 a.m.: Possible head injury.

UPDATE 8:20 a.m.: The vehicle is partially blocking.

UPDATE 8:22 a.m.: A trooper reports the patient is conscious and alert and complaining of neck pain.

UPDATE 8:24 a.m.: All responding Elba units can come in non-emergency.

UPDATE 8:34 a.m.: The Edgerton assignment is back in service.

Elba and Alexander lose playoff games

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Lancers lost to Belfast at Mount Morris on Tuesday night in the Class D2 Section V semifinal 44-40.

Also on Tuesday, Alexander lost to Red Jacket 71-58 in the Class C2 Section V semifinal.

There are no boys teams from Genesee County who survived past the semifinal rounds of the sectional playoffs.

Photos by David Zuppelli.

Elba leans on defense to win Class D2 semifinal game

By Howard B. Owens
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Brynn Walczak scored 19 points over Romulus in the Section V Class D2 semifinal playoff game to lead the Elba Lady Lancers to a 46-30 win.

"Well, it definitely was a slower-paced game with not a lot of shots of taken on both ends," said Coach Tom Redband. "It seemed like one of those games where every possession kind of mattered. It wasn't a real high-flying game. It didn't feel that way and statistics said that as well, too."

Leah Bezon scored 10 points for Elba as did Taylor Augello.

Bezon also had four steals.

The #1 ranked Lancers now advance to a Section V championship game at 6 p.m. at Letchworth against #3 ranked Whitesville.

"It's going to be a tough game," Redband said. "We played them last year and we could see that defensively they're a good team. Their shots weren't falling when they played us last year.

"The score was a little lopsided first in the first quarter and then in the second half, we saw what they are capable of. So hopefully we come out and a few more shots fall and we continue the defensive game plan and put ourselves in a position to win."

Tonight in girls basketball, Pembroke plays Marion at 7:45 at Canandaigua in a Class C2 semifinal, and Oakfield-Alabama plays Keshequa at 6 o'clock at HFL in a Class C3 semifinal.

Houghton College Wind Ensemble to perform free concert at Elba Central School Friday night

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The Wind Ensemble of the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College will kick off its 2019 tour by performing Friday evening at Elba Central School.

Comprised of nearly 40 students and faculty, the wind ensemble will perform a diverse musical program in more than 12 communities throughout New York, Vermont and Connecticut from March 1 through 10.

Concert offerings range from hymn settings and classic band repertoire to compositions by George Gershwin and Percy Grainger.

The March 1 concert in Elba begins at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The school is located at 57 S. Main St.

The Houghton Wind Ensemble is a premiere ensemble with critical acclaim for its performances and impact on its players and audiences. This wind band of select members exposes its students and audiences to the highest-quality music written for wind and percussion instruments.

While maintaining an emphasis on newer music, the traditional music for wind bands is well represented.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for our community," said Mike Colletti, band director for Elba Central School District.

Colletti notes that two Elba alumni are members of touring wind ensemble -- Dakota and Dillon Hirsch.

Timothy McGarvey, Ph.D., professor of Conducting, leads the ensemble. Graduate assistants regularly conduct this outstanding ensemble. Guest and student soloists are regularly featured as well as working with composers from around the country on recent compositions and premieres.

The ensemble performs multiple times each semester on campus and in the region, tours regularly in the spring semester, and has full-length CDs on the Mark Records label.

About Houghton College

It is a liberal arts institution that challenges students to academic excellence – in the context of a relevant Christian community – and empowers them to enrich the world. The college of 1,000 students is located in the Hamlet of Houghton, which is in the Town of Caneadea in Allegany County. For more information, please visit www.houghton.edu

Colton Dillon's big night lifts Elba over Bradford in Section V playoff

By Howard B. Owens

On his own Friday night, Colton Dillon outscored the entire Bradford team in a second-round, Class D1 Section V playoff game in Elba.

Dillon scored 31 points and the Lancers beat Bradford 70-30.

Jon Boyce was the only other Lancer player to notch double digits with 13 points.

Jordan Suteyk scored eight points for Bradford. Steven Spina scored six points.

Next up for #2 ranked Elba (16-6) is #3 ranked Belfast (14-6).

Also in boys basketball yesterday:

  • Alexander beat Geneseo 62-55. Alexander (16-5) is ranked #2 in Class C2 and will play #3 ranked Red Jacket (16-5) in the semifinal.
  • York beat Pavilion 68-52 to advance to the Class C3 semifinal.
  • Oakfield-Alabama lost to Naples 55-42 in a Class C3 quarterfinal. Joey Burdick scored 16 points. Nick Wissinger scored 12.

At 2 p.m. today, #2 ranked Batavia (11-10) plays #2 ranked Newark (16-3) at Newark.

Tonight #2 ranked Le Roy (12-8) plays #7 ranked Mynderse Acadamy at 7 p.m. at Le Roy in a Class B2 quarterfinal.

In girls basketball, Batavia (18-1), ranked #1 in Class B1, beat #8 ranked Livonia 73-48 (game story).

In Class C2 today, #9 ranked Alexander (7-14) plays #1 ranked Marion (16-4) at 2 p.m. at Marion in a quarterfinal and #10 ranked Byron-Bergen (6-14) plays #2 ranked Red Jacket at 2 p.m. and Red Jacket. And #4 ranked Pembroke (14-7) plays #5 ranked Lyons (14-7) at Pembroke at 2 p.m.

In Class C3 #8 ranked Pavilion (9-12) plays #1 ranked South Seneca (19-1) at South Seneca at 2 p.m. Oakfield-Alabama, ranked #2 (16-4) plays #5 ranked York (11-9) at O-A at 2 p.m.

In Class D1, #1 ranked Elba (18-1) plays #9 ranked Northstar Christian (4-15) at 2 p.m. at Elba.

Law and Order: Cone Street woman charged with two counts of grand larceny

By Billie Owens

Kayleigh Marie Perez, 29, of Cone Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. She was arrested on Feb. 21 for two crimes. In the first incident, she allegedly stole a debit card from Walmart at 7:49 p.m.. on Jan. 13 and used it at several locations. Perez was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Batavia Town Court on March 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Mathew Clor. In the second incident, she allegedly stole a credit card from a resident who lives on Main Street in Oakfield. She was also released on an appearance ticket for that and is due in Oakfield Town Court on March 11. The Oakfield case was handled by Deputy James Stack, assisted by Deputy Minuto.

Jeremy Ryan Eaton, 41, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is a registered Level 2 sex offender who is on parole and is accused of failure to register a change with authorities as specified in NYS Correction Law 168-F, Section 4 (Must register within 10 days any change of residence, employment, Internet account access provider, enrollment or attendance at any institution of higher education.) Eaton was being held in GC jail on a parole violation at the time of his arrest on Feb. 4. Following his arraignment in Batavia City Court, he was put back in jail with no bail. He is due in city court again at 11 a.m. on March 21. The case was handled by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill.

Christian Dean Boyce, 55, of Watson Road, Elba, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; unlicensed driver; operating a motor vehicle out of class; and unregistered motor vehicle. At about 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 9, Boyce was arrested following a traffic stop on North Byron Road in Elba. It is alleged that the defendant had an arrest warrant and a bench warrant out of Town of Elba Court and that he was operating a tractor-trailer without a license. Boyce was recognized by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, who initiated the traffic stop. Boyce was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and put in jail in lieu of $500 cash bail. He was due in Town of Elba Court on Feb. 20 to answer the charges. Deputy McClellan was assisted in the case by Deputy Christopher Erion.

Jill M. Turner, 36, of Burke Drive, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. It is alleged that she allowed her dog to run at large onto her neighbor's property on Burke Drive at 5:19  p.m. on Feb. 17. Turner is issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 5. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer James Sheflin.

Elba seeks new school board member

By Billie Owens

Press release:

ELBA – The Elba Central School Board of Education is seeking Elba residents interested in filling a seat vacated by the resignation of Board Member Candy Bezon. This appointment would fill the vacancy until June 30.  

Bezon served on the board for five years and resigned to take a position within the District. By law, school board members may not be employees of the District.

The Board of Education will have three seats on the May ballot; two will be for a five-year term with the third for a four-year term.

Any qualified voter of the Elba District who is interested in serving on the Board of Education is asked to contact Donna Harris, district clerk at (585) 757-9967, ext. 1033, by March 1st.

Emily Tomczak of Elba named to dean's list at Jamestown Community College

By Billie Owens

Emily Tomczak, of Elba, was named to the dean's list for the fall 2018 semester at Jamestown Community College.

Students earned at least a 3.50 grade-point average while enrolled in at least 12 degree credits to be named to the dean's list.

Tomczak is enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at JCC.

About JCC

Founded in 1950, Jamestown Community College was the first community college certified in the State University of New York system. JCC offers courses on the Jamestown Campus in Jamestown and Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean. JCC also offers courses at the North County Center in Dunkirk.

JCC is a comprehensive, regional, open access, student-centered institution that embraces academic excellence and meets the service area's learning needs in diverse ways. JCC programming includes liberal arts transfer degree programs, career programs, community service, developmental education, and business and industry training. The college's partnership with the greater community contributes to the social and intellectual improvement, economic development, and cultural enrichment of Western New York.

Elba Drama Club presents 'Beauty and the Beast' this Friday and Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Central School Drama Club presents Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" this week with performances on Friday and Saturday.

Performers, in a cast of 45 people, include Lindsay Augello as Belle, Garrett Sinemus as Beast and Young Prince, Devyn Reigle as Gaston, Carolyn Sybertz as Lumiere, Herman Sinemus as Cogsworth, Lucy LoBello as Mrs. Potts, and Elliott Walsh as Chip. Steve Hawley is the narrator.

Performances are in the Elba Central School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. The school is located at 57 S. Main St., Elba.

Presale tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $8 for adults, available at Roxy's Music Store and the ECSD Office.

All tickets are $10 at the door.

Elba's chance for undefeated regular season stopped by rival Notre Dame

By Howard B. Owens

Longtime rival Notre Dame stopped Elba's effort to finish the regular season undefeated Tuesday night, beating the Lancers on their home court, 59-47.

Elba is now 18-1 and the Lady Irish are 18-2. Both teams have 13 league wins and so finish the regular season tied atop the Genesee Region.

Entering Class D2 sectional play, Elba should be the #1 seed as it shoots for its third consecutive sectional title.

Notre Dame is ranked #6 in Class B1. Batavia High School is ranked #1 entering into sectionals.

For the Irish, Callie McCulley scored 23 points and had 13 rebounds. Stevie Wilcox scored 12 points and had seven rebounds. Morgan Rhodes scored 10 points and Amelia McCulley scored eight.

UPDATE: Stats for Elba: Taylor Augello, 19 points and eight rebounds. Maddie Muelhig, 13 points, and Leah Bezon, seven points and seven rebounds.

Vigil held in Elba for Teresa Norton and Thomas Norton, who died in collision on Route 98

By Howard B. Owens

Friends and family surrounded Kimberly Albanese and David Robb on Sunday evening in Elba with love and support as they mourned and remembered their mother, Teresa M. Norton, and brother, Thomas M. Norton, at the spot on Route 98 where they were killed eight days earlier.

Teresa, 53, and Thomas, 22, both of Albion, were northbound on Oak Orchard Road when the 2008 Suzuki SUV Teresa was driving hit a deep patch of snow that had blown across the roadway. The Suzuki slid sideways and was struck by a southbound pickup truck.

Both mother and son died at the scene of the accident.

"She was a great mom," Albanese said. "She tried her best. She was my best friend. I miss her so much. Every day I want to call her just to ask her if everything is great. I don't know how I'm going to raise my 2-year-old and my baby. I have a baby due in two months.

"That's when you need your mom the most. My kids are never going to know her. And my brother was only 22. His birthday is in two weeks and he just, he got cheated out of life so much. But what are you going to do? You just go day by day."

A GoFundMe online fundraiser also has been established to assist the family, which has not only suffered the loss of Teresa and Thomas but they are also dealing with the health issues faced by Roger Norton, Teresa's husband. He has been in intensive care at Strong Memorial Hospital since several weeks prior to the accident.

Vigil to be held Sunday afternoon at Elba crash site for mother and son killed

By Billie Owens

Story courtesy of the Orleans Hub:

ELBA – A mother and her son who were killed in a car accident on Feb. 2 in Elba will be remembered with a vigil at the crash site on Sunday (Feb. 10).

The vigil will be at 5 p.m. for Teresa Norton, 53, and her son, Thomas Norton, 22.

Family friend Kamryn Nickel urges family and friends to attend the vigil and light a candle in their memory.

Nickel said she will bring the candles for the vigil.

GoFundMe online fundraiser also has been established to assist the family during this difficult time. Karen Zok sent up the GoFundMe and said Teresa’s husband Roger was in intensive care at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for several weeks prior to the accident in Elba.

Teresa Norton was driving a 2008 Suzuki northbound with her son at about 1:30 p.m. last Saturday in Elba.

State Police say Norton lost control on the snow-covered roadway and slide sideways into the path of a 2011 Chevrolet pickup truck. The Chevrolet struck the passenger side of the Suzuki.

The Nortons were both declared deceased at the collision scene by Karen Lang, Genesee County coroner.

The accident happened on Route 98 between Edgerton Road and Batavia Elba Townline Road.

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