elba

A medical call requiring Mercy Flight to the scene means that Byron Fire Police will shut down Ford Road between Transit and Norton so a landing zone can be established. Elba fire is setting up the landing zone.

The 78th Elba Onion Queen, Alexandra Lacey, was crowned Saturday at the Elba Onion Festival grounds, among family, friends and community members. The Elba High School Senior’s college plans include a study in Social Work with a minor in Special Education. Lacey has narrowed down her college of choice to three: Houghton, Fredonia or Niagara University.

First runner-up went to Haley Brown. This high school senior will be going to college for a business major and is looking into St. John Fischer.

Second runner-up went to Jennifer Pedro, also a Senior at Elba. Her college plans include counseling or social work.

The 78th Elba Onion Festival kicked off Friday with the opening of the carnival and evening parade. The festival is one of the largest fundraisers for the Elba Fire Department.

Just up the road a bit from the festival is the Elba Muckland; there, red, white and yellow onions grow, which gives the festival its name. 

One bit of trivia: Onions are one of the largest vegetable crops in the United States.

The festival continues throughout the day today.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 98 and Batavia Elba Town Line Road. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE: One person was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. The accident involved two vehicles, one of which was a pickup truck.

The annual Onion Festival will be on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 8th and 9th at the Elba Firemen's Rec Hall, located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road. Lots of food, fun, friends and music. Bring the whole family to Elba's biggest event of the year!

Friday's hours are 5 p.m. 'til 2 a.m. and the main parade starts at 7 p.m. The parade route will be starting on West Avenue going south down Route 98 and ending at the Elba Rec Hall.

Saturday's festivities start at noon with the Kiddie Parade, and also end at 2 a.m. The Kiddie Parade begins at the corner of Ford Road and Route 98 and goes to the rec hall. All kids are welcome to attend. They can walk, ride a bike, drive a battery-operated four-wheeler or Jeep or whatever it may be, or be pulled in a wagon by mom or dad.

The crowning of the Onion Queen will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The drawing of the 2014 Ford Mustang (Courtesy of Orleans Ford), or $20,000 cash, will be at 11 p.m. on Saturday.

There will be ride specials both Friday night (7-11) and Saturday (1-5).

Savage Cabbage will be playing in the beer tent from 9 p.m. 'til 1 a.m. on Friday night.

Then Mac and Company will be playing in the beer tent from on Saturday starting at 6 p.m. and later, from 9 p.m. 'til 1 a.m., the Mercury Blues Band performs.

Tyshon L. Taylor, 17, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use, menacing, 2nd, petit larceny and robbery, 3rd. Taylor was arrested following an investigation into an unrelated incident. Taylor allegedly possessed a large knife and threatened another person with physical harm. In an unrelated investigation, Taylor is accused of using force to steal a mobile phone and headphones from another person. Taylor was jailed on no bail.

Edward Ryan Loper, 26, of State Street, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, and robbery, 3rd. Loper was arrested on a warrant for an alleged incident May 23 at a location on West Main Road, Batavia. At the time of his arrest, Loper was allegedly found in possession of a needle and a controlled substance. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Loper was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Terrence Devon West, 36, of Lorimer Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. West was stopped at 1:40 a.m. Thursday on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona. West allegedly has three prior DWI convictions in the previous 10 years.

Veronica Eckerson, 57, of Akron, is charged with petit larceny. Eckerson is accused of stealing $400 from the safe of her employer, a business in Alabama, after quitting her job.

Richard Fredrick Boswell, 33, of Sumner Road, Darien, is charged with petit larceny. Boswell is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart valued at $874.84.

Peter Charles Himan, 29, of Berkley Street, Williamsville, is charged with driving while ability impaired and possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Himan was located in a stopped vehicle on Route 63, Oakfield, at 12:34 a.m. Sunday by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Justin Thomas Hemmer, 34, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Hemmer is accused of violating a court order protecting another person by shoving that person during an argument.

Andrew Loren Mark Falker, 20, of Indian Falls Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and improper turn (no signal). Falker was stopped at 2:53 a.m. Saturday on Main Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ann Marie Capuano, 29, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Capuano was charged after Officer Peter Flanagan allegedly observed a glass pipe with partially smoked marijuana in her car.

Grant W. Whitney, 34, of Route 20A, Perry, is charged with unregistered motor vehicle. Whitney was arrested on a warrant out of City Court. He posted bail and was released.

Stephen J. Holdaway, 62, of Corfu, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Holdaway was stopped by State Police at 1:01 p.m. May 19 in the Town of Batavia.

The pedestrian crossing sign in the Village of Elba was stolen sometime Saturday night.

The village would like it back.

If you have information that can assist, contact the village office at (585) 757-6889 or the State Police at (585) 344-6200.

A motorcycle accident is reported at Bank Street Road and Starowitz Road. The rider is conscious and alert. Elba fire and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: The Elba assignment is back in service.

A car struck a tree at 3903 Maltby Road, just west of Weatherwax Road. Unknown injuries. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: Responders report there is one patient with minor injuries.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: One patient is being transported to the hospital in Medina.

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported 7578 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:52 p.m.: We didn't hear any more updates on this accident.

Dave, Peggy, Brian and Dan Shuknecht asked that we share this thank you:

The Benefit for Brian was a monumental success. We are grateful and appreciative for the contributions of so many people and businesses. When we were informed by our friends that they wanted to throw a benefit to help with our extensive bills from the accident, it deeply touched our hearts. Thank you doesn’t seem enough but thank you to all who helped from the planners, those who donated, helped with the raffles and in the kitchen, the bands, those who attended and to those who prayed! Thank God and the power of prayer as our prayers were answered and Brian is healing amazingly well. We are proud to live in such an incredibly generous and supportive community.

Previously:Benefit Saturday at Elba Firemen's Rec Hall to aid young burn victim and family

A car accident with injuries is reported at 6968 Transit Road. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. Mercy Flight is on standby.

Press release:

Brian Shuknecht, son of Dave and Peggy Shuknecht, was recently burned in an accident and is in Strong Memorial Hospital with an expected stay of three to four weeks. A spaghetti dinner benefit is planned for him from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Elba Firemen's Rec Hall, located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road.

With burns covering a large portion of his body, he will be enduring at least five skin-graft surgeries with extensive recorvery time. Plus, the family is still recovering from the effects of Dave being seriously injured at work late last year.

The community would like to help the family defray travel costs and any other costs associated with such an extended hospital stay.

Saturday's benefit will include spaghetti dinner, entertainment, 50/50 raffle, trip raffle, tool box raffle, basket raffle, silent auction, Chinese auction, a wine draw and more!

Cost is $10 adults; $6 under 12; under age 3, free.

Tickets are available at Chap's Elba Diner, M&T Bank, Elba Yellow Goose, Val's Hair & Nail Emporium, Torrey Farms, and the Elba Central School District office.

Call 993-2065 or e-mail shuknechtbenefit@gmail.com

If you would like to help, here are some additional ways to do so:

• Donate a basket for Chinese auction and/or a gift certificate for silent auction -- Contact Kim Perl at 716-474-3879
• Donate a bottle of wine for the wine draw -- Contact Heather Dillon at 813-1632
• Donate cookies, brownies, cupcakes for the dinner's dessert -- Please bring to the Rec Hall by 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14
• If you can't attend the benefit, stop in Friday night, June 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. and place your chance on a Chinese basket.
• Make a cash donation -- Checks may be made out to Elba Sports Boosters, Inc.

For questions, please call Maureen at 716-560-4925.

A truck is on fire and it's near a building and fuel pump at 3884 Batavia Elba Town Line Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. Mutual aid is requested from Elba and Oakfield fire departments.

UPDATE 1:24 p.m.: Town of Batavia command says the cab is fully involved and there are also two waste stations nearby.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Command reports the fire is knocked down.

Joshua Scott Bettilyon, 26, of Gorton Road, Alabama, was charged with two felonies and several violations stemming from an incident on May 30. He allegedly operated a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more, which is a felony, and was also charged with DWI with a previous conviction of same within the last 10 years, another felony. In addition, he was cited for alleged ATV violations -- reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, unregistered vehicle, unlawful operation on highway, inadequate brake lights, unsafe tires, no / improper lights, and uninsured vehicle. Bettilyon was arrested by Sheriff's deputies after a short vehicular pursuit. NYS Police assisted in this incident, which was investigated by deputy Joseph Corona, assisted by troopers Hanssel and Kosowski.

Donald E. Ford, 40, of Oak Street, Batavia, was arrested by Batavia PD on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd, in an incident on May 30 on Oak Street. He allegedly threatened to harm an individual while that individual was in the presence of three children. He was jailed and bail set at $2,500. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Eric Hill, assisted by officer Frank Klimjack.

Edwin Leroy Stancliff Jr., 35, of Alleghany Road, Corfu, was arrested by Sheriff's deputies on May 30 and charged with two counts of menacing, 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Stancliff allegedly displayed a 6-inch kitchen knife during a domestic dispute, threatening his girlfirend and an acquaintance. After his arraignment in Pembroke Town Court, he was jailed. The incident was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Lonnie Nati, assisted by deputy Christopher Parker.

Christopher Lynn Bayliss, 35, of Tower Road, Wyoming, was arrested June 1 following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident on Attica Road in Alexander. He is charged with felony DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, refusal to take breath test, unsafe backing of a vehicle and driving without a seat belt. He was jailed on $5,000 cash bail and is to return to Alexander Town Court on June 10.

Bryan H. Fetterly, 28, of Barrville Road, Elba, is charged with harassment in the second degree -- physical contact, and criminal mischief in the third degree -- damaging property of another person in excess of $250. It is alleged that on West Main Street in the City of Batavia on May 30 Fetterly and two other subjects were in a vehicle when an argument took place. Fetterly allegedly kicked one of the subjects several times before exiting the vehicle and then struck the vehicle, causing damage to that vehicle. He was arrested and released on an appearance ticket and is to be in Batavia City Court on June 3. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Chad Richards.

Allen W. Gray, 34, of Oak Street, Batavia, was arrested and charged with harassment, 2nd, following an incident on South Main Street, Batavia, on May 29. Batavia PD officers went to investigate a disturbance complaint and it's alleged that Gray shoved two people following a verbal altercation. He was issued an electronically generated appearance ticket and released. He is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on June 3. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by officer Christopher Camp.

Mamie M. Baugh, 36, of Dewey Avenue, Rochester, is charged with third-degree assault following an incident on May 25 on Bank Street in the City of Batavia. She was arrested after Batavia PD responded to a disturbance at that location. She was issued an appearance ticket for city court. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Keven DeFelice, assisted by officer Nedim Catovic.

Joseph Bennett, 26, of West State Street, Albion, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny. He was transferred to Batavia Police by Albion Police on May 29 after being arrested on a warrant for violation of Genesee County probation. He was jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bail bond and is due in Batavia City Court on June 6. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Nedim Catovic.

Darrin Mitchell Brown, 24, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. On June 1, he was arrested by a Sheriff's deputy for allegedly violating a court order of protection by threatening the protected person. Brown was issued at appearance ticket and is scheduled to be in Town of Oakfield Court on June 16 to answer to the charge. The incident was investigated by deputy Joseph Loftus.

Joey Aaron Evans, 23, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested by Batavia PD on May 29 on a bench warrant issued by Batavia City Court for allegedly failing to comply with drug court and petit larceny. He was jailed on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. He is to appear in city court again on June 26.

Michael D. Snyder, 42, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested following an incident on May 30 wherein he allegedly took a 30-pack of Budweiser beer from Top's Market without paying for it. Snyder fled eastbound on Route 5 and was apprehended near the Batavia Fire Department. He was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in city court on June 3. The incident was investigated by Batavia PD officer Chad Richards, assisted by officer Richard Schauf.

John A. Snook, 26, of Gillette Road, Albion, is charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing $51.95 in merchandise from Walmart on May 14. He was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies and is currently in Orleans County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Town of Batavia Court on June 16. The incident was investigated by deputy Joseph Loftis.

A 16-year-old student at Pavilion High School was arrested on May 30 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. The student was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance while at the high school. The student was issued an appearance ticket for Pavilion Town Court at a later date. The incident was investigated by Sheriff's deputy Chad Minuto.

Genesee County Dairy Maid for 2014 is 9-year-old Georgia Luft, of Elba. She wrote this article to kick off National Dairy Month.

June is National Dairy Month. What greater time to make sure your have at least three dairy products in your daily diet than now! Research recommends that everyone should consume three dairy products daily to be healthy.

Dairy products have many health benefits, especially for your bones and teeth. Dairy foods provide vital nutrients that include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin and protein. Dairy products provide a powerhouse of nutrients!

Eating dairy products may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in older adults, while helping children and adolescence build bone mass. Dairy products have also been associated with reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and lowering blood pressure in adults. Recently research has suggested that by enjoying three servings of dairy products a day, part of a nutrient-rich and balanced diet, dairy products may help in maintaining a healthy weight. Keep in mind that choosing low-fat or fat-free forms of dairy products provide little or no solid fat while providing many other health benefits.

Keep the “3-A-Day” theme in mind as you plan your daily meals. Experts recommend three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy food every day. Many of us could use to add one additional daily serving of nutrient-rich dairy products to help meet recommendations. One dairy serving is equal to: An 8-ounce glass of milk, a 6- or 8-ounce container of yogurt, or 1½ ounces of cheese.

It’s easy to get your 3-A-Day in when you start with some yogurt for breakfast with fruit, some cheese with lunch and a big glass of milk with dinner. Enjoy a cool glass of milk during the summer months, as it does the body good!