elba

The 77th Elba Onion Festival kicked off Friday evening with the big opening event being the annual parade.

Here's tomorrow's list of events for the festival:

• 12Noon - Kiddie Parade (starting at Dan's Pizza)
• 12Noon - Kiddie Tractor Pull (by Memorial Statue in front)
• 12Noon - Ladies Aux. Roast Beef on Weck (inside of Rec. Hall)
• 1:00pm - Ride Special Main Events
• 5:00pm - Chicken Barbeque (inside the Rec. Hall)
• 6:00pm - Mac & Company (in the beer tent)
• 7:00pm - Crowning of the Onion Queen (by Memorial Statue in front)
• 9:00pm - Black Widow (in the beer tent)
• Midnight - Award winners of grand prize!
  Choice of 2013 Ford Mustang or $20,000 Cash!

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Volunteers with the Elba Boosters began construction today on a new concession stand adjacent the Lancers' football field.

Above, John McCulley and Kevin Bezon working on a portion of the back wall.

Jeff Singer

John McCulley

A fallen tree is blocking traffic at 6198 Oak Orchard Road, near Watson, in Elba. The southbound lane is completely blocked and the northbound lane is partially blocked, though traffic can manuever around it. A Sheriff's deputy is on scene and a road crew is notified of the situation.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: The deputy and a Good Samaritan used a chainsaw to cut up the tree trunk and remove it from the roadway. Although there is still lots of debris, the roadway is clear enough for traffic to pass.

We've been tracking this year's onion crop and we checked in on the mucklands today, and from the road, the fields looked pretty good, but looks can be deceiving, said Paul Mortellaro, of G Mortellaro And Sons in Elba.

From the air, Mortellaro said, you can see a lot of open patches and thin spots.

"You'll probably see averages of 500 to 600 bags (50-pound bags) per acre," Mortellaro said. "Some less, some maybe 1,000. That's pretty disappointing."

Right now onions are trading at $13 per bag, but with transportation costs for Elba onions, that brings the crop yield down to about $6 per bag.

"At $6 per bag, you cannot make a living like that, not in Elba," Mortellaro said. "You can do that out west, but you can't do it here."

He said he and his brother are in no hurry to harvest their onions -- but will do so at the end of the month -- unlike last year when onions were going for $20 per bag.

The onions that were transplants -- such as the one pictured above from a Torrey field -- are developing bulbs and some have already been harvested, Mortellaro said. Those fields are generally in better shape than those planted with seeds, which have not yet started to bulb.

The problem this year: too much rain and not enough warm, dry days between storms.

Route 98 in the area of Maltby Road, Elba, is closed because of a a water main break. It was closed at 7:55 a.m. and expected to remain closed until noon.

"Copperhead," the movie with the screenplay by local author Bill Kauffman, opens in theaters around the United States today and the film has received mostly positive reviews so far.

A screening in Gettysburg, billed as the world premiere, earned director Ron Maxwell a standing ovation.

Writer James Simpson, in a piece of PJ Media, takes a detailed look at the historical and political context of the movie and concludes,

This is a movie well worth seeing; both for its accurate depiction of the times, its rich narrative, and the unique, rarely discussed subject matter, which was in fact a major component of the days’ controversies. It is also completely family friendly – a rarity in Hollywood these days.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the L.A. Times critic comes off as a bit of a snob and calls the film "lugubrious."

Another Hollywood-based critic says the film is purely for history buffs (while too narrowly constricting the scope of the audience, may be a bit of a left-handed compliment -- this isn't "Fast & Furious 6").

That writer, John DeFore, seems to believe only "Tea Party" types care about the Constitution, writing, "Beech is a dairy farmer who's opposed to slavery but, in language that will resonate with Tea Party-affiliated viewers, argues that Lincoln's war is unconstitutional."

Apparently, one must not color outside of the lines in Mr. DeFore's world.

Though, one of the more favorable reviews has come from Katie Kieffer, writing for the conservative Web site Town Hall.

Copperhead is worth seeing because it re-tells American history with an intimate, engaging and non-textbook approach.

It will be interesting to watch the different reactions to the film from America's various political factions -- especially the simple-minded red state/blue state divide -- to a film that challenges pat answers to questions about the Civil War.

Kauffman has said the movie isn't intended to be preachy or a message movie, except maybe to reinvigorate the lost notion in America of the value of dissent.

In his own lengthy piece about the film for Front Porch Republic, Kauffman writes about the constricting nature of political debate in the country these days.

We live in a time and in a country which finds principled dissent of the sort exercised by Eugene V. Debs and Abner Beech almost incomprehensible. In one sense, freedom of expression knows no bounds: Internet pornography, snuff-game videos, libelous tweets – laissez faire, man. But with respect to politics, art, culture…seldom in American history have the limits of permissible speech been so narrow, so constricting. True, our Eugene Debses aren’t usually thrown into gaols, but nor do they become cause célèbres, like Debs. Their prison is the red state-blue state idiocy under which the limits of acceptable opinion are demarcated by Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, and writers live in the fear (which, I can tell you as one who has long worked with members of the DC punditocracy, absolutely paralyzes careerists) of saying the wrong thing and running afoul of the hall monitors and tattletales who police American discourse.

In media coverage closer to home, Jay Moran interviews Kauffman for WBFO.

"Copperhead" is playing in Pittsford and Williamsville.

Previously:

• 'Copperhead' hits all of Kauffman's themes, and is a big hit with screening audience
• Screenwriter Bill Kauffman and film director Ron Maxwell discuss 'Copperhead'
• Trailer for Bill Kauffman's 'Copperhead' released, film opens June 28

Three teenagers from Medina are facing criminal charges following last night's high speed chase through the City of Batavia.

Angel T. Calderon, 16, of 23 S. Main St., #2, Treyvon K. Johnson, 17, of 816 S. Main St., and Syed A. Baity, 18, of 221 Commercial St., were all jailed without bail pending a court appearance tomorrow.

They are charged criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd.

The incident began around 9 p.m. when dispatchers were informed that a red pickup truck had been stolen in Medina and the truck was last seen southbound on Route 98 heading into Genesee County.

Immediately, an Elba resident reported seeing the truck pass through the village.

Soon after, Deputy Matt Fleming spotted the vehicle southbound on Route 98 and began a pursuit that reportedly reached speeds of 70 mph heading into the city.

Once on Oak Street, the truck drove over a curb by the Hess Mart and struck a pole.

Witnesses said the light pole crumbled and the truck missed by inches two young women at the gas station. The falling pole narrowly missed a Batavia resident's brand new Porsche sitting next to a gas pump. 

The truck also struck another vehicle in the area and then continued eastbound on Main Street.

After racing through city streets, the truck crashed into a fence in a residential yard at 9 Buxton Ave. and the three occupants tried to flee the scene on foot.

The occupants are allegedly Calderon, Johnson and Baity.

Two of the teens were taken into custody almost immediately. A third was captured on the track at Woodward Field/Van Detta Stadium. 

The suspect who ran toward Van Detta reportedly ran through a yard were a family was gathered and nearly ran into a pregnant woman holding another mother's baby, according to witness statements on Facebook.

A police officer suffered a minor injury during the foot pursuit.

Police believe Calderon was the driver and he is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, unlawful fleeing a police officer, 3rd, and 33 vehicle and seven traffic law violations.

Baity was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in City Court at 11 a.m. tomorrow for a bail review.

Here are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Kyle H. Morse is indicted on four counts, all stemming from alleged actions on Sept. 21, 2012 in the Town of Elba.

He is accused of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a class-B felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion.

In count two of the indictment, Morse is accused of sexual abuse in the first degree, a class-D violent felony, for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

In count three, Morse is accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a class-E felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent. This alleged lack of consent was by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.

In count four, Morse is accused of sexual misconduct, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent, and the person was deemed incapable of consent by vurtue of being less than 17 years old.

John J. Slack and Penny S. Sprague are both indicted on two counts each stemming from alleged actions June 16-17, 2012 on Knowlesville Road in the Town of Alabama.

In count one, they are accused of second-degree burglary, a class-C violent felony, for allegedly  entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. In count two, they are accused of grand larceny in the third degree, a class-D felony, for allegedly stealing property having a value in excess of $3,000 -- in this case, jewelry, money, electonic devices and other property valued at about $11,000.

Franchesca A. Barrome is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class-E felony. It is alleged that during Feb. 5-17, 2013, in the Town of Batavia she knowingly possessed stolen property with intent to benefit herself or a person other than the owner, or to impede recovery of the property by the owner. The property was a college ID card.

In count two of the indictment, Barrome is accused of petit larceny, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing property by using the ID card to make unauthorized purchases. In count three, she is accused of criminal trespass in the second degree, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling.

Gary W. Woronowski is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for allegedly operating a 2000 Subaru while intoxicated. This allegedly occurred Feb.1, 2013 on Main Road in the Town of Pembroke. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a class-E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Woronowski is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2007 which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Chad M. Dart is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for driving a 2013 Chevy pickup on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford on March 10, 2013 while intoxicated. He is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2004, which is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the indicment.

Lastly, the Grand Jury returned a No Bill on DWI charges against Ronald J. Tombari III stemming from alleged incidents which occurred Dec. 12, 2012 in the Town of Pavilion.

Less than 10 minutes elapsed from the time local law enforcement was informed of a suspected stolen pickup truck heading into Elba from Orleans County to the time three men were taken into custody by Batavia PD.

The report hit the scanner and an Elba resident apparently heard the APB and contacted dispatchers when the truck passed through the village.

Within two minutes, a Sheriff's deputy was behind the truck heading south on Route 98.

The truck was reportedly traveling at 70 mph. It headed into the city and struck a pole near the Hess station at Oak and Main. It then turned left onto Main and reportedly struck another vehicle.

The truck was next reported making a left onto Prospect, was reported on Richmond, then New York Place and then Genesee Street.

Sgt. Jason Davis drove north on Buxton and blocked southbound Buxton. The truck couldn't make the turn from Genesee to northbound Buxton and crashed into the fence of a front yard on Buxton.

Three men jumped from the vehicle and ran. During the foot pursuit an officer suffered a possible knee injury. 

Two suspects were taken into custody almost immediately. A third suspect ran west and was apprehended on the track of Woodward Field/Van Detta Stadium.

Sgt. Dan Coffey said it's too soon to determine what charges might be filed against the men, but they're facing possible multiple charges in Orleans and Genesee counties and the City of Batavia.

We'll provide more information about the arrests once it is available.

(Initial Report)

A possibly stolen red Dodge pickup truck from Orleans County was driving at a high rate of speed from Elba south on Route 98 into the city, reaching speeds of 70 mph. One of the male occupants is now in custody at Buxton Avenue and Genesee Street. The vehicle came to rest at 9 Buxton and an officer is down with a knee injury in the back yard there. Mercy medics are responding.

Another occupant was located in the bleachers at Van Detta Stadium and after officers gave him directives, he was subsequently arrested at 9 Pickthorn Drive.

There are three suspects altogether. Another address involved is 21 Vernon Verona Ave.

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A police officer was taken to UMMC for treatment of an injury.

Three people are being accused of selling cocaine in Genesee and Orleans counties following a lengthy joint investigation by law enforcement in both jurisdictions.

A search warrant was executed yesterday at a location on Hundredmark Road, Elba, and investigators said they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects are suspected of selling cocaine at the residence.

Arrested where:

• Edgardo Aponte, 41, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal nuisance, 1st, and tampering with physical evidence.
• Sonia E. Aponte, 32, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, criminal possesion of a controlled substance, 4th, criminally using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal nuisance, 1st.
• Jeremy S. Yantz, 32, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Edgardo Aponte was arraigned in Elba Town Court and jailed on $50,000 bail. Sonia Aponte was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Yantz was arraigned in Town of Albion Court and jailed in Orleans County on $25,000 bail.

The five-month investigation was a joint operation by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force.

The Batavia PD Emergency Response Team assisted in the execution of the search warrant along with uniformed deputies, officers with Homeland Security and Rochester PD's K-9 unit.

The District Attorney's Office also assisted in the investigation.

Michael Barton Kropp, 49, of Coward Road, Byron, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Deputy Joseph Graff responded at 7:25 p.m. Monday to two reports of a suspicious vehicle on Ivison Road, Byron. Kropp's vehicle was located and he was arrested for allegedly driving drunk.

Jhenna Christine Warren, 23, of Daansen Road, Palmyra, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes. Warren was stopped at 3:33 p.m. Tuesday on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Joseph Corona for an alleged traffic violation and allegedly found in possession of cartons of untaxed cigarettes.

A 17-year-old resident of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. The youth allegedly hosted an underage drinking party involving 20 people under age 21 at his residence last night.