elba

The Elba Central School Drama Club presents "The Wizard of Oz" this weekend.

Shows are at 7 p.m., Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday.

Tickets are available at the ECS district office and Roxy's Music store in Batavia. Advance tickets are $6 for students and seniors, $8 for adults. They are $10 at the door.

Press release:

Crosby’s is celebrating the grand reopening of two convenience stores in Batavia and Elba this week.

Grand reopening festivities will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the store in Elba, located at 64 S. Main St., and will be attended by: Keith Palmer, Elba Central School District superintendent; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley; Jay Grasso, a field representative from Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer’s office; and Patrick McKinney, a representative from Congressman Chris Collins’ office.

At 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, the Batavia location at 5267 Clinton Street Road will celebrate its grand reopening with Mickey Edwards, Byron-Bergen Central School District superintendent; Assemblyman Hawley; and Congressman Chris Collins.

In addition to the festivities at each location, Crosby’s will donate $500 each to the Byron-Bergen Central School District and the Elba Central School District.

Both of these locations were existing structures acquired by Crosby’s in early 2017 that underwent remodels that included major cosmetic upgrades and a variety of customer-friendly amenities including fuel, a sub shop and multiple hot and cold beverage options.

“Updating these two stores allows us to better serve our customers with an expanded offering,” said Doug Galli, vice president and general manager of Reid Stores. “Crosby’s thrives in communities like these because we become an active participant within the community – beyond simply offering products and service.”

At each location, customers can get a cup of Crosby’s signature 100-percent Arabica bean premium roast coffee for only 99 cents for a regular size. The Elba location will also feature f’real milkshakes; smoothies; and Crosby’s Arctic Express, which offers frozen carbonated beverages (Arctic Chill and Arctic Freeze) or frozen fountain sodas in more than 12,000 flavor combinations.

Each location also features an extensive take-out menu that includes fresh-baked pizza, made with Crosby’s own 100-percent whole-milk mozzarella, served whole or by-the-slice; fresh, made-to-order hot and cold subs prepared in an in-house Sub Shoppe; and fresh-baked cookies prepared on site. The Elba location will also have fried foods, including chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, pizza logs and more.

The stores will also offer a newly expanded selection of cold beverages, dairy and frozen foods, fresh fruit, competitively priced grocery items, tobacco products and other amenities including an ATM, prepaid wireless phone cards, gift cards, propane exchange and a variety of New York State Lottery games. Both locations will accept SNAP benefits.

The Batavia location recently upgraded the fuel facility and now offers Mobil fuel. The Elba location offers Mobil gas and diesel fuel. Both locations are also on the Plenti rewards program. See the store for further details.

Crosby’s, a division of the Reid Group, is headquartered in Lockport, NY. The company operates 87 Crosby’s convenience stores throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York.

The Reid Group, founded in 1922, is a full-service independent motor fuel marketer providing a comprehensive range of products and services for retail motor fuel outlets and convenience stores. The Lockport-based company serves retail and commercial customers.

For more information, visit www.CrosbysStores.com.

Ismael L. Laffosse, 31, Fisk Road, Akron, is charged with second-degree attempted assault, second-degree menacing, third-degree criminal mischief, and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Laffosse is accused of striking another person with a baseball bat and damaging that person's personal property. The incident was reported at 6:54 p.m., Jan. 29, at a location on Apollo Drive, Batavia. The victim suffered serious injuries but has been released from the hospital.

Armando L. Carrion-Rojas, 23, of McCall Road, Greece, is charged with criminal mischief. Carrion-Rojas is accused of breaking the driver's side mirror of his girlfriend's car at 1:50 p.m. Monday at a location in Le Roy, and of damaging a residence door after his girlfriend locked him outside the residence. He was jailed on $500 bail or $4,000 bond.

Derek James Wert, 36, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Wert allegedly contacted by electronic means a person he was ordered by a judge not to contact. Wert was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Ronald F. Ratulowski, 44, of Eleanor Place, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault. Ratulowski was arrested on a warrant. The original incident was reported at 11 p.m. Sept. 10 at a location on Eleanor Place. No further details released.

Bonnie L. Cortright, 30, West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on two City Court warrants. The reason for the warrants was not released. She was released on her own recognizance.

Kevin Andrew Rivera, 23, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. Rivera allegedly broke the window of a College Village dorm room at 10:56 p.m. Monday.

Nicholas Gerald Schafer, 19, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol, and parking violation on a highway. Deputy Kyle Krzemien was dispatched at 4:17 p.m. June 30 to Batavia Elba Townline Road, Elba, to investigate a complaint of a subject passed out in a vehicle. Following an investigation, Schafer was charged.

Jeremiah D. Williams, 26, of Batavia, was arrested by State Police following a revocation of parole. He was ordered held in jail.

An 18-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with petit larceny. The defendant was arrested on Goade Park. The incident was reported at 6:17 p.m. Monday in Kendall. The arrest was made by State Police at 6:10 a.m. Tuesday. No further details released.

Katrina P. Giummo, 29, of Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Giummo is accused of a theft reported in Corfu at 1:18 p.m. Monday. She was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Michael S. Ryan is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Aug. 25 at the Premier Genesee Nursing Home on Bank Street in Batavia, he knowingly possessed stolen property -- a credit or debit card belonging to a client of the Le Roy Federal Credit Union.

Kevin G. Viehdeffer is indicted for the crime of bail jumping in the second degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that he did not personally appear in Genesee County Court on the required date of March 27, or voluntarily within 30 days thereafter. It is alleged in the indictment that Viehdeffer was released from custody or allowed to remain at liberty upon the condition that he would subsequently appear in Genesee County Court.

Ryan P. Isham is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 10 in the Town of Elba that Isham drove a 2011 Chevrolet on Route 262 in Elba while intoxicated. In count two, the defendant is accused of DWI, per se, as a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that he had a BAC of .08 or more. In Special Information filed with the indictment by the District Attorney, Isham is accused of having been convicted of DWI as a misdemeanor on Nov. 15, 2015, in Cambria, Niagara County. That conviction is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Danielle N. Webster is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 6 in the Town of Alabama that Webster drove a 2005 Chevrolet on Bloomingdale Road while knowing, or having reason to know, that her driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle was suspended in New York on Aug. 25 pending prosecution. It is further alleged that she was under the influence of alcohol or a drug at a time. In count two, the defendant is accused of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. In count three, she is accused of failure to keep right. In count four, the defendant is accused of moving from lane unsafely. In count five, Webster is accused of moving across hazard lines on the roadway. In count six, the defendant is accused of consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle.

Nicholas Conley, Earl Roth, and Charlie O’Geen, Elba's 2018 Hall of Fame inductees, were introduced during halftime at the Elba vs. Byron-Bergen basketball game Friday night.

The trio will be inducted tonight during a dinner at Batavia Downs.

Following the introduction, some of Elba's basketball alumni played a four-minute basketball game.

In the boys game, the Lancers beat the Bees 50-42.

For Elba, Colton Dillon scored 22 points, hitting four three-pointers, and Jonathan Boyce scored 14.

For Byron-Bergen, Cameron Shank scored 13. Joshua Hohn and Lucas Stucchio scored seven apiece.

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The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets – the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom, bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience!

The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of thruway and shopping. This home has public water as well-all the pluses of country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out. Why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost!

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Elba improved to 10-1 on the season with a decisive victory over Byron-Bergen in girls basketball by a score of 48-18.

The loss drops the Lady Bees to 7-4 and ends a seven-game winning streak.

Emily Reynolds scored 14 points for Elba. Leah Bezon added 13 and Brynn Walczak scored eight, with two three-pointers.

For B-B, Dana VanValkenburg scored six points.

Of 46 suspected or convicted criminal foreign nationals arrested this past week by Immigration Customs Enforcement in Western New York, seven were arrested in Genesee County, according to an ICE spokesman.

No details were released on the seven arrested locally. They were apprehended in Batavia, Elba, Byron and Bergen.

ICE provided examples of some of the people arrested without providing names or details on the locations of the arrests, such as: 

• A 39-year-old Mexican male with convictions for two counts of illegal entry, driving while intoxicated, and a protection order for domestic violence. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 23-year-old Guyanese male with convictions for driving while ability impaired and harassment, following his arrest for menacing with a weapon. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 53-year-old United Kingdom male with convictions for two separate convictions for felony grand larceny. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.
• A 49-year-old Vietnamese male with convictions for theft, burglary, abuse, and menacing, following his arrest for menacing with a weapon, child endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

The arrests were made over a five-day period as part of an operation targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and other immigration violators.

ICE said half of those picked up had prior criminal convictions. Of the 23 who were counted among the non-criminal violators, four were fugitives and six illegally re-entered the country after being deported.

Criminal convictions of those arrested included: felony grand larceny, firearms possession, drug possession, child endangerment, abuse, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and forgery.

“Operations like this one demonstrate ICE’s continued focus on the arrest of dangerous criminal aliens as well as those who enter the United States illegally,” said Thomas Feeley, field office director for ERO Buffalo in a statement. “Illegal aliens will not find safe harbor in New York.”

In the press release, ICE states:

Some of the individuals arrested during this week’s enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country. Individuals who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country.

ICE stated that during the operation, which ended Jan. 12, officers may have encountered additional suspects who may be in the United States without proper documentation. Those persons were evaluated on a case by case basis and, where appropriate, arrested by ICE.

Press release:

The Elba Hall of Fame Foundation is very excited to induct our newest members on Saturday, Jan. 20, at dinner at Batavia Downs. They are: Earl Roth - '62; Charlie O’Geen, teacher in the Elba School District for 32 years and longtime coach; and Nicholas Conley -- '01.

A weeklong celebration of Elba Lancers is being held this entire week for students and staff. Students will be having dress-up days to show their Elba Lancer school spirit with a school-wide pep assembly on Friday. Mr. Roth, Mr. O'Geen and Mr. Conley will all be at the school on Friday for a luncheon with some student followed by a tour of the school.

The Hall of Fame Foundation inductees will also take part in the pep assembly, too, by sharing with students how the Elba School District made a difference in their lives. 

Friday afternoon the Elba Lancers will welcome the Byron-Bergen Boys Basketball teams to their gym. Games start at 5:30. The new inductees will also be in attendance at the games and introduced to fans. There will be a quick halftime game between Elba alumni and the current Elba staff.

The Hall of Fame Foundation, along with the Elba Student councils, BEST and Elba Sports Boosters have all come together to make this a true weeklong event of celebrating our Elba Lancers' success both past and present. The community is welcome to join us at the game on Friday night as well to celebrate.

Roth is a self employed CPA and has served as Elba's Town Supervisor, Town Councilman, Town Justice, Board of Education Member and is an active member of the Elba Historial Society and Our Lady of Fatima church. Roth was nominated by his son Alan for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

O’Geen is an honorary member for contributing to the Elba School District as a teacher for 32 year and best known as a coach in both football and softball, winning several sectional titles and a State Championship in softball twice. O'Geen was nominated by Mike Cintorino for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

Conley currently works for the State Department as a Senior Intelligence Analyst for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Headquarters for the Department of State where he specializes in Iraq, Syria and other Middle East countries. Conley was nominated by his aunt Paulette Bird for the Elba Hall of Fame Foundation.

Earl Roth

Charlie O’Geen

Nicholas Conley

The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets-the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience! The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of Thruway and shopping.

This home has public water as well-all the pluses of country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out. Why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost!

Call Lynn Bezon today or click here to view the full listing.

A skid loader fire is reported at 5263 Bridge Road, Elba.

The skid loader was in a barn but has been pushed out. The caller believes the barn is OK.

Elba fire responding.

UPDATE 12:54 a.m.: A chief on scene reports the skid loader is fully involved and confirms it is out of the barn.

UPDATE 12:57 a.m.:  Now there are no flames; a chief reports, “The fire looks to be pretty snuffed out at this time.” Responding units can come nonemergency and are aduvised to use caution on the snow-covered roads.

A barn with both doors open on Transit Road, potentially endangering the lives of animals corraled inside, prompted a call to dispatch. "This caller is concerned about the welfare of the animals due to the cold weather."

The location is reportedly a half mile north of Route 262, which is on the border between Elba and Byron. An animal control officer is heading there now to check their welfare. 

From The Batavian's news partner, 13WHAM

A 64-year-old Elba resident died yesterday following a traffic accident on the Thruway at mile marker 417.2, in Depew, when he was unable to stop in time to avoid rear-ending a tractor-trailer that stopped quickly to avoid another collision.

Edward Torres was transported by ground ambulance following the accident at 1:54 p.m. to Erie County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

State Police say Torres was eastbound behind a tractor-trailer that was also eastbound. There was an accident ahead of the truck and the truck came to an abrupt stop. Torres was unable to stop in time to avoid a crash.

There were other people injured and one person remains in serious condition.

The accident remains under investigation.

A skidster is reportedly on fire inside a barn at 7116 Norton Road, Elba. The barn is 75 feet from a house. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Byron. Stafford is requested to stand by in quarters. The location is between Ford and Edgerton roads.

UPDATE 5:08 p.m.: Fire police are requested to shut down traffic at Route 262 and Edgerton Road. Command at the scene tells responders to "take it easy coming in," due to road conditions.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: City Engine 11 and Town of Batavia Engine 24 are on scene, too. This is now a working barn fire.

UPDATE 5:28 p.m.: Fire police also requested for traffic control at the intersection of Edgerton and Norton roads, and at Batavia Elba Townline Road and Norton Road.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: This occurred at barns owned by Torrey Farms. The fire did not cause structural damage to the barn. Some hay spread through the barn did catch on fire. But there were 120 cows inside and all of them were unharmed and safely evacuated. Cow trailers are being deployed to shuttle the cows to CY Farms' Heifer Farm, where they will be kept temporarily. It is estimated that it will take about 10 trips to transport the cows for safekeeping.

UPDATE 6:24  p.m.: Elba Fire Chief Mike Heale said the skidster fire sparked some hay but there's no significant structural damage to the barn; some top beams may be singed in places -- a later inspection can confirm that. Heale said there was no extension of the blaze.

UPDATE 6:57 p.m.: Town of Batavia back in service, returning.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.: Elba back in service. Roads reopened.

UPDATE 7:27 p.m.: Correction, the road is still closed. It is closed until the cows have been moved so the trucks can more safely back in. There is at least one more round trip for the trucks.

Notre Dame and Batavia will meet in the finals of The Peter Arras GCC Basketball Tournament at Genesee Community College on Friday after both teams won opening round games of the annual tournament organized by the Batavia Lions Club.

Notre Dame beat Elba 77-66 and Batavia beat Albion 84-58.

In the first game, Notre Dame and Elba traded leads throughout the first three quarters, but the Irish pulled away by scoring 30 points in the fourth quarter even as Elba scored 24.  

Ryan Moffat scored 26 points for the Irish, hitting five three-point buckets. Nico Zambito scored 17 points. Spencer Miskiti and Brendin Klotzbach each scored eight.

For Elba, Jonathan Boyce scored 20, Collin O'Halloran scored 16, Colton Dillon, 14, and Ben Pflaumer, 13.

In the nightcap, Mason McFollins scored 31 points, hitting seven three-pointers, while Ray Mlodozeniec scored 13, Trevor Zewan, 12, and Jonathan Liciaga, 8.

For Albion, Liam Ward scored 20, hitting four three-point shots and Bryce Pritchard scored 17, hitting five three-point shots.

Elba and Albion will play the consolation game at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and Batavia and Notre Dame tip off at 8 p.m. Both games are played at GCC.

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