elba

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider approving incentives for projects proposing $13.5 million of new investments at its May 6 board meeting.  

Forefront Power LLC (Elba Solar) is proposing to invest $9.7 million to build a 5 megawatt community solar project on Norton Road in the Town of Elba. The project would generate approximately $518,803 in new revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Elba, and the Elba Central School District over the proposed 15-year agreement.  

The project also would fund a community benefit agreement for workforce development and economic development projects in Genesee County. Forefront Power LLC is seeking approximately $1.416 million in sales and property tax exemptions. A public hearing on the project incentives was held March 22.

Batavia Special Needs Apartments LP is proposing to invest $3.75 million to add 20 living units to an existing special needs housing campus on East Main Street in the City of Batavia. The project would increase the existing annual PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) payment by approximately $6,000 per year for the remainder of the current PILOT.  Batavia Special Needs Apartments LP is seeking approximately $772,000 in sales and property tax exemptions. A public hearing on the proposed incentives was held April 14.

The GCEDC will also consider initial review of an application by NY CDG Genesee 1 LLC (BW Solar). The proposed project would invest $7.326 million to build a 5 megawatt community solar project on Oak Orchard Road in the Town of Elba. The project would generate approximately $518,803 in new revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Elba, and the Elba Central School District over the proposed 15-year agreement.

If the initial application is accepted, a public hearing on the project will be scheduled, as the project is requesting incentives in excess of $100,000.

The GCEDC Board meeting will at 4 p.m. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the meeting will be conducted via conference and online at www.gcedc.com.

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.

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.

Today was "Drive Your Tractor to School Day" in Elba.

Photos submitted by Debra Reilly.

Elba resident Bill Kauffman reads 'To a Siberian Woodsman' by Wendell Berry for National Poetry Month.

This picture of a cardinal at a backyard bird feeder was taken this morning by Chantal Zambito at her Elba home.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba's 2021 return to 11-man football finished on a high-note Tuesday with a 37-7 win over Avon, giving the team a regular-season record of 5-1.

Ty Mott rushed 271 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. On defense, he also had seven tackles, a sack and an interception returned for a 65-yard TD. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Gaige Armbrewster carried the ball 11 times for 70 yards and a TD. He also intercepted a pass for a 63-yard TD return.

QB Bodie Hyde was 7-12 passing for 65 yards and a TD.

Kaden Cusmano had three catches for 40 yards and a TD.

On defense, Peyton Yasses had 12 tackles, Dontrell Jenkins, eight, and Zach Howard had an interception.

"While the scoreboard may not suggest it, this was a four-quarter fight for our team," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "We are incredibly proud of their ability to overcome when adversity would present itself throughout the game.  

"The defense was very impressive tonight," he added. "Coach Corey Winter put together a great defensive game plan for this game. Our team is continuing to live by the 'bend, but don't break' mentality that they've demonstrated time after time throughout the season.

"It seemed like whenever our backs were against the wall and we needed a play, one of our guys would step up with a big tackle or a takeaway. Avon is a well-coached team and we knew we would need to play mistake-free football to put ourselves in a position to win this game. The boys did just that."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

A motor-vehicle accident in the area of 62 S. Main St., Elba, is blocking traffic in the Village of Elba.

The location is by the Central School and Crosby's convenience store. 

It is apparently a noninjury accident but the car ran up the guy wire of a utility pole. A tow will be required.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Reader-submitted photos.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba ran all over York/Pavilion in their game on Wednesday, gaining 460 yards on the ground on their way to a 54-0 win.

"This was a great bounce-back win for our guys after last week," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "They came out of the gate fast and played well for four full quarters. We set some goals for our squad to clean a few things up on both sides of the ball, and I think we accomplished those goals tonight. We'll go back to the drawing board tomorrow and look to continue improving this week as we prepare for a big challenge in Avon."

Ty Mott ran 22 times for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Mott has now rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.

Gaige Armbrewster, three carries, 105 yards, one TD. Ty Kornow, five carries, 70 yards, 1 TD. Jayden Hughes, three carries, 35 yards, one TD.

Bodie Hyde completed a 64-yard TD pass to Zach Howard.

Peyton Yasses and Dontrell Jenkins each had 12 tackles.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Tom Redband, head coach of Elba's Lady Lancers, which is coming off its fifth straight championship season, announced today that he and his assistant, Marci Redband, also his wife, are stepping down from their coaching positions.

The announcement:

Marci and I would like to announce that we are stepping down from the position of Head Coach/Assistant Coach of the Elba girls basketball program. While this is a very difficult decision due to our love and passion for Elba basketball, we have put a lot of thought into it, and Marci and I know that personally and as a family it is time and the right decision.

Marci and I are so appreciative of the opportunity we were given to lead these wonderful young women. We will cherish these times forever and want to thank all of the supporters from the bottom of our hearts for the positivity and trust. In due time, I look forward to personally thank each one of you. The people we have met and grown relationships with never would have occurred without this opportunity to coach this awesome team, it’s been wonderful.

Marci and I are looking forward to being positive and supportive of the new coach and all the young Lady Lancers we have worked with and will miss dearly. We will be cheering each one of you on and will always be here for you. We will be continuing our basketball training camps, so we won’t be too far away.

When I was given the opportunity to teach business at Elba as my first full-time teaching job and to coach the Lady Lancers, I knew Elba was special, but I didn’t know Elba was next-level special. Well, I know now, and it’s one of a kind. It’s so special and the kids mean so much to us, that of all places, I chose a smelly locker room to propose to Marci. We hope we served the kids and community with class, it was certainly our pleasure. In closing, Marci and I are Lancers for life, and that makes us proud.

For Elba, the past two seasons ended in wins but also disappointments. With a team led by Byrnn Walczak, Taylor Augello, Maddie Muehlig, and Leah Bezon, the Lancers had legitimate chances in each of the past two seasons to win state championships. The team was deprived of that opportunity by a global pandemic. Those four players all graduate this year.

Elba has a long history of basketball success. Tom Redband replaced Tom Nowak, who over 26 seasons amassed 587 wins, 10 sectional titles, and in 2012 a State Championship.

A new head coach has not yet been named.

Photo: File photo of Tom Redband in 2013.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba lost to Bolivar-Richmond on Thursday evening, 14-8.

No stats provided.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Daniel William Knauss Jr., 51, of West Park Street, Pavilion, is charged with third-degree menacing. On March 29, Knauss turned himself into the Genesee County Jail. The charge stems from an incident at 7:10 p.m. on March 25 in which Knauss allegedly chased a person around a yard on West Park Street while conveying verbal threats, causing the person to fear physical injury from the defendant. Knauss was processed at the jail and released on an appearance ticket to be in Town of Pavilion Court on April 6. The case was handled by Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by jail Corporal Chaya and jail deputies Bartholomew and Strumpf.

Ian Robert Standinger, 24, of Brookview Road, Rochester, is charged with: false personation; speeding -- doing 76 mph in a 30-mph zone; unregistered motorcycle; uninspected motorcycle; operating a motor vehicle without insurance. At 3:57 p.m. on March 30 on Ford Road in Elba, Standinger was stopped for allegedly speeding. Upon interviewing him, he allegedly identified himself with a false name. He was also charged with operating an unregistered, uninspected motorcycle without insurance. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

A deputy has asked for a fire response to 5838 Quaker Hill Road, Elba for a controlled burn that is apparently out of control.

A person is reportedly trying to put the fire out with a garden hose. 

The fire is about 20 yards from a residence.

Elba fire dispatched.

The spring burn ban began March 16 and lasts until May 14.

Back to 11-man football, Elba/Oakfield-Alabama is picking up right where it left off in eight-man football in 2019: A high-powered offense and a stingy defense, judging by its 59-6 victory over Cuba-Rushford at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday.

Ty Mott rushed for 213 yards on 19 carries, scoring five touchdowns. Jayden Hughes rushed eight times for 93 yards and two TDs. Gaige Armbrewster had five carries, 69 yards, and a TD.

Peyton Yasses had a team-leading seven tackles.

"With such little time together with our full team thus far, I felt that our guys were able to come out early and execute at a high level," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "The offense played with a nice flow. Defensively, our guys played physical and stayed disciplined for the four quarters. I am happy for our team and proud of the commitment they are showing for one another."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos click here and here.

Five straight section titles are nice, Elba's players will tell you, but they also know there is a "what could have been" question that will forever remain unanswered.

If not for a coronavirus pandemic that wiped out the 2020 postseason and shortened 2021, ending the title push with a sectional championship, could the Lady Lancers have won one, maybe two state titles?

We will never know. But we do know Elba knocked off the #2 seed, Prattsburgh/Avoca,  in a pretty convincing fashion -- a team that regularly won by scoring 60 points or more per game while going 9-1 on the season. The game was never really close. The Lancers won 66-27.

It's the fifth straight Section title for Elba under Head Coach Tom Redband. 

On Saturday, Byrnn Walczak scored 22 points, Taylor Augello, 13, Maddie Muehlig, 12, and Leah Bezon, 9. Muehlig also had eight assists. Dakota Brinkman, who scored five points, had nine rebounds, Walczak, eight, and Augello, seven.

Walczak, Muehlig and Bezon have been part of all five title teams and Augello has been there for the last four. All four graduate this year.

Notre Dame won its Class D1 championship game, so with Elba winning class D2, in any other year, the two archrivals would faceoff in a division consolidation game to determine which team would represent Section V in a Far West Regional championship game. Not this year.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

It was a big night for Brynn Walczak on Thursday and her 28 points helped propel the Elba Lady Lancers to a 68-42 win over Northstar in the Class D2 semifinal game at Elba.

Walczak also snagged 10 rebounds. 

Maddie Huehlig scored 10 points, Leah Bezon, nine, Taylor Augello, eight, and Dakota Brinkman, seven. Brinkman also had 10 rebounds, and Augello and Bezon, eight each.

Alavna Garwood scored 18 points for Northstar.

Elba, now 13-0, will host Prattsburgh/Avoca (9-1 and the #2 seed) at 7 1 p.m., Saturday, for the Class D2 Section V championship game.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba had no trouble with Romulus in the Lady Lancers' first-round Class D2 sectional game at home on Tuesday night, winning 70-15.

Brynn Walczak scored 19 points, hitting two of three three-point attempts. Leah Bezon just missed a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Taylor Augello scored 10 points. She also had seven assists.

The Lancers, at 12-0, face Northern Christian, the #4 seed at 7-2, at 7 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at home.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Dakota Brinkman and Byrnn Walczak both scored 13 points Friday night in Alexander to help Elba to a 53-44 victory over the Trojans.

Laci Sewer, nine points, and Brinkman both hit a pair of three-point shots.

Maddie Muehlig scored seven points and Taylor Augello, six.

Walczak made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Augello also had 10 rebounds.

For Alexander, Hallie Kramer scored 12 points and Natalie Whitmore scored 11. Ally Mileham scored 10. Whitmore had 10 rebounds and Melanie Pohl, who scored five points, had 11 rebounds.

The Lady Lancers finish the regular season at 11-0. Friday's win was the first time this year that their margin of victory was less than 10 points.

In other girls games: 

• Pavilion beat Cal-Mum 43-23 (Pavilion also finishes the regular season undefeated at 10-0)
• Le Roy beat Letchworth 53-33
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Pembroke 49-43

In boys basketball:

• Notre Dame beat Alexander 63-52
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Pembroke, 68-51
• Wheatland-Chili beat Byron-Bergen 68-57

Photos by Debra Reilly.

A barn fire, with flames showing, is reported at Star Growers, on Starowitz Road, Elba.

Elba fire dispatched. Byron and South Byron asked to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: A first responder confirms working structure fire and requests a second alarm.

UPDATE 10:02 p.m.: Town of Batavia, Byron, South Byron, along with City Fire's Fast Team dispatched.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: Video posted. Fire crews are still on scene. This was a significant structure fire with equipment inside. Chief Mike Heale said crews heard explosions inside upon their arrival. No livestock were involved. No injuries reported. The cause has not been determined.