elba

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.

Taylor Augello scored 21 points against Byron-Bergen on Monday night to lead Elba to a 64-37 victory.

The Lady Lancers are now 10-0 on the season. 

Brynn Walczak scored 14 points and had 12 rebounds. Laci Sewar scored nine points.

For the Bees, Ava Wagoner scored 15 points and Sasha Schramm scored 11. MacKenzie Senf had eight rebounds.

The Elba Lady Lancers now have three starters in the 1,000 point club, with Brynn Walczak reaching the milestone early in the first quarter last night on a two-pointer in the paint.

Within the past week, both Leah Bezon and Maddie Muehlig scored their 1,000th career points.

Elba is now 9-0 on the season after blowing out Lyndonville 75-51.

Taylor Augello scored 19 points, Muehlig and Walczak both scored 15 points, and Bezon added 12. Muehlig and Walczak each had six rebounds.

For Lyndonville, Ella Lewis scored 19 points.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Maddie Muehlig needed 17 points to reach 1,000 on her career going into Monday's Lady Lancers' game against Attica.

She scored 21, with her milestone point coming on a three-pointer in the third quarter.

Elba beat Attica 65-43.

Muehlig (#2 in photos) was 6-10 on three-point shots.

Leah Bezon, who joined the 1,000-point club in Elba's previous game, had 15 points.

Next in line for 1,000 points is Brynn Walczak. She scored 17 points.

Also in girls basketball on Monday:

• Batavia beat Odyssey 63-32
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Byron-Bergen 50-42
• Notre Dame beat Pembroke 62-59

In boys basketball, Le Roy beat Letchworth 66-35.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Jose Alfredo Cruz, 44, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with second-degree menacing and second-degree harassment. At midnight on Feb. 20, Cruz was arrested after a domestic incident. It is alleged he menaced a person and made threats to harm himself. Cruz was arraigned virtually at Genesee County Jail on behalf of Town of Oakfield Court. He is due in GC court on April 5. The case was handled by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Rodney Lee Harmon Jr., 44, of Church Street, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Harmon was arrested at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 after allegedly being found in possession of oxycodone hydrochloride when a probation officer visited his home. He was released with an appearance ticket and is due in Elba Town Court at a later date. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Tristan Michael Vaughn, 22, of Richley Road, Darien, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more -- first offense; unregistered motor vehicle; moving from lane unsafely. Vaughn was arrested at 6:27 p.m. Feb. 20 on Attica Road in Darien after his vehicle was located off the roadway. He was released with appearance tickets and is due in Darien Town Court on March 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Brynn Walczak notched another double-double and Leah Bezon scored her 1,000th career point Saturday afternoon as the Lady Lancers beat archrival Notre Dame 52-38.

Walczak scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Bezon's 1,000th point came on a free throw in the third quarter. She scored nine points.

Taylor Augello scored 12 points. Maddie Muehlig scored five and grabbed eight rebounds.

For the Lady Irish, Emma Sisson, Maylee Green, and Amelia McCulley each scored eight points and Lindsey Weidman scored seven. McCulley had 14 rebounds.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Two members of the Ice Devils, the hockey team that represents Batavia, Le Roy, Alexander, Elba, and Oakfield-Alabama, tested positive for COVID-19, meaning all players and coaches must quarantine at home until Feb. 24.

Three regular-season games have been canceled and won't be rescheduled.

Batavia Athletic Director Michael Bromley said one person tested positive last week and after consulting with the health department and the school's medical director, they would quarantine the team if a second person tested positive. That positive test came in on Tuesday.

This is only the second time a Batavia-affiliated team has been required to quarantine during the regular season. It happened previously with the Alpine Ski team.

Bromley said he can't emphasize enough how important it is for a parent to keep a child home from practice and games if a player is showing any symptoms because it can affect the whole team.

The Ice Devils were 0-4 on the season. The three missed games will be counted as "no contest." There will be five games left in the regular season once the team returns to the ice. Bromley said it will take multiple wins in those final five games for the team to reach the playoffs.

Elba's Lady Lancers continued their GR League dominance Thursday night beating Oakfield-Alabama 55-30.

Brynn Walczak scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Elba. Taylor Augello scored 15. Leah Bezon scored seven. Dakota Brinkman had eight rebounds.

For the Lady Hornets, Makena Redding scored 17 points and Kelsy Schlgenaugh had four points and snagged 10 rebounds.

Also in girls basketball:

• Attica beat Byron-Bergen 46-34
• Notre Dame beat Kendall 53-34

An unoccupied car "drove into a house" at 5069 Hundredmark Road in Elba. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. "Negative injuries at this time."

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: The car reportedly "bumped into the house at a low rate of speed." A first responder on scene calls for another unit to respond with a lock-picking kit. "The keys are in the vehicle that's pressed against the house," he says. "No injuries."

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: A deputy reports that code enforcement went to the house and evaluated the situation and determined there are no code issues regarding structural damage to the house. The Elba assignment is back in service.

Home has newer metal roof vinyl sided and thermo windows. Nice manageable size ranch and good layout makes it good for both downsizers or the four large bedrooms give those elbow room.

Either way a little work will definitely go a long way here! Being sold “As Is” and priced well below assessment -- a good opportunity for some!

Call Reliant Real Estate today, call 585-344-4663 or click here for more information on this lisitng.

Derek Francis McQueen, 33, of Phelps Road, Corfu, is charged with: second-degree vehicular assault; driving while ability impaired by combined influence of drugs; third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; following too closely; and unlicensed operator. At 1:04 p.m. Sept. 16, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a two-vehicle collision with injury on Batavia Elba Townline Road in the Town of Elba. Following an investigation into the accident, it was determined that McQueen -- operator of the striking vehicle -- was at fault. A license check found the NYS driver's license was revoked. During the course of the investigation, it was suspected that McQueen was under the influence of drugs. Field sobriety tests were administered and he was subsequently arrested. The defendant was taken to the Genesee County Jail where City of Batavia Police Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, administrered a drug influence evaluation, which allegedly determined McQueen to be under the influence of multiple categories of drugs. On Monday, Jan. 4, he was charged in the case due to the injury sustained by an occupant of the other vehicle involved. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Elba Town Court at a later date. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

James A. Centner, 41, of Vallance Road, Le Roy, was arrested Dec. 11 after a two-vehicle head-on collision at about 7 p.m. on West Main Street in the Village of Le Roy. One person who was driving a Chevy Suburban was injured in the accident. Centner, the driver of a pickup truck, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and traffic violations for failing to use designated lane, drinking in a vehicle on the highway, and refusal to take a breath test. It is alleged that he was leaving the area of Tops Market when he turned onto Route 5 and drove in the wrong lane, causing the collision. Following his virtual arraignment, he was released to a third party. The driver of the Suburban was transported to the hospital by LeRoy Ambulance Service with non-life-threatening injuries. During this investigation, it was also alleged that Centner's vehicle was involved in a minor motor-vehicle accident with no injuries while in the parking lot of Tops Market prior to the head-on crash, and this also is being investigated.

Bleyke Zhaviante Armonde Culver, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with: obstruction of governmental administration; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; unlicensed operation; failure to yield to an emergency vehicle; and speeding. At 11:13 a.m. on Dec. 10, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a male refusing to leave the Department of Social Services on East Main Street Road. Law enforcement responded and were advised he was operating a vehicle while his privilege to do so was suspended by New York authorities. A marked Sheriff's Office patrol car located the vehicle attempted to make a traffic stop by activating its overhead emergency lights. The vehicle allegedly failed to yield and led police on a vehicle pursuit. It continued through the City of Batavia and ended up returning to Culver's Walnut Street residence. He was taken into custody at 11:24 a.m. without incident then taken to jail for processing. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Tower, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong, and they were also assisted by members of the Batavia Police Department.

Ethan M. Conrad, 20, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI -- common law; and moving from lane unsafely. He was arrested Nov. 26 after an investigation of a single-vehicle accident on River in the city in which the vehicle struck the River Street guard rail. He was released with traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts. 

Michelle M. Hanssen, 54, of Chestnut Ridge Road, Middleport, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; failure to stop at stop sign; moving from lane unsafely; and operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device. At 7:11 p.m. on Dec. 12, Hanssen was arrested after a one-vehicle accident on Lewiston Road in Oakfield. She was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol and crashed her car. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Oakfield Town Court on Jan. 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier.

Cody Middlebrooks, 30, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested after an incident on South Main Street in Batavia at 10:24 a.m. on Nov. 23. It is alleged that he damaged a cell phone which was valued at more than $250. He was processed then released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Jan. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Conner Borchert and Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

Vicki Lynne Manns, 50, of Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; and unreasonable speed under special hazards. At 10:50 p.m. Dec. 12, deputies responded to the intersection of Stroh Road and Maplewood Road in Alexander for a report of a vehicle off the road. After an investigation, Manns was arrested on the charges. She was issued appearance tickets for Alexander Town Court and is due there Dec. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Christian M. Deluna, 19, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; burglary; criminal mischief; and conspiracy. Deluna was arrested after an incident that occurred at 1:50 a.m. at an apartment on North Spruce Street in Batavia. Following arraignment Dec. 1 in Batavia City Court, Deluna was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Deluna is due back in city court on Jan. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Cody Middlebrooks, 30, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and first-degree coercion. He was arrested on Dec. 8 on the charges. It is alleged that on Dec. 5 on Pearl Street that Middlebrooks was involved in a physical domestic incident and that he threatened to harm the victim if she called police. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court on Feb. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Samantha Lynn Wroblewski, 31, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. She was arrested Dec. 7 after an investigation into an incident that occurred Oct. 19 on West Main Street wherein she alllegedly possessed cocaine. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Jonathan Richard Piwko, 31, of Peppertree Drive, Derby, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely; and speed not reasonable and prudent. Piwko was arrest Dec. 10 after the investigation of a vehicle that went off the roadway and struck a business at 11:51 p.m. Dec. 9 on South Main Street in the Village of Elba. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Elba Town Court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Lisa A. Way, 52, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- common law, and refusal to take a breath test. Way was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Dec. 5 on Ellicott Street in Batavia after a motor-vehicle accident behind a residence on that street. She was released with traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

William Anthony Nichols II, 27, of East Avenue, Holley, and Renee Irene Brown, 40, of Federal Drive, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy. At 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 9, they were arrested on Lewiston Road in Batavia after allegedly working together to steal $122.95 worth of merchandise from BJs Wholesale Club. They were issued appearance tickets and are due in Town of Batavia Court on Jan. 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Steven Douglas Kelso, 36, of Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records in the first degree and attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon. He was arrested Dec. 9 after an investigation into the attempted purchase of a firearm at a business on Buffalo Road in Bergen by a person ineligible to possess one. Kelso was released in an appearance ticket and is due in Bergen Town Court on Dec. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Chazmar T. Walters Sr., 28, of Clay Street, Le Roy, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. Walters was arrested Dec. 5 after a traffic stop on Lewiston Road at 8:48 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia Town Court on Jan. 8, then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Sgt. Eric Bolles.

Loretta Lynn Baer, 49, of Canal Street, Macedon, is charged with trespass. She was arrested Dec. 1 on Swan Street in Batavia after a trespass complaint at 12:35 p.m. at an auto parts store. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Jan. 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Christopher P. Thomas, 36, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with have a dog running at large. He was arrested Dec. 7. It is alleged that on Dec. 3 on State Street that Thomas allowed his dog to run at large on another person's property. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Patrick O. Spikes, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. He was arrested Nov. 21 on a Batavia City Court bench warrant following a traffic stop. The charges stems from an incident Oct. 27 at 10:30 p.m. at the Speedway on West Main Street. Spikes was arraigned via Skype and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Spikes is due back in court at a later date (unspecified). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Austin Hedges.

Christopher P. Thomas, 38, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested after turning himself in on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court that was issued after he failed to appear as required on May 26. He was processed and is due back in city court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker.

Destiny Nakia Green, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested Dec. 2 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. She had been due in court on July 22. A plea was entered and Green was sentenced (no information provided). Case resolved. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Jason Allan Klinkbeil, 32, of Lockport Road, Alabama, is charged with: first-degree vehicular assault; felony driving while intoxicated -- drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; reckless driving; failure to keep right; speed not reasonable and prudent; moving from lane unsafely; driving left of pavement markings; improper passing; failure to notify DMV of address change; and failure to change address on vehicle registration. Following an investigation into a motor-vehicle collision with injury at 8:48 p.m. Sept. 12 on Bliss Road in Oakfield, Klinkbeil was arrested. He allegedly drove a vehicle while he was impaired by drugs and caused serious physical injury to a passenger in another vehicle. Klinkbeil was released with appearance tickets and is due in Oakfield Town Court on Feb. 1. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Aaron Joseph Romani, 29, of Milestrip Road, Blasdell, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Romani was arrested Dec. 3 for an incident at 2:48 a.m. on Aug. 2 when he was found pulled to the side of the road on Byron Elba Road in Byron. He was allegedly driving while intoxicated by drug and in possession of methadone which was not prescribed to him. His driver's license was expired. He was issued appearance tickets returnable to Byron Town Court on Jan. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Renee Irene Brown, 40, of Harris Road, Waterport, is charged with petit larceny and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. At 3:09 p.m. on Dec. 3, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call of a woman stealing items from the Crosby's convenience store in the Village of Elba, then fleeing in a vehicle southbound on Route 98. Deputies located the car in the Town of Batavia a short time later and conducted a traffic stop. Following an investigation, Brown was arrested. It is alleged that she possessed 72 packages of Starburst candy chews, 19 packages of Slim Jim meat snack sticks, and 14 packages of Jack Links Wild Snack Sticks XXL Original. Brown was also allegedly found driving while her license to do so was suspended. She was released with appearance tickets and is due in Elba Town Court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

The Elba Betterment Committee hosted the community's Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday night along with a socially distanced visit from Santa. The video also includes visits to the Christmas Tree displays in Pavilion and Oakfield.

M&T Bank expressed their appreciation to the Elba community by providing it with two new pieces of play apparatus, mulch and two trees for the Village Park in addition to a Little Free Library in front of the Village Office.

Installation of the play apparatus and mulch was a project completed as part of the 2019 United Way Day of Caring.

The recognition ceremony and plaque presentation were delayed this year due to COVID-19.

Village officials thanked Bank representatives through the presentation of a plaque, which will be hung in the ATM vestibule located at the former M&T Bank on Route 98. The former bank is being retrofitted by the Town of Elba for the relocation of their offices.

Pictured from left are: Tom Stempin, Elba trustee; Denis Rohan, of Elba Public Works; Norman Itjen, Elba mayor; Reita Fletcher, of M & T Bank, and Erik Fix, M & T Bank.

Information and photos from Norman Itjen.

Russell James Hamilton, 30, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs -- first offense; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd; second-degree menacing -- with a weapon; second-degree obstruction of governmental administration; and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. Hamilton was arrested in the Village of Le Roy after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop that was made at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 7 on Main Road in Stafford. Hamilton is accused of fleeing from Genesee County Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, who attempted to stop him for a vehicle and traffic law violation. It is alleged that Hamilton fled in his vehicle into the Village of Le Roy, with deputies in pursuit, then fled from his vehicle on foot, and was taken into custody shortly thereafter. While being taken into custody, it is alleged Hamilton tried to strike a deputy with a dangerous instrument. It is also alleged that Hamilton was driving while impaired by drugs. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Le Roy Town Court on Dec. 1. Village of Le Roy Police Officer Austin Steinbrenner assisted in the case.

Robert D. Wood, 30, of Mill Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; first-degree criminal contempt; and second-degree burglary. At 2:44 p.m. on Nov. 11, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Wood after a domestic incident that occurred on Wood Street in Batavia. He allegedly entered the residence in violation of a stay away order of protection agains him and is accused of shoving a person there during an argument. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond.

Morgan Lee Cox, 52, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis was made aware of an incident which took place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 on West Main Street in Batavia. It is alleged that Cox was involved in a physical altercation and that he punched a person in the face. He was arrested and released with an appearance ticket for Feb. 9 in Batavia City Court. Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges assisted in the case.

Barbara C. Pridmore, 62, of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; aggravated DWI -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; obstructed view; and failure to obey traffic control device. Pridmore was arrested at 11:46 p.m. on Oak Street in the City of Batavia after a motor-vehicle accident in which a vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. She allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests, was arraigned in Batavia City Court, then processed at Batavia Police headquarters and issued traffic tickets. She is due in city court Feb. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Ashley Ilene Hightower, 28, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested following an investigation of a harassment complaint pertaining to an incident that occurred at 4:21 p.m. Nov. 8 on Bank Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Feb. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Katherine J. Briggs, 41, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with false written statement. At 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 11, Briggs allegedly knowingly gave a false statement to a City of Batavia police officer. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis.

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Photos and Story by Tom Rivers/Orleans Hub

The water tank that has been a part of the Elba landscape since 1934 came down just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. The standpipe held about 300,000 gallons of water.

It has been replaced by a new 750,000-gallon water tank that serves the village and also a growing water system throughout the town. (Elba has sent the construction of phase 7 of its town-wide water district out to bid.)

The water tank landed with a loud thud and unleashed a lot of mud, including several chunks that hit the Orleans Hub editor.

Iseler Demolition of Port Hope, Mich. brought a team of welders to take apart the tank. Iseler cut out sections on the bottom of one side of the tank, the same method used to cut down a tree.

Once an opening was cut out at the bottom of the tank, Iseler cut loose the last bolt used to help hold down the tank. The standpipe seemed to groan and then toppled over.

Iseler employees then went to work cutting the tank into pieces. Most of it will be recycled. Some small pieces will given to people in the village and town officials and people who worked on the project.

Elba Town Supervisor Donna Hynes was given the plaque on the tank on Monday, which noted when it was constructed. She has the plaque at the Town Hall right now.

Isler employees cut up pieces of steel from the bottom of the tank after it toppled over.

Elba Mayor Norm Itjen said the water tower has been standing his entire life and the entire lives of most local residents. The structure, which was about 80 feet high, could be seen several miles away down Route 98 from Batavia.

Itjen said he is pleased the community has upgraded its water system with new waterlines, a new water tank, and a different water provider. Elba was using a well off Barrville Road. Elba switched to the Genesee County water system about two years ago with the water coming from the City of Batavia.

Itjen said the community has better water quality and the new water lines and water tower have boosted water pressure by about 10 to 15 pounds for most water customers.

Before the upgrades, the village Department of Public Works was frequently called into duty to fix leaking water lines.

The welders go to work taking the water tank apart.

Iseler expects to have the tank gone on Wednesday.

Here is how the two water tanks looked at about noon, about an hour before the standpipe was taken down.

A tractor-trailer accident is reported in the area of 7990 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

A first responder says the truck is well off the road in a field.

No word on injuries.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS responding.