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No students injured in bus crash near Notre Dame HS

By Howard B. Owens

No students were hurt today when an Elba school bus on Union Avenue, Batavia, swerved off the road and into a fence surrounding Notre Dame High School's football field.

There were 16-18 students on the bus, all Elba residents who attend Notre Dame.

Sgt. John Peck said the driver apparently suffered a medical condition, though he is being cited for alleged failure to keep right.

Elba student graduates from Ithaca College

By Billie Owens

Ashley Chiocco, daughter of Stephen and Mary Chiocco, of Elba, graduated with a major in Television-Radio from Ithaca College's Roy H. Park School of Communications. The degree was awarded in December 2011.

Ithaca College prepares students for personal and professional success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study.

Located in New York's Finger Lakes region, the college is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 400 graduate students and offers over 100 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Science and Human Performance, and Music.

Elba student earns Highest Honors for work at University of New Hampshire

By Billie Owens

Lauren Burhans, of Elba, has earned Highest Honors for the fall semester of the 2011-2012 academic year at the University of New Hampshire.

Students named to the Deans' List have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance. Highest Honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade-point average of 3.7 or better out of a possible 4.0.

Possible injury accident on Ford Road, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a pole and a person is injured in the area of 5353 Ford Road, Elba.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 10:42 a.m.: The occupant is complaining of neck and shoulder pain. Mercy Flight is on an in-air standby. The pole is broken off, but no wires are in the roadway.'

UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: Route 262 being closed at Transit and at Norton roads. A landing zone is being set up for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 11:17 a.m.: Mercy Flight in the air, in route to Strong.

UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: The portion of Route 262 that's closed will remain so until the pole can be cleared.


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Two-car accident on Drake Street Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at 3990 Drake Street Road in Elba. The location is between Weatherwax and Pekin roads. Elba Fire Department is responding along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: A responder at the scene reports one person has a back injury.

UPDATE: Also, the ambulance that responded to this scene was rear-ended as it was leaving the scene. Another ambulance had to respond and transport the paitent. The accident was a minor property damage accident.

State Police helicopter brought in for a situation in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

State Police and Sheriff's Deputies are on scene in Elba, in the area of the village park, looking for an individual who may intend harm to himself.

The State Police helicopter is arriving on scene to assist in the search.

The Genesee County Sheriff's K-9 unit has been dispatched and a K-9 unit from Erie County is also responding.

UPDATE 7:17 p.m.: The person has been found and law enforcement will be handling the transport for mental health evaluation.

Three local students make the Deans' List at St. Bonaventure University

By Billie Owens

The following area students have been named to the fall 2011 Deans' List at St. Bonaventure University:

  • Anthony Zambito, a fourth-year student from Elba. He is majoring in Political Science.
  • Chelsie Hixenbaugh, a first-year student from Le Roy. She is majoring in Elementary Education/Special Education.
  • Kristin O'Gee, a fourth-year student from Le Roy. She is majoring in Elementary Education/Special Education.

Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them.

Photos: A Sunday afternoon in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

This afternoon, Billie and I went for a drive -- she drove, stopped the car occasionally, and I took pictures. Here are seven of the photos from today.

Above, a barn and tree on Warboys Road, Bergen.

A falcon on Sackett Road, Bergen.

White horse on Swamp Road, Byron.

Dock on Mill Pond, Mill Pond Road, Byron.

Barn, Batavia Elba Townline Road, Elba.

Steer, Batavia Elba Townline Road, Elba.

Daws Cemetery, Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia.

Suspect accused of stealing and then pawning Crest Whitestrips

By Howard B. Owens

An Elba resident is accused of stealing Crest Whitestrips from a local pharmacy and then selling the packages at Pawn King.

Jason Ray Anderson, 30, of Oak Orchard Road, is charged with five counts of falsifying business records in the first degree and petit larceny.

Anderson allegedly stole at least five packages of the dental-whitening product over the course of two days, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, and then took the stolen items to Pawn King and signed documents stating he legally owned the packages.

Anderson was issued an appearance ticket, returnable to Town of Batavia Court at 1 p.m., Feb. 9.

Alfred State College announces Deans' List for the fall 2011 semester

By Billie Owens

Stephen J. Havlovic, vice president for academic affairs at Alfred State College, has announced the Deans' List of students for the fall 2011 semester.

Students from both the Alfred campus and the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville are selected for the Deans' List if they maintain a 3.50 grade-point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0. The 4.0 GPA or straight "A" students are indicated with an asterisk (*).

The following Genesee County students were among those recognized:

Brandon Richardson, of Basom

*Nicole Binns, of Corfu

Ethan Willard, of Darien Center

*Kailynn Stacy,  of Elba

Nicholas Weibel, of Elba

*John Langdon, of Bergen

Quentin Humphrey, of Le Roy

Morgan Presher, of Le Roy

Edward Cigno, of Le Roy

*Christopher Locke, of Le Roy

*Christian Dermody, of Linwood

Thomas Parmenter, of Pavilion

Alfred State College offers associate degrees in 52 programs in the fields of agriculture, health, business, vocational, and engineering technology, as well as liberal arts and sciences. There are also 19 baccalaureate degree offerings.

Elba man accused of sex abuse found not guilty on all counts

By Howard B. Owens

A 40-year-old man from Elba was found not guilty today on all three counts related to alleged sexual abuse involving children following a non-jury trial in Genesee County Superior Court.

The trial ended Jan. 7 and Judge Sara Farkas of Niagara County issued her ruling today.

Erik P. Roth was indicted in July of two counts of sexual abuse, 1st, sexual conduct against a child, 2nd, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

WBTA's Geoff Redick, who also provided information for this story, followed the trial and reported Jan. 7 that the defense attorney was able to call into question the credibility of some of the testimony given at trial.

The charges stemmed from alleged incidents between November 2004 and March 2006.

SUNY Geneseo names eight local students to Deans' List

By Billie Owens

The State University of New York at Geneseo has announced its Deans' List for the fall semester 2011. To be on the list, a student must have achieved a 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 12 credit hours.

Students on the list from this area are:

  • Clarisse Birkby, from Corfu
  • Alaina Chapman, from Corfu
  • Kelsey Scott, from Elba
  • Alex DiFrancisco, from Le Roy
  • Brittany Fiato, from Le Roy
  • Briana Pangrazio, from Le Roy
  • Hali Plummer, from Le Roy
  • Cory Green, from Pavilion

SUNY Geneseo is a public liberal arts college recognized nationally for excellence in undergraduate education and for its professional and master's level programs. The college combines a rigorous curriculum and a rich co-curricular life to create a learning-centered environment.

Driver allegedly failed to yield right of way in Elba accident

By Howard B. Owens

A driver reportedly failed to yield the right of way leading to an accident in the Village of Elba on Wednesday morning that sent one man to the hospital via Mercy Flight.

Injured was Lester R. Gillard, 87, of Elba. He reportedly suffered a head and leg injury.

According to a Sheriff's Office release, Gillard was westbound on Chapel Street when his vehicle entered the intersection of Main Street.

Southbound on Main, with the right of way, was a Byrne Dairy milk truck operated by Marc T. Smith, 28, of Brockport.

Smith was not injured. Charges may be pending.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS responded.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Dana Richardson.

(Initial report)

Accident with injuries reported in the Village of Elba

By Howard B. Owens

An injury accident requiring extrication has been reported at North Main and Chapel streets in the Village of Elba.

Elba Fire Department on scene. Mercy EMS dispatched. Fire police called to deal with traffic.

A tractor-trailer is apparently involved.

UPDATE  7:29 a.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene. Landing zone at the recreation hall.

UPDATE 7:38 a.m.: Mercy Flight 5 has a three-minute ETA.

UPDATE 7:40 a.m.: Mercy Flight on the ground.

UPDATE 8:03 a.m.: Mercy Flight in the air, headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.


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Law and Order: Trio accused of throwing beer bottles at moving car on Jackson Street

By Howard B. Owens

Earl B. Benson, 23, of 7 Chestnut St., Apt. #4, Batavia; Joshua M. Benson, 21, of 5003 N. Byron Road, Elba; and, Tyler J. Henderson, 23, of 10 Franklin St., Batavia, are charged with menacing, 3rd, and reckless endangerment. The three men are accused of throwing beer bottles at a moving vehicle on Jackson Street at 1:11 a.m. Saturday. The men are also accused of threatening to physically harm the driver.

Eric L. Gahagan, 32, of 25 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. According to Batavia PD, Gahagan was arrested Saturday and charged with harassment for alleged physical contact with a woman. According to police, after his release, Gahagan sent several "unwanted" and "harassing" text messages. Gahagan was re-arrested and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rodney L. Blackshear, 51, of 131 Swan St., Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Blackshear was stopped at 2 a.m., Sunday, on Maple Street, Batavia, by Officer Eric Bolles.

Paul C. Ficarella, 34, of 117 Bank St., Apt. #1C, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ficarella is accused of stealing $69.15 worth of merchandise from Tops Market.

Amanda L. Spring, 28, of 3544 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Spring is accused of entering a residence in the city without permission.

Monique L. Brairton, 21, of 18 Pleasant St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, possession of an open container and inadequate tail lamps. Brairton was stopped at 1:30 a.m. Monday on Bacon Street, Village of Le Roy, by Le Roy Police.

Shawn Joseph Scheg, 44, of Warboys Road, Byron, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely and misuse of dealer/transport plate. Scheg was arrested following an investigation into a one-car accident at 12:44 a.m. Sunday on West Sweden Road, Bergen, by Deputy James Diehl.

Jason Ray Anderson, 30, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Anderson is accused of using stolen vehicle registration paperwork to operate a vehicle.

Sean R. McMenemy, 26, of 3025 McCorkindale Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 greater and making a right turn on a red light where prohibited. McMenemy was stopped at 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the municipal parking lot off Bank Street, Village of Le Roy, by Le Roy Police.

John R. Stella, 50, of 58 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to submit to a breath test, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and following too closely. Stella is accused of being involved in a hit-and-run accident at 8:15 p.m., Friday, at the intersection of East Bethany -- Le Roy Road and West Main Street, Le Roy. A witness reportedly followed Stella to his residence and directed police to the location of his vehicle. Le Roy Police arrested Stella. The accident investigation was conducted by the Sheriff's Office.

John P. Shipley, 36, of 25 Richmond Ave., Batavia, is charged with DWI. Shipley was reportedly found sleeping in his car with the motor running at 3:16 a.m., Jan. 5., on Vernon Avenue, by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Elba student makes the Deans' List at Savannah College

By Billie Owens

Kelsey Diehl, of Elba, was named to the Deans' List at Savannah College of Art and Design for fall quarter 2011. Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or above for the quarter receive this recognition.

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution offering degrees in more than 40 areas of study, as well as minors in nearly 60 disciplines.

Fundraiser set to assist woman who lost part of her leg in farm accident

By Howard B. Owens

Diana Beechler, the 24-year-old woman who lost part of her leg in a farm accident in Elba on Dec. 7, is back home and doing well, according to her sister, Elizabeth Austin.

"She's doing great," Austin said.

Beechler still has medical and rehabilitation expenses to cover, however, so friends and family have organized a fundraiser for 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Oakfield Fire Hall.

A Clor's chicken BBQ is being offered for $8.50 with tickets on sale now until Jan. 13 (no tickets will be sold at the door). There is also a 50/50 raffle planned along with raffle baskets.

The event will include a live DJ.

People who aren't interested in the BBQ are still welcome to attend the event, Austin said.

"A great big heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone for all there support, donations and well wishes," Austin said.

Arrangement for ticket purchases can be made by calling Diana at 297-5995 or Beth at 813-5531.

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