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Photos: Sun, wind and snow

By Howard B. Owens

My route back from the Snowbox Derby included Bliss Road, above, and Pekin Road, below.

Big crowd rewarded with close game between Notre Dame and Elba

By Howard B. Owens

For the second time this season, the Lady Lancers came up just points short against Notre Dame, dropping an emotional rematch in Elba, 43-40.

Notre Dame remains undefeated at 15-0 and Elba drops to 12-3.

The Lady Irish were led by Liz Geandreau, who scored 15 points with seven rebounds, and Riley Norton, 11 points and seven rebounds.

For Elba, Meg Stucko had 14 points and 16 rebounds and Racheal Cook scored 12 points.

To purchase pictures from this game (site template a little messed up right now, but site otherwise working) click here.

More pictures after the jump:

Car strikes pole on North Byron Road

By Billie Owens

A car-into-pole accident has occurred at 453 N. Byron Road. The location is between Lockport and Miller roads. No injuries reported.

Elba Fire Department is responding. Mercy medics on scene determined no injuries were apparent, left, and now are asked to return in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: A firefighter reports that the pole involved, No. 4596, is cracked and National Grid should look at it, but it doesn't required immediate attention. A previous responder said the pole was "split in a few places."

Trailer fire reported on Route 262

By Howard B. Owens

A passerby has called in a trailer fire in the area of Route 262 and Transit Road.

It's unknown if the trailer is occupied.

Byron and South Byron being dispatched along with a tanker from Elba and Town of Batavia's Fast Team.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: First responder reports heavy smoke upon approach.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: There are people outside the structure, still unknown if anybody is inside.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: Law enforcement was on scene first and vented windows. Still unknown if residents inside. All Elba equipment dispatched.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: A tanker from Bergen is now on scene. Mercy EMS also responded. A fire chief asks dispatch to contact Elba School to see if they have anyone registered at that address.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: Byron and South Byron back in service.


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Elba Central School holds first Course Presentation Fair

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from Elba Central School.

Elba high-school students debuted its Course Presentation Fair on Friday.

"The event was designed so that our parents and students can hear firsthand from teachers the courses that will offered be in 2011-2012," said Principal Jason Smith.

Following a rotating schedule, attendees circulated by grade level to nine different departments throughout the morning to learn about courses available. Among the new courses to be offered are:

  • America at War in the 20th Century
  • College Algebra
  • Introduction to Engineering
  • Music Composition 

In addition, the school will continue to offer and expand upon the variety of GCC and Advanced Placement Courses. The 2011-2012 course handbook is available on the school website.

"The number one factor that college admissions look at in accepting students is the rigor of courses students take while in high school," Smith said. "Many teachers shared this information at the course fair. Students will now be able to use what they learned at the course fair as they start to make decisions for classes next year.

Seniors took part in a workshop on college preparation hosted by Bryant & Stratton, and seventh-graders participated in Academic Gaming in the Media Center.

The Elementary School also hosted the annual Parent Luncheon later in the day. Those in grades K-6 had the opportunity share a special lunch with their family in their own cafeteria and at their special tables. Parents look forward to this event each year at Elba, and as usual, the luncheon was well attended.

The Elba Central School District is grateful to the parents who attended the Course Presentation Fair and Parent Luncheon.

Elba resident accused of possessing crack cocaine

By Howard B. Owens

The Local Drug Enforcement Task Force has  arrested an Elba resident who was stopped by a Sheriff's patrol in November and allegedly found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine with the intention to sell.

Taken into custody Tuesday was Mark C. Gregori, 49, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

He is charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Gregori was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Police Beat: Woman accused of crimes in separate incidents at College Village

By Howard B. Owens

Ajuna Mona Pruitt, 19, of Dawnhaven Drive, Rochester, is charged with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass, 2nd. Pruitt is accused of entering a room at College Village without permission and then, while in the parking lot, striking another woman with her car. The alleged incident occurred at 6:30 p.m., Monday.

Ajuna M. Pruitt, 19, of Dawnhaven Drive, Rochester, along with Ebony S. Barnes, 18, of Chaplain Street, Rochester and Shibritney M. Colbert, 19, of Shelter Street, Rochester, are charged with harassment, 2nd. The trio are accused of going to an apartment at College Village at 10:39 p.m., Tuesday, and banging and kicking on a door in an attempt to get the resident to come out and fight.

Danielle Marie Kotmel, 30, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Kotmel is accused of stealing a red Dell laptop computer. The alleged theft is believed to have occurred in December but was not discovered until an audit was completed in January.

Robert G. Woodhouse Jr., 50, of Creek Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Woodhouse is accused of entering a residence and remaining unlawfully. He's also accused of damaging a door.

Richard John Downs, 48, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, was arrested on a probation warrant out of Town of Elba Court.

Steven Michael Keaton, 38, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Keaton is accused of contacting a woman whom he was ordered not to contact.

Minor injury, rollover accident in Elba

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported at 4591 Batavia-Elba Townline Road in Elba. There are reportedly minor injuries.

The location is between State Street and Norton Road.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 12:14 p.m.: The female driver has wrist and leg injuries. The car is on its side. She is not trapped, but needs assistance to get out of the car.

UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: The victim is out of the car. A flatbed tow truck is called. The westbound lane is shut down.

UPDATE 12:26 p.m.: Route 98 is being closed at its juncture with Batavia-Elba Townline Road (Daws).

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: All units back in service. Road is reopened.

Elba student presented with state flag

By Howard B. Owens

Elba student Sam Lamont, who was picked to represent Genesee County as a student attending Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Speech (writing about it here), received another honor from the New York Legislature today. Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented him with a flag that has flown over the state capitol in Albany.

Elba student attend's Cuomo's State of State speech

By Howard B. Owens

Sam Lamont, a student in Elba, was selected to attended Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State speech earlier this week.

He was one of 62 students selected from throughout New York. The Elba Central School District was asked by the governor's office to select one of its student.

Sam was selected because of his leadership qualities, involvement in the community and was a Boy's State representative last summer.

Above, Sam is pictured with his parents, Skip and Mari-Ellen Lamont.

Below is his report on attending the event.

Being chosen to attend the "State of the State Address" was an honor. This was my first trip to Albany and yes it was impressive. This was a moment in history.

Seeing Governor Andrew Cuomo outline his plan to bring New York forward and reduce spending was inspiring and rang true with those present.

He is an emotional speaker and today, in Albany, it didn't matter if you were a Republican or Democrat.

He does care about the future of our state. Rochester's own Robert Duffy, taller than I had expected, gained the respect of everyone in the room.

As I sat on the stage, I was immediately impressed by the number of black power suits and the presence of the press. Cameras were everywhere. It seemed everyone was making contacts and later being interviewed as to their opinion of the speech.

The receptions were filled with a cross section of New Yorkers looking forward to a canoli or cheesecake while discussing politics.

I came to the realization that Albany is a powerful place and those individuals in dark suits are many of our elected officials. They are powerful people and are decision makers in our future. Let them hear your viewpoint; vote, contact your representatives and be informed.

Police Beat: Batavia resident accused of burglary in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

Nicholas Adkins, 20, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd. Adkins allegedly forcibly entered a house on Swamp Road, Town of Byron, and stole money. Adkins was jailed on $5,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The youth is accused of becoming physically abusive toward a 14-year-old boy while the boy was in the area of 430 E. Main St., Batavia. The Elba youth may be eligible for youthful offender status.

David Paul Bartholf, 19, Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bartholf was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves at 4:58 p.m., Nov. 11.  Bartholf was allegedly found in possession of a marijuana pipe.

Gregory Seppe, 52, no permanant address, is charged with petit larceny. Seppe is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General at 8:08 p.m., Wednesday. Seppe was jailed on $750 bail. (For previous reports on Seppe, click here.)

Donna M. Croft, 57, of 56 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Croft is accused of trying to hide several items of merchandise from Dollar General  in her purse. The alleged crime was reported at 9:54 p.m., Wednesday.

Elba gets dinged in state audit for use of cash from scrap sales

By Howard B. Owens

As soon as the Elba Town Board found out about cash from scrap metal sales being used to buy a flat-screen TV, popcorn popper and coffeemaker for the highway department, the board instituted new accounting controls to better track funds from the sales, according to Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman.

Disclosure of the sales and purchases were part of an audit report on nine Western New York governments and the Batavia School District by the NYS Comptroller's Office.

Investigators specifically looked into how procedures for scrap material sales were handled. The finding: Of the $132,000 in scrap sales, there was inadequate tracking and accounting of more than $27,000 in cash.

Elba had the distinction of the only flat-screen TV purchased with the cash.

"It was not a practice we (the board) knew about and we put a stop to it immediately," Kauffman said.

According to the report, the highway superintendent for Elba at the time, Allan Totten, made $5,605 in scrap sales from June 2006 to July 2009. The scrap buyer paid with a check for $1,119 in purchases and paid cash on 18 occasions, totalling $4,486.

When he got checks, Totten reportedly turned the checks over to the town and the money went into the general fund.

Kauffman says the Town of Elba contracts with a vendor to pick up scrap metal from its transfer station and it rents a receptacle from the vendor. Proceeds from the sale of this scrap metal has been in the form of a check mailed directly to her.

The scrap metal sold by the highway department employees for cash consisted of items they transported to the vendor. When he got cash, Totten treated it as a "coffee fund" -- petty cash to use within his department.

After auditors questioned this practice, Totten reportedly turned over $1,113 to the town. He didn't have receipts for the purchase of the TV and small appliances, but auditors said they visually confirmed those items were in the highway offices.

Kauffman said in response, that the town notified the scrap buyer that all purchases must be paid for by check from now on, that specific accounting of each transaction must take place. Furthermore, there is no "coffee fund" now.

Purchases for refreshments are reimbursable only under specific conditions, one of which is that the refreshments are for highway department employees from other municipalities assisting with Town of Elba projects.

These purchases will be specifically regulated as to how much money can be spent on authorized items. The town also adopted a code of ethics and wrote a scrap metal policy.

And writing the policy was made a bit harder, Kauffman said, because she couldn't find another jurisdiction that could provide an example of their own (written) scrap sales policies. They just didn't exist, Kauffman said.

That was one of the issues the comptroller's office apparently was trying to address in its audit of government agencies.

In the Batavia School District, auditors identified nearly $4,700 in cash sale proceeds for the period September 2006 through November 2008 that were not recorded or documented.

Some of the sales were recorded in the names of district employees and employees included personal scrap in the pile.

The City of Batavia and Town of Oakfield were found to have informal procedures for accounting for scrap sales and the audit report suggests that formal procedures be adopted.

Trailer fire in Elba

By Billie Owens

A trailer fire is reported in the area of Oak Orchard and Hundredmark roads. Elba Fire Department is called -- all manpower and equipment to the scene. Medics are also responding

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.: Injuries are minor.

Police Beat: Man wanted in Florida allegedly tries to flee from police

By Howard B. Owens

Ricky Allen Marsceill, 46, of 174 Ross St., Batavia, is accused of being a fugitive from justice. Marsceill was arrested by Batavia Police Det. Pat Corona on a warrant out of Florida. The underlying charge of the Florida warrant was not released. At 1:10 p.m., Wednesday, Corona approached Marsceill's residence on Ross Street and spotted Marsceill on a bicycle. Marsceill allegedly tried to flee on foot. Corona pursued Marsceill and Officer Jay Andrews responded to the scene. Marsceill was apprehended by Corona and Andrews on Manhatten Avenue. Marsceill was jailed without bail pending extradition to Florida. (Initial Report)

Randy K. Braun, 48, of Maier Lane, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely and uninspected vehicle. At 9:04 p.m., Wednesday, Deputy Matthew Butler responded to Route 63 in Bethany to investigate a report of a car off the road in a ditch. Braun was allegedly found to be the driver of the vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of DWI and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Vesna Brongo, 41, of Cadillac Avenue, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged aggravated unlicensed operation. Brongo was taken into custody by Rochester Police and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Brongo was arraigned in Town of Elba Court and jailed on $250 bail.

A 14-year-old boy from Byron is charged with criminal sexual act with a child 11 years old or younger and endangering the welfare of a child. The name of the suspect was not released by State Police. The crime was reported Dec. 21. No further details were released.

Two-car accident in Village of Elba

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident partially blocking the roadway is reported in the Village of Elba south of the intersection of Route 98 and Chapel Road. No word on injuries.

Elba Fire Department is responding and/or a Sheriff deputy.

UPDATE 5:02: About 20 minutes ago, the first responder reported no accident was located in the vicinity.

Elba Presbyterians celebrate Christmas Eve in barn

By Billie Owens

For the 30th year, the Elba Presbyterian Church will gather in a barn on Transit Road to celebrate Christmas Eve. One hundred candles in milk jugs will line the roads leading to the Yunker Farm.

A star at the top of the loft window can be seen at the approach. A rough wooden manger will be the focal point, while a newborn baby and the parents will portray the Holy Family. Rows of seats for the congregation will be wooden planks held up by onion crates.

Event Date and Time
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Police Beat: Driver charged with DWI following accident in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Robert David Cassatt, 23, of South Main Street, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving at a speed that is not reasonable or prudent. Cassatt was charged following a vehicle accident at 1:20 a.m. in the area of 7733 Oak Orchard Road, Elba. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Collin M. Camp, 19, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unsafe speed for conditions and uninspected motor vehicle. Camp was charged following a traffic accident at 12:20 p.m., Dec. 5, on Byron Road, Stafford. Three people, including Camp, were injured in the accident.

Mandy Jean Fogarty, 21, of North State Road, Nunda, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Fogarty was charged following a vehicle accident at 11:30 p.m., Dec. 14, on Route 63 in Pavilion after Deputy Brian Thompson reported smelling the odor of marijuana coming from her car. Also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana was Amie Lynn Fogarty, 23, of North State Road, Nunda.

Mark Laney, 30, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding (49 mph in a 30 mph zone) and unlawful possession of marijuana. Laney was stopped at 11:50 p.m., Dec. 12, by Deputy Brian Thompson on Route 262 in Elba.

Driver either swerved to avoid deer or fell asleep

By Howard B. Owens

A driver says he swerved to avoid a deer on North Byron Road this morning, which caused his car to go of the road and strike a tree.

The driver suffered minor facial cuts and did not require transport to a hospital.

Deputy Chris Parker, however, writes in his report, that he couldn't find evidence of a deer in the area.

"Investigating officer was unable to observe any fresh tracks near the roadway at the scene," Parker writes in his report. "No evasive maneuvers able to be observed prior to vehicle exiting the roadway. Appeared as driver may have fallen asleep as the tire tracks indicated a linear exit from the paved surface."

The driver, Joseph T. Bortle, 39, of Knowlesville Road, was not cited.

The accident occurred at 7:11 a.m. in the area of 5335 North Byron Road, Elba.

(Initial Report)

Police Beat: Man who argued with cabbie and cops arrested

By Howard B. Owens

Dorsie M. McGill Jr., 26, of 21 Buell St., Batavia, is charged with theft of services and resisting arrest. McGill allegedly got into an argument with a taxi driver over the amount of fare due, then struggled with police officers Frank Klimjack and James DeFreze when they attempted to take him into custody. McGill was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Vincent D. Henning, 33, of 610 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Henning is accused of renting two laptop computers at two different rent-to-own stores and then selling the laptops to a pawn shop.

Veronica Garcia, 30, of 2414 Walker Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and speeding. Garcia was stopped at 10:59 p.m., Friday, on Pearl Street Road by Officer Dan Coffey.

Melissa Courtney Kent, 19, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and consumption of alcohol inside a motor vehicle. Kent was charged following a call at 1:56 a.m., Saturday, of a car off the road on Route 5 in Pembroke.

Ricky Dean Newbould, 52, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right and improper right turn. Newbould was arrested following the investigation of a motor-vehicle accident at 5:01 a.m., Sunday, on Hundredmark Road, Elba.

Troy Damien Schimley, 17, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating a vehicle in violation of a restricted license. Schimley was stopped at 2:39 a.m., Sunday, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy on Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

Vidis E. Malejs, 73, of Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to yield right-of-way. Malejs was charged following a report of a property damage accident at 6:20 p.m., Saturday, on Park Road.

Tammy J. Green, 40, of Attica, is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unsafe start. Green was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 9 p.m., Saturday, in the parking lot of Alabama Tee Off, on Route 77 in Alabama.

Adam Lee Leaton, 20, of Caswell Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Leaton is accused of hosting an underage drinking party.

Jamie L. Broadbent, 27, of 60 Swan St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Broadbent is accused of shoplifting a six-pack of soft drinks and over-the-counter medication from Tops Market.

Tyler P. Schroeder, 18, of Oak Street, Oakfield, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Schroeder is accused of allowing a 14-year-old to drive the car of another person. A 17-year-old was also in the vehicle. The car was stopped by Deputy James Diehl at 6:36 p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Pratt and Kelsey roads, Batavia. The 14-year-old was referred to Genesee County Family Court.

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