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Garage destroyed, house damaged in early morning fire in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A garage fire was reported at 7504 Norton Road, Elba, at about 5:45 a.m. and the fire spread to the adjoining house and though the house was saved by volunteer firefighters, two residents and a dog have been temporarily displaced, according to Elba Fire Chief Mike Heale.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Heale confirmed there was some sort of explosion in the garage during the fire but the object that exploded was not identified at the time of his interview this morning.

The fire went to a second alarm, Heale said, to ensure there was enough manpower to fight the fire in frigid weather. The temperature was two degrees this morning, which means crews need to rotate frequently to stay warm.  The cold weather also creates slippery conditions for firefighters as water freezes quickly.

No injuries were reported.

Reporting and photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Car reportedly leaves scene of accident in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly fled the scene following a two-vehicle accident at South Lake Road and Buffalo Road in Bergen.

One person reports a back injury.  

One vehicle is in a ditch.

Bergen Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding. A second ambulance was dispatched but has been canceled.

A possible suspect vehicle has been located on Route 19 near North Road.

UPDATE 7:30 p.m.: One person transported to Strong.

Passenger car and semi reportedly involved in accident in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

A passenger vehicle and a semi-truck have collided at Route 63 and Bethany Center Road, Bethany.

Injuries are reported.

Bethany Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 9:05  p.m.: No serious injuries.  Traffic is partially blocked.

Photos: New ice rink in Le Roy ready for coming cold weather

By Howard B. Owens

As Branson Butler, a student at Wolcott School, walked up to the new ice skating rink in Trigon Park in Le Roy, he yelled back to his friends trailing him, "It's huge!"

Branson said he can't wait to skate on the new rink and he expects Saturday's cold weather to freeze the water.

He said his parents are buying him new skates.

The forecast for Saturday calls for single-digit temperatures.

The rink is paid for by federal COVID-19 relief funds provided to local municipalities.

Previously: Le Royans can move off the creek and onto a new ice skating rink this winter

Unbeaten streak for Lady Hornets broken by Elba

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Lady Hornets are no longer among the undefeated after being defeated Wednesday by the Elba Lady Lancers 42-38.

For Elba, Dakota Brinkman scored 10 points and both Laci Sewar and Adrianna Long scored nine points. Long hit a pair of three-point shots.

For O-A, MacKena Reding scored 11 points and Alea Groff scored 10.  Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored seven points to go along with 13 rebounds. Caitlin Ryan had 12 rebounds.

The Hornets are now 10-1 and Elba is 5-4.

In other girls basketball games:

  • Pavilion beat Notre Dame 52-26. For Pavilion, Karlee Zinkievich scored 16 points, Lauren Kinglsey, 15, along with nine rebounds, eight blocked shots, and five steals. Shea Amberger had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
  • Lyndonville beat Alexander 65-61. 

In boys basketball:

  • Batavia fell to Brockport, 51-41. For Batavia, Javin McFollins and Tanner Mountain each scored 12 points.
  • Le Roy beat Letchworth 58-37

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

LIVE: Genesee County COVID-19 Briefing for Jan. 13, 2022

By Howard B. Owens
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Genesee County COVID-19 Briefing for Jan. 13, 2022

Roll over accident reported in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly flipped over in Elba, east of the intersection of Ford Road and Old Ford Road.

Elba Fire responding.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: One patient. Minor leg injury.

Hornets 10-0 after beating Elba on Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets are 10-0 on the season after beating Elba on Tuesday 64-53.

For the Hornets:

  • Kam Cusmano, 22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
  • Kyle Porter, 16 points, 6 rebounds
  • Gaige Armbrewster, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
  • Kaden Cusmano, 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks

For Elba:

  • Zach Marsceill, 21 points
  • Angelo Penna, 17 points

Also in boys basketball on Tuesday:

  • Notre Dame beat Pembroke, 74-66
  • Holley beat Byron-Bergen, 61-51

In girls basketball:

  • Pavilion beat Mt. Morris 67-12. Lauren Kinglsey scored 16 points, along with eight rebounds, five assists, and seven blocked shots.  Shea Amberger notched a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Karley Zinkievich, 14 points, and Paige Landers, 10 points.
  • Attica beat Pembroke, 52-42. For Pembroke, Elle Peterson and Allie Schwerthoffer each scored 10 points, with Schwerthoffer snagging 12 rebounds.
  • Spencerport beat Batavia 60-26.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Law and Order: Le Roy resident accused of stealing credit card, making purchases

By Howard B. Owens

Shannon Lee Marvin, 30, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny. Marvin is accused of stealing a credit card from a person in Bergen in November and making several purchases with the card. Marvin was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Abigail M. Russell, 19, of Hamburg, is charged with petit larceny. Russell is accused of shoplifting a bag full of groceries from a local store at 12:01 p.m., Jan. 4. After receiving a report of the larceny, Russell was located by a Batavia patrol officer, identified as the suspect, and arrested.  She was released on an appearance ticket.

Walter M. Rhynes, 30, of Rochester, is charged with harassment 2nd. Rhynes is accused of trying to strike an employee of a local hotel at 1:29 p.m., Jan. 1. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brittany N. Leach, 28, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief 4th. Leach is accused of damaging a door and a vehicle on State Street at 11:10 p.m., Jan. 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Marcus T. Hill, 29, of East Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. The warrant stems from an incident reported at 9:45 p.m., April 25 (no details released) and was issued July 28 after Hill allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 21, of Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended registration, and driving a vehicle with an obstructed view. Callicutt was stopped by Officer Peter Post at 10:02 p.m., Jan. 1, on Liberty Street.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian Graziaplena, 70, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Graziaplena reportedly drove his car into a tree at 4:23 p.m., Jan. 1, on North Lyon Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and released to a sober third party.

Dean C. Siminski, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Siminski allegedly sent a letter to a person covered by an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Eric Tyler McGrain, 29, of Donlin Drive, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, speeding, refusal to take breath test, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely. McGrain was stopped at 1:21 p.m., Jan. 8, on College Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Trisha R. Santora, 39, of Batavia, is charged with eight counts of petit larceny and eight counts of falsifying business records 1st. Santora was arrested by State Police for an alleged crime reported in November. She was issued an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

Kyle A. Hillyard, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hillyard was stopped at 1:35 a.m., Jan. 9, by State Police in the Town of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian P. Demko, 44, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Demko was arrested by State Police following an investigation in an incident reported at 7:42 p.m., Dec. 26, in the Town of Batavia. He allegedly made a threat toward another person. He was released on his own recognizance. No further details released.

Video: Man rescued from attic window of house on fire in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens
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When Brian Schollard, a deputy coordinator with Genesee County Emergency Services and a former Corfu fire chief, arrives this afternoon at 13 East Main St., Corfu, he found heavy smoke coming from an attic window and a man hanging from the window trying to escape from the smoke.

Since no fire crews were on scene yet, he checked with a business across the street and the business did in fact have a tall ladder available.

Schollard and a Corfu patrol officer worked together to get the ladder in place and Schollard climbed to the attic window and helped the man, who has not been identified, down.

The victim had cuts on his feet and possible minor smoke inhalation, Schollard said.  He was taken to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation for Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yaeger said it appeared to have started on the first floor.

(Initial Report)

Structure fire reported in the Village of Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

A structure fire is reported at 13 East Main St., Corfu.

There are reportedly flames showing with a person hanging from a second-floor window.

Corfu fire along with a second alarm including the City of Batavia's Fast Team, East Pembroke, Darien, Pembroke, and Indian Falls, responding.

UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: One person was rescued from an attic window by a former Corfu chief and a Corfu police officer using a ladder borrowed from a local business before the first fire crews arrived on scene. The patient was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor wounds and possible smoke inhalation.  The fire was knocked down quickly by the first crews on scene. Pembroke Fire is back in service.  Video TK.

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: All units back in service.

Oakfield-Alabama stays undefeated with win over Notre Dame

By Howard B. Owens

The Hornets stayed undefeated at 8-0 on Friday after beating Notre Dame 62-45.

For Oakfield-Alabama:

 

  • Gaige Armbrewster, 31 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block
  • Kam Cusmano, 18 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks
  • Kaden Cusmano, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks

For the Fighting Irish:

  • Jordan Welker, 16 points
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, 10 points
  • Cody Henry, 10 points

Notre Dame is now 7-3 on the season.

Also on Friday in boys basketball:

  • Le Roy beat Rochester Prep 80-41.  Merritt Holly, Jr. scored 34 points, Finn Shelby, 15, and Mitchel Hockey, 14.
  • Pavilion lost to Livonia, 6-41.
  • Alexander lost to Wheatland-Chili, 59-42
  • Byron-Bergen beat Kendall, 74-54
  • Elba beat Attica, 65-51

There were no local girls games on Friday.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Law and Order: Lockport man accused of keeping lost wallet

By Howard B. Owens

Michael J. Robinson, 44, of Lockport, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny.  Robinson is accused of picking up a wallet containing a credit card that was accidentally dropped at Batavia Downs and taking the wallet home and keeping it and making no attempt to return it.  Robinson was issued an appearance ticket.

Eric John Peluso, 45, of Clipnock Road, Bethany, is charged with assault 3rd and endangering the welfare of a child.  Peluso allegedly struck a minor causing substantial pain.  He was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Jennifer M. Moore, 36, of River Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Moore was arrested on Jan. 5 for alleged drug possession at 12:32 p.m., Oct. 22, at a location on Park Road, Batavia.

Jaylinn Marie O'Neil, 31, of Old Telephone Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and unlicensed operator. O'Neil was arrested following a traffic stop on Veterans Memorial Drive at 4:34 p.m., Dec. 29 by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. O'Neil was allegedly found in possession of a narcotic.

 

Person claims to be trapped in bathroom by aggressive dogs at residence, owner can't be reached

By Howard B. Owens

A caller at a residence on Wood Street, Batavia, reports being trapped in a bathroom by two large, very aggressive dogs.

The caller told dispatchers that the owner works at a business in the City of Batavia but when dispatchers attempted to call that chain store,  a person at the store claims nobody that name works at that business.

Law enforcement is dispatched.

Notre Dame returns to champion's throne in 2022 Rotary Tournament

By Howard B. Owens
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Notre Dame came back from a first-half deficit, down 20-16, to beat Le Roy 42-33 to capture the 2022 Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic championship.

It's the 15th time in 31 tournaments the Lady Irish have taken home the trophy.

Avelin Tomidy scored 14 points and Juda Macdonald scored 10 for Notre Dame.

For Le Roy, Lindsey Steffenilla scored 11 points.

Tomidy won the Christina Volpe MVP Award.

The rest of the all-tournament team:

  • Jaimin Macdonald, Batavia
  • Karli Houseknecht, Pembroke
  • Kenna Mckenzie, Le Roy
  • Maylee Green, Notre Dame
  • Lyndsey Steffenilla, Le Roy

Lyndsey Wiedman won the Ray Shirtz Service Above Self Award.

Past champions:

  • 2021 No Tourney
  • 2020 Batavia
  • 2019 Batavia
  • 2018 Notre Dame
  • 2016 Batavia
  • 2015 Batavia
  • 2014 Notre Dame
  • 2013 Notre Dame
  • 2012 Batavia
  • 2011 Notre Dame
  • 2010 Notre Dame
  • 2009 Batavia  
  • 2008 Batavia  
  • 2007 Pavilion 
  • 2006 Notre Dame
  • 2005 Batavia
  • 2004 Notre Dame
  • 2003 Notre Dame
  • 2002 Notre Dame
  • 2001 Batavia
  • 2000 Cal-Mum
  • 1999 Notre Dame
  • 1998 Notre Dame
  • 1997 Notre Dame
  • 1996 Notre Dame
  • 1995 Pavilion
  • 1994 Pavilion
  • 1993 Gates-Chili
  • 1992 Byron-Bergen
  • 1991 Attica
  • 1990 Attica

Past MVPs:

  • 2020 McKenie Reigle, Batavia
  • 2019 Bryn Wormley, Batavia
  • 2018 Stevie Wilcox, Notre Dame
  • 2017 Gillian Flint, Cal-Mum
  • 2016 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
  • 2015 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
  • 2014 Laurie Call, Notre Dame
  • 2013 Riley Norton, Notre Dame
  • 2012 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
  • 2011 Carly Pike, Notre Dame
  • 2010 Nicole Hort, Notre Dame
  • 2009 Jaycee Shirk, Batavia
  • 2008 Annie Palermo, Batavia
  • 2007 Hannah Norton, Pavilion
  • 2006 Heidi Norton, Notre Dame
  • 2005 Amanda Page, Batavia
  • 2004 Katie Francis, Notre Dame
  • 2003 Ashley Napoleone, Notre Dame
  • 2002 Marie Stressing, Notre Dame
  • 2001 Jen Batchellor, Batavia
  • 2000 Kelley Sullivan, Cal-Mum
  • 1999 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
  • 1998 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
  • 1997 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
  • 1996 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
  • 1995 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
  • 1994 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
  • 1993 Naima DeLain, Gates-Chili
  • 1992 Melody Hutchinson, Byron-Bergen
  • 1991 Lynn Jensen, Attica
  • 1990 Jenny Acquard, Attica

Notre Dame overcomes Pembroke in Rotary first-round 48-34

By Howard B. Owens

Notre Dame will get a chance to play for another Rotary Club crown at 7:30 p.m. tonight at GCC after beating an aggressive Pembroke Lady Dragons team on Tuesday for a 49-34 victory.

The Lady Irish were led by Emma Sisson with 13 points, Mayee Green, 12, and Lindsey Weidman, 10.

For Pembroke, Karli Houseknecht scored 16 points.

For more game photos, click here.

Le Roy tops Batavia 48-44 in first game of 2022 Rotary Tournament

By Howard B. Owens

In the first game of the first round of the Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic, Le Roy beat Batavia 48-44.

For Le Roy, Kenna McKenzie and Lindsey Steffenille scored 13 points each. 

For Batavia, Jaimin Macdonald scored 16 points and Jaylene Dersham scored 15 points.

Le Roy will face Notre Dame in the championship game at 7:30 p.m. tonight at GCC.

For more photos, click here.

Lady Hornets stay undefeated with win over Kendall

By Howard B. Owens

Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals to help lead Oakfield-Alabama to a 51-28 win over Kendall on Tuesday night in girls basketball.

Caitlin Ryan had 12 points, Makena Reding, nine, and Broke Reding, eight.

"Our girls played a solid 32 minutes against a well-coached and physical Kendall team," said Head Coach Jeff Schlagenhaufj. "All eight girls contributed. Brooke Reding was all over the court tonight.

"I can't say enough about the job Piper (Hyde), Alea (Grof) and Alaina (Manges) did defensively when they came in," he added. "They maintained our defensive effort and played extremely well for younger players. They improve each and every day."

The Hornets are now 11-0 on the season.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

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