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OAE tops York/Pavilion 58-6

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba crushed yet another opponent -- this time, York/Pavilion.  Final score: 58-6.

Bodie Hayes was 3-5 passing for 119 yards and two TD tosses. He ran for 61 yards on five carries, crossing the goal line three times.

Gaige Armbrewster rushed for 83 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown on a 34-yard pass reception.

Noah Currier scored a TD on two carries for 42 yards.

Kameron Cusmano had a 54-yard TD reception and on defense, seven tackles.

CJ Gottler had seven tackles.

Connor Scott blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for A TD.

TJ Andrews had nine tackles. 

"We feel like we did a better job playing a complete game for foour quarters than we did a week ago," Head Coach Tyler Winter said. "Hats off to York/Pavilion.  Their boys played much harder than the score may suggest.  Some minor things to learn from and improve as we get ready to host CMBB."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Batavia obliterates Pal-Mac 55-0 on homecoming night

By Howard B. Owens

In their fourth game of the season, The Batavia Blue Devils once again proved a dominating team on offense and defense beating Pal-Mac 55-0.

Jesse  Reinhart was 6-6 passing for 157 yards and three touchdowns. 

Jameson Richardson carried the ball three times for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

Cam McClinic gain 79 yards on seven carries and Aidan Anderson scored a TD and ran for 68 yards on eight carries.

Javin McFollins caught two TD passes and Vincent Arroyo and Cole Grazioplene each had a TD grab.

Kaden Marucci had 12 tackles, Garratt Schmidt, seven, and Abel Hammer, six.

 

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Law and Order: Alleged child sex predator charged with crimes against fourth victim

By Howard B. Owens
Melvin Huntley

Melvin A. Huntley, 40, of Wilkinson Road, Batavia, is charged with rape 1st, sex abuse 1st, and predatory sexual assault with two or more victims. Huntley, accused previously of being a child sex predator and later charged with additional felonies, has been charged again as the result of further investigation by detectives Howard Carlson and Kevin Forsyth. An additional alleged victim was identified.  There are no known additional victims.  There are allegedly four victims total. Huntley is accused of multiple incidents of sexual assault over a seven-year period.  He remains in the Genesee County Jail being held without bail.

Brian Michael Raphael, 33, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and conspiracy 6th. Raphael was allegedly found in possession of cocaine following a traffic stop in the Town of Bergen at 11:15 p.m., June 7, by Deputy David Moore.  He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 13.

Batavia Downs presents $2K to Alzheimer’s Association

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Western Region Off-Track Betting (WROTB) President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek was joined by Batavia Downs employees to present the Alzheimer’s Association with a $2,000 check to support Western New York patients and their families.

“We could not be prouder of the team at Batavia Downs. As we’ve made our way through the pandemic, we understand now more than ever the need to support our neighbors any way we can,” Wojtaszek said. “We look forward to working with the Alzheimer’s Association and supporting their amazing work for years to come.”

Funds were collected earlier this summer at Batavia Downs' “Rockin the Downs” concert series. Local food vendors donated a portion of their sales on Batavia Downs grounds back to support the regional charitable causes.

Lynn Westcott, Director of Corporate Relations for the Alzheimer’s Association said, “We are very grateful for this partnership and donation. Batavia Downs recognizes the challenges so many people face because of this disease, and they have stepped up to ensure that free, crucial care and support services are available to residents of Genesee County who are living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, and their care partners. Through consultations, education classes, a 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900), early-stage programs, and support groups, the Alzheimer's Association WNY Chapter strives to make a difficult time a little easier to manage.”

State Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, who is on the State’s Committee on Aging, added; “Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible disease that effects nearly two-thirds of all dementia cases and countless families. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leader in global Alzheimer’s support and research.  I share in their vision to have a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia, but without proper funding, that vision cannot come to fruition. Thank you to Western Region OTB for their generous donation to the Alzheimer’s Association for their continued research.”

Batavia Downs and Western Region Off-Track Betting (WROTB) runs a year-round fundraising program to support local charities. In 2021 alone, WROTB has distributed more than $50,000 in various forms, including stay and play certificates, cash sponsorships, merchandise, and tickets.

Batavia Downs also partnered with Genesee County to host a vaccination drive earlier this year where they raffled off a signed Thurman Thomas Bills Jersey, passes to the concerts, and coupons to any of the restaurants at Batavia Downs.

“We’ve always looked for creative approaches to partnerships with charities and worthy causes,” Wojtaszek said. “We encourage anyone who thinks we might be able to play a positive role in helping achieve their mission to reach out to our team to see how we can help.”

Submitted photo: From left, Lynn Westcott – Director of Corporate Relations for Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, WROTB President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek, Connie Czworka, Batavia Downs receptionist and organizer of community outreach efforts.

Law and Order: Rochester man accused of evading checkpoint, popped for alleged DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Daniel Joseph Davis, 55, of Hollymount Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless endangerment, improper passing, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to obey police officer, speed not reasonable and prudent for conditions, and moving from lane unsafely. It's alleged that Davis tried to avoid a traffic safety checkpoint by leaving his lane of travel and proceeding into the oncoming traffic lane nearly striking law enforcement officers and then fleeing the checkpoint before being stopped by a patrol vehicle a short distance from the checkpoint on  Clinton Street Road, Stafford. Davis was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and released on his own recognizance.

Katie Lee Winnie, 27, of Martin Road, Akron, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Winnie was located at 3:06 a.m., July 8, on South Lake Road, Bergen, by Deputy David Moore, after the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a woman slumped over the wheel of a vehicle parked at a convenience store.  Winnie was arrested this week after the office received the results of a lab test.  She was released on an appearance ticket.

 

Two people from Lockport killed in crash on Route 77 yesterday

By Howard B. Owens

Arnold E. Herdendorf, 69, of Lockport, and Christopher M. Rowell, 70, also of Lockport,  were killed in Pembroke yesterday, according to the Sheriff's Office, when Hendendorf, driving a 2009 Chevrolet sedan, failed to stop for a stop sign at Indian Falls Road and Route 77 and collided with a northbound tractor-trailer.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident was reported at 1:47 p.m.

Driving the 2015 Volvo was Kebir S. Inalla, 30, of Metairie, La.  His passenger was Ahmed A. Jaber, 38.  Neither were injured in the accident.

The investigation is being conducted by the Sheriff's  Office Crash Management Team with assistance from the NYSP Commercial Vehicle Unit.  

Assisting at the scene were Pembroke, Indian Falls, Alabama, and  East Pembroke volunteer fire departments, Mercy EMS, Emergency Management, and National Grid.

Previously: A motor vehicle with possible serious injuries reported on Route 77

A motor vehicle with possible serious injuries reported on Route 77

By Howard B. Owens

There may be serious injuries following a motor vehicle accident on Route 77 at Indian Falls.

Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.

The accident involves a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle. 

Pembroke and Indian Falls along with Mercy EMS  dispatched.

There are power lines down in the area.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: A person is trapped in the vehicle.  Mercy Flight is on in-air standby.  East Pembroke responding mutual aid.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Mercy Flight is canceled.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m. (Information and Photos from Alecia Kaus/Video News Service): According to Chief Deputy Brian Frieday, emergency crews were called to Rt. 77 and Indian Falls road about 1:47 pm. Preliminary investigation shows a passenger vehicle was headed west on Indian Falls Road and failed to stop at the intersection at Rt.77. The passenger vehicle was struck by a northbound tractor-trailer. Both vehicles ended up in a field northwest of the intersection. Frieday confirms there are two fatalities in the passenger vehicle.  The driver and one passenger in the tractor-trailer were not injured.

Law and Order: Wyoming County man accused of impaired driving and drug possession

By Howard B. Owens

Fletcher M.  Royce, 33, of Dunham Road, Varysburg, is charged with criminal possession of a  controlled substance 3rd, driving while impaired by drugs, and DWI. Royce was located on Galloway Road in Pembroke after deputies received a suspicious condition complaint at 2:24 p.m., Sept. 17, and taken into custody by Deputy Trevor Sherwood and Deputy Erik  Andre. 

Jesslyn Faustine Bigelow, 25, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd.  Bigelow is accused of harassing another resident of the apartment complex at 3727 West Main Street Road, Batavia.  Bigelow was issued an appearance ticket.

Cole Ryan Booth, 31, of Blasdell, is charged with criminal mischief and petit larceny. Booth is accused of damaging a vehicle and stealing its license plates in the parking lot of Darien Lake on Aug. 14.  He was arraigned in  Darien Town Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Alex Dumbleton, 28, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted assault 2nd. Dumbleton,  being held at the Genesee County Jail on prior charges, allegedly attempted to kick a corrections officer.  Dumbleton was issued an appearance ticket.

Police release surveillance video related to suspected South Main shooting

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On August 28, 2021, at approximately 1:45 a.m. officers from the City of Batavia Police Department were dispatched to a residential location on South Main Street for the report of potential gunfire.   Officers arrived on the scene and found that shots were fired at a residence and that no one was hurt.  Officers believe that the victim was the target of the crime, and this was not a random act. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Matt Lutey at 585-345-6311.

Batavia First United Methodist Church hosting spaghetti dinner on Friday

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia First United Methodist Church at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia, is hosting a spaghetti dinner this Friday from 5 to  7 p.m. or until sold out.

It features the church's "famous homemade sauce."  The meal also includes a chef salad, Italian bread, and brownies.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and for children.

Call for tickets: (585) 343-4708.

Photo submitted by Diana German. Chef and assistant chef Don Rada and Kathy O’Neil.

No gunshots fired in incident on Route 33 in Stafford yesterday

By Howard B. Owens

Arthur Brown

There were no gunshots fired yesterday evening following a traffic stop near Mill Road on State Route 33 in Stafford after the driver ran into a cornfield -- either by the suspect or by law enforcement.

What was initially reported as gunfire turned out to be a wildlife scare cannon -- it emits loud blasts fueled by propane -- to deter birds and other wildlife from damaging crops.

The incident began at 6:04 p.m. when Howard Owens, publisher on  The Batavian, reported a silver Pontiac sedan heading west on Clinton Street Road being driven in an erratic manner.  

Near Mill Road, a Deputy was positioned in a laneway in a farm field waiting for the vehicle to pass.

The deputy initiated a  traffic stop across from a  sweet-corn-for-sale stand and a cornfield. As soon as the sedan stopped, the driver bolted from the vehicle and ran south into the cornfield.  The deputy initiated a foot pursuit but backed off when he reportedly saw the suspect remove a handgun from his waistband.

The deputy detained a female passenger in the vehicle,  placing her in handcuffs and returning her to the vehicle.

At that moment, there was a muffled boom, and Owens and the deputy took cover behind their respective vehicles.  The deputy reported, "shots fired."

Over the next 15 minutes or so an additional three blasts were heard.  During that time additional deputies and Batavia police officers arrived on the scene and Route 33 was closed in both directions. Owens was then evacuated from the scene by two deputies in a patrol vehicle.

Over the next few hours, additional law enforcement arrived from Monroe County and the State Police.  SWAT units on scene included one from Monroe County, one from the State Police, and the Genesee County Emergency Response Team. The DEC K-9 unit also responded.

Law enforcement had a preliminary identification of the suspect based on statements from the female passenger. 

The NYSP Aviation Unit helicopter was dispatched to assist and it coordinated with NYSP drone operators to search the area.  Also assisting were the Monroe County Sheriff's Office drone operators.

The suspect was located shortly after 11:20 p.m. in an area about one mile to the northeast of the original location near Westbrook  Road. He was attempting to seclude himself in a wooded area.

He was taken into custody without further incident. 

Law enforcement did recover a handgun during a search of the area where the suspect had initially fled. 

Taken into custody was Arthur J. Brown, 44, of Lake Street, Le Roy.  He was charged with:

  • Criminal possession of a weapon 2nd
  • Menacing a police officer
  • Tampering with physical evidence
  • Obstruction of governmental administration 2nd
  • Criminal  possession of a controlled substance 7th
  • Driving while impaired by drugs
  • Failure to keep right

Brown was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and jailed without bail.

The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Breanna A. Smith, 29, of Lexington Avenue, Rochester. Smith reportedly had an active warrant in Florida but Flordia officials declined to extradite Smith.  She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and issued an appearance ticket.

Top Photo: Sweet corn sign this morning at the incident location.

Previously: BREAKING NEWS: Shots fired after vehicle stopped on Route 33, near Mill Road

Smith being taken into custody just after the driver fled and just before the first blast was heard.

Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of switching price tags at retail store

By Howard B. Owens

Amanda Lynn Huber, 39, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny.  Huber is accused of switching price tags to make items appear to cost less at the time of purchase while at a store on Veteran's Memorial Drive, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket. 

Joshua Lanair Webster, 34, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment 2nd. Webster is accused of having physical contact with a victim during an incident reported at 12:51, Aug. 27, on East Main Street in the Town of Batavia. Webster was released on his own recognizance.

Kelly Grace McCoy, 27, of Cambell Street, Rochester, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs and failure to keep right. McCoy was stopped at 1:23 a.m., Sunday, in the area of 5236 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush. McCoy was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

William Cappiello, 62, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant, arraigned in City Court, and released on his own recognizance. There was no information was released on the reason for the warrant. 

McKenzie N. O'Connell, 18, of Rochester, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. O'Connell is accused of encouraging/exposing children between the ages of twelve and fifteen to engage in sexual behavior.  Her bail status was not released.

Winston A. Lockhart, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Lockhart was allegedly found in the company of a protected party in violation of a stay-away order.  He was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to the Albion Police Department on a warrant.

Rachil J. Oliver, 49, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI,  driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Oliver was stopped by a Batavia police officer at 2:37 a.m., Sept. 12, on Otis Street in Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Marlena M. Burrus, 34, of Batavia, is charged with owning/harboring an unlicensed dog.  Burrus was arrested at her home in Batavia after allegedly being found with an unlicensed dog on Sept. 14. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Photos: Sunset and moonrise

By Howard B. Owens

Melinda Hagen shared this picture from a couple of nights ago of the sunset as seen from the Byron-Bergen soccer fields.

Below, yesterday evening's moonrise in Pembroke by Joanne Meiser.

Photos: 'Musical Memories' at City Church

By Howard B. Owens

Past and present came together Saturday night at City Church in a 15th-annual "Musical Memories" concert in support of Crossroads House in Batavia.

This year, the free concert honored COVID caregivers and honored victims and survivors.

Performers this year included: The Rochester Hitmen, The Park Avenue Brass, St. Joseph’s Batavia Brass Ensemble, The Hamburg Kingmen Drum Corps, and Mighty St. Joe’s Drum & Bugle Corps.

Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

 

 

Stalbaum sweeps features at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Former Batavia Downs driving champion Larry Stalbaum returned to western New York and has already started to find his old groove. On Saturday night (Sept. 18) “The Bomber” swept both pacing features with horses he owns and trains and he did it in impressive fashion. 

Stalbaum took the $12,300 Open I Handicap with recent acquisition Matticulous GB, with a tough first-over trip.

Art Scene (Jim Morrill Jr.) outfought Daylight Rush (Dave McNeight III) and Major Authority (Wade Tomaszewski) for the front and led the field to the half in :56. Stalbaum pulled Matticulous GB first-over and drew alongside Art Scene by three-quarters. The two pacers then went stride for stride around the last turn and into the final eighth. The battle continued into a deep stretch where Matticulous GB got the edge over Art Scene and then held off a late burst from Daylight Rush to win in 1:53.4.

Matticulous GB ($5.50) got his third win of the year, but first in two starts for Stalbaum.

Then in the $11,000 Open II pace, American Zest A returned to the Downs after two starts at Saratoga and despite being a beaten favorite in four previous Genesee County starts, demolished the resident group this night.

Stalbuam played give-and-go with Catch A Lefty A (Mike Baumeister) at the start of the race before taking control of the race with American Zest A by the quarter and from there, the race was history. After getting to the half in an unchallenged:56.4, American Zest A started to lengthen his lead at three-quarters and by the top of the stretch he was clear by four. Stalbaum sat chilly as American Zest A cruised down the lane by open lengths and won in a sparkling 1:52.3.

American Zest A ($3.00) got his sixth win of the year and pushed his earnings to $58,168 this year. 

Stalbaum added a win with catch drive Better Watch Out (1.56.1, $) to lead all drivers with three wins and all trainers with two. 

There was a guaranteed $5,000 pool in the Pick-5 wager on Saturday and $5,438 of new money was generated on the strength of the $898 carryover and a USTA Strategic Wagering guarantee. The combination of 2, 1, 1, 2, 4-3, 5 paid $142 for a 50-cent wager.

There was no winner in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager on Saturday so there will be a carryover of $1,527 for that wager on Wednesday (Sept. 22) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs with post time for the first race at 5 p.m.

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