Press release:

Byron-Bergen Central Schools has named two alumni to the Hall of Fame for 2014.  Elizabeth Findlay (class of 1980) and David Keller (class of 1975) join the ranks of other distinguished Byron-Bergen alumni honored with a place in the Hall of Fame for their achievements after graduation.

The Byron-Bergen Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of the district’s graduates, providing young people of our district with positive adult role models, showing that graduates of Byron-Bergen can achieve high levels of accomplishment in their lives.  This honor is in its twelfth year and has become part of our school district culture and a permanent reminder to our students about the outcome of hard work and diligence.

This year’s honorees exemplify dedication, leadership and service.

While attending Byron-Bergen Central School District, Miss Elizabeth Findlay participated in National Honor Society, Band, Chorale, Solo Festival and All County Band.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Fredonia in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Reading from SUNY Brockport.  Miss Findlay started teaching at Byron-Bergen in 1985 as a kindergarten teacher for her first 5 years, becoming a 6th grade teacher in 1990 and continues in that role today.  Miss Findlay has been very active in Byron-Bergen Central School District, participating on many committees, mentoring new teachers, and is a Master Teacher for student teachers.  Miss Findlay also participated in the Bureau of Education and Research in Rochester “using guided reading to help your students become better readers.”  In the 2005-06 school year, she was selected as the Byron-Bergen Middle School Teacher of the Year.  In 2008, she was chosen as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.  Miss Findlay has served on the Gillam-Grant Board of Directors and is a member of the St. James Episcopal Church.  Miss Findlay is a compassionate role model and a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to the youth of the Byron-Bergen learning community.

Mr. David Keller was active in French Club, Future Teachers of America, American Field Service, Yearbook Co-Editor, Swim Club, Concert Band, Marching Band, and hosted an exchange student from Brazil during his time at Byron-Bergen.  In 1975, Mr. Keller joined the U.S. Army Bands Program and studied music under the Navy Master Chief Mike Scairini.  Upon graduation from the School of Music, Mr. Keller served in multiple Army Bands throughout the United States and in Berlin, Germany.  In 1992, Mr. Keller was selected to the prestigious U.S. Army Field Band (the musical ambassadors of the Army) in Washington, D.C.  The culmination of his military career came when he was selected as the first musician to become a Command Sergeant Major.  Sergeant Major Keller (retired) served our nation for over 34 years and while in the U.S. Army Field Band, performed in all 50 states.  He performed for every Presidential Inaugural event from George Bush, Sr. through Barrack Obama.  During his Military career, Mr. Keller received numerous awards and medals.  Mr. Keller has performed with many symphonies and orchestras throughout the United States.  During his long and distinguished military career, Mr. Keller pursued his education at numerous universities and colleges, ultimately studying music with Karl Nitchie, Principle Bassoonist Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Keller is a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.  Mr. Keller is currently the Principle Bassoonist, Genesee Symphony; Bassoonist/Clarinetist, Batavia Concert Band; pit musician for Genesee Community College, Batavia Players, and Byron-Bergen CSD.  Mr. Keller participates in the Byron-Bergen holiday and spring concerts (2011-present), performs in the pit orchestra for musicals, and has assisted with construction/painting of the school musical sets.  Currently, Mr. Keller is the treasurer of the B-B Music Boosters, and has been instrumental in fundraising events for the group; and is an active member of Gillam-Grant.  Mr. Keller enjoys gardening, renovating his 179 year old house in South Byron, taking cruises, and being helpful to others.  Mr. Keller’s loyalty to his community/country, passion for music, and tireless volunteerism make him an outstanding role model for our youth.

The 2014 Byron-Bergen Alumni Hall of Fame inductees will be honored on Friday, October 17, 2014.  They will spend the day visiting with Byron-Bergen students and sharing how their school experience influenced their lives.  After an induction ceremony and dinner that evening, the two honorees will be recognized just prior to the boys’ varsity soccer game.  If you would like to attend the induction ceremony and dinner ($25.00 per person), please contact Patty Gunio at (585) 494-1220, ext. 2329 by October 10, 2014, to find out the details and make a reservation.  (Seating is limited to 80 people.)

The lates edition of inductees for the Batavua Blue Devil Hall of Fame are; front row, from left to right, Maria Spiotta Dentino, '99, Jamie Callahan Hulbig '98, and Dr. Allyson Shirtz Howe '90. Back row L to R, George Cline accepting the award for his nephew Jack Kelley of the class of 1954, Pat Fricano '80, Tom Hoitink '65 and John Buckley '72.

A great crowd was on hand as friends, relatives and previous inductees turned out to celebrate this years selections. Above are former BHS baseball and grid coach and 2004 HoF inductee Phil "Pep" Johnson and wife, Pat. 

Mike and Mary Callahan with daughter, Jamie.

Tom Hoitink with wife, Kathy, left and sister, Gail

Tim Buckley with Rob Hale. Rob quarterbacked the Blue Devils to the state title in the fall of '91. Rob and the entire '91 football team were inducted into the Blue Devil HoF in 2005.

Pauline Fricano flanked by sons Pat and Mike.

Master of Ceremonies Paul Spiotta HoF committe member John McGowan.

The ever-smiling Joe Marchese.

Ben Bakos and Jim Saraceni on hand to celebrate with their life-long friend Pat Fricano.

Long time friends and teammates, Sam Pilato and Tom Hoitink, co-captains of the Blue Devil basketball team during the '64-'65 campain.

Mary Hale with son Rob.

Sharon and John Buckley with John's former football coach, Ray Jamalkowski, HoF inductee from the class of 2005. Blue Devil fans remember John as a passionate football player, who would, as they say, "bring it" on every down. His message last night, like his play on the gridiron, was equally moving, providing plenty of impact.

It was a great night to see old friends, renew old acquaintances and celebrate the Blue Devil Hall of Fame's latest edition. Congratulations to all!!  

New York Times: With New Ad Platform, Facebook Opens Gates to Its Vault of User Data

Heading back to Batavia this afternoon, I stopped in at Roanoke Apple Farm, in Bethany, for the first time.

Above, Alex Kiefer, an employee, picks apples.

Scott Darron and his daughter Natalya load up a bushel of apples. Darron said he was planning on making pies.

After the motorcycle accident in Alexander this morning, and before heading down to Wyoming for Appleumpkin, I took a picture of this tree on Telephone Road near Sandpit Road.

A barn is reportedly on fire with Flames showing at 13096 Transit Road, Bethany. 

Bethany Fire along with several othe companies. 

UPDATE 3:45:  one of the county's beautiful old barns. Gone. You'll be sad when you see the pictures. 

UPDATE 5:15 p.m. Top photo submtted by Joan Fernays. By the time I got there, the barn was nearly gone and the fire had largely burned itself out. The owner said he was gone for about 15 minutes and when he came back, the fire was already burning. He said the barn hadn't been used for five years because of structural issues.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Below, a picture of the barn I took in May 2013. There's also pictures here and here.  It will be a couple of hours at least before I get my pictures from the fire posted.

UPDATE: Photos and slideshow of today's fire followed by drone-camera photos submitted by a reader.

To purchase prints, click here.

A motorcycle and pickup truck collision has been reported in the area of Route 20 and Brookville Road, Alexander.

There are injuries.

One lane is blocked.

Mercy Flight is on a ground standby.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: This post did not save and publish properly at 11:35 a.m.  

According to a deputy, the pickup driver pulled out north across Route 20 after letting two previous vehciles pass. The driver apparently did not see the motorcycling approach from the east.  A man and woman were on the bike. Both were transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance. 

A car has reportedly hit a tree in the area of 13 Madison Avenue, Le Roy.

Unknown injuries.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance dispatched. Pavilion requested mutual aid.

UPDATE 10:22 a.m.: Le Roy assignment held to one engine. Pavilion can go back in service.

UPDATE 10:39 a.m.: One patient being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. Photo submitted by Jeff Scott.

A one vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 6380 a Fisher Rosd, Oakfield. 

One person reported with a head injury. 

Oskfield Fire and Mercy EMS responding. 

OPDATE 3:15 a.m. Truck heavily damaged. Driver is not seriously injured. Mercy Flight was on ground stand by and is cancelled. 

This morning at UMMC there were men in funny looking suits and teens getting sprayed with water, but that doesn't mean it wasn't serious business.

Local firefighters who comprise the county's hazmat team and hospital workers came together for a decontamination drill aimed at both practicing roles should some serious chemical ever get spilled in the county, but also served as a chance for evaluators to grade and critique how emergency responders handled their roles.

Typically -- we would expect -- if there was an event that required a number of people to be decontaminated it would happen somewhere out in the county, not in the hospital's parking lot, but for drill purposes the first decontamination tent (this stage is called "gross decontamination") was set up not far from UMMC's emergency room.

Patients were brought in either standing or on gurneys and sprayed down. 

The purpose is to remove as much of whatever is on them before transport in an ambulance.

Once they arrive at the hospital, hospital staff begins find decontamination -- scrubbing down each patient.  

From there, they pass into ER where a triage team determines what treatment is needed and who gets treated first based on the severity of their medical condition.

A good description for how it went would be managed chaos.  

There were some unexpected glitches -- such as gurneys not going through one of the side doors without volunteer firefighters to lift them because of a step -- but also everybody seemed to have a clear idea of their roles and patients were moved through the chain of treatment quickly.

The Byron-Bergen students who volunteered to be patients seemed to have fun. Several of them completed the decontamination process and then went back through it again.

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It was Robert Neyland, the legendary Tennessee head coach, who first observed that the team which makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.

Neyland also said teams need to make their breaks and pounce on opportunity.

While Elba/Byron-Bergen wasn't without its own miscues in a Saturday afternoon scrap on its home field, the inability of Oakfield-Alabama to strike from the red zone on successive drives in the second quarter turned out to be a deal breaker for the Hornets.

The Lancers won the defensive battle 7-6.

Brian Palone, O-A's head coach, gave credit to the Lancers' defense, but also said mental errors by his players and a lack of execution on the details in the red zone hurt his team's chance of notching a win.

"I also have to do a better job with play calling down here at times to give us a better opportunity," Palone said. "I'll point the finger at myself  for some of the stuff we had down here in the red zone. Some of it is on them. It goes both ways, but we just didn't finish."

On one possession, with the ball inside the five, Elba/BB even gave O-A a whole new set of downs on a pass interference call, either because of a stout defense or an inability to finish, the Hornets couldn't punch it in.

The Hornets would return the favor, stopping a Lancers drive on the goal line, in the 4th quarter.

Elba/BB also had its share of turnovers and penalties to help keep points off the board.

"I'm just glad we both did have mistakes," Lancers Head Coach Mike Cintorino said. "I'm glad we're both kind of even. We've seen games and we've had games ourselves where those mistakes aren't even and it ends up being a game you give away.  It very easily could have gone the other way today.  We had some opportunities that we didn't capitalize on and our defense bailed us out. They came up big."

The way Cintorino sees the game is that two well-prepared defenses shut down a pair of powerful offenses.

"You get two offenses like this, one that really passes the ball well and one that really runs the ball well and you think it's going to be this high scoring game, but both teams did a really nice job preparing for the other offense and it turned out to be a great defensive game," Cintorino said.

Both coaches said they were proud of their defenses.

"It was a real grinder of a game that was just going to come down to who had the ball last," Palone said. "We're all really proud of the way our team held together."

O-A put points on the board first when Trent Stack pulled in an Alan Chatt nine-yard pass just over the goal line (top photo).

Being down 6-0 seemed to give the Lancer's offense a spark it lacked through the entire first half.  The combination of Garrett Chapell  to John Hochmuth seemed unbreakable as QB and tight end connected for reception after reception, including a leaping grab by Hochmuth on the sideline to secure another first down.

"Early on, John had a drop, but the best athletes I have ever coached know how to come back from adversity in a game," Cintorino said.  "He had that same idea in the Holley game where he had a drop and came back with a huge touchdown for us on the next drive."

Hochmuth had 10 receptions for 142 yards on the day, but it was Chapell who finished off the winning drive.

With the ball on the three, Chapell ran a keeper wide right and found little in the way of opposition from the Hornet's defense.

An extra point kick and the Lancers had the seven points that would prove enough to move the team to 3-1 on the season.

Chatt threw a lot of passes -- 40 on the day, and completed half of them for 259 yards, with a TD toss and an interception. Sal Schwable had five catches for 86 yards and Stack had four receptions for 65 yards.

Chapell had 13 completions on 23 attempts for 154 yards. Truax carried the ball 14 times for 61 yards. He also had 16 tackles on defense and a fumble recovery.

Trent Stack holds the ball aloft after putting the Hornets on the board first in the third quarter.

John Hochmuth with a grab on the sideline to help keep the Lancer's eventual winning drive alive.

Reice Woodward found that one pass near the sideline in the second quarter was just a bit beyond his grasp.

Hornets QB Alan Chatt.

Hochmuth grabs for an O-A runner.

Steele Truax on a big gainer in the 4th quarter that would help put the Lancers on the two-yard line with a chance to extend the team's lead, but O-A stopped the drive and took over on downs.

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Alexander 28, Holley 0. On homecoming night, the Trojans shut down Holley and scored 28 points. The scoring started with a punt return for a TD by Sam Browne. Browne also had two receptions in the game for 110 yards and a TD.  LB Derrick Busch scored on a 20-yard dash after scooping up a blocked punt. Busch also had a 30-yard TD reception. Jared Browne made both TD tosses. Zach Shilvock was 4-4 on PATs. Tristan had 10 carries for 82 yards. Defensively, LB Tyler Laird had 8 tackles.  LB Cody Trezcieski had 7 tackles.  LB Jake Wozniak had an interception as did DB Tristan Aldinger, who now has 2 picks on the season.  Alexander is 2-1 in the GR and 2-2 on the season.

Notre Dame 28, Pembroke 18. The Fighting Irish spoiled Pembroke's homecoming by erasing a 12-7 deficit in the second half. Joe Zickl was 3-7 passing for 45 yards and a TD for Notre Dame. Jack Sutherland rushed for 74 yards on 12 carries and Peter Daversa had 47 on 18. Zickl and Jacob Weatherwax both scored on the ground. Josh Johson had a TD reception and gained 52 yards on three catches. For Pembroke, Mitch Lewter was 5 for 12 passing for 63 yards and a TD. Dakota Swimline had 81 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Cal Neurohr rushed for 77 yards on 23 attempts and scored a TD.  Swimline also had five catches for 63 yards and a TD.  On defense, Zickl had 13 tackles.

Le Roy 61, Cuba-Rushford, 13. The Oatkan Knights continued to pound its way through its regular season schedule with its fourth straight big-margin victory. Ryan McQuillen scored four touchdowns, with two on punt returns, along with a TD on the ground and one through the air. He had a total of 184 yards gained on the night.  Tom Kelso rushed for 165 yards on nine carries, including longs of 58 and 61 yards. Nick Egeling had 13 carries for 72 yards and a TD. Brian Hodges scored a TD. Mike McMullen only completed three passes on 10 attempts, but all three were for scores (42, 43 and 15 yards). Kelso had eight tackles, Egeling six, along with an incerceptions and fumble recovery. Luke Hogle had six tackles and McMullen and McQuillen had five each. McMullen also had a fumble recovery.

Batavia 31, Dansville 17. The Blue Devils improved to 3-1. Greg Mruczek 10-18 passing for 165 yds and four touchdowns. Ahdeosun Aiken had 6 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.  Jarrett Laskett had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Anthony Gallo caught three passes for 55 yards and racked up 190 yds in kick returns. James Cryer had 9 tackles. Trevor Rittersback, 8 tackles. Devon Koepp had 7 tackles. Gunner Rapone, 6 tackles. Dominick Mogavero, 5 tackles. Dansville is now 2-2.

There's one game this afternoon, Oakfield-Alabama at Elba/Bryron-Bergen.

For coverage of Geneseo at Perry last night on the Wyoming County Free Press, click here.

Alexander/Holley photos by Rick Franclemont.  Click here for more.   Pembroke/Notre Dame photos by Rick D. Fraclemont. For more pictures, click here.

Pembroke's Cal Neurohr  blocking for Mitch Lewter  after an interception

Pembroke's Dylan Miserantino tackeling Notre Dame's Peter Daversa

Pembroke's Mitch Lewter with a straight arm on Notre Dame's C.J. Suozzi

Pembroke's ake Jasinski with a tackle on Notre Dame's Jack Sutherland

Notre Dame's Jack Sutherland being pursued by Pembroke's Dakota Swimline

A car has reportedly hit a pole on West Main Street near Royal Drive, Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire with mutual aid from Pavilion dispatched along with Le Roy Ambulance.

UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: Route 5 is reopened in both directions.

A two car motor vehicle accident has been reported at 668 East Main street.

Minor injuries are being reported. A child is complaining of a shoulder injury.

An altercation has also develped at the scene.

Police and an ambulance have been dispatched.

City Fire is on location.

UPDATE: 5:20p.m.  A 45 year old female and a 4 year old child are being transported to UMMC.

Dispatchers have received a report of a motorcyclist down in the roadway at Ross Street and East Avenue, Batavia.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: The rider, who was on a  scooter, not a motorcycle, was not injured, but he was taken into custody on suspicion of DWI.  When police arrived on scene, he volunteered, an officer said, that he had never rode a motorcycle or scooter before and did not have an operator's license for a motorcycle. He reportedly told police that his bike was hit from behind, but a witness said there was no car around when he went down. The witness said he failed to negotiate the curve and laid the bike down. A city employee arrived on scene and said just minutes before he had seen the rider "flying down the sidewalk" on a nearby street.  The suspect allegedly refused to get into the back of the police cruiser following his arrest and may face a resisting arrest charge.  The scooter is registered to another person. We would anticipate having the suspects name and specific charges in Monday's Law and Order column.

Denise Kay Kumpf, 46, of Roberts Road, Alabama, is charged with grand larceny 4th degree. Kumpf, who was a night manager at Flying J Travel Center, is accused of loading $1,000 onto a NetSpend prepaid card without placing money for it in the cash register.

Joseph D. Summers Jr., 27, of 103 West Main Street, B-3 A-6, Le Roy, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Summers was charged after children ages 2 and 3 were found wandering unattended, away from their residence, on Sept. 16.  Police allege this is the third time this year in which children under the care of Summers were found wandering unattended.

Kasiem Marquis Burks, 18, of Trina Circle, Syracuse, is charged with trespass. Burks is accused of being on College Village property after being banned from the property.

Daisha Monet Spence, 18, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Also charged, Naja Frances Adams, 18, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, and Shantina Marie Brewer, 19, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia. Spence, Adams and Brewer are accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Allegedly the trio grabbed $441.73 in merchandise and fled the store. Their vehicle was later located by deputies Joseph Graff and Chad Minuto.

Press release:

United Memorial will host a multi-agency decontamination drill on the morning of Saturday, September 27th. Visitors to the hospital at 127 North Street, Batavia during this time should expect to see several emergency vehicles, first responders, increased activity and people wearing hazmat suits and hoods. This drill will test communication skills during a crisis across several agencies and caregivers; the effectiveness of the decontamination process; and our skill with specialized equipment. Additional staff will be brought in for the exercise and patient care will not be impacted.

The Hospital frequently performs drills to test and maintain skills needed to safely address true, large-scale emergencies. The patience and understanding of our visitors is greatly appreciated. Please contact the Community Relations office at United Memorial at (585)344-5415 or by email to contactus@ummc.org with any questions or concerns.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department together with the Fire Fighters Union – IAFF Local 896 are sponsoring the 2ndAnnual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest.  This poster contest is open to students from grades 1 – 5. “Our hope is to get the children to discuss fire safety with their teachers and fellow students, as well as parents and guardians.” 

This poster contest can be a take home project, individual class project or an art class project.  Information has been distributed to City schools, but we wanted to include any City area home schooled children as well. 

“Our first year doing the contest was met with a great response.  We are hoping to grow this great opportunity this year.  The value is that the kids and adults get exposure to fire safety and safe practices, helping to reduce injury and death and change some habits.  We encourage all eligible students to participate.”

The 2014 Fire Prevention Week (October 5-15) theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month.”  Ideas and more information can be found at the Fire Prevention Week website www.FPW.org

Any posters wishing to be entered need to be at the Fire Station located at 18 Evans Street in Batavia no later thanThursday, October 9, 2014 at 4pm.  Schools/groups/families may contact us via phone or email to arrange in school pick up of posters. 

Posters are to be drawn horizontally on white paper, 8 ½” x 11”.  The back of the poster must contain the students name & phone number, school & grade, and teacher’s name.

Judging of the posters will take place between October 10th – 12th.  The winner of each group will receive a ride to school on a City Fire Engine, and be invited to a special awards luncheon with their family held at the fire station in late October.  2nd and 3rd place finishers in each group will also be invited to the fire station awards luncheon.

The best of luck to the students!  Full rules are available at the City of Batavia Fire Department at 18 Evans Street in Batavia or by contacting us via phone and/or email.