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Richenberg wins fifth straight ARC 5K in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

While rain seemed to encourage a few of the ARC 5K walkers to shorten the course today, it didn't slow down Michael Richenberg (second picture), who won the race in Elba for the fifth straight year.

A slow drizzle turned into a bit of a downpour about a minute into the race, but hundreds of runners still completed the course.

Race results are not yet available.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the full race results.

Crash at West Main and Oak streets in the city, minor injuries, partially blocking

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident is reported at West Main and Oak streets. City fire and two Mercy medic ambulances are responding. There are two, possibly three, people with what are believed to be minor injuries. The accident is partially blocking traffic. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 10:08 a.m.: One of the ambulances that responded is cancelled, now back in service.

UPDATE 10:23 a.m.: Engine 11 is back in quarters.

UPDATE: Photo submitted by Mat Fenton.

Dominating first half secures 41-14 victory for Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy looked like a team with barely a weakness during the first half of Friday's 41-14 victory over Letchworth.

The Indians were held to minus two yards of total offense during the half and ran only 19 plays without notching a single first down.

The Oatkan Knights (3-0) had six possession in the half and scored five offensive TDs with a total offense of 248 yards.

The one glitch was a Mike McMullen interception when the Knights seemed to be marching toward another inevitable touchdown. It was McMullen's first interception of the season.

"I thought we played well," Head Coach Brian Moran said. "I though we did a lot of things well tonight. I thought our first team played extremely well. They got off the ball well. We just did a lot good things."

McMullen tossed three touchdown passes and had a total of 118 yards through the air on the night. He was 10-16 passing. Ryan McQuillen caught all three of the TD passes.

Peter Privitera gained 145 yards on 18 carries, scoring twice.

"Peter ran very well today," Moran said. "As you know, he came off the ankle surgery and tonight he showed the Peter of old. He started to get that speed back, and acceleration."

Tom Kelso carried the ball seven times for 42 yards and one TD. Nick Egeling ran for 45 yards on six carries. Kelso also caught three passes for 42 yards.

Jake Henry had six tackles and a sack. Chandler Winling, five tackles, and with four tackles each were Brandon Van Grol, McQuillen and Egeling. Anthony Paladino had two tackles and a sack.

Letchworth came into the game with a 1-1 record, with a 30-26 win over Warsaw and a 33-0 loss to Cal-Mum.

The Indians' only real offense came late in the game with two scoring drives against mainly second-team players. The Indians were also running more stunts and option plays, opening up the offense a bit.

Moran said this week the focus during team practice will be the play of the second team.

"You've got to pay a little more attention in practice and understand what we're trying to do and play a little better," Moran said. "Our expectation is that everybody improves on our team."

Next up for Le Roy, Warsaw, which is off to an 0-3 start on the season. Game time is 7:30 at Le Roy.

For our coverage of the Batavia game, click here.

Also, last night, Pembroke (1-2) lost to Attica (3-0), 41-7. Attica's Matt Perry gained 288 yards on 17 carries, scoring six times. Perry is now the school career leader in TDs with 50 and total yards at 2,866.

Oakfield-Alabama (1-2) beat Finney (0-3) 61-0. Alan Chapp was 12-14 for 252 yards and two touchdowns, adding 72 yards on the ground. Chase Manzella gained 63 yards and scored three times. Chris Nanni added 31 yards on the ground and two TDs.

Today, two undefeated teams, Alexander and Notre Dame, clash at Notre Dame. Game time, 1:30. Elba/Byron-Bergen is at Holley.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Brighton wears down Batavia

By Nick Sabato

Coming into the season Batavia Head Coach Brennan Briggs knew that his team faced a tough challenge by joining the Monroe County League. This week was an example of why, as Brighton wore down the Blue Devils, spoiling homecoming in route to a 34 to 6 victory.

Batavia hung with the Barons through the first half, entering the break only down 7-0, but Brighton’s size and speed was just too much to overcome in the second half.

“It’s tough because nobody wants to hear moral victories,” Briggs said. “But every single week I want to tip my cap to these guys because every single week they are outmanned and outnumbered. There was no brilliant scheme that Brighton threw at us; they just ran the same play over and over. When it comes down to it, they were just bigger.”

The game was scoreless deep into the second quarter until Brighton mounted a 16-play, 88-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off of the clock before fullback Gordon Truesdale plunged in from three yards out. The Blue Devils appeared to be nearing a score with under a minute left after Brandon Stevenson ripped off a 27-yard run deep into Brighton territory. However, an offensive pass-interference call doomed the Batavia drive and the Barons entered the intermission with the lead.

The Barons received the ball on the second half kickoff and proceeded to impose their will for the remainder of the game.

Brighton opened the third quarter with another 16-play, 67-yard drive that took over seven minutes off the clock before Matt Stone, who ran the ball 19 times for 114 yards, finished off the march with a three-yard touchdown run.

Stevenson was then intercepted at midfield by Stone on the ensuing possession, and the Barons capitalized again with another goal line plunge by Truesdale.

The Blue Devils would turn the ball over on downs, and Brighton would score a back-breaking touchdown on a 27-yard scamper by Christian Jones to put them up 27-0 with just over nine minutes to play in the game.

Brighton seemed to be just too much up front for the undersized Batavia team, as they did not attempt a single pass in the second half, while running the ball 63 times for 432 yards on the evening. An even more telling statistic was the Blue Devils only held possession for 3:32 in the second half and only attempted 11 plays from scrimmage.

“The worst situation to be in is when a team is grinding the ball,” Briggs said. “When a team is throwing the ball you think you can get some stops, but when they are just grinding it and physically beating you up, there’s not much you can do.”

One bright spot was once again the play of Stevenson, who scored the lone Batavia touchdown on a 77-yard dash in the fourth quarter. He would finish with a game-high 139 rushing yards on 11 carries.

The Barons would get one more score, a 58-yard run from Jones to seal the game.

Jones would finish with 114 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns, while Truesdale added 65 yards on 11 attempts to go with his two scores for Brighton (1-2).

Batavia falls to 1-2 on the season and will travel to Canandaigua next Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.

“We have to turn the page, we can’t make any excuses, and we have to come out and work hard,” Briggs said. “Football is going to teach lessons to make you a man. They know that they are going to be in a dog fight every week and they are going to better for it.”

Batavia woman with a few run-ins with the law accused of selling crack cocaine

By Howard B. Owens
Toni White

A woman who previously testified in a burglary trial and who joined her spouse in the first same-sex marriage in Genesee County in 2011 was accused today of selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent.

Toni M. White, 32, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, was arrested on a sealed indictment alleging she sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

She is charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, both Class B felonies.

White was jailed on $5,000 bail.

In 2010, White testified in the burglary trial of Reginald M. Wilson discussing the day Wilson drove her around in what turned out to be a stolen vehicle.

In September, 2011, White appeared in court with the woman she married the day before, Katrina Drake, when Judge Robert C. Noonan threatened to send Drake to jail on a violation of probation charge.

In the past few years, White has been arrested on charges of disorderly conduct (twice), petit larceny and trespass.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: The bail review of Toni M. White was conducted on Sept. 20 and she was released under supervision of Genesee Justice, with a curfew requiring her to be at her residence from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. every day.

Photos: From Washington, Steve Hawley's annual Patriot Trip

By Howard B. Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is in the midst of his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., with a group of residents from his district. He sent us these pictures.

Above, Jack Toth at the World War II Memorial.

Below, a group shot and a shot of some of the travels with Hawley and Rep. Chris Collins.

Photos: Construction begins on new roadway leading to ag park off Route 63

By Howard B. Owens

There's heavy equipment moving a lot of earth around just west of the Partridge Farm on Ellicott Street Road, Town of Batavia.

Crews are building a new roadway, which will provide secondary access to the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. The secondary road is needed to accommodate anticipated growth and expansion of the park.

State tax reps will be at Old Courthouse to inform homeowners about Basic STAR exemption

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The NYS Tax Department will be available to help inform homeowners of the Basic STAR exemption at an event for this purpose beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 23 at the Old Courthouse in the City of Batavia.

The STAR registration program impacts 11,897 Basic STAR recipients in Genesee County, and 2.6 million homeowners statewide. Senior citizens receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption are not impacted.

The registration facilitates Governor Cuomo’s initiative to protect New Yorkers from fraud and waste in the STAR Program. The average homeowner saves $700 as a result of the Basic STAR exemption, which is available on the primary residence of homeowners with incomes under $500,000.

The registration deadline is Dec. 31 in order to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and thereafter.

Basic STAR recipients have three easy options to register:

One-car rollover accident, possible serious injuries, on Warsaw Road, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A one-car rollover accident, with possible serious injuries, is reported at 9327 Warsaw Road, near Perry Road, Le Roy. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is contacted and is available. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service are responding and Le Roy PD is on scene.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: A medic on scene says Mercy Flight will not be needed.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Southbound traffic on Route 19 will be shut down. Firefighters are told to slow down their response and the assignment is held to Engine 62.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: The vehicle landed on its roof in a ditch.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Le Roy ambulance is transporting the driver to Strong Memorial Hospital. The road is being reopened. Engine 62 is returning to service along with Le Roy PD. Fire police will remain on scene for awhile.

UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: The road is open. All responders are back in service.

Labyrinth walk Sunday will celebrate Fall Equinox

By Howard B. Owens

Area residents are invited to walk through a labyrinth on the property of Tricia Zdep, 6600 Log City Road, Elba, on Sunday as part of a harvest celebration for the Fall Equinox sponsored by Blue Pearl Yoga.

Labyrinths -- a complex series of winding paths that require walkers to follow a serpentine trail -- have been an important spiritual part of many cultures for thousands of years, said Patricia Hawley.

"Walking through one is a powerful meditative and contemplative act," she said.

The word "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night) and signifies a time when night and day are about equal length.

The term can also be used in a broader sense, meaning that the universe is in perfect balance, said Karen Reisdorf, owner of Blue Pearl Yoga

"At this time we concentrate on balancing our spirits, harvesting our dreams, and giving thanks for the beauty and bounties of Mother Earth," Reisdorf said.

The walk is at 1 p.m. and participants are asked to bring a gift from nature (leaf, flower, feather, stone, etc.) and any vegetables or flowers that have been harvested from your garden or from a farmers market. The event includes:

  • Blessing of the harvest, offerings of gratitude;
  • Yoga practice, planting new intentions;
  • Ending meditation;
  • Sharing of the harvest.

Leading the event with Reisdorf is Joni Yaskulski.

The labyrinth was made by Zdep and her husband at least five years ago (see it on Google Maps).

Pre-registration is required. Cost is $15. For more information contact Blue Pearl Yoga at 585-230-5430 or email bluepearl.yoga@yahoo.com.

Deer crashes into car's windshield, driver has minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A car vs. deer accident is reported at Bank Street and R. Stephen Hawley Drive. The deer is said to have crashed into the car's windshield and the driver sustained minor injuries. Mercy medics and Town of Batavia Fire Department are responding.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: Law enforcement on scene reports the driver is not injured and he is out walking around. Town fire's response is cancelled; the driver will not need medical attention.

Soccer: Geneseo comes out on top in match of unbeaten teams in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

For the first 74 minutes of play Thursday in Pavilion, two teams on the pitch with 3-0 records kept the score knotted at 0-0 and it was starting to seem like a tie was a predictable outcome.

Then Geneseo's Elliott Cannon scooted a ball past senior goalie Collin Sheflin. Another goal two minutes later by Mo Carlon, with only four minutes on the clock, seemed to seal the fate of the Golden Gophers.

"Genesee has been building a great program for years," said Pavilion Head Coach Matt Roth. "They seem to graduate players with another junior right behind who is good. We're working on doing the same thing here, but it takes time. We worked hard tonight. The better team, probably, ended up winning, but they didn't out work us."

Coming into the game, Pavilion had given up only one goal in its first three games. That was in a 2-1 win over Mount Morris. Pavilion has beat Pembroke 6-0 and Avon 3-0.

"Jake Defisher, Heyden Ewell and Stephen Pike work hard on defense," Roth said. "We've only given up three goals and two of them were tonight, so when you have that kind of defense, you're going to be in most games."

Riley Vallance has been working hard, too, Roth said. He's played every position this season and on defense against Pavilion he played a big role in keeping the game close.

Dakota Kegler, a midfielder, has also been working hard this season, he said.

Pavilion is now 3-1-1 on the season and Roth is expecting a good run for the team come time for sectional play.

"Our goal is to build, to be playing our best soccer in October," Roth said. "Right now, we're not where we want to be, but if we get there in mid-October when sectionals come, we're going to be a dangerous team in sectional play."

Pavilion's next game is at home, tomorrow, 1 p.m., against York.

Pavilion's goalie grabbing a shot in the first period.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Two women arguing over stray cats at School House Manor, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

Sheriff's deputies are responding to a complaint of two women arguing in the parking lot at School House Manor apartments, located at 1 N. Pearl St. in the Village of Oakfield.

They are fussing over one's efforts to round up stray cats there in order to sterilize them through the local non-profit "Spay Our Strays." It is a spay and neuter program wherein stray cats and dogs are captured, sterilized and then released in the place they were originally found.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m.: An animal control officer is dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The animal control officer is returning to the shelter, alone.

Photo: New Mexican food place planned for Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

It looks like Batavia is going to get a taco stand on Ellicott Street across from the Pok-A-Dot near Liberty Street. This sign appeared in the window recently. The new owners were not around when I stopped by this morning.

UPDATE: One of the new owners is Derek Geib, co-owner of Bourbon & Burger Co.. Mike Hyland, a partner at B&B, is also partner with Casa Del Taco, along with Dick Long. They're shooting for an Oct. 1 opening.

Genesee County added 200 jobs in August

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County added 200 jobs in August, according to a jobs report released yesterday in which the NYS Department of Labor touted a record number of jobs in the state.

According to the report, there are now 7.6 million jobs in New York, up 22,700 from July to August.

At the same time, the number of employment-eligible workers grew by 24,000, increasing the state's unemployment rate from 7.5 to 7.6 percent.

The number of jobs in Genesee County went up to 23,600, which is 200 over the July figure and the August 2013 number.

The County's unemployment rate has not yet been released.

Hawley issues statement on unfunded mandate for additional jail guards

By Howard B. Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is in the midst of leading his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., but he just sent over this statement regarding the unfunded mandate by the NYS Corrections Commission requiring Genesee County to spend another $1 million on jail guards:

I was apprised by Genesee County officials of yet another $1 million unfunded mandate from Albany about a week ago. We are working closely with county officials to remedy this. When will Albany ever get it?

Rochester resident accused of selling crack cocaine in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
Devon Bell

A 26-year-old Rochester resident is being held on $50,000 bail after being accused of dealing crack cocaine in Batavia.

Davon Tamer Michael Bell, of Gillette Street, Rochester, is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Bell allegedly sold crack cocaine to undercover agents working with the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The investigation into Bell's alleged activities began nine months ago. He was taken into custody Sept. 10 by Rochester PD.

Bell was indicted in a sealed indictment by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Law and Order: Another shoplifting arrest at Kmart

By Howard B. Owens

Tracy Lynn Damato, 47, of Horsehoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Damato is accused of stealing $19.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Jordon Elizabeth Prescott, 19, of Ellicott Street Road, Bethany, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Prescott is accused of being at College Village after being barred from the property. She is accused of violating an order of protection by coming into contact with the security guard that was on duty at College Village.

Travis S. Bartz, 37, of Alexander, is charged with a violation of probation and criminal contempt, 2nd. Bartz was allegedly located at a residence on Route 98, Town of Attica, Wyoming County, by State Police in violation of probation conditions and a current stay-away order of protection.

Kimberley A. Smith, 36, of Alexander, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and failure to stop at stop sign. Smith was arrested at 6:27 p.m. Wednesday on Brookville Road, Alexander, by State Police. Following her arrest, she was released to a third party.

Lamar Iteef Randall, 28, of Spruce Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Randall was arrested on a warrant out of Stafford Town Court upon his release from Monroe County Jail where he was being held on an unrelated charged. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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For Rent - Lower 1 Bedroom Apartment Private country setting, lower one bedroom apartment with all appliances and parking. Sunroom with gas fireplace and patio. Includes water and heat. NEW LOWER PRICE! $1000/Month plus electric. No pets, no smoking. References and security deposit required. Available June 1st, 2024. Call 585-344-3141.
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