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Law and Order: Two men arrested on gang assault charges after Nov. 8 incident on Jerome Place

By Billie Owens

Darazian W. Williams, 27, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, (inset photo right) is charged with: first-degree gang assault -- causing serious physical injury; burglary of a dwelling -- and causing injury; third-degree criminal mischief -- damaging another person's property valued at greater than $250; and fourth-degree conspiracy. Darazian was arrested after an investigation into an incident, which occurred Nov. 8 on Jerome Place in the City of Batavia. He was arraigned Dec. 4 and held in jail on unspecified bail. He is due to return to Batavia City Court at 2 p.m. on Jan. 13. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Danny D. Williams Sr., 32, of Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, (inset photo left) is charged with: first-degree gang assault; first-degree burglary; third-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree conspiracy. He was arrested in connection with a distrubance at 10:22 p.m. Nov. 8 on Jerome Place. He was arrainged Dec. 4 in Batavia City Court and put in jail on $30,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond or $100,000 partially secured bond. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Connor Borchert, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts.

James A. Centner, 41, of Vallance Road, Le Roy, was arrested Dec. 11 after a two-vehicle head-on collision at about 7 p.m. on West Main Street in the Village of Le Roy. One person who was driving a Chevy Suburban was injured in the accident. Centner, the driver of a pickup truck, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and traffic violations for failing to use designated lane, drinking in a vehicle on the highway, and refusal to take a breath test. It is alleged that he was leaving the area of Tops Market when he turned onto Route 5 and drove in the wrong lane, causing the collision. Following his virtual arraignment, he was released to a third party. The driver of the Suburban was transported to the hospital by LeRoy Ambulance Service with non-life-threatening injuries. During this investigation, it was also alleged that Centner's vehicle was involved in a minor motor-vehicle accident with no injuries while in the parking lot of Tops Market prior to the head-on crash, and this also is being investigated.

Bleyke Zhaviante Armonde Culver, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with: obstruction of governmental administration; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; unlicensed operation; failure to yield to an emergency vehicle; and speeding. At 11:13 a.m. on Dec. 10, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a male refusing to leave the Department of Social Services on East Main Street Road. Law enforcement responded and were advised he was operating a vehicle while his privilege to do so was suspended by New York authorities. A marked Sheriff's Office patrol car located the vehicle attempted to make a traffic stop by activating its overhead emergency lights. The vehicle allegedly failed to yield and led police on a vehicle pursuit. It continued through the City of Batavia and ended up returning to Culver's Walnut Street residence. He was taken into custody at 11:24 a.m. without incident then taken to jail for processing. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Tower, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong, and they were also assisted by members of the Batavia Police Department.

Ethan M. Conrad, 20, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI -- common law; and moving from lane unsafely. He was arrested Nov. 26 after an investigation of a single-vehicle accident on River in the city in which the vehicle struck the River Street guard rail. He was released with traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Alec Roberts. 

Michelle M. Hanssen, 54, of Chestnut Ridge Road, Middleport, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated; DWI; failure to stop at stop sign; moving from lane unsafely; and operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device. At 7:11 p.m. on Dec. 12, Hanssen was arrested after a one-vehicle accident on Lewiston Road in Oakfield. She was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol and crashed her car. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Oakfield Town Court on Jan. 18. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier.

Cody Middlebrooks, 30, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. He was arrested after an incident on South Main Street in Batavia at 10:24 a.m. on Nov. 23. It is alleged that he damaged a cell phone which was valued at more than $250. He was processed then released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Jan. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Conner Borchert and Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

Vicki Lynne Manns, 50, of Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; and unreasonable speed under special hazards. At 10:50 p.m. Dec. 12, deputies responded to the intersection of Stroh Road and Maplewood Road in Alexander for a report of a vehicle off the road. After an investigation, Manns was arrested on the charges. She was issued appearance tickets for Alexander Town Court and is due there Dec. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.

Christian M. Deluna, 19, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; burglary; criminal mischief; and conspiracy. Deluna was arrested after an incident that occurred at 1:50 a.m. at an apartment on North Spruce Street in Batavia. Following arraignment Dec. 1 in Batavia City Court, Deluna was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Deluna is due back in city court on Jan. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Joshua Girvin.

Cody Middlebrooks, 30, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and first-degree coercion. He was arrested on Dec. 8 on the charges. It is alleged that on Dec. 5 on Pearl Street that Middlebrooks was involved in a physical domestic incident and that he threatened to harm the victim if she called police. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due back in court on Feb. 2. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Samantha Lynn Wroblewski, 31, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. She was arrested Dec. 7 after an investigation into an incident that occurred Oct. 19 on West Main Street wherein she alllegedly possessed cocaine. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Jonathan Richard Piwko, 31, of Peppertree Drive, Derby, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs; failure to keep right; moving from lane unsafely; and speed not reasonable and prudent. Piwko was arrest Dec. 10 after the investigation of a vehicle that went off the roadway and struck a business at 11:51 p.m. Dec. 9 on South Main Street in the Village of Elba. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Elba Town Court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Lisa A. Way, 52, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- common law, and refusal to take a breath test. Way was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Dec. 5 on Ellicott Street in Batavia after a motor-vehicle accident behind a residence on that street. She was released with traffic tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 27. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.

William Anthony Nichols II, 27, of East Avenue, Holley, and Renee Irene Brown, 40, of Federal Drive, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy. At 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 9, they were arrested on Lewiston Road in Batavia after allegedly working together to steal $122.95 worth of merchandise from BJs Wholesale Club. They were issued appearance tickets and are due in Town of Batavia Court on Jan. 7. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Steven Douglas Kelso, 36, of Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records in the first degree and attempted criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon. He was arrested Dec. 9 after an investigation into the attempted purchase of a firearm at a business on Buffalo Road in Bergen by a person ineligible to possess one. Kelso was released in an appearance ticket and is due in Bergen Town Court on Dec. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

Chazmar T. Walters Sr., 28, of Clay Street, Le Roy, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree. Walters was arrested Dec. 5 after a traffic stop on Lewiston Road at 8:48 p.m. He was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia Town Court on Jan. 8, then released. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Sgt. Eric Bolles.

Loretta Lynn Baer, 49, of Canal Street, Macedon, is charged with trespass. She was arrested Dec. 1 on Swan Street in Batavia after a trespass complaint at 12:35 p.m. at an auto parts store. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Jan. 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot, assisted by Officer Peter Post.

Christopher P. Thomas, 36, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with have a dog running at large. He was arrested Dec. 7. It is alleged that on Dec. 3 on State Street that Thomas allowed his dog to run at large on another person's property. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Patrick O. Spikes, 39, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. He was arrested Nov. 21 on a Batavia City Court bench warrant following a traffic stop. The charges stems from an incident Oct. 27 at 10:30 p.m. at the Speedway on West Main Street. Spikes was arraigned via Skype and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Spikes is due back in court at a later date (unspecified). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Austin Hedges.

Christopher P. Thomas, 38, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, was arrested after turning himself in on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court that was issued after he failed to appear as required on May 26. He was processed and is due back in city court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker.

Destiny Nakia Green, 24, of Walnut Street, Batavia, was arrested Dec. 2 on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court. She had been due in court on July 22. A plea was entered and Green was sentenced (no information provided). Case resolved. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Adam Tucker, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Law and Order: Lockport Road man accused of driving while drug impaired, seriously injuring a person in a crash

By Billie Owens

Jason Allan Klinkbeil, 32, of Lockport Road, Alabama, is charged with: first-degree vehicular assault; felony driving while intoxicated -- drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; reckless driving; failure to keep right; speed not reasonable and prudent; moving from lane unsafely; driving left of pavement markings; improper passing; failure to notify DMV of address change; and failure to change address on vehicle registration. Following an investigation into a motor-vehicle collision with injury at 8:48 p.m. Sept. 12 on Bliss Road in Oakfield, Klinkbeil was arrested. He allegedly drove a vehicle while he was impaired by drugs and caused serious physical injury to a passenger in another vehicle. Klinkbeil was released with appearance tickets and is due in Oakfield Town Court on Feb. 1. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Aaron Joseph Romani, 29, of Milestrip Road, Blasdell, is charged with driving while intoxicated -- drugs; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree; and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Romani was arrested Dec. 3 for an incident at 2:48 a.m. on Aug. 2 when he was found pulled to the side of the road on Byron Elba Road in Byron. He was allegedly driving while intoxicated by drug and in possession of methadone which was not prescribed to him. His driver's license was expired. He was issued appearance tickets returnable to Byron Town Court on Jan. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Renee Irene Brown, 40, of Harris Road, Waterport, is charged with petit larceny and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. At 3:09 p.m. on Dec. 3, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received a call of a woman stealing items from the Crosby's convenience store in the Village of Elba, then fleeing in a vehicle southbound on Route 98. Deputies located the car in the Town of Batavia a short time later and conducted a traffic stop. Following an investigation, Brown was arrested. It is alleged that she possessed 72 packages of Starburst candy chews, 19 packages of Slim Jim meat snack sticks, and 14 packages of Jack Links Wild Snack Sticks XXL Original. Brown was also allegedly found driving while her license to do so was suspended. She was released with appearance tickets and is due in Elba Town Court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Video: Christmas Tree Parks in Elba, Pavilion and Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Betterment Committee hosted the community's Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday night along with a socially distanced visit from Santa. The video also includes visits to the Christmas Tree displays in Pavilion and Oakfield.

M&T Bank thanks community of Elba

By Billie Owens

M&T Bank expressed their appreciation to the Elba community by providing it with two new pieces of play apparatus, mulch and two trees for the Village Park in addition to a Little Free Library in front of the Village Office.

Installation of the play apparatus and mulch was a project completed as part of the 2019 United Way Day of Caring.

The recognition ceremony and plaque presentation were delayed this year due to COVID-19.

Village officials thanked Bank representatives through the presentation of a plaque, which will be hung in the ATM vestibule located at the former M&T Bank on Route 98. The former bank is being retrofitted by the Town of Elba for the relocation of their offices.

Pictured from left are: Tom Stempin, Elba trustee; Denis Rohan, of Elba Public Works; Norman Itjen, Elba mayor; Reita Fletcher, of M & T Bank, and Erik Fix, M & T Bank.

Information and photos from Norman Itjen.

Law and Order: Myrtle Street man accused of driving impaired by drugs, fleeing from police, and trying to strike a deputy

By Billie Owens

Russell James Hamilton, 30, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs -- first offense; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd; second-degree menacing -- with a weapon; second-degree obstruction of governmental administration; and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. Hamilton was arrested in the Village of Le Roy after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop that was made at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 7 on Main Road in Stafford. Hamilton is accused of fleeing from Genesee County Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, who attempted to stop him for a vehicle and traffic law violation. It is alleged that Hamilton fled in his vehicle into the Village of Le Roy, with deputies in pursuit, then fled from his vehicle on foot, and was taken into custody shortly thereafter. While being taken into custody, it is alleged Hamilton tried to strike a deputy with a dangerous instrument. It is also alleged that Hamilton was driving while impaired by drugs. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Le Roy Town Court on Dec. 1. Village of Le Roy Police Officer Austin Steinbrenner assisted in the case.

Robert D. Wood, 30, of Mill Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; first-degree criminal contempt; and second-degree burglary. At 2:44 p.m. on Nov. 11, Batavia Police Officer Peter Post arrested Wood after a domestic incident that occurred on Wood Street in Batavia. He allegedly entered the residence in violation of a stay away order of protection agains him and is accused of shoving a person there during an argument. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond.

Morgan Lee Cox, 52, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment -- physical contact. Batavia Police Officer Nicole McGinnis was made aware of an incident which took place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 on West Main Street in Batavia. It is alleged that Cox was involved in a physical altercation and that he punched a person in the face. He was arrested and released with an appearance ticket for Feb. 9 in Batavia City Court. Batavia Police Officer Austin Hedges assisted in the case.

Barbara C. Pridmore, 62, of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- first offense; aggravated DWI -- with a BAC of .18 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; obstructed view; and failure to obey traffic control device. Pridmore was arrested at 11:46 p.m. on Oak Street in the City of Batavia after a motor-vehicle accident in which a vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. She allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests, was arraigned in Batavia City Court, then processed at Batavia Police headquarters and issued traffic tickets. She is due in city court Feb. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Ashley Ilene Hightower, 28, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested following an investigation of a harassment complaint pertaining to an incident that occurred at 4:21 p.m. Nov. 8 on Bank Street, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on Feb. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Wesley Rissinger.

Katherine J. Briggs, 41, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with false written statement. At 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 11, Briggs allegedly knowingly gave a false statement to a City of Batavia police officer. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis.

Sponsored Post: New listing alert from Reliant Real Estate

By Lisa Ace


NEW LISTING! 5497 Ford Road, Elba. Great opportunity to purchase a project home and finish it off to your liking! All the elements are there -- vinyl sided, solid attached garage some work already in process...Situated on a half acre lot in the Elba School System and within minutes of the Thruway! Great location! Winter project waiting for you! Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Reliant Real Estate. Click here for more information on this listing.

NEW LISTING! 6484 Route 262, Byron. Very bright, 2 bedroom, 2 full bath mobile situated on a pretty half acre lot -- set back in where most don't notice! Home is 1064 square feet and has very spacious rooms. Bedrooms are at opposite ends from one another for privacy and master bedroom has private bath. There is laundry located at back entranceway and space for people to kick off shoes and coats before walking in to kitchen! There is a front porch and a large rear deck where you will spend most of your time enjoying the sun and the peaceful views. Roof and tankless hot water tank approximately 6 years old. There is also a decent size shed on property. Needs a little elbow work but when done it will be a great private home to enjoy but still close to store, hotel, pizzeria, park and school! Click here for more information on this listing.

Old Elba water tower felled after eight decades of service

By Howard B. Owens

102720_elba4.jpg

Photos and Story by Tom Rivers/Orleans Hub

The water tank that has been a part of the Elba landscape since 1934 came down just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. The standpipe held about 300,000 gallons of water.

It has been replaced by a new 750,000-gallon water tank that serves the village and also a growing water system throughout the town. (Elba has sent the construction of phase 7 of its town-wide water district out to bid.)

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The water tank landed with a loud thud and unleashed a lot of mud, including several chunks that hit the Orleans Hub editor.

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Iseler Demolition of Port Hope, Mich. brought a team of welders to take apart the tank. Iseler cut out sections on the bottom of one side of the tank, the same method used to cut down a tree.

Once an opening was cut out at the bottom of the tank, Iseler cut loose the last bolt used to help hold down the tank. The standpipe seemed to groan and then toppled over.

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Iseler employees then went to work cutting the tank into pieces. Most of it will be recycled. Some small pieces will given to people in the village and town officials and people who worked on the project.

Elba Town Supervisor Donna Hynes was given the plaque on the tank on Monday, which noted when it was constructed. She has the plaque at the Town Hall right now.

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Isler employees cut up pieces of steel from the bottom of the tank after it toppled over.

Elba Mayor Norm Itjen said the water tower has been standing his entire life and the entire lives of most local residents. The structure, which was about 80 feet high, could be seen several miles away down Route 98 from Batavia.

Itjen said he is pleased the community has upgraded its water system with new waterlines, a new water tank, and a different water provider. Elba was using a well off Barrville Road. Elba switched to the Genesee County water system about two years ago with the water coming from the City of Batavia.

Itjen said the community has better water quality and the new water lines and water tower have boosted water pressure by about 10 to 15 pounds for most water customers.

Before the upgrades, the village Department of Public Works was frequently called into duty to fix leaking water lines.

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The welders go to work taking the water tank apart.

Iseler expects to have the tank gone on Wednesday.

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Here is how the two water tanks looked at about noon, about an hour before the standpipe was taken down.

Tractor-trailer rollover reported in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A tractor-trailer accident is reported in the area of 7990 Oak Orchard Road, Elba.

A first responder says the truck is well off the road in a field.

No word on injuries.

Elba fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Reminder: Support volunteer firefighters -- queue up for some 'cue Sunday in Elba and/or South Byron

By Billie Owens

Don't forget to support these two volunteer fire departments on Sunday, Oct. 25, when each will offer drive-thru chicken BBQ to raise money for their respective departments in a year when opportunities to do so have been few and far between.

ELBA

A drive-thru chicken barbecue to benefit the Elba Volunteer Fire Department will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the fire rec hall on Route 98 in Elba.

It starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until sold out. Cost is $12.

Coronavirus protocols will be observed. Please wear a face mask and remain in your vehicle.

"Because of the (COVID-19) shutdown, last month was the first chicken barbecue we held this year," said an organizer, Barbie Starowitz. "It's sold out so fast! Now that we can be outside again we wanted to do another one. We're hoping for a nice (weather) day."

The address of Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall is 7143 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98). 

SOUTH BYRON

There will be a chicken BBQ fundraiser for the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 until sold out.

It will be held on a drive-thru basis at the fire hall, located at 7389 Route 237 in South Byron.

Cost is $12 per person.

Please wear a face mask and remain in vehicle.

Turkey Dinner Sunday OCT 18 Byron Presbyterian Church

By James Renfrew

Annual Turkey Dinner, this Sunday, Oct. 18th

11 am to 2pm
Byron Presbyterian Church, Main St. Byron

Drive thru only. Please access church entrance from Terry St.!
Follow the turkey signs.

$10/dinner. Turkey dinner w/ all the trimmings!

Turkey Dinner Sunday OCT 18 Byron Presbyterian Church

By James Renfrew

Annual Turkey Dinner, this Sunday, Oct. 18th

11 am to 2pm
Byron Presbyterian Church, Main St. Byron

Drive thru only. Please access church entrance from Terry St.!
Follow the turkey signs.

$10/dinner. Turkey dinner w/ all the trimmings!

Mark Your Calendar: Drive-thru chicken BBQ fundraiser at Elba Firemen's Rec Hall Oct. 25

By Billie Owens

A drive-thru chicken barbecue to benefit the Elba Volunteer Fire Department will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the fire rec hall on Route 98 in Elba.

It starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until sold out. Cost is $12.

Coronavirus protocols will be observed. Please wear a face mask and remain in your vehicle.

"Because of the (COVID-19) shutdown, last month was the first chicken barbecue we held this year," said an organizer, Barbie Starowitz, of Star Growers Farm LLC. "It sold out so fast! Now that we can be outside again we wanted to do another one. We're hoping for a nice (weather) day."

The address of Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall is 7143 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98).

Buffalo State welcomes eight new Bengals from Genesee County to Class of 2024

By Billie Owens

Buffalo State is pleased to welcome the Class of 2024 to campus. The new Bengals started class on Aug. 31, 2020.

  • Clayton Allen, of Le Roy 
  • Lukas Cochran, of Batavia 
  • Morgan Harrington, of Elba 
  • Tyler Keller, of Corfu 
  • Benjamin Paserk, of Batavia
  • Samuel Pringle, of Bergen 
  • Kristina Simon, of Oakfield 
  • Brianna Smith, of Oakfield

Buffalo State is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Buffalo. The college offers 79 undergraduate majors as well as many minors and certificate programs. Every year, thousands of students benefit from Buffalo State's community engagement, hands-on learning opportunities, and affordable SUNY tuition. Buffalo State also offers more than 60 graduate programs.

One new COVID-19 case reported in Genesee County, person in their 50s residing in Elba

By Press Release

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Elba.
    • The positive individual is in their 50s.
    • The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • One of the previous positive individuals has recovered and has been released from isolation. 
    • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
    • Currently, there are two active positive students at the Elba Central School District.
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Murray.
    • One of the individuals is in their 20s and one individual is in their 30s. 
    • One individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been released from isolation.
    • Seventeen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Three more students at Elba High School test positive for COVID-19

By Press Release

Press release:

“The Genesee County Health Department has received three additional positive COVID-19 tests from students at Elba High School,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “The individuals have been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they are fully recovered.”

The Genesee County Department of Health is conducting contact tracing that is in process. Students and/or staff will be notified and placed under quarantine if they were identified as a close contact. Contacts will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines

“The district is continuing its collaboration with the Genesee County HealthDepartment in identifying close contacts and testing symptomatic students,” said Ned Dale, superintendent of Elba Central School District. “We ask parents to be aware of COVID-19 symptoms and contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately if symptoms appear.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For information on school statistics, please visit the New York State COVID-19 Report Card.

Another Elba student tests positive for COVID-19

By Press Release

Press release:

“The Genesee County Health Department has received an additional positive COVID-19 test from an Elba High School student,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “The individual has been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they are fully recovered.”

The Genesee County Department of Health is conducting contact tracing that is in process. Students and/or staff will be notified and placed under quarantine if they were identified as a close contact.

"As mentioned earlier in the week, individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines," Pettit said.

“Students and staff who are symptomatic will be tested for COVID-19 in collaboration with the Genesee County Health Department,” said Ned Dale, superintendent of Elba Central School District. “The school will be conducting 100-percent remote learning through Monday, Oct. 12. In-person learning through the hybrid model is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For information on school statistics, please visit the New York State COVID- 19 Report Card.

Five new COVID cases reported, two under 20, in Elba, Oakfield, Alabama

By Press Release

Press release:

  • Genesee County received five new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Elba, and Oakfield.
    • Two of the individuals are between the ages of 0-20, one is in their 20s, one is in their 30s, and one is in their 60s.
    • The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Fourteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
    • One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
       
  • Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • Nine new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

O-A freshman and his dad bring home some trophies from regional trapshooting competition

By Billie Owens

Photos and information from Casey Luttrell:

Oakfield-Alabama High School freshman Chase Luttrell (top photo) won three trophies at the Amateur Trapshooting Association's Northeastern Grand Trapshooting Competition, held in Bridgeport Sept. 17 to 19.

The 14-year-old competed in the Sub Junior class (age 14 and under). He is coached by his father, Casey Luttrell, and Elba resident Kevin Rombaut, a teacher in the Elba Central School District.

Chase shoots a Beretta A400 multi-target 12-gauge shotgun as well as a Browning model 725.

He was named Sub Junior Singles* Champion with a high score of 89 on Friday of the competition. 

He was the Sub Junior Handicap** event runner-up with a 67.

"The scores are usually higher than this but it was kind of a rough weather day up there with some nasty wind, so all scores were lower than usual," Casey Luttrell says.

In the contest that Saturday, Singles Championship Day, Chase earned the title of Sub Junior Champion with a 178/200 and again "the weather was dicey with wind affecting the targets pretty good."

Chase shot an 85/100 in the morning and came back with a 93/100 in the afternoon for a combined score of 178/200 to win his Sub Junior class.

"His normal gun, the Beretta, was malfunctioning in the morning so that's when he switched to the Browning over/under that he had never shot before and started shooting the lights out," Casey Luttrell said. "I was very proud of him because that is a difficult thing to do.

"Picking up a gun you have never shot before and shooting it well enough to win is above and beyond my expectations for him as his father and coach."

Both father and son won in their class in Singles Championship Day.

"I thought that was pretty cool," Chase's dad said. "I won AAA class, which is the highest classification you can achieve as a shooter with a 197/200. I also won AAA class on Thursday (Sept. 17) with a 99/100. So we did great as a father and son duo and brought home some hardware to add to the trophy case."

Casey started teaching Chase about a year and a half ago, using the knowledge accumulated in his 29 years of experience as a competitive shooter in the ATA and in local leagues.

"He has improved greatly month after month," says the proud parent.

Chase also plays basketball and is a member of the Oakfield/Elba junior/senior trapshooting team.

*Singles event means shooting from the 16-yard line.

**Handicap event is shooting from a yard line that is farther back. The farther back you get, the more difficult it is.

Below, Chase and Casey Luttrell, each with a trophy they won in their respective classes at the ATA Northeastern Grand Trapshooting Competition, and their trapshooting rifles.

Health Alert: three students test positive for COVID-19 in Elba Central School District

By Press Release

Health Alert

From the Genesee County Health Department:

The Genesee County Health Department has received three positive cases of COVID-19 from students at Elba Central School District. There is one case at the Elementary School and two cases in the High School.

The individuals have been placed under mandatory isolation where they will remain until they are fully recovered.

One individual was last present in the building on Sept. 15th and two individuals were last present in the building on Sept. 17th. The Genesee County Department of Health is conducting contact tracing that is in process. Students and/or staff will be notified and placed under quarantine if they were identified as a close contact.

"Individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines," said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans County.

Ned Dale, superintendent of Elba Central School District said “Due to the number of contacts out of abundance of caution the school will be going remote though Friday, October 2, 2020. In person learning is planned to resume on Monday, October 5, 2020.

"Please continue to monitor your child for symptoms and keep children home if they are sick," Pettit said. "If your child does develop symptoms, please contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For information on school statistics, please visit the New York State COVID -- “Healthy People in a Healthy Community."

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