elba

Emily Tomczak is crowned Elba Onion Queen during the 2015 Elba Onion Festival on Saturday evening by outgoing queen Alexandra Lacey. Runners up, from left, are Cecilia Villanueva and Sierra Holland.

No word yet on who won the Mustang.

UPDATE: The Mustang raffle winner is Clyde Easton, of Oakfield. No word yet on whether Clyde is taking the car or the cash.

To purchase prints, click here.

Come to Elba for the Onion Festival and make sure to visit this open house at 4255 West Avenue! Solidly built and well maintained! This three bedroom home is a great country property located on an acre of land on a quiet road filled with great neighbors! This ranch home has been well maintained with very little to do but your choices! Large livingroom with gas fireplace outlooking pretty front yard with nice views. There are hardwood floors thruout home under carpet. Basement is large clean and dry-perfect for work, play or finishing! Backyard is private with shed and garden area. Nice country property! Visit Reliant Real Estate today!

 

The 79th Annual Elba Fire Department Onion Festival starts this afternoon! Grounds open at 5 o'clock. The Firemen's Parade begins at 7.

There will be roast beef on weck available from the Ladies Auxiliary inside the Rec Hall at  6 p.m. and Buffalo Amusements will be providing rides from 7 to 11.

At 9 o'clock the band Blood Money performs inside the Beer Tent.

Take advantage of the chance to win a 2015 Ford Mustang or $20,000 cash, courtesy of Orleans Ford.

On Saturday, the fun continues will the Kiddie Parade, starting at noon in front of Dan's Pizza. Afterward, there will be a Kids' Tractor Pull at the Memorial Statue, and more beef on weck available from the Ladies' Auxiliary.

Also Saturday:

• 1 to 5 p.m. -- Ride Specials
• 4 p.m. -- Chicken BBQ inside the Rec Hall
• 6 to 10 p.m. -- Ride Specials
• 6 p.m. -- Mac & Company perform in the Beer Tent
• 7 p.m. -- ***CROWNING OF THE ONION QUEEN*** -- by the Memorial Statue in front
• 9 p.m. -- Savage Cabbage performs in the Beer Tent
• 11 p.m. -- Grand Prize winner announced -- choice of 2015 Ford Mustang or $20,000 cash

Timothy J. Corke II, 28, of Liberty Street, Batavia, was arrested twice on Aug. 5 by Le Roy Police. Corke was arrested about 3:45 p.m. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation into an incident. Corke allegedly threw a wristwatch at a 3-year-old child then slapped the child across the head causing bruises on the child's forehead and left eye. He was arraigned in the Le Roy Town Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice and a full stay away order of protection was issued. Later that night Corke was arrested again and charged with criminal contempt of court after he allegedly called the protected person violating the order of protection. He was arraigned and put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Cherylann Bevilacqua, 29, of Depew, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest following a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien. Bevilacqua was a passenger and exited the vehicle while the driver was performing a sobriety test. Deputies told her to get back in the vehicle but she allegedly refused to do so. When confronted, she allegedly started to punch, scratch and spit at a deputy. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Joseph M. Platten, 31, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, leaving the scene of a property damaged accident, following too closely, backing unsafely, and no front plate after a hit and run accident on Ross Street Aug. 4. Platten allegedly rear-ended another vehicle and fled the scene cutting through a parking lot. Platten's front license plate fell off his vehicle at the scene of the accident. In addition to the charges, he was issued traffic tickets for driving with an obstructed view and disobeying a traffic control device. He posted $250 bail.

Andrew L. Kosiorek, 43, of Haven Lane, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and unlicensed operator following a traffic stop by Officer Chad Richards on Cedar Street. Kosiorek allegedly had multiple suspensions/revocations and did not possess a valid driver's license in any state. He was put in Genesee County Jail without bail.

A 16-year-old from Elba is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway. Deputy Joseph Corona pulled over the youth on Clinton Street Road in Stafford.

A 17-year-old from Varysburg is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. The youth allegedly shot a BB gun pistol at the rear window of a vehicle causing it to shatter. The incident occurred in the parking lot at Walmart in Batavia.

Charles-Gus T. Williams, 36, of Lockport, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child after an alleged domestic incident on Liberty Street in Batavia. Williams is accused of punching another person.

Cynthia E. Houseknecht, 35, of Jackson Street, Batavia, and Melvin L. Thomas are charged with harassment, 2nd, following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident. 

Charles W. Lococo, 25, of Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlicensed operation, and failure to obey a police officer. While leaving the Kid Rock Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Lococo was pulled over by deputies after he failed to obey a traffic direction. Lococo is accused of driving while in an intoxicated condition with no driver's license. He was also ticketed for allegedly refusing a prescreen device.

Ralph A. Jones, 24, from Oregon, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop by Deputy Michael Lute on Alleghany Road in Pembroke.

Tera M. Williams, 42, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant issued out of Batavia City Court after Chili Police pulled her over for a traffic stop. Williams is accused of failing to pay a fine for a disorderly conduct conviction. She was turned over to Batavia Police and issued an appearance ticket.

Elba volunteer firefighters hosted a boot drive Saturday to benefit the local Boy Scouts to help them purchase a new gear trailer. The old trailer has a broken axle. Karl White, who supplied the photos, said the drive raised nearly half the cost of the trailer.

Crystal M. Bouter, 26, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with two counts of giving or selling alcohol to a minor. Bouter allegedly supplied alcoholic beverages to minors.

Lee C. Clark, 35, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, DWI, refusal to take a breath test, failure to keep right, moving from a lane unsafely, speeding and driving while talking on a cellphone. Clark was pulled over on Lockport Road in Oakfield by Deputy James Diehl. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Douglas J. Ostrander, 57, of North Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, DWI, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and driving with license restrictions. Ostrander was pulled over on Buffalo Road in Bergen for traffic violations when Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly ound him to be in an intoxicated condition.

Shannon K. Kestler, 41, of Jefferson Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Kestler is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's in Batavia.

Joseph A. Sunday II, 19, of South Lyndonville Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Sunday allegedly stole items from Kmart in Batavia.

Benishio C. Coger, 19, of Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. State police pulled over the car Coger was riding in for alleged tinted windows in Pembroke. An investigation revealed he allegedly possessed a cigar containing approximately one gram of marijuana.

Crystal M. Bouter, 26, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Bouter's children were allegedly found playing unsupervised near a busy intersection while wearing little to no clothing. Social Services assisted deputies with the investigation and took custody of the children. Bouter was arraigned in Elba Town Court and released under supervision.

Robert Gerlach, of Route 20, Alexander, is charged with two counts of aggravated harassment, 2nd. Gerlach is accused of sending threatening text messages and voicemails to two different family members at a residence on Tinkham Road in the Town of Bennington. Deputies located Gerach in Portville. He was arraigned in the Town of Bennington Court and released on his own recognizance.

A nonprofit corporation called We R 3C a has devised a curriculum using different techniques to teach students the value of respect and skills needed to create caring communities. 

Robert Purifico, president of We R 3C, and Bart Dentino, program founder, believe school administrators are looking under the wrong rock when it comes to teaching students character education and development. As an alternative to many of the behavior programs that are based on extrinsic forms of motivation such as rewards, Purifico and Dentino, who both come from educational backgrounds, launched the We R 3C curriculum. 

It focuses on developing pro-social behaviors through intrinsic motivation. The goal is to teach students to develop an understanding of values such as respect, empathy and forgiveness. According to Dentino, once students are able to understand and find the value in one another, they will become intrinsically motivated and sincere in their demonstrations.

“Kids learn pro-social behaviors, understand it and do acts of kindness, not for a reward, but because it is an appropriate concrete operational social behavior that they demonstrate 365 days a year,” Purifico said.

The foundation of the curriculum is based on the work of three psychologists, Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg and Benjamin Bloom. Using principles from their research, the process-based curriculum moves students through the moral stages of development from the egocentric stage to the concrete operational stage.

The first part, "beginnings," teaches children in kindergarten through second grade how to start considering the world outside their ego. The lessons teach the children to think about others around them.

The second part teaches students in grades three through 12 how to understand the value in someone and demonstrate it in the community. The curriculum is divided into five themes, which include the meaning of respect, fixing a problem, self-respect, bullying and communities within communities. Each theme has several lessons and the lessons are broken into approximately 30 learning blocks. In the learning blocks, all of the presentations and activities are written out for teachers.

Dentino has taught several piloting lessons at Elba Central School District.

Dentino recalls talking about a bully during a learning block he taught to a fifth-grade class. He started off the conversation by asking the class what they knew about the boy who was bullying the students. The students shared that his mom works two jobs and his dad is a truck driver who he only sees two weekends a month. Dentino then asked the students how the boy felt and they mentioned how he really missed his dad.

"I looked at one of the girls in the back and she had her head down and I asked her what's the matter," Dentino said. "She responded I feel so sad for him."

From discussing the situation, the students began to empathize with the boy and that understanding made it easier to forgive him. To heal the relationship with the boy, Dentino told the class they had two weeks to let him know he matters.

When Dentino came back, the students shared their stories. One student told of an experience he had with the boy while playing baseball during gym class.

"When the boy came to the plate the student yelled to the pitcher 'you better pitch well to him because he is a really good hitter,' " Dentino said. "This student didn't get a reward for saying it. It was intrinsically motivated behavior to demonstrate kindness to someone whose only relationship to him up to that point was the boy hurting him."

The curriculum has also proven to be beneficial for students at the Lyndonville Middle-High School in grades seven through 12 last school year. Superintendent Jason Smith has received positive feedback from both teachers and students.

"The students thought the curriculum was well needed and the lessons were well run, Smith said. "Students were anxious to have conversations about value, respect and community and teachers commented the lessons proved to be effective as well."

Principal Aaron Slack believes the curriculum is less procedural and rule-based like some other behavior programs. Students learn important skills they can use beyond the classroom.

"The curriculum teaches students how to value others and to look at differences in others as an asset," Slack said.

Due to the success of the curriculum at the middle and high school levels, the district will start using the curriculum at the elementary school level in September.

Dentino's goal is to raise awareness for the curriculum and gauge the interest of as many educators as possible. He is currently working on full implementation of the curriculum at Elba Central School District. School districts that are interested in implementation receive an extensive training workshop and all the curriculum materials.

In addition to New York, Purifico is working on implementing the program in New Jersey and Tennessee. Purifico hopes the curriculum will be used as a character educational tool in schools nationwide in the future.

Elba Betterment Committee & Chap’s Elba Diner are proud to sponsor the 3rd Annual Pig Roast and Craft Show on Sunday July 12th, from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Elba Village Park, Main Street, Elba, NY 14058. 

• Music
• Antique Tractor Show
• Balloon Show by Bourke Balloons 4 to 5 p.m.
• Photo Booth
• Fun for the whole family

Elba Community Garage Sale Days -- July 10-11 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. To get a map, call Pauli at 757-9339. If you’re interested in being a a crafter/vendor, please don’t hesitate to contact Kim at 585-409-0963 OR e-mail: KIm31ball@gmail.com. ​Pig cooked by The Mud Pit!

The Elba Betterment Committee and Chap's Diner would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring the advertisements on The Batavian: Portraits by Peter Miano, 585-815-3217, http://petermiano.zenfolio.com/contact.html; Frank The Brush, Inc., 3999 Ridge Road, Elba; Valerie's Hair & Nails, 3 N. Main St. Elba, 585-757-9217; Monachino Service Station, Inc., 2 Main St. , Elba, 585-757-6611; G. Mortellaro & Sons, Transit Road, Elba; Torrey Farms, Maltby Road, Elba, and Penna's Catering, 585-757-2432, Elba; Batavia Turf, Transit Road, Elba. Charles Zambito, Attorney

A two-car accident with multiple injuries is reported in Oakfield at Drake Street Road and Fisher Road. Oakfield Fire Department is responding, along with Elba fire and two Mercy medic units. Three people are involved but the extent of their injuries is not yet known. All are conscious. There is entrapment and extrication is needed.

UPDATE 7:17 a.m.: Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Drake Street Road.

UPDATE 7:24 a.m.: An ambulance from Byron is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:43 a.m.: Two patients are being transported to UMMC. One is a 27-year-old male; the other is a 28-year-old male.

UPDATE 7:48 a.m.: One patient is being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. None of the victims are seriously injured.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m. (by Howard): A deputy on scene it appears the Ford Explorer ran a stop sign and broadsided the other vehicle. No names released yet.

Nicole L. Green, 29, of Court Street, Geneseo, is charged with burglary, 2nd. Green is accused of entering a Bergen residence without authorization and stealing jewelry. She allegedly sold the items at a jewelry store in Pittsford. She was held on $500 bail.

Melissa M. Lesage, 36, of Lake Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant following a traffic stop by Deputy Christopher Camp on East Main Street, Batavia. Lesage allegedly failed to appear for a previous aggravated unlicensed operation charge. She was put in Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Kimberly A. Brodsky, 23, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Brodsky was issued an appearance ticket regarding a shoplifting complaint at Tops Markets in Batavia on May 21. She had two outstanding warrants out of Lancaster and was turned over to Lancaster Police Department.

Julie L. Dutton, 20, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was arrested on a Batavia City Court bench warrant after Officer Marc Lawrence allegedly found her walking toward Central Avenue in Batavia. Dutton allegedly failed to appear in court for criminal contempt, 1st. She was also arrested on a violation of probation warrant. She was put in Genesee County Jail.

Erica L. Dhanda, 33, of South Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dhanda was issued an appearance ticket after she allegedly struck another motorist after a road rage incident on West Main Street, Batavia.

Patrick A. Garbutt, 26, of Wendhurst Road, Greece, was turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office by the Greece Police Department for an outstanding bench warrant out of the Town of Darien Court. Garbutt allegedly failed to pay a fine for a previous trespassing charge. He was put in Genesee County Jail on $250 bail.

Holly R. Hawkins, 19, of Niagara Falls, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd, following an incident on Route 77 in Darien. Hawkins allegedly violated a stay-away order of protection by subjecting the protected party to physical contact.

Thomas James Rose, 19, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. While incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail, Rose was allegedly found in possession of a marijuana cigarette and matches.

Austin Lee Wester, 20, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor. Wester was seen in the parking lot of Raceway 5 allegedly consuming alcohol. He also allegedly possessed two small bottles of alcohol. 

Nateeka Marie Gibson, 26, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gibson is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Howard Owens contributed to this report.

Press release:

The Elba Central School District’s Board of Education anticipates appointing Keith Palmer as the district’s next Superintendent at a special board meeting on Friday, June 12. Palmer is set to begin on July 1.

“I look forward to working with the Elba Board, faculty, students and community to develop strong relationships as we work together to deliver the District’s vision and mission," Palmer said. "Our first priority is the education of our students as we focus on curriculum and instruction. This will enhance our students’ academic achievement as we work together to meet the district’s academic and financial goals."

Tony Zambito, Elba Central School District Board president said, “The Board is confident in selecting Mr. Palmer to lead Elba Central Schools. His professional background, along with a deep understanding of many aspects of educational leadership, makes him an excellent fit for the staff and students of the District. The search process narrowed the field to three excellent candidates. The Board values all of the participation and input from stakeholders and community members and is committed and proud of this decision.”

Palmer is currently the principal of Pembroke Central High School where he has served since 2003. Previously, he served as assistant principal at Kendall High School, a position he held for 12 years.

Palmer has 16 years experience in the educational field. Palmer began his career in 1987 as a math and computer science teacher at North Warren Central School in the Adirondacks. He also taught at the Washington Correctional Facility located in Comstock for two summers in both 1988 and 1990.

Palmer holds a bachelor of arts from Houghton College, and a master’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. He holds three New York State (NYS) Certifications, a NYS School District Administrator, a NYS School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate and a NYS School Business Administrator Certificate.

Palmer’s career encompasses a variety of leadership accomplishments including developing Professional Learning Communities to build school/family communication and maintaining effective relations with union leadership.

David A. Simpson, 34, of Pittsford, was charged with speeding, aggravated unlicensed operator, 2nd, and felony criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, on Route 77 in Corfu. Simpson is accused of having a butterfly knife after he was previously convicted of a crime. He was jailed on $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Dillon M. Brito, 23, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, a Class C felony. Brito was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine in the parking lot at Kibbe Park. He was jailed without bail.

Nicholas J. Elmore, 26, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, was charged and arraigned on a bench warrant for theft of services charge. Elmore allegedly committed the offense in the City of Batavia. He was held on a detainer from the City of Batavia Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash/bond.

Shane M. Nugent, 30, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after he was pulled over on Route 77 in Corfu for speeding, uninspected motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operator, 3rd.

Samantha A. Talmon, 26, of Main Road, Corfu, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and operation of an uninspected motor vehicle on Main Street in Oakfield.

Dustin R. Benham, 25, of Darien Center, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Benham was allegedly stopped on Route 77 in Corfu for not wearing a seat belt.

Scott D. Smith, 39, of Ridge Road, Brockport, was pulled over for allegedly possessing a small quantity of marijuana and speeding on Route 77 in Pembroke.

Coty A. Patrizi, 24, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with the unlawful possession of marijuana and operating a vehicle without brake lights on Main Street in Batavia. Patrizi allegedly possessed a marijuana grinder and some marijuana.

Larry D. Williams, 57, of Elba, was charged with violation of ENCON laws. Williams was accused of burning tires.

Stephen M. Tytler, 28, of Beahan Road, Rochester, voluntarily turned himself in to the Batavia Police Department after he allegedly failed to appear in court for an aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 3rd. The City of Batavia had issued an active bench warrant on him. 

Scott R. Krieger, 39, of Dumon Street, Rochester, is charged with having an unlicensed vehicle on his property on Law Street, Batavia. Krieger was arrested on a warrant issued by the Batavia City Court. He is accused of being in violation of the Batavia Municipal Code for an unlicensed vehicle on various dates in 2007. 

Megan J. Thomas, 33, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Thomas allegedly left two children unattended in a running vehicle at the Batavia City Centre.

Garrett C. Gildner, 40, of Andiron Lane, Rochester, was arrested on two Batavia City Court warrants for allegedly failing to pay a fine for municipal violations. Gildner was previously charged with Batavia Municipal Code violations for hedge height and corner visibility and a loose metal fence on West Main Street in Batavia. 

Alicia M. Warney, 29, of West Ridge Road, Brockport, was arrested for a bench warrant on West Main Street in Batavia. Warney allegedly failed to appear in jail for a violation. She was held on $1,000 bail.

Andrew J. Darling, 40, of Route 237, Stafford, was charged with petit larceny. He is accused of stealing a cell phone valued at $200. The incident happened on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia.

A Le Roy youth is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. He allegedly caused damage to a closet door. He was arraigned in the Le Roy Town Court and put in Genesee County Jail in lieu of $250 bail. An order of protection was also issued.

Solid Village ranch on great street with a nicely landscaped large lot that backs up to fields! Little bit of country with Village amenities! This 3 bedroom home is very spacious and has a lot of extra bonus rooms in the basement that adds quite a bit to the living space! Front sunny dining room leads to eat in kitchen that opens to large and pretty family room with cozy gas fireplace. All very open and perfect for easy entertaining!  Roof, window and siding less than 10 yrs old-new front porch 2 yrs, and many interior updates as well within last year! MUCH bigger than it appears from curb! Check this one out!