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Elba/Byron-Bergen falls to Bath in defensive battle

By Howard B. Owens

Bath put together two long drives in the first and second quarter, grinding out yards down after down, three and four yards at a time with runs up the gut, chewing up the clock.

On the first drive, a fumble on the two-yard line put the ball into the hands of the Elba/Byron-Bergen offense, but the Lancers were forced to punt four downs later.

On the second drive, the Rams punched through the right side of the Lancers line, and those six points stood the test of the remaining time.

In the second quarter, the Lancers' defense turned back Bath possession after possession, forcing multiple three-and-outs and claiming a couple of turn overs.

But tit-for-tat, the Rams' defense remained just as stout, bottling up the Lancers' big back, Zack DuBois, whose only long run from scrimmage was canceled by a penalty.

"They did a nice job of taking away cutback lanes and that’s where Zack has his success, cut back or get to the outside," said Lancers Head Coach Michael Cintorino.

This was a game fought in the trenches.

"We knew we had to come out and play physical football and I think they did," Cintorino said. "It was a little bit of an awakening in the first half. In the second half, I think we came out and did exactly what we needed to do."

As the clock wore down in the fourth quarter, QB Zac Gillard was forced to look for open receivers down field and with less than three minutes to go he thought he found Kyle Dougherty. But Dougherty lost his footing when he tried to cut on the soggy turf. That left Bath's Matt Nevius alone to play centerfield and haul in Gillard's pass with a basket catch.

Another interception on the Lancers' next possession pretty much sealed Elba/BB's fate and sent the Rams to the next round of sectional play. Next Saturday, they play Le Roy.

"This is a team that can definitely make a run, but at the same time I’m proud of our boys, who came out and had an opportunity to win the football game on multiple occasions," Cintorino said.

Bath had lost this year to Batavia and Le Roy, but coming into sectionals, the Rams have two starters returning from injuries, including one, Cintorino said, who otherwise missed the entire season.

"We knew coming in they were a good team," Cintorino said. "We’re the third-seeded team and we’re playing a team that probably should have been somewhere in the top four. If you could squeeze five teams into the top four, Bath definitely belongs there."

Most of this year's Lancers have been playing together since eighth grade and they've come a long way as a team, as players and as men, Cintorino said.

"I am extremely proud of them," Cintorino said. "I wish we could have gotten a couple of more weeks of play together, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in the time we’ve had."

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Law and Order: Scottsville man accused of impersonating parent, defrauding Elba school

By Howard B. Owens

Damon Bradford, 18, of Scottsvile Mumford Road, Scottsville, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd. Bradford is accused of impersonating a parent and defrauding Elba High School.

Jeremy D. Lyons, 27, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Lyons is accused of violating an order of protection. Lyons was arrested by State Police and jailed on cash bail. No further details released.

Josue Garcia-Basilio, 28, of no permanent address, was arrested by State Police on an unspecified federal felony. Garcia-Basilio was jailed on a bail bond. No further details released.

Car crash on Drake Street Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A car accident with one minor injury is reported in Elba on Drake Street Road. It will be shut down at Pekin and Weatherwax roads. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: The car landed 20 feet off the roadway, into a ditch. A flatbed tow was called in. A patient was transported to UMMC.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: The road is reopened. Elba is back in service.

Four Genesee County teams ready for first round of Section V playoffs

By Nick Sabato

#7 Batavia Blue Devils (3-4) vs. #2 East Rochester/Gananda Bombers (6-1)
7 p.m., Friday

Batavia enters their Class B first round matchup against East Rochester/Gananda riding a three-game losing streak, and has lost three out of the last four.

Despite the recent lack of success and a few injuries this week, first year Head Coach Brennan Briggs is still optimistic about his team’s chances of pulling off the upset.

“We are due to play 48 minutes of football because we haven’t in the last three weeks,” Briggs said. “If we execute and know our assignments, we can win this football game.”

To key to the Blue Devils’ success will be the playmaking ability of wide receiver Justin Washington. The senior is capable of making big plans in the return game, running and catching the ball.

“We have been working on a few different ways to get him the ball, whether it’s running or passing,” Briggs said. “We think [Washington] is the best athlete on the field on any given night.”

If Washington can break loose, and the Blue Devils overcome their injuries, they have a chance to beat the Bombers on Friday night.

#7 Holley Hawks (4-3) vs. #2 Le Roy Oatkan Knights (6-1)
7 p.m., Friday

Second-seeded Le Roy will host the seventh seed Holley in the first round of the Section V Class C Football Playoffs on Friday night in a matchup of Livingston County and Genesee Region League teams.

Le Roy is coming off an emotional come-from-behind win against rival Cal-Mum last week, as they scored 10 points in the final four minutes of the game to squeak out a victory.

The Knights’ only loss on the season came against Perry in Week 6, but leading rusher Peter Privitera did not play in the game, nor did he last week due to injury. Privitera has rushed for 834 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games this season, while Marcus Mistersaro has 362 yards, 3 touchdowns and 9.8 yards per carry.

Mistersaro stepped in for the injured Privitera last week and ran for 90 yards, including 63 on the game-winning drive against Cal-Mum.

Le Roy averages 282 rushing yards per game, so Holley will have to slow down the running attack in order to have an opportunity to win.

While the Hawks enter the game with more wins than losses, they have a 1-3 record against teams with a winning record for the season.

#6 Bath Rams (4-3) vs. #2 Elba/Byron-Bergen Lancers (6-1)
1:30 p.m., Saturday

Elba/Byron-Bergen will host Bath in a Class C first round matchup on Saturday afternoon and the player to watch is undoubtedly Lancers running back Zack DuBois.

The senior led the Genesee Region League in rushing with 1,572 yards and 16 touchdowns. DuBois also ran for 200 yards in 5 of 7 games he played this year, and never rushed for less than 113. His average of 224.6 yards per game and 10.3 yards per carry were also tops in the league.

If Elba can get DuBois rolling early, it will open up the passing game for quarterback Zac Gillard, who has 881 yards, 12 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions on the season.

Defensively, they are led by four-time Section V Class C Defensive Player of the Week Andy Underhill.

The junior linebacker led the Lancers with 132 tackles, averaging almost 19 per game. While Bath comes in with a 1-3 record against teams with winning records, they did defeat a strong Livonia squad, so the Rams will be a tough first round matchup for Elba/Byron-Bergen.

#4 Dundee Scotsmen (3-4) vs. #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
1:30 p.m., Saturday

While Notre Dame is coming off an emotional high last week after defeating Attica to force a three-way tie for the Genesee Region League Championship, the 76 to 14 drubbing that Dundee gave the Irish in the 2009 Class D Championship game is still fresh in the mind of Head Coach Rick Mancuso.

Notre Dame will look to avenge that loss and the attack will begin with do-it-all quarterback Tim McCulley. The junior led the G-R League in passing yards and his 16 touchdown passes were also tops in the league.

McCulley is also extremely effective running the ball if the pocket breaks down, as he did last week 11 times for 79 yards. The McCulley-to-Jared Thornton connection has been hot as of late, with the two hooking up 10 times for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory against Attica.

If Dundee wants to upset the number-one seed in Class D, they will have to do so by shutting down Irish passing attack.

Notre Dame fell in the Class D Finals a year ago, and has not won a championship since 2006.

Photos: Elba Barn Dance

By Howard B. Owens

Saturday, the Elba Historical Society hosted its annual barn dance at the Torrey Farm barn on Route 98. The barn dance is one of the major fundraisers for the historical society. This year, the event was held in honor Ron Komar, the former president of the historical society who passed away in July at age 63.

Law and Order: Alleged illegal immigrant accused of criminally possessing a shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

Edgar R. Perez-Gonzalez, 34, of North Main Street, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Perez-Gonzalez was allegedly found with a shotgun that was not legal for him to possess. He is also accused of being in the country illegally. He was arraigned and jailed on $100 bail.

Monica Renee Lloyd, 26, of Viking Way, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Lloyd was stopped at 8:31 p.m., Sunday, for allegedly driving 48 mph in a 30 mph zone on Lake Street, Bergen, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Christopher C. Say, 21, of 518 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Say is accused of violating a stay away court order.

Alicia M. Stankwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stankwick is accused of violating a court order of protection.

Educators announce 38 local students will perform in music festivals

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee/Wyoming Music Educators announce that 38 local students will be performing at three music festivals in November and December.

Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) from Le Roy has been accepted to Conference All State that will be held in early December. This is the highest choral honor for vocalists in New York. Miranda was chosen from a large field of students due to her high score at State Solo Festival last spring. Dillon Hirsch (saxophone) from Elba was chosen as an alternate.

Thirty-six other students were chosen to represent their schools at Area All State, which is a group of select singers from nine surrounding counties. All students had to audition at a state solo festival held late last spring.

These festivals will take place for seventh- through ninth-graders (jr. high
orchestra/chorus/band) Nov.  2-3, and for 10th-12th-graders (sr. high orchestra/chorus/band) Nov. 16-17.

The entire Genesee County list is below:

CONFERENCE ALL STATE:
Miranda Graham (chorus-alto) -- Le Roy
Alternate: Dillon Hirsch (sax) -- Elba

AREA ALL STATE
Alexander:
Jr. High Chorus -- Hunter Doran, Alynn Franclemont, Matthew Genaway, Mary Guarino, Marissa Scharlau

Sr. High Chorus -- Mitchell Boughton, Aaron Guarino, Nick Guarino

Batavia:
Jr. High Chorus -- Madison Hoerbelt, Tessa Lynn
Jr. High Band -- Ross Chua, Celia Flynn, Andrea Gilbarto

Byron-Bergen:
Sr. High Chorus -- Sarah Donovan, Andrew Magin, Kelsey Swinter
Sr. High Band -- Lucas DeValder

Elba:
Sr. High Band -- Dillon Hirsch

Le Roy:
Jr. High Chorus -- Katherine Funderburk, Sophia Matla,
Jr. High Orchestra -- Thomas Dunn, Sophie Farnholz,
Jr. High Band -- Joshua Laurie, Kieran O'Halloran, Jennifer Stotz
Sr. High Chorus -- Rachel Glucksman, Miranda Graham,

Pembroke:
Jr. High Chorus -- Ryan Curtis, Grace Fingerglow, Samantha Quaranto, Maisy Ross, Sindel Wille
Jr. High Band -- Katie Brown
Sr. High Band -- Matt Kowalski

Oakfield:
Jr. High Chorus -- Sara Anzalone
Sr. High Chorus -- Eliza Pionessa

St. Joseph's
Jr. High Chorus -- Fiona Beck, Kyra Stella

Lancers take control of GR with 56-0 win over Oakfield-Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A win by Elba/Byron-Bergen and a loss by Attica on Saturday puts the Lancers atop the Genesee Region Conference.

The Lancers beat Oakfield-Alabama 56-0 behind another big game fro Zack DuBois, who gained 331 yards on 25 carries, scoring touchdowns of 14, 3, 86 and 63 yards.  DuBois now has 1,198 yards rushing.

Zac Gillard was 4-6 for 67 yards and two TD passes. He had two carries for 36 yards.

Kyle Morse caught of Gillard's TD passes and gained 51 total yards.

Andy Underhill had 10 carries for 84 yards and one touchdown.

For the Hornets, QB Chase Manzella was 6-16 for 20 yards and five carries for 24 yards. Paul Ferraro had three receptions for 13 yards

On defense, Underhill had 17 tackles, including four tackles for a loss. Brandon Naylor, 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Nate Jonathan, eight tackles, five for a loss, one sack and one interception. Jon Levchuck had five tackles, two for a loss and half a sack. Chad Kowalik, two tackles and one interception.

On defense for O-A, Manzella, six tackles, Chris Nann, five tackles, Dominic D'Alba, one Interception and Danny Monachino had five tackles.

With the win, Elba/BB moves to 5-0 and is the last undefeated team in the GR.  Attica, who started the day 4-0 lost to Livonia 6-0.

In the only other local game on Saturday, Alexander lost to Holley, 44-12.

Structure fire on North Byron Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A structure fire is reported at 4635 N. Byron Road. The location is between Oak Orchard and Miller roads. Elba Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: Law enforcement on location reports heavy smoke in the basement. The building is evacuated. "Sounds like wires are sizzling. I can't get in far enough to see." A second alarm is called.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Equipment and manpower are called in from the Town of Batavia, Stafford, South Byron, Byron and Oakfield fire departments.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: All available manpower out of Elba is called in. National Grid called to respond. Fire police will shut down North Byron Road at Oak Orchard and at Miller. Mutual aid from Barre is requested for stand by.

UPDATE 1:22: The gas has been shut off. National grid is on scene. Mercy EMS is called to care for a person who is suffering from smoke inhalation.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: The interior crew reports the fire is under control. It is a dryer fire.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: The units on the road are told to continue, non-emergency, and those which have not yet responded are asked to stand down by fire command. Electricity is also shut off. A thermal imaging camera will be used on the structure.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: The Elba fire commander says he expects he will be releasing responders soon. They have enough water at the scene. The firefighters will begin to remove burnt debris now.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: A code enforcement officer is called to the scene. The homeowner is there now.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: Code enforcement has arrived.

GCC Spring 2012 Dean's List honorees

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College named 633 students to Spring 2012 Dean's List. Students earned a quality point index of 3.50-3.74.

This year's honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:

Basom

Staci Casper
Andrew Greene

Bergen

Ashley Spangenburg
Jason Birch
Luke Stacy
Amanda-Kay Sands
Jeanette Menzie
Garrett MacDonald

Byron

Reed Olmstead
Morgan Midwick
McKenna Downey
Charlotte Donahue

Corfu

Laura Holovics

Darien Center

Michelle Waldo
James Odell

Elba

Lauren Hughes

Le Roy

Corrie Doeller
Debra McKnight
Rachael Panepento

Oakfield

Alyssa Esola
Cady Glor
Zaneb Silmi
Katie Engle

Pavilion

Jamie Haentges
Taylor Lafferty
Sydney Case
Sarah Nugent



Genesee Community College offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates, including the brand new Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree and Polysomnographic Technology A.A.S. degree, (the study of sleep disorders).

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina, and Warsaw, as well as through online classes in the Distance Learning program.

College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and outside of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. Find out more at www.genesee.edu.

BARN DANCE at Torrey's Barn in Elba

By june rowcliffe

KELLY'S OLDTIMER'S WILL PROVIDE MUSIC FOR ROUND AND SQUARE DANCING, 6 p.m. at Torrey's Barn on Route 98, four miles north of Batavia. Hay bales for seating or bring your own chair, dress according to the weather (barn is heated/ inside bathroom). Door prizes, 50/50s, lottery basket, good food, FREE coffee, lots of country fun! Surprise extra, local band at 6:30. Adults $6 each, 18 and under $3. Non-alcoholic event. Plenty of parking. Fundraiser for the Historical Society of Elba. For information, call June at 757-2791.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Assault suspect picked up in South Carolina and returned to Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

James Russell Kosiorek, 19, of Burgess Avenue, Greenville, S.C., was taken into custody on a bench warrant stemming from a second-degree assault charge. Kosiorek allegedly fled New York after being accused of assault, 2nd. The FBI contacted Sheriff's Investigator John Baiocco informing him Kosiorek had been located in South Carolina. Baiocco contacted the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. Kosiorek was taken into custody, waived extradition and was transported back to Genesee County. Kosiorek was arraigned in county court and ordered held without bail. Kosiorek was then arraigned in Batavia City Court on a charge of bail jumping.

Kenneth Damien Kowalik, 51, of Barrville Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Kowalik is accused of shoplifting at Target.

Steven L. Fetterly, 28, of Elba, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Fetterly was arrested in Elba by State Police for an incident reported at 7:44 p.m., Wednesday. No further details were released.

Big pine tree on fire on Oak Orchard Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A large pine tree is on fire, and it's near a gas grill, just one house south of 6417 Oak Orchard Road, Elba. Elba Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: "The fire's out. We're gonna hit a couple hot spots," says a firefighter.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Elba is back in service.

Two tots playing on Pekin Road, Elba, unsupervised

By Billie Owens

Two children believed to 3- to 5-years old, described as hispanic, were found playing on Pekin Road in Elba unattended. Sheriff's deputies are responding to the complaint.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.: The children are now safely back home.

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.: This is the same household as the one that made the news on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 12. Tonight, the parents went out and were expected back at about 9 p.m. and left the kids with the older brother. They arrived home early and a deputy spoke with them about the latest situation.

Trash can fire in Elba village park

By Billie Owens

A trash can is on fire under the pavilion at the Veterans Memorial Park on South Main Street. Elba Fire Department is responding

UPDATE 2:17 p.m. The fire was put out before Elba could respond. Elba is back in service.

Motorcycle and car crash, serious injuries, Elba

By Billie Owens

A rider is down in the road and not moving following a car and motorcycle crash at 4575 Barrville Road in Elba. Two ambulances -- a Mercy rig and one from Oakfield -- are called to respond and Mercy Flight as well. The accident is blocking traffic and injuries are serious.

UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: A second helicopter is requested. A portion of Barrville Road is being shut down.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: The location is between Bridge Road and Chapel Street. The second helicopter is directed to the scene, to land between two homes, for the more seriously injured patient.

UPDATE 6:43 p.m.: One bird has landed safely and the other one is going to land at the ARC facility's parking lot.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: Elba Fire Department is on scene as are fire police.

UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: The first helicopter is airborne to Strong Memorial Hospital with the most seriously injured patient -- the rider. The second bird is about 5 minutes out from the landing zone at the ARC parking lot and will be transporting a 20-year-old female who has an extremely severe slash at the joint on her right knee. She had no loss of consciousness.

UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: The second Mercy Flight ship has landed safely.

UPDATE 7:07 p.m.: The second helicopter is airborne and also headed to Strong.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: The Oakfield ambulance is inbound to UMMC with a 9-year-old girl who has cuts on her wrist, arm, knee and ankle as well as back and neck pain. She is accompanied by her mother, who was not injured in the accident. The child was a passenger in the backseat on the driver's side of the vehicle, which was struck from behind by the motorcycle.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m.: The motorcycle is still in the roadway and fire police are remaining on scene until it's removed. The bike is said to be a 1999 yellow Honda, registered to a man in Penn Yan.

UPDATE 8:03 p.m.: The road is reopened. Elba is back in service.

BHS runner sets new course record in Elba 5K

By Howard B. Owens

Ty Demmer of Batavia High School ran a new course record of 17:32 in the 3rd Annual Elba 5K this morning.

Jackie Moyer of Aquinas High School was the female winner with a time of 22:58.

Full results available by click here.

Photos provided by Dave Bateman.

Camelot is offering of 16th Annual Summer Youth Theater

By Billie Owens

Camelot -- one of Lerner and Loewe’s most popular musicals -- is the Batavia Players offering for their 16th Annual Summer Youth Theater.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 through 18 at Elba Central School, 57 S. Main St. in Elba.

It's the timeless story of Arthur, the boy who became king when he removed an enchanted sword from the stone.

The story begins as Arthur learns that he is to be married to Guinevere in order to maintain peace for the idyllic kingdom of Camelot.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Pair accused of possession of hydrocodone

By Howard B. Owens

Kimberly Dawn Moore, 45, of South Main Street, Warsaw, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Moore was stopped at 1:34 p.m., Saturday, on Ellicott Street, Batavia, by Deputy Brian Thompson and Officer Eric Hill. Moore was found to allegedly be in illegal possession of hydrocodone. Also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance was Jon Hoyt Bush, 29, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia.

Kyle K. Shultz, 18, of Norton Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, failure to keep right, open container, mobile phone use in a motor vehicle. Shultz was stopped at 6:14 a.m., Saturday, at Byron Road and Fotch Road, Stafford, by Deputy Brian Thompson. Shultz allegedly had a BAC of .16.

Missing 3-year-old located in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

At around 4:45 p.m., dispatchers received a report of a 3-year-old who had gone missing in the area of Pekin Road, Elba.

Law enforcement along with volunteer firefighters responded and initiated a search.

The child was located at about 5:15 p.m. and did not require medical attention.

All units going back in service.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m. (by Billie): I think the initial call came into dispatch around 4:15  p.m. The tot, clad in jeans and an orange T-shirt, was said to have left the house and could not be located. The caller was the child's older brother. The parents were both home but aren't fluent in English. Law enforcement asked that they scour the house once more to double-check for the child but that turned up nothing. The child was later heard yelling in the woods by officers.

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