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There may be some opposition in Pembroke to placing a veterans cemetery on one of two parcels in the town, according to Bill Joyce, the new veterans services administrator for the county.

Joyce raised the issue with the Public Service Committee today during his first departmental review with the Genesee County Legislature.

He said the Town of Pembroke Planning Board may have some members concerned about taking farm land off the tax roles.

Pembroke Town Supervisor Ed Mileham confirmed this evening that he thinks there may be some opposition to converting farmland to a veterans cemetery, but said the issue hasn't come before the planning board yet.

"There's no doubt in my mind there could be some opposition because Pembroke is a farming community and they like their farm atmosphere here," Mileham said.

There's also likely to be support for the project because it will benefit the community, Mileham said.

"It would be something no other community got and we would be fortunate to get it," Mileham said. "Would we have to give something up, would we give up some tax dollars for it? Sure, but it's something a lot of communities would want to have and we've got good spots right here."

The advantages for Pembroke, Mileham said is attractive properties, close proximity to Buffalo and Rochester and easy access to the Thruway.

These are points in Pembroke's favor that Joyce, a Pembroke resident, also made and said the two locations in Pembroke under consideration make more sense than the location on the short list in Erie County, which is an industrial area.

"To me, not just because it's Genesee County, a veterans cemetary should be peaceful and serene," Joyce said.

Added Legislator Mary Pat Hancock, "and the locations I've seen are just gorgeous."

Mileham said the two locations in Pembroke under consideration by the Veterans Administration are at Indian Falls Road and Route 77, about 135 acres, and a similar-sized location at the end of Cleveland Road. 

About 50 or 60 acres of farmland would be taken out of production for the project, Mileham said.

The supervisor said the indications he's received from officials with the VA working out of Bath -- currently the closest vets cemetery to Buffalo and Rochester -- are that Indian Falls and Route 77 is a favored location.

County Manager Jay Gsell told legislators that the short list of sites has changed a couple of times as the VA came across unwilling sellers, inappropriate locations or environmental issues. Site planning experts with the VA have reduced the list now to these three possible locations.

It will take willing sellers at any one of the three locations to move the project forward.

As it is, construction is at least two-and-a-half years away.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Thursday, Sept. 6, at approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area south of East Main Street and east of Jackson Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.

Larry J. Jones, 35, of Hamlin Street, Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, 1st, a Class C felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony. Jones allegedly tried to buy French fries at Darien Lake Amusement Park using a fake $50 bill. An employee suspected the bill of being counterfeit and notified security. Jones allegedly produced a large number of $50 bills also believed to be counterfeit. While being transported to the security trailer, Jones allegedly tried stuffing additional fake $50 bills he possessed in his mouth and eating them. Security officers were able to prevent consumption of the bills and, though damaged, they were also determined to be allegedly counterfeit. Jones was jailed without bail. The case was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves and Investigator Kris Kautz.

Shawn Anthony Suarez, 23, of Bernhardt Drive, Snyder, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Suarez is accused of possessing marijuana at a concert at Darien Lake on Aug. 29. Also charged was Samantha Lee Jindra, 18, of Westminster Road, West Seneca.

Antonio Velazquez-Hernandez, 25, of Oak Orchard Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless driving, driving left of pavement markings, failure to keep right, no signal, unlicensed operator. Velazquez-Hernandez was stopped at 2:50 a.m., Sunday, on Route 98 in Batavia by Deputy Howard Carlson. Velazquez-Hernandez was also allegedly in the United States illegally and was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

An Alabama man indicted on 28 counts of sexual abuse with alleged acts going back 13 years entered a not guilty plea and had his bail reduced in county court this morning.

Earl Francis Sprague, 42, of Church Street, Alabama, can get of jail pending further court proceedings if he can come up with $25,000 cash or secure a $50,000 bond.

He was being held on $50,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

Under a review system developed by attorneys and judges that helps determine a defendant's suitability for release under supervision or some level of bail, Sprague scored 11 points out of 20 possible.

Normally, 11 points would make Sprague eligible for supervised release. But given the possible lengthy prison term for Sprague if convicted of more than one count of the lengthy indictment, and a prior offense when Sprague was a youth, Noonan said some level of bail was appropriate to help assure Sprague's appearance at future court dates.

Attorney William Harper argued that his client had no adult criminal convictions, though he did have a probation violation in 2009 (his last previous contact with law enforcement).

Harper also said Sprague had some "dim hope" of retaining his current job if he were able to make bail, though Harper acknowledged the current accusations against Sprague diminished his chances of keeping that job.

He said, however, Sprague was considered a good employee.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said that while the person who conducted the bail evaluation scored Sprague at 11 points, she wouldn't have had access to Sprague's youthful offender status records. As a youthful offender, Sprague was accused of what Friedman said was charged under the former sodomy statute at the time and convicted of sexual abuse. That was in 1986.

"That is a relevant factor," Friedman said. "He also expressed a use of alcohol and marijuana."

Friedman requested no modification in the bail status for Sprague.

Noonan noted that if Sprague is convicted of multiple counts of the indictment, he would face possible consecutive prison terms on each count.

Sprague is accused of sexually abusing a single child victim over a period of years starting in 1999.

A work crew has reportedly hit a gas line in the area of Black Street Road and Asbury Road, Pavilion.

Pavilion Fire Department is dispatched.

National Fuel has been notified. No ETA on a crew's arrival.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: It's a three-inch line, completely severed.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: Le Roy fire asked to have an engine stand by in quarters.

The members of the Oakfield Betterment Committee couldn't have asked for better parade weather today.

Hundreds of people lined the parade route, which began at Oakfield-Alabama Central School and stretched a village mile to Elroy Parkins Memorial Town Park.

The hour-long parade featured all the floats, bands, fire trucks and other small-town hoopla any true parade fan would appreciate.

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

Four people have been charged with burglary following a three-and-a-half month investigation by the Sheriff's Office into a pair of break-ins at a residence on Telephone Road, Pavilion.

The burglaries occurred at 2:18 a.m., May 18, and 2:45 a.m., May 21.

In the first break-in, cash was stolen from a wallet and a purse on the kitchen table.

In the second case, three people reportedly entered the home and took a safe containing cash and savings bonds.

Arrested where:

• John H. O'Shea, 20, of Wolcott Street, Le Roy. He is charged with two counts of burglary, 2nd, and one count of grand larceny, 2nd. He is accused of being involved in the May 21 burglary. He was arrested June 1 and has been held in jail on $25,000 bail since.
• Dylan J. Hawkins, 20, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with burglary, 2nd, grand larceny, 4th, and grand larceny, 2nd. Hawkins is accused of partaking in both burglaries. He was jailed on June 7 on $25,000 bail.
• Anthony J. Gonzales, 20, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 2nd. He allegedly participated in the May 21 break-in. Gonzales was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.
• Joshua M. Bratcher, 22, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and grand larceny, 4th. Bratcher was allegedly involved in the May 18 break-in. Bratcher was arrested Friday and jailed on $20,000 bail.

O'Shea was accused in July of falsely reporting a theft of jewelry and marijuana in Le Roy.

The burglaries were investigated by Deputies John Baiocco, Frank Bordonaro, Matthew Butler and Investigator Roger Stone. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Det. John Condidorio, Officer Darryle Rob and Officer Emily Clark, of the Le Roy PD.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Here are the results from today's 5K race sponsored by the Batavia Area Jaycees.

For the men:

• Ty Demmer, age 15, time 17:45
• Kevin Sheehan, age 50, time 18:05
• Dave Bateman, age 29, 18:39

Fore the women:

• Emily Heale, age 22, 23:51
• Kathryn Bellamy, age 31, 24:13
• Andrea Ridings, age 28, 25:01

Top time 55 and over was Larry Pelkey, age 55, 21:22.

Top time age 65 and over was Tom Dutton, age 66, 21:54.

Tom Demmer, at age 15, finished in 19:39 and Emma Eastridge, at age 14, finished in 25:44.

Bill White, age 70, finished at 27:23 and Ed Duncan, age 71, finished at 45:39.

Dispatcher: "Copy, 253 on scene, investigating burnt rice."

The chief (253 is from Town of Batavia Fire) is "on scene" at Cedar Hall at College Village.

Yes, school is back in session.

Engine 21 is on location.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Town of Batavia is back in service. Confirming burnt food.

Sarah Patricia Nichols, 29, of Pinehollow Drive, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 3rd. Nichols is accused of falsely reporting a larceny from her vehicle while it was parked in the Walmart parking lot. An investigation by Deputy Brad Mazur led Mazur to believe the larceny did not take place.

Patricia M. Anderson, 27, of 6281 Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Anderson is accused of shoplifting from the Kwik Fill 99 at Jackson and Ellicott streets. Anderson was located at a residence on Central Avenue following a complaint of the theft.

Francis Scott Smith, 18, of Lake Avenue, New York, is charged with petit larceny. Smith was taken into custody in the lobby of city court on a warrant out of Batavia Town Court. Smith was jailed on $250 bail.

Jennifer J. Maggio, 27, of Kingston Road, Leicester, is charged with petit larceny. Maggio is accused of shoplifting $95.32 in merchandise from Kmart by hiding it in her purse.

Raymond Michael Pfalzer, 41, of Brown Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Pfalzer was charged in connection with an accident at Wilkinson Road and Brown Road, Batavia, at 8:20 p.m., July 22, in which he was seriously injured.

Angela A. Starling, 30, of Pembroke, is charged with disorderly conduct/fighting/violent behavior and harassment, 2nd. Starling was arrested by State Police following the report of an incident at Godfrey's Pond at 10:11 p.m., Saturday. No further details were released.

Out and about for a bit this afternoon and I snapped a couple of pictures.

Above, irrigation on Kelsey Road, Batavia. Below, a tractor parked on a lawn off Route 5, Batavia.

Oakfield's Labor Day celebration kicked off today with live music, fun for the kids, a craft show and food.

Tonight, there will be a fireworks display.

The fun continues Monday starting with a parade at 10 a.m.

On a less pleasant note today, their was a raffle for two prizes today, a handmade quilt and a Christmas tree skirt hand sewn by one of Oakfield's 80-year-old residents. 

After the prizes were awarded, somebody stole the skirt.

"Nice people," Melissa Haacke said. "They're going to enjoy Christmas with a stolen skirt."

On the legs of Zach DuBois and the arm of Zac Gillard, Elba/Byron-Bergen opened the 2012 football season in dominating fashion with a 40-13 win over Alexander.

The Lancers, who advanced as far as a semi-final game last season, look like a contender again this season.

Dubois, coming off an impressive 2011 campaign, picked up where he left off, rushing for 223 yards on 16 carries, running the ball for TDs of 24 yards, 75 yards and three yards.

Gillard had seven completions on 12 attempts for 133 yards, which included TD passes of 40 yards and 35 yards.

"A lot of people had us written off because of what we graduated on our offensive line," said Lancer Head Coach Michael Cintorino. "I think these new guys stepped and filled that position and did a nice job today."

Injuries played a key role in the game for Alexander. Already hammered by the loss for the season of standout Mark Farnsworth, four Trojans were knocked out of Saturday's game, including the team's two tight ends and two linebackers.

"I had my starting quarterback playing outside linebacker," Tim Sawyer said. "He's a free safety and I cringe at that."

Sawyer, who coached the squad from 2000 to 2007, is the Trojan's third head coach in three years.

Still, Alexander scored first and looked strong in the first half, playing physical, disciplined football, and Nelson Burke's two TD passes, including one to Zach Laird, showed the team is not without resources.

Sawyer didn't want to make excuses of injuries, a young team (only six seniors, and three of them are first-year football players), or even the weather. He said the Lancers are a good team and the game was a good learning experience for his players.

"I thought we played hard and we competed hard," Sawyer said. "We need to go to another level now. I think our kids now realize that varsity football is one step tougher. There's more expectations on these kids. We'll get better. It's learning."

Cintorino said Alexander played a tough game and it showed his team also has some learning to do if they're going to compete for a playoff spot in the tough Genesee Region.

There were some defensive mistakes in the first half, Cintorino said, but players stepped it up in the second half and did what they needed to do, which is do their jobs.

"We've been talking this year, just come out and do your job," Cintorino said. "Do your one-eleventh and we'll be OK. In the first half, we were a little bit sleepy. We didn't necessarily do that. We were focused on making the big play."

Of course, with a running back like DuBois, the Lancers are going to play any team tough this season.

"Zach is a special kid," Cintorino said. "He’s a blast to coach. He’s a polite kid, a nice kid, a humble kid, and he runs the ball very, very well. He’s very talented, and he has lot of help from up front."

With traditionally strong teams from Attica, Notre Dame, Pembroke and Holley, and well-coached, rebuilding teams from Alexander and Oakfield-Alabama, the GR league will present another tough challenge in 2012, Cintorino said.

"I always say GR is kind of a hidden gem in Section V," Cintorino said. "We've got some great teams. We've got some great kids in the whole Genesee Region, very good athletes, tough, strong kids, and they do a nice job, and we've got some coaching staffs that really prepare their kids well."

Also in Saturday's game, Kyle Morse had three receptions for 63 yards and one TD.

For Alexander, Burke completed five passes on 10 attempts for 53 yards and two TDs. Laird had two receptions for 25 yards and one TD. Sam Brown had one reception for 23 yards and one TD.

Defensive stats for the Lancers, Andy Underhill had 17 tackles, including three for a loss and one forced fumble. Nate Jonathan had 10 tackles, including three for a loss and two-and-a-half sacks. Garrett Chapell had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Austin Hynes-Fisher had three tackles and half a sack. Kyle Dougherty had five tackles, one sack and one interception.

In other local football this weekend:

• Attica rolled to a 52-0 win over Oakfield-Alabama.
• Le Roy crushed Genesee 74-6. Tom Kelso carried the ball three times for three TD and 86 yards total rushing. Jon Pierce had 87 yards rushing on four carries and two touchdowns.
• Batavia beat Bath 34-24. QB Brett Scheuerlein completed 10 passes on 15 attempts for 201 yards. Justin Washington scored two TDs on two receptions for 55 total yards. Brandon Stevenson carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.
• Notre Dame turned a half-time deficit into a 30-29 win over Holley.
• Pembroke dropped its opener to Finney 30-12. Tyler Brunning and Jacob Patterson both scored for Pembroke.

If you can't view the slide show below, click here. To purchase print copies of these photos, click here.

A fight is reported at Ellsworth and Manhattan avenues and it is physical at this time.

Police are dispatched.

One person is leaving in a black GMC pickup truck.

There is reportedly an off-duty police officer, unknown from what jurisdiction, who is reportedly trying to intercede.

Police have located and stopped a woman who was reportedly involved in the altercation.

UPDATE 12:03 p.m.: Police officers are conducting interviews. No further updates available.

A tractor fire is reported roadside on Judge Road, Alabama.

Alabama Fire Department is responding.

Bill Ripple can now claim he's the fastest sub eater in Genesee County.

Ripple won a sub eating contest this morning at Molasses Hill, the food store at 466 Ellicott St., Batavia. The contest was held in conjunction with the Batavia location's one-year anniversary.

In all, six men who thought they could eat an entire, meat-packed sub faster than anybody else, showed up for the event.

The grand prize, $100, was presented to Ripple by Neal Harder.

The other contestants were Brian English, John Brenkus, Earl Reimer, Frank Bellucci and Patrick Morris.

A new high school football season opens tonight, but if you were hoping to see a game, you'll need to get out of Genesee County to do it.

All three local teams with games this evening -- Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama and Le Roy -- are starting the season on the road.

The only home game this weekend is Elba/Byron-Bergen hosting Alexander. Game time is 1:30 p.m., Saturday.

Tonight, the Batavia Blue Devils open a new era under Head Coach Brennan Briggs, the son of a Section V Hall of Fame head coach who had great success over two seasons as the JV coach at Batavia.

Game time in Bath is 7:30 p.m.

Oakfield-Alabama is in Attica at 7 p.m. and Le Roy's game is at 7:30 p.m. in Geneseo (WBTA will broadcast this game).

Other games tomorrow include Notre Dame at Holley (1:30 p.m.) and Pembroke at Finney (1:30 p.m.).

Coverage note: The Batavian will cover tomorrow's game in Elba. I know there are many Blue Devils fans eager for us to cover BHS, but that won't be possible until week 5. BHS is on the road tonight and next week, and I'll be out of town during weeks three and four. Next week we'll cover O-A at Notre Dame. Week 5, we'll cover Hornell at Batavia. Coverage for weeks 6 and 7 will depend on which games will most likely determine who's going to sectionals.

A trooper assigned to the State Police barracks in Batavia suffered non-life-threatening injuries Thursday morning after a mechanical failure on the helicopter he was flying forced it down in a wooded area in the Town of Bath.

Trooper Thomas A. Shultz, 41, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The Aviation Bell 407 helicopter was based at the Genesee County Airport.

Shultz, an experienced Army combat pilot, according to State Police, was returning to Batavia following a search for a missing person.

According to the press release, Shultz "took appropriate action and made a controlled but powerless descent, which resulted in a hard landing."

The cause of the incident is under investigation, as required, by the NTSB, FAA, and New York State Police.