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Power outage from Batavia to Elba

By Howard B. Owens

More than 500 National Grid customers along the Route 98 corridor from Batavia to Elba are without power.

The power outage spreads like triangle from the City of Batavia, where the tip starts, up to the Village of Elba, where the base of the triangle stretches east and west.

Power is expected to be restored by 2:15 p.m.

The outage caused one person to become briefly trapped in an elevator at the Hampton Inn. (Back-up generators corrected the problem.)

Radio traffic indicted the problem is a power line that stretches under the Thruway.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

By Robin Walters









Millions of Americans wil unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5th. The theme for this year is "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and is based on the verse from Psalm 91:2 which states " I will say to the Lord my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-6 the Apostle Paul says, "I urge then,first of all, that petitions prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

According to these verses, we are urged to pray for all those in authority. We are to pray so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This pleases God, and when you obey his word, it brings peace into your heart and life. The world in which we live may be in turmoil, but for those in Christ, there is peace, hope, and joy for the future. His word says that we should pray so that all people would come to a saving knowledge of the truth. The truth is that Jesus Christ gave his life as a ransom for all who call on him. He died on the cross for all so that we may be made holy and righteous in his sight.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray , and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from  Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Because of these verses in scripture and many more like them, I urge you to join us as we seek God in prayer.

The Batavia Assembly God Church will open its doors from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.  There will be a variety of prayer stations set up where you can join us in focusing on specific areas of prayer. You may also stop by the altar or take up a seat in a pew and pray for your own individual needs. If you need prayer, there will be people available to pray with you.

There will be a bible study with a prayer emphasis on Wednesday night,  May 4th starting at 7:00 PM. We invite you to come and help us pray earnestly for our families , our communities , and our churches. Let us pray for our president and all our leaders who govern, that they will humble themselves and seek God's guidance. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there.

God is our mighty fortress in whom we can trust. May we trust him that through our prayers he will move upon our nation to bring healing, peace and his blessing. Let us pray that through our prayers people will come to know him and turn to him.



 





High winds continue, trees down, power outages

By Howard B. Owens

In the past hour, calls for trees and utility poles down have subsided, and the wind seems to have died down a bit, but a strong wind warning remains in effect until 4 p.m.

There are about a dozen locations where power outages have been reported, most significantly in Elba, where 871 National Grid customers are without power. The power outage was reported at 8:48 a.m. and no ETA for when power will be restored.

Above, what's left of a tree that blew down on Lewiston Road in Oakfield. Below, a contractor saws off a large broken limb from a tree on Wortendyke Road, Town of Batavia, that was hanging precariously over the roadway.

New phone system for Town of Elba

By Howard B. Owens

The Town of Elba has a new phone system, according to Supervisor Lucine Kauffman. 

The new, automated phones at Elba Town Hall required the town to change its phone numbers.

Here are the new numbers:

Town Hall main number: 585-757-2762. Callers will receive a message with the extension menu for all of the Elba Town officials and departments.

Town Hall Fax number: 585-757-9921

Town Court Fax number: 585-757-9200

The changes took effect today.

GCC today announced Dean's List students for Fall 2010

By Billie Owens

Today, Genesee Community College announced the Genesee County students who are among 612 on the Dean's List for the Fall 2010 semester. These students earned a quality point index (grade-point average) of 3.50-3.74.

The honorees, their hometowns and attendance status, are:

ALABAMA

Jake Nadolinski, full time

ALEXANDER

Daniel Dudek, part time

Sabrina Herman, full time

Clayton Miller, part time

Teresa Morris, full time

John Ognibene, full time

Laurie Schwab, part time

Cindy Schwartz, part time

Stacy Wirth, full time

Lacey Wolfley, full time

BASOM

Kassondra Conrad, full time

Andrew Greene, full time

Danielle Hirtzel, full time

Ely Winnie, part time

BATAVIA

Jenise Albert, part time

Valeria Antonetty, part time

Jessica Barone, full time

Christopher Blachowicz, full time

Ann Brade, part time

Alex Brasky, part time

Katherine Clemm, full time

Neil DeLillo, part time

Richard DelPlato, part time

Nicole DiSalvo, full time

Erin Dobbertin, full time

Melissa Dorman, full time

Ian Dries, full time

Delores Dyer, full time

Ashley Falcone, full time

Charles Ferraro, full time

Kaelie Grazioplene, full time

Rachel Guppenberger, full time

Kimberly Gutzmer, full time

Brett Hake, part time

Shauna Hutchinson, part time

Kimberly Ianita, full time

Jessica Jaszko, full time

Katie Kosciolek, part time

Gregory Kryman, full time

Jenna Lynn Leach, full time

Shelly Lopez, full time

Elizabeth Martin, full time

Emily Mott, full time

John Mullen, part time

Colleen O'Donnell, full time

Daniel Oquendo, full time

Joseph Pedro, full time

Theresa Pellegrino, part time

Joshua Que, full time

Meagan Roese, full time

Amy Roggow, part time

Erin Ruzzi, full time

Erin Schafer, part time

Joseph Schlossel, part time

James Schnellinger, part time

Amber Shea, full time

Trisha Smith, part time

Brian Sprague, full time

Kathryn Svensen, part time

Mark Temperato, part time

Wendy Walker, part time

Todd Warren, full time

Katelyn Wickson, part time

Caitlin Wilkinson, full time

Mercedes Wollek, full time

Cameron Wright, full time

BERGEN

Karen Beaney, part time

Ryan Chatham, full time

Carrie Cooper, part time

Samantha Elliott, full time

Amanda Heale, full time

Gary Heale, part time

Kelsey Hill, part time

Cynthia Mack, part time

Rebecca Mosher, full time

Tavy Shippers, part time

Ashley Spangenburg, part time

Miranda Tardy, full time

BYRON

Kevin Jackson, full time

Mark McLaughlin, full time

Timothy Nicholas, full time

CORFU

Eric Allen, full time

Shannon Bartlett, part time

John Bernardini, part time

Patrick Betz, full time

Stacy Brockway, part time

Joseph D'Amato, full time

Lisa Falkowski, part time

Melissa Gardner, full time

Jessica Gerould, full time

Ashley Ingram, full time

Jamie Johnson, full time

Tracy Kearney, full time

Victoria Rebmann, full time

Kara Rykert, full time

Ashlin Thuman, part time

Dana Wolbert, full time

DARIEN CENTER

Larissa DeMuth, part time

Abigail Engel, full time

Nadine McClurg, part time

Alexander Muench, full time

Rebecca Piechowiak, full time

Michelle Waldo, full time

EAST BETHANY

Sarah Baird, part time

Karen DeFelice, full time

Ian Lawson, part time

EAST PEMBROKE

Lucinda Barber, part time

ELBA

Michael Anauo, full time

Keenan Hughes, part time

Christopher Johnson, part time

Jeana Pfalzer, full time

Danyelle Scarborough, part time

LE ROY

Jennifer Beherns, part time

Joeylyn Berl, part time

Jacob Bortle, part time

Ashley Carney, part time

Jason Coniber, part time

Chad Cummings, part time

Margery Fitzsimmons, part time

Jamie Givens, part time

Bridget Grayson, part time

Anthony Macaluso, full time

Sharlene Majors, full time

Melissa Meadows, full time

Brenda Melton, full time

Caleb Nicodemus, full time

Joel Pitts, part time

Bethany Roth, full time

Katherine Stearns, part time

Jeremy Tiede, part time

Duane Weber, part time

Bradley Wight, part time

Sharon Wynn, full time

OAKFIELD

Kari Adams, full time

Amanda Bachorski, full time

Ariel Bentkowski, full time

Kristen Casper, full time

Julie Mendez, full time

Kendra Moak, full time

Sara Mooney, full time

Nathan Oaksford, part time

Veronica Rebert, full time

Maria Sanders, full time

Olivia Waldron, full time

PAVILION

Matthew Berkemeier, part time

Daniel Case, part time

Marie Hart, part time

Jeannie Kirch, part time

Brian Leach, full time

Emily Mess, full time

Julia Sallade, full time

Deborah Schroeder, full time

Peter Sherman, part time

James Smart, full time

STAFFORD

Amber Carmichael, part time

Jacob Cone, part time

Mark Williams, part time

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, 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 out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high-tech" and "high-touch." Find out more at <http://www.genesee.edu >.

Jazz Dessert

By Amy Vlack
The Elba Central School Jazz Ensemble is holding a "Jazz Dessert" on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 pm in the ECS cafeteria. Cost is $5.00 which includes the music, a dessert and beverage. They are hoping to raise funds to purchase new Jazz Ensemble uniforms. Come on out and have some dessert and listen to some really good music. What better thing to do on a Friday night.
Event Date and Time
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Chicken Barbecue

By Amy Vlack

The Historical Society of Elba is holding a "Clor's Chicken Barbecue" on Sunday, April 10 at the museum on Maple Ave Extension in Elba. This is a "take-outs" only barbecue starting at 11:30 am.  Cost is $8.50 per dinner.

Police Beat: Rochester resident accused of stealing cartons of cigarettes from smoke shops

By Howard B. Owens

 

Frank James Davis, 31, of East Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Davis is accused of entering the Totem Pole Smoke Shop at 10:50 a.m., March 3, loading 15 cartons of cigarettes into a basket, then walking past cashiers and then running out of the store without paying for the cigarettes. The cigarettes are valued at $502 and the basket is valued at $10.

Davis is also accused of stealing $204 worth of Winston Lights on the same date from Arrow Hawk Smoke Shop. Davis was charged with petit larceny for that alleged crime.

Jennifer L. Coombs, 27, of 103 West Main St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Coombs is accused of slashing three tires on a car in November.

Andrew Paul Dentinger, 20, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Dentinger is accused of hosting an underage drinking party. Deputies responded to an address on Broadway Road, Alexander, at 12:58 a.m., Saturday to investigate the party.

David A. Burr, 23, of Elba, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Burr is accused of intentionally damaging the front door of T.F. Brown's restaurant at 1:40 a.m., Sunday. Burr was jailed without bail.

Janie B. Burgess, 57, of 7 Maureen Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, unsafe turn. Burgess was stopped at 10:13 p.m., Saturday, on Oak Street by Officer Chris Camp. Burgess was jailed on $500 bail.

Daniel G. Crane, 34, of 9395 Upton Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate lights. Crane was stopped at 12:52 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street by Officer Dan Coffey.

Mark D. Hoerbelt , 42, of 152 State St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate headlights. Hoerbelt was stopped at 12:43 a.m., Friday, on West Main Street by Officer Matthew Fleming.

A 16-year-old resident of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing an iPod in January while at Batavia High School. The youth was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Jennifer L. Stack, 25, of 12 Oak St., is accused of failing to pay a fine. Stack was convicted in May on an unnecessary noise charge. She was released on $100 bail but allegedly failed to appear at her next court appointment.

Scott C. Brown, 22, and Ashley M. Yunke, 31, of 11 1/2 Wood St., are charged with criminal nuisance. Brown and Yunke are accused of hosting a party where people under 21 were allowed to drink. They were arrested at 12:20 a.m., Sunday. They were jailed on $500 each bail.

Amanda A. Barclay, 23, of Oakfield, is charged with false report of an incident, 3rd. The alleged incident occurred at 4:27 a.m., March 18, in the City of Batavia. Barclay was arrested by State Police on Thursday. No further details were released.

Jared C. Reese, 31, of Stafford, is charged with controlled substance not in original container and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Reese was stopped by State Police at 6:09 p.m., Thursday, on Route 33, Stafford. No further details were released.

Grand Jury Report: Four people charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Joanna M. Morgan is indicted on charges of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, endangering the welfare of a child and a felony count of DWI (DWI with a child in the car, or "Leandra's Law"). Morgan is accused of driving drunk with a child under 15 in the car on Dec. 12 in the Town of Le Roy.

Ricky D. Newbould is indicted on charges of felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Newbould is accused of driving drunk on Dec. 18 while in the Town of Elba.

Tamara L. Butler is indicted on charges of  DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Butler is accused of driving drunk on Aug. 7 in the Town of Oakfield.

Charles W. Wilder is indicted on charges of felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Wilder is accused of driving drunk on Oct. 24 in the Town of Oakfield.

Photos: Three for Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Along Maltby Road, Elba.

Bliss Road, Oakfield.

Gorton Road, Alabama.

Mercy Flight requested to scene of medical emergency on Oak Orchard Road

By Howard B. Owens

Mercy Flight is being dispatched to a medical emergency in the area of 6400 Oak Orchard Road.

Law enforcement was on scene and requested a medical response for a laceration to the neck.

Elba Fire responded and requested Mercy Flight after arriving on scene.

The flight is coming from Buffalo and the ETA is 20 minutes.UPD

UPDATE 11 a.m.: Route 98 is closed in both directions in order to secure a landing zone for Mercy Flight, which now has a 10 minute ETA.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air. Elba fire police working on getting Route 98 reopened.

Elba students celebrate reading through music

By Gretel Kauffman

The beat is thumping, the energy is high, and the sound is thunderous as hundreds of tiny feet stomp the floor and just as many tiny hands smack together enthusiastically. Two hundred children chant, "We will, we will, READ YOU!" in deafening unison.

Welcome to Reading Month at Elba Central School.

In past years, the students have celebrated books in more traditional ways. This year, elementary art teacher Stephanie Rudman decided to mix things up a bit by inviting children's entertainer Glenn Colton to perform for the students. Colton's hour-long show entertained both students and teachers alike with silly jokes, oldies music references, and a message that reading can be fun.

Rudman says that she had remembered Colton performing at Elba years ago, and decided to bring him back in order to add a more musical aspect to the month.

The Orchard Park-based entertainer performs in about 250 locations per year, mostly staying in the Western New York area. He has a variety of educational concerts available, featuring themes such as bullying, cyber safety, and staying drug-free. Along with writing songs, he has also authored two children's books, "Mr. Ducky Wucky -- The Wonderful Secret" and "Browser the Mouse and His Internet Adventure." 

For more information on Colton's shows and book signings, go to www.glenncolton.com

Photo: Old barn on Maltby Road, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Driving back from a meeting in Alabama this afternoon, I took a turn down Malby Road and wound up passing this barn in Elba. I've passed it before, but the snow on the shingles seemed like a nice touch.

Two-car accident on Pekin Road, Elba

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident, thought to be a head-on collision, has occurred on Pekin Road, Elba, in the area of the curve. There is one person trapped inside. The front passenger has a head injury and is conscious.

A responder on scene says the injuries are minor.

Elba Fire Department and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: Fire police are requested to shut down traffic on Pekin Road.

UPDATE 12:49: Mercy medics are en route to UMMC. Elba fire units are back in service. Tow trucks are called in. The road has reopened.

Mercy Flight responding to unknown emergency in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A landing zone for Mercy Flight has been set up at Route 262 and Transit Road in Elba.

Route 262 is closed.

Elba Fire responded to set up the landing zone. Mercy EMS is on scene.

There was apparently an auto accident in the area, but we have no futher details. It's a medical emergency.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air and going to Strong. The road will reopen shortly.

Police Beat: Man accused of tampering with witnesses

By Howard B. Owens

Robert Thigpen, 35, of Patriots Landing, Rochester, is charged with two counts of tampering with a witness, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 1st. Thigpen was picked up by Batavia Police on a bench warrant and turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Thigpen was jailed pending a court appearance today. (For previous coverage of Thigpen, click here.)

Taylor Robert Benjamin, 18, of 139 Christina Drive, North Chili, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, a misdemeanor. Benjamin was arrested by Le Roy police following a complaint of youths gathering under the pedestrian footbridge between Church and Mill streets. As an officer approached, he reportedly observed Benjamin lighting a glass pipe and inhaling the smoke from it.

Ryan T. Daley, 28, of 57 Elizabeth Ave., Hamburg, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test and inadequate lights.  Daley was stopped at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on East Main Street by Officer Thad Mart.

A 17-year-old resident of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing $42.81 in merchandise from Kmart on Saturday.

Justin Zane Baker, 22, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Baker allegedly pushed a woman several times during a domestic dispute at 6:25 a.m., Sunday.

A 16-year-old resident of Angling Road, East Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol while under 21 with intention to consume. The youth was arrested following a traffic stop at 7:48 p.m. Saturday on Angling Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Eric Thomas Wolford, 18, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child and failure to yield right of way. Wolford was stopped 7:46 p.m., Saturday, on Angling Road, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Craig Edward Blake, 59, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, unauthorized display of amber lights, refusal to take breath test. Blake was stopped at 12:23 a.m. Sunday on Park Road by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Douglas Westley Green, 54, of Woodlands Way, Brockport, is charged with petit larceny. An investigation by Deputy Joseph Graff into thefts over a period of time at Stan's Harley Davidson led to the identification of Green as a suspect.

Melissa M. Lesage, 31, of 31 Buffalo St., Bergen, is charged with failure to appear in court as directed. Lesage was taken into custody by Rochester Police and turned over to Batavia Police on a warrant from 2007 for failure to appear as directed on an alleged traffic violation. Bail was set at $300.

Lamar Randall, 25, of 266 E. Park St., Albion, is charged with failure to appear in court. Randall was arrested on a bench warrant. Bail was set at $350.

Justin E. Cratsley, 22, of 115 State St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Cratsley is accused of harassing a person he is barred from contacting at the YMCA on Saturday.

Sabrina Zinni, 36, of 219 North Spruce St., Batavia, is accused of showing up for a court ordered work detail under the influence of alcohol. She was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Andrew Z. Perdock, 24, unknown address, is charged with petit larceny. Perdock is charged with petit larceny. Perdock was arrested by State Police at 12:53 p.m. Saturday and held on cash bail. No further details released.

Yolanda M. Skeet, 32, of 24 Allegheny Road, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI under Leandra's Law. Skeet was stopped for allegedly speeding on the Thruway by State Police. She allegedly had a 9-year-old child in her car and a BAC of .08 or greater. Skeet was jailed in Ontario County on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Lego teams compete in GCC's 'Tech Wars'

By Daniel Crofts

Howard and I both had a chance to stop over at Genesee Community College for Tech Wars 2011 on Thursday. Howard took some photos, I took some video.

Many thanks to the NXT Lego team members and their coaches for sharing their work with The Batavian.

Here is the video (with a scenic view of the space behind the college to close it out):

For previous coverage, see:

Float in Elba Onion Festival parade gives a 'FIRST' look at LEGO League

Elba students build robots one Lego at a time  

Elba's FIRST Lego League invites robot fans to a maze race at GCC

Photos by Howard Owens

Pair of men from Holley accused of using trucks and gun to attack woman in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A pair of men from Holley were jailed after allegedly menacing a woman in Elba using their trucks and a gun.

Charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, which is a felony, menacing, 2nd, and reckless endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child were William E. Grathouse, 37, of Holley-Byron Road, Holley, and Edwin D. Roniger Jr., 37, of East Lee Road, Holley.

According Deputy Matt Butler, at 7:40 p.m. Thursday, on North Byron Road, Elba, Grathouse and Roniger used their pickup trucks to try and block a car driven by a woman from proceeding north on North Byron Road.

Grathouse then allegedly drove his truck into her car and forced it off the road.

Grathouse also allegedly pointed a pistol at the woman while she was in her car.

Both men were jailed on $10,000 bail.

Photos: First catch of spring

By Howard B. Owens

Nothing says spring more than baseball.

Today, in Oakfield, I came across Ryan Byrnes and Joe Colon, both originally from Elba, having a first catch of the season.

They said nothing felt better after a long winter than tossing a ball around.

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