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Udderly Better Acres in Le Roy honored by Soil and Water district

By Howard B. Owens

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Udderly Better Acres, a dairy farm on Vallance Road in Le Roy, has been selected by the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District as the 2021 Conservation Farm of the Year.

Brad Mudrzynski presented the Conservation Farm of the Year sign to owners Don Krenzer and Roz Krenzer this morning.

Press release:

Since 1959, Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District (District) has honored a farm that has displayed a long-term commitment to sustainable conservation, leads by example, and implements farm conservation best management practices on their own or with the District. Udderly Better Acres has met and surpassed these criteria and continues to demonstrate outstanding stewardship of the land.

Don Krenzer and his family operate the dairy farm on 1,200 acres in the Town of Le Roy within one-half mile from Oatka Creek. The farm began using no-till and strip-till methods many years before they became common in our region. These methods, coupled with his use of drag-lining manure and other practices, put him as an early adopter of soil health practices before that term’s recent rise in popularity.

These practices have benefitted not only the farm’s productivity but also ensured watershed health and preserved water quality in Oatka Creek, a blue-ribbon trout stream. The farm has worked with the District to collect and treat silage leachate, manage manure better with new storage, and identify a plan to collect farmstead runoff and prevent it from entering the aquifer.

We thank Udderly Better Acres for their continued use of sustainable farming practices that help to preserve the land. 

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Friends, advisors, helpers, John Zastrocky and Molly Higgins, with Don, Roz and Brad.

Photos: Notre Dame celebrates 70th Anniversary with reenactment of laying of cornerstone

By Howard B. Owens

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As part of its ongoing 70th Anniversary Celebration, Notre Dame High School today commemorated the laying of the school's cornerstone with a reenactment by Principal Wade Bianco.

The school opened in 1951 as one of 18 high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Today, Notre Dame is one of eight remaining Catholic high schools in the region.

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Photo: Deacon Walt Szczesny, Kate Edwards (Director of Advancement), senior Ben Skalney ‘21, Mike Rapone (Vice Principal and AD), Joe Teresi (Board President), Kristen Gomez (Director of Academic Advisement), Wade Bianco (Principal), Tom Rapone (Business Manager), John Dwyer, Jennifer Tomm Petosa ‘82, Jim Fix ‘69 

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Maria Prattico lays a wreath on the head of Mary during morning Mass at Notre Dame in an annual tradition, the crowning of Mary, at the school. Deacon Walter Szczesny looks on.

Seven dogs going to new homes while criminal case against former owner remains pending

By Howard B. Owens

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Seven dogs that once belonged to a dog breeder in Pembroke are in the process of being adopted into new homes, but the resolution of the criminal case against Lori Ann Adolf won't be settled until next month at the earliest.

The 47-year-old Adolf is charged with 26 counts of torturing or injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance along with one count of endangering a child.

There is a pending plea offer but her attorney, Michael Guarino, in Pembroke Town Court today said he has not yet had time to sit down with his client and go over the offer with her. He asked for an adjournment and Justice Donald O'Connor granted one until 1:30 p.m., June 9. Assistant District Attorney Kaitlynn Schmidt said she didn't oppose the adjournment but said if Adolf isn't ready to accept the plea offer at the June 9 appearance the offer will be withdrawn.

The terms of the offer were not discussed in open court.

In January Deputy Kevin McCarthy arrested Adolf after reportedly finding 13 dogs and two cats covered in feces, urine, and surrounded by garbage. The dogs were reportedly not in good health but recovered while at the animal shelter. McCarthy also reported finding 10 dead rabbits inside the house that as well as a dead dog.

At a hearing on April 14, Guarino said Adolf would sign over some of the dogs for adoption but that she wanted to keep three dogs and two cats. Three of the dogs reportedly belonged to other people.

"The situation was not the way she intended it," Guarino said in April.

He said his client would like a chance to prove to the county that she can improve her situation and take proper care of her animals.

She has no prior record of animal neglect or abuse and no other criminal record.

All seven of the dogs released by Adolf have been claimed by prospective new owners.

Previously: 

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By Howard B. Owens
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Sheriff's office looking for person of interest in reported property crime in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the subject pictured above. The subject has been developed as a person of interest in relation to a property crime being investigated in the Town of Alabama. The subject appears to have a tattoo on his right forearm. If you have any information, we urge you to please contact Investigator Ryan DeLong at (585) 345-3000, ext. 3572.

With rise in demand as COVID wanes, analysts foresee $3 a gallon for gas

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.90, up 1 cent from last week. One year ago, the price was $1.78. The New York State average is $2.95 – up 3 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.16.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

  • Batavia -- $2.89 (up 1 cent since last week)
  • Buffalo -- $2.88 (up 2 cents since last week)
  • Ithaca -- $2.90 (up 3 cents since last week)
  • Rochester -- $2.91 (up 3 cents since last week)
  • Rome -- $2.97 (up 2 cents since last week)
  • Syracuse -- $2.89 (up 1 cent since last week)
  • Watertown -- $2.97 (up 2 cents since last week)

Gasoline stocks increased in the United States last week and oil prices remain up over $60 per barrel. Prices jumped after OPEC confirmed plans to increase crude production in May. 

From GasBuddy:

"The nation's gas prices perked up again last week as oil prices advanced to fresh multi-year highs on Covid improvements overseas and the switch to summer gasoline, which is basically now complete," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "Last week saw the national average hit its highest level in two years, and with continued recovery in gasoline demand, the increase in price is likely to continue into the future.

"Americans may now want to brace themselves for the possibility of a $3/gal national average in the weeks ahead, as demand remains strong as Americans take to the roads. The question going forward is how much demand will continue to recover and rise -- will it lead to record summer gasoline demand? We indeed may see some weeks with new records as Americans get in their cars this summer -- but the question is, how many will do so? That will determine how much higher prices will go."

HF-L ends Batavia's sectional title chances 49-28

By Howard B. Owens
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Batavia and Honeoye Falls-Lima went toe-to-toe throughout much of the first half of Saturday's Section V championship game at HFL, but a touchdown as the clock expired at the end of the second quarter gave the Cougars a lead they would never relinquish.

By the end, it was HFL 49, the Blue Devils 28.

Terrez Smith ran 17 times for 133 yards and TD and Jesse Reinhart was 12-16 passing for 104 yards and two TDs.

Aiden Anderson carried the ball four times for 80 yards, including a 75-yard TD in the fourth quarter that briefly put Batavia back in striking distance.

Alex Hale had a TD catch on three receptions for 31 yards.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

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Photos: Alexander falls to Avon in sectional championship 42-7

By Howard B. Owens

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Alexander's football season didn't end the way the Trojans hoped as the team lost to Avon in Avon on Saturday 42-7 in their sectional championship game.

Brayden Woods rushed for 46 yards on 14 carries. Devin Dean, eight carries for 64 yards and a TD.

Nick Kramer injured and taken out of the game in the first quarter.

Defensively, Dean led the team with 7 tackles. Maverick Bump had four tackles.  Connor Hollands had three tackles and an interception.  

Trojans end the season 6-2.

Photos by Philip Casper. Top photo: Devin Dean (24) charging around the Avon Braves' line.

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QB Nick Kramer (3)

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LB Nick Kramer (3) chasing down Avon RB Thomas Welch (7).

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WR Jay Morrison (1) being tacken down by OLB William Greenwood (1).

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RB Thomas Welch (7) on the run.

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RB Jay Morrison (1), DT Lucas Findlay (62), DB Thomas Welch (7)

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RB Thomas Welch (7) shedding the tackle from LB Devin Dean (24).

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RB Brayden Woods (5) picking his way through the Braves' defense.

Undefeated in volleyball, Le Roy vies for sectional title

By Howard B. Owens

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The Le Roy volleyball team plays for a sectional championship this afternoon at home against #2 seed Bloomfield after beating Wellsville in the semifinal on Friday night.

Le Roy won 25-13, 25-17, 25-12 and enters the final undefeated on the season.

Photos by Tim McArdle.

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Group of Pavilion parents concerned about all-day masking policy

By Howard B. Owens

Wearing masks all day while at school is a drag for kids, and some parents in Pavilion brought their concerns to this week's meeting of the Pavilion Central School District Board of Trustees.

Amanda Holley started an online petition that, at the time of the meeting, had been signed by 183 people (it's now at 200) stating that with Pavilion maintaining a six-feet social distancing rule, all-day masking shouldn't be necessary.

The all-day masking rule is in compliance with recently implemented guidance from the NYS Department of Health. The guidance doesn't draw a distinction from schools maintaining six-feet social distancing and three-feet social distancing.

Superintendent Mary Kate Hoffman said area superintendents all share the same concern, they've discussed it in meetings and have raised the issue with the local health department, but the word back from local health officials is that the state is showing little interest in addressing the issue.

 Hoffman suggested that parents concerned about the issue might do better to contact state leaders.

"I would love to see 183 letters go out to our local senators, our representatives, to share those points of view because you're not alone," Hoffman said. "All of the districts in New York State are feeling the same."

The first speaker, of two, at Tuesday's meeting (whose name wasn't clear on the recording), said on that day her eighth-grader had been required to wear a mask for 10-straight hours, including his time on a bus, except for a lunch break.

"That seems like a long time," she said. "These kids are getting no break."

Holley said she was representing parents who shared a similar concern and questioned why the all-day mask mandate was necessary. She noted that Pavilion has been doing a great job of protecting the kids during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I can't speak for everyone's kids but my kids have been the healthiest -- they haven't been sick, not a sniffle, not a cough," she said.  "I attribute that to Pavilion School. I think the school has done an amazing job. I don't see why we have to fix something that isn't broken."

One trustee, who can't be identified from the recording, sympathized with the parents but said there isn't anything the district can do on its own to change the policy.

"We all wish we could do something," she said. "We have to obey the rules or we face financial penalties or a financial punishment, plus we don't want anybody to get stick. We've been super lucky to keep our school open."

Another trustee noted that the teachers don't like the mask policy, either. It's hard to talk all day in a mask. It's hard to hear students.

Another speaker mentioned that teachers have the discretion to allow mask breaks but many teachers are not providing for mask breaks.

Hoffman said more mask breaks would be encouraged.

"It's pretty easy for us to say for teachers to offer a mask break each period," she said.

County reports 18 new positive COVID-19 tests

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

  • Genesee County reporting 18 new positive cases of COVID-19. (The County continues to have IT issues and the hospitalizations will be updated as soon as the issue is fixed, hopefully in the next day.)
    • The new positive cases reside in the:
      • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
      • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
      • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford) 
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s. 
    • Eleven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  

  • Orleans County reporting 21 new positive cases of COVID-19.  
    • The positive cases reside in the:
      • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
      • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
      • East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon)
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
    • Eight of the new positive individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Poetry Month: Gregory Hallock reads poems by Annette Daniels Taylor

By Howard B. Owens
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Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART!, reads poems by Annette Daniels Taylor for National Poetry Month.

Ag Society board waiting on guidance from governor's office on how to proceed with fair

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

In light of the Governor’s press conference today, the Genesee County Ag Society and its volunteers that make the Genesee County Fair possible, have been receiving an abundance of emails and phone calls questioning whether we will be able to hold the Genesee County Fair for 2021.

At this time, while it is promising that the State Fair will go ahead with planning for the 2021 season, we, the county fairs, have not been given any guidance as to what or how we should be planning for Fair Season. 

The Genesee County Ag Society volunteers have been moving ahead with plans for the Genesee County Fair, to be held July 24-31.

In 2020, we were able to hold the Livestock shows for our youth and did so successfully. We are hoping to continue with that in 2021. We are looking to expand upon what we were able to do in 2020, but please know that we are working closely with Genesee County officials and our Genesee County Health Department so that we can keep our attendees safe while adhering to New York State Guidelines. 

We are hoping that, in the near future, the Governor and his office will be addressing how the county fairs should proceed so that we can move forward with some great entertainment and Livestock shows for our community.

Stay tuned, as we wish to keep the community and our supporters updated on how we are able to proceed with our Genesee County Fair July 24-31.

Blue Devils bury Newark in semifinal 43-13

By Howard B. Owens

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The Blue Devils ran away from Newark at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday evening to secure a shot at another section title.

The final score, 43-13.

They next play Honeoye Fall/Lima at 7 p.m., Saturday, at HFL.

Terrez Smith scored on touchdown runs of 78 and 85 yards along with a 16-yard scamper and gained a total of 153 yards on 16 carries. Jesse Reinhart was 3-6 passing for 117 yards and two TDs. Tyler Budziniack gained 82 yards on his two TD receptions.

On defense, Kaden Marucci had 14 tackles. Mathew McWethy, seven, Dan Saeva, six, including a tackle for a safety, and Jayden Osborne had six. Reinhart had an interception.

Photos by Jim Burns. For more, click here.

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Three field goals propel Alexander to 9-7 win over OAE

By Howard B. Owens

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The Alexander Trojans defeated Oakfield-Alabama/Elba is a Section V playoff game at Van Detta Stadium on Saturday without scoring a touchdown. 

Eric Cline kicked field goals of 26, 23, and 37-yards to secure the victory.

Head Coach Tim Sawyer said his team came into the game as the underdog and road not just Cline's leg to victory, but defense, special teams, and offensive ball control all kicked in when needed to hold OAE at bay.

The Trojans will play next week in their fifth-straight Section V championship game.

"Defensive Coordinator Matt McCracken dialed up another big defensive game plan and the players performed it to a 'T,' " Sawyer said.

With eight seconds left in the game, OAE had a chance to turn the tables on Alexander with its own field goal attempt but the kick was blocked by Devin Dean.

Brayden Woods ran 21 times for 69 yards, Nick Kramer led the Trojans in rushing with 93 yards on 18 carries. Kramer was 2-3 passing on the day.

On defense, Spencer Wuest had two fumble recoveries and Kramer added an interception in the fourth quarter to stall out an OEA drive. Kramer led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Jake Laney had eight tackles. Dean had eight tackles.

Alexander meets Avon next week for the Class D sectional title.

For OAE, QB Bodie Hyde was 4-5 passing for 76 tards. He ran six times for 114 yards and a touchdown. Ty Mott, 20 carries, 91 yards. On defense, Peyton Yasses, 13 tackles. Dontrell Jenkins, seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Kaden Cusmano, eight tackles and a sack.

"Hats off to Alexander today," said OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter. "They won the turnover battle and the battle at the line of scrimmage. It is very difficult to win a football game when you are 0-2 in those two categories. We had an opportunity to win it at the end, but we couldn't make enough big plays when it counted. 

"All in all, I feel that this was a huge first season back in 11-man football," he added. "These boys did a ton of great things all year. Today was obviously not the outcome that any of us wanted. This senior class can hold their heads high and be proud of their careers, while the underclassmen can use today as a valuable learning experience for the future. We'll be back."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

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Tanker and van accident reported in Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A tanker and a van are reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 7536 Sandhill Road, Alabama.

The tanker normally carries water but is empty right now. It is overturned. The driver is out and walking around.

A woman driving the van, which is in a ditch, is believed to be injured.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Patient extricated.

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