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Peasantman 2024

Picture #1: Men's Full Steel Distance winner Oliver Ellerkamp (L) with race director Joe McMahon. Picture #2: Women's Full Steel Distance winner Maggie Freeman Picture #3: Sprint winners Rachael Mallory and Simon Woods Picture #4: Saturday evening athlete's meeting A bunch of additional event photos to choose from
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PENN YAN - August 18 saw the return of the annual Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon Series to Indian Pines Park in Penn Yan. Nearly 400 competitors from across North America came to the Finger Lakes for a jam-packed day, consisting of ten different race options – in the triathlon, duathlon, and relay categories.
Thunderstorms cleared out just in time for the start of the swim, with the Full Steel Distance kicking off right on schedule at 7 a.m., followed by the Half, Intermediate, and Sprint distance races; 275 swimmers entered the lake, and all 275 completed the swim - well within the cutoff time.
"Today went incredibly smooth, no hiccups really'" said Race Director Joe McMahon. "There was a little bit of wind, but we somehow dodged the nasty weather. Everybody was happy, everyone was safe." He added, "The team around me is the best people I could be lucky enough to find. Everybody is 100% dedicated to everything that we do. We're not just staff, we're family."
To date, First Knight Racing (the management team for Peasantman) has donated over $49,000 to local organizations around Penn Yan since 2013.
"With the largest field in the event's history, we were likely to see some course records – and we did; four in total," says race organizer Steve Anderson. "We'd like to thank anyone and everyone who has helped us along the way, from the athletes to the volunteers, to the villages and surrounding towns who have embraced us for 12 years.'

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Individual race winners

Full results are available at www.FirstKnightRacing.com

TRIATHLONS

Full Steel Triathlon:
M - Oliver Ellerkamp, Peterborough NH, 11:55:53
W – Maggie Freeman, Millstone Township NJ, 13:00:15

Half Steel Triathlon:
M - Alex Smirnoff, Horsham PA, 4:58:45
W - Rebecca Bader, Wilmington MA, 5:26:46

Intermediate Tri:
M – Derek Demass, Ontario NY 2:20:38
W – Amy Voorhees, Dryden NY, 3:11:27

Sprint Tri:
Simon Woods, Pittsford NY, 1:10:26
Rachael Mallory, Henrietta NY, 1:18:41

RELAYS

Half Steel Relay:
Team WFAC – 4:41:47 (*Course Record)

Intermediate Relay:
Chris, Cheer Louder!, 2:40:54 (*Course Record)

AQUABIKES

Full Steel Aqua:
Sam Sagartz, Newfield NH, 6:50:42

Half Steel Aqua:
M – JC Billone, Branchport NY, 3:19:37 (*Course Record)
W – Melissa Whipps, Fayetteville NY, 4:07:12

DUATHLONS

Half Steel Duathlon:
W – Shobha Sidigonde, Newark DE, 4:59:56 (*Course Record)
M – Robert Seaman, Archbold OH, 6:01:50

Intermediate Duathlon:
M – Bruce Wolcott, Canandaigua NY, 2:25:59
F – Katelyn Kirchheimer, Binghamton NY, 2:42:57

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SCOPE Meet the Candidates

PENN YAN - The Yates County chapter of the Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) hosted their "Meet the Candidates" pig roast Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Firemen's Field.
N.Y.S. SCOPE President John Elwood welcomed the attendees. Yates County Republican Committee Chairman John Prendergast acted as MC, and Bob Lonsberry of WHAM radio was the keynote speaker.
Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney was due at another event in her large district and could only stay briefly. She expressed her support of the 2nd amendment and Republican candidates in all state and federal races.
Tenney's Democratic challenger for NY24, David Wagenhauser, and she met in person for the first time at the event. The two greeted each other and spoke politely. Wagenhauser also addressed SCOPE members, stating his support for the 2nd Amendment.
"Like many of you, there was hunting in my house when I grew up – and it just seemed normal," recalled Wagenhauser. "I got a BB gun at 10 years old, then when older, a pump pellet gun, and finally my father's old 16-gauge Remington. Hunting with my friends – rabbit, squirrel, deer - was what we looked forward to. Opening day of deer season was a holiday - my friends and I would skip school and go hunting. I think a lot of people don't realize that growing up in a small town or rural area is just different... Seeking answers, listening to all stakeholders and reaching out to find common ground and getting things done will be my goal. I can assure you, I will defend your Second Amendment right to possess and responsibly use firearms."
7th Judicial Supreme Court candidate Edward White spoke, as did a representative for his fellow candidate Stacey Romeo. State Senator Tom O'Mara, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, and local county candidates Ron Dailey (coroner) and Sarah Purdy (Legislative District 1) also addressed the crowd.

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POLICE REPORTS

Includes reports from Yates County Sheriff's Office, Penn Yan Police Department, and New York State Police. These reports do not indicate guilt, only that someone has been charged with an offence. The term "arrested" does not always mean someone was held in jail.

MISSING MAN FOUND - at about 9:10 a.m. on Aug. 9, Steuben County Sheriff's Deputies and Investigators responded to the area of Taggart Road in the town of Urbana for the report of a missing person. A 54-year-old man had left home the previous evening at about 4 p.m. and not returned and was not answering his phone. Deputies located the man's vehicle near Taggart Road, and found the man at about 9:48 a.m. after he spent the night outside in the rain near a ravine. He was conscious and alert but injured and unable to walk. The Hammondsport Fire Dept. responded with a UTV and transported the man to the road where he was taken by ambulance to hospital.Sheriff Allard thanks the Hammondsport Fire Dept. for their assistance in this investigation and recovery.

HIGH-SPEED DWI CRASH, ARREST - At 3:31 p.m. Aug 13, Yates County Sheriff Deputies arrested DEVAN C. PEEK, 31, of Penn Yan, after responding to a report of a disorderly man in Potter. On their way to the call, Deputies observed Peek driving away at a high rate of speed. They attempted a traffic stop but Peek refused to comply and eventually crashed after failing to make a curve and overturning several times. Peek refused to perform field sobriety tests and was charged with Common Law DWI, Reckless Driving, Speeding, Moving from Lane Unsafely, and Failure to Comply with a Lawful Order. He was taken to the Yates County Jail to await arraignment.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION - Penn Yan Police arrested a 30-year-old woman following a complaint of an intoxicated female who wasn't wearing clothes. Officers were called to a local business and on arrival located the woman outside the store wearing only a t-shirt and nothing on her bottom half. She was drinking alcoholic and was highly intoxicated. Officers contacted EMS who checked the female over and cleared her medically. Officers issued her with tickets for Exposure of a Person, Disorderly Conduct, and Open Container, and provided her with a ride home.

Penn Yan Police arrested BRITTANY J. HYDE, 28, of Hammondsport, on a bench warrant for Petit Larceny. Hyde came to PYPD on an unrelated matter, and a warrant check revealed she was wanted by the N.Y. State Police out of Bath. Officers contacted the NYSP who responded and picked Hyde up on the warrant.

Penn Yan Police arrested CODY S. JACKSON, 27, of Penn Yan, for Open Container after officers found him sleeping in a public park with the open container of alcohol. Jackson was issued a ticket and released to appear village court at a later date.

Yates County Deputies arrested SCOTT L. OVENSHIRE, 52, of Dundee, following an incident that occurred Aug. 9 in Dundee where he allegedly subjected another citizen to unwanted physical contact and acted in a threatening manner. Ovenshire was charged with 2nd degree Harassment and 3rd degree Menacing, and was taken to the county jail to await the next session of Arraignment Court.

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Milly's Pantry construction project gets underway

PENN YAN - Milly's Pantry is excited to announce that after many years of planning, working, and fundraising, Phase 1 construction on their Main St. building has begun.
Williams Construction will soon break ground on the first steps of renovation, and over the next several months will install the four-floor elevator that will make the building so much more accessible to all members of our community, repair the unsafe rear fire escape that is currently preventing the use of the building's upper floors, and fix the aging and crumbling façade. These renovations will help Milly's Pantry to better serve the children and families of Yates County through its Weekend Backpack and School Supplies programs, offer exciting new activities and programs for people of all ages, and continue to be a retail destination in downtown Penn Yan for residents and visitors alike. The Market and Café will remain open during construction.
"We could not be more thrilled that our project is finally underway," says Jan Barrett, President of the Milly's Pantry Board of Directors. "So many people have generously contributed their talents, time, and dedication to making this project a reality. It is only with the support of so many people and the entire Yates County community that we can achieve this milestone. It has truly been a labor of love for our whole team."
Milly's Pantry extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the many agencies, organizations, and individuals who are supporting this effort, including: the Village of Penn Yan for their assistance with project planning; Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative for its funding of the elevator; the J.M. McDonald Foundation and the Tripp Family Foundation for construction funding; Lyons Bank for serving as a financial partner to this project; Elise Johnson-Schmidt and her team at Johnson-Schmidt and Associated Architects; Williams Construction; Susan and Tom Close for their extraordinary generosity and each and every person who has made a contribution, large or small, to this project. We also extend a warm thanks to all our volunteers and donors who support the work of Milly's Pantry throughout the year.
Once Phase 1 construction is completed, Phase 2 construction can begin. This will include a new roof, repairs to water-damaged walls and ceilings, upgrades to the building's heating and cooling system, and installing handicap-accessible restrooms. Phase 2 construction will begin in late winter 2025, provided the remaining funds needed can be raised. Our Capital Campaign will continue until this project is completed.
If you would like to contribute to Milly's Pantry building renovation project, please visit www.millyspantry.org or stop by Milly's Market and Café at 19 Main St. (Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm), to get a tour and learn more.

Read MoreMilly's Pantry construction project gets underway

S&S Welcomes Dr. Luke Johnson

PENN YAN - Emergency Medicine physician Luke M. Johnson, MD has joined the medical staff of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital.
Johnson attended medical school at the University of Washington School of Medicine – WWAMI Site: Spokane, in Newport, Wash. and completed his Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
He belongs to the:

American College of Emergency Physicians
Emergency Medicine Residents' Association
American College of Emergency Physicians – N.Y.
American College of Emergency Physicians – Wash.

Johnson enjoys backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, traveling through state parks, road trips, international travel, photography, along with reading science fiction and fantasy.

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Prattsburgh father & son arrested for Jan. 6 insurrection

PRATTSBURGH — Two men, a father and son from Prattsburgh, were arrested Aug. 14 on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their alleged participation in the breach of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, 2021, when their actions with others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to count the electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election.
CHARLES E. SCHIMMEL, 53, and Logan LOGAN SCHIMMEL, 23, are charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested the Schimmels on Aug. 14, and they made their initial appearance in the Western District of New York.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, the Schimmels attended the "Stop the Steal" rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., and afterward made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building, arriving at the Northwest Capitol stairs near the Inauguration scaffolding. Open-source video footage depicts the Schimmels at the front of a crowd of rioters, fighting and shoving against a police line.
As the crowd pushed against the police line, the line moved backward. Eventually, the crowd cut open the exterior canvas of the Inaugural scaffolding, and the crowd, including the Schimmels, began to climb through the scaffolding and up the Northwest Capitol stairs. It is alleged that the Schimmels then aided the crowd of rioters in pushing past police officers on the stairs, surging past fallen barricades. Court records say that Charles Schimmel grabbed a U.S. Capitol Police bicycle and moved it away from the crowd of rioters.
It is alleged that the Schimmels were among the first rioters inside the Capitol building, entering at about 2:14 p.m., approximately one minute after rioters had kicked down and smashed the Senate Wing Door and adjoining windows. Once inside, the Schimmels made their way to multiple locations inside the Capitol, including the Crypt, Rotunda, Speaker of the House office suite, Senate Minority Leader office suite, East Foyer, and Senate Wing hallway before exiting the building at about 3:14 p.m.
Court documents say that the Schimmels and other rioters remained on Capitol grounds for nearly two hours after leaving the building. At about 4:49 p.m., the Schimmels allegedly were present on the Northwest stairs as police officers formed a line in an attempt to clear the area of rioters. As the police line approached the Schimmels, the two men allegedly leaned backward against police riot shields in order to resist the advancement of the officers.
It is alleged that the Schimmels ignored repeated commands from police to move back and instead continued to push against the line. Eventually, at about 4:55 p.m., police succeeded in moving the crowd, including the Schimmels, down the stairs and away from the building. At about 4:58 p.m., the Schimmels again allegedly stopped and leaned their bodies back against the police line. Court documents say that the Schimmels were among the last rioters to leave the area.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being investigated by the FBI's Buffalo and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Read MorePrattsburgh father & son arrested for Jan. 6 insurrection

LETTER TO THE EDITOR A Republican view

What could a Republican in Yates County possibly have to say? Especially after 55 years of watching Yates County deteriorate and then thrive again.
First of all, I do have a memory. Penn Yan Express, Champion, Michaels-Stern, Penn Yan Boats, high technology stern drives, flat bottom party barges, many small boat companies, Finger Lakes fancy Concord grapes, Seneca Lake selected cluster Delaware grapes, E.R. Underwood Finger Lakes Niagara grapes, milk and cattle haulers, buckwheat, fresh sweetcorn, cattle ranches, fresh fruit, the Fishing Derby, opera, and ice fishing. Too many to remember for this old man.
Of course I am, and my family always, Republican. We were independent Republican, I guess. Stories of FDR's legendary leadership in the worst of times, Depression, Prohibition, W.W. II, and the Holocaust are still fresh in my mind like yesterday. Then there was Harry Truman who brought home my uncles, except Mac, in Europe for eternity. We voted across the line.
I, as a moderate to liberal Republican, feel like a man without a party. I just have some fears. Like huge national hospitals (even for our dog), corporate farming, and fewer local news sources.
"Woke," I learned recently, once had a great reputation, a meaning of acknowledgement of the needs of others, not just P.C. and permissiveness. It was seeing our co-residents of the county with understanding and compassion. I, as a Christian, must acknowledge mercy and justice. As Pope Francis said, "Who am I to judge?" And as instructed by God's son, I must pray for remission of sins, and for the sinner as well. Yes, I am still trying to learn.
My message received; keep eyes, ears, and mind open, and you may even see yourself differently. Mercy is nothing if we have no justice, and I support justice as essential. If we have no justice, woke is nothing.
Thank you and the Chronicle-Express for this opportunity to speak out.

George Gratton
Dresden

EDITOR'S NOTE: Letter writers are responsible for making sure the information they submit is accurate and factual.

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