Uncategorized

Editor's Response

John Christensen, Editor The Chronicle-Express Ms. Wuytowicz, While I appreciate the fervency of your political beliefs, I believe you may be mistaken in the purpose… Login to continue reading Login…

Read MoreEditor's Response

AFTER THOUGHTS Let's change 'nervous' to 'excited' for all athletes

It's been fun to see the growth in each of the 2023-24 high school athletes who have discovered talents they didn't realize they had and honed more sharply the skills they were already confident in.
In a couple of months, we will cheer about the victories and achievements of Olympic athletes who push their bodies to new heights, speeds, and strength to be able to stand on the podium. Only one competitor can reach that gold medal podium, but they never make it there alone. The achievements of youth and scholastic level athletes are the stepping stones to the podium at the ultimate level of a sport.
Each athlete deserves credit for the progress they made through the seasons, but I'm sure they will each say they share the credit with others.The stars of the games get the recognition on the sports pages, but they wouldn't achieve their victories without layers of support, some more obvious than others.
It's time to give those supporters and advocates some recognition too. Let's start with coaches.
Coaches, especially those who coach youth level sports, teach fundamentals and rules. The coaches I respect most mix their knowledge with generous helpings of fun and respect. Helping youngsters feel joy in even small successes is important, but so is demonstrating respect for teammates, opponents, and officials. Coaches who teach an athlete that mental skills and emotional resilience are just as important as physical talents and skills are coaches who set youngsters on the path to success. Thank you to all the coaches who have devoted themselves to the development of these athletes, who will use the lessons of teamwork, determination, persistence, and discipline as they become community leaders.
Have you ever thought about the officials?
Why would anyone voluntarily stand between two opponents to make decisions that will be questioned by impassioned spectators? Most likely it's because they love a particular sport and want to share it with the next generation by helping them learn the best way to play the game.
No one makes perfect decisions, especially when most of those decisions are based on a judgement from individual human observation determined in seconds. There may be video replays in professional level sports, but the brave men and women who have the physical stamina, emotional control, and keen concentration to officiate youth and scholastic sports don't have that luxury.
It's time to give thanks for the officials who also share their skills and knowledge with young athletes, and think about joining their ranks if you think you have what it takes (otherwise, be quiet and watch the game!).
Of course, the parents, grandparents, and other adults who make sure the players have the nutrition, equipment, transportation, encouragement and other support to participate in events deserve recognition too. Often these individuals are also the coaches, which means they balance the two roles, ensuring fair play and fair playtime for all team members.
But those aren't the only people who make it possible for our kids to participate and excel in sports. How about the crews who maintain the facilities and fields, and the equipment managers who take care of the pads, sticks, bats, balls, etc. And don't forget the athletic trainers who have a better understanding of the physical demands each sport makes on the human body.
Finally, there are the faithful spectators and members of the media who help memorialize the efforts, in pictures and words, on paper and in the digital world.
A team is much larger than what you see on the bench. Everyone has a role, but no one's role is to ridicule, complain, harass, or belittle. It takes the efforts of many to help athletes succeed.
I am a fan of ice hockey, especially the NHL's Boston Bruins. While I'm sad the Bruins were defeated in the quarterfinal round of post-season play this year, I'm encouraged by the progress of the younger players, in particular John Beecher of Elmira, who was brought up to Boston just a few weeks ago, and goalie Jeremy Swayman, who was outstanding all season and through the series.
After the Bruins won a critical game five to keep them in the play-off series before being eliminated by the Florida Panthers, Swayman, well-known for his composure said, "I just can't thank my mentors enough for showing me the way and replacing that word 'nervous' with 'excited' and just being me and embracing moments. That's when I find the most enjoyment, truly living it to the absolute fullest. And I couldn't be happier."
Let's do our part to help all athletes feel excited.

Do you have feedback on this or a suggestion for a future column? Feel free to email me at gchamberlain27@gmail.com.

Read MoreAFTER THOUGHTS Let's change 'nervous' to 'excited' for all athletes

POLICE REPORTS 'SWATTING' Suspect Cameron Manley Arrested

PENN YAN - After a lengthy multi-agency investigation into 911 calls where he falsely reported emergencies, Penn Yan Police have arrested CAMERON L. MANLEY, 21, of Keuka Park. On Dec. 3, 2023, Manley allegedly used a personal safety reporting app on his phone to falsely report an active shooter situation at the Hampton Inn on Keuka Lake. He is also accused of using the safety app to falsely report an armed burglary in progress in another incident, and in a third, impersonating a Yates County Sheriff's Deputy using the same app to report a false "officer in need of assistance" call to 911. All three false reports resulted in a large law enforcement response by local law enforcement.
Manley is also accused of setting up false debt collection invoices and falsely turning in the Penn Yan Police Department to debt collectors. On April 1, the Village of Penn Yan was notified that it was being sent to collections for an overdue bill. It is alleged that Manley falsely submitted an invoice to a debt collection agency, charging the village over $1,000 for services that were never rendered. Penn Yan Police discovered that the company who submitted the false invoice was Bubble Social Media LTD, a company owned and registered with the Department of State, by Manley.
Manley is charged with three counts of 3rd degree Falsely Reporting an Incident, three counts of 2nd degree Criminal Impersonation, and one count of 4th degree Attempted Grand Larceny. He was arraigned in Penn Yan Village Court and released on his own recognizance in compliance with the N.Y. State Bail Reform Act. Penn Yan Police continue to investigate the origin of other false 911 calls made in November of 2023 targeting the same local hotel. Additional charges may be levied pending the conclusion of that investigation.
The Penn Yan Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, Yates County Sheriff's Office, N.Y. State Police, N.Y. State Intelligence Center, the FBI, and the Okaloosa Sheriff's Office in the State of Florida.

SHELLEY M. HAMLIN, 53, of Corry, Pa., was arrested May 13 by Penn Yan Police on an arrest warrant and a bench warrant issued out of Penn Yan Village Court after she failed to appear on several separate court dates resulting in the two warrants. Hamlin is charged with 3rd degree Bail Jumping, 2nd degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, and Unlicensed Operator. She was processed at PYPD and arraigned in Penn Yan Village Court.

TIMOTHY D. REXFORD, 47, of Tyrone, was arrested May 16 by N.Y. State Troopers investigating a fraud reported Feb. 16. He is charged with 4th degree Grand Larceny (class E felony) and 3rd degree Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification (class A misdemeanor), and was held for arraignment. In a separate matter, Rexford was also arrested for 7th degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A misdemeanor). He will answer in Tyrone Town Court.

DENISE A. AULT, 46, of Himrod, was arrested by State Troopers for drunk driving at 12:26 a.m. May 18 in the Village of Dundee. She is charged with DWI with a previous conviction within 10 years (class E felony), and was held for arraignment. She will answer in Starkey Town Court.

ERIC MAYER, 41, of New York, was arrested for drunk driving at 7:50 p.m. May 19 in the Town of Tyrone. He is charged with 1st offence DWI and DWI with a .08% BAC or greater. He was release with appearance tickets for Tyrone Town Court.

TWO-CAR CRASH - At 3:08 p.m. May 20, Yates County Deputies, State Troopers, Bento Fire Dept., and Penn Yan Ambulance Corps responded to a two-car crash on Rte. 14A near Rasmussen Road. Investigation into the crash revealed that GARY A. SHOFF, 72, of Penn Yan, was stopped in traffic waiting to turn into a farm laneway when a vehicle driven by PATRICK MISKELL, 33, of Penn Yan, struck Shoff's. Shoff was checked over by EMS at the scene and declined any medical attention. Miskell was taken by ambulance to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital for treatment of an arm injury. Miskell was issued a traffic ticket for following too closely and will answer the charge in Benton Town Court at a later date.

JOSEPH J. COLSON, (no age given), of Canandaigua, turned himself in May 20 to Yates County Deputies for an incident that took place on May 13 in the Town of Potter. Colson allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation with another person who he threatened to kill while multiple children were present. Colson is charged with three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of 2nd degree Harassment. He was held for Arraignment Court and later released to appear in Potter Town Court at a later date.

ONE-CAR CRASH - At 4:40 a.m. May 21, Yates County Deputies, Branchport-Keuka Park Fire Dept., Penn Yan Ambulance Corps, Mercy Flight, and NYSEG responded to County House Road for a one-car crash. Preliminary investigation revealed DANIKA BAILEY, 20, of Penn Yan, was driving south on County House Road when she exited the roadway and struck a utility service. Mercy Flight flew Bailey to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment of a lower leg injury. Investigation of the crash is ongoing.

WELFARE FRAUD - Following an investigation by the Yates County Sheriff's Office, Public Assistance Fraud Unit, PABLO BACON, 26, of Geneva, was arrested and charged with Offering a False Instrument, 4th degree Grand Larceny, and 4th degree Welfare Fraud. He allegedly provided false information to the Dept. of Social Services which led to receiving benefits in excess of $1,000 that he was not entitled to. Bacon was issued an appearance ticket for Milo Town Court later.

CAR INTO BUILDING CRASH - At 11:37 a.m. May 22, Penn Yan Police and Ambulance Corps were dispatched to Rite Aid for a vehicle that had struck the building. Officers found CAROL ALEXANDER, 78, of Penn Yan, was pulling into the parking lot when she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, causing her vehicle to jump the curb and strike the building. Alexander's vehicle suffered front end damage. There was minimal damage to the building, but the impact caused a rack inside the store to tip over. Alexander was taken to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital by ambulance for difficulty breathing. No charges were made.

ASHLEY NEWTON, (no age given) of Potter, was arrested May 22 by Yates County Sheriff's Deputies and State Troopers on an active arrest warrant for Violation of Probation, issued out of Potter Town Court. Newton was taken to the Yates County Jail and held for Arraignment Court.

Read MorePOLICE REPORTS 'SWATTING' Suspect Cameron Manley Arrested