Tuesday News Brief

Oakfield Man Leads Police Chase

A Oakfield man is facing a long list of charges following a late-night police pursuit over the weekend.
Walter B. Hale Jr., 47, of Oakfield, was arrested just before 2 a.m. on May 24 after a traffic stop on Route 33 in the Town of Batavia. Authorities say Hale initially pulled over for traffic violations, but then fled the scene, leading police on a chase that ended on Transit Road in Orleans County.
He’s charged with DWI with three prior convictions in 15 years, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlawful fleeing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, among other violations.
After the pursuit, Hale was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation and later transported to the Genesee County Jail, where he was remanded without bail.

Summer Hours Begin at Genesee County Offices

Starting today, Genesee County Offices are shifting to their summer hours — opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 4:30 p.m., a half-hour earlier on both ends compared to their usual schedule. The total number of public service hours remains the same. These summer hours will be in effect through August 29. Some departments may follow different schedules, so be sure to check specific department announcements or contact offices directly with any questions.

Rochester Gunpoint Robbery

13WHAM News reports, a Rochester man is facing charges after an alleged armed carjacking on Fulton Avenue Sunday night. Around 8 p.m., police responded to reports of a vehicle stolen at gunpoint near Phelps Avenue. Two suspects were involved in the incident.
Officers later spotted the stolen car on West Main Street near Jefferson Avenue. Both suspects ran from the scene, and one—identified as a 26-year-old man—was arrested.
He now faces robbery and grand larceny charges and was already on parole for a previous offense.
Police are still searching for the second suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

Batavia Downs Names New General Manager of Live Racing

Nicolle Fortes has been named the new General Manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. The announcement came on May 21 following a successful interview earlier this month, where Fortes reportedly made a strong impression on board members.
Her new annual salary is set at $102,000. As part of the appointment, the Board also voted to reclassify the position to a grade 7, which carries a salary range of $90,000 to $110,000.
Fortes is a longtime employee at Batavia Downs and will be stepping into the role previously held by Don Hoover. Hoover served as General Manager of Live Racing from June 2022 through the end of last year. Reports show he was paid $12,000 per month during that time.
Fortes officially takes the reins as the Downs prepares for its upcoming racing season.

Charity Golf Tournament

The 14th annual MadisoNation golf tournament is set for Saturday, July 26, at the LeRoy Country Club. This year’s event is expected to push total donations past the $100,000 mark since the tournament began.
MadisoNation was created in honor of Madison Marie Muckle, who battled leukemia as a child and is now cancer-free. The tournament raises funds for families and organizations affected by childhood cancer.
The four-person scramble costs $500 per team and includes golf, meals, and live music. To register or donate, visit madisonation.org or contact Kevin or Jen Muckle directly.
Proceeds support local families and causes, continuing a tradition of community and compassion.

Dr. Obear Announces Retirement

After decades of service, Dr. Mary Obear is retiring from Oak Orchard Health at the end of May. She’s been a trusted family physician in Genesee County for over 25 years. Her patients will now be seen by Shannon Bartlett and Kevin Beuler at the Corfu office.
A retirement celebration will be held June 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Pembroke Community Center. The public is welcome to attend and honor Dr. Obear’s lasting impact on the community.

Sports Scores

Sectional playoffs kicked off over the weekend with big action in Genesee County high school softball.
In Class A, 10-seed Batavia stunned 7-seed Geneva with an 18-0 shutout and will face 2-seed Eastridge next. In Class B1, 4-seed Le Roy topped 5-seed Mynderse 7-3 and now prepares to take on powerhouse 1-seed Wellsville.
In Class C1, 8-seed Pembroke walked it off with two runs in the bottom of the 7th to edge 9-seed Letchworth, 2-1. They’ll meet 1-seed Bloomfield next. Meanwhile, 12-seed Byron-Bergen pulled off a massive upset over 5-seed Sodus, winning 23-8 after trailing in the fifth. They’ll now face 4-seed Cal-Mum.
In Class C2, 2-seed Oakfield-Alabama blanked 15-seed Eugenio Maria DeHostos 7-0 and moves on to face 7-seed Alexander, who rolled past 10-seed Clyde-Savannah, 24-4.
In Class D, 10-seed Elba fell to 7-seed Arkport-Canaseraga, 12-5—becoming the only Genesee County team to lose in the opening round. Meanwhile, 8-seed Notre Dame beat 9-seed Pavilion 15-1, but was eliminated the next day by 1-seed Lyndonville, 10-1.

Sectional playoffs are underway in Genesee County high school baseball, and several local teams are making strong runs.
In Class A, 9-seed Batavia rolled past 8-seed Aquinas, 20-8, and will now take on top-seeded Pittsford Mendon.
In Class B, 2-seed Le Roy dominated 15-seed Attica 19-3 and moves on to face 10-seed Haverling.
Class C1 saw 2-seed Pembroke beat 15-seed Red Creek 18-4, but fall in the quarterfinals to 7-seed Bloomfield, 7-6. Meanwhile, 5-seed Pavilion/York beat 12-seed Letchworth and then upset 4-seed East Rochester 3-1 to reach the semifinals, where they’ll face 1-seed Sodus.
6-seed Notre Dame cruised past 11-seed South Seneca 11-1 but was edged out by 3-seed Geneseo 7-6 in the quarters. 9-seed Byron-Bergen lost a tight one to 8-seed Williamson, 3-2.
In Class C2, 13-seed Alexander was eliminated by 4-seed Honeoye, 10-9. But 5-seed Oakfield-Alabama is headed to the semifinals after shutting out Campbell-Savona 11-0 and beating Honeoye 11-4. They’ll face 1-seed Kendall next.
In Class D, 3-seed Elba narrowly avoided an upset, slipping past 14-seed Mount Morris, 5-4. They’ll face 6-seed Fillmore next.