Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – The state Department of Transportation had crews out today working on Route 31 for several miles in Murray. The pavement has been removed and a new layer will be put down.

Provided photo

HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club was recently recognized by Rotary International and Rotary District 7090 for having the highest retention rate in D7090, which includes Rotary clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

The Holley club lost no members during the 2013-2014 Rotary year. The club has held this distinction for two straight years. Pictured above (left to right) with the citations are Past President Robert Miller and current club President John Pedley.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Brad Fisher drives ‘Back N Black’ in the Heavy Super Stock class, juiced-up tractors with multiple engines. About 50 competitors vied in today’s Murray Tractor Pull on Groth Road, pulling a 40,000-pound sled along a dirt track. About 1,000 people attended the event, which is sanctioned by Empire State Pullers.

One of the spectators plugs his ears during the modified class, which had very loud tractors.

Lloyd Christ drives his Heavy Super Stock tractor, ‘It’s Only Money,’ into a trailer after competing today. Christ built the course for the tractor pulling event on Groth Road about 15 years ago.

His son Scott and grandson Travis both compete in tractor pulling.

Roy Metz and ‘Mid-Life Crisis’ roar down the track in Murray. This picture was taken through the window in the announcer’s stand.

John Duggan competes with ‘Road Runner’ in the modified class. He won the class on Sunday.

A spectator gets close to action to get a picture of the modified tractor.

Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company members Terry Miller, left, and Fire Chief Joe Morlino work in the concessions stand. Proceeds from the event are shared with FHM, the Holley Ambulance Squad and the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holley.

Henry Everman of Avon helps his wife Sharon line up a modified tractor in today’s competition. Mrs. Everman finished second in the class. Her husband won the Heavy Super Stock class.

Dave Witkowski and ‘Smokin’ Joe’ get ready to race down the track, while leaving a trail of dark smoke.

HOLLEY – A man who was on the loose for nearly six hours was finally arrested after he was discovered hiding in a hollowed out couch in an abandoned house this evening.

David Diaz, 31, of 25 Mechanic St. was the subject of a manhunt from about 12:30 p.m. until he was located at 6:30 p.m. at a house next door at 27 Mechanic St.

Diaz was charged with resisting arrest and escape in the third degree, Holley police officer David Nenni said.

Diaz will be turned over to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. He is wanted on a probation violation and could face additional charges.

Holley police knocked on Diaz’s door at 10 a.m. when police were investigating a fraud case through the Department of Social Services, Nenni said. Diaz took off through the back door and was caught after a foot chase, Nenni said.

Diaz was taken to the Holley police station but was released. However, the Monroe County Probation Department then called to say Diaz was wanted on the Probation violation.

He was brought back to the station and told Holley police officers he had to go to the bathroom, Nenni said. Diaz claimed the water wasn’t working in the bathroom. While a Holley police officer checked, Diaz then fled the police station at about 12:30 p.m.

Holley police officers, the State Police, Albion Police, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Niagara County K-9 were all in the village, trying to locate Diaz. A police helicopter also were brought in, Nenni said.

At about 6:30 p.m. Diaz was located by three Holley police officers – Nenni, Robert Barton and Skip Christ. Diaz was hiding inside a couch.

Photos by Sue Cook – Kay and “Wild” Bill McDonald sing together while “Mild” Bill Pitcher plays guitar in the background during “Sweet Caroline.”

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

HOLLEY – The Holley Canal Park concert series kicked off last night to the country music of The Ghost Riders. They played hit numbers such as “Goodnight, Irene” and “Folsome Prison Blues.”

The band played near the water’s edge along the Erie Canal near the lift bridge. The audience of almost 100 stretched back along the canal bank.

The free concerts will take place every Friday night at 7 p.m. at the park gazebo on East Avenue until Aug. 15. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Fireman’s Field on North Main Street.

A few people got up to dance during some numbers. The event is hosted by the Village of Holley. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Concessions will be sold during the event.

The full moon rose in the sky over the concert.

The upcoming schedule includes:

July 18: Don Newcomb Band (classic rock)
July 25: The Who Dats (classic rock)
Aug. 1: Justin Crossett Band (blues)
Aug. 8: Triple Play (various)
Aug. 15: Wayward Wynd (country)

For more information, contact the Village of Holley office at 585-638-6367.

HOLLEY – The seven-member Board of Education in Holley re-elected Brenda Swanger as its president. She first took the reins as president a year ago, the first change in the board’s leadership in a decade after John Heise served as president.

Heise took a year break from the board and was elected to a new term in May. He took office last week, replacing Norm Knight, who didn’t seek re-election.

Swanger has served 10 years on the board. She works as a real estate agent and for the town of Clarendon in accounts payable, water billing and with the budget.

The board also re-elected Kellie Spychalski as vice president.

The board in recent years has been busy working on a $27 million capitol project that revamped the junior-senior high school, athletic fields, the bus garage and made other improvements. The project is now complete.

Photo/13 WHAM – Carmelo Rivera

BROCKPORT – About 500 people attended calling hours and a funeral service for Carmela Rivera on Wednesday, with many people driving out of state to express their sympathy to Rivera’s family.

That support, including a Sunday night vigil on the football field, has comforted the family while they grieve the loss of a beloved son, brother and uncle, said Carmelo’s mother Rosa Rivera.

“I have no words to express our gratitude for the love everyone has showed to his family and friends,” she said this afternoon.

Carmelo, 22, was a team captain and all-star on the Holley football team when he played varsity about five years ago. He was working three jobs to help pay for his college education. He was an exercise science major at Brockport State College.

He was on his way home to Holley after working a late shift at a restaurant in Le Roy when he struck a pea harvester on Route 19 in Bergen. He was killed on Sunday morning at about 2:30 a.m.

“He was very loving and very charismatic,” his mother said. “He had a lot of laughter in him.”

Carmelo’s service was held at the Fowler Funeral Home in Brockport. He is survived by his mother and father Carmelo (Veronica Rangel) Rivera, and seven siblings: Isrrael Obregon, Ivane Obregon, Maria Rivera, Leonardo Rivera, Cassandra Rivera, Cuauhtemoc Paz and Xochitl Paz.

Carmelo always worked hard in the classroom, at work and in athletics, his mother said.

“He was always humble and noble,” she said. “He knew he would have to work extra hard to accomplish his goals. We’re very proud of him and honored he was our son.”

Carmelo was a highly respected member of the Holley football teams that turned around winless seasons and won 8 games, turning into a Genesee Region powerhouse.

He played linebacker and offensive line for the Holley Hawks. After he graduated from Holley, he returned to volunteer as a coach for Holley’s youth football teams.

“We lost the type of young man we need in today’s society,” said Rivera’s coach Chad DeRock. “He was selfless and charismatic. He was a very good player who paved his way with hard work and sweat.”

22-year-old was killed Sunday in accident with pea combine

Photo/13 WHAM – Carmelo Rivera

HOLLEY – The 22-year-old Holley man who died Sunday after an accident with a pea combine in Bergen was a highly respected member of the Holley football program, a former all star who volunteered as a coach for Holley’s youth football teams.

Carmelo Rivera’s loss is hitting hard for many of his classmates and community members. They gathered on the Holley football field for a vigil on Sunday night, with teammates driving from New York City and Pennsylvania and across New York to share their grief.

“We lost the type of young man we need in today’s society,” said Rivera’s coach Chad DeRock. “He was selfless and charismatic.”

Rivera was a captain on Holley football teams that advanced into the playoffs, teams that turned 0-8 seasons into 8-win powerhouses. Rivera played on the offensive line and was a linebacker.

He worked hard in the weight room, lead the linemen in drills and won the respect of his teammates and opponents, DeRock said. Rivera was named a Genesee Region All Star.

“He was a very good player who paved his way with hard work and sweat,” DeRock said.

“Carmelo was the type of kid where you have more than his athletic ability. He was a kid of character. He was a man of virtue.” – Chad DeRock, football coach

Rivera was studying exercise science at Brockport State College. He juggled three jobs to help pay for college. He still found time to come back as a volunteer coach in the youth football program.

“I’ve always preached to the kids to come back and give back,” said John Grillo, who leads Holley’s wrestling program and pushed for the district to add football.

Not many recent graduates take up that charge and return to the sidelines, helping a new generation of players. But Rivera would help the varsity and youth football teams.

“He had the respect of the players because of his determination and his motivation to excel as a player,” Grillo said. “He had a hard work ethic and a motivation for self improvement.”

DeRock is now a coach and teacher at Letchworth. He was teaching global studies at Holley when he mentioned to Rivera he should give football a shot. Rivera was a sophomore then and had limited experience with the game.

He hit the weight room, studied football and connected with his teammates. He emerged as one of the best players on a team that was one of the best in the Genesee Region.

“Carmelo was the type of kid where you have more than his athletic ability,” DeRock said. “He was a kid of character. He was a man of virtue.”

Brockport State College issued a statement about the “great sadness” in the college community over Rivera’s death.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carmelo’s family and friends,” according to the statement. “Our counselors are available at the Hazen Hall Counseling Center (395-2207) for those who would like to talk to someone during this difficult time.”