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Alabama

Two-car crash at Bloomingdale and Sand Hill roads

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Bloomingdale and Sand Hill roads, on the border of the Town of Alabama and the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. One person is said to have a mouth and arm injury, another is complaining of chest pain due to the seat belt restraint. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: The patients are both children.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: The patients are being transported to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Oakfield-Alabama wins junior/senior baseball championship

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by Scott Gayton:

Oakfield-Alabama defeats the Batavia Yankees to win the Junior/Senior Championship Title. The final score was 4-3. Front row from left: Coach Joel D'Alba, Jordan D'Alba, Andrew McIntyre, Tristian Korzelius, Cole Phelps, Cameron Dayka. Back row: Coach Scott Gayton, Zach Gayton, Allen Chatt, Danny Dinsmore, Austin Fisher, Chris Nanni, Hunter Spiotta, Josiah Yantz, Manager Bruce Chatt.

Car vs. tree accident on Griffen Road, driver pinned inside

By Billie Owens

An injury accident is reported at 7056 Griffen Road. A car struck a tree and the tree is in the roadway, blocking traffic. The driver is pinned inside, conscious and alert, and will require extrication. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A deputy on scene reports "The subject is noncompliant, but it's not an issue because he's pinned in the vehicle."

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Law enforcement on scene is requesting fire police to shut down traffic at Bloomingdale and Judge roads. The driver is uncooperative with medics and officers and some sort of "medication," as opposed to alcohol, may be an issue. Mercy Flight is called and they are also requesting an engine to respond mutual aid from Pembroke / Indian Falls.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: State DOT workers will bring chainsaws to cut up the tree and remove it.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: It was decided that the patient would be transported via ground ambulance, with a Mercy Flight crew person onboard, to the Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Brush fire close to house on Maple Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A brush fire is reported to be 20 feet away from a residence at 7012 Maple Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding. The location is between Knowlesville and Ledge roads. The fire chief on scene reports it is currently confined to a hedgerow and "as long as the wind is cooperating" it should remain there while they proceed to put it out.

UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: The fire is under control.

UPDATE 1:36 p.m.: The fire is out. Alabama is back in service.

Line arcing, power outage reported on Ham Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A power line is reported arcing in the trees on Ham Road between Gorton and Knowlesville roads, and there are reportedly power outages in the area.

Alabama Fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:19 a.m.: National Grid requested to the scene. Two tree limbs have fallen on the line.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: National Grid reports 38 customers without power. Full restoration expected by 9:15 a.m.

Bail set at $100K for man accused of randomly firing gun at homes and cars

By Howard B. Owens

An Alabama resident is accused of driving drunk and randomly firing a rifle at homes and cars on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation on Tuesday night.

Eric A. Easton, 28, of Ham Road, Alabama, is charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, 1st, a Class D felony.

He was jailed on $100,000 bail.

On Tuesday in the late evening, deputies responded to Basom for reports of shots being fired at homes and cars.

The alleged victims appeared to be randomly selected and no injuries were reported, though property was damaged.

Easton was taken into custody late Tuesday night by Erie County deputies and was arraigned in the Town of Newstead on Thursday. Following his arraignment, he was released from Erie County custody and immediately arrested by a Genesee County deputy.

The investigation is continuing in Erie, Niagara and Genesee counties and additional charged are likely, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Report of gunshots fired from truck in Basom remains under investigation

By Howard B. Owens

A report Tuesday night of a drive-by trucker firing shots out his window in Basom is still under investigation, but a possible suspect has been identified, Sheriff Gary Maha said today.

The subject deputies believe may have been involved may also have been arrested for DWI in Erie County.

Maha said it will take a little time to put the whole case together because law enforcement agencies in Genesee, Erie and Niagara counties are all involved.

Person in Alabama reports being shot at by driver of truck registered in Basom

By Billie Owens

A person in the area of Crosby and Judge roads in Alabama reports being shot at with a .22-caliber rifle by someone driving a pickup truck registered to a driver on Ham Road in Basom. Law enforcement is investigating.

UPDATE: 11:45 p.m.: A deputy reports recovering a bullet. No further details available at this time.

Cornfield on fire off Lewiston Road in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A cornfield is reportedly on fire at 1534 Lewiston Road, near Church Street, in Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is en route.

UPDATE 12:26 p.m.: Fire police and an engine from Oakfield are requested. Smoke is blowing across the roadway.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: A tanker from Oakfield is called to the scene. Some firefighters are working at the back of the property to protect a barn. There's a brush fire nearby. Although the fire is not approaching the structure, there are strong winds blowing.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: Alabama command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 12:59 p.m.: The fire is out. The Alabama assignment is back in service.


Law and Order: Batavia man accused of stalking

By Howard B. Owens

Timothy P. Brown, 37, of 10 Hutchins Place, rear, is charged with stalking, 4th. Brown is accused of repeatedly contacting a former friend after being told to stop contacting that person. Brown was allegedly texting the former friend after the former friend asked him to stop and after he was warned by police to have no further contact.

Maxwell Raymond Pfendler, 20, of South Lake Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and unlawful possession of marijuana. Pfendler was stopped at 7:55 p.m. Saturday on Route 63, Batavia, for allegedly speeding by Deputy Matthew Butler.

Wayne H. Austin, 37, of Ivison Road, Byron, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd. Austin is accused of purposefully swerving his vehicle in the roadway at another vehicle.

Linda K. Garrettson, 55, of Wynanskill, is charged with possession or sale of unstamped cigarettes and possession and transport of 10,000 or more unstamped cigarettes; James A. Lapi, 60, of Palatine Bridge, is charged with possession and transport of 10,000 or more unstamped cigarettes. Garrettson and Lapi were arrested by State Police. Garrettson was taken into custody at the State Police Barracks in Batavia at 1:21 p.m. Friday, and Lapi was arrested on Bloomingdale Road at 10:15 a.m., Friday. Lapi was jailed on $700 bail.

Driver says he fell asleep prior to car overturning on Route 77, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A driver involved in a rollover accident on Route 77, Alabama, on Friday said he fell asleep at the wheel.

Matthew R. Killburn, 22, of 1379 Bray Road, Arcade, was not seriously injured in the crash and did not require ambulance transport.

According to Deputy Tim Wescott's report, Killburn was northbound on Route 77 near Ledge Road at 6:15 p.m. when he fell asleep and his car traveled off the east shoulder and overturned.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Killburn was driving a 2005 Chevy sedan.

No citations were issued.

Alabama farmhouse getting second chance after nearly becoming fire-training structure

By Howard B. Owens

When the owner of an old farmhouse at 1493 Judge Road, Alabama, offered the building up to the Alabama Fire Department to use in training, Rob Crossen's thought, "I hate to see another old house go to heck."

Instead of letting the house get destroyed in training -- which would eventually include burning it down -- Crossen stepped in and bought the property.

Since last October, Rob and his son Dan, along with some local carpenters, have been working on restoring the home with the goal of eventually selling it to a family that will appreciate the old house.

It's an all-out restoration project, too. 

One hundred years ago, at least, horse-drawn tools dug a hole for a foundation and workers manually placed heavy stones around the perimeter. Crossen and his crew refurbished the masonry and dug the basement two feet deeper.

The house never had a proper sump pump, which led to a lot of water damage, so Crossen fixed installed a new one.

The back of the house -- the kitchen, primarily, was so badly damaged that Crossen just tore it away. The house will have entirely new kitchen.

Crossen's workers have completely gutted the interior of the house and each room, upstairs and down, will have new electrical works, new walls and new floors.

"It will be all new on the inside but look like an old house on the outside," Crossen said.

Below is a picture I took of the house this past October (taken with black and white film). I've photographed the old farmhouse a few times before this shot, but this is the only one I saved. It's a classic, turn-of-the-century (the last century) farmhouse and it's great to see it getting a second life.

Oakfield Betterment Committee Movie in the Park

By Melissa Haacke

The Oakfield Betterment Committee will show "ET The Extraterrestrial" on Saturday July 21, 2012 in the Elroy D. Parkins Park, Drake Street in Oakfield.  The evening begins at 8:00 pm with the movie starting at dusk.

The movie is FREE for all ages.  We will sell hot dogs, drinks, candy and popcorn.  The Oakfield Girl Scouts will be selling "Glow in Dark Necklaces".

The Betterment Committee will also be drawing the EARLY BIRD winner for presale tickets for Labor Day Weekend. 

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Car passenger found to allegedly have 2-foot tall marijuana plant in bag

By Howard B. Owens

Clifford Leo Regimbal, 33, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana and unlawful growing of marijuana. Regimbal was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at 6:57 p.m. Monday on Route 77, Basom, and allegedly found in possession of a bag containing more than 25 grams of marijuana and a 2-foot tall marijuana plant. Also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana was Ashley Nicole Janikowski, 28, of Oakfield. The traffic stop was initiated by Depty Patrick Reeves.

Jamie R. Bachorski, 18, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Bachorski is accused of smoking marijuana with a child May 29.

Amber Michelle Hufsizer, 21, of Newark, is charged with petit larceny. Hufsizer is accused of stealing merchandise valued at $90.89 at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Brad C. Doward, 22, of 10 Hall St., Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Doward allegedly unlawfully entered the residence of a friend, damaged property, had physical contact with the resident, all while in close proximity to a child. The incident was reported at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, and Doward appeared at police HQ at 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Mark W. Nassivera, 21, of Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Nassivera was taken into custody by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 10:03 p.m. Sunday in Alabama. Nassivera was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail. No further details available.

David L. O'Neil, 22, of 101 Elmwood Parkway, Tonawanda, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. O'Neil was stopped by State Police at 12:29 a.m. Saturday in the Town of Pembroke.

Law and Order: Woman accused of head-butting victim

By Howard B. Owens

Valerie Ann Parker, 32, of Parker Road, Basom, is charged with assault, 3rd. Parker was reportedly involved in a verbal argument with another woman when she allegedly head-butted the woman, breaking her nose.

Shawn MIchael Twardowski, 29, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Twardowski was taken into custody on a warrant out of Town of Oakfield Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Albert Andrew Ackerman, 47, of Silver Road, Bethany, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ackerman is accused of grabbing, pushing and punching a woman during a domestic dispute. An order of protection was issued requiring Ackerman to stay away from the woman.

Jason Robert Sando, 45, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Sando is accused of restricting a woman's movements and subjecting her to physical contact during a domestic dispute. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tammy L. Price, 40, of 1526 Kingsley Road, Wyoming, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, unsafe start and uninspected motor vehicle. Price was taken into custody by Le Roy PD after her vehicle was allegedly observed pulling out of a parking lot in an unsafe manner.

Joshua A. Mead, 27, of Downing Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and following too closely. Mead is accused driving drunk at the time he was involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 12:04 a.m. Sunday on Route 77 in Darien. Mead was taken into custody by Sgt. Greg Walker. Darien Fire Department assisted at the scene. (Initial Report)

Terrance A. Falk, 47, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Falk is accused of dumping a plastic tote filled with paper over his wife's head during a domestic dispute.

Ashley Allen Wayne, 46, of Rose Circle, Hamlin, is accused of being a fugitive from justice and was cited for no seat belt. Wayne was stopped on Route 237, Byron, for allegedly not wearing a seat belt. During the stop, Deputy Chris Parker discovered Wayne was wanted on a warrant out of Pennsylvania for allegedly endangering another person. Wayne was jailed pending extradition.

Daniel Gordon Vanderwalle, 33, of Stuart Avenue, Newark, was arrested on a bench warrant. Vanderwalle is accused of not appearing on a charge of petit larceny in Town of Batavia Court.

Bicyclist down on Lewiston Road

By Billie Owens

A bicyclist is in the roadway, unknown reason, at 1655 Lewiston Road. Alabama fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:52 p.m.: Mercy is put back in service. 

UPDATE 8:02 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Car in a ditch on Sand Hill Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A car accident is reported at 7428 Sand Hill Road. Injuries, if any, are unknown. The car is in a ditch. Alabama Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to the scene. The accident is "around the bend." Fire police are told to shut down Sand Hill Road at Bloomingdale Road.

UPDATE 1:26 p.m.: Traffic on Sand Hill Road is being completely shut down.

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Erie County Medical Center.

UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: The road is being reopened. Alabama is back in service.

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