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Car accident with three possible injuries reported on Sackett Road, Bergen

By Billie Owens

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A motor-vehicle accident with three possible injuries is reported in the area of 7787 Sackett Road. Bergen fire and ambulance responding.

UPDATE 12:49 a.m.: The vehicle flipped over and two people are still inside. The location is between Route 19 and West Sweden Road.

UPDATE 12:54 a.m.: Three ambulances are called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:06 a.m.: Sounds like a serious accident. They "are working on a ground contact" for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 1:53 a.m.: One person was transported to a hospital via Mercy ambulance, primarily for precautionary reasons.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Mercy Flight was cancelled. Two people were killed in this accident. Family members are being notified. A coroner is en route to the scene.

UPDATE 5 a.m.: Primary family notifications are complete, though the names of the victims have not yet been released. All three occupants were from Orleans County. The vehicle, a red Mini Cooper, was eastbound on Sackett Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle. A front-seat passenger, who was transported to Strong, told a deputy a deer was in the roadway. There was also fog at the time of the accident and the accident occurred at an S-curve. However, skid marks indicate the vehicle was likely traveling at a high rate of speed. The trio was returning from the Livingston County Fair. Alcohol has not been ruled out as a factor in the crash, but investigators will need to await a report from the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office. The driver, a male in his 30s, and a backseat passenger, in her 20s, sustained fatal injuries. The driver was wearing a seatbelt, the backseat passenger was not. The front seat passenger, also in his 30s, was wearing his seat belt. The vehicle crossed the center line and traveled in a straight path for some distance before exiting the roadway on the south shoulder just before a ravine. At that point, it appears the vehicle flipped and struck a tree.

UPDATE 10 a.m.: Overnight, the Sheriff's Office put out a press release about the accident, which corrects some of the information in the last update above. The driver is identified as Dylan Starkweather, 22, of South Fancher Road, Holley. He was driving a 2005 Mini Cooper. The rear-seat passenger, who also died, was Tracy Manchester, 31, of Lomond Shore, Kendall. The front-seat passenger was Joshua Deyager, 23, of Jerico Road, Bergen. He was transported to Strong by the Bergen Fire Department ambulance. The crash is being investigated by Deputy Joseph Loftus, with Deputy Andrew Hale, Deputy Chad Cummings and members of the Crash Management Team, Deputy James Diehl and Investigator Roger Stone.

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Three local fire departments asked to stand by in case needed to help busy Mercy medics

By Billie Owens

Bethany and Byron (fire, rescue, medical) personnel are asked to stand by in the Mercy Emergency Medical base facilities at 16 Bank St. in the City of Batavia in case they are needed. Bergen is asked to provide a crew to stage in its own quarters.

Medical responders are apparently stretched thin tonight with the Chris Brown concert in Darien, accidents and medical calls.

UPDATE: Orleans County has also been asked to send three ambulances to Darien Lake in case needed. The concert tonight is sold out. The most serious dispatch we've heard is for an unresponsive female, who was breathing, located at the Employee Entrance off Sumner Road.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: The majority of medical calls, according to dispatch, are for underage, highly intoxicated people. Medics tell UMMC that there are two more such individuals en route, and that thereafter such cases will be transported elsewhere. The implication is UMMC is overcrowded, though that wasn't stated.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: An ambulance from Lancaster is requested to Darien Lake. An ambulance from Alden was dispatched earlier.  

Law and Order: Darien resident charged with insurance fraud

By Howard B. Owens

Gerald John Wiesmore, 47, of Herkimer Road, Darien, is charged with insurance fraud, 3rd, attempted grand larceny, 3rd, and falsely reporting an incident. Wiesmore allegedly reported his 2009 Ford F-150 as stolen and then attempted to file an insurance claim well in excess of $3,000.

Kayla Wethington, 26, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Wethington allegedly stole more than $1,000 from a family member’s purse at a residence in the Town of Bethany.

Ryan A. Ballard, 23, of Dundee, is charged with DWI, speeding, failing to keep right and improper turn. Ballard was stopped on Harper Road, Darien, by State Police. Ballard allegedly failed the standardized field sobriety test.

Matthew S. Martin, 31, of Canandaigua, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right and excessive window tint. He was stopped on Colby Road, Darien, by State Police. Martin allegedly had a BAC of 0.08. 

Joseph A. Andrese, 28, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, speeding, moved from lane unsafely and driver-no seatbelt. Andrese was stopped on State Route 77,  Corfu, by State Police. Andrese allegedly failed a standardized field sobriety test. He was allegedly found to have a BAC of .15.

Jorge Cortes, 25, with no permanent address, is charged with assault, 3rd, strangulation, 2nd, intimidating a witness, 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th (non-citizen), and criminal mischief, 4th (preventing emergency assistance). Cortes is allegedly an undocumented person from Oaxaca, Mexico. He is accused of being involved in a domestic incident. He was jailed without bail.

Alex J. Ianita, 21, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful imprisonment, assault, 3rd, petit larceny and robbery, 2nd. Ianita was allegedly involved in a domestic incident. He was jailed without bail.

Jimpce J. Etienne, 39, of Warren Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and open container. Etienne was stopped at 4:16 p.m. Saturday on Jackson Street by Officer Marc Lawrence.

A 17-year-old resident of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest. The youth was taken into custody on three separate City Court warrants. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle. He allegedly attempted to break free from police, pushing past them. He was subdued and transported to police headquarters where he allegedly caused an ongoing disturbance, kicking walls, doors and other furnishings in the holding room.

Johnnie M Waston, 32, of Dodge Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted assault, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Waston is accused of grabbing a youth by the legs causing the youth to fall to the ground. The mother of the youth confronted Waston and Waston allegedly threw a glass bottle at her, hitting her with it.

Jacy William Lennon, 39, of Empire Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with issuing a bad check. Lennon was arrested on a warrant and posted $500 bail.

A 16-year-old resident of Vine Street is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing food from Dollar General.

John A. Thomas, 50, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to abide by release conditions. 

Kimberly A. Brodsky, 23, of Bank Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a petit larceny charge.

A 17-year-old resident of South Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of stealing a drink from Dollar General (name withheld by Batavia PD).

Willie A. Saab Jr., 41, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd, harassment, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Saab was arrested on a warrant. He was also arrested on charges stemming from an alleged domestic incident on Prune Street on Aug. 11. He was jailed without bail.

Matthew D. Derrick, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Derrick allegedly violated a stay away order of protection. He reportedly has a prior criminal contempt conviction in the past five years, making the new charge a felony. He was jailed without bail.

Chad Daniel Crawford, 37, of McKenzie Street, Bergen, is charged with assault, 3rd. Crawford was allegedly involved in a domestic incident. Crawford allegedly grabbed another person and pushed the person's head into a sink.

State to provide aid to libraries in Pavilion and Byron-Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that Pavilion Public Library has been awarded $283,877, while Byron-Bergen Public Library has been awarded $65,355, in public library construction funds.

The funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2014 State Budget. Pavilion Public Library’s grant is for a new 1,790-square-foot children’s addition to the library’s existing building. Byron-Bergen Public Library’s grant is for fixing drainage issues in the parking lot, replacing an emergency exit door, and installing energy-efficient windows.  

“Whether for Internet access or to promote reading among children, our local public libraries provide invaluable resources to so many residents in our community,” Ranzenhofer said. “These two grants for Pavilion and Byron-Bergen public libraries will ensure that many of their important services are secured for future generations.”

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.2 billion. More than 48 percent of the more than 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30 percent are more than three decades old.  

Many of New York’s local public libraries are: unable to accommodate users with disabilities; are energy inefficient; cannot provide Internet, computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring; and do not have sufficient space to house the library’s expanding collection; cannot address the need for adequate meeting room, or provide for public access computers.

Project activities and expenditures eligible for grants from the $14 million State Aid for Library Construction Program include: financing construction of new library buildings; construction of additions to existing buildings; and the renovation and/or rehabilitation of existing space. The latter includes: roof replacement; purchase and installation of alternative energy resources and new HVAC systems, windows, doors and lighting systems; electrical upgrades; and construction of new or replacement of old walkways and parking lots, among other things. Renovations designed to provide accessibility for patrons with disabilities are a high priority.

Law and Order: Corfu woman and man accused of heroin and crack cocaine possession

By Traci Turner

Jenea M. Macleod, 31, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. Richard T. Garlock, 33, of Newstead, is also charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. The subjects were pulled over by Deputy Joseph Corona for a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Bergen when they were allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, crack cocaine, hypodermic needles and items associated with the use of the controlled substances. Macleod was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Garlock was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail. 

Herbert C. Smith, 52, of Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia and was allegedly banned from the store due to a previous incident. He was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Tacalla N. White, 42, from Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass, 3rd. Linda M. Floyd, 48, and Tamara Rouse, 22, both from Rochester, are also charged with petit larceny. The subjects are accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia. White was allegedly previously banned from Walmart.

Virginia E. Glazier, 29, of Caswell Road, Byron, and Teryl A. Havel, 55, from Tennessee, are charged with petit larceny after they allegedly stole corn from a roadside crop stand on Batavia Elba Townline Road. Glazier and Havel are accused of taking corn without paying from an unattended farmer's produce stand, which uses the honor system for depositing payments. 

Christina R. Keels, 29, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, following an investigation into a domestic incident that happened on Judge Road. Keels allegedly hit a motor vehicle several times with a metal garden rake causing damage to the windshield and hood.

James P. Belliveau, 53, of Lockport, is charged with aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, DWI, and failure to keep right following a traffic stop by Deputy Chad Cummings on Alleghany Road in Alabama.

Michael R. McNamara, 34, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and failure to keep right. State police pulled over McNarmara for a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien.

Demetrius A. Gibson, 38, of Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, unlicensed operation and tinted windows. State police pulled over Gibson for a traffic stop on Main Street in Batavia.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 24, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by the City of Batavia Police Department. Williams allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled court date. 

Anthony M. Rodriguez, 22, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Rodriguez was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana in a parking lot during the Incubus concert at Darien Lake.

Bergen man sentenced to prison for burglary

By Traci Turner

Bergen resident Shane P. Buyck, 26, was sentenced today by Judge Robert C. Noonan to three-and-a-half years to seven years in state prison. Buyck pled guilty to third-degree burglary earlier this month. He is a second felony offender.

Buyck burglarized a residence on North Road in Bergen on May 25. After the homeowner found Buyck in the house, he fled on foot leaving his car in the driveway. Deputies located Buyck lying in thick brush in a wooded area near the house.

The homeowner filed an order of protection against him.

Law and Order: Elba women accused of supplying alcohol to minors

By Traci Turner

Crystal M. Bouter, 26, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with two counts of giving or selling alcohol to a minor. Bouter allegedly supplied alcoholic beverages to minors.

Lee C. Clark, 35, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, DWI, refusal to take a breath test, failure to keep right, moving from a lane unsafely, speeding and driving while talking on a cellphone. Clark was pulled over on Lockport Road in Oakfield by Deputy James Diehl. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Douglas J. Ostrander, 57, of North Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater, DWI, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and driving with license restrictions. Ostrander was pulled over on Buffalo Road in Bergen for traffic violations when Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly ound him to be in an intoxicated condition.

Shannon K. Kestler, 41, of Jefferson Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Kestler is accused of shoplifting from Kohl's in Batavia.

Joseph A. Sunday II, 19, of South Lyndonville Road, Lyndonville, is charged with petit larceny. Sunday allegedly stole items from Kmart in Batavia.

Benishio C. Coger, 19, of Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. State police pulled over the car Coger was riding in for alleged tinted windows in Pembroke. An investigation revealed he allegedly possessed a cigar containing approximately one gram of marijuana.

Byron Heritage Day Saturday, July 25

By James Renfrew

Byron Heritage Festival Calendar of Events 

Firemen's Park (Behind Byron Fire Dept. on Rte. 262) 

July 25, 2015

 

Fishing Derby at Trestle Park 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (Ages 12 and under) (Sponsored by Byron Kiwanis and Sackett Merrill White American legion Post) (sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m.)

 

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Batavia woman allegedly menaced people with a knife on Hutchins Street

By Traci Turner

Kim M. Mobley, 52, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of grand larceny, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, menacing, 2nd, and obstruction of governmental administration. Mobley allegedly possessed a knife and menaced several individuals during an altercation on Hutchins Street. Mobley is also accused of stealing money from an officer who had seized it from an arrestee as property or evidence. She was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Bobby L. Mobley Jr., 40, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and obstruction of governmental administration. Mobley is accused of attempting to interfere with a police investigation. The incident occurred on Hutchins Street. He was held in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old is charged with grand larceny, 4th. The youth allegedly broke into vehicles parked in a lot at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, and stole items. The youth was put in the Genesee County Jail on $100,000 bail for an unrelated matter.

Christopher D. Hallas, 28, of York Road, Le Roy, is charged with aggravated DWI, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, use of a loaned vehicle without an interlock device, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Hallas was the operator of a one-car accident that occurred in Le Roy. He allegedly has two prior DWI convictions in 10 years. He was put in the Genesee County Jail on $15,000 bail.

Jason P. Wickson, 33, of Cedar Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing and menacing, 3rd, following an alleged domestic incident on Cedar Street. Wickson is accused of choking, threatening and causing injury to the victim. He was held at the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Joseph M. Marranco Jr., 44, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest following an investigation into a shoplifting incident at Tops Market in Batavia. Marranco allegedly fled the store on a bicycle and was located on Redfield Parkway by Batavia Police. After a brief foot chase, he was arrested. He was put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Dain O. Kilian, 31, of Livingstion Street, Warsaw, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and dark tinted side windows. Kilian was pulled over on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Kilian allegedly gave a fictitious name and was found to have a suspended driver's license. He was put in Gensee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Julie L. Dutton, 20 of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon with the intent to use, criminal mischief with the intent to damage property and second-degree menacing with a weapon. Dutton is accused of brandishing a knife and attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person during an altercation at her residence. Dutton also allegedly damaged the victim's cell phone. She was issued an appearance ticket and was already in custody on another matter.

Richard M. Schiersing, 39, of Sand Hill Road, Caledonia, is charged with petit larceny, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, concealing or destroying physical evidence and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Schiersing allegedly stole and discarded evidence from a pending arrest while in custody. The incident occurred on West Main Street in Batavia. He was put in the Genesee County Jail.

Albert W. Donovan II, 32, of North Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with aggravated DWI, DWI, failure to keep right, moving from a lane unsafely and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway. Donovan was pulled over on North Lake Road in Bergen by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Latiqua S. Jackson, 21, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested inside the courtroom of Batavia City Court on a warrant for a petit larceny charge and unlawful possession of marijuana. Jackson is accused of stealing a computer tablet from a residence on Hutchins Street in April. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Justine D. McWethy, 28, of Fairway Drive, Batavia, was arrested on the execution of a bench warrant. McWethy allegedly failed to abide by the contract of her release. She was put in Genesee County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Two power outages reported in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

More than a thousand National Grid customers in Genesee County are without power.

There is a power outage the Byron-Bergen ara that extends south to Le Roy, and almost north and east to the Village of Bergen. More than 1,000 customers are without power. A reader reports a tree is down.

A smaller outage is affecting 44 customers in Alexander, near the county line, east of Route 98. There is an ETA of 7:45 p.m. for power restoration.

Liberty Pumps implements Employee Ownership Plan

By Traci Turner

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To give back to employees for their contributions to the ongoing success of Liberty Pumps, President and CEO Charlie Cook announced today that eligible workers will get a share of the company's profits.

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan is a form of retirement plan and eligible employees will receive shares. The amount of shares an employee receives depends on how long they have been working at the company. To be fully invested, they must work for the company for five years. Every year, employees get a statement with their share information and can sell their shares back to the company when they retire. 

"We have a great bunch of hardworking employees in our company," Cook said. "They act like owners so they deserve to be a part of the ownership."

Employees are excited about the potentially lucrative contribution. They received their first statements in May along with an actual piece of pie to celebrate.

According to Cook, the plan will not change company operations and the current leadership team will remain in place. The company has been family owned for 50 years.

Historically, the company has grown 13 percent yearly and the quantity of shares each employee receives will increase with growth. 

Liberty Pumps is in the process of expanding its facility by 123,000 square feet. The addition will significantly increase the size of the warehouse as well as the product research and development area. Cook plans to continue growing the company and is glad his employees will be benefiting from it.

Photo: Charlie Cook, right, with employees John Hasnay, Jared Murray, Julie Scott, Pamela Parton and Tina Root, on the factory floor of Liberty Pumps. Photo by Howard Owens.

Liberty Pumps announces employee ownership

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Bergen – Liberty Pumps, a leading manufacturer of sump, sewage and effluent pumps and engineered pump systems, is pleased to announce it has implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Liberty Pumps has been a family owned company for the past 50 years. The ESOP continues Liberty Pumps’ commitment to local ownership.

“The ESOP will not change company operations,” says President/CEO Charlie Cook, “our current Leadership Team is just outstanding and will remain in place. The ESOP will enhance an already positive culture where our members (employees) feel empowered, appreciated and respected.

"We believe the ESOP will take this to the next level. When a customer calls in, they will now be speaking to an owner.”

Employees are very excited about the plan and now have even more incentive to provide the high level of quality and customer attentiveness that Liberty Pumps has become known for.

Le Roy and Bergen leaders celebrate placement in Best Communities competition

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

Executives from Frontier Communications and IBM recently joined local officials and members of the business community at the D&R Depot Restaurant in Le Roy to celebrate being named a quarter finalist in America’s Best Communities (ABC) prize competition.

The team of Le Roy and Bergen is one of 50 communities in the competition, which is a $10 million initiative to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities across the United States. The Le Roy and Bergen team has been awarded $50,000 to date to develop a comprehensive strategy to start the process of developing a plan to accelerate the revival of the local economies and improve the quality of life in their communities.

Sponsored by Frontier Communications, the ABC prize competition could net a Grand Prize of $3 million for the communities to advance their strategic economic development revitalization plan.

“The collaborative efforts of the community and business leaders of Le Roy and Bergen give reason to celebrate the recognition as one of America’s Best Communities,” said Robert Smith, Frontier Area general manager -- Rochester West. “The team has a great vision on economic development and nurturing the cultural identity of their towns, two key outcomes desired of this contest.”

Le Roy and Bergen have been awarded $35,000 from the ABC prize competition to date and $15,000 from American Express and IBM, which are serving as financial sponsor and active mentor, respectively, as the team pursues the next round of funding.

The Town of Le Roy, under the leadership of Supervisor Stephen R. Barbeau, has committed up to $15,000 to ensure the communities can compete in the semifinal round. Other sponsors and potential funding partners include local governments and businesses. A consultant also will be hired in July to finalize the community revitalization plan.

"This is a perfect example of communities working together for collective betterment. Our Upstate communities serve as a positive example for the rest of the state: coordination, cooperation, ingenuity and efficiencies of scale,” said New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley.

Only 15 communities will be selected to advance to the semifinal round. Each community will present to a panel of judges about why they deserve $100,000 to advance their plan. Three Grand Prize winners will receive up to $3 million.

 “Our communities demonstrate resiliency and survival,” said Rochelle Stein, Genesee County legislator. “Constant change and adaptation are hallmarks of our ability to survive and thrive. We have the benefit of youth investing in our family generational businesses, entrepreneurs advancing, and a passion to work towards a brighter future for our entire community. This contest will bring about positive energy for Le Roy and Bergen.  I am pleased to work with such high-caliber partners.”

The Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC), an affiliate of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), is the entity administering the grant dollars and overseeing the selection of the consultant.

Law and Order: Man charged with aggravated DWI following accident

By Traci Turner

Tyler J. Goodenough, 21, of West Filbert Street, East Rochester, is charged with aggravated DWI following a two-car accident in the parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park.

Robert C. Hayes, 25, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and unlawful possession of marijuana, plus he is cited for having an obstructed driver's view. Hayes was pulled over on Clay Street in Le Roy for allegedly having his driver view obstructed when police found him to be in possession of marijuana and an edged weapon.

Gena M. Naugle, 41, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Naugle allegedly threw a dinner plate at a juvenile causing glass shards to strike the juvenile. 

A 17-year-old male from Medina is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth allegedly punched a male acquaintance several times at a residence in Bethany.

Bergen man involved in motorcycle vs. bear accident hospitalized at Strong Memorial

By Traci Turner

Ronald Sloat, 74, of Godfrey's Pond, Bergen, is recovering from four broken ribs and a possible broken collarbone after the motorcyclist struck a bear in Caledonia Saturday morning.

According to his wife, Clare Sloat, her husband also has multiple bruises and swollen hands. The family expects Sloat will be in Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for several more days to do more testing.

At the time of the accident, Sloat was riding his trike, a three-wheeled motorcycle, in Caledonia on the way to his cottage on Conesus Lake. He was traveling on Route 5 when a black bear ran out in front of his motorcycle at approximately 11 a.m. He briefly saw the bear come out of thick brush near the road but couldn't avoid hitting it, Clare Sloat said. 

Ronald was thrown off the trike and landed on his back. The helmet he was wearing protected his head from injuries.

Sloat was transported by Caledonia Ambulance. He had requested to be transported to United Memorial Medical Center, but due to the extent of his injuries he was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital instead.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office and Caledonia police, fire and EMS responded to the scene.

According to a report issued by the Sheriff's Office, the approximately 300-pound black bear was put down by responding deputies due to its injuries. The carcass was turned over to a local taxidermist. Residents said they had seen the bear several times in the area before the accident occurred.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of possession of controlled substance

By Traci Turner

Tyler J. Long, 20, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana following an underage drinking investigation in the Town of Sheldon. Long allegedly was drinking alcohol in a concert parking lot when deputies found him to be in possession of Ecstasy, Adderall and marijuana.

Matthew D. Schwartz, 23, and Victoria L. Brown, 19, of Bergen, are charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, a class A misdemeanor. State troopers responded to a residence within a trailer park on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, for a report of criminal mischief. After an investigation, troopers found there were orders of protection in place prohibiting contact between the two. Schwartz and Brown were put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Katherine J. Vail, of Fitch Street, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop  at a stop sign, speeding and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Following a traffic stop on Parkview Drive in Bergen, Deputy Joseph Corona allegedly found Vail in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

A 17-year-old male from Rochester was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana following a traffic stop. Officer Michael Petritz pulled over the male for speeding and no right on red on Route 77 in Corfu. The male was issued tickets and an appearance ticket.

The Wyoming County Sheriff's Department responded to a two-car accident with entrapment on Route 238 in Attica on July 5. All the occupants were removed from the vehicles and treated before deputies arrived. Following an investigation, Russell Irwin, of Batavia, was allegedly found to be following too closely behind David Snyder. Sndyer was making a right turn into a driveway when Irwin struck him. Irwin was issued a citation.

Bergen family welcomes Fresh Air child into their home again

By Traci Turner

This is the second summer Evan Francis, a 9-year-old boy from the Bronx, is experiencing country life in Bergen with the Rowland Family through the Fresh Air Fund’s program.

The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, provides free summer experiences in small-town settings to New York City children who come from low-income communities. Children ages 6 to 18 are selected to participate in the program based on financial need.

Host families volunteer to have a child stay with them and go through an extensive interview process. Fresh Air representatives match families and children based on common interests.

Rob and Maria Rowland decided to become a host family after they discovered the program when researching adoption online. They thought it would be a good opportunity for their two children, Vito, age 17, and Luke, age 8, to experience a different culture.

“Evan gets to experience a different lifestyle coming out here and we get to experience bringing him into our home,” Maria Rowland said.

Last summer, was the first year Francis stayed at the Rowland’s home. During the 10-day visit, the family took Francis boating, fishing and sightseeing at Niagara Falls.

Francis said his favorite part about living in the country is going fishing and swimming in the family’s pool. Although he enjoys going on day trips with the family, he is just as content playing outside with his buddy Luke Rowland.

“Fresh Air makes it easy for us because they just want him to experience our life just the way it would be normally,” Rob Rowland said. “Whatever we do he does.”

Due to the strong bond the Rowland’s have formed with Francis, he is staying six weeks this summer. He arrived on July 1.

In the future, the family plans on having Evan visit every summer through the program. According to Maria Rowland, it’s fairly common to have families host the same child every year because they become so close during the visits.

Curbside Farmers' Market starts Monday

By Traci Turner

United Memorial Medical Center is partnering with Foodlink and New York Fresh Connect Farmers' Markets to offer fresh produce to Genesee County residents on wheels.

The produce truck will make two stops in the county every Monday. The first stop will be from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Gillam Grant Community Center in Bergen. The second stop will be from 11:15 a.m. to noon in the United Memorial Jerome Center parking lot in Batavia. The market will run through mid-September. 

The goal of the market is to make fresh fruits and vegetables easily accessible to the community at affordable prices. Cash, debit, EBT and WIC will be accepted as forms of payment. For every $5 SNAP purchase, people will receive a $2 bonus.

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