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ME finds no alcohol in driver involved in double fatal in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A preliminary report from the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office indicates the driver involved in a double fatal accident on Sackett Road, Bergen, on Aug. 23, was not intoxicated, said Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble.

The driver, Dylan Starkweather, 22, of South Fancher Road, Holley, and Tracy Manchester, 31, of Lomond Shore, Kendall, both died in the accident.

The accident remains under investigation. Typically, fatal accident reports can take months to complete, and it could be some months before a full toxicology report is available from the ME's office.

There was fog in the area at the time of the accident, which occured in the area of an S-curve. A passenger who survived the crash Joshua Deyager, 23, of Jerico Road, Bergen, reportedly told investigators that he saw a deer in the roadway prior to the accident. 

Starkweather's Mini Cooper exited the roadway along the south shoulder, flipped over and struck a tree. Both Startweather and Manchester were declared dead at the scene.

The three people were reportedly returning from the Livingston County Fair.

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

Law and Order: Woman charged after leaving cat in car on hot day, inside was 116 degrees

By Billie Owens

Elaine Maria Beachy, 44, of Comet Road, Warsaw, is charged with confinement of companion animal in a vehicle in extreme temperature. Beachy was issued an appearance ticket for Oct. 1 in Town of Batavia Court after she allegedly left a cat in a vehicle Sept. 6 in a parking lot on Veterans Memorial Drive. Outside temperatures were estimated to be about 89 degrees while the interior temperature of the vehicle was estimated to be about 116 degrees. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Graff, assisted by Deputy Ann Brade.

Dennis Lee Majors, 62, of Clinton Street Road, Stafford, is charged with second-degree harassment. Majors was arrested Sept. 5 following a report of a domestic altercation wherein he allegedly grabbed and pushed another person. He was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court, released on his own recognizance, and is set to return to Stafford Court on Oct. 8. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Graff.

Eric Cosimo Pellegrino, 32, of Firestone Street, Lackawanna, is charged with driving while intoxicated, following too closely, and having a controlled substance outside its original container. Pellegrino was arrested at 11:09 p.m. on Aug. 2 on the charges following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Robert T. Hanlin, 40, of Alexander, is charged with operating motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, 1st, and moving from lane unsafely. He was issued uniform traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Bergen Court on Oct. 7. On Sept. 6, Troopers responding to a 9-1-1 call of an erratic operator on State Route 33 in the Town of Bergen, were waived down by a concerned citizen who alerted them that the vehicle had driven on the opposite side of the roadway on several occasions and the operator, later identified as Hanlin was in the Bergen convenience store. Hanlin failed to properly perform field sobriety tests and was transported to SP Batavia where Genesee County Sheriff’s DRE Deputy completed a drug evaluation which indicated Hanlin was impaired by drugs and unable to operate a vehicle safely.

A 16-year-old who lives on Walnut Street in the City of Batavia was arrested Aug. 27 and charged with petit larceny. The teen allegedly stole a backpack, an iPad, and a Sumsung tablet from another person. The teen was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Batavia City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Malik I. Ayala, 23, of Lydun Drive, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. On Sept. 5, Ayala was arrested for allegedly stealing a bicycle on Aug. 27 from another person. Ayala was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Batavia City Court on Sept. 15. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Todd M. Holly, 50, of Lincoln Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with first-degree criminal contempt. Holly was located on Gilbert Street in Le Roy and arrested for allegedly violating a full stay away order of protection. He was transported by Batavia PD headquarters by Officer Felicia DeGroot and arraigned in City Court and then jailed without bail.

Kathryn M. Yark, 18, of Roosevelt Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle. On July 18, she was arrested for using a vehicle without permission. She was located at the GC Jail visiting her boyfriend. She was transported to Batavia police headquarters, then arraigned in City Court before being jailed with bail set at $1,000. She is to be in City Court at a later date. The case was investigated by Officer Marc Lawrence.

A 17 year old from Pavilion was arrested by the Le Roy Police Department on Sept. 6 and charged with: driving while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor; driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more, a Class A misdemeanor; inadequate exhaust; insufficient tail lamps; unsafe tires; and having more than one passenger under the age of 21 while holding a DJ license, all traffic violations. The teen was arrested following numerous traffic infractions by the Le Roy Police Department. After a brief investigation the subject was allegedly found to be intoxicated. The subject was issued appearance tickets for the charges and is to appear in the Le Roy Town Court on Sept. 28. At this time the name of the defendant is being withheld because of the possibility of a youthful offender status. 

Montel Lee Cunningham, 22, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to obey a child support order. He was arrested on a warrant out of Niagara County Sept. 6 following an investigation into an underage drinking party. He was turned over to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings, assisted by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Andrew Charles Webster, 22, no address provided, is charged with petit larceny. On Aug. 30, Webster was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart and he was put in GC Jail in lieu of $500 bail. He is to reappear in Town of Batavia Court on Sept. 28. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker.

Jacob Nicholas Oddo, 18, of Batavia Elba Townline Road, is charged with trespass. On Sept. 5, he was arrested for allegedly being on the premises of Godfrey's Pond after being told that he needed to leave and not return. He was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Town of Stafford Court on Sept. 24. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Jordan Lee Miller, 16, of Batavia Elba Townline Road, is charged with trespass. On Sept. 5, he was arrested for allegedly being on the premises of Godfrey's Pond after being told that he needed to leave and not return. He was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Town of Stafford Court on Sept. 24. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings, assisted by Deputy James Diehl.

Jessica M. Pfenninger, 33, of Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear on a charge of third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. On Sept. 2, she was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear by State Police in Chili and was taken into custody by Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis in Bergen. After being arraigned, she was released on her own recognizance and is to appear in City Court on Sept. 30.

Ryan J. Adkins, 21, of Main Road, East Pembroke, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on a warrant from Batavia City Court for failure to appear following a traffic stop on July 23. He was jailed and released after posting $500 bail. He is scheduled to appear in City Court on Sept. 16. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Accident reported in Bergen, three ambulances requested

By Howard B. Owens

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Three ambulances are requested to the scene of a motor-vehicle accident at Buffalo Road and Apple Tree Avenue, Bergen.

Extrication is required.

Mercy Flight is grounded due to fog.

Bergen fire and Mercy EMS responding. Le Roy fire requested mutual aid. 

UPDATE 8:35 a.m. From the scene: Three people injured, including a child. None seriously. Two transported to Strong, one to UMMC. An SUV heading toward Batavia on Buffalo Road appears to have crossed center line striking pickup truck head on.Truck veered to west shoulder into apple trees. 

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Law and Order: Batavia woman accused of breaking into house, slapping a man and punching a woman

By Billie Owens

Amie P. Bloyer, 35, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, forcible touching and second-degree burglary of a dwelling. Bloyer was arrested Aug. 26 following an investigation into a domestic incident. It is alleged that Bloyer damaged a window to unlock a door on Ellicott Street, entered the residence, grabbed the victim by his genitals, slapped the victim, and broke his eyeglasses. It is also alleged that Bloyer punched another female who was in the residence at the time. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Edwin Francis Voelker, 47, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs, with two prior convictions within the last 10 years; first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; speed violation (62 in a 30-mph zone); unlawful possession of marijuana; and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. Voelker was arrested Aug. 30. on Main Road in Pembroke. It is alleged that he was driving a vehicle after consuming a drug that impaired his ability to safely operate a vehicle on a public highway. He was put in jail on $25,000 bail. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona, assisted by Deputy Gregory Walker.

Kimberly A. Brodsky, 24, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation (having three or more suspensions on three different dates); criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th; unlicensed driver (expired Aug. 22, 2015); and operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view. Brodsky was stopped at 11:34 a.m. on Aug. 28 on Ross Street by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack for a traffic violation. A subsequent investigation revealed that Brodsky has no NYS driver's license and her operating privilege has been suspended five times on five different dates. She was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was arraigned and put in jail on $5,000 bail. The  case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence, assisted by Officer Klimjack.

Joseph Paul Lanphear, 31, of Rutgers Street, Rochester, was arrested Aug. 28 for: two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree; aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd; and speeding (52 in a 30-mph zone). It is alleged that Lanphear was found to be in possession of metal knuckles, a billy club, and that his driver's license was suspended and that he was traveling 52 mph in a 30-mph zone on Buffalo Road in Bergen. He was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Bergen Court at a later date. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona, assisted by Deputy Bradley Mazur.

Danny D. Williams Sr., 26, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment. At midnight, Aug. 31, Williams was arrested following an incident on Vine Street where he allegedly pushed a child up against a wall. He was issued an appearance ticket for City Court Sept. 1. The case was investigated by Batavia Police officers Christopher Lindsay and Jason Ivison.

Shannon Marie Micucci, 46, of Bonnie Brae Drive, Darien, is charged with second-degree harassment. Micucci was arrested Aug. 29 at 12:30 a.m. following a domestic incident wherein she allegedly shoved a male during a verbal altercation. She was given an appearance ticket for Darien Town Court on Sept. 1. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hale.

Brazil Gerald Brooks Peterson, 19, of Augustine Street, Rochester, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs, first offense; criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th; unlawful possession of marijuana; and a speed violation -- exceeding 55 mph. He was arrested at 1:26 a.m. on Aug. 29 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Bergen Town Court at a later date. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Corona.

Glenn Hammond, 57, Woodstock Gardens, Batavia, is charged with: driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 or more, first offense; driving while intoxicated, first offense; and running a red light. He was arrested at 1:20 a.m., Aug. 30, after a traffic stop on Trumbull Parkway. He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in City Court on Sept. 9. The case was handled by Batavia Police officers Christopher Lindsay and Eric Foels.

Roxanne Marie Crawford, 51, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, was arrested Aug. 30 for third-degree burglary and petit larceny. She allegedly stole $25 worth of merchandise from Walmart. She was allegedly arrested at another Walmart store during a previous incident then banned from all Walmart properties. She was jailed without bail and is due back in Batavia Town Court Sept. 28. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Saile, assisted by Deputy Christopher Parker.

Erica Michelle Raphael, 30, of East Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On July 15, she allegedly stole $159.71 worth of merchandise from Kohl's. She was put in jail on $5,000 bail after being arrested at the Batavia Town Court Aug. 24 where she appeared on unrelated burglary and petit larceny charges. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker.

Zachary I. Miller, 19, of Ganson Avenue, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. On Aug. 25 on Swan Street in the City of Batavia, Miller allegedly punched and broke two glass window panes. He was issued on appearance ticket for City Court on Sept. 1. The case was handled by Patavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack.

Klarissa C. Price, 37, of Cleveland Avenue, Niagara Falls, was arrested Aug. 28 on a bench warrant issued by Batavia City Court for failure to appear. Price was put in jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Christopher M. Smith, 21, of School Street, Batavia, was arrested Aug. 25 on an unspecified bench warrant and subsequently released on his own recognizance and given a court appearance date. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

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.

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