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Alexander Cub Scouts unveil new track for annual pinewood derby

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander Cub Scout Pack 650 has been holding pinewood derbies for who knows how many years, but this year was a little different.

The scouts collected more than 20,000 bottles and cans and raised $1,000 toward a new $1,500 three-lane racetrack with all the bells and whistles, and the track was dedicated to the memory of Burton Bigsby.

Bigsby is the late husband of Melinda Bigsby. The former den leader died following a long battle with cancer. His son, Jonathan, is now a Boy Scout in Troop 650 and was the official starter for today's races.

Pack 650 had 28 scouts and Cub Master Jason Davis said all of the scouts and families are very active in the pack.

Participants in the race are given a block of pinewood and instructions on how to cut it into a proper racer. There is a five-ounce weight limit, except in the unlimited division, in which cars can weigh up to a pound.

The event teaches the scouts about sportsmanship along with the craftsmanship of making something, Davis said.

"The race teaches them a little of the skills they'll use later in life," Davis said.

And the secret to winning? Davis said, graphite our axles, hit the weight limit and build a well-balanced car.

Donations that helped pay for the track came from Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Crystal Clear Pools, Select Collision, Harrington's Produce and Alexander Troop 650.

Here are the winners and awards:

Tiger Scouts
1st Place -- Bradley Begiers
2nd Place -- Matthew Wirth
3rd Place -- Paul Schmitt Jr.

Wolf Scouts
1st Place -- Jay Cogdill
2nd Place -- Zachary Salemi
3rd Place -- Caleb Nichols
Bear Scouts
1st Place -- Matthew Jasen
2nd Place -- Vincent Prebeck
3rd Place -- Shawn Calmes

Webelos 1
1st Place -- Jackson Staba
2nd Place -- MacNeil Ruston
3rd Place -- Colton Judd

Webelos 2
1st Place -- Johnathan Worthington
2nd Place -- JT McCarthy

Unlimited 1 pound cars
1st Place -- Cooper Davis
2nd Place -- Jett Davis
3rd Place -- Noah Bruggman
4th Place -- Jay Cogdill

Special Awards
Best Paint Job -- Matthew Jasen
Unusual Design -- Noah Bruggman
Judges Favorite -- Austin Ruston
Fastest Looking -- Carter Edmonds
Scouts Favorite -- Cooper Davis
Most Kid Involved -- James Strang

Participation Super Racers
Carter Edmonds, Jaden Snyder, Oscar Staba, Lukas Ladd, Matthew Cecere, Austin Ruston, James Strang, Regan McPhee, Justin Bennett, Dominic Lamitina, Noah Bruggman.

To purchase print copies of the photos, click here.

Person trapped in car after hitting tree on Keeney Road, though apparently not injured

By Howard B. Owens

A car has hit a tree in the area of 8786 Keeney Road, Le Roy, and a person is reportedly trapped in the vehicle, though no injuries are reported.

Le Roy fire and ambulance along with mutual aid from Pavilion requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: Two people are entrapped in the car, with possible minor injuries. All responders can come in non-emergency. Pavilion can stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 8:27 p.m.: Le Roy is back in service.


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Photos: 17th annual bowling tournament to benefit Crossroads House

By Howard B. Owens

A three-day bowling tournament to benefit Crossroads House wrapped up today at Mancuso Bowling Center.

It was a big turnout for the 17th annual event with 480 bowlers participating in four shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"We want to thank everybody who participated," said Cindy Lowder, one of the organizers.

Lowder said the event was held in memory of Betty Ellison, who organized the first event 17 years ago.

"She set everything up so well and got it going. We just really follow her lead now," Lowder said. "She was an amazing organizer. She had all her ducks in a row and we just follow suit."

Chesapeake Bay retriever missing in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Abby is missing. Abby is a pure-bred Chesapeake Bay retriever owned by Tom Frew of Le Roy. Tom said Abby has been missing since last Wednesday from the Asbury Road area.

Abby is 2 years old and Frew was planning to use her for foundation stock for his two-dog kennel. She is also his personal gun dog and house pet. He has all the proper AKC paperwork.

Teenager remains in intensive care following accident on snowy Route 98 in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A 16-year-old girl from Holley remains in the intensive care unit at Erie County Medical Cener this morning following a head-on collision last night on Route 98 in Elba.

The accident occurred just south of Edgerton Road at 8:09 p.m. when a southbound Dodge sedan driven by Ashley Nicol Deskins, 18, of Hall Road, Holley, crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car.

Deskins vehicle left the roadway and came to rest in a field on the east side of Route 98.

Extrication teams from Elba and Town of Batavia fire departments were called to the scene.

Jessica Deskins, 16, reportedly suffered, neck and abdominal injuries. She was transported by Mercy EMS to the Genesee County Airport, and from there flown by Mercy Flight to ECMC.

Ashley Deskins was taken by ground ambulance to ECMC where she was treated and released.

The other driver, Gina Delelys, 41, of Log City Road, Elba, was transported to UMMC for minor injuries.

A baby in Deskin's vehicle, Maelee Scott, was not injured. The car is owned by Brittany Scott of East Main Street, Batavia.

Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated the accident and his report indicates Deskins may have been driving too fast for road conditions.

A lake effect snowstorm had started about an hour prior to the accident and Route 98 had some snow on it.

UPDATE: A revised accident report released by the Sheriff's Office this evening says charges are pending in the accident. Also, Maelee Scott was transported to Mothers and Childrens Hospital in Erie County with minor injuries.

Photo: A palm tree in the snow

By Howard B. Owens

At the Clarion Hotel last night for the Batavia Muckdog's Hot Stove Dinner, snow was falling on the LCD palm tree in the parking lot.

A lake effect snow advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. with another small band or two of snow possibly passing through our area.

Photos: 2013 Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove Dinner

By Howard B. Owens

More than 200 Batavia Muckdogs fans gathered tonight at the Clarion Hotel for the booster club's annual Hot Stove League Dinner.

One of the highlights of the night is the auction of memorabilia, merchandise from local businesses and local art.

The auction was conducted once again by Todd Jantzi, owner Bontrager's.

There was also a silent auction.

The most talked about item of the night was an old baseball card featuring local broadcasting legend Wayne Fuller.

Wayne Fuller

Injury accident at routes 5 and 77

By Billie Owens

A two-car injury accident is reported at routes 5 and 77. Indian Falls Fire Department is called along with Mercy medics. Mercy Flight will not be available.

UPDATE 9:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight is not needed. National Grid is notified that an intersection light "has been knocked off the pole," although the pole is intact. The wires are low-hanging.

UPDATE 9:12 p.m.: Fire police are called for traffic control. Pembroke fire is assisting at the scene. An ambulance is requested to be expedited. Chest pain and the possibility of fractured ribs are reported.

UPDATE 9:28 p.m.: A second ambulance, from Darien, is requested to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 9:49 p.m.: Darien is transporting a patient to UMMC.

UPDATE Sunday, 11:30 a.m.: State Police investigated the accident. Here's the information available at this time. Matthew Weatherbee, 28, allegedly ran a red light. The other driver was Joshua Phillips, 20. Both were transported to ECMC.

Accident with injuries reported on Route 98, south of Edgerton, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Two ambulances are requested to a motor-vehicle accident on Route 98 just south of Edgerton Road, Elba.

Elba Fire Department is responding.

Law enforcement is on scene and reports extrication will be needed and that Route 98 needs to be shut down in both directions.

No word on how serious the injuries might be.

UPDATE 8:21 p.m.: Two Mercy Flight helicopters requested to the scene. Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia and Mercy Flight #6 out of Buffalo are started.

UPDATE 8:26 p.m. (by Billie): All available manpower from Elba fire is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Elba is requesting that Town of Batavia Fire Department to send Engines 24 and 20 to the scene -- a rescue truck and one equipped with extrication jaws.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: Both Mercy Flights -- # 5 and #6 -- cancelled due to weather.

UPDATE 8:35 p.m.: Fire police are cancelled.

UPDATE 8:36 p.m.: The jaws are needed right away. Mercy Flight states that if one of the ambulances can get to the Batavia hangar, they can leave from there and go to Buffalo, but the helicopter can't head north (to the scene itself). Also, the Buffalo ship is heading to Batavia's airport and the Batavia ship is on standby there.

UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: Medics report that "patient 1" -- a 17-year-old with head, neck and abdominal injuries -- is being transported to the Batavia hangar for transport by Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: The second patient has been extricated.

UPDATE 8:47 p.m.: A third ambulance is called.

UPDATE 8:50 p.m.: Two ambulances are One unit is going to Erie County Medical Center, another to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo. One adult and an infant still require transport. Town of Batavia is cleared from the accident.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: A "patient en route to the hangar is unresponsive now." An inquiry is made about Byron's availability to send an ambulance for the remaining patient -- a fourth ambulance called to the scene.

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: Road is re-open. Elba back in service.

Car crashes into tree on Oak Street near Main, City of Batavia

By Billie Owens

A car is reported to have struck a tree on Oak Street, north of Main Street. There are said to be three injuries. City of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, along with police for traffic control.

UPDATE 6:44 p.m.: A 24-year-old female is being taken to UMMC with complaints of back and knee pain.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m.: A second Mercy rig is taking two patients to UMMC, both females. One is 55 years old and complains of right hip pain and the other bit the tip of her tongue.

Photos: 'Try Hockey' event at Falleti Ice Arena

By Howard B. Owens

Twenty-four boys and girls ages 4-9 came out for a 'Try Hockey' event today at Falleti Ice Arena. The free event gave kids a chance to skate around, hit pucks with sticks and learn a little about the game.

Above, four-year-old Matthew Kosiorek.

Rollover accident with 'heavy entrapment' on Spring Road, Alexander

By Billie Owens

A rollover accident with injuries and "with heavy entrapment" is reported in the area of 3581 Spring Road in Alexander. The nearest available Mercy Flight, in Olean, is airborne. Alexander Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:41 p.m.: The location is at the entrance to Frey's Sand & Gravel Co. Vehicle is on its side. "We're going to need the struts and tools set up when we arrive."

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: The extrication process is expected to be lengthy.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: The ETA for Mercy Flight is 20 minutes.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: "We've almost got him out." The helicopter is nearly there.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: The patient has just been extricated. Mercy Flight has a three-minute ETA and Strong Memorial Hospital will be its destination once the patient is onboard.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Mercy Flight is headed to Strong.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Alexander is back in service.

UPDATE (by Howard): Landen P. McCormick, 24, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, was driving on a gravel road cutting through farmland owned by his family when he lost control of his 2007 Dodge Ram pickup. The truck appears to have fishtailed, causing it to hit an embankment and roll up a small hill on the west side of the road. McCormick may have suffered a dislocated shoulder and was complaining of chest pain. Because of the nature of the accident and the complaint of pain, McCormick was flown to Strong by Mercy Flight as a precaution. No citations were issued. The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker.

Forms now available to opt-out of public disclosure of pistol permits

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On January 15, 2013, New York State passed new legislation known as the “NY SAFE ACT”– New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act.

The NY SAFE ACT includes the ability for pistol permit holders to "Opt-Out." This means pistol permit holders can request that their information be kept private and confidential.

The NYSAFE Act protects the privacy of pistol license holders by permitting them to notify a county clerk that they do not wish for their information to be released publicly.

Current licensees and new applicants may make this notification to their licensing officer using the NYS Firearms License Request for Public Records Exemption form which was approved by the Superintendent of the New York State Police.

In order for pistol permit holders to "Opt-Out" and have their information kept private, the form needs to be completed in its entirety and the original needs to be mailed or dropped off to your local county clerk’s office. The form is available at your local county clerk’s office and on their Web sites. We are also encouraging our town offices and local gun dealers to make the form available at their place of businesses, so you can also check there to see if they have the form available.

Genesee County Clerk Don M. Read
County Building #1
PO BOX 379
15 Main St.
Batavia, NY 14020-0379
(585) 344-2550, ext. 2243
Fax: (585) 344-8521
http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/countyclerk

Orleans County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard
3 S. Main St., Suite 1
Courthouse Square
Albion, NY 14411
Phone: (585) 589-5334
Fax: (585) 589-0181
http://orleansny.com/Departments/PublicRecords/CountyClerk.aspx

Wyoming County Clerk Rhonda Pierce
143 N. Main St.
Warsaw, NY 14569
(585) 786-8810
(585) 786-3703 
http://www.wyomingco.net/cclerk/main.html

Car crash, with one minor injury, at Macomber and Batavia Oakfield TL Road

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Macomber and Batavia Oakfield Town Line Road in Oakfield Alabama. There is one injury and the person is inside the vehicle, alert and conscious. Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m.: It's actually in Alabama's fire district. Oakfield was called first however, and asks for Alabama to provide fire police for traffic control.

UPDATE 4:19 p.m.: One patient will need transport to a hospital, two others will be sign-offs.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m.: Alabama is opening up the roadway and returning to service, along with Oakfield. One person is being taken to UMMC.

Local business now selling emergency underground shelters

By Howard B. Owens

Some people call them storm shelters, others fallout shelters, or bug-out rooms or bunkers.

Nate Fix thinks you should just call them "peace of mind."

Fix is now a distributor of underground shelters built by Kentucky-based Storm Shield.

The shelters come fully assembled, ready to drop right in a big hole in the ground and come in sizes that can handle from four to 21 people in a short-term emergency event.

"The shelters meet all of FEMA's standards," Fix said. "FEMA says the best place to be during a storm is underground."

There have been 20 tornadoes reported in Western New York since 1950, and with changing weather patterns, some people might want to prepare for more.

The shelters may also appeal to people worried about changing political winds.

There's even people, Fix noted, who just might like the shelters as extra storage.

"They make excellent cold food storage units," Fix said.

The shelters are watertight and, unlike concrete or steel shelters, the fiberglass bodies will last a lifetime, Fix said.

He said his company -- Rebel Storm Shelters -- is the only distributor for these units within an 800-mile radius.

Fix has three contractors ready to help residents install the shelters.

Grand Jury Report: Two men indicted on sex crimes involving minors

By Howard B. Owens

Scott D. Stanley is indicted on counts of first-degree rape, second-degree rape, and two counts of rape, 3rd. Stanley is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person less than 13 years of age some time between April 2011 and May 8, 2011, in the Town of Pembroke. He is also accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person less than 15 years old some time between December 2010 and January 2011. He is also accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person less than 17 years old.

Timothy J. Petrie is indicted on 10 counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Petrie is accused of subjecting a child less than 11 years old to sexual contact in the Town of Pavilion in the summer of 2002, and of forcing sexual contact with a child under age 14 in March 2007. UPDATE: In July 2013, a jury acquitted Petrie on all counts.

Dion L. Clyburn Jr., is indicted on two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd. Clyburn is accused of selling cocaint on Aug. 21 at 679 E. Main St., Batavia, and possessing cocaine on that date with intent to sell it.

Robert P. Decarolis is indicted on a count of felony driving while impaired by drugs. Decarolis is accused of driving while impaired by drugs July 6 in the Village of Corfu.

Frederick J. Hensel Jr., is indicted on three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Hensel is accused of possessing on Aug. 15, in violation of Penal Law Section 265.02, a Harrington and Richardson Arms Company .22 caliber revolver, a Colt .25 caliber semi-automatic, and a Harrington and Richardson .28 caliber revolver.

Spencerport woman accused of stealing from her employer in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

LoriAnne Vogel, 48, of 2401 Spencerport Road, Spencerport, is accused of stealing more than $3,000 from a local business where she worked.

The woman was an office worker, according to Batavia PD and in an attempt to cover up cash deficits, she allegedly falsified business records.

Vogel is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and falsification of business records, 1st.

Following arraignment in Batavia City Court, Vogel was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Law and Order: Man accused of making unauthorized $32.40 charge on debit card

By Howard B. Owens

Andrew Zimba Perdock, 25, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Perdock allegedly made an unauthorized charge of $32.40 to a woman's debit card.

Brandt Lonnie Arnold, 32, of Clinton Street, Cowlesville, was arrested on a felony DWI warrant. Following arraignment in Genesee County Court, Arnold was held without bail.

Patricia Lynn Capen, 45, of East Shelby Road, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, DWAI (drugs and alcohol), driving left of pavement marking and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Capen was arrested following a report at 9:34 p.m., Wednesday, of an erratic driver on Route 63, Oakfield. Capen was stopped by Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

Top Items on Batavia's List

The Batavia Housing Authority is seeking a positive, hardworking teammate to perform a variety of outdoor landscaping tasks, primarily mowing, with some trimming and cleanup work. The Groundskeeper is independently responsible for outdoor landscaping tasks on a weekly basis with some flexibility. This job may require some weekend hours when necessary. Part-time position Pay Range: $19.00/hr - $22.00/hr Anticipated start date: May 2024 Application deadline: April 29, 2024 See full job description at: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/Groundskeeper.pdf Complete Civil Service Application at: https://cms1files.revize.com/geneseecountynew/CivilServiceApplication2022Revision-09.22.22.pdf Contact Information Nathan Varland Executive Director Batavia Housing Authority 400 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 344-1888 nvarland@bataviahousing.org Location: Batavia
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