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Photos: Genesee County Fair Parade 2013

By Howard B. Owens

It was a sparsely attended parade today at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. It could have been the heat, or it could have been the fact that new state DOT regulations forced organizers to keep the parade entirely on fairgrounds property rather than the traditional route that starts on Route 5. There was also the fact that several fire companies that usually participate were tied up in Corfu for the fire at Ed Arnold's scrap yard.

Here are the highlights of tomorrow's events:

  • 5 to 10 p.m. -- Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 6 p.m. -- Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing
  • 7 p.m. -- 4-H Livestock Auction
  • 8 p.m. -- Patrick Johnson - Elvis impersonator
  • 8 p.m. -- Karaoke Finals

The slide show contains yesterday's fair photos as well.

Car crashes into tree near a house at South Spruce and Main streets in the city

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident is reported at South Spruce and Main streets in the city of Batavia. The vehicle struck a tree and is within 15 feet of a residence. City firefighters are responding along with Mercy medics. Batavia PD are on scene to help with traffic control.

UPDATE 11:20 p.m. (by Howard): Police say the driver of the car was eastbound on East Main Street when for an unknown reason, her car left the roadway and struck the curb and then drove across the front lawn of 534 E. Main St., and through the side yard on the east side of the house. The car went through the back yard and then turned northbound in the side yard on the South Spruce-side of the house. It then struck a tree and caught on fire. Both occupants were out of the car when police arrived. The driver was transported to UMMC with complaints of neck and back pain. The male passenger was unhurt. Nobody else was hurt. Police say the investigation is continuing and it's unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Top photo: Sparks and water fly as city firefighters use a radial saw to cut the hood off the car.  Second photo: Firefighters inspect the engine compartment after removing the hood. Third photo: A bike with a bent front tire that police said was ejected from the trunk of the car when the car struck the tree.

Photos: Scrap metal fire at Ed Arnold's in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

The cause of a fire at Ed Arnold Scrap Metal Processors this afternoon remains under investigation.

The fire is out at this point, but fire crews remain on scene putting out hot spots.

East Pembroke Fire responded with mutual aid from Corfu, Alabama, Darien, Alexander, Pembroke, Indian Falls and the Town of Batavia.

UPDATE 6:54 p.m.: Fifteen agencies responded to the blaze. East Pembroke, Pembroke/Indian Falls, Alabama, Alexander, Town of Batavia, Corfu, Darien fought the fire. Crews were on stand by from Elba, Crittendon, Alden, Akron and Attica. Plus, Mercy EMS helped along with Genesee County Emergency Management Office and Wyoming County Correctional Facility.

In addition, The Salvation Army provided cold drinking water.

Former Village of Corfu court clerk charged with grand larceny

By Howard B. Owens

The former court clerk for the Village of Corfu has been indicted on two counts of grand larceny stemming from an investigation by State Police into missing court funds that originally were uncovered by a state comptroller's audit.

In all, Brandi Watts was charged with 53 counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, five counts of tampering with public records along with the two grand larceny, 3rd, counts and a count of grand larceny, 4th.

Her father, former village justice Robert Alexander was arraigned today in Genesee County Court on three misdemeanor counts of coercion (two counts) and official misconduct.

Watts was jailed on $10,000 bail and Alexander was released on his own recognizance.

The prosecution of the case is being handled by Donald O'Geen, district attorney for Wyoming County, to help avoid any potential conflicts of interest with the Genesee County District Attorney's Office. Attorneys from the DA's office would have prosecuted cases in Alexander's Corfu courtroom and still do prosecute cases in the Town of Pembroke courtroom.

O'Geen said his office has also overseen a criminal investigation involving Corfu mayor Ralph Peterson, but there has been insufficient evidence uncovered thus far to charge him with any crime. There have been allegations raised in Corfu that Peterson has tried interfering with the investigation into Watts and Alexander. O'Geen said the investigation remains open, but he indicated he doesn't expect to file charges based on available evidence.

MORE T/K

Accident with injuries on Lockport Road, near Fisher Road

By Billie Owens

A car struck a pole then careened into a field at 3684 Lockport Road, near Fisher Road. Injuries are reported. Oakfield fire is responding, along with medics and a Sheriff's deputy.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: An 18-year-old male is being transported to UMMC and complains of right hand pain.

Heat advisory in effect until 6 p.m.

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory which will be in effect until 6 p.m.

The heat index will be as high as 100 degrees.

If proper precautions are not taken, heat exhaustion and other heat-related symptoms could develop in those exposed to hot and humid conditions, with the young and the elderly most at risk.

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot termperatures and high humidity create a situation in which heat-related illnesses are possible.

Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun. Checks on neighbors and relatives.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, OSHA recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency -- call 9-1-1.

A big pile of cars is on fire at Eddy Arnold's scrap yard, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A large pile of cars is on fire at Ed Arnold Scrap Processors at 2216 Angling Road in Corfu. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding along with an engine and tanker from Corfu.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Alabama Fire Department is called to respond mutual aid. Foam will be needed to fight the fire, which includes other debris such as "ground-up tires" and upholstery. An ambulance is called to provide aid to firefighters if need be.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Darien, Alexander, Pembroke, Indian Falls and Town of Batavia are also called in, along with fire police to control traffic.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: All traffic is being shut down at Route 33 and Angling Road.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: Fire is knocked down. Now doing overhaul.

UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The roads are reopened.

Water main break reported in the area of Chase Park and Elm Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

A water main break occurred on Elm Street near Chase Park at approximately 7:30 a.m.  Crews are on site to begin repairs, and water service has been interrupted on Elm Street between East Avenue and Chase Park, and on Chase Park between Elm Street and Vine Street.

Residents in the immediate area may experience periods of discolored water as a result of this break, and should avoid activities such as laundry until water clarity returns to normal.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: Break repaired. Service restored.

Group of Corfu residents grabble with what to do about mayor

By Howard B. Owens

A small group of Corfu residents gathered in the Pembroke Town Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss what's been happening in the village recently, and more specifically, what to do about Mayor Ralph Peterson.

The consensus of those who attended is that the mayor is not acting in the best interest of village residents.

Pam Ware, who said she paid the $25 fee to rent the space for the meeting, acted as facilitator for the meeting, which started at 5:30 p.m.

"I thought we could come together and discuss what we can do to address the situation and not be tied up in that meeting (a regular village trustee meeting) with all that anger and all those issues going on," said Ware, a 25-year resident of the village.

Two lines of thought emerged -- protests (favored by Charlie Flagg) and gathering documentation and presenting a complaint to the Genesee County Ethics Commission.

The state doesn't allow recall elections and removing an elected official from a local public office is exceptionally difficult in New York.

Flagg thought public pressure -- from 3 a.m. protests at Peterson's house, to posting videos of Peterson at trustee meetings to YouTube -- could force Peterson, who only has a year left on his term, to resign.

"We just keep after him," Flagg said. "There's nothing he can do to stop us."

Ware favored a more measured approach -- using the Freedom of Information Law to gather documents and write a detailed report for the ethics commission.

Any finding by the commission against Peterson, however, would be non-binding and not necessarily lead to his ouster from office.

The list of complaints against Peterson include: harassing village staff; seeking questionable access to village computers and filing cabinets; hiring police officers without authorization; failure to support recovering funds allegedly missing from the village court; interfering with the employment of a former trustee with a village contractor; and lying to the trustees about various issues.

"I think we've seen enough so far that this should go before the board of ethics," Ware said.

Trustee Ken Lauer, who attended the meeting, warned that any thought of getting Peterson to resign is probably fanciful.

"I asked him to resign and he wouldn't," Lauer said. "That's the problem. This guy is not going to leave voluntarily."

Former trustee Al Graham responded, "You keep shedding light on him."

Former mayor Todd Skeet, who lost by two votes to Peterson last November, also attended the meeting.

Skeet noted that he appointed Peterson to a seat on the board of trustees originally.

"He was a decent guy and then things got really ugly," Skeet said.

Things went bad, he said, after a comptroller's report found about $10,000 was missing from the village court. Peterson and former justice Robert Alexander are reportedly friends.

The committee has tentatively scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., July 23, at the Pembroke Town Hall, if the space is available.

Last night's attendees hope that a Saturday morning meeting will be more convenient for people to attend.

Law and Order: Woman, 63, accused of driving while impaired by drugs

By Howard B. Owens

Martha D. Duke, 63, of Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Duke was allegedly observed by witnesses driving westbound in the eastbound lane of the I-490. She was also allegedly observed driving on the shoulder of Route 33, westbound toward Batavia, at 25 mph. Deputy Chris Parker stopped her vehicle in the City of Batavia. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible in Genesee and Monroe counties.

Dennis A. Edson, 49, of 17 Porter Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment (physical contact due to race/religion). Edson is accused threatened a passing male using racial slurs. The alleged incident was reported at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Gloria S. Moretti, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Moretti was arrested by State Police in the Town of Pembroke. No further details released.

Chase M. Knight, 23, of Tonawanda, is charged DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Knight was stopped by State Police in the Town of Pembroke at 11:57 p.m. Sunday.

Photos: The 2013 Genesee County Fair opened today

By Howard B. Owens

Dalton King, of East Bethany, sings a country tune during the annual talent show on the first day of the Genesee County Fair.

The fair runs through Saturday.

Here's a list of tomorrow's featured events:

  • 4 to 8 p.m. --  Mr. Scribbles and various children events
  • 5 to 10 p.m. -- Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 5 p.m. -- Classic car show
  • 6:30 p.m. -- Grand Parade in the fairgrounds
  • 7 p.m. -- Karaoke
  • 8 to 11 p.m. -- Barnstorm Band

The Masons have a booth set up to provide parents with child IDs. Here, Ellie gets her fingerprints with the help of her father, Noah Summers, of Attica.

Muckers bracing for disappointing onion harvest

By Howard B. Owens

We've been tracking this year's onion crop and we checked in on the mucklands today, and from the road, the fields looked pretty good, but looks can be deceiving, said Paul Mortellaro, of G Mortellaro And Sons in Elba.

From the air, Mortellaro said, you can see a lot of open patches and thin spots.

"You'll probably see averages of 500 to 600 bags (50-pound bags) per acre," Mortellaro said. "Some less, some maybe 1,000. That's pretty disappointing."

Right now onions are trading at $13 per bag, but with transportation costs for Elba onions, that brings the crop yield down to about $6 per bag.

"At $6 per bag, you cannot make a living like that, not in Elba," Mortellaro said. "You can do that out west, but you can't do it here."

He said he and his brother are in no hurry to harvest their onions -- but will do so at the end of the month -- unlike last year when onions were going for $20 per bag.

The onions that were transplants -- such as the one pictured above from a Torrey field -- are developing bulbs and some have already been harvested, Mortellaro said. Those fields are generally in better shape than those planted with seeds, which have not yet started to bulb.

The problem this year: too much rain and not enough warm, dry days between storms.

Two volunteers from special needs camp in Batavia are dead after crash in Wheatland

By Howard B. Owens

Two people were killed and three seriously injured in Wheatland today when the SUV they were in collided with a tractor-trailer at North Road and Riga Mumford Road.

The five people were returning home in a 1995 Jeep Wrangler after working as volunteers at a camp in Batavia for children with special needs.

The two people who died are identified by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office as Taylor Binnert, 21, and Christopher Peterson, 20.

The three rear seat passengers were seriously injured and transported to Strong. They are Emily Peterson, 17, Michaela Murphy, 17, and Joanne Krutchen, 20.

For more on this developing story, visit WHAM13.com.

CORRECTION: The information provided by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office was incorrect in one regard. The individuals involved were volunteers at a BOCES summer school program, not a camp.

Help sought to find people who drove golf carts recklessly at Meadow Brook

By Howard B. Owens

Three golf carts at Meadow Brook Golf Course, 4022 S. Main Street Road, Batavia, along with a portion of the golf course were damaged sometime around 3 a.m., July 10 and the Sheriff's Office is looking for leads that might help identify the culprits.

Two golf carts were driven into ponds and one was overturned on the course.

There was damage caused to the course by the reckless operation of the carts.

If you have information to share about the incident, contact John Dehm at the Sheriff's Office, 345-3000, ext. 3575.

Batavia 16 year olds take District 3 Little League championship

By Howard B. Owens

Photo and infomration submitted by Jim Fazio:

The Batavia 16-year-old Sr. League baseball team defeated Dansville in a double-header by scores of 10-5 and 10-0 to capture the District 3 championship and will face the District 2 champion this Saturday in Cuba , NY, at 3 p.m. The winner of this round will advance to Long Island the following weekend.

Team members include front row: James Fazio, Luke McComb, Tommy Demmer, Tyler Hale, Cameron Slaven, and Manager Jim Fazio.

Second row: Coach Dan McComb, Zeke Lynn, Joe Saraceni, Frank Bellucci, and Ryan Mullen. Back row Coach Dave Demmer, Zach Gayton, and Jacob Hale. Missing from photo is Nate Cornell.

Sponsored Post: Genesee County Fair starts tonight and runs through July 20th!

By Lisa Ace

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday 7/16

  • 9am - 4-H Swine Show
  • 12 pm -  4-H Goat Show
  • 2:30 pm - 4-H Sheep Show
  • 6 pm - 4-H Beef Show
  • 6:30 pm - "Genesee's Got Talent" -Talent Show
 
Wednesday 7/17
  • 4 - 8pm -  Mr. Scribbles and various children events
  • 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 5 pm - Classic car show
  • 6:30 pm - Grand Parade in the fairgrounds
  • 7 pm - Karaoke
  • 8 - 11pm - Barnstorm Band
 
Thursday 7/18
  • 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 6 pm - Raceway 5 Stock Car Racing
  • 7 pm - 4-H Livestock Auction
  • 8 pm - Patrick Johnson - Elvis impersonator
  • 8 pm - Karaoke Finals
 
Friday 7/19
  • 5 - 10pm - Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 7 pm - Genesee County Fair Queen and Princess Pageant
  • 7 pm - Demolition Derby
  • 8 pm - Julie Dunlap Band
 
Saturday 7/20
  • 11 am - Farm Stock Tractor Pull - Bring your tractor
  • 1 pm - 10pm Rides by Mainevent Amusements
  • 4 pm - WNY Garden Tractor Pull
  • 6 pm - WNY Pro Farm Tractor and Truck Pull
  • 8 pm - Monster Johnson Band

For more information, please visit us online at: http://gcfair.com

Elderly driver allegedly drove eastbound on westbound 490

By Billie Owens

About 20 minutes ago, an elderly female driving a black sedan was reported to be headed eastbound on westbound I-490 around the time she passed the Bergen exit. Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center notified Monroe County law enforcement. Then it was reported that she turned around and starting heading in the correct direction, exited and got on Route 33.

A caller reported that this car was going slow -- 25 mph -- and was partially driving on the shoulder and was otherwise "all over the roadway." Sheriff's deputies located her and are speaking with her now.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Part-Time Children's Library Clerk Haxton Memorial Public Library is seeking a Part-Time Children's Clerk 19 Hours a week $15.00/hr. Interested applicants please go to www.co.genesee.ny.us for an application or come to the library at 3 North Pearl Street, Oakfield. Any questions, please call at (585) 948-9900
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