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Law and Order: Duo accused of stealing nearly $3K in goods from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Brenden Robert Jones, 29, of Oakbrier Court, Penfield, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Jones is accused of stealing more than $2,800 in merchandise from Walmart. Jones alleged had a crack pipe in his possession at the time of his arrest. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. Jones was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also arrested and charged with grand larceny was Matthew David Marvin, 26, of Old Country Lane, Fairport. Marvin was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Witness Smith, 45, of Laurel Drive, Attica, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Smith allegedly left a child who was under his supervision unattended in a motor vehicle at 12:22 p.m, June 16, on Jackson Street, Batavia.

Gordon M. Yohe, 71, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with felony DWI, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and refusal to take breath test. Yohe was arrested following a report at 2:38 p.m., June 10, of a suspicious person at a business on East Main Street, Batavia. Yohe was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Tyler J. Aina, 22, of Waterport Carlton Road, Albion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Aina posted bail and was released.

Jeremy J. Smith, 19, of Loyalist Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith allegedly violated an order of protection by contacting a family he was ordered not to contact. Smith was jailed on $500 bail.

Kewa R. Buckman, 43, of Otis Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged parking on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Buckman was being held in the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated traffic charges. He was transferred to Batavia PD custody, posted cash bail and was released.

Pauline J. Hensel, 61, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant and jailed on $750 bail.

Robert Mitchell Andersen, 44, of Sand Hill Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, suspended registration and driving without a license. Andersen was stopped at 5:06 p.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Beniluis Ruiz, 38, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal sexual act, 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful dealing with a child. Ruiz allegedly sexually assaulted a person under age 17. He also allegedly provided alcohol to people under age 21.

Scott Macumber Castle, 52, of Vallance Road Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Castle allegedly trespassed at Byron-Bergen Central School. Castle was allegedly advised previously by school officials to stay off school grounds.

Photo: Departed friends not forgotten

By Howard B. Owens

At the corner of Route 262 and Batavia Byron Road in February 2008, there was a horrible auto accident. Two children were killed -- Victoria Claus, 7, and Christopher Claus, 11. Friends erected a memorial to the children near the intersection. Today, three young ladies who were classmates in second grade with Victoria decided to return to the memorial to clean it up and add flowers and stuffed animals. Pictured are Morgan Fuller, left, Julia Menzie and Catherine Bumsted.

Law and Order: Perry woman accused of impersonating sister when arrested at Dave Matthews concert

By Howard B. Owens

Kaitlyn Mackenzie Hayes, 20, of Lake Street, Perry, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, and trespass. Hayes allegedly impersonated her sister to reenter Darian Lake Performing Arts Center during the Dave Matthews concert Wednesday. It was later found that she allegedly used a false identification, her sister, at the time of her arrest.

Justin M. Wotherspoon, 27, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Wotherspoon allegedly had physical contact with a person in violation of a court order. Wotherspoon was jailed without bail.

Danielle Marie Stevens, 37, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Stevens is accused of stealing the wallet of a WIC employee who was assisting her. Stevens was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Christopher Free Bragg, 28, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with petit larceny. Bragg is accused of shoplifting from Walmart. 

Richard Michael Wroblewski, 61, of Williamstowne, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding (70 in a 55 mph zone). Wroblewski was stopped at 8:10 p.m. Friday on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Cody James Hinchey, 27, of Reed Road, Churchville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Hinchey was stopped at 1:19 a.m. Saturday on Byron Holley Road by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Richard Henry Forman, 64, of Ellinwood Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Forman was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 3:01 a.m. Friday on Genesee Street, Pembroke. The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Byron Rescue Squad salutes EMT Mary Hutchison

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Byron Rescue Squad gathered at the Depot Restaurant in Le Roy on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, to acknowledge a very special EMT. Mary Hutchison, of Byron, has served a combined 40 years in the emergency medical service. She was honored with a scarf with her name and EMT number embroidered on it. Over the course of the dinner meeting that night, Mary’s peers asked her about her long career, and although she does not like to bring attention to herself, she agreed to share her story.

Mary began her career as a registered nurse.

“The emergency department nurse ‘bug’ bit me,” she said.

Mary loved being a nurse. It was during this time in 1973 that the doctor in charge of the emergency room thought that nurses who worked there could benefit from taking this new course called, Medical Emergency Technician class. So Mary became what would later be called, an EMT.

In 1976 new regulations about pre-hospital care went into effect. This resulted in the funeral directors no longer being able to provide transportation to the hospital with their hearses. It required paid ambulances to have EMTs on call. Volunteer services were then formed. Some ambulances became part of local fire departments and some were independent. Mary joined the North Seneca Ambulance, a volunteer corps independent of the local fire department which covered six townships in Seneca County. North Seneca Ambulance was certified on April 1, 1976, making it the first in New York State.

Mary was also a member of the 817th Evacuation Hospital, US Army Reserves, based in Webster, NY from 1974 - 1998. Her duties included teaching the Army’s Field Medic Course. Due to the similarities in the courses, she became part of a team who combined the Field Medic Course with the EMT course so that graduates could qualify for their Army job and at the same time, also have the skills to get a civilian job. It is interesting to note that the Army now graduates all Field Medics with National Certification as an EMT.

In 1982 Mary married Bob Michels and moved to the Wyoming County Town of Gainesville. She wanted to continue as an EMT, but was told that since the ambulance was part of the Fire Department, she would have to become a firefighter first. At that time no woman had ever joined the fire department. Mary knew that it was illegal to discriminate against her because she was a woman, so Mary asked one of the members to sponsor her.

Bob Zuidema was able to convince the department that Mary was not ‘"rying to take over the department’." So it was with much reluctance that the men finally accepted her as the first female member of the Gainesville Fire Department. Many firefighters' wives later told Mary that they were glad she had broken the barrier and other females joined the department.

Mary belonged to Gainesville Fire Department for more than 25 years.

“I loved it,” said Mary, who continued to teach EMT classes in Wyoming County, including the only daytime class. Mary lived and breathed pre-hospital EMS in rural New York.

Two years after her husband’s death in 2009, Mary met and married Jim Hutchison from Byron. One of the first things she did was join the Byron Rescue Squad. Here Mary continued to share her valuable skills and also mentor new EMTs. On average, an EMT might recertify once, giving a total of six years of service. Mary has served for 40 years, ending when she decided not to recertify in July 2013.

She brought her dedication and skills to many people over her unusually long career. In her words, “when an EMT has to be helped in and down from the ambulance, it’s time to quit.”

When Mary was asked what was the best part of being an EMT, she replied, “When I walk into a scene and have someone say to me, 'I’m glad you’re here, that makes it all worthwhile.' ”

Mary has three children, six stepchildren, 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She and her husband belong to the North Bergen Presbyterian Church where she is the organist.

Byron Heritage Festival Saturday, July 26

By James Renfrew

Byron Heritage Festival   July 26, 2014

 

      Where is the center of the Universe?  On Saturday, July 26, it will be Byron, New York.  So look it up on MapQuest, orient your GPS and set your Bat-radar for Byron.  Your life will improve, the community’s spirit will be lifted, flags will wave, and the world will be better!  Just look at these great activities and special events taking place throughout the day:

 

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Byron student earns bachelor's degree from Clarkson University

By Billie Owens

Christina E. Baker, of Byron, received a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University on May 10, 2014.

Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.

Two-car crash at North Byron and Transit roads, minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at North Byron and Transit roads. Four people sustained minor injuries. Byron and South Byron firefighters are responding. Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 11:02 a.m.: A second ambulance is called in.

UPDATE 11:07 a.m.: Elba Fire Police are called in.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.: At least two people have been transported to UMMC.

Car crash on Route 237, pole and wires down, roadway blocked

By Billie Owens

A car crashed into a pole in the area of 7027 Route 237. Unknown injuries, but the driver is out of the vehicle. The pole and wires are down, blocking the roadway. The "car is smoking."

Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

The location is between Town Line and Cockram roads.

UPDATE 3:13 p.m.: Fire Police are called to shut down traffic at Route 237 and Cockram Road. National Grid will be contacted about the damaged equipment.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: Byron command says responders can come in non-emergency.

UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Mutual aid for standby crews is requested: A Stafford pumper to South Byron; and a pumper from Elba to Byron.

Law and Order: Neighbors in Alexander accused of fighting

By Howard B. Owens

Bradley Douglas Miller, 32, of Fullington Road, Attica, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Douglas was allegedly involved in a fight with a neighbor. Both parties suffered minor injuries.

Karen Marie Cummings, 45, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd. Cummings is accused of fighting with a neighbor. Both parties suffered injuries in the incident.

Richard S. Ishmael, 49, of South Lyon Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear. Ishmael was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Wendy L. Henry, 29, of Central Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Henry was located at an address on Ellicott Street, Batavia. Henry was jailed on $150 bail.

Jeremiah P. Hackett, 27, of Taunton Place, Buffalo, is charged with DWI and failure to maintain lane. Hackett was arrested following an investigation by Officer Stephen Cronmiller reported at 2:19 a.m., Sunday. Hackett's vehicle reportedly struck a tree at 74 Oak St., Batavia.

John Sumlin III, 35, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operator. Sumlin was stopped at 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Park Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona. Sumlin was jailed on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

Jeffrey Mark Black, 49, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Black was stopped at 1:20 a.m. Sunday on Byron Holley Road, Byron, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew DeMara Hewitt, 29, of Locust Drive, Hamlin, is charged with petit larceny. Hewitt was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in Town of Byron Court. Hewitt was arraigned and released.

Tanker with 500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia tipped over on Cockram Road at Route 237

By Billie Owens

A tanker with 500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia tipped over in the area of 6355 Cockram Road and Route 237. It is blocking the roadway. No indication of any spill at this time. It was being hauled by a tractor. Byron and South Byron fire units are on scene. Wind is west, southwest at 11 mph. County hazmat officials are notified.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: The county hazmat team is responding.

UPDATE 8:32 a.m.: Byron and South Byron fire police are requested to the scene.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: An engine from Clarendon Fire Department is requested to fill in at Byron's station.

The pin that broke, causing the accident. The ammonia was transferred from the tank that tipped over to two others owned by the same farm. The hazmat team was prepared in case there was a leak.

Brother accused of stabbing brother while camping in Middlebury

By Howard B. Owens

A Le Roy man is in satisfactory condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after undergoing surgery for stab wounds allegedly inflicted by his brother while they were camping in the Town of Middlebury.

David R. Gross, 23, was stabbed several times, according to State Police on May 11 and flown to Strong by Mercy Flight after first being transported in a private vehicle to Wyoming County Hospital.

His brother, 26-year-old Richard J. Gross, of Byron, allegedly stabbed him following an argument.

They were camping in a wooded area off of Bank Road, State Police said.

David Gross suffered a punctured and deflated lung along with multiple other injuries.

Richard Gross, pictured, was charged with first-degree assault, a Class B felony. He was arraigned in Town of Warsaw Court and jailed on $50,000 bail.

What're you lookin' at?

By Billie Owens

Reader Patti Williams sent in this picture of an owl that her son, Andrew Williams, took while he was out turkey hunting. She says her son, who lives in Byron, saw the owl several times, then was able to get close enough to take this photo.

Driver who allegedly left scene of rollover accident in Byron cited

By Billie Owens

A rollover accident involving a 2001 Ford pickup truck was discovered by a deputy at 5:41 a.m. Monday morning in the Town of Byron.

The truck, allegedly driven by 20-year-old Jeremy S. Geisler, of South Swan Street, Batavia, was traveling northbound on Route 237 when it reportedly went off the east shoulder of the roadway. It then struck a guide rail, tumbled down an embankment and over a creek, striking several trees before coming to rest on its wheels, according to the accident report of Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

The officer came across the accident scene while on patrol and found the vehicle unoccupied and no one was around.

After investigating, Geisler was cited for allegedly moving from lane unsafely and leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it.

(initial report)

Vehicle involved in rollover accident in Byron found unoccupied

By Howard B. Owens

Manpower from Byron and South Byron fire departments has been requested to search the area of a one-vehicle rollover accident near 6272 Byron Holley Road, Byron.

A deputy found the vehicle unoccupied.

The deputy has also requested dispatchers contact area emergency rooms for anybody who might have been brought in.

A guard rail near the accident scene is damaged.

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.: A deputy informs dispatchers that it appears the driver may have been belted at the time of the accident. "He may still be injured but not as severe as we thought." Based on some paperwork in the car, Batavia PD was sent to an apartment in the city, but nobody was home. They'll check again in an hour.

UPDATE 6:34 a.m.: The vehicle is a 2001 green Ford F-150.

UPDATE 8:10 a.m.: All Byron and South Byron units back in service. No word on whether the driver was located.

Crash, unknown injuries, at Byron Holley and Cochran roads

By Billie Owens

A one-car accident is reported at Byron Holley and Cochran roads. Unknown injuries. Byron and South Byron firefighters are responding along with Mercy medics. A telephone pole snapped and wires are down.

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: Command cancels Mercy medics. Other units to continue non-emergency. National Grid to be notified about the snapped pole.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: National Grid has a 20-minute ETA.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: All fire units are leaving the scene.

Possible grass fire behind house on Clinton Street Road, Byron

By Billie Owens

A possible brush / grass fire is reported behind a residence at 6902 Clinton Street Road. Byron and South Byron firefighters are responding.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: A responder in the area reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: A nearby resident was burning something and it's extinguished.

Byron-Bergen rallys support for bill to make Greek yogurt the state's official snack

By Howard B. Owens

Photos by Howard Owens / Story by Sloan Martin, WBTA.

New York has several State symbols: the sugar maple is the state tree and the state gem is a garnet. What it doesn’t have, though, is a state snack and the fourth-graders at Byron-Bergen Elementary School are doing something about it.

In a fun school assembly Thursday, the students marked their accomplishment of getting a bill to Albany.

With pop hits like ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Lorde’s “Royals” reimagined to proclaim the benefits of yogurt, along with funny skits, the auditorium was filled with B-B fourth-graders who’re amped up and extremely knowledgeable about yogurt.

“It’s very healthy for you and it has lots of good vitamins and calcium,” Sadie said.

“We’ve learned that we’ve been producing the most yogurt in New York State, especially in this area,” Grace said.

Learning about its impact on their bodies, the economy and the government, it’s been an interactive and engaging learning experience.

Superintendent Casey Kosiorek says he’s proud of the kids and their teachers for taking what they learn and putting it into action.

“It really lines up with everything Genesee County’s about with dairy farming and additions to our yogurt companies as well,” he said. “It really aligns well. It’ll be memorable for the students, especially after it becomes a law.”

“Absolutely, this is interdisciplinary,” Kosiorek said. “They’ve had to work on their writing, they’ve had to utilize their math, they’ve had to learn about social studies, they’ve had to learn about government. As you can see, they were singing and writing songs, producing films – all the skills that we look for as our young people move up to the junior-senior high school and then college and careers."

State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer says it’s government in action.

“They’re living it by writing us letters, by doing these skits today,” Ranzenhofer said. “We’re going to make this become a law.”

The bill to make yogurt the official state snack has been introduced in the Senate and once it passes both houses, it will find itself on the governor’s desk -- all because of the Byron-Bergen fourth-graders.

Mike Davis, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Kevin Williams, Muller Quaker Dairy, and Roger Parkhurst, Alpina Foods.

 

Law and Order: Man accused of public lewdness at Red Roof Inn

By Howard B. Owens

Decodie Tanner Adams, 22, of Lake Street, Ogdensburg, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, a felony, resisting arrest, harassment, 2nd, disorderly conduct, public lewdness and indecent exposure. Adams is accused of causing a disturbance and urinating on the carpet at the Red Roof Inn in Batavia at 10:28 p.m. Monday, causing property damage. Adams was reportedly intoxicated at the time and allegedly resisted arrest.

Luke William Ritzenthaler, 31, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with two counts of criminal contempt, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Ritzenthaler is accused of violating an order of protection twice by calling the protected person twice shortly after being served the order. Earlier, Ritzenthaler was arrested and accused of grabbing another person by the arms and pushing that person to the floor and allegedly striking the victim's head against the floor. On the criminal contempt charges, bail was set at $250.

Byron Fire Department Open House - meet firefighters, see their trucks and equipment, free spaghetti lunch

By Billie Owens

Byron Fire Department Open House -- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 & Sunday, April 27.

Take pictures of your kids in a fire truck, meet fire department personnel, and see the equipment up close. Equipment demonstrations & free blood-pressure checks both days. On Sunday, see an extrication equipment demonstration & enjoy a FREE spaghetti lunch.

Byron Fire Department is located on Route 262 east of Route 237. Currently accepting applications for active and social members.

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