byron

A two-car accident with possible entrapment is reported at Route 237 and Cockram Road. A pole is also involved. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: Fire police are requested to the scene.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

Press release:

Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminars have been held yearly throughout the United States and Canada since 1958. The purpose of HOBY is to provide sophomores the opportunity to meet many distinguished leaders of the community from various sectors such as business, technology, education, government, arts, and science. Through intense but informal panel discussions, HOBY participants get a realistic look at their nation, its people, and their own role in the world community.

Every year, all sophomores are eligible and encouraged to apply for this exceptional leadership seminar. This year, Ashley Montgomery, daughter of Becky and Marc Montgomery, was selected as the Byron-Bergen High School “HOBY Ambassador,” with Colby Savage, son of Julie and Donald Savage, selected as alternate. Ashley, Colby, and sophomores around the country are selected based on a variety of criteria such as leadership ability, sensitivity to others, communication skills, community service, etc.  Ashley will attend this seminar held at the University of Rochester from May 30 through June 1. Check www.hoby.org for more information.

Bradley Jordan Amber Reinisch

Bradley R. Jordan, 21, of East Bethany, and Amber L. Reinisch, 18, of Castile, are charged with burglary, 3rd, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th.

The investigation that led to the charges against Jordan and Reinisch began with a resident in the Village of Silver Springs reporting that she observed a male and female break glass in an overhead door and enter the garage attached to her apartment. State Police responded, but the suspects fled before they arrived on scene. Suspect and vehicle descriptions were provided to law enforcement officers in Wyoming County.

Police also received a complaint of a male and female fitting the description of the burglary suspects causing a disturbance at the McDonald's in Warsaw. The vehicle description for the two individuals also fit the burglary description. The vehicle was reportedly seen heading toward Save-A-Lot in Warsaw.

A short time later, a customer at Save-A-Lot reported seeing a male customer in possession of a handgun. The person had not threatened anybody with the weapon, but had removed it from his waistband as he walked through the store and then put it back in his waistband.

Village of Warsaw police officers, Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies and troopers all responded to the area. The suspect vehicle was located and Jordan and Reinisch were taken into custody.

Both suspects are accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart and Olympia Sports in North Warsaw, along with the burglary in Silver Springs. The alleged theft from Walmart was of a compact C02 pistol, which State Police say was the weapon later observed by a customer at Save-A-Lot. State Police alleged that when Jordan observed troopers at the front of the store, he ducked into a bathroom and discarded the weapons in a wastebasket. The weapon was later recovered and secured as evidence.

Jordan and Reinisch were arraigned and jailed on $5,000 bail each.

Tilar B. Clark, 22, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Clark's vehicle was stopped by State Police in the Town of Attica, Wyoming County, for an alleged equipment violation. He was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Paul D. Barth Jr., 23, of Cohocton Road, Pembroke, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Barth was allegedly sending text messages to a person he was ordered by a judge not to contact.

Desiree Michelle Hutchinson, 18, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Hutchinson allegedly admitted to Officer James DeFreze that she was hold her baby while in same room with a friend who was smoking marijuana.

Scott P. Rodon, 48, of Garfield Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Rodon was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 1 a.m. Thursday.

Oliver Thomas, 22, of Chestnut Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Thomas allegedly hit a person in the face during an argument, which was reported at 3:45 a.m. Friday.

Taylor M. Andrews, 20, of McKenzie Road, Caledonia, is charged with menacing, 2nd. endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy, 5th. Andrews is accused of encouraging a juvenile to use a crowbar against another person during an argument. The victim was not struck with the crowbar. The alleged incident was reported at 2 a.m. Friday at 21 Wood St., Batavia.

Robi Liam Terziani, 19, of Route 19A, Portageville, is charged with petit larceny. Terziani is accused of stealing hydrocodine pills from a residence in Byron where he was hired to do service work.

Billy Joe Budziszewski Jr., 22, of Route 77, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and bail jumping, 2nd. Budziszewski was arrested on warrants out of Village of Corfu Court. He is also allegedly the subject of warrants out of Erie County on burglary, 2nd, and petit larceny charges and out of Wyoming County for failure to pay fine. Budziszewski was jailed on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.

Chance Robert Cooley, 19, of Route 5 & 20, Canandaigua, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cooley was allegedly found in possession of marijuana in a medicine container and a glass smoking pipe with marijuana in it. Cooley was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 12 :15 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Chris Parker. Also charged was Anthony Lee Irish, 22, of Terri Drive, Farmington, who was also issued traffic summons for no front plate and no insurance.

Christopher C. Berg, 27, of Pavilion, is charged with a misdemeanor under the vehicle and traffic law. Berg was stopped by State Police at 8:36 p.m. Wednesday on Veterans Memorial Drive. No further details released.

Adam J. Bobzin, 43, of Byron, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bozin was stopped at 9:42 a.m. Thursday on West Sweden Road, Bergen, by State Police.

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Bank Street Road and Cockram Road, Byron.

Byron and South Byron and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Injuries are reported.

It involves a sedan and tractor-trailer.

A responder is asking dispatch to check on the availability of Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 8:36 a.m.: A chief on scene says the injuries are not serious. A female driver has cuts on her face.

UPDATE 8:47 a.m.: Equipment and manpower needed for extrication.

Press release:

Fourth-graders at Byron-Bergen Elementary School are on track to making a substantial economic impact on their state and their community. The class has created a well-researched rationale for designating yogurt as the Official New York State Snack, based on job creation and promoting healthy eating.

They sent handwritten letters – over 200 of them – to state legislators, farm owners, and yogurt companies. Their idea is now a bill sponsored by New York State Senators Mike Ranzenhofer, Kathleen Marchione, and James Seward and by Assemblymen William Magee and Steve Hawley. The bill is currently in committee.

The 17 members of the “Snack Pack,” led by fourth-grade teacher Craig Schroth, say yogurt deserves the title of Official New York State Snack. Student Madelyn Pimm says, “New York is now the biggest yogurt producing state in the U.S., with over 30 processing plants. Governor Cuomo refers to us as the ‘Yogurt Capital of the Country.’ We are the fifth largest milk producing state. We have three yogurt companies right here in our own community – Alpina, Müller-Quaker, and O-At-Ka. Many of us have family members who work there.”

“We want to support the yogurt industry and help create more jobs,” says student Alayna Streeter. “If this becomes law, there will be more opportunities for farmers who milk the cows, for drivers who deliver the milk, for people who make it into yogurt and other products, for distributors, and stores – jobs all down the supply chain.”

“Making yogurt the official snack will help New York promote healthy eating,” says student Caleb Calhoun. “Yogurt tastes great and is really good for you.”

These students are all highly knowledgeable and engaged in the legislative process they started. Letters of support from their representatives line the classroom wall. “Our whole class came up with the idea to promote yogurt,” says student Carly Bergeron. “We’re learning about government in action.” The class is hoping that they may be invited to Albany if their bill becomes law. Follow the progress of the bill at http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6695-2013.

“We want to get the word out and build backing for our bill. It’s important for everyone to support the yogurt industry because they are also supporting our communities with jobs,” says Alayna.

One yogurt company is already grateful for the assistance being drummed up by the Byron-Bergen students. Chobani plans to send a representative to the school to thank the students in person later this spring.