A possible barn fire is reported at 9313 Alexander Road, Alexander. The location is between Pike and Dodgeson roads. A passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the roof. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: It's just steam from processing maple sap into maple syrup. No fire. Responders are back in service.

Press release:

On Saturday, March 19, the longtime owner of the Stafford Trading Post, and beloved nurse Shell Mouery, had a very serious heart attack, and she is fighting for her life after a very difficult surgery and subsequent challenges.

For nearly 20 years she has given every ounce of herself to the community and treated all of her patrons and coworkers as family. There's a good chance that almost everyone who reads The Batavian has had their life touched in some way by Shell.

In addition to the wonderful prayers of hundreds of people, the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department and SCOPE have generously decided to assist with a fundraiser on Sunday, April 3. Details are below. The money raised will help defray some of the costs of her medical treatments.

We thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, continued patronage at the Trading Post, and everything you, as the community continue to do.

If you have any questions ro would like to donate, please contact Bill Fox at 356-4992 or Stephanie Call at 356-1660.

WHAT:  Chicken BBQ & Chinese Auction Fundraiser

WHEN:  Sunday, April 3 -- Doors open at 10 a.m., chicken ready at 11:30 a.m., first come, fire served.

WHERE:   Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford

COST:   $10

(Submitted photo of Shell Mouery.)

UPDATED March 26: Shell Mouery passed away yesterday afternoon (March 25, 2016). There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.

18 Ellicott Place, Batavia. Don't let this one slip by! Everything done in this 4-bedroom home -- roof, windows, siding, central air, concrete driveway... And inside is open and super spacious! Hardwood floors and new carpeting throughout is the bonus, besides the open floor plan that you will fall in love with. The back yard is fully fenced with large forever deck and cute shed for all your extras! Super easy to see! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today 585-344-HOME or click here to view the complete listing!

Christopher Brian King, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested March 23 on an outstanding bench warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court on March 8. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Robin Lynn Holman, 53, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested on March 11 after allegedly stealing property on Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. She was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Town of Bergen Court on April 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Glendon Stephen Alexander, 19, of East 95th Street, Brooklyn, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on March 23 following an investigation of a complaint at College Village that the defendant allegedly unlawfully possessed marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket for April 21 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.CorfCorfu

Here's a photo taken in Genesee County this chilly spring morning and submitted by reader Jason Smith. 

Convicted pedophile David Vickers has been sentenced to life in prison.

At least two of Vickers victims had been placed in his home by Genesee County Family Court.

Vickers, now 51 and a former truck driver originally from Ontario County, was sentenced in Federal Court in Buffalo yesterday for abusing six underage boys. All of his victims are now adults.

Prosecutors described Vickers as, “an opportunistic, serial pedophile who will never stop.”

The case against Vickers goes as far back as 1989.

Vickers took some of his victims on overnight trucking trips, prosecutors said.

In 2003, before Vickers abuse was discovered, he asked the Genesee County Family Court to place one of his victims in his home and the court approved. Two years later, the same court allowed another child to be placed with Vickers who was also abused.

Vickers brother, Sean, was also involved. He is serving a sentence of 107 years.

Vickers declined comment during his sentencing but did express concern for his own safety. He told U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, “I don’t care where you put me, as long as I am safe.”

Le Roy police officers chased a speeding vehicle northbound, then eastbound, winding up off Route 383 at an apartment complex on Robert Quigley Drive in Scottsville, Monroe County. 

The scofflaw driver drove through the complex and exited at a driveway off North Road. After talking with Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, Le Roy officers are turning to the Village of Le Roy.

The driver remains at large. "Monroe County is going to fish around" for the suspect. Authorities have the license plate number of the four-door silver Saturn SUV sedan and the name of the registered owner, a white male who lives in Batavia.

The officer told a dispatcher the car windows are tinted and it was difficult to see the operator, but it was possibly a black male.

Speeds reached nearly 90 mph at one point. Traffic was reportedly light on the pursuit route. The driver was said to have ran at least one red light during the pursuit.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: They thought the suspect vehicle was located at the registered owner's residence on Bank Street. But an officer says: "There's no way they had time to get back to Batavia. I'm wondering if they took a plate off?" Reply: "Both plates (on vehicle); cold to the touch." They are running plates in the system on a couple of vehicles. Investigation continues.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: A registered owner they had been seeking to question just pulled up at the residence. No mention made of the vehicle he is in.

An accident with possible minor injuries is reported at 605 Scribner Road. The vehicle is off the roadway and there are wires down.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce another exciting Job Fair with more than 35 companies expected on Thursday, April 7, from 12  to 2 p.m. at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

Genesee's Career Services Center continues to solicit businesses from all types of industries to join the popular, two-hour event that introduces potential new employees to employers, and also provides businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community.

The event is free to employers and attendees. Employers must register; job seekers are not required to register prior to the event but must sign in upon arrival. As of March 16th, the following employers are scheduled to be in attendance:

Participating employers include:

Aflac New York

City of Batavia Youth Bureau

Coastal Staffing

Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort 

Genesee ARC

Genesee County AmeriCorps, Genesee County Youth Bureau

Genesee County Human Resources

ESL Federal Credit Union

Fidelis Care 

Hidden Valley Animal Adventure

Home Depot (The) 

Independent Living of the Genesee Region 

KR Communications

Living Opportunities of DePaul

Masis Staffing Solutions, LLC

NY Air National Guard

Paychex 

Pembroke Travel Plaza

People's, Inc.

Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. / Sallie Mae

Premier Designs, Inc.

Remedy Staffing 

Palermo, Ricky

Rochester AmeriCorps 

Rochester City Police Department / City of Rochester 

Subway

United States Army

UNISYS

U.S. Army National Guard

U.S. Department of Agriculture

United Memorial Medical Center

Velocitii

Verizon Wireless

WBTA FM & AM

YWCA's My Sister's Closet

For more information, visit:  http://www.genesee.edu/career/events/. For a detailed listing of job opportunities by employer, please email a request for the list to career@genesee.edu

Press release:

The RGRTA Board of Commissioners approved a new value pass structure at the March 3rd Board meeting to make it easier for RTS customers to enjoy the ride in and between Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The pass changes will go into effect on April 1 and are as follows:

Previous Value Pass

   New Value Pass

$9 Cost – $10 Value

 $10 Cost – $11 Value

$17 Cost – $20 Value

 $20 Cost – $23 Value

Because RTS operators are not able to make change on the bus (per RTS policy), buying value passes require the customer to have the exact dollar amount. At $10 and $20 dollar increments, the new value passes offer the same added value while requiring our customers to have a standard dollar amount. Also making it more convenient for our customers is that the same value pass is good in all seven of our Regional counties.

In Wyoming County, the 10-Ride Loop, Dial-a-Ride Half Fare and Dial-a-Ride passes will be replaced with value pass options that can be used in neighboring counties.

Prior to being approved by the RGRTA Board of Commissioners, RTS held public information sessions and public hearings in each county where the public had the opportunity to submit their comments and questions. RTS also welcomed comments and questions from the public online and through the mail.

For all other information, visit www.myRTS.com.

Ashley A. Goodenow, 25, of Bank St., Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 4:30 p.m. on March 22 after it was alleged that she struck another person during an argument on Bank Street. She is to be in city court on March 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Michael J. Antonucci, 33, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 12:15 a.m. on March 3 for two separate counts of second-degree criminal contempt after it was alleged that he violated a stay-away order of protection when he communicated with a protected person by text messages on two different occasions. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in Batavia City Court on April 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Robert Dean Cook, 36, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that on March 22 Cook called a party who has a complete a stay away order of protection and Cook is prohibited from contacting. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in city court on March 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards.

Kenyon H. Barnes, 31, no permanent residence, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court at 5:35 p.m. on March 22. Barnes was jailed in lieu of $1,000 bail and is to be in city court today. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

A 17-year-old Batavia resident was arrested on a bench warrant at 4:01 p.m.on March 21, which was issued because the youth allegedly failed to complete community service as part of a sentence for a conviction on a trespass charge. The trespass incident occurred on Sept. 19. The youth was released and is due back in Batavia City Court on May 3. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Press release:

The Postal Service welcomes its newest Village Post Office (VPO) to the Bethany community. Through the Postal Service’s VPO partnership with the Bethany municipality, local residents and businesses now can enjoy access to some postal products and services at Bethany Town Hall, 10510 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

“When the East Bethany Post Office suspended operations in September, we decided we could offer basic postal services as a convenience to our residents through the VPO option,” said Bethany Town Clerk Debbie Douglas.

“Customers with more complex postal needs will have to drive to one of the nearby Post Offices, but if someone needs stamps or wants to drop off mail, we can help with that.”

The Bethany VPO provides a specific range of services that include the sale of First-Class postage booklets and rolls, Priority Mail Flat-Rate postage and acceptance of mail. It operates in conjunction with normal business hours:

                        9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

                        10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Wednesday

VPOs are designed for non-Postal Service establishments, such as an existing community business, town hall, library or government center. Business establishments interested in applying for a contract with the Postal Service to start a Village Post Office in their local community should contact: vpo.inquiry@usps.gov.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

(Photo of Gregory J. Vogt.)

Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, March 22, the Genesee County Probation Department conducted a search at 5919 Cook Road, Byron, the residence of Gregory J. Vogt, presently under supervision of the Probation Department.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also assisted at the scene.

Various items were seized during the search and as a result of the investigation, Vogt is charged with:

• Six counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, Class D felonies, for alleged possession of two switchblade knives, a metal knuckle knife, a gravity knife and a blackjack while having previously been convicted of a crime;
• Five counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class A misdemeanors, for alleged possession of five rifles and one shotgun, which he is not allowed to possess due to having been convicted of a felony;
• Unlawful possession of marijuana regarding Vogt's alleged possession of a quantity of marijuana;
• The DEC filed charges for allegedly illegally taking a deer, trapping without a license, and taking wildlife in "contravention of the Environemntal Conservation Law."

Vogt was jailed on $25,000 bail and is to reappear in Byron Town Court at 5 p.m. on March 28.

The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, the county Probation Department and the DEC.

A kitchen fire is reported at 14 Gate St., Bergen.

Le Roy fire and Bergen fire are dispatched.

CORRECTION: The story originally had the address, incorrectly, in Le Roy. Howard heard the call and I put up what he told me. Sorry for the confusion.

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

A house fire with flames and smoke showing is reported at 30 Clay St., Village of Le Roy. Le Roy fire and ambulance repsonding along with a ladder, mutual aid, from Bergen.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: The city's FAST team is called to the scene along with aid from Pavilion and Stafford. Fire police are asked to shut down traffic at Clay and Wolcott streets.

UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Le Roy commands advises caution by responders upon approach because live power lines are down in the roadway near the scene. National Grid is notified and has a 30-minute ETA.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.: The fire is knocked down. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

An accident with minor injuries is reported on West Main Street, Batavia, in front of Castilone Crystler, Dodge, Jeep. A person is complaining of side pain. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Press release:

Due to numerous retirements, promotions, and vacancies over the past year, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has seen several personnel changes within all its divisions during fiscal 2015-16.

“These individuals are excellent additions to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and will reflect the professionalism of this agency," Sheriff Gary Maha said. "Those promoted are well qualified and will enhance our public safety services."

Here is a personnel update:

Road Patrol Division

• Promotion -- Deputy Sheriff John L. Baiocco was recently promoted to Sergeant on Jan. 23. He is a 24-year veteran who started his law enforcement career as a Correction Officer on Aug.19, 1991, and on April 13, 1993, he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff.

Appointments

• Deputy Sheriff Michael J. Lute is a 2000 high school graduate from Starpoint Central School in Lockport. Following high school, he received an associate degree in Applied Science Degree in Retail Business Management from Niagara County Community College in 2003. Deputy Lute graduated from the Rural Police Training Academy at Genesee Community College in 2012, and was previously employed as a part-time police officer by the villages of Akron and Corfu police departments. Deputy Lute has also been a Seasonal Deputy Sheriff with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for the past three years.
• Deputy Sheriff Ryan W. Young is a 2006 high school graduate from Clarence Central School and a 2008 graduate from Erie Community College with an associate degree in Applied Science in Business Administration. Deputy Young graduated from the Erie Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2012. He was previously employed as a part-time police officer with the villages of Eden, Attica, Le Roy and Corfu. Deputy Young also has been a seasonal Deputy Sheriff with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for the past three years.
• Deputy Sheriff Eric J. Meyer is a 2006 Regents high school graduate from Alexander Central School. He attended Genesee Community College for studies in Criminal Justice and transferred to SUNY Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2011, graduating magna cum laude. Deputy Meyer graduated from the Erie Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2015 and was previously employed as a police officer with the SUNY College at Buffalo Campus Police.

(Photo above of Michael J. Lute, Ryan W. Young, Eric J. Meyer.)

The following three Deputy Sheriffs graduated from the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy at Niagara University on Dec. 18 and have recently completed their 14-week Field Training Officer Program.

• Deputy Sheriff Rachel M. Diehl was the class president of her graduating class at the Academy. She is a 2009 high school Regents graduate of Pavilion Central School and continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science in 2013. Deputy Diehl was previously employed as a Criminal Justice teacher’s aide at Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and was a sergeant with Darien lake Theme Park and Camping Resort’s security.
• Deputy Sheriff Ryan M. DeLong received the "Sergeant Jeff Juron Defensive Tactics Award" at the Academy graduation. He is a 2004 high school graduate of Batavia Central School. Deputy DeLong continued his education at Genesee Community College where he earned an associate degree in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2008. He was previously employed as a Detention Officer by the Valley Metro Barbosa Group, which was the company who supervised detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.
• Deputy Sheriff Kevin P. Forsyth received the "Joseph E. Steblein Memorial Award" and the "Top Gun Award" at the Academy graduation. He is a 1998 Regents graduate of Notre Dame High School in Batavia. After high school, Deputy Forsyth enlisted in the Army for four years where he earned numerous medals and badges such as an Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (twice), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Lapel Button, the Army Service Ribbon, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar and the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver–W Bar. Forsyth then continued his education at Niagara University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice with a minor in History. Deputy Forsyth was previously employed as a Genesee County probation officer.

(Photo above of Rachel M. Diehl, Ryan M. DeLong, and Kevin M. Forsyth.)

Criminal Investigation Division

Investigator Promotions

• Deputy Sheriff Joseph M. Graff was promoted on Aug. 31, 2015. He is a 12-year veteran who began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 28, 2004.
• Deputy Sheriff Chad J. Minuto was promoted on Sept. 26, 2015. He is an 11-year veteran who began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on March 30, 2005.
• Deputy Sheriff Bradley D. Mazur was promoted on Feb. 1, 2016. He is an 17-year veteran who began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on January 31, 1999.

Communications Division

Promotion

• Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael T. Sheflin was appointed to Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher on Jan. 9. He is an eight-year veteran who began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on March 1, 2008.

Full-time Appointment

• Emergency Services Dispatcher Zachary W. Czudak was appointed from part-time to full-time status on Jan. 9.

Part-time Appointments

• Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher James E. Tripp retired on Dec. 26 after 22 years of service, and was appointed part time on Dec. 31.
• Emergency Services Dispatcher Andrew Z. Mullen was appointed on Feb. 7.

Jail Division

Promotion

• Correction Officer Darrell J. Klein was appointed to Senior Correction Officer on Jan. 14. He is a 22-year veteran who began his career on May 24, 1993.

Part-time Appointments

• Correction Officer Corey J. Cieszki was appointed on Feb. 13.
• Correction Officer Jason M. Buck was appointed on Jan. 23.
• Jail Cook Debra M. Horton was appointed Feb. 6.

New Graduates

Correction Officers that graduated from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Basic Corrections Academy at Erie Community College City Campus on Nov. 20 include:

• Correction Officer Howard O. Wilson is a 2004 Regents diploma graduate from Batavia High School.
• Correction Officer Jenna R. Barber is a 1998 graduate of Batavia High School. She was hired part time and was appointed to full-time status on March 15.
• Correction Officer Cody D. NiCastro is a 2012 Regents diploma graduate from Pavilion High School. He continued his education at Genesee Community College and earned an associate degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice in 2014. He was hired part time and was appointed full time on May 2. He was previously employed as a security guard by the Darien lake Theme Park and Camping Resort. NiCastro was the salutatorian of his Academy Class.
• Correction Officer Cassidy N. Longhini is a 2010 graduate from Byron-Bergen High School and a 2013 graduate from Genesee Community College.  Longhini received an associate degree in Applied Science Degree in Physical Education Studies.
• Correction Officer Nicholas J. Bender is a 1998 graduate of Lancaster High School. He was hired part time initially and was appointed full time on Jan. 14.

(Photo above of Howard O. Wilson, Jenna R. Barber, Cody D. NiCastro, Cassidy N. Longhini, and Nicholas J. Bender, and Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel.)

New graduates of Niagara County Basic Corrections (a five-week Academy held at the Niagara County Jail on Tuesday, March 8)

• Correction Officer Dani M. Stone is a Pembroke native and was appointed full time on July 11. She was previously employed for more than 20 years with Hess Corporation.
• Correction Officer Dawn M. Fooks is a 1987 high school graduate of Albion Central School and then joined the Air Force where she served for 10 years. In 2007, she graduated from Genesee Community College with two associate degrees in Science: Criminal Justice and Business Administration. In 2009, Fooks earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Keuka College; and in 2011, she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. Fooks was appointed from part time to full-time status on Sept. 5.

(Photo above of Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel, Undersheriff William A. Sheron Jr., Dani M. Stone, Dawn M. Fooks, and Sheriff Gary Maha.)

Genesee Justice / Justice for Children Advocacy Center

• Genesee Justice Program Coordinator Theresa Asmus-Roth was appointed on Nov. 5. She is a 1995 high school graduate from Akron Central School. Asmus-Roth earned an associate degree in Applied Science in Human Services from Genesee Community College in 2000, and continued her education at SUNY Empire State, graduating in 2005, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community and Human Services. She was previously employed part time with Catholic Charities of Batavia as a Domestic Violence Offenders Program Class Facilitator for four years and was also employed by Planned Parenthood of Central & WNY as a Rape Crisis Service Area supervisor for Restore. She is a past president and has been a Kiwanis Club member since 2011.

(Photo above of Theresa Asmus-Roth.)

Appointments

• Nicole Ficarella was appointed from a Community Services/victim advocate position to a case manager on Feb. 1. 
• Erin Martin was appointed part-time Community Services/victim advocate on Nov. 30.