Skip to main content

Stories from

Photo: FM antenna installation on WBTA's tower

By Howard B. Owens

Out on Creek Road is a long, tall structure the folks at WBTA affectionally call "the stick." It's where the over-the-air signal for the 73-year-old AM radio station is transmitted. Today, in our 28-degree weather, a crew installed a new FM antenna that will enable you to hear "one of America's two great radio stations" at 100.1 FM. WBTA (1490-AM) will start simulcasting on both frequencies Feb. 6. The station first went on the air Feb. 6, 1941.

Nursing Home lifts visitor restrictions as flu cases wane

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

As of this morning (Dec. 29, 2014) the Genesee County Nursing Home has experienced no new cases of influenza in several days and is lifting visitor restrictions which have been in place for the past week.
 
However, Visitors with cold symptoms, fever, cough, etc. are asked not to visit. Young children should also not visit. All nursing home and adult home residents are still being monitored for cold or flu symptoms.
 
We appreciate the cooperation we have received so far in our efforts to reduce the spread of influenza among our residents and in the community.

Law and Order: Alleged purse snatcher accused of struggling with police

By Howard B. Owens

Ramon E. Esparza, 25, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and criminal mischief. Esparza is accused of stealing a purse while at a local restaurant. The call came in at 10:52 p.m., Friday. When police arrived and located Esparza, he allegedly failed to comply with an officer's instructions. There was allegedly a brief physical struggle before Esparza was taken into custody by Officer Marc Lawrence. Esparza was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Sade A. Poole, 22, of West Avenue, Medina, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Poole allegedly struck an employee of a local bar. The call came in at 1:16 a.m., Saturday.

William B. Coley, 44, of Frisbee Terrace, Holley, is charged with petit larceny. Coley is accused of stealing $764 from a misplaced wallet at a location on Park Road, Batavia, on Nov. 5. 

Dustin V. Gothard, 26, of Wolcottsville Road, Akron, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Gothard allegedly stole a bottle of cough medication from Tops Market. Upon his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Kayleigh Jean Allen, 22, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to signal a turn. Allen was stopped at 2:57 a.m. Dec. 21 on North Byron Road, Elba, by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Jason Scott Stanley, 22, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Stanley was stopped at 11:40 p.m., Friday, on Batavia Oakfield Townline Road by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Michele Lynn Buccinna, 46, of Alleghany Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and two counts of speeding (77 in a 45-mph zone and 52 in a 30-mph zone). Buccinna was stopped at 1:45 a.m. Saturday on Pearl Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Antonio Lee Escobar, 19, of 156 Woodside Court, Holley, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Escobar was allegedly found in possession of marijuana after a traffic stop on a suspicious condition complaint at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 21 by Deputy Christopher Erion.

Todd Wilbur Ellinwood, 54, of South Union Street, Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, unregistered motor vehicle, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to signal. Ellinwood was stopped at 8:11 p.m. Saturday on Rochester Street, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Martha Ruth Thorn, 34, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and lights not meeting standards. Thorn was stopped at 2:49 a.m. Sunday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Search for missing person in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Firefighters from Le Roy and other volunteer fire companies along with local law enforcement are on scene at a residence on West Bergen Road, Le Roy, to search for a missing person. 

The scene is closed to all but search personnel. 

Stafford, Bergen and Pavilion have been dispatched. 

Gators from Alexander and Caledonia requested to the scene.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: The subject was located about 15 minutes ago. The elderly male, an Alzheimer's patient, was found by a neighbor dressed in his pajamas huddled and shivering on the floorboard of the neighbor's car. The neighbor was leaving for work. The search started around 12:30 a.m. with a K-9 unit after relatives reported the man missing. He had last been seen sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight. Later in the morning, Le Roy fire was called in, with mutual aid from at least eight other departments, according to Chief Tom Wood. The man was transported to UMMC for evaluation but other than feeling cold, he appeared to be in good condition, Woods said. The outcome could have been a lot different in harsher winter conditions, Woods noted.

Darlene Victoria (Zito) Barrett

By Howard B. Owens

Darlene Victoria (Zito) Barrett of Arlington Texas passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the age of 61 at Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth,Tx after her courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her Loving family. She was born in Batavia New York daughter of the late Frank (Marion) Zito and June Shirley (Donnelly) Zito. Darlene was preceded in death by her brother Frankie Zito, her nephew Gary “G.Z.” Zito. She is survived by her husband Bobby Barrett, daughter Fara (Jason) Keller, son Bobby Joe and his girlfriend Leslie Wickliffe along with her beloved grandchildren Ashlyn, Britlyn, Cooper, Dylan, Camryn and Greysen. Brothers Kevin (Alice) Zito of Wyoming, New York, Gary ( Becky) Zito of Everson, Pennsylvania, Calvin  (Carlotta) Zito of Boise, Idaho and sister Charlene Shope of Arlington, Texas and Many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at the convenience of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the lung cancer alliance. 

Karen's Yarn, Paper, Scissors wins Downtown holiday window display contest

By Howard B. Owens

Karen's Yarn, Paper, Scissors, at 39 Jackson St., Batavia, won this year's window decorating contest sponsored by the Business Improvement District. The business receives a $250 cash prize.

Second place was WBTA, 113 Main St., and The Insurance Center, 50 Main St.

The judges were impressed not only with the creativity of Karen's display, but the use of paper, which is, of course, related to her business.

Photo: A snowy owl

By Howard B. Owens

Here's one of the snowy owls out at the airport in a photo by Dylan Brew, of Schoen Productions.

Red Kettle campaign needs $3,500 by Dec. 30 to meet goal

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Salvation Army’s 2014 Red Kettle Campaign came to an end on December 24th $3,500 short of its $69,000 goal. Major Robert Kurtz, Corps Commanding Officer, stated, “The people in Genesee County have been very generous with their time and money; individuals, groups, and organizations have donated over 5,000 volunteer hours this season. The campaign was impacted by a short fund-raising season plus the snowstorm in November. The snowstorm affected many families in a variety of ways.”

Red Kettle donations will be accepted until Dec. 30 at 4 p.m., at which time the campaign will close for the year. Monetary donations can be mailed to: The Salvation Army ATTN: KETTLE CAMPAIGN 529 E. Main St., Batavia, New York 14020. Please note in the check memo “Red Kettle Campaign."

Money raised during this campaign is used to support the year-round mission of The Salvation Army in meeting basic needs of food and shelter, crisis financial assistance, programs serving youth and seniors, and life-skill programs.

Flu outbreak prompts new visitation rules at UMMC

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

With the continued increase in the number of influenza cases at the Hospital and in the community, United Memorial Medical Center will be strictly following established visitor guidelines and implementing restrictions in order to safeguard the health of our patients.

• Effective immediately, patients in our facility will be allowed only two (2) visitors at one time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., except where more specific hours are posted for the care unit.

• No visitors under the age of 14 years will be allowed.

• Maternity patients may have visits from their spouse/birthing partner, grandparents of the baby, and others with no more than two visitors at a time. Siblings of the infant, under the age of 14 will not be allowed to visit.

• Individuals with a sore throat, runny nose, fever, or other influenza-type symptoms should NOT visit patients.

• A visitor, who is coughing persistently or showing signs of infectious disease such as influenza, will be given a mask and asked to leave the facility.

As an organization we understand the importance of loved ones and friends in the healing process. Exceptions to the visitor policy must be approved by the unit manager or nursing supervisor prior to the visitor’s arrival at the hospital. These restrictions have been put into place to protect those with weakened or fragile immune systems, and those who care for them, from harm during the influenza outbreak.

Everyone should remember to use appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to prevent the spread of influenza. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough or nasal congestion. Individuals with fever over 100˚F and any of the symptoms listed are urged to stay home, seek medical advice as necessary and limit the number of people exposed. Individuals with influenza are contagious for 24 hours prior to exhibiting symptoms.

Photos: Boxing Day hockey at Williams Park

By Howard B. Owens

As they have done for who knows how many years -- the couple of guys I talked to didn't seem to know -- a group of friends met in Williams Park this morning for their annual Boxing Day street hockey match.

Photo: Wind-damaged silo in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

A reader sent in this picture of a wind-toppled silo on his property on Transit Road, Elba. He said it came down overnight.

Law and Order: Perry man accused of selling drugs in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Eric N. Ayers, 30, of Covington Street, Perry, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th. Ayers is accused of selling buprenorphine (suboxone) to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in October in the City of Batavia. Ayers was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Adam W. McGill, 36, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. McGill was stopped at 1:37 a.m. Saturday on Cedar Street, Batavia, by Officer Devon Pahuta. 

Tiffany A. Reed, 20, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Reed allegedly sent a threatening message to another person through Facebook.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of causing brain injury to a child in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

Anthony P. Dibble is indicted on counts of reckless assault of a child and assault in the second degree. Dibble is accused of causing a serious physical injury to the brain of a child less than 5 years old by shaking the child or slamming or throwing the child so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface or object. He is accused of intending to cause physical injury to a person under 7 years of age and caused such an injury by biting the person. The alleged crimes were reported Aug. 11 in the Town of Bethany.

Carrie A. Stewart is indicted on counts of burglary in the third degree, petit larceny and criminal contempt in the second degree. Stewart is accused of entering Walmart on Sept. 14 with the intent of committing a crime inside the building. Once inside Walmart, Stewart allegedly stole party supplies, books, dolls, toys, an Easy Bake Oven and a karaoke machine. She allegedly violated a court order that required her to stay away from a person at Walmart.

Robert J. Propst is indicted on counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. On Aug. 6, Propst allegedly use force to steal property from a victim on Pearl Street, Batavia, while wielding a knife. He's accused of stealing property from the person, including a Visa credit card.

Photos: Local bird watching

By Howard B. Owens

Dylan Brew, of Schoen Productions, shared these photos he took of some feather-covered visitors he had today.

He identified them (though I'm not sure I'm posting them in the right order) as: Carolina wren, white-throated sparrow, tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker.

Two Genesee County football players named to All-Greater Rochester Team

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia's Dominick Mogavero and Le Roy's Mike McMullen have both been named to the All-Greater Rochester Football Team for 2014.

McMullen was listed on the team as a quarterback and utility player. Mogavero, who played running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils, was named as a linebacker.

Greg Mruczek and Anthony Gallo, from Batavia, were named to the second team.

Honorable mentions went to:

  • Ethan Henry (Le Roy)
  • Tom Kelso (Le Roy)
  • Kody Lamkin (Le Roy)
  • Ryan McQuillen (Le Roy)
  • Mike Shepard (Le Roy)
  • Jarrett Laskett (Batavia)
  • Casey Arnold (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Samuel Browne (Alexander)
  • Allen Chatt (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Ryan Emery (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Andrew Gottler (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Bryan Hallenbeck (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • John Hochmuth (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Josh Hylkema (Alexander)
  • Josh Johnson (Batavia Notre Dame)
  • Tyler Laird (Alexander)
  • Ethan Osborne (Batavia Notre Dame)
  • Cal Neurohr (Pembroke)
  • Jacob Riggs (Alexander)
  • Devon Schroeder (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Mike Shanley (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Zach Shilvock (Alexander)
  • Dakota Swimline (Pembroke)
  • Jack Thomas (Pembroke)
  • Steele Truax (Elba/Byron-Bergen)
  • Reice Woodward (Oakfield-Alabama)
  • Joe Zickl (Batavia Notre Dame)

Photos from 2014: A tribute to the firefighters who serve Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

This is the third year we've created a slide show of photos from 2014 of our firefighters as a way to honor those who serve our community in an often difficult, sometimes dangerous job, and many times an emotionally draining one, too. We thank them for their service to our community.

There are not as many opportunities to get photos of police officers on the job, but we also want to extend a thank you to the members of our local law enforcement community for all they do to protect and serve.

To find out how to become a volunteer firefighter, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Authentically Local