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Pavilion

Man indicted on three counts stemming from barn burglary in Pavilion with loot valued at nearly $13K

By Billie Owens

These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Steven D. Crandall is accused of burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 2 he knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in a barn in the Town of Pavilion with the intent of committing a crime. In count two, he is accused of third-degree grand larceny, also a Class D felony, for allegedly stealing property there with a value in excess of $3,000. The stolen items included electronic and hydraulic motors, lathes, an International front-loader frame, a commercial mixer and other items having a value of about $12,930. In count three, he is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. He allegedly knew he had stolen property with the intent of benefitting himself or another person other than the owner and that the property's value exceeded $1,000.

Lawerence (sic) R. Laude is accused of driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony. On Nov. 7, he operated a 1997 Chevrolet on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia while he was allegedly impaired by drugs. Also, a special information indictment was issued because he was convicted of the same crime as now alleged within the past 10 years. That stemmed from an incident on March 10, 2009 in the Town of Pembroke.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Margarita 5K in Pavilion on Cinco de Mayo

By Billie Owens

On May 5th, to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, the CF Margarita 5K will take place in Pavilion. This three mile run/walk will begin at the Pavilion Fire Hall at 6:30 p.m. and end at The End of the Road Inn, where all paid participants will receive a celebratory margarita.

Technical T-shirts are available to the first 200 registered and the first 250 margaritas served will be in commemorative cups. Awards will go the fastest male and female overall and the top three in 10-year age groups.

Event Date and Time
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Closure of Five Star branch still doesn't sit well with many in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

For 85 years Pavilion has had a community bank, but since Five Star closed its branch on Cato Street in October, local residents and merchants have been feeling the pain and the pinch.

"Some merchants make cash deposits on pretty much a daily basis," said Town Supervisor Theron Howard. "Other people bank every week or two and can make other arrangements. If I had to make cash deposits every day, it would be a real inconvenience not to have a local branch."

Town Council Member Linda Thompson said she's heard a lot of complaints around town about the branch closing. She's been a sounding board because she retired as manager of the bank a year ago after working there for 31 years.

"People said, 'oh, you saw the writing on the wall.' Well, no I didn't," Thompson said.

But she does understand why it happened. More people bank online and use ATM machines. Lobby traffic had been declining for years.

"It's not just Pavilion," Thompson said. "All of the branches of banks have seen that. You shoot yourself in the foot because you want them to do online banking, but then they don't come to the branch."

Chuck Guarino, senior VP and director of marketing for Five Star, confirmed there has been "a significant drop in transaction volume over the years" and that's the reason for the closure.

"We have several offices in the surrounding area and all indications are that is where the traffic is heading," Guarino said. "We haven't changed our commitment to the community from a charitable or events or programs standpoint, but we felt it best for us to be able to close that office."

Steven Brooks said he's been banking at the branch from its years as Pavilion State Bank, then Wyoming County Bank and finally Five Star.

He said he's talked to a lot of his friends and neighbors in Pavilion and they're universally unhappy with the branch closure and several of them have switched their banking to the Bank of Castile as a result.

He and others, he said, don't like that banking has now become at least a 20 mile round-trip just to cash a check.

"The bigger impact is on the elderly," Brooks said. "The older folks who walk, they don't want to go to Le Roy, especially during the winter they don't want to go to Le Roy."

That's one of the concerns of Cathy Carlsen, owner Country Hill -- that older customers, who used to combine banking and shopping in one trip are no longer making that trip to Downtown Pavilion.

She said she's definitely seen an impact on her business since the branch closed.

"Often the elderly only go to one area, and if somebody is taking them around, and they only have an hour, they're going to do what they do in that one area," Carlsen said.

Melody Osterman, working with Carlsen, agreed she's seen less foot traffic in Pavilion in the past six months.

"People say 'I don't believe you don't have a bank here any more,' Osterman said. "Or they wanted to come here and do something, but they have to go to Le Roy or Warsaw because there's nothing here. We're missing out on business."

As for making deposits, Carlsen said she's learned to adjust. Her husband will make her deposit for her when he heads to Le Roy on a weekly basis. She does miss, though, having a bank nearby to make change if needed.

People do learn to adapt, said Jim Rudgers, owner of Pavilion's long-standing filling station and garage, Kemp and Rudgers on Route 63.

Some we talked to thought Rudgers would be particularly inconvenienced, but he said, no, not really.

"My wife makes the deposits," he said. "She's on the road anyway."

He's accepts that a bank branch closing is just part of modern life.

"It's a sign of the times," Rudgers said. "People are doing more banking online. There's no need for a lobby anymore. The town can't support a small town bank."

Carlsen would like to see Five Star put its branch building up for sale, so perhaps another bank could open there, but Rudgers said he doesn't think that will happen.

"If they put it for sale they know darn well Bank of Castile would buy it up and put a branch in," Rudgers said.

Five Star is holding onto the building for more practical business reasons, Guarino said. It's the bank's disaster recovery location for the company's computer network and it provides a location for an ATM machine for its Pavilion customers.

The bank has spoken with merchants and is considering options for enhancing the ATM service to better handle their business, but there's little hope of the branch ever reopening.

"The transaction volume isn't there to support a full-service bank," Guarino said.

The spokesman for Bank of Castile wasn't available for comment today.

Pavilion recognizes more than 100 years of combined service from Highway Dept. staff

By Howard B. Owens

At a recent meeting, members of the Town of Pavilion Board realized the town's Highway Department employees had never been formally recognized for their years of service, so today they did something about it.

The six members of the department were honored with a lunch and a service pin.

Pictured are, from left, Butch Mattice, 12 years, John Strathearn, 29, Doug Elliott, 25, Jamie Cleveland, 13, Peter Green,18, and Dennis Kingsley, 23.

Law and Order: Registered sex offender turns himself in on change of address charge

By Howard B. Owens

Wayne D. Potter, 30, of Batavia, is charged with failure to notify of change of address and offering a false instrument for filing. Potter is a registered level 2 sex offender. He allegedly failed to register a change of address and turned himself in after learning police were looking for him. Potter was jailed without bail.

Stephen A. Lewis II, 33, of 14 Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Lewis is accused of damaging the door of another tenant at 14 Highland Park, Batavia, with a shovel. Lewis was jailed on $1,000 bail.

James Rocco Soccio, 32, of Ross Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an unregistered motor vehicle charge. Soccio posted bail and was released.

James J. Preedom, 29, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Preedom is accused of pushing another person during an alleged incident reported at 3:30 a.m., Monday. Preedom also allegedly broke a chair and damaged a wall.

Jeffrey W. Kuyal, 22, of 839 Chili Ave., lot J147, Churchville, is charged with petit larceny; Jazmin L. Kuyal, 25, of 66 Lake Street, Le Roy, is harassment, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. Jeffrey was arrested by Le Roy PD for allegedly shoplifting from a village business. As he was being led from the store by a police officer, Jazmin allegedly struck Jeffrey in front of police. Police say Jeffrey and Jazmin are cousins. When a police officer attempted to arrest Jazmin, Jazmin allegedly struggled with the officer and became combative, refusing to get into the patrol vehicle. Jazmin was also found to have a warrant out of Orleans County. Jazmin was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Mark Anthony Cicero, 45, of Dolbeer Street, Perry, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to obey traffic device. Cicero was stopped at 12:20 a.m. on Perry Road, Pavilion, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Randy J. Rowe, 32, of Rochester, was arrested as a fugitive and is also charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Rowe was arrested in the Town of Batavia on Monday by State Police. No further details released.

NOTE: The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is now posting a list of people with outstanding warrants. The list can be found on the county Web site under NEW Warrants. For the current list, click here (PDF).

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing more than $3K from grandmother

By Howard B. Owens

Bruce Jeramie Brade, 33, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and seven counts of forgery, 2nd. Brade allegedly stole checks from his grandmother over the course of several months in 2013 while he was living with her. The value of the checks allegedly totaled $3,680. Brade was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Landon Wayne Carroll, 32, of Buell Street, Akron, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Carroll was stopped at 12:32 a.m. Saturday on Oak Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.

Samantha L .Tennity, 19, of Hall Street, Batavia, was arrested on a City Court Warrant. No further details released. Tennity was reported by the Sheriff's Office, also, as being arrested on a bench warrant from Town of Batavia Court. She was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Tiffany M. Neal, 22, of 115 State St., upper, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Police responded to a call for assistance at Neal's residence and allegedly found Neal and her 1-year-old child living in "deplorable conditions." Neal was issued an appearance ticket. DSS assisted in the investigation.

Joshua L. Baltz, 37, of Old Meadow Lane, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baltz is accused of shoplifting from Kwik Fill.

Lauralee Pacer, 28, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment. Pacer allegedly sent a man she knew 75 "unwanted and annoying text messages that served no legitimate purpose."

Samantha A. Bowles, 24, of East Main Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine from a previous conviction on disorderly conduct. Bowles was jailed on $200 bail.

Joey Aaron Evans, 23, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to comply with drug court. Evans was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Chiyannon J. Bundy, 26, of Main Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear. Bundy was jailed on $200 bail.

Kyle Robert Washington, 24, of South Lake Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, public appearance under the influence of a narcotic or drug, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a public highway. Washington was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Saturday at 572 E. Main St., Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Tracy Lee Moore, 47, of Asbury Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test and failure to keep right. Moore was stopped 2:08 a.m. Sunday on Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Dalton Allan Long, 19, of West Main Street, Caledonia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Long is accused of possessing property that was reported stolen in Oakfield in September 2013.

Jeffrey L. Smith, 44, of Vinton Road, Irondequoit, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart. Smith reportedly left in a vehicle and was located later, allegedly in possession of stolen property.

Michael Francis Hurley, 42, of Marine Drive, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient headlamps. Hurley was stopped at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Law and Order: Perry man accused of stealing steel from business in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

John S. Dueppengiesser, 53, of Page Road, Perry, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Dueppengiesser is accused of stealing more than $3,000 worth of steel from a business on Route 63 in Pavilion during a night in February. Dueppengiesser was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. The case was investigated by deputies Bradley Mazur, John Duyssen and Joseph Loftus. Deputies from Livingston County and Wyoming County assisted in the investigation.

Ashley Anne Dunham, 24, of Edward Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right and speeding (69 in a 55 mph zone). Dunham was stopped at 2:25 a.m. Sunday on Hartshorn Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Alicia Susan Hough, 22, of Bridge Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speed not reasonable and prudent and moved from lane unsafely. Hough was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 7:35 a.m. Friday on Norton Road, Elba. The accident was investigated by Deputy John Weis.

Iesha Marie Vetter, 21, of Royce Road, Varysburg, was arrested on a warrant for alleged petit larceny. Vetter turned herself in on the warrant. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Brent E. Keheley, 34, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with failure to answer summons. Keheley was arrested on a warrant and taken to BPD headquarters where he was released upon posting $260 police bail.

Ricky A. Leach, 33, of Central Avenue, Batavia, harassment, 2nd. Leach is accused of hitting a woman in the stomach during an altercation on State Street at 10 p.m. Thursday. Leach was released to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office on a warrant.

Woman given second chance on drunken driving charge sent to jail for six months

By Howard B. Owens

A Pavilion mother twice arrested under provisions of Leandra's Law will have to serve six months in jail after blowing a chance to avoid lockup given to her by Judge Robert C. Noonan a year ago.

Angela R. Kruse, 42, will also be on probation for five years.

Kruse was first arrested in Le Roy for driving drunk with her children in her car in June 2012. She was arrested again four months later in Wyoming County following a rollover accident.

Kruse appeared before Noonan last March after going through rehab and was told if she could stay out of trouble for 11 months she could have a chance to put her Genesee County charge behind her, but she violated the terms of her release and appeared before Noonan again today to answer for the lapse.

Route 20 bridge over Tonawanda Creek in Alexander restricted to vehicles under 14 tons

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced that the Route 20 (Broadway Road) bridge over Tonawanda Creek in the town of Alexander is being restricted, effective today, to vehicles weighing 14 tons or less. The shoulders are closed.

This posting is being put in place following a recent inspection and engineering analysis that revealed the bridge can no longer safely carry heavier vehicles in its current condition. Tractor-trailers and school and coach buses will not be able to use the bridge.

NYSDOT monitors bridge safety through a thorough and rigorous inspection program. All bridges are inspected at least every two years and are analyzed for their capacity to carry vehicular loads.

This bridge is located just east of the cloverleaf intersection with Route 98. Electronic message boards and several other signs are being placed at key locations along the Route 63, Route 98, Route 19, Route 77 and Route 20 corridors to inform commercial trucks.

Commercial truck drivers should also be aware the structure that carries Route 20 over Oatka Creek in the Town of Pavilion was recently posted at 22 tons.

State forces will be making temporary repairs to both structures over the next several weeks to raise the posting limits. A capital project to replace both structures is being advanced and is expected to be under construction in 2015.

Monsanto donates $2,500 to Pavilion Fire Department

By Howard B. Owens

The Pavilion Fire Department received a $2,500 donation today from the Monsanto Fund, thanks to Roberta Klapper, of Noblehurst Farms.

Nate Holt, district sales manager for Monsanto, explained that the company started a program four years ago of making a donation to the charity of a farmer's choice in select counties across the nation. Each year, there are donations in more than 1,200 counties in 39 states.

It's not unusual for the selected farmer to pick a local fire department for the donation, Holt said.

"As I've done this over the years, it's been a chance to educate myself about volunteer fire departments," Holt said. "We tend to think that being a fire department they get funding through taxpayers, but no, that's not entirely the case. A good amount of their funding comes from chicken BBQs, pancake dinners, fundraising events that get them the money they need to support us when we need them the most."

Klapper said she appreciates what the volunteers in Pavilion do to keep the community safe.

"It's one of those organizations we all hope we never have to call upon, but when we do, we're glad to know they're there," Klapper said. "As a volunteer organization, we know they struggle with funds and we wanted to do what we could to help them."

Pictured are Roberta Klapper, representing Noblehurst Farms, Nate Holt, regional sales manager for Monsanto, Chad Freeman, Pavilion fire chief, and Doug Wright, Pavilion Fire District president.

Two-car crash with injuries on westbound Thruway

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on westbound Thruway at mile marker 380.7. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding. A crew from Pavilion is staging in Le Roy's fire hall.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: The Thruway Authority says there is reportedly another accident along the same stretch of roadway at mile marker 388.7 and the Town of Batavia was called to respond. "It may be one and the same accident. ... It is unfounded at this point," says the dispatcher.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Le Roy and Pavilion are back in service.

 

Structure fire reported on Route 19, Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A structure fire CO detector is activated at 9259 Route 19, in the area of Robbins Road, Le Roy. Le Roy Fire Department and Ambulance Service responding, with mutual aid from Pavilion standing by in quarters.

UPDATE 9:54 p.m.: This was a CO detector call, not a structure fire.

UPDATE 9:56 p.m.: Pavilion standing down.

More than 30 local students make the dean's list for Fall 2013 at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list for Fall 2013 semester at Rochester Institute of Technology:

Michael Anauo, Elba, is a fourth-year student in the molecular bioscience and biotechnology program in RIT's College of Science.
Joshua Barnard, of Bergen, is a fourth-year student in the industrial design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Hannah Belliveau, of Oakfield, is a third-year student in the biology program in RIT's College of Science.
Benjamin Bliss, of Pavilion, is a second-year student in the illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Dustin Bordonaro, of Batavia, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Kari Branton, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the hospitality and service management program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Maura Chmielowiec, of Batavia, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Jennifer Crossen, of Basom, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Erin Crossen, of Basom, is a fourth-year student in the computational mathematics program in RIT's College of Science.
Sophia Del Plato, of Batavia, is a fourth-year student in the graphic design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Anna Dorman, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the industrial engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Benjamin Ezard, of Byron, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Nicholas Flumerfeldt, of Corfu, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering technology program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Rachel Henrici, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Erica Hickey, of Byron, is a first-year student in the journalism program in RIT's College of Liberal Arts.
Ryan Hochreiter, of Le Roy, is a third-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Joshua Horning, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the computer science program in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Rachel Kobel, of Bergen, is a first-year student in the environmental sustainability, health and safety program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Peter Madau, of Le Roy, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Samantha Mitchell, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the electrical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Evyn Morgan, of Pavilion, is a fourth-year student in the professional photographic illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Robert Osborn, of Darien Center, is a fourth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Karl Pajak, of Corfu, is a fourth-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Clayton Pitcher, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the information technology program in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Alycia Sabatino, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Brittani Scharlau, of Alexander, is a fourth-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Michael Slack, of Bergen, is a fourth-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Christopher Snyder, of Darien Center, is a third-year student in the bioinformatics program in RIT's College of Science.
Joanna Stacy, of Bergen, is a third-year student in the graphic design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Kristen Stacy, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the professional photographic illustration program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Eric Stella, of Le Roy, is a fourth-year student in the packaging science program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Travis Swede, of Pavilion, is a fourth-year student in the packaging science program in RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology.
Traci Turner, of Bergen, is a second-year student in the journalism program in RIT's College of Liberal Arts.
Ryan Warner, of Batavia, is a first-year student in the physics program in RIT's College of Science.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for dean's list if their quarterly GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. In addition, the university offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.
 

Law and Order: Sex offender accused of not reporting address change

By Howard B. Owens
Shawn Powers

Shawn Powers, 48, of Wyoming County, is charged with failing to register a change of address. Powers, a registered Level 2 sex offender, was arrested by Le Roy PD for alleged failure to register a change of address as required by state law for registered sex offenders. He was previously a resident of the Village of Le Roy. Powers has a prior conviction for the same offense, making the new charge a Class D felony. He was jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

Richard Thomas Elliott, 82, of West Park Street, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and operating with driver's view obstructed. Elliott was stopped at 1:54 a.m., Wednesday, on Cato Street, Pavilion, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Andrew J. Paladino, 34, of Shelter Street, Rochester, was arrested on Family Court warrant for alleged support violation. Paladino turned himself in on the warrant. He paid $200 toward his support obligation and was released pending his next court appearance.

Law and Order: Pavilion man accused of driving other people's vehicles without permission

By Howard B. Owens

Jason M. Babbitt, 40, of Pavilion, is charged with two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Babbitt was arrested following a complaint investigated by State Police of a possible stolen vehicle from a location in Covington. At about the same time the initial complaint was reported, a vehicle was found in a ditch on Taylor Road, near the location of the reported stolen vehicle. Following further investigation by troopers and Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies, Babbitt was identified as the suspect and they allege he drove another vehicle without that owner's permission. Babbitt was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Robert W. Plantiko Jr., 39, of Thorpe Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Plantiko is accused of not providing proper care to a child in his custody. Plantiko was jailed on $100 bail.

Christina M. Cadieux, 53, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, and no or inadequate headlamps. Cadieux was stopped at 7:18 p.m. Feb. 4 on Pearl Street by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Norman E. Bastedo II, 39, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful operation of an ATV on a public highway and depositing snow on a public street. Bastedo was charged following an investigation into an accident reported in February on Pringle Avenue, Batavia.

Kimberly A. Beagle, 45, of Park Place, Perry, is charged with petit larceny. Beagle is accused of shoplifting from Tops.

Joseph C. Parnell, 19, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal nuisance, 2nd. Parnell is accused of allowing an underage drinking party to gather at a residence. Also charged, Benjamin D. Polk, 21, of East Main Street, Batavia. Bradley L. Rodda, 19, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with maintaining a premises for unlawful conduct. Joshua J. May, 19, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal nuisance.

Chercal Arieal Smith, 18, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Smith is accused of possessing a stolen mobile phone and using that phone for several days.

Brian Lee Smith, 52, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, is charged with three counts of criminal contempt, 1st, and 65 counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith is accused of violating a stay away order of protection by sending numerous e-mails, leaving several voice mails and visiting the residence of the protected person.

Christopher Patrick Abdella Sr., 45, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Abdella is accused of sending several text messages to a person he was barred by court order from contacting.

William John Dale, 40, of Franklin Street, Dansville, was arrested on a warrant related to a petit larceny charge. Dale was a passenger in a vehicle stopped in by a deputy in Livingston County and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office after being identified as a warrant suspect. Dale was jailed on $200 bail.

One-vehicle rollover on westbound Thruway, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover is reported on the westbound Thruway at mile marker 377.4. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding and a crew from Pavilion is requested to stage in its hall.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: An engine from Pavilion is requested to stand by in Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 5:53 p.m.: State Police on scene say all responders can go back in service -- no need for fire or medical personnel.

Two school districts announce closures this morning

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield-Alabama schools are closed this morning, due to weather.

Pavilion school is closed, due to plumbing issues.

Pavilion students scheduled to take a regents exam at Pavilion High School are to report to the elementary building at their scheduled test time.

The National Weather Service has a wind chill advisory in effect until 10 a.m. with wind chills expected to be 15 to 25 degrees below zero.

Law and Order: Three arrests reported

By Howard B. Owens

Charles Paul Mitchell, 34, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Mitchell is accused of causing unwanted physical contact with another person during an argument.

Maya Simone Washington, 40, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Washington is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Eric Swede, 25, of Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with disorderly conduct. Swede was arrested after Batavia PD was dispatched to Sport of Kings restaurant at 3:45 a.m. Sunday for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. Swede was issued an appearance ticket.

Pavilion man accused of selling controlled substance to undercover agent

By Howard B. Owens
Keith Reamer

A 38-year-old Pavilion man has been arrested and accused of selling Clonazepam to an agent of the Genesee County Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Keith G. Reamer Jr., of Hartwell Road, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 5th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th.

Clonazepam is a sedative sometimes used to treat epilepsy, panic attacks and other ailments. Recreational users have described a slight euphoric feeling from the drug. An overdose can cause respiratory failure.

Reamer was arraigned in Town of Pavilion Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The task force was assisted by uniformed deputies in the arrest of Reamer.

Young dairy farmer in Pavilion says agriculture is a great career choice

By Howard B. Owens

The way Pavilion resident Stephen Gould sees it, a career in agriculture is a great choice for a young person. There's opportunity, innovation and lots of options for somebody industrious enough to jump into the field.

Gould speaks today at the NYS Agriculture Society's annual meeting in Liverpool as part of a panel called "The Next Generation of Agriculturalists: Millennials' Perspective on Their Future in Agriculture."

He'll be joined on the panel by three other recent college graduates who are pursuing careers in agriculture.

After two years at Alfred State, Gould transferred to Cornell and earned a degree in animal science. He graduated in May and took a job as a farmhand on his family's farm on South Street Road, Pavilion.

Har Go Farms was founded by his grandfather in 1956 and is now run by his father, John, and mother, Sue. Gould expects someday he'll run the organic dairy farm, but for now, he's cleaning out stalls, managing the summer grazing and helping to build a winter shelter for calves.

It's his full-time job and it's exactly what he wants to do with his life, he said.

"I think it's a great lifestyle," Gould said. "You can do anything here. You can be a mechanic, a veterinarian or an accountant. When you're a farmer, it's always changing every day. You also get a great sense of accomplishment, to build something, take something as unorganized as nature and organize it into something productive."

While Gould has chosen to be a farmer, he said one of the great things about agriculture today is there are so many jobs in research, farm services and production. A young person really has a world of options.

"There's a lot of youth who are excited about jobs in agriculture," Gould said.

With exploding demand for food around the world, especially in China and India, it's really an exciting time to be in the ag business, he said.

"Then domestically, there's a lot of innovation," Gould added. "In dairy, you have Greek yogurts, drinkable yogurts and new spinoffs on just plain milk. There's strong demand for dairy, but there's other work. There's research being done on how to improve production, how to get more production per acre of crops or vegetables."

In Gould's own family, there's a clear example of the diversity of career opportunities for young people. His brother Michael graduated from Cornell with a degree in food science and now works for Chobani in Idaho. 

Gould's other brother, Matthew, is a student at Penn State and his sister Kathleen is an occupational therapist.

The farm went organic in 2008 and Gould thinks it was a good move.

"It's hard because there are fewer tools," Gould said. "But the whole organic philosophy is they don't want to kill anything. They don't want to use chemicals to kill bugs or use chemicals to kill weeds. They're all natural and holistic. I agree with that approach. I think any farmer, deep down, would not want to use any tools. They would love to make it all work, but organic isn't as productive. On the operations side, it's not as efficient. That's the constant challenge, to make it efficient. It's been a steep learning curve for us."

The Goulds run 150 head of milking cows on the 600-acre farm. Their fields must be kept chemical free and feed must be bought from certified organic suppliers.

"I enjoy it," Gould said. "It's a challenge. It's something not a lot of people are doing and we've had pretty good success with it."

The hardest part of farming, Gould said, is that cows don't take breaks. They need constant attention.

There are no days off on a dairy farm, he noted.

Gould was a wrestler in high school but says he doesn't follow a lot of sports these days -- the Bills at the beginning of the year when it looked like they might be good, but otherwise tunes most of it out. He likes to read, especially historic novels such as "Gates of Fire."

He also does a little woodworking and enjoys spending time with friends and family, but otherwise, he works and thinks he has a pretty good, if demanding, job.

He'd recommend ag to any young person, he said.

"Whether you're on a farm or in the service side of the industry, there's a lot of growth and a lot of opportunity in agriculture," he said.

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