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Pavilion

Law and Order: Truck driver involved in accident accused of DWI

By Howard B. Owens

David E. Muffley, 63, of Druck Valley Road, York, Pa., is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Muffley was reportedly involved in an accident at 6:20 p.m., Thursday, at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 20. Muffley was allegedly operating a loaded tractor-trailer while intoxicated and attempted to turn right onto Route 63 and struck a vehicle stopped on Route 63. The accident was investigated by Deputy Cory Mower.

Clifford Leo Regimbal, 34, of Granite Street, Webster, Mass., is charged with criminal possession of stolen property with a value of more than $3,000. Regimbal was arrested in Webster, Ma., on unrelated charges and held as an alleged fugitive from justice on the Genesee County charge. He was returned to New York and jailed on $20,000 bail. Regimbal also has warrants issued by the courts in Corfu, Alexander and Rochester.

Francis E. Ikokide, 42, of 3330 Weston Road, Apt. 316, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Ikokide was stopped at 6:22 a.m. on Oak Street by Officer Felicia DeGroot for alleged defective brake light. Ikokide was allegedly found to have a suspended license. Ikokide posted $100 police bail and was released.

Nicholas Christian Doell, 22, of Lippold Road, Darien, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a controlled substance not in original container. Doell was allegedly found by his probation officer in possession of controlled substances concealed in a cigarette pack at 5 p.m., Friday. He was jailed on $500 bail. (Doell was allegedly involved in a high-speed chase with deputies and tasered Saturday night.)

Amanda Rose McDonald, 31, of Cherry Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McDonald is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Terry Lynne Butler, 54, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, recless driving, moving from lane unsafely and improper signal. Butler was allegedly observed driving at 11:54 p.m., Friday, on Lewiston Road when her vehicle nearly collided with oncoming traffic. She was arrested by Deputy John Weis.

Dylan Jacob Keem, 19, of Folsomdale Road, Cowlesville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Keem was allegedly found in possession of marijuana concealed in a vehicle during an investigation on Route 77, Darien, by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Also arrested was Benjamin Edward Burek, 19, of Burrough Road, Cowlesville. Burek was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and consumption of alcohol under 21 years of age.

Terry Robert Konfederath, 51, of Meadowbrook Terrace, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .01 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely. Konfederath was stopped at 12:47 a.m., Saturday, on Genesee Street, Pembroke, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Daniel Lynn Diguardi, 31, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with falsifying business records, 2nd. Diguardi is accused of claiming ownership of property owned by Rent-a-Center that he allegedly pawned at Pawn King. Diguardi turned himself in on an arrest warrant to Deputy John Baiocco.

Benjamin Gove Evans, 24, of Maple Street, Batavia, was taken into custody on arrest warrants for alleged failure to pay fine on an attempted petit larceny charge. Evans appeared before Justice Tom Williams and promised to return the next day and make a fine payment and to make his payments every week until paid off.

Mary Jean Daniel, 26, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. Daniel allegedly stole an unassembled TV stand from Kmart.

Derrick R. Kio, 22, of Wyoming, is charged with criminal mischief (preventing emergency call), harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Kio was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 10:24 a.m., Saturday, in the Town of Pavilion. No further details were released.

Car and semi collide at routes 63 and 20, Texaco Town

By Billie Owens

A car and tractor-trailer accident is reported at routes 63 and 20, Texaco Town. The driver of the semi reportedly suffered "seizure-like activity" but is now "up and walking." The accident is blocking traffic. Pavilion Fire Department is responding for traffic control, along with Mercy medics. Law enforcement is on scene. The driver of the car is OK.

UPDATE 6:53 p.m.: The semi is a "heavy wrecker" partially in the ditch. It can probably be driven away once it's pulled out of the ditch, but the current driver will not likely be able to do that. The turning lane is blocked and traffic is backing up.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: Pavilion assignment is back in service.

UPDATE 8:27 p.m.: The roads are reopened.

Truck rollover accident with injuries on Broadway Road, Bethany

By Billie Owens

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported at 5491 Broadway Road. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The driver has "head and neck pain." The pickup truck's fuel spilled. One lane of traffic is blocked. The accident occurred "on the east side of the hill," near a "dip in the road where the viaduct is." Pavilion Fire Police are also called. A responder says it may be possible to have the other lane remain open.

UPDATE 8:16 a.m.: The vehicle involved is a four-wheel drive Ford F-250 with ag plates.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: They are alternating the traffic flow. A flatbed tow is called.

UPDATE 8:52 a.m.: Bethany assignment back in service.

Car crash at Route 20 and Linwood Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A car accident is reported at Route 20 and Linwood Road. An 81-year-old female is said to have a minor head injury and arm pain. State Police are on scene and Mercy medics and Pavilion Fire Department are responding.

Car wreck with injuries at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 20 and Perry Road, Pavilion. Mercy medics and Pavilion Fire Department are responding. Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia is available, based on the dispatcher's inquiry.

The accident is blocking traffic. Fire police are requested at Route 20 "at the top of the hill" and at Asbury Road to slow traffic.

UPDATE 7:09 p.m.: A second and third ambulance are requested. Fire police are also called to control traffic at Route 20 and South Street.

UPDATE 7:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight will not be required.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: No word on how many people are involved, but four of them will be sign-offs.

UPDATE 8:01 p.m.: The Pavilion assignment is back in service and the road is reopened. One person was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 8:14 p.m.: Three other patients were transported to Rochester General Hospital.

Photos: A spring evening in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

After the Genesee County Economic Development Center meeting yesterday evening, I had two choices: Go home and write some stories that I gathered information on during the day, or take advantage of a great spring day and drive around and take some pictures.

I chose pictures taking. I would have time, I reasoned, to write later in the evening.

Near the end of my loop through Le Roy, Pavilion, Bethany and Batavia, I stopped by a friend's house for a chat. Near the end of my visit, Billie called and told me about the teen in the gorge at Indian Falls.

So rather, than writing my stories last night and posting these pictures last night, I spent four hours on the Indian Falls story. 

Here's the photos from yesterday evening and those stories I need to write are coming.

The barn above is on Main Road in Stafford. Two more shots of it below.

Route 19, Town of Le Roy.

Cook Road and Route 20, Pavilion.

Transit Road and Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Town of Pavilion begins enforcement effort on two properties with alleged code violations

By Howard B. Owens

The Town of Pavilion has begun enforcement action against property owners that have for years been storing apparently broken down vehicles on their parcels.

At the beginning of the year the town entered into a shared services agreement with the Town of Batavia and Dan Lang is now code enforcement officer in Pavilion.

He said the first order of business was to go after the most obvious alleged code violations, and the properties at 11076 Lake Road and 11256 Perry Road certainly met that criteria.

In letters to Jacob Weber and Steven Weber, the town asserts they have 47 and 12 broken down vehicles on their properties, respectively.

The Webers appeared in town court Monday and asked for more time to work with an attorney on resolving the issue. They are scheduled back in court June 4.

The state's property maintenance code states:

Except as otherwise provided for in statute or other regulations, two or more inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles shall not be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.

The town is demanding that the inoperative vehicles be removed from the property. The Webers, if the issue isn't resolved and they are convicted, could be fined $350 or spend six months in jail for each code violation.

Lang said he won't be looking for every little code violation in Pavilion, but property owners with obvious code violations will be contacted and he will also respond to complaints from residents.

The photo of the Perry Road location was taken in October.

Dirt bike accident reported at residence on Creek Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A dirt bike reportedly hit a tree at a residence on Creek Road, Pavilion, and the rider suffered a head injury.

The injury is not described as serious. He has bump on the head and lost consciousness. A chief on scene tells dispatch that Mercy Flight will not be needed, that the patient can be transported by ground ambulance.

Car rear-ends tractor-trailer at Texaco Town, minor injuries

By Billie Owens

A car rear-ended a tractor-trailer at the intersection of routes 63 and 20 -- Texaco Town. There are minor injuries and no entrapment. But the car, with Connecticut plates, is pinned underneath the semi, according to a Sheriff's deputy on scene. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: The Pavilion assignment is back in service.

Grass fire on Pavilion Center Road

By Billie Owens

A grass fire is reported at 10119 Pavilion Center Road. Pavilion Fire Department is responding non-emergency. The location is between Stubb and Junction roads. There is a small structure nearby, but the fire chief on scene says it's not in danger at this time.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: The fire is out. Pavilion is back in service.

Photo: Old barn and farmhouse, Route 63, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

I've driven past this old, worn-down barn and farmhouse on Route 63 in Pavilion dozens and dozens of times and thought -- some day, I need to take a picture. On the way to the feed bunk fire today, I finally figured out how -- I think -- to make the shot. So after the fire, I went back and made this picture.

When the call went out, firefighters knew 'feed bunk' fire would make for long afternoon

By Howard B. Owens

Mention "bunk fire" to a volunteer firefighter, and you might get an eye roll.

Nearly every firefighter we spoke to at the scene of the fire on the Schumacher Farm in Pavilion today said when they heard "bunk fire" from the fire dispatcher, they knew there were in for a lot of work.

"They tend to be a drawn out affair," said Pavilion Chief Paul Dougherty. "The material is highly compacted. In fact, when they put it in the silo they go to great measures to compact it to keep the oxygen out. It's a smoldering type of fire that you've got to break apart until you've got it extinguished."

The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. and Pavilion Fire was on scene until about 6 p.m.

It took thousands of gallons of water to deal with the fire and with no public water in the area, tankers were called in from Batavia, Le Roy, Alexander, Bergen, Stafford, Caledonia, and Bethany, as well as Le Roy's ladder truck.

The fire appears to have spread from a burn pile on the southwest corner of the feed bunk (a bunker used to store cattle feed) and up the feed pile and into bales of hay stored at the top of the bunker.

Crews had to battle the fire in the bunker and clear a safe path to the back in Le Roy's ladder truck in order to put out the hay fire.

Because of winds, hot spots spread into the adjacent fields.

"The wind this particular day is certainly not in our favor," Dougherty said. "It is feeding the smoldering material and also carrying embers out into the surrounding fields, which are at this point in the year wet and difficult to get into to put out any burning materials."

The Schumacher Farm straddles the Genesee County-Wyoming County line and the feed bunk is in Genesee County, while the main structures of the farm are in Wyoming County. No structures were threatened by the fire, being down wind from the feed bunk.

Tankers shuttled water into the fire, but the time between truck fulls of water was such that the ladder truck had to periodically stop shooting water on the burning material.

For this type of fire, the flow of water, however, wasn't critical. At one point, in fact, firefighters took a break for refreshments and rest since the fire was well contained and not going anywhere.

"The one difference between this type of fire and structure or house fire is that with a structure or house, getting water is a bigger problem," Dougherty said. "Here we've got time to get water set up. The fire is not really going anywhere. We're not going to get behind it."

If the fire was started by a controlled burn, there are exemptions for agriculture during the no-burn season. Also, Dougherty noted, the fire could have been set days ago and only became a problem after the wind kicked up today.

Also assisting at the scene were Mercy EMS (on standby) and the Salvation Army.

To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Feed bunk fire on Hudson Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

A fire is reported at 6471 Hudson Road in the Town of Pavilion. No structures are involved -- it's a livestock feed bunk. Pavilion, Le Roy and Stafford fire departments are responding. "We've got heavy, heavy black smoke in the air."

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Tankers from York and Bethany are also called to the scene. A wind advisory for parts of Western New York, including Genesee County, is in effect until 6 p.m. Winds are expected to average 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph. which, of course, makes fires more difficult to fight.

UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Fire police will be deployed at Route 19 to stop westbound traffic onto Hudson Road so tankers can draw water from a pond near that juncture. Perry Center's tankers, if available, are summoned.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Mutual aid from Alexander, Town of Batavia and Bergen are called in.

UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: Caledonia is called to the scene and also to stand by in Pavilion's quarters.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.: Brockport and Mumford are enlisted.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Pavilion Fire command says "The fire's contained, but we've got to get up here and put these hay bales out. I'm not sure the ladder's going to reach that far." Wyoming #2 is called, Perry Center is cancelled.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: They want to get a backhoe in there to bust up the hay bales. "They're going pretty good." There's a big heap of corn cobs to deal with, too.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: Mercy medics are responding in case they are needed.

UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: The Pavilion Auxiliary and/or Salvation Army is going to bring refreshments. Attica Rescue is called to fill air bottles.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: The fire is pretty much knocked down. No hands lines are in use at this point. Alexander is released from the scene and others will be soon.

Field fire reported on Dillon Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion fire is on scene of a field fire in the area of 7364 Dillon Road, Pavilion.

It was apparently a controlled burn that got out of control and was reported to be about 50 yards from a structure.

A chief reports that it hasn't gotten into the nearby woods.

Another chief said that once crews are on scene with brooms, it should be easy to knock down.

UPDATE 10:46 a.m.: A chief reports fire is definitely out and he's walking the perimeter of the whole area to ensure it's out.


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CTE students inducted into National Tech Honor Society

By Billie Owens

Press release:

In March, the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Chapters inducted 119 Career and Technical students from the Charles G. May Center and Batavia Campus. Evening candlelight ceremonies took place at the May Center and Elba High School.

These students met a rigorous criteria set forth by this national organization. The minimum grade-point average for acceptance is a 3.0. Students are also selected based upon credit hours completed, attendance, volunteer service, and membership in other student organizations.

Honorary memberships were presented to Michael Glover, Ph.D., district superintendent of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, and David O’Geen, Precision Machining instructor at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.

Batavia Career and Technical Education Center

Alexander

William Burke                         Metal Trades

Miriah Gaudy                          Metal Trades

Christina Haniszewski            Health Careers Academy

Donald Ohlson                       Electronics & Comp Tech

Fleur Remington                    Legal Careers Academy

Matthew Szymanski               Metal Trades

Brittany Taylor                        Legal Careers Academy

 

Attica

Ashley Brotherton                  Health Careers Academy

Aleiah Brunner                       Animal Science

Nathan Burry                         Building Trades

Mitchell Cayea                       Metal Trades

Amber Holley                         Criminal Justice

Kellee Kibler                          Health Careers Academy

Angela LePrell                       Health Careers Academy

Nicole Strauchen                   Health Careers Academy

Batavia

Tyler Kuhn                             Conservation

Rebecca Meloon                   Cosmetology

Miranda Reed                       Animal Science

Louis Scafetta                       Building Trades

Ashley Stachowski                Animal Science

McKenzie Stevens                Legal Careers Academy

Byron Bergen

Nicole Fore                            Health Careers Academy

Kara Hall                                Health Careers Academy

Andrew McKenrick                 Conservation

Blake Snyder                         Conservation

Alexandra Walker                   Health Careers Academy

Caledonia Mumford

Devan Ayers                          Metal Trades

Andrew Carpino                     Auto Technology NATEF

Nichole Essig                         Health Careers Academy

Brittany Kerr                           Animal Science

Cody McGinnis                       Metal Trades

Ryan Sickles                          Metal Trades

Elba

Viviana Gaytan                      Human Services

Le Roy

Alexandra Beswick                Computer Information Academy

Christopher DeFelice             Legal Careers Academy

Emily Morrill                           Health Dimensions

Verneda Peete                       Legal Careers Academy

Brittany Shultz                       Culinary Arts

Oakfield Alabama

Brian Borkholder                    Electronics & Comp Tech

Paige Chatt                            Legal Careers Academy

Chelsea Cleveland                 Health Careers Academy

Brittany Denton                      Health Careers Academy

Jenifer Igoe                            Health Careers Academy

Casey McVay                         Computer Information Academy

Brennan Neidrauer                 Metal Trades

Sadie Schultz                         Legal Careers Academy

Haley Woodrich                      Human Services

Pavilion

Nicole Forti                             Health Careers Academy

Heather Yuhnke                     Cosmetology

Pembroke

Mitchell Allen                          Auto Technology NATEF

Kari Ammon                           Health Careers Academy

Nick Blackwell                        Graphic Arts

Austin Blaszak                       Graphic Arts

Brooke Keller                         Cosmetology

Tyler Lang                              Conservation

Do you need to be rescued?

By Tracy Byrnes

Do you need to be rescued?

Life stinks sometimes, even for a skunk! Last summer I discovered that we had five baby skunks living under our front porch without a mother. It was a puzzling situation…I did not know what to do because of the mighty punch that they pack! After a few hours of observing them, I decided they needed help, so I became their rescuer. They were not going to make it without the intercession of another, so I was it. Each day I would feed them and give them water, and I would just sit and observe their interaction with each other. What I witnessed would often bring a smile on my face or a tear to my eyes. One day while I was walking in the backyard, I looked over and saw that two of the babies had fallen into the garden pond. They were desperate and were struggling to get out. I had to reach down and rescue them from drowning. You can only imagine my apprehension of picking them out of the water. I did it, only after a quick prayer to their creator asking Him to keep their tails lowered. He answered that prayer and they were saved with no consequence to me, which put a smile on my face! Thank you Lord!

Another day while sitting on my front porch the babies were in a heap sleeping on the sidewalk. It was feeding time so I opened the front door and watched all the babies but one come over to me to be fed. That one baby skunk was gone. What I witnessed from the others brought tears to my eyes. They kept nudging that little still skunk as if to say, “come on, it’s time to eat…wake up”. They pushed and pulled on that baby skunk until he was safely under the front porch. They took him home where he could be close to them. Life does stink sometimes, even for a skunk!

Do you ever feel like your drowning in sorrow and lifes hardships?  Do you ever feel like you need to be rescued? Let me tell you of life’s greatest rescuer, His name if Jesus Christ. He came from heaven to earth so that those who call on Him as their savior may find hope, and one day be taken home to heaven to be eternally with Him (Romans 6:23). He rescued us by coming and dying on the cross at Calvary so that we may have our sins forgiven (Romans 5:8). How can He rescue you? Say a prayer asking Him to forgive you of all your sins, and ask Him to help you to live a life that is pleasing to Him. He will rescue you if call on Him (Romans 10:9-10).

Yes, life stinks “sometimes”, even for a Christian. But, when you decide to follow Him and make Him Lord of your life, He will work all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He promises to be with you and will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

We are in the Easter season, a time to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross.  Allow Him to be your rescuer and become Lord of your life. Allow Him to forgive you and help you. Call out to Him in prayer and He will answer you. He will reach down and pick you up, He will intercede for you (Hebrew 7:25).

I was the baby skunks rescuer until they were mature enough to be safely transported to their new home called the woods. Jesus Christ became my rescuer thirty four years ago when I asked Him to forgive me and come into my life. I know He will come one day to safely take me home to be with Him forever, my eternal home called heaven (John 14:3).

If you would like someone to pray with you, please call Batavia Assembly of God at 343-8521. We would also like to invite you to a week of prayer April 22nd through the 28th beginning at 6pm to 7:30pm at the church located at 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia. You may also come for prayer any Sunday morning beginning at 8:30am. Someone would be glad to pray for you at anytime.

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Tracy Byrnes
Prayer Coordinator
Batavia Assembly of God

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