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Police confirm series of car break-ins on south side of city

By Howard B. Owens

A reader asked us to look into reports of a series of car break-ins in the city. We e-mailed Chief Shawn Heubusch and here's his response:

There have been several reported thefts from vehicles in the past month throughout the south side of the city. No suspects have been identified at this time. People in the area are strongly encouraged not to leave any valuable items in their vehicles and to keep their vehicles locked at all times. Most thefts from vehicles are crimes of opportunity and therefore little to no force is used. By keeping your car locked, and alarm active if you have one, will deter thieves from targeting your vehicle. Residents should contact the City Dispatcher at 345-6350 if they see suspicious activity taking place in their neighborhood.

Law and Order: Use of 'Find My Phone' app leads to arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Barbara E. Ferrando, 42, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Ferrando was allegedly found in possession of a stolen phone after the victim tracked the phone using the "Find My Phone" app and located a moving vehicle pulling into the Walmart parking lot. The victim was able to provide an accurate description of Ferrando and her vehicle. The arrest was made by Officer Jason Davis and Sgt. Christopher Camp.

Oliver Thomas, 22, of Chestnut Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd, menacing, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Thomas was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 10:46 p.m. July 23. Thomas was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

Lamar L. Mobley, 20, of Wood Street, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, open container, speed not reasonable and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Mobley is accused of being involved in a hit-and-run accident at 3:53 a.m. Sunday on Bank Street, Batavia. The accident was investigated by Officer Devon Pahuta.

Stephan P. Durham, 17, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2rd, criminal mischief, 3rd, grand larceny, 4th, and criminal possession of stolen property. Durham is accused of breaking into an impound lot, breaking a car window and stealing property from the car. Durham was jailed without bail.

Alexander L. Jordan, 19, of Ridge Road, Ontario, Canada, is charged with menacing, 3rd. Jordan allegedly physically threatened another person while in the parking lot of Tim Horton's at 11:25 p.m. on July 20.

Coty A. Patrizi, 24, of Morton Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an unreasonable noise complaint. 

Alex S. Dumbleton, 21, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. The charges stem from alleged domestic incident reported at 4:18 a.m. July 23. Dumbleton was jailed without bail.

Willie Albert Sabb Jr., 40, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Sabb is accused of being in the presence of two people in violation of an order of protection.

Byron R. Lee, 47, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Lee is accused of shoplifting from the deli department of Tops.

Dakota Patrick Pursel, 17, of Pavilion Warsaw Road, Pavilion, is charged with making graffiti and criminal tampering, 3rd. Pursel is accused of writing on windows, window sills, doors and brick walls at Pavilion High School.

Richard John Abramski, 26, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Abaramski was allegedly found in possession of suboxone while serving an intermittent sentence at the Genesee County Jail.

Sean Douglas Lacy, 27, of West Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with conspiracy, 5th. Lacy was allegedly involved in an incident at 12:32 a.m. Friday on Swamp Road, Byron, along with two other individuals, that resulted in the reckless discharge of a firearm.

Brian Paul O'Grady, 49, of Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding (55 in a 35 mph zone), failure to keep right and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. O'Grady was stopped at 1:15 a.m. July 22 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Norman D. Brockenshire, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th/preventing emergency call and harassment, 2nd. Brockenshire was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 1:15 p.m., Saturday. The investigation was handled by the State Police.

Ravae S. Quonce, 27, of Syracuse, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Quonce was stopped at 9:56 p.m. Friday on Simonds Road, Darien, by State Police.

Power outage, flooding reported in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

There is apparently a power outage in Le Roy. We have no information at the moment regarding the extent of the outage.

There's also flooding on Route 5 by the Le Roy Country Club.

A Le Roy fire chief has requested fire police to the intersection of routes 5 and 19.

UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: Power is out for 2,300 National Grid customers centered around Le Roy. The outage area stretches from Route 19 to Bergen.

Also, the Thruway is being closed because of flooding between Le Roy and Henrietta. Le Roy has been told to expect extra traffic coming through the village.

UPDATE 9:43 a.m.: Stafford recreation is cancelled today due to weather.

UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: The power outage has been reduced to 645 customers in the Village of Le Roy. National Grid estimates power will be restored by 12:45 p.m.

Flash flood warning in effect until 3:15 a.m.

By Howard B. Owens

Thunderstorms tonight have already produced an inch to an inch-and-a-half of rain in some areas, according to the National Weather Service, and the slow moving storm may produce heavy rain for the next few hours.

Another inch to two inches of rainfall is possible.

This could create excessive runoff and lead to flooding of roadways, farmlands and along creeks.

Caution is advised while traveling, especially at night, and people in areas susceptible to flooding should move to higher ground, the Weather Service advises.

Photos: 2014 Harley Raffle party at Town of Batavia Fire Hall

By Howard B. Owens

Town of Batavia firefighters proved once again they know how to throw a party.

Saturday night, the department hosted its annual Harley Raffle party, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the volunteers.

Mary Miesner, of Albion, with ticket #1281, won the Harley Fat Boy (or she could choose a cash prize). The four $500 winners were Andrew Chapman, of Batavia, David Metzger, of Buffalo (his ticket being drawn above), Roy Baker, of Medina, and Joseph Sherman, of Le Roy.

The band this year was Audibull.

To purchase prints, click here.

Lost dog found in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

This dog was found this evening wandering on Mechanic Street in Elba. It has tags, but the village hall is closed until Monday. If it's your dog, call Carol at (585) 757-6856.

Aerial photos of Town of Batavia's Harley Raffle party

By Howard B. Owens

Nate Fix sent over these photos he took with his drone earlier this evening of the Town of Batavia Fire Department's annual Harley Raffle party.

The party goes until midnight. Audibull is the band and they're rockin' the tent.  

The fire hall is on Lewiston Road, across from Kmart.

I'll have ground-level photos posted in the morning some time.

Batavia Downs.

Photos: YWCA's Wheels and Heels at Stan's Harley-Davidson

By Howard B. Owens

Kaden Lyons, 9, models his Harley-Davidson gear atop his dad's bike at the YWCA's Wheels and Heels fundraiser today at Stan's Harley-Davidson.

The event featured a fashion show and Kaden was one of the models.

Funds raised will be used for the YW's for domestic violence programs.

The event's band was "driVen," with Mike Warren on bass and vocals, Dylan DeSmit on lead guitar and vocals and Alex DeSmit on drums.

Car wreck with minor injuries on Sumner Road, Darien

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported at 711 Sumner Road at the intersection of Harlow Road. Darien Fire Department and its ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 12:47 p.m.: Two children and the driver are injured.

UPDATE 12:49 p.m.: There are reportedly five injuries now. Mercy medics are called to the scene.

Six arrests reported at Keith Urban concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office during the Keith Urban concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday.

Veronica E. Dudla, 19, of Carolyn Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, after allegedly impersonating another person. She was also issued a ticket for alleged possession of another’s license.

Tyler J. Sobkowiak, 19, of Dean Road, Depew, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Nicholas M. Boulard, 22, of College Road, Stevensville, Ontario, Canada, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return.

Sara E. Friedman, 26, of Ayrshire Lane, Henrietta, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance in the campground.

Dominic J. Manarasi, 24, of 26th Street, Niagara Falls, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching a security guard.

Breanna M. Rivers, 23, of Rhode Island Avenue, Niagara Falls, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly pushing and hitting a security guard.

The following people were ticketed for alleged possession of a fictitious license:

Nicole D. Dugo, 18, of Dansville
Caroline A. Grande, 18, of Scottsville
Brittany M. Copeland, 19, of Warsaw
Ryan S. Cordis, 19, of Springville
Samuel E. Anderson, 20, of Kane, Pa.
Mackenzie C. Garby, 18, of Great Valley
Megan E. Arno, 20, of Clarence
Thomas C. Schena, 18, of Great Valley
Danielle N. Mueller, 19, of Rochester
Michael Gallagher, 19, of Hamburg

The following people were issued tickets for alleged possession of another person's license:

Anthony J. Laurienzo, 19, of Akron
Lydin N. Kallin, 19, of Orchard Park
Haley M. Waple, 20, of Lockport
Kayla B. Kreuder, 19, of Hamburg
Angela N. Creek, 19, of Cheektowaga
Alec E. Davis, 18, of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada – 2 counts
Molly K. Gorski, 19, of Akron
Chelsea D. Rzepka, 20, of Rochester
Patrick G. Stairs, 18, of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

Car vs. pole accident reported on South Street Road, Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly struck a pole in the area of 11017 South Street Road, Pavilion.

A person is pinned in the car. Wires are down.

Injuries are possible.

Pavilion Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Le Roy's rescue requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:31 a.m.: Mercy Flight dispatched.

UPDATE(s) by Billie 9:36 a.m.: Mercy Flight #5 is airborne.

UPDATE 9:40 a.m.: Mercy Flight has landed. National Grid is expected to arrive in 20 minutes for repairs.

UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: National Grid is on scene.

UPDATE 10:11 a.m.: The victim has been extricated.

UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air, going to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: Howard at the scene reports that officials believe the seriously injured driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel of his pickup truck. He appears to be in his mid-40s. It took at least 45 minutes for rescuers to extricate the victim. They had to use a winch to pull the front of the cab from the rear of the truck. The man was conscious and able to talk throughout the rescue effort. He suffered serious injuries to his legs and chest, and possibly internal injuries.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m. (by Howard): The truck's front end was heavily damaged and the pole was sheared in half. The wires were pulled off the house at that location and a second pole near the house was on the ground. The truck came to rest in a cornfield. Pavilion Assistant Chief Dewey Murrock said, "When I first pulled up, I thought it was going to be very bad, but he was awake and talking. I was actually surprised at that." We'll post pictures from the scene after we receive word that family notifications have been completed.

UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: Family notifications completed, but we don't have the victim's name yet.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: The driver is identified as Steven Lantz, 47, of North Street, Le Roy.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: Lantz is listed in satisfactory condition, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Retired collision shop owner enjoying life of rust and restoration

By Howard B. Owens

Dick McClurg says "they don't call me the dreamer for nothing."

"The Dreamer." That's what's stenciled on his 1932 Ford hot rod roadster. His dream car.

"I wanted one all my life. I waited 50 years for that one."

McClurg has about a dozen classic cars scattered around his shop location, Old World Collision on West Main Street Road, Batavia, that many of us would consider dream cars -- a Mustang, Corvette, BelAir, Thunderbird, Charger,  '41 Mercury, Cadillac El Dorado, and old coupes buried under a a couple of dozen rusted bicycles.

Many in some state of restoration; some in permanent disrepair and destined for Ed Arnold's.

"Rust is my life," he said.

Now that McClurg is retired, he has more time to work on his own projects (he emphasized, he's not looking for new business), hence the completion of the roadster.

He's just about finished the restoration on his shop car, a 1949 Chevy panel truck. It hasn't been on the road for 31 of the 36 years he's owned it.

What was wrong with it?

"Everything," he answered. "Body off the frame, every nut and bolt. It's probably one of the most rotten pieces I've never tackled."

The old delivery wagon sat out front of his shop for awhile this morning, gleaming in the July sun.

"I've probably had plenty of opportunities to sell it, but if the day ever came where I could handle getting it on the road, then I'd have to go buy another one, so I'm glad I didn't."

My stop in McClurg's shop this morning -- a stop I've intended for a long time -- was prompted by a 1957 Caddy. 

At the accident near Wortyndyke today, I was reminded of a classic Caddy I'd seen -- and a firefighter had seen -- parked over on Pearl Street, at LaWall's Collision.

The shop owner there told me, yeah, it had been parked out front, a real traffic stopper while it was there, but after some rear end repairs, it had gone back to Old World.

McClurg said the baby blue Caddy is a project for one of his few remaining customers.

Another dream car about to become reality.

New documentary highlights immigration policy that harms local dairy farmers

By Howard B. Owens

Via Orleans Hub, a documentary on the difficulty WNY dairy farmers face because of current immigration policy.

Fruit and vegetable farms have access to legal foreign workers through the H2A program, but the federal government hasn’t made that possible for dairies because the work isn’t considered seasonal. Dairies haven’t had much success finding local Americans to work the night shifts.

Many dairies say they have been forced to hire Mexicans who don’t have proper documents. They are hard-working and dedicated, but they are also vulnerable to sudden removal by immigration officers. Germano interviews one dairy farmer who will soon have long-term milking employees deported.

“I am tired of the inaction in Washington,” a WNY dairy farmer tells Germano. “We’re trying to run a business. We’re the ones caught in the crosshairs between the government that makes the laws and the other agency that has to enforce the laws.” 

Watson Guitars in Le Roy offering handmade quality for local musicians

By Howard B. Owens

Guitarists tend to have dream guitars -- a Gibson Les Paul, a Fender Stratocaster, a Guild Starfire, a Martin D-28 ... all expensive guitars.

And these days, often machine made.

What if there was a guitar available locally that was handmade and affordable?

That's the market Dave Watson is going after with Watson Guitars.

Watson has been making custom guitars for more than 20 years and started selling his handcrafted creations in 2009.

This week, he finally was able to open a storefront where he can sell guitars he's finished or take orders for custom guitars (soon, he'll have a new Web site that will allow customers to order custom guitars).

"A lot of your handmade guitars are three, four, five thousand dollar instruments, which, you know, I've made a few that are up in that price range, but for the most part, I try to keep my basic models affordable," Watson said. "My basic models start at $399. If you can find a better guitar for $399, buy it."

Once a professional musician, Watson found that it was hard to find bass guitars really suitable to his size. Bass players tend to be tall and lanky. Watson's under six feet tall, so he wasn't entirely comfortable with an off-the-shelf model.

He decided to build his own bass.

He found he really liked working with wood.

"It's in my blood, just as much as playing," Watson said.

After suffering some hearing loss, Watson had to step off the stage and away from bands, but he couldn't stop making guitars.

He figures he's made and sold hundreds of guitars.

Each one handmade, unique.

"I always put it this way: It's the imperfections that make a guitar perfect," Watson said.

He thinks something has been lost for the discriminating guitar player with the market flooded by cookie-cutter guitars, sliced and sanded to identical specifications by computer-controlled machines.

"There isn't a personal touch," Watson said. "As far as I'm concerned, there isn't a guitar made today that will ever be as valuable as a '59 Les Paul, because someone made that guitar with their own two hands."

The typical Watson guitar has his signature look -- both the headstock and bottom of the guitar are cut out with a kind of W shape.

Watson's target market is the local musician -- the player with an ear tuned enough to recognize a quality sound, fingers sensitive enough to pick up the response of quality material and an eye for beauty, but who can't afford to lay down thousands on a guitar.

"There's a big difference between the sound of a machine-made and a handmade guitar," Watson said.

Watson's shop is at 57 Mill St., Le Roy, and he had to get a zoning code variance to open the front up as a retail shop, but with that done and the space spiffed up, he's ready to meet with players who either want to select something hanging from his walls or sit down and design the guitar of their dreams.

"As long as it's not a copy of something, we try to build their design the way they've always wanted it," Watson said.

Customization can include airbrush designs by a local artist and fiber-lighted top dots on the fretboard.

Vehicle on its side after accident on West Main Street Road

By Billie Owens

A car accident is reported at 3299 W. Main Street Road, just west of Wortendyke Road. The vehicle is on its side. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:04 a.m.: (from Howard at the scene) There is no vehicle on its side. A black sedan was eastbound on Route 5 and a FedEx truck was westbound. The truck attempted a left turn into a car dealership and allegedly did so in front of the sedan, causing the initial collision. Then the sedan veered into the car lot, hit a barrier pole and the front end of a car. The female driver was extricated and is being taken to ECMC by Mercy ambulance. She suffered a possible head injury, possible pelvic injury, and a face laceration. The FedEx driver was a sign-off. The truck has a damaged right rear panel and a flat left rear tire.

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