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Feed truck reportedly on fire on Albion Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

A feed truck at Lamb Farms on Albion Road, Oakfield, is reportedly on fire.

Oakfiled Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:09 a.m.: A chief on scene reports a working truck fire.

UPDATE 10:15 a.m.: Fire knocked down.

Driver reports being unconscious for some time following rollover accident in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

Somewhere in the Lake Street Road and Parmalee Road area a caller indicates he had a rollover accident and was unconscious for some period of time, perhaps as long as an hour.

He isn't sure of his location and said his vehicle is some distance off the road.

Le Roy fire and ambulance and law enforcement are in route.

UPDATE: While there was some chatter about this following our initial report, I never heard an ambulance transport (not saying there wasn't one, I just didn't hear it) nor did I hear Le Roy clear the scene.

Don Carroll grateful for community support

By Howard B. Owens

At times this afternoon, Don Carroll was overcome with emotion as people showed up for a charity event in Jackson Square called DC in the Square.

The event is aimed at raising funds to help Carroll, who has cancer, pay his medical bills.

Throughout his life, Carroll has given all he has to the community, especially children who don't grow up with financial advantages. Most recently, Carroll has sponsored Toys for Kids, an annual event to provide gifts for children.

DC in the Square was organized, with the help of many volunteers, by Beth Kemp.

Beth's husband, Brian, said he benefited from Carroll's charitable work because Carroll's annual 5K run years ago paid for Brian to go to summer camp.

Beth said, "He does so much for the community and never asks for anything back," adding, "I just think he's a great guy. He sets the example for the kind of person I want to be, always giving, never expecting anything back."

Carroll, pictured above with his sister, Diane, and friend, Harriett Everett, said all he ever wanted to do was make kids happy and he was so grateful for the community support during his battle with cancer.

"It just means so much," Carroll said. "There are some things that happen that I forget sometimes, but this I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Today's event goes until 4 p.m.

Photos: Town of Batavia Fire's annual Harley Raffle and Wingding

By Howard B. Owens

The annual Harley Raffle and Wingding at the Town of Batavia Fire Hall on Lewiston Road once again was a big hit with area residents. Hundreds of people packed the lot and enjoyed the party, which featured music by 7th Heaven. Alex's provided ribs and pulled pork, and of course, there was a beer tent.

We're awaiting notification of who won the drawings.

UPDATE: The winner of the Harley Fatboy is Dewey Towner, Batavia. The $500 winners are Gerald Wolcott, Batavia, Wayne Cross, Versailles, Dan Hale, Batavia, and Michael Leone, Waterport.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

To purchase prints, click here.

Photos: Another beautiful summer day in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

I'm in Byron/Bergen on a beautiful summer day? Of course I'm going to try and make a few pictures.

Above a barn off Route 237.

High power lines a little further up Route 237.

Old truck, Swamp Road.

Train crossing Ivison Road, Stafford.

Photos: Byron Heritage Day

By Howard B. Owens

In Byron today, residents celebrated Byron Heritage Day. It was a beautiful afternoon for a picnic in the park. Buffalo Road Show rocked the pavilion and, of course, there was the classic car cruise.

Tree down, blocking traffic on Chaddock Road

By Billie Owens

A tree is reportedly blocking the roadway on Chaddock Road in Bethany. Bethany Fire Department. Law enforcement is responding. Didn't catch the exact address.

UPDATE 7:59 p.m.: The responder on scene reports the tree is blocking half of the roadway, on the southbound side. Workers from the state Department of Transportation are called to the scene to cut the tree with chainsaws and remove it.

Homebound seniors on waiting list for friendly visitors

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Office for the Aging has announced that there is a waiting list for homebound individuals seeking the support of a friendly visitor.

Currently there are individuals in various areas of the county who would very much like to receive services through the Home Visitation Program coordinated by Catholic Charities.

The program is a free service for individuals in Genesee County, 60 years of age and older, with a limited ability to get out of their homes who would enjoy a friendly visitor offering socialization and companionship.

Individuals interested in more information on becoming a friendly visitor may contact Dorian Ely, director of the RSVP Volunteer Placement Program, at the Office for the Aging at 343-1611.

The Home Visitation Program is made possible by the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging.

GC's Republican Women's Club hosts annual Lucky Numbers Auction

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Women’s Republican Club will host its annual Lucky Numbers Auction event on Aug. 2 at the Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia-Byron Road, Batavia.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. Cost is $18 per person.

Reservations must be made ASAP by calling Melissa Gaebler at (585) 297-7948, or emailing her galaxie561@hotmail.com. Genesee Cancer Assistance is the club’s “Caring for America” charity this year. People attending are encouraged to bring a donation.

New members or anyone interested in joining the Women’s Republican Club are welcome to attend.

Guy in the lime green sneakers is banging on doors again

By Billie Owens

Once more emergency dispatchers have received a call about a pushy salesman wearing lime green sneakers. Not sure what he's peddling, but he has been described as rather aggressive in his door-to-door demeanor. He was last spotted on Dewey Avenue in the city. Police are trying to locate him.

(I think he came to our house a few weeks back offering an unbeatable deal on carpet shampooing. I declined it but asked for his business card and was told he didn't have any because the deal was only good for that day, a sort of take-it-or-leave-it thing. Then he reached for the screen door handle, just bursting with enthusiasm to show me more about this wonderful opportunity. But our giant dog, Pachuco, and his fearsome bark persuaded him to leave quickly.)

Photos: Bashing bath salts in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

With rain threatening most of the afternoon, the turn out for the anti-bath salt rally at L&L Transmissions was less than organizers hoped, but still, more than 30 people joined in the event. People had a lot of fun taking whacks at the "your brain on bath salts" van.

The event was hosted by Affliction Ink, CPR (Computer and Phone Repair) and L&L Transmissions.

American Legion Post 576 seeks nominees for Le Royan of the Year

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Le Roy American Legion Post 576 is asking that each club, church, society organization or individual submit a nominee to be considered as the 2012 Le Royan of the Year Award. Deadline is Aug. 22.

In Le Roy we have many outstanding events. It takes volunteers, hardworking individuals, many of them working behind the scenes that make each and every event a success.

The award recognizes people who demonstrate the following qualities:

  • A man or woman who exemplifies the true spirit of Americanism, its ideals, love of flag and country, regardless of race, color or creed.
  • Good citizenship by carrying out these principles, often beyond what is expected.
  • Service to the community, signified by excellence in life of purpose and accomplishments.

Applications can be picked up at the Legion Home 53 W. Main St. Le Roy, and any Le Roy Bank.
Mail application to:

American Legion Post 576

Attn: Catherine Stone

53 W. Main St. Le Roy, NY 14482

Two-car crash at Bloomingdale and Sand Hill roads

By Billie Owens

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is reported at Bloomingdale and Sand Hill roads, on the border of the Town of Alabama and the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. One person is said to have a mouth and arm injury, another is complaining of chest pain due to the seat belt restraint. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: The patients are both children.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: The patients are being transported to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Photos: Dedication of restored St. James church tower

By Howard B. Owens

Bishop William R. Franklin, the Episcopal bishop for all of Western New York, praised God and praised the efforts of the congregation of St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia today at a dedication ceremony for the restored church tower.

The restoration was a difficult financial undertaking for the congregation, but Franklin said the tower was an important symbol of hope in the community.

"When we look upward, we look to the future and it reminds us that the joy of God belongs to us," Franklin said.

The front doors of the church, which have been kept closed for years because of safety concerns from falling masonry, were once again reopened.

"We open doorways of hope," Franklin said. "We open our doors and go out into the community and give people hope."

Previously: Photos: St. James restoration project reaches pinnacle with placement of new cross

Winner of Shop Batavia rating contest

By Howard B. Owens

Remember a while back we ran a contest for Shop Batavia -- leave a five-star rating on your favorite local businesses for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to that business?

I totally forgot to pick a winner.

So I just did.

It's Ingrid Bowen, of Elba. She wins a $100 gift certificate to the Log Cabin Restaurant.

Three people arrested after suspected marijuana field discovered unexpectedly

By Howard B. Owens

UPDATED Saturday at 12:48 p.m. with the names of the suspects and clarified/corrected information from the Sheriff's Office.

A federal helicopter passing over Genesee County this evening just happened to spot what looked like marijuana plants growing in a field off Angling Road in Corfu, and following an alleged frenzied attempt to hide or destroy the crop three people were taken into custody.

The three suspects are being charged with felony counts of criminal possession of marijuana 3rd and tampering with physical evidence as well as a misdemeanor charge of unlawful growing of cannabis.

Taken into custody were James P. Cox, 49, of 2109 Angling Road, Corfu, Jessica D. Cox, 22, of Benedict Street, Perry, and Beau T. Bressler, 25, of Benedict Street, Perry.

Sheriff's dispatchers received a call from a Homeland Security helicopter piloted by U.S. Border Patrol Agents just before 8:30 p.m. saying that the agents had spotted a suspected marijuana field at 2109 Angling Road, Corfu.

"The border patrol was not actively working with us or actively looking for marijuana," said Sgt. Steve Mullen, of the Sheriff's Office. "They just happened to be flying over the area on their way back to their base."

Immediately after the initial call, the agents informed dispatchers that an individual had run from the field into a residence at that address. At least four people immediately left the residence.

Two people reportedly jumped into a white sedan.

The other three people were allegedly spotted pulling up marijuana plants from the ground and carrying them into the house, into a barn, into a cornfield and into a red SUV parked at the house.

The red SUV was reported to leave the scene and was subsequently stopped by a trooper on Angling Road.

"We had communication with the helicopter through the inter-county system and the helicopter was able to tell us what was going on play-by-play and give us a description of the vehicles as they were leaving," Mullen said.

"(They were able to) observe it (the suspected marijuana) being placed in vehicles and observe it being destroyed or tampered with by throwing it into the cornfield in the hope that we wouldn’t subsequently see it or find it."

Several suspected marijuana plants, with their roots still attached and dusted with dirt, were found inside the vehicle (top photo with Sgt. Greg Walker and Deputy James Diehl, who is also the driver in the photo below).

Mullen said all suspected marijuana plants had been pulled from the ground by the three people allegedly involved in the incident. A total of 32 marijuana plants were recorved, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Two individuals who reportedly left in a white sedan told law enforcement that they left the scene when the suspects started to pull up the plants because they weren't involved and didn't want to be involved in what was going on. Neither of those people were arrested.

The residence at 2109 Angling Road is owned, according to the county's online database, by James P. Cox.

Mullen said one of the inviduals arrested was a resident of the property and the other two people were visiting at the time the suspected pot plants were discovered.

"After noticing the helicopter they decided to help (the suspected grower), or so they thought, remove or destroy the evidence."

Border Patrol helicopter reportedly spots marijuana growers in East Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Deputies are responding to East Pembroke where a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter has reportedly spotted people cultivating marijuana.

One person reportedly saw the helicopter and ducked into a house.

Two other people are reportedly pulling plants into a barn and there is some concern they are trying to destroy the evidence.

A white sedan with a sunroof was reported leaving the property and a deputy has located the car.

Other deputies are responding to the scene.

One suspect is carrying plants to the residence.

An older model red SUV has reportedly left the property.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: The subject in the white car reported that he left because they were pulling the plants. Another subject is in custody. The red SUV has not been stopped yet.

UPDATE 10:41 p.m.: I inadvertently failed to publish to the home page when it was breaking. I just returned from the scene. Three people taken into custody. More info and pictures coming.

Anti-bath salt rally set for Saturday at L&L Transmissions, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Reminder, the "Let's Beat Bath Salts" rally is tomorrow (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at L&L Transmissions, 8781 Alexander Road, Batavia.

Sponsors for the event are:

Hawley Insurance
Molasses Hill Bulk Foods
The Olive Branch
Southside Deli
Neptune's Gardens
Angotti's Beverage
East Town Beverage
Gold Rush
T-Shirts, ETC.
Bourbon & Burger Co.
Valle Jewelers 
Pink Gorilla Tees
Foxprowl Collectibles
Henry Moscicki, NP-C
Rochester Metal Booking
Weis Truck and Trailer Repair
Frankly Design
The Batavian
Falleti Motors
Clor's Meat Market
Low Xpectations Car and Truck Club
B-Town Yellow Taxi
Affordable Cab
Batavia Restaurant Supply

Pair of jail inmates arraigned in city court on felony escape charges

By Howard B. Owens

A church burglary suspect who allegedly tried to escape from the Genesee County Jail had an alleged accomplice, the Sheriff's Office revealed today.

Along with 22-year-old John Anthony Cabrera, Paul Joseph Doctor, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is facing an escape in the first degree charge. The charge is a Class D felony.

Both were arraigned in Batavia City Court today.

According to Investigator William Ferrando, Doctor aided Cabrera by giving him a boost into the ceiling area of the jail dormitory.

Cabrera then allegedly used the jail air duct system to access the correction officer locker room and stole a CO's uniform and boots. 

Somehow, Cabrera allegedly then made his way into the basement area under Genesee Justice (the old Sheriff's Office), which effectively meant he was out of the jail and an alleged escapee.

According to Ferrando, Cabrera was unable to proceed further because by that time corrections officers discovered he was missing. Jail-escape protocols were initiated, which included law enforcement setting up a perimeter around the building at 15 W. Main St., Batavia.

The Cabrera case, which includes multiple felonies, including two felonies charged in the Town of Batavia prior to his arrest July 22 for an alleged church burglary, will be presented to the Grand Jury on Tuesday, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said. 

In the Town of Batavia, Cabrera was charged with possession of stolen property, 4th, and forgery, 2nd, for allegedly possessing a stolen credit card and using it.

At the end of June, Cabrera was arrested on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, petit larceny and conspiracy. Cabrera, with an alleged accomplice, was accused of using a rock to smash a window of a parked car and steal a purse from the front passenger seat.

In city court today, besides the escape charge, Cabrera was arraigned on charges of burglary, 3rd, stemming from his alleged attempt to escape from the jail, and criminal mischief, 3rd, for allegedly damaging county property in the process.

Judge Robert Balbick ordered Cabrera held without bail.

"The court has discretion on bail in this matter, but it's clear to the court that no bail in this case would be appropriate," Balbick said.

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